No. 54
My dear Brethren:- Grace and peace through our Beloved Master!
The exodus of Israel from Egypt was indeed a stupendous undertaking in material, physical strength and courageous determination. The burden upon Moses in that effort is probably beyond a sound evaluation by any human being living today. God knew this full well; and He gave Moses and the Jews abundant encouragement for the immediate present, and in His promises of future special helps. One of these promises is contained in Ex. 23:28: "I will send hornets before thee, which will drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee." The word "hornets in this text is a collective noun and should read "the hornet" – just as we might speak of the fly, the hawk, the wolf, etc.
The Jews had been long under the oppressive yoke, an experience that could not fail to deplete their combative qualities. Thus, humanly speaking, it is no great surprise that they quickly wilted under trialsome experiences, and often plagued the beloved Moses and Aaron for the "leeks, the melons, the onions, the garlic" which had been theirs in Egypt—(Numbers 11:5). Also, they readily forgot the precious promise of "the hornet before thee" when the ten spies brought back their evil report of Numbers 13. "There we saw the giants," the spies had told them, "and we were ... as grass-hoppers...in their sight." This word "giant" is from the Hebrew "Nephilim," the same word as found in Gen. 6:4, "There were giants (Nephilim – fallen ones) in the earth in those days. With the horrifying tales of the great deluge that were handed down by "the fathers," there had come the legend of the "giants" that existed before that flood – those virile creatures, half god and half man, that permeate all Greek and Latin mythology, described as demigods in the numerous accounts. Self-evidently, the Jewish tradition was also impregnated with accounts of these "fiends from Hell" –creatures which they had never seen, but believed to be in existence in some hidden retreat. Thus, they were ready listeners when the ten spies reported to them that the Nephilim, the fallen ones, that race of super men, were the foes they must meet if they crossed Jordan into Canaan. "And the people wept that night...and murmured against Moses and against Aaron... Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt... let us return into Egypt" – Num. 14:1-4.
How easily is the fallen human heart and mind deceived and melted! Undoubtedly there were real giants in Canaan; Goliath of David's day 450 years later is proof sufficient of that. But Goliath, nor any of his kind, were of the Nephilim; God had attended to their annihilation in Noah's day. And David proved speedily enough that the Goliaths in the camps of their enemies were creatures of frailty, vulnerable to the weapons, emotions, and senses, even as were the Jews themselves. Nor could any Goliath before nor since remain quietly in ambush behind rock or bush under the rousing sting of a hornet. It is said that the sting of six hornets has been sufficient to kill a horse, so we need no vivid imagination to evaluate the advantage that would be with the Jews as God would "send the hornet before them" – a promise which the Jews en masse so speedily disbelieved.
But, in addition to Moses and Aaron, who "fell on their faces," Caleb and Joshua held faith in God's promise: "The land... is an exceeding good land ... the Lord will give it to us," But the people would not hear, preferring instead the forty years' wandering in the wilderness, at the end of which all males who had departed Egypt at twenty years and over were corpses in that wilderness – all except the two, Caleb and Joshua. Therefore, when God repeated his promise in Deut. 7:20 to "send the hornet" among the Jews' adversaries, Moses was talking to a new generation – although it is clear enough from Joshua's farewell address that he had believed and had seen with his own eyes that "He is faithful that promised"; the Lord had indeed "sent the hornet before them." (Josh. 24:12)
The Antitype
In considering this type, it should first of all be stressed that only the Hittites, the Canaanites and the Hivites are named in Ex. 23:28; whereas, at least a dozen nations are mentioned at various times – Amorites, Perrizites, Girgashites, Jebusites, Amalekites, Ammonites, Philistines, Maonites, Moabites – this list not including the Zidonians, whom the Jews never attempted to conquer, but usually held in friendly relationship. It will be noted, however, in E-12-516 that Brother Johnson lists only seven nations of Canaan whom Joshua conquered – the Canaanites (worldliness), Hittites (cowardice), Amorites (sinfulness), Perrizites (siftingism), Hivites (sectarianism), Girgashites (selfishness), and Jebusites (erroneousness). Brother Johnson also teaches that "the hornet" represented God's opposing and hurting power.
Why, we ask, are only three of the foregoing evils listed in Ex. 23:28? We believe it is because those three sins have been most influential in retarding and destroying Christian character and progress all during the Gospel Age. These three – the antitypical Hittities (cowardice), Canaanites (Merchants-worldliness) and Hivites (sectarianism) – are the three evils St. Paul specifically opposes in 2 Tim. 1:7 "God did not give to us a cowardly spirit (of the antitypical Hittites) but one of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" – (Dia.)
The opposite of cowardice is courage, and the essence of courage is power (will power) and a strong heart. The quality of courage, when balanced by love and a sound mind, adorns a character as do diamonds and rubies the physical person. And God gives to all His faithful people the "spirit of power" – will power. "I can do all things through Christ, Who strengtheneth me," says St. Paul; and his great will power is eloquent testimony to the truth of this statement. There was none of the antitypical Hittite (the cowardly spirit) in St. Paul. Courageous men of the world have some qualities and slogans that Christians may well emulate. One instructor, when training contestants for grueling physical combat, always impressed upon them: "The other fellow is as tired as you are!" Thus, when the pace becomes so unbearably severe, and the body is crying for a respite, just remember your opponents feel exactly as weary as you do. "Fear not them that are able to kill the body," said Jesus; and St. Paul had ingrained these words into the very fiber of his heart and mind: "I shall not fear what man may do unto me," for "the fear of man bringeth a snare."
Secondly, the antitypical Canaanite (worldliness) is the very antithesis of (agape) love; and God has given His people this "hornet," the spirit of love, to enable them to overcome worldliness. The two are exact opposites. "Love not the world (cosmos), nor the things in the world (cosmos). If any one love the world (cosmos), the love of the Father is not in him." (1 Jno. 2:15) The Canaanites were the lowlanders, the merchants who pursue vigorously the things of the world. "Where a man's treasure is, there will his heart be also"; consequently, one cannot be motivated by the spirit of (agape) love, and yet put his heart into "the things of this world" – this cosmos.
Thirdly, the antitypical Hivite (sectarianism) is the extreme opposite of "the spirit of a sound mind." Note Brother Johnson's description in E-4-291 (47):
"Sectarianism is a great sin; for it does not act from devotion to the Truth, the Truth arrangements and the Spirit of the Truth (which virtues are the Gospel-Age "inheritance of the land" – JJH), but from devotion to partisanship. The Truth, its arrangements and its spirit are by it neglected or antagonized whenever this is in the interest of the sect. Their actual, though not verbal motto is: My party, I stand for it, right or wrong,"
And, further in E-4-299: "The works of sectarianism are wrath, strife, envy, prejudice, partiality, enmity, persecution and misrepresentation of the faithful, approval of certain evils and disapproval of certain good things of the Truth and its arrangements." Certainly, we can find none of "the spirit of a sound mind" in these reprehensible evils.
The sectarian spirit is one of the evidences of Great Company uncleanness – a clear proof that they have not extirpated the antitypical Hivite from their characters. The fully faithful gain complete victory over the Hittite (cowardice), over the Canaanite (worldliness), and over the Hivite (sectarianism); the fully unfaithful make full compromise with these evils, and thus, shipwreck of their future; the Great Company make partial "covenant with them, and with their gods" (Ex. 23:32) – which is the direct cause of them losing their crowns. The fully faithful, who wage successful warfare against these evils, gain the Truth and the Spirit of the Truth as their unchangeable possession – a goodly prize indeed for fighting "the good fight" – "more than conquerors." "Therefore, brethren, more earnestly endeavor to do these things, for thus richly will be furnished to you the entrance into the aionian Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
We may also offer a secondary application to "the hornet," as the sharp stinging truths in the Bible. Who of us has not had the experience of quoting a pertinent annihilative text to some gainsayer; then see him jump from his chair as though stung by a hornet! A good instance of this is to be found in Acts 21:28: "Men of Israel, help!" Those Jews had been "stung" by St. Paul's teachings to the point of willing to murder him. But Paul here again gave testimony that he had eliminated the antitypical Hittite (cowardice) from his character, as he calmly asked the Roman commander: "I entreat thee, permit me to speak to the people." How many would have been only too glad to "call it a day" after being rescued from a shrieking murder-bent mob; but St. Paul, "good soldier" that he was, gave again eloquent witness !hat "God did not give to us a cowardly spirit." And may his example be a strong stimulus to all who strive to "inherit the land" – the Truth, and the Spirit of the Truth.
Ephraim To The Battle
This treatise would be hardly complete were we to omit some comment on Judges 7:24-25, where we are informed "the men of Ephraim... took the two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb ... and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of Jordan." (See E-5:226-229) Oreb (raven) represents Sectarianism – just as does "the Hivite" in Ex. 23:28 – and Zeeb types Clericalism; and those two prince errors are the same as typed by the two golden calves which Jeroboam constructed, one in Bethel and the other in Dan – (see 1 Kings 12:26-30). And the victory over these princes is designated specifically as going to "the men of Ephraim" (typical of the Youthful Worthies in this Epiphany period), with no mention whatever made of the Great Company. This, Brother Johnson explains, is because
"The Lord counts as overcomers ... only those who first in their own characters overcome the disposition underlying such doctrines and practices ... just as only the 144,000 are counted victors over the Beast and his Image, tho, as we know, the Truth section of the Great Company opposed the Beast and his Image, but...are not more than overcomers ... however much they verbally preach and zealously work against them... On the other hand, from the type we infer that the Youthful Worthies overcome in their own characters the spirit of Sectarianism and Clericalism ... This consideration should arouse the Great Company to cleanse themselves"--(E-5:229).
It is well to stress here that sectarianism is of Satanic origin – a product of Azazel. And, as Brother Johnson has so clearly taught, the Great Company serve Azazel with the bad part of their minds (the 'fleshly mind' that must be destroyed if they are to be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus), as they also serve God with the good part of their minds. That is why James refers to them as "doubleminded." Thus, promoting and developing sectarianism with the bad part of their minds, they have built up the various sects in Big and Little Babylon, instead of fighting this evil as the Saints and fully faithful Youthful Worthies have done unto complete victory in their own characters. And, while individual Great Company members may suppress this evil in themselves, the vast majority will cling tenaciously to their various sects until the Lord Himself separates them from those sects by extreme scourging in Armageddon through the destruction of their sects. But, for the present, we are safe in concluding that any Great Company or Youthful Worthies who manifest the sectarian spirit are actually serving Azazel, regardless of the denials ;hey may put forth to the contrary. This is why ;he-Great Company are not mentioned as victors in the battle against Oreb and Zeeb; theirs is not a "more than conquerors" victory because their cleansing from this great sin is forced upon them when "their hearts are brought down with labor." (Psa. 107:12)
We should ever keep in mind that it was the Little Flock's faithfulness in antitypical Gideon's First Battle that emphatically attested they were of the ''very elect.'' And we conclude from this that it will be the faithfulness of the Youthful Worthies in the battle against antitypical Oreb and Zeeb that will eventually determine them "worthy" to occupy places of rulership in the Kingdom with the "worthies" of the ages preceding this Gospel Age. Inasmuch as the Great Company do not make full conquest of these sins within themselves, they cannot serve as examples to those Youthfuls who accept their leadership. It is rather the example of the Fully Faithful that has been their help and instructor thus far – and will continue to be so to the consummation of the Epiphany. It is quite probable that those who fail in this conquest will find themselves either back in the world or among the quasi-elect in the Kingdom, and not among the fully faithful Worthies – although some of them have been the loudest professors, just as was true of Great Company. This should certainly cause each one to "examine himself" to determine whether he is performing "in sincerity and in Truth" his part in this "good fight" against antitypical Oreb and Zeeb, or whether he be "wallowing" in the mire of the great sin of depraved Sectarianism.
We believe, though, that a warning is here appropriate, lest any come to speedy judgment toward those now enmeshed in these evils. We are told in Ex. 23:29, "I will not drive them out (the Hittite, Canaanite and Hivite) from before thee in one year: lest the land become desolate and the beast of the field multiply against thee." This is just another way of saying what Brother Russell said about grand characters – they do not spring up mushroomlike overnight, but are fine-grained and strong like the olive tree – the result of years of determination in fighting "the good fight." Thus, the Lord allows each one time sufficient for his needs to "inherit the land" (the sphere of the Truth and its spirit); and it is only the "Lord who looketh on the heart" that can give equitable evaluation to each one. It should be sufficient for each one that he determine for himself that he is conquering the Hittite (cowardice), the Canaanite (worldliness), and the Hivite (sectarianism) from his own character and giving that assistance to others of his brethren who are "of the Truth."
We urge all to continue in this "good fight," ever "abounding in the work of the lord."
Sincerely your brother,
John J. Hoefle Pilgrim
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Questions of General Interest
QUESTION: – Why do you continue to attend L.H.M.M. Conventions when some of the brethren there snub you, and R. G. Jolly openly states you are not welcome?
ANSWER: - We do this because we have the joyful assurance that we do help some of our brethren by our attendance, and because we have a deep pity for those who ignore and abuse us. It is indeed a sore tragedy to see erstwhile brethren – brethren who have been blessed with many years of the blessed Epiphany Truth – now being browbeaten by an officious Levite, just as the papal adherents allow themselves to be herded by the Catholic clergy. Ten years ago we would not have believed this possible in our own 'house."
It is indeed strange how "Circumstances alter cases." Early in the Epiphany R. G. Jolly was going from class to class in commendable manner to help weak brethren who were being enslaved by That Evil Servant – just as Jesus Himself went into the synagogue in like purpose (and the same as we do when we attend his – R. G. Jolly's Conventions). R. G. Jolly then suffered for righteousness at the hands of That Evil Servant, as he faithfully cooperated with the last Star Member; and it is truly lamentable that he now has reversed his position since he was abandoned to Azazel in 1950. For this he is receiving severe humiliation; and this will continue to be his portion until he cleanses himself or is finally ejected entirely from God's Household. And those who now contribute to his delinquency, and thus become a partaker of his sins, may be certain to receive the chastening rod also if they remain among the Epiphany Elect.
At this Philadelphia Convention some one – unknown to us – asked if the "sifters" had denied the Ransom or the Sin Offering. This put R. G. Jolly in a very awkward position; but he was forced to admit they have not done so. But they are still "sifters"! Why are they sifters? Why, because R. G. Jolly says they are; and does any one dare question him about it! This is identical to That Evil Servant's answer to a disturbed brother who journeyed all the way to Brooklyn for an answer to questions that were troubling him. And what reception did he receive? J. F. Rutherford roughly said to him, "How dare you question me"? And that same evil one branded our beloved Brother Johnson a "sifter" – just as R.G.J. now does to us, and just as was done to Jesus and to all the fully Faithful all during the Age by perverting Levites. And they, and we, have been "sifters" of commendable sort. All have "sifted" the error from the Truth, just as we have been doing since 1950. Indeed, our “sifting" efforts in this respect have closed R. G. Jolly's mouth so completely on one perversion after another that the only cry left to him is "sifter," Our July and September papers have probably now forced him to silence on Campers Consecrated and his perversions on the "Salt" and the "Light." And if we receive persecution for such "sifting," happy are we, because the edict is certain, "All who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." And we once more call upon all who have received the blessed Parousia and Epiphany Truth "in sincerity" to cherish it according to their inalienable right therein, "to be strong, to quit you like men" (1 Cor. 16:13), and not to allow a dictatorial and perverting Levite to "tread in your palaces," (Micah 5:5)
QUESTION:– Why are you so certain no Great Company member could bring forth a new doctrine?
ANSWER:– In addition to Brother Johnson's clear Epiphany teaching, we have past and present Gospel-Age experience; and the experience itself should be enough without Brother Johnson's corroboration. Certainly, no one grounded in Epiphany Truth would contend that any of the leaders in the 59 groups of Little Babylon have produced any advancing Truth (new doctrines) since 1916. We all know they have given only advancing error. Why, then, should we expect anything different from the 60th post, the L.H.M.M.? It is an Age-old human weakness for rabid sectarians to "thank God they are not as other men" (Luke 18:11), when in reality many such have been even worse than those they castigate. Also, we believe our refutations of R. G. Jolly's "advancing Truth" (particularly his Epiphany Campers Consecrated) should convince all unbiased minds of the inherent errors in his new doctrines. We may have more to say about this in a later issue.
QUESTION:– Would you please give us your opinion of "Professor Jolly's comments on grammar, etc., in this last Sept-Oct. Present Truth?
ANSWER :– Brother Russell and Brother Johnson have certainly made it clear enough that each "ambassador for Christ" should strive toward emulation of our "Great Example" in thought, word and deed; but we also have St. Paul's observation that "not many great, nor many noble" have been called into God's Household. Also, Brother Johnson has made it clear enough by his teachings and his own grand example that a brilliant mind schooled in the lore of this world is certainly no disadvantage in serving the Lord if those qualities be combined with a "good and honest heart." However, we believe it to be elemental, too, that the Lord has called many "ignorant and unlearned" men because of their inherent and cultivated good heart qualities, and has passed by the polished and highly educated, as evidence his selection of Brother Russell to be That Servant in preference to Dr. Cook and others who firmly considered they should have the seat "at the head of the table," Thus, an unlearned man who recognizes his limitations in proper humility (a true self-estimate) always holds far greater favor with the Lord than one schooled in technical niceties who rates himself too highly. It is well stated that a fool is a fool until he's educated; then he becomes an educated fool!
Take the case of R. G. Jolly himself: If the Lord had called him in place of an "ignorant and unlearned" Apostle, or instead of Brother Russell, we would have had all sorts of perversions in the New Testament, or in the Harvest Truth – and all of them in excellent grammatical etiquette (according to R. G. Jolly's rating) no errors in grammar (not many anyway!), but plenty of perversions presented in the finest (?) "wrappers." We all know that some of the pilgrims under Brother Russell and Brother Johnson were very effective under the sage handling of the Star Members, though their institutional schooling was sometimes painfully limited. Brother Johnson describes how true this was of Evangelist Dwight Moody (although Dwight Moody never fully accepted Harvest Truth, of course). But those pilgrims of limited education who remained in Epiphany Truth until 1950 did not revolutionize under the guiding hand of Brother Johnson; so we think it proper to conclude that their lacks in education have not been the determining factor in their revolutionisms under the influence of R. G. Jolly since he has fallen into the hands of Azazel. And none of the "ignorant and unlearned" during the entire Age have lost their crowns because of illiteracy; whereas, many of the Great Company have probably lost their crowns because they knew too much from secular books, and too little of " The Book" (the Bible), the "Wisdom from Above."
On p. 77, col. 2, par. 1, of this Sept-Oct. PT under discussion, R. G. Jolly cites the case of "one of Brother Johnson's Pilgrims" who "seemed to resent" Brother Johnson's correction for his use of slang. Here is an example of R. G. Jolly's use of his own "wisdom" and "education" (using his 'fleshly mind' instead of the pure Wisdom from Above). He does not give the name of that brother, although we can be certain from our knowledge of his past and present methods of campaign that he would readily "whisper" that name to any and all who ask it – just as he was "whispering" that JJH is "out of harmony on baptism" even while he was addressing JJH as "dear brother." Yet, when cornered, he admitted that the point wasn't fundamental. If any who read these comments are interested enough to inquire of R. G, Jolly the name of that pilgrim he cites, then we suggest they ask him also to let them see his proof (cite the reference if it is a matter of public record). That should convince them of the kind of "stewardship" R, G. Jolly now considers to be his, as he calls to others to demonstrate "fidelity" in their own stewardship. We also admonish "fidelity" upon all, and we endeavor to place an example of true Christian fidelity before them. R. G. Jolly says we are "verbose, repetitious and effusive." One would think he would be the last one to call attention to those words, as they are copied from Brother Johnson's writings about R. G. Jolly. Let R. G. Jolly show one instance where Brother Johnson ever accused JJH of such "lung thinking" – either in his public writings or private correspondence.