NO. 382: DOUBTS AND MISGIVINGS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

No. 382

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

MOSES – THE EMANCIPATOR

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

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

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

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

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

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

JOHN THE BAPTIST

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“THIS MOSES” – ANOTHER TYPE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE CRUSADES

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

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

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

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

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

GENERALITIES

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

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

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

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim (Reprint No. 262, April 1, 1977

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sir:

I found a copy of your magazine dated 3/1‑78 and received literature from you in 1977 and after my husband died, then I lost track of your publications. My 22‑year‑old daughter died in March of this year. I need to know from the Bible if these are the last days, what the parable of the Sheep and Goats mean – also if people who are killed in Armageddon will have a resurrection along with the others. I know the Bible speaks of a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous. I want to know if Jesus is picking the ones now who will survive Armageddon. I need to know if the Jehovah's Witnesses are the only ones who will survive Armageddon and if I stand a chance of seeing my husband and daughter again in the New Earth the Bible talks about in Revelation.

There are so many things I don't know and understand. I want to be a child of God and have everlasting life. Any information you can send me I will greatly appreciate. Also, who is Babylon the Great in Revelation? I am searching the Scriptures and want to know the right course to take. Sincerely, ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Brethren in the Lord:

Warm Christian greetings in the name of our Lord, Redeemer and King! Thank you very much for sending regularly your monthly papers which I enjoy reading, although I must admit I don't agree 100% with what I read in it. But perhaps 90% is a good average. You must know that there are no two Bible Students in the world who agree 100% on everything. Still we do get along. So please keep sending your papers.

Since I know it costs money to print and mail, I am enclosing a donation to help along in meeting expenses. With every good wish for showers of blessings on you and your work,

I am your brother in the Lord Jesus, -------  (CONNECTICUT)

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Dear Mrs. Hoefle:

Thank you for the additional book on Pastor Russell. I placed it in the local library where perhaps many people will read it.

Thank you also for sending the book, "The Time Is At Hand." I have already read it and found it very interesting, I feel I understand it. Also, I would love to read the other three in the set. Since I read "The Divine Plan of the Ages" nearly thirty years ago, I have searched for the remaining books. Is there anyway I could get them?

Sincerely, ------- (NORTH CAROLINA)

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My dear Sister Hoefle: Christian greetings!

I hope you are well and keeping spiritually, physically and mentally tuned up for all your requirements. It has been quite a while since I wrote you, knowing, of course, you have been kept busy in the Lord's work.

Looking at developments in the world I surely see God's predictions coming true in many ways ‑ unmistakably so. Prophecy fulfillment certainly give evidence of God's foreknowledge – knowing the end from the beginning, especially knowing the effect of disobedience, the rebelliousness of human nature, with all its results. Surely, God's Kingdom is the hope that we can rely on – and having the experience of seeing sin's effect on the nations with no formula forthcoming from the cream of the world's human brains.

As yet, Sister, I do not have any local fellowship with anyone – only some postal contacts of Truth people. Many have passed on... I feel very much blessed with the understanding of the Divine Plan of God, and I am always happy to give it to the meek.

I receive Brother Horowitz' papers – some very revealing articles therein. I have studied sufficiently Jewish history to support the Jewish Cause.

I continue to enjoy the papers and appreciate very much, Sister, your prayers. God Bless thee, and keep thee. Numbers 7:24‑26 to all at Mount Dora.

With Christian love, ------- (ENGLAND)

NO. 381: TAKE, MY BRETHREN, THE PROPHETS PART ELEVEN

No. 381

OBADIAH – There is just one short chapter to this book, and little is known about the Prophet himself. The name means Servant of Yahveh, or worshiper of Yahveh. There are at least twelve men mentioned in the Old Testament who bear this name. However, our only concern here is with the Prophet himself.

The main theme of his writing is the punishment to come upon Edom, a heathen neighbor of Judah. Edom in this book seems to be a type of Christendom, particularly here in the end of the Age. There is wide difference of opinion on the time that the Prophet lived, some contending that he lived before the conquest of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar in the Fall of 607 BC. Others, with equal vigor, place it after that date. Some capable men think it is about the fifth century BC because it foretells the imminent destruction of Edom as a nation – about the time of Malachi.

Obadiah uses some of the identical phrases to be found in Isaiah, which would prove only that he was quite familiar with the writings of the major prophet. It is the shortest book of the Old Testament, consisting of but one chapter of 21 verses; and is marked by vigorous poetic language. Much of the prophecy consists of God’s own words to personified Edom, which feature gives a direct and personal quality to the book. He uses striking comparisons. He says that the fatness of Edom is like an eagle’s nest high up on the mountain; the plunderers of Edom are compared to night thieves. Edom’s crimes are listed in order in verses 10‑14; and the destruction is sure to come, even as Israel is to be fully restored after the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

The entire prophecy derives its incentive and strength from the great Truth, clearly discerned by other holy men of God, that the Day of Jehovah is coming upon all nations (vs. 15) to the destruction of every foe, native and foreign, of God’s rule on earth and the Kingdom shall be the Lord Jehovah ‘s. The prophecy is very generally ascribed by most capable writers to the Chaldean period, when Jerusalem was alternately subject to the king of Egypt and the king of Babylon, and was finally captured by Nebuchadnezzar in the Fall of 607 BC, at which time the Temple was razed to the ground, and its inhabitants carried into captivity to Babylon ‑ where they remained for threescore and ten years. (2 Chron. 36:21)

At that time Edom (type of Christendom) was severely criticized by the prophets of that era, because Edom gave its sympathy to the Chaldeans. Thus the prophecy in the place it occupies in the Bible has no relation to the date of its composition, which, as we have stated, is not clearly given anywhere in the Bible or in secular history. It should be emphasized here that Obadiah does not stress the fall of Jerusalem, the burning of the Temple, the razing of the walls, and the annihilation of the city.

The hostile attitude of Edom had been of long standing (in the antitype it occupied the major years of the Gospel Age) and the feeling against Edom had been voiced by Amos more than a century before the Chaldean invasion. Jerusalem had been plundered by the Egyptians in the time of Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25, 26), by Arabians and Philistines in the reign of Jehoram (2 Chron. 21:16, 17); and in the reign of Amaziah, who slaughtered the Edomites, the king of Israel entered Jerusalem, broke down the wall of the city, plundered the Temple and palace, and carried off hostages. (2 Kings 14:13, 14; 2 Chron. 25:11, 12, 23, 24) These events may have instigated Edom’s unbrotherly spirit, which Obadiah rebukes.

It is not our wish to discuss every line in this prophecy, but a few excerpts may prove helpful: verse 15 tells us that “the day of the Lord is near.” Considering the fact that this prophecy was written some 2,500 years ago it seems far away. However, when we reckon time from God’s standpoint, then it is near: “A thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” (Psa. 90:4) Viewing it in this broad sense, 2,500 years would be but 21 days. Even we would consider such a stupendous matter as near if it were stated as just 21 days. Then verse 16 states that the heathen (all incorrigible unbelievers) “shall be as though they had not been.” And this is very directly stated concerning Babylon the Great: “Thus with violence shall the great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.” (Rev. 18:21) In almost all civilized countries today – and in many heathen countries the violent are presently resorting to violence. “There was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in.” (2 Chron. 15:5) So we need not say “the Day of the Lord is near.” We may say, it is here; and this is our strong assurance ‑ that the Kingdom is knocking at the door. In Acts 3:21 it is recorded that “the times of restitution of all things [the Kingdom] which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets” shall come; and, since Obadiah is one of the holy prophets, we should logically expect to find where he had also spoken about it; and so we do find: “Saviors shall come up on Mount Zion; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” (verse 21) And may our readers lift up their heads and rejoice as we ponder that great Kingdom which lies just ahead of us in the immediate future.

MICAH

There is very little record of Micah’s life other than in the Scriptures. One authority says that Micah lived in Judah, but he prophesied for Israel as well as Judah. It is thought that the latter part of the prophecy belongs to the reign of Manasseh. The prophecy consists of four discourses. The sins of Micah’s time were of the most flagrant nature. The people were misled by deceivers, the poor were ground under the heel of oppressors. The prophet’s deep sympathy with those who are wronged, and his indignation against those who exercise cruelty give us a picture of the condition of the day.

Micah is one of the holy prophets mentioned in Acts 3:21 who prophesied of the “Restitution of all things” in Messiah’s Kingdom. He emphasizes the fact that Messiah is the hope of the world. Education, culture, legislation, politics, cannot save the world. In the shifting of foundations, the breaking up of the moral, religious and social orders, with growing disintegration, the hope of the world is the Messianic Kingdom in which His redeeming power shall extend from pole to pole.

“The word of the Lord that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezakiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord God be witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple.” (1:1, 2)

“Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.” (2:1) “The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? no evil can come upon us.” (3:11)

This not only has application to Israel at that time, but also to Christendom of our day. “They all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.” (Isa. 56:11) That Servant tells us: “With honors and titles go salaries, not according to the minister’s needs, but on the commercial basis of his ability to attract large congregations and wealthy people.” (F‑286)

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.” (4:1) “Hear ye now what the Lord saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains [kingdoms], and let the hills hear thy voice. Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord’s controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord hath a controversy with his people [with His professed people], and he will plead with Israel. O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me. For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” (6:1‑4)

“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob [Israel], and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.” (7:18‑20)

The following by That Servant is a beautiful picture of the Messianic Kingdom:

“The Kingdom Of Peace – ‘Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.’ (Micah 4:3) The whole world has for a long time been boasting that civilization and Christianity have won the day, that the world has become God’s Empire and that the blessings of the Millennium are ours to enjoy. Aid Conferences and Peace Councils and Peace Commissions have flared up for the moment only to die down. The cry of ‘Peace, peace,’ has brought no peace. We are beginning to see that we have been deceiving ourselves into thinking that the nations of the earth are kingdoms of God. We are beginning to see that the Bible styles them ‘kingdoms of this world,’ kingdoms of the Gentiles, and that it tells us that ‘the Prince of this world, who now worketh in the hearts of the children of disobedience,’ is Satan, the usurper, ‘a liar from the beginning and abode not in the truth.’

“We see it all. The kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven, for which the Master taught us to pray, has not yet come. We are glad, however, that the Divine promise assures us that it will come and explains to us that the All‑Wise Creator is now, first of all, preparing for His Kingdom by gathering from amongst mankind a worthy, saintly few, to be associates of their King and Redeemer in that Kingdom of glory, by which the world will be blessed.

“But all are not yet convinced of these Bible truths. Some point to the coins of the various kingdoms, which declare that ‘In God we trust,’ and that the several emperors and kings of the earth are reigning ‘by the grace of God’ and claiming that they are of Divine appointment; while the Pope also makes the still greater claim that he is the personal representative of Messiah and His Kingdom and the only one authorized to reign over and govern the kings of the earth.

“To convince the more prejudiced nothing further should be necessary along these lines than to point out the difference between present conditions and those which the Scriptures declare will prevail when He who redeemed the world by the sacrifice of Himself will take His great power and reign as Messiah, the King of glory, to put down sin in its every form and death in its every form and release and uplift all the willing and obedient of the families of the earth ‑ including those who have gone down into the great prison‑house of death ‑ the grave, sheol, hades.” (Reprint 4795, cols. 1, 2)

“Pray For Messiah’s Kingdom – The hope for humanity is the Messianic Kingdom. The ‘mountain of the Lord’s house’ signifies the kingdom of God’s house, His Church. It will be established in the top of, or above the kingdoms of the world. It will be exalted amongst the nations and all the peoples will flow to it. There will be an attraction in it for all peoples. It will lead them to climb upward. The attraction which will thus draw mankind will be the blessings of health and restitution, which the kingdom will be prepared to grant to all peoples as they shall come into harmony with its requirements. (Acts 3:19‑23)

“That kingdom will be closely identified with the Zionist movement and the Holy Land. The Kingdom itself will be spiritual, invisible to men, but its earthly agents will be visible and they will be Jewish – ‘Ye shall see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom,’ etc. (Matt. 8:11) The Jews, already impulsed toward the Land of Promise, will go thither in increasing numbers, and all of the faithful of them will go in sympathy and representatively, through financial assistance. The Israelitish hopes and promises will attract that number strongly first. And gradually all the nations, learning of the Grace of God, and the blessings of restitution to be bestowed, will say, ‘Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us [as well as the Jews] of his ways and we will walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the Law and the Word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.’ (Isa. 2:3; Micah 4:2)

“Micah 4:3 tells of how Messiah’s judgments will be manifested, favoring most the nations which are most righteous and rebuking all unrighteousness. The effect will be that wars will cease. The metal previously used in weapons of destruction will be used in plowshares and pruning hooks. The earth shall no longer be soaked with human blood, but be tilled for the blessing of the race, with none to molest nor make afraid. The Lord’s people, at the beginning of that time, are represented as saying, Let each follow his own conception of God, but Israel must follow Jehovah. And at that time He will assemble her and gather her back into her own land – ‘a remnant.’ Then the Lord shall reign for the blessing and uplifting of all the willing and obedient.” (Reprint 4796 ‑ April 1, 1911)

LAST OF THE MINOR PROPHETS

MALACHI – Jesus said that John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets. (Luke 16:16) While John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, he did not contribute anything to the Old Testament section of our Bible. But Malachi did. His is the last book of that part of the Scripture, so it is he we are now discussing.

But Malachi, like the other lesser lights, leaves us very little about himself. It is not definitely known that Malachi was his real name, although there is some indication that his name as we know it is correct. It means “my angel,” or “my messenger,” or it may be obtained from the name Malachiah, which means “the messenger of Jehovah.” Others such as he have been described by various words, such as Prophet and Seer; and in 1 Chron. 29:29 these words are used to designate them. Malachi designates himself as Jehovah’s Messenger, which indeed he was; and he appeared on the scene between the time of the return from Babylon and about 400 years before Jesus Himself came in His first advent. And Jesus tells us that John terminated the old order, and introduced the new, when he baptized Jesus in the River Jordan.

Malachi came at a time when the religious enthusiasm had again sunk to a very low ebb, and the sharp reproofs of the Prophet are thus hurled at them. Mixed marriages seem to have become common practice at that time. (Mal. 2:10‑12) In this text “the daughter of a strange God” simply means a woman of foreign or strange religion. And this transgression had become so widespread that the earlier code of Moses and other faithful servants of the past had been just about forgotten.

The priests themselves had also fallen far from the pristine religion of “the fathers.” They were even accused of offering polluted bread as a sacrifice; the blind, the halt, the maimed (1:8) were readily offered in the place of a sacrifice which was to be “without blemish.” They robbed God with their tithes and offerings.

The Book falls easily into two parts: the first two chapters deal with the sins of Israel, and the last two with the blessings that will come to those who try earnestly to correct these maladies. The third chapter begins with a description of “my messenger,” the “one whom ye delight in,” referring, of course, to the expected Messiah. Then 3:2 raised the question, “Who may abide the day of his coming?” His coming? (His parousia, or presence) Then, “Who shall stand when he appeareth?” (maketh manifest – in the great time of trouble) In the Greek New Testament this word ‘appeareth’ refers to His epiphaneia, or bright shining, which the watchers are well able to understand.

At the time of Malachi the people had come to that doleful condition that caused them to feel that the true worship and service of God had become vain and useless; but of the few who held true religion, the promises are warm and glowing. “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord, in that day when I make up my jewels [in this present ‘day of the Lord’]; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” (3:17) To them “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise, with healing in his wings” (4:2), then shall the wicked be as ashes under their feet.

Malachi 4:5 offers a glowing picture: “I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” This Elijah has been the true church militant during the entire Gospel Age; and they have earnestly tried to convert the world, although their efforts have resulted in failure. But their effort has not been a complete failure. In those countries where the Christian religion has been preached there has been much uplift; and the promise has been fulfilled, “The entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psa. 119:130)

Malachi’s prophecy offers strong rebuke for the sins of the Jews at the time it was written, but it applies with equal and more elevating force of blessing to those who keep God’s law. The condemnation applied well to the disobedient Jews of that time: “They made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets.” (Zech. 7: 12) Like all the other Old Testament prophets, Malachi predicts the Kingdom; and he does this in very glowing and enticing words – words that are highly figurative, but offer inspirational reading to all who understand and believe them.

SUMMARY

In the foregoing we have offered generalities on the four major and twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament, and we repeat once more the words of 2 Peter 1:19‑21: “We have a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place... For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy spirit.”

We will now quote verses of the four major prophets with bracketed comments. We begin with ISAIAH: Chap. 2:2 – “It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain [the house of Jehovah] shall be established in the top of [overtopping or overruling] the mountains [all earthly kingdoms], and shall be exalted above the hills [the lesser forms of earthly governments, such as the United States, Great Britain, etc.]; and all nations [strong and weak] shall flow unto it.”

ISAIAH 4:1, 2 – “In that day [the Day of the Lord, in which we are now living] seven women [all the false church systems that go to make up Babylon – confusion] shall take hold of one man [the glorified Christ], saying, we will eat our own bread [teach and preach our own erroneous doctrines], and wear our own apparel [parade in our own flaunted righteousness, instead of that of their leader Jesus Christ, the Righteous]: only let us be called by thy name [called Christians], to take away our reproach [that we are not true Christians]. In that day [in the Kingdom] shall the Branch of the Lord [“I am the vine, ye are the branches” – John 15:5] be beautiful and glorious [“then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” – Matt. 13:43], and the fruit of the earth [the reformed social order] shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.”

ISAIAH 6:1‑3 – “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train [His glorified followers] filled the temple [“Ye are the temple of God” ‑ 1 Cor. 3:16]... And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”

ISAIAH 9:7 – “Of the increase [continuous success] of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it [It has been overturned ever since the days of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, in the Fall of 607 BC] with judgment and with justice [‘Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet (All of earth’s affairs will be squared with righteousness and brought into strict conformity thereto.): and the hail (sharp cutting truth) shall sweep away the refuge of lies (the mountains of error that have blinded the people).’ ‑ Isa. 28:17] The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this [will accomplish this prophecy].”

ISAIAH 10:5,6 – “O Assyrian [type of the present‑day radicals, now being used to wreck present institutions, as they were used back there to wreck the Jewish rulership], the rod of mine anger, and the staff [the violent weapons of destruction] in their hand is mine indignation... I will give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the street. [We see this going on in many nations today, and we will see yet more of it.]”

ISAIAH 11:1‑5 – “There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse... and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him [Jesus received the Holy Spirit without measure at His baptism by John in the River Jordan.],the spirit of wisdom and understanding [‘Jesus needeth not that any should testify about men, for He knew what was in man.’ ‑ John 2:25]... and shall make him of quick understanding. He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth [Now quite often the guilty go free, and the innocent are found ‘guilty’.]... and righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. [At the time of writing the Bible it was the general opinion that the reins – kidneys – were the seat of the intellect.]”

ISAIAH 18:1 – “Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia.” A proper translation should read, “Ho to the land, etc.” This refers to the United States, which has been a haven for liberty lovers and truth seekers in the autocratic governments of earth. And, truly, it is well beyond the “rivers of Ethiopia.”

ISAIAH 19:19, 20 – “In that day [the Millennial Day] there shall be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness.” This refers to the Great Pyramid of Giza. “In the midst of the land” – of the land surface of the earth.

ISAIAH 26:9 – “When thy judgments are in the earth [the swift and unerring justice of the Millennial Age, side by side with mercy and peace], the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness [contrary to much error that is now being circulated].”

ISAIAH 13:1‑13 is a composite picture of “THE DOOM” of Babylon (Christendom in its present confused condition): “Lift ye up a banner [standard] upon the high mountain [the exalted Kingdom]... I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness [those who see and appreciate the grandeur of the prospective kingdom]. The noise of a multitude in the mountains [the present autocratic governments]... nations gathered together [the United Nations assembly]... Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: and they shall be afraid... they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth... Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

“For the stars of heaven [upon her head a crown of twelve stars ‑ the twelve Apostles – Rev. 12:1] and the constellations thereof shall not give their light [not understood by the vast majority]: the sun [the Gospel Truth, especially the New Testament section] shall be darkened... and the moon [the light of the Mosaic Law, now observed by the very few] shall not cause her light to shine.

“And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the terrible [such as Nero, Hitler, et al]. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

“Therefore I will shake the heavens [present religious systems], and the earth [the present social order] shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.” See also Rev. 16:16; Heb. 12:26‑29.

ISAIAH 28:17 – “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the water shall overflow the hiding place.”

“They [the present heavens and earth] shall all wax old as cloth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed [from the kingdoms of this ‘present evil world’]: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.” (Heb. 1: 11, 12)

ISAIAH 35:10 – This 35th chapter of Isaiah is a beautiful terse expression of the great blessings to come from the Messianic Kingdom, much of which we have discussed in previous papers; therefore, we shall offer verse 10 of this short chapter: “The ransomed of the Lord shall return [from the grave, or the death state], and come to Zion [the then ruling supervisors of earth] with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

ISAIAH 40:1, 2 – “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people [the re‑gathered Jews in Palestine], saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished [this is far from the truth now, but it will soon be realized, the 2520 years from the Fall of 607 BC to 1914, when the Gentile kings came under the eviction process with the beginning of the World War at that time]... she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” [The “double” – Kephel – began with the crucifixion of Jesus in AD 33, and ended in 1878 – exactly 1845 years for the favor and disfavor. Since 1878 Israel has been experiencing the Time of Trouble along with the Gentile nations.]

ISAIAH 53 – This chapter offers a vivid portrayal of the sufferings of Jesus. Verse 9. “He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” Verse 12: “Therefore will I [God] divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong [His ‘joint heirs’ – strong in faith].”

ISAIAH 65:17 ‑ “For, behold, I create new heavens [a new religious system – free from all error] and a new earth [a completely new social order ‑ without evil or violence – in the Kingdom, for which we have been praying for about 1950 years]: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”

ISAIAH 66:22 – “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.”

JEREMIAH

“Exalted of the Lord” – The wailing prophet: This name was pinned upon him because a large part of his writing was his wailing against the backsliding nation of Israel and their wicked priests.

We begin with 2:21: “I had planted thee [Israel] a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?” In 2:1 he had told them the “word of the Lord” had come unto him, and he was commanded to declare it to the nation. His prophecy had occurred in the last forty years of Israel’s freedom, after the conclusion of which they never again had a government of their own; they were under the yoke of the Gentile governments until AD 1948. Much that occurred to Israel then was typical of what has been happening to the Gentile governments and the religious systems with which they are affiliated. Israel had been planted “a noble vine” under the pristine purity of the Aaronic priesthood and leadership of Moses, all of which had been almost completely forgotten by the time Jeremiah appeared on the scene.

Note the similarity between that time and our own time now. “An angel came and cried with a loud voice to him that had the sharp sickle [present truth], saying... gather the clusters of the vine of the earth [the fallen religious systems of this day]; for her grapes are fully ripe.” (Rev. 14:18) The Christian religious system had also been planted a “noble vine” under the leadership of the Apostles, but those teachings have been greatly buried by the earthly leadership that now prevails. Thus, the sentence has been pronounced: “The vine of the earth” is now being gathered, and will shortly be “cast into the great winepress of the wrath of God [the violent features of the Time of Trouble].” (Rev. 14:19)

EZEKIEL

Ezekiel is also one of the holy prophets who spoke of Restitution – the Messianic Kingdom. Ezekiel 34:23‑26: “And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd [in Messiah’s Kingdom]. And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it. [‘Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.’ – Messiah’s progenitors, the Ancient Worthies] And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places around about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.”

“And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid. Thus shall they know that I the Lord their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord God.” (Ezek. 34:28, 30)

DANIEL

In answer to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream Daniel answered: “And in the days of these kings [Gentile kingdoms] shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” (Dan. 2:44) Berean Comments: “Gradually establish in power and in authority – Break in pieces – ‘As the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers.’”

“We believe that the time for setting up the kingdom was September 21, 1914.” (That Servant, Reprint 5632, col. 2, par. 4) It will not be until after the Time of Trouble when the “kingdoms of this world” will be forcibly removed that the Mediatorial Kingdom will be established and the New Covenant is made with Israel.

This is the last of the articles on the four Major Prophets and the twelve Minor Prophets. We trust these articles have been informative and a blessing to the Lord’s people.

“And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” (Isa. 54:13) “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee.” (Isa. 54:10)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Written in October 1983)

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NO. 380: "THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS”

No. 380

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

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

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

ANALYSIS OF MATT. 25:31-46

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

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

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

THE ADAMIC DEATH

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

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

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

THE ADAMIC-DEATH PROCESS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

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

The following quotation is from Parousia Vol. 5, p. 330,331: “But while, as the Adamic death has been turned, by reason of God’s plan and ransom, from being a destruc­tion to a suspension of existence, called sleep, yet we find that the Bible very dis­tinctly asserts that after the revival or awakening from the death-sleep, it will de­pend upon each individual whether he shall go on unto perfection and life, under the guidance, government and tutelage of the glorious Christ, or whether he will willfully, deliberately and stubbornly choose the way of sin. If he choose the latter, he will get the punishment designated for father Adam: death, but no longer Adamic death, the penalty of Adam’s sin: this is styled the second death. This Second Death is nowhere spoken of as a sleep, nor is there the slightest intimation anywhere that there will be any awakening from it. On the contrary, it is designated everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.’—2 Thes. 1:9.“Of this redeemed and awakened class, that shall have its trial during the Millen­nial Age, the Bible declares, ‘The soul that sinneth it shall die.’ (Ezek.18:20) That this verse is not generally applicable now is evident from three considerations:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOD THE SAVIOR OF ALL MEN

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

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

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

A NEW HEAVENS AND EARTH

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

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

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

THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint of June, 1978, No. 276)

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brethren: Shalom, Shalom! (which means abundantly overflowing blessings)

It has been a pleasure to hear of the letters and commentaries in interest of the Jewish cause that has come to your publication. This has not received much prominence in other Bible Student groups. Pastor Russell spent much time and effort in carrying out the Divine mandate to comfort His People as set forth in Isa. 40:1,2. Regardless of the criticism that has been directed his way, God will bless him for this if for no other reason. And who of us know the whole story of any of us, except each of us alone?!

A couple of years ago an orthodox Jewish couple were visiting in my home. He being something of a bibliophile, was looking over my book shelves and discovered my set of "Studies in the Scriptures." He then related how he had discovered two complete new sets of Pastor Russell's work in a trash bin out back of a book store. He retrieved them and sent them to the Hebrew University library in Jerusalem.

In 1978 we were part of a tour group organized by Casimir and Elva Lanowick. We were attending a World Peace Congress which was held at the Diplomat hotel in Jerusalem. Casimir and Elva, my son, my two oldest grandchildren, and one other couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan, were the only representatives of Bible Students among the 800 to 1000 participants. We heard a deeply moving speech by Prime Minister Begin who himself was so deeply touched that he returned to the lectern to acknowledge the love that was being tendered. I'd never experienced anything like it before. Love was palpable. It could almost be touched! Prime Minister Begin is a godly man. In grief I turned to dear Casimir and Elva: "This auditorium should have been filled with Bible Students, alone."

It has been one of the greatest sorrows of my life to note the indifference of the general populations of Bible Students to our Jewish brethren. Also, it has been one of the greatest joys of my life to be the recipient of the love and blessing of our Jewish friends. Another blessing, and a great one, is to see the love and succor that is being extended to the Jewish People by members of so many other denominational groups. First Peter 4:8 and Rev. 18:4 apply here.

The Heavenly Father has blessed my family in more ways than we can count because we bless His ancient Chosen People. Genesis 12:3; Psalms 122:6,7; Isaiah 40:1,2. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and we strive to comfort His People. And we believe the Lord is specifically referring to His Jewish brethren in the passage in Matt. 25:31‑45.

Sincerely, with Christian love,

--------------, (IOWA)

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NO. 379: MIDEASTERN PROBLEMS WILL COME OUT ALL RIGHT

No. 379

The question is asked in a recent Reader’s Digest, “How Religious Are We?” According to a Reader’s Digest‑Gallup Poll survey, it was found that Americans are quite religious.

Disregarding the breakdown into percentages and categories, it is noteworthy that Kenneth Briggs, former religion editor of The New York Times, says the religious revival is the most visible in the American attitude toward prayer. He called it “the most powerful, least documented development within American religion.” Out of 87 percent who say they pray sometimes, the figures include 75 percent who say they do not have membership in either churches or synagogue.

Whether people believe there is a Higher Power Who controls the destiny of the world is utterly irrelevant. The world will eventually learn as did the ancient Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar that “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will.” (Daniel 4:32)

The Jews are the nation of Israel and have been from the days of their beginning with the Abrabamic Covenant, and the little geographical area which is today called Israel is their land. The Jews and the nation of Israel make up that which is called “God’s Chosen People.” But as Elmer A. Josephson, clergyman, writer and lecturer, stated in his book, “Israel, God’s Key to World Redemption,” “The Almighty did not choose Israel to coddle, to show them special favors, or ‘spoil them’ as a pet child. On the contrary He has permitted them to suffer more than any other nation in their role as ‘Mahmlechet Koahneem – a ‘kingdom of priests’ to the nations.”

There is a persistent belief among Christian Zionists of every nation that the degree of well‑being and prosperity of each nation depends upon the treatment extended to the Jewish population – and to the nation of Israel. And many among Christian Zionists of America also believe God has raised up America for the very purpose of aiding and sustaining Israel through the difficult time of her rebirth as a nation again in her own land.

The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America was signed July 4, 1776. One hundred seventy‑two years later, on May 14, 1948, the Declaration of the State of Israel was signed and the ancient nation of Israel was reborn.

In 1976, a remarkable little booklet was published by the American‑Israel Friendship League on the occasion of the Bicentennial of our country, “The Birth of Two Nations – An Historical Account of a Nation Born and a Nation Reborn.”

To those who so loudly proclaim that ours is not a Christian nation – and admittedly, it falls far short – let it not be denied that it was founded upon the Judaeo Christian principles of the Bible. To quote from a passage in the booklet: “American history, from the colonial days to the present, abounds in memorable manifestations of support for the age‑old aspirations of the Jewish people for the return to Zion. This unbroken thread in the fabric of American history is rooted in the influence of the Old Testament upon the Founding Fathers and the spiritual legacy they handed down to the generations that followed. The Hebrew prophetic teachings, which served as the guideline for the lifestyle of the Puritan fathers and the early pioneers, were subsequently embodied in the tenets of the American Constitution.”

It would be interesting to research the many towns and villages in America with the names of Bethlehem, Salem, Jericho, Hebron, and even Jerusalem. Parents named their children after beloved and revered Bible heroes, and today the custom is being revived.

Of the 16 presidents who have held office from William McKinley in 1897 to Ronald Reagan since 1981, every one has publicly stated support for a “Zionist State.”

In spite of the controversies and political maneuverings, America has been a strong supporter of Israel from the very beginning. In his famous letter to the Touro Synagogue in Newport, RI, which is now enshrined in the archives of the synagogue and in American history, George Washington wrote, “To bigotry no sanction. To persecution no assistance. The Biblical injunction inscribed on the Liberty Bell, ‘And Proclaim Freedom Throughout the Land unto all the inhabitants Thereof’ (Leviticus 25: 10), is evidence of the deeply rooted love and respect for the heritage of the Jewish People.” So say we all.

And our nation has struck a hard blow – a blow for freedom – against terrorism in the bombing of military targets in Libya.

Freedom and peace for Israel is both the key and the gateway for freedom and peace for the whole world. Will it end now? No, not yet. It will even get much worse, but it will come out all right. I have read the Book. (Yvonne S. Lewerke, of Clear Lake, is associated with Iowa Christian Friends of Israel)

GOD’S LOVE FOR ISRAEL

“I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.” (Hosea 11:4) Hosea prophesied in Israel ‑ the ten‑tribe kingdom ‑ prior to the Babylonian Captivity, dying about the time that Samaria capitulated. The name Hosea signifies salvation and corresponds well with the prophecy. The Lord through Hosea made plain to Israel that their national destruction and captivity was at hand; that it was a punishment for sin; but that it also told the people of God’s sympathy for them, of His many loving forbearances, etc., and assured them that He would continue to love them to the end, and eventually bless them and recover them from the land of the enemy.

Hosea’s own experiences in life in some degree pictured the Lord’s experiences with Israel. Hosea’s wife was unfaithful to him, as Israel had been unfaithful to the Lord. Following the Lord’s direction, Hosea took back his wife, reclaiming her; and his message to Israel was to God’s continued love for that people ‑ that although they had been unfaithful to the Lord, He would nevertheless loyally receive them again when they should have learned their lesson and be glad to come back as a bird from Egypt and a trembling dove from Babylonia.

“THE LORD LOVED THEE”

Love is the keynote of the Bible, notwithstanding the fact that it contains threatenings as well as promises, and declarations and manifestations of justice as well as of mercy. If God’s character were devoid of justice – if His love should override His justice – it would be a terrible calamity for all those dependent upon Him. It would testify weakness of character instead of strength. It is the fact that God’s wisdom, justice, love and power operate in full harmony – in coordination – that gives us admiration for Him, confidence in Him, love for Him; and all these appreciations are intensified as we realize His unchangeableness.

From the beginning God foreknew His plan as we see it gradually ripening. He foreknew that man, allowed to take his course, would fall deeply into sin and be overwhelmed in its penalty, death. He foreknew His own purpose to provide in due time the Lamb of God as a ransom‑sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. He foreknew the ultimate blessing of all the families of the earth, purposing that the glorified Redeemer should be the deliverer of mankind. He foreknew and arranged a thousand years of restitution work, when under Messiah’s glorious Kingdom all mankind should be brought to a full knowledge of God and a full opportunity for returning to all that was lost in Eden, all that was redeemed at Calvary; and when the ultimately rebellious should be destroyed. He foresaw from the beginning the glorious result when every knee would be bowing and every tongue confessing the glorious work of Messiah’s Kingdom. This entire program was to be of the Father and through the Son. (1 Cor. 8:6)

It was incidental to this great plan that God foresaw the wisdom of having a saintly company associated with Jesus in the great work of His Millennial Kingdom, which is to govern and bless thousands of millions. God determined to have two saintly companies. One class was to be of the earth, earthy, samples of what mankind might all eventually attain to through the assistance of the Kingdom. The other class of saints, still more highly exalted, were to be the bride of Messiah and His joint‑heir in the Kingdom on the spirit plane. God could have filled these honorable positions with angels, who would have been glad of the opportunity of thus serving. However, instead, He chose to gather these companies from amongst men ‑ from amongst the sinners themselves.

CALLING ABRAHAM’S POSTERITY

Many ways were open before the Lord for the gathering of the elect for the future service. The one which He chose and has been carrying out was undoubtedly the wisest, the best. First of all, God called Abraham – a sinner like others, but one whose heart was full of trust in God and who delighted in the right ways of the Lord to the extent of his ability. God’s promise to Abraham was that his seed should constitute the elect, and that through that seed all nations would receive a Divine blessing.

The period of nearly four thousand years since God’s covenant with Abraham has been devoted to the development of Abraham’s seed – a natural seed and a spiritual seed. The two were mentioned to Abraham indirectly when the Lord said, “Thy seed shall be as the stars of heaven and as the sand of the seashore.” (Genesis 22:17) The stars of heaven thus are used to represent the spiritual seed of Abraham; the sand of the seashore, the natural seed.

For more than eighteen centuries God dealt with the natural seed of Abraham. His promises to them and the Law Covenant made with them were great blessings, inspirations, assistances. For although the Israelites, like others, were unable to keep the Law Covenant, being imperfect, sinners, nevertheless the endeavor to obey was helpful. The various chastisements of Israel, including their Babylonian captivity, were lessons intended for their good, and eventually made that nation, at the time when Jesus came to be the Redeemer, the most holy people in all the world ‑ the only people recognized of God.

“HE CAME UNTO HIS OWN”

Nevertheless, much of the holiness of Israel in Jesus’ day was merely a form of godliness, which did not stand the test. Only Israelites indeed – pure in heart, in motive – were enabled to appreciate the Gift of God and to become Jesus’ disciples probably 25,000 in all. Then the door of opportunity to become fellow‑heirs with the Jewish saints was thrown open to the Gentiles; and God’s Message was given them, inviting them also to joint‑heirship with Christ. The gathering of this class has proceeded for eighteen centuries, while the nation of Israel has been rejected from God’s favor. 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.

(Pastor Russell, Reprints 5809, 5810, December 1, 1915)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Matt. 19: 24) – The Jehovah’s Witnesses say this means exactly what it says, and the ‘needle’ is a literal needle. If that is true, then wouldn’t it be impossible for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom – i.e., have any part in the elective salvation?

ANSWER: – Brother Russell has explained this passage in this way: “A small gateway of ancient cities, used at night; camels could pass through unloaded and on their knees only.” That is a reasonable explanation and in harmony with the Truth and its spirit. It is certainly true that the rich have to ‘unload’ – i.e., they are as much in need of a Savior as the poor, although the vast majority can’t see that. Jesus also said, “Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 19:23) But in that statement He also teaches that there is a possibility of some entering the Kingdom. “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them.” (Matt. 13:34) At this same time His disciples were exceedingly amazed, and said – Who then can be saved? Jesus answered that “with God all things are possible.” If we take that Scripture without qualification, then we would say that it is possible for God to lie. “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” (Heb. 6:18)

It has been said that God must love the poor, because He made so many of them. It is self‑evident that the “poor of this world” are better prepared to enter the Kingdom than the rich, because they have less to overcome in many instances. As Jesus has said, It is harder for a rich man. The poor more often feel the need for a Savior – far more than the rich, the mighty and the noble of this world. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (1 Cor. 1:27) However, there have been some rich men that have truly “humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God,” as we can see from Church history. They are those who did not place their trust in their possessions and were faithful stewards of their wealth. “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” (Prov. 11:28)

One outstanding example of such is “St.” Francis of Assisi, born in 1182 of a rich merchant in Assisi in Umbria. His proper name was Giovanni Bernardone; but he is known in Roman Catholic circles as St. Francis of Assisi, or “The poor little rich man.” Motivated by the words of Jesus in Matt. 19:21, “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven,” he did just that. Disposing of all his treasures, he became the first of the begging friars, whose shibboleth was, “Help the poor, help the poor.” Thus, one historian writes of him:

“In the unexampled power of his self‑denial and renunciation of the world, in the pure simplicity of his heart, in the warmth of his love to God and man, in the blessed riches of his poverty, St. Francis was like a heavenly stranger in a selfish world.

“Any who wished to join him were required to distribute all their possessions among the poor, and dress in the poor clothing of the order... to carry out in their personal lives the ideal of poverty, joined with loving service in institutions for the poor, the sick, and the lepers.”

Of course, all of the foregoing in itself would not make of any one a saint, and it is quite probable that Francis cannot be counted among that “elect” group. Justification for this conclusion is found, we believe, in his attempt to “tempt the Lord,” as he endeavored to convert the Moslems to Christianity in Africa, Sicily and Spain. Here is what the record says of him on that occasion:

“St. Francis himself started this work when he entered the camp of the Sultan Camel and bade him kindle a fire and cause that he himself with one of the Moslem priests should be cast into it. When the imam present shrank away at these words, St. Francis offered to go alone into the fire if the Sultan would promise to accept Christianity along with his people should he pass out of the fire uninjured. The Sultan refused to promise, but sent the saint away unhurt with presents, which, however, he returned.”

Indeed, “Many shall say unto Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will plainly declare to them, I never approved of you.” (Matt. 7:22, 23, Dia.) Had the course of Francis been the correct one, St, Paul would certainly have prodded those wealthy Corinthian brethren to do as Francis had done.

There have been some also who have failed because of their possessions – whether those possessions were greater intellect, wealth, or other talents. Their trials and temptations are greater, but the Lord will give them corresponding strength if they continue in humility and obedience – if they look to Him in full faith and faithfulness. Their responsibility, too, is correspondingly greater. That doesn’t mean that the poor won’t have severe temptations, too. Some of the “poor” who “would be rich” if they could be, have much the same severe temptations. “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (1 Tim. 6:9) The Berean Comment on this text says, “That will be rich, whether they succeed or not... Who are determined to be rich at all hazards.” In 1 Tim. 6:10 (Dia.) we read: “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which while some longing after, wandered from the faith, and pierced themselves around with many sorrows.” Certainly, this does not apply to money itself, for without money we can do very little in the Lord’s work. And there are quite a few people who “love” money even though they have very little of it; and some who have money, but do not love it value it ‑ above that which is right and proper.

We have known those who had nothing to go out and “stomp” for equal distribution of the wealth of the country – for socialism, etc., but when they came into money they changed their views. Of course, among the Lord’s people those who have more of this world’s goods also have more responsibility – just as those who have more knowledge of the Truth, and are in position to impart that knowledge, have more responsibility to the brethren and to the world. Possessions of any kind are to be treated the same as a stewardship of which we are expected to be faithful. Blessed are we when we can appraise what we have and what we are in proper perspective, because then we will be the better enabled to serve the Lord in Truth and in deed. However, we are to appraise our own and not the possessions of others. We are not stewards of the possessions of others. We might qualify this, as it may be proper enough at times to apprise a Brother or Sister of his “opportunities of service,” if done in a loving and helpful spirit, and for his own best interests. Brother Russell had occasion to do this at times when brethren didn’t seem to realize they had such “opportunities of service” – either in ability to serve in public speaking or in some other capacity.

It will be noticed that there are many Scriptures regarding the poor – how we should not oppress them, etc., with nothing said about “oppressing” the rich. There is a reason for this, we believe. Usually the rich (whether in the Household of Faith or in the world) can look after themselves, because they have had more opportunity of education, business experience, etc. And, too, because there has been, and still is to some extent, power in money. So there is no warning in the Scriptures – not to “oppress” or misuse the rich – although, in some cases they have been abused and misused. Today the slogan is to “soak the rich” – take advantage of them in any way you can. We are living in that special period when it is indeed “woe unto the rich”! This is especially true of those who “withholdeth more than is meet” (Prov. 11:24) – that is, those of the Household and those of the world who are miserly with the poor. “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabbath.” (James 5:1, 4) Some of this “crying” has already begun.

Some of the Lord’s people who have had much in this world’s goods have unselfishly ministered it to their brethren, and to others with whom they have had to do; and some have unstintingly supported their sects – the sects of all denominations of Babylon believing they were “giving to the Lord.” And if such were their hearts’ attitude they will be blessed in “due time” with the Truth. And in this they have apparently been “examples of the believers” to many. However, the real examples of the believers are those who like Jesus, gave their all to “bear witness to the Truth” – and they diligently studied God’s Word to know what is Truth. They willingly and gladly accepted the Truth and its responsibilities, and “Through honor and dishonor, through evil report and good report, as deceivers, and yet true; giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed.” (2 Cor. 6:8, 3)

All who have received the Parousia and Epiphany Truth are much blessed in every way, and it is our hope and prayer they will daily seek to be faithful to that Truth, and be a living (active) “example of the believers.” May the Lord bless all who are endeavoring to “walk in His steps,” and enable them to come off victors, whether they have little or much of this world’s goods.

(Question by Brother Hoefle in Reprint No. 190, April 1971)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brethren and Sister Emily Hoefle – Precious in the Lord’s Name!

It was a great joy for us to receive your letter of December 29, 1986. Many thanks for all the information which was received with much appreciation, and has added to our knowledge. We understand the situation in America and accept with hearty pleasure the help you have given us.

We are full of confidence that the Youth Center will be joined to the Emek ha Shalom settlement and it is also possible to build the proclamation hall. Herewith will be fulfilled the wonderful visions of our esteemed Brother Charles Taze Russell.

We see it as a great privilege to carry out our common fight together with the brethren in America, which will lead us to the full salvation of Israel, and then also to the liberation of all mankind.

We send you with pleasure the confirmation of your help to us. Connected by hearty love, we are

Your brethren in Israel, Brother ------- (ISRAEL)

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Dear Sirs:

I am interested in learning about your Association and its teaching. Please send me information and a list of publications if any are available.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. Sincerely, (TEXAS)

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Dear Sister Hoefle:

Thank you so much for the copy of Tabernacle Shadows. Yes, I already have what Pastor Russell wrote for the Overland Monthly.

Thanks again.  In Christ, ------- (MASSACHUSETTS)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Greetings to all in the Name of our Beloved Savior!

I always enjoy your letters. Sorry I failed to put the date on my last letter. Thank you very much for the Bulletin. I don’t see how the Jehovah’s Witnesses can deny that God had a Hand in the Jews returning to their homeland. They are very blind spiritually and want to keep spreading their false doctrines.

I can use another Pastor Russell book for a family that may be interested. We have had the flu and it has been hard to get rid of. I do hope all there are well and happy in Jesus.

With all our love, Brother and Sister ------- (ARIZONA)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Grace and peace!

I must acknowledge your good letter of January 24, which arrived in the same mail with the January‑February circular ‑ quite a coincidence! Also the winter Bulletin received about the same time. I took your letter to the class at Boldon, and they intend writing you in due course.

Enclosed is a 20 lb. note from us. If it is not too much trouble would you order two copies of Brother Russell’s Overland Monthly? The other 20 lb. is from our friend, who wishes to be anonymous, in appreciation of your labor of love on behalf of the brethren.

You will be interested to know that I have started re‑reading your papers from the beginning, and am passing them over to the class each week ‑ four at a time. I have already passed to them the early issue of the ETW as well as our spare volumes of the PTs up to 1951. So they have plenty of spiritual Manna to feed on.

I am glad to say we are much the same here, but at Boldon Grand dad (89) has not been too well. Otherwise we continue to enjoy the fellowship and study each Sunday.

I am wondering if you have any spare copies of the Manna book (1937 edition), which is far superior to the LHMM reprint.

Now, dear Sister, this brings you our Christian love and best wishes for your health – so necessary for your continued labors of love for all the brethren. God bless you.

Yours by His Grace, Brother and Sister ------- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Sir:

I am writing because I have heard about your organization from a friend. I have become interested in your organization and wish to find out more information. It would be appreciated if you would send me any books, magazines, or pamphlets that would inform me about the following: history of the organization, global concentrations, and finally your doctrinal beliefs. I would also like to know the location of your headquarters. I thank you for taking time to read this letter and also for the information.

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

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Dear Sister Hoefle:

I thank you for your recent mailings. Yes, I Would be happy to be placed on your mailing list. I am a 31‑year‑old attorney who studies with a friend. My friend has witnessed the unfolding of the Parousia, Epiphany, and as some suggest, and the Apokalypsis (1954‑1994) periods.

I believe my friend would also like to be on your mailing list. He would be happy to remain in touch with other Bible Students, and would like to be included in your mailing list.

Very sincerely yours, ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Sir:

Please let me know the cost of “ABOUT PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL.” I need about five (5) copies now. Send them by airmail, please. We’ll pay the expense.

I belong to a group who enjoy your monthly papers. We study everything that you write.

Sincerely yours, ------- (TRINIDAD)

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Dear Sister Hoefle:

Thank you so very much for sending the book. I am enclosing a small donation to be used in your service. I have been a Bible Student since 1919. I meet with a small class. Thank you and God bless you!

Sister ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Friend David: Greetings from Bethel!

Your mailings of your book on Charles Taze Russell accompanied by copies of your United Israel Bulletin have been received here. I wish to express my sincere appreciation for your kindness in sending this material.

It has been many years since I used to correspond with you, but somehow lost touch after the passing of our beloved Paul Penn. I regret that this occurred but sometimes this happens to people during the twists and turns of life.

I was very much interested in some of your comments in the book on Mr. Russell. Especially was I interested in what you had to say about the Messiah. I would like to discuss your ideas more thoroughly at some future date.

Although I was not raised to observe Yahweh’s Torah Law, I and my family have been observing it now for the past 25 years. Each passing day we learn more and we praise HaShem Yisborach for His kindness toward us in educating us for His Kingdom. I love to study the Word and I love to hear it speaking to me from the pages of the book, especially in the Hebrew tongue. I was blessed to study Hebrew for almost 5 years in a local seminary and then HaShem Yisborach blessed me to study the last two years that studies were held at Dropsie College after the institution moved to West Philadelphia. But, if I live to be 100 I shall not have enough time to learn all I would like in my lifetime.

Friend David, I rarely read a book in which I can emphasize with the author and the story he is telling, as I did by the material in your book. Also, I look forward to your column in the Jewish Press each week.

One of the things I cannot understand is the laxness in the Jewish Community today. For one who is striving to live in harmony with Yahweh’s Torah, I become greatly anxious when the local Jewish people pay little regard for the Laws. Why should Jews want to live as Gentiles? I cannot understand how they can turn their back on their heritage. Did the Holocaust do this much damage?

Well, I have said enough for now. Hope that I haven’t bored you to tears. I look forward to meeting you for lunch in New York sometime.

May the Most High Bless and Keep you in His name. Cordially, ------- (PENNSYLVANIA)

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Dear David:

I am grateful to you for sending along a copy of the United Israel Bulletin with a story about Pastor Charles T. Russell. It is a fascinating story and you have set it out very well indeed.

Thank you for making this most interesting article available to me.

With warm personal regards, Sincerely, Maxwell M. Rabb, Ambassador (WASHINGTON)

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Dear Mr. Horowitz:

Please accept my sincerest thanks for giving me a copy of your book Pastor Charles Taze Russell. A cursory examination convinced me that you unfold an extremely interesting story.

I hope that this book will have the wide distribution it so deserves and that it will be read by many Americans – especially Christians.

Sincerely yours, Dr. Moshe Yegar, Consul General (NEW YORK)

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Dear David,

I hope this finds you and yours well. I’m sorry it took me so long to get around to answering you, and to acknowledging receipt of that fascinating book. We had various preoccupations – my wife wasn’t well (now she’s fine, thank God!); I’ve switched careers (I’m now Judaica editor and chief English editor at Carta); we’ve just married off our youngest son. And now we are getting back on the normal track of life.

The Russell book is, indeed, fascinating, and I hope to write something about it for the Post (with which I have not severed all connections). When I do and it appears, I’ll surely send you a copy.

Shall we see you again soon? Meanwhile, be well and have naches, with best wishes to all.

Cordially, Moshe Kohn (ISRAEL)

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NO. 378: “THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING”

No. 378

“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain [kingdom].” (Isa. 11:9) Accustomed as all mankind have been to misrule and misgovernment, it was necessary that assurance should be given to Israel that the kingdom of Messiah which God would one day set up in the earth would not only have good motives and intentions, but would also possess superior power of knowledge and judgment. And this is what the Prophet Isaiah pointed out. The new King will not need to rely upon the common channels of information in the giving of His blessings and in the administering of his reproofs and chastisements, but will have a superhuman endowment of power by which He will know the very thought and intents of the heart. He will not need to judge after the hearing of the ear or by the sight of the eye, as must all earthly rulers, however well intention­ed. (Isaiah 11:3,4)

It was proper also that Israel and all others should know that the kingdom of God to be established would be absolutely just and impartial; for their experiences have demonstrated that even the wisest and best of their rulers, lawmakers, judges, etc., have been largely governed by selfishness. The world’s great ones have amassed wealth at the expense of their subjects, and have made their special friends wealthy and have granted them special privileges, oftentimes at the expense of the poor, the helpless, the despised. Hence the Lord through the Prophet assures us that the earth’s new King will administer equity toward all; that the meek, the backward, the modest and unassuming, those who are indisposed to press their claims and to assert their rights, will have His particular assistance; and that the poor, who have few to sympathize with them or to encourage or help them, will find in the new King a Friend.

MILLENNIUM NOT THROUGH EVOLUTION

Those who expect the Millennial kingdom to come as a result of present efforts, under the order of society now prevailing, and who believe that the world is gradually approaching the Millennium by an evolu­tionary process, should carefully consider this Word of the Lord through the Prophet, as shown in our text and context. The Prophet declared that when Messiah shall take the reins of government, His first step will be to judge the poor, and to reprove the rich in equity, in the interests of the meek of the earth. How could this be possible, if equity had already prevailed by a gradual process, so that there were no poor and no rich, and so that all had become meek?

Other Scriptures in harmony with this testimony of the Prophet Isaiah, show that the very work which our Lord is to do at the beginning of His reign will be to correct the wrongs then prevailing. Our Lord Himself implies that the earth will be far from being a blessed condition at His Second Advent, when He asks the question, “When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find the faith [Truth] on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) The Revelator also gives no uncertain testimony on this subject. He says: ‘‘And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever ... And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear [reverence] thy name, small and great, and shouldest destroy them that corrupt the earth.” (Rev. 11:15‑18)

BIBLE HARMONIOUS AND CONSISTENT

Many Scriptures are of like import. The position of the Bible is throughout harmonious and consistent. It describes the present time, while sin is prevailing, as “the present evil world,” in which “the prince of this world” rules, and in which the Lord’s true people, the body of Christ, the heirs of the kingdom, “suffer violence,” and declares that this violence is working out for those who are rightly exercised by it a character which will be approved by the Lord. The Scriptures point out that to God’s faithful saints who suffer now will be granted this glorious new kingdom in Joint heirship with Messiah. They shall be given the dominion “under the whole heavens,” as declared by the angel to Daniel the Prophet. (Daniel 7:27) This dominion Jehovah will wrest by force from the “prince of this world,” Satan, and will give it to His Son, whose bride will share her Bridegroom’s kingdom. This transfer will be accomplished in a great time of trouble, which is to end this present world, the present social order.

In our context the Prophet goes on to say, “He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked.” It is very evident, then, that at the time of the establishment of the kingdom there will not only be poor needing assistance and succor, but there will be the wicked also. The rod of Messiah’s mouth signifies the judgments which He has already expressed, and which have very largely gone unheeded by Christen­dom. We remember His declaration: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath One that judgeth him; the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48) – the day of judgment, now present, since 1874. Christendom in general has admitted the righteousness of the Lord’s Word, but those who attempt to live in harmony with that Word are remarkably few. Consequently, when the time shall come that “judgment shall be laid to the line and righteousness to the plummet,” and when this judgment shall begin at the nominal house of God, the nominal systems will fall – condemned by that Word.

Only the faithful few, the Lord’s Jewels, shall “be accounted worthy to escape those things coming upon the world,” when, as elsewhere described, “He [the Lord] shall speak to them [the world] in His wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure” when He shall render vengeance to His enemies, and recom­pense to those who have known the Master’s will, yet have done it not. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.” “Wait ye upon Me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for My determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them Mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language [message] that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.” (Zephaniah 3:8, 9) “Righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” (Isaiah 11:5) The girdle represents diligence, service, and the proclamation here is that Messiah will be a faithful, diligent Servant of God, accomplishing all the work entrusted to His care.

GREAT CHANGES IN ANIMAL CREATION

The reference in this 11th chapter of Isaiah to the change of disposition in the animal kingdom, so that the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the kid, the calf and the lion, will dwell in harmony, is in full accord with the general Scriptural outlines of “the times of restitution of all things.” Not only is mankind to be restored, to be brought back to his primeval condition of human perfection and harmony with his Maker, but the lower animals will also share in the blessing and the restoration of order to be accomplished by the Reign of Christ, now, we believe, very near at hand.

In the Genesis account there is no intimation that the animals over which Adam had control were wild, vicious, at enmity with man. On the contrary, the implication is that they were in complete subjection to their perfect master. We may reasonably suppose that while the race, under the disintegrating influence of man’s death sentence, gradually lost more and more of the likeness of their Maker in which the first man was created, they at the same time lost the power of control over the lower animals.

The nature of the power possessed by the perfect Adam may still be imperfectly traced in the superior ability of certain of the fallen race to control the brute creation. Thus we see that some men can exercise mental force and control, not only over wild horses, but also over the ferocious beasts of the jungle. Adam was declared by the Lord to be the king of earth, and as such he was recognized by the lower orders of creation. After mankind had lost his original mental power to control the lower animals, a warfare sprang up between them, in which man has been compelled to pit force against force, as he has lost his hold upon the animal creation.

The restoration of mankind to that exalted position which was lost by sin implies naturally, therefore, a restoration of the brute creation to primeval conditions, such as is suggested in the prophecy which we are considering. The same thought is conveyed in the statement that “a little child shall lead,” or control, the wild beasts, when these are brought into their proper relationship with mankind. In Chapter 65:25 of Isaiah’s prophecy, it is stated of the Millennial conditions that “the wolf and the lamb shall feed together.” The reference may be to men who were formerly of wolf like and of lamb like dispositions, or character; or it may refer to animals, or both. The expression in either case signifies a blessed reign of peace. The Prophet continues, “And the lion shall eat straw like the bullock, and the dust shall be the serpent’s meat.” If this refers to literal lions, it would imply that they will lose their carnivorous dispositions, and that they will undergo some change which will make them herbivorous, as animals were originally created. (Genesis 1:30) It would seem to imply that animals will not prey upon one another.

DAWN OF HOPE FOR THE WORLD

The expression “Dust shall be the serpent’s meat,” is similar to the statement in Psalm 72:9, regarding Messiah’s coming dominion: “His enemies shall lick the dust,” signifying the destruction of the serpent, or rather of the great adversary, Satan, whom the serpent symbolizes. “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain [kingdom], saith the Lord.

The birth of the true Zion, the church of Christ, will be the cause of rejoicing among all who truly love righteousness; for, though it will at first dash in pieces all their long‑cherished hopes, it will be the dawn of a real hope for all the world. It will humble their pride and despoil them of all their cherished possessions and of what they have come to consider their rights. It will break down their boasted institutions, civil, social and religious, and completely wreck the present social order. Yet it will be the necessary prelude to the establishment of the grand New Order, which will come to be “the desire of all nations,” as soon as they shall see its vast superiority to the old order.

TWO CLASSES BORN OUT OF ZION

In describing the birth of the “Man‑child,” The Christ, whose head was born more than eighteen hundred years ago, and the body of whom is now soon to be born, the Prophet Isaiah exclaims (chapter 66:7, 8), “Before she travailed she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man‑child! Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed she brought forth her children.” The especially marvelous thing that the Prophet here records is that a “man‑child” is to be born out of Zion before Zion travails. This is a striking reference to the fact, elsewhere clearly taught, that the ripe “wheat” of the Gospel church are to be separated from the unripe wheat and the “tares” at the end of this Age, that they are to be exalted and glorified before the burning, the consuming, trouble shall come.

This “man‑child”, then, is the little flock, the body of Christ, the true Zion. Out of nominal Zion will come this first‑fruits class, before the nominal system will be overthrown; for she will die in her travail pains, and in dying, will bring forth her later children the great company. In this great day of the Lord, nominal Zion will bring forth the man‑child and these later children.

“Shall I bring to the birth and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord. Shall I cause to bring forth and shut the womb? saith thy God.” Ah, no! As surely as the Head was brought forth, so surely shall the body also be born. The birth shall certainly be completed. The great composite Christ shall come forth entire, not one member lacking – and before Zion’s travail has begun. But “who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such a thing?” And so, after the man‑child is delivered, the mother system will give birth, when travail pains come on, to a great company of children! This great company is described in the Apocalypse as coming up out of “great tribulation,” and washing their robes, spotted and soiled, and making them white, “in the blood of the Lamb.”

Following the birth of these two classes of the Lord’s people, will come the birth of the Jewish nation. They shall be awakened from the sleep of hades, in which as a nation they have been for over eighteen centuries. All this will take place in the early dawn of the day of Christ. O what rejoicing there will be! Fleshly Zion and spiritual Zion will rejoice together! Then soon the poor, chastened world will begin to join in the songs of praise to the God of all grace. What wonderful times are just before us! Though clouds and darkness for a brief time obscure the bright beams of the blessed Millennial dawning, soon the glorious “Sun of righteousness” shall rise in splendor, and its beams will rapidly spread over all the earth, scattering the darkness of sin, dispelling the fogs of error and superstition, and bringing the world into the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.

RESTITUTION NOT CHANGE OF NATURE

The entire testimony of Scripture in regard to the blessings to come to the world in the new Age show that they are all to be earthly. The declaration that even the brute creation shall be changed in nature is a promise that in that blessed day there will no more be a condition of antagonism and enmity between mankind and the lower orders of God’s creatures, but all shall be peace and harmony. It would be wholly unnecessary to change the disposition of the animals, to bring them into subjection to man, if all the race were to be changed into spirit beings, and become like the angels. Many prophecies speak of mankind in the times of restitution as human beings, adapted to the earth and enjoying the blessings of the earth. They are to “sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid.” (Micah 4:4) “They shall build houses and inhabit them ... They shall not build and another inhabit ... they shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” (Isa. 65:21‑25)

These promises for the world in general have no reference to the class being chosen out of the world during this Gospel Age. The promises to these are all spiritual. They are to be made like Christ, and “see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2) They are called to the obtaining of His glory. As they “have borne the image of the earthly,” so shall they “also bear the image of the heavenly.” (1 Cor. 15:49) They are promised a share in Christ’s resurrection – the first resurrection. They are to reign as kings and priests in a kingdom which earthly beings cannot inherit. “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” (1 Cor. 15:50) They have been called with a heavenly calling. They are not of the world, even as their Lord and Head is not of the world. (John 17:16)

WHY MANY FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THE WORD OF GOD

With many the difficulty in understanding these distinctions is a failure to rightly divide the Scriptures, as St. Paul counseled Timothy, saying, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) This process would enable them to discern that the kingdom of God per se consists only of our Lord Jesus and His “little flock” of overcomers, to whom He says, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) These are to constitute the reigning class, as many Scriptures point out. At first the world of mankind will be subjects of this spiritual kingdom, and afterward become citizens, or members, if they come into harmony with its laws and regulations and into a condition of reconciliation with God, becoming the children of Christ, who will be the age‑lasting Father of the world during the Mediatorial Age. He will be the One who shall bring the entire race of Adam – both those who have a measure of life and those who have gone down into the tomb – back from the condition of death into full perfection of life, if they then prove willing and obedient. Otherwise they shall be cut off in the second death – everlasting destruction.

The Prophet Daniel, in explaining Nebuchad­nezzar’s dream regarding the Great Image, shows that the kingdom of God when first set up at the introduction of the Millennial Age will be but a small stone, which has been “cut out without hands,” but which will become a “great mountain and fill the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:31‑45) This stone kingdom is quarried out of the “earth” by the Lord. It is at first insignificant in size, and it seems to the world as powerless. But as soon as set up in power, this kingdom will smite the “great image” of earthly rulership, and shall grind it to powder (in the coming trouble), and the wind shall carry it away. This stone kingdom is the holy mountain referred to in Isaiah 11:9. A mountain is the Scriptural symbol of a kingdom. Hills seem to be symbolic of the smaller governments of earth. (See Isaiah 2:2; 40:4; 51:5; 59:18; Psalms 46:2,3; 97:5)

Nothing shall be permitted to do violence or to work injury throughout all God’s holy kingdom, after it shall have been established. Love will be the law, and Divine power will be the means which will enforce that law. All who do not conform to it will be “cut off from among the people,” as the Lord declared through the Apostle Peter. (Acts 3:23) How evident it is that this kingdom has not yet come, when we see that amongst mankind selfishness is the rule, individually and nationally, and that there are many influences of evil which hurt and destroy throughout the world today. So we continue to pray: “Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in Heaven.” And we believe that this petition so long offered by the Lord’s saints is very soon to be answered.

After Messiah has crushed the power of evil, after He has overthrown all the great systems of error and vice, and has set the people free, He will accomplish the blessing of humanity by the spread of the knowledge of Jehovah’s character. The Apostle Paul also assures us that it is the will of God that all men shall come to a knowledge of the Truth in order to be saved. He assures us that there can be no salvation without knowledge. None will ever be saved by ignorance. As yet only a comparatively few of earth’s millions have come to such a knowledge of God as to be able to exercise faith in Him and in the great sacrifice which He has provided for the whole world.

COMPREHENSIVENESS OF PLAN OF SALVATION

But the fact that but few in the present life come to this saving knowledge shall in no wise thwart the great Divine Plan, not make the death of Christ on behalf of the entire race of Adam of no avail. The Lord assures us in His Word that, in due time, the true light shall lighten “every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:9) This includes all the heathen and all those of imbecile mind, who could not in this life grasp the Truth, as well as all infants who have died before reaching the age where they could know of God and His Truth in Christ. It includes the dead, as well as the living. For “there is none other name given under heaven among men whereby they must be saved,” by the name of Jesus. God has thus made ample provision for all.

Nor are we to suppose that the knowledge which is to become worldwide during Messiah’s reign is merely a little sprinkling of knowledge, such as has come to a very limited portion of the world here and there in spots, up to the present time. The Lord’s people have received the droppings of grace and truth, but the provision for the next Age will be abundant and universal. The knowledge of the Lord shall be ocean deep like the fulness of the sea. Showers of blessings shall come down upon the world in copious measure. The effect will be “like rain upon the mown grass.” (Psalm 72:6) When the grass has been freshly cut and its roots are thus the more accessible, how quickly it responds to the refreshing showers! And how rapidly does it spring up in renewed vigor! So it will be with mankind, after they have been shorn of all that has encumbered them and prevented the showers of grace from reaching their hearts. How quickly they will respond to the refreshing rains and showers of blessing so copiously bestowed upon them, and will spring up into life and beauty as they drink in the rich supplies of grace! (By That Servant – Reprints 5573‑75, November 15, 1914)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Does That Servant teach that the Epiphany and the “Time of Trouble” are one and the same, as does the Epiphany Messenger?

ANSWER: – Yes, That Servant teaches the same as the Epiphany Messenger on the “Time of Trouble.” Both teach that the “Time of Trouble” began in its wide sense in 1874, but in its narrow sense the Time of Trouble began in 1914 when the World War started. In its “narrow sense” – beginning the destruction of Christendom and the Nominal Church – the Epiphany and the “Great Tribulation” are one and the same. As most Truth people know, Sodom types Christendom and the Nominal Church, and Egypt types the world of mankind – this “present evil world.” (Gal. 1:4 – See Rev. 11:8 and Berean Comments)

In “The Battle of Armageddon,” Parousia book 4, is this: “Her destruction will have a beginning by the end of the appointed ‘Time of the Gentiles’ – 1914.” And p. 158 of this book: “These [the Little Flock] have no share in the judgment of great Babylon, but are previously enlightened and called out of her. ” (Rev. 18:4) And from the Reprints we quote the following:

“To the very best of our ability we have endeavored to make clear that the parousia of our Lord is wholly different from His epiphaneia. Both of these Greek words are translated ‘coming’ in our common Bible, but in the Greek they have very different signification. The word parousia signifies presence, but does not signify any outward manifestation of that presence. It is used in respect to the first stage of the second advent, in which our Lord is said to come ‘as a thief in the night’ to reckon with His own servants and to take the faithful of them with Him to the heavenly mansion or condition prepared for them.

“Our Lord’s parousia and the gathering of the elect, we understand, has been in progress since October, 1874. It will continue until all of the ‘elect’ shall have been gathered and glorified. In one sense our Lord will continue to be present as the world’s King to the conclusion of the Millennial Age; but His parousia, in the sense of secrecy of presence, will terminate when, as the Scriptures declare, ‘He shall be revealed in flaming fire (judgments), taking vengeance on all who will not obey the truth,’ but enlightening and revivifying all who will hear and, to the extent of their opportunity, obey His message. The parousia is to the church and for the church only. The epiphaneia or apokalupsis of the Lord in power and great glory is not to the church, nor for the church, but to the world and for the world.” (Reprint 4543, bottom)

“Emphasizing the suddenness with which the calamity will overtake the world, Jesus said that on the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained down fire and brimstone from heaven; and He declared that thus it will be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. The Greek text shows a difference between the parousia, or presence, of Christ before the time of trouble, and the later epiphaneia, or revealing.” (Reprint 5456, top, col. 1, par. 2 – May 1, 1914)

“The Scriptures indicate that the Gentile governments will receive from their own peoples their first notice that their lease of power has expired. The people will take note of the sign of the Son of Man in the heavens. The judgments of the Lord will begin to be manifest in the world, and will run counter to many of their interests. This manifestation of His presence is Scripturally called the epiphaneia, the shining forth, the revealment, of the King of Glory. ‘He shall be revealed in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (2 Thes. 1:7‑10) As a result, the nations of earth will be broken to pieces like a potter’s vessel. ” (Psa. 2:8,9) (Reprint 5527, col. 1, top – September 1, 1914)

There is more from That Servant that will prove that the Epiphany Messenger simply elaborated on his teachings regarding the Time of Trouble, or the Great Tribulation, as the Epiphany period, but what we have given will suffice for now. Quite a few of the brethren have lost sight of this Truth – even the LHMM, founded by the Epiphany Messenger, now teaches that we are in the beginning Basileia since 1954 – the overlapping of the Epiphany – when three major stages of the Great Tribulation are yet future. One section of the Epiphany brethren teaches that there are four periods – the Parousia, Epiphany, Apokalypse (separate periods) and the Basileia – something never taught by Brothers Russell and Johnson; nor do the Scriptures support this claim. “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing [the Epiphany] and his kingdom [the Basileia].” The way the Apokalypsis brethren teach, this text should read: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing [the Epiphany] and at his revealing, or Apokalypsis [a separate period from his “appearing”] and his kingdom [Basileia].”

To some extent the LHMM teaches four periods of the Lord’s Second Advent – the Parousia, the Epiphany, the “Overlapping,” which will witness three more severe stages of the Great Tribulation, as well as the annihilation of the Man of Sin (2 Thes. 2:8), and the Basileia. Their “overlapping” has no similarity to the overlapping of the Parousia of 26 months (1914 to Nov. 1916). As it is now more than 22 years overlapping [written October, 1977 – now 32 years overlapping], and we are not yet in Armageddon, the second stage of the Great Tribulation, with Anarchy and Jacob’s trouble still future after that.

We are living in the day when “they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Tim. 4:3, 4) Some of the Lord’s people who have received present truth are now setting much of it aside for opinions of their own. Some now say the end of the “Times of the Gentiles” is still future, and we are not in the “Time of Trouble” since 1914 although some of the thinking worldlings realize the world is in a “Time of Trouble” such as has never been before. Some deny our Lord’s presence; the Jehovah’s Witnesses are teaching that Armageddon will destroy not only this present system of things, but also annihilate all who do not join with them before Armageddon. This is “bad news” to those whose eyes are blinded (?) and do not accept their teachings. They teach that the world is not so blinded today, as not to be able to recognize their truth (?), which they are now teaching – that when they have had a chance to “learn of them,” and don’t accept them, it will be their last chance. This is much the same as the Papacy has taught: You must accept us, or receive eternal torment! (Reprinted from No. 268, October, 1977)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Mrs. Hoefle,

I am writing to let you know we have received your January paper and also the back issues. We have enjoyed reading them and are looking forward to the ones that will be coming every month. We received your name from Mr. and Mrs. Ward Buell of Pass Christian, MS.

My wife and I were both born into Catholic families and practiced that religion until 1965. We then became Jehovah’s Witnesses. However, due to certain teachings, we are no longer associated with them and are now searching again. We have attended a few Dawn meetings and have enjoyed them.

Thank you again for putting us on the mailing list. We are enclosing a little something to help with the postage. Yours truly, ------- (MISSISSIPPI)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Grace and peace!

It is a while since we wrote you, and our thoughts and prayers are for your speedy recovery from your operation and resumption of your labors of love on behalf of the brethren. I had meant to write earlier when David Horowitz’s book arrived safely, but delayed half hoping to have word from you or one of the brethren as to your health. We have the full assurance of faith that all things work together for good to those called according to His purpose and we say Amen to that!

We have had a fairly quiet Christmas and New Year. Frank Shuttleworth (younger brother to Cyril) stayed for a week over Christmas with us, and we enjoyed the company.

He is 87 and has had a long history of association with the Truth, but not quite on our lines of Epiphany Truth unfortunately. His eyesight is very poor (like Cyril’s was), and this is quite a hindrance.

Our association with the Boldon brethren continues to be very enjoyable, though missing two Sundays owing to sickness with the children. Good progress is being maintained, and Parousia Volume 2 has just been started as the study.

I am glad to report we both keep reasonably well, and send you our Christian love with the assurance of our prayers. God bless you!

Yours by His Grace, Bro. & Sr. ------- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Friends:

I am late in requesting it, but if you still have anymore of the books about PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL, I would appreciate receiving it.

Enclosed is a little something to help defray the expense. Sincerely, ------- (MISSOURI)

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Dear Emily,

Just a quick word. Newsletter #375 was fabulous. I’m going to use lots of its content on my broadcast.

Also, I plan to be pushing David’s book in my newsletter – it is powerful and I can use it in my defense of Israel and the early Christian Zionists. Thanks for the reminder. Tell David my plans. Can people order books from you or him? We’re not generally in the book business, so let me know.

Must run because I have to speak tonight. Loads of love from Norma and me.

Shalom, Frank ‑ Shalom Ministries, (MASSACHUSETTS)

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Dear Sister Hoefle,

Thank you so very much for sending the books, first the single copy, then the four, of PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL, AN EARLY CHRISTIAN ZIONIST.

We are giving them to interested brethren, and I will be happy to send you my responses to the book when I have completed reading it.

May the Lord bless you! With Christian love, -------(NEW JERSEY)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Grace and peace!

Thanks for the Pastor Russell books and No. 376. They arrived in good shape. Clarence Mulder, Jr., received his book. We sent two of the Pastor Russell books to The “John Ankerberg Show” Chattanooga TN, asking them to read and then pass them on to the two speakers on the show.

Mr. Walter Kaiver, a student of Hebrew and of the Old Testament, and Rabbi Pinchas Tapdide, both were writers of a book, the name of one was Yshva. Their subject for the evening was “Was Jesus the Messiah?” and the Rabbi’s answer was maybe.

We suggested three complementary books – Pastor Russell’s Sermons – $8.50; Tabernacle Shadows – $1.00; The Divine Plan of the Ages – $2.00. So we cast yours and David Horowitz’ bread upon the waters, trusting God will bless it even if it will take years.                                                                                                    

Christian love, ------- (MICHIGAN)

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

I have heard about your organization and I am very interested to hear what you are about.

Please include as much information about yourselves and give the best shot you can at convincing me to join. I do have to admit that I am a bit cynical about groups like yours, but you do have my curiosity aroused.

My address is listed below. Thanks for your help.

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

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