The Watchtower, June 1, 1940
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“LOCUST ARMY” TESTIMONY PERIOD
Summer's opening is marked by the “Locust Army” Testimony Period, during the whole month of June. It is a movement of Jehovah’s “locusts” against religion by a campaign to increase yet more the subscription list of The Watchtower. The unusual offer in effect during the campaign will operate greatly to that result, to wit, one year’s subscription for The Watchtower together with the premium of a choice of any bound book and a self-covered booklet on a contribution of but one dollar; foreign countries, $1.50. This Testimony Period is the final of a three-month campaign with The Watchtower. Now is not too late to arrange for some part therein, as to territory, equipment, time, supplies, distributor’s copies, etc If unacquainted with an organized company of publishers in your locality, notify this office of your wish to get in touch with such for this Testimony. Those in foreign countries should write the branch office having supervision. The Informant (which is free) goes into greater detail on this.
VACATION
The annual vacation period of the members of the Bethel family at Brooklyn this year is from Saturday, July 20, to Sunday, August 4, inclusive. This will allow them a diversion from their regular activities at headquarters, and especially to avail themselves of the privileges of the 1940 Theocratic Convention Jehovah’s witnesses and of the increasing opportunities for field witnessing. The normal operations of the factory and office will be suspended for that period; no books will be shipped or regular mail answered. Hence all field publishers should order sufficiently in advance that their supplies of literature to carry them through the vacation period and to the end of August may be shipped out not later than the evening of Friday, July 19. Also reserve your correspondence with the factory and office until Mot day, August 5.
FALSE REPORTS
Some unreliable person is responsible for the circulation of a report that Beth-Sarim is being enlarged as a place of security and that this is being built by the Society. There is absolutely not one word of truth in the report. Those who are interested in the Theocracy would better be circulating the kingdom message rather than false imaginations of others.
“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES
Week of July 7: “Instruction” (Part 5),
1-26 inclusive, The Watchtower June 1, 1940 Week of July 14: “Instruction” (Part 5),
27-53 inclusive, The Watchtower June 1, 1940
Vol LXI
June 1, 1940
No. 11
INSTRUCTION
PART 5
"When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them; he forgetteth not the cry of the humble." — Ps. 9:12.
JEHOVAH instructs the obedient ones that they might receive comfort and be strong in hope. He assures those who serve him that when his time arrives to vindicate his name he will remember for good all who have maintained their integrity toward him and that he will not pass over unnoticed any of the wicked. Those now on earth who are fully devoted to Jehovah are hated of all nations for his name’s sake, reproached and oppressed. God’s time to administer due recompense to the wicked is very near, and Jehovah will see to it that none of them escape. The Margolis Bible renders the text in the foregoing Psalm in this manner: “For He that avengeth blood hath remembered them [those who wrongfully shed blood]; He hath not forgotten the cry of the humble [the ones who are obedient and who declare his name].”
2 Jehovah makes inquisition, that is, he inquires into the facts or calls to mind the facts, that he may properly recompense those who have done wickedly and that he may put his blessing upon those who have obeyed him. The day of his vengeance is near, and God will not overlook any of his enemies: “The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings; they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.”—Isa. 59:8.
3 In the preceding issue of The Watchtower consideration is given to the prophecy of Zephaniah 2:1-7 and discloses God’s purpose to completely clear out the religious racketeers. In this present issue of The Watchtower consideration is given particularly to the commercial and political element of Satan’s visible organization. The Philistines were on the west of the tribe of Judah. On the east were the Moabites and the Ammonites. Moab pictured the commercial wing of Satan’s visible organization. Ammon pictured the political wing of that wicked organization. Both the commercial and political parts of the organization of Satan are supported by the military and strong-arm squad. All of these have joined with the religionists for the purpose of doing violence to Jehovah's servants. Their action shall not be passed over unnoticed by Jehovah, but he will recompense them shortly. Upon those adversaries disgrace and destruction shall come as upon the ancient Sodomites and the people of Gomorrah. That punishment will be a just recompense for their sell-glory and pride and arrogance in wrongfully claiming what belongs to Jehovah alone. God’s faithful servants shall finally triumph. They that worship God shall fill the whole earth. Worshipers of demons and men will cease for ever. That instruction now comforts the people of God and makes their hope strong that they may move forward in the work that God has assigned to them.
4 At Armageddon there shall be no hiding places for those in far-off lands nor for the empire builders who have opposed God and persecuted his faithful witnesses. Such enemies were foreshadowed by Ethiopia and Assyria, and particularly the city of Nineveh. Individuals held amongst those who oppose The Theocratic Government, and who were pictured by Ebed-melech and by the repentant Ninevites, may escape. The organization of Satan, made up of political dictators and commercial traffickers who have allied themselves with religionists, shall be basely degraded and forever despised by those who survive Armageddon and who continue to praise Jehovah. The Lord remembers his faithful servants and avenges them.
5 Proceeding now with the examination of the prophecy by Zephaniah: It is noted that Jehovah mentions the reproaches that his enemies have put upon him and his faithful servants. "I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.” — Zeph. 2: 8.
6 Moab of ancient times reproached Jehovah and his typical people, the Israelites. The modern-day Moabites, the commercial traffickers in the wealth of the earth, and in human blood, have heaped great reproach upon the name of Jehovah, and those reproaches have fallen upon the ones who love and faithfully serve the Most High and his King. (Ps. 69:9; Rom. 15:3) To his faithful servants the assurance is given: “Thy Father, which seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly” (Matt. 6:4); and to his adversaries he says: “Understand, ye brutish among the people; and, ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear! he that formed the eye, shall he not see?” (Ps. 94: 8, 9) At Armageddon Jehovah will make good these promises, fully carrying them out.
7 The antitypical or modern-day Moabites, that is to say, the commercial element of Satan’s visible organization, as the facts fully disclose, have yielded to the laws of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. That wicked religious organization has repeatedly declared that Jehovah’s servants are carrying on a money-making scheme and indulging in a campaign of hate and intolerance. They further lied saying that Jehovah’s witnesses are Communists. The commercial element, in their propaganda sheets, the daily press and magazines, continue to publish such lies against Jehovah’s witnesses, while at the same time those publications refuse to publish any true statement of the facts even for pay. Thus it is seen that the commercial element, through their propaganda sheets and at the instance of religionists, willfully and deliberately and with malice aforethought, resist God and persecute his servants. They continue such bitter opposition to all publications concerning The Theocratic Government. They have put forth their endeavors to prevent the radio from being used to broadcast the message of The Theocratic Government. They prevent Jehovah’s witnesses from obtaining the use of public halls for their assemblies. The commercial press stoops to the basest lies against Jehovah’s servants and does so always at the instance of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and their other religious allies.
8 The ready and willing servant of the commercial giants, who traffic in human blood and property, is the strong-arm squad and the military group. They continually heap reproach upon the name of Jehovah God and his servants. These servants of God they denounce as pacifists and charge that they are unpatriotic and dangerous to the security of the state. They willingly and wickedly circulate reports that the publications of Jehovah’s witnesses are subversive and should be suppressed for that reason. This commercial and military group, acting at the instance and on advice of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, attempt to force upon the servants of God compulsory saluting of flags contrary to the commandment of Almighty God. They attempt to force Jehovah’s faithful servants into the military service and to engage in killing contrary to God’s Word. All of these things God will not forget at Armageddon. He will permit none of that commercial element of Satan’s organization to find the way of escape. They will not be hid. This, of course, does not apply to legitimate and honest dealers in goods, wares and merchandise of necessity, but the application is to that class of commercial men who prey upon the people and use their power wickedly against mankind, and particularly against the servants of Almighty God.
AMMONITES
9 Jehovah takes full notice of the reviling of his people by the Ammonites of modern days, that is to say, the political element, which element works with the religionists for political gain. The totalitarians are now determined to rule the world or to bring about the destruction of the nations. They get their inspiration, of course, from the Devil by and through the religious element, the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. None of these like the message of God, because it discloses that The Theocracy shall rule the whole world in righteousness and that the totalitarian rule shall soon for ever cease. Those modern-day Ammonites, or politicians, join forces with the Hierarchy to destroy Jehovah’s servants and to prevent the spreading of the gospel of God’s kingdom. To accomplish their wicked purpose they enact laws giving men dictatorial or arbitrary powers to enable the chief political ruler to declare an emergency when he desires and to thus justify his actions in taking away all privileges of those who love and serve the Almighty God. Thus have many of Jehovah’s witnesses been imprisoned and killed in the dictatorial countries, not for wrongdoing, but because they persist in declaring the good news of The Theocratic Government. Those enemies of God and his servants will find no hiding place at Armageddon. They will not be hid.
10 Jehovah says of the modern-day Moabites and Ammonites: “They have reproached my people, and magnified themselves.” The commercial and political element therefore serve the Devil’s purpose by acting in conjunction with the ultrareligionists, and all of them are against God. That wicked element purpose to make it very difficult for the people of good will toward God to hear God’s message, which message from Jehovah shows man the only way to safety. Envious of those who speak the truth and who therefore tell of The Theocracy and the relief it will bring to humankind, those agents of Satan persecute all who openly serve God and Christ his King.
11 The political and commercial elements, supported by the military and strong-arm squad, insist that those who have devoted themselves to Jehovah must now put the state above Almighty God and therefore render unto Caesar all allegiance and support. In this they bring great reproach upon the name of Jehovah and upon those who serve him. Hoping to fully control the rising generation the political, commercial and military elements, acting at the behest of the big religious group, attempt to compel the small children to salute flags, “heil” men, and engage in other ceremonies in violation of God’s law. Bent upon arbitrary rule or ruin, they go beyond all proper limits and insist that the law of the state is supreme and that the state must be obeyed under any and all circumstances. They magnify men and rulers, and thus magnify and exalt themselves against God, blaspheming and reproaching his name. They shall find no way to escape the wrath of Almighty God.
12 Jehovah God is the fountain of life. (Ps. 36:9) No creature can live without God’s permission. The entire universe hangs on the life of Jehovah, the Almighty. Strange as it may seem, now the existence of God is at issue. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” (Ps. 14:1) These modern-day Moabites and Ammonites by their course of action deny the existence of Almighty God. Therefore in their heart (seat of motive) they say there is no God. Many of them openly deny the existence of Almighty God and speak of him as “the tribal God of Israel”, “only a God of antiquity.” There are none of the political rulers of the nations of this day that tell the people of the Almighty God as the Ruler of the universe and that all blessings must come from him. ‘All nations have forgotten God.’ (Ps. 9:17) All take a course of action exactly contrary to what God has pointed out in his Word that man should take. The nations have yielded to the influence and power of the demons, whether they know it or not. Almost all of them advocate some kind of demonism or religion. Note, then, what Jehovah’s prophet says of and concerning them: “Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation; the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.” — Zeph. 2: 9.
13 In this declaration Jehovah by his own life swears that he will bring all such opponents to an everlasting end. His eternal existence obligates the Almighty God to openly demonstrate to all creation that he is supreme. At Armageddon he will so demonstrate to all, that he is the living God, the selfexisting One, without beginning and without end; that he is the King of Eternity, who inhabits eternity, and that there is none before him. (Jer. 10:10; Dan. 6:26; Deut. 5:26; Isa. 57:15) He first made a covenant with the nation of Israel after the flesh; therefore he was the “God of Israel [after the flesh]”. That nation broke the covenant with Jehovah and turned away from him and denied and continue to deny him, and particularly to reject Christ Jesus, the beloved Son of God. That nation still holds to religion, or demonism, although professing to serve God. Jehovah is the God of spiritual Israel, that is, those who are of the spirit, fully devoted to him; meaning, those who have taken his name and joyfully obey his commandment and worship him in spirit and in truth through Christ Jesus, the King of The Theocracy. – Rev. 12:17.
14 Jehovah therefore says to those who deny his existence: “Surely Moab [the antitypical Moabites, the commercial traffickers] shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon [the political ruling element] as Gomorrah.” Thus is the judgment written against them, and that judgment will be executed at Armageddon. Destruction shall come upon them by the superhuman power. The visible result upon them will be like that which came upon Sodom and Gomorrah, and this is also mentioned at Jude seven. As Lot fled from the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and was saved from the destruction that came upon those cities, so the persons of good will who shall now flee to the place of safety may be saved. Many of these persons of good will are now under the dominating control of the political and commercial elements; but by taking their stand firmly on the side of the Lord they may escape to the place of safety. (2 Pet. 2:6-8; Gen. 19:14-29) Sodom and Gomorrah were reduced to complete desolation, from which there is no possibility of recovery; and so likewise the modern Moabites and Ammonites shall be destroyed, and the place where they have inhabited shall be “even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation”. The totalitarian rule and rulers, the commercial robbers and those who have defied God, shall perish for ever at Armageddon, as the prophecy declares.
15 Now mark how God turns the tables upon the wicked and permits those who serve him to have His blessing: “The residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.” (Vs. 9) Those who serve God and his King are not looking for material gain or spoil now held by the godless, political and commercial elements of the earth. The spoiling here mentioned is spiritual; showing that only those who love and serve Jehovah God shall have the blessings of Jehovah in abundance. The faithful who shall be changed from human to spirit creatures shall receive forever the blessings of Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus, and the faithful on earth shall enjoy forever the material things which God has made for man, and all of which blessings proceed from the throne of the Almighty One. This spiritual spoiling snatches the people of good will out from the power and control of the modern-day Moabites and Ammonites. The result is that the people of good will toward God shall find a way to escape to safety and, being faithful, shall receive life everlasting and enjoy the blessings of The Theocratic Government.
16 Jehovah has made known that the faithful followers of Christ Jesus shall be ‘forever with the Lord’ and that these constitute his “holy nation”. (1 Thess. 4:17; 1 Pet. 2:9) Such are the “remnant of her seed”, that is, the seed of God's organization (Rev. 12:17); meaning the last of the faithful spirit class on the earth. These constitute a part of his “holy nation”, and concerning them it is written: “And the remnant of My nation shall inherit them.” (Margolis) The modern-day Moabites and Ammonites being wiped out at Armageddon, those surviving ones of His “holy nation”, of which Christ Jesus is the King of kings, will come into possession of that unobstructed freedom, liberty of action, and use of the earth which God provides and into its fullness, and which the enemies of God have selfishly used and abused and denied to the servants of the Most High. With Christ Jesus these shall have to do with aiding those of the “great multitude” to carry out their assigned duties. Thus it is seen that those of good will shall be brought into the fold of the Lord and ultimately they shall be all of one fold and all shall be under one shepherd or king. (John 10:16) This is further and supporting evidence that some of “the remnant” will remain on earth for a time after Armageddon and co-operate with those who will form the “great multitude”. – Rev. 7: 9-17.
17 Moab and Ammon of the modern day, that is, the commercial traffickers and political rulers, supported by the military and strong-arm squad, will receive full retributive justice administered by the Lord. (Zeph. 2:10) The totalitarian rulers and the commercial tyrants, that rule and oppress the people now, are very proud and haughty. Many of them claim to be servants of the people, but they are in fact cruel oppressors of the people. They rely upon the religious racketeers to keep them in a way that they believe is safe for themselves. Mark what the Almighty God says concerning such modern-day Moabites and their allies: “We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud,) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart. I know his wrath, saith the Lord; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it.” (Jer. 48:29,30) Jehovah’s rules are fixed and do not change: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” — Prov. 16:18.
18 The poor in spirit who obey God are constantly ill-treated and oppressed by those proud and haughty political and commercial great men, and concerning them God says: “Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand; the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.” (Ps. 10:14) None of these proud and haughty ones of the present day have Almighty God in their thoughts. All of them are against The Theocratic Government. These proud and haughty ones will be brought to a despicable end. That end of such proud, haughty and oppressive ones will be further proof of the supremacy of Jehovah God: “For in this mountain shall the hand of the Lord rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill. And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim; and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands. And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.” — Isa. 25:10-12.
19 Why will the Almighty God inflict upon the modern-day Moabites and Ammonites such dire punishment? “Because they have taunted and spoken boastfully against the people of the Lord of hosts.” (Margolis Bible) “Because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts.” (Zeph. 2:10) No one will be permitted to taunt and treat with contempt the servants of Jehovah and be permitted by him to go unpunished. The accounts will be fully squared in his due time. Affronts to God’s name will not be overlooked. The persecution of his people and faithful servants will not be overlooked. “For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” (Zech. 2:8) “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 1 tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”—Luke 18:7, 8.
20 The proud, haughty, self-centered ones persuade themselves that their contemptuous treatment of Jehovah’s witnesses is being noted only by men, but they have overlooked the fact that they are ill-treating the servants of the Lord and that the Lord counts it as unto himself. 'Forasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’ (Matt. 25:40) “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased.” (Matt. 23:12) The wicked deeds of the haughty, austere ones who now control the nations will not be overlooked by Jehovah’s Executioner at Armageddon.
21 The proud, austere and haughty religionists of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy have encouraged the modern Moabites and Ammonites to ill-treat Jehovah’s servants. This they have done because the religionists craved the aid of the political and commercial elements and have desired to share in their ill-got gains. They have not heeded the admonition given to those who make a covenant with or who profess to serve Almighty God: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” – 1 Tim. 6: 17-19.
22 To the Israelites God caused Moses to declare that they should worship him only. These words Jesus repeated to Satan: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt. 4:10) This commandment applies to all who would receive God’s favor. Contrary to God’s commandment, men have given themselves over to the worship of demon-gods. Thus they have rejected Jehovah and his King and kingdom. The political and commercial elements deny Almighty God and now oppose The Theocracy, and to such Jehovah says: “The Lord will be terrible unto them [Fearful is Jehovah against them (Young)]; for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.” —Zeph. 2: 11
23 At the “battle of that great day of God Almighty” he will be terrible unto those who have given their worship to men and to demons. Those who survive Armageddon will not forget what God has done unto the modern Moabites and Ammonites: “And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts; and I will declare thy greatness.” (Ps. 145: 6) With great awe and wonder the prophet of Jehovah, having a vision of what was coming upon the world at Armageddon, exclaimed: “O Lord, I have heard thy speech the report of thee], and was afraid.” (Hab. 3:2) Jehovah’s battle against the enemy will be so terrible that it will cause all the survivors beholding it to be afraid and tremble.
24 Those who receive God’s favor cannot divide their service or devotion by giving to others some part thereof. He is the Almighty, the Most High, the Giver of life, and those creatures who oppose him and exalt themselves as gods shall perish. Therefore Jehovah says: “For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.” (Deut. 10:17) “For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.” (Ps. 47: 2, 3) “He shall cut off the spirit of princes; he is terrible to the kings of the earth.”—Ps. 76 :12.
25 The word “gods” in the original language of the text literally means “mighty ones”. Therefore, “all the gods of the earth” refers to the demons, and also to mighty ones amongst men, that is, the political, commercial, and religious lofty and mighty ones amongst men. Such are the political, commercial, and religious lofty and mighty ones whom the people highly honor and worship. And what shall be the end of such high, exalted and mighty ones, both of the demons and amongst men? “He [God] will famish all the gods of the earth.” Among the demon mighty ones or gods are these: Chemosh, the abomination of Moab; Molech or Milcom, god of the Ammonites, and the abomination of Ammon; Ashtoreth, goddess of the Zidonians; Baal, the god of the Tyrians. (1 Ki. 11:5, 7; 16:31) These are all demons, of which Satan is the prince or the chief. There are mighty men who are also called “gods” because of the power that they have to exercise against others. These rule in politics and in commerce and in religion, all of which are a part of Satan’s organization, and some of whom are deified by the admirers of the deluded people. Amongst such human mighty ones called "gods", and representatives of the demons, are these, to wit: Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Pacelli, and others. – John 10:34, 35; Ps. 82:1,6.
26 To “famish all the gods” would mean their destruction. This would mean that commercial traffic would become very lean for the clergy of "Christendom”, and it is now becoming lean because the people of good will are turning away from those religion mongers. The waters of truth are overflowing and sweeping away the refuge of their lies. (Isa. 28: 17) Religion is now at a great discount, due to Jehovah’s “strange work” and the exposing of religion as being of the Devil and all religionists as being the servants of that wicked one. Religious frauds are shriveling up. The mighty men amongst the clergymen, becoming weak and lean, will famish when God causes the commercial and political mighty ones to close down on the religious racket, even as the people of Moab and Ammon closed down on the people of Mount Seir and destroyed them. (2 Chron. 20: 23) Then will follow the destruction at Armageddon of the mighty ones of the commercial, political and military forces.
27 Jehovah then by his prophet shows what accompanies the famishing process, and the results: "And men [those of good will] shall worship him [Jehovah], every one from his place.” Such are they of good will who forsake religion and engage in the true worship of Almighty God. (Luke 2:14) This the people of good will do regardless of where such persons may be. They will come from all nations: all nations, kindreds, peoples and tongues.’ (Rev. 7:9) All such Jehovah will bring into the temple courts and put them in touch with the “remnant” of the temple company yet on the earth, and therefore such persons will form the “great multitude” and serve Jehovah at his temple. — Rev. 7:14, 15.
28 Such true worshipers and true worship will not be confined to only one nation or a few nations, but “even all the isles of the heathen [nations]”. There shall be some from all these nations. The testimony to the name of the great Theocrat and his government under Christ Jesus his King is now being carried to the various nations, and the “great multitude” is being manifested: “For I know their works and their thoughts; it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those [the remnant] that escape of them [from Babylon, Satan’s organization] unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.” — Isa. 66:18, 19.
29 These faithful ones who survive will sing the praises of Jehovah: “Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.” (Isa. 42:10) “Let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.” (Ps. 97:1) “The isles shall wait for his law.” (Isa. 42: 4) “Surely the isles shall wait for me.” (Isa. 60: 9) There being such a great number of isles would indicate that the “great multitude” will come and worship before Jehovah and that they will come from every part of the earth. Such are the people who are now of good will toward God and who are scattered amongst the nations but who are diligently seeking the way to the “city of refuge”, God’s organization.
ETHIOPIANS
30 It further appears in the prophecy that Jehovah will not overlook any of the enemies. He identifies the Ethiopians as a part of the enemy horde and declares his judgment against them: “Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.” (Zeph. 2:12) The ancient Ethiopians were black men, cruel and bloodthirsty, who willingly hired themselves out to light against God’s covenant people. (See 2 Chronicles 12:2-4; 14:9-15; 16:8.) The record of the Ethiopians is against them. “Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the Lord. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?” (Amos 9:7) The antitypical Ethiopians are the men of merchandise for selfish gain who in these last days hire themselves out to “Egypt" (world rulers) and fight against Jehovah’s witnesses and the kingdom of God, and do so for what selfish, temporary gain they reap therefrom. They plainly appear as sin-darkened, and this is indicated by the dark-skinned Ethiopians, that is to say, the present-day ones degraded through sin. None of these shall be overlooked or “hid” at Armageddon, but, as the Lord says, "Ye shall be slain by my sword.” Being far removed, that is to say, remote or isolated, will not aid them or save them. There will be no way for them to escape. It appears that there may be among them some individuals that will escape, such as were foreshadowed by Ebed- melech of Ethiopia, and who showed favor to the servants of God and whom God did not forget. These must turn to God and serve him before Armageddon breaks: “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” (Ps. 68: 31) Such are the ones who now do good unto the brethren of Christ Jesus, for which good deeds the Lord remembers them. — Matt. 25: 34-40.
ASSYRIA
31 On the north from Ethiopia was ancient Assyria, with its main city Nineveh. Assyria was then a world power. God remembers these at Armageddon, and therefore says: “And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.” (Zeph. 2:13) In this part of the prophetic picture Assyria foreshadowed the political wing of Satan’s visible organization, and particularly a totalitarian monstrosity, which is now reaching out over all the nations of the earth. Assyria was an absolute, totalitarian government, and specifically pictures the entire political system, and especially at that time when the Roman Catholic Hierarchy have extended their influence and power over all the governments, and particularly over “Christendom”, and when all governments shall become totalitarian or Fascist and all recognize the Hierarchy as the spiritual higher power. The prophecy, therefore, is beginning to apply right now. In proof of this the countries of the northwest that claim to be neutral, such as Sweden, ban or prevent the publication and distribution of books, magazines or literature that speaks the truth concerning Hitler and other arbitrary, totalitarian rulers. Information published shows that recently a newspaper publisher in Oslo, Norway, is charged with a crime because he published an editorial uncomplimentary to Hitler and this the so-called neutral countries declare is an insult to the throne. Thus it is shown that the state is put above God and above everything that is true, because truth proceeds from God, and the Scriptures and facts further show that the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, with its mountain of lies, is pushing its influence into every part of the earth. This is further evidence that Armageddon is rapidly approaching.
32 In the picture ancient Assyria first assisted or helped the cause of unfaithful Israel, which unfaithful Israel pictured religious “Christendom”. Thereafter Assyria suddenly faced about and destroyed Samaria and later Jerusalem. (See 2 Kings 16:7-10; 17:1-6, 23, 24; 18:13-37; 19:1-13) Still later Assyria joined Babylon in destroying Jerusalem. (2 Ki. 25:1-21) Such facing about, or what is modernly called “double crossing”, was foretold by the prophet Ezekiel in chapter 16:28-43 and chapter 23:1-49. This shows, in harmony with other scriptures, that the totalitarian rule and rulers will turn against the religious element and destroy them and that God will destroy the totalitarians after the modern-day Assyrians have fulfilled the prophecy at Revelation 17:16, 17. That is to say, after the destruction of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and all religious organizations, then will follow the destruction of the modern-day Assyrians. This is fully corroborated by what is recorded in 2 Chronicles twentieth chapter.
33 In the picture Assyria served God’s purpose against the unfaithful Israelites. The action of the Assyrians, however, against unfaithful Israel was taken because of malice and in defiance of Jehovah God and at the instance of the Devil, the Devil’s purpose being to carry out his challenge and boast that Jehovah is impotent and inferior to the demon gods, and to thereby bring reproach upon Jehovah’s name. (Isa. 10:7) In like manner the modern-day Assyrians, the political totalitarian crowd, attack God’s true people, joining with the religious element, and then turn against the religious practitioners. The modern Assyrians must be wiped out at Armageddon just as the Ammonites and Moabites will be destroyed, as shown in the type where they destroyed Edom and then destroyed each other. (2 Chron. 20:1-23) In brief, then, this is shown by all these prophecies: that the political, commercial and military element join with the religious element to destroy Jehovah’s faithful servants; that then the political, commercial and military element destroy the unfaithful religious element, and then God cleans them all out by causing them to fight against one another.
34 Note the corroborative Scriptural proof: “O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger [upon unfaithful 'Jerusalem’, modern, religious 'Christendom'], and the staff in their [the Assyrians’] hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them [the religious element of Satan’s organization, particularly the Hierarchy] down like the mire of the streets.” “Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols? Wherefore it shall come to pass, that, when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem [that is, upon hypocritical, religious ‘Christendom’], I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the [boastful] king [that is, boastful totalitarian, political rulers who boast that their building and power shall stand forever] of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.”—Isa. 10: 5, 6,11,12.
35 “And they shall waste the land of Assyria [totalitarian, political rule] with the sword, and the land of Nimrod [of devil-worshipers] in the entrances thereof; thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.”—Micah 5: 6.
36 From these prophecies it clearly appears that God will destroy the elements of Satan’s organization, specifically naming all of his organization and all of the gods, demons and mighty men that oppose Jehovah. Out from such organization, however, shall come some who are of good will toward God, even as some came out of Egypt and Assyria to serve God; and this is corroborated by the prophecy of Isaiah, to wit: “In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria; and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria; and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land; whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.” (Isa. 19:23-25) This prophecy corroborates many others that those who will compose the “great multitude” will escape from the Devil’s crowd.
MODERN NINEVEH
37 God “will make Nineveh a desolation”; and that will cause astonishment. Ancient Nineveh was given over entirely to devil-worship. It was built by Nimrod shortly after the deluge, and in that city religion, the worship of the Devil, the demons and Nimrod, the “mighty” man, took the lead. (Gen. 10:11,12) That totalitarian rule of Nimrod foreshadowed or pictured the political, dictatorial monstrosity that is now overrunning the earth. Both the typical and the modern-day Nineveh, the totalitarian rulers, deal with the people of earth as so much barter material. The totalitarian governments make the state supreme and the people as things to be dealt with to advance the interest of the wicked state rule. As proof of this, Germany now provides for the breeding of men and women, and the rearing of illegitimate children, that they might grow up under the supervision of the state to make cannon fodder. This is further corroborated by the four-man conspiracy that sold Czechoslovakia at the Munich Conference; the theft of Austria; the rape of Abyssinia and Albania; and also of Poland, and the unwarranted assault upon Finland. Concerning the bloodthirsty, political, totalitarian rulers Jehovah’s prophet, by God’s command, wrote: “Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not; ... because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.”-Nahum 3:1-4.
38 In all these wicked deals the Roman Catholic Hierarchy has conspired with and aided and supported the totalitarian rulers in carrying out their wickedness, the religious element hoping to ride on top and hold the position of spiritual advisers and rulers of the earth. This wicked combine will be made a desolation, even as ancient Nineveh was made a desolation. Out of modern Nineveh shall come some seeking Jehovah, and these will be spared at the battle of the great day of God Almighty; but none of that totalitarian crowd will be spared at Armageddon. All such the Lord will make, as the prophet declares, ‘a dry and desolate wilderness.’
39 The totalitarian monstrosity rule will end for ever at Armageddon. The complete desolation is pictured by the fact that the wild beasts inhabit the place of such rule: “And flocks [(Young) droves] shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations [all beasts of every kind (R.V.)]; both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds; for he shall uncover the cedar work.” (Zeph. 2:14) That modern Nineveh now preys upon the peoples of the earth like wild and vicious beasts. She shall have just retribution at Armageddon.—Nahum 2:11-13.
40 Ancient Nineveh indulged in the chase and slaying of wild beasts and in military campaigns and exploits, the proof of which is now found in tablets unearthed in modern times. Likewise political, totalitarian rulers today delight in the slaying of others, and particularly those who serve Almighty God. This wicked rule shall come to an end, and the desolate places of modern Nineveh shall, figuratively, be occupied by wild beasts and hateful birds; as the prophecy puts it, “the cormorant [(Young) the pelican] and the bittern [porcupine (R.V.)],” which creatures are unclean according to God’s law. (Lev. 11:13,17) Continuing, the prophecy says: “Their voice shall sing in the windows [of the ruins].” Through such windows there now comes the sound of the hilarious and drunken, demonized totalitarian politicians, who, while reveling in their political debauchery, have caused the faithful servants of Jehovah God to be beheaded or shot down. God makes it clear, then, that such totalitarian rule shall be made a place of desolation. No more shall statues or images of church saints, of great warriors and of dictators ever be found before which the people shall duck and kneel. The buildings erected now to the glory of such as Hitler, who claims that his buildings will stand for a thousand years, shall crumble to the dust. They will come to a bitter and terrible end.
41 And why? “For he [Christ Jesus, Jehovah’s Executive Officer] shall uncover [lay bare] the cedar work”; that is to say, the work that claims to be everlasting. All such work of the totalitarians is now about to collapse. The time draws near when they shall fully collapse, and then never again shall the cruel politicians enjoy their stately buildings erected to the memory of those who are demoncontrolled and who are debauching the nations of the earth. Their work will be exposed, and such work, when compared with The Theocratic Government, will appear like a dump.
42 Concerning the pomp and glory of these dictators and slayers of the innocents, the monstrous organization of the Devil that is wrecking the world at the present time, Jehovah says: “Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion’s whelp, and none made them afraid* The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin. Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions; and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.” (Nahum 2: 11-13) Such will be the condition of the modern Nineveh after Armageddon.
43 Then the Lord, with scornful sarcasm, addresses the desolated organization of the totalitarians, which has flourished for a season: “This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly; that said in her heart, 1 am, and there is none beside me; how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand". — Zeph. 2:15.
44 The totalitarians now boast of their power and strength and declare that they are invulnerable. They dwell carelessly, and the big dictator says in his heart: ‘I am, and there is none else beside me.’ Then the totalitarian rule comes to an end and the place occupied by such becomes desolate. This sarcasm here spoken by the Lord is compared and contrasted with what God says to his organization, that is, those who obey his holy Word and magnify his name. (Zeph. 3:14) The present-day, boastful, wicked, harsh, cruel dictator rulers now laugh and deride the faithful servants of Jehovah God, ill-treat them in an unspeakable manner of wickedness, and to them will soon apply the words of Jesus, to wit: “Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.” —Luke 6: 25.
45 The modern-day Ninevites now sing hilariously, but soon they shall mourn and weep. There were some in Nineveh that repented, and there are some today among the modern cruel rulers and who are held under their rule that flee from the religious totalitarians, and who devote themselves to God, and these will find refuge in the hour of stress. Such are persons of good will who must flee now and seek meekness and righteousness that they may be hid during Armageddon.
46 Ancient Nineveh “dwelt carelessly” and said in her heart: “I am, and there is none beside me.” She trusted in her own power and that of the demons. She built her organization which she expected to stand for ever, just as Hitler now says: “Our building is for a thousand years.” Today modern Ninevites taunt God’s covenant people, even as the Assyrians said to the Israelites: “Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly; and slialt thou be delivered?” (Isa. 37:10, 11) Likewise today the religious totalitarian rulers say to Jehovah’s faithful servants: “What can your God do for you? Look to us; we are mighty.” They boastfully say: “I am the great one; I am the state, the citizen is nothing.” Then that totalitarian ruler says to the women: “You must present the state with more babies for gun fodder; you must do my bidding.” Similar boasting was done before the people of Jerusalem when Hezekiah was king. And then in one night God sent his officer who slew the boasting Assyrians. In one hour the totalitarian rule shall come to an end and perish from the earth. — Isa. 37: 36.
47 Recently a number of Jehovah’s witnesses have been compelled to stand before Hitler’s firing squad and for a time were bullied and browbeaten by the officers in an attempt to compel them to confess that Hitler is the mighty one. Refusing, they were next told to be blindfolded, that they might be shot. These faithful witnesses refused to be blindfolded while they were being shot down. Those faithful men trusted in Jehovah to the end and were instantly raised to life in God’s glorious realm. They did not quail before their murderers. — 1 Cor. 15:51,52.
48 The totalitarian misrule now defies The Theocratic Government, and in this such is fully supported by its religious allies, the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. This unholy combine will soon come to a terrible end. In this hour of distress when Armageddon is approaching God warns the people who desire salvation to flee to The Theocratic Government. (Mark 13:14) This is the time when “the abomination of desolation” stands in the place where it ought not to stand. It claims to be the rightful ruler of the world. Therefore this is the time when those of good will must “flee to the mountains”, God’s organization, if they would be hid in the time of the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
49 The prophet of Jehovah, having at God’s command uttered His words, sarcastically directed against modern Nineveh, then says: “How is she become a desolation!” That means that, following Armageddon, the totalitarian rule, made up of religious, political and commercial mighty men, shall never function again. It shall then be a complete desolation. And who will witness that complete change? Those people of good will who now flee to the “city of refuge”, to the organization of Jehovah God under Christ Jesus. Zephaniah the prophet was given a vision of that and wrote it down. The faithful servants of God now have a vision by faith of what is shortly to come to pass, and those persons of good will who now turn wholly to the Lord also see what is soon to come to pass and will have a demonstration of the desolation of the wicked within a short time after Armageddon is fought.
50 The battle of that great day of God Almighty will leave none of the wicked. Only those who have served God and his King shall survive. Until the time after the dead bodies and bones shall be removed or buried as prophesied by Ezekiel (Ezek. 39: 9-15), the desolate places will be occupied only by wild beasts that have participated in slaying the wicked by God’s command and direction. (Hah. 2:17; see The Watchtower 1935, pages 168, 169) Therefore the words of Jehovah spoken by his prophet are concerning that wicked organization: “Ho v is she become ... a place for beasts to lie down in !” In his due time Jehovah will make a covenant with the wild beasts, and no more will they be enemies of man. —Hosea 2:18.
51 As to the organization of the totalitarian religious institutions, such will be for ever in contempt in the eyes of all people who live. The smoke of the torment of such shall ascend for ever and ever (Rev. 14:11); that is to say, the memory of such, like smoke, will go up and disappear for ever. “Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.” The great nightmare of distress will then be gone for ever, and the survivors of Armageddon will shed no more tears for those departed wicked ones. The faithful people who will form the “great multitude” will then be free and will rejoice forever.
52 Today as the faithful servants of God by faith see what shall shortly come to pass they have much cause to sing for joy. Even while the totalitarian spirit of demonism is sweeping over the nations of the earth the faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ rejoice because they know what will be the result. What is now taking place in the governments ruled by the dictators may soon come to pass in Great Britain and America. Even though this does come to pass the faithful servants of God will not be in the least deterred from doing the work which God has committed into their hands. The wicked deeds of the religionists and their allies will not discourage the faithful in the least, because they know what will be the final result. The confidence of these faithful ones is now strong because they trust wholly in Jehovah and his King, and by their action and their countenances they say: “My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.”—Ps. 13: 5.
53 Seeing that Jehovah will soon vindicate his holy name and avenge his faithful servants, the “remnant” and their “companions” calmly and serenely wait upon the Lord. To those of good will Jehovah, by Christ Jesus, now says: “Come out from her [Satan’s organization], my people.” The “great multitude” are coming and together with the remnant are rejoicing and singing the praises unto Jehovah and unto his King. (Rev. 7:9,10) When Jehovah is making inquisition preparatory to the destruction of the wicked and as to the humble or obedient ones he will not forsake them. Over them is his protecting hand. He will shield them from the assaults of the enemy and bring them off victorious through Christ Jesus, and provide a place of safety for those persons of good will who fully devote themselves to him. By faith these see the day of deliverance is near. While waiting for the great and final conflict to take place they continue to seek righteousness and meekness. They desire more instruction and are anxious to be instructed, and the Lord has more instruction in store for them.
(To be continued)
CONVENTION
COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 24 to 28. That is the place and the time. Jehovah’s witnesses and companions will assemble there to consider ways and means to further the Theocratic interests. Those too far away from Columbus to attend there in person will go to the convention nearest and most convenient.
At the time when all nations are in great distress the occasion will be appropriate to give comfort to many sincere persons who are of good will toward the Most High. Encourage all persons who desire peace and righteousness to attend the convention.
Dictators and their allied enemies prevent the convention extending to countries outside of America. That is a greater reason why persons of good will in America should now assemble teacher to comfort and edify each other. There may not be many more such conventions before Armageddon. Those who love the Lord will do what they can now to aid others to see and to appreciate the great convention that shall follow Armageddon.
All the pioneers, all the zone workers, all the regional servants and all the Bethel family will attend some one of these conventions. By “America” Canada is included.
All persons of good will toward Jehovah and his King and who love righteousness and hate iniquity will be welcome, and this regardless of any religious institution with which they may be associated.
Those who have the Nazi spirit and are bent on doing injury to others or disturbing the peace of others will not be welcome.
That convention will be for the purpose of doing good to all persons who desire to see peace and righteousness prevail in the earth and who desire to see justice administered to all.
That will be an assembly of persons who worship Jehovah God in spirit and in truth. Therefore let all now keep the matter before the Lord in prayer that it may be a season of great refreshment for those who love righteousness and a great advertisement for The Theocracy. Trust in the Lord implicitly and let your heart rejoice in the blessings he has in store for those who love and serve him Encourage your neighbors to attend and participate in the present day blessings.
Anticipating that the spacious Fair Grounds at Columbus will not be adequate to accommodate the great multitude that will attend the convention, arrangements have already been made to simultaneously hold conventions in more than thirty other cities in the United States. All these will be tied in by private land wires so that it will in fact be one convention, all of one mind and one spirit, all united in the cause of righteousness. The other convention cities are named below.
At Columbus, Ohio, the assemblies will be at the Ohio State Fair Grounds, which the City of Columbus and the State of Ohio have graciously put at the disposal and use of the convention during the days above mentioned. From the Columbus Coliseum all activities will be directed. Memorial Hall, in the downtown section of Columbus, will be used for special meetings, announcement of which will appear in due season.
Information now received shows that many will attend from Canada, Mexico, and from such European points from which they may be able to get steamship passage to America
The time will be devoted to meetings for study, for discourses to be delivered by able speakers and for service meetings, for the conducting of Model Study classes and for consideration of other ways and means to further the Kingdom interests.
The convention will be opened Wednesday, and it is expected that the president of the Society will deliver the opening address.
The peak of the convention will be Sunday, July 28, at which time all these assemblies will be addressed by the president of the Society on the subject “Religion as a World Remedy”. The time for this address will be as follows:
4: 00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time
3: 00 p.m. Central Standard Time
2:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time
1: 00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
The convention cities tied in with Columbus, Ohio, will be the following:
Atlanta, Ga. Great Falls, Mont. SanAntonio, Texas
Bangor, Maine Honolulu, Hawaii San Diego, Calif.
Beaumont, Texas Jackson, Miss. San Jose, Calif.
Boise, Idaho Kansas City, Mo. Savannah, Ga.
Boston, Mass. Lincoln, Nebr. Seattle, Wash.
Burlington, Vt. Long Beach, Calif. Sioux Falls, S.Dak.
Des Moines, Iowa Medford, Oreg. Spokane, Wash.
Duluth, Minn. Memphis, Tenn. Tampa, Fla.
El Paso, Texas Montgomery, Ala. Tulsa, Okla.
Fargo, N. Dak. Pueblo, Colo.
Fort Worth, Texas St. Paul, Minn.
ADVERTISING
Extensive advertising will be carried on by all the publishers throughout the United States and Canada directing the attention of the people to the principal lecture by Judge Rutherford, who speaks on the subject “Religion as a World Remedy”. Fifteen million handbills are now being printed extending an invitation to all the “other sheep” to attend one of these conventions. These invitations will be consigned to all the companies for careful distribution from June 15 onward. Be sure that all persons on the back-call list are called upon and given this information.
Everyone should have in mind that our commission is to aid those persons of good will. Controversies are undesirable. Avoid engaging in controversies while advertising the meeting or engaging in field work. If any opponent endeavors to engage you in controversy, merely say, “Come to the convention and your questions will be answered.” Remember that you are ambassadors of the Theocratic Government and should deport yourselves with calmness and dignity in keeping with that government. In the convention cities themselves there will be much additional advertising done for the benefit of the people in the vicinity of the convention.
BOOK ROOM
Each convention will have a book room where publishers can be supplied with the literature to be offered. During the convention one bound book with three booklets will be offered on a contribution of 35c. If any desire they can bring their supply with them, or they can obtain their literature at the convention book room.
Magazines for the magazine work can be obtained at the conventions, also. Publishers should bring with them their magazine bags, and their current supply of magazines if they are not needed for distribution in the local company. Come equipped with witnessing bag and phonograph.
CAFETERIA
Arrangements are being made for each convention to operate its own cafeteria, wherever this is possible. Three meals a day will be served at a nominal cost. The amount charged for meals is to cover the cost of the food and expense of operation.
AUDITORIUMS
The names and addresses of the auditoriums in the convention cities will be announced later. Each of these auditoriums will be equipped with public-address system, so that persons attending can easily hear. Brethren capable of handling a public-address system or who have had experience in this work before should register at the convention they are attending and offer their services. It is very important that reliable, experienced persons handle this work.
INFORMATION
Booths will be established at all convention points, where people can receive mail, telegrams and local information.
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