NO. 303: THE LAW OF MOSES - PART ONE

No. 303

In Luke 24:44 Jesus expresses the three component parts of the Old Testament: the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. By “the Law” Jesus meant the writings of Moses – the Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Old Testament. By “the Prophets” He meant the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, etc. (the Prophets being sub­divided into the Major and the Minor prophets). And by “the Psalms” He meant the Psalms, The Book of Job, Proverbs, etc., the same being the more or less sentimental writings; and we believe that all of us will agree that there is much of sentiment in those writings.

To digress here just a little, we would offer the four component parts of the New Testament: the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John); the Acts of the Apostles; the Epistles (beginning with Romans and ending with the letter by Jude); and the Apoca­lypse – Revelation. Thus we have pointed out to us the seven parts of the Bible, the “seven” revealing the Divine origin of the inspired writings, which we designate as the Bible.

MORE SPECIFIC DETAIL

Many good Christian people regard “the Law” as a reference to the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God, as set out in the 20th Chapter of Exodus, vs. 2 through 17. This is definitely true, of course; but in Psa. 119:97 there is this: “O how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” “The Law” here, however, embraces much more than the Ten Commandments: It refers to the entire Bible, which is indeed the “medita­tion” of all true believers. Next, it would refer to that part of the Bible as ex­pressed by Jesus – the first five books of the Bible; then in the very narrow sense, the Ten Commandments. The revelatory and strictly religious features of the Law have their beginning in Exodus 12, where the Passover was instituted, and which definitely ends that period from the Covenant with Abraham to the Exodus – a period of four hundred and thirty years. (Gal. 3:17) The minute exactness of this period is stressed in Ex. 12:51: “It came to pass the selfsame day, that the Lord did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.” And here we have the beginning of the Law ­begun by the Passover and elaborated in great detail in the remainder of the Pentateuch. It is well we keep this in mind in all our studies of this subject.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Many sincere people consider the Ten Commandments as the Law of Moses; but they are just the nucleus of that Law. The Ten Commandments are the mandatory feature of the Law of Moses – divided into parts, “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not.” The secon­dary part of the Law of Moses is the Ceremonial features – much more extensive, much more complicated, and much less understood – although we would stress here that the manda­tory features of that Law are also greatly misunderstood by many sincere people.

In Lev. 18:5 the Lord said unto Moses: “Ye shall therefore keep my statutes: which if a man do, he shall live in them.” This was certainly welcome news to the Jews: they would continue to live if they kept that law, and that they promised to do. They did not realize that this was a perfect Law, which as imperfect beings, they were total­ly unable to keep. When Jesus began His ministry at the age of thirty, the Jews shortly began to accuse Him of ignoring, or setting aside, this Law which was so sacred to them. And in response, Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” (Matt. 5:17) And this He did “fulfill” (fill full that Law); but the Jews did not recognize that He was perfect, and could keep that perfect law, which they were unable to do. Thus, the best of them, those who very earnestly endeavored to keep that law, continued to die; and this is a vivid proof to the unbiased mind that they were unable to keep that Law.

The Law is set forth in the 20th Chapter of Exodus, vs. 2 through 17. In referring to this section of Scripture the word “commandment” is not strictly correct. In Hebrew it is properly given as “word”; thus, the first word, the second word, etc. As a brief summary, we would express the first “word” thus: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” And the second “word”: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.” The third “word”: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy god in vain.” The fourth: “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

The second table of the Law begins with the fifth “word”: “Honor thy father and thy mother”; the sixth “word,” “Thou shalt not kill”; the seventh, “Thou shalt not com­mit adultery”; the eighth, “Thou shalt not steal”; the ninth, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor”; and the tenth, “Thou shalt not covet.” Much elab­oration could be offered on the foregoing, but that is not primarily the purpose of this writing.

As most of our readers know, we often become involved in extensive controversy re­garding our understanding of the interpretation of the Scriptures; and these ten “words” are no exception. Just recently we became involved with a Brother about these words, and especially so on the one concerning “The sabbath day.” And our main reason now for writing this article is to help our readers to a better understanding of this subject. Thus we reproduce some of the questions involved, with our answers, in the hope that our readers will profit thereby. But before proceeding, we would offer the opinion that the Ten Commandments (“words”) are a grand law of justice, since they embrace every duty of God’s creatures to Him and to one another – perfection from every standpoint – and this does indeed prove them to be the inspired word of God. And believing this, it should immediately become apparent that in nowise do we wish to abrogate – or even miti­gate – any part of those ten “words.”

Now, for some of the Questions: “Doesn’t your belief in the Creation Week help the evolution­ists in their false teachings, since it does away with the Sabbath?”

Answer: “Regarding the Ten Commandments, it seems we have a little different under­standing on that – although you believe in them, even as I do. But no man has been able to keep the Ten Commandments – neither the Jew nor the Christian. Only the perfect man Jesus was able to keep a perfect law. Paul says, ‘having blotted out what was written by hand (the two tables of the Law, the Ten Commandments) in ordinances which were against us, and removed it from our midst, having nailed it to the cross.’ (Col. 2:14, Dia.) We know the Jews were able to keep the ceremonial features, because the High Priest was told to do it all exactly as Moses gave it – that he die not. And there is no record that any of the High Priests died because of failure to perform the ceremon­ial features – regardless of their moral delinquencies. However, the Ten Commandments were the ‘written Law,’ but not the ceremonial features. The latter were all given orally to Moses.”

Moses told the Jews that they would live if they kept the Law (Lev. 18:5); but they soon learned that they could not keep the Ten Commandments, because they all con­tinued to die. Jesus, being perfect, was able to keep the Law, and proved it by what He did; He knew that we could not keep it – thus He nailed it to His cross. St. Paul writes, “I was alive without the Law once (in the Abrahamic covenant); but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.” (Rom. 7:9) St. Paul says, “We do not make void the law through faith.” (Rom. 3:31) In answer to this we quote from Rom. 10:4: “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Also, “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Rom. 13:10) If our life is motivated by that love – love for God and love for man – we are fulfilling the law, which is the same for all who “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1)

We are in full agreement that we should keep the Law to the best of our ability, because it is a perfect law. All these moral laws are incorporated in the New Testa­ment, however, but there is nothing said about keeping the Ten Commandments. Should we fall short on any of them through weakness of the flesh, we should immediately go to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need. (Heb. 4:16) At the same time we are fully convinced that none of us have the ability to keep a perfect law – although we can keep it in spirit. As Gentiles, we were never under the Mosaic law; therefore, when Jesus “nailed it to His cross” it was only for the Jews that He did that; and He did that only for those Jews that became Christians ­footstep followers of Him. All other believing Jews are still under that law, but none of them can keep it; that is why they all continue to die. “Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments; which if a man do he shall live in them: I am the Lord.” (Lev. 18:5) And those Jews who kept the Law as best they could were blessed.

Some of those Jewish heroes are mentioned in Chapter 11 of Hebrews, but there is nothing said about their having kept the Law. In fact, some of them lived many years before the law even appeared. It is clearly stressed that they were victors “by faith.” Also, some of them mentioned grossly violated the law, but later repented. Consider, for instance, the case of David. The Law was then here – and David knew it – yet he grievously violated it. But the Apostle Paul includes his name with the heroes of the Old Testament. David’s heart was always right before God, but not toward man. (1 Kgs. 11:4; 15:5; 1 Sam. 13:14) But there is no doubt that he had that “godly sorrow that worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of.” (2 Cor. 7:10) The same with Rahab, the harlot, whose life was a gross violation of the law, yet her faith in the God of the Hebrews places her in the select company of the Old Testament heroes. (Heb. 11:31) So they lived “above the Law” in many respects, and “by faith” and repentance because of their fleshly weakness in violating the perfect law, were reinstated in the “Household of Faith.”

In the third and fourth chapters of Galatians St. Paul treats of this subject in some detail; and in Gal. 3:22–24 he tells us that we are saved by faith, not by keep­ing the Law. “The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ... then (v. 25): “But after faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Here is a very clear and plain statement by a onetime Jew, that “we are (the Jews who accept Christ by faith) no longer under a schoolmaster.” However, those faithful Jews who are mentioned in Hebrews Chapter 11 lived above the law: they lived by faith – although punished where they violated the Law they did not keep, as in the case of David.

Here we cite Martin Luther’s fundamental doctrine (by which he mutilated the Roman Church): “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” (Rom. 5:1) He had the same difference with the Roman Catholic Church that we have with those who believe they can be saved by works. That Church contended that we are saved by works; whereas, Luther correctly contended we are saved “by faith” and no longer under a schoolmaster (the Law).

Note also this very pertinent Scripture on this subject: “Sin shall not have do­minion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:13–18) And 1 Kgs. 8:6–9: “The priests brought in the ark of the Covenant unto his place... There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at oreb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel.” And so it will be under the New Covenant when it is inaugurated in Christ’s Kingdom. (Jer. 31:31–33) This Scripture (1 kgs. 8:6–9) relates to the dedication of Solomon’s Temple; and makes very clear what St. Paul meant when he stated what he did in Col. 2:14 – “the handwrit­ing of ordinances.” He is referring clearly and specifically to the two tables of the Law that ONLY were in the Ark when the Temple was dedicated.

Today many sincere people believe they are saved by works for a good cause. And many unsavory characters are highly praised for their “works of charity.” The Jehovah’s Witnesses tell their dedicated devotees (many of whom have our good opinion) that if they are faithful in serving so many hours a day or week, they will be chiefs in the Kingdom. At one time they told them they will live right on through to the Kingdom, but have softened that somewhat, as many of their faithful followers have since died.

By the foregoing statements we would not have our readers believe that those who have faith are to sit idly down and do nothing but have faith in our Lord and in God. “I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (Jas. 2:18) And that is our position, as all who have true animated faith will do with their might what their hands find to do: They will demonstrate their faith by their works. But faith cometh first! Every man should be able to give every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you with meek­ness and fear (reverence). (1 Pet. 3:15)

During this Gospel Age it is a “narrow way” that leadeth unto life; and, as Jesus said, “Few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:14) But, when the New Covenant is inaugu­rated (Jer. 31:31) – made with the Jews just as the Law Covenant was made – all will be given a chance to walk up the Highway (an easy way compared with the “narrow way” now operating). And all nations will be blessed by this Covenant as soon as they come under it and comply with its terms. The “narrow way” during the Gospel Age is a call: “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wis­dom of God.” (1 Cor. 1:24 – also see verses 25–30) In the Kingdom it will not be a “call” but a command, if they get life.

Question: “When St. Paul told the Jews ‘we are free’ in Christ, is there anything here that says the Jews were not obligated to keep the Law – the Ten Commandments? Or was he referring to the Ceremonial Law?”

Answer: “By this question we would not infer that the Brother is not sincere in his query, but sincerity alone is not sufficient. When the nations went at each others’ throats – as they did in 1914 – there is no doubt at all in our mind that many were sin­cere on both sides. However, at least one side had to be wrong; and some prominent individuals have contended that both sides were wrong. But the latter point we do not ar­gue. We now confine ourselves specifically to one expression by St. Paul in Col. 2:14: ‘Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that are against us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.’”

Now follows this same text from a more exact translation: “Having blotted out what was written by hand in ordinances which was against us, and has removed it from our midst, having nailed it to the cross.” Let us stress here that the ONLY part of the Law that was written by God’s hand was the Ten Commandments – contained on two tables of stone – and nothing else. The ceremonial law was all given orally to Moses; none of it was written by God’s hand. (Ex. 31:18; 24:12; Deut. 9:10)

As said above, when the ark was placed in Solomon’s Temple, the only thing it con­tained was the two tables of the Law – written by God’s hand. (1 Kgs. 8:6–9) Aaron’s rod that budded, and the golden pot of manna were no longer in the Ark. This is to tell us that God’s eternal law – the Ten Commandments – will be perfectly implanted into human hearts and minds “in due time.” (Jer. 31:33) Solomon’s Temple in this picture is a replica of what shall be when the “living temple” of God is established in the earth. But for the present – and because of our frailty – it is “removed from our midst.” Certainly this statement by St. Paul is plain enough and positive enough for a child to understand it.

When the lawyer wanted to know what he should do to inherit eternal life, Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” (Luke 10: 25,27) So it is love for God and man that will eventually give us eternal life. This applies now in this Age, and will apply toward all men in the next Age.

Question: “When the Commandment says, ‘Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.’ is not this a perpetual obligation?”

Answer: “Yes, to those who have put themselves under it; but Gentiles have never done that – have never been asked to do it – so there is no obligation on their part to try to keep it. However, that same Commandment says, “In it thou shalt not do any work, thou... nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant.” Can any seventh Sabbath Day adher­ent honestly say he is keeping this command­ment? Does their manservant leave them a newspaper on Saturday? Does their manservant leave them milk on Saturday? Does their manservant operate a bus that carries them to church on Saturday? Many years ago we lived next door to a very religious Jew, who scrupulously tried to keep the Sabbath; so, every Friday evening at six o’clock – when his Sabbath began – he gave us a penny to come into his kitchen, strike a match and light his stove fire. Seemingly, he did not real­ize that in hiring us for that penny he was having his “manservant” – or boyservant – do some work for him. This general thought of the Ten Commandments – handwriting of ordi­nances – is further emphasized in Ex. 31:18: “God gave to Moses... two tables of testi­mony, tables of stone (the Ten Commandments are the only “tables of stone”), written with the finger of God.”

And to emphasize the superiority of the Ten Commandments (written by the finger of God), note now the record in Deut. 31:24–26: “When Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law (the ceremonial features, written by Moses – in contrast to the Ten Commandments written by God) upon a scroll (not on tables of stone)... Moses commanded the Levites... Take this scroll of the law, and put it at the side of the ark (not in the ark – as was done with the two tables of stone, written by the finger of God) of the covenant of Yahweh your God.” (Rotherham translation)

When Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another” (John 13:34), that terse statement embraced everything in the great addition problem set forth by St. Peter in 2 Pet. 1:5–7: “Add to your faith virtue (fortitude); and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance (self–control); and to temperance pa­tience (stick-to-itiveness); and to patience godliness (piety); and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (love). And this addition cir­cumvents all the ethical, ceremonial and mandatory elements of the Christian religion. If any of us could keep the mandatory law of Moses, we could not improve on what St. Peter has instructed us. However, be it emphasized here that no one of the fallen hu­man race has ever been able to do perfectly what St. Peter has prescribed. In not one of these seven character qualities have any of us been able to reach perfection – just as none of the Jews could reach perfection in keeping the law of Moses; but it is the ideal set before us – “that we should follow in his steps.” (1 Pet. 2:21)

In no place does Jesus insist that His followers should keep the law of Moses; on the contrary, He tells us, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me... for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:29,30) Here He was making a clear distinc­tion between the yoke of the Law – which no Jew had been able to keep – and His yoke (“follow in His steps”), which we keep imperfectly, but, if faithfully, satisfactory to God, because Jesus is with us in that yoke, bearing the heavier part of it – a help the Jews did not have in their attempt to keep the Law of Moses.

Solomon’s Temple should be considered here in connection with this discussion. It was an elegant structure – one of the finest then in existence. And in this it was typical of the grander Temple, the spiritual temple that will appear when the Kingdom is established. At the dedication of Solomon’s Temple we are told, “The priests brought in the ark of the covenant (the golden ark from the Most Holy of the Tabernacle) of the Lord unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place (which now supplanted the Most Holy of the Tabernacle), even under the wings of the cherubims. (1 Kgs. 8:6); then verse 9, “There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb (where the Jewish ritual was first established after they left Egypt), when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel.”

All during the Jews’ journey through the Wilderness of Sin, on their journey to Canaan, the golden ark in the Most Holy of the Tabernacle had contained the two tables of stone, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the golden pot of Manna that never decayed; but two of these items were no longer there when the golden ark was transferred to Solomon’s Temple – showing us very clearly that when the antitypical Temple appears in the Kingdom, there will no longer be need for the Rod or the Pot of Manna. Only the eternal law of God will be there – the “words” engraved on the two tables of stone by the finger of God, which Jesus temporarily suspended, “Nailing it to His cross,” because no one had been able to keep it; but its presence in the Temple tells us very clearly that in the Kingdom all the willing and obedient will then be able to keep that Law – just as Jesus Himself kept it when He was with us at His first Advent – being a perfect man could keep a perfect Law.

Question: “In Matt. 5:17 not one word is said about Jesus nailing the Law to His cross; why, then, do you quote it now?”

Answer: “He does not say anything in Matt. 5:17 about nailing the Ceremonial law to the cross either. He had disposed of that in Matt. 23:38 – as we pointed out afore­going. And, as for the mandatory feature of the Law (the Ten Commandments) certainly He did not nail that to His cross for Himself: He had no need to do that, because He Himself kept that Law perfectly – something we cannot do. Therefore, at His crucifix­ion He nailed it to His cross to remove that ‘schoolmaster’ that had afflicted the Jews for centuries. ‘For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’ (Rom. 8:3,4) That statement about ‘nailing it to His cross’ applied only to those Jews who had agreed to keep that Law; but it does not apply to any Gentiles, because they never were under that Law – had made no covenant with God to keep it. This is no ‘private interpretation’ on our part: it is just simple logic applied to a very much circulated illogical interpretation that quite a few good people mistakenly try to place upon it.”

However, we would emphasize that both the Law Covenant and the New Covenant are regulated by the same eternal Law of God, the Ten Commandments; and these must eventu­ally be kept perfectly by all who will gain eternal life under the New Covenant – when “Satan is bound, that he should deceive the nations no more.” (Rev. 20:2,3)

Question: “If we are caught stealing, and plead exemption from prosecution because the Law was nailed to the cross, would the judge accept that excuse?”

Answer: “No, of course he would not! There are some features of the Law Covenant that we can keep ­such as stealing, thou shalt not kill, commit adultery, etc., but that is a far cry from including the entire Law. The Gentiles who were not under the Law had enough light not to do those things, if they were motivated by right and wrong. ‘But glory, honour, and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.’ (Rom. 2:10)”

Question: “Why do you make so complicated the plain and simple statement of Jesus in Matt. 5:17,18?”

Answer: “We do not make it complicated; the question complicates it when it tries to put Gentiles in the same category with Jesus Himself. In that text Jesus says, ‘I come not to destroy the law.’ Neither do we come to destroy it. But He also said, ‘I am come to fulfill it’ – which we do not do because we lack the ability and the heredity to do that.”

The Curse: “As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse.” (Gal. 3:10) “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law... for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” (Gal. 3:13) The whole human family is now under the curse of sin and death; but, when the Jews covenanted to keep the law, but were not able to do so, it put them under a double curse. Thus, Jesus had to “hang upon a tree” – the cross – to redeem the Jews from the double curse which rested upon them – the curse inherited from Adam, and the curse of the works of the Law.

Question: “What about Matt. 5:19 – ‘Whosoever shall break one of these least com­mandments shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven?”

Answer: “Jesus had said that if any one break the least of the commandments, he is guilty of all. Yes, here He says that even the “least” will be in the Kingdom of heaven. Coupled with this, we have His statement about John the Baptist, a Jew who was scrupulously trying to keep the Law: ‘There hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.’ (Matt. 11:11) Here is a clear statement that John the Baptist will not be in the King­dom of Heaven (the heavenly phase of the Kingdom), although he painstakingly tried to keep the Law to the best of his ability, which he could not do. By our Lord’s statement, we know that he will be included among the faithful, honored Ancients, mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the llth Chapter of Hebrews – his reward being the earthly phase of the Kingdom and not the Spiritual phase, which is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Also, according to the questioner’s reasoning, the Apostles Paul, Peter, James and others will also be least in the Kingdom of Heaven, because they taught that the follow­ers of Jesus – Jews or Gentiles – were not under the Law, as noted by the following Scriptures: “By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses.” (Acts 13:39) “By the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified..” (Gal. 2:16)

More now from Acts 15:5–20: “There rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. (v. 5) And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. (v. 6) And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe. (v.7)

“And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit (Gentile believers), even as he did unto us (v.8); And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (v.9)

“Now, therefore, why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers or we were able to bear? (v. 11) (The fathers were able to bear the ceremonial: many of the fathers had very little to do with the ceremonial fea­tures, although they were faced daily with the mandatory yoke – the Ten Commandments—JJH) Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. (v. 12)

“And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me. (v. 13) Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gen­tiles, to take out of them people for his name. (v. 14)

“And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written. (v. 15) After this (after selecting a people for His Name among the Gentiles), I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David (the earthly phase of the Kingdom), which is fallen down (since 70 A. D., when the Jews and their temple were devastated); and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up (v. 16): That the residue of men (the world during the Kingdom) might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.” (v. 17) (After selecting a “people for His name” among the Gentiles, these saints will bless the residue of mankind in the Kingdom: “Know ye not that the saints will judge the world?” – l Cor. 6:2—JJH)

“Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. (v. 18) Where­fore, my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God. (v. 19); But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” (v.20)

Also Acts 15:24–26: “Forasmuch we have heard that certain which went from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying ye must be circumcised, and keep the law, to whom we gave no such commandment (v. 24); It seemed good unto us, being as­sembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul (v.25), Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v.26)

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” (Act 15:28,29)

Note there is not one word here about those converts keeping the Law of Moses. Nor do they criticize them for coming together on Sunday instead of Saturday. The Apostles were readily agreeable with the Sunday meetings, inasmuch as the Lord had risen from the dead on that day, which would cause those assembled to manifest a sober and a happy atti­tude in their worship.

It should also be noted that from all the foregoing Scriptures there is not one word of criticism against the Apostles for accepting and preaching Jesus; their whole contention is against the teaching that the Apostles were then relieving Jew and Gentile of the burden of the Law yoke – “which our fathers were not able to bear,” the Law of Moses.

Note now 1 John 5:3: “This is the love of God, that We keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” – not unbearable, as was the Law of Moses. “For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one (Jew and Gentile) that believeth.” (Ram. 10:4) “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of God by faith.” (Phil. 3:9)

More will be given on The Law of Moses in Part Two, D.v. For now it would be well for us to follow the Apostle’s advice in 2 Tim. 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” “The fear (reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” (Psa. 111:10)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle:

If possible could I be put on your mailing list? Please advise concerning subscription, etc.

Sincerely, ------- (ARIZONA)

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Dear Mr. Hoefle:

Would you please send me the name and address of the one that wrote you a letter in the April 1980 paper? I am a Christian who has had similar experiences with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and I would like to correspond with this person and share with him.

Sincerely, ------- (ALABAMA)

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Dear Bible Students:

While in California I saw you listed in a book by a Dr. Melton. “Epiphany” means Manifestation. How wonderful to know our Lord is now present – soon to be manifested.

Please send me some information about your group.

Sincerely in the Kingdom Hope, ------- (North Carolina)

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF GENERAL INTEREST

We suggest for our Fall Special Effort in Antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle – the “good fight” against antitypical Zebah (Eternal Torment), and Zalmunna (Consciousness of the Dead) – Sunday, October 19 through Sunday, November 8. Brothers Russell and Johnson made valiant effort against these two errors, which are the two chief errors of the anti­typical Midianites; and we honor them by continuing in this Battle. All pertinent liter­ature is free, postage paid. We invite all of like mind, and have the opportunity, to join with us in this good work and in the prayer, God bless their memory!

NO. 302: THE SPIRIT OF A SOUND MIND

No. 302

In 2 Tim. 1:7 we have the inspired assurance that “God did not give us a cowardly spirit, but one of Power, and of Love, and of a Sound Mind.” (Dia.) And St. Paul tells us in v. 6 that this Holy Spirit is a “free gift of God” which we should not fail to “stir up” in ourselves and in others of like precious faith. To the fully faithful, those who have due regard for this “free gift,” there is the sure promise of the “peace of God which passeth understanding” (Phil. 4:7); whereas, to the unfaithful and the measurably faithful there is also the affliction of a “cowardly spirit.” Such will “flee when none pursueth” (Prov. 28:1), and “have sorrow of heart.” (Lev. 26:16,17)

It should be kept clearly in mind that the condition of these various classes is purely a state of mind; the “spirit of power” is will power - mental power – not phys­ical brawn. And the fully faithful who have this “spirit of power” have the same blessed assurance as did St. Paul himself – “I can do all things through Christ who streng­theneth me.” (Phil. 4:13) To the unbelieving world such a statement from Paul would almost certainly cause smiles, and even ridicule. After he had received this “spirit of power” he had changed his name from Saul to Paul. It will be recalled that Saul, the first king of Israel, was head and shoulders above his fellows; thus, parents of that time would readily accept the name as a popular one for their sons, their hope be­ing that their offspring would also “from the shoulders and upward be taller than any of the people.” (1 Sam. 9:2)

But Saul of Tarsus came to manhood just the reverse of such hopes. He was a very small man, ascetic in appearance, frail in body, with a head much too large for the phy­sique that supported it; and probably with a nose too large for his abnormally large head. Now it will be seen why he changed his name from Saul to Paul – Paul meaning “little one.” His mental brilliance and unusually forceful and logical thinking ­coupled with the “spirit of power, and of love” – gave him a “sound mind” that invari­ably crushed all gainsayers. But it was these superb mental qualities that made him a “savor of life unto life” to many; and not in any physical, masculine appeal, so that those not “of the Truth” would find in him no attraction, but rather the reverse.

THE TREND OF THE TIMES

We offer the foregoing introduction in the hope it may be a firm and sound founda­tion for the thought we now present. The pronounced trend of the times throughout Chris­tendom, and even among many Truth people, is to forsake the formula that gave to St. Paul his mental strength; and to seek rather the shady consolation of such as have “fa­miliar spirits,” despite the clear instruction that such a course is forbidden to Truth people: “Do not turn to mediums, nor make search for oracles, to render yourselves un­clean with them.” (Lev. 19:31, Rotherham) Of course, such people do not in our day title themselves as mediums, oracles, necromancers, and such like. ­The great majority in Christen­dom would not pay any attention to them if they did; but experience has taught them to use the terms “hypnotist, psychiatrist, prognosticators,” and the like. Certainly, we would not wish it considered that we believe all such to be afflicted with demonism, or that they are spiritualist mediums – although we do believe that many of them who have not this power would like to have it, and quite a few delude themselves into be­lieving that they do have it.

But prominent and widely-read magazines today are publicizing this practice with such captions as “HYPNOSIS – An Old Science – “Out of Ancient Magic Comes New Medical Tool: Hypnosis,” etc. So prevalent and appealing has this teaching become that it has engulfed many members of the ministerial profession; and, as one prominent Evan­gelist recently observed: Psychiatry is becoming so popular that psychiatrists are call­ing upon each other for help. A line in one magazine says this: “The ‘modern’ minister is learning to obtain psychiatric help in handling deep-seated problems.” Sometime past one minister in a very prominent Washington, D. C. church hanged himself in a high tower of his own chapel; and the news comment said “he had a nervous breakdown in previous years, and had been under treatment by a psychiatrist.” If the psychiatrist could not cure the preacher, just how much chance, think you, would the preacher have of curing the flock that came to him for counsel and solace?

In another instance a minister was asked: “Do you think it is wrong – against God’s will – for a man to seek out hidden powers like hypnosis,” etc.? Answer: “Certainly, it is not wrong, or against God’s will, to develop all powers of the mind.” In contrast, hear Isa. 8:19: “When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God?” And in Isa. 47:13,14 – “Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosti­cators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble... they shall not deliver themselves.” Here is a clear in­spired answer given about 3,000 years ago; and we consider it as sound today as it was then. The “art” was a “science falsely so-called” at that time; and it is just as much so today.

THAT SERVANT’S OPINION

That Wise and Faithful Servant was well alerted to the evils set out above; and, if his warnings were pertinent in 1909, how much more are they wise and sound counsel today. We set out something from him, taken from Reprint 4311:

“‘My help cometh from the Lord’... The text reminds us that those who need help, and who realize it, should look to the Lord for it – not relying upon their own wisdom and strength, nor upon the assistance of their fellows. We are not to despise assis­tance from any quarter, but our chief reason for receiving any assistance should be our conviction that it has come from the Lord... We have the assurance of the Lord that there is but one place of safety at this time... under the shadow of the Almighty.”

Then further in Reprint 4313: “Peter and John were God’s instruments in effecting an instan­tan­­eous cure ..... The only power exercised was the power of faith on the part of the Apostles, for the healed, so far as we know, had no knowledge of Jesus... Nor should we understand the apostolic command, ‘look upon us,’ to mean the exercise by them of any hypnotic influence... Perhaps there never was a time in the world’s his­tory when humanity manifested more desire for physical healing than today. Nor can we blame the poor groaning creation for desiring relief. ... Note the fact that some of the strong delusions are supported by their claim to relieve physical pain. This is the claim of Spiritism – that disease can be relieved through mediumistic powers, under another’s control. This is the claim of Christian Science, Mind Cure, Faith Cure people, Divine Healers, etc. Some of these name’s are used merely as a cover and a pretense... The attitude of the public seems to be: Give us healing. Give us relief from our aches and pains. If it is of God, we are glad. If it is of the Adversary, as you claim, we will take it.

“Such great inroads have been made in the churches of all denominations by these mind cures, hypnotic cures, that ministers of all denominations are perplexed what to do... We do not dispute that cures are accomplished, nor that some of the theories and proceedings are legitimate enough. What we do claim is that the truth and ratio­nality connected with these systems are the sugar-coating which covers the poison. The poison connected with all of them is the poison of the Adversary, the power of the fallen angels exercised in its most subtle form, namely, mental suggestion – hypnotism... The doctrine of ‘Peace, troubled soul!’ is certainly a good and wise one, particularly when based upon a Scriptural faith in Jesus... The spirit of restfulness and ‘peace with God,’ if built upon false doctrines and erroneous suggestions and hypnotic influences, but hinders the soul from a proper approach to the Life-Giver... Trouble will large­ly result from the intrusion of the evil spirits into human affairs, through the entangle­ment of human wills, weakened by Hypnotism. We warn all to be on guard against these modern miracle-workers and we call attention to the fact that their operation is entire­ly different from anything recorded in the Scriptures”

And further from Reprint 3181: “We are already passing into these very fires of this day of trial. We are already in the time when the wood, hay and stubble are be­ing consumed, and when Higher Criticism, Evolutionary Theory, Christian Science, Hypno­tism, under its own name and known as Mind Cures, etc., are devouring as a flame all that are not fully devoted to the Lord, and therefore, specially kept by His power through His Word and Providence.”

If any would ignore the “wise and faithful” counsel aforegoing, they should not be surprised if anguish of soul overcomes them. That many of the Measurably Faithful do ignore it is clear when we consider the type of their leaders – King Saul. His disobe­dience went from a small beginning to an extremity which caused his death. In 1 Samuel 13:8-14 he offered a burnt-offering, contrary to Divine arrangement, and was reproved by the Prophet Samuel. Then in Chapter 15 we have the record of his gross disobedience and lying tongue when confronted once more by Samuel; and v. 23: “Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord He hath also rejected thee from being king.” “And the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul.” (1 Sam. 16:14) In due course he sought the Witch of Endor; then his ignominious and disgraced death in battle – a tragic instance and sober warning to all that “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Here is perhaps the outstanding example in all Biblical history of a man who one time was beloved of God – “a choice young man and of noble appearance... not a man in Israel more noble than he” – who went from nothing to the very highest pinnacle in Is­rael; then back to nothing again – his end much worse than if he had remained “little in his own sight” (1 Sam. 15:17), had never become king of Israel. Then there is his pathetic pleading in v. 30 – “Honour me now before the elders of my people” – the Lord’s favor gone, the kingdom to be taken from him in disgrace, he implores Samuel yet once more for that very empty and worthless of possessions, “the praise of men.” But even this was denied him in the end, an end perpetrated by his own hand with his own sword ­an opportunity sublime (“the pearl of great price”) ignominiously and willfully dese­crated.

Just recently we heard a comment about one of these ‘faith healers,’ one who has accumulated many millions by his “science falsely so called” (l Tim. 6:20); and is now attempting to attract other millions to build a fine hospital: If he can heal people by the “laying on of his hands,” what does he need with a hospital? Here we are force­fully reminded of Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:6, 9, 17, 19, 20), and Peter’s summation: “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be pur­chased with money.”

THE EPIPHANY MESSENGER’S OBSERVATIONS

On page 145 of the October 1940 Present Truth there is an interpretation of 1Sam. 18, which relates Saul’s visit to the Witch of Endor: “This moved them (the crown-lost leaders) to charge some of their supporters to find out some practicers of spiritism and occultism... from whom they could make inquiries on pertinent matters..... For a long time prominent church leaders, like the Revs. Dr. I. K. Funk and Dr. Heber New­ton, and Mr. W. E. Gladstone, Sir Oliver Lodge, Conan Doyle, etc., had become believers in spiritism and occultism ... And certainly since 1914 large numbers of ministers and prominent laymen have accepted it as a proof of the consciousness of the dead... large numbers of the Church of England clergymen... reported favorably on it to the Arch­bishop of Canterbury. By him they were commissioned to continue their investigations and report again thereon to him...”

And, if the fourth paragraph of the Vow was timely in the early part of this 20th century, how much more timely is it now, with sleight-of-hand performers increas­ing on every hand with the approval of those in high places, the same being termed a “science” by magazines with wide circulation.

It is certainly not our wish to catalog every psychiatrist as a charlatan, be­cause some of them are sincerely trying to console and improve the sick members of the race. Before this vocation was recognized to the extent that it is today, the family minister usually served his flock – and often to good purpose. Some of such men are still available, but they have become a faint minority.

ILLEGAL DRUGS AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

All know the tragedy of the illegal “drug traffic” – and it is hard to combat, as it is a money-making business. Many young people, as well as older people, get ad­dicted, or “hooked,” on such drugs. When they become addicted, they will buy the drugs whether they have the money or not. This has caused much thievery and other crimes.

However, here of late there has been much in the press, and other reports, of legally prescribed drugs by some practicing physicians – drugs that make the ailments of some patients worse instead of benefiting them. We know of one case where the phy­sician prescribed six different drugs for a patient, these drugs actually counteract­ing one another, which caused the patient much unnecessary pain.

In the press today (March 10) there is this: “As a result of living in our drug-­oriented society, many people feel they need to swallow something to get through the day... A victim of severe back pain, is a typical example. I have never seen her when she wasn’t carrying a purse large enough to pass for a small suitcase, for in it is an array of pills that might make the average small-town pharmacist envious. She once told me, ‘When I hurt, I’ll put anything round into my mouth.’

“The ultimate drug-related tragedy – death caused by abuse, overdose, or drug in­teraction – is more common than one might suspect. In 1974, Dr. Robert Talley of San Joaquin Foundation for Medical Care testified before a U. S. Senate subcommittee that an estimated ‘140,000 Americans die each year because of adverse reaction to one drug or interaction between combinations of drugs.’“

Just recently a reputable and honorable physician examined a patient who was in severe pain. When he was asked what caused the pain, he answered that the patient was ‘drug-drunk.’ In some such cases the patients recover when the drugs are removed ­but there is danger that these drugs taken over a long period of time might permanent­ly injure the minds of such patients. With this condition, as well as the general trend of society, point to the fact that we are indeed “in the evil day.” (Eph. 6:13)

“ONE MANNER OF LAW”

We can harbor some measure of sympathy for the crown-lost leaders in Christendom in their desperate effort for answers to questions which have never been clear to them. “The Lord answered them not, neither by dreams, nor by urim, nor by prophets.” (1 Sam. 28:6) They have had no “prophets” (star members) in their midst for more than a hundred years – rather, “an evil spirit from the Lord” has troubled them (1 Sam. 16:14) since many years before 1914. But we can find little excuse for crown-lost leaders or Youthful Worthies following in their steps, who have been blessed with Present Truth and the beneficent instruction of the last two Star Members, because these have been well instructed in the Truth – “Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.” (Jer. 17:5) If the soothing and uplifting influence of Present Truth, and the intimate association with the Star Members have had such slight influence upon them that they must resort to psychiatrists, hypnotists, etc., then sad indeed is their condition.

We are reminded of St. John’s statement in 1 John 1: 1, concerning Jesus – “we have seen with our eyes, we have looked upon, and our hands have handled the Word of Life.” Such proximity with Jesus was enough for the Apostle – he had seen Him, had walked arm in arm with Him, had reclined in His bosom, had handled Him with his own hands. Should he then turn to hocus-pocus as relief for his distresses? The very suggestion would insult his intelligence; and we should think the same would be true of any and all who have had the same intimacy with the Star Members during the Harvest time.

But, sad to relate, this has not been the case. We know of at least one very prom­inent crown-lost leader – one we had come to love and respect – who sought solace from the “science” of psychiatry in his hour of distress, rather than resort to “the angel of the Lord” for his help. Nor should we be surprised to see such an one hazy and vague on other important truths, ready enough to pervert the truths which sanctified him – those truths so clearly explained by the Star Members. And it should occasion no surprise either if such fall deeper and deeper into the quagmire of error!

“Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country.” (Lev. 24:22) The “stranger” in this text is the present-day Youthful Wor­thies; and a little reflection will reveal the soundness of this observation. Those of them that have been fully loyal have been blessed with the intimate association of the Star Members; have feasted upon Present Truth. Such faithful ones are under the same law as have been the Saints, and they have been similarly blessed with a clear understanding of Present Truth.

Several times did we hear Brother Johnson state that some of the fully faithful Youthful Worthies in our group had a clearer understanding of Present Truth than did some of the saints in our midst. However, the crown-lost new creatures will have a sim­ilar knowledge after they are cleansed. And we believe it will not arouse much argu­ment to declare that many of the LHMM Youthful Worthies and Great Company members had a broader understanding of Present Truth, in generalities, than any of the saints out­side that group – the reason being the benign, uplifting and energizing influence of the eighth Principal Man’s intimate ministry with which we were all blessed.

But just as these all had the most light of Present Truth, so the perversions that have been promulgated since 1950 would place such within the scope of the Berean Com­ment on 2 Thes. 2:11 – “Great delusions are just before us, and some of these may come closest upon those possessing the most light of Present Truth.” It now becomes appar­ent that those sectarians in the LHMM now embrace some error not found anywhere else in Christendom: Campers “consecrated”, justification outside the court’s linen curtain, the last Saint Gone, as well as some other errors. Thus, the measurably faithful Youth­ful Worthies are receiving experiences in like fashion to their crown-lost counterparts depending, of course, upon the degree of their deflection. Some of the Youthful Wor­thies are in Big Babylon, while some of them are in other Truth groups, and subject to various perversion of Parousia and Epiphany Truth that their crown-lost leaders proffer them. Such are not members of Azazel’s Goat; but we may be certain they will have the same relative experiences if they eventually win that which they profess to believe will be theirs under the Great Mediator’s beneficent reign. And by the same rule of measure the fully faithful Youthful Worthies are likely to have much the same experiences and blessings as come to the Lord’s Goat although not members of that Goat.

“OUR FRAME – WE ARE DUST” (Psa. 103:14)

Man has four physiological qualities, of which we may sometime write in the future; but for now we shall consider briefly his four appetites, the first and most compelling being the Alimentive – the desire for food and drink; second, the Procreative – the af­finity for the opposite sex; third, the Acquisitive – the urge to buy, sell and get gain, to lay house to house and field to field (see Isa. 5:8); fourth, the Religious – ­the desire to worship a higher being. The extremes of the Alimentive are the glutton and the ascetic, the drunkard and teetotaler; of the Procreative, the extremes are the pervert and the celibate; of the Acquisitive, the extremes are the miser and the spend­thrift; of the Religious, the extremes are the spiritualist and the gross materialist. The variations between these extremes are legion – “abusers of themselves with mankind, fornicators and adulterers,” etc. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10) by those who have very little respect and regard, if any, for God’s or man’s law. So the truth is well given – “I am fear­fully and wonderfully made” (Psa. 139:14), a truth primarily applicable to the Christ Company, but true also of man as a physical organism. All lower mammals have the first two of these appetites; some of them have the third; but none of them have the fourth – none of them have any urge to worship a Divine Being.

Companion to the foregoing is the premise that the human head has seven distinct features, five of which are to be found in the lower mammals – eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth and skin, these functioning to produce the five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. The remaining two are exclusive to man, the one being physical, his chin. None of the lower animals has any chin, the possession of which by man lends a certain distinction to his face – even among the very ordinary human beings. Then the seventh feature is mental – the spiritual and benevolent qualities, which give man his religious appetite. In none of the brutes do we find this quality; in some human be­ings it is so lacking that it is impossible for them to exercise faith under the reign of evil (2 Thes. 3:2); but we should expect to find it predominate and increasing in strength in the Lord’s Household - among the fully faithful.

With such myriad of combinations, mentally and physically, we are able to under­stand more clearly the words of Jer. 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” But, having arrived at a certain sound foundation in the foregoing paragraphs, we should be the better enabled to understand the full meaning of the “spirit of a sound mind.” If any should have eye trouble, they seek an oculist – a specialist; if they have other various physical ills, they consult a Doctor of Medicine if drugs are indicated; or one skilled in physical ther­apy and the like if drugs are not needed. This all seems simple enough to us; but why shouldn’t the same formula be followed if one has mental distress? If the dis­turbance comes from physical failure, then have the proper physical practitioner attend to it. But, if it be purely a mental deflection – distress of mind, etc. then the child of God should just as readily seek those best qualified to help him the same be­ing the Star Members personally, or their teachings, or those of lesser prominence who are qualified for the task. Note the advice of the Apostle – James 5:14,15 (Dia.): “If any one among you is sick, let him call for the elders of the congregation, and let them pray over him ... and the prayer of faith shall save the sick person” – the mor­ally or spiritually weak. (See Berean Comments)

We instance here the case of one prominent evangelist who lays great stress on James 5:14: “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church... anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” So this man calls for those to come forward who wish to be healed; have the elders dip their finger in a cup of oil and anoint the distressed person and pronounce the hocus-pocus that the operation will cure his physical ailments. This goes on week after week; but he seldom produces any one who declares he has been healed by the performance. Yet the money rolls in by this ‘sleight-of-hand!

Psychology, Psychiatry, and such like, are high-sounding words that carry a certain appeal to the “unstable and the unlearned”; But let us analyze them a bit. “Psychology” means the doctrine of understanding the life or the soul. Now just how well qualified is a Psychologist to treat the soul when he does not even know what the soul is? Would we think to call in a carpenter if the furnace is out of order? Or a plumber if the electric lights are out? And should the Lord’s people seek after those with “Familiar spirits,” necromancers, or hawkers of hocus-pocus, when the prescription is clearly out­lined in the Scriptures? It is well stated, “You can always tell a man from Yale; but you can’t tell him much.”

It is reported that one in every ten persons in the United States today is a men­tal case of some kind. That means about twenty-two million of them in this country alone. And many of those who attempt to qualify to treat such cases must themselves re­sort to other of their kind to receive help for themselves. Consider the tragic case of the minister related earlier in this paper: He ignored the Word he had vowed to teach others, thus coming to ruin himself. Yet he was being paid, and paid well, to supply to members of his congregation what he could not supply for himself. How many, think you, would receive “the peace of God which passeth understanding” from such a ministry? And of the crown-lost leaders – especially those who claim to understand Present Truth ­who are forced to seek out a psychiatrist, what should we expect of them? The answer seems simple enough – to us, at least: we should expect only “an energy of delusion for them.” (2 Thes. 2:11, Dia.)

Without reservation, we are wholeheartedly at one with the science of Christianity. Science is “classification of facts,” says Webster; and the “facts” of Christianity are indeed “meat and drink” to us. But we are equally averse to “science falsely so-called.” By the same rule, we are in complete accord with sound effort to influence the minds of others; and St. Paul gives precedent for this in his effort to influence the minds of the brethren at Philippi: “Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, any virtue, any praise, think on these things.” (Phil. 4:8) If any think on such things, he is certain to be blessed with the “spirit of a sound mind” – he will possess the real science of Christianity – nor is he likely to incur the “woe” of those who “go down to Egypt for help.” (Isa. 31:1) But those who do go down to Egypt for help will not be admonished to see the “sound doctrine,” the Truth – the “true, honest, just,” etc.; they are more likely to receive a balm for “itching ears” – to be told what they want to hear, rather than what they should hear.

Over the centuries the pseudo pastors and teachers in Christendom played upon the “itching ears” – just as have the politicians – by telling them what they want to hear. And what is it that people desire above all things? That they will not die. So they are told they don’t actually die; they just appear to be dead. Even the Chaldean sooth­sayers employed the technique on Nebuchadnezzar: “O king, live forever.” (Dan. 2:4) And there is one instance at least in which the Father of Lies came close to telling the truth: “All that a man hath will he give for his life.” (Job 2:4) Nor has “Millions Now Living Will Never Die,” or survival through Armageddon been devoid of appeal; it ex­plains in large part the great increase in adherents of the group that promises such. And a close approach is made to this in the promise that Campers Consecrated may live right on into the Millennial Kingdom.

But the real science of Christianity has never been popular. Jesus was crucified because of it; and Paul became the enemy of erstwhile brethren “because I tell you the truth.” (Gal. 4:16) All the Star Members have had the same experience; and we are wit­ness of it especially as respects the last two of them. Therefore, we need “think it not strange” if the same experiences come to us. About the last thing the multitude wishes to hear is the Truth. Of this fact Jesus was well aware, as He offered the ob­servation, “When the Son of Man cometh, will he find faith (Truth) in the earth?” (Luke 18:8) When controversy arises, the truth usually comes forth – and the Truth is the last thing false teachers and their partisan supporters wish to hear.

“They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” (Psa. 34:10) “Blessed are they that .... seek Him with the whole heart.” (Psa. 119:2)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

Yours of the 28th arrived Monday of this week. Thank you so much for the enclosed treatise. I am very much interested in it, and would appreciate more at your conven­ience. I have learned to appreciate controversial material more than I used to.

Yes, we saw the news about the couple that were former Jim Jones followers, and how they were murdered and the daughter wounded. TV ran a special and showed Mrs. Mills one time saying she thought they might be killed for exposing things about the cult. Seems as though exposures on many of these “religions” are being made. Of course, this is the time for it – the day of manifesting things, principles and people.

We are in Oral Roberts’ country and get the dope on him all the time. A former secretary of his has written a book telling all the wrongs and corruption in the organi­zation, and mainly Oral Roberts himself. The show “60 Minutes” aired it several weeks ago. The man who wrote the book got beat up so badly he had to have plastic surgery. We know friends in Tulsa that know them all. We were down there last week and I rapid­ly read through the book at a friend’s house. Ralph’s friend knows the head of the Salva­tion Army in Tulsa and he told Tom that their greatest expenditure in Tulsa is for stranded disciples of Oral Roberts who have come there and given him all their savings for healing, etc. So the Salvation Army buys them bus fare and gives them enough money to get back home on!

There are so many cults and they appeal to different kinds of people, so it makes no difference if one is ignorant or a college graduate, there is something for every­one! Ambassador College in California and Texas and Oral Roberts University are con­sidered “high class,” but are nothing more than cults – and some of the exposures are appalling!

I remember Brother Johnson saying that in the last days of the Epiphany there would be a widespread so-called evangelical movement and many “religions.” Also, in 1948 I heard him say there would be a period of prosperity before the Epiphany was over. And we all wondered at that date how there would be time for these predictions. Now we know.

In the Jan.-Feb. PT I notice a letter from Brother Eschrich – that he is nearing 97. Remember when he wouldn’t speak to us on the street after we passed out the Three Babylon tract in Chicago? Since they say all the Great Company are gone, I wonder where they have placed him? Youthful Worthy, I suppose. What do you think? Your present trial and sadness is much on my mind, and I’ve prayed daily that the Lord will give each of you strength sufficient to bear this burden. Give my love to the dear ones there.

With Christian love,............ (KANSAS)

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Dear Brethren:

I am on your mailing list of the publication that you send out periodically, and found the ones on the Evolution Theory extremely interesting, because the book itself does not explicitly deal with the Ages involved in creation prior to that of man himself.

I’m enclosing $--- that you may use as you see fit toward propagation of the Lord’s work. Also would like for your office to send me two each of the Nos. 296 and 298, dealing with the above subject, as I intend to send them on to two other parties that have opposite points of view.

Thank you in advance for them – and may the Lord continue to bless your efforts.

Remain in the Lord, ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Sir:

Recently while looking through a book called “A Directory of Religious Bodies in the United States” by Gordon Melton, your name was mentioned. At times I do a fair amount of traveling and some free-lance writing. When in your area I would be inter­ested in contacting you and knowing something about your organization and what you be­lieve.

Between now and a possible visit to your area, would you please include me on your mailing list for events or lectures. I would appreciate any free information sent to the following address:.. Thank you.

Sincerely, ------- (WISCONSIN)

NO. 301: ZIONISM - PART TWO

No. 301

In our previous paper on this subject we stated that the Bible Students (meaning especially Pastor Russell) were actively interested in the Zionism question. It is probable that that interest reached its pinnacle in the New York Hippodrome meeting on October 9, 1910; and we quote the following from Reprints 4700-4701 of the October 15, 1910 Watch Tower:

“Pastor Russell, of the Brooklyn Tabernacle... is considered one of the most elo­quent Protestant preachers, and has gained a wide audience among the Hebrews by his sym­pathetic treatment of Jewish questions. His sermon will be on ‘Zionism in prophecy.’ His appearance before a representative mass meeting of Jews will be the first time that a well-known Protestant minister has been asked to deliver an address to such an assembly.

“Prominent Jewish citizens are arranging to make the meeting one of the largest gath­erings ever held in this city. The Yiddish newspapers and Jewish societies are repre­sented on the committees in charge of arrangements. Counselor Leo Wolfson, president of the Federated Romanian Jews of America and Vice Grand Master of the I.W.S.O., when seen at his office, said: ‘As one who is interested in the Jewish question and an old worker for the Zionistic movement, my attention was called to Pastor Russell’s interest in the Jews.

“I feel that an address by him on Zionism and Jewish prophets will present the ques­tion from a new point of view, and a point of view that I will be very willing to learn. I am sure that Pastor Russell’s treatment of the question will be sympathetic, and will doubtless create wide-spread discussion of Zionism, its aims and ideals.

“The committee in charge of next Sunday’s meeting in the Hippodrome includes: A. B. Landau, editor of The Warheit; Louis Lipsky, editor of the Maccabean; J. P. Pfeffer, edi­tor of the Jewish Weekly; Abraham Goldberg, editor of the Yiddish Volk, and Leo Wolfson, editor of the Yiddish Spirit.

“A more interesting audience the Hippodrome never held, perhaps. From all parts of the city came serious-minded Hebrews to hear what it was an alien, a Gentile, might have to say to them at a service, held during their week of feasting, Rosh Hoshana. They were quiet, well-dressed, thinking men and women.

“Among them were many prominent figures of the Hebrew literary world. Some of these escorted Pastor Russell to the Hippodrome in a motor car and then took places in the auditorium. The literary men recognized the pastor as a writer and investigator of international fame an the subject of Judaism and Zionism. Some of those present were Dr. Jacobs, editor of the American Hebrew; W. J. Solomon, of the Hebrew Standard; J. Brosky, associate editor of the same; Louis Lipsky, editor of the Maccabean; A. B. Landau, editor of the Warheit; Leo Wolfson, president of the Federation of Romanian Societies; J. Pfeffer, of the Jewish Weekly; S. Daimont, editor of the Jewish Spirit; S. Goldberg, editor of the American Hebrew; J. Barrondess, of the Jewish Big Stick, and Goldman, editor of H’Yom, the only Jewish daily.”

NO RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS THERE

“No symbol of any religion at all greeted them when they gazed at the Hippodrome stage. It was entirely empty save for a small lectern and the peace flags hanging from silken cords above. One was the familiar silk banner with the Stars and Stripes in its center, together with the words ‘Peace Among Nations’ in letters of gold. An­other bore a rainbow and the word ‘Pax.’ The third was a silken strip bearing minia­ture representations of all the nations’ flags.

“There were no preliminaries. Pastor Russell, tall, erect and white-bearded, walked across the stage without introduction, raised his hand, and his double quartet from the Brooklyn Tabernacle sang the hymn, ‘Zion’s Glad Day.’ The members of this organization are Mrs. E. M. Brenneisen, Mrs. E. N. Detweiler, Miss Blanche Raymond and Mrs. Raymond, Emil Hirscher, C. Myers, J. P. McPherson and W. J. Mockridge. Their voices blended perfectly, and the hymn, without any instrumental accompaniment, was impressive.

“But still there seemed an air of aloofness about the audience. They did not ap­plaud, but sat silently watching the stalwart figure of the pastor. When he began to talk, however, they gave him respectful attention.

“With a powerful, yet charming voice, that filled the great playhouse, the uncon­ventional clergyman made his every word audible to the hearer. His tone pleased their ears, his graceful gestures soon captivated their eyes, and in a few moments his appar­ently thorough knowledge of his subject appealed to their minds. Though still silent, the 4,000 were ‘warming’ up to him.”

RESERVE AND DOUBT VANISH

“It was not long before all reserve, and all possible doubt of Pastor Russell’s entire sincerity and friendliness were worn away. Then the mention of the name of a great Jew leader – who, the speaker declared, had been raised by God for the cause ­brought a burst of applause.

“From that moment on the audience was his. The Jews became as enthusiastic over him as though he had been a great rabbi or famous orator of their own religion. He hailed them as one of the bravest races of the earth – having kept their faith through the per­secutions and cruelties of all other people for thousands of years. And he predicted that before very long they would be the greatest on earth – not merely a people, any longer, but a nation. By a system of deductions based upon the prophecies of old, the pastor declared that the return of the kingdom of the Jews might occur at so near a period as the year 1914. Persecutions would be over and peace and universal happiness would triumph. (After the Old Order has passed away—JJH)

“As he brought his address to a conclusion the pastor raised his hand again to his choir. This time they raised the quaint, foreign sounding strains of the Zion hymn, ‘Our Hope,’ one of the masterpieces of the eccentric East Side poet, Imber.

“The unprecedented incident of Christian voices singing the Jewish anthem came as a tremendous surprise. For a moment the Hebrew auditors could scarcely believe their ears. Then, making sure it was their own hymn, they first cheered and clapped with such ardor that the music was drowned out, and then, with the second verse, joined in by hundreds. The discourse has already been reported in the newspapers which publish the sermons weekly.”

The foregoing is from That Servant’s pen published in the October 15, 1916 Watch Tower, and is not only for the benefit of those who are not familiar with these details, but also for those who are, just as we do with many doctrines: We quote from the two Messengers to “stir up your pure minds.” “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth.” (2 Pet. 1:12)

It should be apparent, however, that our Pastor had a high regard for Zionism; and what he read about it in the prophecies has already seen much fulfillment; and will yet see more. To quote the texts of Scripture bearing an the different phases of the sub­ject would require much space; but whoever will take a copy of Young’s Concordance, turn to page 528, noting the various cases in which the word Israel is used in the New Testament, will have what seems to be overwhelming evidence that the house of Israel was no longer regarded by Jesus and the Apostles as the ‘ten tribes’ merely, but, as it is expressed, ‘all Israel.’ Note especially the following texts: Matt. 8:10; 10;6; 15:24, 31; 27:9, 42; Mark 12:29; 15:32; Luke 1:54,68, and especially v. 80; also 2:25, 32, 34; 24:21; also note carefully John 1:31,49; 3:10; 12:13; also Acts 2:22,36; 3:12; 4:10,27; 5:21, 30, 31, 35; 13:16, 24; 21:28; Rom. 9:6, 31; 10:19; 11:25, 26; 1 Cor. 10:18; Gal. 6:16; Eph. 2:12, Phil. 3:5; Heb. 8:8.”

ZIONISM IN PROPHECY

“Many of our readers are aware that on the Editor’s return from Palestine last June he delivered a discourse entitled ‘Jerusalem.’ Many Jews were attracted by the theme and considerable interest amongst them was aroused. That sermon and several others were published in Jewish papers. Then came interviews with editors, etc., and, finally, an invitation to address a Jewish mass meeting at the New York Hippodrome, with signa­tures an three sheets of paper.

“Accordingly on Sunday October 9, the Editor was met by a committee of five prom­inent Hebrews; Brother Rutherford also accompanied us. The party went in automobiles. The meeting was an enthusiastic one. The number present was estimated at 4,000, and we were told that no finer representative class of Hebrews had ever before come together in one assemblage in New York.

“The address was well received, but apparently it was unfortunate that some of the pamphlets, entitled ‘Jewish Hopes And Prospects,’ were given away at the conclusion of the meeting. Some of the Jews, without recognizing that the pamphlet was gotten out for our Christian readers, considered that by it we were endeavoring to entrap the Jews into Christianity. And Christianity to the Jews, especially Catholicism, means many persecu­tions which have come against their people for many centuries. Some understood the mat­ter aright. Others felt offended, and during the Editor’s absence in Europe last Fall he was attacked as a ‘missionary’ – which, in the Jewish mind, means everything mean, under­handed.

“On our return from Europe in November we corrected the misunderstanding, so far as possible, through the Jewish newspapers. We informed them that we were not trying to ‘mission’ the Jews, nor make them members of either Catholic or Protestant Christian bod­ies. We were not even preaching Jesus to them. Our message was to the Jews as Jews, from Isa. 40:1,2: – ‘Comfort ye, comfort ye my people; speak ye comfortably to Jerusa­lem; cry unto her that her appointed time is accomplished; that her iniquity is par­doned, for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double.’ We declared that it was not our expectation that the Jews would return to Palestine as Christians. On the contrary, God’s call and promises as respects Jerusalem are earthly promises to natural Israel.

“To a few who asked quite deeply we explained that our understanding is that the Mes­siah of prophecy is a great spirit company composed of many members, including English, French, German, Jews, etc.; that God is gathering this Messianic company to heavenly glory from every nation, people, kindred and tongue, and that only the saintly will be in and of it. We explained: We do not understand that Christians in general, will have part in that Messianic body and that it would be the furthest from our thought to have the Jews get as mixed up on different matters as are the majority of Christian people.

“Since then several Jewish papers continue to publish our writings and we have had two more Jewish mass meetings. One of these was in Chicago. It was somewhat of a disap­pointment as to numbers, until we noticed that the Saturday on which it was held was a particularly unfavorable time. Many Jews expressed their disappointment in not being able to attend, because it would deprive them of their principal business day. Neverthe­less the audience was estimated at fifteen hundred and we had excellent attention.

“Our last meeting with the Jews was held in Philadelphia. It was not at all adver­tised in the secular press. In other words, it was a Jewish meeting. Garrick Theater was full to the limit, with about three hundred standing, when the police, following the fire ordinance, forbade others to enter, and several hundred were turned away disappointed. That meeting was the most enthusiastic held thus far with the Jewish people. Their confi­dence in the Editor seems to be growing. Zionism from a prophetic standpoint seems to stir the Jewish heart as the subject never did politically.

It should now be clear enough to our readers that Brother Russell spent much time in research of the Jewish question – past and future – because the time had come for this work; and we adopt much the same attitude, although we do not attempt to classify ourselves with him in our writings on the matter. But we would emphasize here that those who at­tempt to make a distinction between the prophecies concerning the ten tribes and the two tribes make a mistake when they do this. Jer. 31:31 stresses “both the houses of Israel,” meaning the ten tribes and the two tribes, who had become separated from each other in the revolt after the death of Solomon. Time itself had made quite ludicrous the claims of the Anglo-Israel organization that claimed the English people are the ten ‘lost’ tribes.

There is just no foundation in fact or Scripture for such a conclusion. Julius Caesar discovered – or invaded – England in 55 B.C., but there is no evidence at all that any of the twelve Apostles ever went there; and, since 1914, before which the British were the money lords of the world, the British money has been taking quite a beating; and this would have been much more pronounced had not the United States been so generous in helping them. This has probably been a compensation from the Lord for the help they have given Zionism and the Jews in their present occupation of Palestine. And it should be ap­parent that we do not wish to create any quarrel when we say what we have said herein.

Some years back we attended an International Monetary Seminar in New York for three days, at which the speakers were prominent bankers, financial men and economists from England, France, Switzerland, South Africa, Japan, Mexico, etc.; and one of the econo­mists ventured the statement that the United States is now in the same relative position as was England in 1914 – that we should now become the financial center of the globe. So we presented the question to him: Today a steel worker in the United States earns as much money in one day as does the steel worker in Germany in one week for the same work. That condition did not prevail in 1914. How do you reconcile the two conditions? He said he had not thought of that.

While some of the statements herein are our own, much of it is from the Watch Tower; and this will be our position in the remainder of this article. Thus, we now go back to the Feb. 1, 1898, Reprint 2256: “Some years ago, being curious to know how learned Hebrews view the Old Testament to Christ – as ‘a lamb for the slaughter,’ etc., we visited a friendly rabbi, and asked him the question. He replied that Hebrews apply these prophe­cies to the Hebrew people and their centuries of bitter experiences under more or less persecution. We are forcibly reminded of this false method of interpretation by the statement of Dr. Herzl at the Basel Congress, held August 29 last – to the effect that that Congress was the ‘birth’ of their Messiah – that the Messiah class which they hope will fulfill all the good promises of Scripture concerning Abraham’s seed was there organ­ized. It appears, too, that the date (Aug. 29) was selected in harmony with a tradition prevalent among the Bulgarian Jews to the effect that Messiah would be born on that date.

“This is quoted with some assurance of endorsement by Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf in a recent discourse from which we quote the following comment on the Zionist movement and congress. He said: ‘The boldness of that dream startled the world. As for me, when the full report reached me and I read the fearful story of the Judennoth, that was submitted to the congress, I could not wonder at the statement made by Dr. Herzl, the president of the congress, during the first day’s session: The Bulgarian Jews have long believed that the Messiah should be born on a 29th of August. They were right, THE MESSIAH HAS BEEN BORN TODAY IN THE ZIONIST CONGRESS.’

“It was a magnificent assemblage of Israelites that had gathered there in Congress. Two hundred delegates, representing many hundreds of thousands of people had come with a most sacred purpose, that of putting an end to the persecutions and miseries of mil­lions of Jews by re-acquiring for them of their own native Palestine and reestablishing them there in peaceful and honorable industries.

“It was beyond doubt the most remarkable gathering in the whole history of Israel. The venerable Dr. Lippe opened the congress and Dr. Herzl gave the keynote of the move­ment, comparing the inflictions of the modern anti-Semite with the Jew baiter of former centuries. A similar tale of woe was told by Max Nordau. It was the same refrain by all, and the congress concluded that the settlement of Palestine was the only solution of the Jewish question........

“Upon research, I found that Palestine, with the adjacent countries stretching between the Euphrates and the Tigris, that are now almost deserted, could amply support millions of agricul­turists. The soil is luxuriously fertile, the climate salubrious, the water pure and abundant, the irrigation canals of the ancients still available. The winters are short and mild, the summers long enough to ripen two harvests. The products of all the land can be laid down in the capitals of Europe within five days after their shipment and in price and excellence they can drive from the market those of other com­peting countries. Because of these conclusions I have been proclaimed a Zionist and have been asked to attend the second congress at Jerusalem next summer.”

Some of our readers probably know that for many years some of the Jews, some of them leaders, have contended that the United States is the promised land. Here they can own real estate, engage in lawful business. Many of them have become prominent doctors and lawyers; many have become prosperous business men, and have amassed great fortunes. Some forty years ago we often went to New York; and we were told at that time that Kuhn, Loeb & Co., Wall Street members, had an estimated wealth of fifteen billion dollars. We visited their offices a few times; and have no reason to doubt what we were told.

This same outfit, with some others, had at that time formed a charitable organization to establish incoming Jews in business by lending them the necessary funds. If they failed, the same thing was repeated. However, if they failed two times in a row, no more help was given them; they would then be on their own – although it seems this seldom hap­pened. We knew a Gentile lady who worked in that office; and she said she was very happy in her job, that those Jews never discharged any one except for disloyalty.

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL

Chapter VIII of Parousia Vol. 3, pages 243-300, treat of this subject in some detail; and we now present some excerpts from those pages, having in mind that this is quite fa­miliar to some of our readers, but not nearly to all of them. This offers Scriptural proof of their phenomenal rise under the reign of David and Solomon; their fall under Zedekiah in the Fall of 607 B.C.; their dispersion in the year 70 A.D.; and predictions of their rise again. As we read, let us keep in mind that this book was begun in 1889 and put an the press in 1891 – a few years before the first Zionist congress was held in Basel. And when we consider the progress the Jews have made since that time, we can but offer grateful respect to the writer of Volume III.

“Among the relics of antiquity that have come down to our day, there is no other object of so great interest as the Jewish people. The searchers after ancient lore have untiringly questioned every inanimate object that could give a mite of historic or scien­tific information. Monuments, altars, tombs, relics of public and private edifices, paintings, sculptures, hieroglyphics and dead languages have all been appealed to; and some have even tried patiently to discover the line of actual truth that probably inspired the many fanciful traditions, legends, songs, etc., that have come floating down the cen­turies, in order to learn all that is possible to know of human origin, history and des­tiny. But a most interesting relic, and the one whose history can be most easily deciph­ered and understood, is the Jewish people. In them we have a monument of antiquity of inestimable value, upon which are recorded, in clearly legible characters, the origin, progress and final destiny of the whole human race – a living and intelligent witness of the gradual outworking of a wonderful purpose in human affairs, in exact conformity with the predictions of their divinely inspired prophets and seers. (pp. 243-244)

“As a people they still have faith in God, though in their blindness and pride of heart they have stumbled over the humility of God’s appointed messenger for the world’s salvation; so that, instead of receiving Him, they crucified the Savior, the Lord of glory. And yet the Apostles and prophets show us that even in this flagrant crime, to which their pride and self-will drove them, was not one which could never be forgiven them. Because of it, they have been punished, and that severely. When they condemned the just One and said, ‘His blood be upon us and our children,’ they little expected the fearful recompense which followed....

“Since then Israel has been a nation scattered and peeled. Driven as exiles from country to country, and from province to province, they have been deprived of almost every right and privilege which other men enjoyed. Rejecting Christianity, as well in its corrupted as in its pure form, they became the objects of the contempt and relentless persecution of the Church of Rome. (p. 246)

“Since the destruction of their temple and their dispersion, the sacrifices have been discontinued; but in most other respects the Mosaic requirements are yet observed among the orthodox Jews. Their worship, as of old, consists in the reading of Scripture, prayer and praise. The second day of their feast of trumpets they read the account of Abraham’s offering of his son Isaac and God’s blessing on him and his seed. Then they blow the trumpet and pray that God would bring them to Jerusalem. (p. 249)

“Nor will the coming favor to Israel be exclusive. All believers in the covenant promises may share those returning favors with the natural seed, as during this age any Jew who accepted Christ was eligible to the spiritual blessings and advantages offered during the age. As only a small remnant believed in and accepted the gospel favors at the beginning, so, aside from the Jews, only a small number of mankind will be ready for the new laws and conditions of the Millennial age, under the just administration of the glorified Lord and His glorified Church; hence, at first, few but Jews will be blessed under it.

“The Jew, long used to striving to do, and of trusting of works of obedience to the Law to secure for him God’s blessing, stumbled over the first feature of the Gospel age, the remission of sins, without works, to every one that believeth in Jesus’ perfect work and all-sufficient sacrifice for sin. But the Jew’s respect for the Law will turn to his advantage in the dawn of the Millennial age, and none will be more ready for the strict requirements and laws of that Age than he, after his blindness as to Christ and the value of His sacrifice for sins shall have passed away; for works are required after faith in Christ, though not accepted before. And the Jew, in accepting the love and favor of God and Christ, will not be so inclined to lose sight of God’s justice as many others of today. Others, on the contrary, will be blinded for a time and unready to recognize the rules of the Kingdom, in which justice will be laid to the line and righteousness to the plummet. (pp. 253-54)

TO THE JEW FIRST

“We see, then, that God’s prediction, that Israel (except the faithful few) would be blinded by their Law (Rom. 11:9), was fulfilled in a natural way; and also that his fur­ther prediction, that the favors and conditions of the Millennial Age will bless many of them more quickly than others, is also to come about in a perfectly natural way and to re­sult from reasonable causes.

“So the Millennial favors will be to the Jew first, even as by reason of the coven­ants, etc., the Gospel favors were offered to them first. And so it shall be finally as Simeon prophesied: ‘This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel.’ And the time for raising up that nation, so long fallen from favor, is at hand. (p. 256)

“But let us guard against a too common mistake, made by many who see something of these promises, of supposing that the statements should be taken literally, which say: ‘After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle (house) of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.’ ‘And the Lord shall give him the throne of his father David.’ ‘And David my servant, shall be king over them.’ (Acts 15:16; Luke 1:32; Ezek. 37:24) While the literalness of the promised return of Israel to their own land, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem upon her own heaps, cannot be questioned, we may be equally confident that by the house and throne of David, not the literal stones, timbers, etc., are meant. The re-establishment of the house of David refers to the re-establishment of royalty and dominion in the hand of Da­vid’s posterity. Christ Jesus is the promised scion of David’s house, the heir of his throne; and when His authority begins to be established, that will be the beginning of raising up (permanent establishment) of the formerly temporary house or tabernacle of David, that was overthrown, and that for many centuries has lain in the dust. So, like­wise, the ‘throne of David,’ upon which Messiah will sit, refers not to the wood, gold and ivory bench upon which David sat, but to the dignity, power and authority of office which he exercised. That authority, office or throne, which David occupied for some years, is to be filled on a much grander scale by Jehovah’s Anointed, our Lord Jesus.” (pp. 256-57)

SOME EVIL REVOLUTIONISMS

From the above quotations, it should be clear to any child that our beloved Pastor thoroughly believed, and was in full accord with the teaching of St. Paul in Rom. 1:16 ­“salvation is to the Jew first” – not only in the Great Salvation but also in the Common Salvation (Heb. 2:3 and Jude 3); and also with the Apostle John in John 4:22: “Salva­tion is of the Jews.” Thus, it becomes doubly noxious and pernicious to note that two organizations that were taught of him, and at one time believed what he taught, should now be substituting their own concocted errors for the Truth they learned of him.

In Isa. 2:3 we are told that “Out of Zion (the Christ Company in Heaven – “Do ye know not the saints shall judge the world.”— 1 Cor. 6:2) shall go forth the law; and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (the resurrected Worthies who will be the visible government here on earth – “princes in all the earth”—Psa. 45:16) – who will be assisted by the faithful orthodox Jews as missionaries, the “first” to receive the blessings of the New Covenant. (Jer. 31:31)

The two organizations mentioned above are the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement. The Witnesses now teach that the “great multitude” of Rev. 7:9 refers to their large crowd that is now working for them; that the Jews who do not accept them now will be destroyed forever in the approaching Armageddon. The context of Rev. 7 clearly shows that the great multitude will be a spiritual class – as Pastor Rus­sell taught it. At one time the Witnesses believed this, too, so they are now revolu­tionizing against a truth they once taught. They now teach that their present devotees will not only be the earthly rulers, but will also be used to generate a new earthly population free from sin.

The LHMM does not go to the extreme of the Witnesses. They merely contend that their new converts will supersede the Jews; that instead of being “to the Jew first” it will be to their “Consecrated Epiphany Campers first,” which are now being added to their following. This is also in direct contradiction to the teaching of our Pastor, as well as to the teachings of Brother Paul S. L. Johnson, who was the founder and head of the LHMM. The LHMM, as well as the Witnesses, can find Scripture to “prove” their errors; but all teachers of error, past and present, have been able to pervert Scrip­tures to “prove” their false teachings.

Much more could be written an this subject, but we hope we have given sufficient to convince our readers of the truth an the matter. Thus we close with Amos 9:11,14,15:

“In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old. And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.”

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

I was very glad to receive the advance copies of your papers yesterday. Also, I was very glad that you are getting stronger. I have not been feeling the best lately.

I have been going through the back PT’s lately, and I find that Brother K’s last book in the first chapter of it, he took from Brother Johnson’s writings; and so far as I can see, he did not try to corrupt them. From page one to bottom of p. 29 was originally in February 1944 PT, p. 20 on. Then from the bottom of p. 29, Vol. 3, The Flood Year Type and Antitype, was from PT, pp. 21, 107-110 – also reprinted in PT ‘42, pp. 26-29. Also found in E Vol. 5, pp. 62-76.

I see that Brother G in his last PT covered some of the same ground, and he did not seem to set aside anything. I surely cannot agree with Brother K on the second chapter of his Vol. 3 in his treatment of Chapter 12-36 of Genesis, where he tries to make himself an antitype of Jacob. Abraham types Brother Russell and Isaac types Bro. Johnson. I glanced over Bro. J’s version that was published years ago on the same chapters – and, as a rule, I find them more reasonable. He at least did not try to bring out any new Truth particularly. What he did bring out agreed with what had al­ready been given before in Brother Johnson’s writings – and the events were in the past. At least J did not try to be a special messenger.

Also in going over the old PT’s in the early 1950’s, I was quite interested in your letter to Brother J on further light on Zechariah in July ‘52, pp. 58-59 PT – and the Economic Situation in Nov. ‘52, p. 92 PT. How similar today, but lots worse! I, more or less, favor Ronald Reagan, but I realize that it is too late now for any one to do anything.

I also found in the PT ‘39, p. 99, col. one that Brother Johnson expected the Great Company to be here after April 1958, which also ought to be a good answer to Bro. K, who believed they were gone since 1954; and the joke of it is it took him 18 years later to discover that. The same thought is found in the question on p. 82, May 1941 PT. You will note that Brother Johnson brings out the thought that the Ancient Worthies cannot come back until after the application of the blood of the antitypical Goat – that which works atonement before God for the restitution of the world, a part of which the AW and Youthful Worthies will be. Bro. K in many instances tried to bring out that the Youthful Worthies share with the Great Company in the sin offer­ings for the willful sins of the world.

Yes, as to the Great Company being all gone, if I were to believe either of them I think Bro. G is nearer right than K – as things have gotten worse since J died. The way things are developing, 1984 may not be too far wrong. Of course I cannot believe that the Great Company are all gone yet, as a few whom we think are GC members are still with us. I see where Brother P. L. Read died at the age of 93. (If the Great Company are still with us, it is also probable that some of the Little Flock are still with us, as they would have to be in the same age group—JJH) He was the main stay of the PBI, so I don’t know what will happen to them now. I see where a good many of the older brethren are dying lately.

In looking over the old PT’s I came across the article on The Seventy Years Deso­lation of the Land in the Jan. 1962 PT, pp. 11-12, which Bro. J answered concerning 1914-1984. What do you think of the article?

Well, dear Ones, I think I had better close for now, hoping that this finds all of you much improved in health, as we all depend on you in your able defense of the Truth, both the past and Present Truth. I, for one, surely do appreciate your efforts.

With much Christian love to you all, I remain your brother by His Grace -------

...........................................................................

Dear Brother Hoefle:

Thank you for serving me with the Truth over these many years. Enclosed is a check long overdue to help you in the Lord’s work.

May the Lord be with you and Sister Hoefle as you continue in the work.

Sincerely ------- (CONNECTICUT)

NO. 300: GOD'S GREAT COVENANTS

No. 300

A number of covenants are set forth in the Bible, which may be broadly grouped into two classes – word covenants and blood covenants. While there are a number of word covenants, there are but two blood covenants. After brief comment on the former, we shall offer some detail on the latter. Although the blood covenants find their base along with certain details in some of the word covenants, it is the blood covenants – ­commonly named in the Scriptures the Law Covenant and the New Covenant – that particu­larly concern the great majority of the human race.

The first word covenant, conveniently styled the Adamic Covenant, is found in the very beginning of the Bible – in the first days of human history: “The Lord God com­manded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (“dying thou shalt die”—Gen. 2:16,17 – see Margin). The man had no choice in the terms of this covenant – he must accept it, and abide by its terms, or receive the inevitable result, experience the “dying process” until the grave eventually claimed him – in Adam’s case 930 years of “dying.” The world is “dead in trespasses and sins” – all under the death sentence. (Eph. 2:1) A thousand years is one day with the Lord. (See 2 Pet. 3:8 and Psa. 90:4)

While the Genesis account does not specifically describe this mandate as a coven­ant, the prophet Hosea (6:7) does say so: “But they (the Jewish nation) like men (“like Adam,” see margin) have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.” Just as Adam had attempted deceit and shallow argument after his viola­tion of his covenant, so had the Jews done likewise in their attitude toward the Law Cov­enant. It is well to note here, however, that there was no written covenant with Adam, as there was with the Jews at Sinai. Nevertheless, the “treachery” was the same in both cases: both covenants were violated by the human parties thereto falling into sin. A difference, too, may be noted: Adam was perfect, and had no inclination at all toward sin; thus, his was a deliberate act – whereas, the Jews had been “born in sin shapen in iniquity,” of which more later.

A second covenant is the one with Noah, the RAINBOW COVENANT: “I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between He and the earth (the human social order). .. The waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. A token of the covenant between Me and all flesh.” (Gen; 9:13,15,17) And further: “With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee... For have I sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart (the autocratic earthly King­doms in the Time of Trouble), and the hills (lesser and more democratic governments) be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed.” (Isa. 54:8-10)

The Abrahamic Covenant is another word covenant: “The Lord said to Abraham, Get thee out of thy country ... unto a land that I will show thee... and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 12:1-4) In this word covenant is the first intimation of the great Plan of the Ages which would restore to mankind what had been lost by Father Adam. The word Abram means “high father”; and God presented him with some severe exactions before he could claim the covenant as his: “Get thee out of thy country (Ur of the Chaldees), and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee.” (Canaan, present-day Palestine, especially that part in the vicinity of Jerusalem.) The confirmation of this covenant – after Abraham had complied with his requirements – was 430 years before the Law (blood) Covenant was given at Sinai. (Gal. 3:17)

The foregoing covenant was re-affirmed and elaborated in Gen. 22:16-18, which rec­itation is styled the Oath-Bound Covenant because of its wording: “By myself have I sworn (sealed with an oath), saith the Lord ... that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore ... and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” St. Paul refers to this covenant in Heb. 6:13,14: “When God made promise to Abraham, because He could sware by no greater, He swore by Himself, Saying, surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.” All of this was the result of Abraham attempting, at God’s command, to sacrifice his son Isaac on Mount Moriah, from which the Angel of the Lord restrained him at the crucial moment. And, while this may also be defined as a word covenant, the near sacrifice of Isaac, and the actual sacrifice of the ram in the thicket (vs. 13) gave a mild hint of things to come later in the blood covenant of Sinai and the still later one of “Mount Zion.” (Heb. 12:18-24)

In the Oath-bound Covenant also came the first intimation that Abraham’s seed would be both heavenly and earthly. “Now, we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of the promise.” (Gal. 4:28) And there appears here a very unusual circumstance: Abra­ham is titled “the father of them that believe” (Rom. 4:11), and with him was the Oath­bound Covenant originally made; yet he himself is not to be of the heavenly seed. In Hebrews 11 St. Paul directly includes Abraham by name; then offers the summation: “These all .. received not the promise; God having provided some better thing for us (the spiritual Isaac, “the children of the promise”), that they without us should not be made perfect.” Jesus verifies this conclusion in Luke 7:28: “Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he that is least in the Kingdom of God (the Class in which Paul includes himself – the “us” class) is greater than he.” Thus, Abraham will eventually be one of the children of antityp­ical Isaac.

There is yet another word covenant, the Covenant Of Sacrifice: “Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” (Psa. 50:5) It could properly be stated here that this is a semi-blood covenant, because it involves the death of each individual who becomes a part of it. The individuals compose the Christ Company, those who “were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God.” (Rev. 20:4) Not all of them have come to a violent end (as did Jesus, the Apos­tles, and many others during this Gospel Age), but each one did truly “pour out his soul unto death.” Thus, each one furnishes the blood, his own blood, to seal his part in this Covenant, even as Jesus also “left us an example, that we should follow in His steps.” (1 Pet. 2:21) Thus, we believe the expression ‘semi-blood covenant’ is proper­ly placed here. None of those involved in this Covenant of Sacrifice had his part there­in sealed by the blood of other men or animals – as do the two real blood covenants ­but each one has heeded the appeal of St. Paul: “Present your bodies a living sacri­fice, holy, acceptable unto God.” (Rom. 12:1)

THE LAW COVENANT

Comes now a consideration of the Law Covenant, the one at Sinai mediated by Moses, as proposed by God and accepted by all Israel. It is indeed properly described as “the blood of sprinkling,” with the terse summation of it contained in the Ten Commandments (literally, ten words) as given in Exodus 20; and more briefly stated by Jesus Himself: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind, with all thy strength, and thy neighbor as thyself.” But in its broad sense it began with the Pass­over in Egypt, when “the blood of sprinkling” of the typical lamb was observed by each Jewish house that awesome night. And, continuing, it embraces practically everything in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronony.

Jesus said that all of that law was typical – that “one iota or one tip of a let­ter shall by no means pass from the Law, till all be accomplished.” (Matt. 5:18, Dia.) And St. Paul elaborates upon this in Heb. 10:1-9, Dia., part of which reads: “The Law, having a shadow of the future good things, not the very image of the things, is by no means able with the same animal sacrifices which they offer continually, to perfect those who draw near ... Sacrifice and offering and whole burnt offering thou didst not desire, nor didst delight in (which are offered according to the Law); Then He (Jesus) said, Behold, I come to perform Thy will. He takes away the first (the continual sac­rifices of the Law) that He may establish the second” (the “better sacrifices,” of Him­self and all who have joined with Him by “following in His steps.”—See Heb. 9:23). In 1 Cor. 10:11, Dia., this “shadow” is further confirmed: “These things occurred to them (the Jews) typically.”

The Law, being an institutional type, must continue until its antitype appears ­to “fulfill” it, to fill it full in every minute detail. But, once the antitype does appear, the type is no longer effective or obligatory upon those involved. Therefore, when Jesus “takes away the first... that He may establish the second,” He in one mas­ter stroke eliminated all the animal sacrifices of the Law, which in turn left no more room for the Jewish priesthood or the rituals they performed. However, the “ten words” of the Law still bind those who have not accepted Christ; and that feature of the Law Covenant must continue operative until its antitype, the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34), is inaugurated.

The various features of the Law are distributed over four whole books of the Pen­tateuch; but the acceptance by the people is contained in just one simple sentence: “Moses took the book of the covenant and read in the audience of the people; and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.” (Ex. 24:7,8)

It needs reminding, however, that the great majority of the people quickly forget the covenant. Most of them had not even the will to abide by it; but of those few who wished to do so, it soon became apparent that they were unable to do so. They were far removed from the condition of Adam when the Lord’s command was given to him in Eden. He could have done what was asked of him; but even those faithful Jews who earnestly strove to keep their covenant found that what they thought was unto life was really unto death, which prompted St. Paul to write: “I was alive without the Law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.” (Rom. 7:9) He, speaking repre­sentatively for all Israel, had come to realize that the Abrahamic covenant, which as­sured the blessing of all men, including Paul and all his brethren, had put all of them in the position of eventually attaining life; but, when they placed themselves under an ideal beyond their ability to reach, the Law itself then commanded death for disobedience – whether that disobedience were willful or in spite of their best efforts to avoid disobedience. However, they were blessed when they endeavored to obey the Law. (Josh. 23:3)

The Law Covenant (the first of the blood covenants) also had attached to it cer­tain offices and intermediary persons not found in any of the word covenants. There was Moses the Mediator; also, a priesthood, prophets and kings who performed certain services that were not parts of the obligations of the people in their promises concern­ing the covenant itself.

The Law Covenant, with its righteous arrangements for human relations, its supe­rior dietary requirements, and its worship of the one true Cod in holiness of purpose and avoidance of all superstition and traditional chicanery, was a far step from the religions of Canaan and the east country. Thus, it is little wonder that Satan at­tempted to counterfeit such parts of the Plan of the Ages as he understood. It had been dimly hinted in the transgression in Eden that a deliverer would eventually come to succor men from the disaster he had invited by his willful disobedience. And as more was added to the Divine Revelation, Satan busied himself by not only counterfeit­ing what was revealed, but using also his imagination to concoct features as he consid­ered they might eventually be.

As stated previously, the Law Covenant was typical in all its details; but parts of it were to be fulfilled during the Gospel Age, and the remainder during the Millen­nial Age. Thus, Jesus was the Gospel-Age antitype of the Atonement-Day bullock, and the Church, His Body, has been the Gospel-Age antitype of the Atonement-Day goat as typed in Leviticus 16. Inklings of the Ransom and the Sin Offering were gradually re­vealed as the inspired testimony increased through the writings of the various “elders,” the 24 writers of the Old Testament. (Rev. 4:4; 5:5) As it gradually began to be re­vealed that Jesus would die and then be raised from the dead about the Passover time in the Spring, Satan busied himself with a counterfeit of this in the heathen religions, specially in that of Babylon.

It will be recalled that Babylon was founded by Nimrod (upstart)—Gen. 10:10, whose sinful performances became so obnoxious that he was eventually executed at the instigation of Melchiz­adek, his body was divided into fourteen pieces, one of which was sent to each section of the then established world, as a warning to others not to continue in his evil ways. But Satan immediately moved Nimrod’s cult survivors to circulate the rumor that he had not really died, that he was too strong to be contained in the tomb, that he was now risen and placed in the sun: This quickly led to sun­worship under the name of Baal, Tammuz, etc. And by the time Israel was to lose its national individuality in the Fall of 607 B. C., the belief had been well established in Babylon that Tammuz died every Spring, but he was brought back to life again, and his place in the sun, by three days of violent weeping by the women of that city.

This idea had become so strong by that time that it had captivated certain rene­gades in Jewry, which aroused the Prophet to write: “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.” (Ezek. 8:14) Here was the counterfeit of the experience of Jesus: “Women bewailed and lamented Him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jeru­salem, weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” (Luke 23:27, 28) By the time Babylon had reached its pinnacle, its Satan-invented religion had with certain variations infected the whole heathen world, which inspired the expression from Jeremiah (51:7) – “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunken; the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore, the nations are mad.”

And this same situation found even greater repetition in the Gospel Age through the manipu­lations of the Roman Church, of which the Apostle John had written in advance of the occurrence: “I saw a woman ... having a golden cup in her hand ... upon her fore­head a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth.” (Rev. 17:4,5) Note the close similarity between the two recordings. We have offered this slight digression here to show how true types of the Law Covenant have been greatly overshadowed by the earlier inventions of the great “serpent” (de­ceiver) – to the extent that most Christians know little or nothing about them.

THE NEW COVENANT

Some of the prophets were more or less aware of what had transpired, as evidence the words of Jeremiah (31:31-34): “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not accord­ing to the covenant (the Law Covenant) that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake (some of which we have described aforegoing), although I was an husband unto them; But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts ... and they shall no more teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” The Prophet Ezekiel (36:26,27) writes more of the same: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

The Apostle Paul discusses these Scriptures in the eighth chapter of Hebrews, quot­ing large portions of them, then summing up in this wise: “In that He saith, A new cov­enant, He hath made the first (the Law Covenant) old. Now that which decayeth and wax­eth old is ready to vanish away” – as its various features were fulfilled. The contrast is very incisive in the first verses of this chapter: “We have such an high priest ... A minister of the true tabernacle (not the tabernacle made with hands at the time of the Law Covenant), which the Lord pitched, and not man ... But now hath Jesus obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the Mediator of a better covenant (the New Covenant) which was established upon better promises.”

This, the second blood covenant, has been already assured, although its administra­tion is yet future – waiting for the full number of servants to be gathered who shall officiate and mediate it between God and the whole human family. “Ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched ... and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words ... but ye are come unto Mount Sion ... the heavenly Jerusalem ... to God the judge of all ... to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel ... See that ye refuse not Him that speak­eth better things than that of Abel ... See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh Wherefore, we receive a Kingdom which cannot be moved.” (Heb. 12:18-28)

The Mediator of this New Covenant will be primarily Jesus, but joined with Him will be the entire Christ Company. They in turn will be assisted by the Great Multitude (Rev. 7:9), and the Worthies – four elect classes (the “Just”) who will administer the bless­ings to those of the “unjust” who will bow with the knee and confess with the tongue that Christ is Lord. (Phil. 2:9-11) Those who “will not hear that prophet shall be de­stroyed from among the people.” (Acts 3:23)

It should be noted here that the New Covenant is eminently superior to the Law Covenant, because it will actually accomplish all it is designed to do. We say the New Covenant is superior to the Law Covenant, because the Law Covenant was “weak through the flesh.” (Rom. 8:3) The Law Covenant itself could have no superior if it had been kept by the Jews. “All God’s works are perfect.” The imperfection of the Law Covenant was in the human weaknesses of those who agreed to keep it, but could not do so – their own imperfections making them insufficient to cope with the perfection required in the Law. But the New Covenant – through the better Mediator – will give life to all who will receive it under the easier terms of that covenant. Under the Law Covenant and its Mediator there was no such provision, and it brought the reverse – death.

Thus, the question properly arises, Why was there a Law Covenant at all if the human acceptors could not possibly adhere to it? St. Paul offers his usual superb logic on the question in Gal. 3:21-29: “If there had been a law (covenant) given which could have given life, verily righteousness (justification) should have been by the law ... But before faith came, we were kept under the law ... wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (by persuading all the persuadable ones of their inability to save themselves by their works under the law), that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”

The Apostle offers further enlightenment on this in Rom. 10:1-4: “My heart’s de­sire and prayers to God for Israel is that they might be saved. For I bear them rec­ord that they have a zeal of God (as some of them earnestly endeavored to keep the law), but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God (by accepting Christ). For Christ is the end (the fulfillment) of the law for righteousness to every one that be­lieveth.” But of those who have not accepted Christ, “God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all” (Rom. 11:32) – in the Kingdom; they are to have the broad classification of the “unjust” – unjustified of this Age. See Acts 24:15 and John 5:28,29.

All of the “just” will have a better resurrection than any of the “unjust.” See Rev. 20:5 and Hebrews 11:35. The blessing of the nations through Abraham’s seed will come from the “stars of Heaven” (two elect classes raised as spirit beings before the New Covenant can begin to operate) – and from the “sand of the seashore” (the two elect classes who will officiate as perfect human beings on earth). “The Law shall go forth from Mount Zion (the Heavenly Jerusalem), and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (in Palestine).” Thus, all four of these elect classes will receive a better resurrection than their former human associates, with those serving from Jerusalem being elevated to the spirit realm after the New Covenant has met all its requirements to make every human being (who will hear the prophet) a king in his own right. But even at that time it will properly be said that all the Covenant’s administrators (the four elect classes) will have received a superior resurrection to that of the residue of men. And this leaves no space at all for the non-existent classes taught by the errorists of our day – such as Campers Consecrated, quasi-elect consecrated, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Jonadabs, or “large crowd” – among the “Just,” either at the beginning of the New Cov­enant, or at the end of the New Covenant.

And what shall we say of the non-elect – all those who will have part in the res­urrection of the unjust? All of us know there are many noble people among them, as well as many who are not so noble. However, among the elect – among those who have covenanted to walk a ‘narrow way’ during the ascendancy of sin and evil – there are not many “wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” (1 Cor. 1:26) And what shall we say of these noble ones of the non-elect? Will their nobil­ity be overlooked? No! They will be greatly blessed, even at the beginning, as they walk up the Highway of Holiness (Isa. 35:8), because it will be easy and agreeable for them to conform themselves to the Kingdom’s righteous laws. When they recognize God’s love, His goodness and mercy toward them, they will be glad. They will be among those for whom the promise applies: “Whosoever is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17) And what shall we say of the very wicked? Among them, too, there will be some who will come to love and appreciate God’s love and goodness toward them; and as they seek to extricate their sinful tendencies they will join with those who walk up the Highway of Holiness.

When God’s Plan is fully understood it clarifies God’s past and present dealings, with the children of men. The Bible becomes in its light a book harmonious with it­self, with God’s character, Christ’s Ransom, the Holy Spirit’s work, man’s needs and with the facts. It indeed is thereby demonstrated to be the depository of God’s marvel­ous Plan of the Ages, as well as the glorious expression of His adorable character. He thus becomes loved by us with “Love Divine all love excelling,” and with “Joy of heaven to earth come down.” Let us worship, praise and adore Him, all whose works praise (re­flect credit upon) Him. “Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear (reverence) thee, 0 Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou only art holy; For all nations shall come and worship before thee; For Thy righteous acts have been made manifest.” (A.R.V. - Rev. 15:3,4)

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb... And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.” (Rev. 22:1,3) “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.” (Rev. 21:4)

Some comments on Psa. 103:2-4 are pertinent as an aid to demonstrate the working of the New Covenant, and to reveal its superiority over the Law Covenant: “Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgiveth all thine iniquities (by providing the perfect Sin Offering of Christ); Who healeth all thy diseases (as each one returns from the tomb, he must self-evidently be rid of the cause that sent him to the grave, otherwise he would immediately succumb once more); Who redeemeth thy life from destruction (“the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His beams” to “redeem them from death, and ransom them from the power of the grave”); Who crown­eth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies (physical, mental, moral and religious perfection). As Job has written, “His flesh will become fresher than a child’s; he shall return to the days of his youth.” (33:25)

These are indeed “Glad tidings of great joy” which shall be for all people – and we send this forth with the prayer that it will bless, uplift and comfort all who re­ceive it – especially those of the Household of Faith. “I will praise thee, 0 Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great un­to the Heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, 0 God, above the heav­ens: let thy glory be above all the earth.” (Psa. 57:9-11)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

(Reprint of No. 169)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION:  – Why do the Societyites believe that Christ died not for the wicked of Adam’s race?

ANSWER: – It is not because of their having any Scriptural proof for it, which they do not have, but because J.F.R. shortly before his death accepted this thought; and Mr. Knorr, his successor (as well as the present-day successor—JJH), endorses and advocates it in a book that the Society has recently published, i.e., they accept it because it comes through “the channel.” They have become amenable to it as an outflow of a number of errors, e.g., that many who are not new creatures, e.g., all the clergy and the principals of the flock, and all who die in Armageddon go into the second death, their Jonadabs (now their “Great Crowd”—JJH) generating the restitu­tion class in the Millennium, which in their estimation makes it unnecessary for all Adam’s non-elect descendants to return from the tomb. This “new light” is in most striking opposition to the ransom and grossly contradicts the three fundamental doctrines of salvation:

(1) God’s love and provision for everybody for salvation; (2) Je­sus’ death for everybody for salvation; and (3) the Spirit’s work for everybody for salvation.

Numerous Scriptures prove these three propositions. Let us briefly look at the main ones on each of these three points: (1) God’s love and provision for everybody for salvation. Thus God so loved the world as to give His Son to save it. (John 3:16, 17) He recommends His love for the race by giving Christ to die for the ungodly. (Rom. 5:6-8) His love for the world makes Him determine to save all men from the Adamic sentence, and bring them to an exact knowledge of the Truth. (1 Tim. 2:4) He thus from His love is the Savior of all men from that sentence. (1 Tim. 4:10) His love is the grace of God that “hath appeared, bringing salvation for all men.” (Titus 2:11); the literal translation is that within the quotation marks. His love for all for salvation expressed itself in giving Christ to die for mankind, as we read in Tit. 3:4: “The kind­ness and love of God our Savior, toward man appeared.” Certainly these and numerous other passages teach that God loves all man for salvation and provides for it.

(2) Now some passages that prove that Christ died for all men for salvation: Our Lord’s death for the whole sinner race is most graphically and prophetically described in Isa. 53:4-12. He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world (Adam’s sin, participated in by the entire race—John 1:29). Jesus said that if He were nailed to the cross for man’s sin He would favorably influence all men to Himself. (John 12:32, 33) As Adam’s sin and disobedience brought sin and death to all men, to enable all to gain the right to life. (Rom. 5:18,19) Jesus’ ransom was laid down for all men, which makes Him the Mediator for all humans. (1 Tim. 2:5,6) He by God’s love, grace tasted death for every man, and for this purpose had to be made Adam’s corresponding price. (Heb. 2:8,9) He is the satisfaction to God’s justice not only for the Church’s, but the world’s sins. (I John 2:2)

(3) As a result of God’s love that gave Christ to be a ransom for all men, and of Christ’s death for all men, the Spirit’s work for salvation will in the Millennium ex­tend to all the non-elect of Adam’s race without exception. Very many, indeed, are the Scriptures teaching this thought, of which we will cite a comparatively small number: The Christ, as the Seed of Abraham, in doing the Millennial Spirit’s work, will bless for salvation purposes all the families, kindreds and nations of the earth. (Gen. 12:3; 18:18 22:18) At Christ’s Millennial asking, God will give Him the nations and the ends of the earth (all mankind) as His inheritance and possession. (Psa. 2:8) All the ends of the earth, all the kindreds of the nations and all that go down to the dust (all the Adamically dead) shall turn to, worship and bow down before the Lord. (Psa. 22:27-29) God made all nations, and these will Millennially worship and glorify Him. (Psa. 86:9)

God will reveal His plan to all; and the whole world will see it. (Isa. 98:2,3) All nations will become parts of God’s Kingdom (Isa. 2:2); for the knowledge of God shall be sea-deep and worldwide; and all nations will seek Christ. (Isa. 11:9,10) The Kingdom will destroy every effect of the curse and make all glad, some only for a while. (Isa. 25:6-9) All the non-elect as errant from the Divine Truth will see it clearly. (Isa. 29:18,24) All blind eyes and deaf ears of understanding shall see and appreciate the Truth (Isa. 35:5); the morally lame shall make rapid progress up the Highway of Holi­ness, and the Lord’s ransomed (gave Himself a ransom for all men) will return from the tomb for the joys of the Kingdom, and the sorrows of the curse will be wiped out. (Isa. 35:5,6,10) All flesh shall see (experience) the salvation from the death sentence that God will work. (Isa. 40:5) So deeply impressed will all the non-elect become that according to the oath-bound promise for a while all will be consecrated, though some will a little later fall away. (Isa. 45:22,23) As a result of God’s revealing the Christ to all the world, all will clearly perceive God’s work of salvation. (Isa. 52:10) Yea, all, from the least to the greatest, will know the Lord (Jer. 31:34); for God has prepared salvation as a joy to all the non-elect, even raising up fallen Israel again (Luke 2:10, 31-34), since Jesus as the true Light will teach the Truth to every human that came in­to the world (John 1:9), in the day when the crucified Jesus will favorably influence all men toward Himself. (John 12:31,32) In Phil. 2:10,11, in harmony with Isa. 45:22, 23: Rom. 14:11, we are told that every knee, including those who were in the death state (“Under the earth”—Phil. 2:10), will bow to Jesus, and every tongue, including the tongues of those who were in the death state, will confess Jesus as Lord.

God gives some in this life, the rest in the next life, the testimony of His love for all, Christ’s death for all and the Spirit’s work for all. (1 Tim. 2:5,6) While now the Spirit’s work extends to the Elect only (Joel 2:29), in the Millennial Age it will extend to all the non-elect (Joel 2:28); Rev. 22:17); for then Christ will become the Lord, Ruler, of the dead (Rom. 14:9), including the people of Sodom, Gomorrah, the cities of the plains and the people of the two-tribed kingdom of the South and the ten-tribed kingdom of the North. (Ezek. 16:53-63) Hence these three considerations: (1) God’s love, (2) Christ’s death and (3) the Spirit’s work completely refute this new So­ciety (Jehovah’s Witnesses) error.

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NOTE: The above Question and Answer by the Epiphany Messenger in the November 1943 Present Truth, p. 175, is just as timely today as it was then. We reproduce it because the Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to teach this gross error, which God’s Word as given above, completely refutes their error.

NO. 299: ZIONISM - PART ONE

No. 299

Zionism as an active organized movement has been in existence only about a hun­dred years, altho, since the dispersion in the year 70 A.D. the Jews made many efforts to regain their homeland. Although it is now an accomplished fact, their position there is very volatile. Without the favor of the United States it is very doubtful that they could remain. However, the promise of God is sure that they will never be removed again. Here is a statement in Gen. 48:4: “I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.” Also, Jer. 24:6,7: “I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up ... And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God; for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.”

A HISTORICAL RECORD

The following is quoted from one commentator on this subject: “ZIONISM, a Jewish nationalist movement that has had as its goal the creation and support of a Jewish national state in Palestine, the ancient homeland of the Jews (Hebrew Eretz Yisra’el). Though Zionism originated in Eastern and Central Europe in the latter part of the 19th century, it is in many ways a continuation of the ancient and deep-felt nationalist attachment of the Jews and of the Jewish religion to Palestine, the promised land where one of the hills of ancient Jerusalem was called Zion.

“In the 16th and 17th centuries a number of ‘messiahs’ came forward to lead the Jews back to Palestine. The Haskala (Enlightenment) movement of the late 18th century, however, urged Jews to assimilate into Western secular culture. In the early 19th cen­tury interest in a return of the Jews to Palestine was kept alive mostly by Christian milleniarists. (We know the Bible Students under Pastor Russell were quite active in this respect—JJH). Despite the Haskala, Eastern European Jews did not assimilate and in reaction to tsarist pogroms formed the Hoveve Zion (‘Lovers of Zion’) to promote the settlement of Jewish farmers and artisans in Palestine.

“A political turn was given to Zionism by Theodore Herzl, an Austrian Journal­ist who regarded assimilation as most desirable, but in view of anti-Semitism, impos­sible to realize. Thus, he argued, if Jews were forced by external pressure to form a nation, they could lead a normal existence only through concentration in one terri­tory. In 1897 Herzl convened the first Zionist Congress at Basel, Switzerland, which drew up the Basel program of the movement, stating that ‘Zionism strives to create for the Jewish people a home in Palestine secured by public law.’ The center of the move­ment was established in Vienna, where Herzl published the official weekly Die Velt (‘The World’). Zionist congresses met yearly until 1901 and then every two years. When the Ottoman government refused Herzl’s request for Palestine autonomy, he found support in Great Britain. In 1903 the British Government offered 6,000 square miles of uninhabited Uganda for settlement, but the Zionists held out for Palestine.

“With the death of Herzl in 1904, the leadership moved from Vienna to Cologne, then to Berlin. Prior to World War One Zionism represented only a minority of Jews, mostly from Russia, but by Austrian and German Jews. It was, however, the only world­wide democratically organized part of Jewry; it developed an active propaganda through orators and pamphlets, created its own newspapers in many languages, and gave an impetus to what was called a ‘Jewish renaissance’ in letters and arts. The development of the modern Hebrew language largely took place during this period.

“The failure of the Russian revolution of 1905 and the wave of pogroms and repres­sions that followed caused growing numbers of Russian Jewish youth to emigrate to Pal­estine as pioneer settlers. By 1914 there were about 90,000 Jews in Palestine; 13,000 settlers lived in 43 Jewish agricultural settlements, many of them supported by the French Jewish philanthropist Baron Edmond de Rothschild.

“With the outbreak of World War One political Zionism re-asserted itself, with its leadership passing to Russian Jews living in England. Two such Zionists, Chaim Wiseman and Nahum Sokolow, were instrumental in obtaining the Balfour Declaration from Great Britain (Nov. 2, 1917), which promised British support for the creation of a Jewish national home in Palestine. When the declaration was included in Britain’s league of Nations mandate over Palestine (1922), Zionist hopes soared.

“In the following years the Zionists built up the Jewish urban and rural settle­ments in Palestine, perfecting autonomous organizations and solidifying Jewish cultural life and Hebrew education. In March 1925 the Jewish population in Palestine was offi­cially estimated at 108,000 and had risen to about 238,000 (20 percent of the population) in 1933. Jewish immigration remained relatively small, however, until the rise of Hit­lerism in Europe. (“I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them.”—Jer. 16:16—JJH) Nevertheless, the Arab population feared Palestine would eventually become a Jew­ish state and bitterly resisted Zionism and the British policy supporting it. Several Arab revolts, especially in 1929 and 1936-39, caused the British to devise schemes to reconcile the Arab and Zionists demands.

“Hitlerism and the large-scale extermination of European Jews caused them to seek refuge in Palestine, and many others, especially in the United States, to embrace Zion­ism. As Arab-Zionist tensions grew, Britain submitted the Palestine problem first to Anglo-U.S. discussion for solution and later to the United Nations, which proposed on Nov. 29, 1947, partition of the country into separate Arab and Jewish states and the in­ternationalization of Jerusalem. The creation of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, brought about the Arab-Israel war of 1948-49, with the result that Israel obtained more land than had been provided by the UN resolution. Thus 50 years after the first Zion­ist congress and 30 years after the Balfour Declaration, Zionism achieved its aim of es­tablishing a Jewish state in Palestine.

“During the next two decades Zionist organizations in many countries continued to raise financial support for Israel and to encourage Jews to immigrate there.”

It is quite a coincidence that just fifty years after the first Zionist Congress the Jewish State was established. Our readers will recall the Jubilee cycle of the Law, which came every fifty years. That Jubilee proclaimed freedom for all slaves who wished to be free; and the establishment of a Jewish State did much the same for per­secuted Jews in all parts of the world.

MOUNT ZION

The same publication makes this comment about Mount Zion: “Zion, in the Old Testament, is the easternmost of the two hills of ancient Jerusalem, the site of the Jebusite city captured by David, King of Israel and Judah, in the 10th century B.C. (2 Sam. 5:6-9) and established as his royal capital. Some scholars believe that the name also belonged to the ‘stronghold of Zion’ taken by David (2 Sam. 5:7), which may have been the fortress of the city. The Jewish historian Josephus, in the first century A.D., identified Zion with the western hill of Jerusalem, where most of the city lay in his day. This incorrect identification of the site was retained until the late 19th or early 20th century when the site of Zion was identified as the eastern hill (modern Ophel). It was not included in the walls of the 16th-century fortifications and is still covered with fields and vineyards.”

Here we insert a few thoughts from 2 Sam. 5:6-9: At that time there was no heavy military artillery in Israel, which deceived the Jebusites into believing that their fortress was impregnable: they sneered at David, much the same as the moguls of Chris­tendom attempted to belittle “that haberdasher.” But David and his men took the cita­del, from which time Jerusalem was known as “The City of David.” The Jebusites in that picture were a type of the errorists here in the end of the Age, and David typed Pastor Russell. When he arrived on the scene shortly after 1870, the errorists were so firmly entrenched that their position seemed impregnable – eternal torment, the immortality of the soul, no opportunity for salvation after this life, evolution, etc. – all these, and many others, presented a most disheartening front to antitypical David; but he entered the fray in the strength of the Lord, as David had done; and he administered crushing defeats to the errorists, as David had done with Goliath, the Jebusites, et al.

As we contemplate these typical details, it is little wonder that the Jews have such a pronounced affinity to Mount Sinai, etc., because it was there that they received the foundation for their religion from God through Moses – the Law, the Tabernacle services, etc. When we contemplate all this, we can then appreciate the sentimental value of the entire Palestinian domain.

Continuing now with the quotation: “Zion appears in the Old Testament 152 times as a title of Jerusalem; over half of these occurrences appear in two books, the book of Isaiah (46 times) and that of Psalms (38 times). It appears seven times in the New Tes­tament, five times in quotations from the Old Testament. The name is overwhelmingly a poetic and prophetic designation and is infrequently used in ordinary prose. It usually has emotional and religious overtones, but it is not clear why the name Zion rather than the name Jerusalem should carry these overtones. It is our understanding that the reason the Bible stresses Zion is because Zion is a type of the Glorified Christ that will “bless all the families of the earth during the Kingdom reign – beginning with natural Israel first.”

“The city of Jerusalem is personified as a woman and addressed or spoken of as the ‘daughter of Zion,’ always in a context charged with feeling aroused by either of two ideas that stand in opposition to each other: the destruction of Jerusalem or its deliv­erance. After Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in the Fall of 607 B.C., the Israelites could not forget Zion (Psa. 137), and, in the prophecy after the Babylonian Exile of the Jews, Zion is the scene of Yahweh’s messianic salvation. It is to Zion that exiles will be restored (Jer. 3:14), and there they will find Yahweh (Jer. 29:13). Bearing all these connotations, Zion came to mean the Jewish homeland, symbolic of Ju­daism or Jewish national aspirations (when the name Zionism for the 19th-20th-century to establish a Jewish national centre or state in Palestine).

“While the name of Zion is rare in the New Testament, it has been very frequently used in Christian literature and hymns as a designation for the heavenly city or for the earthly city of Christian faith and fraternity.”

THE JERUSALEM TOPOGRAPHY

As we have stated aforegoing, Zion types the Christ Company; and this is corrobo­rated by Psa. 72:3: “The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills by righteousness.” We understand the “mountains” in this text to refer to Mount Moriah and Mount Zion; and the “little hills” to be Acra and Bezetha, all of which type the four elect classes, which will eventually “bring peace to the people.”

As stated, it is our understanding that Zion types the Christ Company, Moriah the Ancient Worthies, Acra the Great Company, and Bezetha the Youthful Worthies. The fol­lowing is from the Bible Atlas on these four promontories in the City of Jerusalem; “Mo­riah, on the eastern side of the city, the place once occupied by the temple – 2,432 feet high.” It was here that Abraham prepared to offer Isaac as a sacrifice at God’s command. But the angel of the Lord stayed Abraham’s hand; and this is the record of it in Gen. 22: 15-17: “The angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven (those of the human race who receive the spirit nature as a reward for their services during this “present evil world”), and as the sand which is upon the sea shore (those who inherit special earthly natures for their service during the reign of evil).

Here is recorded the oathbound covenant emphasized by Paul in Heb. 6:13: “When God made Promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself.”

“Mount Zion – the largest and highest – lies in the southwestern section. Its crown is 2,540 feet high.” It will be noted that Moriah is mentioned first, although it is not so lofty as Zion. This is in conformity with the type, because the Ancient Wor­thies – a lower class than the Christ Company – appeared on the scene first.

“Acra – a little northeast of Mount Zion, Irregularly-shaped eminence. Now 2,490 feet high but anciently higher, as its crest was cut down by the Maccabean princes in order to bring it nearer the level of the Temple Hill. On this may have stood the cas­tle, or Millo (2 Sam. 5:9).”

“Bezetha – a little west of north from Mount Moriah – separated from it by a slight depression. Only in the later age of New Testament history was it within the walls of the city. Its height is a little over 2,500 feet. These four mountains are all that are named as within the ancient walls.”

The above four elevations type the four elect classes that will dominate the King­dom government and arrangements.

THE DOUBLE

As stated aforegoing, the Jews have been established in Palestine; but that could be accomplished only after Jer. 16:18 had been fulfilled. “First I will recompense their iniquity and their sins double.” (Jer. 16:18) The Hebrew word rendered here “double” is mishneh, and signifies a second portion, a repetition. When we fold a sheet of paper exactly in the middle, then we have created a ‘mishneh,’ the top part being an exact duplicate of the bottom half. Thus understood, the prophet’s declara­tion is, that from the time of their being cast off from all favor until the time of their return to favor would be a repetition, or duplication in time, of their previous history, during which time they had enjoyed Divine favor.

Their favor extended from the death of Jacob in 1812 B.C., when Jacob’s twelve sons became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. And this favor extended to the year 33 A.D. – a period of 1845 years. Five days before His crucifixion Jesus had said to them, “Your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:38) Thus, they were destined to have 1845 years of disfavor. When Masada fell to the Roman army in the year 73 A.D., the Jews were then dispersed among the nations of the Gentiles –perse­cuted and harassed, driven from city to city, with no home they could call their own. Thus, whereas they had been an agricultural nation during their time of favor, they were forced to become a company of businessmen. They could carry their money and val­uables with them, which they could not do with land; and it has been a rarity over the years to see a Jewish farmer in the United States.

And, while the Jews could not understand this reversal of affairs, most Gentiles did not understand it either. The Catholics persecuted them even as much as they did the faithful saints; and even Martin Luther who protested the evils of the Catholic system, brilliant as he was, also held the Jews in contempt when his efforts toward them did not convert them to Christ: he said it was useless to waste more effort on them, since they had shown no change of heart or mind over the 1500 years past.

However, when their “double” was completed in 1878 we find some things that clear­ly mark return of favor to them. In that year the Berlin Congress of nations was pre­sided over by Disraeli – the first Jew ever to be Prime minister of England; and he se­cured certain privileges for the Jews in Palestine that they had not enjoyed since they had been scattered among the nations. The land of Palestine had been dominated by the “terrible Turk”; but at that Congress in 1878 the condition of the Jews was amelio­rated; and it partially opened the door for others to locate there, with the privilege of holding real estate. Previously the Jew was just a dog, to be kicked, cuffed and abused by his Mohammedan ruler, was denied the most ordinary privileges of existence ­in a land sacred to him with memories of the past, and with promises touching the future.

About the same time the door was reopened to them in Palestine, a fierce persecu­tion arose in Romania and Galicia, and especially in Russia. While conditions there have eased somewhat over the years, they still are not a free people in those countries; and large numbers of them have returned to their beloved homeland. But even this must be regarded a return of favor to them because it is forcing many of them to return to Palestine. And with customary Jewish ambition, they are developing the country in a very remarkable manner. The fruit and vegetables they produce are among the finest in the world; and the country is developing a look of prosperity.

The question properly arises, If favor was due to return to them in 1878, why do we not see some evidence of it? We must bear in mind that there are other Scriptures that must be fulfilled also, one of which is Luke 21:24: “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” The times of the Gentiles did not expire until 1914, at which time their eviction began; but the evic­tion process is still going on, requiring much more time than had been calculated before 1914 arrived. And even at that time no Truth person expected the time to be so ex­tended.

As the Jewish nation passed completely into oblivion in the years 70-73 A.D., and the Gentile nations became more prominent, the situation has been just the reverse since 1914. Now, the Gentiles are getting into deeper trouble all the time, whereas the Jews have been steadily improving, so that in 1948 they were recognized and accepted as a na­tion. Not by all nations, but by some of the most prominent ones, such as the United States, Great Britain, etc. It should be recognized that it took 36½ years from 33 A.D. to dislodge them from Jerusalem, and it was exactly 36½ years from 1878 to 1914 when the Gentile eviction began. It was in the Fall of 1917 that the Turks were dislodged from Jerusalem, and the Jews have been making progress ever since; but we should consider that their present difficulties – whatever they may be – are nothing more than what is common to all nations at this time: although their “double” is finished, they will suffer in the “great tribulation” the same as others. Isa. 63:4 describes this situation: “The day of vengeance is in mine heart.” So the Jews have their individual sins the same as the rest of the nations. The day of vengeance has not yet accomplished its pur­pose, nor will it do so for some years yet, but the “sure word of prophecy” is our strong assurance that it will be finished “in due time.”

When Jesus was stating His prophecy concerning these matters, none of the “wicked” under­stood; even the Apostles, who had been with Jesus, only vaguely understood. Even after Pentecost, when they were enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they did not understand as clearly as we now do. And our knowledge on this subject will increase as the months pass by.

Here we do well to consider the overall situation: Ishmael was half brother to Isaac, both having Abraham as their father; but Ishmael was fourteen years older than Isaac. In Gen. 21:9-14 is recorded the strife that arose between Ishmael and Isaac, as a result of which Abraham expelled Ishmael and his mother Hagar, from his house. That was about 4,000 years ago; and there has been intense hatred between the Arabs and the Jews ever since. Therefore, we need not expect any quick solution to this feud. It is more likely to increase in the immediate future. Just recently – in the Spring of 1979 – eighteen Arab nations have openly and harshly condemned Egypt for attempting reconciliation with Israel; and we may safely assume that this step was taken by Egypt only because of economic necessity; they will receive about five billion American dol­lars, which they could not easily refuse. There is no air conditioning in Egypt; no screens on the windows; and their economy is in wretched condition. Dire necessity prodded Egypt to enter negotiations with Israel – prompted, of course, by United States money.

THE BARREN FIG TREE

In Mark 11:12-25 is recorded Jesus cursing the barren fig tree; and we accept this as a picture of Israel in its time of favor; then its double of disfavor. Jesus referred to this matter in Mark 13:28,29: “When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, we know that summer is near.” Thus, when we see the barren fig tree (the Jewish nation) begin to revive, then we may conclude that the promised Kingdom is at our very door. Certainly, the “barren fig tree” has made considerable progress since 1878; and especially so since 1948.

On the previous day Jesus had said to the Jewish nation, “Ye shall see me no more until that day.” And thus He spake of the fig tree which should be blighted until the end of the Age; but, when that tree would begin to put forth its leaves, we may know the Kingdom is at the door – a new dispensation is sprouting, indicating life, hope, promise amongst the Jews, as well as among enlightened Christians.

This is emphasized by the progress of Zionism, giving hope and faith to the Jews respecting their beloved homeland and the Divine promises relating thereto. Note here Isa. 60:1,2: “Arise and shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee... the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” And further, the 40th Chapter of Isaiah points significantly to recent years. And verse 2 has direct bearing upon our subject: “She hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”

In the 37th Chapter of Ezekiel is described the “valley of dry bones,” which is a description of Israel during her double of disfavor – just as does the dead fig tree. “These bones are the whole house of Israel.” Then verse 21: “Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen ... and will bring them into their own land.” However, during their double of disfavor the Jews are well represented by Ishmael, who was cast off, during which time the Jewish hopes of God’s favor had almost died; but Zionism has revived the prophetic promises. The Jews will shortly receive great bless­ings in their established homeland; and the promise is sure that they will never again be cast out of there – although they are having their present difficulties; and will have yet more, culminating in Jacob’s last Trouble, at the end of which they “will look upon Him whom they pierced, and mourn because of it.” (Zech. 12:10)

AFTER THE DISPERSION

It is probably impossible for us to fully evaluate the terrible distress of the Jews after they were evicted from Jerusalem. The worst of agonies seized them; and being the type of people that they were, they would not accept their situation in a calm manner. Thus, they tried every trick in the book to regain Palestine. They tried to buy it – after their fortunes began to rise; but first of all they tried to retake it by force. But before any of that they resorted to rebellion again. Of course, the Romans were strong enough to handle that; and to be sure it would not hap­pen again, they scattered the Jews throughout the empire. The name Judea was eliminated from all maps – after which the land was known as Syria Palestina – so selected because the Philistines were the most detested enemies of the Jews at the time they came into Palestine from Egypt. And Palestine became more and more a dead and barren wilderness.

It was invaded in 636 A.D. by the Arabs; by the crusaders in 1099; by the Tar­tars in 1244; and by the Turks in 1517. But it still remained with them a homeland tied to prophecy, vision and hope. It remained so for the homeless Jews. Three times a day in the many countries of their exile they prayed, “Sound the great horn for our freedom; lift up the banner, to gather our exiles from the four corners of the earth to our homeland.” But it was to be a long wait – almost 2,000 years – before the an­cient dream would become reality.

SHIMON BAR KOKBA

With such intense avidity for the beloved homeland, they would become an easy prey for swindlers, and for some leaders as aroused as they were. Perhaps the out­standing leader of this latter class was Bar Kokba. The Talmud represents him as a man of great strength, autocratic and irascible; and this seems to be borne out by some of his own letters that were found at Wadi Murabast in 1952, and in the Bar Kokba Cave near the Dead Sea in 1960-61, which confirm this description by their harsh tones.

In the year 132 A.D. he organized a half million Jews in his attempt to regain Pal­estine from the Romans. But the Romans were not easily intimidated in those days. They came with a superior force in numbers and military skill; and many Jewish soldiers and civilians were killed; and the Jews were finally defeated in a last stand at Betar, a fortified hill not far from Jerusalem. This tine the Romans made sure that rebellion would not break out again. Almost all surviving Jews were scattered throughout the empire.

Bar Kokba had been christened Simeon Bar Kosibe; then dubbed Bar Kokba, i.e., “the sun of a Star.” He was then proclaimed Messiah by the leading Pharisee of the period Rabbi Akiva. Most of the people in Judea (though not in Galilee) followed Bar Kokba. The war lasted about four years (132-35 A.D.); and ended with the destruction of the re­bellion forces, and the expulsion of the Jewish population from most of Judea. It was also followed by a religious persecution, which did not, however, last very long. Bar Kakba was killed in the last great battle in 135 A.D.

About 140 A.D. the surviving members of the Sanhedrin met at Usha in Galilee and voted a supreme national authority. They elected Simeon Bem Gamalaliel II as patri­arch, and he succeeded in dominating the Sanhedrin. During the 132-35 rebellion Bar Kokba had attracted to himself Eleazar the priest; and for more than three years he di­vided Rome; but the Romans led by Julius Severus forced him to withdraw to the strong­hold of Betar, at which place he was killed.

During his leadership Bar Kokba took the title of Prince of Israel; and struck coins in his name and in the name of Priest Eleazar. After the fall of Betar, the re­mainder of his followers took refuge in the desert by the Dead Sea. In 1960 the Is­raeli archeologist Y. Yadim discovered dispatches by Bar Kokba in a bundle of papyri in a cave in the desert. From these he appears to have been a dominating commander, prompt to enforce obedience.

The Jews terrible “double” of disfavor is now a matter of history; and what a double it has been! When they had yelled, “Crucify him, crucify him; his blood be upon us, and upon our children,” God had taken them at their word; and we may rejoice with them now that those agonizing years are in the past, and with better things ahead as we look forward to the blessings they will receive in the Kingdom when they “look upon Him whom they pierced, and shall mourn because of it.”

In Part Two of a future paper, D.v., we will elaborate more on Zionism and how it has affected the Jewish people since her “Double” is completed. But for now we will close with an encouraging message from God’s Word: “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins ... The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isa. 40:1-5)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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CORRECTION: – Please note the following mistake made in our No. 298, April 1980 paper, page 7, par. 8: We regret that we inadvertently gave the name SPURGEON AND INGERSOLL in the heading of this paragraph. It should read BEECHER AND INGERSOLL. And the first line in par. 8 should read Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) instead of Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892). Please change your paper accordingly.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

The March-April issues came yesterday, and I have read them with great interest. They are so well written and informative. The article on Evolution is a masterpiece. And how any one if he is in his right mind could be an evolutionist, after reading this article, is beyond me.

But I was thinking it was in the library of Henry Ward Beecher instead of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, I remember this in Epiphany Vol. 1. (Henry Ward Beecher is correct, as noted above—JJH)

Yesterday, or rather Monday, I started to make an index of the articles of yours published in 1979 – making notes on various articles which issue one could find it in.

I have been quite impressed with your statement in No. 291, September 1979 issue, about the type of 70 years desolation of the land, which would end in 1984. The way things have been breaking up lately in foreign affair, and the rate of inflation here, I think 1984 is quite a date to look forward to – even more important than 1994. (Yes, we can look forward to 1984 to see whether this is a correct parallel. If it isn’t, then we should “wait on the Lord” for further manifestation of the “desolation” of this “present evil world.”—JJH)

Sure hope all of you are better in health. Take good care of yourselves. Please don’t take ------- off your list, as he appreciates your papers.

With much Christian love to you all, I remain

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

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Dear Dr. Hoefle:

I wanted to let you know I appreciate the newsletter, etc., that you are send­ing me. I usually read them from cover to cover. Especially useful are the news items and general discussion items. I find these help me achieve a better balance as to world events.

In addition, I am enclosing a copy of a booklet I recently wrote which you may find of use. I think the discussions on evolution are very helpful, especially in that many scientists are questioning various aspects of the evolutionary theory, and especially within the last few years. Keep in touch.

Sincerely ------- Dept. of Educational Foundation & Inquiry. (OHIO)

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Dear Sir:

Could you send me a list of material that you produce, as well as a price list and some samples? Thank you! Sincerely ------- (PENNSYLVANIA)

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Dear Sirs:

How much are your Studies in the Scriptures by Pastor Russell? Also, do you have a list of other materials you have for sale. Thank you very much.

     Sincerely ------- (CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

I’m sending a few dollars to help in the Lord’s work, and hope it finds you all in good health. We are well here, thanks to the Lord. And may His will be done in every instance.

With Christian love ------- (FLORIDA)