NO. 179: IN HIS STEPS

No. 179

“To this you were called; because even Christ suffered on your behalf, leav­ing you a copy, so that you may follow in His footsteps; Who committed no sin; neither was deceit found in His mouth” —l Pet. 2:21 (Dia.).

Here is a concise sum­mation of the Christian’s duty and privilege; he has set before him a “copy” which he is to emulate to the best of his ability – although it is fully conceded that none of the fallen race can, or will, imitate in fullness that great “copy” which has been left for us. The Apostle Peter is telling us that our Lord left us a perfect example in Word and Deed – He committed no sin, did nothing wrong; and He spoke always the truth – no deceit found in His mouth. Those who clearly grasp the im­port of our great “copy” will have no part in “whispering campaigns” or political wire-pulling in the election of officers in the Church; theirs will be a character which is actuated in all ways by the principles of righteousness – not according to what some people may think of us, but according to the standard of righteousness found in the Scriptures. Therefore, in order to develop that character which is pleasing to God, we should in every detail of life consider carefully what is right and what is wrong, according to that standard. This course is Scripturally termed meditating in God’s law. When we reach that development of character in which thought, word and deed are measured by the principles of righteousness, we shall have attained godlikeness. (Psa. 119:97)

What the Lord desires to see in His people is not merely an outward manifesta­tion of devotion to Him and to His brethren, but a development of love in our hearts and our dispositions. God reads our hearts and judges us accordingly. If we profess to love one another and yet pursue a course of self-seeking, wherein do we manifest love? So St. John admonishes to love not in word only, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

Primarily, the godly are those who are in Christ Jesus, members of His mystical body, having presented their human bodies living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God through the merit of the great Advocate. (Rom. 12:1) Secondly, the term godly in­cludes those who live righteously, in sympathy with Christ Jesus, even though they may not live up to the full standard which the Lord has set (in the narrow way), be­cause they shrink from the suffering that results from godly living – that results from “bearing witness to the truth.” Thirdly, the term godly includes some in the remote past, who, believing in the promise of the Lord that the “Seed” shall some day come, separated themselves from the rest of the world and, having obtained new aims, new ideas, were out of touch with the remainder of the race because of having a different standard. (Heb. 11:13-16)

The Ancient Worthies composed this third class, who had a share in the suffer­ing of the godly and a participation also in the blessing. Moses, for example, pre­ferred to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to participate in the honors of the Egyptian Government. Although adopted into the family of Pharaoh he had respect to the promise that the Messiah would come. Hence he suffered on account of his faith in the promise. So all the patriarchs desired to be in harmony with God, in accordance with His promise made to Abraham, and because of belief in that promise they suffered more or less persecution. (Heb. 11:24-26, 36-38) And these godly ones of the Old Testament record find their counterpart today in the fully faithful Youthful Worthies, who now have the opportunity, because of increased know­ledge combined with the experiences of the past, to develop even better characters than many of their forerunners. Those noble characters of ancient times did not comprehend the scope of agape love, that disinterested good will toward all men which adorned the Saints of this Gospel Age; and their counterparts of today have had the personal friendship, the noble example, and uplifting instruction of the last two “principal men” as living examples of agape love in operation.

Once more we direct attention to E-4:319 (5), where Brother Johnson correctly identifies the “godly” of all Ages – namely, the Little Flock and Great Company, and the Ancient and Youthful Worthies, as the four “elect” saved classes of Joel 2:28,29. And Joel 2:28, 29 also enumerates all six saved classes from among mankind. These four classes, with the “sons” (the quasi-elect) and the “daughters” (converted Gen­tiles of the Millennial Age) comprise all the saved classes from among mankind, with the repentant Angels comprising the SEVEN SAVED CLASSES retrieved from the reign of evil. The “sons” in this text are the believing, but UNconsecrated, Jews and Gentiles from the Law Covenant to the full end of this Gospel Age, the same including the Epi­phany Campers UNconsecrated in the “finished picture” – with no reference or place for Campers Consecrated. There is nothing here or anywhere else in the Scriptures to substantiate a class of Epiphany Campers consecrated. As Brother Johnson says (E-4: 319, bottom): “All classes from among mankind savingly associated with the Plan of God are thus treated of in Joel 2:28,29. These and the repentant fallen angels will constitute the seven (perfect number) classes of those whom Christ delivers from sin and condemnation unto perfection and everlasting life in His work as Savior.”

Some may ask, “Why should the godly suffer?” The Bible answers that sin has brought the world into opposition with God. Whoever, then, would have all men speak in commendation of him would not be in harmony with the Divine Arrangement, for the masses of the world are pursuing a course that the Lord does not approve. “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” (Matt. 5:11) We are not saying that everything which the world does is sinful, but that the standards of God are so high that because of their fallen condition the masses of the world are not subject to the law of God ­neither, indeed, can they be, for they are carnal, sold under sin. (Rom. 8:7; 7:14,15) Those who wish to have influence with the world must cater to popular prejudices. On the contrary, those who would be God’s people must be loyal to the principles of right­eousness, and consequently must go in opposite direction to the general course of this world. Hence they are opposed by the world. Even many of the good people of this world who are working for social reform, etc., oppose the Lord’s real people who are seeking to “bear witness to the Truth.” The tendency today is to forget the Truth (the faith once delivered unto the saints), forget your differences in doctrine – let’s get together and do “good works,” by uplifting the morally degraded, etc.

A striking illustration of this condition is to be found in the person of a man swimming upstream at a time when the River Jordan (a type of the curse) was flood-swollen and rushing rapidly to its entrance into the Dead Sea. From the standpoint of God the course of the world is sinful. There is a tendency in our flesh to go with the world – with those who are laboring under false views of various kinds – because that course is in sympathy with the desires of our own fallen flesh. Hence to live godly is to live in opposition to the course of the world and of our own flesh. This would include not only living uprightly and avoiding sin, etc., but also the making of sacrifices as well, where principles are not involved. We are to beware, however, lest we be deceived along this line. Not only are we contending with the world, but we are wrestling with wicked spirits in high positions. (Eph. 6:12) Sometimes Satan’s arts seem to be employed to get those who are trying to live godly into contention with one another – into faultfinding instead of seeking to cover the faults and human frailties with the mantle of charity. “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matt. 7:3) One of his devices is to make unimportant things seem important, and in this way to make people think that they are contending for righteous­ness, and that the sufferings that they bring on themselves in this manner are for righteous­ness’ sake. Another device is to deceive people into “busybodying in other men’s matters.” (1 Pet. 4:15)

Our influence upon each other should be uplifting; we should not cause others to grieve, except where suffering is absolutely necessary. Hence the Lord’s people should cultivate the fruits of the Spirit increasingly – meekness, gentleness, patience, brotherly kindness, love. The cultivation of these fruits of the Spirit is a law in respect to the Lord’s peoples. All who would live godly in Christ Jesus are to see to it that they are not the cause of suffering to others where principles are not involved – especially to those of the Household of Faith.

While it is true that all who will live godly in this world will suffer to the extent to which they are out of harmony with the present evil conditions, yet the promised blessings of the Scriptures are to those who live godly in Jesus Christ those who are Christians. Of these St. Peter says, “If any man suffer as a Chris­tian, let him not be ashamed.”(l Pet. 4:16) A Christian is a follower of Christ, one who has cast in his lot to suffer with Christ (or for Christ), that he may be also glorified with the Lord (or be included in the ‘better’ resurrection, as the case may be)—2 Tim. 2:12. From the Apostle’s standpoint, therefore, no one could suffer “as a Christian” unless he had become a Christian.

Every painful experience which our Lord had was suffered for righteousness’ sake not only the great sufferings, not only the great fight against sin, but also all the little unpleasant experiences common to the world. Being “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26), there was no reason why He should suffer. We do not understand that the Heavenly Father has provided sufferings, trials and difficul­ties for the angels who are in harmony with Him. Nor do we think that Jesus, being a Son in full accord with the Father, would have suffered were it not for His coven­ant of self-sacrifice. All of His sufferings were because He had come into the world to be man’s Redeemer, to make “His soul an offering for sin.” (Isa. 53:10) They were all parts of His necessary experience.

The sufferings which our Lord endured were the result of His activity in the service of the Father; and none of His faithful followers should expect to escape similar sufferings under similar circumstances, if they would be faithful. These were His weariness, His weakness after giving out His vitality to heal others – His bloody sweat, His ignominious buffetings, and all the reproaches, the sneers and the bitter words incurred on account of His faithfulness, to all of which He meekly and quietly submitted until His suffering on Calvary terminated His human existence when He had fully “poured out His soul unto death.” (Isa. 53:12)

There is no question that suffering in general is not suffering with Christ but with Adam – as a result of Adam’s transgression. Our physical infirmities which are of heredity, are not sufferings of Christ. Rather we should speak of the suffer­ings of Christ as being voluntary and not involuntary. When the Apostle says that if we suffer with the Lord we shall also reign with him (2 Tim. 2:12), he means the suf­fering which we bring upon ourselves through faithfulness to our covenant. St. Paul speaks of “filling up that which is left behind of the afflictions of Christ (as part of the sin-offering) for His Body’s sake, which is the Church.” (Col. 1:24) These exper­iences are not for Adam’s sake (not on account of Adam’s disobedience, but because of their covenant of sacrifice).

In St. Paul’s own case he had, we believe, weak eyes as a result of his wrong course in persecuting the Church; and that wrong course was, no doubt, largely the result of heredity. When the Apostle speaks of the sufferings he endured on account of his eyes, he does not speak of them as the sufferings of Christ, but he says that his affliction was “a messenger of Satan” to buffet him. (2 Cor. 12:7) We might then say that all physical sufferings resulting from heredity are ministers of Satan oppos­ing us, causing us much difficulty. However, we believe that the Lord is pleased with us if we resist these ministers of Satan.

If we should think of all our physical pains and aches as sufferings for Christ, then we should be obliged to think of our mental defects also as sufferings for Christ.. For instance, a man who had a disabled hand might have a comparatively even temper; another might have a perverse temper, leading him into trouble – into busy­bodying into other men’s affairs, etc. Thus his disposition causes him to suffer as a busybody, and not for Christ. Paul tells us that our defects in character are works of the fallen flesh. (Gal. 5:19-21) If the sufferings that come to us because of imperfect mental conditions are sufferings of heredity, the physical sufferings which result from imperfect physical conditions, cannot be counted as sufferings for Christ.

In the case of a Christian, inherited weaknesses and those brought upon himself by the violation of the laws of God previous to his entrance into the family of God as a son, while not sufferings with Christ, will be made advantageous to him. These weaknesses our Father sees fit to leave with us, but assures us that His Grace will be sufficient for us. (2 Cor. 12:9) While the realization of such care for our interests is humiliating in that it forces convictions of our weakness, yet it is refreshing and inspiring in that it proves our Father’s love for us. “The Father Himself loves you.” (John 16:27)

But when one has undertaken to follow in the footsteps of Christ, whatever affliction that person undergoes because of following the Lord, is suffering as a Christian; and whatever our experiences in suffering may be, these are not neces­sarily the portion of the sons of God, for the angels do not suffer; but He permits the Church to have them in order to develop and crystallize character. If we rejoice that we are found worthy to share in the sufferings of the present time, every trial will be turned to advantage as a part of our Christian experience. “They are not of the world.” (John 17:16) Therefore all of our experiences must be regarded as Chris­tian, for correction in righteousness and for educational purposes.

But this is taking a broader, deeper view than ordinary. Certainly a Christian is not ashamed of what he may suffer because of his loyalty to the Lord, to the Truth and to the Brethren. In these sufferings he is to glorify God and to be thankful for them. He is to be glad for the opportunity of enduring something, to show not only to the Lord, but himself also that he has endured something for Christ’s sake. Every sacrifice that we make is for the purpose of suffering as a Christian, and we are not ashamed so to suffer. (i Pet. 4:16)

There are others who suffer more or less as Christians suffer, but they are suffer­ing from a worldly standpoint. People sometimes say, “This worldly man has his trials and sufferings, and shows such patience, such resignation, that surely he is suffering as a Christian.” But we do not understand that any one can suffer as a Christian un­less he takes the steps necessary to make him a Christian. We are to view matters from God’s standpoint. Doubtless many have suffered as Christians who were not Chris­tians, from a human viewpoint – but not from God’s viewpoint. In the Dark Ages many were put to death for the sake of principle. In our own day there are people who give no evidence of being Christians, but who would rather die than have the Bible taken out of public schools. Although they do not understand the Bible, yet if these were times of persecutions such as were in the Dark Ages, many would die at the stake in order to keep the Bible in the public school.

A point may properly be made here that there is a wide gulf between our con­sciences and our civil or legal rights. Our Lord instructed His people (Matt. 5:39, 40): “Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.... if he take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.” Certainly, if an adversary should smite us unjustly on the cheek, that would be a trying violation of our legal rights, but it would be no violation of our conscience to permit him to do so, or to turn the other cheek to him. Or, if he unjustly prevails in the courts to seize our coat, that would be a moral violation of our legal rights; but it would be no viola­tion of our conscience to accept the verdict graciously and nobly. Or, if some claim­ing even to be brethren should slander us, this, too, would be a violation of our legal rights; but it may sometimes be better for the general cause that we “suffer it to be so.” Many of us are familiar with Brother Russell’s suit against the Brooklyn Eagle for the contemptible and slanderous statements made about him in that publication – a case in which he was most unjustly defeated. He was certainly justified in the action he took; but he accepted the unjust verdict as “suffering as a Christian,” and let the matter rest there.

It is all too easy to allow resentment to overwhelm us when we are defeated in a cause where we are so preeminently right; and the beloved Parousia Messenger there showed his strength and nobility of character when he accepted the result as “of the Lord.” “This is thankworthy if a man, for conscience toward God, endure grief, suf­fering wrongfully.” We cannot always tell whether suffering is for Christ’s sake. But where people have suffered for conscience’ sake, they have thus cultivated charac­ters, and will get a blessing in the next Age for that suffering. Suffering with Christ, as we have seen, is not the ordinary suffering common to all in the fallen state, but only such experiences as are the result, more directly, of following Christ’s example in advocating unpopular truths and in exposing popular errors – to “bear witness to the (Bible) truth.” Such were the causes of the sufferings of Christ; and such will be the causes of suffering, persecution and loss, to all who follow in His footsteps. Such will have fellowship in His sufferings now, and in the end will be accounted worthy to share in the reward given for faithfulness to principle.

Throughout the Gospel Age this course has meant self-sacrificing labor and endurance of reproach in the sowing and watering of Christ’s doctrines. Now, in the end of the Age, it means a similar fidelity and endurance in the separating work and the gather­ing of the “Israelites indeed” (the elect). The Epiphany will make manifest the ‘coun­sels of hearts.’

Our Lord forewarns us that in the end of the Gospel Age, many who have a love for Christ will allow their love to grow cold because of the iniquity and sin in the world. (Matt. 24:12) It will be a test for such to decide whether they will partake of the worldly spirit. We see this test in operation now. A great many people who name the name of Christ, who really love the Lord, who appreciate much of His character, who would like to see the right prosper, nevertheless have no thought of making a spectacle of themselves before men. They would like to do right, to walk honorably, and to have the favor of men as good citizens. But as to being warm and faithful followers of the Lord – through “evil report and good report” (2 Cor. 6:8), their faith and zeal are not sufficient to endure the test. Many today who once were very zealous in preaching “Present Truth” now seem to believe that it is wrong to “earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints.” And “love for the brethren” may seem easy and pleasant enough when they love us; but it is often a sore trial of character to continue to love them when they become “our enemies because we tell them the truth.” (Gal. 4:16)

The Lord Jesus has very clearly informed us that to follow in His steps will mean trials and difficulties in the flesh. He says, “in the world ye shall have tribula­tion.” (John 16:33) St. Paul repeats the sentiment saying, “We must through much tribu­lation enter into the kingdom of God”; and he emphasizes the thought, saying, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12) There is no other way to enter the kingdom than by self-sacrifice, deadening of the flesh, mortifying it. In proportion as the new man grows, the old man perishes, until the sacrifice shall have been completed in death.

The Lord’s people should thoroughly understand the terms and conditions upon which they have been called. They should therefore “think it not strange” when trials come upon them, no matter how fiery, no matter how severe. The Apostle Peter lovingly coun­sels the Church: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.” ( 1 Pet. 4:12-14) The Lord is to be not only the Instruc­tor, but also the Refiner to purge out the dross, that we may be made ready to share with Christ in the Kingdom.

The Scriptures plainly teach that special trials may be expected in the Church, amongst the brethren. And we find it to be true that our severest trials came not from without, but, as the Apostle in substance says, “From among yourselves shall arise false brethren,” to injure the flock in general through personal ambition. (Acts 20:30) This becomes a test not only to the church, but to all those who are in contact with us, for if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it. (1 Cor. 12:26)

We are not, therefore, to think it strange if there are trials and difficulties, and if more or less dispute arise in the church. We are to cultivate gentleness, meek­ness, patience, loving-kindness toward all. Nevertheless, if a dispute arise amongst the Lord’s people, we are to recognize that such things are unavoidable amongst those who have the truth. Our heads are imperfect, and consequently it requires time to come into line with the teachings of the Lord’s word. Even disputation makes life an activ­ity, and is better than a dead condition – not to care what is spoken or not spoken. Nevertheless, those who have zeal should be careful that they manifest the Spirit of the Lord, as above indicated – gentleness, patience, meekness, brotherly kindness, love, humility.

“Think it not strange that there are fiery trials amongst yourselves, arising from one cause or another, that will make it particularly severe for you. Those amongst whom you are thrown in contact will cause you suffering, because of your zeal and their misunderstanding, their imperfection, etc. All of these fiery trials will work out good for you. It is far better to be amongst those who are fervent in spirit than to take place amongst those who are lukewarm and thus lose the privilege of being one of those who are footstep followers of Christ. Perhaps those who are lukewarm will, in the time of trouble, learn a lesson. But the faithful are to learn their lesson in the present time – allowing the experiences of life to work out for them a far more exceed­ing eternal weight of glory. (2 Cor. 4:17)”

The above quotation embraces That Wise and Faithful Servant’s exact words on the matter. Some of our readers may recall that at a Philadelphia Convention some years ago it was stressed from the platform that there is full harmony and tranquility at the Philadelphia headquarters; and similar comment has come to us from others. Very strange, is it not, that uncleansed Levites are so quickly able to “improve” upon the experiences of their betters – our Lord, the Apostles and the Star Members? Note the words of the Apostle Peter: “Be not surprised at the fire among you, occurring to you for a trial, as though some strange thing was befalling you.” (I Pet. 4:12, Dia.) We all know the fiery trials that befell our Lord from those in His own group and physi­cally near Him; the same with the Apostles, as testified by Paul and Peter – the same at Bethel under That Servant – and the same with the Epiphany Messenger in Philadelphia.

But now, behold! uncleansed Levites are not having the “fire among them”! It will be noted that the Parousia Messenger emphasizes that it is “zeal for the Truth” by the Faithful that enkindles the “fire among you.” Many in the Truth groups – much like the majority in Big Babylon, prefer peace: Their motto – Do not contend about what you be­lieve, just do all the good you can – be pleasant and amiable; be sure to “keep the peace” whether you “keep the faith” or not. If you “keep the faith” keep it to your­self, rather than cause friction among the brethren. It is self-evident that the true “zeal for the Truth” has departed from many.

Our knowledge of God is limited; yet it is only what we should expect of the Heavenly Father, that any whom He accepts as His children will have Divine love and care in the supervision of their affairs, which will make all things work “for good” to them. The tendency toward lukewarmness is becoming more and more pronounced as the Age draws to a close, and the Adversary is resorting particularly to the Slaughter-­Weapon Man of Combinationism to bring this about. It’s not important what we believe anymore, according to the great mass of church-goers, and also with many claiming to be in “Present Truth” – so long as you are “headed in the right direction.” And ac­cepting this premise, it matters not what sect we may dwell in, in Big or Little Baby­lon, with Mohammed or Confucius, so long as our desire is an abode in Heaven when we die.

This was decidedly NOT the attitude of the last two Star Members, who “contended for the faith once delivered unto the Saints” to the pouring out of their souls unto death. Unswervingly and continually did they hold before them that Great “Copy” in their defense of the Truth in a determined effort to “follow in His footsteps.” And they did this in strict harmony with the Bible teachings on the manner in which we must follow “in His steps.” Brother Russell summed it up pretty well when he stated:

“Many (religious leaders) abandon spiritual themes wholly, and descend to the plane of the natural man, to moral and political reform questions (as we see empha­sized on every hand today—JJH). They can go ‘slumming’ and preach the anti-slum gospel (as does the book “In His Steps” displayed for sale some time back on the Con­vention table of the LHMM alongside the Studies in the Scriptures, which teach the very opposite of this book—JJH). They can join in Christian-citizenship crusades.”

We know of some former Truth students who care not how many conflicting opinions may be held on the same subject; in fact, we have met individuals who hold two or more different opinions on the same subject, with none of those opinions being right. Yet these people abide in smug complacency, which will apparently only be changed by the “Great Tribulation” just ahead. All of us know the Epiphany Messenger’s pro­nounced aversion for Combinationism (a worse evil than sectarianism, because it lulls into complete sleep those who once had “a zeal, but not according to knowledge” – they now have no zeal); and those who yet hold him in that respect, love and devotion which is his due, as a faithful teacher in God’s House, will give full heed to his teachings on this matter.

Since the Lord is our Shepherd, no one is able to pluck us out of His hands. (Jn. 10:27-29) We are as dear to Him as the apple of His eye. He that began a good work in us is able to complete it in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6) So the more faith we have the more we appreciate the text, “We know that all things work to­gether for good to them that love God (supremely), to them that are the called accord­ing to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28) This includes even the things that seem to be very contrary, very evil, very disadvantageous.

Our Lord said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent.” (John 17:3) To know the Father means to be in fellowship with Him, to have an intimate acquaintance with Him. Experience cor­roborates this fact. The more obedient we are as children of God, the more intimate is our acquaintance with Him. And if we are unfaithful, even for a little space, we shall fail to make development along spiritual lines. But in proportion as we are seeking to walk in His ways, we become intimate with Him in the particular sense in which a child knows his father. This knowledge gives us the trust that He cares for us as His children, and makes all things work “for good” to us. (Ram. 8:28; 1 Jn. 1:6,7)

Ours is a covenant of sacrifice. There are certain laws and principles which are not to be broken. Along these lines the Lord Jesus tells us that the Father will appoint those next to the Lord who have demonstrated most of the Spirit of the Re­deemer. He will not put any one in such a position or into the Kingdom arbitrarily. His character, His Words stand pledged that He will make the best of us that He is able to do, while at the same time recognizing our wills as paramount in making the best of us.

Jehovah does not seek those as His children who need to be forced. Our Lord said that “the Father seeketh such to worship Him as worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23) We are to work to the best of our ability. But with all of our stumb­ling the Lord stands pledged that He will not leave us if we are faithful, and that He will make even our stumbling work out for good to us, provided we do not “stumble” in the pitfall of the sixth Slaughter-Weapon Man of Revolutionism (forsaking the Pa­rousia or Epiphany Truth, or the Arrangements), because such persistent “stumbling” would manifest such as having lost their Class standing.

But those New Creatures who must be forced to a compliance with the rules who, as the horse or ass, “must be guided with bit and bridle” (Psa. 32:9; Prov. 26:3) will eventually be among those who bewail that “the summer is past, the harvest is ended, and we are not saved” – a bewailing that is yet future. We emphasize once more that there has never been a “call” to the Great Company Class, because God would never issue a “call” to any one to fail; they are the failures for whom God has graciously provided a serving place “before the Throne,” who “through fear of (sacrificial) death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb. 2:15—See Berean Comment) These are the ones temporarily abandoned to Azazel by our Father, much the same as an earthly father disinherits a wayward son pending his reformation; they are “such as sit in darkness (error), and the shadow of death, bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled (revolutionized) against the words of God, and contemned (revolutionized against the Arrangements) the counsel of the Most High.” (Psa. 107:10, 11) In the Great Tribulation He shall “bring down their heart with labor.... brake their bands in sunder.... and save them out of their distresses.” And companion with these will be the measurably faithful Youthful Worthies who have aided and abetted them in their wayward course.

We well realize that our pointed criticisms of the Executive Trustee of the LHMM and his partisan supporters are distasteful to many. This we regret, of course, just as we also regret even more the necessity for such exposures. But this should also offer convincing proof that our course is not prompted by a desire to “draw away dis­ciples” unto ourselves, or to pamper pride or pelf; otherwise, we would be using “words smoother than butter, words softer than oil” (Psa. 55:21), as did That Evil Servant and others of like character – such as the Papal ‘diplomats,’ etc., did.

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

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint of No. 72, May 1, 1961)

NO. 178: MORE ON 1 COR. 15:24

No. 178

In the Jan.–Feb. 1970 Present Truth, pp. 12 through 15, is to be found a number of questions and detailed answers on the above text. In these comments RGJ repeatedly refers to us as “the sifting errorist” using the “crafty tactics of a pettifogging lawyer.” Of course, such technique is nothing new. During the Parousia crown-losers referred to Brother Russell as that braying Balaam’s ass, old man Russell, and a tool of the Devil. Thus, it should cause no surprise to us to see the same kind of person (a crown-loser – a self-admitted crown-loser) now using the same kind of weapons. Such tactics are a way of life to those who have a “bad conscience.” (See E-10:585)

He also continues to make great play upon a mistake made some fourteen years ago, which we have since corrected in subsequent papers – as though we had committed some capi­tal offense. Brother Russell also made some mistakes – some of which had drastic re­sults – yet he had the humility to admit and correct them in subsequent writings. For Instance, his mistakes on the Covenants, which were the direct cause of the 1908-11 sifting; his mistake in stating in the Tabernacle Shadows that the installation of the Priesthood was just another picture of the Day of Atonement picture in Leviticus 16; his mistake in stating that the Atonement Day was a type of the Gospel Age, then on pages immediately following nullified his previous statement by teaching that the antitypical Atonement Day included the entire Gospel and Millennial Ages – which is certainly correct. But in all of these things Brother Russell had the humility to cor­rect himself. He was fallible, but he was also a faithful mouthpiece of God – and a good “steward.” Perhaps the Lord permitted him to make such mistakes – for a good purpose – not only to test and prove him, but also for the testing of the Lord’s people. Yet RGJ plays up our one mistake as though it justifies his name-calling tactic of “sifting errorist,” etc., toward us.

But let us now consider RGJ himself: At a Convention not too far back he stated that the “end” of 1 Cor. 15:24 was the end of the Little Season. It seems he is now reversing himself on that – but without any admission of his supposed mistake. Also, in the Bible Standard quotation, which he uses on page 124 of his Volume 17, it was RGJ who proof-read that; so he accepted it then as the truth. Then, in this Volume 17, which was copyrighted in 1956, he repeats this same quotation, so we must con­clude that he still believed the statement then. Part of that statement says, “Then cometh the end (the end of the Little Season)”; but RGJ now casts that statement into the waste basket – but without admitting his mistake in the Herald of the Epiphany in 1949, and without admitting his mistake in his Volume 17. Perhaps, then, it would be in order here to remind him that “God giveth grace to the humble,” but He never gives grace to garrulous flippant name-callers. And we mention, too, that this is one of the main reasons why RGJ has suffered such crushing defeats in his controver­sies on Truth subjects – since he is no longer under the restraining hand of the Epi­phany Messenger (since his full abandonment to Azazel – See E-15:525).

SELF-EVIDENT CONTRADICTIONS

Without directly saying so, RGJ tells his readers that Brother Russell contradicted himself on his interpretation of 1 Cor. 15:24. For the benefit of our readers, we now state definitely and unequivocally – Brother Russell certainly did contradict himself in his various statements on this text. So what should be our attitude in such a situ­ation? Certainly, our task is clearly defined for us: We should determine from Scrip­ture and sound analysis which of his interpretations is the right one. But, should we expect RGJ to be able to do this? No, of course not! And why not? We answer, Because he is one of those whose “lamps are gone out” (Matt. 25:8). When one loses the oil in his lamp he loses the spirit of understanding, which is a necessary adjunct to analyzing any intricate interpretation. Furthermore, by his own admission, he is a member of “the unprofitable servant” of Matt. 25:14-30. The unprofitable servant here is the Great Com­pany (See Berean Comment); and the clearly designated punishment for such is to be “cast into outer darkness” (error). Thus, we should expect nothing but confusion from RGJ on subjects such as the one under consideration.

True, he has given copious citations from Brother Russell to prove his point. We also have done the same. The 1908-11 sifters offered multitudinous Scripture citations to prove their point; most errorists usually have plenty of Bible to support their errors. But the only way to arrive at the correct answer is to consider all the involved points; every Scripture should be harmonious with itself, and with all other Scripture, or there is something wrong with our conclusion. Thus, we now approach this 1 Cor. 15: 24 from that standpoint – taking what the Star Members have said, what the Scriptures say, and what our own reason dictates as the logical conclusions:

On page 6 of our December paper No. 174, we emphasized Brother Johnson’s statement on page 125 of this same Volume 17 that RGJ published as the Truth in 1956:

“The Adamic death in the sense of the dying process is this last great enemy; and, because of His faithfulness, Jesus became the One who will after the close of the Millen­nium finally destroy it.” RGJ ignores this statement completely in his present tirade. Why?

Let us consider now Matt. 25:31-46, the parable of the Sheep and Goats: In v. 40 and 41 it is stated, “The king.... shall say to them an the left hand, Depart into ever­lasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels.” Just what is a “King”? Is he not a reigning monarch? And is this final judgment not at the very end of the Little Season? Or, is RGJ trying to tell us that this also is at the beginning of the Little Season? But let us go a little further: The “princes in all the earth” will be the visible ruling representatives of the Christ throughout the Millennial reign. Will they step aside, and discontinue that reign at the beginning of the Little Season? Or will they continue on almost to the very end of the Little Season? And, if they continue in their reign, then it must logically follow that their superiors – The Christ, the “King” – will also continue to reign with them. Or, is RGJ now trying to tell us they will go into the Little Season reigning without the supervision they have had all dur­ing the Millennium proper?

To give him a little help here, we now quote from E-11:267 (20): “Their (the Goats) seeking to grasp away from the Ancient and Youthful Worthies the power that God wants the latter to exercise to the full end of the Little Season will be the antitype of the Egyptians’ pursuing after the Israelites onto the exposed reef between the cleft sea (Ex. 14:23). It will be a pursuit, not only of the Worthies, but also of the other faithful restitutionists (is there any doubt that the goats are here pictured as “the last enemy”?—JJH), because the latter will side with the Worthies and will doubtless suffer more or less at the hands of the wicked (their enemies—JJH), as typed by the expression, ‘The Egyptians pursued and went in after them’.... This types that not only the rank and file of apostate restitutionists will embark on what will seem to them to be the way of obedience, but what will actually be the way of disobedience, but that all of their erroneous teachings (horses), organizations (chariots) and human and spirit leaders (horsemen) will also do the same.... That final trial will be the last stand that Satan, sin and error and all in sympathy with them will ever make (a very clear presentation of “the last enemy”—JJH); for oppression of Satan, sin and error, with their concomitants of dying and death (the Adamic death process and the Adamic death state—JJH) shall not rise again.... Hence the necessity of such a trial as the Little Season will witness (at its end, not at its beginning—JJH).” It will indeed be interesting to have RGJ’s comments on this quotation!

But let us note carefully the above quotation, that it includes persons, principles and things, just as it does in this Epiphany period, and just as it is stated in E-17: 124-125. And let us consider now RGJ’s statement on p. 15, par. 3, of this Present Truth:

“Note this: If the ‘Adamic death’ or dying process (emphasis by RGJ himself—­JJH) would be still present with the Goat class in the Little Season, then under that Adamic death process they would still in the Little Season be dying the Adamic death (emphasis ours—JJH), and would continue to do so as this process would proceed to accomplish its work to a finality.”

Could there be a more extreme exhibition of nonsense than the foregoing! Is he trying to teach that all those who come back from the tomb – imperfect mentally, mor­ally, physically, religiously, all the result of the Adamic dying process – no longer have this Adamic dying process present with them? Apparently he doesn’t realize that all who are awakened from the death state will have eliminated the dying process in so far as it concerns the Adamic death state. Some of those who return from the tomb will make little or no progress at all as respects eliminating their character evils. After 100 years of long-suffering with such, they will enter the tomb again, with all – or almost all – of the Adamic dying process which was theirs at their return from the grave. Is RGJ now teaching that such will die the Adamic death?

Such a conclusion would have been considered unbelievable from one claiming to be a teacher of the Truth, were we not now witness to it! Such “foolish effusions” could emanate only from one long schooled in “folly.” (See E-10:591; also his letter in the Nov. 15, 1910 Watch Tower.) The only difference between the goats at the end of the Little Season – who go into the Second Death (not the Adamic death) – and those kinsmen of the goats who die during the Kingdom reign, is that the goats will be imperfect in character only; whereas, those sinners who are accursed after 100 years of trial will be imperfect in character and physique. Those “sinners” during the Kingdom will not experience full resurrection even physically – yet they WILL NOT be dying the Adamic death when they are “destroyed from among the people” (Acts 3:23). Those who came forth from the tomb – whether they eventuate as goats of the Little Season, or as 100-year-old sinners accursed – leave forever behind them the Adamic death state, and the Adamic dying; they can never again experience that. But it is their failure to elimi­nate the Adamic death process – that which they inherited and acquired during the reign of sin and death – that brings them to death – the Second Death – whether this may occur during the Kingdom reign, or at the end of the Little Season. Note carefully Brother Johnson’s comment in E-17:125: “The Adamic death in the sense of the dying process is this last great enemy.” And RGJ says we are a “sifting errorist” for quoting Brother Johnson, so it would seem he now also considers Brother Johnson a “sifting errorist.”

It would seem that a mere babe in the Truth should be able to grasp this situation; only one befuddled by Azazel would attempt to talk such nonsense. If the “dying process” would only include the Adamic dying that would be eliminated as each one is awakened from the tomb, at the same time the Adamic death state is eliminated. But, then, Bro. Johnson says those who fall into Azazel’s hands do talk all sorts of nonsense; and here is just another example (in RGJ’s statement) of that truth!

In continuing, none of the human race are totally depraved; thus, the Adamic death process (in the sense of physical, mental and artistic) exists in all the restitutionists in varying degree – some more and some less. But every one of them immediately eliminates that part of the dying process that took him into the tomb, the minute he receives his awakening from the tomb. The Adamic death state no longer holds sway over him – nor does Adamic dying (going to the tomb) hold sway over him. When he dies it will be the Second Death for him. Would any babe in the Truth dispute this basic principle? However, let us not have a mere play on. words here: The Red Sea type of Egyptian destruction clearly portrays the final destruction of the end of the Little Season, and not the beginning.

And are not the Goats definitely the enemies of the Sheep? They are here at the beginning of the Little Season, and are manifested as such during the Little Season ­and whether they are still infected with the Adamic dying process, or whatever you may call their evil characteristics, they are still the enemies of the Sheep: and – THEY ARE THE LAST ENEMY THAT WILL BE DESTROYED – just as the Egyptians were the enemies of Israel (the Sheep of the Little Season) when the Red Sea (typical of the Lake of Fire) destroyed all of them. And is RGJ now telling us that this also will be at the begin­ning of the Little Season? Be it remembered that the reign of the Christ is to accom­plish the “restitution of all things.” Can that Restitution possibly be complete until all enemies have been obliterated? Certainly not. Let us remember that Adam did not need to gain restitution; he already had its equivalent in the Garden. But none of his progeny have that asset; they must acquire it. And all of the sheep must gain ATONEMENT – must be restored to what Adam had before his fall – i.e., fellowship with God, a perfect home, life rights, and Kingship. Will that be possible at the beginning of the Little Season – or must it occur at its end – after the “Last enemy” is destroyed?

A side observation might prove interesting here. “Cousin” Krewson holds the same view on the “end,” as does RGJ; and J. F. Rutherford also held the same view – with the Jehovah’s Witnesses still clinging to it tenaciously – so far as we know. Even as they have cast away one Harvest Truth after another, and even as RGJ has also cast aside many a Parousia and Epiphany teaching, they all three cling with fanatic determination to the wrong side of this controversy. It would seem that RGJ embellishes his ego mightily through the support of such stalwart allies! The Truth becomes clearer and clear­er to the fully faithful, even as the error continues to make firmer grip upon the Measurably faithful and total renegades. As Brother Johnson has aptly said, those in Azazel’s clutches not only lose much of the Truth they once believed and taught, but they can’t see progressive truth at all. Truly, in controversy the Truth comes out!

CONCERNING REV. 20:4

Here is another text given to prove his error, so we offer some analysis of it. “They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Who are “they”? They are those “that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus” – the Christ Company. If the “reign” concludes fully at 2874 – as RGJ claims – let him name just one who can qualify under this text. The first saints were not raised from the dead until 1878 – 3½ years after 1874; so the longest any of them could possibly reign would be 996½ years. But “the stone cut out of the mountain without hands” (Dan. 2:45) was not complete until 1914, at which time it began to “break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms.” Thus, Rev. 20:4 defeats his contention instead of supporting it. As Brother Johnson has so well stated the matter: Why is it that these Levites offer texts to support their arguments which definitely contradict their position? Is it not because they are in the clutches of Azazel, and cannot think clearly on controversial subjects. Too, has he ever read Brothers Russell and Johnson on the distinction of “a” thousand years, and “the” thousand years of the reign of The Christ?

In this same connection, RGJ quotes from Brother Russell in a 1911 article, his contention being that this is a later expression, and thus should carry greater weight than statements we gave from his earlier writings. Therefore, we now quote the follow­ing from the August 15, 1913 Watch Tower, par. 2 (Reprints 5293):

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

Thus, we now ask RGJ to give us an answer: Was Brother Russell referring to the be­ginning of the Little Season when “all the wicked are destroyed,” or was he refer­ring to the end of it? And if he was referring to the beginning of the Little Season, does he mean to tell us that the Goats who enter the Little Season are NOT the wicked? And we direct attention to the fact that the only Scripture Brother Russell gives to prove his statement is 1 Cor. 15:24! Yet RGJ asserts that Brother Russell teaches according to his (RGJ’s) views after the year 1911.

A GENEROUS PROPOSAL

While RGJ does not mention that ‘faulty disc’ in the paper under review, he has made quite some play upon it in the past, his contention being that the text should read, “The end is the Little Season,” instead of “The end of the Little Season.” The very construction of the grammar is against his statement. Had Brother Johnson intended to say what RGJ claims, he would have had a complete sentence, and no paren­thesis would have been necessary. Certainly he – and RGJ, too, would have caught this at the time of publication had such been the intent; therefore, we very much doubt the veracity of RGJ’s claim about the disc. And to support our conviction, we now suggest he secure some unbiased disc expert in Philadelphia to examine the disc, for which we offer to pay the expense, not only of the expert, but also the expense of RGJ himself from Chester Springs to Philadelphia and back again, and our own expense to Philadelphia. We do this in the interest of the Truth, and in faithfulness thereto. Will he accept this proposal? If he is interested in the Truth, we see no reason for his refusal!

SUPPORT FROM THE STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES

RGJ has been quite loquacious over his citations from Brother Russell and Brother Johnson to support his presentations, so we now offer some from the Parousia Volumes:

“When, in the end of the Millennial Age Christ delivers up the dominion of earth to the Father, He does so by delivering it to mankind as the Father’s representatives, who were designed from the first to have this honor. (1 Cor. 15:24; Matt. 25:34) Thus the Kingdom of God lasts forever. And so we read in our Lord’s words: Then shall the King say to them on his right hand (those who, during the Millennial reign, will have retained the position of favor by harmony and obedience), Come ye blessed of my Father (you whom my Father designs thus to bless), inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Parousia Volume 1, p. 305)

Will this be done at the beginning of the Little Season, or at the end of the Little Season?

“The Scriptures inform us that when the activity of the evil principle has been permitted long enough to accomplish God’s purpose, it will forever cease to be active, and that all who continue to submit to its control shall forever cease to exist. (1 Cor. 15:25-26; Heb. 2:14)” (Parousia Volume 1, p. 121)

There’s no mistaking in Brother Russell’s teaching here. No one should have any doubt as to his meaning – and he uses 1 Cor. 15:25-26 in support of his teaching.

“When, in the end of the Millennial Age, Christ delivers up the dominion of earth to the Father, He does so by delivering it to mankind as the Father’s representatives, who were designed from the first to have this honor. (I Cor. 15:24; Matt. 25:34) (Parousia Volume 1, p. 305)

Does RGJ contend that the Sheep will be made Kings at the beginning of the Little Season?

“So shall God’s Kingdom come, and His will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Thus shall the Christ reign as the Father’s vicegerent until He shall have put down all antagonistic authority and power (this certainly must include Satan, the fallen angels and the goats at the end of the Little Season—JJH), and caused every knee to bow and every tongue to confess the Wisdom, Justice, Love and Power of God the Father. And finally, having manifested, by the last crucial test at the close of the Millennium, all who have even a sympathy for sin, though outwardly obedient; and having destroyed these from among the people (Rev. 20:9), He shall surrender to the Father the vice-royal dominion. Thus the Apostle expresses the matter: He must reign until he shall have put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be sub­jugated is (Adamic) death. Then cometh the end (of His reign; it having effected its object) when he (Christ) shall have put down all (opposing) rule and all authority and power.... When all things shall be subjected unto him (the Father), then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him (the Father) which did subject all things under him (for the thousand years)—l Cor. 15:24-28.” (Parousia Volume 4, pp. 644-645)

“For he must reign until he hath put all enemies under his feet, before he delivers up the Kingdom at the close of the Millennium—l Cor. 15:24-28.” (Parousia Volume 4, p.649, par. 1)

“When the great Mediator-King shall resign His completed work to the Father, de­livering up His office and Kingdom as the Apostle explains (I Cor. 15:24-28), what lasting results may we expect the great Mediator’s redemptive work toward mankind to show? It will have accomplished: (1) The sealing of the New Covenant with His own precious blood.... (2) The reconciling or bringing back into harmony with God of a ‘little flock,’ a ‘royal priesthood,’ zealous of good works, willing to lay down their lives in God’s service...... (3) The reconciliation, the full restitution, of an earth full of perfect, happy human beings...... In this condition they shall indeed be blame­less and irreproachable, and capable of standing every test. (4) The destruction of all others of the race, as unworthy of further favor, the cumberers of the ground, whose influence could not be beneficial to others, and whose continued existence would not glorify their Creator.” (Parousia Volume 5, pp. 30-31)

On page 40 of Parousia Volume 5, we have 1 Cor. 15:25-28 quoted with bracketed comments by Brother Russell: “He (Christ) must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he (the Father) hath put all things under his (the Son’s) feet. But when he (the Father) saith, ‘All things are put under him (the Son),’ it is manifest that he (the Father) is excepted, which did put all things under him (the Son). And when all things (earthly) shall be subdued under him (the Son), then shall the Son himself be subject unto him (the Father) that put all things under him (the Son), that God (the Father) may be all in all.”

“Until he shall have put down all authority and power opposed to Jehovah and His righteous law, until He shall have brought forth judgment unto victory, until He shall have made the place of Jehovah’s feet (the earth His footstool) glorious, and shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father—1 Cor. 15:24-28; Matt. 12:20.” (Parousia Volume 5, p. 47, top)

“Then the Mediatorial throne and reign having served their purpose, and all cor­rupters of the earth having been destroyed (evidently this would mean all those who don’t have perfect characters—JJH), ‘the Son shall deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father,’ by delivering it to mankind for whom it was originally designed....” (1 Cor. 15:25-28) (Parousia Volume 6, p. 50, par. 1)

“Jesus will occupy this Mediatorial relationship between God and men until He shall have brought back into full harmony with God every creature who, being brought to a knowledge of His Creator and His righteous laws, shall desire to be and to do in com­plete harmony therewith. More than this, His ‘all judgment,’ will include the execution of His findings, for He will not only reward the obedient, but shall ‘destroy those who corrupt the earth’ – will destroy the willful sinners, destroy from amongst the people all who will not hear His voice, His command, His instructions, putting down all sin and all insubordination, including even the last enemy – death—1 Cor. 15:25­28; Rev. 11:18; 2 Thes. 2:9; Heb. 2:14.” (Parousia Volume 6, p. 398)

Perhaps more than enough time and space have been expended on 1 Cor. 15:24; but we are mindful of St. Paul’s thought: “Exhort by the sound instruction, and to con­fute the opposers” (Titus 1:9); – to which we make our own addition, “to silence the garrulous and flippant name-callers.” We would advise our readers that of things so far in the future we can but have generalities, and certainly not the details. Let us remember that the Little Season will be for the Millennial Age what the Epiphany is for the Gospel Age – ‘‘making manifest the counsels of hearts.”

During the Parousia it was commonly known that there would be a Time of Trouble, the same being also stated in the Bible as the Epiphaneia; but no one even faintly visualized the details of what we have witnessed over the past 54 years. And this same condition will almost certainly be true in the Little Season; otherwise, that trial time and “manifestation” would be largely nullified. We are fully persuaded that we have presented herein the clear Truth on the generalities; and we doubt that the name-callers will have the ability to answer this paper. But we would counsel that this particular item is not one that carries with it a decision of brotherly fellowship. If others are not so fully persuaded as are we, we do not consider that sufficient reason to cast them from our midst; but we do consider that here is just one more instance that those who are “abiding in My Word” will “know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.”

“Whoso hath quarreled with thee shall fall (regardless of the ‘great swelling words’ and name-calling they may produce).... I have created the smith, who bloweth up a fire of coals.... And I have created the waster to destroy (in this fiery Epiphany turbulence): No weapon formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that riseth against thee in judgment shalt thou prove to be lawless (especially applicable to the Epiphany crown-losers that “darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge” – Job 38:2 – described in E-10:591 as “loquacious, repetitious, and false-accusing.... foolish effu­sions”.... false criticisms, such as teaching that those who do not eliminate the Adamic death process in the Kingdom would thus be dying the Adamic death). This is the in­heritance of the servants of the Lord.” (Isa. 54:17, Rotherham)

“Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully. (1 Tim. 1:7) And now, let us “Incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding.” (Prov. 2:2)

Sincerely your brother

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

--------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Do Gospel-Age new creatures eliminate the Adamic death process from themselves once they are begotten of the Holy Spirit?

ANSWER: – Certainly not! If they did, they would actually reach perfection, some­thing the very best of them never accomplish. This is so clearly stated by St. Paul in Rom. 7:19-21: “The evil which I would not, that I do.... When I would do good, evil is present with me.” Try as he would, the Apostle could not eliminate from his being the Adamic dying process; and certainly he was one of the outstanding “examples of the believers.” While he, and all others of the Body of Christ, never actually die the Adamic death, none of them ever were able to fully rid themselves of inherited frailty – the Adamic death process continued to work in them until they finally finished their course.

Let us consider now the case of Judas: He was one of those who made little or no progress in “crucifying the flesh” (the Adamic death process). But did he die the Adamic death? Of course not! And the same with all others who died the Second Death during this Age, regardless of how well they may have run for a time. Some of the Parousia sifters were model saints before their deflection; some of them gave classic discourses on character development and Christian living – even as the Adamic death process was working in them (however, not in the sense of dying the Adamic death, because as New Creatures they could not do that). But once they went astray, eventu­ating in the Second death for them, it was still the Adamic death process that finally took them into the tomb. It is well known to all in Present Truth that such renegades are more capable of evil at the close of their lives than they were when they came into the Truth. It was not through any direct act of God that the most of them came to their end. It was the Adamic death process that took them into the Second Death (their failure to overcame their evil qualities to the extent of their ability).

And yet, in the face of such compelling evidence right before his eyes, RGJ would tell his readers that the goats at the end of the Little Season would be dying the Adamic death if the Adamic death process were still present with them. How are the mighty fallen! “And on this account God will send to them an energy of delusion, to their believing the falsehood” (2 Thes. 2:11, Dia.) – falsehoods such as the one we now consider from RGJ, that those retaining any of the Adamic death process must die the Adamic death. Surely, he knew better than this at one time – at least while he was under the restraining hand of the Parousia and Epiphany Messengers.

----------------------------------------------------------------

LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and Peace!

Please send me a supply of Where Are the Dead and What is the Soul If you can spare them, send 100 each. Hope you are well. If you would send an address to send some money, I would send you some. I’ve been working.... God has been good to His people! Psa. 15:1; 91; Eph. 3; John 16:15.

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

....................................................................

Dear Brother Hoefle:

I am much interested in the paper you presented – The Counterfeit Kingdom Since 1914, No. 140, dated Feb. 1, 1967. I followed it through carefully and am able to see the light and the gross errors of the “Second Hierarchy” portrayed. One would think there would be more people see the maddening errors by that organization, and depart from it. It is shocking to note how blinded men can become. I, myself, was a victim of their tirade, and was formally excommunicated from their order........... Did you notice the reasons given in the Watch Tower for disfellowshiping so many this last few years. I heard a thousand. It must be getting desperate.

What is Jolly doing now? He used to oppose you a lot and call you names.

Your brother in Christ, ------- (CANADA)

NO. 177: SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE MEMORIAL

No. 177

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

Comes again the Memorial of Him who perished on the cross, the correct hour this year being after 6 p.m. March 20, the time being determined as follows: The Vernal Equinox arrives at the 30th Meridian (the one nearest Jerusalem) at 3 a.m., March 21; and the moon coming new nearest that date does so at 8 p.m. March 7, thus starting Nisan 1 at 6 p.m. March 7, Bible reckoning. Counting fourteen days from that, Nisan 14 begins at 6 p.m. March 20; and any time after that hour that evening would be appropriate for the service. We shall hold it at --------, Mount Dora, Florida, at 7:30 p.m.; and all who wish to join with us then “in sincerity and in truth” will have cordial welcome and fellowship.

EAT THE FLESH – DRINK THE BLOOD

“Indeed, I assure you, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.... My flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink.... This is that bread which has descended from Heaven.... He who eats this bread shall live to the Age.” (John 6:53-58, Dia.) These words are among the most commonly used throughout Christendom, particularly at the Lord’s Supper; and they are certainly intimately familiar to all our readers. Yet that very familiarity often causes us to overlook some of the vital details so necessary to a comprehensive under­standing.

Jesus had said to the Jews, “Your fathers ate the Manna in the desert, and died. This is that bread descending from Heaven, so that any one may eat of it, and not die... The Jews therefore were contending with each other, saying, How can He give us His flesh to eat?” (vs. 49-52) “These things He said, teaching in a synagogue, in Capern­aum. Many, therefore, of His disciples, hearing, said, Hard is this saying; who can hear it?” (vs. 59, 60) The full impact of this recitation can be fully realized only as we keep in mind that the diet of the religious Jew at that time was much more rigid than it is today; they then adhered scrupulously to the ritual given them through Moses. This is forcefully revealed in Acts 10:9-16, wherein Peter was in a trance, saw the great sheet lowered to the earth from Heaven, wherein were all manner of beasts, and he was commanded to rise, kill and eat. His answer was quick and positive: “I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And this same statement was true of the majority of Jesus’ listeners that day. Thus, their sensibilities were shockingly muti­lated when “this man” said they must eat him if they would gain life. The very thought of it would nauseate and repel them. Little wonder that they complained, This is a hard saying!

Knowing as we do that Jesus would clarify this matter on the night in which He was betrayed by offering the loaf and the cup as representing His flesh and His blood, His comment offers no problem to us. But we suggest here that this particular portion of Scripture offers the strongest refutation against infant baptism. What salvation can possibly come from that ‘sacrament’ when the infant does not partake of the bread and the wine – nor does he do so representatively by those who present him for the ceremony. If there can be no life without those two things, then what saving feature could be conveyed in the sprinkling of the water on the infant?

“From this time many of His disciples withdrew, and walked no longer with Him.” (v. 66) Yet Jesus, “knowing that His disciples were murmuring,” made no effort to ex­plain – made no effort at all to soothe their abhorrence at His suggested cannibalism. But this also is explained, “Jesus knew from the beginning who those were that did not believe”; they were probably some of those who would believe only if one of the prophets should return from the dead. They were not of the leadable and teachable that Jesus was then seeking to be “heirs of the Kingdom,” so it was just as well that they should not clutter up His audience further by their presence. And as these walked away, Jesus said to those remaining, “Will ye also go away?” To which Peter was quick to respond, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Peter was undoubtedly puzzled by what Jesus had told them, because he had been thoroughly schooled in the Law, and knew that blood was a forbidden thing: “Whatsoever man there be of the House of Israel.... that eateth any manner of blood, I will set My face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood.... Whatsoever man hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten, he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh.... whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.” (Lev. 17:10-14) Actuated by this prohibition, we find the Jews to this day most meticulous to drain all the blood possible from the animals they kill for food.

All of our readers are intimately familiar with the fact that the “life is in the blood” – in the blood of Him who gave Himself for us. Our faith in the atoning features of that blood is the foundation for life now and in the life to come – as it will also be for all the human family. And this is emphasized by the pointed statement in Ex. 12:13: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” This is further corroborated in John 19: 34: “One of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” Therefore, the same Apostle was prompted to elaborate: “This is He Who came by water and blood – Jesus the Anointed One; not by the water only, but by the water and by the blood..... There are three which testify – the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; and the three are one.... This is the testimony that God has given to us aionian life, and this life is in His Son (in his blood).” (I John 5:6-11, Dia.)

“LOOKING UNTO JESUS”

Having this strong assurance, it is only logical and proper that we should “look unto Jesus” – “looking away to the leader and Perfecter of the faith, Jesus, Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame.... Consider Him attentively Who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you may not be wearied, being discour­aged in your souls. You did not yet resist to blood (as He did), contending against sin.” (Heb. 12:2-4, Dia.) Not only have those in “Present Truth” imbibed intimate knowledge of these facts, but we find many throughout Christendom who have been aroused to finer and better things, and to sublime expressions concerning them. We offer here a few lines from one poet:

I wonder what He charged for chairs at Nazareth!

And did men try to beat Him down,

Then boast about it round the town –

I bought it cheap for half a crown

From that mad Carpenter?

And, did they promise and not pay,

Put it off another day?

Oh, did they break His heart that way,

My Lord, the Carpenter?

I wonder, did He have bad debts,

And did He know my fears and frets?

The Gospel writer here forgets

To tell about the Carpenter.

Ah, Christian Glory! Here below

Man cheat and lie to each other so –

It’s hard to be a Carpenter.

“WITHOUT THE CAMP”

Says St. Paul in Heb. 13:10-13, Dia.: “We have an altar from which those who serve in the tabernacle (the Jewish priesthood) have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals.... are burned outside the camp. Therefore, Jesus, also that He might sanctify the people through His own blood (the life is in the blood), suffered outside of the gate (the gate of Jerusalem, having been crucified on Golgotha Hill outside the City proper). Let us, then, now go forth to Him outside the Camp (St. Paul uses inter­changeably the City and the Camp, the City having embraced the Temple – just as the Camp had embraced the Tabernacle in its midst), bearing reproach for Him.”

Let us note that the City (Jerusalem) here stands for the nominal people of God; and for Jesus to suffer at Jerusalem just without its gates represents the fact that He was cast off as a blasphemer and a rebel (“He stirreth up the people”), excommuni­cated and outlawed from among the nominal people of God, and thus died as an outcast from the nation. And all during this Gospel Age God’s faithful people have been “be­headed for the Witness, and for the Word of God” – with the nominal people of God being the instigators of their death. “He (the Papal “horn”) shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High.” (Dan. 7:25) “They will expel you from the synagogues (from their assemblies); but an hour is coming, when every one who kills you will think to offer service to God.” (John 16:2, Dia.) And by endur­ing such afflictions, we also suffer “outside the gate” – go “forth to Him without the Camp, bearing His reproach” – the shame and disgrace that was heaped upon Him.

And as such, St. Paul declares we have here “no continuing City” (no religious Gov­ernment) – “your brethren that hated you, and that cast you out”—Isa. 66:5. The main feature of our doing good, and in offering sacrifice that is well pleasing to the Lord, is our faithful witness to the Truth. “For this I have been born; and for this I have come into the world, that I may testify to the Truth.” (John 18:37, Dia.) And note here the Berean Comment: “It was this good confession before Pontius Pilate (His witness to the Truth) that cost our Lord His life.” He was indeed “without the gate” – beyond the pale of His Jewish brethren – “He was numbered with the transgressors.”

“AS HE WAS”

“We know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has imparted to us of His spirit.... As He is we also are in this world.” (I John 4:13, 17) Having “His spirit,” we must self-evidently have agape love – disinterested good will toward all men, but especially toward the Household of Faith. “He went about doing good”; and those with “His spirit” during this Age have also gone about doing good as they had opportunity. This in turn has brought upon them the opposition of the organized religion of their time. The Papacy, with its tremendous power through the Roman Government, and with its tenacious determination to annihilate the ‘heretics,’ produced the most heinous crimes against God’s faithful people. And those very sects thus persecuted – once they were well established, and their original good leadership had passed on – joined in to perse­cute the new reformers, those who were treading the same path that their own leaders had trodden. All of which left a sorry tale – no tribute to Christianity. The Presbyter­ians persecuted the Baptist and Servetian reforming brethren. The Episcopalians and Presbyterians persecuted the Congregational and Quaker reforming brethren. The Episco­palians moderately persecuted the Methodists. All of these in milder form persecuted the Christians and Adventists. And “in the time of Harvest” the hated ‘Russellites’ were persecuted by Catholics and Protestants of all sects. They were indeed the ‘spot­ted birds’ during the Parousia period.

And these persecutions were fanned to white heat after the outbreak of World War 1, as is so graphically typed by the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace. Then indeed did they “heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.” (Dan. 3:19) The memory of this is still vivid with some of our readers, as some of the brethren were badly manhandled – some even unto death; but with others experiencing almost mirac­ulous delivery – “the fire had no power, nor was an hair of the head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.” (Dan. 3:27) And in that experience there had appeared a fourth one with them, whose “form is like the Son of God.” “In all their afflictions He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them.” Jesus Himself had much the same experience on various occasions, as His enemies tried to lay hold on Him, but could not – because “His time was not yet come.”

The above details are presented as a special ‘Memorial’ lesson – lest we also fall in the same manner of unchristian performance. Almost always during this Age the minor­ity has been right, and the majority wrong. Truth people know of their own knowledge how true this was during the Parousia part of the Harvest; and, when one is fully convinced he is right, it is all the more difficult to exercise proper Christian restraint. There is a special lesson, given right at the Memorial season, of the two thieves on Calvary with Jesus. (Luke 23:39-43) The one of them, in his agony of the cross, “railed on Him, saying, IF thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” But the other one, in the same predica­ment, took a most commendable attitude, “rebuked him, saying, Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds (what we are getting here we have coming to us): but this man hath done nothing amiss.” It has often occurred to us that this one thief must have heard and been close to Jesus many times before he was crucified with Him. As Jesus fed the multitudes, and received gratuities from some of his wealthy admirers, it would be only logical that the flotsam and jetsam of the human race would be drawn to him as a magnet attracts other metals. If they would become hungry, this Man would produce something; it is well to be around Him, even if we don’t go along with His teachings. Thus, this thief could know that Jesus had violated no human or Divine laws, which he himself had done. But in all this dialogue between the two Jesus did not join, did not take the oc­casion to assert how right was the one thief that He was innocent. Here we have an ex­ample of perfection of fortitude – of resigning to a most cruel situation, having already said, “Thy will, not mine, be done.”

Jesus was disposed to be winsome. ‘‘All bare Him witness, and wondered at the gra­cious words that proceeded out of His mouth.” He wanted the good opinion of others, so that on one occasion He asked the disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some, John the Immerser; some Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” Said Jesus to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:13-15) He was intent upon knowing what impression He was making upon His listeners. Nor is He to be criticized for that. We often hear people say, I don’t care what others think about me. This is indeed a very shallow and unsound summation. If All men looked upon us in disagreeable manner, we would soon be forced outside the limits of human society ­to the life of a hermit. And, as such, our opportunities for useful service to the Lord, the Truth and the Brethren would be ended. Of course, Jesus studiously avoided such a situation. He calmed, pacified, conciliated and delighted wherever and whenever He could do so without compromise. Even in the discussion between the thieves He did not attempt at all to answer the one who “railed on Him,” because He realized that noth­ing would be gained by it. The lesson for the occasion was better taught by allowing the friendly thief to answer. Here He left us an example of perfection – probably be­yond the reach of any fallen man under the same circumstances.

And in all of this His faithfulness is predominately apparent – perfect loyalty to truth and righteousness, to the persons and things to which He had pledged Himself. “I delight to do thy will, 0 my God, Thy law is written in My heart.” Just the very oppo­site is apparent on every hand today. Officials in high position are influenced by the “beggarly elements” to compromise their views, their conduct, even often their honesty – all of which has contributed overly much to the turmoil we see on every hand. This is what we should expect, of course, as we come nearer to the complete “time of the end.” But in it all we have again the example of Jesus for our guidance: “Jesus held His peace.” (Matt. 26:63) Apparently He was the most calm of all present on that turbulent night, knowing their intent, and what they would actually do in the morning; yet He kept His poise in perfect manner – so much so that He could turn and look at Peter after the cock crew. (Luke 22:61) It is little wonder that Peter never forgot that look!

IN REMEMBRANCE

It should be emphasized that there was but one Passover. But, “Ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons forever.” (Ex. 12:24) Each subse­quent observation over the centuries has been but a “Memorial” of that all-important one that awesome night in Egypt. And there is also but one antitype: “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” To this day all orthodox Jews are most meticulous in their ob­servation of the remembrance, although it varies considerably from the original Passover it­self. Wine plays an important part in the observance; whereas, there was none with the original. And this apparently was considered proper, because Jesus Himself seemingly followed the custom of the time to use four different cups of wine on the night in which He was betrayed. Note Luke 22:17: “He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves.... I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God shall come.” Then, further, in Luke 22:20: “Likewise also the cup after supper.” It was with this cup – “after supper” – that He instituted our Memorial: “This do in remembrance of Me.”

“And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place.” (Ex. 13:3) The Jews were also commanded that when they would come into goodly Canaan land they should not forget that they were once “in bondage,” and not attempt to inflict such hardship upon their fellows. Canaan for Gospel-Age purposes types the sphere of the Truth and its spirit. And applying this antitypically, we, too, should “remember this day” – when we came from the “house of bondage” (when we were rescued from antitypical Egypt, the world in sin), and brought into goodly Canaan land, into the Truth and the spirit of the Truth. But there are the many who are still in antitypical Egypt, and toward such St. Paul offers the proper course for all of us: “In meekness correct­ing the opposers; perhaps God may give them a change of mind (even as He did with us) in order to a knowledge of the Truth.” (2 Tim. 2:25, Dia.)

With these comments comes the prayer that each reader may come to a clearer under­standing of this service “in remembrance of Me,” that it will enable each one to “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the Grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (I Pet. 1:13) And, “Be not anxious, then, about the morrow; for the morrow will claim anxiety for itself. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.” (Matt. 6:34) And complement to this we would add a line by a radio commentator: There are two days in the week we should not worry about ­yesterday, and tomorrow!

The Jews were ordered to take up the lamb on Nisan 10, which gave them five days in which to contemplate the solemnity of the occasion, and the enormity of God’s power (“Is there anything too hard for the Lord?”). Antitypical of this the antitypical Lamb of God (Christ our Passover) rode into Jerusalem five days before He was offered up, at which time the people shouted, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (John 12:13) And it would seem proper for us also to anticipate our Memorial at least five days before its arrival by reading the chapter on the Passover in Parousia Volume 6, with some of the Scriptures pertinent thereto. And to this end we wish all Israel everywhere the Lord’s rich blessing in their preparation for and partici­pation in this year’s Memorial on the evening of March 20.

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight,, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Heb. 13:20,21)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

---------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – You say the Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t mention That Servant’s Studies in the Scriptures, or recommend them any more. I am a subscriber to the Watch Tower, and I notice they mention them many times, as they publish statements from those who have come into the organization by reading Volume I (The Divine Plan of the Ages). Wouldn’t that be a recommendation of all the Studies? If so, are you being just in your criticisms?

ANSWER: – So far as we know, none of the Witnesses testify to joining with them recently by reading the Studies in the Scriptures. All who have written of their ex­periences in which they first read The Divine Plan of the Ages, are those who came into the organization many years ago. Furthermore, if our questioner knows of a meeting any­where that the Witnesses are studying any of the Studies in the Scriptures in their reg­ular meeting, we would appreciate knowing about it.

Our own experience with the Witnesses dates back to 1917, at which time they pro­duced Volume 7, with the claim at that time that it was the posthumous writing of Bro. Russell. It was titled The Finished Mystery as Volume 7 of Studies in the Scriptures. Its acceptance at that time was made a test of fellowship, and caused widespread divi­sions among them – many of the most faithful and capable of Brother Russell’s supporters leaving them then because of that. Eventually, they completely reversed themselves, and that particular item of the Studies was placed upon the Index Librorum Prohibitorum.

It should be observed that many people throughout Christendom lay claim to becoming Christians through reading the Bible, yet many of them ignore completely – in many instances completely disregard – large sections of the Bible. The same may be said of those who endorse the Studies; e.g., Volume 1, Chapter IX – Ransom & Restitution – does not fit at all with what the Witnesses teach now. And the same may be said for other chapters of that book; and the same for Volumes 2, 3 and 6.

It seems to be common vagary among the confused human race to follow such practice ­as instance, the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement, who now make loud claim to acceptance of the teachings contained in their Studies in the Scriptures, all the while they also reject large parts of some of them, and distort other parts. Just as the Witnesses, if they retained the teachings of Vol. 3 – Elijah and Elisha – they could not harmonize it with their present teachings. The same with parts of Vol. 4 – The Epiphany Elect – and Vol. 15, and others. As Jesus Himself said, “Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) And v. 49 has application to all such cases: “He that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”

------------------------------------------------------------

LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle:

Recently in connection with some work that I have been doing, a brother in Kentucky gave me a number of back issues of your monthly letters. I am engaged in a project of compiling a bibliography of all of the writings of the various Bible students and Bible Student Associations who trace their lineage to Pastor Russell..... I would like to receive the following missing issues of your paper:.......

I realize that many of these are probably out of print, but would like to obtain any that are available. Also I would like some information as to when you began separate publication, and why –i. e., what led you to break with Bro. Jolly?......

Sincerely, ------- (ILLINOIS)

Our answer:

Dear Brother ------- : Grace and peace through our Beloved Lord!

In accordance with your request of January 19, I am sending you the various papers you request. You say you are not expressing any preference of treatment of the various groups, which is all right with me – although it would still be all right if you disagreed openly with any of my views. I consider that your Christian priv­ilege, so long as you do so in a Christian fashion.

If you read through these papers carefully, you will come to a very clear under­standing of my differences with R. G. J., as I do not attempt any evasion in any of them. However, to save you some time, I would tell you that I adhere very scrupu­lously to the doctrinal teachings presented by Brother Russell and Brother Johnson, as Brother Johnson himself retained and defended with vigorous candor the doctrinal teachings he had received from the Lord through Brother Russell. At the time of Bro. Johnson’s death in 1950 I had no personal differences of any kind with RGJ; and our severance came, in 1955 only because of his sins of teaching and practice – as he did violence to a number of the sound tenets Scripturally presented by both of these beloved brethren. I now enumerate some of them:

1 – He now teaches there are no more saints left on earth. I disagree with this ­as did also Brothers Russell and Johnson, who taught some of them would remain on earth until the beginning of Anarchy, based on Psalms 46 and other Scrip­tures.

2 – Both Brothers Russell and Johnson taught that the Epiphany, as a period of time here in the end of the Age, and the Time of Trouble are identical – that when the one ends, the other will also end. RGJ is now teaching that the Epiphany in his ‘restricted’ sense ended in 1954 – although he has produced no Scripture, no type, or any signs of the times to prove his contention.

3 – RGJ says no more Youthful Worthies can be won since 1954, although both Brothers Russell and Johnson taught that some of them would be won especially after Armageddon, and even up to the time when Restitution begins.

4 – RGJ now teaches justification in the Tabernacle Camp, although Brothers Russell and Johnson were emphatic that it could exist only in the Tabernacle Court in this faith Age.

5 – RGJ is contending that his period from 1954 and up to the present is a parallel of the 1914-1916 situation. He has become so blinded that he no longer realizes that parallels – to be real true parallels – must be identical in point of time. Therefore, his position is self-evident nonsense.

6 – He contends that the “end” of 1 Cor. 15:24 is the beginning of the Little Season, whereas Brother Johnson taught it was the end of the Little Season. His confusion here is also apparent, when we consider that the “last Enemy to be destroyed” cannot possibly be the Adamic death state; it must be the Adamic death process. The Adamic death state will have passed forever out of existence when the last member of the race is delivered from the tomb; and that must be at least 100 years before the Little Season even begins.

There are many other less important features, but I think this will give you a good idea of our differences – which are not mere splitting of hairs, but are points too important to be glossed over as non-essential.

Not too long after Brother Russell’s death J. F. Rutherford began just the same kind of vitiations of Harvest Truth, and was eventually forced to reject Tabernacle Shadows entirely, as he also did with the Pyramid, and all the Six Volumes of Studies in the Scriptures. RGJ has not openly gone to any such extremes as yet, although he has done so in practice – in a limited way – with large parts of Parousia and Epiphany Studies in the Scriptures, and with many articles in the Watch Tower and the Present Truth. While RGJ still recommends study of Tabernacle Shadows, such an attitude can be only a sham, because his present ideas no longer coincide with much of that book. And it is for these reasons – and only for these reasons – that I must openly expose him if I would be “faithful to the Lord, the Truth and the Brethren.” He cannot now use Epiphany Volume 3 – (Elijah & Elisha) at all; and he must avoid large parts of Epiphany Volumes 4, 10 and 15, these latter being entitled respectively The Epiphany Elect, The Epiphany Messenger, and Christ-Spirit-Covenants.

If I can be of further service to you in your present effort, be sure it will be my pleasure. My Christian love and cordial good wishes for your physical and spiritual health.

Sincerely your brother, JJH

...........................................................................

My dear Sir, John J. Hoefle:

What a blessing to receive your latest letter dealing with Retrospect and Prospect. It is a pearl of great calibre. Please, if possible, forward me two extra issues for some friends of mine.

Thank you ever so much. Sincerely yours, Col. ------- (CALIFORNIA)

...........................................................................

Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in our Redeemer’s name! We received the books safely and gave Sister ------- to send to you....

We trust you and Sister Hoefle are in good health. We join in sending warm Christian love to you, Sister Hoefle and the friends there. By His Grace ------- (TRINIDAD)

...........................................................................

Dear Brothers: Please forward me six of Special Edition No. 9 – The Day of Judg­ment for distribution to my relatives and friends.

Sincerely & with appreciation, ------- (CALIFORNIA)

...........................................................................

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace to you, dear Bother!

Your No. 171 is very much to the point, especially when you speak about 1954 you are on the right point. When we read Generalities of the Great Company in Epiphany Volume 4, etc., etc. See Daily Manna for Sept. 9. May God bless you and all at Bible House with 275 Hymn.

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

NO. 176: BIBLICAL NAMES AND THEIR MEANINGS

No. 176

Special names in the Bible have special meanings. Attributes or characteristics are often revealed in names. As most of our readers know, the four main attributes of God are: Justice, Wisdom, Power and Love. Justice is the duty love, the good will, that by right is owed to God and others. It is a matter of obligation, duty, to give it. It is “required.” (Micah 6:8) By His wisdom God created the universe and all creation – and devised the “Plan of the Ages” for mankind. (Eph. 3:11, Dia.) His Divine wisdom planned two distinct salvations for mankind – the elective and the non elective – the elective called from among mankind during the reign of sin and evil; the non-elective for the residue of mankind during Christ’s Kingdom. (Acts 15:17) His foreknowledge informed Him there would be believers and non-believers – and it is by this foreknowledge that Wisdom and Love provided such a marvelous Plan of Salvation for all who will in their “due time” came into harmony with Him – and delight in right­eousness and well-doing.  His Power will accomplish His Plan, all in harmony with Jus­tice. Justice must be met, as Justice is the foundation of God’s throne. (Psa. 89:14; Prov. 21:3)

However, inquiries have come to us about the many different names of the Devil, and their Biblical meanings. Although it is not a pleasant subject, it is an important subject – something we should understand if we would be able to resist his evils; it is a distinct Bible teaching. Nor did God describe the Adversary’s evils in much de­tail in His Word except for our admonition, profit and protection, and to arouse our abhorrence. (2 Cor. 2:11) The Bible names for the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4) and the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2) are such as those described in Rev. 20:2, “the dragon, that old serpent, the Devil and Satan”; also, Beelzebub, Azazel, etc. We know these different names have special meanings, otherwise the Bible would not use them. God is known to us by His four Holy attributes – Justice, Wisdom, Power and Love; and Satan is known to us by his four unholy attributes, which are hid­den in the four names of Rev. 20:2. In Rev. 12:3 the dragon means the Pagan Roman Gov­ernment, ‘‘which is to rule all nations with a rod of iron” (Rev. 12:5); and that govern­ment was the instrument used by the invisible spirit “Dragon” through his unholy use of Power to ‘,wear out the saints of the Most High” (Dan. 7:25). The word dragon is from the Greek drakon, and occurs 13 times in the New Testament – all in Revelation.

Then, ‘‘serpent’’ means the deceiver; and the “devil” as the “accuser of the brethren” “Satan” means the Evil One, the Adversary, the opposer of God’s fully faithful people. Beelzebub means ‘lord of the fly’ – the destroyer; and ‘‘Azazel,’’ perverter, averter, as he perverts the Truth. The six names describe certain evil qualities of the “evil one”: Dragon, Serpent, Devil, Satan, Beelzebub and Azazel, which we now treat in some detail.

THE SERPENT

As the “serpent” he appears in the Garden of Eden as “deceiver.” None who accept God’s Word will deny that he was indeed a “deceiver” of Eve in that episode. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any living thing” (Gen. 3:—Rotherham); and St. Paul tells us that “The woman was deceived” (1 Tim. 2:14). By his superior intellect, and a tricky use of it, the Serpent used his sagacious mind for evil – just the opposite of “the knowledge of God,” who gives His people the “pure wisdom from above” (Jas. 3:17), that ‘knowledge’ that has saved His faithful people during the Ages from falling under “the snare of the devil” (1 Tim. 3:7; 2 Tim. 2:26) and “the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). The serpent used his superior intellect and perverted knowledge in craftiness to “deceive the nations” (Rev. 20:3) and to “blind the minds of them that believe not” (2 Cor. 4:4). As such, he has been, and is, the “serpent” – the arch deceiver. God had told them they would “surely die’’; ‘‘And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.”

It may be that the “serpent” (the devil) first deceived himself – that he himself believed what he told them, even as many first deceive themselves, then others. To fool others successfully, one must first fool himself. As “deceiver” he has deceived the nations and many of God’s people. Even today we have evangelists trying to teach that we don’t die – that we only appear to die. And they do this even while quoting Rom. 6: 23: “The wages of sin is death.” They tell us that the body dies, but the soul, spirit, or something in us “never dies.” We must either accept Christ and go to Heaven, or reject Him and go to Eternal Torment – according to them. This is blasphemy! The Bible teaches us that the “dead know not anything” (Ec. 9:5). Whether wittingly or unwittingly, when they perpetuate the Devil’s first lie in Eden, they are the Devil’s emissaries. They be­lieve God meant they would die in a 24-hour day, and that they did die spiritually in that day in the sense of losing fellowship with God. But the Scriptures tell us that “a day with the Lord is as a thousand years” (2 Pet. 3:8); and Adam and Eve died in that thousand-year day. God placed life and death before man – not Heaven and Eternal Torment. If Adam died spiritually in the “day” he ate the fruit, and died physically 930 years later, just what was then left of him to continue to live?

We are living in that “evil day” when “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). Many of God’s people who have come to a knowledge of the truth on the “wages of sin,” etc., have become enmeshed in other false doctrines – have become “deceivers” of the brethren and others. The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that all must join up with them or be annihilated in Armageddon; and another group (the LHMM) teach that Campers can consecrate now and walk a “narrow way” with the elect, for which they will be rewarded in partnership with the residue of man­kind in walking up the Highway of Holiness in the Kingdom. Yes, there are many “deceiv­ing, and being deceived.”

AS THE “DEVIL”

The “devil” is from the Greek diabolos – the calumniator – which, according to Web­ster, means ‘to accuse falsely and maliciously of a crime or offense.’ Certainly it needs no elaboration that the devil has used his chief human agency, as well as all the lesser lights that he could enroll, to malign, vilify and calumniate God’s faithful people.  In 2 Tim. 3:1-9 St. Paul describes the Parousia and Epiphany sifters – Jannes and Jambres – and the evils that he attaches to them might just as well have been writ­ten about the devil himself. And the slander, lying, false statements, misrepresenta­tions, bad conscience, etc., that have worked against the fully faithful are a clear manifestation of “in”-justice – just the opposite of that Justice which is the foundation of God’s throne, which “giveth freely, and upbraideth not.” (Jas. 1:5) One secular writer designates the devil as – Mephisto, That spirit that always says No! He always takes the contrary view of any subject where truth and righteousness (justice) are in­volved.

AS SATAN

As “Satan” he is the Evil One, the adversary, the opposer of God’s fully faithful people – often using the measurably faithful to oppose the fully faithful – the “buck­wheat” class meddling in the affairs of the wheat class, attempting to usurp their office powers, frequently using the Truth given by God through His faithful mouthpieces to their own advantage, often palming it off as their own. Such people have been “lame in both their feet” – lacking in Love toward God and man. They are those who “received not the Truth in the love of it” (2 Thes. 2:10), and who have received as punishment an “energy of delusion” in return. “Thou gavest them also blood (error) to drink; they deserve it.” (Rev. 16:6, Dia.) Thus, they are unlovely, measurably loveless! This is just the opposite of the One “altogether lovely” Who “provokes to love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). A similar spirit may be observed in the world today by the radical groups: Their motto is, Find out what they (the present ‘establishment’) want; then vote against it! Similarly stated above: That spirit that always says No!

AS BEELZEBUB – A fifth name to consider is “Beelzebub,” meaning ‘lord of the fly,’ the God of Ekron (destruction—2 Kgs. 1:3-6), symbolic of his cantankerous disposition through errors (flies) on militarism, encouraging men to slaughter each other for fame, glory and country on the field of battle. He was the idol of the Philistines, typical of sectarians, who are also often very troublesome because of their errors in teaching and practice. In the Kings passage the word is spelled Baalzebub, an alteration of the Canaan­ite Baalzebul. The God Baal himself is typical of power-graspers in the Lord’s House; and Lucifer’s action in Eden is a clear-cut example of grasping for power. His ultimate humiliation and annihilation are graphically stated: “Thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit” (Isa. 14:15) – “cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch... as a carcass trodden under feet” (v. 19). “I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth.... and never shalt thou be any more” (Eze. 28:18, 19).

The Jews regarded Beelzebub as “the Prince of Devils” (Matt. 12:24), and accused Jesus of being his tool. Although Jesus effectively answered their charge, there is little doubt but that Satan is the leader of “the angels that sinned’ (2 Pet. 2:4); and a sober appraisal of his iniquities and his ultimate end should be warning sufficient to all not “to go and do likewise.”

AS “AZAZEL”

Another appellation is “Azazel”; and occurs but four times in the Bible – all in Leviticus 16, where it is translated ‘scapegoat.’ There is no justification whatever for such a translation, as there is nothing in the word itself that even hints at such a mean­ing. It is derived from ‘azaz’ (to be strong) and ‘el’ (God); thus, a strong or mighty God.  And few will deny that the Evil One is such. Its underlying meaning is ‘Perverter’ “one who has turned to error, especially in religion,” Webster. Most of our readers know that the ‘scapegoat,’ the one “for Azazel,” typifies the crown-losers during this Age ­those who have become ‘sinners’ in a very special way – became measurably faithful to their vows and resolves to God; and as such have been cast out of the Holy, and have suc­cumbed to devious and sundry errors – “one who has turned to error.” This connects very well with St. James’ statement: “He who turns back a sinner (a crown-loser, one who sins against his Covenant by Sacrifice) from his path of error will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins” (the sins of the flesh and mind, somewhat described in 1 Cor. 5:1-5) – Jas. 5:20, Dia.

While this class of people have done many good and valiant works, as typified in Numbers 7, it is their evil works that are stressed when they are said to be “for Azazel,” because Azazel is the “father of lies” – the “perverter” of the Truth. Once this is clearly understood, there is likely to be much less chance of deception from such “per­verters.” “The one begotten of God guards himself and the evil one does not lay hold of him” (1 Jn. 5:18, Dia.) – does not lead him astray through perversions of the Truth.

Lest any receive false impressions of those “for Azazel,” it should be kept in mind that many of them have been examples of good morals and clean living in every respect; and they have preached much on righteousness – what man should do, and what he should not do. Thus, the world has been deceived into believing them to be the real “examples of the believers,” even as the Jews shouted of King Saul, “Long live the King!” Their prototype is to be found in Jn. 12:42, 43: “Among the chief rulers also (the ‘good’ people in Jewry) many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not con­fess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

All during the Age those “for Azazel” have tended to do as did the chief rulers: They have striven for “the praise of men, more than the praise of God.” This is one of their besetting sins. This is clearly typified in Eze. 44:9-14: “The Levites (typical of crown-losers) that are gone away far from Me.... shall even bear their iniquity.... and sacrifice for the people, and shall stand before them.... because they caused the House of Israel to fall into iniquity (by persuading them that their good morals, etc., were sufficient unto salvation – even though their hearts were far from the Lord)... They shall not come near unto Me to do the office of a priest unto Me, nor come near to any of the holy things (such as trying to bring forth new doctrines, or approaching the lamp stand in the Holy in an effort to bring forth new Truth).... but I will make them keepers of the charge of the house.”

Note now the sharp contrast between those “for Azazel” and the real priesthood – those who have been “beheaded for the witness of Jesus” and “despised and rejected of men”: “But the priests... the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of My sanctuary when the chil­dren of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near to Me to minister unto Me, and they shall stand before Me” (in the Holy, before the lamp stand, the shewbread and the golden altar... They shall enter into My sanctuary” (to bring forth the Truth as due)—Eze. 44:15,16. We emphasize here that it was only the priests who were to “enter into My sanctuary”; and, when those “for Azazel” have attempted to violate this clear prohibi­tion, they have been afflicted with antitypical “leprosy.”

A case in point is here in order. In 2 Chr. 26:16-20 is related the incident of King Uzziah: “When he was strong, he lifted up his heart to destruction.... went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense (corresponding to the Holy of the Tabernacle).... And Azariah the priest.... withstood Uzziah.... It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron (typical of the Little Flock in the Gospel Age).... Then Uzziah was wroth.... and while he was wroth with the priests the leprosy rose up in his forehead.... And all the priests looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence.... Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death.” And being a leper “unto the day of his death,” he would be typical of such as go into the second death, so we do not set him forth herein as a type of those “for Azazel” – although he was such at one time; but merely as an illustration. Many of those “for Azazel” have attempted to re-enter the Holy after they were throughst out, and they have invariably gone into error as they did so have become afflicted with antitypical leprosy – although not to the extent of the second-­deathers, the antitypical Uzziah class.

And it is to be noted that the leprosy was in Uzziah’s forehead; hence, he could not see it himself, although it was plainly visible to the priests about him. Also, being in his forehead indicates that the intellect would be defiled, meaning that such as be­come leprous in their foreheads must of necessity go into more or less of error – their minds become unclean – fleshly – and it is because of this that they are delivered to Azazel “for the destruction of the flesh” (1 Cor. 5:5), their fleshly, “leprous” minds, “that the spirit (their new creature) may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (this Epiphany period).

Almost invariably during the Gospel Age those “for Azazel” have attempted to “sac­rifice for the people” – they have been strong crusaders for moral uplift, for various reforms, which would naturally bring them into the limelight, gain for them “the praise of men.” Usually those thus deceived have been enmeshed in the delusion that they would accomplish great works, win great numbers, gain great  favor. As  the  most  outstanding example of this in the Truth movements we offer the case of JFR, who boasted that he             could break the Devil’s back in one year if he had a million dollars. It  would  seem  that the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ assets today must be many times one million; yet the “children of Belial” are noticeably more in everything today than they were fifty years ago. Also, about that same time JFR conceived The Golden Age, a monthly magazine; and he told the Convention at Cedar Point in 1919 that he expected to have four million subscribers with­in one year. Instead, at the end of one year many newsstands would no longer give it space because there was almost no demand for it. We offer this summation from our own personal experience with the paper, so we are not talking hearsay.

Such experiences do not come to those “for Azazel” while they are still in the com­pany of the priests (have the restraining hand of God’s true Mouthpieces upon them), but only after they have been “delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh” (fleshly mind). And we emphasize again that their “deliverance to Satan” is not for the destruc­tion of their fleshly bodies, but of their fleshly minds – although their bodies also often suffer through persecuting persons. On this particular feature the Executive Trustee of the LHMM is in much confusion: he is now teaching it is the actual destruction of their fleshly bodies that is meant by “delivering them to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.” Any one not befuddled by Azazel – who has not lost the Truth on this subject ­would readily realize that this interpretation cannot possibly be correct. In corrobora­tion, we offer something from E-15:526:

“As with the prodigal son, their untoward experiences will eventually lead them to came to themselves; and resolving to return to the Father (and to the Truth they once embraced and recognized as Truth—JJH) they will make efforts to retrace their steps. (This they could not do if their humanity were destroyed by Azazel—JJH) It is this for which the Father longed, and for which He allowed them to suffer persecution, unfavor­able circumstances and buffeting at Satan’s hands. Seeing them at a distance painfully and humbly seeking to return, He runs forward to meet them by favoring providences and the presentation of appropriate portions of His Word through His faithful Little Flock mem­bers.... He saves them out of all the spiritual and earthly distresses into which they were brought by their willfulness, rebelliousness and waywardness (Psa. 107:13).... By these delivering acts God will have freed their Holy Spirit, His disposition in them.... and they will come to their rightful place as the suppressers of the evil and the devel­opers of the good in them. Thus we see the Holy Spirit enthroned in them as it was be­fore they began to turn unfaithful.”

Then some more from E-15:527, after they have cleansed their fleshly minds, and are resolved to do what they should have done in their original “covenant by sacrifice”: “They will be forever done with sin, error, selfishness and worldliness and their double mind. Henceforth their Holy Spirit, God’s disposition in them, will cleanse them from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit and enable them to perfect holiness in the rever­ence of the Lord (2 Cor. 7:1). Renewing their covenant of sacrifice, they will remain dead to self and the world and alive to God by the Holy Spirit, God’s disposition in them.... will practice self-denial and world-denial... faithfully meditate on the Truth... They will by their holy wills, minds and hearts faithfully scrutinize their dispositions, motives, thoughts, words, acts, surroundings and influences operating on or out of them... will cultivate the prayer spirit and practice.... become faithful witnesses of the Truth... The Holy Spirit will enable them to do these things amid pleasant and unpleasant, easy and hard, toward and untoward experiences.... will demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is God’s disposition in them.”

While the above procedure has been operative all during the Gospel Age in perhaps Millions of individuals, it is only in the end of the Age – in which we now are – that this will become apparent in them as a Class “after they have came out of great tribula­tion, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:14) It is then that they will have a fruitful ministry – after Armageddon has accom­plished the destruction of the Man of Sin, thus removing his deceptive influence. Then those that were “for Azazel” will no longer be such; and they will be blessed with a mighty message concerning the coming Kingdom, will be privileged to study, spread and practice the Truth as true “examples of the believers.” God speed this time!

The Epiphany is the last special period of the Gospel Age; it is also identical with the Time of Trouble in its violent features, having its beginning in 1914; and it will continue to the end of Jacob’s Trouble. One of the outstanding items for this per­iod is the elimination of the “Mystery of iniquity,” whom the Lord “shall destroy with the brightness of His coming” (2 Thes. 2:8) – “annihilate by the appearing (epiphaneia) of His presence” (Parousia).” A second outstanding item for this period is the mani­festation of those “for Azazel” as a Class, an event yet future. All during the Age there have been individuals of this Class – just as there have been individual members of the Little Flock; but neither of them was revealed as a Class since Apostolic times, as they were scattered throughout the various sects of Christendom.

But, when the Harvest came, there was definitely a Little Flock movement, and all of the saints came into that movement; and now before the Epiphany is over, those “for Azazel” will also be revealed as a Class separate and distinct. All the Little Flock developing truths were cleansed from all error before the Parousia was fully ended ­just as the developing truths of those “for Azazel” have now been cleansed from all error in this Epiphany period. But it does not necessarily follow that every member of that Class – even after the Class has been fully manifested – will be cleansed from all error; because some of them – such as those with the Jehovah’s Witnesses – have become so in­volved in the quagmire of error that it will probably be impossible for them to rid them­selves of all of it. However, we may safely conclude that by that time – after Armaged­don, when they will be saying, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jer. 8:20), they will imbibe enough of Present Truth to give them a clear direc­tive of the course they should follow as they then “offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness” (Mal. 3:3). They will have sufficiency of the Truth to make their elec­tive salvation, just as all the saints received enough of the Truth to make their “call­ing and election sure.”

Much of the foregoing is not precisely bearing on the names of Satan and their mean­ings, but the comment on those persons involved in the machinations of Satan as Azazel is so closely related that we have felt justified in giving the details we have thereon.

These six names of the Evil One – Dragon, Serpent, Devil, Satan, Beelzebub and Azazel surely have special significance, even as many names in the Bible have special meanings – such as Jesus, Jesus Christ, Son of Man; Jacob, Israel, etc.

LUCIFER - This name occurs only once in the Bible – in Isa. 14:12, and means ‘light bearer.’ This name does not signify any of the evils described in the six names treated above, because this was the name given him before he sinned. It was the Latin name for the planet Venus, the brightest object in the sky apart from the sun and moon.  Inasmuch as Isaiah styles him “son of the morning,” it might well be concluded that as Lucifer he was exceeded in rank and brilliance in the heavenly realm only by the Lord God and the Logos. In any event, Eze. 28:11-19 tells us that he was a cherub, one of the highest of all angels. In this Scripture the Prophet eulogizes him in superlative phrase –physically, mentally, morally, religiously perfect before his defection. He was fig­uratively covered with “every precious stone” – language used similarly of the glorified Bride of Christ as the “new Jerusalem” (Rev. 21:11-21), and of the stones set in the high priest’s breastplate (Ex. 39:10-13). Strictly speaking, Lucifer as such, should not be grouped with the foregoing six derogatory names, but we present it here for in­formative reasons. After his fall he was no longer the ‘light bearer’ but rather be­came ‘darkness bearer’ (error bearer), and is no longer known by the name of Lucifer. And this is also true of many of his emissaries; they were once ‘light bearers,’ but became teachers of darkness (error) when they fell from God’s favor.

We know that it is for our good that we understand the characteristics of the Devil; otherwise God would not have had them in His Word – “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11). Our meditation, however, should be on God’s glorious attributes – Justice, Wisdom, Power and Love.  God is supreme in His being, character, plan and works incomparably superior to all other beings in these respects. His supremacy was acknowledged by every creature in heaven, until Luci­fer rebelled and later led off some of the angels from subjection to God.  But even these must submit to the metes and bounds that God has appointed them. So,  too, mankind is also now in rebellion against God, yet is subject to the metes and bounds placed by God upon the race under the curse. None of God’s faithful people would be able to con­tinue in the “narrow way” if this were not true. But nothing happens to God’s faithful people except by His permission. However, those people who have not in this life had the opportunity of making God supreme in their lives, due to Satanic influence and hin­drances, will be given an opportunity to do so in the Kingdom when Satan is bound (Rev. 20:2). Many will then avail themselves fruitfully of that opportunity, and will in the Ages to come eternally make God supreme in their lives. But all who refuse so to do ­both human and angelic beings – will be “destroyed from among the people” (Acts 3:23), will be annihilated in the second death, from which there is no recovery. Thus the “Kindness and the severity of God; Severity, indeed towards those having fallen, but kindness of God towards thee, if thou continue in that kindness; for otherwise thou even shalt be cut off.” (Rom. 11:22, Dia.)

And surely our consideration of the attributes of God’s being should enhance Him in our appreciation and should prompt us to trust, reverence, love, adore and worship Him as altogether worthy. O! How great our God is in His attributes of being! “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” (2 Cor. 2:14)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

....................................................................

SPECIAL EFFORT – ANTITYPICAL GIDEON’S SECOND BATTLE

Our Memorial for this year is March 20 after 6:00 p. m., and we suggest for our Special Effort in Antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle Sunday, March 8 through Sunday, April 5 for our volunteer and sharpshooting in the slaying of the two King Errors ­Zebah (Eternal Torment), and Zalmunna (Consciousness of the Dead). The Adversary is still very busy “blinding the eyes” of many with these blasphemous doctrines. The Battle is not over.  We believe all faithful brethren who desire to continue in this Arrangement made by the Epiphany Messenger for this Epiphany period, will be happy to participate, if time and circumstances will permit – even though few in number, but “faint yet pursuing.” Please order your literature in time. All our literature is free, pos­tage paid – and our Nos. 1, 2 and 3 Gideon tracts, and the books, L-D-H and The Divine Plan of the Ages are very good for this purpose.

Be assured of our prayers for all in this special season – that they may receive blessed experiences and special blessings as they seek to “study, spread and practice the truth” in “sincerity and in truth.”

-------------------------------------------------------

LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear John J. Hoefle:

Your literature just obtained at the Post Office. Thank you for your nice letter. I shall write you later when the literature has been read.

Sincerely ------- (CALIFORNIA)

....................................................................

Gentlemen:

We have been receiving your letters for some time, and since no one reads them, we are returning them to you each time unread. It is possible that the P. 0. Dept. will not return them to you. Since I know all about your belief, having been in Bethel in the early part of 1923 and on, we will not continue to return them, but from now on will not bother the P. O., but will burn them as they come in. You might save yourself a lot of postage if you removed this one address.

If you would spend your time preaching the Good News of the Established Kingdom instead of preaching a doctrine of hate toward the Witnesses, you might regain Jehovah’s favor.

Yours very truly ------- (ARKANSAS)

....................................................................

Our answer to above letter:

Dear Brother ........... :  Christian greetings!

In accordance with your request, we are removing your name from our mailing list. You say you “know all about my belief,” but I’m quite certain you do not; otherwise, you would not have written me as you have. At one time I attended the Roman Catholic Church; then I accepted the Lutheran beliefs, from which I graduated to affiliation with the International Bible Students Ass’n (now called Jehovah’s Witnesses). I knew J. F. Rutherford well enough that he proposed that I become his private secretary in 1919. I spent many days going from house to house securing names in a petition to secure his release from Atlanta penitentiary in 1919. Thus, when I tell you that I know all about your belief, you should readily recognize that I know whereof I speak.

It was with a heavy heart that I severed my relations with so many brethren I had come to love very much; but I had taken a resolve and vow to be “faithful to the Lord, the Truth, and the brethren,” so there was no other course left to me. When you say I spend my time “preaching a doctrine of hate toward the Witnesses,” you judge me un­justly. You and your organization go to great lengths in almost every paper you pub­lish to expose the errors of Catholicism and Protestantism. Are you also preaching “a doctrine of hate”? I assume you are a member of the Household of Faith; there­fore, I consider it my Christian obligation to address you as a brother. We are both in the same Household, although it would seem you do not recognize that.

Over the years I have followed the teachings of your Organization very closely; have watched the followers accept one error after another. I suppose you won’t ac­cept this sentiment; but you will be forced to accept it when Armageddon clearly re­veals how wrong are your present teachings. Thus, it is just a matter of time, and I shall bide the time, safe in the conviction that you will eventually see my position is the correct one – especially when you see that many of those who have faithfully adhered to the organization’s teachings will not survive, while many who have refused to accept the Jehovah’s Witnesses will survive Armageddon. So I close by extending to you my cordial good wishes for your spiritual welfare, and the assurance that I am yet, as I have always been, and hope always to be

Your servant and brother,  John J. Hoefle

...............................................................................

Dear Friends:

Thanks for the literature received today and in the past, which I have enjoyed.  Have recently come in contact with ------- and I am definitely interested in the Modern (Youthful) Worthies. I suppose you hold to the Truth concerning this Class. I was immersed in 1921, and desire to know where the Lord will place me in His King­dom. I do, of course, realize that Brother C. T. Russell was “That Wise and Faithful Servant ............ Hoping to hear from you about the Youthful Worthies, I am

Your brother by His favor ------- (CANADA)

....................................................................

Dear Sirs:  Please send me one copy each of your free literature:

No. 1 – Where Are the Dead?
No. 2 – What Is the Soul?
No. 3 – The Resurrection of the Dead
No. 4 – The  Three  Babylons
No. 5 – Two Distinct Salvations
No. 6 – God’s Great Sabbath Day  – Thank you!

Yours  in  Christ ------- (FLORIDA)

NO. 175: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

No. 175

Another year gone – with the outstanding secular event being undoubtedly the land­ing on the moon. This event was so phenomenal that words are not adequate to portray it clearly to man’s mind. In fact, there seems to be quite a few people here in the United States who refuse to believe the fact; they surmise it was simply a monstrous hoax to overly impress the general public. This thinking, of course, is semi-moronic; there is no real reason to doubt that those astronauts did traverse part of the moon’s surface; and the ingenuity and precision which entered into the performance are staggering to behold. As one professor put it: We are living in an age that overwhelms mere mortals. When those men returned to earth’s atmosphere, they were traveling at the rate of about 18 miles per second. Assuming that the gravitational pull extends for about 100 miles up, it would mean they would reach earth’s surface in about six seconds. At such terrific speed, it was necessary to hit the air cushion at precisely the right angle, or they would plunge into land or water to precipitate disaster. Or, if they hit it at too slanting a contact, it would have set them off into space again to certain dis­aster also. Such absolute contact could only have been made with the aid of the most delicate instruments – instruments which have only recently been developed. Thus, even ten years ago the mission could not have been successfully manipulated, because the in­struments were not then available. Truly, “in the time of the end..... knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan. 12:4)

The same awesome “increase in knowledge” is to be noted also in agriculture, and in the invention of useful and destructive instruments – although the pace here has been of a more gradual rate, so that the average man has accepted it as part of every-day life. At present in the United States it is stated that one skilled farm worker, with up-to-­date equipment can produce enough food for about 45 other people. As we reflect upon this, we readily conclude that we are living in the best of times and the worst of times some have too much, some have too little. And the have-nots cast hungry and greedy eyes at those with more than they need, so that social unrest is pyramiding upon every hand.  Well do we recall that as a boy on the farm in Ohio we faced back-breaking labor from dawn to dusk and without complaint; all our neighbors were doing the same thing, and it was the accepted order of the times. Today most of that strenuous “sweat of the brow” is no more; the crops are perhaps three times as plenteous; with the price of the pro­duce perhaps three times what it was then. This also because “knowledge has been in­creased.” The progress in agriculture has been one of the marvels of this generation.

Another feature of progress has been in air travel. We were resident of Dayton, Ohio when the airplane was invented, and we were reasonably well acquainted with Orville Wright, one of the brothers who invented it – just as we were quite well acquainted with Charles F. Kettering, who invented the self-starter for the automobile, and many other useful items. These men worked in sheds in their backyards, little realizing as they did so what they were contributing to the vast sum total of knowledge. Vividly do we recall the afternoon that the first airplane flight was to occur over Dayton – in a con­traption that looked somewhat like a large orange crate, with a motor inside, the pilot sitting on a board in the open air. And many were the men who sacrificed their lives to bring the airplane to its present grandiose state, with travel now at the safe and luxurious pace of 600 miles per hour for ordinary commercial travel. Indeed, “Truth shall spring out of the earth (the present social order); and righteousness shall look down from heaven.” (Psa. 85:11)

Much the same may be said for the automobile. In fact, “knowledge has been in­creased” along general encyclopedic lines, embracing great details on the greatest vari­ety of topics, and comprehending the sphere of theoretical and practical subjects.  Especially has this been true of useful appliances and destructive implements and agen­cies. As one pundit has stated it, Never before has man had such enormous power placed in his hands by technology to injure himself, his fellow man and our society in general. All of which offers unanswerable proof that we are “in the time of the end.” And with it all comes a corresponding increase in selfishness and hatred between the classes, leading to violence unparalleled, and a proportionate diminution of the joys that should accompany such progress. Truly, “a morning cometh, and also the night.” (Isa. 21:12)

IN FINANCE

The deterioration of the financial structure has been in direct reverse ratio to the progress in inventive, agricultural and scientific genius. The overall debt in the United States today is estimated at 1½ trillion dollars. This includes the Federal, State, Municipal, corporate and private debt. Much of this is merely paper, with nothing more to guarantee its eventual dissolution than the “promise to pay.” Many are the debtors who rely upon these paper promises, and who will eventually find themselves in much the same position as the one who “built his house upon the sand... it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matt. 7:27)

This past year the fragile condition of our paper money was glaringly revealed by a jury trial to foreclose on a certain mortgage, in which the Justice refused to accept two $1 Federal notes. He said they were not acceptable because there was “no consideration” involved in their intrinsic value. The Federal Reserve System “wrote off” the $14,000 mortgage, rather than try to prove to a Justice how two American bills can qualify as money under the law. The Justice proceeded with this comment: “Federal Reserve notes are already counterfeit, and ‘in contemplation of law’ the same as if they never existed.  The truth is that U.S. money comes forth out of nowhere (being merely a product of the printing press—JJH). It needs only pen and ink, some engraving plates, and Aladdin’s lamp.” Certainly a very sorry evaluation of those $20 bills you may now have in your wallet, believing they are “sound.” In this connection, one commentator said it this way: “We face a repetition of 1929.  Some delay is possible.  Don’t count on it, tho.”

“GIANTS IN THE EARTH” – “As the days of Noe were, so also shall the presence (see the Diaglott translation) of the Son of Man be.... they were eating, and drinking.... and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.” (Matt. 24:36-39) The emphasis Jesus was intending here was the ignorance – “knew not” – of humanity in general as to the real significance of the great “Time of Trouble”; but other things also merit our consideration. In Gen. 6:4, it is related: “There were giants in the earth in those days” – just before the great flood – and “the wickedness of man was great in the earth.” It is a historical fact that man is readily corrupted by an easy life; and an easy life usually comes with plenty of money. And today we see financial “giants” on every hand; millionaires today are regarded as very ordinary people. It is only the billionaires, or those with hundreds of millions that elicit much public attention today. And, since “money is a defense” (Ecc. 7:12) – a fact readily recognized by those that have it – it is only logical that those possessing it would have their appetites whetted for more of that “defense.”

Such ambition cannot fall to bring the money makers into the Government business; and we are told of one national figure who accepted a one-dollar-a-year position as adviser to President Wilson at the outbreak of World War 1, who had then just one mil­lion dollars, but who came out of that war’s end with two hundred million.  And, concerning the crash in October 1929, one writer states it this way: “It was not as financial writers often comment, ‘a sharp technical reaction,’ resulting from an over­bought position. It was the long-incoming housecleaning. Actually, it was the cal­culated ‘shearing’ of the public by the World-money powers, triggered by the planned sudden shortage of the supply of call money in the New York market.” And says this same writer about conditions today: “Let us not fool ourselves. The wealth, freedom and liberty of the American people are being stolen and nibbled away. Today, as easy suckers, we are buying many over-priced political ‘benefits’ – all paid for, of course, with our own hard-earned money.”

Then this writer continues: “Obviously, the real objectives of the One-world Gov­ernment leaders and their ever-close bankers, are most devious. They have now acquired full control of the money and credit machinery of the United States of America, via the creation and establishment of the privately owned Federal Reserve Bank. They now plan to uproot and to gradually destroy the Spiritual background of all peoples.  Initially, Christianity is the prime target, then Judaism, then all other religions. That bleak program is absolutely necessary for them to complete, if possible, before they can reach godless power – aimed to benefit a few, but to make assembly-line puppets out of us, the many “

Then further: “I was not surprised also, when Mr. ------- gradually became the best symbol of vast world money power. Even when sitting on an open bench in a public park, feeding pigeons, while dispensing advice, his observations could readily mold long-range Government policy. His words reflected great financial power – power of such magnitude and extent that is seldom heard of – not even dreamed of by most Americans.” Yes, “money is power”!

Another paragraph: “What a fine team the two turned out to be in our (US) Treas­ury.  What a perfect ‘front’ they made as a financial figure! It couldn’t have been worked out better for the powerful New York and Overseas bank group. They successful­ly managed to have them and their close associates to hit ‘pay dirt.’ Over a period of time, this situation caused the loss of most of our gold reserve in Ft.  Knox. It was planned toward that end before March 4, 1933.” And this is how well they have succeeded by January 1, 1970: We have about ten billions of gold left in Fort Knox; and there are at this time at least forty billions of foreign deposits in the United States – PAYABLE IN GOLD. Thus, the money system could erupt any time within a few hours.

And more of the same: “What sort of plan might be evolved whereby the U.S., acting under ‘War Emergency Powers,’ even after the war’s close (in 1945), could make a selected group of Europeans very rich, along with many of their close friends here in this country? Such a plan, of course, must be so designed that the American taxpayer would not be aler­ted to the dilution of his money and to the contemplated heavy raid on the US Treasury thereby uttering loud cries of protest. This high-level ‘money-plate plan’ was doubtless one reason the US was maneuvered into World War II, when most US citizens wanted no part of it. It was a clever deal – a costly one for you!”

For the information of our readers, this same group of money men planned and built up “the revolutionary-tinged NAACP, cleverly designed to distort racial issues to create civil discord, resulting in occasional violence among segments of our citizens ­the deception employed in the health of FDR (the late President Roosevelt), and, finally, Pearl Harbor.... exploiting Negro citizens, often using them as ground breakers for a planned one-world program. Money-control, in underprivileged nations and other purposes are not overlooked by that group.... the effective control of World Money World Poli­tics, and most necessary in that aim is the elimination of all religions

One more quote from this same writer: “The final act of Bretton Woods, which gave birth to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, the Dumbarton Oaks Conference which created the United Nations and all its agencies, the Havana Conference which pro­duced the General Agreement in Tariffs and Trade, and many similar assemblies of hand­picked functionaries were not incubated by hard-pressed Governments engaged in waging war, but by a Supra-National Money-Power which could afford to look ahead to the shap­ing of a post-war world that would serve its interest.”

It is estimated that it required forty million dollars to elect Mr. Nixon to the US Presidency, so the “giants” are in politics, too – certainly not for glory or love of the country. But perhaps the greatest “giant” of them all now is the Vatican Empire, whose worth is estimated at 4½ billion dollars, with a strangle hold on much of Italy’s utilities, courts, and giant industries – of which we may say more in a future paper.

IN POLITICS – It is well to remember that politics and money are always closely allied, and as one goes, so goes the other. As stated aforegoing, there is now about forty billions of foreign accounts in the United States that are payable in gold upon demand – with only a little more than ten billions of gold with which to pay. Self-evi­dently, a call for gold by these foreigners would be embarrassment no end, so the politi­cians have manipulated the interest rates to abnormally high figures to assuage the for­eigners from asking for gold. Of course, these high interest rates result in just that much more paper accumulating each year, with the end nowhere in sight.

Over the past ten years or so this has been the easy way out – the way the politicians always take. They reason they will be either dead or out of office before the crisis comes; and – politicians seldom act before a crisis develops. How long this can continue is any­body’s guess; but the high interest rates are rapidly bringing the building of homes and investment properties to a standstill. Thus, the words of the Wise Man are well consid­ered: “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him... Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the City.” (Ec. 7:14,19)

As one commentator has put it, For the past two thousand years politicians have been the lowest form of insect life. When one politician was asked just what is the differ­ence here in the US between the Republicans and the Democrats, he answered, All the dif­ference in the world – They’re in, and we’re out! It is accepted policy for political speakers to deceive their listeners; and the one most skilled in this respect is the one most likely to be elected. Thus, it is simply raw burlesque to conclude that the voice of the people is the voice of God. Never was this more clearly proven than when the Jew­ish mob yelled, Crucify Him, and give unto us Barabbas!

Most of our readers have at least some knowledge of the conflict between England and Rhodesia – a difficulty precipitated by the white segment in Rhodesia insisting upon re­taining their ruling powers over the black majority. When Rhodesia cast off the English rule, the United Nations voted sanctions against that African country; a trade boycott was agreed upon by most of the member nations, including Russia. The only real reason for this move was so the politicians could mollify the black minorities in their respec­tive countries – especially so, here in the United States. In due course it became known that Russia and Rhodesia were the principal producers of the world’s chromium. Almost immediately Russia raised the price o f chromium 44%; then stealthily ‘bootlegged’ Rho­desia’s chromium through a roundabout route in East Africa. Thus, the boycott boomeranged upon those countries that needed chromium in their industries; they simply hit themselves in their own pocketbooks by a 44% raise in the price of the metal. Yet, in the speeches on the floor of the United Nations the palaver is often heard, Gentlemen, Gentlemen, let us be gentlemen!

IN ITALY – The Italian political picture is so closely related to the Church of Rome that it could just as easily be examined under the heading of Religion. We now offer a few excerpts from an article dated July 23, 1969: Today Communists can claim support of 8½ million votes, nearly 27% of the total electorate. They have been growing so rapidly that it is now very difficult to form any kind of government there without their cooper­ation.  Says one 33-year-old waiter: “I’m fed up. Any government is better than no government, but the politicians we now have are crooks. At least the Communists are hon­est. They worry about little people like me.” Perhaps the Communists are concerned more about the little man because they know that is the surest way to win his vote.

Adding other radical parties to the Communists, they have about one-third of the Italian total; whereas, the Christian Democrats hold only 39%. This latter is the Roman Catholic party;’ and the Papacy is not unmindful of the growing surge of radicalism. Says one of them who was once prime minister, “no government can ignore them”; and he favors some form of cooperation between the radicals and his own Christian Democrats. Of course, the two are as far apart as the north and south poles; and the Communists will ‘cooperate’ only until such time as they are strong enough to rule without cooper­ation from the Papal party. “The people are asserting their will,” says the editor of Italy’s most important Communist daily newspaper, and he has not the least doubt that the rising tide will sweep the reds into power.

The waiter mentioned above complains that his cigarettes have gone up 25% lately, and he is afraid to eat chicken because they may be fattened on illegal hormones.  Gen­erally he leaves churchgoing to the females in his family, and he takes a cynical, al­most anti-clerical, view of the church and what it might do for him. “For months I wait for my money back from the government for doctor bills,” he says, “and I am still wait­ing.” He says his employer is a slave driver, who forces him to work 60 hours a week. Thus, he never makes a mistake on his meal checks that is not in his favor. He already has four children, and he would like very much to have a Fiat 600 for his own; but he cannot have the auto if he has any more children. The wife says avoiding more children is contrary to the rules of the Roman Church, but she is willing to go along with it if her husband finds out from the Communist Clinic what the procedure should be. That way she will not have to hear her confessor accuse her of sin; and her husband won’t hear about it either, because he does not visit the confessor. Birth control clinics are il­legal in Italy, as might be expected under Catholic rule; but the “pill” is advertised in some magazines as a “cure for acne.” It is estimated that 10% of the Italian women resort to the pill; and, if it prevents child birth, that is a bonus that can be accep­ted without violating Roman Catholic regulations, as they find a cure for their “acne.”

A decade ago the Catholic Church condemned Communists in no uncertain terms.  Today that attitude has softened considerably, and most confessors in Italy no longer tell people it is a sin to vote Communist. Here again we have Jezebel in the beauty parlor (See our tract No. 7); the Church readily adapts itself to any situation that seems expedient – whether religious, political or social. The Pope is ready enough to take lessons from the Communists if it seems politically ‘proper.’ In May of 1969 the Pope celebrated Mass with 134 cardinals (the basic number should be 70, in keeping with the 70 who aided Moses—Num. 11:16,17; and the 70 of the Jewish Sanhedrin, but here again the Pope considers it politically expedient to have more than 70). During that Mass the Pope stressed the necessity to help the poor and needy – as the Communists are already doing, and winning more votes all the time away from the Catholic Church.

IN RELIGION

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH – From reports that reach us from all parts of the world, it is quite apparent that this institution is rapidly coming apart at the seams. In May a news item said this: “The Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines is in a restless, revolutionary mood. The clamor for reforms within the church has reached its highest crescendo since Spain brought Christianity into the palm tree islands 400 years ago and made the tropical Philippines the only Roman Catholic country in Asia. Roman Catholic university students have exchanged their books for placards to demon­strate in front of the office of Cardinal Rufino J. Santos, the archbishop of Manila. A group of priests has formed a corporation aimed at launching dialogue among the church hierarchy, the clergy and the faithful.... The church appeared an inevitable target for students because of its role in Philippine society as the nation’s single most powerful unifying force apart from the government itself.”

HOLLAND – And much the same is reported from Holland: “The most startling revo­lution in the Roman Catholic Church is raging in tiny Holland. Almost everything that Catholicism has meant to millions of people for hundreds of years is being overturned, questioned or given new meaning in the Netherlands. The nature of Christ, the virgin birth, the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the authority of the Pope – all are under scrutiny in Holland. Private confession, the rosary and forms of Marian wor­ship have largely gone by the board. The Mass has been radically transformed, priests have put on business suits and many are clamoring for the right to marry.... This has drawn the Dutch church into the most potentially dramatic conflict with the Vatican since Martin Luther flung down his challenge to the church of Rome in the 16th century and launched the Protestant Reformation.”

In the UNITED STATES similar things are occurring. It is reported that cookies and coke are now being used for the wafer and the wine in home gatherings among Catho­lics; and in Detroit the Catholics are rising in open revolt against some of the pol­icies of their newly-appointed Cardinal Dierden. Many of them are refusing to make further contributions to the church there, and are very open and emphatic in their an­tagonism.

And, recognizing the trend of the times, some priests and nuns have joined hands with “the beggarly elements” in their lawless activities. We cite just one instance in Detroit: Eighteen grape boycott demonstrators, including a nun, a priest and nine chil­dren, were arrested Saturday (July 18) and charged with taking groceries from a super­market as part of a “reparations” action. The group took the groceries from the Kroger market in retaliation for what they called the store’s breaking of the nation-wide boy­cott of California grapes. They just went in and told the manager that if he didn’t take the grapes off the shelves, they would take some merchandise.... They were to appear before Recorder’s Court on Monday to face possible charges of conspiracy to commit lar­ceny.

Much the same criticism may be charged to PROTESTANTISM. In the General Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church at Mobile, Ala., the news report says:

‘‘A surprisingly subdued debate showed how far the church had come from more funda­mentalist days. Four previous assemblies, dating back to 1886, had vigorously denied that man could claim animals for ancestors. But with little opposition, the commission­ers approved a judicious statement acknowledging that the Genesis account of creation and the theory of evolution are ‘non-contradictory.’ Sighed one progressive church official: ‘We had to wipe the embarrassment from our books.’”

Perhaps some comment here is also in order regarding Martin Luther King. The man was assassinated in 1968, and it is certainly not our wish to detract one whit from his stature as a man, a minister or a reformer. We shall let the facts speak for themselves. If we are correctly informed, he received a salary of $75,000 per year, plus expenses, from the NAACP, and it is not difficult to imagine most men to be willing “crusaders” for such compensation. We allow others to speak, quoting small parts from one paper under the heading, POLITICAL HYPOCRISY:

“The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 4, 1968, and the aftermath, constituted a sordid chapter in the history of the United States of America. Uncon­trolled violence begets violence, as events proved to be true. The Negroes aspire to equality with the white man, but by rioting, burning and looting, following King’s death, they only demonstrated their inequality with the white race. President John Kennedy was also assassinated, but white people did not react by demonstrations of un­controlled thievery and destruction.... King, whom a number of substantial politicians made a show of honoring by their presence at his funeral, was a known associate of Com­munists. In the Congressional record for September 13, 1962, a detailed account of the background of Martin Luther King, Jr., was given and this was quoted in the editorial entitled ‘The Rising Flood’ in DESTINY for December 1962 (p247). Ample evidence was therefore a matter of official record and readily available to our governmental lead­ers.... King – known to associate with Communists, having as his chief lieutenants sex perverts and identified Communists – an ordained Baptist minister who openly denied in The National Observer the Baptist doctrines he said, when ordained, that he believed. He went on record as not believing the doctrines of the virgin birth, the Deity of Jesus Christ, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, the literal resurrection of Christ and other basic doctrines he confessed before Almighty God to believe and accept...

It is little wonder that we find the Christian world in turmoil!

A little nearer ‘home’ we give passing notice to the Truth section of the Levites, especially the LHMM and its self-admitted crown-lost leader. As Brother Johnson ob­served concerning some of these same people earlier in the Epiphany, They inherited gold, and quickly turned it into ashes. The Present Truth was quick to come out with “Brother Russell’s Epiphany Parallels” after the demise of the Epiphany Messenger; but not one single thing emphasized in that article came to fulfillment as expected. In fact, there is not the slightest evidence of any fulfillment at all, so it is little wonder the whole idea is quickly forgotten – just as the Roman Catholics and others are glad to forget their past sins of teaching and practice, and to plead for ‘brotherly love,’ as they ignore the wretched past. In fact, after the Chicago Convention we ob­served that it was not beyond consideration that RGJ was willfully deceiving his audience on the ‘‘Abandonment process,” and who the “unprofitable servant” is, and other items. If so, he is thus not only a part of the Epiphany Jambres, but he would also be included in the Parousia Jannes, which name carries the meaning of “he deceives.” We sincerely hope for his sake that the impression he created is not his heart’s attitude, because we would then be forced to conclude that all hope for him is gone.

It would seem that almost all the Levites who were one time indoctrinated with Present Truth have gone astray on the chronology in some form or other. First, the PBI, very early in the Epiphany, determined that Brother Russell had made a 19-year mistake ­a ‘correction’ which they borrowed from a “foolish virgin.” At that time the Society (now the Jehovah’s Witnesses) made valiant defense of the Truth against that error; but by this time they are now so far astray they do not seem certain of anything that has chronology connected with it. “The 6,000 years are almost up,” according to them. This would prompt the logical conclusion that our Lord’s Parousia has not yet occurred; then must follow the second step that there has not yet been a Harvest. Yet they are now heralding Brother Russell as their founder, whose entire ministry was primarily the Harvest work.

Back there the PBI error was not only refuted by the Society, it was also more thoroughly disproven in the Present Truth published by the Epiphany Messenger – so com­pletely, in fact, that every mouth was stopped. Yet they continued right on with their error, which logically moved the end of the Gentile Times 19 years further along – to 1933.  Well, 1933 came and went – and not one scintilla of proof appeared to support their ‘correction.’ Yet they went blithely on, allowing those who had accepted their ‘correction’ to provide their own answer to the vacuum that appeared.

More lately, the LHMM offered the foolish conclusion that they were ‘paralleling’ the overlapping of the Parousia into the Epiphany – a period of 25 months. But their ‘overlapping’ is just transparent nonsense to all except those who are so blind they simply will not see. For a few years after Brother Johnson’s death – and before the parallel should begin to operate – both the “cousins” (RGJ & JWK) made great play upon the approaching parallel; but it seems, now that time has annihilated every vestige of their predictions, they too would be most willing to have the whole thing forgotten ­just as was true of the PBI and others in 1933. Indeed, the mills of the Gods grind slow, but they grind exceeding fine. The merciless barometer of time itself is making glaringly ‘‘manifest the counsels of hearts,” as the Epiphany continues to manifest per­sons, principles and things in very exacting fashion.

GENERAL

One bit of most interesting news has come to us this past year; namely, it is now quite clearly determined that the Bering Straits that lie between Alaska and Siberia were one time more dry than the Isthmus of Panama is now; and it is now defi­nitely concluded that the North American Indians came to America across those then dry Straits. It has been our belief for a number of years that the “ten lost tribes of Israel” were the ancestors of the North American Indians; and this opinion would now seem to find confirmation in the news item we herein repeat.

“The Harvest is the end of the ‘‘world’’ (Matt. 13:39); and we offered copious proof on page 1 that we have come to that “end.” Therefore, we have the strong assurance of Scripture that the Truth will triumph over all its opponents; and those who have the Truth may abide in the comforting thought, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” Thus, we may rejoice as we ‘‘meditate on thee in the night watches.” But there is the opposite viewpoint also that “Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of Harvest.” (Josh. 3:15) Jordan was a type of the curse upon the world in sin; and its rapid downward course to the Dead Sea gives a clear picture of the deeper and deeper depravity of the human race over the centuries, which is accentuated “in the time of harvest” – “overfloweth all his banks.”

Just one instance of this is to be noted in the intense hatred that is developing among the various classes in the larger cities of America. This cannot be fully appre­ciated unless one is present and gains a close-up familiarity through personal contacts. It is not enough that men are robbed in midday on the principal streets; they are also usually brutally beaten along with it – for no reason at all, as many of the victims make no attempt at resistance. We have known personally perhaps half a dozen of such cases, so we do not repeat hearsay. Truly, “The land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.... destruction cometh: they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.... mischief.... and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled.” (Eze. 7:23-27)

To all our readers we extend cordial good wishes for the year 1970, and we recipro­cate also all the expressions of good will that have come to us over the Holidays.  “The tie that binds” is indeed blessed, and we give assurance once more that we are your brother and servant as occasion may arise. If any be overtaken in the tumults of the times, we offer the heavenly consolation, “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (Isa. 30:15) “The wicked flee when none pursueth,” but – they make better time when somebody’s after them. This condition will never befall any of the Lord’s fully faithful, for we have the firm promise, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory (over death and the grave) through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

....................................................................

LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Epiphany Bible Students Ass’n

Gentlemen: Please be advised that my new address is ........ Would like to have your magazine as before, please. Thank you! God bless your Association and magazine!

Sincerely yours ------- (CALIFORNIA)

....................................................................

Dear Sirs: In reading The Herald of the Epiphany, I became very much interested in the Scriptures you quoted, and would be very much pleased to continue reading more on this subject. Will you please send me the following copies: The Resurrection of the Dead, The Three Babylons, Where Are the Dead, What is the Soul. I have been studying the Bible for some time, and I am trying to gain as much knowledge as possible about our Father which art in Heaven. Thank you very much!

Respectfully ------- (KANSAS)

....................................................................

Dear Sir:  Would you please send to the above address - Where Are the Dead, The Resurrection of the Dead, Two Distinct Salvations and The Three Babylons?

Thank you! ------- (NEW JERSEY)