NO. 262: DOUBTS AND MISGIVINGS OF GOD'S PEOPLE

No. 262

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

As we ponder the actions and attitudes of Bible records, we may readily come to the conclusion that some of the best and most prominent of Jews and Christians have had their faith sorely tried at times – even to the extent that they found it diffi­cult to believe the direct plain statement of God Himself.

MOSES – THE EMANCIPATOR

As instance Moses, when he was told, “Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.” (Ex. 3:10) “And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Ex. 3:11) Pass­ing by the remainder of Chapter Three, we come now to Ex. 4:1: “Behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.” This translation is misleading in its first clause – “they will not be­lieve me.” Moses in this instance is typical of our Lord’s return in 1874 to deliver spiritual Israel and to establish the Kingdom; and the conversation between God and Moses is typical of the Second Advent preparations. Therefore, we cannot believe that Jesus would tell God that the people will not believe; rather, the correct translation should be, “They may not believe me.”

It is written of Moses that he was “the meekest (most leadable, most teachable) man in all the earth” (Num. 12:3), so we should not assume that he would make bold contradiction when God spoke to him. However, we cannot but make reasonable allow­ance for Moses here. For the first forty years of his life he had lived in the King’s palace in Egypt – at that time a formidable military power among the nations; whereas, the Israelites had no military equipment whatever. Thus, Moses would readily consider his mission impossible of performance. Humanly speaking, this certainly was a reason­able conclusion on his part, because the Jews were then slaves – subdued and unwarlike. This was a far cry from the time that Joseph was prime minister in Egypt – at which time Jacob and his entire household were received into the royal friendship and hospi­tality of Pharaoh. But at the time of Moses’ mission there had arisen a “‘Pharaoh who knew not Joseph.” (Ex. 1:8)

And God, wishing to increase his courage and his confidence, then proceeded to give Moses the three miraculous signs of the rod turned into serpent, then back to rod again; of Moses’ hand become leprous, then restored to its former health; and third, the water of the river would be turned into blood. (Ex. 4:1-9) But Moses continued, “I am not eloquent... slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” (v. 10) However, upon God’s insistence, he went to Egypt as he had been instructed. And in due course he brought Israel out of Egypt “with high hand,” and across the Red Sea and away from the pursuing Egyptian army; then fully convinced that God could and would perform whatever He promised.

It is stated of Moses that he was probably the grandest character that ever lived; and his experience aforegoing should convince all of us that God will never tell any of us to do anything that we cannot do. Yet God’s experience with Moses had to be repeated several times in subsequent years. Jeremiah answered substantially as did Moses, “I can­not speak, for I am a child.” (Jer. 1:6) And in this he was typical of Brother Russell in the early harvest. He also concluded that he did not have the capacity to proclaim the Harvest message, but he, too, eventually learned that he did have the talents required for the job, and he certainly accomplished his mission in a most excellent manner.

A great failing of some of God’s most laudable servants is that they often expected the wrong thing at the right time, or the right thing at the wrong time. Also, on oc­casion they failed to comprehend the right thing at the right time when it was presented to them. This was pronouncedly true of the Jews at the First Advent. “He came to His own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11) “They knew not the time of their visita­tion.” (Luke 19:44) He was indeed the “light of life”; but “the light shineth in dark­ness, and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:5) But of those that did receive Him, their understanding of what was going on was very vague and confused until they were enlightened by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Pertinent to the above is the experience of the two disciples on their way to Em­maus, as recorded in Luke 24:13–31. When the risen Lord joined them on the way there, the conversation speedily turned to the death of Jesus three days before; and one of them said, “We had trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel.” (v.21) But now they were much confused. Their timing was right in that Jesus was the Messiah, but they were completely wrong in what they expected at that time; and this improper expectation had placed a great strain on their faith when Jesus failed to do what they had expected Him to do then. On the way to Emmaus Jesus had said unto them, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? Even after they were convinced that Jesus had been raised a spirit being, they were still much confused, as note their question to Him just before He finally left them to go to Heaven: “Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)

JOHN THE BAPTIST

By way of introduction, Jesus had said of John, “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.” (Matt. 11:11) It will be recalled that John was only six months older than Jesus, which means he was probably engaged in his ministry at Jordan for six months before Jesus came to be immersed by him. However, as boys and young men they had grown up together, probably had discussed their various destinies, because we may take it for granted (although the Bible does not specifically say so) that their mothers had told them the words that the respective an­gels had told them (Luke 1:11–64); and it seems this had thoroughly convinced John that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Therefore, he immediately exclaimed, as Jesus was ap­proaching him, “Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man which is in advance of me: for he is my su­perior.” (John 1:29-30, Dia.)

Thus, when John was preaching repentance to the Jews, it would seem he stressed that the Messiah was soon to appear; and that would undoubtedly prod the Jews to ex­piate any known violations of the Law, because the nation from the least to the great­est was thoroughly imbued with the thought that the Messiah would some day appear. Yet, as firmly as John was convinced at Jordan, having seen the spirit “descending from heaven like a Dove, and it abode upon him” (v. 32), he later began seriously to doubt his own statement regarding Jesus, because he sent “two of his disciples to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?” (Luke 7:19) At that time John was sitting in prison awaiting execution by Herod; but he, along with the Jews in general, were expecting the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel when the Mes­siah would appear. In line with this, we now quote a major portion of an article to be found in Reprints 2620 (April 15, 1900):

“While Jesus was performing many miracles, making numerous disciples, and meet­ing with comparatively little opposition, things were going very differently with his cousin, John the Baptizer. Yet this was only in accordance with what John himself had prophesied, saying ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ John was in prison about 120 miles from where Jesus was laboring so successfully. To be shut up in a dark dungeon of the kind usual at that time, and to have our Lord proceeding with his work, and raising no voice of protest on his behalf, and exercising none of his mighty power for his deliverance, probably seemed very strange to John – especially in view of his expectations respecting the work of the Messiah – that he would be a great earth­ly general and king, in harmony with the general Jewish expectations.

“We see how readily John might have permitted doubts and fears to enter his mind... He might have lost all faith in God’s providential dealings in the past, and all heart and hope for the present and future... This is indicated in his sending two of his disciples to Jesus, to make the inquiry, and also in the character of the inquiry. He does not say, Is this whole matter a farce, and are we deluded? but on the contrary his question was a sound one, and expresses the conviction that thus far the Lord has been leading, and that the only doubt in the prophet’s mind was whether or not, as he was the forerunner of Jesus, Jesus in turn, greater than he, might be the forerunner of some one else still greater and yet to come. And strictly speaking, this was exactly the case, for Jesus in the flesh was indeed the forerunner and preparer of the way be­fore the still greater glorified Christ of the Second Advent, who will accomplish the great and wonderful things foretold by all the holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:21-23)

“Our Lord, it will be noticed, did not answer John’s question directly – he did not say there was not another coming and still greater work than that which he was per­forming, but he did give John to understand distinctly that the work he was doing was the very work which had been foretold in the prophets, and the proper thing to be done at that time. While John’s messengers were with Jesus a number of miracles were performed in their sight, and Jesus sent them back to John with instructions that they bear witness to him of the work of the Lord progressing in his hands, and to say to John that while the opportunities to stumble at Jesus, his work and his words, were many, and while many would stumble at these, as the prophet had declared (Isa. 8:14), yet a special blessing would rest upon all who would not stumble, but whose faith in the Lord would continue despite various disappointments of expectation respecting his work and their fulfillment’s – through misapprehension of the lengths and breadths and the heights and depths of the Divine Plan, which, as the heavens are higher than the earth, were higher than human conception could have foreseen. For instance, what Jew could have thought for a moment of the still higher than Jewish expectations of the kingdom ­of the spiritual kingdom class to be selected first before the establishment of the earthly kingdom...

 “All of the Lord’s faithful servants need to remember the same lessons which were thus forcefully impressed upon John: they need to remember that when sometimes matters turn out very differently with themselves than what they had expected, when they receive injuries, reproaches and oppression, as the rewards of faithfulness to duty and to truth, it does not mean that God has forgotten them, nor that they were misled in their prev­ious service to the Lord; nor does it mean that the Lord has changed his plan; nor that he is careless or indifferent respecting their condition. True, their first thought should be whether or not present unfavorable conditions are in the nature of chastise­ments or the results of any misdoing on their part, or failures to serve the Lord in his own way, but if they find their course to be harmonious with the Divine will and word they should at once rest their faith upon the Lord, and conclude that God knows better than they how to manage his own work.

Then while thankful to be used in that work for a time – perhaps for the good of others, or perhaps for their own training in the school of experience, and in the learning of lessons of patience and of faith..... The question arises, Was John imprisoned on account of officiousness – on account of trying to mind Herod’s business? Or was he imprisoned because of his faithfulness in discharge of that duty? Was it right or was it wrong for him to reprove the King, and to say to him that it was not lawful for him to take as his wife his brother Philip’s wife? There is no question that Herod was in the wrong, and that John’s expression on the subject was a correct one, and that Herod was living in adultery, but the question is, Was this any of John’s business? Did he need to meddle with the King’s affairs, and thus get himself into trouble? And if it was John’s duty to reprove Herod on this subject, was it not the duty of our Lord Jesus to have done the same, and in addition to have uttered a protest against the imprisonment of John, and in general to have raised a great hubbub over the injustice being done by the wicked ruler? And if John was right in this mat­ter, was our Lord Jesus wrong in not following the same course? Or if Jesus was right in not following John’s course in reproving Herod, does it prove that John erred in giv­ing the reproof?

“We answer that our Lord’s conduct is certainly to be considered as above reproach, since in him was no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth’; but this does not prove guile and sin on John’s part in following a different course. We are to remem­ber that in many respects John and his ministry differed widely from our Lord and his ministry. For instance, the uncouth skin-girdle which John wore was very different from the seamless robe which the Lord wore; and the Scriptures call attention to the fact that John lived a very abstemious life, ‘neither eating nor drinking’ ordinary food, but practicing a continual fasting or self-denial as respects these comforts, while our Lord Jesus came ‘both eating and drinking,’ attended wedding feasts and banquets made in his honor. The lesson is that these grand characters each fulfilled his own mission, according to the Divine arrangement, but that they had different missions. John’s mis­sion was pre-eminently that of a reprover and a reformer, and we are to understand that as a prophet he was supernaturally guided in respect to the various features of the course which he took. Our Lord’s mission, on the contrary, was a different one; he was gathering to himself those whom John’s ministry served to arouse to righteousness and to zeal to know and do the Lord’s will.”

We may have warm sympathy with John for his doubts that Jesus was the Messiah, be­cause John – in common with the entire Jewish nation – was expecting a great leader who would relieve them from the Roman yoke, yet there was nothing in Jesus’ ministry to indicate such action: He even ordered them to pay tribute to Caesar. (Matt. 22:15–21) “He hath no form nor comeliness... no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isa. 53:2)

“THIS MOSES” – ANOTHER TYPE

“When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount (where God was giving him the ten commandments on the two tables of stone), the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go be­fore us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what has become of him.” (Ex. 32:1) The setting in this Chapter of Exodus types the happenings of the Gospel Age shortly after the Apostles passed out of the pic­ture. It had its antitypical beginning in the third epoch of the Gospel-Age Church ­in the Pergamos period (Rev. 2:12), which spanned the years between 313 and 799 AD, at the beginning of which the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great embraced Christianity.

It is well to inject here a little of the history of this Emperor. His acceptance of Christianity is closely associated with his rise to power. After his victory over Licinius in 324, he wrote that he had come from the farthest shores of Britain as God’s chosen instrument for the suppression of impiety... aided by the divine power of God, he had come from the shores of the ocean to bring peace and prosperity to all lands.

He also fought the battle of the Milvian Bridge in the name of the Christian God, having received instructions in a dream to paint the Christian monogram on his troops’ shields. Eusebius tells of a vision by Constantine, in which the Christian sign ap­peared in the sky with the legend, “In this sign conquer.” These stories may be some­what fabricated and politically motivated, although this meant very little in a time when Greek or Roman expected that political success followed from religious piety. Thus, it should not be thought unusual that Constantine would seek divine help for his claim for power, and divine justification for his success in gaining his goals. However, the historian places much more stress upon Constantine’s subsequent development of his new “Christian” religious alliance to quite an extreme personal commitment to the Christian faith.

By 313 he had already donated to the Bishop of Rome the imperial property of the Lateran, where a new cathedral, the Basilica Constantiniana, soon rose. It was in these early years of his reign that he began issuing laws conveying upon the church and its clergy fiscal and legal privileges and immunities from civic burdens. He commented that the Christian clergy should not be distracted by secular offices from their relig­ious duties – “for when they are free to render supreme service to the Divinity, it is evident that they confer great benefit upon the affairs of state.” From the foregoing it is easy to understand why the church from 313 to 719 is styled the Pergamos period, because the word Pergamos means “earthly elevation”; and it was during this period that great temporal strides were made with the help of various Roman emperors. It was in 539 that Justinian also made great concessions to the church, thus in that year, be­ginning the 1260 years of papal exaltation and eventual political supremacy.

It was in May 325 that Constantine personally opened the Council of Nice with an address to that assembly. At that Council there was great debate over the Trinity; but the subject was really over the Emperor’s head, so he described it as a subject that was fostered only by excessive leisure and academic contention – that the point at issue was trivial. The Council was held just twenty years after Constantine came to power; and he was finally persuaded by the general assembly to banish Arius and two of his supporters from the Roman Empire, at which time the three of them went to North Africa and developed a thriving Christian colony there. Those three had contended that there is but “one God.” As we study the 32d Chapter of Exodus it is easy to under­stand the similarity of what occurred there to what happened in the antitype – in the Pergamos period from 313 to 799.

The strong hope and belief of the Apostolic Age was that our Lord would soon re­turn to claim His bride and establish the Kingdom for which He had taught them to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth.” This belief found much encouragement at the Sea of Tiberias, as recorded in the 21st Chapter of John’s Gospel. There Jesus was prodding Peter over the three times he had denied Jesus on the night before He died. In that conversation Jesus told him that he would come to a violent end, upon which Peter pointed to “that disciple that Jesus loved” (the Apostle John) and asked the ques­tion, “Lord, what shall this man do?” This finds a much clearer translation in the Diaglott: “Lord, what of this man?” To which Jesus answered, “If I wish him to abide till I come, what is it to thee?” and verse 23 continues: “This report, therefore, went out among the brethren, that that disciple would not die; but Jesus did not say to him, ‘that he shall not die’; but if I wish him to abide till I come, what is it to thee.”

Jesus had charged the disciples with the duty of hoping and watching for His re­turn, but He had not told them how long that would be. If He had told them that it would be almost two thousand years before He came again, no doubt many of them would have quit. The Jewish Harvest had long been completed; and He had not returned. The second epoch – the Smyrna period of nearly 250 years had also come and gone, but He had not returned. Thus, it was easy to come to the conclusion that He intended to remain in Heaven – not come back to earth at all. Very early in the Pergamos period, the doubts and misgivings of many throughout Christendom now become accepted as fact, so the people appealed to the hierarchy and the priests to provide them with some powerful substitutes for what they had expected in the Kingdom (Up, make us gods), to prepare ways for them to go (go before us), saying that, while Jesus had brought them out of bondage to sin and error in Satan’s empire (brought us up out of the land of Egypt), yet they were at a loss to account for His whereabouts, condition and non-return (“we know not what is become of him”).

The hierarchy and the priests (antitypical Aaron—v. 2) told the people to do what the priests knew was a violation of their Divine understanding of the Lord’s Word, for it implied surrender of the Truth and its perversion into error, held by their churches, movements, powers and qualities, and to bring these understandings into the control of the hierarchy and the priests. Thus the priests took those proper under­standings into their charge and changed them into error. The hierarchy, at that time claiming apostolic succession, arrogated to themselves the custodianship of doctrine and practice; and in their arrogance perverted both; then elaborated them in great detail and subtlety by their keen minds.

From the year 100 (right after the death of the Apostle John) to 325 AD was a period of the rise of sectarianism and fundamental error, including union of the Church with the Roman Empire.  When Constantine accepted Christianity, he brought with him many of the abominable practices of pagan Rome. Following are the main errors of doc­trine and practice that constituted the antitypical golden calf (vs. 4-6): (1) The Church consisting of all professed Christians visibly organized under the hierarchy, must convert the world and reign over it 1000 years before Christ’s return (post-Millen­nialism). Augmenting this thought, the abomination eventually came to the full when Charlemagne (probably born in 742; died 814) forced most of the Christian world in Eu­rope to combine into one superstate, after which – in 799 – he invited the Church to dominate in civil as well as religious affairs, thus beginning the Holy Roman Empire. This arrangement continued for 1000 years to 1799, completing the supposed 1000-year reign of Christ, which history has now proven to have been a counterfeit reign; and it accomplished just the reverse of what the real 1000-year reign will accomplish when it comes fully into power.

Other errors that arose during or shortly after that time were the Trinity; Christ the God-man; The Spirit a person; worship of Mary and the saints as mediators, and of their relics and images; purgatory; The mass for the sins of the living and dead, and for release from Purgatory; celibacy of the priests; monasticism; a gorgeous ritual; asceticism; excessive penances; secularization of the Church and professed Christians; persecution of dissenters; Church made a civil power; forced conversion, etc. After establishing each of their errors the priests declared it to be a part of the creed of true Christians, as distinct from the alleged errors – actually truths ­that they displaced. Thus they displaced God’s true Plan and set up another – a coun­terfeit plan. They also began to agitate for a special mode of religious exercise ­which they claimed to be for the Lord: they embellished the religious service with singing and entertainment by special talented persons. (This same procedure accounts for much of the success of “successful” evangelists even in our time.) Speedily forgot­ten are the words of Jesus, “The kingdom of heaven cometh not with outward show.” (Luke 17:20, Dia.)

They made and kept vows according to their new religious creed and practices. They also entered into a thorough union of state and church, which had its beginning shortly after Constantine publicly espoused Christianity, and began to overthrow in war the heathen party in 313 AD. It was at Nice in 325 that the Apostles’ Creed was formulated, the same being repeated in many churches every Sunday even to this day. The evils of doctrine and practice that appeared during the Pergamos period – from 313 to 799 – were gradually enlarged and solidified during the epochs that followed. The Truth and its arrangements as first taught by Jesus and the Apostles were gradually very much changed or completely lost.

THE CRUSADES

The Holy Roman Empire may be said to have its official beginning in 799, but in subsequent years (during the Thyatira and Sardis periods), it increased greatly in prominence and power so that the true followers of Christianity were almost completely submerged. Their number was comparatively very small and often impoverished; they were forced to seek refuge in the catacombs to avoid detection and great persecution. In anticipation of this situation, the Apostle John wrote concerning the fifth epoch of the Church: “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.” The general Christian mo­rale at that time was at a very low ebb; the large majority displayed very little of the sublime characteristics that had been taught by Jesus and the Apostles; and this condi­tion is graphically typified in Ex. 32:25: “Moses saw that the people were naked (de­void of Christian qualities); for Aaron (typical of the priesthood) had made them naked to their shame.”

Much of the same condition exists today, with quite a few claiming to be “in the truth,” but they are not “of the truth.” (John 18:37) We are living in that “evil day” (Eph. 6:13), when “Perilous times shall come” upon the Household of Faith. People are very much confused over the different religious views being taught in our day; and they are more likely to accept any hocus-pocus rather than accept the Truth. “They will not endure sound doctrine... they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” They are “Ever learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 4:3,4; 3:7) But those who are “of the truth” will hear His voice. (18:37) Our Lord asked: “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith (Truth) on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) – inti­mating it would be scarce.

However, during the time of the Thyatira and Sardis periods of the Church great progress was made in military might and power to persecute all dissenters. It was dur­ing this time that the nominal Church – for it was Christian in name only – decided to institute a crusade to wrest the Holy Land from the terrible Turk. It could be said there were seven crusades in all, the first of which was known as the People’s Crusade, and began with papal support in 1095. It ended in complete failure, as did all the fol­lowing ones. The second began in 1146; also defeated.

The City of Jerusalem was completely subdued in 1187; and Richard the Lion-hearted of England tried to recapture it, but failed to do so. About this time the church mem­bers were urged to take the “Crusade Vow,” which would obligate them to join expeditions to the Holy Land. However, if the one making the vow later had a change of heart, or could not go for some special reason, he could hire some one to go in his place, the price for such substitution depending upon the ability of the person to pay. This was somewhat akin to the sale of indulgences which was prevalent in Luther’s time.

Then there were a couple of children’s crusades, the first of which was led by a boy named Stephen, who claimed Jesus had appeared to him in a vision. He was told the Holy Land would more readily be recaptured by love rather than by military might. He gathered around him about 30,000 children; but they fell prey to disreputable merchants, who shipped them to the slave markets in North Africa. Then in Germany a ten-year-old boy named Nicholas gathered about 20,000 boys; but they also were sold to the slave mar­kets of the East.

GENERALITIES

The various efforts to do what was thought to be God’s will, but were proven by time itself to have been nothing but “strong delusions” (2 Thes. 2:11), were prompted largely by the doubts and misgivings of so-called Christians, who thought the Lord was not moving fast enough. Such situations occurred repeatedly – after the work of most of the reformers. The first of these occurred after the Apostles passed away. They gave the Church complete instruction, and had it completely organized for the work it should do (See Eph. 4:11-13); but one of the proofs of human depravity is the rise of corruption after a season of good development in most human movements.

Not only was this true after the Apostles had died, but it was also true of just about every reform movement of the entire Gospel Age. The Lutheran Church today bears little resemblance to the one Luther started; the same may be said of John Wesley, of William Miller, and especially so here in the end of the Age, when new groups sprang up like mushrooms. Every system of error has some good in it; otherwise no one would believe it. This is even true of the Mormon religion, which is probably the most ex­treme of all the fanatical sects. Of all the Truth groups it is our firm belief there are many good Christians in all of them, with many doing excellent work in “preaching the Word.”  To his own Lord each man must stand or fall, so we do not attempt to pass judgment upon individuals in general. Thus we speak here of systems – and not of in­dividuals.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Prov. 4:7); and “In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall di­rect thy paths.” (Prov. 3:6)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sir:

My wife and I received your informative paper and enjoyed it very much. I espec­ially liked your Special Edition No. 121, “The Roman Church and its Little Twin.” I am an X–Jehovab’s Witness who is researching the Bible Student Movement – and would enjoy talking to some one in The Epiphany Bible Students Ass’n. Unfortunately we do not have your telephone number – only the P.O. Box address.

If it is possible to meet with anyone from your group on Friday the 29th I would love it. We will be staying in Orlando until Saturday. Our phone number here is 351-2688. Please call if you can.

In His love ------- (CALIFORNIA)

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

Your good letter is before me, and as always very glad to hear from you. Yes, indeed our dear Brother Johnson is a blessing to us all! Those who knew him while he was in our midst will be so happy to see him in the Kingdom. It is truly something to look forward to. Deep thoughts were going through his mind when he looked at you, dear Brother Hoefle. When he said to you, Be faithful – you have truly been faithful, God knows. I am glad to know that you are all reasonably well, and I might say I also have been under the dentist’s care..... I am glad to report that my head cold is much better, for which I am thankful.

Well, my dear brethren, may our dear Heavenly Father continue to bless you all at the Bible House, and give you the strength to carry on His great work. All here send their best to you all. With warm brotherly love........

Brother ------- (NEW JERSEY)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in Jesus’ precious Name!

I apologize for not writing to you for so long – but you are always in mind. I received four packages from you quite safely – and I am quite busy distributing the literature. Everybody in my family is quite well and send regards to you and Sister Hoefle. Give my personal greetings to Sister Hoefle. I am always praying for you, that God will give you the Grace and Strength to carry on.

You brother in His service, ------- (ST.  VINCENT)

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Dear Sir:

I have before me a copy of The Herald of the Epiphany paper. Was the Epiphany Bible Students Ass’n an offspring of the Jehovah’s Witness? or Seventh Day Adventists?

I do not understand where you stand on the Scriptures. Please send me Nos. 2, 6 and 121. Thank you!

Tremendously in Christ ------- (NEW JERSEY)

NO. 261: SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE MEMORIAL

No. 261

As previously announced, the proper time for observing the Memorial in 1977 is after six p.m. the evening of April 1. This conclusion is reached by knowing that the Vernal Equinox arrives at the 30th Meridian East (the one nearest Jerusalem) at 7:43 p.m. March 20; and the new moon nearest that time occurs at 8:33 p.m. March 19. Thus the first of Nisan is established at six p.m. of March 19. Counting then to the fourteenth, we arrive at six p.m. April 1; and any time that night after six p.m. is correct for observing the Memorial of our Lord’s death. We here at Mount Dora plan to observe the festival at 7:30 p.m., April 1; and we extend a cordial invitation to any of like mind as ourselves to join us on that occasion if they be in this neigh­borhood.

It will be noted aforegoing that we say “the first of Nisan” (which is the name of the Babylonian God of Spring), but that name was not known to the Jews when the Passover was instituted. The first month of their religious year (and the seventh of their business year) was Abib, which means ‘sprouting’ or ‘budding’ – very similar indeed to the meaning of Nisan. But Nisan is first mentioned in the Bible in Neh. 2:1 – just before release of the Jews from the 70-year Babylonian captivity.

Wherever it may be our privilege to be on that special night, let us keep in mind that it was exactly 3592 years since the Passover was kept that awesome night in Egypt in 1615 B.C.; and the ostentatious observance of the Passover by the Jews to this year is a very strong testimony that the Bible is the Word of Truth. According to human reckoning, 3592 years is a very long time; but it is only a little less than four days if we consider it from God’s standpoint. “A thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” (Psa. 90:4)

THE NEW MOON AND THE JEWS

It should be apparent from what we have written above that the moon does play a very important part in determining the date of “our Passover.” But this contention is true only as relates the beginning of the month Abib. Once Nisan (or Abib) is deter­mined, then the Bible tersely states that the Passover is to be held on the 14th day of Abib, regardless of the condition of the moon on that date. (Ex. 12:6) The moon is always substantially full at Nisan 14, although it sometimes requires a day or two for it to reach complete fullness. Therefore, the Jewish observance of Passover is often a day or two late, because they wait for the moon to become full for their “remembrance” of that great event.

It is in order here to keep in mind that the moon on this occasion represents the Jewish nation. In its coming to the full from the first of the month it well repre­sents the rise of the Jewish nation from obscurity in the days of Abraham to the pin­nacle of glory when Jesus came into their midst. “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” (Matt. 4:16) “A new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.” (1 Jn. 2:8) But, as soon as they had crucified “the Lord of Glory” the moon began to wane, and with it also went God’s favor from the Jews – until in the year 70 A.D. Roman Em­peror Titus captured Jerusalem and dispersed the Jews to the remote parts of the earth.

A House Desolate – Just before Jesus was crucified, He had made that fatal pro­nouncement upon the Jews: “Your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:38) The “house” in this instance includes both the political and religious establishments, but especially so the religious arrangement. When Moses organized the religious ritual at Sinai, he, at the commandment of God, anointed and installed his Brother Aaron as High Priest. At Aaron’s death, his eldest son Eleazar succeeded him into that office; and this order was followed in part to the time that Jerusalem was destroyed – although it seems the Jews had departed in part at least from that set-up when Jesus came. How­ever, we are told in Heb. 5:4 that “No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” Strictly speaking, then, the Jews actually had only one High Priest, Aaron – and subsequent heads of that office were merely a succession of Aaron.

Inasmuch as Aaron was from the tribe of Levi, it follows that all his successors must also come from that tribe. But in the dispersion at the year 70 A.D. the “des­olation” was so devastating that the Tribe of Levi was completely lost at that time. Therefore, the Jews no longer can have a High Priest in the strict and all-embracing term of that word – because they know not which among them are from that tribe. Con­sequently, their Atonement Day and Passover are merely an exercise in futility, because they need a High Priest for a proper standing before God. However, it is commendable that they do the best they can to celebrate the Atonement Day and Passover each year.

A few days after the “desolate” sentence the Jews were shouting, “Crucify Him,” over Pilate’s objection. “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, say­ing, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.” (Matt. 27:24,25) And God took them at their word! In the seige of Jerusalem, according to Josephus, 1,337, 490 Jews were destroyed; and the prophecy of Jesus in Matt. 24:2 had a very literal fulfillment: “Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

It should be noted here that Titus was apparently a brilliant and God-fearing man. The Romans referred to him as “The darling of the human race.” Also, it is recorded of him that he was a close personal friend of Josephus. Titus did not want to sack Jeru­salem or destroy the magnificent temple, but the Jews would have no compromise with him, so he spoke to Josephus somewhat after this manner: You go over and plead with them; you are one of their countrymen, and they may listen to you where they will not listen to me. However, when Josephus made the effort it only aroused the ire of those inside the City one of them threw a rock that hit him on the head; and he was carried away as dead although he later revived, and tried to carry on as Titus had suggested.

However, the Jews would not be persuaded, and this left no alternative but to make a tremendous and violent assault, at which the Romans were expert at that time. Following is some of the quotation from Josephus: “The carriage of the materials was a difficult task, since all the trees, as I have already told you, that were about the city, within the distance of a hundred furlongs, had their branches cut off already, in order to make the former banks... Caesar gave orders that they should demolish the entire city and temple, but should leave as many of the towers standing as were of the greatest eminency... and so much of the wall enclosed the city on the west side. This wall was spared, in order to afford a camp for such as were to lie in garrison; as were the towers also spared in order to demonstrate to posterity what kind of city it was, and how well fortified, which the Roman valor had subdued; but for all the rest of the wall, it was so thoroughly laid even with the ground by those that dug it up to the foundation, that there was nothing to make those that came thither believe it had ever been inhabited. This was the end which Jerusalem came to by the madness of those that were for innovations; a city otherwise of great magnificence, and of mighty fame among all mankind.”

Now follows some more from the same historian – some time after the foregoing had taken place: “While Titus was at Caesarea, he solemnized the birthday of his brother Domitian after a splendid manner, and inflicted a great deal of the punishment intended for the Jews in honor of him: for the number of those that were now slain in fighting with the beasts, and were burnt, and fought with one another, exceeded two thousand five hundred.”

Thus, their statement, “His blood be on us, and on our children,” was exacted in magnified fulfillment; and gives us a much deeper understanding of the prophecy, “Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double (‘kephel,’ as of a thing folded in the middle ­‘I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double unto them’) for all her sins.” Inasmuch as the Jews had had God’s special favor for 1845 years, they would receive an equal period of time in reverse – “for all her sins.” Reading the record with an un­biased mind, we must come into agreement with the statement of 2 Peter 1:21: “Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

THE PASSOVER - TYPE AND ANTITYPE

It should be stressed that there was only one Passover; thus, only one type of “Christ our Passover.” The subsequent observations to this present year have simply been a “memorial” of that original one. “This day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever.” (Ex. 12:14) “And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses.” (Ex. 12:26,27) “Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.” (Ex. 13:10)

And just as there was only one typical Passover, so there is only one antitypical Passover – “Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” (1 Cor. 5:7) Jesus is the anti­type of the lamb slain in Egypt that night – “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” When He blessed the bread and the wine at that last supper, He said, “This do in remembrance (as a Memorial) of me.” The outstanding contrast between the Jewish Memorial and the one we keep is that the Jews still eat the lamb at their ser­vice; whereas, we use simply the bread and the wine. Nothing is said about wine that night in Egypt, but the Jews now use four cups of wine in their Memorial, the last one being taken “after supper”; and it was that cup that Jesus used to impress upon us the “remembrance” (memorial) of Him.

Be it noted that, while millions of Jews and Christians will in some formal cere­monies and in a perfunctory manner celebrate this great event of history, but few of either religion discern the real significance of the celebration. Could their minds be awakened thoroughly to its true significance, it would start a religious revival such as the world has never yet known. But, as the Apostle declares, “the god of this world” has blinded the minds of many, and even some whose eyes are partially opened he describes as being blind and cannot see afar off, or holden and unable to see the deep things of God in respect to these ceremonies, which have been celebrated in the world now for al­most thirty-six hundred years. However, it must be admitted even by the higher critics and agnostics in general that an event so prominently marked, so widely observed for so long a time, most have a foundation in fact. There must have been just such an occur­rence in Egypt 3592 years ago: the first-born of Egypt must have perished in that tenth plague, and the first-born of Israel must have been preserved free from it – all that observed the rule to remain “under the blood” – else this widespread celebration of the event would have been inexplicable.

Perhaps all of our readers know of most of the particulars connected with the institution: The Israelites held in a measure of serfdom by the Egyptians until, in Lord’s providence, the time came for their deliverance, how their masters sought sel­fishly to maintain their bondage, refusing to let them go forth to the land of Canaan. During the year the Lord sent nine different plagues – one after another – upon the Egyptians, relieving them one after another when their king craved mercy and made prom­ises which he afterwards broke. Finally Moses, the servant of the Lord, announced a great crowning disaster: The firstborn of every family in Egypt would die in that one night – in the home of the humblest peasant, as well as in the king’s palace, there should be mourning, as a result of which they would be glad finally to yield and let the Israelites go – yea, urge them to go, and in haste, lest the Lord should ultimately bring death upon the entire people, if their king continued to harden his heart and resist the Divine mandate.

The first three plagues were common to all in Egypt, including the district in which the Israelites resided; the next six plagues did not affect the district occu­pied by the Israelites; and the last, the tenth plague, was declared to be common to the entire land of Egypt, including the land of the Israelites, except as the latter should show faith and obedience by providing a sacrificial lamb, whose blood was to be sprinkled upon the sides and lintels of their doorways, and whose flesh was to be eaten in the same night, with bitter herbs and unleavened bread, the eaters standing staff in hand and girded ready for the journey – with full expectancy that the Lord would smite the first-born of the Egyptians with death, and make them readily willing to let the Israelites go, and with the faith that they would share in this calamity, were it not for the blood on their door-posts and lintels.

The Israelites were commanded to celebrate this as the first feature of the Jew­ish Law, and one of their greatest memorials as a nation. As a matter of fact, we find that in some degree the Passover is celebrated by Jews in all parts of the world ­even by those who claim to be agnostics and infidels. We might add here that the same tendency grips most of them for the Atonement-Day service also. We personally have known Jews who make no pretense of observing Jewish rituals, yet they would go to the orthodox synagogue on Atonement day – in sackcloth and ashes – with the explanation to us that, if that one day would make their father happy, they might as well do it, although we were forced to believe that the superstition was with them that “bad luck” might be their portion if they did not go along with the crowd. Inherently, they still have a measure of respect for it as an ancient custom.

But is it not strange that, with the bright minds which many of them possess, the Jews have never thought it worthwhile to inquire about the meaning of this celebration? Why was the lamb slain and eaten? Why was its blood sprinkled upon the door-posts and lintels? Because it was the commandment of the Lord, of course; but what reason, mo­tive, object or lesson was there behind it all? A reasonable God has reasonable com­mands; and in due time His faithful people should understand the significance of every requirement. Why are the Hebrews indifferent to this subject? Why does deep preju­dice hold their minds? We know, of course, that “blindness has happened in part to Is­rael” until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in – that they are now shortly to re­ceive the light and joy from a full understanding of this drama of the Ages. None like it has ever been imagined by the fiction writers; it is beyond the skill of any of them – which is another reason why we must conclude that it is a Divine operation and performance.

Although Christianity itself has the answer to the foregoing questions, yet few Christians have a clear understanding of them. This even applies to many of the Prot­estant ministers, who know about Paul’s mention of “Christ our Passover,” but do not seem capable of fitting type and antitype together. If the Jew can realize that his Sabbath of rest from the various vexations of life is a shadow of better things to come (Heb. 10:1), why does he not also conclude that the other features of the Law given through Moses are typical? Jesus Himself emphasized this point in very clear and understandable words: “Till heaven and earth shall pass away, one iota or one tip of a letter shall by no means pass from the law, till all be accomplished.” (Matt. 5:18, Dia.)

But “blindness in part” has befallen to Jew and Gentile alike (Rom. 11:25), as they fail fully to comprehend that the Passover lamb typified – represented – the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” It needs no argument that the blood on the door-posts and lintel that fateful night in Egypt did protect the Jews that night from the fatal ravages of sin, and in the following day when they left Egypt (type of the world in sin) with a ‘high hand.” And just as the Jews were protected that night by their lamb, so have Christians throughout this Age been shielded from the fatal effects of sin by our Lamb “which taketh away the sin of the world.”

It requires no great imagination or profound learning to fit together the fore­going with St. Paul’s words in Heb. 12:23, where he speaks of Christians as the “Church of the firstborn”; and the words of the Apostle James (1:18): “We should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” Self-evidently, this would imply after-borns and after­fruits. While the sprinkled blood obligated only the firstborn, yet all the other Jews were likewise delivered from Egypt in that performance; and that nation typified the entire human race that will eventually come into harmony with God during the Kingdom. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” This is vividly shown in the miraculous protection received by every Jew in the passage over the Red Sea ­not one Jew was lost that day, although the entire Egyptian army was destroyed.

As stated above, St. Paul clearly and positively identifies the Passover lamb with our Lord Jesus: “Christ our Passover is slain for us; therefore, let us keep the feast.” (1 Cor. 5:7,8) And as the Jews were to keep their Passover once a year, so it is with the antitype – it is also to be celebrated once a year. It goes without saying that all who come into the Lord’s “house” need the blood of sprinkling, not upon our resi­dences, but upon the tables of our hearts. “The blood of Jesus Christ his son cleans­eth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) And, as the Jews ate literal unleavened bread with their lamb that night, so we also partake of our Lamb with the unleavened bread of “sin­cerity and truth.” (1 Cor. 5:8) Thus, we “put on Christ” as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. As the Jews ate the lamb that night with “bitter herbs” (which whetted their appetites for more lamb), so the Christian partakes of his Lamb with symbolic bitter herbs – the punishing trials of life through the sins of our­selves and those of others.

Our Lord Jesus also personally identified Himself with the Jewish Passover lamb at the last Supper before He died. He gathered His disciples together in the upper room, saying “With desire have I desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15) As Jews, it was necessary that they should celebrate the Passover supper on that night – the saving of the typical first-born from the typical prince of this world. However, as soon as they had finished eating the lamb with all the pertinences, Jesus instituted a new Memorial upon the old foundation, saying, “As often as you do this do it in remembrance of Me.” (1 Cor. 11:24,25) And, while their Jewish neighbors, who did not accept “our Lamb,” would go on keeping the typical arrangement each year, as the faithful covenant-keeping Jews still do today. But that was the last typical Passover for the disciples; henceforth they would partake of the bread and wine “in newness of life” each year – with the eating of the actual lamb, etc., only a memory of the past with them.

Jesus was emphatic that the disciples should no longer keep the typical celebra­tion, as He took the bread and the wine and told them to use these “in remembrance of Me.” His blood would be shed the next morning; and the cup – the wine – would be a fitting reminder of what they had done that night. Of course, the apostles knew very well what their future Passovers would be: the bread and the wine once each year on the typical Passover date.

This practice was followed once every year as long as the Apostles remained alive, after which a great falling away occurred – as foretold by St. Paul in 2 Thes. 2:3: “That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first.” This “falling away” occurred during the Dark Ages – a time of such confusion that there is no reliable his­tory for much of it. However, the truth that Christ was the antitypical Passover Lamb persisted even then, though the celebration itself as given by Jesus that last night fell into disuse, the Mass taking its place. Although Protestants in general have repudiated the Mass, as being wholly contrary to what Jesus commanded, yet they are still somewhat influenced by it, as their practice shows.

Many Protestants will innocently ask (not grasping the connection between the Jew­ish Passover and “Christ our Passover”), Is not the Mass merely the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper, under another name? We would answer that it is wholly different: The Lord’s Supper celebrates the death of Christ accomplished at Calvary, but the Mass rep­resents a new sacrifice for sins made every time it is performed. Our Roman Catholic friends believe that when the priest blesses the wafer it becomes the actual body of Christ in his hands, thus sacrificing Him afresh. High Mass is a particular sacrifice of Christ for a particular sin of a particular individual; whereas Low Mass is a sac­rifice of Christ for the general sins of a congregation.

Roman Catholics claim to believe in the merit of Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary, that it covered original sin and general sins that are past up to baptism; but they claim also that the subsequent daily sins, shortcomings, blemishes of every individual, require to he cleansed by fresh sacrifices of Christ from time to time. Thus, from their standpoint, as represented in the Mass, and as practiced by Roman Catholics and Greek Catholics and high Church Episcopalians, Christ is being sacrificed afresh all the world over every day. However, this is in direct contradiction to St. Paul’s words, “Christ dieth no more” (Rom. 6:9); He accomplished full sacrifice for sin in His death on the cross.

Once this matter is clearly understood, it requires no great imagination to rec­ognize that the repeated sacrifices represented in the Mass would have the general ef­fect of minimizing the value of the great sacrifice at Calvary as represented in the Passover and its Memorial Supper. Certainly those who come to regard the Mass as the cancellation of their sins could hardly be expected to look with deep concern and high appreciation as otherwise to the antitypical Passover – He that perished on the cross. Of course, the celebration of Good Friday continues to this day throughout Christendom, but the true celebration of the Lord’s Supper preceding it fell into disuse long ago, with its meaning almost completely lost.

Protestants generally have repudiated the Mass centuries ago, but they have sub­stituted the Lord’s Supper in its place. But, accustomed to the frequency of the Mass, they consider it but a matter of expediency how often the Lord’s Supper should be kept; hence, we find some celebrating it every four months, some every three months, some every month, and some every Sunday – usually in the morning; whereas the proper time is after six p.m. in the evening. Did they realize that Jesus is “Christ our Passover” – “the Lamb of God” – they would then give heed to Ex. 12:6: “The whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.” And it was in the evening of Nisan 14 – after Jesus and the Apostles had kept the Passover – that the Memorial (“re­membrance of Me”) was established by Jesus blessing the bread and the wine – “My body, My blood.”

Also, Christians generally have misconstrued the Lord’s words, “As oft as ye do this,” to mean, Do this as often as you please; whereas the words really signify, You, My disciples (all Jews are accustomed to keeping the Passover once each year), keep this antitypical Memorial – once each year on the same day and hour as you have done for the typical Memorial of the Passover in Egypt.

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Heb. 13:15)

Sincerely your brother

John J. Hoefle, pilgrim

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Was Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus, an Ancient Worthy?

ANSWER: - So far as we know, this question never came up under Brothers Russell or Johnson; otherwise we would quote their opinion rather than our answer. We have the same attitude toward both Messengers that Brother Johnson had toward Bro. Russell: If the Scriptures didn’t give him an unmistakable answer to such questions, he always took Brother Russell’s opinion rather than his own.

While the Bible does not definitely say Joseph was an Ancient Worthy, it would seem from the general setting, and the things said about Joseph, that he was one of them. Some might think that he would have been mentioned in the 11th Chapter of He­brews if he were an Ancient Worthy, but there were other prominent Ancient Worthies not mentioned in that Chapter – John the Baptist, Isaiah, Hosea and “the prophets” (Heb. 11:32). So the fact that he was not mentioned in that Chapter would be no cri­terion. The Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream with instructions concerning Mary; and Joseph followed very carefully what he was told to do. (Matt. 1:20,21) Undoubt­edly he was faithful in carrying out all the Lord told him to do.

So far as we know, there is nothing in the records to tell us whether Joseph was alive or dead when Jesus died, but the commentators infer that he was dead; otherwise Jesus would not have given the Apostle John the custody of His mother. Since Joseph was faithful in all the Lord told him to do, caring for Mary until Jesus was born, then caring for Jesus until He became the anointed One – Jesus Christ, Jesus would not have ignored His stepfather to give John the custody of His mother. The Jewish family arrangement was a very strong one; thus, Jesus would hardly have told Mary to leave her husband, and make her home with John.

Matthew 1:19 says Joseph was “a just man”; and this identical expression was given concerning Cornelius (Acts 10:22). Galations 3:11 and Rom. 1:17 tell us that the “just shall live by faith”; and it would seem that Joseph lived by faith. Accord­ing to Acts 24:15, which uses the same Greek word ‘dikaios’ translated “just,” then he would receive “a better resurrection” – the resurrection of “the just.” He had the supreme privilege of caring for the boy Jesus; and this in itself was a great honor. Joseph believed God, and Gal. 3:6 says “Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle:

Please send me the papers you have concerning Jehovah’s Witnesses. Thank  you!

Sincerely, ------- (ALABAMA)

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Dear Sir:

I was real interested in reading one of your leaflets. I would appreciate one copy of each. Thank you for this service.

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

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Dear Mr. Hoefle: Greetings to you!

Many thanks for the literature and your informative letter. both are highly appreciated. I am curious about your split with the LHMM in 1955. What were some of the errors that brought about your departure? Have you written anything on these mat­ters? Oh, please send me a copy of the funeral service of Professor Johnson...........

I am a Reform Jew, and yes, I observe full New Year’s services from Rosh Hashannah to Yom Kippur. God be with you!

Sincerely ------- (CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Friends:

My sister gave you my name and you have been very kind in sending me some of your bulletins. The earliest one I received was #192. In some of the bulletins I notice references to Pastor Johnson as founder of the LHMM, and to Bro. Jolly and his Campers. These references lead me to believe that there has been a schism along the line since my parents studied with Pastor Johnson. Do any of your earlier bulletins explain the differences of opinion between your group and those of others? I have recently become more deeply interested in trying to understand God’s plan, and I be­lieve an understanding and knowledge of both sides of such differences can be helpful.

I will appreciate any information you can send me. I hope my small contribution will be of some help.

 Yours sincerely, ------- (PENNSYLVANIA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

I have been associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses for a number of years – or from 1962 to 1975. Frankly, it got to the point where I would become very upset at things that were said at the meetings and things written in the Watchtower – especially when the virtues of Jehovah’s Witnesses were proclaimed. Their actions were far from the lofty ideals presented. In my humble opinion the hypocrisy of the Jehovah’s Witnesses constant religious politicking is clearly far removed from the high ideals among the Witnesses, and thousands are leaving (I was told 400,000 in the last 5 years).

Especially do the more intelligent and reasoning Witnesses have a difficult time, and they are leaving as the dogmatism and intolerance becomes more unbearable – espec­ially the more enlightened ones. I feel I have wasted a great deal of time in the Witnesses and regret that I left college. But I understand it is a very common expe­rience for a Witness, once he becomes involved with the Witnesses, to leave his col­lege studies and later on regret it – even if he does not leave the Witness movement. A good friend of mine, a non-Witness, said that in a few years I probably would leave the Witnesses, and she was right. But she did say I should try to learn from it, and I feel I have – although it is hard not to be bitter. As I still have a strong spir­itual need, and I have enjoyed, and found helpful, your publications. Please send me the current issues of your magazine. Thank you very much.

Most sincerely, ------- (OHIO)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in the Name of the Father and His Son Jesus!

In the article of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, I heartily agree 100%! I have two of them (husband & wife) that come to my place to visit, and I return their visits to their home. I call them the “Jay Walkers,” because of their artificial behavior of Christianity; and, as of now, I have practically stopped my visits to their home. I’ve tried time and time again, to show them the errors of their beliefs, but I can’t make them see the light. They are so bullheaded that it is a waste of time to discuss the Bible with them. I gave them the history of Brother Russell, Rutherford and Knorr, but it just will not sink in. The trouble is, when anyone becomes a “speaker,” That’s it! It seems that I cannot do the work of God that will break that “iron” that’s keeping their minds from seeing the Truth. That “evil” was the dominating factor that caused the Israelites to lose their “Identity” as a nation..........

Enclosed is $-- to help keep your work alive and going, and may God help you also in every way. Amen! Yours in the service of the Lord, Brother ------- (ILLINOIS)

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Dear Gentlemen:

I am very interested in studying religions, within the context of the Christian belief. I have a friend that gave me your address and so I decided to write you and find out about your organi­zation. Would you please send me a list of your publica­tions, as well as the addresses of any local Churches.

I have a few questions that I hope you will be able to answer. What do you be­lieve about Pyramids in connection with Biblical prophecy? What is your estimation of the writings of Pastor Russell? Any help on the above material will be most appreciated. Sincerely ------- (California)

NO. 260: THE PASTOR AND TEACHER

No. 260

On pages 84‑91 of the Nov.‑Dec. 1976 Present Truth, there is an attack upon J.W. Krewson because of his claim to being the Pastor and Teacher of God’s people. R. G. Jolly ridicules and castigates JWK for seeing himself in the Scriptures; then becomes quite voluminous in making the same claims for himself. Also, he attempts to cast John J. Hoefle in the same caldron with JWK; thus it seems timely that we should also become involved in this difference.

It is hardly necessary to remind the great bulk of our readers that RGJ is a self‑admitted crown‑loser; so we do him no injustice when we refer to him as such and in this instance we fully agree with him. Nor will it be necessary to offer proof for a subject in which we both agree. At least we have a common starting point. And, while he admits to being a leader of a Great Company group, he also contends that he is the Pastor and Teacher of God’s Household because of his appointment to the office of Executive Trustee for the LHMM. There is no more substance for this claim than was the claim of Judge Rutherford, that he was the Pastor and Teacher because he became the President of the Society. He claimed great honors for himself, with the Society being the Channel for God’s people. For both claims there is no solid foundation. Both – JFR and RGJ – claimed something that emanated from the “bottomless pit” – error.(Rev.20:1) Nor could That Servant or the Epiphany Messenger “see” from the Scriptures who would be God’s mouthpiece after their demise. If they could and did, then the Lord’s people would have no trial of faith after their demise: they could be satisfied with the succeeding “pope” as all faithful Catholics would be. But the real test of any Pastor and Teacher is whether he is teaching the Truth, and the manner in which he teaches it: “By their fruits you will discover them.” (Matt. 7:20, Dia.) Nor is there any Gospel‑Age precedent for RGJ’s contention. Never at any time during the entire Gospel Age did God ever appoint a crown‑loser to be Pastor and Teacher. If RGJ disagrees, let him produce just one Scripture to prove it. All the Gospel‑Age princes (Numbers 7) crown‑losers – perverted the truth (stewardship doctrines) entrusted to their care.

The Levites (crown‑losers) have always been divided into two classes – the good and the bad Levites, the distinction being that the good Levites revolutionized against the Arrangements only, whereas, the bad Levites revolutionize against the Arrangements and against the Truth also. And, when we see this, we can then know the real standing of such people. “By their fruits you will discover them.” Note the following from E‑4:132 (13): It is revolutionism or its partisan support against the Truth and its arrangements, and only revolutionism or its partisan support against the Truth and its arrangements, that manifests crown‑losers as such. The great touchstone of manifesting Leviteship is revolutionism or its partisan support, and nothing else.” (Emphasis ours)

And let us emphasize here that the Levites have had some of the brightest minds among men during their time, or any other time. We instance John Calvin, who had one of the sharpest intellects of the Age; and, specifically, “St.” Augustine – considered by some capable men as having the greatest intellect of the fallen race since Adam although neither of them were the Pastor and Teacher of God’s household. We repeat, let RGJ produce just one Scripture to contest this statement. On the other hand, we believe we make a very conservative statement when we declare that these very men have taught the Little Flock, which RGJ disputes in his over‑all statement when he declares that the greater (Little Flock) should not be taught by the lesser. Couldn’t any capable and faithful Youthful Worthy “teach” this “higher class” (the Great Company) the Epiphany Truth – not only the Great Company in Big Babylon, but also the Great Company in the Truth groups who have not been instructed in Epiphany Truth? Thus according to him, the Youthful Worthies should not be teaching the Great Company; and the Great Company should not be teaching the Little Flock. Should this “higher class” teach the Youthful Worthies that the High Calling is still open? And should the Youthful Worthies accept their teaching?

We raise the question now: All during the Epiphany, did not RGJ himself teach the Little Flock in his services to the various Churches? Of course he did! And he did that with the Epiphany Messenger’s approval – at a time when the Epiphany Messenger knew RGJ was a crown‑loser; and even after RGJ was manifested a crown‑loser in 1938, he was permitted to give discourses at Conventions – and in some of these discourses he gave some good instructions for all Classes, including the Little Flock, the Great Company, the Youthful Worthies and the Tentatively Justified. “Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel.” (Gen. 49:4)

And this raises a second question: When RGJ gives speaking appointments to his Campers Consecrated, are they not in a position to teach not only their own Class but all the Classes ‘higher’ than they? And of those Youthful Worthies that RGJ accepts with open arms, do they not all teach the Great Company when he gives them opportunity at the various Conventions? Is it not true that RGJ would send them to instruct (teach) the Great Company in the various groups, and even in Big Babylon where opportunity presents itself? We assume that RGJ still accepts the teachings of the Epiphany Messenger regarding the Youthful Worthies who came into the Truth between 1881 to 1916 – that they were privileged to bring many of the saints out of Babylon. How could they do that without instructing (teaching) them? These faithful New Creatures in Babylon were left there for a purpose until their “due time” to hear the call, “Come out of her.” But as soon as they were taught (instructed) in “present truth” they immediately came “out of her.”

It is always proper for a Truth‑enlightened Youthful Worthy to teach the Truth to those in error – refute the error and instruct them in the Truth, if they will receive it – in harmony with St. Paul’s counsel in 2 Tim. 2:24‑26, Dia.: – “…that they may be recovered from the snare of the enemy (Azazel), who have been entrapped by him for his pleasure.” To teach such persons is not only the privilege, but the duty, of any Truth persons – whether a Youthful Worthy or not. This applies to any group teaching error including the LHMM. Surely any Truth‑enlightened Youthful Worthy who opposes the errors emanating from the LHMM would gladly assist and bless their brethren in every way possible in harmony with Luke 24:47 – “beginning at Jerusalem.”

THE STANDING OF THE FAITHFUL YOUTHFUL WORTHIES

As most of our readers know, we have never attempted to magnify ourselves by claiming to be the Pastor and Teacher, nor by being pictured in the Bible; we have never thought it necessary. Our teachings are our credentials: If we are teaching the Truth, that will be sufficient to attract God’s faithful people who read our papers. In fact, our presentations have been sufficient to attract the attention of quite a few of the best supporters of Brother Russell and Brother Johnson; and we are sure they ask no more of us than that – the Truth! In this connection, we apply E‑7:186 to RGJ: “It is singular to those only who, failing to realize that all the Great Company leaders, as graspers for power and lords over God’s heritage, have the same spirit, and, like their kindred‑spirited brethren, prominent in the nominal Church (Lot seated at Sodom’s gate, place of prominence, Gen. 19:1) all through the Gospel Age, when their power was threatened, have found fault with the faithful shepherds of God’s flock (Abraham’s shepherds found fault with by Lot’s shepherds, Gen. 13:5‑13), and persecuted them because of their interfering with their selfish plans and works against God’s Little Flock.”

OUR OWN CREDENTIALS

At no time since Brother Johnson’s death have we claimed any official standing before the Church other than that given to us by the Epiphany Messenger himself; but that authority is clearly set forth in our Pilgrim appointment, dated October 11, 1942 part of which we quote: “This authorization gives the said John J. Hoefle the right and privilege of preaching the Gospel and lecturing on the Bible in any country in the world.” And in the letter which came with the Pilgrim appointment there is the following: “You can be assured that in this service you will have the special opposition of the adversary and those who have his spirit (specifically Azazel’s Goat – the crown losers while they are in Azazel’s clutches – JJH), and thus will have severer trials. On the other hand, remember the Lord is on our side and will give you special help and blessings, if you use faithfully your privileges of service.” Although during Brother Johnson’s life we had no special trials in connection with our Pilgrim appointment, the trials began in 1950 after the Epiphany Messenger’s demise – and more particularly in 1954 and 1955 when it became crystal clear that it was our duty to refute the errors emanating from the crown‑lost leader of the LHMM in his “path of error.” (James 5:20) The last specific instance along this line is our complete refutation of RGJ on his contention about Cornelius. (See our paper 241 for details.)

As Brother Johnson has so ably stated, When these crown‑losers fall into the clutches of Azazel, they talk all sorts of nonsense; and RGJ’s present condition and contentions clearly confirm this. He questions our authority for teaching the Truth to the Household of Faith, which includes the Little Flock, the Great Company, the Youthful Worthies and the Tentatively Justified. Apparently he has forgotten that we taught all these classes by discourse at Conventions, with the pilgrim appointment and approval of the Epiphany Messenger when he was with us. our pilgrim appointment gave us authority to preach the Truth in any country in the world, so RGJ’s statements concerning our authority to do so are simply some more of his antitypical “witchcraft” (especially deceptive false teachings). We have never claimed any more than being a preacher of the Truth – for the benefit of any one who wants to hear it.

And, when we see him talking such nonsense, we have the strong assurance that he is still befuddled by Azazel; otherwise he wouldn’t be making such foolish statements thereby making his condition manifest to all who still abide in the Truth. Even though the Youthful Worthies had no special leader while Brother Johnson was with us, he having charge of the Great Company, the Youthful Worthies and the Tentatively Justified who were with him during his ministry, he distinctly tells us in E‑13:31: “By the time this fruitfulness (‘the Lord visited Hannah’) will become the antitype of the finished picture there will be born three clean general Great Company and two clean general Youthful Worthy groups (bare three sons and two daughters).”

When Brother Johnson was with us the enlightened Youthful Worthies were with him, and the others were with other groups. According to the above quotation, there will be two clean Youthful Worthy groups and three Great Company groups. The Great Company groups, of course, will have Great Company leaders, and the Youthful Worthy groups will have Youthful Worthy leaders. Just how can any clean group – be they Little Flock, Great Company or Youthful Worthies – engage in any general activity without a leader? RGJ is now revolutionizing against this Epiphany teaching.

However, RGJ’s first revolutionism against Epiphany Truth was the night of October 27, 1950 after the funeral service of Brother Johnson that afternoon. At that meeting he confessed he was bewildered and confused by the death of Brother Johnson – because it occurred in 1950 instead of 1956, the time Brother Johnson had believed his death would occur. But RGJ received a ‘flash’ at four o’clock one morning before the funeral which told him that when the Epiphany Messenger left the earth there were no more crown retainers on earth – that Brother Johnson was the last Little Flock member to be glorified. So he pronounced the edict that all New Creatures who survived Brother Johnson were crown‑losers! He continues to teach that the death of a man manifests crown‑losers, instead of revolutionism – a gross and persistent revolutionism against the Epiphany Messenger’s teaching that only Revolutionism is the gauge to determine whether New Creatures are crown‑losers. It is the Truth and its Arrangements that manifest New Creatures as crown‑losers – the Truth and only the Truth, or its Arrangements. Heb. 4:12 corroborates this teaching: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two‑edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner (manifester – see Berean Comments) of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” So Brother Johnson was not presenting this doctrine of revolutionism on a parallel that didn’t mature – or on types but on the direct Scripture from the Word of God, as interpreted by That Servant.

Another ‘manifester’ was at the Jacksonville, Florida, Convention in 1955. RGJ was specifically asked at that time, Did Brother Johnson ever withdraw brotherly fellowship from you? His answer was an emphatic No! That was indeed the Truth! As long as Brother Johnson was with us he never withdrew brotherly fellowship from RGJ; he always gave him brotherly help, although he did withdraw priestly fellowship from him. So it is very clear now that ‘brotherly’ fellowship as distinct from ‘priestly’ fellowship, was never withdrawn from RGJ during Brother Johnson’s lifetime. As all brethren in the LHMM know, ‘priestly’ fellowship was withdrawn from RGJ when he openly manifested himself as a crown‑loser in 1938 – and we know, too, that Brother Johnson continued to give him brotherly fellowship and help after that.

The last resort of the abandonment procedure, which all crown‑losers must receive before they can get their cleansing, is to have brotherly fellowship and favor withdrawn from them. RGJ was never disfellowshiped from the LHMM, so this was not done in Brother Johnson’s lifetime: this was only done when God removed the Epiphany Messenger from our midst October 22, 1950, at which time all brotherly fellowship and favor were withdrawn from him. Since that time he has been on his own: he no longer had the restraining hand of the Epiphany Messenger to hinder him from drawing pictures and making types to suit his fancy. He immediately ostracized all brethren from the LHMM that still held on to their High Calling hope; which did him more spiritual harm than it did them. The New Creatures who continued with him had to admit to being crown losers, otherwise they wouldn’t be very comfortable with the brethren in the LHMM.

The Epiphany Messenger had warned the brethren that he couldn’t appoint a Pastor and Teacher – that only the Lord could do that. However, he saw from the Scriptures that RGJ would be a leader of the good Levites. But this didn’t mean he would be the Pastor and Teacher of the Household, anymore than the leaders of the bad Levites would make them the Pastor and Teacher. Any nominal Church preacher is regarded as Pastor and Teacher in his own congregation. When Brother Johnson was with us, he considered the Levites in his Movement to be good Levites, but that didn’t mean they would continue to be ‘good’ Levites if they were led astray by erroneous teachings. We can say the same for That Servant when he died: he left the only clean Truth Movement in the world. Was the Society a ‘clean’ Truth Movement when Judge Rutherford took over? However, That Servant’s death, as well as the Epiphany Messenger’s death, did manifest that all who said “Lord, Lord” were not the Lord’s faithful people. Good Levites can become bad Levites, just the same as those who lost Little Flockship by the skin of their teeth, can also escape the Second Death by the “skin of their teeth,” if they continue their downward course.

RGJ also emphasizes in this same Present Truth that the Youthful Worthies should take instruction from him. Would he have us believe that the Youthful Worthies should follow him even after they are aware of the fact that he has been leading them into error? He certainly did not believe that in 1951 when he specifically asked us to go to the Dawn Convention in Detroit, and do what we could to present Epiphany teachings (instruct them) so that they would be able to come into “present truth.” “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”! (James 1:8). He is now not only revolutionizing in this particular instance, but against many sound teachings of both Messengers, more of which shall follow; but here we would insert something from E‑4:129: “After the Levites’ (Great Company – JJH) cleansing, they will doubtless partake of the Epiphany truths that are for them; for then they will be somewhat like the good Youthful Worthies, who are privileged to see and appreciate every truth except such truths as the Lord may desire to be limited to the priests… Now the understanding of the priestly matters pertinent to leading Azazel’s Goat to the Gate, delivering him to the fit man and abandoning him to Azazel, is withheld from them.” This probably accounts for the answer RGJ gave at the Jacksonville, Florida Convention in 1955. Apparently he then didn’t understand that he would have to have brotherly fellowship withdrawn from him, as a last resort before he could get his cleansing. And it may be that he does not yet understand the Abandonment process, despite the fact that we have made several attempts to explain it to him, and despite the fact that it is clearly set out in E‑15, page 525:

“As in none of the Great Company do these two forms of the rod prove sufficient fully to free their Holy Spirit from the bondage of developed worldliness, selfishness, error and sin,… the Lord resorts to a second set of untoward experiences,…He delivers them over to Satan,… for the destruction of the flesh,… Their delivery to Satan implies that they come into such a condition as the priests disfellowship them, and thus withdraw all brotherly help and favor from them.”

We continue to hope that he will make sober and sincere study of E‑15 on the Abandonment Process for all Great Company members, which includes himself – also as a companion study it would be well for him to study prayerfully the chapter on Two Houses Built and Tested (the wise and foolish builders) in Epiphany Vol. 5, pp. 473‑529

Following is a quotation from E‑16:125: “The crown‑losers falling into Azazel’s hands quickly upon the Priesthood’s withdrawal of all brotherly help and favor (which in RGJ’s case did not occur until the Lord removed Brother Johnson from our midst in 1950 – JJH); and in his hands they are being led into such excesses of revolutionism as will eventually make it undeniable even by themselves that they have been wrong in their whole course.” That the foregoing is at least partially true regarding RGJ is revealed by his own course: Just a day or two after the Epiphany Messenger’s demise, a “flash” came to him at four o’clock in the morning that there were no more saints left on earth. And he was so determined that his “flash” should be accepted as Truth by all, that he informed Pilgrim Eschrich that he must either accept this teaching or withdraw from the pilgrim work. And Pilgrim Eschrich, as is recorded of his kinsmen with respect to Jesus, “they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:43), he succumbed to RGJ’s ultimatum: he is still one of RGJ’s pilgrims, and joined him in his revolutionism.

RGJ’s revolutionisms against the Tabernacle are even worse – if possible. He now has tentative justification in the Camp – in a bedlam of confusion. The Gate to the Court is closed so far as new ones entering the Court is concerned; and in his Camp he has three different classes of people; namely, the nominal Church members, his consecrated Campers, and those that have been ejected from the Court – with no chance for any of them ever coming into the Court during the remainder of the Gospel Age. He also has a “narrow way” in the Camp – a new and weird teaching never seen by either Messenger.

Of course, all of the foregoing is a blanket revolutionism against the Two Distinct Salvations, which both Messengers taught must be kept separate if we are not to become bogged down in hopeless confusion. It is simply a replica of the confusion that existed in Big Babylon during the reaping period of the Harvest. mere is an elect salvation for the faith Ages, and a works (common) salvation for the next Age – after the New Covenant becomes operative.

It should be kept in mind that JWK is Pastor and Teacher to those who accept his errors; the leaders of the Jehovah’s Witnesses are Pastors and Teachers to their “dedicated” followers; and RGJ is Pastor and Teacher to all who accept his errors; and all of these Pastors and Teachers have the same identifying stripe of black drawn plainly across their chests: The Witnesses are instructed to refuse to accept any reading matter from us; JWK has instructed his followers to refuse to accept any of our writings; and RGJ has told his trusting henchmen to do the same. As for us, we read reasonably carefully the writings of all of them; and we grant our readers the same privilege if they are inclined to do so. We counsel our readers to place their writings alongside ours, then determine for themselves which they consider to be right. Not only on this point are these three movements alike, but also on each having a consecrated, or “dedicated,” class of Restitutionists sacrificing – the only reward they receive for such sacrificing will be restitution blessings, which all the world will receive if obedient and faithful during the Kingdom, without sacrificing.

Brother Johnson adopted the same course as we do now. When we first became acquainted with him in the early twenties, he knew we were reading the Watch Tower; and never once did he advise against it. Brother Russell even counseled his staunch supporters never to distribute any of his writings until they had first read them and had convinced themselves that he was teaching the Truth. And he was “that wise and faithful servant.”

Furthermore, RGJ has revolutionized against the teachings of both Messengers, who taught the “works” (Kingdom) salvation would be “to the Jew first.” Neither of them ever hinted at any other arrangement. But, according to RGJ his newly‑invented Campers Consecrated will be first under the New Covenant – after the resurrection of the Worthies. Of course, the only way RGJ can see his Campers at all is in his newly‑discovered “types”; and it should be kept in mind here that a type is never used (according to That Servant) to introduce a doctrine; it merely corroborates one already taught. This should not surprise us, when we read RGJ’s letter to Brother Russell in the Nov. 15, 1910 Watch Tower, wherein he admits his folly in manufacturing types; but it is clear enough he never did correct himself; he went right on with his “strong delusions.” After the Lord removed the restraining hand of the Epiphany Messenger, he has been permitted to make pictures and types – also receive ‘flashes’ to support his newly‑invented doctrines.

1951, 1952 OR 1976 ‑ WHICH?

On pages 86, 91 of the paper under discussion RGJ makes animated charges against JWK’s teaching activities; and on page 90 there is this: “The book of Ruth shows clearly that the Great Company is a higher class than the Youthful Worthies and that the executive, pastoral and teaching office has been given to the Great Company... in that Naomi directed and instructed Ruth – and not vice versa.” It would be most interesting to know just when this “flash” occurred to him – because this is a complete reversal of what he taught in the years 1951, 1952. We direct attention to pp. 9‑12 of the January 1951 Present Truth, where RGJ published a letter from JWK, wherein JWK is teaching every one who reads it, including RGJ himself. We would say the same for page 93 of the June 1951 Present Truth, where the question is raised about the validity of the Pyramid and JWK’s teachings on that subject. Here is what RGJ himself said about that statement: “Those who reject God’s word as to the Epiphany Messenger being the last member of the Little Flock would naturally also reject anything else God might use to corroborate it.” It is certainly clear enough that RGJ was accepting JWK as his teacher then! There is considerably more on this same subject in the July 1, 1951 PT, pp. 99‑105 under the caption “The Pyramid Witness,” etc.

Coming now to pp. 9 and 14 of the January 1, 1952 Present Truth, we call attention to a letter to RGJ from JWK, labeled as follows: “Bro. Russell’s Epiphany Parallels.” This letter makes great play upon RGJ being the Epiphany parallel to Brother Russell; and this is RGJ’s comment about it: “The Lord must have had a purpose in revealing this to Bro. Krewson, and he did the proper thing in presenting it to us. After careful study, meditation and watchfulness, amidst much prayer, and in view of many letters received from the brethren inquiring along these lines, we feel it to be the Lord’s will that we share it with the brethren, and therefore we do so, with the prayer that it may be a blessing to the Lord’s dear ones as it cheers their hearts and strengthens their faith and increases their joy at this further evidence that the Lord is with us and has not forsaken His people... We realize that the above letter and comments will bring added ridicule and persecution upon us individually and collectively, but we will count this all joy that we may faithfully do God’s holy will and have His smile of approval (Matt. 4:11,12).”

In September 1955 we wrote RGJ the following: “You said you would rather die than accept Brother Krewson as a teacher. Inasmuch as you accepted so much of his teaching for a few years, were you heading toward death then? Also, you accuse him of pre‑arranging dates, then planning his course to make them fit his parallels. Since he told you that you were paralleling Brother Russell for the balance of the Epiphany, can it be possible you yourself did any of that same arranging of parallels especially arranging your trip to England with the Bible Films in 1954, and feigning surprise when Brother Armstrong spoke of the 1914 parallel (See Sept. 1954 PT, p. 71, col. 1, par. 2) – although Brother Armstrong himself had already called it to your attention in 1953, so you had plenty of notice of it long before you even started for England?

It should be mentioned here also that during those few years after Brother Johnson died, when RGJ was blindly swallowing the “teachings” of JWK, he was then likewise being “taught” by JWK that he was “antitypical Zerubbabel,” and that he (RGJ) would have to defend every important feature of the Parousia and Epiphany Truth from attacks from other groups; and this also he greedily gobbled up – only to learn later on that that was all mirage. It is our understanding that JWK now has another close associate whom he has named as antitypical Zerubbabel.

It would seem to be in order here to quote from E‑10:588 (top): “The Epiphany crown‑losers also made such statements as make vs. 18‑30 applicable to the three Levite groups, as well as to the nominal church, and that because they constitute Little Babylon.” To be coupled with this is the following from E‑13:744: “They who dash the little sects of both Babylons against the doctrines of the Truth would be favored of God.”

Such teachings as the above actuate us in much of our exposures; and our efforts are in great disfavor with those whose evils we expose. However, we are assured of the Lord’s favor, and we regard this more highly than “the praise of men.” We have no wish whatever to follow a “multitude” to do evil. (See Ex. 23:2) As we review the record of RGJ over the years since 1955, we observe that he has suffered one crushing defeat after another, the last one being his hodge‑podge on Cornelius. His claim to be “Pastor and Teacher” has no standing, even to be mentioned, on the same pages with the Parousia and Epiphany Messengers, who gained victory after victory over their gainsayers. Surely, Isa. 54:17 fits them like a hand in a glove: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that is raised against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”

PARTNERS IN REVOLUTIONISM

So far as we know, both “Pastors & Teachers” still recognize the Epiphany Messenger as such, although they cast aside large portions of the fundamentals of his teachings, when it suits their purposes. One we specifically emphasize here is the Epiphany as a period of time. The Epiphany Messenger was very pronounced in telling us that the Epiphany and the Apokalypsis are identical – as acts and period of time they are synonymous. (E‑4, Chapter One) With this we are in full agreement, not just because the Epiphany Messenger said so, but because it is a clear Scriptural teaching. We quote 2 Thes. 2:8 from the Diaglott: “Then will be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus will... annihilate by the appearing (Epiphaneia) of his presence (Parousia).”

It is our conviction that no sound Bible student would contend that the “lawless one” has already been destroyed. But, if he is still with us, then the Epiphany must also still be with us; because it is in this period – the last special period of the Gospel Age – that the destruction must occur. Yet one of these Pastors and Teachers (JWK) says we are now in the Apokalypsis as a separate period from the Epiphany, while the other one (RGJ) says we are now 22 years in the Basileia; but neither of them can harmonize his teachings with those of the Epiphany Messenger. “Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: For the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the earth.” (Hos. 4:1) “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein.” (Hos. 14:9)

Let us keep in mind that, when the Time of Trouble broke forth in 1914, the Epiphany was “in our midst,” even though there was an overlapping of 26 months by the Parousia into the Epiphaneia. Certainly there is no relationship whatever between that 26 months than the more than 22 years of RGJ’s overlapping; nor is there any harmony with JWK’s contention that the Epiphany as “the last special period of the Gospel Age” is now a complete thing of the past. If RGJ’s reasoning is correct, then we are 22 years into the Basileia – just as we were actually 26 months into the Epiphany when the Parousia ended. Also, his Consecrated Epiphany Campers was not announced until we were actually into the Basileia – according to him; so why doesn’t he call his newly‑invented (non‑existent) Class “Consecrated Basileia Campers”?

It has never been our wish to “sound a trumpet before us as the hypocrites do... that they may have glory of men” (Matt. 6:2). At the outset we made honest endeavor to publish the “wisdom from above... without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17); and that has been sufficient to attract to us some of the very best supporters of Brother Johnson. We instance Brother Roach of Trinidad (who had been Brother Johnson’s representative in that country from 1931 to the time of Brother Johnson’s demise); also Brother Cotton, who told us personally he was with us “all the way,” and would write a letter to that effect, but he died before he could do that. And there are several others we do not give personal mention because their relatives might feel sensitive about it. However, the following quotations from letters Brother Johnson wrote us have encouraged us to “keep on keeping on,” and which needs no elaboration from us:

“This explanation is given to you in confidence, with the distinct understanding that you will not give it to others. My confidence in your integrity and loyalty to the Lord’s word has moved me to give you what I would not even give the Church Class now... I do many things for you, my dear Brother, because of your faithfulness to the Truth, that I have not done for others.” (Oct. 31, 1947) And further from a letter of March 16, 1948: “Dear Brother, don’t worry about this matter from any standpoint. You know I love you, and I know you love me.”

Our Lord tells us, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31,32) “The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sir: Would you please send me a list of your current publications and information about your set‑up. Thank you! ------- (CALIFORNIA)

………………………….

Dear Sir: Would you please provide me with information about any literature you may publish. I am also interested in the background, the history and the doctrines of your organization. I would appreciate this information.

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

NO. 259: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

No. 259

Another year gone, and we continue to marvel at the scientific achievements of Society. By raising the carbon dioxide content of the air in the storage room it is now possible to keep apples firm and free from deterioration for two years. Also, one farm worker now produces enough to feed 56 people – in contrast to one in Russia feed­ing only six or eight. One of the advantages that accrues from our efficient farm production is that it frees the other 55 for inventive and productive activity; and this is one of the great causes for the tremendous prosperity that the American people have enjoyed. Only four per cent of the people in the United States are presently en­gaged in agriculture.

In 1918 one farm worker produced only enough for himself and two other people; and this is silent testimonial to the tremendous progress that has been made in the past sixty years. As late as 1965 one farm worker produced enough to provide for 37 people; thus, even in the past twelve years great strides forward have been made. Therefore, it should be readily apparent that agriculture (from two Latin words, agri and cultura, meaning culture of the fields) is the foundation for our national afflu­ence. The wheat in a 35-cent loaf of bread costs but four cents to produce. Also, presently there is an auto for every two people in the United States. From these two statistics it should be readily apparent that agriculture and the automobile industry must prosper if the remainder of the nation is to prosper. In other words, these two industries must prosper if there is to be general prosperity over the nation.

Furthermore, during this past year the supersonic jet airplanes began to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in about four hours – almost twice the speed of sound. It took Columbus three months to make the same journey when he discovered America. This is definitely one pronounced evidence that we are in “the time of the end” (Dan. 12:4) – “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” The present cruising speed of the ordinary commercial plane is about 625 miles per hour; the Lockheed SR71 made 2,086 miles per hour.

In October 1879 Thomas Edison produced the first incandescent light; and it was such a sensation that the railroads ran special trains for people to take a look at it. This brings to mind the story that sometime later than 1879 a small electric train was invented; and when one rural resident first saw it going without any apparent help, he exclaimed, “You can’t fool me; there’s somethin ‘pushin’ or a pullin’ that thing somewhere.”

Another item of special interest: An effort is now progressing to move the ice­bergs of the Antarctic region to the Red Sea area. They plan to do this by putting the icebergs in cellophane bags; then tow them to the Red Sea district, take off the cellophane bags and allow the sun to melt them, which would create huge volumes of water to irrigate the dry land of the Red Sea area. It will be recalled that the land of Palestine has very rich soil (“a land flowing with milk and honey”); it is only the lack of water that prevents rich agricultural production.

IN FINANCE

The deterioration of the financial structure is speeding, if possible, faster than the inventive genius is progressing. According to Secretary of the Treasury William E. Simon, interest payments on the federal debt in fiscal 1976 will exceed annual spending for the Vietnam war. He said unless Americans soon begin to realize the devastating consequences of federal spending and taxes, economic freedoms will be lost. Why is it that we do not hear outcries of concern and condemnation of spending programs that are rapidly destroying the spirit of American initiative?

The American dollar today is simply a promise to pay nothing! The value of the dollar has declined over 20 percent in the past four years, and our national debt now exceeds six hundred and four billion dollars. The overall debt – federal, state, city and private is estimated at more than two trillion dollars. Such figures are beyond firm comprehension. The situation is so critical that there are now eighty-one million working in the free enterprise system. This is simply taking it from those who work, and giving it to those who will not, or cannot, work. Bureaucracy has become an uncon­trollable monster!

Says another writer about this money thing: “A long time holder of Sterling today would find that he has lost 50% of the value of his money since December 18, 1971. A holder of Lira would have lost 49%. I chose that date incidentally because it was then that the Smithsonian Monetary Agreement was signed. This was, if you recall, supposed to have been an historical agreement that would eliminate the monetary problems that had been plaguing the world.”

Further, quoting the same writer: “Each investment, like the different sections of a symphony orchestra, performs a different function. The cash will be available for personal emergencies or as protective in the event of a major depression. With to­day’s topsy-turvy economic system resting on an unprecedented pyramid of debt such a calamity cannot be ruled out.”

Comes now the following regarding the Bank of England – onetime money center of the world: “The Bank of England’s minimum lending rate, the key to the nation’s inter­est rate structure, was raised a staggering two percent to a record 15%. And in another move aimed at curbing the growth of money in the economy, the bank called for a further $1.19 billion in special deposits from the banks. The news had an immediate effect on the stock market, but the pound was boosted on foreign exchange markets from $1.6575 to $1.6685.

“The new rate of 15 percent is a record high for the rate, which has never gone over 13 percent – which it reached September 10 after a 10 percent rise. The urgency of Britain’s bleak economic situation is underlined by the new call for special depos­its, just one day after the banks finished handing over deposits called in last month. Special deposits are used by the monetary authorities to cut back the amount of money in the economy. Thursday’s two percent call from the bank will mean that a total of $3.57 billion is now frozen in this way.

“With credit tighter, it will be more expensive for Britons to buy on installment any­thing from cars to washing machines. British industry will also find it harder to get loans to buy new equipment and expand. The main reason the Bank of England imposed what the Evening Standard called ‘a new era of austerity’ was to impress foreign credi­tors that Britain is doing something about annual inflation of 13.8 percent and the slide of the pound.” (October 8, 1976)

Another writer gives us this under the caption THE WORLD-WIDE INFLATION DILEMMA: “In Argentina the cost of living rose 335 per cent in 1975. (An interior decorator in Buenos Aires found it cheaper to paper walls with hundred-peso notes than with wall paper!) In Chile consumer prices rose 400 per cent in 1975. Life is marked with short­ages, black marketeering, food lines, and civil disorder. In Britain last year, the inflation rate was 21 percent; in Italy 17 percent; in Japan 12 percent; in France 11 percent. These astonishing rates at a time when world inflation was supposedly receding. This year or next, these rates could double, maybe triple....

“Concerning America, you may ask, could that happen here? The answer is it did happen. During the Civil War prices in the South rose an average of ten percent per month for 31 consecutive months. Even in the North, inflation reached high double-­digit figures... Living costs are ready to explode. Shocking shortages will follow. The gasoline and food shortages of 1974 were just a hint of what’s in store... In some areas, violence, food riots, and physical danger. Exchange controls will prevent your money being sent abroad. The government may again outlaw private ownership of gold. Travel abroad will be restricted. Wage and price controls will be imposed.... Persons living on fixed incomes will be wiped out.”

On November 3, 1976 – just one day after the election here in the United States ­there is a detailed description of the situation in England, part of which we quote from the Detroit Free Press: “The latest tumble in the value of the pound is the most dramatic symptom of a sickness that infects Britain, but it is by no means the only sign of economic disease there. The signs of ravage and weakness affect every level of public and private life, and pose the greatest challenge to British stability and finan­cial soundness in years. Put simply, Britain is living beyond her means, and the Labor Government seems unable or unwilling to prescribe a cure...

“A cure, if there is one, will not in any case restore Britain to the ranks of first-class powers, but it might keep her from slipping from second-class into the glo­bal minor league... Britain already has taken one big step by applying once more for a huge international loan. This time, Britain wants to borrow $3.9 billion from the International Monetary Fund, which was set up in 1947 so member nations can borrow money in times of trouble...

“The pound, which 18 months ago was worth $2.40, has slumped to as low as $1.56 ­an all-time low.... The Western World would like to see Britain cut back on its public spending programs, especially in its extensive and expensive social programs that make Britain one of the most comprehensive welfare states... It is an agonizing problem for Prime Minister Callaghan, who contends that his Labor Government has tightened belts at home as much as is politically tolerable....

“Britain has already imposed – with the cooperation of labor unions – limits on wage increases. This lowered the standard of living for the first time since the 1930s. It already imposes taxes so high that thousands of citizens have gone over­seas to live and escape them... But more action is needed; a look at the grim statis­tics show why: Inflation which skyrocketed to 30 percent last year, is still running more than 15 percent higher than a year ago. Only Italy has a worse inflationary prob­lem among rich countries. Unemployment stands at 1.3 million, the highest figure since World War II. The trade balance is heavily in the red; imports are still pouring into the country while exports are dragging. The nation’s debt exceeds $16 billion; and the budget for next year shows a deficit of $20 billion... One major problem is Brit­ain’s need to import more than one-half of all its food and most of the raw materials that its industry needs to manufacture exports. To pay the huge bills Britain must export to survive.

“The public payroll is bloated and an enormous drain on the economy. Some experts think that firing ten percent of the bureaucracy would save Britain the billions that she needs to chop out of the spending program. Others propose a crueler remedy, the elimination of some old-age pensions granted to every one who did not qualify for pen­sions during their working life. International bankers say that welfare and health care programs, which account for about 65 cents of every dollar spent on medicine and doctors, are all very good, but they are things that a crumbling economy cannot afford.”

In Italy – Another press report says, “Political violence against Italy’s ruling Christian Democratic Party spread from Rome to Florence on Friday. Fears of a government collapse and general elections that could mean Communist gains sent the value of the lira and stocks plummeting for a third straight day. In Florence youths tossed a fire bomb at the Christian Democrats, regional office causing minor damage. Left-wing militants fire-bombed the party’s headquarters in Rome on Thursday and also attacked the Justice Ministry and a police station.

“Christian Democrat secretary Benigno Zaacagnini held talks with Enrico Berlin­guer and other leaders of the Communist party, Italy’s second largest. Sources said Zaccagnini rejected proposals to give the Communists a share in economic planning, and there was no progress in easing the crisis. The Socialists, Italy’s No. 3 party with power to topple Aldo Moro’s minority government, have called on the Christian Democrats to give a policy voice to the Communists in an effort to stabilize the economy.

“Milan reported the lira dropped another one percent against the American dollar, clos­ing at 798.90 lira to a dollar, its second lowest ever. It was down 869.75 per dollar Thursday.”

The foregoing means that the lira is worth about 8/100 of one American cent, which means you would be able to buy one ordinary toothpick with one of them. A close person­al friend of ours visited Rome last summer; and he told us that Rome is now infested with men on motorcycles, who ride down the main streets of the city snatching purses from people who are walking on the sidewalks. He said this was done to his sister, and the force of the effort knocked her flat into the gutter and just about ruined her cloth­ing.

In Australia – “Australia is as close to industrial anarchy as you can get,” said a top American businessman who asked not to be quoted by name. “The problems with the maritime industry alone are like something out of Gilbert and Sullivan. (It more recently reported that Australia is losing more citizens than are coming into the coun­try—JJH) The frequent disputes and strikes make it almost impossible to do any long­-range planning. I think the only reason the labor situation hasn’t scared away poten­tial American investors here is because sitting back in the States they couldn’t possi­bly realize how ludicrous it is.

“At about the time the ambulance drivers rejected their meat pies, Sydney’s 50 lifeguards pulled down their safety flags and walked off the beach; the fleet of fer­ries stopped running, leaving thousands of commuters stranded; high school students were planning a strike to protest the present barbaric system of corporal punishment; garbage collectors were out; 6,000 postal workers went on a 24-hour national work stop­page; 760 jail wardens quit work without forewarning, leaving 2,850 inmates locked in their cells; some suburban swimming pools were closed because of a strike at a chemi­cal plant making disinfectant; the petroleum industry was crippled by a strike called when a company supervisor – instead of a union man – handed out wet weather gear to new tank drivers one rainy morning.”

IN POLITICS

As most of our readers know, the United States will have a new President come January 20. That he is an enigma of most delicate strain is concluded by many men of keen intelligence. The following is taken from a certain writer on the subject: “The radical element of the news media can, when they so determine, take the greatest pub­lic official in America, put him in the gutter and convince a majority of the people that he is a crook. The same segment of the news media can take the biggest phony in America and make him appear superior to a combination of Einstein and Solomon. We are seeing this happen in America today....

“A bill is presently pending to guarantee full employment through public jobs, and to provide for total Federal economic planning – a program designed to take from the ‘haves’ and give to the ‘have-nots’.....

“Walter Mondale (Vice-President elect) has the third most strident liberal voting record in the Senate, even more liberal than the Democratic 1972 Presidential Candidate. The President elect has said, and continues to say, ‘Mondale’s political philosophy is compatible with my own’ – a record that is certainly not compatible with the desires of the responsible taxpaying, patriotic citizens, or in the best interests of America.

“One of Carter’s most admired theologians is Reinhold Niebuhr – noted for his favoring of socialism and his support of many pro-Communist organizations such as the ‘American Committee for the Protection of Foreign Born,’ one of the oldest auxiliaries of the Communist Party. He was also one of the founders of the (socialist) Americans for Democratic action. He and his fraternity of theological friends have been among those responsible for the introduction of modernism, liberal philosophy and socialist doctrine into modern religious institutions ....

“The competence of Mr. Carter as a reliable spokesman for Christians must be called into question, for Jesus has said, ‘He that is not with me is against Me.’“

However, we well realize that the Lord sets down one and raises up another – all for His own purposes, especially so during this Epiphany period.

In Italy – As most of our readers know, we are keeping a close watch on the gov­ernment of Italy; and we follow with a news item of last August: “As Italy lurches into its 39th government in the post-World II period, its friends can only hope that the peculiar chemistry that has held the republic together for the past three decades will once more prove sufficient. Whether it does or not will depend only part­ly on the whole new political formula under which the still dominant Christian Demo­crats have had to form their latest government.

“This time the Communists, who received 34.4 percent of the June parliamentary vote, as compared with the Christian Democrats’ 38.7 per cent, have assumed the chair­manships of seven major parliamentary committees, and hold the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies. Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti drew from an all-Christian Democrat list to form his new cabinet, but has had to acknowledge his party’s dependence an commun­ist support, or at least abstention from the vote of confidence that his government will have to face this week. (August 2 item—JJH)

“This will be as much a departure from past form for Communists who have cast neg­ative votes in every previous vote of confidence, as for the Christian Democrats, who for the first time are having to depend on the good will of their Communist adversar­ies. Since Naples and the largest cities in the industrial north have communist-domi­nated governments, and since the Communists hold the electoral edge in Rome as well, it’s obvious that the Italian political complexion is changing.” (“They all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up and they shall be changed.”—Heb. 1:11,12)

From the foregoing it should be readily apparent that the Italian government is hanging by a thin thread; and we would counsel our readers to have their financial house in order as much as is possible for them. If the Communists should take over, it will mean the same thing in Italy as respects the Roman Catholic Church as occur­red in Russia with the Greek Catholic Church when the Communists seized power there. Even when we do our best in a situation like this, it will still mean the Lord must have us by the hand if we are to escape serious physical and financial catastrophe.

SOUTH AFRICA – In July of last year one financial analyst had this to say: “In South Africa over 300 years ago the whites settled in Capetown and migrated north­ward. The whites were the first settlers in much of that country. As they migrated northward, they eventually met blacks migrating southward and began to mix. The whites, as original settlers, believe the land belongs to them. They will fight to the last drop of blood to defend it. Today, the whites have all the guns. Their army is the sixth largest in the world, and is one-third the size of the US Army. They have 1,000 planes and 1,000 tanks, Countries like Uganda have five tanks and seven planes. Any serious uprising would make Soweto look like a school picnic....

“Politicians throughout the world inherently lack self-discipline. They have too many constituents asking them to spend more. Give them the opportunity to create money arbitrarily and there is hardly any limit to the amount they will print... I am not suggesting that a return to the gold-based monetary system is imminent. The po­litical realities are such that this is a very remote possibility now. But the current non-system contains the seeds of its own destruction. Unfortunately, the depreciation of the money in your pocket will accompany the determination of the system. The situ­ation is destined to become worse, perhaps culminating in a hyper-inflation if the mon­etary authorities do not wake up soon. The time for you to protect your assets is be­fore the damage is done, rather than when it is too late.”

IN RELIGION

What we said aforegoing about Italy could well fit in here, because the Catholic Church is desperately involved in the political situation there. In the last election the Pope threatened to excommunicate any one who supported the Communist cause; but it would seem many of the Roman Catholics ignored the threat. One outspoken example is that of Franzoni, a 48-year-old bespectacled former Benedictine monk, who was abbot of St. Paul without the walls in Rome. His left-wing views lost him the job, and when he spoke out in favor of divorce, he was ordered by the Vatican not to celebrate mass any more.

Another rebellious example is that of Bishop Marcel Lefebvre in Lille, France. In defiance of Pope Paul he performed the mass for 7,000 French Roman Catholics. The 71-­year-old priest was applauded when he walked slowly to the altar, the gold stitching on his green chasuble gleaming in the television lights.

Combinationism – Even the Pope himself is departing from the iron-clad rules of the past. In late October he received a delegation of Lutherans and accepted a facsimile edition of the Bible translated by Roman Catholics in 1521. The Pope’s ac­ceptance of the copy of the 1545 Luther Bible and the three-day visit by a delegation from the Lutheran World Federation were seen as steps toward improving relations be­tween the two religious groups... Pope Paul told them their visit served “a further ad­vancement of that mutual understanding which is so basic in the movement toward the re-establishment of full ecclesial communion.”

This brings to mind several prophetic Scriptures: “Say ye not, a Confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, a Confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” (Isa. 8:12) “They shall surely gather together, but not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.” (Isa. 54:15) “The heaven (the present ecclesiastical systems) departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every Mountain (autocratic government) and island (liberal governments) were moved out of their places.” (Rev. 6:14) However, “We shall not fear, though the earth (the present social order) be removed, and though the mountains (autocratic governments) be car­ried into the midst of the sea” (the restless lawless elements of society).—Psa. 46:2.

A news item along this line emphasizes the growing anarchy: “School crime is growing at a tremendous rate and is costing the taxpayers millions of dollars for the hiring of security police and in damage done to school property. A Fifth Grade class in San Diego, California, recently wrote their State Legislator letters of indignation as a classroom assignment over a certain matter that occurred in their Congressional district, and the four-letter words that were used in the letters written by those youngsters could not be printed in local newspapers, they were so foul and so obscene.”

A further comment regarding the school situation: “The University campuses and even the elementary schools are filled with teachers and professors who place no faith in spiritual values, and are teaching their students that faithless materialism is the solution of life. Even if they do consent to a form of faith, they almost invariably ridicule the Christian religion.... The best men in this world are clergymen, and the worst men in this world are clergyman. What could be worse than coming on the televi­sion with a program that costs millions of dollars, while making false claims and scoop ­in the money by the barrel? One of these world-wide ‘soul savers’ was investigated, and it was revealed that he had spent thousands upon thousands, and perhaps close to a million dollars of his ‘soul-saving’ money on the building of a corset factory. Others have established great stock farms filled with grazing herds, cattle, sheep and swine. Remember, I am not condemning the Church or the preachers of the Gospel. I am condemn­ing those who are using the great instruments of communication to deceive and exploit the innocent believers.” (The Vatican has an estimated wealth of about five billion dollars. But of all these men, their presumed leader had said of Himself: “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.”—Luke 9:58--JJH)

The Truth Groups – Since 1916 the Harvest Movement has divided into an oddity of divisions – not as many, nor so numerous as the sects in Big Babylon, nevertheless there is a similarity among some of them in certain respects. Some of these Truth groups are doing a commendable work in the distribution of The Divine Plan of the Ages – a book that is a veritable key to the understanding of the Scriptures. They publish and advertise all the Six Volumes of the Studies in the Scriptures, for which we give our hearty approval and encouragement to all who engage in this good work wherever and whenever opportunity presents itself.

However, we do not include the Jehovah’s Witnesses in this work, because they have long since discarded so much of the teachings of That Servant and have invented “new light” (false doctrines) of their own. They have invented a new Class of their own (“Great Crowd”) for the end of this Age, falsely claiming that all who do not join with them will be annihilated in Armageddon, and thus have no hope of a resurrection. Their reason for casting the teachings of That Servant aside is because these teaching would annihilate their false doctrines.

Another group – the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement – has also invented a new Class (“Consecrated Epiphany Campers”) that their founder never taught, also a Class that That Servant never taught – although they continue to publish the Studies in the Scriptures by both Messengers, which is commendable. Neither of these two invented Classes have any firm Scriptural foundation, or approved by either Star Member. The Jehovah’s Witnesses have repudiated the Scriptural promises to the Jews, and claim these promises for their organization. The Laymen’s Home Missionary also claim the promises to the Jews for their new non-existent Class of Epiphany Campers Consecrated – although they do not eliminate the Jews altogether, as do the Witnesses.

The Jews – A recent press report regarding the Soviet campaign against the State of Israel says this has reached a new peak – hinting at a massive Jewish purge in Russia. At very least, it would seem to be aimed at stalling US Arab-Israeli peace efforts.

Says the news item: “Sen. Jacob Javits of New York, a leading US guardian of the interests of Soviet Jews, was so aroused by this news that he wrote a personal letter to Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin, in which he asked if this latest onslaught has the full backing of the Russian State, or is it just unsanctioned harangues from anti-Semitic extremists. So far as we know, his letter has not been answered.”

According to our understanding of the Scriptures, the troubles of the Jews in all parts of the world will increase before they cease; but the Jews are now established in Canaan land, and no power on earth will be able to expel them again. We offer a few citations: “The Lord said to Abram... I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great... I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee.” (Gen. 12:1-3) “I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee... all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession.” (Gen. 17:8) “Be­hold, I will make thee (Jacob) fruitful... I will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.” (Gen. 48:4) “Fear thou not, 0 Jacob, my servant: for I am with thee: for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driv­en thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure.” (Jer. 46:28)

However, this will not come without a measure of tribulation for the Jews. Con­cerning the end of the Age, it is written: “That day (this evil day) is great, so that none is like it (“a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation”); it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” (Jer. 30:7)

“I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” (Zech. 14:2,3)

Thus we say, with strong assurance, the Jews are to have Palestine for an everlast­ing posses­sion; and no force on earth will be able to evict them from it. And those that give them help will be correspondingly blessed; and those that hinder them will be cursed. “He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.”

When earth’s last picture is painted, and the tubes are twisted and dried,

When the oldest colors have faded, and the youngest critic has died,

We shall rest, and, faith, we shall need it – lie down for an aeon or two,

Till the Master of all Good Workmen shall set us to work anew!

And those that were good will be happy: they shall sit in a golden chair;

They shall splash at a ten-league canvas with brushes of comets’ hair;

They shall find real saints to draw from – Magdalene, Peter and Paul;

They shall work for an age at sitting and never be tired at all!

And only the Master shall praise us, and only the Master shall blame;

And no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for fame;

But each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,

Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They Are!

We are deeply grateful and appreciative to all who have wished us well for the Holidays and the New Year – and we reciprocate with cordial good wishes to all our readers for their physical and spiritual health now and during 1977. “May the God of all grace make you perfect, stablish, strengthen and settle you.” (1 Pet. 5:10)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF GENERAL INTEREST

The date of the Memorial of our Lord’s Last Supper is April 1, 1977, after 6 p.m. Details will be furnished later.

NO. 258: JESUS A POWERFUL SAVIOR

No. 258

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

“Thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21) In Olden Times it was customary for parents to give their children names which would represent their wishes or desires or hopes for the children’s des­tiny, and which would therefore be in measure prophetic of their future. The Bible mentions a few instances in which God Himself indicated the name, and thus propheti­cally marked the child in advance. One of these cases is the name in our text.  Through His angel God had directed that the babe, miraculously born of the Virgin Mary, should be named Jesus, signifying deliverer, savior. In the Hebrew language this name is Joshua, or Jeshua. Thus the angel’s message was a prophecy that the babe to be named Jesus was the One appointed of God to deliver His people from their sins. It should be noted that Mary was not told to name him Jesus Christ. The word Christ means ‘anointed’; and he did not become the Christ until He was ‘anointed’ with the Holy Spirit after His baptism by John in the River Jordan.

The more we consider the statement, “for He shall save His people from their sins,” the more wonderful it seems; and naturally we ask ourselves, “Who are His people? It is true that at the time of our Lord’s birth the Jews were still the people of God, and that no other nation has ever had this distinction. For more than sixteen centuries He had dealt exclusively with the nation of Israel. (Amos 3:2) “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.” But it was not the Divine purpose to ignore all other nations forever. The promises of the Scriptures set forth this fact; for they declare that in due time God would make provision for all mankind, so all those who desire might become His people.

After His resurrection Jesus had gone into Galilee to meet the Disciples (Matt. 26:32); and there He spoke to them what is commonly declared to be “The Great Commis­sion” (Matt. 28:19,20): “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” The Diaglott gives this much better: “Go, disciple all the nations, immersing them (submerging them in water) into the name (the heart and mind, the disposition) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (See also Acts 19:3-5, Dia.) This opportunity for returning to harmony with God was embodied in the promise which He made to Abraham, saying, “In thy Seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 12:3)

The question naturally arises: Who are the “Seed”? The Seed are the “called out ones” whom He has been selecting in this Faith Age for His Name’s sake, to be the bless­ers of “all the families of the earth.” The Apostle Paul assures us, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3:29) So all the faithful footstep followers of Jesus will be part of the “seed” of Abraham ­they will be the blessers of all nations. The Seed have blessed quite a few during this Faith Age, but not with the blessing they will be privileged to do during the Mes­sianic reign when “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:9) We know that is far from the case in this present “evil world.” Nor can they eliminate the suffering of the “groaning creation” during this Age: “For we know That the Whole Creation groans together and travails in pain together till the present time. And not only it, but ourselves also, possessing the First-Fruit of the spirit, even we ourselves, waiting for Sonship – the redemption of our Body.” (Rom. 8:22–23,Dia.) Not only will His footstep followers suffer the physical infirmities of the “groaning crea­tion,” but in addition have had to endure persecutions, as well as physical violence in many cases, in “bearing witness to the truth.” (See Matt. 5:10-12; 24:9.) “Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, and cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed.” (Isa. 66:5 – also see John 12:42)

In “due time” the Seed that has been so unpopular during the reign of sin and evil will bless mankind – will help and bless those who have persecuted them, and give them an opportunity to repent and believe, and turn away from their sins. God sent His hon­ored Representative, the Logos (Jesus), into the world in order that He might deliver all mankind from the curse pronounced upon Father Adam and transmitted by the Law of heredity to all his posterity. “By one man sin entered into the world, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” All of us have inherited a sentence of death – through no fault of our own.

According to the flesh, the Jewish people, to whom our Lord Jesus had come, were His people, for they had entered into covenant relationship with God at Mount Sinai with Moses as mediator. From the Scriptures we learn, however, that only a few of them received our Lord, and that the remainder of the nation were cast off from spe­cial relationship to Him. “He came unto His own, but His own received Him not: But as many as received Him to them gave He power (privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on His NAME.” (John 1:12) He saved this remnant of Israel from their sins in the sense that by faith they were able to understand that their sins were forgiven them; that they were no longer under the domination of sinful injustice; that they were reckoned dead according to the flesh, but alive according to the spirit. (Rom. 6:11) The sins of the flesh would not be accounted against them; but they would be covered by the imputed merit of Jesus, their Savior, their Deliverer. Thus from Pentecost all down through the Gospel Age our Lord has saved all those who have  believed upon Him. Their deliverance in full will be accomplished through the power of the First Resur­rection. (See Rev. 20:6.)

Even though the First (chief) Resurrection is for His Body – the Saints, the Very Elect – there are others who have been justified by faith who had no opportunity to be of the High Calling. The Ancients mentioned in the 11th chapter of Hebrews are one Class – a special “faith” class. Although they will have no part in the First Resurrec­tion, they are promised a ‘better resurrection, than the world of mankind. They, too, will have part in blessing all the families of the earth. Their resurrection will be glorious, but not so glorious as that of the Little Flock. The Seed is primarily Christ and the Saints.  “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” (1 Cor. 6:2) “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever be­lieveth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) All know that a large number have died who not only did not believe in Him, but they didn’t even know about Him – never heard of Him at all.

When He came to the Jews and they received Him not, they knew something about a Messiah and should have recognized Him as their Messiah. But the majority did not recognize Him as their Messiah. Acts 3:17 tells us that “through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers,” even though they had “Much (advantage) every way: chiefly be­cause unto them were committed the oracles of God.” (Rom. 3:1-2) It is clear that the Jews are not cast off forever. “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” (Rom. 11:7) “Blindness in part is happened to Israel.” (Rom. 11:25) “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Rom. 11:26)

And as the Jews were blinded, so is the world in general today: “In whom the god (Satan) of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Cor. 4:4) “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 0 the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how un­searchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:32,33)

When we consider the evil influences so prevalent today, it is small wonder that so many of the people succumb to it – either from necessity, or from the thought that this is the only way to succeed. Some begin to think that Satan and evil are more powerful than the Lord. However, that will not always be the case, because Satan will be bound to deceive the nations no more during His Messianic Kingdom. (Rev. 20:2) At that time the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.” (Isa. 35:5) “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:9) “And it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” (Isa. 35:8) The “wayfaring” men in this text are those who are not “justified by faith” during ­this Age when sin and evil are in the ascendancy.

SAVED FROM WHAT?

“The son of man is come to save that which was lost.” (Matt. 18:11) The question arises, What was lost? We would answer that four things were lost, things which man once had in his pristine purity. First of all, after the transgression in the Garden of Eden, he lost his intimate and friendly relationship with his Creator – Fellowship with God. Second, he lost his perfect home in that Garden.  “The Lord sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So He drove the man out.” (Gen. 3:23,24) Third, man’s dominion was lost. “Let man have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the cattle, and over the fowl of the air... and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:26–28)

In Heb. 2:8 St. Paul quotes from Psa. 8:4-8: “Thou has put all things in subjec­tion under his feet...   But now we see not yet all things put under him.” It surely needs no argument that man has lost his dominion; animals often trample man under foot, instead of man dominating them. We have been told that the Kodiak bear (a brown bear larger than the grizzly) is so ferocious that it is not necessary for the hunter to look for him; once he knows there is a hunter in his locale he will come looking for him ­and often with deadly results to the hunter.

And the fourth thing that man lost is his life. “Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.” (Gen. 3:22) Man was not cre­ated to die; he was created to live; and the Scripture is clear enough that he would have continued to “live forever” had he remained in his perfect Edenic home. It is a common expression for men to say, We are living in London, New York, or wherever; but the raucous truth is we are all dying in those places. The dying process is a matter of years, but it eventually exacts its terrible toll from all. “In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen. 2:17) Note the marginal reading of this text: “dying thou shalt die.” And in all four of these things Jesus A Powerful Savior said He came to “seek and to save.”

SAVIOR OF THAT WHICH WAS LOST

Just as there were four things lost, so our blessed Savior uses four component parts to accomplish the Restitution, the restoration.(Acts 3:19–21). These are clear­ly set forth in Psa. 103:2–5: “Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His bene­fits: (1) Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; (2) Who healeth all thy diseases; (3) Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; (4) Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies... Thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.’”

The fourth process will also require man’s cooperation, and will receive it with a clear understanding of its import: “Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” This is emphasized in the parable of the Sheep and the Goats: “Then shall the King say to them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” (Matt. 25:34) Today, in earth’s affairs, when a prince inherits a kingdom from his father, he is seated on a throne, and a crown placed upon his head. Figuratively speaking, this same procedure will be followed when the restitution proc­ess has completed its work. Each of the ‘sheep’ will then inherit a kingdom – his full right to life and its accompanying life rights – just as Adam had it in Eden, when he was given dominion over all things on earth. He was then in every sense monarch of all he surveyed.

CORROBORATING TESTIMONIES FROM THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS

Because of Adam’s transgression the sentence was pronounced against him – “For the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen. 2:17 – “dying thou shalt die.”) After Adam’s transgression, he and his wife were driven from the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:23) to toil the ground among thorns and thistles. (Gen. 3:17-19) Adam did sure­ly die in that day: “Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and a watch in the night.” (Psa. 90:4) Adam died in that thousand-year day, and all his posterity have been dying ever since that time. “Adam lived Nine Hundred and Thirty years; and he died” – seventy years before his “day” had expired. (Gen. 5:5) But the Apostle Paul tells us, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:21-22)

The Scriptures teach that all will “know the Lord” – meaning, of course, they will be properly instructed: “They shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the great­est. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquit­ies will I remember no more. In that he saith, A New Covenant, he hath made the first old, Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” (Heb. 8:11-13) The ‘old’ is the Law Covenant which the Jews could not keep because it was a perfect Law, and they were imperfect. Only a perfect man could fulfill this Law Covenant, which Jesus did.

Also Jer. 31:31-34 gives us a clear picture of the New Covenant: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the House of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

David gives us a beautiful picture of the Kingdom in Psa. 103:2-13, part of which has been quoted above: “Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities (as High Priest); who healeth all thy diseases (as Physician); Who redeemeth thy life from destruction (as Deliverer); who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies: Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things (as Provider); so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executeth right­eousness and judgment (instruction) for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not  always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear (reverence) him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his chil­dren, so the Lord pitieth them that fear (reverence) him.” (Psa. 103:2-13)

Although God’s great attributes are Wisdom, Justice, Power and Love, the Scriptures do not say God is Wisdom, God is Justice, God is Power – but the Apostle John tells us “God is Love.” (1 John 4:16) “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:15,17) David’s description of our great Jehovah certainly attests to a “God of love.”

TWO SALVATIONS

Not many people know there are two salvations taught in the Scriptures. Most of us have been taught that all are on trial now – and all the unsaved of this life will be lost forever. The majority of the world is not saved, according to the standard the Lord sets for His people – to be footstep followers of Jesus during this Age. How­ever, there are two Salvations taught in the Bible – a ‘great’ salvation (Heb. 2:3), and a ‘common’ salvation. (Jude 3) The common salvation is future – for all the un­saved of the past and present. But the ‘great’ salvation is for this Faith Age. All who have part in the “great salvation” will be part of the “Seed” of Abraham that will bless all the families of the earth in the Kingdom. They are those “justified by faith” – the footstep followers of Jesus during this Faith Age when sin and evil are in the ascendancy. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” (Heb. 2:3) “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3:29) “For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:14)

But there is also a common salvation – a salvation for the world of mankind – the ‘unsaved’ of the Faith Age. “For all men have not faith.” (2 Thes. 3:2) “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8) It is through the faithfulness of Jesus and His footstep followers that they will have the privilege in the Kingdom of blessing all nations – those who have not come to a “knowl­edge of the Truth” during this Age. “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3) We are not to forget the ‘common’ salvation that will bless the world, because the Lord loved the world (John 3:16).

These two salvations are separate and distinct – one for this Faith Age and one for the Kingdom, when the residue of mankind will receive their salvation – their judg­ment and their instruction: “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth.” Indeed, there is a ‘common’ salvation – common to all men not of the Faith-Age salvation. “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

The faith “which was once delivered unto the saints” is clearly taught in Acts 24:15: “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” The ‘just’ are those who are “justified by faith” during the Faith Age – footstep followers of Jesus; and the ‘unjust’ are those who are not “justified by faith” (Rom. 5:1) during this Age.

Our Lord makes this very clear in John 5:28,29: “Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; And they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” The word “damnation’ in this text is from the Greek word Krisis, which means judgment. ‘Damnation, is a mis­translation and has caused a lot of misunderstanding. So they who have done evil – all those who have not been “justified by faith” during this Age, whether they are good-­intentioned or bad–intentioned, God counts them all in unbelief that He might have mercy upon all. (Rom. 11:32) The ‘just’ are those who will have a “resurrection unto life” ­the footstep followers of Jesus; they are of the Household of Faith. The resurrection of the Unjust is for the very purpose of giving them an opportunity of coming to a knowl­edge of the Truth – the truth of the Divine Plan for human salvation. This will be a much less difficult way, because the Highway of Holiness will be there: there will be no error there – the Truth, and only the Truth will be taught. Those who are fully sub­missive to the Lord will be privileged to become His people. However, there will be no compulsion – each individual must decide for himself whether or not he will obey and live, or disobey and die – be destroyed from among the people. (Acts 3:23)

The presence of the Lord will continue throughout the thousand years of the Messianic Kingdom – on earth. All who will take advantage of the opportunity then offered them will have a full deliverance from the curse of sin and death. Those who will neglect that opportunity will not be forced to come into harmony with the Divine arrangement, but they will be destroyed in the Second Death, from which there will be no recovery. (See Rev. 20:14-15.) Their destruction will be for their own good as well as for the good of mankind in general. It is because they prefer sin to righteousness that they will be accounted better off to be destroyed, as the Scriptures declare.

Those who are saved from their sins during this Gospel Age are Scripturally called the Church of Christ, and consist of the Very Elect who are the “Bride and Lamb’s Wife” – His joint–heirs in the Messianic Kingdom. There are other elect classes that have walked a narrow way,’ and they, too, will receive a resurrection “unto life” (John 5: 28,29) as part of the just, although they won’t have part in the chief resurrection – the First Resurrection. All who are saved from their sins during the Millennium will be the people of Christ by reason of being His children; for they will receive life from Him, “the Everlasting Father” of the race. (Isa. 9:6) They will be given the right to everlasting life on the human plane, which our Lord Jesus surrendered on behalf of the Adamic race, when He became the Redeemer of Adam, and thus indirectly the Redeemer of Adam’s posterity. Those who lost life in Adam will be privileged to receive it again in Christ.

Thus Jesus will save His people from their sins – not merely His Church of the Gospel Age, His Bride and Joint-heir, but also all those of the world of mankind, the children of Adam, who will accept of His grace during the thousand years of earth’s com­ing glory, and become His people by the process of regeneration. They will be regener­ated on the human plane; for our Lord will give them the life-rights and the right to life which Adam lost in Eden, but which Jesus redeemed on Calvary. The earth was made for man: “The earth abideth forever.” (Ec. 1:4) “Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.” (Isa. 66:1) “I will make the place of my feet glorious.” (Isa. 60:13)

However, this cannot become true in the full sense of things until the causes that now send men to the grave have been eliminated. St. John states this very graphically in Rev. 21:3-5: “I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men... And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” And the Angel who gave those words to John evi­dently realized the disbelief with which the message would be received by the present sick and dying race, for he then emphasized it with these words: “Write: for these words are true.”

This forces the logical conclusion that the Restitution processes will eliminate all crime – all thievery, physical violence, moral depravity, sickness; no more need for locks on doors; no more destructive armies; no more rigid police protection; no more jails, and no more criminals. “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isa. 2:4) “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:9)

The question is asked, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” (Isa. 28:9) The Bible is not a text book, as so many people think, but is a book of texts. “For precept must  be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little.” (Isa. 28:10) But, “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear (reverence) him; and he will shew them his covenant.” (Psa. 25:14)

JESUS A POWERFUL SAVIOR indeed! “Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) “He shall save his people from their sins.”

Sincerely your brother

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Will the heathen and others be saved by their ignorance?

ANSWER:  – We believe not; for there is no power or anything else good in ignorance to save anyone.  Instead of ignorance being Scripturally a ground of salva­tion it is Scripturally set forth as a reason for alienation from God (Eph. 4:18; Hos. 4:16; Rom. 2:12). Furthermore, the Scriptures show that knowledge is essential to faith and salvation (Rom. 10:14-17; Acts 4:12). This is likewise implied in the fact that obtaining salvation presupposes personal acts by the intellect, sensibilities and will, i.e., a matter pertaining to the domain of character, requiring, as it does, on our part the steps of repentance, faith and consecration. It is for this reason that the Church was commanded to teach, i.e., make others know, that those taught might by their knowledge gain salvation (Matt. 28:18–20); also see 2 Pet. 1:2,3; 2:2–21.

Indeed the theory that the heathen and others are saved by their ignorance is a patent absurdity – although some good people want to believe they will be thus saved ­believing as they do that they will have no opportunity of salvation otherwise. But, why send missionaries to teach them salvation, if they are saved by ignorance? Accord­ing to this theory to teach them would cause most of them – those who will not believe to be lost who otherwise would have been saved by their ignorance. So all through the generations of the Gospel Age to preach to them would have been the cause of perdition to almost all who heard the message. Are we to believe that God who desires that the people may gain life (Ezek. 18:32) is so lacking in common sense and practicability as to institute the office of teaching the Word of God as the means of saving people ­when only a comparatively few are saved by that method – when leaving them in ignorance would have resulted in the salvation of all of them. Manifestly the thought that the heathen are saved by ignorance is unbiblical, unreasonable and unfactual.

Actually the purpose of the Gospel Age is to take out a people for his name. See Acts 15:14. There are comparatively few who become “footstep followers of Jesus” ­as He has said: “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:14) The only ‘way’ open for salvation in this Age is a “narrow way” – becoming a footstep follower of Jesus, and bearing “wit­ness to the Truth” as did Jesus. See John 18:37. Our Lord said, “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) Not many are able to “drink of His cup”: they don’t have sufficient faith; “For all men have not faith.” (2 Thes. 3:2)

After He has selected a people for His Name, He will return, “and will build again the tabernacle of David... That the residue of men might seek after the Lord.” (Acts 15:14–17) This “people” will bless the residue of mankind, which includes the heathen: “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8) And the seed is expressly mentioned in Gal. 3:29: “And if ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3: 29) Instead of a “narrow way” unto life as it is in this Age, there will be a High­way of Holiness. See Isa. 35:8. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.” (Isa. 35:5) It will be just the reverse of what it is today when “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which be­lieve not.” (2 Cor. 4:4) “Darkness still covers the earth, and gross darkness (error) the people.” (Isa. 60:2)

His way of saving the residue of mankind in the Millennial Age will be by the power of teaching – and by such teaching enabling them to use for their uplift the restitution processes (Acts 3:21) whereby all may be saved – but only the willing and obedient – and no others – will be saved. There will be no “night” (error) there. (Rev. 22:5)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Friends in Christ: Sincere Christian greetings to you all!

We enjoy so much the newsletter each month, as it gives us much spiritual uplift. Continue to send the papers. Also please send me a copy of The Bible Students Manual. I have studied and enjoyed The Divine Plan of the Ages.

Is the Trinity Scriptural? How are the writings of Pastor Russell viewed by Bible Students? How do you view the LHMM?

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

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

I read in No. 254, in the letter section, something about a Bible Students Man­ual. What is it, and what is the cost?

May I also have copies of the March and April issues that tells of the various methods of celebrating the Lord’s Supper, etc. Thank you in advance.

Sincerely, ------- (OHIO)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

Many thanks for yours of the 14th. I was thinking of writing to say that the three E Volumes One had not yet arrived, but they are here this morning and arrived in good condition. And surprise, surprise! with the official LHMM label. Very good! We trust this is a good omen..........

Brother’s wife is not so good and may have to have further treatment and nursing in hospital.  Otherwise we two continue fairly well – rejoicing in the Lord for all His blessings and goodness toward us. We continue to enjoy your papers which are always instructive and helpful – keep us in touch with the developments among the Lord’s people.

We join in sending our Christian love to you and yours. May the Lord continue to bless you as you seek to serve Him in ministering to His people. With Christian love, too, from Brother -------

Yours by His Grace ------- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in the Lord!

Your letter received, and I was glad to hear everybody is well. My prayers for you every day – May God bless you and bless your home.

Please send some more literature for me to distribute. The people like to read the papers. I go to the other Islands and give them out. All the family send Christian love to you and all. May God bless you more and more.

Brother ------- (ST.   VINCENT)