NO. 429A: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT - PART ONE

No. 429A

In the beginning of the New Year, we give thanks and praise to our Lord for His overruling providence in the past year. “Praise ye the Lord. 0 give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psa. 106:1) “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.” (Psa. 107:31)

“A new partnership of nations has begun...A new world order... stronger in the pursuit of justice and more secure in the quest for peace... A hundred generations have searched for this elusive path of peace... where the rule of law supplants the rule of the jungle. A world in which nations recognize the shared responsibility... and... the strong respect for the rights of the weak.” (President Bush, Orlando Sentinel, November 9, 1990)

It has been over a year since the President made the above statement. Since that time the “strong” have oppressed the weak, and we are no nearer peace with all countries than we were a year ago. Even if the President had accomplished unity and peace with all nations, we would still have no peace with crime continuing to escalate. Great efforts have been made to stop crime such as murder, rape, burglary, etc., but crime continues. Diseases are rampant also. Medical science hasn’t found a cure for ALZHEIMERS, AIDS and other dread diseases. So ailments of all kinds plague the people. We are grateful for the good doctors who can cure some diseases and alleviate the pain of other diseases. of course, it is impossible for man to cure all these ills, or accomplish peace with all nations.

So we continue to pray the prayer our Lord gave us: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is done in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10) Man is not able to bring peace on earth, altho it is commendable for him to try. At present “Men’s hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven [ecclesiastical order] shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:26) But we have the comfort of the sure promise that our Lord will bring justice, peace, health and happiness to the human family in the Kingdom. (Acts 17:31) “And I shall shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord.” (Hag. 2:7) We see that shaking going on all around us. “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.” (Is. 24:20) “Hear ye, 0 mountains [kingdoms], the Lord’s controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.” (Mic. 6:2)

We are in the Time of Trouble described in Dan. 12:1 and Matt. 24:21. Our Lord prophesied of this trouble: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matt. 24:21) We thank God for the last phrase. After the Time of Trouble the Lord will inaugurate His Kingdom, and there will be a peace on earth as was never known before.

IN FINANCE

If you were asked, “Are you better off financially today than you were one year ago?” most people would answer “No.” Daniel foretold that there would be a Time of Trouble such as never was since there was a nation. And the Lord stated further that “then there would be great tribulation.” (Matt. 24:21)

There is trouble in our country and in all the countries in the world – in all phases of society, financial, political, religious, military, social, moral, ethical, legal, etc. But we will now confine our remarks to finances.

Our country is financially indebted to the degree that many financiers say that the debt will never be paid. When we borrow money to pay the interest on debt, conditions are serious. It has been well stated that “debts are not all paid but all are liquidated.” The signs of the time are so self-evident that in spite of some politicians forecasting “better times are just ahead,” it seems that our present recession, or “double dip,” or depression, may be with us for some time – maybe until our economy goes bankrupt, in the further phases of the Time of Trouble.

Layoffs in the thousands continue ‘ (often in the large organizations. Jobless claims continue to surge. In October, 1991, the unemployment rate rose to 6.8%. One newspaper article stated, “The double dose of bleak news led analysts to suggest the midyear rebound had been a false start – a blip on an underlying trend of a sick economy.”

From the Associated Press we read, “Mass layoffs pushed jobless claims to a six-month high this month (November) as 454,000 Americans sought unemployment help in a one week period, the Labor Department said recently. The number of people filing first-time claims surged by 33,000 during the week of November 2.”

U.S. News and World Report states, “Even more ominous, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation predicted that additional bank failures could triple the amount of money needed to rescue the nations troubled financial institutions.” At the present writing the rate of interest on credit card debts is being debated. Some feel that 20% is much too high. Many banks state that if the rate were lowered, it would slash an important source of income.

The London Financial Times reports, “There is no clearer symbol of the Soviet Unions determination to move to a market economy than its achievement of associate membership of the International Monetary Fund. In fact, there is no clearer symbol that little is going to change economically, especially under the advice of the IMF. The Soviets will get their aid, enough to survive temporarily, and the U.S. has sold out by agreeing to make the Soviets full members of the IMF. That gives them direct access to the wallets of American citizens.”

Inflation in Russia is already at 100% a year - going stratospheric. Some at the world bank estimate it will reach 1000% in 1992. This year alone the government will print an estimated 150 billion rubles more than all of the rubles in circulation at the beginning of the year, rendering the currency practically worthless. (A recent newspaper article states that civil war is a definite possibility in Russia in 1992.)

A leading economist writes regarding “Cashlessness.” “To erect a cashless society, the Federal Reserve is preparing for more financial record keeping.” The Dallas Federal Reserve alone will build a brand new headquarters – 15 stories and 750,000 square feet. Despite the recession, government building is not slowing. Researchers at the University of California have invented a tiny laser-based device to store up to 6.5 trillion bits of information. This is the equivalent of a million novels in a memory chip the size of a sugar cube. This great technology will be used by the Federal government to control and monitor our every transaction.

In the U.S. an astounding 80% of all corporate net after-tax profit, now goes to service debt. A weakening economy, higher inflation, steeper interest rates, burgeoning oil costs are causing the sinking of heavily indebted U.S. companies. In 1990, corporate bankruptcies jumped 64% in the Middle Atlantic region alone. In the 24 months ahead, heavy leverage will open the floodgates and force many more companies to travel the sorrowful road of defaults and restructuring.

It is not just the government and the greedy corporations, individual Americans, too, are in debt up to their eyeballs. For every dollar we have to spend, we have 80 cents in debt. And the worst part is we can’t pay. Personal bankruptcies are already double what they were in the depths of the ‘82-’83 recession. In New England bankruptcies were up 45% in the past 12 months alone. Fully half of all FHA mortgages are now on the delinquent list. And the collapse of ‘91-’92 is just getting started.

Germany is having a major problem economically and socially absorbing East Germany. One day the world will wake up and all the markets will panic when it’s realized that debt-ridden economies cannot be bailed out with government monetary and fiscal stimuli.

The 12-nation European Community (EC) has been in development for several years. Together the EC, scheduled to be completed by the end of 1992, will preside over 340 million consumers. A central bank and a single currency is proposed, as well as a political union. A unified foreign policy under EC would give the U.S. serious trade competition.

As we move further into the Time of Trouble we realize conditions must get worse before it can get better - before the long sought peace is a reality when Christ’s Kingdom is established on earth. From the Scriptures we know that the conditions prior to the birth of the Kingdom are likened to travail before a natural birth when the pangs come more frequently and more severely until the birth. We expect world-wide revolution to increase in magnitude leading to Anarchy until the final phase of Jacob’s last trouble is upon us.

As Brother Hoefle has often said of these troublous times, “If the Lord doesn’t hold us by the hand, we are in serious trouble.” Zeph. 2:3 tells us to “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Contributed)

IN RELIGION

Billy Graham: Someone asked Billy Graham, “Do you think the world is going to get better and better in the future?” His answer: “The Bible doesn’t promise that the world is going to get better and better. in fact, it indicates that ‘there will be terrible times in the last days.! (2 Tim. 3:1)

“Yes, we may see (for example) more scientific or medical progress as time goes on, or even periods of relative peace, and we should be thankful for this. But at the same time we may devise more ways of killing each other. Jesus warned ‘You will hear of wars and rumors of war... Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom... Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of many will grow cold’ (Matt. 24:6,7,12)

“Our greatest need is to turn to Christ and allow him to change our hearts – for only Christ can replace our hate and selfishness with love and compassion. And yes – some day our world will know peace, when Christ comes again to establish his kingdom of righteousness and peace.” (Orlando Sentinel, December 7, 1991)

We commend Dr. Graham for giving the comforting message that the world will have peace in Christ’s Kingdom. Even though, as he truly says any period of peace before the end of this Time of Trouble will be temporary because man cannot accomplish permanent peace to the world. So we continue to pray the prayer the Lord gave us: “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is done in heaven.”

God loves the world and He knows that the Adversary, who is the prince of this world, is blinding the minds of the people (2 Cor. 4:4). “Darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people.” (Isa. 60:2) It will be different in that glorious Kingdom. “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Hab. 2:14) “He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.” (Psa. 9:8)

“Because He hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31) God’s promises are sure. He is faithful that promised (Heb. 10:23).

That day will not come until after this Time of Trouble is over. God has a controversy with the powers that be. “And I will shake all nations, and the desire [for peace] of all nations will come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord.” (Hag. 2:7) The earth is God’s footstool and He will make His footstool glorious.

In the Faith Age the way is “narrow” and difficult, and “few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:14)  Our Lord is selecting a people for His Name (Acts 15:14) to bless the world in the Kingdom. God has prepared an easier way for the world – a Highway of Holiness that all can walk who learn to love righteousness and hate iniquity.

“And an highway shall be there, and a way [the Messiah], and it shall be called The way of holiness: the unclean shall not pass over it: but it shall be for those the way­faring men, though fools [the atheists – Psa. 14:1], shall not err therein.” (Isa. 35:8) Those who will not obey that prophet will be cut off from among the people (Acts 3:23).

Jehovah’s Witnesses – In the Watchtower of May 1, 1991, the Witnesses give their version of the “pure language” of Zeph. 3:9 as follows: “The pure language is the truth of God found in his own Word, the Holy Scriptures. It is the particular truth regarding God’s Kingdom which will bring peace and other blessings to mankind.” (pp. 12,13)

Of course, the truth is “pure language” in any Age. But the truth given when due for the Household of Faith is not the whole truth. Enough truth is given in each Age for the Household of Faith to make their calling and election sure. But the “pure language” of Zeph. 3:9 is the entire truth as described in Rev. 20:12 to be given in the Kingdom. Many of the Lord’s faithful people in the Dark Ages knew very little truth. But they were given enough truth to be faithful in their standing before God. They will know all the truth in the First Resurrection. The Lord’s people in the end of the Age were given much more truth ‘ enough for them to be faithful. They were given the truth on the two salvations and other important truths to witness to the world the Plan of Salvation for all mankind. They, too, will be given all truth in the First Resurrection so they will be capable ministers for the world under the New Covenant.

All truth is a matter of the future in the Kingdom. The faithful Restitutionists will know more truth then than we now know. Brother Russell said the whole Bible will not be understood by the faithful now – but enough for them to make their calling and election sure. “And I saw the dead [world], small and great, stand before God; and the books [the Bible] were opened (understood]: and another book was opened, which is the book of life [for Restitutionists]: and the dead [world] were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Rev. 20:12)

All Bible Students know that the dead are the world which includes those who have gone into the grave and those living. Some of the dead world will survive the Time of Trouble into the Kingdom when it is inaugurated. The Bible clearly says that the violent phase will be cut short, otherwise there would be no flesh saved (Matt. 24:22). Just nothing says that only Jehovah’s Witnesses Great Crowd will be saved, but there may be some of the Witnesses who will live through along with others of the surviving dead world.

The Witnesses say the “pure language” is the particular truth regarding God’s Kingdom which will bring peace and other blessings to mankind. It is that “particular truth” regarding God’s Kingdom that they have grossly perverted. They tell us they are God’s organization, but God’s organization does not present error. He has no organization in this “evil day” (Eph. 6:13) to separate the sheep and the goats – the good and the evil of this present generation. In that day (Acts 17:31) he will “judge the world in righteousness” – when righteousness shall prevail. Today unrighteousness prevails. There are so many systems of error, the Witnesses included, which keep the people confused. And not many are able to “endure sound doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:3). But in His Kingdom there will be no error taught. “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.” (Isa. 11:9) “When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa. 26:9)

In the Faith Age it is a narrow way, but in the Kingdom there will be a Highway of Holiness. (Isa. 35:8 – Isaiah Chapter 35 is a beautiful picture of the Kingdom.) The Scriptures clearly teach that there will be a Time of Trouble before God turns over a “pure language” to the people.

“Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them my indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent” (Zeph. 3: 8, 9)

There are many more Scriptures we could quote, but these are enough to refute this gross error of the Witnesses. They are now teaching the “pure language” of Zeph. 3:9, according to their claim. They are saying by their acts and teaching that “The Lord Delayeth,” and they have set up a kingdom of their own - a counterfeit kingdom. The Witnesses blaspheme the Name of the Lord when they teach that all who do not join them before Armageddon will be annihilated in Armageddon – never to receive a resurrection.

 Dear Sister Hoefle: Warmest greetings in the bonds of Christ!

Heartily we join with David’s expression of praise in Psalm 145! By this note we send you “Thanks” for the book, Pastor Charles Taze Russell, An Early American Christian Zionist.   Chapter 2 deals with a resume of Pastor Russell and his approach to the Scriptures. If I remember correctly the book says, “God’s return to earth.” [The book does say that.] It is not clear to me whether this is a direct quote from the Herzl Yearbook or was an interpolation from the source used by Mr. Horowitz. Either way it is an unfortunate and misleading statement. Of course, we are not alone to recognize the implication of the Trinity in this statement. This foolish doctrine cripples everyone who espouses it... We commend the Jewish people for their belief that God is one – “HEAR, 0 ISRAEL THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE.” I know, dear Sister, you will agree with me in this. I know, too, that you can’t get the Herzl Yearbook changed! But perhaps with Mr. Horowitz’s permission, an “addendum of correction” might be inserted in subsequent distributions of the book. It would honor the character of our dear Pastor whose pursuit was “The Truth”; it would emphasize his and our separateness from Nominal Christendom; and it might suggest to the Jewish reader a basis of fraternal unity which we as Bible Students surely feel.

[To our readers who have the Pastor Russell book, please make the correction on p. 25, last line of par. 1, “God’s return to earth.” Instead of God, you may put our Lord or our Redeemer. “God’s return to earth” is not our Pastor’s teaching and is a dishonor to his name.]

An American family came to visit Tel Arad yesterday. At the conclusion of their visit the father began discussing the methods of dating antiquities, on the “days” of creation, the flood and finally expounded on the Valian Theory. I then made bold to ask him what was his faith? “I’m a Jehovah’s Witness,” he responded. I showed him the Pastor Russell book. Excitedly he called his family. The Young girl told me there were two families of Russellites in our town. I asked her if she would like to take the book to read. She seemed appreciative and eager to read it. Why is it, when I talk to J.W.’s I get the feeling they have studied to be super-salesmen – trained to foist on a gullible public a product neither useful nor desirable?

When you wrote that the Pastor Russell book had been the means of helping many J.W.’s, did you think I would put it to immediate usefulness? I would not have thought So!

Israel today, its infrastructure, its industries, its agriculture, are the result of toil and sweat – not on the part of the haredim but of secular and believing Jews. The last are trinitarians of a different sort: God, the Jews and the land of Israel. They pray, they labor, and they defend the country. Israelites indeed! It is not hard for me to imagine them seeing “Joseph” as their brother long before the fore-mentioned Rabbis are even willing to open their eyes.

There was a third point, but mercifully, dear Sister, I’ve forgotten what it was! Perhaps I will recall it for a later writing.

By Grace, Fervently in Christ, Brother Jack Campbell (ARAD, ISRAEL)

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Dear Brother Miles,

I feel I can call you Brother for after reading your book “Don’t Call me Brother,” I’m part of the family.

I was a Jehovah’s Witness for 21 and a half years. And though I never witnessed the sexual discrepancies you did, I’ve suffered the gossip and shunning you have. I was disfellowshipped after serving the Watchtower for all those years.

I truly believed it was God’s organization. My husband used to beg me to stop studying with these people, but I believed he was a “tool of Satan.” The reason I was disfellowshipped? Because I could not preach 1974 Armageddon. I can sympathize with you. But maybe Rose Marie will read the book. My husband is dead, so he will never know how sorry I was, and am. [Her husband will know in the Kingdom.] I was “chucked out” a year after he died. My daughter and grandchildren are told not to talk to me. They are still in “Bondage.”

I am afraid to trust any religion now. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ but I am too tired at 62 years old to study and learn. All I know is “He died for me,” and I don’t care where I go. If He wants to use me I’ve told Him, I’m willing. But how, when and where, is His decision. As long as He gives me strength and wisdom to do His will – not Man! Sincerely, I remain, Grace Gough.

 PS - I’m thinking about writing a book entitled YOU USED TO CALL ME SISTER.

 (SETTING THE CAPTIVES FREE, pp. 90,91, by Austin Miles)

Remarks by Austin Miles: “This is why, even after a severe burning and an earnest attempt to leave the church, the devotees will still try to hang onto religion, any religion. Church brainwashing is difficult to counteract. It takes real strength, and sometimes outside help, to break away.”

“Episcopal Church Fears Schism By Traditionalists: New York – A tradi­tionalist group has cast aside entreaties of head bishop in the Episcopal Church, vowing to proceed with a plan that has raised fears of schism. Leaders of the traditional group, the Episcopal Synod of America, say they will go ahead with plans to challenge structures of authority. The traditionalists are angry that liberal bishops have ordained women and practicing homosexuals in violation of church resolutions. In a statement released by Episcopal Church headquarters, Bishop Edmond Browning, top bishop of the Episcopal Church, did not say what disciplinary action, if any, might be taken against Episcopalians who form a new ?missionary diocese.’” (Orlando Sentinel, November 21, 1991)

‘The Word Of God: CAI has distributed 7000 free New Testaments in Southern Africa. These have been sent out in the mail over 10 years following advertisements in newspapers. Additionally 5000 Bibles were sponsored by a member through the Israel Bible Society. SA BIBLE DISTRIBUTION: In a nation-wide campaign R7.5M ($2.7M) was collected to buy 900,000 Bibles to be distributed free by the SA Bible Society. Many lives are bound to be transformed by having God’s Word to study.” (Christian Action for Israel, P.O. Box 5242, Cape Town 8000, SOUTH AFRICA – “Our Newsletter is free to all upon request.”)

“Ailing Pravda Sees The Light – It’ll Print The Bible: Moscow – After more than 70 years of opposition, Pravda, the giant and very official Communist party publishing house, has decided to give the masses their opiate. It plans to print the Bible. All in the name of capitalism, of course. “Business, “ explained Mikhail M. Troschin, Pravda’s deputy director, “is business.”

“Right now, business is bad. Pravda, the big party newspaper, dropped in circulation last year to 5 million from 10 million. Magazines such as Party Life and Political Self­-Education also have stumbled.

“With the cost of paper rising daily, Pravda knew it needed a best-seller. Providentially, the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Alexis II, told Pravda that he was interested in placing an order for Bibles. ‘Demand for the Bible is very great,’ Troschin said Thursday. He acknowledged that the desire for the Bible might always have been there, ‘but for some political purposes, it wasn’t published.’

“One of the political purposes just might have involved Lenin, who called religion a ‘deception, a fraud, which clogs the brains of the workers and peasants in the interest of the landlords and capitalists.’ Marx had called it the opiate of the masses.

“Today, the Communists are the landlords and are trying mightily to catch on to capitalism. The printing house wants to keep its 2 billion-ruble-a-year empire intact. The Bible looks like the answer to Pravda’s prayer.

“‘We could do 5 to 10 million and it would sell easily,’ Troschin said. ‘The demand is really great.’

“The officially set price, if prices are still officially set when the Bible comes out, will be about 15 rubles, or around $27. But, Troschin predicted, ‘it will immediately appear in the black market for 70 to 150 rubles.’” (Baltimore Sun)

“How interesting. I refer to Myriam Marquez’s comment in her column ‘Separation of church and state is simple – except to zealots.’

“To wit: ‘If atheists don’t believe in God, then you would think they would simply view the Bible as a collection of fairy tales written by men whose diet of wild desert berries caused all sorts of hallucinations. Indeed, how could the mere presence of the Bible – it’s not required university reading, after all – ‘insult’ anyone?’

“This is a very logical, secular observation. What makes it interesting to a student of Scripture is the knowledge that the Bible ‘ its words, its ‘presence,’ its very existence, from Genesis to Revelation – does indeed insult someone. That ‘someone’ is Satan.” (Karen Hanson, Orlando Sentinel, April 12, 1991)

The Man Who Dares To Doubt Darwin: Imagine what sort doubts Charles Darwin’s magisterial theory of evolution and what do you come up with? Hillbilly Bible-pounders in bare feet. Talks in tongues and handles rattlesnakes.

Yet here stands the polished and erudite Phillip Johnson, 50, who went to Harvard and clerked for Chief Justice Warren before joining the law faculty at the University of California at Berkeley. He’s the author of a small, elegant book that asks the question: Is evolutionary theory really a screwball idea promoted by fanatics?

The Scopes trial in Tennessee in 1925, when Clarence Darrow made aged Bible literalist and windbag William Jennings Bryan look like a dope, formalized the status of “The Origin of the Species” as one of the intellectual pillars of the modern world view.

Darwinian theory holds that life started as a microbe, maybe in the primordial sea billions of years ago when a bolt of lightning made the water sizzle and started a chemical reaction producing something that looked like a germ.

All living things – bottom-feeding scum to finger-steepling Nobel Prize winner ­trace lineage back to that. Once emerged from the ooze, our ancestors survived by being fittest. They scaled evolutionary ladders, rung by slow rung, over so many millennia it makes the bead ache to think about it. Species branched off, which is why some living things are brain surgeons driving Mercedes today and others are dung beetles.

As a way of explaining things – God having gotten the hook in favor of a random chance by most lab guys in white coats – this theory seemed pretty good. In the nation’s school textbooks Darwin and his theory had, well, very nearly scriptural authority.

Those who questioned the orthodoxy generally got the horse laugh when they appeared before school boards and curriculum committees to enter their demurs. The California State Board of Education, though hard-pressed by creationist elements pushing the hand-of-­God line, defined evolution theory as “an accepted scientific explanation and therefore no more controversial in scientific circles than the theories of gravitation and electron flow.”

Among learned classes, questioning Darwinian dogma is an invitation to professional suicide.   Oxford zoologist Richard Dawkins, one of the most influential modern new ­Darwinists, laid down the law: “It is absolutely safe to say that if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid or insane (or wicked, but I’d rather not consider that).”

“I’m not easily intimidated,” says Johnson, author of “Darwin on Trial” (Regenery, $19.95).  A book for laymen, it illumines what he describes as the grave doubts about Darwinism long entertained in scientific circles but not talked about in front of outsiders for fear of giving aid and comfort to religious zealots.

Johnson, a churchgoing Presbyterian and an expert in rhetoric and the techniques of argument, said he was struck by the way Darwinists defend their theory. For all the outer imperturbability, they seemed to him to have a nervousness of people who have something to hide.

When Darwin’s theory was published a century ago, there was one class even more hostile to it than the clergy. These were fossil experts, who pointed out there was no sign of the links connecting primitive with more advanced species that Darwin said would be in evidence of gradual evolution. His expectation, in fact, was that most fossils would fall into this transitional category.

Despite the passage of 100 years, Johnson says this still hasn’t happened. Johnson says neo-Darwinist paleontoligist Stephen Jay Gould concedes “the trade secret of paleontology” is “the extreme rarity of transitional forms in the fossil record.”

Rather than obliging Darwinian theory, the fossil record shows the sudden appearances of species, such as at the start of the Cambrian Age when complex life forms appeared during a relative wink of time. Further confounding the theory, Johnson says, life remained unchanged for millions of years rather than evolving. As tellingly, the rocks suggest species extinction was caused by catastrophes such as falling asteroids rather than by gradual obsolescence, as Darwinists expected.

“Plenty of fossils of intermediate forms have been found,” including a whale with what appears to be legs, says Thomas Jukes, a Berkeley professor of biophysics who has tangled with Johnson in the past and expects to give his book a good thumping in a forthcoming review for an alumni publication.

“Intermediate forms are also studied today by molecular evolution, which shows that all organisms may be “intermediate forms,” Juke says... “I think he hasn’t done his homework.”

Johnson has dug up some interesting tidbits. One is a lecture given in 1981 by British paleontologist Colin Patterson at the American Museum of Natural History:

Stepping From the Ranks: “Can you tell me anything that you know about evolution, any one thing... that is true? I tried that question on the geology staff at the Field Museum of Natural History and the only thing I got was silence. I tried it on the members of the Evolutionary Morphology seminar at the University of Chicago, a very prestigious body of evolutionists, and all I got there was silence for a long time and eventually one person said, ‘I do know one thing – it ought not to be taught in high school.,”

The furious storm that followed the lecture caused Patterson later to recant, which Johnson said shows how dangerous it is to step from the ranks.

“One of the things I’ve learned from experience is that to establish an intellectual orthodoxy and keep it beyond criticism, you don’t need concentration camps and secret police. All you have to do is say that people will laugh at you and you’ll lose your prestige. This has an enormous effect in academic life, where prestige and the respect of other professionals is the coin of the realm.”

One major university, Johnson said, retracted an invitation to sponsor a debate of his views when no one could be found to take him on... Says Johnson, “I regard the cosmos and the living world as the product of a pre-existent, purposeful intelligence. This provides what I would call the metaphysical space for the proposition that life has a purpose outside what we might invent for ourselves and that value and aesthetic questions have right and wrong answers, so there can be an objective quality to statements about morality and ethics.”

Retorts Jukes: “Bring on the flying saucers, astrology and extrasensory perception. How sad that a professor of law should argue on behalf of a degradation of the intellect.” (By Jerry Carroll, Staff Writer, San Francisco Chronicle, June 14, 1991)

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” (1 Cor. 3:19) “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and opposition of science falsely so called.” (1 Tim. 6:20)

The creation of six days is a period of time and not 24-hour days. “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” (Psa. 90:4) “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8)

We have papers on Evolution and the Creative Days which we will be glad to send anyone, copies free, upon request.

NO. 428: BLESSED IS THE KING

No. 428

“And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the Kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” (Mark 11: 9, 10) The multi­tude hailed Him King, but a few days later they cried, Crucify Him! “And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto Him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify Him.” (Mark 15:12,13)

The message of John the Baptist was, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” This same message Jesus instructed His disciples to carry from village to village throughout Palestine. This same message was the burden of His preaching and the theme of His parables. Finally, at the close of His ministry, the Kingdom came to the Jewish nation in the sense that it was offered to them – it was theirs for the accepting. Thus “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” – except a few. His own nation rejected Him, and four days later crucified Him. A little later, at Pentecost, a few who received Him were begotten of the Holy Spirit and became the nucleus of Spiritual Israel, in preparation for the glorious Kingdom and the work which is to be accomplished at His Second Advent.

On the second evening preceding the story of this lesson, Jesus and His disciples were at Bethany, the guests of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, who had prepared a special feast for Jesus, whom they loved so dearly. This was the Lazarus whom He had awakened from the sleep of death but a short time before. The feast took place at the close of the Jewish Sabbath day. The next morning corresponded to our Sunday, the first day of the week, and on Monday Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

In preparation for presenting Himself as King, Jesus sent two of His disciples for an ass’s colt, telling them where they would find it, and instructing them to say that it would be returned after the Master had used it. By the time the colt arrived, a considerable multitude had gathered – people of the village of Bethany and others who had come out from Jerusalem, about two miles distant, to see Jesus and to see Lazarus, upon whom the notable miracle had been wrought. It had long been the custom of the kings of Israel to ride to their coronation upon an ass; and the multitude seemed to enter into the spirit of this occasion and to realize what it meant that Jesus was about to ride into Jerusalem on this colt. It signified that finally He was ready to assume the office of King.

For some time the disciples had recognized Him as the Messiah, the glories of whose Reign they were to share; and the multitude in general had learned so to regard Him, saying, “When Messiah cometh, will He do greater works than this man?” – could we expect anything more of Messiah than we see being accomplished by this man Jesus? But this was the first time Jesus had formally put Himself forward. On previous occasions, when they had sought to take Him by force to make Him a king, He had withdrawn Himself, realizing that the time was not yet come. Now, so far from withdrawing, He was taking the active part, sending for the colt, preparing for the triumphal ride to the capital of the 14/15/2014nation as its King.

We may be sure that the hearts of the Apostles thrilled with excitement as they thought of the nearness of their Master’s glory and of their own share in it; for as yet they did not realize the full import of His words to the effect that He must be crucified and must depart to a “far country,” even Heaven itself, and be invested with authority, and later return to establish the Kingdom which would bless the world. Jesus, however, was fully aware that the presentation of Himself as King was a formal matter, fulfilling the prophecy and leaving the nation of Israel without excuse. If, when He entered the city, the people should rise en masse, acknowledge Him and acclaim Him, then indeed they would be in line with the Divine requirements which would bring them the greatest of all blessings. But Jesus knew that prophecy had already declared that He would be despised and rejected, and that His own people would hide their faces from Him in shame. (Isa. 5) The journey and the preparation for it, therefore, meant something very different to Jesus from what it signified to the disciples and the multitudes.

ENTERING JERUSALEM

When the ass arrived, some of the people put their garments upon it in lieu of a saddle; Jesus mounted and the procession began. Some went before Him, and some followed after. The people were familiar with the prophecy relating to Messiah’s coming, which declared, “Shout, 0 daughter of Jerusalem! behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass.” (Zech. 9:9) They were familiar also with the “shout” the prophets had foretold and the responses – one party crying, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the King of Israel, that cometh in the name of the Lord!” Then the response, “Hosanna in the highest!” These different expressions are recorded by the different evangelists.

But not all were enthusiastic acclaimers of Jesus; a discordant note was heard. Some of those who had come from the city through curiosity criticized the shouting, and wondered why Jesus did not rebuke the people for ascribing so great honor to Him. They sent word to this effect to Jesus through His disciples. Jesus made answer that a great prophecy was being fulfilled. The Prophet Zechariah had by inspiration said, “Shout, 0 daughter of Jerusalem!” and such a shout must be made.  Jesus declared that if the multi­tudes had failed to shout, the prophecy would still have been fulfilled – the very stones would have cried out. The record tells that on the journey many of the people strewed their garments in the way, as a mark of respect and honor, waiting until the little animal had passed over them, and then running on before and placing them again. Others brought ferns, flowers and grasses, and strewed them on the way. Still others, John’s Gospel tells us, brought palm tree branches.

It was a jubilant procession, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. Yet to Jesus it had the sad feature, as indicated by the account. When they had reached the turn of the Mount of Olives, which brought Jerusalem into view, the Master halted the procession while He looked over the city and wept, saying “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the Prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your House is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall see me no more, until that Day [over nineteen centuries later] when ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of Jehovah!” (Luke 13:34,35) Jesus realized that day was a turning point with the Jewish nation – that their rejection of Him meant their rejection by the Heavenly Father for a long time. It meant that during those long centuries the highly favored people of Abraham’s natural seed would be in distress.  It meant that the favor of God, which had been with them for centuries, would instead be extended to the Gentiles, to gather out of the Gentiles a company of faithful, saintly ones to be associ­ates and joint-heirs with Jesus and the faithful ones of the Jews in the Heavenly Kingdom. It meant that not until this elect, Heavenly, spiritual Kingdom class should be received to glory would the Jewish people be again received into fellowship with God. St. Paul markedly calls our attention to this fact that the rejection of Israel is not permanent, but only for a time – only until the complete number of faithful Saints be gathered out from amongst the Gentiles. Then God’s favor will go to Israel, and all earth’s families. (Rom. 11:25–32)

THE KINGS OF THIS WORLD

How different was this entry of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, from the triumphal marches of earthly conquerors and kings! In the excitement of human passion and the prejudice of human minds a special halo of glory has surrounded the world’s conquerors. Heroic deeds, valiant conquests, as pictured by historians have a charm. The rising generation reads with thrilling interest of the prowess of Alexander the Great, of the Spartans of Greece, of the Caesars of Rome, and in more modern times of Robert Bruce, of Napoleon and Wellington, of Generals Grant and Lee, Sherman and Johnson, Sheridan and Steward. The homecomings of all of these were triumphal marches, in many cases rendering honor to whom honor was due.

Nevertheless, in every instance the mind’s eye necessarily closes against scenes which led up to such triumphs. We try to forget the millions of slain and wounded, and other millions of mourning widows and orphans. We try to forget the smoking ruins of homes behind those victorious armies.  However necessary war at times may seem to be for the maintenance of justice, nevertheless all must concede that the blessings purchased by the sword are procured at a terrible cost. From this viewpoint Jesus, the Prince of Peace, followed by an army of saints who are walking in His footsteps, presents a beautiful picture – even to the worldly. These victors – Leader and followers – conquer by dying.  Thus Jesus said to His followers, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel’s shall find it.” (Mark 8:35) Thus viewed, all the followers of the Lamb are self-sacrificers, as the Bible declares: “I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1) Such a victory – victory through death – is difficult for the majority of people to understand! What is the philosophy of it? Where is the victory?

VICTOR–KINGS THROUGH DYING

Well may it be asked, Wherein is the victory of Christ and His followers in laying down their lives for the brethren and in support of truth and righteousness? Only the Bible answers the question, and only those who exercise faith can understand the Bible answer. The Bible declares that the real victory of Christ and the Church is over self. Their crowning day is future – their triumph will be then.  The triumphal entry of Jesus on the ass was only typical. The antitype will be glorious – beyond the veil. As Jesus after His resurrection was “received up into glory,” so also He has promised His Church that their resurrection shall change them from imperfect human beings to perfect spirit beings, joint–heirs with their Master, their Redeemer, in the glorious Millennial Kingdom which is to bless the world.

After Jesus had risen from the dead, He explained to His perplexed disciples what His death signified, saying, “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things (death], and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:26) So St. Paul has declared in respect to all who will be Jesus’ associates in the Kingdom – they must suffer with Him if they would reign with Him; they must be dead with Him if they would live with Him. (2 Tim. 2:12) Christ and His Church die to human hopes and interests, present and everlasting – laying down their lives, suffering for righteousness’ sake. Their reward is two-fold: (1) Their own personal exaltation to a Heavenly, spirit glory, like unto the angels, and yet more glorious – “far above angels, principalities and powers and every name that is named.” (2) The Kingdom glory – the joy of being the Divine agents for human restoration.

From this, the Bible viewpoint, the Christian warfare is different from every other warfare known to the world. It is a fight against sin, a fight against self-will, a full submission to the Divine will, a victory through death. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10) “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne.” (Rev. 3:21) No wonder that a proposition of this kind is but imperfectly understood by the world! “The world knoweth us not, even as it knew Him not.” (1 John 3:1) And this is one of the requirements of the Gospel, that Jesus and His followers shall submit themselves to be misunderstood by the world. We are counted fools for Christ’s sake. (1 Cor. 4:10)

It requires some stamina to be a loyal follower in the footsteps of Jesus, mis­understood as He was misunderstood by those of His day, reviled as He was reviled. “They shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.” (Matt. 5:11) It is only when we understand through God’s promises that in these trying experiences of Christ and His followers there is a glorious purpose, that we are able to endure them with any measure of rejoicing. Only these are granted glory, honor and immortality, and the Kingdom which the Lord has promised to His faithful followers. Since Jesus is the Prince of Peace, how shall we understand the various passages of Scripture which refer to Him as a mighty Conqueror in blood–stained garments, taking vengeance on His foes? But especially, how shall we understand the declaration that, at His coming in the clouds of heaven, all the tribes of the earth shall wail because of Him?

Of this Prince of Peace it may be said that He will wound to heal, that whatever disasters He may bring or permit to come upon the world will be so overruled as to make of them blessings in disguise. Undoubtedly much that is said respecting our Lord is highly symbolic. For instance, He is to smite the nations with the Sword that proceedeth out of His mouth – the Word, or Message, of Truth.  Such a smiting is in full conformity with the declaration that when St. Peter preached the Gospel at Pentecost, some of his hearers were “cut to the heart” – not with St. Peter’s literal sword, but with “the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Eventually, that Sword will smite all opponents of righteousness for their good. Only the willfully wicked will eventually be destroyed in the Second Death. We are not to forget, however, that the inauguration of the Messianic Kingdom is to be in the midst of the Time of Trouble, and that Christ will have to do with the bringing, or at least the permitting, of that Trouble. Apparently mankind will be permitted to bring the great trouble at the end of this Age upon themselves. There are forces of evil, Satan and His angels, ready to do us harm and, through human forces, sin-forces entrenched in human nature, ready to do harm to the social fabric.

The New Covenant is the Scriptural name for the new arrangement between God and man which will be instituted at the beginning of the Age to follow this, and by which God purposes to receive the world of mankind again into favor with Himself. The covenant relationship which Adam originally enjoyed with his Maker, and its resultant harmony with Him, was contingent upon obedience to the expressed will of God, and was forfeited by disobedience. This covenant relationship with God was renewed typically at Mount Sinai, with Israel (Ex. 19:1-9; 24:3-8). Through Moses as      mediator, God promised that if Israel would keep His Law they should have everlasting life. The inauguration of that Law Covenant was effected by their mediator, within six months after Israel left Egypt, through the sacrifices of bulls and of goats, the children of Israel solemnly agreeing to their part of the covenant. Later the Atonement Day sacrifices were repeated year by year continually; “for the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin.” (Heb. 10:1-9) Israel failed to gain the blessing promised in their Law Covenant. God foreknew that Israel would fail; but through their endeavors He was giving an object lesson which in the future would be a lasting blessing to Israel and to the whole world.

God will introduce this new Law Covenant through the Mediator of the New Covenant, Christ Jesus, in whom the entire arrangement centers, and through whom it will be carried out. He will be assisted in this work by the Church. This New Covenant will succeed, because of its better Mediator.  And He will be not only Mediator, but Priest, Prophet, King and Judge. As Priest, He will uplift and bless humanity and receive their offerings. As King, He will rule mankind in righteousness; as Prophet He will teach them; as Judge, He will test them, decide and pass sentence, favorable or unfavorable. It will require the full thousand years to bring the people out of their condition of death and degrada­tion, to restore whosoever will of all mankind to the image and likeness of God, lost by Adam in Eden.

The Scriptures tell us that “out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isa. 2:3; Micah 4:2) So Jerusalem will then be the capital of the world, and the Ancient and Youthful Worthies will be made “princes in all the earth. (Psa. 45:16) This arrangement will appeal first and primarily to the Jew, who would naturally be the first to come under the new regulations, because a nucleus of these Jews who were faithful to the Law Covenant, will be in Jerusalem when the Kingdom is inaugurat­ed. The Scriptures tell us they will be humbled by the last phase of Jacob’s trouble in Jerusalem, and they will “cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psa. 107:19,20) They will then recognize their Messiah, and will become the most active and zealous missionaries of the Kingdom. They will receive their instruc­tions first-hand from the Worthies in Jerusalem, and will then appreciate the Lord’s promise to them: “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 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. I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts: and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jer. 31:31-34)

We may not say that all the Jews will do so, but that this will be true of at least a considerable number of them. Quite a few have become infidels – unbelievers of God’s promises: “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh.” (Rom. 2:28) There are many well-meaning people among the Gentiles who have not taken the vow of consecration to the Lord. They have accepted Jesus as their Savior, and have practiced righteousness to the best of their ability; but have not taken the second step of full consecration to the Lord, because the narrow way was too difficult for them: “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14) during the reign and ascendancy of sin and evil These Gentiles will be the first to join with the Jews and become Israelites – and like the Jews, they will become faithful and zealous missionaries of the Kingdom. We refer to these Gentiles as the quasi-elect, just as the Jews who were faithful to the Law Covenant are quasi-elect Jews.

In that day “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” (Isa. 35:1,2,8) This Highway of Holiness will be an easy way for all who love righteousness, and we believe there will be many who find it – which is in contrast with a “narrow way” under the reign of sin and evil.

By the close of the Mediatorial Reign those who have responded and made earnest effort to advance will be brought to a condition of human perfection, as was Adam at the beginning. Then they must be subjected to the same loyalty as was Adam, with no Mediator between them and God’s justice. How many will maintain their loyalty under the test, and how many will lose out and suffer destruction, we cannot know because there will be some who have obeyed outwardly during the thousand years, but not inwardly – were not in heart-­harmony with righteousness.

Covenant relationship with God means perfection, either reckoned or actual. During the thousand years of Messiah’s Kingdom, mankind will be approaching actual perfection. The New Covenant, with all that goes with it, is the blessing which The Christ gives to mankind. It is God’s Covenant, and He has arranged that it shall go to the world through the Christ class, Head and Body.  These glorious things are clearly set forth in various types in the Old Testament, as well as plainly stated in the New Testament.

For instance, St. Paul explains that Isaac, the heir of Abraham, was a type of The Christ, Head and Body. Isaac did not receive his inheritance by a new covenant, but by the original Covenant with Abraham, as does the Church. (Gal. 3:8,16,29; 4:22–31) In Micah 4:1-4, we read: “In the last days... that Mountain [Kingdom] of the House of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains [kingdoms of earth]... and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, and to the House of the God of Jacob;  and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.” The succeeding verses of the chapter depict the influence that will be exerted. The blessings and prosperity will then be with those who will be in harmony with God. Now it is different, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12) The world thinks that Christians, true followers of Jesus, are making their lives miserable. But the world is greatly mistaken on this matter. On the contrary, we are enjoying ourselves greatly, we are having a good time. We have much advantage every way, in spite of our afflictions; for we know that in a very little while our trials and afflictions will be over. We know that the glorious Kingdom of Messiah, in which, if faithful, we are to share, is about to be set up on the earth.

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OUR BLESSED HOPE

When’er the storms come down on thee,

And days of peace all seem to flee,

This thought thy peace again shall bring,

Why should I fear? – the Lord is King.

E’en when the tempest rages high,

And darkest clouds are drawing nigh,

With hands of faith to this, oh, cling,

Why should I fear? – the Lord is King.

Amid the stormy waves of life,

Above the tumult and the strife,

The chimes of hope still sweetly ring,

Be not afraid – the Lord is King.

Thy ship is toss’d by wind and wave,

But there is One whose power can save;

Across the sea He hastes to bring

Both rest and peace – the Lord is King.

Yes, Jesus walks upon the sea,

And in the storm He comes to thee;

Then trust in Him, rejoice and sing;

He calms the waves – the Lord is King.

He stretches out His hand to thee,

And from thy fears He sets thee free;

Beneath the shadow of His wing

He keeps thee safe – the Lord is King.

In the future Dispensation, God tells us, the tables will be turned. None of the wicked shall prosper. THEN whoever is unrighteous shall suffer, and whoever does righteously shall receive a blessing. (Psa. 37:1,2,7-17,22) NOW the wicked very often prosper, and the poor and needy and the good of earth are oppressed. When the Times of Restitution come to the world, all will be changed.  The result will be a clean universe in which everyone in heaven and on earth, and such as have been in the sea, the rebellious race, will glorify and praise the God of perfect wisdom, justice, love and power, and the Lamb that sitteth with Him on His throne forever and ever, saying, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” (Rev. 5:13)

The basic concepts of the foregoing are from the “faith once delivered unto the saints” – and much of it is verbatim of their writings. As much of the beauty and harmony of the Truth has been distorted, set aside, and revolutionized against, since the demise of That Servant, it is our hope that what is presented herein will commend itself to all our readers and better enable them to appreciate the “Good Tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) “May that peace of God which surpasses all concep­tion, guard your hearts and your minds by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7, Dia.)

Our cordial good wishes to all for a Blessed Holiday Season – and “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.” (Prov. 10:22) (Brother Hoefle, Reprint 222, December 1973)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brethren,

Wilbur has returned to Canada as of August 8. He enjoyed his visiting with you. He may be too caught up in his historical studies to show much interest in certain spiritual matters at this time, however.

Pastor Russell was certainly a fascinating man. I have a copy of his Photo-Drama of Creation on videotape. I appreciate the way he tied secular history with prophecy on the film.

I have a set of Watch Tower reprints from 1879-1916 that I purchased from the Chicago Bible Students. As to the Heavenly Calling, I am not dogmatic as to doctrine. The Lord knows those called to be with Him, and their reward will be self-evident in time. And rather than condemning the world of mankind who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses, I am striving as a Christian to love my neighbor as myself – not desiring anyone to be destroyed if at all possible.

Our greatest reward, I feel, is friendship with God. And what a wonderful Father and friend He is! And the greatest truth is that “God is love,” and that nothing can separate us from His love except ourselves. God bless you!

Christian love, ------- (NEW YORK)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Christian greetings in the Name of our Blessed Lord and Savior!

Your letter was received with appreciation. I am not sure whether I have replied before now. If not, I apologize for not doing so.

I must now express my appreciation and gratitude for receipt of the fourth volume and for the thirty copies of The Divine Plan of the Ages. They were received in good order a few days ago. I shall reimburse you shortly. I am aware of the expense of books at this time.

I know you are hard-pressed in His service but the Lord has promised to give strength to His people. We thank God that the brethren here are in good spirit. Regarding Armageddon, I have always seen it as the Day of Vengeance, covering a span of time by three separate destructions – War, Revolution (Armageddon) and Anarchy. The editor’s preface gives a clear description of the time in which we are.

May the good Lord bless and keep you as you continue to serve Him. This is my daily prayer for you.

Yours by His Grace, ------- (JAMAICA)

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Dear Sister Hoefle,

I received our copies of the July/August on Zionism today and am enjoying them very much.  This is to let you know my correct address and tell you that Ora C. Lockwood has finished her course this side of the veil. She enjoyed your magazines for many years as did I also. I will leave you with Ruth 2:12.

Warm Christian love, ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Friends: Greetings in the Name of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, and peace!

Clearing my study I came across  Numbers 419–A, 421, 422, 423, and 424 from Epiphany Bible Students Ass’n. I do appreciate the material but I must confess I do not remember how I came by it. I did read through them.

My request is simple, do you have any other publications besides the monthly letters? I’ve been away for one month and my desk was getting piled up before I left. I went to Holland, Michigan for the general Convention, and then to the class in Greenfield, Ohio. We (my family) then went to Wilmington, NC.

We (our class) here in Middleton, NY are eleven in number and are meeting on Sundays. We are almost through our Tabernacle Shadows study (about 1 and 1/2 years) and our Bible Study is currently in the eleventh Chapter of Hebrews.

Please convey our love to the brethren there and may He who has gone before us continue to direct all of our affairs.

Yours in His Service, ------- (NEW   YORK)

PS – We have the Pastor Russell book and have distributed quite a number of them in our area.

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Dear Sister Emily Hoefle and the Brethren:

We were very happy to receive the letter of July 16, 1991, and we heard with joy that the brethren in America made serious engagement and efforts for more understanding of Israel; that the Bush government should stop the godless endeavor to force the State of Israel to give up central parts of the Promised Land to the Arabs, a land that Israel received by Divine oath for eternal possession.

Already in the year 1918 when I was 18 years old, I had the great privilege to study the six Studies in the Scriptures of our honoured Pastor Russell. Already when I was 20 years old, I was invited by the Elders to serve as a Pilgrim Evangelist to serve the Holy Community assemblies in all the big German cities till the years 1933, when the Bible studies circle was forbidden by the Nazis.

Afterward I continued to serve the community in Austria till the year 1938. From 1938 till the year 1945 we hid in a mountain farm in Styria, Austria.

But during those years in war and cruel persecutions of Jews it became clear to me, that the time of Restitution of all Things had come and we were allowed to acquire a stony land in Israel, which we changed during 25 years into a Paradise, and which was often praised by the Israeli Press.  So that during many years some 300 thousand people have visited us to hear the lectures. It was raised to State Domain and I – age 90 – together with my devoted Brother Josef Schmidt, were declared Honorary Freemen (citizens) of Israel.

But more important for me, is that due to our work, especially also with Ministers, who are visiting us now, there was created a full understanding of God’s Plan, that Israel will be the first nation in the Restitution of All Things in God’s Kingdom, as our honoured Brother Russell predicted already in the first volume of the Studies in the Scriptures.

We greet all the brethren in America and remain connected in Christ’s love. Your brethren from Israel for Emek ha Shalom,

Brother Hermann Bezner (ISRAEL)

PS – We accept with pleasure your offer and kindly ask you to send us the video of Israel.

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NO. 427: THE GLORY OF GOD

No. 427

Most of our readers are familiar with the attributes of God – Justice, Wisdom, Love and Power. In 2 Tim. 1:7 we are told that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”; but this is not God’s power in the full sense of that word. For us, it is not physical strength, as we recognize that many of the Lord’s people are very weak physically; but we are given will power. St. Paul is an outstanding example of this truth. The name his parents had given him was Saul, probably after Israel’s first king, who was a handsome physical specimen. “There was not one among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.” (1 Sam. 9:2) When he was anointed with the Holy Spirit Saul adopted the name of Paul which was more in keeping with his physique – ‘Paul’ meaning ‘little one.’ But in will power he was one of the strongest of whom we have any record, so he could well say the Lord has given us “the spirit of power.”

In 1 Tim. 1:5 Paul says, “The end of the commandment [the entire Bible] is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” This text thus treats of the four great attributes of God – not in all ways, but to inform us of his intention in making the statement. And he is telling us that the great purpose of God in all His dealings with His people through His spirit, Word and Providence is to develop in them Agape love – flowing out of, based upon and acting in harmony with power, justice and wisdom. These exact words are not used in the text; but he refers to them by calling attention to each one’s main ingredient or ingredients. By the expression “unfeigned faith” he is giving us in sufficiency two of the ingredients of wisdom – trust and truth. By “good conscience” the duty feature of justice is meant. By the expression “pure heart” the Apostle means a will fixed in good principles and executing them. Thus will be seen the relation of all three of these characteristics to agape love and its sources, bases and modifiers.

Therefore, agape love permeates and expresses itself in the various graces, as is succinctly shown in 1 Cor. 13:4-8: “Charity [agape “love) suffereth long [is very tolerant], and is kind [shows kindness wherever possible]; charity envieth not [is generously disposed – no covetousness]; charity vaunteth not itself [refrains from self-­praise – the Germans have a proverb, ‘Self–praise has a bad odor’], is not puffed up [displays a proper humility], behaveth not itself unseemly [always polite], seeketh not her own [selflessness – always striving to give to others a little more than we receive from them], is not easily provoked [literally, is not enraged or infuriated, forbearance – “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” ­Prov. 17:22], thinketh no evil [without guile]; rejoiceth not in iniquity [abhors sin, never glad to see others indulging in evil], but rejoiceth in the truth [appreciates and delights in the Truth and its Spirit – always happy to see others prosper]; beareth [literally covereth] all things [ever ready to forgive], believeth all things [trustful­ness, always ready to give others the benefit of the doubt], hopeth all things [hopefulness, optimistic], endureth all things [patience, perseverance – stick–to-­itiveness]. Charity never faileth [permanency – something no one can take from us].”

Thus charity sourced, based and modified in wisdom, power and justice, enfolds in its ample embrace all of these graces, as well as every lower primary, secondary and tertiary grace.

It is probably in order here to consider how these four dominating graces ­especially love – carry on their domination over all our other affections, virtues and graces. They do this first by detaching our affections from lower and earthly things and attaching them to higher and heavenly things; secondly, by using our other affections, virtues and graces as servants of truth, righteousness and holiness. Thus, these – ­especially love – make our lower affections: love of self–esteem, of approbativeness, of rest, ofsecretiveness, of safety, of possessions, of self–defense, of aggressiveness, of nourishment, of health, of life, of friends, of home and country, of the opposite sex, of wife, of husband, of children, of parents, of brethren, serve truth, righteousness and holiness. Accordingly, if justice and love are the rulers, they develop respectively the lower primary virtues and graces of self-esteem, approbativeness, restfulness, secretiveness, cautiousness, providence, combativeness, aggressiveness, alimentiveness, vitativeness, sexliness, husbandliness, wifeliness, parentliness, filiality, brethren­liness, friendship, domesticity and patriotism.

Thirdly, they use our lower sentiments, especially humor as safety valves – vents. Fourthly, they, especially love, carry on this domination by suppressing the efforts that our lower affections and lower primary graces make to control us, and by such suppression develop the secondary virtues and graces.

It is written in Psa. 89:14 that “justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.” And, while the Divine attribute of Justice is prominently discussed in the Bible, it was not the first attribute that operated in the creation of the universe and the creation of man. St. Paul says in 1 Cor. 1:24: “Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” First of all God had to plan (wisdom) the universe: then His power was applied to carry out that plan. For man justice was the next attribute to appear when He expelled him from the Garden of Eden for disobedience; then came “the kindness and love of God.” (Titus 3:4)

In Reprints 4917 (Nov. 15, 1911) appears an excellent article on A Practical Self-examination Of Love, from which we quote a few paragraphs:

“Nothing in this signifies that one should neglect the caring for and providing in every way for those dependent upon him by the ties of nature, in order that he may do good to others. In every sense, ‘love begins at home.’ The proper thought, as we gather it, is that men and women, possessed of the spirit of perfect love, would not think exclusively of their own interest in any of the affairs of life. Put into exercise, this element of Love would have a great influence upon all the affairs of life, inside as well as outside the home and family.

“Have I the love which is good tempered, ‘not easily provoked’ to anger – love that enables me to see both sides of a question, that gives me the spirit of a sound mind, which enables me to perceive that exasperation and violent anger are not only unbecoming but, worse than that, injurious to those toward whom they may be directed, and also injurious in their effect upon my own heart and body?

“There may be times when love will need to be firm, almost to sternness and inflexibility, where principles are involved, where valuable lessons are to be inculcated; and this might come under the head of anger, using that word in a proper sense, in regard to a righteous indignation, exercised for a loving purpose, for doing good; but it should be exercised then only for a time. If justly angry we should see to it that we sin not either with our lips, or in our hearts, in which, at no time may we entertain any but loving and generous sentiments toward those who are our enemies, or toward those of our friends whom we would assist or instruct or correct.”

THE GREATEST OF THESE

In 1 Cor. 13:13, Dia., St. Paul tells us “these three remain – faith, hope, love – but the greatest of these is love.” Love in this text is from the Greek agape, which means good will motivated from unselfishness. It means doing good for the love of doing good; and such love is a refreshing and uplifting thing for all who come into contact with it.

In Rom. 5:3-5, Dia., we have this: “We triumph also in afflictions, knowing that afflictions works out endurance; and endurance approval; and approval hope; and this hope is not put to shame, because the love [agape] of God has been diffused in our hearts, through that Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” That spirit in the new spiritual will lays hold on our organs of veneration, benevolence and appreciation and exercises them toward God, Christ, the brethren, the world of mankind and enemies, and thereby cultivates all the graces mentioned in 1 Cor. 13:4–8.

This is the thought of Gal. 5:22, where the Apostle tells us that “the fruit of the spirit, the product of the new will, exercising our new spiritual capacities and affections is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith [fullness]. Thus, the full complete result of the Holy Spirit is a Godlike and Christlike character, disposition, mind, heart and will. Isa. 11:2-4 also tells us that the Holy Spirit gives us God’s disposition: “And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.”

It would seem that the following from Reprints 5668 (April 15, 1915) is quite appropriate here.

THE SUM OF ALL GRACES

“‘And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.’ (1 Cor. 13: 13) The Apostle Paul has just been referring to the various miraculous gifts of the Spirit then granted to all begotten of the Spirit to the new nature. Anyone lacking some such special gift at that time would thus manifest to all believers that he had not become a member of the Church of Christ. These supernatural gifts also served to assist the primitive Church in spiritual growth. They did not have the Bible in those days [the New Testament], and if they had possessed it, very few could have read it; hence, they needed special assistance which the Church afterward did not need and was later taken away.

“In this letter to the Church at Corinth, the Apostle, after discussing these various gifts, says, ‘And yet I show unto you a more excellent way.’ Then he proceeds to point out the super-excellence of the fruit of love. Whoever has the Holy Spirit must have a measure at least of this fruitage, whether it be the little flower that contains the fruit-bud or whether it be the partly developed fruit, the fully developed fruit or the ripened fruit. God our Father, who looks upon the heart, knows how His Holy Spirit in the heart is seeking to control the flesh, to guide the mind and all the words and actions. We are not able to judge one another’s hearts. The Apostle said that he did not feel able properly to judge even himself, but left judgment to the Lord. He knew that his heart was loyal and that he was endeavoring to be all that the Lord would have him be. Though he was conscious of his inability always to ‘do the things that he would,’ he knew that the Master would accept his loyalty of heart; so he would do his best and leave the remainder with God.

“Our faith and our hope in the Lord lead us to earnest endeavor to develop the fruitage of love in all its varied and beautiful phases. Gentleness is a part of love; meekness is a part of love; so also are humility and brotherly-kindness. The question at issue with each child of God is not, How tall and well-built am I? or, How fine-­looking or well-educated or well-connected am I according to the flesh? or, How many or how fine sermons have I preached? or even, How many have I brought to a knowledge of the Truth? But the vital question is, How much of the quality of love have I developed? How great is the likeness of my character to that of Christ?

LOVE IS THE PRINCIPAL THING

“Why is this quality of love made so prominent in the Word of God? We answer, Because it is the first thing, the most important thing, the principal thing. It is the fulfilling of God’s Law; and, indeed, the sacrificial love enjoined upon God’s Saints of this Age goes even beyond the requirements of the perfect law. But why is love put first? It is not because God arbitrarily so placed it, not because He exercised His power of fiat and declared that it should be first. No, it is because no other quality of character is so lovely, so beautiful, so productive of happiness and joy, so great a blessing to all upon whom it operates. It is the very essence of God’s character, ‘GOD IS LOVE.’ This quality particularly represents His personality. While God is all-just and all-powerful, we do not say that God is justice or that God is power, but that God is Love. He uses His great power only as love dictates and approves. He uses His justice only in fullest harmony with His glorious attribute of Love. Love is the mainspring of all His doings.

“Whoever, therefore, would be God-like must be loving, must have love as the dominating quality of his character and his life. Love and righteousness are inseparable. Love is to continue to all eternity; and only those who become the active embodiment of this gracious quality of character will live eternally. Hence we see the paramount importance of its development in every life.”

THE SPIRIT OF A SOUND MIND

“EVIDENCES OF A SOUND MIND: The fall of Adam has worked ruin to mankind, so that from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot there are none sound. (Isa. 1:5,6) None are sound of mind or body. All are out of the way. ‘There is none righteous; no, not one.’ (Rom. 3:10) But in proportion as we receive the spirit of the Lord, and in proportion as that spirit of the Lord works in us and develops us and influences all the conduct of life, in that same proportion we receive the spirit of a sound mind.

“This soundness of mind will teach us how better to use our bodies. A person of unsound mind may either eat too much or eat what does not agree with him. In proportion as we have a sound mind, it influences what we eat, what we drink, and everything we do; it helps to regulate and control everything in life for us. It gives us broad views of all the affairs of life. It gives us more generous views of mankind. We recognize that mankind are under the curse, and we have a feeling of compassion for them. We have much advantage every way, because God has opened the eyes of our understanding.

“This spirit of a sound mind makes us more helpful. ‘We know better how to deal with each other as brethren. We know better how to deal with our children, with our neighbors, with the butcher and with every one else. The truth does not come to many of those who are naturally soundest of mind, and it takes time for the truth to bring in a measure of soundness. But we notice that when one receives the truth in the love of it, it has a healing effect on his mind. He will begin to think more correctly and to act more wisely.” (Reprints 5977, bottom and 5978, top)

The Wise Man tells us in Prov. 4:7 that “Wisdom [the wisdom that is from above ­James 3:17] is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” But how do we come by this wisdom? In 1 Cor. 1:30 we are told that Christ Jesus is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness [justification by faith], and sanctification [He sets us apart for His own good purposes], and deliverance.”

In 2 Tim. 1:7, Dia., we are given a very meaningful synonym of wisdom – a sound mind – which means a proper mental and religious disposition that is based upon the Truth and views matters according to reality in the light of the applicable Truth, and thinks, feels, speaks and acts accordingly tactful. A sound mind, therefore, is a proper mental and religious attitude. This Scripture also tells us that love and a sound mind are closely linked together. “God did not give us a cowardly spirit, but one of power, and of [agape] love, and of a sound mind.”

The proper application of the Holy Spirit in a “Sound Mind” will little by little and more and more give its possessor an ever increasing sound mind, which will by and by “make such a person of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord” (Isa. 11: 2,3) – that is, in the application of duty and disinterested (agape) love in accordance with the Divine will. Thus, in cultivating wisdom (love and the spirit of a sound mind), we constantly improve ourselves in every good word and work. In this there is a part that God, by Christ, does and a part that we do. Thus we become “co-workers with God,” as we constantly improve our intellectual and providential circumstances.

The spirit of a sound mind is one of the dominating graces of the Holy Spirit, and sometimes operates negatively in keeping us from doing unwise things, but operates positively in helping us to do the wise things. This is true in both our secular and religious relations. We need the spirit of a sound mind in our dealings with the Father and with Jesus, the latter being the Agent as our Creator, Provider, Redeemer, Teacher, Justifier, Sanctifier and Deliverer.

Inasmuch as our own righteousness is as “filthy rags,” we cannot approach Him through works and merits of our own. Therefore, the spirit of a sound mind forbids us to present ourselves – who are children of wrath – to God in any alleged merit or righteousness of our own. On the contrary, the Divine wisdom prompts us to seek for ourselves an Advocate before God, which we recognize to be Jesus. He has told us Himself that “whatsoever ye ask in my name it shall be given unto you.” (John 15:16) Thus, by the Divine wisdom wrought in us by Jesus’ ministry, we are prompted to ask forgiveness for our sins and a righteous standing before God through Him. Thus, sufficient of the spirit of a sound mind, which we receive from Him as natural men, enables us to see the proper approach to God, and tends to keep us in a righteous condition, and prompts us to present ourselves to God in harmony with Rom. 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Upon so doing in harmony with God’s will, He then gives us that sanctification that is necessary to do His “good and acceptable and perfect will.” This prevents us from engaging in works not motivated by God and Christ. On all sides today we see thousands zealously devoted to various reform and uplift works, which have no real standing in Heaven. “Many will say to me in that day, Master, Master, have we not taught in Thy name, and in Thy name expelled demons, and in Thy name performed many wonders? And then I will plainly declare to them, I never approved of you. Depart from Me, you who practice iniquity.” (Matt. 7:22,23, Dia.) Such will be the reward of all rabid sectarians.

 The spirit of a sound mind teaches us what to do, and what to avoid doing in spirit, manner and method as to our works toward the world in religious aspects, and also in secular relations. But a sound mind will give us increasingly the spirit of wisdom in our religious and secular actions. While we are “not of the world,” yet we are in the world, and have secular relations toward the world.

Our secular relations toward the world may at times give us some consternation, especially with those of lower tendencies. Yet these are vastly in the majority and if we are inclined to avoid such, we may find it difficult to make a livelihood. St. Paul treats of this in 1 Cor. 5:9,10: “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators; yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye need go out of the world.” That is, if we would refuse to have any dealings with persons of disreputable leanings, we might find ourselves out of business. This does not mean, of course, that we become partners with them. St. Paul’s advice applies here, too – and positively so: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14) Our own experience in the business world over the past fifty years is that many put on quite a respectable appearance, but are ready enough to cut corners as opportunity may present itself. A well-meaning businessman once said to Brother Russell, “Pastor Russell, you have set the standard entirely too high.” His answer was, “I did not put it there; the Lord did.” Of course, having a “high calling,” it necessarily follows there would also be a “high” standard.   And the more of a sound mind we have, the more apparent this becomes to us. Also, the more of Divine wisdom we have the more of a sound mind will be apparent in us.

LOVE – HOW ACQUIRED

In any undertaking the “know-how” is fundamental to success. And this is certainly true in the acquisition of Agape love. We have pointed out that love and a sound mind are closely linked together. All who have developed any degree of Agape love will readily testify that it has put soundness into their thinking. Among the last words of Jesus to His Disciples are those to be found in Luke 21:12-15, Dia.: “They will drag you before kings and governors... And it will turn out to you for a testimony. Settle it in your hearts, therefore, not to premeditate on your defense; for I will give you eloquence and wisdom, which all your opponents will not be able to gainsay, or resist.” “Our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit... the spirit giveth life.” (2 Cor. 3:5,6)

FAITH COMETH BEFORE LOVE

Although, as 1 Cor. 13:13 tells us Love is the greatest of all the graces, for the Faith Age, faith must come first: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Heb. 11:6) Nor can we develop perfect (agape) love unless we continue to believe He is a God of Love, Wisdom Justice and Power, and also, to have faith in His Word that we have received. Those who are faithful to the truth they have will be ready to “learn more of Him,” and as they do they will develop more and more of the “end of the commandment [the purpose of the commandment] is charity.” (1 Tim. 1:5) All New Creatures will have to develop perfect love in their hearts during this Faith Age – their trial time for eternal life. No others are on trial for life, although, it behooves all classes of the Household of Faith to constantly seek to develop perfect love, as they must eventually do if they remain in the Elect classes. However, some of the unbegotten consecrators are not able to develop perfect love. In the 11th chapter of Hebrews we are told that it was by faith that the Ancient Worthies were able to do what they did. Abraham had faith and it was counted to him for righteousness. He didn’t have Agape love, but he will have it in the Kingdom, or he won’t remain one of the Elect.

In the Millennium when the New Covenant is inaugurated, there will be no crucial experiences – no suffering for righteousness sake – that will develop perfect love. But Restitutionists will have to develop perfect Duty Love toward God and man – love the Lord with all their heart and their neighbor as themselves. This will be a much easier requirement for them, for instead of suffering for righteousness, they will be rewarded for righteousness, and if their righteousness comes from the heart, they will be rewarded with eternal life. There was no sacrifice required of Adam – just obedience and faith in God. So Restitutionists will have to have a faith in God, but not a faith where He cannot be traced. Each step of obedience will bring the reward for tracing Him.

From Reprint 5095, top: “The spirit of a sound mind is a most wonderful manifesta­tion of the Holy Spirit in the Lord’s people. It gives them much advantage every way over the remainder of mankind. It sees in the present life opportunities for the attainment of character. It broadens and deepens the mind along all good lines. It makes one less touchy in respect to his own rights, privileges and preferences, and more considerate of the rights and feelings of others.

“The spirit of a sound mind makes one’s judgment clearer, truer, more trustworthy than before, for it impels him to accept the instructions of the Word of God in respect to what he should and should not do, and to reject his own faulty judgment. The meek will He guide in judgment. Whatever may be the imperfection of mind and body resulting from the fall, those who receive the spirit of a sound mind are thereby made purer, kinder, gentler, less selfish and more thoughtful in regard to others. Those who are thus rightly exercised will develop the spirit of love increasingly until that which is perfect shall have come and that which is in part shall have been done away. (1 Cor. 13:10)”

GOD’S GLORY

In Ex. 33: 18 Moses asked God to show him His glory; and in Psa. 104:31 we are told, “The glory of the Lord shall endure forever.” In Isa. 42:8 it is written: “I am the Lord: that is my name:  and my glory will I not give to another.” From these and other Scriptures we conclude that God’s glory is synonymous with His character attributes of Justice, Wisdom, Power and Love. All of God’s faithful people of the past have had some of these character qualities; but none of them, not even Jesus, have had them in the same magnificent and grandiose quantity and quality as they are in our Almighty God. The word translated ‘glory’ in Isa. 42:8 is from the Hebrew ‘kabod’ and one of its meanings is ‘splendor’; and the more we see and learn of His character and works, the more His splendor becomes apparent. Thus, we enthusiastically join with David in his exclamation, “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” (Psa. 95:6,7)

(Written by Brother Hoefle July and August 1978)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sister,

Thanks for the books! I haven’t stopped reading until way late in the night! They are wonderful. I am learning as I have never learned before. Pastor Russell sure was blessed and filled with the Holy Spirit. His work will live forever.

I have read all the Bulletins that you have sent – three times. I am now on the third reading of The Divine Plan of the Ages. I am getting the feel of the writer and trying to hear him speak in the language on the printed pages. The truth is there and stands out above all else, as it should.

Sister Florence tells me every time I express my happiness in finding Pastor Russell’s writings, “I knew you would take to his works like a duck to water!” She knows me well. I am always searching for more truth. I have found it.

Florence is in Oregon visiting her son, Melvin. She will be gone for about three weeks. She tried to call you several times, but was unable to reach you.

I would like to have No. 1 Where are the dead? and No. 2, What Is the Soul? Eventually I would like to have all of your literature that is available, but right now, with what I am studying, I think this will be enough.

I will order Pastor Russell’s second book in a little while. Thanks again for your continued prayers put forth to all those who are seeking and searching for the truth.

Your sister in Christ, ------- (CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Sister Hoefle:

My kindest regards and God’s blessings to you and all with you with Psalm 23! With great joy I have received your two air mail letters. I am sending you three names for your mailing list. God bless you. Your brother in Christ, ------- (AUSTRIA)

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Dear Brethren: Greetings of love through our Beloved Lord and Savior! It is a privilege and pleasure to tell you of the special meeting we had on Sunday, July 7. We had a baptismal service in which there were six who symbolized their consecration by immersion. The candidates were four brothers and two sisters all of the same family. There were fourteen in attendance.

Five of the candidates are fourth and fifth generation descendants of a faithful sister who came into the truth during Brother Russell’s ministry. Her works do follow her (Rev. 14:13) was manifested by this occasion. She has left a wonderful legacy for which we can say with appreciation and thankfulness, “God bless her memory.”

The service was brief but meaningful and all present were spiritually enriched by the solemnity of the occasion. All the candidates seemed to have a full understanding of the import of their consecration and its symbol by water immersion. We ask your prayers for all that they will be faithful.

We praise God from whom all blessings flow for the privilege of knowing His truth, and witnessing this momentous event as an evidence of His loving care and overruling providence. With Christian love to all from all here. By His Grace, Brother and Sister ------- (NORTH CAROLINA)

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Epiphany Bible Students:

Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Thanks for sending me the papers on Zionism, Part One and Part Two. I was blessed by reading both. It always enhances my concept of the Grandeur of our God to be informed as to how He uses His creation to show forth His message to those who are drawn to Him.

On page 3 of Part One, last paragraph, second line quote: “and Bezetha the Youthful Worthies.” Would you explain the term Youthful Worthies and give Scriptural support for the term?

May our loving Heavenly Father bless your efforts to serve Him. By His Grace, ------- (TEXAS)

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Dear Brethren: Christian greetings in our dear Lord and Master Jesus’ Name!

Thank you for sending me your newsletter. Some time ago my wife bought a book from Mr. Horowitz about our dear Pastor Russell. In the meantime, our address has changed. We enclose the old address and ask that you send your newsletter to the address above.

Please give us some information about the difference between the LHMM and your Ass’n. Do you have any further literature?

Thanks again. With Christian greetings. Sincerely yours, ------- (GERMANY)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Grace and peace through our Lord Jesus!

Much thanks and appreciation for your reply. Trusting by His Grace you are enjoying good health. We are keeping fairly well, all thanks to Him. Unfortunately Sister Nora lost her husband a few months ago. We all share her bereavement. Brother Luther McKenzie is still ailing but taking his infirmities in good spirit trusting in the Lord.

Brother Wycliffe Mahoney is fine both in spirit and in body. The time he stood up for Brother Hoefle to speak [at Crofts Hill when Brother Jolly spoke for four hours], I had not made my consecration and wasn’t present. However, I was told of the incident.

We continue getting our periodicals. They are so informative. Thanks much for same. I am making a request on behalf of the ecclesia. We would like to get a few tracts of Permission of Evil, Two Salvations, What is the Soul?, etc. The Lord grant you strength as you continue in His service. Our warmest Christian love and God’s blessings. Your brother by His Grace, ------- (JAMAICA)

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Dear Madam:

I shall be grateful if you would send me a copy of your book on Pastor Russell. Also, I wish to read about the errors of Judge Rutherford and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

If it is not given free, kindly let me know how much it costs. Yours sincerely, ------- (AFRICA)

NO. 426: IN MEMORIAM

No. 426

Once more we find it a privilege and pleasure to present a treatise on That Wise and Faithful Servant, whom the Lord made “ruler over all His goods.” (Matt. 24:45-47) The Scriptures give more on Brother Russell than of any other individual, except our Lord, in type and direct Scripture. It behooves all who have benefited from his faith­ful ministry to honor him, and more particularly to abide in the beautiful system of truth that he left us – and to study, spread and practice the Truth all the more as the “evil day” progresses. All who abide in “present truth” do not accept the many errors of our day – errors that set aside the fundamental truth in which we have been estab­lished.

THESE SEVENTY–FIVE YEARS

That Servant entered into his reward October 31, 1916, and since that time the Ad­versary has done all in his power to distort the Truth in every way possible – by set­ting it aside for “new light” (?), by perverting the Truth, by revolutionizing against the Truth. All those who have “continued in the Truth” once delivered unto the faithful are much saddened to witness such distortions, etc. Some have gone from one group to another, hoping to find the pure faith – and some have come to the conclusion that they would separate themselves from all groups. We believe that is a mistake, because there are yet others of like mind who seek to “abide in His Word,” and who are keeping up the “good fight,” in upholding and defending the faith. Such a course is the only way we can “be faithful to the Lord, the Truth and the brethren.” We are to “lay down our lives for the brethren,” and we cannot do that if we isolate ourselves and refuse to hold up the standard because we do not want to “stand the heat of the day.”

The Truth received into “good and honest hearts” makes us “good soldiers” – it does not make cowards of us. If we have a cowardly spirit, the Lord did not give it to us. “For God did not give to us a Cowardly Spirit, but one of Power, and of Love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7, Dia.) And the Apostle Paul tells us: “Retain an outline of Wholesome Words, which thou didst hear from me, in That Faith and Love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard the Good Entrusted charge, through that holy Spirit which dwells in US. Thou knowest this, That all those in Asia turned away from me: of whom are Phygel­lus and Hermogenes.” (2 Tim. 1:13–15, Dia.)

ANTITYPICAL JEREMIAH

While we consider ourselves duty–bound to make the statements aforegoing, yet we are also most happy to note that none of the groups that have arisen from the Parousia Truth Movement have resorted to any slander of That Servant – nor have they attacked his character. However, in his day Babylon was grossly guilty of slander when they could not meet his clear Scriptural teachings that exposed so many of their errors.

And this Babylonish evil is still glaringly present with us. In just the past few months a book has come into our hands – written by a man of some considerable education and influential standing – who attempts to expound such subjects as “hermeneutical prin­ciples,” although he at the same time reveals a pathetic ignorance of some of the subjects he attempts to explain. He is a vehement expounder of the Trinity, eternal torment as the wages of sin, and his reliance on Satan’s great lie, “Thou shalt not surely die” ­even quotes that very text in support of his own perversions. In like manner he con­tends for the flesh and blood return of Jesus at His Second Advent.

In Jeremiah 1:5 it is noted, “I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations”; and this offers us a key to the typical relationship of that prophet Jeremiah to That Ser­vant here in the end of the Age, because the evidence is very strong that That Servant was also “ordained a prophet unto the nations.” In the 38th Chapter of the same prophet we are told how his enemies lowered him into a dungeon of mire, typical of the slander that was heaped upon antitypical Jeremiah, Brother Russell, by his enemies in Babylon. The book we mentioned carries on “the good work” (?) in the following manner: “Thus it was, that at the words of one colossally egotistical and unschooled haberdasher, the Times of the Gentiles ended.”

The same writer classes him with “the heretic Arius” in teaching that there is but “one God,” which is an honor to Brother Russell; and emphasizes that he justly lost two slander suits against The Brooklyn Eagle and an Ontario minister. It is our firm con­viction that he should have won both cases, but we shall not here recount the elements that entered into the reason for his loss of those suits. The Eagle had published that “Russell’s religious cult is nothing more than a money–making scheme, and the court’s decision vindicated the Eagle’s statement and proved its reliability.” Although we know that Brother Russell put more money into the organization than he ever received from that organization.

The same writer then sums up: “This then is the product of Charles T. Russell, who, because he would not seek instruction in the Word of God, dedicated his unschooled talents to a lone vain search without the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” There is much more of the same we could quote, but we would sum it up in words applied to Babylon, which now have equal force with the writer of the book in question: “The chief leaders of Babylon put him [Brother Russell] into the foulest condition of slander that certain executives of the clergy could invent, and by their strongest arguments they lowered him into the pit of slander, resulting in his sinking deeper and deeper into the filth of misrepresentation.”

Our beloved Pastor has been dead now for seventy–five years; but the foregoing is the sort of calumny that is still being printed and circulated about him because they realize that his teachings are still with us, and enduring. But, “As He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)

ANTITYPICAL DANIEL

Our Pastor knew that he was the antitype of Daniel, as he indicated by two paint­ings prepared for, but not used as Photo–Drama slides. One of these slides interpreted the antitypical handwriting on the wall and one on Pastor Russell in the critics’ den, which was reproduced in plate cut on the back of a Bible Students’ Monthly and in the 1913 Convention Report. Daniel does not type our Pastor in all the latter’s relations, but only in his relations to the world as a teacher on subjects pertinent to the world and on some of the relations of the Church to the world. In this treatise we do not write in a spirit of “angel worship,” but in appreciation of his faithful ministry and .”labor of love” toward all God’s people.

In Chapter One the account of Daniel’s education for the position of statesman in Babylon is get forth. Here Nebuchadnezzar types the nominal people of God. Ashpenaz (Dan. 1:3) types the chief leaders in the nominal church, such as supervised the subor­dinate teachers of the nominal church, and such as particularly supervised the educa­tional arrangements of Christendom’s prospective teachers. It was the desire of the nominal people of God (vs. 3,4) that the most gifted and promising young men be selected for training as teachers of their views in symbolic Babylon. As Daniel (vs. 4,6) was one of those chosen for such educational opportunities in literal Babylon, so was Brother Russell chosen by those nominal Christians with whom he associated as a religiously and intellectually promising young man to teach in the nominal church.

And as the King (v. 5) provided that such students be fed from the royal table, so the nominal people of God arranged that the future teachers and leaders in symbolic Babylon be nourished on the religious diet that they themselves ate. As Daniel determined not to defile himself with the Levitically unclean meats (v. 8) of the King’s ta­ble, so Brother Russell determined that he would not defile himself with symbolic Baby­lon’s unclean doctrines. Since the story of how this happened is not generally known and should be preserved, we give it here in fair detail.

Brother Russell was born with a most exceptionally fine religious endowment. Be­fore he was born his mother consecrated him to the Lord, and afterward gave him the most careful religious training within her ability. As he often said, he could not remember a time from childhood’s first memories onward when he was not consecrated. Early he, showed his zeal in seeking to save people from Eternal Torment, among other ways, by his writing at the age of 14 Scripture passages on the sidewalks and walls of houses, urging people to repent and believe. In such evangelistic zeal, when 16 years old, he sought to convert an infidel acquaintance. The latter asked him if he believed God to be perfect in wisdom, justice, love and power. On his replying, “yes,” his acquaintance asked him how such  a God could have absolutely predestined the vast majority of the race to eternal torment. The boy answered that he could not understand it.

Up to this time he had not thought deeply on this feature of his (the Congregational) church’s creed. Troubled by the question, he raised it in the circles of his church. Unable to get any satisfying answer, he expressed his doubts on the matter. The report spread in the church that he was on the way to becoming an infidel. The pas­tor and elders of the church appointed a special meeting to solve his questions. But instead, they only increased his doubts. They told him that the Bible taught that doc­trine. He then said to them, “I believe God is perfect in wisdom, power, justice, and love, and I will not believe anything contrary to His character to be a revelation from Him. Therefore I do not believe He gave the Bible as His revelation; for, if He had given it as such, it would agree with His wisdom, power, justice and love.” It was at this stage wherein he decided he would never believe as a revelation of God anything contradictory to His character, that he, as antitypical Daniel (v. 8), determined not to defile himself with Levitically unclean meats; for he concluded that any doctrine con­trary to God’s character is false. It will be noted that the stand that Brother Russell took on the matter of God’s character as a test of revealed religion, when he was 16 years old, he retained until death ended his course.

His pastor and elders, as representatives of the highest church authorities (v. 9), thought highly of him; and his determination to accept only what harmonized with God’s character (pulse, v. 12) put them into considerable difficulty with the pertinent nomi­nal people of God who would cut them off from their positions (“endanger my head to the king,” v. 10), if they did not require of him to accept the Congregational creed in whole. But rather than lose so promising a young man, they conceded to him temporarily (ten days, v. 12) the privilege of subjecting all teachings to the rule of harmony with God’s character. Accordingly, we find Brother Russell as a youth of 16 a disbeliever, not actually, though ostensibly, in the Bible, but actually in the Calvinistic creed, which he was mistaught to be the right interpretation of the Bible.

He was of too religious and logical a mind to be content without a revealed reli­gion. He therefore set out to learn what the true religion was, and to this end decided to investigate all religions until he would find the true one. So he began with that of the Chinese, whose idea of the creation is this: In the beginning all was water, where it grew into our present earth. That was enough of the Chinese religion for him! Worse absurdities than this made him reject Hindooism and Buddhism. Because Mohammedanism was partly based on the Old and New Testaments, he rejected it. Thus his rejection of the non–Christian religions left him for a while stranded high and dry on the shores of un­belief, though all the while he devoutly held to God as perfect in wisdom, justice, love and power, and trusted Him as such.

But his religious disposition could not be content with no religion; and what to do troubled him. Finally he said to himself, I can at least believe so much of the Bi­ble as is contained in the Golden Rule Godward and manward: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy mind, with all thy soul and with all thy strength ... and thy neighbor as thyself.” (Matt. 22:37,39) Furthermore, he concluded that Je­sus’ explanation of the law, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, as meaning: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them (Matt. 7:12) was correct. Thus he said, “I believe that much of the New Testament.” This prompted him to look up the context of Matt. 7:12, which he found to be a part of the Sermon on the Mount. He studied this in the light of God’s character and recognized it to be in harmony therewith. Therefore he accepted it. This moved him to desire to study more of Jesus’ teachings, which, accordingly, led him to study these as they are found elsewhere in the four Gospels.

Always he found them in harmony with God’s character. This moved him not only to accept all of Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels as he understood them, but also greatly to appreciate Jesus as a teacher Divinely inspired. Such appreciation of Jesus’ teachings prompted him to want to know more of His life, which moved him to a study of the Gospels historically, resulting in his recognizing Jesus as a perfect human being and the Son of God. But up to then he rejected the New Testament, except the Gospels.

One day he noted the passage (John 16:12-14) wherein Jesus said that the Spirit would reveal to the Apostles such truths as Jesus would yet give them, and which they were as yet unable to bear. He desired to know what those teachings were. Hence he began to study the Acts, the Epistles and Revelation; and as he understood them he rec­ognized their harmony with God’s character. Thus gradually, and upon a right founda­tion he came to believe that the New Testament was the revelation of the God of wisdom, power, justice and love, in whom he had always believed.

But the Old Testament he continued to reject. The following things gradually led him to believe in the Old Testament: He noticed that not only did Jesus and the Apostles quote from the Old Testament, but used such quotations to prove their doctrines. Hence he concluded that whatever they quoted from the Old Testament was true. On later thought he decided to study the connections from which these quotations were made; and these he found to be in harmony with the quotations themselves and God’s character. Hence he ac­cepted the teachings of these contexts. This led him to study the connections of these contexts, and thus more and more of the Old Testament became clear to him until his faith was confirmed in the prophetic writings and in the historical writings which were closely interwoven with the prophetic writings. Still he suspected the books of Moses, except those parts quoted by Jesus and the Apostles; because he mistakenly was led to think that Moses made himself a dictator to Israel and established a priesthood that tyrannized over the people. But deeper study convinced him of his mistakes on these points; and he came to see that the Mosaic legislation was the most benevolent, and freedom, equality and fraternity-inspiring legislation ever inaugurated. Accordingly, he accepted also the Pentateuch as Divinely inspired; and thus his faith accepted the whole Bible.

He continued to study the Scriptures privately and in an independent Bible class at Alleghany, Pa.; and by 1872, four years after he started out in quest of the Divine revelation, he not only accepted the entire Bible as that revelation, but also the fol­lowing points as its main teachings: the unity of God; the Divine Sonship of Jesus; the Spirit as God’s power and disposition; man’s fall from perfection into sin; death as sin’s penalty (Rom. 6:23); the unconsciousness of the dead (Eccl. 9:5); the Ransom as guaranteeing an opportunity for the elect in this life and for the non-elect in the Millennium; the eternity of the physical universe (Ecc. 1:4); the destruction of the symbolic world at Christ’s Second Advent (2 Peter 3:10-12); the Second Advent for the restitution of all things (Acts 3:19-21); eternal life in heaven for the elect, and on earth for the saved non-elect; and eternal annihilation for the incorrigible.

It was in 1875 that the antitype of Nebuchadnezzar’s examining Daniel (vs. 18-20) began. From 1872 to 1875 Brother Russell continued to increase in grace, knowledge and fruitfulness in service. It was in October 1874, that he came to see that Jesus in His resurrection became a Spirit being, and that therefore He would not in His Second Advent come in the flesh, but as a glorious Divine Spirit, and necessarily then would be invis­ible to human natural sight. He embodied these thoughts as well as those on the object of our Lord’s return in a tract entitled, The Object and Manner of Our Lord’s Return. The misteachings of the Adventists on the object and manner of our Lord’s return had raised more or less doubts and questions in many minds, and this aroused Brother Russell to write and spread that tract, which was circulated to the extent of 50,000 copies.

THE METAL–MAN DREAM

The second chapter of Daniel treats of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the metallic image of a man with a golden head, silver shoulders and arms, brazen belly, iron thighs and legs, and feet and toes of a mixture of iron and clay, and of the stone which destroyed the image and then grew into a mountain, filling the entire earth. It is not our pur­pose in our study of Daniel – type and antitype – to point out the prophetic features of Daniel, since that is sufficiently done in Studies, Volumes One, Two and Three. Here we limit our attention to the typical features of this book. Nor will we rehearse the typ­ical features. Rather, we will merely indicate them by the citing of the verses in which they occur, asking our readers to have the book of Daniel open at the pertinent part for the sake of reference. In interpreting Daniel’s interpretation of the dream, our Pastor gave its prophetic teachings. At the same time, the entire story of Dan. 2 types something very interesting. Typically, this chapter sets forth the meaning of history under the rule of the nations during the Times of the Gentiles and the prophe­sied role of God’s Kingdom as the destroyer and successor of these.

In this chapter, as in the preceding one, Nebuchadnezzar types the Gospel-Age nom­inal people of God, who, as such, have been in existence since the Jewish Harvest. His having the dream represents the nominal people of God having a proper view of the mean­ing of history as exemplified in the four universal Gentile powers and in their ten suc­cessor powers, and of the role of the prophesied Kingdom of God as their destroyer and successor; for the Apostles properly taught the early Christians that, as represented by the deterioration of the metals from gold to silver, from silver to brass, from brass to iron and from iron to a mixture of iron and clay, under the Gentile rule the race and its governments would become more and more fallen and depraved – and that when depravity would reach its height the kingdoms of this world would be destroyed by God’s Kingdom, which would stand forever. This, in brief, is the philosophy of human history under Gentile rule and the prophetic role of the Kingdom of God. And this view, taught by the Apostles, remained with the real and nominal people of God for several centuries.

The papacy’s teaching another theory of God’s Kingdom in its time and other rela­tions to the kingdoms of this world darkened the subject; for it taught that it was God’s Kingdom commissioned to convert the world and rule over it for 1,000 years before Christ’s return, whereas it was the clay mingled with iron in the feet and toes. (The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach similarly about their organization in our day.) This view gradually caused the one given to the nominal people of God by the Apostles to be for­gotten by them (the thing is gone from them, v. 5). For many centuries the true view was forgotten; and it was only beginning with the illumination – in 1748 – that nominal Christians began to demand an explanation of the meaning of history from the clergy (Chaldeans), the professors (magi), the historians (astrologers) and the prophets (sor­cerers) of Christendom (v. 2). Their inability to tell what was the early view of Christians thereon, as well as its meaning, was typed by the inability of Nebuchadnez­zar’s wise men to tell the dream and its interpretation (vs. 4–11).

The decree to slay the wise men of Babylon types the determination of the thinking members of the nominal church to set aside as their teachers (a symbolic killing) the wise men of Christendom. Arioch (vs. 14,15) represents those who led the people in set­ting aside such teachers, i.e., the free thinkers, higher critics, etc., who beginning about 1785, worked to undermine popular confidence in Christendom’s wise men as teachers. Undoubtedly, the prestige of such wise men was greatly decreased with ever–increasing numbers of nominal people of God from that time onward. Arioch’s seeking Daniel (v. 13) represents that such free thinkers, higher critics, etc., sought to undermine Brother Russell as a teacher in Christendom. Daniel’s tact in dealing with Arioch (vs. 14,15) types Brother Russell’s tact in dealing with free thinkers, etc. Arioch’s telling Dan­iel the situation (v. 15) types the free thinkers, etc., telling the situation of the antitypical wise men to Brother Russell.

Daniel’s going to the king and obtaining time to consider and answer the matter (v. 16) represents Brother Russell’s standing before the nominal people of God as a teacher of religion and promising, if allowed due time, to solve the matter at hand. Daniel’s laying the matter before his three friends and asking their united prayers over the matter (vs. 17, 18) represents Brother Russell’s habit of asking suggestions from the brethren when in difficulty and asking their prayers for Divine enlightenment, e.g., when he was perplexed over the meaning of the voice of the three signs (Reprint 4057, last par.). Members of the Bethel family will recall such things as occurring. This course he followed in the present instance. God’s revealing this matter to Daniel (v. 19) types God’s making known to Brother Russell the view of the early Christians on the meaning of history as exemplified in the Gentile rule and the prophesied role of God’s Kingdom. Daniel’s thanksgiving (vs. 19-23) types Brother Russell’s thanksgiving at this mercy of God. Daniel’s desiring Arioch not to destroy Babylon’s wise men (v. 24) repre­sents Brother Russell’s refutation of the course of the free thinkers, etc., which was a hindrance to their object. Arioch’s bringing Daniel to the king as one who would tell and interpret the dream (v. 25) types the free thinkers, etc., more or less praising Brother Russell, whose kindly manner and logical teachings favorably impressed them.

Nebuchadnezzar’s asking Daniel if he could give and interpret the dream (v. 26) types the nominal people of God inquiring, i.e., searching Brother Russell’s teachings for an answer to the matter on hand. Daniel’s reminding Nebuchadnezzar that Babylon’s wise men could not answer his questions (v. 27) types Brother Russell’s statements that Christendom’s clergy, professors, learned ones, prophets and philosophers have been un­able to answer the matter. Daniel’s attributing the implied wisdom, not to himself, but to God (v. 28), types Brother Russell’s denying that he had his wisdom of himself, but that it was of God, who revealed the knowledge to him as due. Daniel’s telling and in­terpreting the dream (vs. 28-45) types Brother Russell’s showing the view of the early Christians on the increasing depravity accompanying the rule of the Gentiles and on the role of God’s Kingdom as the destroyer and successor of these. This view our Pastor gave in his writings, sermons and lectures. The king’s honoring and promoting Daniel (vs. 46-48) type how increasingly the people of Christendom honored Brother Russell, re­garding him as above all other religious teachers of Christendom. Daniel’s desiring promotion for his three friends (v. 49) types Brother Russell’s using his position to advance the Lord’s people as teachers in Christendom. Daniel’s sitting in the king’s gate (v. 49, place of chief prominence), types the great and favorable publicity that Brother Russell got especially from 1913 onward.

In the events of Daniel 3, Daniel took no part. It has often occasioned wonder as to where Daniel was while Shadrach, Meshach and Abed–nego were undergoing the trial of the golden image and the fiery furnace. While the record is silent on this point, one thing is certain about it, i.e., that Daniel was absent from the plain of Dura; for he certainly would have stood beside his three friends, had he been present. When we look at the antitype it becomes manifest that Daniel, who throughout his book types our Pas­tor, could not have been there; for had he been present it would have spoiled the anti­type; for Brother Russell died before either of the two fulfilments set in where he lived. Thus in the light of the antitype Daniel’s absence during the events described in Chapter 3 is entirely clear. Nevertheless, Daniel wrote this, as well as the rest of the book that bears his name. And what does his writing this chapter type? Brother Russell’s giving the two antitypes of this chapter, e.g., one in Reprints 2495, 2496, and the other in Reprints 4873, 4874. Thus in giving these two antitypes of this chap­ter our Pastor antityped Daniel in writing it.

THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL

The fifth chapter of Daniel treats of Belshazzar’s feast, the handwriting on the wall, its reading and interpretation. In one of the pictures used in the German Photo ­Drama the antitype of the interpretation is given. Therein Brother Russell is repre­sented as giving the right interpretation, while the clergy, etc., are pictured forth as in confusion thereover. In this picture Belshazzar types the nominal people of God in state, church and capital especially their leaders as a class. His 1,000 lords (v. 1) represent these leaders distributively as being many, i.e., in their totality. His wives represent the main organizations of the nominal people of God, and his concubines their lesser organizations.  The feast types the Parousia privileges and advantages that the nominal people of God appropriated to themselves – particularly so in the church unions during the Harvest period. The golden and silver vessels (vs. 2, 3) type the Di­vine truths that had been taken captive in the Dark Ages with God’s real people into symbolic Babylon. The sending of these vessels types the requirements that the teachings of God’s Word be made subservient to Babylon’s unclean uses. Putting Babylon’s wine in­to these vessels types the corruption of the Divine truth with Babylon’s errors. The banqueters’ drinking therefrom types the antitypical Babylonians’ partaking of a mixture of truth and error in their Parousia feast. The fingers of a man’s hand (v. 5) that wrote on the wall represent the exhibition of Divine power (hand) on symbolic Babylon’s walls (her political, financial, ecclesiastical, social and labor powers). The king’s seeing the part of the hand that wrote (v. 5) types the nominal people of God recogniz­ing in part that it was a manifestation of Divine power that they witnessed. And such power was manifest in the signs of the times occurring in Babylon’s political, finan­cial, ecclesiastical, labor and social powers.

The great perturbation of the king at the sight (v. 6) types Christendom’s fears at the events which proved to be the signs of the times – “men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth.” (Luke 21:26) The king’s demand that the wise men of Babylon be brought before him (v. 7) types the demand of the nominal people of God that the wise men of Christendom be summoned to the fore on the subject at hand. His offer to give the purple robe, the golden chain and the third position in the kingdom to the one who would read and interpret the handwrit­ing, represents Christendom’s reward of making the true reader and interpreter the roy­ally accepted (purple robe), Divinely authorized (golden chain on the neck) chief teacher in the religious (the third) department of symbolic Babylon.

The failure of the king’s wise men to interpret the handwriting types the failure of Christendom’s learned men, clergy and prophets, to read and interpret the signs of the times. Belshazzar’s increased fears and that of his lords (v. 9) types the increased perplexity of the nominal people of God, particularly of its leaders, at the events which proved to be the signs of the times, etc. Daniel’s being brought in before the king (v. 13) types Brother Russell being brought in before the nominal people of God by his writings, sermons and lectures. Daniel’s first statement (v. 17), that the king keep his gifts or bestow his rewards upon another types Brother Russell’s disinterested­ness; for he gladly gave his service in the cause of Truth freely, declining to accept financial recompense therefor. “Seats free – No collections” was his shibboleth during his entire ministry.

First of all Daniel read the writing (v. 25), which the Babylonian wise men could not even read. Then, as Daniel explained the meaning of the words (vs. 26-28), so Broth­er Russell explained the meaning of the signs: MENE (v. 26) – “God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it.” This Brother Russell explained as the 2520 years of the Gen­tile Times, which would end in 1914. Very significant in this connection is the fact that the numeric value of those words on the wall is exactly 2520 – Mene, 1000; Mene, 1000; Tekel, 20; Peres 500, the gerah being the unit here meant. Thus Brother Russell boldly declared, many years before 1914, that the allotted years of Gentile rule were 2520, and that they would end in 1914 by a great world-wide war. The beginning of the war precipitated Christendom into two antagonistic camps – the Radicals and the Conservatives, with the breach between the two becoming ever wider with each passing year. This will presently eventuate in the complete destruction of the Conservative camp, with the resultant obliteration of the present forms of state, church and capital.

In addition, he related that these signs of pending doom also indicated the immi­nence of God’s Kingdom as the kingdom that would succeed the kingdoms of this world. Thus did he point out the three great things indicated by the signs of the times: (1) the end of the Gentile Times; (2) Babylon’s judgment going against her; and (3) the overthrow of Satan’s empire, to be succeeded by God’s two-phased Kingdom. Brother Rus­sell explained these things in crystal clarity, which none of Babylon’s wise men could do. They could not even recognize their significance. Events since 1914 amply corrob­orate the truth of his readings. Daniel’s being accepted as the third (the religious) ruler in Babylon types that Brother Russell was increasingly regarded as the greatest religious teacher in Christendom; and his renown was world-wide.

HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE

Much of the foregoing is taken from Brother Johnson’s writings; and from it we may properly draw the conclusion that he was fully persuaded that Brother Russell was “that servant” (Matt. 24:45-47). And such persuasion convinced Brother Johnson that the sys­tem of Truth Brother Russell presented, with all important doctrines of the Bible clearly and correctly explained, should be retained as he gave it. Thus, Brother Johnson was bold in defending all attempts to pervert the Truth as it is contained in Tabernacle Shadows and the Six Volumes of Studies in the Scriptures. This he did from the heart, and not by mere lip service.

Both of these Messengers died late in October, and we fondly pay homage to both of them at this season of the year. It is in order here to state that during Brother Rus­sell’s lifetime the Truth group he led was almost 100% solidly persuaded that he was That Servant, but quite a few denied the fact shortly after he was gone. And many others who laud Brother Russell reject large parts of the Truth he gave us – chief among these are the Jehovah’s Witnesses. This is strikingly similar to the Roman Catholics, who claim they originated with the Apostle Peter but also reject about every important teach­ing he gave. Thus, consistency in their words and in their acts is sadly absent.

Of both of these “men of God” (2 Tim. 3: 17) we offer the appropriate tribute: “Wealth and riches [rich in faith and in knowledge of the Lord, as well as rich in char­acter] shall be in his house: his righteousness endureth forever... A good man will guide his affairs with discretion... The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.” (Psa. 112:3-6)

(Brother Hoefle, Reprint 304, October 1980)

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Sister: Greetings in the Name of Jesus, our Beloved Savior!

Received your “CTR” book with the hardcover. Yes, I should have more than one on hand.

You, in your note that came with the hard-covered book said, “But the more people persecuted the Russellites and Brother Russell when he was here, the more people became interested to find out what he taught.”

You continued to say, “They even burned his books in the front of many churches, and that even helped – made people curious to know what it was about.” You must re­member they burned the Bibles at one time, but the Bible was preserved the same as Brother Russell’s books were preserved.

And you said, “The word was loud and clear, ‘Come out of her, my people.’ They came out! And the ones that came out were greatly blessed.”

With love ------- (CONNECTICUT)

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NO. 425: THE REWARDS OF SACRIFICE

No. 425

“I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1)

Nowhere in the Scriptures are we commanded by the Lord to sacrifice our earthly rights and privileges. The Divine commands end at the line of justice. In other words, justice and righteousness are one and the same thing. Sacrifice, self–denial, taking up the cross to follow Jesus, are all propositions away beyond the Divine Law. The Law Covenant proffered a perpetuation of human life to all who would fulfill its require­ments. None of the Jews, with whom the covenant was made, were able to fulfill those re­quirements, except the One who came from above and for whom was provided a perfect human body, which enabled Him to keep the requirements of the Law Covenant entitling Him, therefore, to everlasting earthly life.

The New Law Covenant, under the antitypical Mediator, will offer the same reward of everlasting human perfection to all who will fulfill its requirements. Its superiority over the first Law Covenant will consist in its having a better Mediator, capable of helping mankind fully out of condemnation, death and weakness and authorized so to do because of the merit of His “better sacrifices.”

But while Jesus, born under the law, was obligated to the conditions of that cove­nant and fulfilled them and through them had a right to everlasting earthly life, He did more. He sacrificed that earthly life – laid it down – permitted sinful men to take it from Him without resistance, although He had the power to call for legions of angels for protection. This was His sacrifice. He did not sacrifice sinful weaknesses, for He had none. He sacrificed perfect life and all His legal rights and privileges. His reward for so doing was exaltation from human nature to the Divine nature – far above that of angels, principalities and powers. (Eph. 1:21) Thus exalted, He has human rights (which He never forfeited) to give Adam and his race – their ransom–price. These He will give them in the end of this Age, applying them to the sealing of the New Law Covenant, under which Israel and all mankind may be restored to all that was lost through the first man’s disobedience. Meantime, the glorified Redeemer uses that sacrificial merit (which He intends to give eventually to the world) to cover (imputatively) the blemishes of those of the Household of Faith who may hear the Divine call (and accept the same) to follow in the footsteps of Jesus – to sacrifice and suffer with Him in the flesh, that they may be glorified and reign with Him on the spirit plane beyond the veil. [“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” (2 Tim. 2:12) – also see Col. 3:24]

SIN–OFFERING SACRIFICES ACCEPTABLE DURING THE GOSPEL AGE ONLY

Throughout this Gospel Age the Law Covenant has continued upon the Jews only, the remainder of the world being without any Covenant with God and waiting for the “Times of Restitution” under the New Law Covenant of the future. (Acts 3:19-21; Jer. 31:31-34)

It is during this time (the Gospel Age) that God draws and calls a certain loyal class and gives them an opportunity of sharing with their Redeemer in sacrificial death. The faithful will be counted His members or His bride or joint-heirs in His Kingdom of glory and honor and immortality. All men, in proportion as they know the Divine will (what is just, from the Divine standpoint), are correspondingly by duty bound to fulfill that righteous requirement or Law of God to the extent of ability. But those desirous of following in the footsteps of Jesus are shown what they can do more than justice; but they are not commanded to do more. All sacrificing is a privilege, not a duty, not a command. In harmony with this, St. Paul writes, not commandingly, but entreatingly, “I beseech you, brethren... present your bodies living sacrifices.” He did not command this. To have made it a command would at once prevent the opportunity of sacrifice. What we sacrifice is something not commanded. Whatever is commanded of God is obliga­tion and not sacrifice.

The Ancient Worthies presented their bodies, laid down their lives, renouncing earthly rights, but they did not sacrifice [as did the Saints, filling up that which was left behind of Christ’s suffering for His Body – Col. 1:24]. Why? Because it is one thing to kill and another to have the slain creature accepted of God as a sacrifice. God did not call for human sacrifices prior to Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself. God was un­willing to accept imperfect blemished creatures at His altar. [His merit made the Gos­pel-Age consecrators perfect.] They might lay down their lives, but He would not count them sacrifices. Jesus was accepted as a sacrifice because He was perfect and His fol­lowers, since Pentecost, have been acceptable as sacrifices, because they are perfect ­made so by the Redeemer’s imputation to them of a sufficiency of His merit to compensate their blemishes.

Thus this Gospel Age is called the “acceptable day [or time] of the Lord,” because, during this Gospel Age God is willing to accept a predestined number as joint-sacri­ficers with Jesus. But as soon as that predestined number shall have been completed the acceptable time will immediately end. No more presentations will be accepted as sacrifices.

But suppose that some should present themselves after the close of the acceptable time; what would be their status and God’s dealing with them?

Since God is unchangeable we must assume that He would always be pleased to have His creatures devote their lives wholly and unreservedly to the doing of His will, as He was pleased with the faithfulness of the Ancient Worthies to lay down their lives before a covenant of sacrifice was in force. We may reason that as God has promised human per­fection to these Ancient Worthies who laid down their lives He would be willing simi­larly to reward any who might follow the same course after the completion of the Church – after the ending of the acceptable time of sacrifice.

Quite likely, therefore, there will be some in the end of this Age who, although faithful unto death, will not have been begotten of the Holy Spirit and not attain the spirit plane of being in the resurrection, but will come forth members of the same class as the Ancient Worthies, who were developed before this Age began.

THE PRESENTATION OF ONESELF ALWAYS A REASONABLE SERVICE

In view of these facts our advice to all who love the Lord and who desire to be in complete fellowship with Him is the same message that has gone forth throughout this Age – “We beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, present your bodies living sac­rifices.” We cannot now assure them that, after presenting themselves as sacrifices, God will accept them as such and grant them spirit begetting to a new nature; but we can assure them that  it will be their reasonable service and that God always gives large rewards to those who manifest their faith and loyalty towards Him and His cause. We can tell them, too, that, to our understanding, the Scriptures teach that the Ancient Worthy class (of which they may be a part if they fail to be accepted to the new nature) will be highly honored of God, perfect on the human plane and made “princes in all the earth.” We can assure them that, according to our understanding, these princes will have a glorious precedence over the rest of mankind as the special representatives of the in­visible Messiah class for a thousand years. We can assure them that, to our understand­ing, after participating in that glorious work, these princes will be uplifted at the close of the Millennium to the spirit plane of being – as part of the antitypical Levites.

Since none can know when the elect number will be fully completed, all should be alike anxious to lay down their lives in the service of God and of His truth. To say that we would refuse to serve because any uncertainty would prevail in our minds re­specting the character of our reward would show our unworthiness of any favor of God, for, to be acceptable to Him, our service must not be rendered to obtain the reward, but to serve righteousness and to please God! “I delight to do thy will, 0 God’’ – every­thing written in the Book. Hence at Memorial season all of the consecrated should man­ifest their love, loyalty, obedience, faithfulness, by symbolizing the Redeemer’s death and symbolizing also their own desire to share in the sufferings of Christ as parts of the “broken loaf” and as participators in the cup of His suffering.

As to how much we should expect for our children is another matter. It is not for us to say at how early an age the children might demonstrate loyalty to God and to the truth in a manner pleasing and acceptable to God. Those who are parents should, in all reasonable ways, by example and precept, illustrate and exemplify their appreciation of the privilege of the Lord’s service – even unto death. Furthermore, their children should be instructed weekly and, if possible, daily, in respect to the different fea­tures of the truth, that they may receive as much as possible.

God knows whether a child of tender years and short mental and heart development might not present himself in an acceptable manner. Parents, therefore, should do their best by their children and leave the results with the Lord, with full satisfaction with whatever may be His wise, just and loving decision for them, either on the earthly or on the heavenly plane. We are to remember, however, that none can enter either of these planes of instantaneous perfection in the resurrection unless his trial be finished suc­cessfully in the present life and by passing into death. The remainder of mankind, how­ever, as already shown, will then have glorious opportunities and possibilities before them. (Pastor Russell, Reprints 4835-4836, June 15, 1911)

There are three ways in which the closing of this door might be indicated: first, by a definite Bible statement of the exact date; second, by such a reversal of public sentiment with reference to the truth, that fidelity and zeal in its service would no longer meet with opposition, and when suffering with Christ for the truth’s sake (Rom. 8:17) would be no longer possible; or third, by such a condition of affairs obtaining in the world that all opportunity for such service would be effectually obstructed, thus leaving no opportunities for candidates to enter into the work and to develop and prove their love and faithfulness by their activity and endurance. (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 3, bottom of p. 207 and top of p. 208)

The persecution Brother Russell and his followers endured during his lifetime are no longer with us today. All Christendom joined together in assault against Brother Russell. He was often the subject of the clergy in their sermons. His books were burned in front of many churches.

We don’t hear of anything like that today about Bible Students. Even the Jehovah’s Witnesses are ignored. Some of them invite persecution by their attitude toward indi­viduals in their “witness” work. But even they are treated courteously by most nominal Christians. Even if they don’t like them, they tolerate them.

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DANIEL ZION, FORMER CHIEF RABBI OF BULGARIA

As far as I know, my late husband Casimir and I were the first American Bible Stu­dents privileged to visit the new State of Israel after its miraculous rebirth in 1948. We went there in 1950 and 1951 on a journalistic and filming mission.

This “pilgrimage” was fraught with miracles for us as well. Just one of these truly exciting aspects of that trip was brought about by our being invited to stay in the same complex in Jerusalem where Rabbi Daniel Zion resided, and it is the story centering on this unique man of God that I will write today.

Shortly after our arrival in Israel in 1950 we saw headlines in the newspapers there about the fact that Daniel Zion, formerly the Chief Rabbi of Bulgaria, had not only led a mass immigration of his fellow Bulgarian Jews to Israel but soon afterwards read the New Testament and openly declared that Jesus was and is truly Israel’s long-­awaited Messiah!

Well, this in itself was shocking enough to the citizens of the new-born State, but the most dramatic background account makes it greatly more meaningful.

You see, as Chief Rabbi in Bulgaria during the Nazi regime, Daniel Zion boldly confronted the Bulgaria’s King, Boris III, and warned him to have nothing to do with Hitler or the wrath of God would come upon him.

Instead of appreciating their Chief Rabbi’s brave move, the Bulgarian Jewish community panicked, fearing retribution upon them, and even went to the point of de­posing Daniel Zion as their Chief Rabbi.

Without going into the historical details about King Boris’ failure to heed Daniel Zion’s warning (Bulgaria’s alliance with the Nazis but conquered by the Sov­iets in 1944 – after King Boris’ mysterious death in 1943), the Bulgarian Jewish community was astounded to find, at the end of World War II, that “somehow” the Bulgarian Jews had been relatively spared as compared with the “Final Solution” tragically imposed upon 6,000,000 European Jews. They came to the conclusion that God must have honored Daniel Zion’s actions and promptly reinstated him as Chief Rabbi of Bulgaria.

Not long afterward the State of Israel was reborn. Faithful to his vision of God’s purpose, Chief Rabbi Daniel Zion urged the Bulgarian Jews to immigrate en masse to Israel, which most of them did, under his leadership.

You can imagine that the Bulgarian Jews were extremely reluctant to criticize their spiritual leader a second time, saying they did not “want to be burned again” by opposing him; in fact, quite a few of these Bulgarian Jews, as well as other Israelis, did look into the New Testament as a result of Daniel Zion’s stance and likewise became convinced that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed their Messiah. And even the Bulgarian Jews who did not go along with Daniel Zion’s “new faith,” continued their respect and admiration for him.

Here we were, living in the same building with this venerable Jewish rabbi! Already in his 80’s, Daniel Zion’s white-haired appearance and humble demeanor epit­omized a truly reverent saint of God. How sad we were that we could not speak his language.

Casimir’s limited knowledge of Russian enabled him to communicate on a limited basis with Daniel Zion, but we were blessed to have the help of another famous Jew­ish believer, Abram Poljak, a name familiar to many Bible Students. (Abram Poljak’s story also deserves telling at another time. As a leading journalist who escaped the clutches of the Nazis, he fled to England where he met three other prominent German Jews – one a member of the house of Rothschild – and together they found that they had all four accepted “Yeshua HaMaschiach” – Jesus the Messiah. But this is another story.)

Suffice to say that Abram Poljak, a close friend and brother in the faith to Dan­iel Zion, filled us in on the particulars of Daniel Zion’s life – and also answering our questions about the many visitors whom we saw entering Daniel Zion’s premises and arguing loudly with him, while we could see Daniel Zion calmly trying to quiet them down in a dignified way.

It seems that they were local missionaries who were greatly impressed by Daniel Zion’s open avowal of his allegiance to Jesus. Some of them wanted to “claim him for their own,” additionally, especially, to convince him of the doctrine of the Trinity. Daniel Zion, steeped in Judaism and its most oft-repeated Biblical phrase, “The Lord Our God Is One,” staunchly resisted the efforts of these missionaries.

This development made it all the more frustrating for us not to be able to speak his language. To make a long story short, as soon as we returned to the States we ac­quired a copy of The Atonement Between God And Man, the Fifth Volume of Pastor Charles Taze Russell’s Studies in the Scriptures, translated into French, a language that Dan­iel Zion knew well, and mailed it to him with the highest of recommendations, as con­taining a most cogent Scriptural refutation of the God-dishonoring doctrine of the Trinity.

One of the most moving and gratifying moments of our entire lives came when we received the reply from this beloved servant of God. He wrote that the book we had sent him was the most important one he had ever received! To learn that we had been able to help bless such a Bible scholar of long standing touched our hearts.

Of course, we kept in touch with Daniel Zion and were able to visit him from time to time when we returned to Israel. One of the last times we saw him before he died, he told us that he was busy translating the Daily Heavenly Manna from Eng­lish into Hebrew and that he was already up to the month of April in this task. (It had been our privilege to purchase and send him a typewriter with Hebrew char­acters.)

One of our most prized possessions has been the slide picture we took of Dan­iel Zion standing before the DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES CHART, on his wall, again trans­lated into Hebrew. It was our joy to screen this picture and tell the story before many of our audiences across America and abroad. Now, in my later years, it is a pre­cious memory that warms and gladdens my heart. (Elva Lanowick)

The following are excerpts from the letter which accompanied the above account of experiences of Elva Lanowick and her husband Casimir:

“A loving Shalom wings its way to you in His precious Name! I have not forgotten my promise to write out the account about the late Rabbi Daniel Zion... I hope it meets with your approval, and that it will be of much blessing to your readers.

“On another subject, did you ever read the book, This Is The Millennium, by Shelah Ben Hanan? It was written from a Bible Student point of view. I would like your opinion of the book.

“Finally, yesterday I learned of a truly thrilling article that appeared in the B’nai B’rith Messenger explaining in detail how the people of Israel have had supreme faith in God’s protection during these weeks when they have been subjected to missile assaults from their enemy (God’s enemy), Saddam Hussein. Will see if I can get it copied in time to enclose in this envelope.

Yours by His tender mercies, Elva

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EDITORIAL

Everyone expects the Jews to be the only real Christians in this world. Actions permitted other nations are forbidden to the Jews! Other nations victorious on the battle field dictate the peace terms, but when Israel is victorious she must sue for peace. Other defeated nations survive and recover; but should the Arabs triumph, Israel would be wiped off the map and no one would lift a finger to save the Jews!

Other nations drive out thousands, even a million, and there is no refugee problem. Russia did it; Turkey drove out a million Greeks, and Algeria a million Frenchmen; Indonesia threw out heaven knows how many Chinese – and no one says a word about refugees!

But in the case of Israel, the displaced Arabs have become eternal refugees. Everyone insists that Israel must take back every single Arab. Arnold Toynbee calls the displacement of the Arabs an atrocity greater than any committed by the Nazis, yet no men­tion is made of the equal number of Jews who fled Arab lands.

No commitment to the Jews by any government, ours included, is worth the paper it is written on. There is a cry of outrage all over the world when people die in Vietnam or when two Negroes are executed in Rhodesia. But when Hitler slaughtered Jews no one remonstrated with him.

The Swedes, who where ready to break off diplomatic relations with America over Vietnam, did not let out a peep when Hitler slaughtered the Jews. They sent Hitler choice iron ore and ball bearings and serviced his troop trains to Norway!

The Jews are alone in the world. If Israel survives it will be solely because of Jewish efforts and Jewish resources. [Israel will survive, but not solely because of Jewish efforts and resources: It will be because God will deliver her in due time.]

Yet at this moment Israel is our only reliable and uncondi­tional ally. We can rely more on Israel than Israel can rely on us. And one has only to imagine what would happen should the Arabs and their Russian backers win the Middle East to realize how vital the survival of Israel is to America and the West in general.

I have a premonition that will not leave me: as it goes with Israel so it will go with all of us. Should Israel perish the Holocaust will be upon us. ISRAEL MUST LIVE! (By Eric Hoffer)

Elva Lanowick, Christian-Israel Friendship League, Paradise, California, sent us the above Editorial by Eric Hoffer with the comment: “This 1975 article by the late Eric Hoffer, famous long­shoreman intellectual and author (of San Francisco) seems to be worthy of reprinting at this time of another crisis foist upon Israel.”

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Hello, my sister: Grace and peace to you in His Name!

I pray all is well with you. I thought I’d reply to your letters of May 24 and June 8... Glen Grossman is a strange fellow. He is divorced with two children... He also has about five foster kids he sponsors around the world... Glen is quite philan­thropic... He is a Jew who knows nothing about Jewry... He doesn’t even know the name of Jehovah or Yahweh. It was all Greek to him. He is a fervent Zionist, but I’m not sure he knows the extent of it. I told him about Brother Russell and the Bible Student Movements and, of course, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their deviation from Brother Rus­sell’s teaching. He seemed impressed with Brother Russell.

I gave him the Divine Plan and the Restoration of Israel, plus other Bible Student literature on Israel and prophecy. He thanked me and said he wouldn’t mind me giving you his address... He doesn’t care too much for the Temple worship. He was turned off by all the hypocrisy and emphasis on money. His parents are very prominent in the Temple. He’s a black sheep of the family... He might be just a very nice person who will never learn the truth until the Kingdom. Jews can be very stubborn with which I think you will agree.

As to your questions, yes I do have a Diaglott. As a matter of fact, I have five or six. I keep them because I know they are in demand by Bible Students. Occasionally I send them to brethren on request. So, if you know of any, let me know. I have a Diaglott from the days of Brother Russell. I paid $100.00 for it. I’m a collector of the works of Brother Russell, having in my library original Watch Towers from 1900 and up. I also have the Millennial Dawn and various editions of the Scripture Studies, plus Hymns, Poems, Tabernacle and the Manna book. Anything I find I buy. Some are very ex­pensive. But I don’t buy them for the dollar value but rather for the spiritual and sentimental value. I’m looking for both the Holman Linear Bible and the Bible Student Bible.

Oh, by the way, thanks for keeping me in your prayers. I believe the Lord heard you. I have found a job. I work for a Law Firm just ten minutes walk from my home. I handle all their financial business and office management. As a matter of fact, to my surprise they even handle cases concerning the Watchtower Society. Most of the cases concern building permits. JW’s buy property for a hall, and once the people find out they get all upset and protest. So they manage to get the area rezoned so that a reli­gious organization cannot build a church on the property.

Many of the Bible Students have their own interpretation of what Brother Russell wrote and taught... I guess if nothing happens in the present time, all will know the truth later. The Lord will correct all things in due time – in His “due time “

Well, Emily, time is running out. It’s getting late, so I’ll speak to you later. Enclosed is a photo of me taken some months ago when I was in Connecticut visiting a friend.

Take good care of yourself and know that I love you and that you’re in my prayers

always.

Yours in His Name, ------- (NEW YORK)

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Dear Friend,

This letter was written several days ago but just now reached the typewriter. ... Your letter arrived a few days ago and since the overall idea of ZION is close to my heart, I put everything aside and read those papers, Zionism – Parts 1 and 2. Part One especially fascinated me. Both are magnificent documents delineating the (his) story of Zionism and the checkered history of the Jewish People, although briefly. Both are profoundly and scholarly written.

You thought I might disagree with some aspects of the writings. Who am I to dis­agree? – not knowing anywhere nearly as much about the subject as John Hoefle or Pastor Russell who obviously studied and researched the subject far more than this humble soul. Pastor Russell was truly a great soul to stick his neck out and invade hostile terri­tory. He actually made that history. This takes unbounded courage, especially since whatever he did was not for material gain. That idea is an excellent measure of a man. And John Hoefle was a great soul to put all these things on paper, educationally and scholarly executed.

Speaking of false teachers, in my early experience in my search for TRUTH in the forties and fifties – as I traveled from one teacher to another, from one teaching to another – I met no less than a dozen men, most of them deeply sincere, who considered themselves the twentieth century reincarnation of the “Christ.” How many others might there be elsewhere? There is probably no time in history that was devoid of such claim­ants.

Concerning Jerusalem as the “Daughter of Zion,” it has been my thought that ZION is the greater, more abstract, more inclusive representation or concept of the Jews and their homeland, especially their aspirations, and is therefore the subjective reality of this great dream, while JERUSALEM as a city, is the materialistic, physical out-picturing of this dream on planet Earth, and therefore its “objective expression.” Even so, the idea of “The New Jerusalem” has often been interpreted as the abstract vision of the whole “New Age” concept of ZION through Jerusalem. My visit to Jerusalem in April of 1990 revealed that in this mountainous city there is not a straight street and not a level street. Nevertheless, there are many modern hotels, stores and shops, etc. Is not then Jerusalem the “Daughter of Zion”?

The chaos of communication in Palestine retarded progress in many ways. To solve this problem, YHVH took a bold step as usual and “raised up a champion to devote his life toward achieving a solution.” (Most people as you know are not aware of the work­ing of cosmic law.)

In his splendid book, “The History of the Jews,” published by Knopf, 1964, the au­thor, Abram Leon Sachar, Ph.D., Prof. at Brandeis University, on p. 409 narrates briefly the story of a young student of Hebrew named Eleizer Ben Yehuda, born in Russia in 1858, who was inspired to migrate to Israel, rather Palestine, in 1881 with his new young wife. On board ship under the stars, they resolved never to utter a word in any lan­guage other than Hebrew during their lifetime. This young man had heard about the ‘Tow­er of Babel’ in Palestine caused by an enormous variety of “tongues” spoken by immigrants from many different countries, and was inspired to create a Hebrew dictionary. He was sickly, afflicted with TB, but his determination kept him going. The devotion of his wife contributed enormously to his success. After 50 years of devotion and hard work, powerful opposition, criticism, lack of funds, lack of cooperation, he finally completed the monumental task of creating a Hebrew Dictionary. He was successful in getting the Hebrew language introduced in the schools, thus assuring his success. Soon the children carried the language into their homes and people began communicating in Hebrew. Today Hebrew is a well recognized language. Students from all over the world coming to Israel to study in Israeli schools and colleges must first learn the language. Notwithstanding this problem, Israel ranks first in ratio of students to total population. Is this de­velopment not the outstretched arm of YHVH directing the destiny of Israel?

The monuments to Pastor Charles Taze Russell are imaginative and appropriate, the Pyramid reminding me of my visit to the Pyramids of Egypt – another most fascinating experience. This was with a Masonic group. Other than the pyramids and the ancient symbolic Nile River, Egypt has very little to offer tourists.

Love and best wishes, ----------- (NEW  YORK)

Note: Mr. ------ is a world traveler, having recently returned from a five-month tour during which he visited more than twenty of the major countries. Mr. ------ does not represent any particular organization or movement. But he presents TRUTH as a free and independent SOUL, as he sees it. He has raised his voice and spoken candidly about the aches and pains in our organized society.

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Dear Mr. Horowitz:

Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your book on Charles Taze Russell and also for your kind words about my story on B’nai No’ach.

Even a cursory browse through your book told me things I didn’t know. I look for­ward to reading it. Thanks again.

Sincerely, -------------- (ATLANTA,  GEORGIA)

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