September 1, 1989

NO. 403: THE THREE WORLDS – CONDITIONS AND PEOPLES – (Part Three)

No. 403

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

In Part One of this subject we offered synoptic analysis of “The World That Was”; in Part Two we offered comment on “This Present Evil World,” with detailed information concerning the origin of the various heathen religions before the Patriarchal Age; then the description of that Age, the Jewish Age and the Gospel Age, which latter we have treated in some detail concerning the erroneous religious beliefs that have arisen since the beginning of the Christian era. Especially did we stress the elective salvation that has prevailed during the Gospel Age, with the extreme misunderstandings that have arisen concerning it.

Now we begin Part Three by stating that much of this misunderstanding is the result of a sad confusion concerning predestination and condemnation which has been applied to this Christian Age – this “good news” Age – with one extreme view by John Calvin, who taught that all not predestinated to salvation in this Age (and this would include the majority in Christian countries, and the entire population in many heathen lands) were predestinated to an eternity of torment in the fires of Hell. By no stretch of the imagination could this be a “good news” Age to those who would inherit eternal torment when this life is finished – nor would it be “good news” to those who are predestinated to know that many of their loved ones will have that fate. While the Bible definitely does teach predestination and condemnation, this does not mean that any individuals were predestinated to salvation or condemnation at birth. The confusion arises from the mistaken belief that the call of this Age is final and determinate – a misapplication of the elective and non–elective salvations.

The elective salvation of this Age is for the very purpose of blessing the non–elect in the next Age – in “the world to come” – which we shall discuss later. St. James makes this quite clear in his statement as recorded in Acts 15:14–17: “God at the first did visit the Gentiles [who had been ignored all during the Jewish Age], to take out of them a people for His name [Christians]... After this [in the Age to come] I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David... that the residue of men [all the non elect in Christendom and all the heathen] might seek after the Lord.” This will occur when the Lord’s prayer becomes fact: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth.” Then the present “blindness of Israel” will be healed; then the “ransom for all men” will be available for all men – if they choose to have it so. Then will apply the words of Rev. 22:17: “The Spirit and the bride say, Come... And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Some sects in Christendom have embraced the foregoing Scriptures, and have carried them to the opposite extreme of eternal torment. They contend every person who has ever lived will experience salvation – that even the Devil and his demon angel cohorts will be saved. Of course, they are forced to keep silent on such texts as Heb. 2:14: “Through death He [Jesus] might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil.” The doctrines of election and free grace have greatly perplexed Christians for centuries – the result of their inability to “rightly divide the Word of Truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15)

All during this Christian (good news) Age the selection of the Church has been taking place – gathered from all nations, but especially from the nations of Christendom. “Thou has redeemed us by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people and nation.” (Rev. 5:9) But we stress again that this has been a call – not a command; it has applied only to those who would “follow in His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21) This call has now been substantially completed, and preparation is being made for the introduction of the next Age – “the world to come” – in the very near future. All of this has been progressing in orderly fashion “according to the Plan of the Ages, which God hath formed for the anointed Jesus our Lord.” (Eph. 3:11, Diaglott translation)

The sowing of the glad tidings of this Gospel Age should logically conclude with a reaping, a harvest – just as was true at the end of the Jewish Age. In the 13th Chapter of Matthew Jesus offered the parable of the sower, the wheat and the tares; and in verse 36 the Disciples asked Him to explain the parable. In concluding His explanation Jesus said, “The harvest is the end of the world.” The word “world” in this text is from the Greek aion, and means the Age or Dispensation. In other words, the “harvest” is the end of the Christian or Gospel Age. Jesus also explained to them that the tares would be first gathered into bundles for the burning, and this burning has been proceeding in ever-increasing severity since the outbreak of the World War in 1914 and will proceed to a completion in the very near future.

This bundling for the burning began first with the nations, then proceeded to various organizations, and will find finality with individuals before this present generation passes away. (“This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished.”––Matt. 24:34)

Illustrative of the foregoing, we mention the Triple Alliance, formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria–Hungary and Italy; and the Triple Entente, formalized in 1893 between Great Britain, France and Russia, and fully in existence in 1907. At the outbreak of the World War in 1914 these six nations were pitted against each other in the greatest conflict in history up to that time. After the completion of the war these bundles fell apart – were fully “burned” – so much so that they are seldom mentioned now. Many people who were not yet born in 1914 do not understand what we are talking about if we mention the triple Alliance or the Triple Entente. And this same situation will eventually prevail with many of our present organizations – after which individual “tares” will be destroyed to a completion.

One of the evidences that the foregoing statement is true is to be found in Dan. 12:1: “There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.” The World War, which began in 1914, was up to that time the world’s greatest calamity; and Dan. 12:4 tells us that this would be one of the evidences of “the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” During this present century the automobile and the airplane have accelerated transportation in a manner not dreamed of one hundred years ago. The average cruising speed of the ordinary commercial plane is now about 600 miles per hour, or ten miles per minute [written in 1976]. A hundred years ago it took a real good horse drawing a carriage to make ten miles in one hour, and it was not possible for such a horse to continue that speed for several hours without intermittent rest.

And the increase in knowledge has kept pace with the increase in travel. Prior to the year 1800 there were just two inventions of any consequence – the printing press and gun powder. But after “the time of the end” began in 1799, the steamboat (in 1803) and the railroad train (in 1813) came into being; with a great flood of inventions appearing later, and especially so since 1874. The first hand carpet sweeper appeared in 1869, the first commercial typewriter in 1874, and the Bell telephone was patented in 1876. Shortly thereafter came the electric light, considered by some to be the most beneficial invention in all history for the human race. Pages could be written on this subject; but we believe enough has been said to prove that we are in “the time of the end” of this Gospel Age, the end of “this present evil world”; and that we are on the threshold of “the world to come” – that kingdom for which Jesus taught us to pray. We are now in 1976, just 6102 years [in 1989 it is 6115 years] from the beginning of “the world that was.”

However, hand in hand with the mechanical contrivances has come a tremendous increase in Biblical knowledge, history, and critical translations, most of which have come in the past hundred years. Brilliant Greek and Hebrew scholars have given us vastly improved works, compared with the common King James version of the Bible, which has been said to have about 20,000 mistakes in it. One of the most enlightening bits of knowledge came in the Fall of 1874, when it became clear that the “Lord is that spirit” (2 Cor. 3:17), invisible to the human eye; and, as such, He would establish His kingdom on earth in the near future.

Also along with the great increase in knowledge – secular and Biblical – there came “the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world” (Rev. 3:10), which began in 1878 and continued concurrently with the harvest work. This hour produced a great scourge of insidious errors – such as Christian Science, Spiritism, Materialism, Evolution and various faith-healing counterfeits, along with a surge in Higher Criticism, Rationalism, Agnosticism, Atheism, Deism and Pantheism. During this same time there developed much political radicalism, which had its first great national victory in Russia in the Fall of 1917 – when the Czarist regime was toppled by Kerenski, et al – with many similar movements operating since that time. Furthermore, “the heavens [the present religious systems] shall be rolled together as a scroll” (Isa. 34:4; Rev. 6:14), with great effort being made to combine the various systems into one great universal church, largely ignoring loyalty to principle and striving to win great numbers and gain great favor.

But in the face of all this, many sectarians claim that the people are now more ready for the truth than ever before. We would mention especially the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who make this contention, even as they in the same breath admit that Satan is still “The god of this world, who hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” (2 Cor. 4:4) Especially is this true, they say, since 1914, when they claim Satan was cast out of Heaven; yet they contend those “blinded” ones must join them before Armageddon if they are to experience any salvation. Along with this “strong delusion” they also advertise “A BIBLE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND.”

In the foregoing they are directly contradicted by the Bible itself – in language any one can understand who knows how to read: “In the time of the end... none of the wicked shall understand.” (Dan. 12:4,10) The Apostle Paul corroborates this in 2 Tim. 4:3, 4: “The time will come [in the end of this Age] when they will not endure sound doctrine... And they shall turn away their ears from the truth.”

During this period there arose also great social reform movements, such as prohibition, crusades against vice, denunciation of the drug traffic, uplift from slum, poverty, disease, etc. Many of these cared not that they ignored sound doctrine, made little or no effort to follow the Bible teachings. One outstanding effort in this line was the abolition of capital punishment; however the jails in America are still so overcrowded that many of them are in very dire straits. These various evils have so undermined sound government that it is well–nigh impossible to succeed in any political campaign without resorting to rash promises which are impossible of fulfillment, which in turn has eroded the respect which the ordinary citizens once had for their rulers.

The treaties between nations are experiencing similar deterioration. Before the czarist regime fell in 1917, when the Czar would ride down a dusty road, the peasants would rush out into the road and kiss the dust over which his carriage had gone. This was not good, of course, but the same class of people have now gone pretty much to the other extreme, and do not extend even common courtesy to those in authority. Along with the harvest of the “wheat” (the Lord’s faithful followers) there has also been fulfillment of Jesus’ words: “In the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them; but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Matt. 13:30) Further confirmation of this thought is to be found in Dan. 7:11: “I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame” – in the trouble that has been steadily increasing since 1914.

The “chaff” of the Jewish Harvest and the “tares” of the Christian Harvest bear a relationship – both are sentenced to be burned; but this should not be construed as a literal fire. Fire in the Bible often indicates a destructive influence, and that is its meaning here. John the Baptist had said, “Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16) The “fire” in this prophecy was the terrible destruction by the Roman army in A. D. 70 (“the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable”), and the burning of the tares has a similar meaning here in the end of “this present evil world.” Literal tares are imitation wheat; and the tares of the parable represent imitation Christians, as note the following by one writer:

“In passing through the country of the ancient Philistines, on the south of Palestine, I asked the guide one day, a native Syrian, if he knew of a plant which was apt to make its appearance among the wheat, and which resembled it so much that it could hardly be distinguished from it. He replied that it was very common, and that he would soon show me a specimen of it. Shortly he pointed out to me some of this grass growing near our path; and afterwards, having once seen it, I found it in almost every field where I searched for it. Except that the stalk was not so high, it appeared otherwise precisely as wheat – just as the ears begin to show themselves, and the kernels are swelling out into shape. I collected some specimens of this deceitful weed, and have found, on showing them to friends, that they have mistaken them quite invariably for some species of grain, such as wheat or barley.”

This bundling of the tares has been quite prominent since 1874. Various human combinations, such as national bundles like the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente, which were largely responsible for the 1914 war, capitalistic bundles like trusts, etc., proletarian bundles such as unions, ecclesiastical bundles like federations, etc. The “fire” of the 1914 war unmasked many of these; e.g., Who now rates the Kaiser or Hitler as Christians? This burning of the tares will continue to a completion in the years immediately ahead.

Another item of interest here in “the time of the end” is the prophecy that Israel’s “blindness” will be cured. “It shall come to pass in that day [the end of this Age], that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem... and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn because of it.” (Zech. 12:9, 10) Israel is established as a nation now, and is prominent in world affairs, and world troubles.

In 1878 two events occurred which cast “a shadow before” of the greater things we witness today. In that year Delitzch’s Hebrew translation of the New Testament began its work among the Jews, and in June, 1878, the Berlin Congress of Nations (presided over by Disraeli, the first Jew ever to be Prime Minister of England) passed some resolutions that made things much more tolerable for Jews in Palestine. In the years that have followed, the Jews have become measurably reconciled in their age-old prejudice toward Christ; and many consider Him one of the greatest of Jewish prophets. His sayings are often quoted in Jewish pulpits, seminaries and social circles; and many Jews now accept Him as their Messiah.

In ancient times Palestine was truly a land flowing with milk and honey, a goodly land; and it is becoming once more highly productive under the present ambitious Jewish leadership. The second largest industry is the citrus fruit production. Israel’s prosperity is already exciting the envy of the nations round about, and skillful military techniques have become a vicious irritant to their neighbors. These irritants are certain to increase in the immediate future; and the anarchistic elements of the Gentile nations will ultimately make a desperate attack upon them (Ezek. 38:10; 39:29), which will terminate in the second phase of Jacob’s Trouble. (Jer. 30:4-8) “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle” (Zech. 14:3) – “the day of battle” here having reference to those times of mayor triumph under Moses, Joshua, Gideon, David, etc. Thereafter the land that was promised to “the fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,” will be forever theirs.

Thus as a nation in the promised lent – having accepted Christ as their Savior they will be the nucleus of the world of mankind waiting to receive the earthly phase of Christ’s Kingdom – to be set up first in their midst. This will be the final purpose of this Christian (Gospel) Age – the greatest of the three Ages of “this present evil world” – to be followed immediately by the Millennial Age of “the world to come,” wherein will be accomplished “the restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets.” (Acts 3:21)

It is well to emphasize here that there have been, broadly speaking, two kinds of Jews. At the time Jesus came, they were described as the “wheat and the chaff,” that being a small picture of the “wheat and the tares” in Christendom at the end of this Age. As said, at that time John the Baptist spoke of them thus: “He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire... will gather the wheat into His garner; but the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable.” (Luke 3:16,17) This was markedly accomplished when the Roman army under Emperor Titus leveled Jerusalem in A. D. 70. They had said, “His blood be upon us, and on our children” (Matt. 27:25); and God took them at their word. When Titus had finished his work, there was a circle of crosses around Jerusalem, with a dead Jew on every one of them.

But of those that escaped they were scattered hither and yon throughout the earth, and they lost not only God’s favor, but they lost also much of the virility and truth which had been theirs under Moses and Aaron. “Your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:38) This desolation was so thoroughly accomplished that the Jews do not now have a High Priest, because that priest must come from the Tribe of Levi; and that Tribe was so thoroughly dissipated during the dispersion that the Jews do not now know which of their number are of that Tribe.

And of the “chaff” of that time St. Paul wrote: “Not that which is external makes the Jew... but the Jew is hidden within, even circumcision of the heart – spiritual, not literal; whose praise comes not from men, but from God.” (Rom. 2:28,29, Dia.) That is, certain facial features sitting in a synagogue are not to be reckoned as the real Jew; but only that which is produced by a proper adherence to the Law and the Prophets is the only real Jew to whom the promises belong. And there are very few of these indeed! The great majority give only token recognition and observance of the true Jewish religion. Their motto over the centuries has been “Get the money,” and at times they have shown a savage ruthlessness in doing that.

Although the Jews played a very prominent role in the Old Testament and in religious lore up to the time of their rejection of the Messiah, and His pronouncement of desolation upon them as a nation, their decline began immediately with Jesus’ death, and judgment was violently meted out to them in A. D. 70. And, when their nation was thus desolated, so that their national unity was completely dissolved, the Gentile “dogs” (Matt. 15:26,27) took over earth’s authority. This has continued throughout the Age – until the Times of the Gentiles ended in 1914 – since which date the Gentile nations have been declining, and the Jews are once more in the picture of nations; and this condition will prevail unto a completion in the years immediately ahead.

And with this summary we conclude Part III of The Three Worlds, and this series of articles will be completed with Part IV in the near future. It is our hope that the three sections provided thus far have proven enlightening and profitable information to all our readers. “If ye continue in My word... ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31,32)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint No. 250, April 1976)

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QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) What are Jesus’ commandments?

ANSWER: – Jesus did not mention the Ten Commandments, as it takes a perfect man to keep a perfect Law. The faithful Jews tried to keep the Ten Commandments, but being imperfect men they could not do it. However, when they tried they were favored of the Lord. Had they been able to keep these Laws they would have received eternal life. We should do our best to keep the Ten Commandments, and should always keep the spirit of these commandments.

Brother Hoefle listed the commandments of Jesus as follows:

THREE COMMANDMENTS FOR CHRISTIANS

Followers of Jesus from amongst the Gentiles – true Christians – never were under the Law of Moses. Such came into God’s family under a different covenant – the one which reads, “Gather my saints together unto me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” (Psa. 50:5) Jesus, after keeping fully all conditions and requirements of the Law Covenant, under which He was born, was permitted to respond to this Covenant of Sacrifice. He was the first, the Chief, the Head of the Household of Saints who entered into this covenant of sacrifice with God – agreeing to sacrifice His earthly life and all its rights in the doing of the Father’s will – even unto death. It was His faithfulness in carrying out His will that gained for Him the better resurrection to glory, honor and immortality.

THE FIRST AND SECOND COMMANDS

Speaking of the spirit of the Law, which is applicable to angels, to the world of mankind, and to Christians, Jesus declared it to be briefly comprehended in two commandments. The first of these is, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, being and strength.” The second is, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Every Christian and every angel recognizes that Law and feels a responsibility to it to the extent of their ability; but neither the angels nor Christians are under the Law Covenant – that Covenant was made only with the nation of Israel.

Every follower of Jesus should realize that if he was enlisted under the banner of Divine righteousness and truth, he has pledged his very life in this service as a soldier of the cross. How then could he do less than his very best in loving and serving his heavenly Father with all his mind, being and strength? How could he decline the Divine requirement to love his neighbor as himself – to be kind, generous, and not selfish? True, he may find difficulty in devoting all his mind and strength to the Lord, and in dealing in perfect fairness with all his fellow–creatures. But this is the true Christian’s desire and intention, and to accomplish this he must strive daily and war a good warfare against his inherited and acquired weakness.

OUR THIRD COMMANDMENT

At first it might appear that the two commandments mentioned above include everything that could be required by justice, and so they do. Justice requires nothing more than what these two commands include. Why then a third one – a new one over and above anything required by justice? In answer we would reply that this third commandment is only to those who become disciples of Jesus. He voluntarily put this regulation upon Himself, and offered His life sacrificially – something that was not justly required of Him.

Jesus, therefore, did more than the Mosaic Law required of Him. Therefore, when explaining to His disciples what would be required of them – something which would grant them a share in His Kingdom, He declared a third commandment: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34) This was part of His last comments to them the night before He died on the cross. St. Paul points out that Christ loved us to the extent of dying for us – “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” – and “Ye are my friends.” Thus all the true followers of Jesus – Christians to the fullest degree – should likewise count it a joy and a privilege to lay down their lives in the service of their brethren. “Christ suffered for us, leaving an example, that ye should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21) “We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16)

This commandment goes far beyond the requirements of the Mosaic Law – a law of strict Justice toward all men. But toward those of our brethren in the Household of Faith we must go beyond the strict requirements of justice: We are to love them, as He loved us, and gave His life for us. This may at first seem an easy matter; but, when we consider that “not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called [to be “footstep followers”]: 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. 1:26,27); then it becomes much easier for us to understand this third commandment.

Jesus Himself was far superior to those humble fishermen He had attracted unto Himself; yet St. Paul tells us, “He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” (Heb. 2:11) “Hereby we know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” (1 John 3:14) This sort of conduct is not even mentioned in the Law at all. The Ten Commandments are a very far step from the “new commandment,” which Jesus gave the night before He died; and a proper appraisal of this point will enable us readily to analyze properly the Law of Moses and place it in proper perspective with the “new commandment” given to us by Jesus.

We must remember that a faithful Christian not only keeps the moral laws of the Ten Commandments to the best of his ability, but in addition to that he should live above the Law of Justice, sacrificing his all in the service of the Lord, the Truth and the brethren. No one is commanded to do that except those [who are called] who have made a “covenant by sacrifice” with God. (Excerpts from No. 310, April 1, 1981)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Mrs. Hoefle,

Once again I want to thank you for taking the time to send an additional hard-bound book about PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL for our Temple Library. Also, we are in receipt of the three soft-bound copies of the text, which you indicated, I will take the liberty of distributing to members of the congregation who I feel would be interested in the subject. We are deeply in your debt and want to thank you and your supporters for the kindness extended to us. Of course, Zionism is a subject close to our hearts, and we are especially appreciative of the support of our Christian friends and neighbors.

It was nice hearing about your relationship with the author of the text. It certainly sounds as though you are good friends.

With every good wish for God’s choicest blessings of health and fulfillment to you and yours. Appreciatively,

------------------, Rabbi – Winston–Salem (NORTH CAROLINA)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Greetings through our Beloved Savior!

I received the tracts today, and so hasten to say thank you for them. I read GOD’S GREAT SABBATH DAY and right away I thought of a few of my friends to whom I can give that particular one.

It is amazing to me how so many nominal Christians complain about the teachings and attitude of the clergy, and still hold fast to the denomination. I particularly remember a dear friend after reading the first volume, found it so clear and yet declared allegiance to the church because she was born there. I dare say that in “due time” she and others would accept the Truth.

I am indeed grateful to you for pointing out some of the errors, for it has given me much to research about and improve my knowledge. There is something of which I would like some information. It is this: Is growing in knowledge of the Truth more important than character building?

You are in our prayers and all the brethren are praying for you and all the dear ones at the Bible House. God bless and keep you.

Warm Christian love, ------- (TRINIDAD)

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August 1, 1989

NO. 402: THE THREE WORLDS - CONDITIONS AND PEOPLES - (Part Two)

by Epiphany Bible Students

No. 402

In our first installment of the above subject we completed discussion of “The World That Was”; and began discussion of “This Present Evil World” in its early years. We gave limited comment on the origin of various heathen religions – with Nimrod as the Sun God and Semiramus as the Moon Goddess. While much more could have been said about the heathen religions, we would merely state here that other prominent individuals were subsequently deified after their death, having their abode in the various stars, the same giving rise to Star Worship. although more could be written about this latter subject, we feel sufficient detail has been presented to give a lucid picture of the overall conditions that prevailed then. Thus, we now proceed with analysis of:

THE PATRIARCHAL AGE

It should be kept in mind that all the foregoing idolatry had a very small beginning, with a mere handful of people involved. However, at the fall of Jerusalem in the Fall of 607 B.C., when the Jews were carried captive into Babylon, the worship of deified mortals had engulfed almost the entire human race, except the Jews; and the instances given forgoing prove conclusively that it had also corrupted many of them.

But at no time in history was this scourge embraced by all men. We may reasonably conclude that it had not touched Noah, or his son Shem. A little further along, we come to Abraham, who appeared on the scene not quite 400 years after the flood; and he was 175 years old when he died. He is identified as the first of “the fathers”; and he, with his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob, cover the span of history known as the Patriarchal Age. At the death of Jacob (whose name had been changed to Israel—Gen. 32:28) his twelve sons became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel, at which time began the Jewish Age, of which more later. In Eze. 10:10 there is discussion of “a wheel in the midst of a wheel,” and we believe this has reference to the various Ages – Patriarchal, Jewish and Gospel Ages – that appear in “this present evil world.” (Gal. 1:4)

It should be borne in mind that prior to the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt there had been no written revelation from God. The means of communication between God and man prior to the Exodus had been through angels talking to individuals, or through dreams or visions that were sent to them. As stated, in the narrow sense, the Patriarchal Age was the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; but in the broad sense that Age began at the end of the flood, partly because at that time God made a special covenant with Noah and his descendants never again to destroy the earth (the social order—Gen. 9:11) with a flood. However, specifically speaking, the Patriarchal Age began with the Covenant made with Abraham. (Gen. 12:1-5) But because of the retroactive operation of the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant, they were anticipatorially applied to Noah, and even to Enoch and Abel. (Heb. 11:4-7, 39,40) Because of this retroactive effect, we are somewhat warranted in beginning the Patriarchal Age with the end of the flood.

The word ‘patriarchs’ means ‘first fathers’; and it is because Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were the first fathers of Israel in this period, that we call it the Patriarchal Age. Apart from the covenant with Noah, God did not deal during this period on covenant basis with every human being. As explained forgoing, Nimrod and many others were permitted to “enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season,” God winking at their ignorance. (Acts 17:23,30; Rom. 1:21-25,28) Specifically, during that time He dealt with Abraham and his family, with Isaac and his family, and with Jacob and his family. During that Age God chose those with whom He would deal – just as He has been doing in this present Gospel Age – “Them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28) The others of mankind He has allowed to go their own way – a law unto themselves; but this does not mean that the natural laws have not been operative toward those not called. Those who have sown to evil have often reaped the natural rewards of evil – “As a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” From this we must draw the logical conclusion that it has not been God’s will to save the world in the Patriarchal Age, the Jewish Age or the Gospel Age, or He would have done so – “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” (Isa. 46:10)

Let us note that the Patriarchal Age endured for a period of 659 years – from the end of the flood to the death of Jacob, the last of the patriarchs. This conclusion is made because at the death of Jacob God ceased to deal exclusively with any one individual; but chose to deal with an entire nation – the twelve tribes of Israel. This is clearly stated in Gen. 49:28, where Jacob’s twelve sons and their families are for the first time called “the twelve tribes of Israel.” Thus it was that the Patriarchal Age ended and the Jewish Age began, after which time the Jews alone were dealt with on covenant basis. “Children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, You only have I known of all the families of the earth.” (Amos 3:1,2)

THE JEWISH AGE

The Jewish Age began in the Spring of 1813 B.C., and continued thereafter for a period of 1845 years – until the death of Jesus, when He pronounced upon them the fateful sentence: “Your house is left unto you desolate... Ye shall not see Me henceforth till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Matt. 23:38,39) During this 1845 years God made no effort to convert the Gentile world; but His dealings during the Jewish Age were much the same as they had been during the Patriarchal Age – of an elective character. Many times during the 1845 years did the Jews forsake the true God, followed the idolatrous practices of the heathens, and often committed acts of extreme depravity. Yet they continued “beloved for the fathers’ sakes.” (Rom. 11:28) In other words, they often rode on the coattails of the patriarchs.

It is well to consider here that all during the Patriarchal Age, and for about 200 years of the Jewish Age there was no organized religious ritual, no written revelation from God. This came for the first time through Moses at Sinai, during which time most of the Pentateuch was recorded, and making the foundation for “the oracles of God” which continued to come through that nation until the prophecy of Malachi appeared to form the last book of the Old Testament. Prior to Sinai whatever of religion was practiced by the Jews was based largely upon tradition, with either the father or the eldest son of the family acting as the household priest, which readily reminds us of the great influence for good or evil that could come from such an arrangement. But this was all changed when Aaron, brother of Moses, was selected by God as Israel’s first High Priest; and the ceremonies incidental to the Tabernacle were initiated. After that time additional revelations came through the various prophets, which were written out, eventually producing the 39 books of the Old Testament, with Malachi being the last one.

Of course, we must bear in mind that the revelations contained in the book of Genesis are all recordings of past events, many of which had occurred in “the world that was”; with the remainder coming during the Patriarchal and Jewish Ages prior to Sinai. It was Moses who reduced them to writing. Some of the Old Testament revelations came by direct speech (through an angel from God, etc.), others by visions, tableaux and dreams, some by immediate inspiration, some by typical acts and institutions, and some by covenant arrangements. Putting these into writing was commenced by Moses at Sinai in 1615 B.C., and completed by Malachi about 400 B.C. John the Baptist was the last of the prophets (Matt. 11:13), although he did not contribute any Old Testament writings.

Large parts of the Old Testament were typical of future events, many of which have already been fulfilled, with some being fulfilled in our present time, and others still future. Outstanding among such is the Law Covenant given through Moses, which offers great enlightenment concerning the New Covenant that will soon be inaugurated. “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt.” (Jer. 31:31-32)

The books written by Moses – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and most of Deuteronomy – were committed to the care of the Jewish priesthood; as were also subsequent additions until the last by Malachi. Such reverence was attached to those writings that the priests in charge would have given their lives in defense of them. Parts of these writings were usually read in the synagogues on the Sabbath, or other special occasions; and Jesus often quoted or read parts of certain Old Testament writings. One notable instance is recorded in Luke 4:16-21. It should be stressed here also that all of the Old Testament writers were Jews – as were also all of the New Testament writers, if we make allowance that the Gospel of Luke was dictated by St. Paul. And because of all this St. Paul asks the question: “What advantage then hath the Jew?... Much every way; chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” (Rom. 3:1,2)

However, there were many times when the custodians of the Holy Writ became quite careless in their duty, putting the writings off in some obscure corner of the Temple until they were forgotten and barely being preserved at all. Such an instance is recorded in 2 Chron. 34:14-33. Indeed, after the death of Joshua such carelessness was often manifest until their return from the 70-years, captivity in Babylon – after which they were closely regarded and respected.

As stated earlier, the fact was stressed that only two of the cardinal doctrines of the Bible were revealed in “the world that was,” these two being the Creation and the Fall of man. The third one to come into prominence was the Law given at Sinai, which would give the Jews life if they would keep that Law. And to this they all answered, “All the words which the Lord hath said will we do.” (Ex. 24:3) But that Law only made glaringly apparent their inability to live according to the perfect requirements of their God. St. Paul makes this quite clear in Rom. 7:7-9: “I had not known sin but by the law... I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.”

And, while the Old Testament Scriptures did testify of Jesus (John 5:39), much of what they testified was very vaguely comprehended; and it was not until Jesus Himself “brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10) that the remaining seven cardinal doctrines became clearly understood. Those seven are the Ransom, Justification, Sanctification, the High Calling, the Resurrection, Restitution and the Second Death. Six of these seven have been rather well understood by a limited few, and all have been operative during this Gospel Age, Restitution being the only exception. Of this we shall offer some comment when we consider “the world to come.”

Jesus not only “brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel,” but He also proved his own human perfection by keeping that Law perfectly, which even the best of the Jews Moses, Daniel, Samuel, John the Baptist, and the other well-intentioned prophets had not been able to do. Jesus emphasized this point in Matt. 5:17, 18: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

And, while the best of the Jews – such as mentioned above – could not keep the Law, it did accomplish something for them, as they endeavored to keep it. It gave them a standing far superior to their fellows, and developed in them the good qualities which will give them “a better resurrection” (Heb. 11:35) when “the books are opened, and the judgment is set.” This is recorded in quite some detail by St. Paul in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews.

Also, in lesser degree, a small segment of the Jews made earnest effort to keep the Law. St. Paul was one of these, he says of himself, “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee (who rigidly attempted to keep the law, many of them mistakenly believing that they did so)... touching the righteousness which is of the law, blameless.” (Phil. 3:5,6) Jesus attracted to Himself a small number of such Jews – by His own personal magnetism and His strict adherence to that law which they had come to love. Jesus spoke of such as “the Harvest” of the Jewish Age; and counseled the Apostles and others to join Him in reaping them. “Look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest... I sent you to reap that whereon you bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.” (John 4:35-38)

Although the law and the Jewish Age did produce a “harvest” of “Israelites indeed,” it also produced the chaff: “He will gather the wheat into His garner; but the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable.” (Luke 3:17) although their house was left to them desolate at Jesus’ death, they were given an additional 36½ years of amnesty before they were required to meet their promise: “His blood be on us, and on our children.” (Matt. 27:25) In the year 70 A.D. the Roman Emperor Titus leveled Jerusalem after a long and vicious siege, at which time “the chaff” was destroyed in savage manner. When the work was fully accomplished, there was a circle of crosses around Jerusalem, with a dead Jew hanging on each one of them. It is one of the outstanding atrocities of all history. There ended the Jewish Age; there ended the Jewish rituals established by Moses and Aaron at Sinai; there began what is commonly known as “the dispersion,” which is the foundation for the expression “The Wandering Jew.”

So thoroughly was the chaff burned at that time that the Temple was demolished and the Tribe of Levi became lost in the confusion. That loss did indeed “desolate” the Jewish religion because they can no longer have a High Priest – who must come from the Tribe of Levi; but they do not now know which Jews are of that tribe. Therefore, their present Atonement Day services, their Passover services, etc., are mere empty formalisms. When the Jewish Age ended, it ended in a way which none of them foresaw, the full import of which is today understood by only a very few in Christendom. Vicious persecution has followed them from city to city, from nation to nation; and it may truly be described as one of the outstanding marvels of the Age that the Jewish race still exists at all. Their tenacity in this matter offers living proof of Moses’ charge against them: “Thou art a stiffnecked (stubborn) people.” (Deu. 9:6)

As amelioration to the foregoing, we offer the conclusion that it will not be always so with them. Already we see them back in the land which God promised the “fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Deu. 9:5); and we offer also the consolation of St. Paul: “Blindness is happened in part (not an unending scourge) to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” (Rom. 11:25)

An item of special interest here is that all the four universal empires described in the metal-man image of Dan. 2:36-45 had their origin in universal reign during the Jewish Age. The first of these was Babylon, which conquered the Jerusalem Jews in the Fall of 607 B.C.; and the Prophet describes it in this manner: ‘‘Thou, 0 king (Nebuchadnezzar) art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the fields and the fowls of the heaven hath He given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.” (Dan. 2:37,38)

Followed then the Medes and the Persians as earth’s universal sovereignty. Media is first mentioned in history about 850 B.C., but did not attain noticeable prominence until about 625 B.C., at which time Cyaxares united the many Iranian-speaking Median tribes. The Medes became subject to the Persians in 550 B.C., under Cyrus the Great. “After thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee.” (Dan. 2:39)

Came next the Grecian Empire (“another third kingdom, which shall bear rule over all the earth”—Dan. 2:39). Alexander the Great occupied Media in 330 B.C.; but his rule was short-lived; and the empire fell pretty much apart shortly after his death.

“The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron” (Dan. 2:40). The reference is to the “iron rule” of Rome – the fourth and most extensive of the universal dominions. It had a very small beginning in the 8th century B.C. on the Tiber River in Italy; and lasted until the fifth century A.D. It became mistress of all Italy about the beginning of the third century B.C. During the years 264-133 B.C. it crushed its chief rival Carthage, and subjugated Macedonia, Greece and Spain. In 30 B.C. Octavian (Julius Caesar’s adopted son) defeated Mark Anthony at Actium – at which date the Roman Empire was founded. Octavian, more popularly known as Augustus Caesar, reigned from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. It was during his reign that Jesus was born. The empire reached about its greatest extent under Trajan, who reigned from 98 to 117 A.D.

From the dates given forgoing, it is evident that all four of the universal empires came to the pinnacle of their glory in the Jewish Age; and three of them began their decline in the Jewish Age. The first – the Babylonian kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar – experienced complete desolation before the Jewish Age ended. “Because of the wrath of the Lord, Babylon shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished...” (Jer. 50:13). The only one of the four that did not begin its decline in the Jewish Age was the Roman Empire.

And in closing this dissertation on the Jewish Age we offer this interesting incident: Some years ago we were rather well acquainted with a Jewish magistrate who was quite well versed in Jewish customs, history and religious ritual. On a certain occasion he was invited to address a Christian Sunday School Class, at which time he said something like this: “When I was invited to address you I was somewhat jittery and reluctant to appear before such an august assembly of Christians; but, when I began to recall that my ancestors were kings and priests, and worshipers of the one true God for about four thousand years, while your ancestors were worshipers of idols some having descended from Nimrod and Semiramus – I decided I had no cause for apology; and I began to view this situation with a courage I did not at first possess. Since the Mosaic Law Covenant given to Israel through Moses, the Jews have been the only nation in covenant relationship with the true God; all the surrounding nations were Gentiles who worshipped idols, and indulged in heathen rituals. Therefore, I concluded that any Jew who tries to be faithful to the Law Covenant which was given at Mount Sinai has reason to be proud of his historical background; and I certainly make no apology for mine.”

THE GOSPEL AGE

The Gospel or Christian Age is the last “wheel within the wheel” of “this present evil world” – the third and most important of the Ages that comprise it. The word gospel means good news or glad tidings; and it is stated in Matt. 4:23, and in other Scriptures, that “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel (glad tidings) of the kingdom.” While it is true that there were more or less of good tidings in the two previous Ages, it is preeminently true of the Gospel Age. In the first seventy years of this Christian Age the entire New Testament was written – in contrast to the many hundreds of years (more than a thousand years) which were required to produce the Old Testament. While Jesus began this Gospel Age at Jordan in the strict sense, yet in its broader sense it did not begin until Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was then poured out on those 500 people who were waiting in the upper room, as Jesus had told them to do. (Acts 1:13) 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:6). This occurred in 33 A.D., and overlapped the Jewish Age until Jerusalem was taken by Titus in the year 70 A.D. And in this our day overlappings of the Gospel Age into the Millennial Age have been occurring since 1874 – just 1845 years after those that occurred at the beginning of this Age. From this standpoint the duration of the Gospel Age may be definitely stated as 1845 years, with lappings into the Millennial Age – just as was true at the end of the Jewish Age and the beginning of the Gospel Age.

As previously stated, the Patriarchal and the Jewish Ages had their own distinctive purposes; and the same may be said of the Christian Age. Also, the Jewish and Gospel Ages are of equal length (1845 years); thus, they are parallel dispensations, with the Jewish Age providing many events that were typical of things in this Age – some of them exactly 1845 years apart. The first purpose of this Age is very similar to the first purpose of the Jewish Age. To the Jews were committed “the oracles of God”; and in this Age the Christians have been made the custodian of God’s oracles. (1 Cor. 4:1,2; John 17:8, 14; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 3:16) Christians have not only closely guarded the contents of the Old and New Testaments, but they have also translated them into many different languages. So well have the Christians cared for these Scriptures that not one book, or an essential part of any one book, has been lost.

The second purpose of this Age relates very closely to the first one – giving additional revelations to those contained in the Old Testament. This was begun by John the Baptist, was given very great impetus by the preaching of Jesus, and completed by the Apostles – resulting in 27 additional books being added to the Bible in what is commonly styled the New Testament. The revelation of these 27 books came through various means: by direct speech, by visions, tableaux and dreams, some by immediate inspiration, symbolic acts, etc. These things occurred at different times, places and circumstances, the last being The Apocalypse, or Revelation, presumably written by St. John about 100 A.D. while a prisoner on the Isle of Patmos. (Rev. 1:9) The central feature of the New Testament is Christ and His Church, but containing much prophecy of future events, clarifications and elaborations of Old Testament Scriptures, with a complete code of ethics for the Christian life, detailed information on the resurrection of the dead, as well as considerable enlightenment on “the angels that sinned.”

The third purpose of the Christian Age was to introduce the Ransom – “a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (I Tim. 2:6) The word ransom in this text is from the Greek antilutron, and means a corresponding price, an exact equivalent. The Jewish Age had produced the Mosaic Law, which made glaringly manifest that man could not save himself. The word Jesus means savior; and the angel that appeared to Joseph had told him, “Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21) This testimony was heralded primarily by Jesus; then by the Apostles and other capable men of their time; and since their time by other able men all during the Age, so that it is now more or less common knowledge, although in a more or less confused and uncertain manner by the vast majority.

The declaration of this knowledge had as its foundation the “gospel of the Kingdom,” the same kingdom for which Jesus told all to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Along with this message His followers have “reproved the world for sin, for righteousness, and judgment to come” (John 16:8-11) “preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47), thence to Judea and Samaria, unto the ends of the earth. The evidence is quite clear that this has been accomplished; and that the failure of the Law to save mankind establishes the foundation for hope of salvation through Jesus. “What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh... condemned sin in the flesh; That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us (the Apostles and those who accepted their teachings after them), who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.” (Rom. 8:3,4) This “righteousness” has been imputed to all believers who had a true faith in Jesus as Savior. This “justification by faith” has given believers all during this Age “peace with God” (Rom.5:1,2).

The acquisition of faith justification has been by call; not by command – “the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28) And those who continued faithful in this justification were accepted into God’s family as sons, “joint heirs with Christ” to administer the future kingdom on earth “in due time.” However, Jesus said this group would be very few in number – “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Much emphasis should be placed upon the fact that one of the purposes of this Christian Age has been to call certain ones to do certain things, for which they would then be justified in anticipating certain rewards for the faithful doing of those things. A few hundred years back it was the general belief in Christendom that those who did not respond to the call would spend eternity in torment in the lake of fire. But it must be conceded that even in Christendom many had not had opportunity to hear that call; and of those who did hear it, the great majority had a very nebulous idea of its real meaning. Then we add to that the vast heathen world, the majority of whom never had the opportunity even to hear it at all. On one occasion the Apostle Peter had told the Jewish rulers that “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved except the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 4:10-12). Thus billions of heathen who had never heard that name would be consigned to eternal torment – according to the prevalent belief in Christendom in the Dark Ages.

“Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.” (Psa. 70:4)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint No. 245, November 1975

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sirs:

Greetings! I am writing to request any information such as pamphlets, brochures and books that state your beliefs of your religion. Any information received will be very helpful to enable me to gain knowledge in knowing about your beliefs. I would certainly greatly appreciate any help you could give me in finding more about your religion.

Thank you. ------- (NORTH DAKOTA)

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

I am writing you in hopes that I might get some information about your organization. If you can, please send me any materials which you think might best help me. If you could, I would appreciate a list of material which I might purchase should I desire to learn more.

I thank you in advance for your quick response to my inquiry, as it is an important issue for me as it should be for most people who are concerned about their spiritual well‑being.

Thank you, ------- (CANADA)

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Dear Brethren:

I have just received your January‑February issue. Please send me any current issues you may have and do keep me on your list.

Your news articles are very interesting. In fact, I was unaware of your publication until now. I, too, feel there is great need to watch current events, especially those which may have some effect on our understanding of endtime prophecy, I edit a work somewhat similar to yours which we have named "Watch and Pray."

Again thank you for the subscription. In His service, ------- (TENNESSEE)

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Gentlemen:

I am interested in any of the following:

1) Original editions or reprints of works of Charles Taze Russell, including, but not limited to the 'Studies in the Bible series,' also known under the name 'Millennial Dawn.'

2) Original editions or reprints of the WATCHTOWER magazine including, but not limited to the years 1880‑1920.

3) Any other publications, magazines or books, past or present pertaining to the movements started by C. T. Russell.

Please let me know the availability and cost of the above items. I appreciate your help and am looking forward to hearing from you. ……. (CALIFORNIA)

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Epiphany Bible Student Association:

Thank you for your letter. I would like to be added to your mailing list. Also, a couple of questions: First, do you have the volumes of the Epiphany Studies in the Scriptures? If so, at what price?

About the book "About Charles Taze Russell," by David Horowitz? Do you stock it? What is the price?

Thank you, ------- (MARYLAND)

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Dear Brethren: Grace and peace!

We enjoyed the letter published in the April 1989 paper about the experience someone had with Jehovah's Witnesses. We had a similar experience with some Witnesses recently.

Our house has self‑evidently been marked by the JWs, as none of them have called on us for some time. However, last Saturday morning some one knocked on our door. My husband said it must be Jehovah's Witnesses, as they knock doors and do not ring door bells. When we went to the door there were two high school‑aged girls who wanted to sell us a booklet for 30¢. My husband told them we would be happy to buy their booklet if they would accept one of our articles for free and promise to read it.

They said they could not read anything that did not have Scriptural references and showed us their booklet that had such references. We then showed them our paper that had Scriptural references also. One of the young ladies said she would have to contact someone with "more experience" to see whether they were allowed to accept our paper. But the other girl didn't want to leave.

Hoping to be able to witness Truth to them, we told them we agreed with the JWs on the state of the dead, the wages of sin is death and the trinity" Also, that we believed in searching the Scriptures, and in Jehovah and His Son, Jesus Christ. One of them then asked if we were Jehovah's Witnesses. When we told her we were not as we could not accept quite a few things the Witnesses teach, she became very nervous and wanted to leave. The other Witness seemed interested in what we were saying, so I asked her for her name and address. The nervous one told her not to do that. So I gave her our name, address and phone number, and asked her to call us.

It is doubtful that we will hear from her once this is related to the "more experienced." It is apparent that these two young ladies had been instructed exactly as what to say – and any deviation from that made them unsettled and nervous.

The JWs send these young people out to "witness" and they do not know what they are supposed to believe, nor what they themselves believe. They think they are "working their way into the Kingdom," even though they don't know anything about God's great Plan of Salvation for all mankind – not just a Salvation for Jehovah's Witnesses. We are reminded of Job 38:2: "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?"

The JWs boast that Pastor Russell is their founder, but he isn't the founder of Jehovah's Witnesses and their errors but only the founder of their organization. Pastor Russell instructed all his colporteurs and others who distributed his literature, that they should read and understand anything they offered others. We should be in harmony with St. Peter's instruction in 1 Peter 3:15: "And be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

Even the "more experienced" Witnesses when faced with those who have the Truth, turn away before hearing the reason of the hope that is within them. It is evident that the Witnesses do not have the "truth that makes you free," as the doctrines they teach are "errors that bind and imprison them."

Our Lord tells us: "If you continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31,32)

God bless and guide you as you seek to serve Him in sincerity and in Truth.

Warm Christian love, ------- (FLORIDA)

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Dear Friend,

Thank you so very much for your letters and information that you have sent to me. It is a big help! Thank you for the two books, PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL, An Early American Christian Zionist. I do have someone to give the second book to who will appreciate it.

I don't have any questions right now. I just want to take my time and study the information that you have sent me. I just wanted to let you know that I have received everything, and to say

Thank You. Sincerely, ------- (OHIO) [An ex‑JW]

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July 1, 1989

NO. 401: THE THREE WORLDS – CONDITIONS AND PEOPLES – Part One

by Epiphany Bible Students

No. 401

The request has come to us to offer an analysis of the three worlds mentioned in the Bible: (1) the world that was; (2) the world that now is; (3) the world to come – with their fundamental differences, similarities, and the time features involved in each one. These are very briefly epitomized in the third chapter of St. Peter’s second letter. In verse 6 he tells us that “the world that then was (before the flood), being overflowed with water, perished”; then continues in verse 7: “the heavens and the earth which are now” (the world that now is) are “reserved unto fire against the day of judgment.” Continuing in verse 13, “We look for new heavens and a new earth (the world to come), wherein dwelleth righteousness.” It is our intention to correlate various statements in the Old and New Testaments – “here a little, and there a little” (Isa. 28:10) – concerning these three worlds, and depict their true Scriptural meaning.

However, before we proceed we would stress the fact that the Bible is written in two languages – literal and figurative – and this must be appreciated if we would avoid extreme confusion. For instance, the word earth in the Bible has two meanings: (1) the planet on which we live, and (2) the social order of human existence. To illustrate, in Gen. 9:11 we are told “there shall not be any more a flood to destroy the earth.” Surely, the planet on which we live was not destroyed by the flood, but the social arrangement in vogue then was completely destroyed by the flood. The same contention may be made for the word heaven, which has three different and distinct meanings: (1) God’s abode, which presumably is the Pleiades, the center of gravity of the Universe (see Job 38:31); (2) the atmosphere about this earth, into which Elijah was carried by the fiery chariot (see 2 Kings 2:9-12); (3) the present religious order (see 2 Pet. 3:7).

While the Old Testament of the Bible offers copious information about the above along with much detail about the world that was, and the world that now is, it remains for the New Testament to provide the information that enables us to accomplish our purpose. Therefore, we would initiate this treatise with the New Testament information, as we interweave Old Testament details into our conclusions.

In the New Testament the word “world” is translated from four different Greek words: 1 – Aion, meaning Age or Dispensation; 2 – Ge, land or earth; 3 – Kosmos, Arrangement or Social order; 4 – Oikoumene, the habitable earth or land. That these four words are not synonymous is self-evident; and the translation of all of them into the English word world simply reveals the inaccuracy with which the translators of the King James version of the Bible did their work. This is one great cause why so much error has arisen over the centuries, and the confusion that is now so prevalent.

Although some of the above words may be used interchangeably, it would always be better to give the strictly correct meaning in each case. For example, in Matt. 24:3 the Disciples asked Jesus, “What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and the end of the world (aion)?” A more correct rendering would be, “What shall be the sign of Thy presence, and the consummation of the Age?” In this particular text the end of the world and the end of the Age will occur at the same time; but to give them the same meaning simply leads to unnecessary confusion. In this, the second world, in which we now live, there have been three Ages – the Patriarchal, Jewish, and the Gospel Age. It so happens that the end of this Gospel Age will also be the end of this world; and, while the Gospel Age is fully included in this world, this world is not fully included in this Gospel Age.

The expression is often heard – “The end of the world”; and the vast majority in Christendom have come to conclude that this means the destruction of the planet earth on which we live. However, when reading Matt. 24:3 correctly, as given above, it will become readily apparent that the Disciples had no such thought in mind when they asked Jesus their question. The Greek Kosmos (the order of affairs) is the root of such English words as cosmos, cosmogony, cosmopolitan, etc. Cities such as New York and London are considered cosmopolitan districts because they contain a representation of almost all races and nations as their residents. Therefore, we believe it will provide profitable reading to offer an analysis of the three worlds in relation to the conditions and peoples that are described in the Bible.

“THE WORLD THAT WAS”

In 2 Peter 2:5 we are told that God “spared not the old world (kosmos), but saved Noah... a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world” (kosmos). And continuing, 2 Pet. 3:6 tells us, “The world (kosmos) that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.” All of us know that this planet earth was not destroyed by the great flood; and it is in order to state here that the language of the Bible is often intricate and confusing if we do not read it critically. Some of it is literal, and some of it is figurative, or symbolic, or typical. As stated on p. 1, when Gen. 9:11 says “neither shall there be any more a flood to destroy the earth,” it does not mean the literal earth on which we live, because it is still here. The “earth” that was destroyed by the flood was the kosmos, or order of affairs; and, since Solomon informs us in Ecc. 1:4 that “the earth abideth forever,” we accept for certain that the destruction of this present world will not bring about the destruction of this planet upon which we live.

Nor will the dissolution of the present order of affairs bring about the destruction of all the people in this world – just as the destruction of “the world that was” did not destroy all the people then – although it did destroy all of them except Noah and his three sons and their wives, eight persons in all. To the great majority in Christendom the “end of the world” implies the destruction of all the people upon the planet, as well as the destruction of the planet itself; but Isa. 45:18 tells us, “God Himself formed the earth, and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.”

The Bible clearly reveals that eventually there will be many more people on this earth than there are here now; although the Bible is equally emphatic that in the years just ahead of us there will be many less people here than we have now. “Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind (the Time of Trouble) shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not he lamented, neither gathered, nor buried.” (Jer. 25:32,33)

Some Striking Peculiarities – “Adam lived nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.” (Gen. 5:5) Much visionary reasoning has been produced to alter the meaning of the word ‘years’ as it is found in the fifth chapter of Genesis; but none of it has any foundation in fact. Here is what one commentator has to say about it: “The immense duration of life assigned to the antediluvian patriarchs has always been the occasion of difficulty. Attempts have been made to explain away the figures. (a) It has been suggested that the names of those patriarchs represent dynasties. But the mention of the firstborn and of other children obviously refers to personal history. Nor does the transference of these enormous figures to the duration of dynasties greatly diminish the improbability of their literal historicity. (b) It has been suggested that the Hebrew word for “Year’ (shanah) is used in this chapter to denote a shorter period of time. But this arbitrary solution is devoid of any evidence in its favor. There is no reason not to interpret the statements of the antediluvian patriarchs quite literally.”

By totaling the various figures in the fifth chapter of Genesis, then adding the 600 years that Noah lived before the flood (Gen. 7:6), we come to the grand total of 1,656 years, which provides the number of years for “The World That Was.” And this is certainly a very, very short period of time if we compare it with some of the hallucinatory deductions of would-be pundits concerning the first man upon this earth – some of them talking in many millions of years back concerning this important fact.

According to Bible revelation, Methuselah was the oldest of all the patriarchs, being 969 years old when he died. Adam was 687 years old when Methuselah was born; and Methuselah was 369 years old when Noah was born. Thus, the two of them were contemporary for 600 years, which would give them plenty of time to become well acquainted. Also, from this fact it becomes apparent that we need only the record of Methuselah’s life to span the date of creation of Adam to the flood – or one generation in a manner of speaking.

Then again, Noah and his family had the unique experience of living in two worlds “The World That Was” and “This Present Evil World” (Gal. 1:4). Noah himself lived for six hundred years in “The World That Was,” and three hundred and fifty years in “This Present Evil World” (Gal. 1:4) - “all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years” (Gen. 9:29). And the experience that was unique to Noah and his family of living in two worlds will also be repeated here in the end of “This Present Evil World” when it ends, and the next world begins. In Eph. 1:21 St. Paul tells us that Christ is above “every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” From this it is apparent that the Bible clearly discusses, and describes in some detail, three worlds. In Heb. 6:5 St. Paul speaks of “the powers of the world to come.

It is of interest to note here, too, that Noah died just two years before Abraham was born. Thus Noah was in position to give all the details about the creation, the flood, and conditions after the flood; and it is probable (although we cannot state it as a fact) that he related those things to Terah, Abraham’s father, the latter then passing them on to Abraham after Noah’s death. Terah lived 75 years after Abraham’s birth, which means that the last 73 years of his life were contemporaneous with Noah.

“World That Was” Without Rain – It is worthy of note that “The Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth... but there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.” (Gen. 2:5,6) Therefore, when Noah began to build an ark as protection against a coming flood, it is little wonder his neighbors considered it quite a joke: “They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark.” (Matt. 24:38) And without rain there would be no humidity, no fermentation, which accounted in part for the long lives of those who lived before the flood. It also accounts for Noah becoming drunk after the flood (Gen. 9:20-24), because he had not yet learned what the changed climatic conditions had produced. Thus, those who attempt to make sport of Noah, calling him an old drunk, do so through their ignorance of all the facts in the case. It is far fetched to believe that Noah, “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Pet. 2:5), would become stupefied with alcohol. “Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” (Gen. 6:9)

The Angels That Sinned – “God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell.” (2 Pet. 2:4) Who were these “angels that sinned”? The answer is to be found in Gen. 6:2-4: “The sons of God (angels) saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and took them wives of all which they chose.... There were giants in the earth in those days... when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.” The word “giants” in this text is from the Hebrew Nephilim, and means “fallen ones.” Being a cross between human beings and angels, they were a hybrid production, which is contrary to all the laws of nature. When God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle... and beasts of the earth after his kind” (Gen. 1:24), this was not just a statement of happenstance. When any species of animals is crossed with another species, it produces a mule. In everyday English a mule is understood to be a cross between a horse and a donkey – which produces a mule; but a mule may apply to any animal that cannot reproduce itself. Female mules never have colts; and this law is so firmly entrenched that even a dove and a pigeon cannot bring forth a young one that can reproduce itself. And, if left to themselves out in nature, such birds will not attempt to mate; they do it only under stress, or through the manipulation of man.

Those Nephilim hybrids are the origin of the legendary demigods that permeate the Greek and Roman mythology; they were presumed to be half man and half God, and the mere mention of their name often caused shivers in the human family. The word Nephilim occurs but three times in the Old Testament – once in Gen. 6:4 and twice in Numbers 13:33. When the ten spies brought back their evil report about Canaan, they said, “There we saw the giants (Nephilim) and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” This statement terrorized the Israelites, “and the people wept that night.” (Num. 14:1) When we consider that it was only 427 years from the death of Noah to the birth of Moses, it means just a few generations separated them. Thus, we can well appreciate that the legend of those “giants” was quite fresh in the minds of the Jewish people. The report that “the earth was filled with violence” (Gen. 6:11) because of them was relatively recent news to the Jews; and they wanted no part of an encounter with them.

It is written of Noah that “he was a just man and perfect in his generations” (Gen. 6:9); but this does not justify the conclusion that he and his were the only people that had not been corrupted with hybrid contact. It would seem to be reasonable that there were others than Noah that were not hybrid stock, but they had fallen to the evil ways of the “giants,” thus were destroyed in the flood, along with all the Nephilim. The angels themselves, who had produced the Nephilim, dematerialized when the flood broke upon the earth; but they were not permitted to go back to Heaven. Rather, they were “cast down to hell” (2 Pet. 2:4). The Greek word for “hell” in this text is “tartaroo,” which simply means the atmosphere about this earth. Thus, they were forced to accept the abode of their own choosing; and they are to be identified as the demons so frequently mentioned in the New Testament which infested certain human beings.

These “devils” are mentioned many times in the New Testament, a few of the more prominent citations being Matt. 9:32,33; 17:14-18; Mark 6:13; 7:29,30; Luke 4:41; 8:2; 8:26-33. The devils (the angels that sinned) were not destroyed in the flood, although the hybrid giants (the Nephilim) were; but the Jews were not aware of this, and they were so undone at the mere mention of them that they ran for forty years from something that did not then exist.

A very short while after ejection from the Garden of Eden, crime began to make its appearance among men, the first major crime mentioned in the Bible being murder. Cain slew his brother because of envy. (Gen. 4:1-8) But, though evil deeds and evil men made quick appearance, it is well to keep in mind that there were those who resisted such, and made diligent effort to return to the favor of the Lord. Says St. Paul in Hebrews 11:4,5: “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death.... before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” However, as it is in this present world, so it was then: Those that pleased God were greatly in the minority.

From the creation to the birth of Jesus was 4128 years; and the “world that was” perished 1656 years after it began, which means that its end came in 2472 years B.C. Adding the present date of 1975 to that we find that “this present evil world” has already continued for 4447 years – of which more later. However, it is well to note that of the ten cardinal truths contained in the Bible only two are described in the Genesis record as appearing in the “world that was.” These two are the Creation and the Fall of man. The third cardinal truth is the Law of Moses, which did not make its appearance until the Jews had left Egypt, of which more later.

“THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD” (Gal. 1:4)

As stated above, “this present evil world” (dispensation) began 4447 years ago, at which time there were but eight people to start it; whereas, just two people began “the world that was.” These eight people were Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives. Shem is presumed to have been the eldest, his descendants being known as Shemites, or Semites. From his line eventually came Abraham, who was the father of the Jewish or Semitic race. They are thought to have settled in Asia Minor and Western Asia, although today Palestine (or Canaan land) is properly considered as their ancient place of abode. More on this as we consider the Patriarchal Age. In Gen. 9:26 we are told, “Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.”

The second son of Noah was Japheth, whose sons are given in Gen. 10:2 as Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Mesh and Tiras. From these it is presumed came the original settlers of Europe; who are today recognized as the Caucasian, or white race. Most of them have been aggressive and warlike, probably possessing the best and the worst of human characteristics.

The third son of Noah was Ham, whose sons were Cush, Mizraim, Phut and Canaan. (Gen. 10:6) Because of his indecent conduct toward his father, Noah pronounced a curse upon him and his descendants: “Cursed be Canaan (son of Ham, thus grandson of Noah); a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.” (Gen. 9:25) This section of Noah’s offspring is thought to have migrated into Africa, and became the ancestors of the present Ethiopian, or black races. In Num. 12:1 we are told that “Miriam and Aaron (brother and sister of Moses) spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married.” The marginal reading for Ethiopian is Cushite. Her name was Zipporah, daughter of Jethro, a priest of Midian. The skin of the Midianites was not full black, but rather light nut brown. However, the Biblical meaning of Cush is black.

The progress of evil in “this present evil world” is worthy of some attention here. The Law of Moses tells us that the sins of the fathers shall be visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation; and this seems to have been pointedly true in the case of Cush and his sons, who seem to have carried with them through the flood some of the evils of the Nephilim (giants) who had “filled the earth with violence.” (Gen. 6: 11-13) In Gen. 10:8,9 it is recorded that “Cush begat Nimrod – he became a hero in the earth: he became a hero of hunting before Yahveh – and for this cause it is said, Like Nimrod, a hero of hunting before Yahveh.” (Rotherham translation) There is much hidden meaning in this text, because it does not mean that Nimrod was a pious follower of the true God, but just the reverse: He had set himself up in place of God; and his wicked acts are interwoven in most of the heathen religions.

“The beginning of Nimrod’s kingdom was Babel” (Gen. 10:10) in the land of Shinar ..out of that land.. he went forth and builded Nineveh.” Here was the beginning of all the false heathen religions, with their incestuous feasts and idol worship. By the time Moses appeared some 800 years later these evils had made wide and devastating progress; and the Jews were most emphatically commanded to have nothing whatever to do with them – a commandment which they repeatedly broke, as will be discussed later. However, we offer one case in point at this time: “Then all the men who knew their wives had burned incense unto other gods... answered Jeremiah, saying, As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the Queen of Heaven... as we have done... in the cities of Judah and Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. But since we left off to burn incense to the Queen of Heaven... We have wanted all things.” (Jer. 44:15-18)

Another instance similar to the foregoing had occurred some hundreds of years before, as given in Judges 2:12,13: “They forsook the Lord God of their fathers... and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger... They served Baal and Ashteroth.” The worship of Baal was accompanied with lascivious rites (1 Kgs. 14:23,24), the sacrifice of children in the fire by parents to the God Moloch (Jer. 32:35), etc.

Baal worshipers were sun worshipers; and all of the prominent ancient nations had some form of sun worship in their religion. The question properly arises, Whence came this “strong delusion”? When Moses wrote Genesis, Nimrod had been dead for some hundreds of years, but there still existed the popular saying, “Even as Nimrod, the mighty hunter before the Lord.” (Gen. 10:9) His might lay in his hunting prowess, prompted by the conditions of his day. We recall that only eight people came through the flood, but many kinds of animals came forth from the ark, which multiplied much faster than did the people; and the more ferocious among them would readily strike terror into human hearts. Thus, any one who would offer protection to his fellows would be considered quite a hero, which in itself would not be too wrong if that hero were a righteous man.

However, such was not the case with Nimrod. Shortly after the flood, the human race became divided into two camps – one toward evil, and one inclined toward righteousness. It would seem that Nimrod was the leader of the evil group; whereas, Shem was the leader of the righteous group. (Gen. 9:26) This conclusion is pieced together from the writings of various historians and other literate writers. As instance, Josephus, the great Jewish historian, makes this comment: “The multitude were very ready to follow the determination of Nimrod, and to esteem it a piece of cowardice to submit to God.”

In Gen. 10:11 it is recorded that Nimrod built the City of Ninevah. This statement enables us to couple Nimrod with the king Ninus of classical writings. The literal meaning of Ninevah is “The habitation of Ninus”; and the historian Apollodorous makes positive statement that ‘Ninus is Nimrod.’ From the gleanings of ancient writings it seems certain that Nimrod married his own mother Semiramis; therefore, he was his own father and his own son in a manner of speaking. This is a close duplication of the idea current in Christendom that Jesus is also His own Father and His own Son.

That the descendants of Nimrod were denounced in the Bible is evident from Micah 5:6: “They shall waste the land of Syria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.” Also, from one of the famous sculptures of ancient Babylon Ninus and Semiramus are represented as actively engaged in the pursuits of the chase, the “quiver-bearing Semiramus” being a fit companion for the “mighty hunter before the Lord.” It seems certain also that Nimrod trained leopards to aid him in his pursuit of other animals; and it is interesting to note that the leopard skin was prominent in the religious rituals of other pagan nations. For instance, in Egypt the high priest wore a leopard’s skin when officiating on all important occasions, which was intended to commemorate some outstanding event in connection with the God Osiris. Much of the clothing of heathen gods and priests was intended to convey some meaning to those who were educated to understand them. And Nimrod and Osiris are just two different names for the same person. The writer Bunsen says Osiris was at once the husband and son of his mother; and Osiris was just another name for Nimrod or Ninus.

The name Nimrod means literally “The subduer of the leopard,” being derived from nimr (a leopard) and rad (to subdue). In ancient times ouch significance was to be found in names; most of the names in the Bible carry meanings intended to convey some characteristic of the persons who received them, or the work such persons would do. The name Cush (father of Nimrod) means black. Ham also was black, being the father of all the black races. Josephus says “Cush was he from whom came the Ethiopians.” Some translations of Jer. 13:23 state it thusly: “Can the Cushite change his skin, or the leopard his spots?”

Semiramus is said to have been a very beautiful but very depraved woman; and it is to her that much of the extravagant and licentious character of the heathen religions has been ascribed. The special religious festivals of the Romans, the Greeks, the Assyrians, etc., were simply occasions to “eat, drink and be merry”; and the wine and sexual extremes to be found in all of them. In Canaan, for instance, male and female prostitutes were available in the religious temples; and the price for that service was cast into a coffer at the door of the temple as the visitor departed. The names varied in different countries; but the modus operandi was almost identical wherever it can be traced. In Egypt it was Osis and Osiris; with the Sidonians, Phoenicians and Canaanites it was Baal and Astarte, or Ashtoreth; in South Arabic it was Athtar and Athtart; in the Amarna letters it was Ashtartu. In Rome it was Venus, who is closely identified with the Greek Aphrodite, from which latter name is derived our English word aphrodisiac. Solomon is strictly condemned for his involvement with such characters: “Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.” (1 Kgs. 11:5)

The dissolute segment of the human race, under the leadership of Nimrod and Semiramus, carried their debauchery to such extremes that the respectable element of society condemned Nimrod to death, cut his body into fourteen pieces, and distributed the pieces to various sections of the country as a warning to others who might be similarly inclined. However, Semiramus would not meekly accede to this action. She was not only beautiful and depraved, but she was also very ambitious and resourceful. Tradition has it that she invented the torture stake, which was a pointed stick often used in the execution of criminals by thrusting through the chest or driven longitudinally through the back or privy parts of the body and coming out of the mouth.

Being acutely aware of the mood of those who had executed her husband Nimrod, she knew she dared not openly carry on where he had left off. Thus, she contacted such of his adherents as were amenable; and had them meet in secret. At these conclaves they were given binding oaths of silence; were then anointed with “magical ointments” and given exciting drinks, which introduced into their bodily systems such drugs as tended to arouse their imaginations – to prepare them for the visions and revelations that were about to be made to them. One writer puts it this way: “Strange and amazing objects presented themselves. Sometimes the place in which they were seemed to shake around them; sometimes it appeared bright and resplendent with light and radiant fire, and then again covered with black darkness; sometimes thunder and lightning, or fearful noises and bellowings, or terrible apparitions astonished the trembling spectators.” Then finally the great hidden god was revealed to them to calm them and to call forth their admiration and blind affections.

In this way Nimrod became the “father of the gods,” known as the first of the “deified mortals.” As such he was worshipped under the titles of Kronos and Saturn, the latter being the god of Mysteries, the name itself signifying “the Hidden one.” He was revealed to the initiated, but hidden to all others. In Greece and Rome Nimrod carried the name of Bacchus or Dionysus; and in Rome the bacchanalian feasts were notorious for their frenzied singing, dancing and revelry – often with extreme sex orgies added. Leopards were used to draw the car of Bacchus; and he himself was represented as clothed in a leopard’s skin, as were also his priests. Herodotus, the father of history, says Osiris and Bacchus are one and the same; their rites also were almost identical.

Not being content with the legerdemain described above, Semiramus eventually not only had the executed Nimrod raised as an invisible spirit being, but he had taken up his abode in the sun, whence he is now said to be overruling in the affairs of men. Zoroaster was the sun god, the champion of goodness and light; and his worship was the state religion of Persia before they embraced Mohammedanism.

So flourishing had this mysticism become under the instigation of Semiramus, that, when she eventually died, the myth was circulated by her devotees that she too was now an invisible spirit being, living in the moon – whence she ruled the world by night, just as Nimrod ruled it by day. It will be noted that the contour of a woman’s face is to some very clearly visible in the moon, when the moon is nearly full. In Isa. 47:13 the Prophet offers sharp criticism of such idiocy: “Let them take their stand, I pray thee, that they may save thee – the dividers of the heavens, the gazers at the stars, they who make known by new moons, somewhat of the things which shall come upon thee. Lo! they have become as straw – a fire hath burned them up, They shall not deliver their own soul from the grasp of the flame.” (Rotherham)

As the sun is the Lord of the day, so Semiramus is styled “the Queen of Heaven”; and this teaching had made considerable impression upon the Jews shortly before they were carried away into Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar for their seventy years’ captivity “until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths; for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfill threescore and ten years.” (2 Chron. 36:21) In Jer. 44:17,18, 19, 25, Semiramus is directly described as “The Queen of Heaven,” to whom the Jews “burned incense, and poured out drink offerings.”

The Chaldean name for Nimrod, the son of Semiramus, was Zero-ashta – from zero’ “the seed, “ and ashta, “the woman.” However, the word Ashta also means “the fire”; therefore, Nimrod becomes Zeroastes, or Zoroaster, the name of the head of the fire worshipers. The voice of antiquity is clear and distinct that the first and great Zoroaster was an Assyrian or Chaldean, the founder of the idolatrous system of Babylon; therefore, Nimrod. Nimrod was the first Babylonian king; hence the title Molech primarily applies to him, because Molech means ‘king.’ This makes clear why the Scriptures indicate Molech (or Moloch) to be the terrible god of fire, the earthly representative of Baal, the sun-god.

That this idolatry was already firmly established in the nations of Canaan when the Jews were leaving Egypt is clearly set forth in Deut. 12:31: “Even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.” And in Deut. 18:10 the Jews were emphatically commanded: “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire.” But Jer. 32:35 (written some 900 years later) tells us that the Jews had fully forgotten this commandment: “They built the high places of Baal in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind that they should do this abomination.”

This is Part One of a series of installments of The Three Worlds, which we trust will prove profitable to our readers to better acquaint them with the sins, evils and corruption of “the world that was” and this “present evil world” (Gal. 1:4), as well as enable us to appreciate the “world to come” wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Pet. 3:13)

“O come, let us sing unto the Lord: Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.... For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” (Psa. 95:1,7)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint No. 243, September 1975)

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Mrs. Hoefle: Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ from Jerusalem!

Just received your publication No. 398, “To The Jew First,” and read every word with great interest. The article did a fantastic job in exposing Anglo‑Israelism and the Jehovah’s Witnesses in their stand against the true Jews in Israel. This issue will certainly be filed for further reference.

We know the days are short before His coming as we look at the situation here in Israel. The enemies of Israel are being called “men of peace,” while Israel is being portrayed as the “man of war.” The Prophet Zechariah tells us of the day “all nations will come against Jerusalem and Judah,” and this day is surely around the corner. Once again, it appears the Church who has persecuted the Jews and failed in their work throughout the last 2,000 years, is ready to do it again, as they Join the world system against Israel. Just watch and you will see it happen.

We appreciate your support and prayers for our ministry work here. Truly the Laborers are few, so we must all stand together to accomplish His Will.

Shalom in His Name from Jerusalem, ------- (JERUSALEM)

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June 1, 1989

NO. 400: “HATED OF HIS BRETHREN”

by Epiphany Bible Students

No. 400

(Genesis 37:5‑28)

The Bible story of Joseph is one of the most interesting known to literature in any age and in any language. The portion which is here discussed might easily be termed a tragedy. It illustrates human nature good and bad, and in its various types and incidents furnishes valuable lessons, prominent among which is the oft‑repeated one referred to in James 3:16 – that envy is one of the principal roots of human depravity – selfishness – and that from this root have sprung some of the most injurious influences and experiences known to man – “every evil work.”

As we study the present article let us have this thought in mind, and apply each to himself the moral. If in our fallen condition envy can produce such terrible fruitage, how much on guard against it every true follower of the Lord should be. How each should realize that to permit the growth of even the smallest shoot of this root in his daily life might lead on to most disastrous consequences to him as a New Creature. Realizing this, each should be on guard for the extermination of this weed from the garden of his own heart. One writer has even said, “There is but one man who can believe himself free from envy, and it is he who has never examined his own heart.” Undoubtedly this evil root of selfishness is to be found in every imperfect son and daughter of Adam, whether it is flourishing under favorable conditions or dormant for lack of them, or from the overmastering power of grace. Only the heart that is aflame with love for God supreme and for his neighbor as himself is in a condition so sterile as respects envy that the latter has no opportunity for development.

With an abatement of our love for God and man comes a corresponding increase of favorable influence for the development of this root of envy and its concomitants of anger hatred, strife and every evil work – yea, murder – all of which the Apostle tells us are works of the flesh and of the devil, and hence to be shunned by all those who now and by and by would have the Master’s approval. Whatever may have been the natural tendency of our flesh, the new nature begotten of the holy Spirit of the Lord, the spirit of love, is expected by the Father to dominate and render sterile to envy all whom he recognizes as children of God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

At the time of our study Joseph was about seventeen years old, next to the youngest of Jacob’s twelve sons, and his father’s favorite. He was the son of the gentle Rachel, the specially loved wife of Jacob. Evidently he partook in large measure of his mother’s gentleness as well as of his father’s courage and faith, as all of his subsequent history shows. His elder brothers were of coarser type, so that all the circumstances and conditions justified Jacob in having a preference for Joseph, in considering him his specially beloved son. His father procured for him what in the common version is called a coat of many colors, and in the revised version a coat of extremes. It is presumed that the extremes were not of colors but of lengths – that the coat was long and had long sleeves, thus differing from the ordinary coats of the working people and corresponding to the style worn by the aristocratic. It is suggested, however, that the coat may have been of many colors, because upon some of the ancient monuments of Egypt such long coats are pictured as having been made of material of bright colors joined together in a kind of patchwork; thus it is possible that both translation are correct.

In any case the coat was a distinct one, and, in conjunction with Jacob’s acknowledged preference for Joseph, it helped to fix the jealousy and bitterness of his brethren, who in it saw the suggestion that in their father’s opinion Joseph would eventually be a ruler amongst his brethren – his father’s successor as the chief of the household, the tribe. We need not here stop to criticize the part of the father in manifesting so pronounced a favoritism. We can, however, realize that Joseph had such peculiarities as justified favoritism and special love. In this, as well as in many other respects, the Scriptures clearly indicate that Joseph was primarily a type of Jesus. The latter was the heavenly Father’s beloved Son, and He similarly was rejected by His brethren, He similarly was sold for silver, He similarly was delivered, we are told, for envy. (Matt. 27:18; Mark 15:10) More than this, Joseph typified the entire body of Christ, especially the star‑members, every member of which is to some extent represented in his experiences – to every member of which our Lord’s words apply, “The Father Himself loveth you.” (John 16:27) This is glory beyond thought.

Certain dreams which Joseph had and which evidently were in some manner inspired by the Lord, and prophetic, tended to further embitter his brethren, serving to fertilize the root of bitterness and envy which was in their hearts. One of these dreams represented a wheat‑field in which were twelve sheaves, one of which arose and stood upright while the others fell before it, as though doing homage. Joseph without evil thought, apparently, told the dream to his brethren, and they, lacking faith in the Lord and submission to the Divine will, were angered by the very suggestion that their younger brother should ever be their superior – “And they hated him the more for his dreams and for his words.” The words referred to Joseph’s report of misconduct on the part of some of his brethren. Righteousness, justice, seems to have been an integral part of Joseph’s natural character, and his report of his brethren was not a slander but merely what he considered to be proper, that his father should know the manner in which his business was conducted. (v. 2)

Another of Joseph’s dreams enkindled the anger of his brethren, and even drew a protest from his father, as though Joseph’s ambitions were the groundwork of his dreams. Nevertheless, Jacob pondered these things in his heart, and doubtless wondered how great his favorite boy might some day be. This second dream pictured the sun, the moon and the stars bowing to one star, and was interpreted to mean that the whole family would some day acknowledge Joseph as their superior. How preposterous this must have seemed to them all, including Joseph. Poor boy! His subsequent lessons in life doubtless taught him to be more secretive, not to tell every dream and hope, not to cast his pearls to those who could not appreciate them, but who would be angered thereby. How necessary to us all is the lesson of wisdom along the lines of secretiveness. Our Lord illustrates this, saying, “I have many things to tell you, but ye cannot bear them now.” There is a time to tell and a time to refrain – we all need to watch and to pray, “Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” (Ps. 141:3)

With the Scriptural record of inspired dreams before us it would be folly to denounce them and to declare them unworthy of any consideration. We remember the other miraculous dreams that Joseph interpreted, also Jacob’s, Peter’s, Paul’s, etc. On the other hand we need to guard ourselves lest dreams should be given undue importance. We are to remember that there was an appropriate necessity for dreams in the olden times which does not exist at the present time; because the Gospel Church is expected to walk by faith and not by sight – is expected to listen to the voice behind them saying, “This is the way,” rather than to expect a miracle or a dream to indicate the path of righteousness. The path beyond us is shown by the Divine Word, and we are to cultivate the ears of our hearts that we may have the proper direction. In harmony with this the Scriptures say, “He that hath a dream let him tell a dream, but he that hath my Word let him speak my Word.” (Jer. 23:28) Here the Lord indicates that a dream might be told if we have nothing better to tell – nothing more direct, nothing more authoritative; but that the Lord’s Word, His revelation, His inspired testimony is to be put far above all dreams of our own and of others. If a dream, therefore, corroborates some plain statement of the Word of God it may be used and appreciated in the same sense that we use and appreciate a type – not to teach a doctrine or duty, but to illustrate and call attention to the statements [of God’s inspired Words].

Joseph’s faithfulness in reporting facts led Jacob to make him a kind of overseer, and it was probably in this capacity that he was again sent to his brethren to Shechem, a three day’s journey – to carry to them some home delicacies and to bring word again to Jacob of the general conditions prevailing, the prosperity of the flocks, condition of the pasturage, etc. Not finding his brethren at Shechem Joseph followed directions to Dothan, manifesting in the whole procedure a considerable degree of courage and self reliance, sleeping outdoors at night as was the custom of the time and braving the dangers of the way. This shows us, too, that Jacob’s love for his favorite son did not lead him to spoil him entirely, and that the boy himself was recognized as one who could be trusted in a general way to care for himself. Many parents today are less wise, and fail to cultivate courage, determination, etc., in the children they favor – sometimes shielding them from difficulties in a manner which proves ultimately very prejudicial to their interests. The brethren as shepherds were accustomed to keeping a sharp look‑out for wild beasts likely to injure the flock, and discerned their brother at a distance. Forthwith the circumstances and conditions tended to a rapid germination of their root of envy and bitterness, and in a few moments had sprouted and brought forth in their hearts the spirit of murder. Nine of the ten at once agreed to kill their brother. The only one to object, and he covertly, was Reuben, who knew too well the bitterness of his brethren to venture to oppose them, and as a counter‑suggestion he urged that they do not murder him but put him into one of the dry cisterns of those parts, intending in his heart to return subsequently and secretly deliver his brother.

In these brethren we see illustrated the heart of the natural man, which might at one moment fight for justice and shortly thereafter violate every principle of justice. Was it not these same men who now, in violation of all brotherly love, were planning their brother’s murder, who only a short time before had avenged the dishonor of their sister by slaying the population of a whole village – in what they considered a righteous indignation against sin? The transforming influence of the Holy Spirit is necessary to correct these violent extremes of the fallen flesh; hence the Scriptures tell us that those who are begotten again of the Holy Spirit alone have the “spirit of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7) Truly in the natural man pride is an important factor, and often leads to murders and lynchings, ostensibly in the defense of righteousness – really in the gratification of an element of selfishness. It was then similarly pride, one of the roots of selfishness, that led to that wholesale murdering; and it was envy, another root of selfishness, which now led them to attempt to murder their brother.

Reuben’s plea was effective. Joseph was put into a pit and the brethren sat down to eat bread, doubtless consuming some of the very delicacies that Joseph had brought to them from home, while the poor boy’s cries and entreaties and appeals rang in their ears. They were stony‑hearted, unmerciful, as well as unjust: and indeed the natural heart is usually unmerciful. Mercy is often extended through shame or fear or policy amongst worldly people, but mercy in itself is an element of love which, although it originally belonged to human nature, has very generally been lost, and is principally in evidence amongst those who have been begotten again in heart likeness to their Lord. Our text does not mention the cries and entreaties and pleadings of the imprisoned Joseph, but another Scripture does when later these same brethren were forced by the famine in Canaan to go to Egypt to buy wheat.

Their brother Joseph was governor there, and he, affecting to consider them spies, put them in jail three days. It was while they were there that their minds were more or less awakened to the wrong doings of previous years, and they said to another, “We are verily guilty concerning our brother in that we saw the anguish of his soul when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.” Reuben’s reply to them was, “Spake I not unto you saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? Therefore, behold, also his blood is required.” Apparently Reuben departed from that vicinity after Joseph was imprisoned, intending to return later for his deliverance, but upon his return he found that his brethren had sold him to a company of merchantmen who had taken him as a slave into Egypt. (The Epiphany Messenger, The Present Truth, January 1, 1947, pp. 6, 7)

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QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: Is it important that we believe in Tentative Justification? Some Bible Students believe in Tentative Justification, and some do not.

ANSWER: We believe that Tentative Justification is very important and is a fundamental doctrine. In Rom. 12:1, the unconsecrated are called brethren: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God [having received Tentative Justification], that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, your reasonable service.” The truly “repentant and believing” receive Tentative Justification. Brother Hoefle wrote a paper on Justification which is very informative. We quote excerpts from this article as follows:

JUSTIFICATION IN THIS AGE AND THE NEXT

The primary power of God’s real people is THE TRUTH, and their secondary power is God’s Arrangement for the proper use of that Truth. Thus, the counsel to “give attendance to doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13) is sound advice for every time of the Age. And we believe it is the proper observation that a clear and comprehensive understanding of the doctrine of JUSTIFICATION will enable us to “continue in the faith” – never to stray away from the general Truth structure.

There are two kinds of Justification taught in the Bible – Justification by Faith and Justification by Works. Inasmuch as our present Bible is specifically designed for those of God’s people who “live by faith,” it is only proper that Justification by Faith should receive preponderance of favor for the past, present and future – until Justification by Works gains the ascendancy during our Lord’s Mediatorial Kingdom.

Since the time that “Christ brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10), Justification by Faith has had two component divisions – a Tentative Justification, and a Vitalized Justification. And it is herein that much controversy has arisen among God’s people, some claiming there is no such thing as “Tentative Justification”; others claiming it not only operates now but will continue to operate even during the period of Justification by Works. It is our opinion that those who deny completely a Tentative Justification for this Faith Age are thus forced to abandon large sections of that Truth which made them clean. It forced JFR to discard completely Tabernacle Shadows of the Better Sacrifices, so that Jehovah’s Witnesses no longer include that book in their course of study. And it is difficult to determine just what interpretation those people now give to Jesus’ words: “I say to you, Till Heaven and earth pass away, one iota or one tip of a letter shall by no means pass from the Law, till all be accomplished [fulfilled].” (Matt. 5:18, Dia.) Clearly enough, Jesus was thus telling us that the entire Law arrangement – of which the Tabernacle with its ceremonies was the central feature – was typical, and that all those types must continue until the antitypes appeared to fulfill them – fill them full to a completion.

In a flimsy attempt to justify his rejection of Tentative Justification, JFR made the false claim that Brother Russell rejected the teaching of Tentative Justification before he died; but this claim is directly disputed in the foreword of Vol. 6, Oct. 1, 1916. There Brother Russell sets forth Tentative Justification and Vitalized Justification as separate and distinct, as he also does in the 1909 Watch Tower, p. 360; the 1910 WT, pp. 12, 13, 93 and 246; the 1911, p. 394; the 1912, p. 152; the 1913, pp. 92‑94; the 1914, p. 67; the 1915, pp. 103, 104 and pp. 292, 293; the 1916, p. 281.

These citations leave no doubt about Brother Russell’s conviction about the teaching of Tentative Justification. Many others have joined JFR in the denial of Tentative Justification; and, since this teaching is a fundamental part of the Old and New Testaments, we are justified in concluding that those who once accepted it before October, 1916, but now deny it, must come under the classification of 2 Thes. 2:10, 11, Dia.: “They admitted not the love of the Truth... And on this account God will send to them an energy of delusion.” In our Lord’s announcement of the sentence upon the “unprofitable servant” (the Great Company) of Matt. 25:30, Jesus stated that he would be “cast into outer darkness” – the “darkness” meaning in this text, as it also does in 1 Thes. 5:5,6 and other Scriptures, “giving over to error.” (See especially the Berean Comment on 2 Thes. 2:11.)

Jesus had told the Disciples in John 15:3: “Now are ye clean through the words which I have spoken unto you”; and the conclusion must automatically follow that those who reject “the words” which once made them clean would then self‑evidently become unclean they become afflicted with antitypical leprosy – “he shall be defiled; he is ‘unclean”’ (Lev. 13:46). And this uncleanness will remain with that Class until the full end of the Gospel‑Age – “until the even” (Lev. 14:46). The cleansing will be accomplished with such in “the great tribulation” of Rev. 7:14, at which time they shall experience “the weeping and gnashing of teeth” of Matt. 25:30. And until this cleansing is accomplished, we may reasonably expect such unclean ones to cast out (refuse to fellowship) God’s fully faithful people who resist such rebellion (revolutionism). Let us keep in mind that it is always THE TRUTH that produces the separation between the Fully Faithful and the Measurably Faithful. Thus, the “hail” (the hard convincing Truth) sweeps away “the refuge of lies,” revealing those who have received the Truth in the love of it, and those who receive the punishment of “outer darkness” – ERROR and REVOLUTIONISM – LEPROUS UNCLEANNESS. Thus, we should “think it not strange” as we see this separating influence operate to a completion – “until the even.”

BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES

While we have great respect for the teachings of Brother Russell, yet we believe that a doctrine so weighty as Tentative versus Vitalized Justification should also be taught in the Bible, and that we should be able to produce a clear “thus saith the Lord” to substantiate our position – and not by one text only, but by at least two or three witnesses. And it is the failure to consider all that is written on various doctrines that has produced the great falling away since Apostolic times. Therefore, if we find our thoughts disputed by even a single text, we may be sure of three things: Either the text is spurious; we have a faulty translation; or we ourselves have the wrong interpretation. “It is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18); and, since the Bible is the inspired word of God, it likewise cannot lie – cannot contradict itself.

The first “witness” we shall consider in proof is 1 Cor. 7:14, Dia.: “The unbelieving husband is sanctified in the believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother; otherwise, indeed your children were impure, but now they are holy.” The word “holy” in the text is from the Greek word “hagios,” which means set apart, separate, holy. It is the same word that is translated “saints” more than sixty times. Clearly enough, a newborn infant could not possibly be a saint, but they receive a reckoned saintly standing because of their saintly parentage; and, since their parents are in the antitypical Tabernacle Court, their children would self‑evidently have to be there with them until such time as those children reach an age of accountability and can determine for themselves whether or not they wish to retain their Faith Justification and continue in the saintly footsteps of their parents.

Sometime ago a booklet came into our possession, in which the writer is very positive that there can be no Tentative Justification, because, says he, justification must be an instantaneous work. This brother also claims – as did JFR – that Brother Russell changed his mind on Tentative Justification. This contention is simply a ruse in a shabby attempt to gain support for his error – an error that will be clearly exposed and refuted in full, as our further comments herein will demonstrate.

Surely no one with the faintest understanding of Faith Justification would claim that the justification of infants is vitalized! Therefore, 1 Cor. 7:14 indisputably proves a Tentative Justification; and it is well to note in final summation that we are also clearly faced with two kinds of Tentative Justification – one acquired by the intelligent desire and cooperation of the recipient, and the other by infants acquired through no will or cooperation of their own. Also, it is that justification described in Rom. 5:1,2, Dia.: “Having been justified, therefore, by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have been introduced into this favor in which we stand.” This Tentative Justification – standing – is our “introduction” to God, which gives us “peace with God,” but does not give us the “peace of God” until we offer ourselves in accordance with Rom. 12:1 – to do the will of God, which, if accepted, then gives to us “the peace of God which passeth [human] understanding.” Only after that do we actually possess a “living” (zeal‑inspiring) faith.

As our second “witness” we consider Romans 4, starting with verse 3 (Dia.): “What says the Scripture? Abraham believed [had faith in] God, and it was accounted [reckoned] to him for righteousness.” Here again, it is clearly stated Abraham’s Faith Justification did not actually make him right; it merely accounted, or reckoned, him righteous. Thus, v. 7 – “Happy are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered” – no longer held against them because of their Faith Justification. Certainly no one who was ever in Present Truth would contend that Abraham and David had justification similar to the justification held by those of this Gospel‑Age who had come into the Body of Christ – vitalizedly, through a real imputation of Christ’s merit.

But note now particularly vs. 10 and 11: “How then was it accounted [to Abraham]? When he was in circumcision or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the symbol of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of that faith which he had while in uncircumcision; in order that he might be the father of all uncircumcised believers; that the righteousness may be accounted [reckoned] to them.”

All who were ever schooled in Present Truth are well aware that ancient circumcision was a type of the Gospel‑Age consecration, the physical circumcision typing that figurative circumcision of the heart that is made when one offers his heart and will to God in consecration. But St. Paul clearly states that Abraham’s righteousness was accounted, reckoned, to him before circumcision – that he might be the father of all who believe – all who experience a Faith Justification before they present themselves to God in consecration – before they experience the antitypical circumcision of the heart. St. Paul was truly a great logician, and his reasoning is so clear and direct in this fourth chapter, that it seems unbelievable that any who were once in Present Truth could cast it aside and then attempt to besmirch Brother Russell by saying he had also cast aside these compelling Scriptures.

Following his clear exposition of a tentative reckoning, St. Paul then proceeds to say in Rom. 5:1,2 that this Faith Justification arranges our “introduction” to God – not an intimate close family relationship, but merely an introduction, which will enable us to gain intimacy of soul with our Heavenly Father if we follow his appeal in Rom. 12:1 to “present your bodies a living sacrifice” – in consecration, which we are now in position to do as a result of our tentative, reckoned, Faith Justification – to “transform yourselves by the renovation of your mind.” (12:2, Dia.)

As our third “witness” we offer what we consider the most compelling proof for Tentative Justification, the same being the Atonement Day type of the wilderness Tabernacle as given in Lev. 16. The pattern given to Moses in the mount was emphatic that all animals used in that service must be “without blemish” (Lev. 1:3) – no visible flaws of any kind. But we now ask, did those animals have their physical perfection as a result of their presentation to Aaron in sacrifice, or were they offered up that day because they were previously found to be perfect? The answer need no elaboration: They were already “without blemish” when they were selected from among the children of Israel, and were brought into the Court, before they were tied at the door of the Tabernacle – their being tied there representing the consecration and presentation of those who were about to enter the Holy “in newness of life” through an instantaneous vitalization of that reckoned perfection which was already theirs before consecration. And it is this tentative faith justification, this reckoned perfection, that is our “introduction to God” (Rom. 5:2) – enabling us to enter into the Holy – into Divine sanctum – in vitalized justification – a condition exclusive to this Gospel Faith Age and exclusive to those only who are “begotten to newness of life” through direct imputation of the merit of Jesus.

Reverting to earlier statements in the above paragraph, we also point out that every antitype is pronouncedly greater than its type. Thus, Jesus as the antitype of the Atonement‑Day bullock was infinitely greater than was the type, requiring only the one sacrifice of Himself to cleanse from all sin forever all those who come to the Father by Him. And the members of His Body were also far greater than their Atonement‑Day type as represented in the Lord’s goat. Therefore, if those animals in the type must be “without blemish” (typically perfect) before presentation at the door of the Tabernacle, how much more must this be true of their Gospel‑Age antitypes? God cannot look upon sin with any degree of allowance, thus could never enter into a “covenant by sacrifice” with fallen beings unless the sin barrier were first removed. Therefore, it should be self evident that He must first provide a way – an “introduction” – for fallen man to come to Him; and this He has accomplished by arranging for a tentative, a reckoned perfection a Tentative Justification by Faith.

NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME

No fallen human being could arrange for this “introduction” to God by his own skill or merit; it must come through an intercessor, through one who could give him a reckoned perfection – and this He arranged through Jesus – “that He might be just, and yet be the justifier of him who believeth on Jesus.” (Rom. 3:26) And here again the Tabernacle type gives clear confirmation of this by the linen curtain which surrounded the Tabernacle structure and its surrounding plot of ground. The Divine Presence was portrayed by the Shekinah Light and shone forth from between the Cherubim in the Most Holy of the Tabernacle; and none could ever reach that presence except through Jesus – by first coming through the Gate into the Court, and inside the linen curtain, there to be reckoned perfect, righteous (“the fine Linen is the righteousness of saints”– Rev. 19:8), to provide proper “introduction” to God at the first veil, and for progress through life’s pilgrimage through the Holy to the Most Holy, where “we shall be ever with the Lord.”

Some may ask how such arrangement could be true of Abraham, who lived before the typical Tabernacle was erected at Sinai. We answer: It was reckoned to him, and to all with “the faith of Abraham” from Abel to John the Baptist. “Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it, and was glad.” (John 8:56) And, while none of the Ancients ever had more than a tentative, a reckoned justification, all that they did have came to them through a reckoned standing inside that linen curtain – which gave them a righteousness they could never attain of themselves. “Mine own righteousness is as filthy rags.” (Isa. 64:6)

“The Youthful Worthies, from the standpoint of having ‘the faith of Abraham,’ (Gal. 3:7, 9) are, of course, like him, of the Household of Faith. They are, however, somewhat different from the Tentatively Justified who do not now consecrate. The latter during the Epiphany cease altogether to be in the Household of Faith, having used the Grace of God in vain [for Gospel‑Age purposes].” (E‑4‑406)

After That Servant’s death JFR denied the doctrine of Tentative Justification altogether because it stood in the way of his “new light.” The Epiphany Messenger clearly refuted his “new light,” and established the doctrine of Tentative Justification in the Scriptures so unmistakably that no Epiphany‑enlightened brethren need be deceived now. In Epiphany Volume 4, p. 342, Brother Johnson says that “those faithful consecrators from 1881 until Restitution sets in, for whom there are no crowns available, and hence no Spirit‑begetting for Gospel‑Age purposes possible, will be the Millennial Associates of the Ancient Worthies in reward and service.”

And in conclusion let us consider that advancing Truth does not set aside the Truth already established, as some deceivers seem to think; all advancing Truth must be based upon the Truth already established from the Good Word of God. (Excerpts from No. 255, September, 1976)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – A TV Evangelist said that he would be happy to see God when he dies and goes to heaven, although he was afraid to face God. He said, ‘It is proper for us to be afraid of God,’ and quoted Psa. 111:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Is it proper to be afraid of God?

ANSWER: – No, it is not proper for us to be afraid of God. We should have supreme reverence for God and be fearful of displeasing Him by intentional wrongdoing. Fear in the Bible has two meanings – one meaning reverence and one meaning fearful, being afraid. The Evangelist does not “rightly divide the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) Had he consulted a Concordance for the meaning of ‘fear’ in the text he quoted, he could have given the correct interpretation of ‘fear.’

“God is love.” (1 John 4:8) “There is no fear [dread] in love; but perfect love casteth out fear [slavish fearfulness]; because fear has torment. He that has fear is not made perfect in love [for God].” (1 John 4:18) “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death [during this “evil world”– Gal. 1:4], I will fear no evil: For thou art with me; thy rod [corrections] and thy staff [God’s promises] they comfort me.” (Psa. 23:4) “God is a spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we Christ.” (2 Cor. 2:17) God does not frighten people into serving him as many have taught. All who love Him must have fear (filial reverence) for Him. He is a God of Love, Justice, Wisdom and Power, and plenteous in mercy. “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” (Psa. 86:15)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Emily,

Thank you for your kind personal letter to me. I have received the material sent to me. The nearest Bible Students are in Wilmington, Delaware.

I will be happy to receive your tracts. Thank you. With my best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year in God’s service. ------- (MARYLAND)

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Dear Emily Hoefle,

Thank you for your letter and for the papers and the book about “An Early American Christian Zionist.” This is very helpful. If you would send me THE DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES, I would appreciate it.

I was with the Witnesses for a time, but am not now. I have learned much about the past history of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Many things I had not heard before, and I would like to verify the information that I am getting by the Witness, Inc. It is by an ex‑Jehovah’s Witness. Some of this information is about Charles Taze Russell, and I am interested in the Truth of these matters. I don’t want to take some one’s word without verifying it. ...

You are giving me a side of C. T. Russell that I never knew. ... Years ago the only date I ever heard of was 1914, and that was because I was getting information from Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their explanation was that 1914 was significant because they now understood it to be the time Jesus started His Kingdom rulership over the earth.

Any information you can give me will be much appreciated. Thank you. ------- (OHIO)

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Dear Sirs:

I would like to request any information that you could supply me with in regard to your religious movement. I am interested in your movement and would appreciate this very much ------- (CANADA)

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Dear Sirs:

I would appreciate it if you would please add me to your mailing list. A copy of one of your publications was given to me. Thank you very much.

Sincerely, ------- (COLORADO)

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May 1, 1989

NO. 399: THE GOSPEL AGE TRUMPETS

by Epiphany Bible Students

No. 399

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

“If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Cor. 14:8) This query by St. Paul is undoubtedly prompted by the record of the two silver trumpets which the Lord told Moses to make (See Numbers 10) and which typify the Old and New Testament Bible messages. That these would be typical is evidenced by the fact that they had to do with the Law and the Tabernacle arrangements and the march of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan. They were to be blown “for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.” That these trumpets served more than one purpose is clearly stated in v. 5 – “blow an alarm,” and in v. 10 – “in your day of rejoicing and in your appointed seasons.”

While the main purpose of this article is the feature of v. 5, we first offer some comment on the second feature – the “appointed seasons.” Chief of these was the sounding of the Jubilee Trumpet every fiftieth year, which was to proclaim a special year of rest for man and land; and to set at liberty such of the Israelites whose improvidence had forced them into a state of slavery with their brethren. This Jubilee trumpet year was typical of the great year of Jubilee, the great thousand‑year day, the reign of the Christ which is to free mankind from the slavery of sin and death now more than six thousand years gone. This is described in Revelation 10 and 11 as the “seventh trumpet,” whose sounding began in 1874 and will continue throughout the entire thousand‑year day during which Satan, who “has the power of death” (Heb. 2:14), is to be bound that he may deceive the nations no more. Thus, we ourselves are now living during the sounding of this trumpet.

In Num. 10:8 it is stated that “the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets”; and it is worthy of note that in each of the seven epochs of the Gospel‑Age Church it was the priests ‑ the leaders in the Church, the Star Members – who began to blow the trumpets. In the first epoch (the church of Ephesus) it was the Lord and the Apostles, and they were quickly joined by the lesser lights in the Church as they embarked on their march toward the Heavenly Canaan. And this same condition prevailed with each Star Member during the Age. When Luther began to trumpet “Justification by faith” (early in the Philadelphia ‑ sixth ‑ epoch), he was soon joined by many capable brethren. This was pointedly true also after 1874 (when the Laodicean period began), when the seventh trumpet began to sound. That Servant soon attracted to him quite an assembly of able men and women ‑ some of them skilled in Hebrew and in Greek and other branches of secular learning. This situation is clearly emphasized in Joshua 3:6: “Joshua spoke unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people.” This typified the final march of the Church into the Heavenly Canaan during the sounding of the seventh trumpet.

And, since we are so directly concerned with the seventh trumpet’s sounding, it is well that we consider a few of its more important messages. Among the first of these is that given in Rev. 10:6: “There should be time no longer.” This statement has been accepted literally by the great bulk of Christendom, even to using the hymn, “When my work on earth is ended, and time shall be no more.” Just a little reflection must impress us that time must continue so long as there is any intelligence remaining to note and be influenced by time; and, since Jehovah Himself is without beginning or ending, so also time itself must be. Therefore, the hymn is a self‑evident inanity.

That Evil Servant also offered a perversion of this text almost equally ludicrous when his “Millions Now Living Will Never Die” and his 1925 deadline were time‑proven error. To divert attention from his colossal blunder on that date he proposed the interpretation that, since so many mistakes had been made on time interpretations, therefore, no more consideration should be given the subject. This also caused him to cast aside the Pyramid with its many time‑feature truths.

To answer this revolting perversion we direct attention to the proper translation of the text from the Diaglott: “The time shall be no longer delayed” ‑ that is, the long‑awaited “manifestation of the sons of God,” for which the slave‑burdened human race has been waiting with groanings and travailings, would begin to be made manifest by their proceeding to establish the Mediatorial Kingdom in power and great glory for the “blessing of all the families of the earth.” And among the first blasts of the Seventh Trumpet was That Servant’s declaration that the Millennial morning had most certainly appeared to eliminate the rule of sin and death, and he began to sound the seventh trumpet with great clarity and energy.

Although the seventh trumpet began to sound in 1874, it will continue until the complete separation of the sheep and the goats has been accomplished at the end of the Little Season. This will probably extend then over more than 1040 years. Over such a long period of time it should be evident that the message of “Present Truth” will not be the same at all times. Immediately after 1874 the cry went forth “Behold the Bridegroom,” which not only began the Gospel‑Age Harvest message and work, but also thundered forth the message that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. This was accompanied by “voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.” (Rev. 8:5) These identical words are repeated in Rev. 11:19 and 16:18, with the last text adding the words, “there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.” Some of these things have been in evidence now for a hundred years, with other parts still to occur – some in the immediate future, and some many years beyond this time.

Another of the initial features of the Seventh Trumpet is given in Rev. 10:7, “The mystery of God should be finished” – that “mystery which was kept secret since the world began” (Rom. 16:25) that the Christ is not an individual, but a composite company (See Berean Comments). It was this text that furnished the name for Volume Seven, “The Finished Mystery,” and which caused the sorest of trials upon God’s people in 1917‑1918. That book, which was made a test of fellowship by the Society then, has since become “expurgatus,” with the present‑day Society adherents forbidden to read it. Those of us who became involved in that grievous trial should have learned well the lesson that we should approach with much trepidation and minutes” scrutiny any new publication by crown lost leaders; but, sad to relate, so very few profited by the experience. At that period were there not only “great voices in Heaven, but the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead that they should be judged.” (Rev. 11:15‑18)

THE CALL TO BATTLE

But, not only did the seventh trumpet announce “your day of rejoicing,” it also gave out the call for all spiritual Israel to gird themselves for the battle of this Great Day, and to wholeheartedly respond to the Harvest message of Present Truth, to proclaim the controversial messages of the Harvest time – the Truth against Error. “And if ye go to war in your land [the sphere of the Truth and its spirit]... ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.” (Num. 10:9) Here, then, is the promise of victory to all those who wholeheartedly respond to the Trumpet’s call – “saved from your enemies” – the same being sin, error, selfishness and worldliness.

And the rules of the conflict are the same for all – “Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger [the Youthful Worthies], as for one of your own country [the Church of the Firstborn].” (Lev. 24:22) Typical of the conflict in the beginning of this Millennial Day is the record of Gideon and his fully faithful band of three hundred (Judges 7:15‑23), wherein the Truth people went forth to do battle with the antitypical Midianites (present‑day errorists). And in that type it was Gideon blowing his trumpet (v. 18) that signaled the others to blow with their trumpets, which brought consternation and complete demoralization to the Camp of Midian. The blowing of the trumpet was the call to Battle.

While the sounding of the Old Testament trumpets called Israel to actual physical combat, the New Testament trumpets have been a call to spiritual combat – by the “sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Eph. 6:17) And the same Apostle tells us that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [not intended to do bodily harm], but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (2 Cor. 10:4) But this change in Gospel‑Age technique is in no sense to be interpreted as teaching a calm complacency, an indolent satisfaction with any belief we are inclined to accept. Complaints occasionally come to us about our controversial writings, so we consider it in order here to quote what That Servant had to say on the subject in Reprint 735:

“So error of every kind wants to be let alone. The Scribes and Pharisees and devils of Jesus’ day, all wanted to be let alone; but Jesus and the Apostles would not let them alone. They exposed them, and declared it to be part of their mission to bear witness to the truth and let the light shine which reproved the darkness of error. Every member of the body of Christ should be controlled by the same spirit of opposition to error from love of truth and of those who are made to stumble by the errors.”

Also our Lord warns us – “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26) And That Servant warns in Reprint 2163: “Beware when all men speak well of you, and when multitudes are ready to line up with your work and your methods.”

However, we rest assured in the following: “Those who have been teaching errors will soon be ashamed (Isa. 66:5), while the fire of this day will only manifest the truth to all. No power, no tongue, no pen, can successfully contradict the truth, the great Divine Plan of the Ages. It is strong before its enemies and before all who make assaults upon it, and ere long the folly of its foes shall be made known to the whole world. ‘There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”‘ (Reprint 5916, July 1916)

Also the following from Reprint 4826, col. 2 of the June 1, 1911 Watch Tower on controversy is noteworthy:

“When Christianity dispenses wholly with controversy it will be like a sleeping man – harmless and helpless; it will be a sad spectacle.

“We were entertained at the house of a friend in New Hampshire, where Henry Ward Beecher was spending a day or two. It was his birthday and he was jubilant.

“He conducted prayers, and his utterances were equal to any of his published prayers in beauty, simplicity, and comprehensiveness.

“Immediately after he arose, he called the writer to him and pointed to a large picture hanging on the wall, representing a huge mastiff sound asleep with a piece of meat placed before him, and a lap‑dog quietly drawing it away. Said Mr. Beecher, pointing to the sleeping mastiff, ‘That is Orthodoxy,’ and to the little dog, ‘That is Heterodoxy.’

“So it is and ever will be. Controversy was the life of Paul’s works – polite controversy, brotherly controversy; but strong in exposing error and building up the truth. The Epistles are full of controversy. Moreover, many of Christ’s sayings were strictly controversial.

“It is more than a fine art to combine in one sermon the forcible overthrow of an error and a heartfelt appeal; but it is possible to attain unto it.”

It is most pertinent to this discussion to note that Truth has always been more generous with its opponents than has error when contradicting the Truth. As instance, That Servant was preached into eternal torment by the errorists of his day; whereas, he himself not only held a generous view of their ignorance: they will eventually come to a knowledge of the Truth, he said, and thus have full opportunity for salvation ‑ except in the case of those who sinned against the Holy Spirit.

The same may be said for the Epiphany Messenger. Great numbers of his opponents in the Society and other groups had him in the Second Death – which was giving him the same fate as did the hell‑fire preachers of the Parousia time. However, he himself repeatedly said there were many saints in the Society, although some of them honestly believed he was in the Second Death. And he was also generous with others who were not saints, contending that many of the others would eventually come to a knowledge of the Truth.

And the same comparison may be made of the Jehovah’s Witnesses today – being even more extreme in their conclusions: All who do not accept their errors will certainly go into the Second Death, even though they do not gainsay their errors. Such a doctrine was counted extremely ridiculous by their founder, Pastor Russell; and the same may be said for the Epiphany Messenger. Some of the Witnesses have openly told us that we are “a dead man” – beyond hope of recovery – although we are always courteous and cordial in our conversations with them.

And what shall we say of Jesus and the Apostles? Of those leaders who were thirsting for His blood Jesus said: “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven.” (Matt. 26:64) Clearly enough, He was granting them further opportunity for reformation and salvation.

AS “GOOD SOLDIERS”

And be it remembered that it was only after very minute instructions that Gideon and his three hundred proceeded to that battle against the Midianites – typical of the fact that the fully faithful in the end of this Age would also be thoroughly instructed in the cause, the method, and the art of the battle of the Great Day – “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,” but are the “sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.” Thus is stressed the necessity for knowing the Truth and imbibing fully of its spirit and emphasized in the Manna comment for December 20, “Only the studious find the narrow way to the Divine approval and acceptance.”

It is well that we bear in mind that our Lord, “the Captain of our Salvation,” never sends forth His soldiers without sufficient instruction to gain for them complete victory, so long as they are faithful. None are ever asked to do more than they are able to do. We recall an instance that was told to us very early in the Epiphany, wherein it was related how Brother Russell on a certain occasion was assigning some symposium topics to various brethren. One of them, receiving a subject which was difficult and new to him, began to make excuse, whereupon Brother Russell asked if he were going to whimper and whine his way out of the battle, or if he would be a “good soldier.” The brother accepted without further protest and gave an excellent account of himself for the service. Apropos to this incident are the March 28 Manna comments: “The true soldier does not debate his cause. He is rightly supposed to have settled upon its justice and righteousness before he enlisted to serve it.” Therefore, we may properly conclude that we must first learn the rules, then resolve to obey them in every circumstance, whereupon we shall certainly be able to “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Tim. 2:3)

Nor does “hardness” come in a day, a week, or a year; it is the result of “patient continuance in well doing – perseverance in good works” (Rom. 2:7, Dia.) – just as the successful boxer must do miles of “road work” in training for a bout, skipping rope, etc., to develop hardness and stamina in his legs, back and arms if he would eventually prevail. And by similar comparison must we engage in persistent study of the Truth if we would be “weaned from the milk” (Isa. 28:9) and become “skillful in the word of righteousness” (Heb. 5:13), if we would see victory as “good soldiers.” And it is by the victories of such good soldiers who “endure hardness” that the Truth progresses. Most of us have been witness to this, retrospectively or actively, all during the Parousia Epiphany days. It is the controversies with error that have advanced the fully faithful in Grace, knowledge and privilege of service – even as those same controversies have scattered and discomfited the errorists, so well typified in Gideon’s victory over Midian. It is during controversy that the Truth comes out ‑ much the same as necessity is the mother of invention.

A “BAD SPIRIT”

And all during the Gospel Age, but particularly now at its close, when the errorists have been so badly routed that they become speechless, they have then embraced the battle cry of last resort ‑ Those who wield the Truth against them have a “bad spirit.” To this day the foremost argument of the Roman Catholics against Martin Luther is that he showed a “bad spirit,” because he stunned them with the unanswerable truth against their many errors. It needs no argument that dear Brother Luther did not assail his opponents with “kid gloves”; in fact, his wording was at times so rough and uncouth that some of the present‑day good friends have questioned his saintly standing – have found it difficult to understand how any one using the language Luther did could be of the Elect Church. Regardless of his “bad spirit,” it seems clear enough that he had the Lord’s approval, because the times then prevailing required such a person as Luther to make his message effective with the people of that day.

And in 1917 the same retort of “bad spirit” was hurled at those that differed with “The Channel.” When H. J. Shearn, of England, was described as the most cunning hypocrite ever, that trickster gave answer, “You see, brethren, the ‘spirit’ that he shows.” Others of the discomfited Levites embraced the same weapon, as their errors were smitten hip and thigh, and they were sent into demoralized retreat, yelling “bad spirit” back over their shoulders as they ran. In answer to a letter we sent That Evil Servant, he said among other things, “Paul S. L. Johnson is vilifying me.” Yes, JFR was really being vilified – by the Truth, poor fellow!

Be it emphasized that the errorists have always been good runners, instead of “good soldiers” – just as the Midianites ran over each other that night in the valley of Moreh in their effort to separate themselves in haste from the small handful of men who were blowing their trumpets in no uncertain sound. Moreh means “teacher,” in allusion to the fact that so many errorists set themselves up as pastors and teachers in defiance of God’s faithful mouthpieces. Instance the case of Arius when he boldly faced the overwhelming odds at the Council of Nice – “the Midianites like grasshoppers for multitude.” (Judges 7:12) And against that horde came one old man, supported by but two others, to do battle as “good soldiers” against about 380 opponents. Arius, then almost 75 years old, was banished from the Roman Empire, a sentence sufficient to crush even a young vigorous man; yet this “good soldier,” who blew the trumpet message that “THERE IS BUT ONE GOD,” accepted that trying edict, not as a runner, but as the good soldier that he was; went to North Africa, and there organized a virile group of Christians in the remaining eleven years of his life. And what did they call themselves? Why, Arians, of course! Having responded to the trumpet’s call, Arius was a good soldier to the last. Some of the present‑day encyclopedias say that he was a man of clear intellect.

Thus, it does not surprise us that we ourselves have had similar experience since 1950 – especially in recent years. At times, since 1955, some whose errors we oppose, have been profuse with their accusations of “bad spirit,” even as they confuse and contradict each other – in like manner as did the Midianites at Moreh. Note the similarity here with Mark 14:56: “Many bare false witness against Him, but their witness agreed not together.” But in all of this our accusers have been excellent “whisperers” about the “bad spirit” of JJH.

The feature of response to the trumpet’s sound throughout this Gospel Age may be stressed in the good fight against sins of teaching and practice in entrenched strongholds of error. The fight against sin, selfishness and worldliness, individually considered, has been more of the head and the heart within the “good soldiers” themselves; but the conflict with errors of teaching and practice is the phase of battle that has made voluminous record in the pages of history. It was Jesus’ faithful “witness to the Truth” against Jewish priestcraft that cost Him His life. (John 18:37, see Berean Comment) It was exposure of errors by the faithful against the papal system that brought upon them the excruciating persecutions, indescribable for their heinous cruelty, and which spilled “the blood of the prophets and of saints.” (Rev. 18:24) It was That Servant’s attacks against the Midianite strongholds of eternal torment and inherent human immortality that brought upon him the venom and slander of Christendom – so much so that when one brother once said to him, “Brother, you are the most loved man on earth,” to which he replied, “Yes, and the most hated!” The same may be said for Brother Johnson. When he discomfited the crown‑lost errorists, and put them to complete silence, they then proceeded to whisper, “He hath a Devil – He is Satanized – He is an insane usurper.” And, since “The disciple is not above his Lord,” need it concern any of us if we receive the same treatment, we who are counted among His disciples? All thus abused have the strong assurance of our Lord’s interceding prayer on our behalf, “Rise up, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee” (Num. 10:35) – let the errorists do the running, as the faithful “good soldiers” do the pursuing with the Truth at their disposal, as their shield and buckler.

“GIVING ALL DILIGENCE”

When St. Peter appeals to the Fully Faithful to “give all diligence” (2 Peter 1:5), he also offers the appealing assurance that those who do as he counsels “shall never fall” ‑ even though we have need of reminder, though we know these things and “be established in the PRESENT TRUTH.” It is also the counsel of the worldly sage that “Diligence is the mother of good fortune” – to which may be added the words of Solomon, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings.” (Prov. 22:29) And the chief striving of every “good soldier” who answers the trumpet’s call should be diligence to “put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil [the especially deceptive false teachings of the errorists, the antitypical Midianites].” (Eph. 6:11) And to all who give such diligence in response to the trumpet’s call, to all such the promise is sure, “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling [no sifting error can possibly contaminate our abode].” (Psa. 91:10)

(Reprint No. 254, August 1976)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Friends,

I wish herewith to express my very great thanks for the papers you are sending me constantly – with a knowledge quite in line with the Divine Plan of the Ages.

I enclose a check to cover some of the postage costs.

Sincerely your brother, ------- (SWEDEN)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Greetings in our Saviour’s Name!

Thank you for your letter. Brother E. Martin who conducted the activities of the Institute until his death June last year did have a copy of the book on Brother Russell and Zionism a year or two back and passed it around among the brethren in this country. However, I don’t know its present whereabouts and a further copy will be welcome.

I don’t recall ever seeing the Bulletins of Brother David Horowitz and these could be rather interesting. I would be glad to receive a copy which could be passed around as appropriate. I can make copies here (assuming it is the usual bulletin form), likewise with your own monthly paper.

The Berean Bible Institute was set up about the same time as the Pastoral Bible Institute in the U.S. and the Bible Fellowship Union in England, and with similar objectives. It collaborates with these and the Dawn Bible Students in the U.S. It is independent of, but supported by brethren and Bible classes in this country.

The various Bible classes in Australia choose to take their studies direct from the Scriptures, though appreciating as you do the Volumes and other helpful literature available. The Melbourne Bible Class which my wife and I attend is presently studying ACTS in our morning service and the gospel of JOHN in the afternoon. The latter in particular is a rich study.

Thank you again for your letter and good wishes, which are heartily reciprocated. May the Lord bless us each and every one as we seek by His grace to remain faithful to His call – “not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”

With warm Christian love, Your brother in Him, ------- (AUSTRALIA)

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Dear Sister,

I needed your cheery letter, as I have been feeling “down” for months now. You wrote that you missed hearing from me. Others were neglected too. I did not send out any Christmas cards – only a few at the start of the season. I felt bogged down with things that needed to be done and lacked the ability to accomplish more than to take care of myself – prepare and eat what was needed.

I knew Elva’s husband, Casimir. He was a “live wire” re Israel. Your mention of Brother Kenneth Rawson going to Poland was the only thing I had read in it at the time. Please remember me to David and Nan if they do visit you in March. Do you think they would like the King James version of the Bible on cassette tapes?

Felt sort of “wooden” for months, but am feeling better now, with the Lord’s help. Yes, may we “keep up the good fight of faith,” and not let Satan beat our courage down. The Lord be near you to “bless, guide and comfort you,” also.

Thanks again for your letter. Christian love, ------- (CONNECTICUT)

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

We were very happy to receive the January‑February paper news letter with the announcement of the Memorial date for this year.

My chief reason for writing now is to kindly request that Sister Bastien’s son be listed to receive the newsletters. I was of the opinion that he was receiving them, but in conversation with him I realized that he does not receive them. He symbolized his consecration by baptism a few years ago, but was never regular at meetings. However, he has been trying now to attend general meeting on first Sundays.

He has a problem with his sight, but he tries. He is a school principal at a Primary school. He says that his children read for him. I shall be grateful if you will send him the January‑February edition.

I have not had the opportunity to visit Sister Rajnauth yet for the New Year, but I shall do so as soon as possible. In the Ecclesia the friends are reasonably well. Sister Jacobson has not been in the best of health but attends the meetings whenever possible. Sister Erelda Walcott is not experiencing the best of health, and seems always plagued with domestic problems.

At home we are reasonably in fair health. Vinessa has her pains with arthritis and circulatory problems in her legs, but she is coping. As for me, I am quite fair and coping with all my problems health‑wise and other‑wise, but am greatly assisted by trusting implicitly in the Lord. I can always find a reading from the ‘Daily Manna’ or Pastor Russell’s writings that strengthens and encourages me. We can truly say that we are blessed by having the Truth!

We all remember you in our prayers and thank the Lord for your service. With our Christian love and best wishes for a fruitful year.

Yours, ------- (TRINIDAD)

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Dear Sir (s),

Greetings! I have heard that your organization helps others and has the answers for the people of this world. Through interacting briefly with other people and by studying a little I came in contact with your address.

I am looking at different groups. I have chosen your group because it has particular interest for me. Can you help me by sending information from your group?

In closing, I appreciate your response to this letter in advance. Thank you!

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

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Dear Friend,

You are such a faithful and patient correspondent ‑ and friend! The mail today brought me/us your lovely letter of the 5th: It was such a pleasure to have it and to learn from it that you are as lively and devoted as ever and that you refuse to let “old age catch up with you”! God bless you! More power to you!

And I wish to assure you that I did read the Jan‑Feb. bulletin you enclosed, every word of it: Once again, it is a superb publication, very well edited and of arresting interest. I for one learned a lot from it. One example: On p. 6 you reprint the call for the recovery of Jewish manuscripts from the Vatican’s hold. The very fact of the existence of such a traveling exhibit was unknown to me; I am obligated to you for keeping me up‑to‑date!

I am happy to report that it is now definite that there will be a German translation of my book. [FAITH AND FULFILMENT] It’ll be somewhat abridged, but in substance will remain intact. (E.g., the chapter on the Mormons I have instructed to eliminate) The book is scheduled to be out either late this year, or in the spring of ‘90. (I think it’ll do the Germans good to read it. ...)

On the other hand, there is still nothing new re an American P/B re‑issue. But by temperament – and faith – I never give up!

We are well, Dina and self, as is the family. Thank you for inquiring! And I wish the same for you! Keep well and take care! And I am so grateful to you for your encouragement re the current situation here arounds: The Bible verses you quote are, indeed, pertinent. I wish you’d be able to read and know them in the original: They are a real shot in the arm!

With cordial regards and every good wish, Michael ------- (ISRAEL)

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Dear Friend,

Again it is my privilege to congratulate you and for putting out that splendid Jan/Feb. 1989 issue, #396, of your EBSA paper. You are courageous in unveiling untruth and revealing the TRUTH as it was or is.

The teachings of the THEOSOPHICAL Soc., whose original members were gifted with the power of “Inner vision” postulate the idea that man, as a species, first appeared on planet earth about 18 million years ago. The Rosicrucian teachings claim that the consciousness of man evolved through many stages of “unfoldment” from the primitive state to the present “sophisticated” state.

The portion on “THE JEWS” is intelligent and fair and, I do believe, much closer to the truth. As far back as my recollection can stretch, it has been said that the Vatican has many books and original MSS that were confiscated from the Jews, and that they do not want the world to know about.

About 30 years ago, I knew a very intelligent, sincere man, Dr. Harold Davis Emerson, a former bishop of the R.C. Church, who told me that while he was a bishop, he had access to the secret archives of the Church. As a Latin student, he said, he once spent three months searching through those forbidden books and papers, and could not find a single acceptable evidence of the actual physical existence of so‑called Jeshua, the highly vaunted “Christ.” When he began asking questions of his Church superiors, he was excommunicated. The Rosicrucians, however, postulate a “Mystical Christ” and have woven a beautiful tapestry of mystical interpretations around the central idea.

Some time ago I read somewhere that when the Jewish people were again settling in the region of Palestine, an internationally prominent Jewish leader approached the then Pope to ask his “blessing” on the idea of a Jewish homeland in that area. The Pope’s reply was, “Sure, let them all go there, and we will have many priests to receive them and baptize them to Catholicism.”

However, the first purpose of this letter was to ask you to send me your papers No. 390 and 391 – “IN THE BEGINNING.” To help you cover your actual expense, you will find a check enclosed.

Thank you, profoundly, and again, congratulations on the wonderful work you are doing.

As ever, ------- – (NEW YORK)

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QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

THREE COMMANDMENTS FOR CHRISTIANS

THE FIRST AND SECOND COMMANDS

OUR THIRD COMMANDMENT

MORE QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

THE PATRIARCHAL AGE

THE JEWISH AGE

THE GOSPEL AGE

LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

“THE WORLD THAT WAS”

“THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD” (Gal. 1:4)

LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

JUSTIFICATION IN THIS AGE AND THE NEXT

BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES

NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME

QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

THE CALL TO BATTLE

AS “GOOD SOLDIERS”

A “BAD SPIRIT”

“GIVING ALL DILIGENCE”

LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST