NO. 218: WISDOM - MADNESS - FOLLY

No. 218

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

Says Solomon in Ecc. 1:17,18: “I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know mad­ness and folly: I perceived... that in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increas­eth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” But the Wise Man observes also in Ecc. 7:3 – “Sor­row is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.” Surely, all God’s Fully Faithful people will be in accord with the conclu­sion that that by which “the heart is made better” is to be more desired, for “out of the heart are the issues of life.” Solomon’s wisdom is legend and truth with a large portion of the human race, whatever may be their religious beliefs or disbeliefs. As Solomon realized he was King in Israel after the death of his father David, the enor­mity of his task had a very mollifying effect upon him. as was also true of the Epi­phany Solomon after the death of his spiritual father – That Servant.

The thought never once seized the Epiphany Messenger that he should be ‘king in Israel’ after 1916 – just the reverse of others of much less ability who were ambitious to be “somebody” in the Lord’s Household. This is beautifully outlined in 1 Kgs. 3: 7, 9, 10 and 12 – “I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.... Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad... And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him... Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” And further in 1 Kgs. 4:29–31, “God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and large­ness of heart... And Solomon’s wisdom exceeded the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men.”

On one occasion we quoted this Scripture to Brother Johnson, asking how this could be true, since he freely admitted that Brother Russell had a position much su­perior to his own in the end of the Age. His answer: I have the knowledge and under­standing of God’s word that he had, plus what I now have; and that makes more than he had. Knowledge is a matter of “due time,” even as was true of our Lord – who was su­perior to all.

It is well stated that “Genius speaks only to genius.” St. Paul expresses a kindred thought in 1 Cor. 2:11-16 (Dia.): “Who of men knows the thought of the man, except that spirit of the man which is in him... We have received that spirit which is from God, that we may know the things graciously given to us by God... Now an ani­mal man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; and he is not able to understand, because they are spiritually examined.” Thus, our approach to God or to understanding the genius of man is calculated entirely upon our own ability to reach a viewpoint on the same level with such genius. Therefore, a lawyer sees eye to eye with another lawyer of the same caliber, a doctor of medicine to another physician, and so on. And, by the same token, the more we acquire of the Spirit of the Lord, the more shall we know the “mind of the Lord.”

Physically speaking, the human race is divided into three classes – the magnet­ics, the repulsives, and the neutrals. In the Bible the human face is often used to portray the quality of love; and, even in man’s fallen condition, seldom do we find a human face that is repulsive to our vision. Consequently, there is only a small minority of repulsives – just as there is also only a small portion of magnetics; the vast majority are found among the neutrals. Also, the vast majority of human beings must receive their entertainment and relaxation outside themselves, which ac­counts for the great demand for actors and artists of various sorts. A few, however, are able to draw their pleasures from within themselves, and such people are never alone. Jesus was one of these, and to His disciples He had said, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” (John 4:32) He had that strong assurance, that inner rest, calm and fortitude which were always His “meat and drink.”

Of course, with almost every human being there is some brilliant experience ­perhaps vague and passing quickly, interspersed with the great expanse of woe that clings as a blanket in this “valley of the shadow” – that brings some few heights of joy to ease the broad and persistent depths of sorrow. From such experience is spun the web of character which flows from the active loom of life, and which will be fine and beautiful, or coarse and homely, according to the skill, carefulness and fineness with which the individual weaves his “garments of needlework” into a final destiny. It has been well spoken that if we sow a thought, we reap a word; if we sow a word, we reap a sentence; if we sow a sentence, we reap a habit; if we sow a habit, we reap a destiny. This makes clear why St. Paul ever sought to have God’s people culti­vate right habits of thought – “whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, think on these things.” Such thinking is certain to determine our destiny. “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” And any who come into God’s Household and faithfully seek to “be transformed” by His Word, Spirit and Providence, develop a firmness of character and brightness of countenance that they otherwise did not have – whatever their classifi­cation and position according to this world’s standards, in life may have been.

“The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together,” nor should God’s people be foolish enough to think it shall not come nigh unto them. Even our Beloved Lord “learned obedience by the things which He suffered”; and “as He was, so are we in this world.” Few people can stand adversity, and fewer still can receive prosper­ity and still maintain an even keel. One shopkeeper put the sign in his window, “Hats enlarged to fit any promotion”; and it is little wonder that Solomon was forced to conclude that “vanity, vanity, all is vanity.” “What is that in thine hand?” the Lord said to Moses; and this query comes with equal force to each in his own place, for “it is required of stewards that a man be found faithful.” The vast majority strive and strain for the pelf that perisheth, but which they think will permit them to say, “Soul, take thine ease,” as had been true of the inhabitants of Sodom, where “pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was found in her”; but to all who regard the things of time as transient and elusive, the following verse will find acceptable lodging:

When fortune smiles, and full of mirth and pleasure

The days are flitting by without a care.

Lest you should be content with only earthly treasure,

Let these few words their fullest import bear:

This, too, will pass away!

It is a common expression, “You can’t take it with you”; and, while this may be true of what we have in perishing things of clay, it is certainly not true of what we are in excellency of character. This latter none can take from us, nor does God ever forget it, as evidence Isa. 49:15,16, “Can a woman forget her suckling child? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Thus, riches may vanish, health may fail, friends forsake, and enemies take up reproach and revile us – yea, even “brethren cast you out” – despair and despondency may come in like a flood [“reproaches have broken my heart”], yet full victory is assured to those who keep up the “good fight”; the promise is theirs, “Ye shall reap if ye faint not.” It is aptly stated that we may never have full appreciation of good food until we have been raven­ously hungry, nor enjoy the cool refreshing waters of the hidden spring until we have first crossed the desert. One philosopher once intentionally forced himself to go with­out water for three full days in high summer that he might experience the gripping joy and satisfaction of assuaging such a thirst. Please consider we do not advise any of our readers to pursue a like experiment; we are certain to have a sufficiency of trib­ulation to tax the strength of the least unto the greatest even as we do our best to travel life’s pathway in even stride. “In the world you shall have tribulation.”

ENDURING HARDNESS AS “GOOD SOLDIERS”

In the midst of the cares, perplexities and difficulties, from “fightings with­out and fears within,” we may find solace in the example of Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job. 13:15) God’s Fully Faithful people may rest in the sublime words of St. Paul (1 Cor. 10:13), “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able [to bear]; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape.” There­fore, if we break a leg, let us remember that thousands of others “without God and without hope in this world” also have broken legs; if we suffer the loss of loved ones, “we sorrow not, even as others which have no [substantial] hope” (1 Thes. 4:13), and who also mourn the loss of those dear to them.

“Behold, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (Isa. 48:10); but the arm of flesh has its limitations in ourselves and in others, nor will weak man ever be permitted to stay God’s great purposes – in His people as individuals, or in His great eternal purpose for humanity as a whole. ‘When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?’” Those who have never served as a “good soldier” under the Great Captain can know nothing of such consolations. Such “good soldiers” may appear to men to be soli­tary sentinels on the isolated outposts of the “good warfare” for Truth, but each may rest secure that he is never alone – “Lo, I am with you all the days, even to the end of the Age.” And the years of experience, if properly applied, enable one and all to “endure hardness as a good soldier,” even as St. Paul gave eloquent testimony of the refining and enduring effects of his own faithfulness as a “good soldier” – “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appear­ing.” (2 Tim. 4:7,8)

THINKING IN THE HEART

Mankind in general does much too little thinking. Even here in the United States, where the burden of the curse has been eased so very much during the past fifty years, there is a large segment of the population that works eight hours a day, sleeps eight hours a day, eats and drinks and is entertained in some insipid form for eight hours a day – and they think the rest of the time! However, there are those who do think, and think very straight and clearly; as Shakespeare put into the mouth of one of his char­acters, “Yon Cassius thinks too much; such men are dangerous!” And, while schemes dark and sundry may emanate from those whose thoughts are evil, yet there can never be too much of thinking on the better things – those things St. Paul gives in his epistle to the Philippians. Much of the thinking of human beings has been based upon unsound premises, such as the old Roman philosophy, “Without slaves there can be no leisure; without leisure there can be no thinking; and without thinking there can be no prog­ress.” All the more enlightened nations have long since discarded that doctrine.

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” and good listeners often gain quick and sure insight into the hearts of those they meet just by allowing them to talk. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”; and the thoughts of the heart are certain to reveal themselves in one form or another, because “A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and changeth the strength of his countenance.” Thus, a wise and good man will be motivated by just and good thoughts – which will cause him to speak and act justly, nobly; “the wisdom which cometh from above is without partiality and without hypocrisy.” This is the grand ideal, of course, which no member of the fallen race can achieve in perfection; but the appeal on every hand to “think” offers elo­quent testimony to the rating that the better-born among men give to it. It is said that the one and all-gripping slogan of John D. Rockefeller was, “I am bound to be rich”; and rich he became – perhaps the world’s first billionaire. But those who labor for “the wisdom from above” also acquire a wealth which the world cannot know, neither can it take away; whereas, “the meat that perisheth” is so often only too quickly dissi­pated. It is a proper observation that “distance lends enchantment,” and that the pas­ture in other fields always appears to be greenest; yet it is also a solid truth that “familiarity breeds contempt.”

Perhaps the most tragic example in all history of this sage expression is to be found in Jesus’ own family and the locale in which he grew to manhood. It was in Naz­areth that His boyhood acquaintances had contemptuously said of Him, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And they were offended because of Him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not with­out honor, but in his own country, and among His own kin, and in his own house. And he could do there no mighty work... And he marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6: 1-6) There is no record that any of Jesus’ brothers and sisters accepted Him when He was here; and at the cross there is the pathetic spectacle of Jesus resigning His mother to “that disciple whom Jesus loved” [the Apostle John], rather than to one of her own sons. We have often pondered, What will His brothers and sisters think of themselves when they experience the “common salvation,” and realize that they then stand in life because of the One they knew so well that they would have no part of Him during His ministry of sorrow!

“BE YE TRANSFORMED”

But the appeal to all who have accepted Him is that they be “transformed by the renewing of their minds” that they may know what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Rom. 12:2) Nor shall we succeed in this “transformation” ex­cept by “thinking on these things”; therefore, it is well that we “give our hearts to know wisdom” – the wisdom which is first pure, then peaceable, etc. And this appeal to all God’s people to “get understanding” enables them to “know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.” This is just the reverse of all heathen and of all false Chris­tian religions, which instruct their adherents to allow their priests to think for them on matters religious; otherwise, they may become confused. This is especially true of the Roman Catholic system, which forbids its devotees to read the Bible for themselves, or to read any literature not accepted by the board of censors – as is also true of its “Little Twin” (the Jehovah’s Witnesses). This same attitude was followed by the So­ciety after Brother Russell’s death, just as it has been advocated by some since the death of the Epiphany Messenger.

In Epiphany Volume 3, p. 311, we find this: “J.F.R. sought to prevent the Soci­etyites from partaking of the spiritual feast offered... Personally, by letter and by instructions to his pilgrims he not only counseled against reading that and other teachings that appeared in The Present Truth, but he specifically told his adherents, some of whom were burning the copies of The Present Truth that were being sent to them, not to burn them, but to send the papers back to the publisher unopened, with the word “refused” written on the wrapper... and thus he sought to prevent their get­ting any more copies of this journal.”

Since the demise of the Epiphany Messenger, the Executive Trustee of the LHMM, and the Editor of the magazine “Present Truth” does the same thing that JFR did to our publications. We have received many of the same kind of “refusals” written on the wrapper from his sectarian devotees. History is repeating itself! But we should “think it not strange,” when such errorists follow in the footsteps of their predecessors in error. Such bigotry should sound an immediate warning to all who have been enlightened in even slight degree by Present Truth. Of the Roman system it has been aptly observed that their slogan is, “Reading [other than Catholic literature] is doubt; doubt is heresy; and heresy is Hell.” It was indeed reading of the Bible that made of Martin Luther a ‘heretic’; had he not read, he would have remained a loyal “believer,” a cringing serf of the Roman system.

And, while thinking of the right sort is advocated throughout the Holy Writ, we should ever consider that thinking of the wrong sort can quickly lead to the morass of confusion which is to be found in so many quarters. The words of Jesus are so very pertinent here, “Wisdom is justified of all her children.” Thus, the Roman Church correctly teaches that there is but one true Church, which is the custodian and stew­ard of the Truth. This Truth none can deny; but they then proceed with the next step We are that true Church. All who accept this second premise are then easily led cap­tive to the enslaving precepts of the system. By the same token, if one is falsely labeled a ‘sifter,’ those who believe the falsehood would then easily be deterred from investigating that person’s teachings. But we are admonished to “stand fast in that liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” However, even while advocating the fullest freedom in God’s Household, there is also that restraining precept, “Ye were called unto liberty, only use not lib­erty as an occasion to the flesh.” Thus, “all things are lawful, but all things are not expedient.”

We are told to “prove all things, and hold fast that which is good.” However, if this text be not read with sanctified reason, it may be badly misleading. It is not possible for any of us to prove all things; but it is possible – and proper – to prove all things we accept that pertain to religious truth; otherwise, it would not be pos­sible for us ever to “know the Truth.” As the Bereans of old “searched the Scriptures daily to see if those things taught to them were true,” so should we also; and this alone will make us “rooted and grounded in the faith as ye have been taught,” a burning and a shining light. All such, who “hunger and thirst after righteousness [the Truth and the spirit of the Truth] shall be filled.”

 “GOD IS LOVE”

“God is love in the sense that the term love represents the central principle of the Divine character. There is nothing contrary to love in God. The Scriptures do not teach that there is nothing except love anywhere – that God is everywhere and love is everywhere. But they teach that God is a loving character. This does not militate against the other statements that God is just, wise and powerful. But this quality of love best of all represents the Divine Being. All of His justice is in harmony with His love. There is no exercise of justice or power in an evil sense, for all His attri­butes work together for good to all His creatures.

“The Scriptures encourage us to reason from the known to the unknown. They tell us that although God is so great, so wise, so powerful, He is also just and loving. And the more we consider the matter, the more reasonable the Bible description of the Almighty appears. His power we see demonstrated. The Wisdom of One so great cannot be doubted. When we come to consider, Could One so wise and so powerful be unjust or ungenerous? Our hearts answer, No! No one is really great who is devoid of justice and love. So surely as our God is Jehovah, He must possess the qualities.

“When we came in contact with the Bible, and particularly after we learned some­thing of its teachings and got rid of the misrepresentations which gathered about it during the Dark Ages – then we began to recognize it as the message of Jehovah to His creatures. It informs us that the great Creator of the Universe is not only Almighty and all-wise, but loving and kind, with Justice as the foundation of His empire. (Psa. 89:13,14) From the Bible we learn, too, that our Creator has been pleased to make us in His own image, in His own moral likeness, to the intent that we may enjoy Him and the fruits of His righteousness to all eternity.

“All the power, all the justice, all the wisdom, of God must be used in accord­ance with His own character, which is love. It will therefore be loving wisdom, lov­ing justice, which He will use toward all creation in the exercise of His loving pow­er for their good.” (Reprint 5210)

Therefore, let all consider that “wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding.” Such is our prayer for all our readers.

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – The Jehovah’s Witnesses are again suffering abuse in another African country. If you are informed on that situation, will you please give your analysis of it?

ANSWER: – According to the May 1, 1973 Watchtower, the trouble in Malawi is precipi­tated by refusal of the Witnesses to “buy political party cards.” This does not tell us very much – not nearly enough for any one to pass proper judgment on the matter. If they would have people properly informed, they should tell us what is printed on those cards, if anything at all; and also what obligations are incurred by any one who buys a card. Just the mere purchase of a card as a fee for freedom could not Scripturally be said to violate any one’s conscience. If the card contains printed matter contrary to Divine principles as we understand them today, then the Witnesses are certainly fully justified in refusing to comply; but we are not informed by them if this is the case.

Jesus gave us a broad rule for such situations in Matt. 5:40-42: “If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn thou not away.” In verse 25 there is more of the same: “Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge de­liver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” Here we have a comprehen­sive doctrine of non-violence by God’s people against unjust impositions of the powers that be. Here is some of Pastor Russell’s comment on these verses: “Settle peace­ably, even if it costs more than you would lose by letting the case go into court..... Exercise a benevolent spirit whenever possible and proper for you to do so.”

This question is discussed further in Matt. 22:21: “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” This raises the ques­tion – What things are Caesar’s, and what things are God’s? Generally speaking, we would say that anything that Caesar has directly or indirectly produced, and which we may own, could be said to belong to him. This would include money, real estate, and personal property of all kinds. What, then, would belong to God? St. Paul gives us a clear answer to this in 1 Cor. 6:19, 20: “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Thus, any demand by Caesar for our bodies to serve in any way contrary to Divine law would not properly be his to demand; and it would be our duty to refuse such service. If the Malawi card carries such an obligation, then the Witnesses would be justified in refusing; but not otherwise, as we see the matter.

However, in abuses such as the Malawi case it should be noted that it is the underlings – the poorest of the flock – that receive the most severe punishment; and not the heads of the organization in Brooklyn. This is just the reverse of the pattern set before us in Scripture and secular history of the Gospel Age. Jesus was the principal target of the dissenters of His day. When the Shepherd was smitten the sheep were scattered, but not crucified with Him. Later, when the Apostles had re­ceived the Holy Spirit, they were the main targets of those who opposed the Christian religion. In the case of Arius, Luther and others, they also were the principal tar­gets of the Papal system and Papal spirit.

Bringing the case down to our own time, Pastor Russell was certainly the prime object of the vicious attacks against the Truth group. It is a sound observation that he was the most loved, and the most hated man on earth. Some of this did spill over on to his faithful supporters; but he was always the one on whom his enemies con­centrated their calumny – pretty much the reverse of what we see with the Witnesses to­day. We cannot bring ourselves to approve abuse of any one, regardless of how much the abuse may be invited by those who receive it. The President of Malawi says the Witnesses are the “Devil’s Witnesses”; and to the extent that they are preaching er­ror, he is speaking the truth – brutal though the expression may be. Of course, the Wit­nesses tell us all other organizations – Government and Ecclesiastical – are the Devils organizations. Here we probably have an instance of the pot calling the kettle black, so our sympathy goes out to both of them in limited measure.

In our Special No. 11 we offered the opinion that the Witnesses had brought upon themselves the persecution they received in Cameroon – by disregarding the sage coun­sel of Brother Russell concerning voting if the Government requires it. In the Malawi situation the Witnesses have probably invited the trouble they are having there. On page 245 of the April 15 Watchtower there is this statement:

“In that universal war of the great day [Armageddon] all the people who are found backing those human govern­ments instead of God’s Kingdom by Christ will be annihilated with them. They will not survive.”

Annihilation means that those who continue to support these Governments, and fail to come with the Witnesses, will be utterly destroyed with no chance of an awakening, or resurrection. In the United States, where great freedom of speech is permitted, such statements as the foregoing are ignored by the Government; but we may readily understand the positive resentment that would arise in undeveloped countries where the Government is having great difficulty to survive. To tell such people that they will soon be annihilated is simply inviting trouble, as we see it. As that “Wise and faith­ful Servant” aptly observed – “It is no more obligatory upon the Lord’s people to de­nounce every wrongdoer whom they may meet in the street than it is for them to tell all homely persons they may see of their lack along the lines of beauty.” And he has this to say concerning John the Baptist, who was beheaded for criticizing the Roman Governor Herod: “Perhaps acting imprudently and exceeding his duty.”

It should be noted that the Witnesses pay taxes to “Ceasar,” the same as the rest of us. They expect and receive police protection from those very Governments whom they advise their readers not to support. In short, they are telling all people they should not support their Governments: they should join them if they expect to survive Armageddon. If every one in the United States accepted their advice, we would not have any Government at all come next election, because no one would appear to offer a choice of rulers. When they speak of “God’s Kingdom by Christ,” they mean the Jehovah’s Wit­nesses, of course. After Armageddon, according to them, there won’t be anybody on earth except the Witnesses, so they will then be the ruling class. They use “survival of Armageddon” just as did Papacy, their prototype, in their heyday used Eternal Tor­ment to frighten the people into their counterfeit “Christ’s Kingdom” on earth. Error always tend toward an unsound mind, but the Truth gives “the spirit of a sound mind.” When we consider the beautiful system of Truth they inherited in 1916, and the repre­hensible system of error they have invented since that time, it is little wonder they offer the unsound advice they do, and which brings upon their faithful devotees much grief – over which they now shed copious tears.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

Thank you for the February and March papers. We had read the Present Truth, so we were not surprised that you wrote a very timely article on the Epiphany Taber­nacle. It is very good! Also the Convention report was good to get. I am now re­reading the articles – and I am glad I have them in a notebook, thanks to Sister.

I have been studying the Numbers book this past week. It is so very good! I studied it in Class once, but my memory isn’t so good now.

Do hope all of you are well, and I know you are busy. Enclosed is a small do­nation. Please give my love to all there. Much love to you ------- (KANSAS)

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Dear Brother:

Received your mail – and thank you! I’ve read it now, and will be pleased to read more when you send me. I got No. 194 from my wife. She was visiting her sis­ter in Anderson, Indiana, and she gave it to my wife, saying that I might like to read it. Some Dawn Bible Students gave it to my wife’s sister.

Yes, I would like to be placed on your regular mailing list. I am not affi­liated with any group at this time. I was with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, but left them about five years ago. I would like to know more about H. C. Covington (lawyer) leaving the Society – and would also like to know more about the working of the Watchtower under N. H. Knorr.... Thank you again!

Sincerely ------- (KENTUCKY)

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Our dear Brother Hoefle:

Dearly Beloved of the Lord, may Grace, Mercy and Peace be your continued portion! Your letter is much appreciated. We looked up Exodus 23:22–24, and also comments from Brothers Russell and Johnson. It is good to realize we shall overcome through the Lord the common enemies – the world, the flesh and the Devil. One longs for the Kingdom under the New Covenant!

Sister ------- from Manchester came for a week and celebrated the Memorial with us. Brother ------ came too, and we had a blessed and refreshing time, as we remembered what the Lord had done for us – and our prayers and thoughts were with you and all the Lord’s faithful people...

Sister ------- appreciates the tracts we send her and asks us questions. She appre­ciates the answers and seems to understand. She enjoyed her visit with us – also en­joys the tape recordings.

Now, dear Brother, we enjoy your articles. The one on the Tabernacle is espec­ially good. Your March paper is excellent, so lucid. All should see “He must reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet.” (I Cor. 15:25) The Little Season is the last part of His reign before The Christ will deliver the perfected race to the Father, that, “God may be all in all.” (I Cor. 15:28)

Brother came across one of his old addresses based on the article by Brother Russell – The Voices of the Three Signs, Reprint 4057. Brother says “Brother Hoefle’s rod (serpent) swallows up all of RGJ’s serpents.” We think the Lord is manifesting the true significance of this type – and that the Lord is using you now since the two Star Members have entered into their reward.

Our united love to you and all the dear faithful Bible House family.

PS – 18 names enclosed.

Your brethren, ------- (ENGLAND)

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Gentlemen:

I am curious to know how you got my name. I am also interested in knowing more of your belief regarding Eternal Torment and the Consciousness of the Dead.

Sincerely, ------- (FLORIDA)

NO. 217: TIMES OF REFRESHING - TIMES OF RESTITUTION

No. 217

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

In Acts 3:19–24 the Apostle Peter was calling to the attention of the Jews the promise that God had made to Abraham, saying “in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” The word ‘restitution’ in the text means restoration; or, as Rotherham states it, “the times of the due establishment of all things.... But in­deed all the prophets – from Samuel and those following after – as many as have spoken have even announced these days.” The Apostle here is contrasting the ‘refreshing times’ to come with the present dry and dying condition of the human race – likened to grass that withers and sears for lack of rain. And he proceeds to stress that the Prophet Samuel and all who came after him had spoken of these ‘refreshing times’ to come. This was one of the first public speeches that came from any of the Apostles after Pentecost, and it is in fact just another way of preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.” Often it is recorded of Jesus that He “went about preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom,” which the Apostle Peter here declares to be the ‘times of restitution,’ so the question is prop­erly in order, What conclusions are we to draw from this?

It would seem that such an important and far–reaching doctrine as this should have prominent recognition wherever and whenever the Christian religion is preached. But what do we find? So far as we are concerned, we have never once – over the past fifty years – ever heard Acts 3:19–24 even mentioned from the pulpits of Big Babylon; much less has any attempt been made to explain it. Since men usually preach the things they understand and love, we can but conclude that the silence on this part of Scripture is due to the lack of knowledge of those who should be declaring it.

Perhaps about every one of us who has any understanding at all of Harvest Truth would testify that one of the very first things we heard from the platform, and in pri­vate conversation, too, was discussion of the “times of restitution”; and this is still a very prominent and favorite discussion among the various groups of Truth people who have emanated from Parousia Truth. But, tragic though it be, almost all of them have per­verted the real truth on the subject – have twisted it out of all recognition to the way That Servant gave it to us. All during the Age, since the death of the Apostles (or shortly thereafter), the doctrine of Restitution was completely lost, as repre­sented in Luke 15:8,9, by the woman in the parable who had ten pieces of silver, had lost one – sought diligently till she found it, then “calleth her friends and neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.” The woman in the parable is the Church, which had lost sight of one cardinal doctrine of the Bible – Restitution – and it was not until the Harvest that this great truth was once more recognized with great rejoicing. After the Harvest work had attracted a following, and the Pilgrims began to circulate, That Servant often urged them all to preach Restitution. That was especially emphasized with those Sunday speakers that were sent out from the Bible House on week–ends. It was indeed “Good Tidings of great joy” to all who received it with grateful hearts.

Those of us who are at all familiar with the situation know that That Servant gave a very clear and convincing presentation of the times of Restitution; and his entire following was almost a solid unit in accepting it the way he taught it. But what do we find since his death? We find many who once seemed to understand the subject have now perverted it out of all recognition to the manner in which they had once accepted it. Chief among these is Jehovah’s Witnesses, who now have consigned Adam to annihilation, which idea is actually a denial of the Ransom – although they would not admit that. How­ever, since Adam was the only perfect man on earth aside from Jesus Himself; and since the word Ransom itself means a corresponding price, an exact duplicate, Adam is actu­ally the only one who could be ransomed. Therefore, St. Paul gives the philosophy, “As all in Adam die, so all in Christ shall be made alive.” When ransom is provided for Adam, that act becomes the inheritance for all of us – just as all of us inherited the penalty for sin which was passed to him. But the Witnesses now leave out a very large section of the human race in their presentation of Restitution.

Also, the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement now perverts Restitution, though not nearly to the same extreme as do the Witnesses. Their chief errors are to be found in their down–grading the Jews in Kingdom standing, and by insisting that 1 Cor. 15:24 ­“then cometh the end” – refers to the beginning of the Little Season, instead of at its full end.

Many of our readers are familiar with the teaching of the Witnesses, by which, for a number of years, they put forth their ‘Jonadabs’ as the Restitution class. They still retain much the same view, except that they now call their Jonadabs the Great Multitude of Rev. 7:9–17. All Bible logic is against such an interpretation, because the lan­guage and the setting of Revelation 7 are clearly depicting a class on the spirit plane “before the throne” – which is in Heaven. There are at least two other Truth groups that likewise teach a Restitution class that is being developed now – Consecrated Epi­phany Campers and Quasi–elect Consecrated. These are identical twins to the Jonadabs, now styled the Great Multitude by the Witnesses. To dispute these errors we need only bear in mind that we are still in the Gospel Age – the Faith Age; and during this Age the merit of Jesus is only for Himself and His house – for all those who honestly ac­cept Him as their Savior. And during this Faith Age there is only one place where His merit can be obtained – tentatively or reckonedly – that is, in the Court of the anti­typical Tabernacle.

But both these groups have their non–existent classes outside the linen curtain of the Tabernacle – outside the righteousness of Christ in this Faith Age. The anti­typical Camp is Christendom in general – those people, those systems which make at least a token acceptance of Jesus as their Saviour – who wish to be on ‘speaking terms’ with Him, although they do not wish an intimate acquaintance – they do not wish to know Him well enough to do His “good, and acceptable and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:1–3) “I am the way”; and there is only one manner in which that “way” can be obtained, and that is by taking the step from the Camp, through the Tabernacle Gate, and into the Court, whereby “justification by faith” has been obtainable all during the Faith Age; and it is still the only way, because we are yet in the Gospel Age.

There would seem to be little excuse for such distortions. According to Mal. 3:3, one of the specific missions of Jesus at His Second Advent would be to “sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”  The ‘silver’ in this text is the Truth; and all familiar with the situation know that the Truth has shone with great brilliance during the Har­vest period.

While the truth on Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, the state of the dead, etc., were understood fairly well by some groups of Christendom before 1874, it remained for the Harvest Messenger to refine and elaborate upon every one of them with telling force. This is better understood when we consider that the word ‘purifier’ in our text would be better rendered ‘polisher.’ It is from the Hebrew ‘metaher,’ one of whose meanings is brightener or polisher. Thus, at His Second Advent our Lord not only refines ­purges the dross of error from the Truth – but He also brightens or polishes it.

Our text says He ‘shall sit’ as a refiner and polisher. At the time of the first Advent the speaker usually sat down, as the audience stood up; and in the Talmud ‘to sit’ is almost synonymous with ‘to teach.’ Jesus was indeed the teacher; but when He said the Scribes and Pharisees “sit in Moses’ seat,” He meant they were setting themselves forth as the teachers of the people – just as Moses had done when he gave them the Law at Sinai. Also, Jesus now sits on His throne, as does a king, a judge on his bench, etc. Thus, He is the executive, the authority, the official opponent of error and developer of truth. And this is not only true of religious truth, but it is also true in great degree of secular truth, as is apparent on every hand. Satan has done an excellent job of corrupting secular and religious truth over the centuries; and none but our all–powerful Divine Lord would be capable of undoing the damage. But He has come with the golden crown on His head as evidence that He has the power and the authority to extirpate the damage of the past.

To polish anything requires a cleansing agent to be applied with muscular strength. And how has this been specially done since 1874? Mainly through much controversy. In con­troversy the Truth comes out – just as necessity is said to be the mother of invention. Therefore, those who object to controversy are actually objecting to one of the special missions of our Lord since 1874, and are imposing a deception on those who listen to them. But our chief purpose in giving this explanation is to focus attention upon the ‘outer darkness’ (See Matt. 25:30 on the “unprofitable servant” and the Berean Comment) of those who once saw Restitution in its brilliance and clarity, but who have now sul­lied it so badly by their perversions. We can but conclude that this reveals something woefully wrong in the hearts of such; the evidence clearly points to just that.

SEEKING THAT WHICH WAS LOST

In Matt. 18:11 we have the words of Jesus, “The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” The question now properly arises, What was lost? We would answer that four things have been lost – things which man once had in his pristine purity. First of all, after the transgression in the Garden of Eden, he lost his intimate and friendly relationship with his Creator. Second, he lost his perfect home in that Garden. “The Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So He drove the man out.” (Gen. 3:23,24) Third, man’s dominion was lost. “Let man have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the cattle, and over the fowl of the air... and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:26–28)

In Heb. 2:8 St. Paul quotes from Psa. 8:4-8 – “Thou hast put all things in subjec­tion under his feet... But now we see not yet all things put under him.” It surely needs no argument that man has lost his dominion; animals often trample man under foot, in­stead of man dominating them. We have been told that the Kodiak bear (a brown bear larger than the grizzly) is so ferocious that it is not necessary for the hunter to look for him; once he knows there is a hunter in his locale he will come looking for him ­and often with deadly results to the hunter. And the fourth thing that man lost is his life. “Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.” (Gen. 3:22) Man was not created to die; he was created to live; and the Scripture is clear enough that he would have continued to “live forever” had he remained in his perfect Edenic home. And all four of these things Jesus said He came to “seek and to save.” We shall offer detail on this later in this article.

THE RESTITUTION PROCESS

Just as there were four things lost, so we have four component parts to accomplish the Restitution, the restoration. These are clearly set forth in Psa. 103:2–5: “Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits: (1) Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; (2) Who healeth all thy diseases; (3) Who redeemeth thy life from de­struction; (4) Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies... Thy youth is renewed like the eagles.’”

The first two of these processes come to man without any effort on his part; and, generally speaking, with little, or no knowledge that he is receiving these “benefits.” St. Paul says of us, who presently believe, “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) Thus, “He made Himself an offering for sin” for us before we knew anything about it being done. And, “Christ gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” In “due time” all men will recognize what we now know that a propitiation for sins was provided by the Redeemer without men asking for it Christ “forgiveth all thine iniquities.”

And the same may be said for the second restitution process, “healing all thy dis­eases.” In the resurrection day it is self–evident that the disease which brought man to the grave must be cured before his resurrection; otherwise, he would immediately die again. The natural and artificial causes that have caused death for centuries must be eliminated in all men before they are returned from the grave. This also will be ac­complished without men asking for it.

The third and fourth processes will operate somewhat differently. The third: “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction,” will require cooperation on the part of the recipient. “God will have all men to be saved, and come to an accurate knowledge of the Truth.” But this “knowledge of the Truth” will not be forced down the throats of the unwilling; they must all show some desire, and willingly cooperate, in the educa­tional process. That educational process will not only teach men the religious truth on the facts of life and death, it will also teach them the physical, mental, moral and religious philosophies of life which will enable them to live forever in perpetual youth. “I will ransom them from the power of the grave (that power which now turns man to destruction, to the grave, will be stayed); I will redeem them from death: 0 grave I will be thy plagues (by depriving it of its present power over all): 0 grave, I will be thy destruction.” (Hos. 13:14) Then will come to pass the prophecy of Job 33:24, 25: “Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth.”

The fourth process will also require man’s cooperation, and will receive it with a clear understanding of its import: “Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and ten­der mercies.” This is emphasized in the parable of the Sheep and the Goats: “Then shall the King say to them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” (Matt. 25:34) Today, in earth’s affairs, when a prince inherits a kingdom from his father, he is seated on the throne, and a crown placed upon his head. Figuratively speaking, this same procedure will be followed when the restitution process has completed its work. Each one of the ‘sheep’ will then inherit a kingdom – his full right to life and its accompanying life rights – just as Adam had it in Eden, when he was given dominion over all things on earth. He was then in every sense monarch of all he surveyed.

However, this cannot become true in the full sense of things until the causes that now send men to the grave have been eliminated. St. John states this very graphically in Rev. 21:3–5: “I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men... And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” And the Angel who gave those words to John evidently realized the disbelief with which the message would be received by the present sick and dying race, for he then emphasized it with these words: ‘Write: for these words are true.” This forces the logical conclusion that the Restitution pro­cesses will eliminate all crime – all thievery, physical violence, moral depravity, sickness; no more need for locks on doors; no more destructive armies; no more rigid police protection. “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isa. 2:4)

THEN COMETH THE END

Confirmation of the foregoing is graphically stated by St. Paul in 1 Cor. 15:20­26, which we quote from the Improved Version: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become a firstfruit (Jesus) of them that slept. For since by man (Adam) came death, by (a) man also (Jesus) shall come the resurrection of the dead. For as all in Adam die (this would exclude Jesus, for He was never ‘in Adam’), even so all in Christ shall be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ a firstfruit (meaning the entire Christ Company, and not merely Jesus only); afterward they that are Christ’s at His presence. (His presence – Parousia – will continue for at least 1,000 years, while Satan is bound.) Then cometh the end (the end of the Little Season, when He shall have ruled over the earth to the full elimination of death and the dying processes), when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and all power (complete elimination of Satan and his evil acts). For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (not only evil persons, but their evil character­istics. The dying process – all the mental, moral, physical and religious ills now prev­alent in the human race – is the last great enemy, which will finally be destroyed at the end of the Little Season).”

The foregoing is vividly illustrated in Ex. 15:26–31 – a picture which is probably the grandest type of the entire Old Testament: “And the Lord said unto Moses (type of Christ), Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians (Pharaoh and his hosts being typical of Satan and his henchmen)... and the sea returned to his strength... and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea... All the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one.” Then the conclusion of St. Paul in Heb. 2:14 will be realized: “Jesus (through His sacrificial death) would destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” And the destruction of the Egyptians in the Red Sea typically sets forth how and when that will be done. At that same time the ‘goats’ of the parable in Matt. 25:41 will come to their complete annihilation from earth’s activities, leaving the ‘sheep’ the unmolested and perfected rulers of all they survey – free from all the evils that Satan’s deceptions have inflicted upon the human race during the past 6,000 years.

SOME CONTRARY VIEWS

“God will have all men to be saved.” Like all other fundamental teachings of the Bible, this text has been given the extremes of erroneous interpretation. Some contend that if God will have all men to be saved that is a guarantee of eternal life for every human being that has ever lived. Universalism goes even further, and insists that even the Devil and his angels will also eventually be saved – despite the clear statement from St. Paul quoted above. Others contend the text to mean that God would like to have all men saved, but He just can’t seem to accomplish it.

The above perversions are based upon a misunderstanding of the salvation process. God will have all men to be saved. But saved from what, to what? St. Paul offers the proper help here in Rom. 5:12: “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men.” All of Adam’s progeny inherited the death sen­tence from him – through no fault of their own; and it is relief from that sentence from which God wishes all men to be saved. Often in human affairs we hear of a condemned man being ‘saved from execution’ by official decree; but that does not mean that he shall continue to live forever. It simply means that he is saved from the sentence that had been passed upon him by judicial process.

Much the same explanation may be given for the entire human race being saved; they will be saved from the sentence now hanging over them, and thenceforth will be given the privilege of regaining perfect life – as Adam had it – IF they wish to take advantage of it. If they do, they will be classified as the ‘sheep’ of the parable; if they do not, they will be classified as the ‘goats’ of the parable, and will be sen­tenced to death once more – that time for their own transgressions, and not for something they have inherited. This is well stated in Jer. 31:29,30: “In those days they shall no more say, The fathers have eaten a sour grape (sins of the fathers visited upon the chil­dren unto the third and fourth generation), and the children’s teeth are set on edge. But every man shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.”

A few years back we exchanged quite some correspondence with a preacher in Jamaica, who insisted that St. Paul’s words mean that every man will eventually receive eternal life – although there is just nothing in the text to warrant such a conclusion. Man will be relieved from the present load upon his back, and given the opportunity, under favor­able conditions, to free himself from its effects if he will take advantage of the oppor­tunity. Nothing more than that, nothing less. During our exchange of letters the Ja­maican brother cited Matt. 25:46, and argued that “everlasting punishment” simply means age–lasting; that man will continue to receive one opportunity after another – for a full Age – until he eventually avails himself of eternal life. But the same adjectives are used for the righteous as are used for the unrighteous – which forces the logical conclusion that the life received by the sheep will also be limited to the Age. It is well to note here the footnote for verse 46 in the Emphatic Diaglott:

“The Common Version, and many modern ones, render ‘kolasin aionion’ everlasting punishment, conveying the idea, as generally interpreted, of ‘basinos,’ torment. Ko­lasin is derived from ‘kolazoo,’ which signifies ‘to cut off’; as lopping off branches of trees, to prune... Thus, the righteous go to life, the wicked to the cutting off from life, or death.”

If we cut the limb from a tree, we know that limb no longer will continue to live; it withers and disintegrates – in much the same manner that Adam withered for 930 years, then disintegrated in the grave. “Dust thou wast, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

A SUMMATION

At the birth of Jesus the angel declared, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” In 1 John 2:2 this is elaborated: “He is the propitiation for our tins (those who accept Him in this present Age): and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” “He forgiveth all thine iniquities.” As we look back with joy at the Savior’s birth and subsequent atonement for “all men,” so the ancients looked forward to it. “Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it and was glad.” (John 8:56) The 72nd Psalm gives considerable detail on the subject, too: “God shall come down like rain upon the mown grass (times of refreshing): as showers that water the earth. In His days shall the righteous flourish (the ‘sheep’ of the par­able); and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also (that which was lost) from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. The kings of Tarshish shall bring presents – the kings of Sheba shall offer gifts (“every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”—Phil. 2:10,11): all nations shall serve Him... to Him shall be given the gold of Sheba... daily shall He be praised... they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth... All nations shall call Him blessed... Let the whole earth be filled with His glory.”

Biblical names are often significant of the character and accomplishments of the persons to whom they are given. Thus, Jesus is the Latin word for Joshua, or Jeshua. which means ‘Jehovah is salvation,’ the same being very expressive of the work He would do. Thus, He not only delivers, saves, believers in this Age, but in the next Age He will deliver the world in general from the sentence now resting upon men. This He will accomplish by His Priestly, Mediatorial, Kingly, Legislative, Judicial, Prophetic and Paternal offices by His good Word and works. He is indeed mighty to save!

Then will be realized the words of Psa. 22:26–31: “The meek shall eat and be satis­fied (none to hurt or make them afraid): They shall praise the Lord that seek Him. All nations shall worship before thee. For the Kingdom (Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth) is the Lord’s and He is the Governor among the nations... A seed shall serve Him... They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born.”

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle,  Pilgrim

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – In 2 Pet. 3:3,4 we have the prophecy, “There shall come in the last days scoffers, saying, Where is the promise of His coming?” If we are living in the ‘days’ referred to by our Lord, do we have any evidence that this pre­diction is being fulfilled at this time?

ANSWER: – Before giving such evidence of this ‘scoffing,’ we quote from That Servant something pertinent to our subject from Parousia Vol. 2, page 167: “The Apostle Peter describes how the unfaithful servants and hypocrites will scoff during the presence of the Lord, even as they scoffed in the days of Noah. Notice that the Apostle wrote to the Church, and that the scoffers he describes are in the nominal church and professedly interested in the Lord’s work and plan, and believers, therefore, that He will come some time... Christians generally, until they investigate the subject, have such ideas of literal manifestations of fire, trumpets, voices, etc., and of seeing the Lord descending through the air, a shining body of flesh, as when they hear of His invisible presence, without taking time to investigate a subject upon which they feel so sure... they will dismiss the matter quickly as unworthy of investi­gation. It is to this class of professed Christians the Apostle refers.”

Recently a popular magazine commented on this very subject; and it would seem from the expressions used that they are affiliated with some religious group. They say:

“IS THE END NEAR? Jerusalem has been recaptured by the Jews. Soviet power threatens the Mideast. Communist China is working on an H–bomb delivery system. Nine nations are now in the common market. To growing thousands of us Christians, these political facts are portents of doom, part of a detailed scenario for the Apocalypse. While most Christians were concentrating last week on the First Coming ­Jesus’ nativity at Bethlehem – these believers were concerned with Christ’s second com­ing at the end of time, which they are convinced is at hand... The 19th century was rife with Second Coming excitements: one movement, the Millerites, eventually became the Seventh–day Adventists. The ‘Millennial Dawn’ group expected the end in 1914; they are now the Jehovah’s Witnesses... Both the Apostles and the Nicene creeds at­test belief in a returning Christ who will judge the living and the dead... There is the Revelation of St. John, that stunning piece of apocalyptic biblical literature that has fascinated and frustrated interpreters for nearly 19 centuries... in Chapter 20 the vision of Christ’s 1000–year reign, the Millennium. Oxford Scholar G. B. Caird, a modern interpreter of Revelation, calls Chapter 20 ‘the paradise of cranks and fanat­ics.’ In Modern times, much of main–stream Protestant scholarship has virtually dis­missed the idea of a second coming, preferring to view the apocalyptic literature as a metaphor... To be curious on this score merely proves that one does not understand the events of history. The coming salvation can only be awaited in a state of com­plete preparedness. That would seem to be good advice. After all, the Gospels carry Jesus’ own warning about expectation of the end: ‘Of that day or hour no one knows.’”

Immediately upon reading the foregoing, we recalled the words of Jesus, “Wisdom is justified of all her children.” (Luke 7:35) Also, the worldly axiom, A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. These people not only attempt to take figurative statements literally, but they also rely upon false translations; and a combination of these two vagaries can do nothing but make their readers dizzy and skeptical. They quote Rev. 10:6 from the King James version – “There should be time no longer” –, but just a little consideration should suggest that there must be something wrong here. If there is time no longer, then there couldn’t possibly be anything at all to continue.

When J. F. Rutherford’s time predictions failed completely one after the other, causing him much spiritual indigestion, he came up with the interpretation that this really means we should no longer include time in our Bible considerations. (However, it would seem the Witnesses are again attempting to inject ‘time’ elements into their declarations – especially regarding impending Armageddon.) Once the text is properly translated, it removes much of the confusion – “The time shall be no longer delayed.” The context has to do with the blast of the seventh angel; and the clear inference is that the proclamation of the seventh angel would be that the time had come for fulfill­ment of the sayings of the book – things that had been delayed for 1900 years would now certainly come to pass. Thus, the correct translation proves the exact opposite of the opinions we have quoted above.

Further, “Of that day or hour no one knows”: If we wish to be argumentative, we could answer that this may be true concerning the day or the hour; but this would be no proof at all that we may not understand the generalities as respects the time ­just as we may not know the exact hour when the Vernal Equinox will arrive, but we do know that about that time Spring is sure to arrive. However, there is more to Matt. 24:36: “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but My Fa­ther only.” At the time Jesus made that statement He is telling the Disciples that He Himself did not know the day or the hour, but He later – after His resurrection – said, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” (Matt. 28:18) And, in keeping with this, the very first verse of Revelation states that He “would show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass.” Today no one may know when he will die, but that certainly is no reason to conclude that no one ever will know about that event.

The Apostle Paul gives proper analysis of the present situation: “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolishness the wisdom of this world?” (1 Cor. 1:20) Also, 1 Cor. 3:19,20: “The wis­dom of this world is foolishness with God... He taketh the wise in their own crafti­ness... The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” This forces us to the conclusion that ‘scoffers’ are the so–called ‘wise’ of this world; and that we have now, and have been having during most of this century, plenty of evidence that we are “in the last days,” and that such scoffers are legion, and their words are even more so.

No intelligent person will now say that we are not in a world of trouble, but when this “time of Trouble” was predicted to start in 1914 with a World War, many of those ‘without’ (Mark 4:11) laughed at such a prediction; but quite a few intelli­gent people of the world now tell us that since 1914 there has been no peace for him that cometh in or for him that goeth out. (Zech. 8:10) Some of the wise and good men of this world are doing their best to find a solution to present-day crime, but they have found none so far; rather, it grows steadily worse. “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent...... the world by wisdom knew not God.” (1 Cor. 1:19,20) Surely no one will dispute that “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

The prediction for 1914 was based on the chronology of the Bible – also the end of the “Times of the Gentiles,” and the returning favor to the Jews. All this has come about at the right day and hour: we now know it is here, and were informed ahead of time that it would be here. Thus, we have confidence that any other important phase of this great “Time of Trouble” will come at the appointed time and hour – and that the Lord’s faithful servants will not be in ignorance concerning that time.

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brethren: Christian greetings!

Enclosed is a check for which please extend my subscription to your periodical. Please note the change in address. Wishing you and all at the Bible House the Lord’s continued blessing and guidance. Your brother in the love of the Truth’. ------- (VIRGINIA)

NO. 216: THE MARCH-APRIL 1973 PRESENT TRUTH

No. 216

On pages 25-30 of the above-mentioned paper is an article entitled “Special Favor to Abraham’s Seed,” which is replete with “sifting errorist” name-calling, the same referring to us, of course. RGJ is greatly aroused because we continue to refute his error concerning his Campers Consecrated, as he continues to revolu­tionize against the teaching of St. Paul, Brothers Russell and Johnson, that the Jews will be ‘chief and first’ of the Afterborn, in the Kingdom arrangement. The Firstborn of the Millennial Age will be the Worthies, who will be “princes in all the earth.” On p. 27, col. 1 (13) he makes this statement:

“If God makes an exception to the general principle ‘to the Jew first’ in the case of the Youthful Worthy class, who come in under the New Covenant but are main­ly of Gentile lineage – as this sifting errorist himself admits – there is surely no reason why He cannot make an exception of another consecrated class – the Conse­crated Epiphany Campers (a class RGJ admits will be of the Afterborn—JJH), who will come in under the New Covenant but are mainly of Gentile lineage – which class like­wise is faithful while sin is still in the ascendancy.”

In the foregoing RGJ is quite certain – “there is surely no reason” against his conclusion; and we would reply that there are several good reasons – that his “reason” is some more of his ‘foolish’ reasoning, which we classify as nonsense. When the New Covenant is inaugurated the Youthful Worthies will occupy a front-row seat at that roll call, as one of the elect classes – and of those who receive the “better resurrection,” the resurrection of the Just; whereas his Campers Consecrated will receive the resurrection of the Unjust. Most, if not all, of his Campers Conse­crated won’t even be there to answer at all; they won’t be there at all as such. For a time RGJ taught that his Campers Consecrated would receive the resurrection of the “Just,” – because, he said, they are a “justified” class; but our refutation of that error was so decisive that he has been forced to recant. He now tells us that those quasi-elect Jews who will be right there in Jerusalem when the New Covenant is inaugurated under the leadership of the Worthies, will not be immediately blessed ­will not be the ‘chief and first’ of the Afterborn – as the Messengers have taught; but they will have to take a back seat to his Campers Consecrated – who will not be there at all!

And it is certainly in order to ask here, Why did RGJ not consider the “excep­tions” in the Ancient Worthies? Has the “oil in his lamp” gone so far out, or is he “willingly ignorant”? The first three names by St. Paul in the 11th chapter of Hebrews are Abel, Enoch, Noah, who were certainly not Jews, so God made an “excep­tion” there, although we know the large majority of the Ancient Worthies were Jews; and they were the first elect class to appear among the human family. Yet the “first” of that class were not Jews, so we could not say of the Ancient Worthies – “to the Jew first.” Abraham, the father of the faithful, was a direct descendant of Noah, who definitely was not a Jew. Isaac, too, was a direct descendant of Noah; and there may have been others up to that time not named in the Bible. (Heb. 11:32) However, in all of this, numbers are not the determining factor – it is “Who comes first.” That is the issue RGJ is raising.

Furthermore, we remind our readers that Brother Russell and Brother Johnson were acutely aware of the Worthies, but they mentioned no “exceptions” when they stressed “to the Jew first.” That is because both of them clearly understood and adhered to the clear Bible distinction between the elect and the non-elect, between the Firstborn and the Afterborn – between the Just and the Unjust, and the Two Distinct Salvations. Of course, neither of them had been instructed in RGJ’s “advancing Truth,” so they did not recognize that there would be two classes of consecrators “between the Ages”: Youthful Worthies in the Court, and Campers Consecrated in the Camp – with a “narrow way” in the Camp as well as in the Court.

The emphasis, of course, on ‘to the Jew first’ is with the Little Flock – and then to the Restitutionists; although it was ‘to the Jew first’ under the High Calling, the 144,000 being mainly of Gentile lineage – just opposite to what it was with the Ancient Worthies: to the non-Jew first, but the majority of that class Jews. So far as we know, the majority of all the elect classes have been Gentiles, with the exception of the An­cient Worthies; and that one class was certainly not ‘to the Jew first.’ The large majority of Restitutionists will be Gentiles, too – but it will be ‘to the Jew first,’ as taught by the Apostle Paul and the two Messengers.

The High Calling – the Great Salvation – was ‘to the Jew first,’ and the Restitu­tion blessings – the Common Salvation – will also be ‘to the Jew first.” ‘To the Jew first,’ will place them in the forefront as the chief of the Afterborn; they will become the first missionaries of the Kingdom. The reason for this, as That Servant has said: “This condition of affliction in which the Jews have been throughout the Gospel Age, in addition to the overthrow of their nation in the year 70 AD., has really been a favor from God. All the tribulation through which this people have passed during the en­tire ‘seven times’ of chastisement, will finally be found to have been to their advan­tage, preparing them for the blessings of Messiah’s Kingdom.... Subsequently all nations will come into Divine favor and blessing, becoming members of Israel.”

The Gospel-Age experiences of the covenant-keeping Jews have been strikingly simi­lar to those of the Little Flock; but this is not true of many – perhaps most – of the Gentile quasi-elect. Many of these Gentiles have been honored and favored for their Christian principles. As instance, we might mention such men as John Wanamaker, J. P. Morgan, the various compilers of concordances, Bible translators, and the like. Many of these have received much of their reward in this life, some having attained consider­able wealth and respect in high places. But such will yet be blessed in the Kingdom reign – as quasi-elect, repentant and believing Gentiles.

Yet, in spite of the foregoing, Brothers Russell and Johnson both emphasized that the New Covenant is to be made with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah (Jer. 31:31-34) – with Jacob, natural Israel, who have attempted to keep the Law Coven­ant. In Epiphany Volume 11 there are two complete chapters on the Firstborn and the Afterborn – Chapter 3 on the Firstborn, and Chapter 4 on the Afterborn. In these two chapters Brother Johnson made a distinct cleavage between the Firstborn and the Afterborn – between the Just and the Unjust. Our readers would be well advised to read those chapters to fortify themselves against “the pestilence that walketh in darkness.”

Let us note also that every Gentile who came into the Little Flock during this Age has been forced to accept the teachings of the twelve Apostles – all Jews; thus, they became part of the twelve tribes of spiritual Israel. (“An hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel”—Rev. 7:5) And, as both Messengers have so clearly taught, every member of the Afterborn in the Kingdom will be forced to accept the teachings that come through the Jews - forced to become a member of one of the twelve tribes of fleshly Israel before they can receive any blessings at all under the New Covenant, because that New Covenant will be made primarily and ex­clusively with fleshly Israel (Jacob) – under the princeship and tutelage of the Wor­thies. And this will apply to all the Gentiles – whether they be quasi-elect or not: the New Covenant is Israelitish.

The main difficulty with RGJ’s presentation is that he apparently does not clearly understand the difference between the elective and the non-elective salvations – his confusion probably being the result of the punishment inflicted upon those who are in the hands of Azazel. “God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” (2 Thes. 2:11) As brother Russell has said, the Devil also probably first de­ceived himself before he tried to deceive Mother Eve.

When the Apostle Paul and the two Messengers taught “to the Jew first,” there is no question at all but that they were referring to fleshly, natural Israel. However, when we refer to any in the elective salvation we do not designate them ‘natural’ Gen­tiles or ‘natural’ Jews; we properly include them all under the heading of the Elect ­with each one in his respective class. And in presenting what we do now, RGJ says this “sifting errorist” is attacking the presentations of Brothers Russell and Johnson. Well, as we have repeatedly stated, the Star Member says that the Epiphany Camp “in the finished picture” will contain the ‘not consecrated” (See E-10:209); whereas this crown-lost leader is now telling us the Epiphany Camp in the finished picture will con­tain the consecrated – his Campers Consecrated. Hence, we offer the simple thesis: Let those who wish to accept the vagary of this crown-loser, do so; but, as for us, we shall continue to adhere to the clear and sound teaching of the crown-retainer and Star Member.

As That Servant has faithfully taught, “After the Jews have thus received mercy through the complete and glorified Church of Christ, they will indeed be used as the Lord’s instruments for blessing all the families of the earth, and so the Abrahamic promises will be fulfilled to both the seeds, both that which is according to the flesh, and that which is according to the spirit...! To the end that the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham.’—Rom. 4:16.”

The following from Reprint 4575: “The justification of the Millennial Age will not be a faith justification, but an actual-justification, gradually attained under the New Covenant conditions, ‘Do and live,’ but also under the merciful provisions arranged through the Mediator of the New Covenant.” And further from Question Book, p. 205:

“The Ancient Worthies appear and Israel under the New Covenant arrangements, when they are established (the Ancient Worthies as princes, and the Jews as ‘chief and first’ of the Afterborn—JJH) the other nations will see their blessings and pros­perity under God’s supervision, and will see that they (the Jews—JJH) have the Ancient Worthies, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, etc.,... They will see that the only way for them to get God’s blessing will be by coming in under the New Covenant arrangements through Is­rael.”

By their newly-invented classes, the JW’s and RGJ cast aside That Servant’s teaching as set out above. They grossly revolutionize against the teaching of the in­spired Apostle – “to the Jew first.” They are “Such as sit in darkness... because they rebelled (revolutionized) against the words of God.” (Psa. 107:10,11) “Because they re­ceived not the love of the Truth... God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” Both Messengers saw a class of consecrators between the Ages who would, if faithful, share in honor and service with the Ancient Worthies; but neither saw a second class of consecrators who would precede the Jews in Kingdom standing. RGJ ‘sees’ such a class, although he doesn’t dispose of the Jews altogether as did JFR; he just demotes them, thus making null and void the inspired teaching of the Apostle Paul.

THE FIRSTBORN AND THE AFTERBORN

The Scriptures make clear and distinct cleavage between the Firstborn and the Afterborn; between the Elect and the Non-elect. As the Epiphany Messenger taught, the resurrected Worthies will be the Firstborn of the Millennial Age, which places them in a class to themselves – perfect physical specimens. None of the Afterborn will have the ‘better resurrection.’ Those who receive their resurrection gradually are the Afterborn – and all the others, aside from the Worthies, will be included in this gradual process – including the quasi-elect Jews and quasi-elect Gentiles. How­ever, the Kingdom blessings will go ‘to the Jew first,’ the first of the Afterborn to come under the New Covenant after the Worthies have been established as the visible rulers of the Kingdom. Both Messengers have emphasized the fact that there are two distinct salvations – one for the Just and one for the Unjust. RGJ ignores this dis­tinction to make room for his Campers Consecrated – which he admits are of the After­born.

On p. 27, col. 1, par. 3, he says – “It should be reiterated that it was Bro. Russell’s and Bro. Johnson’s teaching that some present-day consecrated believers of Gentile lineage (counted by God as Israelites) would be given precedence over the fleshly Israelites in general in the Kingdom – therefore in railing against this teach­ing as reaffirmed and defended in our day in the PT and otherwise, this sifting error­ist is really railing against Bro. Russell and Bro. Johnson.”

When did we “rail” against Brothers Russell and Johnson, or any one else, for teaching that the Youthful Worthies precede the Jews and all other Afterborn in the Kingdom? Of course, all Firstborn will precede all Afterborn! RGJ understood this at one time, we believe. The Youthful Worthies do not walk a “narrow way” to become Restitutionists! They endure the rigors of a “narrow way” during the ascendancy of sin and evil because of the promise of a reward above restitution blessings. As Bro. Johnson has taught, none of us could faithfully carry out our consecrations under such conditions without the promises. When he says the Youthful Worthies are “counted by God as Israelites,” why doesn’t he tell us that the Youthful Worthies will be the Gershonite Levites in the Kingdom, and will have no inheritance in the land? All the Afterborn – all Restitutionists will have “inheritance in the land.”

“GAZING”

To give emphasis to the foregoing, we now quote from E-11:495: “None of these brothers (Little Flock members—JJH) were the first to see new doctrines, which under Jesus is the exclusive privilege of star-members. As non-star-member scribes instruc­ted unto the Kingdom of God, they have been privileged to find new confirmations of doctrines previously made known by Jesus to His star-members.”

Even Little Flock members not Star Members would be guilty of the forbidden “gazing” (Ex. 19:21) if they went contrary to this teaching, and would cause them to lose their class standing if they persisted in it. How much more, then, would it apply to those in other classes! Yet, we have before us a crown-lost leader who is telling us this teaching does not apply to him. He does not state in so many words that he is the 50th Star Member, as does J. W. Krewson – but he is actually putting himself forth as an equal to the Star Members when he produces a “new” doc­trine to foist upon the Lord’s people. However, we should ‘think it not strange”, when he and the other “good” Levites did the same with the Epiphany Messenger when he was living. (See E-10:586-594) “Apologetically they asked, knowing that they were presumptuous in attempting to read God’s mouthpiece their lectures and largely false criticisms, to be endured somewhat, and would then teach J. in (alleged defense of God – v. 2), declaring that they would draw their knowledge from far-off Bible teach­ings, and thus ascribe justice to God – v. 3.” (E-10:591) Campers Consecrated is some more far-off Bible teaching!

All this from the “good” Levites – with RGJ usually J.’s main opponent – “And R. G. Jolly again was J.’s main opponent...” (E-10:585, bottom, and p. 586, top) It may be possible, if not probable, that in some instances crown-lost leaders have found “new confirmations” of doctrines previously made known by Jesus to His star ­members, but the record is clear that they all have been guilty of “perverting” the stewardship doctrines of the Star Members before them – and also guilty of setting aside true doctrines for false doctrines of their own. In the case of JFR he per­verted the “Great Multitude” from a heavenly class to an earthly class; and RGJ with his second class of consecrators “between the Ages,” has perverted the teachings of both Star Members before him – telling us that his “new set” of consecrators will not receive a reward in honor and service with the Ancient Worthies. The two Messen­gers did not see such a class of consecrators, but RGJ “sees” such a class, which con­firms the teaching of the Apostle Paul in 2 Thes. 2:11: “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.”

RGJ admits that he was forced out of the Holy some thirty-five years ago, so he is not even of the Little Flock – but that doesn’t seem to bother him as he makes desperate effort to foist his “strange fire” (false doctrine) upon the Lord’s people. This one point should be sufficient for any of us to reject such an erroneous presen­tation. Nor is it surprising, with such a wretched cause to defend, that he is forced to resort to name-calling, both in his writings and orally, to offset the devastating Truth presented against such error.

THE ABANDONMENT PROCESS

On p. 210 of E-4 we are given the seven steps involved in the abandonment pro­cess of Azazel’s Goat:

1 – Confessing the sins: a declaration of the willful sins of organized Christen­dom by the World’s High Priest.

2 – Loosing the Goat: The World’s High Priest giving the Great Company a measure of Liberty: by taking away certain truths (such as “to the Jew first,” – the prohibited “gazing,” etc.—JJH), and by removing Providential hindrances to their measurable freedom of action.

3 – Leading to the Gate. The World’s High Priest resisting their revolutionism.

4 – Passing it through the Gate: The High Priest withdrawing priestly fellowship.

5 – Delivering to the fit man: The High Priest delivering them up to unfavorable circumstances and persecuting persons.

6 – Leading to the wilderness: Unfavorable circumstances and perse­cut­ing persons giving them distress.

7 – Letting go in the wilderness: Unfavorable circumstances and perse­cut­ing people putting them, through occasioning them to commit willful sins, into a condition of utter loss of the favor and help of God’s Real or Nominal people – ­i.e., the loss of their brotherly fellowship, because of their coming in matters of faith and practice into the control of Azazel, who uses them to further his purposes.

RGJ contends that the foregoing does not apply to him either, or to those crown-losers in the LHMM, because they are “good Levites,” and it happened to them only in an “Attenuated” manner. But the Epiphany Messenger teaches that it applies to every crown-loser without exception – whether they missed the Little Flock by the skin of their teeth, or whether they escaped the Second Death by the same margin – that they all must have brotherly fellowship withdrawn from them by the World’s High Priest before they can be cleansed. (E-15:525) Thus, we have here one more instance of No. 2 above – “taking away certain truths through permitting errors to blind their former understandings.” By his own admission, he tells us that the large majority of crown-losers in The Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement did not even have priestly fellowship withdrawn from them during Brother Johnson’s lifetime – although he does ad­mit that he had that experience meted out to him personally.

THE HILL OPHEL

In referring to this hill by name, RGJ would have us believe he is bringing forth some “new light” here; but the only thing he is telling us that Brother Johnson did not say is simply in the name itself. Here is the statement in E-12:526 – after describ­ing the typical significance of Mount Moriah, Mount Zion, and the Hills Akra and Be­zetha:

“The valley between these eminencies symbolizes the Restitution class – the higher parts the quasi elect, believing Jews and faithful faith-justified, and the lower parts the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles of this life.”

Brother Johnson knew there was more than one hill in the City; but he did not attempt to name any one of them individually, but simply grouped them as “the higher parts” being those Restitutionists that had made some progress in character attain­ment before the New Covenant was inaugurated. So far as we can recall, RGJ has not given us any reason at all for selecting the Hill Ophel to type his Consecrated Camp­ers. It would be quite interesting to know what distinguishes it from the Evil Hill, or other “higher parts” of the City.

SEEKING HELP FROM BROTHER RUSSELL

At the top of page 30, col. 1 (36), and (37), we are told that when Brother Rus­sell wrote Volume 1 he believed that the Ancient Worthies would remain on earth for­ever – along with the remainder of the “sheep,” but that he later came to see this was not a logical deduction, with which we agree. When he later came to see that they would obtain the spirit nature at the end of the Little Season, we are presented with just one more instance of ‘The path of the just shining more and more unto the perfect day.”

Then RGJ proceeds to apply Brother Russell’s analysis of the Ancient Worthies –before he saw that they would be rewarded with spirit nature – to his Campers Conse­crated. He says Brother Russell’s opinion in Volume 1 “applies very well in the case of the Consecrated Epiphany Campers, whose important part and labor of love in the great blessing work of restitution will never be forgotten by their grateful fellow men.” It is indeed very strange that RGJ should ignore Brother Johnson’s opinion on this very point, as he has it in E-4:332 (26):

“As the Ancient, so the Youthful Worthies would be everlastingly degraded in­stead of being everlastingly rewarded for their Millennial service and suffering for the world, and their post-Millennial service for the faithful of the world, and for their post-Millennial suffering for righteousness at the hands of the Second-Death class if they would remain forever on earth; for since all human beings found worthy of everlasting life will henceforth be equal (Matt. 25:34; Rev. 21:24), it would fol­low that the Youthful, as well as the Ancient Worthies, from being the Millennial superiors, would be degraded to being the eternal equals of the world of mankind.”

If what we have underscored above – all human beings, etc. – means what it says, then we have here just one more open contradiction between the priestly Star Member and the crown-lost Levite. And again we advise – Let each one decide for himself which teaching he will accept. When Brother Johnson said “all human beings” he cer­tainly had in mind the quasi-elect, because he himself was the first one to emphasize such a class in the Kingdom arrangement. And the opinion expressed by the Epiphany Messenger regarding the Worthies would also apply to RGJ’s Campers Consecrated – because they, too, would receive nothing more than the rest of the Restitutionists in the final accounting; they would receive nothing for walking a “narrow way” during the ascendancy of sin and evil. God requires no one to sacrifice during this Age in order to gain restitution. Such faithful consecrators who faithfully endure the rigors of a ‘harrow way” will receive more than restitution.

AGE-OLD “SLEIGHT OF HAND”

For many months past we have been using the statements in E-10:114; E-10:209; E-10:672 and the Four-Fold Tabernacle Picture as given in the 1940 PT, pp. 13-14 against RGJ’s errors on his Campers Consecrated – even though he has used the same ref­erences on occasion to mislead his sectarian devotees. Using such quotations that clearly contradict his position, is an Age-old trick of the confidence man; it is one of the prime ruses of Azazel. Early in the Epiphany RGJ’s kinsmen employed the same technique; and here is what the Epiphany Messenger says about them in E7:370:

‘We ask, Why do they so often quote passages to prove points positively dis­proven by those very passages? Is it not because they are in Azazel’s hands, and are thus blinded by him, and at his direction palm off his errors on the dear unsus­pecting sheep of God’s flock?”

Therefore, so long as we see him mimicking his kinsmen of some fifty years ago, we may be certain he is being dominated by Azazel – just as they were. Surely all who have the “spirit of a sound mind” and have “continued in what they have learned and been assured of” can readily see that the references cited above clearly dispute his errors, instead of supporting them.

ADDITIONAL SIFTING CIRCULARS

On page 32 of this same Present Truth is a further statement under the above heading, in part of which says: “These circulars (of JJH) abound also in his usual misrepresentations, twisted, perverted and one-sided applications and definitions, half-truths, quotations from the Truth writings favorable to his purposes with omis­sions of unfavorable ones, re-statements of old errors... which from Scripture, reason and facts we have refuted thoroughly.” Yes, he has “refuted thoroughly” with such mater­ial as we mentioned foregoing – items which directly contradict his contentions, although he palms them off to his readers as his “proof”; he also cites his previous errors to “prove” his present errors.

He further states that we “pervert the statements in E-4:53 and E-11:473.” Well, for the benefit of our readers, we accept these two statements just as they are, ex­cepting the time features involved. For emphasis we quote once more E-4:53 (51):

“The expression, The Time of Trouble, is used in two senses. In its wide sense it covers the period from 1874 until the end of anarchy and Jacob’s Trouble. In its narrow sense it covers the period from the beginning of the World War in 1914 until the end of anarchy and of Jacob’s trouble. It is in the narrow – the second – sense of that that we use it in our subject. We understand that the special tribulation period and the Epiphany as a period are one and the same thing.” There is no hint or suggestion in this statement about the Epiphany in its ‘narrow’ or ‘restricted’ sense. That is something RGJ has been tenaciously trying to read into it – and foist upon the unsuspecting brethren. This effort on his part is simply a trick of Azazel! We accept the statement just as it is in the book – because we believe what the Epi­phany Messenger taught about the Time of the Trouble and the Epiphany being one and the same period; but RGJ no longer believes this Truth, as he injects his own words into it. Yet he has the effrontery to accuse us of “perverting” it.

On p. 34 of the same book there is this statement: “THE TIME OF TROUBLE AND THE EPIPHANY ARE ONE AND THE SAME PERIOD.” RGJ IS NOW TELLING US THAT THE EPIPHANY ended in its “restricted sense” in 1954. If so, then the Time of Trouble also ended in its “restricted sense” in 1954. Further from p. 15 of Epiphany Volume 4, we have this: “The Epiphany... is the time of trouble – the time from 1914 onward for a con­siderable number of years yet.” Then at the bottom of the same page: “since the tribulation began – 1914, and will increase and finally come to a climax at the end of the Epiphany – “the end of the Time of Trouble.” However, we now offer some mod­ifying thoughts from this same volume, p. 52, middle: “On this subject (“the time features”—JJH) ‘now we know in part’ only. Later we trust to know perfectly on this line of thought... Therefore, in discussing this matter let us be cautious not to be positive in our statements. Until the advancing light will justify a more positive statement, let us confine ourselves to such sobriety of speech as leaves the details of this time feature as they have been set forth in this article, which as above stated are a matter of inference and not of positive proof.” (Emphasis by Bro. Johnson)

“The details” (of the time features of 1954-56) in the above “inferences” were manifestly incorrect when 1954-56 arrived – just as some of Brother Russell’s expec­tations for 1914-15 were proven incorrect when the time arrived. But the “time fea­tures” of these events do not change the doctrinal Truths of the Time of Trouble ­even though RGJ insists that we accept 1954 for the ending of the Epiphany in its “re­stricted sense,” as if the expected events had occurred – just as though the violent fea­tures of the Time of Trouble had taken place, as the Epiphany Messenger expected.

For some years the Jehovah’s Witnesses have been telling their “great multitude” of Rev. 7:9, that they will live right on through Armageddon and never die. Sensing the great appeal such a message has upon the “unstable and the unlearned,” RGJ has been leaning toward the same error. Note his statement on p. 28 (21) of this March-April PT: “The third class to benefit from the ransom will be the Consecrated Epiphany Camp­ers class – typed by Medan, Keturah’s third son – in members who will then be living. (Emphasis by RGJ) Then in par. (22) he tells us about the fourth class – the quasi­-elect fleshly Israel. Even if his statement may be accepted as the Truth, it still leaves much to be answered for those of his Campers Consecrated who do not survive the trouble. He has admitted they will not receive a “better resurrection”; but it is not clear to us whether he is telling them they will be the first – exclusively first to return from the grave, or if they will come back as one great unit. He should have an answer for this if his teaching on this class is the Truth. But, as we have repeatedly stressed, his contention is a direct revolutionism against the teachings of the Apostle Paul, That Servant and the Epiphany Messenger. Therefore, we say once more: Choose ye this day whom ye will serve!

“The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea than the mighty waves of the sea. Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, 0 Lord, forever.” (Psa. 93:4-5)

Sincerely your brother

John J. Hoefle , Pilgrim

===========================

CORRECTIONS: (1) We wish to correct what we inadvertently stated in our paper No. 212, Feb. 1973 on p. 1, par. 3 – that RGJ no longer refers to the 1940 PT, etc., in his present perversions. He quoted the 1940 PT in the same paper he perverted these Truths by his errors – in an attempt to deceive his readers into believing the Epiphany Messen­ger supported his sins of teaching and practice.

(2) Also, in our No. 215, May 1973, please change on p. 4, par. 5, line 2, from “The Amramites (Moses, Aaron, etc.)” to read, “Aaron and his sons, the Priests, Amram’s descendants, to the east of the Tabernacle.” Likewise, change line 5 of the same paragraph from “the Amramites (no longer Levites in any sense)” to read, “Aaron and his sons (no longer Levites in any sense).” Please note these corrections on your papers.

NO. 215: THE TABERNACLE

No. 215

In Matt. 5:17,18 we have these words of Jesus: “Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill... I say unto you, Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled.” Complementing this statement is one by St. Paul in Heb. 10:1: “The Law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices.... make the comers there­unto perfect.” Here then are clear Scriptures that tell us in direct words that every feature of the Law was typical; and the Law in the broad sense is the Pente­teuch – the first five books of the Bible (Luke 24:44), although the Law in the strict sense does not appear before Exodus. It is thus a sound conclusion that every person, principle and thing mentioned therein are typical, and must have an antitype to be fulfilled.

Of those things given to Moses in Sinai the Tabernacle is the central figure. It became the foundation premise for the entire Jewish religion; and it may be prop­erly concluded that every important feature of the Plan of the Ages is somewhere re­vealed in the Tabernacle and the rituals pertinent thereto. Therefore, if any one has a good clear grasp of the Tabernacle, as it is presented in Tabernacle Shadows, and retains that truth structure, he is not likely ever to go out of the Truth; where­as, if we see any one losing the Tabernacle truths, we may conclude that something has gone badly wrong with that person, and we should be governed accordingly.

A close analysis of most religions will reveal that they began with a priesthood, then deteriorated to priestcraft, then degraded to priestgraft. This is strikingly true of the Jewish priesthood. When the Tabernacle had been set up, and Aaron was called of God (Heb. 5:4) to officiate, there was then given the Jews a religious sys­tem in its pristine purity; every detail was the embodiment of perfection – “The true tabernacle, which the Lord fixed, not man... divine service for a symbol and shadow (typical) of the heavenlies; even as Moses, when about to construct the tabernacle, was divinely admonished; for, See, says He, that thou make all things according to that pattern shown to thee on the Mount.” (Heb. 8:2-5, Dia.) “And Moses, indeed, was faithful in his whole house, as a servant, for a testimony of the things to be spoken.” (Heb. 3:5, Dia.) And this same Scripture could be applied in like manner to Aaron as Priest. “Like the precious ointment (typical of the Holy Spirit) upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his gar­ments.” (Psa. 133:2) Tradition has it that Aaron’s beard reached almost to his knees; and his anointing with the holy oil is a fitting picture of the anointing of the true church during this Age with the Holy Spirit, which came first upon the Head Jesus, then continued down to the last members of His Body here in the end of the Age.

However, Aaron’s example soon became a lost art. In the strict sense the Jews had only one high priest – Aaron, “called of God” to the office. Others received that office through heredity, the oldest living son aspiring to the office – much the same as the kings in the nations today have come to the throne as successor to their fathers – although the Sanhedrin (counsel of the 70) had altered this somewhat before Jesus’ first Advent. Thus, some of the high priests after Aaron made honest effort to continue his per–formance; some, such as Eli (1 Sam. 3), feebly attempted to give proper service; while some were very much renegades. When we reach the fall of Jerusalem prior to 607 B.C., priestcraft was definitely inevidence. “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof.” (Jer.5:31)

At the time Jesus arrived the priesthood had degenerated to priestgraft – they had reached the very bottom of the dirty barrel. “Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matt. 21:12,13) A little from secular records will emphasize this. It had been ordered in the Law that the sacrifices brought to the priest should be “Without blemish.” Taking advantage of this, the priests in the temple gave minute scrutiny to any animals brought to them. It is said they had as many as seventy different points on which they would reject a lamb – such as a wart on its belly, and the like. Thus, when a penitent and humble Jew came in from the hills to make himself right with God, it was almost a certainty that the priest who examined his lamb would find something wrong with it, which made it unacceptable for sacrifice. So what was the poor man to do?  Must he go all the way back to the hill country for another? Why, no, of course not! The priest had a lamb in the backyard that he could have – if he had the price – ­so much money, plus the lamb he had brought in. Then the priest took the rejected lamb, put it in the backyard and sold it to the next innocent victim. It is little wonder that Jesus was so outraged that He overturned their tables and uttered the con­demnation against them that He did.

And much the same pattern was followed in the Christian Church as we trace it through the years. The Christian Church under the Apostles (also called and chosen of God) offered proper comparison to Aaron and his sons. But when Martin Luther appeared on the scene, the sale of indulgences was in full sway, with the repulsive Tetzel raking in the money – almost an exact duplicate of what Jesus saw in the temple. It is not surprising that Luther referred to the Roman Church at that time as “the synagogue of Satan.” Or that we have the prophecy against the reprobate church today, “I will spue thee out of My mouth.” (Rev. 3:16)

CONSTRUCTION OF THE TABERNACLE

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1 Cor. 10:11) The Diaglott puts this much clearer: “These things occurred to them typically, and were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the Ages have come.” St. Paul thus clearly identi­fies “these things” as types, and they have to do with the wilderness journey of the Jews on their way to Canaan, during which time the Tabernacle was the focal point of all their religious activity.

It is not our purpose herein to discuss all the intricate details given to Moses in the Mount, but we believe a few of them will prove quite helpful. Ex. 26:15 says, “Thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up.” Clearly enough, the Jews were not to gather broken-down logs for construction of the Tabernacle, but trees “standing up” – alive and growing. And is this not exactly what the Apostle says in Rom. 12:1: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice”? During the building of the Gospel-Age Tabernacle the Lord did not want a dead sacrifice; He wanted a “living” one. This is confirmed by St. Peter, 1 Pet. 2:5, Dia.: “Be you yourselves also built up, as living stones (in the temple, or Gospel-Age Tabernacle), a spiritual house for a holy priesthood (fully faithful and competent, as was Aaron), to offer sacrifices, well-pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.”

St. Paul counsels, “Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ,” and this characteristic of the “living stones” is well typified in the Shittim wood “standing up.” This timber was plentiful in the wilderness of Sinai, and used in the construction of the Tabernacle, for the woodwork in the Ark, the altars and their staves, the table, the boards, bars and pillars. It was used in Egypt in boat building, and Josephus speaks of its strength and durability. (Antiq. III 6,5) The wood is hard and close-grained.

In recent months the Jehovah’s Witnesses are attempting to revive the study of the Tabernacle in their Watchtower periodical; but it is readily clear enough that, once having lost the Truth on this important edifice, they will have plenty of error in what they send forth. As instance, they quote 1 Pet. 2:5, and they use the King James version, which says we “offer spiritual sacrifices” during this Age. Just a little reflection should reveal the folly of this. In Rom. 12:1 St. Paul says, “pre­sent your bodies” as a sacrifice. We do not sacrifice our spiritual qualities; rather, we develop them in every good word and work, and we do this at the expense of our human bodies. Thus, we are told to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus,” even as St. Paul says of himself and his abused physique, “I die daily.” (1 Cor. 15: 31) He was “putting off the old man with his deeds, and putting on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge” (not sacrificed, but built up, invigorated)—Col. 3:9,10.

Also, in this same Watch Tower, Dec. 1, 1972, p. 717, col. 1 bottom, there is this statement: “The temple ‘curtain’ illustrating the fleshly barrier, was now indeed passed for the resurrected Jesus Christ, and so on the fortieth day from his resurrec­tion he could ascend to heaven itself and appear before the person of God with the precious value of his sin-atoning blood, to present it at God’s propitiatory throne in behalf of all mankind. With that presentation the great antitypical Day of Atonement came to an end.”

The foregoing is a rank perversion of what That Servant wrote about the antitypi­cal Day of Atonement. He taught that it continued throughout the entire Gospel and Mil­lennial Ages; and just a little scrutiny should prove that he was right. The real work of the antitypical Day of Atonement has not yet even begun, which work is to ac­complish the “restitution of all things.” (Acts 3:21) Jesus is simply the antitypi­cal bullock of that day’s sacrifice – “first for His own sins, and then for the peo­ple’s” (Heb. 7:27).

It was not until the bullock and the Lord’s goat had been placed upon the brazen altar in the Court, their blood sprinkled upon the Mercy Seat in the Most Holy, fol­lowed by Azazel’s Goat being delivered to the fit man and led off to the wilderness, that the High Priest (Aaron in the first instance) then appeared in robes of Glory and Beauty and blessed the people. This antitypical blessing – “the times of refresh­ing, restitution of all things” – has not yet even begun; therefore, it should be quite apparent the antitypical Day of Atonement is not nearly at an end. When we re­call the treatment the Watch Tower leaders dispensed to their faithful brethren after Brother Russell’s death, we are painfully forced to apply to them the Scripture ­“Because they poured out the blood of saints and of prophets, Thou gavest them also blood (error) to drink; they deserve it.” They would be well advised to follow Tabernacle Shadows if they attempt further treatise of the subject – to prevent further er­roneous teachings.

When work was to begin on building the Tabernacle, the people were asked to bring the material necessary for the job, “And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold.” (Ex. 35:22)   “And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work... The stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.” (Ex. 36:5-7)    The antitype for these verses is to be found here in the end of the Age, when the general call closed in 1881. From that time on more people came into the Truth than there were crowns available – they were bringing “much more than enough” to complete the Gospel-Age Tabernacle. Many still do not recognize this great truth, so they con­tinue to bring more than enough, but this can but result in their eventual chagrin.

While some have been overly ambitious in this respect, others have adopted just the opposite course. When the sad and disturbing conflicts appeared shortly after Brother Russell’s death, many concluded they wanted none of that, so they simply with­drew and did nothing after that. Thus, they were no longer antitypical shittim wood “standing up” (“living sacrifices”); they became as it were ordinary spiritual flot­sam floating about in time and space, with no definite purpose. They completely for­got that their covenant was with God and not with men. We still see that same attitude among quite a few.

THE TABERNACLE AND THE PEOPLE

Much detailed comment is given in Tabernacle Shadows regarding the general con­struction of the Tabernacle, and its typical significance, which we shall review very briefly. The Most Holy typified, or represented the Divine presence; the Holy repre­sented those Gospel-Age believers who were aspiring to the Divine presence (“exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature”—2 Pet. 1:4); the Court represented the tentatively justified of the Gospel Age ­those believers who were progressing toward the Holy. The Court was enclosed by a linen curtain, which was held in place by sixty posts. Tabernacle Shadows very prop­erly explains that those posts type justified believers displaying the righteousness of Christ. These would properly represent sixty sections of the Gospel-Age Levites and their various activities, shown also by the sixty heads of Levite families.

Isa. 52:11 counsels, “Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” When that was written, the Jews recognized it as advice to the priests and Levites who had to do with the Temple, which had replaced the Tabernacle of the Wilderness. Apart from the censers, there were four sets of vessels belonging to the brazen altar in the Court (Num. 4:14; Ex. 38:3), four sets to the golden table in the Holy (Num. 4:7); four to the golden lampstand (Num. 4:9). This may also have been true of the golden altar in the Holy, this conclusion being drawn from the fact that the brazen altar in the Court had four sets of vessels. These four sets of vessels would properly represent the four groups of Bible teachings that are profitable (1) “for teaching (doctrine), (2) for conviction (refuting), (3) for correction, (4) for that discipline which is in righteousness; so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly fitted for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16,17, Dia.) Self-evidently, all of these “vessels” would be neces­sary in the life of those who were holding up the linen curtain of Christ’s righteous­ness; and especially would this be true of the leaders in the Gospel-Age church.

Aside from the brazen altar in the Court, there was also the laver, at which the priests washed, as well as the tentatively justified (the Household of Faith ­only for those in the Court). This laver was said to be of copper polished so bright­ly that it served also as a mirror to those standing in front of it. It would proper­ly represent the entire Bible, the base typing the Old Testament, and the upper part containing the water typing the New Testament. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” (Eph. 5:26 – See Berean Comments) During the Gospel Age those progressing from the gate of the Court would pass the brazen altar, then approach and pass the laver on their way to the door of the Holy.

The Tabernacle was situated pretty much in the center of the Jewish Camp. Just outside and around the Court we find the Levites – Aaron and his sons, the Priests, Amram’s descendants, to the east of the Tabernacle, the Kohathites to the south, the Gershonites to the west, and the Merarites to the north. All of this has a Millen­nium significance – Aaron and his sons (no longer Levites in any sense) typing the Gospel-­Age “royal priesthood,” the Kohathites the Ancient Worthies, the Gershonites the Youth­ful Worthies, and the Merarites the Great Company. These four groups type the four elect classes who will bless and uplift the non-elect in the Kingdom.

It will be noted that Tabernacle Shadows states that the Gershonites typified the world of mankind; but this is not a logical deduction, since none of the Levites had any inheritance in the land. A question was put to Brother Russell – If the Gershonites type the saved world, wouldn’t that indicate that the entire saved world would become spiritual, and that this earth would not be man’s eternal home? After some discussion That Servant dropped the matter, but later taught that the Ancient Worthies would become spiritual during the Little Season. He also taught a class of consecra­tors “BETWEEN THE AGES” who appeared on the scene too late to be of the royal priest­hood, but who would rank in honor, reward and service, with the Ancient Worthies. The only difference between the two classes is that the Ancients lived too soon to be of the royal priesthood; whereas, the Youthful Worthies lived too late to be of that se­lect group. Since 1916 many very pertinent Scriptures to substantiate that teaching have been presented, the Epiphany being the “due time” for them to be understood. That Servant confirms the above in the Sept. 1, 1911, Reprint 5761, which we now quote:

“THOSE CONSECRATING BETWEEN THE AGES”

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

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

And continuing from Reprints 4836: “Suppose that some should present themselves after the close of the acceptable time; what would be their status and God’s dealing with them?... Quite likely there will be some in the end of this Age who, although faith­ful unto death, will not have been begotten of the Holy Spirit and not attain the spirit plane of being in the resurrection, but who will come forth members of the same class as the Ancient Worthies, who were developed before this Age began.”

The Jewish Camp encircled the Levites as the Levites encircled the Tabernacle; and they fittingly typed the rebellious nominal people of God in this Gospel Age. Once this picture is fully visualized, much may be deduced from it. Those in the Jew­ish Camp were not allowed in the Court or the Tabernacle, although those immediately con­tiguous to the Levites would have a much better view of it than those farther away; and those at the extreme outskirts of the Camp might barely see it at all. Beyond the Camp was the heathen world having no knowledge or interest of any kind in the Tabernacle or its ceremonies.

All this would well represent the condition in Christendom during this Age. The “royal priesthood,” as parts of the antitypical Tabernacle, would have an intimate close-up view of the Gospel call, its privileges and obligations. Next comes those in the Court – the tentatively justified unconsecrated who had accepted Jesus as their Savior and practiced righteousness – who were on more or less friendly and intimate terms with the priesthood, and understanding some features of the priestly call. Be­yond this class would come what might be termed noble worldlings – motivated by good principles, and with more or less knowledge of the priestly aims and ambitions. Be­yond these would be the antitypical outskirts of the Camp, consisting of those who had little or no interest in Christian teachings; while the heathen world would be those people beyond the realm of Christendom.

VARIOUS PERVERSIONS

Much of what we have given on the Tabernacle, its appurtenances, its relation to the Camp and to the Jewish people has been gleaned more or less directly or indirect­ly from the writings of Brother Russell. He himself recognized some mistakes in the original Tabernacle Shadows book, most of which he corrected in later Watch Towers; but we are reliably informed that he often stressed the fact that the six volumes of Scripture Studies, which he wrote, were the direct outgrowth of that book, which was first published in 1881. In his Foreword that appeared in subsequent printings he said:

“It was specially intended for the royal priesthood. Many of this class have confessed that as the Lord’s finger it pointed out to them meanings in Old Testament types never before appreciated, leading them to see the true significance of the Scrip­tural declaration – ‘Present your bodies living sacrifices,’ ‘Fill up that which is be­hind of the afflictions of Christ,’ etc.... The author rejoices that this is true... The understanding of the subjects herein set forth seems to have been heaven directed, ‘taught of God,’ at a time when the light was absolutely necessary to the full and clear presentation of the Plan of the Ages...... The author has sought to prove every point and every application by the Word of the Lord, and has taught nothing of himself... The careful student will discern that, the applications of the types herein presented being correct, the entire Plan of the Ages is thereby corroborated – justification, sanctification and glorification first for the Church, and subsequently restitution for whoever will, of all the families of the earth.”

With such a forceful endorsement as the foregoing by Brother Russell himself, it would seem that any and all who still hold any respect for him would tread very soft­ly before attempting to tamper with such an important book. However, it is a matter of record that all during this Age those stewardship truths that were emphasized by the Lord’s special mouthpieces were perverted, and often badly distorted by the crown-lost leaders who followed them. Therefore, we should ‘think it not strange” if the same class of people – crown-lost leaders – should follow in the footsteps of their kinsmen of the past, and pervert the writings of the Lord’s important mouthpiece here in the end of the Age. In fact, we should be surprised if this were not so, because they all had the same teacher – Azazel, whose name means Averter or Perverter.

And true enough, That Servant was hardly in the tomb before Tabernacle Shadows was attacked by those who succeeded him in administrative office – subtly at first, then openly and boldly – replacing the faithful teachings of this book with “new light” (?). It was just a matter of a few years before J. F. Rutherford declared the book was entirely worthless, and cast it into the ash can. However, their treat­ment of Tabernacle Shadows has gone unheeded by others – and we make specific mention of the leader of the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement, who has also cast aside some of its basic teachings. He has not discarded Tabernacle Shadows altogether, but has set aside its teaching on the Jews being ‘first and chief,’ and now teaches his newly-invented class of Campers Consecrated precede the Jews in Kingdom blessings. He is now grossly and persistently revolutionizing against the teachings of Taber­nacle Shadows, p. 33:

“Concerning the natural seed of Abraham... they are enemies for your sakes; but as touching the election they are (still) beloved for the father’s sakes... They are to be first (emphasis by Bro. Russell) blessed by the spiritual or true Seed and may later become associate laborers.—Rom. 11:26-29.”

He now teaches tentative justification in the Camp – a ‘harrow way” available there for his Consecrated Campers; and in his same Camp a “broad way” for the un­consecrated tentatively justified and others. Surely, all who have an elementary understanding of Tabernacle types, know that Christ’s merit, as an imputable thing, is available only during the Gospel Age and only in the Court, for the Household of Faith. Christ’s merit, as an imputable thing, is not now available in the Camp, nor will it be available in the Camp in the Kingdom. Actual justification will prevail in the Camp under the benevolent Kingdom arrangements for the sheep, enabling them to walk up the Highway of Holiness. Christ’s merit continues to apply only to the House­hold of Faith, and will so long as there is any part of this Household with us. That Servant corroborates this Truth in the May 15, 1911 Reprint 4819, as follows:

“He has not applied the merit of that sacrifice as yet to Adam or his children, but merely to those who, in the type, were represented by the underpriests, and to the Levites, the brethren and servants of the priestly family.”

And from the types in Tabernacle Shadows, p. 55: “And Aaron shall offer his bul­lock of the sin-offering which is for (represents) himself, and make an atonement for himself (the members of his body – the underpriests) and for his house (all believers, the entire ‘Household of Faith’—the Levites).”

THE MILLENNIAL TABERNACLE

While the Millennial Tabernacle will differ sharply in some respects from the Gospel Age Tabernacle, the typical features established in the arrangement given to Moses at Sinai are clearly in evidence as we consider its structure. The Most Holy will contain the glorified Christ serving Godward for the people; the Holy will repre­sent the condition of the Christ serving peopleward for God; the Court will contain the other three elect classes – the Ancient Worthies, typified by the Kohathite Levites, the Great Multitude by the Merarites, and the Youthful Worthies by the Gershonites. The Camp in that Tabernacle will contain the world undergoing restitution – actually accom­plishing what the Jews in their Camp expected to do – to gain life by keeping the Law, but failed because of their inherited weakness. The Sheep in that Camp will eventually gain that perfection that was first in Eden; while those outside the Camp will be either those that have not yet made a start toward restitution, or “the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.” (Isa. 65:20)

And, when that Tabernacle progresses to the end of that Age, another spiritual class will appear; namely, the Worthies who have been “princes in all the earth” dur­ing the Kingdom reign, but who will leave this earth when their work is done, and join those in the spirit realm. We quote something on this point from the February 15, 1913 Watch Tower (Reprint 5182):

“In the case of the Ancient Worthies, who as perfect human be­ings, will be in an imperfect environment for a thousand years, it would seem as if they will undergo much suffering. Knowing what we do of our Heavenly Father, we are inclined to believe that, if they are faithful in serving the Almighty, He will abun­dantly reward them, more than they could have asked. Should any one inquire, What re­ward will the Father give them, if they maintain their obedience? we answer, During the Millennium they will receive no special reward for their service, so far as we can see; but we think that from God’s standpoint, theirs will be a meritorious service which He will be pleased to reward...

‘We cannot think of any greater reward than to bestow the spirit nature upon these faithful Ancient Worthies... There is nothing in the Scriptures, however, which distinctly says that they will ever be made spirit beings... A part of the evidence leading to the deduction that the Ancient Worthies will be made sharers of the spirit nature and become members of the Great Company class is built upon the fact that they seem to be represented typically by the tribe of Levi. The fact that this tribe had no inheritance in the land seems to imply that the Ancient Worthies will have no earth­ly inheritance. We might think that their exaltation to be princes in all the earth (Psa. 45:16) would be an abundant reward; but inasmuch as God will give the spirit nature to the Great Company, who passed through no more severe experiences than did the Ancient Worthies, and inasmuch as the lowest form of life on the spirit plane is high­er than the highest form on the human plane, it follows that the Great Company would receive at the hands of the Lord a greater blessing than would the Ancient Worthies... “Since this rebellion (of Rev. 20:9) is to occur at the close of the Millennial Age, and since mankind will at that time have reached perfection, therefore, this separation of the Ancient Worthies from the rest of the world seems to imply that God has some special purpose in respect to them. The term camp itself implies that theirs is only a temporary condition or arrangement, and that God has some better thing in store for them.”

DEATH AND HELL INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE

“Death and hell (Hades) were cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:14) For man­kind in general this brief statement makes comprehensive summation of the typical Tab­ernacle and its services on the Day of Atonement as given in Leviticus 16. Since the Bible does not use words indiscriminately, we may conclude that ‘death’ and ‘hell’ do not mean the same thing. It is our understanding that hell (Hades) is the Adamic death state – the grave; whereas, death refers to all those things that send man to the grave. This is clearly taught in Tabernacle Shadows, p. 111, respecting the ashes of the Red Heifer:

“The cleansing of defilement through contact with the dead would seem to teach that this cleansing, effected by and through the experiences of the Ancient Wor­thies, will specially apply to the world of mankind during the Millennial Age, while they are seeking to get rid of all the defilements of Adamic death – seeking to attain human perfection. All the blemishes of the fallen condition are so much of contact with death; all constitutional weaknesses and blemishes through heredity are contacts with death; and from all of these the ashes of the Red Heifer are to be used for the cleans­ing of all who will become the people of God.” (Self-evidently, the disobedient and unwilling will not be cleansed.)

This is emphasized in the Berean Comment on Rev. 20:14: “Death – including aches, pains, mental and moral imperfections of every sort.” In its totality this will not be accomplished until the end of the Little Season – when the antitypical Atonement Day will have come to its full end. Some have thought that the Epiphany Messenger had pro­duced some new teaching with respect to the Millennial performance – also that we are doing the same by copying what he has said; but the only thing new about it is the name coined by the Epiphany Messenger, when he summed all this up as the Adamic death process. However, this expression simply says in one sweeping phrase what Brother Rus­sell states in detail on p. 111 of Tabernacle Shadows, and in the Berean Comment for Rev. 20:14. Our Lord has said of David – and antitypical David – “I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him: With whom my hand shall be estab­lished: mine arm also shall strengthen him.” And of those who have disregarded his teachings: “But thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground... Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.” (Psa. 89:39,40)

“O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day... I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.” (Psa. 119:97,102)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

This is to let you know we received the tracts in good condition. Thank you! We will write again to let you know how the ecclesia stands in the election..... Please remember me in warm Christian love to all the dear brethren with you.

Yours in the same hope – Sister ------- (JAMAICA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

Thank you for the No. 211 paper. I am most interested! Can you give me more information about yourself – your work? Please send me another copy of No. 211.

Sincerely, Pastor ------- Community Church (FLORIDA)

NO. 214: SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE MEMORIAL

No. 214

Comes again the Memorial of our Lord’s death, the correct time this year 1973 being after 6 p.m. April 15. The nearest new moon to the Vernal Equinox comes new at the 30th Meridian East (the Meridian nearest Jerusalem) at 1:45 p.m. April 3, thus establishing 6 p.m. April 2 as Nisan 1. Adding 13 days to this, we come to 6 p.m. April 15 as Nisan 14. We here at Mount Dora will observe the service at 7:30 p.m., and extend a cordial invitation to all of like mind who are in our vicin­ity to join with us as we “do this in remembrance.”

“GO TO HIM WITHOUT THE CAMP”

“And Moses proceeded to take a tent and pitch it by itself outside the camp afar off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting, – and so it came to pass that whosoever was seeking Yahweh went out unto the tent of meeting, which was on the outside of the camp.” (Ex. 33:7, Rotherham) Moses in this instance types our Lord as He arranged to remove the Star Members and His fully faithful people from the midst of the measurably faithful and the tare class, beginning in the Per­gamos epoch of the Gospel-Age church in 313 A.D., and continuing until 1799. The second period of the Church – the Smyrna period – followed the administration of the Apostles, and ended in 313 A.D. Smyrna means ‘bitter’; and it terminated with ten years of the most vicious persecution by Diocletian, the last of the pagan Roman em­perors to persecute the Christian church.

At the Council of Nice in 325 Emperor Constantine made determined effort to woo the growing Christian church, at which time also the Pergamos ‘principal man’ Arius was banished from the Roman Empire. Thus, he went “outside the camp” of the nominal church, into measurable obscurity, as the nominal church prospered in numbers and in favor with the Roman State. Pergamos means ‘earthly elevation’ – a name well adap­ted to the happenings of the time. Pertinent to this subject, we quote from E-11: 430: “God had our Lord do another thing indicative of His displeasure with His nom­inal people, i.e., remove the faithful servants of the Truth and its spirit from places of prominence and influence in the nominal church – caused the symbolic woman, the Covenant promises and the servants who apply them to the brethren, to go into the wilderness condition (Rev. 12:6) – to the Tent of Meeting, not the Tabernacle, but Moses’ official residence – and that not but slightly away from the erroneous doctrines, practices, organization and disciplines of the nominal church, but very far from these (Arius was forced to go to Africa—JJH), and made the Truth and the servants who applied it to the brethren, as well as these last, the place where God resided, met with His people and blessed them. Henceforth every one who in heart’s loyalty sought fellowship with the Lord in spirit, truth, righteousness and holiness went forth from the nominal church to such Truth, its applying servants and others of His real people apart from the nominal church (without the camp)... When our Lord busied Himself with Truth matters, its applying servants, etc., the Truth and its Spirit as due became manifest (the cloudy pillar descended), and remained at the en­trance, consecration, where God revealed truths to Jesus in the star members.”

The foregoing is very well complemented by St. Paul’s invitation in Heb. 13:13, Dia.: “Let us, then, now go forth to Him outside of the camp bearing reproach for Him.” Thus is given the clear-cut and definite procedure for all who elect to “fol­low in His steps.” (1 Pet. 2:21) It was during the Pergamos period that the rebel­lious nominal people of God flourished, as those faithful ones went to Him without the camp in relative obscurity – typed by the camp of Israel, with Moses well outside the camp. At the time St. Paul wrote his epistle to the Hebrews the typical camp had long before ceased to exist; but its prototype had developed as represented in the City of Jerusalem. When Jesus was crucified outside the gate of the city, He was in effect do­ing the same thing as going outside the camp. Jerusalem was eventually replaced by the nominal church; and this is clearly stated in the criticisms that St. John re­corded about the Pergamos church: “Thou hast them there that hold the doctrine of Balaam (type of those who teach error for profit – See Berean Comment)... also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes (the lordship of the clergy), which thing I hate.” (Rev. 2:14,15)

CHANGING THE CALENDAR

When the Passover in Egypt was kept, the instructions were correct and very rigid, even as respects the time it should be kept. Up to that time the Jewish year began with the first day of the seventh month – Tishri; but the institution of the Passover changed that. The month Abib was then to become the first month. Since that time the Jews observe two years – the religious year beginning with Abib, or Nisan, and the business year beginning with Tishri. However, this is purely of their own making; no­where does the Bible sanction such an arrangement. Any time recordings in the Bible after Passover are reckoned as from the month Abib, or Nisan.

This change was not without purpose. Prior to the Passover the Jews had no or­ganized religious ritual. The religious order which they had when they entered Canaan some forty years later was the one arranged for them through Moses at Sinai in the wilder­ness, when the Aaronic priesthood and the Tabernacle ceremonies were first instituted. This would seem to suggest to us that the secular year revealed the character of the dispensation previous to the present one – commonly known as the Jewish Age. It would be followed by the ecclesiastical year, and would suggest the spiritual character of the present dispensation. Here then is contrasted the dealings of God during the Jew­ish Age along the rigid lines of the Law to His Grace dealings during the present Age. Prior to the Gospel Age God’s dealings with His covenant people were along earthly and secular lines; whereas, during this Gospel Age the dealings have been along ecclesia, church – spiritual lines.

In that God made the change in the beginning of the year in connection with His institution of the Paschal Lamb, its feast and the entire Passover festival suggests that the change of the year is typical of the Lord’s dispensational dealings chang­ing at the beginning of the Gospel Age; for the change in the type was made because of the Passover Lamb, its feast and its following festival, which properly type Christ our Lamb (“Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us”), with the privileges and bless­ings of the Christian life that attach to it.

The change in the year’s beginning would seem also to complement the change in the name of Jacob. “Thy name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel (a prince of God, see marginal reading): for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men”—Gen. 32:28. This would seem to represent the opportunity that came to the Jews at the beginning of the Christian era to elect a change of names – from Jews to Chris­tians. And in this connection, from Genesis 32:28 throughout the Old Testament, the name Jacob used in the texts usually, but not always, refers to fleshly Israel; whereas, the name Israel usually, tho not always, refers to spiritual Israel.

And concerning the date on which the Passover and its subsequent memorials were to be kept the instruction is very specific – it was to be on the 14th day of the first month. The date for Nisan 1 was determined by the condition of the moon – when it became new nearest the Vernal Equinox, provided the date for Nisan 14 would not occur before the Vernal Equinox. The Jewish religious festivals were tuned to the seasons. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, the Passover was a Spring festi­val; therefore, it could not occur before Spring began. The same would be true of the Atonement Day service – it was set for the 10th day of the seventh month (Tishri), and thus observed in the Fall. To this day the Jews attempt rigid adherence to the right date, altho their failure to use the right calculation usually brings them a day or two or three off the right day. And the same may be said for the Christian world: they seldom have the right date for the Memorial of our Passover. It remained for the bright shining of the Harvest Truth to reveal the correct method of setting the date; but most Truth groups do not seem to understand it even yet. But on this point we see no occasion for much altercation. As Bible Students we should want to do every­thing exactly right, but human limitation often causes miscalculation. Very few people observed the right date for the Memorial during the Age; and even during the Harvest mistakes were often made. Thus, the spirit in which it is observed is vastly more im­portant than the correct date, altho it is much better to have the right spirit and the right date if that is possible.

In the Bible two names are given for the first month. The first of these is found in Ex. 13:4 – “This day came ye out in the month of Abib.” It means ‘sprout or earl (of grain). The name Nisan first appears in Neh. 2:1 – after return from captivity in Babylon. It means ‘blossom’ or ‘blossoming time.’    We are given no reason for this change. However, it is the name of the Babylonian god of Spring; and it may be that the Jews wished to placate the Babylonians in any way they could – not wishing to re­turn to Babylon for more of their captive experiences. In any event, the meaning of either Abib or Nisan fits the occasion, because the blossoming time would well comple­ment the time of the new life which Jesus received at His resurrection.” “Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” (1 Cor. 15: 20)

The foregoing had been counterfeited by Satan centuries before in the Babylonian religion. One of their gods was Tammuz. He was god of the pasture, the patron of flocks and their keepers; thus, was himself entitled shepherd. Every Spring he was supposed to die, but was brought back to life again by the weeping of the Babylonian women. This myth had become so prominent before the capture of Jerusalem that the Jew­ish women had also been captivated by it. “He brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord’s house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.” (Eze. 8:14) It is thus quite a coincidence that women were weeping for Jesus as He was being led to Calvary. “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” (Luke 23:28, Dia.) Such tales form the background for the popularity of colored eggs at Easter time. The egg tho a dead ob­ject, may, by proper treatment, produce a life – all of which has a certain logic, Satanic tho its origin be; a chicken hatched from an egg is a fitting illustration of the resurrection from the dead.

In Ex. 3:22; 11:2, the Jews were told to borrow “jewels of silver, and jewels of gold” from their Egyptian neighbors just before they were to leave Egypt; and Ex. 12:35,36    states that they “borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment... And they spoiled the Egyptians.” On the fact of it this action would seem a rather underhanded trick – borrowing without any intention of repaying. Bible critics have taken this episode as ‘proof’ of the unreliability of Bible teaching; but their arguments all fall to the ground when the proper translation is taken. The word ‘borrowed’ should be translated ‘asked.’

This is all clarified when we consider the pertinent oriental customs of that time. Then, when a servant left his master’s employ, it was customary for him to ask whatever he desired as a parting boon. (2 Kgs. 2:9,10); and the prevailing custom bound the master to give whatever is asked, if that were possible. To refuse such a request was a legal offense and subject to suit for damages, which was always decided in favor of the servant, if he could prove that he had been reasonably faithful. Such refusal was considered as a discredit and defamation of the servant. Since Is­rael certainly deserved some compensation for their lengthy servitude in Egypt, God properly charged them to ask in accordance with the prevailing custom; and, in keep­ing with their inherent cupidity, they asked for plenty – so much so, in fact, that they impoverished the Egyptians, and had more than enough silver and gold to construct the Tabernacle furniture when they reached Sinai.

Another item is worthy of note here: Dr. Young’s translation says, “They (the Egyptians) caused (the Israelites) to ask (for the jewels, etc.)” After the death of all the firstborn in Egypt, they were very intent upon ridding themselves of these un­desirables in their country, so they told the Jews, Take whatever you want – just get away from us! The antitype of all this is to be found in the “gold, silver and prec­ious stones” (1 Cor. 3:12) which spiritual Israel attains in their characters during this Age as a result of the abuse that has come to them through the antitypical Egyptians.

And the Jews then left in haste – so much so that they had not time to prepare food before leaving. Thus, the unleavened cakes which they consumed in the early part of their journey fittingly typified “the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (l Cor. 5:8) with which spiritual Israel keeps the Memorial each Spring. All who have come into the “Church of the Firstborn” during this Age acted this type out – some for only a short time (thus losing their crowns), and some throughout the entire life, receiving a “crown of righteousness” which the Lord had promised to those that love Him.

SPRINKLING THE BLOOD

After the lamb was killed that night the blood was to be sprinkled on the door­posts and the lintel, which things also had typical significance. The doorposts rep­resented Justice – Justice toward God and Justice toward man, which Justice was satis­fied by that blood sprinkling. “According to the Law, almost all things are purified by blood, and without an effusion of blood no forgiveness takes place.” (Heb. 9:22, Dia.) “Now where there is a forgiveness of these, an offering for sin is no longer needed.” (Heb. 10:18, Dia.) Thus, those that remained “under the blood” that awesome night in Egypt had no need to fear the Angel of Death; only, if they went outside, would they then be vulnerable, as were all the Egyptians.

But the blood was also sprinkled on the lintel, the same being “a horizontal mem­ber spanning an opening to carry a superstructure.” Here again was intricate typi­cal significance. The lintel over the door forms the base for the building superstruc­ture; and this well typifies the character superstructure of each one who has had the blood applied to him and for him. The “foundation,” therefore, is by the grace of God. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) However, the superstructure on that foundation is the result of each individuals effort – the “wise man” building upon a rock, and the “foolish man” upon the sand. (Matt. 7:24-28)  Therefore, it may be emphasized that character is not a gift; it is a victory. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith.” There is nothing in the record to indicate that a single Jewish indivi­dual went out from under the blood that night; but we know from clear Scripture that many have gone out from under the blood during the antitype – during this Gospel Age, the record expressly stating that “Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place... Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein.” (Acts 1:20,25)

And not only was the sprinkling meticulously done, but the manner in which the lamb was to be prepared and eaten was also most rigid. “Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire... And let nothing of it remain until the morn­ing; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.” (Ex. 12:9,10) “And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s Passover.” In Bible symbols the girdle signifies service. Thus, Elijah was “girt with a girdle of leather about his loins” (2 Kgs. 1:8); and he was an outstanding type of those dur­ing the Gospel Age who would be known for their service to one another – ready to lay down life for friends. “By this we have known love, because He laid down His life on our behalf; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16) The staff in the hand would indicate the necessity for leaning upon the precious promises of God in the wilderness journey toward the Heavenly Canaan; and it is sound conclu­sion that none could ever complete that wearisome and hazardous journey without the sustaining strength of the precious promises. This is also shown by the High Priest eating of the shewbread on the golden table in the Tabernacle Holy, that bread repre­senting the Sarah features of the Abrahamic covenant, which affords sustenance to those who assimilate it in proper fashion.

AN ORDINANCE FOREVER

“Ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons forever... And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyp­tians and delivered our houses.” (Ex. 12:24-27) To the present time we find relig­ious Jews carrying out this ordinance in their preparation for and eating of the an­nual paschal lamb. After meticulous preparation for the service, with the food on the table, the head of the family – to be certain this service would be as commanded, tells the oldest son to ask the question, What do you mean by this service? after which the father proceeds to explain why the annual affair is performed. The present­-day Jews are usually off a little on the correct date – due mainly to the fact that they are guided by the condition of the moon, rather than the direct instructions of the Bible. The moon governs the fixing of the date only in the establishment of Nisan 1; after that date is determined, then the service is to be on Nisan 14, regardless whether the moon is full or not.

‘And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth.” (Ex. 13:9) Here is set forth the symbolic relation between the annual Passover feast, and the original performance. Also, it proves the symbolic relation of the Lord’s Supper to the antitypical Lamb and our feasting upon Him, and gives added emphasis to “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” It reveals also the true meaning of the words, “This is My body... My blood” – not as actual existence, as a large part of the Christian world believes, but a rep­resentation of those things. “And for a memorial between thine eyes” also proves the same thing, because the eyes are expressive of understanding or knowledge. At every annual service the Jews knew full well that they were not eating the original Passover as it occurred in Egypt; thus, we also should know that we are not actually eating the antitype of the lamb in Egypt; but the bread and the wine are merely a representation of the antitype.

There is no doubt that the Lord used good intoxicating wine as He instituted the Memorial; and many today still use such wine. But plain grape juice is “fruit of the vine,” even tho it be not fermented, and is sufficient for the service. However, if some are inclined to argue about this, then a teaspoonful of fermented wine could be added to the cup, which would readily lose its identity, and could not be tasted. There is just nothing in the original ceremony that says how much alcohol should be in the cup; therefore, one drop in the cup would be just as persuasive as would a full cup of potent wine. And any unleavened wafer would be proper for the bread at the ser­vice, such unleavened wafer representing for one thing the freedom from sin’s condemna­tion in those who eat it ‘in sincerity and in truth.”

DIFFERENCES IN TYPE AND MEMORIAL

In the original service the lamb was set aside on the tenth day of the month ­four days before it was slain and eaten. In the subsequent memorials this was not done, as is clearly revealed in Matt. 26:17: “The first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, Where wilt thou that we pre­pare for thee to eat the Passover?” Nor was the lamb’s blood sprinkled on the door posts and the lintel – just as there is nothing in our memorial to represent this. Nor was the lamb eaten in haste in the subsequent observances. Rather, the memorials, altho solemn occasions, were also an evening of rejoicing for the liberation that had come to them from their Egyptian taskmasters. And the Jews reasoned that good wine was about the best thing they knew to lift the spirits of those at the paschal table. ‘Wine maketh glad the heart of man.” (Psa. 104:15) Consequently, four cups of wine were used in the service by Jesus at the last supper. Before any food was eaten at all a cup of wine was drunk, as set forth in Luke 22:17 – “He took the cup and gave thanks.” During the meal there was two more cups of wine; then a final one as a closing service, as given in verse 20 – “Likewise, also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you.” All of this in­formation is not contained in the Bible, but it is obtained from secular writings.

BENEFITS FROM PROPER UNDERSTANDING

Often the remark is heard that it is not the date, or the knowledge that is pre­dominant in the Lord’s Supper, but the spirit in which it is observed. There is a certain amount of truth in this statement, but it cannot be used as an excuse for be­ing “willingly ignorant.” Those of us who have come to a clear and complete under­standing of this service realize full well that participation with proper knowledge deepens love for God, and for Christ Who died for the world, and for all fellow parti­cipants, because we know it symbolizes Christ’s death, appropriation of His merit, and fellowship with one another. It deepens, increases and elevates faith in justifying and sanctifying aspects; it fosters hope in the glorious consummation for the entire family of God in suggesting the “new wine” in the Heavenly Canaan. It also strength­ens obedience as we comply strictly with the letter as nearly as possible, as well as the spirit of the occasion; it refreshes heart and mind on the grace of God underly­ing the service; and stimulates zeal and self-sacrifice by holding “Christ our Pass­over” upon our minds before, during and after the Memorial service.

Much of the foregoing is deeply hidden in Ex. 12:34: ‘The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading-troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.” In leaving the nominal church, and coming into the Truth, we became free from the slavery of error. “Ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.” If faithfully continued, it eventually frees us from every vestige of Satan’s empire, not simply from its ecclesiastical part. In both of these deliv­erances we perform the antitype of this Scripture. The dough represents the Truth; and the kneading-troughs represent our minds. The wrapping of the dough within the troughs in the Israelites’ garments very fittingly represents our graces laying hold on these and making the Truth our own – through faith, love, hope and obedience. Just as the Jews were freed from Egyptian bondage by exact performance of that Passover, so we are also freed from the bondage of antitypical Egypt. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” But this comes in the fullest sense only to those who know what they are doing in the service, and why they are doing it.

Those who have come to that understanding of the Memorial in its various features may well be represented in Luke 23:26: “As they led Him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.” The word Simon in this text means ‘hearing one’; and all who have “followed in His steps” during the Age have been hearing ones (“blessed are your ears, for they hear”), and have faithfully borne the cross ‘after Jesus.’ It is presumed that Jesus bore His part of the cross at its heaviest part – at the cross beam – and this is as it should be. He had also received the Holy spirit without measure; whereas, those who have borne the cross “after Him” have received the Holy Spirit with measure – in a limited degree. Thus, it is only reasonable to conclude they would also receive the lighter part of His cross in their journey through life; and so it has been.

CONCLUSION

What has been presented herein is in no sense intended to replace the excellent presentation of the Passover to be found in Volume Six of the Parousia Studies in the Scriptures – which we commend at this time to all our readers. But it is our fond hope and prayer that we may “stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.” And in this spirit we wish one and all the Lord’s rich blessing in preparation for, and par­ticipation in this service.

“And no Creature is concealed in his sight, but all things are naked and exposed to his eyes, whose word is addressed to us. Having, therefore, a great High-priest, who has passed through the Heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, we should firmly retain the confession. For we have not a High-priest unable to sympathize with our weaknesses; but one having been tried in all respects like ourselves, apart from Sin. We should therefore, approach with confidence to the Throne of Favor, that we may receive Mercy and Favor for seasonable help.” (Heb. 4:13-16, Dia.)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – Why do you accuse Brother Jolly of forsaking what That Servant and the Apostle Paul taught on the Jews being first and chief in the Kingdom, when what he gave us in “Jewish Hopes and Prospects” is in strict conformity with what we have “learned and been assured of”? This is also true of his splendid article in the August 1967 Bible Standard concerning the Jews.

ANSWER: – We did not refute his booklet on “Jewish Hopes and Prospects” in our No. 209, Nov. 1, 1972 paper; we were refuting his errors that appear in his Present Truth magazine and his verbal expressions at Conventions regarding his Campers Consecrated, which are not in harmony with his “Jewish Hopes and Prospects” ­nor in harmony with his August 1967 Bible Standard. He is presenting much of the Truth as given to us by the two Messengers in his Bible Standard and in his booklet, but is teaching the brethren in his Present Truth magazine that his Campers Conse­crated precede the Jews in Kingdom blessings. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8)

In the Bible Standard of August 1967 there are some comments that are mislead­ing to both Jews and Gentiles. He says the Jews were cut off because of unbelief, “If the unbelief class were given an opportunity to gain elective salvation, lack­ing the requisite faith they would inevitably be lost.” This is a half-truth, and half truths are often more misleading than whole errors. This is true of the Gospel Age up to 1881, but after that all consecrators were not spirit-begotten. The Youth­ful Worthies are an elect class – and opportunity for entrance into that class – to both Jews and Gentiles – was still open after 1914. This is the last class to have opportunity for elective salvation – the last class to have opportunity to walk a nar­row way. However, we agree that after this opportunity is no longer available, all others – including all the quasi-elect – will have their opportunity for salvation with the unbelievers: they will receive their resurrection by judgments – they will have no part in a “better resurrection.” None but the spirit-begotten will go into the Second Death in this Age – and the Youthful Worthies are not spirit-begotten.

This unbegotten class selected “between the Ages” will be rewarded in honor and service with the Ancient Worthies. (See Hebrews, Chapter 11) However, if they make such a consecration and fail to be faithful thereto, they will be remanded to the Camp, and some of them possibly to beyond the camp, and will have their trial for life with the unbelief class. They will not “inevitably be lost,” as RGJ’s Bible Standard teaches. Such will not go into the Second Death because they are unfaithful to their vows now – altho if they refuse and fail to have the Adamic Death Process plagued out of their characters during the Kingdom – even tho outwardly obeying – they will enter the Little Season with imperfect heart condition, and will then lose life altogether: they will go into the Second Death. (See Rev. 20:14,15)

There have been only three opportunities to enter into elective salvation: (1) To the faithful before the High Calling was opened; (2) to the ones who made an acceptable consecration under the High Calling, and were spirit-begotten; (3) and to those who consecrate “between the Ages” – after the door is closed to the High Calling, and before the New Covenant is inaugurated. However, there are four elect classes, but only three opportunities for entrance into elective salvation. Those who failed to be “more than conquerors,” during tho Gospel Age were not faithful enough to retain their crowns, but not unfaithful enough to go into the Second Death, constitute the fourth class. We call them the Measurably Faithful. They were not called to this class – God in mercy provided a place for those who were ejected from the Holy into the Court. They are the “Great Multitude” of Rev. 7:9, and will serve “before the throne.” Only two classes – the Little Flock and the Great Company – can go into the Second Death during this Age. They are spirit-begotten, while the two classes of Worthies are not spirit-begotten. The Worthies will be “princes”, in all the earth – and, as That Servant tells us, will be unique in that they will be perfect physically because they will receive a “better resurrection” (Heb. 11:35), which is instantaneous physical perfection – their initial reward for their faithfulness while sin and evil were in the ascendancy. They also will be the visible rulers in the earth when the New Covenant is inaugurated.

We do not have any major difference with RGJ about his teachings to the Jews, except as outlined above – altho even there he should be telling them that they must become “Consecrated Campers” in order to be among the chief of the restitutionists ­that is, if he believes what he is teaching about Campers Consecrated and wishes to bless the Jews by giving them an opportunity to become one of the quasi-elect “Consecrated.”

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle:

I cannot tell you how much your bulletins have meant to me. They are my only contact with any of those in the Truth – the magazines and letters. May the enclosed help you in His work.             Sincerely ------- (OREGON)

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Dear Sirs:

I would appreciate a copy of the following editions: Where are the Dead, What is the Soul and The Resurrection of the Dead. I will gladly forward to you a check after receiving same.

Sincerely, ------- (FLORIDA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings of Christian love in our dear Redeemer’s name!

We have been receiving your papers and have enjoyed them very much. We recently moved so that we haven’t been getting the papers. We would like to get the back issues and continue to receive your monthly papers. Our old address ------- and our new address is ------- Thank you very much! May the Lord bless you and yours in the work. Enclosed is $--- for the work.

Much Christian love, Sr ------- (CALIFORNIA)

PS – What is the subscription price?