NO. 441: SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE MEMORIAL

No. 441

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

Comes again the Memorial of our Lord’s death, the correct time this year being after 6 p. m., April 4. The date is determined in this fashion: The 1993 Vernal Equinox arrives in Jerusalem at 5:02 p.m., March 20; and the moon following that comes new at 9:36 a.m., March 23, thus establishing Nisan 1 at 6 p.m., March 22. This brings Nisan 14 at 6 p.m., April 4; and any time that evening would be the proper time for what is commonly designated as The Lord’s Supper. We here at Mount Dora shall com­mence the service at 7:30 p.m.; and we extend a cordial invitation to any one who hap­pens to be in this vicinity to join with us who are of one mind on the matter.

THE CORRECT DATE

While the absolute time for observance is not a requirement, we should certainly have the right time if we can determine it. This is in keeping with St. Paul’s coun­sel in 1 Cor. 14:40: “Let all things be done decently and in order.” However, as v. 38 says, “If any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” – on non‑essential teachings. It is an established fact that most of the truest and best of the Household of Faith dur­ing the entire Gospel Age have kept the Memorial on the wrong date; and this was true for some years after 1874 – when the Harvest Truth began to clarify many of the mistakes in teaching and practice that had accumulated after the demise of the Apostles. There­fore, we would emphasize that observance on the wrong date should never be a test of fellowship. “Let every man be persuaded in his own mind.”

However, with those who are guided somewhat by the newness of the moon, once Nisan 1 is properly determined, the Bible is then emphatic that the observance should be on Nisan 14. “Ye shall keep the lamb up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening” – between the two evenings (see margin of Ex. 12:6). The Jews, as well as some Truth groups, usually try to hold the service when the moon comes full; but the moon this year does not come full until April 6, making such participants a day or two late with the service.

Also, some groups use a location other than Jerusalem as their starting time, ­some using Greenwich, England, and others Philadelphia, Pa., etc. However, this is simply an arbitrary conclusion. The Bible was all written in Palestine; and the locations just mentioned were not named until hundreds of years later. Therefore, it would be exactly proper to use Jerusalem as the correct place for reckoning the time. The moon may have been at the full on the evening that Jesus and the Apostles ate the Passover together for the last time, because the moon is typical of the Jewish nation; and their polity began immediately to wane after they crucified Jesus, and it passed completely out of existence A. D. 70, when the Romans destroyed the temple and either killed or dispersed all Jews from Jerusalem.

It might be well here to explain how the confusion for reckoning this date had its beginning. Innocently enough, the Christians under the Apostles began to assem­ble on the first day of the week to break bread and fellowship together in memory of the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week. This eventually made a dis­tinct cleavage between Jew and Gentile on the Sabbath. Thus, Sunday eventually be­came firmly established as the Christian Sabbath, and some countries even at this time are very rigid in holding to Sunday, although there is no Biblical support for it other than what we have just mentioned. And, as the early Christians were breaking bread together, they in no sense were attempting to commemorate the death of Jesus (the cup is not mentioned on those Sundays); and it is His death that is the crux of the Memo­rial, and not His resurrection.

Along this line, we might digress somewhat, and state that similar confusion has arisen on the date of Jesus’ birth. Nowhere in the Bible are we told to celebrate His birth, although much ado is made over Christmas in Christian countries. The correct date of His birth is the tenth day of the seventh month (Tishri), which corresponds approx­imately to our October 10 ‑ more than two months before December 25. How came this situation to exist? We answer that as the Papal system grew in numbers and influence, and with the “wandering Jew” universally in disrepute, the observance of Christmas on the same date as the Jewish Day of Atonement became decidedly objectionable, so the Papal system produced a cunningly devised fable for December 25 by a reasoning devious and intricate: They began with the premise that the Vernal Equinox is the time for all vegetable life to spring forth, about March 25; therefore, that must be the time the life in Mary’s womb had its animation. And, counting nine months from March 25 we have December 25. Here again was given a blow to Jewish prestige – although there is just noth­ing in the Bible to support the theory.

It will be readily recognized that great respect would accrue to the Jews if we now celebrated the birth of Jesus on the very day when they sit in sackcloth and ashes, fasting and repentant for the sins of the year on the Day of Atonement. Such action would certainly incite much comment and inquiry to determine this phenomenal coincidence – even as it now goes by unnoticed under present arrangements. On this point also there is no command to make special celebration of Jesus’ birthday; in fact, we are not told even to notice it at all, so we have no particular quarrel with those who choose to do so on December 25. As the Manna says, “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 Saviour.”

How, then, is the date for Good Friday determined? Here again the Papal system produced an arbitrary decision which would always have Good Friday on Friday. Good Friday would be the first Friday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox, ­with Easter the following Sunday. There is also no Bible support for this; and it not only has the effect of having Good Friday on Friday, but it also tends to sever all relationship between Good Friday and the Passover, so that these two dates are some­times separated by almost a full month. Rarely do they occur on the same date. With this arrangement Easter could come as late as April 23; but it would never be possible for the Passover to come as late as that.

The institution of the Passover as given in Exodus 12 emphatically states that the lamb must be killed and eaten on Nisan 14, and that the “memorial throughout your genera­tions” should be kept on the same date – that Nisan should begin when the moon comes new nearest the Vernal Equinox. This would always make the Passover festival a cere­mony in the Spring, with the Day of Atonement a festival in the Fall. Thus, the Jewish Encyclopedia clearly states that the Passover is a Spring festival.

THE SERVICE

As there was but one Passover in type, so there is but one “Lamb of God” in anti­type. But, just as the Jews were told to keep the Passover each year “as a memorial throughout your generations,” so we are told to observe the feast each year “in remem­brance of Me.” And the service for the occasion is unique; there is no other service like it in Christian ritual throughout the earth. When our Lord gave command that we ob­serve it, He did so in simplicity of speech, and with few words. “He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: THIS DO in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, this cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19,20) Yet, upon these two forthright and uncomplicated sentences great rituals have been erected by the various sects of Christendom – some more, some less, so there are now about 200 different ideas of when, how and why the service should be conducted. Fundamentally, no more would be required of us than our Lord’s statement; although it is cer­tainly in keeping with decorum and orderly procedure that a preparatory foundation be laid for partaking of the bread and the wine by reading and explaining the various ele­ments involved when more than one person keeps the feast. However, it is equally good decorum and orderly procedure that we avoid the pompous play upon words and “stage” performance, which is to be found in some quarters.

The solemnity of the occasion should be stressed, however, that all be done “de­cently and in order” – not shabbily, nonchalantly, as of some “common thing.” It is commendable that the Christian world overemphasize the feast with impressive service, and sedate and select speech, rather than by the other extreme of no propriety at all. The Roman Catholic system requires each participant to attend “confession” – usually the previous afternoon or evening before receiving the emblems; and, until recently, nothing was to be eaten or drunk on the morning of the service. While this in itself stresses the great regard the system attempts to display for the service, it also over­awes those present in a manner never intended by Jesus when He instituted it.

Here we need not discuss the errors that have been superimposed over the centuries by such nicety of display and demand, as that feature has been well set forth by both Messengers. Blessed are we if we may arrive at that balance of mind and heart that does not overdo or under-do the service – greatness in simplicity, inspiration in solem­nity, uplift and virtue in a “good and honest” participation.

GENERALITIES

They who approach the service as aforementioned are they of whom St. Paul writes – they who judge themselves that they be not judged and chastened of the Lord (1 Cor. 11:31) – the fully faithful in whatever Elect Class they may abide. Such are “more than conquerors,” (Rom 8:37) “buried with Him,” (Rom. 6:4) “dead unto sin, but alive toward God.” (Rom. 6:11) To such obedient and watchful, as “little children,” the promise is sure, “I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psa. 32:8) “Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” (Psa. 73:24) And to these the promise is sure, “No good thing will He with­hold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psa. 84:11) Strengthened by such assurances, each worthy participant may confidently review the year past and anticipate the year ahead “in newness of life.”

Quite often, immediately before or after doing this “in remembrance,” the Fully Faithful are made specially mindful, through having to drink of His cup, that the bread and the wine carry weighty implications for them. As our Lord “poured out His soul un­to death, and was numbered with the transgressors,” so have His faithful followers done during the Age. “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Tim. 4:6), wrote St. Paul to his “son” Timothy; and the Diaglott makes this even more emphatic, “I am already being poured out, and the time of my dissolution has come near.” Thus, this “good soldier” realized with full clarity and calm anticipation that his own life would soon be “poured out” – when the Roman executioner would chop off his head, just as one might pour water from a pitcher – as he drank to the full that “cup” which the Lord had given him. And in this we find not the slightest evidence of whin­ing or reviling of his persecutors – no scheming to escape. “Theirs not to make reply; theirs not to question why; theirs but to do and die.” And having reached that grand pinnacle of victory, he could say with all confidence, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day.” (2 Tim. 4:8)

“CONSIDER HIM”

In all of this, particularly at this Memorial season, the words of St. Paul are most timely: “Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds... faint not when thou art rebuked of Him.” (Heb. 12:3,5) In that eloquent and touching discourse which He gave His disciples on the same night in which He instituted the Memorial of His death, He had said among other things, “They hated Me without a cause.” (John 15:25) And let us never forget that “they” who thus hated Him were the so‑called “good people” of that day – those who claimed to be longing for the appearance of their Messiah – Him whom they hated “with­out a cause” when “He came to His own,” but His own received Him not. “He [the Jewish High Priest Caiphas] that delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin.” (John 19:11) And be it remembered that He whose speech was “full of grace and truth,” so that never man spake like this man, said exactly the right thing, in the right place and at the right time; so that there was in truth no cause for any to hate Him. Yet, hate Him they did, as He wept over their undone hypocritical condition.

And in all this “He left us an example that we should follow in His steps,” (1 Pet. 2:21), bearing ever in mind that it is often the Measurably Faithful who add to the af­flictions of the righteous – “your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My name’s sake.” (Isa. 66:5) Concerning such the Scriptures exhort us: “Let not thine heart envy sinners, but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.” (Prov. 23:17)

THE BREAD — THE CUP

The institution of the “Lord’s Supper” is succinctly stated in Matt. 26:26‑28, in Mark 14:22‑24, and in Luke 22:19,20, the first of which verses we now quote: “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disci­ples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testa­ment, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

The meaning of no other Biblical words have caused more and sharper con­troversies than those quoted above. As on all other Scriptural doctrines, so on this, Satan has produced cunning error from one extreme to the other. The Ro­man Catholic Church is among the foremost of such perverters in its creation of the Mass, the basis of which is transubstantiation, the performance of which by the offi­ciating priest supposedly actually turns the bread and the wine into the body and blood of Jesus.

Although there are about 200 different views on various features of the Lord’s Sup­per, broadly speaking, there are two general views on the meaning of the words, “This is my body – this is my blood”: (1) that group of views that teach the real presence of the body and blood of Jesus in the Supper; and (2) that group which teach the rep­resentative meaning of the bread and wine. The Roman Catholic Church has had some of the ablest minds of the Age in their organization; and they have presented very inge­nious arguments in their support of the Mass and transubstantiation.

As most of our readers know, we ourselves do not believe that there is any real presence of the body and blood of Christ; but we regard them as representations of those items. Let us take a brief look at both views: Those who accept the Mass con­tend that the actual presence of Christ is contained in the bread and the wine; in fact, they contend that the emblems are no longer bread and wine at all. The Roman Church concedes however, that the bread and the wine retain what they term “the accidents” – the appearance, form, taste, color, weight, etc., of bread and wine after the supposed transubstantiation; but, say they, the elements actually lose the essence of bread and wine, and take on the essence of the body and blood of Christ. The body and blood of Christ, so created, the priest proceeds in the Mass to sacrifice afresh for the sins of the living and the dead. Thus we have the basic relation of transubstantiation to the Mass. Against this view we offer the following refutation:

The Romanist view implies a change in the words of Jesus, which means the language should read, if their view is correct, “This has been changed into my body; this has been changed into my blood.” The fact that they must make a change in the wording to make their view acceptable is in itself an admission of error.

Further, the Bible contradicts their view. If they are correct, it would then be wrong, after the consecration of the elements, to speak of partaking of bread and wine, as the Bible does. They should then speak of partaking of the body and blood of Christ. But the Bible five times calls one of the elements bread after its consecration and dur­ing its eating (1 Cor. 10:16,17; 11:26‑28); and in all of these passages, except the second, using the familiar figure of the container for the thing contained, it calls the other element “the cup”; and elsewhere defines the contents of the cup, after its con­secration and during its drinking, as the fruit of the vine, i.e., wine (Matt. 26:29; Mark 14:25). Therefore, the Bible, by calling the elements bread and wine after their consecration, and during their appropriation, contradicts the doctrine of transubstanti­ation and proves it to be false.

Again, facts prove that the bread and wine remain bread and wine after the conse­cration of the elements – some of which are as follows: Blood does not make a person drunk, but wine does. Priests in their frequent masses must drink so much wine that they often become drunk. No amount of blood would do this; therefore, it must be wine they drink. Further, chemical analysis will demonstrate that there are exactly the same amount and same proportion of certain chemical elements in a given amount of bread after consecration as there were before; while the same amount, proportion and kinds of chemical elements will not be found in a human body. The chemical analysis of the wine proves the same thing. Hence these facts prove that there has been no change in the substance of the bread and wine after consecration by the priest.

OTHER ERRORS

Somewhat akin to the transubstantiation error is the one held by some Oriental Christian sects, which hold to the view of consubstantiation – a mingling of the bread and body and the wine and blood. The Lutheran Church and some Episcopalians teach what may be defined as instrumentalization, although they do not use that exact word. Their idea is that by means of the bread and wine – which they believe remain bread and wine throughout the service – the actual body and blood of Jesus are administered to the communicant. Thus it will be seen that all three of these views have the mutual error of “real presence.” Therefore, the following applies equally against all of them:

The Bible account of the original supper the night before Jesus died proves that He did not pass His actual blood, because His blood was yet in His veins, so it could not be in the cup which He offered the disciples. The same applies to the bread. When He blessed it and said, “This is My body,” He was not yet dead; His body was intact. He did not go around the table and put Himself into the hand of each dis­ciple; rather, He remained reclining on the couch, with the Apostle John reclining in His bosom. Thus, the disciples did not handle His body and blood, for all of them re­mained in their respective places about the table. Therefore, it is very clear that they did not receive His actual body and blood.

There is not the slightest suggestion in the entire ceremony that night that any of the disciples or Jesus thought there was an actual giving of His body and blood to them. Had they entertained such a thought we may be sure that some of them, especially Peter, would have presented questions to be answered before they could have intelli­gently participated in the service. Hence the conclusion is unavoidable that in the original Lord’s Supper Jesus did not give His actual body and blood to the Apostles to eat and drink. Therefore, it properly follows that this was not done in any of the sub­sequent observances ‑ only what was given them that night did they receive in the years that followed. And to claim that they did receive actual body and blood in later years implies that they are not the same as the original; they are not the Lord’s Supper at all.

These three views of the “real presence” contradict certain Scriptural doctrines, especially the central doctrine of the Ransom. “The Son of Man came not to be minis­tered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Tim. 2:6) The doctrine of the “real presence” would imply that Jesus had taken back His body and blood (His humanity), thus voiding the ransom price. Also, these doctrines of the real presence dispute our Lord’s resurrection as a spirit being (1 Cor. 15:45‑49; 2 Cor. 3:17; 1 Pet. 3:18), for they imply He arose a human being. Since the ransom is the hub – the central foundation – of the great Plan of the Ages, that great Plan would be nullified by elimination of the Ransom. Hence the idea of real presence is rank error.

Belief in the real presence contains other unscriptural implications. First, it places Jesus’ body and blood in many places at the same time – every place on earth where the Mass, etc., are performed at the same time of day. Wherever the Lord’s Sup­per would be observed the actual body and blood of Jesus would necessarily have to be present. This is self‑evident impossibility. Also, this doctrine implies that Jesus has millions of bodies and rivers of blood; for, according to it, each communicant re­ceives the complete body of Jesus and some of His blood. Thus, billions have received them, millions of them at the same time, implying that Jesus had millions of bodies and rivers of blood. Hence the “real presence” is self‑evident absurdity.

The doctrine of the real presence is contrary to facts. Not one fact in connec­tion with the original supper or its subsequent celebrations implies it; but all the facts connected with them contradict it. Also, it is contrary to reason: There is nothing reasonable about it; there is nothing reasonable that favors it; reason must be suspended to believe it. It therefore belongs to the “mystery of iniquity” (2 Thes. 2:7), not to the mystery of God; and is a counterfeit.

Further, it contradicts our five senses, especially in transubstantiation and con­substantiation. And, since these five senses were given us to help us ascertain cer­tain facts (Isa. 1:18; Luke 24:39,40), the “real presence” must be untrue, and should be rejected.

THE UNDERLYING ERROR

All who claim the real presence in the body and the blood base their conclusion, they say, upon a literal acceptance of Jesus’ words; but they fail to recognize that the word “is” – like many other words – has more than one meaning. The verb “to be” has especially two literal meanings: (1) it is the predicate to express actual existence; (2) it is the predicate to express actual representation; but in both cases the meaning is literal. So, if we should say, A dog is an animal, the word “is” would be literal, designating actual existence. And, if we would say of a photograph, This is my father, that statement also would be literal, but meaning actual representation. In both statements “is” may be taken literally.

Therefore, when Jesus said, “This is my body; this is my blood,” He certainly did not mean actual existence; but He meant those things represented His body and blood. The Scriptures are in full agreement with this conclusion; and, when we understand that the Lord’s Supper is the antitype of the annual Passover, we have Biblical proof of the matter. If we keep in mind that there was only one Passover – the one slain in Egypt – with all subsequent ones being symbolic, we can readily see the beauty and symmetry of the antitype. There was but one antitypical Passover Lamb – “Christ our Passover” (1 Cor. 5:7) – with our partaking of the bread and the wine being simply a re­membrance of that one Passover: “This do in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19) The Jews have never been confused in their observance of the annual Passover; they know it is merely “a memorial... throughout your generations.” (Ex. 12:14)

Another emphatic proof that the above is correct is to be found in the statements of Luke 22:20 and 1 Cor. 11:25: “This cup [the wine] is the new testament in my blood.” In these texts the word “is” cannot mean actual existence; for the New Testament is not a cup at all. Therefore, we are forced to conclude that the cup was merely a rep­resentation: “This cup represents the new testament in my blood.”

In this connection we do well to consider St. Paul’s explanation of the service as given in 1 Cor. 11:26. Immediately after quoting our Lord’s language in explana­tion of the bread and wine, he relates our participation in it with these words: “For as often as [whenever] ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew forth the Lord’s death.” The Greek word here translated “shew” means to announce, as for ex­ample, to announce the Lord’s word. (Acts 13:5; 15:36; 1 Cor. 9:14, etc.) Announce­ments are made in two ways – in words and in acts. When we partake of the bread and the wine we do not speak at all; therefore the “announcement” must be in the acts them­selves, in pantomime, which we do in the breaking of the bread and the pouring of the wine – a representation of something else. Since the breaking of the bread and the pouring of the wine “shew forth His death,” they must represent His body and blood.

WHO MAY PARTAKE?

There is also much difference of opinion on who may partake. The Roman Catholic Church is most rigid that one must be a member in good standing; must make confession before partaking, and usually a member of that particular church in which the service is being held. At the other extreme, some sects make no exactions at all. Often do we see the sign before some church: The Lord’s Supper – All welcome. Thus the man in the street may come in and partake if he wishes. We do not subscribe to either of these positions. We take rather St. Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 11:27,28: “Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” We believe this is a most commendable and just requirement. We need not pass judgment upon the person sitting next to us. There are only two rea­sons why we should object to any one partaking: They are gross immorality, or gross doctrinal deflection. Either of these, but only these, are grounds for disfellow­shipping any one. In all other things we may accept St. Paul’s statement: “Let a man examine himself.” This places the responsibility squarely where it belongs – on each individual participant.

WHEN

Much confusion also exists on the proper time for observing the Lord’s Supper. Some churches say once a week on Sunday which, they say, is the way the early church observed it. Others have once a month, or once every three or four months. The Roman Catholic Church says it should be done when any one of their seven sacra­ments is performed. Thus, when people are married in the church, the Mass is always performed. This means it might be used two, three, perhaps four times in one day. And, since they contend that the Mass contains the actual body and blood of Jesus, the participants are forbidden to masticate the wafer; and they do not partake of the wine at all – lest in passing the cup from one to the other something might occur to spill some of it – now actually the “precious blood,” which would be a major calamity. Therefore, the priest drinks the entire goblet of wine himself, which accounts for many of them becoming intoxicated. In fact, the report is current that about ten per cent of the priests in the United States are pretty much alcoholics.

When we remember that the Lord’s Supper is the antitype of the Jewish Passover, then we have no difficulty at all in seeing that the service should be but once each year. “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew forth the Lord’s death till He come.” (1 Cor. 11:26) The Lord’s death occurred on a certain day of the year; and it should be “remembered” by the special service but once each year on that particular day. The Lord left no instructions at all for remembering His birthday; but Christendom generally makes no effort to commemorate His birth more than once a year; therefore, it should logically follow that His death, which we are specifical­ly told to remember, should be observed but once each year; and this is our practice.

THE WINE — There is considerable divergence of thought respecting “the cup” also. In the annual commemoration of the Passover the Jews used intoxicating wine of excel­lent quality, beginning with a cup before any food was taken, continuing with two more cups during the meal; then a fourth cup “after supper” (Luke 22:20). This fourth cup was the one the Lord used to establish the Memorial. Most of the Christian churches today, and especially so the Roman Catholic Church, use intoxicating wine of excel­lent quality; but some, being opposed to alcohol in every way, use simply “the fruit of the vine” without fermentation. Should any resent this latter custom, as contrary to what Jesus and the Apostles did, we would say that a teaspoonful of alcoholic wine could be poured into the cup. This should satisfy every one, as there is no Scriptural law on the amount of alcohol the cup should contain.

What has been written herein is in no sense to be taken as a substitute for “The Passover of the New Creation” (Study XI) as found in Parousia Volume Six. Rather, we would urge all our readers to give sober reading to that chapter; and we thus wish all the Lord’s rich blessing in the preparation for and participation in this Memorial on the evening of April 4. “The God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ.” (Heb. 13:20,21)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint No. 249, March 1976)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sister Hoefle: Christian greetings in our Lord and Master’s Name!

This year has gone so fast and I haven’t accomplished nearly as much as I had hoped in the Lord’s work. Retirement is about a year away and I hope to have more time for study and witnessing.

All of the Epiphany articles are profitable for blessing and edification. I especially enjoyed No. 438, November 1, with the recent factual history of the Jewish people’s struggle for peace with the Arabs. How important it is for these facts to be considered before going forth with any kind of peace initiative. Also impressive was Brother Kenneth W. Rawson’s work and ministry to the Jewish people with his audio video presentations. What a joy it is to know that a brother in the Truth is doing such an important work with such success. I will be ordering video tapes of Israel’s Appointment with Destiny from Brother Rawson for distribution to friends.

If you have ten extra copies of No. 438 I would appreciate receiving them. Thank you for your continued support through prayers, papers and letters. We think of you often. May the Lord bless you and yours through this holiday season and the coming year.

With warm Christian love, your Brother in His Name, ------- (CALIFORNIA)

PS — I was so pleased to hear Cousin Melvin Warnock enjoyed his visit with you. I, too, hope to have opportunity to visit with you. After all these years it would be such a blessing to see you and discuss the Lord’s glorious Plan, and what He has in store for those who love Him.

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Dear Brethren of Mount Dora: Greetings in the Lord!

Enclosed is a check to cover cost of mailing and paper of Newsletter which is so informing, and I enjoy them.

We are in the last days of the Harvest and prophecy is fulfilling with changes of governments in Israel and U.S., and others. We are waiting upon the Lord.

Please keep on sending me your Newsletter. Brother Russell was right on chronology. The Lord bless you all and be with you in the work.

Love and prayers, ------- (FLORIDA)

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Dear Sister Emily Hoefle,

I am 83 and a half years old now and my eyes are fading. My right eye is 20/400 and my left eye is 20/200, and I have arthritis in my fingers. So I am writing very briefly. I sure enjoy your literature. Your printing is dark enough for me to read. Everything you write is so true. I’m reliving the same Truth. At the convention I remember Brother Rawson. We must be from the roots of Brother Russell’s teaching and never let go.

Now that there is freedom in Europe all the Bible Students from Brother Russell are coming up. I am reading No. 438 and No. 439. Please keep sending me your precious literature. I am donating for your work. Excuse my handwriting.

May God bless you all for spreading the good news. I have Brother Russell’s six volumes and the volume of his sermons, and all the small booklets to pass around.

Christian love and greetings, ------- (WISCONSIN)

PS — My husband was in the Truth also. He has been gone five years now.

NO. 440B: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT - PART TWO

No. 440B

THE JEWS

            “Warning! Anti-Semitism Could Be Hazardous To Your Health: ‘It’s a free world; you don’t have to like Jews, but if you don’t, I suggest that you boycott certain Jewish products, like the Wassermann test for syphilis; digitalis, discovered by a Dr. Nuslin; chlorohydrate for convulsions, discovered by Dr. Lifreich; the Schick test for diphtheria; vitamins, discovered by Dr. Funk; streptomycin, discovered by Dr. Z. Woronan; the polio pill by Dr. A. Sabin and the polio vaccine by Dr. Jonas Salk.

            “‘Good! Boycott! Humanitarian consistency requires that my people offer all these gifts to all people of the world. Fanatic consistency requires that all bigots accept syphilis, convulsions, malnutrition, infantile paralysis and tuberculosis as a matter of principle.

            “‘You want to be mad? Be mad! But I’m telling you, you ain’t going to feel so good.’ Shortly after that item ran, I received this one, which I also published:

            “Your recent column, in which you quoted the late, beloved Sam Levenson, contained an error.

            “In listing some outstanding contributions to medical science made by Jews, Levenson credited a Dr. Z. Woronan with the discovery of streptomycin.

            “Abby, I hope the Nobel Committee in Sweden doesn’t hear about this, because in 1952, they awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine to Dr. Selman Abraham Waksman of Rutgers University for discovering streptomycin!

            “However, Dr. Waksman belongs on that list because he, too, was Jewish.” Arthur Isbit, Ph.D., Chula Vista, CA (Dear Abby column, Orlando Sentinel, September 23, 1992)

            “The Time Of Jacob’s Trouble: Israel’s rebirth as a nation and continued survival are proof positive of the literal fulfillment of God’s Word. And almost every day we are reminded in either the print or electronic media of Israel’s role in the world as a nation.

            “But Jeremiah had more to say, ‘Now these are the words which the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah. For thus says the LORD: We have heard a voice trembling, of fear and not of peace. Ask now, and see, whether a man is ever in labour with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labour, and all faces turned pale? Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.’ (30:4-7)

            “Bible scholars link the ‘time of Jacob’s trouble’ with the end-time ‘Great Tribulation’ which concludes this present age with the battle of Armageddon.” (The Vineyard, July 1992)

            “The Judgment Of The Nations: The world is moving towards a day of judgment. Scripture calls this ‘The Day of the Lord’ — Joel reveals that this day will befall the world because the nations have constantly sought to disinherit Israel by dividing up her land. Of course they will do this, as they are at present, with all the crafty political rhetoric couched in cliches like ‘justice for all,’ ‘in the interest of peace’ and ‘a just solution.’

            “In reality the United States of America and the International Community have sealed themselves under the wrath of God. Time will prove this to be true. Israel is not just another nation upon the face of the globe. No, she is God’s light nation. That is — the means by which He brings His revelation and truth to the world. To tamper with Israel is thus to challenge God, and this the nations are now doing in their arrogance.” (Christian Action for Israel, Newsletter, Third Quarter 1992)

            The world is already judged. The ejection is now going on. The people are God’s Great Army. The people are rising up against their governments, asking for justice. Our Lord hath a controversy with the nations (Jer. 25:31). The nations of the earth “shall be removed like a cottage, and shall not rise again” (Isa. 24:20). But Israel will rise, and never fall again. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (Isa. 60:1,3)

IN THE WORDS OF THE PRESIDENTS

            Warren G. Harding: It is impossible for one who has studied at all services of the Hebrew people to avoid the faith that they will one day be restored to their historic national home and there enter on a new and yet greater phase of their contribution to the advance of humanity.

            Calvin Coolidge: I am glad... to express again my sympathy with the deep and intense longing which finds such fine expression in the Jewish National Homeland in Palestine. (p. 12)

            Herbert Hoover: Palestine which, desolate for centuries, is now renewing its youth and vitality through enthusiasm, hard work, and self-sacrifice of the Jewish pioneers who toil there in a spirit of peace and social justice.

            Harry S. Truman: I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have faith in it now. I believe it has a glorious future before it – not just another sovereign nation, but an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization. [Winston Churchill once said to Harry Truman: You, more than any other man, have saved Western Civilization.]

            John F. Kennedy: This nation, from the time of President Woodrow Wilson, has established and continued a tradition of friendship with Israel because we are committed to all free societies that seek a path to peace and honor individual right. In the prophetic spirit of Zionism all free men today look to a better world and in the experience of Zionism we know that it takes courage and perseverance and dedication to achieve it. (p. 13)

            Lyndon B. Johnson: The United States and Israel share many common objectives ...chief of which is the building of a better world, a world in which every nation can develop its resources and develop them in freedom and peace.

            Gerald Ford: My commitment to the security and future of Israel is based upon basic morality as well as enlightened self-interest. Our role in supporting Israel honors our own heritage.

            Richard M. Nixon: The United States stands by its friends. Israel is one of its friends. (p. 14)

            Jimmy Carter: All of you here know the importance of this country (Israel) to us. Strategically, they mean a great deal to the security of our nation and to the stability in the Middle East. They are our friends in the best sense of the word.

            Ronald Reagon: Since the rebirth of the State of Israel, there has been an ironclad bond between that democracy and this one.

            George Bush: For more than 40 years, the United States and Israel have enjoyed a friendship built on mutual respect and commitment to democratic principles. Our continuing search for peace in the Middle East begins with a recognition that the ties uniting our two countries can never be broken. (p. 15)

            James G. McDonald, the first American Ambassador to Israel, saw the absorption of immigrants as a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy: “I will bring thy seed from the East and gather thee from the West. I will say to the North, give up and to the South, keep not back; bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the end of the earth.” (Isa. 43:5,6) (p. 18) (Quotations from the book, THE BIRTH OF TWO NATIONS)

            Many Jews and Christians are looking forward to see the Messiah and His “little flock” come in the flesh in the Kingdom. But our Lord is immortal now and will be manifested by His great power and Glory, just as God manifests Himself in His great power and Glory. “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” (John 14:19,20) “Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4). The Diaglott gives it, “the likeness of God.”

BUSH-CLINTON – A MODERN SAUL-DAVID

            Having followed the tumultuous U.S. elections with keenest interest, delegates here at the UN – many of whom were interviewed by this writer — seemed not too surprised at the outcome, not because of the many polls which showed President Bush far behind, but mainly due to his low-style demeanor during the campaign. This, they felt had made him unfit to be the head of a superpower. Many of them thought that Mr. Bush had over-reached himself in personal attacks against Bill Clinton.

            However, putting politics aside, in the view of your correspondent, the main reason for the President’s defeat may be found in a Biblical analogy – the rejection of the cocky Saul, the reigning King of Israel, in favor of a little-known simple shepherd, namely, David, the unpopular son among the seven sons of the Bethlehem­ite Jesse, hated and despised by his brethren.

            This is something to ponder. It raises the question: does Providence play a role in the rise and fall of kings and rulers of nations and empires? Who would dare deny this? The writer firmly believes He does – and so should church-going George Bush – especially if we take into consideration ancient history as recorded in the world’s greatest and most accurate history book, the Bible, in its original.

            Let’s take the case of King Cyrus of ancient Persia, who played such a vital role in facilitating the second return of the Israelites to their ancient homeland, of which we have a modern analogy in President Truman’s prophetic recognition of modern Israel’s third and final return in 1948 – an act which stunned the world.

            The Bible records scores of other happenings which, in their significance, defy mortal comprehension. (The case of Cyrus – let his modern descendants, the Iranians, be put to shame – is recorded by the great prophet Isaiah in chapter 45, where he is designated as an anointed – a Messiah.)

            Also, let us not forget Israel’s miraculous victory in 1948. How did they do it in the face of the overwhelming odds against them? And 1967 – the Six-Day war; 1973 – the Yom Kippur War? Was all this due to the power of mortal man? Many Israelis themselves don’t believe it. A Higher Hand was at work, as there was a Higher Hand here at the UN in November 1947 when the decision to vote Israel into statehood – against all odds – was adopted by a slim margin of 33 for, 13 against with 10 abstentions. This writer was there and witnessed this miracle. The number “33” contains much symbolism for the Jewish people. It contains in Hebrew, the two numbers embracing YHVH (26) and the Biblical “seven.”

            Let us further recall the story of Esther and Mordecai – how the Jewish people were saved from annihilation by the Hitler of that day, Haman. To this day, Jews worldwide celebrate Purim to commemorate the event. Then we have the miraculous event of the Maccabean victory over the Romans, also commemorated in the joyous holiday of Channuka, this year, falling in the third week of December.

            Why did Hashem, the G-d of Israel, Who is today as He always was the same – reject the modern “Saul” for the little-known “David” and decided to cast his vote against Saul? History has shown all through the ages, that kings and rulers who aimed at the destruction of the People of the Book suffered the consequences of their actions. It never failed.

            Now, let’s take a look at the plain facts in the case of the American Saul:

            1. At the Republican Convention, all the speakers, including Buchanan and Pat Robertson, as well as the President himself, boasted over the fact that “G-d is with us” implying that He was not with the Democrats. Chutzpah!

            2. As for the loan guarantee, the President used it as a political football game with the Israelis, promising and then reneging. After having helped Labor to regain the government, his promise on the loan guarantee held certain conditions. Hashem did not like his “yes-and no” game in reference to the freezing of the settlements. Poor Yitzchak Rabin. Bush placed him in a dilemma.

            3. Mr. Bush approved weapons to Israel’s enemies.

            4. He views Jerusalem as “occupied territory...” To sum up, he has violated the Biblical injunctions and fought the will of the G-d he worships and, herein, your correspondent holds, we have reason for his rejection.

            Change? Yes! The UN now awaits a new Clinton-Gore-appointed Ambassador. (By David Horowitz — The Jewish Press, November 20, 1992)

            “Editor’s Comment: The time will surely have to come when Israel will trust God more fully for her needs. Whatever we may say about the loan guarantees one thing is sure — the United States government used them as a means to manipulate Israel. This is the price Israel will keep on having to pay if she cannot trust God to give her what she needs! It is a bad place to be in. God is waiting for Israel to trust Him.

            “‘Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.’ (Isa. 30:18)” (Christian Action for Israel, Newsletter, Third Quarter 1992)

            Jews Must Remain Jews To Be Saved: Unfortunately, the theology of many Christian churches refuses to recognize the eternal destiny of the Jewish people, in which the covenant dealings of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob with the people of Israel are separate and distinct from His dealing with Christians. Consequently, most Christians believe that eternal damnation will be the lot of every Jew who does not become a Christian.

            Since 1948 most evangelical and fundamental Christians believe that the rebirth of the nation of Israel portends the imminent return of Jesus.

            Missionary activities specifically targeting the Jewish people have reached a frenzied pitch throughout the world.

            “Time is of the essence!” the missionaries say. “Every Jew must hear about Jesus.” They believe that those who don’t accept Jesus (the vast majority) will be damned eternally according to the popular “Second-Advent/Battle of Armageddon” scenario.

            These unfortunate large-scale missionary efforts have not yet invaded Israel; but Israel’s Anti-Missionary Law is too weak to be credited with preventing them. The rapid growth of messianic synagogues — whose congregants believe that Jesus is the messiah is proof of the law’s weakness.

            The evangelicals are playing a waiting game. According to them, Jesus cannot return until certain events occur in Israel. Jews returning to Israel within its historic boundaries is one cardinal sign.

            Evangelicals are therefore donating heavily to Zionist projects in order to hasten the time (according to their concept) of the “return of Jesus.” They are also hoping to ingratiate themselves with the Jewish people — while not openly proselytizing. Once Israel reaches a certain prophetic point of development, it will be inundated with Christian missionaries.

            In order to counter the covert missionary work of the present and the anticipated invasion of the future, Israel’s Anti-Missionary Law must be supplemented by the positive approach. Our message to the people of Israel is the same as that given nearly a century ago by Pastor Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Bible Students, a world-wide Christian group.

            That message is reflected in a quote from his pen: “A voice is sounding from the wilderness, and Jews everywhere are hearkening to it. It does not call them to become Christians, but to remain Jews and to realize as Jews the ideal set before them by the Lord in the Law and by the Prophets” (from Comfort to the Jews).

            We have worked with synagogues and other Jewish organizations throughout the U.S. From experience, we have seen that the Jewish people will listen more readily to this message from a Christian than from their fellow Jews. We are honored and very glad to serve the children of Abraham in this vision of their faith.

(Pastor Rawson, a veteran minister from Edison, NJ, actively combats anti-Semitism.)

(Jerusalem Post, November 21, 1992)

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            Many thanks and much appreciation for the beautiful Christmas cards received, with special thanks for the love and prayers expressed — which we heartily reciprocate. We wish all our readers a prosperous and Blessed New Year.

ANNOUNCEMENT: The date of our Memorial is April 4, 1993, after six p.m.

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NO. 440A: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT - PART ONE

No. 440A

In the beginning of another year, we praise the Lord and thank God for all His benefits toward us. In the words of David we say: “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psa. 34:1) We continue to pray for Thy will to be done in earth as it is in heaven. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.” (Heb. 10:23) In His Kingdom (Acts 17:31), “Then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.” (Zeph. 3:9)

            The disastrous calamity of Hurricane Andrew caused the loss of many homes and much sorrow and heartache to its victims. However, such calamities bring out the best in people. Many good people have gone to their aid with food and medical supplies. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Prov. 15:3) “Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.” (Psa. 58:11)

            “Typhoon Gay Wreaks Havoc In Majuro, Marshall Islands: nearly 5,000 people lost their homes, and a third of the territory was declared a disaster area after the typhoon struck the northern Marshalls on Friday.” (Orlando Sentinel, November 24, 1992)

            “A Calamitous Plague On All Our Houses: Nicaragua’s Lethal Tsunamis are the latest disaster to Hit the Planet. ‘Natural’ is not a word that links logically with ‘disaster.’ But together the words emphasize how little control humans have over the events they describe. Almost without pause, nature lately has shattered, crushed and flooded the earth with a series of cataclysms that have killed hundreds, caused incalculable damage and left survivors shaken.

            “On the same day in mid-August, a volcano erupted in Alaska, an earthquake hit near Alaska’s Andrean off Islands and another rocked Kyrgyzstan in the former Soviet Union. Two weeks ago Hurricane Andrew hit the Bahamas, then ripped through Florida and Louisiana. Last week the chain of disasters continued. Tropical Storm Polly drenched China and killed as least 150 people. Typhoon Omar, which had earlier raked Guam, headed for the Philippines. In Afghanistan flash floods swept through the valleys of the Hindu Kush, leaving hundreds dead or missing.

            “Probably the most spectacular of the week’s calamities began with a major earthquake under the Pacific Ocean 30 miles off the west coast of Nicaragua. The temblor spawned tsunamis, commonly known as tidal waves, that towered as high as 45 ft. in spots and rolled over dozens of small towns along 200 miles of coast. Surging inland the waves crushed houses and hotels and swept people out to sea. Nicaraguan civil defense officials said 116 were killed and 150 missing.

            “Managua called urgently for international assistance, and several countries, including the U.S., responded with money and supplies. President Violetta Chamorro also asked Washington to resume its assistance program, which was abruptly cut off last spring to underline U.S. displeasure over the continuing political influence of leftist Sandinstas.” (Time Magazine, September 14, 1992)

            Calamities have besieged the human family many times in the past, as well as have wars, crime and disease, but they haven’t been so far reaching as they are today. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines and pestilence, and earthquakes, in divers places.” (Matt. 24:7) However, Daniel 12:1 describes the Time of Trouble we will have before Messiah’s Kingdom is inaugurated. Also, Matt. 24:21 describes this same trouble as great tribulation: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” We thank God for this last clause. We believe this phase of the trouble refers to worldwide anarchy which is the last phase of the trouble, and probably will be short as verse 22 indicates.

            Calamities increase and crime and diseases escalate despite the good efforts of our faithful officers and the search by medical science to find cures for diseases.

            “If The Lira Collapses, Italy Could Follow Suit: As the lira slumped against the all-powerful German mark early this month, wild rumors sped around several Italian cities that the government would freeze bank deposits. Not only were some banks in central Rome besieged by worried depositors but also two small branches inside the Italian Parliament could barely keep up with an unprecedented wave of withdrawals. ‘If they are panicking in Parliament,’ says one Roman, ‘we’re really in the mud.’

            “From London to Lisbon, all Europeans are facing uncertain times as the rosy vision of a prosperous European union has been put on hold. But no place is more uncertain than Italy, where a 54-year-old Columbia University Law School grad named Giuliano Amato is fighting a desperate battle as Prime Minister to keep a battered economy from flying apart. Industrial production is plummeting, while business confidence is at a 15-year low. By Amato’s own admission, Italy is passing through its most dangerous political and economic turbulence since World War II. ‘If I fail now,’ he told BUSINESS WEEK in an interview on October 6, ‘I do not know what will happen to my country.’ [“Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven (present ruling powers, civil and ecclesiastical) shall be shaken.”—Luke 21:26]

            “Italy’s deep crisis is also becoming a big problem for the rest of Europe. The depressed lira, which floated free of other European currencies last month, is a frontal blow to French and German companies that compete head-on with such Italian giants as Fiat, Olivetti, and Benetton. In less than two weeks, for example, Fiat has gained a potential 25% price advantage over arch-rival Volkswagen. And the price for correcting that differential is going to be high: On October 2, Amato asked the European Community for up to $15 billion in standby loan guarantees to help the lira.

            “Crucial Time: If Amato fails, the lira could collapse — and the rest of Italy along with it. In the rich industrial heartland of Northern Italy, threats of a tax revolt are already spreading as voters flock in droves to the Leghe, regional parties that advocate radically reducing, even severing, political and economic ties with Rome. In local elections in Mantua in early October, two Leghe parties walked away with a stunning 42% of the vote. ‘The very unity of Italy risks being destroyed,’ warns Giovanni Spadolini, president of the Italian Senate and a former Prime Minister.

            “Can Amato begin to restore confidence? The next few weeks will be crucial. His strategy hinges on getting quick Parliamentary approval for a tough 1993 budget and a series of structural spending cuts that are unprecedented in postwar Italian history. For example, he has moved swiftly to cut to the bone some of Europe’s most generous pension and health schemes. Despite such efforts, next year’s budget deficit will be around $130 billion at the least — some 10% of gross domestic product.

            “Kickbacks: Amato has a couple of aces up his sleeve. Although Italy’s traditional ruling parties bristle at his attempt to restrain pork-barrel spending, they fear new elections even more. Voters are primed to make a clean sweep. The parties are reeling from snowballing corruption investigations that have thrown scores of politicians and businessmen into jail this year. Almost every day brings fresh arrests. Most recently, 8 of the 12 members of the regional government in Abruzzi were jailed on charges of receiving kickbacks on $310 million in aid from the EC.

            “The threat from organized labor is less than it seems. Italy’s unions, which helped bring Italian industry to its knees in the 1970s, are now weak and divided. Public workers did stage a walkout on October 2, and the three largest union confederations are calling for a nationwide general strike on October 13, but turnout is likely to be low. With unemployment at 11%, hanging on to a job is now more important than making a political point. ‘With the recession, I have to recognize that Fiat is vulnerable,’ says Luigi Mazzone, an official of FIOM, Italy’s metalworkers’ union. Fiat, Italy’s largest private employer, will temporarily lay off 31,000 workers next month.

            “‘It’s hard to be optimistic, but you can’t exclude the possibility that Amato will make it,’ says Stefano Micossi, chief economist at Confindustria, the employers’ federation. Business is starting to rally around Amato. The slump in the lira’s value will fuel inflation, but industrial production in the north could pick up thanks to increased exports. ‘Add to that the possibility that the Germans won’t be able to stick to these high interest rates,’ says Micossi, ‘and I can see a strong psychological shift.’ But before it’s over, Amato may need some even stronger medicine to cure Italy.

            “A Talk With Prime Minister Amato: What happens if you fail and your government collapses? Answer: If I fail, I really don’t know what happens to this country, to the confidence it needs in itself and to the confidence we need to restore with international financial markets. If I fail – not because it’s me, because it could be anybody else — it would be a very difficult blow for the country to sustain. And it would be a blow for Europe as a whole, because Europe needs Italy.” (By John Rossant in Rome — Business Week, October 19, 1992, pp. 49,50)

IN FINANCE

            At the present writing, December 4, 1992, there is a flurry of pre-Christmas buying. In our recent election, the big campaign issue by all parties was for change. With Bill Clinton’s election many are now optimistically looking for a change from our “recession” to prosperous times. But our basic problems are still with us. We are in deep trouble in our country and also the whole world in all phases of society – financial, political, religious, military, social, moral, legal, etc. From a Swiss news-letter we read: “The crucial problems will still be there after the election.” The U.S. federal debt soaring was caused by government spending gone wild. Below are several shocking forecasts from a prominent newsletter:

            1. While the eyes of the world have focused on Russia and Yugoslavia, new explosive rumblings have been building up throughout the Middle East. Tension in the Middle East is building to a crescendo... The ultimate aim of Islam is the destruction of Israel.

            2. Intelligence sources from China and Libya report that radical Islamic factions backed by China intend to impose a strategic raw material blockade on the West in alliance with the South African ANC – once the ANC is installed as the government of South Africa.

            3. Intelligence sources reports an increasing rise in nationalism in Europe... Many of Europe’s boundaries have been drawn arbitrarily by the imperial warlords, and now the price has to be paid. The 1990s will be a decade of rebellion.

            4. With the collapse of Soviet Communism, it is now Europe vs. America. The new anti-American alliance is forming. Information from sources in Paris, Rome, London, Zurich and Moscow has revealed an astonishing new European alliance that could destroy America economically and its potential dominance.

            As we move further into the Time of Trouble, conditions will get worse, with occasional minor upturns before the long sought relief of the Kingdom under Jesus Christ – “Thy Kingdom Come.” We expect worldwide revolution to increase in magnitude, leading into Anarchy and the final phase of Jacob’s trouble, until the still small voice says, “Peace Be Still.” Our continued advice is “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Zeph. 2:3) (Contributed)

            1992 has certainly been a year of changes. Communism fell apart this year. We saw the system of government of one of the world powers, the Soviet Union, collapse. The President of the United States was defeated for re-election, and one year prior he had been rated as doing the best job of any President in recent years. For the first time in many decades, the world is facing a recession. Gold is at an all time low.

            The United States will have a new president in 1993, who has made a lot of promises that will be difficult to keep. 1993 should be a low inflationary year. Interest rates will probably move up 1/2% to 1% depending on what new tax laws are enacted by our new President.

            The United States’ economy affects many other countries in the world. With the collapse of the Soviet Union the United States is curtailing defense spending; and this has created unemployment, which affects all businesses.

            President Clinton is planning to reduce the Federal budget deficit by 50% over four years; but Federal spending programs, known as entitlements, account for more than one-half of all Federal spending; and they are growing faster than the inflation rate of 3.2%. The largest entitlement program, Social Security, has a budget of 302 billion dollars and is larger than our defense budget in 1992. 1993 will be an interesting year for all companies and countries.

IN RELIGION

            Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Witnesses continue to preach “fear” of annihilation in Armageddon to gain more members. They need more members to replace the members that are leaving the Society. They change their doctrines to suit their needs, such as the Great Crowd will live through to the Kingdom. When so many of their faithful devotees died like the rest of the human family, it became necessary to change that teaching, as well as other teachings that time revealed to be false. They are like the chameleon changing its colors.

            There are more systems of error today than there has ever been. People are so confused they don’t know what to believe. The Witnesses have many confused members. “Let us reason together, saith the Lord.” (Isa. 1:18) In Christ’s Kingdom the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord (Isa. 11:9); and the “inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa. 26:9) People are learning unrighteousness more than righteousness in this “evil day” (Eph. 6:13), yet the Witnesses claim to be God’s Kingdom and are separating the Sheep and Goats of this present world. God “will have all men [which include the Jehovah’s Witnesses] to be saved [from the Adamic Death], and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4) The Witnesses teach Christ’s Kingdom in a perverted way. They say their devotees will be the rulers in that Kingdom, but the Remnant tells the Great Crowd what to do now. Since they claim they are to be God’s Kingdom on earth, and are the forerunners of that glorious Kingdom now, they are judging the individuals of this present generation during this Time of Trouble while Satan is still blinding the minds of the people. Knowing that the “god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not” (2 Cor. 4:4), “God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” (Rom. 11:32) Our Redeemer is full of mercy and compassion, but the Witnesses have no mercy and compassion on the good people who do not join them.

            In the response to the Awake! magazine of September 22, 1992, the Witnesses say it is all right to lie for religious purposes. However, in their Watchtower of December 15, 1992, they say: “Why Be Truthful? Truth is the standard our great Creator has set forth for all. His written Word, the Bible, states at Hebrews 6:18 that ‘it is impossible for God to lie.’ He set a model for us...” (p. 23, col.1) “This truthful God requires us to live by his high standards in order to receive his approval. Revelations 21:8 further says that the portion of ‘all the liars’ is ‘the second death,’ which is eternal destruction. So our accepting God’s view of lying gives us strong reason to speak the truth.” (p. 23, col. 2)

            Of all liars today when Satan is still the “prince of this world” (John 14:30), and continues to “blind the minds of the people” (2 Cor. 4:4), some are lying knowingly and some unwittingly. But all will be resurrected and “come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4), as will the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

            While many of the clergy were consigning Brother Russell to eternal torment, he was teaching a blessing for them in the Kingdom. We teach the Kingdom to the world and it will be a panacea to all who have “ears to hear.”

            “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. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.” (Isa. 35:4,5) “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isa. 35:10)

            The following are excerpts from a report by an ex-JW — “My response to September 22, 1992 Awake! Magazine, pp. 11-13: I have often encountered claims by various persons that the Watchtower Society is wholly irresponsible and often dishonest when relating accounts that deal with the Society. I was always somewhat skeptical of the extent of this claim until they discussed me and my work in an Awake! article which is deliberately deceptive and misleading. The article begins by stating that ‘Christianity has met with opposition from its inception. In giving instructions to his disciples, Jesus warned: Be on your guard against men; for they will deliver you up to local courts, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. [The Witnesses haven’t been scourged in synagogues nor in churches. However, Pastor Russell was. The Witnesses are seldom mentioned by the clergy in the denominations, contrariwise, the Witnesses “scourge” the Christian organizations many times for their teachings.] Why, you will be hailed before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations.’

            “This is well put, but the Watchtower has grossly misapplied this Scripture. In the custody cases discussed, it is often the Watchtower that is doing the persecuting. Most all of the cases that I have testified in involved a single individual male who is extremely concerned about the welfare of his child or children. In virtually all of them, the Watchtower’s legal staff has been brought in with unlimited resources to fight for the Witness mother against a lone individual, usually a young male in debt with little savings and very limited resources to spend on his case which may cost him $30,000 or more. Even if the Watchtower loses, they have the resources to appeal these cases over and over until they prevail. According to their Duns report, their income in the United States last year [1991], was over a billion dollars. [Money talks in this “evil day.”] As stated in a Canadian appellate court decision by Justice Proudfoot, they often appeal these cases to death. Rarely does the non-Witness have the funds to even put up a half-way defense at the lowest court level.

            “They then falsely claim that ‘A small group of opposers have tried to make religion the key issue in determining child-custody issues when faithful Witnesses of Jehovah are divorced by non-believing mates.’ In virtually all of the cases that I am aware of, the marriage problems were usually caused by the woman becoming a Witness, and in most cases the man did not want a divorce. What he desired was to restore the harmony in his family that existed before the Watchtower entered his life. Thus, it is hardly accurate to state that the Witnesses ‘are divorced by unbelieving mates’ but more accurate to state that the Watchtower intrusion has rendered the marriage asunder, causing a divorce. Further, the problem is not a ‘small group of opposers.’ I have consulted in only about 100 cases or so at most in the past decade, and there are, according to the Watchtower’s own estimates, something like 1,000 or so potential American custody cases each year, and thousands more European cases.

            “The Awake! continues, referencing an Ohio Supreme Court case that stated ‘The eleven-page opinion struck quite a blow to the so-called expert witness, who is actually a disfellowshipped individual claiming to be a psychologist.’ It is difficult to understand why the Society would prefer to deliberately lie here when they could serve their own ends and still be accurate. This paragraph obviously refers to myself, and I am not disfellowshipped, but resigned from the Watchtower on July 20, 1981, by means of a letter sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, which I have, and was dated July 29, 1981, and signed by Paul Maddox of Bethel. The Watchtower Society has this information, yet chooses to lie. Further, the statement ‘claiming to be a psychologist’ is deliberately intended to distort and misrepresent. My background in psychology, as published in my 1992 book on Witness Mental Health, states:

         ‘Dr. Bergman has extensively studied the Jehovah’s Witness faith almost thirty years. He has regularly attended their meetings for almost two decades and has actively involved himself with virtually every phase of the movement. His research on the mental health [and history] of Jehovah’s Witnesses has resulted in a master’s thesis at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, numerous books, articles, book chapters and several papers presented at professional confer­ences. He is now the leading American expert on the psychology of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and has testified in court or was a consultant scores of times as an expert witness on the Jehovah’s Witnesses. A licensed professional clinical counselor, his next publication in this area will be a full length book on the process of doing counseling with the Witnesses.

         ‘The writer has also spent over two decades in research in the area of criminal corrections and psychology. He has also taught psychology, sociology and research methods and techniques at both the undergraduate and graduate levels for over a decade...

         ‘A fellow of the American Scientific Affiliation, his work has been translated into five languages. Dr. Bergman has earned six college degrees, including two masters degrees and two doctorates. He is listed in Who’s Who in the Midwest and in Who’s Who in Science and Religion...

            “The Watchtower then quoted [in the Awake!] the court ruling — which was also grossly inaccurate. This entire section stated:

         ‘One Witness lost custody of her three-year-old son and was restricted from even mentioning religion during periods of visita­tion. The Legal Department of the Watchtower Society appealed this order and lost in the court of appeals. An appeal was then taken to the Ohio State Supreme Court. Happily, on April 15, 1992, the court rules in favor of the liberty of the Witness. The 11-page opinion struck quite a blow to the so-called expert witness, who is actually a disfellowshipped individual claiming to be a psychologist. The court said that he ‘testified, on the basis of a dissertation he had written, that mental illness was more common among Jehovah’s Witnesses than among the general population. This testimony was a blatant attempt to stereotype an entire religion... [T]his one piece of statistical evidence is meaningless.’

            “First of all, one wonders about the wisdom of printing in the Awake! the statement that ‘mental illness was more common among the Jehovah’s Witnesses.’ Millions of Witnesses will read this, and surely many will say to themselves, ‘In my experience this claim is true!’ The Watchtower is letting the cat out of the bag with the admission, and printing it hardly seems in their best interests. Further, the Watchtower is irresponsi­ble at best in printing this statement, one which they must know consists of absolute lies, and they are perpetuating the lies. In this case, Pater versus Pater, I did not testify, as claimed by the court on page 400, on the basis of a dissertation that I wrote because it was not specifically on Witness mental health. I testified on the basis of almost twenty years therapy experience, and my research which involved reviewing approximately 4,000 books, Ph.D. theses and articles which are directly relevant to the Witness belief structure, my experience in working with hundreds of mentally ill Witnesses, and my review of the specific psychological studies which evaluated the mental health of the Witnesses — all of them concluding that it is much higher than the average, as well as my analyzation of the specific Watchtower teachings and authoring over a score of books and articles on the Witnesses. Literally volumes of research exist which show that the Witnesses’ teachings, if adhered to conscientiously as the Watchtower requires, are going to cause emotional problems and some level of maladjustment in a high number of cases. It is generally not difficult to meet the court’s requirement in these cases to show the religious beliefs of the Witnesses will have a specific harmful effect on the child in question, although this requires both exposure and time for the problems to develop. For a three or even six-year-old, this would be rather difficult to show.

            “As to the court’s claim that my testimony stereotypes the Witnesses, it has nothing to do with this concept. The word stereotype is an emotion laden term that means one has judged an entire group by a few cases and implies that I inaccurately described the situation with the Witnesses. They are one of the most homogeneous of all American sects, and their teachings are incredibly consistent throughout the world, partially because of the hierarchal arrangement. All policy in all countries comes from Brooklyn, and must be strictly followed without question in all details. Studies have consistently found – and it is my experience in traveling through Europe and Canada — that an incredible homogeneity in their belief and behavior does exist worldwide. The Witnesses must follow the same rules everywhere, something that the Witnesses actually brag about. It is hardly accurate to state that because the Witnesses teach a doctrine, that enumerating this doctrine or relating the empirical studies which are highly consistent about its effects, is stereotyping.” (Excerpt from the report of Dr. Jerry Bergman, NWT college, Box 246A, Archbold, Ohio 43502)

            The above excerpts are from Dr. Bergman’s report. If any of our readers would like a full report, write to Dr. Bergman and he will be glad to send it to you for a fee of $3.00, which includes postage and Xerox copies.

            “Church Mistaken, Pope Says: Pope John Paul II formally proclaimed yesterday that the Roman Catholic Church erred in condemning the astronomer Galileo for holding that the Earth was not the center of the universe.

            “Galileo’s condemnation resulted from a ‘tragic mutual incomprehension’ and became a symbol for the church’s ‘supposed rejection of scientific progress,’ the pope said in a speech to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

            “The speech was the Vatican’s final word on the matter nearly 400 years after Galileo was found guilty of violating church doctrine by contending that the Earth revolved around the sun, and not vise versa. Vatican experts appointed by the pope had studied the case for 13 years.

            “Galileo was forced to recant his beliefs and ordered imprisoned. He died under house arrest, blind but working on his theories to the end.

            “The pope had already admitted church errors in Galileo’s condemnation by the Church.

            “‘Galileo, who practically invented the experimental method, understood why the sun could function as the center of the world,’ the pope told church officials and scholars gathered at the Apostolic Palace.

            “The theologians of the time, in maintaining the ‘centrality of the Earth,’ erred by thinking that the ‘literal sense of sacred Scripture’ explained the physical world.

            “In fact, the pope said, there are two realms of knowledge, ‘one which has its source in Revelation and one which reason can discover by its own power.’ The two realms are distinct but compatible, he said.

            “The president of the Academy of the Lincei in Rome, of which Galileo was a member, said the speech was a long time coming. ‘This is not only about a rehabilitation but about recognition of errors and guilt.’

            “Galileo Gaillel lived from 1564 to 1642. He built the first complete astronomical telescope and used it to gather evidence supporting Copernicus’ theory that the Earth revolves around the sun.

            “The theory already had been denounced in 1616 as dangerous to the faith, and Galileo was warned to stop teaching it. He defied the warning by publishing his Dialogues Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, directed at nonspecialists, in 1632 and was tried a year later as a heretic.

            “He was sentenced to life imprisonment, a penalty later changed to house arrest, where he spent the last eight years of his life.”(Associated Press, November 1, 1992)

            The Catholic Church has made many tragic mistakes, and their victims have been burned at the stake, imprisoned, tortured and banished. The church does this because they believed their popes made no mistakes — were infallible. Not many people believe the pope is infallible today. It seems the popes should have repented of such tragic mistakes and implored God’s forgiveness. Of course, the Catholic Church has some measure of guilt.

            “World Council Urges All Churches To Adopt Creed: Washington — The World Council of Churches, seeking to widen and energize the church unity movement, is asking churches that avoid creeds to adopt one for at least occasional use.

            “In particular, the council is asking non-creedal churches, which include Baptists, to adopt the historic Nicene Creed as a ‘central expression’ of the faith and to incorporate it to some extent into their life.

            “The council is also asking churches that use the Nicene Creed ‘to recognize those now willing to use it as churches in which the apostolic faith is expressed.’

            “The request, expressed in a proposed working paper of the council, is an attempt to draw in churches that have remained on the fringes of the ecumenical movement.

            “The challenge to accept or renew the creed as ‘a focus of the faith grounded in Holy Scripture’ comes at a time when the ecumenical movement and its quest for visible unity confronts new problems and difficulties.

            “‘In certain situations,’ the working paper acknowledges ‘we observe a decrease of ecumenical enthusiasm and commitment to the goal of visible unity.’

            “The Nicene Creed was formulated in 325 at the Council of Nicea and revised in 381 at the Council of Constantinople. Its purpose was to combat a number of heresies. Those considered most serious challenged belief in a trinitarian God by denying either the full godhead of the Holy Spirit or the divinity of Jesus.

            “The creed’s text varies between Eastern Orthodox and Western churches because of so-called ‘flioque clause,’ which says the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father ‘and from the Son.’ The words ‘and from the Son’ added by Western churches, have been rejected for centuries by Orthodox churches.

            “The working paper, known as the Dublin Text, is aimed at the fifth World Conference on Faith and Order, which will convene in Santiago de Composteia, Spain, next August. It has been 30 years since the last such conference, held in Montreal in 1963.

            “Such conferences usually include delegations or observers from churches outside those that are members of the World Council, which includes 322 Protestant and Orthodox groups.

            “The first draft of the Dublin Text, prepared by the World Council’s Faith and Order Commission is currently being circulated among churches for comments. A second draft, incorporating the comments, will be prepared in Stuttgart, Germany, in April.

            “The paper cites a ‘discrepancy’ between agreements achieved by theologians in ecumenical dialogues and the willingness of church leaders to put the agreements into action.

            “It also noted the emergence of new church bodies, especially in Africa, and the continued growth of evangelical and charismatic-pentecostal movements.

            “These churches are often not only non-creedal and outside the ecumenical movement but also sometimes hostile to it. That hostility is at times returned by the mainstream churches.

            “‘Finally, a crisis of authority and different structures of authority also effect ecumenical relations and dialogue,’ the paper said.

            “The 94-paragraph Dublin Text links the concept of koinoia (communion), a central theme of the World Council’s 1991 Canberra assembly, and the Faith and Order Commission’s 10-year study on the apostolic faith. The study urged that all Christian churches strive to carry on the traditions of the ancient church of the Apostles.

            “‘Through our ecumenical dialogues we can all recognize the Ecumenical Creed of Nicea-Constantinople as a central expression of the apostolic faith,’ the paper said.

            “‘But we have also learned to recognize that, in many churches which do not use the Ecumenical Creed, that the same faith is expressed in preaching, worship, sacraments, confessional statements in the life and mission of the church,’ it added.

            “‘Now, at the end of this century, we challenge all churches to find ways to recognize in each other the apostolic faith,’ it said. (By David E. Anderson — SC State Newspaper, September 19, 1992)

            There is only one True Church. God is selecting a people for His Name (Acts 15:14), in and out of all denominations, which comprise the True Church. Their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20), and not in manmade organizations and churches. However, God approves of any group that teaches the inspired Word, especially witnessing the Kingdom. “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)

            It is during this Gospel Age that God is selecting a people for His Name, to witness to the glorious Kingdom, as did Jesus, and it is a panacea for the world, who are not selected (Matt. 4:23).

NO. 439: THE SCOPE OF THE ANGELS’ SONG

No. 439

“Glory to God in the‑highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” (Luke 2:14)

The song which the angels sang at the birth of the Savior has been seized upon and misapplied by some who do not see the plan of God for the salvation of the world. Becoming discouraged by the seemingly poor prospect for the world’s conversion, these have put forth a version of this passage more in harmony with their own doubts and misconceptions. To these the prayer which our Master taught His disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven,” has lost its meaning; for they see no hope of its fulfillment except in a very limited sense. Hence they prefer to translate the latter part of the verse, “And on earth peace, among men of good will.” Were this the proper rendering, our hopes for the ultimate good of all, as far as this passage is concerned, would surely suffer eclipse; for very few thus far in the history of the race have been “men of good will,” men who unselfishly endeavored to any appreciable degree to bring about the good of their fellows.

But we do not believe this to be the thought of the original. It is not in harmony with what we have clearly seen to be the plan of God for mankind. Such a translation eliminates the thought of God’s eventual good will toward all the world, and greatly minimizes the scope of this glorious song. It implies merely that men who have a feeling of good will are or will be at peace among themselves. How utterly barren of hope for all men would such an expression be! And how little the song of the angels would mean if this were its burden!

On the contrary, this song was a prophecy of God’s purpose to bring about through the newly born Child the abrogation of the curse and the establishment of peace and sinlessness among mankind, in which God and man would become at‑one. It was an expression of God’s good will, His good purpose, to bring man back to the image and likeness of Himself, in which Adam was created. When this shall have been accomplished, then peace will dwell in all the earth; for the causes of in harmony will have been eliminated.

The world of mankind came under the curse, or sentence, of death because of the sin in Eden – because our first parents disobeyed God’s righteous command. All humanity, therefore, are members of an accursed race ‑ under penal servitude, which ends in the tomb. The race has been learning the lesson of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and its terrible effects. But God has promised to take away the curse and to bring a permanent blessing in its place. This will mean a return to His favor, to full harmony with Himself.

PROGRESSION OF GOD’S GREAT PLAN

We speak of this song as a prophecy because the peace has not yet come, nor the good will, in the sense that God’s face is as yet not turned toward man. It is a declaration of what God purposes to do. He does not have good will toward the present sinful, rebellious attitude of the race. He has never had good will toward sin. We are not to understand that God was expressing His good will toward man when He pronounced the sentence of death upon him. God’s curse indicated His ill‑will toward man ‑ in other words, His displeasure because of man’s sin. He wished man to suffer ill as a just punishment for his willful disobedience. God cut him off from fellowship with Himself. He was not bound in justice to do anything more for the race. But in His infinite mercy He provided a deliverance for mankind. He foreknew man’s fall, and planned his redemption from before the foundation of the world.

Through all the Ages since the fall of Adam God’s plan has been slowly, steadily progressing. While men have been learning in pain and tears and trouble the nature and results of sin, God has been selecting His saintly ones, His elect – first, the elect who are to be the earthly princes in His Kingdom of blessing; lastly, the elect who are to reign over all as kings and priests of God on the highest plane of existence. The chief of all the elect is His well‑beloved Son, the Savior of the world, whose birth the angels proclaimed to the shepherds watching on the plains of Judea, nearly nineteen centuries ago. (Isa. 42:1) When all the elect ones are chosen and prepared, then the blessing of the world at large will be inaugurated. “For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God [the Church]. For the creation was made subject to frailty, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope; because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:19‑21)

The coming of the Son of God to earth was only preliminary to His offering of Himself as a ransom for the forfeited life of Adam, the father of the race, in whom all his posterity fell. But even when our Lord had died as man’s ransom‑price, God’s favor did not come to the world. Jesus was next raised from the dead a glorious, Divine being. Then He ascended up on high, and appeared in the presence of God for those who were to be of the spiritual elect. Thus the last became first in God’s plan. The merit of Jesus’ death was utilized first on behalf of these. It has not yet been applied for any others. The Church of Christ now have this promised peace and good will. It is granted only to those who have come into vital relationship with God through Christ – the fully consecrated ones.

The Scriptures show that after these are all selected, prepared and glorified, the next step will be the application to all men of the merit which has been imputed to these elect, and through whom it is to go to the Worthies of old and to the entire world of mankind. This spiritual class have been chosen to be members of the body of Christ, joint‑associates with Him in the Messianic Kingdom. All of these who prove entirely faithful are to attain this exalted position. As soon as all the spiritual class have been glorified, the sins of all the world, those living and the dead as well, will be legally canceled by the application of the virtue, the merit, of the sacrificial death of Jesus. Then they will be freed from the condemnation of the sentence of death. The death penalty will be lifted. They will be turned over to The Christ, Head and body, the Great Mediator. The curse will be removed.

The great work of the Millennial Age will then begin. It will be a work of gradual uplift during the entire thousand years of the reign of The Christ. The dead will be gradually awakened and brought to a clear knowledge of the salvation of God in Christ. All will then have the opportunity of coming into the blessed condition of peace and good will proclaimed by the angels. By degrees they will be brought, if they will, to where they will be ready to be received by the Father, to be introduced to Him. This will be the blessed experience of all who will be obedient to the rules and requirements of the Kingdom. If they prove unwilling and disobedient, after being brought to a clear understanding, they will be “cut off,” destroyed, as not worthy of further effort on God’s part for their reclamation.

CHRIST’S DEATH A BLESSING TO THE UNIVERSE

We understand that the sacrifice of the Son of God will be a blessing also to the inhabitants of worlds not yet peopled, who will not have had any personal experience with sin. God apparently purposes that after mankind has been restored, and all the incorrigible destroyed, He will allow no further infringement of the Divine Law. Indeed, we can see that if at the beginning of his deflection Satan had known the results of his own course, he would probably not have taken the step which he did. We are not to think of Satan as being foolish by nature. He was a glorious being, Lucifer, “the son of the morning.” If Father Adam and Mother Eve had foreseen the results of their disobedience, they would not have taken such a course; for to have done so with foreknowledge would have meant that they were very unwise, foolish, of unsound minds, whereas they were created perfect, in the image of their Creator.

We believe that if the angels who kept not their first estate had known the end from the beginning – if they could have looked down the Ages and seen the direful conse­quences of their course of sin and disobedience – they would have been appalled, and would have taken no such disas­trous step. The fact that they have gotten into sin, and have developed such sinful tendencies, proclivities and pref­erences, is no proof that this would have been their course if they had known as much in advance as they now know. It is our hope that some of these may yet be reclaimed, if they are properly repentant, in their great judgment day, now at hand.

God seeketh such to worship Him as worship Him in spirit and in truth. Our thought is that all these worlds surrounding us are designed to be homes to many intelligent beings yet to be created. We believe that it is God’s delight to give joy and blessing to many creatures, on various planes of existence. And God is making of this experience of mankind with sin a valuable lesson, a lesson that will be beneficial, not only to themselves, but to all the worlds that will ever be populated. These might be instructed and informed in advance of their developing any sinful tendencies just what the nature and tendency of sin is. They will probably be told the story of the tendency of sin what it did for the people of earth, what it cost to redeem and restore them. They will be told, probably, that sin degrades mind, body and morals; that its influence is only deteriorating; that once deteriorated, one learns to prefer sin, notwithstanding all the misery and degradation it brings; and that God will never grant everlasting life to any except as they gladly cooperate to that end ‑ that he will never influence any against their own will.

It would seem, then, that the great work accomplished at Calvary will have an influence as wide as the universe. And this thought might be applied to the first part of the song of the angels, “Glory to God in the Highest!” God will be glorified by all the angels, by every rank of spirit beings. He will be glorified by His exalted Church, then of the Divine nature; by restored humanity, by all the intelligent creatures on every plane, in every Age! Yea, more and more glorious will be His honor as the years of eternity roll on, and as other peoples of other planets are brought into being and brought to know Him and to share His wonderful bounties and blessings, and to learn the blessedness of loving and serving Him.

(Pastor Russell, Reprints 5576‑5577, November 15, 1914)

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THE 1967 WAR

In the year 1967 Egypt declared war on the Jews, which lasted just five days, with great victory for the Jews. Just recently a sister sent us a book, written by a Jewish lady who was there then, and we shall quote parts of that book, with some comments of our own, and perhaps some paraphrasing, the general tone of which is somewhat after the form of a diary:

“All through the month of May 1967, the storm clouds darkened on the horizon. Egypt was massing troops on the border and building up a formidable military force ready for attack; Israel was preparing to defend herself. Each day the situation became more serious. All our able‑bodied men were being called up. The roads were filled with military vehicles carrying soldiers and equipment. Many more soldiers were being posted in Mount Zion and every corner was inspected as plans for its defense went ahead. It was dangerous to linger near the border at night... War was threatening our beloved land. War was poking its ugly finger into every home and opening its grasping hand. “Thursday, June 1: The month began with a great movement of people; citizens of other nations who had been advised to leave and Israelis abroad who were hurrying to return. The rabbi in the States came to say good‑bye... ‘The situation is very serious,’ he said. ‘It seems that war is inevitable.’ He was very depressed. ‘And when all the Arab countries around us come against us intending to destroy us completely, what chance have we got?’ ‘I also believe that war is on our doorstep,’ I said, ‘but I would ask what‑chance the Arabs have when they come to fight against Israel?’

“‘But look at their strength and their numbers, and we are surrounded by them.’ ‘Do you think,’ I broke in, ‘that we’ve been brought back to our land after nearly two thousand years of dispersion, only to be destroyed by our neighbors? I cannot believe that God gave us a State of Israel for that purpose.’ ‘I agree with him,’ I said. ‘You know what befalls the enemies of Israel who attempt to foil the plan of God...’

“As he was about to leave, a commander and some of his men came to tell us that we should prepare to be evacuated from Mount Zion at once. ‘You can’t possibly remain in this house exposed to the enemy on nearly all sides. Look down at those Arab soldiers right now.’ ‘We do not want to leave Mount Zion,’ I said. ‘But you’ve no protection here and the enemy is only a few yards away. Go to the city, where there are shelters.’ Albert said quietly, ‘We have the best protection and the best shelter.’ ‘Where?’ asked the commander in surprise. Albert looked upwards. ‘Above us,’ he replied. ‘The Almighty can protect us here just as well as in the city.’

“Sabbath eve, June 2: ‘Again we have to face our enemies. When will they leave us in peace?’ He answered cheerfully, ‘Next Friday we’ll all be at the Wailing Wall.’

“Monday, June 5: Suddenly the noise of machine‑gun shells and rifle fire rent the air. Bullets were flying in all directions and as they hit the walls I knew that I must leave everything and make a dash for the gallery. Remembering a pot of potatoes cooking on the stove I ran upstairs to turn off the gas, trying to avoid the windows...

“The noise was deafening and continuous. It sounded as if every bullet hit the wall of the gallery and every explosion was outside our door. The play of sound was very misleading... Half an hour passed and the ring of the telephone could scarcely be heard above the din of the battle. With great relief I heard Albert’s voice on the line... There was no lull in the fighting that whole day. Shots were being fired from above the gallery and from all the posts around us. Also the bullets and shells were coming from the other side of Mount Zion. It was a great battle. Jerusalem – City of Peace – heralding by its name its ultimate destiny, was once again being lashed by the enemies of peace...

“We tried to sleep that night but it was impossible. The battle for Jerusalem raged all night with unabated fury. Added to the deafening noise of shells and bullets was the roar of war planes flying over Mount Zion in waves with such speed and power, scooping up every other sound in their path and then casting it all back to earth with such a thunderous roar that it seemed as if our ears would be shattered. We listened to all the firing on Mount Zion, not knowing which was from our side and which from the Arabs, and because every shot and explosion always sounded as if it was destined for our wall, I imagined that little would be left of our house. Perhaps it had already been reduced to greater ruin than when we first saw it...

“There was fierce fighting to the right of us, on the hill of Abu Tor, also on Mount Scopus and in the Mea Shearim quarter. Then we heard that four hundred Egyptian planes had been destroyed. We looked at one another. ‘That is surely impossible,’ someone remarked. ‘They must have made a mistake in the announcement. Perhaps they meant forty.’ But there had been no mistake in the announcement.

“During the night we had to brave the bullets and flying shrapnel and go upstairs. The toilet was situated on the open roof, next to the room where our soldiers were shooting from behind sand‑bagged windows. On this open roof, the whizzing of shells and bullets and the noise of their hitting the stones seemed so unreal that we did not fully comprehend the danger in which we stood. A great blaze in front of the Dormition Church lit up the whole area. Then, suddenly, the dome of the Church went up in flames...

“Tuesday June 6: A day we shall never forget. All day, without a stop, bullets and shells were flying and exploding. Always the noise seemed to be just outside the gallery... Israeli forces were occupying so many places, making such rapid progress, it was hard to believe... A broadcast came over in Arabic, which one of our men understood. When it was finished he said simply: King Hussein giving orders to his soldiers: ‘Kill every Jew you encounter, kill them with your guns, your hands, your feet, your teeth only kill them.’ We made some coffee for him and he told us our progress had been amazing. The Arab military post opposite us had been conquered and also other surrounding Jordanian posts; only one of our men had been slightly wounded and the others were perfectly all right.

“‘I have had some strange experiences today,’ he said quietly; ‘every bullet we fired struck its target. Whatever we did succeeded. We were amazed to see how quickly the Arabs evacuated their posts... I cannot believe the things I did today. It was as though some one else was commanding.’ Then he returned to his men upstairs... They bent their helmeted heads low as they felt their way along the walls on their way back. That day had changed them from carefree boys to responsible men – defenders of Mount Zion.

“Wednesday June 7: I rushed upstairs. Everything was covered with a thick layer of dust which had fallen from the ceiling with every explosion, but I could not see any damage, not even a broken window. I was astonished. Where had all the bullets and shells landed during those two days of constant battle? It was really a miracle. Mount Zion seems to have been specially protected. I remembered the Commander’s words: ‘It was as though someone else was commanding...’

“The shooting started again. There was hard fighting in the street and blood flowed in the narrow alleyways of the Old City. A high price was being paid in human lives and suffering in order to break down the walls of hatred and division. There are moments on the road of destiny which inspire fanciful thoughts, perhaps even prophetic thoughts. I looked into the future, the promised future, when the State of Israel would become the Kingdom of Israel, the Kingdom of peace, the Kingdom of God on earth with the Messiah ruling on the throne of David, and bringing peace to all the world

“Then the sound of a trumpet could be heard, the long blast of the ram’s horn ‑ the shofar ‑ shattering the silence. The battle for Jerusalem was over. Rabbi Goren, the army chaplain, was blowing the shofar at the Wailing Wall, the wall of the Temple, and we could hear him singing the prayers. At that moment all Israel was pouring out its heart in prayers. For the first time for nearly two thousand years independent Jews were again in the City of David, at the Temple Wall, freed of its enemies. I remembered the time when the Jews stood praying at that Wall and had been stabbed in the back as they prayed...

“Now, imagine the flag of Israel on the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem after nearly two thousand years! However, the war had not yet ended, and we listened intently to the news coming over the radio. We heard that Jericho was in our hands, and later, Hebron and Bethlehem, Ramallah and all the surrounding towns and villages. We were quite dazed. It seemed so incredible.

“Thursday June 8: It was an emotional day. So much joy, so much tragedy and such a consciousness of having experienced a miracle. Even those who had no religious beliefs at all had to acknowledge that something had happened which was beyond their power. Every one was saying with the Commander of Mount Zion: ‘It was as though someone else was commanding.’ In fact, one religious soldier said: ‘I hope that our people will not forget that God has given us this victory.’ His words reminded me of the time of the siege of Jerusalem in 1948. Then, too, a wave of religious fervor swept through the people.

“‘Yes,’ I answered, ‘we hope that this experience will strengthen the faith of our people and bring a deeper realization of the fact that when Israel fights her battles there are also the ‘armies of God fighting with her.’ ‘That was always true,’ replied the soldier, ‘just as he fights for us now.’

“Friday June 9: In the first pale light of dawn I looked out of my window and saw intense action among the soldiers – some coming, some going. Then I learned that Egypt had accepted the United Nations cease fire. The war in Sinai was over. A new sound drew me to my window. A huge bulldozer was noisily climbing the hill. I watched it turn clumsily to face the corrugated iron fence which marked the border, marred the beauty of the landscape and was a constant reminder of the divided Jerusalem. How intensely I had always wished it could be removed. As it passed, broken walls and mounds of scattered stones and debris were all that was left. But the great majestic trees which had shielded it from view also lay prostrate in the dust. The border had disappeared and a new road was being made. After little more than an hour of continuous work with the bulldozer a small part of the way was cleared and I saw a car coming through from the Old City... a safe and free road from Mount Zion to the Wall – all barriers down. It was only five days since the war started!

“At midday we were allowed to use the car to go into town. I had expected to see much damage in the city as a result of those two days of shelling, but I found no more than an occasional wall with some stones knocked out and a few broken windows. Even in the center of the city everything seemed to be going on normally. I had heard that the Knesset museum and university had been hit, but was told that very little damage had been done. It was all part of the miracle.”

The foregoing report of the 1967 war needs no elaboration from us; but we would inform our readers that we have been told that the Jews were given a plan of the Egyptian defense, so they went around the end of that defense, came in from the rear upon the unsuspecting Egyptians, who were then sleeping; and this accounts for the destruction of 400 of their planes in one night. We are inclined to believe this because of the great success of the Jews which terminated the war in five days ‑ A MIRACLE INDEED! But, then when the Lord was with the Jews, they never lost a battle even though outnumbered by their enemies; and He will again be with them as “in the days of old” in all their battles for righteousness. How true it is, “It was as though someone else was commanding.” And this was forcefully shown to even the non‑religious.

Information has come to us that the lady who wrote the book, and her husband, have both died since this writing; that he had been offered a knighthood in England for certain meritorious service, which he declined ‑ and that he left his entire estate to the Jewish State of Israel. An excellent example of faithful Jews ‑ those who are promised the “first” blessings of the Kingdom under the New Covenant. “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.” (Jer. 31:31)

The great victory of the Jews in the 1967 war brings sharply to mind a remarkable coincidence of the Jews and the Egyptians when Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt. It was Egypt that experienced the annihilative defeat – a miracle also – with the Jews doing no fighting at all. And here, in the end of the Age, the Jewish nation was saved again ‑ this time also with a crushing defeat of Egypt. We realize their troubles are not nearly over; but these upheavals and great successes at the hand of God are certainly preparing them to receive the “New Covenant. (Jer. 31:31) in due time, all of which ties in most pointedly with St. Paul’s statement in Rom. 1:16: “To the Jew first” ‑ they are still “beloved for the fathers’ sake”; and no amount of “strange fire” (false teaching) about Campers Consecrated, Quasi‑Elect Consecrated, or the Large Crowd of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is going to change that. “God is faithful that promised.” (Heb. 10:23)

As stated, we expect more and worse trouble yet ahead for the Jews, but we have the “sure word of prophecy” that they will come off victorious there, too. “Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.” (Psa. 107:19) Note Zech. 14:1‑3: “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh [it is already here], and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” Note the Berean Comments on this Scripture: “When he fought for Joshua against the six Amalakite kings at Gibeon; when he fought for David against the Philistines at Perazim; when he miraculously delivered Israel from the hosts of Midian by Gideon and his band.”

SOME POWERFUL CORROBORATIONS

Following are some quotations from Parousia and Epiphany writings: “We may see that aside from natural Israel and spiritual Israel, and the influences which have gone out from these to the world, God has let the world alone ‑ let it do the best it could in the way of self‑development, etc.” (Parousia 6, p. 204)

“This Mediator – the Head and Body – is such, as His death (the merit being that of Jesus alone) cancels the sins committed under the first (Law) Covenant, i.e., those of the Jews, that these Jews, having had the unchangeable call to the earthly favor (Rom. 11:29), might receive the promise given them ‑ the land of Canaan as an eternal inheritance.” (E‑6‑686)

“Not that it gave them life thereby (the Mosaic Covenant), but that it, gave them further revelations fruitful in the spread of truth and righteousness among them, gave them a knowledge of their sins and sinfulness, brought the faithful among them to see that by their own best endeavors they were unable to save themselves, worked in them an intense longing for the promised Savior, prepared them to receive Him, helped the faithful among them to qualify for Ancient Worthies and helped the measurably faithful among them to be fit for the first place among the world of mankind in the Restitution Age.” (E‑1‑115)

“He confidently looks for the zeal of God to establish God’s Kingdom at the hands of His Elect under Christ, on the ruins of Satan’s Empire, to offer the Kingdom blessings, first to the living Jews, then to the living Gentiles, then to the non‑elect dead from our times even to Adam’s time.” (E‑1‑302)

“How true the statement that those who have cursed, or injured, Israel have brought injury upon themselves... Great Britain and the United States, nations which have blessed the Jews, have in turn received great blessings.” (Reprint 5323, colt 2, near bottom)

We not only have this from That Servant, but we also have a higher authority for this truth. God tells us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” (Psa. 122:6) Also, “They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.” (Psa. 125:1)

On page 31 of the January 15, 1978 Watch – Tower there is a question on Rev. 11:8 “the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” The Witnesses say “the great city” is Jerusalem; but they blithely pass over verse 9, regarding the “two witnesses” (Rev. 11:3) and their “dead bodies” (the Old and New Testaments) lying in the streets for “three days and a half.” Here is the Berean Comment on that: “Three and one‑half years from AD 1793.” The Comments also say “that great city” is Babylon, Christendom.” (See verse 13) Also, Zech. 14:2 says “the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city”; but that doesn’t bother the Witnesses any. They can see the destruction of Jerusalem, even though the Bible plainly contradicts them.

Once more we refer to Gen. 22:16‑18 as embracing all the saved classes: The Little Flock, the Great Company, the Worthies and the saved Restitutionists (the “Sheep” – the Jews being the first blessed under the New Covenant). Thus, it fits excellently with the promise of a “New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah”; and is a strong support for our faith as we see the progress being made for its institution.

“O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.” (Psa. 66:8‑9)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint No. 336, June 1983. First printed in July 1978)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brethren:

So sorry I didn’t write you sooner. I certainly should travel My Darling Mom, Ida M. Allison, left us suddenly last November 7, 1991. I’ve just been devastated. She was my anchor and my “Rock.”

A student she was! She searched and searched for the Truth; and I do know that she read every word she received from you, together with many others.

Please accept the enclosed as a little token. My Mother was always so generous, so let it be a little gift in her memory. She was really Special – a very wise and loving Lady.

                                                       In Christian love,  ----------(MONTANA)

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Dear Friends:

I was pleased to receive your publications 434‑437. Thank you. Please add my name to your list. There was no subscription price mentioned. Is there a subscription price? I would like to have a list of your publications – tracts, books, etc. If back copies are available, I would like Nos. 425, 426, 432 and 433. What is the price for the book “Pastor Charles Taze Russell” Do you have copies of the “Finished Mystery” mentioned in No. 437, page 2?

You did not answer the question in No. 437, Are you a part of the LHMM? Do you offer a Bible course? I will look forward to your answer. I assume you are a part of the LHMM because of Roy Ekroth’s name on page 5 of that issue.

Yours sincerely, ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Friends:

I have been receiving your magazines for a little over a year now, and have enjoyed them very much as they have brought many things to light and have made things clearer to me.

But I was rather puzzled by your October 1992 issue, however. I had always thought that you were a ‘standard’ Bible Student’s Association until that issue when I read about your writing about a certain Brother Johnson. I’ve never heard of this, and would like to know if I could receive some further information regarding this. I am rather ‘new’ to all this and wonder where this leaves you with other related ministries serving the brethren?

Any light that you could shed on this would be greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed your papers thus far. I regret severely that due to financial circumstances I cannot make any donation to pay for the cost of mailing this magazine to me. I am disabled.

Once again, thanks for your help in this matter.

Numbers 6:24‑26 ------- (MAINE)

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Dear Sister Hoefle,

Thank you very much for the books you kindly sent me. The book of Mr. Horowitz was really interesting. I knew that Pastor Russell was interested in the Jewish nation and its importance to the Bible prophecies. This book gave me a remarkable testimony of what should be the relations between Jews and Gentiles.

You asked information about my wife. She has an Israelite origin. Her grandparents were Jews. But, like a lot of Jewish people in France, they converted to Roman Catholicism during the war. They wanted to look absolutely French, so they took French names and chose the religion of the vast majority here.

She is also interested in the Truth – and indeed we may be called Truth seekers. We know the promise of our Master – “You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free.” When I left the Presbyterians she left Catholicism. We have been in the Worldwide Church of God and others. These churches have a blend of false and true doctrines... We have left these people and are now prudent. It is important to prove all doctrines by the Bible.

I think your journal will help us find the Truth. Could you give us some explanation about the diverse movements of Bible Students operating in the U.S. I know these move­ments left the Rutherford organization after the death of Brother Russell. But what is the difference between them?

   Sincerely yours in Christ, ------- (FRANCE)

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NO. 438: ISRAEL’S PEACE INITIATIVES

No. 438

A recent debate on TV between a high ranking Israeli government official and one of our presenters highlighted the prejudice against Israel in terms of the peace process. This is so because when the Israeli government official began outlining the historical steps taken by Israel to make peace with her Arab neighbors, the presenter promptly butted in and asserted that the history of the region should be ignored, and demanded an answer as to how Israel is going to solve its problems in the present. In short, he discounted the historical facts as if they had no bearing whatsoever on the issue.

One couldn’t help but get the feeling that he was afraid that the historical evidence may put Israel in the right! As a result he swept the conversation aside and endeavored to concentrate on the violence of the present, i.e., the Palestinian uprising.

Time and time again this desire to sweep historical fact under the carpet when discussing the so-called Arab-Israeli conflict is too apparent. One can only conclude that there is a persistent desire to put Israel down in this type of discussion or dialogue. Does this come from a crucible of latent anti-Semitism or is it simply a case of historical ignorance? In my opinion both apply to some degree.

THE ROLE OF HISTORY

No conflict can ever be resolved without discussing the historical facts pertaining to it. After all the past is merely the present behind us! It is therefore very much a part of our present decision making processes. To discount the historical evidence would be to deny something of the present and this is tantamount to deception, lying and moral decay. It also leads us down a pathway of delusion.

Strangely this is the position most chosen by those seeking to resolve the Middle East conflict. The demands of history would somehow seriously conflict with their present interests, alliances and agendas and therefore, given the vast oil resources of the Arab world and the apparent insignificant land mass of Israel, it has become expedient to sacrifice Israel on the altar of “wider political considerations.” Be assured history is well littered with the debris of political fools and because men strut from one part of the globe to another in fancy jets and with fancy titles this does not make them clever or qualified to tackle the issues at hand. No more has this been demonstrated than in the Middle East arena. Israel has been betrayed time and time again by her so-called friends who were really seeking to grasp resources beyond her borders.

For instance, in 1981 when Israel destroyed Iraq’s nuclear reactor at Osrak, it was George Bush and James Baker who spearheaded the international condemnation against her by referring to this prudent bit of peace keeping as “international terrorism”! History has since unearthed who the real fools were – or, should we also sweep this under the carpet and make out that it never happened?

THE VOICE OF HISTORY

So then, as we face persisting rounds of peace keeping deliberations as regards the Middle East, will the voice of history be heard? And... if it is not we need to ask ourselves why? Who or what is behind the persistent endeavor to “drop Israel” and by so doing cast her in the role of peace breaker and aggressor? For the record hereunder is a brief but historically correct overview of Israel Is peace initiatives through the years.

THE ROAD TO PEACE

1. Pre-Independence: Before 1948 Palestine and the wider Arab world were mainly under French and British rule. These powers sliced up the Middle Eastern arena according to their interests and in most cases without due reference to the interests of the peoples living in it. States were thus created by the mere drawing of a line across a map. Lebanon and Jordan are clear examples of this. The point we are making is this: These powers had the right to do with the Middle East as they desired. Crucial to this process was the Balfour Declaration of November 1917 issued by the British mandatory power that paved the way legally for the formation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Just as Britain had the legal right to create the Hashemite Kingdom of Trans-Jordan, so she had the right to create the state of Israel. If Israel’s right to existence is challenged so must the right of existence of many Arab states be challenged as well.

Between 1917 and 1948 various models of the Jewish state were presented including one that approximated to the land mass and position of modern day Tel Aviv. All these were accepted by the Jewish Zionist leaders and finally a partition plan was decided upon by the United Nations – that gave Israel a reduced portion of the land mass west of the Jordan. The East Bank region became the Palestinian state of Jordan and the West Bank area of Judea and Samaria became an ‘undecided,’ Palestinian entity.

It is to be noted that Israel fully accepted this plan and declared her independence on the 14 May 1948. This she did with world approval including that of the USSR. She at the same time declared her intentions to live in peace with her Arab neighbors.

2. The Liquidation Struggle: The Arab nations however flew in the face of the world community and immediately mobilized for a war of liquidation. This in spite of Israeli pleas for peace and co-operation in the region. These peace initiatives by Israel are well documented and need no further reference. In short, in terms of the historical record Israel was the victim of Arab aggression.

Jordan promptly swallowed up the undecided Palestinian entity of the UN partition plan and then illegally annexed the area including East Jerusalem. Another flagrant dismissal of matters relating to peace.

In 1967 another attempt was made to liquidate Israel. This time Abdul Nasser of Egypt spearheaded the attack and failed. The Arab armies were decimated and East Jerusalem and the West Bank fell into Israel’s hands. Note: These did not become “occupied territory” but “acquired territory” of no formal designation in the defense of Israel’s existence! After all, Jordan had illegally annexed them and prior to that their status had not been clarified by the UN. Israel has not annexed them and holds them to this day in the interests of her security.

After the Six Day war of June 1967, Israel did in fact offer to give them back on condition that the Arab world recognize her existence, guarantee her borders and make peace. The answer from every Arab capital was a resounding No! So who is not for peace?

Over the years to the present day the wider Arab world has continued to call for the total liquidation of the Jewish state. Hence the 1973 Yom Kippur war with the same goal as that of 1967 – the liquidation of Israel. This call to liquidate Israel has come repeatedly from the Palestinians as well. The Gulf War has yet again proved that given the opportunity the Arab world will endeavor again to destroy Israel.

3. The Peace Example: Israel’s successful peace negotiations with Egypt have proved that, if the Arab nations will sit down face to face with the Israelis and sincerely discuss peace, something positive can happen. In the final analysis Israel’s commitment to peace cannot be challenged. History proves it. The Egyptian example underlines it.

The concluding reality: Quite obviously the above clearly reveals that Israel has at no time stood in the way of peace. Indeed the facts reveal just the opposite. The Arab world so bent on Israel’s destruction has been in the way of peace. This is the clear testimony of history and it needs to be said.To be sure Israel has suffered more than any other nation as a result of war. She has no desire to perpetuate the conflict. She is tired of war and longs for peace. To be sure she may now be over cautious about Arab peace overtures since perpetual Arab rhetoric about destroying her give her every right to be. History has taught her this and events in the Gulf, but a year ago or so, have underlined it. Peace will only come to the region when the Arab world finally concedes that Israel has returned to the region to stay. Her presence is no threat to the Arab world but in fact a glorious prospect for regional development, uplift and prosperity.

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REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY

Replacement theology is a misguided systematic approach to the Bible that has not only led millions of Christians astray over the years but it has in addition birthed evil of the most horrific proportions, i.e., it played a role in the persecution of Jews by the church through the centuries, including the Holocaust and it was the theological thinking behind the nightmare of apartheid.

DEFINITION

Concisely put, Replacement Theology states that Israel, having failed God, has been replaced with the Church. As a consequence all the Biblical promises made to Israel are transferred to the Church. The Church is now the real Israel of God and Israel’s national destiny in God is forever forfeited. The restoration of the modern state of Israel is thus an accident enjoying no Biblical credential – and Christians who believe that it is an act of God, in faithfulness to His covenant cut with Abraham some 4000 years ago, are considered misguided. This is the basic position of those subscribing to Replacement Theology.

ERRORS OF THINKING

a. The Allegorical Method Of Interpretation: Replacement theology effectively undermines the authority of God’s Word in that it rests on the allegorical method of interpretation. That is, the reader of God’s Word decides to spiritualize the text even if its context is literal. This effectively robs the Word of God of its own authority and the meaning of the text is entirely dependent on the readers decision to spiritualize it or not. The problem with this approach is this: Man alone decides what he will spiritualize and what he won’t. The Word of God can thus be manipulated to say anything. So, replacement theology rests on a false basis of Biblical interpretation.

b. Inadequate Understanding of Covenant: Replacement Theology is only held by those who have not properly understood the nature of the Abrahamic Covenant. This covenant, first mentioned in Gen 12:1-4 and thereafter repeatedly asserted and confirmed to the patriarchs is in fact the covenant of grace in Scripture, for it underlines God’s intention to bless the world with redemption. Such blessing however, is through the nation of Israel. God says to Abraham: “In you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” So the Abrahamic covenant is one covenant having three vital elements:

1. It declares a strategy – to reach the world through the nation of Israel.

2. It bequeaths a land – as an everlasting possession to Israel...  and —

3. It gives a promise – those who bless Israel will be blessed, those who curse her will be cursed.

It is important for us to note here that if one element of the covenant fails then all fails. The covenant is like a coin having three elements, e.g., a rim, a head side, a tail side. However, it remains one coin and one cannot retain one element of the coin and give away another. The Abrahamic Covenant is just the same, it is one covenant. if one element of the covenant fails then all the elements fail. Thus if God’s promises to Israel have now failed then equally His promises to bless the world have also failed.

In short if Israel’s national destiny has been forfeited, through her disobedience, then the Church is also finished. It must be remembered that the Church’s disobedience has been as great as that of Israel over the last two thousand years. No one can deny this! So if Israel is finished because of failure then the Church is as well! There is no way that we can get around this. Moreover, Paul underlines this very point in Galatians 3 where he writes, years after Israel’s rejection of Jesus the Messiah, that the Abrahamic Covenant cannot be annulled.

“What I am saying is this; the Law which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.” (Gal. 3:17,18)

According to replacement theologians this Covenant has been annulled. Only a superficial, inadequate grasp of a covenant can lead to such a misguided conclusion.

THE PROPHETIC TESTIMONY

God’s promises to national Israel are constantly reaffirmed by the prophets. In this way He underlines the nature of His character and confirms the Abrahamic Covenant. An example of this is Jeremiah 31:35-38:

“Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night; Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The Lord of hosts is His name: If this fixed order departs from before Me, declares the Lord, then the offspring of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me forever. Thus says the Lord, if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out below, then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the Lord.”

So again the fact that the sun, moon and stars are still with us confirms the ongoing validity of the Abrahamic Covenant and as a result, Israel’s national destiny. For replacement theology to be valid the sun and moon must also be vanquished. There is no way that replacement thinkers can get around this!

Moreover, replacement theology makes a mockery of God’s character for it rests upon the premise that if you fail God in any way He will discard you... even though initially He asserted that His commitment to you is everlasting. This sounds like a typical human response to the world and not like that of the God of the Bible. Which of course it is since replacement theology is but the thinking of men!

According to the writer of the book of Hebrews we know that God will be faithful to us because in spite of Israel’s disobedience He has kept faith with her. Speaking of the Abrahamic covenant he says:

“In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb. 6:17-20)

Note again that we know God to be faithful because He has been faithful to Israel in all that He promised her through Abraham. In fact this knowledge, says the writer, is the anchor of our soul (v.19). According to replacement theology this is not true!

THE TRUTH

In the final analysis replacement theology is but the mere thinking of men unable to stand up to the test of Scripture. It contradicts Scripture everywhere and by so doing robs thousands of Christians from understanding God’s redemptive purposes. The truth is:

1. God has not cast off national Israel.

2. Canaan to this present day is Israel’s national homeland.

3. The Church has not replaced Israel, she has only enlarged her. (Eph 2:11-13; Rom 11:17-18)

4. The modem restoration of Israel is evidence of God’s faithfulness to His Word and promise and strong encouragement to the Church.

5. The restoration of Israel will culminate in the coming of the Messiah. Therefore the church in the world is able to make herself ready and bless Israel as much as she can.

6. The restoration of Israel to her homeland in Canaan – including the West Bank – is the first step towards Israel’s national redemption. (Rom 11:25-27)

In closing, it would be good for us to note a quote that came from the pen of the now famous and very godly Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt. Rev. J. D. Ryle.

“I warn you, that unless you interpret the prophetical portion of the Old Testament in a simple literal meaning of its words, you will find no easy matter to carry on an argument with a Jew. Will you dare tell him that Zion, Jerusalem, Jacob, Judah, Ephraim, Israel do not mean what they seem to mean, but mean the church of Christ.” (Christian Action for Israel Newsletter, Second Quarter 1992, Malcolm Hedding, Editor, P.O. Box 5242, Cape Town 8000, South Africa)

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Dear Brethren:

It’s certainly a joy to share with you this copy of a report by Brother Kenneth Rawson – a glowing account of his many, very successful meetings and contacts, before Jewish and mixed audiences, etc. May the Lord be praised and Ken be blessed for this important out-reach to His ancient chosen people.

It reminds me of the same kind of grand experiences and responses Casimir had to his many lectures before Jewish people and Christian groups all over the U.S., in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, Canada, etc. – for a period of 30 years.

It reminds me too of the fine friendships Casimir made with Jewish leaders – Golda Meir, Presidents Ben-Zvi and Katzir, and many others.

I am sure you can understand how thrilled I am to know that Brother Rawson is doing a similar work. Just think how many years were lost when Bible Students could have been taking advantage of such golden opportunities.

The children of Israel still need and deserve all the comfort and inspiration that we can give them. There is, by the way, a brother in France, Gilbert Hermetz, who has been zealously working on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people for many years.

We should be prayerfully aware, as well, of the thousands of Christians of other backgrounds who are really giving of themselves wholeheartedly, time and money, to bless Israel. Our responsibility in this regard is more awesome because we have been blessed with greater light concerning His plan of the ages.

Faithfully, Elva Lanowick

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ARIZONA SHOWINGS OF ISRAEL A.V. SURPASSES ALL EXPECTATIONS

Although it is considered a poor time by the Arizona Jewish community, we arranged a series of five showings during the week following New Years because Brother Richard and Sister Shirley Evans would be available in the area with their A.V. equipment. All we had to bring were the slides and computer tape of the sound track. Brother Zyg and Sister Verna Roguski took good care of the temporal needs of the Evans and Rawsons during our week of service.

Jewish organizations did all the advertising, provided the halls and the audience. There were five showings in six days in which 900 viewed, ISRAEL: APPOINTMENT WITH DESTINY despite the heavy rains for much of the week. We sold over 130 videos and have been getting more orders by mail.

Friday evening, January 3, we had 130 present even though it rained hard. This was a prestigious Reform Synagogue with some notables present. The State Chairman of the Republican party was very appreciative. His wife wanted 8 videos. Rabbi Plotkin, a noted name nationally, said the showing was superb. Later in the week, in a phone conversation the Temple Administrator asked many questions about the present Messianic times and said she would aliyah (emigrate to Israel).

Sunday morning, January 5, we had a showing at Temple Chai (Reform) where the president chose our showing to revive their Adult Education Program. The most they could hope for was 150, but were delighted with a turnout of 300. The response was very enthusiastic. They couldn’t believe Christians could give a message like this. One said it took a Christian to make a production that a Jew should have made long ago. Many parents said their children made aliyah (emigrated to Israel). The president of PARENTS OF NORTH AMERICAN CHILDREN WHO ALIYAH came up and said – “Every Jew in the United States should see this production.” One man introduced himself as a professional multi-media producer for 12 years. His productions utilize up to 14 projectors. He said this was one of the best he has seen, the selection of slides and music was superb. In telling him we were a group of amateurs, he replied, “The difference is you have a vision.”

Monday evening, January 6, we had a showing at a small Orthodox Synagogue. The Rabbi expected 50, but with torrential rains an hour before the showing, 40 came out. A Polish Holocaust survivor told us of an experience he had in Poland when a Priest lured him and other Jews into a building. The Priest slammed the door and shouted Christ killers while others beat them with clubs. Many said, we can’t believe you are Christians because the spirit of your message is so loving. One man went on to say, “If it turns out that Jesus is Messiah, that would be wonderful.” He was crying.

On Tuesday, January 7, the Jewish Federation of Tucson planned a luncheon showing. There was a $5. charge which went to the caterer. The reservations more than doubled the Federation’s expectations. Over 140 were present. All the leaders of the Jewish community were there along with other notables, such as college professors, etc. They were amazed that a message so Biblical could be so factual yet inspiring. Others said it was the first time they heard their Scriptures explained so clearly. It was the most intellectual audience we have had. What was so thrilling was these people really believed the message.

On Wednesday, January 8, we had a dinner showing at a Reform Temple in Sun City. There was a $15. dinner for the Temple members. The general community was invited free for the showing which followed. While 146 of us were enjoying the dinner, the foyer was filling up with the general public, some Christians but most were Jewish. There was a total of 300 for the showing. One said he learned more about the Jewish Bible in one night than he did in a whole lifetime. Many said they never knew their Bible taught so much about the new State of Israel. others said we gave them a hope they never had. Several said they came very skeptical but now have more confidence in us than in their Rabbis.

After the question period, the Rabbi gave the closing remarks. He seemed to be sensitive over the great enthusiasm for our showing. He said, “The film was very messianic but remember Jews are more messianic than Christians.” Then he said, “When Messiah comes, he will not be seen riding on a donkey or seen descending from heaven, but everyone will know he is here by the conditions on the earth.” When told we agree with that, he was speechless.

Before leaving for Phoenix, a reporter from Sun City interviewed us for 3/4 hour by phone. To avoid being confused with the Society, we stated the Bible Students were founded in the early 1870s by Pastor Charles Taze Russell but had their roots in the Second Adventist movement of the early 1800s. The icing on the cake was that a Christian couple came out because of the Second Adventist reference in the newspaper article. Their church originated in the Second Adventist movement. They have since attended several Bible Student meetings.

OTHER SHOWINGS

Since the beginning of 1990, we have had 51 showings of the Israel production. Three of which were public meetings. The remainder were for Jewish organizations whose special events calendar is generally from November 1 to May 15. The overwhelming majority of these were synagogues. The attendance generally ranges from 40 to 300. The average attendance is about 100. The response is always very enthusiastic. The comments after each showing are quite similar to those above. Since the message is very Biblical, we are gratified for this enthusiastic response.

Selling videos after the presentation has greatly expanded the scope of the message. The videos are shown to family and friends who in turn write us to order videos. In addition to videos the brethren possess, we estimate that there are 1,100 to 1,200 of our videos circulating among Jewish people. Additionally we know of two individuals who have duplicated over 100 each and are circulating them.

We have had showings in Reform and Conservative synagogues from the start. In the last year the Lord opened the door into Orthodox synagogues. The Lord has opened doors we never dreamed of for giving this message of comfort. By the Lord’s grace, we have commendations and cooperation from Israeli Government leaders, the former Russian refusniks, secular leaders, prominent Rabbis and leaders of the three segments of Judaism, publishers, editors and academic leaders in the Jewish community. We need your continued prayers. If anyone has any questions or suggestions about our message of comfort to the Jewish people, we will be happy to consider them. Your fellowship in this service is much appreciated.

Your brother in Christ, Kenneth W. Rawson, 60 Jersey Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION – Does the Bible teach a return of the Jews to Palestine, and is that country large enough for all Abraham’s descendants?

ANSWER -    The Bible answer is YES to both questions: (a) “I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, and will bring you again into the land of Israel.” “Ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My people, and I shall be your God.” “And they shall say, this land that was desolate is become like the Garden of Eden.” (Ezek. 37:12; 36:27-35) (b) What is known as the land of Palestine is but a small part of the promised land, which is to stretch from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates (Gen. 15:18), and appears to include Arabia and other territories equal to the half of Europe. Much of this is now desert land, but “the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” Isa. 35:1) There will be ample space and abundant provision made for the Israelites in the promised land – promised for an everlasting possession to Abraham and his descendants – when God’s favor will be returned to them as foretold by the prophets. (Rom. 11:25-27)

(Question Book, p. 792)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sister Hoefle: Christian greetings

Thank you for your letter with enclosures. They are fine! I am single and live with my grandmother. I have and aunt who used to send me literature from the Jehovah’s Witnesses, so I am acquainted with their beliefs.

I have the Studies in the Scriptures, which are marvelous aids to Bible study. I don’t have the book on Pastor Russell, but I would love to get it and read especially answering charges about him by his critics.

Since I have the older literature of the Studies in the Scriptures I would be interested in the more recent up-to-date publications as well as any articles analyzing the JWs as well as those of Pastor Russell’s critics. I would contribute for such.

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

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Dear Mrs. Hoefle:

By the way of thanks for the papers you are sending me I am sending you an article about vital energy and vital force.

Some years ago I talked with a Lutheran bishop about human vital energy and force. He said I approached the question in the spirit of Isaac Newton. In the English Bibles the “breath of life” is used; but the bishop told me that in eastern Bibles the word “energia” is used. The name of the bishop is Krister Stendahl. He is now retired and lives somewhere in the U.S.A.

I read with much interest in one of your papers a notice about Noah’s Ark. It had appeared in the Orlando Sentinel October 2, 1989.

In 1960 Willard Libby, U.S.A., got the Nobel prize for the process of dating with radiocarbon. And as far as I can remember, he once dated a piece of wood from Noah’s Ark, but I cannot find any information of this matter in the books with articles of Libby in our libraries. You can perhaps find information about a dating with radiocarbon of a piece of wood from the Ark in the U.S.A.

I am invited to an international convention of Bible Students in France August 8-14, this year. May I ask, Are you interested in this convention?

Sincerely yours, Anders Karlen (SWEDEN)

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Dear Sr. Hoefle,

Thanks very much for your letter. I am very happy to answer your questions: Yes, I am searching for the Truth. I was born a Presbyterian, but since my childhood I have found the doctrine of the immortality of the soul unbiblical. I had decided to become a minister when 18, but the Theological College was too liberal. I have tried all the evangelical churches in Paris but they are all wrong in their teaching.

I’m 25 years old and am married. I am a teacher in history, but this year I am working in urban planning.

You asked why my grandfather left the Bible Students. I don’t know exactly. Perhaps because of dissent with the new Rutherfordian doctrines, or perhaps just because he left Germany to France, a few years after he left his hometown (a small industrial town in the mountains near the German border). He had a small factory. I know it was a time of crisis in the movement of Bible Students. Judge Rutherford was changing the doctrines of the Society. All my knowledge of the history of the Bible Students came mainly from reading books about the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their history.

I made a mistake when I said we only have the LHMM in France. We have the Dawn Bible Students and perhaps others. What is the difference in these Bible Student movements?

No, I don’t have the Divine Plan of the Ages. I just read it in the National Library. It was very difficult to get it. I think I was the first to read this book in the National Library in fifty years. I would be interested to receive it. Also, I would like to receive the book by Mr. Horowitz about Pastor Russell. Just tell me the price of these books. I am happy to write to Christian people like you.

Sincerely yours in Christ, ------- (FRANCE)

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Dear Family,

Thank you for your reply to my letter. My mother and brothers have been receiving the Dawn many years, and three of my brothers still do. My mother passed away 10 years ago. We like what we have read so far from your association. We don’t need more than one copy. My oldest brother is the one you have been mailing to. Take him off.

I would like to know if you have any books or booklets we could obtain. I live on SS but I know it costs to print and mail these papers, so I am enclosing a check for your use anyway you wish.

Please continue mailing your papers just to me.

Thank you, ------- (MISSOURI)

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