NO. 455: IN THE PARADISE OF GOD

No. 455

Rev. 21:1‑7, 22‑27

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

Paradise, the garden of God, was applicable as a name to the garden of Eden, in which our first parents resided while they were still in harmony with God, before their disobedience; and the same term is Scripturally applied as a name to the new earth when restitution blessings shall, during our Lord’s second presence (the Millennium), be brought to perfection as the fit abode of those who, under Divine favor, shall then prove worthy of life everlasting. It was to this paradise that the Apostle Paul was in vision “caught away” when given a glimpse of various features of the Divine Plan, not then due to be understood by the Church in general – “things not lawful to be uttered.” (2 Cor. 12:4) John the Revelator was similarly caught away in vision, and shows some of these wonders of the paradise epoch; but only in symbols, which he was permitted to report, and which have been comparatively misapprehended until now, in the Lord’s due time, the Holy Spirit guiding His people into the truth on this subject, as well as others, because it is now nigh at hand, and “meat in due season” for the “household.”

Our Lord refers to this paradise in language which identifies it with the first paradise of Eden, saying, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Rev. 2:7) It will be remembered that all the trees in Eden were trees of life, but that the one in the midst of the garden was then a forbidden tree, the disobedient eating of which brought death on Adam and his race. That tree in the midst of paradise was called the tree of knowledge, and our Lord’s promise is that the overcomers of this present Age shall have full liberty to partake of that tree of knowledge, and under most blessed and satisfactory conditions, when the knowledge will be of benefit to them under Divine approval, and not bring a curse. It is this same paradise of the future on this earth that our Lord referred to when addressing the penitent thief, he said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee this day, Thou shalt be with me in paradise.”

This paradise, we recall, is elsewhere referred to by the Apostles as “the third heaven” – “a new heavens and a new earth.” (2 Cor. 12:2; 2 Pet. 3:13) They are not referring to new worlds, nor to heavens ranged one above another, as many have supposed, but, as already shown, what is termed the first heavens and earth or order of things, passed away at the flood; and that the heavens and earth “which are now,” the present order of things are reserved of God to pass away with a great fire of trouble, revolution, etc, which shall utterly destroy them – the present spiritual powers and the present earthly or social arrangements. “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13) This will be the third heavens, and third earth, or the new heavens, and new earth, which will differ from the present condition of things in that it will be righteous, whereas the present is unrighteous, imperfect. The “new heavens” will consist of the new spiritual ruling powers of the future, Christ and the glorified Church, as the present heavens consist of the nominal religious systems, which, claiming Christ for their Head, in a very large degree bow to Antichrist, the god of this world, the prince of this world, “who now worketh in [through] the children of disobedience,” and who is captivating and blinding the whole world with the exception of the few, the eyes of whose understanding have been opened, who are under special blessing and leading, and are taught of God, the “Little Flock,” “heirs of the Kingdom.” (Eph. 2:2; 2 Cor. 4:4)

It is to this new heavens and new earth condition, this paradise, that our lesson introduces us. As the “new heavens” does not mean a new place of God’s throne, and a new throne of God, but new conditions, and signify the spiritual power and control of Christ and His Church in glory, so the “new earth” does not mean another planet, but a new social order on this planet. The declaration is that the former heavens and former earth (which are now) will then have passed away and be no more. All present institutions are to utterly perish in the great Time of Trouble with which this Age is very shortly to end. “And there shall be no more sea.” (Rev. 21:1) As we have already seen, the sea is a symbol of the masses of people in a restless and unstable anarchistic condition, just as the land represents the social order, and as the mountains represent the kingdoms of the present time. As there is no reference to the physical earth and physical heavens being destroyed, so there is no reference to the physical sea being obliterated. The symbol signifies that under the new arrangement, under the control of the new heavens or spiritual powers, the reconstructed social order will be so satisfactory, so complete, so thorough, that there will be no more sea‑class, no more restless people, no more dissatisfaction, no more anarchists; everything will be reduced to law and order; and law and order will under the new regime secure justice to every creature, obliterating the differences of wealth and power as they now exist.

THE NEW JERUSALEM

In the symbolism of Scripture a city represents a government; as for instance, symbolic Babylon is denominated “that great city [government] which ruleth over the kings of the earth.” The New Jerusalem, as a symbol, represents the new spiritual government of the Millennial Age. It is not earthborn, it is not reared by men, but, as here pictured, it descends from God out of heaven – it is spiritual in every sense of the word – of God and not of men. It is for this kingdom, this government that our Lord taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come – thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.” The declaration that the city is adorned as a bride for her husband implies its grandeur and beauty and perfection, as a bride’s adornment on such an occasion is particular and elaborate to the last degree. But additionally to this it reminds us that in the government of the future, the judges of the world are the Saints, selected during the Gospel Age, through faithfulness in trial and tribulation, and that these are frequently called the Bride, the Lamb’s wife and joint‑heir in the Kingdom. The Revelator elsewhere strikingly brings this thought to our attention: the angel calls to him, “Come hither, and I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.” (Verses 9‑11)

We are not to think of this holy city as being composed of literal stones, coming down through the air; we are to remember, on the contrary, that the Saints of this present time are “living stones,” as the Apostle Peter explains. (1 Pet. 2:4‑7) This glorious city will not be visible to the natural eye – neither Christ nor the Saints in glory can be seen of men; only those “changed” from human to spiritual nature see these matters in the full; but the whole world will be quickly made aware of the fact that a new government has been instituted, a government of righteousness, and with all power, and that thereafter whosoever doeth righteousness shall be blessed, and whosoever doeth evil shall be punished.

THE GLORIFIED TEMPLE

The third verse of our lesson associates this city with the other figure of a symbolic Temple, which the Lord is now preparing, of which the Saints will constitute the “living stones” and “pillars,” for it is declared that the tabernacle (dwelling) of God shall be with men in this city (government or kingdom). God will dwell in this glorious city or government – it will be His Temple, and the world of mankind will approach God in it to receive the Divine blessings, as Israel approached the typical Tabernacle and the Temple in their typical religious services. Thus God, represented in His Church (the Christ, Head and Body) will dwell with men (the world of mankind during the Millennial Age) and they shall be his people – all mankind will be treated from the standpoint of reconciliation, the propitiation price for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) having been paid at Calvary, and the due time having then come for the manifestation of Divine favor, all peoples shall be treated as the Lord’s people; none of them shall be treated as aliens, strangers, foreigners from God and His promises and His blessings.

While the Millennial Kingdom will be the Kingdom of God’s dear Son, it will also be the Kingdom of God, because God’s dear Son and his joint‑heir, the Church, will be in absolute accord with the Father, and all that shall be done under their control will fully and completely represent the divine will respecting men. Nevertheless, it will be a separate Kingdom from that of the remainder of the universe, as the Apostle Paul indicates. (1 Cor. 15:24, 25, 28) “He must reign until he hath put all enemies under his feet... And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also be subject to him that did put all things under him... Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father,” at the close of the Millennial reign.

Since God is the Author of all the blessings of redemption and restitution, and since every good and every perfect gift cometh down from our Father in heaven, it is with appropriateness that the record declares that “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” – from the eyes of mankind. Though it will be Christ and the Church who will be doing it, nevertheless, the heavenly Father will be recognized as the first cause, the fountain of every blessing. The wiping away of tears implies a gradual work, such as we see will be the process of that glorious time. Man will not be exempt from every weakness and trial and difficulty at the beginning, but if he will conform to the laws of the Kingdom, all cause for distress will gradually pass away, as restitution blessings will lift him out of death into perfect life. “They that hear [obey] that prophet [teacher, the Christ, Head and Body] shall live; but it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hear that prophet [not render hearty obedience to his requirements] will be cut off from amongst the people [in the Second Death].” (Acts 3:23)

Other Scriptures show us that the work of the Kingdom will begin with those who remain over at the time of its establishment, and that these, under condemnation of death, will at once be blessed with the knowledge and opportunities provided through the ransom, and if they accept these they will immediately be released from condemnation, that they may at once go on and upward on the way of holiness, toward perfection; and subsequently those who “sleep in the dust of the earth” shall come forth to more or less of shame and lasting contempt, as they begin to realize their mental and physical decrepitude, the results of their depravity. Nevertheless, these also, under the blessings of the Kingdom, may make progress up to perfection, losing their sin‑blights, and simultaneously losing the “shame and contempt,” whose lasting will be only so long as their cause continues. Thus these may progress in the way of righteousness, so that only those who sin wilfully shall die, and then each for his own sins only, and not the father for the son’s sins, nor the son for the father’s sins. (Jer. 31:29, 30; Dan. 12:2)

The whole work of the Millennial Age is summed up in few words, and we are brought to its culmination in the declaration, “There shall be no more death; neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:4) What a glorious sun‑burst of blessing is in these words! What a grand fulfilment will be there of the Apostle’s declaration respecting “times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began!” (Acts 3:21) This declaration, however, applies to the very end of the Millennial Age, and not in full to any previous time in that Age, for other accounts show us unmistakably that there will be imperfections and chastisements and stripes throughout the Age, while mankind is being lifted up; or as our Lord expressed it, the raising up of mankind throughout the Millennial Age, step by step, will be a “resurrection by judgment,” chastisements, disciplines. (John 5:28, 29) And even at the close of that Age we are shown, in another pen‑picture of that time, that there will be a severe trial and testing to demonstrate to what extent the enforced obedience of that Age shall have rightly affected the hearts of those who experience its blessings, so that their love will be for righteousness, and that they will hate iniquity. (Rev. 20:7, 8) All who in that final test shall manifest that his heart contains anything aside from full loyalty to the Lord and the principles of righteousness will have his part in the Second Death.

“BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW”

The fifth verse of our lesson comprehensively grasps the entire Millennial Age; our Lord Jesus, then in the throne of earth’s dominion, declaring, “Behold, I make all things new.” This expression does not relate merely to rocks and trees, etc., but to the great work which our Lord undertook; viz., the regeneration of humanity – of so many of Adam’s race as would, under favorable conditions of knowledge, experience and assistance, develop characters in full accord with the Divine will. The end of the Millennial Age will see the work completed; all the wicked destroyed, all who will not hear the voice of that prophet, teacher, governor, cut off from amongst the people in the Second Death, and all the willing and obedient made new, brought to the complete perfection contemplated in the original Divine Plan.

John was to write this matter, because the testimony is true, is faithful, as is the One who has promised. This asseveration of faithfulness and truthfulness implies what we see to be the case; viz., that present conditions seem so contrary to all this grand restitution outcome that it cannot be fully believed and trusted by any except those who have learned to walk with the Lord, and in their weakness to lean upon his might, to trust to His Power to accomplish all the exceeding great and precious things which He has promised. To all others these things will appear untrue, and God will appear unfaithful, and the matters which we are here discussing will seem “idle tales,” as fables and golden fancies: but to us who believe these promises are precious, and He from whom we receive them is precious, correspondingly as we know Him and trust Him (1 Pet. 2:7).

The One enthroned (the Christ) declares at the conclusion of the Millennial Age, “It is done”; my great contract is accomplished; “I am the Alpha and the Omega [the A and the Z], the beginning and the end.” It was the Father’s good pleasure that the blessed One, the Only Begotten of the Father, should accomplish the entire program of redemption and restitution; and that incidentally, by His obedience in the things which He suffered that He should prove Himself worthy to be forever the associate and representative of the Father, through whom and by whom all things should continue, as He was the one through whom all things were made that were made. It is this One who, during the Millennial Age, will extend to all the willing and obedient the water of life, everlasting life – the privilege of perpetual existence. But they must thirst for it; must desire it; and this desire must be manifest in obedience to the terms, the laws, upon which it will be supplied freely. Our Lord declared to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life,” and that anyone believing Him, trusting Him, though he were dead, yet should he live, attain to perfect life, escaping from death conditions, until at the close of the Millennium he shall have life in the full, unrestricted sense. And he who thus liveth (attains to life) and still believeth, trusteth in the Life‑giver, and is obedient to His directions, shall never die.

Our Lord adds, “He that overcometh shall inherit these things, and I will be to him a God, and he shall be to me a son.” Those addressed are not the Bride Class, selected during the Gospel Age, but the sheep class of Matt. 25, such of mankind as during the Millennial Age become the Lord’s sheep and obey his voice. To these at the end of the Millennial Age, in harmony with the Father’s plan, he says, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” They are not invited to inherit the Kingdom prepared for the Church, in joint‑heirship with the Lord, the heavenly Kingdom. But they shall inherit the earth, the purchased possession – they shall come back into all the good estate of father Adam, which he lost for himself and his children through disobedience, but which Jesus redeemed with His own precious blood, and will restore at the close of the Millennium to all the children of Adam who shall have accepted His gracious favors and been regenerated by Him, and thus become His sons, and He their God – their “Father.” (Isa. 9:6)

THE HEAVENLY CITY RESPLENDENT

Here our lesson turns to a consideration of the City, the glorified Church, the Kingdom Class, who, during the Millennial Age, will be “kings and priests unto God, and reign upon the earth,” “a thousand years.” (Rev. 5:10; 20:4) This City, Class, the glorified Church, it is declared will have no need of the sun or the moon. Nothing in this statement indicates that the world will not have and need both sunlight and moonlight during the Millennial Age, and subsequently, “as long as the sun and moon endure.” (Psa 72:5) And while it will be true that the Church, as spirit beings, will not have need of literal sunlight and literal moonlight, nevertheless, this is not the thought. The sun and the moon here are symbolical, as in Chapter 12:1; the sun signifies the light of this Gospel Age; the moon signifies the typically reflected light of the Gospel in the law and the prophets of the previous dispensation. The glorified Church will have no need of the light which in the present time She so much enjoys through the Word and Spirit, and the law and the prophets. She will have, instead of these, a much more excellent glory to which the Apostle refers when he says, “Now [with all the light, privileges and opportunities which we enjoy, both as respects the representations of God through the law and the prophets, and through the instructions and leadings of the Spirit in the present] we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face; now we know in part; then we shall know even as we are known.” (1 Cor. 13:12)

The Church, the Temple of God, will be so filled with all the fulness of God, when made like unto the glorious Lord, that nothing could add to their blessing of knowledge and Divine favor; will be so filled with the glory of God that from Her, as from the Sun of Righteousness, shall proceed the light of the glory of God, which shall heal and bless the world during the Millennial Age. This is the Sun of Righteousness to which our Lord referred in Matt. 13:43, “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” – our Lord Jesus, the Head of the Church, of course being included. The same Sun of Righteousness is mentioned by the Prophet, saying, “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his beams.” (Mal. 4:2) Nevertheless, while so filled with the Lord’s glory we are not to lose sight of the fact which the Apostle impresses upon us saying that Christ is the Head of the Church, even as the Father is the Head of Christ Jesus. Hence the Lord Almighty and the Lamb will always be an inner Temple in this great Temple, which God has provided for the world’s blessing during restitution times. (Verse 22)

When this Sun of Righteousness shall shine forth, its blessings of healing, refreshment and life, mental, moral and physical, upon the world of mankind, the nations shall walk in the light of it. (The words “of them that are saved” are not in old MSS. Indeed, it is because they are not saved they need this special light during the Millennial Age, in order to their enlightenment, their salvation, their restitution.) “And the kings of the earth do bring their glory into it.” (The words, “and honor” are not found in old MSS.) The expressions “nations” and “kings” are not to be understood as signifying that the world of mankind during the Millennial Age will be divided into nationalities and kingdoms as at present: the word “nations” here signifies peoples, and is intended to show that all peoples, and not merely the people of Israel, will be thus favored under God’s Kingdom. The word “kings” represents those princes or chief ones of the earth who, during the Millennial Age, will be the chief representatives of the heavenly, spiritual, invisible Kingdom of Christ. These princes, as we have already seen, will be Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the faithful prophets of the previous dispensation, who, loving God before the call to the Kingdom and to the Bride Class, cannot be of it, but because of their faithfulness will be the princes whom the Lord will establish in all the earth – first making them perfect individuals, and qualifying them for their office, as a reward for their faithfulness to God in the dark times in which they lived – their manifestation of love for righteousness and trust in the Omnipotent One.

The bringing of their glory into the City, the Kingdom, signifies their acknowledgment of the heavenly Kingdom, their rendering of tribute of praise, thanks, worship and obedience to it as God’s agency. And this rendering of glory to the Kingdom will continue throughout the entire Millennial Age, as the princes throughout the earth will make known to the people that not in their own names or authority do they rule and execute judgment and establish righteousness, but in the name and as the ministers and representatives of the glorified Christ. The result will be that all the people will ascribe honor and praise and majesty and glory to the Lord’s Anointed, through whom their redemption and restitution was and is being accomplished; and this is indicated in Verse 26.

Then, in consideration of the fact that this book of symbols, while relating to the future, is addressed to God’s consecrated elect Church in the present time, and in view of the fact that this message would be communicated to and more or less understood by those who would seek to make their calling and election sure to a part in the glorious City, the 27th verse is added, declaring that “In nowise shall there enter into it anything common, or he that doeth abomination and falsehood – but only they who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” The Lamb’s book of life we must understand to include those, and only those, who attain to position of joint‑heirship with Christ, whose names are written in heaven during this age, and who are faithful to their covenant. What a glorious incentive they have here to faithfulness! What a warning against the slightest sympathy with anything unclean, untrue, or in anywise contrary to the Divine standard of holiness!

(Pastor Russell, Reprints 2832‑2834, June 15, 1901)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION – In Acts 1:7, Diaglott, Jesus said, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons, which the Father appointed by His own authority,” but in 1 Thessalonians 5:1, Diaglott, St. Paul said, “Concerning the times and the seasons, Brethren, you do not need to be written to; for yourselves know accurately.” How do we harmonize these seeming contradictions, and what is meant by “the times and seasons”?

ANSWER – The statement by Jesus must be read in like manner as His statement in Matthew 24:36, Diaglott: “No one knows concerning that day and hour [when Jesus would return again, and the Kingdom be set up]; no, not the angels of the Heavens, nor the Son, but the Father only.” At the time Jesus was speaking He truthfully declared that He did not know, but He does not say that He would never know; and subsequent Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus eventually did know, and that His faithful followers would also know. There is no point at all in giving prophecy if it is never to be understood; and even when it is understood by some, there is no indication that it would be understood by all, “Only the wise shall understand.” (Dan. 12:10)

The word “times” in both texts is from the Greek chronos, and forms the root of our English word chronology, which word means the science of assigning to dates their proper events. The word “seasons” means a season, or due time. To gain a clear understanding of these expressions it is well to remember That Servant’s teaching that prophecy cannot be understood in detail until it has been fulfilled, or is in course of fulfilment. That being true, we come to the logical conclusion that God’s people can “know accurately” only those times and seasons that apply to their particular day. As instance, at the First Advent the Apostles and a very small select group recognized that Jesus was the Christ although the great majority did not. Therefore, Jesus said of that majority, “Thou didst not know the season [kairos] of thy visitation.” (Luke 19:44, Dia.) And, while the Apostles and others did then know the “season of visitation,” they did not know clearly the times and seasons of the generations that followed them. Therefore, St. Paul said the Ransom for all would be “testified in due time.” (1 Tim. 2:6)

In Noah’s day the times and seasons of due Truth predicated the coming flood, but the great majority understood not. And in the destruction of this ‘present evil world” Jesus said there would be a similar condition, “They understood not till the deluge came, and swept them all away.” (Matt. 24:39, Dia.) However, those in the Parousia Truth Movement understood very clearly, many years before 1914, what was coming. They knew the times and seasons pertinent to their own welfare. That Servant was acutely aware of this situation, as note his comments in Parousia Vol. 3, p. 124:

“While each of the time prophecies accomplishes a separate and distinct purpose, the central object of their united and harmonious testimony has been to mark, with definiteness and precision, by either direct or indirect evidence, or corroborative testimony, the date of our Lord’s Second Advent, and of the establishment of His Kingdom in the earth; and also to mark the various stages [the times and seasons] and means of its establishment, during the harvest period.”

Brother Russell also realized that a specific work would be due to be performed at each proper time and season: “The present is the time [written in 1890] for the sealing of the servants of God in their foreheads, before the storm of trouble bursts (Rev 7:2, 3)... before the night cometh and the door of opportunity to labor is shut.” (Vol. 3, p. 211)

But he also saw “through a glass darkly” a future “time and season.” “After this (reaping) period the dark night of the world’s great tribulation must find place... Observe that, when this night cometh, when the reapers must cease their labors; it will prove that this final work of the Gospel Age is accomplished.” (Par. 3, p. 211)

The Prophet tells us that this period is broadly divided into two periods: “The day of His Coming” and “when He appeareth [maketh manifest]... The day of His coming was the forty‑year period from 1874 to 1914, during which time the world in general knew almost nothing at all of what was going on. At that time “The Messenger” did not “appear” to them.

But the situation changed acutely in 1914, when the great trouble started. The Messenger not only then proved His presence to the “Watchers,” but He began to be revealed to the world in general in the fires of that day. In July 1916 That Servant discussed this text, and we quote some of what he said:

“The Scriptures call this day ‘the day of the Lord,’ ‘the day of Jehovah,’ ‘that great and notable day,’ etc... This prophecy of our text is still in process of fulfillment. Those who have been teaching errors will soon be ashamed, while the fire of this day will only manifest the Truth to all... The Apostle Paul in his writings lays special emphasis upon the fundamental importance of correct doctrinal teaching... This day means the shaking of society in a manner and to an extent never before known [as is now in process], and as thoroughly that another shaking will never be necessary... The hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies [Hail, hard cutting truths]... and only God’s truly consecrated church would be in the light [the Present Truth] and not be taken unawares.”

From this it should be clear enough that the leaders among God’s people should “earnestly contend for the faith [the Truth]” to the full extent of their ability and providential circumstances; and should be fully informed as to “the times and seasons” and to “know accurately” the times and seasons in which we now are.

That That Servant could not foresee the length of this day is not to his disparagement. He clearly understood the times and seasons of his own lifetime, and spoke in generalities of what has followed since his death; but the details and the length of time he could not see. However, this does not mean that we who now live cannot see them; in fact, it is our special privilege to see them very clearly. Yet here again we do well not to attempt to speak too emphatically about the years ahead – when the special times and seasons of future years will speak for themselves – just as clearly as we see present happenings.

There is no dispute at all among the various Truth groups that the basileia (kingdom) is a period of time, though many of them declare that the epiphaneia is not a period of time. However, by analogous reasoning, if the basileia is a period, it would self evidently follow that the epiphaneia must also be a period of time; and St. Paul says that in the epiphaneia judgment day the “quick. would be judged. These “quick” would be the fallen angels, who have never been under the death sentence, plus the new creatures in Christ – “you hath He quickened.” (Eph. 2:1)

Another feature of the “times and season” of this Epiphany period is to be the destruction of the Man of Sin “Whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of His mouth, and annihilate by the appearing [epiphaneia] of His presence [parousia].” (2 Thes. 2:8, Dia.) So long as the Man of Sin continues to flourish we may be certain that the Epiphany is still with us, because he is to be annihilated during that period; he is to be annihilated by the epiphaneia of His parousia. This judgment of the destruction of the Man of Sin during these epiphany “times and season” seem to attract little notice from many of the Truth groups; and even those who once claimed to be informed on these “times and seasons” have now lost a considerable part of their understanding of them. Some of them claim the Epiphany is already completely behind us, while others say that it ended in a “restricted sense” in 1954 despite the clear fact that the Man of Sin is still with us, and despite the fact that the three major items of the Time of Trouble are also still future.

The emphasized teaching of That Servant is that the epiphany and the apocalypse, as an act and as a period of time, are synonymous; and they are also synonymous with the Time of Trouble. Thus, to declare that the Epiphany in any sense at all ended in 1954 is a direct contradiction of that teaching, as it forces us to conclude that the Time of Trouble also ended in a “restricted sense” at that time; whereas, “the nations as the vessels of a potter shall be broken to shivers” (Rev. 2:27) is an act still future. Never before has the Apostle’s counsel been more timely – “rightly dividing the word of Truth.” But if we follow his advice, then “you yourselves know accurately... When they may say, Peace and Safety, then sudden destruction impends over them... and they shall by no means escape.” (1 Thes. 5:1‑3, Dia.)

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear EBSA:

Greetings in the precious name of our precious Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank you for the January to April copies of your magazine which arrived a couple of days ago. Although I did not ask for them I found them to be interesting reading. I can only assume that my name and address was given to you by one of your readers. I would very much like to know who it was so that I can thank them personally.

On reading your publications I see that you follow and accept the writings of our dear Pastor Russell and Brother Johnson. I too am an avid reader of their writings, and I do believe that they hold the key to the truth of God’s plan of Salvation for mankind.

I am interested to know more about your Association and its history and beliefs. I would also like to know what if any relationship you have with other ‘Truth’ groups.

Could you please send me a list of your publications and any samples of free literature that you supply for distribution.

I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Your brother in His service, ------- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Brethren,

Thank you for your two copies of your monthly papers. I await with interest information on your views and beliefs on Jesus while on earth in your future papers.

You ask in your letter about my religious background and present religious association. I am associated with no religious organization or group. I am a totally independent Bible researcher and investigator.

Please send me a copy of The Divine Plan of the Ages, and if available a copy of the book, Pastor Charles Taze Russell. Please bill me for your costs for the above, and be assured you will receive a hundred‑fold return in the very near future!

Inspections are being conducted now! Great Bible time prophecies it appears will soon be revealed. Thank you for your assistance.

Yours sincerely, a supporter of God’s Kingdom, ------- (ENGLAND)

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NO. 454: THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES

No. 454

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

“In those days there will be great distress on the land, and wrath against this people [the Jews]... and Jerusalem will be trodden down by Gentiles, till the times of Gentiles may be accomplished.” (Luke 21:23,24, Dia.)

As most of our readers know, Brother Russell accurately measured off the times (years) of the Gentiles as 2,520 literal years, beginning in the Fall of 607 BC (606 years before 1 AD) and ending in the Fall of 1914. In that year the great war erupted, which afforded positive proof that he had correctly foretold the times of the Gentiles.

However, probably quite a few of our readers may not know that a “foolish virgin,” Doctor Guiness, had come out many years before 1914 with the theory that those Gentile Times would not end until nineteen years later – in 1933. And, when the destruction of present institutions did not occur immediately after 1914, with peace being declared in 1918, quite a few brethren in the Truth movement accepted this error, and caused no little furor among the brethren at that time. On the surface it did seem that a mistake had been made; but when 1933 arrived, and not the slightest event of any consequence occurred then, the controversy just passed into limbo. And of those who did accept the error after peace had been restored on November 11, 1918, and things seemed to be going along quite peacefully (with the exception of the overthrow of the Czarist regime in the Fall of 1917), it was a puzzling situation – but no answer appeared then to solve the puzzle. And many of those who had accepted the error are now floating around more or less without any anchor at all in the chronology. It is our firm conviction that the Gentile Times did end in 1914; and this will become more manifest when Armageddon confirms the interpretation of 1 Kings 19:11, 12.

That Servant himself was thoroughly convinced that The Times of the Gentiles ended in 1914, and that the chronology was correct. Here are some quotations from his Foreword in Parousia Vol. 2, written after 1914 and published October 1, 1916:

“We could not, of course, know in 1889, whether the date 1914, so clearly marked in the Bible as the end of the Gentile lease of power or permission to rule the world, would mean that they would be fully out of power at that time, or whether, their lease expiring, their eviction would begin. The latter we perceive to be the Lord’s program; and promptly in August, 1914, the Gentile kingdoms referred to in the prophecy began the present struggle, which, according to the Bible, will culminate in the complete overthrow of all human government, opening the way for the full establishment of the Kingdom of God’s dear Son.

“Our thought is that somehow the Lord is taking a hand in the affairs of the world now as He did not do in times past. We do know that the great Time of Trouble, which has begun, very closely corresponds to the Divine declaration respecting the time and conditions of the establishment of Messiah’s Kingdom. The Lord Himself informs us that, at the time He shall take to Himself His great power and reign, the nations will be mad and the Divine wrath will come. A little later on the time will come for the judging of the dead, and the giving of the reward to God’s servants, small and great, leading on finally to the destruction of the incorrigible, who would exercise a corrupt influence upon the earth. (Rev. 21:8)

“All over the world people knew of the expectations of Bible Students in respect to the year 1914; and when so stupendous a war as the present one broke loose, when the winds of strife began to blow with such fury and destruction, thousands remembered what they had heard and read respecting the end of the Gentile Times. Thousands today have come to fully appreciate the times in which we are living.

“The author acknowledges that in this book he presents the thought that the Lord’s saints might expect to be with Him in glory at the ending of the Gentile Times. This was a natural mistake to fall into, but the Lord overrules it for the blessing of His people. The thought that the Church would all be gathered to glory before October, 1914, certainly did have a very stimulating and sanctifying effect upon thousands, all of whom accordingly can praise the Lord – even for the mistake.

“Our mistake was evidently not in respect to the ending of the Times of the Gentiles; we drew a false conclusion, however, not authorized by the Word of the Lord. We saw in the Bible certain parallels between the Jewish Age and the Gospel Age. We should have noted that these parallels follow the nominal systems to destruction in both cases, and do not indicate the time of the glorification of the New Creation.”

It should be noted here that Brother Russell put too much faith in “parallels,” and failed to heed his own faithful doctrine – “that parallels, types, as well as Pyramid dates, cannot teach a doctrine, but only corroborate a doctrine already taught in plain terms.” And Brother Johnson often reiterated this same doctrine; but he, too, relied too heavily on the “parallels” and types for the glorification of the last saint in 1956. But, as Brother Russell has stated in the above quotation of his Foreword: “This was a natural mistake to fall into, but the Lord overruled it for the blessing of His people.”

And in the Reprints 5522 and 5523 Brother Russell corroborates his above statements in regard to the Time of Trouble beginning after the Gentiles Times End – also that the Epiphany period started with the Time of Trouble: “These Bible students call our attention to the fact that the Bible distinctly differentiates between the Parousia of Christ and His Epiphania at His second coming. The word Parousia [5522, bottom] signifies presence, without any sense of the word indicating that the presence is visible. The word Epiphania signifies the revealing of one who is already present. These Bible students claim that in the end of this Gospel Age Christ will be present, invisible to men, during a period of forty years doing a work especially to His Church – rewarding the faithful, as shown in the parables of the Pounds and the Talents, and receiving the ‘wise virgins,’ as in the parable of our lesson... The world will know that He has taken His great power and begun His reign of righteousness, not by seeing Jesus in the flesh, but by seeing the great Time of Trouble which then will break upon the world – ‘A time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.’ (Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21)”

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

“The picture given of the end of Gentile Times is that of a stone striking the image of Gentile supremacy in its feet. (Dan. 2:34, 35) The impact will be so sharp and so thorough as to leave nothing of them. Having had their day, they will cease to be ‘become like the chaff of the summer threshing floor.’ The next event in order will be the Messianic kingdom, of which it is written, ‘The desire of all peoples shall come.’“ (Reprint 5527, top, col. 2, par. 2)

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

Under the Caption of Present Duty and privilege of the Saints in Reprints 5630‑5633 Brother Russell gives us the following: “What time, then, is signified by the expression ‘in the days of these kings,’ when the kingdom of God was to be set up in power? To our understanding the first step in the setting up of this kingdom was the raising of the sleeping saints of the Gospel Age, which we believe was in the spring of 1878. Then began the glorification of the Church. The work of setting up the kingdom has, we understand, been progressing from that date, and is now merely lacking the last members of the Church class. When these shall have taken their places as members of the Church in Glory, the Kingdom will be fully set up.

“This does not signify, that there may not be a part of the kingdom work begun while some of the members of Christ are still in the flesh. Indeed some Scriptures seem to imply that there will be a kingdom work done this side the veil, while a work of still greater magnitude and authority is progressing on the other side of the veil. We read, ‘Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud upon their beds.’ This seems to imply, as we have mentioned before, that there is a special work to be done while these saints still have beds, while they are in a condition of repose – not ‘tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine,’ but fully at rest in God’s great plan. The Scripture goes on to say that they have a two‑edged sword in their hands – this is the Word of God. They use it as the sword of the Spirit. This would not be true of them on the other side of the veil. They would have no use for a sword there. The Scriptures also declare that the high‑sounding praises of God are upon their lips. This, too, seems to be applicable to those this side the veil.” (Reprint 5631, col. 2, par. 4)

“The final phrase, ‘to execute the judgments written,’ would seem to imply that there would be something for the saints on this side of the veil to do in connection with the execution of the judgments upon the nations. As to just what this means, we have not yet fully learned. But we see nothing here to conflict with the thought that the Lord’s kingdom may be properly understood to have begun operations and the present smiting of the nations is under kingdom control. The fact that some of the members of the kingdom class are still in the flesh does not militate at all against this thought. We see the kingdoms of the world now being dashed to pieces, and we are expecting to see the process continued until they are completely ground to powder. They shall become as the chaff of the summer threshing‑floor, and the wind shall carry them away. Then shall they be found no more at all. (Dan. 2:35)

“The Kingdom of God Set Up: Because certain important things are to be accomplished, we see that God is permitting what to others might seem to be purely human devilishness. For a wise purpose He permits this reign of lawlessness, this condition which evokes universal odium. Our thought is that we should look for still further evidences day by day that the Gentile Times have ended, and that God’s kingdom has begun its work. We are expecting to see multiplied proofs of the kingdom power, though the world will not recognize it as such until it is manifested in the flaming fire of anarchy, which is still further along... But many will not begin to see until the flaming fire is revealed. When we endeavor to tell them now they will not receive it, but they will be thoroughly convinced when they see the destructive fire of anarchy.

“It was merely during the interval between the destruction of the kingdom of Israel and the setting up of the kingdom of the heavens that the opportunity was given to these Gentile kingdoms to see what they could do toward establishing a righteous government on earth. Now the time has come for God’s kingdom to displace them; but they will not willingly resign their crowns and scepters; they are in defiance. Therefore force is required to destroy them. Their 2520 years of rule are in the past, and they must now submit to a complete overthrow. We are expecting that the work of their crushing will steadily continue until its full accomplishment.

“But finally, when the Lord’s ‘due time’ has come to permit it, they broke through their restraint. The Lord has at this particular time especially to do with the affairs of the nations. And this war was allowed to occur at about the end of the Times of the Gentiles, at the appropriate time when they are to be dashed to pieces with the iron rod of the iron rule. (Psa. 2:6‑12)... Now in this great day of the Lord everything that can be shaken is to be shaken to pieces and shaken out, to the intent that nothing unrighteous or unworthy shall remain. God Himself is doing the shaking.” (Reprint 5632, col. 1)

“The Time For Judgment is Ripe: We believe that the Times of the Gentiles ended just on time, as shown in Vol. 2 of the Studies in the Scriptures. The hand of justice is now doing the breaking – the nations shall be broken as ‘a potter’s vessel.’ The whole cataclysm of trouble may be upon the world during the next ten months or it may be longer deferred. We believe that the time for the setting up of the kingdom was on September 21, 1914. At that time, when it was due for our Lord to take up His great power and reign, the nations were already angry. They were at war over a month in advance of the time, because so angry.” (Reprint 5632, col. 2)

THE EPIPHANY

From the foregoing we believe there can be no sound argument against our statement that Brother Russell believed that an Epiphany – as a period of time – would become apparent once the Gentile Times ended and the Time of Trouble had arrived. We have gone into quite some detail on the subject, quoting much from Brother Russell. It is our belief that many of our readers still hold him in high regard; they believe that he was That Servant – just as we do. And it strikes us as most unusual that many of those same brethren pay little or no attention to his teachings about the Epiphany and the Time of Trouble.

It is probably in order here to state that the Time of Trouble in the broad sense had its beginning in 1874, between which date and 1914 the reaping work was pretty well consummated. During that forty years such movements as the IWW (International Workers of the World), the Communists, Nihilists, etc., persuaded many that the time for radical change had come. When we were in the U.S. Army in 1918 we came into close contact with some of these. And often when we spoke the Truth to them about the Times of the Gentiles, that the lease of power had expired, and that the Lord was then in process of evicting them, they admitted that they agreed. The only thing then preventing them from tearing down the social institutions of the time was the great war for which they had no sympathy, but were persuaded that the common enemy – the Central Powers – must first be defeated. After the war ended, some of their leaders, or friends, such as Norman Thomas, openly declared that the conflict had been nothing but a commercial war; and that those who refused to cooperate with the Government were the only ones who had shown good sense.

As most of our readers know, fire in the Bible is often a symbol of destruction; and this was certainly true of the Great War. Note 2 Thes. 1:7‑10, Dia.: “The Lord Jesus from Heaven... in a flame of fire dispensing retributive justice to those not acknowledging God [the Second‑Death class in Big Babylon], and to those not being obedient to the glad tidings [the Second‑Death class in the Truth Movement]... when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all those who believe, in that day.” In this Scripture St. Paul is directly identifying the Time of Trouble as a period of great destruction.

Further the same Apostle identifies this destruction as a period of time in 2 Tim. 4:1, Dia.: “Christ Jesus is about to judge the living [those who have “passed from death unto life,” and the fallen angels who have never been under the death sentence] and the dead [the dead world of mankind whether in the tomb or those still living on this earth], by his appearing [the Epiphany] and by his kingdom [the thousand‑year reign of the saints on earth].”

It should be stressed here that Brother Russell saw much of what we have written herein – perhaps not as clearly as we see things now; but he gave us the foundation upon which to build. Thus it is our firm conviction that his chronology is correct, and that most of his dates are also correct, especially so of the Gentile Times. However, as he himself admits, some of his expectations about those dates were not realized. He used types, parallels, etc., to reach his conclusions; and, when we consider the vast amount of error that was so rampant at the time he entered the ministry, we often marvel that this “man of God” did not make more mistakes than he did; so we are generous in our appraisal of his mistaken expectations and most grateful for the Scriptural doctrines he gave to us – in fact, the whole Plan of Salvation, something no other man could do except that Faithful and Wise Servant, “whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season.” (Matt. 24:45)

SOME BRIEF CORROBORATIONS

In many places does That Servant offer reasons for his faulty conclusions, but the following from Parousia Vol. 2, p. 245, par. 2, serves the purpose quite well: “Remember that the forty years’ Jewish harvest ended October, AD 69, and was followed by the complete overthrow of that nation; and that likewise the forty years of the Gospel Age harvest will end October, 1914, and that likewise the overthrow of ‘Christendom,’ so‑called, must be expected to immediately follow.”

In 1 Cor. 10:11, Dia., the Apostle Paul makes this statement: “These things [the waywardness of the Jews during their forty‑year march to Canaan] occurred to them typically and were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.” And after they came into Canaan – and until they were ejected in AD 69‑73 – any number of things “occurred to them typically” as forecasts of the things that would occur in Christendom during this Gospel Age. And let us keep in mind that the above quotation from Vol. 2 was published in 1889, 25 years before 1914, and was probably actually written for the printer many months before that date. So it was a reasonable conclusion. On the face of it, the logic of it is very convincing.

MASADA: In the above we are told that the Harvest ended in AD. 69, but the complete subjugation of the Jews did not occur until the year AD 73 at Masada – just forty years after they had “crucified the Lord of Glory.” We now quote some comments from one of the prominent Encyclopedias on this subject:

“Masada, Hebrew Horvot Mezada (meaning ruins of Masada) ancient mountain top fortress in southeast Israel, site of the Jews last stand against the Romans in the revolt of AD 66‑73. The name means ‘stronghold, fortress.’ It occupies the entire top of a great mesa near the southeast coast of the Dead Sea... renowned for the palaces and fortifications of Herod the Great, king of Judea under the Romans, and for its resistance to the Roman siege 72‑73.

“The Romans fired the defenders’ wooden walls. The Zealots, however, preferred death to enslavement, and the conquerors found that the defenders... had taken their own lives (April 15, AD 73). Only seven women and children – who had hidden in a water conduit survived to tell the tale... lots cast by the last defenders to determine who should die first. It took 15,000 Roman soldiers to defeat completely less than 1,000, including women and children, almost two years to subdue the fortress.”

That small group of defenders were imbued with the idea that they were God’s “chosen people”; and, with what seemed to them an impregnable fortress, they concluded that the Romans could not overcome them. But at that time the Romans were experts at destruction; and the Jews were unaware of the words of Jesus just before He died, “Your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:38) Thus, they no longer had the Divine protection that followed their fathers. They had become a part of “the great city, which is called spiritually, Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.” (Rev. 11:8, Dia.)

But with the Jews so thoroughly eliminated, the early Church – after the Apostles passed away – was readily prepared for the encroachments of the “secret of lawlessness” (the rise of the Papacy to power, especially after AD 539, and which eventually dominated the governments of Christendom until Napoleon broke that power in AD 1799 a period of 1260 years). “The holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months” – months of 30 days each, 1260 symbolic days, but actually 1260 literal years. “Whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of his mouth, and annihilate by the appearing of his presence.” (2 Thes. 2:7, 8, Dia.) The word appearing in this text is from the Greek epiphaneia; and this offers just one more proof that the Epiphany is a period of time that we are still in the Epiphany because the Papacy has not yet been destroyed. See Berean Comments on these texts. The Papacy has truly been guilty of all the crimes that the Gentile nations have perpetrated upon their enemies, and upon their own people pouring hot lead into their ears, cutting off their noses, putting them on the rack, etc. In 2 Thes. 2:9, 10, Dia., St. Paul details his prophecy of how the apostate church (Roman Catholic) would perform when they would have the power: “Whose coming is according to the energy of the Adversary, with all power, and signs, and wonders of falsehood, and with every deception of iniquity to those who are perishing.” Certainly history offers indisputable proof that this Scripture is true in every detail.

MORE FROM THAT SERVANT

Now follows some brief quotations from Parousia Vol. 2, pp. 73 and 101: “The term Times of the Gentiles was applied by our Lord to that interval of earth’s history between the removal of the typical Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Israel (Ezek. 21:25‑27), and the introduction and establishment of its antitype, the true Kingdom of God, when Christ comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe in that day. Strictly speaking, the Times of the Gentiles is the period during which God leased earth’s dominion to the non‑Jewish nations. [Thus, they are now operating without that authority which expired in 1914, although it is still the obligation of God’s people to be “submissive to the superior authorities.” – Rom. 13:1, Dia.]

“Be not surprised, then, when in subsequent chapters we present proofs that the setting up of the Kingdom of God is already begun, that it is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the exercise of power in AD 1878, and that the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Rev. 16:14), will begin in AD 1914, and that it will end in the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership. The gathering of the armies is plainly visible from the standpoint of God’s Word.”

When 1914 had come and gone, it caused no little concern in the Truth Movement; and Brother Russell then commented that it seemed the reaping work was not yet ended. He was prompted to this decision because so many people were coming into the Truth after 1914. But he failed to consider that many crown‑losers in Babylon had been watching 1914 very closely; and, when the war broke out as predicted, many members of antitypical Lot (Gen. 19:23‑26) were fleeing from that “great city, which spiritually is called Sodom” when the fire and brimstone (the destructive effects of the war) began to fall on it. They knew the prediction had been correctly made, so they fled from spiritual Sodom, and came into the Truth Movement – although many of them later left the Truth Movement after the Armistice was arranged and things were going along rather smoothly. We were personally acquainted with some of them, and we heard their conclusions about it.

Now more from Vol. 2, p. 73, par. 3: “During this interval, the dominion of earth was to be exercised by Gentile governments; and Israel, both fleshly and spiritual, have been and are to be subject to these powers until their time is expired. While God does not approve or commend these governments, he recognizes their dominion. In other words, He has for wise ends permitted their dominion for an appointed time.”

During these Gentile Times some of the basest of men ruled – as instance Nero, Ivan the Terrible, Hitler, et al. However, the glory that was Solomon’s had so captivated the Jewish minds that they failed completely to recognize their Messiah when He came to them “meek and lowly of heart.” Their national standing had been taken from them in the Fall of 607 BC; and their idea of a Messiah was one who would cast off the Roman yoke and rule Israel again as had Solomon, when all nations had admired his great wisdom – “wiser than all men” 1 Kings 4:31 – his great wealth and the magnificence of his palace and the Temple he had built, the Holy of Holies containing that priceless piece of furniture, the Golden Ark of the Covenant, for which the Jews had extreme reverence, and which had been lost when Jerusalem was taken in the Fall of 607 BC.

And when Jesus mentioned “the times of the Gentiles,” it seems the statement had passed right over the heads of the Apostles; they still expected some great person who would throw off the Roman yoke. And this view they held until they were enlightened by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. All this is well confirmed by their question to Jesus just before He ascended to Heaven: “Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) We are told in 1 Chron. 29:23 that “Solomon sat upon the throne of the Lord”; and this caused quite a few Gentile rulers to conclude that they were ruling “by Divine right.” And especially in England this opinion was cherished by some of the most debased kings that ever ruled there: it was a general belief that “the king can do no wrong.” Gentiles should learn from bitter experience the futility of their efforts at self‑government while the world is in its present sinful condition.

Solomon – “wiser than all men” – gave such a poor performance during the forty years of his reign that there was revolution in Israel immediately after his death; and the ten tribes that left became known as the nation of Israel, and the two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, became known as the House of Judah (Jer. 31:31). Thus we have an excellent example of the Christian Church; the Roman Catholic Church became so corrupt that it produced the great Reformation, with Martin Luther as its hero – altho the great bulk of believers still stayed there, just the reverse of what happened in Israel. In that separation by far the most of the Jews forsook the City of David and accepted Jeroboam as their king; and it is said in the Bible at least seventeen times of the various kings that ruled Israel until it was carried captive into Assyria by Shalmanezer in the year 739 BC: “They walked in the ways of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin.” (2 Kings. 10:29) Eventually they were so absorbed by their captors that they disappeared as a nation and as Jews; they became the “ten lost tribes.

That most of these Gentile governments have failed miserably to uplift their Gentile subjects is proven by the prophecy that they will go to extreme ruin in the end of this Age; they will be involved in “a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.” What the prophet wrote about Zedekiah regarding the overthrow of the Jews is strangely befitting of the Gentile nations now, as we see them “reeling to and fro like a drunkard.” “The earth [society as presently organized] shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.” (Isa. 24:20) This is given in more vivid detail in Ezek. 21:25‑27: “Thou, profane wicked prince of Israel [Zedekiah], whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end... remove the diadem, and take off the crown... I will overturn [in the great war], overturn [in the approaching Armageddon], overturn it [in complete anarchy]... until he [the glorified Christ] come whose right it is; and I will give it him.”

There is much more to be said about the Times of the Gentiles, and we may discuss it again in some future paper; but we think we have said enough about it herein to convince our readers of the truth in St. Peters statement (2 Pet. 1:21, Dia.): “Not at any time was prophecy brought by the will of man, but men from God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” And may this help us all to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus.” Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint No. 287, May 1979)

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A VISITOR TO ISRAEL TELLS OF THE HORRORS OF VISITING CAVE OF MACHPELLAH

I cannot bear the vilification of Baruch Goldstein. He was correctly known as the Tsadik of Kiryat Arba, a doctor who well knew the value of human life. He saved many lives during his lifetime and his act of martyrdom will save many more lives. I believe he prevented or at least forestalled another Arab massacre of Jews.

I visited the Cave of the Patriarchs on four occasions during the week prior to Goldstein’s courageous act. Each time I was threatened and struck by the Arabs. On Friday night, February 18, 1994, during Sabbath prayers, some of the Arabs rioted and came running into the area which had been assigned to Jews only, Jews and Israeli soldiers forced them back into “their area.”

The following morning there were several scuffles which resulted from death threats and insults by Arabs who had again spilled over into contact with Jews during their prayers.

I was shocked by the Arabs’ violent threats and actions. I had not witnessed such aggressiveness during previous visits to this holy Jewish site.

Immediately following havdalah Saturday night, February 19, 1994, the Arabs came pouring into the area where Jews were congregated, yelling “Itbah ha yehudi” (“murder the Jews”). They overran some of the soldiers who fought to protect local Jews and a contingent of 120 American Jews who were touring Gaza, Samaria and Judea. Some of the Arabs broke through and struck me, but more soldiers came until the Arab mob could be pushed back at gunpoint into the room where the Arabs were supposed to be praying. It was the scariest moment in my life. I don’t know what could have incited the mob each day to attack us, but certainly it was not quiet prayers that characterize Jewish worship.

I returned on Wednesday afternoon, February 23, and it was apparent that nothing had changed. Arabs made certain that they gave me an intimidating bump as they walked past me.

In my opinion another Arab massacre of Jews was imminent. History has shown time and time again that the mob of “slaughter the Jews” has preceded the vast number of mob murders of Jews. Only the sneak attacks on innocent individuals have been exceptions.

Dr. Goldstein being aware of the record of violence and murder of Jews in Hebron and elsewhere, and knowing the symptoms of yet another slaughter, preemptively struck, thus saving many Jewish lives. He may even have become aware of the details and time of such a plot. Only G‑d knows the mind of any man, but it is clear that any attempt to save Jewish lives and decrease the desecration of G‑d’s name at the tombs of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, is an act of sanctification. The Bible is full of accounts of such brave acts.

(Carl Bishop, Rancho Mirage, CA, The Jewish Press, March 11, 1994)

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“IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW”

BROTHER WILLARD J. CLINARD finished his course March 10, 1994. He was 73 years old September 13, 1993. He was not only our brother in the spirit but also a member of our family in the flesh. He came into the Truth when a young man, and has been a “good soldier” in the Lord’s Army since that time. He was our loyal yolkfellow, and was loved by all who knew him well. When such good brethren leave us we have a void that cannot be filled. He is now asleep in Jesus awaiting the resurrection of the Just (Acts 24:15). We mourn his passing with his family and friends.

Brother Roy Ekroth conducted his funeral March 13, 1994, in Winston‑Salem, NC. Brother Leonard Williams furnished a private plane for five who attended the service. The plane left Orlando at 9:30 a.m., arrived in Winston‑Salem at 12 noon, the funeral service was at 2 p.m.; the plane left at 4:00 p.m., arriving back in Orlando at 6:30 p.m. We are thankful to the Lord for His overruling Providence to us in our time of need.

Although we have many proofs of the time in which we are living, this alone would convince us that we are living in the “time of the end.” This is a vivid illustration of Daniel 12:4: “Seal up the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

We are most grateful to our friends for the many expressions of love and sympathy that have come to us.

NO. 453: NEW AND OLD COVENANTS ISRAELITISH

No. 453

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

While it is our intention herein to treat mainly of the Old (Law) Covenant and the New (Millennial) Covenant, certain explanatory comments will be offered on various features of other covenants.

The Bible covenants are of two kinds -unilateral and bilateral. An example of a unilateral covenant is found in Gen. 9:11: "I will establish my covenant with you [Noah and his sons]; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth [the present social order]."

The outstanding example of the bilateral covenant is that made with the Jews through Moses. That the Law Covenant is bilateral is indisputably established by Jer. 31:32: "Which my covenant they brake." The Jews had solemnly promised to keep the Law Covenant -"All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient" (Ex. 24: 7) -but they did not realize their inability to keep this promise because of their fallen condition. Therefore, the man Christ Jesus is the only one who was able to keep that Law, although some Jews today make very determined effort to keep it. When we were a boy in Dayton, Ohio, our Jewish neighbor had us to light the fire in his stove every Friday night at six o'clock, for which he gave us a penny; but he did not realize that in this very effort to keep the Law, he was breaking it by hiring us to work for him.

That the Law Covenant is typical in many ways of the .New Covenant is also readily apparent. "Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet [mediator] shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you." (Acts 3:22) The New Covenant consists of the promises that God and man will make Millennially and post-Millennially to one another on certain conditions -as is evident from Ezek. 18:1-24: "The word of the Lord came unto me again, saying, What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel." (vs. 1-3) "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." (v. 20) These conditional promises will constitute the New Covenant in its narrow sense. God's two conditional covenants are contracts whose terms bind God and Israel to one another.

As an example of the word Covenant used in the second or wider sense of the word, we mention again the Law Covenant, as consisting not only of the things stated above, but also of the teachings, arrangements, institutions, etc., that were made the basis of the covenant in its narrow sense, and that as such were obligations of the parties to it. (See Ex. 24:3, 7; 34:27, 28; Deut. 4:13; Heb. 9:1-10; 10:1-4.) In this sense the covenant was forty years in its making (Heb. 8:9; 3:7-9), its first part being certain features of the Passover, given before they left Egypt; the Sabbath given before they came to Sinai; the features given at Sinai, where the contract -the covenant in its narrow sense was made: "Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on all the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you." (Ex. 24:8) It would include also those given after they left Sinai until they were ready to enter Canaan -in addition to numerous ones in Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

The teachings, arrangements, institutions, etc. (contained especially in the New Testament), whereby God is realizing the Oath-bound promises in its Sarah Covenant features to the Christ, are likewise seen to be, with those promises, the Oath-bound Covenant to the Christ in the second sense of the word. Also all of the arrangements, institutions, teachings, etc., of the Millennium, with the New Covenant promises, will be the New Covenant in the wider sense of the word.

As examples of the word Covenant, the widest and third sense of the term, we cite the Mosaic, the Sarah and the New Covenants, whenever they are presented as wives of God (Gal. 4:21-31; Isa. 54:5, 6 -compare with Gen. 25:1-5). This requires some explanation: In addition to the conditional promises of the Law Covenant and their pertinent teachings, institutions, arrangements, etc., the covenant in this sense of the word includes every Israelite in his capacity of ministering the covenant teachings, institutions, arrangements, etc., Le., the covenant provisions, to his fellow Israelites, who, in their capacity of being so ministered unto, are the child or children of the Law Covenant. Let us note well this distinction: It is not so much one of persons as of the pertinent persons. When the Israelites ministered the covenant provisions to one another, they acted as the mother, antitypical Hagar (Gal. 4:24, 25); and when nourished with the Covenant provisions by their brethren, they acted as the child, antitypical Ishmael (Gal. 4:25, 29, 30).

OLD COVENANT -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) It should be stressed here that this New Covenant is to be made with both the houses of Israel. Prior to the death of Solomon there had been but one house of Israel; but the revolt led by Jeroboam after Solomon's death divided the nation into two parts -the ten tribes going with Jeroboam, and two (Judah and Benjamin) remaining with Rehoboam. (See 1 Kings 12.) They were first called Judahs (the tribe of Benjamin had been so decimated in the atrocity recorded in Judges 20 that they were more or less inconsequential in the new arrangement); then Judes; then Jews. The word Jew first occurs in 2 Kings 16:6.

However, the statement in Jer. 31:31 says the covenant will be made with both houses, so this pretty well eliminates any argument about the matter. As most of us know, there has been much argument about those "ten lost tribes"; the Anglo-Israels claim they are what is now the people on the British Isles. The arguments they produced had quite some surface logic before 1914 -when the center of the world's money market was London. They also contended that British was from two Hebrew words, brith and ish, which means chosen man; and the London English in 1914 were the "top dogs" in world's finance and about everything else. That has changed pronouncedly now, and we do not hear very much more about it; in fact, England is now in a deplorable financial condition, having lost most of their foreign possessions.

Whatever happened to the "ten lost tribes" is not of major concern to us now. Inasmuch as we are now almost face to face with the New Covenant, and its Jewish destiny, that should be of chief concern to us -and it is with us I When anyone wanted to receive any benefits under the old Law Covenant, they had first to become Jews; and that was typical of the New Covenant, where also all must become Jews if they are blessed by the Mediatorial reign.

The question properly arises, Why are the Jews God's chosen people? The answer is that the Jewish nation descended from Abraham. And why is Abraham so favored? It is because he stood firm in his faith in the one true God, even as his own father was an idolator, as were also most of his relatives. "Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac." (Josh. 24:2, 3)

It should be stressed here that God never blesses anyone that does not believe in Him; but the strength of Abraham's belief is strongly revealed when he intended to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice on Mount  Moriah, because God had told him to do that. There can be little doubt that Isaac was a most handsome, winsome and intelligent lad -born to Abraham when he was a hundred years old, and Sarah 75 years old. It is little wonder that Sarah laughed openly when the angel told her she was going to have a little boy; thus, when he came she named him Isaac, which means laughter.

And because Abraham hesitated not to offer Isaac at God's request he was then given what we understand to be the Oathbound Covenant: "The angel of the Lord called to Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven [the Gospel-Age Christ Company], and as the sand which is upon the seashore [the Worthies, and through them the Jewish nation]; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." (Gen. 22:15-18)

While the Jews as a people went far astray from God during the Jewish Age, Paul tells us in Rom. 11:28, "As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes; but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes." In the very strict sense of the word, "the fathers" are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And Gen. 35: 10 says this: "Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel." Israel means, "he will rule as God"; and "he is faithful that promised." (Heb. 10:23)

After the year A.D. 70, the Jews became a hunted and despised people -people without a country; and they were changed from an agricultural nation to a nation of money people, something they could take with them if things became rough -as they often did. And because of this, many Gentiles concluded that they had lost completely all favor from God. Yet during the most severe times they still maintained their racial and religious identity. So far as we know, it was not known by anyone before 1874 that the Jews were receiving their "double" -1845 years of disfavor for their 1845 years of great favor that ended when they crucified Jesus.

During this Age they used all the ingenuity they could muster in an effort to regain Israel as their homeland; but they always faced failure until the "due time." In 1878 some small measure of favor returned to them. More of this appeared in 1918 when the English wrested Jerusalem from the "terrible Turk." And yet more of it in 1948, when they became established as a nation -although the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church has not yet recognized them as a nation (written 1983). Since 1948 they have been having their troubles; but we have the strong assurance they will not any more lose their national unity.

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 defence 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. A rabbi from the States came to say good-by ... '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 Sherim 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 is 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 I 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 the entire 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 Gorden, 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 the 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.  Everyone 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) And Reprint 4544, col. 2, top: "The first to 'look upon Him whom they pierced' will be the natural Israelites."

 "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 others among them to be fit for the first place among the world of mankind in the Restitution Age." (E-1-115, bottom and 116 top)

"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-l-302)

"How true the statement that those who have cursed, or injured, Israel have brought injury upon themselves I ... Great Britain and the United States, nations which have blessed the Jews, have in turn received great blessings." (Reprint 5323, col. 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 3, regarding the "two witnesses" (the Old and New Testaments) and their dead bodies lying in the streets for "three days and a half." Here is the Berean Comment on that: "Three and one-half years from A.D. 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)

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LE'ITERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

          Dear Sirs: I am enclosing the amount to cover the cost of the book, PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL, An Early American Christian Zionist, by David Horowitz. Please include a sample of your periodicals. I have ordered from the LHMM of Chester Springs, PA, but they don't list the book about Pastor Russell. Sincerely, ….. (KANSAS)

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Dear Epiphany Bible Students Association: Could you please send me a list of books you offer? I would also like to have my name added to your mailing list. Thank you, (ILLINOIS)

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Dear Hermann Bezner:

From Epiphany Bible Students in Florida, I got your address. Emily Hoefle has written me about your work in Israel. The friends and I "of the truth" here in Sweden were very glad to hear that someone in Israel is working in accordance with the Plan of God.

The friends of the truth here have followed Charles T. Russell, John and Morton Edgar and my father, Hugo Karlen. Among other things, Russell's address to 4000 Hebrews in New York in 1910, has been studied with great interest. We have read the stenographic report of the entire discourse (See enclosure). We have discovered that the version in "Pastor Russell's Sermons" printed in 1917 isn't the same, the end of the discourse is changed.

Here in Sweden we have sent copies of Russell's discourse and other papers about the truth to Israel's Embassy, Department of Information, and to Rabbin Morton Narrowe, but no one seems to be interested in the truth.

We would like very much to hear from you about your work. Is there any interest for the truth in Israel? With many kind regards,

                                                                     Sincerely yours, Anders Karlen (SWEDEN)

NOTE:   According to Brothers Hermann and Josef's reports there is much interest from the Israelis as well as from a few Arabs.

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 Dear Sister Emily', What a sweet, warm letter you wrote! And I am enjoying the paper you sent, also. Thank you! Thankfully, our weather has cooled off, but we still have some white flies.

I went to the San Diego Thanksgiving convention with Grace, Lawrence and their daughter Marilyn, who did the driving. It was an excellent convention. You probably received the paper, "To Concerned Bible Students," that so viciously attacked Brother Russell, as well as others in the truth. Surely the Scripture about the "wolves from among yourselves, hurting the flock" is surely coming true! The speakers addressed this item, as well as why Bible Students are going into the nominal churches, etc. And, of course, vindicated "That Servant."

These are surely perilous times for the Lord's people, as well as for the world in this Time of Trouble.

 The Detzlers were with me three days, and he gave two talks. They were enthusiastic about Emek Ha Shalom. They spoke of your warm love for those dear brothers, Hermann and Joseph. Their  (Hermann and Joseph) work is a positive note in a negative world. A sister's son has diabetes and a weight problem, but the Mayo Clinic was able to help. Sister ... would like to write you but as of now, has many responsibilities.

I'm grateful for your love and prayers, dear Emily. You must be a warm and loving child of God. And you continue in my remembrance daily, and my prayers, too. The Lord be your constant and loving companion, and your daily guide! 

                                                                                               Lovingly,....(Arizona)

NO. 452: SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE MEMORIAL

No. 452

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

Comes again the Memorial of Him who perished on the cross, the time this year 1994 being any time after six p.m. the evening of Thursday, March 24. The time is determined as follows: The moon becomes new this year nearest the Spring Equinox (using Jerusalem as the proper location) at 9:27 a.m., March 12, making Nisan 1 at 6 p.m., March 11; and counting from that time, we arrive at six p.m., March 24. We have offered much more detail on this calculation in some of our previous Memorial papers.

“THIS do in remembrance of me.” These are among the last words of Jesus to His Disciples on the evening before He died on the cross; and we believe a clear understand­ing of these words will dissipate much of the cobweb of error that now appears in so many sections regarding the Lord’s Supper. When Jesus made this statement they had just finished eating the Memorial of the great Passover that occurred in Egypt just 3,609 years before this Nisan 14 (March 24, 1994). When Jesus said “this do,” He was telling them that from then on they were to partake of the bread and wine instead of the Jewish Passover Memorial. And how often did the Jews keep that Memorial? Why, once each year, of course! And, if that Memorial was to be replaced with the bread and the wine, then it should be used just once each year.

It is our understanding that there are now about 200 different views in Christendom concerning this ceremony; but, if we accept the clear and concise words of Jesus, there can be but one date on which we should keep it – namely, on the same date that the Jews keep the memory of the Passover in Egypt. And the Bible is very clear about this date: “Ye shall keep it [the lamb] up until the fourteenth day of the same month [Nisan]: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.” (Ex. 12:6) Jesus and the Disciples followed this command by the Lord to the Jews that night in Egypt; and He then told them very clearly that the bread and wine should henceforth be substituted for the Passover lamb. “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” (1 Cor. 5:7)

THE BEGINNING OF MONTHS

“The Lord spake unto Moses... This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.” (Ex. 12:2) In Ex. 13:4 we are told that the name of that month was Abib, meaning “an ear of corn.” The harvest began in it; and the Jewish people began in that month to be a nation separate and distinct – set apart –– from all the nations of the earth. It was not until after the return from the captivity in Babylon, after the Jews had come under Gentile rule, and the Gentile Times had begun, that Abib became known as Nisan (Neb. 2:1); and its meaning is also very suggestive ­opening, or beginning. It approximates our month of March; and is identified by some as the beginning of the Jewish religious year, as opposed to the beginning of the business year, which is about our October 10. To this day the Jews still take some recognition of the month of Tishri, which was the beginning of their year until the time they left Egypt, and the Lord then told them to observe Nisan as the beginning of months.

The feast of unleavened bread – or the feast of the Passover – began in Nisan; but the Passover itself and the feast of the Passover should not be confused. The entire service lasted eight days; but the real Passover was only the first of those eight days. At the Passover Memorial the roasted lamb was the thing emphasized; whereas, in the following seven days – the feast of unleavened bread – the unleavened bread was emphasized. During those seven days the Jews were permitted to eat any kind of meat not forbidden by the Law; but it was a grave offense to eat any leavened bread during those seven days. At one time it was believed that Jesus and the Apostles ate the Passover a day ahead of the Jews in general – based upon John 18:28; but the passover mentioned in that text refers to the feast of the passover, and not the actual eating of the Passover lamb.

It is probably well here to mention also that each Jewish month began with the coming of the new moon. Thus, the Jewish year is properly styled a lunar year; whereas, our year is known as a solar year, which makes a difference of five days or so between the two years. This has been reconciled by the adoption of the Metonic cycle, which the Pagan philosopher Meton devised about AD 360. In his calculation he has seven intercalated months in every nineteen years. This twelfth month of the Jewish year is Adar; and the added month in those seven years of the Metonic cycle is Ve-Adar. This has reconciled the two methods so closely that the difference between when Jesus was on earth until now is only a few weeks – not enough to cause any heated argument.

It might fit in here, also, to state that the Day of Atonement occurs on the tenth day of the seventh month, the month Tishri; although we should bear in mind that the Jews had no Day of Atonement at all until they left Egypt, and the ceremony was given to them by God through Moses at Mount Sinai. With this so clearly marked in Bible and secular history, we have a very delicate sympathy with the Jews for not wanting to give up their land in their altercations with the Arabs. The whole foundation for their religion was given to them at Sinai. The same applies to Christians, too, except that we have built upon the Law and the prophets to form the superstructure of the Christian religion. Without the inspired writings of the Old Testament, Jesus’ disciples could not have recognized Him as the Messiah. Jesus Himself said of the Old Testament Scriptures: “They are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

As stated foregoing, each Jewish month began when the moon became new; and it was from that new moon that they began the reckoning of the various days. But when the clear command is given that the Passover was to be on the fourteenth day of Nisan, the moon is not even mentioned there. The Jews and some Christians think the moon must be full before the Passover is kept, but the moon does not become full on occasion until two or three days after Nisan 14; but this should not influence us because the record is very clear that the 14th of Nisan is the proper date for the Memorial. And this we ourselves try to follow; and the only way we will go wrong on it is if we fail properly to calculate when Nisan arrives. And, since all of this reckoning was given the Jews right there in Israel, it makes no allowance at all for any one to use some other locality for the exact beginning of Nisan 1 and Nisan 14.

REMEMBER THIS DAY (EX. 13:3)

It is not necessary that we strain our imaginations to ponder the great grip that the Passover had upon the Jewish mind. The miracle of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage was indeed a living thing to almost all of them – after their entry into Canaan and up until their dispersion from that land in the year AD 70. And to this day it is a very solemn occasion with the orthodox Jews. When Jesus said to them, “Your house is left unto you desolate” (Matt. 23:38), none of them then realized how far-reaching and absolute this sentence would eventually become. But their High Priest had to come from the Tribe of Levi; and that tribe was so completely lost in the dispersion that they no longer know which of them are of that tribe. Their house is now indeed “desolate.”

Nevertheless, those Jews who still try to keep the Law make strenuous effort to ob­serve the Passover in every intricate detail. “This day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations.” (Ex. 12:14) “And when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? Then shall ye say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover.” (Ex. 12:26,27) And to be sure that this injunction was scrupulously observed, the oldest son of each family – if he were thirteen years of age or older – was required to fast on the day leading up to the Passover table.

And when all were seated at that table, with the food carefully arranged, with the cups or glasses set for wine for each one present, there would be one extra cup “for Elias.” Had not the last lines of inspired Jewish Scripture warned them, “I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord?” (Mal. 4:5,6) And not realizing that this was one of those “dark sayings,” every serious-minded Jew was alerted to the possibility of Elijah’s visitation “in an hour when ye think not” – possibly into his own house. Thus, he would not be overtaken unawares.

Then to be sure the question would be asked, “What mean ye by this service?” the eldest son would ask the father the question, at which the father would explain in con­siderable detail those awesome happenings that night in Egypt. And by repeating this ceremony every year, the lesson would be indelibly impressed upon all present that a great miracle from on high had been performed for them that night. And we may be sure of the promise that those faithful orthodox Jews will eventually accept Jesus as their Messiah and be the “first” to receive the blessings of the New Covenant.

But one outstanding difference should here be emphasized between the actual perform­ance in Egypt and the subsequent memorials. There is nothing said in the Bible about anything to drink that night as they feasted upon the lamb, although they would almost cer­tainly need some liquid – not only for that night during the eating, but for the day following when they would be traveling afoot in the desert sun. If they drank any wine that night, it is not recorded. But the subsequent memorials were not to be observed with doleful face; it was to be a time of rejoicing in memory of their great delivery from bondage.

And the Jewish fathers reasoned, What could cheer them better than wine? Thus, four cups of wine entered into that memorial – one before any food was taken, and the fourth after the entire meal had been completed. If any Jews were too poor to bear such expense, the wine was supplied to them out of the public funds. Thus there would be measurably identical ritual in every house; each would rest in the assurance that his brethren throughout Jewry were in physical and heart accord with him that momentous night.

Nor was this arrangement without purpose. After the first cup – and before any food – the Small Hallel was chanted or sung, after which the meal itself was consumed, with two more cups of wine during the eating. When the eating was done, the fourth cup was had, with the chanting of the Great Hallel. Here it may be well to define the Hallel: It was composed of the 113-118 Psalms. The first two – Psalms 113 and 114 – are the Small Hallel; and 115 through 118 the Great Hallel. The word itself is of great significance: Hal means praise, and El means God – the whole meaning being praise to God. It is the root of our English word hallelujah, which, according to Webster, means Praise ye the Lord.

It is also probable that the Jews at the Passover in Egypt ate it standing up – “your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste.” (Ex. 12:11) But when Jesus ate it with them the night before He was crucified, they were reclining on couches, or the like, about the table as becometh free men. Note the record in John 13:23: “There was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples.” This could not have occurred if they were standing up, or sitting in chairs.

In medieval times King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table often set forth in quest of the Holy Grail, the same being that mythical golden cup which Jesus supposedly used as He said to the Disciples: “This cup is the New Testament in my blood.” (Luke 22:20) That Holy Grail was never found, of course; and there exists no real proof that there ever was one. Certainly Jesus used a cup that night, but no place does it say that it was a golden cup. Could that cup be produced with sufficient proof, it would be the most priceless treasure in Christendom. But God did provide that we should be heir to the exact words in Psalms 113-118; and we do well to include some parts of that Scripture in our Memorial service.

“GO TO HIM WITHOUT THE CAMP”

In Ex. 33: 7 we read, “And Moses proceeded to take a tent and pitch it by itself outside the camp afar off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting – and so it came to pass that whosoever was seeking Yahweh went out unto the tent of meeting, which was on the outside of the camp.” (Rotherham) Moses in this instance types our Lord as He arranged to remove the Star Members and His fully faithful people from the midst of the measurably faithful and the tare class, beginning in the Pergamos epoch of the Gospel-Age church, which began in the fourth century AD It was early in that century that Roman Emperor Constantine the Great embraced Christianity because he thought it would help him politically; and it was he who called the Council of Nice in AD 325 at which time the Apostles Creed was formulated, and Arius (who held the Truth that there is but one God as opposed to the then growing belief in the Trinity error) was banished from the Roman Empire – “afar off from the Camp.”

The stinging charge is recorded against that Pergamos Church (Pergamos means earthly elevation – and the church then was certainly elevated when the Roman Emperor himself openly embraced the Christian religion) is this: “Where Satan’s seat is... thou hast them there that hold the doctrine of Balaam.” (Rev. 2:13,14) In Num. 22:5-41 we are told of the mercenary Balaam; and in that episode he was a type of those who teach error for profit in this Gospel Age. This odious practice came very much into evidence during the Pergamos period of the church; and developed very noticeably during the following years – until AD 799, when Charlemagne relinquished his regal power to the Pope of Rome which was the beginning of the real Holy Roman Empire.

It was during the fourth epoch of the church, beginning in 799 that the charge is recorded against them: “Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel [the Roman Church]... to teach and to seduce my servants... to eat things sacrificed unto idols” (Rev. 2:20) on the outside of the Camp (apostate Christendom). Following is a quotation from Epiphany Volume 11, p. 430:

“God had our Lord do another thing indicative of His displeasure with His nominal people, i.e., remove the faithful servants of the Truth and its spirit from places of prominence and influence in the nominal Church – caused the symbolic woman, the Covenant promises and the servants who apply them to the brethren to go into the wilderness condition (Rev. 12:6) – to the Tent of Meeting (not the Tabernacle, but Moses’ official residence) – and that but not slightly away from erroneous doctrines, organization and disciplines of the nominal church, but very far from these, and made the Truth and the servants who applied it to the brethren, as well as these last, the place where God resided, met with His people and blessed them. Henceforth every one who in heart’s loyalty sought fellowship with the Lord in spirit, truth, righteousness and holiness went forth from the nominal church to such truth, its applying servants and the others of His real people, apart from the nominal church (without the camp)... When our Lord busied Himself with Truth matters, its applying servants, etc., the Truth and its spirit as due became manifest (the cloudy pillar descended – Ex. 33:9), and remained at the entrance, consecration, where God revealed truths to Jesus in the star members.”

The foregoing dove-tails so very beautifully with St. Paul’s admonition in Hebrews 13:13, “Let us, then, now go forth to him outside of the Camp, bearing reproach for him.” (Dia.) And it is such a very clear-cut and definite course of procedure for all elect “to follow in his steps.” (1 Pet. 2:21) Such indeed is one very appropriate thought for the Memorial. In principle, this arrangement is as true today as it ever was.

“WHAT MEAN YE BY THIS SERVICE?”

As previously stated, all the details of the original Passover in Egypt were prearranged with meticulous care and execution, even to its future remembrance “throughout your generations,” and the instruction of the Jewish children during future observances.

It was properly anticipated that inquiring and curious children would ask, “What mean ye by this service?” (Ex. 12:26), thus providing the opportunity to instruct them in the niceties and the solemn responsibility of every Jew participating in it. And this exac­tion so thoroughly gripped the Jewish conscience and imagination that the Passover obser­vance today is almost identical to what it was in the day of Christ, excepting only the temple sacrifices which can no longer be performed. However, they yet make very elaborate preparations for the festival. After minute search for all leaven in each house was completed into the napkin or cloth, the whole was then cast into the fire, and the master of the house declared in Aramaic that any further leaven that may have been in his house, and of which he was unaware, was to him no more than dust.

As stated, the eldest son of each family (thirteen years old, or more) was required to fast on the day leading to the evening service. Then on the evening of the 14th before partaking of the Passover meal and ceremony all the male members of the house betook themselves to the synagogue, attired in their best apparel. on their return they would find the house lit up, and the “Seder” or paschal table in readiness for all to partake. The master of the house took his place at the head of the table, to partake of the Seder, or Haggadah, as some Jews designate it.

As stated, to be sure the question would properly arise, the oldest son was previously coached to ask, after they were seated at the table, why on this night above all other nights do they eat bitter herbs, unleavened bread, etc., at which the head of the house would relate the story of the original Passover and the deliverance of the Jewish firstborn on that fateful night in Egypt. Then proceeded the feast, which had been elaborately and meticulously prepared – the bitter herbs such as parsley and horseradish, and a kind of sop with charoseth consisting of various fruits compounded into a sort of mucilage and mixed with vinegar and salt water – each arranged in its own vessel. At the outset the master took some of the bitter herbs, dipped them into the charoseth, and gave to each one present to be eaten along with the first cup of wine. Thus the feast continued throughout the evening until the fourth cup of wine and the recitation of the Great Hallel – after which, in the case of Jesus and the Disciples, “they went out into the Mount of Olives.” (Matt. 26:30)

Many of the requirements of the original Passover were subsequently ignored, and properly so. The Lord had told them in Egypt, “Thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand – so shall ye eat it in haste, it is Yahweh’s passing over.” Every minute detail in these instructions is fraught with grave significance to those who would commemorate the memorial of “Christ our Passover who is sacrificed for us.” The girdle in the Bible symbols represents the serving features of those who would be servants in God’s Household. “He that is chief among you, let him be your servant.” (Matt. 20:27) Jesus Himself illustrated this on His last night by “girding” Himself, taking a towel and washing the Apostles’ feet. “I am among you as one that serveth,” He had told them. Then, the sandals on their feet were a representation of the Gospel-Age fact that “we have here no abiding city”; always should God’s people be alert to “move on” as occasion dictated, ever willing to follow the fiery-cloudy pillar – the Truth as due; and to remember always that “The king’s business requires haste” – no time to linger and ‘change clothes’ when the occasion should arise to journey on. And all this should be done with “your staff in your hand,” the staff typifying God’s precious promises. Without leaning on those promises no one could ever make the journey from antitypical Egypt (the world of sin) to the Heavenly Canaan.

It is in order here to mention that some things in the original Passover were not followed by the Jews in their memorial, nor do we follow them in ours. In the Jewish celebration the lamb was chosen on the tenth day, nor do we now set aside the bread and the wine on the tenth day in readiness for the evening of the fourteenth. It would seem in the original that the Jews were told to do this to bring them into the proper mental attitude for that great miracle that would be performed for them on that awesome night. But we believe it is in order for us to “think on these things” for some days before our Nisan 14 – not only thinking, but also reading pertinent scripture on the subject in the days preceding the participation.

Also, in the Jewish memorial the lamb’s blood was not sprinkled on the lintels and door posts, even as in the Lord’s Supper we do nothing to correspond to this. Nor did the Jews “eat it in haste” as we have shown aforegoing; they reclined leisurely, but with full mental concentration of the thing they were remembering – as we also do as we partake of the bread and the wine. Thus, “this thing” has special reference to the delivery of the firstborn through the slain lamb, the eating of his flesh, and the sprinkled blood. Hence, the death of the lamb, the feasting on its flesh and the deliverance of the firstborn, were the things to celebrate in the annual antitypical feast, and the Gospel-Age antitypes of these by the bread and the wine. It. also bespeaks our participation with Him in His sufferings – with some a part of the sin offering, and with others a representation of this solemn event. Of course, this is not at all portrayed in the annual Jewish celebration; it has exclusively a Christian meaning; and thus we consider it. However, it is implied in minor degree by the eating of the bitters along with the Jewish meal. And here is solid proof that the lamb typed Jesus only, and not the participants during the Jewish or this Gospel Age. Jesus only is the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.”

And, not only was Israel to observe the annual Passover during their wilderness journey (Num. 9:1–15), but they were to observe it after entering Canaan, which they scrupulously did – in like manner as did Jesus and the Apostles on the night before He died. And this we also do in our annual Memorial of “Christ our Passover.” And in our annual celebration we portray our journey from the wilderness of sin to our antitypical heavenly Canaan. This is very much emphasized in Parousia Volume 6, and we commend it to all our readers. The annual Passover supper of the Jews thus types our annual participation in the bread and the wine.

THE TRUE AND THE FALSE

As most of us know, so many features of the true religion have been coun­terfeited by Satan, which prompted the Apostle to write, “the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19) This was even true of Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Ezek. 8:14 it is stated, “There sat women weeping for Tammuz.” Tammuz was the sun god of the Babylonians, consort of Ishtar. He was identical with Adonis, the same as Baal of the Canaanites. Tammuz supposedly died each year, descended into the lower world, and was brought back to life by the weeping and lamentation of Ishtar, who was joined in her weeping by the women of Babylon. Thus, as Jesus was being led to the cross and He saw women weeping along His journey, He mildly admonished them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” (Luke 23:28) It is also related in Ezekiel 8:17 that the Jews “put the branch to their nose,” in keeping with the custom of the Persian sunworshipers holding before them a branch of date, pomegranate or tamarisk that their breath might not contaminate the risen deity. All of these sacrilegious practices by the Jews brought forth the scathing denunciation of God by the mouth of His prophets; and is a warning to all God’s people to “have no other Gods before thee.”

Moses charging Israel to remember Nisan 15 (the first day of the Passover Festival) as the day that they went forth from Egypt from the house of servants, types our Lord’s charging the Gospel-Age Church in general – and the Church here in the end of the Age in particular – to remember antitypical Nisan 15 as their deliverance time from the house of the servants to sin, and our instruction into the Present Truth. Israel in general remembered their typical deliverance at all times, but especially so in their keeping of the Passover Memorial. So we, as antitypical Israel, remember our deliverance from the bondage of sin at all times, but especially so as we keep the Memorial of Christ our Passover.

That Wise and Faithful Servant had charge of the gathering “My saints together unto Me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice” (Psa. 50:5); and with the help of faithful brethren, we believe that work was completed with his ministry. However, he taught there would be an unbegotten class [which we call Youthful Worthies] gathered “between the ages,” and his teaching to the saints has a secondary application to them –– edifying and strengthening their faith. Such consecrators who have the faith of Abraham and faithfully serve God while sin is in the ascendancy, will be rewarded in honor and service in the earthly phase of the Kingdom with the Ancient Worthies (Hebrews, Chapter 11) – made “Princes in all the earth.” (Psa. 45:16)

Do they partake of the Lord’s Supper? Most certainly they do – but with some reservations. They are not “suffering with Christ,” nor will they “reign with Christ”; therefore, they partake of the wine and bread symbolizing our Lord’s death as the Lamb of God, as well as symbolizing their tentative justification. Although their trial is for faith and obedience, and not for life, they make the same kind of consecration as did the spirit-begotten. “Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger [the unbegotten], as for one of your own country [the spirit-begotten]. (Lev. 24:22)

Much more could be included here, but we believe the foregoing will suffice to bring forcefully to mind once more our obligations to “do this in remembrance of Me”; and it is our hope and prayer that all our readers may be richly blessed in their preparation for and participation in this year’s Memorial as they “consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself.”

This year we shall observe the Memorial at 2501 Morningside Drive, Sylvan Shores, Mount Dora, Fla., at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 24; and we invite all of “like mind”, who may be in our vicinity, to join with us in this service.

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint No. 297, March 1980)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sister Hoefle,

Thank you very much for your letter and magazines. I’m still studying electronic engineering in the University in Kassel, and I have little time for writing. I like to read your magazines. Please send me all the issues after No. 444, June 1993.

Do you have a copy of the revised edition of “Pastor Charles Taze Russell...” Please send me a copy surface-mail. Enclosed $...

I have contact with some Bible Students in Germany, but there is no ecclesia in my area. I have collected all German Watch Tower magazines of 1904-1916, and most of the other German literature from Pastor Russell. I am searching for some old German booklets and for old tracts.

Thank you very much for your help! With Christian Greetings.

Your brother, ------- (GERMANY)

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My dear Sister Emily: Loving greetings in His Name!

I don’t think olive told you that her daughter Carole has gotten her a telephone. The number is ... I had a birthday October 29 – and as usual I feel very much under the weather at this time. But it will pass. I know, like myself, that your body has many surprises for you, with all sorts of sensations, aches and pains. I know you are a survivor. So although we chiefly operate in Jesus’ strength we need to exercise a lot of will power to get us through the day.

I was able to go to the Smith’s October 31. Brother Mahoney and his brother, Sisters Nora and McKenzie came from Crofts Hill and we had a lovely time in fellowship and the Word. Thank God for those two Servants. You are an inspiration to me, and I get a lot of encouragement just knowing you are there. Keep on keeping on! God bless and keep you.

Love from Sister ------- (JAMAICA)

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Dear Sister Emily: Grace and peace!

No, I didn’t receive the November-December papers. Please do send me those. The Tulsa Convention was a blessing. Sister ------- was in the hospital and didn’t get to come. The talks were real good.

Your brother by His grace, ------- (TEXAS)

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Dear Sister Hoefle,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord and thank you for your kind letter. I have placed you on our mailing list under the Organization section. Please do place The Association for Biblical Christianity on your mailing list. I appreciate the kind of Christian Love and unity you’ve expressed. I feel God is about to close the door on some of the disunity that we have experienced in the Faith. Our own mailing list is growing a lot faster than I thought it ever would. I did not design our doctrinal position just to attract a lot of people. Any differences we may have in understanding is minor to the Great Truth’s we do share. You or I may be right or wrong on some points, but the beauty of exchanging notes is more than bound to help all of us together.

I’ve enclosed December’s mailout which includes “The PENN” which we publish quarterly. If you would like any kind of announcement in “The PENN” just let us know and we’ll be happy to run it. Likewise if you have any questions about anything put out by us, let us know your view. We are here to grow! May the Grace of our Father and Jesus Christ be with you all.

IN HIS CITIZENSHIP, ------- (WASHINGTON)

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Dear Sister Emily,

Warm Christian greetings in our Beloved Savior! Thank you so much for your lovely card as well as your kind letter which was much appreciated.

I am happy you enjoyed the warmth of your family during this blessed time of year. My family, as you know, consists of a younger brother and my father – now 76 years of age. Since both of them are still involved with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, there is no celebration of Christmas – no sending of cards or giving gifts. It is a very sad approach to the joyful time of the year when at least some of the nominal churches attempt to reflect on the birth of our dear Lord Jesus. Of course I do not regret leaving my fleshly family behind (Matthew 19:29), for I have come to rejoice many times over with my new Bible Student family.

Our class this morning was faith-strengthening, as always. We are studying volume number one, “Permission of Evil,” and volume VI, “Tithing.” Our class is growing it seems. We have some wonderful teachers. A brother visiting from Columbia who hadn’t been with us for over a year, said since his last visit with us we had doubled in size.

December 26th, Jehovah’s Witnesses came to my door. They wanted to renew my six-­months’ subscription to the Watchtower and Awake. Like yourself, I read to see what current distortions they are printing. They offered me a Bible study. I told them I loved God’s Word and would be glad to study with them if they would use Pastor Russell’s six volumes as a help in a better understanding of the Bible. They were perplexed. one said, “I see you have an understanding of the history of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the older books we used to use.”

What a frightened, mind-controlled group they are! How sad for them. Thanks be to God and His Holy Spirit I am on the road to real truth (James 8:32).

Your brother in Christ, ------- (MICHIGAN)

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To the Epiphany Bible Students:

Please send me information concerning your organization. And please place my name on your mailing list to receive literature. Thank you, ------- (KENTUCKY)

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Dear Friends,

I have heard of Epiphany Bible Students (having read back issues of the LHMM “Present Truth”), and also seen references to your organization in the United Israel Bulletin. You seem to be great supporters of the Pastor. I would be interested to know more about the EBSA. Do you have a list of publications? I look forward to hearing from you.

Fraternal greetings, ------- (ENGLAND)

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NO. 451B: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT - PART TWO

No. 451B

THE JEWS

"ISRAEL VS. THE VATICAN - 'Agreeing to Disagree' - But: The small heading grabbed me. It was a small news item appearing in many newspapers around the world. Its importance escaped the attention of most readers - it seemed rather insignificant. One reason: It was just a caption under an indistinct picture of Prime Minister Shimon Peres of Israel and Pope John Paul II of the Vatican. The heading read, 'Agreeing to Disagree. ' "The Israeli Prime Minister expressed the hope that a meeting might be arranged for the discussion and consideration of the Vatican's recognition of the State of Israel. The Pope made it clear this was not possible. Nothing more was reported. In the picture caption, Prime Minister Peres stated they would just 'agree to disagree and separate the religious from the political.'

"What IS the Issue? The chief reason for the Vatican's denial is that the Roman Catholic Church and many protestant denominations hold to the 'replacement theology,' i.e., by and large, the church has replaced Israel in God's economy, that Israel is no longer the people of God under the 'everlasting' Abrahamic Covenant - which includes the land of Israel as an 'everlasting possession' (Gen. 17:8). This 'Christian' theology is the corner-stone of anti-Semitism, as stated by Dr. Franklin Littell.

"This is also the reason for the feverish missionary activity. And many denominations and religious groups carrying on missionary activities in Arab lands are themselves anti-Israel and teach hostilities toward Israel and Jews. Yet All Muslin law under which missionaries operate, have the death penalty for Muslims who convert to other faiths.

"Rejecting Israel spiritually also rejects them nationally and politically. This will determine the end-time consummation of all things, the final conflict between the 'Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness.'

"'Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name … Then shall they know I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God.' (Ezek. 39:25,28-29) Read also Zephaniah 3:8-9, 14-20."

(By Elmer Josephson - Bible Light Star, Vol, 25, No.1, p. 13)

The Jehovah's Witnesses now discard the Jews and join the "replacement theology." All God's promises to the Jews belong to them. Their first president, Judge Rutherford, wrote a book, Comfort to the Jews, which is exactly as taught by Pastor Russell. But he and the Witnesses changed all that. They overlook what the Apostle Paul wrote, "to the Jew first," as well as what Pastor Russell taught. He was the first Christian minister to give comfort to the Jews. As all denominations taught the "replacement theology," they persecuted Pastor Russell and his followers for his love for the Jews as well as for his refutation of other errors they taught. The Jews loved him, and many fondly called him their Pastor.

"75 YEARS AGO - The Deliverance of Jerusalem: The City of Peace - Jerusalem - has fallen before the bloodless advance of Britain's victorious army. The Eternal City, magnificent even in its neglect, rises in beauty as of yore on its hills and above its valleys, a resplendent symbol of peace, as above the Tower of David the British Lion is unfurled. Fellow Jews! Eighteen centuries and a half have passed since the enemy drove our forefathers from our native land; like lions did they fight and defend our Jerusalem. Their hearts were rent asunder by the mere thought that they might in the end have to leave it. But Rome, in its cruelty, could not extinguish the fire of love which the fugitives bore away in their hearts and handed down from generation to generation with a solemn injunction: No Jew shall laugh aloud until Jerusalem is once more free and astir life. (Dr. Tchlenow's last article before his death.)"

(B'nai B'rith Messenger, July 16, 1993)

"PEACE NOW IS ON THE MARCH AGAIN: Americans for Peace Now has launched an all-out propaganda offensive intended to win American Jewish support for PLO control of Judea, Samaria and Gaza. The campaign has been dubbed 'Operation Peace with Security,' an Orwellian title if there ever was one, since Peace Now's idea of 'security' includes forcing Israel back to the 'Auschwitz lines' of 1967 and setting up a PLO state with Jerusalem as its capital. The six-month long campaign will, according to its sponsors, 'finance speaker tours, publications, and public opinion polls, among other things, to demonstrate broad support for the agreements.' Leave it to the dishonest Jewish left to plan public opinion polls whose results have been determined in advance. The most disturbing news, however, is that Peace Now has already received $300,000 in donations for the campaign, and expects to bring in one million dollars in all. If Jews are so devoted to the PLO's agenda can raise millions of dollars, then Jews who are devoted to Israel's well-being must do no less. Now is the time for friends of Israel to redouble their efforts on behalf of the Jewish State - before the left triumphs and Israel goes up in flames."

(Outpost, October 1993, page 2)

Israel will never go up in flames. The Lord will fight for them as "in the day of battle." (Zech. 14:1-3)

QUOTES: "During the 1930's, Albert Einstein and his wife fled Germany for the United States. They arrived in Princeton, New Jersey, where Dr. Einstein would take up a teaching and research position at the university. Their home was in the immediate neighborhood of Princeton Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian school. One of the seminary professors was planning a trip to Palestine in 1934 and he wondered if the great physicist could provide him with letters of introduction to Zionist friends or Biblical scholars in the Holy Land. When the professor's wife approached Mrs. Einstein with this request, she exclaimed: 'But my darling, I did not know you are Jews!' The professor's wife said they weren't, they were Christians. Mrs. Einstein then demanded earnestly, why did they wish to meet with Zionists or with Jewish leaders of any sort? The two of them had a long talk about the roots of Christian faith in the Old Testament. 'Besides,' the professor's wife said, 'Jesus was a Jew.' Mrs. Einstein's amazement increased: 'Never in my life has a Christian said that to me!' And she hugged the Christian lady affectionately. (J. R. Blackwood, 'The Einsteins as Princeton neighbors,'

(Princeton Seminary Bulletin, Vol. 3, 1980, p. 66)" (YASHAR, No. 24, April 1993, p. 8)

"THE GREAT 'PEACE' DECEPTION: SECRET. PLAN TO SPLIT JERUSALEM: The euphoria associated with the September 13 signing of the 'peace agreement' between Rabin and Arafat on the White House lawn, has quickly given way to dismay and deep dissatisfaction in vast sections of the Jewish, as well as the non-Jewish, community. The Labor-Meretz team had the element of total surprise in their favor in the beginning, for since all their negotiations - through shadowy leftists, some European, some Israeli - were carried on in stealth, no one had a chance to express criticism. In order to guarantee this secrecy, they did not consult military experts with responsibility for the security of Jews in Israel, and then they railroaded through terms and conditions, with total impunity, and without regard for public opinion. Their advantage of stealth and surprise, however, can no longer be maintained.

"The utter flaws in the peace plan are clear for all to see, especially as demonstrated by recent tragic events, not the least of them being the brutal murder in broad daylight of two Jewish youths near Jericho, an area allotted to the PLO. It does not take much logic to conclude that if such murders take place while the Jewish police and army are still in place, imagine how much more violence can be expected, G-d forbid, when they are removed and Jews are dependent on Palestinian 'police' recruited from the ranks of seasoned murderers and terrorists.

"Large groups are emerging which are totally opposed to the PLO deal as it stands today. These groups are growing daily and will soon be a very substantial factor to be reckoned with, not only in Israel, but in Washington, too.

"The Jerusalem Deception: While Rabin has been repeating his assurance that Jerusalem is not even on the agenda and will never be given up, a secret report is now leaking out, which tells us the opposite. The secret report covers a meeting aimed at formulating a 'Metropolitan Jerusalem,' composed of 17 experts in city planning, along with one representative of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) , Raanan Weiz, who was invited to give the main proposals.

"The meeting took place on September 7, a few days before the signing ceremony in Washington. Here are excerpts from this absolutely mind-boggling and shocking meeting:

"The meeting opened with a description of the need for fundamental changes in the city planning for Jerusalem 'on the heels of the political developments.' The plans call for new construction to house some 300,000 returning Arab refugees, and placing the Old City under international control."

(By Dr. Manfred R. Lehmann - B'nai B'rith Messenger)

"ADVERTISEMENT IN JERUSALEM POST TELL VISITING STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS: JERUSALEM NOT NEGOTIABLE: NEW YORK, NY - The team of State Department officials visiting Israel were greeted upon their arrival by a large advertisement in the Jerusalem Post headlined 'Jerusalem is Not Negotiable.'

"The advertisement was sponsored by American Jewish and Christian organizations that are critical of U.S. pressure on Israel and urge that all of Jerusalem remain under Israel sovereignty.

"The signatories included: The Zionist Organization of America, the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, Americans For a Safe Israel, the Coalition For Israel, B'rith Shalom, Poalei Agudath Israel of America, the Christians' Israel Political Action Campaign, the International Christian Embassy-Jerusalem, Christians United for Israel, Christian Evangelical Zionist Congress of America and the National Christian Leadership Conference for Israel.

"'All Israelis and all good friends of Israel abroad are united in the belief that all of Jerusalem must remain under exclusive Israeli sovereignty,' warns Herbert Zweibon, chairman of Americans For a Safe Israel. 'If the State Department intends to pressure Israel on the Jerusalem issue, it is setting the stage for a major confrontation between supporters of Israel and the Clinton administration.' Zweibon recalled that during the 1992 presidential campaign, both Bill Clinton and Al Gore expressed support for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. 'What happened to that promise?' Zweibon asked."

(Las Vegas Israelite, July 23, 1993, p. 4)

"RABIN, 'HOOKED' IN A CHRISTOPHER-PLO-MUBARAK SCENARIO: Now that all the heads of the 184 UN delegations have spoken and enunciated their nations' foreign policies in the opening general debate, one can, to a certain extent, sum up where this World Organization stands on the major issues facing mankind - Yugoslavia, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Cyprus, Haiti, etc., let alone the troublesome problems of finances, human rights, armaments, environment and a host of other problems bedeviling Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali, whose burdens and responsibilities are greater than any of those his predecessors had to bear. It stands almost deadlocked.

"This is something to which your correspondent can bear witness. Unfortunately, Mr. Boutros-Ghali is not receiving the support he is asking from the member states - financial and otherwise.

"But such are the eruptive Messianic times in which we live. And this brings us to the most troublesome spot on this planet - the Middle East - an issue, including Jerusalem, soon to be bitterly debated here at the UN when the items on 'Palestine and the Middle East' come up. These debates will now have a new meaning, since the recent Washington world-shaking event which saw President Clinton host and celebrate a 'reconciliation' between terrorist Yasir Arafat and Israel's Six-Day War hero Yitzhak Rabin. No one will ever forget that 'impossible' handshake.

"'Never forget?' Indeed! The original euphoria it created is vanishing - "Because things are not turning out as had been expected from that American-sponsored handshake.

"Violence still continues – both PLO and Hamas murderers are killing innocent Israelis, and not all the Arabs are joining the PLO bandwagon; the boycott of Israel remains in force while Arafat's promises are not being kept. In one of this writer's columns last month, entitled 'A Messianic Eruption? Yes! But … ' I stated: "Despite Arafat's commitments made before the world, this writer has not changed his view. 'G-d works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.' And we have here such a 'wonder.' The wonder lies in the fact that Rabin and Peres agreed to turn Gaza and Jericho over to Arafat and PLO, giving the former murderer of Israeli men, women and children, the courage to publicly declare that his PLO flag will fly over Jerusalem in the future. This action by Peres and Rabin, 'traitorous' in the eyes of many lovers of Zion, is a 'wonder' because it will undoubtedly lead to the fulfillment of prophecy relating to a final conflict depicted in Zechariah, chapter 14 and Ezekiel 38-39. This is Messianism. Zechariah speaks about nations going to battle against Jerusalem 'only to find their grave there.'

"This writer was not alone in questioning Arafat's sincerity. He was joined by other journalists, including Bill Safire of the New York Times and colleagues of THE JEWISH PRESS who voiced dismay at the great deception being played out. In a talk with ShimonPeres, Safire got Rabin's man to confess that the PLO and the Arabs are not living up to their commitments. 'We view peace as a process of give and take.' Safire is quoting Peres as having told him: 'Israel has given, it decided to stop settlements. The Arabs said they would put an end to the boycott in return. Israel lived up to its commitments. The Arabs did not. The Arabs then argued that - should Israel recognize the PLO - they would stop turning their back on Israel. No such thing happened … '

 "This is Shimon Peres speaking, as cited by Safire. In brief, therefore, the Gaza- Jericho peace agreement is a failure and it is incumbent upon Israel to institute new elections.

"What prompted your correspondent to refer to the UN general debate at this critical time, following, the latest Russian 'revolution-a-la-Yeltsin,' was a prominent A.P. photo published on the front page of The New York Times on October 7, captioned 'Israeli- Palestinian Talks Begun in Cairo.' It caught the three, Hosni Mubarak, Arafat and Rabin, in a tell-tale and most revealing posture. Their facial expressions spoke volumes.

"Mubarak, in the center and turning to Rabin, is holding his hands out in a sort of begging gesture as if to say: 'Come on now, Yitzhak, let well enough alone, Arafat knows what he is doing.' Giving the impression of a person hooked and licked, Rabin, with his hands tightly clasped over his crossed legs, appears stunned and dumb. As for Arafat himself, sitting comfortable at the right of Mubarak in a sort of self-righteous mood, with his hands held tight to the sofa, proudly grins as if to say: 'At last, thanks to Christopher and Mubarak, we've got Israel where we wanted them and, in addition, we are helped to dwarf the Jewish State with two billion dollars of aid from the U.S., the West and others.'

"Safire's revelation should give the Labor Party much to be concerned about."

(By David Horowitz of the UN Press - The Jewish Press, October 22, 1993)

"THE DAY OF JERUSALEM - Luke 21:24: 'And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.'

"Jerusalem, the city of peace, has in fact witnessed wars and desolations more than any other city. Quite honestly, given her locality and sad history, she should not be in existence. The lesson of history clearly reveals this. No other city has suffered so many desolations and wars, and survived. Jerusalem has been and is now a thriving city of some 600,000 people. Indeed at the turn of the century no one would have believed that she would ever again become the possession of King David's ancient people. Yet in 1967 against all odds she again became the possession of her rightful owners. This too is a miracle and it is wonderful in our eyes.

"THE DAY OF PRESERVATION - Jeremiah 31:35-36: 'Thus saith Jehovah, who giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, who stirreth up the sea, so that the waves thereof roar; Jehovah of hosts is his name: if these ordinances depart from me, saith Jehovah, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.'

"The survival of the Jewish people in the Diaspora [dispersion] and in their ancient home land is also a miracle without precedent.

"Nevertheless, Israel is still with us and will continue to be. This is another miracle and it is a testimony to the eternal God of Israel.

"At no time in history has Israel soil bloomed and blossomed as it does today … This too is an unprecedented miracle and those, like the writer, who have seen it, can only marvel at the accuracy of the prophetic Word."

(CIA Newsletter - 2nd Quarter 1993)

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We wish for all our readers that they will grow in Grace and Knowledge of the Lord for a blessed New Year, as "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." (Prov. 4:18)

ANNOUNCEMENT: The date of our Memorial is March 24, 1994, after six p.m.