"I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings," says Hosea 6:6. This subject of knowledge, especially so with the "knowledge of God," has been bandied about by all classes from the least unto the greatest; and a little reflection readily makes evident that it must be embellished with copious qualifications if it is to be retained in proper balance. Almost every virtue becomes a vice when overdone; therefore, almost every virtue requires a companion virtue if it is to be maintained in good perspective. This is certainly true of knowledge, because St. Paul says that "knowledge puffeth up, but love bui1deth up." The great Apostle is not here putting a slur on knowledge, because no one can have too much knowledge if that knowledge is given proper balance by the grace of love.
"The spirit of a sound mind" implies that such a person has all four of the Divine attributes in reasonable proportion -each companion to the other three prorated to its correct position. Knowledge is acquaintance with fact, clear perception of truth; and wisdom is the correct application of knowledge. Thus, a man who is gifted chiefly with knowledge may be said to be an intellectual man; one with knowledge and power, an austere man; one with knowledge, power and justice, a righteous man; and one with knowledge (wisdom), power, justice and love is a "good man." And to one possessing these four the promise is sure and certain that his "steps are ordered of the Lord."
We often hear the remark that "knowledge is not the essential thing"; but this statement is only a half truth, and -"Half truths are more misleading than whole errors." St. Paul does indeed say that love is the principal thing -that "love is the bond of perfectness." (Col. 3: 14) And none with that "bond of perfectness" will ever be rejected by the Lord; will never fall from the Class in which he finds himself. No Saint ever lost his crown so long as he retained that "bond and no Youthful Worthy will ever fall from his Class if he has and retains that bond. As Brother Johnson has so well stated, it is not required of YQuthfu1s that they develop Agape love; but they should certainly do so if they have the capacity to do so. Some may not be able to do this; but it should be readily evident that if they can and do acquire it, then they have also the "bond of perfectness," which none can give nor take away -the possessor of that "bond" can never encounter shipwreck in his walk by faith.
Above we quoted St. Paul's statement that love is the principal thing, but here also qualification is necessary, because no one ever developed Agape love without patience, and none can retain it without that adorning grace. It is of such importance that St. Paul mentions it last in Titus 2:2 in his admonition to be "sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience." Jesus had perfect love, but this He retained only through His perfection in patience -"He steadfastly [in full patience] set His face to go to Jerusalem." (Luke 9:51) But we must go beyond patience in our qualification of Agape love. Before patience must come faith; and before faith must come knowledge -"the knowledge of God." This is emphasized in Romans 10: 14-17: "How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard [received sufficient knowledge to enable them to believe]? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent?... So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Clearly, then, in the primary sense the "knowledge of God" is the principal thing; without that knowledge there could be no faith; without faith "it is impossible to please God," and without faith none could possibly gain that principal thing -Agape love. It has been our observation that those who would discount the virtue of knowledge -"not the essential thing" -are those who possess very little of it; and their contention is simply a lame alibi for their glaring incapacity -"My people perish for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) We are instructed to "study to show thyself approved unto God"; and we are to account those elders "worthy of double honor… who labor in word and doctrine [the knowledge of God]." (1 Tim. 5:17)
And with such servants abides the assurance of faith -they know that they know, nor need such assurance "puff up" if that knowledge is moderated by Agape love. If such knowledge is not moderated by Agape love, such people will lose it as prophesied in 2 Thes. 2:10, 11 -and God will send them "strong delusion that they should believe a lie [errors and false doctrine]." The Egyptians have a proverb: "He who knows, but knows not that he knows, is timid -encourage him. He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is ignorant -teach him. He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool -shun him. But he who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise -follow him." Surely, the last two Principal Men knew, and knew that they knew. The Scriptures specifica1ly state of one of them that he was "wise"; and our trust was well placed as we followed them. Also, it was prophetically written of the Epiphany Solomon (1 Kings 3.12): "I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee sha11 any arise like unto thee." Therefore, those who recognize Brother Johnson as the good Epiphany Solomon will proceed most cautiously before attempting to dispute any of his faithful Scriptural teachings. Neither of the Laodicean "stars" deemed it essential to be "as the actors," to use the tricks of oratory, or the flummery of the stage, much of which is simply humbug. A pleasant anecdote is related of Charles Darwin, the famous naturalist: Some neighborhood boys attempted a prank upon him by catching a grasshopper, tearing off its wings and long hind legs, then substituting the wings of a wasp and parts of several other bugs. They then showed him their artifice, asking him if he could tell them what kind of a bug it was. "Did it make a humming noise when you first caught it out in the field?" he asked. "Oh, yes; it made a very loud humming noise when we first grabbed it." "Then," replied Mr. Darwin, "it's a 'hum-bug."
Such is much the case with a large part of our present-day estimation of the "knowledge of God." A very prominent Evangelist recently said to his audience, "Coming to Christ is not dependent on understanding. I don't understand the digestive system, but I eat." The superficiality of this statement is readily apparent. The Evangelist himself may not understand his digestive system; but other human beings do understand it, and this enables him to go on living. Had the human race not learned early in history that some of our vegetation is deadly poison which would destroy the digestive system, none would have survived unto this day. The Evangelist's physician understands the digestive system, and he hires that physician to keep his digestive system in proper condition. And by the same rule of measure the preacher should understand what he is feeding the flock -and should feed them the true "knowledge of God" -if he would save them from spiritual indigestion. Presumably, they are paying him to do just that -just as the Evangelist pays his doctor to keep him physically well.
In our courts of law it is a fundamental rule of interpretation that "Ignorance of the law excuses no one"; and it requires no great insight to realize that if this were not true bedlam would prevail in all quarters. However, the rigidity of human law is not always operative in God's law under present undone conditions. We are specifically told in Acts 17:30 that "this ignorance God winked at"; that is, He made due allowance for the inherited and acquired frailties of the human race, who through ignorance knew not God. But this should not be seized upon as an overall excuse for violation of the Divine order of affairs. Brother Russell has stressed that we are held accountable for what we have opportunity to know; howbeit, of him that hath little shall little be required.
In Parousia Volume Six there are two chapters devoted to Order and Discipline in the New Creation and The Law of the New Creation, which are there for a purpose. They are pungent with the "knowledge of God," provided by God during this Harvest time for the guidance of His people, and binding upon all of us who claim to be in "Present Truth" regardless of the laxities practiced by those about us. Of the Jews it was written (Zech. 7: 12): "They made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law…. therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts," the same being a shadow before of the conduct of spiritual Israel during this Gospel Age, and especially so in the end of the Age. "He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear."
Of course, the tendency of the times is to discount the "knowledge of God" -it doesn't matter what you believe, so long as you are headed in the right direction. Therefore, take no exceptions to your neighbor's beliefs; they are just as good as yours. We know this to be a direct contradiction to St. Paul's teaching that there is but "one faith." In E-9-512 (bottom) there is this: "The Lord does not despise knowledge and talent, as some mistakenly think, but, if sanctified, uses them advantageously for His cause, yet He certainly does not put the main emphasis on them, which main emphasis He lays upon characteristics of the heart." Yet St. Paul so often remarks, "I would not have you ignorant, brethren." (1 Cor. 12: 1) Also, "By His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many." (Isa. 53:11) It was by His knowledge that He explained the types and shadows of the Old Testament and "brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel." (2 Tim. 1: 10) And at the very time He was doing this the critical statement was given to the Jews, "Israel hath a zeal, but not according to knowledge." (Rom. 10:2)
Knowledge of things past often helps us accurately to diagnose present events, and to arrive at proper interpretations of difficult Scriptures. Many have been the attempts of critics to condemn the Bible because of its statement, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated [loved less]" (Rom. 9:13); but, knowledge of the custom then prevailing that the elder son must fast while the younger feasted upon the birthday of a prominent ancestor offers a clear and reasonable explanation of the matter. "The law of the Lord is perfect... making wise the simple." (Ps. 19:7)
In Detroit at present there is a reciprocal understanding among many of the ministers of the different sects regarding "mixed" marriages to this effect: If, say, a Lutheran comes to his minister to be married to a Methodist, the Lutheran minister performs the service; then advises them to determine both to attend the same church. If the bride doesn't like the minister who has just joined her in wedlock, or if she cannot accept the Lutheran faith, then the minister advises his own member to follow his bride to the Methodist Church, or vice versa. Thus, in the overall figures, all is balanced up and everyone is happy" This means there is no longer controversy over what is the "knowledge of God." If there be any conflict, it is now chiefly over personalities -"there is no live coal to warm them," no living doctrinal Truth in its purity to stir their icy spiritual blood. (Isa. 47: 14) "They are shepherds that cannot understand; they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his quarter." (Isa. 56:11) Don't expose my ignorance, and I won't expose yours, they say; and each of us will prosper in our own bailiwick. (See Berean Comments on Isa. 56:11)
But, if we would be better used of the Lord, it is essential that we have a certain amount of knowledge, although some with limited knowledge and inherent wisdom (the proper application of knowledge) often accomplish more than others with great knowledge but endowed with less wisdom. Therefore, Solomon says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." (Prov. 4:7) Companion thoughts are excellently expressed by both Star Members in the May 14 Manna Comments:
"What is it to grow in grace? It is to grow in favor with the Lord through an intimate personal acquaintance and fellowship of spirit with Him... To grow thus in grace and not grow in knowledge is impossible… If, therefore, we love and obey the Lord and desire to grow in His favor, His written Word is our daily meditation and study; and thus we grow in knowledge."
Errorists and superficial teachers offer just the reverse of the foregoing to their devotees. When the Church of Rome was in its heyday it is well stated that its motto was: Reading is doubt; doubt is heresy; and heresy is Hell. That is, any who endeavored to inform themselves were doubting the infallibility of their leaders; and such must certainly be only the course of the heretic. This was indeed the "doctrine of Balaam… the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate." (Rev. 2: 14-15) Such are the antitypical Baal worshipers, who endeavor by sleight-of-hand and great oratorical shouting to overawe the-"unstable and the unlearned." It should be noted that Baal was the Sun God -Lord of the Day -a fitting type of power-graspers and clericalists. At night the Heavens are filled with millions of stars, many of them much larger than our sun; yet they are all completely obscured during the daytime. They are still in their respective places, of course, but they are not visible to the human eye because of the daytime splendor of the sun. And such is much the condition of Gospel Age power-graspers. They have outshone the true Star Members, have "cast their brethren out" and built up Great and Little Babylon. Yet the promise is sure to all the fully faithful -"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their father." (Matt. 13:43) And this exaltation will be one without end!
In this connection, be it noted that the orbit of the sun is from the East to the South to the West. But those who follow Baal cannot ever receive any exaltation from the true God. Therefore, it is written, "Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south" (Psa. 75:6) -that is, no promotion from God to those who follow the course of Baal. In 1 Kings 18 is recorded the experience of Elijah with Jezebel's prophets of Baal -one against 450. There had been a long drought in the land; the country was blistering under the unrelenting rays of the burning sun. Therefore, Elijah gave those prophets of Baal every possible advantage when he told them to try their hand first -to kill their bullock, put it on the altar, and call upon Baal, their Sun God, at high noon to ignite the wood under their sacrifice. Well did they realize the mockery that would come upon them if they failed under such advantageous circumstances, which prompted them to call out, "O Baal, hear us … And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them … And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their manner with knives." (vs. 27, 28) Then, when they were forced to admit failure, about three o'clock in the afternoon (v. 29), "the evening sacrifice," Elijah then instructed that twelve barrels of water be poured upon his offering, after which fire came from Heaven and consumed his sacrifice. "Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob ... and built an altar in the name of the Lord," (v. 31) which altar was typical of the Fully Faithful of the Gospel Age spiritual Elijah, twelve being a Little Flock number -just as was true of the altar constructed by Joshua (Josh. 4:5,9).
While the Gospel Age Elijah has always had the assurance that "Thou hearest me always" (John 11:42), fortified as they have been by the knowledge of God, which gave them a "mouth and Wisdom which none of their adversaries were able to gainsay nor resist" (Luke 21:45), they seldom were given the spectacular outward approval which came to the Prophet Elijah in his encounter with the Prophets of Baal that fateful day. In fact, in many instances during this Gospel Age the Baal worshipers (power-graspers) have gained the ascendancy -as instance the victory of Calvin over Michael Servetus, etc.; yet the fully faithful have striven with the strength of Samson and the skill of the warrior David in their use of the knowledge of God. It should not be expected, of course, that all would demonstrate the ability of the Star Members in the use of this knowledge -although many have assumed they could do so. We recall the occasion when a gainsayer gave us the argument that Christ died and rose again "according to the Scriptures" -that this proved it was not actually true, but was only "according to the Scriptures," which were unreliable in their records.
It has been contended by some in our midst that the Truth has always come first, then followed by error. This is only a half truth, and half-truths are more misleading than whole errors. In the broad sense, the Bible, which is the Truth, has been first, of course; but Micah 5: 5 clearly states that "when the Assyrian (the errorists) shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise up against him seven shepherds and eight principal men." This is in keeping with Prov. 24:16 -"A Just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again." The "just man" of this Gospel Age has been the fully faithful justified Christ Company, which fell into obscurity as much error sprang up about them after the death of each Star Member. We need only look at the Lutheran Church, the Methodist Church, the Adventists and others to note the force of this contention. If Martin Luther, Miller, et a1, came back they would be unable to find their teachings in those organizations that now claim to be their followers. In our time we have the instance of Brother Russell, and with what speed the falling occurred after he died. Jehovah's Witnesses bear no more resemblance to the truths he espoused and the organization he set up than does a vulture to a swan. The measurably faithful made quick havoc of his good work - just as uncleansed Levites are doing all about us - some more, some less. And, as we observe this state of affairs, it behooves us all the more to equip ourselves with "the knowledge of God" to the extent of our natural and acquired providential circumstances. The world in general, of course, "knows not God"; and the great mass of Christian believers quite evidently have very little of the "knowledge of God." There is the constant and irrepressible conflict, the battle of darkness against light, and the darkness hateth the light because it is reproved by it (John 3:20).
But the "knowledge of God" is for "the children of light," who zealously try to pass it on to others, although with very limited success against the opposition of the "god of this world." Therefore, it confers its greatest blessing upon its possessor; hence, the words of Solomon, "Buy the Truth [the knowledge of God], and sell it not." (Prov. 23: 23) To such, and to such alone, applies the promise of Psa. 91:10 -"neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." Such are the members of that "one Church, which in its entirety is the steward and administrator of the Truth [the knowledge of God], to preserve and defend it from error and to administer it for the benefit of the responsive." (E-8-253) And such will be in full agreement with the slogan on Brother Johnson's letterhead as respects the Knowledge of God -"The noblest science; the best instruction." To which we would add, "that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3), and "He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness," (Isa. 57:2)
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DEMISE OF KING HUSSEIN RECALLS PEACE CONTACT WITH HIS GRANDFATHER, EMIR ABDULLAH
The demise of Jordan's King Hussein has brought to mind this writer's friendly correspondence with his grandfather, Emir Abdullah, more than five decades ago on the issue of peace among brethren, all descendants of Abraham. Now, with Crown Prince Abdullah as the new king, the Hashemite Kingdom, no doubt, will experience many changes affecting the entire Middle East and even many UN agenda items linked to the Palestine question.
Recognizing that the Emir was a devout Moslem, and that Mohammed and the Koran both stressed the validity of the Torah, I attempted through several lengthy letters to bring him to the understanding that it was G-d's will, as stressed by all the Prophets, that the Jewish people return to and rebuild their ancient homeland in historic Palestine, pointing out at the same time, that the Arab peoples, the descendants of Ishmael and Esau -"cousins" of the Jews -had been blessed with other vast territories east and south of Palestine.
I made it a point to note that Allah and the G-d of Israel are one and the same and that it was incumbent upon the Jewish people and the Arabs to follow His word and not that of political leaders.
One of the Emir's first replies was dated July 6, 1945 and came in Arabic with an English translation. The opening words of his lengthy letter are worth noting:
"Venerable David Horowitz: After praising G-d and blessing His Prophets... as required by you, I have joined you in reciting 'Alfatha Sura I,' and I am thankful to you for your elucidation: G-d had said in the holy Koran: 'Dispute not the People of the Book except in a friendly manner,' and you are to have good action from us and more … Truly there is no G-d except He -the Creator… "
Interestingly, in late 1974, this writer was moved to send copies of the entire exchange of letters to King Hussein, and on December 11 of the same year, his Secretary General of the Roya1 Hashemite Court replied:
"Dear Mr. Horowitz: Upon personal instruction from His Majesty King Hussein, I have the honor to write you conveying a message of thanks and gratification for your thoughtfulness and sincerity shown to His Majesty in your letter of November 29, 1974. Your genuine concern for peace and justice is very much shared by His Majesty, and under His leadership, Jordan continues to strive towards that goal. With my highest regards and very best wishes. Yours Sincerely, (signed) Marwan Kazim.
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather (whose assassination in 1951 by a Palestinian terrorist in the Jerusalem Temple Mount area, King Hussein witnessed as a youngster, age 15), the beloved Hashemite ruler entered into a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, fulfilling the dream of his grandfather.
In a UN column reporting on this historic event entitled "The Jordan-Israel Treaty Marks a Positive Turning Point For a Mideast Peace," this writer wrote, in part, the following:
"The Jordan-Israel Treaty -signed in the historic Biblical region of the Arava Crossing on Wednesday, October 26, 1994, in the presence of President Clinton as a participating witness -marks -in the view of this writer and even as viewed generally here at the UN -a positive turning point for the good of the whole region on the basis of UN resolutions 242 and 338.
"It is well to recall that in early July of this year (1994) one of our correspondent's columns entitled: 'Jordan, Not Syria, Israel's Best Opening for Real Peace' opened with this statement:
"Developing events in the Middle East Crescent have convinced this writer that, of the three UN Arab States bordering Israel still in a state of war with Jerusalem -Syria, Lebanon and Jordan -the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan currently remains the one, not Syria (so greatly catered to by Washington), which may prove to be the best in implementing a mutually beneficial and acceptable opening to a lasting peace with the Jewish state. They both enjoy the longest common border and the Dead Sea, with the Jordan River, have given both joint economic opportunities.'
This has now eventuated and one can truly say with the poet 'G-d works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.'
"One of these wonders revolves around Yasir Arafat who is very unhappy about this Treaty which brings the benevolent grandson of the late Emir Abdullah, King Hussein into the limelight again. Hussein is a Western-oriented Moslem whose relations with Arafat's PLO have continued to be strained, more so now since Amman and Jerusalem have come to a mutual understanding relative to the holy sites in Israel's capital.
'" Also,” writes NY Times correspondent Clyde Haberman who covered the 1994 Israel Jordan Peace Treaty signing, "'King Hussein has little use for the PLO leader: the enmity goes back to 1970, when Palestinians in Jordan tried to topple him and failed. It is clear that Jordan and Israel prefer each other's company, and each has a long history of justified fear that Palestinian Arabs under their control will rebel … '" (By David Horowitz, The Jewish Press, February 19, 1999)
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QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST
QUESTION -We know the Bible gives the number of the saints who are the Bride of Christ, but does the Bible give the number of all the elect? June 1999 -
ANSWER -The Bible gives only the number of those who are "more than conquerors." (Rom.
8:37) These receive the "crown of life" (James 1:12). which is the highest plane of life, inherent life, eternal everlasting life, immortality. They will sit with the Lord in His throne (Rev. 3:21). The other heavenly class, the Great Company of Revelation 7:9,15, lose their crown, are not numbered and are before the throne rather than sit in the throne, as do the Saints. They are not "more than conquerors," but are faithful in their class standing, otherwise they would go into Second Death.
There are several dates that Bible Students accept because they are given in Bible Chronology: 1874 was the date of the Second Advent when Christ came as Bridegroom (Matt. 25:6; 2 Cor.11: 2); and also as Reaper (Rev. 14:14,15). In 1878 Christ began to exercise Kingly authority and cast off Babylon (Rev. 11:15-17; 3:16; 18:2). The call "Come out of her [Babylon] my people" also went forth then (Rev. 18:4). The sleeping Saints were awakened in April 1878 (Rev. 14:13). The general call ended in October 1881 and the predestinated number was full at that date. In 1914 the Time of Trouble began (Psa. 2:6-12)
All the above dates were accepted by Bible Students, with the exception of some who did not accept 1914 as the beginning of the Time of Trouble, nor that the Kingdom was set up September 21, 1914 as That Servant taught. (See Reprint 5632) He did not give this date arbitrarily, but according to Bible Chronology as he usually did. The Smiting of the Nations is also referred to in Reprint 5632, which he taught was to be done by the Saints. This he understood from Psa. 50:5: "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." He and his faithful co-workers gathered the saints together in one unit. This was not true of the saints at any time during the Gospel Age until the Harvest period. They were scattered in the denominations up until our Lord's Second Advent. When That Servant was ministering during the Harvest, all the Saints came into the Truth with him. He knew there was a special duty for the saints to do: "To execute upon them [the nations] the judgment written: this honour have all the saints. Praise ye the Lord" (Psa. 149:9)
Some who believe they are "saints" now think they should do the work that was completed under That Servant. They want to use the Photo-Drama, and some of the tracts that was used in the "smiting of the nations." We believe That Servant, with his faithful co-workers, finished the work the Lord gave him to do.
We use all the teachings That Servant gave with Bible proof. We know he was not perfect and no doubt believed the Time of Trouble would be shorter than it is. We love and appreciate the~ good witness work the Bible Student groups do, but we are refuting the errors some have (Titus 1:9). The Truth people, like the denominations, do not "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3) Controversy is important, because that is how truth comes out. Jesus, the Apostles and That Servant had to deal with much controversy.
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QUESTION -You call your meetings Bible Studies and use Pastor Russell's books. Shouldn't you call your meetings "Study of Pastor Russell's Teaching"?
ANSWER -Our meetings are Bible Studies. However, Brother Russell's books are a guide
to learning God's Plan of Salvation for all mankind: "According to a Plan of the Ages, which he formed for the Anointed Jesus our Lord." (Eph. 3:11, Diag1ott) Ephesians 3: 11 is given in the King James translation "According to the eternal purpose," which means the same thing.
The Bible gives His Eternal Purpose in the Old and New Testaments but in dark sayings, parables, symbols and types. In the beginning of the Gospel Age, the Lord's people did not understand the Plan of God, especially after the Apostles fell asleep. However, all the Lord's people had enough "due truth" to make their Calling and Election sure. The truth was given in its "due time." At the Second Advent more truth was made known, and God's Plan of Salvation for all mankind was due, and all who were "of the truth" (John 18:37) heard his voice. All will hear it in their "due time." The Lord gave His infallible word to the twelve Apostles by the inspiration of God. The Apostles were imperfect men, but their teachings were infallible. However, by their words and acts they made mistakes as revealed by the Bible. For instance, they all fled when Jesus was arrested, and Peter denied knowing Jesus. We could give other instances, but what we have written proves that the Apostles were imperfect.
After the First Advent our Lord appointed twelve Apostles, and in the Second Advent He appointed Brother Russell as That Servant. "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. (Matt. 24:45-47)
How do we know we are in the Second Advent of our Lord? By Bible Chronology as given by Brother Russell. When That Servant gave 1914 as the date of the end of the Times of the Gentiles and also predicted World War One, all the countries were so quiet and apparently satisfied, that he began to doubt his own chronology. So he called together several elders to help him go over his chronology, but found no error. The World War broke out suddenly in 1914, and he knew his Bible Chronology was correct.
When any of the Bible students began to doubt That Servant's Bible Chronology, they went into error by using their own chronology. The signs of the time in most cases also corroborated his chronology. He predicted the Time of Trouble as given in Daniel 12 and Matthew 24:21. The Time of Trouble has been much longer than That Servant thought. He was an imperfect man, but he gave Scripture which supported what he taught. However, his opinions, etc., were not supported by the Bible. We don't know how long the Time of Trouble will be, but we have Scriptures that tell us what will happen in the Time of Trouble: Wars and rumors of war, Armageddon (Revolution) and Anarchy in which Israel's last trouble will end the Time of Trouble: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it." (Isa. 2:2, 3-5)
If we accept God's word that the Apostles and Old Testament prophets were inspired of God, and if we accept God's appointment of Brother Russell to be That Servant, and learn from 1 Corinthians 10: 11 that these things (dark sayings, types, etc., will be understood in the last days), we will know the truth that will make us free. (John 8:32)
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QUOTABLE QUOTES: "But Israel's history has yet to be completed; and when that nation comes upon the scene, the element of miraculous interposition will mark once more the course of events on earth… " By Sir Robert Anderson, 1870
Speaking in 1870 of Jewish return to Palestine one writer says: "Not only would no hostile influence hinder their return,· but the probabilities of the case are in favour of the colonization of Palestine by that people to whom historically it belongs." The Coming Prince, Sir Robert Anderson
(Rev. M.D. Hedding, Chairman, Christian Action for Israel Newsletter, 3rd Quarter 1998)
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"IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW"
SISTER DOROTHY MURIEL BELDEN was born to Perry and Ina Warnock on December 8, 1913 in Wakefield, Kansas. They moved to California in 1922 and settled in Taft. Dorothy married Joe Marvin Belden in 1930. She died February 19, 1999, at the age of 85.
She is survived by her four children, sons, Tom Belden and wife, Peggy; Peter Belden and wife, Tahi; Howard Belden and wife, Bobbye; daughter Judy Enos and husband, Jack; 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.