NO. 466: “THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE UNJUST”

No. 466

The resurrection of the just could not mean a resurrection of those who had been perfect, for there are none perfect, none just, “no, not one.” “The resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14), then, must mean the resurrection of those who have been justified; and the justified are those referred to in the Scriptures of whom Abraham was an example. Abraham believed God, and was justified by faith. It was the faith that justified, and the works corroborated the faith.

So with the Church of this Age. The Apostle says, “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:1,2) We are not only justified out of sin, but are also brought by operation of our faith into the glorious standing of members of Christ; and we may hope to participate with Christ in the glories of His Kingdom in the future. It is one thing to be freed from guilt, and another thing to be raised to the position of sons of God, heirs of God and joint‑heirs with Christ, our Lord.

The resurrection of the dead is similarly spoken of in John 5:28, 29, where we read, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.” The Lord does not mean merely all the good, for He also includes in this all that are in their graves. We read in the context that they that have done good shall come forth “unto the resurrection of life”: those who have done evil shall come forth to “damnation [judgment – Dia.].” The word damnation, in the Greek, signifies a crisis, a turning‑point, a decision.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE CHURCH

Those whose faith enables them to stand through evil report and through good report, and who thus fulfil the Divine requirement, are character‑likenesses of Jesus. These now pass from under the condemnation condition to the life condition. As the Apostle says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” (I John 3:14) This passing from death unto life is not in the full sense in the present time. By faith we are reckoned dead with Christ, counted members of His body. That future life is reckoned to us. We are counted as having it; and this is our condition because we have the Divine approval.

Since there is none good, the only sense in which one could “do good” would be by coming into accord with God by obedience, as under the covenant which prevailed with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, or under the still higher covenant that prevails with the Church in this Gospel Age. We have this testimony, that we are pleasing to God, who indicates His pleasure by begetting us of the Holy Spirit. In contradistinction, the world are aliens, foreigners. (Eph. 2:19) By this Holy Spirit, this “unction from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20), therefore, we have the evidence of acceptance with the Father.

The outcome will be, that those having this approval of God, having passed the trials and testings which they have received – for he receiveth no son whom He does not scourge (Heb. 12:6) – and having proved faithful to the end, will be raised by the Lord to the very highest place – glory, honor and immortality. This is the crown, or very highest pinnacle of life that could be imagined. So, then, those who will have part in this First Resurrection will reign with Christ a thousand years. This is the first class mentioned by the Apostle. They are approved; they shall come forth to “life resurrec­tion.”

What is the significance of “life resurrection”? We answer that these shall come forth to perfect life instantly. As St. Paul says, “It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spirit body.” (1 Cor. 15:43) Thus instantaneously these blessings come to them. They have their trial in the present time and, therefore, theirs will be the chief resurrection.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE WORLD

But all will have a resurrection. How will the resurrection of the world differ from that apportioned to the Church? The world has not had the Divine approval; the heathen have not had the Divine approval. The Apostle says, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (Rom. 10:14) They are not fit for heaven. They are not fit to be with the angels or with the Saints, no matter how they came to be in this condition. They came into this condition because of heredity, as children of Adam. But they could not have the same kind of resurrection that those will receive who have God’s approval now, at the time of their death: “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10)

So with the majority of those in Christian lands. They could not be thought to be fit for heaven or to have God’s approval in any sense of the word. And they know it. They confess it themselves. Nobody could deny that nine hundred and ninety‑nine out of every thousand are living “after the flesh.” They are not Saints, but have the Divine disapproval, some having heard more of the Word of God, and some having heard less.

THE GENERAL RESURRECTION TO BE GRADUAL

“Those who have done evil” (John 5:29) will come forth to the resurrection of “damnation” (Greek, krisis), resurrection of trial, resurrection of testing. What kind will it be? The Scriptures show us that it will be a gradual resurrection. During the thousand years of Christ’s reign the people will be awakening from the sleep in the tomb. This awakening will be a preparatory work, not the full resurrection, which will require the entire thousand years.

But the Divine provision is that the account will have been settled for the whole world so that when they shall come forth from the tomb in the future they will be in the hands of the Redeemer, whose Kingdom will be world‑wide. They will have the opportunity of being raised again to that which was lost. Human perfection was lost, which includes not only perfect physical health, but perfect mental power; for mental power depends upon the brain, is affected by the brain, as well as by the body, so that men are now in a dying condition, mentally, morally and physically.

All will be fully raised, from imperfection to perfection, at the end of the thousand years. All who will respond to the beneficent arrangements will secure that which Father Adam enjoyed at first – ­perfect manhood. Those who will not be obedient to the requirements of Christ’s Kingdom will be cut off in the Second Death (Acts 3:23). They will be destroyed as brute beasts, having had the full measure of Divine favor. (2 Peter 2:12)

When the sentence came upon Father Adam he was thrust out of Eden. All of his children have been born dying, and are still in a dying condition. Therefore, the raising of man out of sin and death will be the bringing of him to full perfection – perfect life. This will be a gradual process. They will be made more alive and more alive, and less dead and less dead, as the thousand years progress, and none will get the resurrection life until they are raised to the condition of perfection – perfect life in the image of God, which was lost by Adam.

BURNING OF THE WORLD SYMBOLICAL

The Scriptures declare that “the earth abideth forever” and that “God formed it not in vain; He made it to be inhabited.” (See Eccl. 1:4; Isa. 45:18) It has not yet reached the blessed condition when it will blossom as a rose, although it is in process of completion. At the end of the thousand years of Christ’s reign, the whole earth shall have been brought to perfection. In the prophecies, mountains are symbolical of kingdoms. In 2 Peter 3:12 the Apostle’s words signify that there will be a great conflagration and that the heavens also will be on fire, but that, nevertheless, there will be a new order of things, to take the place of the old order; and under this new order of things there shall come a blessing to all in the earth. The word “fire,” in this sense signifies destruction of the present order of things, of the kosmos – not the geological earth, but the social system, society as at present organized.

We not infrequently hear people say, “Well, matters are getting pretty hot!” Yes, the battle between capital and labor is getting hotter, as is evidenced lately in the labor troubles, particularly in Great Britain and the United States. But the time of conflagration will be such a “time of trouble,” that it will entirely consume the present order of things, a Time of Trouble, therefore, that will be epoch‑making, and the new epoch will be introduced immediately thereafter.

MOUNTAINS SYMBOLIZE KINGDOMS

We remember riding over the mountains once with an Adventist. The Adventist brother said, “Do you not think it will be a glorious time when these mountains will be brought down to a level?” We said, “Dear brother, the mountains are very beautiful, very useful.” He said, “You cannot raise corn on this mountain. “Well,” said we, “go to the prairie if you want to raise corn.” Then he said, “What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the mountains shall be brought low, and when they speak about the melting of the earth”? We said, “Dear brother, the ‘mountains’ there are kingdoms. We read that ‘the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be exalted in the top of the mountains’; it will be the chief mountain or kingdom.” (Isa. 2:2)

THE RESURRECTION WILL LEVEL ALL CLASSES

The Psalmist tells us that “the mountains shall be removed and carried into the midst of the sea” (Psa. 46:2), mountains being symbolical of the kingdoms, of the governments of the earth, and society in general, the elements which support the governments. (Psa. 46) St. Peter also speaks as though the whole world will be consumed by fire. These things are symbolical, implying that the people who are now in a low condition will be brought up, and that those who are high will be brought low. Thus there will be a leveling process.

We remember the statement of the Scripture in Zephaniah 3:8, “Wait ye upon me, saith the Lord.” Here Jehovah is speaking to the Church, telling us that we should not be dissatisfied, that we should not be anarchists and strife‑breeders: I shall attend to this matter myself. You can rest with the present order of things. “Wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.” That this fire is not literal is shown in the next sentence: “Then will I turn unto the people a pure message that they may all call upon the name of the Lord to serve him with one consent.” (Zeph. 3:8,9)

WHEN “THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY, ‘COME’”

It will be the work of the thousand years of Messiah’s reign to thus make known the pure message of God, the pure Word of God. We all see, as we look back, that a pure message of God has not been declared to mankind, but creed contradicting creed, making confusion worse confounded. The Lord, however, will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, and the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the great deep. (Isa. 11:9; Hab. 2:14) As the Revelator puts it, “the river of the water of life” will flow freely. (Rev. 21:6; 22:1,2)

We see that there is no throne yet established and that there is no Bride now. We are waiting for the time to come when the throne will be established and when “the water of life” will flow out. In the future it will be “a river of the water of life.” (Rev. 22:1) This cannot take place until the second coming of our Lord; conse­quently, it will be after that, in the glorious time of Messiah’s Kingdom, when the Spirit and the Bride will say, “Come!” The election of the Church of God will then have been completed; and every creature will come to a knowledge of the Truth and will have the opportunity of attaining to the full perfection made possible by the redemptive work of Christ.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE CHURCH TO EARTHLY SOCIETY

The spirit condition is spoken of as a heavenly condition in the sense that the words heaven and heavenly in the Scriptures are used to signify higher. So the heaven to which the Church will be taken is this higher condition. But the mission of the Church in the next age is in connection with humanity. We are, then, to understand that the Lord and the Church will be present, operating through human, earthly agents; supervising, over- ruling.

We have an example of this invisible power in Satan, who has been ruling here for over six thousand years, through his agents. His work is a deceptive work. He has ruled mankind through ignorance, superstition, etc. But the rule of Christ will be the scattering of error, superstition. The world shall know the Truth that the Truth may make them free. Those who will receive the Truth will receive the freedom and will eventually attain the liberty which belongs to the Sons of God. Men will be quite visible to The Christ, but they will be invisible to men. It is in respect to these that the Lord said that the twelve Apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel – that the Apostles shall be associates with Him in judging and ruling the world.

Then there is another class: “Ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:28); but our Lord does not say a word about their seeing Himself or His apostles. He and His apostles will be in the invisible phase of the Kingdom. So it is written, “Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth” (Psa. 45:16) The patriarchs will be considered the children. A father is a life‑giver. While in one sense of the word Abraham and Isaac, etc., might be considered fathers, yet by virtue of Christ’s redemptive work He will give them life and they will be his children; for whoever gives life is the father and whoever receives life is the child. They will be princes in all the earth, not on the heavenly plane, but on the earthly plane, having obtained the “better resurrection” (Hebrews 11) because they were faithful. Each one of them will be a sample of perfect manhood; and each one of them will be a prince or ruler. Their wisdom will be a wisdom superintended by the Church in glory.

THE OBJECT OF THE INDIVIDUAL TRIAL OF MANKIND

Mankind will need to be put on trial to see whether or not they will accept God’s plan with the knowledge they will have received. If they accept they will be adjudged worthy of everlasting life. If they fail to come into harmony, they will be adjudged worthy of everlasting death. But this judgment will be passed by Christ and His Bride.

So, then, we see that there is a great judgment or trial coming to the world to give them the opportunity of deciding whether or not they will come into harmony with the arrangements of Christ’s Kingdom. In the work of judging, the Church will be associated with Christ. We read that God “hath ap­pointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained” (Acts 17:31) Christ, the Head, and the Church His Body. Again, “Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world?” (I Cor. 6:2) Therefore our own judgment or trial takes place in advance, that we may be prepared to try or judge the world; and by the experiences through which we have passed we may be assistful to them, as they shall be on trial and under the control of our Lord and the Church.

(Pastor Russell, Reprints 4989, 4990, March 1, 1912)

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DEGREES OF SIN AND THEIR PUNISHMENT

The question is often asked, “Is there any special punishment for thieves, murderers and other criminals, or will they, if repentant, be received into the Kingdom along with those who have tried to do right throughout their lives?”

This question can be viewed from two standpoints. God Himself is the great determiner of right and wrong. Everything that is right God approves; everything that is wrong God disapproves. The things that God approves are those things that are good, helpful and favorable for everybody. The things that God disapproves are the things that are wrong, unjust, injurious to every one. Therefore God has condemned certain things that are unjust or injurious to ourselves or to others. Whoever, therefore, commits sin, violates first of all, a Divine command, and to that extent has a certain penalty attached to him for that wrong doing.

We speak of certain persons as “sowing their wild oats.” What does this expression signify? It means that they are now contracting habits which are injurious not only to their own health and happiness, but probably to that of others. As a result of practicing sin they are sure to bring upon themselves a degradation of both mind and body. Thus sin brings its own reward in a natural way. Whoever sins will suffer, is the general law. But aside from that law, there is a God, who has given certain commands and certain penalties that go with those commands.

WHO ARE THIEVES AND MURDERERS?

God’s standard of righteousness is much higher than is man’s present standard. Our Lord gave very fine meanings to the words “thief,” “adulterer,” and “murderer.” He taught that anyone who is angry with his brother without a cause is in danger; that he who looks upon another’s wife with impure desire has committed adultery. (Matt. 5:22,28) These are very fine distinctions. Moreover, we must all admit, as Shakespeare has said:

“Who steals my purse steals trash…..

But he that filches from me my good name

Robs me of that which not enriches him,

And makes me poor indeed.”

Many people have been guilty of stealing the good name of others; many have been guilty of murder in the sense that they hate others. When it comes to the point of deciding who are the most guilty murderers and thieves, we are not competent to judge, for we are not able to know the qualities of mind and the weaknesses with which each person was born. God only could tell the degree of wrong in any of these cases. There are some people who are, we might say, naturally good; others seem to have been born with less patience. Some who, naturally, would not get angry with their brother, nor with any one, as soon as some one else would, may never be in danger of committing murder, either literally or figuratively; for they are born with the quality of forbearance.

As these may not manifest any special patience more than that with which they were born, so others may manifest special qualities because of the condition in which they were born.

The world has learned the necessity of restraining those who are injurious to others. The judgment of the people of the state of New York is, according to the law, that no murderer shall be at large. He shall be confined; for a murderer is not a safe person to permit in society. Therefore, he is put into prison or is executed. This is the general judgment, outside of God’s judgment. The best thing for him and the world in general is that he go down to hades, sheol – the great state of death, where he cannot murder anyone else. The Scriptures agree with the laws of the state of New York, that if a man commits heinous crimes he should be punished.

GOD IS TRAINING THE JUDGES NOW

But so far as taking the position of a judge is concerned, we are not capable of doing this. God alone, at the present time, knows how much more worthy of punishment some are who are in prison than some who are out of prison would be for something else. The offense of the prisoners might outwardly be the greater crime; that of those who are not confined might be just as great a crime from the Divine standpoint; for they might be sinning against greater light and ability. No one but God could tell. Therefore, “Judge nothing before the time.” (l Cor. 4:5)

When is “the time”? People are always glad to get the chance to judge others. Someone may ask, “When may we have the chance to judge? We would like to have it now.” We reply, “Yours is the wrong spirit. Get rid of it or you will never be a judge at all. God is selecting another class to be judges – a saintly class that will be fully satisfied to judge nothing before the time, but to leave everything to him. He says, “This is the kind I want. I will select them.” The Apostle says, “Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world?” – (l Cor. 6:2)

We shall judge the world, not now, under present conditions, but after we shall have been changed in the First Resurrection, changed in a moment. The Apostle explains what that change will mean to us – ­“Sown in weakness, raised in power; sown in dishonor, raised in glory; sown an animal body, raised a spirit body.” (1 Cor. 15:42‑44) When we reach that condition of bodily likeness, as well as character‑likeness to our Lord, we shall be His associates, His wife, the Royal Priesthood. Then there will be plenty of time for us to judge the world. All the lessons we get now will only develop us for that time. All the experiences we have with ourselves – you judging yourself and I myself – the better we shall be prepared for the opportunity which God will give us by and by.

A JUDGE MUST POSSESS PERFECT SELF‑CONTROL

Whoever has not learned to rule his own spirit, is in no condition to rule others. Whoever has not learned to judge his own heart motives and has not put a restraint on them to the best of his ability, is not prepared to sit in judgment upon another. Those who are now being selected of the Lord are not by nature free from imperfections, but have many of the same weaknesses that others have.

Nevertheless, they are seeking to judge themselves to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, to get self‑control, or as the Bible says, to “overcome.” All those who will be with the Lord in Kingdom glory and power and the work of the Millennial Age will be “more than conquerors through him that loved us” and bought us with his own “precious blood.” (Rom. 8:37; 1 Pet. 1:18,19)

Various qualities of murder, lust, covetousness, etc., are more or less seen in the unbalanced mental and moral conditions resulting from the fall. We see how this is operating in the whole world. Some are so mentally unbalanced they are put into asylums. Some are so morally unbalanced they are not permitted to be at large, but must of necessity be put into prison. Others are able to be about in the world and have their liberty, but they are not sound of mind. “There is none righteous; no, not one” (Rom. 3: 10), is the Bible declaration.

Since we have learned to appreciate the Bible teaching, to see that a great fall came upon our race six thousand years ago, and that all are born in sin and “shapen in iniquity and in sin did our mothers conceive us” (Psa. 51:5), it gives us a great deal of sympathy for many poor people; and as we have more strength of character, mentally and morally, than some of them, we thank God and say, “Who hath made thee to differ?” (1 Cor. 4:7)

We were, perhaps, born differently from many; and what we did not get by heredity, we got through grace; so our strength of character is not of ourselves. It is all by God’s grace that we are better than others; and it is not for us to glory, but to give thanks. So we have sympathy for murderers, thieves and vagabonds in general; and we believe the Lord has.

This does not mean that we have the kind of sympathy which would say, “Open wide the prison doors and let every one out!” No, no! Some who have received the Truth while in prison have asked us to intercede in their behalf, that they might be released; and we have answered that we were not sure but that they were better where they are; for in prison there is less temptation than in the world. Liberty is a good thing; but it brings a responsibility and additional trials as well.

SIN AND DEATH ARE HEREDITARY

As we consider the weakness and sinfulness of humanity, the question naturally arises, “Why is this so?” The Scriptures, not the Evolution theory, give us a satisfactory answer to the question.

When God placed our first parents in the Garden of Eden, He made this proposition to them: “If you do right, as I command, you may continue to live; but if you do wrong, contrary to my command, you shall die.” Our first parents disregarded the Divine command and were disobedient. God immediately sentenced them to death. Death was the penalty of disobedience. In other words, God said, “If you are a sinner I will not permit you to live. Those to whom I wish to “grant eternal life are those who will gladly obey my law.” For, as Jesus said, true worshippers will “worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” (John 4:23)

But in addition to having the death sentence passed upon him – whether that death come sooner or later – Father Adam received other punishment, aside from that penalty. Ejected from the Garden of Eden, he was brought into contact with thorns and thistles; he labored with sweat of face; he had the sorrows and troubles that come with the decaying body. All these things were the result of sin.

But so far as God was concerned, the penalty of sin was the death sentence merely. In effect God had said, “You are not fit to live; you are not fit for everlasting life; you shall not have everlasting life.” But through the sacrifice of His human nature, Jesus, by the grace of God, has tasted death for the whole world of mankind – Adam and all his children, all of whom will ultimately be redeemed from God’s sentence. They will be redeemed from death in order that Jesus may, during His Messianic reign of one thousand years, lift them up out of sin and degradation.

THE TRANSGRESSOR MAKES HIS OWN WAY HARD

But do you ever think to what extent man degrades himself? To that extent he will be more degraded than is necessary; and whenever the time comes for his uplifting, the lower he is, the more difficulty there will be in getting him up again. Since God’s arrangement for lifting mankind out of the death condition is that he must help himself, each man must labor to rise from his degradation, and must be assisted in his labor. But by his own efforts he must get out of the difficulty. No man will get out by saying, “I would rather be out of this and have life.” The way back to perfection will be an uphill way. It will not be the narrow way of the present time – darkness on every hand, a strait gate, etc. – but a highway, an upward way, something favorable to the person going up. He cannot roll up. He will not be required to put forth so much effort in a month or in a year or in ten years, as we have to put forth, but he will have a good share of the thousand years of Christ’s reign in which be can gradually rise up out of his imperfec­tion.

We, on the contrary, are required to turn from sin to righteousness and to make a full sacrifice of ourselves to the Lord. Then we must walk in the Narrow Way to the best of our ability. In this we have the Master to help us; but ours is a short, sharp period of fiery trial; and if our trial is hard, we have the assur­ance that there is a great reward to those who come off victorious in this battle against self and sin.

In a word, then, when people die, that is the end of things, in one sense of the word, and not an end in another sense of the word. When a man is dead be has come under the full sentence of the law, for the law said, “Thou shalt die.”

THE WORLD’S HOPE IS THE RESURRECTION

A junk heap represents the condition of humanity, as well as it can be represented. Some people will go to a junk pile and find a great deal of value there; they can do something with this, that and the other thing. Our Lord is the greatest restorer ever known. When His Kingdom is set up, He will take over the world of mankind, approximately 20,000,000,000 of humanity – Adam and his children, all in their broken, fallen condition; and then the great work of refreshing and restoring will begin. The sawing, the hammering and the filing, if you please, will continue during the whole thousand years of the Millennial reign.

So, you see, the condition into which a man gets himself now has a great deal to do with his future. Many will be so degraded that when they come forth from the tomb they will have a very difficult time. Some of these are mentioned in the Scriptures. We are told that some of these will come forth to shame and lasting contempt. There are many people who will come forth to shame. After they had died, many have been found to have been defaulters; many people have been found to have indulged in very criminal acts; yet perhaps no one knew it while they lived. These things came out after their death, and some things may not have come out yet; but we may be very sure that when the Lord’s time shall come for the general opening up, there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed. Therefore, keep your records as clear as possible. Whatever is there will surely be made manifest, is the Lord’s declaration of the matter.

When the world’s history shall all be known, some that we have thought to be very honest, just people, we may find to have been just the reverse; and others who may have been thought to be dishonest may be found to have been very honest. The judgment of the world is not always right. This is one reason why the Lord warns His people not to judge at the present time. We are not competent now. The Lord will judge in the future. When that time comes and the whole world of mankind are brought forth to have their trial before the “Great White Throne,” the books will be opened. Then some will have shame, and some will have great contempt, which will last just as long as they are contemptible. How long will they be contemptible? Just as long as they remain in the wrong state of mind. But if they will obey the terms and regulations of the Messianic Kingdom they will rise daily out of their degradation and meanness, coming back more and more to the perfect likeness of God in the flesh, as represented in Adam.

As mankind rise from their fallen condition, so this contempt will pass away. At that time people will perhaps say, “Well, you know he was a very wicked man in his time. He suffered contempt when it was first realized what a degraded character be was.” Or, “She was a wicked woman, but now see what a change has come over her! See how well she has gotten along! See what effort she is putting forth! See what character she is developing!” And all will rejoice to see the change.

By the end of the Millennial Age, one who was in shame and contempt at the beginning will, if he has taken the right course, have been lifted up above it. We see the principle illustrated in the Scrip­tures. Saul of Tarsus was in shame and contempt because he was a murderer and blasphemer. But we do not hold him in contempt. Neither do we hold St. Peter in contempt because he denied the Lord. At that time it will be said of the world just as we say of the Apostles when we see what wonderful characters they were afterwards. When the world shall have been brought to a knowledge of God and His righteousness under the favorable condition of the Kingdom, restitution will take out of them all imperfec­tions and give them all the good qualities that God originally gave to the perfect man, when God said that he was “very good.”

WHO MAY ENTER THE KINGDOM

But do not the Scriptures say that no murderer shall enter the Kingdom of God? Yes. The Scriptures state that murderers will not be in the kingdom, that they will be outside – have no part in it­ – “without are murderers,” etc. (Rev. 22:14,15) This statement does not signify that a man who has once been a murderer might not reform and become a Saint and an Heir of the Kingdom. We have already referred to one murderer mentioned in the Scriptures, guilty of the murder of St. Stephen, Saul of Tarsus, who afterwards became one of the most notable Apostles. He was a murderer, the responsibility of Stephen’s death lay at his feet. He was a member of the Sanhedrin and approved of the stoning of Stephen, without which approval the latter could not have been stoned.

So when we read that no drunkard or murderer or robber shall enter the Kingdom, the New Jerusalem, how shall we understand it? In this way; that when during the Millennial Kingdom all mankind shall have the opportunity of coming into harmony with God, those who maintain a sympathy or love for unrighteousness of any kind will not have Divine approval. They will not be permitted to enter within the gate of the city, which symbolically represents the Kingdom and the Divine favor. Originally, Jerusalem represented the Church. “I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife”; and “the wall of the city had twelve foundations [foundation stones], and in them the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.” (Rev. 21:9-14) But into that city there would be brought the good only.

So all the world of mankind who will come into harmony with God will come into that city, into the New Jerusalem and Kingdom of God, and outside of that city will be found all impure characters. We have them pictured in this statement, that liars and murderers, etc., shall have their portion in the “lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” This “lake of fire and brimstone” is as symbolical as is the city. As the city is not a literal city of gold, neither is the lake a literal lake of fire and brimstone. That city was pictured by Jerusalem, and the “fire” by Gehenna. As the offal of the literal city of Jerusalem was put into the Valley of Hinnom for destruction and for the purification of the city, so all the offal of the Millennial Kingdom will be destroyed and be kept outside of the Golden Jerusalem. That will be a glorious Kingdom, free from any­thing that would be a blight or blemish or sin; and all who love unrighteousness, in any sense of the word, will be destroyed in “the lake of fire,” which is, we are told by the Revelator, the Second Death. (Rev. 21:8)

(Pastor Russell, Reprints 4990-4992, March 15, 1912)

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NO. 465: THREE PARABLES

No. 465

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

In the 25th Chapter of Matthew there is recorded three parables by Jesus, the same being some of the last expressions before His death. In verses 1‑13 we have a recitation about the Little Flock and the Great Company – the “wise” and awake Little Flock versus the “foolish” and sleepy Great Company. Verses 14‑30 treat also of the Little Flock and the Great Company – the “good and faithful Little Flock” compared with the “wicked and slothful” Great Company (the “unprofitable servant”). And verses 31‑46 describe the two classes of Restitutionists – the faithful and obedient “sheep” on the right hand, and the disobedient and wicked “goats” on the left hand. A proper analysis of these three parables requires a clear understanding of “rightly dividing the word of Truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) – giving to each one its proper time setting; and this we shall now endeavor to undertake.

WISE VIRGINS – FOOLISH VIRGINS

This parable has proper application only to the end of this Age, and has to do with the Little Flock and the Great Company in Big Babylon just prior to and shortly after the Lord’s Second Advent. Although the “wise virgins” have their part in the recital, the elab­oration is more with the “foolish virgins,” their conduct and their failures. However, in Matt. 7:21‑27 Jesus contrasts these two classes during the entire Gospel Age, classi­fying them there as “wise men” and “foolish men”; and this parable applies to every mem­ber of the Little Flock and every member of the Great Company. Thus, we are justified in referring to every one of the Little Flock as “wise,” and every one of the Great Company as “foolish.”

In the Matthew Seven version we are told the reason for the wise and the foolish – one class is wise because he “heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them”; but the other class is foolish because he “heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not.” Those that hear and do “built his house upon a rock”; whereas those that hear and do not “built his house upon the sand.” And of both classes it is said that “the rain de­scended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house” – with the one upon the rock remaining firm and impregnable, with the one upon the sand toppling over, “and great was the fall of it.” And upon these statements we now offer some expla­nation.

All four of the above parables had almost no explanation at all until the Harvest time, when “a faithful and wise servant... gave them meat in due season” (Matt. 24:45) – when the Lord clearly distinguished between the Little Flock and the Great Company. Thus, we find the Parousia Truth replete with finely detailed comment on the Great Company. Espe­cially was this true during the final twenty years of the reaping period. During this period three explanations were given for the Matthew Seven parable: First, the “wise man who built his house upon a rock” is the entire Little Flock, and the House is the true Church (built up – perfected in every good word and work); and the “foolish man who built his house upon the sand” is the nominal church, with the house thereof being Babylon. The fall of this Babylonish house began in 1914, and is continuing ever since.

Only those acquainted with the history of events since 1914 will fully appreciate this conclusion. In the Fall of 1917, when the Bolsheviks toppled over the Czarist re­gime in Russia, they gave the Greek Catholic Church a lethal blow, because the Czar was the titular head of that church. Therefore, since that date the Greek Church has been without a head – just as the Jewish House has been without a High Priest since the dis­persion in AD 70. Czarist Russia was one of the greatest and strongest of empires in all history, which made the Greek Church also a very powerful influence in world affairs. In many of the churches was to be found the supposed dead bodies of the saints that had never decayed – encased in glass containers about the rostrum of those churches. When the Bolsheviks took over, they took those bodies onto the front steps of the churches, picked them apart before the gazing public, and demonstrated that they were nothing but cotton frauds. Thus, that “house built upon the sand” has been falling ever since; and its complete collapse will be very much in evidence when the “burning flame” of Arma­geddon accomplishes its devastating work.

The second interpretation, which dovetails with the first and is in harmony with it, defines the wise builder as the Little Flock as a class – building upon gold, silver and precious stones – while the foolish builder is the Great Company that built upon wood, hay and stubble. It is common knowledge that the Great Company always courted the un­clean public – to gain great numbers, do great works, according to their own idea of things. This is graphically described in Ezek. 44:10,11: “The Levites [typical of the Great Com­pany]... went astray away from Me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity. Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary [serving before the throne]... they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people... Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity.” The basic mistake in all this is given in Ezek. 44:7: “Ye have brought into My sanctuary strangers [not the elect Little Flock], uncircumcised in heart [not consecrated to do the Lord’s “good and acceptable and perfect will”]... to pollute it.” All during the Age the crown‑lost leaders – men of great intellect, such as St. Augustine, John Calvin, etc. – have devoted their energies to construction of the systems; and we have now come to “the day when every man’s work will be made manifest, because the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire [the destructive influences now at work on all hands]”. (1 Cor. 3:13) Their house “built upon the sand” is rapidly crum­bling to ruin.

The third interpretation is a moderation of the second above, making individuals of the “wise man” and the “foolish man,” with the houses representing the individual faith and character structures of the builders. This is shown in Matt. 7:21‑23, where the introduction to the builder parable is given: “Not every one [individual] that saith un­to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to Me... have we not in Thy name done many wonderful works [many of the structures in Babylon are among the finest and most impressive in the entire world]? Then I will profess unto them, I never approved of you.” (See Diaglott)

It is well to note here that the word hear has three meanings in the Bible: (1) to take in sound thru the physical hearing organ, the ear; (2) to understand; and (3) to obey. Clearly enough, the first meaning could not apply here, because many hear who do not understand, and who have no desire whatever to obey. They are represented in the Sower Parable as that “seed which fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up.” (Matt. 13:4) Therefore, we conclude that the second meaning is the one to be applied in the parable, because all who give themselves to the Lord during this Age understand suf­ficiently to know what they are doing; but these are eventually divided into two clas­ses – those who hear and obey, and those who hear, obey for a time, but become “weary in well doing,” then become classed with the “foolish man.” Thus, we conclude that every one of the Great Company may be described as “foolish”; and, while there have been many such individuals all during the Age, it is only in the end of the Age that they appear as a special class; and Jesus says we may recognize them by the building they have erected: “By their fruits [their building – character structure, etc.] you will discover them.” (Matt. 7:16, Dia.)

THE ROCK – THE SAND

In 1 Cor. 3:11‑13, Dia., St. Paul states this: “No one can lay another founda­tion besides that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. And if, on this foundation, any one build up gold, silver, costly stones; wood, hay, straw; the work of each will become manifest.” Here also the house built upon the rock, and the house built upon the sand are stated in other words. At one time every member of the Great Company was of the Little Flock; consequently, all began building on the rock – Jesus became the foundation for their character structure, but this is in no sense a reflection upon His character. “He left us an example,” which the “few” followed to the end, even as the “many” (a “great multitude”) did not do so. But, as in the natural building process, when the foundation be faulty, the superstructure may appear beautiful, thus highly de­ceptive to the unskilled eye, yet it will not stand the ravages of time and tide. This is presently being manifested on all sides. The central feature of every good character is agape love; but this feature is not found in sufficiency in those who build upon wood, hay, straw – in those who build their house upon the sand. And, “because they admitted not the love of the Truth... God will send to them an energy of delusion.” (2 Thes. 2:10,11, Dia.) Thus, it is their faulty foundation that fails them when “the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew.” The work of those who build upon Christ as the rock survives; whereas, the work of those who build upon Christ as the sand is destroyed when the test is applied – all de­pending upon the quality of the builders.

While the rock and the sand in the parable both represent Christ, they do not represent Him from a character standpoint, because His character has no “sand holes” in it; He has no weaknesses. He is ever the rock and fortress of the faithful – im­pregnable and secure. Therefore, we must conclude that attitudes and activities of the builders are represented by the rock and the sand. Thus we would understand the rock to represent Jesus as the Stayer, the Supporter, the Helper and the Strengthener of the faithful in their trial periods; and the sand to represent Him not as such to the mea­surably faithful (the Great Company), but their Forsaker, their Abandoner, the One who leaves them to their own weak resources during trials. Jude 22,23, Dia., is directly to the point: “Some indeed do you pity; but others save by fear, snatching them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” While their works are being burned, they themselves are saved so as by fire.

This is set out in another form in 1 Cor. 1:30, Dia.: “You are in the Anointed Jesus, Who became our wisdom from God, righteousness also, and sanctification and redemption.” The manner in which these four features is used determines what kind of build­ing is developed. First, as to wisdom, “the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psa. 19:7) This wisdom comes thru Christ as the rock (the Truth), our Teacher, causing us to know the Truth and to develop the spirit of the Truth. “The meek will He guide in judgment; the meek will He teach His way.” (Psa. 25:9) Some acquire a head knowledge ­– often an impressive head knowledge – without “admitting the love [spirit] of the Truth.” Thus, their structure is defective; their house is built upon the sand. Because of their flimsy foundation the Lord permits them to imbibe more or less of error, even tho they may be constant attendants in Truth circles. Their bad heart condition automati­cally distorts their thinking; usually they become easy prey for ambitious leaders who lead them astray. They use such overly much as a crutch, which causes their house of sand to collapse tragically once the crutch is removed. We have been witness to very much of this during this time of trouble, which has been upon us since 1914.

Secondly, Christ is made unto us righteousness – justification. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1) But, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17) Therefore, wisdom (by instruction) must first appear to develop even a little faith, which, when sufficiently developed, brings the hearer to righteousness – ­justification. Both those who build upon the rock, and those who build upon the sand, have Christ as their justifier. However, here again both classes receive the same com­plete and perfect justification when they fully accept Christ as their Savior. He is made unto us righteousness. But this justification will not be fully maintained unless a determined and continual effort is made to practice justice. This the wise man does, but the foolish man does not. In this matter also the wise build upon Him as the rock; whereas, the foolish build upon Him as the sand. This violation of justice may appear in some very early in their Christian walk; in others it may be years in appearing. Instead of developing a “good conscience,” they display a bad conscience, and thus “the end of the commandment” (1 Tim. 1:5) is lost to them in small or large degree.

Thirdly, “Christ is made unto us sanctification” – setting apart for a holy pur­pose. Here again, at the outset both those who steadfastly build upon Christ as rock and those who build upon Him as sand began with perfect sanctification, which perfec­tion the one class eventually allows to deteriorate. They are those who “draw back” and cause the Lord to lose His pleasure in them. Some eventually draw back to complete destruction of their building; they cease all effort to build at all. This would not be true of any who ultimately gain “palms of victory” – those who continue to make some effort to build. While their house will fall in this trial time, they themselves will finally be saved “so as by fire,” although their works will be burned.

All who come into the Household in this faith Age have three activities required of them. The first, and most important, is a work in themselves – perfecting them­selves in every good word and work. The second, and next important, is helping those of like precious faith to do the same thing. “We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16) The third, and least important, is witnessing to the world “for sin, for righteousness, and judgment to come.” Those who build upon the rock view these requirements in proper perspective, giving to each its proper rating, and pursuing them with all diligence. But those who build upon the sand have generally reversed the or­der, placing most stress upon the third, next upon the second, and least of all upon the first. Thus the crown‑losers all during the Age have busied themselves with gaining great numbers and doing great works, which has made them more or less reprehensible – especially to those who had sufficient of the Holy Spirit to analyze the situation properly.

It is they also who “hated their brethren, and cast them out.” (Isa. 66:5) In this they have openly said, “Let the Lord be glorified” — and have been hailed by “the unstable and the unlearned” for “their much speaking.” Many who have built upon Christ as the sand have been great orators – great stage performers — and have often molded public opinion as they would clay in the hand. Yet all of them are classified as FOOLISH! Jesus gave special warning against such actions in Matt. 6:2: “When thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Hypocrite in this text is from the Greek hypokritai, meaning an actor. Many who have built upon the sand have been quite expert at putting on an act – to be seen of men; and, since they have accomplished their purpose, Jesus says of them that “they have their reward.” They have done “many wonderful works,” (Matt. 7:22) but the final judgment of the Lord is, “I never approved of you.” Here is the footnote in the Diaglott concerning this text: “The phrase of sounding a trumpet before them seems only a figurative expression to represent their doing it in a noisy, ostentatious way. Erasmus and Beza justly ob­serve that theathandi in verse 1 is a theatrical word; that hypokritai signifies disguised players in masks; and that sounding a trumpet may allude to music of the stage.” Upon such conduct the Lord voices emphatic disapproval; and those who resort to such tactics must justly be classified as those who build their house upon the sand.

Fourthly, “Christ is made unto us deliverance.” This means saving us from our enemies; and it has two applications – one during our earthly course, and the second in deliverance from the death state. “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day [the resurrection day].” (2 Tim. 1:12) In this present life the Lord always delivers those who build their house upon the rock. He delivers them from the snares of the world, the flesh and the Devil; and gives them victory over them. “God will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) As He rescues us from such evils, He is indeed our Deliverer! But this He does only for those who build upon the rock, allowing those who build upon the sand to reap the rewards of their sowing. This is markedly revealed in King Saul of Israel, who is a type of the crown‑lost leaders during most of this Age. He and both his sons suffered defeat and death in one day at the hands of his enemies – typical of the Armageddon day here in the end of the Age.

The battle ground is mainly the mind of new creatures, and continues until it over­whelms the unfaithful, partially defeats the measurably faithful, but gains full victory for the fully faithful – who are “faithful until death.” This complete victory is not just one battle; it is one battle after another, some of which may be lost, but they arise to battle anew, repairing the break in the battle line until they “possess the gate [place of chief prominence] of his enemies.” (Gen. 22:17) Such victory comes to those who build upon the rock because of their faith, loyalty and obedience, and their endur­ance of hardness as good soldiers. Such never allow the thorns (the cares of this life) to choke them. But the foolish who build upon the sand allow the cares of this life, along with surfeiting and drunkenness (figurative and literal) to weaken their combative qualities to such a degree that defeat becomes more or less a habit with them – much the same as a prize fighter loses his endurance and skill thru physical dissipation. Many of them become good runners, rather than good soldiers, thus disgracing their Captain and adding to the burdens of their faithful fellow soldiers, as they leave holes in the line of battle. The Lord guarantees to give the meek (Psa. 25:9), the hungry (Matt. 5:6), the humble (Matt. 18:4), the honest and good (Luke 8:15) His Truth; but He will not give it to others.

Time has demonstrated that the majority in the Parousia Truth Movement built upon Christ as sand, imbibing more or less of error, which revealed their glaring deficiencies once the restraining hand of the Parousia Messenger was removed. And the same may be said for those in the Epiphany Movement also. “By their fruits you will discover them” – the wise having built their characters thru application of the Truth; whereas, the foolish built their characters – such as they are – thru imbibing vicious and destructive errors. This building upon Christ as sand does not at all reflect upon the character of their great Captain, who is without sin. Their description is so very well set forth in Isa. 4:1: “We will eat our own bread [erroneous teachings]), and wear our own apparel [their spotted robes]: only let us be called by Thy name [Christians], to take away our re­proach.” Thus they build upon Christ as sand. The entire matter is determined by the doing or not doing “these sayings of mine.”

RAIN DESCENDED – FLOODS CAME – WINDS BLEW

While the entire Gospel Age had those who build upon the sand, they were never separated as a class until the end of the Age. This is typified in the Tabernacle pic­ture, which nowhere reveals a Great Company class. The last work of the High Priest on the Atonement Day was leading Azazel’s Goat to the Gate and delivering it to the fit man, thus forcing the conclusion that such would not appear as a distinct class until the end of this Age. And the sub‑heading above states how each class would be tested here at the end of the Age.

Rain in Bible usage designates the Truth. “My doctrine shall drop as the rain... as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.” (Deut.32:2) And certainly the Truth has appeared in great volume here in the end of the Age to test each house for the quality of its building. Especially in the years just prior to 1914 That Servant stressed the truth on the Great Company, demolishing all their arguments, and causing rampant confusion in the camp of the antitypical Midianites. And during the period since 1916 the same statement may be made about those who have built their house upon the sand. Instead of being “good soldiers,” they have all become good run­ners. The “rain” has been beating upon their house with great force. “The hail [hard cutting truth] shall sweep away the refuge of lies.” (Isa. 28:17)

In like manner “the floods came.” Floods are water mixed with discoloring soil – the same being expressive of error mixed in with the Truth. This also has made its appearance – especially since 1916, from which time the clear Parousia Harvest Truth has had all sorts of error mixed into it, more perhaps than at any time during the Age in so short a time. During this period some have rejected completely Tabernacle Shadows, and have put repulsive error in its place; others have rejected the chronology; others have rejected in full or in part the teaching that the Jews will have preeminence dur­ing the Kingdom reign; others teach that the Epiphany as a period of time is already past, and this despite the fact that St. Paul clearly teaches that the “man of Sin” would be annihilated with the Epiphany of His Parousia (2 Thes. 2:8,Dia.). The floods of error have produced trying times for those who have built upon Christ as the sand.

Also, the “winds blew.” Biblical winds often represent wars – either physical or spiritual. Since 1914 we have seen plenty of evidence of physical wars; but there has also been plenty of spiritual wars during the Parousia between the Truth Movement and the sects of Big Babylon; and since 1916 between those who have retained Parousia Truth and those who have attempted to ravish it. Indeed the spiritual wars since 1916 have been very prominent among those who once claimed to embrace the Parousia Harvest Truth; and many is the house that has thus fallen during this time. The “foolish man” is even more apparent now than was true before the 1914 physical “wind” began to blow. The phys­ical evidence on all hands abundantly corroborated the presence of the wise and foolish virgins, and the truth of the Lord’s statements concerning both.

THE TALENTS PARABLE

In Matt. 25:14‑30 Jesus gave this parable, giving to one servant five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent. The interpretation of this story is well explained in the Berean Comments, so we shall not repeat it here other than to deal with the ser­vant who neglected to use his one talent, thus receiving the Lord’s criticism and His description as the “unprofitable servant,” for which he was sentenced to “outer darkness” – error. This parable is an impressive companion with the one explained aforegoing. When the “floods came,” they depicted the same thing as the “outer darkness” of the parable now being considered. In both instances they create havoc for the “foolish man” who built his house upon the sand.

Whatever excuses we may be inclined to make for the “foolish man” and the “unprofitable servant,” some of whom at one time had five talents, and others two talents, the Lord makes very clear that having just one talent is not to be accepted as such excuse. The Lord never calls the worthless or the indolent to the elective salvation; or per­haps it would be better stated that the worthless or indolent find no appeal in the elec­tive salvation, because they are “weary in well doing” before they even start. Thus the point is stressed that all who were called in the “one hope of their calling” had suffi­cient ability to make that calling and election sure had they but used the means at their disposal. The meaning of this parable also was reserved for the end of the Age, when the “good and faithful servant” and the “unprofitable servant” were so clearly classified.

THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS

While the application of this parable (Matt. 25:31‑46) does not apply now, its meaning has been made quite plain, a thing not done until the end of the Age. But this parable also has been distorted out of all recognition to the interpretation given it by the Parousia Messenger. He properly gave it a Kingdom setting; whereas, some now attempt to apply it to the present, with its attendant confusion. The failure to “rightly divide the word of Truth” has been the cause of great bedlam all during the Age. In the past many have been trying to preach, “The spirit and the bride say, Come,” when there was no bride. The Witnesses are attempting to separate the sheep and the goats now, but out of the other side of their mouth they tell us that the bride is not yet completed – more than 10,000 of their “remnant” are still living. And other features of the Gospel‑Age program are yet clearly not completed. Therefore, there is no bride in the sense of Rev. 22:17 – “the water of life” is therefore not yet available to the Millennial sheep. Thus, here again the “rain and the floods” are beating upon the house of the “foolish man”; and its fall will become convincingly apparent when Armageddon will make known “their folly to all.” These people proclaim Pastor Russell as their founder, but they have distorted Restitution out of all resemblance to the way he taught it.

Often we hear it said that consecration is always in order, but this truth must be in harmony with God’s purposes before proper application can be made of it. Cor­nelius was in a consecrating attitude, but his presentation of himself was not accept­able until the “due time” for the Gentiles to come into the Body of Christ. Likewise now, any of the Restitution class wanting to consecrate before the Highway of Holiness is opened up for them, would be in a corresponding position – because the spirit and the bride are not yet saying, Come. This is elementary Parousia Truth, which should need no elaboration for those who have “continued in My Word.”

Another group perverting Restitution is the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement – ­these two being the only groups, so far as we know, who have gone awry on this doctrine. All who have a sound understanding of Harvest Truth know there can be no mixing of the elective and the free‑grace salvations; and the confusion of these two groups forces them into other errors to substantiate their teaching. The Witnesses have eliminated the Jews entirely in their plan, consigning them to eternal annihilation. The LHMM merely remands them to a secondary position in the Kingdom (replacing them with Campers Consecrated as the “first” and chief restitutionists), grossly revolutionizing against the Apostle Paul’s teaching and the teaching of the Parousia and Epiphany Messengers – ­namely, the restitution blessings to the Jew first. Here is a clear illustration of a “house built upon the sand”; and we may rest in the calm conviction that “great will be the fall of it.”

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free [those who build upon the rock]. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day [those who build upon the sand].” (John 8:31,32; 12:48)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint 202, April 1972)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION – The Bible Standard of January 1995, teaches that Nethinim is the type of the Consecrated Epiphany Campers. Does this type teach that the Consecrated Epiphany Campers supplant the Jews in the Kingdom?

ANSWER – All types the LHMM have given are for the purpose of replacing the Jews in the Kingdom. They do not teach “to the Jew first,” as given by the Apostle Paul and the two Messengers. All types must be supported in “plain terms” in the Scriptures: “A type must not be used to teach a doctrine, but merely to illustrate one that is already taught in plain terms.” (Bible Students Manual, Berean Topical Index, page 25)

We are taught in E-10, page 190, that the antitype of Nethinim was auxiliary pilgrims in the Parousia when the Photo-Drama, as well as tracts, etc., were used for the purpose of the Smiting of Jordan. It seems the LHMM teach their Consecrated Epiphany Campers will supplant the Jews if they are used in the Kingdom as “auxiliary pilgrims.”

The Scriptures teach that in Jacob’s last trouble the Jews as a nation will accept Jesus as their Messiah. Zech. 14:1-3 tells us the Lord will fight for them as in the “day of Battle.” After that the Kingdom will be inaugurated. Then the Jews will “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee [the Jews]. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (Isa. 60:1-3) According to the teaching of the LHMM the Consecrated Epiphany Campers would be the first to shine. However, we have no Scripture in plain terms that teach this non-existent class will supplant the Jews.

The LHMM is “contending for the teaching of a Great Company,” and not for the Truth that was once given unto the saints. We have no Scripture that exhorts us to “contend for the teaching of a crown-loser,” especially if the crown-loser teaches anything that conflicts with the teaching of the saints. “Beloved, when I gave diligence to write you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3) We are on safe ground when we contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints.

 We can rely on types only as corroboration of what is taught in “plain terms” in the Scriptures. When Brother Russell understood the Tabernacle types and antitypes, he was enabled to write the six volumes of the Studies in the Scriptures. So types are valuable when used in harmony with God’s Word. We well realize the “path of the just is a shining light, shining more and more unto the perfect day.” (Prov. 4:18) But any “new light” (?) that sets aside what we have learned and been assured of (2 Tim. 3:14) is “new error.” Nor do we want to be “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 3:7) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15)

The LHMM teach that the Epiphany ended in 1954, and is now overlapping into the Basiliea. It is now more than 40 years into their “overlapping,” which is longer than their Epiphany proper. We are clearly taught that the Epiphany and the Time of Trouble are the same length – when one ends so will the other. Did the Time of Trouble end in 1954? It seems they should call their non-existent class “Consecrated Basiliea Campers” at this time.

We continue to teach that the opportunity for Youthful Worthies will be “until restitution sets in” as was taught by both Messengers. In Tabernacle types a place is a condition in antitype. Anyone consecrating now may be in the condition of the court – that is, if their consecration is acceptable to the Lord. Restitutionists will consecrate to The Christ in the Basiliea camp. Jesus is not accepting consecration of the restitutionists in the Epiphany Camp.

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Emily:

Home again from Emek ha Shalom I hasten to write you a few words about our – Leif Malmkvist’s and my – visit to said State Domain. Hermann’s and Josef’s work there is according to the prophecy in Jeremiah 31:6: “For there shall be a day, that the watchman upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God.” Emek ha Shalom lies in the predicted area. Hermann and Josef are teaching the Jews, who are visiting them in large number, that according to many passages in the Old Testament there must have been a sacrifice, and are making them to believe in Christ and the New Testament. (A better title of this Testament is – as you probably know – the New Covenant.)

We were very impressed by the beautiful State Domain, Emek ha Shalom, and the work Hermann and Josef are doing there. They want all Bible Students in the world to unite in helping them in the work. When I told Josef that most of the Bible Students in the world still are teaching consecrating unto death with Christ, he said: It is unbeliev­able!! Gog (Ezekiel 38) is already working in Iran and the Arab countries!! Hermann emphasized, that the son of the bondwomen shall not inherit the land.

Many thanks for your letter of February 14th, 1995! I don’t like the expression “under the New Covenant.” We have to obey the commandments in Matthew 22:37-40 and I am trying to do that. It is as simple as that. The New Covenant’s commandments and the Everlasting Law Covenant’s are the same.

I got the book “Pastor Charles Taze Russell” by David Horowitz from Hermann and Josef with a dedication. I am very glad for that.

All the best and many kind regards. Your friend, ------- (SWEDEN)

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NO. 464: THE RIVER JORDAN – TYPES AND ANTITYPES

No. 464

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

The land, the terrain and the peoples of Palestine are all markedly typical – this being especially true from the Exodus from Egypt to the overthrow of Jerusalem by the Romans under Titus in the year AD 70. Outstanding among these types is the River Jordan, some of which we shall treat in detail as to type and antitype.

Today this river pretty well marks the eastern boundary of Israel. When the Jews came to possess Canaan they camped east of the Jordan not far from the City of Jericho. That city was located about five miles from the north end of the Dead Sea and about seventeen miles from Jerusalem – at the foot of the ascent to the mountain­ous tableland of Judah. By previous agreement, the Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half Tribe of Manasseh, accepted their inheritance to the east of Jordan, with the re­maining nine and a half tribes locating to the west of the River and to the Mediterranean Sea. Since the Jews crossed the river on that momentous occasion it has been prominent in history to the present day. This prominence is now especially marked, as the Jews and Arabs continue to glare at each other from their respective sides – actually en­gaging in extensive armed conflict.

Its rise is in the upper hill country from clear water springs. This is aug­mented considerably in time of harvest (March or April) by the melting of the snow on Mount Hermon. This explains why “Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest.” (Josh. 3:15) Some of its characteristics are among the most peculiar of any stream on earth. So far as is known, it stands absolutely alone among the rivers of the world in the fact that throughout the greater part of its course it runs below the level of the ocean. At its headstream, when it issues from the cave at Banias, it is 1,000 feet above the level of the Mediterranean. By the time it enters Lake Hulah, twelve miles away, it has fallen to within seven feet of sea level. From Hulah to Galilee is ten and a half miles; and as it enters the Sea of Galilee it is 682 feet below sea level; and when entering the Dead Sea it is 1,292 feet below the ocean’s top.

There is no outlet to the Dead Sea, and its low level and the warm climate have tended to make this sea the saltiest water on earth – about 27% salt. In such heavy brine an egg will float, and it is not possible for a human being to sink; in fact, when a man lies on his back he stretches straight out like a plank of lumber, and some effort is required to reach an upright standing position again. Its main supply of water comes from the Jordan River, which empties into it an average of 6,000,000 gal­lons of water every 24 hours. The sea is about 47 miles long. It reaches about 1,300 feet depth, so that its own surface level is almost exactly half way between its bottom and the level of the ocean. Like the Jordan River, this sea is also one of the most remarkable bodies of water on earth. No other is known to occupy so deep a hollow on the surface of the globe.

The Biblical associations with the Jordan attach mainly to the stretch from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. The river was fringed in ancient times, as it still is, with a thicket of trees and shrubs, principally tamarisks, oleanders and willows, among which lions lurked. (Jer. 49:19; Zech. 11:3) It was never bridged until Roman times, but was forded. The fords are frequent and easy in the upper stream and so far down as the mouth of the Jabbok, where Jacob crossed. (Gen. 32:10; 33:18) Below that point the river is rarely fordable, and then only at certain seasons of the year. The current is so rapid as it nears Jericho that the numerous pilgrims who go thither to bathe are always in danger, and not infrequently are swept away.

When Joshua led the Jews across Jordan some miracle or extraordinary happening occurred which checked the waters long enough for the Jews to pass over with great ease. The river has been occasionally blocked by landslides, which sometime damned up the waters for many hours; and this could have occurred in Joshua’s case, but we cannot be certain about that. Including the two lakes, and taking no note of the windings, the river from Banias to the Dead Sea is 104 miles long. Immediately north of the Dead Sea there is virtually tropical country, and produces crops of tropical luxuriance when properly irrigated. Gen. 13:10 tells us it is “even as the garden of the Lord”; and it had such appeal to Lot that he chose to settle there, disregarding the reprehensible character of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah — “wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.” (Gen. 13:13) Also, it was at Jericho that Elijah smote the Jordan, and he and Elisha “went over on dry ground.” (2 Kings 2:8) Shortly after reaching the east bank of the river “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (v. 11)

A GRAND TYPE

Having such a steep fall from its source to the Dead Sea, Jordan’s name is well adapted to its action, the same meaning “The Descender,” or “Judged down.” It is a tortuous attempt to travel by river from Galilee to the Dead Sea; and one United States Navy officer who made the effort in 1848 wrote as follows: “In a space of sixty miles of latitude and four miles of longitude the Jordan traverses at least 200 miles... We have plunged down 27 threatening rapids, besides a great many of lesser magnitude.”

With such facts as the foregoing to guide, it certainly requires no great stretch of imagination to state that the Jordan (Descender) types the course of the human race in its sinful activities. Of the first man Adam it is recorded, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him.” (Gen. 1:27) Nor does it require any argument that man is presently far from “the image of God.” “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions” – inventions of evil things. (Eccl. 7:29) This is graphically set forth in Dan. 4:16: “Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.” The whole history of man is largely occupied with a story of blood and tears. Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn. And this has been intensified especially during the passing of the “seven times” – the Times of the Gentiles (“Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” – Luke 21:24; or as That Servant has said regarding Rom. 11:25, “until the full number from among the Gentiles, who are to be members of the body or bride of Christ, would be fully selected.” – Vol. 2. p. 77)

Since the “times of the Gentiles” began in 607 BC, and have continued to their end in 1914 (a period of 2520 years) the violent and the brutal have dominated the affairs of men – “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” (Dan. 4:17)

This is well portrayed in the Metal‑Man dream as recorded in the 2nd chapter of Daniel. In that dream the King saw the image with the “head of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.” In giving the interpretation of the dream, Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar, “Thou art this head of Gold.” Babylon was the first universal em­pire. “The God of Heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell... He hath made thee ruler over them all.” It is said that the streets of Babylon were literally paved with gold; thus, the brilliance of the empire was well portrayed by the head of Gold. Babylon in turn was succeeded by the Medo‑Persian empire – represented in the breast and arms of silver. But silver is much less valuable than gold, indicating the increase of evil in the second universal empire. “After thee shall arise another Kingdom inferior to thee.” Following the Medo-­Persian came the universal empire of Greece under Alexander the Great. “Another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.” Came then the fourth universal empire, Rome – with two legs of iron, showing the two divisions of the Roman Em­pire – one in Rome, and one in Constantinople. “The fourth Kingdom shall be strong as iron... As iron breaketh all these, so shall it break in pieces and bruise.” The domin­ion of Rome was well described as “the iron rule.”

Then follows the description of Rome’s decline. “The feet and toes, part of pot­ter’s clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it the strength of iron... As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.” Here we have an excellent descrip­tion of the nations of Europe – some very strong, as instance Russia under the Czars, and the British Empire under Victoria; with some of the other governments of little consequence.

At the time of the 1914 war there were about 22 governments in Europe, with many more than that today; but there are only ten language groups, as shown by the ten toes of the metal‑man feet. These groups are the Scandinavian, the Anglo‑Saxon, the Teutonic, the Gaelic, the Hispanic, the Latin, the Greek, the Turkish, the Slavic, and the Magyars. These are the divisions of the old Roman Empire in Europe – the ten toes of the image, “iron mixed with miry clay.” “But they shall not cleave one to another [no longer one dominion, as was true of the previous Babylonian, Medo‑Persian, Grecian and Roman rules] even as iron is not mixed with clay.” “And in the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom [“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, even as it is in Heaven”], which shall never be destroyed... It shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms [their disintegration has been steadily proceeding since 1914], and shall stand forever.”

It is well to emphasize here that the iron toes were “mixed with miry clay.” Very dry and hard clay may be easily mistaken for stone, and this point is not without purpose in the picture, because the various governments of Europe have combined with the different religions of Christendom – in counterfeit of the real Kingdom of God and the real religion (“Then will I turn to the people a pure language [not the imitations that we see today], that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.” (Zeph. 3:9) And this is to be accomplished by the “stone cut out of the mountain without hands” – by the Christ Company that has been gathered “without outward show” (Luke 17:20) all during this Age. The stone “cut out without hands” is slowly but sure­ly breaking in pieces and consuming all these counterfeit combinations.

THE TIME OF THE HARVEST

“Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of Harvest.” (Josh. 3:15) In Matt. 24:3 the Disciples asked Jesus, “What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” In addition to the answer given there by Jesus, there is this in Matt. 13:39, “The harvest is the end of the world.” With Jordan typing the race under the curse, and overflowing its banks “all the time of harvest,” we should expect to see a marked increase of sin, error and death during harvest. This was markedly true during the Jewish harvest, when the Jews were under the Roman yoke, and were eventually expelled from their homeland, with great numbers of Jews being slaughtered in the dispersion; and we are witness to its great increase since 1874 in Christendom, when the harvest began. It requires no great in­telligence to note the facts as they abound all about us. Greatly increased is vice in the form of white slavery, unnatural sins (as evidence the immorality and rowdy debauchery in many of the ‘hippie’ gatherings), drunkenness, gluttony, gang lawlessness, vicious nar­cotics and dope addiction on the part of many ‑ even among teen‑age school children.

Many of our elite educational institutions are markedly on the downgrade, details of which come to us from time to time from friends who are acquainted with the conditions. In statecraft the same condition prevails. One wit has stated it quite well when he com­mented, “Politics is running the public’s business for private interests.” With so much money being handled in all places, it is only logical to expect that the temptation to dip into the public treasury would be just too much for the politicians to withstand. One prominent man had had his portrait made by a noted artist; and he asked Will Rogers what he thought of it. Rogers answered, “It’s the first time I’ve ever seen you with your hand in your own pocket.”

Militarism has likewise become much more active. The war that began in 1914 was up to that time the world’s greatest calamity. Then came the 1929‑1932 depression, which may not have caused so many deaths as the war, but it caused more suffering in general over the world, which would classify it as a greater calamity than was the war. This was followed by the 1939‑1945 war, which was worse in every way than the two calamities we have just described. And, following logically on, we may expect the next holocaust to be even worse than anything that has yet transpired “in the time of harvest.” We hear much talk about treaties between nations that will bring “peace and safety,” but we know from experience that many nations today are interested only in a treaty that will be kept by the other party, but not by themselves.

In the financial and industrial world we see similar conditions, such as huge and fraudulent stock manipulations and outright swindles. One has recently appeared in California where it is said about a quarter of a billion dollars is involved. “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man.” (Luke 17:26) In Noah’s time “there were giants in the earth” (Gen. 6:4). Giants is from the Hebrew Nephilim, which means a bully or a tyrant. When the ten spies brought back their evil report about Canaan they said, “There we saw the giants [Nephilim], the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers.” (Num. 13:33) And when the Jews heard this “the people wept that night.” (Num. 14:1) Clearly enough, legend had thoroly inoculated the Jews with the tales of the giants (Nephilim), so that they were terrorized at mere mention of the name.

Today – “in the time of harvest” – we have the antitype of the giants in the giant corporations that have developed, mainly since 1874. Some of these giants may have been in existence before that date, but they were then as grasshoppers compared to their present size and crushing power. Laws have been passed to curb their power, to prevent the destruction of competition; yet they continue to increase in size and prestige. Today they pretty well control the news agencies by the advertising they place with them, the agencies knowing they will lose this source of income if they antagonize the giants. We know of one instance personally where a newspaper writer had exposed a certain stock fraud; and he stated, I am practically a prisoner in this place now; I don’t dare to open my mouth. Such situations have tended to increase greatly class hatreds, of which we shall treat a little later. Concerning these matters, Mr. F. Simonds, the Historian, writes:

“Seventeen years (since 1914) of almost continuous conflict, interrupted only by incomplete truce, have reduced the whole European Continent to a state of economic and social disorder unparalleled since the Thirty Years’ War. Nations are bankrupt, trade is reduced to barter, money has lost its value, even the pound sterling has faltered. [This is even more true now than it was in 1931] The unemployed millions are meagerly fed by public treasures, themselves filled by taxation which is extortionate. The miseries of the so‑called peace of today, miseries reaching to every human being within national limits, defy exaggeration. It is clear that what has been going on since 1914 cannot continue.”

Along this line family life should also receive attention. Selfishness has increased greatly; divorces have increased greatly; children are disobedient to parents in greatly increased numbers. Often children do not receive proper support and care from parents. The Law of Moses offers quite a contrast to conditions today: “If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father... they shall say unto the elders of the city... Our son is stubborn and rebellious... he is a glutton and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put away evil from among you.” (Deut. 21:18‑21) Such a sug­gestion today would produce screams to high heaven; and we would stress that we are not offering such counsel to our readers now. Today capital punishment of the most vicious criminals is ruled to be inhuman.

The foregoing vices and dereliction of morals are graphically portrayed in the downward course of the River Jordan, which broadens to a width of 200 feet as it enters the Dead Sea. And the Dead Sea is most appropriately named, because it is indeed “dead.” The increasing corruption of the human race will eventually produce a “dead” condition on earth. “These days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; ­neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I have set all men every one against his neighbor.” (Zech. 8:10) When such a condition arrives, commerce will be “dead”; and peace will be a scarce article – all of which is vividly portrayed by the Jordan ending in the Dead Sea.

ANOTHER DISTINCTIVE TYPE

The Prophet Elijah was much occupied in his criticism and attempts to reform the wicked rulers of Israel – especially so with King Ahab and his heathen Queen Jezebel. In this he typed the true church of the Gospel Age in its attempt to reform this “present evil world.” (Gal. 1:4) And just as Elijah failed completely, so also the Christian Church has failed completely. As related in the foregoing pages, practically all the evils known to man have been accentuated here in the end of the Age.

Since Elijah was such a prominent type of the Gospel‑Age Church, anything he had to do with the River Jordan would also be typical. The most outstanding example of this is found in 2 Kings 2:1‑12, wherein, after the appearance of “a chariot of fire, and horses of fire” Elijah was taken by a “whirlwind into heaven.” Just before this occurred, however, Elijah, accompanied by Elisha, had taken his mantle and had smitten Jordan, which parted the waters “so that the two went over on dry ground.” In this picture the Jordan types the peoples of Christendom undergoing a condemnatory sentence in their organized capacities. Water in the Bible symbols represents people: “The waters which thou sawest are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” (Rev. 17:15); and this same thought is inferred in Rev. 16:12, where it is stated that the “sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great River Euphrates; and the water [popular support of the people] thereof was dried up.”

The waters of Jordan, then, would represent the nations – especially the nations of Christendom – viewed from the standpoint of their political, ecclesiastical, financial and industrial organizational aspects; hence, the rulers, the clergy, the aristocrats, the labor leaders and their supporters. Therefore, the nations as organized in these four relations are represented as being severely censured and given a condemnatory sentence by antitypical Elijah (the true church — as it existed in all parts of Christendom), which is what is meant by Elijah taking his mantle and smiting Jordan. Elijah’s mantle was emblematic of his power as God’s Prophet to Israel; and it typified the power of antitypical Elijah in the Truth messages that were given right after the outbreak of the war in 1914, because that war was the direct result of the many evils enumerated afore­going. The word mantle in this text is from the Hebrew adareth, and carries with it the idea of an insignia of honor, power, splendor.

Just as the mantle was symbolic, so also was its wrapping, which would represent the combination and concentration of all the truths pertinent to the case, coupled with the financial and intellectual ability to accomplish the purpose. Thus, the “Divine right” of kings and clergy to occupy their offices was given devastating exposure by those members of the Church who clearly understood the situation. This was carried on by lectures and the printed page, with such subjects as The World on Fire, Distress Of Nations Preceding Armageddon, Why Financiers Tremble, etc. Anent this last, the New York Stock Exchange was closed for three months after August 1, 1914, so that no one could buy or sell their stocks.

The smiting of Jordan that followed outbreak of the war involved several things: First, a truthful and irrefutable presentation of the evils, violative of the Golden Rule by those claiming to rule by Divine right; Second, a passing of the sentence of destruction upon all those institutions claiming Divine right; Third, the announcement of dismissal from office, and pronouncement of future punishment of all who made claim to Divine Right. This work is accurately, literally and figuratively set out in Psa. 149:5‑9: “Let the men of lovingkindness [the true church] exult as they glory... a two‑edged sword in their hand [the sword of the spirit – the Word of God]: to execute an avenging among the nations; rebukes among the peoples: to bind their kings with fetters, and their honored ones with iron bands; to execute upon them the sentence writ­ten.” (Rotherham translation) This work was done so thoroughly and clearly that very few indeed in America continue to believe in the Divine right of rulers or clergy. The Kai­ser himself was much obsessed with that idea; but very few in Germany continue to har­bor such belief today.

 As stated, the “waters” of Jordan represent peoples; and the dividing of those waters would represent the division of the peoples involved into two classes – the Conservatives and the Radicals. It certainly places no strain upon the imagination to recognize that this condition is sharply present with us now; and has become increasingly so since 1914. It is now pretty well admitted by responsible men that the 1914 war was nothing more than a commercial war; but no one dared make mention of such a thing while the war was on. At that time both sides in the conflict had their subjects aroused into a frenzy of patriotism perhaps never before equaled in the history of man. Certainly not with so many involved on each side. But, as 1918 passed, the cooling‑off began to appear, at which time large numbers arrived at the humiliating realization that they had been merely dupes and pawns in the conflict.

In the purely secular conflict that developed between the Conservatives and the Radicals the church stood aloof, not joining with either side, realizing, as they did, that both sides held sadly distorted views of the cause they championed. This is typi­fied in the picture of Elijah and Elisha walking “over on dry ground.” However, that dividing of the waters of Christendom produced great changes. The Czar of Russia and his family just disappeared in late 1917. Up to that time Russia had been one of the most autocratic and powerful governments in all history. Also, the German Kaiser was forced to abdicate; and in both instances new governments were formed that were far removed from those they replaced. And this continues to proceed in the various coun­tries of earth; and it is well portrayed in the division of Jordan into two bodies of water as shown by the smiting by Elijah with his mantle.

GENTILES NOT GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE

We stress here that the Gentiles are not now – and never have been – God’s Chosen people. However, the Gentile governments have been in power since the Fall of 607 BC – at which time the Jewish polity was taken from them; and they no longer had a government of their own. But, during the years before Jesus came, the faithful Jews were expecting a strong man to arise among them who would restore the glory of Solomon. Thus, the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)

Prior to Jesus’ arrival the Jewish nation alone was God’s chosen people: “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (Deut. 14:2) But it is recorded that He came to His own, and His own received Him not – although the very few did accept Him; and they formed the nucleus of the Christian Church. “You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore, I will punish you for all your iniq­uities.” (Amos 3:2) However, all the writers of both Testaments of the Bible were Jews; and the only way a Gentile could come into the chosen nation was to become circumcised, and accept the Law Covenant; and it is recorded that a few Gentiles did this, for instance, “Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.” (Acts 6:5)

The first Christians were all Jews, although it is recorded that only about 500 of them had responded to the teachings of Jesus during His life – but thousands came in during the three and a half years later (Acts 2:41 and 4:4). Then, three and a half years after the death of Jesus, the unresponsive Jews were considerably ignored — and it is stated, “Lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” (Acts 13:46) The first of these Gentiles was Cornelius with his entire house (Acts, Chapter 10). Be­fore Jerusalem was taken by the Romans in AD 70, the general Jewish population so de­spised Jesus that even the mention of his name would cause the prejudiced Jew to turn around and spit on the ground; and since AD 70 scarcely a Jew was won into the Chris­tian Church. But the Jews were offered the first opportunity to become Christians – just as they were first and exclusively the only ones of whom God called His chosen nation.

Since the conversion of Cornelius the call to Christianity has been mainly to the Gentiles – although this did not bar any Jew from becoming a Christian if he chose to do so; but, as stated, very, very few of them have done so. This chief favor has extended to the Gentiles to the full end of the Gentile Times, as Jesus has said it would be: “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24)

This select group is designated by several different names: Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ, the Little Flock, Saints, etc. It is our understanding that all of this Class had been completed in time for them to participate in the first smiting of Jordan, which occurred from 1914 through 1916: “This honor have all His saints.” (Psa. 149:9) Since that time they have had the privilege of “executing the judgment written” – in the ejection of “the powers that be.” Note the Berean Comment on this honor: “Of a share in the establishment of the Kingdom, and the overthrow of Gentile power.”

The “overthrow of Gentile Power” has been proceeding since it began in 1914, and will increase in severity until they are all ground to dust. But during this same time a call has proceeded to others than the Saints – a class that will be rewarded in honor and service with the Ancient Worthies (See Hebrews, Chapter 11); and they will be among the earthly visible rulers of the Kingdom.

Pastor Russell said: “It is our thought that with the closing of the ‘door’ of this Gospel Age there will be no more begetting of the Holy Spirit to the spirit nature. Any afterward coming to God through consecration, before the inauguration of the restitution work, will be accepted by Him, not to the spirit plane of being, but to the earthly plane. Such would come in under the same conditions as the Ancient Worthies [Hebrews 11] who were accepted of God. The Ancient Worthies came in, no call being opened to them – the High Calling not being yet open, and the restitution opportunities not open. But they freely gave themselves up to God without knowing what blessings their consecration would bring, except that they had the intimation that they would, in the future life, have a ‘better resurrection’ than would the remainder of the world.

“Our thought is that whoever under such conditions as these will make a full consecration to the Lord, to leave all to follow in His ways, and will live up faithfully, loyally, to that consecration, may be privileged to be counted as a similar class to those who preceded this Gospel Age. We know of no reason why the Lord would refuse to receive those who make a consecration after the close of the Gospel Age High Calling and before the full opening of the Millennium.” (Reprint 5761, September 1, 1915)

In summation, we would state there have actually been but two classes of God’s chosen people: the “House of Servants” (Heb. 3:5) under Moses, their testimony continuing to the present time; and the “House of Sons” (Heb. 3:6), beginning with Jesus and His disciples, later extending to Cornel­ius and other Gentiles and continuing to the present time. The Jews were the first during the Gospel Age to become spiri­tual Israelites; and they will be the first under the Kingdom reign to receive the earthly blessings.

But so long as we “continue in the things we have learned and been assured of, knowing of whom we have learned them” (2 Tim. 3:14 – God’s special Messengers – particularly the last two Messengers), we may repose “in quietness and confidence” in the blessed promise of Psalms 91:7‑11.

“My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure... yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isa. 46:10,11)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint 344, February 1984)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION – Has the stone been cut out of the mountain?

ANSWER – Daniel states: “Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and interpretation thereof sure.” (Dan. 2:45)

“The stone cut out of the mountain without hands, which smites and scatters the Gentile powers, represents the true Church, the Kingdom of God. During the Gospel Age this ‘stone’ Kingdom is being formed, ‘cut out,’ carved; and shaped for its future position and greatness – not by human hands, but by the power or spirit of the truth, the invisible power of Jehovah. When complete, when entirely cut out, it will smite and destroy the kingdoms of this world. Not the people, but the governments, are symbolized by the image, and these are to be destroyed that the people may be delivered. Our Lord Jesus came not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. (John 3:17)” (Divine Plan of the Ages, page 255, par. 2)

The Smiting of the Nations have been accomplished by the saints. See top of Reprint 5632, col. 1, where That Servant tells us the Smiting of the Nations had begun and was under Kingdom control. He also refers to Psalms 149:5-9 regarding the saints on earth participating in this Smiting. See last paragraph, col. 2 of Reprint 5632. Pastor Russell said that this could not refer to the Saints in heaven, as they had no need of a two-edged sword. And to “sing aloud upon their bed” would imply that the Saints on earth will have a special work to do.

We believe that all will agree that we are in the Time of Trouble and the Lord is at the helm permitting that which does not interfere with God’s great Plan of Salvation, as well He has an appointed time for all the violent phases of the Time of Trouble. We do not know when these times will be, but we do know what will happen in this Time of Trouble: Wars and rumors of wars have been with us since 1914. After these wars there will be worldwide revolution – Armageddon; then Anarchy and Jacob’s last trouble before the Kingdom is inaugurated. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” (1 Thes. 5:4) See Expanded Comments.

At present the Lord is dealing with the nations – not individuals. The nations have been judged.

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Emily:

I have been thinking of writing to you for a long time and thank you for your letter of October 19th and the papers (Nos. 460 and 461) you have sent me, but other things have come between. I have got much material from B. W. Hedman, USA, and J. Z. Nielsen, Denmark. They are both leaders of LHMM, a movement founded – as you know – of Paul S. Johnson. My father met Johnson in Brooklyn in 1913 and followed what he wrote for many years.

I have got copies of two different papers in English from USA and several old copies of paper in Danish. I have got long letters in Danish from Nielsen, which I have answered in Swedish...

In my letters to Nielsen I have told him about the work that is going on in Emek ha Shalom, Israel, and pointed out that we now all together must help with this work.

I enclose a copy of a letter to Haviland W. Davis, New York, for your knowledge. Will you please remember me to Marjorie Williams.

Best wishes and kindest regards, ------- (SWEDEN)

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NO. 463: SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE MEMORIAL

No. 463

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

As previously announced, the proper time for observing the Memorial in 1995 is after 6 p.m., the evening of April 12.This conclusion is reached by knowing that the Vernal Equinox arrives at the 30th Meridian East (the one nearest Jerusalem) at 4:35 a.m., March 21;and the new moon nearest that time occurs at 4:30 a.m. March 31.Thus, the first of Nisan is established at six p.m. of March 30. Counting then to the 14th, we arrive at six p.m. April 12;and any time that night after 6 p.m. is correct for observ­ing the Memorial of our Lord’s death. We here at Mount Dora plan to observe the festival at 7:30 p.m., April 12;and we extend a cordial invitation to any of like mind as our­selves to join us on that occasion if they be in our neighborhood.

It will be noted above that we call Nisan the Passover month; but this word oc­curs only twice in the Bible, the first time being Neh. 2:1, which was about a thous­and years after the Passover was held in Egypt. Nisan was known as Abib; found six times in the Bible, the first time being in Ex. 13:4.Nisan is the name for the Baby­lonian God of Spring, and was probably changed from Abib to Nisan to honor Cyrus the Great, who had allowed the Jews to return to Palestine after their seventy years of cap­tivity in that country. Abib means sprouting or budding, which is much the same mean­ing as Nisan. Thus, the change in the names changes very little the meaning of the word.

Once again we stress the fact that our observance of the Memorial under existing conditions draws nearer to a finality. This realization should ever determine us to continue in the course we have embraced and to reside in that isolated and privileged place provided for us as we

GO TO HIM WITHOUT THE CAMP

In Ex. 33:7 we read:” And Moses proceeded to take a tent and pitch it by itself out-side 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 in AD 313 under Constantine the Great, and continuing until 1799.We quote parts of comments on this from E‑11-430 (70):

“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 not but slightly away from the erroneous doctrines, practices, organization and disciplines of the nominal church, but very far from these [as evidenced by allowing Star Member Arius to be banished from the Roman Empire in AD 325, whence he went to northern Africa] and made the Truth and the servants who applied it to the brethren, as well as these, 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) and remained at the entrance, consecration, where God revealed truths to Jesus in the star‑members.”

The foregoing dovetails so very beautifully with St. Paul’s admonition in Heb. 13:13 (Dia.):”Let us, then, now go forth to Him outside of the camp, bearing reproach for him.” And it is such a very clear‑cut and definite course of procedure for all who 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, of which we shall offer some further elaboration.

“CONSIDER HIM”

As we make preparation for this coming Memorial, it is well that we meditate again upon St. Paul’s words in Hebrews 12:1‑3 (Dia.):” Consider him attentively who has en­dured such opposition from sinners, so that you may not be wearied, being discouraged in your souls.” The specific primary grace accentuated by this text is our Lord’s perfection in Patience – His cheerful continuance in well doing amid excruciating trials — ­His “narrow way” finished in His death at Calvary.

In these first three verses of Hebrews 12 St. Paul is offering in summation his discussion in Hebrews 11 of the faith of many of the Ancient Worthies – “For by this (faith) the ancients were attested.” (Heb. 11:2, Dia.) By this faith Abel “was attested to be righteous” (v. 4); Enoch “had been attested to have been well-pleasing to God” (v. 5); Noah’s “pious fear” was attested (v. 7); Abraham’s “obedience” was attested (v. 8); Moses’ sense of values was attested (vs. 23‑29), and he “appointed the Passover” (the type of “Christ our Passover,” whose memory we cherish and revere), departed from Egypt (type of this present evil world), “passed thru the Red Sea as though a dry place”; Rahab was attested “having received the spies in peace” (v. 31);others were attested by “a trial of mockings and scourges, and also of bonds and imprisonment, were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, died by slaughter of the sword, went about in sheepskins and in goat­skins, being destitute, afflicted, ill‑treated... all “attested by means of faith” (vs. 36‑39).

Clearly enough, by means of just one of the virtues or graces many of the Ancients “were attested”; and in none of them could it be said that they reflected in perfection those sterling qualities St. Paul attributes to them. But, as we “consider Him,” we are reminded that not just one, but all, of the virtues and graces combined perfectly in Him – nothing lacking, whether we “consider” one or all of the “beauties of holiness” as our Lord reflected them in perfection of character.

Thus “considered,” we are most forcefully impressed as to why the record tells us He was the one “altogether lovely” – lovely in perfection of “faith, fortitude, self­-control, patience, piety, brotherly‑kindness, love” (2 Pet. 1:5‑7, Dia.); and why He was “anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows” – “made a little lower than the angels” (Heb. 2:9).Hence, we need not “consider Him” only viewed “on the cross”; let us also “consider Him” in His “glory and virtue” that we may “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death... thus minded... our conversation in Heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ... fashioned like unto His glorious body... to subdue all things unto Himself.” (Phil. 3:10‑21)

EVER THE TRUE AND THE FALSE

As most of us know, so many features of the true religion have been counterfeited by Satan. This was even true of Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Ezek. 8:14 it is related “there sat women weeping for Tammuz” (“at the gate of the Lord’s house”).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 Spring, 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 Ezek. 8:17 that the Jews “put the branch to their nose,” in keeping with the custom of the Persian sun-worshipers holding before them a branch of date, pomegranate or tamarisk that their breath might not contaminate the risen deity. All of these sacrilegious practices brought forth the scathing denunciation of God by the mouth of His prophets; and are a warning to all God’s people to “have no other gods before thee.”

Following is a quotation from E‑11-210 (66):” Moses’ charging Israel to remember Nisan 15 as the day that they went forth from Egypt from the house of servants, types our Lord charging the Gospel Church in general, and the Parousia and Epiphany Church in par­ticular, to remember antitypical Nisan 15 as their deliverance time from the house of servants to sin, error, selfishness and worldliness. This implies a remembering of our justification, sanctification and deliverance, as well as of our Truth instruction (1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 8:29,30). As Israel in general remembered the typical deliverance at all times and in particular at the Passover, so are we as antitypical Israel to remember our deliverance at any and every time, but especially in connection with our Memorial service. We do the antitypical remembering, not only in thought, but also by living out the principles implied in our instruction, justification, sanctification and deliverance. As God’s mighty delivering power exercised on Israel’s behalf deserved their remembering their deliverance day, so the power of God exercised in our deliverance from our task­masters of sin, error, selfishness and worldliness in our coming out of Satan’s empire, is worthy of our remembrance in thought, word and deed. One way in which Israel was to remember the typical deliverance was to abstain from leaven. Accordingly, we are to commemorate our deliverance, among other ways, by abstaining from antitypical leaven – sin, error, selfishness and worldliness.”

THE DATE

As all our readers probably know, the time for keeping this service is violently in dispute. The Roman Catholic Church attempts observance of it every day in early morning Mass; and the service is often repeated that same day at weddings and other special occasions. They also pronouncedly stress it at the deathbed, requiring a priest to perform it except in very extreme instances. Others among the Protestant sects keep the service once a week; others once a month; others three or four times a year.

But it remained as a feature of Harvest Truth to eliminate all of the confusion in the emblem significance, and largely so as respects the time of observance. When Jesus said, “This is my body; this is my blood,” it should be elemental that those items could not possibly have been His actual body and blood, because He was still alive with His disciples, ministering to them, and teaching them. Therefore, He could have meant none other than that the bread and the wine represented His flesh and blood. The Har­vest Truth also clearly proved the service to be an annual one ‑ just as is true of Christmas, or a birthday, or a wedding remembrance, or a death day. Therefore, to cel­ebrate one’s birthday as whim or occasion arose would be just as proper – or improper – ­as remembering the day of our Lord’s death. The Scriptures clearly state that, “As oft as ye do this ye do show forth the Lord’s death till He come.” (1 Cor. 11:26) Let us keep in mind that the Bible nowhere tells us to celebrate the Lord’s birth, so generally and ceremonially done at Christmas once a year. The occasion for emphasizing His death was the evening before He died, as they were eating the Passover supper; and the thought back of the bread and the wine is that those items would henceforth replace the Passover meal.

But even among those who thought they had imbibed clear understanding of time and significance during the Harvest there arose extended controversy about the time element after 1916;and it remained for the Epiphany Messenger to clarify still further the calendar accounting. It would indeed be a blessing to all if the exact time of service might also be established. We are clearly told in Exodus 12 that the observance of the typical Passover must be on Nisan 14;and it is clearly established also that “Christ our Passover” was offered up as the antitypical “Lamb of God” on Nisan 14.Thus, “He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified thru the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:9,10)

If, then, there be no dispute on the day of the month, the same being the 14th of Nisan, there leaves but one other consideration: How do we determine when Nisan begins? Unfortunately, the Bible is silent on this matter, from which we may conclude it is not vital to our present spiritual state or our eternal salvation. Therefore, we can but do the best we can with what we have outside the Bible; and from Josephus and other Jewish records it would seem reasonably certain that the original Passover in Egypt was kept after the sun had crossed the Equator on its way north, thus definitely establishing the Passover as a Spring festival – just as the Atonement Day is established as a Fall festival. And so the Jews have maintained it over the centuries as given in Ex. 13:10:”Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.” The Lord commanded us to keep His last Supper which is to supplant the ordinance given to Israel in memory of their deliverance from Egypt. Our Memorial is to celebrate our deliverance from antitypical Egypt, the world of sin and evil. We are to celebrate His Memorial from “year to year,” as did Israel – that is, annually.

When the 1933 Memorial article emphasized that we should “never observe the Memorial before the Vernal Equinox,” it is possible that thought was secured from the Jew­ish Encyclopedia, where it is clearly and tersely expressed. It is a Spring festival. This statement is also found in the 1907 Watch Tower Memorial article. We ourselves are in full harmony with these statements; consequently, we are firm in ex­pressing them.

In the article The Memorial Supper of April Tenth in 1914 there is this:” In partaking of the Memorial we may look forward with the eye of faith to the rising of the Sun of Righteousness, in contrast with the conditions which prevailed at the time when the first Memorial was observed. Then, the Moon (the Law Covenant) was at its full; and immediately after the rejection of Jesus and His crucifixion the Jewish polity began to wane. It is worthy of note that the very day on which Jesus was crucified the moon was at its full, and the waning began at once. So this year, on April 11, the moon will be its very full, and will then begin its wane.”(Reprint 5420 col. 1, par. 6)

This time at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914, the Gentile governments, too, began to wane. We believe these governments will be completely annihilated by the end of the Time of Trouble.” The earth 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)

It is well to stress here, however, that the date for the Memorial should not be regarded as a test of fellowship. Some of the very best Christians all during the Age have repeatedly used the wrong date; and this was even true several times since 1874 – until the right method for determining the day became clear. Therefore, we would have no quarrel with any one who may use some other date. However, we would say that the only way the moon enters into the reckoning is to determine Nisan 1;the condition of the moon on Nisan 14 has no bearing on Nisan 14 – although the moon is substantially full on that date; and it probably was exactly full on “Good Friday,” the day our Lord was crucified. On that day the moon was representative of the Jewish nation, and their national polity also began to wane from that day on – until Jerusalem was taken and the temple destroyed by Roman Emperor Titus in the year AD 70.

Jesus was fully aware of the conditions – that the Jewish nation as such was doomed to destruction; and it is in keeping with the waning moon to quote from Matt. 24:1,2:” And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

DESCRIPTION OF THE TEMPLE

Our readers will probably appreciate some comments from Josephus about the Temple at that time – known as Herod’s Temple because he had built it. The first temple for the Jews was the one Solomon built; it was destroyed by Nebucadnezzer in 607 BC Next came Zerubbabel’s Temple built after the Jews returned from the Babylonian captiv­ity. Then the next was Herod’s Temple, of which Josephus says the following (just a brief part of the Josephus comment):

“Now the temple was built of stones that were white and strong, and each of their length was twenty‑five cubits, their height was eight, and their breadth about twelve; and the whole structure, as also the structure of the royal cloister was on each side much lower, but the middle was much higher, till they were visible to those that dwelt in the country for a great many furlongs, but chiefly to such as lived over against them, and those that approached to them. The temple had doors also at the entrance, and lintels over them, of the same height with the temple itself. They were adorned with embroidered veils, with their flowers of purple, and pillars interwoven; and over these, but under the crown‑work, was spread out a golden vine, with the branches hanging down from a great height, the largeness and fine work­manship was a surprising sight to the spectators, to see what vast materials there were, and with what great skill the workmanship was done. He [Herod] also encompassed the en­tire temple with very large cloisters, contriving them to be in a due proportion there­to; and he laid out large sums of money upon them than had been done before him, till it seemed that no one else had so greatly adorned the temple as he had done. There was a large wall to both the cloisters; which wall was itself the most prodigious work that was ever heard of by man.”

From the foregoing, it should readily be apparent what contempt the high priest and others had for Jesus – when there “came two false witnesses, And said, This fel­low said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.” (Matt. 26:60, 61)Also, it is easily understood why Titus did not want to destroy such a magnificent structure, and why he sent Josephus to try to talk them into surrendering, but which they steadfastly refused to do. Thus, the description is well said of them:” The Lord said unto Moses, and, behold, it is a stiff-necked people.” (Ex. 32:9)

Jesus was intimately familiar with the Jewish character (John 2:23‑25); and saw clearly from the prophecies and the chronology what their end would be, and when it would come. The awesome accuracy of His words in Matt. 24:1,2 is vividly recorded by Josephus:

“Now, as soon as the army had no more people to slay or to plunder, because there remained none to be the objects of their fury... Caesar [Titus] gave orders that they should now demolish the entire city and temple, but should leave as many of the towers standing as were of the greatest eminency... but for all the rest of the wall, it was so thoroughly laid even with the ground by these that dug it up to the founda­tion, that there was left nothing to make those that came thither believe it had ever been inhabited. This was the end which Jerusalem came to by the madness of those that were for innovations; a city otherwise of great magnificence, and of mighty fame among all mankind.”

When the Jews had said, “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matt. 27:25), little did they realize the terrible sentence they were pronouncing upon themselves. Just before His death Jesus had said to them:” Behold, your house [your religious system] is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:38)The meaning of these words were not clearly understood by any one until after Titus had destroyed the temple in AD 70.At that time the Jews were so thoroughly dispersed that the Tribe of Levi (the religious teachers in Israel, from which tribe must come the High Priest) was completely lost. Thus, the Jews can no longer have a High Priest to perform their Passover and Day of Atonement services; and their efforts to observe those Days today have no efficacy whatever before God. However, it is to their credit that they make some effort to do something.

WHO MAY PARTAKE?

This question has been subject to much heated contention throughout the Gospel Age. In the Roman Church only members in good standing may do so. And, until just recently even those in good standing could not accept the Eucharist unless they first came to confession the day before. Here also, until just recently they were not to eat or drink anything that morning before the service. The Roman Church has used this as a cruel weapon of punishment over the years when they had great power; and excommuni­cated various and sundry dissenters, with the dissenters often right, and the Church body wrong. This extreme of severity in the Roman Church is offset on the other hand by an extreme of laxity in some Protestant churches, some allowing the man on the street to walk in and partake – without even asking what his professions may be.

Among Truth people we attempt to arrive at a healthy medium between these two extremes, although both Star Members here in the end of the Age said that the service is only for those who have covenanted to “follow in His steps.” Of course, even this has been set aside by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, as they have also perverted so many clear Harvest Truths. While there is a certain rigidity in our own organization for the service, there is also a healthy liberality, leaving it in large measure to the individual conscience. Therefore, St. Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 11:28:”Let a man ex­amine himself” – nothing hinted here about a priest or any other person examining us – “he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself.”

From this it is clear enough that the righteousness of some will not avail for the evils of others; nor will the evils of others contaminate the righteous. Both Messengers accepted that premise, while making straight paths for their own feet ­– even as we also should do. Thus, they at no time sought out the companionship of those they knew were uncleansed Levites; however, when such came into their service, they did not command them to leave. Their attitude was in true keeping with that of our Lord:” Behold my servant, whom I have chosen, My Beloved... A Bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench.” (Matt. 12:18‑20) Thus did both Messengers in our day minister to the weak and fallen, as well as to the strong and upright, lest the weak “should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.” (2 Cor. 2:7)

However, we make definite note of the teaching that it is far better to observe the Memorial alone than it would be for us to congregate with those who have appointed a “leprous” Levite leader to conduct the service. And, if we clearly recognized the condition of such a leader, yet sat at his feet to “show forth the Lord’s death,” it would be repellent to all good principle.” Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith [possessing “the peace of God which passeth understanding”], than an house full of sacrifices with strife.” (Prov. 17:1) At the Memorial Season the Adversary is usually most active to discourage, belittle, betray, abuse and falsely accuse the fully faithful.

And, while extending leniency to those who must have leniency, each one should strive for himself to consider St. Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 11:31:”If we judge our­selves, we should not be judged.” Let each use that rigidity of self‑estimation which is in keeping with “the spirit of a sound mind.” We quote here a paragraph from Volume Six of Scripture Studies:” Having noted who are excluded, and who proper­ly have access to the Lord’s table, we see that every true member of the Ecclesia has the right to participate, unless that right has been debarred by a public action of the whole Church, according to the rule therefor laid down by the Lord. (Matt. 18:15‑17) All such may celebrate; all such will surely desire to celebrate — will surely desire to conform to the Master’s dying admonition, ‘Eat ye all of it; drink ye all of it.’ They will realize that unless we eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, we have no life in us; and that if they have in heart and mind partaken of the merit of Jesus’ sacrifice really, and of his life, that it is both a privilege and a pleas­ure to memorialize this, and to confess it before each other and before the Lord.”

It is our suggestion that our readers read the Chapter on the Passover in Volume Six of Scripture Studies. With this comes the prayer for the Lord’s rich blessing upon all in their preparation for, and observance of this year’s Memorial.” Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” (Isa. 8:13)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint No. 273, March 1978)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION – Are twelve months of the Jewish calendar mentioned in the Bible?

ANSWER – Yes, twelve months are mentioned in the following Scriptures, although most of the names of the months are omitted: Ex. 12, the first month; Gen. 7:11, the second month; Ex. 19:1, the third month; 2 Kings 25:3, the fourth month; Num. 33:38, the fifth month; 1 Chron. 27:9, the sixth month; Gen. 8:4, the seventh month; Zech. 1:1, the eighth month; Ezra 10:9, the ninth month; Gen. 8:5, the tenth month; Duet. 1:3, the eleventh month; and Esther 3:7, the twelfth month.

Abib is given in the Bible six times, the first being Ex. 12:2. It was later changed to Nisan, mentioned for the first time in Neh. 2:1 after the Jews returned from their seventy-year captivity in Babylon, as explained on page 1, par. 2 of this paper. Tishri and Nisan are the two most important months – Tishri the beginning of the secular year, and Nisan the beginning of the religious year. Westminster gives the following names for the months:

1. – ABIB or NISAN (April) – Ex. 23:15; Neh. 2:1; Jos. Antiq. 1.3,3; iii. 10,5 (30 days);

2. – ZIV or IYAR (May) – 1 Kings 6:1,37; Jos. Antiq. viii. 3,1 (29 days);

3. – SIVAN (June) – Esther 8:9 (30 days);

4. – TAMMUZ (July) – 29 days;

5. – AB. (August) – Jos. Antiq. iv. 4,7 (30 days)

6. – ELUI (September) – Neh. 6:15 (29 days);

7. – ETHANIM or TISHRI (October) – 1 Kings 8:2; Jos. Antiq. viii. 4,1 (30 days);

8. – BUL or MARHESHVAN – MARCHESHVAN (November) – 1 Kings 6:38; Jos. Antiq. 1.3,3. (29 days in regular and defective year; 30 days in perfect year);

9. – CHISLEV or KISLEV (December) – Zech. 7:1; cf. Jos. Antiq. xii. 5,4; 7,6 (29 days in defective year; 30 days in perfect year);

10. – TEBETH (January) – Esther 2:16; Jos. Antiq. xi. 5,4 (29 days);

11. – SHEBAT (February) — Zech. 1:7; I Macc. 16:14 (30 days);

12. – ADAR (March) – Esther 3:7; Jos. Antiq. iv. 8,49 (29 days;30 days in leap year);

13. VEADAR – intercalary month in leap years; in every month the new moon falls on the first day of the month.

Some of the names mentioned in the Bible may have been changed, if we accept what is given in the Encyclopedia Britannica:” The months of the Jewish religious year, their approximate equivalent in the Western Gregorian calendar, and their notable days, are as follows:

1.TISHRI (September-October) – 1,2 Rosh Hashana (New Year) – 3 Tzom Gedaliahu (Fast of Gedaliah) – 10 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement – 15-21 Sukkot (Tabernacles) – 22 Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day of the Solemn Assembly) – 23 Simhat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law);

2.HESHVAN or MARHESHVAN (October-November)

3.KISLEV (November-December) – 25 Hanukka (Feast of Dedication) begins;

4.TEVET (December-January) – [called Chisleu in Neh. 1:1] – 2-3 Hanukka ends – 10 Asara be-Tevet (Fast of Tevet 10)

5.SHEVAT (January-February) – 15 Tu bi-Shevat (15th of Shevat: New year for Trees);

6.ADAR (February-March) – 13 Ta’anit Esther (Fast of Esther) – 14,15 Purim (Feast of Lots);

7.NISAN (March-April) – 15-22 Pesah (Passover);

8.IYYAR (April-May) – 18 Lag ba-Omer (33rd Day of Omer Counting);

9.SIVAN (May-June) – 6,7 Shavuot (Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost);

10.TAMMUZ (June-July) – 17 Shiva’ Asar be-Tammuz (Fast of Tammuz 17);

11.AV (July-August) – 9 Tisha be-Av (Fast of Av 9);

12.ELUL (August-September) – During leap years, the Adar holidays are postponed to Second Adar. Since 1948 many Jewish calendars list IYYAR 5 – Israel Independence Day – among the Jewish holidays.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brethren,

Blessed the coming new year 1995! Blessings to you in the joy of our Lord! A new year is coming to mark for us the measured beat of time, an opportunity is thus extended thee and thine. What will we do, what will we be in the new year ahead? What growth and progress shall we see as upward we do tread? God grant that as the sands of time run low within our glass, our faith and hope and love sublime shall bring His will to pass...

Dear Brethren, please continue our contact and send often to us all your periodical literature and news from your spiritual activities at God’s field this coming new year 1995.You have a big open door in Greece. When you want call and come. Our Lord is yours and our home is yours!

May you daily be mercied by God. My Love – and His, ------- (GREECE)

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My dear Sister:

I so appreciate your good letter, even though I have been long in answering. My 80 years are slowing me down...

The January paper came and was a source of blessing to me. Yes, I too, am heartsick when the brethren throw out Brother Russell’s chronology. I fell some times we are like the JWs – we claim he is our founder and the seventh messenger, but don’t believe his teachings or study the volumes. I get hungry for a good volume study again.

There are two sisters here who try to come once a week, and we have studies together about the chronology, the Time of Trouble and Restitution. This is an encouragement to me.

Do you ever feel that the truth is being watered down? We hear mostly character talks and very little doctrine. Sometimes, on the radio, one can hear very good character talks by nominal preachers. We need the meat of the word [Heb. 5:14], and not just the milk.

Well I have been on my soap box long enough, but I know you will understand. Take good care of your dear self, we need each other. My prayers continue for you, and yours for me mean much. I need them.

The Lord’s arm uphold you, give you strength and comfort.

Your sister who loves you, ------- (ARIZONA)

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NO. 462B: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT - PART TWO

No. 462B

THE JEWS

“The Vision That Does Not Fail: Any student of world trends can detect the coming conflict that the streams of human endeavor and existence are heading for. This collision of thought, expectation and ethics will not be a small one! It will be colossal involving religion, politics and social systems.

“Already a desperate world is seeking to find ways and means to head off this danger. The recent global conference in Cairo on the world’s population crisis is an example of this. The need for such a conference was undoubtedly an urgent one but the conference found real solutions illusive.

“The issues were entangled in religion, politics and social systems. Power blocks, such as the Moslem world, saw the conference as a sinister scheme to weaken it. Others, like the Vatican, shuddered at the prospect of having to revise age-old traditions. Such a revision would lead to a crisis of credibility. On the other hand poorer nations of the third world saw their population problems being solved by financial upliftment programmes that would impart better medical care, education and social structures. All this has to be paid for by the so-called developed or first world. A world that is already beginning to show the early signs of financial ‘melt down.’ That is, too few trying to pay for the needs of too many.

“In the final analysis, and not surprising, the conference closed with not too much having been achieved. In the meantime our world continues to plunge toward global over-population and with it chaos, misery and starvation.

“This is only one area of global concern. Add to this the nuclear leakage problem, the financial problems, the problems of famine, conflict, global warming, religion, destruction of the environment and the need for social upliftment and the picture becomes more depressing. Man’s dream of a utopia or new world order continues to fade with each passing day.

“As our television screens are filled with horrific scenes of genocide – as in Rwanda – violence, murder and conflict, our dreams of a peaceful world become more remote. Our globe is tottering under the weight of global mismanagement. The truth is, man cannot solve his problems. He is a prisoner of his fallen nature. His actions everywhere confirm this. So, what hope does he have? Only one – the grace of God.

“That is, he needs a solution outside of himself. Some mistakenly think that it will come from the UFO phenomenon while others are trying to awaken the so-called spirit of mother earth! Still others are looking for answers in the psychic confusion of the new age movement. All these options will fail. They are counterfeit!

“The only hope for the globe is the grace of God revealed in the Bible. What makes this offer of grace the only reliable one? Two things:

“1. It has been proved in the crucible of history. The Bible is the only religious revelation that dares to describe God’s acts in history. Archaeology has always verified the biblical account... and...

“2. The preservation and restoration of Israel. This modern day phenomenon has no human explanation. It does however enjoy a biblical one. Moreover the Bible declares that Israel’s second and last return from exile will culminate in the coming of Messiah and a golden age for all men everywhere. (Isaiah 11 and Zechariah 14)

“Should this be true – and it certainly is – then:

“1. The offer of God’s grace and love so freely made in the Bible is worthy of acceptance and...

“2. The tiny nation of Israel is a miracle that will lead the nations shortly into true peace. (Isaiah 2:1-4) [The vision will not fail — Hab. 2:3]” (Christian Action for Israel — 3rd Quarter 1994)

“On Israeli Withdrawal From the Golan Heights: No settlement should be evacuated except for peace. But if we need to evacuate settlements for the sake of peace, I was in favor of that in the past and I am in favor of it now. For me, peace is a more important value for Israel’s future security than one group of settlements or another. (Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, speech before the United Kibbutz Movement, April 21, 1994.)

“On the Killing of Israelis by Arafat’s Fatah Faction: In the past six months, Arafat’s Fatah faction has committed 37 attacks on Israelis, resulting in six deaths and 24 wounded. (Likud party leader, Benyamin Netanyahu, April 18, 1994.)

“We shall distribute weapons to the Palestinian residents and return to the armed struggle. (Jibril Rajoub, aide to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, March 4, 1994)

“There is no decision in Fatah to cease the armed struggle against the occupation. (Abbas Zaki, member of the PLO executive committee, nominee to head the PLO police, Jerusalem Post, March 15, 1994.)” (Dispatch From Jerusalem, May-June 1994)

“Arafat Appoints Convicted Terrorist To Head Police Unit: Unbelievable, Yasser Arafat has appointed Fatmeh Birnawi as commander of the Palestinian women’s police. In 1967, Birnawi planted a bomb in a west Jerusalem movie theater. The movie was a ‘western’ and the theater was packed with children. She was later apprehended and sentenced to two life terms, only to be released sometime afterward in a prisoner exchange. In 1993, she became a media celebrity, lionized as a brave ‘guerrilla fighter.’ She recently told the Associated Press that she looks back ‘with pride and few regrets’ at the operation she said was planned by Dr. Abu Mohammed – the code name for Yasser Arafat.” (Dispatch From Jerusalem, September-October 1994)

“If Arafat Can’t Halt Terror, Why Negotiate With Him?: In the aftermath of three bloody episodes – reminiscent of the days when Yasser Arafat was an active terrorist rather than a Nobel Peace Prize laureate – it’s clear Israel has an Arafat problem.

“Yes, the bus bombing yesterday in downtown Tel Aviv in which at least 20 died and scores more were wounded was the work of Hamas. So, too, was the assault in central Jerusalem which saw two pedestrians killed by machine-gun fire – as well as the kidnap-murder of Captain Nachshon Waxman. But many Israelis – with good reason – believe that Arafat and his Fatah ‘moderates’ have entered into a tacit alliance with Hamas.

“Certainly, the PLO chairman is more afraid of Hamas than he is of the Israel Defense Forces. As a consequence, PLO-controlled Gaza, for all practical purposes, has become a Hamas base.

“This analysis of what has happened in Gaza since the IDF withdrew is held across the Israeli political spectrum – not just in the precincts of the right. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, whose determination to see the negotiations with the PLO through to a satisfactory conclusion is beyond dispute, acknowledged the unhappy reality of Gaza as a point of refuge for Hamas in the course of a press conference held directly after Waxman was killed by his captors.

“‘We know that the activities of the murderers were directed from Gaza,’ said the prime minister. Rabin went on to emphasize that peace itself depends on the ‘Palestinian Authority’ preventing Gaza from becoming a ‘haven for terrorists.’

“Sad to say, the prime minister knows that it’s a bit late for prevention. What’s needed now is a change in the existing circumstances.

“As things stand, Hamas leaders publicly acknowledge the benefits that attended the withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza. Said one (after Waxman’s murder): ‘Before, the Israeli army would chase our fighters, besiege their hideouts and catch them. Now, those fighting the jihad can attack and then go back to their homes.’

“This certainly makes life easier for the terrorists; it’s nice to kill a few civilians and head back home for supper and a good night’s sleep. But it bespeaks an intolerable circumstance for Israel.

“Jerusalem has two viable alternatives: Force Arafat to keep his pledge to curb Palestinian terrorism. Or reoccupy Gaza.

“True, Arafat launched a search by Gaza-based Palestinian police for Waxman – at Rabin’s insistence – after the soldier was abducted. But the corporal’s captors were holding him in the West Bank town of Bir Nabala, a fact the Palestinian police didn’t share with Israeli intelligence – if, in fact, they learned it.

“Moreover, the degree to which the search represented a genuine effort to strike out at Hamas remains unclear. A member of Arafat’s cabinet has acknowledged that the PLO leader continues to avoid ‘the real job of cleaning up the extremists in Gaza.’

“Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres – who is sharing the Peace Prize with Rabin and Arafat – argues that the latter doesn’t have to show ‘100 percent success’ in fighting Hamas terror.

“What’s required, according to Peres, is ‘100 percent effort.’ The argument is reasonable. But it points up an unmistakable reality: Arafat hasn’t demonstrated very much effort at all in this realm.

“Arafat apologists warn that Israeli pressure on the PLO chairman may provoke civil strife among the Palestinians. Indeed, some suggest darkly that there’s no guarantee Arafat would prevail in any such conflict with Hamas.

“This, however, doesn’t militate against his obligation to try. If Arafat can’t halt or even curb Hamas terror – and if his base is too narrow for him to wage an all-out campaign against Hamas — why is he an appropriate negotiating partner for Israel?

“Israelis are told that returning the rest of the West Bank to Arafat’s benevolent hegemony, and permitting the autonomous areas to hold free elections, will strengthen the PLO’s hand. But there’s no evidence that supports this claim. An end to terrorism was supposed to attend the onset of the peace process, not its conclusion.” (By Eric Breindel — The Jewish Press, October 28, 1994)

EMANUEL RACKMAN AND MARTIN PERETZ SPEAK UP VERSUS RABIN-PLO PACT

One of America’s most respected magazine editors, Martin Peretz, and an outstanding and revered Rabbi-author, Emanuel Rackman, have shocked many observers and delegates here at the UN as well as Jewish communities around the world, by publicly scoring the Rabin-PLO “Peace” pact.

Known for his political insight and wisdom in thought both in Israel and here in America, Rabbi Rackman, in reviewing recent developments in the “peace” process, especially the agreement between Israel and Jordan, expresses the belief that “some good may yet come from all that happened heretofore.” But he adds that “historians may one day question whether that good is, in fact, the result of what was done to date by Israel’s proponents and exponents of the peace process, or [whether it] could and would have happened without the pain and anguish caused [to] millions of Jews world-wide, by the way the PLO was given the victory after almost 50 years of waging war, bloodshed and terror against Israel.”

Emanuel Rackman’s theme fits well into this High Holy Day Season when efforts are being made world-wide to combat terrorism and punish terrorists both past and present more particularly, in the light of Biblical prophecy as linked to Israel’s eternal history from the days of Abraham through the Exodus.

“True, the Jordanian option has been discussed a long time,” Rackman declared in his syndicated column, “but there are still many Jews who hold that G-d may have had more to do with it than the key leaders on Israel’s side” – voicing the view expressed by this writer on several occasions in this column. “That could be,” he adds. “After all, He is known to have dealt with the hearts of kings in the past” – Cyrus, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, etc. – “it certainly will come as a shock to some of Israel’s leaders that there still are Jews who are so naive, that they have not removed G-d from the fate and destiny of the Jewish people, but that is a fact. And there are perhaps 50 million Christians who feel the same way.”

The noted spiritual leader and writer opens his heart: “I am pained, as an Israeli citizen and Jew, that my pride in Israel has been shaken. I can no longer boast about its democratic character. I have seen basic freedoms of Jews violated. I have been witness to the grossest undermining of Zionist ideals. All in all, no matter what prizes have already been given or will yet be given to Israeli leaders, the presenters must chuckle to themselves that the Jewish State is no more fulfillment of the vision of the Prophets than any other European, Asiatic or American State. We have reburied Herzl and Ahad Ja-Am at the same time...”

Editor-in Chief of The New Republic Martin Peretz, speaking from the point of view of a secular individual but as a historian specializing in the Middle East, and highly respected by his colleagues in the media, speaks out as strongly as Rabbi Rackman on the present trend of affairs in Israel.

In a special message received by World Union Press here at the UN, he opens thus: “The handshake in Washington has changed the character of the Arab-Israel conflict but it has not truly brought it to an end. No single episode can conclude 100 years of enmity. Therefore, the struggle to ensure the security of Israel and the safety of its citizens continues.

“Let it be clear: the accord between the Rabin Government and the PLO was founded on a brave and risky initiative by Israel itself. No one and nothing – and certainly not the United States – pushed the Rabin Government into this agreement, save its own commitment to take risks, great risks, for peace.

“Thus far, however, the Palestinians have not reciprocated the tangible concessions Israel has made to them, their demands remain maximalist. Indeed, terror continues. Not the isolated and mortifying atrocity in Hebron. But the ongoing terror against Jews in the territories and out, which has become a routine of Palestinian politics. About this Arafat says hardly a word, and does nothing. In the meantime 9,000 Palestinian police, equipped with armored carriers, helicopters, and machine guns will now exercise authority in Jericho and Gaza....

“Maybe some of the Arab States are ready for some sort of peace with Israel, though surely not the kind of peace that exists between Germany and France. It’s clear that the Arabs are not yet ready for peace with each other. Is Syria at peace with Iraq? Lebanon with Syria? Iraq with Iran? Egypt with the Sudan? Libya with Morocco? Saudi Arabia with Yemen? Algeria with its own population?”

Martin Peretz questions the Arabs’ and Palestinians’ sincerity. Let them revoke the Charter calling for Israel’s destruction, and then we may know. He concludes: “...in this world, the only guarantors of Jewish lives can be the Jewish State. Put in a nutshell, that is the position of The New Republic on the peace talks.”

May the voices of both Rackman and Peretz be heard in Israel and in all Jewish communities around the globe and even here in this UN House of Contention.

As this writer sees it, the one hope may well be Hussein of Jordan, whose grandfather, the Emir Abdullah, many years ago corresponded with your correspondent on the topic of a lasting peace among all the Abrahamic brethren. Such a peace would be based on the Bible and the Koran, both of which had their mainspring at Mt. Sinai under Nebi Musa, Moshe – hence the motto for all must be “Mosaic Law for One World.” (By David Horowitz, The Jewish Press, September 16, 1994)

“Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: that walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.” (Isa. 30:1-3)

“Nine Lights Of Faith And Hope: Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish victory nearly 22 centuries ago over the Greek kings who ruled the land of Israel from their base in what is now Syria.

“Mattathias Maccabee and his five sons formed a fighting force to take back the temple in a small village near Jerusalem that had been overrun by Greek idols.

“Once the temple was rebuilt, the Maccabees were ready to begin the sacred rededication by lighting the sealed oil that had been blessed by a rabbi. Miraculously, that little bit of oil was enough to light the nine-candle menorah for eight days.

“Today, Jewish families celebrate Hanukkah, which began this past Sunday, for eight days. On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are lit on the family menorah. The first candle is used each night after that to light another candle until all candles are lit on the menorah by the eighth night.

“The candle-lighting celebrates Jews’ faith in God and the Maccabees’ victory over religious persecution.

“With Israelis and Palestinians working toward peace in the Middle East, there is, indeed, much to celebrate. Already, Jordan and Israel have agreed to end decades of animosity.

“Nevertheless, the road to peace will be a long and hard one. On Hanukkah’s eve, a rabbi was shot to death and an Israeli policeman was wounded by bullets fired into their car as they drove toward a Jewish settlement on the West Bank. Islamic militants claimed responsibility for the attack.

“As hard as Israel’s road to peace will be, it is one that surely will be lighted by Jews’ never-dying faith in overcoming the obstacles ahead.” (The Orlando Sentinel, November 30, 1994)

“For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors. And it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve.” (Isa. 14:1-3)

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

ANNOUNCEMENT: The date of our Memorial is April 12, 1995, after six p.m.

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