NO. 222: BLESSED IS THE KING

No. 222

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

“And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the Kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” (Mark 11:9-10) The multitude hailed Him King, but a few days later they cried, Crucify Him! “And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye that I shall do unto Him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify Him.” (Mark 15:12-13)

The message of John the Baptist was, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” This same message was the burden of His preaching and the theme of His parables. Finally, at the close of His ministry, the Kingdom came to the Jewish nation in the sense that it was offered to them – it was theirs for the accepting. Thus “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” – except a few. His own nation rejected Him, and four days later crucified Him. A little later, at Pentecost, a few who received Him were begot­ten of the Holy Spirit and became the nucleus of Spiritual Israel, in preparation for the glorious Kingdom and the work which is to be accomplished at His Second Advent. On the second evening preceding the story of this lesson, Jesus and His disciples were at Bethany, the guests of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, who had prepared a special feast for Jesus, whom they loved so dearly.   This was the Lazarus whom He had awakened from the sleep of death but a short time before. The feast took place at the close of the Jewish Sabbath day. The next morning corresponded to our Sunday, the first day of the week, and on Monday Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In preparation for presenting Himself as King, Jesus sent two of His disciples for an ass’s colt, telling them where they would find it, and instructing them to say that it would be returned after the Master had used it. By the time the colt arrived, a considerable multitude had gathered – people of the village of Bethany and others who had come out from Jeru­salem, about two miles distant, to see Jesus and to see Lazarus, upon whom the notable miracle had been wrought. It had long been the custom of the kings of Israel to ride to their coronation upon an ass; and the multitude seemed to enter into the spirit of this occasion and to realize what it meant that Jesus was about to ride into Jerusalem on this colt. It signified that finally He was ready to assume the office of King.

For some time the disciples had recognized Him as the Messiah, the glories of whose Reign they were to share; and the multitude in general had learned so to regard Him, saying, “When Messiah cometh, will He do greater works than this man?” – could we expect anything more of Messiah than we see being accomplished by this man Jesus? But this was the first time Jesus had formally put Himself forward. On previous occa­sions, when they had sought to take Him by force to make Him a king, He had withdrawn Himself, realizing that the time was not yet come. Now, so far from withdrawing, He was taking the active part, sending for the colt, preparing for the triumphal ride to the capital of the nation as its King. We may be sure that the hearts of the Apostles thrilled with excitement as they thought of the nearness of their Master’s glory and of their own share in it; for as yet they did not realize the full import of His words to the effect that He must be crucified and must depart to a “far country,” even Heaven itself, and be invested with authority, and later return to establish the Kingdom which would bless the world. Jesus, however, was fully aware that the presentation of Himself as King was a formal matter, fulfilling the prophecy and leaving the na­tion of Israel without excuse. If, when He entered the city, the people should rise en masse, acknowledge Him and acclaim Him, then indeed they would be in line with the Divine requirements which would bring them the greatest of all blessings. But Jesus knew that prophecy had already declared that He would be despised and rejected, and that His own people would hide their faces from Him in shame (Is. 53:3). The journey and the preparation for it, therefore, meant something very different to Jesus from what it signified to the disciples and the multitudes.

ENTERING JERUSALEM

When the ass arrived, some of the people put their garments upon it in lieu of a saddle; Jesus mounted and the procession began. Some went before Him, and some fol­lowed after. The people were familiar with the prophecy relating to Messiah’s coming, which declared, “Shout, 0 daughter of Jerusalem! behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass.” They were famil­iar also with the “shout” the prophets had foretold and the responses – one party cry­ing, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the King of Israel, that cometh in the name of the Lord!” Then the response, “Hosanna in the highest!” These different ex­pressions are recorded by the different evangelists. But not all were enthusiastic acclaimers of Jesus; a discordant note was heard. Some of those who had come from the city through curiosity criticized the shouting, and wondered why Jesus did not re­buke the people for ascribing so great honor to Him. They sent word to this effect to Jesus through His disciples. Jesus made answer that a great prophecy was being fulfilled.   The Prophet Zechariah had by inspiration said, “Shout, 0 daughter of Jer­usalem”! and such a shout must be made. Jesus declared that if the multitudes had failed to shout, the prophecy would still have been fulfilled – the very stones would have cried out. The record tells that on the journey many of the people strewed their garments in the way, as a mark of respect and honor, waiting until the little animal had passed over them, and then running on before and placing them again. Others brought ferns, flowers and grasses, and strewed them on the way. Still others, John’s Gospel tells us, brought palm tree branches.

It was a jubilant procession, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. Yet to Jesus it had the sad feature, as indicated by the account. When they had reached the turn of the Mount of Olives, which brought Jerusalem into view, the Master halted the procession while He looked over the city and wept, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the Prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her brood under her, wings, and ye would not! Behold, your House is left unto you desolate; and verily I say unto you, Ye shall see me no more, until that Day (over nineteen centuries later) when ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of Jehovah!” Jesus realized that that day was a turning point with their rejection by the Heavenly Father for a long time. It meant that during those long centuries the highly favored people of Abraham’s natural seed would be in distress. It meant that the favor of God, which had been with them for centuries, would instead be extended to the Gentiles, to gather out of the Gentiles a company of faithful, saintly ones to be associates and joint–heirs with Jesus and the faithful ones of the Jews in the Heavenly Kingdom. It meant that not until this elect, Heavenly, spiritual Kingdom class should be re­ceived to glory would the Jewish people be again received into fellowship with God. St. Paul markedly calls our attention to this fact that the rejection of Israel is not permanent, but only for a time – only until the complete number of faithful saints be gathered out from amongst the Gentiles. Then God’s favor will go to Israel, and all earth’s families. (Rom. 11:25–32)

THE KINGS OF THIS WORLD

How different was this entry of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, from the triumphal marches of earthly conquerors and kings! In the excitement of human passion and the prejudice of human minds a special halo of glory has surrounded the world’s conquer­ors. Heroic deeds, valiant conquests, as pictured by historians have a charm. The rising generation reads with thrilling interest of the prowess of Alexander the Great, of the Spartans of Greece, of the Caesars of Rome, and in more modern times of Robert Bruce, of Napoleon and Wellington, of Generals Grant and Lee, Sherman and Johnson, Sheridan and Steward. The homecomings of all of these were triumphal marches, in many cases rendering honor to whom honor was due. Nevertheless, in every instance the mind’s eye necessarily closes against scenes which led up to such triumphs. We try to forget the millions of slain and wounded, and other millions of mourning widows and orphans. We try to forget the smoking ruins of homes behind those victorious armies. However nec­essary war at times may seem to be for the maintenance of justice, nevertheless all must concede that the blessings purchased by the sword are procured at a terrible cost. From this viewpoint Jesus, the Prince of Peace, followed by an army of saints who are walking in His footsteps, presents a beautiful picture – even to the worldly. These victors – Leader and followers – conquer by dying. Thus Jesus said to His followers, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel’s shall find it.” Thus viewed, all the followers of the Lamb are self–sacrificers, as the Bible declares: “I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1) Such a victory – victory through death – is difficult for the majority of people to understand! What is the philosophy of it? Where is the victory?

VICTOR-KINGS THROUGH DYING

Well may it be asked, Wherein is the victory of Christ and His followers in laying down their lives for the brethren and in support of truth and righteousness? Only the Bible answers the question, and only those who exercise faith can understand the Bible answer. The Bible declares that the real victory of Christ and the Church is over self. Their crowning day is future – their triumph will be then. The triumphal entry of Jesus on the ass was only typical. The antitype will be glorious – beyond the veil. As Jesus after His resurrection was “received up into glory,” so also He has promised His Church that their resurrection shall change them from imperfect human beings to perfect spirit beings, joint–heirs with their Master, their Redeemer, in the glorious Millennial Kingdom which is to bless the world. After Jesus had risen from the dead, He explained to His perplexed disciples what His death signified, saying, “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things (death) and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24: 26) So St. Paul has declared in respect to all who will be Jesus’ associates in the Kingdom – they must suffer with Him if they would reign with Him; they must be dead with Him if they would live with Him (2 Tim. 2:12). Christ and His Church die to hu­man hopes and interests, present and everlasting – laying down their lives, suffering for righteousness’ sake. Their reward is two–fold: (1) Their own personal exalta­tion to a Heavenly, spirit glory, like unto the angels, and yet more glorious – “far above angels, principalities and powers and every name that is named.” (2) The King­dom glory – the joy of being the Divine agents for human restoration.

From this, the Bible viewpoint, the Christian warfare is different from every other warfare known to the world. It is a fight against sin, a fight against self­-will, a full submission to the Divine will, a victory through death. “Be thou faith­ful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). “To him that over­cometh will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne” (Rev. 3:21). No wonder that a proposition of this kind is but imperfectly understood by the world! “The world knoweth us not, even as it knew Him not.”  And this is one of the requirements of the Gospel, that Jesus and His followers shall submit them–selves to be misunderstood by the world. We are counted fools for Christ’s sake (1 Cor. 4:10). It requires some stamina to be a loy­al follower in the footsteps of Jesus, misunderstood as He was misunderstood by those of His day, reviled as He was reviled. “They shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.” It is only when we understand through God’s promises that in these trying experiences of Christ and His followers there is a glorious purpose, that we are able to endure them with any measure of rejoicing. Only these are granted glory, honor and immortality, and the Kingdom which the Lord has promised to His faithful fol­lowers. Since Jesus is the Prince of Peace, how shall we understand the various pas­sages of Scripture which refer to Him as a mighty Conqueror in blood-stained garments, taking vengeance on His foes? But especially, how shall we understand the declaration that, at His coming in the clouds of heaven, all the tribes of the earth shall wail be­cause of Him?

Of this Prince of Peace it may be said that He will wound to heal, that whatever disasters He may bring or permit to come upon the world will be so overruled as to make of them blessings in disguise. Undoubtedly much that is said respecting our Lord is highly symbolic. For instance, He is to smite the nations with the Sword that proceed­eth out of His mouth – the Word, or Message, of Truth.   Such a smiting is in full con­formity with the declaration that when St. Peter preached the Gospel at Pentecost, some of his hearers were “cut to the heart” – not with St. Peter’s literal sword, but with “the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Eventually, that Sword will smite all opponents of righteousness for their good. Only the willfully wicked will eventu­ally be destroyed in the Second Death. We are not to forget, however, that the inaug­uration of the Messianic Kingdom is to be in the midst of the Time of Trouble, and that Christ will have to do with the bringing, or at least the permitting, of that Trouble. Apparently mankind will be permitted to bring the great trouble at the end of this Age upon themselves. There are forces of evil, Satan and his angels, ready to do us harm and, through human forces, sin–forces entrenched in human nature, ready to do harm to the social fabric.

The New Covenant is the Scriptural name for the new arrangement between God and man which will be instituted at the beginning of the Age to follow this, and by which God purposes to receive the world of mankind again into favor with Himself. The cov­enant relationship which Adam originally enjoyed with his Maker, and its resultant har­mony with Him, was contingent upon obedience to the expressed will of God, and was for­feited by disobedience. This covenant relationship with God was renewed typically at Mount Sinai, with Israel (Ex. 19:1–9; 24:3–8). Through Moses as mediator, God prom­ised that if Israel would keep His Law they should have everlasting life. The inaugur­ation of that Law Covenant was effected by their mediator, within six months after Israel left Egypt, through the sacrifices of bulls and of goats, the children of Is­rael solemnly agreeing to their part of the covenant. Later the Atonement Day sacri­fices were repeated year by year continually; “for the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin” (Heb. 10:1–9). Israel failed to gain the blessing promised in their Law Covenant. God foreknew that Israel would fail; but through their endeavors He was giving an object lesson which in the future would be a lasting blessing to Is­rael and to the whole world.

God will introduce this new Law Covenant through the Mediator of the New Covenant, Christ Jesus, in whom the entire arrangement centers, and through whom it will be car­ried out. He will be assisted in this work by the Church. This New Covenant will succeed, because of its better Mediator. And He will be not only Mediator, but Priest, Prophet, King and Judge. As Priest, He will uplift and bless humanity and receive their offerings. As King, He will rule mankind in righteousness; as Prophet He will teach them; as Judge, He will test them, decide and pass sentence, favorable or un­favorable. It will require the full thousand years to bring the people out of their condition of death and degradation, to restore whosoever will of all mankind to the image and likeness of God, lost by Adam in Eden.

The Scriptures tell us that “out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Is. 2:3; Mic. 4:2). So Jerusalem will then be the cap­ital of the world, and the Ancient and Youthful Worthies will be made “princes in all the earth” (Ps. 45:16). This arrangement will appeal first and primarily to the Jew, who would naturally be the first to come under the new regulations, because a nucleus of these Jews who were faithful to the Law Covenant, will be in Jerusalem when the Kingdom is inaugurated. The Scriptures tell us they will be humbled by the last phase of Jacob’s trouble in Jerusalem, and they will “Cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and de­livered them from their destructions.” (Ps. 107:19,20) They will then recognize their Messiah, and will become the most active and zealous missionaries of the Kingdom. They will receive their instructions first–hand from the Worthies in Jerusalem, and will then appreciate the Lord’s promise to them: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake.. I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jer. 31:31–34)

We may not say that all the Jews will do so, but that this will be true of at least a considerable number of them. Quite a few have become infidels – unbelievers of God’s promises: “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh.” (Rom. 2:28)  There are many well–meaning people among the Gentiles who have not taken the vow of consecration to the Lord. They have accepted Jesus as their Saviour, and have practiced righteousness to the best of their ability; but have not taken the second step of full consecration to the Lord, because the narrow way was too difficult for them: “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14) during the reign and ascendancy of sin and evil.   These Gentiles will be the first to join with the Jews and become Israelites – and like the Jews, they will become faithful and zealous missionaries of the Kingdom. We refer to these Gentiles as the quasi–elect, just as the Jews who were faithful to the Law Covenant are quasi–elect Jews.

In that day “The wilderness and the solitary place, shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and re­joice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the ex­cellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the way­faring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” This Highway of Holiness will be an easy way for all who love righteousness, and we believe there will be many who find it which is in contrast with a “narrow way” under the reign of sin and evil.

By the close of the Mediatorial Reign those who have responded and made earnest ef­fort to advance will be brought to a condition of human perfection, as was Adam at the beginning. Then they must be subjected to the same loyalty as was Adam, with no Medi­ator between them and God’s justice. How many will maintain their loyalty under the test, and how many will lose out and suffer destruction, we cannot know – because there will be some who have obeyed outwardly during the thousand years, but not inwardly – ­were not in heart–harmony with righteousness.

Covenant relationship with God means perfection, either reckoned or actual. During the thousand years of Messiah’s Kingdom, mankind will be approaching actual perfection. The New Covenant, with all that goes with it, is the blessing which The Christ gives to mankind. It is God’s Covenant, and He has arranged that it shall go to the world through the Christ class, Head and Body. These glorious things are clearly set forth in various types in the Old Testament, as well as plainly stated in the New Testament.

For instance, St. Paul explains that Isaac, the heir of Abraham, was a type of The Christ, Head and Body. Isaac did not receive his inheritance by a new covenant, but by the original Covenant with Abraham, as does the Church (Gal. 3:8,16,29; 4:22­31). In Mic. 4:1–4, we read: “In the last days... that Mountain (Kingdom) of the House of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains (kingdoms of earth), ... and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, and to the House of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His way, and we will walk in His paths.” The succeeding verses of the chapter depict the influence that will be exerted. The blessings and prosperity will then be with those who will be in harmony with God. Now it is different, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12) The world thinks that Christians, true followers of Jesus, are making their lives miserable. But the world is greatly mistaken on this matter. On the contrary, we are enjoying our­selves greatly, we are having a good time. We have much advantage every way, in spite of our afflictions; for we know that in a very little while our trials and afflictions will all be over. We know that the glorious Kingdom of Messiah, in which, if faithful, we are to share, is about to be set up on the earth.

OUR BLESSED HOPE

When ‘er the storms come down on thee,

And days of peace all seem to flee,

This thought thy peace again shall bring,

Why should I fear?—the Lord is King.

E’en when the tempest rages high,

And darkest clouds are drawing nigh,

With hands of faith to this, oh, cling,––

Why should I fear?—the Lord is King.

Amid the stormy waves of life,

Above the tumult and the strife,

The chimes of hope still sweetly ring,—

Be not afraid,—the Lord is King.

Thy ship is toss’d by wind and wave,

But there is One whose power can save;

Across the sea He hastes to bring

Both rest and peace,—the Lord is King.

Yes, Jesus walks upon the sea,

And in the storm He comes to thee;

Then trust in Him, rejoice and sing;

He calms the waves,—the Lord is King.

He stretches out His hand to thee,

And from thy fears He sets thee free,

Beneath the shadow of His wing

He keeps thee safe,—the Lord is King.

In the future Dispensation, God tells us, the tables will be turned. None of the wicked shall prosper. THEN whoever is unrighteous shall suffer, and whoever does righteously shall receive a blessing (Ps. 37:1, 2, 7-17, 22. NOW the wicked very of­ten prosper, and the poor and needy and the good of earth are oppressed. When the Times of Restitution come to the world, all will be changed. The result will be a clean universe in which everyone in heaven and on earth, and such as have been in the sea, the rebellious race, will glorify and praise the God of perfect wisdom, justice, love and power, and the Lamb that sitteth with Him on His throne forever and ever, saying, “Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.

The basic concepts of the foregoing are from the “faith once delivered unto the saints” – and much of it is verbatim of their writings. As much of the beauty and harmony of the Truth has been distorted, set aside, and revolutionized against, since the demise of That Servant, it is our hope that what is presented herein will commend itself to all our readers and better enable them to appreciate the “Good Tid­ings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) “May that peace of God which surpasses all conception, guard your hearts and your minds by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7, Dia.)

Our cordial good wishes to all for a Blessed Holiday Season – and “The bless­ing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.” (Prov. 10:22)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Friends:

Isn’t it most interesting to see how events are transpiring to overthrow the world order and usher in a new order of events? Every day we find items in the paper, or television, that prove the Truth as was taught us by our mother. We are so grateful for having been so favored.

Just yesterday a friend told me she had about given up on getting me to join a church. I have tried so many times to get her interested in your pamphlets, and to let me know the items she believes to be untrue, after consulting her Bible. She has never mentioned one item, but she still does not “take to the Truth.”

These various religions that occupy prominent places today actually make me sick! One group said on a TV program that David and Jonathan were homosexuals. There are groups as close as Columbus who worship (?) with snakes. You told me that text is spurious. I notice it is in the Diaglott, so suppose those transla­tors are responsible.

I have been reading all the books of the prophets, so often read with mother and I have underscored the words I love the most. Jeremiah had his Watergate, and Ezekiel is, of course, too deep for me. But I want to get the sequence of events more firmly placed in my mind. Really I learn more from your papers, the Volumes and the four Gospels, but I love the Creation and the end especially.

Events are working to bring famine – the weather being one cause. David did real well so far, as the crops are growing fine in our section. But surely many sec­tions they are not! It may be there will not be enough gas to harvest the crops ­but farmers will no doubt have priority.

Hope you are all as well as can be expected – and may the Lord bless you greatly.

Your sister ------- (OHIO)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

Thanks much for your last letter. I hope Brother ------- got down to see you be­fore he left on his trip. Be sure to have him give you the materials I sent to you by him.

I am sending you $ ... which will help defray the first–class postage on the monthly papers. I greatly appreciate this, and also the extra copies, too. Your articles are wonderful, dear Brother.

Sure hope that you folks are well. We are about as usual. Give our love to all of the Bible House family.

Your brother in Him ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Sir

Please send me any free copies of pamphlets you have available. I would appre­ciate it very much. I will also pass them on to my friends. Thanks! -------- (N. Car.)

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Dear Dr. Hoefle:

Thank you so much for the two periodicals – June and August. They are so enlight­ening! The treatise on the Bible is especially so. May the Lord bless you in your work!

Sincerely in His love as bestowed upon me, ------- (FLORIDA)

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Dear Friends:

Please mail me back copies of your papers, and put me on your mailing list. I found your paper in a phone booth. And please let me know how I can help you preach The Word.

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

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Sirs:

Please send me a free copy of the following – The Resurrection of the Dead, The Three Babylons, and What is the Soul, and oblige.

Sincerely yours ------- (TRINIDAD)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

Your No. 205 has come to my hands, and I am curious to learn more. Are you asso­ciated with the Chester Springs, Pa., Movement? I believe R. G. Jolly is directing it. How do you differ from The Dawn of East Rutherford, N. J.? Do you feel that there is an earthly class of consecrated servants coming to the fore, who will survive alive and continue living on the earth? How do you recommend that I become familiar with your beliefs as they compare and contrast with the LHMM and the Dawn?

I understand there is a Gore, Pa., group of Associated Bible Students of whom I know very little. Are you able to enlighten me?

Yours in the Master’s service, ------- (ALASKA)

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Dear Friends:

I want you to get this before you start for Philadelphia. Hope you get some fellowship and some contacts that will offset and help balance the treatment you know awaits you. I am afraid RGJ is beyond your help. I prayed long and earnestly for him – hoping, hoping, but I now feel his big stumbling block is insurmountable – and that stumbling block, as I see it, is relying on dates instead of events to designate our place on the stream of time.

Nos. 219 and 220 came Saturday, and are real meaty. Having recently studied the Abrahamic Covenant, I was interested in the Sarah–Hagar aspects of No. 219. I am afraid LHMM readers have lost sight of God’s promises to “the Jew first.” What a slough of confusion! But so many people never think, never question, never prove for themselves. Too early in the Time of Trouble, Yes?

You ask if I take the Present Truth. Yes, but I only took it the last 6 or 7 years in order to know what Brother Hoefle was talking about. I dropped it for a few years, and am about to let my subscription lapse again. I hope I am thinking right on the issue. Like Daniel, I prefer clean meat. I was fascinated with Brother’s statement that Brother Russell started study on Acts, the Epistles and Revelation, not­ing quotes from the Old Testament! What a systematic way to study. Prove all things –hold fast that which is good.

Daniel sat in the king’s gate! How blessed are we who understand the antitype. Thank you for the whole article – real meat (protein!) from Brother Russell. The path of the just is not easy, despite its advantages and blessings.

Christian love ------- (FLORIDA)

NO. 221: THE JULY-AUGUST 1973 PRESENT TRUTH

No. 221

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

On pp. 59-64 of the above paper there are a number of “Questions of General Interest,” in which a garrulous attempt is made to answer some of our refutations of the Editor’s errors. In the first question on p. 59 he makes a ludicrous at­tempt to squirm out of his revolutionism on “the Jew first” in the Kingdom arrange­ment; and this is what he says: “The Worthies will not fully become firstborn un­til they are born of the spirit at the end of the Little Season.” If we accept his analogy, then we are not to accept new creatures as such until “they are born of the spirit.” But the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Cor. 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature” – and by the same token we refer to them as being the “Gospel–Age firstborn” so long as we recognize them as new creatures. We also refer to those who receive a “better resurrection” as the Millennial–Age firstborn, and those who receive their resurrection by judgments, as the Millennial–Age afterborn. The goats will never become “fully” the afterborn – but we include all restitution­ists in the afterborn at the incept of the Kingdom.

In his answer he quotes from E–11:214 to “prove” his point; but he once more simply proves he has lost “the oil in his lamp.” (Matt. 25:3) Brother Johnson is simply making a proper parallel between the Gospel–Age firstborn and the Millennial­-Age firstborn in E–11:214. In Chapter 3 of Volume 11 the Epiphany Messenger treats of the four elect classes – the firstborn; and in Chapter 4 he treats of the resti­tutionists – the afterborn. The Worthies receive their deliverance from Satan’s em­pire during the Gospel Age, which becomes manifest when they receive a “better resur­rection.” The restitutionists receive their deliverance from Satan’s empire in the Kingdom, which becomes manifest by their resurrection by judgments – a gradual resur­rection instead of an instantaneous resurrection – physical perfection. Such a jumble as RCJ offers here simply manifests his desperate effort to substantiate his “path of error.” (James 5:20, Dia.)

Then on p. 60, par. 1, he makes verbose attempt to differentiate between the consecrated and the unconsecrated. Under the Law Covenant the Jews were a conse­crated nation – “ate the same spiritual meat.... for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them: and that rock was Christ.” (1 Cor. 10:3,4) And, as we have em­phasized, the New Covenant will be made with the Jews in similar manner. (Jer. 31:31)

MORE ON TENTATIVE JUSTIFICATION

On p. 28 (23) of the March–April 1973 PT RGJ says those Jews with whom the New Covenant will be made “must first become tentatively justified ones by having faith in Jesus.” As of now, God has restored them to the land promised to Abraham without having faith in Jesus; although it needs no argument that they must eventually “look upon Him whom they pierced, and mourn because of it.” (Zech. 12:10) However, his teaching of ‘tentative’ justification all during the Kingdom reign, forces us to the conclusion that he no longer has the Truth on Tentative Justification. We now quote from E–15:261, 262, with which we are in full agreement:

“Let us see the conditions of justification that will prevail during the Millen­nial Age. During that Age there will be neither a tentative nor a vitalized justifi­cation, since both of these kinds of justification operate on the basis of the imputed ransom merit, as distinct from the applied ransom merit... Unlike the Gospel–Age justi­fication, which is instantaneous in both of its kinds, the Millennial justification will require the entire Millennium to complete, because it will be an actual as dis­tinct from the reckoned justification of the Gospel–Age. The conditions on which this will be bestowed will be faith and obedience unto perfection...

“In a word, faith is the justifying instrumentality and thus the condition of justification in this Age, while obedience will be the justifying instrumentality and thus the condition of justification in the next Age. These Ages’ purposes account for this.”

It is clear that RGJ no longer believes and teaches the above – and that his revo­lutionism of tentative justification as taught by both Messengers, is simply a cover-up to substantiate his “strange fire” of Epiphany Campers Consecrated. Nor should this surprise us, because the Bible forcefully forewarns us about such people: Saul, the first King in Israel, is a type of all crown–lost leaders up to Armageddon, of which leaders RGJ self–admittedly is one. And one of Saul’s most grievous offenses was that of rebellion, in condemnation of which the Prophet Samuel said this to him: “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” (1 Sam. 15:23) The word “as” being in ital­ics in the King James Bible, is an interpolation; so this is the proper reading: “Rebellion (revolutionism) is the sin of witchcraft” – especially deceptive false teach­ings.”

As Brother Johnson has said, Tentative Justification is instantaneous, and when one receives tentative justification he immediately receives “peace with God”; and Restitutionists do not have “peace with God” during the Mediatorial Kingdom: – if they did, they would have no need of a Mediator. But RGJ extends ‘tentative’ justifica­tion to the Camp in the Epiphany, as well as to all under the New Covenant in the Kingdom. When one receives the brand of “unprofitable servant” (Matt. 25:30 – the Great Company – See Berean Comments), and is cast “into outer darkness” (error), he also receives the punishment of 2 Thes. 2:11–– “strong delusion.” This is evident by RGJ’s revolutionisms against tabernacle types – the Holy, the Court, and the Camp that he falls into that category.

If the Tabernacle picture is kept clearly in mind, there will be no problem in understanding the doctrine of justification – for the Gospel Age and for the Millen­nial Age. The typical Atonement–Day sacrifices all had to be “without blemish”; and they typified the “better sacrifices” of this Gospel Age. Inasmuch as every antitype is greater than its type, we must conclude that the “better sacrifices” of this Age also must be “without blemish.” But such perfection is not actually possible, so we are “justified (counted righteous) by faith.” (Rom. 5:1) “There is now therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.” (Rom. 8:1) But none will be “reckoned” perfect in the next Age; no amount of faith will bring any one into a perfect standing before God during the Mediatorial reign. Each one will have to earn his righteousness – by works, coupled with a cer­tain amount of faith. Thus, there is no necessity whatever for a ‘tentative’ justifi­cation then; nothing whatever would be accomplished by it. The time for the sin–offer­ing sacrifices will have passed away forever; and no such sacrifice will be expected, or permitted, then. Once this matter is clear, it will be readily apparent that RGJ’s ‘tentative’ justification in the Camp and in the Kingdom is simply some more of his non­sense.

On p. 63, col. 2, par. 2, RGJ says: “Thus according to the two Messengers there will be no interval without tentative justification.” Brother Russell distinctly says, “At the close of this Age there will no longer be a tentative justification” (Question Book, p. 312); and Brother Johnson uncompromisingly taught there would be no imputed merit in the Kingdom, therefore no tentative or vitalized justification operating then. We invite RGJ to cite just one statement by the Epiphany Messenger where he taught a ‘tentative’ justification for the Kingdom. Here again he is engaging in witchcraft – ­especially deceptive false teachings. RGJ’s reasoning on the subject is one of those “drunken in the night.” Both Messengers have made clear and indisputable statements that tentative justification ceases when this Age ceases.

His oft–repeated quotation from E–4:346, “Tentative Justification as operating from the time of Abel Enoch and Noah until restitution begins,” simply proves that tentative justification will be available for those consecrators like Abel at the end of this Age – after the door to the High Calling is closed – “until restitution begins.” Please note carefully, the above names (Abel, et al) started with the first Worthy, and it will end with the last Worthy consecrating at the interval of the end of this Age. Brother Johnson in this chapter in E–4 is refuting JFR’s error on Youthful Wor­thies, and upholding That Servant’s teaching of “those who consecrating and proving faithful in the interval between the close of the General Call in 1881 and the inaugur­ation of the earthly phase of the Kingdom... will become associated in reward and service with the Ancient Worthies in the Kingdom,” (p. 337) RGJ is now revolutionizing against the Truth on Youthful Worthies, which necessitates us to refute his errors, even as Bro. Johnson had to refute JFR.

THE PREEMINENCE OF THE JEWS

On p. 60, col. 2, RGJ again quotes Brother Russell to dispute what we have writ­ten about “the Jew first,” so we now quote from Reprint 5964, Oct. 1916, which is probably one of his last articles on the subject, under the caption Special Privileges For Natural Israel:

“At the inauguration of the new Age of blessing, natural Israel will be granted a special place and privilege; ‘for the gifts and calling of God are not things to be repented of.’ We see how in another way, also, this special privilege will come to them; namely, in that the law has been more or less of restraint upon them in their daily lives as a people. They have had more or less of loyalty to God, which has kept them separate from other nations. This special privilege of preemi­nence in the Messianic Kingdom, however, will not be granted to all who are Jews by blood; but only to those who prove loyal to the law and the prophets... All others are merely Gentiles—Rom. 2:28,29.

“The earthly phase of the Kingdom will be composed of the Ancient Worthies of the Ages preceding the First Advent of our Lord. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, and the Hebrew prophets and other faithful ones will be in power as ‘princes in all the earth.’ (Psa. 45:16 – and we make special note that all these names mentioned by Brother Russell are names of Worthies – Ancient Worthies––JJH) The orthodox Jews will be more ready to receive the blessing of the new dispensation promptly than will any other people. Therefore they will have the first blessing – not by reason of par­tiality on God’s part in showing favor to these people, but by virtue of the fact that He made a Covenant with them as the posterity of faithful Abraham.”

Brother Johnson also refutes the Campers’ preeminence: “There will be two spec­ial arrange–ments in the Kingdom that will be exceedingly helpful for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the restitution class, apart from most of the things mentioned in the preceding paragraph: the unfolding of the Truth, the Word of God, and supporting providences. We will look briefly at the Millennial aspects of each of these two things, first as the pertinent aspects of the Word of God, the Truth. The Word will first be given by the Worthies from the Christ to the Jews; and it will heal them, as it is written, ‘He sent His Word and healed them’ (Ps. 107:20); but it will not be confined to them; for it shall spread and abound to all nations, we read, ‘Many people shall go and say... let us go up to the house of God and He will teach us of His ways..; for out of Zion (Christ and the Church) shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (the Worthies, Is. 2:3).” (E–15:548) Also, from E–15:550, bottom, and top of p. 551, there is this:

“The Kingdom will, of course, begin to work on the Worthies, and then through them upon the restitutionists who will survive the time of trouble, and that starting with the Jews in Palestine.”

It is quite evident from the above that Brother Johnson was wholeheartedly in har­mony with Brother Russell’s teaching concerning the preeminence of the Jews. However, anent the foregoing, we once more remind our readers that Brother Russell, Brother John­son and the Apostle Paul were in ignorance of 1954 and Epiphany Campers when they taught the preeminence of the Jews! Seemingly, RGJ is telling us that if they were here now they would change their minds about much of what they thought was the Truth when they taught what they did. This is the same technique of J. W. Krewson in his defense of the lawsuit between him and RGJ, etc. If Brother Johnson were now living, said Krewson, he would see that the Epiphany and the Apokalypse were two different periods of time.

In his contentions for the preeminence of his Campers Consecrated, RGJ is align­ing himself with Jehovah’s Witnesses and numerous other Babylonish sects who are now viciously downgrading the Jews – although, he has not launched a “hate campaign” against the Jews, as some of these sects are doing; he is merely spewing his venom at us for exposing his errors and reasserting the Truth as given by the two Messengers. Some of the Jews on our mailing list have the Studies in the Scriptures in their libraries, and are well acquainted with That Servant’s teaching on the return of favor, and the preeminence of the Jews in the Kingdom arrangement. Some of them have expressed their appreciation of our efforts, but they do not have a very kindly feeling toward the Je­hovah’s Witnesses and the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement for setting aside these faithful teachings. However, quite a few of the Jews who receive the literature RGJ has especially for them, don’t know about Campers Consecrated. It seems that he is teaching them the Truth as given to us by That Servant, but is teaching his Campers Consecrated another story. We “think it not strange,” because, “A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways.– (James 1:8)

THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST

On p. 60, col. 2, bottom, there is a question on “the resurrection of the just.” RGJ now offers two meanings to that text. But if we look at it one way – the right way – it means just what we have been taught: namely, the ‘just’ are the Gospel–Age firstborn and the Millennial–Age firstborn; and the ‘unjust’ are the Millennial–Age afterborn – all restitutionists. The ‘just’ receive an instantaneous resurrection, and the ‘unjust’ receive a gradual one – a resurrection by judgments. Of course, neither Messenger ever saw it RGJ’s two ways, so don’t be dismayed, dear Brethren, if you can’t see it either! It would take one skilled in “Witchcraft” (especially decep­tive false teachings) to see that. But, when one is “cast into outer darkness” (error), it is very difficult for him to ‘see’ the right way. (See Matt. 25:30 and Berean Com­ments)

Once more RGJ resorts to E–10:114, which statement, taken just as it stands, em­phatically annihilates his contentions. So, to get around that, he now says Brother Johnson “evidently meant for Gospel–Age purposes.” We inquire, what is “evident” about it? To help our readers come to a proper conclusion here, we quote from E–4, p.      406: “The Youthful Worthies, from the standpoint of having ‘the faith of Abraham,’ are, of course, like him, of the Household of Faith. They are, however, somewhat different from the tentatively justified who do not now consecrate. The lat­ter during the Epiphany cease altogether to be in the Household of Faith, having used the grace of God in vain.”

In the above Brother Johnson plainly states it is an Epiphany matter, therefore a perfect companion statement to the one in E–10:114. If we keep in mind that the Priests and Levites type the Gospel-Age and the Millennial–Age Household of Faith (2 Tim. 2:20), we won’t be led astray by the “pestilence that walketh in darkness” (Ps. 91:6) – namely, two places for the Household of Faith – one in the Court and one in the Camp!

PERVERSIONS ON THE TABERNACLE

On p. 63, col. 1, par. 2, RGJ quotes our statement, that “a place in the taber­nacle types represents a condition in antitype.” Then he adds: “For the Gospel–Age picture this is true, as given in Tabernacle Shadows, even as the condition of con­secration was typed only by the Holy.” Is he telling us that the place in the taber­nacle for consecration is not a condition now? The consecration of the Priesthood was in the Court during the Gospel Age, and the place for making a consecration is in the Court now; and if faithful, during the time of the ascendancy of sin and evil, will be rewarded with the Ancient Worthies, in service and honor – and have part in the “better resurrection” in partnership with the Ancient Worthies. This is in har­mony with the “faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

Brother Johnson has emphasized that the only difference in the consecration of Youthful Worthies and the saints, is the use God makes of their consecration: The Youthful Worthies make the same kind of consecration that the saints made; and the Great Company, when their fleshly minds are destroyed, will also renew their conse­crations in the same manner. Of course, only the spirit–begotten are permitted to enter the Holy – and their spirit–begettal implies consecration. As Brother Russell says in Tabernacle Shadows, pp. 20,21: “Entering the ‘Holy,’ therefore, implies full consecration to the Lord’s service, our begetting of the spirit and our start in the race for the prize of the Divine nature .... These, as heavenly–minded ‘new creatures,’ though still ‘in the flesh,’ have their real (inner) life and walk with God within the first vail of consecration..”

Also, from Reprint 3054, col. 1, par. 1: “We by nature are sinners, and hence must enter the Court condition of justification through faith in our Lord’s sacrifice; we must be cleansed from the defilements of the flesh, so far as possible, through the word spoken unto us, represented by the Vail at the door, if we would enter thus into the Holy, enjoy the privileges typically represented in the light of the Golden Candle­stick and the Shew–bread and the incense of the Golden Altar, which signify the light, the truth, and the spiritual privileges, praises, prayers and communion which we have with the Lord as members of the body of Christ, this side of the Second Vail.”

Actually the Holy is a condition of the Fully Faithful – the Body of Christ ­although all new creatures enter the Holy, and remain there as long as they are crown-­retainers. But they made their consecration in the Court, at the First Vail, be­fore they were permitted to enter into the Holy (condition). We know, too, that crown–losers were not represented in the Court as a class until the Epiphany; never­theless, when they lost their crowns they were no longer permitted to “enjoy the priv­ileges typically represented in the light of the Golden Candlestick and the Shew­bread and the incense of the Golden Altar” with the “more than conquerors.” We know they didn’t have these privileges because of their gross revolutionisms, perversions, etc., of the stewardship doctrines that the Star Members left with them. RGJ’s revo­lutionisms and perversions of tabernacle types clearly manifest that he no longer has access to the Holy – although he usurps that privilege when he “offers strange fire be­fore the Lord” with his Campers Consecrated doctrine. Brother Johnson tells us that such as he are always “susceptible to accept error in place of formerly held Truth, and to add error to the Truth already had and kept.” (E–15:517)

The World’s High Priest began dealing with the Great Company as a class in the Epiphany; but a similar work has been accomplished for the crown–losers all down the Age. Brother Russell says in TS, p. 71:

“Not only will this be markedly accomplished shortly, with the last members of this ‘scape-goat’ class, but the same has been fulfilled to some extent throughout the entire Gospel Age; for there has always been a class, and a large one, which yielded self–will to death only by compulsion; and, instead of willingly sacrific­ing, suffered ‘destruction of the flesh.’ (I Cor. 5:5)”

We now quote other Scriptures that corroborate the fact that Azazel’s Goat was dealt with during the Gospel Age, even though there is no picture of this in the taber­nacle types:

“If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (I Cor. 3:15) ‘And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb. 2:15—Fear of sacri­ficial death) “Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” (1 Tim. 1:20—Not to distort and revolutionize against the Truth) “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (I Cor. 5:5—Saved in the Epiphany – their resurrection day)

REGARDING CORNELIUS

RGJ quotes Brother Russell: “Cornelius needed to know of the Lord Jesus from the true standpoint.” Is he telling us that it was Cornelius’ lack of knowledge that prevented him from entering the Christ Company? If Cornelius had been properly in­structed “from the true standpoint,” could he have entered the Christ Company before the seventy symbolic weeks of Jewish favor ended? No! The reason that Cornelius could not make an acceptable consecration, is because it was not “due time” to open the door to Gentile converts. The “Key” could not be used until the seventy symbolic weeks expired. Regardless of any knowledge the Gentiles might have had before that time, that knowledge could not have “opened the way” for them. And this is the same condition for Restitutionists: they must await their “due time” to make a consecra­tion. Of course, any one can make a consecration, but consecration has two parts – ­our part and God’s acceptance. God is not dealing with the world as individuals dur­ing the Gospel Age: He is dealing with the Household of Faith – in the Court.

RGJ should have considered this also from Reprint 2989: “But now a new dispensa­tion had come: the ‘seventy weeks’ of favor to Israel had expired; and the Lord be­gan to extend His favor beyond the Jews – as we have already seen – to the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch. We may readily suppose that those innovations, although caus­ing surprise to the Apostles, would be much easier for them to grasp than the extension of favor to the Gentiles.”

And more from Reprint 5832, bottom, Jan. 15, 1916: “The Gentiles were altogether without God. They had no privilege of prayer. We come down to the beginning of the Gospel Age and to the case of Cornelius. We read that he was a just man, who gave much alms to the people and prayed always. But his prayers could not be accepted, even after Jesus died. The death of Jesus did not bring Cornelius into covenant re­lationship with God. But when the seventy symbolic weeks of Jewish favor had been ful­filled, the due time had come for the Gospel to go to the Gentiles.”

Also from Reprints 1922-23: “Impressed by the faith and goodness of this Centur­ion, so unexpected among Roman soldiers, we were considering that it would be ‘just like the Lord’ to send the Gospel to such a noble Gentile soon after the Jewish favor would end, when the doors of Divine love and mercy would be opened to Gentiles as well as to Israelites. Then the Lord brought to our memory Cornelius, the first Gentile to whom the Gospel message was sent. (Acts 10:1–8) We remembered that he also was a cen­turion, and of him also it is recorded that he was a ‘devout man, and one that feared God with all his house which gave much alms to the people; and prayed to God always. It is not probable that among the Roman soldiers of Palestine there were two centur­ions of such similarly exceptional character....... We note also the remark of Peter, when preaching Christ and His Gospel to Cornelius (Acts 10:37), to the effect that Cor­nelius already knew the word which Jesus had preached throughout all Judea. In our judgment the circumstantial evidences are strong that the Centurion of our lesson was Cornelius. This would also explain why the Holy Spirit was poured out on Cornelius and his house even while Peter yet spake, and before it is even stated that Cornelius accepted Christ; for apparently he had already done so, as narrated by Luke in today’s lesson.”

When Brother Russell thought Cornelius was the same Centurion of Luke 7:2-10, he no doubt based his opinion on Jesus’ words in Luke 7:9: “I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Certainly, if we accept that state­ment, then that Centurion would be in order to have the honor of being the first Gen­tile convert, it would seem. As to his knowledge, it is stated: “For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.” It is evident that this Centurion not only was familiar with the Jewish faith, but that he also was quite familiar with our Lord’s ministry, and His power to heal, even as he said: “For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. (Luke 7:8)

And in view of the above, what kind of “confusion worse confounded” is RGJ try­ing to foist on his readers and sectarian devotees! Also, he tries to bolster his error by stating that there have been two consecrated classes in the Epiphany Taber­nacle – one in the Court and one in the Holy, so this justifies his present changes. Yes, there are two places in the Tabernacle which contain the consecrated – one in the Holy and one in the Court – but there is only one place to make a consecration: namely, in the Court – during the Gospel Age and during the Epiphany. Also, the identical situation prevailed from 1881 to 1914. After 1881 the Truth people could not be sure whether a new consecrator had been spirit-begotten and proceeded into the Holy or not. But, did that condition prompt Brother Russell to offer any changes in his explanation of the Gospel-Age Tabernacle? Certainly not! Self–evidently here, RGJ’s attempt to justify his present changes is simply some more of his witchcraft (especially decep­tive false teachings). If his contentions regarding 1954 were true, it still would not justify his distortions of the Epiphany Tabernacle. He claims Rev. 22:11 applies to 1954 – yet he goes right on inviting people to consecrate and “arise higher” in their class standing; but, if Rev. 22:11 applies to 1954, then those in the Holy, the Court and the Camp can arise no higher above their class standing before God. There is no misunderstanding of Brother Johnson’s interpretation, as given in E–10:114: it is limited to the then condition for all purposes, and will continue so “until restitution begins” when restitutionists can consecrate for Millennial–Age purposes.

In all of our writings we have continually emphasized God’s “due time.” Even when some of the fully faithful failed to heed this, they made mistakes, by attempt­ing to interpret Scriptures before they were due to be understood. But the Measur­ably Faithful have always been guilty of rushing ahead of the Lord – in their own “due time,” but not the Lord’s. We might mention Papacy’s “reign” of the Kingdom ­also the Jehovah’s Witnesses; and now, in some degree, the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement. Now is RGJ’s “due time” for Restitutionists to consecrate and walk a “nar­row way” in the Epiphany Camp. For this they will supersede the Jews in the Kingdom arrangement, because the Jews do not walk a “narrow way.” But this is not the time – ­God’s “due time” to exalt Gentile converts in the Camp above natural Israel, above the covenant-keeping Jews in Kingdom blessing. God has a Covenant to make with Israel ­to replace the old Law Covenant: a New Covenant will He make with natural Israel.

OUR OBJECTIVES

At no time have we warned the brethren not to read RGJ’s papers; in fact, we have suggested that they read what he present, and then compare with our papers, if they have the time and inclination. This was RGJ’s attitude toward the Society under the Epiphany Messenger; but now he joins with the Jehovah’s Witnesses in their atti­tude toward our papers – and is loud and boisterous in his efforts to keep the breth­ren from reading our papers. At one of his Conventions, he yelled: If you received a letter from the Devil, would you read it? This was the attitude of JFR and the Papacy toward the faithful. However, in this paper under review, he finally identifies us by our right name. He does this in order to “protect” the brethren! We also desire to protect the brethren, so we quote what he says on p. 64:

“It is saddening to us to have to mention names in connection with our earnestly contending for the faith... (Jude 3), but to make sure that all our readers, espec­ially new ones, can identify him, and to protect them from ‘the snare of the fowler’ (Psa. 91:3), we believe that in faithfulness... to our brethren we should here indicate that the errorist... is John J. Hoefle, who publishes his sifting circulars under the name of ‘Epiphany Bible Students Association.’

“This issue should be clear to all, including any who may have been considering him... a suitable Truth teacher. It is evident that he has lost the spirit of under­standing... He is in many respects a proven errorist, a contradictor of God’s Word and many of its teachings as set forth by the two Messengers, a misrepresenter, a reviler, a trickster and a wrester and twister of the Scriptures and the Truth writings, not sparing the flock, but deceiving and being deceived (Acts 20:29,30; 2 Tim. 3:13,14). Will we listen to and follow him, or the teachings of the Word of God? It should not require much consideration to determine the matter – to decide that he is indeed an utterly unfit and unsafe teacher, and to reject him. ‘Mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them’ (Romans 16:17).”

Romans 16:17 was a real favorite text of the Papacy in its heyday, as they hurled it against the faithful “Saints and Prophets, thou gavest them also Blood (error) to drink; they deserve it.” (Rev. 16:6, Dia.) This text was also JFR’s favorite text, as he hurled it against Brother Johnson. He, too, forbade his truckling followers to read Brother Johnson’s papers. However, RGJ did not warn the brethren not to read the Tow­ers, even though he well knew they reeked with error! So, we “think it not strange” for RGJ to follow in JFR’s footsteps when he has similar errors to cover up. He was one of the “false–accusing Epiphany crown–losers” who declared that “Jehovah was on their side against” Brother Johnson. (E–10:591) We are the next best target for RGJ’s venom now since the Epiphany Messenger is no longer with us.

As Brother Russell has so aptly said: “Not many of the Lord’s people are cast into dens of literal lions, and yet at times quite a good many of them have had exper­iences which strongly resemble this ... As God’s providence was over Daniel, permitting him to come under the power of natural wild beasts... so the Lord’s providence sometimes permits His faithful ones to be exposed to the venom and malice and hate and misrepre­sentation and slander of human tongues, far more vicious and far more terrible in every way than the wild beasts of the jungle, which can harm but for a moment... In some in­stances it may please the Lord to grant a wonderful deliverance, as in the case of Dan­iel, while in other instances the providential dealings may result otherwise, as for instance in Stephen’s case....

“This reminds us of how Haman was hanged upon the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. The Psalmist seems to speak of it as a principle associated with the Divine Government, that those who dig pits for others are likely to fall therein themselves. (Psa. 7:15,16; 9:15,16) And who has not observed that those who gnash upon others with the tongue of scandal and falsehood, envy and malice, are likely in the end to be in­jured by the very falsehood and bitter words wherewith they seek to injure others? There is a law of retribution at work, in accordance with which a recompense of evil is dealt out to all evil-doers.” (Reprints 2502, bottom, and 2503, top)

But with the Psalmist, we say: “In thee, 0 Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion... I will also praise thee with the psalter, even thy truth, 0 my God; unto thee will I sing with the harp, 0 thou Holy One of Israel.” (Psa. 71:1,22)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

NO. 220: IN MEMORIAM

No. 220

Once more we find it a privilege and pleasure to present a treatise on That Wise and Faithful Servant, whom the Lord made “ruler over all His goods.” (Matt. 24:45-47) The Scriptures give more on Brother Russell than of any other individual, except our Lord, in type and direct Scripture. It behooves all of us who have benefited from his faithful ministry to honor him, and more particularly to abide in the beautiful system of truth that he left us – and to study, spread and practice the Truth all the more as the “evil day” progresses. All who abide in “present truth” do not accept the many errors of our day – errors that set aside the fundamental truth in which we have been established.

THESE FIFTY–SEVEN YEARS

That Servant entered into his reward Oct. 31, 1916 – and since that time the Ad­versary has done all in his power to distort the Truth in every way possible – by set­ting it aside for “new light,” by perverting the Truth, by revolutionizing against the Truth. All those who have “continued in the Truth” once delivered unto the faithful are much saddened to witness such distortions, etc. Some have gone from one Levitical group to another, hoping to find the pure faith – and some have come to the conclusion that they would separate themselves from all groups. We believe that is a mistake, be­cause there are yet others of like mind who seek to “abide in His Word,” and who are keeping up the “good fight,” in upholding and defending the faith. Such a course is the only way we can be faithful to the Lord, the Truth and the brethren. We are to “lay down our lives for the brethren,” and we cannot do that if we isolate ourselves and refuse to hold up the standard because we do not want to “stand the heat of the day.” The Truth received into “good and honest hearts” makes us “good soldiers”; it does not make cowards of us. If we have a cowardly spirit, the Lord did not give it to us. “For God did not give to us a Cowardly Spirit, but one of Power, and of Love, and of a Sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7, Dia.) And the Apostle Paul tells us: “Re­tain an Outline of Wholesome Words, which thou didst hear from me, in That Faith and Love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard the Good Entrusted charge, through that holy Spirit which dwells in us. Thou knowest this, That all those in Asia turned away from me: of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.” (2 Tim. 1:13–15, Dia.)

ANTITYPICAL DANIEL

Our Pastor knew that he was the antitype of Daniel, as he indicated by two paint­ings prepared for, but not used as, Photo–Drama slides. One of these slides interpreted the antitypical handwriting on the wall and one on Pastor Russell in the critics’ den, which was reproduced in plate cut on the back of a Bible Students’ Monthly and in the 1913 Convention Report. Daniel does not type our Pastor in all the latter’s rela­tions, but only in his relations to the world as a teacher on subjects pertinent to the world and on some of the relations of the Church to the World. In this treatise we do not write in a spirit of “angel worship,” but in appreciation of his faithful ministry and “labor of love” toward all God’s people.

In Chapter One the account of Daniel’s education for the position of a states­man in Babylon is set forth. Here Nebuchadnezzar types the nominal people of God. Ashpenaz (v. 3) types the chief leaders in the nominal church, such as supervised the subordinate teachers of the nominal church, and such as particularly supervised the ed­ucational arrangements of Christendom’s prospective teachers. It was the desire of the nominal people of God (vs. 3,4) that the most gifted and promising young men be selected for training as teachers of their views in symbolic Babylon. As Daniel (vs. 4, 6) was one of those chosen for such educational opportunities in literal Babylon, so was Brother Russell chosen by those nominal Christians with whom he associated as a religiously and intellectually promising young man to teach in the nominal church. And as the king (v. 5) provided that such students be fed from the royal table, so the nominal people of God arranged that the future teachers and leaders in symbolic Babylon be nourished on the religious diet that they themselves ate. As Daniel determined not to defile himself with the Levitically unclean meats (v. 8) of the King’s table, so Brother Russell deter­mined that he would not defile himself with symbolic Babylon’s unclean doctrines. Since the story of how this happened is not generally known and should be preserved, we give it here in fair detail.

Brother Russell was born with a most exceptionally fine religious endowment. Be­fore he was born his mother consecrated him to the Lord, and afterward gave him the most careful religious training within her ability. As he often said, he could not remember a time from childhood’s first memories onward when he was not consecrated. Early he showed his zeal in seeking to save people from Eternal Torment, among other ways, by his writing at the age of 14 Scripture passages on the sidewalks and walls of houses, urging people to repent and believe. In such evangelistic zeal, when 16 years old, he sought to convert an infidel acquaintance. The latter asked him if he believed God to be perfect in wisdom, justice, love and power. On his replying “yes,” his ac­quaintance asked him how such a God could have absolutely predestined the vast major­ity of the race to eternal torment. The boy answered that he could not understand it.

Up to this time he had not thought deeply on this feature of his (the Congrega­tional) church’s creed. Troubled by the question, he raised it in the circles of his church. Unable to get any satisfying answer, he expressed his doubts on the matter. The report spread in the church that he was on the way to becoming an infidel. The pastor and elders of the church appointed a special meeting to solve his questions. But instead, they only increased his doubts. They told him that the Bible taught that doctrine. He then said to them, “I believe God is perfect in wisdom, power, justice and love, and I will not believe anything contrary to His character to be a revelation from Him. Therefore I do not believe He gave the Bible as His revelation; for, if He had given it as such, it would agree with His wisdom, power, justice and love.” It was at this stage wherein he decided he would never believe as a revelation of God anything contradictory to His character, that he antityped Daniel (v. 8), determining not to de­file himself with Levitically unclean meats; for he concluded that any doctrine con­trary to God’s character is false. It will be noted that the stand that Brother Russell took on this matter of God’s character as a test of revealed religion, when he was 16 years old, he retained until death ended his course.

His pastor and elders, as representatives of the highest church authorities (V.9), thought highly of him; and his determination to accept only what harmonized with God’s character (pulse – v.12) put them into considerable difficulty with the pertinent nomi­nal people of God who would cut them off from their positions (“endanger my head to the king,” – v.10), if they did not require of him to accept the Congregational creed in whole. But rather than lose so promising a young man, they conceded to him tempor­arily (ten days, v. 12) the privilege of subjecting all teachings to the rule of har­mony with God’s character. Accordingly, we find Brother Russell as a youth of 16 a disbeliever, not actually, though ostensibly, in the Bible, but actually in the Calvin­istic creed, which he was mistaught to be the right interpretation of the Bible.

He was of too religious and logical a mind to be content without a revealed re­ligion. He therefore set out to learn what the true religion was, and to this end de­cided to investigate all religions until he would find out the true one. So he began with that of the Chinese, whose idea of the creation is this: In the beginning all was water. Then a god with a handful of earth boarded a boat and threw this earth into the water, where it grew into our present earth. That was enough of the Chinese reli­gion for him! Worse absurdities than this made him reject Hinduism and Buddhism. The fact that Mohammedanism was partly based on the Old and New Testaments impelled him to reject it. And because Judaism was based in part on the Old Testament, he rejected it. Thus his rejection of the non–Christian religions left him for a while stranded high and dry on the shores of unbelief, though all the while he devoutly held to God as perfect in wisdom, justice, love and power and trusted Him as such.

But his religious disposition could not be content with no religion; and what to do troubled him. Finally he said to himself, I can at least believe so much of the Bible as is contained in the Golden Rule Godward and manward: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind, with all thy soul and with all thy strength;... and thy neighbor as thyself (Matt. 22:37,39). Furthermore, he concluded that Jesus’ explanation of the law, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, as meaning: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them (Matt. 7:12), was correct. Thus he said, “I believe that much of the New Testament.” This prompted him to look up the context of Matt. 7:12, which he found to be a part of the Sermon on the Mount.   He studied this in the light of God’s character and recog­nized it to be in harmony therewith. Therefore he accepted it. This moved him to de­sire to study more of Jesus’ teachings, which, accordingly, led him to study these as they are found elsewhere in the four Gospels. Always he found them in harmony with God’s character. This moved him not only to accept all of Jesus’ teachings in the Gos­pels as he understood them, but also greatly to appreciate Jesus as a teacher Divinely inspired. Such appreciation of Jesus’ teachings prompted him to want to know more of His life, which moved him to a study of the Gospels historically, resulting in his rec­ognizing Jesus as a perfect human being and the Son of God. But up to then he rejected the New Testament, except the Gospels.

One day he noted the passage (John 16:12–14) wherein Jesus said that the Spirit would reveal to the Apostles such truths as Jesus would yet give them, and which they were as yet unable to bear. He desired to know what those teachings were. Hence he began to study the Acts, the Epistles and Revelation; and as he understood them he rec­ognized their harmony with God’s character. Thus gradually, and upon a right founda­tion, he came to believe that the New Testament was the revelation of the God of wisdom, power, justice and love, in whom he had always believed. But the Old Testament he con­tinued to reject. The following things gradually led him to believe in the Old Testa­ment: He noticed that not only did Jesus and the Apostles quote from the Old Testament, but used such quotations to prove their doctrines. Hence he concluded that whatever they quoted from the Old Testament was true. On later thought he decided to study the connections from which these quotations were made; and these he found to be in harmony with the quotations themselves and God’s character. Hence he accepted the teachings of these contexts. This led him to study the connections of these contexts, and thus more and more of the Old Testament became clear to him until his faith was confirmed in the prophetic writings and in the historical writings which were closely interwoven with the prophetic writings. Still he suspected the books of Moses, except those parts quoted by Jesus and the Apostles; because he mistakenly was led to think that Moses made himself a dictator to Israel and established a priesthood that tyrannized over the people. But deeper study convinced him of his mistakes on these points; and he came to see that the Mosaic legislation was the most benevolent, and freedom, equality and fraternity-inspiring legislation ever inaugurated. Accordingly, he accepted also the Pentateuch as Divinely inspired; and thus his faith accepted the whole Bible.

He continued to study the Scriptures privately and in an independent Bible class at Allegheny, Pa.; and by l872, four years after he started out in quest of the Di­vine revelation, he not only accepted the entire Bible as that revelation, but also the following points as its main teachings: the unity of God; the Divine sonship of Jesus; the Spirit as God’s power and disposition; man’s fall from perfection into sin; death as sin’s penalty; the unconsciousness of the dead; the Ransom as guaran­teeing an opportunity for the elect in this life and for the non–elect in the Millen­nium; the eternity of the physical universe; the destruction of the symbolic world at Christ’s Second Advent; the Second Advent for the restitution of all things; eter­nal life in heaven for the elect, and on earth for the saved non–elect; and eternal an­nihilation for the incorrigible.

It was in 1875 that the antitype of Nebuchadnezzar’s examining Daniel (vs. 18-20) began.  From 1872 to 1875 Brother Russell continued to increase in grace, knowledge and fruitfulness in service. It was in Oct., 1874, that he came to see that Jesus in His resurrection became a Spirit being, and that therefore He would not in His Second Advent come in flesh, but as a glorious Divine Spirit, and necessarily then would be invisible to human natural sight. He embodied these thoughts as well as those on the object of our Lord’s return in a tract entitled, The Object and Manner of Our Lord’s Return. The misteachings of the Adventists on the object and manner of our Lord’s re­turn had raised more or less doubts and questions in many minds, and this aroused Bro. Russell to write and spread that tract, which was circulated to the extent of 50,000 copies.

THE METAL-MAN DREAM

The second chapter of Daniel treats of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the metallic image of a man with a golden head, silver shoulders and arms, brazen belly, iron thighs and legs, and feet and toes of a mixture of iron and clay, and of the stone which destroyed the image and then grew into a mountain, filling the entire earth. It is not our purpose in our study of Daniel – type and antitype – to point out the prophetic features of Daniel, since that is sufficiently done in Studies, Volume one, two and three. Here we limit our attention to the typical features of this book. Nor will we rehearse the typical features. Rather, we will merely indicate them by the citing of the verses in which they occur, asking our readers to have the book of Dan­iel open at the pertinent part for the sake of reference. In interpreting Daniel’s interpretation of the dream, our Pastor gave its prophetic teachings. At the same time, the entire story of Dan. 2 types something very interesting. Typically, this chapter sets forth the meaning of history under the rule of the nations during the Times of the Gentiles and the prophesied role of God’s Kingdom as the destroyer and successor of these. In this chapter, as in the preceding one, Nebuchadnezzar types the Gospel–Age nominal people of God, who, as such, have been in existence since the Jewish Harvest. His having the dream represents the nominal people of God having a proper view of the meaning of history as exemplified in the four universal Gentile pow­ers and in their ten successor powers, and of the role of the prophesied Kingdom of God as their destroyer and successor; for the Apostles properly taught the early Christians that, as represented by the deterioration of the metals from gold to silver, from sil­ver to brass, from brass to iron and from iron to a mixture of iron and clay, under the Gentile rule the race and its governments would become more and more fallen and de­praved – and that when depravity would reach its height the kingdoms of this world would be destroyed by God’s Kingdom, which would stand forever. This, in brief, is the philosophy of human history under Gentile rule and the prophetic role of the King­dom of God. And this view, taught by the Apostles, remained with the real and nominal people of God for several centuries.

The papacy’s teaching another theory of God’s Kingdom in its time and other rela­tions to the kingdoms of this world darkened the subject; for it taught that it was God’s Kingdom commissioned to convert the world and rule over it for 1,000 years be­fore Christ’s return, whereas it was the clay mingled with iron in the feet and toes. (The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach similarly about their organization in our day.) This view gradually caused the one given to the nominal people of God by the Apostles to be forgotten by them (the thing is gone from them, v. 5). For many centuries the true view was forgotten; and it was only beginning with the illumination, 1748, that nominal Christians began to demand an explanation of the meaning of history from the clergy (Chaldeans), the professors (magi), the historians (astrologers) and the prophets (sor­cerers) of Christendom (v. 2). Their inability to tell what was the early view of Christians thereon, as well as its meaning, was typed by the inability of Nebuchadnez­zar’s wise men to tell the dream and its interpretation (vs. 4–11). The decree to slay the wise men of Babylon types the determination of the thinking members of the nom­inal church to set aside as their teachers (a symbolic killing) the wise men of Christendom. Arioch (vs. 14,15) represents those who led the people in setting aside such teachers, i.e., the free thinkers, higher critics, etc., who beginning about 1785, worked to undermine popular confidence in Christendom’s wise men as teachers. Undoubtedly, the prestige of such wise men was greatly decreased with ever–increasing numbers of nominal people of God from that time onward. Arioch’s seeking Daniel (v.13) repre­sents that such free thinkers, higher critics, etc., sought to undermine Brother Rus­sell as a teacher in Christendom. Daniel’s tact in dealing with Arioch (vs. 14,15) types Brother Russell’s tact in dealing with free thinkers, etc. Arioch’s telling Dan­iel the situation (v. 15) types the free thinkers, etc., telling the situation of the antitypical wise men to Brother Russell.

Daniel’s going to the king and obtaining time to consider and answer the matter (v. 16) represents Brother Russell’s standing before the nominal people of God as a teacher of religion and promising, if allowed due time, to solve the matter at hand. Daniel’s laying the matter before his three friends and asking their united prayers over the matter (vs. 17,18) represents Brother Russell’s habit of asking suggestions from the brethren when in difficulty and asking their prayers for Divine enlightenment, e.g., when he was perplexed over the meaning of the voice of the three signs (Z ‘07, 276, last par.). Members of the Bethel family will recall such things as occurring. This course he followed in the present instance. God’s revealing this matter to Daniel (v.19) types God’s making known to Bro. Russell the view of the early Christians on the meaning of history as exemplified in the Gentile rule and the prophesied role of God’s Kingdom. Daniel’s thanksgiving (vs. 19-23) types Brother Russell’s thanksgiving at this mercy of God. Daniel’s desiring Arioch not to destroy Babylon’s wise men (v.24) represents Brother Russell’s refutation of the course of the free thinkers, etc., which was a hindrance to their object. Arioch’s bringing Daniel to the king as one who would tell and interpret the dream (v. 25) types the free thinkers, etc., more or less prais­ing Brother Russell, whose kindly manner and logical teachings favorably impressed them.

Nebuchadnezzar’s asking Daniel if he could give and interpret the dream (v.26) types the nominal people of God inquiring, i.e., searching Brother Russell’s teachings for an answer to the matter on hand. Daniel’s reminding Nebuchadnezzar that Babylon’s wise men could not answer his questions (v. 27) types Brother Russell’s statements that Christendom’s clergy, professors, learned ones, prophets and philosophers have been unable to answer the matter. Daniel’s attributing the implied wisdom, not to him­self, but that it was of God, who as due revealed the knowledge to him. Daniel’s tell­ing and interpreting the dream (vs. 28–45) types Brother Russell’s showing the view of the early Christians on the increasing depravity accompanying the rule of the Gentiles and on the role of God’s Kingdom as the destroyer and successor of these. This view our Pastor gave in his writings, sermons and lectures. The king’s honoring and pro­moting Daniel (vs. 46–48) type how increasingly the people of Christendom honored Bro. Russell and regarding him as above all other religious teachers of Christendom. Dan­iel’s desiring promotion for his three friends (v. 49) types Brother Russell’s using his position to advance the Lord’s people as teacher in Christendom. Daniel’s sitting in the king’s gate (v. 49) types the great and favorable publicity that Brother Russell got especially from 1913 onward.

In the events of Dan. 3, Daniel took no part. It has often occasioned wonder as to where Daniel was while Shadrach, Meshach and Abed–nego were undergoing the trial of the golden image and the fiery furnace. While the record is silent on this point, one thing is certain about it, i.e., that Daniel was absent from the plain of Dura; for he certainly would have stood beside his three friends, had he been present. When we look at the antitype it becomes manifest that Daniel, who throughout his book types our Pastor, could not have been there; for had he been present it would have spoiled the antitype; for Bro. Russell died before either of the two fulfillment’s set in where he lived. Thus in the light of the antitype Daniel’s absence during the events described in chapter 3 is entirely clear.    Nevertheless, Daniel wrote this, as well as the rest of the book that bears his name. And what does his writing this chapter type? Bro. Russell’s giving the two antitypes of this chapter, e.g., one in Z ‘99, 168–172, and the other in Z ‘15, 159–261. Thus in giving these two antitypes of this chapter our Pastor antityped Daniel in writing it.

THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL

The fifth chapter of Daniel treats of Belshazzar’s feast, the handwriting on the wall, its reading and interpretation. In one of the pictures used in the German Photo­Drama the antitype of the interpretation is given. Therein Brother Russell is repre­sented as giving the right interpretation, while the clergy, etc., are pictured forth as in confusion therefor. In this picture Belshazzar types the nominal people of God in state, church and capital. His 1,000 lords (v.1) represent these leaders distrib­utively as being many, i.e., in their totality. His wives represent the main organ­izations of the nominal people of God, and his concubines their lesser organizations. The feast types the Parousia privileges and advantages that the nominal people of God appropriated to themselves – particularly so in the church unions during the Harvest period. The golden and silver vessels (vs. 2,3) type the Divine truths that had been taken captive in the Dark Ages with God’s real people into symbolic Babylon. The send­ing of these vessels types the requirements that the teachings of God’s word be made subservient to Babylon’s unclean uses. Putting Babylon’s wine into these vessels types the antitypical Babylonians’ partaking of a mixture of truth and error in their Parou­sia feast. The fingers of a man’s hand (v.5) that wrote on the wall represent the ex­hibition of Divine power (hand) on symbolic Babylon’s walls (her political, financial, ecclesiastical, social and labor powers). The king’s seeing the part of the hand that wrote (v. 5) types the nominal people of God recognizing in part that it was a manifes­tation of Divine power that they witnessed. And such power was manifest in the signs of the times occurring in Babylon’s political, financial, ecclesiastical, labor and so­cial powers.

The great perturbation of the king at the sight (v.6) types Christendom’s fears at the events which proved to be the signs of the times – “men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth” (Luke 21:26). The king’s demand that the wise men of Babylon be brought before him types the demand of the nominal people of God that the wise men of Christendom be summoned to the fore on the subject at hand. His offer to give the purple robe, the golden chain, and the third position in the kingdom to the one who would read and interpret the handwriting, represents Christendom’s reward of making the true reader and interpreter the royally accepted (purple), Divinely authorized (golden chain on the neck) chief teacher in the religious (the third) department of symbolic Babylon. The failure of the king’s wise men to interpret the handwriting types the failure of Christendom’s learned men, clergy and prophets, to read and interpret the signs of the times. Belshazzar’s in­creased fears and that of his lords (v.9) types the increased perplexity of the nomi­nal people of God, particularly of its leaders, at the events which proved to be the signs of the times, etc. Daniel’s being brought in before the king (v. 13) types Brother Russell being brought in before the nominal people of God by his writings, ser­mons and lectures. Daniel’s first statement (v. 17) that the king keep his gifts or bestow his rewards upon another types Brother Russell’s disinterestedness; for he gladly gave his service in the cause of Truth freely, declining to accept financial recompense therefor. “Seats free – No collections” was his shibboleth during his en­tire ministry.

First of all Daniel read the writing (v. 25), which the Babylonian wise men could not even read.   Then, as Daniel explained the meaning of the words (vs. 26-28), so Brother Russell explained the meaning of the signs: MENE (v.26) – “God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it.” This Brother Russell explained as the 2520 years of the Gentile times, which would end in 1914. Very significant in this connection is the fact that the numeric value of those words on the wall is exactly 2520 – Mene, 1000; Mene, 1000; Tekel, 20; Peres, 500, the gerah being the unit here meant. Thus, Brother Russell boldly declared – many years before 1914 – that the allotted years of Gentile rule were 2520, that they would end in 1914 by a great world–wide war, the be­ginning of which precipitated Christendom into two antagonistic camps – the Radicals and the Conservatives, with the breach between the two becoming ever wider with each passing year. This will presently eventuate in the complete destruction of the Conser­vative camp, with the resultant obliteration of the present forms of state, church and capital.

In addition, he related that these signs of pending doom also indicated the immi­nence of God’s Kingdom, as the kingdom that would succeed the kingdoms of this world. Thus did he point out the three great things indicated by the signs of the times: (1) the end of the Gentile Times; (2) Babylon’s judgment going against her; and (3) the overthrow of Satan’s empire, to be succeeded by God’s two–phased Kingdom. Bro. Russell explained these things in crystal clarity, which none of Babylon’s wise men could do. They could not even recognize their significance. Events since 1914 amply corroborate the truth of his readings. Daniel’s being accepted as the third (the re­ligious) ruler in Babylon types that Brother Russell was increasingly regarded as the greatest religious teacher in Christendom; and his renown was world-wide.

HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE

Much of the foregoing is taken from Brother Johnson’s writings; and from it we may properly draw the conclusion that he was fully persuaded that Brother Russell was “that servant” (Matt. 24:45-47). And such persuasion convinced him that the system of Truth he presented, with all important doctrines of the Bible clearly and correctly explained, should be retained as he gave it. Thus, Brother Johnson was bold in defend­ing all attempts to pervert the Truth as it is contained in Tabernacle Shadows and the Six Volumes of Studies in the Scriptures. This he did from the heart, and not by mere lip service.

Both of these Messengers died late in October, and we fondly pay homage to both of them at this season of the year. It is in order here to state that during Brother Russell’s lifetime the Truth group he led was almost 100% solidly persuaded that he was That Servant; but quite a few denied the fact shortly after he was gone. And many others who laud Brother Russell reject large parts of the Truth he gave us ­chief among these are the Jehovah’s Witnesses. This is strikingly similar to the Ro­man Catholics, who claim they originated with the Apostle Peter but also reject about every important teaching he gave. Thus, consistency in their words and in their acts is sadly absent.

Of both of these “men of God” (2 Tim. 3:17) we offer the appropriate tribute: “Wealth and riches (rich in faith and in the knowledge of the Lord) shall be in his house: his righteousness endureth forever.... A good man will guide his affairs with discretion... The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.” (Psa. 112:3–6)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF GENERAL INTEREST

On October 31 it will be 57 years since That Servant finished his course; and on October 22 it will be 23 years since the Epiphany Messenger finished his course. We would suggest that the various Classes hold a joint memorial service for them some time during the last week of October. As is our custom, in accordance with the Epi­phany Messenger’s arrangements for the Epiphany, we once more designate a period at this time to engage in the Special Effort in antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle –beginning Sunday, October 14, through Sunday, November 11. All who wish to cooperate with us in this good work should order the pertinent literature in time to partici­pate during this period. We would suggest our tracts Nos. 1, 2 and 3 – also the two books, Life–Death–Hereafter and The Divine Plan of the Ages, which we can supply if ordered in time. These tracts and books contain the Truth as taught by both Messen­gers – and they both stressed such literature for witness work toward the public.

Since both Messengers went to their reward during the month of October, it is an appropriate season to render special thanks to the Lord for the ministry of these two faithful Servants. We invite all of like mind to join with us in this Battle and we pray a special blessing upon all, that as they seek to bless others it will redound to their own personal uplift of mind and heart. We should indeed honor those whom the Lord has honored. (See I Sam. 2:30) God bless their memory!

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Mr. Hoefle:

We enclose check which we hope will be of some help to you. We enjoy receiving and reading your letters. God bless you and your work!

Sincerely, ------- (VERMONT)

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Dear Mr. Hoefle:

I was gratified to learn how you feel about the state of man in death. I did not believe there was another organization in the world that took the teachings of the Bible on the subject at face value.

May God bless you in your efforts to promulgate His truth! Sincerely, ------- (FLORIDA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you by Christ Jesus our Lord! I have had the privilege of reading a number of your monthly papers. I would appreciate it if you would place my name on your regular mailing list. I would also like to get your free copies of The Three Babylons, Two Distinct Salvations, The Great Reformer, God’s Standard, and The Roman Church and Its Little Twin. This would be greatly appreciated. We know now that different classes and divisions of Truth people are undergoing various trials and siftings, although these are necessary for “the Just” to be made manifest. (1 Cor. 11:19)

May we as ardent students of the Scriptures “hold fast that which is good” and study the writings of “that Servant,” Charles T. Russell. May God bless you in all your efforts – always mindful of God’s great gift. (2 Cor. 9:15)

Yours by His Grace, Bro. ------- (CANADA)

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Dear Brethren: Grace and peace!

I appreciate your monthly paper so very much... I have been re–reading the Studies in the Scriptures by Brother Russell. When I listen to the daily news, I pray “Thy Kingdom Come”! I watch and listen for signs of the New Order. Pray for me, as I am unworthy in myself, I know.

Your sister ------- (OKLAHOMA)

NO. 219: THE OATH-BOUND COVENANT SURE - HEB. 6:17-20

No. 219

The various covenants discussed in the Bible have been very well defined by the Harvest Messenger – That Servant; and a clear understanding of the covenants may be compared to a clear understanding of the Tabernacle. If the covenants are clearly understood, the possessor of that knowledge is not likely to go very far astray from the Truth. In fact, the Tabernacle is the central feature of the Law Covenant, which latter is typical of the New Covenant. Every antitype is greater than its type; thus, we should expect the New Covenant to overshadow the Law Covenant as the sun outshines the moon. Much of what follows is taken directly from past writings; but, not being word for word, we have omitted the quotation marks in much of it.

The New Covenant is to take the place of the Old and unsatisfactory one. There were two Old Covenants – the Grace, or Sarah Covenant, and the Law, or Hagar Covenant. Which did the Apostle mean had grown old, valueless, and would pass away and give place to the New Covenant? Surely there can be no doubt for misunderstanding on this point. He meant the Law Covenant, for he says so. He did not mean the original Grace or Sarah Covenant, for he points out that our claim to relationship to God is under that original covenant, as members of the body of Christ, members of the bride of Christ, joint-heirs with Him. (Gal. 3:29) Our Lord Jesus, by His obedience, became heir of all, heir of the original Covenant and heir also of the Law Covenant. Of the people there was none with Him, neither Jews nor Gentiles. But by the Grace of God there was provision made, as we have seen, that any Jew, seeing that the Law Covenant was dead, nailed to the cross, might become betrothed to Christ. They did not need to wait for the New Covenant, the provisions of which apply only to those on the earthly plane. Instead, by a faith justification and a consecration unto death, they were counted worthy of begetting to the new nature – betrothed to Christ. And similarly, Gentiles favored of God by the hearing ear and seeing eye of faith, were subsequently privileged to go through the same process, except that they did not need to reckon themselves dead to the Law Covenant, because they never were under it. Otherwise, recognizing Christ's death as the blood of the original Covenant, typified by Abraham's offering up his son, these also were reckoned justified and, presenting their justified bodies to the Lord as sacrifices, they were begotten of the same Holy Spirit as the Jews, to be fellow–members of the same Body – the Body of Christ.

We come now to the other part of the question: What provision has God made for those Jews who bound themselves under the Law Covenant, from Moses' day down to the First Advent; and for those who since then have not discerned the death of the Law Covenant and who will not be made aware of it until after the spiritual seed shall have been completed and glorified? If they have not lost all share and privileges in connection with God's special mercies, where do they come in? We answer that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and others before the Law Covenant were not bound by it, yet they were not in the fullest sense justified to life until the Abrahamic Covenant had been established at Calvary.  Their faith, then, entitled them to a share in the merits of that sacrifice. Likewise throughout the period of the Law Covenant, before it was annulled at the cross, there were Ancient Worthies who lived above the masses of their time, and who, although bound by the Law, had above it a living faith in the original Oath–Bound (Sarah) Covenant of Grace. These in the Divine records were entitled to their share of that Grace, as soon as the merit of Calvary’s sacrifice had been presented on behalf of believers, when Jesus “ascended up on high, there to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.”   Although they lived while the Law Covenant was alive, they foresaw its death and trusted not in it, but in the superior Covenant of Grace. Hence these in due time will come forth to a life resurrection – not because of their relationship to the New Covenant, of which some of them knew nothing, but because of their relationship to and faith in the original (Sarah) Covenant of Grace. Thus the Scriptures account for the faithful ones of the past under the Covenant of Grace. But what now shall we say respecting those earthly Israelites, who lived not on that higher plane of faith, but of whom the Apostle says, “Our twelve tribes instantly serving God day and night hope to come unto this promise.” (Acts 26:7) Were they all deceived? Will they get those special blessings?

GOD'S GIFTS AND CALLINGS SURE—ROM. 11:29:32

Nay, we answer, “the gifts and callings of God” are things not to be repented of. He knew the end from the beginning – knew exactly what Israel would be and do, and was not disappointed; and all of the plans and promises to that nation were made from the standpoint of this knowledge. Although the chief feature of the Sarah Covenant was secured by our Lord Jesus as a trophy of His victory over sin and death, and although He laid down His human nature completely to this end, nevertheless, the Divine arrangement is such that the blood of Christ, the merit of His sacrifice of earthly things, must accrue to the benefit of the natural seed of Abraham, because it all goes to seal the New Covenant, which belongs exclusively to fleshly Israel.

Thus, while natural Israel had been counted enemies for our sakes, for the Gospel's sake, our only opportunity for gaining the great prize is in connection with the sealing of a New Covenant between God and Israel. How beautifully the features of the Divine program balance! Their loss was our gain, and our gain through sacrifice becomes their gain; and, altogether, the Lord will be glorified! As already shown, the New Covenant will not be sealed, ratified, until the sacrifice of The Christ shall have been finished. And the finishing of these sacrifices closes the work of this great Day of Sacrifice and Atonement. With the second presentation of the blood of Atonement in the Most Holy, at the end of this Age, the New Covenant with Israel will be sealed and the blessing of the Lord will begin to Israel, “For this is my Covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Rom. 11:27)

ABRAHAM'S TWO SEEDS

Not only did the original promise indicate two seeds of Abraham – one as the stars of heaven, and the other as the sands of the sea – but St. Paul elaborates this thought, saying of the promise, “It is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end that the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (including you who are Romans); as it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations.” (Rom. 4:16) We have seen how Abraham, as a type of God, is the father of the spiritual seed and how through Christ by provision of the New Covenant, the Jewish nation, dead under the Law Covenant, is to be regenerated by The Christ, the Mediator of the New Covenant; and that this regeneration will commence at the close of this Gospel Age and the opening of the Millennial Age.

But these are only two – “the (church) holy nation,” and the (Jewish) chosen nation. How do all nations come in? It will not do to say the Body of Christ, the bride class, fulfils this prophecy, because, although they were taken out of the nations, they are not all nations, and do not even represent all nations. Each first died to his earthly estate and nationality, before he was begotten of the Holy Spirit to be a member of the Holy nation, the New Creation – a member of spiritual Israel. (Rev. 7:4) The Scriptures distinctly show that Christ and His Church, spirit beings, must constitute the Kingdom class, but they also show that the Ancient Worthies, and through them the nation of Israel under the New Covenant, will become the representatives of the Heavenly Kingdom amongst men.

HOPE FOR MANY NATIONS

Since God's favors are thus marked out for the Heavenly and the Earthly seeds of Abraham – the earthly through the heavenly – it follows that the blessing of the other nations will come about through their affiliation with these. In other words, we may understand that the Divine Government established in Israel in the hands of the Ancient Worthies will be the center of Divine favor, and the people of other nationalities must come to this center for their supplies of truth and grace. Thus the Prophet represents the matter, saying, “Many nations shall go and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain (kingdom) of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for the law shall go forth from Mount Zion (the spiritual kingdom) and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem (the center of the earthly kingdom).”—Micah 4:2.

As thus all nations, peoples, kindreds and tongues shall be brought gradually to an appreciation of the Divine plan, they shall all be blessed with restitution privileges and opportunities and with an enlightenment from the rays of the Sun of Righteousness, which then through the appointed channels (the Worthies and natural Israel) will be flooding all the earth. Thus will the original Covenant have its amplified fulfillment; first, in The Christ, the spiritual Israel; secondly, under the New Covenant with Israel after the flesh; and through these bless all the families of the earth, so that all the willing and obedient may gradually attain to the standards of the children of God and be possessed of the “liberties of the sons of God” – freedom from sin, sorrow, pain and death. As the Old Law Covenant was with Israel only, so the New (Law) Covenant will be with Israel only. Other nations will share it by becoming Israelites, “Proselytes of the gate,” not under the Old but under the New Covenant. (Ezek. 16:60,61)

PERVERSIONS – PAST AND PRESENT

Often have we directed attention to the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement regarding their attempt to displace the Jews as the chief earthly class among Restitutionists under the New Covenant and the Worthies. During the Dark Ages the Roman Church pursued much the same policy – except with much more force and abuse. Often they concentrated persecution against the Jews – much the same as they did against the Gentile Christian protesters. But in recent years, recognizing that their dominion is tottering, they are beginning to read the unmistakable “handwriting on the wall” – and their attitude toward the Jews has softened considerably.

However, there are other “Christian” organizations besides the above three making themselves heard in our day by their antagonism toward the Jew. Just recently one such sect returned our paper on the Jewish situation, with which they enclosed one of their booklets. They take caustic exception to our Scriptural interpretation concerning the present and future status of the Jews. Here is a little of what their booklet contains:

“The evidence proving the present-day 'Jews' are NOT 'The house of Israel' is endless. History gives abundant proof that the White, Caucasian Race sprang from dispersed Israel. WE ARE ISRAEL.”

In substance, the Witnesses teach the same: They are God's Israel; they are the “chosen people.” Likewise, although in lesser degree, the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement teaches the same, with the exception that they apply these Jewish promises to their new converts since 1954: they teach that their present-day converts will be 'first and chief' next to the Worthies, instead of the Jews – thus taking away from the Jews their God–given promises, as they usurp those promises to their new converts.

Of course, like most sects in Big and Little Babylon, they are ready to proclaim the founders of their movements – and boast about them – (See Isa. 4:11 and 5:13 and Berean comments), even as they grossly and persistently revolutionize against their founder's clear and persuasive interpretation of those prophecies that emphatically designate “to the Jew first.” Perhaps it is well to recall here that the usurpers all during this Age have prevailed in numbers, power and prominence (“in Thy name.. done many wonderful works” – Matt. 7:22); but this will all be changed under the benign Kingdom reign. “HE THAT HATH AN EAR TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR!”

THE EVERLASTING COVENANT

Both the Abrahamic Covenant and the New Covenant are Scripturally styled “The Everlasting Covenant” in contrast with the Law Covenant, which passed away – a failure because of its “unprofitableness.” (Heb. 7:18) The one is perpetuated in the other, even as the spiritual seed (spiritual Israel) will rule and bless through the earthly seed (fleshly Israel). Note the Scripture testimony that the original Grace (or Sarah) Covenant is everlasting (Gen. 17:7,13,19; 2 Sam. 23:5; Psa. 105:8–10) Note other Scriptures which apply the same term prophetically to the New Covenant. (Jer. 32:40; 31:31,32; Ezek. 16:60) Note carefully the context in each instance that reference is to the Millennium.

THE BLOOD OF THE EVERLASTING COVENANT

The blood of the Everlasting Covenant is the “blood of Jesus,” His sacrifice, through the merit of which believers are now “justified by faith” under the Grace or Sarah Covenant (not by the New Covenant which does not yet exist and which is to be made only with Israel (the Witnesses now boldly and openly deny this Truth). And the blood or sacrifice of Jesus is “the blood of the New Covenant,” yet to be established with Fleshly Israel, just the same – only that by the Father's good pleasure Jesus is now accepting the “little flock” as His members and counting their sacrifice or blood as a part of His own – the sin offering in two parts.

Note how this is set forth in Isaiah 55:1-3. Here believers of this Gospel Age are described as those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Under the Father's drawing they come to Jesus now.    They are not of those who, blind and deaf under Satan's power, love darkness rather than light and will need the Kingdom regulations and corrections to make them bow and confess, under the New Covenant arrangement with Israel and indirectly with all nations (such as the quasi–elect during the end of this Age).

Come now to Hebrews 13:20, “Now the God of peace who brought again from the dead the Great Shepherd of the sheep (Jesus), through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant make you perfect.” Does this refer to our justification from Adamic guilt and reconciliation to God? Not at all!   The Father will have nothing to do with us (except to “draw” us to Jesus for justification and consecration) until after our justification. Then His mighty power which brought our Great Shepherd from the tomb to glory and immortality begins to mightily “work in us to will and to do His good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:13) If we abide in His love, He will perfect us as New Creatures by the privileges granted us of sharing in the sufferings of Christ – participating in the shedding of the blood of the Everlasting Covenant, which as the New Covenant will bring blessing to Israel, and then to the world.    The Greek word here rendered “perfect you” signifies “knit you together,” that is, make you completely one with the Shepherd as His “members” both in sufferings and in glory to follow.

OTHER PERTINENT TEXTS

Let us now briefly refer to some Scriptures which mention the New Covenant, that we may note their full harmony with the foregoing. We have already examined the one statement connected with our text and see that it applies to the closing of this Age a shaking of the nations and everything out of harmony with God, preparatory to the establishment of the Kingdom, as the foundation of the New Covenant blessings to the world during the Millennium. There are just eight other texts in the New Testament which refer to the New Covenant:

“For this cause he is made mediator of a better covenant (not better than the Grace or Sarah Covenant, but better than the Law Covenant), which was established upon better promises.” (Heb. 8:6) Our Lord Jesus had already begun the work necessary to His fulfilling this office of Mediator of the New Covenant. He had laid the foundation, but He had not yet accepted to Himself all the members the Father intended and foreknew and predestinated. We notice from the context that the contrast still is between the Law Covenant and its mediator Moses, and the New Covenant, superior because of its better mediator, the Messiah. Moses could offer only imperfect sacrifices, but Christ, by antitypical sacrifices of the bullock and goat (Himself and His Body), makes satisfaction for the sins of the whole world, and prepares to mediate the New Covenant, which God has promised shall be His channel of blessing Israel and the world.

In the succeeding verse (8) the Apostle supports his argument by a quotation from the Old Testament promise to Israel of a New Covenant, saying, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” Clearly this does not refer to spiritual Israel, or to any others during this Gospel Age.

Neither does the next reference to the New Covenant, which is a part of the same quotation from Jer. 31:31, refer to spiritual Israel. “Not according to the covenant I made with their fathers' ... and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.” (See Heb. 8:8-10)

“In that he saith, a New Covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” Notice that the Apostle is not saying one word about the New Covenant being for the Church of Christ. His readers understood very well that they came in under the Sarah Covenant. But certain Judaizing teachers insisted that they must be under the Hagar Covenant, as well as under the Sarah Covenant. And this is what the Apostle is disputing. He is making clear that the (Hagar) Law Covenant would not continue, but perish, and that, in God's due time, He would provide a New Covenant to take its place with Israel.

It was necessary that Jews be redeemed from the “dead works” of the Old Law Covenant and that a New one be made for them by Christ – Head and members. The old one was sealed by the blood of bulls and goats, but the New one by “better sacrifices.” Antitypically the blood of the bullock has been offered, and soon that of the goat will be presented. (Heb. 9:14-23)

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them; and there is no more offering for sin.” (Heb. 10:16–18) The Apostle is arguing along general lines. He would have his hearers understand that when an acceptable sacrifice has been offered to God for sins, the transaction is a closed one, and the sacrifice needs no repetition. He shows that this will be so in the future for the world. When the “better sacrifices,” sealing the New Covenant, shall have been offered to God by our Redeemer, and accepted by Him, it will mean the cancellation of all condemnation.

“For this is my Covenant to them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes; but as touching the elect, they are beloved for the fathers' sake.” (Rom. 11:27,28) There is no room to doubt that the Apostle here is referring to Israel's Covenant, the New Covenant, which God will make with them after this Gospel Day. The time for their deliverance is nigh – the time when He will mediate that New Covenant, satisfy the demands of Divine justice on behalf of the world. Then He will become, as previously intended and declared, the great Mediator of the New Covenant between God and mankind in general., Then will He begin His Millennial Kingdom: “For he must reign until he shall have put all enemies under his feet, and the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

“But ye are approached unto Mr. Zion... to the New Jerusalem,...to the general assembly and Church of the firstborns ... and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling.” (Heb. 12:24) Here spiritual Israel is pictured as an army marching, and the things at the farther end are seen and to be reached. Jesus is the Mediator, but He has accepted the Church as His bride, His body, and waits her arrival. The picture shows that the New Law Covenant will be established as the old Law Covenant was, only on a higher plane and through a greater Mediator and by better sacrifices. (Acts 3:23)

Much of the foregoing is by That Servant – Reprints 4319-4322 – which we continue to believe and teach. If any are inclined to criticize us because we attack and refute the errors that set aside these Truths, we comfort ourselves with the assurance that so long as we “contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints,” we will not only get the criticism of the errorists themselves, but also the 'reproaches' of those who prefer peace rather than stand the “heat of the day.” The Truth is not for easygoing Christians. 'For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” (Rom. 15:3) The September 23 Manna Comments by That Servant are pertinent here:

“This will mean our willingness to stand for the Truth at any cost and against any number of assailants – against the creeds and theories of men, which would misrepresent the Good Tidings of Great Joy which the Lord and the Apostles have announced, and which shall, thank God, yet be unto all people. As the Apostle again says, 'I am set for the defense of the Gospel.' We can do no less than defend the Truth. The Truth is God's representative, Christ's representative, and hence our standard, and as true soldiers we must defend our standard, even unto death.”

A firm stand for the Truth always costs something; and we are admonished by the Lord to “count the cost” before embracing it. “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matt. 10:34) Thus, we often lose friends as we “fight the good fight” and wage warfare for the Truth. But,

What matter if I stand alone?

I wait with joy the coming years;

My heart shall reap where it has sown,

And garner up its fruit of tears.

It is our conviction that the Lord's promises to the Jews are essential doctrine for our day – because we stand at the very threshold of their fulfillment. Grace and peace through our Beloved Master! The terse summation of those promises is that they will be ‘first and chief’ of the afterborns under the New Covenant (“beloved for the fathers' sake”) – “to the Jew first.” Thus, we “count it all joy” if cantankerous brethren – “the unstable and unlearned” – cast abuse at us because we champion the Jewish promises in like manner as did That Servant. Any who attempt to “take from” (See Rev. 22:18,19) those promises belonging exclusively to the Jews, and appropriate them for themselves, they are engaging in Satanic usurpation whether wittingly or unwittingly; and those who have once been enlightened in present truth, who appropriate those promises belonging to the Jews, are not only engaging in Satanic usurpation, but they are grossly revolutionizing against the Truth. (See Psa. 107:11 & E–3:406 – also E–12:722,728 with reference to Rev. 22:18,19)

Not too long since, we exchanged some considerable correspondence with a Doctor in the Ministry of Religion in Jerusalem; and he was warm in his praise of our papers, and of the Epiphany books we sent to him. Although he is no longer among the living, we are persuaded that he was one of those Jews who possessed “the faith of Abraham.” He had the Six Volumes of Scripture Studies; was an ardent admirer of That Servant; and was quite caustic in his resentment of those groups who claimed to be faithful to Pastor Russell's teaching, but who openly revolutionized against his teaching on the Jewish promises. Because of his knowledge of Parousia Truth, his exposures and refutation of the Witnesses' errors were among the best we have yet seen.

In Reprint 5689, May 15, 1915, That Servant says this: “Those who have been for some time drinking from the fountain of Truth, and feeding at the table of the Lord, where the food is pure, unadulterated, nourishing, should be fully established in the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. Much of the superstructure of ‘gold,’ silver and precious stones should be already erected and the good work of character building should be progressing steadily day by day. We should be firmly rooted and grounded in Christ, so that nothing can move us. We should be able to discern clearly between truth and error on every important point (such as the Jewish promises, etc.–JJH) ... We should know what we believe and why we believe it, and be courageous and uncompromising in declaring the Truth which has blessed our own hearts and lives.”

MAY-JUNE 1973 PRESENT TRUTH

Due to the above paper containing the elevating articles of That Servant, and another splendid article by the Epiphany Messenger, large parts of it are edifying and refreshing. RGJ says at the head of the article on pp. 35–42, “This article, first published in Oct. 1923 PT, was written as applying to the Little Flock on earth; the other classes of God's people can benefit greatly from applying to themselves its principles and those promises that apply to them. A few thoughts have been added.”

If he had just added a few thoughts in harmony with the Truth as given in that article, that should be acceptable to any of us; but he has not only added a “few thoughts,” he has discarded some parts of Brother Johnson's treatise, and inserted his pet error of Campers Consecrated – and their pre–eminence over the Jews. On p. 39, col. 1, par. 1, he says:

“The Apostle adds, ‘God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath.’ As already shown, the promise has three parts and its heirs are the Christ class, though it has also an application to the Great Company, another to the Ancient and Youthful Worthies, another to the Consecrated Epiphany Campers, another to the loyal tentatively justified and the loyal fleshly Israelites, and in an attenuated sense an application to those who will become God's consecrated people after the earthly phase of the King is established.”

If we are to accept the classes in the order RGJ lists the above, then there are two classes superseding the Jews in New Covenant blessings – The Consecrated Campers and the loyal tentatively justified. We now quote what Brother Johnson says in the 1923 PT, pp. 150, bottom, and 151, top:

“St. Paul adds, ‘God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath.’ The promise has three parts, as already shown. Its heirs are the Christ class, though it also has an application to the Great Company. Another application of the promise is for the Ancient and Youthful Worthies, and another for fleshly Israel.”

Yes, all the elect and fleshly Israel can now be comforted with that promise – the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath.” Of course, Brother Johnson did not know about Campers Consecrated – that they would be recipients of the chief blessing of the Afterborns; that it should be “to Campers Consecrated first,” instead of “to the Jew first.”

If we accept the teaching of That Servant and the Apostle Paul, we will have no trouble in “discerning between truth and error” on this important doctrine. We are to give the Jews the comfort of this promise to them at every suitable opportunity. As Brother Russell has said, All who will help and comfort the Jews now will be rewarded. However, we don't know what the 'reward' will be for those usurping groups who have invented other classes to displace the Jews, and cast aside God's Oath-Bound Covenant; but we offer for consideration Isa. 5:20: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil (referring to those who oppose their errors as “the evil-slave class,” tools of Satan, etc.); that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.” Here is the Berean Comment on “light for darkness”: “Denouncing the Truth as a device of the Devil.”

“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints.” (Rom. 15:30,31)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL  INTEREST

Dear Friends in Florida:

Many thanks for your letters, phone calls and concern for us. We appreciate it very much. Your papers are wonderful and so convincing. Concerned people should read both sides as you suggest, but apparently do not...... We will read and study in the Sixth Volume that our mother always read for the Memorial. We have difficulty reading as our eyes fill with tears of remembrance – but realize they will eventually turn to tears of joy only because of the sacrifice following that last supper. Remember us in your prayers and we will also ask a blessing for you all.

Christian love, ------- (OHIO)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings through our dear Redeemer!

On Monday I visited Brother ------- wife to deliver to her some receipts from payments which I made for her, but before seeing her I found this paper on her floor. She is not in a condition to know about it – neither could her servant say how it got there. She takes sleeping pills to allay the pains of a bad leg and scarcely leaves her bed. Do not send her papers. Have you ever heard of this man that writes the enclosed paper? I feel he would be pleased to meet you. I have read the paper. I believe all the Lord's faithful people would be pleased to meet you. Enclosed are some clippings. Christian greetings to the family and Household of Faith with you.

Sincerely in the Lord ------- (TRINIDAD)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in our beloved Savior's name!

Thanks for your kind letter. So sorry to be so late in acknowledging it. My weakness! We all enjoyed your visit and especially the service to the brethren. It was strengthening to them. It was a very eventful week-end, and I am sure of the Lord's direction. It was not of chance...

The boys are trying and are earnest in doing what will honor the Lord. The Adversary is surely seeking to draw them away. Only wisdom from above will guide them in the right paths.

My Dad and all here join in sending you and all the family with you our warm Christian love. In our beloved Savior's love always ------- (MASSACHUSETTS)

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Dear Brother: Greetings in the Name of Jesus!

Thank you for sending me your literature. I would like to notify my change of address to the above from my old address. I shall continue to be pleased to receive your literature. Thanking you in anticipation, I am Yours fraternally ------- (ENGLAND)

NO. 218: WISDOM - MADNESS - FOLLY

No. 218

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

Says Solomon in Ecc. 1:17,18: “I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know mad­ness and folly: I perceived... that in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increas­eth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” But the Wise Man observes also in Ecc. 7:3 – “Sor­row is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.” Surely, all God’s Fully Faithful people will be in accord with the conclu­sion that that by which “the heart is made better” is to be more desired, for “out of the heart are the issues of life.” Solomon’s wisdom is legend and truth with a large portion of the human race, whatever may be their religious beliefs or disbeliefs. As Solomon realized he was King in Israel after the death of his father David, the enor­mity of his task had a very mollifying effect upon him. as was also true of the Epi­phany Solomon after the death of his spiritual father – That Servant.

The thought never once seized the Epiphany Messenger that he should be ‘king in Israel’ after 1916 – just the reverse of others of much less ability who were ambitious to be “somebody” in the Lord’s Household. This is beautifully outlined in 1 Kgs. 3: 7, 9, 10 and 12 – “I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.... Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad... And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him... Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” And further in 1 Kgs. 4:29–31, “God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and large­ness of heart... And Solomon’s wisdom exceeded the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men.”

On one occasion we quoted this Scripture to Brother Johnson, asking how this could be true, since he freely admitted that Brother Russell had a position much su­perior to his own in the end of the Age. His answer: I have the knowledge and under­standing of God’s word that he had, plus what I now have; and that makes more than he had. Knowledge is a matter of “due time,” even as was true of our Lord – who was su­perior to all.

It is well stated that “Genius speaks only to genius.” St. Paul expresses a kindred thought in 1 Cor. 2:11-16 (Dia.): “Who of men knows the thought of the man, except that spirit of the man which is in him... We have received that spirit which is from God, that we may know the things graciously given to us by God... Now an ani­mal man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; and he is not able to understand, because they are spiritually examined.” Thus, our approach to God or to understanding the genius of man is calculated entirely upon our own ability to reach a viewpoint on the same level with such genius. Therefore, a lawyer sees eye to eye with another lawyer of the same caliber, a doctor of medicine to another physician, and so on. And, by the same token, the more we acquire of the Spirit of the Lord, the more shall we know the “mind of the Lord.”

Physically speaking, the human race is divided into three classes – the magnet­ics, the repulsives, and the neutrals. In the Bible the human face is often used to portray the quality of love; and, even in man’s fallen condition, seldom do we find a human face that is repulsive to our vision. Consequently, there is only a small minority of repulsives – just as there is also only a small portion of magnetics; the vast majority are found among the neutrals. Also, the vast majority of human beings must receive their entertainment and relaxation outside themselves, which ac­counts for the great demand for actors and artists of various sorts. A few, however, are able to draw their pleasures from within themselves, and such people are never alone. Jesus was one of these, and to His disciples He had said, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” (John 4:32) He had that strong assurance, that inner rest, calm and fortitude which were always His “meat and drink.”

Of course, with almost every human being there is some brilliant experience ­perhaps vague and passing quickly, interspersed with the great expanse of woe that clings as a blanket in this “valley of the shadow” – that brings some few heights of joy to ease the broad and persistent depths of sorrow. From such experience is spun the web of character which flows from the active loom of life, and which will be fine and beautiful, or coarse and homely, according to the skill, carefulness and fineness with which the individual weaves his “garments of needlework” into a final destiny. It has been well spoken that if we sow a thought, we reap a word; if we sow a word, we reap a sentence; if we sow a sentence, we reap a habit; if we sow a habit, we reap a destiny. This makes clear why St. Paul ever sought to have God’s people culti­vate right habits of thought – “whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, think on these things.” Such thinking is certain to determine our destiny. “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” And any who come into God’s Household and faithfully seek to “be transformed” by His Word, Spirit and Providence, develop a firmness of character and brightness of countenance that they otherwise did not have – whatever their classifi­cation and position according to this world’s standards, in life may have been.

“The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together,” nor should God’s people be foolish enough to think it shall not come nigh unto them. Even our Beloved Lord “learned obedience by the things which He suffered”; and “as He was, so are we in this world.” Few people can stand adversity, and fewer still can receive prosper­ity and still maintain an even keel. One shopkeeper put the sign in his window, “Hats enlarged to fit any promotion”; and it is little wonder that Solomon was forced to conclude that “vanity, vanity, all is vanity.” “What is that in thine hand?” the Lord said to Moses; and this query comes with equal force to each in his own place, for “it is required of stewards that a man be found faithful.” The vast majority strive and strain for the pelf that perisheth, but which they think will permit them to say, “Soul, take thine ease,” as had been true of the inhabitants of Sodom, where “pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was found in her”; but to all who regard the things of time as transient and elusive, the following verse will find acceptable lodging:

When fortune smiles, and full of mirth and pleasure

The days are flitting by without a care.

Lest you should be content with only earthly treasure,

Let these few words their fullest import bear:

This, too, will pass away!

It is a common expression, “You can’t take it with you”; and, while this may be true of what we have in perishing things of clay, it is certainly not true of what we are in excellency of character. This latter none can take from us, nor does God ever forget it, as evidence Isa. 49:15,16, “Can a woman forget her suckling child? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Thus, riches may vanish, health may fail, friends forsake, and enemies take up reproach and revile us – yea, even “brethren cast you out” – despair and despondency may come in like a flood [“reproaches have broken my heart”], yet full victory is assured to those who keep up the “good fight”; the promise is theirs, “Ye shall reap if ye faint not.” It is aptly stated that we may never have full appreciation of good food until we have been raven­ously hungry, nor enjoy the cool refreshing waters of the hidden spring until we have first crossed the desert. One philosopher once intentionally forced himself to go with­out water for three full days in high summer that he might experience the gripping joy and satisfaction of assuaging such a thirst. Please consider we do not advise any of our readers to pursue a like experiment; we are certain to have a sufficiency of trib­ulation to tax the strength of the least unto the greatest even as we do our best to travel life’s pathway in even stride. “In the world you shall have tribulation.”

ENDURING HARDNESS AS “GOOD SOLDIERS”

In the midst of the cares, perplexities and difficulties, from “fightings with­out and fears within,” we may find solace in the example of Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job. 13:15) God’s Fully Faithful people may rest in the sublime words of St. Paul (1 Cor. 10:13), “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able [to bear]; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape.” There­fore, if we break a leg, let us remember that thousands of others “without God and without hope in this world” also have broken legs; if we suffer the loss of loved ones, “we sorrow not, even as others which have no [substantial] hope” (1 Thes. 4:13), and who also mourn the loss of those dear to them.

“Behold, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (Isa. 48:10); but the arm of flesh has its limitations in ourselves and in others, nor will weak man ever be permitted to stay God’s great purposes – in His people as individuals, or in His great eternal purpose for humanity as a whole. ‘When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?’” Those who have never served as a “good soldier” under the Great Captain can know nothing of such consolations. Such “good soldiers” may appear to men to be soli­tary sentinels on the isolated outposts of the “good warfare” for Truth, but each may rest secure that he is never alone – “Lo, I am with you all the days, even to the end of the Age.” And the years of experience, if properly applied, enable one and all to “endure hardness as a good soldier,” even as St. Paul gave eloquent testimony of the refining and enduring effects of his own faithfulness as a “good soldier” – “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appear­ing.” (2 Tim. 4:7,8)

THINKING IN THE HEART

Mankind in general does much too little thinking. Even here in the United States, where the burden of the curse has been eased so very much during the past fifty years, there is a large segment of the population that works eight hours a day, sleeps eight hours a day, eats and drinks and is entertained in some insipid form for eight hours a day – and they think the rest of the time! However, there are those who do think, and think very straight and clearly; as Shakespeare put into the mouth of one of his char­acters, “Yon Cassius thinks too much; such men are dangerous!” And, while schemes dark and sundry may emanate from those whose thoughts are evil, yet there can never be too much of thinking on the better things – those things St. Paul gives in his epistle to the Philippians. Much of the thinking of human beings has been based upon unsound premises, such as the old Roman philosophy, “Without slaves there can be no leisure; without leisure there can be no thinking; and without thinking there can be no prog­ress.” All the more enlightened nations have long since discarded that doctrine.

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” and good listeners often gain quick and sure insight into the hearts of those they meet just by allowing them to talk. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”; and the thoughts of the heart are certain to reveal themselves in one form or another, because “A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and changeth the strength of his countenance.” Thus, a wise and good man will be motivated by just and good thoughts – which will cause him to speak and act justly, nobly; “the wisdom which cometh from above is without partiality and without hypocrisy.” This is the grand ideal, of course, which no member of the fallen race can achieve in perfection; but the appeal on every hand to “think” offers elo­quent testimony to the rating that the better-born among men give to it. It is said that the one and all-gripping slogan of John D. Rockefeller was, “I am bound to be rich”; and rich he became – perhaps the world’s first billionaire. But those who labor for “the wisdom from above” also acquire a wealth which the world cannot know, neither can it take away; whereas, “the meat that perisheth” is so often only too quickly dissi­pated. It is a proper observation that “distance lends enchantment,” and that the pas­ture in other fields always appears to be greenest; yet it is also a solid truth that “familiarity breeds contempt.”

Perhaps the most tragic example in all history of this sage expression is to be found in Jesus’ own family and the locale in which he grew to manhood. It was in Naz­areth that His boyhood acquaintances had contemptuously said of Him, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And they were offended because of Him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not with­out honor, but in his own country, and among His own kin, and in his own house. And he could do there no mighty work... And he marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6: 1-6) There is no record that any of Jesus’ brothers and sisters accepted Him when He was here; and at the cross there is the pathetic spectacle of Jesus resigning His mother to “that disciple whom Jesus loved” [the Apostle John], rather than to one of her own sons. We have often pondered, What will His brothers and sisters think of themselves when they experience the “common salvation,” and realize that they then stand in life because of the One they knew so well that they would have no part of Him during His ministry of sorrow!

“BE YE TRANSFORMED”

But the appeal to all who have accepted Him is that they be “transformed by the renewing of their minds” that they may know what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Rom. 12:2) Nor shall we succeed in this “transformation” ex­cept by “thinking on these things”; therefore, it is well that we “give our hearts to know wisdom” – the wisdom which is first pure, then peaceable, etc. And this appeal to all God’s people to “get understanding” enables them to “know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.” This is just the reverse of all heathen and of all false Chris­tian religions, which instruct their adherents to allow their priests to think for them on matters religious; otherwise, they may become confused. This is especially true of the Roman Catholic system, which forbids its devotees to read the Bible for themselves, or to read any literature not accepted by the board of censors – as is also true of its “Little Twin” (the Jehovah’s Witnesses). This same attitude was followed by the So­ciety after Brother Russell’s death, just as it has been advocated by some since the death of the Epiphany Messenger.

In Epiphany Volume 3, p. 311, we find this: “J.F.R. sought to prevent the Soci­etyites from partaking of the spiritual feast offered... Personally, by letter and by instructions to his pilgrims he not only counseled against reading that and other teachings that appeared in The Present Truth, but he specifically told his adherents, some of whom were burning the copies of The Present Truth that were being sent to them, not to burn them, but to send the papers back to the publisher unopened, with the word “refused” written on the wrapper... and thus he sought to prevent their get­ting any more copies of this journal.”

Since the demise of the Epiphany Messenger, the Executive Trustee of the LHMM, and the Editor of the magazine “Present Truth” does the same thing that JFR did to our publications. We have received many of the same kind of “refusals” written on the wrapper from his sectarian devotees. History is repeating itself! But we should “think it not strange,” when such errorists follow in the footsteps of their predecessors in error. Such bigotry should sound an immediate warning to all who have been enlightened in even slight degree by Present Truth. Of the Roman system it has been aptly observed that their slogan is, “Reading [other than Catholic literature] is doubt; doubt is heresy; and heresy is Hell.” It was indeed reading of the Bible that made of Martin Luther a ‘heretic’; had he not read, he would have remained a loyal “believer,” a cringing serf of the Roman system.

And, while thinking of the right sort is advocated throughout the Holy Writ, we should ever consider that thinking of the wrong sort can quickly lead to the morass of confusion which is to be found in so many quarters. The words of Jesus are so very pertinent here, “Wisdom is justified of all her children.” Thus, the Roman Church correctly teaches that there is but one true Church, which is the custodian and stew­ard of the Truth. This Truth none can deny; but they then proceed with the next step We are that true Church. All who accept this second premise are then easily led cap­tive to the enslaving precepts of the system. By the same token, if one is falsely labeled a ‘sifter,’ those who believe the falsehood would then easily be deterred from investigating that person’s teachings. But we are admonished to “stand fast in that liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” However, even while advocating the fullest freedom in God’s Household, there is also that restraining precept, “Ye were called unto liberty, only use not lib­erty as an occasion to the flesh.” Thus, “all things are lawful, but all things are not expedient.”

We are told to “prove all things, and hold fast that which is good.” However, if this text be not read with sanctified reason, it may be badly misleading. It is not possible for any of us to prove all things; but it is possible – and proper – to prove all things we accept that pertain to religious truth; otherwise, it would not be pos­sible for us ever to “know the Truth.” As the Bereans of old “searched the Scriptures daily to see if those things taught to them were true,” so should we also; and this alone will make us “rooted and grounded in the faith as ye have been taught,” a burning and a shining light. All such, who “hunger and thirst after righteousness [the Truth and the spirit of the Truth] shall be filled.”

 “GOD IS LOVE”

“God is love in the sense that the term love represents the central principle of the Divine character. There is nothing contrary to love in God. The Scriptures do not teach that there is nothing except love anywhere – that God is everywhere and love is everywhere. But they teach that God is a loving character. This does not militate against the other statements that God is just, wise and powerful. But this quality of love best of all represents the Divine Being. All of His justice is in harmony with His love. There is no exercise of justice or power in an evil sense, for all His attri­butes work together for good to all His creatures.

“The Scriptures encourage us to reason from the known to the unknown. They tell us that although God is so great, so wise, so powerful, He is also just and loving. And the more we consider the matter, the more reasonable the Bible description of the Almighty appears. His power we see demonstrated. The Wisdom of One so great cannot be doubted. When we come to consider, Could One so wise and so powerful be unjust or ungenerous? Our hearts answer, No! No one is really great who is devoid of justice and love. So surely as our God is Jehovah, He must possess the qualities.

“When we came in contact with the Bible, and particularly after we learned some­thing of its teachings and got rid of the misrepresentations which gathered about it during the Dark Ages – then we began to recognize it as the message of Jehovah to His creatures. It informs us that the great Creator of the Universe is not only Almighty and all-wise, but loving and kind, with Justice as the foundation of His empire. (Psa. 89:13,14) From the Bible we learn, too, that our Creator has been pleased to make us in His own image, in His own moral likeness, to the intent that we may enjoy Him and the fruits of His righteousness to all eternity.

“All the power, all the justice, all the wisdom, of God must be used in accord­ance with His own character, which is love. It will therefore be loving wisdom, lov­ing justice, which He will use toward all creation in the exercise of His loving pow­er for their good.” (Reprint 5210)

Therefore, let all consider that “wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding.” Such is our prayer for all our readers.

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – The Jehovah’s Witnesses are again suffering abuse in another African country. If you are informed on that situation, will you please give your analysis of it?

ANSWER: – According to the May 1, 1973 Watchtower, the trouble in Malawi is precipi­tated by refusal of the Witnesses to “buy political party cards.” This does not tell us very much – not nearly enough for any one to pass proper judgment on the matter. If they would have people properly informed, they should tell us what is printed on those cards, if anything at all; and also what obligations are incurred by any one who buys a card. Just the mere purchase of a card as a fee for freedom could not Scripturally be said to violate any one’s conscience. If the card contains printed matter contrary to Divine principles as we understand them today, then the Witnesses are certainly fully justified in refusing to comply; but we are not informed by them if this is the case.

Jesus gave us a broad rule for such situations in Matt. 5:40-42: “If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn thou not away.” In verse 25 there is more of the same: “Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge de­liver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” Here we have a comprehen­sive doctrine of non-violence by God’s people against unjust impositions of the powers that be. Here is some of Pastor Russell’s comment on these verses: “Settle peace­ably, even if it costs more than you would lose by letting the case go into court..... Exercise a benevolent spirit whenever possible and proper for you to do so.”

This question is discussed further in Matt. 22:21: “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” This raises the ques­tion – What things are Caesar’s, and what things are God’s? Generally speaking, we would say that anything that Caesar has directly or indirectly produced, and which we may own, could be said to belong to him. This would include money, real estate, and personal property of all kinds. What, then, would belong to God? St. Paul gives us a clear answer to this in 1 Cor. 6:19, 20: “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Thus, any demand by Caesar for our bodies to serve in any way contrary to Divine law would not properly be his to demand; and it would be our duty to refuse such service. If the Malawi card carries such an obligation, then the Witnesses would be justified in refusing; but not otherwise, as we see the matter.

However, in abuses such as the Malawi case it should be noted that it is the underlings – the poorest of the flock – that receive the most severe punishment; and not the heads of the organization in Brooklyn. This is just the reverse of the pattern set before us in Scripture and secular history of the Gospel Age. Jesus was the principal target of the dissenters of His day. When the Shepherd was smitten the sheep were scattered, but not crucified with Him. Later, when the Apostles had re­ceived the Holy Spirit, they were the main targets of those who opposed the Christian religion. In the case of Arius, Luther and others, they also were the principal tar­gets of the Papal system and Papal spirit.

Bringing the case down to our own time, Pastor Russell was certainly the prime object of the vicious attacks against the Truth group. It is a sound observation that he was the most loved, and the most hated man on earth. Some of this did spill over on to his faithful supporters; but he was always the one on whom his enemies con­centrated their calumny – pretty much the reverse of what we see with the Witnesses to­day. We cannot bring ourselves to approve abuse of any one, regardless of how much the abuse may be invited by those who receive it. The President of Malawi says the Witnesses are the “Devil’s Witnesses”; and to the extent that they are preaching er­ror, he is speaking the truth – brutal though the expression may be. Of course, the Wit­nesses tell us all other organizations – Government and Ecclesiastical – are the Devils organizations. Here we probably have an instance of the pot calling the kettle black, so our sympathy goes out to both of them in limited measure.

In our Special No. 11 we offered the opinion that the Witnesses had brought upon themselves the persecution they received in Cameroon – by disregarding the sage coun­sel of Brother Russell concerning voting if the Government requires it. In the Malawi situation the Witnesses have probably invited the trouble they are having there. On page 245 of the April 15 Watchtower there is this statement:

“In that universal war of the great day [Armageddon] all the people who are found backing those human govern­ments instead of God’s Kingdom by Christ will be annihilated with them. They will not survive.”

Annihilation means that those who continue to support these Governments, and fail to come with the Witnesses, will be utterly destroyed with no chance of an awakening, or resurrection. In the United States, where great freedom of speech is permitted, such statements as the foregoing are ignored by the Government; but we may readily understand the positive resentment that would arise in undeveloped countries where the Government is having great difficulty to survive. To tell such people that they will soon be annihilated is simply inviting trouble, as we see it. As that “Wise and faith­ful Servant” aptly observed – “It is no more obligatory upon the Lord’s people to de­nounce every wrongdoer whom they may meet in the street than it is for them to tell all homely persons they may see of their lack along the lines of beauty.” And he has this to say concerning John the Baptist, who was beheaded for criticizing the Roman Governor Herod: “Perhaps acting imprudently and exceeding his duty.”

It should be noted that the Witnesses pay taxes to “Ceasar,” the same as the rest of us. They expect and receive police protection from those very Governments whom they advise their readers not to support. In short, they are telling all people they should not support their Governments: they should join them if they expect to survive Armageddon. If every one in the United States accepted their advice, we would not have any Government at all come next election, because no one would appear to offer a choice of rulers. When they speak of “God’s Kingdom by Christ,” they mean the Jehovah’s Wit­nesses, of course. After Armageddon, according to them, there won’t be anybody on earth except the Witnesses, so they will then be the ruling class. They use “survival of Armageddon” just as did Papacy, their prototype, in their heyday used Eternal Tor­ment to frighten the people into their counterfeit “Christ’s Kingdom” on earth. Error always tend toward an unsound mind, but the Truth gives “the spirit of a sound mind.” When we consider the beautiful system of Truth they inherited in 1916, and the repre­hensible system of error they have invented since that time, it is little wonder they offer the unsound advice they do, and which brings upon their faithful devotees much grief – over which they now shed copious tears.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

Thank you for the February and March papers. We had read the Present Truth, so we were not surprised that you wrote a very timely article on the Epiphany Taber­nacle. It is very good! Also the Convention report was good to get. I am now re­reading the articles – and I am glad I have them in a notebook, thanks to Sister.

I have been studying the Numbers book this past week. It is so very good! I studied it in Class once, but my memory isn’t so good now.

Do hope all of you are well, and I know you are busy. Enclosed is a small do­nation. Please give my love to all there. Much love to you ------- (KANSAS)

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Dear Brother:

Received your mail – and thank you! I’ve read it now, and will be pleased to read more when you send me. I got No. 194 from my wife. She was visiting her sis­ter in Anderson, Indiana, and she gave it to my wife, saying that I might like to read it. Some Dawn Bible Students gave it to my wife’s sister.

Yes, I would like to be placed on your regular mailing list. I am not affi­liated with any group at this time. I was with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, but left them about five years ago. I would like to know more about H. C. Covington (lawyer) leaving the Society – and would also like to know more about the working of the Watchtower under N. H. Knorr.... Thank you again!

Sincerely ------- (KENTUCKY)

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Our dear Brother Hoefle:

Dearly Beloved of the Lord, may Grace, Mercy and Peace be your continued portion! Your letter is much appreciated. We looked up Exodus 23:22–24, and also comments from Brothers Russell and Johnson. It is good to realize we shall overcome through the Lord the common enemies – the world, the flesh and the Devil. One longs for the Kingdom under the New Covenant!

Sister ------- from Manchester came for a week and celebrated the Memorial with us. Brother ------ came too, and we had a blessed and refreshing time, as we remembered what the Lord had done for us – and our prayers and thoughts were with you and all the Lord’s faithful people...

Sister ------- appreciates the tracts we send her and asks us questions. She appre­ciates the answers and seems to understand. She enjoyed her visit with us – also en­joys the tape recordings.

Now, dear Brother, we enjoy your articles. The one on the Tabernacle is espec­ially good. Your March paper is excellent, so lucid. All should see “He must reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet.” (I Cor. 15:25) The Little Season is the last part of His reign before The Christ will deliver the perfected race to the Father, that, “God may be all in all.” (I Cor. 15:28)

Brother came across one of his old addresses based on the article by Brother Russell – The Voices of the Three Signs, Reprint 4057. Brother says “Brother Hoefle’s rod (serpent) swallows up all of RGJ’s serpents.” We think the Lord is manifesting the true significance of this type – and that the Lord is using you now since the two Star Members have entered into their reward.

Our united love to you and all the dear faithful Bible House family.

PS – 18 names enclosed.

Your brethren, ------- (ENGLAND)

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Gentlemen:

I am curious to know how you got my name. I am also interested in knowing more of your belief regarding Eternal Torment and the Consciousness of the Dead.

Sincerely, ------- (FLORIDA)