NO. 474: MORE ON ISRAEL

No. 474

Days Of Great Danger: Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, recently spoke out concerning the Jewish peoples’ regathering to Zion without a vibrant biblical faith. This physical return without a spiritual return is unique in Israel’s 4,000 year history and has set the stage for Israelis to adopt a secular world view concerning their identity, calling and future.

This in turn has now played into the hands of their enemies...who have seized the opportunity to disinvest Israel of her God-given birthright, the land. Naturally all this is being done within the parameters of the morality of the New World Order. Israelis are being told that they have no other option other than to be pragmatic and negotiate. Strangely the goal is always the same, the Jews must give up everything and in return they will be given pieces of paper guaranteeing peace! All this at a time when the international order is witnessing a growth in anti-Semitism.

Moreover the media constantly pushes the idea that Israel has grabbed land as part of its greater Israel philosophy. This too has never been true since she only acquired land in wars sparked by Arab aggression. The Arab agenda in each case was total liquidation, and Israel’s agenda was purely that of survival.

Now slowly but surely Israel is being forced back to pre-1967 borders all in the name of “we have no other option.” But there is another option, the option of belief in and trust in the God of Israel.

Such belief does not turn those who have it into fundamentalist fools –  no –  on the contrary it gives hope and encouragement and enables Israel to seek peace, as Menachem Begin did, from a position of strength. It must be remembered that major events in Israel’s modern day restoration and pilgrimage all enjoy biblical precedent. God has been with them in a miraculous way, why then should He fail them now?!

All that has failed now is faith and courage. Hereunder then is Jonathan Sack’s comments and our editorial on the tragic events that have transpired in Israel lately.

Chief Rabbi Rebukes Jews For Building A State But Losing Faith: The Chief Rabbi will speak tonight of a crisis in Judaism, arguing that after Zionism’s “return to the land” there must now be a return to faith.

In an address to mark the beginning of Selichot, the penitential period leading up to the Jewish New Year next week, Dr. Jonathan Sacks, who will deliver his address at the Western Marble Arch synagogue in London, says people are losing the will to live as Jews.

“A hundred years ago we had the faith but not the land,” he says. “Today we have the land, but what has happened to the faith?”

Dr. Sacks believes that “whether those who built the state [of Israel] were religious or secular, whether they were driven by love of the land or fear of anti-Semitism, something larger than any individual was at work...the Shekhinah, the Divine Spirit as it enters the human heart.”

Taking as his theme teshuvah, meaning return, he adds that Zionism, founded as a movement in the 1890s, worked for return to the land. But for the Biblical prophets, teshuvah meant a return to the land and to the faith: the two were “inseparable.”

Dr. Sacks says: “That is why Zionism was only half a return. It was the first time in history Jews contemplated a return to the land that was not also a return to the faith, a physical teshuvah without a spiritual teshuvah. And that is why we face a crisis today.” (By Ruth Gledhill, Religion Correspondent, Christian Action for Israel, 4th Quarter 1995 Newsletter)

Yitzhak Rabin 1922-1995:  In Memoriam: In New Orleans, 25 years ago, when he was the new Ambassador to the United States and I was with the San Francisco Chronicle, I spent an early morning hour with him, one-on-one.

I remember him as dour, but courteous;  not given to humor (as every other Israeli I have ever known), but seriously thoughtful.

I was enormously impressed with this extraordinary soldier whose photograph I had seen, with Moshe Dayan and the Israeli paratroopers, just after they liberated the Western Wall, only days before I arrived on assignment from San Francisco.

That scene is etched forever in my memory and in the history of the State of Israel, which these two soldiers did so much to help establish and defend. This picture will always be his memorial and most signal honor.

We talked of many things, there in that deserted ballroom of a New Orleans hotel, where he had come to make an award to a convention president whose support for Israel had been significant. I mentioned Britain’s General Orde Wingate, master of guerilla warfare who instructed the Jewish Night Squads in the art of successful combat against the Arab pogromist infiltrators of Jewish settlements; this singularly devout Christian and devotee of Holy Scripture, who took Abyssinia back from Mussolini, accompanied by his Jewish chief of staff, who I once interviewed in Haifa. Rabin’s face lit up at the name of Wingate: “He was my great teacher.”

General and Ambassador Yitzhak Rabin was similarly enthusiastic when I mentioned a friend of my father at West Point, killed in action fighting for Israel on the road to Jerusalem: Col. David (Mickey) Marcus. I mentioned that I had visited Mickey’s monument, but I could not read the Hebrew on the memorial. He said that he would look into that, and when I returned to Israel four years later, I saw that the memorial was in English as well as Hebrew.

I also recall mentioning the use of napalm in Israel’s retaliatory raids. I noted that whenever that happened, every TV correspondent in Amman and Beirut was invited to hospitals, where every available burn victim was exhibited –  and televised –  as a victim of Israel –  whether or not that was true. He said that he would look into this as well, although he noted that napalm is without peer in knocking out artillery and missile batteries.

In my joining with so much of the civilized world in mourning this leader with whose prime ministerial policies I so strongly disagreed, I pray for his soul. Just as I pray for this Holiest Land on earth –  which has become one of earth’s bloodiest.

I wonder if the 27 year-old suspect, a law student from Herzliya, is at all aware of the terrible consequence of this assassination with which he is charged.

Is he, there in the closest possible custody, aware that those Jew-hating creatures in Beirut began their obscene celebrations –  even as Prime Minister Rabin’s strongest political critics and opponents in the Knesset were joining the worlds decent people in mourning?

Is this assassin aware that his gunning down a Prime Minister may well lead to the continuance of the policies which he and other Israelis –  especially the 160,000 residents of Judea and Samaria –  so desperately oppose?

Has he heard news reports that there were even some young Israeli over-reactors who told reporters that opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud Party is a murderer? This brother of the commanding officer who died leading the raid on Entebbe – under Rabin’s watch – would not dignify that extremism with a response. Instead, he called upon the nation to unite, and noted:

“Even in the United States there are loonies. But it would be inappropriate to try to stigmatize parties and debate in Israel. We debate; we shout, but we don’t shoot. It’s an elected government. Bring it down in the polls.”

Perhaps this law student suspect reached his conclusion as a result of so many, many unavenged murders of Israelis (and two Americans) since the first handshake with Arafat at the White House.

Once more, as we have heard incessantly, “The peace movement will not be stopped!” Acting Prime Minister Shimon Peres ought to think very, very carefully about this. He must surely remember another horribly harrowing part of the history of modern Israel –  which brought the infant nation to the brink of civil war.

It took place in 1948. The regular troops of the new State of Israel had astounded the world, by standing up to and repelling five Arab armies –  including the Spit-fires of King Farouk’s Egyptian Air Force, and the heavily armored and well-trained troops of “Glubb Pasha” –  Britian’s General John Glubb’s Arab Legion, which invaded from the Kingdom of Transjordan and were able to take the Old City of Jerusalem.

During a truce, one of Israel’s leading guerilla groups, the Irgun Zvai Leumi, attempted to land a shipload of desperately needed arms and ammunition. This ship, the S.S. Altalena, had been sent and supplied by Americans such as the renowned playwright and newsman, Ben Hecht, who staged a benefit musical on Broadway. But David Ben-Gurion ordered the Altalena to surrender its cargo to the regulars, the Haganah, whose elite strike force, the Palmach, was massed for possible battle.

When the Irgun commander refused, the order was given to open fire. And one of that ship’s crew, who I interviewed in New York, recalls that they had to take the Irgun commander by force and get him off the ship –  along with several dead and wounded. The name of the Irgun commander was Menachem Begin. (Ed. note:  18 passengers were shot to death as they swam to shore.)

Since the name of the Palmach commander who opened fire was Yitzhak Rabin, I was surprised to read or hear so many American Jews express surprise that one Jew could fire on another. And I hope very much that a similar optimism is not applied to dismissing any possibility of civil war.

Along with my prayers for Yitzhak Rabin, I pray that Peres and whatever government that follows will NOT abandon the Jewish residents of Judea, Samaria and the Golan; will NOT cede land which is essential for any reasonable hope of national defense; and will NOT be naive enough to expect that Arafat’s U.S. taxpayer-subsidized “Palestine” Police will apprehend –  or even try to control –  Hamas, Hezbollah, Abu Nidal or George Habash.

Let us remember the good and courageous things done by Yitzhak Rabin. As we commend his soul to the Lord of Hosts.

(Lester Kinsolving is host of “Uninhabited Radio:  The Les Kinsolving Show,” which is broadcast in the Baltimore area on radio station WCBM 680)

(By Les Kinsolving, Outpost, November 1995)

Will Israel Be Just A Footnote In History?: Years from now, perhaps when Israel may only be remembered as a footnote in the history of a once strange people called the Jews, social scientists will try to understand what led this tenacious race to commit national suicide. No nation in recorded history survived for so many centuries against such indomitable odds and then suddenly decided to surrender, at the very height of its miraculously resurgent economic and military power. It surrendered, moreover, to a brutal enemy vastly inferior to it in every conceivable parameter but demographics. Animal psychologists will try to understand the behavior of lemmings who plunge into the sea by the countless thousands in periodic frenzies of mass suicide by reference to what happened to the Jews at the end of the 20th century. After emerging victorious in five successive wars of national defense, they accept the fiat of their venal leaders who willingly give up their hard won national patrimony to a gang of international terrorists. One can only assume that many Jews in Israel, in the space of a few years, have become so degenerate and materialistic, so devoid of any semblance of national dignity, that they permit their defeated enemies to dictate the terms of their national existence.

While the century-old Arab threat to the existence of the Jews in the Middle East remains a daily fact of life, a more ominous internal struggle has arisen that threatens the essential cohesion of the Jewish nation. For many decades, an often uneasy truce existed between a dominant secular Jewish nationalism and Jewish religious tradition. The crisis that we witness in the so-called “peace process” is dominated, in my opinion, by this latter factor and it is one that merits far more attention than it has received to date.

Actually a change also has taken place in both the composition and relative strengths of the two groups. The secular Jewish nationalists who controlled the country through their power in Mapai (today’s Labor Party) up to the Yom Kippur War, and for several years thereafter, possessed a vastly different perspective from the Labor/Meretz secularists of today. By the same token, the religious Zionist camp has immensely grown in size, in depth of commitment to the State, and is no longer on the periphery of Israeli society. Religious Zionists have replaced the socialist Zionist chalutzim to become the new dynamic elite, in the military, in pioneering settlement, and in other vital national areas. For example, while the other kibbutz movements are demoralized and losing members, have seen their idealism replaced by the grossest aspects of Western culture, are heavily in debt, and constantly kept afloat by huge government handouts, the religious kibbutz movement has maintained its agricultural base, is not encumbered by debt, and does not have a moral problem.

Secular Zionism reached the pinnacle of its achievements in the Six Day War of 1967. Unfortunately, the government of Israel was totally unprepared to exploit a victory of that magnitude for the long term security of the country. The Arabs never accepted the consequences of their overwhelming defeat and immediately made their position crystal clear in the Khartoum Conference of November 1967 when they enunciated the three famous “nos”;  no negotiations with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no peace with Israel. At the same time, many secular Jewish intellectuals, both in Israel and in the Diaspora, felt uncomfortable with that triumph, even though an Arab victory would surely have resulted in another holocaust for the Jews. In fact, these secularists have difficulty conditioning themselves to the concept that Jews have the same right as all other peoples to exercise military power in their own behalf and to benefit from that success. Jewish leftists (they call themselves “liberals”) have always placed a very low priority on the interests of their own people.

For almost thirty years now, a dangerous polarization has become increasingly apparent within the body politic of the Jewish people, which the Arabs have quickly discerned and taken advantage of. It is between the growing liberal, humanist, internationalist tendencies in some segments of Israeli society and the rise of a stronger Jewish nationalism, based upon traditional Judaism that views the Jewish people from the kaleidoscope of history going back to Abraham.

The so-called “peace process” as pursued by the Rabin-Peres-Meretz Government of Israel is as much an expression of the dimensions of the conflict over critical directions in Israeli society as it is an expression of the government’s support to reach an accommodation with the Arabs. Nationalists –  and this today increasingly means traditional Jews –  perceive what is taking place as a threat to the basic tenets of Zionism and to the fundamental values of Judaism. They are shocked by the attempt to undermine the distinctive character of the Jewish State, the disregard, even hatred of religious tradition.

Meretz and elements in the Labor Party press for the legalization and expansion of public transportation and entertainment on the Sabbath, homosexuality as a publicly-sanctioned lifestyle, the importation of non-kosher meat, elimination of the Jewish right of return, change of the national anthem so as not to offend Arab sensitivities, et cetera. Yael Dayan, a Labor Party Member of the Knesset, flaunts her contempt for Jewish sensitivities by spending Yom Kippur on a Tel Aviv beach in a bikini.  Shulamit Aloni of Meretz boasts of eating pork and scoffs at accepted tenets of the Bible. Yossi Beilin claims that he could not find a rationale for urging his children to marry within their faith. Jewish intellectuals such as Amos Oz berate nationalism as the “curse of humanity.” However, they apply that stricture only to Jewish nationalism, not daring to do so to Arab or to any other Third World nationalism.  Toward the patriotic Jews in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza they show absolute contempt because they are devoted to Zionism and to traditional Judaism. The Hebrew-speaking Canaanites of Labor/Meretz tremble with fear at the growing power and numbers of traditional Jews who believe in the Torah and in the destiny of the Jewish people. (It is interesting to note that in the U.S., Jewish Jews are more comfortable with and have far more in common with the Christian Right than the pagan Jewish left.)

Between these two groups there is an unbridgeable ideological chasm that time can seemingly only exacerbate. In the standoff between the secularists and the religionists, there is probably a much larger body of Jews who are in neither camp. However, they are fearful of what they perceive the secularists are doing to their special position as Jews in a supposedly Jewish country. They fear for their security after the creation of still another Arab state in the tiny postage-stamp-sized area between the Jordan Rift and the Mediterranean Sea. The consequence can only be an immeasurably weakened and more vulnerable Israel that will invite aggression.

The cosmopolitan Jews who control today’s Israeli government welcome a strengthening of the Arab position in Israel, despite the security perils that it poses, as a counterweight to the religious Zionist position. The Jews at Israel’s helm claim to advocate a liberal, Western-style democracy, free of rabbinic influence and devoid of the State’s Zionist/Judaic character. Such an Israel, shorn of Jewish particularism, would move to nullify the Zionist dream of a distinctive Jewish homeland. In truth, its survival would become pointless and more difficult to defend intellectually and militarily. The only patriotism it could claim would be that of an amorphous, secular, humanism which has little relevance anywhere in the world and certainly not in the brutal, fundamentalist milieu of the Muslim Middle East.

Many years ago, in fact shortly after the founding of Israel in 1948, people discussed and feared the coming “kulturkampf” that they foresaw breaking out among the Jews. The clash between Jews is now erupting full blown in the framework of the so-called “peace process.” But, in truth, the eruption that is now taking place has a significant history and a number of interesting antecedents.

The Brith Shalom Movement was founded in 1925, soon after the Arab riots of the early 1920s. The society was founded in Jerusalem to foster Arab-Jewish friendship. It boasted some famous Jewish personages such as Arthur Ruppin, Gershom Scholem and individuals from both Mapai and Mapam.  They advocated a democratic bi-national state composed of Jews and Arabs. The idea did not elicit the slightest echo from the Arabs and it was attacked by all Zionist groups, including Mapai (Labor).

To prove that the appeasement strain never long remains dormant among certain segments of Jews, the Brith Shalom idea was revived in 1936, at the time of the murderous Arab riots in which hundreds of Jews were killed and wounded. The left wing Zionist groups involved in this effort called their new organization the Society for Arab-Jewish Understanding. Those few Arabs who voiced sympathy with the aims of the Society were quickly killed in typically brutal fashion by other Arabs.

Six years later, the Brith Shalom idea was revived and called Ihud, under the leadership of the distinguished American Reform rabbi and idealist, Judah Magnes, who was then president of the Hebrew University, and Ernst Simon. Strange to relate, when this latest effort at reaching out to the Arabs was taking place in 1942, the Arabs in the Middle East made no effort to mask their strong sympathies for Nazi Germany. In Europe, under aegis of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, who found refuge during the war in Berlin, European Muslims from Bosnia were actively recruited to an all-Muslim unit of the SS. Ihud, which did not go out of existence until 1964, was likewise composed of that segment of Jewish intellectuals who were denounced by no less an authority than Josef Stalin, the virulently anti-Semitic dictator of Russia, as “rootless cosmopolitans.”

Obviously, the stark decades of Zionist struggle against indefatigable Arab hostility has not dampened the ardor for a bi-national state in certain ‘progressive’ circles. That formula, although not explicitly spelled out, now lives in the Rabin-Peres-Beilin initiative by which a Jewish government agrees to concession after concession to gain the acceptance and love of the Arabs. The Jews of Israel are promised peace and security if they surrender the heartland of their nation, the strategic military assets of Judea, Samaria, Gaza, and the Golan Heights, along with precious water resources, to the implacable PLO enemy. Just consider how much greater the prosperity and security of the Jews of Israel will be when they also surrender the Galilee. Transfer of the Galilee to the new “Palestinian” state is already very much on the political agenda of Israel’s Arab citizens. Israel will then have fully fulfilled her contribution to the PLO Grand Strategy for the step-by-step elimination of the “Zionist entity.” (By Irving Kett, Outpost, November 1995)

Days Of Great Danger Continued...: More than ever events in Israel require a careful, unemotional and might I say, biblical response.

To be sure the act of violence that has traumatized the nation is to be soundly condemned and rejected. Neither God nor a civilized society can tolerate this form of evil.

However, while this is true the almost unique status to which Yitzhak Rabin has been elevated is to be questioned. He was not the “pillar of fire” leading the whole camp of Israel as he did not enjoy the overwhelming support of his nation. Indeed the recent vote in the Knesset on the second stage of the “Peace Process” revealed that he enjoyed less than half of the confidence of his people. The five Arab MKs plus the grave consequences of embarrassing the U.S. President, played a major and deciding role in passing the accord. This just happens to be a fact!

In addition to open vilification of the Likud party that attempts to identify them with the fanatical right-wing is to be rejected. To be sure the international order is behind this for reasons of their own.  They want peace at Israel’s heavy cost. The polarization of the country has more to do with international pressure than anything else. It is interesting to note that at Yitzhak Rabin’s funeral President Clinton made it clear that Israel will continue to enjoy superpower support just so long as she continues with the “Peace Process.” This is blackmail!!

If we add to this the sad circumstances now surrounding the settlers the picture becomes even more discoloured.

The settlers are largely religious but they are not the monsters the media is seeking to portray them as. They have, because of: (1) Strong religious convictions, and (2) Government policy embracing the labour and Likud governments since 1948, been the backbone of the Zionist dream and the security buffer in times of crisis. In order to fulfill these roles they have toiled in unbelievable hardship and in this they were sustained largely by their faith in the Bible and the God of Israel. Now the Zionist dream has been redefined and they are being vilified by the very people that asked them to do what they’ve done...and by the world media. The behaviour of a few radicals is constantly portrayed as the actions of all!!

It is to be noted that God-fearing Judaism has held the people of Israel together during the dark years of dispersion, persecution and Holocaust. Central to this process of survival has been the weekly gathering of Shabbat.

Now however, belief in the Bible is called fundamentalism and one is labeled “right-wing.” There is no doubt in my mind that the forces now at work, even in Israel, are undermining the very basic tenets of Judaism. All is myths we are told and the Bible is not a reliable document declaring the will and purpose of the only true God. With no “absolute” guiding the affairs of the Middle East we all descend into the murky unreliable waters of secular humanism. For in this scheme of things all things are relative and man is basically good.

The facts declare otherwise!  The God who has miraculously sustained Israel over 4,000 years is still around and, as David the King of Israel testified man is born in iniquity or as the Book of Job declares, “He is born for trouble as the sparks fly upward…” or as Jeremiah stated, “The heart of man is desperately sick and wicked above all things.”

The new morality being forced on Israel will plunge her into increased confusion and weakness. This is just what her enemies want!

This tidal wave of new morality is lamented by British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks when he states: “Sin becomes immorality, immorality becomes deviance, deviance becomes choice and all choice becomes legitimate..”

This brings us to the most difficult question of all namely, “has the labour government betrayed the Zionist dream?” There are three ways of answering this vital question: (1) If one is swept up into the trauma and emotion of the last weeks events the answer would be a resounding no!... and... (2) If one subscribes to the New World religion of secular humanism the answer would be no,...but... (3) If one believes in the veracity of the Bible the answer is yes!

The issues now facing us are critical for one cannot believe the Bible and support the Peace Process unconditionally.  The solution that honours God’s Word and supports peace is the real one for it invites the engagement of the God of Israel. History clearly affirms this in Israel’s restoration, protection and survival.

Now however Israelis are being faced with one option only. That is the one that discounts the Bible and what God says in favour of a solution that brings war closer. This situation has divided the Jewish people once again –  as in the days of the original celebration of Chanukah –  the solution is coming from “Greece.”

What principles have brought Israel to this crisis? (1) The principle of “spitting.” An old saying states, “A people frequently spat upon will in the end believe that they are wrong.” For too long Israel has had to endure the spitting of the world. She has finally embraced the accusation of occupier and oppressor. Once this “quantum leap” in Israel’s consciousness was achieved, the road to division, appeasement and danger was easy.

Dave Hunt writes: “In any war, propaganda plays a vital role. In the current war of words over who has the right to the Holy land, the world media seems deaf to Israel and overly sympathetic to whatever complaints the Palestinians may make. Israel is the ogre that stole their land and grinds them down in poverty...”

(2) The “Trojan Horse” Principle. The enemy is now within the gate! Is this exaggeration or merely believing what he himself has to say? In this regard I refer to Yasser Arafat. As recently as October 1995, after the 2 stage accord was signed, he rushed back to Tunis to seek the support of his PLO executive committee and to again assure them that this was nothing more than the implementation of the stage plan of 1974. What principles have brought Israel to this crisis?

Furthermore in a mosque in Johannesburg he called for a Jihad against Jerusalem. Not picked up upon by the media, because of ignorance, was his simultaneous description of the present peace accords as being identical to the one that Mohammed made with the Quraish tribe of Mecca.

Mohammed signed a peace treaty with the Quraish only to break it two years later in a war of destruction. Arafat clearly stated that this is the process now under way.

About this event Israeli analyst Moshe Zak writes: “It was not lies of stupidity that characterized Arafat’s Johannesburg remarks, but stupendous candour. His forthright, unambiguous remarks were reminiscent of Mein Kampf, in which the author Hitler was blunt about his plans, so much so that his adversaries didn’t take him seriously. Arafat did not commit any slip of the tongue in Johannesburg. He used his call for a Jihad and cited Mohammed’s agreement with the Quraish tribe to test his thesis that Israel would swallow that, too.”

(3) Fundamentalist Principle. Anyone believing in the Bible is now a fundamentalist bigot! No longer is the Bible Israel’s title deed to the land. This fact was publicly stated by labour party leaders.

By turning Bible believers into fundamentalist lunatics the international media has swiftly destroyed the mainstay and foundation of Israel’s existence. From this point onwards everything is up for negotiation even the heartland of Israel bequeathed by God to her.

No-one likes being branded and Jews have been branded too long. Now they want to join the international community like any other nation. The problem is this: anti-Semitism has no logic or reason behind it and, as in history, so still now, it will not go away. It is demonic for it endeavours to destroy the glorious future that the God of Israel has for His people. Given these realities; where do we go from here? Well we have to face:

(1) The Reality Of Islam.  Much has been said and written about the dangers of Islam. To be sure this is the driving force behind the so-called Middle East conflict. A recent Jerusalem Post editorial stated: “As long as the danger of Islamic militancy looms, all talk of a positive, significant change in the attitudes of the Arab and Moslem world towards Israel is recklessly, dangerously premature.”

We believe this and we must therefore in the light of it continue to press for a well armed Israel protected by defendable borders.

Israel’s existence challenges the credibility of the Quran. For the Quran to survive Israel must be liquidated. One cannot negotiate with this.

(2) The Reality Of The God Of The Bible. Israel’s restoration and survival has been miraculous. No-one can deny this. Her modern pilgrimage has clear biblical precedent even the attempt now being undertaken to divide the land and, by so doing, destroy her. (Joel 3:1-3)

We are to be encouraged since in the final analysis God has pledged Himself to be the faithful protector of Zion. (Zech. 12:1-9)

Israel has returned for the second and final time. (Isaiah 11:11) She will not be destroyed. Difficult days most certainly lie ahead but His Word and promise will not fail. “He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps,” declared the Psalmist. Isaiah states that “No weapon formed against her will prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17)

A glorious day awaits Israel and we must now not lose heart because we have come to the very door of it! Call me a dreamer, a fool or deluded but I believe in it. (Isaiah 66:9-14)

“Do I bring the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord.  “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.  “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her;  rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.” For this is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.”

(3) The Reality Of The Believers. In closing may I urge you all to pray for Israel. Prayer is not weak and meaningless. It is the great work of all those who love the God of Israel and His Word. Scripture calls upon us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”(Psalm 122:6)

Those who pray are thus most significant and Israel, now more than ever, needs your regular prayers.

Almost as if foreseeing our day the prophet Daniel writes: “And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action and those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many...”

In the light of this, let us be encouraged and prayerful...and let us not be discouraged and fearful. Zion needs us all as never before.

“Fear not, nor be afraid [in the coming violent upheavals]... Is there a God beside me? There is no other Rock... Sing O heavens... For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and He will glorify Himself in Israel.” (Isaiah 44:8,23, Amplified)

(Malcolm Hedding, Chairman –  Christian Action for Israel, 4th Quarter 1995 Newsletter)

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NO. 473: SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE MEMORIAL

No. 473

“As oft as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do proclaim the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Cor. 11:26)

TWO PASSOVER MEMORIALS: We trust that all of the Lord’s consecrated people everywhere will avail themselves of their privilege of memorializing the death of the Redeemer for our sins. As our Lord and the Apostles met and symbolized His death in advance of the event, so it is appropriate for us to meet on the anniversary to celebrate His sacrifice.

This is one of the most interesting features of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The doing of this annually, in harmony with the evident purpose of the Lord in establishing this Memorial instead of the Jewish Passover, makes the occasion a very impressive one, much more so than any celebration which ignores the anniversary feature and celebrates occasionally – monthly, weekly, quarterly, etc. Let us not find fault with others who do differently; but, as opportunity offers, let us inform them of our reasons for observing this great event on its anniversary.

Jesus knew that the Apostles did not know that this was to be His last supper with them. Although He had intimated the nearness of His death, His disciples had found it impossible to comprehend that any such disaster could be so near at hand as He had intimated. Jesus, however, with full consciousness of what it meant, was longing for the consummation of His work. It was probably on the very day at the close of which He and His disciples went to eat the Passover that Jesus said, “I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I in difficulty until it be accomplished!” (Luke 12:50) – a baptism into death, which was finished the following day.

Peter and John were the two disciples sent to make ready the Passover. Evidently Jesus was at Bethany, at the home of Lazarus, when He sent this word. It is supposed that the large upper room in which the Passover was eaten by Jesus and His disciples was the same one in which the apostles and others were gathered to await the Pentecostal blessings.

In the evening of the same day, Jesus with the entire twelve met in this room, all the preparations having been attended to. They met to celebrate the Jewish Passover at its appointed time. The lamb had been roasted, and the unleavened bread prepared, also the bitter herbs. Everything, we may be sure, was exactly in conformity with the original requirement; for Jesus and His apostles were bound by every feature of the Jewish Law as much as were other Jews – the new dispensation not yet having been ushered in. Every feature of the law was binding up to the time of the Pentecostal blessing, which marked the Divine approval of the sacrifice of Jesus and the Divine acceptance of all those who had become His disciples by a full consecration.

KINGDOM HONORS DESIRED

So far from realizing that they were on the eve of a great tragedy, the apostles believed that Jesus would very soon be enthroned as King. They remembered His promise that they should sit with Him in His throne. This promise seemed so near of realization to them that they could think of little else but the degree of honor which they would have in the Kingdom. They seemed to feel that unless they contended stoutly for it, they would not get so honorable positions. Perceiving their attitude of mind, Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; but ye shall not be so; but he that will be greatest amongst you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” (Luke 22:25,26)

These were the new standards, difficult for them to understand; and apparently they are still difficult for the followers of Jesus to comprehend fully. The one who will be chief in the Kingdom will be the one who was the chief servant in the flesh. This greatest servant of all was, of course, the Lord Jesus Himself. But the Master intimates that the same principle holds good in respect to all of His followers. Whoever of them will most faithfully, most earnestly, most zealously, serve the brethren will thereby be increasing his favor with God, and be preparing himself for so much higher station in Messiah’s Kingdom.

With the thought that any menial service would signify admission of their unworthiness of a high place, the disciples made no arrangement for feet‑washing, not wishing to assume the role of servant. In that sandy country feet‑washing was almost a necessity when sandals were worn. By way of rebuke, Jesus arose from the table and performed this menial service for His disciples, telling them the import of the lesson – namely, humility – and intimating that no matter how humble a service they might be able to render to each other, they should be glad to render it.

This lesson is still with us, not as a form or ceremony to be performed, but as an illustration of a principle. Any humble act of service done to one of the Lord’s brethren corresponds to this feet‑washing.

THE CRISIS IN JUDAS’ LIFE

The Passover Supper proceeded – the eating of the lamb with the bitter herbs and the unleavened bread, which considerably resembled thick pancakes, and which was sometimes used instead of a spoon to sop up the essence of the meat. One of the Gospels declares that Jesus began to be heavy-hearted, and then said, One of you twelve, eating with me as my guest, as a member of my family, is plotting my betrayal.

There may have been a double object in this statement. First, it would show the disciples that Jesus was fully aware of the premeditated betrayal. They would not, therefore, think that something had happened to Him unexpectedly, or out of the Divine program. Second, our Lord may have meant this as a final reproof to Judas – to startle him, to cause him to think. At very best a traitor’s course is dishonorable, but doubly so when the traitor accepts the hospitality of the one against whom he is plotting and eats his bread.

Consternation spread amongst the disciples; and one after another they asked, “Is it I?” The import of this question would be, It is not I whom you have meant! Even Judas joined in the general inquiry, “Is it I?” The Apostle John was seated next to Jesus, and St. Peter beckoned to him that he should ask the Master who was meant. It was probably a whispered inquiry, heard by Jesus only. Our Lord’s whispered reply was, “It is the one to whom I will give a sop.” Presently, having prepared a special sop, a mark of special interest, he handed it to Judas. Thus St. John and St. Peter knew the affair.

Apparently it was but a short time after this that Judas withdrew, the record being that “Satan entered into him.” (John 13:27) The spirit of the evil one got complete control of him while he stopped, and weighed and balanced the matter of selling his best friend for thirty pieces of silver. It is entirely probable, therefore, that Judas was not present when Jesus, a little later, instituted the Memorial Supper which Christians now celebrate.

THE SIGNIFICATION OF THE MEMORIAL

The Memorial Supper which Jesus instituted is totally separate and distinct from the Passover Supper, and yet they are closely related; for the one was the type and the other its archetype, or higher type, with a still higher signification. In the one a literal lamb was used to typify Jesus, the Lamb of God; in the other, the archetype, the breaking of the bread represented the death of Jesus.

The Jews celebrated the birth of their nation and its deliverance from Egyptian bondage. This had its start in the passing over of their first‑born when the tenth plague came upon the Egyptians. St. Paul shows us that the first‑borns of Israel, spared in that Passover night, typified the Church of the first-­borns, spared or passed over, in the present time, while the night of sin prevails and before the morning of Messiah’s Kingdom is ushered in.

We are not to understand that the apostles comprehended Jesus’ meaning when He explained to them the signification of the supper which He instituted. Rather, as He had already foretold, the Holy Spirit brought these things to their attention and enabled them to comprehend their meaning, after they had received the Pentecostal blessing and enlightenment. Now we may see the import of Jesus’ words, “This is my body, broken for you.” We perceive that He could not have meant, as some have thought, that the bread was turned into His actual body and the wine into His actual blood. He could not, therefore, have meant more than to say, This bread symbolically represents my body, which is to be broken for you; and this wine represents my blood, which is to be shed for you tomorrow – my life given up.

Neither should we think that Jesus meant that special virtue would result to the disciples from the eating of that bread and drinking of that literal cup. We should properly look far beyond these things, and see that He meant this: Only as you by faith partake of the merits secured by death can you have the great blessing provided for you as my disciples. The apostles believed that the death of Jesus was for their sins, and that it constituted the basis of their acceptance with the heavenly Father. They realized that only as they appropriated the life of Christ would they be truly recipients of all these blessings.

THE SEALING OF THE NEW COVENANT

Jesus spoke of the cup, the fruit of the vine, as representing the blood of the New Covenant. The Law Covenant was the Old Covenant, which failed to bring the blessings to the Jews, because they could not keep it. Hence, also, they were not qualified to bless the other nations of the earth. But God promised a New Covenant, a better one, which would be introduced by a new and higher, or superior, Mediator than Moses. That New Covenant, God declares, will accomplish what the old Law Covenant failed to accomplish; for the New Law Covenant will be inaugurated by Messiah, its Mediator, at His Second Advent. His Kingdom, established in power and great glory, will rule, bless and instruct mankind, and will “take away the stony heart and will give a heart of flesh” to all who will respond to those blessed opportunities.

Jesus’ death constituted the blood which seals, or makes efficacious, that New Covenant. But mark further: The Church is not to be blessed under that New Covenant of the Millennial Age, which will be inaugurated at the second coming of Jesus, at the establishment of His Kingdom. The Church is to be blessed in advance of that New Covenant. Indeed, their consecrated lives (blood), accepted by our Lord, are counted in as a part of His own sacrifice, which seals the New Covenant. Hence the New Covenant cannot be fully sealed until the entire Body of Christ, which is the Church, shall have shared with Him in the drinking of His cup – in the sacrifice of earthly rights, privileges, life itself.

THE COVENANT OF SACRIFICE

Meantime, we see that Jesus and the Church receive their reward neither under the Law Covenant nor under the New Covenant, but under a special covenant, called a Covenant of Sacrifice. Reference is made to this covenant of Christ and the Church in the Psalms, where the Lord is represented as saying, “Gather my saints together unto me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” (Psa. 50:5) The gathering of those who enter into this special Covenant of Sacrifice with the Lord has been in progress for now over eighteen hundred years. We have every reason to believe that the sacrifice is nearly completed, and that soon all the sacrificers, members of the Body of Christ, will be glorified, changed by the power of the First Resurrection and will enter into the joys of their Lord, according to His promise: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.” (Rev. 3:21)

As from the intelligent appreciation of the fact symbolized by the Memorial Supper a great blessing comes, and a joy proportionate to the participator’s faith and obedience, so also a condemnation attaches to an unworthy, improper participation in the Memorial. None are to participate except those who have come into relationship with the Lord by consecration of their hearts – their all – to Him and His service.

But let none think that they should remain away from the Memorial because of imperfections of the flesh. This is a great stumbling-block to many. So long as we are in the flesh, imperfection of word, deed and thought are possible – yea, unavoidable. St. Paul says that we cannot do the things that we would. It is because we need Divine grace to forgive our daily unintentional, unwilling trespasses that all whose sins have been forgiven and who have been accepted into fellowship with Christ are encouraged to come to the throne of heavenly grace in prayer. The Apostle says, “Let us come with courage to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16) It was because of our needs that God opened up the way and made this arrangement for us.

THE SERVICE

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

The solemnity of the occasion should be stressed, however, that all be done “decently and in order” – not shabbily, nonchalantly, as of some “common thing.” It is commendable that the Christian world over­emphasize the “feast” with impressive service and sedate and select speech, rather than by the other extreme of no propriety at all. The Roman system requires each participant to attend “confession” – usually the previous afternoon or evening – before acceptance of the emblems; and, until recently, nothing was to be eaten or drunk the morning of the service. While this in itself stresses the great regard that the system attempts to display for the service, it also overawes those present in a manner never intended by Jesus when He instituted it. Here we need not discuss the errors that have been superimposed over the centuries by such nicety of display and demand. Blessed are we if we may arrive at that balance of mind and heart that does not overdo or underdo the service – greatness in simplicity, inspiration in solemnity, uplift and virtue in a “good and honest” participation.

All Christians should keep their accounts squared with the Lord. If they come short, they should lose no time in getting the account squared, in obtaining forgiveness through the merit of the Savior’s sacrifice. Such accounts with the Lord should be settled promptly at the time of their occurrence, or no later than the day of their occurrence. They should not be allowed to accumulate; for they will rise as a wall between the soul and the heavenly Father. But whatever has been the condition in the past, the Memorial season, above all others, is the time for making sure that no cloud remains between the Lord and us, to hide us from His eyes.

We trust that the celebration of the Memorial this year may be a very deeply impressive one, and occasion of rich blessing to all of the Lord’s consecrated people everywhere. “For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast.” (1 Cor. 5:7,8)

THE PLACE TO MEMORIALIZE

The tendency of this our day is for larger and more costly edifices in which to observe this “remembrance of Me.” But in many of these “the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee” (Rev. 18:22); therefore, may the fact impress us that it is the occupants who sanctify the building; the building does not sanctify the occupants. Thus, St. Paul addresses one of his most human and endearing letters “unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer...and to the church in thy house.” Therefore may each participant in this year’s “remembrance of Me” rest in the strong assurance that where “two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20), regardless of the edifice we may occupy. In fact, the institution of this “remembrance” by Jesus Himself was in an “upper room” of a private residence.

TEMPTED IN ALL POINTS

St. Paul tells us in Hebrews 4:15, Diaglott, that Jesus was tried “in all respects like ourselves, apart from sin”; also, that He was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.” (Heb. 7:26) To many these statements are an enigma. How can anyone be tempted, except to sin, they ask. And, if Jesus was not tempted to sin, how could He possibly be tempted “as we are” – we who are prone to sin, “none righteous, no not one”? This becomes clear when it is understood that there are four classes of temptation that beset God’s people: Sin, Error, Selfishness and Worldliness. Before we analyze these in our Lord’s experiences, let us first of all make clear that He was never tempted to the sins that beset the fallen human race – murder, thievery, immorality, falsehood – on every occasion He always said and did exactly the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, always “apart from sin”; whereas, all of the Lord’s followers – some more, some less – have had such temptation to sin. St. Paul makes this clear in 1 Cor. 6:9-11 (Dia): “Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminates, nor Sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God. And such characters were some of you.” Yet in all these things Jesus was “apart from sin” – they bothered Him not in the least. His human body was ever the noble and altruistic servant of His New Creature. Let us look then at those features wherein He was tempted, the same being related in Matthew 4, “Then Jesus was conducted by the Spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the enemy,” the first of which was:

SELFISHNESS: “After fasting forty days and forty nights he was hungry. Then the Tempter approaching him, said, If thou be a son of God, command that these stones become loaves.” Here we have temptation in the form of Selfishness in the very strongest degree. Self-preservation is the first law of nature, the desire for food and drink being the prime factors therein. Thus, a good and honorable man, faint with hunger, might put forth his hand to purloin food belonging to another, even though he had fasted but two or three days, instead of forty days, as was true of Jesus. But in this temptation Jesus was more than conqueror, as He answered, “Man shall not live by bread only, but by every word proceeding from the mouth of God.” Thus, He who later turned water into excellent wine, could just as easily have used His power to provide food for Himself, but He victoriously resisted the temptation to sate His selfish propensities to satisfy His bodily needs.

And this continued to be His course throughout His earthly ministry. Not once do we read that He derived personal material gain from the great power that was His. Some of the miracles He performed in healing wealthy people – such as raising the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Luke 8:41-56) – could certainly have brought Him substantial “fees”; but in this one instance we here mention He not only sought no pecuniary reward, but even avoided popular applause. “He charged them that they should tell no man what was done.” (Luke 8:56) And in this He surely gave us sound cause to “do this – with the bread and the cup – in remembrance” of Him. “Buy the Truth, and sell it not.” (Prov. 23:23) And, following His “example” in resisting temptation towards selfishness, we may also have this same blessed experience: “Then the enemy leaves him; and behold! Angels came and ministered to him.” (Matt. 4:11)

ERROR: “Then the Enemy conducts him into the Holy City, and places him on the battlement of the temple, and says to him, If thou be a Son of God, cast thyself down; for it is written, He will give his angels charge of thee; they shall uphold thee on their hands, lest thou strike thy foot against a stone.” (Matt. 4:5,6) God’s people should never court or encourage sensationalism, or even ribald flippancy, or “slight-of-hand,” if they would be true and fully useful “able ministers of the New Testament.” (2 Cor. 3:6) Such a “stunt” would certainly have brought Jesus wide acclaim – would have attracted to Him the attention of the people in pronounced manner. Here was a most subtle ruse to stumble our Lord. Be it remembered that temptation is an appealing suggestion. Without appeal, there can be no temptation. Thus, we cannot tempt a fellow with a cigar if he detests tobacco; whereas, it might be a very strong appeal to another who had been an habitual smoker and had with great difficulty forsaken the vice. And by the same token, at least some of God’s people have had the urge to “show off” with the power of the Truth that has come to them – to use it for personal prestige, and perhaps even more, when “the praise of men” might be involved. But to the erroneous twist by Satan our Lord gave the perfect answer, “Again it is written, Thou shall not try the Lord thy God.” (v.7) Here again He “left us an example” that we indulge not in outward show as we “do this in remembrance.”

WORLDLINESS: “Again the Enemy takes him to a very high mountain, and shows him all the Kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and says to him, All these will I give thee, if prostrating thou wilt worship me.” (vs. 8,9) Some may argue that these were not Satan’s to give; but we are told he is “the God of this world (2 Cor. 4:4), and there is little doubt but that he could have kept his promise to that extent. (Here also is indisputable proof that Satan was about this earth when our Lord was here – in contrast to the mistaken belief held by some that he was in Heaven until 1914 or 1918, at which date, they say, he was first cast out.) With the perfect mind and vigorous body that were His, our Lord would have had little difficulty in securing quick domination of the financial and political elements in a world where all about Him were in every respect His inferiors, especially, if He experienced no opposition from Satan. Here, also, He “was tempted like as we are”; and once more we have His perfect answer, “Get thee behind me, Adversary; for it is written, Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (v. 10) And at this time we are well advised to keep His answer well in mind, as we “do this in remembrance.” His human body was always the noble servant, in full subjection to His New Creature.

At this Satan left Jesus, and we hear no more about his temptations. While we have classified them as selfishness, error and worldliness, they may also be defined under the headings of faith, obedience and loyalty, respectively. We could also describe them as Capitalistic Power (prompted by selfishness to use His power for personal gain), Religious Power (temptation to gain a following – to “do great works, win great numbers, gain great favor” as many have done who have built upon “Christ as sand”), and Governmental Power (using superior intellect to dominate weaker men). Many would do well to “examine themselves” from these standpoints as we “do this in remembrance.”

OUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

“The Apostle’s argument is that we should hold fast the faith which began our Christian life and which is also to be the finisher of our Christian life. The Lord is able to carry us through and He will do it, if we do our part. But the terms on which the Lord has received us are that we purpose to abide faithful. Hence everything depends on our holding fast to the faith which we have professed, without wavering, without harboring any doubts and fears; and the basis of our faith in our ultimate triumph is the assurance that ‘He is faithful that promised.’ (Heb.10:23) We know that in the Bible there are ‘exceeding great and precious promises’ for us. While the Lord tells us that there is nothing in ourselves that we can depend on, He assures us that His Grace is sufficient, that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We have only to lay hold upon it. If therefore we hold fast to our faith, we may obtain all that God has promised us. He will be faithful; He will not disregard His promises; He will do all that He has said.

“If we hesitate and waver we are either losing our faith or losing the spirit of obedience and love. If, therefore, we realize that either of these conditions exists, we should go at once to the Word of God and to prayer, that our faith, love and zeal may be renewed. We should scrutinize our hearts day by day to make sure that we are still loyal to the Lord, to see whether we are seeking to lay down our lives according to our covenant, to see whether we are developing the fruits and graces of the Holy Spirit. Thus we shall fulfill our vows, and there shall be ‘an abundant entrance’ administered unto us into the ‘everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.’“ (Tower Reprint 5698)

This year we shall observe the Memorial at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, March 31, at 2501 Morningside Drive, Mount Dora, Florida, and we extend cordial welcome to all of like mind who may be in the vicinity to join with us. And with this comes the prayer that all our readers receive the Lord’s blessing in their preparation for, and participation in “this remembrance.” “Let us keep the festival, not with old leaven, nor with leaven of vice and wickedness, but with the unleavened principles of sincerity and truth.” (1 Cor. 5:8, Dia.)

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WITH GOD’S HELP, ISRAEL WILL PREVAIL

Reprinted from the Middle East Intelligence Digest, November 1995

Benjamin Netanyahu, (Bibi) Leader of the Likud Party in Israel and candidate for Prime Minister in the 1996 elections, was invited to address 4,500 Christians who gathered in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles (Succot, 1995). The following are excerpts from his speech.

Generations of Jews and non-Jews waited for the realization of the great prophecies of Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and the others, who said that Zion would be rebuilt and the fallen Tabernacle of David would be raised up. This simply would not have happened without the support and the unrelenting efforts during the last Century – and this Century – of Christian Zionists. It is this partnership that made the State of Israel, and a united Jerusalem possible.

Zionism was always in the hearts of the Jewish people, in our prayers, our dreams. But it did not become a real force until late in the 19th Century, with the arrival of men like Theodor Herzl and Max Nordau. And it was 50 years before these great men that other great men, men of the Christian faith, visited Palestine, saw the land of Israel, and imagined in their mind’s eye the return of the Jewish people, who alone, they said, “could bring this barren land back to life”

These Christians and Jews believed that the great prophecies were something to be acted upon. Their faith was seized upon by clergymen, then by statesmen, whose translation of our common belief propelled Zionism forward in the hearts and minds of the movers and shakers of the world. It was because of this that there was a universal understanding among the great statesmen and writers of the world 100 years ago, 80 years ago, that: There is one land for one people, and that land is the Land of Israel for the people of Israel. They must be allowed to return. They must be supported in their return, in the rebuilding of the land, and rebuilding of their common destiny.

And now, after we achieved all our triumphs, established our state against overwhelming odds, rolled back armies a hundred times our size, and after we watered the desert, built up this wasteland, built cities and schools and universities and theater and industry, and the Hebrew language – after we made this unparalleled revolution in human affairs, guided by faith, there are those now from among us who say: “It’s all a mistake. Zionism is a mistake. Zionism is passe.”

Part of the reason this is happening is the absence of faith. But part of the reason is also the absence of knowledge. Our adversaries understood that the way to erode our faith was to erode our knowledge. If you possess the facts, you can defend against lies. But if you have no facts and no truth in your hands, you are completely defenseless against all the distortions that perverse human ingenuity can create. This perversion of truth is our greatest enemy.

At the time of the Balfour Declaration in 1917, and at the time of the collapse of the last great empire that held this land, there was universal agreement that this land belongs to us, and that we must come back to it. How is it, that in the short span of 70 years the situation seems to have completely reversed? Now, the seats of government around the world, and the media which influence men’s minds and hearts, say that we are the usurpers; the interlopers; that we came and stole this land from its ancient residents – the Palestinians, who were here from before the time of Jesus.

And to those who do not know, this message becomes, by dint of constant repetition and elaboration, the self-evident truth. Unless we pierce this falsehood, unless we come up with a weapon of truth, no amount of guns or money, no amount of human material, can defend against this slander.

I heard the speech of Yasser Arafat at the UN, when he said that the great Zionist invasion began in 1881. At the time, he said, Palestine was a verdant land, teeming with a peaceful people quietly cultivating their fields.

You know that in the 19th Century, as in the 18th, 17th and 16th Centuries, but in a growing flood, hundreds of visitors, including nationals from every civilized country of the time, documented their visits to the Holy Land. They described, as did the French Poet, LaMartin, the 19th Century geographer, Arthur Penrun Stanley, and the great American writer, Mark Twain, the craven state of the land, the barrenness, the silence of death.

This is the truth. This land was barren. It was waiting precisely as the great Christian preachers taught: it was waiting for the one people who could bring it back to life. We came back, and we brought it back to life. And as we rebuilt the land, there was business, and hospitals, and jobs and immigration: immigration of Jews and immigration of Arabs. These “age-old” Palestinians came here in the last 70, 60, 50 years, in response to the Jewish immigration. All who were born here saw it. We welcomed the Arabs. They were our neighbors.

A war was forced on us when the time came to establish the Jewish state and ingather the remnants of European Jewry that had been destroyed in the Great Fire. We said to the Arabs, “Be our friends.” But they succumbed to the call of the Arab countries around us and sought to extinguish our state.

They thought they could overpower us, they did not know the power of our faith. Some were driven out in the course of the fighting. But it is not true that Israel created the refugee problem. What Israel’s enemies did after the establishment of the State was to employ the trick they use again and again: They turned the result of the conflict into its cause.

When you asked the Arab world in the 1950s and 1960s, “Why are you fighting Israel?” They said: “Because of the refugees.” “But,” people said, “there wasn’t a single refugee in the Middle East when you chose to attack the infant Jewish State.”

They tried another war in 1967. That same faith produced a greater miracle – the redemption of the heart of our homeland, of Judaea, of Samaria, of the unity of Jerusalem – all the places that resonate in our history. And for the last quarter of a century, when you asked the Arab world, “Why are you fighting Israel?” They say: “Because of the territories.” But there wasn’t a single Israeli soldier in Judaea and Samaria before 1967. Again, they turned the consequence of their aggression into its cause.

If we were to cede Judaea and Samaria to the Arabs, the conflict would go on. And if you were to ask, “Why is it going on?” They would say: “Because of Jerusalem.” And if you were to cede half of Jerusalem, they would say: “But we still have here the right of refugees to return to Jaffa, and Haifa, and Akko, and every part of truncated Israel.”

This process, which is based on falsehood, on a complete reversal of cause and effect, a wiping out of basic historical facts, and replacing them with fiction – this is the greatest threat to our common dream.

All these campaigns of slander will not work. We are part of a much, much larger scheme. The return of the Jewish people is not just a passing episode that will be wiped out by the force of ignorance and stupidity. The life-force within the Jewish people is enormous. The life-force of the friends of the Jewish people around the world, especially the Christian world, is enormous. And this partnership will safeguard the Jewish land, will safeguard Zion, will safeguard our Eternal City.

It is something I believe should be treasured as the most precious element of our faith, without which, knowledge is empty. I have a deep faith, and it resonates amongst most of the people of Israel, that the promise that God gave to Abraham, and to Isaac, and to Jacob, this Birth [Covenant] is the most powerful force we have. It has guided us through millennia of struggle and strife and exile and pogrom and degradation and Holocaust. It has brought us back from the ashes of the dead. It has brought back this country to life, and I believe that, with your help, and with God’s help, we will prevail.

(Jerusalem Digest, December, 1995 – submitted by David Horowitz)

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NO. 472B: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT - PART TWO

No. 472B

THE JEWS

Israel: “World Mourns Death Of Rabin” is the headline of The Jewish Press of November 10, 1995. “Our view on The Assassination. We share the shock and anguish of our people over the death of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Our Torah condemns the wanton taking of life and reverences the sanctity of life.

“Unfortunately, despite the fact that we are still in the throes of our grief over the death of the Prime Minister, accusations have filled the airwaves blaming certain Rightist elements for creating a hateful atmosphere that inspired the obviously deranged young man who took Mr. Rabin’s life. For the sake of the welfare of our people it is important to set the record straight. In truth, this charge is reminiscent of the oxymoron of a boy who kills his parents and then pleads for mercy because he is an orphan.

“Because of the effort to hasten the implementation of the Oslo Accords prior to the next election, and in order to weaken the opposition, Israel was turned into a virtual police state. Peaceful demonstrations were banned, freedom of speech was sharply curtailed, police brutality against men, women and children was rampant and dissidents were targeted for harassment and worse. In the name of Peace, many deaths of Israelis and hundreds of incidents of Arab brutality against the Jews were simply ignored.

“There seemed to be a calculated effort to create a feeling of hatred for the 150,000 settlers in Judea and Shomron, characterizing them as enemies of the true interests of Israel. Concurrently, a process was undertaken to give away our Holy Places such as Kiryat Arba, Kever Rochel (Rachel’s Tomb), Meoras Hamachpelah (Cave of the Patriarchs), the Temple Mount, and nearly half of the land of Israel – all against the advice of the Israel Defense Forces and only the help of the 5 Arab votes in the Knesset. Although Israelis were promised that they would be able to vote on these matters in a referendum, that promise was never kept.

“Jews in America who protested against what was happening were told, in effect, send your money, but keep your opinions to yourselves.

“Perhaps worst of all, a terrorist and murderer of Jews was given virtually every-thing he sought – land, hundreds of millions of dollars, power, etc., although he did not fulfil the promises he made or offer anything real in return. In fact, he continues as the biggest ‘con-artist’ of the century as he openly preaches ‘Jihad.’

“But most of all, the Peace Process violates the commandments of our Holy Torah. G-d promised our ancestors that the entire land of Biblical Israel was to be an inheritance for the Children of Israel in perpetuity. When confronted by the Rabbis of today, the Peace Process proponents answered as did Pharaoh of ancient Egypt: ‘Who is your G-d that I should listen to him!’

“Why was G-d angry with the ‘Meraglim’ (spies)? He said, ‘I performed so many miracles for them in Egypt, at the crossing of the Yam Suf, at Mt. Sinai, and I gave them food from Heaven and water from an arid land in the desert, and the Heavenly clouds protected from the extreme heat and cold of the desert and many more miracles in their daily lives. And yet when they saw ‘giants’ in the land of Canaan they feared these humans more then they feared Me.’

“In our time, too, G-d heard our pleas. After the 1967 war, He instilled fear in all the Arabs who then ran away from Jerusalem. G-d then gave them the entire City of Jerusalem including the Temple Mount and in effect, so to speak, said: ‘Now plan to build the Holy Temple and I will help you.’

“Instead, Moshe Dayan, the commanding General, refused this offer and invited back all the Arabs, much to our chagrin today. In effect, he, so to speak, banished G-d from Jerusalem.

“One thing is certain. If we follow the principles of the Torah, G-d will surely help us as He did our ancestors.

“Again, we deplore this wanton act of murder, but those who seek to silence opposition by blaming the Peace process opponents serve no useful purpose. In any democratic society, legitimate debate on such fundamental issues should not be stifled. “

(By Rabbi Sholom Klass, The Jewish Press, November 10, 1995, pp. 1 and 3)

“As The World Mourns Yitzhak Rabin: Some years ago Yitzhak Rabin was a columnist for THE JEWISH PRESS. He was an outspoken young man and even though we may not have agreed with everything he wrote, we felt it was our duty to have a variety of opinion in THE JEWISH PRESS.

“Yitzhak Rabin felt the route he was taking with the PLO was proper and he may have been right, but we and others disagreed. We join the millions who are mourning Yitzhak Rabin, a man who felt that his dream for peace was in the best interests of Israel. Despite differing opinions, he forged ahead for what he felt was right. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Rabin and entire family. “

(The Jewish Press, November 10, 1995, p. 2)

ISRAEL: “The Tragic Truth About Yitzhak Rabin: Without condoning the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, critics of his so-called peace policy will now be subjected to further repression, to a more vicious denial of their civil rights. And this will only render the political climate of Israel more precarious, more inflammatory, more susceptible to civil war.

“With profound sorrow for the bereaved, truth and justice and concern for my own loved ones in Israel, compel me even now to clarify the political context of Yitzhak Rabin’s tragic death. Even in this period of grief and mourning, innocent and law-abiding Jews in Israel are in danger of repression by a desperate government, a government that parades in the name of democracy but is democracy’s enemy.

“It is not easy for me to say, but it must be said even now, that Yitzhak Rabin and his cohorts created the emotional and political climate that led to his assassination. Only by facing this tragic fact honestly and courageously and with magnanimity will the people of Israel be able to avoid such tragedies in the future.

“I know of no leader of any nation that publicly denigrated the heritage of his own people. Yet Mr. Rabin called religious critics of his so-called peace policy ‘degener­ates.’ He also called soldiers who fought and bled for Israel ‘cry babies’ because they opposed his policy of surrendering Jewish land to Arab despots... He also vilified Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud Party as ‘allies of Hamas’ – of brutal murderers... Finally, it should not be forgotten that Mr. Rabin released thousands of Arab terrorists and murderers, some of whom subsequently murdered more Jews. In fact, more Jews have been murdered by Arabs since September 13, 1993, when Mr. Rabin first shook the blood-stained hands of Yasir Arafat, than the number of Jews murdered by Arabs during the previous six years of the intifada. Mr. Rabin called these Jews ‘sacrifices for peace.’ Could anything be better calculated to arouse agony and resentment among the Jewish people of Israel, especially among the families and friends of the Jewish victims of Rabin’s policy?

“Let us nonetheless end on a positive note. The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin goes beyond personalities, Left and Right, secular and religious. Israel’s political system is basically flawed. Israel lacks a written Constitution. There are no institutional checks and balances... The electronic media are government controlled. There is no outlet for legitimate and effective dissent, and the opposition parties are fragmented and impotent. Israel needs a new system of Government. “

(Excerpts by Prof. Paul Eidelberg, The Jewish Press, November 10, 1995, p. 10)

Israel: “NEW YORK – Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres made an impassioned plea for Jewish unity Sunday at a New York memorial rally for Yitzhak Rabin, assassinated by a religious Jew opposed to his peace policies.

“Rabin was the ‘consummate man of Israel,’ Vice President Al Gore told more than 15,000 people who attended the rally at Madison Square Garden. ‘He will always be remembered as a man of grace, courage and quiet dignity ... who always put substance before style, action before acclaim and ideals before ideologue.’ Gore said.

“Rabin’s widow, Leah, spoke of his gift to those he left behind: ‘From his death, he bequested to us peace, he bequested to us solidarity, he bequested to us Jewish unity.’

“Peres meets President Clinton today in Washington to discuss ways to restart negotiations with Syria over the future of the Golan Heights, which Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast War.

“Although officials closed off 4,000 of the Garden’s 18,000 seats for security reasons, 16 metal detectors proved barely adequate to handle the crowd. Many people stood in the 16-degree cold for up to two hours before they were allowed in.” (Excerpts from The Orlando Sentinel, December 11, 1995)

Israel: “Besides, all Israel’s leaders have to do to my mute protest is: (1) Have the PLO cancel their covenant of death (a promise made at Oslo and not kept). (2) Allow Women in Green and other peaceful Israelis to protest within the law without police interference. (3) Invite some of the many learned and articulate opponents of the peace talks to air their views in the government-controlled electronic media. (4) Spell out these secret agreements being made with Arafat, Assad and others and invite the Israeli public to make up its own mind. (5) Since both Labor and Likud deceived the pioneers in Judea and Samaria in telling them to build their homes in what would be ‘forever a part of Israel,’ stop treating them with mockery and disrespect in calling them ‘crybabies’ and telling them they can ‘spin like propellers.’

“For years, I was rather popular in Israel and American Jewish circles. But I note that each time I merely share my apprehension at the Israeli rush to peace without firm reliance on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, my ‘likeability rating’ dips. Well and good. Not to speak up would have me opt for the praises of men more than the praises of God. This I will not do!

“For when ‘peace’ must be purchased through illegal and brutal force, it will turn out to be as elusive as Jeremiah’s lament: ‘Peace, peace, when there is no peace.’ (Jer. 6:14) And when covenants of ‘peace’ are cut with a murderer of Jews, who in turn, refuses to cancel his own PLO covenant of war, Israel must yet taste the bitter truth that theirs is ‘a covenant with death’ and that ‘with hell we are in agreement.’ (Isa. 28:15) “ (By Dr. Frank Eiklor, Shalom International, Volume 17, Number 9)

Israel: “Clinton Optimistic On Middle East Peace: Greeting Israel’s new prime minister, Shimon Peres, the president said chances of peace between Israel and Syria have improved.

“WASHINGTON – Little more than a month after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, President Clinton Monday warmly welcomed the new Israeli prime minister, Shimon Peres, and again pledged support for the perilous Middle East peace process.

“‘The United States stands ready to help bring the parties together and to work with them in the negotiations,’ Clinton said during a White House press conference with Peres. ‘Peace is our mission, and the prime minister and I are determined that nothing, nothing will deter us from this task in the weeks and the months ahead.’

“Clinton said he thinks the atmosphere is better for peace between Israel and Syria now than before. The Syrian-Israeli dispute, as well as the one between Israel and Lebanon, are the major remaining obstacles to securing peace in the bloody region.

“‘As sad as it is to say, I think the Syrian leader and the Syrian people now see the exceptional price that former Prime Minster Rabin and Prime Minister Peres have been willing to pay ... for peace,’ Clinton said. ‘I think that is the fundamental new reality here.’

“Clinton also spoke with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad Monday by telephone for 20 minutes and received assurances that he was committed to moving the Syrian-Israeli peace process forward.

“Secretary of State Warren Christopher will travel to the region next week to meet with Assad to try to jump-start peace talks.

“Clinton praised Peres, who was Rabin’s political rival but also his peace partner. ‘Mr. Prime Minister, as Israel continues to take risks for a lasting and comprehensive peace, the United States will stand with you to minimize those risks and to ensure your success,’ Clinton said. ‘And I pledge to you personally, Shimon, that I will be your partner in peace.’

“Clinton and Peres said the next steps in the peace process are proceeding: Palestinian elections will go forward, and control of some 450 villages in the West Bank and all major cities, including Gaza and Jericho, will be turned over to the Palestinians before Christmas. Peres also said he intends to fulfill the promise to release another thousand Palestinian prisoners before the elections.”

(The Orlando Sentinel, December 12, 1995)

Palestinians Celebrate As Israeli Army Withdraws: NABLUS, West Bank – Thousands of Palestinians streamed into the streets Monday night, shooting firecrackers and burning an Israeli flag as Israeli troops ended 28 years of occupation by withdrawing from Nablus a day ahead of schedule. ‘They are gone! They are gone!’ residents chanted outside Israel’s former military headquarters in the West Bank’s largest city. They let out a huge roar of approval and fired gunshots into the air as a flag ripped from the balcony was set aflame. The withdrawal, which had been expected to begin today or early Wednesday, caught the city by surprise. It apparently was moved up to prevent opponents of the peace process, Israeli or Palestinian, from organizing protest. “ (The Orlando Sentinel, December 12, 1995)

“Archaeologists: Burial Cave In Israel Confirms Ancient Clan: Maccabim, Israel – Archaeologists think they have uncovered a 2,000-year-old burial cave of the Maccabees, a clan of Jewish warriors who led a revolt against a Syrian king that is still celebrated today with the feast of Hanukkah.

“The find appears to confirm ancient Jewish accounts of the clan, also known as the Hasmoneans, a spokeswoman for the Antiquities Authority said Thursday. ‘This is the first proof that the Hasmoneans lived and were buried at this site,’ said Efrat Orbach.

“The burial cave, 19 miles north of Jerusalem, was uncovered Monday when a tractor leveled ground for a highway. The cave – made up of three small rooms and a courtyard entrance – held 24 ossuaries, or containers for bones of the dead, archaeologist Yossi Levy said.

“The ossuaries are inscribed in Hebrew with Jewish manes, Orbach said. One ossuary carried an inscription that is missing several letters, but most probably reads ‘Hasmonean,’ she said.

“‘This is the first time the word ‘Hasmonean’ has been found on archaeological evidence,’ said archaeologist Shimon Riklin.

“The house of the Maccabees, known as the Hasmoneans after their ancestor, Hashmon, lived in what is now central Israel. They rebelled in the second century BC against the Syrian King Antiochus IV, who had stripped the Temple in Jerusalem and began a religious persecution. Having occupied Jerusalem, they reconsecrated the Temple in 165 BC, a feat celebrated by the Jewish feast of Hanukkah.

“At least one ossuary carries the name Shimon, the head of the Maccabean state, which was said to have lasted about 100 years. Archaeologists do not know whether they had uncovered his remains.

“So far, evidence of their existence is confined to writings in the Talmud, a collection of Jewish legal commentary, and in accounts by the Jewish writer and historian Josephus who lived in the first century. “ (The Orlando Sentinel, November 17, 1995)

Wiesenthal, Speaking For Austria, Urges UN Organize A World Confab Against Hate

“Unbelievable, but true – the world’s most renowned Jewish Nazi hunter, Simon Wiesenthal – who in his life-time had apprehended scores of German-Austrian Nazis – appeared here at the UN General Assembly on November 20 as the official spokesman of the Austrian Government proposing that the World Organization ‘organize a global conference aimed at reducing hate.’

“The occasion of his appearance – an unusual event arousing deep interest – was a special commemorative meeting ‘to mark the UN Year for Tolerance’ – a subject which struck a positive chord with Wiesenthal who, a little more than a decade ago, had confirmed the work of this writer in exposing two Nazis who had found haven in America – the Hungarian, Ference Koreh and the Rumanian, B. Trifa, the latter, long ago, deported and former, after being confronted by your correspondent’s attorney Paul O’Dwyer, was recently finally judged guilty of war crimes by a New Jersey judge.

“And here at the UN we have been confronted with the unusual sensational scene in witnessing this world-admired personality speaking on behalf of a nation, Austria, birthplace of Hitler and haven of Kurt Waldheim and once a full partner with Nazi Germany in perpetrating the worst crimes of the century.

“‘It is a great honor for me to be allowed to speak to this audience at the end of the Year of Tolerance as the Representative of Austria,’ Wiesenthal declared in his opening statement: ‘In four years,’ he added, ‘we will be standing at the end of this century which has been rightly termed a century of crimes.’ Thus there is the need to speak about tolerance and also to act on this principle.’

“And act he did. He made this direct proposal to the UN: ‘Let us try to organize a worldwide conference aimed at reducing hate. Technology without hate can be so very beneficial for mankind, but in conjunction with hatred it leads to disaster. The most important participants in such a conference – which should of course be held under the patronage of the United Nations – would be representatives of the monotheistic and other religions.

“‘Through religious networks, the greater part of mankind could be reached. The representatives of the various religions – in keeping with their moral duties – will work for mutual respect and support among men and against hatred. By spreading positive messages in churches, temples and synagogues, they can reach more people than all political parties put together. If religious representatives can agree to make the gradual elimination of hatred a major common concern, they will also find ways of informing and influencing their believers throughout the world.’

“Speaking of a ‘new Austria,’ Mr. Wiesenthal recommended Vienna as the site for the conference: ‘Being an Austrian, I could imagine that such an international conference take place in our small country located at the center of Europe. In the course of its history, Austria was frequently the scene of hate; today, however, it lives in perfect amity with all of its neighbors, unstrained by any claims on lands outside of its existing borders. Our country is an obvious international meeting place having often been the site of international events in the past. Moreover, all steps to strengthen tolerance and reduce hate would be actively supported by Austria’s government and its population. In this connection, I would like to point out that in the past 50 years the small republic of Austria, in contrast to other, significantly larger countries, has achieved great things where humanitarian aid for refugees – the most unfortunate victims of hate – is concerned.’

“Continuing to hold his UN audience deeply interested in his unique presentation, he began to explain his own personal struggle for justice: ‘As a survivor of the Nazi period – my wife and I lost 89 family members in the Holocaust – I have dedicated my life to the struggle for justice. The title of one of my last books is Justice, Not Vengeance, because my work was never motivated by hate or revenge. I would therefore feel very honored if many people of good will and with the firm intention to conquer the hate in this world were to come to Vienna to take part in a conference having this aim.

“‘In this century I have myself seen Communism become a form of government under Stalin and, thankfully, I have seen its downfall. I have seen the rise of National Socialism under Hitler – and I lived to see its downfall as well. Both of these regimes set measures that cost millions of lives. In the Soviet Union the victims were mainly Soviet citizens; the exact numbers are still unknown, as all figures named so far have been estimates. The Nazi regime was also responsible for the deaths of millions of foreign nations: altogether about 50 million people, including six million Jewish victims, were killed as a result of the war and there were innumerable crimes committed in the countries occupied by Nazi Germany. Together, these two dictatorships extinguished about 100 million human lives during this century. Underlying both Stalinism and National Socialism were two fundamentals: hatred and technology.’

“That the goodly, Jewish, Simon Wiesenthal should have come here at this time as representative of Austria to speak against hate and intolerance proves something. It proves that we are indeed in the Messianic Age – the Chevlei d’Meshichah. And we must connect this with the score of other nissim since the nes of the birth of Israel. “ (By David Horowitz, The Jewish Press, December 8, 1995)

“Israel’s Resistance Slams Talks, Golan Deal. JERUSALEM – Israel’s opposition assailed the resumption of peace talks with Syria, vowing Sunday to do all it could to stop Prime Minister Shimon Peres from ceding the Golan Heights.

“U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher flew home from the Middle East on Sunday, having accomplished his mission in two days, half the time he had planned, by reviving negotiations severed six months ago.

“‘We will certainly do all we can to prevent the government from carrying out its intention to hand over the Golan,’ Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the main hard-line Likud opposition party, told Israel Radio.

“Israeli and Syrian negotiators plan to meet for three days December 27 near Washington. A second three-day round is planned in January.

“Israel has yet to say it will meet Damascus’ demand to return all of the heights captured in the 1967 Middle East war, insisting on a promise of normal relations first from Syria.

“Riding a wave of popular support following the assassination last month of his predecessor Yitzhak Rabin, Peres said last week he was willing to pay the full price for full peace.

“Ten months ahead of scheduled elections, Netanyahu trails Peres badly in opinion polls but he has been trying to tap popular opposition to a Golan deal among war-hardened Israelis who view the heights as a strategic necessity and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad as insincere about wanting peace.

“A poll by Israel’s largest newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth last week showed 55 percent opposed to a full withdrawal and 42 percent for it. “ (The Orlando Sentinel, December 18, 1995)

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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 March 31, 1996 after six p.m.

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NO. 472A: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT - PART ONE

No. 472A

In the beginning of the New Year, we thank God for the blessings we have received the past year. “The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” (Psa. 126:3) “Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein. “ (Psa. 69:34)

Many have had much grief with disasters in the past year, with earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and fires. We thank the Lord for the good people who have gone to their aid. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. “ (Prov. 15:3) Our deepest sympathy is with those who have lost their homes and lost some of their loved ones. “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. “ (Rom. 8:22) And we groan with them.

1995 IN REVIEW: (1) Tens of thousands are killed as Russian forces try to subdue the breakaway republic of Chechnya.

(2) In January and again in March, flooding in California leaves death and destruction.

(3) Banking scandals: Rogue traders bring down England’s Baring banking dynasty and bring disgrace to Japan’s Daiwa Bank, shaking confidence in that country’s banking system.

(4) In Kobe, Japan, an earthquake kills more than 5,000 people and destroys 750 buildings.

(5) Old enemies shake hands as Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat reach an agreement to extend Palestinian self-rule.

(6) Killer fumes – unleashed in a crowded subway by a doomsday cult – killing a dozen and injuring more than 5,000 in Tokyo.

(7) An outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Zaire costs more than 200 lives and causes worldwide alarm.

(8) The Washington Post and the New York Times publish a 35,000-word treatise by the Unabomber, in an effort to halt his attacks that have killed three and injured 23.

(9) A peace agreement hammered out in Dayton, Ohio, may end the war in Bosnia, the bloodiest European conflict in 50 years.

(10) The pope visits the United States, preaching to 130,000 in New York’s Central Park and strongly condemning abortion rights.

(11) Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan brings his Million-Man March to Washington, D.C.

(12) Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin is assassinated by a right-wing Jewish extremist. [Rabin’s assassination was shocking world wide. There were 70 or more countries represented at his funeral.]

(13) The Southern Baptist Convention renounces its racist heritage, including its past support of slavery.

(14) France and China outrage the international community by resuming nuclear-testing programs.

(15) World marks the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, the beginning of the United Nations.

(16) The Dow Jones industrial average closes above 5,000 for the first time.

(17) The United States re-establishes formal diplomatic ties with Vietnam.

(18) The sexual assault of a 12-year-old Okinawan schoolgirl by three U.S. servicemen raises an outcry in Japan.

(Excerpts from The Orlando Sentinel, November 26, 1995)

SCIENCE: “A scientist thinks every man on Earth is indebted to this male who lived before anatomically modern humans evolved.

“NEW YORK – Every one on earth today can trace his Y chromosome to one male who lived about 190,000 years ago, before anatomically modern humans had evolved, a study suggests. ‘There were many males around at the time, but only this one left a Y chromosome legacy that persists today,’ said researcher Michael Hammer.

“The Y chromosome is one of 24 kinds of microscopic threads that hold genes. Unlike the other chromosomes, it passed only from father to son. The new study also supports the idea that modern humans arose in one place, rather than evolving in more than one continent.

“The results suggest that all men alive today could trace their Y chromosomes back for about 188,000 years to the same person. ‘We would all have a Y chromosome that existed in the same guy.’ Hammer said the study suggests that the ancestor lived just before anatomically modern humans appeared around 100,000 years ago, a date that is in dispute among scientists... Other scientists published a study saying the Y chromosome in modern-day men can be traced back 270,000 years.

“Hammer said his findings also suggest a single place of origin for modern humans. ‘The findings don’t indicate where, but Africa is a good bet,’ he said. “

(Excerpts from The Orlando Sentinel, November 23, 1995, page A-16)

What do we care if they find that 100,000 or 188,000 or a million years back is when man started evolving. They are teaching that man as well as other living creatures evolved from something. What caused that “something “ to come into existence? Even that “something “ must have been created. We know when the first man was created by God and it was not a happenstance. God’s inspired Word is the only scientific authority we have. When scientists study to find something that is supported by His Word that is a valuable find. Some scientists have done so. They tell us one time it is thousands of years ago and after much study change their findings to more or less time, but they don’t tell us about this fiction man. Did he have brains? If so, why didn’t he leave us some history?

In chapters one and two of Genesis we are told of the creation of all things – the animals, fish, as well as the Heavens (the firmament) and the Earth, and then man. He created all things for man. Man was to have dominion over the fish, the fowl, the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing (Gen. 1:26). Of course there has been many misunderstandings of the Creation of God, but those who have the correct understand­ing will know we have a Creator of Justice, Love and Power. “Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them. “ (Psa. 119:165) So we search the Scriptures, because we know He is the Creator of all things. We did not evolve from an object. Did that object make itself? Some scientists change the tens of thousand years to more or less. They are like the chameleon who changes color frequently. Its tongue is hollow.

We have published these scientist’s opinions for the purpose of showing the foolishness of the wisdom of this world. “Avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called.” (1 Tim. 6:20)

IN FINANCE

Looking back over the past year and looking ahead in prospect we must admit that there is no agreement as to what will happen next. We have bulls and bears, optimists and pessimists, and both have statistics to support their opinions.

The S & P stock market index has risen steadily to new highs as of December 6, 1995. The bulls feel that this is the reason for correction. Some feel that it well be severe – even worse than the crash of 1929.

Japan is in the midst of a serious banking crisis. Much of the $540 billion in real estate loans, loaned by Japan’s 21 largest banks in the late 80s has gone bad. Since the 1989 real estate peak in the major Japanese cities, such as Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, commercial land prices have lost their values. The Japanese real estate market is in a state of collapse and Japanese banks are faced with over one trillion dollars – and growing.

The Congressional Budget Office projects a deficit this year of $161 billion, the smallest deficit as a percentage of the gross domestic product – 2.3 percent – since 1979. The most recent figures for the last 12 months show that the national debt has increased $313 billion. At this rate we’ll add another trillion dollars of debt to the 4.9 trillion now on the books in the next three years.

One of the foremost respected financial journals writing on the economy for 1996 states that “INFLATION IS ON A SLOW TRACK. “

INTEREST RATES WILL STAY LOW: Long-term rates could drop below 6 percent. There’s nothing on the horizon to compel the Fed. to raise short term rates. Occupants of the White House like to keep the good news flowing during an election year. Perhaps it’s no accident that the market has delivered positive returns every election year since 1940. NO RECESSION BEFORE 1997!

Those who are “Of the Truth “ (John 18:37) realize that we are in the “Time of Trouble “ since 1914, including war, revolution and Anarchy winding up with Jacob’s Trouble (Jer. 30:7). We can expect conditions to deteriorate and go down like wax, or removed like a cottage (Isa. 24:20), as God has promised (Heb. 10:23). The Lord’s people should heed the admonition of James 4:8: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. “ (Contributed)

For the past several years we have mentioned that the present order of things are deteriorating rapidly. In 1994 the stock market hit an all time high – and obviously as ever­yone knows, that in 1995 the Dow Jones for the first time hit over five thousand. The prime interest rate is still at a high of 8.75%. You can read about the Gross National Products being down with the unemployment rates going up. It’s hard to figure out what is really going on.

To quote from last year, the United States may be on the road to economical health, productivity, employment and total national income up. But the decline of spendable income is down because people are still going in debt. The present administration believes that job skills training and investing more money in education will lead to a greater rise in the median family income, but that has yet to be proven. That would take may years to achieve.

The world economy is still growing. More of the world’s stock market values is outside of the United States, although people still believe the United States is a safe place to buy stocks. Gold and silver have been stable but still lower than it has been in previous years. The wizards of Wall Street are treating bad news as good news.

Retail sales for Christmas have been lackluster. Bargain hunters packed the stores and after Thanksgiving have almost vanished. Factory output declined for the fourth straight month. Manufacturing employment continues to fall although new orders are up slightly. However, no economist is predicting that this slow down will turn into a recession.

One of the things driving the economy is the new technology such as new computers. Companies are investing in new technology which eliminates jobs and increases productivity with better profit. People are investing capital in all areas.

One of our biggest problems is the USA has the most expensive health care system in the world. That is a problem that all businesses are facing – how to handle this problem without government help.

If the USA doesn’t face up to the enormous debt that it has accumulated each year and to the fact that the National Debt for the American people is still growing with Congress still arguing over tax rates and tax cuts the stock market can certainly change in a downward trend just as fast as it did on an upward trend.

World War One was to end all wars, but since that time we have had World War Two, the Middle East War, and “wars and rumours of war... but the end is not yet.” (Matt. 24:6) However, we can commend leaders who are seeking means and ways to bring peace to the world. Man cannot do that but God can and will in His “due time.” He has promised to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31), and He is faithful that promised (Heb. 10:23). Nothing will hurt and destroy in all that glorious mountain (Isa. 11:9). The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness (Isa. 26:9). So we continue to pray, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is done in heaven. There will be a time when war will be no more.

IN RELIGION

CATHOLICS: “The 75-year-old Pontiff arrives this week for his fourth papal visit to the United States, and will stand firm in proclaiming what he believes are truths in an Age of moral relativism. ‘It has never been easy to accept Gospel teachings in its entirely,’ the leader of the world’s 960 million Roman Catholics told U.S. bishops in 1987. ‘And it will never be!’ Just what constitutes the Gospel in its entirety, of course, is a matter of dispute, especially among many American Catholics who disagree with the Vatican’s strict stand on sex and gender issues.

“No nation, in John Paul’s view, has a greater responsibility than the United States. The pope’s ‘big problem with America,’ says one official Vatican observer, ‘is that it is such a wealthy country and the wealth is confined to few people. He thinks the United States is too materialistic.’” (Excerpts from U.S. News and World Report, October 9, 1995)

The pope’s problem is with the Roman Catholics in the U. S., and shouldn’t be with the United States itself. Italy’s wealth is also confined to few people, and the Vatican is very wealthy. The question is what does the Vatican and the wealth few of Italy do with their wealth? The United States is known for its liberality, as are its wealthy few. Italy is the seat of Papacy, therefore, has more responsibility than other countries, including America. The pope should tell us whether he is referring to the creed of papacy or the Bible. The creeds of both the Catholics and Protestants teach that the whole world is on trial for life during this Age; and they are seeking to save the souls of the world. The Bible teaches that God is taking out a people for His Name during the Gospel Age (Acts 15:14) – a people to bless the world in the Kingdom. Jesus said, “I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. “ (John 17:9) Jesus paid the Ransom for all, which will be testified for the world in “due time. “ He has appointed a day to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). In that day “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain. “ (Isa. 11:9) In that Kingdom Satan will be bound (Rev. 20:3) and will not deceive the people during that thousand-year day. Today the world is full of error: “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. “ (2 Cor. 4:4) “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. “ (Rom. 11:32) It will be “to the Jew first “ and then to all others. (Rom. 2:10)

Jehovah’s Witnesses: At one time they taught that all who didn’t join them before Armageddon would die in Armageddon and never be resurrected. However, they have softened their teachings and now teach that those of the world who are in the “City of Refuge “ will be resurrected. They also say that by dying they pay for their sinfulness (November 15, 1995, Watchtower, p. 19) They cite Rom. 6:7 and Heb. 9:27 as ‘proof.’ However, Rom. 6:7 applies to the Little Flock, and Heb. 9:27 represents Christ as the antitypical High Priest. This is easily understood by reading the preceding and following verses in each instance. They say “War broke out in heaven: Michael [Jesus Christ] and his angels battled with the dragon [Satan the Devil], and the dragon and its angels battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them in heaven. “ (Watchtower, July 15, 1995, p. 5, par. 2)

There was never a war in heaven, which is God’s abode. The Lord gave us the prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. “ We have no record of anyone disobeying and sinning in heaven. When Satan sinned in the Garden of Eden he was never permitted to go back to heaven. When the angels sinned it was on earth, and they were not permitted to go back to heaven. It is ridiculous to think that the heaven mentioned in Rev. 12:7-9 is the abode of God, Jesus and the good angels. It is symbolic (as is most of Revelation) and represents the conflict between Papacy and it supporters, and Pagan power. The dragon of v. 7 are Pagan rulers, and the great dragon of v. 9 is the Pagan Roman Empire. Also, we do not die to pay for our sins. We die because of Adam’s sin, and Jesus died to save us all. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22) “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. “ (1 Tim. 2:6) The Jehovah’s Witnesses change their teaching when it is to their advantage, just as the Chameleon changes its color. The tongue of the Chameleon is hollow. One dictionary meaning of the word hollow is empty, worthless, which is a good representa­tion of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ teaching.

BAPTIST: “Woman from Orlando church elected to key Baptist post: Lois Wenger, an active lay leader of the First Baptist Church of Orlando, was elected to a top post at the Florida Baptist Convention... ‘We’re trying to give women their proper due,’ said J. C. Mitchell of the Winter Park-based Pembrook Foundation.

“In other convention action, First Baptist Church of Winter Park was recognized for its role in establishing new churches in Florida, donating approximately $3 million to that cause.” (Excerpts from The Orlando Sentinel, November 18, 1995)

EPISCOPAL: “Retired Episcopal bishop may face heresy trial over ordaining gay. WASHINGTON – Conservative bishops have obtained the votes they need to put the retired bishop of Iowa on trial for heresy, Episcopal Church headquarters announced Friday.

“The accused, Bishop Walter C. Righter, 71, is charged with violating church doctrine by ordaining a ‘practicing homosexual’ as a church deacon.

“Several other bishops, including Washington, D.C.; and Stewart Wood of the Michigan diocese, have also been criticized for ordaining openly homosexual people. “

(Excerpts from Santa Barbara News Press, August 19, 1995)

METHODISTS: “Problems Cited in ‘confusion’ of Methodists: They may not be suffering an identity crisis, but United Methodists are finding out that a flexible theology can lead to confusion.

“An unprecedented study led by Duke University scholars has found that many United Methodists don’t quite know were the church stands.

“The denomination’s traditional openness to other perspectives ­­– for instance, from women, blacks, Latin Americans or Asians – confuses some people and irritates others, said Dennis Campbell, the dean of the Duke Divinity School and one of the study’s directors. ‘There is an great deal of diversity,’ he said. ‘This has caught up with us in ways that are causing people to say, ‘Is there anything you really stand for?’

“The study’s 45 researchers are meeting at St. Simons Island, Georgia, this weekend to put their data on the table.

“In a speech Friday to open the meeting, Campbell said that preliminary conclusions have turned up four major problems: money, a bulky bureaucracy, a leadership gap and a theology that is seen as fuzzy and soft.

“‘The confusion in theology that now characterizes the church has resulted in a situation that leaves us without clarity,’ he said. ‘One of the most serious problems for United Methodism is the perception that there are no theological norms, no bounds beyond which it is impossible to go and still be a Methodist...’

“The faith’s tolerance of other ideas – thinking of God as a woman, for example – clashes with some members’ demands that United Methodism should return to the Bible as the authority.

“‘There is a point of view that is very hostile to the openness of the church,’ said the Rev. Steve Hickle of Fairmont United Methodist Church in Raleigh. ‘There is a hostility to the openness of all people, the openness to talking about ideas, the openness to theologies that come from the Third World perspective or the feminist perspective.’

“The Rev. Jerry Smith of Ashbury United Methodist Church said that one reason for the drop in membership is a growing distance between the leadership and churchgoer.

“‘There has been a disconnect between the hierarchy of the church and the person in the pew,’ he said. ‘As a result, I think that we have not told our story and claimed our roots as effectively as we should have.’

“Campbell said in his speech Friday that the Lilly study also has found something of a brain drain in the leadership. ‘Many Methodists worry that the church is not developing the lay or clergy leadership it needs to move beyond the bureaucratic response to critical issues,’ he said. (Associated Press, Winston-Salem Journal, August 29, 1995)

The Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement: The LHMM magazines have been much better than in the past. Very little is mentioned about their non-existent class – Consecrated Epiphany Campers. But they teach that there is no longer an opportunity for Youthful Worthies since 1954, although Brothers Russell and Johnson teach that Youthful Worthies are to be won “until Restitution begins.” See Reprint 5761, September 1, 1915, regarding an unbegotten class to be won after the door to the High Calling is closed. The LHMM also teach that the Epiphany is overlapping into the Basileia since 1954. Their overlapping is now longer than their Epiphany proper. Their Bible Standard of Christ’s Kingdom for July, 1995, p. 54 states: “As shown in E Vol. 4, pp. 53-58, the Epiphany and the Time of Trouble are identical (Luke 17:29). Hence the end of the lease of the power to the Gentiles, and the beginning of the Time of Trouble in 1914, indicate clearly the beginning of the Epiphany period at that time.” Since the Time of Trouble did not end in 1954 the Epiphany did not end then. Thus, we are still in the Epiphany and the opportunity for Youthful Worthies remains open.

Bible Students: Some Bible students believe the door is still open to the High Calling. Do they believe there will be opportunity to consecrate for the Bride of Christ “until Restitution begins?” These Bible Student groups have not invented a new class for which they are to be commended. However, they seldom mention other elect classes such as the Great Company and the Ancient Worthies, nor do they mention the unbegotten class That Servant taught in Reprint 5761. They believe Brother Russell was That Servant, and so do we, but we do not believe he was infallible. If the Bible Student groups do not believe in the unbegotten class and a second Harvest, they should inform us of this and let us know their reasons for not accepting this doctrine.

NO. 471: “THE EVERLASTING FATHER”

No. 471

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

At this Season of the year we try to present something that will bless and encourage all who honor our Lord and Savior by celebrating His birth December 25. As said in previous papers, we cannot agree that this is the proper date for the birth of our dear Redeemer, but must insist that it was about October first. Nevertheless, since He did not intimate His desire that we should celebrate His birthday, it is quite immaterial upon what day that event, of so great importance to all, is observed. Upon this day, so generally celebrated, we may properly enough join with all those whose hearts are in the attitude of love and appreciation toward God and toward the Savior. The good tidings of great joy for all people announce blessings concerning a number of things, i.e., the forgiveness of sins, resulting in the awaken­ing of all the dead; an accurate knowledge of the Truth; the race being placed amid conditions inconducive to sin and error, and conducive to Truth and Righteousness.

The above sentiments by That Servant have been abandoned by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and by their rabid contentions about Christmas they have caused much distress in home and social life around them. Their message to all who do not join them before Armageddon is “Bad Tidings of great misery,” because they will be annihilated in that holocaust, with no chance of a resurrection according to them.

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“‘His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6) We have noted the propriety of the title ‘The Mighty God,’ as applied to Jesus; and few will dispute that He is indeed the Wonderful One of all the Father’s family; none will dispute that He is a great Counselor, Teacher; or that, though His Kingdom is to be introduced by a Time of Trouble and disturbance incident to the death of present institutions, our Lord is nevertheless the Prince of Peace, who will establish a sure and lasting peace upon the only proper basis – righteousness and conformity to the Divine character and plan. Now we come to the examination of the title, ‘The Everlasting Father,’ and find it as appropriate and meaningful as the others.

“It does not, as some surmise, contradict the many Scriptures that declare Jehovah to be the Father everlasting, ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,’ as Peter puts it in 1 Peter 1:3. On the contrary the Bible clearly shows a particular sense in which this title applies to Jesus at His Second Advent – that He will be the Father of the human race regenerated during the Millennium. This title is merely the equivalent of those we have just considered, the new Lord of David and of mankind, the new Root, the Second Adam, merely signifies the Everlasting Father, the Father who gives everlasting life.

“Since Jesus purchases the world at the cost of His own life, and since it is by that purchase that He becomes its Lord, its Restorer, its Life‑giver, and since the central thought of the word father is life‑giver, Jesus could take no more appropriate name or title than ‘Everlasting Father’ to represent His relationship to the world about to be regenerated – born again from the dead by restitution processes. The world’s life will come directly from Jesus, who by Divine arrangement buys it and pays Justice the full price for it. Nevertheless, the restored world will, after the restitution process is finished, recognize Jehovah as the great original fountain of life and blessing, the author of the Great Plan of Salvation executed by Jesus, the Grand Father and Over‑Lord of all. (l Cor. 15:24‑28; 3:23; Matt. 19:28).” (Parousia Vol. 5, pp. 141, 142)

“Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14) The song which the angels sang at the birth of the Savior has been seized upon and misapplied by some who do not see the Plan of God for the Salvation of the world. Becoming discouraged by seemingly poor prospect for the world’s conversion, these have put forth a version of this passage more in harmony with their own doubts and misconcep­tions. To these the prayer which our Master taught His disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven,” has lost its meaning; for they see no hope of its fulfilment except in a very limited sense. Hence they prefer to translate the latter part of the verse, “And on earth peace, among men of good will.” We think the proper rendering, our hopes for the ultimate good of all, as far as this passage is concerned, would surely suffer eclipse; for very few thus far in the history of the race have been “men of good will,” men who unselfishly endeavored to any appreciable degree to bring about the good of their fellows.

There are a few people of good will toward mankind, and who even have good will for Jehovah’s Witnesses but do not accept their errors or join them. The JWs tell us that all men must accept their errors and join them or be annihilated in Armageddon. But Luke 2:10 tells us there will be “Good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” If we accept the translation of Luke 2:14 to mean “Peace among men of good will,” it greatly minimizes the scope of this glorious song. It implies that some few men will have “good will” among themselves, but this does not include “all people.” How utterly barren of hope for men would such an expression be! How little the song of the angels would mean if this were its message.

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

The world of mankind came under the curse, or sentence of death because of the sin in Eden – because our first parents disobeyed God’s righteous command. All humanity, therefore, are members of an accursed race – under penal servitude, which ends in the tomb. The race has been learning the lesson of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and its terrible effects. But God has promised to take away the curse and to bring a permanent blessing in its place. This will mean a return to His favor, to full harmony with Him­self. “And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it: and his servants shall serve him.” (Rev. 22:3)

PROGRESSION OF GOD’S GREAT PLAN

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

Thru all the Ages since the fall of Adam God’s plan has been slowly, steadily progressing. While men have been learning in pain, tears and trouble which is the results of sin, God has been selecting His elect to bless the non-elect in the Kingdom (Acts 17:31). The first are the Ancient Worthies who will be “princes in all the earth” (Psa. 45:16). Next will be the chief of all the elect to reign as Kings and Priests of God on the highest plane of existence. The chief of the elect is His Beloved Son, the Savior of the world, whose birth the angels proclaimed to the shepherds watching in the plains of Judea (Isa. 42:1). There will be an unbegotten class won at the end of the Gospel Age as taught by That Servant in Reprint 5761 “until restitution begins.” We call this class “Youthful” Worthies, as they are to be rewarded with the “Ancient” Worthies given in Hebrews Chapter Eleven. When all the elect ones are chosen and prepared, then the blessing of the world at large will be inaugurated. “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God [the Church]. For the creature was made subject to frailty, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope; because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:19‑21)

The coming of the Son of God to earth was only preliminary to His offering of Himself as a ransom for the forfeited life of Adam, the father of the race, in whom all his posterity fell. But even when our Lord had died as man’s ransom‑price, God’s favor did not come to the world. Jesus was next raised from the dead a glorious, Divine being. Then He ascended up on high, and appeared in the presence of God for those who were to be of the spiritual elect. Thus the last became first in God’s plan. The merit of Jesus’ death was utilized first on behalf of these. It has not yet been applied for any others. The members of the Church of Christ now have this promised peace and good will. It is granted only to those who have come into vital relationship with God thru Christ – the fully consecrated ones. The Scriptures show that after these are all selected, prepared and glorified, the next step will be the application to all men of the merit which has been imputed to these elect, and thru whom it is to go to the Worthies and to the entire world of mankind. This spiritual class has been chosen to be members of the Body of Christ, joint‑associates with Him in the Messianic Kingdom. “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” (1 Cor. 6:2)

The great work of the Millennial Age will then begin. It will be a work of gradual uplift during the entire thousand years of the reign of The Christ. The dead will be gradually awakened and brought to a clear knowledge of the Truth, and of the salvation of God in Christ. All will then have the opportunity of coming into the blessed condition of peace and good will proclaimed by the angels. By degrees they will be brought, if they will, to a condition of readiness to be received by the Father, to be introduced to Him. This will be the blessed experience of all who will be obedient to the rules and requirements of the Kingdom. If they prove unwilling and disobedient, after being brought to a clear understanding, they will be “cut off” (Acts 3:23), destroyed, as not worthy of further effort on God’s part for their reclamation.

CHRIST’S DEATH A BLESSING TO ALL

God seeketh such to worship Him as worship Him in spirit and in Truth. (John 4:23) Our thought is that all these worlds surrounding us are designed to be homes to many intelligent beings yet to be created. We believe that it is God’s delight to give joy and blessing to many creatures, on various planes of existence. And God is making of this experience of mankind with sin a valuable lesson, a lesson that will be beneficial, not only to themselves, but to all the worlds that will ever be populated. These might be instructed and informed in advance of their developing any sinful tendencies just what the nature and tendency of sin is – what it did for the people of earth. They will be told, probably, that sin degrades mind, body and morals; and its influence is only deteriorating; that once deteriorated, one learns to prefer sin, notwithstanding all the misery and degradation it brings; and that God will never grant everlasting life to any except as they gladly cooperate to that end – that He will never influence any against their own will.

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

THE GOOD SHEPHERD – THE CHRIST

“I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) The Evangelist first presented Christ to our attention as “the beginning of the creation of God” (Rev. 3:14), “made flesh” (John 1:14), that He might be the Light of the world: afterward, under His presentation, we considered Him as the Feeder of the hungry; then as the Giver of the water of life to the thirsty; next as the Healer of human woes, and the Supplier of human needs, spiritual as well as temporal; next as the Opener of the eyes of our understanding. In the lesson now before us He presents Christ’s mission from another standpoint – as the Good Shepherd.

This parable probably followed closely the closing incident of the reverend doctors of the law incensed at the man whose eyes had been opened, so that they cast him out of the synagogue, because he confessed Jesus as the channel of Divine favor. It was doubtless as a reproof to such false shepherding that our Lord spoke this parable. The very ones who should have been helping the poor scattered sheep of Israel to recognize the true Shepherd, and to come unto Him and become inheritors with them of the long‑promised Kingdom, were seeking to prevent the Lord’s sheep from recognizing the Shepherd – seeking to prevent the Lord’s sheep from entering the Kingdom which they themselves also refused to enter. (Matt. 23:13)

The illustration of the Lord as a shepherd, and His people as sheep, is common to the Scriptures, and very fitly represents their close confidential relationship, but it is a figure that is quite contrary to the spirit of the world. The “natural man” sees little in the figure to admire, and when he expresses his sentiments he would rather represent himself to others and have them regard him as a wolf, a lion, a tiger, or some other ferocious creature, which they would best not stir up, lest he devour them. We find this characteristic well borne out in the emblems of heraldry; the escutcheons of the great are emblazoned with figures representing beasts of prey, birds of prey, and nondescripts, blending various natures – but all of them ferocious, snarling, howling, screeching, or otherwise implying fierceness and intimidation of foes. But when God would represent the emblems of His royal family, His only begotten Son is called the Lamb of God, and all His people are styled His sheep – symbols of meekness, gentleness, harmlessness. “Jehovah is my shepherd” is properly represented as their sentiment. (Psa. 23)

Sheep‑raising in Palestine, and more or less throughout that vicinity, was carried on quite extensively, and yet very differently from present methods of Europe and America. The owner of the flock or his son usually did the shepherding, or sometimes an employee who was given an interest in the increase of the flock – as, for instance, Jacob, with his father‑in‑law Laban. Under the circumstances it is not surprising that the relationship between the sheep and their shepherds was very different from now – much more confidential. The shepherd was acquainted with his sheep and loved them, not merely as so much wealth and merchandise, but as friends, companions, with whom he conversed, and whose welfare he defended. Travelers tell us that the peculiarities of this parable are fully illustrated in eastern countries, even to this day; that a shepherd will know every individual sheep in his flock, and have a name for it, and that the sheep know their shepherd, and discern readily the sound of his voice, and cannot be deceived.

Some tell us how they have experimented and proved these peculiar statements of the parable; one asked the shepherd to call some particular sheep by name, to see whether or not it would come to him; the shepherd called one that was far off, and it immediately lifted its head, looked toward him, and when the call was repeated started, and wending its way in and out thru the flock, came to his feet, where he patted its head in reward for its obedience. Thinking this possibly a solitary instance, requests were made for repetitions of the test, with similar results. Another traveler imitated the shepherd’s voice, and called the sheep, but they paid no attention. Thinking that it was because he had not on the shepherd’s garments, to test the matter, he and the shepherd changed raiment, but still the sheep would not heed the voice of the stranger; but when the shepherd spoke to them, even though clothed in the garments of the stranger, they knew his voice and at once responded. Our Lord used these facts, well known to His hearers, to illustrate His relationship to the Lord’s people, as their Shepherd, the Son of the Great Shepherd; and He pointed out that all who were truly of His flock would hear His voice, would not be deceived by the Adversary, though he should disguise himself in garments of light, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. He declares, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Those who are not following the Lord, in obedience to His voice, expressed in word and example, are not His flock; nor are they in the way marked out by the Divine goodness and mercy, to dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

Jehovah God established a typical kingdom or sheepfold, and accepted the nation of Israel as His sheep, but as a nation they were wayward sheep and knew Him not. Nevertheless, with a Law Covenant He fenced them in. They desired a king, a ruler, a caretaker, a governor, and God let them have their wish; but none of these was the true Shepherd, neither did any bring the sheep into desirable conditions. And when these were finally done away, various others presented themselves as the Messiah, falsely claiming the right to lead Israel – false Messiahs. These, as our Lord declares, were thieves and robbers, who sought the control of the sheep, not from interest in the sheep, but from selfish motives, for self‑aggrandizement and exaltation. These attempted to lead out the Lord’s people, not by the door, but by climbing up other ways: by climbing over the Law, or by digging under it, they would reach the sheep and become leaders; and altogether in various ways a large proportion of Israel has been led astray out of the fold, some to idolatry, and some simply to wander in the wilderness.

At our Lord’s First Advent this was the condition of things: God’s covenant with Israel was standing as a wall around that nation, but its door was barred by justice, as represented in the Mosaic Law – Israel’s covenant. There could be no proper ingress or egress; all were prisoners of the Law – shut up unto that hope which should afterward be revealed, namely, Christ the door or “way” of life. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Meanwhile, though the door was guarded zealously by the scribes and Pharisees, the fact was entirely neglected that thieves and robbers, Satan’s servants, were at work plundering the sheepfold. (John 10:1,2,7,9; Gal. 3:24; Zech. 9:9‑12)

Nor could our Lord Jesus rightfully open the fold and take charge of the sheep, except at the cost of His own life. This was the purpose of the Father, the Great Shepherd, and with this in view He shut up the sheep under the Law, to the intent that they would need to be redeemed by His Son (the appointed Shepherd), from under the dominion of the Law, before they could be made free with the liberty wherewith Christ makes free His people. And this was the first work that the Good Shepherd did for the sheep; the laying down of His life began at the beginning of His ministry, when He made a full consecration of Himself even unto death, and symbolized this in baptism. It was in view of this sacrifice which He had already devoted, and was even then offering, and which was finished subsequently at Calvary, that our Redeemer announced Himself as the Good Shepherd who giveth His life for the sheep.

The Apostle declares that our Lord’s death redeemed Israel from under the curse (sentence) of the Law – but it not only satisfied the Law, “the porter,” so that He opened the sheepfold, but it gave to the true Shepherd the ownership and control of the sheep, that He might lead them out to green pastures, and that they might go out and in with perfect freedom, as His sheep, following Him. Our Lord testified, however, that many true sheep had gotten out of the fold, and were lost in the wilderness of sin. His ministry was a call to these as well as to those who remained in the fold – to the publicans and sinners as well as to those who were endeavoring to live near to God.

Thus the true Shepherd showed His interest in all His true sheep, including the lame, the weak, the starved. He called sinners to repentance, and the true sheep, realizing their shortcomings under the Law, responded and came to Him as the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls. But inasmuch as many of the flock had wandered far from the position of true sheep, so that there were not enough who heard His voice, to complete the elect number of His flock, this Good Shepherd has, during this Gospel Age, lifted up His voice (speaking through the members of His Body), and has called sheep from amongst the Gentiles; and a sufficient number to complete the original predestination will respond.

The call of the present time is not a general one, but as this Scripture declares, “he calleth his own sheep by name” – it is therefore a special call. “The Lord knoweth them that are his.” (2 Tim. 2:19) They manifest relationship to Him as His flock by their obedience to His call – by following Him. The flock which is called, and which will make its calling and election sure, the Scriptures inform us will be only “a little flock,” and the fold provided for these is a special one; viz., the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

Throughout this Gospel Age the Lord has been caring for this class; He has specially led and fed and blessed them, notwithstanding that to the appearance of others, they have passed thru severe trials, disciplines, suffering. Yea, as our Shepherd Himself declared, whosoever lives godly suffers persecution.

A part of the key to this parable, as it is also the key to many other features of the Divine plan, is found in the fact that the sheep of the “little flock,” being called and selected to joint‑heirship in the Kingdom, are to be sacrificed: as the Shepherd, the King’s Son, Himself was sacrificed as the Lamb of God, and not only opened the door to those who are shut up under the Law, but by the same sacrifice also redeemed the whole world of mankind, amongst which are the “other sheep” (John 10:16), Kingdom sheep that He is yet to seek, so the sheep of the “little flock,” now called, are all to suffer with Christ – with the Lamb of God – are all to be “living sacrifices, holy, acceptable to God, as their reasonable ser­vice.” (Rom. 12:1) As the Apostle elsewhere declares, “Hereby we know love, because He laid down His life on our behalf: and we ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren,” for the fellow‑sheep. (1 John 3:16, Dia.)

From this standpoint it will be seen that, as our Lord was the Father’s Lamb, and the sin‑offering for the world, so they who are of Jesus’ flock are to fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ, in the interest of His Body, which is the Church. (Eph. 1:22) And other Scriptures show us that all of the flock thus faithful, in following the Shepherd even “unto death,” are counted as members of the Body of the Shepherd. Thus the entire Gospel Age has been the period of suffering with Christ, of dying daily, of laying down their lives for the brethren; and not until this sacrifice is complete in the close of this Age will the New Covenant be thrown open in the largest sense of the word to the world of mankind in general, and the great Shepherd be complete – ­Head and Body. Then the spirit and the bride will say, Come, and whosoever will may come – whereas now, “No man can come except the Father draw him,” and in all a “little flock.” However, during the Kingdom Christ will draw all men unto Him. (See John 12:31,32)

MORE ON THE KINGDOM

In this connection we may well quote John 3:16,17, which has appropriately been called the Gospel in a nut shell: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life; for God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world thru Him might be saved [from Adamic condemnation].” Here God’s love, Christ’s death and the Spirit’s work, for salvation on behalf of the world are clearly set forth; but as yet the world has not gotten the benefit of them. In John l2:32,33, Jesus’ death is set forth as the meritorious cause whereby all men will be favorably influenced toward Him by the Spirit: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This He said, signifying what death He should die”; but all have not in this life been drawn to Him. St. Paul tells us clearly in Rom. 5:18,19 that Christ died in order to deliver the race from the condemnation into which it was involved by Adam, and that this deliverance will be realized: “As by the offence of one [Adam] judgment [the sentence] came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One [Christ] the free gift shall come [the future tense in the parallel expression of the next verse shows that the italicized word came should give place to the words shall come, seeing that the italicized words here as everywhere else in the Bible are lacking in the original Greek] upon all men [the purpose of] unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners [thru heredity], so by the obedience of One shall the many be made righteous [of the Adamic sin]”; but manifestly this has not yet happened to all. Very clearly does 1 Tim. 2:4‑6 prove God’s love, Christ’s death and the Spirit’s work for all men unto salvation: “God will [literally, willeth to] have all men to be saved [not eternally, but from the Adamic sin and condemnation] and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth [this shows God’s love to all], to be testified [the Spirit’s work] in due times [the Greek word is plural, times, or seasons, referring to the Gospel Age and the Millennial Age as the periods for giving the testimony].”

THE KINGDOM’S RESULTS

Men will be mentally perfect at that time. Memories that are unfailing, perceptive powers that are all embracing, reasoning powers that are precise, logical and inerrant will be his to have and enjoy forever. However, as in the heavenly realm, “One star differeth from another in glory” (1 Cor. 15:41), it will no doubt be the same in the earthly realm. God will prepare variety in the perfection of earthly beings the same as He has provided variety in the heavenly beings. Perfection will not be dull or monotonous, as some seem to think: all God’s creation, both heavenly and earthly, will be joy evermore. Righteousness has its compensation even in this “present evil world,” even though many of the righteous today have had to suffer for righteousness’ sake. But in the Kingdom that will be changed. Only the unrighteous will have to suffer stripes for disobedience, but the righteous will be blessed and rewarded. If the stripes don’t correct the disobedient, they will be “cut off.” (Acts 3:23)

From a moral standpoint man will be perfect. There will be nothing of hatred, anger, contentiousness, malice, evil surmising, covetousness, hypocrisy, gluttony, drunkenness, unchastity, unfaithfulness, indifference, pride, cowardice, ostentatiousness, or laziness among the children of men. In their place the opposite graces will shine forth in all their beauty, loveliness and attractiveness. Every human heart will radiate peace, joy, friendliness, kindness and charity. And what a glorious world to live in will that be, in which everybody loves everybody else, in which everyone trusts, respects, and honors everyone else. Surely in these respects – in man’s relationship to his fellows – a fountain of joy and peace will ever be bubbling up with its waters of refreshment, gladdening the hearts of all beholders and participants.

This will be the condition after the benevolent influence of the Kingdom proper, its teaching, instruction, have brought all the redeemable – the sheep class (Matt. 25: 31‑46) – to perfection; and all the unredeemable – the goat class – have been destroyed at the end of the Little Season (Rev. 20:3). Then “There shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it: and his servants shall serve him.” (Rev. 22:3)

May all our readers be richly blessed in the Holiday Season while contemplating the goodness and mercy of our Great Shepherd, as well as the blessings of our Savior and Re­deemer, in that He gave His life so that we may have eternal life. “The grace [favor] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” (Rev. 22:21)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint 294, December 1979)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

To Whom It May Concern:

I would like to thank you for providing us with information concerning your organization in the past.

Our Contemporary Religious Movements Center is frequently used as a resource by students to gain first hand knowledge of various groups. In order to insure that your group is not misrepresented it is essential for us to keep the files up to date. Any data that you can provide to help us achieve this would be much appreciated. Please inform us of the cost/fees of providing the literature/information. We are particularly interested in being placed or retained on your mailing list.

For your information Winnipeg Bible College has recently changed its name and is presently called Providence College and Seminary.

Sincerely, ….., Director (CANADA)

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Dear Sister:

For the last few weeks I’ve been thinking that I should be dropping you a line, to inquire after your health and thank you again for the good newsletters. The arrival of Nos. 468 and 469 were a good reminder.

How are you doing? Last time we corresponded, you were not altogether well. I trust things are a little better.

The San Diego Bible Students are already getting ready for their annual convention in November. I’ll be there to show the computer program called “Harvest Truth Data Base.” Have you gotten a copy yet? It is available for PC-based computers, and has been a real help. They’ve just completed scanning the rest of the Towers published before Pastor Russell’s death. The remaining disks should be ready soon.

I was intrigued to read that there is a biography of Pastor Russell unknown to us. Your letter #469 made me very curious about the book. You say there is no author; is there a title or a publisher? And have you been successful in finding additional copies? God is good, and His blessings are with us. I wish you well, and look forward to further correspondence. God bless. Sincerely, ... (CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Sister,

I sure do feel sorry for those people without some knowledge of the Truth in these days of the Time of Trouble. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved.” (Matt. 24:21-22) [This latter refers to Anarchy which is future. We have been in the beginning of the Time of Trouble since World War One in 1914.]

The Oklahoma City bombing was a tragedy, as were the gas attacks on the Tokyo subways. I feel so sorry for the young mothers and fathers that lost their little children. “But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days, for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.” (Luke 21:23 – also Matt. 24:19 and Mark 13:17)

I would guess that we have only scratched the surface when it comes to “famines, and pestilence, and earthquakes in divers places.” (Matt. 24:7) I am not certain when Jacob’s last trouble will begin, but one can see the stage being set. I remember my mother telling me that when Israel is really in trouble with the entire world against her, the Ancient Worthies will be resurrected and will be helping Israel. I don’t suppose that the time is here yet??? What are your feelings in this regard? [We believe in Jacob’s last trouble they will go to God in prayer. He will answer them and will “go forth, and fight against those nations [peoples], as when he fought in the day of battle.” (Zech. 14:3 – See vs. 1,2) Then their blind eyes will be opened. Israel will not get peace from man.]

I have been able to read a little lately and have started by reading the First Volume. I found some notes left by Grandma Gracie that referred to Volume 4, Chapter 1, pages 13-14, on what Pastor Russell said concerning the Time of Trouble. Rereading that gives me great comfort, especially when I keep in mind what is to happen after the Time of Trouble. I must close for now.

I love you. Always, ….. (VIRGINIA)

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