NO. 291: THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF THE "TIME OF THE END" - PART TWO

No. 291

The Epiphany Messenger tells us that the seventy years’ desolation of Christendom began in 1914 (typed by the seventy years’ desolation of the land of Israel during their Babylonish captivity), which seems reasonable. If the type works out, it will bring us to 1984; and if the prophesied events occur in the next five years, then we can have the strong assurance that it is a true type “for our admonition and learning, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Cor. 10:11) Surely no one instructed in Harvest Truth will deny that Christendom is now being desolated. But the Lord’s faith­ful people have no need for apprehension, because the Lord is mindful of His people. He has a time for all His purposes, and He will reveal them to His faithful servants in their time of need. (Amos 3:7) Indeed if this type doesn’t work out, there is no reason for us to lose faith in God, for “He is faithful that promised.” (Heb. 10:23)

FURTHER COMMENT

“The Time of the End is a long-drawn-out period, because it began, as just proved, October 1799, and will end just before Daniel’s resurrection and reward as an Ancient Worthy (Dan. 12:13) – ‘he will stand in his lot at the end of the days.’ This has not yet occurred, nor will it occur for years yet. Hence this disproves ‘approximately October 1, 1914,’ as the Time of the End. When our Pastor wrote Vol. III, he believed that the trouble would all be over by Oct. 1914, and that the earthly phase of the king­dom would then be established, and therefore in that volume he taught that the Time of the End, while beginning Oct. 1799, would end Oct. 1914. But when in 1904 he came to the conclusion that the trouble would begin in 1914 and refused thereafter to set a date for its end, he implied that the end of the Time of the End would come later than 1914...

“In the Time of the End Michael stands up (Dan. 12:1). This set in at Nisan 10, 1878 (paralleling His riding into Jerusalem 1845 years before and casting off Israel and cleansing the temple) when He began to exercise executive authority in casting off Baby­lon, and when by the first Harvest sifting He began by the Truth to drive out from His temple class the unworthy. It continued by His awakening the sleeping saints Nisan 16, 1878, and associating them with Him in the Kingdom.

“His standing up – then proceeded in a Truth attack upon Satan’s empire (Satan, the individual, having been bound from 1874-1878 preparatory to the spoiling of his house, Matt. 12:29), in its religious, aristocratic, political and industrial features, which attack made such a division in Satan’s empire between the conservative classes and the radical masses as to threaten it with an overthrow by a revolution of the dissatisfied masses. To avert this threatening revolution and preserve his empire, Satan mustered the nations in two rival alliances for a war in which he hoped to wipe out the division between the conservatives and radicals by making them believe, in each set of nations, that the other set sought their national destruction. Hence the world war... Michael did not begin to stand up about Oct. 1, 1914; though about that time an important phase of His standing up did set in. His standing up began in 1878 and will continue as against Satan’s empire until the end of anarchy and Jacob’s trouble.

“During the Time of the End the whole trouble is to occur. Dan. 12:1 does not say, just the early stage of the war part of it, but the entire Time of Trouble, occurs in the Time of the End, including all its stages: war, revolution, anarchy and Jacob’s Trouble, with famines and pestilences interspersed; for the reason of the trouble is Michael’s standing up in an attack on Satan’s empire from 1878 onward, in order utterly to destroy it through the troubles above-mentioned... Jesus says that the great tribula­tion would be greater than anything that had yet occurred up to His time of anything that would occur after His time: ‘Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world unto this time (the time of His speaking). No, nor ever shall be.” (Matt. 24:21) Since Dan. 12:1 teaches that in the Time of the End the entire trouble will occur, evidently the Tine of the End is not identical with the end of the Gentile Times, which occurred in 1914. It began before and ends later.” (E-6:453 -2)

CONFLICTING OPINIONS

It should be clear enough to any studious mind that we have been in the Time of Trouble in its violent stages since 1914. However, more and worse upheavals are still ahead of us. This is not merely our opinion; it is the combined thought of both Mes­sengers – both of whom taught that the Epiphany and the Time of Trouble in its violent stages are identical. Therefore, it should be apparent that those who teach we are in the Apokalypse or the Basileia are confused and indulging in rampant error. Of those who embrace those errors one of them contends that the Epiphany as a period of time ended completely in 1954; the other says it ended in a “restricted sense” in 1954. Even at this late date – over 24 years after 1954 – we have not witnessed even the sec­ond of the two fierce violent features that both Messengers taught we would see in the Epiphany – the Epiphany being the last special period of the Gospel Age.

In 2 Thes. 2:8 St. Paul tells us that the Man of Sin will be annihilated by the Epiphany of the Lord’s presence. Therefore, those who now tamper with the Epiphany not only cast aside the clear teachings of both Messengers, but they also dispense with the inspired Word of God. Thus they came under the condemnation of Rev. 16:6: “Thou has given them blood (error) to drink; they deserve it.” We suggest to our readers that they search the Parousia or Epiphany volumes, as well as the Berean Comments for the faintest semblance of proof that these teachings are correct. We know such proof is not there, so that the leaders of both groups are not now “contending for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints,” but are openly rejecting it. We refer espec­ially to the bottom of page 12 in the Instructor’s Guide, where the Parousia vs. Epi­phania and Apokalupsis are thoroughly analyzed, which analysis definitely rejects these teachings. Thus we quote here from Rev. 22:18,19: “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book.”

THE DESTRUCTIVE FEATURES

The question now arises – If the Time of the End began in 1799, when will it end? We do not now have any definite answer to that question; however, we know that the Time of the End includes all the destructive features of this Old Order – the World War, Armageddon and Anarchy. Also, we know that the Time of Trouble and the Epiphany are identical. In the broad sense we might say that there is only one period of time ­the Time of the End – but included in that period are the Parousia from 1874 to 1914, and the Epiphany – the Time of Trouble in its violent features – from 1914 to the end of Jacob’s Trouble. Thus the Time of the End runs concurrently with all of them – and the Epiphany and the Time of Trouble in its violent features are identical. When we say one, we mean either one as a period of time. The Scriptural proof for the Time of Trouble is to be found in Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14. Of course, the two pe­riods just mentioned are of much shorter duration than the Time of the End: the Parou­sia did not begin until 1874, and the Epiphany, or the Great Tribulation, did not begin until 1914 – and is ever increasing in intensity until the grand smash comes. Toward the end of the Epiphany will come Jacob’s Trouble: “That day is great, so that none is like it; it is even the time of Jacob’s Trouble.” (Jer. 30:7) “Jacob’s Trouble” will terminate with the final throes of Anarchy, at which time “there will be no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither any peace to him that goeth out, or cometh in, because of the affliction: for I will set all men every one against his neighbor.” (Zech. 8:10) The Epiphany and the Time of Trouble in its narrow sense are identical; both began in 1914 and both will end with the last phase of the trouble. This is clear Scriptural teaching.

TWO JUDGMENTS

Two judgments are described in the Bible: (1) the judgment of the quick, and (2) the judgment of the dead. In 2 Tim. 4:1 it is stated that our Lord Jesus “shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and kingdom.” The nominal church has concluded that the “quick” in this text are those who are walking about and alive as we see them, and the “dead” are those in the tomb. This is a wrong conclusion; and we now offer the text from the Emphatic Diaglott: “Christ Jesus is about to judge the living and the dead, by his appearing and by his kingdom.” His appearing in this text is the Epiphany; and the living at that time are certain members of the Household of Faith – members of His church. “You hath he quickened together with him” (Col. 2:13), who were “dead in trespasses and sins.” The remainder of the human race – whether in the tomb, or out of it, are reckoned as dead. This is plainly stated by Jesus in Matt. 8:22, Dia., “Leave the dead ones to inter their own dead.” Thus, 2 Tim. 4:1 becomes much clearer if we paraphrase it: “He will judge the living during his Epiphany, and the dead ones (the world of mankind, whether in their graves or living) during his Kingdom.” “Because he hath appointed a day (a thousand-year day – Christ’s Kingdom), in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given as­surance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31)

IS THERE AN EPIPHANY?

Did That Servant teach an Epiphany period? Quite a few of the Lord’s good people think – and say – they are faithfully adhering to his teachings as they deny an Epiphany period, as well as a class of consecrators between the “closing of the door” and until Restitution begins. But we would say there are two meanings to the word – a condition (bright shining) and a period of time. Both of these are taught in 2 Thes. 2:8, which we quote from the Diaglott: “Then will be revealed the lawless one (the man of sin): (whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of his mouth – His sharp pertinent teachings – and annihilate by the appearing – Epiphaneia – of his presence – Parousia).”

That this is the thought of That Servant we now prove from the following quotations, which we hope will persuade all our readers on this point: “At (or during—JJH) the epiphania, or bright shining, of the Lord’s manifestation, God will have completed his present work of directing the church (in bringing in the 144,000—JJH) – and the world will be informed that they are under a different dispensation.” (Reprint 5359, top, col. 1, par. 2)

“The Scriptures speak of a great time of trouble in the conclusion of this Gospel Age. Our Lord in the prophecy recorded in Matthew 24 mentions this great time of trouble... In connection with it He says, ‘When ye see these things begin to come to pass, then lift up your heads and rejoice; for your redemption draweth nigh’ – linking this great climax to the deliverance of the Church, their change from earthly nature to heaven­ly nature ... Our Lord speaks of this same time of trouble and says that Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles till the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21: 24) These ‘times of the Gentiles’ represent a period during which the world was to be ruled by Gentile nations... A stone was to smite the image upon the feet, which were iron and clay, and break them to pieces. (Dan. 2:44,45) This crushing of the feet of the image was to come in the end of the Age, and would be the preparatory step to the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom. (Dan. 2:31-45) .... The present terrible war is not the great time of trouble in the fullest sense of the word, but merely its forerunner. The great time of trouble of Scriptures will be brought on by Anarchy – the general up­rising of the people.” (Reprint 5526, col. 1)

“The Scriptures indicate that the Gentile governments will receive from their own people their first notice that their lease of power has expired. The people will take note of the sign of the Son of Man in the heavens. The judgments of the Lord will begin to be manifest in the world, and run counter to many of their interests. This manifes­tation of his presence is Scripturally called the epiphaneia, the shining forth, the re­vealment, of the King of Glory. ‘He shall be revealed in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (2 Thes. 1:7-10) As a result, the nations of the earth will be broken to pieces like a potter’s vessel. (Ps. 2:8,9; Rev. 2:27)... The picture given of the end of Gentile Times is that of a stone striking the image of Gentile supremacy in its feet (Dan. 2:34, 35). The impact will be so sharp and so thorough as to leave nothing of them. Having had their day, they will cease to be – become like the chaff of the summer threshing floor. The next event (after the Epiphany—JJH) will be the Messianic kingdom. of which it is writ­ten, ‘The desire of all people shall come.’“ (R-5527, col. 2, pars. 2,3 -Sept. 1, 1914)

And from Reprint 5456, col. 1, par. 2: “Emphasizing the suddenness with which the calamity will overtake the world, Jesus said on the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained down fire and brimstone from heaven; and He declared that thus it will be when the Son of Man is revealed. The Greek text shows a difference between the Parousia, or presence, of Christ before the Time of Trouble, and later epiphaneia, or REVEALING. (The Epiphany, or Apoka­lypse, and the Time of Trouble are one and the same period of time. There would be no necessity of a “bright shining” if it didn’t reveal something. In other words, there is no Epiphany without an Apokalypse—JJH).”

“We are now in the beginning of this great day (the Epiphany day, April 15, 1914—­JJH) of the Lord. All the forces which are to play a part in this mighty upheaval which is to introduce the reign of Messiah are rapidly gathering. The nations of the earth and all the various elements which form society as at present organized – politi­cal institutions, financial institutions, ecclesiastical systems, etc. – are now before the bar of judgment (in 1914 at the end of the Gentile times and the beginning of World War One—JJH), and are being found wanting. All Christendom is trembling before the mighty forces that are coming in today. Morals are at a low ebb.” (Reprint 5442, col., par. 7 – April 15, 1914)

“The earlier part of the judgment upon Christendom (in the Epiphany—JJH) will be upon the antitypical sons of Levi, the silver class... The fire of this great day (the Epiphany—JJH) shall ‘try every man’s work, of what sort it is.’ It will likewise discover who have built upon a foundation of sand. (1 Cor. 3:11-15)” (Reprint 5442, col. 2, pars 1 and 2)

The above quotations should certainly convince any open mind that That Servant recognized the Epiphany as a period of time; and present-day events certainly attest mightily that we are indeed in that period of time – the time of trouble, the Epiphany.

SOME EPIPHANY OBSERVATIONS

“Doubtless the Adversary knew that a modern war would weaken his empire; but he preferred a weakened empire to none. He invented through perverted human brains the horrible weapons and munitions of the world war, whose destructiveness doubtless con­vinced him that the war would be short. To Satan’s ruthlessness God opposed a ‘so far, and no farther.’ There God did not permit Satan to end the war with a speedy and easy victory for the Central Powers... Thus the war had two results directly opposite to those that Satan had planned: (1) the side that he favored was ultimately defeated; and (2) his empire was weakened and debt-burdened almost to collapse. Moreover, the Lord overruled to the complete frustration of Satan’s purpose of making each nation emerge from the war with the masses and the classes thoroughly united with each other, instead of their being divided against each other as they had been before the war. This purpose of Satan was frustrated by the Lord’s making known, not only the human, but also the Satanic causes of the war, particularly as these were connected with the doc­trines of the Divine Right of Kings, Aristocrats and Clerics, which doctrine and its re­sultant practices were the basic human causes of the war. The making of these things known has had various results: (1) the almost complete abolition of autocracy – a child of the Divine Right doctrine; (2) in some countries a large abolition, and in other countries a large limitation of aristocracy; (3) greatly decreased belief in the Di­vine Right of the Clergy and a correspondingly immense decrease of their influence; (4) greatly increased embitterment and opposition of the Radicals to what is Satan’s order of affairs; (5) greatly increased demands for more liberty from State, Aristo­cracy and Clergy; (6) most threatening imminence of world-wide revolution. Thus in a deeper sense than most people recognize Satan emerged from his adventure in the World War as the worst defeated sovereign of all history.” (See E-2, pp. 136, 137 and 138)

“The World War was no usual war. From the above description it will be seen it was a greater conflict, with larger issues involved, than mankind recognizes. As a mat­ter of fact the World War was the great war of prophecy – the war that, according to the Scriptures, would precede Armageddon, the war that would be the first part of the great Day of the Lord, the Day of Vengeance. In many places the Bible refers to it. The following are among the more important of these references: Joel 3:9-14; Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21, 22; 1 Thes. 5:1-3. This war, and the very year – 1914 – in which it was to begin, were forecast from the Bible by Pastor Russell years before it began. According to the Bible it is after an ever increasingly stormy interval, to be followed by sudden world-wide Revolution, which will overthrow the present form of Satan’s em­pire in state, aristocracy and religion. And according to the Scriptures even greater famines and pestilences than those accompanied the World War will accompany the World Revolution. According to the Scriptural delineations, the Radicals, in the coming Revolution, will attack the present order with crushing and relentless blows, under which it will collapse with but scant resistance, due to its greatly weakened condition resulting from the wounds received in the World War and its aftermath. This is another great blunder Satan made in bringing about that war; for by greatly weakening his em­pire it will have prepared that empire to become an easy prey to the attacks of the Rad­icals in the coming World Revolution. Events on all hands indicate that we are rapidly sweeping toward this great social upheaval.” (E-2:138,139)

“Of the coming upheaval, the following are some of the Biblical description clothed in figurative language:

‘The Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty’ (Rev. 16:14; Zeph. 3:8; Isa. 13:4,5), ‘Armageddon’ (Rev. 16:16), ‘a great earthquake’, Rev. 16:18; Heb. 12:26), ‘the fire of Jehovah’s jealousy’ (Zeph. 3:8; 2 Pet. 3:10,11,12; Mal. 4:1), ‘a whirlwind’ and a ‘storm’ (Neh. 1:3,6,7), ‘a tempest of hail,’ ‘a destroying storm,’ and ‘a flood of mighty waters’ (Isa. 28:2; Neh. 1:4,5,8), ‘the besom of destruction’ (Isa. 14:23), ‘a furnace of fire’ (Matt. 13:42), ‘a lake of fire’ (Rev. 19:20), and ‘the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God’ (Rev. 19:15)

“As one reads these many terms descriptive of one and the same event, the con­clusion is irresistible that they set forth in symbolic language an appalling calam­ity just ahead of the race.

“The present European powers are symbolized in their entirety in the seven-headed Beast of Rev. 17:7-12 .... We look for the coming of another (symbolic) Beast, which seems to represent the form of European government to be set up after the Revolution (Armageddon), and which, we opine, will probably be socialistic in form. This being a part of the ‘present evil world,’ Satan, of course, will be its invisible ruler.” (E-2:139)

“The Scriptures teach that after this government shall but briefly pilot the ship of State amid the storms of the social sea, Anarchy will set in, and like a devouring fire will completely destroy every vestige of Satan’s empire. More severe famines and pestilences than those accompanying the Revolution will accompany Anarchy. Fire is the most frequent Biblical term describing the Anarch­istic phase of the Great Tribulation. The prophet Elijah was given a vision of the three great phases of this Trouble – war, revolution, and anarchy – by the wind, earthquake and fire of 1 Kings 19:11,12.

Using Jerusalem as a figure of Christendom, the prophet Ezekiel by the term of ‘sword’ describes the War and Revolution, and by the figure of the noisome beast (a beast is opposed to law and order) fittingly describes the Anarchy of the Time of Trouble (Ezek. 14:21). Additionally, in the same passage, he shows that famines and pesti­lences will play their part in these troubles, as we by observation know they played their part in the war.” (E-2:140)

“Satan will, after the Anarchy, attempt but one final effort against God’s people, and that not against his spiritual, but against His fleshly Israel. One of the signs of our times as a fulfillment of prophecy has been Israel’s returning to Palestine. This has had several stages.... Arab opposition has given a temporary setback ... but in due time this obstacle will be removed. Present world-wide conditions have influenced many wealthy Israelites to divert vast millions of treasure to their Home Land, and the land is being richly built up ... All this is in fulfillment of prophecy relating to our times. (Ezek. 36:8, 12) Satan, beholding these prosperous Israelites, and realizing that his days of mischief are about over, will, after anarchy has de­stroyed the future socialistic governments, in hatred against Israel stir up the an­archistic remnants of all nations to plunder the Israelites in Palestine. These plun­derers, as described in Ezek. 38, 39 and in Zech. 12:1-9 and 14:1-3, will be gathered by Satan from among all nations and will sorely afflict Israel in what the Bible calls Jacob’s Trouble (Jer. 30:1-9). This will be a very severe trouble, according to the prophetic description given in the above citations, and will be Israel’s final chas­tisement. It will effectually turn them to the Lord Jesus in thorough conversion, when they in the complete overthrow of their plunderers by the Lord Jesus, will remem­ber that their trouble and their troublers’ overthrow of their anarchistic plunderers were forecast to them by the Truth people. And their affliction and the overthrow of their anarchistic plunderers will be the last act of Satanic oppression as the god of this evil world. With that wicked effort his days as man’s supreme oppressor will be over, for which we thank God. ( E-2:142)

Yes, in the last effort of Satan the Jews will call upon the Lord and He will answer their prayers: “Fools because of their transgression (crucifying the Lord of Glory), and because of their iniquities (their violations of the Mosaic Law), are af­flicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruc­tion. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psa. 107:17-21) “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” (Zech. 14:3)

MORE ON THE HIGH CALLING

“The night began in each country as it was involved in the World War, the first part of the great tribulation, which began when the first countries entered the war in August 1914. Accordingly, we recognize that the night began in 1914. But this sym­bolic night, just like the natural night, did not set in everywhere at the same instant of time, rather it reached each country only as it became involved in the war. While every government did not declare war, every one of the nations was involved therein; because every one of them was afflicted by the war. Now every nation is in the night, and has been since the war afflicted, and thus involved all nations, even those that did not declare war. Therefore the reaping is complete the world over; the Elects’ forehead sealing is finished.

“Closely connected with our text in thought is Rev. 7:1-3, which we offer as a second proof that the forehead sealing of the Elect is complete. As these verses have, we think, been greatly misinterpreted in Vol. VII, we will introduce and ex­pound them briefly: “And after (seeing) these things (in Chap. 6) I (the Little Flock) saw (with both physical and mental eyes) four angels (the messengers of wrath, C165, i.e., (1) rulers, (2) aristocrats, (3) proprietary business men and proprietary farmers and (4) laborers, who bring about the trouble, and thus pour out the sufferings, the wrath of the Time of Trouble; the Harvest workers are not the messengers of wrath, as Vol. VII claims, but are messengers of peace, announcing and working for real peace, Isa. 52:7; Eph. 6:15) standing (each group stationed in the section of society to which it belongs) and the four corners of earth (the symbolic earth, society – the symbolic heavens are not here included – is divided into four sections, each one corresponding to one of the four messengers of wrath: (1) government, (2) aristocracy, (3) bourgeoisie, (4) labor holding – these groups, prompted more or less by their selfishness, which worked in different forms in the various groups, followed a course that restrained the fallen angels from bringing the great tribulation sooner than the due time), the four winds of the (fallen angels, who seem to be divided into four classes—Rom. 8:38; Eph. 6:12 – and who are ruling over the symbolic) earth – society so – that the wind (the World War, 1 Kings 19:11; see Berean comments, also on Rev. 7:2. This ‘wind’ is not the ‘whirlwind,’ which will only then come when the fallen angels are more fully loosed than they were when causing the war, and as such meet in great conflicts among them­selves and produce among mankind the symbolic whirlwind, as this text implies, must pre­cede the whirlwind, which occurs as a result of the hostile meeting of the fallen angels, after ‘the wind,’ – 1 Kings 19:11, 12 – should not blow – bring tribulation on the earth—Society—, nor on the sea – the restless, rebellious lawless masses nor on any tree – great one: the Lord’s people are counted great ones by Him; and the leaders among the four sections of society are also by their partisans).” (E-5:147-148)

There will be more on the High Calling in Part 3. We trust that the first two parts of this series have blessed and strengthened the Lord’s people to a better understanding of the “Times and Seasons” in which we are now living.

“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); and “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psa. 27:14)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brethren: Loving greetings from Above and from us!

Just wondering why the LHMM group say the last member of the Great Company is gone. I had a letter from Florida which said, he (RGJ) is with God. I knew RGJ for many years, and it gave me a sad feeling to learn of his death; and I hope he is not among the lost souls, but will be resurrected.........

Praying all of you are in better health. We haven’t had any problems other than bad colds and my stomach flaring up. But I guess that is my fault, as I eat every­thing.....

The time is really nearing to the end, with troubles everywhere. I enjoy read­ing your writings – and because of reading your papers I became more aware of RGJ.

I should have paid more attention. However, keep up the good work, as there are very many friends who read your papers. I was informed that Brother ------- and family are having classes with the Dawns. He feels he may be able to win them over to his class in the LHMM.

May God continue His blessings and guidance and ease your pains.

Much Christian love, ------- (PENNSYLVANIA)

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Dear Sirs:

I am interested in finding out about your work, and would appreciate any­thing you could send me concerning your history, doctrines and the literature available from you.

Thank you!  Sincerely ------- (VIRGINIA)

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Dear Brethren in Christ: Greetings in our Lord’s most beautiful Name!

Enclosed is a check to help cover expense for your magazine. I truly enjoy read­ing them. God bless all of you and your work that is put into enriching our lives with the Truth.

Warm Christian love ------- (ILLINOIS)

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Dear Sir:

I would appreciate your pamphlet “Where Are The Dead.” Thank you!

Yours ------- (FLORIDA)

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Dear Friends: Please send me copies of the free papers – list enclosed. Enclosed is a small contribution.

Sincerely ------- (NORTH  CAROLINA)

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Epiphany Bible Students:

Please send me information on the Epiphany Bible Students, including a price list of any literature that you may sell.

Sincerely ------- (HAWAII)

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Dear Brother and Sister Hoefle: Greetings in our precious Savior’s Name!

Thank you so much for letting me know about Sister Ruth. I didn’t know her family nor their names. She was trying so hard to have faith to live. I didn’t feel she would live when she told me her condition. But there is something about death which we are never ready for – even though we know we can’t live. I feel that I failed her, yet I called and would get no answer......... When she came back from Mexico the first time, she came by and we had a wonderful time together in the Lord. She stayed quite some time, and I was so glad and wanted her to stay longer. She was looking forward to the time we could get together for more study........

Thank you for ordering the Manual for me. I do study it quite a lot. I surely respect Brother Russell and Brother Johnson for the Truth God gave them. When I read the account of Brother Russell’s death, I read and cry till 2:00 o’clock in the morning. I only wish I could have known him.

I don’t want to take up too much of your time now, so you just take your time answering. Life is hard sometimes, and with sickness it’s almost more than we can bear at times..

I do hope this finds all is well there. May God bless and keep every one there.

A sister in Christ ------- (ARIZONA

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF GENERAL INTEREST

It is nearing the time for our Fall Special Effort in antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle. We suggest Sunday, October 14, through Sunday, November 4, for this good work. On October 31 it will be 63 years since the Parousia Messenger finished his course; and on October 22 it will be 29 years since the Epiphany Messenger joined him. We also suggest that the various Classes hold a joint Memorial service for them some time during the last week of October. Of course, we honor them most by “bearing wit­ness” to the Truth they left us. Please order the pertinent tracts and literature in time if you wish to join us in this Special Effort.

We invite all of like mind to join with us in the prayer, God bless their memory! (1 Sam. 2:30)

NO. 290: THE ANTICHRIST

No. 290

When “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” He provided the foundation for two religions – the Christian and the Antichristian. The first of these set forth the highest of ideals for His followers, to perfect them in every good word and work; the second did pretty much the exact opposite, often arousing the basest of human inclina­tions toward heinous crime. The ideal of the true Christian is to attain equality in character and vision with their Leader, an ambition which none of the human race has ever achieved. Had any of them ever been able to do this, the ideal would then be largely dissipated – no more hills to climb, no more conquests to accomplish. Thus, throughout the writings of the Apostles the ideal of “Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2) is ever prominently in their writings, “Christ” being the ransom price for our justifi­cation, and “Him crucified” being the narrow way in which “He set us an example that we should follow in His steps.” All of this is summarized in perfect love for the Lord, the Truth and the brethren, which, when properly comprehended and practiced, delights in doing good unto all men as we have opportunity, but especially to them which are of the Household of Faith.

Thus, St. Paul counsels “Husbands, love your wives, even as the Anointed One loved the congregation, and delivered Himself up on her behalf.” (Eph. 5:25, Dia.) And among the last of the Lord’s thoughts on the night before His death was toward those who would cleave to Him in spirit and in truth – “That they all may be one... that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast loved them as Thou hast loved Me.” (John 17:21-23)

All who know anything at all about Christianity admit that its fundamental precepts are good; but, they say, no one lives up to it. And, while it is true that the vast majority of those calling themselves Christians deserve such criticism, yet it is equally true that there have been some outstanding “examples of the believers” throughout the Age. Aside from the twelve Apostles, mention may be made of John Wesley, founder of what is now the Methodist Church. The focal point of all his teaching was that disinterested good will toward all men is the ideal for Christians; and there is little doubt that he practiced what he preached. Much the same may be said for George Fox, founder of what is now the Quaker Church. Similar appraisal may be made of Balthasar Hubmaier, founder of the Baptist Church. And the preaching of these three men, along with others throughout the Age, was potent and magnetic enough to cause many of their adherents to exemplify true Christian principles in their daily lives.

But alongside the few throughout the Age there have been great multitudes who did other­wise, many of the latter with such wealth, education and mental brilliance that they have almost completely eclipsed those faithful few who held “the testimony of Jesus, and the spirit of His Prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10, Dia.) This deplorable situation was already making its first glimmering appearance in the early Church, so that St. Paul was prompted to write: “The secret of lawlessness is already working.... then will be revealed the law­less one... whose coming is according to the energy of the Adversary, with all power, and signs, and wonders because they admitted not the love of the Truth (true Christian­ity) in order that they might be saved.” (2 Thes. 2:7, Dia.)

Here is an excellent description of the Antichrist that would appear after the Apos­tles had left this earth; and, while we stated in the first sentence of this treatise that our Lord had laid the foundation for this monstrous apostasy, it should be kept in mind that such was not His design; it was merely that He provided the opportunity for “evil men and seducers” to join a good cause for their own selfish purposes – much the same as the Bible itself has also provided a very convenient conveyance for those to en­hance and enthrone themselves who in fact were really motivated by most selfish and un­holy ambitions. It is well for us to keep in mind here that Antichrist not only means opponent, but it also means “in the place of” Christ. St. Paul had warned in 2 Thes. 2:3-5 that Jesus would not come again until “there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be re­vealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God... so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” The attempts to interpret St. Paul’s words here are legion, quite a few would-be interpre­ters – being very emphatic that this refers to an individual. During the 1914-1918 war there was quite some agitation to the effect that St. Paul’s words were just another de­scription of the “Beast” of Rev. 13:2-5: “The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet as a bear’s, and his mouth as lion’s mouth... and they worshipped the beast. saying Who is like the beast, and who is able to make war with him? And there was given to him a mouth speaking great and blasphemous things (note the close similarity to St. Paul’s words); and authority was given him to act forty–two months.” The theory gained quite some followers back there that this was a prophecy of the German Kaiser, which meant that the war would end in forty–two months. But when the war went on for nine months more than the forty–two, and the Kaiser suffered complete defeat, was forced to abdicate and flee to Holland, that theory died as quickly as it had been born. Their mis­take, of course, lay in their failure rightly to comprehend one of the basic rules for the understanding of The Revelation; namely, that the numerals in that book are literal, but almost all the common nouns are symbolic. Those months are 30-day months, making a total of 1260 days, as can be readily seen from Rev. 11:2,3: but, applying the principle of “a day for a year” (Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6), the period of time then involved would be 1260 literal years.

THE PAPACY

That the foregoing Scriptures could not possibly refer to an individual will, we be­lieve, be apparent from certain considerations, one of which is that no individual has ever survived for 1260 years. Also, the Antichrist, the Man of Sin, The Beast, all sim­ply portray different characteristics of the same thing: Antichrist being “in the place of” Christ – Man of Sin (in place of “Son of Man” – Mark 2:10), the degrading disposition and influence – The Beast, the vicious destructive and inhuman qualities. The beast “was like unto a leopard.” A leopard is black and white spotted, indicating that in some places the beast would be black as night, but in others appearing lily white in hypocriti­cal manner – professedly Christian!

This latter has been outstandingly true of the Papacy; e.g., Spain, Mexico, Italy, tolerance has been foreign to their teachings. Not long back they tried to chase the YMCA out of Italy – revealing the black spots of the leopard. But in America, where they are much in the minority, they are very outspoken for tolerance – for them, that is – ­manifesting the white spots of the leopard.

In 2 Thes. 2:1–5 St. Paul states that the Lord would not return to earth again “ex­cept there come a falling away first.” Certainly, this would not mean just one indivi­dual; the very construction of Paul’s expression shows he was meaning many individuals ­a great apostasy – that would be influenced, deceived, and overawed by “the man of sin” – “the son of perdition” (destruction) – yet professedly Christian. The only entity in Gospel-Age history that properly fits this description is the Papacy; it meets all the requirements perfectly – its own record is enough – we need not go to its opponents or critics for argument to sustain this conclusion. But, in coming to this conclusion we do not wish to convey the impression that every Roman Catholic is included in this opin­ion – any more than every Protestant should be held accountable for the vagaries of the various protesting systems. There have been, and still are, many noble and magnanimous individuals among Protestant and Catholic churches, who for various reasons have failed to recognize the true situation; but this does not alter the fact that the Lord Him­self referred to certain features of the Roman Church as “the abomination of desolation.” (Matt. 24:15)

Giant oaks from little acorns grow; so also the Roman Church came to its present prominence from a very small beginning – at first meekly bowing to the powers that be, but gradually, very subtly, telling them what to do, until from 799 to 1799, the Papacy “as God sitteth in the temple of God (“Ye – the true church – are the temple of God” – ­1 Cor. 3:16), showing himself that he is God.” Said Pope Innocent III: “The pope holds the place of the true God.” Innocent and Jacobatius state “the pope can do nearly all that God can do – none dare say to him any more than to God, Lord, what doest thou?” We here present a mere fragment of what has been written about this subject – enough, we hope, to establish a firm base for our position.

MARTIN LUTHER

In our No. 7 tract we offered quite some detail about Luther’s problems and wars with papal error and intrigue – a member of antitypical Elijah against antitypical Jez­ebel; and we now offer some of his statements about Antichrist as taken from the book of Roland H. Bainton, first published in 1955:

“The faith and the Church are at stake, I rejoice to suffer in so noble a cause. I am not worthy of so holy a trial. I feel much freer now that I am certain the pope is Antichrist.” (p. 124) “If he is inviting me to my death, then I will come. I hope none but the papists will stain their hands in my blood. Antichrist reigns. The Lord’s will be done.” (p. 139) “I was wrong. I retract the statement that certain articles of John Huss are evangelical. I say now, ‘Not some, but all the articles of John Huss were condemned by Antichrist and his apostles in the synagogue of Satan. I say freely that all the condemned articles of John Huss are evangelical and Christian, and yours are downright impious and diabolical.” (p. 128) And on page 120 is a print showing “On the left Christ is washing the disciples’ feet. On the right Antichrist, the pope, is having his toes kissed by monarchs.”

In their efforts now to embrace Martin Luther, to praise his teachings and work, are the Roman Catholics also accepting what he taught about the pope being Antichrist, sitting in the synagogue of Satan? Let us not forget that the very book from which we quote aforegoing was banned by Catholics shortly after it appeared just twelve years ago (written in 1968 – now in 1979 23 years ago), and many stores were intimidated from further sale of it. And those who continue to pay homage and worship at the feet of Antichrist are in truth also “sitting in the synagogue of Satan” so long as they assemble in the same company with Antichrist. No sane human being would logically do this, of course; but the eyes of many are being opened, and they forsake such company. And we have the “sure word of prophecy” that many others will shortly do likewise. Thus, this writing is no indictment of Roman Catholics as individuals; and we urge all our readers to follow St. Paul’s counsel: “A servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but be gentle towards all, fit to teach, patient under evil; in meekness correcting the oppos­ers; perhaps God may give them a change of mind in order to a knowledge of the Truth; and that they may be recovered from the snare of the enemy, who have been entrapped by him for his pleasure.” (2 Tim. 2:24-26, Dia.)

PSALMS 75:6–7

Psalms 75 carries fitting application to our subject matter – the true Christ and to Antichrist. Verses 6 and 7: “Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge; He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Here is veiled reference to Baal, the sun God of the nations round about Is­rael.

Almost from the beginning of Israel’s conquest of Palestine, after their deliver­ance from Egypt, there was constant conflict between the Lord God of Israel and the false Baal of the Heathen round about. In our paper on The Great Reformer we gave some detail of Elijah’s engagement with the Prophets of Baal, who received equal recognition in Is­rael because of Queen Jezebel, the wife of Ahab; and Elijah’s complete victory over them forecast the complete victory during this Gospel Age of antitypical Elijah (the true Church attempting to reform this “present evil world”), over antitypical Jezebel (the Ro­man Church) before this Age comes to a close.

The Heathen Baal was typical of power-graspers in the Christian Church during this Age; and those who “bow the knee to Baal” refers to all who do obeisance to that Anti­christian system. Thus, an identical conflict has transpired during this Age to the one that raged in Israel in the centuries preceding the Christian era. And those on the side of Baal have received no “promotion” – no lasting recognition – from the God of Heaven. In fact, in almost every instance when the Pope asks special blessing upon some event or locality or populace, the very reverse occurs: Great calamity is often the result. We instance just one example: We detailed in The Great Reformer (copy free upon request) how King Philip II of Spain is said to have laughed for the first time in his life over the horrible massacre in France on St. Bartholomew’s Day. It was this same King Philip who a few years later prepared the Invincible Armada to annihilate Protestant England for rejecting the papal domination. And that Armada received the very special blessing of the Pope for its mission – a mission which culminated in complete failure and the destruc­tion of a major part of the ships and men in that expedition.

Thus, the warning is given in Psa. 75:5: “Lift not up your horn on high; speak not with a stiff neck.” The “horn” in the Bible is often used to symbolize power (see Psa. 18:2): “The Lord... the horn – power – of my salvation”; also Mic. 4:13, “I will make thine horn (power) iron.” This exhortation is companion to St. Peter’s words: “God resisteth the proud” (1 Pet. 5:5); and then the Psalmist warns: “for promotion com­eth neither from the east, nor from the west” nor from following the course of Baal and his devotees; but God will exalt whom He will exalt – those who resist the power-grasp­ing system of Baal.

Inasmuch as the Psalmist is here contrasting “the horns (powers) of the wicked” and the “horns (powers) of the righteous” (v. 10), it is certainly no strain on the imagina­tion to conclude the “promotions” of the righteous must come from the north, since they do not come from the east, west or south. This is quite clearly confirmed in Isa. 14:12-­14, where the power-grasping course of Lucifer is described – identical twin to the course of the Papacy. Note the very similar language of v. 14: “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High,” to that of 2 Thes. 2:4: “Who (the Papacy) exalteth himself above all that is called God... he as God sitteth in the temple (con­gregation) of God (“ye are the temple of God” – l Cor. 3:16,17), showing himself that he is God.” And Lucifer would make his attempts “upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north” (his abode would rival that of the Most High).

THE DARKNESS HATETH THE LIGHT

It needs little argument that throughout the Age true Christians have been much in the minority.   The Lord had promised, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the Truth” (John 8:31, 32); but this promise “to know the Truth” would not apply to the vast majority who did not “continue” to keep it. To such came the “strong delusions” – also promised to those who “received not the love of the Truth.” (2 Thes. 2:10) But it is a sad commentary concerning the many that they were not content to lose the truth, they must also persecute those who did faithfully retain it. Thus developed the monstrous crimes, the heinous tortures by the Antichrist against those who “protested” against their errors. Some of this was given in our No. 7 tract, so we need not repeat it here. However, the Antichrist was not the only system that re­sorted to the persecution of those who retained Present Truth; and we now catalog some of these:

Michael Servetus was one of those true Christians who accepted, and defended the truth that there is but one God. This aroused the ire of John Calvin (strong advo­cate of, and chief organizer of, the Presbyterian Church), so he tricked Servetus into Geneva, had him arrested for ‘heresy.’ The trial lasted about 2½ months, with Servetus thoroughly defeating Calvin on the Truth that there is but one God. But the judges, being also in error as was Calvin, found Servetus guilty, sentenced him to be burned at  the stake. The next day, October 27, 1553, Servetus was taken from the city, made to sit on a block. Instead of using dry wood, green timber was used, placed some distance from him, which subjected him to a slow roasting of over a half hour duration. Also, in mock­ery – like the crown of thorns that was placed on the brow of Jesus at His crucifixion by the errorists of His day – a chaplet of straw and green twigs, besprinkled with brim­stone, was made to encircle his head. This ‘crown’ was ignited first, and produced such a cry of anguish that it struck terror into the hearts of the spectators. That was his only expression of pain.

Perhaps the saddest part of the above recital is that John Calvin himself had strong­ly denounced the persecuting spirit of Antichrist in France; had addressed a noble publi­cation to the King of France in defense of religious tolerance – tolerance for him, that is. But he readily forgot all about tolerance when he could not meet the Truth that came from Servetus, and blackened his memory with one of the worst examples of cruel intoler­ance ever to be recorded. This is indeed a sad record against Calvin, who was considered one of the most brilliant religious minds of the entire Gospel Age, and a zealous cham­pion of his idea of Christianity.

“Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents. and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake; but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Mark 13:12-13)  And, “Who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Cor. 2:16) “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” (Psa. 24:4)

Coming a little further along in history, there is the case of the pilgrim fathers who left England because of religious persecution; but, hardly had they landed in New England in 1620, than they began to heap much the same abuses upon those who disagreed with them. But let us keep in mind that, while Wesley and his adherents were sorely per­secuted in England, he himself and those who fully embraced his teachings, never perse­cuted, or recommended persecution of those who disagreed with them. The same could be said of George Fox and the Quakers; the same for Balthasar Hubmaier and the Baptists. And this is definitely our own position now.

By the time the Parousia had arrived the physical manhandling of dissenters had pretty much become out of date, but those who embraced the Harvest Truth were subjected to considerable verbal abuse and vilification, with considerable vicious slander heaped upon That Servant. This increased in severity as the 1914 war began, during which time some of the Truth people did incur actual physical violence, with even a few of them dy­ing from that abuse. During that time those in “present truth” were a unit in advocat­ing religious tolerance; and it would seem the lessons of the past, plus their own un­toward experiences, should have taught them thoroughly the quality of tolerance. But, sad to say, hardly had That Servant died than quite a few of them took up the very unchris­tian weapons against their former brethren that had been previously used against them. Were we not personally witness to this, it would be difficult to believe.

And from 1916 on those brethren who were being defamed by the Society also were loud in their acclaim of tolerance, the Executive Trustee of the LHMM being one of the fore­most in denouncing intolerance; and he did an excellent job of declaring the evils of intolerance. It was easy enough for him to do that, too, because he had the Truth as his ‘shield and buckler’: and it was no problem to prove that it was once more error perse­cuting truth.

But scarcely had the Epiphany Messenger left us until the Executive Trustee began to cudgel his opponents with the same weapons that had formerly been used against him and others – with the situation now reversed: The former champion of the Truth on tolerance was now forced to intolerance by the Truth which appeared against his error – just as was true of those intolerant ones in the Society after 1917. Here is a sad illustration indeed of human frailty – the accumulated experience of the Age, coupled with extreme brilliance of Harvest Truth, availed them little as those who still retained Parousia Truth began to expose their decline into error. The formerly excommunicated became the excommunicators in very pronounced fashion: “Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.” (Isa. 66:5)

In so many instances the founders of present-day religious organizations – John Wesley, Martin Luther, William Miller, Thomas Cranmer, Robert Brown, George Fox, Bal­thazar Hubmaier, Michael Servetus, Zwingli, Charles T. Russell, et al – were mercilessly opposed because of the truth they presented; a number of them were actually burned at the stake. Yet, quite often those who were outraged witnesses to such abuses, adopted the tools of the persecutors when the situation became reversed. However, the underly­ing cause of such conduct was largely due to the fact that they themselves had departed ­in whole or in part – from the teachings of those they claimed to follow. All during the Age it seems it never took long until the examples of the respective reformers were for­gotten, and much of the truth they presented was perverted or lost completely; and, as the truth was lost, so also was lost the spirit of true Christianity which had actuated their leaders. “Strong delusion” (2 Thes. 2:11) regarding the truth usually inculcates “strong delusion” in conduct also, which in turn develops fanaticism in those who fall prey to it. It is certainly sound appraisal that religious fanaticism is the deepest, wickedest and most conscienceless of hatreds.

THE TOWER OF BABEL

Some years after the deluge, when the population had begun to increase, men said, “Let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto Heaven” (Gen. 11:4). They would have insurance against another flood (in spite of the promise that another flood would never be – Gen. 9:15); they would build Babyl (Gateway to God). As retribution for this affront, the Lord confused their tongues; they could no longer understand each other. Thus, the effort became known as Babyl, meaning confusion, the same being typi­cal of the Roman Church’s effort also to build a “Gateway to God”; that is, We are the one true church – no salvation outside of us – no other access to God – their popes are now the successors to St. Peter (despite the fact there is no evidence whatever that St. Peter ever once visited Rome). But their shibboleth over the centuries has been, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” (Matt. 16:18)

In further explanation, we quote this text from the Emphatic Diaglott: “I also say to thee, Thou art a rock, and on this rock I will build my Church.” Reference to Peter as ‘a rock’ is from the Greek Petros; and ‘this rock’ as the foundation for the Church is from the Greek Petra – the difference in meaning being Petros is a small stone, with Petra as a huge boulder. Once this is clearly understood, it is easily comprehended that Jesus was not referring at all to Peter as the rock upon which He would build His Church, but to the great indisputable Truth that Peter had just spoken: “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.” Indeed, in the words of the hymn, “My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” He is truly the Christ; and “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:11) He is the Petra, the unlovable rock, upon which the Church has been built. “There is none other name (neither Peter, nor any other) under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) But the Roman interpretation is TRULY ANTICHRIST – “in place of” Christ. And to them also God sent confusion of tongues – a “Babyl”; their teachings today are completely foreign to the truth given us by the Lord through St. Peter.

In identical manner, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have made similar pattern; they claim also to be the “Channel for present truth’“ no salvation apart from them – they, too, would build “Bab-El.” And to them also has come retribution: a confusion of teachings so far removed from that presented by their founder that there is almost no similarity now to their beliefs of fifty years ago. And they also – in true Roman spirit – would suppress the truth presented by us; they have actually seized our papers from the hands of their dedicated deluded devotees and trampled them in the street. Yet they still boast of their founder, just as the Catholics boast of St. Peter. Was such conduct ever in evidence by the Master, Apostles, or by those true reformers mentioned aforegoing? Indeed, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20) The spirit of Antichrist readily reveals itself to all unbiased observers. The following excerpt from Reprints 5172 (Feb. 1, 1913) is most appropriate here:

“All down the Gospel Age, those who have been faithful to the truth of God have been put ‘out of the synagogue.’ The creeds of men have been barriers to keep out those who understood the word of God.”

And there is sound logic in explanation: The Truth always brings out the best in the faithful, but it often brings out the worst in the unfaithful or measurably faithful. “We (the faithful) are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death (as they go deeper and deeper into error); and to the other the savour of life unto life (as the Truth per­fects them in every good word and work).” (2 Cor. 2:14,15) “The light (Truth) shineth in darkness (amid error); and the darkness (error) comprehended it not.” (John 1:5) It is an evidence of human frailty that physical force is usually applied when the intellect is not sufficient. Thus, for a thousand years the Antichrist resorted to the rack, boil­ing oil, hot lead in the ears, etc., against the ‘heretics’ whose truth they could not gainsay or resist. But there is no record of the fully faithful ever using such weapons against Antichrist. St. Paul also had counseled “Resist not evil with evil” – “the wea­pons of our warfare are not carnal.” He also wrote in 2 Cor. 3:17: “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (tolerance).” Con­versely speaking, we may draw the ready conclusion that without liberty there is none of the Spirit of the Lord. And from such we are advised to turn away! Woe unto those who fall prey to the spirit of Antichrist!

“For we are not like the many, trafficking the word of God; but really from sincer­ity, and as from God, in the presence of God, we speak concerning Christ.” (2 Cor. 2:17, Dia.)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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The following is an answer to the letter in the July 1979 paper:

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

Delay in answering your letter of Feb. 23 is due to my illness... My wife has been unable to take care of some of the correspondence. However, I am now regaining my strength.

Your frank expressions on the subject of the Jews are appreciated. I especially ap­preciate the compliment you give me regarding my knowledge of God’s Word and His “plan of the ages.” I have endeavored to “continue in” the Truth I have learned and been assured of; and our Lord promises, “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) Also, the Apostle Paul admonishes Timothy to “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)

First of all, I wish to emphasize the fact that I am not a Jew – although I am not un­mindful of the wonderful heritage the Jews have, even as I am acutely aware of the objectionable qualities that the renegade Jews have. As the Apostle Paul tells us, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly.” (Rom. 2:28) God does not recognize these renegades as Jews: His promises are only to the faithful orthodox Jews who will eventually accept Christ as their Savior. Also, there are many renegade Christians, who outwardly profess Christ but do not so do from the heart.

At our Lord’s First Advent He opened up the way for the natural Jews to become Spiri­tual Israelites, but only a few availed themselves of that opportunity. “O Jerusalem, Je­rusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together... and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:37,38)

After our Lord’s crucifixion, in “due time,” the Lord opened up the way for Gen­tiles to become Spiritual Israelites. But only a small minority of the human race have availed themselves of this opportunity – and quite a few of those who did... have made shipwreck of their profession. I am sure, my Brother, that you recognize this condition.

In the genealogy of Jesus we are clearly told that David was his ancestor. And cer­tainly David was a Jew. And the inspired Scripture gives us what our Lord said: “Ye wor­ship ye know not what: we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22) However, the faults of those renegade Jews, who are only Jews according to the flesh, may easily blind us to the overall picture. Ezekiel and Jeremiah are positive in disputing your opinion. I shall quote just one citation from Jer. 16:14: “I will bring them Again into the land that I gave unto their fathers.”

As you undoubtedly know, Israel is just another name for Jacob, as he was originally called; and Jacob’s 12 sons are the progenitors of the 12 tribes of the children of Is­rael; and Jesus is referred to as “the lion of the tribe of Judah.” He was in a class by Himself when conducting His ministry at His first advent; and at that time He certain­ly demonstrated that He was the lion (the King) of the tribe of Judah.

Note, too, Zech. 14:1-3: “I will gather all nations to Jerusalem to battle... then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” I assume I need not cite those ancient outstanding times when the Lord did fight for Israel; and the record tells us of Jesus: “He came unto his own (the Jews), and his own received him not.” Also, Zech. 12:10: “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and shall mourn because of it.” St. Paul corroborates this in Rom. 1:16: “To the Jew first.”

As footstep followers of Jesus, we should not hate any race because of the evils of some – perhaps many – individuals. Although the Lord beholds the good and the evil (Ec. 12:14), He is not dealing with any individual now but only with those who are in covenant-relationship with Him. “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness.” (Acts 17:31) “For when thy judgments (instructions) are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa. 26:9) “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” (2 Cor. 4:4) But their eyes will be opened in that Blessed Kingdom: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.” (Isa. 35:5) “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” (Rom. 11:32)

If at any time I can be of assistance to you, do not hesitate to call upon me ­as I consider you my brother. We here try to write “in sincerity and in truth,” as we rely upon His inspired Word.

With this comes my Christian love and the assurance of my prayers for your highest welfare. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.

Sincerely your brother and servant,

John J. Hoefle

PS – I am enclosing a tract on The Two Distinct Salvations and our May 1979 paper, which I hope you will find interesting and helpful.

Also, I have a few Jewish-Christians on my mailing list, and have exchanged per­sonal correspondence with them. I find them most generous with those who have departed from the Truth – especially so with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, et al, who no longer teach the Truth on the promises to the Jews: “To the Jew First,” which is clearly taught in the Scriptures, for both the elective salvation as well as the salvation of the world in general in Christ’s Kingdom.

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CORRECTION: In our May 1979, No. 287 paper, please correct par. 6, line one, on p. 8, to read “Yes, Hagar was an Egyptian, and her son Ishmael and Isaac were half brothers; both had Abraham as their father.”

NO. 289: THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF THE "TIME OF THE END"

No. 289

Although all Truth people who have received and continued in Parousia Truth, know when the “Time of the End” began; we do not know the exact date it will end. “Seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan. 12:4) Many in Christendom hold the view that “the end” will occur in a 24-hour day; but a little reflection upon this Daniel prophecy should con­vince any unbiased mind that this is impossible. The question then properly arises, What is the period of “the time of the end?” In Dan. 12:7 we are told that it would be for “a time, times, and an half”; and in v. 11 it is stated that the time for the daily sacrifice to be taken away would be “a thousand two hundred and ninety days.”

The foregoing has reference to certain things concerning the Papacy; and the time feature here had its beginning in 539 A. D., when Roman Emperor Justinian made cer­tain sweeping concessions to that Church. A “time, times (two times) and a half a time” would be 1260 days, based upon a literal Jewish lunar month of 30 days, twelve of which would amount to 360 days, and 3½ times would thus come to 1260 days. Taking these as symbolic days of a “day for a year” (See Num. 14:34), it gives us 1260 literal years, which beginning in 539 A. D., would come to an end in 1799 A. D., the beginning of the “Time of the End.” It will be noted in the above Scripture that Daniel was told to “seal the book to the time of the end.” Thus it should be clear that the book would not be clearly understood until “the time of the end.” Although so far as we know, most Truth people believe that 1799 was the beginning of the “Time of the End,” but attempt­ing to forecast the end of the Time of the End has led to some

FAULTY CONCLUSIONS

Following is some of a note on p. 382 of Parousia Volume 3, written in 1890: “Believing at the time of writing the book that 1914 would not only witness the com­plete annihilation of the kingdoms of this world, but also the full setting up of God’s Kingdom, our Pastor naturally expected the Time of the End to be over by October, 1914, and so presented the matter on p. 23. On that page and on the top of the next page he taught that by the close of the Time of the End, state, church and capital as now ex­isting will have been overthrown. On the top of p. 48 he states that by its close every vestige of Papacy will be destroyed. He was right in placing these events in the Time of the End; but the facts prove that they did not occur by October 1914. Why not? Because, unknown to our Pastor, the forty years of the reaping time, the Parousia, were to be followed by the forty years of the trouble time, the Epiphany, during which Epi­phany those institutions were to be destroyed. Hence the Time of the End is to be forty years longer than our Pastor supposed.’’

It will be noted, both Messengers were correct in presenting the events to occur during the Time of the End – but both were wrong in their expectations of the end there­of. Had Brother Johnson lived to 1954 he would certainly have seen that his conclusions about the Time of the End were wrong, as well as the length of the Epiphany, just as he saw Brother Russell’s conclusions were wrong about 1914 – and he would have corrected his wrong conclusions based on parallels and types that didn’t work out. Time itself revealed Brother Russell’s expectations were wrong regarding 1914, just as time itself has revealed that Brother Johnson’s expectations proved wrong. By 1914 and by 1954, state, church and capital are not overthrown – nor was Papacy destroyed – so neither the Time of the End or the Epiphany period ended in any “sense” at 1954.

Now follows more from p. 382: “The Time of Trouble and the Epiphany are one and the same thing. During the Epiphany Papacy is to be destroyed (2 Thes. 2:8) as well as the kingdoms of this world and Babylon (Rev. 16:18-20; 18:31), if we can prove that the Epiphany is a period of forty years, it will follow that the Time of Trouble, with which the Time of the End closes, is a period of forty years, and consequently that the Time of the End lasts from 1799 to 1954.

Time itself has proven that the Time of Trouble, as well as the Time of the End, is lasting much longer than forty years. As most Truth people know, forty represents a special trial period, whether of forty years duration or longer. The 40-year reign of Saul represented the Jewish Age, which was much longer than 40 years; David’s 40-year reign represented the Gospel Age – Solomon’s 40-year reign represents the Millen­nial Age, according to the Reprints, which sounds reasonable. Just as with a Day and Night in symbology, the Night is not the same length as the Day. The Gospel-Age is a night of 1845 years, and the Parousia day is only 40 years; therefore, the Epiphany night would not necessarily have to be of the same duration of the Parousia day.

However, we offer a suggestion regarding the forty days and forty nights of rain during the great deluge, which most Truth people accept as representing the Time of Trouble with which this Age ends: As most of our readers know, the Bible is a very con­cise and efficient book; it seldom uses words without purpose or merely for decoration. Hence, if the 40 days of the deluge represent the years from 1914 to 1954 and the 40 nights also represent 40 years, the Time of Trouble would end by 1994. But if the 40 nights of the deluge is not a period of 40 years, then the Time of Trouble would end earlier. We don’t believe the Time of Trouble could last longer than 40 years from 1954. Certainly the Time of Trouble has been greatly augmented since 1954 – the seizure of Cuba by the radicals; the overthrow of the “mountains” (strong autocratic governments), the last of which was Ethiopia; the great increase of vicious crime since 1954, convinces us that the Night of the Epiphany started in 1954.

That Servant’s expectation of the duration of the Time of Trouble and the estab­lishment of the Kingdom thereafter, seemed reasonable enough at the time – to him as well as to the brethren. The types and parallels corroborating that expectation led them to believe that they had something from the Scriptures to rely upon. But when we place too much faith in a parallel or type that involves future events, ofttimes there is disappointment, as has been manifested by time itself, time and time again. So we are not making any positive predictions for future events based solely on parallels and types. If the Lord wants us to know about future events, He will make it clear to us: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7) And we all know the “times and seasons” and the events to trans­pire – even though we are not yet informed the exact date of future events.

The Epiphany Messenger placed too much confidence in parallels and types that seemed to “prove” the Epiphany would be of 40 years duration – but time has “dis”proved his expectation. The Epiphany and the Time of Trouble are one and the same – and surely no one will say the Time of Trouble ended in 1914 or in 1954! The Epiphany Messenger was convinced by Parallels and Types – and none of us, including the Epiphany Messenger, heeded the admonition that types and parallels do not teach a doctrine, but are given to corroborate and illustrate a doctrine clearly taught in the Scriptures. Both Messengers emphasized this Truth – that a parallel, type, or the Pyramid, do not teach a doctrine, but only illustrate and corroborate what is already clearly taught in the Scriptures. So when they had strong expectations, they welcomed a type, parallel, or pyramid findings, that substantiated such expectations; and when RGJ came up with his Pyramid “figures” the Epiphany Messenger readily accepted them as a further corroboration of his expecta­tions.

However, when the Epiphany Messenger died in 1950, RGJ had to cast his Pyramid “figures” in the trash heap. But he immediately presented JWK’s Pyramid “figures” in the January 1951 Present Truth to “prove” Brother Johnson was scheduled to die in 1950 instead of 1956. It seems that RGJ’s Pyramid fiasco, his past mistakes in type-making, picture-making, etc., has taught him very little, if anything.

NAPOLEON AND 1799

What happened in 1799? It was in that year that Napoleon broke the papal power. Here’s what we find in Parousia Volume 3, p. 54: “The influence of the French infidels was carried over Europe by the armies of Napoleon, and greatly undermined the power of kings and priests. But the rough handling of Papacy by Napoleon, acting as the head and representative of Infidel France, capped the climax, and more than all else helped to break the fetters of superstitious veneration, by which the clergy class has so long held the ‘common people’ under them. But when the intrepid Napoleon not only defied the anathemas of Pope Pius VI, but laid penalties upon him for violation of his orders, and finally compelled him to cede back to France the papal territories granted a thousand years before by Charlemagne (whose successor Napoleon claimed to be), it opened the eyes of the people as well as of the monarchs of Europe to the falsity of Papacy’s claim to authority. The great revolution of public opinion at this time, regarding papal author­ity, may be seen in the fact that Napoleon, upon assuming the title and proclaiming him­self Roman Emperor as successor of Charlemagne, did not go to Rome to have the pope crown him, as did Charlemagne and others, but commanded the pope to come to France to at­tend his coronation. Even then the successful chief, who more than once had pillaged, impoverished and humbled the Papacy, did not consent to be crowned by the pope, and thus accept the imperial dignity with any acknowledgment of papal authority, but merely had Pope Pius present, to sanction and acknowledge the ceremony, and to bless the crown that Napoleon then took from the altar and put upon his own head. The historian then says, ‘He then put the diadem on the head of his empress, as if to show that his authority was the child of his own actions,’ the result of his own civil and military successes. Nor has the pope since been requested to bestow the crown of the Roman Empire.

“A Romanist writer says of this coronation: ‘Acting differently from Charlemagne and other monarchs, who had repaired to Rome on similar occasions, he insisted in his arrogance that the holy father should come to Paris to crown him. The pope felt ex­treme reluctance to depart thus from the ancient usage. In fact, he considered it de­rogatory to his exalted office.

“An armistice was concluded (June 23, 1796) with the pope (Pius VI), the terms of which were sufficiently humiliating to the head of the church, once the most power­ful sovereign in Europe. The pontiff, who once trod on the necks of kings, made and un­made sovereigns, disposed of states and kingdoms, and, as the great high-priest and vicegerent of the Almighty on earth, established an authority as lord paramount, and reigned over the heads of other sovereigns, was constrained to drink to the very dregs the cup of humiliation. If the draught was bitter, it was one which his predecessors had liber­ally dealt out to others. He was compelled to open his ports to French vessels, and to exclude the flags of all nations at war with that Republic; to permit the French army to continue in possession of the legations of Bologna and Ferrara; to surrender the cit­adel of Ancona; to give to the French 100 paintings, busts, vases or statues to be se­lected by the commissioners sent from Paris to Rome; also 500 (ancient and valuable) manuscripts to be selected in the same way; and to sweeten the whole, his holiness was to pay to the Republic 21,000,000 French livres, most of which was to be in specie, or gold and silver ingots.

“For the nonfulfilment of these penalties promptly, the money fine was increased to 50,000,000 livres, and certain papal territories were compelled to be ceded to France; and the pope was finally made a prisoner and taken to France where he died.

“Even Plus VII, who had been restored to pontifical honors, and who in 1804 at­tended the crowning of Napoleon, was afterward by decree of Napoleon (1808-1809) bereft of every shred of temporal power; and the monuments and art treasures of Rome were taken under French protection. The language used by Napoleon was that ‘the donations of terri­tories by our illustrious predecessor, Charlemagne, to the Holy See... Urbino, Ancona, Macerata, be forever united to the kingdom of Italy

“To this it was added, that the pope should continue to be the bishop of Rome, ex­ercising his spiritual functions as his predecessors had done in the early ages, down to the reign of Charlemagne. The following year, emboldened by the successes of his arms, the Emperor resolved that the pope should be deprived of his now nominal sovereignty ­the mere shadow of temporal, that still remained to him in his capital and the adjacent districts. (These Papacy held for years before Charlemagne’s gift – from A. D. 539). Accordingly he issued a new decree, from the palace of the Austrian Caesars, that Rome should be an imperial Free City; that its civil administration should be conducted by a council then nominated by the Emperor; that its monuments and art treasures should be taken under French protection; and that the pope, having ceased to reign, an income should be settled on his holiness.

“Following this, Pius VII issued a bull of excommunication against Napoleon, and was taken a prisoner to France, where he finally signed the Concordat of Fontainebleau, dated Jan. 25, 1813, in which he placed in Napoleon’s hands the nomination of Bishops and Metro­politans, and virtually rescinded his own authority to veto such appointments.”

The foregoing is quite an elaboration establishing the beginning of the Time of the End; and we know that many of our readers are very familiar with it. But we also know that we have quite a few readers who know little or nothing about these details, and it is for them that we have expounded the subject in detail. We might add here that Napo­leon is regarded by scholars as one of the most self-willed men that ever lived – a fit­ting tool indeed to do what the Lord wanted done, even though he himself was unaware of the history he was making. But once he had accomplished the Lord’s will in these matters, “He shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” (Dan. 11:45) He died a lonesome ex­ile on St. Helena Island in the year 1821, having spent about six years there after his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. He is one man in secular history that is accurately de­scribed in the Bible.

THREE PERIODS OF TIME

As stated, the time of the end began in 1799 and the Time of Trouble in its wide sense began in 1874 – and in its narrow sense in 1914. Since the Time of Trouble in its narrow sense and the Epiphany being the same, both began in 1914 when World War One be­gan; they are now contempor­aneously continuing with the last part of the Time of the End: and all three will end when Jacob’s Trouble ends – when the Great Tribulation ends.

“KNOWLEDGE SHALL BE INCREASED” (Dan. 12:14)

In Dan. 12:4 the prophet is told to “seal up the book, even to the time of the end,” the inference being that the “book” would be understood in the time of the end. As we analyze the happenings of the past, we think there is much evidence to prove that this has been proving true since 1799. In 1803 or 1804 the first American Bible Society was formed, the purpose being to see that every one would have a Bible who wanted one; and the prophecy is clearly stated: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psa. 119:130)

In almost 6,000 years prior to 1799 there were only three inventions of any note that appeared: (1) the wheel; (2) gunpowder (About 1,000 A.D.); and the printing press. All the other prominent inventions came after 1799. In 1807 the first steamboat by Robert Fulton; followed quickly by the steam railroad engine. It needs no argument that the steam railroad contributed enormously to the growth and development of the U.S. While it may be argued that the cotton gin by Eli Whitney appeared in 1793, and made a great contribution to the cotton-raising in the South, it is such a simple device that it was easily copied, although protected by U.S. patents.

While some very valuable devices appeared shortly after 1799, it was not until after 1874 that the great avalanche of most valuable inventions began to come along. There was not even a carpet sweeper of any note until after 1874 (a small hand sweeper was produced in 1869). The first commercial typewriter came in 1874, which speeded up business tremendously. Any reasonably good typist can produce four times as much work with a machine than can a man just writing by hand.

Came next the telephone in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell; and, while it is now a very commonplace and widely used instrument, we seldom stop to consider what a great time saver it is. After the completion of the first telephone call, Mr. Bell exclaimed, “What hath God wrought!” His telephone – like almost all our outstanding inventions ­has been greatly improved, with direct dialing on long-distance calls over the breadth of the United States and to some foreign countries accom­plished almost as quickly as the local calls right in one’s backyard. A call from Detroit to Paris, France, costs but $6.85 for three minutes, and the parties can hear each other as plainly as if they were both in Detroit.

In 1895 the X-ray came in as an absolutely new phenomenon and then came radio­activity, which has shown us that ‘the elements’ are not at all ultimate things, that atoms are continually undergoing change, and are not indestructible. In 1877 Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, which eventually led to development of the television ­a wonderful instrument difficult to describe with mere words. Came the electric light in 1879 – considered by some as the most useful and helpful of all inventions for the hu­man race in general.

Then followed rather quickly the automobile and the airplane, with their acceler­ated speed, which has stimulated travel – “many shall run to and fro” (Dan. 12:4). We were living in Dayton, Ohio in 1903 when the Wright Brothers made their first flight at Kittyhawk, N.C.; and we eventually became rather well acquainted with Orville Wright. We remember very vividly seeing the first flight over Dayton, Ohio. School had been dis­missed so that we could have a real good look; and the plane that was in use that day looked like an orange crate tied together with bailing wire; and it could travel at about 100 miles per hour.

Today’s commercial planes in the regular course of travel have a cruising speed of about 625 miles per hour, and are constructed so well that there is no noise at all where the passengers sit. A few years back it was necessary for us to go to Nassau in the Ba­hamas. We left Detroit at 9:30 p.m, spent the night in the Miami airport; left the air­port about 8:30 the next morning; were in Nassau by about nine a.m.; left shortly af­ter noon, and back in Detroit that night by 8:30. We remarked afterward that when our Lord was on earth, it would have taken Him a year to cover the distance that we made in 23 hours. Indeed, many do “run to and fro.”

The combines and all modern farming equipment have been invented since 1874; and they have produced phenomenal agricultural production – so much so that nine per cent of the population is able to produce more than twice the food the United States needs. We gave some of these results in one of our January papers, so no need to repeat them here. Truly, “knowledge shall be increased”!

As we consider the tremendous increase in knowledge and the great increase in the rate of speed, that should be enough to convince any informed mind that we are in “the time of the end” – even had we no Bible chronology, no prophecies, no parallel dispensa­tions. The “signs of the times” speak most graphically that we are in “the time of the end.”

THE GOSPEL-AGE HARVEST

That there was a great Harvest work from 1874 to 1914 also was very clearly evident to all whose minds were sufficiently educated to discern and understand it. The follow­ing is from pp. 15,16 of Parousia Volume 2:

“We find the end of the Gospel Age, like the end of the Jewish Age, is called a har­vest (Matt. 9:37; 13:24, 30, 39); like that also, it is a period of forty years; and upon the harvests of the Ages the rays of prophetic testimony are specially concentrated, particularly upon the harvest of this Age, where all the light of the Jewish Age, because of its typical character, converges in a glorious focus. In this light we may now dis­tinctly see the stately steppings of our God, not only in the long vista of the Ages past, but also in the present outworkings of His plan. And not only so, but according to His promise to show us things to come (John 16:13), we see, with wonderful distinct­ness of vision, His wise policy for the blessing of all in the incoming Millennial Age, even down to its glorious consummation in the restitution of all things ... (at the end of the Little Season—JJH).

“We find in prophecy the beginning and the ending of this harvest period marked, as well as the events due to occur in it. To call attention to and trace the various lines of prophetic time to the events in which they culminate in, in substance, the object of this volume. To receive its testimony, the reader must have an ear to hear (Rev. 2:7; Matt. 11:15), and must expect meekly to cast away many preconceived opinions as fast as he comes to see their lack of harmony with God’s word. To such as are thus minded, and as pursue the lessons of this volume with patience and care, and in the order of their arrangement, we doubt not it will be a blessing. If its lessons are received into good and honest hearts, it will be a power to separate them from the world and to ripen them as wheat for the garner. To quicken and ripen and separate the saints, as wheat from the tares, in this time of harvest, is the object for which, we apprehend these prophecies now unfolding were designed by our Lord.”

The question now arises: Is the harvest ended? Our answer to this question is that it is ended so far as spirit begettal is concerned; this latter ended in September 1914. As many of our readers know, there was strong conviction up to 1910 that the com­plete Body of Christ would be in the heavenly garner by the Fall of 1914. When that failed to materialize, it caused quite a few to “walk with Him no more.” However, it is our opinion that other elect classes are still with us, and will so continue for some years yet.

CORROBORATING TESTIMONY

In 1 Kgs. 19:11,12 we have the record of what Elijah (type of the true Church) saw: “A great and strong wind rent the mountains ... and after the wind an earthquake..... after the earthquake a fire ... after the fire a still small voice.” The Berean Comments inform us that the “great and strong wind” of the text represents World War One, which indeed did rend the mountains (kingdoms of this world), which up to that time had been the greatest calamity of all history. Then the earthquake pictured for the world revo­lution (Armageddon) – now in its formative stage; and next the fire, which represents anarchy, which is to follow Armageddon. Fire in the Bible symbology represents a ter­ribly destructive force. Of this “fire” we are told it will break the nations “to shivers” (completely destroy them—Rev. 2:27).

Rev. 7:1-3 vividly portrays the Harvest work, especially in the years immediately preceding the “wind” – the great war, which was not to start until “we (the Lord’s saints on this side of the veil) have sealed (marked, separated, distinguished) in their foreheads (given them an intellectual appreciation of the Plan of God, with its time fea­tures, etc., as a comfort, shield and mark, seal, or evidence of their sonship). Those of us who can remember that far back know how close the great war seemed in 1912; but it was seemingly miraculously avoided. It was not to start until “we have sealed the ser­vants of God in their foreheads.”

Some of these were not reaped into the harvest movement until as late as 1916, be­fore That Servant enacted the toga scene in the railroad Pullman in Texas, with one of his final statements being that (Eze. 9:11), “I have done as thou hast commanded me.” And this inscription was written into his tombstone. He had been commanded to “seal the servants of our God in their foreheads”; and, while he certainly did not seal all of them personally, he did supervise the general sealing work, so that when he said, “I have done as thou hast commanded me,” he said in substance one of the last statements of Jesus, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” (John 17:4)

Aside from the miracles of Jesus and the Apostles during the Jewish harvest, the Gospel-Age harvest from 1874 to 1914 vastly outshone the Jewish Harvest. Before his death in 1916 That Servant’s sermons were carried in 2,000 newspapers, and he had great notoriety. His message had tremendous appeal even among many who never made any effort to associate with him. He had one of the finest intellects ever to appear among fallen men, and he organized and supervised the great harvest work as a master craftsman, at­tracting some of the finest minds in Christendom to engage actively in the work with him. Indeed, if it may be said that “knowledge increased” in the secular world, this was even more emphatically so in “the knowledge of God.” The prophecy of Psa. 85:11-13 was un­mistakably fulfilled: “Truth shall spring out of the earth (the present social order) ... Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.” All who zealously engaged in the harvest movement had the personal experience of this prophecy in their individual lives.

HIGH CALLING CLOSE

Probably all who have been in any Truth Movement for any length of time recognize the fact that the Body of Christ will contain only 144,000 – “the number of them which were sealed” (Rev. 7:4). Once the “fullness of the Gentiles” had come in, there would no longer be opportunity for any one to join that select company. That Servant recognized this fact many years before 1914. Probably his first written comment on the subject is to be found on p. 157, top, of his Volume 6. Other instances are to be found in the 1911 Watch Tower, p. 181, pars. 5-10; 1915, p. 269, pars. 11, 12; and in Question Book, 151, 152. In these citations he stated that such consecrators between the Ages – after the close of the High Calling and before Restitution begins – would share in honor and service with the Ancient Worthies.

This seems to us to be a reasonable thought. The Ancient Worthies lived too soon to be in the Body of Christ, although many of them showed the same spirit of sacrifice as did those who became members of the Body. And the chief difference between the Ancient Worthies and those consecrating between the Ages is that the Ancients lived too soon, while those consecrating now are living too late. This is very much emphasized on page 152 of the Question Book – and we quote a little from this book:

“Where would the Lord place them (not begotten of the Holy Spirit)?

We would presume that if they were faithful, to the extent of laying down their lives in the service of righteousness and truth, that God would give them a share some way with the Ancient Worthies. In other words, that if such should pass into the Time of Trouble to a considerable degree, and there lose their lives because of faithfulness to the Lord, that He would do just the same for them that he will do for the Ancient Worthies – they will be counted in with the Ancient Worthy class.”

Having seen this so well even before the Bible proof appeared, this one point alone should convince any open mind that he was that “wise and faithful servant.” There is no doubt that he fully believed there would be some consecrators from the time the door to the High Calling closed until restitution begins, although the Bible proof had not yet been produced, and did not appear until after his death. Since his death much proof has been produced to corroborate his teaching – both in clear Scripture and in types. It is not our wish to analyze all these proofs now, although we shall offer terse comment on a few of them. Some of these are Joel 2:28,29; 2 Tim. 2:20; Psa. 72:3; Isa. 60:13; Dan. 3:12, 17,18,19,23 (Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego); 2 Kgs. 2:9,10.

The most emphatic and clearest of these Scriptures is Joel 2:28,29. That Servant gave us the explanation of the words in verse 29: “the servants and the handmaids in those days,” as the servants, the Little Flock – and the handmaids, the Great Company. (Reprints 5066) Then a better translation of verse 28: “your ancients and your youth­fuls,” the ancients being the Ancient Worthies who will dream dreams, and the youthfuls being those consecrating now “between the Ages,” who will see visions – the inspired writings of the Ancient and Youthful Worthies to compose a third book of the Bible for Millennial instruction. (Rev. 20:12 – also see Epiphany Vol. 4, pp. 319, 320)

Also see the Berean Comment on 2 Tim. 2:20: “a great house” (the Household of Faith in this Age); “vessels of gold” (the Little Flock); “vessels of silver” (the Great Company); “wood and earth” (those on the human plane). The wood is the ancients, and the earth those who consecrate now between the Ages before restitution begins. Self­-evidently this applies only to the Household of Faith. This is well illustrated in the locale of the Levites around the Tabernacle: the Amramites to the east typing the Little Flock; the Kohathites to the south typing the Ancient Worthies; the Merarites to the north typing the Great Company; and the Gershonites to the west typing the Youthfuls ­those consecrating between the Ages. None of these Levites had any inheritance in the land, clearly indicating that they would eventually become spirit beings.

Then “the stranger” is given consideration in Ex. 12:19,43, 48-49. We are told there that no stranger should be permitted to partake of the Passover unless he first be circum­cised (type of Gospel-Age consecration). And in Lev. 24:22 there is this: “Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country.” This stran­ger would represent those consecrating between the Ages, and it tells us that they are “strangers” because they are stranger to the Little Flock, having consecrated themselves too late to be of that select company. However, there is “one manner of law” for the Jews and the strangers – the same kind of consecration for the Little Flock and for the Youthful Worthies – a complete desire to do God’s will.

Also, of that lamb that night none of it was to be left until morning; and, if any should be left, it was to be burned with fire. Here is a clear picture that tells us that none of our “Lamb’s” merit should be carried into the Camp during the Faith Age. When we see this picture in its true light, it then becomes readily ridiculous that there could be such a class as Consecrated Campers having tentative justification in the Camp, because there is no merit there to provide such a standing before the Lord.

This is Part One of a series of articles on “The Time of the End,” and Part Two and other Parts will follow in due course. “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good words. These things are good and profitable unto men. And let us also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” (Tit. 3:8, 14)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle , Pilgrim

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

To John Hoefle: Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ, Savior of Israel!

Enclosed is a small part of your Jan. issue – and a sheet we’ve distributed recent­ly re the actual identity of the people “who call themselves Jews..” Bro. Hoefle, you have seen much truth in the Bible – and you know the “plan of the ages.” Your error is in accepting the words of “fundament­alists” and “Jews,” two groups who are in SERIOUS ERROR on Biblical things, when they both say the “Jews are Israelites.”

The Jews are “in darkness,” according to the plain teaching of the Bible, so their witness to anyone’s identity is suspect. The “fundamentalists,” by and large, are at least partially in darkness, as much of their doctrine is false, i.e., the state of the dead, the rapture, baptism, etc. Therefore, their witness to anyone’s identity is sus­pect.

Please read the enclosed articles. Once you realize the “jews” are so set on taking over Palestine because it is their ancient homeland (because they are Canaanites), then you can understand not only Israeli, but modern world history with the “jews” being so full of hatred for Jesus Christ and his followers. Although it is true that ancient Is­rael departed from following God and turned to other religions, they did NOT fight God and refuse his Truth and aid when they were in deep trouble. There is NO RECORD of any “jews” becoming Christians in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. There is, on the other hand, the record of unknown millions of our Race turning to Jesus Christ at a time of crisis in their lives.

Think on these things. May God bless you in your search for Truth, in Christ. ------- (ARIZONA)

NOTE: Answer to the above letter will be published in our No. 290 paper following this paper.

NO. 288: ANOTHER LOOK AT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

No. 288

Due to several inquiries as to our opinion of the teaching of the Jehovah’s Witnes­ses on the Cross and Torture Stake, we are reprinting our No. 155, May 1, 1968 article in refutation of their February 1, 1968 Watchtower on the subject. The purpose is two­fold: First, to offer some protest against the Witnesses’ perversions and vitiations of Holy Writ; and second, to help our readers inform themselves – to have their “faculties habitually exercised for the discrimination of both Good and Evil.” (Heb. 5:14, Dia.) Thus, we now examine their contention:

THAT THE CROSS IS OF PAGAN ORIGIN

They ask the question, “Did the church ever tell you that the cross is a pagan sym­bol?” And we now ask the question, “Have the Witnesses ever told their followers that the cross was in common usage in Pagan Rome at the time the Pagan Law executed and cruci­fied Jesus?” Their statement of fact we do not dispute – any more than we would contra­dict the statement that temples of religion are also of pagan origin. The Temple of Di­ana at Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world; its roof was made from the famous Cedars of Lebanon, which are said to have lasted 400 years without showing any evidence of rot or decay; and it was here that one of the outstanding episodes in the pil­grimages of St. Paul was enacted, as the Greeks shouted, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” (Acts 19:28) But the telling feature of such edifices is not that they sanctify the peo­ple who frequent them; it is the people themselves that sanctify any building they occupy – whether it be an ordinary residence (“the church in thy house—Phil. 2), a commonplace meeting hall, or a magnificent edifice. Thus, the frequenters revealed by their treatment of St. Paul that the palatial Temple of Diana had produced little of good in them; where­as, St. Paul offers warm praise of those who attended “church” in the ordinary domicile of the “dearly beloved” Philemon and Apphia. (Philemon 2)

And much the same conclusions may be drawn from the emblem of the cross. Without dispute, it is of pagan origin; but the particular cross upon which Jesus was crucified was sanctified, immortalized by Him who hung thereon – even though  it had been pagan Romans who did it. The Watchtower article says, “the cross was venerated in Egypt and Syria.” Yet, isn’t it odd, so very odd, that it makes no mention at all of the Romans and their use of the cross – although  the Romans and the particular cross upon which our Lord was cru­cified are the special actors in the drama of Good Friday. And at this point it should be stressed that at the time of Jesus’ death crucifixion was used extensively by the Ro­mans – although  only slaves, provincials and the lowest type of criminals were crucified. And the Jews knew full well when they shouted, “Crucify Him, crucify Him” that they would thus drag Him to the very bottom of the cup of shame and humiliation. Tradition has it that the Romans also crucified St. Peter, but they beheaded St. Paul, because he was a Ro­man citizen by birth (Acts 22:28); and it was only rarely that Romans were subjected to the humiliation and anguish of the cross.

The Witnesses contend that Jesus was impaled on a torture stake; and we realize that such an article was in use by the ancients. In its earliest uses it consisted of a pointed stake used in fortifications, which gave considerable defense from attackers. As an in­strument of torture or punishment the victim was either bound to this stake, from which he hung by his arms, or was impaled – with the stake thrust through his chest or driven longitu­dinally through the back or privy parts and coming out of the mouth. The invention of this atrocity is traditionally ascribed to Semiramus (Mother-wife of Nimrod – the mythical “Queen of Heaven” – the woman in the moon, and one of the most despicable characters in all history – See Jer. 44:17,18,19,25), although it was also originally a Phoenician practice; and used also in Persia in the 6th and 5th centuries B.C. This latter method for putting Jesus to death would almost surely be flatly contradicted by the prophetic statement, “A bone of Him shall not be broken.” (John 19:36) It should require little argument that a sharp stake could not be driven through the chest or longitudinally through the body without breaking at least some small bone.

Also, the victim thus impaled could not possibly have had his hands nailed to the stake. Yet, the record is indisputable that Jesus was nailed to the instrument of His death. “Thomas said to them, Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I shall not believe.” (John 19:25) “After eight days... came Jesus... saith to Thomas, Reach thither thy finger, and behold my hands... and be not faithless, but believing.” (vs. 26,27) Thus, the Witnesses are hard-pressed to substitute their torture stake for a cross.

Various writers also mention a single upright post “on which the victim was tied or impaled” (nothing said here about nails), in addition to three types of crosses: St. An­thony’s cross (crux commissa), shaped like a capital letter “T” (thought by some to be accepted from the symbol of the Babylonian God Tammuz). He it was who supposedly died every Spring, and was then resurrected in several days by the violent weeping of the women of the Empire. This was undoubtedly a counterfeit – in advance – of Jesus’ death and res­urrection, instigated by the great Deceiver; and its degrading influence seems to have been potent enough to contaminate some of the women in Israel (“The gate of the Lord’s house, which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz”—Eze. 8:14) This is vividly brought to our attention in Luke 23:28: “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”

Another type of cross was St. Andrew’s cross (crux decussata) – shaped like our let­ter “X” –: and a third one was the crux immissa, shaped as the one commonly seen on many churches in Christendom, with the cross beam down somewhat from the top. This latter would have lent itself very well to the crucifixion story, as it would have provided ample opportunity for nailing Jesus’ hands to it, and to make allowance over His head for the inscription ordered there by Pilate, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.” And a little reflection will convince any one that it would place some considerable strain upon the imagination to conclude that all of this could have been done just as an upright torture stake – as the Witnesses would now have us believe.

Nor do they find any support in their position from the critical translation of the Bible; e.g., Wilson’s Emphatic Diaglott translation of the New Testament and Doctor Roth­erham’s work. Both of these consistently translate the Greek Stauros (occurring 28 times) as ‘cross’; and the Greek Stauroo (occurring 46 times) as ‘crucify.’ But perhaps the strongest of all contradictions to their position is to be found in the history of the Jews by Flavius Josephus:

“Now there was about this time, Jesus, a wise man, if it be law­ful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works – a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many Jews and many of the Gen­tiles. He was (the) Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross (A.D. 33 April 3, footnote), those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concern­ing him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”

Josephus was a contemporary of the Apostles, reputedly dying about 100 A.D.; and, being a Jew, he would certainly be well qualified to report the manner of Jesus’ death. And he reports that it was on a cross – no hint of a torture stake.

The above report is further strengthened by the history of the fall of Jerusalem at the hands of the Roman conqueror Titus in the year 70 A.D., which record tells us that, after the city’s fall, there was a circle of crosses around Jerusalem with a dead Jew hanging on each one of them. Thus, the Lord had literally taken them at their word, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” (Matt. 27:25) As they had done to Him on the cross, so it was likewise meted out to them by the Pagan Romans. Thus, it would seem that the great weight of consistency supports the story and picture of the cross as we understand it today; and so Pastor Russell accepted it. Had there been any cogent reason to ques­tion it, we may be certain he would have done so; but he was not one to find fault with Christendom for the mere sake of finding fault, or just to be different from the majority. Anything of merit that he could find in other groups, he was ready enough to acknowledge; as, for instance, he did with the observance of Christmas. There is not a single fact to support December 25 as the birthday of our Lord; there is also not a single line of Scripture that tells us to observe His birthday (although we are definitely told to remember His death). And, although we have reasonable assurance that His birth was on the tenth day of the seventh month Tishri (about October 10 of our calendar), Pastor Russell was not in­clined to uproot such a long-established custom. Rather, he modestly stated:

“Although we cannot agree that this is the proper day for celebrating the birth of our Redeemer .... yet upon this day, so generally celebrated, we may properly enough join with all whose hearts are in the attitude of love and appreciation toward God and toward the Savior.” (This the Witnesses now also belittle.)

And his attitude toward the cross was much the same as it is recognized today; and there is strong argument – as we have given aforegoing – that he was right, and the pres­ent-day Witnesses are wrong in attacking the sacred story so generally accepted today. In fact, while he was still alive, the emblem of his admirers was a cross-and-crown pin ­a red enameled cross superimposed upon a crown of gold: “If we bear the cross, we shall wear the golden crowns.” There are yet probably quite a few Witnesses still living who hold in loving esteem that designation of their belief.

THE TABERNACLE

Our Lord said that every minute detail of the Law, of which the Tabernacle was an insepar­able part, was typical. “Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the prophets ... Verily I say unto you, Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot (the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet) or one tittle (one tip of a letter) shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled (filled full, completely enacted in antitype).” (Matt. 5:17,18) If Jesus spoke the truth here – and He certainly did – then we are forced to the conclusion that the typical features of the Law are an integral and impor­tant part of the Old Testament, forcing the further conclusion that those antitypes that occur in this Gospel Age are an essential part of Christian knowledge and faith now. This is verified by St. Paul in 1 Cor. 10:11, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples.” The Diaglott translates this doubly emphatic: “These things occurred to them typically (“these things are all types,” or “these things by way of type”—Dr. Rotherham), and were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the Ages have come.”

Because of the forceful language in the critical translations, coupled with the words of Jesus in Matthew, Pastor Russell placed great value upon those Tabernacle types; thus, the outstanding production of his early writings was “Tabernacle Shadows of the Better Sacrifices,” which appeared first in 1881. And in the Foreword of that book he had this to say:

“The careful student will discern that, the application of the types herein presented being correct, the entire Plan of the Ages is thereby corroborated .... To what a glorious gospel, then, is this the key.”

Yet, the Witnesses - who now make loud cry that Pastor Russell is the founder of their Movement – have completely eliminated Tabernacle Shadows from their teachings ­just as the Roman Catholic Church has perverted or eliminated much of the teachings of our Lord and the Apostle Peter, even as they also claim to be following “in their steps.” Such claim, of course, is nothing more than gross fraud, and the names St. Peter and Pastor Russell become only magnetic expressions to perpetrate colossal hoax upon “the unstable and the unlearned.”

Possibly realizing somewhat the enormity of their offense, and in a bungling at­tempt to mitigate their acts, they give 1 Cor. 10:11 this translation in their own Bible:

“Now these things went on befalling them as examples.” It will readily appear to all that this ‘translation’ by the Witnesses bears little resemblance to those critical trans­lations cited aforegoing, which brings us to repeat what we have previously declared; namely, their Bible is not a translation at all – it is merely a paraphrase distorted and twisted to fit what they now want to believe. Thus, it needs little argument that Pastor Russell would have no part of their ‘translation’ were he still living.

Nor should the Witnesses claim to be following Pastor Russell when they cast aside the very foundation of all his Harvest Truth teachings. As he himself emphatically de­clared, the Six Volumes of Studies in the Scriptures all are the direct outgrowth of Taber­nacle Shadows; and Tabernacle Shadows corroborates “the entire Plan of the Ages.” There­fore, in rejecting Tabernacle Shadows, they are in substance rejecting the Good Word of God – all of which causes us to quote Jer. 8:9: “They have rejected the Word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?” This one premise alone should cause all to view with a very skep­tical eye anything and everything that the Witnesses now offer as truth. And, further along this line, when any organization begins to “strain at gnats,” as the Witnesses have done regarding “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2) – condemning acceptance of the cross because it is of pagan origin – we may very safely conclude that such people are be­reft of the Truth and the spirit of the Truth; and we should follow St. Paul’s counsel, “from such turn away.” (2 Tim. 3:5)

And we might here properly inquire, Is their ‘torture stake’ not also of Pagan origin? And would Christians be any less Pagan if they adopted the ‘torture stake’ instead of the cross? In fact, they emphasize the pagan origin of the cross; then substitute another pagan invention in its place – simply talking without having anything to say. Truly, “Wis­dom is justified of all her children.” (Luke 7:35)

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

In previous papers we have stated that the Witnesses are the Roman Catholic Church’s “little twin”; and, in further proof of this contention, we analyze the conditions per­taining to the Jews after the end of that dispensation. Just before His death our Lord said unto them, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:38) And in keeping with this declaration the desolation gradually gathered momentum until the full de­struction in A.D. 73 by the Romans, followed by the dispersion that continued throughout the Gospel Age. And with that dispersion came continued and organized contumely and physical abuse upon that race. Especially was this persecution aided and abetted by Antichrist (the Roman Church); and the more apostate that system became, the more they also treated true Christians (the heretics, the real Protestants) in like manner as they did the Jews. Thus the cast-off Jews and the true followers of Jesus found themselves in much the same caldron (without design on the part of either, of course).

Now, here in the end of the Age, some of this same condition finds repetition. Since the death of Pastor Russell the Witnesses have been very determined in their antagonism against those who would adhere to his teachings, branding them as “that evil servant” class (Matt. 24:48), forbidding their deluded dedicated devotees to read any of the writings of such people (in exact fashion as did the Roman Church with respect to the writings of the ‘heretics’ – true Protestants), casting the protesters out of their midst in cruel and un­founded disfellowshipments (“make fire come down from Heaven” – Rev. 13:13) – in exact du­plication of the acts of the Roman Church during the heyday of their power. And along with such proceedings, they, too, are castigating the Jews, consigning them to eternal extinction because they do not accept the Witnesses – identically as did the Roman Church when they sentenced their ‘heretics’ to the Lake of Fire.

This, too, is a diametric contradiction of what Pastor Russell taught. At the over­flow meeting at the Hippodrome Theatre in New York City in 1910, the Pastor so warmed the hearts of the Jews there assembled that many of them for years afterward fondly referred to him as their Pastor. Thus, here again we find no relation at all to what the Witnesses now teach concerning Jewry to what Pastor Russell taught, and whom they claim to be the founder of their Movement. In this connection, we offer the following quotation from his Studies in the Scriptures, Volume 2, p. 302:

“Some have endeavored to do as Papacy did, to organize their church under some one person as its head, while others supply the place of this head with a council or synod; but all are under the delusion imposed by the false and misleading interpretations of Scripture doctrine started by Antichrist – that now, and not at a future time, is the reign of Christ’s Kingdom; and, denying the coming Age, as the Antichrist does, they, like that system, are careless of the full development of holiness among believers (the Witnes­ses denying there is such a thing as character develop­ment—JJH) and are zealous rather for the accomplishment now of the work of the next Age, the conversion of the world – so much so that they are often willing to misrepre­sent God’s plan and Word, and to invent theories to frighten and drive the world into a profession of godliness.”

When the Papal System held sway, they consigned the dissenters to eternal torment; now the Witnesses sentence them to eternal extinction in the approaching Armageddon. Then the Papacy (Antichrist) had established the counterfeit thousand-year reign of Christ; now the Witnesses have established their counterfeit Kingdom.

Just a little reflection should cause any unbiased mind to realize their present ri­diculous position. All about us we see moronic, semi-moronic, physical and mental dere­licts who either have not the capacity or the will power to assimilate the Truth when it is presented to them. The Adversary is not yet bound, and is “blinding the minds of them that believe not” – even among the majority of the intelligent. They freely proclaim this in their March 1, 1968 Tower, p. 136, par. 1, telling us the Devil is still with us, “has blinded the minds of the unbelievers.” Yet the Witnesses are telling us that if all such people do not accept them now before Armageddon, they shall experience eternal ex­tinction with no further chance for Kingdom blessings – even though all the minds of the un­believers are BLINDED by the Devil! Note now the prophecy that directly applies to the TRUE Kingdom reign – Christ’s Kingdom reign: “When thy judgments are in the earth, the in­habitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa. 26:9) And again Rev. 21:25, “There will be no night (error) there.” Further, the words of St. Paul in 1 Tim. 2:4, Dia.: “God desires all men to be saved, and come to an accurate knowledge of the Truth.”

Let us now consider some of the Witnesses’ teachings that are in violent opposition to the foregoing. On p. 659 of the Nov. 1, 1967 Tower, they say: “The ‘stubborn’ resist­ers (meaning actually, the resisters of the Witnesses’ kingdom—JJH) of God’s victorious kingdom are really accomplishing nothing against it. At Armageddon... He will utterly destroy them by means of his exalted Royal Stone, Jesus Christ.”

And further on p. 660: “Jehovah God will perform no ‘saving’ act for his enemies... God will bring them back to punishment. If, even in atomic-powered submarines, they should try to hide themselves in the depths of the sea, the unavoidable Jehovah God will bring them back. To what? To face slaughter, that their life blood may be poured out. This will enable the true followers (meaning the Witnesses themselves—JJH) of the Son of David, in effect, to wash their feet in the blood of their enemies. No decent burial will be given such detestable enemies, but, if we have any Biblically despised dogs in our ser­vice, God will let them lick up the blood of the enemies against whom God has arisen.”

Here indeed is a most happifying anticipation – a glorious reward for the faithful followers of the Lamb! Who but the most obnoxious moral renegades would not enjoy bath­ing his feet in a pool of blood of his former friends and relatives – perhaps your own father and mother will be providing some of that blood for you – if they don’t agree with you now, and don’t join up with the Witnesses! What a reward is here held out for those “true followers (the Witnesses) of the Son of David!

And something more on p. 661: “O how the favored survivors of the war of Armageddon will celebrate his eternal victory with song and music, blessing him who is the source of life of his people!”

Join them quickly – before Armageddon – and you, too, may be among the fortunate ones who will revel by bathing your feet in the blood of your mother, your father, your sweetheart, or your children who had not the favored intellect to realize that they also should have cast their lot with those who will obtain the supreme ecstasy of that bloody carnage. It is but a small step between this picture and the one presented by the Roman Church. The latter promised their adherents a blissful eternity – playing upon golden harps, no more conflicts or toils, in heavenly glory, as they would experience the inex­plicable ‘joy’ in Heaven of watching their former friends and relatives – father, mother, et al – writhing forever in the Lake of Fire, with no hope of escape. Of course, our en­lightened day will no longer tolerate such distortion; thus, the Witnesses have toned down their punishment of the damned to a less hideous sentence in Armageddon (although ‘scary’ enough to induce many of the “unstable and unlearned” to join them): You will just wash your feet in the blood of the lost, instead of enjoying their torment in the Lake of Fire forever.

THE LAST ENEMY

On pp. 524, 525 of the Sept. 1, 1967 Tower there is offered some considerable comment on the “last enemy” of 1 Cor. 15:26. They contend this “last enemy” they declare to be the “Adamic death” (although they also claim that Adam has died the Second Death, which will never be destroyed) – the death resting upon all through Father Adam’s transgression in Eden. Placing Adam in the Second Death is a direct denial of the Ransom (the anti-lutron, or exact equivalent), because Adam is the only person who could properly be ransomed by Jesus – a perfect life for a perfect life. Every one of Adam’s descendants came into this world imperfect; thus the giving of a perfect life for any one of them could not possibly be a true anti-lutron, an exact equivalent, or ransom in the Biblical sense of that word. This “new light” of the Witnesses is a diametric contradiction, and repudiation, of our Pastor’s basic teaching of the “Restitution of all things” (Acts 3:19-21), as he sets forth in the “Divine Plan of the Ages” (a book they have cast aside for their “New Light”).

Let us keep well before us that the raising of the last one from the grave will im­mediately blot out the Adamic-death state. Those who die after coming to “an accurate knowledge of the Truth” – if not obedient to the best of their ability and in harmony with it – will then die the Second Death – not the Adamic death. Thus, it would seem very elemental that the last one to come forth from the tomb must do so some considerable time before Satan is loosed from the abyss, because it is hardly likely that that person can “come to an accurate knowledge of the truth” in a day, a week, a month, or even a year. This being true, there must be something decidedly faulty with their reasoning here – something wrong somewhere.

So the “Last Enemy” of 1 Cor. 15:26 is not the Adamic-death state, as the Adamic-­death state is destroyed at least a 100 years before the Mediatorial reign ends. The Adamic-death process (the evils inherited and acquired under the reign of sin) will be plagued out of the sheep class by the end of the Mediatorial reign and at the beginning of the Little Season. But the Adamic-death process will not be plagued out of the goat class, because although outwardly obedient their hearts were evil: they will enter the Little Season with imperfect characters. So when the goats are destroyed in the Second Death at the end of the Little Season the Adamic-death process in them is destroyed: The “last enemy” of 1 Cor. 15:26 (the Adamic-death process) will then be destroyed at the end of the Little Season. Then “there will be no more ‘curse’ – the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it.” (Rev. 22:3)

To indulge in a slight digression, we remark that the leaders of the LHMM also hold the same view as do the Witnesses on the destruction of this “last enemy”: they, too, teach it is to be destroyed before Satan is loosed from the abyss.

“ONE PROSELYTE”

On pp. 540-543 of this same Tower is the record of one Johannes Weber, long time ad­herent of the Witnesses, who tells us on p. 541 that sometime before 1914 a lady advised him to read The Divine Plan of the Ages. “This I did,” says he, “and read the book thoroughly noting that its teachings were quite different from those of the church.” He does not say to which “church” he refers; but we would now join with him in declaring that the teach­ings of that Divine Plan book are also “quite different” from the teachings of the “church” of the present-day Witnesses – so much so that Pastor Russell (who wrote the book) would speedily disavow any connection whatever with those now attempting to gain prestige by linking his name with theirs. The Divine Plan of the Ages directly contradicts the en­tire structure of the Witnesses present-day teachings regarding Armageddon and the fate of the present unsaved world. This is quite in keeping with the claims of Antichrist and its relation to St. Peter; Antichrist’s claims are an insult to St. Peter – just as the Witnesses’ claim is an insult to Pastor Russell. “Only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.” (Isa. 4:1) Pastor Russell had a heart-cheering message for the unsaved world instead of telling them if they didn’t join his group now they would be eter­nally dammed.

Here is a little more from Brother Weber’s statement: “At the end of the war (1914­-1918) one day I spied a huge poster with a picture of Pastor Charles T. Russell, the So­ciety’s first president, advertising a film show entitled Photo-Drama of Creation.’ It turned out to be the most beautiful and imposing drama I had ever seen... The next out­standing event was the widely publicized lecture by J. F. Rutherford, second president of the Watchtower Society on the topic ‘Millions Now Living Will Never Die.’“ In this lat­ter he fails to state, however, that the time limit of this lecture was set for 1925; and, when 1925 came and went with not even a ripple in current happenings to give the slightest credibility to the lecture and the time predictions, the subject was hastily ­and quietly – dropped. Do we hear any one preaching it today? If not, why not? If it was the Truth in 1920, it should be decidedly and more clearly apparent now than it was then. In 1925 the Ancient Worthies were to return from the grave Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the others; and this was so fixedly taught that J. F. Rutherford even built a palatial residence in California, it was reported, to be used by those Ancients when they would return to life. However, a former Jehovah’s Witness told us that the mansion was built for J. F. Rutherford, and was not built for the Ancient Worthies.

But let us consider here that the Divine Plan and the Photo-Drama were the means of bringing Brother Weber into the Truth, although there was not one word in either of them about Millions Now Living Will Never Die – nor of any of the sordid blood-bath predic­tions now being circulated by the Witnesses – not one word about a bath of blood for you in the blood of your former relatives and friends. Indeed, Pastor Russell was “wise and faithful”: he taught that the fully faithful would be able to bless and help their unbelieving friends and relatives, instead of rollicking in their blood; thus, we should not expect such distortion from him, because he did indeed teach “the Gospel (good news) of the Kingdom” – “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Thus we are forced to the painful conclusion that at the first Brother Weber was brought into the Truth by Pastor Russell’s ingenious pen products; but has since been taken out of that Truth by the pen products – the present-day teachings – of the Witnesses. And, if the present-day Witnesses would read that Divine Plan of the Ages with an honest and open mind, they would speedily and gladly be forced to renounce their present beliefs. The honest-hearted among them would be happy to shed their sectarian bonds and receive the Truth that makes you free indeed. (See John 8:32 and Berean Comments)

We offer here just one brief quotation from that Divine Plan book, p. 294: “We find statements by both prophets and apostles which clearly indicate that in the times of restitution Israel as a nation will be the first among the nations to come into harmony with the new order of things; that the earthly Jerusalem will be rebuilt upon old heaps (this prediction is dated 1886, when there was not the slightest intimation of Israel as a nation in Palestine, as we now view it—JJH); and their polity will be restored as in the beginning under princes or judges (Isa. 1:26; Psa. 45:16; Jer. 30:18)... And while Israel will be the first of the nations to be recognized and blessed, it is written also of Israel that ‘The Lord shall save the tents of Judah first’... As Jerusalem was the seat of the empire under the typical Kingdom of God, it will again occupy the same posi­tion, and be the ‘city of the Great King’ (Psa. 48:2).”

Much more of the same is to be found in that section of the book; and all of this the present leaders of the Witnesses have renounced completely – claiming, as they do, that their present “Large Multitude” are to be recognized as the principals in the earthly phase of Christ’s Kingdom – much the same as the LHMM now also claims the preeminence for their “Consecrated Campers,” a class invented for the purpose in recent years, in exact fashion as the Witnesses have invented their non-existent earthly “Large Multi­tude.” Of this perhaps more in a future writing. Both Movements repudiate what Pastor Russell taught concerning the Jews – all the while both of them make loud claim to be­ing his followers.

And here is something else from Pastor Russell’s faithful Scriptural teachings that completely dissipates the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ claim of “God’s Kingdom on Earth”: “Thus we see our commission as respects all people of all nations who have an ear to hear our message. We are to make them disciples and to immerse them into the name (the disposi­tion—JJH) of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are to teach them to observe all things whatsoever Jesus commands. This is the extent of our authority. We are not to organize human systems and call them kingdom, churches, or other names (such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Kingdom Halls, etc.—JJH). We are merely to prepare the followers of Jesus, cooperating with God, who will work in them to will and to do His good plea­sure.” (Dec. 1, 1914, Reprint 5588, col. 2, top)

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-­kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth.”

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle , Pilgrim

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace to you and the Bible House family!

It has been a long time since I last heard from you. I do regret not writing be­fore now. Anyway, I am still in good health, spiritually and otherwise, although Sister is not quite so bright – has not overcome completely her shocks.

Nevertheless, there is much to be grateful for! The Lord has spared our lives to serve Him. The Apostle Paul points out: “There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” (2 Cor. 12:7) God sees and knows what is best to develop His people.

Yes, dear Brother, our Lord has certainly been manifesting Himself in His Spiri­tual House as well as toward the powers of the earth. They will soon be completely shaken and destroyed We are in receipt of the articles you send to us. They are sure­ly refreshing – like the brook along the way of the weary traveler. May the good Lord continue to bless your great efforts toward His Name.

I received a letter from Brother ------- He sent me five pounds and his sympathy in my bereave­ment. He emphasized that the Kingdom will be set up in 1994. Well, there might be likelihood of that. But, while hopeful, I think we need to watch “the Salvation of the Lord.”

Please remember us in your prayers, even as we always do the same for you and all at the Bible House. With warm Christian love, I am

Sincerely your brother ------- (JAMAICA)

NO. 287: THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES

No. 287

“In those days there will be great distress on the land, and wrath against this people (the Jews) .... and Jerusalem will be trodden down by Gentiles, till the times of Gentiles may be accomplished.” (Luke 21:23,24, Dia.) As most of our readers know, Brother Russell accurately measured off the times (years) of the Gentiles as 2,520 literal years, beginning in the Fall of 607 B.C. (606 years before A.D. 1) and ending in the Fall of 1914. In that year the great war erupted, which afforded positive proof that he had correctly foretold the times of the Gentiles.

However, probably quite a few of our readers may not know that a “foolish virgin,” Doctor Guiness, had come out many years before 1914 with the theory that those Gentile times would not end until nineteen years later – in 1933. And, when the destruction of present institutions did not occur immediately after 1914, with peace being declared in 1918, quite a few brethren in the Truth movement accepted this error, and caused no little furor among the brethren at that time. On the surface it did seem that a mis­take had been made; but when 1933 arrived, and not the slightest event of any conse­quence occurred then, the controversy just passed into limbo. And of those who did ac­cept the error after peace had been restored on November 11, 1918, and things seemed to be going along quite peacefully (with the exception of the overthrow of the Czarist re­gime in the Fall of 1917), it was a puzzling situation – but no answer appeared then to solve the puzzle. And many of those who had accepted the error are now floating around more or less without any anchor at all in the chronology. It is our firm conviction that the Gentile Times did end in 1914; and this will become more manifest when Armageddon confirms the interpretation of 1 Kings 19:11,12.

That Servant himself was thoroughly convinced that The Times of the Gentiles ended in 1914, and that the chronology was correct. Here are some quotations from his Foreword in Parousia Vol. 2, written after 1914 and published October 1, 1916:

“We could not, of course, know in 1889, whether the date 1914, so clearly marked in the Bible as the end of the Gentile lease of power or permission to rule the world, would mean that they would be fully out of power at that time, or whether, their lease expir­ing, their eviction would begin. The latter we perceive to be the Lord’s program; and promptly in August, 1914, the Gentile kingdoms referred to in the prophecy began the present struggle, which, according to the Bible, will culminate in the complete overthrow of all human government, opening the way for the full establishment of the Kingdom of God’s dear Son.

“Our thought is that somehow the Lord is taking a hand in the affairs of the world now as He did not do in times past. We do know that the great Time of Trouble, which has begun, very closely corresponds to the Divine declaration respecting the time He shall take to Himself His great power and reign, the nations will be mad and the Divine wrath will come. A little later on the time will come for the judging of the dead, and the giving of the reward to God’s servants, small and great, leading on finally to the destruction of the incorrigible, who would exercise a corrupt influence upon the earth. (Rev. 21:8)

“All over the world people knew of the expectations of Bible Students in respect to the year 1914; and when so stupendous a war as the present one broke loose, when the winds of strife began to blow with such fury and destruction, thousands remembered what they had heard and read respecting the end of the Gentile Times. Thousands today have come to fully appreciate the times in which we are living.

“The author acknowledges that in this book he presents the thought that the Lord’s saints might expect to be with Him in glory at the ending of the Gentile Times. This was a natural mistake to fall into, but the Lord overrules it for the blessing of His peo­ple. The thought that the Church would all be gathered to glory before October, 1914, certainly did have a very stimulating and sanctifying effect upon thousands, all of whom accordingly can praise the Lord – even for the mistake ....

“Our mistake was evidently not in respect to the ending of the Times of the Gentiles; we drew a false conclusion, however, not authorized by the Word of the Lord. We saw in the Bible certain parallels between the Jewish Age and the Gospel Age. We should have noted that these parallels follow the nominal systems to destruction in both cases, and do not indicate the time of the glorification of the New Creation.......

It should be noted here that Brother Russell put too much faith in “parallels,” and failed to heed his own faithful doctrine – “that parallels, types, as well as Pyramid dates, cannot teach a doctrine, but only corroborate a doctrine already taught in plain terms.” And Brother Johnson often reiterated this same doctrine; but he, too, relied too heavily on the “parallels” and types for the glorification of the last saint in 1956. But, as Brother Russell has stated in the above quotation of his Foreword: “This was a natural mistake to fall into, but the Lord overruled it for the blessing of His people.”

And in the Reprints 5522 and 5523 Brother Russell corroborates his above statements in regard to the Time of Trouble beginning after the Gentiles Times End – also that the Epiphany period started with the Time of Trouble: “These Bible students call our atten­tion to the fact that the Bible distinctly differentiates between the Parousia of Christ and His Epiphania, at His second coming. The word Parousia (5522, bottom) signifies presence, without any sense of the word indicating that the presence is visible. The word Epiphania signifies the revealing of one who is already present. These Bible students claim that in the end of this Gospel Age Christ will be present, invisible to men, dur­ing a period of forty years doing a work especially to His Church – rewarding the faith­ful, as shown in the parables of the Pounds and the Talents, and receiving the ‘wise vir­gins,’ as in the parable of our lesson.... the world will know that He has taken His great power and begun His reign of righteousness, not by seeing Jesus in the flesh, but by seeing the great Time of Trouble which then will break upon the world – ‘A time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.’ (Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21)”

“The Scriptures indicate that the Gentile governments will receive from their own peoples their first notice that their lease of power has expired... The judgments of the Lord will begin to be manifest in the world, and will run counter to many of their interests. This manifestation of His presence is Scripturally called the Epiphania, the shining forth, the revealment, of the King of Glory. ‘He shall be revealed in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (2 Thes. 1:7-10) As a result, the nations of earth will be broken to pieces like a potter’s vessel. (Psa. 2:8,9)

“The picture given of the end of Gentile times is that of a stone striking the image of Gentile supremacy in its feet. (Dan. 2:34,35) The impact will be so sharp and so thorough as to leave nothing of them. Having had their day, they will cease to be – ‘become like the chaff of the summer threshing floor.’ The next event in order will be the Messianic kingdom, of which it is written, ‘The desire of all peoples shall come.’” (Reprint 5527, top, col. 2, par. 2)

“Emphasizing the suddenness with which the calamity will overtake the world, Jesus said that on the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained down fire and brimstone from heaven; and he declared that thus it will be in the day when the Son of Man is re­vealed. The Greek text shows a difference between the PAROUSIA, or presence, of Christ before the time of trouble, and the later EPIPHANIA, or revealing.”

Under the Caption of Present Duty and Privilege of the Saints in Reprints 5630-­5633 Brother Russell gives us the following: “What time, then, is signified by the ex­pression ‘in the days of these kings,’ when the kingdom of God was to be set up in power? To our understanding the first step in the setting up of this kingdom was the raising of the sleeping saints of the Gospel Age, which we believe was in the spring of 1878. Then began the glorification of the Church. The work of setting up the kingdom has, we under­stand, been progressing from that date, and is now merely lacking the last members of the Church class. When these shall have taken their places as members of the Church in Glory, the Kingdom will be fully set up.

“This does not signify, that there may not be a part of the kingdom work begun while some of the members of Christ are still in the flesh. Indeed some Scriptures seem to imply that there will be a kingdom work done this side the veil, while a work of still greater magnitude and authority is progressing on the other side of the veil. We read, ‘Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud upon their beds.’ This seems to imply, as we have mentioned before, that there is a special work to be done while these saints still have beds, while they are in a condition of repose – not ‘tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine,’ but fully at rest in God’s great plan. The Scripture goes on to say that they have a two-edged sword in their hands – this is the Word of God. They use it as the sword of the Spirit. This would not be true of them on the other side of the veil. They would have no use for a sword there. The Scriptures also declare that the high-sounding praises of God are upon their lips. This, too, seems to be applicable to those this side the veil.” (Reprint 5631, col. 2, par. 5)

“The final phrase, ‘to execute the judgments written,’ would seem to imply that there would be something for the saints on this side of the veil to do in connection with the execution of the judgments upon the nations. As to just what this means, we have not yet fully learned. But we see nothing here to conflict with the thought that the Lord’s kingdom may be properly understood to have begun operations and the present smiting of the nations is under kingdom control. The fact that some of the members of the kingdom class are still in the flesh does not militate at all against this thought. We see the kingdoms of the world now being dashed to pieces, and we are expecting to see the process continued until they are completely ground to powder. They shall become as the chaff of the summer threshing-floor, and the wind shall carry them away. Then shall they be found no more at all. (Dan. 2:35)

“The Kingdom of God Set Up: Because certain important things are to be accomplished, we see that God is permitting what others might seem to be purely human devilishness. For a wise purpose He permits this reign of lawlessness, this condition which evokes uni­versal odium. Our thought is that we should look for still further evidences day by day that the Gentile Times have ended, and that God’s kingdom has begun its work. We are ex­pecting to see multiplied proofs of the kingdom power, though the world will not recog­nize it as such until it is manifested in the flaming fire of anarchy, which is still further along... But many will not begin to see until the flaming fire is revealed. When we endeavor to tell them now they will not receive it, but they will be thoroughly convinced when they see the destructive fire of anarchy.

“It was merely during the interval between the destruction of the kingdom of Israel and the setting up of the kingdom of the heavens that the opportunity was given to these Gentile kingdoms to see what they could do toward establishing a righteous government on earth. Now the time has come for God’s kingdom to displace them; but they will not willingly resign their crowns and scepters; they are in defiance. Therefore force is re­quired to destroy them. Their 2520 years of rule are in the past, and they must now sub­mit to a complete overthrow. We are expecting that the work of their crushing will stead­ily continue until its full accomplishment.

“But finally, when the Lord’s ‘due time’ has come to permit it, they broke through their restraint. The Lord has at this particular time especially to do with the affairs of the nations. And this war was allowed to occur at about the end of the Times of the Gentiles, at the appropriate time when they are to be dashed to pieces with the iron rod of the iron rule. (Psa. 2:6-12) ... Now in this great day of the Lord everything that can be shaken is to be shaken to pieces and shaken out, to the intent that nothing unright­eous or unworthy shall remain. God Himself is doing the shaking.” (R-5632. col. 1)

“The Time For Judgment is Ripe: We believe that the Times of the Gentiles ended just on time, as shown in Vol. 2 of the Studies in the Scriptures. The hand of justice is now doing the breaking – the nations shall be broken as ‘a potter’s vessel.’ The whole cataclysm of trouble may be upon the world during the next ten months or it may be longer deferred. We believe that the time for the setting up of the kingdom was on Sep­tember 21, 1914. At that time, when it was due for our Lord to take up His great power and reign, the nations were already angry. They were at war over a month in advance of the time, because so angry.” (Reprint 5632, col. 2)

THE EPIPHANY

From the foregoing we believe there can be no sound argument against our statement that Brother Russell believed that an Epiphany – as a period of time – would become ap­parent once the Gentile Times and the Time of Trouble had arrived. We have gone into quite some detail on the subject, quoting much from Brother Russell. It is our belief that many of our readers still hold him in high regard; they believe that he was That Servant – just as we do. And it strikes us as most unusual that many of those same brethren pay little or no attention to his teachings about the Epiphany and the Time of Trouble.

It is probably in order here to state that the Time of Trouble in the broad sense had its beginning in 1874, during which date and 1914 the reaping work is pretty well consummated. During that forty years such movements as the IWW (International Works of the World), the Communists, Nihilists, etc., persuaded many that the time for radical change had come. When we were in the US Army in 1918 we came into close contact with some of these. And often when we spoke the Truth to them about the Times of the Gentiles, that the lease of power had expired, and that the Lord was then in process of evicting them, they admitted that they agreed – and the only thing then preventing them from tearing down the social institutions of the time was the great war – for which they had no sym­pathy, but were persuaded that the common enemy – the Central Powers – must first be de­feated. After the war ended, some of their leaders, or friends, such as Norman Thomas, openly declared that the conflict had been nothing but a commercial war; and that those who refused to cooperate with the Government were the only ones who had shown good sense.

As most of our readers know, fire in the Bible is often a symbol of destruction; and this was certainly true of the Great War. Note 2 Thes. 1:7-10, Dia.: The Lord Jesus from Heaven ... in a flame of fire dispensing retributive justice to those not acknowl­edging God (the second-death class in Big Babylon), and to those not being obedient to the glad tidings (the second-death class in the Truth Movement) ... when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all those who believe, in that day.” In this Scripture St. Paul is directly identifying the Time of Trouble as a period of great destruction.

Further the same Apostle identifies this destruction as a period of time in 2 Tim. 4:1, Dia.: “Christ Jesus is about to judge the living (those who have “passed from death unto life,” and the fallen angels who have never been under the death sentence) and the dead (the dead world of mankind whether in the tomb or those still living on this earth), by his appearing (the Epiphany) and by his kingdom (the thousand-year reign of the saints on earth).”

It should be stressed here that Brother Russell saw much of what we have written herein – perhaps not as clearly as we see things now; but he gave us the foundation upon which to build. Thus it is our firm conviction that his chronology is correct, and that most of his dates are also correct, especially so of the Gentile Tines. However, as he himself admits, some of his expectations about those dates were not realized. He used types, parallels, etc., to reach his conclusions; and, when we consider the vast amount of error that was so rampant at the time he entered the ministry, we often marvel that this “man of God” did not make more mistakes than he did; so we are generous in our ap­praisal of his mistaken expectations – and most grateful for the Scriptural doctrines he gave to us – in fact, the whole Plan of Salvation, something no other man could do ex­cept that Faithful and Wise Servant, “whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season.” (Matt. 24:45)

SOME BRIEF CORROBORATIONS

In many places does That Servant offer proof for his faulty conclusions, but the fol­lowing from Parousia Vol. 2, p. 245, par. 2, serves the purpose quite well: “Remember that the forty years’ Jewish harvest ended October, A.D. 69, and was followed by the complete overthrow of that nation; and that likewise the forty years of the Gospel Age harvest will end October, 1914, and that likewise the overthrow of ‘Christendom,’ so-called, must be expected to immediately follow.”

In 1 Cor. 10:11 the Apostle Paul makes this statement: “These things (the waywardness of the Jews during their forty-year march to Canaan) occurred to them typically and were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.” And after they came into Canaan – and until they were ejected in 69-73 A.D. – any number of things “occurred to them typically” as forecasts of the things that would occur in Christendom during this Gospel Age. And let us keep in mind that the above quotation from Vol. 2 was published in 1889, 25 years before 1914, and was probably actually written for the printer many months before that date. So it was a reasonable conclusion. On the face of it, the logic of it is very convincing.

MASADA – In the above we are told that the Harvest ended in 69 A.D., but the com­plete subjugation of the Jews did not occur until the year 73 A.D. at Masada – just forty years after they had “crucified the Lord of Glory.” We now quote some comments from one of the prominent Encyclopedias on this subject:

“Masada, Hebrew Horvot Mezada (meaning ruins of Masada) ancient mountaintop fortress in southeast Israel, site of the Jews last stand against the Romans in the revolt of A.D. 66-73. The name means ‘stronghold, fortress.’ It occupies the entire top of a great mesa near the southeast coast of the Dead Sea... renowned for the palaces and fortifi­cations of Herod the Great, king of Judea under the Romans, and for its resistance to the Roman siege 72-73.

“The Romans fired the defenders’ wooden walls. The Zealots, however, preferred death to enslavement, and the conquerors found that the defenders ... had taken their own lives (April 15, A.D. 73). Only seven women and children – who had hidden in a water conduit survived to tell the tale... lots cast by the last defenders to determine who should die first. It took 15,000 Roman soldiers to defeat completely less than 1,000, includ­ing women and children, almost two years to subdue the fortress.”

That small group of defenders were imbued with the idea that they were God’s “chosen people”; and, with what seemed to them an impregnable fortress, they concluded that the Romans could not overcome them. But at that time the Romans were experts at destruction; and the Jews were unaware of the words of Jesus just before He died, “Your house is left unto you desolate” (Matt. 23:38). Thus, they no longer had the Divine protection that followed their fathers. They had become a part of “the great city, which is called spiritually, Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.” (Rev. 11:8, Dia.)

But with the Jews so thoroughly eliminated, the early Church – after the Apostles passed away – was readily prepared for the encroachments of the “secret of lawlessness” (the rise of the Papacy to power, especially after 539 A.D., and which eventually domi­nated the governments of Christendom until Napoleon broke that power in 1799 A.D. – a period of 1260 years). “The holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months” – months of 30 days each, 1260 symbolic days, but actually 1260 literal years. “Whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of his mouth, and annihilate by the appear­ing of his presence” (2 Thes. 2:7,8). The word “appearing” in this text is from the Greek epiphaneia; and this offers just one more proof that the Epiphany is a period of time – that we are still in the Epiphany because the Papacy has not yet been destroyed. See Berean Comments on these texts. The Papacy has truly been guilty of all the crimes that the Gentile nations have perpetrated upon their enemies, and upon their own people – pouring hot lead into their ears, cutting off their noses, putting them on the rack, etc. In 2 Thes. 2:9, 10, Dia., St. Paul details his prophecy of how the apostate church (Roman Catholic) would perform when they would have the power: “Whose coming is according to the energy of the Adversary, with all power, and signs, and wonders of falsehood, and with every deception of iniquity to those who are perishing.” Certainly history offers indis­putable proof that this Scripture is true in every detail.

MORE FROM THAT SERVANT

Now follows some brief quotations from Parousia Vol. 2, pp. 73,101: “The term Times of the Gentiles was applied by our Lord to that interval of earth’s history between the removal of the typical Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Israel (Ezek. 21:25-27), and the introduction and establish­ment of its antitype, the true Kingdom of God, when Christ comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe in that day. Strictly speaking, the Times of the Gentiles are the period during which God leased the earth’s dominion to the non-Jewish nations. (Thus, they are now operating without that authority which expired in 1914, although it is still the obligation of God’s people to be “submissive to the superior authorities.”—Rom. 13:1, Dia.—JJH)

“Be not surprised, then, when in subsequent chapters we present proofs that the set­ting up of the Kingdom of God is already begun, that it is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Rev. 16:14), will begin in A.D. 1914, and that it will end in the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership. The gathering of the armies is plainly visible from the standpoint of God’s Word.”

When 1914 had come and gone, it caused no little concern in the Truth Movement; and Brother Russell then commented that it seemed the reaping work was not yet ended. He was prompted to this decision because so many people were coming into the Truth after 1914. But he failed to consider that many crown-losers in Babylon had been watching 1914 very closely; and, when the war broke out as predicted, many members of antitypical Lot (Gen. 19:23-26) were fleeing from that “great city, which spiritually is called Sodom” when the fire and brimstone (the destructive effects of the war) began to fall on it. They knew the prediction had been correctly made, so they fled from spiritual Sodom, and came into the Truth Movement – although many of them later left the Truth Movement after the Armis­tice was arranged and things were going along rather smoothly. We were personally ac­quainted with some of them, and we heard their conclusions about it.

Now more from Vol. 2, p. 73, par. 3: “During this interval, the dominion of earth was to be exercised by Gentile governments; and Israel, both fleshly and spiritual, have been and are to be subject to these powers until their time is expired. While God does not approve or commend these governments, he recognizes their dominion. In other words, He has for wise ends permitted their dominion for an appointed time.”

During these Gentile Times some of the basest of men ruled – as instance Nero, Ivan the Terrible, Hitler, et al. However, the glory that was Solomon’s had so captivated the Jewish minds that they failed completely to recognize their Messiah when He came to them “meek and lowly of heart.” Their national standing had been taken from them in the Fall of 607 B.C.; and their idea of a Messiah was one who would cast off the Roman yoke and rule Israel again as had Solomon, when all nations had admired his great wisdom – “wiser than all men,” 1 Kgs. 4:31 – his great wealth and the magnificence of his palace and the Temple he had built, the Holy of Holies containing that priceless piece of fur­niture, the golden ark of the covenant, for which the Jews had extreme reverence, and which had been lost when Jerusalem was taken in the Fall of 607 B.C.

And when Jesus mentioned “the tines of the Gentiles,” it seems the statement had passed right over the heads of the Apostles; they still expected some great person who would throw off the Roman yoke. And this view they held until they were enlightened by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. All this is well confirmed by their question to Jesus just before He ascended to Heaven: “Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) We are told in 1 Chron. 29:23 that “Solomon sat upon the throne of the Lord”; and this caused quite a few Gentile rulers to conclude that they were ruling “by Divine right.” And especially in England this opinion was cherished by some of the most debased kings that ever ruled there: it was a general belief that “the king can do no wrong.” Gentiles should learn from bitter experience the futility of their efforts at self-government while the world was in its present sinful condition.

Solomon – “wiser than all men” – gave such a poor performance during the forty years of his reign that there was revolution in Israel immediately after his death; and the ten tribes that left became known as the nation of Israel, and the two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, became known as the House of Judah. (Jer. 31:31) Thus we have an excellent ex­ample of the Christian Church; the Roman Catholic Church became so corrupt that it pro­duced the great Reformation, with Martin Luther as its hero – although the great bulk of be­lievers still stayed there, just the reverse of what happened in Israel. In that separation by far the most of the Jews forsook the City of David and accepted Jereboam as their king; and it is said in the Bible at least seventeen times of the various kings that ruled Israel until it was carried captive into Assyria by Shalmanezer in the year 739 B.C.: “They walked in the ways of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin.” (2 Kgs. 10:29) Eventually they were so absorbed by their captors that they disappeared as a na­tion and as Jews; they became the “ten lost tribes.”

That most of these Gentile governments have failed miserably to uplift their Gentile subjects is proven by the prophecy that they will go to extreme ruin in the end of this Age; they will be involved in “a time of trouble such as never was since there was a na­tion.” What the prophet wrote about Zedekiah regarding the overthrow of the Jews is strangely befitting of the Gentile nations now, as we see them “reeling to and fro like a drunkard.” “The earth (society as presently organized) shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.” (Isa. 24:20) This is given in more vivid detail in Ezek. 21:25-27: “Thou, profane wicked prince of Israel (Zedekiah), whose day is come..... when iniquity shall have an end ... remove the diadem, and take off the crown ... I will overturn (in the great war), overturn (in the approaching Arma­geddon), overturn it (in complete anarchy) ... until he (the glorified Christ) come whose right it is; and I will give it him.”

There is much more to be said about the Times of the Gentiles, and we may discuss it again in some future paper; but we think we have said enough about it herein to con­vince our readers of the truth in St. Peter’s statement (2 Pet. 1:21, Dia.): “Not at any time was prophecy brought by the will of man, but men from God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” And may this help us all to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus.”

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother:

Hoping all is well with you. Thanks for every edition of Epiphany you send us. We especially enjoyed the October edition “In Memoriam,” in memory of Brother Russell and Brother Johnson – two great Messengers of our times. Thank God for each one. Through their Bible (God’s Word) knowledge we are blessed with the Truth, and became believers in God’s promises; and that we are living in the last period of the Gospel Age.

God bless you all and keep you in His loving care.

Your brethren ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Friends:

Must let you know how very much we all enjoyed the last two papers, the January on Retrospect and the February on the Bible. They are both most interesting.

In view of all the turmoil between Israel and her neighbors, I am wondering just how Egypt and the Arabs differ. Was not Hagar an Egyptian and Abraham the parent of Ishmael? I know blessings were promised Egypt in the same chapter the blessings were promised Israel. We were trying to figure the relationship between Egypt and the re­mainder of the Arab world. Of course we know blessings are coming to all nations even­tually. I wonder how long it will take before the world leaders realize they can do nothing to bring that peace.

We hope the health of all of you is improving, or at least not causing too much dis­comfort. Brother Hoefle sounded in fairly good shape over the telephone. Now if he just stays off Detroit’s frozen streets, as a fall might set him back. I always go over on Windsor Avenue for lunch each day, but today is the first I stayed home – just too icy to take a chance.

I am keeping all the Epiphany papers in folder as Mother tried to do. Am starting a new folder for 1979. It must have been difficult to get the papers out and take care of the health situation at the same tine. But we all appreciate the effort and are certain you all will reap untold blessings.

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

NOTE: Re Egypt and the Arabs, they have a common hatred for the Jews. Egypt was top­pled from world leadership when their entire army was destroyed in the Red Sea as they pursued the fleeing Jews from their country; and they have not forgotten that. However, the reason they now negotiate with the Jews is because the US Government in Washington is largely Jewish; and Egypt needs our friendship. A newspaper man from Orlando just recently returned from a visit to Egypt, and he says their economy is in a deplorable condition – their sanitation bad, and no air conditioning and no screens on the windows.

Yes, Hagar was an Egyptian, and Ishmael and Isaac were half brothers; both had Abraham as their father. Gen. 16:12 says of him, “He will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him.” Thus, the Jews and Arabs have hated each other for 4,000 years. In the first war the Arabs joined the Germans, and English General Allenby kicked them out of Jerusalem in December 1917. That is one of the reasons the US and England set up the Jewish State in 1948. At that time they wanted to establish an Arab State on the West bank of Jordan, but the Arabs did not want it then. Although they had lived in Jerusalem for almost 2,000 years, they did noth­ing to improve the country. Now that the Jews have done something, they want it; but the Jews won’t give it to them. The details of the origin of this are to be found in Gen. 21:9-11.

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Our dearly beloved Brother Hoefle:

May God richly bless you with Love, Mercy, Grace, Health and Strength, and spare you to be with us to carry on this blessed work which He has bestowed upon you as one of His most faithful. We here would very much like to know of your improvement. We have been very much worried about you. How are you feeling? And how is dear Sr. Hoefle holding up? According to Brother Johnson in Present Truth, June 1919-Ps. 29:11, he ex­plains the strength which the Lord gives... we believe it.

We have received all the papers for the year on to December and have always been re­freshed, strengthened and inspired by the light of clear Truth you give us at all times. We again and again and yet again thank God for you as our light bearer at this time of the Age when error is holding up its brazen head, deceiving and being deceived............

People are refusing to listen to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and always tell me that if I am one they refuse to hear me. Sorry to tire you after such a long time.

We here do daily continue to pray for you and Sr. Hoefle and family, also for your Bible House family and God’s Israel everywhere. May God bless and spare you for His work in His beautiful Plan of Salvation for all people.

Much Christian love to you, Sr. Hoefle and all the brethren at the Epiphany Bible House.

By His Grace -------