NO. 132: WAIT ON THE LORD

No. 132

My dear Brethren: Grace and peace through our Beloved Master!

The 27th Psalm is from the writings of David, one of the greatest Jews of all time. He was King, General, Administrator, Poet and Musician – “a man after God's own heart” – although the first mention we have of him in Sacred Writing is the Son of Jesse, a lowly shepherd boy. At the time of writing the 27th Psalm he had come a long way up the troublesome and trying pathway of life; and his own life's experiences along that way undoubtedly prompted and measurably ordered the inspired words which now refresh, inspire and counsel us. Such were his experiences, that from the very marrow of his bones could he plead with the Lord – “Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me” (Psa. 27:12). Well was he aware that he was to be King in Israel; yet he patiently waited out the years until God's “due time” had arrived to make the throne vacant by removal of the long-disgraced Saul. But, in full assurance that he was to “sit upon the throne of the Lord in Israel,” yet little did he realize that his waiting upon the Lord was enabling God to perfect in King Saul a type “for our admonition and learning” some three thousand years after David had “gone the way of all the earth” – a type which he would have destroyed had he slain King Saul when the oppor­tunity was there (1 Sam. 24:10). Here we have a striking instance when a man's failure to “wait upon the Lord” would not only have been to his own immediate dis­advantage, but which would actually have voided God's purposes for the future inter­ests of His people.

But of all David's accomplishments, that of Poet seems to have brought him the grandest and most complimentary appellation; he is fondly described as The Sweet Singer of Israel. He was the greatest religious Poet ever to arise in the Jewish nation. And, as in all his titles does he so pointedly and aptly type the Parousia David, yet as The Sweet Singer of Israel does he most appropriately type That Wise and Faithful Servant – who also was the sweetest singer of all Gospel-Age Israel, except the One whose headship he so admirably and nobly accepted. His harmonious blending of the ten strings of the Harp of God have truly been “sweeter than honey from the honeycomb,” melody sublime to every ear that is “of the Truth.” Therefore, his expressions on Psalms 27, as well as on all Scripture on which he wrote, are well-nigh impossible to equal, and certainly none have surpassed them. Little wonder is it that some brethren so often affectionately referred to him as “That Wonderful Man of God.” As a “good soldier,” he often waited on the Lord “through evil report and good report.” Hence, the mere quoting of his writings are certain to embellish in most ornate fashion any pages on which they appear – whether those pages emanate from the Pope of Rome or from the most confused Parousia or Epiphany errorists, many of whom mingle his writings with theirs to add color, substance and appeal to their “sleight-of-hand.” This is pointedly true today of some radio and television preachers, whose names we need not mention. We believe all who have studiously assimilated the contents of his Six Volumes of Studies in the Scriptures will heartily agree with the above observations (If any of our readers do not have those books, we shall be happy to see that they do receive then).

And praise akin to the foregoing may be sung for the writings of the Epiphany Messenger also, whose article on Psalms 27:14 in the May 1, 1945 Present Truth is the basis for this article. Thus, it is not our thought to supplant that article; rather do we accept Brother Johnson's counsel that his Epiphany writings form a base on which we may elaborate and enlarge, as and when expedience may direct. With that thought in mind, the following comments are addressed to all God's faithful Israel.

There are two reasons why we should “wait upon the Lord.” First, we must know His will for us. When we are “young men” in God's family, we may often think we know His will for us quite clearly; but the experience, training, and growth in grace and knowledge that can come only with the years cause us to reflect that much of our judgment in those early days was sadly mingled with “wishful thinking” – that our waiting on the Lord then avoided much chagrin and heartache for us later on. And, as we may find ourselves waiting on the Lord now, we may five, ten or fifteen years hence realize full well that our waiting on the Lord in 1966 was truly in the nature of sound judgment. However, St. Paul, in his great consecration text of Rom. 12:1-2, informs us that years faithfully applied in the study, spread and practice of the Truth will give us “the spirit of a sound mind,” which will enable us more readily and accurately to evaluate God's leadings and intentions for us: “Trans­form yourselves by the renovation of your mind, that you may ascertain what is the good, and well-pleasing, and perfect will of God” (Diaglott). Such “renovation” comes in but one way – our faithful and honest-hearted application to the study, spread and practice of the Truth. As all God's faithful servants grow old in His service, they realize with increasing force the truth of Paul's admonition in Rom. 12:2.

Secondly, even though we may certainly be convinced that we know God's will in a given circumstance, we may yet need to wait for strength sufficient to carry out His purpose. The providences of God's people vary widely; therefore, it is properly written, “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Thus, God exalts whom He will exalt, and – “do not be in a hurry about it either” is the counsel of That Wise and Faithful Servant, as expressed in the December 22 Manna comment.

Perhaps the outstanding Old Testament example of “waiting on the Lord” is Moses. From Pharoah's house, with its “soft raiment” (Matt. 11:8), with its “foods pleasant to the taste” (Luke 7:25), and the “pleasures of sin” that were there (Heb. 11:25), it was a far, far step to the Wilderness of Midian, with its raiment of goatskin, its course diet and rugged terrain. And in this latter circumstance did Moses wait on the Lord for forty years. Probably it is that waiting that gained for him the sublime compliment, “The meekest man in all the earth.” He was the meekest – most leadable, most teachable – because it is quite probable no other living man would have waited on the Lord for a full forty years in Midian as did Moses. In addition to the humdrum monotony of such a life, there was most certainly no intelligence there capable of giving Moses anything approaching warm intimacy of soul – even though Jethro be titled a “Prince of Midian” (See Ex. 2:16, margin). His thoughts had to be pretty much his own – even as Jesus had “meat to eat that ye know not of” (Jno. 4:32). Most of God's people today live a commonplace work-a-day existence, certainly far removed from regal or courtly surroundings. Yet, how many of them could be transferred from these ordinary and modest circumstances to the rigors of Midian for even one year without murmuring and complaining against God and His Providences? This is truly a sobering thought; and poses a question which each may properly ask himself with a view to that true self-examination which “searcheth the reins and the heart.” Certainly, timely and good is the counsel of St. James – “Take, my brethren, the prophets for an example” (Jas. 5:10).

And a fitting partner for Moses in waiting upon the Lord may be found in the New Testament in “that disciple whom Jesus loved.” The Apostle John attended the General Convention of Apostles and brethren at Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 15. That was about the year 50 AD; and that is the last record we have of him for about 40 years – until he gave us his inspired writings during the last years of his life. This is not to suggest that he lived anything approaching the isolated life for those 40 years as did Moses in Midian. But, surely, God did seem to forget him by withholding inspired writings from him until long past the time when the majority of men would be “sleeping with their fathers.” Yet, in his old age, after such a long wait on the Lord, he was given some of the most important, intricate and sublime of all Bible writings.

But an acceptable waiting on the Lord must most certainly be coupled with a true humility – a proper self-estimate. Having a correct estimate of self, none will deign to “wait on the Lord” to make him something for which he does not have capacity; or give to him powers of wealth or position beyond his ability to manage and still “hold the head.” Many have yearned to be Elders, Pilgrims, Star Members, not realizing their incapacity; nor understanding clearly that “no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Heb 5:4). Therefore, “Not by power (natural human will-power or determination), nor by might (natural muscle and brawn), but by my spirit, sayeth the Lord.” No amount of will-power (determination) will put any one into the Body of Christ, because “God hath set the members in the body”; and no amount of determination will qualify one for Elder, Pilgrim or Pastor and Teacher, if he be not endowed with a qualified heredity that has been quickened “by my spirit.” It is for each to improve his “talents,” because it is indeed “required of stewards that a man be found faithful”; and thus purging himself he will be found a “vessel unto honor” as it pleaseth the Father and our Beloved Lord Jesus to bestow upon him. If we do our part, and that with a fully sanctified will power, then God will most certainly do His part toward us as we wait upon Him, for – “He is faithful that promised.”

But, the most eloquent appeal to wait on the Lord would be measurably stinted unless it be stated – and in forceful and clear language – that once we learn what God's will is for us in any given situation, and if the necessary strength be avail­able, then it would be just as wrong to longer wait as it would have been to run ahead of Him before we knew His will. After Moses had waited in Midian for 40 years, and once the Lord had made clear to him he must then return to Egypt, he would have incurred only the Lord's strong displeasure had he determined to wait longer in the house of Jethro. And so with Jesus, when He was come to manhood, He delayed not to “do thy will, 0 God.” Also, He did no waiting on the Lord when His “times” on earth had been filled to the full. “When the days of His retirement were completed, He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51, Dia.) And so with each of us, if our surroundings become Godless, or our providential circumstances clearly indicate a change of course, we should ever have our “sandals on our feet” if we would faithfully do the will of God. Thus, where one may wait on the Lord, another perhaps should be moving on to the battle. Many believed they had moved their religious house for the last time when they came into the Harvest Truth Movement ­only to learn, with sadness of heart and mind, that the trying years after 1916 re­quired them to move once more. And of those who left the Society then, perhaps all of them concluded that was their final move; yet the turbulent years since then have proven once again that the Lord had other plans in store for some of them. And, while those years have taught us to “wait on the Lord,” they should have taught us with equal force and solemnity that we should never have the Lord waiting on us. Always should your sandals be “on your feet, and your staff in your hand.” (Ex. 12:11)

Nor should any faithful Pastor and Teacher “wait on the Lord” to defend the Truth when the Truth is attacked or errors are introduced to contaminate God's people. Rather, in such cases he should proceed to the battle even at the cost of life itself, because “The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (Jno. 10:11). And such errors should be attacked boldly and openly, and not by “private explanations” or by a depraved and undercover whispering campaign. Anytime we see the latter methods used, we may reasonably conclude that such a “Pastor and Teacher” is in reality not honestly attempting to defend the Truth, not “waiting on the Lord”; rather, he is attempting to defend himself. These were the methods employed by That Evil Servant and his henchmen against faithful Brother Johnson, when so often they quoted Prov. 6:19, “God hates him that soweth discord among brethren.” When one attacks error and sin, as did Brother Johnson against leprous Levitical leaders, it was not he who was guilty of sowing discord; rather the errorists and evildoers were the real cul­prits; and the very Scripture they quoted was the one by which the Lord judged them. They complained, too, about the hard and rough words that were used against them; were they not showing a better spirit by their soft words and their wounded feel­ings? So often did Brother Johnson quote Psalms 55:21, “The words of his mouth are smoother than butter, but war is in his heart.” Yes, the “twin brother” of earth's most reprehensible character, one Judas Iscariot, soothed his peace-loving followers with “buttered words”; and those who craved the buttered words of error and deceit instead of the plain talk of Brother Johnson, got what they ordered –­ “Jehovah's Witnesses.” And here the question would seem timely and pertinent: How do you like what they got? It would seem appropriate to quote here a sample of those buttered words, taken from the March 1916 Watch Tower:

“With deep regret we here mention that the practice of some is to go about the classes and at first, by soft and smooth speech, assure the dear sheep that they have deeply the interest of the Lord's work at heart; and then suddenly they bring a tirade against the word as the Lord is conducting it through the channel he has used for the last forty years .... This is just another evidence of the great shaking now in progress.... It would seem that any one who is loyal to the Lord and his cause and the brethren would not seek to disrupt his work; at least, if they could not see eye to eye with the manner in which it is being conducted, the proper spirit would prompt such to remain quiet or quietly to withdraw. Any other spirit would not seem to be the spirit of the Master.”

The foregoing are the “buttered words” of That Evil Servant – a person to whom thousands referred as “Dear Brother Rutherford”; and this they were doing at the very time he was attempting to assassinate Star Member Brother Johnson (1 Jno. 3:15, see Berean Comment). He had been quite prominent during the Parousia, probably second in prominence and prestige to Brother Russell in the publicity given him as “The Judge”; he had done valiantly for the Truth and the Brethren; had rendered Brother Russell excellent personal service – so much so that Brother Russell named him as one of the Society's Board of Directors and a member of the Editorial Com­mittee of the Watch Tower. It should be specially noted that some of his most notable works – for instance, A Battle in the Ecclesiastical Heavens – was accomplished after 1914, after he had lost his crown, but while the restraining hand and priestly guid­ance and protection of Star Member Brother Russell were still with him. But, just as “Satan as lightning fell from Heaven” (Luke 10:18) – very swiftly and precipitately – so also fell this erstwhile shining Little Flock Member; and his is a tragic example and a somber warning to all of us, of the depths to which one may possibly sink once he loses his crown, then becomes separated from the sanctifying influence of a Star Member and does “despite unto the spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29). “If the light that is in thee become darkness, how great is that darkness'' (Matt. 6:23). “When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned; in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die” (Ezek. 18:24). One of the three sins specifically attributed to That Evil Servant was his failure to “wait on the Lord” – ­“said in his heart, My Lord delayeth” (Matt. 24:48). Perhaps at another time there will be much more to say about this, D.v.

Inasmuch as this writing has been induced by Brother Johnson's article in the May 1945 Present Truth, it would seem fitting and respectful to conclude this pre­sentation by quoting from Volume E-5, page 18 (16); which quotation offers a re­freshing contrast to the above excerpt from the 1918 Watch Tower, and clearly re­veals it was never Brother Johnson's attitude to “wait on the Lord” once the Lord had revealed to him clearly and indisputably the Truth necessary to “refute the gainsayers”:

“In every instance we and our supporters have resisted these revolu­tionisms. The columns of The Present Truth contain many articles exposing these errors of doctrine and wrongs of practice. The Lord has enabled us in every case successfully to refute these errors of doctrine and to reprove these wrongs of practice.... Our course in this respect has been misrepresented as a contentious and cantankerous one by the revolutionists, who at first attempted to answer our presentations. But our replies so completely crushed their answers that they have ceased attempting replies, alleging that they stand for peace and will have nothing to do with controversy, thereby pretending great meekness in contrast with what they allege to be our contentious spirit! When did our Lord, our Pastor and other faithful servants of the Truth keep silent when their presentations were attacked and errors were introduced (Micah 5:5,6)? Certainly they acted as we do in similar conditions, and not like the revolutionists. “

Similar tribute may be paid to other “good soldiers” of the past. Arius with­stood in open Convention over 300 prominent bishops respecting the Truth that Jesus is the Son and God is the Father. And what shall we say of Martin Luther and his rock-crushing blasts at the Papal errors of his day. Had he decided “to remain quiet or quietly to withdraw” (see Watch Tower quotation on p. 4), he would not now “shine forth as the sun In the kingdom of your Father”; nor would we enjoy the advantages that have come to us through his deeds of valor in “the good fight.” And we ourselves have had much the same experience since Brother Johnson's demise ­in far less emphasis, of course; although we resolutely continue “in defense of the Truth.” Be it noted, however, that the errorists themselves seldom go forth to the battle; very many of them prefer “to remain quiet” – to accept “the counsel of the ungodly” (Psa. 1:1). Some of them who were supposedly schooled in Harvest Truth have counseled us to “wait on the Lord” to fight His own battles – a far cry indeed from the course of Brother Russell and other “good soldiers” in the Parousia. It is we – not they – (so they say) who show the “bad spirit” – the same “bad spirit” dis­played by Martin Luther, Brother Russell, and countless other faithful servants.

It is a sage observation that it is better by far to do nothing than to proceed in a haphazard or uncertain fashion. “If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” Had R. G. Jolly allowed himself reasonable time for meditation, prayer, and conference with brethren firmly “established in the Present Truth,” he would not have fallen victim to J. W, Krewson's errors as readily as he did – errors which he is now hard pressed to defend. “The God of Israel will give them water of gall to drink” (poisoned water – Truth corrupted with erroneous teachings – bitter experiences).

And may our Good Heavenly Father grant to each of His people the refreshment and strength of heart and mind that will bring to one and all that “blessing that maketh rich,” indeed! “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psa. 27:13,14)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Do the Ancient and Youthful Worthies have any part whatever in the Sin Offering?

ANSWER: – According to both Brother Russell and Brother Johnson, they have no part whatever in the Sin Offering – although they are “connected with the cleansing from sin.” (See TS, p. 108, par. 2) Beginning on page 105 of Taber­nacle Shadows, we offer brief quotations, giving Brother Russell's thought on this subject:

“It was not one of the sin-offerings of the Day of Atonement, nor was it one of the offerings of the people subsequent to the Jay of Atonement, Indeed, It was no offering at all; for no part of it was offered on the Lord's altar or eaten by the priests..... It was not even killed by one of the priests, nor was its blood taken into the Holy or the Most Holy.... This heifer was in no sense related to these (better sacrifices), and evidently did not typify any of the sacrifices of this present time.... The burning of the heifer was not related to any of these sacrifices, all of which were made by the priests, and in the Court.... This class being no part of the Body of the High Priest could have no part or share in the sin-offering of the Day of Atonement.......... Our positive­ness on this subject is the positiveness of the Word of God “

Further on this subject from Brother Johnson (E-12:275): “The Great Company sufferings in relation to sin-atonement are for the wilful sins of the world in sin-atonement and thus differ from those of the Church; and they differ from those of the Ancient and Youthful Worthies, which Worthies do not suffer at all for sin-atonement, which again makes the Great Company sufferings differ from those of these three classes.”

In addition to the foregoing is the important fact that the Red Heifer was a female; whereas, all the Atonement-Day offerings were males. And, since no part of this sacrifice even touched the brazen altar in the Court, and was not performed by the Priests, or any part of it used by them, it should be clear enough that Brother Russell and Brother Johnson were right in their conclusion that it could have no part or share in the sin-offering, or offering for sin.

The quotation from E-12 was first reproduced in our paper No. 111, of Sept. 1, 1964; therefore, J. W. Krewson can hardly plead ignorance for his statement on page 43 of his paper No. 67 that the Worthies' death “helps to atone for the world's pre-kingdom wilful sins.” His contradiction of the Star Members on this teaching is so flagrant that it cannot be classified as a “perversion”; it is, in fact, a brazen and impudent repudiation of this Parousia and Epiphany Truth – and nullifies a considerable part of Tabernacle Shadows – a performance in keeping with the course of J. F. Rutherford before he rejected that book completely. While we believe the brethren should be wary of any opinions contradictory to those of the Star Members ­except those clearly disproved by time itself – we feel we are hardly obligated to allow Christian tolerance for such contradictions when they boldly set aside the clear Scriptural teachings explained not only by The Epiphany Messenger, but also by That Servant.

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QUESTION: – Are Epiphany Volumes 16 and 17 a true parallel of Volume 7 (The Finished Mystery)?

ANSWER: – A little analysis should enable each one to answer this question to his own satisfaction. When Volume 7 appeared in 1917 its Foreword declared; “This book may properly be said to be a posthumous publication of Pastor Russell.” Those of us properly informed on the matter now know that the statement was a rank falsehood. While Volume 7 did contain numerous quotations and reproductions of interpretations by Brother Russell, it also contained an enormous amount of error – so much so that it is a gross insult to the blessed memory of Brother Russell to attribute to him the general contents of Volume 7 as his posthumous work.

On the other hand, Epiphany Volumes 16 and 17 can honestly be described as the posthumous work of Brother Johnson, because much of those books is lifted directly from the writings of Brother Johnson while he was alive; and the remainder of those books is in substance exactly what he taught. Thus, this first analogy gives no hint of a “parallel” between the respective books.

But just as the Six Volumes of Scripture Studies contained some mistakes on the time features – which were properly corrected by Brother Johnson – so Volumes 16 and 17 also contain some immaturities and mistakes on the time features, which need correction. Only stupidity or obstinacy would refuse to recognize this fact. And, while R. G. Jolly made no attempt to correct the time mistakes in those books, it is certainly to his commendation that he also avoided injecting any of his own errors into them (such as Epiphany Campers Consecrated, etc.). As the books now appear, it is not too difficult for the informed student to discern what corrections are necessary,

On pages 39 to 52 of his No. 67 Extra, J. W. Krewson offers a number of correc­tions (?) and additions (one of these being outlined in the previous question in this paper), which he claims to “parallel” some attempts by the Society to correct some of the mistakes in Volume 7. But it should be noted that the Society itself – directly controlled by J. F. Rutherford – attempted those corrections; whereas, the attempted corrections in Volumes 16 and 17 are by J. W. Krewson himself, who claims to be occupying much the same position as did Brother Johnson. However, the clear facts prove that if he is “paralleling” any one in his present attempts at correcting these books, he must then be paralleling J. F. Rutherford.

Then, on page 51 J. W. Krewson says this: “No longer.... would these volumes be stigmatized and not used as references.” (How is Volume 7 used for references?)

When did Brother Johnson ever offer a similar compliment to Volume 7? In fact, even after the changes published by the Society, he still contended that Volume 7 was in such a vile condition that the only way to correct it would be for some one to re­write the whole thing in correct fashion. About the only use he ever made of the book was to refute subsequent errors by the Society when they attempted to disclaim some of the Truths that Volume 7 actually did contain; and today they nullify these basic Truths by their “strange fire” (false doctrines) and perversions of the “Time of Trouble.”

Again, on page 52, J. W. Krewson says that the abortive publication of Volumes 16 and 17 has barred R. G. Jolly from “entering Apokalypsis Canaan.” However, the writers of Volume 7 (mainly Clayton Woodworth and George Fisher) had already been barred from Parousia Canaan; they were already crown-losers, and J. F. Rutherford is specifically condemned for “eating and drinking with the drunken” (those drunken with error) in his encouragement of those who did compile Volume 7. And, J.W. Krewson has been very pronounced that R. G. Jolly will eventually cleanse himself. Just how will he do this if he is never to enter “Apokalypsis Canaan” (presumably the present sphere of the Truth and its spirit) here in the end of the Age?

Therefore, our answer to the question would be that about the only thing right about the Krewson “parallel” is that it is wrong in its entire setting. The word parallel means “conformity in all essential points”; but the Krewson “parallel” is disharmony in all essential points – except that one instance in which he is parallel­ing J. F. Rutherford.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Friend: I have read your #121 on the Roman Church and its Twin in which you refer to a paper on Justification #120. 1 would like to read it.

Sincerely ------- (OHIO)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: To you an obedient Servant – May Proverbs 3:9,10 be yours!

Thank you so much for your gift of Christian love – also for the Book Heavenly Manna. Praise God it has been just that – Heavenly Manna! The series which I am yet studying has answered several questions I had wondered about. I shall study at each opportunity.

I am hoping I can mail a donation to you to help with this wonderful work before too long. I cannot promise definitely when. I am sure the Savior will bless me to do this thing that I desire so much.........

Please continue to pray for me and pray my strength in the Lord increase as I give Him my best.

Your Sister ------- (NORTH CAROLINA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: How we rejoice in being your “Dearly beloved.” It is surely a most wonderful experience to be joined under our Head by faith in love and common union. Here we are scattered and far apart – yet the tie that binds us one to another has no limitation. We, of all people, are at this time the most fully able to understand why David so often shouted forth a “Hallel” to our Most High, Mighty Heavenly Father. Surely Goodness and Mercy has followed us all our lives!

Now, after more than 55 times that we have had the privilege of joining in the Memorial we can hardly restrain a shout of victory. Certainly we are near that happy day!.........

We are glad to be remembered by you and those with you. It is a great comfort in this time of famine in this so great land. Surely the poor people are getting stones, both politically and religiously, when they are piteously asking for bread. No wonder we long and pray for the Kingdom!

In our service your letters are read..... Those present seem to get help and comfort for themselves from your letters.

Remember us to all whom you may meet. Our Christian love and most sincere best wishes for a blessed Memorial season April 3. The 'mite' is for use as you see fit.

As ever Brother and Sister ------- (LOUISIANA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings! I thank you for your letters. They are most welcome – and increase my faith In God. I value them highly. About the tracts, I meant to tell you that they were not spoiled, but the box was broken.

I suppose you had a very happy time with the friend that visited you...... Just received another letter. Thank you for the good thoughts. Please send tracts..... Thank you! with love and prayers for you all and all with you.

Your sister in the faith ------- (PENNSYLVANIA)

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Dear Sir: Please send me free – What is the Soul and Where are the Dead.

Yours truly ------- (NORTH CAROLINA)

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Dear Sirs: Kindly send me your tracts, Special Edition No. 2; also copies The Resurrection of the Dead, The Three Babylons, Where are the Dead.

Thanking you for your consideration, I remain

Sincerely yours ------- (NEW JERSEY)

NO. 131: THE GREAT MULTITUDE

No. 131

My dear Brethren: Grace and peace through our Beloved Master!

In Rev. 7:9-17 there is described in some detail “a great multitude" of persons, the expression being translated in the Emphatic Diaglott as a great crowd, which no one could have numbered.  The same expression is also found in Rev. 19:1 and 6 -the 7th and 19th Chapters of Revelation being the only places in the Bible where the expression is used for this class. Brother Russell explained this "great crowd”  as that vast number of people who had responded to the invitation to enter the race "for the prize of the high calling in Christ" during this Gospel Age, but who had failed to be faithful to "the covenant by sacrifice” and as a result were ejected from the Elect Christ company. That there has been such a “backsliding lsrael”  in this Age no one with proper information will deny. And that they have greatly outnumbered their fully-faithful brethren no one properly informed will deny.

However, there is an additional item other than great number indicated here, which should be kept in mind: They were not called to a position of “backsliding"; they were not called to be failures... -to "lose their crowns”. The admonition is, “I am coming speedily; hold fast what thou hast, so that no one may take thy Crown.  (Rev. 3:11, Dia.) As Brother Russell has so aptly stated, There’s no excuse for anyone to lose his crown, because the Lord gives them every assistance to ‘make their calling and election sure' and be faithful unto death”.  So the Lord did not number this class: He did not foreordain that they should, as individuals, be crown-losers. This exhortation was especially applicable during the Parousia when the spirit begotten were in danger of losing these "exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Pet. 1:4) The “great multitude" lost these "exceeding great and precious promises," and are being manifested as such (crown-losers) here in this Epiphany period.

By this numerical superiority and often by superior secular education and selfish political maneuvering-they have often outshone their faithful brethren, frequently receiving the plaudits of the masses, as was the case with disobedient King Saul in his relationship to the Prophet Samuel. (See 1 Sam. 9 and l0.... “God save the King"--Saul) And, as we might expect, this "disobedient" Class (Col. 3:6..... See Berean Comment) is treated in many Scriptural types and passages, some of which we shall now elucidate. (The leaders of this class - like Saul - wanted to do things in their own way, to gain “the praise of men”,  so they have -especially in this Epiphany period  either combined with Big Babylon, or used Babylonish methods, in presenting the Truth.  Examples of some, their combining with Billy Graham in advertising, "Youth for Christ” etc.; and with some using fiction in TV programs to illustrate how the "Plan” is received  by some outsiders....... something That Servant shunned in his presentation of the Harvest Truth. He changed the title of one of the Studies in the Scriptures so that no one would be induced to buy one because they thought it was fiction.)

First of all, we shall use our Lord's parable of the Sower (Matt, 13:1..9) where the Lord described four classes of people who would hear the Gospel message in this Age: (1) That seed which fell by the road, eaten by the birds; (2) That on the rocky ground, where they had not much soil, quickly scorched and withered by the sun (of worldly opposition and persecution); (3) That among thorns, "and the thorns choked them"; (4) That on good ground, and yielded increase. 

The "great crowd” is the same class described by Jesus in No. 3 above ... the seed that fell among thorns. The thorns in Palestine grew to great height in ancient times, and it required ground with good productive substance to give them growth. Thus, they fittingly portray a class in this Age who also have some quality (good ground); but they allow the thorns (the cares of this life or its illusive bubbles) partially to choke out the benevolent effects of the “good word of God.”  They become "backsliders ; their robes become “spotted" in various sinful ways, which in turn requires them to "come out of great affliction" to wash their soiled robes of the sinful spots (The Fully Faithful keep their robes "without spot, or wrinkle or any such thing" as they daily go to the Throne of Grace for the forgive­ness of their trespasses). “The cares of this life” affect various segments of the "great crowd" in conglomerate fashion, some of which we set forth as follows:

ANTITYPICAL LOT:  In Gen. 13: 5-11 there is related the contention between the herdmen of Lot and the herdmen of Abraham--so severe that it brought them to the parting of the ways. Given his choice by Abraham, lot chose the way of Sodom … “well watered, everywhere.”  But the Sodomites were an unsavory group, among whom "Lot vexed his righteous soul (2 Pet. 2:8). However, the lure of "green pastures, well-watered," overcame Lot's aversion to the unrighteousness about him so much so that he "sat in the gate of Sodom” (Gen. 19:1), the place of prominence.  Rev. 11:8 clearly states that Sodom was a type of Christendom.,. "that great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified" .. and a portion of antitypical Lot was responsible for the building of antitypical Sodom (Babylon the Great), where they held the "chief seats in the synagogue "sat in the gate” ... determined not to leave until the rain of fire and brimstone forces their exit, and the loss of all their possessions. That “fire” will eventually burn and destroy the “wood, hay and stubble" of their characters; they come out of great affliction, and wash their robes. H (Rev. 7: 14.) Lot types especially that portion of the “great crowd" who "love the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12 :43) they succumb to the “deceitfulness of riches,”  flattery, etc.

ANTITYPICAL ELI:  Another section of the “great crowd" is portrayed in Eli, high priest in Israel when Saul became king. Eli himself was not an evil person, but his two sons were evil -"sons of Belial"  (1 Sam. 2:12,23). Eli was quite aware of their iniquities, but was too weak to take positive action about it. In that picture his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, typed the Catholic and Protestant clergy of the sinning worldly sort in the Gospel Age. Antitypical Eli has seen their waywardness, but has been too weak, or too partial, to take a firm stand against them; they have been choked by the “thorns" about them, and measurably "hide their light under a bushel."

ANTITYPICAL MIRIAM: A third section of the "great crowd" is pictured in Miriam, who became leprous for speaking against Moses (Num. 12:1-10). She represents that portion of the “great crowd" who murmur against, and meddle into the affairs of God's faithful leading ministers during this Age (especially the Star Members). An outstanding example of this Miriam class is given in Epiphany Volume 10, pp. 585- 594, where the 'good' (uncleansed) levites attacked the Epiphany Messenger in his office and works (attacked the Lord' s Mouthpiece!).. Leprosy is a type of sin; and Miriam's leprosy types “great crowd" uncleanness in doctrine and conduct. Here again the necessity for "washing their robes" is very apparent.

AZAZEL’S GOAT: In the Atonement-Day sacrifice, as prescribed in Leviticus 16, two goats were presented “at the door of the Tabernacle" by Aaron --“one for the Lord, and the other for the scapegoat." The word “scapegoat” is simply a con­traction of “escapegoat,” this being a term used to indicate that this goat "escaped" ­as it were - by being sent away into the wilderness after Aaron had confessed the "iniquities of the children of Israel" upon its head. "Foolish virgins" have ex­pressed the belief that this “escapegoat” types Jesus, who bore the penalty for the sins of the world; but the error of this belief becomes readily apparent when we consider Paul’s words in Heb. 9: 22,  “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.” The fact that this goat “escaped” without being slain readily contradicts the foolish-virgin viewpoint.

But an even more apparent contradiction to the error is obtained by reference to the margin of Lev. 16:8; where it is stated “scapegoat” should be translated "Azazel"… an ancient Hebrew expression to indicate the Devil. Certainly, our Lord could not have been set apart for the Devil! However, there is complete harmony when we consider that this goat is just another type of the "great crowd”-- the Gospel­ Age backsliders who "escape" their Covenant by Sacrifice -- overcome by the wiles of the Adversary -- in contrast to their faithful brethren who are represented in the second goat that was slain by Aaron for a "sin offering.”  One goat for (serving) the Lord; one for (serving) Azazel.

PRESENT-DAY ERRORS ON THE “GREAT CROWD”

There are many other types and Scriptural passages treating of the “great crowd," which we may present in another writing; but the foregoing are among the more prominent and easily-discerned applications. For now, however, we make pass­ing mention of some of the others: The Levites in Ezek. 44:10-13: by Elisha; Rahab in Jericho (who also lost all her possessions when Jericho fell, as did Lot in Sodom); the Foolish Virgins; Benjamin, the brother of Joseph (both having the same mother, typing the "great crowd" and the Little Flock who are "mothered" by Heavenly prom­ises); Esau, brother of Jacob; Meshach (“guest,” in allusion to being invited -- guests -- at the marriage supper of the Lamb --Dan. 3:12-25); the ten spies with Caleb and Joshua.  We have been motivated to present this treatise because of the errors now so rampant on the "great crowd," one of which errors has appeared in The Watchtower of February 16, 1966. The Jehovah's Witnesses offer more than seven pages of their magazine in “proof” that the "great crowd” is now found in their "Jonadabs," their “sheep” in the parable in Matt. 25:31-46.

Their entire article is an outstanding example of eisegesis--a tragic mutila­tion of the Truth they once possessed on the “great crowd," as left to them by Brother Russell. The very Scripture they attempt to analyze directly contradicts their interpretation, because Rev. 7:9 says the "great crowd" stood "before the throne.” That his “throne” is in Heaven is clearly stated in verse 11, where we are told that “all the angels stood round about the throne.”  Certainly, these angels are spirit beings; whereas the so-called Jonadabs are to be human beings here on earth, according to the Witnesses' teaching. Also, the “great crowd" standing “before the throne" is a clear indication that they are a class of servants, courtiers--in contrast to the Gospel Age Fully Faithful elect who are in the throne as Rulers. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”  (Rev. 3:21) Here again the "Father's throne" is in Heaven -- not on earth; and we are told the "great crowd” is before that throne -- attendants upon the Royalty, those possessing the Divine nature, that reign in the Throne.

But a more potent and direct contradiction of their position is obtained from Rev. 19:1 and 6. In verse 1 “much people in heaven” is the exact Greek expression translated “great crowd” in Rev. 7; and in verse 6, “a great multitude" is exactly the same as Rev. 19:1 and 7. And Rev. 19:9 declares that this “great crowd" were “invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." Just a little reflection will reveal how impossible  it would be for their Jonadabs to be the same group as the "great crowd," because their Jonadabs are admittedly children of the New Covenant - children, then, of the Lamb and His Bride. Thus, they would have the children of the Divine union attending a wedding supper of their Parents - a self-evident impossibility - attending the wedding supper of their parents before they even receive life from that marriage - celebrating a union before they are born! Isn't it strange - so very strange - that the Witnesses could not spare space in seven pages to make mention of the only other place in the Bible which discusses the “great crowd"? Of course, had they done so, it's just possible that some of their deluded “dedicated” (to the service of that organization) devotees might ask some questions along the lines we here mention. And that might prove real embarrassing!

It took a number of years, and a succession of events, for the Witnesses to realize that the real truth on the "great crowd” which had been left to them by Pastor Russell must be rejected to make way for their present error. And, since one error usually calls for other errors to support it, the Witnesses were hard­pressed for a logical (?) solution to some important questions - one of which was how to handle this “great crowd" at the present time. They are telling them that the opportunity to be of the “Remnant" (the Elect Bride of Christ) is closed to them; yet they teach that this dedicated "great crowd" must "show the same degree of faithfulness to Jehovah God as the spiritual remnant” (the same sort of rubbish that the L.H.M.M. section of the Great Company teaches for their Epiphany Campers Consecrated -an admitted quasi-elect class: Their "consecrated" quasi-elect must now also walk a “narrow way" in order to gain precedence over the Jews and the other quasi-elect).

This would logically prompt the question by such: Why should we sacrifice ourselves on the streets selling literature, etc., if there is no reward for it? (When God accepts a sacrifice, there is always a rich reward.  We can be sure of that from One who is the embodiment of WISDOM JUSTICE, LOVE AND POWER.) So the Witnesses figured out their reward: The “crowd" will be "first" (the leaders, "princes in all the earth”) in the Mediatorial Kingdom, thus replacing the Jews, whom Brothel Russell taught would be “first” in the earthly Kingdom. Of course, Brother Russell did not just imagine something here; he drew his conclusion from St. Paul's statement in Rom. 2:10, “to the Jew first." Consequently, the Witnesses' present error not only rejects Brother Russell, it also rejects St. Paul. St. Paul further declares in Rom. 11:25-28 that "blindness in part is happened to Israel (during the Gospel Age), yet they are beloved for the fathers' sakes”. Thus, regardless of their waywardness in rejecting the Gospel (good news) during this Age, they still have an inheritance promised to them --“first” in the Millennial Kingdom -- because of the promise given to the “fathers” (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) long before the Gospel Age had arrived. That is why Pastor Russell declared:

"In the Millennial Age God will grant the chief favors to the Jews, who have not been favored during the Gospel Age."

This truth we continue to uphold and teach without alteration or modification.

The Witnesses also have another 'reward’  for their Jonadabs: They will live through Armageddon (Revolution) and forever thereafter. However, this false promise will be quickly seen for the rubbish it is when – after Armageddon – their Jonadabs will die along with others of that time -also they will wake up when they realize the Kingdom has not been turned over to them (the Witnesses). They have also elimi­nated the other two phases of the Time of Trouble, as taught by Pastor Russell -Anarchy and Jacob's Trouble - to further encourage their Jonadabs and enlarge their "great crowd.” (This false hope -"strange fire" -is one of the principal reasons for their great increase in membership - just as “Millions-Now- Living-Will-Never-Die" in 1925 attracted large numbers.)

And their present error also leaves unanswered a very vital question: What place in Bible and Kingdom do they now assign to that "large crowd" all during the Age who were choked by the "thorns," and failed to gain the prize of the High Calling? They should have a place for these if "reason" (Isa. 1:18) is to appear in their Millennial house. St. Paul clearly says of such, "delivered unto Satan (Azazel) for the destruction of the flesh (their fleshly minds) that the spirit may be saved in the day (the Kingdom day) of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Cor. 5:5) We believe Isa. 28:20 is apropos to their present condition and contentions:  "For the bed is shorter than a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering (perverted teaching) narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.” A quotation from  Parousia Volume 2 (by Brother Russell) would also be in order here:

“God has made special covenants or promises to both these houses of Israel. Thee promises to the fleshly house were all earthly, while those to the spiritual house are all heavenly. Though the promises to the fleshly house were (and still are) grand and precious, the promises to the spiritual house are characterized as better promises,' and ‘exceeding great and precious promises.' (Heb. 8:6; 2 Pet. 1:4) …And though all Israel answered and said, 'All that the Lord hath spoken we will do' (Exod. 19:5.8), and then failed to keep their coven­ant, yet the faithful among them, who earnestly endeavored in their weakness to keep it, will in the Mil1ennia1 Age be 'princes in all the earth’, members of the earthly phase of the Kingdom of God.” (page 207)

COMPANIONS IN ERROR

Not to be outdone by the Witnesses and their Jonadabs, the L.H.M.M. section of Little Babylon has created from pure effervescence a Class they designate as Consecrated Epiphany Campers - almost identical twins to their Jonadab fellows. The contention is likewise that their "Campers" are to be “first” (after the Ancient and Youthful Worthies - which is some improvement on the Witnesses, who have, it would seem, eliminated the Ancient Worthies altogether to make place for their Jonadabs) in the Kingdom order on earth--also a direct affront to Brother Russell and St. Paul that salvation "is to the Jew first" (after the elective salvation, of course). Is it any wonder that the Witnesses and the L.H.M.M. have had just no success at all in their efforts toward the Jews, when their primary contention is in direct contradiction to the “good word of God”! (at a time the faithful Jews are paying close attention to that “good word of God"). Of course, both these groups have sinned against great light, the L.H.M.M. being even more guilty of the two because of the GREATER light they have received since 1916 (having had both Parousia and Epiphany Truth).

All Great Company groups in Little Babylon have measurably ignored, perverted or repudiated the Truth on the "Great Multitude” since That Servant’s demise--whether they have openly substituted another class or not. Those who have not directly done so now place great accent on the High Calling (claiming the door is open for newcomers), with very little mention - if any -of the "great crowd." One group in particular that now teaches the High Calling is still open, has already gained so many new adherents who believe themselves in the Little Flock that their 'Little (?) Flock' is even now a “great crowd" -- almost as many as the Witnesses claim to have in their "great crowd." Given a few more years, and their Little Flock will be such a large crowd that the assembly is bound to burst apart 'at the seams.'

The Witnesses, of course, no longer use Tabernacle Shadows - having repudiated the book entirely. While some of the other groups haven't gone that far, they still don't emphasize the "scapegoat class" clearly taught therein. Even the L.H.M.M. group, whose leader is a self-admitted crown-loser, ignores in large part the sins of this class - now teaching that this remanded class is the highest class in the Household of Faith on earth today, as they eliminate the Little Flock from the scene entirely. Their tendency is to elevate this “great crowd” to a superior position in their attempt to submerge the Little Flock. Be it noted that the crown-losers in this group claim they have already had their robes washed -they claim now to be "cleansed”. But just when the Lord wiped away the tears from their eyes through “great tribulation” has never been explained by them--and we have seen no evidence of tears, as they claim now to be the first-ranking Christians after their elimination of the Little Flock since the demise of the Epiphany Messenger on October 22, 1950. We believe the following from Brother Russell now applies to Little Babylon just as forcefully as it did to Big Babylon during the Parousia:

"In the type, the golden vessels of the Temple were carried away and profaned by literal Babylon: in the antitype, the divine (golden) truths, pertaining to the service of the true Temple, the Church (1 Cor. 3:16,17; Rev. 3:12), were far removed from their place, perverted and misapplied by mystic Babylon" (Parousia Vol. 2, p. 209) (This was true of Big Babylon in its heyday, and now of Little Babylon in its heydey-- having ‘misapplied and perverted’ the Harvest Truth as taught by Pastor Russell.)

And we quote from That Wise and Faithful Servant another faithful teaching that has been ‘misapplied’ by some of these Little Babylon (Great Company) groups: "We, might multiply quotations from the prophets and apostles on the final return of God's favor to Jacob, or Israel after the flesh, after the selection of the full number for the ‘body of Christ' from the Gentiles, but the student can do so by the use of a Condordance or Reference Bible.  Among the very pointed references to this favor to be restored to Israel, in the New Testament, is that by James, Acts 15:14..16, and by Paul, Rom. 11:26" (Scriptures that directly contradict the present teaching of the Witnesses). See Parousia Volume 2, p. 217.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. (Eph. 6:10,23,24)

                                                            Sincerely your brother,

                                                            John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTION: - What is the difference between a nominal and a real Christian?

ANSWER: -As the word implies, a nominal Christian is one in name only, whereas a real Christian is one following in mind and heart, the footsteps of Jesus. From this it will be readily apparent that membership in any group is not the deciding factor – nor is the opinion of any group of men the deciding factor, for "man looketh on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart” – character – ­(from the heart) is what we really are; whereas, reputation is what other people think we are. This distinction once prompted Brother Russell to write an article on Noble Worldlings and Ignoble Saints. Many who occupy the chief seats in religious groups are often examples of morality and in their dealings with their fellow men, and are classified as fine Christian examples; whereas, in the Judgment they will receive the classification of Matt. 7:21-23: "Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father… Many will say unto Me, Have we not prophesied (preached) in thy name, etc… then I will profess unto them, I never approved of you.”  Thus, the final determination will find many nominal Christians in the various Truth groups  “good" churchgoers in Little Babylon--just as in Brother Russell’s day there were many such in Big Babylon (and we still find it so here in this Epiphany). Thus, all professing Christians are not real Christians, but all real Christians are professing and working Christians.

To sum it up -the nominal Christian makes loud profession and often looks better than the ‘real' Christian in his “good works"; but the real Christian follows in the footsteps of Jesus in bearing ‘witness to the Truth' at the cost of all earthly desires and aims. He is fully consecrated to the Lord and fulfils his obligations.

QUESTION:  Do you think Consecrated Epiphany Campers should now keep the Memorial?

ANSWER:  We answer, No! As most of our readers know, we label this class as non-existent, the same as Bro. Johnson did with the Witness’ Jonadabs - which class is a close 'first cousin' of R. G. Jolly's newly invented class. However, even though the Witnesses are the worst offenders of all groups against the Har­vest Truth, even they have a more realistic view toward the Memorial for their Jona­dabs; they don't permit them to celebrate the Memorial - although they suggest that they attend the service for observance.

Just a little reflection will show the fallacy of the Mar-Apr. PT, in which it sets out that the Epiphany Campers Consecrated (a non-existant Class-although claimed to be a Restitution Class) should partake of the Memorial. Both Messengers taught that such partaking is only for the Elect - the Household of  Faith in contrast to the Restitution Class of works.  Bro. Johnson teaches, with Scriptural support, that only the Elect can now inscribe their names in the Book of Life (although crown-lost leader R. G. Jolly disputes him: he says they can!), as the Book of Life is not now open for Restitutionists. (See our Dec. 1965, No. 126, re Book of Life) So it would now be impossible for anyone, other than the Elect, properly to partake of the Memorial, because the very symbolic meaning of that Memorial is that the participants have the reckoned merit of the Right to Life and the Life Rights applied to them as antici­pated after the “restitution of all things." The merit of Christ is not now available for Restitutionists (is now on embargo for the Elect) … nor is the Book of Life now open for them.

As mentioned, even the Witnesses now have a more plausible rating for their non-­existant class than does the L.H.M.M., as they deny them the privilege of now partak­ing of the Memorial, which is a very sad commentary indeed on the pathetic spiritual decline of R. G. Jolly since he was abandoned to Azazel in 1950. Despite the general knowledge that he was a crown-loser as far back as 1938, he never displayed such con­fusion before the Epiphany Messenger's demise; and his present condition only empha­sizes the Truth of the Abandonment Process: "As long as the priesthood does not abandon crown-losers,  Azazel cannot possess himself of them.” So long as R. G. Jolly was under the benign influence of the Priesthood (up to Oct. 1950), his “foolishness was not plain to all.”  (2 Tim. 3: 9, Dia.)

Be it remembered also that this Campers Consecrated is a new doctrine; and Bro. Johnson stated very pointedly in several different articles that no crown-loser is ever permitted by the Lord to bring forth a new doctrine. This in itself should be sufficient cause to be very wary of Campers Consecrated (or Jonadabs), and to regard with a suspicious eye any attempts to support its origin from the “bottomless pit” (error).

It would seem to be a proper observation, however, that some who are deluded into believing that they are Campers Consecrated may actually become of the Elect - if their characters and works comply with the relevant standards. We would also make this same comment respecting some who have been deluded into thinking themselves to be crown-­losers by the pressure of errorists: "Those who have missed the mark with respect to the Truth, saying that the (first) resurrection has already happened (is a thing of the past); and they are perverting (Azazel means Perverter) the faith of some." (2 Tim. 2:18, Dia.) Some of these may eventually find themselves in the Little Flock ­just as some Campers may eventually find themselves among the Youthful Worthies (since all fully-faithful consecrated from 1881 “until restitution sets in” - when no crowns are available for them - will be rewarded with the Ancient Worthies (See E..4:337,342) Let our readers understand, however, that we do not criticize the Memorial article in the Mar-Apr. PT that contains the basic teachings of the Star Members: we only criti­cize the Levitical errors inserted therein. The same conclusion applies also to the article on “The Cleansing From Leprosy" (of crown-losers), as its basic concept is by Bro. Johnson -a very sound interpretation, as we might expect from him, and with which we are in full agreement. We expect to say more about this, D.v.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle:

Your letter of Jan. 19 received together with your February paper ... and have also received one Dated April 1, a reprint of one for October 1962. Thank you for all of them. I agree that the teachings and practices or the Jehovah's Witnesses are in some respects like the image of the Catholic hierarchy.  Certainly, they have gotten far away from the clear Scriptural Truths which Brother Russell was used to bring forth as “meat in due season” for the Household of faith. Their responsibility is much greater than the other religious denominations they condemn so freely. You may have read the Watchtower of June 1, 1952. The main article headed, “Get Out of Her My People." It tried to prove that Sodom, Nineveh, etc., will have no Resurrection, along with those dying in the flood - and yet to die at Armageddon. The article was generally attributed to Fred Franz, Vice President of the Watchtower Society - formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio. He testi­fied before a court in Scotland at a hearing for a Jehovab’s Witness conscientious objector. He was asked by the Court how the Watchtower Society knew that what they published is the Truth. His reply was that the information came from God through the Holy Spirit to those at the head of the Society in Brooklyn.  Practically a claim of Divine inspiration! This they called “flashes of light from the Temple." (Actually mud splashes of error--JJH) How then can they explain the articles in the December 1 and 15th 1965 Watchtowers? In those they repudiated what was written in June 1952, and said that not only would Sodom be raised from death but if obedient might get life eternal! There was apparently no apology or explanation given for this reversal of the "new light”of 1952. (There never is -actually they boast of their past errors, but instruct their sectarian followers to accept their latest errors – JJH)

The majority of the Jehovah's Witnesses seemed to swallow this manifest exposure of their claims to be directed by the Holy Spirit in bringing forth "new light"! (Self-evidently, their devotees accept the fact that the organization’s Holy (?) Spirit is subject to mistakes -and will continue to make such mistakes, with the privilege of correcting them as circumstances require – JJH)

Brother Russell as long ago as 1886 in the Divine Plan of the Ages made very clear from the Scriptures the future hope both of Sodom and all mankind. Brother--­told me that Fred Franz visited Dayton during World War One and spoke to the Class there critically of some of Brother Russell’s teachings--even criticizing his grammar. He said this didn't go down very well with the Dayton Class--and some lost confidence in Brother Franz. Did you know about that?

I met Fred in 1914 at a Convention at Columbus, Ohio, about one month before World War One began. A tract was distributed headed “End of the World in 1914.” I put out some on the train on my way home. Of course, it explained what the “End of the World” really meant. While Brother Russell expected the consummation to be very short - to be over in 1915 - he lived to see that his expectations were wrong on that point. But the remarkable thing was the accuracy regarding the end of the times of the Gentiles as shown by Bible chronology. He went over it again at the Convention and said he could find no flaw in it. It was verified August 1- three or four weeks later. The clergymen critics were taken aback for awhile.

I think Fred Franz was quite ambitious and prided himself on a college education. He did a lot of research for Judge Rutherford for his book writing, and is still looked up to as the final authority on questions discussed at meal time at Brooklyn Bethel, I understand. Even N. H. Knorr, the President, seems to defer to him as being older in years and the Truth. I wonder how some of the old timers there can go along with the un-Scriptural changes made!

Regarding the Fort Leavenworth sentence, I was there only a part of four months. President Wilson appointed a Committee to interview the objectors and release those they considered sincere. One of the Committee was Harlan Stone, later Chief Justice, and Julian Mack, a Federal Justice of the U.S. Circuit in Chicago. He was Jewish.

I well remember Brother Walker’s testimony at the hearing. He had been born and raised a Catholic and was asked how he had come to hold such radically different views and course of action from the Catholic Church. His reply, and the way he said it made quite an impression on all who heard him - - including a group of Mennonites ministers in attendance.  He simply said, "When I began to read the Bible.” About 113 were released about January 31, 1919.

Had better bring this epistle to a close. Thank you for your literature and enjoy hearing from you. We may not perhaps see “eye to eye” on some points, but I do believe the Scripture Studies by Brother Russell are the source of Truth and understanding of the Bible that needs no “new 1ight” from the present-day Watchtower. The "man with the writer’s inkhorn” did as commanded completed his assgnment.  Ezek. 9:11 Christian love to you both in the glorious Kingdom hope! ....(lNDIANA)

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Sirs: -Please send free upon special request the following: (1) The Resurrection of the Dead, (2) The Three Babylons, (3) Where are the Dead. We enjoy reading your pamphlets. Yours  very truly, Rev.----- ( NEW JERSEY)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

I must confess I have received a different understanding of the Scriptures when I got to understand many things that were puzzling me. I have received my monthly papers, but did not write because I have been working more in the country and only come in on weekends. I wish you and all the brethren a prosperous year. Your brother by his grace-------(TRINIDAD)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

-----  wrote me your address. He was in Camp Taylor at the same time as I. …. I see you must be still in Bible work. What do you think of the world outlook now? The establishment of the Kingdom must be near at hand. Your brother in the Most Holy Faith,---(KANSAS)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

Will you please send me some more tracts -- Where are the Dead and Resurrection of the Dead I am taking over Sister’s........territory so you will have to send some extras. Love to all the friends. Yours in the Master's service, ...........(CONNECTICUT)

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My dear Brother Hoefle: Loving Christian greetings and Grace & Peace be multiplied!

Received your good and encouraging letter and noted all you have said. Enclosed is declaration card from the parcel Brother...........sent. It came in a time most helpful. Please give my appreciation to Brother... for sending the parcel. I will give to those of the brethren In need of help.

Please remember me to all the dear ones. I am hoping that Sister….. has overcome her grief by now. Your sister by his Grace.......... (JAMAICA)

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Dear Brother and Sister Hoefle :

Greetings from California! Hope to spend four months here. Have met some very nice people. Enjoyed my stay. Hope to see you again soon. Yours in the Lord, ……………… (CALIFORNIA)

NO. 130: SIX SAVED CLASSES

No. 130

My dear Brethren: Grace and peace through our Beloved Master!

"It shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions; and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit"--Joel 2:28,29.

Our text is taken from a remarkable prophecy in the book of Joel. In the first chapter of his book the Prophet describes under the figure of blights, droughts and famines the devastating work of the great Apostasy, which began to show marked evidence in the days following the Apostles, proceeding in the second and third centuries to the development of a hierarchy (the palmerworm); later, in the fourth, fifth and sixth centuries, it progressed in the development of the Papacy (the locust); and beginning about the middle of the sixth century reached its first climax in the completed Great Antichrist System (the cankerworm). After the Reformation it reached its second climax in the formation of lesser Antichrist and false prophet systems in Sectarianism (the caterpillar)--Joel 2:2-4. The thought of this chapter is that as in nature all fruitage has been destroyed by such blights, so the various stages of the apostasy from primitive Christianity destroyed the fruitage of the Apostolic sowings of Truth and Righteousness -did away with the teachings, practices and works that Jesus and His Apostles gave the Lord's people in the Harvest of the Jewish Age--just as has been done with the Harvest Truth as given us through That Servant here in the end of the Gospel Age. Thus briefly in this figurative way the first chapter of Joel describes the spiritual desolation prevailing in the figurative fields where the Apostolic sowing occurred -a desolation that has lasted until recently.

In the second chapter of Joel the prophet describes (verses 1-11) the resultant Great Tribulation of the Day of the Lord, and those who will bring it about. But the prophet shows that before the trouble will come the Lord will send forth a message to the people to repent. (Verses 12-17) The faithful receive the assurance that before the Trouble breaks out the Lord will take away the effects of the figurative blight (verse 25), and, punishing the wrong-doers (verse 20), will restore the Apostolic teachings and practises, which will result, before the Tribulation, in great fruitfulness returning to the fields of labor where His faithful will work. (Verses 19, 21-24, 26, 27) Then God through the prophet tells (verse 28) what is to happen after those days of restoration of the Apostolic teachings and practises, i.e., what will happen after the Gospel Age--viz., during the Millennium: God will pour out His Spirit upon (for) all flesh. Then, in verse 29, returning to a discussion of "those days”--the Gospel Age--God tells us what He would do during the Gospel Age - pour out His Spirit upon His servants and handmaids. We have taken these two verses as our text because they give us a brief description of the Millennial and Gospel Ages and the saved classes of these two Ages.

Analyzing these verses we find that they treat of six saved classes: (1) "your sons," (2) "your daughters," (3) "your old men," (4) "your young men," (5) "your servants" and (6) "your handmaids." It is Zion that is addressed in this passage. (Verse 23) Zion represents the Kingdom (Isa. 60:14; Rev. 14:1), and stands for the Lord Jesus and His faithful followers. It is "In those days" -during the Gospel Age -that the Spirit is poured out upon these (verse 29); and it is "afterwards" -during the Millennium-that the spirit will be poured out upon (for) all flesh. (Verse 28) We understand that by the expression "My servants" in verse 29 the faithful followers of Jesus are meant. First we will briefly describe this class, “My servants.”

THE LITTLE FLOCK

We notice that the time of their development is limited to the Gospel Age ­"In those days I will pour out My Spirit upon My servants." These like the rest of mankind were born under the curse (Rom. 5:12-19: 1 Cor. 15:21,221 Eph; 2:3); but unlike the rest of mankind they have hearts that trust the Lord even when they cannot trace Him. (2 Cor. 5:7) It is this faith-quality that causes them to hunger for fellowship with God; while those who do not have this faith quality do not crave fellowship with Him. Consequently the latter are not, but the former are, drawn to the Lord by the preaching of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. They turn from sin and Satan to righteousness and God. They accept Jesus as their Savior, thereby attaining to justification through faith (Rom. 3:21-26; 4:1-12), and then seek to grow In Truth and Righteousness. As they respond to His drawings, the Lord leads them onward until they are ready to take a second step-­consecration. When God invites them (Rom. 12:1) to yield themselves wholly to Him, and to accept His will as their own, their faith in and love for Him, wrought in them by Christ through the Word, prompt and enable them to give themselves to Him as living sacrifices. He then gives them his Holy Spirit--begets them of His Spirit. (John 3:3; Jas. 1:18; Acts 5:33) He causes them with their own cooperation, to grow in grace and in knowledge" (Phil. 2:12, 13; 2 Pet. 3:18) He helps them to overcome self, sin, error and the world (Rev. 3:21), and to work out their own salvation by self-denial and world-denial, by watchfulness and prayer, by the study, practise and spread of His Word, and by suffering for loyalty to His Word. (Phil. 2:12, 13; 1 Pet. 5:10; 2 Pet. 1:5-11) They are His witnesses in the world for Truth and Righteousness. (Acts 1:8) The hope that He gives them is the attainment of the Divine nature and joint-heirship with Christ. (2 Pet. 1:4; Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:11, 12) These blessings they will attain in the First Resurrection, if they, faithful until death, become in character like Christ. (Rev. 2:10; 20:4, 6; Rom. 8:29) They are variously called the Branches in Christ the Vine (John 15:1-8), the Body of Christ (2 Cor. 1:22,23), a Holy and Royal Priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5,9), living stones of God's Temple (1 Pet. 2:5; Eph. 2:19-22), the Seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:16,29), the espoused Virgin and Bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7,8; 21:9), Disciples of Jesus (John 8:31), Soldiers of Christ (2 Tim. 2:3,4), Brethren of Jesus (Rom. 8:29), the Little Flock (Luke 12:32), "good and faithful servants" (Matt. 25:21). All of these appellations apply primarily to the Fully Faithful of this Gospel-Age, who will be "joint-heirs" with Christ in the glorious Kingdom. (Rom. 8: 17) They are by far the most important class in God's Plan; for with and under the Lord Jesus they will be the Kings and Priests to administer the blessings of the Mi1lennium for the world. (Rev. 1:5, 6; 5:9, 10; 20:4, 6) Most earnestly should these strive to make their cal1lng and election to the Kingdom sure--2 Pet. 1:10.

Throughout the Scriptures this Fully Faithful "Elect" class is given the preeminence, many texts referring exclusively to them. In addition to the foregoing, there is one other pointed reference to them in Psa. 107:32--"the congregation of the people," That this expression does not include the Great Company (as set forth on p. 12 of the L.H.H.M. booklet "The Kingdom of God") is clearly stated in Psa. 1:5: "Sinners (the Great Company –see Berean Comment on Jas. 5:20) shall not stand (be included) in the congregation of the righteous" (the Fully Faithful Little Flock).

THE GREAT COMPANY

Closely related to this class is another, called in our text "the handmaids," and elsewhere in the Bible called a Great Multitude (Rev. 7:9; 19:6). The individuals of this class were originally invited through the High Calling to the  Divine nature and joint-heirship with Christ (2 Pet. 1:4; Rom. 8:17; Eph.4: 4); but, alas, they fail to keep faithfully their consecration vows, and have had, therefore, to be remanded to a secondary class. The Ancient Worthies came in before the High Calling was open, and the Youthful Worthies are coming in after the High Calling was closed. Of the four elect classes, the Great Company is the only remanded class: They were not called to this position, the Lord having provided a secondary place for them because, even though they were unfaithful - or "measurably faithful"-they still loved the Lord, and had not become unfaithful enough, or sinful or indolent enough, to be utterly cast off into the Second Death: These have in practise rebelled or supported rebels against more or less of the teachings of God's Word. (Psa. 107: 10, 11) They have by sin marred their characters and spotted their robes. (1 Cor. 5:1-13; Jude 23; Rev. 7:14). They have failed faithfully to sacrifice their humanity for God. (Heb. 2:15; Jude 22). They have fellowshipped with the world (2 Tim. 4:10; Jas. 1:8). They have accepted and spread various false doctrines. (1 Cor. 3:12, 15; Matt.25: 3, 8) In the various Great Company groups very little mention is made of the Great Company -although many claim to adhere to That Servant's teachings. He set this class out in no uncertain terms -as has also Brother Johnson -and pointed out that they would come into prominence in the end of the Gospel Age. The Jehovah's Witnesses have perverted this Parousia teaching into their earthly Great Multitude; while the L.H.M.M. a group led by a self-admitted Great Company 1eader-now fails to "rightly divide" the two classes -the Little Flock and the Great Company.

They have developed sectarian systems (1 Cor. 3:3, 4; Matt. 7:26, 27; 1 Tim. 1:19, 20) They have usurped the office and persecuted the persons of their faithful brethren. (Isa. 66:5) They have more or less served Satan. (Heb. 2:14-15) They will receive from him the destruction of their flesh and works. (1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20; Matt. 7:27; 1 Cor. 3:15); but they will finally escape with their lives, after losing the prize of the High Calling. (1 Cor. 3:15; Hab. 2:15; Jude 22, 23; Phil. 3:14) Accordingly, they will meet a great disappointment, when they learn that they have lost the Divine nature and joint-heirship with Christ (Cant. 5:6, 7; Matt. 25; 1l, 12,30)--although they will still be included in the "church of the firstborn" of this Gospel Age (Heb. 12:23). This consideration, combined with the thought that they will be lost unless they repent, will lead them to cleanse themselves. (Rev. 7:14) Thereafter they will have a successful ministry (Cant. 5:9-6:1; Rev. 19:6); and will in Heaven attain a subordinate spiritual glory. (Psa. 45; 14, 15; I Cor. 5:5; Rev. 19:9) As parts of the "First­borns" they will be Levites in God's Temple and Noblemen in God's Kingdom (Rev. 7:15; Ezek. 44:10-14). Many members of this class are just now at the end of the Age, coming into special notice, activity and prominence. We usually speak of them as the "Great Company." This class and the preceding class, it will be noticed, are developed during the Gospel Age - "in those days" in which Jesus and the Apostles labored, in which the great Apostasy developed, and in which -at their end -the Lord restored the primitive teachings and practises of Christianity under the supervision and leadership of That Servant.

The errors that the Great Company have produced during the Gospel Age have been legion; and this has been especially true during this Epiphany period since 1917, when they have speedily succumbed to "the pestilence that walketh in darkness." And not the least of their perversions has been the truth concerning their own Class. As instance the Jehovah's Witnesses: Since 1917 they have had nothing but crown-losers as their headquarters policy-makers in Brooklyn; so what could be more convenient than just to read a crown-losing Class right out of the Bible. That was the very easy way to eliminate all discussion about them and their "leprous" deeds. And, while R. G. Jolly has not attempted such gross perversion of the Truth respecting the Great Company, it will be noted in his booklet, "The Kingdom of God," that he ignores completely the "leprosy" (the spiritual contagions) of this Class as we have set them out above. Half truths are usually more misleading than whole errors; and we are justified in being very wary of any exposition which glosses over, or ignores completely, large sections of Truth that are vital to a proper understanding of any subject under discussion.

We now turn to the consideration of the four classes of whom verse 28 treats. This verse describes the Millennia1 blessings and works of these four classes. Two of these classes -"your old men" and "your young men" -will have been developed before the Millennium; who as saved classes the other two classes ­"your sons" and "your daughters" -will be developed during the Millennium.

THE ANCIENT WORTHIES

We begin the discussion of these four saved classes with those who in verse 28 are called "your old men." This same class is called "Ancients" in Isa. 24:23, where the same word is used in the Hebrew as is translated "old men" in our text. In Psa. 107:32 the same class is referred to by the Same Hebrew word, translated, however, by the English word "Elders," i.e. the Ancients." So, too, the same class is in Heb. 11:2 called the Elders, i.e., the Ancients. Because they are in Heb. 11: 38 spoken of as those of whom the world was not worthy, we call them Ancient Worthies, in distinction especially from "the young men," whom we call Youthful Worthies -and from the Little Flock and the Great Company. By the "old men" of our text we understand the faithful of the Old Testament are meant. A long list of many of the more ancient and more prominent of these in their persons and works is given in Heb. 11:4-32. Others of them are referred to, though not by name, in verses 33-40. They were the heroes of faith before Christ came. God used them as His representatives, servants and witnesses in their times, and through some of them gave us the Old Testament Scriptures. He also, unknown to them, used them in the events of their lives to enact many typical pictures of certain future persons, classes and events in His Plan. Living before Christ's death they, of course, could not receive the actual cancellation of the death sentence that they, as well as the rest of the race, inherited from Adam; yet God gave them a tentative justification through their faith in His promises. (Rom. 4:3-9, 17-23; Hob. 11:7)

Since they lived before Christ's death they could not become sons of God and joint-heirs with Christ (John 1:12, 13; Rom. 8:17; Gal. 4:3-5), though they were privileged through their faith-justification to be "servants" and "friends" of God. (Heb. 3:5; Jas. 2:23). Accordingly, God did not offer to them the privilege of becoming kings with Jesus and partakers with Him of the Divine nature; for such promises were first given at the beginning of the Gospel Age. (1 Pet. 1:10-12; Heb.2: 3, 4; Heb.11: 38, 39; 2 Tim. 1:10; Luke 16:16) Jesus being the Forerunner of these kings (Heb. 6:20; 12:1, 2), the Ancient Worthies, preceding Him, could not share in this high, holy and heavenly calling -in the race for the Divine nature and joint-heirship with Christ. (Heb. 3:1; Phil. 3:14) John the Baptist, dying before Jesus' death, was the last one of this class of Ancient Worthies; and Jesus assures us that John will not be of the Kingdom class; for if, as He says, the least one of the Kingdom class will be greater than John, evidently John wil1 not be of that class. (Matt. 11:11) The reward of these faithful Ancient Worthies will be inferior, therefore, to that of the Little Flock. They will, however, be privileged to share in a "Better Resurrection" than that of the world, gaining perfection 1000 years ahead of the world (Heb. 1l: 35), though it will be inferior in rank to that of the Church. (Rev. 20:6) The honor to which they will attain will be that of princeship throughout the earth during the Mil1ennium (Isa. 45:16; Isa. 32:1), and their work will be that of ru1ership as judges and teachers. (Isa. 1:26,27)

Our text shows us that they will be given new Divine revelations - "shall dream dreams" -for the service of mankind during the time of the Kingdom. Thus will God during the Millennium reward them by making them perfect human beings and princes throughout the earth for their past faithfulness; and after the Millennium He will reward them for their Millennial faithfulness with a spiritual nature in Heaven.

THE YOUTHFUL WORTHIES

The next class of whom we will treat are those who are in our text called "your young men." It will be noticed that they are contrasted in standing and in work with the "old men." Since we call the latter the Ancient Worthies, to bring out one of these contrasts we call the "young men" the Youthful Worthies. These contrasting names are also applicable, because, as the Ancient Worthies came into activity on the stage of God's Plan before the opportunity was opened for anyone to enter the High Calling to the Divine nature and joint-heirship with Christ, so the Youthful Worthies come into activity on the stage of God's Plan after the opportunity to enter the High Calling for the Divine nature and joint-heirship with Christ is closed. According to the Bible, the opportunity of entering the High Calling was to be closed after "the fulness of the Gentiles" -the full number of the Elect from among the Gentiles -should come in. (Rom. 11:25) This synchronizes with the end of the reaping of the present Harvest. But as before the opportunity to enter the High Calling was opened, many -the Ancient Worthies -desired to and did serve God faithfully, so since the opportunity to enter the High Calling has closed many desire to and do serve God faithfully. Since they show the same spirit of devotion to God as the Ancient Worthies, and that under largely similar conditions, God purposes to associate them with the Ancient Worthies in Millennial and Post-Millennial rewards and service. Hence the similar and contrasted names of these two classes. As taught by the Epiphany Messenger, as well as by That Wise and Faithful Servant, an entrance to this class will be available in the end of this Age for all who come to the Lord in full consecration, and will continue until this Age ends--or until "Restitution sets in" and a way is opened for the world of mankind. Please See Epiphany Vol. 4, page 337 and page 342. Hence the similar and contrasted names of these two classes. We understand that as in 2 Tim. 2:20 the vessels of gold and silver refer respectively to the Little Flock and the Great Company, so the vessels of wood and of earth refer respectively to the Ancient and the Youthful Worthies.

As in Psa. 72:3 Jesus with His Church, and the Ancient Worthies, as the two chief ruling powers in God's Kingdom, are symbolized by the two mountains of Jerusalem, so the Great Company and the Youthful Worthies, as the two subordinate ruling powers of God's Kingdom, are symbolized by the two little hills of Jerusalem. Moreover, the Lord in the Tabernacle picture has shadowed forth these four classes: the Priests to the east of the Tabernacle typing Jesus and the Church; the Kohathite Levites to the south of the Tabernacle typing the Ancient Worthies; the Merarite Levites to the north of the Tabernacle typing the Great Company; and the Gershonite Levites to the west of the Tabernacle typing the Youthful Worthies (Num.3: 6-8; 1:49-54; 3:23,29,35,40-51; Heb. 12:23); while Israel, whose camp surrounded the Tabernacle at a distance, represents the world of mankind ­the Restitution class (whose salvation will be during the Kingdom when the Highway of Holiness is opened up for them). The Scriptures tell us less of the Youthful Worthies than they do of the other three ruling Kingdom classes. It is because they have the faith of Abraham that they will be blessed with him with the privilege of blessing all nations. (Gal. 3:6-9) These having the faith quality accept the message that preaches repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus and therefore are justified by faith. Heeding the Lord's invitation to consecrate, they give Him their hearts. (Prov. 23:26) There being no opportunity for them to win a crown with Christ, He does not beget them of His Spirit, but gives them a new human heart to love Truth and Righteousness, and to serve Him. They, too, like the Little Flock, become dead to self and the world and alive to God, practising watchfulness and prayer, studying, spreading and practising the Word and suffering because of faithfulness to that Word. (Opportunity for a privilege of "suffering because of faithfulness to His Word" during the Gospel Age, and now at the end--in this Epiphany period--is only for the elect classes. Restitutionists will not be required to "suffer for righteousness”: In the Kingdom proper the Restitutionists will be blessed "for righteousness' sake." Opportunity for Youthful Worthiship -the last elect class to be developed in the end of the Gospel Age ­will be available for aspirants "until Restitution sets in" if we accept the teachings of That Servant and the Epiphany Messenger. (See Epiphany Vol. 4, pp. 337, 342.) Thus the Youthful Worthies, too, must become faithful to the Lord-­even unto death, if He deems it necessary. With the Ancient Worthies they will then share in a "better resurrection" (Heb. 11: 35) than that of the world, but it will be inferior to that of the Church. Thus they will in the beginning of the Millennium be raised perfect human beings, and with the Ancient Worthies will be made princes through the earth. During the Millennium they will be inspired by God to See visions of His Plan unfolding at that time, as our text assures us, and will cooperate with the Ancient Worthies in uplifting the race from the fall­ as a reward for their suffering because of faithfulness and obedience to His Word during the present time -while sin is in the ascendency. At the end of the Millennium, with the Ancient Worthies they will for their faithfulness be made spirit beings and have Heaven as their eternal Home.

These four elect classes (The Little Flock, Great Company, Ancient and Youthful Worthies) are the only consecrated classes of the Jewish and Gospel Ages. They are the only saved classes for elect purposes. God is not specially dealing with the world of mankind during these Ages (which includes the last special period of this Gospel Age--the Epiphany). The "due time" for the non-­elect (the Restitutionists) is when the Highway of Holiness is opened up for them.

FLESHLY ISRAEL

The third of the four classes brought to our attention in verse 28 of our text is called "your sons," We understand these sons to represent fleshly Israel, who are also in the Scriptures presented as a class separate and distinct from others. (Isa. 60:4, 9) They are the seed of Jacob, and as such have a special promise and call from the Lord. (Gen. 28:13, 14; Rom. 11:28, 29). The promise is that they shall forever inherit Canaan, and the call is that as a secondary earthly seed, under the Ancient and Youthful Worthies as the primary earthly seed, they "shall bless all the families of the earth." For this purpose God chose them in preference to all other nations to be His people. (Amos 3:2) He favored them with special revelations, providences and His Law Covenant to give them the opportunity as a nation to become "a kingdom of priests" (Ex. 19:5,6), and to furnish a practical demonstration of the truth that none of Adam's fallen, Imperfect race can fulfil God's Law, which is the full measure of a perfect man's ability, and gain life by obedience to the Law. (Rom. 3:9,19,20; Gal. 3:10-12) Many of them tried hard, but failed to keep the Law perfectly. This wrought in them the sense of the need of, and the desire for, a Savior from its sentence. (Gal. 3:21-24,13)

God also used fleshly Israel to furnish by their acts and institutions types of future features of His Plan (Heb. 9:9,10; 10:1; Col 2:16,17), and to preserve His oracles, which He deposited in their care. (Rom. 3:2) While some individuals among them, though not perfect, proved faithful, and thus became of the Ancient Worthies, the people as a whole were wayward (Rom. 10:21); and when Christ came, though some individuals among them proved to be "Israelites indeed," and as such inherited the promise of becoming a Kingdom of Priests, the bulk of them rejected Him. (John 1:11-13,47; Rom. 2:28,29; 1 Pet. 2:9) Therefore they were rejected from God's favor until the end of the Gospel Age (Matt. 23:34-39; Rom. 11:7-11,25); and throughout this Age instead of favoring them God has permitted them to suffer such untold miseries as perhaps no other single nation has suffered. (Jer. 16:13, 17,18) True to the prophecy, with individual exceptions, they have been blinded to the High Calling of the Gospel Age, and in darkness and error with respect to Christ and the Church-and have passed this Age far away from the favor of God. (Rom. 11:30-32; Jer. 16:11-13) However, the Bible prophesies their return to God's favor and to their land at the end of this Age (those Jews faithful to the Law Covenant, but not faithful enough to consecrate themselves to God and "suffer for righteousness" in His service). Rom. 11:25-32; Isa. 11:10-13; Jer. 16:14-16; Ezek. 36:24,28-30, 33-36; 37:15-22,25; Amos 9:14,15--Before our eyes these prophecies are fulfilling; for since the year 1878 Israel's blindness and prejudice toward Christ are passing away; and God has since 1878 opened the way fortheir return to Palestine. An ever-increasing number of them have availed themselves of the opportunity of returning thither, especially since the close of the World-War, and are receiving civil rights there that give them advantages not enjoyed by them in Palestine since the overthrow of their polity, 66-73 A.D. These events are the precursors of the Millennium. (Ezek (37: 21-25)

According to the Scriptures another wave of woe is to overflow Israel; but Christ will thereafter appear as their Deliverer; and the whole nation (those who trust in the Mosaic Law and God's promises to them) will be converted to Him by the ministry of the Great Company before the latter leave this earth. (Ezek. Chaps. 38 and 39; Zech. 12:2-14; Rev. 1:7; Cant. 5:8--6:1) Shortly thereafter the Ancient Worthies will return from the tomb, and will be accepted in Palestine by Israel, who will by the preaching of the Great Company have been prepared for the return of their ancestral patriarchs and prophets. Thenceforth Israel will be a blessing in the earth. (Isa. 19:21,) God will make with them the New Covenant, giving them Christ Jesus and His faithful followers as their Mediator, and taking away from them the Old Covenant with its curses, and Moses as its unavailing mediator. (Jer. 31:31-33; Ezek. 16:60-63; 37; 26) Their gratitude at their deliverance will cause them to be especially zealous for God and His Truth. As the missionaries of the next Age they will, under the lead of the Ancient and Youthful Worthies, by preaching ("your sons shall...prophesy"--included in "your sons" are the persevering, but unconsecrated Gentile believers of the Gospel Age, those faithful in tentative justification but not faithful enough to consecrate and carry it out while the ascendency of sin is still in the world. See Epiphany Vol. 4, p. 319) convert the Gentile world to the Kingdom of God. (Psa. 107: 22; Joel 2: 28; Rom. 11:12-15) Thus they who have been so greatly despised during the Gospel Age will, because they are "beloved for the fathers' sakes," (Rom·. 11:28) become greatly favored during the Millennium as the chief nation on earth. Their Jewish Age and Gospel Age experiences, combined with their efforts to fulfill the Law of God, will all the more inure to their becoming subject to the Kingdom arrangements, through which, as they continue to obey, they will be lifted up to the perfection of human nature as father Adam enjoyed it in the beginning. As many of them as will prove true to the Lord during the trial in the "little season" at the Milllennium's end (Rev. 20:7-9) will inherit the land that God promised Abraham and his seed after him (Gen. 13:14-17; Acts 7:5); but during the Millennium this land will belong to the Ancient Worthies.

However, those Israelites who either during the Jewish Age or the Gospel Age apostatized by giving up faith in the Abrahamic promises and the Law Covenant will not receive the special Millennial favor of Israel just described. They will be treated as Gentiles during the Millennium; for their apostasy made them practical, if not fleshly, Gentiles -just as the Gentiles who were the "persevering, but unconsecrated believers of the Gospel Age," gave them 'the same quasi-elect standing of "converted fleshly Israel" -"your sons" of Joel 2:28 (See Epiphany Vol. 10, p. 209).

THE GENTILES

The sixth and last of the saved classes of whom Joel 2:28,29 treats is those who are there called "your daughters." (Isa. 60:4) As we contrast the daughters of Isa. 60:4 with the sons of Isa. 60:4,9 (in the latter of which verses Britain's-­"the isles"--instrumentality in returning Israel to Palestine, as is now taking place, is prophesied) We recognize that the gentiles are meant by the term "daughters." (See also Ezek 16:61) Israel's superiority to the Gentiles during the Millennium is, from the standpoint of the superiority of sons to daughters in oriental lands, also in harmony with the thought that the daughters represent the Gentiles. By the Gentiles such nations as are not in covenant relation with God are meant. Hence all who are not of Natural or of Spiritual Israel (Isa. 8:14) are from the Divine standpoint Gentiles. Accordingly the human race from the Fall until the Covenant Was made with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3) was entirely Gentile. Because they did not desire to glorify God as God, He gave them up to their own ways, which as both the Bible and history attest, have been largely evil. (Rom. 1:21-32) Satan and the fallen angels deceived them into false religious worship and beliefs and into wicked practises. (1 Cor. 10:20; Eph. 2:2) Hence the history of the nations consists in large part of degrading events, religious, institutions and pursuits. Intrigues, revolutions, wars and plunder largely characterize national histories; while violence, brutality, dishonesty, immorality and selfishness largely characterize the history of man's social relations. Mighty empires have arisen only to fall before still mightier empires. More or less of ignorance, vice and superstition, like a withering pall, has descended upon the Gentile world. These remarks apply as well to the period before as to the period since Christ. And where intelligence has been the greatest, evil has frequently attained the largest proportions, as was manifest in the palmy days of the 'Roman Empire and in the late War.

In permitting the Gentiles to take their own course in an experience with evil, Jehovah designed that the Gentile world, that refused to retain Him in its Knowledge, might by experience learn the lesson that it would not learn by precept -that sin is bad -bad in its nature and bad in its effects, and therefore should be hated and shunned as a rattlesnake .... Therefore to their better learning of this lesson He simply let them follow their own selfish hearts. Moreover, He permitted Satan and his fallen angels to secure dominion over them (Eph. 2:2; 6:12), knowing that these would give them such experiences (2 Cor. 4: 4; Heb. 2: 14) as would make all the more impressive the detestableness of sin and the desirability of avoiding and of being free from it, by the great sufferings and deceptions into which these evil angels would involve the human family under their dominion. True, this lesson is not yet by the Gentiles taken to heart; but when during the Millennium the opposite experience, with righteousness, will come to man through the blessings of the Reign of the Christ, the contrast of the misery suffered under the experience with evil with the blessings enjoyed under the experience with good, will effectually teach them to hate and avoid sin, and to love and practise righteousness. When this glorious result shall be attained, God's having permitted the fallen race to have had the bitter experience of over 6000 years of evil will become manifest to all as being the acme of Divine Wisdom, Justice and Love for the ultimate good of the race.

THE GRAND OUTCOME

According to the Scriptures the climax of evil is reached in the Great Tribulation (otherwise called the last Special Period of the Gospel Age-the Epiphany Period in which we are now living), consisting of world-wide Wars, revolutions, anarchies, famines and pestilences. We understand that we have with the World War entered this Great Tribulation. It will entirely sweep away Satan's Empire over the race, and pave the way for the establishment of God's Kingdom. This, as we have already seen, will first be set into operation by the Christ at the hands of the Ancient Worthies in Palestine, where it will speedily greatly benefit the Israelites. Then the news of its establishment will spread among the Gentiles, who at that time will be utterly exhausted, broken and humbled by the horrors of the Great Tribulation (World-War, Armageddon or Revolution, Anarchy and Jacob's Trouble). It will be to them like a rope thrown to a drowning man--the Gentile world will grasp for it as their only hope of deliverance from their unspeakable and indescribable miseries. (Hag. 2:6,7; Rom. 8:19-22; Isa. 2:3,4) And, bless God, it will be the effectual cure of the curse, and will teach the world righteousness! (Rev. 22:3; Isa. 26':9) Then they will rejoice, when after the storm of the Tribulation they will come into their desired haven (Psa. 107: 22-32) They will indeed "exalt God in the congregation of the people, (the Little Flock) and praise Him in the assembly of the Elders" (the Ancient Worthies). The glorious work of that Kingdom in destroying every element of the curse, and in introducing restitution to human perfection will more than satisfy their hearts (Rev. 21:3-5; 22:1-3; Acts. 3:19-24), and prompt them to praise, God by spreading His Word. (Isa. 25:6-9; Joel 2:28) Yea, "Your daughters shall prophesy" -teach others the Truths of God's Kingdom. Obedience to the Kingdom's laws will raise them to human perfection; and faithfulness In the final trial at the Millennlum's end (Rev. 20:7-9) will result In their gaining everlasting life on earth; while the incorrigible will be eternally cut off in the Second Death-­Matt. 25:34, 41, 46; Rom. 6:23; Psa. 145:20; Isa: 1:28; Psa. 37:10,35,36. (Nor do we need any "new views" by the various Levitical groups of Little Babylon: God's Plan is all-sufficient for the Truth-hungry!)

Certainly Joel 2:28,29 is a remarkable summary of the six saved classes of human beings. It does not give us all the details on them. Rather, In. harmony with a general principle of the Bible, it gives us only a little about them; for the Bible expressly teaches that it gives its information "here a little, and there a little." (Isa. 28:9, 10, 1.3) It is for this reason that in giving the details on any Biblical subject it is necessary to quote what it says on the subject from "here a little" and from "there a little" throughout the Bible. Hence we have in this article, for example, quoted from many different Biblical books. It is for this reason that the Bible is the most difficult book in the world to understand. God has designedly made it so in order that its treasures may be found by those only who so appreciate them as to be willing to search diligently for them as men search for gold and hidden treasures. (Prov. 2:1-5; Isa. 28:9,10; Matt. 7:7; John 5:39; Acts 17:10-12)It is even hidden from those who once enjoyed its treasures, but failed to appreciate them sufficiently to remain "dead to self and the world" (2 Thes. 2:10-12). It is indeed true, as the poet has assured us: "Great truths are dearly bought." May the Lord bless to us this study of the six saved classes of human beings, and help us thereby better to appreciate the subject that it properly introduces.

THE REPENTANT FALLEN ANGELS

The fact that only six saved classes are mentioned in Joel 2:28,29 may strike some as being incomplete, since many things In the Divine arrangement come in sevens, and six is the number of evil or imperfection. But as we consider the matter further, we realize that while there are only six saved classes from the human family, as mentioned in Joel 2:28,29, there is another, a seventh saved class, mentioned in other Scriptures, viz., the repentant fallen angels. God will also grant the opportunity of life eternal to them. The fact that they are mentioned in the Scriptures as being bound in chains of darkness (2 Pet. 2:4) is in a measure due to the depravity of the Adamic sin in the antediluvians that occasioned their fall. Since Satan originated sin among all fallen beings, he originated sin also in the fallen angels, who were induced by him to marry the daughters of men, while seeking to reform the race (Gen. 6:2-4). Their ardently seeking, as its powers of spiritual control, the reformation of the race, gave Satan the opportunity to tempt them to marry the daughters of men. Their ill success at such reformation had a discouraging effect on them. (See Epiphany Vol. 17, pp. 45-50)

The Scriptures assure us that during the time of our Lord's appearing, i.e., His Epiphany (or the Great Tribulation) the crisis of their trial goes on (2 Tim. 4:1); for fallen angels and new creatures, never sentenced to death, are "the living" who at His appearing, i.e., in the Epiphany (or the Great Tribulation), are separated as a result of their judgment crises.

By the end of the Epiphany (the Great Tribulation) the fallen angels will be divided into two classes: (1) the repentant, and (2) the unrepentant. The latter will thereupon be sentenced to destruction with Satan, imprisoned with him and finally executed at the end of the "little season" (Rev. 20:3,9). The former will at the end of the Epiphany be placed under Christ and the Church for their Millennlal opportunities of overcoming everything sinful in them and of developing perfect love, fitting them for the heavenly society and for fellowship with God.

Thus seen, their Gospel-Age opportunities are for their rescue from co-operation with Satan in evil; and their Millennial-Age opportunities are for their fitting unto eternal life. The details of the reformatory methods that Christ and the Church will apply for their full reinstatement into God's fellowship are not revealed to us. All we know of them is that Christ and the Church will reign over them for the purpose of effecting their complete reunion with God. When they are reinstated, they also, together with all other creatures in heaven and earth, will join in saying "Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever" (Rev. 5:13)--See E-17, p. 52.

THESE SIX SAVED CLASSES  cover all the human classes saved through the Ransom -and are Scripturally supported and set out by the Epiphany Messenger in minute detail. There is no hint of a seventh class in the Bible or by either Messenger (other than the fallen angels mentioned in the preceding paragraphs)-­although some of the crown-lost leaders of this Epiphany have attempted to foist another class upon the Lord's people--such as the Jonadabs of the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Epiphany Campers Consecrated of the L.H.M.M, and the Quasi-elect consecrated by another apostate from Epiphany Truth. They boldly set out such "strange fire" (false doctrine) despite the fact the Scriptures teach no such class -or classes -they invent.

The basic concept of this treatise is largely by Brother Johnson; and we consider it a timely presentation to offset the perversions now being published by erstwhile believers of Epiphany Truth. All the sects in Big and Little Babylon retain some features of the Truths they received from their Star-member teachers, although they have also perverted those teachings miserably with additions of their own errors. The Truths they do retain offer sufficient appeal to many to lead them to overlook or ignore, the errors their crown-lost leaders have given them--just as we now see being done by the portion of adherents of the "cousins" (Jolly-Krewson); and it is this evil that now motivates us to publish the Truth on the Six Saved Classes exactly as Brother Johnson gave it to us--together with the fallen angels, making the seven saved classes effected by our Lord's Ransom Price and the ministry of The Christ (Jesus and the Little Flock). So far as we know, we are now the only group adhering fully to this Truth; and with this comes our prayer that it may be a distinguishing "landmark” and faithful guide to all our readers.

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." (2 Thes. 2:15-17)

Sincerely your brother

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

Free copies of this article to any name and address sent to us.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings of love in our dear Redeemer's Name!

Your birthday is quite near and our thoughts and prayers go out to you. It gives us real JOY to know you have able and staunch brethren assisting you- Defenders of the Faith." Since November we have had stormy weather and it has meant a time for more opportunity and study of Parousia and Epiphany teaching opprortunities. We thank the Lord for so much verification of Truth that has come our way-through the Star Members and your faithfulness so ably performed in substantiation of Parousia and Epiphany teachings.

We trust our dear Sister-----feels the comforting message of Truth in her sad bereavement. Our loved ones are sadly missed, but; the knowledge the Lord has given us is a real balm. We send to you and all with you our love in the Lord with Hymn 300 and 71 to you all. Your brethren by His Grace,-- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in our dear Redeemer's Name!

Your good letter received, and we were very glad to hear from you and thank you very much for your Christmas greeting -the lovely letter. Your letters are so refreshing and also your articles we receive monthly-­strengthening to our faith and a stimulus to Holiness, of which we are sure our dear Heavenly Father is well pleased. We were glad to hear that you, dear Brother and Sister Hoefle, had been on a Pilgrim trip -and that the Brethren you ministered unto received a rich blessing. Truly it is good to talk to those who love the Lord! Sister and I have been down with a virus -a heavy cold -and Sister had to have the doctor. It happened over the Holidays and we were unable to be with our daughter ...  Thank you Sister Hoefle, for the holes punched in the articles. May our dear Heavenly Father continue to bless you both! Be sure of an interest in our prayers, as we ask you to pray for us.

Your brother and sister by His Grace, ...NEW JERSEY)

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My dear Brother Hoefle: Christian greetings in the Master's Name!

Much appreciation and thank you for the kind words, for it is true that the Lord has blessed me with generous opportunities for serving Him and His dear ones-for which I am very thankful. And so, by the Grace of our Lord, I am determined this New Year to do with my might what my hands find to do. I have received the January paper -also the two books. Thanks much. Well, I think we have had very rich blessings this Holiday Season. I was hastening to our first meeting this year to hear the testimonies of the brethren as they make fresh resolutions to continue faithful in the Master's service for this year. They are in good spirit. I have read the February paper with interest on The Last Days (2 Tim. 3:-9) It is really a sad distortion to apply such prophesies as a forecast of events in the world. I think it amounts to what is called “darkening counsel by words without knowledge.” (Job 38:2) Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

I notice in Present Truth -Nov-Dec, 1965, the question on p. 92 regarding Church Elections, R. G. Jolly has again attacked Brother Roach (this is not an attack against Brother Roach, but an attack against J. J. Hoefle--JJH), showing that he caused a schism in the Trinidad Ecclesia, but I know such charge must be laid at the feet of R. G. Jolly. Plenty Can be said, but suffice to quote Jude 9 - Yet Michael, the Archangel, When contending with the Devil disputed about the Body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation -but said, "The Lord rebuke thee." As usual, please remember us in your prayers, as we always make mention of you and Sister Hoefle when we go to the Throne of Grace.

Your brother in the One Hope by God's Grace,---------(TRINIDAD)

NO. 129: SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE MEMORIAL

No. 129

Comes once more the commemoration of our Lord’s death on the cross, the time this year being after six p.m. April 3. This year 1966 the moon nearest the Spring Equinox comes new at 6:46 a.m. March 22 at Jerusalem, which makes Nisan 1 begin at 6 p.m. March 21, according to Bible reckoning. At the outset, when fix­ing the proper time for observance, it is well to remember that all during the Age there has been much misunderstanding and great controversy on the proper time to “keep the feast,” as well as over the proper meaning; and we believe it is a sound conclusion that almost all of God’s fully faithful people from the days of the Apostles have been wrong on the proper time to partake of the bread and the wine. This is due in large part to the Bible’s complete silence on certain features of the time segment. The record is very definite in Ex. 12:6 that it should be on the 14th day of the month Nisan; but nowhere are we told how to determine when Nisan begins. We must go outside the Holy Writ for that information – as did the Jews all during the Jewish Age, even up to the time of our Lord’s first Advent. This forces us to conclude that we must be generous in our appraisal of those who have erred on the correct time to hold the Lord’s Supper. By this we do not wish to condone a slip­shod attitude. Certainly we should do everything right if we know how to do it right, and are capable of doing it right. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”

The general turmoil that prevailed on determining the right date eventually forced the Roman Church to fix an, arbitrary date, and to have the observance always on Good Friday: The first Friday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox was fixed as the time to observe our Lord’s crucifixion. In time this custom be­came so firmly entrenched that almost all of God’s people – fully faithful, measur­ably faithful and nominal – were led to accede to the edict. Of course, It should be clear enough from this arrangement that it would never be possible to have the commemoration of the antitypical Passover occur before the Spring Equinox; and we can find no record that even the nominal church ever did observe it before that time.

When That Wise and Faithful Servant appeared on the scene, and the seventh trump began to sound, the “due time” had arrived to remove the colossal rubbish heap of error that had accumulated over the centuries, and the date for the anti­typical Passover also came up for consideration. He stressed the ethics of an annual observance, showing that the memorial of our Lord’s death should be an annual affair – just the same as a birth, a wedding anniversary, or our Fourth of July celebration of our independence should be but once a year. Seeing this feature clearly, he set about to determine the exact day and hour if possible; and, while he was a day or so astray at times, he impressed us all with the propriety of an annual observance on Nisan 14. And so far as we can find, he, too, never set the date before the Vernal Equinox.

But “the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, going on and bright­ening, unto meridian day” (at high noon, when the sun seems motionless in high Heaven)—Prov. 4:18, Rotherham. Thus, it was only reasonable to expect that the beloved Epiphany Messenger would give this matter further scrutiny, which resulted in his conclusion that Nisan 1 should begin at six p.m. of that day in which the moon became new, even though that could mean that the moon might new almost 24 hours after the six p.m. which would start Nisan 1. Then he determined that the Pass­over was a Spring festival with the Jews, that it was never held before the Vernal Equinox; and this rule he followed meticulously during the later years of his life ­never once, so far as we can find, ever “keeping the feast” before the Equinox.

The historian Josephus was also one of the high-ranking priests in Israel, being contemporary with the Apostles, and whose Uncle was High Priest in Israel. Thus, he would be as well qualified as any one to know the method then existing for fixing Nisan 1, as it was left to the Sanhedrin to do this, and the High Priest was automatically President of that august body of men. Therefore, when he says the Passover must be kept when the sun is in Aries, we are pretty much forced to accept him, since we can find nothing better anywhere else. And at the time he wrote the sun arrived in Aries at the Vernal Equinox; thus, the Jews recog­nized it as a Spring festival. And there is no record that the Lord and the Apostles found any quarrel with this. The present Jewish Encyclopedia also stresses that the Passover is a Spring festival.

It may be well here to make a slight digression, with brief discussion of the Atonement Day service, which is definitely a Fall festival – coming as it does almost exactly six months after the Passover Spring festival – the Bible being positive that the Atonement Day must be kept on the tenth day of the seventh month – the month Tishri in the Jewish calendar. Perhaps the reason for this is to differentiate clearly between the Ransom, which is typified in the Passover Lamb, and the Sin Offering which is portrayed by the Bullock and the Goat in Leviticus 16. While these two fundamentals bear a close relationship, yet we must bear in mind that man’s salvation could have been effected by the Ransom alone, with the Sin Offering entirely eliminated; but the perfect Justice of God would have made it impossible to give man salvation with only a Sin Offering without a Ransom. Said John the Baptist, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” the “sin of the World” be­ing distinctly the transgression of Adam in Eden, which brought death upon him and upon all his progeny. It needs no argument that Adam bequeathed his children with a cursed legacy (the sentence of death “passed upon all men”—Rom. 5:12) – a legacy which no man has desired, yet one which none could refuse to accept, and leave for others to inherit, as may be done with material goods distributed in testament by our forbears. The Sin Offering of the Church during this Age would also offer a proper balance for the occurrence in Eden, where two were involved; and a proper balanced offset would thus require the performance of two in the cancellation –­ Jesus and His faithful Bride giving life to the human race, in contrast to Adam and Eve passing a sentence of death upon the race.

Therefore, it was certainly an orderly arrangement that the sacrifice which would eventually bring life to mankind, should appear in the Spring, the season when vegetational life bursts into verdant activity after the ice-bound deadness of the winter months. Thus, while the general rule is to use the moon coming new nearest the Spring Equinox to determine Nisan 1, yet there must be an exception to this rule if such acceptance would place Nisan 14 before the arrival of the Spring Equinox. Observing It before the arrival of Spring would do violence to an other­wise orderly and delightsome portrait. That is why Brother Johnson states in his February 1933 Memorial article that the service should be “NEVER BEFORE THE VERNAL EQUINOX.”

TYPE AND ANTITYPE

The expression in general use today is “The Passover,” when referring to the Jewish celebration each year, and this can prove very misleading unless we keep clearly in mind that in the primary sense there has been but one Passover – the one that was kept that night in Egypt as the Jews prepared to leave that country. Each succeeding year thereafter the celebration was merely a memorial of the ONE Passover. “Ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons forever” (v. 12:24) “It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations” (v. 42).

And similarly with the antitype – there is but one: “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” Therefore, the bread and the wine each year are but a memory of the one great antitype – “This do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). And, as with the Jews in their memorial year after year, so alsowithus: “As often asye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show forth the Lord’s death” (1 Cor. 11:26). Also, while there was considerable variation in the remembrance of the type from the performance that one right in Egypt, there is considerable divergence in the antitype. Each year the Jews ate their lamb, the same sort of lamb they ate that first night; but in the antitype we do not crucify afresh each year Christ our Passover – we merely partake of the “bread, which is His body, and the wine, which is His blood” as a symbolism of that one great sacrifice. It is the service which Jesus Himself instituted the night before His death; and which He commanded us to do in like manner throughout the succeeding years of this Gospel Age.

Regarding variations in memory of the type each year, we would note some of the following: The blood of the lamb slain that night in Egypt was handled in this fashion: “Ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood... strike the lintel and the two side posts .... and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.” (v. 22) None of this was done in the memorials thereafter.  Also, that first night was one of solemn intense watching, knowing the Angel of Death would pass throughout the land. This also was only a memorial in the years following, with no fear that the Angel of Death was prevalent among them. Thus, much of the solemnity and tenseness of that one night was absent in the memorials – so much so that copious drafts of wine were taken with the lamb and other viands – four cups in all – the service starting with a cup of wine, and ending with a cup of wine.  This was intended to imbue a sort of festive rejoicing into the memorial meal, although not to the point that the weighty solemnity of the occasion should be forgotten.

Another variation in the type itself and in the antitype is that the Jewish firstborns were in danger of death only on that one night in Egypt (another clear proof that there was but one Passover); in the subsequent memorials they were in no more danger than any other member of the family. But in the Gospel Age (which is typed in its entirety by that one night in Egypt) the spiritual firstborns are in danger throughout their entire lives of going into death – the second death – if at any time they forsake the covering protection of the “precious blood” of Christ our Passover. However, a notable feature concerning those firstborns that were spared that night in Egypt is that they also lost the covering protection the next morning, having the same standing as other Jews; in fact, every one of them over twenty years of age died in the forty years of wandering in the wilderness, the only exceptions being Joshua and Caleb. But in the Gospel Age the fully faithful firstborns are never without the protection of their guardian angels. “The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth then.”

IN SINCERITY AND TRUTH

To those who have acquired a comprehensive understanding of the correct time to partake, the reason for partaking, and the fundamental meaning of the bread and the wine, St. Paul counsels: “Therefore, let us keep the festival, not with the old leaven, nor with leaven of vice and wickedness, but with the unleavened principles of sincerity and truth.” (1 Cor. 5:8, Dia.) The principle of sincerity, honesty of purpose and open countenance, is given much emphasis throughout the Scriptures. A “good and honest heart” is the primary requisite of those who would receive and retain the Truth in its purity; all others are eventually given over to “strong delusion.” “Because they admitted not the love of the Truth (in honesty).... God will send to then an energy of delusion, to their believing the falsehood” (giving them over to error because of their insincerity, dishonesty)—2 Thes. 2:10,11, Dia.  It is reported that of Abraham Lincoln more has been written than of any other human being in history, with two exceptions – Jesus and Shakespeare. And this is not because he produced any great books; it was due in large part to the fact that he was just an honest man. When he saw clearly what he should do, he proceeded to do it in sincerity of purpose. Now much of heartache and turmoil would have been avoided among God’s people in this Epiphany time had the various Levitical leaders just followed this simple rule. But, “offenses needs must come” for “the trial of your faith”; so we should “think it not strange,” although it should determine us all the more not to follow in their steps. Rather, let us “look unto Jesus,” for “even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his stops.” To offer a quotation from Brother Russell:

“Only those who faithfully walk with God, partaking of His spirit, and humbly relying upon all the testimonies of His precious Word, shall be able to dis­cern and discard the ‘stubble’ of error which has long been mixed with the truth, and boldly to stand fast in the faith of the Gospel and in loyalty of heart to God, while the masses drift off in the popular current toward infidelity in its various forms, Evolution, Higher Criticism, Theosophy, Christian Science, Spiritism, or other theories denying the necessity and merit of the great Calvary sacrifice. But those who successfully stand in this ‘evil day’ will, in so doing, prove the metal of their Christian character; for so strong will be the current against them, that only true Christian devotion to God, zeal, courage and fortitude will be able to endure to the end. It is written, ‘A thousand shall fall at thy side (into the second death—JJH) and ten thousand at thy right hand (into measurably faithful Leviteship—JJH); but it shall not come nigh thee, because thou hast said, The Lord is my protection, and the Most High hast thou made thy refuge.... He that dwelleth in the secret place (of consecration, communion and fellowship) of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

To such – and only to such – are the “precious promises” fully available; and we may rest in the strong assurance of Zech. 2:7,8, “Deliver thyself, 0 Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon (Big and Little Babylon). For thus saith the Lord of Hosts, he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” This is primarily a Little Flock text, of course, and should be accepted in that light; but this very intensive metaphor offers graphic assurance of God’s watchcare over His own. We may easily grasp the meaning of this illustration when we consider how sensitive are we when some person attempts to stick his finger into our eye. The resentment and re­sistance are instantaneous; and so says our God is it with Him when some one plans evil toward those who are faithfully in His fold.  Brother Johnson offers fitting companion comment to this in E-13:251 – “Let us learn the lessons chiefly inculcated by Samuel and Saul, i.e., that by God’s grace we stand, as we abide faithful, taught us by antitypical Samuel’s life (the life of the faithful Star Members—JJH), and that, despite God’s grace, we fall, as we prove unfaithful, taught us by antitypical Saul’s life (the crown-lost leaders in Big and Little Babylon—JJH).”

To all of our readers do we extend cordial good wishes and the Lord’s rich bless­ing in their preparation for, and participation in this coming Memorial, which we shall hold this year at 1507 N. Donnelly, Mount Dora, Florida, at 7:30 p.m. April 3. Our warm welcome is extended to any who may wish to join with us in this service. As always, we suggest refreshment of the various features of the Memorial by a reading of the chapter in Parousia Volume 6, perhaps also by a pertinent article by Brother Johnson. As stated in previous years, we ourselves have followed the practice over the years of taking the Gospel accounts of our Lord’s trial and death, one each day for the five days preceding the service, with the Berean Comments; and we offer in conclusion St. Paul’s words to Titus (2:7,9): “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTIONOFGENERALINTEREST

QUESTION: – What is your opinion of Bro. Jolly’s answer to the Ecclesias question on the church leaving early in anarchy – p. 12 of this Jan. P.T.?

ANSWER: – Our opinion of this answer by R. G. Jolly is the same as our usual observations of his perversions of the Star Members’ teachings. Since he was fully abandoned to Azazel in 1950 it seems very difficult for him to refrain from perverting any teaching he attempts to discuss – especially if the Star Members’ teach contrary to his “new views” or “strange fire” (false doctrines). In this he gives tragic repetition of all Gospel-Age crown-lost leaders, who thought they knew more than their Star-member teachers, and felt impelled to alter the truths they gave by injecting into them their own perverting errors. The result: Great and Little Babylon – ‘strong delusions.’

He becomes quite profuse in his comments on Psalms 46, on Revolution and Anarchy in this Time of Trouble, to bolster up his present contentions and confuse the minds of his deluded readers as to the clear and direct teaching of the Epiphany Messenger ­as set out in Epiphany Vol. 3; but never once does he do more than just give passing mention to the citation the Ecclesia gave; namely, p. 130, par. 81 of Epiphany Vol. 3. Says R. G. Jolly: “We have been in a general sense in more or less of anarchy ever since 1914.” Note Brother Johnson’s statement in par. 81: ‘Antitypical Elijah leaves the earth, which does NOT take place until early in anarchy, an event preceded by the revolution, which in turn, is preceded by the Great Company as such pouring out the seventh vial.” Now notice the seventh vial did not appear until 1917 – three years after 1914. Therefore, when Brother Johnson says the revolution will come after 1917, and anarchy will follow the revolution, R. G. Jolly is telling his readers to accept his nonsense that Brother Johnson was referring to a “general sense” of the Time of Trouble since 1914! And he expects (or hopes!) his deluded followers will continue to accept his nonsense in place of the sober teachings of the Star Members.

But let us go back to par. 78, p. 128 of this same Vol. 3, and note Brother Johnson’s statement:

“The Little Flock has not yet left the world in the whirlwind, which is not yet here.”

According to R. G. Jolly’s nonsense the whirlwind is here! This Vol. 3 was published in 1938 – 24 years after 1914 (R. G. Jolly’s ‘general sense’ whirlwind). So here again the Star Member is talking nonsense if we accept R. G. Jolly’s nonsense, which directly contradicts the Epiphany Messenger’s teaching in Epiphany Vol. 3.

Then let us follow on with par. 79, wherein Brother Johnson offers his explanation of Psalms 46:1-4:

“The Little Flock does not leave the world until early in anarchy.”

Clearly enough, Brother Johnson was speaking of some future event – sometime beyond 1938. Therefore, are we to conclude that Brother Johnson did not understand the “whirlwind” (anarchy) has been with us since 1914? Or that he was slipshod and shabby in his teachings? Or that R. G. Jolly is now attempting another of his per­versions – “sleight-of-hand”? And why does R. G. Jolly ignore completely Brother Johnson’s analysis on pages 128 and 129 in the very book to which his questioners refer? Here is another quotation from p. 128 (79) and page 129:

“Psalm 46:1-4 demonstrates that the Little Flock will be in the world throughout the revolution (I Kings 19:11,12). While, therefore, in the flesh, it will witness the revolution, which will overthrow the symbolic dragon, beast and image of the beast; for Rev. 16:18-20 and 16:9 demonstrate that the revolution will overthrow these institutions;...... but the Little Flock does not leave the world until early in anarchy.”

However we may view the passing of the last Saint, it seems clear enough even to an ordinary sixth-grade boy, that these pages by Brother Johnson are a direct contradiction to what R. G. jolly is now offering.

In the last paragraph, col. 2, p. 12, R. G. Jolly quotes Brother Johnson: “Amid these conditions of fear, let God’s people be above fear, even as we read in the 46th Psalm.” And, since Brother Johnson properly includes all God’s people in his words of encouragement, R. G. Jolly then proceeds to write out of this the Little Flock after 1950 by his observation: “The Little Flock portion of ‘God’s people’ lived long enough in the trouble to see the mountains being ‘carried’ (overwhelmed) into the midst of the sea.” Had these same conditions described by R, G. Jolly not prevailed before 1936? Yet Brother Johnson was speak­ing of things beyond 1938 – the great earthquake of which Brother Russell said the French Revolution was a small advance indication of what we could expect when “the mountains are carried into the midst of the sea,” Have we – even yet up to the year 1966 – witnessed such an upheaval? There had not been a single instance of this between 1914 and 1938 – nor between 1938 and 1950 – nor even yet between 1950 and 1966! R. G, Jolly is hard pressed indeed when he must offer such sophistry to trusting brethren. The very citations he offers give transparent contradiction to his claims, so we once more offer Brother Johnson’s words respecting such Levitical mis’-leaders:

“Why do they so often quote passages to prove points positively disproven by those very passages? Is it not because they are in Azazel’s hands, and are thus blinded by him, and at his direction palm off his errors on the dear unsuspecting sheep of God’s Flock?”

R. G. Jolly says he is “so glad” for the ecclesias question. Yes, Azazel is probably glad, too – just real tickled at the perversions in his answer (and is probably delighted with R. G. Jolly’s discomfiture, as he doesn’t mind how much his dupes are humiliated either) – because Azazel means Perverter. “Because they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, thou gavest them blood (error) to drink; they deserve It.” (Rev. 16:6, Dia.)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and Peace in Jesus’ dear Name!

I hope this finds you and Sister Hoefle well.

I want to thank you both for the beautiful Christmas greetings and the good letter telling me about Mr.–– writing for additional tracts. I do hope D.v. he reads them. I am getting low in my supply of tracts, so will appreciate some when convenient to send.

After I wrote to you before Christmas I felt so much more peaceful along the line I wrote. I will seek to remember more to neither murmur nor complain at what the Lord’s Providence may allow. We don’t know the lessons we need ­how many steep ways or deep ones we need to travel.

Enclosed is a check for $–- to use in the Lord’s work – or if I owe anything use toward that.  Do the friends sometimes send to any of the Brethren who are poor?..... I thought perhaps in some foreign countries – though I know in this day of pensions, etc., there doesn’t seen to be so many really poor, except in certain countries. I know in this country people usually have social security, etc.

I notice there are sometimes letters from brethren in California. I was wondering who they are. I guess they must live quite a way from here. It is a big state.

Wishing you both a good New Year in the Lord.  WithChristianlovetoyou and Sister Hoefle and those there with you. Your sister by faith, ------- (CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Sir: Please send the following papers: (1) WhereAretheDead; (2) What Is The Soul; (3) The Resurrection of the Dead. Thank you! ------- (CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings through our Loving Lord!

I received both your letters – the Nov. 12 and Jan. 6 – and enjoyed both very much. I have been getting all the papers on time, and they are wonderful! I just had to stop reading twice and sent prayers up to God for the wonderful blessings contained therein. I read them over and over as I do with the Volumes and the Scriptures.

Love and prayers for you all andallwithyou. Yoursisterintheonefaith,

PS – Send What is the Soul and Where are the Dead. Thank you! ------- (PENNSYLVANIA)

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Dear Brother and Sister Hoefle: Christian greetings!

We were pleased to have your card at Christmas, and thank you very such for your kind wishes. We know that you will be pleased to hear that we are endeavoring to be steadfast and we thank God for using you to point out the errors to us.

We join in sending warn Christian love to you and the friends with you.

Yours by His Grace ------- TRINIDAD ECCLESIA

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF GENERAL INTEREST

Our Memorial date coming this year on April 3, we suggest for our Spring Special Effort in volunteer and sharp-shooting March 20 through April 10. Our Nos. I and 2 (Where are the Dead and What Is the Soul) are for volunteer work at Protestant church doors on the first three Sundays – and our No. 3 (The Resurrection of the Dead) may be used for the last two Sundays. Please order the necessary literature in good time to participate. All literature will be sent free and postage prepaid.

The bereaved work is another avenue of participating in this “good fight” ­and we suggest that our brethren continue in the Arrangements as set out by the Epiphany Messenger in the January 1945 Present Truth, p. 9, bottom and p. 10, top (which please see) – Where Are the Dead and What Is the Soul for all except the soldier bereaved. Nos. I and 3 (Where Are the Dead and The Resurrection tracts) may be used for them. Let the various other groups include letters and other literature in their bereaved work, as they may be inclined; but let us continue in the methods prescribed by Brother Johnson. We believe his arrangements are direct and certain, and will bring the best results. We want the trumpet to have a ‘certain’ sound so that others may come to the Battle. We don’t feel the need to add to or change this Epiphany Arrange­ment for Antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle – a Battle that will be completed in this Epiphany period.

We also encourage our faithful Youthful Worthy brethren to be zealous in their pursuit of antitypical Zebah and Zalmunna (Eternal Torment and the Consciousness of the Dead—See E-5:237), as well as to continue zealous and faithful in their pursuit of Oreb and Zeeb (Sectarianism and Clericalism) – because they are assured of Victory in this battle against these two “prince errors” (See E-5:225,229)

Antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle is not over – and we invite as many of our faithful brethren to join with us in this “good fight’ as their circumstances may permit – in His spirit and way (arrangements) until the Battle is completed.

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­Letter from Jamaica

Dear Brother Hoefle: – Grace and peace Divine be with you!

We here are sending hearty greetings and sincere good wishes for a prosperous New Year, D.v..... It is with great pleasure we toll you, even though we have had much experiences and testings of various sorts during the year that is just past – yet still we have proven it is God’s hand that leadeth us, and after each trial we have had our blessings.

Your monthly articles sent us during the year have brought many refreshing memories.... We got much light on many subjects we were not so clear on, and point­ us to the Volumes... May the Lord bless and keep you, dear Sr. Hoefle and all that help at the Bible House ...... Yours in His name,

 CROFTS HILL ECCLESIA

NO. 128: THE LAST DAYS

No. 128

My dear Brethren: - Grace and peace through our Beloved Master!

The heading for this article is lifted from St. Paul’s prophecy in 2 Tim. 3:1-5, which we now treat from the Diaglott translation: “Know this that in the latter days trying seasons (perilous times) will come; for the men will be self-­lovers,” etc. We have underscored “the men” because of its emphasis in the original Greek, a situation occurring also in Hebrews 9:27, “It awaits the men to die once, but after this a judgment.” Among those schooled in Present Truth it would never occur to apply “the men” in the Hebrews text to men of the world; all of us know that the reference here is to the Aaronic Priesthood in Israel in the performance of the Atonement Day sacrifices once each year, at which time the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies with the atoning typical blood; and the edict was very clear that he would have died had his preparatory service not been exactly as given to Moses in the Mount.

But, in sharp contrast to the explanation given above, so often since Brother Johnson’s death do we find L.H.M.M. Convention speakers, and others who should be better informed, applying the Timothy text to the world in general, as they refer to the “trying seasons” (“Perilous times”) now gripping the world. While it is certainly true that the world is in “the days of Tribulation” – the Time of Trouble the Day of Vengeance – it is a sad distortion to apply St. Paul’s prophecy to Timothy as a forecast of events in the world. “The men” mentioned by St. Paul are exclusively teachers in the Church, as the entire context through verse 9 proves; and “the latter days” are direct reference to the Parousia and Epiphany days ­the last two special periods of the Gospel Age, which had their inception at 1874, as the Seventh Trump had begun to sound. This we believe is substantiated by the names Jannes and Jambres recorded in verse 8, these both being Hebrew names of practitioners of witchcraft (typical of especially deceptive false teachings) ­renegades from Israel who were truckling to Pharaoh for self-indulgence – self-­lovers, money-lovers, boasters, unholy.” Thus, they would be typical of apostates from among spiritual Israel in the last days – the Parousia and Epiphany. At the L.H.M.M. Chicago Convention last October St. Paul’s prophecy was stressed by one of the speakers as an application to the world (which is not true); but never a mention was made of its application to the Church, which is its true and only application.

WHAT IS A SIFTER?

Sometime back this question was asked one of the L.H.M.M. Pilgrims (by R. G. Jolly’s appointment); and he answered that it was one who perverts the Truth. This answer is not only inadequate, but is downright error. Every mem­ber of the Great Company is guilty of perverting the Truth – some more and some less. But, would any of us wish to declare that every Great Company member is a sifter? Certainly not! It would include only such Great Company members as aspire to teaching positions and leadership in the Church; and in the Manna com­ment for July 18 we are told that antitypical Jannes and Jambres are sifters be­cause their first love – the life of self-denial actuated by sincere love to God has been overcome by their selfishness and worldly indulgence. These evils will gain full control in the second-death sifters, but only partial control in the Great Company sifters. Thus, it would be correct to state that every sifter ­Great Company or Second Death – perverts the Truth; but not every one who per­verts the Truth is a sifter. The descriptions of St. Paul would apply only to “the men” – those who aspire to be teachers and leaders in the Household of Faith.

The name Jannes moans “he deceives,” and he types those second-death sifters in the Parousia who deceived God’s people in Babylon and in the Truth movement, the latter being more familiar to us, of course, because they are a little “closer to home.” The name Jambres means “he revolutionizes,” and is typical of those sifters in the Epiphany who have led the Great Company astray, manifesting them as crown-losers. Rebellion, or Revolutionism, is the sixth S1aughter-Weapon Man of Ezekiel 9:1-7, and has been especially active during this Epiphany period. And the sifters described herein are “the men” whom St. Paul is discussing in his prophecy to Timothy. However, all sifters – whether Great Company or Second Death defile the Temple of God, as stated in 1 Cor. 3:17, where St. Paul discusses the house of the Little Flock, built upon Christ as the Rock and adorned with gold, silver and precious stones, and the house of the Great Company, built upon Christ as the sand and desecrated with wood, hay and stubble. And that this is specially applicable in this Epiphany Day (the Time of Trouble), is emphasized by St. Paul in 1 Cor. 3:13 – “The fire (destructive acts) shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

THE EPIPHANY DAY

The last special period of the Gospel Age is the Epiphany Day, having its beginning in 1914. It means ‘bright shining,’ and its brilliance is for the pur­pose of manifesting persons, principles and things, bringing to light the hidden things of darkness and making manifest the counsels of hearts. (1 Cor. 4:5) Thus, the question properly arises, Are we still in the Gospel Age? Our answer is, Yes, because the primary purpose of the Gospel Age has been to win new creatures; and, so long as there is one new creature left on earth, it would be self-evident that we are still in the Gospel Age. And, since the Epiphany is the last special period of the Gospel Age, we must also then still be in the Epiphany.

There are various other Biblical expressions for this time in which we are living; namely, The Evil Day, the Day of Vengeance, the Time of Trouble, the Epiphany, etc., each of which has its own special meaning, each expressing a cer­tain thought not found in the others. And, while there may possibly be some argu­ment about the year each of these periods began in the narrow and wide sense – or the “restricted” sense – there is no sound argument about the time in which they end: All of them end at exactly the same time. Both the Laodicean Messengers are firm in their expression that the Evil Day ends with the end of Jacob’s Trouble; both of them assert that the Day of Vengeance ends with the end of Jacob’s Trouble; both declare the end of the Time of Trouble will be at the end of Jacob’s Trouble; and both state that the Epiphany will end with the end of Jacob’s Trouble. Thus, regardless of when they start, they will all have a common ending; and this kept clearly in mind, we shall not be led too far astray by any sophistical twists that false teachers may attempt to impose upon us.

Later in this article we shall offer some detailed explanation on the fore­going expressions, but we merely mention now some Biblical terms for the great events that are scheduled, pretty much concurrently, to occur in this EPIPHANY DAY – the last special period of the Gospel Age:

(1) The Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty – Rev. 16:14; Zeph. 3:8; Isa. 13:4,5;

(2) Armageddon – Rev. 16:16;

(3) A Great Earthquake – Rev. 16:18; Heb. 12:26;

(4) The Fire of Jehovah’s jealousy – Zeph. 3:8; 2 Pet. 3:10-12; Mal. 4:1;

(5) A Whirlwind and a storm – Nah. 1:3,6,7;

(6) A Tempest of Hail, a Destroying Storm, and a Flood of Mighty Waters – ­Isa. 28:2; Nah. 1:4,5,8;

(7) The Besom of Destruction – Isa. 14:23;

(8) A Furnace of Fire – Matt. 13:42;

(9) A Lake of Fire – Rev. 19:20;

(10) The Supper of the Great God – Rev. 19:17;

(11) The Winepress of the Fierceness and Wrath of Almighty God – Rev. 19:15.

We believe our readers will agree that little or none of most of the above Scriptures has even begun fulfillment – much less have any of them come to a com­pletion. Yet every one of them is due to see complete fulfillment in this Epiphany Day, as every one of then expresses some feature of the Time of Trouble – and the Time of Trouble is identical to the Epiphany Day, in which we are now living.

In E-4, pages 7 to 73, an exhaustive analysis of the Epiphany period offers copious Scriptural proof that the Epiphany and the Time of Trouble in its narrow sense are identical, the narrow sense being from 1914 to the end of Jacob’s Trouble; and on p. 72, bottom the Epiphany Day is also used synonomously with the Apocalyptic Day. One sweeping generalization of this entire subject by Brother Russell is to be found on p. 39 of Our Lord’s Return:

“As we therefore softly whisper, ‘Behold the Bridegroom!’ it is not with any hope of arousing the world to faith in the Lord’s presence, etc. They are unworthy to know, and would only misuse the knowledge now ( in the Parousia Day—JJH). By and by, in the Lord’s due time, they shall know ­in the period of the Epiphaneia, or Apocalypsis of the Son of Man. They will be awakened by the great crash of the day of trouble.”

In the face of such a clear and conclusive statement from That Servant (the same being confirmed by Brother Johnson), there are those who once claimed to understand Epiphany Truth, who now, either in whole or in part, attempt to negate some or all of its features. Among these are the “cousins” – R. G. Jolly and J. W. Krewson –, the latter of whom has the Epiphany as a special period of the Gospel Age ending completely in 1954 – before the Time of Trouble in its more violent features has even begun. We have exposed this fallacy in considerable detail in previous papers, so we shall now confine ourselves more detailedly with “Cousin” Jolly’s perversion of this teaching. His claim is that the Epiphany “in its restricted sense” ended in 1954. Why does he not use the word ‘narrow,’ which means the same as ‘restricted’? Clearly enough, some of his sleepy readers might just awake to the sophism being practiced upon them. Brother Johnson clearly teaches in Volume 4 that the Epiphany in its narrow sense began in 1914, and will end with Jacob’s Trouble. Thus, his ‘narrowing’ is at the beginning of the period, and not at its end, as R. G. Jolly is now teaching. As for ourselves, we accept the clear and Scriptural teachings of the Star Members, and we allow others to choose for themselves if they wish to accept the perversions of the “cousins,” who also at one time at least gave lip-service to believing what we “continue in” – what we still believe and teach, as herein expressed. And per­tinent to this very situation, we offer a quotation by Brother Russell from Tower Reprints, page 4044:

“As the Apostle intimates, we find that some of the elders in the Church of Christ, instead of feeding the flock of the Lord and pointing them to their owner, to the food which he has provided (in the Scripturally proven Parousia and Epiphany Truth—JJH), the meat in due season, are on the contrary seeking to turn the flock away – to draw disciples after themselves (by teaching contrarieties on the true length of the Epiphany period, perversions on the Camp and the Court of the Epiphany Tabernacle, such as Campers Consecrated, Quasi-elect Consecrated, etc.—JJH). Taking for granted that some of the Lord’s people are more stupid than the ass, they do their best to turn them from the Master’s crib – His provisions for the necessities of His people in this evil day .... (turn them away from the Star Members’ true teaching—­JJH). We have not yet learned to what extent these dear people have the common sense of the donkey; but we presume, in harmony with the Lord’s suggestion, that some of them will show themselves lacking even in donkey sense.’;

If any are inclined to feel we are too severe on such perverters, we believe all will agree that we have never at any time manifested the severity and unvar­nished acerbity of Brother Russell as quoted above. And let us keep in mind that this denunciation by Brother Russell was back in the Parousia – in 1907 – a full seven years before the Time of Trouble in the narrow sense (the Epiphany period) had even begun. And many years before that (Volume 4, p. 581), he had warned:

“That great delusions, ‘strong delusions’ by Satan, are just before us, is witnessed not only by our Lord’s words, but also by Paul (2 Thes. 2:10-12) God permits these deceptions for the purpose of separating the overcomers from all others.... It is quite possible that some of these trials, siftings and delusions, may come closest upon those having the largest degree of the light of present truth.”

Certainly, the foregoing would apply first of all to those once enlightened with the blessed Epiphany Truth as an added rich feast to the Parousia Truth. And to the foregoing we would add some from Brother Johnson:

“Being now in Azazel’s hands, their minds are filled with his suggestions, which they set forth as Truth (as R. G. Jolly now does with his Campers Consecrated, Tentative Justification outside the linen curtain of Christ’s right­eousness, etc.—JJH), despite what they had previously learned. (No one will dis­pute that R. G. Jolly had “previously learned” these things, and then knew better than what he is teaching now—JJH) As our Pastor has repeatedly shown, there has been an epiphanizing of persons, principles and things from the beginning of our Lord’s Parousia.”

To emphasize clearly some of the foregoing, we set out below a resume of those concurrent periods that comprise this discussion:

THE EPIPHANY DAY – As an act this period of the Second Advent may be defined as concurrent with the Large Parousia Day, having its beginning at 1874. However, as the last special period of the Gospel Age it began in 1914, and will continue to the end of Jacob’s Trouble. There is not the slightest hint in type or direct Scripture that this special period ended in 1954 in a “narrow” sense, a “restricted” sense, or any other sense – except in R. G. Jolly’s “non”-sense. Here is Brother Johnson’s clear statement on the subject in E-4, p. 21 (14): “In the sense of the second period of our Lord’s Second Advent it is limited to the time ,between the Parousia and the Basileia. It is used to designate the period of the great tribulation, the Time of Trouble.”

Before R. G. Jolly was abandoned to Azazel in 1950 he believed the above statement. “Cousin” Krewson also believed it before 1950; but neither of them believe it now. We ourselves believed it in 1950, and we still believe it – because it is substan­tiated by clear Scriptural proof. The Epiphany as a period of time is clearly de­fined by the EPIPHANY Messenger as the GREAT TRIBULATION beginning in 1914, and continuing to the end of Jacob’s Trouble – with no limitations of any kind – no “narrow” sense, or “restricted” sense involved anywhere in its description. While Brother Johnson expected a 25-month overlapping of the Epiphany into the Basileia – ­as also occurred with the Parousia overlapping into the Epiphany in 1914-1916 – he also concluded that the severe features of the Time of Trouble would be in full sway by 1954 – just as was true of the World War in 1914. In confirmation of this, we quote from E-12, p. 460:

“This symbolizes that it represents a reaching of the pit 40 years later than 1914, from which we infer that Anarchy will begin in 1954, as marking the end of the Epiphany.”

The reason Brother Johnson “inferred” the above was to occur was because of his expectations that the parallel would produce Anarchy in 1954 just as 1914 pro­duced the World War. Volume 12 was copyrighted in 1949 – just a year before his death; and time has clearly revealed that his “inference” regarding Anarchy in 1954 – “as marking the end of the Epiphany” – did not materialize. But R. G. Jolly can’t see any of this! Surely, “their foolishness shall be very plain to all.” (2 Tim. 3:9. Dia.)

It should be noted here that Brother Johnson certainly revealed “the spirit of a sound mind” to “infer” the happenings of 1954, instead of offering positive statement. In this he was probably guided by the prophecy,

“The vision is yet for an appointed time .... it will not tarry.... but the just (justified) shall live by his faith.” (Hab. 2:3,4)

And we are still in that time when “the just shall live by faith.” The general­ities of “the vision” were made very plain by Brother Russell and Brother Johnson; but the exacting details are yet a matter of faith. Thus, no amount of Levitical perversion (and nonsense) can successfully write one word into 1954 that is not there, or change by one day God’s “appointed time,” the detailed consummation of which is not yet revealed to us.

THE TIME OF TROUBLE – In its broad sense it began in 1874, and will continue to the end of Jacob’s Trouble. In its “narrow” sense it began in 1914, and will continue to the end of Jacob’s Trouble; and in this “narrow” sense it is identical to the Epiphany.

THE EVIL DAY – In its broad sense the Evil Day is much the same as “this present evil world,” having its beginning after the Great Deluge, and con­tinuing to the end of Jacob’s Trouble and the institution of the Mediatorial reign. But in a very special sense “This Evil Day,” began at 1874 and will end with the end of Jacob’s Trouble.

THE DAY OF VENGEANCE – Being substantially the same as the Time of Trouble, it had its beginning in the broad sense in 1874 as the Harvest message began to declare its imminence – and herald its beginning – and will continue to the end of Jacob’s Trouble. Actually, it did not begin in a special sense until 1914, with the World War, and will reach a conclusion with the end of Jacob’s Trouble.

THE DAY OF JUDGMENT – We are adding here an expression not used aforegoing, because it is pertinent to our subject. The “Day” that God “appointed to judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained” (Acts 17:31) began in its broad sense in 1874, and will continue for 1,000 years. In its narrow sense it began in 1874, and continues throughout the small Parousia and Epiphany days. During the Parousia Day – from 1874 to 1914 – the special judg­ment of the Little Flock was concluded, since by its end that select group had been individually and collectively determined for all eternity. But, during the Epiphany Day – from 1914 to the end of Jacob’s Trouble – we have the special judg­ment day of the Great Company as a class, of the fallen Angels, and of the nations as such. Before this Epiphany Judgment Day is concluded the nations in their present state will be no more; and the Great Company – as a Class, and as individuals – will have had their eternal destiny fully determined. They are the only class of human beings now standing their judgment-day trial for life. While it may be argued that the Youthful Worthies are also having their judgment, this can be true only respecting their future Kingdom Elect standing. Whether they now succeed or fail in their race to be princes in all the earth, their trial for life is not now being determined – their trial for life will occur during the Kingdom reign, and more specifically during the Little Season. As respects the Great Company and our present appraisal of them, we know of no type or direct Scripture that allows us to determine conclusively their present standing. There is, however, one definite rule for our guidance: New Creatures that die impenitent go into the Second Death – there will be no opportunity for reformation in Heaven. Also, the Judgment Day of the world as individuals is in no sense even begun, nor is God now accepting such consecrations, and dealing with Restitutionists as individuals (although they are privileged to be in a consecratable condition as was Cornelius, awaiting the date for God’s “due time” for acceptance) – although the Jehovah’s Witnesses would have us believe they are now accomplishing this as individuals accept or reject them (the Jehovah’s Witnesses!). That, of course, is another of “the strong delusions” of this Epiphany Judgment Day (this Evil Day) – a part of the “pestilence that walketh in darkness.” (Psa. 91:6)

It is pertinent to add here also that The Man of Sin will have his judgment manifested, and his execution carried to a completion, in this Epiphany Day – in the last special period of the Gospel Age – “whom the Lord will annihilate by the appearing (Epiphany) of His presence (Parousia)”—2 Thes. 2:8. On numerous occa­sions have we offered this text as a clear proof that we are still in the Epiphany period, with “Cousin” Krewson keeping complete silence on this clear Scriptural contradiction to his Apokalypsis theory; and “Cousin” Jolly making feeble attempt to reconcile this clear fact with his Basileia-Epiphany “parallel” perversion. His “overlapping” parallel (already more than eleven years going, and no end in sight) becomes painfully strained when he is forced to crowd Armageddon, Anarchy and Jacob’s Trouble into it, as well as the annihilation of the Man of Sin; and only those who are in the grip of “strong delusion” will succumb to such conglom­erate Levitical nonsense. His “overlapping” is really an over-flapping – a nonsensi­cal attempt to fit his eleven years-plus into a 25-month parallel.

As all of us know, time itself forced Brother Johnson to revise some of Brother Russell’s expectations; E.g., the length of the Time of Trouble, which Brother Russell himself began to revise somewhat toward the end of his life – although his revisions fell far short of actuality. Time also ­forces us to revise some of Brother Johnson’s expectations on the length of the Time of Trouble, because his expectations for 1954 have failed completely of fulfillment. Not to change such premature expectations would cause us to appear quite ridiculous. However, the basic, fundamental doctrinal teachings of both Messengers still stand firm under the most exacting scrutiny of the touchstone of the Good Word of God; and we ourselves have made no attempt to change any of them. Rather, we have been zealous in upholding and defending those features of the Truth. Thus, it has not been necessary for us to introduce to our readers any “strange fire” (false doc­trine) in a futile effort to substantiate erroneous changes in the Star Members’ writings – “strange fire, such as justification outside the linen curtain of the Tabernacle (Christ’s righteousness) – “strange fire” such as claiming we are now in the Basileia, with the contradictory view that the Epiphany Tabernacle is still operative, etc. – “strange fire” that the Epiphany ended in 1954, before the more vicious features of the Time of Trouble had actually begun.

J. F. Rutherford was forced by his “new views” to abandon completely Taber­nacle Shadows, just as J. W. Krewson is now forced to abandon the first chapter of the Epiphany Elect completely as respects the Epiphany period because of his “new views” – as he “continues in his errors” on the Epiphany-Apokalypsis period since the Epiphany Messenger’s demise. R. G. Jolly also is forced to repudiate large parts of the first chapter of the Epiphany Elect as he “continues in his perversions” of the Epiphany Messenger’s teaching on the Epiphany period – as we ourselves “continue” in what we have learned and been assured of, knowing of whom (the Epiphany Messenger) we have learned these Truths,

These observations apply also to large parts of Volume Four on Azazel’s Goat and the Youthful Worthies as respects both “cousins.” Note specifically p. 342, top:

“If our readers will keep in mind that The Tower’s denial of Tentative Justi­fication during this Age is the foundation of its rejecting the Scriptural doctrine that those faithful consecrators from 1881 until Restitution sets in..... will be the Millennial Associates of the Ancient Worthies” .... etc.

And just as J. F. Rutherford’s rejection of Tentative Justification forced him to abandon entirely Tabernacle Shadows, so the perversions of Tentative Justi­fication, and their “new views,” now force the “cousins” to abandon the faithful teachings of both Messengers on Youthful Worthies. Can any honestly say they be­lieve Brother Johnson was the Epiphany Messenger when they reject the very founda­tion and basic Truths the Epiphany Messenger gave us?

JUDGMENT AT THE HOUSE OF COD

St. Peter informs us that “judgment must begin at the house of God.” (I Pet. 4:17) Then he asks the question, “If it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospel of God?” It is stated in 2 Thes. 1:7,8, “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed (by the uncovering—Apokalypsis) from Heaven.... in flaming fire (the Time of Trouble of this Epiphany Day, this “last day” of the Gospel Age) taking vengeance on them.... that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.” That is, the retributive justice of this Day of Fire, this Epiphany Day, will overtake the second-death class in the Truth who have done full despite to the spirit of Grace. Therefore, St. Peter poses the further query (v. 18), “If the righteous scarcely be saved (those fully faithful of God’s Elect people), where shall the ungodly (them that obey not the Gospel) and the sinner (the Great Company, those eventually “turned back from their path of error”—Jas. 5:20 – see Berean Comment) appear?” Here then are set forth the three classes of new creatures – Little Flock, Great Company and Second Deathers – whose judgment is “manifested” during this Apokalyptic Day of “flaming fire” (the Epiphany period). The Youthful Worthies must also stand judgment for princeship in this Day, although they are omitted from St. Peter’s letter because there was no such class at the time of writing his epistle – and even now theirs is not a judgment for everlasting life.

The Scriptures clearly reveal that “this present evil world” will dissolve through a process of War, Revolution and Anarchy; and, if judgment is to begin at the House of God, we should expect these evils to appear first in the Household of Faith. And this is clearly the way it has been; During the Parousia Day the five Harvest siftings certainly precipitated war (for the defense of the Truth) in the Truth Movement, which was eventually followed by the war among the nations in 1914. Then, since 1914 Rebellion (Revolutionist) has been rampant during this Epiphany Day among the various groups of Truth people – this also preceding the Great Revolution of Armageddon into which the world will shortly enter.

But, even before Revolutionism has run its full course, there are many evi­dences of Anarchy in the House of God. Anarchy is a polity without a head – every man a law unto himself. An analogy to this is to be found in Judges 17:6; 18:1, etc.: “In those days there was no king (Judge, typical of the Gospel Age Star Members) in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” During 1965 we received a lengthy manuscript from a brother (previously unknown to us), in which he advocates the abolition of all teachers in the Church, and inviting us to join with him in a campaign to “teach” his view. Said he, “The wise and sensible thing to do as a minister of the Word is to let God speak for Himself”; and he desires “to share this spiritual information” with us. In our answer to him we asked for his understanding of Eph. 4:11-13, “The Lord gave some Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.... for the work of the min­istry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ”; and if ‘they shall all be taught of God’ – without human help, as you intimate – are you not wasting your time, effort and money to attempt to “teach” others your present view, thus going against your own philosophy?” Up to now we have had no answer from him.

Certainly, all of us must agree that it has been through human teachers that we received the necessary instruction to bring us into Present Truth, and that there must be others now in relatively the same position as were we at the inception of our understanding of the good Word of God, and who still need teachers. “How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? ... faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:14-17) Thus, if we would do all things decently and in order, we cannot escape the con­clusion that some in the Church are more qualified than others in their capacity to teach the Truth; and any attempt to negate this arrangement is simply Epiphany Revolutionism producing Anarchy in the Church – some of the “pestilence that walketh in darkness” (Psa. 91:6), the darkness that appears in the night, at the dawn of the Millennial morning. All such departures from orderly arrangement in God’s Household are simply “strong delusion” (2 Thes. 2:9-12) – some more symbolic witchcraft (especially deceptive false teachings) in this Evil (Epiphany) Day. We believe the following from Brother Russell is in complete accord with the fore­going:

“To be perfectly balanced physically is to be almost immune to disease. In other words, those who digest well what they eat, and who eat suffi­ciently and who work proportionately are so healthy that colds and other ail­ments pass them by. Those attacked by every passing ailment are usually either under-nourished or the slothful. (See Vol. 6, pp. 559-562)

“This is also true of the new creation. Some ‘babes’ in Christ are always ‘catching’ something in the way of false doctrine (“strange fire” such as Campers Consecrated, or the ending of the Epiphany period before its real features have even arrived—JJH) – usually because under-nourished in the Truth, but sometimes because their labors for the Truth have been insufficient properly to utilize the nourishment they have taken.

“Whoever has studied the Word to good effect has learned that its standard is the correct one; namely, that we must grow in knowledge and the graces of the Spirit by our daily walk in life. We must put forth first the faith foot and then the works foot, and thus proceed to more faith and more works. These ‘rightly exercised’ make us strong in the Lord and the power of His might. It is to such obedient children of God that the promise applies, ‘The wicked one toucheth them not.’.... (they are never in Azazel’s clutches).

“The Lord has promised for His Household the long-promised ‘meat in due season,’ ‘things new and old.’ Some have repudiated and violently opposed these Harvest blessings; others of us have embraced them and feasted upon them and hungered and thirsted for more and more of the same kind... Since tasting of the Heavenly Manna (as given to us through the Star Members—JJH) we have no appetite for other things (Levitical perversions and “strange fire”—JJH)... But there are others who are sure to fall away in this evil day..... These, without proper loving zeal, are indolent as respects labors-of love and self-denial on behalf of the Lord, the Truth and the Brethren.... they are sure to ‘catch’ some error.... It is noticeable that the ‘slothful servants’ (The Great Company and, in a secondary sense, their like-minded Youthful Worthy supporters—See Matt. 25:26,30 and Berean Comment—JJH), when entrapped by the Adversary, seem to become very energetic for the error.... But we must expect that such as refuse and neglect the various provisions and exhortations of the Master for their development .... will be permitted to stumble and fall (into such errors as Campers Consecrated, the length of the Epiphany, etc.—JJH).” Reprints 4129

The question may arise with some: Is the understanding of this Epiphany Day generally accepted by various Truth groups? Our answer is, No! So far as we know, we ourselves are the only group now presenting – and “continuing in” – this Truth as explained aforegoing. Those formerly associated with the Epiphany Messenger did at one time receive it as he taught it – and we have repeated herein – although they have now wandered far astray from their former correct faith on the subject, having rallied around their favorite leaders rather than “contin­uing in His Word.” However, there are others – such as the Dawns and the Jehovah’s Witnesses – who never accepted Epiphany Truth – denying, as they do, that the Epiphany as a special period of time, is taught in the Bible. To reach this con­clusion, they must ignore completely certain Scriptures, such as 2 Tim. 4:1, “The Lord Jesus shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing (Epiphaneia) and Kingdom (Basileia).” To state this text more clearly: “The Lord Jesus shall judge the quick (new creatures and fallen angels) at His Epiphaneia, and the dead (all human beings under the death sentence, whether in the tomb or out of it) at His Basileia.” Clearly enough, if the “quick” are to be judged at His Epiphaneia, this must be a special period of time. It is little wonder, then, that such as the Dawns and the Witnesses are confused as respects Epiphany teachings, arrange­ments and work, failing, as they do, “rightly to divide the Word of Truth” – which in turn causes then to “fight as one that beateth the air” – a text referring to crown-losers (See Berean Comment for 1 Cor. 9:27). With these groups in this Gospel Age Harvest, as was true in the Jewish Harvest, “They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” (Rom. 10:2)

As we view the panorama all about us, surely we can give thanks unto the Lord for His strong assurance that – “I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth (the Epiphany Truth in this Epiphany Day fulfills this promise in grand fashion): thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shall make the hills as chaff. Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, and shall glory in the Holy One of Israel.”—Isa. 45:15,16.

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sir: Please send me What is the Soul, Where are the Dead, and the Three Babylons tracts to the following address: (check enclosed)

Yours truly, -------- (CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Brother and Sister Hoefle: Grace and Peace!

This is just a small Christmas gift from me to you for all the wonderful gifts you have given to me. May God bless you in your ministry! Much Christian Love, ---------- (OHIO)

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Dear Brother and Sister Hoefle: Grace and peace be multiplied!

Enclosed is a M.O..... for the Truth Fund...... Sister ------- and I want to again express our deep appreciation, and thanks, for the articles we receive monthly. We do read and study them and receive rich blessing by so doing. Be assured as we approach the throne of Heavenly Grace we ask our dear Heavenly Father to bless us only as He can bless – and give you the needed strength to carry on this great work. And may He – our dear Heavenly Father – which maketh rich and addeth thereto no sorrow, be your portion. Our very best Christian love to you, Brother, and Sister Hoefle and all the dear ones at Mount Dora. Your Brother and Sister in the one Hope –

By His Grace, ------- (NEW JERSEY)