NO. 490 HAS GOD CHANGED HIS PLAN REGARDING HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE?

A question may arise: Since God selected Israel as his “Chosen People” to be the light-bearer of truth and righteousness to the world, and since Israel has been unfaithful, “stiff-necked and rebellious,” has God changed his plan and purpose concerning them?

We answer, No, thank God. God emphatically affirms the fixedness of His purpose: “Jehovah of hosts hath sworn, saying surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it be... The Lord of hosts hath purposed and who shall disannul it.” “I am God and there is none else; I am God and there is none like me... my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure... yea I have spoken it, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed it, and I will also do it.” (Isa. 14:24-27; 46:9-11) However unfaithful, stiff-necked and rebellious Israel has been, and however unfavorable, hard and drastic God’s dealings with them may appear, His original and unalterable purpose of making His Chosen People the light-bearer of righteousness to the world is destined to progress gradually to completion. When the temporary permission of affliction shall have served its Divine purpose, God will restrain it. When Israel shall have humbly acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, and shall have accepted His Atonement-sacrifice for sin, they will then understand that their punishment was a wise feature in the Divine plan and policy of their education for the dispensing of His blessings to all the other families of the earth.

It is a mistake to regard the punishment meted out to Israel as merely punitive; it was corrective and educative as well, and intended to fit them for their Divine calling and destiny. Thus God intends that His Kingdom rule on earth shall yet be the ultimate constitution of Israel’s government. But Israel must first be purified by a complete severance from the association of Gentile rulership. They must regain spiritual freedom, in their own land, and amid welcome surroundings they must revert to the love of truth and righteousness, and to the practice of faith and godliness. We must therefore view the exodus today as a great forward step in the development of Israel’s religion. Their special mission as a nation to bless other nations could never be accomplished as long as they remained scattered throughout Gentile lands. It is time therefore that all pious and serious-thinking Jews studied the history of their national experience with an intent of going back to Israel and righting themselves with their God; for the sooner they return to their homeland and become reinstated to Divine favor, the sooner God will bless them, and the sooner His predestinated and unalterable purpose of blessing “all the families of the earth” through them will come.

Glancing backward we notice God’s special selection of Abraham and certain of his offspring as the channels through which the promised blessing of all the families of the earth should come. God chose Abraham because of His faith. He is styled “The Father of the Faithful,” not because certain individuals, Noah, Enoch and Abel before Him had not been faithful, but because with Abraham God started a faith family. That family became known as a nation – the nation of Israel. The reason Abraham was called the “Father of the Faithful” was because those faithful ones that preceded him exercised faith more along abstract lines, whereas Abraham was head of a faith family – his wife, Sarah; his son, Isaac; a grandson, Jacob; and then came the great grandsons, the twelve sons of Jacob, all of whom, though, as we have seen, not always faithful by any means, nevertheless, belonged to the faith family and were members of the “Chosen People.”

The Divine promise and revelation to Abraham was, “In thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 22:18) This promise was made with an oath and it meant a definite and permanent selection of Israel, of the family of Abraham, from among all nations, as the one in whom the great work of blessing the world should be accomplished, and any blessing coming to any Gentile is destined to come as a fruitage of that oath-bound promise. God, speaking to Israel, declared, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.” (Amos 3:2) Israel alone was recognized and honored of God, and when His Son came, His ministry was confined exclusively to the Chosen People, and He would not permit His disciples to go to others, saying, as He sent them out, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not.” We might ask, Why, Jesus? Because, He explains, “I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt. 10:5,6; 15:24)

Israel was permanently selected of God to be His special people, a treasure unto Him above all other people. Separated from the Gentile world, they were the recipients of special favor from God for over eighteen hundred years. This national favor began with the beginning of their national life when they were first recognized and called, “The Twelve Tribes of Israel” – a national name (Gen. 49:28; 46:3; Deut. 26:5). The long years of national life and Divine favor temporarily ended with their tragic rejection of their Messiah when, five days before His crucifixion, He presented Himself to them as their King, and, not being accepted, he declared, “Your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:38) This, the temporary end of their national favor, was the point of their fall from Divine favor, which fall continued for years, ending in the total destruction of their national polity, as well as their city, Temple, priesthood and Atonement Day.

During the period of God’s favor to Israel, during which time Gentile nations were ignored, Israel had chastisements and blessings combined. But even their chastisements for willful sins were evidences and elements of God’s concern and His Fatherly care over them. He permitted trouble to come upon them, and frequently allowed them to be carried away into captivity when they became indifferent and disobeyed Him; yet when they repented and cried unto Him He always heard them and delivered them. The entire his­tory of Israel, as recorded in Exodus, Joshua, Chronicles and Samuel, attests the fact that God did not long hide His face from them, and that His ear was ever open unto their repentant cry, down to the very day their “house was left desolate.” Even on that day, God had sent them the long-promised Messiah in the person of Jesus, His Son. The unfitness of Israel to, in any meas­ure, represent God and His Kingdom on earth, was evidenced in their rejection of the “holy, harmless, and undefiled One,” and their desire for Pilate to deliver unto them Barabbas, a murderer, in His stead.

Thus, because of Israel’s unfitness to represent God and His Kingdom, the day of their greatest favor became the day of their greatest fall from favor. Blinded, as a people, by national pride and prejudice, the great opportunity to be the first to recognize and herald the Messiah was taken away from them, and it went to Gentiles, a people whom, in the Jews’ arrogant pride, they despised as “dogs.” We note that in Israel’s conception of things, God was not concerned about the Gentiles. They were deeply conscious of the age-long promise of Jehovah to their father Abraham: “Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation,” but they were quite unconscious of the meaning of the rest of the promise, “and all nations of the earth shall be blessed in him.” (Gen. 18:17-18) They knew that this promise had been reaffirmed to Isaac: “I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father”; but, again, the rest of the reaffirmation, “and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed,” was not comprehended (Gen. 26:3-4). They knew that the promise and reaffirmation had been repeated to Jacob: “I am the Lord God of Abraham, thy father, and the God of Isaac; the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed,” but the rest of the promise, “and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 28:13-14) was lost upon them. Thus God’s favor was not to return to Israel as a nation, to remove their blindness, and to lead them as a firstfruit of the nations into earthly blessings “until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in [be finished].” (Rom. 11:25)

Thus, as Paul declared (Rom. 11:7), “Israel [in their national pride] did not obtain that for which they sought [expected]” – the first people to recognize and herald the Messiah. In their pride of heart, expecting and claiming the chief blessing as their natural birthright as God’s Chosen People, and as further merited by their keeping the Law of Moses, they rejected the bless­ing as simply a favor of God. As David prophetically foretold, their table, so bountifully spread with rich promises of God, became a “stumbling block, and a recompense unto them” (Psa. 69:22; Rom. 11:9-10) because of their hardness of heart. Jesus, who humbly came as an Atonement-sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, and who would have exalted Israel to a position of glory above other nations of earth and beyond their expectation or their ability to desire or to hope, was to their pride a “stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” (Rom. 9:32, 33; Isa. 8:14) Yet the blindness of Israel was only a blindness “in part” and not a total loss of sight (Rom. 11:25); and any Jew who, at any time, would resolutely brush away the films of prejudice and national pride, and humbly and thankfully accept the favor of God through Jesus Christ, was privileged to do so (John 1:11-12).

As previously stated, after Israel rejected and crucified the Messiah, they had no marks whatever of God’s favor. Their house was “left desolate.” Jews must honestly admit that they have been “fed with the bread of tears, and given tears to drink in large measure” (Psa. 80:5) and their groans and prayers have, for centuries, gone unanswered; and as foretold by their prophets, their name has been a “byword and a hissing unto all nations.” (Deut. 28:37; Jer. 29:18) Though formerly God heard their prayers, marked their tears and returned them to their own land, and continually favored them, since the rejection of the Messiah, He has heeded them not and shown them no favor whatever. Since they said, “His blood be upon us and upon our children,” theirs has been one long continuous chastisement; they have been scattered and persecuted among all nations. These are physical facts as all may read them on the pages of history. We turn to the prophets and see how particularly these facts were foretold and what the same prophets have to say concerning Israel’s future.

Through the prophet Jeremiah (Chapter 16:13), after telling Israel how they had forsaken Him, the Lord declares: “Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods [rulers] day and night, where I will not show you favor.” (Verses 9‑13) These days came when they rejected the Messiah and declared, “We have no king but Caesar.” How literally this threat has been fulfilled all the world may judge, and Jews themselves must honestly admit. This prophecy cannot refer to any of their previous captivities to surrounding nations — Syria, Babylon, etc.; such an inference is guarded against in the expression, “into a land which ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers.” Abraham came from Ur of the Chaldees – Babylonia (Gen. 15:7), and Jacob from Syria. Israel’s dispersion among all nations since the end of their time of Divine favor, and no other of their captivities, fits this pointed expression – “a land which ye and your fathers have not known.” So then this, together with the “no favor,” positively marks this prophecy as relating to Israel’s present dispersion among all nations.

As previously stated, though God cast them off from all favor for a long time, it was never His intention to leave them cast off forever. He declares, “Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but the Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north [Russia, Germany] and from all the lands whither he had driven them; and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.” This is being fulfilled today. The great regathering of Israel to the land of promise, which shall, by and by, include their awakened dead as well as the living, has already begun in the remarkable exodus thither of their living representatives which is attracting the attention of the whole civilized world. And God’s express purpose of driving and gathering them out of all the lands whither He has scattered them is being accomplished in this, our day.

It was on this promise of the receiving of Israel back again into Divine favor that Paul based an argument for the resurrection of the dead, saying, “If the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them [back to Divine favor] be but life from the dead?” (Rom. 11:15) The “receiving of them” will imply that the whole world, of which Israel is the first-fruit, is shortly to receive the gracious opportunity of Resurrection and Restoration which the death of Jesus secured, and which His glorious reign shall accomplish.

Among the very pointed references in the New Testament to the favor which is to be restored to Israel, is that by James (Acts 15:14-­16) and by Paul (Rom. 11:26). But first it was necessary for Israel to drink the very last dregs of their chastisement; and thus it is expressed in this remarkable prophecy (Jer. 16:18): “And first [before I return my favor] I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double.” This double of punishment was to be the measure by which Israel should be brought back to their true position as the Chosen People of God. During their cast-off condition, Jews have been but “dogs” to be cuffed, kicked and abused by Gentile rulers, and even denied, by Mohammedan rulers, the most ordinary privileges of existence in the land sacred to them with memories of the past, and with promises touching the future.

At the same time that the door of Palestine was beginning to open before them, a fierce persecution arose in Germany and in Russia, where it still continues. By one regulation after another, they have been despoiled of rights and privileges by Gentile governments, as well as mobbed, robbed and slain, until they are being compelled to leave in large numbers. But this persecution is a disguised favor, as it will tend, and has already tended, to cause them to look toward Israel and the covenants, and to remind them that they are still heirs of certain rich promises in the land of their fathers.

But we must remember that this is only the turning point of returning favor to Israel. Jerusalem and its people will continue to be “trodden down” – controlled and oppressed by Gentiles “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled,” and hence, though Divine favor has begun, Jews will not be considered back into full favor until no part of Jerusalem is longer in the hands of Gentiles. Israel’s rise again to favor will be gradual, as was their fall from it.

For a moment let us turn back to Zechariah’s prophecy (9:9-12). In prophetic vision the prophet walks beside Jesus as He rides into Jerusalem on an ass and offers Himself as Israel’s King five days before His crucifixion. To the people the prophet cries, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee! He is just, and hav­ing salvation; lowly; and riding upon an ass.” Mark the clear fulfillment of these words as recorded in Matthew 21:4-9, John 12:12-15 and Luke 19: 30-42. Every item was fulfilled even to the shouting. When Jesus came to the people, riding upon an ass, the common people shouted “Hosanna!” The Pharisees and other leaders of Israel asked Jesus to rebuke the people, but He refused. Why? Because it had been prophesied that there would be a shout, and every item of prophecy must be fulfilled.

After briefly noting the evil and bitter con­sequences to follow the religious leaders’ rejection of their national King, the prophet, speaking for God, addresses the people again, saying, (verse 12): “Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope; even today do I declare that I will ren­der double unto thee.” Israel had, for years, been under the Roman yoke, but they were “prisoners of hope,” hoping for a coming King who would deliver them from their oppressors and exalt them to the promised dominion of earth. Now their King — their “Stronghold,” had come, riding to them on an ass, so meek and so lowly that they, in their ignorance of the prophecies and pride of heart, could not recognize Him as such a Deliverer. And much more, they were sin’s prisoners, and this Deliverer not only proposed to release them from Roman bondage, but, by His Atonement-sac­rifice, purposed the greater release also. Jesus had been with them for three and a half years, performing miracles and fulfilling prophecy in their very midst, and now came the last and final test – would they accept Him as King? The foreknowledge of God, that they would reject their Messiah, is shown by the prophet, who, taking an assumed position in Jesus’ day, declared, “Even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee” (Zech. 9:12) This prophecy not only leaves no doubt about there being a double – a duplication – of chastisement added to Israel’s experience because of their rejection of their Messiah, but it also marks the exact day when it began, and makes the conclusion drawn from Jeremiah’s prophecy, and fixed by Jesus’ words – “Your house is left unto you desolate” – doubly strong, exact and clear.

Call to mind Jesus’ words at that time, and in that connection He said, “O Jerusalem, Jeru­salem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not. Behold! your house is left unto you desolate; for I say unto you, ye shall not see me henceforth until ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Matt. 23: 37-39) Also we read that on the very last day of Israel’s favor, “When Jesus was come near [riding on an ass], he beheld the city and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace...” Here Jesus paused and left unsaid what would have been the condition of Jerusalem if she had accepted Him as her Messiah and King. If Jerusalem had known what things belonged to her peaceful existence as a nation, if she had heeded the light which God had sent her, she would have stood forth in the pride of prosperity, the queen of the kingdoms of earth, free in the strength of her God‑given power. Had she accepted her “Passover Lamb,” she would have been “passed-over,” and there would have been no armed soldiers standing at her gates, no Roman banners waving from her walls, no siege of Jerusalem; there would have been no Hitler’s concentration camps, no “Times of the Gentiles.” The glorious reward which would have blessed Jerusalem, had she accepted her King and Redeemer, rose before the vision of her Messiah, and He saw that she would, through Him, have been healed of her grievous malady, liberated from Roman bondage, and established as the mighty metropolis of the earth. From her walls the dove of Peace would have gone forth to “all the families of the earth.” She would have been the world’s diadem of glory.

But the bright picture of what Jerusalem would have been, had she known the “things that belonged unto her peace,” fades from the Mes­siah’s sight. He realizes that she must stay under the Roman yoke; she must stay with the king she had chosen, bearing the disfavor of God, not “passed-over” but “smitten” and doomed to be “left desolate.” In His grief, He takes up the broken thread of His lamentation: “But now [henceforth] they are hid from thine eyes. For the day shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee, and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy [Messiah’s] visitation.” (Luke 19:42-44)

Jesus knew the terrible retribution which would be visited upon the doomed city. He saw Jerusalem encompassed with armies, the besieged inhabitants driven to starvation and death, mothers feeding upon the dead bodies of their own children, and both parents and children snatching the last morsel of food from one another, natural affection being destroyed by the gnawing pangs of hunger. He saw that the stubbornness of Israel, as evinced in their rejection of His Atonement, would also lead them to refuse submission to the invading armies, and He beheld Calvary, on which He was to be crucified, set with crosses as thickly as forest trees. He saw Israel suffering torture on racks, her beautiful palaces destroyed, the Temple in ruins, and of its massive walls not one stone left upon another, the city plowed like a field. Well might the Messiah weep in view of that tragic scene. Jerusalem had been the child of His love and care, and as a tender father mourns over a wayward son, so Jesus wept over His beloved city (Luke 19:41-42).

But we thank God, now that their “double” of chastisement is complete, we can see that their blindness is beginning to be turned away, and the things which “belong” unto their “peace” are no longer “hid” from their eyes. God, who evidently wished to settle all inquiring minds beyond doubt, has given further information concerning Israel’s “double” by another of His most honored servants – the Prophet Isaiah. This prophet takes a prophetic stand down here in our day when Israel’s punishment has been fulfilled, and, addressing us who now live and understand these things, he gives us God’s message, saying, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her appointed time [of punishment] is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” (Isa. 40:1-2)

The prophets vary their standpoints of utterances, sometimes speaking of future things as future, and sometimes assuming a position future, and speaking from the assumed standpoint; as, for instance, Isaiah, speaking of Messiah’s birth, assumes to stand beside the manger where the babe, Jesus, lay, when he says, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder” etc. (Isa. 9:6) The book of Psalms cannot be read intelligently unless this principle be recognized.

No better illustration of this principle of dif­ferent prophetic standpoints can be given than the three prophecies relating to Israel’s “double” of punishment already noticed. Jeremiah foretold that the days would come when God would scatter Israel among all nations, and that, when they had received their “double” of punishment, He would gather them again by a more mighty display of power on their behalf than when they came out of Egyptian bondage, saying, “They shall no more say the Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but the Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel... from all the lands whither he had driven them...” (Jer. 16:14-15) Zechariah speaks as though living at the time of Jesus’ offering Himself to Israel as their King, and he tells us that there, in that very day, their “double” of punishment began to count. Isaiah stands beside us in this, our day, and calls our attention to the fact that God had a fixed or appointed time for returning His favor to Israel, and he admonishes us that we who understand this message should now give to Israel the comforting testimony that her double of punishment is complete, her “iniquity pardoned”; her appointed time of disfavor accomplished. Each of these three prophecies is strong and important, but combined, they are a threefold cord of wonderful strength to the humble, trustful Israel of God.

Be it remembered that Israel, regardless of their “stiff-necked rebelliousness,” and the disgrace which they have repeatedly brought upon their name, are, nevertheless, a Chosen People. It was God who chose them, and God makes no mistakes. The mistakes have been on the part of Israel for which they have suffered. God is still Israel’s God, and He has separated them from other people. Let us notice for a moment the Divine decree that Israel shall be separate from all others: “I am the Lord, your God which have separated you from other people... I have severed you from them.” (Lev. 20:24-26) “...[it] shall not be at all, that ye say we will be as the heathen, as the families of the country...” And Moses declared, “So shall we be separated from all other people that are upon the face of the earth.” (Exodus 33:16)

Ever since the people of Israel have borne the name Israel – Prince of God – they have been set apart from others, a separate people – a Chosen People – and have occupied a special position, enjoyed special favors, experienced special punishments and have played a special part in the Divine arrangement. Israel, as a Chosen People, did not come under the general head of all mankind during Jesus’ first presence on earth; He was sent to them only – “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” And now, during the time of His second presence, Israel, as a separate and Chosen People, are destined to pick up again the thread of their national polity and play a special and leading role in the Divine program. This is evidenced by the Scripture which, speaking for the Messiah, declares, “I will return and build again the tabernacle of David [the Jewish polity] that has fallen down.” (Acts 15:16) It fell down because of their unfaithfulness. Although Jesus said, “Your house is left desolate,” He has not utterly and permanently cast them away. After they have sufficiently experienced desolation and ruin, he will “return and build again the ruins thereof and set it up.” (Acts 15:16) This is in contrast with the fact that no “ruins” of any Gentile polity will ever be rebuilt; no “fallen” Gentile government will ever be “set up” again. All Gentile peoples are promised a general restoration to what they lost through Adam’s transgression. Jews, as a separate people – a Chosen People, are promised the same restoration, and more; God has promised that their “house” that was “left desolate” shall be “set up” again, the “ruins” shall be rebuilt. Moreover, He declares “And I will restore thy judges as at the first and thy counselors as at the beginning! Afterward thou shalt be called the City of Righteous­ness, The Faithful City.” (Isa. 1:26)

Thus Israel, who, at Jesus’ first presence, was given first consideration, will again, during His second presence, have a priority of consideration, for “he will save the tents of Judah first.” (Zech. 12:7)

(Chapter Six of THIS IS THE MILLENNIUM, by Shelah Ben-Hanan)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION – You quote from Pastor Russell as though he was infallible. Do you think he was infallible?

ANSWER – No, we do not think he was infallible. However, our Lord appointed Brother Russell as That Servant at His Second Advent: “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?” (Matt. 24:45) We believe That Servant gave the household more truth than was given by any of the Reformers of the Gospel Age. The Reformers gave the truth to the household of faith due in their time. That Servant was the last Reformer of the Gospel Age, therefore had a clearer understanding of the due truth at the Second Advent. That Servant gave us the Plan of God as no man has done since the days of the Apostles. His writings were not inspired as were the Apostles, but he gave us Scriptural proof for what he taught. It is not because of his wisdom that our Lord appointed him as That Servant, although he was wise, but the truth was given to him because of his faithfulness to the inspired Word. The Lord found him “so doing” – searching the Scriptures. (v. 46) The whole Plan of God was due at our Lord’s Second Advent, and Brother Russell made it clear to those who were “of the truth.” (John 18:47) He did not fail to give “all the counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27) He taught the four elect classes: the High Calling, the Great Company (crown-losers) as the two Heavenly classes; the Ancient Worthies and the unbegotten class as given in Reprint 5761 as the earthly elect classes.

The Apostle Paul gives us 2 Tim. 2:20: “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor and some to dishonor.” Here the Apostle Paul also gave four elect classes: gold (the Saints) and silver (Great Company – crown-losers), the Heavenly elect; the wood (Ancient Worthies), earth (the unbegotten class we call Youthful Worthies); and also two classes of the world, the sheep (those to honor) and the goats (those to dishonor).

Whether the Apostle Paul knew the interpretation of this text or not does not matter. The understanding of this text for the Lord’s people was not due until His Second Advent. The teaching of most of the Prophets of the Old Testament was not understood by them. But the Old Testament Prophets and the inspired writings of the Apostles make the Plan of God one harmonious whole. But the Old Testament Prophets did look forward to a Kingdom of Peace on Earth as their teachings reveal. Abraham looked forward to Jesus’ day and was glad (John 8:56). If Abraham looked forward to Jesus’ day the Prophets surely did (Isa. 11:9; 26:9).

The faithful are in the School of Christ and will learn more and more of the Grace and Knowledge of the Lord until they finish their course. Brother Russell, too, was in the School of Christ and learned more and more until his death as is attested by the articles in the Watch Towers. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Prov. 4:18)

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Emily,

It has been a very long time since I took the time to write. I am truly sorry. Between the email and faxes, I have been neglecting the old fashioned practice of just writing personal letters to friends.

Last month I had the honor of addressing a large group of Christians in Jerusalem under the auspices of the Christian Friends of Israel, by invitation of Ray Sanders, its president. I am enclosing an audio tape of the address which I hope you enjoy hearing.

Certainly you must be very concerned with all the news coming from Hebron in the past several weeks. The television makes it look like a war zone, and sometimes it really seems like one. Most secular people probably never knew of Hebron before the infamous Oslo accords were signed. Now we are world famous even among people who know nothing of the Bible. So, even in this strange and negative way, Israel and her holy cities are being projected into center stage all over the world. Clearly this is just preparation for great things that are about to happen.

I still go down to Machpela every morning to pray and find it a quiet and pleasant atmosphere. The brave souls who choose to live in the city are truly modern Jewish heroes who deserve much praise. The future is with us, but the present is a very difficult challenge.

Andrea is still fairly terrorized every time we travel to Jerusalem. She has a double fear. One is of the possibility of a terror attack, and the other is of the crazy drivers, both Jew and Arab. The cellular phone is still a source of comfort for her, and makes the trips more bearable, but the fear is not so easy to dispel.

Our little ones are no longer little. Rachel the “baby,” will be fourteen on January 1. She is already as big as her mother and able to exchange clothing with her. Avi, our “little” boy, will be sixteen in October, and towers over me. He is a brilliant young man and an excellent student. His English never fails to amaze me. He speaks without an accent as well. He is a whiz with the computer and probably understands how to use it better than I do.

Dina, who just turned 19, is doing her national service at a Kibbutz working with youngsters. She is so involved with her work that we seldom get to see her. Even on Shabbat she is usually with her kids on the Kibbutz. She is a very sweet young lady.

Carol, 26, is working in a child care center in a small community between Kiryat Arba and Jerusalem. She is presently living with another young lady in Jerusalem. We usually see her on Shabbat.

And Susie, our eldest at 28, is just finishing up advance courses in special education while working part time as a secretary in a lawyers office. She worked very hard to get a drivers license and now is saving up her money to buy a used car. She also comes home frequently for Shabbat.

We are very lucky to have succeeded in raising our children in Israel. That, in and of itself, is a tremendous miracle. We get much joy from watching them grow, and feel a special pride to realize that we have succeeded in completing the link in our family of Jewish return home after two thousand years of wandering.

Despite the fact that we have no leadership in our government, it is clear that the Living G-d of Israel is directing things. Their twisted ideas of “peace” cannot and will not see the light of day. True peace can only result from recognition of our Divine obligations and living up to them. By rejecting those obligation, it is we who put off genuine peace. We will never accomplish anything by sitting with our enemies and compromising on those obligations.

It is hard to know what we can do to promote a return to true Jewish values. The best we can do is simply to live our lives by them. I still have hopes to implement “Project Shofar” as a tool to help get things going in a positive way without direct involvement in politics. Most American Jews are totally lost to their people. But there are still many who can be saved. It is to these whom I feel the need to reach out and offer hope. It may be that I will need to travel to the states should the project take off. If that does happen, I will try to find the time to visit with you again. In any event, I am happy that I did have that opportunity in the past.

I do think of you often, Emily, and hold our friendship very dearly. Please give my very best to Leonard and Marjorie.

With Blessings from Hebron, …………..

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NO. 489: IN MEMORIAM

No. 489

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

Comes again the time of year that we are vividly reminded of the demise of the Parousia and Epiphany Messengers, and it is our fond hope that our readers will obtain some good information and uplift from what we now present.

Up to his death on October 31, 1916, almost every one in “present truth” was fully persuaded that Brother Russell was “that servant” of Matt. 24:46; and quite a few still hold that opinion – among whom we include ourselves. During the Dark Ages the doctrine of “restitution” (Acts 3:19-21) had become completely lost, and this lapse injected utter confusion into the Christian fraternity. Without understanding restitution, it was impossible to produce any harmonious understanding of the general Bible structure; the “plan of the Ages” (Eph. 3:11, Dia.) was a meaningless expression. The woman having ten pieces of silver of Luke 15:8 corroborates the fact that the doctrine of restitution was lost. (See Berean Comments on Luke 15:8, 9)

This problem gave extreme difficulty to That Servant, so much so that he on a certain occasion betook himself to three days of intense prayer and study, at the end of which he was rewarded with a clear understanding of the Atonement Day sacrifices as they are outlined in the 16th Chapter of Leviticus. This enlightenment caused him to realize that God was during this Gospel Age merely laying the foundation for the full at-one-ment of the entire human race with Himself “in due time” – the delay being caused by God now taking from among the Gentiles “a people for His name” (Acts 15:14), the same to be associated with His Son Jesus as His Heavenly Bride to give the human family a rebirth under a “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Pet. 3:13) – in direct contrast to the degradation now prevailing in “this present evil world.” (Gal. 1:4)

However, the radical revelation of this understanding actually frightened him; it was actually difficult for him to believe this Scripture which seemed so logical and with which he could find no fault. He needed to be doubly persuaded that it was actually the truth, so instead of broadcasting his findings immediately or telling the general Household of Faith about it, he summoned leading brethren to discuss this revelation – which he and they did during a period of eight days. When none of them could find any flaws in the picture, he eventually wrote a small book called Tabernacle Shadows, which some of his ardent admirers have characterized as the biggest “little book” that has ever been written. No one with a clear understanding of that book will ever be confused on the “plan of the ages.”

THE PAROUSIA ELEAZAR

Eleazar was Aaron’s eldest son and in line to become high priest in Israel at his father’s death. But while serving as underpriest with his father, he was given very prominent service, as can be seen from Num. 4:16: “And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.” From certain standpoints the Tabernacle typified the Gospel-Age Church. Therefore, those people who officiated in connection with it would also typify certain people in the Gospel Age. Considering the sweeping powers that Eleazar possessed – “the oversight of all the tabernacle” – it puts no strain upon the imagination to recognize that he typified the twelve Apostles at the First Advent. “Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.” (Matt. 16:19)

Similar language is used concerning Brother Russell: “Shall make him ruler over all His goods.” (Matt. 24:47) And in Luke 12:42: “That faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over His household, to give them their portion of meat in due season.” From this we do not wish to convey the thought that Brother Russell was infallible, or spoke by inspiration, as did the Apostles; but it is a self-evident fact that his power over the Harvest work and the Harvest Church was well nigh absolute. In course of time he recognized this; he appointed and dismissed Pilgrims as his judgment dictated; he was final authority on all Bible House matters, and made all appointments of brethren to important executive positions. And being fully aware of this, he attempted to arrange things in such a manner that after his death would prevent any other individual from “stepping into his shoes,” as it were, by appointing an editorial committee of seven brethren to supervise the Watch Tower publication. Those familiar with the situation know that his wishes were speedily ignored; in little more than a year, J. F. Rutherford had already enthroned himself “in Moses’ seat.”

However, it is not our wish to offer detail on the above statement; rather, we shall treat of the Gospel Harvest Eleazar from the standpoint of the type. In Numbers 4:16 seven executive and teaching functions are set forth, of which the first “pertaineth to the oil for the light” – the lampstand. Among other things, oil represents the spirit of understanding (Matt. 25:3 – “the spirit of the Truth” – Berean Comment). For Eleazar, therefore, to have charge of the oil for the lampstand would typify the privilege Brother Russell had of understanding the Truth as Pastor and Teacher – not only for himself, but also for the brethren as enlighteners of one another, as he conveyed his Biblical interpretations to them, giving them helps to learn and to teach the Truth. He did this orally and in writing. He gave clear and specific instructions for organizing classes, and for organizing distribution of the Truth literature to the general public.

Eleazar’s second duty had to do with “the sweet incense.” The unburnt sweet incense represented the actually perfect choice human powers of Jesus and the reckonedly perfect choice human powers of the Church – “much incense with the prayers of all saints” (Rev. 8:3,4). Brother Russell offered deep and truthful detail on such activities of Jesus from Jordan to Calvary, and on the Church in general in their earthly pilgrimage all during the Gospel Age. As to the Church of his day, he acted directly both as the teacher and executive with respect to the sweet incense. He clearly explained Justification by faith through Jesus’ merit, which justification once fully obtained enabled such brethren to make their own offering of “the sweet incense” according to the providential circumstances of each one. We have been told that on one occasion, when Brother Russell was visiting a city, that a brother asked him to give his talk that morning on justification – which he proceeded to do, giving lucid analysis of the subject for an entire hour.

Thirdly, Eleazar had charge of “the daily meat offering” – or, more properly, the meal offering. When the drink offering is not mentioned (and it is omitted in Num. 4:16) it is understood as being included in the meal offering. This offering represents that part of the sacrifice with which the offerer occupies himself – such as setting forth the Truth – lecturing and preaching on the Truth by Pilgrims, Auxiliary Pilgrims, elders, colporteurs and unofficial persons of lesser ability. It also included oral conversation in testimony of the Truth, serving in the Photo-drama work, serving as laborers of the Bible House and Bethel, doing office and home work in connection with spread of the Truth, and encouraging and supporting others in these various works orally, with the printed page, by lectures, sermons, question meetings, conversation and letter writing. As executive he discharged this phase of his office by arranging for the various forms of service mentioned herein for spreading the Truth, as well as appointing specific persons to their pertinent positions – pilgrims, colporteurs, department supervisors, etc., at Bethel and the Bible House. The fulfilled facts attest that he exercised his authority in all of these features.

Fourthly, Eleazar had the care of the anointing oil. This oil types the Holy Spirit from the standpoint of its qualifying the elect Church to serve each other. The ingredients of this oil are succinctly stated in Isa. 11:2, the contents of which may be stated thusly: the qualities of wisdom, justice, love and power each developed individually, developed in balance with others, with all of them controlling all our other qualities (2 Pet. 1:5-8), thus qualifying the various members of the Church for the “work of the ministry” (Eph. 4:12) – to the extent of their ability and providential circumstances.

As antitypical Eleazar of the Gospel Harvest, his charge as teacher was to instruct the Church as to the nature of the anointing, of the anointed class, of their duties, privileges in knowledge, service, development, endurance as “good soldiers,” etc. This he did in great detail in the Volumes, the Towers, and by his oral ministry. Especially did he stress the development of the graces, the quickening, development, and balancing of the Holy Spirit. It logically followed that he would appoint qualified persons to the respective forms of service – pilgrims, colporteurs, photo‑drama workers, Bible House and Bethel personnel, managers of the foreign branches and newspaper workers. Inasmuch as the great majority of classes had elected him as their pastor, he had supervisory capacity in their affairs – sometimes acting directly and sometimes indirectly in electing or unseating the officers of those classes – endorsing those qualified, and rejecting those he considered unqualified. All of this he did in efficient and impressive manner.

Fifth, Eleazar had charge of the Tabernacle itself – the whole structure, while it was standing, was under his supervision. The Tabernacle proper in the Holy types the Church in its earthly ministry, and in the Most Holy in its heavenly inheritance. The humanity of such is typed in the Court, specifically with respect to the brazen altar. This typed the Harvest Eleazar’s capacity as Pastor and Teacher, with executive supervision of the Church during the reaping and gleaning time – up to the time of his death. He also had similar authority over the antitypical Court, which contained the tentatively justified. Thus, he was the eye, hand and mouth of Jesus during his entire office as That Servant. While it is true that he did not produce all the advancing Truth during his ministry, he did produce much more of it than any other person. And, in that which others saw, they were obligated to secure his approval of it before he presented it to the general Church through the Towers. His authority in this respect was also well nigh absolute.

Sixth, he had full charge of the holy furniture of the Court, Holy and Most Holy – “the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is.” This would include the two altars, the laver, the lampstand, the table and the ark, all of which was in the charge of antitypical Eleazar. The antitypical brazen altar in the Court represented the Church’s humanity in sacrifice; and Brother Russell gave great detail concerning this – the privileges of the brethren in using their human all whenever and wherever opportunity afforded. This he did orally and in writing, and by his “example of the believers.” (1 Tim. 4:12) Thus he encouraged and directed the general Church as a “good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Tim. 2:3)

His teaching charge to the Church concerning the golden altar in the Holy had to do with encouraging, comforting, strengthening, correcting, warning, and restraining the sacrificing and suffering Church – which he did by explaining, proving, and illustrating the privileges of the Church toward one another. His executive charge toward the Church was accomplished by his encouraging and directing the Church in such work.

As our readers know, the laver in the Court types the Bible – the base the Old Testament, and the upper part containing the water the New Testament, the upper part built upon and growing out of the lower part. The water in the upper part types the cleansing features of Bible truths. The Harvest Eleazar’s executive charge of the antitypical laver means that the Bible was placed in his care – to preserve it, to commend it, and make it influential in its use for its Divinely intended purpose of furnishing the proper doctrinal, refutative, correctional and ethical teachings, and to direct the use of pertinent Scriptures to his purpose (2 Tim. 3:15-17). His teaching charge of the antitypical Laver implied that he was to declare the doctrine of the Scripture, as well as its teachings in doctrinal, refutational, correctional and ethical respects. Certainly those of us who are familiar with his work know that he harmonized the Bible in a manner equaled by none other since the days of the Apostles.

Here we may properly apply this statement to an error that has circulated among some of the Lord’s people to the effect that there are other books – Pseudepigraphs, like the book of Enoch, the Old Testament Apocrypha, etc. – that are inspired writings; thus, a part of the Bible. If they were, Brother Russell would have accepted them as a part of the Bible; and he would wisely and faithfully have shown his teaching and executive functions toward them. But he resolutely rejected them, and it is not difficult for any one who reads them carefully to note their inferiority when compared with the 66 genuine books of the Bible.

The lampstand represents the Church as enlighteners of each other; it teaches them the Truth. Brother Russell acted out his office as teacher with respect to the antitypical lampstand in that he explained the nature, the character, privileges, duties, etc., of the Church as enlighteners of each other, and how to go about this good work. He also encouraged them to enlighten each other by providing the means whereby they could do this, and the best method to use in doing it. The table of shewbread types the Church in its capacity of strengthening its members with the bread of life unto every good word and work; especially so, with respect to the Sarah features of the Abrahamic Covenant, this being the promises that mother the Church in its earthly pilgrimage toward the Heavenly Cannan, their entrance into the Most Holy when their work on earth is finished. Having charge of this table and bread means he taught the brethren the best means of strengthening each other to “fight the good fight,” and to gain eternal life. He also arranged for conventions and organized meetings in the var­ious classes for this purpose.

Much more could be said about the foregoing, but we would not wish our readers to conclude that we be overmuch given to ‘angel worship.’ However, we consider it pertinent to stress here that certain members of the Gospel-Age Church occupied positions which could apply to them alone. For instance, there were twelve Apostles – and only twelve; thus, they had no successors; as some of the sects contend – prominent among such is the Roman Catholic Church. And with Brother Russell it may be stated with equal emphasis that his office as That Servant and as the Steward was unique to him alone; and the words which Jesus spoke concerning Himself may well be repeated for him: “I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” (John 17:4) Therefore, he had no successor; he supervised with full authority and finished the reaping feature of the Gospel-Age Harvest, which provided everlasting tribute to him as antitypical Eleazar here in the end of the Age. We would qualify this, however, by noting that God did provide other faithful “stars” after the Apostles died; and continued to do this all during the Age, as He also did after the demise of antitypical Eleazar.

SOME SECULAR TESTIMONY

It has just recently come to our attention that one authority offers the follow­ing comment: “RUSSELL, CHARLES TAZE, popularly called Pastor Russell (born Feb. 16, 1852, Pittsburgh, Pa. – died Oct. 31, 1916, Pampa, Texas), founder of the International Bible Students Association, forerunner of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Of Presbyterian and Congregational background, Russell renounced the creed of orthodox Christian denominations and in 1872 organized an independent Bible study class in Pittsburgh. From 1877 he preached that Christ’s second advent would be invisible, and that the end of the Gentile times would come in 1914, followed by war between capitalism and communism or socialism, after which God’s Kingdom by Christ would rule the whole earth. Russell (who was never ordained) dedicated his life and his considerable fortune to preaching Christ’s Millennial reign. In 1879 he started a Bible journal later called the Watchtower, and in 1884 founded the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, which became a flourishing publishing business. His own books and booklets (notably six volumes of Studies in the Scriptures) reached a circulation of 16,000,000 copies in 35 languages, and 2,000 newspapers published his weekly sermons.”

By way of comparison and marked contrast, this same publication says this regarding JFR: “RUTHERFORD, JOSEPH FRANKLIN, nicknamed Judge (1869-1942), religious leader and author, president of Jehovah’s Witnesses (also called the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society), 1916-42.”

The above statement concerning Brother Russell is so strikingly accurate that it sounds as though he himself had written it. From a purely secular standpoint, we would say it is an excellent testimonial; and, as more of his prophetic interpretations are fulfilled, we are fully persuaded that even better tributes will be forthcoming from similar writers. As Brother Johnson has so aptly written of him, Brother Russell will yet appear in the records of men as one of the greatest of reformers and Biblical logicians.

The same publication states further of “Joseph Franklin Rutherford that he was a lawyer who had been closely associated with Russell since about 1910. But he possessed little of the personal magic that Russell had wielded with such success, and, in addition, challenged some of Russell’s views... A number of small schisms resulted, but Rutherford eventually was successful in organizing the work of the Society so that the transition to his successor in 1942 was made without difficulty. Almost nothing is known about the life of J.F. Rutherford. He shunned publicity and toward the end of his life met with members of the Society only at their annual conventions. Russell had written a good deal, and his seven-volume [?] Studies in the Scriptures was widely sold; but it was under Rutherford that the Society work took on its present character of a publishing house rather than a church. Rutherford claimed to have written 99 books and pamphlets, which appeared in more than 300,000,000 copies.”

When the above publication states that Rutherford “challenged some of Russell’s views,” it is making a major understatement; and the same may be said about the “number of small schisms that resulted.” Those of us familiar with the truth on the subject know that Rutherford challenged the majority of important doctrines in the truth structure taught by Brother Russell, so that at this time there is little resemblance between the teachings of the two men.

The publication states further that Jehovah’s Witnesses, along with Christian Science and Mormonism, constitute the three largest and most significant variants of the l9th-century American Protestantism. The Witnesses now have in excess of 1,000,000 in their world membership. However, when we consider that Rutherford is catalogued in the same group with Brigham Young and Mary Baker Eddy it presents some considerable light on why he “possessed little of the personal magic that Russell had wielded with such success.” We have been told that Rutherford on one occasion went to a woman photographer, one who had made photographs of Brother Russell, to have a photograph of himself. When he was shown the finished product he remarked that his picture was not as impressive as that of Brother Russell; the woman answered, “That’s because the man isn’t there.”

Just one more quotation from the article: “The Witnesses believe that the Kingdom of God began in 1914. Apparently they expected (as did the Millerite Adventists in 1844) some historical and worldly event to take place at that time, but have since taken the position that in 1914 Jehovah inaugurated the Kingdom in a manner apprehensible only to a believer.” Yes, this last clause is emphatically true; and it is just the extreme opposite of the teaching of Brother Russell, who based his belief upon the true Gospel of Jesus, St. Paul and others: “God desires all men to be saved, and to come to an accurate knowledge of the truth... Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all.” (See 1 Tim. 2:4-6, Dia.) Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all – not just for those who become members of the Witnesses’ sect.

In keeping with this, Brother Russell also stressed the words of Isaiah 35:5-10: “The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped [those that are now unable to “hear” and understand the Truth]... wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein... and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Instead of “sorrow and sighing” diminishing and disappearing, it has been pyramided out of all proportion to what was the case prior to 1914. And being in full accord with Brother Russell’s clear and sober interpretation of this Scripture, we can enthusiastically exclaim, God bless his memory!

ANOTHER SECULAR EXPRESSION

Last Spring an item was brought to our attention that appeared in the Sunday feature section of a prominent Florida newspaper – the same written by a professor of one of the nation’s outstanding universities. Some of his contentions were so distorted that we were moved to write him the following letter:

My dear Professor: Christian greetings!

The general content of your “Poster Evangelism” treatise in the March 10 paper is read with considerable appreciation – very well written, I would say.

However, some of your statements regarding Russellism are very much askew; and I am persuaded that a man of your erudition and candor would not intentionally put false statements into your writings. For instance, you say “Russellism employed the surefire device of prophesying the imminent arrival of Christ (MILLIONS NOW LIVING WILL NEVER DIE).” At no time did Pastor Russell ever preach “the imminent arrival of Christ,” or use words that would convey such an impression. He did, however, offer elaborate and consummate analysis of such texts as Matt. 24:3: “What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” He contended that this was a very poor and misleading translation (the King James translation is replete with such mistakes). Present-day Greek scholars give it this way: “What shall be the sign of Thy presence, and of the consummation of the Age?” The word world in the text is from the Greek “aion,” and it means Age or Dispensation.

Furthermore, the “Millions Now Living” idea was never even mentioned during Pastor Russell’s life. He died October 31, 1916; was succeeded in the Presidency of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society by J. F. Rutherford, who invented the “Millions” idea; and time has clearly proven that it was simply an odious vagary – hallucination with no foundation in fact or prophecy.

You also say Pastor Russell wrote seven volumes; whereas, he wrote only six vol­umes of Studies in the Scriptures. The seventh one, The Finished Mystery, is also a figment of Rutherford’s mind. He audaciously declared that it was the “posthumous work” of Charles T. Russell – and the book does contain many quotations from his writings; but the errors injected into it by Judge Rutherford and his assistants offer insult to the clear and sober statements of Pastor Russell.

In Luke 21:24 Jesus said, “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Some thirty years before 1914 Pastor Russell did forecast that the times of the Gentiles would end in 1914, the evidence of which would be a great world war. Even as late as 1913 he was scornfully ridiculed by his critics; but time has clearly proven that he was right, and they were wrong; the war came as predicted – almost to the day.

As a general statement, the Russellites were “moderately educated,” so you say; but they also did have among them a few brilliant Greek and Hebrew scholars – enough to reveal the erroneous translations of the Bible; and this made the Movement generally basically sound in exegetical deductions. The most brilliant of these was Professor Paul S. L. Johnson, who was a master of Greek and Hebrew. He soon voiced emphatic protest against the perversions that the Judge and his companions in error were attempting to inject into the harmonious truth structure that Pastor Russell had left. It was my privilege to be a very close friend of Professor Johnson, and I gave him very substantial support after he left the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society in 1917 – which I continued to do until his death in 1950.

A pertinent analogy to the Russell Movement may be found among the Apostles, of whom it is written “they were unlearned and ignorant men.” (Acts 4:13) But they also had a man named Paul among them, who was brilliant and highly educated. As respects Professor Johnson, I might add that he graduated from Capital University of Columbus, Ohio, with the highest honors ever attained by any student up to his time.

It is my hope that you will find the copies of my papers, Nos. 194‑223 and Special Edition No. 7, interesting and informative; and I send with this letter my cordial good wishes for your health and prosperity. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.

Sincerely, John J. Hoefle

In due course we received a courteous reply to the above letter, thanking us for the information we gave him. He also said, “What I wrote was based on intimate contact with Russellism when I was in High School in the 20’s... My uncle could talk of nothing else. He was a fervent follower, first of Russell, then of Judge Rutherford. Of course, my uncle never knew of Paul Johnson’s protests, and I was too young to have been aware of the division of thought at the Brooklyn headquarters.”

From the foregoing we may readily discern how easy it has been to ‘make’ history; and that much of what is in the books today may be far from the truth. But when the record is written in full truth, then we shall have full appreciation of Jesus’s words, “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matt. 13:43) And this will be especially true of those faithful Pastors and Teachers, such as That Servant, the Epiphany Messenger, and others of the Gospel Age, including all the fully faithful.

(John J. Hoefle, Reprint No. 362, October 1, 1985)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

To all co-watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem:

Israel is in an unspeakable severe test. The international pressure on Israel is steadily increasing. Threats of a non-conventional war of annihilation are more and more openly expressed. Under this extreme pressure even politicians who said they were believing lose courage – break their promises and give in to the murderous claims. Therefore it depends very much on us not to leave Israel alone. It is now of highest importance to comfort the Jews that this ordeal during the torment of Jacob are the last tests before God’s rescue and His salvation. We still have the possibility to fight for Israel in prayer and it was never more important and necessary than it is right now.

Under this pressure many of the hard hearts are getting tender and the Lord can pour out pure waters on His people (Ezekiel 36). We can see the spiritual progress among many of the visitors that come in big numbers. The Lord is opening their understanding and they take the message with deep interest. A visitor coming from Switzerland who had been here when we gave the testimony said to us: “I am thankful for seeing this. I can’t put this wonderful impression into words, how deeply the message is taken even by kids.”

Last Sabbath we had more than 300 visitors. We had to give one speech after the other. And also during the week many groups came. A group of high air-force officers came for a seminar day. Another big group came from Jerusalem. After Hermann’s speech they played some music for us. We thanked them for those heavenly songs, but they answered: “No, but we listened to heavenly words. Hermann is for us just as one of our great prophets become resurrected.” More and more visitors say that they can feel here a Paradise atmosphere which they had never felt before.

On weekdays almost every group finds Hermann in hard physical work. And then most of the Israelis are rejoicing and full of admiration to see with what forces and energy Brother Hermann does the various works (field work, cutting grass with the scythe, planting little trees etc.).

On Hermann’s 96th birthday a group of officials from Jerusalem came. They expressed exceptional appreciation for the ministry Emek ha Shalom does. Another group of officials decided after a meeting with us to start with educational programs at Emek ha Shalom as soon as possible.

Dear friends, brothers and sisters, we ask you very much, please pray that the Lord gives mercy that the seed that is sown at Emek ha Shalom will not be picked by the birds of the sky (Matt. 13), the demons, but that it will sprout and bring plenty of fruit, that the comfort and the encouragement will take root in the hearts and be spread among the people until the promised change will come. And please also pray for us. Next to the big blessings we have to fight extreme attacks of Satan. Yesterday on Sabbath there was a big people’s walking tour next to Emek ha Shalom with more than 10,000 people joining. But we could not speak to them although we were asked to, because we have been exhausted and near collapse. Therefore also we need your spiritual support without which we could not do our ministries any more.

We are thankful for your prayers and your help until now. We hope that we will stand in the future in a better unity on the walls of Jerusalem during this time of such spiritual opposition against the Lord’s plan, against the beginning of the Lord’s Kingdom.

Your brothers from Israel, Hermann and Josef(ISRAEL)

P.S. Friends are urging Brother Josef to go into a sanatorium quickly. But nobody would be here to help Brother Hermann. Therefore Brother Josef decided to continue with the ministry even at the cost of his life. We decided also in praying and fasting because this is the last way to overcome Satan and his forces of darkness (Matt. 17,21). Please help us to do it and join us in praying and fasting.

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Dear Emily:

I promised you, in my postcard from Ben Gurion Airport on my way home from Emek ha Shalom, to write you a summary about my visit with Herman and Joseph at Emek ha Shalom. So here is my letter:

A few days before my trip, Carmela Luke phoned me at my office telling me that a donation to Herman and Joseph had not been received. So I was worried that something had happened to Herman and Joseph since my latest visit.

I arrived at Emek ha Shalom in the evening April 3. There was no light in the farm. When I stepped on the veranda Joseph called my name. He was resting in the guest-house waiting for me. He was very weak. He told me a little about the time at Emek ha Shalom after my latest visit. They had been in a very difficult situation earlier. For three weeks they didn’t leave the farm. That’s why the donation had not been received. My first reaction was that the situation in Emek ha Shalom was more critical than it was when I left in November 1996.

During my visit Joseph did everything he could to eat and to rest. But it is impossible to reestablish his body in a short time. As usual Herman got up early in the morning, doing different things on the farm. For his age, 96 years, he is very powerful. He and Joseph took care of the visitors as usual. In the beginning of my visit there were not so many visitors probably due to the weather. It rained a lot during the first days and it was very cold. We made fires in the stoves to keep us warm. But after a week when the weather was better, the visitors came and Herman and Joseph addressed them.

In Emek ha Shalom there are five dwellings. Today there is hot water in four of them. A young Israeli man, a student at the university of Haifa, has moved into one of them. The house without water is the oldest house at Emek ha Shalom made by Herman. It is now being prepared for a young Israeli man who works as a teacher. The guest-house I stayed in has three living-rooms, one kitchen and a bathroom.

During my visit a very nice couple from Holland, Ans and Theo, came to Emek ha Shalom. They will stay in one of the houses for at least six months, helping Herman and Joseph in their work. Ans is a very good cook and she and Theo did a very good work in the garden.

One day Joseph told me that he and Herman were going to make some booklets, among others God’s Plan in Brief. Joseph and a friend have made a new Hebrew translation of it. So the day I left for home, April 15, Joseph was to visit the printer-house.

Dear Emily, the situation is still critical at Emek ha Shalom. But I can assure you that Ans and Theo from Holland will do everything they can to help Herman and Joseph in all their needs.

The day before I left Emek ha Shalom Joseph told me that the only thing we can do now is to pray. And the friends in Sweden totally agreed with Joseph. We pray “Thy Kingdom Come.”

All the best and many kind regards from your friend, Leif Malmkvist (SWEDEN)

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NO. 488: THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF THE “TIME OF THE END” – Part Three

No. 488

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

In our August 1997 paper, Part Two, we were discussing the High Calling, and we will now give

MORE ON THE HIGH CALLING

“And I saw [mentally and physically] another angel [God’s people in their capac­ity of ministering the Truth to their brethren not yet in the Truth (C 303; Rev. 7:3 – “until we have sealed” – Ezek. 9:2‑5,11), and not Jesus alone, as Vol. VII teaches] as­cending from the east [Jesus and the Church (The Christ) are the Sun, Light, of the world, John 9:5; Matt. 5:14] and having the seal [the Truth as due], of the Living God [given in the Scriptures], and he cried with a loud voice to [as the Salt of the earth, the Light of the world, and the City set upon a hill (Matt. 5:13‑16), the faithful have with a great message, reproved the world for sin, righteousness and judg­ment to come (John 16:8‑11), this work having had a wholesome effect upon the world and having inculcated such principles as, measurably imbibed, have measurably restrained the selfishness of mankind from giving way to the full will of the fallen angels and thus arrested these unholy beings, who if unchecked by] the four angels [the four groups of mankind, as above, would long ago have brought the ruin of the Time of Trouble upon the race] to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea [evidently from this clause it can be seen that these four angels do not, as Vol. VII teaches represent the Little Flock, whose work in the flesh is not to injure organized society, nor the lawless, rebellious people, nor themselves, nor the earth’s great ones, the symbolic trees of v. 3. The symbolic “great trees” are the Lord’s faithful people].”

The Bible teaches that all of the saints, the entire 144,000, would be given the honor of executing (spiritual) vengeance upon the nations, and (spiritual) punishment upon the people, of binding the kings and princes, and executing upon them the judgment written (Psa. 149:5‑9). This was done from the Fall of 1914 to that of 1916.

“That Servant” was made Steward of all the Lord’s goods for the whole of the reaping time following his appointment, and ruler over the whole household, according to Matt. 24:45-­47 and Luke 12:42‑44. Therefore, he must have set forth on the table all the meat for the reaping time, and controlled the entire work for the whole household during the reaping time following his appointment. Consequently, before his death every one of the Elect was working in harmony with his teachings and under his direction of the work. Hence, before his death, October 31, 1916, all of the Elect had been reaped, sealed in the forehead, and were engaged in serving others under that Servant’s general direc­tion.

According to the Bible (Rev. 7:1‑3) the Elect of each country must all be sealed before the war would strike that country. Therefore there could be no unsealed Elect in any war‑involved country after the war involved that country. This refutes the assumed, but unfactual, view that the Lord abruptly ended the war, and that in order to seal the war‑involved countries’ supposedly unsealed Elect whose sealing could ostensibly not be done during the war. To escape this conclusion the article under review, contradicting our Pastor’s known definitions of the winds and the wind of v. 1 (see Berean Com­ments),confuses a number of things: (a) the winds of v. 1, which are the fallen angels, with its wind, which is the World War (1 Kings 19:11; Psa. 48:7; 107:25; (b) the winds, which are the fallen angels, but which are in the article falsely defined as destructive power, with the whirlwind, which is the revolution and anarchy of the Time of Trouble (Jer. 25:30‑38); and (c) the four winds of Jer. 49:32‑36; Ezek. 5:10‑12; 17:21; Dan. 11:4, which stand for the four points of the compass with its falsely defined symbolic winds, wind and whirlwind. (3) The Bible also teaches that the reaping would end shortly before the war would reach the reaper. See Studies, Vol. III, 387‑404.

MORE FROM THAT SERVANT

In Reprint 5631, col. 2, Feb. 15, 1915, there is a subheading KINGDOM WORK THIS SIDE THE VEIL: “What time, then is signified by the expression ‘in the days of these kings,’ when the kingdom of God was to be set up in power? To our understanding the first step in the setting up of this kingdom was the raising of the sleeping saints of the Gospel Age, which we believe was in the Spring of 1878. Then began the glorification of the church. The work of setting up the kingdom has, we understand, been progressing from that date, and is now lacking the last members of the church class. When these shall have taken their places as members of the church in glory, the kingdom will be fully set up.”

Regarding the foregoing, it is our understanding that as each one of the Christ completed his earthly journey, that person then joined the Lord in glory – and which was the “marriage of the Lamb.” Then was fulfilled the words of Rev. 19:7, Dia.: “The marriage of the Lamb came, and his wife prepared herself.” Then was completed “a stone cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet.” (Dan. 2:34) That stone could not begin its work until complete. While those still on earth could have fallen out, yet the foreknowledge of God recognized that they would not do so – just as was true of the twelve Apostles after being spirit‑begotten could have fallen from their position in the Body, yet none of them did.

“This does not signify, that there may not be a part of the kingdom work begun while some of the members of Christ are still in the flesh. Indeed some Scriptures seem to imply that there will be a kingdom work done this side of the veil. We read, ‘Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud upon their beds.’ This seems to imply, as we have mentioned before, that there is a special work to be done while these saints still have beds, while they are in a condition of repose — not ‘tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine’ (Eph. 4:14), but fully at rest in God’s great plan. The Scripture goes on to say that they have a two‑edged sword in their hands – this is the Word of God... This would not be true of them on the other side of the veil.” (Reprint 5631, col. 2, par. 5, Feb. 15, 1915)

“Our thought is that we should look for still further evidences day by day that the Gentiles Times have ended, and that God’s Kingdom has begun its work... The present step is the war of the nations. The next step will be Socialism – an attempted Socialism [after Revolution] – among the people. Then the third step, anarchy, will gradually come on. When this symbolic fire shall prevail, then the world will realize what we are trying to tell them now; namely, that God’s Kingdom is taking control, and that these various demonstrations are evidences that our Lord is taking His great power. But the many will not begin to see until the flaming fire is revealed.

“Now the time has come for God’s Kingdom to displace them; but they will not willingly resign their crowns and scepters; they are in defiance. Therefore force is required to destroy them. Their 2520 years of rule are in the past, and they must now submit to a complete overthrow.” (Reprint 5632, col. 1, Feb. 15, 1915)

“We believe that the Times of the Gentiles ended just on time, as shown in Vol. 2... The hand of justice is now doing the breaking – the nations shall be broken as ‘a potter’s vessel.’ The whole cataclysm of trouble may be upon the world during the next ten months or it may be longer deferred. We believe that the time for the setting up of the kingdom was on September 21, 1914. At that time, when it was due for our Lord to take up His great power and reign, the nations were already angry. They were at war over a month in advance of the time, because so angry.

“The due time for the ‘wrath’ [the “great tribulation”] was September 21, 1914. We are expecting to see this wrath still more manifest. The nations have been in just this same unloving spirit one toward another for a number of years, but apparently they have been under some forcible restraint. We believe that God’s time has not yet come.” (Reprint 5632, col. 2, pars. 4 and 5, Feb. 15, 1915)

Yes, the ‘wrath’ is still more manifest today, but God’s time has not yet come for the second phase of the trouble – Armageddon. The Jehovah’s Witnesses predicted Armageddon for 1975, but self‑evidently, that was not God’s time. But we may be sure that it will come in God’s due time. God’s faithful people need not be disturbed as they see these things coming to pass. However, we do indeed pity the ‘groaning creation’ as we see these things coming on them, but we “lift up our heads and rejoice,” knowing our deliverance is near – not only ours but that of all mankind.

We see no reason to depart from the Truth on the Time of Trouble, or the Epiphany, that Brother Russell taught us. If we cast his teaching aside, we might as well say he was far from knowing the Plan of the Ages.

We now will quote and expound passages that prove that the Epiphany will end with the Anarchy and Jacob’s trouble, i.e., will end with the end of the trouble. A passage that proves this with reference to Anarchy, though it also refers to the War, Revolution, Famine and Pestilence, is 2 Thes.1:7, 8: ‘The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels [the agents whereby He will pour out vengeance] in flaming fire [destructive troubles – War, Revolution, Famine, Pestilence and Anarchy], taking vengeance on them [the Second Deathers in the Nominal Church] that know not God and [on them, the Second Deathers in the Truth] that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Accordingly, this passage proves that the Epiphany will be completed by the Anarchy.

A passage that proves this with reference to Jacob’s trouble, so far as the Lord’s revelation of Himself to Israel is concerned, is Zech. 12:9,10: “It shall come to pass in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem [in the time of Jacob’s trouble, Zech. 12:1‑8; Ezek. 38; 39]; and I will pour upon the House of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of supplication, and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced [Rev. 1:7]; and they shall mourn for it [the piercing, I.V.],” etc. All Truth people recognize at once that this passage refers to the end of Jacob’s trouble, and that it proves our Lord’s revelation of Himself to Israel as their long rejected Messiah. Hence these two verses prove that the Time of Trouble and the Epiphany are identical.

JUDGMENT FOR ALL THE ELECT

In 1 Pet. 4:17,18, Dia., there is this: “The season is coming for the judgment to begin from the house of God. (Berean Comment: “Krisma, final decision”)... And if the righteous person scarcely is safe, where will the impious and the sinner appear?” Three classes are mentioned in this text: “the righteous” – the Little Flock; “the impious” – the Second Deathers; “the sinner” – the Great Company. Note the Berean Comment on James 5:20: “He that was once a member of the Royal Priesthood.” We are now in “the evil day,” the day in which we should expect to see the fulfillment of Mal. 3:3: “The sons of Levi” – typical of all believers (see Berean Comment); “gold” – the Little Flock; “silver” – the Great Company. All of this was much emphasized by That Servant as occurring in the Time of Trouble – this Epiphany day.

Malachi 3:2 raises the question, “Who may abide the day of his coming? [the Parousia day from 1874 to 1914] and who shall stand when he appeareth [when he maketh manifest by the bright shining of the Epiphany day].” The Epiphany is called a period of time in the Bible: “This know also that in the last days [the Parousia and the Epiphany days] perilous times shall come.” (2 Tim. 3:1,8,9) Psa. 91:6 speaks of “the pestilence [destructive error] that walketh in darkness.” The Epiphany is also described as a night; and the pestilence that is so rampant in so many quarters is visible evidence that we are in that dark time. Recently a paper came to us, which has a sub‑heading “False Prophets” – then it describes Brother Russell as follows:

“He was particularly interested in the second coming of Christ, as were a few others at that time. He had aligned the prophecies pertaining to the Lord’s coming fairly accurately; but made the mistake of applying them prematurely. His error of assuming that Christ had arrived in 1874 was the basis for all his false claims relative to the Lord’s coming.”

It will be recalled that, shortly after Brother Russell’s death, the claim came forth that he had made a 19‑year mistake in the Chronology – that the Gentile Times would not end until 1933. Of course time itself made clearly manifest the error of that claim; nothing at all happened in 1933 to give any semblance of Truth to that figure.

As may be expected, that contention created a great furor; and J. F. Rutherford entered into the controversy. And it is our opinion that he offered a very good defense of the true chronology – just as Pastor Russell had given it to us. However, at that very time he presented some rank error on the Jubilee cycles and the time involved there, during which he came up with the prediction that Millions Now Living Will Never Die – after 1925. Of course, he was one hundred per cent wrong on that. He also produced the error that the door to the High Calling closed at Passover 1918, which he later changed two or three times; and as of this writing it would seem that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not certain about it yet. Also, in view of other statements they have made – such as Armageddon beginning in 1975 – they don’t know where they are with the chronology; they are simply floating around in space.

In its wide sense the Time of Trouble began in 1874. After that date the radical elements of society became much more radical. And it was during the time after 1874 that the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente were formed – each glaring at the other, and was one of the principal causes for the outbreak of the great war in 1914. At this date the Time of Trouble began in its real violent stage; and the war in 1914 was up to that time the world’s greatest calamity. It put all involved nations into financial insolvency; and this has continued to grow worse each year since 1933. Just before this last great war began the national debt of the United States was about forty billion dollars; and one leading Washington publication made the statement then that no one with any real financial judgment believes this will ever be paid. At this writing it is now about twenty times that amount – with the situation growing alarmingly worse each year.

The 1914 war broke out in one day that year, with the assassination of the Austrian Archduke in Servia; and it brought sharply to mind the great prophecy of Jesus in Luke 17:26,27: “As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.” It will be noted that this text refers to “days” (plural), indicating more than one day. It is our understanding that there are two days in the end of the Age – the Parousia day that commenced in 1874 and ended in 1914, at which time the great tribulation began, corresponding to the flood that burst upon the world immediately after Noah entered into the ark. However, Luke 17:30 speaks of only one day: “Thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed [uncovered, from the Greek apok­alupto, having the same root as the apocalypse, or the book of Revelation].”

This “revelation” is still in process, and we do not now know how long it will continue; but its presence is apparent to those in the Lord’s Household who have been enlightened to perceive it. However, it is also apparent to some in the world ­– in a rather foggy way, of course. One speaker at a conclave we attended a few years back made the statement that the world’s money situation has never been the same since the outbreak of the great war in 1914 – “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things coming on the earth [the present social order].” (Luke 21:26)

Says the Apostle Paul in 1 Thes. 5:1,2: “Of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night [quietly, stealthily, and after it has come many will not know they are in it].” This statement is as true now as it was when Paul wrote it. The first of these seasons was the small Parousia, which began in 1874 and continued during the Harvest to 1914; the second, the Epiphaneia; and the third the Basileia (Kingdom). All of these are a part of, and run concurrently with the large Parousia day (1874‑2874); but none of them run concurrently with each other; and there is good reason for this. In each of those periods there is a main, though not exclusive, objective. The small Parousia was for the purpose of reaping; and that day and that work ended at exactly the same time — September 1914. “Thrust in thy sickle, and reap, for the time is come for thee to reap.” (Rev. 14:15) Second is the Epiphaneia (the revealment “in flaming fire”); and third the Basileia (the Kingdom).

When the small Parousia ended, the Epiphany immediately began, although there was a small overlapping of around two years. There was a threefold main objective: (1) “To execute upon them [the kings, nobles and people in general] the judgment written” (Psa. 149:9); (2) to judge “the quick”(2 Tim. 4:1); and (3) “devour all the earth [the present social order] with the fire of my jealousy” (Zeph. 3:8) – in the time of violence which began in 1914, and which will continue to the end of Jacob’s Trouble, just preceding the end of Anarchy. As soon as the Epiphany arrived all three of these objectives began to operate: Jordan was smitten in 1914‑16 (“bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron” – Psa. 149:8); the “manifestation” (epiphanizing) of the “quick” in their various classes began to appear; and “the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come.” (Rev. 11:18)

The Basileia (the Kingdom) will have as its main objective Restitution (Acts 3:19­23); and it will appear also as soon as “the word of the Lord goes forth from Jerusalem.” (Isa. 2:3) There was a 25‑month overlapping of the Parousia into the Epiphany (Sept. 1914 to Oct. 1916); but that did not deter in the least the beginning of the Epiphany work exactly on time. However, it is well to note here that of all the erstwhile Truth groups only two contend that the Basileia is already with us; namely, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement. But instead of observing any of the benign influences of the Kingdom, worse things are coming upon the world – crime and misery worse than at any time in history, but the Word of the Lord tells us that the Kingdom is to “wipe away all tears.” It seems unbelievable that brethren who were once blessed with the logical and sober teachings of That Servant could swallow such errors; and it simply proves that “they received not the truth in the love of it, and on this account God will send them an energy of delusion, to their believing the falsehood.” (2 Thes. 2:10,11, Dia.)

THE WIND, FOUR WINDS, WHIRLWIND

In Rev. 7:1‑3 we are told that the four angels should “hold the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth... till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” The four winds in this text are the fallen angels (see also Dan. 7:2); the wind is the great war that started in 1914; and the forehead sealing refers to the administration of the Truth to those who came into the Truth before that war began in each country. It should be noted here that all the saints were spirit‑begot­ten by 1914, but all of them had not been sealed in their foreheads with present Truth. They were saints (wheat) that had not come out of Babylon, just as most of the saints were in Babylon during the Parousia. But all of them were “sealed in the forehead” in time to take part in the first “Smiting of Jordan” during the time of 1914­-1916. (Psa. 149:8)

Some have the mistaken idea that the above is Epiphany Truth; but the Berean Comments show this view was held as far back as 1898: “The four winds” – Which are to constitute the whirlwind of the time of trouble [Anarchy]; “That the wind” – The great wars between nations which are to be expected shortly; “Blow on the earth” – Society; “Nor on the sea” – The restless, anarchistic masses of men; “Hurt not the earth” – The present favored time, with its liberties and advantages, divinely arranged; “Until we” – The Lord’s saints on this side of the veil; “Have sealed” – Marked, separated, distinguished; “In their foreheads” – Given them an intellectual appreciation of the Plan of God, with its time features, etc., as a comfort, shield, and mark, seal, or evidence of their sonship.

EPIPHANEIA — APOKALYPSIS

That Servant defined these terms as synonymous (as an act and as a period of time). However, they are not synonymous in the strict sense of the word. Many translators give Epiphaneia as “bright shining,” “forthshining,” “uncovering,” etc.; whereas they offer “revelation” as the meaning of Apokalypsis. The Diaglott labels the last book in the Bible THE APOKALYPSIS. Viewed critically, it is impossible to have one without the other, which explains why they are synonymous as an act and as a period of time. Thus, it requires the bright shining to produce the revelation. The Book of Revelation, for instance, has been with us since the Apostle John wrote it; but it cannot possibly be understood – revealed, uncovered – until the bright shining (Epiphaneia) makes it clear. While Martin Luther saw the explanation for some parts of Revelation, other parts of it he could not possibly understand because the “bright shining” had not arrived to reveal it – in the “due time.” Just one instance: The 1260 days (1260 literal years) in Rev. 13:5 could not possibly be clear to him because those years did not end until 1799, and prophecy cannot be clearly understood in detail until it has been fulfilled, or is in the process of fulfillment. And those years did not end until 1799 – about 250 years after Luther’s death.

Thus, it will be seen that the “bright shining” and the “revelation” have contin­ued in limited measure throughout the Gospel Age; but there is also an Epiphaneia – Apokalypsis – designated as a special period of time here in the end of the Age; but it cannot be truthfully stated that there is a special Apokalypsis period apart from the Epiphaneia – or the Epiphany, as we call it.

THE EPIPHANY DAY OF JUDGMENT

In 2 Tim. 4:1 it is stated that the Lord Jesus Christ shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing (Epiphaneia) and at his kingdom (Basileia). There is no mention of His judging in the Apokalypsis, as a period apart from the Epiphaneia. And we believe all Bible Students will surely admit that we are yet in the judging period of the Elect and of the world – the world in the sense of the “judgments of the nations” (not individuals).

Regardless of how little time that judging would consume, it must be evident that it is nevertheless a special period of time. When we paraphrase 2 Tim. 4:1, the text becomes much clearer: “He shall judge the quick at His Epiphaneia, and the dead at His Basileia.” The judging of the Basileia has not yet started at all; but we think the judging of the Epiphaneia began when the Time of Trouble began in 1914.

Not only did the judging begin then, but it brought special trials on all the true Household of Faith. It stirred up a rabid patriotism in each country involved; and a great rage was unloosed against those who were not in harmony with such an attitude. In the third Chapter of Daniel we have the story of Nebuchadnezzar and his golden image, which the three Hebrews (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) refused to recognize. This made the King furious, and he ordered that they be cast into a fiery furnace – “that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.” (v. 19) That furnace typified the extreme fury that was unleashed then through militarism and the church federations. Those of us who were involved at that time know only too well of the truth of this conclusion, and it is still vividly recalled by some of us. Some of the Objectors were actually killed, and many were brutally tortured.

Here are some of the details: We were closely and intimately acquainted with three brethren who were inducted into the army early in 1917 – right after the United States entered the great war. In January of 1918, with the temperature at zero, those three were taken into the shower room, alternately showered with hot and cold water, then scrubbed with a rough floor brush until they bled; and this was continued until they fell over in a faint. One brother died as a result of that treatment; and another lost his mind, was sent to a mental institution and recovered after two years of treatment. But, when he eventually came out, he could not remember ever having seen us, although we were closely associated with him in the army. He has been dead for some years now. Yes, the furnace was heated “seven times hotter than it was wont to be heated.” All of this is now ancient history, completely unknown to most of our readers; and not known at all to those too young to remember World War One. But we know personally what happened then, and we can give an accurate account of it. The Epiphany has indeed been a time for judging “the quick.”

ELIJAH AND ELISHA

In the second chapter of 2 Kings there is related the last association of Elijah and Elisha — how they left Gilgal, went from there to Bethel, then to Jericho, then to Jordan (at which place Elijah wrapped his mantle, smote the River, which divided it into two parts and the “two went over on dry ground”). “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire... and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.” In Bible symbolisms chariots often typify organizations; and that is its meaning in verse 12.

Many of our readers know that Pastor Russell said the time would come when there would be a clear separation of Elijah and Elisha here in the end of the Age: and that separation became an established fact in the summer of 1917. One of the very big issues then was the contention over “the channel, The Society” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society) – the antitypical “chariot” over which Elisha lamented, “my father, my father, the chariot of Israel [God’s Household at that time – the organization founded by That Servant], and the horsemen [the leaders, the guides of that chariot] thereof.” The Berean Comments on v. 11: “of fire” – Probably signifying severe persecutions on the last members of the Elijah class.

The fulfilled facts antitypical of 1 Kings 19:19-21 and 2 Kings 2:1-25, prove that antitypical Elijah, after functioning for many centuries, called antitypical Elisha in 1846, afterwards journeyed with him to antitypical Gilgal, 1874, to antitypical Bethel, 1878, to antitypical Jericho, 1881, to antitypical Jordan, 1914, and separated from him in 1917, since which time antitypical Elisha functions without antitypical Elijah.

Follows now something from Tower Reprint 5772, Col. 2, bottom, and 5773, top: “It was while the two went on, with no knowledge of how far they would go, that Elijah said to Elisha, ‘What would you like as a reward for your faithfulness in journeying with me?’ Elisha responded that he would most prefer a large measure of the Spirit of the Lord, which so notably was manifested in Elijah. The reply was that he could get this great blessing only under special conditions; namely, that he would continue faithful in cooperation until the last – until Elijah would be taken. This would be a hard matter; for, if Elisha’s attention was permitted to wander, he would not get so rich a blessing.

“As they went on, behold, a chariot of fire parted them asunder! In symbolic language, this seems to signify that the Elijah class would be involved in very fiery trouble, persecutions, and will thus be separated from their fellows. The next symbol of a whirlwind taking Elijah to heaven also implies further trouble. Prophecies are generally understood after their fulfillment — and only vaguely before. It was thus at our Lord’s first advent in respect to the prophecies then being fulfilled.

 “We may not hope to clearly understand in advance the full import of the fiery chariot nor of the whirlwind. To some the thought of being taken away from the present life suddenly, violently, in fiery troubles, etc., would be a terrible prospect; not so will it be with the members of the Elijah class. Waiting for their change, and living in daily readiness of heart, therefore, they go on without trepidation. On the contrary, in whatever way they shall be taken, it will be the culmination of their hopes for which they so long have waited and prayed – their deliverance.”

Then this from Reprint 5846, col. 1, pars. 1 and 2; col. 2, pars. 1 and 3: “But here is the way the Lord pictures the matter: First, there will be the chariot of fire. We do not know what this will be; but we understand that some fiery experience will cause a separation between the two classes of the Lord’s people. Then will develop the whirlwind of anarchy. Perhaps this will be mobs that will destroy the lives of the faithful ones. We do not know...

“This picture is not given for nothing. ‘What does it mean?’ you ask. Ah, we know that most prophecies are understood only after they are fulfilled!

“‘Do you think that this has not yet taken place?’ may be a question in your minds. We think it has not yet fully taken place. ‘Do you think that the PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION has had a part in this?’ It may be...

“So, then, you see what we are looking for. Whether this will take place in a few months or in a few years more we may not be sure. But we think that we shall see something that will bring a division in the sentiments of the people before we get into the fiery chariot.”

That 1917 separation has continued to pyramid over the years, with more and more of antitypical Elijah leaving the Society, and associating themselves with various Truth movements. But whether these superior brethren left the Society, or whether they stayed, it is our conviction that all of them had their fiery chariot trials. We have known quite a few of them since 1917, so we speak from personal experience.

Many brethren attempted to interpret the account in the second chapter of 2 Kings; but, so far as we know, none of them were harmonious if they departed from That Servant’s general interpretation. While the brethren were in prison in 1918, Vice‑President Wise supervised the work of the Society. On one occasion he came to Dayton, Ohio, where we then lived; and during one of his discourses he said he had been bombarded with about 400 Bible articles in a few months’ time – most of them on Elijah and Elisha; but quiet reflection now convinces us that That Servant gave the correct generalities, and any correct interpretation would have to harmonize with his thoughts. During 1917‑1920 many of the brethren – those that stayed, and those that left – were truly in the furnace of affliction.

It is our fond hope that these papers will convince all our readers that we are now in the “Time of the End,” and have been so since 1799. But one writer has expressed himself very well: “Carry a cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you.”

(John J. Hoefle, Reprint No. 293, November 1979)

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Precious Emily,

Please make sure to send me Part Two, etc. of “The Beginning and Ending of the Time of the End” (No. 485). I want to keep checking out the insights and conclusions. The chapter on “Knowledge Shall be Increased” was amazing.

Praying for the Lord to guide and guard your life. Thanks for all the study materials. We love you. Frank and Norma Eiklor(CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Herman and Joseph:

Your letter of June 3, 1997, with the news that a Jewish movement had contacted you was good news. We are sure that the development will be positive for Emek ha Shalom.

I have sent copies of your letter to all friends of the truth here in Sweden and to Julius Nielsen, Skjern, Denmark.

All the best and many king regards.

Your friend, Anders Karlen (SWEDEN)

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NO. 487: THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF THE “TIME OF THE END” — Part Two

No. 487

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

The Epiphany Messenger tells us that the seventy years’ desolation of Christendom began in 1914 (typed by the seventy years’ desolation of the land of Israel during their Babylonish captivity), which seems reasonable. If the type works out, it will bring us to 1984; and if the prophesied events occur in the next five years, then we can have the strong assurance that it is a true type “for our admonition and learning, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Cor. 10:11) Surely no one instructed in Harvest Truth will deny that Christendom is now being desolated. But the Lord’s faithful people have no need for apprehension, because the Lord is mindful of His people. He has a time for all His purposes, and He will reveal them to His faithful servants in their time of need. (Amos 3:7) Indeed if this type doesn’t work out, there is no reason for us to lose faith in God, for “He is faithful that promised.” (Heb. 10:23)

FURTHER COMMENT

“The Time of the End is a long‑drawn‑out period, because it began, as just proved, October 1799, and will end just before Daniel’s resurrection and reward as an Ancient Worthy (Dan. 12:13) – ‘he will stand in his lot at the end of the days.’ This has not yet occurred, nor will it occur for years yet. Hence this disproves ‘approximately October 1, 1914,’ as the Time of the End. When our Pastor wrote Volume III, he believed that the trouble would all be over by Oct. 1914, and that the earthly phase of the Kingdom would then be established, and therefore in that volume he taught that the Time of the End, while beginning Oct. 1799, would end Oct. 1914. But when in 1904 he came to the conclusion that the trouble would begin in 1914 and refused thereafter to set a date for its end, he implied that the end of the Time of the End would come later than 1914.

“In the Time of the End Michael stands up (Dan. 12:1). This set in at Nisan 10, 1878 (paralleling His riding into Jerusalem 1845 years before and casting off Israel and cleansing the temple) when He began to exercise executive authority in casting off Babylon, and when by the first Harvest sifting He began by the Truth to drive out from His temple class the unworthy. It continued by His awakening the sleeping saints Nisan 16, 1878, and associating them with Him in the Kingdom.

“His standing up – then proceeded in a Truth attack upon Satan’s empire (Satan, the individual, having been bound from 1874‑1878 preparatory to the spoiling of his house, Matt. 12:29), in its religious, aristocratic, political and industrial features, which attack made such a division in Satan’s empire between the conservative classes and the radical masses as to threaten it with an overthrow by a revolution of the dissatisfied masses. To avert this threatening revolution and preserve his empire, Satan mustered the nations in two rival alliances for a war in which he hoped to wipe out the division between the conservatives and radicals by making them believe, in each set of nations, that the other set sought their national destruction. Hence the World War.... Michael did not begin to stand up about October 1, 1914; though about that time an important phase of His standing up did set in. His standing up began in 1878 and will continue as against Satan’s empire until the end of anarchy and Jacob’s trouble.

“During the Time of the End the whole trouble is to occur. Dan. 12:1 does not say, just the early stage of the war part of it, but the entire Time of Trouble, occurs in the Time of the End, including all its stages: war, revolution, anarchy and Jacob’s Trouble, with famines and pestilences interspersed; for the reason of the trouble is Michael’s standing up in an attack on Satan’s empire from 1878 onward, in order utterly to destroy it thru the troubles above‑mentioned... Jesus says that the great tribulation would be greater than anything that had yet occurred up to His time or anything that would occur after His time: ‘Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world unto this time [the time of His speaking], no, nor ever shall be.’ (Matt. 24:21) Since Dan. 12:1 teaches that in the Time of the End the entire trouble will occur, evidently the Time of the End is not identical with the end of the Gentile Times, which occurred in 1914. It began before and ends later.” (E‑6-453‑2)

CONFLICTING OPINIONS

It should be clear enough to any studious mind that we have been in the Time of Trouble in its violent stages since 1914. However, more and worse upheavals are still ahead of us. This is not merely our opinion; it is the combined thought of both Messengers – both of whom taught that the Epiphany and the Time of Trouble in its violent stages are identical. Therefore, it should be apparent that those who teach we are in the Apocalypse or the Basileia are confused and indulging in rampant error. Of those who embrace those errors one of them contends that the Epiphany as a period of time ended completely in 1954; the other says it ended in a “restricted sense” in 1954. Even at this late date – over 24 years [over 43 years now] after 1954 – we have not witnessed even the sec­ond of the two fierce violent features that both Messengers taught we would see in the Epiphany – the Epiphany being the last special period of the Gospel Age.

In 2 Thes. 2:8 St. Paul tells us that the Man of Sin will be annihilated by the Epiphany of the Lord’s presence. Therefore, those who now tamper with the Epiphany not only cast aside the clear teachings of both Messengers, but they also dispense with the inspired Word of God. Thus they come under the condem­nation of Rev. 16:6, Dia.: “Thou gavest them also blood [error] to drink; they deserve it.” We suggest to our readers that they search the Parousia or Epiphany volumes, as well as the Berean Comments for the faintest semblance of proof that these teachings are correct. We know such proof is not there, so that the leaders of both groups are not now “contending for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints,” but are openly rejecting it. We refer espec­ially to the bottom of page 12 in the Instructor’s Guide, where the Parousia vs. Epiphania and Apokalupsis are thoroughly analyzed, which analysis definitely rejects these teachings. Thus we quote here from Rev. 22:18,19: “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book.”

THE DESTRUCTIVE FEATURES

The question now arises – If the Time of the End began in 1799, when will it end? We do not now have any definite answer to that question; however, we know that the Time of the End includes all the destructive features of this Old Order – the World War, Armageddon and Anarchy. Also, we know that the Time of Trouble and the Epiphany are identical. In the broad sense we might say that there is only one period of time – the Time of the End – but included in that period are the Parousia from 1874 to 1914, and the Epiphany – the Time of Trouble in its violent features – from 1914 to the end of Jacob’s Trouble. Thus the Time of the End runs concurrently with all of them – and the Epiphany and the Time of Trouble in its violent features are identical. When we say one, we mean either one as a period of time. The Scriptural proof for the Time of Trouble is to be found in Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14. Of course, the two periods just mentioned are of much shorter duration than the Time of the End: the Parousia did not begin until 1874, and the Epiphany, or the Great Tribulation, did not begin until 1914 – and is ever increasing in intensity until the grand smash comes. Toward the end of the Epiphany will come Jacob’s Trouble: “That day is great, so that none is like it; it is even the time of Jacob’s Trouble.” (Jer. 30:7) “Jacob’s Trouble” will terminate with the final throes of Anarchy, at which time “there will be no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither any peace to him that goeth out, or cometh in, because of the affliction: for I will set all men every one against his neighbor.” (Zech. 8:10) The Epiphany and the Time of Trouble in its narrow sense are identical; both began in 1914 and both will end with the last phase of the trouble. This is clear Scriptural teaching.

TWO JUDGMENTS

Two judgments are described in the Bible: (1) the judgment of the quick, and (2) the judgment of the dead. In 2 Tim. 4:1 it is stated that our Lord Jesus “shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and kingdom.” The nominal church has concluded that the “quick” in this text are those who are walking about and alive as we see them, and the “dead” are those in the tomb. This is a wrong conclusion; and we now offer the text from the Emphatic Diaglott: “Christ Jesus is about to judge the living and the dead, by his appearing and by his kingdom.” His appearing in this text is the Epiphany; and the living at that time are certain members of the Household of Faith – members of His Church. “You hath he quickened together with him” (Col. 2:13), who were “dead in trespasses and sins.” The remainder of the human race – whether in the tomb, or out of it, are reckoned as dead. This is plainly stated by Jesus in Matt. 8:22, Dia., “Leave the dead ones to inter their own dead.” Thus, 2 Tim. 4:1 becomes much clearer if we paraphrase it: “He will judge the living during his Epiphany, and the dead ones [the world of mankind, whether in their graves or living] during his Kingdom.” “Because he hath appointed a day [a thousand‑year day – Christ’s Kingdom], 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)

IS THERE AN EPIPHANY?

Did That Servant teach an Epiphany period? Quite a few of the Lord’s good people think – and say – they are faithfully adhering to his teachings as they deny an Epiphany period, as well as a class of consecrators between the “closing of the door” and until Restitution begins. But we would say there are two meanings to the word – a condition (bright shining) and a period of time. Both of these are taught in 2 Thes. 2:8, which we quote from the Diaglott: “Then will be revealed the lawless one [the man of sin]: whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of his mouth [His sharp pertinent teachings], and annihilate by the appearing [Epiphaneia] of his presence [Parousia].”

That this is the thought of That Servant we now prove from the following quotations, which we hope will persuade all our readers on this point: “At [or during] the epiphania, or bright shining, of the Lord’s manifestation, God will have completed his present work of directing the church [in bringing in the 144,000], and the world will be informed that they are under a different dispensation.” (Reprint 5359, top, col. 1, par. 2)

“The Scriptures speak of a great time of trouble in the conclusion of this Gospel Age. Our Lord in the prophecy recorded in Matthew 24 mentions this great time of trouble... In connection with it He says, ‘When ye see these things begin to come to pass, then lift up your heads and rejoice; for your redemption draweth nigh’ (Luke 21:28) – linking this great climax to the deliverance of the Church, their change from earthly nature to heavenly nature... Our Lord speaks of this same time of trouble and says that Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled (Luke 21:24). These ‘times of the Gentiles’ represent a period during which the world was to be ruled by Gentile nations... A stone was to smite the image upon the feet, which were iron and clay, and break them to pieces (Dan. 2:44,45). This crushing of the feet of the image was to come in the end of the Age, and would be the preparatory step to the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom (Dan. 2:31‑45)... The present terrible war is not the great time of trouble in the fullest sense of the word, but merely its forerunner. The great time of trouble of Scriptures will be brought on by Anarchy – the general uprising of the people.” (Reprint 5526, col. 1)

“The Scriptures indicate that the Gentile governments will receive from their own people their first notice that their lease of power has expired. The people will take note of the sign of the Son of Man in the heavens. The judgments of the Lord will begin to be manifest in the world, and run counter to many of their interests. This manifestation of His presence is Scripturally called the epiphaneia, the shining forth, the revealment, of the King of Glory. ‘He shall be revealed in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (2 Thes. 1:7‑10) As a result, the nations of the earth will be broken to pieces like a potter’s vessel. (Psa. 2:8,9; Rev. 2:27)... The picture given of the end of Gentile Times is that of a stone striking the image of Gentile supremacy in its feet (Dan. 2:34,35). The impact will be so sharp and so thorough as to leave nothing of them. Having had their day, they will cease to be – ‘become like the chaff of the summer threshing floor.’ The next event [after the Epiphany] will be the Messianic Kingdom of which it is writ­ten, ‘The desire of all people shall come.’“ (Reprint 5527, col. 2, pars. 2,3, Sept. 1, 1914)

And from Reprint 5456, col. 1, par. 2: “Emphasizing the suddenness with which the calamity will overtake the world, Jesus said on the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained down fire and brimstone from heaven; and He declared that thus it will be when the Son of Man is revealed. The Greek text shows a difference between the Parousia, or presence, of Christ before the time of trouble, and the later epiphaneia, or REVEALING. [The Epiphany, or Apoka­lypse, and the Time of Trouble are one and the same period of time. There would be no necessity of a “bright shining” if it didn’t reveal something. In other words, there is no Epiphany without an Apokalypse].”

“We are now in the beginning of this great day [the Epiphany day, April 15, 1914] of the Lord. All the forces which are to play a part in this mighty upheaval which is to introduce the reign of Messiah are rapidly gathering. The nations of the earth and all the various elements which form society as at present organized – political institutions, financial institutions, ecclesias­tical systems, etc. – are now before the bar of judgment [in 1914 at the end o£ the Gentile times and the beginning of World War One], and are being found wanting. All Christendom is trembling before the mighty forces that are coming in today. Morals are at a low ebb.” (Reprint 5442, col. l, par. 7, April 15, 1914)

“The earlier part of the judgment upon Christendom [in the Epiphany] will be upon the antitypical sons of Levi, the silver class... The fire of this great day [the Epiphany] shall ‘try every man’s work, of what sort it is.’ It will likewise discover who have built upon a foundation of sand (1 Cor. 3:11‑15).” (Reprint 5442, col. 2, pars 2 and 3)

The above quotations should certainly convince any open mind that That Servant recognized the Epiphany as a period of time; and present‑day events certainly attest mightily that we are indeed in that period of time – the time of trouble, the Epiphany.

SOME EPIPHANY OBSERVATIONS

“Doubtless the Adversary knew that a modern war would weaken his empire; but he preferred a weakened empire to none. He invented through perverted human brains the horrible weapons and munitions of the World War, whose destructiveness doubtless convinced him that the war would be short. To Satan’s ruthlessness God opposed a ‘so far, and no farther.’ Therefore God did not permit Satan to end the war with a speedy and easy victory for the Central Powers... Thus the war had two results directly opposite to those that Satan had planned: (1) the side that he favored was ultimately defeated; and (2) his empire was weakened and debt‑burdened almost to collapse. Moreover, the Lord overruled to the complete frustration of Satan’s purpose of making each nation emerge from the war with the masses and the classes thoroughly united with each other, instead of their being divided against each other as they had been before the war. This purpose of Satan was frustrated by the Lord’s making known, not only the human, but also the Satanic causes of the war, particularly as these were connected with the doctrines of the Divine Right of Kings, Aristocrats and Clerics, which doctrine and its resultant practices were the basic human causes of the war. The making of these things known has had various results: (1) the almost complete abolition of autocracy – a child of the Divine Right doctrine; (2) in some countries a large abolition, and in other countries a large limitation of aristocracy; (3) greatly decreased belief in the Divine Right of the Clergy and a correspondingly immense decrease of their influence; (4) greatly increased embitterment and opposition of the Radicals to what is Satan’s order of affairs; (5) greatly increased demands for more liberty from State, Aristocracy and Clergy; (6) most threatening imminence of world‑wide revolution. Thus in a deeper sense than most people recognize Satan emerged from his adventure in the World War as the worst defeated sovereign of all history.” (See E-2, pp. 136, 137 and 138)

“The World War was no usual war. From the above description it will be seen it was a greater conflict, with larger issues involved, than mankind in general recognizes. As a matter of fact the World War was the great war of prophecy – the war that, according to the Scriptures, would precede Armageddon, the war that would be the first part of the great Day of the Lord, the Day of Vengeance. In many places the Bible refers to it. The following are among the more important of these references: Joel 3:9‑14; Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21,22; 1 Thes. 5:1‑3. This war, and the very year – 1914 – in which it was to begin, were forecast from the Bible by Pastor Russell years before it began. According to the Bible it is after an ever increasingly stormy interval, to be followed by sudden world‑wide Revolution, which will overthrow the present form of Satan’s empire in state, aristocracy and religion. And according to the Scriptures even greater famines and pestilences than those that accompanied the World War will accompany the World Revolution. According to the Scriptural delineations, the Radicals, in the coming Revolution, will attack the present order with crushing and relentless blows, under which it will collapse with but scant resistance, due to its greatly weakened condition resulting from the wounds received in the World War and its aftermath. This is another great blunder Satan made in bringing about that war; for by greatly weakening his empire it will have prepared that empire to become an easy prey to the attacks of the Radicals in the coming World Revolution. Events on all hands indicate that we are rapidly sweeping toward this great social upheaval.” (E‑2,-138,139)

“Of the coming upheaval, the following are some of the Biblical descriptions, clothed in figurative language: ‘The Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty’ (Rev. 16:14; Zeph. 3:8; Isa. 13:4,5), ‘Armageddon’ (Rev. 16:16), ‘a great earthquake’ (Rev. 16:18; Heb. 12:26), ‘the fire of Jehovah’s Jealousy’ (Zeph. 3:8; 2 Peter 3:10,11,12; Mal. 4:1), ‘a whirlwind’ and a ‘storm’ (Nahum 1:3,6,7), ‘a tempest of hail,’ ‘a destroying storm,’ and ‘a flood of mighty waters’ (Isa. 28:2; Nahum 1:4,5,8), ‘the besom of destruction’ (Isa. 14:23), ‘a furnace of fire’ (Matt. 13:42), ‘a lake of fire’ (Rev. 19:20), and ‘the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God (Rev. 19:15).”

“As one reads these many terms descriptive of one and the same event, the conclusion is irresistible that they set forth in symbolic language an appalling calamity just ahead of the race.

“The present European powers are symbolized in their entirety in the seven‑headed Beast of Rev. 17:7‑12... We look for the coming of another (symbolic) Beast, which seems to represent the form of European government to be set up after the Revolution [Armageddon], and which, we opine, will probably be socialistic in form. This being a part of the ‘present evil world,’ Satan, of course, will be its invisible ruler.” (E‑2-139)

“The Scriptures teach that after this government shall but briefly pilot the ship of State amid the storms of the social sea, Anarchy will set in, and like a devouring fire will completely destroy every vestige of Satan’s empire. More severe famines and pestilences than those accompanying the Revolution will accompany Anarchy. Fire is the most frequent Biblical term describing the Anarchistic phase of the Great Tribulation. The prophet Elijah was given a vision of the three great phases of this Trouble – war, revolution, and anarchy – by the wind, earthquake and fire of 1 Kings 19:11,12. Using Jerusalem as a figure of Christendom, the prophet Ezekiel by the term ‘sword’ describes the War and Revolution, and by the figure of the noisome beast (a beast is opposed to law and order) fittingly describes the Anarchy of the Time of Trouble (Ezek. 14:21). Additionally, in the same passage, he shows that famines and pestilences will play their part in these troubles, as we by observation know they played their part in the war.” (E‑2-140)

“Satan will, after the Anarchy, attempt but one final effort against God’s people, and that not against His spiritual, but against His fleshly Israel. One of the signs of our times as a fulfillment of prophecy has been Israel’s returning to Palestine. This has had several stages... Arab opposition has given a temporary setback, but in due time this obstacle will be removed. Present world‑wide conditions have influenced many wealthy Israelites to divert vast millions of treasure to their Home Land, and the land is being richly built up... All this is in fulfillment of prophecy relating to our times (Ezek. 36:8,12). Satan, beholding these prosperous Israelites, and realizing that his days of mischief are about over, will, after anarchy has destroyed the future socialistic governments, in hatred against Israel stir up the anarchistic remnants of all nations to plunder the Israelites in Palestine. These plunderers, as described in Ezek. 38 and 39 and in Zech. 12:1‑9 and 14:1‑3, will be gathered by Satan from among all nations and will sorely afflict Israel in what the Bible calls Jacob’s Trouble (Jer. 30:1‑9). This will be a very severe trouble, according to the prophetic description given in the above citations, and will be Israel’s final chastisement. It will effectually turn them to the Lord Jesus in thorough conversion, when they in the complete overthrow of their plunderers by the Lord Jesus, will remember that their trouble and their troublers’ were forecast to them by the Truth people. And their affliction and the overthrow of their anarchistic plunderers will be the last act of Satanic oppression as the god of this evil world. With that wicked effort his days as man’s supreme oppressor will be over, for which we thank God.” (E‑2-142)

Yes, in the last effort of Satan the Jews will call upon the Lord and He will answer their prayers: “Fools because of their transgression [crucifying the Lord of Glory], and because of their iniquities [their violations of the Mosaic Law], are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they 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 destruction. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psa. 107:17‑21) “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” (Zech. 14:3)

MORE ON THE HIGH CALLING

“This night [the great Time of Trouble] began in each country as it was involved in the World War, the first part of the great tribulation, which began when the first countries entered the war in August 1914. Accordingly, we recognize that the night began in 1914. But this symbolic night, just like the natural night, did not set in everywhere at the same instant of time, rather it reached each country only as it became involved in the war. While every government did not declare war, every one of the nations was involved therein; because every one of them was afflicted by the war. Now every nation is in the night, and has been since the war afflicted, and thus involved all nations, even those that did not declare war. Therefore the reaping is complete the world over; the Elects’ forehead sealing is finished.

“Closely connected with our text in thought is Rev. 7:1‑3, which we offer as a second proof that the forehead sealing of the Elect is complete. As these verses have, we think, been greatly misinterpreted in Vol. VII, we will introduce and ex­pound them briefly: ‘And after [seeing] these things [in Chap. 6] I [the Little Flock] saw [with both physical and mental eyes] four angels [the messengers of wrath, C-165, i.e., (1) rulers, (2) aristocrats, (3) proprietary business men and proprietary farmers and (4) laborers, who bring about the trouble, and thus pour out the sufferings, the wrath of the Time of Trouble; the Harvest workers are not the messengers of wrath, as Vol. VII claims, but are messengers of peace, announcing and working for real peace (Isa. 52:7; Eph. 6:15)] standing [each group stationed in the section of society to which it belongs] on the four corners of the earth [the symbolic earth, society (the symbolic heavens are not here included), is divided into four sections, each one corresponding to one of the four messengers of wrath: (1) government, (2) aristocracy, (3) bourgeoisie, (4) labor] holding [these groups, prompted more or less by their selfishness, which worked in different forms in the various groups, followed a course that restrained the fallen angels from bringing the great tribulation sooner than the due time] the four winds of the [fallen angels, who seem to be divided into four classes (Rom. 8:38; Eph. 6:12), and who are ruling over the symbolic] earth [society] [so] that the wind [the World War, 1 Kings 19:11; see Berean comments, also on Rev. 7:2. This ‘wind’ is not the ‘whirlwind,’ which will only then come when the fallen angels are more fully loosed than they were when causing the war, and as such meet in great conflicts among them­selves and produce among mankind the symbolic whirlwind, revolution and anarchy (Jer. 25:29-33, especially v. 32; 2 Kings 2:1,11, etc.). The wind, as this text implies, must precede the whirlwind, which occurs as a result of the hostile meeting of the fallen angels, after ‘the wind,’ 1 Kings 19:11,12] should not blow [bring tribulation] on the earth [society], nor on the sea [the restless, rebellious, lawless masses] nor on any tree [great one: the Lord’s people are counted great ones by Him; and the leaders among the four sections of society are also by their partisans].’“ (E‑5-147,148)

There will be more on the High Calling in Part 3. We trust that the first two parts of this series have blessed and strengthened the Lord’s people to a better understanding of the “Times and Seasons” in which we are now living.

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Tim. 3:14); and “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psa. 27:14)

(Reprint No. 291, September 1979)

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The following is an answer to the letter in the June 1997 paper:

Dear Brother ….: Grace and peace thru our Beloved Lord!

Delay in answering your letter of February 23 is due to my illness... My wife has been unable to take care of some of the correspondence. However, I am now regaining my strength.

Your frank expressions on the subject of the Jews are appreciated. I especially appreciate the compliment you give me regarding my knowledge of God’s Word and His “plan of the ages.” I have endeavored to “continue in” the Truth I have learned and been assured of; and our Lord promises, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31,32) Also, the Apostle Paul admonishes Timothy to “continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” (2 Tim. 3:14)

First of all, I wish to emphasize the fact that I am not a Jew – although I am not unmindful of the wonderful heritage the Jews have, even as I am acutely aware of the objectionable qualities that the renegade Jews have. As the Apostle Paul tells us, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly.” (Rom. 2:28) God does not recognize these renegades as Jews: His promises are only to the faithful orthodox Jews who will eventually accept Christ as their Savior. Also, there are many renegade Christians, who outwardly profess Christ but do not so do from the heart.

At our Lord’s First Advent He opened up the way for natural Jews to become Spiritual Israelites, but only a few availed themselves of that opportunity. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together... and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:37,38)

After our Lord’s crucifixion, in “due time,” the Lord opened up the way for Gentiles to become Spiritual Israelites. But only a small minority of the human race have availed themselves of this opportunity – and quite a few of those who did... have made shipwreck of their profession. I am sure, my Brother, that you recognize this condition.

In the genealogy of Jesus we are clearly told that David was his ancestor. And certainly David was a Jew. And the inspired Scripture gives us what our Lord said: “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22) However, the faults of those renegade Jews, who are only Jews according to the flesh, may easily blind us to the overall picture. Ezekiel and Jeremiah are positive in disputing your opinion. I shall quote just one citation from Jer. 16:15: “I will bring them again into the land that I gave unto their fathers.”

As you undoubtedly know, Israel is just another name for Jacob, as he was originally called; and Jacob’s twelve sons are the progenitors of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel; and Jesus is referred to as “the lion of the tribe of Judah.” He was in a class by Himself when conducting His ministry at His First Advent; and at that time He certainly demonstrated that He was the lion (the King) of the tribe of Judah.

Note, too, Zech. 14:1-3: “I will gather all nations to Jerusalem to battle... then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” I assume I need not cite those ancient outstanding times when the Lord did fight for Israel; and the record tells us of Jesus: “He came unto his own [the Jews], and his own received him not.” Also Zech. 12:10: “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and shall mourn because of it.” St. Paul corroborates this in Rom. 1:16: “To the Jew first.”

As footstep followers of Jesus, we should not hate any race because of the evils of some – perhaps many – individuals. Although the Lord beholds the good and the evil (Ec. 12:14), He is not dealing with any individual now but only with those who are in covenant-relationship with Him. “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness.” (Acts 17:31) “For when thy judgments [instructions] are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa. 26:9) “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” (2 Cor. 4:4) But their eyes will be opened in that Blessed Kingdom: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.” (Isa. 35:5) “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” (Rom. 11:32)

If at any time I can be of assistance to you, do not hesitate to call upon me – as I consider you my brother. We here try to write “in sincerity and in truth,” as we rely upon His inspired Word.

With this comes my Christian love and the assurance of my prayers for your highest welfare. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.

Sincerely your brother and servant, John J. Hoefle

PS — I am enclosing a tract on The Two Distinct Salvations and our May 1979 paper, which I hope you will find interesting and helpful.

Also, I have a few Jewish-Christians on my mailing list, and have exchanged personal correspondence with them. I find them most generous with those who have departed from the Truth – especially so with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, et al, who no longer teach the Truth on the promises to the Jews: “To the Jew First,” which is clearly taught in the Scriptures, for both the elective salvation as well as the salvation of the world in general in Christ’s Kingdom.

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NO. 486: “FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS” – UNDERSTANDING PURIM

No. 486

By Clarence H. Wagner, Jr., International Director, Bridges For Peace

One of my favorite biblical holidays is Purim, because the story behind the celebration is so exciting, with rich details that grip your attention – a real “page turner.” They could certainly make an epic film of it and keep audiences spellbound, right until the end.

For those who may not be familiar with the details of Purim, I want to begin by summarizing the story of Esther, then draw some practical and spiritual applications for us to consider. (For the full effect, read the Book of Esther for yourself – you won’t be disappointed.)

Two thousand five hundred years ago, King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) ruled his vast Persian kingdom of 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. In the third year of his reign, he had a great 180-day banquet, in the capital city of Susa, for his princes, nobles, officials, and military leaders. King Ahasuerus summoned his queen, Vashti, to appear in her crown and royal robes. She refused and was banished. King Ahasuerus desired another queen, so his aides proposed a search throughout his entire kingdom for the most beautiful woman to replace Vashti.

Working at the palace was a Jewish man named Mordecai who had come there when the Jews were carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. He had raised his cousin, Hadassah, an orphan, who was a great beauty. So, when Mordecai heard of this search for a new queen, he suggested Hadassah, called Esther, as a candidate. She was accepted. Along with other candidates, she went through 12 months of beauty treatments before being brought before the king. Everyone liked her the best, and when she came before the king, she immediately won his favor, too, and became his queen in Vashti’s place.

About this time, two of the king’s guards plotted his assassination. This was overheard by Mordecai, who passed word via Esther to the king. The plot was exposed, the guards executed, and Mordecai’s good deed was recorded in the royal annals.

Soon, a man named Haman, an Agagite (Amalekite), became the chief of all nobles. He demanded that everyone bow down to him. Mordecai refused to do this. Day after day, only Mordecai refused to pay homage to Haman, which enraged him to the point he wanted to get rid of Mordecai. However, Haman decided not only to destroy Mordecai, but all his people – the Jews of the world.

Haman convinced the king that there was an obstinate and unlawful people who lived in his kingdom that needed to be destroyed. Without telling the king who these people were, Haman offered ten thousand talents of silver to the royal treasury for permission to extermi­nate this unnamed people! The king gave his permission. Lots, or purim, were cast to decide on the day of the execution of all the Jews, and Haman issued a decree throughout the king­dom to annihilate them on Adar 13.

When Mordecai heard of this plot, he put on sackcloth to mourn the fate of his people, the Jewish people. Esther heard of Mordecai’s condition and went to see Mordecai, who challenged her to go before the king to ask for a reprieve for the Jewish people. Well, it wasn’t that easy. One had to be summoned before the king, and if you went to him without that summons and he did not raise his scepter, you would be put to death. It was a risk for Esther to go to the king, even if she were the queen. Mordecai told her that God put her into this position “for such a time as this.” She pondered this calling, and fasted.

Then, Esther took the risk and went to the king. He raised his scepter and with pleasure he accepted her invitation to a special dinner for him and Haman. Haman was more than flattered and hurried to join the king and queen. The king was so happy with the evening that he offered Esther anything she wanted, up to half his kingdom. She asked that the king and Haman return the next day for another banquet, when she would give him her answer.

Meanwhile, on his way out of the palace, Haman saw the hated Mordecai. Seeing him all the time enraged him and so he built a 75-foot gallows in order to hang Mordecai the next day. Then he would never have to look at him again.

That night, the king could not sleep, so he read the royal annals. He realized that Mordecai had never been rewarded for his discovery of the assassination plot, so many years before.

On the following day, Haman was called by the king. Without telling Haman who he wanted to honor, the king asked Haman how he would honor a man who had delighted the king. Haman thought he was that man, so said, “For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden... Let them robe the man and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor.” So the king told Haman to go at once and do this for Mordecai!! Haman choked back his anger, but did what the king asked. The humiliation caused him great frustration.

Haman was then summoned to the second banquet with the king and queen. There, Esther revealed what she wanted from the king. She told the king of the plan to annihilate all her kinsmen, the Jews of his kingdom, including the favored Mordecai. The king was outraged and wanted to know who was behind this plan. Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.” The king went to the palace garden to decide the fate of Haman. When he returned, he saw Haman fall upon the queen to beg for mercy, and the king thought he was attacking her. Just then, an aide to the king reported that Haman had built a gallows near his house to hang Mordecai, so the king ordered Haman hung on this gallows.

The king gave the Jews a reprieve, gave Esther Haman’s estate, and gave Mordecai Haman’s former position in the king’s court. On the 14th of Adar, “In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gladness among the Jews with feasting and celebrating.”

SOME PURIM CUSTOMS

So it is today in Israel and in Jewish communities throughout the world. Purim is still celebrated just as Mordecai wished. In Jerusalem and other walled cities, Shushan Purim is celebrated on the 15th of Adar, while in Tel Aviv and other unwalled cities, the holiday is celebrated the day before, on the 14th of Adar (this is usually in March). Throughout the centuries of their oppression, this holiday has served as a release for Jewish tensions and anxieties. It is a time when the Jewish people “let their hair down” and celebrate their deliverance with all their might. However, before the celebration begins, in accordance with the tradition of not leaving any joy or sorrow unadulterated, the day before Purim is a day of fasting. It is reminiscent of the fast mentioned in Esther 4:16 and is called the Fast of Esther. Different from other fasts and holidays in Jewish tradition, this fast begins at sunrise rather than at sundown on the previous evening.

On Purim day, the main feature of the Purim celebration is the reading of the megillah or Scroll (book) of Esther. Because Esther is the only book in the Bible where the name of God is not mentioned, great liberties are taken with the reading, and with the whole celebration for that matter. In contrast to other synagogue services which are often solemn, the Purim service is conducted in an almost frivolous manner.

Because evil Haman was of Amalekite origin, and it is a command of God, in Exodus 17:8‑16 and Deuteronomy 25:17-19, to blot out the memory of the Amalekites, great care is given by everyone, especially the children, to drown out the name of Haman as the story is read. The hearers yell, shout, boo, hiss, stamp their feet and make noises with special hand-held noise-makers, called graggers. Since great attention is paid to the reading of the scroll, the reader may not proceed until the noise has subsided. Needless to say, it takes quite a bit of time to get through the Book of Esther with all the interruptions.

The Purim celebration is known for its plays and parodies. In Israel today, there are also parties and parades. The streets are filled with merrymakers and virtually all the children, and some adults, are in a costume of some sort. You see little Queen Esthers and Mordecais on almost every street in downtown Jerusalem, in a real carnival atmosphere. There are even a few evil Hamans running around, usually being booed and mocked by the crowds. Of course, the costume ideas are by no means limited to the characters from the book of Esther. There are also clowns, spacemen, cowboys, and many other outlandish creations of young Israeli minds – the teenagers going for Madonna or other popular rock stars or even politicians.

As with all Jewish holidays, there are special foods eaten. One special food eaten during this celebration is hamantashen or Haman’s ears. These are tri-cornered dough cookies filled with a sweetened poppy seed or date mixture.

Traditionally, in the afternoon of Purim day, there are Purim feasts, where friends and relatives come together and celebrate. Food is sent to the poor on this day, in accordance with the admonition of Mordecai in Esther 9:22, “...observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.”

Purim is not just a dusty, 2,500-year-old story. It has relevance for us as Bible-believers today. Let’s look at three important lessons:

LESSON #1: ANTISEMITISM IS EVERYWHERE

The first lesson we can learn from Purim is that there is an inherent tendency in humans to hate and plot against the Jewish people. This is one of the most amazing and persistent maladies of the human race that is as old as the Bible covenants themselves. This anti-Jewishness, or anti-Semitism, has raised its ugly head in virtually every civilization both ancient and modern, appearing in countless Pharaohs, Hamans, Herods, and Hitlers who have marched across the stage of human history. Today it can even be found in parts of the world where no Jews live!

It seems the sin of anti-Semitism, in the spirit of Amalek, is a spiritual condition created in the pits of hell, which creeps into every society. The spiritual basis for this unnatural hatred for the Jews is the covenant relationship between the Jewish people and God. Because they, as a people, represent something precious to the Lord (Zech. 2:8), they are subject to extraordinary attack...just as Christians have been in many parts of the world. The destruction of the things of God are always a target of satanic forces. Also, in this case, the extermination of all the Jews at this point in history would have cut off the future birth of Yeshua, and thus the salvation of the world.

Nevertheless, God’s arm is not so short that He does not bring retribution upon those who persecute His people. When God made His covenant with Abraham, which included the land of Israel, He said, “I will bless those who bless you, and curse him that curses you...” (Gen. 12:3)

Many nations have found themselves on God’s rubbish heap because they persecuted Israel. One of the first of these protagonists was the ancient nation of Amalek, who oppressed Israel mercilessly on their journey through the wilderness. The Lord instructed Moses that once the people were settled in the land of Israel, they were to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven:

“Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. When the Lord your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!” (Deut. 25:17-19)

In other words, the Israelites were to totally destroy that evil nation... but they didn’t. And sadly, the seed of Amalek (physically and spiritually) seems to have survived even to this day, seething in its hatred toward God’s covenant people and constantly stirring world opinion against Israel.

In later years, King Saul was given this task, but because of his disobedience, Amalek survived. In I Samuel 15:17-19, Samuel says to Saul:

“The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And He sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and com­pletely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.’ Why did you not obey the Lord?”

In fact, it happened to be an Amalekite who later took Saul’s life. In II Samuel 1, a prisoner from Saul’s camp came to David and reported the death of Saul. When David asked him how he knew this, he told this story:

“I happened to be on Mt. Gilboa...and there was Saul leaning on his spear with the chariots and riders almost upon him. When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I said ‘What can I do?’ He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ ‘An Amalekite,’ I answered. Then he said to me ‘Stand over me and kill me! I am in the throes of death, but I’m still alive.’ So I stood over him and killed him.” (II Sam. 1:6-10)

Later, in I Samuel 30:18, we read that David “recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives.” The Amalekites had apparently raided David’s household as well!

By now, you may be asking yourselves, “What does this have to do with the story of Purim?”

Hundreds of years after King Saul’s disobedience, there was yet another Amalekite who arose to oppress the Jews of Persia whose name was Haman (Esther 3:1). We just heard the story and find that Haman perhaps was the second person to come up with the idea of a “final solution” for the Jewish people (Pharaoh was first). Haman’s rage was not only directed against Mordecai, who had refused to bow to him, but against all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews throughout Ahasuerus’ kingdom (Esther 3:6). This, of course, included all the Jews living in Israel at that time.

Evil Haman’s rage knew no bounds. Haman cast lots (purim) to determine the exact date of this proposed extermination of the Jews throughout the whole empire.

Haman’s plan might have been successful had it not been for Esther risking her own life, approaching the king and skillfully putting an end to Haman’s plot. This madman was then hung on his own gallows, and the awful edict was withdrawn.

The celebrations in Jewish communities around the world commemorate their deliverance from this evil plot of destruction. And above the merrymaking of celebration and the laughter of the crowd, one can almost hear the laughter of God Himself, as if God were laughing Haman to scorn, along with the host of other men and nations who have dared stand against His own beloved people. Psalm 2:1-4 says:

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?... ‘Let us break their chains,’ they say, ‘and throw off the fetters’... The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.”

LESSON #2: GOD DELIVERS HIS PEOPLE

Throughout the ages, we have seen evil plots devised over and over again against the Jews. First there was Pharaoh, then the Amalekites, Haman and his plot, the Syrians under Antiochus Epiphanes, the Romans, the Crusaders, the Inquisition, the pogroms of Russia, a 20th century “final solution” organized by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, and the incessant jihad (holy war) called by the Moslems of the Middle East to “push the Jews into the sea.”

Yet, the Jewish people have been spared time and again and still exist today, while the perpetrators have eventually vanished.

A remarkable phenomenon, experienced in the history of the Jewish people, is that God has delivered them from other oppressors in history on Purim! In the early 1950s, Joseph Stalin, leader of the USSR, planned a final solution to his “Jewish problem.” He set up barracks in Siberia and Kazakhstan, ready to receive millions of Jews from all over the Soviet Union, who were to be sent there to oblivion and probably death. For many months, Pravda and Izvestia, leading a well-orchestrated campaign, accused the Jews of all sorts of crimes against the Soviet people. The last stroke was to be the March, 1953 publication of a letter, supposedly signed by the leaders of the Jewish community, begging for protection from the legitimate anger of the Soviet people and asking to be sent to the “refuge” in Siberia. The government was poised to fulfill the “humanitarian request.” But, the letter was never published and the Jewish people were saved from deportation. That year, good fortune prevailed. Echoing the events of thousands of years earlier, on Purim, March 5, 1953, Stalin died. Later that spring, Pravda announced its new truth, that the earlier anti‑Jewish campaign had been misguided.

In 1991, the latest such deliverance to come on Purim day was the end of the Gulf War. Saddam Hussein was defeated and the Scud missiles stopped raining down upon Israel. I remember sitting in a sidewalk cafe, on the Ben Yehuda Street pedestrian mall in Jerusalem, watching thousands of Israelis celebrating Purim, 1991, in obvious relief. Gas masks were put away, sealed rooms were opened, and everyone thanked God for His deliverance, once again.

Historically, the Church has Jewish blood on its hands, as many of the attacks against the Jewish people in the last 2,000 years have come from so‑called Christians. These perpetrators of Christian anti-Semitism obviously did not heed Paul’s clear teaching in Romans 9-11. On the relationship between the Church and Israel and the Jewish people, Paul says of the Jews, they are “beloved for the sakes of the fathers” (Rom. 11:28), and to the Church, “...by your mercy they shall receive mercy.” (Rom. 11:31)

The Jewish people are still persecuted today and you will find anti-Semitism even in your own hometown. As a Christian, are you willing, like Queen Esther, to stick your neck out and take the risk of showing mercy to the Jewish people and Israel? As part of expressing our faith in love, and as part of our spiritual connection to Israel, we may be called upon to do this.

Sadly, many Christians are not willing to accept this role enjoined by Paul, and Christian anti-Semitism has permeated Christianity throughout the ages.

Fortunately, in these last days, as Christians read the Word of God themselves and the Holy Spirit reveals God’s will, many true believers understand the spiritual connection between the Church and the Jewish people, which is drawing us together. Ephesians 2:11‑14 tells us:

“Therefore, remember that formerly, you who are Gentiles by birth and called ‘uncircumcised’ by those who call themselves ‘the circumcision’(that done in the body by the hands of men as a sign of the covenant) remember that at that time you were separate from Messiah, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Messiah. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility...”

As adopted sons of Abraham, grafted into the tree of Israel, partakers of the covenants, promises, hopes and even the citizenship of Israel, it is our duty to stand up against evil that might befall the Jewish people, and counteract anti-Semitism wherever it may be found, especially if found in Christian circles. We should affirm as Ruth, the Moabitess, did to her mother-in-law, Naomi:

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go l will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Through the blood of Messiah, this statement is true for all Christians as well, even if taking this stand is not always easy! Whenever we see our spiritual relatives, the Jewish people, and our spiritual homeland, Israel, in trouble, let us be God’s instrument to seek their protection and deliverance. Let us be willing to take the risk, as Esther did, and watch God work out His prophetic miracles.

LESSON #3: WE MUST TAKE RISKS FOR GOD

This leads us to the third lesson we can learn from the Purim story: we must take risks for God. In Esther 4:13-14, cousin Mordecai told Esther to risk her life to save the Jews:

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows, but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

It was not God’s intention that Esther tryout for queen simply to “complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfume and cosmetics.” (Esther 2:12) God raised her to this royal position to risk her life to help Him fulfill His will on earth. What Mordecai was telling her is this: God is sovereign and if you don’t act, He will provide relief and deliverance for the Jews from another place. You will not escape, but will perish. He has called you to a special role in His Kingdom plan, “for such a time as this.” Esther had a purpose to fulfill in God’s plan for that important day. The Hebrew concept of meiserat nefesh, to lay one’s life on the line for another, would prevail.

God put Esther there to save her people! God wanted her to be part of the blessing... However, like Esther, we should not imagine that we are to sit in God’s kingdom on earth and be pampered and feel no pain. We may be spared, but there are battles to go through, even though the Lord promises victory and even helps us to win that victory.

God has put us on this earth for the purpose of furthering His kingdom and the redemption of the world. This involves battles, many not of our own doing or choosing. This is why Ephesians 6:10‑18 describes the armor of God, which we must put on for our protection (do read this passage). As the end of days draws closer and Messiah’s return comes near, the things of God and the people of God will come under more and more attack.

This is especially true when we take a public stand for the Lord and the things He loves, including Israel and the Jewish people. Like Esther, we may also be called upon to lay our life on the line, as did many Bible‑believing Christians during World War II who protected Jews from the Nazis. Yeshua said, “Greater love has no man than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command” (John 15:13‑14), and “...whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matt. 10:39).

Are we available to the Lord for Him to use us?

FACING PERSONAL CHALLENGES WITH GOD

While Israel is of great concern to the Lord, both in the past and now, there are also many other challenges we face as we walk out our calling for God. Are you ready for the battle that will come when we stand for the Lord? David, a man after God’s own heart, was promised victory in his battles with the enemies of Israel, but he still had to go out on the battlefield and fight. We should, and can, expect no less. Yeshua said, “No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:20) Our duty in this world is to do God’s will. This may cause us to encounter difficult situations. I can promise you, however, if we remain close to the Lord and in His will, we will ultimately have the victory. As with Queen Esther, God will deliver us. But we have to be willing to seek the Lord with all our might, search the Scriptures and know God’s will for the world and for our own lives. Then, as we walk in the light and encounter the battles, we will be victorious.

We must have a sense of God’s purpose that the world sorely lacks today. The world is seek­ing empty goals of power, wealth, luxury and ease, which can lead to greed, lusts of the flesh, and the egocentric life of “what is in it for me?” It is easy for God’s people also to get caught up in the world’s patterns. The media and advertising world sell the attractiveness of a “go for the gusto” in our “I”-oriented society. Pursuing a life without God and living for the world’s “here and now” lifestyle, will eventually lead to emptiness. Even the Scriptures say, “Without a vision, My people perish.” (Prov. 29:18)

So let me ask again: Are you ready? Do you know and have God’s calling and purpose in your heart? Is it your heart’s desire to take a stand for the Kingdom of God, even if it is risky?

Mordecai told Esther that God would find someone else to fulfil His will, but she would miss the blessing. Will you miss the blessing simply because the task of kingdom living looks too tough and too risky? If we say, “NO” to the challenges God gives to us to show His power and glory, He will still perform it... without us. Then, we are the loser. I really don’t want to miss the blessing. Do you? Remember, Paul teaches, “I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)

Answering God’s call for our lives requires risk and commitment on our part. Yet when we answer God’s call, He then rushes in to provide the ways and means to perform it, even as He did for Esther.

When I moved to Israel, it was a very hard move to make. It was hard to consider raising a family here and living by faith. In the world’s logic, it seems foolish and risky, not only financially, but physically in this unstable part of the world. Yet this choice was made by the entire overseas staff of Bridges for Peace in Israel, and God has rushed in to meet our needs in every way. It is not always easy, but it is certainly rewarding. The fulfillment we receive in knowing we are exactly where God has chosen for us to be in His eternal plan, brings with it the peace that passes all understanding. We would not have it any other way.

God may have another type of calling for you. Whatever it is, though, let me encourage you to accept it and trust Him to perform it through you. You will never regret your decision.

Remember, there will be the occasional battles to fight. So prepare yourself by putting on the whole armor of God and learn to stand in the face of adversity (notice there is no back protection in the armor of God). I invite you be bold and commit yourselves to seeking the Lord with all your might. Like Jacob, wrestle with the Lord, until you get your answers.

If you are currently facing a battle, seek God for the help you need to get the victory. If you need to reassess your life priorities to find your purpose in the Kingdom of God, ask God and He will be faithful to answer you.

Whatever your need may be today, come before God’s throne of grace to receive His touch. We may be “The Kings Kids,” but as Mordecai said to Esther and I repeat again to you, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all [God’s people] will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows, but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:13‑14)

Shalom from Jerusalem, Clarence H. Wagner, Jr., International Director, Bridges For Peace

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION – What are your thoughts on the mass suicide of cult members in Rancho Santa Fe, California?

ANSWER – We understand that many people are mystified by this great tragedy. But a little reflection causes us to realize that this is a result of the Serpent’s big lie in Genesis 3:4: “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.” As the “serpent,” the evil one has been the deceiver, the beguiling tempter. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any living thing.” (Gen. 3:1, Rotherham) Our Lord, in speaking of Satan, the Serpent, said, “He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh of a lie he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar and father of it.” (John 8:44)

It seems these people believed that they would be taken to a higher station than human in a space ship. This is Satan’s lie altered to suit the technological, space-age-oriented, UFO generation of today.

The Adversary has kept up this false teaching for 6,000 years varying his method to fit the times or people involved. The nominal churches bear a great responsibility in this because for centuries they have taught the errors of inherent immortality of the soul and the consciousness of the dead, which errors lead to such extreme behavior exemplified in this tragic event.

Indeed it has come to be general belief among Christian people that death is a delusion, and not a reality; that people merely seem to die, but do not die; that they merely experience a change to a higher form of being; that so-called “Christian Scientists” are quite correct in saying, “There is no death.”

But they all reject the testimony of God’s Word that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23); that “the soul that sinneth shall die” (Ezek. 18:4); that “death has passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12); and that the hope of the Church, as well as the hope for the world, lies in the fact that Christ died for our sins and redeemed us from the death sentence, and in the Father’s due time is to effect a resurrection of the dead. (Acts 24:15) Which shall we believe, the serpent’s lie or God’s Word?

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Emily!

Quick greetings from me at the Ben Gurion Airport. I am going home to Sweden after my visit to Herman and Joseph in Emek ha Shalom.

The visitors are still coming, mostly on the Saturday-Sabbath. During my visit a couple from Holland came and they will stay in Emek ha Shalom for at least six months. I will write more when I get home.

Regards, ---------  (SWEDEN)

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Dear Sister Emily: Warm greetings always in the Lord.

Your newsletter was well received. It is so obvious how Israel is fulfilling so many Bible prophecies, all part of God’s Divine Plan. This makes our hearts rejoice – whether we be Christians or Jewish. We are all brethren!

In this state the numerous active Bible Student groups continue to gather here and there those newly consecrated to our dear Lord.

May God bless the ministry you share in for the future glory of the Kingdom.

Warmly, by God’s grace, ------- (MICHIGAN)

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CORRECTION: In our May 1997, No. 484 paper, please correct in the letter from Brother ------ in the third paragraph to read, “We came into the Truth in 1940 and joined the class in Detroit known as the Dawn Brethren, but we are no longer with them only.”