NO. 502B RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT - PART TWO

THE JEWS

"STOCKING UP FOR THE FUTURE: Israel will triple its built-up space by 2020 as it races past every other developed country in its rate of population growth and in the amount of new building construction.

"This projection is made by a government-sponsored planning team headed by Technion Prof. Adam Mazor, which has conducted a major study of Israel's options for growth until 2020.

"Israel is already the most densely populated of the world' s 24 developed countries, if the Negev is excluded from the calculations. That southern area, including Beersheba, contains 60 percent of Israel's territory but only seven percent of its population.

"To the north, population density is today 50 percent greater than that of Holland or Japan which are the next most densely populated developed countries. The difference between Israel and those countries will grow to 250 percent by 2020 because of Israel's rapid population growth, due to a high birth rate and immigration.

"Israel's population is expected to grow at an annual rate of two percent to reach a total of eight million residents by 2020, while all other developed countries are expected to grow at an average of only 0.4 percent. The growth in households however, will exceed the growth of population because of divorce, young people moving out of their parent’s homes earlier, and more people living on into old age. The size of apartments will also increase.

"To accommodate this growth, Israel will have to triple its building inventory in 30 years; that is, for every building that exists now there will be the equivalent of three comparable buildings. (The 30-year projections to 2020 date from 1990 when the planning team began its work.)

"Mazor acknowledges that the results can be frightening if development is not properly channelled. However, the same prodigious growth can also be harnessed to turn Israel into one of the most advanced Western countries, say the planners.

"In the plan, submitted recently to the government, Mazor's team notes that the need by Germany and Japan to rebuild their countries virtually from scratch after World War II eventually gave them a great advantage over countries because of the modernity of their new buildings and infrastructure.

"Virtually the same would be true for Israel which will by 2020 have an inventory three times larger than in 1990, almost all of it new. Holland, for instance, will have increased the amount of its building construction only by 25% in the same period, one­ twelfth of Israel's planned expansion. Compared to the rest of the developed world, Israel will be virtually a brand-new country.

"The main advantage will not be in the newness, say the planners, but in the sophistication of the infrastructure that permits an improved quality of life despite higher density - providing the country follows a comprehensive plan and does not leave its development to uncontrolled private initiatives that would destroy the landscape.

"The plan projects that per-capita GPD in Israel by 2020 will reach $33,000 (measured by the value of the 1990 dollar); nearly twice what it is today."

(The Jerusalem Post, Independence Day 5758)

"Virtually every conflict ends up on the doorstep of the United Nations, which has nearly 15,000 troops trying to keep the peace in 17 areas on four continents.

"But as U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said, the real responsibility for making peace rests with the warring parties themselves. 'We can only appeal to the wisdom and the responsibility of leaders to put the interests of their peoples over their own,' he said, decrying the increasing warfare in his native Africa ... So far there have been plenty of accusations but few attempts at reconciliation...

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally confirmed for the first time that he was ready to accept a U .S. proposal to withdraw from 13 percent of the West Bank. But Yasser Arafat has reiterated plans to declare a Palestinian state in May despite Israeli objections. Netanyahu warned that a unilateral declaration will sabotage the Middle East peace process."

(Associated Press, September 27, 1998)

"CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? 184 countries are eligible to sit on the United Nations Security Council, one country is not! Can you guess which one? Believe it or not, Israel is the only one of the 185 member countries that is regarded as ineligible to serve on the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council is the most important group of the UN. This becomes even stranger when we realize that nations like Iraq, Iran, Cuba, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria, can serve rotating terms on the Security Council, yet democratic Israel cannot. The reason this is a UN rule to be eligible for election to Security Council and other important bodies of the UN, a country must belong to a regional group. Israel has attempted to gain acceptance into the West European and another group (WEOG), which includes not only Western European nations but also Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Turkey and the United States, but to date Israel has not been admitted … 'Lo, the people [lsrael] shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.' (Num. 23:9)" (Bible Light International, February 1998, taken from Bridges For Peace)

"SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER: Holocaust denial and defamation of Judaism appear regularly in Palestinian publications as well as across the Arab and Muslim world. Children are taught to proudly sing about suicide, hate and violence before a TV audience. French author Roger Garaudy, 84, who was formerly a Communist and converted to Islam, professes in his scurrilous book, The Founding Myths of Israeli Politics, that the Final Solution was a total fabrication in order to found the Jewish State .The French government convicted and fined him for denying crimes against humanity and racist defamation. In turn Palestinians accused French authorities of surrendering to 'Zionist cultural terrorism .' Now Garaudy is received in highest circles of government and society in the Arab nations.  Moreover: other Jew-hate literature, Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion and a new edition of Hitler 's Mien Kampf are literally thundering off the presses in Beirut and Damascus..." (Bible Light International, September/October 1998)

"INDEX OF SHAME: France has put on public display a recently found World War II registry of tens of thousands of Jews marked for deportation to Nazi death camps.  "The list - branded the 'Index of Shame ' - whose existence was long denied by French authorities, was compiled by the Nazi collaborationists Vichy government between 1941 and 1944." (World Jewish Congress)

"CLAIM: An Israeli citizen has publicized property documents stating that she is the legal owner of part of the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

"Zipporah Frank's grandfather owned and operated a factory on the site which became the infamous death camp. Frank says she has no intention of making any claim to the property. [Since this was published there was a long story about the Auschwitz property in the Jerusalem Post, giving details of ownership. There is a movie planned about it.]"

(World Jewry, June 1998)

THE JEWISH PRESS: "Most of the world ignores that in the Arab-Israeli war (1948) 700,000 Jews were expelled from Arab countries and over $11 billion of Jewish property and assets were seized by Arab governments.  During the Algerian-French war (1950-early 60s) nearly all of the 130,000 Algerian Jews fled Algeria because of abuses, and all but one of Algeria 's synagogues were seized and turned into Mosques. Similar offenses occurred in Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Syria. The world continues to ignore what has happened to Jews in Arab countries, and what Muslims are responsible for doing to their Jews." (Bible Light International, July 1998)

"ISRAELI PASSOVER: There were nearly 62,000 guests registered at Israeli hotels for the Passover holiday of 1998, some 15% more than in the same period during the previous year.  Those registered included 28,500 foreign tourists and 33,500 Israelis. "(World Jewry, August 1998)

"EATING THEIR WORDS: 'Keep your words sweet,' someone once said, 'because you never know when you may have to eat them.’

"Take the time-honored Encyclopedia Britannica which really put its foot in its mouth in a 1905 entry which said: 'The dream of some Zionists for the restoration of Hebrew as a living language has as little chance of success as the dream of the restoration of a Jewish state in Palestine.’

"Will the world's 'wise men' never wise up? Only 43 years later there was a restored Jewish state called Israel - with Hebrew spoken across the land. The lesson? Challenge the Bible, and you'll eat your words. Every time!"

(By Frank Eiklor, Editor, Front Lines Report, Volume 20, September 1998)

"U.N. FIRST: Attack on anti-Semitism: The United Nations General Assembly has for the first time voted to condemn anti-Semitism. The action came in a resolution, adopted without opposition, that also urged governments to cooperate with a U.N. fact-finder examining various forms of intolerance - including racism, religious discrimination, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. Until now, the U .N. had never officially acknowledged the existence of anti-Semitism. Hostility toward Israel from Arab and Muslim nations, backed by the former Soviet Union, prevented any such action."(The Orlando Sentinel, December 19, 1998)

"Jewish children were burned alive at the same spot where Polish Catholics are setting up crosses at Auschwitz Death Camp, and they refuse to stop. One man was an eye witness to some of the children being killed. He was forced by the Nazi to dismantle barriers. He heard a distant cry of high pitched children's voices. He saw a truck filled with naked children. Then when the dump truck opened they were dumped alive into the flaming pit. This is the spot where Polish Catholics are placing crosses. It should be holy for Jews and families. [The cross is a frightening emblem to Jews because it was used by the Crusaders and others in their persecution of Jews.]" (Bible Light International, September 1998)

Why would the Catholics want to continue this effort of placing crosses at a death camp which is the antithesis of the teachings of the One who was crucified on a cross? To place crosses near a Nazi death camp mocks the Christian religion. Of course, this is what the Devil wants. Besides, it just magnifies the neglect and lack of compassion that the Catholic Church had for the Jews during the Holocaust. Why would they want to call attention to this?

"RIVALS SET TO FACE OFF IN ISRAELI CAMPAIGN: Opposition chief Ehud Barak announced his challenge to Prime Minister Netanyahu. TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - With early elections looming, opposition leader Ehud Barak stressed social issues over security concerns Thursday as he launched his campaign against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"With James Carville, President Clinton's former campaign strategist, at his side, Barak said he was ready for elections, expected in April.

"Netanyahu said Wednesday that he would call Israelis to the polls early if he could not muster support for his hard-line peace policies before a no-confidence motion Monday in parliament.

"Netanyahu's coalition has been crumbling since he signed the latest Mideast peace accord - which is opposed by most of his Cabinet because it calls for Israel to cede war­ captured West Bank land.

"Barak, leader of the Labor Party, which reached historic peace accords with the Palestinians in 133, wants the accord implemented to the letter and has rejected Netanyahu's calls for support.

"Barak accused Netanyahu of capitulating to his right-wing coalition and further freezing troop withdrawals from the West Bank. 'We are determined to put an end to yielding to extremists’, Barak said.

"Barak promised to divert millions of dollars now being spent by the Netanyahu government on Jewish settlements and divert it instead to domestic concerns, such as education, health and ending record-high unemployment.

"He also pledged to cut government grants to yeshivas, or Jewish seminaries, and to draft seminary students into military service like other Israelis. 'Education before settlements, job creation before yeshivas', Barak said."

(The Orlando Sentinel, December 18, 1998)

DON'T GIVE UP ON BIBI. ISRAELIS WILL FIND HIM A SHREWD DIPLOMAT HOODWINKING OUR ENEMIES: Let us not give-up on Bibi’s handling of our diplomatic "dealings" with Arafat’s PLO and the Clinton-U .S. -Albright conspiracy to wrest more land from the already squeezed­ in tiny strip of the nonetheless powerful State of Israel.

The "yes" or "no" faltering talks of the Wye Summit proves something. Despite the hesitant signing in the Oval Office, it proves that Bibi and Sharon knew that they were signing a "piece of paper" neither Arafat nor Clinton were willing to - or could finally- honor. While for Arafat, it was a temporary "gain," for Clinton, it was a political ploy.

The implications of my column of October 30, with the heading, "Despite the UN and the Summit, the Sly Arafat Remains Unchanged," still hold. Bibi is fully aware of this fact. Hence, he plays Arafat's game, having in mind the full security of the Medina, its safe borders with Jerusalem as its eternal capital.

Commenting on the U .S. stand at the Summit, the Middle East expert of the Heritage Foundation, James Phillips, spoke out clearly and said what had to be said:

"The chief obstacle to a stable Israeli-Palestinian peace is Palestinian terrorism, not Israel's understandable reluctance to surrender more territory that could be used to launch terrorist attacks. More Israelis have been killed in the five years since the Oslo Agreement was signed on the White House lawn than in the entire decade before the agreement. The Oslo process promised 'land for peace 'but has degenerated into 'land for promises' which too often go unfulfilled. Arafat' s failure to halt persistent terrorism led Israelis to elect Netanyahu as Prime Minister in 1996 based on his platform of 'peace with security.' In light of Arafat' s poor record of complying with his Oslo commitments, it would be a mistake for Netanyahu to accept anything less than ironclad security arrangements."

Mr. Phillips insisted that the President at the summit was duty bound to make the following clear, namely:

"The Oslo process has become mired in the details of an interim agreement before coming to grips with the more contentious final status issues concerning Palest.inian statehood, demarcation of borders, permanent security arrangements, the fate of Palestinian refugees, the status of Israeli settlements, the future of Jerusalem, and the disposition of scarce water resources.  It is unrealistic to expect these disputes to be resolved by May 4, 1999, regardless of what happens at this week's summit. The U.S. therefore should work with Israelis and Palestinians to extend the negotiating timetable.

" The Heritage Foundation expert also called upon Mr. Clinton to "insist that Arafat comply fully with his Oslo commitments. Washington should stress that Israel has no reason to negotiate future agreements if Arafat continues to violate past agreements. The U .S. should demand that Arafat clamp down on radical Palestinian groups opposed to the peace negotiations: end his 'revolving door' policy of arresting terrorists under American pressure only to release them quietly a short time later; extradite known terrorists to Israel; purge the PLO's National Covenant of calls for Israel's destruction; and halt his inflammatory rhetoric, including calls for a holy war to liberate Jerusalem and praise of suicide bombers as ‘martyrs’.”

Both Arafat and Bibi are back in Israel facing pro and con demonstrations amid new bombings.

One thing is sure, Arafat does not want peace. He wants war to gain his ends. And Bibi knows this fact.  Hence, he remains firm.

As for Clinton - amidst all his problems - did note that G-d has the last word. I challenge him to accept G-d's Biblical Blueprint for Israel and for the Children of Ishmael in their lands.

Biblical scholar Rebecca Buntyn says, "Keep the Faith - Bibi is not hopeless!"

(By David Horowitz, The Jewish Press, November 13, 1998)

'POLITICS ARE FULL OF TRICKS' - EMIR ABDULLAH 'S WORDS STILL HOLD: In a friendly correspondence this writer enjoyed many decades ago with the late Emir Abdullah, grandfather of our western-oriented King Hussein of Jordan, the amiable Emir, in one of his official letters about Middle East meddling by the British and the inter-Arab squabbles, used the term "Politics Are Full of Tricks."

(The correspondence - a number of letters in Arabic with English translations, kept in a world Union Press (WUP) UN file - served as the basis of a NY Times article in August 1994 by Francis X. Clines, in which he emphasizes the common pro-Biblical-Koranic relationship between the cousins, as brought out in the letters, The United Israel (UI) Bulletin covering the Abdullah story and the whole Clines article appeared in Volume 48, No. 1,2 and 3, 1994-95).

The Emir's remark could well have been applied to our days of political squabbling involving the Middle East controversy, linking the maneuvering of Saddam and his former - and no doubt present - supporter, Arafat, with the Russians in the middle.

If we take into account the faltering Wye Summit and the ongoing disrupting aftermath in Israel and in Gaza - coupled with the Iraqi "yes" and "no" crisis evolving around the UN Security Council's debates and Washington' s readiness to strike - we can only wonder, but understand what motivated my goodly friend, Eleanor Faix - and American Christian lady, a lover of peace who had many links to UN peace efforts at which a global peace ceremony we originally met over a decade ago - to pose the vital questions on the Wye summit, cited in this letter to me:

"That day of the signing of the Wye Summit I had many conflicts, but no answer (and) many thoughts. Why were the leaders there in the first place? Why did President Clinton keep dashing out on fundraising trips, as if the matter of peace in the Middle East was merely another item on the calendar? And why should BN (Bibi) give up 13 percent of any land in exchange for no 'violence '?

"It all reminded me of the old gangster movies showing a new shopkeeper having to deal with neighborhood ‘toughs’: either pay them certain amounts of money or else face broken shop windows, etc.

"The fact that Arafat even came to the Conference without first changing the item on his Charter calling for the complete destruction of Israel, that alone was a disgrace; it should have been deleted long ago, not as a last minute concession."

Congratulations Eleanor Faix, a lover of peace. You have spoken the truth! Ms. Faix included a clipping of the Philadelphia Inquirer, part of which stated:

'"If Arafat is Right, Your Bible is Wrong.' History also proves that the Palestinian claim to the Land of Israel is wrong. Why do the nations cater to Arafat and his Palestinian claim? Plain and simple - oil. Without Arab oil, most nations would go bankrupt.

"How deep are Palestinian  roots?      The  Christian  Bible,  Jewish  Scriptures  and Muslim Koran all teach that the Jewish people were given the Land of Israel by Divine decree - and that they would return and resettle their ancient Jewish homeland in the latter days."

(By David Horowitz, The Jewish Press, November 27, 1998)

PROSPECT

In this paper and our January paper we have called attention to all the upheavals in the churches including same-sex blessings, souls of pets, possible return of indulgences, etc. We have also pointed out the strange economy with corporate and bank mergers, but at the same time many lay-offs, and dependency on world markets. As for social conditions, disease, drugs and crime are real problems, with health care a big question and crime prevention lagging, despite reports that the crime rate is down. Then we all know of the corruption and immorality in politics, with power and greed ruling the day. These conditions are not confined to just the USA.  All countries are affected one way or the other.

What does it all mean? It all means the weakening of the religious, financial, political and social order. This would be very scary were it not for our faith that the present order is shaking in order that those things that cannot be shaken may arise . (Heb. 12:26,27) Add to all this the world-wide natural disasters, which to our minds is the preparing of the earth itself for the ideal climatic conditions of the new age about to be ushered in. Hallelujah and Amen!

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Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the many beautiful Christmas cards expressing love and prayers. Be assured that our warm Christian love and prayers are ever with you. We wish for all our readers that they will grow in Grace and Knowledge of the Lord for a blessed New Year, as "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." (Prov. 4:18)

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Memorial for 1999 is on Tuesday, March 30, after six p.m.

NO. 502A RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT - PART ONE

At the beginning of the New Year we look back at the year just past, and we are reminded of the many blessings the Lord gave us, and with thankful hearts we appreciate His blessings toward us.  We are assured that the Lord will bless and overrule all blessings for the Lord's faithful people in the coming year, as He has promised to those who love God (Rom. 8:28). "We will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore . Praise the Lord! " (Psa. 115:18)  "But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob." (Psa. 75:9) We especially praise and thank God for the 50 years of the survival of Israel.  We know it is one of God's Miracles!

THE WORLD

We have had disasters in the United States and all over the world - floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, etc.  Many good people went to their aid, as did our government when those areas where pronounced DISASTERS. Many of these good people risked their lives to help others.  We watched these horrors on TV and grieved with those who grieved, and we also "weep with them that weep." (Rom. 12:15) There were heartaches, especially for those who lost their loved ones, lost their homes or were badly injured.

The clergy did their best to comfort those who lost their loved ones, telling them their loved ones were in heaven. They said they didn't know why the Lord permitted these evils. Billy Graham didn't know why God permitted these evils, and said it may be the Mystery of Iniquity. However, he came nearer to the truth when he was asked the question, “Do you think the world is going to get better and better?” His answer, "The Bible doesn't promise that the world is going to get better and better. In fact, it indicates that 'there will be terrible times in the last days.’” (2 Tim. 3:1)

There are other texts that tell us about these "terrible times" we will have in the last days. "There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation." (Dan. 12': 1) "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matt. 24:21) "Nor ever shall be" gives us hope of a better time. The Lord's prayer gives us further hope: "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matt. 6:10) However, Satan is the "prince of this world." (John 12:31; 16:11) God will not permit Satan to do more than is necessary to give the world experience with evil. In the last days man's extremity is God's opportunity. The Kingdom will be inaugurated (Acts 17:31). "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain" (Isa. 11:9), "for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." (Isa. 26: 9)

IN FINANCE

1998 was another record year for the economy, especially the stock market. But no matter what business you are in, overseas problems affect you. 25% of our economy is linked to overseas trade which has a big impact on jobs, incomes, inflation, interest rates, capital spending and company profits. According to the IRS, a record 1.3 million individual income-tax returns filed for 1995 reported income of $200,000 or over, 14% more than in 1994. These returns represent 1.1% of all 1995 individual returns filed. 1% of the American people paid approximately 33% of all federal taxes, which is up 25% from ten years ago. This group earned 16% of America's income.

No one can really tell you why the stock market is a record high. Gold is at an all­time low, and businesses are trying to cut costs and run more efficiently. They can't raise their prices, at least not much, so they are looking for ways to hold down expenses and boost productivity. One way they are doing this is by cutting jobs, but unemployment will remain below 5% through next year.

The Kiplinger Letter predicts that growth will slow in 1999, particularly in the spring and early summer. The momentum from expansion in 1998 will keep the first quarter rolling.

One of the concerns is whether your money will be safe in a bank on January 1, 2000. Yes, but that does not guarantee easy access to your cash.  Many small banks and credit unions lag behind in fixing their computers so they will recognize year-2000 and 21st century dates.  Banks that are unprepared could incorrectly debit or credit transactions. If you are not sure that your bank will be ready on time, consider switching to one of the larger banks which have invested considerable resources to correct the problem . No matter where you keep your account, hold onto your statements and receipts at the end of 1999 and for the first few months of 2000 just in case the computer is corrupted. Check with your bank to see what they are doing to prepare for the year 2000 .

1999 profits will be hard to come by, remaining nearly flat for a second year. But it will feel worse after long double digit increases. The United States is becoming a world market and what happens overseas affects us more today than in any time in the history of our country. The federal government will cut interest rates further to ward off a recession, according to the Kiplinger Letter. They figure that the prime will probably be 7.5% in early 1999, but still Treasury Bills will drop to about 4% and interest bearing federal accounts will drop even lower.

Health insurance is still a problem. A lot of HMOs have gone bankrupt trying to keep the cost of insurance down and no one has come up with an answer. Some people seem to think that our health care is slipping in treating the sick, although medical pharmaceutical companies are coming out with better drugs to fight all kinds of contagious diseases.

The United States is the world's most open market, but we also pay a price for this honor. Job layoffs continue in an upward trend - there were 91,500 announced layoffs in the month of October, the most in three years, spreading from manufacturers to those who sell them goods and services. This will hurt consumer confidence. When people start hearing of pink slips and fewer jobs, they tighten up. One thing is sure, the U.S. can be the main buyer only so long. With job and income growth slowing here, imports will be hard to absorb which raises the risk of recession later on next year or early 2000. There is a good chance a tailspin will be avoided, but is far from sure. Only the future can tell.

We need to continue to "watch and pray" (Mark 13:33) in this Time of Trouble so that we will not be caught "unaware." (Luke 21:34)

IN RELIGION

JEHOVAH 'S WITNESSES: There are Kingdom Halls in Israel, even though they claim all the promises of God to the Jews belong to them. The Jews in Israel permit them to build their churches there, called Kingdom Halls. They don't offer praise and tribute to Israel for their 50th anniversary. To get rid of the name, Bible Students, they gave their followers a sectarian name, Jehovah' s Witnesses. They change their doctrines so often, and will keep doing so until time reveals their errors. They now publish Brother Russell's picture and refer to his Studies in the Scriptures, something they didn't do before. They do not use them in their studies. They are the largest movement, as to numbers, who emanated from the truth that Brother Russell taught. However, their teaching has no resemblance to the teachings of Pastor Russell.

BIBLE STUDENTS: Most of them believe Brother Russell was That Servant, but only quote part of what That Servant taught in the six volumes and Watch Towers, especially on the Harvest of the Saints. However, they do a good witness work to the world and use tracts regarding the Kingdom (Acts 17:31). We are happy they do, as well as for the good work of reprinting his books and Watch Towers, at a reasonable price.

The Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement also witness truth about the Kingdom on earth. They, too, emanate from Brother Russell's movement and accept him as That Servant.  They also emanate from Brother Johnson's group. However, they believe that the camp contains the consecrated and names them "Consecrated Epiphany Campers." If we study Tabernacle Shadows we will learn that the Camp does not type consecration, and that during the Gospel Age the Court does type consecration. Of course, most people know that Tabernacle types are conditions and not places.  Types are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the age come (1 Cor. 10:11).

"NEW ATTITUDE FOR CHRISTIANITY: Wooing the disaffected, Track One proposes shedding the traditional trappings of worship. SEATTLE - If Christianity doesn't become the church of what's happening now, it might not be around for the Second Coming.

"At least that's what the Rev. Doug Murren, former pastor of the Eastside Foursquare Church in Kirkland, Wash., reads into all the statistics and survey results running around in his head. He cites them all, his voice rising with each unhappy number:

"Church attendance hasn't changed in 60 years. Only 'one-half person' is converted 'per church per year. ' For every dollar spent on the poor, the average church spends $6 on facilities. Nearly half of adults are functionally illiterate and can't understand the King James Version of the Bible, the one most often read in church.

"The troubling stats are the inspiration for Murren 's new endeavor - Track One, possibly the first Christian denomination born as much out of research as evangelical zeal.

"Murren says he believes traditional churches are drained by the way they've evolved. Pastors have been 'ultra-professionalized.' Too much money goes from the collection plate to administer the denominations and not enough to the poor in the churches' own neighborhoods.

"Perhaps the most unique characteristic of Track One is what Murren calls 'a death clause' - after 20 years, the denomination will cease to exist.”

(Excerpts from The Seattle Times, November 14, 1998)

"DO ALL DOGS, CATS, GERBILS GO TO HEAVEN? Religious teachings vary, but many owners think they'll see their departed pets again. Most religions believe that humans have souls - a spirit that lasts through eternity. But throughout history, the world's religions have debated whether animals possess souls. At one end of thought are mostly Eastern religions, such as Jainism, which say animal souls are equal to those of humans. At the other extreme are faiths, such as Christianity, which reserve the immortal soul for righteous humans.

"Even America's famed evangelist, Billy Graham, a no-nonsense Baptist, says, ‘God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.’

"Quinn Hunter, a retired physician in Laguna Beach, Calif., and companion to Louie the cat, wouldn't argue with that. 'The religious folk will say that nobody has souls but humans. But I've been close to a number of dogs and more than 20 cats. They have personalities and a sense of right and wrong, and that to me means possession of a soul.'

"Louie, 4, was rescued from a shelter. He chases birds and deposits his kill on the doormat. Is that sinful? Can he be redeemed? No need. It's just Louie being Louie in his survival mode, Hunter says. The word for 'animal' comes from the Latin ‘anima,’ which means ' soul.'

"In the Middle Ages, St. Thomas Aquinas agreed with Aristotle, and heavily influenced Christian thought that continues to this day. The belief was taken further by 17th­ century French philosopher Rene Descartes, who said animals had no souls and were merely well-oiled machines without thoughts or feelings.

"There were holdouts. St. Francis of Assisi believed that animal souls were immortal. John Wesley, who founded Methodism, spoke of the eternal souls of animals.

"'For myself, I have no doubt that animals will have an afterlife, ' says the Rev. Andrew Linzey, ethics professor at Mansfield College at Oxford, who holds the academic world' s only post in animal theology. 'The question isn't whether they will be there in heaven, since they are sinless and innocent. The real question is whether humans, who are violent, sinful and faithless, will be there.’

"In Judaism, there are different levels of soul. The lowest level, 'nefesh,' is the animal soul, the functioning part that leaves at death. Animals have that. The highest level of soul is 'neshuma,' the spiritual part that lives forever connected with God. That is restricted to human beings.

"Jainism believes animals have souls that are equal to human souls. Souls transmigrate between humans, hell beings, celestial beings and animals over and over again until there is spiritual liberation. A soul has to be in human form to achieve liberation.

"Saidla, who grew up Methodist and now attends a Congregational church, says the animal soul question is 'a great mystery. ' Discussing his poodle, he says, 'Sometimes Peter Rabbit seems like he has a soul. But when he dies, my best bet is he will turn to dust. I don't think there will be a life after death for him. But then, I'm not so sure about myself, either. '

"Warren Eckstein, a Santa Monica, Calif., pet therapist and radio host, is convinced animals have a sense of the divine.'My God is one who knows the benefits and relationships people have with animals."

(Excerpts by Carol McGraw, The Orlando Sentinel, November 21, 1998)

Yes, indeed God knows the benefits and relationship people have with animals. When Adam was created God "Breathed into his nostrils the breath of life: and man became a living soul." (Gen. 2:7)  God did not create animals that way.  We have no record that God blew the breath of life into each animal or species of animals. "Darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people." (Isa. 60:2)

"A FINE EXAMPLE OF RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE: The country in which conversion to Christianity is punishable by death:   Saudi Arabia." (The Jewish   Press, June   5, 1998)

"POPE URGES 'OBJECTIVE'STUDY OF THE INQUISITION: VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II harnessed history to the service of theology on Saturday, saying the Roman Catholic Church should take a clear, 'objective' look at the Inquisition before making any grand apology for one of its darkest institutions.  The pontiff spoke at an audience with historians and other scholars gathered at the Vatican for an unprecedented conference on the Inquisition, a centuries-long campaign against heresy in which thousands - perhaps millions - were tortured and burned at the stake." (The Orlando Sentinel, November 1, 1998)

"'INDULGENCES 'GET BLESSING OF POPE: John Paul II has said the idea of acts that decrease time in purgatory will be part of the 2000 celebration. ROME - For Roman Catholics, the year 2000 offers early salvation.

"Pope John Paul II announced Friday that throughout the millennium celebration, penitents who do a charitable deed or give up cigarettes or alcohol for a day can earn an 'indulgence ' that will eliminate time in purgatory.  "The medieval church sold indulgences, a practice that drove Martin Luther to rebel, leading to the Reformation. They remain a source of theological debate between Protestants and Catholics, and since Vatican II, the Roman Catholic Church has played down their importance.

"Some liberal Catholics are embraced by a practice that seems to offer such a simplistic shortcut to salvation. But church officials emphasize that indulgences are linked to a sincere repentance and are not a one-day expedient.

"By restoring indulgences to so prominent a position, the pope is making penitence a theme of the millennium celebration. He also is reassuring conservatives in the church. But by broadening the ways believers can earn an indulgence, the pope also is trying to imbue indulgences with some of the ecumenical spirit he wants to give the celebrations.

"In a papal bull titled Incarnationis Mysterium (The Mystery of the Incarnation) that is to be formally issued today, John Paul formally proclaimed the year 2000 a Holy Year and issued edicts that in many ways serve as a practical guide to spiritual salvation during the period.  He decreed that the jubilee will begin on Christmas Day 1999 and end on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 2001.

"The pope said individual sinner's would be granted 'plenary indulgences,’ a full pardon for sins as opposed to a shortening of the time spent in purgatory. In Catholic theology, souls in purgatory are purifying themselves before their entry into heaven.  He included personal acts of penitence or local charity work as a way of earning an indulgence. "Throughout the period, believers will be offered a wider selection of ways to  receive a plenary indulgence . They may follow tradition and attend a Mass in one of several designated churches and perform such devotions as the rosary or the stations of the cross.  Or, an appendix to the pope 's letter explained, they may visit the sick, the imprisoned or the disabled, or give to the poor.

"Or they may choose an act of private sacrifice. As the appendix, signed by Cardinal William Baum, a top Vatican official, explained, 'This would include abstaining for at least one whole day from unnecessary consumption (e.g. from smoking, or alcohol, or food)'. The text points out that sinners also must fulfill the ‘usual spiritual and sacramental conditions' and say the 'usual’ prayers.

"Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe said, 'One could be tempted to think today I won't smoke or I won't drink wine. I'll get a plenary indulgence and go to paradise.’ That, he said would be wrong. 'That would not be the spirit of an indulgence. That would be off-beam, like returning to the thinking of the Middle Ages. '"

(Excerpts from The Orlando Sentinel, November 29, 1998)

It is returning to the Middle Ages. The Bible tells us what we should do. If faithful we will get a reward either in heaven or on earth. No man can tell us what to do to be faithful unless there is Scriptural support.

"CONVERT 'S ROAD TO SAINTHOOD HAS BUMPS: Edith Stein will be canonized on Sunday by Pope John Paul II, but some Jews think the move is inappropriate. ROME - Edith Stein, the Orthodox Jew-turned-Catholic nun whom Pope John Paul II is elevating to sainthood Sunday, once offered her life in atonement for the sins of her 'unbelieving' people.

"Today those words from Stein, who was killed in the gas chambers of Auschwitz, make Roman Catholics as uncomfortable as they make Jews angry.

"Church officials avoid mentioning them while they prepare for the canonization of the German-born convert who embodied the conflicts and contradictions facing John Paul's papacy as it tries to come to terms with the Holocaust and the Jews.

"Stein became one of at least five Holocaust figures whose canonization has been initiated under John Paul. 'We see her canonization as a unique opportunity for Jews and Catholics and for reflection and reconciliation’, said the Rev. Remi Hoeckman, secretary of the Vatican's commission for relations with Jews.

"As Stein's canonization approaches, he said, it would be wrong to focus exclusively on one of the most divisive aspects - her statement of atonement for the sins of her ‘unbelieving people. Then we betray her as we were betraying the Jewish people. '"

(Excerpts from The Orlando Sentinel, October 10, 1998)

BAPTIST: "CHURCH ALLOWS SAME-SEX BLESSINGS: A North Carolina Baptist church has decided to let its ministers bless same-sex couples but not marry them, risking expulsion from the Baptist State Convention.

"Members of Wake Forest Baptist Church in Winston-Salem approved a statement asking God 'to bless all loving, committed and exclusive relationships between two people' but did not approve a statement affirming same-sex unions, officials said. Wake Forest will now permit its ministers to officiate a blessing ceremony for same-sex couples.

"A blessing ceremony unites the couple in the eyes of the church but not legally, church officials said."

(The Orlando Sentinel, November 21, 1998)

It may be legal with the church but it is illegal with God. The Bible does not agree with this. "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." (Lev. 18:22 - see also Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:27 and 1 Cor. 6:9)

EPISCOPAL: "BISHOP'S ARRIVAL IS PICKETED - Protesters resent clergyman who rejects divinity of Jesus. A long line of Episcopal protesters with homemade signs admire many things that they saw as right yesterday as they waited for the man they see as wrong: John Shelby Spong, an Episcopal bishop who says that Jesus was not the son of God.

'"He 's exploiting his position in our church to try to undermine the church,' said M. S. Aiken of Eden.

"Spong, a native of Charlotte who now lives in New Jersey, will continue to speak today to Episcopalian clergy at their fall meeting at the Summit Episcopal Conference Center in Browns Summit. The meeting is not open to laity, the press or the public, so about 50 members of N.C. Episcopalians for Biblical Authority began lining the wooded drive leading to the center … straining to catch a glimpse of Spong as he arrived…

"Spong writes in his latest book, Why Christianity Must Change or Die, that God is a force rather than a being. In previous books, he has suggested that the thorn in St. Paul's side was latent homosexuality, raised the possibility that the story of the virgin birth was created to cover a charge that Christ was illegitimate and speculated on the possibility that Jesus might have been married to Mary Magdalene …

"The church should stop paying Spong, the protesters said. They resent the fact that Bishop Robert C. Johnson Jr. of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina asked Spong and his wife, Christine, to speak at the conference, and see that invitation as an implicit affirmation of Spong's beliefs.

"Johnson responded to his critics in a prepared statement. 'The Spongs are not coming to seduce us; they are coming to make us think', he said in part. The Episcopal Church has a long history of open debate, he said.’

"Some of the protesters said that the very openness Johnson spoke of underscores a dangerous liberalism. 'Its destroying the church,' said Bob James of Charlotte …"

(Winston-Salem Journal, October 13, 1998)

LUTHERAN: "LUTHERANS MAY SETTLE OLD SPAT WITH VATICAN:  At the heart of the doctrinal dispute is how salvation is achieved. VATICAN CITY - The Vatican agreed in principle Thursday to a joint declaration with the Lutherans intended to settle a doctrinal dispute that was at the heart of the Protestant Reformation.

“‘With the agreement, most of the condemnations the Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches heaped upon one another when Western Christianity split in the 16th century no longer apply’, the Vatican said.

"But while the Vatican said a 'high degree of agreement' has been reached, it said some differences on fundamental doctrine remain and these require further study.

"The Lutheran World Federation announced June 16 that its ruling council had unanimously approved a declaration lifting the condemnations.

"One of the key unresolved points regards what theologians call 'justification,' or how salvation is achieved. For the Lutherans, it depends on the grace of God, while Catholics maintain that good works are also involved.

"The Reformation stereotype was of Catholics earning their salvation through buying papal indulgences.

"'The level of agreement is high. But it does not yet allow us to affirm that all the differences separating Catholics and Lutherans in the doctrine of Justification are simply a question of emphasis or language, ' the Vatican said.

"Cardinal Edward Cassidy, who heads the Vatican's office for relations with other denominations, said of 44 points in the declaration, only three lacked full agreement.

"He said the formal signing of the Joint Declaration will take place this fall.  The declaration was drawn up last year by an international group of Catholic and Lutheran theologians. It was sent to the federation's 124 member churches, who represent 57 million Lutherans, and the Vatican for approval.

"Last year, the United States' largest Lutheran church, the 5 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, endorsed the declaration.

"The ELGA is one of the federation's two largest churches. The other, the Church of Sweden, also has endorsed the declaration."

(Associated Press, June 26, 1998)

It is destroying the churches. "Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me" (Isa. 54:15 - see Hosea 8:4)

PENTECOSTAL: "CONFERENCE CHARGED WITH EMOTION - This is no ordinary gathering at the Radisson Twin Towers as members of the charismatic and Pentecostal faiths meet. Orlando conferences don't usually feature workshops that end with participants on their knees in worship - or on the floor - weeping, groaning and wailing in prayer.

"But the Women in Ministry Conference, which ends today at the Radisson Twin Towers, is no ordinary gathering. Ecstatic, emotional displays are common when charismatic and Pentecostal Christians gather, conference sponsors say.

"Still, a worried hotel worker almost entered the Friday workshop to offer assistance to one woman whose anguished cries filled the hallway. Conference participants outside the room assured the worker that there was nothing to be concerned about.

"Brenda Courtney of Daytona Beach said she was not at all surprised by what she experienced and what she saw happen to others at the 'Lord, Release the Fire' workshop." 'I know the Holy Spirit lives within me,' she said.  'This particular session just opened the door of my heart for the Holy Spirit to flow.'

"The conference, which is sponsored by Strang Communications of Lake Mary, publishers of Spirited Woman magazine, brought together about 600 women ministers, pastor 's wives and lay leaders from around Florida.

"Pentecostal and charismatic Christians believe in 'Baptism in the Holy Spirit,' said Lee Grady, leader of the workshop and executive editor of Charisma magazine, another Strang publication. This includes a form of worship called speaking in tongues,' faith healing and casting out demons.

"Charismatics prefer the ‘subjective, supernatural side of Christianity,’ Grady said, 'as opposed to the intellectual or cerebral side.’

"The charismatic and Pentecostal tradition of Christianity is also a lot more accepting of women in leadership,' said Larry Keefauver, editor of Ministries Today, another Strang publication. They are more accepting than some traditional evangelical and fundamental denominations.

"Keefauver led another workshop Friday on 'Overcoming the Barriers to Ministry.' That session offered 'keys to breaking through the gender and organizational barriers you face in ministry.’

"Recent research suggests that there is a greater acceptance of women in the pulpit in the black community, Keefauver said, than in Hispanic or white congregations.

"Inez Stafford, a lay leader from Daytona Beach, said that being among so many women of different races who are deeply committed to their faith was 'awesome.'

"'It's encouraging, it's reinforcing, it's spiritually beneficial’, she said.

"Joy Strang, the conference host, agreed. 'This is a place where women get support and encouragement', she said."

(By Mark I. Pinsky, The Orlando Sentinel, November 7,1998)

NO. 501 "MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE"

“O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” (Psa. 95:1,2)

The angelic sons of God “shouted for joy” (Job 38:7) in the dawn of earth’s creative week, and after witnessing step after step in the development, finally saw man, its king, made in the Divine image. Then came the fall by disobedience into sin and death, and the frightful experiences of fallen angels who kept not their primary estate, and man’s selfish and bloody history under the reign of sin and death. Then successively follow the redemption, the selection of the Anointed One (Head and Body) through sacrifice, and the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom with its wonderful restitution of all things spoken by God through the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. No wonder indeed that there should be a Jubilation in heaven and in earth when all of Jehovah’s intelligent creatures shall thus behold the length, heights and breadths and depths, not only of God’s Love, but also of His Justice and Wisdom and Power.

Exodus 15:21 – Realizing their deliverance from bondage, and the Divine Power exercised on their behalf in the overthrow of the Egyptian army, the Israelites were joyful. Moses, their great leader, composed a poem of much force and beauty and of recognized high standard. The men chanted it after Moses; and the women, under the leadership of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, took timbrels, or tambourines, and joined in a refrain, or chorus, their bodies swaying and their feet moving rhythmically in what is described as a dance:

“Sing ye to the Lord [Jehovah];

For he hath triumphed gloriously.”

Singing songs of praise constitutes one of the most interesting and most profitable methods of worship. But we may be sure that they are acceptable to God only as they come from the heart and truly represent its sentiments. We fear, alas, that many hymns, like many prayers, never go higher than the heads of the offerers; indeed, we have sometimes feared that careless, irreverent singing might really be resented by the Lord as profanity – taking the Holy Name in vain. If so, the results would be of course the very reverse of a blessing, and that in proportion as the singer comprehended the impiety of his course. “The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Ex. 20:7)

We do not mean by this that any unjust or cruel torments, future or present, would be the penalty, but we do believe that such a course reacts upon the irreverent heart to make it colder, more indifferent, and less susceptible to the influence of the Divine message of grace. AH! if all Christians sang with the spirit and with the understanding also, and if none others sang hymns, the earthly sounds might be more discordant than they are; but their heavenly echoes and fragrance would be the more acceptable to God.

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer.” (2 Sam. 22:2) This entire chapter is one of David’s songs of praise and gratitude to God for His loving providences which had been so manifest toward him ever since his anointing by Samuel the prophet, and doubtless before that as well. It calls to mind another expression of one of his Psalms, “Rejoice in the Lord, 0 ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright.” (Psa. 33:1) Indeed, the writings of David, and all the prophets and apostles as well, abound in fervent expressions of praise and thanksgiving to God. They not only praise the Lord themselves, lovingly and gratefully recounting all His mercies, but, with impassioned eloquence and Holy enthusiasm, they call upon all the sons of men, and every thing that hath breath, and even inanimate natures, to laud and magnify His Holy Name. The worshippers are also bidden to bring with them to the concert of praise every musical instrument of human device; and grateful reverence exclaims, “Blessed is his glorious name forever, and let the whole earth be filled with his glory, Amen and Amen!” (Psa. 33:2,3; 50:1‑6; 72:19)

As we thus consider that, by the voice of inspiration, the whole human race is called to praise and worship and thanksgiving, we are led to consider further the relationship which the spirit of praise has to the Christian or godly character. David says, it is “comely for the upright.” But why so? It is because loving gratitude is one of the Divinely implanted instincts of a soul bearing the image of God, and one which should therefore be cultivated. It is this element of the intelligent creature that is designed to be responsive to the Divine goodness and benevolence; and it is this element of character in man which makes fellowship and communion with God possible. If the goodness of God could awaken in us no sense of grateful appreciation; if we were wholly dead to such sentiments, there could be no pleasure on God’s part in manifesting His goodness to us, and there would be nothing in us to call out His love; and so also nothing, of all His goodness and grace, would awaken love in us. But since for the Divine pleasure we are and were created (Rev. 4:11), God endowed His intelligent creature with this element of character which, being responsive to His own goodness, institutes a lively and delightful fellowship with Himself, which is the chief end of human existence, both on the side of the creature and of the Creator. (Psa. 16:11; Prov. 11:20; 15:8)

It is plain, therefore, that in the cultivation of the spirit of praise, thanksgiving and loving appreciation of all the manifest goodness of God, is the Christian’s secret of a happy life. And in order to the cultivation of such a spirit it is necessary that we continually call to mind His acts of mercy and of grace; that in our prayers we frequently tell Him how all His goodness is remembered, how every fresh evidence of His love and care causes faith to take deeper root and makes the sense of His presence and favor more fully realized; and how through such experiences our love and joy are made to abound more and more. We love Him because He first loved us; and every time we see some new mark of His love, if we have truly appreciative hearts, our love is called out more and more, and we are made to rejoice in God, in whose presence is fullness of joy. It is to this end that our Lord encourages our frequent coming to God in prayer with large requests for His favor, saying, “Ask, and ye shall receive, that your ,joy may be full.” (John 16:24)

We observe that in Israel the spirit of praise was cultivated by calling to mind and recounting what the Lord had done for them. “If I do not remember thee,” says David, “let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.” (Psa. 137:6. See also Ex. 15:1; Deut. 17:17,18; 8:2; 15:15; 32:7)

So must the Christian continually call to mind the works of the Lord, especially his own individual experience of the Lord’s leading and care and deliverance from dangers and snares and the wiles of the adversary. If we keep these things in mind and meditate upon them, our appreciation of God and His goodness grows, and the spirit of love and praise takes possession of the heart and thus we are made to rejoice in the Lord always, and in everything to give thanks. So also the soul is made to hunger and thirst after God and to realize that God alone is its satisfying portion, and to desire more and more of His fullness. Thus, as the Psalmist suggests, our prayer will be, “As the hart panteth after the water‑brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, 0 God.” (Psa. 42:1)

DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE

The construction of the Temple being finished the chiefs of Israel gathered with King Solomon at Jerusalem for its dedication, at the time we call October, corresponding to the Jewish New Year feast, held in connection with the great Day of Atonement. The Atonement Day was probably past, the sacrifices of atonement having been made in the Tabernacle and the blessing of the Lord, as usual, dispensed upon the people for the new year. While they were thus legally cleansed, reconciled to God typically, it was the most appropriate time for the dedication of the Temple, which represented the spiritual hopes and aims of the nation.

The Ark, representing typically the Divine covenant with Abraham, the fulfillment of which centered in the Christ, must be transferred from the Tabernacle to the Temple, that thus the latter might supersede the former, as the meeting place between God and His covenant people. The thousands of sacrifices offered during the procession of the King and priest and the celebrities of the nation, besides evidencing their devotion to God and their willingness to sacrifice, had a typical significance as representing the consecration even unto death of the whole company thus engaged in transferring the emblem of their faith and hope. In some respects, therefore, the King and the chiefs of the nation represented typically our Lord Jesus and the overcomers and the chief priest and under priests represents the same from another standpoint. The procession was the meeting place between the sacrificing emblems of the present age and the typical representation of the Kingdom glories and honors of the next age. The Lord’s people of the Gospel Age have been following this type. The Great King, antitypical Solomon, has about finished the Temple construction and has sent forth the invitation to the heads, the chiefs of spiritual Israel, to attend and share in the great dedication. Those chiefs are not the great of this world, but the Lord’s very elect. From the four quarters of the spiritual heavens they have been gathering, the procession has already commenced; but as the Temple was not complete until the Ark, the most important part was placed in position, so the glorious Temple will not really be finished until every member of the Body of Christ has been changed from the Tabernacle condition to the Temple or permanent condition in the First Resurrection.

While the priests proceeded with their work of placing the Ark, the Levites, “arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east of the [brazen] altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets. It came to pass that the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voices with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth forever, that then the house [Temple] was filled with the cloud” (2 Chron. 5:12,13) – the peculiar pillar of cloud which symbolized the Lord’s presence through the wilderness journey, and subsequently in connection with the Tabernacle, and now in the Temple, for the first time rested upon it. This which outwardly had the appearance of a cloud in the sanctuary on the Mercy Seat, represented an extreme brightness – so great that the priests could no longer remain in the Holy.

But meantime the King explained to the people the significance of the Temple, that is was the house of God built under Divine direction, given to himself and to his father David. Then standing near the altar of the court, spreading forth his hands toward heaven, he prayed a most beautiful prayer, and one which we recognize as prophetically directed and as teaching us the purpose and object of the great antitypical Temple constructed by antitypical Solomon. The literal Temple was to be the place toward which all the Israelites should look as God’s dwelling place, the center of His power, authority, forgiveness and blessing and help in every time of need. So in due time, when the spiritual Temple shall have been constructed and dedicated and filled with Divine Power, it will be the center toward which all who would approach God shall look for help and assistance and blessing and forgiveness, toward which they shall make their prayers, and in which they shall realize the manifestation of Divine Power and blessing on their behalf.

After Solomon’s dedicatory prayer was finished, the Lord openly manifested His favor toward the King and all the people by accepting their sacrifices with fire from heaven, as we read: “When Solomon had made an end of praying the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of Jehovah filled the house [Temple]... And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down and the glory of the Lord was upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement and worshipped and praised the Lord, saying For he is good, for his mercy endureth forever” probably joining with the Levites in singing Psalm 136.

There were great demonstrations of joy in connection with this dedication of the Temple. It meant much to the Holy people as they realized that the great Creator had deigned to approve the erection of a dwelling house with them. As the Ark came forward the Levites sang and chanted, probably some of David’s Psalms, which apparently by inspiration were written for the occasion. (Psa. 47; 98; 99; 107; 118; 130) The theme of the occasion seems to have been “For his mercy endureth forever.” Ah! how that oft repeated expression of the Psalmist will be understood, appreciated by mankind shortly. When the priests with the Ark shall have entered in, and when the Levites of the future, the Ancient Worthies and others, shall chant the praises of Jehovah throughout all the earth, making known to the people “That his mercy endureth forever” and that during the Millennial Age, in and through the Anointed, The Christ, they will have the privilege of returning to God and to all that was lost, how joyful indeed will be the occasion! How world wide the blessing! Then every knee shall bow and every tongue confess to the glory of the Father!

It is noteworthy that the Levities and the people did not sing of Divine wrath never ending, but of Divine mercy forever. This, however, according to the strict significance of the Hebrew word, does not mean “without an end,” but “to an end” – that is to say, that Divine mercy shall be exercised to the completeness, to its fulfillment, until every creature shall have been brought to a knowledge of the Lord and His goodness and to an opportunity of knowing Him and of benefiting by the great promise made to Abraham and symbolized in the Ark of the Covenant, through which all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

NEW SONG

Similarly in the last book of the Bible we read of the song of Moses and the Lamb, sung by the antitypical priests saying, “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways thou King of saints. Who shall not reverence thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy; for all peoples shall come and worship before thee, because thy judgments [righteous dealings] are made manifest.” (Rev. 15:3,4) This is the song which none but the true people of God can truly appreciate and sing at the present time, but by and by – when the glory of the Lord shall have filled the Temple – the peoples, the multitudes, shall learn that song, shall learn of the Divine mercy, and as a prophecy it shall be fulfilled and all peoples shall bow to the Lord to confess His goodness and His love and to enjoy at the hands of the antitypical Solomon (the Christ), as prophet, priest and king of the new dispensation, the opportunity of full reconciliation to God and full return to the perfect conditions of mind and of body, and to life everlasting, lost by Adam’s disobedience, and brought back by the Great Redeemer for as many as will receive it upon God’s terms.

Our Lord in symbol pointed out to us the fact that the message of His grace in the closing days of this Gospel Age would be so different from the commonly accepted message, misnamed the Gospel, that it would properly be termed a new song, although it would be the old song of Moses – the message of blessing typified by the writings of Moses and by all the ceremonies of the Law, and the message of the Lamb, the good tidings announced in connection with our Lord’s birth, and throughout His own ministry, when all the people “bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth” (not the threats of eternal torment to nine‑tenths of the human family); and the testimony of all the apostles respecting the Lamb of God and the great work to be accomplished by Him in taking “away the sin of the world.” It is merely this same song that is now being sung by those whom God has blessed with knowledge of present truth - it is the “joyful sound” which only the people thus blessed know or can sing.

THE JOYFUL SOUND

“Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.” (Psa. 89:15)

Salvation is the joyful sound, as the poet has well expressed it, saying,

“Salvation, O the joyful sound,

What tidings for our race!

Deliverance for the world is found

Through God’s abounding grace.”

This joyful salvation sound is the Gospel, as declared by the angelic messengers, “Good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people.”

A matter, little in itself, and easily overlooked in our translation of the Bible, is the fact that the very word (turnah) used in our text, rendered “a joyful sound,” is the same Hebrew word that is used in Lev. 25:9, where the sounding of the Jubilee trumpet is commanded. How strikingly the Lord has arranged His Word, to make it a basis for faith and joy to His people. How clear it is to those who “know the joyful sound”; and yet how obscure to all others! Well does our text say, “Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound.” The blessing upon them is certainly not because of their own merit, for we are all conscious of the fact that in our flesh dwelleth no perfection, and that none of us could be commended to God by our own righteousness – all of these blessed people who know the joyful sound have reason, therefore, to give thanks unto Him who loved them, and who bought them with His own precious blood, in whose merit alone they have standing with the Heavenly Father.

Soon shall countless hearts and voices sing the song of jubilee; Blessed song! the song of Moses, Earth’s new song of liberty. Hail Messiah! great Deliverer! Hail Messiah! Praise to thee.

________________________________________________________

AN EPIC MOMENT

There have been very few moments in history where certain generations were invited by God to cooperate with Him in bringing about epic events.

Noah’s neighbors had their chance and blew it. The animals were smart enough to march into the ark while all but eight people stayed outside. If only that generation could have seen how foolish they would be viewed by those who followed.

Moses and the children of Israel didn’t know they were making biblical history. Moses tried to get God to choose another leader – and Israel mumbled and grumbled all the way to Canaan.

Another chosen generation witnessed the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. Only a few caught the significance of the moment, while the rest of the world moved on its “Duhhh, what’s up, Doc?” way.

Now another event has occurred to break the silence of relatively ordinary centuries where nations and people merely appear and disappear. The event is the rebirth and survival of Israel. With the Jew scattered world‑wide during 1900 years, even many biblical purists decided it was safer and saner to symbolize rather than take literally God’s promise to resurrect Israel’s dead bones (Ezekiel chapters 36,37), bring rebirth to Zion (Psalm 102:13,16), make Jerusalem the very heart and soul of Israel (Psalm 147:2,3; Luke 21:24), and preserve the nation from all attempts to destroy it (Amos 9:14,15; Jeremiah 31:35‑37).

Who wouldn’t have wished to be that fortunate generation to be invited by God to take part in a miracle of such epic magnitude? Generations spanning some 2,000 years could only wonder. Pray. Hope.

In 1948 that all changed. Enter another momentous moment of scriptural significance. Today’s Christian Church can find “I‑S‑R‑A‑E‑L” on a world map. Incredible! We can walk the streets of Jerusalem or sail the Galilee and hear Hebrew spoken. Unbelievable!

However, we can also see swastikas and other symbols of hate directed at Jews worldwide at an accelerating pace. And we can see Israel with no national friends except the fair‑weather variety. The UN has been a forum for Israel‑bashing. The U.S. will not prove to be Israel’s “one true friend” in future days no matter how hard Jewish and Christian leaders wish otherwise. But just as the world has learned that Jews are here to stay – in spite of every vile secular and religious attempt over the centuries to obliterate them (Jeremiah 30:11,16,17), so Israel will now be God’s centerpiece as history moves toward completion.

And now the big question. How will today’s church play out in this moment of history? We can’t escape being part of the drama. That comes with being alive at such a time as this (Esther 4:14). But you as an individual – and your church as a corporate body – are faced with choices. You can embrace “replacement theology” and write off God’s preservation of the Jewish people and Israel as “mere coincidence.” But you will answer to God for such foolishness.

Or you can have your belief system intact – believing all of God’s promises toward Israel – and yet stand on the sidelines as a mere spectator when you should be a key player.

Or you can discover God’s heart of unconditional, undying love for His ancient people (Isaiah 49:14‑16) and stand with them in every storm.

The Bible is not ambiguous concerning God’s plan for Israel. The world puts no stock in Scripture, so you can expect its opposition. Many Jews and Christians have just enough of a “religious vaccination” to keep from ever being infected with truth as God sees it – so they may view you as a well‑meaning simpleton best kept at arm’s length unless they can use you.

But when this epic historical moment slips into eternity – with you and me with it – let’s be found as those who were simple enough to believe God, wise enough to obey Him, and courageous enough to have stood in Christ’s power and love at Israel’s side when the world insisted that she stand alone.

WHEN ISRAEL CHOOSES WRONG

We who claim to care are about to be tested. Israelis, famished for peace, appear bent on trusting the Gentiles once again for their security and safety – all of our howls of protest notwithstanding.

The people of Israel are bone tired. After fifty years of existence, they still cannot travel anywhere in the Mideast (Egypt is a cold and risky exception) and so exist on a tiny splinter of land 280 miles by 50 miles. Histories are rewritten, ignoring Jewish claims to the land and even turning Palestinian Arabs into “Canaanites,” thus preceding the Israelites and having a more valid claim on today’s turf. Only a few in the media and pulpit expose this historical sleight of hand as a ludicrous joke.

Fearing attacks from across her borders and the assassin’s knife within Israel, Jews feel pushed to the wall. They are faced with two choices:

1. Take a crash course in their 4,000 year history and admit that their birth, existence, and preservation are due to God alone – and that He alone will see them through to their ultimate destiny of being a blessing and light to the nations. And admit that every time they rejected a walk of faith and obedience to the unseen God and chose instead to both embrace and act as the goyim (the nations), they earned chastisement and shame.
2. Refuse to risk being labeled an “impediment to peace” by a gentile world calling for a “new world order” and demanding that Israelis place their futures in the soiled hands of mere men rather than those of Israel’s Creator who says to His ancient people, “I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands...” (Isaiah 49:16).

Using the past as a guide and the Scriptures as a road map, I ache at but accept the fact that Israelis will opt for the false promises of peace offered by the U.S., Europe and the Arabs by giving up important parts of their God‑given land. The peace dividend promised Israel will prove as elusive as ever. Israelis will again be betrayed by Gentiles and a Jewish fifth column living outside of Israel – Jews who will only learn the hard way that “there’s no place like home.”

But if Israelis make a thousand wrong choices, where will you and I choose to be? Once again, the Scriptures are clear. We must be at their side – just like we would a family member who makes a wrong choice – appealing to, comforting, warning, praying for and defending the people of Israel. It’s called unconditional love.

God will one day be recognized as the hope of Israel. He insists upon it. Scripture proves that Jews (like us Gentiles) only learn the hard way. But “He that keepeth Israel” neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121) and says of His people “...in their affliction they will seek me early.” (Hosea 5:15) Israel will pay the price for wrong choices: pain. But those who cause her pain pay the greater price – down the drain – and into the timeworn sewers filled with nations that fought God by cursing the Jews.

(Frank Eiklor, Editor, Front Lines Report, Volume 20, July 1998)

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QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION – Does the “night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4) apply to the Epiphany?

ANSWER ‑The Berean Comments on John 9:4 says the “night” is the Time of Trouble; and the Time of Trouble and the Epiphany are one and the same, as That Servant taught. The phrase “when no man can work” is used by those who believe that they are still doing the work of reaping the Saints. But we believe that the “reaping” of the Saints is finished. Surely all Truth people can see that we are in the Time of Trouble. Even quite a few of the world tell us that we are in the Time of Trouble as given in Daniel 12:1 and Matt. 24:21. We know that a work is being done now, but it is not the “reaping” of the Saints.

 Brother Russell says in Volume 3, page 211, bottom: “Observe that, when this night cometh, when the reapers must cease their labors; it will prove that this final work of the Gospel Age is accomplished; that the elect number of the Bride of Christ have all been ‘sealed.”’

Quite a few, with good reason, believe there is a work still to be done. Since the door to the high calling closed, which no man can open, there is still a work going on: the world is summoned to repentance and the justified invited to consecrate. Brother Russell taught that this class of consecrators, who came in too late for the High Calling, if faithful, would be rewarded in honor and service with the Ancient Worthies, who were too early for the High Calling (Heb. 11:39,40). In contrast we call them Youthful Worthies. That Servant gave quite a bit on this class (Reprint 5761, September 1, 1915).

The message to “repent and believe” is for all who get life on any plane, and it is a good idea for any of us to begin in this life, as soon as we have knowledge of sin and of right and wrong, to live a life accordingly. When the individuals of the world learn righteousness (Isa. 26:9), it will be a glorious world: “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters that cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:9)

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QUESTION ‑ The Apostle Paul says in Acts 20:27: “For I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God.” What does he mean by counsel?

ANSWER – The Diaglott rendering of this text is: “For I have not kept back from announcing all the will of God to you.” All Bible Students know that the Apostle Paul was given more of the “Plan of the Ages” (Eph. 3:11, Dia.) than the other Apostles because of the vision he had on his way to Damascus (Acts 9:3‑5). He evidently had more abundant revelations than any other apostle. Though he was not permitted to tell all that he saw in his vision (2 Cor. 12:4), nor particularize all he knew of the mysteries of God relating to the “ages to come,” yet what he saw gave a force, shading and depth of meaning to his words which, in the light of subsequent facts, prophetic fulfillments and the Spirit’s guidance, we are able to appreciate more fully than could the early disciples. We believe that the Apostle Paul knew that a long period of time would elapse before the Kingdom would be inaugurated and this would have been disheartening to the brethren of his day. Also some of his statements were for the end of the age and not for that time.

For instance, the Apostle Paul, who wrote more than one‑half of the New Testament, says in 2 Tim. 2:20: “In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour and some to dishonour.” Most Bible Students know that gold and silver are the Little Flock and Great Company, and that wood and earth are the Ancient and Youthful Worthies.

That Servant followed the Apostle’s example in giving the “whole counsel.” He taught that the Youthful Worthies was an unbegotten class consecrating after the closing of the “door.” He gives this in Reprint 5761, September 1, 1915, under the heading THOSE CONSECRATING BETWEEN THE AGES. He did not use the term Youthful Worthies, but he did speak of those who are meant by that term, who would be associated in honor and service with the Ancient Worthies and have a “better resurrection.”

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Emily,

You are right: I’ve been so tardy in thanking you for your December 31, 1997 letter. It’s been such a tense few months, that one was happy to be able to attend to the most urgent daily routine – not always successfully. And now we have your July 21 letter together with the stunningly well done Israel’s 50th Anniversary, No. 498! What a beauty! What a shot in the arm! Too, it’s the first time I've see the Mark Twain quote – never hit on that before!

We have hit on hard times. Dina has taken ill. No diagnosis yet. Tests and more tests, examinations, two one‑day hospital stays, etc. You, of course, know only too well what all this means and entails – for the family as well. I am very concerned and eagerly await a concrete diagnosis.

Thank you most warmly for your continued loyalty. Aren’t we fortunate to find always succor and sustenance in Scriptures!!

Be well and Shalom! Michael Pragai (ISRAEL)

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Dear Emily: Greetings!

As always it is good hearing from you and your never ending commitment to the Jewish people and Israel has been and is an inspiration to us all. Sadly our world is becoming increasingly anti‑Semitic by the day and of course the new anti‑Semitism is anti‑Zionism. Nations are ganging up against Israel and as you can well appreciate, being American. The recent bombings in Africa of your Embassies is really an attack against Israel as the Islamic militants are in reality seeking to break America’s support of Israel.

Our own country is now experiencing this evil since, as you may have heard, a Planet Hollywood restaurant was bombed at the Cape Town water front. These are evil days and the devil is most certainly seeking to destroy Israel, the only real hope for the globe. Nevertheless, the word of God assures us of ultimate victory, and we must not become discouraged or complacent. Now is the time for us to seize the opportunity since events on the ground and the desperation of the enemy affirm the soon coming of our Lord to Jerusalem and therefore to His glorious Kingdom. These evil events are thus merely the “birth pangs” as Jesus Himself taught us and we must look up because as He put it, “our redemption draws nigh.”

Your friend, Malcolm (AFRICA)

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Dear Emily: Shalom!

I ran across this copy of a most important letter received from the late Daniel Zion, former Chief Rabbi of Bulgaria. You remember that some years ago you published my account of the dramatic events in his life. Well, on returning from Israel we sent him a 5th Volume in French. We received his response! Of course, we did reply, telling him about Pastor Russell as the author. What a privilege to lead this saintly Jew to an understanding of the One God, One Son – no Trinity.

Love to all, Elva (CALIFORNIA)

NO. 500 TIMES OF REFRESHING - TIMES OF RESTITUTION

In Acts 3:19‑24 the Apostle Peter was calling to the attention of the Jews the promise that God had made to Abraham, saying, “In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 22:18) The word “restitution” in the text means restoration; or, as Rotherham states it, “the times of the due establishment of all things... But indeed all the prophets – from Samuel and those following after, as many as have spoken have announced these days.” The Apostle here is contrasting the “refreshing times” to come with the present day and dying condition of the human race – likened to grass that withers and sears for lack of rain. And he proceeds to stress that the Prophet Samuel and all who came after him had spoken of these “refreshing times” to come. This was one of the first public speeches that came from any of the Apostles after Pentecost, and it is in fact just another way of preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. Often it is recorded of Jesus that He “went about preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom” (Matt. 4:23; 9:35; Mark 1:14), which the Apostle Peter here declares to be the “times of restitution.” So the question is properly in order: what conclusions are we to draw from this?

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

Perhaps the most of us who have any understanding at all of Harvest Truth would testify that one of the first things we heard from the platform and in private conversation, too, was discussion of the “times of restitution”; and this is still a very prominent and favorite discussion among the various groups of Truth people who were emanated from Parousia Truth. But, tragic though it be, some of them have perverted the real Truth on the subject and have twisted it out of all recognition to the way That Servant gave it to us – prominent among them are the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

All during the Age, since the death of the Apostles (or shortly thereafter), the doctrine of Restitution was completely lost, as represented by the woman in the parable of Luke 15:8,9, who had ten pieces of silver, had lost one and sought diligently till she found it, then “called her friends and neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.” The woman in the parable is the Church, which had lost sight of one cardinal doctrine of the Bible – Restitution – and it was not until the Harvest that this great truth was once more recognized with great rejoicing. After the Harvest work had attracted a following, and the Pilgrims began to circulate, That Servant often urged them all to preach Restitution. That was especially emphasized with those Sunday speakers that were sent from the Bible House on week‑ends. It was indeed “Good Tidings of great joy” to all who received it with grateful hearts.

Those of us who are at all familiar with the situation know that That Servant gave a very clear and convincing presentation of the times of Restitution; and his entire following was almost a solid unit in accepting it the way he taught it. But what do we find since his death? We find many who once seemed to understand the subject have now perverted it out of all recognition to the manner in which they had once accepted it. Chief among these is Jehovah’s Witnesses, who now have consigned Adam to annihilation, which idea is actually a denial of the Ransom – although they would not admit that. However, since Adam was the only perfect man on earth aside from Jesus Himself; and since the word Ransom itself means a corresponding price, an exact duplicate, Adam is actually the only one who could be ransomed. Therefore, St. Paul gives the philosophy, “As all in Adam die, so all in Christ shall be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22) When ransom is provided for Adam, that act becomes the inheritance for all of us – just as all of us inherited the death penalty for sin which was passed to him. But the Witnesses now leave out a very large section of the human race in their presentation of Restitution. To all who understand the philosophy of the Ransom, it is an elementary conclusion that if Adam wouldn’t be awakened, none of the rest of the world would be awakened.

They are now telling us that all living today who do not accept them will never be awakened – never experience restitution – at a time when the Devil is bound, and nothing but Truth will be taught. In Isaiah, Chapter 35, there is this: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. (v. 5) And an highway [an easy way] shall be there, and a way [Christ the Mediator], and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men [the restitutionists], though fools [“fools” according to Psa. 53:1 are atheists], shall not err therein.” (v. 8) Also Rev. 22:5 tells us, “There will be no night [error] there.” The Jehovah’s Witnesses admit that Satan is still blinding the eyes of those who believe not. Yet, they are dividing the Sheep from the Goats during this Time of Trouble when Satan is more active than ever before “blinding the eyes of those who believe not.”

When they say all present “unbelievers” in them will be annihilated in the approaching Armageddon, it is a far‑cry from the “good news” taught by That Servant, who had a message of hope for the groaning creation; and they claim That Servant as their founder! He is not the founder of their errors, but is the founder of The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which the errorists took over after his demise. This simply reveals that they do not understand, or will not accept, the meaning of “the gospel of the Kingdom,” as St. Paul so clearly states it in Gal. 3:8: “The Scriptures, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed.” Most of these heathen have never even heard the name of Christ; and there are quite a few today who have never heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses despite their world‑wide ministry.

So this “annihilation” in Armageddon, according to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, will include the majority of the people living – quite a few of whom are honorable, benevolent and kind to all with whom they have to do – their besetting sin being that they cannot accept the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their errors. We continue to teach the Gospel of Christ, the Good Tidings to all mankind, the grand and glorious restitution work of that blessed Kingdom, which will include all unbelievers as well as believers in Jehovah’s Witnesses. Those who teach the Truth are far more generous to those who teach error than the errorists are to them.

They can no longer teach John 5:28,29: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.” (Damnation is a mistranslation: Judgment is the correct translation, which is for all Restitutionists. See Diaglott) Also, Acts 24:15: “There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”

Many of our readers are familiar with the teaching of the Witnesses, by which, for a number of years, they put forth their “Jonadabs” as the Restitution class. They still retain much the same view, except that they now call their Jonadabs the Great Multitude of Rev. 7:9‑17. All Bible logic is against such an interpretation, because the language and setting of Revelation 7 clearly depict a class on the spirit plane – “before the throne” ‑which is in Heaven. They have set aside That Servant’s interpretation of this test and substituted their own interpretation, which is error. There is another Truth group, The Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement, that also teach a superior Restitution class that is being developed now – Consecrated Epiphany Campers. To refute these errors we need only bear in mind that we are still in the Gospel Age, the Faith Age; and during this Age the merit of Jesus is only for Himself and His house – for all those who honestly accept Him as their Savior and walk a “narrow way.” And during this Faith Age there is only one place where His merit can be obtained, tentatively or reckonedly; and that is in the Court of the antitypical Gospel‑Age Tabernacle. Both groups have their non‑existent classes outside the linen curtain of the Gospel‑Age Tabernacle – outside the righteousness of Christ in this Faith Age.

“I am the way” (John 14:6); and there is only one manner in which that “way” can be obtained, and that is by taking the step from the Camp, thru the antitypical Tabernacle Gate, and into the Court, whereby “justification by faith” has been obtainable all during the Faith Age; and it still is the only way, because we are yet in the Gospel (faith) Age. We would emphasize that a place in the typical Tabernacle is a condition in antitype in this Faith Age.

There would seem to be little excuse for such distortions for those who have received Harvest Truth. According to Malachi 3:3, one of the specific missions of Jesus at His Second Advent would be to “sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” The “silver” in this text is the Truth; and all familiar with the situation know that the Truth has shone with great brilliance during the Harvest period. The meaning of the text is better revealed by the following: “refiner and polisher of silver [the truth].”

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

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

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

SEEKING THAT WHICH WAS LOST

In Luke 19:10 we have the words of Jesus, “The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” The question now properly arises, What was lost? We would answer that four things have been lost – things which man once had in his pristine purity. First of all, after the transgression in the Garden of Eden, he lost his intimate and friendly relationship with his Creator. Secondly, he lost his perfect home in the Garden. “The Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So He drove the man out.” (Gen. 3:23,24) Thirdly, man’s dominion was lost: “Let man have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the cattle, and over the fowl of the air... and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:26‑28)

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

THE RESTITUTION PROCESS

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

The first two of these processes come to man without any effort on his part; and, generally speaking, with little, or no knowledge that he is receiving these “benefits.” St. Paul says of us, who presently believe, “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) Thus, He made Himself an offering for sin for us before we knew anything about it being done. And, “Christ gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Tim. 2:10) In “due time” all men will recognize what we now know – that a propitiation for sins was provided by the Redeemer without men asking for it – Christ “forgiveth all thine iniquities.”

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

The third and fourth processes will operate somewhat differently. The third: “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction,” will require cooperation on the part of the recipient. “God will have all men to be saved, and come to an accurate knowledge of the Truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4‑6, Dia.) But this “knowledge of the Truth” will not be forced down the throats of the unwilling; they must all show some desire, and willingly cooperate, in the educational process. That educational process will not only teach men the religious truth on the facts of life and death, it will also teach them the physical, mental, moral and religious philosophies of life which will enable them to live forever in perpetual youth. “I will ransom them from the power of the grave [that power which now turns man to destruction, to the grave, will be stayed]; I will redeem them from death: O death I will be thy plagues [by depriving it of its present power over all]; O grave, I will be thy destruction.” (Hosea 13:14) Then will come to pass the prophecy of Job 33:24,25: “Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth.”

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

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

THEN COMETH THE END

Confirmation of the foregoing is graphically stated by St. Paul in 1 Cor. 15:20‑26, which we quote from the Improved Version: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become a firstfruit [Jesus] of them that slept. For since by man [Adam] came death, by [a] man also [Jesus] shall come the resurrection of the dead. For as all in Adam die [this would exclude Jesus, for He was never “in Adam”], even so all in Christ shall be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ a firstfruit [meaning the entire Christ Company, and not merely Jesus only]; afterward they that are Christ’s at His presence.

“Then cometh the end [the end of the Little Season, when He shall have ruled over the earth to the full elimination of death and the dying process], when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and all power [complete elimination of Satan and his evil acts]. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

The “last enemy” - death is not only evil persons, but their evil characteristics, which include Adamic defilements, the dying process – all the mental, moral, physical and religious ills now prevalent in the human race – is the last great enemy, which will finally be destroyed at the end of the Little Season.

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

SOME CONTRARY VIEWS

“God will have all men to be saved.” (1 Tim. 2:4) Like all other fundamental teachings of the Bible, this text has been given the extremes of erroneous interpretation. Some contend that if God will have all men to be saved that is a guarantee of eternal life for every human being that has ever lived. Universalism goes even further, insisting that even the Devil and his angels will also eventually be saved, despite the clear statement of St. Paul quoted above. Others contend the text to mean that God would like to have all men saved, but He just can’t seem to accomplish it. These perversions are based upon a misunderstanding of the salvation process.

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

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

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

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

If we cut the limb from a tree, we know that limb no longer will continue to live; it withers and disintegrates – in much the same manner that Adam withered for 930 years, then disintegrated in the grave. “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Gen. 3:19)

A SUMMATION

At the birth of Jesus the angel declared, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) In 1 John 2:2 this is elaborated: “He is the propitiation for our sins [those who accept Him in this present Age]; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” “He forgiveth all thine iniquities.” (Psa. 103:3)

As we look back with joy at the Saviour’s birth and subsequent atonement for “all men,” so the ancients looked forward to it. “Abraham rejoiced to see My day; and he saw it and was glad.” (John 8:56) The 72nd Psalm gives considerable detail on the subject, too: “God shall come down like rain upon the mown grass [times of refreshing]: as showers that water the earth. In His days shall the righteous flourish [the “sheep” of the parable]; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also [that which was lost] from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. The kings of Tarshish shall bring presents – the kings of Sheba shall offer gifts [“every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” – Phil. 2;10,11]: all nations shall serve Him... to Him shall be given the gold of Sheba... daily shall He be praised... they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth... All nations shall call Him blessed... Let the whole earth be filled with His glory.”

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

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

(By John J. Hoefle, No. 372, September 1986)

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UN VETERAN LOOKS BACK, AND ALSO, TO FUTURE

An entire history of the UN sits in David Horowitz’s cubicle on the third floor of the Secretariat building. His desk and walls are a virtual collage, crammed with papers and photographs, some of it up to date information on the UN, much of it memorabilia of nearly 50 years working on UN stories. In most UN offices, such archeological treasure troves are discarded in short time. The offices are made to look as if nothing of great import had occurred there. Horowitz’s office is different. One look at his walls and cabinets and you see the United Nations in a different light – as a place of importance where personalities made their mark on world history.

Horowitz has long been a part of that history, working at Headquarters since 1947. A correspondent and editor for a small press agency, the World Union Press (which distributes news to eight newspapers) he started out at Lake Success, and has reported on almost every aspect of the UN, particularly the Middle East and on Human Rights issues.

In the Organization’s early days, Horowitz says access to officials was difficult: “They very seldom gave press briefings. You could have personal interviews. But they did not have meetings with correspondents.” In the last several years, he says that there has been “more access” to officials. He says there is also “a need for more information, and documentation,” and there could still be “an improvement in access.”

Horowitz was President of the UN Correspondents Association during the tenure of Kurt Waldheim, but he has a soft spot in his heart and speaks most eloquently of the late Dag Hammarskjold. No doubt a good deal of this feeling comes from the fact that Horowitz and Hammarskjold share the same country of birth. Horowitz was born in Malmo, Sweden, leaving there at the outbreak of the First World War, and coming to the United States when he was only 14. He says the fact that he and Hammarskjold shared the same birthplace gave them great chemistry. “We were good friends. We got along nicely. He respected me and I respected him.” Hammarskjold, he says “was able to understand people, psychologically. He could almost read their minds. He was very, very clever. He had an intuitive quality that is rare in individuals.”

Dag Hammarskjold died in 1961, in a plane crash while on mission to the Congo. Horowitz was stunned, as were most UN correspondents and staff. Four years after the tragic plane crash, Horowitz visited Sweden, returning home to see his own birthplace, and to see Uppsala, where Hammarskjold had grown up. He also visited Backakra, the farm Hammarskjold had bought with the hope that it would one day be his retirement home. When Horowitz entered the farmhouse, he saw books, paintings, and sculptures, either collected by Hammarskjold, or gifts he had received.

In an article in the Secretariat News of 17 September 1965, what Horowitz saw next was described in detail: “On the desk in the library, which is a replica of Mr. Hammarskjold’s Park Avenue study, Mr. Horowitz caught sight of an Aztec stone head. It was, in fact, a head which he (himself) had brought back from Mexico some years before, and had given to the Secretary‑General (as a gift), thinking that he might perhaps care to use it as a paperweight. Mr. Hammarskjold had mounted it on his family crest and used it as his seal.” The article concluded by saying that Horowitz left Backakra that day “in a mood of sadness.”

He still remembers Hammarsjkold’s death with sadness. Looking back, he also remembers the verbal attacks against Hammarsjkold from those who wanted the Secretary-­General replaced with a “troika.” Horowitz, knowing Hammarsjkold’s sensitivities well, sent the Secretary‑General a letter to his apartment in New York, to comfort him. In the letter, he cited a quotation from the Bible. He recalls that Hammarsjkold responded immediately to the letter, with “a beautiful note.”

More than thirty years later, when talking about the UN, Horowitz still speaks in Divine, Biblical language. This is undoubtedly due in part to his Jewish background, but also to the fact that he has spent much of his career at the UN, and his personal religious beliefs have merged with his working observations. He now sees the Organization in prophetic terms. He says “The ideal of the UN is the future of the world. It is not an accidental development. It is a providential development.” And, he adds, “It will not fail. I am sure it will succeed.” The 50th anniversary, he prophesies, “will bring out some new things, hopeful things for the world organization.”

(Secretariat News, January‑February 1995)

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Emily Beloved:

Just a note to let you know you are in my heart and prayers daily. I think of you and hope you are feeling well.

Wasn’t that a wonderful miracle in Jerusalem last week, when they stopped a terrorist in a car and it didn’t explode? I read about it in the Jerusalem Post – our newspapers didn’t print it. The Lord is indeed good! Do hope all is well with you, dear Emily – you are special to me.

More love than I can express, Your sister ------- (ARIZONA)

NO. 499 IN MEMORIAM

THE STAR OF LAODICEA

Comes once more the time of year when many of us are sadly reminded of the passing of the Parousia and Epiphany Messengers–accompanied howbeit by many pleasant memories of our personal experiences with them. In Revelation 1:16 we are told that “He [the Lord] had in His right hand seven stars,” and verse 20 explains that the “seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.” That these “stars” are not seven individuals, as some have taught, is clearly demonstrated in Revelation 12:1, where the “woman” (the true church) is adorned with “a crown of twelve stars.” Those twelve stars are the twelve Apostles, who comprised the composite star, or special messengers, to the incipient Gospel‑Age Church.

And, as was true of the first epoch of this Age, the same has likewise been true of all seven epochs of the Gospel Age–each epoch had more than one “angel” as the special Pastor and Teacher. In the last, or seventh, epoch in which we have been since 1870 the “star” contained but two individuals, the same being Brother Russell and Brother Johnson. Thus, we caption this paper “The Star of Laodicea,” and we hope to relate certain items about both of them to the pleasure and inspiration of our readers.

The “angels” all during the Age were under the Lord’s special guidance, protection and care; they were His messengers, or representatives. (See Berean Comment on Revelation 1:20.) It is well to note this fact as a sobering influence upon each of us in our appraisal and attitude toward them. Especially is the thought emphasized for the first and seventh epochs of this Age, of which more later.

It was never our privilege to meet Brother Russell personally, although we have received much information from various brethren who were closely attached to him. In Volumes 9 and 14 Brother Johnson has eulogized him far beyond anything we might here present; but to what he wrote about him we add one item he related to us personally, and is not given in detail anywhere in his writing, so far as we know–although a kindred thought is expressed in E‑8‑561.

As most of us know, Brother Russell never attended any institution of higher learning; therefore, his knowledge of Hebrew and Greek was limited. On the other hand, Brother Johnson was highly skilled in both languages, so much so that he often quoted copious sections of the Bible in English, then quoted the same text in Hebrew. Therefore, Brother Russell often asked his interpretation on difficult texts; and, in over four hundred such instances, Brother Russell himself had the correct meaning before asking Brother Johnson’s opinion. And it was this, said Brother Johnson, that thoroughly convinced him that Brother Russell was “That Servant,” because no one unschooled in Hebrew and Greek could have been so consistently right without the special enlightenment, guidance and care of the Lord.

And, as That Servant, “The Parousia Messenger was given charge of the Church, of its doctrinal, correctional, refutational and ethical teachings, of its work... specifically of the correct interpretation of the Scriptures on the ransom, atonement, sin‑offerings, mediator and covenants” (E‑11‑107); and “as a priest in his relations to the errors and wrong practices of the nominal church. Certainly his face was set like brass in strength against these errors and wrong practices.” (E‑11‑108) Of course, this aroused venom andvituperation from those whose errors and wrongs he exposed–just as the same course led Jesus to the cross.

Many were our personal experiences with such people in the years we spent in the colporteur work early in the Epiphany. On one occasion, as we approached a man, the hardening of his features became apparent, as he declared he wanted none of the literature; he had known “Russell” and attended a number of his lectures. In politeness we asked him what opinion he had formed of the man. His answer: “I think he was just an old crankl” In another instance we allayed the ire of a Mormon by mildness and politeness, after which he became affable enough to offer us this advice: “Young man, you have the qualities, and you could be an Evangelist if you just got away from the influence of that old quack.” Many such instances could we relate as we learned from experience the truth of the Lord’s words: “Men shall revile you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely.” And by such treatment That Servant learned that “the servant is not above His Master”–he drank the same cup as did Jesus. Brother Johnson said he once affectionately told Brother Russell that he was the most loved man on earth. Brother Russell’s answer: “Yes, Brother, and the most hatedl”

BROTHER RUSSELL’S STEWARDSHIP DOCTRINE

On previous occasion we have stated that Brother Russell’s stewardship doctrine was the correct interpretation of Leviticus 16, the central feature of which is Restitution. In support of this conclusion, we quote from E‑11‑94 (24): “It was especially during this period, in 1879, that the light on the tabernacle in general, and on Leviticus 16 in particular, was by Jesus given, first to That Servant and then later to the Church, showing the two antitypical Sin‑offerings, the two salvations in natures separate and distinct... Here, too, the doctrine of the World’s High Priest was brought to light.”

Corroborating the foregoing is this in Parousia Volume 3, page 216 by Brother Russell himself: “And strange to say, it is the message of God’s loving provision, in the ransom, for the restitution of all things [Acts 3:19‑21], by and through Christ Jesus and His glorified body, the Church, God’s Kingdom, that is to develop and draw into heart‑union the true class only, to test them and separate them from the nominal mass.” This statement by Brother Russell clearly states that the preaching of Restitution would accomplish the Harvest reaping work, and this is substantiated even in the name of one of his types in E‑14‑114:

“Jashobeam, the people shall return, in allusion to his preaching much on restitution.”

And further in E‑14‑155 (16): “Brother Russell also charged these Sunday Pilgrims to exhort the public to declare continually the restitution salvation.”

It was the understanding of Restitution that harmonized the Bible, made vital the Harvest Message. (See E‑8‑384, top) As at the First Advent, “The people that sat in darkness saw a great light,” so all of us “saw great light” when the restitution message was explained to us. But, just as the great light at the First Advent roused great opposition, so here in the Harvest time the Truth people became “the sect that everywhere is spoken against.” (Acts 28:22) Nevertheless, Brother Russell continued with vigor and determination to preach Restitution “through evil report, and good report”; and surely we all can join with Brother Johnson in exclaiming, “God bless his memory!”

[It is sad to note that the organization that Pastor Russell founded, known today as Jehovah’s Witnesses, does not teach Restitution and Resurrection for all mankind – only for those who join them. Pastor Russell is not the founder of their gross errors.]

THE SECOND STAR

Brother Johnson was Brother Russell’s companion helper, and faithfully carried on in spirit and in Truth the teachings and practices established by him. As he himself states in E‑11‑107, it was his duty “to expound and defend correctly everything connected with the antitypical Tabernacle.” If he was right in that statement, then the attempts to change the teachings of that Tabernacle which have been made since his death are all anathema.

As some of our readers know, it was in the fall of 1942 that we were privileged to accomplish a month’s pilgrim trip with Brother Johnson to the West Coast of the United States and back. This gave us many intimate hours of travel together, during which he related details of his life from infancy, which he said he had never before revealed to any one. Clearly enough, he was among us “as one that serveth” – ”an example of the believers” and to the believers. Nothing was ever too bad; he had that “godliness with contentment, which is great gain.” On occasion when the going was rough, he would emit his hearty chuckle with the observation: “When we get into the Kingdom, won’t we look back and laugh at some of these experiences.”

As we said at his funeral on October 27, 1950, he was a man, even as you and I; and he made mistakes, even. as you and I. But when we consider all the good he did for us in his years of faithful ministry, we reveal our sad limitations if we dwell upon his mistakes, rather than his virtues. As for us, and our house, we heartily exclaim, God bless his memory!

“MY SERVANT MOSES”

It is not good that we should extol the Stars of Laodicea beyond fact; although we should be guided by St. Paul’s clear admonition to “count them worthy of double honor who labor in word and doctrine.” (1 Tim. 5:17) They themselves repeatedly exhorted all likewise to “labor in word and doctrine” – “to prove all things, and to hold fast that which is good.” Thus, as faithful Pastors and Teachers, they “watched over your souls as they that must give an account,” and continually waged war against clericalism and sectarianism – two besetting Gospel‑Age sins of the Great Company that developed after the Apostles passed away. The Ephesus period of the Church was commended for the avoidance of these evils: “This thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” (Rev. 2:6) Note the Comments: “The deeds of the Nicolaitans (Nicholans means ‘Lord’–Compare verse 15.) Which I also hate–’One is your master [Lord] and all ye are brethren.”’

And, while we should not “fall at their feet and worship,” neither should we take the other extreme of discounting them too much, or become overly critical. The outstanding warning against this latter evil is to be found in Numbers 12, where the Lord’s anger was kindled against Miriam and Aaron: “Were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” We do well to take close note of this, and apply it properly and according to our time. Jesus specifically told the “Star” (the twelve Apostles) of the first Church: “He that receiveth you receiveth me.” (Matt. 10:40) At that time those that rejected the Apostles were not blessed with the Harvest Truth. That condition did not prevail between the two Harvests, because the Interim Stars did not possess the same authority as did the Apostles. But with the inception of the Gospel‑Age Harvest some of the same authority attached to the Laodicean Star; That Servant was made ruler over all His goods. Those who refused to receive him never came into Present Truth; and those who did receive him, and then “spoke against” him soon found themselves “leprous,” as was Miriam–they became “plagued” with error.

Especially would we say it is markedly true of those who came to an understanding of the Numbers 12 type. Once such began to “speak against” him, it was not long before they became noticeably “leprous”; they rejected some Truth they had, thus becoming “unclean.” (John 15:3)

These are troublous times, with the tendency in every direction being toward Anarchy; and the Lord’s people should be on guard that “it shall not come nigh thee.” (Psa. 91:7) We believe all would do well at this time to read Chapter 6 of Parousia Volume 6 – “Order and Discipline in the New Creation.” This will be honoring both members of the Laodicean Star.

It is well for us to note here once more that “the Lord seeth not as man seeth.” Moses was the youngest child–the “baby” in his family. Then, as is still true in many countries, the oldest boy was given the pre‑eminence in inheritance and prestige. Even yet, in Germany the oldest boy is considered the head of the family after the father dies, regardless of the superior brilliance and integrity that may reside in a younger son. We have the striking example of this in the way Joseph’s older brethren envied and discounted him–hated him, and “could not speak peaceably unto him.” (Gen. 37:4)

Somewhat similar was the situation of Brother Johnson, who was one of the younger pilgrims at Brother Russell’s death, and his older brethren would not bring themselves to accept instruction from him. Yet, it is now clear to us who hold his memory blessed, that he was more qualified than all of them combined to be leader of God’s people. Again there was demonstrated the truism that “Age is no proof against folly,” coupled with the advice of St. Paul to Timothy, “Let no man despise thy youth!” (1 Tim. 4:12) It is well that we honor those whom God honors, regardless of age or youth, and strive honestly to “see not as man seeth.”

It is our opinion that both Brother Russell and Brother Johnson did the best they knew how to do; nor will greater tribute ever be paid to any of us. As Jesus said of Mary, “She hath done what she could,” so may it eventually be said of each of us – “We have done what we could!” And again, God bless their memoryl

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the House of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.” (Psa. 122:6‑9)

(By John J. Hoefle, No. 404, October 1989)

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A PAPAL VISIT CAN DO ONLY HARM

Under the present circumstances, a papal visit to the Holy Land would become a major blunder and embarrassment to all involved – if not worse.

It is common knowledge that the pope is planning to visit the Holy Land toward the year 2000. The reasons are obvious – and laudable: For a globe‑trotting pontiff like John Paul II, a visit to the land of Christianity’s origins would be a crown in a remarkable career; the aura of the millennium and celebrations connected with the 2000th year since the birth of Jesus are an appropriate context for such a visit; and last and not least, Pope John Paul’s inner urge to contribute to Jewish‑Arab reconciliation gives his pilgrimage an extra urgency.

Yet when looking at the prospects of a papal visit to the country, especially to Jerusalem, one cannot refrain from cautioning against it. It would do more harm than good–to prestige and standing of the pope, to the Roman Catholic Church, to Christian‑Jewish relations, and possibly also to the Israeli‑Palestinian peace process.

The Roman curia should seriously reconsider and reassess its plans and advise the pope that this pilgrimage, for all its personal significance and its message of peace and reconciliation, should not take place.

There is no doubt that personally, John Paul II is better suited than most, if not all, of this predecessors to embark on such a mission.

His personal history, as well as the annals of his pontificate, have proven an empathy to the Jewish people and its suffering unparalleled in the history of the Roman Catholic Church; his visit to the synagogue in Rome did perhaps more than any doctrinal statement in the texts of the Second Vatican Council to suggest that the Roman Catholic Church has turned a new page in its relations with what John Paul II consistently calls “our elder brethren,” the people who also brought the world Mary and Jesus.

Yet all this will vanish the moment the pope sets foot in the Holy Land–and I choose this term judiciously. The Vatican has finally established diplomatic relations with Israel after many years of unnecessary delay, yet its position on the question of Jerusalem has not changed.

It is obvious that the Vatican does not recognize the Israeli annexation of east Jerusalem: Does it unreservedly recognize Israel’s sovereignty over west Jerusalem, or does it still adhere to its initial position of internationalism–with the Roman Catholic Church (and also the Protestant denominations?) having some role in the running of the city?

Diplomats can live with ambiguities, but when concrete problems have to be confronted in the immediate here‑and‑now, they can become dicey. The pope may hope to make a pilgrimage to the celestial city of Jerusalem, to Civitas Dei, but at every turn he will be confronted with the contentions, confrontational and acerbic problem of the terrestrial Jerusalem.

When the pope arrives in Jerusalem and is welcomed by the president to “united Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the State of Israel” – will he acquiesce or demur?

Or will Vatican diplomacy put a prior veto on such an expression by the president of Israel? In either case, we shall have a major diplomatic incident.

Will he consent to be accompanied to the Old City by the mayor of Jerusalem? And at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, will he be greeted only by the Latin Patriarch, who is (as he should be) a Palestinian Arab, or will he insist on also being greeted by Faisal Husseini or another representative of the Palestinian Authority?

Every step is fraught with extremely delicate issues; no compromise can be easily devised when one deals not with a British foreign secretary, but with the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

The pope, out of his goodwill and wish to reach out to Jews, will certainly want to meet with Israeli rabbis. Will the chief rabbis even agree to meet him–and under what conditions? If the pope expresses his feeling for the tragedy of the Shoah, he will undoubtedly also express his sympathy for the plight of the Palestinians. Both sides will only hear that part they do not wish to hear.

In all probability, the pope’s visit in 1999 or 2000 will fall close to the Israeli elections, which means that Israeli politicians will have to play to the galleries as much as possible, and some of the language which might be used could become offensive.

If the pope tries to defend the role of Pius XII during World War II, he will only alienate the Israelis, while the Palestinians on the other side, will accuse him of caving in to the Jews.

In short, under the present circumstances, the pope cannot do right in such a visit, whatever he does. Everything, with the best of intentions in the world, will go wrong.

Last and not least, just imagining the security arrangements connected with a papal visit–and with the masses of tourists and pilgrims coming to Israel on this occasion – should give any sane person the creeps. Certainly the pope himself would not like his visit to Jerusalem to turn into a city under siege and virtual occupation.

The time is not ripe, or as the Greeks would say, this is not the right kairos. If the peace process were on track, a papal visit could be the icing on the cake. Under the present circumstances, it will become a major blunder and embarrassment to all involved – if not worse.

Vatican diplomacy tends to be wise, prudent and careful. Its officials and representatives know very well how to proceed at a glacial pace. His advisers should practice this wisdom and experience, and in all humility beg the head of the Roman Catholic Church not yet, not yet.

(Jerusalem Post, June 6, 1998)

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PROMISES, BROKEN AND KEPT

Eighty‑one U.S. senators finally face the truth about the Middle East

Israel’s peacekeeping Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin died with the bitter knowledge that he had been betrayed. At Oslo, Yasser Arafat had given him a commitment: “You give us territory, and we’ll fight terrorism from that territory.” Rabin took the historic chance. He also took the precaution of asking two outstanding professionals to report on Arafat’s fulfillment of the promise: Gen. Amnon Shahak, as chief of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF); and Gen. Moshe Ya’alon, head of military intelligence.

Knowing what happened is essential to knowing where we are today. In September 1995, Ya’alon reported that instead of fighting the armed fundamentalist terrorists – Hamas and Islamic Jihad – Arafat was permitting their military strength to grow in the territories turned over by Israel. Other Arab leaders, from Egypt to Algeria, were fighting the fundamentalists because they recognized their menace. But Arafat, Ya’alon concluded, was using proxy terror to push Israel for more concessions. When Ya’alon advised Rabin that Arafat was dealing with Mohamed Def, one of the most radical terrorists, Rabin confronted Arafat with the allegation. Arafat’s response was to say, “Mohamed esh?” (“Mohamed who?”). It was, Rabin judged, a brazen deception. Soon afterward, with more damning intelligence in his hands, Rabin decided on a showdown with Arafat–but planned to wait until the Palestinian election on January 20, 1996, in hope that a political endorsement would strengthen Arafat’s hand against the terrorists.

Paralysis. Rabin died before he could carry out his plan. Four days after the Palestinian election, the new prime minister, Shimon Peres, visited Arafat. Israeli intelligence had learned that a terrorist group was planning five major bombings. Arafat was given that information – and did nothing. In February and March, four bombs exploded in buses, cafes, and shopping areas, killing dozens of Israelis and wounding hundreds. The impact on Israeli politics was devastating, leading to the election of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu as the expression of Israel’s security concerns. The rise of Netanyahu did not bring about the paralysis of Oslo. It was the paralysis of Oslo that brought about the rise of Netanyahu.

Arafat mourned Rabin’s death, but he continues his double game. Last year, some 463 terrorist attacks were mounted; and additional 100 were foiled. Recently, Israel discovered a Hamas cell that planned the takeover of a major building; the planting of mines; a suicide bombing in a major residential area; car bombings in Haifa, Beit E1, and Ariel; and infiltration of explosives into video‑tapes. Only intense Israeli pressure induced the Palestinian Authority (PA) to raid this group: 1,500 pounds of explosives were found. Meanwhile evidence of Arafat’s betrayal multiplies. He has twice as many police under arms as agreed at Oslo but will not use them against terrorist havens minutes from major Israeli cities. He has freed Islamic Jihad terrorists responsible for the January 1995 Beit Lid bombing that killed a score of Israelis, as well as those who attacked the Jerusalem mall last September. He retains the chief of the 12,000‑strong police force in Gaza and the West Bank, Gen. Gnazi Jabali, who is known to be involved in terrorism. He allows PLO leaders to exhort their people to violence against Israelis. He has recruited 150 police officers from known terrorist groups, including at least 25 wanted for terrorist attacks on Israelis. A cartoon sums up Arafat’s definition of cracking down on terrorism: “No kiss. All you get is a hug.”

Does Arafat get criticized in the Western media for this appalling record? Of course not. All kinds of rationalizations are devised to excuse his abrogation of security commitments, which were underwritten in the Oslo “Note for the Record” by the United States itself. All sorts of pressures are brought on Israel to reward Arafat’s campaign by making further concessions. Israel knows full well that this would not buy peace. Withdrawal from Hebron has been followed by suicide bombings, more violent intifada – and demands for more withdrawals, more retreat from Oslo.

That is the bad news. The good news is that, despite the one‑eyed vision of the media, an impressive body of U.S. senators has finally broken the spell. Eighty‑one senators – who cannot be dismissed as partisan – have sent a letter to President Clinton containing the following truths: “The fact is that many Palestinians continue to use terror and violence as a political tool against Israel. Chairman Arafat, himself, repeatedly threatens renewals of widespread violence and continues to withhold full security cooperation with Israel.” The senators point out the injustice of pressuring Israel. It would be “particularly unfair and counterproductive since Israel has kept the promises it made at Oslo, and today is prepared to withdraw from even more territory of the West Bank before final status negotiations.” Then they assert: “On the other hand, the Palestinians have not provided Israel with adequate security.” They conclude: “Presenting an American plan–especially one that includes a specific redeployment figure beyond what Israel believes to be in its national‑security interest before final status arrangements–runs counter to [former Secretary of State Warren) Christopher’s commitment and can only undermine Israel’s confidence.”

Unfortunately, the State Department has become Arafat’s de facto advocate, pressuring Israel to pull out from more of the West Bank. This is unwise as well as unfair. In the light of the broken promises, and the need to retain some bargaining chips for the final negotiations, Israel has been remarkably forthcoming, especially since those same Rabin appointed, nonpolitical military advisers still make the same assessment of Arafat’s failure on security policy that they did in 1995. Israel has offered more land, but the Clinton administration seems to miss the point, as it tries to increase the percentage yielded. The argument should not be about how much extra land Israel yields but how every bit of land given up undermines Israel’s fundamental security. Israel is constrained by the imperative of survival – survival against not just the treacherous Arafat but also the radical Islamic government that might well succeed him. Every 1 percent in this argument is an area the size of Tel Aviv; every decimal point is a multiplier of risk. For instance: Israel cannot give up mountain ridges on the West Bank without losing early‑warning sites of Iraqi or Syrian attack. It cannot give up the vital underground aquifers that provide a huge share of Israel’s fresh water. It cannot do without a buffer zone against Arab infiltration along the so‑called Green Line, Israel’s pre‑1967 border. It must have a means of swiftly deploying into the Jordan Valley by means of four eastwest roads that enable the IDF to bypass Palestinian communities and local traffic. It must have a Jerusalem defense zone to protect its capital, and it must have a security zone to protect passenger planes landing in the Ben Gurion Airport: The Palestinians have been trying to acquire shoulder‑to‑air missiles.

Tin ear. The backdrop of the chill between Washington and Jerusalem is antipathy toward Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Beyond the gap of perception between what Israel knows it needs for its security and what America thinks it needs to appease Arafat, there is an ominous breakdown of trust. Given his remarkable early political success in Israel, Netanyahu has demonstrated an amazing tin ear for the politics of the situation. He seems not to realize the importance of inspiring trust in the people he must work with. His political foul‑ups have diverted attention from Palestinian failures on security. This has allowed the United States to convince itself it needs to beat up only on the awkward partner–on Netanyahu – when it should be leaning on Arafat to tighten security, the key to the whole confrontation. While Netanyahu is politically inept, he is strategically dead right–and right to reject American pressure. The record shows the Israelis right in their judgment that a progressive turnover of territory to the PA would be no more than a series of unilateral concessions. They would whet the appetites of the Palestinians and raise their expectations without bringing about any genuine PLO acceptance of the Jewish state, any elimination of terrorism.

Why does Washington see Israel’s reasonable demand for reciprocity as some form of sabotage of the peace process? Reciprocal obligation was the very foundation of the whole deal, as confirmed by the U.S. special ambassador in the Note for the Record following Hebron and in the letter from the secretary of state confirming that Israel would determine the amount of land it gives up. For the United States to treat that recognition as a “dead letter” would be to destroy the trust that Israel needs in its strategic ally and so preclude the possibility of a final status agreement.

Underlying all the tensions, of course, are different expectations on the territorial outcome of a final‑status negotiation. But Israel can never be expected to give up what is essential to its very survival, and every blow to its sense of trust makes it more likely that those final talks will end in deadlock and more violence. This is what the Israelis cannot forget. It should not be what the Clinton administration cannot remember. (By Mortimer B. Zuckerman, Editor‑in‑Chief, U. S. News & World Report, April 20, 1998)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Emily,

From Bernard W. Hedman, Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement, Chester Springs, PA, I have gotten Nos. 746, 747 of The Bible Standard. It is a paper about Israel. I guess you have gotten this paper. It is to be regretted that there is printed the changed version of Brother Russell’s speech in New York in 1910.

I have felt it to be my duty to write enclosed letter to Bernard W. Hedman. I have sent him the correct version of Brother Russell’s speech hoping he will print a correction. I enclose a copy of my letter to Bernard W. Hedman for your knowledge.

I have sent my short lesson in the truth to Bible Students in USA, England, Germany and Emek Ha Shalom, hoping they will read it critically and if necessary propose alterations. I am enclosing a copy of “A Short Lesson in the Truth.” You have gotten a copy already, but–as you can see–I have made a small completion.

All the best and many kind regards, ------- (SWEDEN)

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Dear Emily,

I must tell you what a pleasure it was to have had the opportunity to see you once again. Andrea was delighted to meet you at long last and to personally express her gratitude to you for your kindnesses to us, and for your true friendship. It was very thoughtful of you to invite your friend to visit with us as well. He was a charming and well spoken fellow with whom it was a pleasure to speak.

I have an interesting surprise to tell you about. Guess who just happened to pop in my office in the yeshiva the other day? Your friend Josef from Emek Ha Shalom! It was an amazing coincidence. Rabbi Eliezer Waldman, with whom I closely work, happened to meet Josef a while back at a demonstration, I think at Har Homa in Jerusalem. They got to talking and the Rabbi invited him to visit at the yeshiva. He came with two young men and had a nice chat with the Rabbi and, as they were leaving, the Rabbi decided to introduce them to me. When I heard the word Emek Ha Shalom my ears picked up and I mentioned your name. Then Josef’s ears picked up and he told me that he has gotten my writing from you and that he was happy to meet me.

It was such a wonderful coincidence! We had a very nice warm chat and I promised him that I would send his regards to you. It is, indeed, a small world.

I am taking the liberty of enclosing a few pictures taken of us during our recent visit. I am sorry that we didn’t take some at your house. Your niece, Marjorie, is as gracious as always and made us feel very welcome as she showed us around the house. We are sorry that we did not get to see Leonard this time.

Please remain as young as you are with your witty sense of humor.  You have a twinkle in your eyes which always brings a smile to all who know you. It is an honor to be your friend.           

With blessings from Hebron, Gary Cooperberg (ISRAEL)

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Our dear Sister Emily: Shalom!

Thank you heartily for your two letters to us. Both letters are messages of love from one who cares lovingly for the well‑being of fellow workers.

Please excuse that we caused you worry, but the responsibilities are pressing and many folded. We would need a double portion of time and forces. Please pray for us, that we may receive the wisdom not to undertake more than we are able, even when many responsibilities and opportunities are abounding in front of us.

We are thankful that you had the Lord’s protection against the tornadoes and the floods. Thank God that we have it also every day under sometimes very poor circumstances.

Leif Malmkvist did not come, because his father died. But the Lord sent us help.

Thank you much for your prayers, please carry on, because we could not continue without the support of true brethren!

           Always connected in Spirit and Love, Your thankful brethren in Christ,

Herman Bezner and Joseph Elisha ------- (ISRAEL)

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