NO. 152: THE ANTICHRIST

No. 152

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

When “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” He provided the foundation for two religions – the Christian and the Antichristian. The first of these set forth the highest of ideals for His followers, to perfect them in every good word and work; the second did pretty much the exact opposite, often arousing the basest of human inclina­tions toward heinous crime. The ideal of the true Christian is to attain equality in character and vision with their Leader, an ambition which none of the human race has ever achieved. Had any of them ever been able to do this, the ideal would then be largely dissipated – no more hills to climb, no more conquests to accomplish. Thus, throughout the writings of the Apostles the ideal of “Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2) is ever prominently in their writings, “Christ” being the ransom price for our justifi­cation, and “Him crucified” being the narrow way in which “He set us an example that we should follow in His steps.” All of this is summarized in perfect love for the Lord, the Truth and the brethren, which, when properly comprehended and practiced, delights in doing good unto all men as we have opportunity, but especially to them which are of the Household of Faith.

Thus, St. Paul counsels “Husbands, love your wives, even as the Anointed One loved the congregation, and delivered Himself up on her behalf.” (Eph. 5:25, Dia.) And among the last of the Lord’s thoughts on the night before His death was toward those who would cleave to Him in spirit and in truth – “That they all may be one... that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast loved them as Thou hast loved Me.” (John 17:21-23) All who know anything at all about Christianity admit that its fundamental precepts are good; but, they say, no one lives up to it. And, while it is true that the vast majority of those calling themselves Christians deserve such criticism, yet it is equally true that there have been some outstanding “examples of the believers” throughout the Age. Aside from the twelve Apostles, mention may be made of John Wesley, founder of what is now the Methodist Church. The focal point of all his teaching was that disinterested good will toward all men is the ideal for Christians; and there is little doubt that he practiced what he preached. Much the same may be said for George Fox, founder of what is now the Quaker Church. Similar appraisal may be made of Balthasar Hubmaier, founder of the Baptist Church. And the preaching of these three men, along with others throughout the Age, was potent and magnetic enough to cause many of their adherents to exemplify true Christian principles in their daily lives.

But alongside the few throughout the Age there have been great multitudes who did other­wise, many of the latter with such wealth, education and mental brilliance that they have almost completely eclipsed those faithful few who held “the testimony of Jesus, and the spirit of His Prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10, Dia.) This deplorable situation was already making its first glimmering appearance in the early Church, so that St. Paul was prompted to write: “The secret of lawlessness is already working.... then will be revealed the law­less one... whose coming is according to the energy of the Adversary, with all power, and signs, and wonders because they admitted not the love of the Truth (true Christian­ity) in order that they might be saved.” (2 Thes. 2:7, Dia.)

Here is an excellent description of the Antichrist that would appear after the Apos­tles had left this earth; and, while we stated in the first sentence of this treatise that our Lord had laid the foundation for this monstrous apostasy, it should be kept in mind that such was not His design; it was merely that He provided the opportunity for “evil men and seducers” to join a good cause for their own selfish purposes – much the same as the Bible itself has also provided a very convenient conveyance for those to en­hance and enthrone themselves who in fact were really motivated by most selfish and un­holy ambitions.

It is well for us to keep in mind here that Antichrist not only means opponent, but it also means “in the place of” Christ. St. Paul had warned in 2 Thes. 2:3-5 that Jesus would not come again until “there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be re­vealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God... so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” The attempts to interpret St. Paul’s words here are legion, quite a few would-be interpre­ters – being very emphatic that this refers to an individual. During the 1914-1918 war there was quite some agitation to the effect that St. Paul’s words were just another de­scription of the “Beast” of Rev. 13:2-5: “The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet as a bear’s, and his mouth as lion’s mouth... and they worshipped the beast. saying Who is like the beast, and who is able to make war with him? And there was given to him a mouth speaking great and blasphemous things (note the close similarity to St. Paul’s words); and authority was given him to act forty–two months.” The theory gained quite some followers back there that this was a prophecy of the German Kaiser, which meant that the war would end in forty–two months. But when the war went on for nine months more than the forty–two, and the Kaiser suffered complete defeat, was forced to abdicate and flee to Holland, that theory died as quickly as it had been born. Their mis­take, of course, lay in their failure rightly to comprehend one of the basic rules for the understanding of The Revelation; namely, that the numerals in that book are literal, but almost all the common nouns are symbolic. Those months are 30-day months, making a total of 1260 days, as can be readily seen from Rev. 11:2,3: but, applying the principle of “a day for a year” (Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6), the period of time then involved would be 1260 literal years.

THE PAPACY

That the foregoing Scriptures could not possibly refer to an individual will, we be­lieve, be apparent from certain considerations, one of which is that no individual has ever survived for 1260 years. Also, the Antichrist, the Man of Sin, The Beast, all sim­ply portray different characteristics of the same thing: Antichrist being “in the place of” Christ – Man of Sin (in place of “Son of Man” – Mark 2:10), the degrading disposition and influence – The Beast, the vicious destructive and inhuman qualities. The beast “was like unto a leopard.” A leopard is black and white spotted, indicating that in some places the beast would be black as night, but in others appearing lily white in hypocriti­cal manner – professedly Christian! This latter has been outstandingly true of the Papacy; e.g., Spain, Mexico, Italy, tolerance has been foreign to their teachings. Not long back they tried to chase the YMCA out of Italy – revealing the black spots of the leopard. But in America, where they are much in the minority, they are very outspoken for tolerance – for them, that is – ­manifesting the white spots of the leopard.

In 2 Thes. 2:1–5 St. Paul states that the Lord would not return to earth again “ex­cept there come a falling away first.” Certainly, this would not mean just one indivi­dual; the very construction of Paul’s expression shows he was meaning many individuals ­a great apostasy – that would be influenced, deceived, and overawed by “the man of sin” – “the son of perdition” (destruction) – yet professedly Christian. The only entity in Gospel-Age history that properly fits this description is the Papacy; it meets all the requirements perfectly – its own record is enough – we need not go to its opponents or critics for argument to sustain this conclusion. But, in coming to this conclusion we do not wish to convey the impression that every Roman Catholic is included in this opin­ion – any more than every Protestant should be held accountable for the vagaries of the various protesting systems. There have been, and still are, many noble and magnanimous individuals among Protestant and Catholic churches, who for various reasons have failed to recognize the true situation; but this does not alter the fact that the Lord Him­self referred to certain features of the Roman Church as “the abomination of desolation.” (Matt. 24:15)

Giant oaks from little acorns grow; so also the Roman Church came to its present prominence from a very small beginning – at first meekly bowing to the powers that be, but gradually, very subtly, telling them what to do, until from 799 to 1799, the Papacy “as God sitteth in the temple of God (“Ye – the true church – are the temple of God” – ­1 Cor. 3:16), showing himself that he is God.” Said Pope Innocent III: “The pope holds the place of the true God.” Innocent and Jacobatius state “the pope can do nearly all that God can do – none dare say to him any more than to God, Lord, what doest thou?” We here present a mere fragment of what has been written about this subject – enough, we hope, to establish a firm base for our position.

MARTIN LUTHER

In our paper No. 145 we offered quite some detail about Luther’s problems and wars with papal error and intrigue – a member of antitypical Elijah against antitypical Jez­ebel; and we now offer some of his statements about Antichrist as taken from the book of Roland H. Bainton, first published in 1955:

“The faith and the Church are at stake, I rejoice to suffer in so noble a cause. I am not worthy of so holy a trial. I feel much freer now that I am certain the pope is Antichrist.” (p. 124) “If he is inviting me to my death, then I will come. I hope none but the papists will stain their hands in my blood. Antichrist reigns. The Lord’s will be done.” (p. 139) “I was wrong. I retract the statement that certain articles of John Huss are evangelical. I say now, ‘Not some, but all the articles of John Huss were condemned by Antichrist and his apostles in the synagogue of Satan. I say freely that all the condemned articles of John Huss are evangelical and Christian, and yours are downright impious and diabolical.” (p. 128) And on page 120 is a print showing “On the left Christ is washing the disciples’ feet. On the right Antichrist, the pope, is having his toes kissed by monarchs.”

In their efforts now to embrace Martin Luther, to praise his teachings and work, are the Roman Catholics also accepting what he taught about the pope being Antichrist, sitting in the synagogue of Satan? Let us not forget that the very book from which we quote aforegoing was banned by Catholics shortly after it appeared just twelve years ago (written in 1968 – now in 1979 23 years ago), and many stores were intimidated from further sale of it. And those who continue to pay homage and worship at the feet of Antichrist are in truth also “sitting in the synagogue of Satan” so long as they assemble in the same company with Antichrist. No sane human being would logically do this, of course; but the eyes of many are being opened, and they forsake such company. And we have the “sure word of prophecy” that many others will shortly do likewise. Thus, this writing is no indictment of Roman Catholics as individuals; and we urge all our readers to follow St. Paul’s counsel: “A servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but be gentle towards all, fit to teach, patient under evil; in meekness correcting the oppos­ers; perhaps God may give them a change of mind in order to a knowledge of the Truth; and that they may be recovered from the snare of the enemy, who have been entrapped by him for his pleasure.” (2 Tim. 2:24-26, Dia.)

PSALMS 75:6–7

Psalms 75 carries fitting application to our subject matter – the true Christ and to Antichrist. Verses 6 and 7: “Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge; He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Here is veiled reference to Baal, the sun God of the nations round about Is­rael. The sun rises in the east, swings to the south, and sets in the west. And the Psalmist is telling us that those who “bow the knee to Baal” (1 Kgs. 19:18) need expect no recognition from the true God of Israel.

Almost from the beginning of Israel’s conquest of Palestine, after their deliver­ance from Egypt, there was constant conflict between the Lord God of Israel and the false Baal of the Heathen round about. In our paper on The Great Reformer we gave some detail of Elijah’s engagement with the Prophets of Baal, who received equal recognition in Is­rael because of Queen Jezebel, the wife of Ahab; and Elijah’s complete victory over them forecast the complete victory during this Gospel Age of antitypical Elijah (the true Church attempting to reform this “present evil world”), over antitypical Jezebel (the Ro­man Church) before this Age comes to a close.

The Heathen Baal was typical of power-graspers in the Christian Church during this Age; and those who “bow the knee to Baal” refers to all who do obeisance to that Anti­christian system. Thus, an identical conflict has transpired during this Age to the one that raged in Israel in the centuries preceding the Christian era. And those on the side of Baal have received no “promotion” – no lasting recognition – from the God of Heaven. In fact, in almost every instance when the Pope asks special blessing upon some event or locality or populace, the very reverse occurs: Great calamity is often the result. We instance just one example: We detailed in The Great Reformer how King Philip II of Spain is said to have laughed for the first time in his life over the horrible massacre in France on St. Bartholomew’s Day. It was this same King Philip who a few years later prepared the Invincible Armada to annihilate Protestant England for rejecting the papal domination. And that Armada received the very special blessing of the Pope for its mission – a mission which culminated in complete failure and the destruc­tion of a major part of the ships and men in that expedition.

Thus, the warning is given in Psa. 75:5: “Lift not up your horn on high; speak not with a stiff neck.” The “horn” in the Bible is often used to symbolize power (see Psa. 18:2): “The Lord... the horn – power – of my salvation”; also Mic. 4:13, “I will make thine horn (power) iron.” This exhortation is companion to St. Peter’s words: “God resisteth the proud” (1 Pet. 5:5); and then the Psalmist warns: “for promotion com­eth neither from the east, nor from the west” nor from following the course of Baal and his devotees; but God will exalt whom He will exalt – those who resist the power-grasp­ing system of Baal.

Inasmuch as the Psalmist is here contrasting “the horns (powers) of the wicked” and the “horns (powers) of the righteous” (v. 10), it is certainly no strain on the imagina­tion to conclude the “promotions” of the righteous must come from the north, since they do not come from the east, west or south. This is quite clearly confirmed in Isa. 14:12-­14, where the power-grasping course of Lucifer is described – identical twin to the course of the Papacy. Note the very similar language of v. 14: “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High,” to that of 2 Thes. 2:4: “Who (the Papacy) exalteth himself above all that is called God... he as God sitteth in the temple (con­gregation) of God (“ye are the temple of God” – l Cor. 3:16,17), showing himself that he is God.” And Lucifer would make his attempts “upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north” (his abode would rival that of the Most High).

THE DARKNESS HATETH THE LIGHT

It needs little argument that throughout the Age true Christians have been much in the minority.   The Lord had promised, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the Truth” (John 8:31, 32); but this promise “to know the Truth” would not apply to the vast majority who did not “continue” to keep it. To such came the “strong delusions” – also promised to those who “received not the love of the Truth.” (2 Thes. 2:10) But it is a sad commentary concerning the many that they were not content to lose the truth, they must also persecute those who did faithfully retain it. Thus developed the monstrous crimes, the heinous tortures by the Antichrist against those who “protested” against their errors. Some of this was given in our No. 145, so we need not repeat it here. However, the Antichrist was not the only system that re­sorted to the persecution of those who retained Present Truth; and we now catalog some of these:

Michael Servetus was one of those true Christians who accepted, and defended the truth that there is but one God. This aroused the ire of John Calvin (strong advo­cate of, and chief organizer of, the Presbyterian Church), so he tricked Servetus into Geneva, had him arrested for ‘heresy.’ The trial lasted about 2½ months, with Servetus thoroughly defeating Calvin on the Truth that there is but one God. But the judges, being also in error as was Calvin, found Servetus guilty, sentenced him to be burned at the stake. The next day, October 27, 1553, Servetus was taken from the city, made to sit on a block. Instead of using dry wood, green timber was used, placed some distance from him, which subjected him to a slow roasting of over a half hour duration. Also, in mock­ery – like the crown of thorns that was placed on the brow of Jesus at His crucifixion by the errorists of His day – a chaplet of straw and green twigs, besprinkled with brim­stone, was made to encircle his head. This ‘crown’ was ignited first, and produced such a cry of anguish that it struck terror into the hearts of the spectators. That was his only expression of pain.

Perhaps the saddest part of the above recital is that John Calvin himself had strong­ly denounced the persecuting spirit of Antichrist in France; had addressed a noble publi­cation to the King of France in defense of religious tolerance – tolerance for him, that is. But he readily forgot all about tolerance when he could not meet the Truth that came from Servetus, and blackened his memory with one of the worst examples of cruel intoler­ance ever to be recorded. This is indeed a sad record against Calvin, who was considered one of the most brilliant religious minds of the entire Gospel Age, and a zealous cham­pion of his idea of Christianity.

“Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents. and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake; but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Mark 13:12-13)  And, “Who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Cor. 2:16) “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” (Psa. 24:4)

Coming a little further along in history, there is the case of the pilgrim fathers who left England because of religious persecution; but, hardly had they landed in New England in 1620, than they began to heap much the same abuses upon those who disagreed with them. But let us keep in mind that, while Wesley and his adherents were sorely per­secuted in England, he himself and those who fully embraced his teachings, never perse­cuted, or recommended persecution of those who disagreed with them. The same could be said of George Fox and the Quakers; the same for Balthasar Hubmaier and the Baptists. And this is definitely our own position now.

By the time the Parousia had arrived the physical manhandling of dissenters had pretty much become out of date, but those who embraced the Harvest Truth were subjected to considerable verbal abuse and vilification, with considerable vicious slander heaped upon That Servant. This increased in severity as the 1914 war began, during which time some of the Truth people did incur actual physical violence, with even a few of them dy­ing from that abuse. During that time those in “present truth” were a unit in advocat­ing religious tolerance; and it would seem the lessons of the past, plus their own un­toward experiences, should have taught them thoroughly the quality of tolerance. But, sad to say, hardly had That Servant died than quite a few of them took up the very unchris­tian weapons against their former brethren that had been previously used against them. Were we not personally witness to this, it would be difficult to believe.

And from 1916 on those brethren who were being defamed by the Society also were loud in their acclaim of tolerance, the Executive Trustee of the LHMM being one of the fore­most in denouncing intolerance; and he did an excellent job of declaring the evils of intolerance. It was easy enough for him to do that, too, because he had the Truth as his ‘shield and buckler’: and it was no problem to prove that it was once more error perse­cuting truth. But scarcely had the Epiphany Messenger left us until the Executive Trustee began to cudgel his opponents with the same weapons that had formerly been used against him and others – with the situation now reversed: The former champion of the Truth on tolerance was now forced to intolerance by the Truth which appeared against his error – just as was true of those intolerant ones in the Society after 1917. Here is a sad illustration indeed of human frailty – the accumulated experience of the Age, coupled with extreme brilliance of Harvest Truth, availed them little as those who still retained Parousia Truth began to expose their decline into error. The formerly excommunicated became the excommunicators in very pronounced fashion: “Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.” (Isa. 66:5)

In so many instances the founders of present-day religious organizations – John Wesley, Martin Luther, William Miller, Thomas Cranmer, Robert Brown, George Fox, Bal­thazar Hubmaier, Michael Servetus, Zwingli, Charles T. Russell, et al – were mercilessly opposed because of the truth they presented; a number of them were actually burned at the stake. Yet, quite often those who were outraged witnesses to such abuses, adopted the tools of the persecutors when the situation became reversed. However, the underly­ing cause of such conduct was largely due to the fact that they themselves had departed ­in whole or in part – from the teachings of those they claimed to follow. All during the Age it seems it never took long until the examples of the respective reformers were for­gotten, and much of the truth they presented was perverted or lost completely; and, as the truth was lost, so also was lost the spirit of true Christianity which had actuated their leaders. “Strong delusion” (2 Thes. 2:11) regarding the truth usually inculcates “strong delusion” in conduct also, which in turn develops fanaticism in those who fall prey to it. It is certainly sound appraisal that religious fanaticism is the deepest, wickedest and most conscienceless of hatreds.

THE TOWER OF BABEL

Some years after the deluge, when the population had begun to increase, men said, “Let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto Heaven” (Gen. 11:4). They would have insurance against another flood (in spite of the promise that another flood would never be – Gen. 9:15); they would build Babyl (Gateway to God). As retribution for this affront, the Lord confused their tongues; they could no longer understand each other. Thus, the effort became known as Babyl, meaning confusion, the same being typi­cal of the Roman Church’s effort also to build a “Gateway to God”; that is, We are the one true church – no salvation outside of us – no other access to God – their popes are now the successors to St. Peter (despite the fact there is no evidence whatever that St. Peter ever once visited Rome). But their shibboleth over the centuries has been, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” (Matt. 16:18)

In further explanation, we quote this text from the Emphatic Diaglott: “I also say to thee, Thou art a rock, and on this rock I will build my Church.” Reference to Peter as ‘a rock’ is from the Greek Petros; and ‘this rock’ as the foundation for the Church is from the Greek Petra – the difference in meaning being Petros is a small stone, with Petra as a huge boulder. Once this is clearly understood, it is easily comprehended that Jesus was not referring at all to Peter as the rock upon which He would build His Church, but to the great indisputable Truth that Peter had just spoken: “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.” Indeed, in the words of the hymn, “My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” He is truly the Christ; and “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:11) He is the Petra, the unlovable rock, upon which the Church has been built. “There is none other name (neither Peter, nor any other) under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) But the Roman interpretation is TRULY ANTICHRIST – “in place of” Christ. And to them also God sent confusion of tongues – a “Babyl”; their teachings today are completely foreign to the truth given us by the Lord through St. Peter.

In identical manner, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have made similar pattern; they claim also to be the “Channel for present truth’“ no salvation apart from them – they, too, would build “Bab-El.” And to them also has come retribution: a confusion of teachings so far removed from that presented by their founder that there is almost no similarity now to their beliefs of fifty years ago. And they also – in true Roman spirit – would suppress the truth presented by us; they have actually seized our papers from the hands of their dedicated deluded devotees and trampled them in the street. Yet they still boast of their founder, just as the Catholics boast of St. Peter. Was such conduct ever in evidence by the Master, Apostles, or by those true reformers mentioned aforegoing? Indeed, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20) The spirit of Antichrist readily reveals itself to all unbiased observers. The following excerpt from Reprints 5172 (Feb. 1, 1913) is most appropriate here:

“All down the Gospel Age, those who have been faithful to the truth of God have been put ‘out of the synagogue.’ The creeds of men have been barriers to keep out those who understood the word of God.”

And there is sound logic in explanation: The Truth always brings out the best in the faithful, but it often brings out the worst in the unfaithful or measurably faithful. “We (the faithful) are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death (as they go deeper and deeper into error); and to the other the savour of life unto life (as the Truth per­fects them in every good word and work).” (2 Cor. 2:14,15) “The light (Truth) shineth in darkness (amid error); and the darkness (error) comprehended it not.” (John 1:5) It is an evidence of human frailty that physical force is usually applied when the intellect is not sufficient. Thus, for a thousand years the Antichrist resorted to the rack, boil­ing oil, hot lead in the ears, etc., against the ‘heretics’ whose truth they could not gainsay or resist. But there is no record of the fully faithful ever using such weapons against Antichrist. St. Paul also had counseled “Resist not evil with evil” – “the wea­pons of our warfare are not carnal.” He also wrote in 2 Cor. 3:17: “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (tolerance).” Con­versely speaking, we may draw the ready conclusion that without liberty there is none of the Spirit of the Lord. And from such we are advised to turn away! Woe unto those who fall prey to the spirit of Antichrist!

“For we are not like the many, trafficking the word of God; but really from sincer­ity, and as from God, in the presence of God, we speak concerning Christ.” (2 Cor. 2:17, Dia.)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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Supplement to No. 152

QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – In your January paper you say “It is God that justifies.” Will this also be true in the next dispensation?

ANSWER: – No. While this Gospel Age is a faith dispensation, and the next will be a works arrangement, there is another dominant feature that is the de­termining factor – namely, the Mediator (the Christ) will then be officiating. A Mediator serves between two parties at variance with each other, and the Mediator’s purpose will be to effect reconciliation between God and man, both of whom are at variance with each other. Once this arrangement is clearly seen, it is then no problem to understand that God will have nothing to do with the human race by way of giving them a reckoned (faith) justification, because the Mediator will operate to bring them gradually to perfection of physique and character, which, when it is accomplished, will enable each individual to stand in his own justification – just as was true of Adam in his perfection. He needed no intercessor with God, needed no other merit than his own inherent capacities to have direct fellowship with his creator.

This being the case, it logically follows that any attempt to teach a tentative (faith) justification in the next dispensation is simply some more Levitical nonsense of the worst order. To declare that both Messengers were in error when they taught opportunity for new Youthful Worthies until restitution sets in is a revolutionism of both the Truth and its Arrangements, and clearly manifests such would-be teachers as revolutionists, perverters and repudiators of the “faith once delivered unto the saints.” They have failed to “continue in His Word,” thereby measurably losing the Spirit of the Truth and the Spirit of understanding. (See 2 Thes. 2:10,11; also Berean Comment: “All, in the end of the Gospel Age, who, having been favored with the Word of God, have failed to appreciate and use it.... Strong delusion... That which, from certain standpoints, has the appearance of truth.”)

This is further emphasized in Rom. 3:26: “To declare at this time God’s right­eousness: that He might be just, and the Justifier of him who Believeth on Jesus.” In previous verses St. Paul also states that it is “by the faith of Jesus” (the faith­fulness that He manifested, and by the faith we have in His redemptive purposes toward us) that we now have “this Grace wherein we stand.” While this teaching is “Present Truth” now, it will have no bearing whatever in the next dispensation; and quoting it then, as applying then, would be just as much out of order as it would how be for us to preach Noah’s message of an impending flood.

Here is something from Reprints 5164, col. 2, par. 2, that is directly to the point:

“During the Millennium God will not recognize the people, because of their im­perfection, their weakness; but all of their dealings will be through the Medi­ator. until they shall have been brought up to perfection. At the end of the thous­and years they will be delivered up to the Father, unblamable before Him.(l Cor. 15: 24) God will then receive them as sons, heirs of the earthly blessings which He has provided for mankind – the things given to Adam. The very moment when the merit of Christ is applied for the world is the same moment when they will be turned over to the Mediator. (Is the world now turned over to the Mediator?—JJH) Then they will be in covenant relationship with God, but only through the Mediator, until they have reached human perfection and shall enter into his relationship directly with the Father.”

In this connection, we recall R. G. Jolly’s parrot-like quotation from E-4:346 – ­“The doctrine of Tentative Justification operating from the time of Abel, Enoch and Noah until Restitution begins.” This he presented as ‘proof’ that Tentative Justification is now operating in the Camp – since 1954. But when we quoted from that very same section of Volume 4, pages 337/347, showing Brother Johnson’s emphasis that Tentative Justification would be available UNTIL RESTITUTION BEGINS for the very purpose of winning new Youthful Worthies, as companions in honor and service with the Ancient Worthies, he was then forced to other errors to support his “strange fire” (false doctrine) of Campers Consecrated, claiming that they receive Tentative Justification in the Camp. As Brother Johnson has said, when such error­ists are forced from their original erroneous position by the Truth against them, they then resort to more and more error, as RGJ is now doing with his claim that Tentative (faith) Justification will continue throughout the Millennium. And it should be noted, too, that he no longer quotes the Truth (on Tentative Justifica­tion operating until restitution sets in) from Volume E-4. He is afraid to do this because even his sleepy adherents might just awake to the real situation.

In this entire treatise in Epiphany Volume 4 of the Youthful Worthies and Tenta­tive Justification, Brother Johnson was proving that the two are inseparably linked here in the end of the Age – until Restitution begins - Tentative Justification for Youthful Worthies, and Youthful Worthies for Tentative Justification. This faith justification is for the very purpose of winning a faith class – an Elect class; and is merely added structure to what Brother Russell has already taught. It dis­putes nothing that That Servant taught – merely elaborates and clarifies that teach­ing. Yet RGJ is now telling us that the teaching in Volume 4 is all wrong; he has found ‘new Light’ (?) on the subject – the same kind of ‘new light’ that JFR found when he decided to eliminate Tentative Justification altogether from the Bible and from That Servant’s declaration of the subject, to make room for his non-existent class – impudently claiming that the Bible and That Servant supported his error; even as RGJ also impudently claims the same support from That Servant and the Bible for his present error, now ignoring the Epiphany Messenger’s teaching altogether. And the same kind of people will now be led astray by RGJ as were led astray by JFR!

Following is some more from E-4:342, top: “If our dear 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 (Has Restitution set in?—JJH).... will be the Millen­nial Associates of the Ancient Worthies in reward and service, they will be able by Scriptural, reasonable and factual thinking completely to overthrow every argument that the article under review presents to defend its thesis.”

And substantially the same may be said now for RGJ’s perversion of Tentative Justification, as he desperately attempts to avoid exposure of his present error. We have indeed been able by “Scriptural, reasonable and factual thinking completely to overthrow every argument” that he has presented to defend his erroneous contentions.

Even though we cannot judge the heart, God can — and when we see brethren depart­ing from the Truth that once sanctified them, revolutionizing, perverting and repu­diating certain vital doctrines and arrangements to justify their “path of error,” we know there is something wrong with the heart – otherwise the Lord would not per­mit them to go into such errors. It is those who have received the Truth and not appreciated it, and departed from it, who pose as “angels of light.” They are far more dangerous than those who have departed completely and become moral renegades. The latter class can’t exert much influence upon the upright, but the former often do wield much influence over the Lord’s people who fail to heed the warnings of That Servant and the Epiphany Messenger. All of this, of course, if for “the trial of your faith.”

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

To WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: – I have read The Herald of the Epiphany Edition No. 7, which was given me last Sunday at the ------- Civic Center showing of Martin Luther... This reading of The Herald of the Epiphany is so good that I am keeping for re-reading and I want you to please send me the other six, No. 1 – Where are the Dead, No. 2 – What is the Soul, No. 3 – The Resurrection of the Dead, No. 4 – The Three Babylons, No. 5 – Two Distinct Salvations, No. 6 – God’s Great Sabbath Day.

Thank you very kindly, Mrs. ------- (FLORIDA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace be yours through our blessed Lord & Master!

We have been enjoying your well written articles in defense of the Truth. The Lord knoweth them that are His, and provides bountifully for all their needs. I have been unable to write you – also Sr. Hoefle who wrote such lov­ing and helpful letters. This year, as it draws to a close, finds us still with you in Spirit. We rejoice also with the others who are always on the look-out for your monthly Truth articles. The Truth is precious indeed!

I appreciate your prayers – also dear Sr. Hoefle’s. I remember you and the brethren in prayer. Enclosed is a small contribution. lt’s not much, but the best I can do. Much love in the Lord to all with you.

By His Grace ------- (OHIO)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

I sit thinking of the many things I would like to tell you. Then it occurs to me to do some typing – get if off my chest! You surely must be busy. Don’t feel under obligation to answer. I shall watch in your papers (No. 148 was marvelous!). Hope ------- got one.

It certainly surprises me Mr. Jolly taking the attitude against you as he does. Never dreamed he had gone SO FAR as to disfellowship you!....... I noted my letter also printed recently...... I don’t mind if you give my address to the brother who wondered about the Sister from Michigan. I do not use the English Language as well as you do. You are a Master at it!

Joe ------- wrote me a letter some years ago – rather kindly though – suggesting I transfer to another unit. At that time he had a thousand-dollar loan from my hus­band. I called them – in class – over every error in the Watch Tower. And so they wanted to get rid of me! But they all KNEW MY STANDING BEFORE MY LORD. Of course, I returned his letter with notations added to it. My husband signed, too. His wife told a friend Joe was furious (the friend repeated it to me).

I look back many years – amazed to think many of them thought they were for the High Calling! It staggers my imagination that we could ever dare hope to see our Saviour as He is – to be LIKE HIM – live and reign with Him 1,000 years! I shall leave my Judgment to my Saviour. He died for me! ....

So many times I long to serve my Maker. But as I review over the 40 years gone by, we did our best, with the help of Jesus Christ – the Beloved of God. How very earnestly I pray nightly for my Lord to NEVER TAKE AWAY THE DEEP LOVE I have for Him – for the Truth, for the thankful Heart I enjoy – to comfort me.

At times my whole frame trembles with joy and appreciation. The Watch Tower does not even tell the people – at this time of the year – what that super birth of Jesus, by the Virgin Mary, means for mankind...... The enclosed for postage help.....

Concluding with Christian love from ------- (MICH.)

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My dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings of Christian love!

The Christmas season is approaching, and we wish you, Sister Hoefle and all the dear ones with you, a happy Holiday – and endeavoring to continue faithful in the days ahead.

We both thank you for your letters and prayers. Daily do we remember you, Sr. Hoefle and the supporting brethren in our prayers.

Quite a number of people have appreciated the No! 7 tract – and we believe it will bear fruit in due course. We have posted it to relatives and friends in various parts of the country, too, and to Protestant ministers. A few Gideon Extras have been distributed, but we find an apathetic spirit abroad. Church workers are so busy trying to amalgamate. Some of our neighbours, who have had the tracts (and who realize we know somewhat of the Bible), appreciate the message to some extent –invited us to a ‘bring and buy sale’ at their home, in aid of the Roman Catholic Church, The Church of England, The Methodist Church, The Congregation Church and The Pentecostal Church. Brother pointed out we could not uphold anything we know the Lord was not desiring.... Since our refusal to go, they have treated us as usual ­not like the Society, the LHMM, who, to say the least, treat us as if they never knew us. God bless you all! Sister joins me.

Your brother by His Grace, ------- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in the Master’s Name!

Sir! I want to thank you for sending me the literature which you have done...... Are you acquainted with Brother Goodrich and his works there at Fort Lauderdale?...... I had never heard of the term Youthful Worthies until I read your literature! I don’t remember whether Brother Jolly uses that term or not. Also, am I to understand that you don’t approve of the ....Group?..... Now this term – or name – Azazel? In all the twenty some years I’ve been reading so-called Truth literature, that’s a stumper to me! We are not really associated, or belong, to any of the so-called Truth groups. But I do get and subscribe to a number of them.

I will admit that I first came in contact with the Truth through the Jehovah’s Witnesses – and Oh! I thought I had found the way – only to be very abruptly dis­allusioned about five or six years later. Then I had and kept my eyes and ears open to the things that happened about us – and our so-called brothers’ attitude. We gradually dropped out..... I must admit that you are very nearly right when you call them Little Babylon, which is also a term I hadn’t heard before. My husband and I and our 15-year-old son have our own Bible Studies in our own home..... I am trying to give my son a firm foundation to fall back on as he grows and enters into life..... It’s like Jesus said in His prayer to the Father that last time: We are in the world, but are not a part of it....

You sent me a copy of Where are the Dead. I read it and sent it to an Aunt of mine who believes in Spiritism. It was such a good paper! I would like to have a few more to give to people... It is my desire and hope to be of service to the Lord..... A Sister in the Lord, ------- (NEBRASKA)

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My dear Brother Hoefle: Fond Christian love and Greetings!

The year is at its close, and as a little encouragement I want to tell you how much I have enjoyed your articles. Not in the sense of “rejoicing in iniquity,” however – nor in the perversions of the Leaders you have exposed – but in the pure unperverted Truths you have brought out in your refutations. Any true and honest heart – who compares your writings with the Star Members’ writings – must agree they correspond, and help in character development.

I was young and unconsecrated during the JFR sifting, but I paid great heed to it because of my love for God and His Plan. I counted the cost before I entered His vineyard – and that is why I thank God for you. We all need a pointer where we can seek after His Word..... He will not leave Himself without a witness, so it is for us to make the effort to find out His true witness...

I saw the letter from the Brother in Trinidad. I pity the poor Brother, making himself a ledling – blindly following another without proving who is right and who is wrong. See Manna Comments August 18 and December 20.

Warm Christian love.... Yours by His Grace, ------- (JAMAICA)

NO. 151: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

No. 151

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

Another year gone – but not easily forgotten. The year’s turmoil has kept pace with – has probably exceeded – the advances in science, and the deterioration in the financial structure. The scientific accomplishments have indeed been astounding in several directions. In Michigan some artisans have perfected a blueberry-picking machine that will do the work of 300 laborers; and this machine seems to be as sensitive as the human touch and the human eye, since it picks only the ripe berries, while leaving the green ones on the vines.

Also, the various electronic and computing devices are in some instances so sensitive that they must be kept in air-conditioned surroundings, keeping the temperature constant in order to secure proper action. A telephone technician recently told us that such machines now in use by the telephone company are so sensitive that no one is allowed to smoke in that room. He further informed us that those machines will notify them within thirty seconds if any one has tapped a telephone line anywhere in the city – that it will advise whether the tap has been made on the line from the telephone pole to the building, or if it has been done inside the building where the phone is located. “In the time of the end knowledge shall be increased.” In this connection, Brother Johnson gave us the following statement in Epiphany Vol. 9, p. 407 (50):

“Our Pastor sketched in various details of progress (of Dan. 12:4) the vehicles – steamboats, submarines, railroad trains, trolleys, autos, buses, airships, airplanes, etc.”

Volume 9 was published in 1938; and, while those things mentioned in that book are truly amazing, the past thirty years have phenomenally pyramided the intricacies of scientific invention.

Nor has Israel been without profit from the scientific skills of this grand and awful time. A recent radio report stated they had increased the rainfall there during 1966 by 17% – through scientific manipulation – quite a welcome draught to a desert land. And they are hopeful for further increase. However, another more certain means of water is to come to that country through the construction of three gigantic filter plants that will eliminate the salt from the sea water, through providing certain irrigation for all of the land – at a cost of two billion dollars. In detailing how a combination of nickel and copper will enter essentially into this performance, our informant then exclaimed, Then you’ll see the desert blossom as the rose!

IN FINANCE

The financial structure has kept apace – in decay – with the advance in science. It is estimated that the overall debt in the United States at this time – Federal, State, Local and private – now is more than 1½ trillion dollars. Such a figure is beyond human understanding. And, while not so much is publicized about this enormous financial load, it comes to us from private sources that the more astute among the financiers are at least attempting to protect themselves against the collapse of this gigantic paper house. In 1966, for instance, all newly-mined gold has disappeared – plus forty million more. The newly-mined gold in the “free” world was worth more than one billion dollars. Then, in the first quarter of 1967 all the new gold disappeared, plus seventy million more – for that one quarter alone. Not all of this went into private hoarding, of course, as much of it was used in jewelry, in manufacture, etc. At the end of March of this year the total financial gold for the entire world was slightly more than 43 billion, which, if placed in one pile, would make a cube about 50 x 50 x 50 feet.

As usual, the politicians want no talk concerning the relationship of gold to the paper they have printed. Their by-word has been “Instant Money” – by the printing press. Inasmuch as the United States now holds less than 13 billions in gold – against which there are more than 30 billions of foreign demands payable in gold – our financial manipulators have been forced to raise interest rates, forcing other countries to do the same. At 5% the interest on 30 billions is 1½ billions each year – the ‘blackmail money’ they must now pay each year to pre­vent our foreign creditors from demanding payment in hard money – gold.

This great increase in paper money has led to what is styled “creeping inflation” – as against what is termed “galloping inflation.” To illustrate the former: A mechanic was recently engaged in wrecking a building, and he casually remarked that he had helped to construct that same building forty years ago at forty cents per hour; now he was helping tear it down at four dollars per hour. Over the years this great increase has been gradual – creeping inflation ­not distressingly noticeable to the average person, but decidedly real nonetheless.

On the other hand, some other countries have already experienced galloping inflation, a classic example being Germany after Hitler decided to eliminate the internal debt by destroying the value of the Mark. We are well acquainted with one man who was in the midst of that financial debacle; and he related that it had become so bad that, when they received their pay on Saturday noon, they did not walk, they all ran to the Belgian border about two blocks away to convert those marks into foreign currency before it shrank even lower. And there is much concern that a similar condition might soon develop in the United States.

Coming events cast their shadows before; and one such ‘shadow’ is the 1967 contract made by labor with the automobile plants. The increases they received are so great that it must eventually lead to one of two things – either galloping inflation, or a drastic depression brought on by pricing ourselves out of the world markets. It is our opinion that it will be the latter.

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY SEMINAR: This gathering was held in New York City Nov­ember 3,4-5 – perhaps the first of its kind ever to be organized – and it was our special privilege to attend, through the invitation of one of the principal speakers. Theme of this Seminar was “The Value of Money, Today and Tomorrow”; and the program included outstanding men from England, from South Africa, from Japan, from Canada, from Switzerland, from France, from Germany, from Mexico, from the United States – ‘brilliant men, qualified to speak on money and free markets.” Attendance was by invitation only, so we considered ourself much favored to be there; the general public did not even know the conference was in progress. An outstanding remark from one of the speakers was this: We are now in the 54th year of monetary disorder (since 1914).

It was also stated that the debt-increasing-money-supply system resulted in an increase of 95.1 billion in US public and private debt in 1966, and unoffi­cial estimates indicate it will be even larger in 1967. This latter conclusion is based somewhat on the fact that the debt increased 80.5 billion in 1963, 85.7 in 1964, and 93.2 in 1965. Concerning this appalling situation, the speaker quoted another writer as follows:

“You have to be richer than Croesus, wiser than Socrates, and have the callousness of an ox to attempt to break the monopoly which the aggressive but fundamentally ignorant so-called New Economists of today try to create for them­selves and us.”

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND: This year 1967 the meeting of this group was held in Rio de Janeiro; and we are informed the schism was so great among them that the French representative actually walked out of the gathering a day before it was over. The sharp differences were regarding high interest rates (on worthless paper) and international liquidity. Of course, it is very difficult for the outsider to determine if those advocates of high interest and printing-press money really don’t know any better, or whether they are actuated from grossly selfish motives. In our own IMF office in Washington there are 850 well-paid international civil servants – 100 more than two years ago. Their head­quarters are so luxurious that they include marble-walled elevator cars, a new three-­story palatial entertainment hall with a splashing fountain and glittering chande­liers. This year the IMF governors and members of their staff attended the Rio de Janeiro meeting; and, according to one financial publication, the US delegation “was buttressed by a whole Air Force plane-load of about 45 officials, plus wives and secretarial help.” One does not need to be overly observant to understand why such people are loud in their clamor for the present system. Why should they want to be rid of such an elegant setup as that – it should go on forever. Much the same as one prominent oil magnate, when asked in Court what were his chief duties as Director of his company, replied, “To clamor for dividends.” The words of St. Paul come strik­ingly to mind: “They all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed.” (Heb. 1:11,12)

IN POLITICS

The political fabric also “waxes old as doth a garment.” As one financial writer has stated, If you expect to have a good year ahead, one of the primary con­clusions you must reach is not to believe any of the promises your Government may make. When men must compromise their moral standards for the votes of people who cannot even sign their own names in the voting booth, it is not difficult to under­stand the kind of men who eventually gain office. Last summer we were in Detroit during that disastrous riot there. We looked out of our window on the fifth floor of a building, saw the mobs smashing windows and looting at will, with a large part of the city in flames, while the politicians ordered the police not to use force in intervention – a vivid modern example of Nero fiddling while Rome burned. One financial expert remarked to us that the politicians were allowing the civil moral fibre to corrode in like manner as the financiers were doing with the financial structure. There is violent crime in the streets of Detroit – in broad daylight in the business center of the city. “They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” (Hos. 8:11) This now applies with equal force to finance and politics. Much could be said about it; but we may later treat of this situation from the prophetic standpoint, giving in much more detail the happenings in Detroit last summer – the same being a harbinger of yet more and worse to come.

Nor can any one be justly accused of prejudice for blaming the politicians for much of the trouble in the world today. The dividing of Berlin – half to the Com­munists and half to the western part of Germany – could be nothing more than bung­ling politics. It was an ideal arrangement to “make” trouble. The same must be said for Jerusalem – half to the Jews and half to the Arabs – both enemies from the twilight of history. Concerning Ishmael – progenitor of the Arabs – it was prophetically written: “He will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him.” (Gen. 16:12) Could Anything but trouble come from dividing Jerusalem between two such antagonists? In the 1914-18 conflict the Lord miraculously saved the city from crossfire between the Turks and the English (See our paper No. 30 of Jan. 1, 1958). Once more it was saved last summer in the conflict between the Arabs and the Jews; but the question is cer­tainly properly in order, How many times will the Lord allow Himself to be tempted in such fashion?

The River Jordan is a type of the curse upon the human race, the river ever going lower and lower, until it is about 1,300 feet below sea level when it reaches the Dead Sea. And Joshua 3:15 tells us that “Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of the harvest.” “The Harvest is the end of the Age,” said Jesus (Matt. 13:39, Dia.); and, having come to the end, we may expect the evidences of the curse to be more glaringly apparent in every place, but especially so in Christendom, where privileges are being abused, graft and corruption of politi­cians is rampant, and “the love of money” is debasing men in high positions. There can be little argument but that “civil rights” of the downtrodden (white or black) in America should have been sponsored years ago; but civil rights have been speedily corrupted into “civil wrongs” – much the same as when parents, wanting to be kind and generous to their children, “spare the rod, and spoil the child.” This is exactly what has happened in those cities where the illiterate, the immoral, the irresponsible, the criminally-inclined have been given more of “civil rights” than they can properly handle. It is a sage observation that few people can stand extreme adversity, but fewer still can stand great prosperity. The back-breaking toil and long hours of labor in the past were undoubtedly unjust; but that very evil had a certain restraining influence for good – it gave men neither the money nor the time to get into trouble. But the present reform measures have given the “sea” (the restless and lawless masses of humanity) more of liberty and leisure than they can properly bear.

IN RELIGION

The walls of many religious systems are also deteriorating. The creeds, the strict scruples of the past, are crumbling toward combinationism – the flimsy ideal that it matters not what one believes so long as he is sincere in that belief. This is in violent contrast to St. Paul’s version that there is but “one Lord, one faith (belief), one baptism” (Eph. 4:5), and to St. Peter’s contention that “there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) In flouting these inspired statements, the Archbishop of Canterbury paid a visit to Pope Paul VI. He is 100th in succession to St. Augustine, Canter­bury’s first archbishop in 597. He believes that the Church of Rome and the Church of England should work together as allies rather than rivals. Apparently he has forgotten what caused the cleavage in the first instance – when King Henry the Eighth divorced the Roman Church by adhering to the Biblical teaching of Thomas Cranmer that the Church is subject to the State in civil matters. To this the Church of Rome is diametrically opposed; the two positions are so inimical to each other that it is much the same as encouraging a friendly alliance between God and the Adversary.

THE JEWS: Among those who were once “in full harmony” with That Servant there is now pronounced difference on Israel and Palestine. The Jehovah’s Wit­nesses – who still claim to be “THE Channel” for Truth and salvation (no salva­tion for those now living who do not now join them) – have consigned the Jews in Palestine to annihilation. Thus they offer “Comfort to the Arabs”; whereas, they were one time emphatic in their message “Comfort For The Jews.” On the other hand, other divisions of the Harvest Movement are now stressing “Comfort For The Jews,” especially so, since their astounding victory over their neighbors in the war last summer. However, viewing matters with worldly wisdom, it would seem that the Jews are needing very little “Comfort”; the decisive defeat of their enemies is certainly comfort sufficient for present needs. In this conclusion, however, let none decide that we are forgetting Zech. 14:1-3 and the final stroke of Jacob’s Trouble at the extreme end of this “present evil world” – at which time the Israelites indeed will realize the promise, “Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the Day of Battle.”

THE TRUTH GROUPS: In discussing this matter, we shall resort largely to what That Servant wrote on “The Rewards of Sacrifice” in the June 15, 1911 Tower (Reprint 4835), as it is a direct contradiction to the claims of many now claiming “full harmony” with him. Here is a small quote from that article:

“Quite likely, therefore, there will be some in the end of this Age who, although faithful unto death, will not have been begotten of the Holy Spirit and not attain the spirit plane of being in the Resurrection, but who will come forth members of the same class as the Ancient Worthies, who were developed before this Age began.”

All of us know that the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who claim to be “The Channel” in like manner as was That Servant during the Harvest reaping work, long ago denied such a class; and have substituted for them their Jonadabs, or now called the “Large Multitude.” To produce such a class they have had to deny That Servant’s inter­pretation of Rev. 7:9-17, along with many other Scriptures.

Also, at Memorial they deny this Large Multitude the privilege of the bread and the wine, another feature also directly contradicted by That Servant:

“At the Memorial season all of the consecrated should manifest their love, loyalty, obedience, faithfulness, by symbolizing the Redeemer’s death and symbol­izing their own desire to share in the sufferings of Christ as parts of the ‘broken loaf’ and as participators in the cup of His sufferings.”

Also, THE DAWNS claim “full harmony” with That Servant, but find themselves hard pressed to reconcile their present course with parts of this same article:

“But suppose that some should present themselves after the close of the acceptable time; what would be their status, and God’s dealing with them? .... We cannot now assure them (at June 15, 1911) that, after presenting themselves as sacrifices, God will accept them as such and grant them spirit-begetting to a new nature; but we can assure them that it will be their reasonable service and that God always gives large rewards to those who manifest their faith and loyalty towards Him and their cause. We can tell them, too, that, to our understanding, the Scriptures teach that the Ancient Worthy class (of which they may be a part if they fail to be accepted to the new nature) will be highly honored of God..... made ‘princes in all the earth.’“

We here stress that this article was written more than 56 years ago, at which time That Servant would not even then assure any one of a place in the High Calling. Yet the Dawns are now preaching such assurance, even as they ‘profess’ “full harmony” with the writer of that article.

The Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement in like manner vitiates the article under discussion, while also making loud claim to “full harmony” with That Ser­vant:

“We can assure them that, to our understanding, these princes will have a glorious precedence over the remainder of mankind as the special representatives of the invisible Messiah class for a thousand years. We can assure them that, to our understanding, after participating in that glorious work these princes will be uplifted at the close of the Millennium to the spirit plane of being ­as part of the antitypical Levites.”

It is indeed tragic to record that all Truth groups but one reject the above teaching by That Servant; whereas, the Epiphany Messenger accepted it in toto, and elaborated and clarified it by producing numerous prophetic texts in clear proof of the teaching. Yet those Truth groups who are one in rejecting That Servant’s teachings are also almost all in complete agreement in their rejection of the Messenger who has faithfully upheld That Servant’s teachings. And, even of the one group (the LHMM) who claims “full harmony” with That Servant – and also the Epiphany Messenger – they by their present teachings belie their claim, as they have now ruled out the possibility of any attaining membership in that elect class now – in full rejection of both Messengers’ teachings that such opportunity would be available until Restitution sets in. (See Epiphany Vol. 4, pp. 337, 342) At present the LHMM does not teach such opportunity to newcomers, as they also have a newly invented class of their own making. Whereas, the Dawns still promise newcomers a superior position to the Ancient Worthies (the High Calling), the LHMM now offers them an inferior position, offering them nothing more for present self-­denials than will come to the entire race – perfection on the human plane. Note now a little more from the article: “Nowhere in the Scriptures are we commanded by the Lord to sacrifice our earthly rights and privileges. The Divine commands end at the line of justice.... All sacrificing is a privilege, not a duty, not a command. In harmony with this St. Paul writes, not commandingly, but entreatingly ‘I beseech you, brethren.... present your bodies living sacrifices.’ He did not command this.....Whatever is commanded of God is obligation and not sacrifice.”

Their perversion of this article has forced them to invent a new class here in the end of the Age – just as the Witnesses have done – the difference being only in the name of Consecrated Epiphany Campers (also an invention). And, while the Witnesses have eliminated the real Great Multitude to make way for their non­existent class, the LHMM has now estopped entrance into that class described in the article as being eligible to membership with the Ancient Worthies (since 1954, almost fourteen years ago); and are also declaring no more saints on earth since 1950. We shall have more to say about this in a later writing.

THE GREAT REFORMER: The response to this No. 7 tract has been most gratifying. When preparing it, little did we anticipate the generous reception it would receive from ministers, from evangelists and from editors of religious magazines – quite a few of them asking to be placed on our regular mail­ing list, and offering to pay for the service. The tract has had distribution in more than 21 foreign countries, such as England, France, Scotland, Germany, Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad, Japan, Argentina, Mozambique, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Hawaii, the Philippines, Chile, and numerous other countries – although we do not wish to convey the impression that it was extensive in all of them; in fact, in many of them it was a token circulation to specific individuals. However, in all this effort only one criticism came to us, and that came from Japan. None at all from the United States or England, Scotland, France, Trinidad, Jamaica and other places where there was greater distribution. With the help of a number of the friends, this was made possible, we have made extensive distribution in many of the larger cities – such as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Los Angeles, Memphis, Etc., as well as in many of the smaller communities, and practically all the larger cities of North Carolina. Also, a considerable number of churches were served with it on Sundays – receiving a very generous reception there, too. During all this, however, the Special Effort with the Gideon tracts was pursued vigor­ously by a number of zealous brethren. But we emphasize, it is not our thought to give preference to the No. 7 tract, as we still consider the chief work toward the public to be what the Epiphany Messenger stressed; namely, anti­typical Gideon’s Second Battle with Where Are the Dead and What Is the Soul, etc. However, the Reformer tract has proven an excellent complement to the Gideon tracts, having brought many requests for those tracts from those who have received them.

In this connection we are most happy to relate that The Reformer tract is not the only paper that has accomplished impressive results. A few months back we were listening to one minister on radio, one who offers frequent orations over extensive radio network; and we were decidedly surprised to hear him say that he was not above accepting the truth, even if it did violence to his previously-held ideas. Then he proceeded to discourse on What Is the Soul; and he gave almost word for word a large part of what is contained in that tract. In fact, the major part of his sermon on his half-hour program was devoted to that topic. In his talk he stressed repeatedly that MAN IS MORTAL! Unwittingly he was participating with us in the Special Effort in antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle. Such response and results should encourage all of us to continue in the Truth and its Arrangements, as we zealously seek to study, practice and spread the truth.

A TIMELY WARNING

On p. 74, col. 2, of the May 1944 Present Truth the Epiphany Messenger offers excellent warning and counsel under the heading, “The Enemies of Obedience,” from which we offer the following excerpts:

“There are opponents to our rendering obedience to the Lord. Our great adversary is constantly plotting to make us disobedient to the Lord. He has a thousand and one reasons to offer to secure our obedience to himself and our dis­obedience to the Lord, well knowing that if he can gain it, he has defeated us in a fight, and if he can make us habitually disobedient, he knows that he has defeated us in the entire warfare. Hence we should give no room to the devil by yielding to his temptations to disobedience; and if he finds it impossible to lure us into disobedience, he will let us alone on that subject and try to overthrow us on some other point of character. The World is also an opponent of our obedience. It tries at times through our families to make us rebellious against the Lord. In our friends it frequently seeks to do this. Sometimes in our business or co-worker associates it tries to make us unfaithful. Not seldom has it, working through the civil powers, sought this end. Especially in the nominal church has it sought to do this.

“Through the fleshly minds of our brethren, which are really a part of the world, has the world sought to make us disobedient. This has been true all through the Gospel Age; for the world opponents of the faithful have, in the main, been the fleshly minds of crown-losers, particularly the crown-lost leaders of the nominal church. The Levite leaders among the various groups of Truth people, by their fleshly minds, have misled many crown-lost brethren into dis­obedience to the Lord’s Word and Arrangements, and have constantly sought to mislead the faithful into such insubordination. And our flesh, in a thousand and one ways through our selfish and worldly affections, is constantly seeking to oppose us and make us self-willed and obdurate as to the Lord, His Word and Spirit.

“Balaam was inveigled into the wrong of disobedience by his love of money and honor, typical of false teachers during the Gospel Age (Num. 22-26). Saul was in­volved into disobedience through his love of spoils and popularity, typical of crown-lost leaders (1 Sam. 13:13; 15:3,9) David disobeyed the Lord in connec­tion with Bath-sheba and Uriah (2 Sam. 12). Solomon became disobedient in idolatry, typical of the papacy (I Kings 11:7-10). Ahab disobeyed God in sparing Ben-hadad, typical of the civil powers sparing the radicals (1 Kings 20-22). The people of Judah disobeyed the Lord in not remaining in Judea, but in going to Egypt, typical of Americans not retaining as much of truth and righteousness as they had and in entering into all sorts of worldliness (Jer. 43:7; 44:12-14). All of these – the types and antitypes, as well as others, tasted the bitter fruits of disobedience; for disobedience always brings evils upon its doers. All of us by information, observation and experience know this to be true, which, as well as the foregoing considerations, should make us guard ourselves with all diligence against the opponents of obedience and the inciters to disobedience.”

In conclusion we would heartily reciprocate the many Holiday greetings that have come to us, and we extend cordial good wishes to God’s people everywhere ­to all who call upon the name of the Lord in sincerity and in Truth. May the year ahead see increased growth in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. ‘‘And thanks to that God, who gives us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be you settled, unmoved, abounding in the work of the Lord at all times, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:57,58—Diaglott)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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­QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Gen. 1:2 says, “The earth was without form and void.” Can this statement be the truth? Could earth possibly exist without having some ‘form’?

ANSWER: – As given in the King James version, the statement is misleading, as a little reflection will disclose that all matter must have some form to it. A handful of soft clay squeezed through the fingers would have no form that could be clearly defined, since it would be neither square, round, oblong, rec­tangle, etc.; but it still would have some form. The same would be true of the earth – even when it was nothing more than pristine mud or Paleozoic slime; it would self-evidently have some sort of form.

The misunderstanding prompted by the question is to be found in the faulty translation of the King James version. Verse 1 begins, “In the beginning.” It should be properly stated, “In a beginning,” since this earth was not the very first object of creation. (See John 1:1-3) Likewise verse 2 of the cosmogonic record would more correctly state the matter, “The earth was waste and empty” –probably encased completely in water, heavy steam, or a soupy combination of water, steam and solid materials. And, as such, it would truly be ‘‘waste and empty’’ ­without vegetation and without animal life of any kind, as many other planets now seem to be. The word ‘form’ is from the Hebrew ‘tohu,’ meaning literally ‘a ruin,’ or waste; and ‘void’ is from the Hebrew ‘bohu,’ meaning ‘emptiness.’

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Supplement to No. 151 - Jan. 1968

CONCERNING TENTATIVE JUSTIFICATION

Since Brother Russell's death there has arisen much controversy concerning this subject. J. F. Rutherford and others have been emphatic in their denial of the doctrine completely, claiming that Brother Russell also “changed his view” on tentative justification in the latter part of his ministry. This put Brother Johnson to much toil to refute their claims, and to prove from the Scriptures that it is a sound Bible doctrine. We also went into quite some detail on the subject in our paper No. 120, which we had concluded would be sufficient to silence all the gainsayers.

But now comes another perversion of the doctrine. This time by R. G. Jolly, who stressed from the platform at the Chicago Convention in October that tentative justification would continue throughout the Millennium: and claimed that Brother Russell taught such perversion. Here once more we have the extreme of two errors ­one crown-loser denying the doctrine completely; the other crown-loser contending tentative justification will go on forever (i.e., until the end of the Millennium). Brother Johnson stressed that it is the error on tentative justification that gives rise to other errors – such as the non-existent class of Jonadabs (now styled by the Witnesses, the Large Multitude); and now another non-existent class – Campers Conse­crated – invented by RGJ. It should be evident that both of these crown-lost leaders had to have the same teacher – AZAZEL – and, Azazel means Perverter.

To continue his listeners in their uninterrupted sleep, RGJ had to by-pass the Epiphany Messenger completely in what he taught about tentative justification, so we now quote just a little from E-15:261:

“Let us see the conditions of justification that will prevail during the Millennial Age. During that Age there will be neither a tentative nor a vitalized justification, since both of these kinds of justifica­tion operate on the basis of the imputed ransom merit, as distinct from the applied ransom merit; and the Millennium will have no imputed, but an applied ransom merit operating.”

From the foregoing, there can be no question about what Brother Johnson believed, so we now ask if RGJ is trying to tell us that the Epiphany Messenger did not under­stand this doctrine? And is he also now telling us that the Epiphany Messenger (a Star Member) revolutionized against this fundamental doctrine? And that he thus lost his standing as a Star Member? This second conclusion would properly follow the first if RGJ is now right in his contentions. We emphasize this situation be­cause it was Brother Johnson himself who stressed the doctrine as vital to our retaining the Truth on the Gospel-Age and Epiphany Tabernacles. Brother Johnson also repeatedly emphasized the Truth that revolutionism against a doctrine once received, and that persisted in, would manifest that person as a crown-loser. It was JFR's denial of tentative justification that forced him to reject the entire book of Taber­nacle Shadows, a book which was the foundation rock of the Six Volumes of Studies in the Scriptures. And, while RGJ has not yet completely rejected the Tabernacle Shadows, his perversion of tentative justification forces him to pervert the teachings of that book – and that very grossly. He must now teach tentative justification in the Camp – outside the linen curtain – outside the righteousness of Christ. Of course, the errors in the case of both these crown-lost leaders have been a direct result of their “gazing.”

Let us keep clearly in mind that tentative justification in this Age is a faith justification; whereas, the justification of the Millennium will be a works justifi­cation; therefore, when Brother Johnson says in E-11:169, “There will be no more faith Justification working during the Millennium,” he was simply repeating what we have already quoted from E-15 that faith justification (tentative justification) will be a thing of the past once this Faith Age ends. A faith justification is specifically for elective purposes, despite the fact that the majority of its recipients have failed to use it for the purpose intended. Thus, he clearly states in another place, “Tentative justification ceases to operate when the Gospel Age ends.” And with this we are in full agreement.

In corroboration of the foregoing, here is something from Brother Russell himself in Reprints p. 5776 (Oct. 1, 1915):

“The difference between the justifica­tion to which the world will attain and that of the Church now, is that with the Church it is a justification by faith, a reckoned justification, attained instantly, by the imputation of the merit of Christ; while the justification of the world will be by works – it will be a making right actually, an actual perfection.... Theirs will be a work of gradually coming to a condition of justification, of perfection of mind and body, under the cover of the New Covenant, sealed with the blood of Christ. They will be coming nearer to this perfection day by day and year by year, rising toward perfection.” (As Brother Johnson thought, this teaching we believed elemental to all faithful to the Parousia Truth, and surely would be elemental – although most fundamental – to all those who have received both Parousia and Epiphany Truth—JJH)

It will be noted from these quotations that RGJ now has THAT SERVANT contradict­ing himself; and he has the Epiphany Messenger contradicting That Servant ­a spiritual bedlam that could come only from a Levite sorely enmeshed in the clutches of Azazel – confusion, and more confusion. This would be unbelievable were we not witness to it; and it is even more astounding to observe large numbers of brethren, who were schooled in the sober teachings of the two Messengers, now being led astray on this fundamental doctrine. Confusion? Yes! A Little Babylon – and in some respects more reprehensible than Big Babylon, because of the greater light that has been theirs. But, if there be any among them who do not succumb to the error, yet tacitly agree by their silence, we are forced then to conclude that they now become a partaker of RGJ's sins. For this we quote from the Manna comments of February 4:

“Those who remain after seeing Babylon and her blasphemous doctrines in the light now shining are reckoned as endorsing the blasphemies and deserving the ‘plagues' (the pestilence that walketh in darkness—JJH) more thoroughly – as much or even more than the ‘tare’ class of Babylonians, because they have greater light.-

“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” (Jer. 5:31)

But even of those young in the Truth, there should be little difficulty in understanding this matter if we keep in mind that “It is God that justifies” (Rom. 3:30; 8:33); and His actions are never without definite purpose. The justification of this faith Age does not actually make one right; it reckons him right. And this reckoned righteousness is given for a specific purpose; namely, to enable such to come through Jesus to gain the elective salvation that now prevails. But none of this process will operate in the next Age; the “day” of sacrifice will then be past; and the justification of that Age will be the direct result of the sacrifice of this Age – the two inseparably linked, but with decidedly different purposes in the final accounting. Thus, it is as much spiritual bedlam to teach a tentative (faith) justification for the Millennium as it would be now to teach an actual physical “works” justification for this faith Age.

Of course, we should not overlook the fact that for some years after Brother Johnson's death RGJ was often quoting from Volume E-4 that tentative justifica­tion continues from Abel until restitution begins. This he did to justify tenta­tive justification for his Campers, because, said he, the gate to the Court was closed at 1954; but, if tentative justification is to continue until restitu­tion begins, then it must self-evidently be in the Camp. But our clear refuta­tion of his errors has now forced him to abandon that position; thus, he is now teaching tentative justification throughout the Millennium. Therefore, with him, it is not now tentative justification from Abel until restitution begins, but until restitution ends – or at the beginning of the Little Season. Of course, all this confusion is the direct result of his “strange fire” (false doctrine of Campers Consecrated) – “gazing.” We presume he does have tentative justifica­tion “lapsing” in the Little Season!

The last two Messengers were brilliant and faithful, but they were not infallible – they did make some mistakes – “for the trial of your faith.” This we do not say flippantly or disrespectfully. But it borders on the paradoxical that of the few mistakes they did make in the great system of intricate Truth they gave us, these two crown-lost leaders (JFR and RGJ) should fasten upon the few mistakes they made to build up their system of error. Brother Russell mis­takenly expected the beginning of total turmoil in 1914, with the establishment of the Kingdom perhaps by 1915. Of course, this did not occur; but JFR pro­ceeded just as though it did, and declared the New Covenant in operation by 1918. This he did to make way for his non-existent Jonadabs – children of the New Cove­nant. We believe it requires little argument that the Plowman did overtake the Reaper in 1914 – the night came wherein no man could work – it brought the end to the reaping feature of the Harvest work in each country as the world war involved that country. Thus, Brother Russell had much of Truth intermingled with his mis­take about 1914, but JFR mostly ignored the Truth, grasping at the mistake to sup­port his “gazing.”

In this respect he has been more than outdone by crown-loser RGJ on his 1954 errors. Brother Johnson's mistake on 1954 was only on the time setting; not on his teachings, which were in complete harmony with Parousia Truth. At 1954-56 the total turmoil had not even begun – the Treader of Grapes did not overtake him that soweth seed; Rev. 22:11 did not see fulfillment on that date. Yet RGJ proceeds just as though it did – blindly ignoring the self-evident mistake in the time setting in order to produce his non-existent class of Campers Consecrated – just as the Witnesses continue with the error of JFR on their Large Multitude (Jonadabs). Be it remembered that Brother Johnson expected total turmoil by 1954-56; and it was on this that he based his fulfillment of Rev. 22:11. But time itself clearly declares that his expectations were wrong – that those expec­tations have not yet materialized some fourteen years later; yet RGJ proceeds just as though they had – just as did JFR in 1918 with his New Covenant. And in the face of this he repeatedly cites page 114 of Volume 10 as his “proof,” stressing this again at the Chicago Convention. That page clearly states that, when Rev. 22:11 would apply, “no more persons will enter the tentatively-justified state.” But RGJ offers this reference to “prove” his teaching (his error). Therefore, we quote once more Brother Johnson's expression concerning such “doubleminded” would-be “mouthpieces” of the Lord:

“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 (as we have repeatedly declared respecting RGJ—JJH), and are thus blinded by him, and at his direction palm off his errors on the dear unsus­pecting sheep of God's flock?”

In conclusion, we propound a few questions: (1) Does RGJ now claim that Brother Johnson was unclear and confused on tentative justification – that he perverted Brother Russell's teachings thereon by positively declaring there would be no tentative justification after the Gospel Age ends? (2) Does he thus discount all the Epiphany Messenger produced on tentative justification, and his successful refutation of JFR's errors thereon – and his non-existent class? (3) Is RGJ now contending that he himself is the one who is faithful to the teachings of That Servant, and that Brother Johnson was the one who revolutionized against those teachings? If he (RGJ) continues to teach what he stressed on tentative justification in Chicago, then his answer must self-evidently be Yes; and all who agree with him must be forced to the conclusion that Brother Johnson was not what he claimed – was not the Epiphany Messenger, and was not the last Star Member: Instead of clarifying and elaborating on the Parousia Truths, he perverted them – as all crown-losers during the Age have done with the truths entrusted to them.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Epiphany Bible Students Ass'n

Dear Sirs: I got a copy of your paper the other day and was very much impressed with your article about Martin Luther. I am the Editor of a denomina­tional magazine. I would like very much to get on your mailing list. Is there a charge?

Sincerely -------- State Evangelist (NORTH CAR.)

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My dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace be multiplied!

This is to let you know we went to fellowship with Sister ------- and found her quite bright – walking about the house.....

We kept Brothers Russell and Johnson's memorial with her and we were greatly blessed. I gave her your letter and she asked me to relay to you her great appreciation ­that your letter brought much encouragement and happiness. She is determined to allow nothing to slacken her journey in the narrow way ....

The brethren here are all amid their various experiences in keeping up the “good fight.” Brother..... is somewhat better. He was able to be with us on Sunday. Warm Christian love to you and all the dear ones.

Yours by His Grace --------- (JAMAICA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greeting in the dear Master's Name! Hymn #228. Rejoice, and again I say Rejoice! Ardent Christian love unto the brethren. May I again ask you to forward tracts... My supply is very low... I have distributed The Great Reformer to members of the Lutheran Church. I have some of them left, but will need some of all the other tracts. Thank you!

And now with hearty Christian love.... Sincerely, Brother -------- (NEW JERSEY)

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Dear Sirs: Would you please forward to me the entire set of “The Wonderful Bible Keys.” Please mail to..........

This is an overseas address, so if there is any extra charge for postage, please bill me.

Thank you! -------- (CALIFORNIA)

NO. 150: THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION

No. 150

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

At the Labor Day Convention there was presented a number of perversions – a tragic revelation of the true heart condition of so many now loudly claiming “full harmony” with Parousia and Epiphany Truth. One of the speakers, in his hour discourse on Baptism, emphasized that those who required John’s Baptism never received the Holy Spirit before they had been immersed – with which we are in agree­ment. Then he cited the case of Cornelius in Acts 10:44-48 to “prove’’ that those who received the Christian Baptism always received the Holy Spirit before immersion. The speaker stood before the Convention as an Auxiliary Pilgrim (by RGJ’s appoint­ment, of course); but it would seem that a mere babe in Present Truth should have known better. The Originator of Christian Baptism, our Lord Himself, was baptized by John at Jordon before He received the Holy Spirit; and the same was true of those twelve in Acts 19:1-7. This is just one sad example of the perverted teach­ings that have become increasingly prevalent since Brother Johnson’s demise – and a revelation of the shallow thinking of those who would be teachers.

Of course, such things as the foregoing are the direct result of the “outer darkness” (Matt. 25:30 – see Berean Comment) into which RGJ has been cast since his abandonment to Azazel in 1950; and his own discourse at the Convention on the New Covenant gave ample evidence of this. In his attempt to explain Exodus 19, wherein is explained the typical Law Covenant, he placed much stress upon Ex. l9:12: “Whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death.” Then he proceeded to declare that this was finding fulfillment now in those Youthful Worthies who oppose him – that they would surely “be put to death,” lose their Class standing.

Had he first read the true interpretation of the matter in Epiphany Vol. 9, pp. 87 to 157, it is just possible he might have been sufficiently sobered and enlightened to shy away from discussing a subject that points directly at his own evils and limitations. In this citation is found a discussion of Miriam’s afflic­tion with leprosy, the same being a type of Great Company uncleanness; and it is well that we keep in mind that RGJ readily admits he is a part of antitypical Miriam; and his letter in the Nov. 15, 1910, Reprints p. 4716, is ample proof of it, too. Here he admits that he had wasted a year in not keeping close to the Lord and His Word – yet just recently he has stated that he has “always lived very close to the lord” in his oral statements as well as in the Present Truth. Truly, “A double­minded man is unstable in all his ways”! On. p. 125 of E-9 it is stated:

“Not only is goodness of heart needed to get the Truth initially, but it is also necessary to get it progressively, and it is the one needed to retain the Truth received. The reason why people who once had the Truth lose it is that they have lost these heart qualities.” Further, on p. 134 there is this: “It will be noted that while God has given the non-star-membered teachers of the General Church..... visions and dreams, He has never given them to see a thing new a doctrine. This privilege is limited exclusively to our lord acting in the star members. Any attempt on the part of non-star-membered teacher or of a non-teacher to work out a doctrine (such as Campers Consecrated—JJH) would be speculation, and would, therefore, not result in uncovering a new truth, but would result in error.”

Although RGJ’s speculations under Brother Russell was doubtless a contributing cause toward losing his crown, it seems it taught him just nothing in a fundamental way, or he would not have attempted to foist his new doctrine of Campers Conse­crated upon the Church shortly after 1950. In so doing he has produced a class of spiritual hybrids in exact keeping with the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ “Jonodabs,” or pseudo “Great Multitude.” Nowhere in their writings do the Parousia and Epiphany Messengers even hint at a class in the end of this Age who would receive Tentative Justification outside the linen curtain of Christ’s righteousness (although they did teach an unbegotten class – Youthful Worthies – for the period after the High Call­ing until Restitution begins). Only a speculating Levite would attempt such a thing! Not only have the Messengers not taught such a thing, but their teachings clearly contradict such a doctrine. See Epiphany Volume 4, pp. 337, 342. And there is a clear contradiction to it in the January 1950 Present Truth, p. 3, col. 1:

“This represents the sacrifice of the Christ, Head and Body, as viewed by those who are justified in the court. The laver in its foundation and shaft repre­sents the Old Testament; and its bowl wherein the water was found represents the New Testament. This laver was used for all to wash therein; the justified who were in the court could wash in it; the consecrated of the Little Flock... the Great Company could also cleanse themselves in this antitypical laver. The anti­typical laver, therefore, is a matter of Importance for the cleansing OF ALL OF THE CLASSES THAT ARE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.” (All emphasis ours—JJH)

Here is some more on this general subject of speculation from E-9:127: “Many a Priest, speculating on matters not yet due in the Holy and on things in the Most Holy, and by such speculation seeking to set aside things due in the Holy, have lost their crowns and occasioned ‘many’ others to do the same, and thus they perished as Priests and thus became of the Great Company. This we see exemplified on all sides in the Epiphany. Some of these have continued their speculations to such a degree as to cause themselves and others to perish as Great Company Members. Youthful Worthies have speculated themselves into perishing as such, have fallen back into the antitypical Camp (with RGJ’s Campers Consecrated!—JJH), died as Youthful Worthies. Vs. 21, 22, 24 show that all these classes can do this evil thing – ­speculate – and reap its consequences – perish. V. 22 urges that especially the priests sanctify themselves, separate themselves from this evil of gazing. This corresponds to the many warnings given the antitypical Priests in the Parousia and the Epiphany not to speculate lest the Lord unpriest them.”

In confirmation of the foregoing, an elder of a Michigan Ecclesia announced at the Philadelphia Convention that their special effort this Fall would be with RGJ’s tracts – Comfort for the Jews and Evolution. The Epiphany Messenger’s arrangement for these Special Efforts in the Fall and in the Spring was to partici­pate in Antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle – the fight against the two King Errors – ­Consciousness of the Dead and Eternal Torment. So the tracts, Where are the Dead, What is the Soul, and the like, are for these Special Efforts – if we are in harmony with the Epiphany Messenger’s arrangement. We believe some excerpts from E-9:344, 346 would be most appropriate here:

“As an opponent of Babylon’s errors, Bro. Russell’s chief exploits consisted of his attacks on the doctrines of eternal torment and the consciousness of the dead... One of the best ways in which we can continue one phase of his work, and thus co­operate with the Lord in fulfilling the prayer, God bless his memory, is vigorously to prosecute antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle.... Will we not, dear brethren, one and all, do our utmost so to celebrate our dear Pastor’s annivarsary, as a most fitting way of increasing the blessing of his memory to the glory of God and of Christ in freeing others from the above-mentioned errors, in attacking of which our beloved Jashobeam freed so many, including almost all of us?.... Who is on the Lord’s side in this matter? May we all answer, ‘Here am I, send me!’” And in E-5:251, there is this: “Let such do this work, leaving to the Levites the work of pro­claiming Millions now Living, etc. (Campers Consecrated, etc.—JJH),... let us concentrate our attacks against the doctrines of Eternal Torment and the Conscious­ness of the Dead!” (If we listen to some of the prominent Evangelists in Big Baby­lon we must realize that the Battle is not over—JJH)

But now since the Epiphany Messenger is not with us, the LHMM has set these Epiphany arrangements aside – just as other Levitical groups have done with the arrangements of That Servant. And these Special Efforts are now to not only honor That Servant, but also includes the Epiphany Messenger! The “blind leading the blind” into more and more error and violation of Parousia and Epiphany arrange­ments! Yet they loudly proclaim “full harmony” with Parousia and Epiphany Truth and arrangements!

GROSS CLERICALISM AND SECTARIANISM IN LHMM

Recently we received a letter from the brother who wrote the letter on p. 6 in our No. 149; and we now quote this follow-up letter by him:

“Mr. Hoefle: I don’t know why you sent your letter (written to Brother........ to me. But in so doing, you only confirm what I said in my letter to the Brother about your writings. You did not state truthfully when you said I called you names. My statement was made against your writings, and not in respect of you, the man.

“You state that your No. 148 no doubt discomfited me. That is impossible, because I did not read it. Anything coming from your pen I commit to the flames WITHOUT READING. I do so because you were disfellowshiped by the LHMM, and on that account I consider you as an heathen man and a publican. (Matt. 18:7) This is our Lord’s instruction, and as such I will not read your writings. (Emphasis ours—JJH)

“I consider this correspondence closed, and I don’t want you to use any gangster method in forcing your letters on me. I remain -------” (TRINIDAD)

This brother says in the above letter that he refers to our writings and not to us, “the man” – yet in that very same letter he says, “Anything coming from your pen I commit to the flames without reading” And his reason for this, he says is, “because you were disfellowshiped by the LHMM” (Manifestly not because of our writ­ings, which he hasn’t read!); and on this account, he says, “I consider you as an heathen man and a publican.” It seems to us that it is “the man” here that he refers to – just any ‘man’ the LHMM disfellowships – and not our writings! Or is disfellowshiping writings another new (?) truth since 1950? Self-evidently, this brother is very much mixed up when he can make two opposite and contradictory state­ments in the same letter and expect us to believe both of them!

So long as RGJ has “friends” like this, he doesn’t need any enemies. Compared to this, his enemies would be “a cup of cold water.”

Many of the partisan Society brethren did the same thing to the Epiphany Messenger perhaps just as foolishly as described above – “just because the Society disfellow­shiped him”! (the Lord’s will for them!) So, they, too, considered Brother Johnson “as an heathen man and a publican.” In both instances such brethren are Baal Kissers. Brethren persisting in such conduct lose their class standing, if we are to accept the Epiphany Messenger’s teachings. Clericalism and Sectarianism are great sins. Their motto is – “My party, Right or Wrong!” The faithful Youthful Worthies are counted as victors over both these evils.

However, that is not true of the Great Company as a class (although they must as individuals finally overcome, if they retain their class standing). In E-5:229, the Epiphany Messenger tells us that they are not counted as overcomers of these two evils – Clericalism and Sectarianism – as they are among the main forms of their Revolutionism, manifesting their Leviteship. (This, of course, is also true as respecting measurably faithful Youthful Worthies.) “Hence the type very properly contains no representation of their activity against Sectarianism and Clericalism.” (E-5:229) But of the Youthful Worthies he says, “On the other hand, from the type we infer that the Youthful Worthies overcome in their own characters the spirit of Sectarianism and Clericalism, and are thus privileged to have their verbal battling against the prince errors of antitypical Midian accounted as their capturing and executing them.” And we trust the exposure of such evils in our brethren of the LHMM will inure to the good of all, and to the cleansing of the pertinent brethren of these two prince errors, and accounted unto us as a part of the “verbal battling” in “capturing and executing” Oreb (Sectarianism) and Zeeb (Clericalism). Please see Epiphany Vol. 5, pp. 226-229, on Oreb and Zeeb.

THE SEPT-OCT. 1967 PRESENT TRUTH

On pages 78-79 the above paper gives an account of the Philadelphia Conven­tion – the same Convention we have reported aforegoing. Among other false state­ments, RGJ says JJH and wife “continued to seek to ingratiate themselves with others, including especially ‘babes’ in the Truth.” The ‘babes’ to whom he refers approached us; we did not approach them. And in not a single instance did we ask for an address, offer any of our literature, or attempt to discuss controversial Truth sub­jects. We simply gave them the common courtesy we would offer to any man in the street after they had been introduced to us. Therefore, RGJ was either misinformed, or he is offering one more display of his “bad conscience and not a few misrepresen­tations.” (See E-10:585, top) As for ourselves, we are not at all solicitous of acquiring the plaudits or homage of any who would embrace a character of “bad con­science – many misrepresentations – loquacious, repetitious and false-accusing.” (See E-10:591, par. 1) Our mailing list has been growing rapidly with names whose vision embraces a better level. As will be noted from our contradictions of RGJ’s statement on pages 78-79 concerning us, his accusations are in the main simply some more of his falsehoods – falsehoods probably instigated by the crushing refutations we have given his errors on Isa. 41:19 and 1 Cor. 15:24. As Brother Johnson has stated in E-4:221,222: “Whenever religious errorists and frauds cannot meet the exposures of their false doctrines or evil practices by argument, Satan fills their mouths with false and malicious slanders against their exposers.”

RGJ says the Convention “was filled with many precious blessings from the Lord, both in the Truth and in the spirit of the Truth.” In our account of the Convention we recorded some of the errors on Baptism by Bernard Hedman, and the errors of RGJ himself in his discourse on “The Inauguration of the New Covenant.” Describing such errors as “precious blessings from the Lord” has become common per­formance during this Epiphany period – now so rampant with “the pestilence that walketh in darkness.” (Psa. 91:6) Recently faith-healer Oral Roberts held sessions in Detroit with as many as 5,000 in attendance. One man told us he had come all the way from Nova Scotia for the “precious blessings from the Lord.” The same expression is also frequently forthcoming from innumerable members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses after any of their conventions. Truly, “the human heart is deceitful above all things.” (Jer. 17:9)

MORE ON ISA. 41:19

On pages 74-75 of this same paper RGJ offers his usual “profusion of words,” and his usual name-calling, in a verbose attempt to offset our refutation of his error on Isa. 41:19; and he endeavors to show that Brothers Russell and Johnson agree with him. As we pointed out in our June paper No. 144, Brother Johnson’s application of this text to this Epiphany period points out three groups of uncleansed crown-losers. This one statement should have sobered RGJ in his attempt to pervert this text (Azazel means Perverter). Whenever a prophecy has more than one fulfillment – the same as a type which has more than one fulfillment – the various fulfillments have a similarity of operation. Therefore, to apply v. 19 to uncleansed crown-losers now, then make it apply to perfected and righteous persons at another period is just some more of his nonsense – and reveals once more that the “oil in his lamp” (the spirit of understanding) has gone out, and that he is now reaping the reward of “outer dark­ness” of the “unprofitable servant” of Matt. 25:30 (see Berean Comment).

It should not require an astute mind to recognize that the unsaved world will arise in the same “desert” condition of moral depravity with which it entered the tomb. “As a tree falleth, so shall it lie.” Nor should it require a savant to recognize that all the Elect – including the Christ Company – will be absorbed in eliminating that “desert” quality from the human race. Thus, were we to accept RGJ’s talk here, we could with equal propriety place the glorified Christ in the “desert” condition, too. Note that Brother Johnson’s explanation points out three uncleansed groups of Levites here on earth; whereas RGJ now wants us to accept at least one per­fected group in Heaven in his Millennial interpretation. We repeat that there is no symmetry, no similarity, to his second application of the text – that it is just some more of his nonsense.

There was sound reason for Brother Johnson to apply this text to the three groups of uncleansed Levites here in this Epiphany period, because they are afflicted with the pestilence that walketh in darkness” (Psa. 91:6). Thus, they are truly in the “desert” condition – SPIRITUALLY – just as the unsaved world is in the “desert” condition physi­cally, mentally, morally and religiously. Very evidently, RGJ does not see this clearly – being himself in Azazel’s clutches – or he would not have attempted the per­version that he has of this text. We can look forward with joyful anticipation to the time when the most of them will be cleansed – when they will no longer be in a leprous “desert” condition; especially so, when they have reached spiritual perfection. But it should not require great illumination to understand that it will then be the extreme of nonsense to describe their grand spiritual state as a “desert” condition. And for now, only one in a very confused spiritual state of mind would attempt such eisegesis. Indeed, RGJ was hard put in his attempt to drag Brother Russell and Brother Johnson to his support, as neither of them ever offered us such vagary. In the citation he offers from Brother Russell there is not the slightest hint that he would place the perfected spiritual Great Multitude in a “desert” condition.

Aforegoing we have quoted Brother Johnson to the effect that any attempt by a crown-loser to bring forth a new doctrine would be “gazing” (Ex. 19:21), and would result in error. If we keep this thought always in mind, we shall have little trouble with RGJ’s errors. This present error is simply an attempt on his part to substantiate his previous error of Campers Consecrated (a class he says can have justification, righteousness, outside the linen curtain, without Christ’s righteous­ness); thus, we should conclude without much research, that his contention cannot possibly be right; i.e., if we accept what Brother Johnson has told us re “leprous” Miriam. Nor will it be necessary for us to resort to any name calling to prove our point.

DISFELLOWSHIPMENT BY GENERAL CONVENTIONS

At top of p. 79, col. 1, RGJ says his 1966 Philadelphia Convention “was not a disfellow­shipment action by a General Convention, as JJH falsely alleges in his paper.” Then on p. 78, col. 2, line 10 from bottom, this same RGJ says “they (JJH and wife) are not welcome at any of its meetings, especially its general conventions.” And at top of p. 79, col. 2, par. 1, there is this: “John J. Hoefle and his wife at our general conventions.” (Underlining  ours) If the 1966 Philadelphia Convention was not a general Convention, just which of his meetings does RGJ describe as “general” Conventions?  As Brother  Johnson has so ably stated, When these people fall into the hands of Azazel they talk all sorts of nonsense! And here is simply another example of it. And this sort of double-talk RGJ defines as “precious blessings from the Lord” – with himself as “an undershepherd for the Lord.” What tragic abuse the Lord has tolerated from those in Azazel’s clutches! And what bedlam they attempt to palm off on the sheep as “PRESENT TRUTH”!

SIX OR SEVEN SAVED CLASSES FROM AMONG MANKIND?

On p. 75 of the Sept-Oct. Present Truth, RGJ presents a treatise on Seven Saved Classes of Mankind. As most of our readers know, Brother Johnson taught Six Saved Classes from among mankind; and he used Scriptural logic and Scriptural proof for his teaching. Six is used in many instances to designate evil ­especially in connection with the world under the curse – 6,000 years. So we should expect Six Saved Classes from the world of mankind, the number of those saved from the curse – the seventh saved class to be the recovered fallen angels. RGJ also once taught only Six Saved Classes from among mankind, which we quote below from his Nov-Dec. 1957 Present Truth:

“Thus we find indicated in Heb. 3:17 the following six classes: Fleshly Israel – the fig tree; the Great Company – the vines; the Little Flock – the olive; the non-elect world – the fields; the Youthful Worthies – the flock; the Ancient Worthies – the herd. Five of these (the four elect classes and the Quasi-­elect) are the classes which will more particularly cooperate in the blessing of all the families of the earth, and the sixth, the non-elect world, is the one which (aside from the faith classes) will be blessed during the Millennium under the great promise made to Abraham, though the sheep among them will also join in bless­ing others (Matt. 25:31-40); Comp. Joel 2:28 – ‘daughters shall prophesy’). These six are the six saved classes from among mankind, pictured also in Joel 2:28, 29 (see E Vol. 17, Chap. 2). In Joel 2:28, believing Fleshly Israel and, subordi­nately, the persevering unconsecrated faith justified ones of the Gospel Age (who are of the Quasi-elect – see P ‘55, pp. 20-23, 41-44; ‘56, pp. 20-27) are repre­sented by the ‘sons.’ Likewise, in Hab. 3:17 these faith justified ones of the Gospel Age seen to be included, subordinately, with believing Fleshly Israel.”

Compare the above with his present teaching in the Sept-Oct. 1967 Present Truth. Of course, crown-lost leaders can always see a new (false) doctrine that the Star Members couldn’t see – they contend “the path of the just is as the shin­ing light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” – so they must set aside the teachings of the Star Members and replace them with their ‘advancing’ light (?). The Jehovah’s Witnesses are very adept at this, and it seems that RGJ is learning fast. As we have repeatedly quoted, the two Messengers taught there would be a class of unbegotten conse­crators in the end of the Age – from 1881 until Restitution sets in – who would be the Millennial Associates of the Ancient Worthies in reward And service. For walking a narrow way during the reign of sin and evil – which is indeed a very difficult way – they would be rewarded with the ‘better’ resurrection, etc. Restitution has not set in yet, and we see no reason to set this teaching aside for a new doctrine invented by a crown-lost leader, or by Jehovah’s Witnesses. We prefer to “continue in what we have learned and been assured of” – knowing of whom we have learned these Truths. Let those of ‘like mind’ join with the Campers Consecrated, the “great crowd,” or the Quasi-elect consecrated, but let us who would be faithful to the Lord, the Truth and the Brethren, fight the “good fight,” and earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints.

THE CHICAGO CONVENTION

Beginning on Friday, October 27, the first testimony meeting was held at 2:00 p.m. – just seventeen years to the day and hour – Friday October 27, 1950 – when Brother Johnson was entering the grave. And, with some of those present at this Convention who had been in tears at Philadelphia that sorrowful day, we were especially interested to note what testimonies would come from those people. But, sad to say, not one word about the Epiphany Messenger from any of them. All were ardent in their praise of present blessings – under the leadership of a Levite. And once more we were painfully reminded that it has been ever thus, all during the Gospel Age – Israel chanting the praises of antitypical Saul while ignoring anti­typical Samuel. Also, we were reminded of the words of the Lord in the type to downcast Samuel: “They have not rejected thee, they have rejected Me.” (1 Sam. 8:7) Indeed, it is little wonder that the Lord allowed such to be led into error after error under the leadership of antitypical Saul (King Saul is a type of crown-lost leaders up to Armageddon); and especially so has this developed during this Epiphany night. “And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” (Psa. 106:15) And this is all the more lamentable when we remember that substantially all we have today of Present Truth came to us through the Parousia and Epiphany Messengers – a part of antitypical Samuel.

GAZING

When RGJ was discussing Ex. 19:19-21 at the Philadelphia Convention, he was emphatic that the Youthful Worthies who now criticize him – or criticize any other member of the Great Company (his “higher class”) – were violating this text – were “gazing” – and thus would perish as Youthful Worthies. According to the defini­tion of ‘gazing’ given us by the Epiphany Messenger, it means the attempt of under­lings in God’s Household to interpret those Scriptures which only the Star Members should analyze and clarify. Even the ledlings among the Priesthood could become guilty of this, which, if persisted in, would demote them from the Little Flock to the Great Company; which, if then further persisted in, would eventually send them into the second death. It should be noted from the foregoing that there is not the slightest hint that any one is “gazing” merely because he criticizes other members of the Household, even though the criticism be wrong, and directed at a higher class, including the Star Members themselves. Therefore, at no time did Brother Johnson charge “gazing” to the most acrimonious critics of Brother Russell, even though they criticized him unjustly. But of those who attempted to produce a new doctrine, or explain intricate types, etc., he charged them with “gazing” – they were guilty of this offense. And he was most pronounced in attacking the crown-lost leaders in Little Babylon who attempted to produce a new doctrine, or offer interpretations of types they did not understand (“gazing”). Nor did he ever reprove or criticize us (a Youthful Worthy) for our positive stand against such “gazers” and perverters; in fact, he advised us personally – being a Youthful Worthy Pilgrim – that we should offer such resistance. Often did he commend us for resisting such “gazers” in our encounters with them (the crown-lost leaders in Little Babylon). And RGJ himself requested us to attend a Little Babylon Convention (where we were not welcome!) and make such resistance – which we did; and he was high in his praise of us for the victorious resistance we made – and that to the brethren gathered at one of his General Conventions in Philadelphia. But that was before he became part and parcel with his kinsmen in Little Babylon in such perversion and gazing.

We digress a little here to quote RGJ’s comment at the Sunday morning Question Meeting at Chicago regarding the Dawn leaders’ ‘proof’ that the High Calling is still open: “He knew because two were consecrating to the High Calling that very after­noon – and he knew they could understand “spiritual things” (which the natural man cannot do). RGJ said ‘a brother’ had related that incident to him. Well, let all be informed that we ourselves are the ‘brother’ who told him that; and he asked us to relate our experience from the platform at the Philadelphia Labor Day Conven­tion the year Brother Armstrong of England first visited America after Brother Johnson’s demise. Some may read this who were then there, and we stated that the Dawn brother’s logic simply reminded us of the small backstreet shopkeeper who placed a sign in his window: “Don’t go elsewhere to be cheated; Come here.” Be it noted that RGJ approved our course in resisting the errors of the crown-lost leaders then, but now he not only disapproves of such a course by Youthful Worthies against crown-lost leaders, he teaches they will lose their class stand standing for so doing – although we are pursuing the same course now that we did then – the course advised by the Epiphany Messenger (as well as by RGJ then).

Applying this now to our own situation, our worst opposers cannot honestly accuse us of presenting a new doctrine (although we are “contending earnestly” for the doctrines given to us by the Star Members); but it cannot be disputed that RGJ has certainly done so with his Campers Consecrated – tentative justification outside the linen curtain – outside the righteousness of Christ. Just because we criticize a Levite, that would not stigmatize us as a “gazer.” Thus, once more RGJ is guilty of perverting another teaching of the Epiphany Messenger – the truth on “gazing” – and Azazel means Perverter! As Brother Johnson has stated, one error forces acceptance of other errors to support it – a course which RGJ is forced to pursue here to bolster his “strange fire” of Campers Consecrated. Thus, it is he who is doing the “gazing” – not JJH. Of course, this is in keeping with Brother Johnson’s observation that such perverters usually accuse others of what they them­selves are most guilty of doing. The Truth is slowly – but surely – catching up with him, as it will also do with all these pseudo leaders before this Epiphany has ended. The Epiphany is for the very purpose of “making manifest the counsels of hearts.”

QUESTION MEETING

At the Question Meeting it was asked: “Brother Johnson taught that new Youth­ful Worthies would be won after Armageddon. Are you in harmony with this teaching?” After quite some flimsy flapdoodle about the dishonesty of the Question, he then proceeded with profuse detail to explain that Brother Johnson once held that view ­– a view which he later changed after he saw Armageddon would not arrive at 1934, as he for a while thought. RGJ then cited p. 114, of Vol. 10 (which was published in 1941) and the interpretation of Numbers 12 to ‘prove’ Brother Johnson had later changed his mind on the matter.

Well, so far as we know, the only place Brother Johnson made the statement involved in the Question is on page 672 of Volume 10 – the very same Volume RGJ cited for his ‘proof’ (except further on in the book). Thus, his statement is not before what is contained on p. 114 of that book; it is rather much later on. Of course, this won’t influence his sleepy adherents – even if it is pointed out to them; but we state it for the record and for those whose eyes are not closed in deep sleep. Here is what the Epiphany Messenger says: “In addition to those implied in the preceding points, which apply to the Lord’s Truth people, there will be a large work: (1) whereby our non-Truth Great Company and Youthful Worthy Brethren, and new ones not yet consecrated, are to be won for the Truth, some of whom will be won before Babylon is destroyed and others of them afterward.” (E-10:672) And further, “the Epiphany Camp, which will consist of the loyal justified and the converted loyal Jews” (after Babylon is destroyed in Armageddon—JJH)

Another Question: “Did Brother Russell or Brother Johnson ever ask a General Convention to endorse a resolution to disfellowship sifters?” Here again he engaged his usual ‘sleight-of-hand,’ never at one time answering the question – although he did set up several straw men, which he proceeded to dissem­inate with his cunning words. He even offered the falsehood that he himself had never offered such a resolution, so we now quote from his Nov. 1966

“MINUTES OF THE GENERAL CONVENTION

Laymen’ Home Missionary Movement Held at its International Headquarters..... September 3, 1966 – 8:00 p.m.

“After introductory remarks by the chairman, the following resolution was presented to the general assenbly.... THAT the dismissal from the Pilgrim ser­vice and the disfellowshipment of John J. Hoefle by the Trustee, with the statement that he is no longer in any sense a representative of or for the Movement, as recorded in The Present Truth magazine, March 1956, page 33, be and hereby is fully endorsed and supported.... David Lounsbury, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, moved that the above resolution be adopted by the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement. This motion was seconded by William Eschrich, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; John Treble, of Miami, Florida; and others. After due consideration and discussion, and after the resolution was again read by the secretary before the assembly, the motion for its adoption was passed unanimously.”

There were many other questions and answers (?) we could comment on here, which we leave for a future writing, believing the above is all sufficient for our present needs.

On Sunday afternoon – October 29 – we listened to the testimonies of various brethren who were so wonderfully blessed by the Convention. One brother mentioned that the Conventions get “better and better” as time goes on. This brother was at many Conventions conducted by the Epiphany Messenger – the last Star Member ­yet he finds conventions conducted by a Levite who proclaims most noisily that there are no saints there (nor anywhere else!) are “better and better” (than those con­ducted by the Epiphany Messenger when saints were present among them). Yet he must surely know that the Messengers taught there would be a dearth of the Truth and its Spirit – among the consecrated as well as among the mere professors – after the Church is glorified. So as far as crown-lost leaders are concerned (who pervert the “faith once delivered to the saints” – to the Star Members), this state­ment is received joyfully. How can any Convention – where no saints are present ­be “better and better”? Though corruption in all Little Babylon will become more and more prevalent until the “fires” of Armageddon will consume the present ‘heavens’ (religious powers in Big and Little Babylon) is a Truth all should know who are rooted and grounded in Parousia and Epiphany Truth.

But it was the same when That Servant was removed. The majority gave the same praise for JFR – that his Conventions were “better and better” (than That Servant’s Conventions)! And the Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to give forth this kind of praise for their “System of Error.” History does indeed repeat itself.

Our cordial good wishes to all our brethren for the Holiday Season. And may “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” be your portion – with peace through Jesus.

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Epiphany Bible Students Association

P. 0. Box 97

Mount Dora, Florida

Dear Sirs:

Would you kindly send me a copy of the following pamphlets:

No. 1 – Where Are the Dead? No. 2 – What Is the Soul? No. 3 – “The Resurrection of The Dead”; No. 5 – “Two Distinct Salvations”; No. 6 – God’s Great Sabbath Day.

Very sincerely,

Pastor -------

Zion Lutheran Church   (KANSAS)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in the Master’s name!

Yours of Sept. 13 has been received, and we are glad to learn that you and Sister Hoefle attended the September Philadelphia Convention. Also in the same letter your enclosure of Question and answer, and the advice. Brother ------- sent me a copy of his answer to you. He is a sectarian to the bone. As you have said, ledlings rarely rise above bad leadership. It was the spirit of sectarianism that was with John Calvin (caused the hate) that caused the death of Servetus – and that to the stake.

We have also received the 300 more of No. 7..... Enclosed is a list of names for tracts.

Warm love to all the dear ones, to you, Sr. Hoefle and the Bible House family, from the brethren here. We remember you in our prayers and ask that you remember us. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and give thee peace.

Your brother by the Lord’s Grace ------- (TRINIDAD)

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Dear Brother Hoefle and Beloved of the Lord: Grace and peace!

It is my great privilege to write you a few lines on the way you stand for the Truth. Dear Brother, when we look at the Divine Plan of the Ages, pp. 241-242, we see some things also. May God bless you! Daily Manna, Sept. 25 – Truly He is able and willing to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him!

May God bless you all! Brother -------. (TRINIDAD)

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Dear Brother: Grace, Mercy and peace from God and our Lord!

Your letter to hand. The point I was trying to make is that the Lord’s reign (Mediatorial) has not begun, because the Present Evil World keeps going. Satan, the prince or ruler of this “present evil world” must be bound for a thousand years... The great High Priest after the order of Melchisedec – King of Peace – will then reign. It requires all of the Gospel Age to complete the sacrifice of the Atonement before the blessing begins to go to the world. The Ransom price is for the use of the faith class now – the elect – and as soon as that is finished, the blessings of the world will then begin.... I could say a lot more, but please see the refer­ences given.

Your brother by His Grace ------- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and Peace!

I want to tell you that I very much enjoy your good writings – both the letter and the spirit of them. I feel that you are doing a work of great value to the whole Church. By the whole Church I mean all truly consecrated to God ­whether spirit-begotten or not.

For the past several months I have two copies of your monthly papers. Previously I had received but one. Two copies are not needed.... There is now no other Truth brethren in the city or community, to my knowledge, with whom I could share one. There were others in the past, but they have moved away. So now I have no class association as I had for many past years. There are the J.W’s in the city, but I am acquainted with none of them. Sometimes younger members call to hand out tracts or sell books. I doubt they would be interested in your regular paper, but might accept a special edition...... Brother Johnson died on my birthday. As I am not affluent and am retired on no income but Social Security, I am not in position to make much of a contribution..... but I am sending you a check to help out in a small way on postage and other expenses.

I pray that God will bless you, your work and coworkers, your family and all the Church of God everywhere.

Your brother by His Grace ------- (MISSOURI)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace be multiplied!

Your good letter received, and we thank you for the infor­mation on the Convention – and also the blessings you enjoyed on your visit with the dear brethren in Conn. and Mass. Yes, Brother we did know about the sale of the Tabernacle. We subscribe to the PT.

We shall be anxious to hear from you first-hand on the trouble in Detroit... We have read with deep interest your October article, No. 148. You certainly have taken care of RGJ. That ought to hold him for awhile. But will it? We shall see.

We thank our dear Heavenly Father daily for His rich blessings to us – temporal, spiritual and His Providential overruling and guidance from day to day; also for your encouraging letters we receive monthly. Dear Brother, truly we are living in a wonderful time when all these things are happening in the world, and to think and to know of the past and present. But the glorious future that awaits the whole human race! How appropriate is our Lord’s Prayer today. May our dear Heavenly Father continue to bless you richly, dear Brother Hoefle, as you stand fast for the Parousia and the Epiphany truth. Sister ------- joins me in sending you all at Mount Dora warmest Christian greetings, and the Lord’s richest blessings in your service to all the brethren.

Your brother and sister by His Grace. ------- (NEW JERSEY)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

Thanks very much for the Prayers, Christian good wishes for my better health and welfare. I took your letter with me to.... to share with dear Sister ------- She is not getting any younger – like myself, failing in physical strength – but mentally happy, having the Heavenly Father’s teachings for living. It keeps us in an everlasting calm mind for living with our surroundings of Ills and afflictions.

Please hold my mall until I send a new address. I will write as soon as I can. Dear Sister ------- and Sister ........... send their Christian love and best Christian love and prayers to all our dear brothers and sisters there with you.

Lovingly, Sister ------- (CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

It is with much pleasure I am writing to tell you of how richly the Lord blessed me last Sunday. Early in the morn­ing I attended class where we studied E Vol. 11 (Exodus) after which three of us sisters went to an Episcopal Church with the Gideon tracts – also to a Methodist Church which was nearby. As usual a few refused the literature, but in the main they were graciously received.

In the afternoon we attended a Martin Luther program (picture), which was very good. It was in the Civic Center and put on by two Lutheran ministers. After the program we gave out the Reformer tracts and every one was so pleased ­even asked for more.

Oh how we do thank the Lord for the privilege of rendering a little service! It was indeed a great blessing.

May the Lord continue to bless you in your work is my prayer.

With Christian love to you and to Sr. Hoefle, Sister ------- (KANSAS)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

I have been waiting for the November letter, as I have been anxious to see the report of the Philadelphia Convention. You folks must have been present all right according to the Present Truth I received yesterday and read with much interest. I see you have Bro. Jolly quite worried! I was amused at his attempts to answer you on Isa. 41:18-19. All he said was O.K. if the verses pertained to Millennial con­ditions (Brother Russell) – and any Truth person could agree. Bro. Jolly has a great faculty for talking all around a question. Notice that he did not attempt to answer the first part of the June 1967 paper on Jolly’s suggested changes for E Vol. 17. He can’t do that and he crawled away from that issue.

I received the November paper yesterday and sure enjoyed every bit of it. Also glad to see the new format of the monthly letters, as it will save paper and postage, and the Lord’s money; and if you make a larger issue, it will not be too hard to put out.

I would stress the fact that Bro. Jolly is perverting the doctrine on the Seven Saved Classes, as taught by Brother Johnson, a Star Member. Mankind has been imperfect since the Fall. Six is an imperfect number, signifying the imperfect six classes of mankind. Joel 2:28-29 is a Scripture to the point. So this is a case where unclean Levites try to pervert the teachings of the Star Members.

Have been wondering if you ever hear from Brother .......... Is he in any way favor­able to you? Also, have you heard from Brother ......... ? Hope he is still favorable. Also I’m wondering who the sister is from Michigan that wrote the letter in the November circular....... I am wondering if I know her. It was a nice letter, but you needn’t answer if it would violate a confidence.

How are the oranges (crop) this year? Sister hasn’t been feeling too well lately. Hope Sisters ------- are well. Give our love to them. I think we will stay home this winter.

With much Christian love, Your brother in Him ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Epiphany Bible Students Association

Mount Dora, Florida 32757

Dear Friends:

Will you kindly change the following address from Dr ------- West Market Street

Methodist Church...... to Dr ------- Editor......  Thank you!

Sincerely,

(Signed)

Secretary to Dr. -------- (NORTH CAROLINA)

NO. 149: CONCERNING THE BIBLE STANDARD AND LUKE 16:1-13

NO. 149

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

On pages 42-45 of the June 1967 Bible Standard the Editor offers a discussion of the above Scripture, the same being a take-off of what Brother Russell wrote, much of it being word for word from his articles (pp. 2715 and 5436 of the Reprints). We have no criticism whatever to offer on Brother Russell’s interpretation, because it was PRESENT TRUTH for the Parousia period; and he was quite in order to conclude that the antitypical Scribes and Phari­sees, who figuratively ‘sat in Moses’ seat,’ were to be found in the leaders of various sections of Christendom – a position they openly claimed in word and deed.

But to take that interpretation for Parousia purposes, and apply it for Epiphany purposes, is just one more of the Editor’s Parousia-Truth perversions (Azazel means Perverter). When the Scripture states that the Scribes and Pharisees ‘sat in Moses’ seat,’ it is well to keep in mind the meaning of the word ‘sat.’ In those days the speaker at a service sat down, while the audi­ence stood – just the reverse of what it is today. Thus, it is stated in Matt. 5:1, “When He was set, His disciples came unto Him.” They immediately knew that His sitting down was an indication that He was ready to teach them something. This conclusion is so strong that one Bible footnote says, “In the Talmud ‘to sit’ is nearly synonymous with ‘to teach.’” Therefore, when Jesus said, “The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat” (Matt. 23:2), we are to understand this to mean “succeed Moses as teachers.”

The foregoing should be kept emphatically in mind if we are “rightly to divide the Word of Truth” – and not pervert it, as has now been done in the Bible Standard. As most of our readers know, Moses in his march from Egypt to Canaan types those Christian leaders during this Gospel Age who have led .spiritual Israel from Egypt (type of the world in sin) to the Heavenly Canaan. We refer to such men as the Apostles, Arius, John Waldo, John Wessel, John Wesley, Martin Luther, William Miller, Brother Russell, et al. Surely, it does not require a great stretch of the imagination to conclude that such men did in reality lead the spiritual Israel of this Age in their march toward goodly Canaan land. Consequently, when we had came into the Parousia period, with no outstanding man of previous time still remaining, it was a very logi­cal conclusion to determine that the various prominent ones then attempting to teach Christendom were claiming to “sit in the chair of Moses” (Diaglott) ­just as we now often say that such and such a man occupies “the chair” of Harvard, of Yale, etc. meaning that that man is now President of that insti­tution, or is perhaps the outstanding teacher of some particular science or professions.

Thus, when Brother Russell offered his interpretation of Luke 16:1-13, there was abundant logic to justify his conclusions. But, when he died, the mantle (mouthpieceship to Christendom) then dropped from antitypical Elijah to antitypical Elisha – the crown-losers in the Society (and subsequently to those in other Truth groups) assumed the teaching role toward Christendom. And now that the Epiphany Messenger has been gone since 1950, the only people at all who could logically be ascribed as “sitting in the chair of Moses” ­as teachers – would be the various crown-lost leaders of the many Truth groups – of which RGJ is self-admittedly one of them. This will not be difficult to understand if we keep in mind that Moses in some instances typed the Gospel-Age Star Members, of whom Brother Russell and Brother Johnson were parts. Thus those now attempting to “sit in Moses’ seat” would be those Truth-group leaders who claim for themselves a similar position as teachers in the Church – especially so since 1950. RGJ in particular makes such claim for himself – at the same time admitting that he is a levite, and not a Priest. The inconsistency of his claim is thus pointedly apparent to all not blinded by his flummery. And be it noted that he is the only one of the Truth-group leaders who claims adherence to both Parousia and Epiphany Truth. Of the leaders in Big Babylon – whom RGJ would now place “in Moses’ seat” ­not a one of them makes any claim to acceptance even of Parousia Truth, to say nothing of Epiphany Truth. But, just as the High Priest of Israel grossly perverted much of the inspired writings of Moses, so RGJ now also grossly per­verts much of the Scriptural teachings of the last two Star Members. This analogy should not be difficult to understand.

Therefore, the interpretation now – to be PRESENT TRUTH – must assuredly point out those leaders as the successors to the ones Brother Russell catalogued in the Parousia. And, to apply his interpretation for the Parousia now in this Epiphany period would be just as wrong as it would be to continue the Parousia call, “Come out of her, My people” when the Saints were there, and the High Call­ing was open. A little retrospection will make this vividly clear: The typi­cal Scribes and Pharisees were found among the very group of people from whom Jesus and the Apostles reaped the Elect – those who wholeheartedly accepted Christianity from among the Jews. And during the Parousia the antitypical Scribes and Pharisees were found among the very groups from whom the Harvest workers reaped the very Elect – those who responded to the call, “Come out of her, My people.” And once the Parousia ended another call went forth to the very Elect among the various Truth groups – altho, as the Epiphany Messenger himself stated, he did not have a charge over those people (as did Brother Russell during the Parousia), he did have a ministry toward them, which some of them accepted, although the majority did not. But of those who did not, we ourselves have heard quite a few of them voice strong disapproval of much that goes on there – just as quite a few also voice strong disapproval of RGJ’s present methods, although they do not openly and actively resist him – not yet anyway. But they “sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” (Eze. 9:4)

And, as the Epiphany Messenger said, he believed there were more of the very Elect in the Society than there were with him – with some of them also in other Truth groups. Thus, it would be a very ready conclusion to recog­nize that the antitypical Scribes and Pharisees would now be seen in those various groups that contain the very Elect – just as was true at the First Advent – and the same also true during the Parousia. Thus, it should be readily clear that what was logically enough PRESENT TRUTH in the Parousia could not possibly be Present Truth now in the Epiphany. That is why the Present Truth prior to 1950 concerned itself so much more with the sins of teaching and practice in Little Babylon – a procedure which has been con­spicuously absent from the Present Truth since 1950. Nor should the reason for that be at all difficult to find. All of which forces us to the conclu­sion that the Editor of the Bible Standard is being pushed further and further into the “outer darkness” of Matt. 25:30 – which is the punishment meted out to the “unprofitable servant” – the Great Company here in the end of the Age (See Berean Comment). This situation would be most analogous to the Scribes and Pharisees in the Jewish Harvest becoming more and more blinded and solidified in their developed errors until their complete elimination at the dispersion in A. D. 70 – the same being exactly what will occur here in the end of the Age when Armageddon arrives.

All during the Parousia the antitypical Scribes and Pharisees demon­strated the same clericalism as did those typical ones against Jesus. Dur­ing the Parousia they were busy making public burnings of the Truth litera­ture, reviling and slandering That Servant, and forbidding their devotional slaves to converse or even give common courtesy to the colporteurs and others when they would approach them at home or on the street. And now during this Epiphany period those Antitypical Scribes and Pharisees in Little Babylon are doing exactly the same things. The Jehovah’s Witnesses warn their deluded ‘dedicated’ devotees to mark well the homes of those who have Present Truth, and to “avoid them” – don’t accept any literature from them – don’t even engage in conversation. And in identical fashion RGJ also advises his sec­tarian supporters: “You wouldn’t shake hands with the Devil, would you?” he rants from the platform; or you wouldn’t stop to talk with the Devil if you met him on the street. Of course, such conduct is a direct revolutionism of both Parousia and Epiphany Truth, because Brother Russell clearly teaches in Volume Six that disfellowshiped brethren should still receive common courtesy, a gracious greeting concerning their present spiritual state. Before RGJ had gone so far into “outer darkness,” he related on several occasions how Brother Johnson shook hands with Ed Williams: “For old time’s sake, Ed,” he had said to him. It is well to note here that in most cases in our encounters with the members of Big Babylon, they are very courteous and accept our literature with thanks. Some of them have reported that they have used our tract – ­Where Are the Dead – in their Sunday School Class; others have reported they found The Great Reformer most helpful in their Sunday Schools. Nor do we mean to indicate that many of them are ready for Present Truth – but at least their attitude toward it has changed considerably from what it was during the Parousia.

All of the foregoing brings us to the conclusion that the same kind of people show the same character traits. “By their fruits (their character qualities) you will discover them!” (Matt. 7:16, Dia.) Therefore, when we see the Witness leaders, RGJ and others following the exact footsteps, mani­festing the same “fruits” as did the antitypical Scribes and Pharisees dur­ing the Parousia, this one thing in itself should convince all of their real heart condition, and what manner of persons they really are. Thus, we offer a very fitting summation to this subject from Epiphany Volume 8, p. 349 (46):

“Among many Truth people clericalism (Baal worship – the “drunkards of Ephraim!—JJH) is one of the burning questions! It is almost everywhere rampant.... Trampled under the feet of these clericalists the democracy that in Brother Russell’s day exercised the autonomy and independence of the ecclesias.... is being destroyed. Some of the brethren have been aroused to appropriate action in this matter; some are very timidly resisting, and some have learned to wear slavest chains, ground down, oppressed, spoiled of their rights and liberties, and enslaved under a priestcraft more subtle, yet no less real, than that which flourishes in the papal, episcopal and presby­terian sects of Christendom. How long will those who enjoyed the liberty of Christ in our Pastor’s days tolerate this? Yet a few years and it will and forever; for the Epiphany movement in part (as it was conducted before October 1950—JJH) is a protest against clericalism (which protest we ourselves continue to proclaim in harmony with the teaching in Epiphany Volume Five, pp. 233-235—JJH) in the form of revolutionism, and it will prevail to the utter overthrow of such clericalism in due time.”

A WORD FROM THAT SERVANT

Close companion to the foregoing is Brother Russell’s answer to the Question: How should we greet those who have left the class and call us worse than Babylon? Shall we give them a hearty greeting when they come to our meetings?

Brother Russell’s answer: “I think not. Why should you? I am going to be specially hearty to those who are specially like my dear Redeemer, marked with the character likeness of my Redeemer. I would not be so hearty with those who have left the class, just to let them see there is a difference. Otherwise, they might think they were better than those in the class; because they had become obstreperous in some way. They should be greeted according to the Apostle’s words, ‘Mark those who cause divisions and offenses.’ Mark those who are tending toward division, and don’t make them your bosom companions; don’t elect them as elders, etc., for that is just the wrong thing. Don’t encourage anybody who has a strifeful condition. Lay him on the shelf and let him have strife to himself. let us be careful that we do not cultivate any­thing in our own hearts, of their spirit. Let us be gentle. but firm. If any such should approach me, I would shake hands with him (just as Brother Johnson did with Ed Williams—JJH). I would not say, No, I will not shake hands with you. But I would not make any of them my bosom companions. We want to remember what they said of the Apostles in the early Church, ‘They took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.’ We want to make our bosom companion our Lord Jesus. We want to be with Jesus; and those who have most of His character likeness will be most like Him. They are all those who have the spirit of Christ. He spent more of His time and chose those who should be near Him from among those who had most of His spirit – Peter, James and John. These three were with him in the Mount of Transfiguration, and they were nearest to Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. ‘Counsel with those who have the spirit of the Lord,”

What a wide difference between That Servant and the Editor of the Bible Standard! But then we should remember that Brother Russell had the TRUTH, and the spirit of the Truth – he was not a crown-loser – all of which does indeed make the wide difference.

“The eyes of the lord preserve knowledge, and He overthroweth the words of the transgressor. He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” (Prov. 22:12; 17:27)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

Question: – Would you advise that we return religious literature we don’t care to read, and don’t agree with, marked, “Refused”?

Answer: – No, we do not advocate such a method. Some of these people send their writings because they believe they are doing us a favor. Our advice is to write them and request they remove the name from their mailing list, as you don’t agree with them, and you do not care to read what they send you. This would save them time and expense, and would be a proper Christian gesture. If they continue to send you literature after that, then just dispose of it along with other undesir­able advertising material – if you don’t care to read their views. In none of this should we indulge in vituperations, or railing, if we are to keep the Truth and its Spirit.

We occasionally receive envelopes with insulting notations written across them. The LHMM brethren are the most rabid sectarians of all the Truth groups – that is, toward us. We rarely receive such insults from other groups – not even from the Jehovah’s Witnesses to whom we send our papers – which is to their credit. We have a large mailing list of extra names from the various groups, to whom we send special papers, as the Epiphany Messenger also did. Just recently, however, we received a card from one of RGJ’s sectarian devotees, addressed to “Sifter.” This is not surprising, as RGJ has set the example in his railings from the Con­vention platforms and through his writings and advice. So the brother no doubt believed he was offering us ‘Christian’ courtesy. Ledlings rarely rise above their leaders.

A railing letter was sent to one of our group recently regarding two papers (our Nos. 147 and 148) he had received, in which he said:

“I have found Mr. Hoefle’s writings highly deceptive, false arrogant and in many instances mawkish.”

He is one of RGJ’s representatives and sectarian ledlings. Our Nos. 147 and 148 doubtless discomfited him, even as they did RGJ. JWK gives the same instruction to his ledlings – both “cousins” following in the foot­steps of JFR (instead of the footsteps of That Servant and the Epiphany Messenger) who gave the Epiphany Messenger and his papers much the same treatment. We can only conclude that the “cousins” are receiving their instructions from the same source as did JFR - AZAZEL! All three have done this because they could not meet the Truth presented against their errors. We have yet to meet one such person so lacking in common courtesy who has a good clear knowledge of Parousia Truth, to say nothing of Epiphany Truth. Once brethren become “established in the Present Truth” they also acquire enough of ordinary civility to restrain them from using the papal ways of the Adversary. “For the love of Christ constraineth us.” (2 Cor. 5:14)

When RGJ and his ledlings were under the benign influence and leadership of Brother Johnson they didn’t have to stoop to such tactics – and so far as we know they didn’t resort to such cowardly methods. In fact, RGJ received some of the same treatment from JFR and the Society then that he is giving us now,” He didn’t fear the errorists then – nor did he fear for the Epiphany-enlightened brethren to read their literature and their errors. He was on the side of Truth in those days – at least outwardly – and “Blessed were his untoward experiences” then!

To those of us who receive such treatment because of our faithfulness to the Lord, the Truth and the Brethren – blessed are we! “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of His household?” (Matt. 10:25) “Persecution has taken the forms of reviling, slandering, hatred, despite, boycotting... excommunication,” etc. (See Epiphany Volume Eight, p. 641)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle:

Your paper No. 148 is certainly a MASTERPIECE! Thank you very much! During the past years I will admit I did not like the way you handled RGJ. With continued reading, etc., I then knew he had it coming to him. Then I read how he castigated you. So I wrote him, explaining it was not the Christian thing to do – that I felt I knew John Hoefle, and I believed you were sincere, and had the FAITH ONCE DELIVERED UNTO THE SAINTS. I concluded my subscription to his paper – and that was that!

Yesterday I phoned a friend (whose eyes are open), and she tells me the Watch Tower claims the Ten Commandments of God are a thing of the past – done with forever. Her husband is still a servant of one of the units (and stubborn as a mule). This morning I looked up in my huge Concordance for the word ‘forever.’ Could not find it... Seems to me I read God’s Commandments are to stand forever. Yes, I know about the New Commandment Jesus gave His followers.

Please comment on this....

One evening a nurse from across the street told me she had a Jehovah’s Witness call on her just any old time of the day for a study – when not expected. Says her husband drinks Saturday evenings, but he is good to her. The JW told her when he died (a drunkard) he would never receive a resurrection. I asked her if she would take the words of Jesus, which I quoted her: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice. And shall come forth,” etc. I explained word for word what it meant – that God would give them a body as it pleased Him....

Now I am tired. Keep up the good work and give us more papers like #148. Excuse mistakes. I am just an Old Lady who keeps on studying and writing letters. Christian love to you and Sister Hoefle.

Sincerely, Sister ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Brother....... Greetings! Some misguided person sent my name and address to Mr. Hoefle. He has sent to me at my address two of his papers, which I instantly committed to the flames. I want it to be known that I have found Mr. Hoefle’s writings highly deceptive, false, arrogant and in many instances mawkish. Men and Brethren, be it known unto you, I will have nothing to do with Mr. Hoefle’s vomit. He and his kind cannot deceive me. As his representative, will you please, dear Brother, write and let him know that I don’t want his papers now, or hereafter.

I remain .------- (TRINIDAD)

NOTE: The leaders in Azazel’s clutches attract kindred spirits to themselves.

Indeed, “By their fruits you will discover them.” (Matt. 7:16, Dia.)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Christian greetings!

Was glad to get your letter... Should have answered sooner. We like all your papers very much. I have mailed two to Brother ------- The Bible Students have a Convention every year... We usually go to their Conventions.

Would like to have three more of your TWO DISTINCT SALVATIONS and the same of No. 140.

Sincerely your brother In Christ ------- (ARKANSAS)

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Epiphany Bible Students Ass’n

Mount Dora, Florida - 32757

Dear Sirs: Please send us the following literature:

No. 1 - Where Are the Dead?

No. 2 - What Is the Soul?

No. 3 - The Resurrection of the Dead.

Sincerely,

Pastor ------- Baptist Church (NORTH CAROLINA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

I received the advance copy of October paper in answer to RGJ’s article in the JuIy-August Present Truth – which was very good! I see you are on your toes and always able to defend the Truth. R. G. Jolly’s folly is becoming more and more manifest as time goes on.

Was very sorry to hear of the death of your brother-in-law – and I wish to give you our heartfelt sympathy in your sorrow. It sure is hard to lay our loved ones to rest – but our hope is that it will not be long until we meet them again.

Wishing you all the Lord’s greatest blessings – and with

Much Christian love, Your Brother... (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace be multiplied!

Yours of the 7th came to hand quite safe – with the October paper, for which I am most thankful. As to my health, thanks to our dear Heavenly Father for His mercies, I am much Improved.....

I noted in the Nov-Dec. PT where RGJ accuses you of being persistently in opposition to various teachings of the Scriptures as presented by Pastor Russell and Pastor Johnson – a thing that he himself frequently does – and, as a matter of fact, the 1 Cor. 15:24 is a case to the point. He opposes the teachings of the Scriptures – and in this case he surely can’t be mistaken, but a direct opposition to the teachings of the Scriptures...

I want to send the names and addresses of a few of the leaders in ------- so that you can send them literature direct.

Sister joins me in sending Christian love to you and Sister Hoefle and the dear sisters with you. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.

Yours in the One Hope, Brother ------- (TRINIDAD)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

Thank you very much for your letter of August 10. I do believe now that I can give a very definite reason for my belief on 1 Cor. 15:24 ­without saying “because Brother Hoefle says so.” The October paper does make it very clear – and I do appreciate your sending it to me early.

We are studying Tabernacle Shadows in class, and it has not been long since we studied the pages to which you refer. Therefore, I am familiar with them.

I suppose you are thinking about the Labor Day Convention, and I will certainly be thinking about the both of you.

Love from all of us, ------- (NORTH CAROLINA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace through our Beloved Master!

In answer to your letters...... and we do thank you! Your letters are so encouraging and helpful along our Christian way. We suppose you will be getting ready to leave for the Convention. We shall, dear Brother, await your report. Be assured we will be with you in spirit, and pray the Lord’s richest blessing be your portion as you minister to the dear brethren, and seek to guide them in the way of Truth and Righteousness. Sister and I thank our dear Heavenly Father daily for His blessings ­temporal, spiritual and for His Providential overruling from day to day. We really feel His deep interest in us. Praise His Holy Name! We are so thankful that the time is growing short, and soon all shall see and know – understand God’s great Plan of the Ages..... As you, dear Brother, have said previously, We all need the Kingdom!

Sister and I want to again say how much we enjoy receiving and read­ing – and studying – your monthly papers. Be assured that Sister and I ask God to bless you and keep you both in His loving care.

By His Grace, Brother & Sister ------- (NEW JERSEY)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

You will be happy to hear that we have served several Protestant churches with the No. 7 – The Great Reformer – and it was well received. The Sunday the Jehovah’s Witnesses were in..... we served a Baptist Church and then on to the JW Convention to serve them. Since the town had out the ‘red’ carpet for the JW’s (as they bring in a lot of money where their Conventions are held), it was an easy task to give out the tracts. It seems the church people were determined to be nice to the JW’s. The people at the church thought we were JW’s – and one man came out and said, “let me see that JW – I want to give them something.” He gave me a pamphlet from their church, and I gave him the No. 7 (which will prove quite a revelation to him when he reads it and discovers that we are very much NOT JW’s), with the understand­ing he would read mine if I would read his.

But it was quite different at the JW Convention! We were on the sidewalk handing out the papers. The ‘watchdogs’ saw us and were very nasty to us ­seized some of the tracts we had given the people, and in one instance stomped it on the street. But we got out quite a few anyway before the rain started.

The Lord bless you as you seek to serve Him and His Truth!

By His Grace  -------

NO. 148: 1 COR. 15:24 AGAIN

No. 148

On page 56 of the July‑August Present Truth R. G. Jolly (hereinafter for convenience referred to as RGJ – Just as Brother Johnson referred to J.F. Rutherford as JFR) attempts to answer our presentation on the above text in our paper No. 144, July 1967. And revealing once more his “bad conscience” (E‑10:585), he resorts to his usual name‑calling, slander and railing accusations. It may seem strange to some that he does not resort to such tactics when discussing the errors of Jehovah’s Witnesses; but there is sound explanation for this: Against the Witnesses he has the Truth and is refuting error, so he has no need for mud‑slinging – the Truth is more than sufficient for his purposes. But, in his altercations with us the situation is reversed – so much so that vilification is about the only weapon left to him, as he attempts to defend his errors.

All of our readers will readily admit that Brother Russell and Brother Johnson were not infallible; but they both had the humility and nobility of character to admit mistakes when they made them – just as David and other outstanding Bible personages did with their failings. But do we find RGJ admitting any of his mistakes? Certainly he has made plenty of them since 1950, so that he comes well within the scope of Brother Johnson’s declaration that “Bungling is the usual and natural activity of the Great Company.” In proof of this we offer just one instance – the 1954 Attestatorial Service. This activity was begun with much fanfare, even producing Volumes 18 and 19 (mix‑numbering them 16 and 17 ahead of the order in which the Epiphany Messenger had arranged them) as special material for the occasion. It would be most interesting to know if he has sold enough of these two books even to pay for the original cost of setting the type. Will he answer this? It will be a pleasant surprise if he does’

But further – and more important – relating to the same is his own record for that Attestatorial Service: According to his Annual Report for 1954 (see page 11 of the January 1955 PT), he had 1422 subscribers to the Present Truth; and for 1966 (see page 10 of the January 1967 PT – the Annual Report) he had only 934 subscribers to his paper. So, for that “special effort” he lost ‘only’ 488 subscribers to the Present Truth, or almost 30% of his readers. It is probably in order here to say that we have gained much more than 30% in the readers of our paper that we have been issuing since that time. Is it any wonder that he has an inordinate urge to talk – to talk when he has just nothing to say? “Loquacious and repetitious” (E-10:591) – repeat, repeat, repeat! His Attestatorial Service since 1954 should cause him to hang his head in shame for “running ahead of the Lord” – if he has any shame in him.

SOME PROPER QUESTIONS

In his answer to our presentation on 1 Cor. 15:24, RGJ offers copious citations from Brother Russell and Brother Johnson, coupled with his usual name calling of us, and his own profuse comments to prove us wrong. Did he know all this in 1949, or is this something just new to him? And, if he did know it back there – and Brother Johnson knew it, too (as he now claims) – why did the both of them make such a tragic oversight when they proof-read the Herald of the Epiphany for November 15, 1949? Since Brother Johnson is not here, RGJ will have the privilege of speaking for himself on this query. Will he do it? And why is it that he was completely silent on our analysis of Rev. 20:13,14: “Death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire”? Can it possibly be that he Just overlooked it (although we allowed a copious paragraph for it on the first page of our paper No. 144); or is it that he has no answer, leaving silence as his only retreat? Here is a clear Scripture with a direct bearing on the discussion a Scripture necessary to the analysis if the whole truth on the item is to be obtained. Therefore, will we now hear from him on it?

FURTHER ANALYSIS

“Death and Hell cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” – Rev. 20:14. In a broad and accommodated sense it may properly be stated that the “lake of fire” has existed all during this Age, and that a certain specific few have been cast into it – beginning with Judas. The same situation will also prevail under the Kingdom reign with those “sinners a hundred years old, who shall be accursed.” (Isa. 65:20) But “the lake of fire prepared for the Devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41) is much more exclusive, having only one time setting – at the very extreme end of the Little Season. And the Scripture is very explicit that “death and Hell” are also cast therein at the same time. And, so far as we know, there is only one type, or other Old Testament reference, to this grand drama, the same being the destruction of Pharaoh and his Egyptian hosts in the Red Sea as they were pursuing Israel.

This is all very graphically and detailedly explained in E-11:245‑296; and at the bottom of page 252 there is this statement: “Satan will use this doctrine deceptively, by ignoring the fact that the thousand years will end lappingly just as they began lappingly, in various stages – 1874, 1878, 1881, and 1914, and by reiterating in his tempting suggestions that it ended in 2874” – Just as one now in Azazel’s clutches is also contending for 2874. On page 250 it is stated that Satan, the fallen angels and apostate restitutionists will enter the Little Season with perfect faculties, but not perfect characters. Before 2874 the “sheep” will not recognize the “goats” – just as was true during the Parousia for the Great Company as such. It was then not known which were Little Flock and which were Great Company so long as they conformed outwardly at least to the Harvest Truth; and this will be the identical situation between the good and bad restitutionists up to 2874. But the testings of the Little Season will make this revelation; and will gradually educate the faithful for the antitypical Red Sea experience which will annihilate the unfaithful at the full end of the Little Season.

But their destruction is not what is meant by “death and Hell” being cast into the lake of fire, the antitypical Red Sea – although these will occur simultaneously – at the full end of the Little Season. In this connection, Volume E‑8, pp. 603‑620 present an excellent analysis of the Gospel‑Age and Millennial‑Age Passovers, with their pertinent applications and meanings to the firstborns and the afterborns. The afterborns are classified as the “defiled” ones during this Gospel Age (Num. 9:9‑14), who must cleanse themselves during the next Age – must have this cleansing completed before the start of the Little Season – otherwise, they will fall in the Little Season test.

On page 608 is the following: “The defilement and its condemnation lasting seven days types the fact that one must undergo actual or reckoned cleansing of the Millennial Age, the antitypical seventh day, in order to be rid of the Adamic defilement and condemnation” – the Adamic death Process  (sin, error and selfishness). And further on page 616: “If he (the defiled one) leaves any of these – (Christ’s right to life and life rights) unappropriated, he enters the Little Season with an imperfect character and thus will fall in the final trial during the Little Season” – he will be cast into the lake of fire, the antitypical Red Sea, along with the Devil and his angels at the full end of the Little Season. Note, please, how clear it is from the foregoing quotation that Brother Johnson considered the “defiled” ones as entering the Little Season still contaminated with the Adamic death process (sin, error, selfishness) – which, therefore, cannot be destroyed until its possessor is also destroyed. ‘‘That final trial will be the last stand that Satan, sin and error and all in sympathy with them will ever make; for oppression (of Satan, sin and error, with their concomitants of dying and death – the Adamic death process – JJH) shall not rise again.” (E‑11:268)

Lest any misunderstand us, we emphasize that 1874 is clearly marked in the Bible, as is also 2874, and would properly be designated as the Kingdom day the time during which “all that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man, and come forth” (John 5:28, 29). It was Brother Russell’s surmise that the awakening of all the dead race might occur within the first five hundred years of that Day. This we do not attempt to dispute, but merely to observe that it will perforce have to be fully accomplished by 2774 (100 years ahead of 2874) if “the sinner a hundred years old” is to have his hundred‑year opportunity. However, at whatever time, when the last one leaves the tomb, that day will also mark the end of Adamic death state; no more will be contained in the Adamic death state, no more can ever enter it. That enemy will be destroyed that identical day – many years before 2874. That being true, and since it occurs at least a hundred Years before the start of the Little Season, it should be readily apparent to all that the tomb, the death state, cannot possibly be the “last enemy” to be destroyed. Thus, there is left only one other fleshly enemy – and that is the Adamic death process ‑ that last enemy to be destroyed.

On page 57, col. 2 (top), of the article under discussion, R. G. Jolly quotes from an early Present Truth by Brother Johnson:

“The Present Truth stands squarely and sincerely for the Parousia Truth, as basic for all further development of the Truth. Thus it heartily embraces the system of Truth which is presented in the writings of our beloved Pastor, as well as holds to its principles and spirit. Whenever he gives two or more harmonious views of a Scriptural passage or doctrine, we accept all; whenever, as in a few instances in the great system of Truth which he presented, these cannot be harmonized, we accept the latest expressions, unless they are manifestly not so harmonious with the Scriptures, reason and facts as earlier ones.”

Then R. G. Jolly says for himself, “This is still the policy of THE PRESENT TRUTH, and we apply the same rule to Brother Johnson’s writings.”

It will be noted that on the previous page we quoted from Epiphany Vol. 8, page 608; and we call attention to the fact that the first nine volumes of Epiphany Studies (including Vol. 8, of course) were first published in 1938. Would R. G. Jolly tell us now that this Vol. 8 is also a “later expression not harmonious with the Scriptures,” and that this is his reason for rejecting also this part of Vol. 8 – as he also now tries to do with the Herald of the Epiphany of Nov. 15, 1949?

MORE FROM THE MESSENGERS

First of all, we offer again the Nov. 15, 1949 Herald, identically as we gave it in our paper No. 144:

“He (Christ) shall have put down all rule and all authority and all power (every vestige of the governorship and of the Pretended authority and of the pretended might of Satan, all of this will be put down by the almighty hand of Christ, the head, and the Church, the Body, using God’s power as that almighty power in their hand). For He must reign until He hath put all enemies under His feet (thus we see that not only persons are these enemies, but also things. The Adamic death in the sense of the dying Process is this last great enemy; and, because of His faithfulness, Jesus became the One who will after the close of the Millennium finally destroy it.”

If we should now agree with RGJ about that ‘faulty’ disc, and change the “of” to “is” as he demands, just what difference would it make in the above statement of explanation by Brother Johnson? The only logical change to be made here – if indeed a change is required – would be to eliminate the entire statement we have just quoted, and declare that statement to be the real mistake. Clearly enough, he didn’t dare do that – even some of his sleeping readers might then have become aroused.

But we offer some more from E-11, Chap. IV, wherein is described the deliverance of the afterborn, the full accomplishment of which occurs at the full end of the Little Season. On page 274 Brother Johnson treats of Rev. 20:10, 14 and 15. We gave a detailed analysis of some of this in our paper No. 144, declaring that “death” in Rev. 20:13, 14 refers not to the Adamic death state, but the ADAMIC DEATH PROCESS; and on page 274 Brother Johnson offers exactly the same interpretation that we do. And let us keep in mind that this Revelation Scripture is probably the outstanding companion text of 1 Cor. 15:24, because the “death” in both texts is from the Greek ‘thanatos’; and means the same in both texts. Therefore, we now ask – is RGJ also now casting aside Rev. 20:13, 14, and branding Brother Johnson’s interpretation on that text wrong, too? Volume 11 was published in 1948 – at least a year before the Nov. 15, 1949 Herald; and we all know the material had to be prepared for publication sometime before 1948.

Next we offer another quotation from Brother Russell (Reprints 5293, col. 1, par. 2):

“While the sprinkling of the blood upon the Mercy Seat on behalf of all the people takes place before restitution begins, or before the right to live can be given to any of the Ancient Worthies, nevertheless, those who would get God’s blessing, His uplifting influence, must become Israelites – that is, become believers in God, by believing in the Mediator, who will be God’s representative. This law will be applicable to the whole world. If mankind would get everlasting life, they must accept Christ and join themselves to this earthly Kingdom class. Christ’s Kingdom must rule until all the wicked are destroyed. – 1 Cor. 15:24‑26”

Here is some more that RGJ is now ready to toss into the waste basket. Certainly, it needs no large amount of Present Truth to know that the “wicked” of the foregoing are the “goats” that will be destroyed at the end of the Little Season, along with their defilements of the Adamic death Process (sin, error and selfishness). And, since RGJ has branded our presentation in No. 144 as “sifting literature...from Satan,” it would seem he must now also do the same thing with large parts of Brother Russell’s and Brother Johnson’s writings. He should certainly make himself clear here.

Inasmuch as the Adamic death state will be eliminated by 2774 at the very latest, it should be clear to all that it cannot possibly be the “last enemy” of 1 Cor. 15:24. Israel’s escape across the Red Sea makes this all crystal clear: With Pharaoh typing Satan, the Egyptians type the “wicked” mentioned above by Bro. Russell; they are the typical “goats” of the parable, even as the fleeing Israelites are the typical “sheep” of the parable; and the Red Sea saving the “sheep,” and at the same time destroying the “goats” is the typical Lake of Fire of Rev. 20:14. Speaking of those “goats,” Brother Johnson says on page 125 of Vol. 17:

“By the trial during the Little Season at the Millennium’s close, their (the ‘goats’– JJH) unholy heart’s condition (the Adamic death process – JJH) will become manifest, and they will perish in the Second Death – everlasting destruction (Rev. 20:7‑9, 15).”

Inasmuch as those entering the Little Season do so with perfect faculties, it should require no great argument that the “unholy heart’s condition” of the “goats” is the Adamic death process still present with them. That is why the Adamic death Process is “the last enemy”: Those persons “defiled” with it must first be destroyed before the thing can be annihilated. Thus, Brother Johnson’s statement in the Nov. 15, 1949 Herald that “not only persons are these enemies, but also things” is correct, and must stand as he gave it. The “persons” in his statement are the same as “the wicked” in Brother Russell’s statement, the same as the “goats” in the parable – to be destroyed when “cometh the end” – the “end of the Little Season.”

It should also be evident from the foregoing that the “goats,” with their perfect faculties, could have rid themselves of their “unholy heart’s condition” which they were physically able to do, but simply willfully refused to do it. This is in strict keeping with the Harvest of the Jewish Age: the “wheat” accepted Christ, and were physically able to make their “calling and election sure,” even as the “chaff” of that nation were consumed in the fire of destruction by the Roman Army in the year 70 AD. The “wheat” were physically able to gain salvation; thus, the “chaff” also could have gained it had they willed to do so. And in the Harvest of this Age the “tares” are to be burned, as the “wheat” is gathered into the Heavenly barn. The “wheat” were physically able to do what was required of them to gain their objective; and, while the Great Company were also physically able to do the same thing (to do all that the Lord required of them), they refused through measurable “unholy heart’s condition, “and must also pass through the ‘fire’ of this Age – though not to their destruction, but to their cleansing. This they will also be physically able to do; and those who do not do it act from choice – just as will the “goats” who choose to go into the Lake of Fire at the full end of the Little Season.

In view of the foregoing, it should be evident to any ‘babe’ in the Truth that the pursuing Egyptians were the Jews’ enemies, and that those enemies are antityped by the wicked, the “goats” that go into the antitypical Red Sea – the Lake of Fire – the second death at the full end – of the Little Season. This then makes the Lake of Fire, the second death, the friend of the “sheep,” because it forever separates them from their enemies. It is well to remember, however, that, while Satan and his angels also go into the Lake of Fire, it may not be strictly correct to speak of them going into the second death, because they never came under the Adamic condemnation. The consummate result, however is the same – they go into eternal annihilation, just as do the “goats,” who may properly be described as going into the second death. Once more this analysis sets out the “last enemy” as the Adamic death process operating in the “goats” because of their unruly heart’s condition – impregnated with sin, error and selfishness, which would actually do violence to the “sheep,” and probably will really do so with the Worthies by perhaps murdering them. It would appear that the “goats” will perish in exact manner as did Nadad and Abihu when “there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them.” (Lev. 10:1‑2)

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES, TOO

In the August 15 1967 Watch Tower the Witnesses also treat 1 Cor. 15:24, giving it the exact interpretation offered by RGJ in his August 1967 Present Truth although in this instance the Witnesses simply present their views without calling others “sifting errorists,” etc., who may differ with them. However, the Witnesses are emphatic that they are “The Channel” for the Truth – the same claim that is made also by “cousin” Krewson. Therefore, RGJ has two “Channels” in full agreement with him, and he should be able to answer our views with greater ease, now having the assistance of these two great “Mouthpieces.”

A SOBER APPRAISAL

In closing, we would say to our readers that we do not consider an incorrect understanding of 1 Cor. 15:24 to be a sifting error. Such a mistake will not cause any one to lose his Class standing – any more than would the improper date for the Memorial cause any one to lose his Class standing. A few years back, when we were diligently endeavoring to present the correct method to determine the Memorial date – to keep it as a Spring festival, as the Jews have always done with their Passover – the “cousins” (Jolly‑Krewson) offered much ridicule in their attacks against us. However, at no time did we suggest dire consequences for them – or for any one else – who did not agree with us; nor did we recommend disfellowshiping any one because of it. That is also our attitude on 1 Cor. 15:24. Not so, however, with RGJ. He, true to his past record – “loquacious, repetitious and false accusing” (E‑10:591) – is profuse in his name‑calling: “sifting errorist sifting literature – from Satan.” Brother Russell and Brother Johnson were never forced to stoop to such tactics. Almost invariably, during this Epiphany period, when intricate texts have come under examination, the real sifters never have the Truth on them – the Lord does not show them such favor. See 2 Thes. 2:11 Berean Comment.

Although we feel none of us are warranted in disfellowshiping others because of a differing opinion on either of the above subjects, nevertheless we, as Truth people, should seek to know the Truth on every Bible passage, and particularly on such teachings as prominent as are “the last enemy” and the correct Memorial date. It is for that reason we go into quite some detail to offer the Truth on these teachings, believing that by so doing it will enable our readers to grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Beloved Lord Jesus. Our fond wish to all on these, and on all Truth matters, is that “thou mayest prosper, and be in health” Spiritually and physically – “even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 2)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Brother Krewson gives 1975 as the beginning of Armageddon – and the end of the “hour” of Rev. 17:12, What is your opinion of that?

ANSWER: – As most of our readers know, we presented some figures, too, on that “hour” of Revelation – but we haven’t been dogmatic about it. We still adhere closely to the teaching of Brother Russell and Brother Johnson – that prophecy in its details cannot be understood until it has been fulfilled, or in the course of fulfilment. On this premise we could not unreservedly endorse, or categorically dispute, any attempt to interpret prophecy – unless, of course, it is completely out of line with Scripture, Reason and Fact.

However, we are here confronted with a very intriguing situation, because the Jehovah’s Witnesses are also giving the fall of 1975 for the beginning of Armageddon’ Just as does J. W. Krewson. So we have the Jehovah’s Witnesses claiming to be “THE Channel” for advancing Truth since 1916 (after the demise of That Servant), and J. W. Krewson claiming to be “THE Channel” for advancing Truth since 1950 (after the demise of The Epiphany Messenger) with both “Channels” in agreement on the Armageddon date of 1975, even though they arrive at this date by widely divergent methods of calculation.

It would be seemly to observe here that “Great minds run in the same “channel.” And we also observe that the Witnesses have a million or more readers, and a worldwide propaganda “witness” work, compared to a mere handful of readers for J. W. Krewson. Should their (JW’s and JWK’s) prediction prove correct, it is not too difficult accurately to “predict” who would receive the general acclaim – it would be the JW’s not JWK! It will be most interesting to observe their future comments on this.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: We received your manuscripts and enjoyed reading them. We moved here 8 years ago from Milwaukee.... I lived in or near Milwaukee 65 years and went to the Milwaukee meetings since 1912 – saw Bro. Russell the first time in 1913 – and saw him two or three times each year until he died. He was in Milwaukee three weeks before he died. A wonderful man he was! I believe Brother Russell was right in all his teachings – except the trouble is traveling much slower than what he at one time thought it would. He saw by the end of 1913 that not everything could take place by 1914.

I went to the Bible House in the fall of 1919 and wanted to make that my life’s work – but I was fed up with the way Rutherford did things – fed up in a short time. I was there when he gave Bro. Fisher a tongue lashing right at the table for almost nothing. The Fishers left the Bible House, and I didn’t blame them. Later on the JUDGE threw the 7th Volume over – just because Geo. Fisher left the Watch Tower. (See note below – JJH)

If you want to know what worldly men say about J. F. Rutherford get Charles S. Braden’s book and others …. One writer calls Rutherford the CZAR of the Witnesses. The strange thing about these writers, they say what type JFR was, but do not say anything against Bro. Russell. Frank Mead said in his book that Rutherford was the HIERARCHY type. (It is remarkable how some of the worldly men come to a correct conclusion on some of these people – particularly That Evil Servant – JJH). It would be nice to have a booklet or manuscript to give to the Witnesses to show how often the Judge changed his views; it might get some of them to see their wrong way.

There are many things I could talk with you about. But it is hard for me to write. We do not say “I am of the Dawn or of the Herald”; we like all the Bible Students who believe in “to us the SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH.” If you should ever get near us, do stop in.

I would like to have you mail your manuscripts to my brother – also to my wife’s sister, as follows...... I do thank you for mailing us your writings – and may GOD bless you! I am your brother in Christ, ------- (ARKANSAS)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace be multiplied!

Brother thanks you for your letter of June 18 – and we are pleased about the favourable response you are having with the No. 7 (Great Reformer tract); and in His providences we trust it will awaken some of our British brethren and Protestants. We will do our best to distribute, and if we can use more, will be glad of your offer. It will be interesting to read the letter of the Evangelist who has his own Television and Radio programs in America..... We often feel we are unprofitable servants – especially now not physically able to do what we were able to do when younger. Sisters D and R had a day with us and Sr. D. said she would love to contribute something during this year. She asked if it was possible to send you a subscription.

Your monthly papers are appreciated and the tracts you have published. We are glad to be associated with you – and pray the Lord to continue to prosper you and all at the Bible House as you seek His Will and Purposes. Your prayers are much appreciated. Brother is improving – and he knows the Lord will give strength unto His people. Christian love to you, Sr. Hoefle and all from Brother and Sister ------- (ENGLAND)

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NOTE: About 1926, after George Fisher had left the Society, he wrote us personally that any one who could not recognize J. F, Rutherford as That Evil Servant was Just that much out of Present Truth. And Brother Johnson told us personally that the Ezekiel section of Vol. 7 (compiled by Brother Fisher) was much superior to the Revelation section compiled by Clayton Woodworth.

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

I am writing for a friend of mine who is interested in receiving your writings. His name and address ------- Would you kindly send him the same as you send to me?

Yours in His service, Bro. ------- (NEW YORK)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in our dear Lord’s Name!

I am thankful for your good letter .... I received the tracts and the box was broken again. But the tracts were in good shape. I have put all out except about 22.....

I am very sorry to hear that your brother‑in‑law died so suddenly, but we are here today and gone tomorrow. I was thinking very much of you and Sister during this trouble in Detroit – and was hoping you would be in Florida at the time. I was also thinking of Brother and Sister ------- in New Jersey.

Please send me some more tracts – send some of all the numbers.

Your sister in the Truth, ------- (PENNSYLVANIA)

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF GENERAL INTEREST

In harmony with the arrangements the Epiphany Messenger made for the Epiphany, we suggest Sunday, October 15 through Sunday, November 12 for our Special Effort in Antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle. The Battle is not over – and we honor the memory of That Servant (who finished his course October 31, 1916) for his valiant fight against the two King Errors – Eternal Torment and Consciousness of the Dead – antitypical Zebah and antitypical Zalmunna (see Epiphany Vol. 5, pp, 236‑245); as we also honor the memory of the Epiphany Messenger (who finished his course October 22, 1950) for his faithful pursuit of these two King errors all during his faithful ministry. (Rev. 2:10)

It would be well to note here that there are many brethren in the various Truth groups who continue to “bear witness” to these basic Truths – Truths that will eventually annihilate the God‑dishonoring doctrines of Eternal Torment and the Consciousness of the Dead. And for this appreciation and faithful service we heartily commend them.

Our No. 1 tract (Where are the Dead), No. 2 (What is the Soul) and No. 3 (The Resurrection of the Dead), are especially adapted for this service – and we suggest that the literature be ordered in time if you wish to participate in this “good fight.” The tracts are free – postage prepaid.

Although our No. 7 tract – The Great Reformer – is not part of Antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle, we believe its distribution paves the way for the Gideon tracts, and other Truths, now at a time when Christendom and the world in general are acclaiming this great Reformer. The No. 7 has received favorable comment and aroused considerable interest in many quarters thus far – both from the Truth groups and Protestant quarters in Christendom. With the help of our faithful brethren we have accomplished a widespread witness work, both in the United States and quite a few foreign countries.

As we seek to “bear witness” to these timely Truths, we honor the Lord, as we honor those whom He honors (1 Sam. 2:30); therefore, we invite all our brethren of like mind to join with us in this Special Effort – and also to join with us in the prayer, God bless their memory!” (1 Tim. 5:17)