NO. 560 "THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS"

Recently we have been urged to offer an analysis of this parable and related subjects as given by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46.  At the outset we would stress that in a parable the thing said is never the thing meant.  Probably every one would accept that statement as respects this particular parable; nobody believes that Jesus was discussing literal sheep and goats, although many take just the reverse position with His other parables and try to read them literally, thus reading themselves into a morass of confusing error.

First of all, the time and place: Most nominal Christians believe the time will be at the judgment day - a 24-hour period when the Lord and His faithful Church “will come down from Heaven with a shout, with an archangel’s voice, and with God’s trumpet.” (1 Thes. 4:16, Dia.)  Of course, to fit that together with any semblance of logic they cannot do; nor can they locate the place, except to state it will be on this earth at the time it is burned up at the last day.

Our own thought, as we shall presently show, is that the parable covers the entire Kingdom reign of a thousand years, in harmony with the prayer of Jesus; “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  And that will be a time of purifying the sheep and making manifest the sheep and making manifest the goats - making manifest some of  the goats during that thousand years, and some after it is completed - graphically stated in Ezekiel 46:23,24: “It was made with boiling places under the rows round about… These are the places of them that boil, where the ministers of the house shall boil the sacrifice of the people.”  This is somewhat akin to the Roman Catholic purgatory, the fires of which supposedly burn out (“purge”) the evils of the salvable.

ANALYSIS OF MATTHEW 25:31-46

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory [in the Kingdom], and all the holy angels [messengers - the Saints] with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.” (v. 31)  “And before him shall be gathered all nations [first the living who survive the “Time of Trouble,” and then those who come forth from the tombs]; and he shall separate them one from another [during His Mediatorial reign - the final and complete separation being in the “Little Season” - Rev. 20:7-9], as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.” (v. 32)  “And he shall set the sheep [the meek, the teachable] on his right hand, but the goats on the left [opposite of favor - as subjects of condemnation].” (v. 33)  “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand [those during the Mediatorial reign who will have obtained the position of favor by harmony and obedience], Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world [when Christ delivers up the dominion of earth to the Father - 1 Cor. 15:24 - He will do so by delivering it up to mankind, who were designed by the Father to have this honor],” (v. 34)  “For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in [All who are awakened in the Kingdom will be without possessions of any kind].” (v. 35)  “Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me [was sick - neither actually well, perfect - nor actually dead].” (v. 36)  “Then shall the righteous answer him saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink?” (v. 37)  “When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?” (v. 38)  “Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?” (v. 39)  “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren [Restitutionists - the least of His brethren], ye have done it unto me.” (v. 40)

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed [condemned - unfit for eternal life] into everlasting fire [annihilation - everlasting destruction], prepared for the devil and his angels [the Devil, fallen angels and the “goats” into the Second Death from which there is no recovery - See Rev. 20:14 and Berean Comments].” (v. 41)  “For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink.” (v. 42)  “I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.” (v. 43)  “Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?” (v. 44)  “Then shall he answer them saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” (v. 45)

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (v. 46)  The goats to be cut off from life, eternally punished; just the opposite of the sheep who receive eternal life - eternally blessed, as promised the obedient in the Kingdom.  The goats “shall be as though they had not been.” (Obadiah 16)

THE ADAMIC DEATH

During past centuries every member of the fallen race that has entered the tomb has gone there by experiencing the Adamic death; but all of them that return from the tomb will never again experience the Adamic death, although the dying process will be present with every one of them.  It is this dying process that will be “boiled” out of them if they are to receive the real “resurrection from the dead” - a raising up to life again in exact duplication of what Adam had in the Garden of Eden.

Although the parable of the Sheep and Goats is exclusively applicable to the Kingdom reign, there are related expressions that may be applied to the Jewish and Gospel Ages.  The goats of the Jewish Age are described as the “chaff” in contrast to the wheat; but it should be emphasized here that the “chaff” did not go into everlasting destruction, as will be true of the goats of the Mediatorial reign.  However, when Jesus said, “Other sheep have I that are not of this fold” (John 10:16), He was referring exclusively to the sheep of the parable we are now discussing.

There was only two classes in the Jewish nation at the First Advent; but there are three classes here in the Gospel Age, as there will also be three classes in the Millennial Age.  In 1 Peter 4:18 there is this: “If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”  The “righteous” in this text are the Lord’s true sheep; the “ungodly” are the Second-Deathers; and the “sinner” is the Great Company (see James 5:20 Berean Comments).  In the Kingdom reign there will also be three classes: sheep, goats and princes. (Psa. 45:16)

THE ADAMIC-DEATH PROCESS

The Adamic-death state and the Adamic-death process are closely related, yet there are pronounced differences in the two expressions.  As every person is raised from the grave, he at that instant permanently separates himself from the Adamic-death state (hades - oblivion); it no longer has any hold on him.  But not so of the Adamic-death process.  At the awakening of the Restitutionists most of the Adamic-death process (the evils of the “curse”) will still be noticeable present with all.  Note the Berean Comments on Rev. 20:14: “Death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire - including aches, pains, mental and moral imperfections of every sort… gradually, from the beginning of the Millennial Age to its close.”

Adam had been told, “In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” - “Dying thou shalt die” (see margin of Gen. 2:17).  It is the dying process that must be eliminated after the awakening if man is to return to perfection.  This is tersely told in Psa. 103:2-4: “The Lord forgiveth all thine iniquities; healeth all thy diseases; redeemeth thy life from destruction; crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.”  The first two of these promises are already arranged, and guaranteed to every one that returns from the grave in the Mediatorial Kingdom.  “He is the propitiation for our [the Christ Company] sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)  “Make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Heb. 2:17)

The second two sections of this text will require the cooperation of the people themselves if they are to be fully consummated.  The sheep will give full cooperation, but the goats will not.  Some of these latter will die during the Mediatorial reign (Isa. 65:20); the large majority of them, those who outwardly conform to the benevolent requirements of the Kingdom, but who inwardly retain some of the evils of the past, will not be destroyed until the end of the Little Season.

It should now be clear enough to all our readers that the dying process is not a person, but a thing - a condition - indelibly stamped into the character of the goats.  And this being true, it should also require little argument that this contagion, in whatever form it may appear, could not possibly be destroyed, be put out of existence, until the last goat infected with it would be destroyed.  It is indeed “the last enemy” of 1 Cor. 15:26; and “He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet… the last enemy is death.”  That this “last enemy - death” cannot possibly mean the Adamic-death state is self-evident because that will have passed out of existence at least one hundred years before the end of the Mediatorial reign.  Therefore, the Adamic-death process is the last enemy; and it will not be destroyed until the full end of the Little Season.

The question has occasionally come to us, Did Brother Russell teach the Adamic-death process in this manner; and the answer is definitely, Yes, he did!  In Parousia Volume 5, page 380, par. 3, middle, there is this: “In the future no one will die for Adam’s sin: it will be out of view as a factor in the trial of the future.  The only death thereafter will be the Second Death, which will affect only the sinner who commits the sin, not the parents, not the children.  In that day he that dies shall die for his own sin.  ‘The soul that sinneth it shall die.’ (Ezek. 18:4)  Though such will have weakness of the Adamic nature [the Adamic-death process] from which they will never recover, for refusing to use the means and opportunities placed within their reach during the Millennium by the Mediator of the New Covenant, yet under that New Covenant inherited weaknesses will not be reckoned against them, being fully offset by their Redeemer’s sacrifice.  Hence from and after the time when this opportunity of the Millennial Age is offered to each one, the Adamic weakness and imperfections [the Adamic-death process] will still be upon them, their death will not be counted as being a part of the Adamic death [hades], but as being part of the Second Death; because their failure to make progress will be the result of their own willfulness [by keeping the Adamic-death process in their being], and not the result of Adam’s transgression, nor of their own heredity to its weaknesses.”

It has been said that if the goats of the Little Season still had the Adamic-death process in them, they would be dying the Adamic death.  Once the Kingdom is fully established, those who die will die the Second Death - even though they have the Adamic-death process in them, and willfully refuse to have it striped out; and this same condition will prevail with the goats in the Little Season.  Those who die during the Mediatorial reign, because they would not even outwardly submit to the Kingdom opportunities of purging themselves of the evils within themselves, will die the Second Death, not the Adamic death.  The difference between the two classes of goats is that the goats who continue into the Little Season will have been smart enough to obey outwardly, thus living throughout the Mediatorial reign and to the end of the Little Season.  And at the full end of the Little Season “the last enemy’ will be destroyed.  Our present assurance that God’s love and justice operate in fullest harmony gives us confidence that the same principles will continue to rule the universe forever.  The “wrath” - the “curse” - will be lifted from all who come into harmony with God through Jesus the Savior; but all who do not avail themselves of this saving grace will be swallowed of the Second Death - the “wrath [the Adamic-death process] of God abideth on them.” (Acts 3:23; John 3:36; Rev. 22:3; Parousia Volume 5, page 439, par. 2)  Thus, all who will survive the Little Season must enter it with perfect characters; no more opportunity for developing character during the Little Season.

The following from p. 111 Tabernacle Shadows, par. 1, states very clearly that Brother Russell understood the Adamic-death process, and taught it just as we have given it in the earlier pages of this article: “The cleansing of defilement through contact with the dead would seem to teach that this cleansing, effected by and through the experiences of the Ancient Worthies, will especially apply to the world of mankind during the Millennial Age, while they are seeking to get rid of all the defilements of Adamic death - seeking to attain human perfection [ridding themselves of all the evils that harbor the Adamic-death process].  All the blemishes of the fallen condition are so much of contact with death; all constitutional weaknesses and blemishes through heredity are contacts with death; and from all of these the ashes of the Red Heifer are to be used for the cleansing of all who will become the people of God.  Like the ashes of the Red Heifer, laid up in a clean place, so the results of the painful experiences of the Ancient Worthies will be a store of blessings, instruction and help, by which they, when made subordinate ‘princes’ in the Kingdom, will assist in the restitution work.  Each pardoned sinner, desiring to be cleansed perfectly, must not only wash himself perfectly, must not only wash himself with water (truth), but must also have applied to him the instructions of these ‘princes’ - said instructions being typified by the sprinkled ashes of the heifer, representing the valuable lessons of faith and obedience learned through experience by this class - Ex. 12:22; Lev. 14:4, 49; Psa. 51:7; Heb. 9:19.”

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

During this age, whether in the Household of Faith or out of it, all are afflicted with the Adamic-dying process.  Although forgiven from their sins, all the faithful followers of Jesus still possess these evils - inherited or acquired.  And, though they make resolute effort to rid themselves of these imperfections, they yet retain some of them - although they all make some progress toward perfection if they are to be “more than conquerors.”  They also inherited the Adamic death, but they “have passed from death unto life.” (1 John 3:14)  If they continue faithful, they die the sacrificial death; if they are only measurably faithful, they die the constrained death; if they become totally unfaithful, they die the Second Death; they no longer die the Adamic death.

The following quotation is from Parousia Volume 5, p. 330, 331: “But while, as the Adamic death has been turned, by reason of God’s plan and ransom, from being a destruction to a suspension of existence, called sleep, yet we find that the Bible very distinctly asserts that after the revival or awakening from the death-sleep, it will depend upon each individual whether he shall go on unto perfection and life, under the guidance, government and tutelage of the glorious Christ, or whether he will willfully, deliberately and stubbornly choose the way of sin.  If he chooses the latter, he will get the punishment designated for father Adam: death, but no longer Adamic death, the penalty of Adam’s sin: this is styled the Second Death.  This Second Death is nowhere spoken of as a sleep, nor is there the slightest intimation anywhere that there will be any awakening from it.  On the contrary, it is designated ‘everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.’ (2 Thes. 1:9)

“Of this redeemed and awakened class, that shall have its trial during the Millennial Age, the Bible declares, ‘The soul that sinneth it shall die.’ (Ezek. 18:20)  That this verse is not generally applicable now is evident from three considerations:

(1) It would be meaningless, at the present time, when all die - saints and sinners.

(2) It is expressed in the form of a second sentence, and based upon the individual action, and this could not be applicable now, because now we all die because of ‘one man’s disobedience,’ and the sentence of death which came upon him and indirectly affects all his race. (Rom. 5:12)(2

(3)The context shows that this verse refers particularly to those who have gotten free from Adamic sin that prevails in general today.  Its special applicability, therefore, must belong to the next Age, the Millennial Age.  Note the connections, not forgetting that the Law Covenant of the Jewish Age was analogous to the covenant of the Millennial Age, except that the latter will have a better Mediator, able and willing to succor and to help all seeking to walk righteously, not imputing unintentional short-comings.”

And further from Parousia Volume 5, p. 361: “‘The wicked shall be [re]turned into hell [sheol, oblivion] and all nations that forget God.’ (Psa. 9:17)  The Hebrew word shub in this text is properly translated ‘returned.’  This gives the thought of one recovered from sheol, oblivion, and that some thus recovered will be returned to oblivion on account of wickedness and forgetfulness of God.  The deliverance of mankind in general from sheol will occur during the Millennial Age, as a result of the ransom price finished at Calvary.  However, those once awakened and brought to a knowledge of the Truth, who then are willfully perverse, will be returned again to oblivion, ‘the Second Death,’ from which there is to be no ransom and no restitution.  That this passage is not applicable to the masses of mankind (the heathen) who have never known God, is very evident; from its own statement it refers to those who forget God after they have been brought to a clear knowledge of Him, and to corresponding responsibility.”

It should be emphasized here that the cause for the Second Death in the next age will be the Adamic-death process that the possessors refuse to eliminate in themselves.  The evils of this curse are everywhere evident now, nor will they be eliminated while their possessors are in the tomb.  “In the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.” (Eccl. 11:3)

However, today the world of mankind is dying the Adamic death.  God’s wrath is not only revealed against the grossest of sinners, but against all unrighteousness, even the slightest.  Hence there is no escape for “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10); and hence the infants as well as the gray-haired are subject to this ‘wrath,’ this ‘curse.’  This time of wrath that has now lasted six thousand years is to be brought to a close by the great Day of Vengeance, in which Justice prescribes that there shall be additional trouble upon mankind, because of the rejection of greater opportunities and privileges, and failure to obey the laws of righteousness, to the extent that these laws have been discerned by Christendom.  Hence this Day of Vengeance and of special wrath, additional to what has prevailed previously, it is declared, will be “a Time of Trouble such as was not since there was a nation.” (Dan 12:1: Matt. 24:21)

Further from Reprints 3433, column 1, pars. 5,6: “Revelation 20:12 reads, ‘And I saw the dead, the great and the small, stand before the throne, and the books were opened; and another book of life was opened, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works.’

“This is a brief description of the work of the Millennial Age.  The whole world will be on trial before the throne - the Millennial throne - the throne of Christ.  Our common version says, stood before God, but this is not in agreement with the reading of the oldest manuscripts, from which we have quoted above.  The world will be standing on judgment before the throne of Christ throughout the Millennial Age in the same sense that the Church has been standing on judgment during this Gospel Age.  A picture of the world’s judgment is given in Matt. 25, where two classes that will be found amongst men are to be separated into sheep and goats, and the division between them is to be the work of the Millennial Age - to separate the true sheep, who will be accounted worthy of Divine favor everlastingly, from those of the goat nature, who, refusing to come into subjection to the Lord’s will, shall be estimated unworthy of any favors beyond the Millennial Age, and will be destroyed with Satan, as described in Rev. 20.9,10.”

During this Age all are afflicted with the Adamic-dying process, although the footstep followers of Jesus, faithful to the end, are not dying the Adamic death; they die the sacrificial death, even as did Jesus.  However, Jesus was perfect in His humanity, whereas none of His footstep followers are perfect - they continue to have some of the Adamic-death process inherent within them.  Nevertheless, they are reckoned perfect; Christ’s merit covers their imperfections. (Rom. 4:3,5,8,11)

In the Kingdom, even as it is now, fully willful sin will not be forgiven; in other words, those who have sufficient light and ability to obey what that knowledge requires, will not be excused without some chastisement.  But it requires perfect wisdom to know when a person has such knowledge and ability and refuses to obey.  In this Age, as well as in the Kingdom, we are to wait until the Lord’s judgments are made manifest.  The Lord is the heart-searcher and the manifester.  (See Hebrews 4:12 and Berean Comment.)

GOD THE SAVIOR OF ALL MEN

1 Timothy 4:10 shows that God will save all men from the Adamic condemnation, but not eternally: “We trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men [from the Adamic death sentence - but not eternally; after this sentence is removed from each one, he is given an individual trial for life; and only those who prove worthy in their trial gain everlasting life], specially of those that believe [He is the Savior to the uttermost only of the faithful elect now and the faithful non-elect in the Kingdom].”

Titus 2:11-13 (A.R.V.): “For the grace [favor, love] of God hath appeared [in His gift of Jesus for man’s salvation, and in the Gospel message], bringing salvation to all men [this ransom grace is salutary for all men, saving all now or in the Millennium from the Adamic sentence, and also, as the bread of life - John 6:33-58 - offering eternal life to all who will partake of it on the Divinely-arranged conditions, and withholding it from all who will not], instructing us [especially God’s people], to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope [of seeing and being with and like our Lord] and appearing [epiphaneia, bright shining] of the glory of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

It is not the bright shining of a literal light that is meant here, but rather the brightness of God’s and Christ’s characters, shining resplendent in perfect wisdom, justice, love and power, in connection with the entire 1000 years’ stay of our Lord in His Second Advent.  This bright shining continues until the entire earth is filled with God’s glory. (Num. 14:21; Psa. 72:19; Isa. 6:3)  Antichrist is to be destroyed by this bright shining (epiphaneia) of our Lord’s Parousia or Second Presence (2 Thes. 2:8), which will bring more and more brightly to light the corrupt persons, principles and things of the papacy.  This will result shortly in the masses arising against it and annihilating it in the revolution stage of the Great Tribulation.  This Great Tribulation was begun by the World War (phase I) in 1914.  God’s faithful people love the appearing  (epiphaneia, bright shining) of our Lord (2 Tim. 4:8), for it will effect not only the overthrow of Satan’s empire in the Great Tribulation, but also will fill the earth with the glory of God during the Millennium, in the eternal overthrow of all evil persons, principles and things and the eternal triumph of all good persons, principles and things.

A NEW HEAVENS AND EARTH

Another Millennial testimony, which incidentally identifies the Judgment Day with the Millennium, is found in 2 Peter 3:6-13: “Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished [not the literal world - the earth - nor the human family perished, but the symbolic world, the order of affairs which then existed, was destroyed by the flood]: but the heavens and the earth, which are now [‘this present evil world’ - Gal. 1:4, the order of affairs now existing: its heavens being its religious systems and teachers - and its earth being its organized society], by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire [a symbol of destruction - Mal. 3:2,3; 4:1,3; Matt. 3:11,12; 1 Cor. 3:12-15; Rev. 17:16; all the symbolic earth will be devoured by the fire of God’s jealousy - Zeph. 3:8] against the day of judgment and perdition [destruction] of ungodly men.  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing [do not forget], that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day [this identifies the Day of Judgment of v. 7 as a thousand year day].  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness [God’s time seems slow to the natural man]; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord [the thousand-year Judgment Day] will come as a thief in the night [Compare 1 Thes. 5:1-5]; in the which the heavens [not the literal heavens, but Satan’s false religious systems - compare Heb. 12:26,27] shall pass away with a great noise [uproar and confusion], and the elements shall melt with fervent heat [the various component elements of the present symbolic heavens and earth will disintegrate], the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up [Satan’s selfish, unjust and corrupt social arrangements shall be destroyed; but the literal earth is to remain, just as it remained after the flood - ‘the earth abideth for ever’ - Eccl. 1:4].

“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God [the thousand-year Judgment Day], wherein the heavens being on fire [a symbol of destruction] shall be dissolved, and the elements [the political, financial, religious, etc.] shall melt with fervent heat [of human passion and wrath].  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens [Jesus and His faithful followers, the Millennial religious ruling powers] and a new earth [human society organized on the basis of truth, righteousness and love, as against the erroneous, unjust and selfish arrangements of the ‘present evil earth’], wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

1 John 2:2 shows that Christ is the Satisfier of Divine Justice for Adamic sins, on behalf of the elect during the Gospel Age, and the non-elect during the Millennial Age: “He is the propitiation [satisfaction] for our sins [the Church’s sins of Adamic source]: and not for ours only [who now accept Christ as our Substitute or Redeemer], but also for the sins of the whole world [the non-elect’s sins of Adamic source, for which satisfaction is effected during the Millennium].”

THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS

Revelation 5:12,13: “Worthy is the Lamb, that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”  Christ at the time of His ascension is set forth here, as he then became the Inheritor of all things (Heb. 1:2).  God is the Owner of all the universes with all they contain, which makes Him very rich - wealthy to the utmost.  All of the universes’ solar systems, each one carrying along as their parts many planets, belong to God.  Also, all the spirit beings present and future, and all other things that now are or yet will be, belong to God.  These universes in the Ages of Glory in their planets and in their suns will be perfected and their planets will be inhabited by perfect beings, which the wisdom of God will plan, and which Christ, as God’s Chief Agent, will bring into being unto perfection.  God has made Christ His Heir; for the Lamb has been found worthy of inheriting all things, including these riches of God, as well as His power, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing.

By the end of the Millennium the Adamic-death state (the imperfections of the humanity - the physical infirmities) will have been eliminated; and by the end of the Little Season the Adamic-death process (the evil character of the goat class) will be eliminated from the earth when the last of the “goat” class is annihilated.  The goats (the wicked human beings) are those who refused to have the Adamic-death process plagued out of them during the Mediatorial reign.  As said, the Adamic-death process is the evils retained from the “curse.”  These evils are all striped out from the sheep by the beginning of the Little Season, because they cooperated with the opportunities, the instruction and good influences of the Kingdom.  They will be able to stand the crucial test of the Little Season and gain eternal life; while the goat class will not be able to stand the tests of the Little Season, and will be annihilated - eternally cut off.  The Adamic-death process cannot be eliminated from the earth until the “goats” (all evil persons) are eliminated.  When Satan (Ezek. 28:19; Heb. 2:14), the unrepentant fallen angels (Matt. 25:41), and the “goat” class - all the wicked (Psa. 145:20) - will be utterly, completely and eternally annihilated in the Second Death, symbolized by the lake of fire - “they shall be as though they had not been.” (Obad. 16)

Then “the righteous shall see it and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.” (Psa. 107:42)  Sin shall never rise again.  God will be glorified forever and ever by perfect creatures, both in heaven and on earth.  “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” (Rev. 5:13)  “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:4)  “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.” (Rev. 22:3)

Much of the foregoing is drawn from the writings of That Servant and the Epiphany Messenger - some of which is verbatim.  We are grateful for their faithful ministry, but we give praise to God, the Author of the Plan of Salvation, who has revealed His Plan in His Word: “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” (Psa. 25:14)

“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.  Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.” (Psa. 97:11,12)

(Brother John J. Hoefle, Reprint No. 380, June 1987)

NO. 559 SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE MEMORIAL

We again approach the Memorial of our Lord’s death, and with it the realization of the truly sanctified faith-justified that its observance under existing conditions draws nearer and nearer to a finality.  This realization should ever determine us to continue in the course we have embraced and to reside in that isolated and privileged place provided for us as we

“GO TO HIM WITHOUT THE CAMP.”

In Exodus 33:7 we read, “And Moses proceeded to take a tent and pitch it by itself outside the camp afar off from the camp, and he called it the Tent of Meeting, and so it came to pass that whosoever was seeking Yahweh went out unto the tent of meeting, which was on the outside of the camp.” (Rotherham)  Moses in this instance types our Lord as He arranged to remove the Star Members and His fully faithful people from the midst of the measurably faithful and the tare class, beginning in the Pergamos epoch of the Gospel-Age Church and continuing until 1799.  We quote parts of Brother Johnson’s comments on this from E-11, p. 430 (70):

“God had our Lord do another thing indicative of His displeasure with His nominal people, i.e., remove the faithful servants of the Truth and its Spirit from places of prominence and influence in the nominal church - caused the symbolic woman, the Covenant promises and the servants who apply them to the brethren into the wilderness condition (Rev. 12:6) - to the Tent of Meeting, not the Tabernacle, but Moses official residence - and that not but slightly away from the erroneous doctrines, practices, organization and disciplines of the nominal church, but very far from these, and made the Truth and the servants who applied it to the brethren, as well as these last, the place where God resided, met with His people and blessed them.  Henceforth every one who in heart’s loyalty sought fellowship with the Lord in spirit, truth, righteousness and holiness went forth from the nominal church to such Truth, its applying servants and the others of His real people, apart from the nominal church (without the camp)… When our Lord busied Himself with Truth matters, its applying servants, etc., the Truth and its Spirit as due became manifest (the cloudy pillar descended), and remained at the entrance, consecration, where God revealed truths to Jesus in the star-members.”

The foregoing dovetails so very beautifully with St. Paul’s admonition in Heb. 13:13, Dia., “Let us, then, now go forth to Him outside of the camp, bearing reproach for Him.”  And it is such a very clear-cut and definite course of procedure for all who elect to “follow in His steps.”  Such indeed is one very appropriate Thought for the Memorial.  In principle, this arrangement is as true today as it ever was, of which we shall offer some elaboration further on.

“WHAT MEAN YE BY THIS SERVICE?”

All the details of the original Passover in Egypt were pre-arranged with meticulous care and exaction, even to its future remembrance “throughout your generation,” and the instruction of the Jewish children during future observances.  It was properly anticipated that inquiring and curious children would ask, “What mean ye by this service?” (Ex. 12:26), thus providing the opportunity to instruct them in the niceties and the solemn responsibility of every Jew participating in it.  And this exaction so thoroughly gripped the Jewish conscience and imagination that the Passover observance today is almost identical to what it was in the day of Christ, excepting only the temple sacrifices which are no longer performed.  However they yet make very elaborate preparations for the festival.

The original ordinance had commanded that “ye shall put away leaven out of you houses” (Ex. 12:15); and this injunction had taken a vise-like hold on the Jewish conscience.  On Nisan 13 the head of each house placed a chunk of leavened bread on a window sill, or other prominent place, and proceeded thence with a pan, a lighted candle and fine brush to gather even fine dust from every corner of the house until the circuit was completed back to the piece designedly placed.  Thus, they would be sure of removing any particles of leaven that mice or other animals may have scattered about.  Here is another instance of their “straining at gnats,” after which they proceeded to “crucify the Lord of Glory” - although it must be noted that those who did this from “an honest and good heart” eventually did recognize the Messiah and came into the Christ Company.

But not only was the tangible and visible leaven removed, every taint of leaven was also eliminated by having all the culinary and other vessels to be used during the festival cleaned and legally purified from all contact with leaven or leavened bread.  They were then said to be “kosher.”  As we ponder this minute examination of each house, we are then more acutely impressed with St. Paul’s admonition, “Let a man examine himself… therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven of malice and wickedness, but with unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”  As leaven was a type of sin, so each participant of our great Memorial of “Christ our Passover who is sacrificed for us” should just as scrupulously as did the Jewish fathers eliminate sin and the “lusts that war in our members” as we come to the antitypical observance.  We realize, of course, that it was physically impossible for the Jewish fathers to recover all the leaven from every rat-hole and other inaccessible places; nor was it the Divine purpose to impose an impossible burden upon them.  Just so, it is not now God’s edict that we do the impossible and eliminate the sin “which has passed upon all men” through the transgressions of our forbears that reach back to Father Adam.  Therefore, we can only attempt to emulate the typical Jewish householders and free ourselves of such as we can control from a “pure heart.”

In all the minute Jewish preparation, the oldest son of each family, if he were thirteen years of age or older, was required to fast on the day leading up to the Passover table.  The table also was scrupulously set, the special foods provided, and cups or glasses set for wine for each one present - and one extra cup “for Elias.”  Had not the last lines of inspired Jewish Scripture warned them, “I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord”? (Malachi 4:5,6)  And not realizing that this was one of those “dark sayings,” every serious-minded Jew was alerted to the possibility of Elijah’s visitation “in an hour when ye think not” - possibly into his own house.  Thus, he would not be overtaken unawares.

But this meticulous arrangement was yet further augmented by the decree that at least four vials of wine were to enter into the feast.  If any Jews were too poor to bear such expense, the wine was supplied for them out of public funds.  Thus, every house would have measurably identical ritual with every other house; each would rest in the assurance that his brethren throughout Jewry were in physical and heart accord with him that momentous night.  Nor was this arrangement without purpose.  One cup was drained at the very beginning, at which the Small Hallel was recited, or sung.  Then followed the feast with diverse and profuse ceremony - all ending with the fourth cup and recitation of the Great Hallel.  On that awesome and fateful night in Egypt the Jews were to eat the Passover “with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste” (Ex. 12:11) - probably standing up, as an indication that they were still in bondage, not yet free from the yoke of Egypt.  But in Jesus’ day they observed the ritual reclining on couches, or the like, about the table - as becometh free men.  It will be noted in Luke 22:17 that Jesus “took the cup, and gave thanks”; but this could not have been the Memorial Cup, the latter being described in verse 20 as “the cup after supper” - after “he took bread, and gave thanks.”  The cup mentioned in verse 17 was probably the third of the four cups, the Memorial Cup being the fourth one of the feast.

AND THEY SANG THE HALLEL

Above we spoke of the Small Hallel and the Great Hallel.  The Hallel in its entirety is the 113th through 118th Psalms, No. 113 and 114 being the Small Hallel; and the remaining four the Great Hallel.  In Matthew 26:30 (see Margin) it is related “they had sung a hymn, went out into the Mount of Olives.”  What they sang was the Great Hallel.  “Hallel” means “praise” - and being the root of our English word “hallelujah,” which means “praise to God” - praise by bondsmen now made free, formerly blind but now able to see.  It is little wonder that those today who are inclined to give voice and outward emphasis to their religion should so easily shout, “Hallelujah!”

In medieval times King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table often set forth in quest of the Holy Grail, the same being that mythical golden cup which Jesus supposedly used as He said to the Disciples, “This cup is the new testament in my blood.”   That Holy Grail was never found, of course, undoubtedly through God’s overruling providence.  That Cup today would be the most priceless treasure on earth - an idol of Christendom.  But God did provide that we should be heir to the exact words of Jesus, when we are informed “they sang the Hallel”; and for this heritage we may now offer our own Hallel - our “praise to God” for the words in Psalms 113 through 118; and we do well to include some parts of that Scripture in our Memorial observance.

The eldest son of each family, if he were thirteen years or older, was required to fast on the day leading up to the service.  Then on the evening of the 14th all the male members of the house betook themselves to the synagogue, attired in their best apparel.  On their return they would find the house lit up, and the “Seder” or paschal table prepared.  The head of the family took his place at the head of the table, after which all the family, including the servants, were seated around the table, to partake of the Seder, or Haggadah, as some Jews designate it.  To be certain the question would properly arise, the oldest son was previously coached to ask, when they came to the table, why on this night above all other nights do they eat bitter herbs, unleavened bread, etc., at which the head of the house would relate the story of the original Passover and deliverance of the Jewish firstborn on that fateful night in Egypt.  Then proceeded the feast, which had been elaborately and meticulously prepared - the bitter herbs such as parsley and horseradish, and a kind of sop with charoseth consisting of various fruits compounded into a sort of mucilage and mixed with vinegar and salt water - each arranged in its own vessel.  At the outset the master took some of the bitter herbs, dipped them into the charoseth and gave to each one present to be eaten along with the first cup of wine.  Thus the feast continued throughout the evening until the fourth cup and the recitation of the Great Hallel, after which, in the case of Jesus and the Disciples, “They went out into the Mount of Olives.” (Matt. 26:30)

“When the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51)  The determination of Jesus as expressed in this text offers an example in perfection of the grace of patience in its true biblical meaning - cheerful continuance in well doing amid contrary circumstances.  His course herein was against all human concept as viewed by the natural man; hence, Peter said to Him, “Be it far from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee.”  And Jesus gave him appropriate correction: “Get thee behind me, Adversary; thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matt. 16:22,23)  Jesus knew full well that the “fullness of time” had come - that it was not the time to wait for His enemies to come to Him (which had he done, would have displayed only the passive grace of longsuffering) - that the active aggressive grace of patience should now be perfectly revealed in and by Him.  And “hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

Be it noted that those who condemned Jesus to the cross were not the “beggarly elements” of that time, not the irreligious; it was the “good” people who were guilty of that - those who would not cross the Gentile door “lest they should be defiled for the feast.”  And, “As he was, so are we in this world.”  The Heathen Pilate strove to avoid the tragic miscarriage of justice; and it was the High Priest of Israel who “had the greater sin” in the matter.  It was those people schooled in the Law, who “sat down and watched him there” - watched the tragedy of the cross as the idly curious might watch a street-corner side show - watched the final hours of agony of “the Lord of Glory” with a calloused indifference that would be unbelievable were it not written in the sacred record.

And Jesus, knowing in the final hours of that awful night, that He had “finished the work God gave him to do,” resigned Himself to what was to be.  The time for controversy had passed - “now is your hour, and the power of darkness”; so He “held his peace.”  “No man taketh my life from me; I lay it down of myself.”  There is in this a lesson for us, too: The day previous and the day following our observance of the Memorial should be a time of calm meditation insofar as lieth in us.  If any wish to be contentious at that time, let them go their way for the time being; there will come more suitable occasions to answer such.

Nor should we allow the “maddening maze of things, as tossed by storm and flood” to make us bitter or morose or hateful.  It is a time at which we should lift our minds to the highest spiritual levels possible - to repose in the sublime reflections of the past, to “consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.”  “To be spiritually minded is life and peace.”  And again, “The kingdom of heaven is not meat and drink, but righteousness and joy and peace in the holy spirit.”  Nor should we allow those of contrary disposition to deter us in these resolves.  As it was in Jesus’ day, so it has been all through the Age: “Thou has them there that say they are Jews, but are not; but are of the synagogue of Satan.”  As we have now come into the “evil day” when “the end of all things is at hand,” let us embrace with full determination the Apostle’s words: “Above all things, have fervent love among yourselves.”  Jesus stated of this time in which we live: “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will wax cold; but “he that endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved.”  Those words are a warning to all; and blessed are they who give ear to them.  “The leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” abounds in all quarters; but God’s faithful people will accept and do - particularly at this season - what St. Paul admonishes: “Purge out the old leaven.”

In the type the lamb was taken up five days before it was killed; and that was typical of Jesus, the Greater Lamb, presenting himself to the Jews five days before He was “lifted up.”  But there was another compelling reason for the five-day interval:  That most memorable of nights, when the Angel of Death would “pass over” the Jewish first-born, was not to be approached flippantly or carelessly.  As each family took up its own lamb, and removed all leaven from the home, the course of these five days would put them into a proper mental attitude and contrition of heart for that awesome night.  And this is well in keeping with St. Paul’s words to all who commemorate the antitype: “Let a man examine himself” not five minutes before the service, perhaps in public confessional; not just and hour before the service; but let each do so in “sincerity and in truth” during the days preceding it.  As most of us know, Brother Johnson always counseled all to read Brother Russell’s treatise on the Passover in Volume 6; and we now counsel the same.  It is also very helpful to read Exodus 12 five days before the Memorial, with the Berean Comments; then the same with the pertinent writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - one each day with the Berean Comments.  This should prove most refreshing and helpful for a man “to examine himself”; and we venture the opinion that any who follow this, or a similar course, will most likely “eat and drink worthily” in full discernment of the Lord’s body and blood.

We here at Mount Dora, Florida will observe this Memorial at 2501 Morningside Drive at 7:30 P.M. on April 2, 2004, and all who are like-minded are welcome to meet with us.

With this writing comes the Christian love to all God’s people wherever they may assemble.  We especially offer a prayer for the Lord’s nearness and rich blessing in the preparation for, and participation in this coming service.  “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.”

(Excerpts from several of Brother John J. Hoefle’s writings.)

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THE WORK OF THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM

“The creature [creation, Diaglott] itself shall be delivered from bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:21)

Death, not eternal torment, was the penalty which God placed upon Father Adam when he disobeyed (Gen. 2:17; 3:17-19).  Over four thousand years after the fall of man, our Lord Jesus came into the world to lay down His life to be a payment of that penalty; and thereby with His own life he made arrangements for the ultimate purchase of all mankind.  He has laid down the price, and eventually will take over the purchase.  He has not yet completed His work.  Thus far He has merely used the merit of His sacrificial death to make and imputation on behalf of the Church class.  As soon as the Church shall have been completed, they will be glorified as the Body of Christ, His associates in the Heavenly nature, glory, honor and immortality.  Then will come the time for Christ - Jesus the Head and the Church His Body - to inaugurate the great Messianic Kingdom, which God has long promised, and for which we pray “Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in Heaven.

Attentively considering the transaction by which Jehovah is to turn over the world to become responsible to His Son Jesus Christ, we perceive that it is pictured in the Jewish Day of Atonement.  When the high priest had completed his work of making satisfaction for the sins of the Israelites, he forthwith had the Divine authority to begin to bless the people (Lev. 9:22-24).  So when Christ, the great antitypical High Priest, shall have finished the work of offering the “better sacrifices,” and when the last member of the Body of Christ shall have been glorified, then the merit of those “better sacrifices” will be made applicable to the whole world (Heb. 9:23).  As in the one man Adam all mankind were constituted sinners, so in the one man Christ both Adam and all of his children will be justified from the original condemnation, that which came upon the human race because of Adam’s disobedience (Rom. 5:12-19).

The squaring off of accounts will be accomplished by the transfer of Adam’s account to the account of Christ.  The death of Christ will be found to be the full equivalent for the sin of the whole world; and as far as the Divine judgment is upon the world, mankind will be set free.  They will be freed from the sentence which came upon Father Adam  in Eden.  Forthwith Christ will take possession of the whole world.  His Millennial Kingdom is for the very purpose of lifting the Adamic race out of sin, degradation and death, and restoring them to human perfection.  But He does not purpose, nor is it in the Father’s Plan, that anyone be forced to receive the Divine Blessing.  “Whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely.” (Rev. 22:17)

Under the beneficent rule of the Messianic Kingdom the light of the glory of the goodness of God will be manifest to all mankind.  They will be made to know that restitution to all that was lost in Eden is God’s provision for the world.  When they shall have come to the knowledge of the Divine goodness, it will be their part to conform their lives to purity and righteousness.  They will retain their own individual will, however, and if anyone should will to do otherwise than what is right, he will have the opportunity to do so.  But he will not be permitted to do that which is injurious to others; for the power of Messiah will be exercised at such a time, and will not permit anyone to work injury.  Under the full light and opportunity of that blessed time, a sinner who makes no progress toward perfection will be cut off from life at the end of a hundred years of trial.  Having had every possible incentive to do right under that glorious Messianic Reign, he will have no excuse for wrongdoing.  If he does not yield to the regulations of that righteous Rule, he will thereby demonstrate that he loves iniquity (Isa. 11:9; 65:20).

God purposes to give life everlasting only to those who manifest a disposition to become loyal and obedient to Him, and who by patient perseverance will develop a character worthy of being raised up to perfection of life.  Those who manifest the right disposition will be lifted up out of their fallen condition to the full standard of human perfection as it was originally in Father Adam.  This work of human uplift will be the work of Christ and the Church through the various agencies of that time.  The world will then be free from the condemnation which came upon Adam because of his disobedience in Eden.  God is willing to give them everlasting life upon condition of obedience to His righteous Law.  But they will be expected to cooperate in this matter; and in their endeavor to rise out of sin and degradation they will have His assistance, through Christ.  Ultimately the willing and obedient will have everlasting life; but the unwilling and disobedient will be cut off from life - in the Second Death.

Manifestly, then, there will be an interim between the time when mankind is legally forgiven and the time when they will either reach perfection or die the Second Death.  During this interim they will still be of the Adamic race.  So when the hosts of sleeping dead are awakened, they will not come forth from the tomb as children of Christ, but as children of Adam.  Under the arrangements of the Messianic Kingdom they will be given the opportunity of renouncing their relationship to Adam and accepting the Life everlasting that Christ will give to those who demonstrate their loyalty to God and to the principles of righteousness.  So far as the world is concerned, this work of the Christ will continue until the end of the thousand years of the Messianic Reign.  Then mankind will be perfect, ready to be turned over to the Father, as the Apostle Paul points out (1 Cor. 15:21-28).  During those thousand years the Father will ignore humanity altogether.  He will have turned the whole Adamic race over to the Christ, who will have full charge of mankind.  While the Messianic Kingdom is in power, neither the Father Himself nor anyone else except the Christ will have anything to do with humanity.  At the end of the Millennium, Christ will present the perfected race to the Father.

Speaking of the human family, the Apostle Paul says, “The creation was made subject to vanity [frailty], not willingly.” (Rom. 8:20)  That is to say, the Adamic race did not become imperfect through any will of their own.  Father Adam got out of touch with his Creator.  Sin invaded his domain and he was led astray.  Condemnation to death came upon him; and because of being in his loins, through the law of heredity; all of his posterity were involved in his condemnation.  But “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Our Lord Jesus is ready to redeem those who have come unwillingly into sin, if they will accept His terms and conditions.  The first-fruits of His work form the Church of the Gospel Age (James 1:18).  The expression first-fruits suggests after fruits.  In other words, members of the Church are not the only ones who are to be saved, but are a first gathering only.  It is theirs to share with their Lord in His Kingdom glory, honor and immortality.  Then all mankind will have their opportunity - the creation itself which was made subject to frailty, and which is to be delivered from the bondage of corruption (Rom. 8:19-22; 1 John 2:2).  Eventually the whole world will have the opportunity of getting out from the bondage of death.  First there is the legal phase of the condemnation upon earth.  This legal condemnation will be set aside at the beginning of the Millennium.  Then there is the actual condemnation - death and all its concomitants.  Mankind has become so infected with the virus of death that their minds and bodies have both become diseased.  “There is none righteous, no, not one.”  Everybody is wrong, imperfect, out of the way, religiously, mentally, morally and physically; and the race will still be in this condition of imperfection after the legal phase of the condemnation is set aside.

When at the beginning of the Millennium Christ presents the merit of His sacrificial death on behalf of the world, forthwith the race will be turned over to Him.  But, on being raised from the dead, the world would soon come into condemnation again, were it not in the hands of the “Mediator between God and men.” (1 Tim. 2:4-6)  If anyone had his sins forgiven and then stood forth in his own strength before God, for even one day, by nightfall he would again be under condemnation, unless he could live sinless for that one day.  Because of their inability to stand before God, He will pass the world over to the ministry of Messiah, and will ignore mankind altogether until the end of the Millennium.  The work of Christ will be to effect the deliverance of humanity from the bondage of corruption, from which they are unable to deliver themselves.  Christ will set the groaning creation free from the power of Sin and Death, and will bring the willing and obedient back into full liberty of sons of God.  Whoever will may then become a son of God, on the human plane, perfect as Adam was before he fell from Divine favor.

When Adam was a son of God, he was not “sold under sin”; but on the contrary, he was perfect, the image and likeness of His Creator - “very good.”  And so it is with the holy angels.  They are the sons of God on the spirit plane.  Thus does God design that it shall be with His human sons.  They shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the full liberty of the sons of God (Rom 8:19-21).  Father Adam was originally called a son of God (Luke 3:38).  So when humanity shall have been restored to perfection, the Son will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father, when He shall have put down all insubordination (1 Cor. 15:24-28).  Then all those whom God will receive, will be perfect, in the image and likeness of their Heavenly Father, as was Adam.

(Brother Johnson, The Herald of The Epiphany, January 15, 1921)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sister Emily:  Christian greetings through our Beloved Savior.

Hoping that this finds you in good health.  Another year has slipped away and I praise our heavenly Father for the comfort we have in His blessed word of Truth, giving hope and strength in these troubled times.

On September 14th part of our small Ecclesia traveled to Yosemite Lakes Community Church to hear a discourse by Clarence Wagner from Bridges for Peace.  What a joy it was to hear Clarence deliver an eloquent talk to a nominal Christian Church, on the rich scriptural promises given to the Nation of Israel.  The congregation seemed to embrace this message and be willing to support Israel with prayer and monies, as their obligation as Christians to help in restoring that Nation.

We had a short visit with Clarence after the meeting and assured him of our prayers and support also. 

It seems that many denominations are dropping the replacement theory and recognizing Israel’s return and rebirth as prophecy being fulfilled.

In November Lev and Hava Bausch visited our Ecclesia.  I know you have corresponded with them, and are aware that they have lived in Israel for thirty years.

Both Lev and Hava told us many stories of current conditions in Israel.  The most exciting news for me was the number of Messianic Jews in Israel, and their number is growing daily.  These Jews do not claim to be affiliated with any nominal church system because of their witnessing or Missionary efforts.  My understanding is that these are mainly orthodox Jews that have read the New Testament and have decided their Messiah has come, and they believe much as we do.  We continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Our small Ecclesia continues in Bible Study, and I am still conducting the second hour of study on Sundays.  As you know there has been disagreement on some basic doctrinal points that Brother Russell made so clear to us.  The second hour of study gives me an opportunity to plant seed refuting those errors.  There has been some progress in this regard, and I suppose that is what keeps me going.  My prayers are with these brethren, and I will go on planting seed, relying on the Lord for growth and fruitage.

Your articles are a blessing to me and are used many times to assist in study planning.  I ask for your prayers on my behalf as I continue to pray for you and your work in the Lord.  May the Lord bless and keep you.                         Your Brother in His Name, …       (CALIFORNIA)

…………………………………………………..

Dear Emily, Marjorie and all there,

May you see God’s hand in all around in the coming year.  It is indeed a time to keep our eyes on the Lord and trust that He has all in His plans and purposes day by day.

Again Israel has had the eyes of her watchmen on the situation here as over 18 suicide bombers have been discovered in the last two weeks.  What a big loss of life those bombers could have taken if they were successful.  Of course Israelis have rejoiced over the capture of Saddam, and are adding up their own claim for all the damage he did with his missiles here in the Gulf War!

Now we are celebrating the Festival of Lights or Channukah, and that is a nice time of year to remember God’s miracles for His people Israel.  Again God is blessing the Land with good rains in the last weeks.

Hope this finds you well there, Emily, and all the others as well.  Lev has been battling a foot infection for the last month right on the bottom of his foot.  This is always extra dangerous when one has diabetes as Lev does.  We appreciate your prayers!

The economic situation has not gotten better in Israel in the last months, and we have had a lot of strikes, especially of various government offices causing many hardships for people.  It is certainly a time of growing stress for the people here.  May God be their help and show His mercy on His people.

Well, as we again start a New Year may you have the daily strength and health you need to carry on and may God bless your work for 2004.  In His love, Lev and Hava Bausch    (ISRAEL)

NO. 558 RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT - PART TWO

“SIMON SAYS:  Tomb’s inscription backs up tradition: JERUSALEM - A barely legible clue - the name ‘Simon’ carved in Greek letters - beckoned from high up on the weather-beaten facade of an ancient burial monument.

“Their curiosity piqued, two Jerusalem scholars uncovered six previously invisible lines of inscription: a Gospel verse - Luke 2:25.

“Archaeological finds confirming biblical narrative or referring to figures from the Bible are rare, and this is believed to be the first discovery of a New Testament verse carved onto an ancient Holy Land shrine, said Emile Puech, and inscriptions expert who deciphered the writing.

“A few Old Testament phrases have been found on monuments, and a passage from Paul’s Letter to the Romans (3:13) is laid into a floor mosaic in the ancient Roman city of Caesarea.

“Jim Strange, a New Testament scholar from the University of South Florida, said that the ancients apparently believed that chiseling Scripture into monuments debase sacred words.  The widespread use of Bible verses on shrines began only about 1000 in Europe, said Strange, who was not connected with the discovery.

“The inscription declares that the 60-foot-high monument is the tomb of Simon, a devout Jew who the Bible says cradled the infant Jesus and recognized him as the Messiah.

“It’s unlikely that Simon is buried there; the monument is one of several built for Jerusalem’s aristocracy at the time of Jesus.

“The inscription does back up what until now were scant references to a Byzantine-era belief that three biblical figures - Simon, Zacharias and James, the brother of Jesus - shared the same tomb.

“This year an inscription referring to Zacharias, who was John the Baptist’s father, was found on the same facade.  Puech and Joe Zias, a physical anthropologist, continued to study the monument.  Applying a ‘squeeze’ - a simple 19th century technique of spreading a kind of papier mache over a surface - they uncovered the Simon inscription.  Now, they hope to complete the three by finding writing referring to James.

“The Simon and Zacharias inscriptions were carved about the fourth century, a time when Byzantine Christians were searching the Holy Land for sacred sites linked to the Bible, said Puech.

“The monument is in the Kidron Valley, between Jerusalem’s walled Old City and the Mount of Olives.

“The Bible says that James was thrown off the Jewish Temple, bludgeoned to death in the Kidron Valley below and buried nearby.  The historian Josephus refers to a Temple priest named Zacharias being slain by zealots in the Temple and thrown into the valley.  There is no word on Simon’s death.

“The Zacharias and Simon inscriptions were chiseled into what is known today as Absalom’s Tomb, one of three big funerary monuments built in the Kidron Valley for the city’s rich.”                                                                     (The Associated Press, November 21, 2003)

“ANTI-SEMITIC TEXT BOOKS IN NEW YORK SCHOOLS:  Textbooks used in New York City’s Islamic schools contain ‘passages that are blatantly anti-Semitic’ and repeat ‘old canards’ about Jews, the New York Daily News reports after a three-month-long investigation.

“The report notes that a textbook written for children in grades 3 through 6, entitled What Islam is All About, says that Jews and Christians ‘lead such decadent and immoral lives that lying, alcohol, nudity, pornography, racism, foul language, premarital sex, homosexuality, and everything else are accepted in their society, churches, and synagogues.’

“According to the paper, the book has sold over 40,000 copies and is said to be in use in more than half the city’s Muslim schools.

“Another textbook, Mercy to Mankind, which is used by 5th and 6th graders, states that the Jews ‘killed their own prophets’ and sought to deceive Muslims by altering the text of the Bible, the newspaper says.

“New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg strongly condemned the use of the textbooks, saying, ‘Personally, I find it disgraceful; any textbook that tries to take away other people’s rights or condemn other people because of their beliefs, I think is inappropriate and undemocratic.’

“New York City has 15 private Islamic schools registered with the state, with approximately 3,000 to 4,000 students enrolled.”

(By Michael Freund, The Jerusalem Post, April 3, 2003)

“FIRST ISRAELI U.N. RESOLUTION OFFERED:  For the first time in its history, Israel has introduced a resolution before the United Nations General Assembly.  A main component of the decision to do so is to test whether the body will accept anything originating in Israel.  The resolution calls for the protection of Israeli children victimized by Palestinian terror.  A similar resolution on behalf of Palestinian children had been offered by Egypt, but has not come up for a vote.  According to the Associated Press, which quoted Aryeh Mekel, Israel’s deputy U.N. Ambassador, the test of the U.N.’s willingness to deal fairly with the regional conflict will be whether it passes both resolutions, merges the two, or drops the Israeli version altogether.”

(The Media Line, November 4, 2003)

“AL-QA’IDA WEBSITE TELLS MUSLIMS TO LEAVE D.C., L.A., N.Y.:  The Middle East Research Institute has discovered and translated a warning posted on an Al-Qa’ida website exhorting Muslims to ‘immediately leave Washington, D.C., New York, and Los Angeles.’

“The message continues, ‘We are a serious warning.  The next few days will prove to you the truth of this warning.  To the oppressive rulers of America we say, ‘Expect our terms following the first strike of Allah’s believing solders.’  The latter phrase is a quote from the Qu’ran.”                                                                           (The Media Line, November 5, 2003)

“LAST IRAQI JEWS:  Six elderly Jews from Iraq, among the last remaining Jews in the country, have been brought to Israel on a direct flight from Baghdad in a joint project by Israel’s Jewish Agency and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.

“Among the six was a 99-year-old woman and her 70-year-old daughter, a blind 90-year-old former Baghdad resident, and another 70-year-old woman who was the last Jewish resident of the southern Iraqi city of Basra.”                                                    (World Jewry, August 2003)

BOOK REVIEW:  Yasir Arafat: A Political Biography, Barry and Judith Rubin, Oxford Press, 2003, 354 pages.

“For more than four decades, since he founded Fatah in 1959 and then the Palestinian Liberation Organization in 1964, Yasir Arafat has enjoyed the flattering glare of the international spotlight.  Mr. Arafat is one of the inventors of modern terrorism and continues to instigate it to this day.  Despite this, a multitude of admirers and apologists in the West have been taken in by the pose of moderation, at least until recently.  As a result, he has visited nearly every royal palace and presidential residence in Europe and was a guest of honor at the White House several times.  He has even won the Nobel Peace Prize.

“How did this happen?  As [the Rubins] show in their admirable, impressively documented book he is one of the great con men of modern politics.  Even those who know what a slippery character Mr. Arafat is may be surprised to learn from the Rubins account just how deceitful he can be.

“He claims to have been born in Jerusalem, for instance, but was in fact born in Cairo.  He has told of single-handedly stopping an Israeli tank column in the 1948 war, though the evidence places him in Egypt at the time.  Some of his falsehoods have been utterly fantastic such as that there was never a Jewish temple in Jerusalem.  As for political tactics, the Rubins remind us that Mr. Arafat is often astute, positioning himself between competing Islamic, Marxist, and nationalist Palestinian groupings.  Even today, though the Western media talks of a ‘new Palestinian prime minister,’ Chairman Arafat retains control of almost all the key elements of power in Palestinian politics.

“The Rubins, along with documenting his corruption and misrule, make clear how much Palestinians and Israelis alike have suffered from his refusal to entertain a two-state solution.”

(By Tom Gross, Wall Street Journal, August 21, 2003)

“ARAFAT: ROAD MAP IS DEAD:  Yasser Arafat has declared that the Road Map for peace is dead.  He told CNN on September 2 that ‘The Road Map is dead but only because of Israeli military aggression in recent weeks.’  The Palestinian leader complained that because of the attention being paid to Iraq and because of the impending presidential election, the United States has not paid enough attention to the Road Map process.  His remarks came on the same day that Israel Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said it was a mistake not to have expelled Arafat two years ago.  Mofaz told Army Radio that Arafat ‘needs to disappear from the stage of history.’  Mofaz has come under sharp criticism by the opposition Labor Party for his remarks, and Israel Radio reported on September 3rd that the American Administration has asked for a ‘clarification’ of those remarks.”                                       (The Media Line, September 3, 2003)

“PRAYER FOCUS:  The Road Map cannot succeed.  It will not fail because of the actions of Arafat or Abbas.  It will not fail because of the actions of the Israelis.  It will ultimately fail because it is in opposition to God’s Word.  Pray that God’s plan for the land and peoples of Israel will be fulfilled in its entirety.  God called for the land to be given as an everlasting inheritance to the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  But, He also called for justice and mercy for the foreigner living in the midst of His people, Israel.  Only when the peoples of Israel line up with God’s plan will they know His blessing.”

(Bridges For Peace comment, September 3, 2003)

“LEGAL KILLINGS:  Harvard law professor Alan M. Dershowitz says there is ‘absolutely no doubt’ that Israel’s policy of targeted killings of senior Hamas terrorists is legal under international law.  In an opinion piece in last week’s Toronto Globe and Mail, Dershowitz wrote, ‘Hamas has declared war against Israel.  All of its leaders are combatants, whether they wear military uniforms, suits, or religious garb.’

“‘Under any reasonable standard,’ he concluded, ‘Israeli policy with regard to the targeted assassinations of ‘ticking bomb terrorists’ does not deserve the kind of condemnation it is receiving.

“‘Any democracy facing threats to its civilian population comparable to those faced by Israel would respond in much the same way Israel is now responding to the terrorism being conducted by Hamas and other terrorist groups,’ he said.”

(The Jerusalem Post, October 3, 2003)

“ARAFAT SEIZED U.S. $750 MILLION OF PA BUDGET:  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Yasser Arafat has seized U.S. $750 million from the PA budget, much of which is financed by Western donors.  The IMF concluded that Arafat took the U.S. $750 million from the PA budget and placed the funds in a bank account under his sole control.  Arafat was found to have embezzled the funds from 1995 until 2000.

“The assertion came in wake of the first IMF investigation of PA finances and the role of Arafat.  The IMF said Arafat, chairman of the PA, invested most of the missing PA funds in 69 companies that he directly controls.

“IMF officials acknowledged the investigation and its findings regarding Arafat at the summit by the financial institute held in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai.  The IMF and World Bank summit stressed the need for transparency in government.”

(Bridges For Peace, October 7, 2003)

“THE NOT-SO-NOBLE-NOBEL:  Kaare Kristiansen, a former member of the Nobel Prize Committee, has appealed to his former colleagues to ‘publicly deplore’ their decision in 1994 to grant the Nobel Peace Prize to Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

“Kirstiansen, a former Norwegian minister who served as president of his country’s parliament, sent a letter this past weekend to the Norwegian Nobel Committee denouncing the PA leader for undermining any prospects of Middle East peace.  And calling on committee members to distance themselves publicly from the 1994 award.

“‘Arafat is not a peace-loving pacifist but a warmonger and a butcher, an ill-fortune both for his own people and for his neighbors,’ Kristiansen wrote.

Hence, he said ‘out of consideration for political decency and for its own reputation,’ the committee should ‘find a way to distance itself from its award of 1994.’”

(The International Jerusalem Post, September 26, 2003)

“LET JEWS LIVE ON HOMELANDS:  The term Judenrein means an area cleansed of Jews.  In the past, this German [Nazi] concept was applied throughout Europe.  Now we hear American and other liberals saying that Jewish communities on the biblical land of Judea and Samaria, the cradle of the Jewish nation, must be emptied of all their inhabitants, so that even in a Jewish homeland there can be Judenrein areas.  The expulsion of the Jews from Europe, which reached its height during World War II, was a manifestly barbaric and inhumane act.  But there, at least, the Jews were unwelcome guests, having lived in that area for merely a thousand years or so.  However, to drive out the Jewish community of Hebron, where the matriarchs and patriarchs of the Jewish people are buried and King David first ruled 3,000 years ago, is unthinkable.

“The United States is dotted with towns named for biblical cities in Israel: Hebron, Shilo, Bethlehem.  But according to the terminology of many in the U.S. press, the Israeli Shilo, the original one, is a ‘settlement,’ and consequently must be cleansed of Jews.

“If someone decided to expel Jews, from Shiloh, Ohio, Hebron, Nebraska, USA Today might be among the first to come out against what it would likely term racism.  Why then does it support the expulsion of Jews from the original Shilo, the Jewish one?  Why are Jews living in their own homeland considered ‘an obstacle to peace?’

“Why is it the only place in the world where Jews cannot live, according to liberals, the very place where the Jewish faith was born, where it developed monotheism, where the Judeo-Christian civilization took shape; and where the Jewish people returned after 2,000 years of exile?

“It is not the presence of Jews in the settlements that is a provocation to Palestinians; it is the presence of Jews anywhere in Israel on either side of the Green Line, the 1949 armistice line.

“So, if you support the expulsion of Jews from Europe, America or anywhere else, you’re racist.  But if you advocate the expulsion of Jews from the heart of their homeland, you’re a liberal.

“Liberals demand to drive Jews off their own land to create a Judenrein area, in the land of the Jews, of all places, is the height of hypocrisy by those who claim to be fair-minded advocates of justice in the world.”                      (By Israel Harel, Haaretz, September 22, 2003)

“FROM A DISTANCE: Death has no glory:  In the book of Genesis, God tells Abraham: ‘And through you will all the nations of the earth be blessed.’

“I’ve often wondered about that blessing we Jews are supposed to bring the world.  After six months of having the world heap the vilest slander on my people and my country; after going through Holocaust Remembrance Day, and then Remembrance Day for the fallen soldiers, I don’t think, if it was up to me, that heaping blessings on the world, particularly on my Semitic neighbors, would be high on my list of ‘must do’s’ right now.

However, since the Jewish people’s fate isn’t something you get to vote on, I recognize that I, and my fellow Jews, will have little say about this blessing thing either.  And so, willy-nilly; we are going to bring blessings to the world.

“And I’ve finally figured out how.  It was last week, as I was watching the official memorial service at the Western Wall for Israel’s fallen soldiers.  And in that holy place, Israel’s top general, its chief of staff, got up to speak.  What do you think he spoke about, this general and army man?  If he were any other nationality or religion, and this were any country but Israel, we wouldn’t even have to ask: The glory of our fallen heroes.  Their bravery and sacrifice on the battlefield.  The greatness of our victories.

“But not Chief of General Staff Shaul Mofaz.  He spoke about remembering the birth of a child.  The first picture taken in kindergarten.  The first baby tooth that falls.  The bar-mitzvah pictures.  The graduation from high school.  The mother’s kiss on the cheek of the new recruit.  He spoke about the incalculable loss to each fallen soldier’s family, his parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, girlfriend, wife, children.  About the preciousness of life, and the horror of death.

“The Jewish people indeed have a blessing to bring to the world, especially to our Semitic cousins.  If only they would stop shouting and crying and threatening long enough to listen, how different their lives would be!  And we would give it to them freely, generously - this, our hard-earned knowledge, the knowledge of the Jews.  And it is simply this: that death has no glory.  And life can never be replaced.

“There is no honor, no holiness in bombs and guns and knives and mortars in wounded flesh, and blood-soaked streets.  In dead children and broken-hearted mothers.  And that peace is a value to be cherished above glorious victories.

“If only the BBC, and CNN and Sky News would stop interviewing the mothers and uncles of suicide bombers, who speak of holy martyrdom, and sacred deaths, and holy wars; if only their confused reporters would simply sit and listen to Israel’s keening on Remembrance Day, and broadcast that to the world instead, what a blessing they would bring mankind.  What a lesson.                                                                        (Excerpt by Naomi Ragen, May 3, 2003)

“LIBRARY IN EGYPT WITHDRAWS COPY OF ANTI-SEMITIC TRACT:  CAIRO, EGYPT - The Alexandria Library has withdrawn the first Arabic translation of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion from an exhibit after U.N. cultural officials questioned the display of the 19th century anti-Semitic tract.

“In a statement yesterday, Ismail Serageldin, the director of the library, denied allegations that the book was displayed next to the Jewish holy book, the Torah.

“‘The book was promptly withdrawn from public display.  But its very inclusion showed bad judgment and insensitivity, and a internal hearing is under way to determine whether further action is to be taken’ read the statement.”                         (Associated Press, December 7, 2003)

Comment:  It is very unusual for the U.N. to do anything in Israel’s favor.

 ___________________________________________________________________

SOME COMMENTS ON THE MIDDLE EAST

  The turmoil in the Middle East has engaged our attention very closely because we believe that some prophecy is now being fulfilled there; and we shall yet see much more of it.  As instance, Zechariah 14:1-3: “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh [we have been in the “evil day” (Eph. 6:13) since 1914, with the “evil” steadily becoming worse and worse], and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.  For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.  Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.”

AS IN THE DAY OF BATTLE:  Some outstanding instances where the Lord fought for Israel in former times are (1) when He gave a great victory to David in the Valley of Rephaim in close-by Baalperazim (2 Sam. 5:17-21); (2) when Gideon commanded 300 men, who were used to inflict a miraculous defeat upon the Midianites and Amalakites, who were “in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude - their camels as the sand by the seaside for multitude” (Judges 7:12-23); and (3) with Joshua in Ajalon, where “the Lord discomfited them.” (Josh. 10:8-14)

AJALON:  Of these citations we shall give detailed analysis on only one, mainly because this one, we believe, may find close kinship in the years immediately ahead of us.  Upon the “death of Moses… the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying… there shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life… I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee… be thou strong and very courageous.” (Josh. 1:1-7)  As we come to the narrative in Ajalon, the various units of Canaan had heard of the prowess of Joshua, of the great defeats he had inflicted upon his enemies in various places.  This struck such terror into their hearts that thirty-one kings combined to fight against Joshua; and the battle was joined in the Valley of Ajalon.

Now those kings were sun and moon worshipers, so the Lord caused a heavy cloud to appear - so dark that it was almost night.  This terrorized the enemy, thinking their gods had turned their backs on them, so they turned and fled, at which the Lord “cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword… And Joshua said… Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.  And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.” (Vs. 11-13)

A similar situation exists today in the Middle East: About twenty of those Moslem rulers have banded themselves together to destroy Israel; but the “sure word of prophecy” is there that the Lord will again “fight for them as he did in the day of battle.”  And the promise is sure, “By myself have I sworn saith the Lord… that in blessing I will bless thee [Abraham]… thy seed shall be as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.” (Gen. 22:15-17)

Perhaps a bit of historical humor may be acceptable here: After America gained its independence, Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first American ambassador to France; and the French leader in France, the English ambassador and Franklin were having lunch together, when it was suggested that a toast be offered by each one of them for the nation he represented.  The Englishman:  Here’s to England, whose sun never sets; the Frenchman: Here’s to France, who like the moon controls the tides and the sea; Franklin: Here’s to the United States of America, who, like Joshua in Ajalon, commanded the sun and the moon to stand still - and they stood still!

As we contemplate the great victory of Joshua in Ajalon, we come to a much better appreciation of his final address to the Jewish people: “This day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” (Josh. 23:14)  And further from Joshua 23:9,10: “No man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.  One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God he it is that fighteth for you, as he has promised you.”  And we may accept the statement literally now, that in our day “the Lord will fight against those nations [now combined against Israel], as when he fought in the day of battle.”

BENJAMIN DISRAELI:  We believe emphasis will be added to the foregoing if we consider this Jew, and what one authority says about him: “Statesman and novelist, twice British prime minister (1868; 1874-1880), was one of the most extraordinary figures to reach the pinnacle of British politics.  He was of Italian Jewish descent.  As a result of his father’s quarrel with the synagogue, he was baptized as a Christian, but for which curious accident his career could not have taken the form it did.  After some failures in his pursuit of political opportunity he was returned to Parliament (1837) as a conservative member for Maidstone in Kent.  In 1848 he acquired a claim to the leadership of the opposition in the House of Commons after being elected to Parliament as a member for the County of Buckinghamshire in 1847.  He served as chancellor of exchequer for a period in 1852 and again in 1858.  Disraeli became prime minister in 1868, but when the autumn election was won by Liberals, he resigned.  His second period as prime minister was 1874-1880.  In 1876 he accepted a peerage, taking the title of Earl of Beaconsfield.”

BERLIN CONGRESS OF NATIONS:  The foregoing is given about Disraeli because he was the first Jew ever to become prime minister of England; and he was a prominent figure at the Berlin Congress which was held June 13 - July 13, 1878.  That Congress was attended by all the major European powers, and it replaced the Treaty of San Stefano of March 3, 1878 at the conclusion of the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-78.  At that time England was the greatest empire on earth.  London was the financial center of the world; and English ships controlled the sea.  And Disraeli used that tremendous power to force acceptance of his move to gain favor for the Jews in Palestine.  That was the beginning of various efforts to promote the Jews to where they are today.  At that Berlin meeting Disraeli secured certain rights for aliens in Palestine that were not previously tolerated - the principal benefactors of that decision being the Jews.  It is of interest here to note that the date 1878 is exactly 1845 years after the crucifixion of Jesus, previous to which they had enjoyed great favor from the Lord for 1845 years - from the death of Jacob.  This “double” is mentioned in Isa. 40:1-3; Jer. 16:18; Zech. 9:12; and the word means an exact duplicate, as if we should fold a piece of paper in the middle, the lower half would be exactly the same size as the upper part.

ZECHARIAH 8:23:  At that time in 1878 we believe the following prophecy was fulfilled: “In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men out of all the tongues of the nations shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.”  The “ten men” of the text are the various nations of Europe.  While it is true that there are many more than ten governments in Europe, yet there are only ten-language nations (aside from the Jewish): (1) The Scandinavian (Norway, Sweden, etc.); (2) The Anglo-Saxon (England, Scotland, etc.); (3) The Teutonic (Germany, Austria, etc.); (4) The Gallic (France, Belgium, etc.); (5) The Hispanic (Spain and Portugal); (6) The Latin (Italy); (7) The Greek (Greece); (8) The Turkish (Turkey); (9) The Slavic (Russia, Poland, etc.); and (10) The Magyars (Hungarian).

The words of Disraeli are most pertinent here: “Had it not been for the Jews of Palestine the good tidings of our Lord would have been unknown forever to the northern and western races.  The first preachers of the gospel were Jews, no others; the historians of the Gospel were Jews, no others.  No human being has ever been permitted to write under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit except the Jew.”  Truly, Disraeli was a man of destiny; one among the greatest Jews in all history!

Thus, the situation in the Middle East today is indeed an engaging “prospect.”  We conclude this feature about the Jews with Jeremiah 30:7: “That day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” “Jacob’s trouble” will be the climax - the grand finale - of that trouble over there - when those Arab countries make a combined attack upon Israel, and God will then “fight for them as he did in the day of battle.” (Zech. 14:3)  As That Servant has said: “How true the statement that those who have cursed, or injured, Israel have brought injury to themselves!  As we scan the whole field of the world, we find that every nation, which has dealt harshly with Israel, has received chastisement or blight.  On the contrary, Great Britain and the United States, nations which have blessed the Jew, have in turn received great blessings.” (Reprint 5323, October 1, 1913)  

NO. 557 RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT - PART ONE

“The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if you will inquire, inquire ye: return come.” (Isaiah 21:12)

We are in the Morning - the Millennial Day - but the night, the Time of Trouble precedes the blessings.  Certainly, no one who has even a little understanding of the Truth, will deny that we are in the Time of Trouble.  And it has escalated greatly during the past year.  We had hoped the war in Iraq would be short and it was in the sense of the basic attack, but the peace and rebuilding is proving very elusive.  Also, crime has increased, as well as suicide bombings in several countries, and protests and riots all over the world.  There is no peace anywhere.  We also have had the elements bombarding different parts of the world with hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, etc., not forgetting the blackouts in the U.S. and Europe and the devastating forest fires in California.  And we do not have to mention the trouble in Israel, how it has become very critical.  Screams of agony echo throughout the Land as terror attack follows terror attack.

We may rejoice that the blessed morning of the Millennial Kingdom is at hand, even though we must weep with the world also in this dark hour of trouble which precedes the sunburst of the Millennial Kingdom.

Our text says “inquire ye: return come.”  We should inquire for more information, for the length of the night is hidden.  But, “Thou shall not be afraid for the terror of night,” (Psa. 91:5)  For we know that the Kingdom is near at hand.

2003 IN REVIEW:

1. The U.S. invades Iraq and captures Saddam Hussein.
2. Space shuttle breaks apart, kills seven astronauts.
3. The outbreak of SARS in Asia kills 800 people worldwide.
4. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger elected California governor.
5. A summer blackout hits Northeast, Midwest and Canada.
6. Supreme Court strikes down bans on homosexual sex.
7. Terror strikes Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Turkey and Indonesia.
8. Michael Jackson arrested.
9. Consecration of gay bishop divides the Anglican Church.
10.  President Bush’s tax cut.
11. Death toll from earthquake in Iran surpasses 20,000.

“DEAD SEA IS FACING ITS OWN DEATH, STUDY FINDS:  JERUSALEM - The Dead Sea is dying, and only a major engineering effort can save it, according to Israel’s Minister of the Environment.

“The Dead Sea gets its name from its heavy salt content, because no aquatic creatures can live in it.  Now there is a new “death threat” - the Dead Sea is drying up and disappearing.

“An Israeli TV reporter, illustrating the government report issued Monday, stood on a spot where, just 20 years ago, water met land.  Now that point is 2,000 feet of parched ground away, he said, as the sea gradually recedes.

“Because it is landlocked in a hot desert area, evaporation is high, accounting for the dense salt concentration that allows bathers to float on top of the water with no effort.  The area is popular for spas and treatments, with luxury hotels on both sides.

“The Environment Ministry study said that to secure the sea’s future, engineers would have to develop a new infrastructure of bridges and roads leading to its shores.

“For millennia, the balance was maintained by the Dead Sea’s only water source, the Jordan River, pouring in from the north.  In recent years, however, Israel and Jordan have been tapping in to irrigate big swaths of agricultural land along the narrow river that divides the two countries, robbing the Dead Sea of its replacement water.

“A five-year drought has added to the woes of the Dead Sea, which occupies the lowest point on Earth, 1,320 feet below sea level.  The sea is about 38 miles long and about 11 miles wide.

“The Israeli study said that without an intensive engineering effort, the sea’s water level will continue to recede by as much as 3 feet a year, adjacent ground water will disappear, surrounding land will buckle and collapse, and nearby wildlife and vegetation will be lost.

“Environment Minister Yehudit Neot said she would ask the Israeli Cabinet to hold a detailed discussion on the study’s conclusions.

“‘If the conclusions are not implemented, there is a real danger to the future of the Dead Sea as a world-class natural resource,’ Neot said.”

(The Associated Press, November 5, 2003)

Comment:  The Jordan River is the source of the Dead Sea.  The name Jordan means “The Descender,” or “Judged down.”  Therefore it is a type of the downward course of the human race and it reaches the Dead Sea, which represents the ultimate condition of mankind.  It is aptly named for typing the dead world.  

“REVELATION:  A car crash in Chalmette, Louisiana, has revealed that a building thought to house a home improvement business was actually home to the New Christian Crusade Church, and headquarters for the Christian Defense League, both white supremacist organizations.

“Stacks of racist books and pamphlets, including Hitler’s Nazi manifesto, Mein Kampf, were discovered when the car smashed into the brick storefront.  An investigation revealed the building’s owner as James Warner, a founder of the American Nazi Party and associate of former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard and one-time Republican gubernatorial candidate David Duke.” 

(World Jewry, August 2003)

“ATTORNEYS FILE BRIEF REJECTING SUIT OVER SIGN:  LEXINGTON, NC - Attorneys for the Davidson County commissioners rejected yesterday a claim that the “In God We Trust” sign on a county building is unconstitutional because of its size and prominent location.

“In a brief filed yesterday in U.S. district Court, the attorneys tried to counter the argument of two Thomasville men who have sued the county commissioners to have the sign taken down.  The men claim that the sign is a government endorsement of religion in violation of the First Amendment, particularly because the sign’s context makes it imposing to anyone doing business in the county’s government building.

“The commissioners’ attorneys agreed yesterday that context is important to the sign’s constitutionality, but they pointed to the motto’s historical context.  It has been the official motto of the United States since 1956 and was on U.S, coins as early as the Civil War.”

(Winston-Salem Journal Staff and Wire Report, October 1, 2003) 

Comment:  An alert citizen wrote in to the Editor thusly: “If God is going to destroy a nation, wouldn’t He first remove his Name completely from that country”?  That motto is also on U.S. paper money, so a lot of erasing would have to be done.

FRANCE:  “The staggering number of deaths in France due to the heat wave is finally drawing the nation’s attention to who died and how.  The government estimates that the heat killed perhaps 5,000 people.  The largest undertaker, General Funeral Services, said Wednesday that the number could be more than twice that.  The victims were generally found inside apartments or houses or hotels.  In virtually every case, there was no air conditioner.”

(International Herald Tribune, August 21, 2003)

“GENERAL STRIKE HITS ITALY:  ROME - Post offices and schools were closed, flights were canceled, buses and trains were killed in Italy Friday as millions of workers stayed home to protest government plans to reform the pension system.

“The general strike was called by Italy’s three largest and most powerful unions, which also organized some 100 demonstrations in piazzas across the country.  Big festive crowds gathered in Rome, Bologna and Naples, where rallies were headed by union calls to protest Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s resolve to overhaul Italy’s generous pension system by raising retirement ages and the number of years of work required.

“Hundreds of flights were canceled, most of them by Italy’s flagship airline Atialia, but foreign carriers also scrapped or rescheduled flights because Italian ground personnel were among the strikes.  Among the airlines affected were Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways and KLM.”

(The Lexington, NC Dispatch, October 21, 2003)

“ITALIAN COURT ORDERS CRUCIFIX REMOVED FROM A CLASS ROOM: ROME - An Italian court has ordered a crucifix removed from a classroom - setting off a debate in a secular but culturally Catholic nation that is home to the Vatican and where a law still requires public schools to display a cross.

“The ruling Saturday highlights the country’s awkward relationship with its growing immigrant population, whose migrant population, whose presence belies the notion of Italy as solely a Christian nation.

“Islamic activist Adel Smith, an emigrant from Egypt whose father was Italian, filed suit challenging the legality of the cross in the elementary school attended by his two sons in the small town of Ofena, 90 miles northeast of Rome.  ‘Above all, Italy is a secular country,’ Smith said.

“Judge Mario Montanaro ruled that the cross should be removed because ‘the presence of the crucifix in classrooms communicates an implicit adherence to values that, in reality, are not shared heritage of all citizens.’” 

(The Associated Press, October 27, 2003)

“CORRUPTION AT HIGH LEVEL WORLDWIDE, SURVEY FINDS:  LONDON - Rich countries should end their financial support for corrupt governments and blacklist companies that get caught paying bribes abroad, a watchdog group that monitors corruption in 133 nations said yesterday.

“Half of developing countries suffer from ‘a high level of corruption,’ and some wealthy nations fare little better, according to surveys of business people, academics and risk analysts by Transparency International.

“Bangladesh came in last, at 133, trailed by Nigeria and Haiti as the three most corrupt countries, according to the 2003 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index.  Rated No. 1, or least corrupt, was Finland, followed by Iceland and in a tie for third, Denmark and New Zealand.  The United States was 18 on the list, tied with Ireland.”

(Winston-Salem Journal wire report, October 8, 2003)

“D.C. CHARITY SUSPECTED OF FUNNELING MILLIONS TO TERRORIST:  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security believes that the SAAR Network/SAFA Group, a net-work of charities and think tanks, has funneled at least U.S. $26 million to terrorist organizations including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Al-Qaida, according to the Washington Post.  According to the newspaper, most of the money came from Saudia Arabian donors.  An attorney for those named in the DHS affidavit quoted by the Post denied the allegations and said that it was ‘rank speculation.’”

(The Media Line, October 19, 2003)

IN FINANCE

The economy seems to have been better in 2003 than in 2002.  The tax breaks that the President pushed through in 2002 is helping the economy.  Business spending has improved after three years of a timid spending for business.

It is predicted that spending by firms will gain a solid 10% in 2004, up from only 2.5% in 2003, as companies rebuild their inventories and buy new equipment to expand production.  Business has learned how to produce with less people.

Job outlook may be brighter.  Job creation is predicted to reach 1.8 million in 2004, a 12-fold increase over the net gain of 150,000 in 2003.  But the unemployment rate won’t fall much because many previously discouraged jobless will look for work again.  The job gain will buoy consumer spending.  Even so, interest rates will remain low, and maybe prime rate will be up to 5% by midyear.

The threat of terrorism continues to loom, and there is fear of an attack on U.S. soil in the midst of a heated presidential campaign.  The Iraq war has changed things.  President Bush’s economic team said they would hold the line on Government spending in 2003, but the war changed this.  The deficit will get worse in 2004 and again in 2005. This is because few voters care.

The economy is starting to grow, but the worry is Iraq.  More people were killed at the World Trade Center than at Pearl Harbor at the start of World War II.

As a nation in 2002 in the USA, the stock market lost nearly a quarter of its value, as millions of people lost jobs, and as many others lost sleep worrying about terrorism and imminent war.  Americans nonetheless gave a record $241 billion to charitable causes with ordinary American households, rich and poor, giving an average gift of $2,499, or more than 80 percent of the total given.

Gold prices should stay the same.  Export growth will probably double aided by the weaker dollar.

Since we are in the Time of Trouble things change quickly.  “O Lord, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou our arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.” (Isa. 33:2)    

“U.N. TREATY OPENS BANKS TO AN INCREASE IN SCRUTINY: MERIDA, MEXICO - The first worldwide and anti-corruption treaty was signed yesterday, a move that may open banks in money havens to more scrutiny and allow some poor countries to recover billions of looted dollars.

“U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and President Vicente Fox of Mexico were among the U.N. Convention Against Corruption, a pact that requires countries to aid in investigations of and return money to wherever it was stolen or embezzled from.

“The Convention, expected to be signed by more than 100 nations over the next three days, will put rich and poor nations on more equal footing when it comes to tracing and returning scandal-tainted money that often winds up in wealthy banking capitals.

“Corruption ‘is a tax on the poor,’ Ashcroft said in this colonial city, 620 miles east of Mexico City.  ‘It steals from the needy to enrich the wealthy.  Corruption must end.’

“Of most interest to the United States are provisions requiring other countries to open up money-laundering investigations, expedite extraditions and prevent the establishment of phantom banks with little legitimate business.

“Although the pact doesn’t require countries to repeal banking-secrecy laws or the immunity from prosecution granted to some politicians as part of their tenure in office, it does require safeguards so that politicians can be held accountable for their acts and banking records can be examined.

“U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a written statement that the pact will ‘provide more transparency and accountability of the international business community.’

“The treaty will take effect once ratified by the congresses of at least 30 signatory countries.”                      

(Associated Press, November 10, 2003)

IN RELIGION

“THREE NETHERLANDS CHURCHES APPROVE MERGER BY BIG MARGIN:  AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - Three Dutch Protestant churches formally agreed yesterday to put aside their ideological differences and merge, the culmination of a process that began more than 40 years ago.

“The Dutch Reformed Church, the Calvinist Reformist Church and a small Lutheran Church will unite to form the Protestant Church of the Netherlands, together representing about 2.2 million churchgoers - about 24 percent of the population.

“The synods of the three churches approved the merger by large majorities at three separate meetings in the city of Utrecht, 30 miles southeast of Amsterdam, Dutch national television reported.”                

(Wire Report, December 13, 2003) 

“SHOWDOWN IN INDIANAPOLIS:  Members of a neo-Nazi group hope to stir up a Hitler-like frenzy Sunday when they stage a white supremacist rally at the state capitol protesting the rapid influx of Hispanics and Latinos in Indianapolis.

“In response, religious and city government officials have planned a counter-event they hope will shine a light on the new racial diversity the city has experienced in recent years.

“‘This promises to be a wonderful opportunity to show what the city has become,’ said the Rev. Samuel Ruiz, head of the Lutheran Church Latino Outreach in Indianapolis.  ‘We don’t need this hatred, these old ways.’”     

(Orlando Sentinel, August 23, 2003)

“CHINESE SAID TO HAVE CLOSED CHRISTIAN GATHERING PLACES:  BEIJING - Authorities in an east China province have sealed off 125 Christian gathering places since July, cutting off 3,000 believers from their places of worship, a human-rights organization said yesterday.

“The human-rights group, based in London, said that police and state-security officials have subjected inmates to shocks, beatings, whippings and other forms of abuse.”

(Winston-Salem Journal Wire Report, November 21, 2003)

“SCIENTISTS DATE CRUCIFIXION:  Two Romanian astronomers claim to have pin-pointed the exact time and date of the Crucifixion of Jesus, the Internet news service Ananova has reported.

“According to Liviu Mircea and Tiberiu Oproiu of the Astronomic Observatory Institute in Cluj, Romania, Jesus died at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 3, A.D. 33.

“According to their reading of the New Testament data, Jesus was crucified on the day after the first night with a full moon after the vernal equinox.

“If the Crucifixion took place some time between the years 26 and 35, this could mean either Friday, April 7, 30, or Friday, April 3, 33.

“But it was only in the latter year that records show a solar eclipse as having occurred in Jerusalem (‘And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,’ according to Mark 15:33).

“The two astronomers have also timed the Resurrection as having occurred at 4 a.m. on Sunday, April 5.”                    

(Orlando Sentinel, May 17, 2003)

CATHOLICS:  “VATICAN INTERFAITH EFFORT:  A top Vatican official last Tuesday urged Christians, Jews, and Muslims to forge deeper ties as a way to encourage peace while respecting their own religious identities.

“Cardinal Walter Kasper’s appeal came in a speech to mark the 38th anniversary of a groundbreaking Vatican document, ‘Nostra Aetate,’ which sought to end the church’s official anti-Semitism.

“‘For a future of peace it is necessary that each of us, thoroughly, be oneself; in the deep simplicity of one’s vocation, in the adhesion of that holiness that all of us, Jews, Christians and Muslims, maintain is the most essential response to the gift of God,’ Kasper said.”

(The Jerusalem Post, November 7, 2003)

Comment:  “And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.” (Isa. 34:4)  It is quite evident that this does not mean the abode of the heavenly Father and other spirit beings.  It refers to the ecclesiastical systems as they exist in the world today.  “For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.” (Nahum 1:10)

“CHURCHES’ EFFORTS AT UNITY FACING ‘SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES,’ POPE WARNS: Anglican leader in Rome for talks with officials at Vatican.  VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II warned the archbishop of Canterbury yesterday of ‘serious difficulties’ in efforts to unify the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, pressing the Vatican’s case against the U.S. Episcopal Church’s election of its first openly gay bishop.

“The visit was the first to the Vatican by Archbishop Rowan Williams since his installation in February and came two weeks before an emergency meeting of the Anglican Communion’s 38 primates to discuss the controversial election of the openly gay V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire.

“Williams said that the pope’s view about the risks to Catholic-Anglican relations ‘weighs very heavily’ on his church going into the emergency meeting.  ‘I hope none of what has been achieved in all these years will be lost,’ he said.

“The Vatican recently issued a new broad condemnation of homosexuality that urged Catholics and non-Catholics alike to unite to stem a trend toward granting legal recognition to same-sex unions.  The document called homosexuality a ‘troubling moral and social phenomenon’ and repeated the Vatican’s position that homosexual acts were ‘intrinsically disordered.’

“Neither man made direct mention of the issue, but it was clear that the pope was referring to it as the two men exchanged speeches after 15 minutes of private talks.

“‘As we give thanks for the progress that has already been made, we must also recognize that new and serious difficulties have arisen on the path to unity,’ the pope said.

“‘These difficulties are not all of a merely disciplinary nature; some extend to essential matters of faith and morals.’

“With increasing secularism in the world, the pope continued, ‘the church must ensure that the deposit of faith is proclaimed in its integrity and preserved from erroneous and misguided interpretations.’

“The 83-year-old pope, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, read his speech with difficulty but completed the text.

“Since talks began, both sides have stressed the importance of theological efforts to overcome what John Paul called ‘the sad division’ between the churches.

“The Anglicans split from Rome when King Henry VIII bolted in 1534 over the pope’s refusal to grant him an annulment.  The Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of the 77 million-member Anglican Communion.”  

(The Associated Press, October 5, 2003)

EPISCOPALIAN:  “TWO EPISCOPAL VOTES INDICATE A WIDENING RIFT:  The conservative dioceses’ measures came after the consecration of a gay bishop in New Hampshire.  PITTSBURGH - Less than a week after the Episcopal Church consecrated its first openly gay bishop; two conservative dioceses approved measures Saturday indicating the split in the church has widened.

“The Diocese of Pittsburgh approved an amendment aimed at allowing the diocese to ignore some of the national church’s policies.

“The amendment says the diocese will prevail ‘in cases where the provisions of the constitution and canons of the Church of the Diocese of Pittsburgh speak to the contrary’ or where resolutions of the Episcopal Church are found ‘to be contrary to the historic faith and order of the one holy catholic and apostolic church.’

“In Texas, Fort Worth-area clergy and lay delegates passed a resolution Saturday repudiating New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson’s appointment as ‘a schismatic act.’  The resolution passed 160-34.

“Jack Iker, bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, said the decision clearly represents a split in the church.

“We made it clear if they went ahead and did this, they’d split the church,’ he said in an interview after the meeting.  ‘The only thing that’s holding us together now is we have the same name.  But there’s been a radical break in our relationship with each other in the Episcopal Church.’  He said he doesn’t know what the next step will be.

“For the Pittsburgh measure, a second vote by clergy and parishioners at the diocese’s annual convention next year is required before the amendment can take effect.

“Church leaders in the Pittsburgh Diocese earlier approved resolutions declaring ‘null and void’ the national church’s decisions this summer both to consecrate Robinson and to approve the blessing of same-sex unions.

“Both that vote and the votes Saturday are part of a national drive among conservative dioceses and clergy seeking to distance themselves from the Episcopal Church for making moves they think go against the worldwide Anglican Communion.

“U.S. conservatives who believe gay sex violates Scripture have said they want Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion, to authorize a separate Anglican province for them in North America.” 

(By Allison Schlesinger, The Associated Press, November 9, 2003)

LUTHERAN:  “REMARKS RATTLE CHURCH:  “‘There is no heavenly God, there is no eternal life, there is no resurrection,’ Thorkild Grosboel, a Lutheran pastor, told The Associated Press in a recent interview.

“The Danish priest was suspended Tuesday for those comments, which have baffled members of Denmark’s state-supported Evangelical Lutheran Church and raised questions over whether a pastor must profess a belief in God to serve the church.

“Despite strong reactions to Grosboel’s words within the church, the final decision over whether he should be defrocked falls to the Danish government’s Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs.  Under Denmark’s Constitution, Lutheran priests are employed by the state and cannot be dismissed by bishops.”                                                      

(Orlando Sentinel, June 7, 2003)

“ELCA STANDS FIRM:  The Church wide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has decided to stick with its timeline for considering sexuality matters, meaning the denomination will consider whether to bless same-sex unions at its meeting in 2005.

“By a vote of 687-278, the assembly meeting in Milwaukee commended the current ELCA Studies on Sexuality effort.  The gathering rejected a request to delay decisions concerning same-sex unions and whether people in such relationships should be pastors in the denomination, the ELCA’s news service reported.

“In a separate vote, the assembly defeated a resolution to suspend the denomination’s full communion relationship with the Episcopal Church until after the decisions concerning sexuality had been made.  The Episcopal Church recently approved its first openly gay bishop and recognized that some of its bishops permit same-sex blessings.”

(Orlando Sentinel, August 23, 2003)   

BAPTIST:  “BAPTISTS ON TERRORISM:  Delegates to the biennial meeting of the American Baptist Churches USA adopted a statement on countering terrorism with pluralistic views.

“The statement responding to terrorism acknowledges that ‘hatred often uses religion as justification for violence’ and asks church members to foster interfaith dialogues and mutual respect.

“In other business, the denomination’s General Board gave final approval to the establishment of the Evergreen Baptist Association, which includes congregations in the northwestern United States that welcome gay and lesbian members.

“American Baptist Churches USA is a 1.4 million-member mainline denomination that embraces both evangelical theology and ecumenical relations.”

(Orlando Sentinel, July 12, 2003)

“MONEY WORRIES FOR BAPTISTS:  The Southern Baptist Convention is facing ‘serious financial challenges’ that could lead to a crisis if giving does not increase, a new report states.

“For example, the Southern Baptist foreign mission agency has deferred missionary appointments and the domestic mission agency ‘has not met income projections four of the last five years,’ according to the report, which cites research from empty tomb inc., a Christian research organization in Illinois.

“‘The alarming fact is not just that the 2.03 percent giving average falls miserably short of the tithe [10 percent], but that the percentage has dropped dramatically in the last 30 years,’ the report reads.” 

(Orlando Sentinel, October 4, 2003)

___________________________________________________________________

Many thanks and much appreciation for the beautiful Christmas cards received, with special thanks for the love and prayers expressed, which we heartily reciprocate.  We wish all our readers a prosperous and Blessed New Year.

Announcement:  The date of our Memorial is April 2, 2004, after six p.m.

___________________________________________________________________

“IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW”

J. Douglas Williams, 39, entered into the “sleep in Jesus” on September 21, 2003.  Douglas was the son of Leonard and Marjorie Williams.  Most of our readers know that Marjorie is the main helper at the Bible house.  Leonard is a helper, also, and Elder of the Bible Study class.  Douglas attended the Study class also.  He understood the Truth and had faith.  He was also a worker at the Bible House.  Douglas was a wonderful, cheerful, witty young man, with a pleasing word at all times.  He will be greatly missed by family and friends, for he was a ray of sunshine in a dreary world.

We look forward to the Kingdom when:

“We shall meet to be parted no more

We shall meet on eternity’s shore.”

NO. 556 "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"

JOHN 8:12

The Subject for our Christmas study is one of the most beautiful in the whole Bible.  Genesis goes back to the beginning of the things earthly; but this lesson goes back to the beginning of all beginnings, when God was alone.  The very beginning of Divine operation was the Logos - “the Beginning of the creation of God” - “the First-born of every creature.” (Rev. 3:14; Col. 1:15)

“And the Logos was made flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)  The Logos was made Jesus.  Logos signifies mouthpiece, or special messenger.  Not only was the Logos the beginning, or Alpha, but He was also the last, the Omega, of Divine creation as He himself informs us (Rev. 1:11; 21:6)  The first and only begotten Son of Jehovah was given an exclusive place, so that “all things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:3)  Thus highly did the Father honor Him, as His agent in all the creative work, both as respects angels, cherubim and men (John 1:1-18).

The Greek text is not fully represented in our Common Version.  Accurately translated it reads, “The Logos was with the God and the Logos was a God; the same was in the beginning with the God.”  Here the majesty of our Redeemer in His pre-human condition is fully set forth, and yet He is distinctly shown to be the Son and not the Father - to be a god and not the God.

St. Paul tells us of how He was rich on the spirit plane but for our sakes became poor, leaving the heavenly comforts for the scenes of this world, darkened by sin and death (2 Cor. 8:9).  “The Logos became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)  St. Paul also corroborates this, declaring that our Lord stooped from His high position, took the bondman’s form and was found in fashion as a man, of the seed of Abraham (Phil. 2:7,8; Heb. 2:16).  But lest we should get the wrong thought, that He had become a sinful man, we are guarded by the assurance that He was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.” (Heb. 7:26)  We are also assured that His body was especially prepared, separate and different from others of our race, all of whom were of Adamic stock and all tainted with sin and the seeds of death (Heb. 10:5-9).

The Logos, the beginning of God’s creation called also by Isaiah the Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, etc. (Isa. 9:6), we find described by Solomon, and described under the name of Wisdom, with all the details that harmonize the record with the account given by John the Evangelist as follows:

“Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his ways of old, I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.  When there were no depths I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.  Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, was I brought forth; while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.  When he prepared the heavens I was there; when he set a compass upon the face of the depth; when he established the clouds above; when he strengthened the fountains of the deep; when he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment; when he appointed the fountains of the earth; then was I by him as one brought up with him; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him.” (Prov. 8:22-30)

THE LORD AND TWO ANGELS

But on the other hand we are to guard ourselves against the thought that the Logos remained a spirit being and merely materialized, or appeared in human form.  This unscriptural thought is the one held by many, and styled incarnation.  The angels incarnated, or appeared in flesh, when they materialized from time to time, as described in the Old Testament Scriptures.  Our Lord himself incarnated, or appeared in the flesh, to Abraham in company with others; and He talked with Abraham, who knew not that he was entertaining heavenly beings, mistaking them for human travelers.

The three strange men, Abraham afterwards learned, were angels, one of them the special messenger of Jehovah.  We feel confident that this One was the Logos, the Only Begotten One, through whom the Father’s power was exercised, so that by Him all things were made that were made (John 1:3).  We are clearly to distinguish between our Lord’s appearance here as a man and the appearance of His two companions, the angels, as men, and our Lord’s subsequent appearance in the world as the man Christ Jesus.  The two were totally different.  In the first case the spirit nature was retained, and a human body was merely created and used temporarily for a special purpose, just as our Lord after His resurrection as a spirit being appeared in various forms as a man, but was not really a man.  When the due time came for the redemption of Adam and his race it was necessary that our Lord should become a man - perfect, complete as was father Adam in his original creation.  When He thus became a man, or as another Scripture expresses it, “was made flesh” (John 1:14), it meant the complete laying aside of the spirit nature before enjoyed - a change or transmutation to another nature, the human.

This was necessary, because it was a man who had sinned, and because the Divine Law required a man’s life for a man’s life as the ransom price.  But no such transmutation was necessary in the case of His appearance to Abraham.  The Lord and His two angelic companions could have appeared to Abraham as they did to Moses as a flame of fire in a burning bush, or as the bright angel appeared to Daniel, or as an angelic form with less glory and brightness; but God was dealing with Abraham according to faith - He wished him to learn to walk by faith and not by sight.  Hence the angels appeared as strange men and were entertained as such, and Abraham’s hospitality was demonstrated and became a lesson to all the children of God.

THE FIRST ADVENT

While the Scriptures inform us that at the time of the Lord’s presentation “all men were in expectation of Him” (Luke 3:15), of Messiah, nevertheless we are to remember that all were expecting something totally different from what the Lord presented.  They were expecting a personage of high rank, of great influence, of striking and commanding character.

Notice the quiet, unostentatious, meek manner in which our Redeemer began the announcement of His mission.  Quietly He presented himself to John for baptism, and after receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit, He went into absolute seclusion in the wilderness for more than a month, for forty days studying what the Divine Plan had arranged to be His course.  True, He did not have the Bible, but He had the perfect memory, and for thirty years he had heard the reading of the Law and prophets in the Synagogue and was thoroughly familiar with them.  He had the entire matter before His mind, and under the light of the Holy Spirit He weighed the various declarations of the Law and prophets, noted the course of sacrifice which these meant, His temptation lying in the suggestion that easier, less sacrificing courses seemed to present themselves as feasible.  He triumphed over all the Adversary’s allurements and blandishments - determined not to do Satan’s will, nor even follow His own judgment, but strictly and implicitly follow and obey the outlined program which the Father had laid down in the Word.  He returned to John, seeking companionship with those who were nearest to the Lord and waiting for Divine providence to guide in His affairs.

It was at this time, in the presence of His disciples, that John prophesied of Jesus, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)  Andrew and John were disciples of John the Baptist, and when they thus heard of his testimony respecting Jesus and the declaration that he had a witness from God that Jesus was the Messiah, they sought the Lord’s acquaintance.  They followed after Him overtook Him, and inquired where He was stopping.  Apparently their object was to learn of Him, to ascertain what further blessings the Lord had, and what further service than that which they had engaged in with John the Baptist.  They wanted the best that was to be had.  They had not the partisan spirit to say, “We belong to John the Baptist and must stand for him,” as some of the Lord’s dear people are inclined to in respect to the various denominations or groups of Bible Students.

Many have seen or heard of Jesus, as those who were with John the Baptist heard of Him, but have not learned to know Him as the Messiah - the Christ.  This word Messiah covers a particular thought that today is very generally ignored amongst the Lord’s professed followers.  Remarkably few Christians know Jesus to be the Messiah at all.  The word Messiah signifies the Anointed.  The Jews, under the great promise made to Abraham, had been expecting a Messiah, a King, a Deliverer, who would exalt them as His special people and assistants, and use them in presenting the law of God to all peoples, nations and languages, and as authorized and empowered co-laborers to enforce those laws with rewards and penalties.

The word Messiah, or Anointed, thus signifies the great King who was looked for - the great Prophet, Priest and King - for prophets, priests and kings under the Divine arrangement were anointed to their offices, and thus signified that in due time Christ would combine all three of these qualities in Himself, and associate His Church with himself in the exercise of the various offices as joint-heirs in His Kingdom.  The Scriptures show us that Israel as a nation was found unworthy to enter into all these blessings and privileges, and that, after selecting the “Israelites indeed” from among that nation, the Lord during the Gospel Age, gathered to himself and associated with Him as His Church, as His spiritual Israel, the faithful ones who had ears to hear and hearts to obey the same message from every nation, kindred, people and tongues.

“The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” (Matt. 4:16)

In the Bible symbols light stands as the representative of God, of Christ, of the Church, of Truth, of influences for righteousness, which by and by as the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in its beams for the cure of all the masses of the earth.  It will scatter the darkness of sin, ignorance and superstition - the works of the Prince of Darkness, who will then be “bound for a thousand years that he may deceive the nations no more until the thousand years are fulfilled.” (Rev. 20:2,3)

Of the Heavenly Father we read, “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)  Of Jesus we read, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)  Of the Church in her earthly condition, we read, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16)  Nevertheless, “The darkness hateth the light, neither cometh to the light” (John 3:21), and “the whole world lieth in the wicked one” (1 John 5:19) - in darkness.  Notwithstanding the faithfulness of Jesus and the few light-bearers enlightened with the Holy Spirit, still “darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people.” (Isa. 60:2)

This same thought pervades the Scriptures from first to last, namely, that for six thousand years, from the time of the entrance of sin to the second coming of Jesus, the world will be subject to a reign of sin and death - it will be under a pall of darkness, ignorance, superstition, sin, etc.  The only ones who will see the path of righteousness distinctly will be those guided by the “lantern” - God’s Word.  They are represented as saying; “thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psa. 119:105)  St. Peter writing from the same standpoint, declares, “We have a more sure Word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn.” (2 Peter 1:19)

The Prince of Darkness has been in command for centuries.  The only lights of the past were the noble Prophets of the Jewish line whose lights affected few in their own nation, and were not discernible at all among the heathen world.  John the Baptist, we are told, was a burning and shining light, and Jesus was a still more brilliant light, and His faithful few during the past nineteen centuries have shined forth, reflecting their Master’s light.  But all of these have had comparatively little influence in the world.  It still lies in the Wicked One - in darkness, seeing not, neither understanding Divine things.  Indeed, “the earnest expectation of the creation longs for the Revelation of the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:19, Dia.)

A BETTER DAY COMING

The above text tells of a better day sure to come.  It is not sure to come because of the operation of the evolutionary law, for the natural law would seem to contradict such a thought.  Darkness leads on to darkness more intense, and while light begets light, darkness begets darkness, and the masses are in the darkness, and in the Prince of Darkness.  Never, then, might we hope for the abolishment of darkness except in the way in which God has foretold it - through the shining forth of the Sun of Righteousness - the Church in glory (Matt. 13:43).

Our text (Matt 4:16) is a quotation from the Old Testament (Isa. 9:2); it had a beginning of its fulfillment in our Savior and in the Apostles.  The people of Israel, long in doubt, uncertainty, etc., saw a great light in Jesus and His teachings.  And throughout the Gospel Age, for more than nineteen centuries, this great Light has been exercising a feeble influence among men.  The Light itself has been pure - the Divine Word and the principles of Divine righteousness.  But, alas! few have been faithful in receiving the light in its purity and in reflecting it forth upon others.

In general the light has been corrupted by human selfishness, by sin.  As a consequence the name Christian today does not stand for all the blessed light and truth and grace and faithfulness to God and to the principles of love which the Master showed forth and inculcated.  Instead the name Christian today, borne by more than nine hundred millions of humanity, many of whom, judged by the Divine standard, or their “fruits,” are children of the Wicked One, children of darkness, who merely use the garment of light, the name Christian, as a heavenly livery whereby to appease their own consciences and to increase their opportunity for selfishness and acquisition quite contrary to the Leader whom they profess to be following, the “true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”  O, the happy day that is coming to our poor, sin cursed earth!  There shall be no more curse, thank God!  Instead of the curse shall be the Divine blessing; and every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth shall be heard saying, “Praise and glory and honor and dominion and might be unto Him that sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb, forever”! (Jude 25)

After twenty centuries of experience of the light battling with the darkness, and at times being almost quenched thereby, we might well ask, what hope is there that this prophecy will ever be fulfilled - that Jesus, as the Light of the world, will enlighten every man born into the world?  The Bible answers that God will fulfill this very matter in His own time, but that God’s time cannot be hastened.

The Prince of Life and His Kingdom will cause the light of the knowledge of the glory of God to fill the whole earth, as the waters cover the great deep (Hab. 2:14), so that none shall need to say to his brother, Know thou the Lord, for all shall know Him, from the least to the greatest (Jer. 31:34).  Thus according to His promise Jesus eventually will be “the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:9)  Despite the fact that the Word has now been promulgated throughout the world, the great mass of humanity does not understand this true Light, because they received the Word in a mixture of truth and error.  This is true not only of the heathen millions, but also of the masses in civilized lands.

For a thousand years the glorious Sun of righteousness (Christ and the Church, His Bride), will shine out.  The work will be thorough and complete.  Adam and his every child will be fully brought to a knowledge of the Truth, and will enjoy the blessed opportunity of coming back into harmony with God, by the restitution process of which St. Peter tells us in Acts 3:19-23.  This will not mean that the world will ever become members of the Bride class, or ever attain the spirit nature.  It means restitution to the condition first enjoyed by Adam, lost by sin, but redeemed by the sacrifice finished at Calvary.  It means human perfection to all the willing and obedient of Adam’s race through the heavenly Second Adam and the heavenly Second Eve.

The resurrection of the just will be necessary to bring the Church to glory and joint-heirship with her Lord.  But the resurrection of the unjustified (Acts 24:15), which includes practically all humanity, will be for the very purpose of permitting them to see the true Light, which God has provided in His Son and which will be shed abroad during His Millennial Kingdom.

It means a worldwide Paradise, filled with the blessings of the Lord, who has promised that the earth, as His footstool, shall be made glorious.  It means that, with the destruction of the willfully disobedient, this earth will be like heaven.  The Savior’s prayer will reach fulfillment; God’s will shall be done on earth even as it is done in heaven.  This in turn will mean that “every knee will bow and every tongue confess” (Rom. 14:11, both of the things in heaven and of the things on earth, to the glory of God (Phil. 2:10).  And this signifies that there shall be no more sighing, no more crying, no more dying on earth, even as none of these things are in heaven (Rev. 21:4).

“He was the True Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:9)  This is a prophetic statement, for our Lord at His first Advent did not even enlighten all of His own nation, and made no attempt whatever to enlighten the world of mankind.  Nevertheless it is God’s purpose that ultimately all shall see, all shall know of His love and wonderful provision.  And our Lord Jesus is that great Light, the great Enlightener, that is yet to enlighten Adam and every member of his race.  When He was among men the glorious Light was not fully revealed, even though what the Jews did see caused them to marvel.  Our Lord himself, according to the Scriptures, “learned obedience by the things which he suffered,” (Heb. 5:8) and was thereby prepared for His exaltation, His glorification, which He received when He had finished the work which the Father gave Him to do - when on the third day thereafter the Father raised Him from the dead by His own power, to glory, honor, immortality, the Divine nature.  Now, in His highly exalted condition He is still the True Light which shineth with a brightness above that of the sun at noonday.  He is to be the great Sun of Righteousness which, during the Millennial Age, shall bless and enlighten every man that cometh into the world; and we are given the blessed assurance that the Church, the Bride class, the Elect, will be with Him in that glorious mission of blessing and enlightenment (Matt. 13:43).

Then our text will have most ample fulfillment - all mankind shall see the great Light which God has provided; even those “in the shadow of death” must come forth, that all may be enlightened by this “true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”  O, the happy day that is coming to our poor, sin cursed earth!  There shall be no more curse, thank God!  Instead of the curse shall be the Divine blessing; “And every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.” (Rev. 5:13; Jude 25)  

(Excerpts from Reprints 4987-4988 and others)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION - What is the meaning of “other grain” used in 1 Corinthians 15:37,38:  “And that    which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.”

ANSWER    - The resurrection of the Church unto spiritual life in its four elect classes, two at     the beginning and two at the end of the Millennium, finds analogies in the constitution and course of nature.  The Apostle Paul in these verses gives us certain analogies in nature to certain features of the resurrection, especially its process, nature and the different bodies of the resurrected classes.  The different classes of the resurrected may be illustrated by various grains: wheat, the Little Flock; barley, the Great Company; rye, the Ancient Worthies; and oats, the Youthful Worthies, while corn may be used as an illustration of the restitution class.  The fixity of these classes, as existing in their condition in the dying processes unto the death state, is well represented in the fixity of each kind of grain bringing forth after its kind and after no other kind.  Corresponding to the preservation of the life-principle and the character of the different kinds of grain is God’s preserving the life-principle and character of each one in his own class.  The sowing of the grain corresponds to the consecration and Spirit-begettal of the elect classes and the sowing of sin and error in the non-elect class.  The dying and death of the different kinds of grain correspond to the dying and death of these elect classes and the non-elect class (1Cor. 15:36).  The life-principle developing out of the farinaceous substance in these different grains in their dying a root that it sends downward and a shoot that it sends upward represents how the new will takes out of the Spirit (energy, power) and Word of God new-creaturely will and spiritual capacities in the four elect classes and how the new will of the restitution class will develop out of the same Spirit and Word of God the start of a new human disposition in those new human qualities.  The growth of the root and shoot represent in the four new-creaturely elect classes and in the restitution class their growth in knowledge and service; and the production of new grains in the ears represent the growth in the fruits of the new-creaturely Spirit in each individual of the four elect classes and the growth in the fruits of the renewed human spirit in each individual of the restitution classes.  The gradualness of the growth processes from root and shoot to the ripe grain illustrates the gradualness of the resurrection process.  The ripe grains represent the perfection of the resurrection process; for we are to remember that resurrection means the perfection of body, heart, mind and will in the resurrected one.  That the resurrected body is not the one laid down in death is illustrated by the fact that that the ripe grain is not the same one that was sown.  The differences in nature of the resurrected ones find analogies in the different kinds of flesh and stars as well as of grains (1 Cor. 15:39-41).  These are some of the analogies that the constitution and course of nature furnish illustrative of various features of the resurrection in its spiritual parts and in its human part.

(By Brother Paul Johnson, Volume 12, pages 493,494)

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RELIGIOUS HATE:  “Swastikas, slogans and physical assaults against Jews in Europe have reached a frequency not seen since the 1930s when Fascism was on the rise.  But in the vast majority of the cases today, the assailants are young Muslims of North African heritage whose parents immigrated to Europe in the 1960s and 1970s.  The greatest number and most violent attacks have come in France, which, with an estimated six million Muslins and 650,000 Jews in the country, has Europe’s largest Jewish and largest Muslim populations.  According to Israeli government figures, 2,556 French Jews immigrated to Israel in 2002, double the number a year earlier and the most since the 1967 Six-Day War.”

(New York Times, March 22, 2003)

  “‘EXCERPTS - RAV DOV BEGON:  G-d shall be at war with Amalek for all generations.’  Not only ‘in the days of Mordechai and Esther’ did the wicked Haman rise up to wipe out every Jew, but in every generation ‘Haman’s’ rise up to destroy Israel.  Today enemies surround (Israel) possessing that same Amalekite longing to carry out Haman’s thoughts, plans and deeds.’  In our own day as well, some of our leadership unfortunately have not opened their eyes to understand that the ‘feud’ and war between us is not just over land but also over our right to live.  Yet we know that at the end of the war, the Jewish People, with G-d’s help, will emerge victorious.

“The Torah states, ‘The hand is on G-d’s throne.  The L-rd shall be at war with Amalek for all generations.’  G-d is swearing that His name will not be complete, nor His throne, until Amalek’s memory is obliterated.”

(Bible Light International, May 2003)

“U.S. UNIVERSITY SPONSORS PRO-PALESTINIAN CONFERENCE: Despite wide-scale protests and request for cancellation, Rutgers University in New Jersey will host a national pro-Palestine student conference in October.

“The National Student Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement will include sessions on how to pressure colleges to stop investing in companies that do business with Israel, as well as cultural events and rallies in support of an independent Palestinian state.  Hundreds of pro-Palestinian student activists are expected to attend.

“Organizer Charlotte Kates said that she, as well as the sponsoring organization, the New Jersey Solidarity Movement - an offshoot of International Solidarity - supports Palestinian homicide bombers.  ‘Palestinian resistance in all its forms has been a very powerful tool of justice,’ Kates, a Rutgers law student, told the New York Post.  ‘All forms, from armed struggle to mass protest… Israel is an apartheid, colonial settler state.  I do not believe apartheid, colonial settler states have a right to exist.’

“The Post’s Andres Peyser reports that Rutgers will thus be the nations third college, and the first on the East Coast, to harbor ‘a national anti-Israel hate-fest, featuring tips for destroying the Jewish state and speeches from notable anti-Semites.’  Rutgers officials said the school received nearly 230 letters from Jewish activist across the country urging the university to cancel the forum.  But they said that the event would go on ‘in the name of free speech.’  As a state school, Rutgers bestows public funding to Solidarity.

  “At the two previous conferences - at Berkley, Calif. and the University of Michigan - pro-Palestinian rhetoric ‘crossed into virulent anti-Semitism,’ said Shai Goldstein, director of the New Jersey Anti-Defamation League chapter.”

(Arutz 7, July 10, 2003, reported by Bridges For Peace)

“Pope John Paul II renewed his appeal for the future European constitution to cite the continent’s Christian heritage.  His appeal came after a panel drafting the constitution issued its first drafts of articles on the EU’s values, objectives, and powers and on the fundamental rights of EU nationals.  Absent from the drafts is any mention of God - an issue that has already led to contentious debate whether the EU’s first constitution should mention God by name and define European values as including ‘those who believe in God as the source of truth, justice, good and beauty.’  The question of God and religion is highly contentious in Europe, where nations have very different historical church-state relations.”

(Indianapolis Star, February 17, 2002)

“NEWTON’S PREDICTION:  A collection of letters and other personal writings by Sir Isaac Newton - sold in London in 1930 and later donated to Jerusalem’s Jewish National University Library, but only recently examined - reveals that Newton predicted the world would come to an end in 2060.  His calculations were based on the Bible.”

“Newton who died in 1727, won immortality for formulating the law of gravity, but he was also a theologian who wrote extensively on biblical subjects and was influenced by Hebrew Scripture.”

(World Jewry, March 2003)