NO. 277: NEW AND OLD COVENANTS ISRAELITISH

No. 277

While it is our intention herein to treat mainly of the Old (Law) Covenant and the New (Millennial) Covenant, certain explanatory comments will be offered on var­ious features of other covenants.

The Bible covenants are of two kinds – unilateral and bilateral. An example of a unilateral covenant is found in Gen. 9:11: “I will establish my covenant with you (Noah and his sons); neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there be any more a flood to destroy the earth (the present so­cial order).”

The outstanding example of the bilateral covenant is that made with the Jews through Moses. That the Law Covenant is bilateral is indisputably established by Jer. 31:32: “which my covenant they brake.” The Jews had solemnly promised to keep the Law Covenant – “all these things will we do, and live” – but they did not then real­ize their inability to do “these things” because of their fallen condition. Therefore, the man Christ Jesus is the only one who was able to keep that law, although some Jews to­day make very determined effort to keep it. When we were a boy in Dayton, Ohio, our Jewish neighbor had us to light the fire in his stove every Friday night at six o’clock, for which he gave us a penny; but he did not realize that in this very effort to keep the Law, he was breaking it by hiring us to work for him.

That the Law Covenant is typical in many ways of the New Covenant is also readily apparent. “Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet (mediator) shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.” (Acts 3:22) The New Covenant consists of the promises that God and man will make Millennially and post-Millennially to one an­other on certain conditions – as is evident from Ezek. 18:1-24: “The word of the Lord came unto me again, saying, What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.” (vs. 1-3) “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” (v. 20) These conditional promises will constitute the New Cove­nant in its narrow sense. God’s two conditional covenants are contracts whose terms bind God and Israel to one another.

As an example of the word Covenant used in the second or wider sense of the word, we mention again the Law Covenant, as consisting not only of the things stated above, but also of the teachings, arrangements, institutions, etc., that were made the basis of the covenant in its narrow sense, and that as such were obligations of the parties to it. (See Ex. 24:3,7; 34:27,28; Deut. 4:13; Heb. 9:1-10; 10:1-4) In this sense the covenant was forty years in its making (Heb. 8:9; 3:7-9), its first part being certain (not all) features of the Passover, given before they left Egypt; the Sabbath given before they came to Sinai; the features given at Sinai, where the contract ­the covenant in its narrow sense was made: “Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on all the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you.” (Ex. 24:8) It would include also those given after they left Sinai until they were ready to enter Canaan – in addition to numerous ones in Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

The teachings, arrangements, institutions, etc. (contained especially in the New Testament), whereby God is realizing the oath-bound promises in its Sarah Covenant fea­tures to the Christ, are likewise seen to be, with those promises, the Oath-bound Cove­nant to the Christ in the second sense of the word. Also all of the arrangements, in­stitutions, teachings, etc., of the Millennium will, with the New Covenant promises, be the New Covenant in the wider sense of the word.

As examples of the word Covenant, the widest and third sense of the term, we cite the Mosaic, the Sarah and the New Covenants, whenever they are presented as wives of God (Gal. 4:21-31; Isa. 54; 60:6 – compare with Gen. 25:1-5). This requires some explan­ation: In addition to the conditional promises of the Law Covenant and their pertinent teachings, institutions, arrangements, etc., the covenant in this sense of the word in­cludes every Israelite in his capacity of ministering the covenant teachings, institu­tions, arrangements, etc., i.e., the covenant provisions, to his fellow Israelites, who, in their capacity of being so ministered unto, are the child or children of the Law Cov­enant. Let us note well this distinction: It is not so much one of persons as of the pertinent persons. When the Israelites ministered the covenant provisions to one another, they acted as the mother, antitypical Hagar (Gal. 4:24,25); and when nourished with the Covenant provisions by their brethren, they acted as the child, antitypical Ishmael (Gal. 4:25,29,30).

OLD COVENANT – 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.” (Jer. 31:31) It should be stressed here that this New Covenant is to be made with both the houses of Israel. Prior to the death of Solomon there had been but one house of Israel; but the revolt led by Jeroboam after Solomon’s death divided the nation into two parts – the ten tribes going with Jeroboam, and two (Judah and Benjamin) remaining with Rehoboam. (See 1 Kings 12) They were first called Judahs (the tribe of Benjamin had been so decimated in the atrocity recorded in Judges 20 that they were more or less inconsequential in the new arrangement); then Judes; then Jews. The word Jew first occurs in 2 Kgs. 16:6.

However, the statement in Jer. 31:31 says the covenant will be made with both houses, so this pretty well eliminates any argument about the matter. As most of us know, there has been much argument about those “ten lost tribes”; the Anglo-Israels claim they are what is now the people on the British Isles. The arguments they produced had quite some surface logic before 1914 – when the center of the world’s money market was London. They also contended that British was from two Hebrew words, brith and ish, which means chosen man; and the London English in 1914 were the “top dogs” in world’s finance and about everything else. That has changed pronouncedly now, and we do not hear very much more about it; in fact, England is now in a deplorable financial condition, having lost most of their foreign possessions.

Whatever happened to the “ten lost tribes” is not of major concern to us now. In­asmuch as we are now almost face to face with the New Covenant, and its Jewish destiny, that should be of chief concern to us – and it is with us! When any one wanted to re­ceive any benefits under the old Law Covenant, they had first to become Jews; and that was typical of the New Covenant, where also all must become Jews if they are blessed by the Mediatorial reign.

The question properly arises, Why are the Jews God’s chosen people? The answer is that the Jewish nation descended from Abraham. And why is Abraham so favored? It is because he stood firm in his faith in the one true God, even as his own father was an idolater, as were also most of his relatives. “Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him thruout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.” (Josh. 24:2,3)

It should be stressed here that God never blesses any one that does not believe in Him; but the strength of Abraham’s belief is strongly revealed when he intended to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah, because God had told him to do that. There can be little doubt that Isaac was a most handsome, winsome and intelligent lad – born to Abraham when he was a hundred years old, and Sarah 75 years old. It is little wonder that Sarah laughed openly when the angel told her she was going to have a little boy; thus, when he came she named him Isaac, which means laughter.

And because Abraham hesitated not to offer Isaac at God’s request he was then given what we understand to be the oathbound Covenant: “The angel of the Lord called to Abra­ham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son; That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven (the Gospel-Age Christ Company), and as the sand which is upon the seashore (the Worthies, and through them the Jewish nation); and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” (Gen. 22:15-18)

While the Jews as a people went far astray from God during the Jewish Age, Paul tells us in Rom. 11:28, “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes; but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.” In the very strict sense of the word, “the fathers” are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And Gen. 35:10 says this: “Thy name Israel means, “ He will rule as God”; and “he is faithful that promised.” (Heb. 10:23)

After the year 70 A.D. the Jews became a hunted and despised people – people with­out a country; and they were changed from an agricultural nation to a nation of money people – something they could take with them if things became rough – as they often did. And because of this, many Gentiles concluded that they had lost completely all favor from God. Yet during the most severe times they still maintained their racial and religious identity. So far as we know, it was not known by any one before 1874 that the Jews were receiving their “double” – 1845 years of disfavor for their 1845 years of great favor that ended when they crucified Jesus.

During this Age they used all the ingenuity they could muster in an effort to re­gain Palestine as their homeland; but they always faced failure until the “due time.” In 1878 some returning favor appeared, when a small measure of favor returned to them. More of this appeared in 1918 when the English wrested Jerusalem from the “terrible Turk.” And yet more of it in 1948, when they became established as a nation – although the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church has not yet recognized them as a nation. Since 1948 they have been having their troubles; but we have the strong assurance they will not any more lose their national unity.

THE 1967 WAR

In the year 1967 Egypt declared war on the Jews, which lasted just five days, with great victory for the Jews. Just recently a sister sent us a book, written by a Jewish lady who was there then, and we shall quote parts of that book, with some comments of our own, and perhaps some paraphrasing, the general tone of which is somewhat after the form of a diary:

“All through the month of May 1967, the storm clouds darkened on the hori­zon. Egypt was massing troops on the border and building up a formidable military force ready for attack; Israel was preparing to defend herself. Each day the situation be­came more serious. All our able-bodied men were being called up. The roads were filled with military vehicles carrying soldiers and equipment. Many more soldiers were being posted in Mount Zion and every corner was inspected as plans for its defense went ahead. It was dangerous to linger near the border at night........ War was threatening our be­loved land. War was poking its ugly finger into every home and opening its grasping hand.

“Thursday, June 1: The month began with a great movement of people; citizens of other nations who had been advised to leave and Israelis abroad who were hurrying to return. The rabbi in the States came to say good-bye.... ‘The situation is very serious’ he said. ‘It seems that war is inevitable.’ He was very depressed. ‘And when all the Arab countries around us come against us intending to destroy us completely, what chance have we got?’ I also believe that war is on our doorstep,’ I said, ‘but I would ask what chance the Arabs have when they come to fight against Israel?’

“‘But look at their strength and their numbers, and we are surrounded by them.’ ‘Do you think,’ I broke in, ‘that we’ve been brought back to our land after nearly two thousand years of dispersion, only to be destroyed by our neighbors? I cannot believe that God gave us a State of Israel for that purpose.’ ‘I agree with him,’ I said. ‘You know what befalls the enemies of Israel who attempt to foil the plan of God’.....

“As he was about to leave, a commander and some of his men came to tell us that we should prepare to be evacuated from Mount Zion at once. ‘You can’t possibly remain in this house exposed to the enemy on nearly all sides. Look down at those Arab soldiers right now.’ ‘We do not want to leave Mount Zion,’ I said. ‘But you’ve no protection here and the enemy is only a few yards away. Go to the city, where there are shelters.’ Albert said quietly, ‘We have the best protection and the best shelter.’ ‘Where?’ asked the commander in surprise. Albert looked upwards. ‘Above us,’ he replied. ‘The Almighty can protect us here just as well as in the city.’

“Sabbath eve, June 2: ‘Again we have to face our enemies. When will they leave us in peace?’ He answered cheerfully, ‘Next Friday we’ll all be at the Wailing Wall.’ “Monday, June 5: Suddenly the noise of machine-gun shells and rifle fire rent the air. Bullets were flying in all directions and as they hit the walls I knew that I must leave everything and make a dash for the gallery. Remembering a pot of potatoes cooking on the stove I ran upstairs to turn off the gas, trying to avoid the windows....

“The noise was deafening and continuous. It sounded as if every bullet hit the wall of the gallery and every explosion was outside our door. The play of sound was very misleading... Half an hour passed and the ring of the telephone could scarcely be heard above the din of the battle. With great relief I heard Albert’s voice on the line...... There was no lull in the fighting that whole day. Shots were being fired from above the gallery and from all the posts around us. Also the bullets and shells were coming from the other side of Mount Zion. It was a great battle. Jerusalem – City of Peace ­heralding by its name its ultimate destiny, was once again being lashed by the enemies of peace....

“We tried to sleep that night but it was impossible. The battle for Jerusalem raged all night with unabated fury. Added to the deafening noise of shells and bullets was the roar of war planes flying over Mount Zion in waves with such speed and power, scooping up every other sound in their path and then casting it all back to earth with such a thunderous roar that it seemed as if our ears would be shattered. We listened to all the firing on Mount Zion, not knowing which was from our side and which from the Arabs, and because every shot and explosion always sounded as if was destined for our wall, I imagined that little would be left of our house. Perhaps it had already been reduced to greater ruin than when we first saw it.....

“There was fierce fighting to the right of us, on the hill of Abu Tor, also on Mount Scopus and in the Mea Shearim quarter. Then we heard that four hundred Egyptian planes had been destroyed. We looked at one another. ‘That is surely impossible,’ someone remarked. ‘They must have made a mistake in the announcement. Perhaps they meant forty.’ But there had been no mistake in the announcement.

“During the night we had to brave the bullets and flying shrapnel and go upstairs. The toilet was situated on the open roof, next to the room where our soldiers were shooting from behind sand-bagged windows. On this open roof, the whizzing of shells and bullets and the noise of their hitting the stones seemed so unreal that we did not fully comprehend the danger in which we stood. A great blaze in front of the Dormition Church lit up the whole area. Then, suddenly, the dome of the Church went up in flames.....

“Tuesday June 6: A day we shall never forget. All day, without a stop, bullets and shells were flying and exploding. Always the noise seemed to be just outside the gallery... Israeli forces were occupying so many places, making such rapid progress, it was hard to believe ... A broadcast came over in Arabic, which one of our men understood. When it was finished he said simply: ‘King Hussein giving orders to his soldiers: ‘Kill every Jew you encounter, kill them with your guns, your hands, your feet, your teeth ­only kill them.’ We made some coffee for him and he told us our progress had been amaz­ing. The Arab military post opposite us had been conquered and also other surrounding Jordanian posts; only one of our men had been slightly wounded and the others were per­fectly all right.

“I have had some strange experiences today,’ he said quietly; ‘every bullet we fired struck its target. Whatever we did succeeded. We were amazed to see how quickly the Arabs evacuated their posts.’ ... I cannot believe the things I did today. It was as though some one else was commanding.’ Then he returned to this men upstairs.... They bent their helmeted heads low as they felt their way along the walls on their way back. That day had changed them from carefree boys to responsible men – defenders of Mount Zion.

“Wednesday June 7: I rushed upstairs. Everything was covered with a thick layer of dust which had fallen from the ceiling with every explosion, but I could not see any damage, not even a broken window. I was astonished. Where had all the bullets and shells landed during those two days of constant battle? It was really a miracle. Mount Zion seems to have been specially protected. I remembered the Commander’s words: ‘It was as though someone else was commanding.’......

“The shooting started again. There was hard fighting in the street and blood flowed in the narrow alleyways of the Old City. A high price was being paid in human lives and suffering in order to break down the walls of hatred and division. There are moments on the road of destiny which inspire fanciful thoughts, perhaps even prophetic thoughts. I looked into the future, the promised future, when the State of Israel would become the Kingdom of Israel, the Kingdom of peace, the Kingdom of God on earth with the Messiah rul­ing on the throne of David, and bringing peace to all the world....

“Then the sound of a trumpet could be heard, the long blast of the ram’s horn – the shofar – shattering the silence. The battle for Jerusalem was over. Rabbi Goren, the army chaplain, was blowing the shofar at the Wailing Wall, the wall of the Temple, and we could hear him singing the prayers. At that moment all Israel was pouring out its heart in prayers. For the first time for nearly two thousand years independent Jews were again in the City of David, at the Temple Wall, freed of its enemies. I remembered the time when the Jews stood praying at that Wall and had been stabbed in the back as they prayed......

“Now, imagine the flag of Israel on the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem after nearly two thousand years! However, the war had not yet ended, and we listened intently to the news coming over the radio. We heard that Jericho was in our hands, and later, Hebron and Bethelem, Ramallah and all the surrounding towns and villages. We were quite dazed. It seemed so incredible.

“Thursday June 8: It was an emotional day. So much joy, so much tragedy and such a consciousness of having experienced a miracle. Even those who had no religious be­liefs at all had to acknowledge that something had happened which was beyond their power. Every one was saying with the Commander of Mount Zion: ‘It was as though someone else was commanding.’ In fact, one religious soldier said: ‘I hope that our people will not forget that God has given us this victory.’ His words reminded me of the time of the siege of Jerusalem in 1948. Then, too, a wave of religious fervor swept through the people.

“‘Yes,’ I answered, ‘we hope that this experience will strengthen the faith of our people and bring a deeper realization of the fact that when Israel fights her battles there are also the ‘armies of God fighting with her.’ ‘That was always true,’ replied the soldier, ‘just as he fights for us now.’

“Friday June 9: In the first pale light of dawn I looked out of my window and saw intense action among the soldiers – some coming, some going. Then I learned that Egypt had accepted the United Nations cease fire. The war in Sinai was over. A new sound drew me to my window. A huge bulldozer was noisily climbing the hill. I watched it turn clumsily to face the corrugated iron fence which marked the border, marred the beau­ty of the landscape and was a constant reminder of the divided Jerusalem. How intensely I had always wished it could be removed. As it passed, broken walls and mounds of scat­tered stones and debris were all that was left. But the great majestic trees which had shielded it from view also lay prostrate in the dust. The border had disappeared and a new road was being made. After little more than an hour of continuous work with the bulldozer a small part of the way was cleared and I saw a car coming through from the Old City .... a safe and free road from Mount Zion to the Wall – all barriers down. It was only five days since the war started!

“At midday we were allowed to use the car to go into town. I had expected to see much damage in the city as a result of those two days of shelling, but I found no more than an occasional wall with some stones knocked out and a few broken windows. Even in the center of the city everything seemed to be going on normally. I had heard that the Knesset museum and university had been hit, but was told that very little damage had been done. It was all part of the miracle.”

The foregoing report of the 1967 war needs no elaboration from us; but we would inform our readers that we have been told that the Jews were given a plan of the Egyp­tian defense, so they went around the end of that defense, came in from the rear upon the unsuspecting Egyptians, who were then sleeping; and this accounts for the destruc­tion of 400 of their planes in one night. We are inclined to believe this because of the great success of the Jews which terminated the war in five days – A MIRACLE INDEED! But, then when the Lord was with the Jews, they never lost a battle even though outnumbered by their enemies; and He will again be with them as “in the days of old” in all their bat­tles for righteousness. How true it is, “It was as though someone else was commanding.” And this was forcefully shown to even the non-religious.

Information has come to us that the lady who wrote the book, and her husband, have both died since this writing; that he had been offered a knighthood in England for cer­tain meritorious service, which he declined – and that he left his entire estate to the Jewish State of Israel. An excellent example of faithful Jews – those who are promised the “first” blessings of the Kingdom under 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.” (Jer. 31:31)

The great victory of the Jews in the 1967 war brings sharply to mind a remarkable coincidence of the Jews and the Egyptians when Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt. It was Egypt that experienced the annihilative defeat – a miracle also – with the Jews doing no fighting at all. And here, in the end of the Age, the Jewish nation was saved again – this time also with a crushing defeat of Egypt. We realize their troubles are not nearly over; but these upheavals and great successes at the hand of God are cer­tainly preparing them to receive the “New Covenant” (Jer. 31:31) in due time, all of which ties in most pointedly with St. Paul’s statement in Rom. 1:16: “To the Jew first” – they are still “beloved for the fathers’ sake”; and no amount of “strange fire” (false teaching) about Campers Consecrated, Quasi-Elect Consecrated, or the Large Crowd is going to change that. “God is faithful that promised.” (Heb. 10:28)

As stated, we expect more and worse trouble yet ahead for the Jews, but we have the “sure word of prophecy” that they will come off victorious there, too. “Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.” (Psa. 107:19) Note Zech. 14:1-3: “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh (it is already here), and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” Note the Berean Comments on this Scripture: “When he fought for Joshua against the six Amalakite kings at Gibeon; when he fought for David against the Philistines at Perazim; when he mirac­ulously delivered Israel from the hosts of Midian by Gideon and his band.”

SOME POWERFUL CORROBORATIONS

Following are some quotations from Parousia and Epiphany writings: “We may see that aside from natural Israel and spiritual Israel, and the influences which have gone out from these to the world, God has let the world alone – let it do the best it could in the way of self-development, etc.” (Parousia 6, p. 204) And Reprints 4544, col. 1 top: “The first to look upon Him whom they pierced will be the natural Israelites.”

“This Mediator – the Head and Body – is such, as His death (the merit being that of Jesus alone) cancels the sins committed under the first (Law) Covenant, i.e., those of the Jews, that these Jews, having had the unchangeable call to the earthly favor (Rom. 11:29), might receive the promise given them – the land of Canaan as an eternal inheritance.” (E-6:686)

“Not that it gave them life thereby (the Mosaic Covenant), but that it gave them thereby further revelations fruitful in the spread of truth and righteousness... gave them a knowledge of their sins and sinfulness ... prepared them to receive Him, helped among them to qualify for Ancient Worthies and helped the measurably faithful among them to be fit for the first place among the world of mankind in the Restitution Age.” (E-1:115 bottom and 116 top)

“He confidently looks for the zeal of God to establish God’s Kingdom at the hands of His Elect under Christ, on the ruins of Satan’s Empire, to offer the Kingdom bless­ings, first to the living Jews, then to the living Gentiles, then to the non-elect dead from our times even to Adam’s time.” (E-1:302)

“How true the statement that those who have cursed, or injured, Israel have brought injury upon themselves! ... Great Britain and the United States, nations which have blessed the Jews, have in turn received great blessings.” (Reprints 5323, Col. 2, near bottom)

We not only have this from That Servant, but we also have a higher authority for this truth. God tells us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” (Psa. 122:6) Also, “They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.” (Psa. 125:1)

On page 31 of the January 15, 1978 Watch Tower there is a question on Rev. 11:8 ­“the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” The Witnesses say “the great city” is Jerusalem; but they blithely pass over verse 9, regarding the “two witnesses” (the Old and New Testaments) and their dead bodies lying in the streets for “three days and a half.” Here is the Berean Comment on that: “Three and one-half years from 1793 A.D.” The Comments also say “that great city” is Babylon, Christendom.” (See verse 13) Also, Zech. 14:2 says “the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city”; but that doesn’t bother the Witnesses any. They can see the destruction of Jerusalem, even though the Bible plainly contradicts them.

Once more we refer to Gen. 22:16-18 as embracing all the saved classes: The Little Flock, the Great Company, the Worthies and the saved Restitutionists (the “Sheep” – the Jews being the first blessed under the New Covenant). Thus, it fits excellently with the promise of a “New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah”; and is a strong support for our faith as we see the progress being made for its institu­tion.

“O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.” (Psa. 66:8-9)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace be multiplied!

It has been a long time since I have been able to write. It is such a long story! Anyhow, the good Lord has kept me still standing and rejoicing in His gracious favor. The Old Year left us looking hopefully into the future – looking for improvement over previous experiences. But despite our expectations, in the New Year we were faced with a grave experience. One of our sons and his wife had their vacation here with us ­they were from Canada. On the 10th of January we took them back to the airport. On reaching about 10 miles out of Kingston on our way back I observed a large crowd al­most blocking the way. We stopped to inquire what had happened – and there we saw a man lying dead on the road. After approaching, it turned out to be our son. Can you imagine! We were the first to identify him to the police as our son. What happened was – he was driving alone towards Kingston when a man carrying a long length of solid steel in a truck which was projected about 8 feet out, with no lights or indication on it – went across the street. It was obvious the car did not hit the truck, but came in contact with the projecting steel which was then across the pathway. The steel took the car at the level of the bonnet and tore off everything at that level. His neck was broken and he pulled out to the ground. When I went on the scene the blinkers on his car were still on, which indicated he was giving his signal to overtake. He and wreck­age were removed, and I had the task of returning to Kingston to inform his wife and children.

He was buried at our home on the 15th of January. The attendance there was in the thousands. He was a foreman at Seprod Group of Companies. Though under the weight of distress God gave me His Grace and Strength which offset all encumbrances, and made me able to conduct that funeral sermon. It was amazing to all far and near, and it left memories in the heart and mind of many, while it brought joy to my heart for the privilege of witnessing to the Truth. The hymn I kept repeating was No. 110: He KNOWS, HE KNOWS.

This incident has made a new impact on Sr. Mahoney. I have had to take her to the doctor – and even now she is under doctor’s care and barely able to move around. This has brought great stress on my Truth activities. In spite of all these untoward exper­iences, I have learned to trust Him where I cannot trace Him. I have received 10 lbs. from England – five each from two brothers. I am just about to reply to their letters.

We are in receipt of your January and February articles – and we do assure you of our appreciation of the papers. We are thankful to God for your help to us at this time of conflict so we are not left without a witness. May the good Lord continue to bless and keep you and all at the Bible House. With Christian love and fellowship to you and all.

By His Grace, Brother ------- (JAMAICA)

NOTE: In our answer to the above letter, we told this dear Brother, “Your experiences remind me much of the Apostle Paul, when the Lord said of him, ‘I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.’ (Acts 9:16) We here all weep with you..... Would that we might be near to comfort you personally; but you know now from your own experience that ‘the Lord will give strength to His people.’“

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace through our Beloved Master! (Heb. 10:2,10; Ps. 133)

Your letter and the Nov., Dec. and Jan. papers are received – and thank you for all! Please excuse me for not writing before now. I assure you that every day I think of you, Sister Hoefle and the others in Christian love and affection. The following is a list of my expenses in translating, etc.....

For now, I am in one big contention – controversy with Pilgrim ------- For this, as always, I have need of help from the Lord, because I am alone against 400 brethren. But alone with the TRUTH against 400 brethren in ERROR! Brother .... wrote me: ‘Bro. Spitaels, you are in great danger of the second death, and I want to help you..... He came to Charleroi for a visit to the LHMM assembly. I invited him to meet me for a private talk or for a public one, but he declined it. ‘NO, NO, by writing! And I don’t want you to send me anymore of your papers!’ He took fright! To me he is FALSE.... and I want to face him with the Truth!

And now, my beloved Brother, I send you, Sister Hoefle and the others my warm Christian love with my kiss in JESUS our Beloved Saviour and Redeemer. Numbers 6:24.

Your brother in Jesus by His Grace ------- (BELGIUM)

NO. 276: "THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS"

No. 276

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

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

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

ANALYSIS OF MATT. 25:31-46

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

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

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

THE ADAMIC DEATH

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

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

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

THE ADAMIC-DEATH PROCESS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However, today the world of mankind is dying the Adamic death. God’s wrath is not only revealed against the grossest of sinners, but against all unrighteousness, even the slightest. Hence there is no escape for there is none righteous, no, not one (Ps. 49:7); and hence the infants as well as the gray-haired are subject to this ‘wrath,’ this ‘curse.’ This time of wrath that has now lasted six thousand years is to be brought to a close by the great Day of Vengeance, in which Justice prescribes that there shall be additional trouble upon mankind, because of the rejection of greater opportunities and privileges, and failure to obey the laws of righteousness, to the extent that these laws have been discerned by Christendom. Hence this Day of Vengeance and of special wrath, additional to what has prevailed previously, it is declared, will be “a Time of Trouble such as was not since there was a nation.” (Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21)

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

“This is a brief description of the work of the Millennial Age. The whole world will be on trial before the throne – the Millennial throne – the throne of Christ. Our common version says, stood before God, but this is not in agreement with the reading of the oldest manuscripts, from which we have quoted above. The world will be standing be­fore the throne of Christ throughout the Millennial Age in the same sense that the Church has been standing on judgment during this Gospel Age. A picture of the world’s judgment is given in Matt. 25, where two classes that will be found amongst men are to be separated into sheep and goats, and the division between them is to be the work of the Millennial Age – to separate the true sheep, who will be accounted worthy of Divine favor everlastingly, from those of the goat nature, who, refusing to come into subjec­tion to the Lord’s will, shall be estimated unworthy of any favors beyond the Millen­nial Age, and will be destroyed with Satan, as described in Rev. 20:9,10.”

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

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

GOD THE SAVIOR OF ALL MEN

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

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

It is not the bright shining of a literal light that is meant here, but rather the brightness of God’s and Christ’s characters, shining resplendent in perfect wisdom jus­tice, love and power, in connection with the entire 1000 years’ stay of our Lord in His Second Advent. This bright shining continues until the entire 1000 years’ stay of our Lord in His Second Advent. This bright shining continues until the entire earth is filled with God’s glory (Num. 14:21; Ps. 73:19; Is. 6:13). Antichrist is to be de­stroyed by this bright shining (epiphaneia) of our Lord’s Parousia or Second Presence (2 Thes. 2:8), which will bring more and more brightly to light the corrupt persons, principles and things of the papacy. This will result shortly in the masses arising against it and annihilating it in the revolution stage of the Great Tribulation. This Great Tribulation was begun by the World War (Phase 1) in 1914. God’s faithful people love the appearing (epiphaneia, bright shining) of our Lord (2 Tim. 4:8), for it will ef­fect not only the overthrow of Satan’s empire in the Great Tribulation, but also will fill the earth with the glory of God during the Millennium, in the eternal overthrow of all evil persons, principles and things and the eternal triumph of all good persons, principles and things.

A NEW HEAVENS AND EARTH

Another Millennial testimony, which incidentally identifies the Judgment Day with the Millennium, is found in 2 Pet. 3:6-13: “Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished (not the literal world – the earth – nor the human fam­ily perished, but the symbolic world, the order of affairs which then existed, was de­stroyed by the flood): but the heavens and the earth, which are now (‘this present evil world’—Gal. 1:4, the order of affairs now existing: its heavens being its religious systems and teachers – and its earth being its organized society), by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire (a symbol of destruction—Mal. 3:2,3; 4:1,3; Matt. 3:11,12; 1 Cor. 3:12-15; Rev. 17:16; all the symbolic earth will be devoured by the fire of God’s jealousy—Zeph. 3:8) against the day of judgment and perdition (destruc­tion) of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing (do not forget), that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (this identifies the Day of Judgment of v. 7 as a 1000-year day). The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness (God’s time seems slow to the natur­al man); but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord (the 1000-year Judgment Day) will come as a thief in the night (Comp. 1 Thes. 5:1-5); in the which the heavens (not the literal heavens, but Satan’s false religious systems—comp. Heb. 12:26,27) shall pass away with a great noise (uproar and confusion), and the elements shall melt with fervent heat (the various component elements of the present symbolic heavens and earth will disintegrate), the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up (Satan’s selfish, unjust and corrupt social arrangements shall be destroyed; but the literal earth is to remain, just as it remained after the flood – ‘the earth abideth for ever’ Eccl. 1:4).

“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God (the 1000-year Judgment Day), wherein the heavens being on fire (a sym­bol of destruction) shall be dissolved, and the elements (the political, financial, re­ligious, etc.) shall melt with fervent heat (of human passion and wrath). Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens (Jesus and His faithful followers, the Millennial religious ruling powers) and a new earth (human society organized on the basis of truth, righteousness and love, as against the erroneous, unjust and selfish ar­rangements of the ‘present evil earth’), wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

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

THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace to you in the name of our Beloved Savior!

Thank you for the blessing of the latest messages. It is always a happy time for me when I get any word from you. I am enclosing a couple of clippings from our local newspaper. I have no idea who writes “Why do the heathen rage,” but there is an ad like this every Saturday – sometimes longer, sometimes shorter but always just as confused on content. I was amazed to hear on my car radio recently a message from, I think, Quiet Time in Redlands, California. He had chosen the topic, “Where are the Dead,” and I was amazed to hear him state flatly that the dead know not anything. I don’t remember much more of his thoughts, mostly because I was so surprised to hear him state that. (Note: We had been sending this brother tracts and articles on this and other subjects for some time—JJH)...............

In my search for help..... I am meeting so many people who believe in God as their Heavenly Father but are so ignorant about His plan. Do you have any informa­tion I can give out? Or is this not the time? You can see I am very confused about the time sequence, but, though I find people “searching for God,” they don’t seem to want to find Him in His Plan. Perhaps it is because I do not present it properly, but it seems there are interruptions or interest wanes when I try to talk about it. My heart aches for the people who should get so much comfort from the “knowledge of God,” but they appear to have closed ears. I’ll be most grateful for your thoughts and instructions on this.

May He continue to bless your efforts. Much love ------- (ARIZONA)

NO. 275: THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

No. 275

In Heb. 11:6 we are told that “without faith it is impossible to please God”; and this is further corroborated in 2 Pet. 1:5: “add to your faith” the additional primary graces. Knowledge is the next essential – as Jesus said, “Come and learn of me”; and He further informs us that “everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice,” the hearing of which adds to our store of knowledge. Not only so, but we must re­ceive the Truth in the love of it. Any who lose the Truth do so because of their fail­ure to love it.

The fully unfaithful lose all love “of the Truth” – depending on the various de­grees of their unfaithfulness. But all the measurably faithful use some of the Truth – that part that is acceptable to them and results in profit to them of one sort or another. The large majority of mankind receive little or none of it at all. St. Paul says it is “foolishness” to the natural man (1 Cor. 2:14) – “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not.” (2 Cor. 4:4) Said Jesus, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.” (John 18:37) The truth about God’s grand plan of salvation did not put Jesus on the cross; it was the sharp biting criticism of the evils of the ‘clergy’ of His day that brought Him to His death.

The primary fundamentals of Christian character are vividly presented and elabo­rated in 2 Pet. 1:5-7, the which, if one lacks, “he is blind” (v. 9); but by the doing of which “you will never fall” (v. 10). It is not our intention here to offer analy­sis of the seven primary graces, other than to state that a sober consideration of such a character structure should be the constant striving of all who are determined “not to fall.” That knowledge (the “know-how”) is the primary requisite herein needs no elab­oration. It is not only the beginning, it is the constant companion during our earthly pilgrimage. At the consummation of his ministry St. Paul writes “for I know whom I have believed.” (2 Tim. 1:12) Following is the clear statement of the matter in Par­ousia Vol. 5, p. 238, par. 2:

“As we mature, ‘grow in grace,’ we will desire, seek and obtain, in addition to the milk of the word, the ‘strong meat’ which the Apostle declares is for those of ful­ler development. (1 Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:13,14) The development in the ‘graces’ of the Spirit, faith, fortitude, knowledge, self-control, patience, piety, brotherly kindness, love, will bring us into closer fellowship with the Father and with Jesus, so that the Lord will be able and willing to communicate to us more and more clearly a knowledge of His gracious plans, as well as of His own gracious character.”

In giving us the seven higher primary graces, as Faith, Fortitude, Self-control, Patience, Piety, Brotherly love, Charity, The Epiphany Messenger differs slightly from the above; but in E-1:71, he distinctly tells us that knowledge is an ingredient of Wisdom: “The third element of God’s character is His graces. Usually we speak of the main attributes of God’s character as WISDOM, POWER, JUSTICE and LOVE. But, as St. Peter shows us in his famous addition problem, these are capable of being resolved into their parts as follows: Wisdom is a combination of faith, hope (which is the heart of fortitude) and knowledge. Power (will power as distinct from omnipotence, which is an attribute of being and not of character) is a combination of self-control and of patience. Justice is a combin­ation of piety (duty-love to God; in God’s case this goes out to good principles, not to any person, which, if it did, would imply that God has a superior – an impossibility) and Brotherly Love (duty love to the neighbor). St. Peter does not analyze love; he simply mentions it as charity. These seven graces we call higher primary graces, because they are graces that, acting through the religious affections as qualities, are the chief and dominating graces. These graces in God are holy; they act in a holy manner and attach themselves to holy objects only.”

We know that none of us can obtain “knowledge of God” without developing it through the Holy Spirit; that no one, no matter how brilliant – even as brilliant and cunning as Satan – can obtain such knowledge of God without God’s help. God does not help the wicked to secure “knowledge of God.” Nor does He help the Great Company while they are in the hands of Azazel. It would only injure them and others, while in that uncleansed condition, so they not only do not receive additional knowledge, but the knowledge they have already received becomes dim, obscure and warped – including many “strong delusions” (2 Thes. 2:11) – such as declaring that Cornelius was not repentant and believing, when Brother Russell said he was consecrated and converted – “an energy of delusion to their believing the falsehood.” (2 Thes. 2:11, Dia.) Here are some Berean Comments on this Scripture: “If we do not cultivate love for the Truth until it outweighs all other things, we will not be fit for the Kingdom.... That which from certain standpoints, has the appearance of truth.” Such as quoting Brother Russell’s mistake on the Levites, without quoting his later corrected statement.

In all such discussions it should be kept clearly in mind that none of these graces – except agape love – can be developed to perfection in ourselves or in others. During the Gospel Age the only grace required in perfection is agape love; therefore St. Paul admonishes, “Put on love, which is the bond (or seal) of perfectness.” (Col. 3:14; Heb. 6:1) It is the crowning top stone of character structure – just as the extreme tip of a pyramid is itself a perfect pyramid; and, if severed from the pyramid’s top would in itself still present a full and complete and perfect pyramid. This is also grandly portrayed in the personality of Jesus, who is “above all” (except the Father Himself), Lord over all, but Himself a perfect unit, even though embracing the whole saved contingent of the human family in a perfect structure under Him.

Although we believe there are but seven higher primary graces – as that is the number for Divine perfection – yet God’s attributes are: Wisdom, Justice, Power and Love. He promises the faithful that He will give them this – as much as they are able to receive. So Love (Charity) is what we call a perfect character, the end of all the development of the graces. Perfect love (agape) in the heart, and that crystallized, is all God re­quires of His saints. When we attain that and crystallize it, then we have actually “attained the mark” while yet in the flesh.. But God tells us that He will give us the spirit of “power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). Here are His four great attributes: Power, Love, Sound Mind – a sound mind would include Justice and Wisdom; and He gives us these attributes because of our faithfulness in developing Faith, Fortitude, Knowledge, Self-control, Patience, Piety, Brotherly Kindness – which if we develop and practice, will give us that (Agape) Love desired to the extent of our capacity.

The Saints all have the capacity to develop that Perfect Love; otherwise, none of them would be “more than conquerors”; and the Great Company – after their cleansing ­– will also have to develop that Perfect Love if they gain eternal life, although theirs will be forced by their adverse experiences during their abandonment process; otherwise, they would go into the second death. The Epiphany Messenger tells us that some of the Youthful Worthies will be able to develop that Agape Love and they should do it if they are able. But no doubt some of them won’t be able to do that in this life, although they should do it as much as it is possible for them. However, they are not on trial for life – Character Perfection – even as the Ancient Worthies were not on trial for life, but on trial for their faith (their faithfulness in obedience to His Word and Providence). So some of the Youthful Worthies can and will be faithful who do not have the capacity to develop perfect (Agape) Love, although all of them should develop perfect Love to the extent of their ability. God does not give the unbegotten the crucial experiences that He gives the New Creatures who are on trial for life, hence perfect (Agape) Love is not crystallized in the Worthies. The faithful Youthful Wor­thies will develop (Agape) Love to the extent of their ability and be rewarded with a Better Resurrection and Kingdom Princeship (Psa. 45:16). God does not expect us to do anything we are unable to do, although He does expect us to be “faithful and obedient” in developing all the graces we are able to develop.

There is this in Parousia Vol. 5, p. 239: “Each should ask himself whether or not he has this witness of the Spirit, this testimony to his growth as a New Creature in Christ Jesus, and whether or not he is developing and maturing the kind of fruit here specified. Let us remember also that our growth in love and in all the Spirit’s fruits is dependent largely upon our growth in knowledge; and our growth in knowledge of Di­vine things is dependent also upon our growth in the Spirit’s fruits. Each step of knowledge brings a corresponding step of duty and obedience, and each step of duty and obedience taken will be followed by a further step in knowledge, for so, the Spirit wit­nesseth, shall be the experience of all who shall be taught of God in the school of Christ. If we have this witness of the Spirit of growth, both in grace and in knowl­edge, let us rejoice therein, and let us follow on in the same pathway until it shall bring us, under Divine guidance, to perfection, both in knowledge and in grace,”

However, no one will ever reach perfection in Wisdom, which has as its ingredient Knowledge, because God reserves such Wisdom and knowledge for Himself alone; even His only begotten Son will never achieve all knowledge. Nor will any of the Saints receive the Justice, Wisdom and Power that is inherent in God only – although they will receive sufficient of these three attributes to do the Father’s will. But in the attribute of Love, they will achieve that in its perfection for them; they will develop (receive) perfect (Agape) Love while in the flesh, because no one will be of the First (chief) Resurrection (to Divine nature) unless they have developed a perfect character (per­fect love). We are told that God will give “it” (this perfect character) a “body as it has pleased him.” (1 Cor. 15:38) Of course, we all know that the Saints have vary­ing degrees of knowledge, but each one has sufficient knowledge to develop in himself Perfect (Agape) Love: each one during the Harvest came into the Parousia Truth and re­ceived enough developing Truth to perfect himself in Love (the “end of the commandment”); however, some of the Saints needed no more knowledge than enough to develop their char­acters, as they were given further knowledge for the purpose of the work the Lord had for each of them. We cite Brother Russell as having more knowledge for the work the Lord gave him to do. Brother Johnson and others in the Epiphany were given additional Truth for the work the Lord gave them to do (which they would do, because they were in complete heart-harmony with the Lord’s plans and purposes for them).

In keeping with the foregoing, the expression is often heard, “He knows too much for his own good!” While this may sometimes be true, it was certainly not true of St. Paul, nor of the Star Members – nor of any of the Gospel-Age fully faithful. Brother Russell has well stated that we should esteem most highly those whose zeal for the Truth – “as the hart panteth after the water brook” – goads them constantly to the ac­quisition of more of that blessed Truth. It is a true observation that “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Often do we read of novices crippling themselves and others by attempting to construct bombs and the like with their meagre knowledge. Thus, instead of knowing too much, they actually know too little. Quite often the Truth is injured also by those who know too little, yet insist upon appearing “wise.” The ideal, of course, is to possess the virtues and graces in perfect balance, something which only Jesus Himself was able to do. But, by a system of checks and balances, to be found in Holy Writ, all the fully faithful achieve enough of balance to gain the inheritance they seek. Thus, the Scriptures tell us, “Knowledge puffeth up (in one not properly balanced), but love buildeth up.” (1 Cor. 8:1) In similar vein, “the generous heart shall be made fat,” and “God loveth a cheerful giver”; but generosity carried to ex­treme, may make one a spendthrift or an “easy mark” for the world’s greed. Therefore, the admonition for “stewards to be found faithful.”

It needs no argument that our Heavenly Father is perfect in generosity – even to the ungrateful – and He has the wherewith to be generous – “the gold is mine, and the silver is mine; and the cattle on a thousand hills are mine.” (Psa. 50:10) Yet we find Him also perfect in economy – nothing wasted. Some years ago we were talking to a Government supervisor in one of the large national parks in the West. “When we first moved in here,” he said, “we thought we’d improve upon nature; so we made war on the mountain lions because they were eating the deer. Before long we had so many deer that great herds of them died by winter starvation; there wasn’t enough food to go round. We also cleaned up the fallen logs, only to learn there was no breeding ground for bugs, which deprived the birds of their food, and drove them from the park. Now the only thing we regulate here is Man; everything else keeps in perfect balance if we just leave things alone.” Yes, generosity needs economy to give it perfect balance.

And what shall we say of the virtue of courage! God’s army is no place for the cowardly; yet it is a proper observation that “Prudence is the better part of valor.” We once knew of a man who boasted he had never felt fear at any time in his entire life. Yet one night he heard a marauder at his back window, rushed right out the door with the light at his back, affording a perfect target for the gun in the burglar’s hand. His courage that night was actually a liability, as it resulted in his death. Just a little prudence would have prompted a different approach to his problem. God never requires His people to be “show-offs”; and we never need fear we are lacking in courage if we attempt a sound and prudent evaluation of any difficulty before rushing to grips with the problem.

But the worldly philosophy that “He who fights, and runs away, lives to fight an­other day,” has no standing here either. We are often admonished in the Bible to “fight the good fight”; but no place does it tell us ever to be “good runners.” The poet has well said, “Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant only taste of death but once.”

Much more might be said, but we offer now the words of St. Peter: “These things (the graces enumerated) being in you and abounding, they will not permit you to be in­active (ever ready to “preach the word, in season and out of season”) nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus.” Here is a clear conclusion that growth in the other graces must of a certainty yield growth in knowledge; and each advance in knowledge in­creases and crystallizes all our other graces – if that knowledge is received in “the love of the Truth.” Knowledge is the first requirement to come into God’s Household; and it must continue prominent in our progress until we hear that final “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joys of thy Lord.”

“SANCTIFY THEM IN TRUTH”

“Sanctify them in truth; thy word is the truth.” (John 17:17, Dia.) These words of Jesus contained in His prayer the night before He was crucified stress God’s Word (the Bible) as the Truth. “I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jer. 3:15) “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?... Precept upon precept; line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” (Isa. 28:9) “I desired... the knowledge of God (the Truth) more than burnt offerings.” (Hos. 6:64—More than service not according to His Word – the service of those who have forsaken the “knowledge of God,” the Truth “once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3)

Clearly enough, knowledge is a fundamental requirement for any one to be a “good soldier” of Jesus Christ. We must know what a true Christian is, and how he arrived at that state. “This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” (1 Thes. 4:3) And further, 2 Thes. 2:13: “We are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctifi­cation of the Spirit and belief of the Truth.” (The knowledge of God as found in the Bible.) The one who offers himself to God will not at first have a full knowledge of himself or of sin. He is only a babe at the beginning. But he is helped onward by the power of the revealed Word – the message of Truth.

Concerning the Apostle Paul, it can probably be truthfully said that there was only one like him in the Truth in his day – an “example of the believers”; yet of himself he said he could not live the way he wanted to live: to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Yet he could honestly say of himself, “I have fought a good fight; I have kept the faith” – even though he did things he would not have done had he been perfect physically and mentally. He had walked in the same narrow way as did Jesus – in the same general direction – and did it sufficiently well that he could say, “Hence­forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” – “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for those kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Pet. 1:4,5) This illustrates very forcefully how important is the Word of Truth, the Bible, the good word of God that maketh wise unto salvation. This would apply whether we read the Bible or study what other capable teachers have written; in fact, it would be anything that increases our measure of the Holy Spirit.

THE METHOD OF SANCTIFICATION

In Heb. 10:10 the Apostle tells us that by God’s will “we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all.” We were not always set apart for God’s service, but were “children of wrath even as others.” It was the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, the sacrifice of His untainted life, which gives us the whereby we may be set apart as God’s favored people. It was His sacrifice that opened the way; it was His merit that made us acceptable to the Father. There are two parts to sanctification – we set ourselves apart, and if acceptable to God, He sets us apart.

When Jesus entered into a covenant with God, it was by offering of Himself in bap­tism at the River Jordan, the same being finished in His death on Calvary. “He hath poured out his soul unto death”; there was no other way He could have done it. “Almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without the shedding of blood is no re­mission... Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands ... the figures of the true; but into heaven itself – to appear in the presence of God for us.” (Heb. 9:22, 24

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

Often we are criticized for attacking the teachings of others, but we say with St. Paul – “necessity is laid upon me” (1 Cor. 9:16) if we would be faithful to the Lard, the Truth and the brethren. That Servant was definitely a man of peace, but his entire life was very much involved in controversy. Jude 3 tells us of the “common” salvation (the salvation for Restitutionists), which was completely lost during the Dark Ages. That Servant restored it and made crystal clear the doctrine of the Two Salvations – the “great” salvation mentioned in Heb. 2:3 for the Faith Age, and the “common” salvation mentioned in Jude 3, for the Kingdom when the New Covenant is inaugu­rated.(Jer. 31:33-35) These salvations are separate and distinct – the elective salvation for the Faith Age, and the salvation for all Restitutionists for the Millennial Age.

However, since the death of That Servant there are two groups emanating from his Movement, who give him great lip service, and at the same time grossly pervert the Truth on the Two Salvations – the “common” salvation (Jude 3) and the “great” salvation (Hebrews 2:3). We refer to the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement, with their Restitution class of Campers Consecrated; and to the Jehovah’s Witnesses with their Restitution class – the “great multitude,” formerly called Jonadabs. Both groups teach that these Resti­tutionists are now on trial for “faith and obedience,” while walking alongside with the Gospel-Age elect. Such perversions of the Truth on the “common” salvation and the “great” salvation cannot be accepted by those who “continue in His Word” by the faith­ful who follow St. Paul’s advice: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” (2 Tim. 3:14)

When Jude tells us “ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once de­livered unto the saints,” he mentions one Truth we should earnestly contend for – the “common” salvation, which we believe is specially applicable to our day: “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 should earnestly contend for the faith (the Truth) which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3) We continue in the faith which was once delivered unto the saints on the Two Distinct Salvations. If Res­titutionists resolve, or consecrate, in this Faith Age to “seek righteousness, seek meekness” (Zeph. 2:3), they will be better prepared than the rest of the world to walk up the “Highway of Holiness.” (Isa. 35:8) However, those who make a consecration to “follow in His steps” during this Faith Age, and that consecration is accepted, if faith­ful they will be rewarded above Restitution. God is faithful that promised. God does not require Restitutionists to sacrifice – “take up the cross.”

The Apostle Paul declares (Acts 17:31) that “God hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained (The Christ, Head and Body); whereby he hath given assurance to all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” That ‘appointed day’ was future in the Apostle’s time, and it is still future, though now about to dawn. The Gospel of Christ (good tidings) is to the effect that he who bought the world with his own precious blood is to become the Judge of all men, the living and the dead. “All in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth” – and “they that hear shall live.” (John 5:28,29)

The above-mentioned groups are the only Truth groups – so far as we know – who are perverting the doctrine of restitution – the two Salvations – as given to us by That Ser­vant. Jude 3 stresses especially the “common salvation,” and is an open rebuke to those who now pervert it during “the brightness of his coming” 2 Thes. 2:8) – “the appearing (Epiphaneia) of his presence (Parousia).” (Diaglott) Note the following from E-3:107:

“The Christ cannot receive from the hands of Divine Justice the release of the in­puted merit for use on behalf of the world until all under the covering of that Imputed merit are by the High Priest taken out from thereunder.” Christ’s merit cannot extend to the Camp until all the Elect are completed.

“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)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

I’ve been wanting to write you for some time. I’ve received your papers. First, Where did you get my name? Did I meet you at the Dawn Convention in Phoenix? And there are also a few questions... Now, I am not asking to be contentious, but I really want to know the Truth. I notice in your papers you agree with Brothers Russell and Johnson, but not with Bro. Jolly, the Dawns or JW’s. I don’t agree at all with the JW’s. Just what do you teach? I guess you have been telling me in the papers, but the thing that bothers me is – If we come out of the denominations, Where can we go to have fellowship with God’s people? The Truth groups with whom I have come in contact, all differ just the same as the nominal churches – each one believing they are in the Truth, and thinking the other groups are deceived.

First, let me tell you how I came into the Truth. My folks were Baptists, and they taught me there was a burning hell; and I lived in hell worrying about the whole world. I guess God knew it was time to bring me out of it. When my father died I went back over all the Scriptures and I began to see things in the Scriptures which showed me people were asleep in the grave. It’s quite a story, so anyway, when I went to my mother’s funeral at home I found a little booklet, “Where are the Dead” – and it was just what I was seeing; and I began to order Brother Russell’s books. Then I met a lady who had Brother Johnson’s books, and I ordered them. I have gone through all of them. Even before I read them I began to see different things the nominal churches preached were wrong - and here I found in these books just what God had been giving me. I know in one of your papers you said we could not get this just through our own mind. No, but I believe the Spirit of God is leading His people. How else could I begin to see our Savior’s Plan for the world? I began to see that all men would be made alive in Jesus.

There’s so much I can’t tell it all here. But the question now about the Truth groups. The Bible says, “Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing – and I will receive you... So which group can we go? So far as I know, there’s only the Dawn and JW’s here – and I don’t particularly care for either. So I stay at home and study by myself. But I do miss the fellowship of people. I think JW’s are wrong on a lot of things. Even though some one doesn’t see just as we do, Shouldn’t we have respect for one another? It seems only God can straighten this thing out.

My life was so dedicated to God as a young person, so much so that I wouldn’t go with a boy unless he was a Christian. Yet some of the Truth groups think that is stupid. I still cannot see how Light can have fellowship with Darkness. Will you please let me know just what the difference is in you and the other groups. Do you have a group of your own? After all, if we were not God’s people we would not understand the Truth when we heard it. I am looking for the real true group of God’s true people. I believe God has always led His people, and I believe He always will. Sincerely,

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

You have been sending me your Bulletins regularly. Up to date I have received five, and have read them all. I found them very good, although I have never heard the name, “Epiphany Bible Students” before.

Brother Hoefle, tell me, what is the difference in your teachings and the Dawn? I just don’t see it. We study Brother Russell’s six volumes, and I see you do too. So where does the division come in between the “Dawn” and “Epiphany”? Read 1 Cor.1:10, 12,13 and Gal. 3:26-29. I am sure Brother Russell wouldn’t have wanted divisions. Paul wanted them to join together in the same mind. Anyway, it’s very confusing, for the young in the Truth. Makes us wonder who is right.

Have you anymore articles on the JW’s? And also J. Rutherford and how he died... It would be very helpful for the young JW’s that don’t know the background of them. Also the booklet “Persecution of the JW’s in Africa.” Send me more literature if you can spare them. Thank you! Christian love,

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

This is to acknowledge your personal correspondence. Personal correspondence in today’s computer age is extremely rare and I thank you very much.

Let me begin by stating unequivocally that I am not a Jehovah’s Witness – nor have I ever been; neither have I attended any of their meetings. However, I have been vic­timized by their door-to-door solicitation, as has been practically every one. I could never bring myself to worship the Almighty under the false substitute name Jehovah. Even they admit, as do most scholars, that the word infiltrated the Scriptures in the sixteenth century, and is of Catholic origin. I worship the “I Am” of Ex. 3:14-15 whose name alone is “Yahweh.” The true Tetragrammaton, or the four letters YHWH were substituted by superstitious Jewish scribes for the words Adonai and Elohim and falsely translated into English as Lord and God. The etymology of these two words is most re­vealing. Both clearly trace back to ancient Baal worship. The same also holds true for the word Church. People refuse to heed the admonition to “come out of her my people that you be not partaker of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.” (Rev. 18:4; Jer. 51:6,45)

I thought the book you sent me “Life-Death-Hereafter” was excellent. It’s hard to believe that so much truth could be crammed into such a little space. I would like very much to receive the book “The Divine Plan of the Ages” and the additional five volumes. Is there any connection between Epiphany Bible Students and Dawn Bible Stu­dents out of East Rutherford, N. J.? I have seen “The Divine Plan of the Ages” advertised in some of their literature. Is it the same book as the one you offer? They are asking 75¢ for it and $5 for the complete set. Are they of Jehovah’s Witness ab­straction? I wrote a letter to them some time ago concerning their organization and its goals and purpose – but never received a reply.

In your article “God’s Great Sabbath Day” No. 6, I am not sure if I understand your main point. Is it your belief that the seventh day Sabbath is merely a type that points toward the millennial kingdom, and is not to be observed by the true body of worshipers today? I do not believe the Scriptures indicate this to be the case at all. While it is true that the Sabbath is a type, I believe it is equally true that the Sab­bath was and is a sign between the Almighty Yahweh and His true worshipers throughout their generations forever (Ex. 31:12-18; Eze. 20:2,20) and also Heb. 4). The Sabbath is not for Jews only. I do not believe the term Jew applies to all twelve Tribes but to Judah only. In the book of Isaiah 56:1-8 it is clearly revealed that the Sabbath is for both the Israelite and the stranger (foreigner), and that both would be brought to His Holy Mountain (Zion). He further states that He will not only gather the outcasts of Israel but others also. He commands us to remember “the” Sabbath day to keep “it” holy – not “a” Sabbath day. Truly the Sabbath was made for man.

In closing let me make it clear that this letter is not a personal attack or crit­icism of you, even though we may have differences of opinion. I have thoroughly en­joyed many of your articles, and would like very much for our correspondence to continue

In Yahshua the Messiah’s Name ------- (VIRGINIA)

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Dear Sir:

Please send me the free book, The Divine Plan of the Ages, which you offered to send me free in your letter dated July 16, 1977. Thank you!

Sincerely, ------- (VIRGINIA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace be multiplied!

Your good letter of Feb. 6 received, and as always glad to hear from you – but sorry to hear of the illness in your home. I hope by the time you receive this all will be feeling much better.

I shall watch Italy, as you suggest. It surely looks like the time is ripe for Armageddon to begin. I am deeply interested in the news – both over the radio and the TV – and it is just wonderful! How quickly are we informed of everything worldwide... I send you all my warm Christian love, with the assurance of my prayers.

Your brother by His grace, ------- (NEW JERSEY)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

This is just a short note to let you know that we have survived the worst snow storm and blizzard in the old timers Michigan history. We had 24 inches of snow fall here in two or three days...

We did not get our paper for four days. They did not publish it – got our first copy last Monday. We didn’t get any mail either until Tuesday, and he did not came yesterday either.

I wish to thank you for sending me the Jan.-Feb.-March and April papers first-­class... Sure enjoyed all the papers...

With much Christian love and greetings to you all, I remain

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

NO. 274: THE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1977 PRESENT TRUTH

No. 274

On pp. 87-95 of the above paper there is “profusion of words” by RGJ to jus­tify his error on campers Consecrated – to justify his “advancing truth” (?) that sets aside the Truths we have received from the Star Members. “Moreover, his desire to shine as the inventor of ‘new views’ continually leads him to propound errors against which the faithful are duty-bound to contend in the interests of the Lord, the Truth and the brethren (Jude 3); and thus he is the cause of the most strife among God’s people. Blessed are they who contend against him earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints and now being corrupted by him.” (E-6:13, par. 1)

That Servant gave us the Truths on all the elective and non-elective classes; and the Epiphany Messenger gave us more light when he elaborated on these classes es­tablished by That Servant. Brother Johnson never saw a new class, although he gave us much advancing light on the Great Company, Youthful Worthies and the quasi-elect. But he never taught consecration in the Camp – nor did That Servant – because Christ’s merit didn’t extend to the Camp during the Gospel Age – and won’t be extended for Res­titutionists “until Restitution begins.” This is the Truth “once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3)

According to RGJ, the Youthful Worthies were all won by 1954; but, according to That Servant and the Epiphany Messenger, Youthful Worthies can be won between the Ages – “until Restitution begins.” Any time these two would-be Pastors and Teachers (RGJ and JWK) concoct a new doctrine, they must set aside – or pervert – the faithful teach­ings we have received from the last two Messengers, the true Pastors and Teachers. As Brother Johnson said of Rutherford regarding his “new light,” we now say of the RGJ-­JWK twosome: “It is not advancing Truth, but rather additional ‘mud splashes.’”

In all the Epiphany Messenger’s books and numerous pages of other writings, at no time did he ever attempt to foist a new doctrine upon the brethren; but now we have a self-admitted crown-loser (a member of antitypical Saul – Great Company leaders up to Armageddon – E-14:5), who considers himself superior to the Epiphany Messenger! He can see a new class in addition to the classes taught by both Star Members. Brother Johnson never saw such a class – never thought about inventing a new class. But JFR did!

On p. 88, par. 9, there is this: ‘Wherever and whenever God’s loyal people pre­sented the Truth and its Spirit against Satan’s domain, he mustered his forces to op­pose them and bring tribulation upon them. In each conflict God gave His faithful people the victory over their enemies.” Is RGJ now telling us that God has given him victory over his disputants since 1954?

In par. 14 RGJ says that “prospective Great Company members have been overcomers eventually.” Here is what the Epiphany Messenger says about that in E-5:229: “We can see from the fact that only 144,000 are counted victors over the Beast and his Image (Rev. 15:2; 20:4), tho, as we know, the Truth section of the Great Company opposed the Beast and his Image, but because they are not more than overcomers of certain characteristics of the Beast and his Image, God does not count them overcomers of these, however much they verbally preach and zealously work against them. (Rev. 19:1-3) Hence it is because the Truth groups of the Great Company have practiced Sectarianism and Cler­icalism as among the main forms that their Revolutionism, manifesting their Leviteship, have assumed, their battling against Nominal Church Sectarianism is not accounted by God as overcoming these prince errors. Hence the type very properly contains no representa­tion of their activity against Sectarianism and Clericalism. On the other hand, from the type we infer that the Youthful Worthies overcome in their own characters the spirit of Sectarianism and Clericalism, and are thus privileged to have their verbal battling against the prince errors of antitypical Midian accounted as their capturing and execut­ing them.”

However, all “prospective Great Company members” of this Epiphany have not been overcomers – some of them were ejected from the Household of Faith because they refused to have their fleshly minds destroyed (See 1 Cor. 5:5 and Berean Comments). But those who remained in the Household were overcomers because they repented of their sins and “washed their robes” in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev. 7:14) But as a Class they are not given the honor of overcoming Sectarianism and Clericalism that the faithful Youthful Worthies receive. This is due to the fact that they have been among the chief sinners in God’s Household in Sectarianism and Clericalism. All during the Gospel Age they have perverted the Star Members’ teachings and made sects for themselves as the chief Clericalists – Pastors and Teachers. And the Epiphany has produced more of this, as so many of the Great Company leaders have sectarianized the Truth left them by the Lord’s faithful mouthpieces – the Star Members.

FURTHER TESTIMONY AGAINST RGJ

“Another aspect of his (Brother Russell’s) teachings as to certain Epiphany truths and relations that proves that he is that Servant, is the fact that his teachings can­not in the Epiphany be repudiated or be supplanted by other teachings without manifest­ing the perpetrators of such things as Great Company members (uncleansed Great Company members—JJH). This, of course, proves that he is in a most particular sense, repre­sented as a mouthpiece, and that, therefore, to repudiate his teachings or to put others in their place is equivalent to repudiating God’s teachings, or to put others in their place. Many of those who once held his teachings and who regarded him as That Servant, have presumed to repudiate his teachings, or to put others in their place; but this has always resulted in God’s repudiating them as Little Flock members and manifesting them as Great Company members (or uncleansed Great Company members—JJH). Why should this be only in the case of his (Brother Russell’s) teachings and not in the case of those of others before the Epiphany? Can it be explained on any other ground than that he was God’s special mouthpiece and that, therefore, his teachings are God’s teachings, and that, therefore, to rebel against them is to rebel against God (Psa. 107:10,11)? This is the only ground on which such a course on God’s part could be explained, and, therefore, we present it as an Epiphany-Truth proof that our Pastor was That Servant.” (E-9:352)

TRUTH NOT YET DUE

On p. 90 (e) of this paper RGJ says “many Scriptures regarding the Youthful Wor­thies were not opened up through God’s special servants for them until they came forth as a separate class in the Epiphany, with special need for this Truth as due.” Here RGJ is trying to make a case for himself by saying That Servant did not see many Truths regarding – ­the Youthful Worthies – just as Brother Johnson did not see much of the Truth regarding Zelophehad’s five daughters because that Truth was not due in Brother Johnson’s time.

This is just a statement of sophistry – antitypical witchcraft (especially decep­tive false teachings). RGJ certainly knows as well as anybody that the Truth people as a group believed there would be such a class between the Ages before Restitution begins. JFR believed it in the beginning, after That Servant’s demise, but called them Modern Worthies; and there was much discussion about them then – until JFR decreed that there was no such class. And many of his supporters swallowed that – just because he said so. But, regardless of what name we apply to them, there can be no disputing the fact that Brother Russell taught such a class years before the time arrived for his opinion found sound Scriptural support in this Epiphany period.

In E-11:715 there is this statement: “The priesthood individually stood firm in its faith that there was such a class (then known as Modern Worthies—JJH), which it set forth expositorily, probatively and refutatively against attacks. Encouraged, the Youthful Worthies proved themselves to be strongly founded, not only on Scriptural prin­ciples, but also on many Scriptural passages. These Scriptural passages are found in the Old and New Testaments, e.g., the Gershonites (Num. 1; 3; 4), the five daughters of Zelophehal (Num. 27:1-11), Ruth (Ruth 1-4). These are a veritable fortress in proof of the existence of this class (the Youthful Worthies—JJH) from various standpoints. These considerations demonstrate that they are a Divinely-provided class; and as such they found favor with our Lord, because of his Biblical knowledge as to them.”

It will be noted in the paragraph above it is stated that the priesthood indivi­dually stood firm in its faith (meaning Brother Johnson and some others). Now RGJ is telling us that “the priesthood” was standing on sinking sand in their understand­ing of Zelophehad’s daughters – that it remained for an uncleansed Levite, steeped in error of many sorts, to show us where the priesthood was wrong in its understanding of this topic.

HANDLING THE WORD OF GOD DECEITFULLY

In 2 Cor. 4:2 St. Paul states that we are not of those that “handle the word of God deceitfully”; but it seems this statement has never registered with RGJ, because he never hesitates to “handle the word of God deceitfully” whenever it serves his pur­pose. We refer now specifically to his quotation from E-10:114: “After 1954 no Youth­ful Worthies will be won,” which he quotes several times in the paper we are now re­viewing. Whenever any one picks a word, or clause, or sentence from its setting – and which is a perversion or twist from the remainder of the statement – it is simply open fraud; and is so considered by the laws of our land.

The analysis here pertains to Rev. 22:10,11. As we have said in other articles on this subject, this is a composite text; and all of it will be fulfilled when any part of it is fulfilled. We now quote some more from that same p. 114: “1954 is the date that the last member of the Great Company will get his first enlightenment that will bring him into the Truth by Passover, 1956.... after 1954 no more persons will enter the tentatively-justified state..... Certainly, when we come to a time when no more consecrations are possible for Gospel-Age purposes, it would be useless to exhort the tentatively justified to consecrate and sinners to repent, for the tentatively justi­fied and sinners could arise no higher from their standings before God under such con­dition; hence only at such a time could the first and second exhortations of v. 11 be given.”

Following are the first and second exhortations of Rev. 22:11 – with bracketed comments by the Epiphany Messenger; “He that is unjust (the tentatively justified, who are not actually justified, not just) let him be unjust still (remain tentatively justified, and not consecrate); and he that is filthy (the impenitent sinners, who in no sense are clean) let him be filthy still (remain in his then condition).”

All of this directly disputes what RGJ is now trying to have his readers believe; and his statements, when viewed in the light of these positive conclusions by the Epi­phany Messenger are none other than “handling the word of God deceitfully.”

Rev. 22:10,11 is an epitome of the finished picture – and RGJ should know that ­but he either does not know it, or is willfully perverting the writings of the Star Member. And, as one very capable brother once said to us: If he is doing the latter, he will go into the second death. However, we have never said this privately or publicly.

The Epiphany is the Little Season for the Gospel Age, just as the Little Season is the “finished picture” for the Millennial Age. Even though some in the Little Season of the Gospel Age will have received their eternal reward, some of the Youthful Worthies will have finished their course before the end of this Little Season; but in the fin­ished picture of the Millennial Age Little Season all will have their fixed punishment or reward. During the Epiphany quite a few of the faith classes will have finished their course; but it is only in the finished picture that Rev. 22:10,11 will apply, at which time all classes will be fixed, even though some of the faith classes may still be with us. But those who remain will not fall – just as was true of the Saints in 1914. Those who remained during the Epiphany could have fallen, but they did not do so.

Not so with the Great Company: their destiny as a class will not be completed un­til the end of the Epiphany in the finished picture. At that time none of the Restitu­tionists will be able to make a consecration that will be accepted; they will have to wait until the New Covenant is inaugurated. They will be in the same position as was Cornelius before the door was opened to the Gentiles. Of course, as Brother Russell said of Cornelius, he was consecrated, but his consecration was held in reserve until “due time” – when the door was opened to the Gentiles. And so it will be with those in the Camp: they will not be recognized until the Christ accepts such consecrators under the New Covenant.

We believe the interpretation of Rev. 22:10,11 is correct; the only thing wrong with page 114 of Vol. 10 is the date of 1954; and that is the one thing RGJ contends is correct – except, of course, his Camp is not yet in the “finished picture.” As Brother Johnson has so aptly stated, when these crown-losers fall into the hands of Azazel, they talk all sorts of nonsense. And here is another sample of it.

There is nothing – just nothing – that distinguishes 1954 from 1953 or 1955; RGJ cannot point to one thing that supports his contentions about that year – except Bro. Johnson’s mistaken conclu­sions about the date on p. 114 of Vol. 10; but he can see it if it is not there. Re the “finished” picture that he now teaches respecting the Court, but “unfinished” for the Camp, the only statement he can truthfully make is that the picture for the Holy is complete – completely empty, no more entries there. When there are no more entries into the Court, it will be finished from that standpoint, but the living Youthful Worthies and Great Company will still be in the Court – just as the living members of the Great Company remained in the Holy until they were ejected therefrom.

The Epiphany Tabernacle is still with us, and will continue so as long as we have the Epiphany period with us. JWK contends that the Epiphany as a special period of the Gospel Age is concerned is no longer with us; but he has never definitely declared what Tabernacle is now with us – if there is any at all with us. But we are still in the Gospel Age; therefore, Rev. 22:10,11 has a Gospel-Age application only. However, it is a composite text; and all of it will be fulfilled at one time – when the Gospel Age Tabernacle passes out of existence. The Millennial Tabernacle will then come into existence – for Millennial-Age purposes.

In par. 38 RGJ says the Queen of Sheba class will be given “an eternal inheritance” in the Kingdom – if faithful. The same statement can be made now for the lowest heathen – if they are faithful in the Kingdom reign. Then he proceeds to stress that such Sheba members will “have the highest standing among the faithful restitutionists.” The Scriptures clearly teach that all faithful Restitutionists will become kings at the end of the Little Season, the same being clearly taught in the writings of both Messengers. If they become kings, just what “higher standing” can any one have if he is a king?

The following is from E-4:332: “It is reasonable and Scriptural for the Youthful Worthies, as well as for the Ancient Worthies, that they will receive ultimately a higher reward than they could have on earth. As the Ancient, so the Youthful Worthies would be everlastingly degraded instead of being everlastingly rewarded for their Mil­lennial service and suffering for the world, and their post-Millennial service for the faithful world, and for their post-Millennial suffering for righteousness at the hands of the Second Death class, if they would remain on the earth forever; for since all human beings found worthy of everlasting life will henceforth be equal (Matt. 25:34; Rev. 21:24), it would follow that the Youthful, as well as the Ancient Worthies, from being the Millennial superiors, would be degraded to being the eternal equals of the world of mankind, if as human beings they remained eternal on this earth. Thus God would not only not give them any reward for their Millennial and post-Millennial ser­vice and suffering, but would post-Millennially give them no more than He will give to those who would not serve Him, but did serve Satan, sin, error and death, during the period that these were in the ascendancy and domination among men .... Therefore, we should not expect that Youthful and Ancient Worthies will remain on the earth amid hu­man conditions and associations, i.e., remain human.”

We now emphasize some of the above paragraph: “All human beings found worthy of everlasting life will henceforth be equal (Matt. 25:34; Rev. 21:34).” This is not only the teaching of the Epiphany Messenger but also of That Servant. Now a self admitted crown-loser sets this fundamental Truth aside for his error that his Campers Consecrated will be superior Restitutionists. The Messengers and the Apostle Paul taught that the New Covenant blessings would be “to the Jew first,” but they never taught that the Jews would have a superior standing over other Restitutionists, as all Restitutionists will have to become Jews to get the Kingdom blessings – and all will be equal who receive eternal life. However, the Jews do have the honor as a nation – as all will become Jews, not Gentiles, and not Campers Consecrated. It is a New Covenant for the Jews to replace the Old (Law) Covenant – so naturally those who receive the blessings under the New Covenant will have to become proselyte Jews, just as Gentiles had to do to receive the blessings under the Law Covenant. So the orthodox Jews in Je­rusalem will be the very first to receive the Kingdom blessings. When they cry unto the Lord “he saveth them out of their distresses.” (Psa. 107:19)

In par. 38, p. 92, we find this statement: “Thus the fuller answer to the perti­nent inquiries and petitions began to be given, showing that the Consecrated Epiphany Campers will have a special eternal inheritance in the earthly phase of the Kingdom.” This is confusion worse confounded! Not even the Worthies will receive a special “eternal” inheritance when they receive the “better resurrection” at the beginning of the Kingdom reign; they will be “princes in all the earth,” so they will be the earthly phase of the Kingdom. However, this does not mean that their inheritance will be eternal on earth, or in heaven. Their trial for life will be in the Kingdom, and more particu­larly in the Little Season. All the faithful Worthies will receive their “eternal” in­heritance in the Little Season. But, if any of them would become unfaithful, and cause turmoil, they would almost certainly receive the same fate as “the sinner being an hun­dred years old – shall be accursed.” (Isa. 65:20) The Scriptures are silent on this, but it seems reasonable to expect for the unfaithful. But the Scriptures are clear on all the Restitutionists – any of the quasi-elect, Consecrated Campers and the rest of the worldlings will have their trial for life in the Kingdom, and if unfaithful will be “accursed” either in the Mediatorial reign or in the Little Season. This seems to us to be an elementary deduction. So no one can Scripturally offer any Campers Consecrated an “eternal” inheritance – life eternal – for their faithfulness in this Epiphany period. But we can tell any worldling, whether one of the Consecrated Campers or a heathen, that he will have his “eternal” inheritance – life eternal – if faithful and obedient under the New Covenant.

JEWS OR CONSECRATED CAMPERS – WHICH?

“The days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.” (Jer. 31:31) If God’s Word means anything to us at all, it means that the New Covenant will come through the Jews – just as the Old (Law) Covenant came through the Jews. As all of our readers would surely know, the Jews under the Law Covenant were found in the twelve tribes of that nation. Likewise, spiritual Israel of this Gospel Age also is comprised of twelve tribes (Rev. 7:4-8), although the vast majority of those twelve tribes came into this world as Gentiles; but they were considered spiritual Israelites once they became members of the Body of Christ – the 144,000 mentioned in v. 4.

However, when that Law Covenant was given to fleshly Israel, the only way any Gentile could receive any of its blessings was to become a proselyte Jew – have him­self circumcised, adopt the Law and thenceforth live as Jews. The same rule has ap­plied during this Gospel Age with the spiritual Israelites; and the same rule will apply in the Millennial Age: all restitutionists will have to become proselyte Jews ­have to become Jews if they are to receive the New Covenant blessings, as the New Cov­enant is made for the Jews and with the Jews. Are Campers Consecrated Spiritual Is­raelites, or are they proselyte (natural) Jews, the Jews to whom the promise is made ­“to the Jew first”? Both Messengers stressed the fact that the Kingdom blessings will be “to the Jew first.”

“The power of salvation... to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16) Both Messengers agreed with St. Paul, and taught accordingly; Jeremiah 31 also agrees with the Apostle Paul – but RGJ now emphatically disagrees with all of them. As Brother Johnson has so aptly stated, When these people go wrong on any cardinal point, they are forced to cast away one Truth after another in a vain attempt to support their first error. And this present situation offers tragic proof of that statement.

In Isa. 2:3 we are told “Out of Zion (the glorified Christ Company) shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (the Worthies).” As of now, we believe it is safe assumption that RGJ does not have one Consecrated Camper in Jerusalem; and we would say also that it is equally proper to say there won’t be one there when the Worthies begin to send out the faithful orthodox Jews as missionaries. “O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.” (Isa. 2:5)

Almost always in the Old Testament when Jacob is addressed, it refers to fleshly Israel; and it certainly does so in this text. If RGJ is right about his Campers be­ing first in the Kingdom, naturally, they will have to be there and “cry unto the Lord,” – because it is self-evident that those who “cry unto the Lord in their distresses, and he saveth them out of their distresses ... He sent his word, and healed them and delivered them from their destruction.” (Psa. 107:19,20)

If Campers Consecrated are to be first and chief, they would self-evidently have to be in Jerusalem, which would mean the Consecrated Campers “crying unto the Lord,” and would make Brother Johnson’s interpretation another error, according to RGJ – ­another error that RGJ is now correcting. Of course, if the Consecrated Campers – or any other Restitutionists receive the New Covenant blessings, they will have to become Jews in the full sense of the word, and will also become missionaries to minister to others. They, too, will be superior to those who have not become Jews up to that time. According to the words of Jesus in Matt. 25:31-46, all who gain “eternal life” will be required to become missionaries – minister to their fellow Restitutionists. The Sheep then all become equals – Kings of the earth. To the sheep He says, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”, and to the goats, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matt. 25:34, 36) It is the faithfulness during the Kingdom reign that will give the Restitutionists “their special eternal inheritance” – and not their faithfulness to righteousness during the Gospel Age – although the worldlings who practice righteous living during this Age will be better prepared to walk up the High­way of Holiness. However, their efforts in this Age do not insure them their “special eternal inheritance,” because that can be won only in the Kingdom by obedience to the Kingdom arrange­ments. Some who have lived righteously during this Gospel Age may turn and do unrighteously.

This thought is well expressed in Ez. 18:21-25: “But if the wicked shall turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live and he shall not die (v. 21). But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth ac­cording to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live?... in his sins that he hath sinned, in them shall he die (v.22).” “Once in grace” is not always in grace, as some have thought. During the Gospel Age the Great Company got weary of doing the Lord’s will and was ejected from the Holy; the Second-Deathers got weary of doing the Lord’s will altogether and were ejected from the Household of Faith – per­ished as one of the ungodly. (Psa. 1:4,5) And it is quite possible that the Restitu­tionists who have practiced righteous living during this Age and for awhile in the next Age to “turn away from righteousness,” as many have done in this Gospel Age when as New Creatures they have been on trial for life. Their destiny was at stake during this Age. But that is not true of the Worthies, as they are not on trial for life, or for their “eternal inheritance”; nor do any of the quasi-elect, Campers Consecrated, and other worldlings receive their “eternal inheritance” as a reward for their activities in this life. All Restitutionists receive their “eternal inheritance” when fully faithful in the Kingdom under the New Covenant.

WHICH SHOULD BE GREATEST

When Jesus was here “a dispute arose among them (the Apostles), which of them would be greatest.” (Luke 9:46, Dia.) A much more violent “dispute” occurred after Brother Russell’s death in 1916-17. Shortly after Brother Johnson’s death the same struggle for power occurred between R. G. Jolly and J. W. Krewson, and is still contin­uing. We are not interested in the “new light” presented by either of them; nor are we interested in their fight for preeminence as star member, or as Pastor and Teacher. But we are interested in presenting such Truth as may expose their errors – errors that tend to bewilder and befog some of our brethren. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are very insistent that their devotees study their errors – just as RGJ and JWK are – and they “are always learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7, Dia.) Some of these people have never really been “rooted and grounded” in Parou­sia Truth – much less in Epiphany Truth; and this conclusion is not made as any pointed criticism of them. We realize that many of them do not have the capacity, and others with the capacity have not had the opportunity yet to become informed. Both power-grasp­ers – RGJ and JWK – have made vicious effort to belittle our Pilgrim appointment. JWK actually accused us of never having such an appointment from Brother Johnson. However, if this would be all there is to our differences, we would not belittle ourselves by at­tempting to answer them; but both of them have made vigorous attempt to forbid their readers from reading what we write; and the Jehovah’s Witnesses give us the same treat­ment – something we never do with our readers toward any of these three cults. We have stated in private correspondence, and openly in our papers, that our readers are most welcome to read their papers if they have the time and the inclination.

Brother Johnson wrote us a letter shortly before he died, saying “I do many things for you, my dear Brother (regarding some special Truth he shared with us) that I do not do for others.” And we can well understand that now more firmly than we did before his demise in 1950. There are now many things that are very clear to us, regarding his special tutoring, etc., “words not lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Cor. 12:4) Nor do we intend to publish oral statements; the written expressions of both Brother Rus­sell and Brother Johnson are fully sufficient for our purposes – to refute the errors of such people. The perverters (Azazel means perverter) have much learning (?) with which their readers may confuse themselves; but our advice to all the Lord’s people is to study the Parousia and Epiphany Truth, and make these truths their own. We are warned that the great majority will not endure sound doctrine in “this evil day” – and we find this condition in all corners now – not only in Big Babylon, but also in the Truth groups. However, we do what we can to enlighten and strengthen those who have an ear to hear.

APING THE WITNESSES

As many of our readers know, the Witnesses study only what emanates from head­quarters; and the questions are all set out, to be sure no one gets any different ideas. In this Present Truth under review RGJ has done the same thing – just to be sure the error sinks in. Study, Study – Study error – “ever learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). And generally speaking, when such sectarians embrace error, they show more zeal for the error than they did for the Truth.

Both Messengers were well informed regarding the quasi-elect – represented by the clean animals in the ark – “the truly repentant and believing, but not consecrated Jews and Gentiles.” (E-10:209) We are personally acquainted with quite a few such people, who are not ambitious for anything more than Restitution, and we give them what we believe to be the best Scriptural encouragement for righteous living: “Seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s an­ger.” (Zeph. 2:3—See Berean Comments) But RGJ is telling these people they should make “a covenant by sacrifice,” to supersede the Jews in Restitution; but the Apostle Paul and both Messengers clearly contradict his error. God’s promise “to the Jew first” is unconditional: Only Jews or proselyte Gentiles – circumcised as Jews – ­could come into the Body of Christ until the “week” was up – the seven years beginning at Jordan.

And it will be the same in the Kingdom reign – “to the Jew first.” “He is faith­ful that promised.” (Heb. 10:23) The difference in the Kingdom will be that all Gen­tiles will have to become proselyte Jews to receive the Kingdom blessings, receive eternal life if faithful. No door at all will be opened for Gentiles as such. When the door was opened to the Gentiles, Cornelius was the first Gentile to come into the “Body” – and he did not have to become a proselyte Jew, nor did any other Gentile have to become a proselyte Jew after that to come into the Body of Christ. But all nations will have to become proselyte Jews in the Kingdom – the Kingdom is Israelitish. The two Messengers and the Apostle Paul all state it exactly that way. “When we ask our­selves what blessings are that the New Covenant will Millennially confer upon Israel­ites and Israelite-made Gentiles, we find them summed up in Christ’s perfect human body and life.” (E-6:709) And they will all be known as Israelites, and not by any name that RGJ has manufactured for Restitutionists in this Epiphany!

In the Jewish Age all were promised earthly prosperity if they would keep the Law – “that thy days may be long upon the earth.” But all the faithful will be able to do under the New Covenant what no fallen human being could do under the Law Covenant. In a lame attempt to bolster up his error, RGJ says Brother Russell made a mistake when he taught that the Gershonite Levites typified the world of mankind in the King­dom; but why does he not tell us That Wise and Faithful Servant corrected that mis­take after Brother Johnson called it to his attention? Note Reprints 5023 (May 1, 1912) col. 1, first question: “In the type the entire Tribe of Levi was cut off from having any possession in the land... God thus typified the fact that the antitypi­cal Levites would not have an earthly inheritance, but rather the spiritual or heaven­ly inheritance.” Can it be that RGJ is again resorting to “the trickery of men, cun­ning craftiness in systematic deception” (Eph. 4:14, Dia.), or is he just ignorant of this Truth?

As our Lord told His believers – “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.” (Jn. 8:31,32) And we know that “Every word of God is pure; he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” (Prov. 30:5)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

To Epiphany Bible Students:

I will thank you very much for sending me your printings. But you have a wrong ­spelled address, and I am giving you the right spelling as follows: -------

By His Grace, ------- (SWEDEN)

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

Gentlemen:

I would appreciate it if you would send all your tracts that you have listed.

Thank you very much ------- (VIRGINIA)

NO. 273: SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE MEMORIAL

No. 273

As previously announced, the proper time for observing the Memorial in 1978 is after 6 p.m., the evening of March 21. This conclusion is reached by knowing that the Vernal Equinox arrives at the 30th Meridian East (the one nearest Jerusalem) at 1:34 a.m., March 21; and the new moon nearest that time occurs at 4:36 A. M. March 9. Thus, the first of Nisan is established at six p.m. of March 8. Counting then to the 14th, we arrive at six p.m. March 21; and any time that night after 6 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., March 21; and we extend a cordial invitation to any of like mind as our­selves to join us on that occasion if they be in our neighborhood.

It will be noted above that we call Nisan the Passover month; but this word oc­curs only twice in the Bible, the first time being Neh. 2:1, which was about a thous­and years after the Passover was held in Egypt. Nisan was known as Abib; found six times in the Bible, the first time being in Ex. 13:4. Nisan is the name for the Baby­lonian God of Spring, and was probably changed from Abib to Nisan to honor Cyrus the Great, who had allowed the Jews to return to Palestine after their seventy years of cap­tivity in that country. Abib means sprouting or budding, which is much the same mean­ing as Nisan. Thus, the change in the names changes very little the meaning of the word.

Once again we stress the fact that our observation of the Memorial under existing conditions draws nearer to a finality. This realization should ever determine us to continue in the course we have embraced and to reside in that isolated and privileged place provided for us as we

GO TO HIM WITHOUT THE CAMP

In Ex. 33:7 we read: “And Moses proceeded to take a tent and pitch it by itself outside the camp afar off from the camp, and he called it the Tent of Meeting, – and so it came to pass that whosoever was seeking Yahweh went out unto the tent of meeting, which was on the outside of the camp.” (Rotherham) Moses in this instance types our Lord as He arranged to remove the Star Members and His fully faithful people from the midst of the measurably faithful and the tare class, beginning in the Pergamos epoch of the Gospel-Age Church in 313 A.D. under Constantine the Great, and continuing until 1799. We quote parts of comments on this from E-11:430 (70):

“God had our Lord do another thing indicative of His displeasure with His nominal people, i.e., remove the faithful servants of the Truth and its spirit from places of prominence and influence in the nominal church – caused the symbolic woman, the Cove­nant promises and the servants who apply them to the brethren, to go into the wilder­ness condition (Rev. 12:6) – to the Tent of Meeting, not the Tabernacle, but Moses’ of­ficial residence – and that not but slightly away from the erroneous doctrines, prac­tices, organization and disciplines of the nominal church, but very far from these (as evidenced by allowing Star Member Arius to be banished from the Roman Empire in 325 A.D., whence he went to northern Africa—JJH) and made the Truth and the servants who applied it to the brethren, as well as these, the place where God resided, met with His people and blessed them. Henceforth every one who in heart’s loyalty sought fel­lowship with the Lord in spirit, truth, righteousness and holiness went forth from the nominal church to such Truth, its applying servants and the others of His real people, apart from the nominal church (without the Camp)... When our Lord busied Himself with Truth matters, its applying servants, etc., the Truth and its spirit as due became manifest (the cloudy pillar descended) and remained at the entrance, consecration, where God revealed truths to Jesus in the star-members.”

The foregoing dovetails so very beautifully with St. Paul’s admonition in Heb. 13:13: “Let us, then, now go forth to Him outside of the camp bearing reproach for him.” (Dia.) And it is such a very clear-cut and definite course of procedure for all who elect to “follow in his steps.” (1 Pet. 2:21) Such indeed is one very appropriate Thought for the Memorial. In principle, this arrangement is as true today as it ever was, of which we shall offer some further elaboration.

“CONSIDER HIM”

As we make preparation for this coming Memorial, it is well that we meditate again upon St. Paul’s words in Hebrews 12:1-3 (Dia.): “Consider him attentively who has en­dured such opposition from sinners, so that you may not be wearied, being discouraged in your souls.” The specific primary grace accentuated by this text is our Lord’s per­fection in Patience – His cheerful continuance in well doing amid excruciating trials ­His “narrow way” finished in His death at Calvary.

In these first three verses of Hebrews 12 St. Paul is offering in summation his discussion in Hebrews 11 of the faith of many of the Ancient Worthies – “For by this (faith) the ancients were attested.” (Heb. 11:2, Dia.) By this faith Abel “was attested to be righteous” (v. 4); Enoch “had been attested to have been well-pleasing to God”; Noah’s “pious fear” was attested (v. 7); Abraham’s “obedience” was attested (v. 8); Moses, sense of values was attested (vs. 23-29), and he “appointed the Passover” (the type of “Christ our Passover,” whose memory we cherish and revere), departed from Egypt (type of this present evil world), “passed through the Red Sea as though a dry place”; Rahab was attested “having received the spies in peace” (v. 31); others were attested by “a trial of mockings and scourges, and also of bonds and imprisonment, were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, died by slaughter of the sword, went about in sheepskins and in goat­skins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated... all “attested by means of faith” (vs. 36-39).

Clearly enough, by means of just one of the virtues or graces many of the Ancients “were attested”; and in none of them could it be said that they reflected in perfection those sterling qualities St. Paul attributes to them. But, as we “consider Him,” we are reminded that not just one, but all, of the virtues and graces combined perfectly in Him – nothing lacking, whether we “consider” one or all of the “beauties of holiness” as our Lord reflected them in perfection of character.

Thus “considered,” we are most forcefully impressed as to why the record tells us He was the one “altogether lovely” – lovely in perfection of “faith, fortitude, self-­control, patience, piety, brotherly-kindness, love” (2 Pet. 1:5-7, Dia.); and why He was “anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows” – “made a little lower than the angels” (Heb. 2:9). Hence, we need not “consider Him” only viewed “on the cross”; let us also “consider Him” in His “glory and virtue” that we may “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death... thus minded... our conversation in Heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ... fashioned like unto His glorious body ... to subdue all things unto Himself.” (Phil. 3:10-21)

EVER THE TRUE AND THE FALSE

As most of us know, so many features of the true religion have been counterfeited by Satan. This was even true of Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Ezek. 8:14 it is related “there sat women weeping for Tammuz” (“at the gate of the lard’s house”). Tam­muz was the sun god of the Babylonians, consort of Ishtar. He was identical with Adonis, the same as Baal of the Canaanites. Tammuz supposedly died each Spring, descended into the lower world, and was brought back to life by the weeping and lamentation of Ishtar, who was joined in her weeping by the women of Babylon. Thus, as Jesus was being led to the cross and He saw women weeping along His journey, He mildly admonished them, “Daugh­ters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” (Luke 23:28)

It is also related in Ezek. 8:17 that the Jews “put the branch to their nose,” in keeping with the custom of the Persian sunworshipers holding before them a branch of date, pomegranate or tamarisk that their breath might not contaminate the risen deity. All of these sacrilegious practices brought forth the scathing denunciation of God by the mouth of His prophets; and are a warning to all God’s people to “have no other gods before thee.”

Following is a quotation from E-11:210 (66): “Moses’ charging Israel to remember Nisan 15 as the day that they went forth from Egypt from the house of servants, types our Lord charging the Gospel Church in general, and the Parousia and Epiphany Church in par­ticular, to remember antitypical Nisan 15 as their deliverance time from the house of servants to sin, error, selfishness and worldliness. This implies a remembering of our justification, sanctification and deliverance, as well as of our Truth instruction (1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 8:29,30). As Israel in general remembered the typical deliverance at all times and in particular at the Passover, so are we as antitypical Israel to remember our deliverance at any and every time, but especially in connection with our Memorial service. We do the antitypical remembering, not only in thought, but also by living out the prin­ciples implied in our instruction, justification, sanctification and deliverance. As God’s mighty delivering power exercised on Israel’s behalf deserved their remembering their deliverance day, so the power of God exercised in our deliverance from our task­masters of sin, error, selfishness and worldliness in our coming out of Satan’s empire, is worthy of our remembrance in thought, word and deed. One way in which Israel was to remember the typical deliverance was to abstain from leaven. Accordingly, we are to commemorate our deliverance, among other ways, by abstaining from antitypical leaven ­sin, error, selfishness and worldliness.”

THE DATE

As all our readers probably know, the time for keeping this service is violently in dispute. The Roman Catholic Church attempts observance of it every day in early morning Mass; and the service is often repeated that same day at weddings and other special occasions. They also pronouncedly stress it at the deathbed, requiring a priest to perform it except in very extreme instances. Others among the Protestant sects keep the service once a week; others once a month; others three or four times a year.

But it remained as a feature of Harvest Truth to eliminate all of the confusion in the emblem significance, and largely so as respects the time of observance. When Jesus said, “This is my body; this is my blood,” it should be elemental that those items could not possibly have been His actual body and blood, because He was still alive with His disciples, ministering to them, and teaching them. Therefore, He could have meant none other than that the bread and the wine represented His flesh and blood. The Har­vest Truth also clearly proved the service to be an annual one – just as is true of Christmas, or a birthday, or a wedding remembrance, or a death day. Therefore, to cel­ebrate one’s birthday as whim or occasion arose would be just as proper – or improper ­as remembering the day of our Lord’s death. The Scriptures clearly state that, “As oft as ye do this ye do show forth the Lord’s death till He come.” (1 Cor. 11:26) Let us keep in mind that the Bible nowhere tells us to celebrate the Lord’s birth, so generally and ceremonially done at Christmas once a year. The occasion for emphasizing His death was the evening before He died, as they were eating the Passover supper; and the thought back of the bread and the wine is that those items would henceforth replace the Passover meal.

But even among those who thought they had imbibed clear understanding of time and significance during the Harvest there arose extended controversy about the time element after 1916; and it remained for the Epiphany Messenger to clarify still further the calendar accounting. It would indeed be a blessing to all if the exact time of service might also be established. We are clearly told in Exodus 12 that the observance of the typical Passover must be on Nisan 14; and it is clearly established also that “Christ our Passover” was offered up as the antitypical “Lamb of God” on Nisan 14. Thus, “He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanc­tified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:9,10)

If, then, there be no dispute on the day of the month, the same being the 14th of Nisan, there leaves but one other consideration: How do we determine when Nisan begins? Unfortunately, the Bible is silent on this matter, from which we may conclude it is not vital to our present spiritual state or our eternal salvation. Therefore, we can but do the best we can with what we have outside the Bible; and from Josephus and other Jewish records it would seem reasonably certain that the original Passover in Egypt was kept after the sun had crossed the Equator on its way north, thus definitely establish­ing the Passover as a Spring festival – just as the Atonement Day is established as a Fall festival. And so the Jews have maintained it over the centuries – even as it is stressed in E-7:366.

When the 1933 Memorial article emphasized that we should “never observe the Memo­rial before the Vernal Equinox,” it is possible that thought was secured from the Jew­ish Encyclopedia, where this thought is clearly and tersely expressed. It is a Spring festival. This statement is also found in the 1907 Watch Tower Memorial article. We ourselves are in full harmony with these statements; consequently, we are firm in ex­pressing them.

It is well to stress here, however, that the date for the Memorial should not be regarded as a test of fellowship. Some of the very best Christians all during the Age have repeatedly used the wrong date; and this was even true several times since 1874 ­until the right method for determining the day became clear. Therefore, we would have no quarrel with any one who may use some other date. However, we would say that the only way the moon enters into the reckoning is to determine Nisan 1; the condition of the moon on Nisan 14 has no bearing on Nisan 14 – although the moon is substantially full on that date; and it probably was exactly full on “Good Friday,” the day our Lord was crucified. On that day the moon was representative of the Jewish nation, and their na­tional polity also began to wane from that day on – until Jerusalem was taken and the temple destroyed by Roman Emperor Titus in the year 70 A.D.

Jesus was fully aware of the conditions – that the Jewish nation as such was doomed to destruction; and it is in keeping with the waning moon to quote from Matt. 24:1,2: “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple. And 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.”

DESCRIPTION OF THE TEMPLE

Our readers will probably appreciate some comments from Josephus about the Temple at that time – known as Herod’s Temple because he had built it. The first temple for the Jews was the one Solomon built; it was destroyed by Nebucadnezzer in 607 B.C. Next came Zerubbabel’s Temple built after the Jews returned from the Babylonian captiv­ity. Then the next was Herod’s Temple, of which Josephus says the following (just a brief part of the Josephus comment): “Now the temple was built of stones that were white and strong, and each of their length was twenty-five cubits, their height was eight, and their breadth about twelve; and the whole structure, as also the structure of the royal cloister was on each side much lower, but the middle was much higher, till they were visible to those that dwelt in the country for a great many furlongs, but chiefly to such as lived over against them, and those that approached to them. The temple had doors also at the entrance, and lintels over them, of the same height with the temple itself. They were adorned with embroidered veils, with their flowers of purple, and pillars interwoven; and over these, but under the crown-work, was spread out a golden vine, with the branches hanging down from a great height, the largeness and fine work­manship was a surprising sight to the spectators, to see what vast materials there were, and with what great skill the workmanship was done. He (Herod) also encompassed the en­tire temple with very large cloisters, contriving them to be in a due proportion there­to; and he laid out large sums of money upon them than had been done before him, till it seemed that no one else had so greatly adorned the temple as he had done. There was a large wall to both the cloisters; which wall was itself the most prodigious work that was ever heard of by man.”

From the foregoing, it should readily be apparent what contempt the high priest and others had for Jesus – when there “came two false witnesses, And said, This fel­low said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.” (Matt. 26:60, 61) Also, it is easily understood why Titus did not want to destroy such a magnificent structure, and why he sent Josephus to try to talk them into surrendering, but which they steadfastly refused to do. Thus, the description is well said of them: “The Lord said unto Moses, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people.” (Ex. 32:9)

Jesus was intimately familiar with the Jewish character (John 2:23-25); and saw clearly from the prophecies and the chronology what their end would be, and when it would come. The awesome accuracy of His words in Matt. 24:1,2 is vividly recorded by Josephus:

“Now, as soon as the army had no more people to slay or to plunder, because there remained none to be the objects of their fury... Caesar (Titus—JJH) gave orders that they should now demolish the entire city and temple, but should leave as many of the towers standing as were of the greatest eminency .... but for all the rest of the wall, it was so thoroly laid even with the ground by these that dug it up to the founda­tion, that there was left 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.”

When the Jews had said, “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matt. 27:25), little did they realize the terrible sentence they were pronouncing upon themselves. Just before His death Jesus had said to them: “Behold, your house (your religious system) is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:38) The meaning of these words were not clearly understood by any one until after Titus had destroyed the temple in 70 A.D. At that time the Jews were so thoroly dispersed that the Tribe of Levi (the religious teachers in Israel, from which tribe must come the High Priest) was completely lost. Thus, the Jews can no longer have a High Priest to perform their Passover and Day of Atonement services; and their efforts to observe those Days today have no efficacy whatever before God. However, it is to their credit that they make some effort to do something.

WHO MAY PARTAKE

This question has been subject to much heated contention throughout the Gospel Age. In the Roman Church only members in good standing may do so. And, until just recently even those in good standing could not accept the Eucharist unless they first came to confession the day before. Here also, until just recently they were not to eat or drink anything that morning before the service. The Roman Church has used this as a cruel weapon of punishment over the years when they had great power; and excommuni­cated various and sundry dissenters, with the dissenters often right, and the Church body wrong. This extreme of severity in the Roman Church is offset on the other hand by an extreme of laxity in some Protestant churches, some allowing the man on the street to walk in and partake – without even asking what his professions may be.

Among Truth people we attempt to arrive at a healthy medium between these two extremes, although both Star Members here in the end of the Age said that the service is only for those who have covenanted to “follow in His steps.” Of course, even this has been set aside by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, as they have also perverted so many clear Harvest Truths. While there is a certain rigidity in our own organization for the service, there is also a healthy liberality, leaving it in large measure to the individual conscience. Therefore, St. Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 11:29, “Let a man ex­amine himself” – nothing hinted here about a priest or any other person examining us ­“he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself.”

From this it is clear enough that the righteousness of some will not avail for the evils of others; nor will the evils of others contaminate the righteous. Both Messengers accepted that premise, while making straight paths for their own feet ­even as we also should do. Thus, they at no time sought out the companionship of those they knew were uncleansed Levites; however, when such came into their service, they did not command them to leave. Their attitude was in true keeping with that of our Lord: “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen, My Beloved ... A Bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench.” (Matt. 12:18-20) Thus did both Messengers in our day minister to the weak and fallen, as well as to the strong and up­right, lest the weak “should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.” (2 Cor. 2:7)

However, we make definite note of the teaching that it is far better to observe the Memorial alone than it would be for us to congregate with those who have appointed a “leprous” Levite leader to conduct the service. And, if we clearly recognized the condition of such a leader, yet sat at his feet to “show forth the Lord’s death,” it would be repellent to all good principle. “Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith (possessing “the peace of God which passeth understanding”), than an house full of sacrifices with strife.” (Prov. 17:1) At the Memorial Season the Adversary is usually most active to discourage, belittle, betray, abuse and falsely accuse the fully faithful.

And, while extending leniency to those who must have leniency, each one should strive for himself to consider St. Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 11:31: “If we judge our­selves, we should not be judged.” Let each use that rigidity of self-estimation which is in keeping with “the spirit of a sound mind.” We quote here a paragraph from Volume Six of Scripture Studies: “Having noted who are excluded, and who proper­ly have access to the Lord’s table, we see that every true member of the Ecclesia has the right to participate, unless that right has been debarred by a public action of the whole Church, according to the rule therefor laid down by the Lord. (Matt. 18:15-17) All such may celebrate; all such will surely desire to celebrate – will surely desire to conform to the Master’s dying admonition, ‘Eat ye all of it; drink ye all of it., They will realize that unless we eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, we have no life in us; and that if they have in heart and mind partaken of the merit of Jesus’ sacrifice really, and of his life, that it is both a privilege and a pleas­ure to memorialize this, and to confess it before each other and before the Lord.”

It is our suggestion that our readers read the Chapter on the Passover in Volume Six of Scripture Studies. With this comes the prayer for the Lord’s rich blessing upon all in their preparation for, and observance of this year’s Memorial. “Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” (Isa. 8:13)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION – Are twelve months of the Jewish calendar mentioned in the Bible?

ANSWER – Yes, twelve months are mentioned in the following Scriptures, although most of the names of the months are omitted: Ex. 12:, the first month; Gen. 7:11, the 2nd month; Ex. 19:1, the third month; 2 Kings 25:3, the 4th month; Number 13:38, the 5th month; Chron. 27:9, the 6th month; Gen. 8:4, the 7th month; Zech. 1:1, the 8th month; Ezra 10:9, the 9th month; Gen. 8:5, the 10th month; Deut. 1:3, the llth month; and Esther 3:7, the 12th month.

Abib is given in the Bible six times, the first being in Ex. 12:2. It was later changed to Nisan, mentioned for the first time in Neh. 2:1 after the Jews returned from their seventy-year captivity in Babylon, as explained on page 1, par. 2 of this paper. Tishri and Nisan are the two most important months – Tishri the beginning of the secu­lar year, and Nisan the beginning of the religious year. Westminster gives the follow­ing names for the months:

1.        ABIB or NISAN (April) – Ex. 23:15; Neh. 2:1; Jos. Antiq. 1.3,3; iii. 10,5 (30 days);

2.         ZIV or IYAR (May) – 1 Kgs. 6:1,37; Jos. Antiq. viii. 3, 1 (29 days);

3.         SIVAN (June) – Esther 8:9 (30 days);

4.         TAMMUZ (July) – 29 days;

5.         AB. (August) – Jos. Antiq. iv. 4,7 (30 days);

6.         ELUI (September) – Neh. 6:15 (29 days);

7.         ETHANIM or Tishri (October) – 1 Kgs. 8:2; Jos. Antiq. viii. 4,1 (30 days);

8.         BUL or MARHESHVAN (Marcheshvan) – November – 1 Kgs. 6:38; Jos. Antiq. 1. 3,3. (29 days in regular and defective year; 30 days in perfect year);

9.         CHISLEV or Kislev (December) – Zech. 7:1; cf. Jos. Antiq. xii. 5,4; 7,6 ­(29 days in defective year; 30 days in perfect year);

10.       TEBETH (January) – Esther 2:16; Jos. Antiq. xi. 5,4 (29 days);

11.       SHEBAT (February) – Zech. 1:7; I Macc. 16:14 (30 days);

12.       ADAR (March) - Esther 3:7; Jos. Antiq. iv. 8,49 (29 days; 30 days in leap year).

(13.      VEADAR – intercalary month in leap years.) In every month the new moon falls on the 1st day of the month.

Some of the names mentioned in the Bible may have been changed, if we accept what is given in the Encyclopedia Britannica: “The months of the Jewish religious year, their approximate equivalent in the Western Gregorian calendar, and their notable days, are as follows:

TISHRI (September-October) – 1, 2 Rosh Hashanah (New Year) – 3 Tzom Gedaliahu (Fast of Gedaliah) – 10 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – 15-21 Sukkot (Tabernacles) – 22 Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day of the Solemn Assembly) – 23 Simhat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law);

HESHVAN, or MARHESHVAN (October-November)

KISLEV (November-December) – 25 Hanukka (Feast of Dedication) begins;

TEVET (December-January) – (called Chisleu in Neh. 1:1—JJH) – 2-3 Hanukka ends ­10 Asara be-Tavet (Fast of Tevet 1O)

SHEVAT – (January-February) – 15 Tu bi-Shevat (15th of Shevat: New Year for Trees);

ADAR – (February-March) – 13 Ta’anit Esther (Fast of Esther) – 14,15 Purim - (Feast of Lots);

NISAN – (March-April) – 15-22 Pesah (Passover);

IYYAR – (April-May) – 18 Lag ba-Omer (33rd Day of Omer Counting);

SIVAN – (May-June) – 6,7 Shavuot (Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost);

TAMMUZ – (June-July) – 17 Shiva’ Asar be-Tammuz (Fast of Tammuz 17);

AV – (July-August) – 9 Tisha be-Av (Fast of Av 9);

ELUL – (August-September) – During leap years, the Adar holidays are postponed to second Adar. Since 1948 many Jewish calendars list IYYAR 5 - Israel Independence Day – among the Jewish holidays.”

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in Christian love!

According to my file I last wrote you... and first of all I should like to thank you once again for continuing to send me copies of your publications, which I always read with interest and profit. I like specially the ones in which you defend our viewpoint of the Pastor as “That Servant” and Tabernacle Shadows, and also ones like your No. 228, The River Jordan.

Hope it does not sound greedy to ask for more, but I wonder whether you have ever published an index to past numbers, to enable one to locate a particular treatise or subject. If there is such help I should be very much obliged if I could have a copy. At the back of your No. 264 you published a letter from a brother in England whose ac­tivities go back to the old days... and I was thinking that it might be profitable to make contact with him. I wonder therefore if you would be kind enough to let me have his name and address – or, if you prefer it you could give him my name and address, so that he could contact me.

I delayed writing you whilst I was trying to find some means of sending you some money to compensate for the expense you have incurred in the past on my behalf – but minimum “poundage” on a Postal Money Order is out of all proportion, and the export of notes is illegal. If you know of any way in which I could recompense you, please inform me.

I trust that you are keeping in good health, as well as the passage of time permits, and close by sending you an assurance of warm Christian love in the sentiments of Phil. 1:9-11.

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

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Dear Brother: Greetings in the name of Jesus!

Thank you for sending me your literature which I read with interest. This is to let you know that I have changed my address.

Yours fraternally, Bro ------- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

Please use the enclosed to help with your work in spreading the good news of Christ’s Kingdom. You are both, I believe, wonderful examples of those consecrated lives, serving completely His work...

I’ve been reading (am almost finished) What Pastor Russell Said. What a helpful book!... Pastor Russell wrote so simply and clearly. He apparently had the gift of thinking on his feet as well as that of expressing his thoughts extemporaneously. I still appreciate the articles, especially the one on the Memorial. I read each one “from kiver to kiver” as soon as they come.

With much Christian love to all and appreciation for all You do ------- (FLORIDA)