NO. 406: GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY

No. 406

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

At this time of the year there are so many people reminded of Jesus our Savior and it is a pleasure to see them rejoice in the Birth of our Savior. We well realize that much of the emphasis placed on this occasion is for commercial purposes, yet the general atmosphere is “Good Will To Men.” It seems to affect those who are not believers – especially those of “good will.” Even though we know it is not the correct date for the birth of our Lord, it is not indicated in the Scriptures that we should celebrate that event; therefore, if the world wishes to honor His birth, we can join with those who from the sincerity of heart appreciate Him as their Redeemer. We now offer the following from That Servant as given in our Daily Manna, with which we are in full agreement:

“Although we cannot agree that this is the proper day for celebrating the birth of our dear Redeemer, but must insist that it was about October first (Studies, Vol. 2), nevertheless, since He did not intimate His desire that we should celebrate His birthday, it is quite immaterial upon what day that event, of so great importance to all, is celebrated. Upon this day, so generally celebrated, we may properly enough join with all whose hearts are in the attitude of love and appreciation toward God and toward the Savior. The habit of giving little remembrances one to another at this time of the year seems to us specially appropriate. God is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. He is continually giving; and we are continually receiving from Him, but amongst all His gifts the One of greatest importance to us is the Gift of His Son to be our Redeemer.”

Although December 25 is generally recognized as the birth date of JESUS, there is not the slightest hint in the Bible or in secular history that this is the correct date. How then has this date been established? Jesus said, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39) Among the outstanding types of the Old Testament that “testify” of Him is the one on the Day of Atonement, in which sacrifice of the bullock typified Jesus as the Atonement for our sins. The bullock represented Jesus at the age of thirty years. This service was held on the tenth day of the seventh month – the tenth day of the seventh month is Tishri, or Tizri, which is represented in our calendar by about the tenth of October. And in every institutional type the antitype must appear on the same date as did the type.

The question now comes, Why this gross error? After the “falling away” (2 Thes. 2:3) became more pronounced in the early Church, the question of the same date for the Jewish Day of Atonement and the birth of Jesus propounded some irritating and intricate questions, so the “bright minds” of the time came up with this solution: The Vernal Equinox occurs about March 25, so Jesus would begin generation in Mary about that time; and nine months from March 25 would arrive at December 25, which should be the day of His birth. Truly, “Wisdom is justified of her children”! (Matt. 11:19) And we have here an excellent illustration of that truth. But we agree with That Servant, that we may properly enough join with all those whose hearts are in the attitude of love and appreciation toward God and toward the Savior on December 25, which is generally accepted as the birth date of our Redeemer.

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” But the Jehovah’s Witnesses bring us “bad tidings of great misery” for all those who do not join with them. According to them, the vast majority now living will be annihilated in Armageddon unless they join with them beforehand. So the majority of this generation will have no opportunity of eternal life in the Kingdom. But the Scriptures clearly teach, “there shall be a resurrection of the dead? both of the Just and the Unjust” (Acts 24:15), which will not only include those of past generations, but those of this generation also. There has never been a time when the Adversary has deceived the children of this world more than today so why should we be surprised at those who are unable to accept the Truth? “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Cor. 4:4) But we are promised that the “eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped” (Isa. 35:5) in that glorious Kingdom.

Jesus did not die for the few who become His footstep followers during this Faith Age, when sin is in the ascendancy, but He died for all mankind – to be “testified in due time.” (1 Tim. 2:1–6) There are Two Salvations – one for the world of mankind who have been “blinded by the god of this world,” – called the “common salvation” (Jude 3); and the “great salvation” (Heb. 2:3), which is the salvation of the Elect during this Faith Age – the footstep followers of our Lord – the “called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28) “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31)

The story of the “good tidings” of this text (Luke 2:10) is so familiar as to require no special comment – yet in its simple details lies the hope of the whole world. For four thousand years the birth of this child was promised, and during these forty centuries some faithful souls continued to trust in the promises and to look for the salvation to be brought about through Him. We may surely take it for granted that the humble shepherds to whom the message of the Lord’s Advent first came were men who thus hoped in the promises of God; for to such, and to such only, the Lord discloses His purposes.

These men where quietly tending their flocks by night when suddenly “the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” (Luke 2:9) But their fear was soon overcome by the message of the angel, which, strange to say, has been partially omitted – leaving out one of the grandest features of the message – that it was to be to all people.

The message reads, “Fear not; for, behold I bring you good tidings, of GREAT JOY, which shall be to ALL PEOPLE.” (v. 10) It will be observed that the blessedness of these tidings is cumulative: first, it is “good tidings”; then, it is “great joy”; and then the crowning feature of it is that it is to “all people” – not only to you shepherds who are this night looking for the hope of Israel, but for your friends and relatives – to all their friends and relatives and neighbors far and near, to both those who now live, and to all those now in death.

Blessed tidings! Hearken to the gladsome sound: “For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (v. 11) Then He was to be a Savior to all people: so the Scriptures clearly affirm, saying that, by the grace of God, He tasted death for every man, and that He gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time – for all. (Heb. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:6) The testimony, however, is quite as necessary to the salvation of the sinner as the fact that Christ gave Himself a ransom for all. The favor of salvation will not be forced upon any; but the testimony that it has been provided for every man, on condition of his acceptance of the favor upon God’s terms, is to be given to every man, for his acceptance or rejection. And though millions of the race for whom Christ died have gone down to the grave without such testimony, still the fact remains that the testimony shall be given in due time – which due time, to all such, must be after their awakening from death.

And to this agree the words of the Lord: “The hour is coming in which all that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and shall come forth; they that have done good [who in this present life have come into Judgment and who have passed their trial successfully], unto the resurrection of life [the full reward of the faithful. Such will be the overcoming church]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:25-29) That is, the latter class will come forth from the grave to have the truth testified to them for their acceptance or redaction; and their final judgment of worthiness or unworthiness of life will be based upon their course under trial after the truth has been testified to them in the Millennial Age the Age now just ahead of us. Thus the angel of the Lord preached the good tidings of the restitution of all things (Acts 3:19-23) to the shepherds on the plane of Bethlehem.

Verse 12: Then they told where and how they should find this bud of promise, so that when they would see Him they might feel doubly assured that this was He.

Verses 13,14: “Then suddenly there was with the angels a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” This shows how the angels of God are interested in the affairs of men, and how they sympathize with us and rejoice over our prosperity. And this reminds us of other statements to the effect that there is joy in heaven among the angels over one sinner that repenteth (Luke 15:7); and that they are all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation. (1 Peter 1:12; Heb. 1:14) Thus we see them to be creatures of God full of loving benevolence even toward a fallen race, and esteeming it a privilege to serve the heirs of this salvation, although they know, as they studiously look into God’s Plan, that some of this fallen race are by and by to be highly exalted, even above the angels who never sinned.

Thus we see their humble recognition of the right of the Creator to do what He will with His own, and their cheerful and joyful acquiescence in His perfect will, which they know to be determined by His unerring Wisdom and His fathomless Love. Oh, what universal joy will prevail when the whole family of God in heaven and in earth is brought into fullest harmony under Jehovah’s Anointed!

Verses 15,18 show the teachable attitude of the shepherds: they recognized the angels and their message as from the Lord, and, their fears being allayed, their hopes revived and their faith increased, they felt that they must go at once and see this which had come to pass. And when they had so determined, a strange star (evidently a meteor, as it could not have been a fixed star) appeared, moving in the direction which the angel had told them to go; and they followed the star until they reached Bethlehem, when it stood still over the place where the young child was. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him and presented to Him gold and frankincense and myrrh, recognizing Him as the long–promised Messiah. And being warned of God in a dream, they disregarded the request of Herod to inform him of the whereabouts of the new–born king, and so departed into their own country another way. But as they went they published abroad the good tidings which the angels had brought to them, and how they had actually seen Him of whom the prophets testified.

Verse 19: “But Mary [mother-like] kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart,” doubtless calling to mind also the message of the angel to her. (Luke 1:28-35) Again and again we seem to hear her say, “My soul doth magnify the Lord... for He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden... He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name.” (Luke 1:46-49)

Verse 20: The shepherds returned to their flocks, fully assured of the wonderful truth that the promised seed of the woman who was to bruise the serpent’s head had really come. (Gen. 3:15) And they rejoiced and glorified God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as they were told unto them.

“NEVER MAN SPAKE LIKE THIS MAN”

(John 7:46)

At this analysis a review is in order. We begin at the Mount of Beatitudes and close with the Mount of Transfiguration, and on the way in the Master’s words and conduct find illustrations of the wonderful teachings of the Sermon on the Mount and how faithful obedience to the instructions there given will mean to us eventually a place in the Kingdom, pictured in the Transfiguration scene. The blessings of the meek, the merciful, the persecuted for righteousness’ sake, etc., all will find their fulfillment when, by the grace of God, we shall eventually be changed, transfigured, by the Redeemer and Lord – “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.” (Matt. 13:43)

How wonderful are the Lord’s dealings with us and yet how reasonable. His appeal is, “Come let us reason together: though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool.” (Isa. 1:18) He shows us how He has prepared for this: that He Himself was provided, the sacrifice for sins; that our Lord has already died the Just for the Unjust that He might bring us to God, and that God can be just when He receives us, just in His dealings with us, because the justice element of His Law has been fully met on our behalf. He gives us a glimpse of the blessings He proposes to bring to the world of mankind, points us to the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice takes away the sin of the world, and invites all those who have love and sympathy and appreciation to come now and accept not only life eternal but favor – joint–heirship with His Son in the glorious Kingdom which is to bless the world in the great uplift of “restitution, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:19-21)

This message comes to us through the Son of God, of whom our text declares, “Never man spake like this man.” No wonder the apostles said to Him when some were forsaking Him, “Lord, to whom should we go? Thou hast the words [the message] of eternal life.” (John 6:68) Others may indeed think that they have eternal life in themselves – they may persuade themselves that by some inherent, immortal principle they will live forever, and that when they die it will merely be the appearance of dying, and actually they will become in that moment more alive than ever. At best that is a very difficult thought, and few are able to so hypnotize their own judgments as to believe it. We on the contrary, hearkening to the voice that spoke as never man spake, hear His declaration that our hope is in Him as the “resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) We hear Him telling us that the hour is coming in the which all that are in their graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth. (John 5:28,29) It is reasonable.

We can reason together with God when we take the voice of His Son and reject the voices of the “Dark Ages.” From this standpoint – that a resurrection has been provided through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus – the whole matter of the redemption which is in Christ Jesus – the whole matter of death and eternal life is clarified before our mental view. We see the condemnation through Adam, and how death is justly reigning throughout the whole world of mankind ever since. We see the death of Christ, the Just for the Unjust; that He has bought us with His precious blood, that He has paid our ransom price, and that as a result, in God’s due time, all shall come forth from the power of the tomb. We see the keys of death and of the grave in the hands of the One who has purchased all; we rejoice in the proclamation of the coming blessing to all the families of the earth, through a release from this power of sin and Satan and death.

We hearken still more intently to the voice of Him that speaketh as never man spake, and hear Him assure us that there are two resurrections – one a life resurrection, the other a judgment resurrection. We hear Him tell us that only those who through faith and obedience attain a standing with God under the cover of the precious sacrifice will be counted the good, the justified, and only they will share in the life resurrection, because only they will have passed their trial and be counted worthy of life. All others will come forth to the judgment resurrection to be disciplined under the Kingdom, to receive stripes in proportion to the willfulness in which they have cooperated in their own downfall into mental, moral and physical degradation, but to be helped by the stripes, to be corrected in righteousness, if they will, and to be brought step by step out of the sin-and-death conditions, up, up, up, by resurrection power of Jesus, to the full perfection, to all that was lost in Adam.

Well may we rejoice in this One who spake as never man spake, in Him who has the words of eternal life. Respecting those words the Apostle Peter says, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these we might become partakers of the Divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:4) Yes! Wonderful words of life, tell them over again, think them over again, rejoice in them more and more – let them fill our hearts and be in our mouths a new song of the loving kindness of our God, whose tender mercies are over all His works.

Of these words, which the Master spake as never man spake, the Apostle further declares that He spake of our salvation. He says, “Which salvation began to be spoken by our Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him.” (Heb. 2:3) Not only was there no eternal life in our race, and no hope for attaining any except through Jesus, but all of the promises of the past would have been powerless without His work of atonement, and not until He came was it known how our redemption was to be accomplished. True, the Lord had provided various types and shadows in the numerous sacrifices of the past which illustrated the fact that “without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin” (Heb. 9:22); but they could not be understood until the antitype had come. Then He brought life to light and immortality to light – life for the world, eternal life to be conferred during the Millennial Age – immortality for His Church, His bride, His Little Flock, His joint-heirs. These were never brought to light before; they were faintly seen and vaguely described, but it remained for the Great Teacher – Jesus – to set forth before us the salvation which God had proffered through Him. Thank God that our hearts have made our lips more and more tell forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Through faith in Him the Little Flock are already reckoned risen to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4), and through Him by and by the Father will raise them up by His own power, that they shall be like Him and share His glory, honor and immortality.

THE SAVIOR OF ALL MEN

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

A NEW HEAVENS AND EARTH

Another testimony, which incidentally identifies the Judgment Day with the Millennium, is found in 2 Peter 3:6-13: “Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished [not the literal world – the earth – nor the human family perished, but the symbolic world, the order of affairs which then existed, was destroyed by the flood]: but the heavens and the earth, which are now [‘this present evil world’ – Gal. 1:4, the order of affairs now existing: its heavens being its religious systems and teachers and its earth being its organized society], by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire [a symbol of destruction – Mal. 3:2,3; 4:1,3; Matt. 3:11,12; 1 Cor. 3:12-15; Rev. 17:16; all the symbolic earth will be devoured by the fire of God’s jealousy – Zeph. 3 8] against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing [do not forget], that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day [this identified the day of judgment of v. 7 as a thousand–year day]. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness [God’s time seems slow to the natural man]; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord [the thousand–year Judgment Day] will come as a thief in the night [compare 1 Thes. 5:1-3]; in which the heavens [not the literal heavens, but Satan’s false religious systems – compare Heb. 12:26, 27] shall pass away with a great noise [uproar and confusion], and the elements shall melt with fervent heat [the various component elements of the present symbolic heavens and earth will disintegrate], the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up [Satan’s selfish, unjust and corrupt social arrangements shall be destroyed; but the literal earth is to remain, just as it remained after the flood – ‘the earth abideth for ever’ – Eccl. 1:4].

“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens [Jesus and His faithful followers, the Millennial religious ruling powers] and a new earth [human society organized on the basis of truth, righteousness and love, as against the erroneous, unjust and selfish arrangements of the present evil earth], wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

Thus by then Jesus will have destroyed the devil and all his works. Accordingly, we look for the Millennial Age to witness the destruction of the sentence of death, as well as all the effects of that sentence: sin, error, superstition, sorrow, pain, sighing, crying, sickness, famine, pestilence, drought, extreme heat and cold, scarcity, war, revolution, anarchy, oppression, poverty, ignorance, dying and death. (Rev. 21:1–4; 22:3)

RESULTS OF THE KINGDOM’S REIGN

One of the results of the Kingdom’s reign will be the utter extirpation of all the effects of the curse as the unholy fruits of Satan’s rule, authority and power. Among other passages, 1 Cor. 15:20-26 shows this. We quote it from the Improved Version: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become a first fruit [Jesus] of them that slept. For since by man [Adam] came death, by [a] man [Jesus] also shall come the resurrection of the dead. For as all in Adam die [Jesus did not die in Adam, for He was not in Adam, and therefore our correction of the translation], even so all in Christ shall be made alive [e.g., the Little Flock is in Christ; they shall be made alive first and primarily]. But every man in his own order: Christ a firstfruit [the Church is here meant]; afterward they that are Christ’s at [during] his presence [those who are shown to be our Lord’s faithful followers during His presence, these shall also be made alive]. Then cometh the end [the end of the Little Season, when He shall have ruled over all the earth and given every man the opportunity to gain eternal life, which His Ransom–sacrifice,–a corresponding price, enables Him to give], when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father [for God will be the final judge over the earth and will exercise His judgment through Christ, the Head, primarily, and secondarily, the Church, His Body, as His Vicegerent]; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and [all] power [every vestige of the governorship and of the pretended might of Satan, all of this will be put down by the almighty hand of Christ, the Head, and the Church, the Body, using God’s power as that almighty power in their hand]. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death [thus we see that not only persons are these enemies, but also things. The Adamic Death in the sense of the dying process is this last great enemy; and, because of His faithfulness, Jesus is the One who will in the Little Season finally destroy it].”

But not all will obtain eternal life. Those who will not even externally reform, but will continue to be rebellious to the Kingdom during the thousand years, will after a hundred years of opportunity be cut off in the Second Death (Isa. 65:20); while those who will reform externally, but without a heart reformation, will live throughout the thousand years and attain human perfection; but by the trial during the “little season” at the Millennium’s close, their unholy heart’s condition (the Adamic process) will become manifest, and they will perish in the Second Death – everlasting destruction (Rev. 20: 7-9, 15; Mal. 4:3; Psa. 37:10, 35, 36, 38; Isa. 1:28; Acts 3:23). Those who during the Millennium will practice truth and righteousness, from the love of these principles, will be lifted up to human perfection not only in their faculties, but also in their characters (Isa. 66:10-14), and will thus be enabled to remain faithful amid the final trial during the Little Season after the Millennium; and these shall inherit the earth forever, as paradise restored (Matt. 25:35-40; Isa. 65:16-25). Such will be the grand results of the reign of Jesus and the Church in the earth (Rev. 21:3-5; 22:1-3).

The sad tragedy of sin will forever have ceased to be enacted. The ages to come will witness the realization of the angels’ song of Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will to men (Luke 2:14); and from every part of the Universe the glorious Hallelujah chorus of Jehovah’s numberless choirs, without one discordant note, shall forever and ever celebrate Jehovah and Christ, for their glorious Persons, holy Characters, wonderful Plan and great Works (Rev. 5:13)! Therefore let every lover of God and man, of truth and righteousness, pray, “Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth, as in Heaven”! As the hymn says, “I love to tell the story”!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him aloud with heart and voice, –And always in His Son rejoice.

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint No. 282, December 1978)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sister Hoefle,

Israel stands in its last great and final fight because the hate against this small people has become mighty. Also the so-called Christian World stands fully in the camp of the enemies. The Church of Laodicea is completely failing.

But the Lord has well prepared His people. It is now 20 years since we were allowed to proclaim in this land the coming of the Lord and His Kingdom; and with the help of the newspapers in Israel, we and our activity have become well known in all the country.

Despite the tense situation the Israeli Information Ministry issued a prospect which tells about the activity in Emek ha Shalom and all the new building activity in all the district of Meggido with the center in Emek ha Shalom. We worked on this prospect in order to make it understandable for our friends.

We are fully convinced that no might on the earth can hinder the great decision of the Lord – and you can proclaim this in your personal circle.

Could you please let us know the particulars, place and time, about the sermons of Brother Russell abroad, and send us a list? For instance, in Vienna there was a big meeting in the Circus Renz in 1911. On the first day Brother Russell spoke to the brethren, and on the second day he spoke to the Jews. There were about 5,000 who attended this second meeting. But these facts are not mentioned in any publication that we have seen.

Connected in the unshakable hope,

Your brethren, Brothers Bezner and Schmidt,  (ISRAEL)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Greetings of Grace and Peace!

Thank you for the July-August, #401 and #402 issues of your publications. Enjoy reading them. On the shipping or mailing labels please add #A-1 to the address as there are B-1, C-1, etc. Thank you!

Yours in Christ, ------- (OREGON)

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Dear Brethren: Grace and peace!

I am not much good at writing, but I wanted to tell you about a visit I had with a Jehovah’s Witness. As the letter in the August 1989 paper says the Witnesses do not come to their home, it is the same with me, they do not come to my house very often. But on Memorial weekend a woman came to the door to sell me a paper. When I told her I would give her a book about Brother Russell, she said she would be glad to get the book and pay for it, as he was the founder of their organization. However, when I got the book she said she couldn’t take it as they were not allowed to read anything written or printed by a man. I asked her who wrote their papers. I told her my grandmother was in the Truth when Pastor Russell was alive, and when I told her who she was she said she was a ‘kin’ to the Horns.

She wanted to hear more about her and made an appointment to come back. But I have not seen her since. It seems they are not very truthful. [They apparently are not “of the Truth”]

With Christian love, ------- (NORTH CAROLINA)

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Dear Sister Hoefle,

“For God has allowed us to know the secret of his plan, and it is this; he purposes in his sovereign will that all human history shall be consummated in Christ, that everything that exists in heaven or earth shall find its perfection in him. And here is the staggering thing ... that in all which will one day belong to him we have been promised a share ...” (Eph. 1:11-14 Phillips translation.)

What a wonderful promise to the overcomer. Whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for the true believer.

Thank you for your letter of September 3rd. Yes you are right, Helen’s mother passed away June 3, 1989, at 98 years old. She was bedridden for over one and a half years. We considered it a privilege to care for her. She was indeed a saint, never complained and was always grateful for everything we did for her.

We are grateful to the Lord that we did not have to place her in a nursing home. She spent a few hours in the hospital after she suffered a heart blockage.

After 46  years Helen and I are on our own.  Because of her father’s condition we moved in with her folks to  care for them. The upside of it all was that we could serve and visit our brethren in this country and Canada on week ends.

Helen was 73 on August 31, and I will be 68 on October 4th. On November 1st I will have been retired 9 years  from General Motors. Hope this answers your question about our family.

We don’t know who wrote THE ADVENTIST FAMILY since it was copied from a library book entitled the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN HISTORY. Brother T. Tzreciak received it from a brother in Pittsburgh and passed it on to me.

I agree with your comment “It would be hard for some people to come into the Truth after reading all these things – good and  intelligent people, too.” It appears that we Bible Students just love to divide. Is it possible that we are fulfilling the words of St. Paul in Gal. 3:15? “But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you are not consumed by one another.”

No, I don’t have a copy of David Horowitz’s book  nor do I get his Bulletins. What do I have to do to get them?  Yes I would like a copy of Brother Hoefle’s discourse (I wonder why we never use the word sermon?) at the funeral...

Helen joins me in sending our love to you and the brethren working with you.

Yours in HIS service, ------- (ILLINOIS)

PS – Enclosed is the magazine INSIGHT with three articles on the problems Israel leaders have.

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Dear Mrs. Hoefle:

Thank you so very much for replying to my letter and for the literature. I read them all with great interest. I am writing to accept your offer, so if you please, add me to your mailing list. And yes, I would appreciate it if you would send me more information on the books you have in stock.

To make along story short, I purchased the book “CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL, An Early American Christian Zionist” from the publishers, the Philosophical Library ...

I am somewhat familiar with the works of Charles Taze Russell. I’ve spent hundreds of dollars Xeroxing what few of his works I could find at the library. I’ve accepted the fact that he was indeed a gifted person, The great Jehovah God has indeed used Pastor Russell to shine as a light in this spiritually dark world .

My only question was, since it’s obvious that the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of today have strayed from his teachings, where would I find those who are truly carrying out his work today?

Well, Mrs. Hoefle, I don’t want to take up much more of your time. Since I already have a copy of Mr. Horowitz’ book, I will accept your offer for a copy of  “THE DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES.” And if you wish to know more about me and my religious background, I will be more than happy to answer any and all of your questions...

A small check is enclosed for the literature you sent me and for “The Divine Plan” plus postage.

Once again thank you so much for replying to my letter. May the Lord bless you as you carry on  His work.

Sincerely, ------- (NEW YORK)

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NO. 405: THE THREE WORLDS – CONDITIONS AND PEOPLES – (Part Four)

No. 405

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

As explained in previous papers, the first world – “the world that was” – consisted of but one Age or Dispensation; the second world – “this present evil world” – has been comprised of three Ages: (1) the Patriarchal Age, (2) the Jewish Age, and (3) the Gospel or Christian Age. The latter is now rapidly drawing to a close, and will immediately be followed by a new order of affairs “wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13)

In Eph. 2:7 St. Paul speaks of “the Ages to come,” and the Bible reveals that the first of these will be the Millennial Age. The words Millennial and Millennium as such are not in the Bible, but the idea contained in those words is very clearly taught therein. Millennium is a Latin word – an adjective meaning thousand-yeared. In Latin it is combined with the noun regnum (kingdom). Therefore, the expression regnum millennium means thousand-yeared kingdom. The Latin adjective millennium has been accepted literally into English, but as a noun instead of an adjective – and refers to that period of time in which Christ and His Church will reign over the earth and mankind – the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth.”

This thought is clearly demonstrated in many Scriptures, such as 2 Tim. 4:1; James 2:5; Rev. 3:21, 11:15, 20:4-9. In Rev. 20:4 it is expressly stated that “they [the Church] lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” And Rev. 5:10 states, “We shall reign on the earth”; thus, the earth will have to be here for that thousand years if the Christ Company is to reign on it during that time. And Rev. 11:15 states further, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever [throughout the ‘Ages to come’].” The setting of this last text clearly shows that the setting up of this “reign” is to be preceded by much turmoil and violent disorder, after which time “He maketh the storm a calm.” (Psa. 107:29; Matt. 8:26) This Matthew text is a striking demonstration of how it will be then. That thousand-year reign is also described in the Bible as “the day of the Lord” – “the day of God” – “that day,” etc.; which infer the Millennium, because “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8; Psa. 90:4)

The Millennial Age immediately follows the last Age (The Gospel Age) of “this present evil world,” and is, therefore, the first Age or Dispensation of the “world to come,” and will be the first thousand years of the third world. It will be followed by the “Ages to come.” How many of such Ages there will be we do not know, because the Bible is silent on the matter; but we do know that the “world to come” will be endless; “Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation... world without end” (Isa. 45:17) – “He shall reign for the Ages of the Ages.” (Rev. 11:15, Dia.) Therefore, apart from the Millennial Age – the first Age of “the world to come” – we know almost nothing about the Third World, except that its many Ages will be completely devoid of evil with all beings in Heaven and on earth in harmony and peace with each other – “They shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” (Zeph. 3:13)

God’s revealed “Plan of the Ages” (Eph. 3:11, Dia.) covers the period of Creation in “the world that was” to the close of the Millennium (the “world to come”); therefore, it would profit us nothing to attempt to delve into that which has not been revealed. We are told in Rev. 20:12 that “another book was opened,” and it would seem from this that a third division of the Bible will be added to the Old and New Testaments, which will offer some enlightenment on a future that is now very dim to us.

We would be better occupied here to consider some of the workings of the Millennium as they are revealed to us now. Rev. 22:3 says that when the Throne of God is established in the earth “there shall be no more curse.” However, it is clearly stated in various Scriptures that presently we do experience the effects of the curse – the curse that was pronounced upon Adam as a result of his disobedience. (Gen. 3:16-19; Rom. 5: 12-21, 8:19, 20:22; 1 Cor. 15:21, 22) This curse affects mankind physically, mentally, morally and religiously. The imperfect conditions that now prevail in the earth have placed a great burden on man physically. As we see things today, the great majority of the human race is engaged in a vicious struggle just to keep alive – to have food, clothing and shelter sufficient for survival. It is axiomatic that man lives in hope, and dies in despair. Heat and cold, myriad of disease germs (it is stated that man is subject to about 2,000 different maladies), major calamities such as earthquakes, violent storms, etc., continually sap man’s vitality. Man’s inhumanity to man, coupled with “the darkness that covers the earth, and gross darkness the people” (Isa. 60:2) hangs over the human race like a black night without stars or moon. Over the centuries the hereditary effects of these evils have tended to make man weaker and shorter of years in life.

The imperfect condition of the earth (including fermentation, extremes of climate and very poor quality of air) has greatly dwarfed man’s mental powers. While there has been great dissemination of general knowledge during the past hundred years, we do not have any minds on earth today that would compare with men such as Moses, Solomon, Euclid, St. Augustine, Shakespeare, etc. The rigors of life have been so severe that man has been so forced to neglect his mental development that ignorance has been widespread; and it still continues so with the great majority – even in the more enlightened countries. Error, too – both secular and religious – has made inroads upon the intellect, so that many openly admit they do not know what to believe. St. Paul was acutely conscious of this: “Henceforth walk ye not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them.” (Eph. 4:17,18)

While the untamed earth has taken heavy toll upon man’s physical, mental and moral powers, it has been even worse on his religious perceptions. Many disregard religion entirely, which has caused atrophy in this the finest of his faculties. As we view the multifarious religious cults today – all of them contradicting each other in major doctrines in Christendom, and even worse in heathen lands – it would produce in us gross discouragement were it not for the grand promise that “In this mountain [His Millennial kingdom] the Lord will destroy the face of the covering cast over all people [the death process which collects its unrelenting toll from all], and the veil [of ignorance and superstition] that is spread over all nations.” (Isa. 25:7) This will be the overall grand result of the thousand-year reign just ahead of us.

That there is great need for relief from all of the foregoing all will agree, and many well-intentioned persons and organizations are making great effort to assuage the various evils that afflict mankind; but each century seems to make things worse instead of better, so that St. Paul describes this present time as “the evil day.” (Eph. 6:13) However, man’s effort to rid himself of the evils that afflict the race will continue in failure; his effort is a feeble attempt to lift himself up by his own bootstraps – an impossible thing. This was vividly demonstrated in the Jewish Age through failure to keep the Law; and it has been even more so in the Christian Era, despite the great enlightenment and spiritual blessings that Christianity has wrought.

But, what man has been unable to do for himself, the Millennial kingdom will accomplish when the prediction is realized: “We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned.” (Rev. 11:17) That power will remove the curse from the earth, and will restore Edenic conditions – perfect life in perfect surroundings. All error shall then vanish from the earth, and Truth will prevail in secular and religious matters. Death and the death process will be lifted. “The creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption.” (Rom. 8:21) “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:4) “These words are true and faithful.” (Rev. 21:5)

False religions shall disappear under that reign; oppressive governments shall be eliminated; no more back-breaking labor to enrich the few and enslave the many. The Millennial reign will accomplish all of this in the centuries immediately ahead, and bring it to full conclusion by the year 2874. Self-evidently, these good operations will completely overthrow “this present evil world,” whose history since the flood has been filled with gruesome records of blood, cruelty and tears. “Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.” This has been pronouncedly true since “the time of the Gentiles” began in the Fall of 607 BC, and which continued for 2520 years to the Fall of 1914. “Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.” (Dan. 4:16) A “time” is a Jewish year of 360 days; and “seven times” would be 2520 literal days, or 2520 actual years.

Concurrent with the foregoing, Satan has “blinded the minds” of the many, so that “the whole world [Kosmos – present social order] lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19) He has concocted especially six great errors: Divine right of Kings, Divine right of the Clergy, Divine right of the Aristocracy, Consciousness of the Dead, Transformation of the Dead into spirits, and Eternal Torture in the Lake of Fire. Thus, “His kingdom was full of darkness” (Rev. 16:10), which has produced a “night of weeping” (Psa. 30:5); but joy of the Millennial morning will shortly dissipate all this.

RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS

The Apostle Peter says this Millennium will accomplish “the restitution of all things.” (Acts 3:21) Restitution means a return to an original state, which implies (1) an original state; (2) a leaving or a loss of that original state; and (3) a restoration to that original state. If man is to have Restitution, we are forced to three conclusions: (1) his primeval perfection in the image and likeness of God at his creation; (2) his fall through sin under the curse to his deficiencies as we see them today; and (3) his uplift out of present adverse conditions, and his restoration (Restitution) to his original state.

The Scriptures are very clear in substantiation of the foregoing. “God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31) “As for God, His way is perfect.” (Psa. 18:30) As for man’s sinful condition, the evidence of it is everywhere about us. His relief from the present undone condition is the declared purpose of restitution, which is synonymous with the Millennial kingdom. One of the first steps in this matter will be to eliminate “the father of lies,” that is, the Devil (John 8:44), which in turn will allow free and fluid teaching and understanding of the Truth. “Satan bound for a thousand years [the Millennial kingdom]... that he should deceive the nations no more.” (Rev. 20:2,3)

The means of accomplishing this has already been provided by the sacrifice of Jesus – the giving of His life and life rights for Adam and his descendants. Jesus kept the Divine Law perfectly, which would have secured for Him the right to perfect existence, perfect environment (home, food, air, water, fellowship with God and man, with dominion over the earth, its atmosphere and creatures). In sacrificing all of these things through His death on the cross He was able to purchase the race in perfection as Adam had enjoyed these things in Eden. This purchase guarantees restoration – restitution – to all who wish to avail themselves of the opportunity.

By opportunity we mean faith and obedience to the Divine Law. Restitution will not be forced upon any one; it is a privilege, not a command, to be consummated gradually during the Millennium with all the assistance necessary to acquire it. Imperfect man at that time will be no more able to keep the Divine Law perfectly than he is able to do so now, but he will be aided in all proper ways to enable him to gain perfection. “An highway shall be there... The way of holiness... the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein... the ransomed of the Lord shall return... with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads.” (Isa. 35:8-10) This is described otherwise as the “New Covenant” in contrast with the old Law Covenant – “Saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” (Jer. 31:31-33)

In “this present evil world” the sins of the parents have been visited upon the children. Thus, many are brought into this world under unbearable handicaps – through no fault of their own; but it will not be so in the Age just ahead. “In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.” (Jer. 31:29, 30) Divine Truth will come freely to all, it will be “the leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations.” (Rev. 22:2) Thus mankind will be shown what to believe, what not to believe, what to do, what not to do – in secular and religious matters – “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:9) The cobwebs of error will be swept away, and the people will then desire to render obedience through the inherent reasonableness and inherent strength of the Lord’s Word.

The various Scriptures we have quoted herein witness with harmonious and powerful voice that the Millennium will bring to the living and the dead the privileges and blessings of restitution. “All that are in their graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.” (John 5:28,29) The first three chapters of Genesis treat of the original paradise (“The Lord planted a garden – paradise – eastward in Eden”), man in the image and likeness of God, their possession and loss. The last three chapters of Revelation tell of the image and likeness of God restored, the new paradise in “the world to come.” In between these six chapters the Bible is vocal with the grand message of restitution. The patriarchs spoke of, and hoped for it; the Mosaic Law prefigured it; the Biblical histories typed it; the Jews longed and prayed for it; the Apostles and their followers proclaimed it; Jesus by His death guaranteed it; and Jehovah by His oath unchangeably pledged it. When Jesus told the Apostles to pray “Thy kingdom come” it was not intended as a request for something then uncertain. It was rather a yearning petition for the arrival of something that was already irrevocably assured.

The clear truth on the foregoing was completely lost in the deluge of error that developed after the Apostles fell asleep – overruled by the Lord until the “due time” for its understanding. We have already mentioned that the Apostle Peter spoke of “the times of restitution” (Acts 3:21), and we now quote some from what the Apostle Paul has recorded about it: “I knew a man in Christ [Paul himself]... caught up to the third heaven.” (2 Cor. 12:2) This third heaven is the same one mentioned by the Apostle in 2 Peter 3:13: “new heavens and a new earth.” Paul then continues in 2 Cor. 12:4: “He was caught up into paradise [“God planted a garden – a paradise – eastward in Eden.”–Gen. 2:8] and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” The “paradise” which Paul saw was the restored earth; and, while he says he was not permitted to speak fluently about it, he was undoubtedly much illuminated by what he saw in that vision, giving great force, shading and depth to his writings.

TWENTY–ONE EVILS – TWENTY–ONE REMEDIES

It is our understanding that twenty-one evils are revealed in the Bible as afflicting the human race, and that God has provided twenty-one remedies – a cure for each of them – through the ministry of Jesus. Some of these cures have been operative since the Christian Age began; all of them will have been operative by the full end of the Millennial kingdom. By that time most of them will have accomplished their purposes, and will pass out of existence – although a few of Jesus’ titles will never terminate; they are eternal. We list the twenty-one evils, with brief comment on each of them as follows:

1. Enslavement of the race under the curse unto death. The remedy for this as provided by Jesus is the Ransom.
2. Law–condemned convicts. Jesus acts as Advocate for them.
3. Destitution of righteousness (Isa. 64:6): “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness as filthy rags... our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” But, “Jesus is made unto us righteousness.” (1 Cor. 1:30)
4. A selfish and worldly life. Jesus, as Bridegroom, shows us a “more excellent way.” (1 Cor. 12:31)
5. Alienation between God and man. Jesus, as High Priest, forgives and blesses.
6. Ignorance. Jesus “is made unto us wisdom.” (1 Cor. 1:30)
7. Captives of Satan. Jesus is made unto us deliverance. (1 Cor. 1:30)
8. Enmity of truth, righteousness and holiness. Jesus is “the Captain of our salvation.” (Heb. 2:10)
9. Inability properly to think God’s thoughts, feel His affections and will His will. “The head of every man is Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:3)
10. Distrust between God and man. Christ as Mediator will mediate these differences.
11. Dying and death. Jesus is “the everlasting Father.” (Isa. 9:6)
12. Lack of a perfect law and lawgiver. Jesus is the Perfect Lawgiver. “The law of the Lord is perfect... making wise the simple.” (Psa. 19:7)
13. Worry and strife. Jesus is “The Prince of peace.” (Isa. 9:6)
14. Unruliness. Jesus is King.
15. Without knowledge of Divine Truth. Jesus is a Revealer and Teacher of the Truth. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psa. 32:8)
16. Impracticability as to saving arrangements. Jesus will cure this as God’s Executive.
17. Physical, mental, artistic, moral and religious sickness. Jesus the Physician: “Who forgiveth all shine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases.” (Psa. 103:3)
18. Owned and controlled now by Satan. Jesus will be Lord. “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow... in heaven... in earth... Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Phil. 2:10, 11)
19. Not able to stand before the judgment seat unaided. Jesus is our understanding and merciful lenient Judge. “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.” (Psa. 103:4) “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” (John 5:22)
20. Impurity. Jesus the Purifier and Refiner. “And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver [Truth]: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver.” (Mal. 3:3)
21. Impoverishment. Jesus the Provider. “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)

It will be noted that the foregoing 21 evils are all-inclusive of the afflictions that presently beset the human race; and that Jesus, “Who learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Heb. 5:8), is well-qualified and empowered to correct and fully cure all of them. And this He will do when He takes to Himself His great power and reigns throughout the Millennial Age – the first Age just ahead in “the world to come.” By the time that reign ends the death that “has passed upon all men” (Rom. 5:12) through Adam’s disobedience, and the dying process that has afflicted the human race for more than six thousand years, will have been fully destroyed and “there shall be no more curse.” (Rev. 22:3) Also, the “goats” in the parable that Jesus spoke in Matt. 25:31-46 will have gone into everlasting destruction – the Second Death, symbolized by the Lake of Fire; “they shall be as though they had not been.” (Obad. 16)

Then “the righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.” (Psa. 107:42) Sin shall never rise again. God will be glorified forever and ever by perfect creatures, both in heaven and on earth. “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” (Rev. 5:13) May this presentation prove a rich blessing to all our readers!

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim (Reprint No. 251, May 1976)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – The Jehovah’s Witnesses make mistakes, so did Pastor Russell. Why do you uphold Pastor Russell and refuse the advancing truth of the Witnesses?

ANSWER: – We uphold Pastor Russell’s teaching because he had Scriptural proof for all he taught on the Plan of Salvation for all mankind. The Witnesses teach that only those who Join them will have a resurrection in the Kingdom. They teach this with no Scriptural basis. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22) Those who refuse to Join the Witnesses will receive a resurrection in the Kingdom, as the Witnesses themselves will be resurrected in the Kingdom.

“Behold an hour comes in which all those in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come forth; those having done good things, to a resurrection of life; and those that have done evil things, to a resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28, 29, Dia.) “There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both the Just and the unjust.” (Acts 24:15) The unjust and the evil will be resurrected in the Kingdom to judgment. “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained.” (Acts 17:31)

God “will have all men to be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4) By the resurrection the world will be saved from the Adamic Death. The world dies because of Adam’s transgression, but in the Kingdom those who refuse to love righteousness and hate iniquity will die for their own sins. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life.” (Rom. 6:23) Those who learn to love righteousness and hate iniquity will receive from God the gift of eternal life.

The Truth – God’s Word – is generous with the unbelievers and the errorists, but the Witnesses predict DOOM for the unbelievers of their teaching. The earth today is polluted with error, but in His Kingdom the “earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:9) “When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa. 26:9) The world is learning error and unrighteousness in this “evil day.” (Eph. 6:13)

The Witnesses teach that the inhabitants of the world – the unbelievers of their teachings – who don’t join them will not receive a resurrection. God repudiates that teaching: “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Rom. 11:32,33)

The Witnesses are separating the Sheep and the Goats of Matt. 25:31-46; and by doing so they are saying “My Lord Delayeth” (Matt. 24:48) and we will set up a kingdom of our own, just as the Papacy did in the Dark Ages. The Lord will separate the Sheep and the Goats in His Kingdom (Acts 17:31) when He will turn over to the people a “Pure Language” (Zeph. 3:9) – a language all will understand. The Goats who do not learn to love righteousness will be sentenced to “everlasting punishment” – the Second Death (Rev. 20:13,14) – and the Sheep to “life eternal.” (Matt. 25:46)

The Goats of the Witnesses are those that refuse to accept them, and they sentence the Goats to die the Second Death in Armageddon. The Sheep are their devotees. The Witnesses reward their Sheep with “everlasting life,” although we know from God’s inspired Word that the Lord will test all the Sheep and the Goats in the Little Season.

The Witnesses are the largest group emanating from Pastor Russell. They boast of their numbers as their strength, but their numbers are their weakness. The Catholics and the Protestants both have larger numbers than all the Truth groups and the Jehovah’s Witnesses together. The Lord intimated by His question in Luke 18:8 that the truth would be very scarce in our day, which indeed it is! Despite their numbers, and probably because of it, “the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.” (Psa. 2:4,5)

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” (2 Cor. 4:4) In our day the minds of the people are being blinded more then they ever were, but according to the Witnesses these “blind people” will have to join them to get salvation. We cannot accept the Witnesses so-called advancing truth, because it is “advancing error.” All advancing truth must harmonize with former truth – not set it aside. “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” (2 Tim. 3:14) “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) Some are “Ever learning [error], and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 3:7)

Chapter 35 of Isaiah is a beautiful picture of the Kingdom. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.” (v. 5) For the benefit of the Witnesses who surely must grieve when they believe their relatives and good friends who refuse to join them will not be resurrected, we quote: “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.” (v. 4)

Yes, Pastor Russell made mistakes in his expectations of the length of the Time of Trouble (Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21) and the time for the inauguration of the Kingdom. He had no Scripture to support his expectations, and they did not mature. However, he gave us the truth on the two salvations, the Great Salvation (Heb. 2:3) and the Common Salvation (Jude 3) – Election and Free Grace. The elective salvation is for the Faith Age, and Free Grace will operate during the Kingdom. The world will receive Free Grace in their resurrection, for they will be without any merit of their own.

Pastor Russell never claimed to be perfect or inspired as were the Apostles. But he gave us the truth as no man has done since the days of the Apostles. It was because it was God’s “due time” for these truths to be revealed. God has a set time for all His events. “When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son... to redeem them that were under the Law.” (Gal. 4:4,5) God’s appointment of Pastor Russell as That Wise and Faithful Servant of Matt. 24:45-47 was not because of his brilliance, but rather because of his faithfulness. He found him “so doing.” (Matt. 24:46) All God’s Messengers during the Gospel Age were imperfect men. However, the faithful Reformers gave us the Truth due in their day, although they retained some of the errors of the Dark Ages.

“The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.” (Prov. 22:12) “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psa. 107:31) “Whoso is wise, and shall observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.” (Psa. 107:43)

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Epiphany Bible Students Ass’n:

Greetings! Thank you for your letter of July 31 ... Your papers have some information on JWs which interest me ... I like knowing about different Bible Student groups. For example, in PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL book, p. 65 interested me to read the new information about Anton Koerber instituting a legal suit to recover some $25,000 loaned to ‘Judge’ Rutherford. This adds to the information that I have read ...

Another experience which caused me to question that the Watchtower Society was God’s organization relates to Anton Koerber. I can still remember my father talking to him after the Washington, D.C. convention in 1935. Koerber was in charge of the sound equipment at the convention, and for some reason had a falling out with ‘Judge’ Rutherford. When Anton returned to Bethel, he found that he had been put out of the building and excommunicated ... He went back into real estate and was very successful, amassing a fortune. Up to 1952, all I heard of him was bad. He was a man who was an unfaithful servant, who went against God’s theocratic organization, and was disfellowshiped as a result.

In 1952 Anton Koerber contacted the Society and told those in authority that he wanted to become a full-time pioneer. His initial request was rejected because of his rebellion in the past. He next appeared at Bethel and I was told by T. J. Sullivan that I should go down to the eighth-floor lobby and make it clear to him that he could not be a pioneer. I went to meet Mr. Koerber and found an elderly man who was not well. He asked me if he could be appointed a pioneer. I told him again that it was impossible because of his past history, and suggested, “You know Anton, if you really love Jehovah you should serve Him for as many hours as you can without the title. You are merely being denied the title but not the privilege of service.” He was not satisfied with this answer, and indicated that he would pursue the matter further. As he shook my hand, he left a ten-dollar bill in it.

I reported back to T. J. Sullivan that Anton was not satisfied with my answer and stated that I wished that someone else would talk with him. So A. H. Macmillan was sent to convey the same message. I sat in on the session ... It was a thorough “chewing out”: Koerber was told that he was a selfish man who only wanted a title and that he would not get one. If he wanted to do something, he could be a congregational publisher. Macmillan was much more severe than I had been.

A day or two later when I went to the Bethel dining hall for dinner, I was dumbfounded, for there in the seat next to N. H. Knorr, as his guest, was Anton Koerber. I left the room after the meal almost not believing what I had seen. I went into the lobby and Koerber called me over and pointed out the window, and said: “See that Cadillac across the street – I gave that to Knorr, and he can have another anytime he wants one.” President Knorr was surrounded by sycophants. Some years later when I spoke of this experience to Russell Pollock, he related how Koerber had approached the Dawn Bible Students in 1951 shortly before his contact with the Watchtower Society. The information was presented in a letter from Pollock dated November 15, 1971: ... Anton Koerber sent The Dawn a check for $2,000 and asked to have a conference with the trustees of the Dawn. We had the meeting with him at our General Convention in 1951. He offered money to the Dawn if they would establish an organization similar in structure to that of Jehovah’s Witnesses. That is, to be controlled from a central headquarters.

This discussion continued at various times by telephone from his home in Florida. We, of course, could not accept his terms of cooperation. As Bill stated: “The ‘evil servant’ refused his bribe but the ‘faithful and wise’ accepted it.” The foregoing is true and can be verified.

But the conclusion of his account is even more significant. Anton Koerber, who had been turned down as a pioneer, a relatively insignificant position, was made a circuit servant, a position normally selected from the ranks of faithful pioneers! In 1953 he was made a chairman of the international convention at Yankee Stadium. N. H. Knorr practiced Simony!

Dear Emily, you say, “I am sorry that I told you about our expenses. You can destroy it [which I have], as we are not charging you anything – our papers are free.” But the EBSA must pay for printing and postage. My draft ... was sent to the EBSA to cover literature and postage. It’s a contribution or gift ... PLEASE accept it. Thank you for your time and good health to you.

In the Savior Lord Jesus Christ who saved me. ------- (AUSTRALIA)

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NO. 404: IN MEMORIAM (The Star of Laodicea)

No. 404

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

Comes once more the time of year when many of us are sadly reminded of the passing of the Parousia and Epiphany Messengers – accompanied howbeit by many pleasant memories of our personal experiences with them. In Rev. 1:16 we are told that “He [the Lord] had in His right hand seven stars,” and verse 20 explains that the “seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.” That these “stars” are not seven individuals, as some have taught, is clearly demonstrated in Rev. 12:1, where the “woman” (the true church) is adorned with “a crown of twelve stars.” Those twelve stars are the twelve Apostles, who comprised the composite star, or special messengers, to the incipient Gospel‑Age Church.

And, as was true of the first epoch of this Age, the same has likewise been true of all seven epochs of the Gospel Age – each epoch had more than one “angel” as the special Pastor and Teacher. In the last, or seventh, epoch in which we have been since 1870 the “star” contained but two individuals, the same being Brother Russell and Brother Johnson. Thus, we caption this paper “The Star of Laodicea,” and we hope to relate certain items about both of them to the pleasure and inspiration of our readers.

The “angels” all during the Age were under the Lord’s special guidance, protection and care; they were His messengers, or representatives. (See Berean Comment on Rev. 1:20.) It is well to note this fact as a sobering influence upon each of us in our appraisal and attitude toward them. Especially is the thought emphasized for the first and seventh epochs of this Age, of which more later on.

It was never our privilege to meet Brother Russell personally, although we have received much information from various brethren who were closely attached to him. In Vols. 9 and 14 Brother Johnson has eulogized him far beyond anything we might here present; but to what he wrote about him we add one item he related to us personally, and is not given in detail anywhere in his writing, so far as we know – although a kindred thought is expressed in E‑8, p. 561.

As most of us know, Brother Russell never attended any institution of higher learning; therefore, his knowledge of Hebrew and Greek was limited. On the other hand, Brother Johnson was highly skilled in both languages, so much so that he often quoted copious sections of the Bible in English, then quoted the same text in Hebrew. Therefore, Brother Russell often asked his interpretation on difficult texts; and, in over four hundred such instances, Brother Russell himself had the correct meaning before asking Brother Johnson’s opinion. And it was this, said Brother Johnson, that thoroughly convinced him that Brother Russell was “That Servant,” because no one unschooled in Hebrew and Greek could have been so consistently right without the special enlightenment, guidance and care of the Lord.

And, as That Servant, “The Parousia Messenger was given charge of the Church, of its doctrinal, correctional, refutational and ethical teachings, of its work... specifically of the correct interpretation of the Scriptures on the ransom, atonement, sin offerings, mediator and covenants” (E‑11, p. 107); and “as a priest in his relations to the errors and wrong practices of the nominal church. Certainly his face was set like brass in strength against these errors and wrong practices.” (E‑11, p. 108) Of course, this aroused venom and vituperation from those whose errors and wrongs he exposed – just as the same course led Jesus to the cross.

Many were our personal experiences with such people in the years we spent in the colporteur work early in the Epiphany. On one occasion, as we approached a man, the hardening of his features became apparent, as he declared he wanted none of the literature; he had known “Russell” and attended a number of his lectures. In politeness we asked him what opinion he had formed of the man. His answer: “I think he was just an old crank!” In another instance we allayed the ire of a Mormon by mildness and politeness, after which he became affable enough to offer us this advice: “Young man, you have the qualities, and you could be an Evangelist if you just got away from the influence of that old quack.” Many such instances could we relate as we learned from experience the truth of the Lord’s words: “Men shall revile you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely.” And by such treatment That Servant learned that “the servant is not above His Master” – he drank the same cup as did Jesus. Brother Johnson said he once affectionately told Brother Russell that he was the most loved man on earth. Brother Russell’s answer: “Yes, Brother, and the most hated!”

BROTHER RUSSELL’S STEWARDSHIP DOCTRINE

On previous occasion we have stated that Brother Russell’s stewardship doctrine was the correct interpretation of Leviticus 16, the central feature of which is Restitution. In support of this conclusion, we quote from E‑11, p. 94 (24): “It was especially during this period, in 1879, that the light on the tabernacle in general, and on Leviticus 16 in particular, was by Jesus given, first to That Servant and then later to the Church, showing the two antitypical Sin‑offerings, the two salvations in natures separate and distinct... Here, too, the doctrine of the World’s High Priest was brought to light.”

Corroborating the foregoing is this in Parousia Vol. 3, page 216 by Brother Russell himself: “And strange to say, it is the message of God’s loving provision, in the ransom, for the restitution of all things [Acts 3:19‑21], by and through Christ Jesus and His glorified body, the Church, God’s Kingdom, that is to develop and draw into heart union the true class only, to test them and separate them from the nominal mass.” This statement by Brother Russell clearly states that the preaching of Restitution would accomplish the Harvest reaping work, and this is substantiated even in the name of one of his types in E‑14, p. 114:

“Jashobeam, the people shall return, in allusion to his preaching much on restitution.”

And further in E‑14, p. 155 (16): “Brother Russell also charged these Sunday Pilgrims to exhort the public to declare continually the restitution salvation.”

It was the understanding of Restitution that harmonized the Bible, made vital the Harvest Message. (See E‑8, p. 384, top) As at the first Advent, “The people that sat in darkness saw a great light,” so all of us “saw great light” when the restitution message was explained to us. But, just as the great light at the first Advent roused great opposition, so here in the Harvest time the Truth people became “the sect that everywhere is spoken against.” (Acts 28:22) Nevertheless, Brother Russell continued with vigor and determination to preach Restitution “through evil report, and good report”; and surely we all can join with Brother Johnson in exclaiming, “God bless his memory!”

[Sad to note that the organization that Pastor Russell founded, known today as Jehovah’s Witnesses, do not teach Restitution and Resurrection for all mankind – only for those who join them. Pastor Russell is not the founder of their gross errors.]

THE SECOND STAR

Brother Johnson was Brother Russell’s companion helper, and faithfully carried on in spirit and in Truth the teachings and practices established by him. As he himself states in E‑11, p. 107, it was his duty “to expound and defend correctly everything connected with the antitypical Tabernacle.” If he was right in that statement, then the attempts to change the teachings of that Tabernacle which have been made since his death are all anathema.

As some of our readers know, it was in the fall of 1942 that we were privileged to accomplish a month’s pilgrim trip with Brother Johnson to the West Coast of the United States and back. This gave us many intimate hours of travel together, during which he related details of his life from infancy, which he said he had never before revealed to any one. Clearly enough, he was among us “as one that serveth” – “an example of the believers” and to the believers. Nothing was ever too bad; he had that “godliness with contentment, which is great gain.” On occasion when the going was rough, he would emit his hearty chuckle with the observation: “When we get into the Kingdom, won’t we look back and laugh at some of these experiences.”

As we said at his funeral on October 27, 1950, he was a man, even as you and I; and he made mistakes, even as you and I. But when we consider all the good he did for us in his years of faithful ministry, we reveal our sad limitations if we dwell upon his mistakes, rather than his virtues. As for us, and our house, we heartily exclaim, God bless his memory!

“MY SERVANT MOSES”

It is not good that we should extol the Stars of Laodicea beyond fact; although we should be guided by St. Paul’s clear admonition to “count them worthy of double honor who labor in word and doctrine.” (1 Tim. 5:17) They themselves repeatedly exhorted all likewise to “labor in word and doctrine” – “to prove all things, and to hold fast that which is good.” Thus, as faithful Pastors and Teachers, they “watched over your souls as they that must give an account,” and continually waged war against clericalism and sectarianism – two besetting Gospel‑Age sins of the Great Company that developed after the Apostles passed away. The Ephesus period of the Church was commended for the avoidance of these evils: “This thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.” (Rev. 2:6) Note the Comments: “The deeds of the Nicolaitanes (Nicholans means ‘Lord’ – Compare verse 15.) Which I also hate – ‘One is your master (Lord) and all ye are brethren.”’

And, while we should not “fall at their feet and worship,” neither should we take the other extreme of discounting them too much, or become overly critical. The outstanding warning against this latter evil is to be found in Numbers 12, where the Lord’s anger was kindled against Miriam and Aaron: “Were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” We do well to take close note of this, and apply it properly and according to our time. Jesus specifically told the “Star” (the twelve Apostles) of the first Church: “He that receiveth you receiveth me.” (Matt. 10:40) At that time those that rejected the Apostles were not blessed with the Harvest Truth. That condition did not prevail between the two Harvests, because the Interim Stars did not possess the same authority as did the Apostles. But with the inception of the Gospel‑Age Harvest some of the same authority attached to the Laodicean Star; That Servant was made ruler over all His goods. Those who refused to receive him never came into Present Truth; and those who did receive him, and then “spoke against” him soon found themselves “leprous,” as was Miriam – they became “plagued” with error.

Especially would we say it is markedly true of those who came to an understanding of the Numbers 12 type. Once such began to “speak against” him, it was not long before they became noticeably “leprous”; they rejected some Truth they had, thus becoming “unclean.” (John 15:3)

These are troublous times, with the tendency in every direction being toward Anarchy; and the Lord’s people should be on guard that “it shall not come nigh thee.” (Psa. 91:7) We believe all would do well at this time to read Chapter 6 of Parousia Vol. 6 “Order and Discipline in the New Creation.” This will be honoring both members of the Laodicean Star.

It is well for us to note here once more that “the Lord seeth not as man seeth.” Moses was the youngest child – the “baby” in his family. Then, as is still true in many countries, the oldest boy was given the pre‑eminence in inheritance and prestige. Even yet, in Germany the oldest boy is considered the head of the family after the father dies, regardless of the superior brilliance and integrity that may reside in a younger son. We have the striking example of this in the way Joseph’s older brethren envied and discounted him – hated him, and “could not speak peaceably unto him.” (Gen. 37:4)

Somewhat similar was the situation of Brother Johnson, who was one of the younger pilgrims at Brother Russell’s death, and his older brethren would not bring themselves to accept instruction from him. Yet, it is now clear to us who hold his memory blessed, that he was more qualified than all of them combined to be leader of God’s people. Again there was demonstrated the truism that “Age is no proof against folly,” coupled with the advice of St. Paul to Timothy, “Let no man despise thy youth!” (1 Tim. 4:12) It is well that we honor those whom God honors, regardless of age or youth, and strive honestly to “see not as man seeth.”

It is our opinion that both Brother Russell and Brother Johnson did the best they knew how to do; nor will greater tribute ever be paid to any of us. As Jesus said of Mary, “She hath done what she could,” so may it eventually be said of each of us – “We have done what we could!” And again, God bless their memory!

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the House of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.” (Psa. 122:6‑9)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint of No. 76, October 1, 1961)

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 “SO MOSES THE SERVANT OF GOD DIED”

(Deut. 34:1‑12)

Our Lord alone excepted, no character of history stands out before us so grandly and majestically as that of Moses, the great Apostle Paul, even, being overshadowed by him. If we think of him as a man, we see a sublime grandeur and nobility of character, combining strength with humility, wisdom with love and gentleness. If we consider him as the leader and deliverer of Israel, we find that he accomplished a greater work than any of the kind before or since. If we consider him as the lawgiver, we find in his code of laws justice, wisdom, mercy and an appreciation of human nature far superior to anything of his day, and the basis upon which the laws of Christendom in this twentieth century are built. If we consider him as a statesman, we find him wise, prudent, careful, yet broad.

We see how he brought order out of confusion, and changed a disorganized rabble of over a million into a thoroughly organized and well ordered nation. But it is when we come to consider him as the servant of God that his character shines out most brilliantly. His faithfulness to God; his faithfulness to the trust committed to him as the Mediator for his people; his self‑sacrificing spirit in connection with the entire work, indicating that he served not the god of fame or of ambitions or of self‑love, but the Lord of Hosts.

The greatness of Moses would be incomprehensible to us from any other standpoint than that which the Scriptures set forth; viz., that he was under special Divine direction as God’s servant, and that, therefore, being naturally an able, efficient, humble, good man, had these manifold qualities of his character intensified by reason of the Lord’s power working in him and through him for the effecting of the Divine purposes.

Moses was now 120 years old; 40 years of his life had been spent as an Egyptian prince in the court of Egypt, educated, trained, and in the public service as a general and a ruler. The second forty years of his life he was a shepherd in the wilderness, because of his love for the Lord, his appreciation of the Divine promise, and his preference to share these with his brethren, the Israelites, rather than to continue in the favor of the Egyptians, their enemies and oppressors. We have already seen how this wilderness experience was probably valuable to him, enabling him to transform and transmute the knowledge and experiences already gained into a broad and deep philosophy, the foundation of which was faith in God and respect for His promises.

Thus does God sometimes work by natural means to prepare the instruments for his service. The closing forty years of his life were devoted to the exercise of all the knowledge, experience and mental philosophy and faith previously gained, to the service of Israel as their leader, lawgiver, statesman – prophet, priest and king. And now his work was finished – the work which the Lord intended him to do. Another, Joshua, was to take up the work of leader, and he had already, by the Lord’s direction, been formally and publicly ordained to this office, and Moses was ready to die.

In considering the fact that Moses was not permitted to go into the promised land, we are to bear in mind that he, as well as the nation of Israel, was being used of the Lord in a typical manner. We are not to go to the extreme of higher criticism, and to think of the deliverance from Egypt as an allegory. It was all true; the history of a series of facts; but truths and facts, under the Lord’s guidance, may be so arranged as to be types of still higher facts, illustrations of still higher principles. One of the reasons mentioned why Moses was not permitted to lead Israel into the land of promise was the second smiting of the rock. The smiting the first time (Ex. 17:1‑7) was by the Lord’s direction, and the waters gushed forth, but the second time (Num. 20:2‑12) the Lord said to Moses, “Speak unto the rock,” but instead he smote the rock a second time.

In this he spoiled a type, while he made another type. Christ Jesus, the true Rock, was to be smitten but once for our sins, and as a result of that one smiting at Calvary the water of life would be obtained for all true Israelites to all time; and if for a reason the flow was stopped it was only necessary that the Rock should be invoked in the name of the Lord, that the waters might again flow forth. Christ dieth no more; death has no dominion over him; therefore in the type the Rock should not have been smitten a second time.

But the second smiting, nevertheless, made a new type, because as the Apostle explains, there are some now who crucify Christ afresh, and put him to an open shame some of his professed followers denying or ignoring the value of the original sacrifice, denying the blood that bought them, are counted as committing the sin unto death – second death – and of these Moses became a type, and as a type of a class which would have to do with the antitype of the rock, he was debarred from Canaan. (Heb. 6:4‑6)

But even aside from the making of this type, Moses would not have gone into the land of Canaan; because, from another point of view, he was the type of the Law Covenant, which must end before the people can enter into their rest. As Moses was the representative of the Law Covenant, so Joshua became the representative or type of the New Covenant and of its mediator, Jesus, the Deliverer. “The law came by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” The law was a pedagogue or guide to prepare and bring the Israelites along to the borders of Canaan, but the Law could never give them rest, could never take them into the land of promise. Christ, the antitype of Joshua, must do that.

We are to remember, too, that Moses’ error in smiting the Rock, did not involve him in the Second Death, nor will it work any injury to him as respects to the future. It was comparatively a trivial matter, and taught him a valuable lesson which he evidently learned to the Lord’s pleasement, and his failure to go into the land of promise, therefore, should not indicate a continuance of Divine indignation against him, but merely a continuance of the Divine purpose in making of him a type of a class who would have to do with the antitypical Rock, the antitypical water, and the antitypical smiting.

We might remark here, too, that those who smote the Lord the first time, at Calvary, have the promise of full forgiveness. They shall look upon Him whom they pierced, and shall mourn for Him and the Lord will pour out upon them the spirit of prayer and supplication, and they shall have full opportunity of recompense and reconciliation. (Zech. 12:10) It is those who, with greater knowledge, and after they have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the Age to come, sin willfully and count the blood of the covenant a common thing – these are they who commit the real sin unto death, and for whom the Scriptures suggest no hope, or further opportunity, because they have sinned willfully.

MOUNT PISGAH VIEWS

At this time the Israelites were in the land of Moab, at the northern end of the Dead Sea, opposite Jericho, and nearly in line with the city of Jerusalem. They awaited the Lord’s direction, by the pillar of cloud, before crossing Jordan to take possession of Canaan. Here, Moses’ work being accomplished, the Lord led him up to Mount Pisgah’s top, a lofty peak 3,586 feet above the sea‑level. From this point an extended panoramic view was possible – is possible today. Here Moses saw much with his natural eyes, but much more with the eye of faith, seeing the promises which God had made to the tribes of Israel, through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and by his own mouth. He saw of the travail of his soul, and was satisfied. We hear not a murmur respecting the transfer of leadership and the cessation of his own labors. If God had used him in His service to the extent that He was pleased to do, the servant was thankful and satisfied.

“So Moses, the servant of God, died” – not from weakness and infirmity of age, for “his eye was not dimmed nor his natural force abated”; he died according to the word of the Lord. Throughout his life he had been the Lord’s servant, used and blessed as such, protected and kept by the power of God through the many vicissitudes of life, and He who thus kept him, buried him in one of the many little inaccessible valleys of this Mount Pisgah. The Lord not only hid Moses in the grave, but hid the grave, so that no man knoweth its place.

This also illustrates the Divine Wisdom; for (1) had the place of the grave been known it no doubt would have been an object of veneration amongst the Israelites, a Mecca, to which pilgrimages would have been made, and the man Moses would have been honored, rather than the God whom this man represented, and whose servant and mouthpiece he was. (2) Doubtless, also, the hiding of the grave was typical, and represented that the Law Covenant, which died and passed away, was not to be revived; that the New Covenant, not only displaced, but thoroughly replaced it, so that there would never more be need for the Law Covenant in connection with the bringing of Israel to all the precious promises of God.

“Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime;

And departing leave behind us

Footprints in the sands of time.”

This great truth, so beautifully expressed by the poet, finds a grand illustration in Moses. His life and character are a noble example, not only for the Lord’s saints, but also for natural men. No one can study the life of Moses, and note its purity, its lofty ideals, it humility, its obedience to the Lord, its faithfulness to his fellows, without being bettered, ennobled, by the contemplation. And each one thus bettered himself by contemplating this noble character, should in turn seek to leave noble and enduring footprints for others, that perchance “some forlorn or shipwrecked brother seeing may take heart again.”

The Book of Deuteronomy is chiefly composed of addresses by Moses to the Israelites, setting before them the various lessons they had received from the Lord, expounding to them the Divine Law, their duty to God and to man. It closes with the Song of Moses, and Moses’ blessing of the nation, two poems whose beauty and literary merit are acknowledged as being of the highest order. Jacob called his twelve sons when dying and pronounced over them certain blessings. So now Moses, as the father of the nation, in these poems, completes his admonitions respecting them, his warnings and encouragements; and in these prophecies, not only their trials and difficulties and failures are foretold, but also their final victories, as we believe these victories shall ultimately be attained by all the Israel of God – all who will become by faith the children of Abraham – the Jew first and also the Gentile, during the Millennial Age. (Rom. 11:11,12, 28‑32)

This song of Moses was evidently not merely for Israel but prophetical, and was referred to by our Lord (Rev. 15:3,4), but long after that nation had been blinded and given up as respects the High Calling of this Gospel Age. This is the song of Moses and the Lamb which the overcomers are to sing, those who, with Christ, shall be members of the body of the great Prophet who shall bless, not only the literal seed of Abraham, but all the true Israel of God; all who shall become Israelites according to the faith and obedience of Abraham. This song, after telling of trying experiences, ends with rejoicing, saying, “Rejoice all ye nations with his people!” The poem of blessing, which applied most particularly to the tribes of Israel, though doubtless also typical of the elect 144,000, ends with rejoicing, saying, “Happy art thou, O Israel! Who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord?” (Deut. 32 and 33)

The scribe who wrote the Book of Deuteronomy at Moses’ dictation finished its account as a historian, describing the death and burial of Israel’s great leader, and declaring the great honor in which he was esteemed, recounting his mighty works, and ascribing these as did Moses himself, not to Moses personally, but to the Lord, who sent him to do them.

JOSHUA THE NEW LEADER

Joshua was now eighty years of age, and was accepted by the Israelites as Moses’ successor without murmur. They had, doubtless, learned valuable lessons in their wilderness discipline. Joshua, it will be remembered, was Moses’ companion when he went up into the mountain, Sinai, and there received the Law, and indeed throughout the wilderness journey he seems to have been the one above all others upon whom Moses could thoroughly rely. He and Caleb were the two spies who brought the favorable report, declaring that by the help of the Lord Israel might go up and assuredly take possession. In the change of leadership Israel learned another great lesson; viz., that their confidence and trust must not be in man; that so long as they recognized the Lord as their Leader they might feel safe and confident; because, although others might pass away, the Lord would abide faithful and could raise them up at any time just such leaders as he saw best.

There is a lesson in this matter for spiritual Israelites as well. We are not to put our trust in leaders, but in the Lord. This does not signify that we are not to trust leaders, and not to acknowledge leaders, for all the history of the Lord’s dealings with His people, the typical as well as the antitypical, shows us that He is pleased to use human agencies as His representatives in the teaching and leading of His people from grace to grace, from knowledge to knowledge. The lesson to be learned is that the Lord is thoroughly competent to manage His own work, and that while we may look for His leading through human agencies our trust is not in them, their wisdom, their strength, but in the Lord’s wisdom and strength, guiding them and us through them.

Another lesson here set forth is found in the words “Israel hearkened unto him [Joshua] and did as the Lord commanded Moses.” Joshua was to be followed only as the people could realize that he was following God’s instructions, given through Moses through the Law. In the antitype the great Deliverer Jesus, will be the commander of the people, will bless the people during the Millennial Age, and they must hear Him and must obey Him, but all that He will speak and all that He will order will be in full accord with the Divine Law, as represented by Moses.

The Christ, during the Millennial Kingdom, will attempt nothing on behalf of mankind in violation of the laws of righteousness, the laws of God. But everything in the way of lifting mankind up, will be by magnifying the Law of God, and making it honorable, and assisting all to conform their lives thereto, but not by that Law Covenant which is forever dead.

 (Pastor Russell, Reprints 3077‑3078, September 15, 1902)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Bible Students:

Kindly please send me some information about your association. Do you publish a monthly magazine and have other literature on Bible subjects?

I would like to receive your monthly literature. Most sincerely, ------- (NORTH CAROLINA)

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Dear Sister Emily:

Greeting of warm Christian love in our dear Master’s Name!

Just a short note to let you know I have recently received a letter from Sister ……. and she informed me that you put out a newsletter (Bible). I would appreciate it if you would kindly put me on your mailing list. I have been isolated since 1980 and so this is one way I can hear from the brethren from various parts of the country.

Thank you kindly in advance. God bless you! ------- (KENTUCKY)

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Dear Sirs:

Please send me a list of your publications – also the book about PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL, An Early American Christian Zionist.

Thanks very much. ------- (CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Brethren:

Please put me on your mailing list for your newsletter. I just received an old issue and enjoyed its contents. Also, please send me issues 390 and 391 if you still have some on hand.

I am anxious to read your many up‑to‑date current events pertaining to prophecy and end‑time happenings.

Yours in Christ and God, ------- (FLORIDA)

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Dear Friends,

If available, please send me a list of your publications and a statement of your beliefs. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you very much, ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Sir,

I would appreciate it if you could send me any material informing me of your beliefs, philosophy, practices, etc., as soon as possible.

Yours truly, ------- (CANADA)

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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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MORE QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Does the I.B.S.A. pretend that it is the only true church? Are you trying to build up a new denomination?

ANSWER: – The one true church, dear friends, is the church of the Bible. There never has been but one true church. All others are false, and if I built up another church I would be building up another false one. That is not our proposition at all. The I.B.S.A. holds out the proposition which the Bible stands for, namely, that all people who are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, and consecrated to follow in His steps, are of the church of the living God whose names are written in heaven. The I.B.S.A. recognizes that these true Christian people are in danger of falling into infidelity, unless they get the true light of God’s Word, and so is trying to bring all Christian people to study the Bible, and thus into complete union as the church of Christ. (What Pastor Russell Said, p. 348 – 1913)

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QUESTION: – What is the reason for the I.B.S.A. holding aloof from other denominations?

ANSWER: – The I.B.S.A. does not hold aloof from any denomination. We welcome all to any class, at any time, in any denomination. We do not hold aloof from anybody. We do not go to a cathedral and hold meetings. They have not asked us to. Why not go to the Episcopal church? They have not asked us. Why not go to a Baptist church? They have not asked us either. We ask all in and try to have our meetings in public places, which will be free to people of all denominations. For instance, we have this beautiful hall until July 20th, the Jews and Gentiles, and people of all denominations have a full right to come here, and feel they are invited. We do not hold aloof. Any aloofness is on the other side, I think. We say to people of all denominations, “Come with us, and you do not need to join anything.” (What Pastor Russell Said, p. 348 – 1913)

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QUESTION: – I am a Catholic. Do I need to renounce my affiliation with my church to take up study in one of the I.B.S.A. classes?

ANSWER: – Not at all! You are welcome to take part in any number of them. We do not claim to have a mortgage on them. Whether Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, or no denomination, if you come in the spirit of the Lord and desire to know the truth, you are perfectly welcome.

(What Pastor Russell Said, p. 347 – 1913)

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QUESTION: – What profession does a person need to make before he is entitled to be called an International Bible Student? How many are on the entire roll?

ANSWER: – There is no qualification for membership, no grips, no passwords. Any person of good deportment is welcome to our meetings any time.

As to the full number attending these different meetings, I do not know. I do not know how many attend the Springfield class or classes. I do not know how many classes are held in Springfield, but suppose there are at least a half a dozen, as there are forty or fifty in New York City. I will give an estimate, in a general way, that there may be 100,000. Perhaps more attend these classes; perhaps 200,000. Come to think of it, I recently heard from Southern India that there were about 3,000 attending classes there. At that rate the entire attendance may run up to 250,000. (What Pastor Russell Said, p. 347 – 1913)

Note: We publish these questions because of the difference in the I.B.S.A. (now known as Jehovah’s Witnesses) in the attitude of Liberty shown when Pastor Russell was the leader. Anyone could attend their meetings and ask questions. Now even those who are Jehovah’s Witnesses are not allowed to question anything their leaders tell them to believe.

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

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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