NO. 364: JESUS THE CHRIST

No. 364

It is rather a sad commentary that many earnest and sincere Church members to not know the clear meaning of the name Jesus Christ, the One they desire to worship. This is not only true of lay members, but is also true of quite a few of their ministers who are attempting to “preach Christ and Him crucified.” “Thou shalt call His name Jesus,” was the command of the angel to Joseph, His stepfather. Jesus is the equivalent of the Hebrew Jeshua, or Joshua, and means Saviour – “for He will save His people from their sins,” said the angel. Jesus continued with only the given name Jesus all during His boyhood and was known by this name to His family and neighbors. However, when He presented Himself to John at Jordan for Baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him from on High; and from that time onward He was known as Jesus Christ. The word Christ means anointed; and the clear indication is that from Jordan on, from the time the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Him, He was then known as Jesus the Christ – or the Anointed Savior. Thus, the name Jesus Christ and Anointed Saviour mean exactly the same thing.

In a broad sense there are four offices He would hold in the saving process for the human family – that of Prophet, Priest, King and Judge. Be it noted there are also four attributes of the Divine character – Wisdom, Love, Power and Justice; and each one of these attributes finds its full application individually in the four offices just named.

First – The work of a prophet is to teach the people the truth: “I will send you Elijah the Prophet... and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” (Mal. 4:5, 6) And such a ministry is founded upon the attribute of Wisdom.

Second – The purpose of a Priest is to forgive and bless. “We have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities... Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy (forgiveness), and find grace (favor, blessing) to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15,16) Surely, such forgiveness and blessing are primarily a work of the attribute of Love.

Third – As a King (Ruler), Jesus will use particularly the attribute of Power. “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and of things in earth, and things under the earth... that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ (the Anointed Savior) is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:10,11) It needs no argument that such a rulership, regal authority, is the direct result of the attribute of Power.

Fourth – And as a Judge He will use specifically the attribute of Justice. “God hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained (the Anointed Saviour); whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31) As Judge, the risen Lord will use specifically the attribute of Justice – strict, impartial and perfect Justice. “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him... shall make Him of quick understanding... He shall not Judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears (as must now be done in our courts, thus often resulting in the conviction of the innocent, and more often resulting in the freeing of the guilty): With righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth... Righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins.” (Isa. 11:2‑5)

A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS

While the foregoing gives an overall summary of the Anointed Saviour and His work toward men, there are various details of each of these that may be itemized under 21 subheadings; and some of these we shall now consider:

(1) OUR RANSOMER – “The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28); and this is further emphasized and clarified in 1 Tim. 2:4‑6: “Will have all men to be saved... The man Christ Jesus (the Anointed Saviour) Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” In this latter text the word ransom is from the Greek anti-lutron, and means a corresponding price – an exact equivalent. This word ransom finds a fairly good illustration in our present‑day kidnapping crimes, where a ransom is demanded for the‑release of the victim. When demands are met, the victim is released; and it is much the same in the case of Jesus as Ransomer, one great difference being that Jesus Himself provides the ransom price. In 1 Cor. 7:23 it is stated: “Ye are bought with a price”; and we are further informed in Rom. 5:12: “By one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin: so death passed upon all men.” From the fall in Eden the great enemy has held the human race as in a gigantic vice, from which none could escape. “None can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.” (Psa. 49:7)

But Christ Jesus (the Anointed Saviour) was well able to provide the ransom price; and He did this by “pouring out His soul unto death,” giving His human life and life rights as the exact equivalent of the man Adam in Eden. “Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book... thou wast slain, and hast redeemed (ransomed) us to God by Thy blood... Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” (Rev. 5:5‑12) As such He substituted His perfect human body for the perfect human body that Adam lost in Eden; His perfect life rights for those lost by Adam in Eden. “The Son of Man is come to save that which was lost.” (Matt. 18:11) Thus, the question properly arises, What was lost? We answer, Four things were lost. First, Adam lost in Eden his peaceful fellowship with God; second, he lost his perfect home in Eden; third; he lost his dominion over the brute creation; fourth, he lost his right to life. The Dying process lasted 930 years, at which time Adam returned to the dust whence he was originally taken.

The doctrine of the Ransom is the foundation stone of all Biblical teachings; it is the touchstone by which we may gauge the truth or error of every other attempted Scriptural interpretation. If such teachings impinge in any way against this touchstone, we may be sure there is something wrong with that teaching. Thus, a proper understanding of the Ransom immediately annihilates the idea that man is a dual being; that is, that he has a soul and body separate and distinct from each other. “In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die,” was the clear edict to the man Adam (Gen. 2:17). There are those that contend that Adam died spiritually on that day. But, if he died physically 930 years later, he must then have been both spiritually and physically dead; so just what else would be left of him? However, the record is clear enough, “Man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7). Thus, when Christ Jesus (the Anointed Saviour) “poured out His soul unto death,” He provided an exact equivalent for what the man Adam lost in Eden – He became the Ransom, the corresponding price, by which He could “redeem them from death; ransom them from the power of the grave” (Hosea 13:14).

(2) MEDIATOR – In Heb. 12:24 it is stated “Jesus the mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” In the verses immediately preceding, there is minutely detailed the Covenant with the nation of Israel at Sinai, with Moses as Mediator, and compared with Jesus as the proposed Mediator of the New Covenant; so it is in order first of all to define the meaning of mediator. He is a go‑between for two parties, much the same as a broker in the stock market. When we buy stock on the New York Stock Exchange, the broker who transacts the action not only represents the buyer, but he represents the seller also, and he is legally and ethically bound to give to each a fair and impartial representation. While money is the medium of exchange in a stock deal, the buyer paying and the seller receiving the amount involved, Jesus as Mediator of the New Covenant provides not money, but His blood, His human life and human life rights, to bring the opposing parties into accord. It should be noted also that the parties to a stock transaction need not be enemies – but actually good friends; but the mediation of Jesus will be between two parties actually at variance with each other. The Jews at Sinai were also out of accord with God – because of inherited and acquired sin; thus, in no position to have any direct dealings with God. But, with Moses as the go‑between, the Law Covenant was completed, through the sprinkling of animals’ blood. So also with the New Covenant, the Christ – Anointed Saviour – shall “make His soul an offering for sin.” (Isa. 53:10), as He mediates the New Covenant.

That this New Covenant is not yet in operation should be readily apparent. If it were, man would be unable to continue in his sinful course as he has been doing for the past six thousand years. There is now no command to the Gentile world to forsake sin and follow righteousness. Rather, there has been a call (“Many are called, but few are chosen”) to such as would hear, a call to “follow in His steps.” But, as stated in the opening paragraphs, when the New Covenant and the Mediator (better than Moses) are established, then it will be a command for “every knee to bow, and every tongue to confess that Christ is Lord.” Certainly, all will agree that this condition does not prevail at this time.

The purpose of the New Covenant is to give life to all who will accept it under the terms of that Covenant. “God will have all men to be saved” from the various evils that now afflict the human race; but, once that salvation is accomplished, then it will be a matter of each individual’s choice whether or not he wishes to avail himself of further benefits that will then be available. That will be the “resurrection of judgment” (John 5:29, Dia.), the word ‘judgment’ here being from the Greek krisis, which actually means a trial time – a trial time with sufficient knowledge available to permit those tried to make an intelligent choice between good and evil.

(3) FATHER – In Isa. 9:6 we have the prophecy, “unto us a son is given... His name shall be called Wonderful... The everlasting father.” St. Paul states, “As by Adam all die, so by the Anointed (Saviour) also, will all be restored to life.” (1 Cor. 15:22, Dia.) The first Adam did not give us life; he gave us a sentence of death, which is slowly executed upon each individual until he is finally placed in the tomb. It is a common expression for men to say, I am living in New York, St. Louis, Los Angeles, etc.; but the fact is that they are all dying in those places, of which every funeral procession gives mute evidence.

But the life that will come from the second Adam (the Anointed Saviour) will be just the reverse; it will bring to the race life in perfection – “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death will be no more, nor mourning nor crying; neither will there be any more pain... These words are faithful and true.” (Rev. 21:4,5) Instead of the aging process we now see on all hands, there will be just the reverse at the hand of the “Everlasting Father”: “Man’s flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth.” (Job 33:25) At the present we see men going from youth to old age and faltering steps; under the Mediator, the Anointed Saviour, the Everlasting Father, just the reverse will occur – man shall return to the days of his youth.

(4) LAW‑GIVER – “The Government shall be upon His shoulder.” (Isa. 9:6) And, since all God’s works are perfect, we may expect a perfect Government when the Anointed Saviour takes unto Himself His great power to reign. Under present unfavorable conditions all governments are far from perfect; in fact, most of them have been miserably imperfect due to the vicious, corrupt and selfish men who have been at the heads of the various governments. “To the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” (Dan. 4:17) Even with the few noble rulers of history, their efforts were much impeded and negated by corrupt and ambitious underlings. As the perfect Law‑giver, the Anointed Saviour will have no selfish motives. “With righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth” (Isa.11:4) – class distinctions will not enter into the administration of justice under the Perfect Law‑Giver.

(5) THE GREAT PHYSICIAN – That the human race is in dire need of better doctors to cure their diseases is apparent on every hand. It is our conviction that many of our better physicians are men and women of high ideals, who work conscientiously and altruistically to ease the ills of the human race; yet they are forced to admit their limitations against the ailments that afflict the race. Not long back a very good and personal friend of ours dropped dead of a heart attack in just a few minutes. He had been a brilliant physician, with a very lucrative practice. We were discussing his sudden demise with perhaps ten fellow members of the Medical Association, when one of them sadly remarked that in instances such as that one they were forced to admit their limitations in their treatment of bodily ills.

The human afflictions are not only physical, they are also mental, artistic, moral and religious. “When I would do good, evil is present with me,” is the open confession of the Great Apostle (Rom. 7:21); and it needs no argument that that noble “example of the believers” exerted all his indomitable will to combat the weaknesses which had come to him through heredity. Said the Prophet Isaiah (1:5,6); “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores; they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Further on the subject by David (Psa. 51:2‑5): “Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity... Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Doctors have listed about 2,000 diseases that afflict humanity – many times more than can be found in any of the brute creation. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” is a further statement by David (Psa. 139:14); but man’s great physique and sensitive nervous system have also subjected him to more numerous and more intricate bodily disorders than can be found in any of the lower animals.

And for all of this the Great Physician (the Anointed Saviour) will in due time produce the remedies that will effect a complete and permanent cure. “The Sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves in the stall.” (Mal. 4:2) “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities (through the work of the Great High Priest); Who healeth all thy diseases (by the hand of the Great Physician)” – Psa. 103:2. This healing has been partially extended to the faith class during the Gospel Age, and will be given fully and completely to all the non‑elect during the Kingdom reign who will avail themselves of it.

(6) THE GREAT AND JUST JUDGE – Previously we touched lightly the Anointed Saviour’s office of Judge, but we now offer some elaboration because of the confused and extensive misunderstanding that prevails on the subject throughout Christendom. In previous centuries the belief was general throughout Christendom that the Great Judge would eventually put in an appearance in a 24‑hour day, sentence all the sinners to eternal torment, and take His faithful with Him into the heavenly abode. It is a tribute to the increase in knowledge (Dan. 12:4) here in the end of the Age that many Christian believers no longer accept such an erroneous view; but many of them still have only a hazy conception of any different view on the subject. However, if we consider the Judges in Israel, after the entrance into Canaan, we find their most important work was to deliver their fellow Israelites from their enemies; and in this they were but a type of the Anointed Saviour who will deliver mankind in general from their enemies of heart and mind – namely, sin, error and selfishness. “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (the Anointed Saviour) – John 5:22.

Such judgment to be successful will involve several things: First, the human race will be put under providential conditions conducive to accepting the harsh, yet merciful, conditions applicable to such judgment. Such conditions do not now prevail, because all will agree that it now is as easy for man to sin as for the smoke and sparks to fly skyward. Even with the faith class, who have resolutely attempted a better way, a certain margin of failure has accompanied their efforts to keep the perfect law of God. Secondly, it will be necessary to teach the unbelief class just what the law actually is – what is required of them – before they can even make the attempt to keep the law. All will agree that the conflicting teachings of the numerous sects today must carry with them a considerable amount of error. It has been well stated that behind every argument lies someone’s ignorance. And this has been especially true of religious arguments. But the promise is sure to all, “I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.” (Psa. 32:8) And, “When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa. 26:9) The people will first be told clearly and certainly what they must do before they will be judged for what they do. It is established law in the courts of our land that “Ignorance of the law excuses no one”; and this may continue measurably true during the reign of the Christ – the Anointed Saviour. But the ignorance will surely and completely first be eliminated before judgment will be meted out. Then, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:9)

Such a situation would require, thirdly, that the necessary help be given for the success of the willing, and suitable punishments for willful violations – punishments not too severe, nor yet too lenient for each individual case. Then, finally, the judgment must be pronounced – innocence for the innocent, and guilt for the guilty. “Then will the King say to those at His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed ones of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the formation of the world’... He will then also say to those at His left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed ones, into that aionian fire (annihilation), which is prepared for the Adversary and his messengers.’” (Matt. 25:3441, Dia.)

From the foregoing it should be clear that the judgment process and the salvation process are companion accomplishments. As the one occurs, so does the other. Thus, instead of the judgment being a fearful thing, the world is admonished to “sing unto the Lord, all the earth... show forth His salvation from day to day – Declare His glory among the heathen.” (Psa. 96:1‑3) He will “judge the world in righteousness”; and none will be asked to perform more than he is able to do. Such a situation today is impossible – even though the judge may have the most noble intentions. We still are faced with the indisputable truth, “Man looketh on the outward appearance,” and must judge accordingly; but in the judgment process of the Anointed Saviour all will know that “The Lord looketh on the heart.”

(7) THE GOOD PROVIDER – Despite man’s best intentions to improve his condition, the result has been mostly dismal failure. Since the great increase of knowledge in the time of the end – from 1799 onward – almost all the great inventions have been produced, resulting in great freedom from the burdens of the curse. But, “A morning cometh, and a night also.” In the more advanced countries today we find much the same evils as were charged to Sodom: “Pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her... they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me; therefore, I took them away as I saw good.” (Ezek. 16:49,50) Jesus compared the world in His first Advent to sheep that have lost their way – without a shepherd; but St. Paul writes of The Anointed Saviour as “That great shepherd of the sheep, who will make you perfect in every good work.” (Heb. 13:20,21) “Our God shall supply all your needs through Christ Jesus, our Lord.” This He has done for the faith class during this Age, and will perform it for all mankind in the Age just ahead, supplying the things needful for them to gain the salvation then available.

At the outset we stated that there are 21 offices, or titles, which apply to the Anointed Saviour; but we have offered detail on only about a dozen of them. Some of those we have not discussed, and which have Biblical labels are the Advocate, the Bridegroom, the Deliverer, the Captain (of our Salvation), the Head (of all things), the Prince of Peace, the Revealer, the Purifier and the Refiner. Some of these operate only during this Age, while others operate now, and will also operate in the next Age. The 21 evils that are rampant among men all find their cure through the person, offices and work of the Anointed Saviour; nor are they to be found elsewhere. Once this is clearly discerned, we may join heartily and with increased fervor in offering the prayer, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth.” That alone will produce “The desire of all nations”; and, as we consider those things already accomplished in that direction, we may have increased confidence in the performance of the remainder, for “He is faithful that promised.”

All of the foregoing may be summarized in the words of St. Peter (Acts 3:19‑23) “The restitution of all things.” The general premise, and the ultimate consummation are also contained in these texts: “A prophet (the Anointed Saviour) shall the Lord your God raise up unto you... Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear (obey) that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” We are told further that when That Prophet occupies His office of Teacher of the people that Satan will be bound – “that he should deceive the nations no more.” (Rev. 20:3) But after that he will be “loosed for a Little Season.” That “Little Season” will be the Time of Trouble at the end of the Millennial Age, just as the present Time of Trouble now marks the end of this Age. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it.” (1 Cor. 3:13)

However, when the trial time of the Little Season shall arrive – in the eventual separation of the Sheep and the Goats – most of the 21 evils mentioned herein will have been eliminated; thus, there will be no more any need for their corrective offices to be operative. But there are several of them that will find their real prominence during that Little Season. The Anointed Saviour will then act in delivering the Sheep (as Deliverer), even as He destroys the Goats; He will still be their King, because man will not obtain “restitution” of his kingly domain that was lost in Eden until after the full end of the Little Season, when the Lord’s words will apply, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom.” Also, at the end of that Little Season the Judge will pronounce His final judgment upon “the just and the unjust” – after which “cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father, when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Cor. 15:24‑26) This “last enemy” cannot possibly mean the tomb, as we understand it today; because, once the resurrection from the death state occurs, in that instant the bonds of the grave are broken, and the healing, instructing, and reviving processes begin to work – all of which must be completed by the beginning of the Little Season.

Both the sheep and the goats will have been perfected physically by the time the Little Season begins, and to all outward appearances they will all be the same. But it will require the trial time – the graduating process – of the Little Season to determine which of them are also perfected mentally, morally and religiously. These may be classed as the concealed vestiges of the dying process – the evils they willfully refused to forsake – even though they were outwardly obedient during the Mediatorial Kingdom. All who enter that Little Season will be perfect physical specimens; most of the 21 offices of the Anointed Saviour will have accomplished their full purpose, and will have passed forever out of existence as such. But a few of these titles and their works will carry right on through the Little Season to its full end. “Then cometh the end,” when all of the 21 offices will cease to operate, as the sheep “inherit the Kingdom” – have had all restored to them that was lost in Father Adam.

Briefly we would recap the 21 offices of the Anointed Saviour as described by the Epiphany Messenger:

1. The Ransomer – “Who gave himself a ransom for all.” (1 Tim. 2:16)
2. The Advocate – for the Church. (1 John 2:1)
3. Our Righteousness – “righteousness of the law... fulfilled in us.”(Rom. 8:4)
4. Bridegroom – of the Bride, the Church, which is His Body. (Eph. 1:22,23)
5. High Priest – who forgives and blesses. (Heb. 4:15,16)
6. Teacher – In the Kingdom the people will learn righteousness. (Isa. 26:9)
7. Deliverer – from sin, error, pain and death. (Rom. 11:26)
8. Captain – of our salvation. (Heb. 2:10)
9. Head – of the Church and of all things. (Eph. 1:22,23)
10. Mediator – He will stand between God’s justice and man during the Kingdom. (See Heb. 12:24)
11. Father – “The everlasting Father.” (Isa. 9:6)
12. Perfect Law‑giver. (Isa. 2:3)
13. Prince of Peace during the Kingdom (Isa. 9:6), but not during this Age. (Matt. 10:34)
14. King – “King of kings” (kings, the Little Flock – Rev. 19:16, and King during the Kingdom).
15. Revealer – to make manifest. (Mal. 3:2)
16. Executive for God. (Isa. 11:4)
17. Physician who healeth all our diseases. (Psa. 103:3)
18. Lord of Lords (Lords, the Little Flock). (Rev. 19:16)
19. Judge – together with the Little Flock – “know ye not the saints shall judge the world.” (1 Cor. 6:2)
20. Purifier and Refiner. (Mal. 3:3)
21. Provider – provides life, perfect home, etc., in restored paradise. (Psa. 103:4)

As said, some of these offices are operative now for the Faith Classes – for the “called” or elect classes, and many of them will continue to operate for all mankind during the Kingdom proper. Also, quite a few of these offices will terminate at the beginning of the Little Season – such as Mediator, Ransomer, Physician, etc. But all who have received Present Truth must know that the Christ will continue all through the Little Season until the end in the offices of King, Judge, Revealer, Deliverer and Provider of the Sheep – until the “end” of the Little Season when He shall have “delivered up the kingdom to God” (1 Cor. 15:24) by transferring Kingship to the Sheep, to those who entered the Little Season with perfect characters. Those who enter the Little Season with unholy heart condition, who have failed to perfect moral and religious qualities – who have failed to rid themselves of Adamic defilements (the dying process) – will be destroyed in the Second Death at the end of the Little Season. Then the Restitution work will be finished, and Acts 3:19‑23 will be fulfilled. At that time He will have “put all enemies under his feet,” and 1 Cor. 15:24‑26 will be fulfilled.

The above is well summarized in E‑17:124, 125, 126: “‘Then cometh the end (the end of the Little Season, when He shall have ruled over all the earth and given every man the opportunity to gain eternal life, which His Ransom‑sacrifice, a corresponding price, enables Him to give), when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father (for God will be the final Judge over the earth and will exercise His judgment through Christ, the Head, primarily, and secondarily, the Church, His Body, as His Vicegerent); when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and (all) power (every vestige of the governorship and of the pretended authority and the pretended might of Satan, all of this will be put down by the almighty hand of Christ, the Head, and the Church, the Body, using God’s power as that almighty power in their hand). For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (thus we see that not only persons are these enemies, but also things. The Adamic death in the sense of the dying process is this last great enemy; and because of His faithfulness, Jesus became the One who will after the close of the Millennium finally destroy it).’... The sad tragedy of sin will forever have ceased to be enacted. The ages to come will witness the realization of the angels’ song of Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will to men.” (Luke 2:14)

The foregoing is beautifully summarized in the words of the angel at the time of Jesus’ birth: “Behold, I bring you glad tidings, which will be a great joy to all people; because today was born for you, in David’s City, a Savior, who is the Lord Messiah.” (Luke 2:10, 11, Dia.) This is clearly emphasized by the Apostle Paul: “Now according to a plan of the ages, which He formed for the anointed Jesus our Lord.” (Eph. 3:10,11, Dia.) Thus, the “plan of the ages” is assured of accomplishment through the Anointed Saviour.

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men... the righteous shall see it, and rejoice, and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord” (Psa. 107:31‑43) – through the ministration of the Anointed Saviour.

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

Reprint of December 1975, No. 246

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brethren: Grace and peace!

Your letter reached me Friday and was most welcome. Yes, I get David’s Bulletins and will be watching to see what he writes about the book. He also sends me his News Releases, which I find very informative. It is the type of information I would have no access to otherwise. It seems to me that lying, conniving and evil are increasing at a more rapid pace. With news reports and world leaders frequently contradicting themselves, one cannot know what is really going on. Without the sure knowledge of the Truth that this destruction of the present order of things is permitted by our Lord as a part of God’s plan, I would live in panic.

As we know, the New Testament was written to the Saints. Some object to a class of unbegotten consecrators. The High Calling has a limited time and a limited number. Brother Russell taught a class of unbegotten consecrators after the door to the High Calling is closed; and that such a class will be inspired by the Scriptures written to the Saints. All Scriptures are comforting to consecrated believers. Of course, they cannot apply to themselves Scriptures regarding the Divine nature, the anointing and the aspirations of the Saints – but there are many Scriptures that apply to all the truly consecrated. The Youthful Worthies are on trial for faith and obedience Just as were the Ancient Worthies. They are not on trial for life. The spirit‑begotten are not only on trial for faith and obedience, but are on trial for life. That Servant taught that the unbegotten class would share in reward and service with the Ancient Worthies. (Vol. 6, page 157) It has always seemed to me there is too much emphasis put on the reward, as if one consecrated to a position rather than out of love for God and Christ and the appreciation of His blessings to all mankind. Consecration is the same for all – a heartfelt desire to do only the Lord’s will.

In spite of the fact that the brethren had seen what happened when Brother Russell died, they proceeded to act in much the same manner when Brother Johnson died. There are some who do not go along with the errors now being taught by the LHMM, but they continue to stay with them – some because of the fellowship, some because they feel they can do more service with a large group, and some for other reasons. If these brethren would read the June 8 Manna text and That Servant’s comments, it would seem that alone would show them the way to help the brethren is not to join them in their errors, but stand for the Truth and call to them.

I am thankful and most grateful for your continued efforts to send out the monthly papers. Although Brother Hoefle is no longer with us, his writings from the reprints are still refreshing. His writings attest to the fact that he was faithful to the “faith once delivered unto the saints” – the Truth as taught by That Servant and the Epiphany Messenger. My warm Christian love and prayers are with you.

Your Sister by His Grace, ------- (MISSOURI)

NO. 363: ABOUT CASIMIR LANOWICK

No. 363

Thought you might like to see this copy of an account about Casimir’s work that I have submitted to Alisa Klausner Ber at her request. She is planning to write about Christian workers for Israel and wants to include information about Casimir.

Alisa is related to the late Dr. Joseph Klausner, well‑known author in Israel who wrote, among other things, a book about Jesus. Possibly as a result of this, Alisa told us many years ago that she has always had a special interest in Christians who love Israel. She is a member of the Israel Interfaith Committee.

Alisa comes from pioneer stock in Israel and has known well, from her childhood, most of the early leaders of the Jewish State – David Ben Gurion, etc. She is married to Baruch Ber who has also been active in politics in Israel and on the editorial staff of the fine newspaper called HA’ARETZ.

Some of my friends remember her well as the dynamic personality who spoke to any number of our Israel tour groups. She told us back in 1955 that she considers Christians who work for Israel as “the saints of all the world,” as the Psalmist put it. (By Elva Lanowick)

THE WORK OF CASIMIR LANOWICK – 1917‑1980

Both Casimir and I were raised by Protestant Christian parents who had firm convictions regarding the ultimate rebirth of the Jewish nation as promised by the Hebrew prophets – a restoration that would have profound impacts not only for the Jewish people but also for the blessing of all mankind.

Before we knew each other, separately we read an excellent small book entitled ZIONISM IN PROPHECY, by Professor Franklyn Hudgings, published in 1936 by the Pro Palestine Federation of America. Casimir was so impressed by this well‑documented treatise that, typical of his special character trait of taking action upon his beliefs, at the young age of 19 he purchased and personally circulated many copies of ZIONISM IN PROPHECY – which, incidentally, though written by a Christian scholar, carried the endorsement of Dr. Hirsch Loeb Gordon and was reviewed favorably by any number of leading U. S. Zionists of that era.

So it was only natural that when the United Nations voted in 1947 in favor of a Jewish state, Casimir was deeply moved by this development. That same year he commenced publishing, with my help, a magazine to report news about the prospect of Israel’s reconstitution as a nation, in a passionate endeavor to arouse the Christians of America as to the tremendous significance of the imminent rebirth of Israel. This news digest was entitled THE JEWS IN THE NEWS and later changed to ISRAEL’S RESTORATION NEWS.

Of course, when the dramatic date of May 14, 1948,saw the creation of the official state of Eretz Israel, our excitement grew more intense and we could never find enough space in the columns of our monthly publication to include all the truly meaningful reportage of events in that fledgling nation. Frequent reference was made to the very pertinent prophetic Scriptures which had so graphically foretold, some 2500 years previously, and even earlier, the details of this historic rebirth of the ancient nation of Israel. But it was a down‑to‑earth magazine, reporting on all aspects of life in the new state, whether related to agricultural revival, military achievements, the ingathering of the exiles, etc., so that the readers could hardly gainsay the depth of meaning of it all.

This endeavor to awaken Christians in the U. S. as to the great significance of Israel met, in those early years, with much skepticism among most Christians, and even Jews, who could not conceive that the tiny new nation could survive the tremendous pressures exerted against it by powerful and rich Arab enemies. It was our aim to be one of the voices of assurance.

Subscriptions to our news organ began to come in to our office in Redwood City, California, from all the then 48 states and even from many foreign countries, i.e. Canada, England, East and West Germany, France, Hungary, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Denmark and others. Because Israel was not a popular subject among the average Christians in those years, we never felt that our publication had the scope of readership it deserved. Yet there was a corps of regular readers, including many influential Christians of all denominations, who were eager to be kept informed regarding the progress in the Jewish State, and in looking back Later we realized that our trailblazing efforts were a considerable factor in bringing about the groundswell of Christian support for Israel that began in the 1970’s.

Even as Theodor Herzl paradoxically met strongest opposition from among the rabbinical leaders of his time, so we found that ministers in the United States were least likely to respond to the message of Israel restored. However, in almost every church were the one’s and two’s whose parents and grandparents had told them that when the Jews would go back to their homeland, it would usher in the Messianic era of peace and righteousness for all mankind. These individuals often became firebrands of zeal concerning the historic significance of modern Israel. We derived much encouragement from these ardent readers, counteracting the general apathy and often open hostility of many of our peers. It is no surprise to the initiated that even anti‑Semitism bared its well‑entrenched fangs. Under the circumstances, you can understand that financial pressures were always a fact of life for us.

The Central Zionist Archives in Jerusalem requested, from time to time, that we make sure that a copy of each issue of THE JEWS IN THE NEWS (later ISRAEL’S RESTORATION NEWS) be sent to them, so if you wish, Alisa, you could examine these in their files to get an idea of the nature of our monthly Israel news digest.

In 1950 Casimir and I made our first trip to Israel, equipped with the latest and finest cameras. Between November of that year and March of 1951 we visited almost every important settlement, site, city and village, including Eilat when the only structure there was an army barracks. (We took panoramic motion pictures here and footage all over the country – of immigrants arriving by the thousands at the port of Haifa, of the maabarot camps, youth aliya villages, etc.) As you can imagine, this opportunity to go to Israel during those momentous times of its national beginnings, the days of tzena, the days of euphoria amidst harsh hardship, was a highlight in our lives. We also had the joy of becoming acquainted with many Israeli of diverse backgrounds – pioneers, refugees from the Nazi holocaust, Yemeni recent arrivals on the “Magic Carpet” looking for all the world like they had stepped right out of the pages of the Bible, etc. These early contacts would always be precious to us, even though we returned to Israel many times afterward.

On our way back to America via Europe, Casimir was asked to lecture in Italy, Germany and England regarding his findings in the new Jewish State. We also made a special trip to Basel, Switzerland so as to see the hall in which Theodor Herzl held the First Zionist Congress in 1897 (has since been torn down).

Our illustrated lecture activities began in earnest in the U. S. in July of 1951 when we commenced what would eventually be about ten years of cross‑country engagements – six months of each year presenting the story of Israel by word and film, and then often but irregularly through the years right up until his death. Eventually our lecture work expanded into Canada, England and Wales, and especially to Australia and New Zealand where, in 1960, we were able to carry on an in depth coverage of these two down‑under lands with our Israel presentation, over a six‑month period. Our audiences in this part of the world included many Jewish people.

The films we had taken in Israel, with the aim of more effectively portraying the historic dimensions of the rise of Israel, received fine reviews, but even more important was the exceptional ability Casimir had as a dedicated and dynamic speaker, consistently able to inspire his audiences. His warmth, his vast store of knowledge about modern Israel, the Judicious use of the Biblical tie‑up, always elicited genuinely enthusiastic response. Casimir’s keen sense of humor spiced his otherwise serious but not pontifical delivery. He liked to use the term “educationally entertaining” in publicizing his illustrated lectures.

These film programs were presented in churches of almost every denomination, for service organizations such as Rotary, Lion’s Club, etc., and we were also sponsored at times by the Zionist Organization of America, Hadassah, and even individual lovers of Israel. Then, too, quite frequently we personally engaged auditoriums, placed newspaper advertising and thus sponsored some of our own very successful meetings. We carried along a very interesting display of Israel products and included Israeli folk songs with each program.

Eventually we came to the realization that an even better way to introduce the magic of Israel to the general public would be to escort them to Israel to see for themselves the marvelous achievements of the sons of Jacob restored to their land. Through our magazine readership and our lecture contacts we organized our first group tour in 1955. (This was when we had the privilege of meeting you, Alisa.) We spent a full 35 days in Eretz Israel that spring, determined to give our Christian friends as thorough an overview of Israel as possible under the circumstances.

As you know, after that we took many tour groups to Israel. We were mindful of the deficiencies of the average Christian “Holy Land” tours – the bypassing of much of the miracle of modern Israel in favor of mostly churches and other so‑called “holy places.” Casimir also steadfastly refused to take short tours to Israel, even though we realized that we could have attracted many more tour members by offering cut‑rate 7 or 10‑day tours or by including Arab countries, European stopovers, etc. The testimonials we accumulated after the tours ended convinced us that our traveling companions were indeed returning home well‑informed, deeply impressed and ready to become eager supporters of Israel’s goals and political stance. You are aware, too, that we also put much stress on the importance of introducing our touring friends to the people of the Land – Israeli from all walks of life, Jewish, Arab and Christian, so that they could catch the unusual spirit of the country, ask questions, etc.

By the way, in 1958 and 1959 we took time off to experience living in Israel, renting a lovely home in Talpioth, then a quiet suburb of Jerusalem, continuing to publish our Israel magazine wherever we went (until about 1968); we welcomed this opportunity to get even better acquainted with the Land and with the Israeli. Again new and lasting friendships were forged and our work for Israel took on an added important dimension.

Frequently from the years 1953 to 1979 we also arranged for any number of Israel seminars – both national and regional, at such scenic spots as the Grand Tetons, beautiful Asilomar by the Sea, Rocky Mountain National Park, etc., bringing in Israeli speakers and Christian leaders well versed as to Israel’s modern history in the light of the Bible. We enjoyed our relationship with the late Dr. G. Douglas Young because of his unflagging zeal for Israel and I recall with joy the worthy contribution he made to our 1979 Israel Seminar. Soon after that, in May of 1980, he died, and Casimir passed away only about five months later.

It was about the time that Israel became a state that we heard Dr. and Mrs. Walter Clay Lowdermilk speak at a large Zionist rally in San Francisco, renewing our admiration for their selfless devotion to the concept of a Jewish State, dating back to 1939. Our first tour group had the privilege of being entertained by the Lowdermilks in their fine house atop Mount Carmel in 1955. I mention this to lead up to the fact that when Dr. Lowdermilk died Casimir was moved to do something to commemorate the valuable work Dr. Lowdermilk had done for Israel – devising the national water plan, helping advance Israel’s agriculture in the early years of statehood, establishing the Lowdermilk School of Agricultural Engineering at the Technion in Haifa, using his high station in the U. S. Government to influence administration policy, etc. (As you know, Mrs. Lowdermilk herself had spoken tirelessly on behalf of Israel while they were stationed in Washington, DC. and after their return to Berkeley California, where Dr. Lowdermilk taught at the University of California. Even to this date, at the advanced age of 92, Inez Lowdermilk retains a strong and active commitment to Israel.)

Casimir felt that the most appropriate memorial to Walter Clay Lowdermilk would be a forest planted in his honor in Israel. Always impressed by the work of Keren Kayemeth in planting trees, restoring the land, etc., Casimir proposed to the San Francisco chapter of the Jewish National Fund that such a forest project be commenced. With the help of the California Christian Committee for Israel, the fund‑raising got under way. Casimir and I had the privilege of doing most of the work on this project, and after much persistence the full sum of $10,000 was raised, plus further amounts for a recreation area within the forest at Mrs. Lowdermilk’s request.

So, in March of 1976, Mrs. Lowdermilk was the guest of honor on one of our Israel tours organized specifically to include the dedication of the Lowdermilk Memorial Forest on Mt. Turan in the Galilee. How encouraged Casimir was when Golda Meir accepted his invitation to meet Mrs. Lowdermilk at the airport and Join our tour group for dinner at the Sharon Hotel in Herzlia. It meant so much to Casimir to do something meaningful, to give recognition and encouragement to this valiant Christian woman and to honor the memory of her truly great husband. Needless to say, the hours spent with “Golda” were precious.

Not long after this project was finished we were asked by some Christian lovers of Zion in the U.S. to organize the “Christian‑Israel Friendship League.” So this was done in 1978, but within two years Casimir had died and the loss of his unique leadership meant that the work of this league diminished considerably.

However, Casimir lived to see a new page in the history of Christian Zionism, the emergence of grass‑roots groups of Christian supporters of Israel all around the United States, and, in fact, all around the world. You cannot imagine how excited Casimir was about this development and how enthusiastically he planned to cooperate with them in their worthy endeavors. For instance, Casimir was the U.S. National Coordinator for the First International Congress for the Peace of Jerusalem held in Israel’s capital city in 1978, at which time about 1,000 Christians from many countries gathered to express support for Israel. The next year, when the idea of a Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem was proposed, Casimir got busy and wrote the organizers expressing his delight and started working to organize a tour to take in this first “feast of Tabernacles” Christian gathering.

But it was not to be. In retrospect, I am convinced that Casimir’s work was done and the torch was being passed on to other zealous Christian lovers of Israel. You no doubt know about the 4,000, 5,000, and then Christians from as many as 40 countries who have participated in the subsequent annual Feast of Tabernacles assemblies in Jerusalem. Casimir never considered himself indispensable, and how happy he would be today to see the ever‑increasing numbers of Christians who are espousing the cause of Eretz Israel, the nation of destiny. (Elva)

PS – Are you familiar, Alisa, with the Christian‑Zionist work of the late Charles Taze Russell between the years of about 1881‑1916? He wrote and lectured extensively about the hopes of Israel restored, based on the Biblical record. His weekly articles were carried in hundreds of newspapers around the United States, so whenever he wrote about the Jews returning to “Palestine,” his firm convictions received wide coverage. He also addressed large Jewish audiences in the U.S. at the Hippodrome, in London, and around Western and Eastern Europe, He was aroused by the pogroms at Kishenev and elsewhere in Russia. It is touching to note how eagerly “Pastor” Russell reported the smallest developments in Palestine when the first aliya was taking place. A former student at the Hebrew University told us back in 1950 that when they studied Christian Zionism at this university, Charles Taze Russell was at the top of the list. (Written by Mrs. Casimir Lanowick)

QUOTES RE NATURAL ISRAEL

“Now we are entering the great Time of Trouble which is to inaugurate Messiah’s Kingdom. During this trouble the Church is to be glorified in the First Resurrection. Then the thousand years of Messiah’s reign with the elect, Spiritual Bride, drawn from both Jews and Gentiles, will begin.

“Still God’s favor will pursue the natural seed of Abraham. Their lessons and chastisements will fit and prepare them more quickly than others of the world to receive the Messianic blessing. The earthly phase of Messiah’s Kingdom will be Israelitish, in that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets and saintly ones down to John the Baptist are to be made ‘princes in all the earth’ (Psa. 45:16) – the earthly representatives in human perfection of the Spiritual Kingdom of Messiah.

“Naturally enough, Israel will then in a natural way come first into harmony with the Divine arrangement and be the first to get the blessing. However, during the thousand years of the Kingdom, as the Scriptures declare, all nations shall bless themselves in becoming Abraham’s seed – in coming into relationship with the Kingdom, which will have an Israelitish basis. (Jer. 4:2; Isa. 65:16; Gen. 12:3) Eventually, all will be destroyed who do not thus become true Israelites. Thus Abraham’s seed will eventually include all the families of the earth – all for whom God has provided life eternal. As for Gentiles – strangers from God – none will remain.” (Reprints 5809 bottom, and 5810 top – Dec. 1, 1915. By Pastor Russell)

THOSE CONSECRATING BETWEEN THE AGES

“It is our thought that with the closing of the door of this Gospel Age there will be no more begetting of the Holy Spirit to the spirit nature. Any afterward coming to God through consecration, before the inauguration of the restitution work, will be accepted by Him, not to the spirit plane of being, but to the earthly plane. Such would come in under the same conditions as the Ancient Worthies who were accepted of God. The Ancient Worthies came in, no call being opened to them – the High Calling not yet being opened, and the restitution opportunities not open. But they freely gave themselves up to God without knowing what blessings their consecration would bring, except that they had the intimation that they would, in the future life, have a ‘better resurrection’ than would the remainder of the world.

“Our thought is that whoever under such conditions as these will make a full consecration to the Lord, to leave all to follow in His ways, and will live up faithfully, loyally, to that consecration, may be privileged to be counted as a similar class to those who preceded this Gospel Age. We know of no reason why the Lord would refuse to receive those who make a consecration after the close of the Gospel Age High Calling and before the full opening of the Millennium.” (Reprint 5761, Sept. 1, 1915. By Pastor Russell)

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WHAT SAY THE SCRIPTURES

God’s Chosen People have been under Divine supervision and care for thirty‑five hundred years so that they have been kept separate from all nations of the earth and are thus a standing miracle testifying to the truthfulness of the holy promises of the Scriptures. This teaches us to look to the Scriptures respecting their future. The same Scriptures which testify to their solidarity as a people inform us that they will become a nation at the close of this Gospel Age when “the set time” for God to remember Zion shall come. St. Paul explicitly points out that Divine favor will return to natural Israel just as soon as the “call” of this Gospel Age to the Heavenly Kingdom class shall have reached fulfillment.

The blessings of the new dispensation about to be ushered in will be earthly blessings, and the Jew knows that all of the promises of God contained in the Mosaic law and writings of the holy prophets of old tell of earthly blessings – not of heavenly or spiritual favors. The Jew will be more ready to respond to the new order of things than his Christian or Gentile neighbors will be. Moreover, according to the Scriptures, the princes or rulers seen amongst men will be of Jewish stock, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets raised from the dead in full human perfection to be the “princes in all the earth” and representatives of Messiah’s invisible spirit Kingdom. That the Jew will be in much better condition of mind to receive the teachings and requirements of those new princes needs no discussion – Psalms 45:16.

Before leaving this subject, we note the prophecy of old which tells that at the time Messiah will manifest the glories of His power and begin His intervention in human affairs in favor of the right and against the wrong, will be a time of “Jacob’s trouble,” a time when the Jews will be in special tribulation from their foes. Then the Lord shall manifest His power on their behalf as in olden times, giving them a miraculous deliverance which they will recognize. In consequence the Prophet declares they shall look upon, discern, “recognize Him whom they pierced” – not by seeing the glorious Messiah (Daniel 12:1), with their natural sight, but they will recognize Him with the eyes of their understanding – Zechariah 12:10.

Let us leave the Jew in the future to his God, that he may in due time receive the blessing which God has promised him. Let Christendom in general go on in its blindness as the Scriptures also foretell to its destruction, but let those of God’s people, sanctified in Christ Jesus, walk circumspectly, not after the flesh, but after the spirit. Let them seek as spiritual Israelites the heavenly things and Joint-heirship with Messiah on the spiritual plane; not begrudging to the Jew the first place in the earthly phase of Messiah’s Kingdom through which all the families of the earth will be blessed.

(Excerpts from p. 116 of What Pastor Russell Wrote for the Overland Monthly.)

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JESUS OF NAZARETH ‑ THE ETERNAL GLORY OF THE JEWISH RACE

Perhaps, too, in this enlightened age, as his mind expands, and he takes a comprehensive view of this period of progress, the pupil of Moses may ask himself whether all the princes of the house of David have done so much for the Jews as that prince who was crucified on Calvary. Had it not been for Him, the Jews would have been comparatively unknown, or known only as a high Oriental caste which had lost its country. Has not He made their history the most famous in the world? Has not He hung up their laws in every temple? Has He not vindicated all their wrongs? Has not He avenged the victory of Titus and conquered the Caesars? What success did they anticipate from their Messiah? The wildest dreams of their Rabbis have been far exceeded. Has not Jesus conquered Europe and changed its name into Christendom?

The whole of the new world is devoted to the Semitic principle and its most glorious offspring, the Jewish faith, and the time will come when the vast communities and countless myriad’s of America and Australia, looking upon Greece, and wondering how so small a space could have achieved such great deeds, will still find music in the songs of Zion and still seek solace in the parables of Galilee.

These may be dreams, but there is one fact which none can contest. Christians may continue to persecute Jews, and Jews may persist in disbelieving Christians, but who can deny that Jesus of Nazareth, the Incarnate Son of the Most High God, is the eternal glory of the Jewish race?

(Statement by Benjamin Disraeli from The Messiahship of Jesus, p. 268.)

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QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Will Jerusalem ever be rebuilt and for what purpose?

ANSWER: – The most remarkable movement ever occurring amongst the Jewish people since the time of the destruction of their capital city, Jerusalem, is now in process of development, and is known as “The Zionist Movement.” The primary object of this movement is the establishment of the Jews in their own land under a government of their own. This would mean the rebuilding of the city in the event of the success of this movement. There are many prophecies which show that the Jews shall return to Divine favor and shall again be established in their own country and that the City of Jerusalem will be rebuilt. We cite but one – Jer. 31:27‑40. The clear intimation of the teachings of the Scriptures is that Jerusalem will become the Capital City of the world – “for out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isa. 2:3) “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” (Isa. 2:3) For a remarkable confirmation of this, in the words of the New Testament, see Acts 15:16,17.

(What Pastor Russell Said, p. 790 – no date, but must have been long before 1914)

QUESTION: – Did the Ancient Worthies have a standing in the antitypical Tabernacle Court?

ANSWER: – To gain a clear understanding of this matter, we should first of all stress there wasn’t even a typical Tabernacle erected when many of the Ancient Worthies lived – as instance Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, etc. The typical Tabernacle was erected by Moses at Sinai. Therefore, we agree with Brother Russell’s answer to a similar question in the March 1910 Tower, Reprints 4579:

“No. In their day the Priest had not yet come and the antitypical Tabernacle and its Court established; hence they could not be in it. According to their hearts, as expressed in their conduct, they must have been members of the Household of Faith.” In the eleventh Chapter of Hebrews St. Paul stresses that those named did what they did “by faith.”

The Levites will occupy the Millennial Tabernacle Court – a “better resurrection” than the world, whose resurrection will be in the Camp. The Ancient Worthies were justified by faith, and had a standing before God, even though they could not be in the antitypical Court, which began to be erected for the Household at Pentecost. However, they had an anticipatorial standing in the antitypical Court – even though they knew little or nothing about it. We are told that “God calleth those things which be not as though they were” (Rom. 4:17); and in Gen. 15:6 it is stated that Abraham “believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.” This Scripture is substantially quoted three times by St. Paul in Rom.4:3,9,22 – in his proof of a tentative justification for this Gospel Age.

In Rom. 4:6‑8 the Apostle quotes from Psa. 32:1‑5 to prove that David also had a reckoned Justification, although in his case the typical tabernacle had been erected some five hundred years before he became king in Israel. Abraham and David both had the same kind of Justification – a justification by faith – which gave them both an anticipatorial standing in the antitypical Tabernacle, which began to be erected by Jesus at Jordan, and was begun for His followers at Pentecost.

However, none of the Ancients could have had more than a reckoned justification, because the merit of Jesus did not become available until His death on the cross. Even though many of them knew very little about the Plan of Salvation, they did look for a Messiah – a vague ray of hope was given in Gen. 3:15: “Enmity between thee and the woman... thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head.” As to Abraham, the father of the faithful, our Lord said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” So, even though the antitypical Tabernacle wasn’t established, and the Ancient Worthies could not be in the antitypical Tabernacle Court, they had the same standing before God as do the Youthful Worthies now who have their standing in the Court: BOTH the Ancient and Youthful Worthies had Tentative Justification. (See E‑4:352, 355)

Note particularly Rom. 4:11, 12 (Dia.): “Abraham received the symbol of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness (Tentative Justification) of that faith which he had while in uncircumcision; in order that he might be (1) THE FATHER OF ALL uncircumcised BELIEVERS (consecrated and unconsecrated); that the righteousness may be accounted unto them (ALL uncircumcised BELIEVERS); and (2) a father of circumcision, not only to those who are of circumcision, but to those also who tread in the footsteps of the faith of our Father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.”

Those schooled in Parousia Truth understand full well that there are only two types in the Old Testament that picture forth the sacraments that are obligatory on all who “follow in His steps” – Circumcision, which types consecration; and the Passover, which portrays the Lord’s Supper. But the words of St. Paul clearly and emphatically state that Abraham was counted righteous in uncircumcision, and he is the father of all the faithful. Therefore, it logically follows that all Gospel Age believers would be counted righteous (have tentative justification) before they receive the antitypical circumcision – that is, before they consecrate to do God’s will.

But those Ancients before Moses hold no relation whatever in their standing to Consecrated Epiphany Campers, because the antitypical Court is now established, and represents the only place available for justification in this Gospel Age. Nor can these Campers be placed anticipatorily in the Millennial‑Age Tabernacle Court, because that Court will be occupied by the Household of Faith (See 1940 PT, p. 13) the three antitypical Tribes of Levites: Kohathites (Ancient Worthies); Merarites (Great Company); Gershonites (Youthful Worthies). The Consecrated Campers cannot be said to be anticipatorily in the Millennial‑Age Court because they will not be a part of the Millennial‑Age firstborns, as is true of the Worthies. All the Worthies have been anticipatorily in the Millennial‑Age Court, because that is where they will be resurrected. Their “better resurrection” (Heb. 11:35) will put them in that Court when they come forth from the tomb. The Highway of Holiness will be opened up in the Camp for all Restitutionists, including the quasi‑elect. There will be no ‘narrow way’ in the Camp then, nor has there ever been a narrow way in the Camp – in the Patriarchal, Jewish or Gospel Ages – no ‘narrow’ way in the Camp for Restitutionists to sacrifice at any time.

The marked distinction between the Worthies and Consecrated Campers is very clearly defined in Noah’s Ark – where the six saved classes of human beings are set forth. Noah and his wife type Christ and the Church; Shem and his wife the Ancient Worthies; Japheth and his wife the Great Company; Ham and his wife the Youthful Worthies; the clean animals the repentant and believing Jews and Gentiles; the unclean animals the remainder of the restitutionists. The marked difference between human beings and animals reveals the sharp difference between the elect and the non‑elect; no sane person would mistake one for the other. Yet RGJ is telling us that his Campers (consecrated Restitutionists) are so zealous of good works, serving the Lord, that it is almost impossible to discern the difference in them and the Youthful Worthies! It is almost impossible to discern between the elect and the non‑elect, he is telling us – between the faithful elect and the Restitutionists. His claim makes a complete Jumble out of the picture in Noah’s Ark. The quasi‑elect have an anticipatorial standing in the Millennial‑Age Camp, the same as all Restitutionists. The difference between the quasi‑elect and the other Restitutionists is, they will be better prepared to walk up the Highway of Holiness than the residue of mankind.

(Reprint of question by Brother Hoefle in No. 256, October 1976)

NO. 362: IN MEMORIAM

No. 362

Comes again the time of year that we are vividly reminded of the demise of the Parousia and Epiphany Messengers, and it is our fond hope that our readers will obtain some good information and uplift from what we now present.

Up to his death on October 31, 1916, almost every one in “present truth” was fully persuaded that Brother Russell was “that servant” of Matt. 24:46; and quite a few still hold that opinion – among whom we include ourselves. During the Dark Ages the doctrine of “restitution” (Acts 3:19‑21) had become completely lost, and this lapse injected utter confusion into the Christian fraternity. Without understanding restitution, it was impossible to produce any harmonious understanding of the general Bible structure; the “plan of the Ages” (Eph. 3:11, Dia.) was a meaningless expression. The woman having ten pieces of silver of Luke 15:8 corroborates the fact that the doctrine of restitution was lost. (See Berean Comments on Luke 15:8, 9)

This problem gave extreme difficulty to That Servant, so much so that he on a certain occasion betook himself to three days of intense prayer and study, at the end of which he was rewarded with a clear understanding of the Atonement Day sacrifices as they are outlined in the 16th Chapter of Leviticus. This enlightenment caused him to realize that God was during this Gospel Age merely laying the foundation for the full at‑one‑ment of the entire human race with Himself “in due time” – the delay being caused by God now taking from among the Gentiles “a people for His name” (Acts 15:14), the same to be associated with His Son Jesus as His Heavenly Bride to give the human family a rebirth under a “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Pet. 3:13) – in direct contrast to the degradation now prevailing in “this present evil world.” (Gal. 1:4)

However, the radical revelation of this understanding actually frightened him; it was in fact difficult for him to believe this Scripture which seemed so logical and with which he could find no fault. He needed to be doubly persuaded that it was actually the truth, so instead of broadcasting his findings immediately or telling the general Household of Faith about it, he summoned leading brethren to discuss this revelation – which he and they did during a period of eight days. When none of them could find any flaws in the picture, he eventually wrote a small book called Tabernacle Shadows, which some of his ardent admirers have characterized as the biggest “little book” that has ever been written. No one with a clear understanding of that book will ever be confused on the “plan of the ages.”

THE PAROUSIA ELEAZAR

Eleazar was Aaron’s eldest son and in line to become high priest in Israel at his father’s death. But while serving as underpriest with his father, he was given very prominent service, as can be seen from Num. 4:16: “And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.” From certain standpoints the Tabernacle typified the Gospel‑Age Church. Therefore, those people who officiated in connection with it would also typify certain people in the Gospel Age. Considering the sweeping powers that Eleazar possessed – “the oversight of all the tabernacle” – it puts no strain upon the imagination to recognize that he typified the twelve Apostles at the First Advent. ‘whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.” (Matt. 16:19)

Similar language is used concerning Brother Russell: “Shall make him ruler over all His goods.” (Matt. 24:47) And in Luke 12:42: “That faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over His household, to give them their portion of meat in due season.” From this we do not wish to convey the thought that Brother Russell was infallible, or spoke by inspiration, as did the Apostles; but it is a self‑evident fact that his power over the Harvest work and the Harvest Church was well nigh absolute. In course of time he recognized this; he appointed and dismissed Pilgrims as his Judgment dictated; he was final authority on all Bible House matters, and made all appointments of brethren to important executive positions. And being fully aware of this, he attempted to arrange things in such a manner that after his death would prevent any other individual from “stepping into his shoes,” as it were, by appointing an editorial committee of seven brethren to supervise the Watch Tower publication. Those familiar with the situation know that his wishes were speedily ignored; in little more than a year, J. F. Rutherford had already enthroned himself “in Moses’ seat.”

However, it is not our wish to offer detail on the above statement; rather, we shall treat of the Gospel Harvest Eleazar from the standpoint of the type. In Numbers 4:16 seven executive and teaching functions are set forth, of which the first “pertaineth to the oil for the light” – the lampstand. Among other things, oil represents the spirit of understanding (Matt. 25:3 – “the spirit of the Truth” – Berean Comment). For Eleazar, therefore, to have charge of the oil for the lampstand would typify the privilege Brother Russell had of understanding the Truth as Pastor and Teacher – not only for himself, but also for the brethren as enlighteners of one another, as he conveyed his Biblical interpretations to them, giving them helps to learn and to teach the Truth. He did this orally and in writing. He gave clear and specific instructions for organizing classes, and for organizing distribution of the Truth literature to the general public.

Eleazar’s second duty had to do with “the sweet incense.” The unburnt sweet incense represented the actually perfect choice human powers of Jesus and the reckonedly perfect choice human powers of the Church – “much incense with the prayers of all saints” (Rev. 8:3,4). Brother Russell offered deep and truthful detail on such activities of Jesus from Jordan to Calvary, and on the Church in general in their earthly pilgrimage all during the Gospel Age. As to the Church of his day, he acted directly both as the teacher and executive with respect to the sweet incense. He clearly explained Justification by faith through Jesus’ merit, which justification once fully obtained enabled such brethren to make their own offering of “the sweet incense” according to the providential circumstances of each one. We have been told that on one occasion, when Brother Russell was visiting a city, that a brother asked him to give his talk that morning on Justification – which he proceeded to do, giving lucid analysis of the subject for an entire hour.

Thirdly, Eleazar had charge of “the daily meat offering,” – or, more properly, the meal offering. When the drink offering is not mentioned (and it is omitted in Num. 4:16) it is understood as being included in the meal offering. This offering represents that part of the sacrifice with which the offerer occupies himself – such as setting forth the Truth – lecturing and preaching on the Truth by Pilgrims, Auxiliary Pilgrims, elders, colporteurs and unofficial persons of lesser ability. It also included oral conversation in testimony of the Truth, serving in the Photo‑drama work, serving as laborers of the Bible House and Bethel, doing office and home work in connection with spread of the Truth, and encouraging and supporting others in these various works orally, with the printed page, by lectures, sermons, question meetings, conversation and letter writing. As executive he discharged this phase of his office by arranging for the various forms of service mentioned herein for spreading the Truth, as well as appointing specific persons to their pertinent positions – pilgrims, colporteurs, department supervisors, etc., at Bethel and the Bible House. The fulfilled facts attest that he exercised his authority in all of these features.

Fourthly, Eleazar had the care of the anointing oil. This oil types the Holy Spirit from the standpoint of its qualifying the elect Church to serve each other. The ingredients of this oil are succinctly stated in Isa. 11:2, the contents of which may be stated thusly: the qualities of wisdom, Justice, love and power each developed individually, developed in balance with others, with all of them controlling all our other qualities (2 Pet. 1:5‑8), thus qualifying the various members of the Church for the “work of the ministry” (Eph. 4:12) – to the extent of their ability and providential circumstances.

As antitypical Eleazar of the Gospel Harvest, his charge as teacher was to instruct the Church as to the nature of the anointing, of the anointed class, of their duties, privileges in knowledge, service, development, endurance as “good soldiers,” etc. This he did in great detail in the Volumes, the Towers, and by his oral ministry. Especially did he stress the development of the graces. the quickening, development, and balancing of the Holy Spirit. It logically followed that he would appoint qualified persons to the respective forms of service – pilgrims, colporteurs, photo‑drama workers, Bible House and Bethel personnel, managers of the foreign branches and newspaper workers. Inasmuch as the great majority of classes had elected him as their pastor, he had supervisory capacity in their affairs – sometimes acting directly and sometimes indirectly in electing or unseating the officers of those classes – endorsing those qualified, and rejecting those he considered unqualified. All of this he did in efficient and impressive manner.

Fifth, Eleazar had charge of the Tabernacle itself – the whole structure, while it was standing, was under his supervision. The Tabernacle proper in the Holy types the Church in its earthly ministry, and in the Most Holy in its heavenly inheritance. The humanity of such is typed in the Court, specifically with respect to the brazen altar. This typed the Harvest Eleazar’s capacity as Pastor and Teacher, with executive supervision of the Church during the reaping and gleaning time – up to the time of his death. He also had similar authority over the antitypical Court, which contained the tentatively justifies. Thus, he was the eye, hand and mouth of Jesus during his entire office as That Servant. While it is true that he did not produce all the advancing Truth during his ministry, he did produce much more of it than any other person. And, in that which others saw, they were obligated to secure his approval of it before he presented it to the general Church through the Towers. His authority in this respect was also well nigh absolute.

Sixth, he had full charge of the holy furniture in the Holy and the Most Holy “the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is.” This would include the two altars, the laver, the lampstand, the table and the ark, all of which was in the charge of antitypical Eleazar. The antitypical brazen altar in the Court represented the Church’s humanity in sacrifice; and Brother Russell gave great detail concerning this – the privileges of the brethren in using their human all whenever and wherever opportunity afforded. This he did orally and in writing, and by his “example of the believers.” (1 Tim. 4:12) Thus he encouraged and directed the general Church as a “good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Tim. 2:3)

His teaching charge to the Church concerning the golden altar in the Holy had to do with encouraging, comforting, strengthening, correcting, warning, and restraining the sacrificing and suffering Church – which he did by explaining, proving, and illustrating the privileges of the Church toward one another. His executive charge toward the Church was accomplished by his encouraging and directing the Church in such work.

As our readers know, the laver in the Court types the Bible – the base the Old Testament, and the upper part containing the water the New Testament, the upper part built upon and growing out of the lower part. The water in the upper part types the cleansing features of Bible truths. The Harvest Eleazar’s executive charge of the antitypical laver means that the Bible was placed in his care – to preserve it, to commend it, and make it influential in its use for its Divinely intended purpose of furnishing the proper doctrinal, refutative, correctional and ethical teachings, and to direct the use of pertinent Scriptures to his purpose. (2 Tim. 3:}5‑17) His teaching charge of the antitypical Laver implied that he was to declare the doctrine of the Scripture. as well as its teachings in doctrinal, refutational, correctional and ethical respects. Certainly those of us who are familiar with his work know that he harmonized the Bible in a manner equaled by none other since the days of the Apostles.

Here we may properly apply this statement to an error that has circulated among some of the Lord’s people to the effect that there are other books – Pseudepigraphs like the book of Enoch, the Old Testament Apocrypha, etc. – that are inspired writings; thus, a part of the Bible. If they were, Brother Russell would have accepted them as a part of the Bible; and he would wisely and faithfully have shown his teaching and executive functions toward them. But he resolutely rejected them, and it is not difficult for any one who reads them carefully to note their inferiority when compared with the 66 genuine books of the Bible.

The lampstand represents the Church as enlighteners of each other; it teaches them the Truth. Brother Russell acted out his office as teacher with respect to the antitypical lampstand in that he explained the nature, the character, privileges, duties etc., of the Church as enlighteners of each other, and how to go about this good work. He also encouraged them to enlighten each other by providing the means whereby they could do this, and the best method to use in doing it. The table of shewbread types the Church in its capacity of strengthening its members with the bread of life unto every good word and work; especially so, with respect to the Sarah features of the Abrahamic Covenant, this being the promises that mother the Church in its earthly pilgrimage toward the Heavenly Canaan, their entrance into the Moat Holy when their work on earth is finished. Having charge of this table and bread means he taught the brethren the best means of strengthening each other to “fight the good fight,” and to gain eternal life. He also arranged for conventions and organized meetings in the various classes for this purpose.

Much more could be said about the foregoing, but we would not wish our readers to conclude that we be overmuch given to ‘angel worship.’ However, we consider it pertinent to stress here that certain members of the Gospel‑Age Church occupied positions which could apply to them alone. For instance, there were twelve Apostles – and only twelve; thus, they had no successors, as some of the sects contend – prominent among such is the Roman Catholic Church. And with Brother Russell it may be stated with equal emphasis that his office as That Servant and as the Steward was unique to him alone; and the words which Jesus spoke concerning Himself may well be repeated for him: “I have finished the work which Thou gayest Me to do.” (John. 17:4) Therefore, he had no successor; he supervised with full authority and finished the reaping feature of the Gospel‑Age Harvest, which provided everlasting tribute to him as antitypical Eleazar here in the end of the Age. We would qualify this, however, by noting that God did provide other faithful “stars” after the Apostles died; and continued to do this all during the Age, as He also did after the demise of antitypical Eleazar.

SOME SECULAR TESTIMONY

It has just recently come to our attention that one authority offers the following comment: “RUSSELL, CHARLES TAZE, popularly called Pastor Russell (b. Feb. 16, 1852, Pittsburgh, Pa. – d. Oct. 31, 1916, Pampa, Texas), founder of the International Bible Students Association, forerunner of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Of Presbyterian and Congregational background, Russell renounced the creed of orthodox Christian denominations and in 1872 organized an independent Bible study class in Pittsburgh. From 1877 he preached that Christ’s second advent would be invisible, and that the end of the Gentile times would come in 1914, followed by war between capitalism and communism or socialism, after which God’s Kingdom by Christ would rule the whole earth. Russell (who was never ordained) dedicated his life and his considerable fortune to preaching Christ’s Millennial reign. In 1879 he started a Bible Journal later called the Watchtower, and in 1884 founded the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, which became a flourishing publishing business. His own books and booklets (notably six volumes of Studies in the Scriptures) reached a circulation of 16,000,000 copies in 35 languages, and 2,000 newspapers published his weekly sermons.”

By way of comparison and marked contrast, this same publication says this regarding JFR: “RUTHERFORD, JOSEPH FRANKLIN, nicknamed Judge (1869‑1942), religious leader and author, president of Jehovah’s Witnesses (also called the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society), 1916‑42.”

The above statement concerning Brother Russell is so strikingly accurate that it sounds as though he himself had written it. From a purely secular standpoint, we would say it is an excellent testimonial; and, as more of his prophetic interpretations are fulfilled, we are fully persuaded that even better tributes will be forthcoming from similar writers. As Brother Johnson has so aptly written of him, Brother Russell will yet appear in the records of men as one of the greatest of reformers and Biblical logicians.

The same publication states further of “Joseph Franklin Rutherford that he was a lawyer who had been closely associated with Russell since about 1910. But he possessed little of the personal magic that Russell had wielded with such success, and, in addition, challenged some of Russell’s views. A number of small schisms resulted, but Rutherford eventually was successful in organizing the work of the Society so that the transition to his successor in 1942 was made without difficulty. Almost nothing is known about the life of J. F. Rutherford. He shunned publicity and toward the end of his life met with members of the Society only at their annual conventions. Russell had written a good deal, and his seven‑volume (?¾JJH) Studies in the Scriptures was widely sold; but it was under Rutherford that the Society work took on its present character of a Publishing house rather than a church. Rutherford claimed to have written 99 books and pamphlets, which appeared in more than 300,000,000 copies.”

When the above publication states that Rutherford “challenged some of Russell’s views,” it is making a major understatement; and the same may be said about the “number of small schisms that resulted.” Those of us familiar with the truth on the subject know that Rutherford challenged the majority of important doctrines in the truth structure taught by Brother Russell, so that at this time there is little resemblance between the teachings of the two men.

The publication states further that Jehovah’s Witnesses, along with Christian Science and Mormonism, constitute the three largest and most significant variants of the l9th‑century American Protestantism. The Witnesses now have in excess of 1,000,000 in their world membership. However, when we consider that Rutherford is cataloged in the same group with Brigham Young and Mary Baker Eddy it presents some considerable light on why he “possessed little of the personal magic that Russell had wielded with such success.” We have been told that Rutherford on one occasion went to a woman photographer, one who had made photographs of Brother Russell, to have a photograph of himself. When he was shown the finished product he remarked that his picture was not as impressive as that of Brother Russell; the woman answered, “That’s because the man isn’t there.”

Just one more quotation from the article: “The Witnesses believe that the Kingdom of God began in 1914. Apparently they expected (as did the Millerite Adventists in 1844) some historical and worldly event to take place at that time, but have since taken the position that in 1914 Jehovah inaugurated the Kingdom in a manner apprehensible only to a believer.” Yes, this last clause is emphatically true; and it is just the extreme opposite of the teaching of Brother Russell, who based his belief upon the true Gospel of Jesus, St. Paul and others: “God desires all men to be saved, and to come to an accurate knowledge of the truth... Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all.” (See 1 Tim. 2:4‑6, Dia.) Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all – not just for those who become members of the Witnesses sect.

In keeping with this, Brother Russell also stressed the words of Isa. 35:5‑10: “The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped (those that are now unable to “hear” and understand the Truth)... wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein... and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Instead of “sorrow and sighing” diminishing and disappearing, it has been pyramided out of all proportion to what was the case prior to 1914. And being in full accord with Brother Russell’s clear and sober interpretation of this Scripture, we can enthusiastically exclaim, God bless his memory’

ANOTHER SECULAR EXPRESSION

Last Spring an item was brought to our attention that appeared in the Sunday feature section of a prominent Florida newspaper – the same written by a professor of one of the nation’s outstanding universities. Some of his contentions were so distorted that we were moved to write him the following letter:

My dear Professor: Christian greetings!

The general content of your “Poster Evangelism” treatise in the March 10 paper is read with considerable appreciation – very well written; I would say.

However, some of your statements regarding Russellism are very much askew; and I am persuaded that a man of your erudition and candor would not intentionally put false statements into your writings. For instance, you say Russellism employed the sure fire device of prophesying the imminent arrival of Christ (MILLIONS NOW LIVING WILL NEVER DIE).” At no time did Pastor Russell ever preach “the imminent arrival of Christ,” or use words that would convey such an impression. He did, however, offer elaborate and consummate analysis of such texts as Matt. 24:3: “What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” He contended that this was a very poor and misleading translation (the King James translation is replete with such mistakes). Present day Greek scholars give it this way: “What shall be the sign of Thy presence, and of the consummation of the Age?” The word world in the text is from the Greek “aion,” and it means Age or Dispensation.

Furthermore, the “Millions Now Living” idea was never even mentioned during Pastor Russell’s life. He died October 31, 1916; was succeeded in the Presidency of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society by J. F. Rutherford, who invented the “Millions” idea; and time had clearly proven that it was simply an odious vagary – hallucination with no foundation in fact or prophecy.

You also say Pastor Russell wrote seven volumes; whereas, he wrote only six volumes of Studies in the Scriptures. The seventh one – The Finished Mystery – is also a figment of Rutherford’s mind. He audaciously declared that it was the “posthumous work” of Charles T. Russell – and the book does contain many quotations from his writings; but the errors injected into it by Judge Rutherford and his assistants offer insult to the clear and sober statements of Pastor Russell.

In Luke 21:24 Jesus said, “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Some thirty years before 1914 Pastor Russell did forecast that the times of the Gentiles would end in 1914, the evidence of which would be a great world war. Even as late as 1913 he was scornfully ridiculed by his critics; but time has clearly proven that he was right, and they were wrong; the war came as predicted – almost to the day.

As a general statement, the Russellites were “moderately educated,” so you say; but they also did have among them a few brilliant Greek and Hebrew scholars – enough to reveal the erroneous translations of the Bible; and this made the Movement generally basically sound in exegetical deductions. The most brilliant of these was Professor Paul S. L. Johnson, who was a master of Greek and Hebrew. He soon voiced emphatic protest against the perversions that the Judge and his companions in error were attempting to inject into the harmonious truth structure that Pastor Russell had left. It was my privilege to be a very close friend of Professor Johnson, and I gave him very substantial support after he left the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society in 1917 – which I continued to do until] his death in 1950.

A pertinent analogy to the Russell Movement may be found among the Apostles, of whom it is written “they were unlearned and ignorant men” (Acts 4:13). But they also had a man named Paul among them, who was brilliant and highly educated. As respects Professor Johnson, I might add that he graduated from Capital University of Columbus, Ohio, with the highest honors ever attained by any student up to his time.

It is my hope that you will find the copies of my papers, Nos. 194‑223 and Special Edition No. 7, interesting and informative; and I send with this letter my cordial good wishes for your health and prosperity. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. Sincerely, John J. Hoefle

In due course we received a courteous reply to the above letter, thanking us for the information we gave him. He also said, “What I wrote was based on intimate contact with Russellism when I was in High School in the 20’s... My uncle could talk of nothing else. He was a fervent follower, first of Russell, then of Judge Rutherford. Of course, my uncle never knew of Paul Johnson’s protests, and I was too young to have been aware of the division of thought at the Brooklyn headquarters.”

From the foregoing we may readily discern how easy it has been to ‘make’ history; and that much of what is in the books today may be far from the truth. But when the record is written in full truth, then we shall have full appreciation of Jesus’ words, “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matt. 13:43) And this will be especially true of those faithful Pastors and Teachers, such as That Servant, the Epiphany Messenger, and others of the Gospel Age, including all the fully faithful.

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

Reprint of October 1974, No. 232

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Epiphany Bible Students Ass’n

Mount Dora, Florida 32757

Dear Sirs:

Please send a catalog or list of publications and materials that you distribute. Sample copies of literature would also be appreciated. Thank you very much.

Sincerely yours, ------- (CANADA)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Greetings in our dear Redeemer’s Name!

We were all very happy when we received your letter on our inability to partake of the Memorial with the other brethren. We were all sad about it, but was thankful that there were three of us to partake together – and, as promised – “the Lord was in our midst.”

Our brother has improved considerably and is able to go to the meetings by himself, and sometimes goes other places. The doctor advised as little activity as possible in the street, as there is likelihood of his collapsing.

This last attack has affected him greatly, and his memory fails him at times. The Lord has been, and continues to be, very mindful of us three. Again we have to thank the Lord for His mercies and the greatest blessing of all – the Truth. What a blessing it is to have the Truth! And your papers are very helpful. May the Lord bless you and the dear ones who are continuing to help with the work. The Lord will certainly help you all to carry on.

Our warm Christian love and prayers are ever with you. May the Lord bless thee, and keep thee!

Your sister by His Grace, ------- (TRINIDAD)

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Dear Mr. Hoefle,

You may change my address to the above address. I’m writing you in Florida where I plan to retire in two years, June 1987. Can you tell me something about the drinking water pollution in Central Florida – and the crime rate?

I’m looking for a retirement home on a golf course, and would appreciate whatever information you can give me. Can a person retire comfortably on $22,000 a year in Florida? I’m really worried about what inflation will do to me. Thank you for whatever attention you can give to my questions.

Sincerely, ------- (ALASKA)

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Epiphany Bible Students

Dear Sirs:

I would like some information on literature concerning your Association. If you would send me something I would appreciate it. Thank you. ------- (NORTH CAROLINA)

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Dear Sister and Brethren: Loving Christian greetings!

Your letter to the Ecclesia was received and read to all the brethren. They were quite happy to get your letter. They thought your letter should be doubly appreciated, as they know how taxing the work is you are doing in defense of the Truth. They send their love and appreciation for your defense of the Truth and righteousness.

Thank you very much for sending me the gift from the two brothers in England. I often wonder how I would have gotten through without the help you have given me from time to time. God bless you! I wish you would be able to know the straits your help has tided me over at times.

I was not able to go to Brother McRenzie’s funeral, but I was told that a lot of strangers were there. Brother Mahoney conducted the service.

Well, dear Brethren, be strong as you have been. We here are with you in defense of what we have learned and been assured of. It can’t be long now – though it tarry it will surely come to pass. Remember the reward is greater than the hardships. The One that promised is faithful. (Heb. 10:23) So be brave!

God bless you and all the brethren with you. Warm Christian love, ------- (JAMAICA)

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Dear Sister Emily: Grace and peace in Jesus’ dear Name!

I hope this finds you and those with you well. Thank you for the very beautiful birthday card and its lovely message. I hope that in God’s eyes and Christ’s eyes I am in some degree worthy of the beautiful words. Also thank you for your good letter.

I heard from David and he spoke of the book with some of Pastor Russell’s writings regarding Israel, etc., so I will be awaiting more news about it. Enclosed is an article about how some of the Truth has infiltrated some sections of the Nominal Churches. Also there is an article about Nigerian Bible Students. Just read as much or little as convenient. I have others, but I didn’t send them, as I know your time is limited.

The Noah’s Ark article, I believe you sent me, was a clipping from a paper. It had Ralph Mehl’s name in the corner. I don’t have it now, as I sent it to Elva Lanowick.

I hope this finds all going well. I am feeling quite good. I am still keeping on – going on – trying to be a better person. With love and good wishes for God’s blessing on you and yours.

In Jesus’ dear Name. Amen ------- (California)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Grace and peace!

How time flies! Many thanks for your good letter. The weeks pass so quickly these days. Actually since then we have both been “off color.” Betty more so. But Just now we are improving ......

So sorry to hear of the friends you mentioned. We are all moving into the age when life can become somewhat “untoward.” We can but pray for all the dear ones troubled in the “flesh,” and rejoice in their “spirit” shown as per example quoted in your letter. May we all emulate the sister as she continues to enjoy that peace of mind and heart that passes understanding.

The enclosed note is from Brother and Sister -------. We heard from them yesterday, and they said it could go toward the book.... We look forward to having a copy in due course. Thank you! We do appreciate your labours of love – not only on our behalf, but for all the brethren enjoying Parousia and Epiphany Truth. May the Lord’s rich blessing be your happy portion. With Christian love, we are

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

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NO. 361: KETURAH'S SIX SONS

No. 361

In our paper No. 102, p. 5, we offered brief comment on R. G. Jolly’s interpretation of the antitype of Keturah’s Six sons, the same being found on p. 77 of the Sept.‑Oct. PT. In that presentation R. G. Jolly follows his custom of using part of Brother Johnson’s interpretation and part of his own, in which his own comments are in part at least a direct perversion of the true interpretation done to conform to his false doctrine (“strange fire”) of Campers Consecrated.

On pages 10 and 11 of the January 1950 Present Truth Brother Johnson repeated an anticipation he had made in November 1949 PT, to the effect that he would publish three more Epiphany Volumes in 1950. Pursuant to that promise, he did give us Vol. 15, but his failing health, and ultimately his death in October, prevented him from producing the other books he had promised. It will be noted in the appended pages of Vol. 15 that the other two books that were planned for 1950 were No. XVI: Genesis – Leviticus Deuteronomy; and No. XVII: Numbers, Vol. II. In this instance – as in many other cases. G. Jolly concluded he knew better than Brother Johnson what should be done (the same as he concluded in 1938), so he made no effort to carry out the program that had been promised. In fact, he did nothing at all about these volumes until 1953, when he produced “The Chart of God’s Plan,” as Vol. XVI; then in 1956 “The Millennium” as Vol. XVII. These two books Brother Johnson had scheduled as Volumes XVIII and XIX respectively.

R. G. Jolly apparently had two reasons for this shift in schedule: First, to inject some impetus and incentive into his “Attestatorial Service”; and secondly, by allowing the Genesis material to “cool,” it could then be palmed off as his own. Having definitely planned‑to publish the Volume on Genesis in 1950, it seems reasonable certain that Brother Johnson had left copious notes; and it is clear enough, too, that R. G. Jolly has since been using those notes for the articles on Genesis that he has been palming off as his own in the Present Truth. If we are correctly informed, he has even asked some of his readers privately how they like the articles on Genesis that were then appearing in the PT. This in itself we would pass by; but, when he injects his own error into Brother Johnson’s analysis – as he has done in his explanation of Medan then we once more have proof positive that he is still a part of Miriam leprous, as explained in our paper No. 102. And we may be sure the penalty for his sins in this and similar instances will be meted out to him in due course by our Lord. “His folly will be made manifest to all.” If any of our readers are inclined to question these statements by us, we suggest they ask R. G. Jolly to show them the notes on Genesis that Brother Johnson had accumulated.

We now present what we believe to be the correct interpretation of antitypical Keturah’s Six sons, and we direct attention first of all to the fact that there will be three distinct classes who will be blessed by the New Covenant. They are (1) the Worthies, who will receive the “better resurrection,” (2) The Jews, and (3) the Gentiles. These three classes each have two divisions ‑ somewhat after the manner of the four elect classes pictured forth in Noah’s Ark by Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth and their wives, the same depicting the leaders and the lesser lights respectively of The Christ, the Ancient Worthies, the Youthful Worthies and the Great Company. Thus we account‑for the six sons of Keturah as follows:

1 – ZIMRAN (Celebrated): The 70 outstanding Ancient and Youthful Worthies the leaders of their Class. While we do not now have Scripture to prove it, we may eventually learn that the 35 chief Ancient Worthies will each have a companion helper in the persons of the 35 chief Youthful Worthies; but this we do not state positively. Howbeit, this would be in keeping with our Lord’s practice in Luke 10 when He sent forth the seventy “two by two....into every city and place”; and with the 35 Interim Star Members of the Age, each of whom had a companion helper.

2 – JORSHAN (Fowler, or bird catchers, overcomers of the fallen angels – in that Satan and his demons had no dominion over them): These will comprise all the lesser lights of the Ancient and Youthful Worthies. Inasmuch as Zimran and Jokshan were the eldest and second eldest of Keturah’s sons, it is logical enough to determine them as the Millennial‑Age firstborns – Just as the Seed of Promise (antitypical Isaac) have been the firstborns of this Gospel Age. Among these Gospel‑Age firstborns would also be included the Great Company, inasmuch as they at one time were a part of the Very Elect; therefore, among the first‑begotten. Thus, those of them who retained this secondary Class standing, having been “begotten,” must self‑evidently come to birth‑first begotten – firstborn – “the church of the firstborn” (Heb. 12:23), including all New Creatures who gain life. All the Worthies will be children of the Christ, raised in the “better resurrection” – the firstfruits of antitypical Keturah. Even in this life, such have been the tentative firstborn of the Millennial Age.

3 – MEDAN (Judgment): The Quasi‑elect Jews. “Judgment” sometimes has the meaning of “true instruction,” as in Prov. 21:3, “To do Justice (righteousness) and judgment (true instruction) is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” This class would be those Jews who earnestly endeavored to teach and defend “true instruction,” as they received it from the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms (Luke 24:44). St. Paul says of such that they had “much advantage...chiefly, because unto them were committed the Oracles of God.” (Rom. 3:2) Those sincere ones among them who were entrusted with the care and preservation of the inspired writings of the Old Testament would have sacrificed their lives in defense of them. Thus, “Judgment” is a most fitting meaning for their typical name, Medan. This would well apply to the chief (or first) of the Quasi‑elect – “to the Jew first.” Note how R. G. Jolly perverts this son of Keturah to “type” his Campers Consecrated, thus distorting it out of all logical setting in this otherwise harmonious picture – because he leaves the Jews without an outstanding group from their own brethren. This forces him further to distort the interpretation of Ishbak. If our readers will keep in mind that type and antitype must correspond in every detail, it will then become much easier to discern the flaws in R. G. Jolly’s flimsy flapdoodle – of which we shall have more to say in due course on some of his other “types.” He certainly states a dominant truth when he declares that few of the Lord’s people are qualified to interpret types – a warning which Brother Johnson repeatedly gave to him, but which he has sadly failed to heed. From R. G. Jolly’s letter published in the November 15, 1910 Watch Tower, we were led to believe he had learned his lesson then; but some crown‑losers learn so very slowly, as they build on “Christ as Sand.” And in the present instance we can but conclude that his infraction here is largely willful with him – knowing as he does, that Brother Johnson did not place the interpretation upon Medan that he now attempts to do. The Lord will reward him accordingly!

4 – MIDIAN (Strife or contention): All Jews not included in the elect, or the quasi‑elect. It is this class of Jews who have been a bone of contention since their first appearance in human history, always a warlike and assertive people – not sufficiently persuaded by the Mosaic Law and faith to adhere to its principles. It was because of this that the Romans – themselves equally determined and assertive – eventually determined in the year 70 AD to subjugated them finally and thoroughly, as they “desolated their house” in fulfillment of our Lord’s sentence upon them, and dispersed them among the nations for the tenure of their “double” of disfavor, during which, in this Gospel Age, they have been a Nomadic and much‑troubled people, as “blindness in part is happened to Israel.” But, “after the fullness of the Gentiles be come in, then shall all Israel be saved” (Rom.11:25,26 – Dia.), from Sheol “and come to an accurate knowledge of the Truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4 – Dia.).

5 – ISHBAK (Free): The quasi‑elect Gentiles. They are “free” in the sense of being free from the Mosaic Law; free also in the fact that most of them are to be found in Protestant countries. “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” And there is little question that the liberty that prevails in Protestant countries has been a dominant factor in their tremendous progress in art, literature and invention.

6 – SHUAH (Depression, or low place): An allusion to all Gentiles not included in the elect or the quasi‑elect (all Gentile nations, including all the heathen – pictured outside the Camp) who have never heard that “only name” or who have given little or no heed to it (that “seed that fell by the road, or on rocky ground” – Matt.13:4,5), and whose characters have suffered greater mental and moral degradation because of it. To use a vernacular expression, most of them are indeed “low‑down” – given “over to a reprobate mind, to do improper things... not only are doing them, but even are approving those who practice them.” (Rom.1:28‑32).

To summarize, the six sons of Keturah may be cataloged as follows:

1 – THE ELECT: The visible rulers of the Kingdom, pictured in Zimran (the 70 most prominent Ancient and Youthful Worthies), and Jokshan – the “old men” (literally, “Ancients”) and “young men” (literally, “Youthfuls”) of Joel 2:29 (See E‑4319‑325) – the remainder of the Worthies. It is these – and only these – who will comprise the Millennial‑Age firstborns.

2 – THE QUASI ELECT: Those “truly repentant and believing, but not consecrated, Jews and Gentiles” (See E‑10‑209), who will assist the Elect in Restitution work; and portrayed by Medan and Ishbak. But none of these will be the Millennial‑Age firstborns.

3 – THE NON‑ELECT: All the remainder of the human family who will gain life under the Mediatorial reign, represented in Midan and Shuah, the “sons” (Jews) and “daughters” (Gentiles) of Joel 2:29.

The foregoing leaves no room at all in this Keturah type for Campers Consecrated; but reveals clearly that it is a non‑existent class – an invention of J. W. Krewson given to R. G. Jolly, who now attempts to inject this myth into the Keturah type. Thus, we submit our interpretation to our readers for its reasonableness and harmony, in contrast to R. G. Jolly’s unreasonableness and disharmony – traits that are always in evidence when he – or any one else – attempts to cast away the Truth he has once learned, and been assured of – and taught – and places error in its stead. It would seem he should have learned well and deeply this lesson from the “drunken” vagaries of That Evil Servant, who, as antitypical Uzziah, “was a leper unto the day of his death.” (2 Chron.26:21) “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” (Prov.29:1)

CARELESS ONES UNFIT FOR THE KINGDOM

Those who get spots upon their robes and leave them there will not be fit for the kingdom of God; for the bride of Christ will be composed of only those who will be “without spot or wrinkles or any such thing.” Jesus is to present this class blameless and unreprovable before the Father. They did not walk perfectly, without a blemish; but they were careful to keep their garments unspotted by going often to the Lord. They let nothing keep them away. This is the spirit of the Bride class. We each wish to be of that class, dear friends. If any of us are not sure Just now as to our standing with the Lord, let us make haste to go to him and see that the record is cleared by our dear Redeemer and Advocate. Let us not wait, but go at once.

The faithful class is pictured to us in Revelation 7:3,4 and 14:1‑5. These are the 144,000 who have the Father’s name in their foreheads. They sing the new song, which none can sing but these 144,000. Oh, we long to be among them! We cannot afford to be anywhere else. The outcome is all in our own hands whether we succeed or fall, after God has given us His Holy Spirit. It will be our own fault if we miss the Kingdom. There will be no blame to attach to our Lord; for He has arranged for our continual cleansing day by day. His grace is provided for us every step of the way; and His loving, protecting providences are continually about us if we are trustful and obedient to the best of our ability.

The other class who allow spots to accumulate upon their robes, is a “great multitude, whose number no man knoweth.” (Rev. 7:9) that is, they are not of an ordained or fixed number as is the bride class. (The Lord did not arrange for them to fail, but did mercifully arrange a place for them after they did fail – JJH) These must go through great tribulation and wash their robes, all spotted and soiled, in the blood of the Lamb. These will then stand before the throne, will serve God day and night in His temple. The bride class will be in The Temple; or, in another figure, they will be seated upon the Messianic Throne with their Lord and Bridegroom. These different figures give different phases of the honored position and work of the Body of Christ in glory. These are spoken of as wearing crowns, the others as merely carrying palm branches, indicating final victory.

How glad we are that our dear Heavenly Father has mercifully provided for those who through lack of sufficient zeal and faithfulness lose the “prize of the High Calling”! We rejoice that even the “foolish virgins” do not lose all, but will through tears and travail of soul yet come wholly back to the Lord. They will finish their course in death. Theirs is an enforced destruction of the flesh. Although they covenanted to sacrifice it willingly yet they failed to do so. They love the Lord and love righteousness, but not sufficiently to be thoroughly loyal and faithful; and so they must be severely scourged, that their spirits may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (the Epiphany period – “great tribulation” – the ‘judgment day’ of the Great Company as a CLASS – something RGJ should be greatly concerned over for his Great Company kinsmen more than anything else, if he were the cleansed Levite he claims to be – JJH)

EARNEST EXHORTATION TO FAITHFULNESS

No one has been called of God to the Great Company Class. “We are all called in the one hope of our calling.” Let us then walk with the Lord in white every day, dear brethren and sisters. Let us keep our robes spotless. It is easier to get spots on them than to get the spots off, and each spot will be more difficult than the previous one. We understand spots to be the result of a measure of carelessness. “It is impossible for me to keep my robe from ever getting spotted,” you say, “but I am very thankful that the Lord has provided a way whereby the spots may be removed when I earnestly apply for the cleansing.”

Each experience of this kind should make us more humble, more careful, more alive to our weaknesses and more watchful to avoid getting spots on our white robes. Otherwise the Lord will chastise us by withholding for a time His peace, lest we think that we may be careless, and then may have the spot removed without any trouble. The Lord wishes us to realize that this is no light matter. Then let us each be very faithful, that we may soon hear the Master’s sweet “Well done!”

The foregoing six paragraphs are Brother Russell’s observations as given in the July 1, 1916 Watch Tower, Reprints 5924, col. 2; and they are certainly as pertinent today as they ever were. “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:7) is only for those who prize it enough to maintain it under all circumstances and in all conditions – those described by Brother Johnson as “The Fully Faithful.” Those who do not do this are usually full of ‘excuses’ why they have not done so; but it is a sage observation that he who is expert at making excuses seldom is expert at anything else.

While we should reprove excuse‑makers, it certainly is not our province to determine when such laxity has reached its limit sufficiently to demote any one from his Class standing. That is exclusively the prerogative of the Lord. But once the Lord has come to such determination, then also “the peace which passeth understanding” will be lost to such – at least, during the time of their deflection, as was the case with King Saul: “The spirit of the Lord departed from Saul.” (1 Sam. 16:14) And it was not long thereafter until Saul gave manifestation of his great loss – after “the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets” (1 Sam. 28:6) – he then went to the extremity of seeking counsel from the Witch of Endor, which resulted in his complete undoing. But with the Fully Faithful the situation is just the reverse – “The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit.” Such may have imperfections, but they do not permit them to allow “the pearl of great price” to slip from their grasp.

The foregoing applies in principle to all in the end of this Age (the Epiphany period) – the obedient ones who “hold fast the faithful word as they have been taught” (Titus 1:9) – and to the disobedient whom we see receiving “strong delusions.” (2 Thes. 2:11) The difference between the two becomes decidedly clearer as this Epiphany period progresses. “He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.”

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

Reprint of No. 104, published February 1, 1964

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The May‑June 1985 Present Truth, pp. 43 and 44, gives the following on KETURAH’S SIX SONS:

“(1) Zinram: the 70 most prominent of the Ancient and Youthful Worthies (the ancients and youthfuls of Joel 2:28), who will be given the most prominent positions in the earthly phase of the Kingdom during the making, sealing, of the New Covenant (Ex. 24:1,9)

“(2) Jokshan:‑ the Worthies in general.

“(3) Medan: the Consecrated Epiphany Campers – those who consecrate to God and are faithful in their consecration during the Epiphany – the very end of the Gospel Age – after the four elect classes have been fully made up in their membership; the four elect classes of Abraham’s seed are pictured as serving in the Court of the Tabernacle as it was set up for Israel in the wilderness, and these consecrators are pictured as being among those in the Camp – hence the name ‘Campers.’

“(4) Midian: those Fleshly Israelites who during the Jewish and Gospel Ages have in faith and practice come into harmony with the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants, and remained faithful, though not consecrating.

“(5) Ishbak: those Gentiles (and some Jews) who throughout the Gospel Age, including our day, while not consecrating, or dedicating, their lives to God, have repented of their sins and accepted Jesus as their Savior and remained faithful to the Ransom and to righteousness.

“(6) Shuah (low place, depression): the non‑elect, unbelieving world of mankind, consisting of unbelieving Gentiles and those Fleshly Israelites who have forsaken the covenant promises; these are the ‘daughters’ of Joel 2:28 and Isa. 60:4, the quasi-elect believers being referred to as ‘ sons ‘ – the stronger ones.”

The above errors by AG is a repeat of the errors he inherited from RGJ as given in Present Truths ‘57,22; ‘58,3; ‘63,29, 77; ‘69,46; ‘72,38 and ‘73, 27. The LHMM cannot produce anything but types to support the false doctrine (“strange fire”) of Consecrated Epiphany Campers. “A type must not be used to teach a doctrine, but to illustrate one that is taught in plain terms.” (Berean Comment, p. 25 of the Topical Index)

We are told in Jude 3 “to contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints,” but in no place in God’s Word are we told to “contend for the faith once delivered unto crown‑lost leaders” as AG is now doing. The devotees of the Jehovah’s Witnesses follow their leaders, who have set aside many basic doctrines of That Servant – the blind leading the blind.

Brother Johnson’s treatise on Joel 2:28, 29 is as follows: The Little Flock and the Great Company – 2:29; converted fleshly Israel and the persevering but unconsecrated believers of the Gospel Age (sons), converted Gentiles of the Millennial Age (daughters – all who are not of Natural or Spiritual Israel are considered Gentiles from God’s standpoint), the Ancient Worthies (old men), and the Youthful Worthies (young men) – 2:28. The Apostle Paul gives us this advice: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” (2 Tim. 3:14) We know we have learned the Truth from the “faith once delivered unto the saints” when we learn them from That Servant and the Epiphany Messenger.

All those who have set aside the Truth taught by That Servant are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth.” (2 Tim. 3:7) We especially refer to the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement who have set aside God’s promise to the natural Jew when they concocted their false doctrines of non‑existent classes.

AG has the audacity to tell us that that Consecrated Epiphany Campers will supersede the Jews in the Kingdom, setting aside God’s Word as well as the teaching of That Servant and the Epiphany Messenger, knowing that these faithful Messengers consistently taught “to the Jew first.” They did this with Scriptures in “plain terms.”

Of course, the “repentant and believing” of the Epiphany Camp in the finished picture will share with the Jews in their great missionary work after they become Jews. The Jews will not have to become Consecrated Epiphany Campers and walk a narrow way to receive God’s promise to natural Jews. It is the earthly promise to the Jews. And none of the Restitutionists have to walk a narrow way. The CEC will have to become Jews in the Kingdom before they can receive the blessings of the New Covenant. The New Covenant is Israelitish and will be made with the natural Jew first. Our Lord says, “Salvation is of the Jews.”

“The Word will first be given by the Worthies from the Christ to the Jews; and it will heal them, as it is written, ‘He sent His Word and healed them.’ – Psa. 107:20” (E‑15, p. 548)

“The Kingdom will, of course, begin to work on the Worthies, and then through them upon the restitutionists who will survive the time of trouble, and that starting with the Jews in Palestine.” (E‑15, p. 550, bottom, and top of p. 551)

“Fleshly Israel, as the secondary earthly seed of Abraham, under the lead of the Ancient and Youthful Worthies, as the primary earthly seed of Abraham, will be privileged to cooperate with the Kingdom in converting the Gentile world – Gen. 22:17; 28:14; Isa. 19:24; Ezek. 16:60, 61; Psa. 107:22.” (E‑17, p. 122, bottom, and top of p. 123)

“Naturally enough, Israel will then in a natural way come first into harmony with the Divine arrangement and be the first to get the blessings.” (Reprint 5810, top) All the above, and much more, will have to be thrown out if we accept the LHMM’s teaching that the CEC are to be first after the Worthies.

In the May‑June 1985 PT, p. 40, AG tells us that Cornelius and his house “had believed in the Lord, who had given evidence of their consecration and good works, even before they knew of the Lord and His glorious Plan.” AG accused Brother Hoefle of teaching that Cornelius was consecrated, and castigated him for so doing. However, Brother Hoefle’s contention was that Cornelius was “repentant and believing.” It seems that AG is now teaching that Cornelius was consecrated. If Cornelius was consecrated, self‑evidently he was “repentant and believing” – otherwise the Lord would not have held his prayers in remembrance.

Then on p. 46, col. 1, AG says, “In E 10, p. 209 a clear distinction is made as follows: ‘The Gospel Age Camp is the condition of the unjustified people of God, (by contrast) the Epiphany Camp in the finished picture is the condition of truly repentant and believing (i.e., justified – inserted by AG) but not consecrated Jews and Gentiles.”’ Will his CEC be unconsecrated in the finished picture of the Epiphany Camp?

“St. Paul was an outspoken, uncompromising teacher. When he knew that he had the truth, he spoke it with confidence, and boldly declared that everything contrary to it is false doctrine. He also taught believers that it was not only their privilege, but their duty to be established in the faith, to know on the evidence of God’s Word, why they believed, and to be able to give to every man that inquires a reason for the hope that was in them.” (Reprint 5045, col. 2, par. 4)

“The Lord purposed to take away all sins – the sins of Israel, the sins of those who were to constitute the Gospel Church, and the sins of the whole world. For this cause Christ was manifested, for this cause He died. This cancellation, of doing away with the sins of the whole world, will progress as each shall recognize the Heavenly gift of forgiveness and obey the Government.

“The orthodox Jews, those who still hold to the teachings of the Law and the Prophets, and have faith in God, will be the first to receive the blessings of the New Age. ‘As concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your (the Church’s) sakes; but as touching the election (the natural election), they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.’ So, then, this condition of affliction in which the Jews have been throughout the Gospel Age, in addition to the overthrow of their nation in the year 70 AD, has really been a favor from God. All the tribulation through which this people have passed during the entire ‘Seven Times’ of chastisement will be finally found to have been to their advantage, preparing them for the blessings of Messiah’s Kingdom. The Church will be the first in the Kingdom, natural Israel with the Ancient Worthies at the head will be the second. Subsequently all nations will come into Divine favor and blessing, becoming members of Israel. All will be blessed through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Question Book, pp. 357,358)

“Each consecrated believer should ask himself, How carefully have I studied that which I clearly recognize as Divine Truth? And how fully capable am I, therefore, of handling the sword of the spirit? Few indeed are those who can say they have fully digested and assimilated all they have received;... that they have a ready answer a ‘thus saith the Lord’ – for every man that asks them a reason for the hope that is in them, concerning any point of doctrine.” (Reprint 3199, col. 1, bottom, and colt 2, top)

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) So long as we “contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints” we need not be ashamed.

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QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

“QUESTION: – Would it not appear that the Jews only would be blessed by the New Covenant, since they were alone under the Law Covenant?

“ANSWER: – I answer: The Apostle says that it is “to the Jew first,” and also to the Greek. In other words, he gives us that as a picture that God’s blessings of every kind begin with the Jew. He gave the Jew the first opportunity under the Abrahamic Covenant, when Christ came to His own and His own received Him not. And when it comes to the blessings of the New Covenant the opportunity will come to the Jew first, and he must take his stand, but ultimately to reach all the families of the earth. The Jews may come in and share with the Church, and with the Ancient Worthies in the matter of carrying this glorious message to the other nations, and peoples, and kindreds, and tongues, and to whatever extent they have the right attitude of heart, they will embrace that opportunity; it will be to the Jew first and also to the Gentile. And the Apostle says, you remember, ‘If the casting away of Israel meant the bringing in of a blessing, what will the gathering of Israel again mean but life from the dead?’ – in general to the whole world of mankind.” (QUESTION BOOK, p. 165 ‑ 1908)

QUESTION: – When the door was opened to the Gentiles there was no difference in the standing of the Gentiles and the Jews according to Romans 10:12 and Gal. 3:28. There is much said about “to the Jew first,” but wouldn’t the same condition apply to the Gentiles as with the Jews in the Kingdom – the “restitution of all things”?

ANSWER: – The Gospel was first offered to the Jews when our Lord brought “life and immortality to light.” (2 Tim. 1:10) When the natural Jews accepted Christ as their Savior, and walked in the footsteps of Jesus, they became “Spiritual Israelites.” When the Gentiles, after the door was opened to them, accepted Christ as their Savior and walked in the footsteps of Jesus, they became “Spiritual Israelites.” They then had the same standing of the Jews. The same condition will apply to the Gentiles under the New Covenant, when they become Jews. As That Servant has so often stated, the New Covenant will be Israelitish. However, the faithful “repentant and believing” Gentiles will quickly join the Jews in doing the great missionary work. None of this nullifies God’s promise to the natural Jew – “to the Jew first.”

When the Jews in Jerusalem are attacked by the marauders, the anarchists, in “Jacob’s last trouble,” they will “cry unto the Lord and He will hear their cry and deliver them. (Psa. 107:19, 20) It is elementary that the Jews in Jerusalem will be the first to receive the blessings of the New Covenant. “From Jacob then natural seed of Abra­ham, first.” (Berean Comment on Rom. 11:26) “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, to the Jew first, and also of the Gentiles.” (Rom. 2:9 – See Berean Comments on Rom. 2:9, 10) The special ‘tribulation’ that came upon the Jews was when Titus demolished their Temple and they were driven out of Jerusalem. The “Time of Trouble” coming upon the whole world – especially the social order, the ecclesiastical and governmental systems, will not be more severe than what the Jews suffered at the time Titus seized Jerusalem, as well as what the Jews have suffered in Germany and in Russia in our day.

“This Mediator – the Head and Body – is such, as His death (the merit being that of Jesus alone) cancels the sins committed under the first Covenant, i.e., those of the Jews, that these Jews, having had the unchangeable call to the earthly favor (Rom. 11:29), might receive the promise given them – the land of Canaan as an eternal inheritance. “The sprinkling of the people (v. 19) is a copy of the sealing, making, of the New Covenant manward in the earthly phase of the Kingdom of Heaven, and it will take 1,000 years to complete it, i.e., it will take the 1,000 years of the Millennium to give the people – Israel primarily and the Gentiles who join Israel under the New Covenant, a privilege that will then be open to all the non‑elect, dead and living – the right to life and its life‑rights, Jesus and the Church’s legacy to Israel and the Gentiles under the New Covenant.

Note, please, how the Apostle, after speak­ing of the cleansing of the copies, the types, i.e., the people, the tabernacle and vessels, tells that their antitypes, Millennial Israel and the Gentiles joining them­ selves to Israel, the Ancient and Youthful Worthies and their teachings, will be cleansed by the better sacrifices (plural) than bulls and goats. Jesus’ personal sacrifice was but one, and the Church’s sacrifice is but one; but together they are two, and their separate sacrifices are here (v.23) designated by the plural term, sacrifices.” (E‑6, p. 686, bottom, p. 687, middle, and top of p. 688)

When the Jews in Jerusalem “cry unto the Lord” (Psa. 107:19), the Consecrated Epiphany Campers will have to go to Jerusalem and become Jews if they are to be among the “first” to get the New Covenant blessings. However, the Apostle Paul, That Servant and the Epiphany Messenger all tell us that the blessings will be to the natural Jew first. The New Covenant will be inaugurated in Jerusalem, which will be the Capital of the New Covenant government.

The Jews were first in the “great salvation” (Heb. 2:3) and they will be first in the “common salvation” (Jude 3) in the Kingdom under the New Covenant. “He is faithful that promised.” (Heb. 10:23)

Written by Brother Hoefle December 14, 1977.

NO. 360: "I WILL SEND THE HORNET BEFORE THEE"

No. 360

The exodus of Israel from Egypt was indeed a stupendous undertaking in material, physical strength and courageous determination. The burden upon Moses in that effort is probably beyond a sound evaluation by any human being living today. God knew this full well; and He gave Moses and the Jews abundant encouragement for the immediate present, and in His promises of future special helps. One of these promises is contained in Ex. 23:28: “I will send hornets before thee, which will drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.” The word “hornets” in this text is a collective noun and should read “the hornet” – just as we might speak of the fly, the hawk, the wolf, etc.

Here was just one of the encouragements given to Moses – and repeated to the general assembly of Jews – to build up their courage for the task at hand. In v. 20 they had been told that God would “send an angel before thee to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” This one promise should have been more than enough for ordinary men; but Jehovah was fully alert to the inferiority complex that had developed in the Jews during the hundreds of years of their slavery in Egypt – a condition which would certainly diminish the combative qualities of even the strongest, and develop a subservience not to be countenanced by God’s people. “Jesus needed not that any should testify of man, for He knew what was in man”; therefore, among His last words was the counsel, “Let not your heart be troubled.” And this consolation was to free men, most of whom had never been in servitude as were the Jews.

The Jews had been long under the oppressive yoke, an experience that could not fail to deplete their combative qualities. Thus, humanly speaking, it is no great surprise that they quickly wilted under trialsome experiences, and often plagued the beloved Moses and Aaron for the “leeks, the melons, the onions, the garlic” which had been theirs in Egypt. (Num. 11:5) Also, they readily forgot the precious promise of “the hornet before thee” when the ten spies brought back their evil report of Num. 13: “There we saw the giants,” the spies had told them, “and we were ..... as grass‑hoppers in their sight.” This word “giant” is from the Hebrew “Nephilim,” the same word found in Gen. 6:4: “There were giants (Nephilim – fallen ones) in the earth in those days.” With the horrifying tales of the great deluge that were handed down by “the fa­thers,” there had come the legend of the “giants” that existed before that flood – those virile creatures, half god and half man, that permeate all Greek and Latin myth­ology, described as demigods in the numerous accounts. Self‑evidently, the Jewish tradition was also impregnated with accounts of these “fiends from Hell” – creatures which they had never seen, but believed to be in existence in some hidden retreat. Thus, they were ready listeners when the ten spies reported to them that the Nephilim, the fallen ones, that race of super men, were the foes they must meet if they crossed Jor­dan into Canaan. “And the people wept that night.... and murmured against Moses and against Aaron..... Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt.  let us return into Egypt.” (Num. 14:1‑4)

How easily is the fallen human heart and mind deceived and melted! Undoubtedly there were real giants in Canaan; Goliath of David’s day 450 years later is proof sufficient of that. It is stated that Goliath was “six cubits and a span” (1 Sam. 17:4), which would make him over nine feet tall, even using the shortest of the cubits (18”) in the calculation – a very formidable antagonist indeed in any hand‑to‑hand combat. But Goliath, nor any of his kind, were of the Nephelim; God had attended to their annihilation in Noah’s day. And David proved speedily enough that Goliaths in the camps of their enemies were creatures of frailty, vulnerable to the weapons, emotions, and senses, even as were the Jews themselves. Nor could any Goliath before nor since remain quietly in ambush behind rock or bush under the rousing sting of a hornet. It is said that the sting of six hornets has been sufficient to kilt a horse, so we need no vivid imagination to evaluate the advantage that would bee with the Jews as God would “send the hornet before them” – a promise which the Jews en masse so speedily disbelieved.

But, in addition to Moses and Aaron, who “fell on their faces,” Caleb and Joshua held faith in God’s promise: “The land... is an exceeding good land... the Lord will give it to us.” But the people would not hear, preferring instead the forty years’ wandering in the wilderness, at the end of which all males who had departed Egypt at twenty years and over were corpses in that wilderness – all except the two, Caleb and Joshua. Therefore, when God repeated his promise in Deut. 7:20 to “send the hornet” among the Jews’ adversaries, Moses was talking to a new generation – although it is clear enough from Joshua’s farewell address that he had believed and had seen with his own eyes that “He is faithful that promised”; the Lord had indeed “sent the hornet before them.” (Josh. 24:12)

THE ANTITYPE

In considering this type, it should first of all be stressed that only the Hittites, the Canaanites and the Hivites are named in Ex. 23:28; whereas, at least a dozen nations are mentioned at various times – Amorites, Perrizites, Girgashites, Jebusites, Amalekites, Ammonites, Philistines, Maonites, Moabites ‑ this list not including the Zidonians, whom the Jews never attempted to conquer, but usually held in friendly relationship. It will be noted, however, in E‑12:516 that Brother Johnson lists only seven nations of Canaan whom Joshua conquered – the Canaanites (worldliness), Hittites (cowardice), Amorites (sinfulness), Perrizites (siftingism), Hivites (sectarianism), Girgashites (selfishness), and Jebusites (erroneousness). Brother Johnson also teaches that “the hornet” represented God’s opposing and hurting power.

Why, we ask, are only three of the foregoing evils listed in Ex. 23:28? We believe it is because those three sins have been most influential in retarding and destroying Christian character and progress all during the Gospel Age. These three the antitypical Hittites (cowardice), Canaanites (Merchants – worldliness) and Hivites (sectarianism) – are the three evils St. Paul specifically opposes in 2 Tim. 1:7: “God did not give to us a cowardly spirit (of the antitypical Hittites) but one of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (Dia.)

The opposite of cowardice is courage, and the essence of courage is power (will power) and a strong heart. The quality of courage, when balanced by love and a sound mind, adorns a character as do diamonds and rubies the physical person. And God gives to all His faithful people the “spirit of power” – will power. “I can do all things through Christ, Who strengtheneth me,” says St. Paul; and his great will power is eloquent testimony to the truth of this statement. There was none of the antitypical Hitite (the cowardly spirit) in St. Paul. Courageous men of the world have some of the qualities and slogans that Christians may well emulate. One instructor, when training contestants for grueling physical combat, always impressed upon them: “The other fellow is as tired as you are!” Thus, when the pace becomes so unbearably severe, and the body is crying for a respite, just remember your opponents feel exactly as weary as you do. “Fear not them that are able to kill the body,” said Jesus; and St. Paul had ingrained these words into the very fiber of his heart and mind: “I shall not fear what man may do unto me,” for “the fear of man bringeth a snare.”

And the courageous will power of true Christians all during this Age is eloquent testimony that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear.” Even their worst enemies have often admired the courage of men physically frail, who “endured the cross, despising the shame,” even as Jesus Himself had done. St. Paul is an outstanding example – a small man of frail stature and with faulty eyesight, knowing that his head would soon be chopped off by the Roman ax, could write calmly to his beloved Timothy, “I am now ready to be offered.” And he makes only passing mention that “no man stood with me, but all men forsook me,” as he assured Timothy that the “Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.” Military leaders have been known to express openly the wish that they might have under their command just one company of men of such courage.

Secondly, the antitypical Canaanite (worldliness) is the very antithesis of (agape) love; and God has given His people this “hornet,” the spirit of love, to enable them to overcome worldliness. The two are the exact opposites. “Love not the world (cosmos), nor the things in the world (cosmos). If any one love the world (cosmos), the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 Jn. 2:15) The Canaanites were the lowlanders, the merchants who pursue vigorously the things of the world. “Where a man’s treasure is, there will his heart be also”; consequently, one cannot be motivated by the spirit of (agape) love, and yet put his heart into “the things of this world” – this cosmos.

During this Age God’s people have been called out of this world (antitypical Egypt) just as certainly as the Jews were taken from literal Egypt; and the lure to return to old habits is perhaps even more prevalent now than it was then. And a “Great Multitude” (Rev. 7:9) has returned at least partially to old haunts, old habits, old social conditions; while some have returned fully, and the earth (the present social order) has swallowed them up – Just as it did with Korah. (Num. 16) Thus, uncounted numbers have sold their birthright for “one morsel of meat” (Heb. 12:16), while the Fully Faithful have “overcome the world” – just as did their Captain.

Thirdly, the antitypical Hivite (sectarianism) is the extreme opposite of “the spirit of a sound mind.” Note Brother Johnson’s description in E‑4:291 (47):

“Sectarianism is a great sin; for it does not act from devotion to the Truth, the Truth arrangements and the Spirit of the Truth (which virtues are the Gospel‑Age “inheritance of the land” – JJH), but from devotion to partisanship. The Truth, its arrangements and its spirit are by it neglected or antagonized whenever this is in the interest of the sect. Their actual, though not verbal motto is: My party, I stand for it, right or wrong.”

And, further in E‑4:299 – “The works of sectarianism are wrath, strife, envy, prejudice, partiality, enmity, persecution and misrepresentation of the faithful, approval of certain evils and disapproval of certain good things of the Truth and its arrangements.” Certainly, we can find none of “the spirit of a sound mind” in these reprehensible evils.

Sectarians in large measure use the weapons of Goliath, and they have received from the faithful the identical answer given to him by David: “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts.” (1 Sam. 17:45) Note the close similarity in these words to those used by Jesus in answering Satan’s temptation for Him to “love the world”: “It is written.” (Matt. 4:10) But the Measurably Faithful fail in this respect, choosing rather the methods of this world to accomplish their aims. – “Azazel deceives them into believing they will accomplish great works, win great numbers, gain great favor. The upshot of it all, however, is great disappointments, troubles, losses, frustrations and failures, as is shown of them in Psa. 107:12.” (E‑15:52S) RGJ even now, disregards these warnings of the Priests. (written in 1964)

The sectarian spirit is one of the evidences of Great company uncleanness – a clear proof that they have not extirpated the antitypical Hivite from their characters. The fully faithful gain complete victory over the Hittite (cowardice), over the Canaanite (worldliness), and over the Hivite (sectarianism): the fully unfaithful make full compromise with these evils, and thus, shipwreck of their future; the Great Company make partial “covenant with them, and with their gods” (Ex. 23:32) – which is the direct cause of them losing their crowns. The fully faithful, who wage successful warfare against these evils, gain the Truth and the Spirit of the Truth as their unchangeable possession – a goodly prize indeed for fighting “the good fight” ‑ “more than conquerors.” “Therefore, brethren, more earnestly endeavor to do these things, for thus richly will be furnished to you the entrance into the aionian Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

We may also offer a secondary application to “the hornet,” as the sharp stinging truths in the Bible. Who of us has not had the experience of quoting a pertinent annihilative text to some gainsayer; then see him jump from his chair as though stung by a hornet’ A good instance of this is to be found in Acts 21:28: “Men of Israel, help!” Those Jews had been “stung!’ by St. Paul’s teachings to the point of willing to murder him. But Paul here again gave testimony that he had eliminated the antitypical Hittite (cowardice) from his character, as he calmly asked the Roman commander: “I entreat thee, permit me to speak to the people.” How many would have been only too glad to “call it a day” after being rescued from a shrieking murder‑bent mob; but St. Paul, “good soldier” that he was, gave again eloquent witness that “God did not give to us a cowardly spirit.” And may his example be a strong stimulus to all who strive to “inherit the land” – the Truth, and the Spirit of the Truth.

EPHRAIM TO THE BATTLE

This treatise would be hardly complete were we to omit some comment on Judges 7:24‑25, where we are informed “the men of Ephraim... took the two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb... and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of Jordan.” (See E‑5:226‑229) Orab (raven) represents Sectarianism – just as does “the Hivite” in Ex. 23:28 – and Zeeb types Clericalism; and those two prince errors are the same as typed by the two golden calves which Jeroboam constructed, one in Bethel and the other in Dan. (See 1 Kings 12:26‑30) And the victory over these princes is designated specifically as going to “the men of Ephraim” (typical of the Youthful Worthies in this Epiphany period), with no mention whatever made of the Great Company. This, Brother Johnson explains, is because:

“The Lord counts as overcomers... only those who first in their own characters overcome the disposition underlying such doctrines and practices... just as only the 144,000 are counted victors over the Beast and his Image, though, as we know, the Truth section of the Great Company opposed the Beast and his Image, but... are not more than overcomers... however much they verbally preach and zealously work against them... On the other hand, from the type we infer that the Youthful Worthies overcome in their own characters the spirit of Sectarianism and Clericalism... This consideration should arouse the Great Company to cleanse themselves.” (E‑5:229)

It is well to stress here that sectarianism is of Satanic origin – a product of Azazel. And, as Brother Johnson has so clearly taught, the Great Company serve Azazel with the bad part of their minds (the ‘fleshly mind’ that must be destroyed if they are to be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus), as they also serve God with the good part of their minds. That is why James refers to them as “doubleminded.” Thus, promoting and developing sectarianism with the bad part of their minds, they have built up the various sects in Big and Little Babylon, instead of fighting this evil as the Saints and fully faithful Youthful Worthies have done unto complete victory in their own characters. And, while individual Great Company members may suppress this evil in themselves, the vast majority will cling tenaciously to their various sects until the Lord Himself separates them from those sects by extreme scourging in Armageddon through the destruction of their sects. But, for the present, we are safe in concluding that any Great Company or Youthful Worthies who manifest the sectarian spirit are actually serving Azazel, regardless of the denials they may put forth to the contrary. That is why the Great Company are not mentioned as victors in the battle against Oreb and Zeeb; theirs is not a “more than conquerors” victory, because their cleansing from this great sin is forced upon them when “their hearts are brought down with labor.” (Psa. 107:12)

We should ever keep in mind that it was the Little Flock’s faithfulness in antitypical Gideon’s First Battle that emphatically attested they were of the “very elect.” And we conclude from this that it will be the faithfulness of the Youthful Worthies in the battle against antitypical Oreb and Zeeb that will eventually determine them “worthy” to occupy places of rulership in the Kingdom with the “worthies” of the ages preceding this Gospel Age. Inasmuch as the Great Company do not make full conquest of those sins within themselves, they cannot serve as examples to those Youthfuls who accept their leadership. It is rather the example of the Fully Faithful that has been their help and instructor thus far – and will continue to be so to the consummation of the Epiphany. It is quite probable that those who fail in this conquest will find themselves either back in the world or among the quasi‑elect in the Kingdom, and not among the fully faithful Worthies – although some of them have been the loudest professors, Just as was true of the Great Company vs. the Little Flock. This should certainly cause each one to examine himself” to determine whether he is performing “in sincerity and in Truth” his part in this “good fight” against antitypical Oreb and Zeeb, or whether he be “wallowing” in the mire of the great sin of depraved Sectarianism.

We believe, though, that a warning is here appropriate, lest any come to speedy judgment toward those now enmeshed in these evils. We are told in Ex. 23:29, “I will not drive them out (the Hittite, Canaanite and Hivite) from before thee in one year: lest the land become desolate and the beast of the field multiply against thee.” This is just another way of saying what Brother Russell said about grand characters – they do not spring up mushroom like overnight, but are fine‑grained and strong like the olive tree – the result of years of determination in fighting “the good fight.” Thus, the Lord allows each one time sufficient for his needs to “inherit the land” (the sphere of the Truth and its spirit); and it is only the “Lord who looketh on the heart” that can give equitable evaluation to each one. It should be sufficient for each one that he determine for himself that he is conquering the Hittite (cowardice), the Canaanite (worldliness), and Hivite (sectarianism) from his own character and giving that assistance to others of his brethren who are “of the Truth.”

And to all who fully conquer the antitypical Hittite, Canaanite and Hivite, eliminating them from their characters, to such the promise is sure: “He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12 – Dia.) And further, in John 12:35, “He who walks in darkness knows not where he is going”; and this is the specific penalty meted out to the Measurably Faithful in Matt. 25:30: “Thrust the unprofitable servant (The Great Company – See Berean Comment) into outer darkness” – into error – error of doctrine, such as Campers Consecrated, and error of practice. The Manna Comment for March 26 pointedly defines the “darkness” of 1 Thes. 5:5 as ERROR – but “We (all who purify their characters from the three evils herein discussed) are not in darkness”; even as we are also clearly taught in Psalms 107:10 that the Great Company who fail in this respect are “such as sit in darkness.”

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches” (Rev. 3:22 – by the “voice behind thee” (Isa. 30:21), the “voice” for our time being the faithful and true teachings (based upon the Old and New Testaments) of That Wise Servant and other faithful pilgrims of this Harvest time. Thus, we urge all to continue in this “good fight,” – “abounding in the work of the Lord at all times, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58 – Dia.)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

This is a reprint of No. 111, published in September, 1964.

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QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Will you please explain Text‑bookism?

ANSWER: – Text‑bookism is treating the Bible as a text book, whereas the Bible is a book of texts. The Plan of the Ages was given to That Servant as it has never been given before; as it was not due until That wise and Faithful Servant was given charge over the Household. (Matt. 24:45 – See Berean Comments) Since That Servant’s death, there have been quite a few who have brought forth “new light” not in harmony with the Plan of the Ages as given to us with Scriptural proof by Brother Russell. The Epiphany Messenger, who never gave us any “new light” not in harmony with That Servant’s faithful teaching, gives us the following on text‑bookism:

“We are not to understand that the unscripturalness of text‑bookism implies that the Lord’s people are not to read the Bible consecutively. We should read, especially the historical parts of the Bible consecutively, in order to familiarize ourselves with the text and histories of the Bible, and to draw from those histories lessons for our daily lives enabling us to take a proper stand toward evil, i. e., hating, avoiding and opposing it, and to take a proper stand toward good, i. e., loving, practicing and encouraging its cultivation in ourselves and others. For devotion and for helping us to take such stands toward evil and good it is also well for us to read consecutively such books as the Psalms and Proverbs. We would even say such reading, especially in the justified, of the doctrinal and prophetical books of the Bible should be done in order to familiarize oneself with the wording of these books. (Even before That Servant gave us the Plan of the Ages, the reading of the Bible in sincerity of purpose, has blessed the Lord’s faithful people; and the reading of the Bible and becoming familiar with the texts, caused the Saints to readily accept the Truth as given by That Servant – JJH)

“But the unscripturalness of text‑bookism certainly forbids the reading of the historical books to make new types from them, and the prophetical and doctrinal books to make new prophecies and doctrines from them; for such a course is text‑bookism; and such a study of types, prophecies and doctrines made to draw new types and doctrines out of them is the forbidden speculation of Ex. 19:21‑25. For such study is wrong in all antitypical Priests, Levites and Israelites, except in the mouthpiece priests, since it always leads to error; because the Lord Jesus, the Bible’s only Interpreter, will not give the Truth through such a revolutionistic method of Bible study, since His way to interpret the Bible to the Lord’s people is through the mouthpiece priest officiating at the time.” (February 1, 1938 Present Truth, p. 29 – also see E‑5:136)

It is certainly true that we get the Truth through the Mouthpiece Priests – and any “new light” contrary to the “faith once delivered unto the saints” is error; and any types and doctrines presented by Levites are forbidden, as quoted above.

One of the outstanding examples of the above vagary is RGJ, who has cast the above teaching aside. Take for instance, his distortion of the half Tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan. Brother Johnson taught us that this half tribe is to be taken for the whole; and he has cast aside that Truth to make way for his Campers Consecrated. He did this because he had a “vision” one day.

And what shall we say about his types that teaches him a doctrine! Yes, those types teach him a doctrine ‑ a false doctrine, as said by the Epiphany Messenger in the above quotation: “For such study is wrong in all antitypical Priests, Levites and Israelites, except in the mouthpiece priests, since it always leads to error.” RGJ’s indulging in pictures and types in 1910, which he said was corrected at the time, seems to have cropped up again. He has indulged in such “forbidden things” for over 24 years (written in September 1978), and still hasn’t been corrected. Had he heeded Brother Johnson’s warning, he would not have foisted so much error on the Lord’s people; he would not have revolutionized against Tentative Justification; he would not have moved consecration to the Camp; he would not have set aside the faithful teaching of the two Star Members on Youthful Worthies to be won “until restitution sets in”; he would not have boldly taught that Cornelius wasn’t “repentant and believing” had he been mindful of That Servant’s teaching. Had he been faithful to the Truth he once received and believed, he would have been saved a lot of embarrassment – and had the approval and support of all the faithful Epiphany brethren.

Although he hasn’t departed from the Truth in the marked degree as did J. F. Rutherford, his ministry toward the Lord’s people is a sorry testimony against him; and we are much saddened that such is the case – because his ministry toward the world is commendable in many respects. And the fact that he still has the Parousia and Epiphany books is also commendable, as they refute his errors. One brother he brought into the Truth and gave him these volumes to read came to see that his Epiphany Campers Consecrated was an erroneous doctrine; and he came to see that on his own with the help of the Parousia and Epiphany volumes. He wrote us that it distressed him very much to oppose “Brother Jolly,” as he had been so good to him. A flaw in his ministry to the world is the fact, so far as we know, that he does not “witness” his doctrine of Campers Consecrated to the Jews. If he believes his own doctrine he should certainly “bear witness” to it to the Jews of all people! The Bible doesn’t teach “to the Christian Gentiles first,” but it does teach “to the Jew first.”

So far as we know, RGJ doesn’t recommend text‑bookism for Class study, but the most heinous form of text‑bookism is for leaders to indulge in text‑bookism by making types and parallels to teach a doctrine, thereby, as Brother Johnson says, “It always leads to error.” These errorists do this by claiming they are the Pastors and Teachers. RGJ doesn’t claim to be a priest: he is a self‑admitted crown‑lost leader. As Brother Johnson has said, such leaders do better toward the world than they do toward the brethren.

Written by Brother Hoefle September 4, 1978.

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QUESTION: – Are we to regard the Worthies as Restitutionists, and the first Restitutionists to be blessed under the New Covenant?

ANSWER: – We are not to regard any of the elect as Restitutionists, including the Worthies. They are the first to be blessed under the New Covenant, as they will experience the ‘better resurrection’ before any blessing can go to others. The first Restitutionists to be blessed under the New Covenant are the faithful covenant keeping Jews. As we have repeatedly quoted from our faithful Messengers’ teaching and from the Scriptures, the New Covenant is Israelitish, and would naturally come to the Jew first.

We have also repeatedly contended that the salvation of the elect is in the Faith Age, and the salvation of the world of mankind is in the Mediatorial Kingdom. There are two salvations, and they are not to be mixed. Just as there won’t be any opportunity for the elective salvation in the New Covenant arrangement, so there is no opportunity for the non‑elect, including the quasi‑elect, Campers Consecrated and Jonadabs to make an acceptable consecration to God during the Faith Age.

At one time JFR taught the truth on the two salvations being separate and distinct, but revolutionized against that truth when he invented a new class – Jonadabs or the “Great Multitude”; and the same is true about RGJ. It was after he invented a new class – Campers Consecrated – that he, too, revolutionized against the truth on the two salvations.

“The Youthful Worthies as a class are pointed out in various Scriptures... 2 Tim. 2:20 that ‘in a great house (the great house of the typical Aaron, Lev. 16:6; Num. 17:2, 3; 3:6‑9, 17‑20, consisted of his sons and three typical classes of Levites – the Kohathites, Merarites and Gershonites; accordingly, in the great House of our Great High Priest, there are four classes antitypical of these) there are not only vessels of gold (the Little Flock, Mal. 3:3), and of silver (the Great Company, Mal. 3:3), but also of wood (the Ancient Worthies) and of earth (the Youthful Worthies, who with the Ancient Worthies will be, during the Millennium, the human or earthly members of the antitypical Aaron’s House, as they were or are of the human nature also before the Millennium); and (additionally) some to honor (the faithful Restitutionists, the ‘sheep’ of Matt. 25:31‑40), and some to dishonor (the ‘goats’ of the next Age” – (E‑17:39,40)

So when RGJ groups the Youthful Worthies with the Restitutionists in his contention for his Campers Consecrated, by saying, “If God can make an exception of the Youthful Worthies, who are made up largely of Gentiles, in regard to ‘the Jew first,’ then He can make an exception of another class – Consecrated Epiphany Campers.” God makes an exception of all the elect. The Jews will be the first of the Restitutionists to be blessed under the New Covenant. As repeatedly said, the New Covenant is Israelitish, and simply replaces the Old Law Covenant, which also is Israelitish.

Written by Brother Hoefle October 11, 1974.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sr. Emily:

I was so happy to get the article on the AT‑ONE‑MENT between God and Man. I looked through Dad’s books, and sure enough there are two books, one written in 1904 and one in 1958.

We have had second ice storm, making this a very hard winter. I thank you, ------- (MICHIGAN

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Dear Sister Hoefle:

May Got, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in Him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for your letter – also for the United Israel Bulletin. After I finish with it I will pass it to some one that will also appreciate it. Yes, I would like a copy of the Bulletin with the write‑up about Brother Hoefle.

Helen’s mother is 94 years young. In the last year she has gone down hill physically, but her mind is still alert. ….. My wife is in Miami visiting the brethren. I am baby‑sitting Mother. Even though I am retired, we both can’t leave at the same time because one of us has to look after Mother. ...............

May the Lord bless you and yours as you to serve Him. See Heb. 6:10.

We are praying for you and your nephew. Yours in His service, ------- (Illinois)

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Dear Sr. Hoefle: Christian greetings’

It was sad news to hear of Brother Hoefle’s demise. I felt proud to be associated with his name. His writings on the Holy Scriptures were well analyzed and fully tested. I found them always a strong boost to my faith. Some of the groups emanating from Brother Russell have not fully kept the faith – and it is the same after the demise of Brother Johnson. Do you think the cause of this is due to the expectations of Brothers Russell and Johnson did not mature? As for myself, I can see the prophecies taught by both Messengers are shaping up.

I continue to enjoy the papers. I think they are very well presented – and a credit to you at the Bible House for your brave efforts. Although I haven’t written for some time (problems and troubles of my own), you have been in my thoughts and prayers for your spiritual and physical well‑being.

In reading Brother Russell’s biography I see where he had accumulated $50,000 in the haberdashery business at the age of 26. He must have been a genius’ He worked very hard and spent all of it in enlightening the ordinary brethren into Bible Truths. God bless all at the Bible House in all their spiritual thinking.

Sincerely your brother in Christ. ------- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Emily,

First of all we want to say how very grateful we are for your generous gift toward our ministry. Thank you very much for promising to send me a copy of David Horowitz’s book. ........

I circulated some of the books you kindly sent me to excommunicated Watchtower members. We assure you of our prayers for you and the ministry, and trust that the Almighty God will continue to bless and encourage you as you serve Him.

Yours in Christ, ------- (AFRICA)

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