The Watchtower, June 15, 1938
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“HIS ULTIMATUM”
The midsummer testimony period, August 6 to August 14 inclusive, is named “His Ultimatum”. The message, of the book Enemies is very fitting to this name, and during the period this book together with another bound book of the series will be offered to all on a 50c contribution. This being the season generally for vacations from secular employment, many should be able to arrange their vacation to coincide with the testimony period, thereby to be able to devote extra time to delivering the Lord’s ultimatum before the fast approaching final battle. The season will be excellent for work in the rurals. Arrange for shipments of the needed literature as early as possible, besides making all other arrangements as to territory, etc. Your prompt reports will be awaited with interest, for the record.
VACATION
Notice is hereby given of the closing of the Brooklyn factory and office for the two weeks beginning Saturday, July 30, and concluding Sunday, August 14. This will enable the Bethel family after a year of consistent strenuous activity here to get away for a temporary change from their regular daily production work and to enjoy opportunities of field service in common with the other Kingdom publishers. All publishers will therefore order in advance sufficient supplies of literature to last them over the Bethel vacation period, and to the end of August. Do this in good time to allow for shipment from here before the factory closes Friday evening, July 29. No orders will be filled and shipped, nor mail be opened and answered, during this vacation period.
CORRESPONDENCE
All brethren should write to the Society in English whenever possible. Letters written in foreign languages, such as Italian, Greek, Polish, etc., require extra time and work to handle. The suggestion is offered that foreign-speaking companies select as secretary some young brother or sister who speaks and writes English as well as the foreign language. This person can then write all letters to the Society in English at the dictation of the company servant, and when written the company servant can sign the letters. This will result in more prompt handling of your orders and letters. Brethren who live in countries outside of the United States and in which countries there are branch offices of the Society should write to such branch offices rather than to Brooklyn.
VOL LIX JUNE 15, 1938 NO 12
ORGANIZATION
PART 2
“Instead of bronze I will bring in gold; and instead of iron I will bring in silver; and instead of wood, bronze; and instead of stones, iron; and I will appoint the oversight of thee to prosperity, and the setting of thy tasks to righteousness.”—Isa. 60:17, Rotherham.
JEHOVAH knew the end from the beginning, and, foreknowing the establishment of his church upon Christ, the Chief Corner Stone, he began the building thereof with the faithful apostles. “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building, fitly framed together, grow- eth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit.”—Eph. 2:20-22.
2 He foreknew and foretold through his servant “a falling away” before the coming of Christ Jesus to the temple. (2 Thess. 2:1-3) He caused his prophecy to be written long ago in full accord with such conditions. All the Bible testimony is to the effect that with the coming of Christ to the temple there is a change for the betterment of the consecrated, in this, that the consecrated are shown what is the right and proper course for them to take. The temple judgment puts the consecrated to the test, and the approved ones are brought into the temple, enlightened, and plainly directed in the way that they must go. It is then that they begin to learn and appreciate the fact that God’s organization is a theocratic government. There is no reason to attach blame to the consecrated of the past because of the course taken by them during the Elijah period. The Lord permitted such for his own good reason. The question is, Who will gladly and willingly get in line with the Lord and walk in his way when the true situation is made known to such? God’s people came out of Babylon with spotted garments, which spots are not removed instantly, but gradually, as the Lord sheds his light upon his Word. It now definitely appears that the Lord God causes his people to have a part in the fulfillment of his prophecy, and then later and in his own due time and way reveals to them the evidence showing such fulfillment and the part they play therein. The increased light brings great joy to the anointed, because such is clear proof that they are in the Lord’s hand, being guided by him.
3 The prophecy at Isaiah 60:17 describes conditions that were to exist and did exist for a long period of time and then a change to a better condition within the Lord’s visible organization, during which they would be brought to a better understanding and keener appreciation of their relationship to the Lord. The prophecy does not describe the relationship of the remnant to the outside world, which is Satan’s organization, but does describe the relationship the anointed bear to Jehovah and Christ Jesus and hence to one another. Mark well the words of the prophecy showing that Jehovah brings about the change, to wit: “I [Jehovah] will bring...I [Jehovah] will... make. ” (Authorized Version) Clearly this shows that the members of the various companies have nothing to do with the change except to get in line when they see it. Jehovah declares that he will bring in a better condition and that he will make the officers, servants or overseers, to occupy a close relationship to him. For convenience of the Watchtower readers various translations of this prophecy are here set out. “For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron. I will also make thine officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.’’ (Isa. 60:17, Authorized Version) “For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron. I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.” (American Revised Version) “Instead of brass I will bring gold; and instead of iron I will bring silver; and instead of wood brass; and instead of stones iron; and I will make thine inspectors peace, and thy magistrates, righteousness.” (Barnes, New Translation) “Instead of the copper will I bring gold, and instead of the iron will I bring silver, and instead of wood copper, and instead of the stones iron; and I will set peace as thy authorities, and righteousness as thy taskmasters.” (Leeser) “And instead of brass I will bring thee gold; and instead of iron I will bring thee silver; and instead of wood I will bring thee brass; and instead of stones, iron; and I will give thy rulers in peace, and thy overseers [episkopous] in righteousness.” (Septuagint) “For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver; and for wood brass, and for stones iron: and I will make thy visitation peace, and thy overseers justice.” (Douay) “Instead of bronze I will bring in gold; and instead of iron I will bring in silver, and instead of wood, bronze; and instead of stones, iron, and I will appoint the oversight of thee to prosperity, and the setting of thy tasks to righteousness.” — Rotherham.
4 In the foregoing prophecy at Isaiah 60:17 the word “officers” (the Authorized Version) is translated from the Hebrew word phakad, meaning “to superintend, oversee”. The same Hebrew word phakad is translated in other texts of the Greek Septuagint Version by the Greek word “episkopos”: Numbers 4:16; 31:14; Judges 9:28; 2 Kings 11:15,18; 2 Chronicles 34:12,17. The word in the Authorized Version rendered “exactors” is translated from the Hebrew word “nahgas”, meaning “to urge, impel, drive”; and hence the noun “taskmaster”, the same as rendered in some other English translations. In the Greek Septuagint Version the same word is rendered episkopos, or overseer or superintendent. The Scriptures disclose that all the apostles were overseers. The meaning of the word episkopos is indicated by the following texts: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the holy [spirit] hath made you overseers [(Greek) episkopous], to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28) “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop [(Greek) episkopos; Overseer (A.R.V., margin)] of your souls.” (1 Pet. 2:25) (See also 1 Peter 5:1,2.) The prophecy of Isaiah and other scriptures, therefore, show that in God’s due time he would bring about a condition with reference to the service and servants in the church, showing the faithful more clearly their own relationship to the Lord and their proper duties and obligations.
PEACE
5 For a long while there was more or less strife, contention and lack of peace and harmony among the professed people of God; in some companies, much more, and in some, less. When Christ Jesus came to the temple and the faithful were gathered to him, all then are at unity in Christ (Eph. 4:13,15), and therefore a better condition must be brought in. Where there is unity, there of necessity must be peace. So in the prophecy Jehovah says: “I will . . . make thy officers [overseers] peace.” That must mean that the time comes when there is peace in the organization of the Lord all over the earth. God commands that it shall be so, and therefore it is his will that peace must exist. That means that unity and harmony exist amongst those of the temple company. There is unity and harmony in action in the organization, in the field service, in the methods of study, in the assemblies together, and in all activity, and there must no longer be strife, clashes and boycotts, or any such thing, which existed in times past when the “elective elders and deacons” held titled offices and ruled arrogantly. Those who are in the temple will appreciate this situation and, knowing the responsibility upon them, will diligently put forth their best endeavors to walk humbly with God.
6 The prophecy clearly indicates a change, therefore, for the better, in this: as gold is better than bronze, silver better than iron, bronze better than wood, iron better than stone, even so by comparison and contrast a better condition is brought about because, the Lord Jehovah, by this prophecy, says, “I will appoint the oversight of thee to Prosperity,” “setting of thy tasks to righteousness,” “thine exactors [(A.R.V., margin) thy taskmasters] righteousness. ’ ’ In harmony with this the Lord puts in the mouth of the consecrated the prayer applying particularly to the “day of Jehovah”, when the Lord comes to the temple, and the temple company pray: “ O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.” (Ps. 118:24,25) Prosperity must be accompanied by peace and harmony. The prophecy, therefore, of necessity must mean that those assigned to service in the companies or organizations are committed to peace and that they pray for it and work for it and maintain it. (Psalm 122) It is made certain that those in line for the kingdom who do not strive to maintain peace and to work in harmony to the advancement of the kingdom interest, the angels of the Lord will gather out and cast into darkness. (Matt. 13:41) It is no time for any controversies or strife in God’s organization, but all must be at complete unity.
RIGHTEOUSNESS
7 Furthermore says the Lord in the prophecy: “I will . . . make . . . thine exactors righteousness.” (A.R.V.) “Thine exactors” (see different translations as above) means (Greek) episkopous, overseers, taskmasters, drivers or progressive ones, and who push the war against the enemy, and that all shall be servants of righteousness. Surely this must mean that righteousness shall be the urging, driving, impelling force in the Lord’s organization now on the earth, and this particularly so since the cleansing of the sanctuary in 1932. “Righteousness” would therefore mean that there could be no more oppression such as practiced by the “elective elder” bosses, who feel and manifest their importance and browbeat others. There must be no more misguided efforts in wrong directions, such as character development, kowtowing to the would-be higher powers of the world, adulation of individuals or creatures, and therefore ‘no longer the rod of the wicked resting on [and ruling over] the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hand unto iniquity’.—Ps. 125:3.
8 Righteousness means doing gladly according to the will of God by measuring up to and carrying out the commission which God has given to his anointed people. That does not mean the driving of the unwilling, but that the love of righteousness is the driving or impelling force, that is to say, the moving cause. It is the love of God and the vindication of his name that impels such to proceed to push on with the work of fulfilling the commission God has given them. Therefore all must be fully united in action and harmoniously ‘serving him, day and night, in his temple’, willingly and with unspeakable joy. The right motive, therefore, drives or moves God’s people into harmonious action. It is such works of righteousness and such workers that obtain the approval of the Lord. Examples of such, who receive the Lord’s approval, are these: Zerubbabel, the governor; Joshua, the high priest; the prophets Zechariah and Haggai; Ezra the scribe; Nehemiah, the governor; who were associated with the Jewish remnant returned from Babylon, first, to rebuild the temple, and then the walls of Jerusalem. (Ezra 5:1,2; 7:1-10; Neh. 5:6-19) Also other approved examples are the apostles, who worked for peace and righteousness in the Lord’s organization. All that are now at the temple and who remain there must also be workers of righteousness.
9 Appointments by the Watch Tower Society are not what religionists call “ordinations”. Men who translated the Bible, as well as others, have misapplied the word “ordained” and hence used the word contrary to the real Scriptural meaning. The manner of using the word “ordained” by religionists is in the nature of a declaration or claim that there exists in God’s organization an arrangement called “orders” and that the persons assigned to such “orders” are superior to and in a different class from others of the church; and such is the basis for the use of the office and title employed by clergymen and other “exalted ones” in religious organizations. The religionists call such “holy orders”. The conferment of such “orders” or offices is held to be a sacrament conferred upon the one receiving such by the action of a bishop. Such is entirely contrary to the Word of God, and it is the wily and seductive influence of the Devil that led men to make such an arrangement as “orders” or “ordinations” and to hold and teach that some men might ordain others by conferring upon them titles, honors and dignities above their fellow men.
10 According to the Scriptures the word there translated “ordain” means “to appoint, to designate, constitute and set in order”, but never means rank or class distinction. Says the apostle: “Ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3: 28) God hath set the members in the body as it pleascth him. (1 Cor. 12:18) In the body of Christ there are no such “orders”, as that term is employed by religionists. Different ones in the company perform different functions in the body of Christ. There are many members, but one body. (1 Cor. 12:20) As the hand does not perform the functions of the eye, so one member of the body does not perform all the functions of the body of Christ, but all are on the same level. There is no authority or need for “the Society” today to employ the ceremony of “laying on of hands” upon those appointed to places of service. The mere designation, appointment and endorsement by the Society, given through the mail, by telegraph or by telephone, is all- sufficient and meets the requirements. Nor is there any need for a representative of the Society to be present and go through any hand motions or other ceremonies at such appointment. Such personal presence could add nothing to the appointing power and effect before the Lord. The apostles were clothed with certain specific power delegated to them by the “higher powers”, but on the earth today there are none who are clothed with such special delegated power as that conferred upon the apostles.
11 In the early days of the church the elders in laying on of hands or hand-stretching were merely giving their expression of mature judgment of approval of the ones put forward to serve. Now, since the gathering into the temple and the anointing, all of the temple company have come to eldership or maturity in Christ. In the place and stead of the apostles or others clothed with such authority, who acted in the absence of Christ Jesus, there is now at the temple Christ Jesus himself, Jehovah’s great Apostle, who is in full control. (Heb. 3:1) Christ Jesus is clothed with absolute authority, and, being in complete control of the organization of Zion, he directs the operation thereof. Therefore Christ Jesus, the Head of Zion, now at the temple, fills all the offices, to wit: Great Elder and the Elder Brother in the church (Heb. 2:11,13; John 21:5); great Deacon (diakonos), minister (Matt. 20:28; Rom. 13:4); the great Pastor or Shepherd (John 10:11; 1 Pet. 5:1-4) ; the great Bishop or Episkopos (1 Pet. 2:25); the great Evangelist or Proclaimer of good news (Matt. 4:23; Luke 4:18,43); great Teacher (Isa. 30:20; John 13:13, 14) ; great Prophet (Matt. 21:11; John 4:19; Acts 3: 22, 23; Rev. 19:10); the great Judge (John 5: 22, 26-30; Acts 10:42; 17:31) ; and the great Counselor (Rev. 3:18; Isa. 9:6). In sending Christ Jesus to the temple Jehovah has, by one act, fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 1:26, to wit: “And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Thus Jehovah sets up Zion, his faithful city or organization, with Christ Jesus being the absolute ruler as the Executive Officer of Jehovah God. Therefore ‘the government is upon the shoulder of Christ Jesus'. (Isa. 9:6) He is the Higher Power next to Jehovah, the Supreme Power. (Rom. 13:1,4) He is the Ruler in spiritual Israel. (Matt. 2:5,6) That part of the Lord’s organization on earth, therefore, acts under the direct supervision and control of the Lord Jesus Christ at the temple, who is the Head of Zion.
12 Jehovah God is the great Theocrat, and Christ Jesus performs all the official acts of Jehovah, including the appointment and discharge of servants. The organization is God’s, and not man’s; and since the Society is the Lord’s representative on earth, he uses it for his purpose. As King Solomon exercised like power in a typical manner, so now the Greater-than- Solomon, Christ Jesus, exercises full power and puts out the “evil servant” and raises up and puts into office and action the “faithful and wise servant”, which latter he uses for his purpose. — 1 Ki. 2:1-6, 26-35; Matt. 24:45-51.
13 The kingdom is actually here, and the King is performing his functions, and, that being true, there could be no further occasion to employ the “Elijah period” method or democratic form of government in the companies or congregations of God’s people by voting for or against those put forward for service. “God ruleth in Jacob [his anointed ones] unto the ends of the earth.” (Ps. 59:13) Since the coming of the Lord Jesus in 1918 there is therefore a reorganization of the Lord’s servants, even though the consecrated come to a knowledge thereof some time after the change is made. It is the sole prerogative of the great Theocrat to appoint the members and set them in their places in the body of Christ as it pleases him. (1 Cor. 12:18,28) He acts by his Chief Officer, Christ Jesus, who is the great Judge for our time. (Acts 17:31) He is pouring out his holy spirit upon “all flesh”, that is, all of the temple company in the flesh, from A.D. 1922 onward, and therefore God has not set up a separate and superior clergy-class or so-called “holy orders”, but all of Zion are on a common footing, and “one is [their] Master [(Greek) kathegetes, guide, leader, director, commander, and teacher], even Christ”. - Matt. 23: 8, Parkhurst.
14 All share in one general fulfillment of the commission God has given to the remnant, but necessarily there are different places of service in the theocratic government, just as there were in the tabernacle service. Officers or titles are nothing, because the service can be performed in one name as well as in another. The Head, Christ Jesus, properly bears any and all titles. He shows his complete submission to the great Theocrat. Christ Jesus joyfully bears the name “elect” “servant”, “my servant.” The remnant constitute “the feet of him”, and therefore all are properly called servants. In harmony therewith the Society, in the recent past, has designated all in the organization as “servants”, and that without reference to the place one fills. The assignment and designation of a certain one in a certain place means that the servant is assigned to certain duties within a restricted area, and all the servants are working harmoniously to one end.
15 The Lord has gradually revealed to his people the proper meaning of “his organization”, and now it clearly appears from the Scriptures that all servants in the various positions of the organization of the remnant or anointed ones of God’s people on the earth are properly named by the Society as the visible representatives of the Lord at the temple, and that such obligation of naming their servants is not laid upon each separate company, to act in the democratic fashion of casting votes for and against. The company of God’s people at London, England, some time ago saw this situation and by resolution requested the Society to appoint servants of the company. Therefore, acting in obedience to the Scriptures and in harmony with such request, the London company was organized as one company, composed of several units, and one company servant appointed over all units and a captain or unit servant for each of the units which composed the company. The Greater New York company, the Chicago company, the Los Angeles company, and other companies, have been organized and are now operated in a like manner. At the request of each of the companies the Society has reorganized the service organization and appointed the servants. It therefore appears to be entirely Scriptural, and in order, that a company of God’s people may request the Society to carry out this organization arrangement, and this may be done for each and every company of the Lord’s people. Each local company may properly suggest the names of those who appear to be best qualified to fill the respective positions of service, and then place before or send such request to the Society at the Brooklyn headquarters or to the headquarters in the various countries of the earth, and such names will be considered in making such appointment. The anointed have full faith that the Lord will direct that the proper course may be taken. That will not mean that there will be no mistakes, because some, after being appointed, may prove unfaithful, and the Lord has made full arrangements in removing such. Let all companies of God’s people who see that such is the proper and Scriptural arrangement adopt a brief resolution and send it to the respective headquarters above mentioned, which resolution may be in the following form, to wit: “We, the company of God’s people taken out for his name, and now at , recognize that God’s government is a pure theocracy and that Christ Jesus is at the temple and in full charge and control of the visible organization of Jehovah, as well as the invisible, and that “The Society” is the visible representative of the Lord on earth, and we therefore request “The Society” to organize this company for service and to appoint the various servants thereof, so that all of us may work together in peace, righteousness, harmony and complete unity. We attach hereto a list of names of persons in this company that to us appear more fully mature and who therefore appear to be best suited to fill the respective positions designated for service.”
16 Surely it must now appear to all of God’s people that the time is here for a better and more completely harmonious organization for the service of the Lord and that now is the time for peace and righteousness in God’s visible organization, and in which time everyone in the organization and in the service should maintain peace and righteousness in the advancement of the kingdom interest of the Lord’s organization. A harmonious organization is required by the Lord, and full unity in action must be maintained. Such is the Lord’s commandment, and his commandments must be obeyed. (Acts 3:23) Does it not, therefore, clearly appear to the anointed that Jehovah God has now fulfilled the terms of the prophecy at Isaiah 60:17, and that as gold is better than silver and the other materials therein named by way of comparison, so now God has brought in a better understanding and condition in his organization and that now he has brought forward and made his approved servants peace and righteousness and that he requires of all full and complete harmony and unity in action? In times past many who have ruled amongst the professed people of God have ruled with force and with cruelty. God promised that he would cause such a condition to cease, and therefore he said: “With force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more: for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.” — Ezek. 34:4,10.
17 This prophecy applies to all who have manifested the wrong spirit amongst the people of God, and specifically including the clergy and the ‘‘elective elder” element and others who have showed the disposition to boss and ‘lord it over God’s heritage’. Occasionally a report comes to the Society that in a certain company the “elective elder” or boss spirit is manifested by some claiming to be anointed, and who act arrogantly toward both the remnant and the Jonadabs. Let it now be clearly understood that it is the duty of the servants in the church, and in fact all of the temple company, to comfort one another and to comfort the “other sheep”. In the commission given to the anointed temple company these words appear: “To proclaim . . . the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.” Therefore it is the clear duty of the remnant to declare the day of God’s vengeance and to do this with absolute unity in action and it is likewise the duty of the remnant to comfort “all that mourn”, which specifically refers to those of good will who are in distress because of the conditions that prevail about them. (Ezek. 9:4) The Lord will not tolerate bosses, troublemakers, murmurers, harsh or cruel rulers in his organization or any part thereof, whether factory, farm or field service. The Lord now clearly reveals his purpose to have peace and righteousness in his organization, and it therefore follows that all who will not joyfully get in line in obedience to this commandment the great Executive Officer by his angels will gather out. (Matt. 13: 41) It is the time of war against the enemy, and therefore the time of united action of all of those in God’s organization. It is the time of peace, righteousness and complete unity, and hence harmonious action in service amongst all of those devoted to Jehovah. Let everyone in God’s organization see to it that he thus walks humbly or obediently with his God (Mic. 6:8), that is, with Christ Jesus, “the Mighty God,” and with Jehovah, the Supreme One.
HIS DUE TIME
18 In his own due time Jehovah reveals to his faithful people whatsoever it is his will they should know, and this he has proved by his manner of dealing with them during the past few years in particular. He has now shown his people that it is his time when they shall rise up against the enemy in war. There must of necessity, therefore, be complete harmony in the ranks of God’s organization. Let all quibbling, strife and discord cease. Zion is now builded up, and all of Zion must know and do the will of God. King Solomon was a type of Christ Jesus, who is the builder of the real temple of God, and what was recorded concerning the building of the typical temple, amongst other things, ‘happened unto them as ensamples, and they were written for our admonition’ . . . ‘and were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.’ (1 Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4) By having this clear and positive information the following comparison of what came to pass with reference to Solomon and the typical temple, and what has been performed by Christ Jesus, the Greater-than-Solomon in the real temple, may be considered with profit.
19 “And it came to pass, in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif [bloom] which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord.” (1 Ki. 6:1) The time here mentioned was 1035 B.C., and the second month thereof, second day (2 Chron. 3:1,2), appears to correspond with the year (A.D.) 1918, about the 15th of April of that year, about the time of the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ at the temple. In the year 1918 the Memorial was celebrated on the 14th day of the first Jewish month, or, to wit, our time, March 26, 1918. Jewish kings were formally enthroned and crowned in the spring of the year. Hence though the “seven times” of “the times of the Gentiles” ended in the fall of 1914, about October 1, yet according to the Jewish type Jehovah would induct into office his reigning King in the following spring, to wit, A.D. 1915. Therefore the “fourth year” of Christ’s reign, corresponding with Solomon’s beginning the temple, would begin in the spring of A.D. 1918; and “the second month” thereof would begin shortly or about one-half month after the Memorial of that year, or, to wit, about the middle of April 1918, marking the beginning of the building of the antitypical temple by the Lord. Mark then the progress of the typical temple building: “In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the Lord laid, in the month Zif: and in the eleventh year, in the month Bul [rain], which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.” — 1 Ki. 6:37, 38.
20 The feast of tabernacles and the dedication of the temple followed. “And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.” (1 Ki. 8:2) (See also 2 Chronicles 5:3.) “Also, at the same time, Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. And in the eighth day [the day after the seven-day tabernacle feast] they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days [total fourteen days]. And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the Lord had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people. Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord, and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of the Lord, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.” (2 Chron. 7:8-11) (See also 1 Kings 8:62-66.) Said “eleventh year” mentioned at 1 Kings 6: 38 was seven years after 1035 B.C., when Solomon began to build the temple, or in 1028 B.C., and the temple dedication in the seventh month thereof would correspond with October, A.D. 1925. The dedication was about seven years and five and one-half months after the temple building was begun. The Memorial in 1925 was celebrated April 8, 1925. Hence the seventh Jewish month was about coincident with October 1925. The completion of the temple in the “eighth month” of the same year was about seven years six months after the building was begun. The completion thereof would therefore correspond with November 1925.
21 At the dedication of the temple King Solomon prayed and in his prayer referred to the “stranger”, or foreigner, that should duly come to Jehovah’s temple for mercy because of Jehovah’s great name. (See 2 Chronicles 6:32, 33; 1 Kings 8:41-43.) Such “strangers” would foreshadow or correspond with the Lord’s “other sheep”, or Jonadabs or people of good will, who go to make up the “great multitude”. Note now the facts showing God’s beginning to reveal to his people the great multitude.
22 In the “eleventh year” after 1914 (to wit, the spring of 1915, when Jehovah would induct his reigning king into office, as above stated) or seven years after the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple and his beginning to rear up the temple, God’s consecrated people were assembled in convention at Indianapolis, Indiana, and on the 29th day of August 1925 that assembly of God’s people adopted a resolution entitled “Message of Hope”, and which was the first and only one of the seven resolutions adopted over a period of seven years that was addressed “To All People of Good Will”. In this connection note that the “great multitude” (Rev. 7: 9,10), being people of good will, joined with God’s anointed remnant of the temple company in celebrating the great antitypical feast of tabernacles. Interesting, therefore, it is to note that the fourteen-day celebration, of the feast and the dedication of the building, in the seventh Jewish month of 1028 B.C. embraces not only the Jewish atonement day (on the 10th day) but also the entire seven-day feast of tabernacles (the 15th to the 21st, inclusive) with its booths and temple gatherings, with palm branches being waved by the people.
23 After the feast and dedication celebration King Solomon completed the temple in the eighth Jewish month, and this corresponds with November 1925. The aforementioned resolution, “Message of Hope,” addressed as it was “To All People of Good Will”, began to be distributed by the millions of copies all over the earth on Saturday, October 31, 1925, and continued for some time thereafter, and thus the “Message of Hope” was taken to the “people of good will”. Did the Lord direct this matter? Surely!
24 The temple at Jerusalem was typical of Jehovah’s “anointed” company of people taken out for his name, of which company Christ Jesus is the Head. (Matt. 3:16, 17; 1 Cor. 3:16) At the modern or antitypical fulfillment of Solomon’s dedication of the temple it was fitly appropriate that the attention of God’s anointed people be called to the outpouring or anointing of God’s holy spirit upon all of the approved ones. By the Lord’s grace and guidance, at the aforementioned convention at Indianapolis in 1925 there was then and there called to the attention of those assembled, by an address publicly delivered, the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel 2: 28, 29 concerning the outpouring of the holy spirit upon “all flesh”, including those who came to the knowledge of the truth and who were gathered into the temple following A.D. 1922. It is true that only a few thousand heard that public proclamation or discourse, but in due time, to correspond with the completion of Solomon’s temple, The Watchtower, in its issue of November 15, 1925, published the article previously verbally spoken, to wit, “The Holy Spirit Poured Out.” No man prearranged these things, but the Lord undoubtedly did direct them.
25 At the dedication of Solomon’s temple the glory of the Lord was made manifest. It was on the first day of the temple dedication, that is to say, the seventh month, the eighth day of the month, 1028 B.C., when the ark of the covenant was brought into the most holy or “oracle” of the temple, at which time there were temple songs and other music by the priests, and “then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God”. (2 Chron. 5:13,14) Then Solomon prayed and in that prayer made mention of “the stranger”, and “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 the Lord filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord 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 for ever”.—2 Chron. 7:1-3.
26 The facts which the Lord caused to be brought to pass in the year 1925 show the fulfillment of this prophetic ceremony. In that year the name of Jehovah began to come to the fore and it came to be appreciated that Jehovah would now make a name for himself. In the beginning of the first Hebrew month The Watchtower of March 1, 1925, published the article “The Birth of The Nation”, meaning the kingdom had begun to function. An editorial committee, humanly provided for, then was supposed to control the publication of The Watchtower, and the majority of that committee strenuously objected to the publication of the article “The Birth of The Nation”, but, by the Lord’s grace, it was published, and that really marked the beginning of the end of the editorial committee, indicating that the Lord himself is running his organization. Following that, to wit, at the Indianapolis convention in 1925, the resolution “Message of Hope” was published and, among other things, contains these words: “The time has come for God to make for himself a name in the earth, and for the peoples to know the truth concerning the divine [purpose], which is the only means of salvation for the world. Therefore, in the name and in the spirit of the Lord the standard of God’s truth and righteousness is here lifted up against the enemy, and for the benefit of the peoples, which standard is, to wit: That Jehovah is the true God, the Most High, the Almighty, the author and finisher of his great [purpose] for the salvation of man, and is the rewarder of all that diligently seek and obey him.” That was the first public occasion that announcement was made that Jehovah’s purpose is to make a name for himself. Thus at that time the glory of Jehovah began to be seen in the real temple and in a new relationship to his people, and that vision of God’s glory increased until it was seen that God’s chief purpose is the vindication of his name. Shortly thereafter, to wit, in January 1,1926, issue of The Watchtower, there was published the article “Who Will Honor Jehovah?” thus calling attention to the glory of Jehovah’s name and stressing his manner of making a name for himself. (2 Sam. 7: 23) This glorious purpose of Jehovah was therefore called publicly to “Christendom’s” attention at the proper time by the distribution of the “Message of Hope”. Like the fourth plague described in Revelation 16: 8, 9, and the fourth trumpet (Rev. 8:12), that “Message of Hope” began to dim the glory of Satan’s crowd on earth and show forth the Lord’s glory, and God’s people were greatly lifted up and rejoiced.—Light, Book One, page 130.
27 At the dedication of the typical temple Solomon prayed, and, amongst other things, his prayer contained these words: “Moreover, concerning a stranger that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name’s sake: (for they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house: hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name. If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the Lord toward the eity which thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for thy name.”—1 Ki. 8:41-44.
28 Parallel thereto, the “Message of Hope” (paragraphs 12 and 13 thereof) contain these words: “We confidently appeal to the peoples to rally to the divine standard of truth thus lifted up and thereby learn the way that leads to life and happiness. We call upon all the people of good will of every nation, kindred and tongue, to discard the errors invented by the enemy Satan and for many years taught by man, and to receive and believe the divine [purpose] for salvation as set forth in the Scriptures. God’s kingdom for which the peoples have long prayed is at hand. It alone can and will establish and stabilize the world so that it cannot be moved. Its ensign of righteousness is the standard now lifted up for the people. Christ Jesus, as glorified King and great executive officer of Jehovah God, has become the rightful ruler of the world. Let the peoples receive, believe and obey him and his laws of righteousness. All who so do are certain to receive the blessings of peace, prosperity, health, life, liberty and eternal happiness.” Thus is now seen the hand of the Lord guiding his covenant people in the way that they should go as he has promised. (Prov. 3: 5, 6) It was freely announced even before that, that 1925 appeared to be an important year, but its real importance was not seen until the present time.
29 Further interesting facts are these: “But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house. He built also the house of the forest of Lebanon; the length thereof was an hundred cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars [like a cedar forest of Lebanon], with cedar beams upon the pillars. Then he made a porch for the throne, where he might judge, even the porch of judgment; and it was covered with cedar from one side of the floor to the other. And his house where he dwelt had another court within the porch, which was of the like work. Solomon made also an house for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom he had taken to wife, like unto this porch.” (1 Ki. 7:1, 2, 7, 8) “And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the Lord, and the king’s house.” (1 Ki. 9:10; 2 Chron. 8:1) The completion of that particular building program of Solomon included the temple, the king’s palace, and the house of the forest of Lebanon for judgment (and also for an armory, 2 Chronicles 9:15, 16); which completion took place in the twentieth year after the beginning of the temple, said year being 1016 B.C., and which “twentieth year” ends with the beginning of the spring of 1938, and hence corresponds with the year 1937 which ends in the spring of 1938; and to which attention is here directed.
30 The year 1937 appears to be a marked year of importance to the people of God, including both the remnant and their “companions”, the people of good will, as if this year may be introductory to something more important. In that “twentieth year”, 1937, there assembled the most constructive and important conventions of Jehovah’s witnesses yet assembled, to wit, in the city of Paris, France, in August, and at Columbus, Ohio, in September, 1937. By means of radio the witnesses in other parts of the earth, to wit, Europe, Africa, Australia, and islands of the sea, had a part in those assemblies. The public address pointing to God’s way of “Safety” was delivered to a visible audience of 30,000 persons and at the same time over many radio stations. (September 18 and 19) Then on September 26, 125 radio stations broadcast the public address “Worshiping God”, wherein was condemned the conduct of the commercial radio stations and operators for improper use of this God-given facility; and then on October 31 thereafter judgment against the commercial radio owners, operators, and controllers of radio stations was expressed by discontinuing of commercially-paid radio programs which relate to God’s kingdom. Was this directed and done at the dictation of the King, Christ Jesus, in the “porch of judgment”? It was not prearranged by any man having in mind the fulfillment of prophecy.
31 It is of some significance that in the close of this very “twentieth year” the question of Jehovah’s temple and royal house, and who is in it, and their duty and responsibility, is considered and now prepared to be published in The Watchtower and the publication of which will immediately precede what is here written. It also appears certain that as in the “thirteen years” during which Solomon was building his royal palace and his judgment house like a forest of Lebanon, so during the thirteen years from 1925 onward Jehovah’s King Judge, Christ Jesus, has been expressing his judgments, including ‘the cleansing of the sanctuary’, and also by the arrangement of service organization and work. Individualism of the respective companies has been done away with, and the Society, by the will and grace of Jehovah, has taken its proper place in Jehovah’s theocratic government. The unity of the anointed and the harmonious co-operation with their companions are made manifest today as never before. The Watchtower in this “twentieth year” has set forth the Scriptural proof as to who is of the royal house and who of the “great multitude”, and their relationship to each other and to the Lord. It was in May 1937 that The Watchtower announced that capable Jonadabs are eligible for company service organizations. The Watchtower, as of August 15, 1937, published the article “Companions”, setting forth the relationship of the “little flock” and the “great multitude”. The end of the “twentieth year” in 1015 B.C. (which twentieth year corresponds with 1938) comes in the fulfillment on April 2, 1938. The Memorial for 1938 was celebrated April 15, 1938. The Watchtower for March 1 and 15, 1938, published the “Memorial” article, setting forth clearly who shall partake, and also the article showing the distinction between the anointed and great multitude; and thus “the twentieth year” parallel comes to a close, which matter is seen for the first time as this present article is in course of preparation for publication.
32 As previously arranged, by the Lord’s grace and guidance, the international testimony period entitled “Companions” began April 9, 1938, and progresses, and during which time the books Riches and Enemies, together with the booklet Cure, are specifically featured and widely distributed. The magazine now Consolation is also put forward in this testimony period. It is quite manifest that the Lord is guiding his people and that his theocratic government is in operation and complete control, so far as his visible organization on earth is concerned. Will everyone who loves the Lord get in line and take his respective and proper place?
WORKERS
33 During the “twenty years” of Solomon’s building program he employed or made use of non-Israelites or foreign laborers. That seems to clearly correspond with the Jonadabs or non-anointed ones’ participating in the service work. The Scriptural evidence may here be considered with interest and profit: “And king Solomon sent, and fetched Hiram [this was not king Hiram, but the son of a widow (see margin)] out of Tyre. He was a widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali, and bis father was a man of Tyre [was a foreigner], a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.”—1 Ki. 7:13,14; 2 Chron. 2:13,14.
34 King Hiram sent his servants to work for Solomon. “And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father; for Hiram was ever a lover of David.” “And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.” “And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stone- squarers; so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.” (1 Ki. 5:1,12,18; 2 Chron. 2:8-10) Other strangers or proselytes of Israel were brought into service: “And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them [showing that those outside of the land of Israel were unnumbered]; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred. And he set threescore and ten thousand [seventy thousand] of them [strangers or proselytes] to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand [eighty thousand] to be hewers in the mountain [of Lebanon], and three thousand and six hundred [3,600] overseers to set the people a work.” (2 Chron. 2:17,18) This corresponds with extending to the “great multitude”, or Jonadabs, a part in the witness work of the present time.—Rev. 22:17.
35 Some other interesting facts are these: Solomon began building the temple 480 years after the exodus from Egypt. (1 Ki. 6:1) Hence the twenty-year building program of Solomon ended 500 years after the exodus. Five hundred years before 1938 or, to wit, 1438, there were movements for the release of the people from religious bondage under the Papacy. In the thirty-first session of the Council of Basle, Switzerland, in that year the Council declared Pope Eugenius IV contumacious, suspended him from the exercise of all jurisdiction, both temporal and spiritual, and pronounced all that he should do to be null and void. (McClintock and Strong Cyclopaedia, Volume 1, page 689) The Encyclopaedia Britannica, Volume 5, ninth edition, page 731, says: ‘In the year 1438, Council of Ferrara [an Italian city], convoked by Eugenius IV, opposed the Council of Basle; the Emperor John Palaeologus [of the Eastern or Greek Empire] and the Greek Patriarch were present. The pope was deposed by the fathers of Basle, and the latter were excommunicated at Ferrara.’ The Encyclopedia Americana, Volume 10, page 572, tells of the continuous controversy between the pope and the Council of Basle.
36 The Scriptures show that, after the twenty years of Solomon’s building program as above set out, he engaged in a nation-wide building program. (1 Ki. 9:10,1,-23; 2 Chron. 8:1-10) Then came the queen of Sheba “from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon”. (Matt. 12:42; 1 Ki. 10:1-10; 2 Chron. 9:1-9,12) This suggests the question : What is in the immediate future for the people of Jehovah on earth? With full confidence we will wait, and we shall see.
37 By way of contrast or comparison we now see that Jehovah has brought in a better condition amongst his people than has heretofore been enjoyed. He has illuminated his prophecy concerning the government of his people. As gold is better than brcnze, and silver better than iron, and bronze better than wood, and iron better than stone, so instead of controversies, contentions and arguments usually prevailing at the time of the exercise of the democratic method of selecting servants, now Jehovah, through Christ Jesus, appoints for service in his organization his “exactors”, that is, overseers, officers or servants, for peace, prosperity and righteousness, and all must dwell together and work together in peace and in harmony. Instead of rivalry in the selection of servants, and instead of a rule by bosses or self-exalted ones, Christ Jesus now rules as the special representative of the great Theocrat, Jehovah, and his servants must all be in full harmony with him. Let all contentious persons and troublemakers beware. There is no room for such now in the organization of the Lord. Jehovah’s theocratic government is now in full control of the people of God, and to Jehovah’s great Prophet, King and Judge every knee shall bow and every tongue joyfully confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, King and Ruler, to the glory of God His Father. (Phil. 2:10,11) All of the temple company are one in Christ Jesus, and “in his temple doth every one speak of his glory”. The faithful servants of Jehovah are resting securely in the hand of the Almighty God, and concerning whom it is written: “Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.’’ — Psalm 149: 5, 6.
QUESTIONS FOR STUDY
1,2. How do the facts concerning the temple and the temple judgment show Jehovah’s foreknowledge? Point out results of the temple judgment. What vital question confronts each one for whom the increased light upon God’s Word is now available? How important is a wise decision and course of action in this regard?
3,4. Of what is Isaiah 60: 17 a prophetic description? An examination of various translations of this text brings added light on what points in particular?
5,6. What is the evidence that Jehovah has been fulfilling his promise that he “will make thy officers peace’’?
7,8. Compare former conditions with those of the present, showing that Jehovah’s promise to “make thine exactors righteousness’’ has been in course of fulfillment.
9, 10. Show that the term “ordained” has been misapplied by translators and religionists. Compare therewith the procedure in providing representatives of the Watch Tower Society, and account for the difference.
11-13. The laying on of hands or stretching forth of the hand by the elders in the early days of the church was of what significance? Point out why such procedure is not now in order. With scriptures show that Christ Jesus, now being at the temple, fills all the offices of the organization of Zion and directs the operations thereof. What is here clearly manifest as to the position of the Society in relation to the official part of Jehovah’s organization? Account, then, for the reorganization attending the Society’s activities since 1918.
14. Point out the fitness of the Society's designating all in the organization as “servants”.
15, 16. What action in line with the foregoing has been taken? and how is such reorganization, with the benefits thereof, available to others? Compare this condition and arrangement with what Jehovah promised at Isaiah 60: 17.
17. To whom does Ezekiel 34: 4,10 apply? Show that Jehovah’s promise therein is having fulfillment. What is now clearly the duty of all of those of the remnant? How important is it that all in God’s organization understand the commission given to the anointed temple company and be
found in line in united and harmonious action in the service of Jehovah?
18-20. What definite information kept in mind will be helpful here? When and how has the prophetic picture of Solomon’s building the temple had fulfillment?
21-23. Identify the “stranger” referred to in 2 Chronicles 6: 32. Relate facts showing God’s beginning to reveal the “great multitude”.
24. How has Solomon’s dedication of the temple had fulfillment as a prophecy?
25, 26. In what facts is seen fulfillment of the prophetic ceremony recorded at 2 Chronicles 5: 7,13,14 and 7: 1-3?
27, 28. Point out facts parallel to the prophetic matter recorded at 1 Kings 8: 41-44.
29. What further interesting facts appear in this prophetic record!
30-32. Relate what has taken place in 1937 and 1938 clearly in fulfillment of the completing by Solomon of that part of his building program recorded at 1 Kings 7: 1, 2, 7 and 9: 10, showing that the Society has taken its proper place in Jehovah’s theocratic government and that the Lord is guiding his people and his theocratic government is in operation and in complete control.
33, 34. What was foreshown in Solomon’s sending for nonIsraelites and bringing them into service?
35. Relate some facts showing an interesting 500-year parallel.
36. What followed the twenty years of Solomon’s building program! What does this suggest!
37. What, then, are seen as some of the facts proving fulfillment of Isaiah 60: 17? What will the faithful now be doing, in line with Philippians 2:10, 11 and Psalm 149: 5, 6?
OPENING THE SEALS
CHRIST JESUS is the central One of Jehovah’s organization, being far above principalities and powers. (Eph. 1:21) He is the Head over all others. The apostle John, therefore, as Revelation five, describes him as “a Lamb, as it had been slain”, and standing “in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts”: “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne [of Jehovah God] and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb, as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.” (Vss. 6,7) Thus Christ Jesus is identified and described as the One whose shed blood has redeemed mankind and by whose precious blood alone salvation comes to the human race. He is in the throne of God, that is to say, is the One having the chief authority from Jehovah; and in the midst of the “four beasts” or living ones, which means he is the Chief One in God’s organization. He appears as “having seven horns and seven eyes”, which symbolizes that he has the faculty of discerning perfectly the will of God as this is recorded in the scroll or book “in the right hand of him that sat on the throne”, and is clothed with all power and authority to execute the divine will.
Jesus Christ “came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne". Thus he receives from Jehovah and at the hand of Jehovah his portfolio which sets forth the further work now to be done. God seats or installs Christ Jesus upon his throne in Zion and sends him forth to begin action. (Pss. 2:6; 110:2) It was in A.D. 1914 that Christ Jesus took his power and went forth at Jehovah’s command and fought with Satan and ousted him from heaven, according to the description at Revelation twelve. He had overcome in that fight. He comes to his temple, or the house of God, as the High Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek and he must receive “the Urim and Thummim” and discern the judgment of Jehovah that he may execute it. His portfolio thus discloses to him God’s work that must be done. Then he begins the opening of the “seals”, disclosing God’s will concerning the work to be done on earth. This marks the inauguration of the work of the church as foreshadowed by the prophet Elisha’s work. Then he sends his faithful ones forth with the command to ‘preach this gospel of the kingdom to all the world as a witness before the final end’ of Satan’s rule. —Matthew 24:14.
The divine record then pictures the four beasts and the four and twenty elders falling down before the Lamb, every one of them having a harp and a golden vessel of sweet odors. (Rev. 5:8) Thus is pictured every part of God’s organization, including the faithful ones on earth, being joyfully subject to and submissive to the Lord Jesus Christ as God’s Chief Executive Officer. As 1 Peter 2:17 declares: “Fear God. Honour the king.” According to the gender of the original word used in the Greek manuscript of The Revelation, each one of the twenty-four elders possesses a harp. In the temple service the harp was used in accordance with the commandment of the Lord. (2 Chron. 29:25) This is proof that the twenty-four elders represented the number of all the ‘‘ royal priesthood” under the Head, Christ Jesus, including the ones who ‘preach this gospel of the kingdom’. Furthermore, it is stated, at Revelation 14: 3 and 15:2, 3, that the 144,000 faithful members of Christ’s body stand by the “sea of glass” with Christ Jesus, harping upon their harps. This picture includes the remnant on earth engaged in singing the “new song” to the praise of Jehovah God.
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