The Watchtower, May 1, 1941
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“THEOCRATIC AMBASSADORS” TESTIMONY PERIOD
June, for the entire month, is the Period here named. Are you a Theocratic ambassador? You can be, if you take your stand on the side of Jehovah’s Theocratic Government by Christ Jesus and then engage in announcing that government to others. The June Period affords you the opportunity to exercise your ambassadorship. The means provided by the great Theocrat, who sends you forth, is his published Kingdom message, and, during June only, you may offer to the public, on a mere contribution of 35c, a combination of any three bound books published by the Society, excluding the latest books, Religion and Salvation. Prompt advance preparation will be necessary to your most effective part in this Testimony. Any needed references to the local company organized for this service we shall gladly furnish you. May you be able at the end of June to fill out a good report of work.
“WATCHTOWER" STUDIES
Week of June 1: “Victory Song” (Part 5), fl 1-15 inclusive, The Watchtower May 1, 1941.
Week of June 8: “Victory Song” (Part 5), fl 16-29 inclusive, The Watchtower May 1, 1941.
Week of June 15: “Victory Song” (Part 5), fl 30-48 inclusive, The Watchtower May 1, 1941.
“MODEL STUDY NO. 3"
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Vol. LXII
May 1, 1941
No. 9
VICTORY SONG
PART 5
"The eyes of Jehovah are towards the righteous, and his ears towards their cry for help: the face of Jehovah is against such as do wickedness, to cut off from the earth their memory."—Ps. 34:15,16, Rotherham.
JEHOVAH announces his unchangeable law concerning the righteous and the wicked. He beholds the righteous in distress, hears their cry for help, and delivers them. He deals exactly in an opposite manner with the wicked, and the memory of them shall perish from the earth. No man is righteous of himself, because all are born in sin by reason of the disobedience of the first man. A man becomes righteous only by faith in Jehovah God and in Christ Jesus’ shed blood as his redemptive price, and by full consecration and obedience to God and Christ. Before man can be made righteous he must show his faith in God and in Christ Jesus by willingly making a covenant to do the will of the Most High, and then he must maintain his righteousness which he has received through Christ Jesus by faithfully performing and keeping the terms of that covenant. He must be entirely for Jehovah and his kingdom and not compromise in any manner whatsoever with the enemy.
2 A man who enters into a covenant to do the will of God, and hence to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, and who then through negligence, indifference, fear, willfulness or other cause does not keep and perform his covenant, thereby puts himself in the class of the wicked. He becomes responsible for his own destiny. It is not all in making the covenant, but faithfully keeping and performing the covenant is that which is of the greatest importance. It is written that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”, and that fear of God and the full devotion to him must be kept and maintained henceforth; otherwise one fails to have that wisdom which comes down from above.
3 The wicked include all persons who are against The Theocracy and who therefore, directly or indirectly, oppose the kingdom by Christ Jesus. The Lord Jesus emphasized that rule when he said: “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.”—Luke 11: 23.
4 A man may be ignorantly against The Theocracy and the King thereof, but when he is enlightened he must quickly turn about and take the right course, and, doing so, he will be forgiven. When a man learns of Jehovah and his gracious goodness manifested through Christ Jesus and then treats that great truth with indifference or with willfulness, his wrong course is not forgivable. He thus sins against light or against the holy spirit, which is light. The blood of Christ Jesus is the price that purchased mankind, and is not a common thing. Therefore when a man sees and understands that his hope of life is by faith and obedience unto Jehovah God and Christ and he then spurns or disregards that favor, the wrath of God remains upon him and his end is with all others of the wicked class.
5 At the present day Satan’s world has come to an end, and within a short time the Lord will completely destroy Satan’s power. The King, Christ Jesus, has begun his reign, and in obedience to the will of Jehovah God the name of the Most High must be and has been for some time declared throughout the earth, and this proclamation of the name and the kingdom of Jehovah must continue until God’s “strange act” is performed. This is the day of enlightenment for all who desire righteousness and life. It is the time when the people on earth are being separated into two classes, one class being those of the righteous by reason of their faith and obedience to the Lord, and the other the unrighteous or wicked ones. This separation precedes the great and final conflict at Armageddon, which takes place when the separating work is completed. The day of enlightenment and separation began from and after the appearing of Christ Jesus at the temple in 1918. Thereafter the Lord no longer passes by unnoticed the conduct of men towards The Theocracy, which conduct or course of action is intelligently taken. In the judgment and division of the nations now taking place each one must in due time be for The Theocracy or against The Theocracy. Now the greater number of the people are against The Theocracy, due chiefly to the influence of the demons. At the same time there are a goodly number who sincerely desire righteous-ness and are seeking after God and his King and kingdom, and such sincere ones hearing the message from the Lord God quickly take their stand on the side of the great Theocrat and his King and serve him with joyful heart.
6 The faithful spiritual class knows that the “remnant” of God’s organization yet on the earth are righteous by reason of being of the “body of Christ”. (1 Cor. 12: 27; Rom. 11: 5) Continuing faithful unto death, such faithful ones enter into everlasting glory with the Lord. On the earth are the Lord’s “other sheep”, called “Jonadabs”, who are the “companions” of the remnant. (John 10:16; 2 Ki. 10:15-23; Jer. 35:19) These have fled for refuge to Christ Jesus, found refuge under his organization, and, there remaining faithfully devoted to The Theocracy and to the King thereof, they have the promise of protection during the time of the “great tribulation”. By reason of their faithful devotion and obedience they receive such protection from the great Shepherd, Christ Jesus. Continuing thus faithful until the end of Armageddon and ever thereafter, they shall fully enter into righteousness and life; but if any of the remnant or of the Jonadabs become unfaithful to Jehovah and his King, such put themselves in the class of the wicked and their end is destruction.
7 Sometime after the temple judgment began the Lord revealed to his anointed that those who would be forever with Christ Jesus in his kingdom must bear the name which Jehovah gave to them, that is to say, witnesses of Jehovah. (Isa. 43:10-12; 62:1, 2) These constitute the remnant of the “body of Christ”, and they must continue to be faithfully obedient unto God and his King and bear testimony to the name of the Most High and to his kingdom. Then, some time later, God revealed to his people that his “other sheep”, that will form the “great multitude” (Rev. 7:9-17), are an earthly class that shall live forever on the earth and carry out the divine mandate to fill the earth with a righteous people; that such were pictured by Jonadab and by other prophetic pictures recorded in the Scriptures; that in order for these “other sheep" to ultimately become members of the “great multitude” they must be wholly devoted to The Theocracy and must remain within the bounds of the “city of refuge”, that is to say, God’s organization under Christ, and there faithfully perform their assigned duties until the end of Armageddon.
8 The announcement of these truths by The Watchtower was seized upon by some of the spirit-begotten ones as an excuse to turn away from God’s earthly organization and become opponents of those who advertise The Theocracy, and hence they became enemies of The Theocracy. Not being for the King and his kingdom, by their course of action they become opponents and scatter abroad. Some others have become offended and have withdrawn from the Lord’s organization and put themselves in open opposition to The Theocracy. Some of these by their words claimed to have faith in God and in Christ, but their actions completely deny their words. Claiming to have faith is not at all sufficient, because faith without works, that is, without activity in support of Jehovah’s announced purpose, is dead. (Jas. 2:17, 20) One must prove his faith by obediently carrying out the commandments of God. Failing or refusing to do so puts such a one in the class of the wicked. A person who claims to be serving God, and yet who does what he can to hinder the progress of the proclamation of the Theocratic message, is an enemy of God, and hence wicked.
9 The Lord judges men not by their words alone, but his judgment is by reason of the heart devotion. (1 Sam. 16:7) The Lord knows the secret intent of every person. The eyes of the Lord seek out those who devote themselves to him unselfishly, and he shows his strength in behalf of such. (2 Chron. 16:9) Those who become righteous by reason of faith in Christ Jesus and Jehovah, and in full obedience to the Lord, must because of their faithfulness to God suffer much at the hands of the enemy, and this suffering experienced enables them to prove their integrity toward God. In their distress they cry unto God, and he hears their cry because of their sincere heart devotion to him: “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”—Ps. 34:15.
10 Those who do evil in God’s sight and against God’s people who are faithfully proclaiming God’s name are wicked, and hence are against the great Theocrat and his King; and the judgment against these is pronounced by the Lord Jesus at Matthew 25:41-45. God turns his face away from such, as he states in the text above quoted, at Psalm 34:16, and then God further expresses himself concerning such in these words: “Misfortune shall be the death of the lawless one, and the haters of the righteous man shall be held guilty.” (Ps. 34:21, Rotherham) The criterion by which a man should examine himself is not his physical and mental shortcomings or imperfections, but according to his sincere, honest heart devotion. God judges that way, and that is the right way. Concerning this it is written in the Scriptures: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” (2 Cor. 13:5) “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” —1 Cor. 11:31.
11 It is not sufficient for one to say, “I am a Christian; I love the Lord”; but in judging himself he must ask himself: “Am I proving my faith and devotion by joyfully and enthusiastically obeying the commandments of Jehovah and his King? Am I giving my entire and undivided devotion to The Theocracy? If I am not wholly and entirely for The Theocracy I am against The Theocracy.” To that effect is the official announcement made by Christ Jesus, and thus the true condition is expressed. One cannot be negligent or indifferent to the commandments of God concerning The Theocratic Government and expect to receive God’s approval. This point is particularly emphasized in the Victory Song written long ago (Judg. 5:1-31), the meaning of which is now revealed to God’s covenant people on the earth to enable them to see what is their present duty and privilege. Jael, one of the characters in that prophetic drama, was put to the test, and she without hesitation put herself entirely on the side of Jehovah and on the side of his typical covenant people, who there remained faithful to God. Jael pictured a faithful, obedient class of people who shall receive the everlasting blessings of Jehovah and his King.
12 “Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be; blessed shall she be above women in the tent.” (Judg. 5:24) These are the words uttered by Deborah the prophetess of Jehovah, and therefore they operate as words of Jehovah’s organization uttered by his authority. Because she uttered those prophetic words concerning Jael is no reason why any person should worship Jael as the Catholic Hierarchy teaches others to worship Mary. The angel of the Lord appeared unto Mary and informed her she was to give birth to the babe Jesus, and said to her: “Blessed art thou among women.” (Luke 1:28) That was not a command to worship Mary, but an announcement of her blessing because of her faith and obedience unto the promises of God. The angel further said to Mary: “Thou hast found favour with God.” (Vs. 30) Then the angel informed Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus, the Son of the Most High. Mary showed her faith and obedience, and replied: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Vs. 38) Later Elizabeth said to Mary: “Blessed is she that believed”; and Mary said: “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” Thus Mary and Elizabeth both showed their faith and devotion to Jehovah, and there is nothing in the Scriptures to authorize any creatures to worship Mary. Their worship belongs to Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, and to none other. The commandments of Jehovah fix that limitation. (Heb. 1:6; Ex. 34:14; Rev. 19:10) No doubt many Catholics ignorantly worship Mary because they have been thus taught; but in doing so they do contrary to God’s specific commandment.
13 Jael was blessed because of her faith and obedience ; and therefore she pictured a class of persons on earth following the beginning of the temple judgment, which persons hear the message of The Theocracy, believe in God and in Christ, and covenant to do the will of God, and who then prove their faith by being obedient to God’s commandments. Jael is mentioned in the prophecy in strict contrast to the indifferent and negligent and unfaithful, which are pictured in the curse pronounced upon Meroz. (Judg. 5: 23) Jael pictured those “other sheep” of the Lord, who shall compose the “great multitude”. She was a weaker vessel when compared with the men of Meroz; yet she showed her faith and devotion, where the unfaithful men failed. God pronounced his curse upon Meroz, which curse proclaims that the class of persons who are against The Theocracy, and who fail, either by negligence or willful disobedience, to render service to The Theocracy, are in the wicked class.
14 Just how Jael herself was “blessed” is not stated in the prophecy, nor is that necessary, because she played a part in the prophetic drama picturing a class that the Lord is now gathering unto himself. Her blessings may properly be inferred, however, to wit: Her life was spared from Jehovah’s executioner, Barak, who found Sisera in her tent. Her life was spared although she was the wife of one who maintained friendly relations with Jabin the enemy. She was given favorable mention in God’s Word, and also in making the picture concerning the “other sheep” of the Lord, that shall form the “great multitude” and that shall survive Armageddon and fill the earth according to the divine mandate. Furthermore, she was “blessed” according to the Divine Record, as it appears that she had no children prior to the Megiddo battle but doubtless was blessed with children thereafter, and her family line was thereby preserved. Such appears to be God’s manner of dealing with those whom he favors, because of their faithfulness: “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” (Ps. 127:3) “Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house; thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”—Ps. 128: 3.
15 God likewise favored the Shunammite woman who showed kindness to his servant Elisha. (2 Ki 4: 8-17) Mary was “blessed” of God in that she was privileged to bear the child Jesus. The “great multitude”, whom Jael pictured, are greatly favored of Jehovah by being permitted to bear children after Armageddon and to thereby “fill the earth” with a righteous race. Heber the Kenite does not figure in the prophetic picture at all, and no blessing is pronounced upon him. Jael’s marriage to him, however, served to identify her as a non-Israelite and as a relative of the prophet Moses, one of the princes who shall rule in the earth; and hence she is a fitting symbol of the "great multitude”, now the active “companions” of the spiritual Israelites, and which multitude shall be for ever with the princes.
16 “Blessed shall she be above [among] women in the tent.” (Judg. 5: 24) Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah were all women dwelling in tents and, as such, sojourners like Abraham. “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles [tents] with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he looked for a city [The Theocracy] which hath [everlasting] foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” (Heb. 11:9-11) Thus was Jael classified among the “blessed” who shall, together with the “princes”, live forever on the earth. She was a worthy example to her tribal relatives, the Jonadabs, the sons of Rechab, who dwelt in tents. (Jer. 35:6-19) The blessing of Jael makes her correspond with the “other sheep” of the Lord, to whom Christ Jesus says: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom [The Theocracy] prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”—Matt. 25: 34.
17 “He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.” (Judg. 5: 25) Jael responded to the request of Sisera for water, not as an act of giving aid to the enemy of Jehovah’s people, but she gave him milk to put him to sleep and thereby to disarm him that she might carry out her purpose in favor of The Theocracy. (Judg. 4:18,19) It is well known that milk, especially when it is warm, or buttermilk, has a tendency to put to sleep one who is tired. Likewise the Jonadabs hand to the enemy the ‘milk of God’s Word’ as set forth in the Scriptures and the Scriptural explanation, and which “milk of the Word” confounds the enemy and disarms them and puts them to sleep mentally. When one is accosted and taken to task by an ultrareligionist, and that person hands the simple word of God in reply to that religionist, the religionist is so confused that he cannot answer; hence he is mentally asleep. Jael pictured this by her serving Sisera with milk, and she brought it forth “in a lordly dish”; and so the witnesses of the Lord today bring forth his Word in the Lord’s dish.
18 “She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera; she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.” (Judg. 5:26) The rendering of this verse of the song, according to Rotherham, is: “Her hand to the tent-pin put she forth, and her right hand to the toilers’ mallet, then smote she Sisera, she shattered his head, yea she split open and pierced through his temples.” Thus by her works she proved that she was for Jehovah and against the persecutor of God’s covenant people. Likewise the Jonadabs today, by their course of action in fully supporting God's people, the “remnant”, as their “companions”, joyfully engage with them in the service and show their entire devotion to The Theocracy.
19 In fulfillment of that part of the prophecy we see that particularly since 1937 the Jonadabs, pictured by Jael, have made bold to strike for liberty and against the Hierarchy, the head of the great religious system that has so long deceived and oppressed God’s faithful people. This they have done and do by arming themselves with and using the Word of God, thereby killing religious traditions and imaginations brought forth by the religious leaders, who oppose and persecute the covenant people of Jehovah who are advertising The Theocracy. These faithful Jonadabs, by their knowledge and the use of the truth of God’s Word, are engaging with their companions in "casting down imaginations”: “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:4,5) “Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth; and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.” (Hos. 6:5) The antitypical Jael class now boldly and publicly proclaim the message of the great Theocracy, thereby pointing out that God’s kingdom, and not religion, is the only hope of humankind. By thus doing they are putting to death religion.
20 “At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down; at her feet he bowed, he fell; where he bowed there he fell down dead.” (Judg. 5: 27) The language of this text appears to warrant the conclusion that at the blow upon Sisera’s head first delivered he raised himself up and offered what resistance he could under the conditions and then fell down dead. Whereupon Jael, with the tent pin, fastened his head to the ground. In like manner the Jonadabs abandon and shun religion and use the hammer of the Scriptures upon the religious rulers, and which causes such religionists to writhe in agony and to rise up and attempt to resist and to howl in agony and to take all possible action against the Theocratic message, and then in the end they fall down and die. According to the Revised Version the text reads (margin): “He fell down overpowered.” The Kingdom message completely overpowers the religionists, and they are not able to answer today.
21 Jael did not keep her vigorous act against Sisera a secret, but she went right out and related to Barak, God’s servant, what she had done. (Judg. 4:21,22) Likewise the Jael class today boldly go out in the name of the Lord and publish amongst their brethren and companions and all who will hear, the great truth that religion is a dead thing, and that the leaders and teachers of religion are dead factors in their lives, and that all religion and religious institutions are doomed to complete destruction at the hand of Jehovah’s great Vindicator, the Greater Barak, Christ Jesus.
22 “The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?” (Judg. 5:28) The covetous and avaricious spirit of those under the power of demons is shown by this part of the prophetic song. The mother of Sisera pictures the organization of Satan, the chief of demons, and hence she pictures all who are under the influence and power of demons at the present time. For this reason Jesus Christ, addressing the clergy, the leaders amongst religion, employed these words: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.” (John 8:44) The Devil’s woman, here pictured by Sisera’s mother, here represents the demon organization under Satan, the chief of demons, who is the head thereof and the father of lies and wickedness.
23 'Looked out of the window’; that is to say, Sisera’s mother looked out of the window anxious to see her victorious son return with the spoils. She remained in her abiding place and there waited the news of the battle, which she expected to be only favorable news. She relied upon the superiority of the number and equipment of Sisera’s organization. Likewise today the devils or demon organization, both invisible and visible, are watching the present-day “strange work” of the Lord, in which Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions are having a part. All who are of the world are under the influence of religion or demonism and therefore watching the progress of the battle, and expecting shortly that battle will result in the complete annihilation of those who are the representatives of The Theocracy on earth. (1 Cor. 4:9) Truly, as the apostle states in this last cited text, every faithful servant of God on earth is now a “spectacle unto the world”, both men and angels. Every apparent gain of the totalitarian power in suppressing the organized work of Jehovah’s witnesses is looked upon by the enemy as another step toward complete victory and a full dividing of the spoils. Like Sisera’s mother they are just waiting to feed fat their hatred upon the complete destruction of God’s faithful servants. The continuous personal witnessing of Jehovah’s witnesses, who, without fear of man or devil, go forth in the strength of the Lord proclaiming the name of the Most High and his kingdom, is very disturbing to the organization of the enemy. The spoils have not been picked up as quickly as they expected. Sisera’s mother was so cock-sure of seeing her son march home in triumph that she was disturbed by the delay, and because of the delay she cried out with apprehension and fretfulness. It is even so with the religionists today. They are galled and piqued and disturbed and cry out because Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions are permitted to go on in their work.
24 Why is his chariot so long in coming?” Thus remarked the old lady concerning her son Sisera. Likewise the religious leaders expected complete victory and the division of the spoils before 1940 and a complete cleanup of everything in their favor in 1940; yet Jehovah’s “strange work” is still going on in some parts of the earth. The religionists therefore cry out, “Why the delay?”
25 In the remaining so-called “democratic” nations the religious elements are apprehensive and impatient about the silencing of Jehovah’s witnesses. While Great Britain continues to show some kindness to Jehovah’s witnesses, many of the countries of the British Commonwealth have closed down the active service of Jehovah’s servants. The religious or demon-controlled nations feverishly work to speed up action and to hurry the political and judicial departments to ride Jehovah’s witnesses down under their iron chariot wheels. These expect to set up a “Peace and safety” slogan soon, and are anxious to divide the spoils. That “social justice” spokesman for the Vatican, recently, in a public radio address, said: “If the Catholics in America would rise up and organize, they could destroy Jehovah’s witnesses in twenty-four hours.” In line with such sentiments, Priest O’Brien, another of the Hierarchy’s, declared: We will change or blot out the Constitution and put faithful Catholics in office in 1940.’ It appears that their expectations are somewhat delayed. Note that the prophecy shows that Sisera’s chariot never creaked back from Megiddo to celebrate the victory over Jehovah’s typical covenant people. Does not that appear to say that Satan’s religious organization will never come back out of the battle of Armageddon? That gang is going down to stay down forever, and even their memory shall perish, as stated in the Lord’s Word.—Prov. 10:7.
26 “Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself.” (Judg. 5:29) “The wise ladies, her princesses.” (Rotherham) Those princesses that attended upon Sisera’s mother pictured the principal official elements, both political and commercial, who today womanly pamper the Devil’s organization in its religious activity. Such have gone out of their way in flagrantly violating their oaths of office to shield and protect the religious organizations and religious leaders from being shown up by the mes-sage of Jehovah. Such are wise in the wisdom of this world, but the Lord will show up their wisdom as foolishness in his sight. “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world ?” —1 Cor. 1:20.
27 The mother did not wait for her wise counselors to answer, but she answered herself and her attendants could do nothing but repeat her chatter. She had no knowledge of Jehovah’s great act that had overthrown Sisera, his chariots and his army, and she did not know that Jael had done her work upon Sisera. She kept on talking to herself to control herself, even like those in the antitypical organization today.
28 “Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey [Is it not they keep finding—dividing spoil? (Rotherham)]; to every man a damsel or two? to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?” (Judg. 5:30) This is typically old ladies’ talk, filled with greed and avarice. Evidently she reasoned that the booty was so great that her son was continuously finding more and more, and was delayed in dividing up. She tried to console herself with such thoughts. Likewise the religious leaders have had high hopes of carrying off much booty of victory in their operation against Jehovah’s witnesses, which would result in gain to them, much to their satisfaction. Like old Haman, they continue to look forward to the hour when the scaffold, which they have builded, will be put to use and the modern-day Mordecai will hang on it. But the Lord says they will get snagged themselves.
29 The old lady repeated to herself the kind and the many spoils that would come her way; among these, maids for her household work, and some to gratify the lust of her distinguished and bloodthirsty son. Likewise those whom she pictured expect to destroy the work and the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses and put the members thereof to a menial service where they cannot bear testimony that exposes demonism. Mark the open and wicked discrimination against God’s faithful ministers at the present time, and, while marking it, let those who are unjustly and wrongfully treated remember how God in the past foretold the manner of showing his favor to those who love him and remain faithful to him. The wicked may prosper for a time, but that time is short.
30 The Hierarchy are confident of victory and expect to glorify themselves. Thereby they hope to curry great favor with the general public, extend their operations and their oppressions of the people, and keep their racket going and, together with their allies, political, commercial and others, rule the entire earth. The Hierarchy have a great ambition to appear before the general public as the sole defenders of Christianity and the preservers of civilization, the maintainers of peace, and the rulers of the earth. They wish to act as shepherds for all the people and be uninterrupted in their gathering in the graft. The Hierarchy, therefore, call their organization “the bulwark against ungodliness and indecency”. Thus the Hierarchy deceive multitudes of people and continue to hold them in darkness. Jehovah has clothed his servants now on the earth with the glory of the Kingdom service. He has given them a favor never before enjoyed by human creatures. The religionists, and the clergy particularly, would now strip them, if possible, of that glory and put it on themselves, that they might appear before the people as the legitimate representatives of the Lord. This is indicated by the words of the prophecy which are attributed to Sisera’s mother speaking of the division of the spoil: “To Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework . . . meet for the necks of them that take the spoil.” Religionists expect all the glory for themselves and to gratify themselves; but mark well what is shown by the prophetic picture.
31 The prophecy shows that self-assurances of Sisera’s mother and those of her head advisers soon turned to shrieks and howls when they learned the truth. Barak, with his invincible army, under the command of Jehovah, went on conquering and to conquer, and marched right into the city where Sisera’s mother was cooped up and consoling herself about the spoils she was to enjoy. (Judg. 4: 24, margin) When Armageddon begins and the Lord Jesus Christ sends his forces against the Devil’s organization, the religious leaders will be the first to go down, and then the other elements or sections of Satan’s organization will behold the smoke of religion’s destruction, and, like Sisera’s mother and her princesses, they will wail and howl because of the loss of their religious ally. Then the allies of the great religious organization that now oppresses the earth will realize that it is the hand of Almighty God applying his wrath upon Satan’s organization, and these allies will know that they are next in line to receive their just and everlasting punishment. Up to that time the political, commercial, judicial, military rulers, as shown by the prophecy, have consorted with religion and religionists and have, in the meaning of the Scriptures, “committed fornication with her”; and concerning this it is declared by the Lord, and recorded in his Word, that they shall weep and howl, and with great trembling and fear, waiting for their own destruction. (Revelation 18:9-19) In the text last cited in Revelation the Lord gives a vivid description of the howling and weeping and wailing of those who have thus employed religion to persecute and oppress the faithful servants of Almighty God. Mark the further emphatic statement of the prophetic song: “So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord.”—Judg. 5:31.
32 As in the typical battle of Megiddo, so shall it be in the antitypical “battle of that great day of God Almighty”, called “Armageddon”. This word “So” in the prophecy shows that the battle of Megiddo is a type or prophecy of what shall come to pass upon the enemies of God at the battle of Armageddon. Deborah’s statement here in the song is exactly in line with another prophecy: “Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison; which perished at En-dor: they became as dung for the earth. So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm. Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: that men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the Most High over all the earth.”—Ps. 83: 9,10,15,17,18.
33 Modern religious practitioners seem to have forgotten that ancient battle of Megiddo, even if they ever gave any consideration to it whatsoever. To them the Bible account is merely fiction or history in which they have no real interest. They are too wise in their own learning to give any heed to what the Lord has said. Jehovah makes it certain that the battle of Megiddo was a prophetic picture of his “strange act”, the “battle of that great day of God Almighty”, in which the Lord will annihilate all his enemies. Other prophecies of the Bible fully corroborate this: “For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.”—Ps. 92: 9.
34 Jehovah will not permit his enemies, that have so willfully and ruthlessly and without cause or excuse persecuted his faithful servants, to go down to death in peace or by a peaceful means. Those enemies shall perish at the hand of his Executioner under great violence, and they shall know that the Lord God, by his Executive Officer, Christ Jesus, executes them. Concerning this it is written: “But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs; they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” “Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the end of the wicked shall be cut off.”—Ps. 37:20, 25,36,38.
THEY “THAT LOVE HIM”
35 “But let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might.” (Judg. 5:31) Here the words of the prophetic song bring comfort and hope to those who give their full devotion to The Theocracy and who continue to maintain their integrity unto Jehovah to the end. Who is included in the word here used, namely, “them”? Barak, and Deborah, and the faithful and valiant ten thousand soldiers, and Jael are specifically mentioned as those picturing the ones who shall be recipients of Jehovah’s favor, and who shall shine forth. Barak had the great honor of picturing Christ Jesus and his faithful body members, who shall share with him in his great victory. Barak is specifically mentioned at Hebrews 11:32 as one who shall shine as an earthly representative of The Theocracy. Deborah pictured Jehovah’s organization, which shall forever be in the favor of Jehovah God, and doubtless Deborah will be amongst those who are the “princes” in the earth, because the Scriptures include all of the prophets faithful to God. The faithful men of old who sealed their testimony with their lifeblood shall be of the favored ones of the Most High. The “great multitude” pictured by Jael shall forever shine to the glory of Jehovah. Above all and next to Jehovah, Christ Jesus shall shine forever. When Jesus was transfigured upon the high mountain, “his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.”—Matt. 17: 2.
36 This is “the day of Jehovah”, and the revelation of his prophecy now shows beyond all doubt that the final reckoning is very near. “In that day” Christ Jesus goes forth as “the sun of righteousness”, the mighty warrior of Jehovah, to engage the enemy in battle and to vindicate Jehovah’s name. A symbolic picture is given of the glorious Lord leading that fight to Armageddon, to wit: “And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.”—Rev. 1:16.
37 At Armageddon Christ Jesus goes forth in his strength, leading the heavenly host. Truly then “the heavens declare the glory of God. ... In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun; which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” (Ps. 19:1-6) The fight led by Barak, as also the fight led by Gideon, foretells the glorious fight and victory of the Lord Jesus Christ against the enemies of Jehovah.
38 They “that love him”, that is, that love Jehovah, the great Theocrat, and his kingdom by Christ Jesus, and who maintain their integrity faithfully unto death, these shall “shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father”. The faithful “remnant” and the faithful Jonadabs shall have their share. The final work amongst the Kingdom class is now in progress, and has been, particularly since 1918. The Lord has been gathering out all those that offend and that act lawlessly. This is exactly as Jesus foretold: “So shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”—Matt. 13:40-43.
39 None of those who will maintain their integrity will now hesitate or show indifference toward the Kingdom. They will follow the example of the “Sun of righteousness” and will in this hour of gross darkness upon the world let their light shine concerning the Theocratic government and will let that light be so used as to make manifest the hidden things of darkness. (Eph. 5:13) Nothing now shall stop them. They will come forth as willing volunteers for The Theocracy and will boldly let their light shine as does the sun, giving their all in complete, loving devotion to the Most High and his King: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.”—Dan. 12: 3.
40 All who love him shall sing his praises now, regardless of violent opposition leveled against them. “Praise ye him, sun and moon.”—Ps. 148: 3.
41 Because the covenant people of Jehovah God praise his name and make known his government of righteousness they are now “hated of all nations”, even as Jesus foretold. That extreme hatred is expressed in violence heaped upon those who love Jehovah. The faithful servants of God, in obedience to his commandments, now teach their children the Word of God and “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”, and for this they are hated and persecuted. The children, because of their devotion to Jehovah, are expelled from schools and denied the right and privilege of a free education provided by the law of the land. The present ruling powers, true to the prophecy, now oppress and violently abuse God’s covenant people. Jehovah takes full account of the persecution that is now inflicted upon his people. Soon he will avenge his faithful covenant people and will vindicate his own great name; and this he will accomplish as stated by the prophet: “The Lord preserveth all them that love him; but all the wicked will he destroy.”—Ps. 145: 20.
42 Armageddon will be the complete end of Satan’s organization; 'never shall the wicked arise again.’ (Nah. 1:9) What shall be the lot of Jehovah’s covenant people following Armageddon was also foretold in the prophetic song of Barak and Deborah.
43 “And the land had rest forty years.” (Judg. 5:31) Four times ten are forty, and a symbol of the entire reign of Christ. That will be a time of peace and joy. The government by Christ will be righteous: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” (Prov. 29: 2) “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.” (Isa. 9:7) “His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before him.”—Ps. 89: 36.
44 The faithful remnant are now enduring the great fight of affliction. Together with their companions the Jonadabs they are continually persecuted, but these shall soon be delivered and the faithful remnant shall be in the Kingdom glory for ever with the glorious King. Then the Jonadabs who now suffer for righteousness’ sake will suffer no more, but will be for ever in the favor of the Lord and receive his blessings. The King of glory will feed them and lead them by the refreshing waters and give them life everlasting, and they and their children shall dwell forever on the earth in peace. Now they are poor and oppressed, but the Lord shall soon make them rich beyond description of words: “He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.”—Ps. 72: 4, 5.
45 True, the covenant people of God now suffer many hardships, which the Devil brings upon them. Many are the woes which he inflicts upon them, and in this he uses the religionists to make their burdens greater. Their suffering shall not continue long, and those who suffer because of their faithfulness to Jehovah now with joy hear the words of Jesus, to wit: 'He that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Matt. 24:13) The flesh of all of God’s servants is weak and inclined to fret because of the great amount of injustice done and heaped upon them by the religionists. They see this injustice daily growing and wickedness on the increase. The Lord knew that such would be the conditions now, and for the comfort of his faithful covenant people he caused his prophet to make this record of his Word, to wit: “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”—Ps. 37:1, 7.
46 The judgment from heaven will be executed against the wicked, and then those who defile the earth shall cease for ever: “Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, when God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.”—Ps. 76: 8, 9.
47 The battle of the great day of God Almighty is near, and all survivors will then, in the language of the prophet, say: “The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; they break forth into singing.”—Isa. 14: 5, 7.
48 Jehovah’s faithful people now on the earth with joy sing because they know that the day of deliverance is near; and following Armageddon that song will resound throughout the whole universe and everything that breathes will continue to sing the praises of the Most High. These prophecies were recorded and are now revealed for the comfort and hope of God's people. Everyone who loves Jehovah, therefore, should be strengthened by the revelation of these prophecies and should now by faith rejoice, knowing full well that his joy will be complete in the near future and that the praises of Almighty God and his King shall fill the whole earth.
KINGDOM WORK
WATCHTOWER readers now appreciate the fact that The Theocratic Government is functioning in the earth in so far as those who are consecrated to Jehovah are concerned. Both the anointed remnant and the Jonadabs have the privilege, by the Lord’s grace, of participating in bearing the legitimate expenses for carrying forward the Kingdom work. Their contributions made direct to the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, at 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N. Y., is assurance to them that the money will be used to the best advantage in advancing the Kingdom interests.
This notice is not a solicitation of money, but a reminder to all who have a desire to support Jehovah’s kingdom that it is well to make advance provision to participate in the work and do so by laying aside a specific sum each week according to the manner in which the Lord prospers them financially. The work of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society is to use the money contributed in the most economical way to make known Jehovah’s name and his kingdom. If informed in advance as to the probable amount that will be contributed during the year by those who are interested, that makes it possible to outline the work and the expense connected therewith accordingly. It is therefore suggested that upon receipt of this issue of The Watchtower you address a post card to the Society and keep a copy thereof as a reminder to yourself as to the amount you have promised and post that to the Society immediately. Write nothing upon the card except the following:
By the Lord’s grace I hope to be able to contribute to the work of announcing the kingdom of Jehovah during the ensuing year the amount of $........................ , which I will remit in such amounts and at such time as I can find it convenient as the Lord prospers me.
Signed …………………………………………………………………..
Address your card to
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society
Treasurer’s Office
124 Columbia Heights
Brooklyn, New York.
Those residing outside of the United States and who desire to participate in contributing to the necessary expense will please address your letters or cards to the Society's office in the respective country in which you live.
Have in mind our need for guidance by the Lord and present the matter before the throne of heavenly grace that the money contributed may be used to the best advantage to announce the Kingdom.
ORDER OF RESURRECTION
“BEHOLD, I shew you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” In these words, at 1 Corinthians 15: 51, 52, the apostle discusses the first resurrection. In Revelation 20:6 it is called “the first resurrection” because it is the resurrection of “The Christ”, both Jesus Christ the Head and the church, the members of “the body of Christ”. No one can have a part in that first resurrection except Christ Jesus and his body members, his anointed followers. None other will ever receive immortality and be immune from the “second death”. This resurrection, therefore, is “first” in that it is of primary importance, and “first” in that it is the earliest in time. The inspired apostle limits that resurrection to The Christ, when he says: “This mortal must put on immortality.” (1 Cor. 15:54) This refers to that class of Christians anointed with God’s spirit and who "by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality”, and who are faithful even unto death.—See Romans 2:7; Revelation 2:10.
Not all the members of the “body of Christ” will be resurrected at the same time. The text first above quoted shows two separate divisions of the same class: one part that participate in the first resurrection and are awakened out of the “sleep” of death, and another part or division that have part in the first resurrection and that do not sleep in death but are at death changed instantly from human to spirit creatures, divine.
The apostle indicates that those who have slept in death shall be raised first, and that thereafter comes the change of those who are on the earth at the time of the second presence of the Lord. In 1 Corinthians chapter 15 the apostle shows that the resurrection of the sleeping saints does not take place until the coming of the Lord as King to destroy the rule of wickedness and to bless the obedient of mankind. The presence of Christ Jesus in spirit has been difficult to explain and to clearly understand. Many have labored under the impression that the Lord Jesus must be bodily in the very vicinity of the earth in order to be present. Such a conclusion is unreasonable. Distance is no hindrance to the Lord. He could be at the “right hand of God” and at the same time direct the affairs of the earth as well as he could if he were on the immediate surface of the earth.
When he had finished his sacrifice and ascended on high, Jesus Christ sat down on the right hand of Jehovah God, and from that time forward waited until the time when the enemy should be made his footstool, as declared at Psalm 110:1 and Hebrews 10:12,13. From the time of his resurrection from the dead the world belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ, but the time for him to take possession was then a long time in the future. He must wait until God’s due time, and that due time would be at the end of the “Times of the Gentiles”, or “end of the world”, to wit, in A.D. 1914, when Satan’s rule without interruption from Jehovah God ended. That was when Christ Jesus began to give his attention to the things of earth. While doing this he is still at the right hand of Jehovah God, and at the same time he is present in the earth, because directing the things of his kingdom on the earth as above stated.
The Scriptures leave no doubt concerning the order of the resurrection. At the beginning of the presence of Christ Jesus in the spirit the saints that died prior thereto are asleep in Christ Jesus, while the last members of the “body of Christ” remain alive on the earth. The sleeping or dead ones must be resurrected first, and then thereafter those who remain on the earth will be changed instantly at death into the likeness of the Lord. The apostle’s words at 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 make it clear that this is the order of the resurrection, when he wrote: “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Here the word “descend” would not necessarily mean that Christ Jesus must take a flight from heaven to earth. The word is used figuratively here, as meaning that at this particular time mentioned the Lord specially directs his actions to things on the earth, which is below heaven, and at the same time he himself may remain in heaven.
Without a question of doubt there is a lapse of time between the resurrection of the sleeping saints and the change of those who remain alive in the flesh on the earth and who constitute “the remnant”. Within that period of time, to wit, after the resurrection of the sleeping saints and until the completion of the first resurrection, all those of this “remnant” who die faithful experience their change from mortality to immortality, “in a moment,” and do not sleep in death. This is the mystery or secret about which the apostle speaks when he says: “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.”
What could be the purpose of the Lord in awakening the sleeping saints and then some time thereafter giving the “remnant” their resurrection change? Manifestly the purpose is that during the time that elapses between the awakening of the sleeping saints and the change of the remnant God would have a special witness given to his name amongst the nations of the earth, and the remnant must give that witness to his name and his Theocratic Government by Christ.
The faithful Christians, anointed with the spirit of God as his commissioned witnesses, constitute the spiritual temple of God. To them it is written: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Cor. 3:16,17; also 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:18-22; 1 Pet. 2:5) Such ones, of course, include both the sleeping saints and the faithful ones alive at Christ’s coming and who afterwards have their instantaneous change. When Christ Jesus was about to be taken away he said to his disciples: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”—John 14: 3.
Jesus went to heaven to the right hand of God to prepare a place for his faithful footstep followers, his saints. It would seem reasonable that the Lord would complete such preparation before he would come in the spirit for those who would make up the temple class. The sleeping saints are a part of the temple class. Surely the preparation would include the clearing of the Devil out from heaven and the casting of him down to the earth, since Christ Jesus begins his reign by taking possession of heaven and ousting the Devil therefrom. (See Revelation 12: 7-12.) In view of the language of the Master to his disciples, it would hardly seem that he would awaken the sleeping saints until this preparatory work was completed.
If that reasoning is correct, then the resurrection of the sleeping saints to life in the spirit, invisible to human eyes, would not take place until after the Devil is expelled from heaven. Through his holy prophet (Malachi 3:1) God declared that his beloved One as “the Messenger of the covenant” should do a preparatory work, and that then he shall suddenly come to his temple. If this preparatory work spoken of includes the expelling of Satan from heaven, then it would be reasonable to conclude also that the next step would be to awaken the sleeping saints in order that the temple might be established.
From time to time in these columns the Scriptural proof has been submitted showing that the Lord came to his temple in 1918. His coming then was like a thief, and the fact of his coming then was not known to the “remnant” of Jehovah’s witnesses on earth until some time thereafter, not till 1922. Seeing now that the temple of the Lord is made up of the saints, including those who slept and those of the remnant who do not sleep in death; seeing also that the Lord came to his temple in 1918, would not the fact of his coming to the temple at that date fix approximately the time of the resurrection of the sleeping saints? The Lord Jesus comes to his temple before the great witness on earth to Jehovah’s name is given by the remnant. It follows, then, that the temple of God was brought together in 1918, and that that marks the time of the resurrection of the sleeping saints.
It is written: “When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.” (Ps. 102:16) Zion is Jehovah’s capital organization, of which Christ Jesus is the Head and in which the members of “his body”, the temple class, are associated with him. The building up of Zion undoubtedly means the Lord’s coming to the temple. That marks the time of his glorious appearing. On this consider the apostle’s words to Titus (2:13): “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Neither Jehovah nor Jesus is on the earth, yet the apostle says that he is looking for their glorious appearing. The word “appearing” (Greek: epiphania) means the glorious shining forth or manifestation of the Lord’s presence. The blessed hope of the apostle was that he might have a part in “the first resurrection”, because, at Philippians 3:11, he so says. In his statement in the epistle to Titus he seems to fix the time when that hope would be realized, to wit, at the glorious appearing of the Lord, which takes place at the time the Lord comes to his temple, in 1918.—Ps. 50:2.
The Scriptural authority, such as at Malachi 3:1-3 and Matthew 25:19, 21, is conclusive that the Lord comes to his temple for the purpose of judgment. According to 1 Peter 4:17 such judgment must begin at the house of God, the temple. In A.D. 1914 the Lord took his power to begin his reign, and the nations were angry. According to Revelation 11:17,18 it is after the time when “the nations were angry”, in a great world war, that the time comes for “the dead, that they should be judged”. With this thought in mind note the words of the apostle Paul, at 2 Timothy 4:1: “The Lord Jesus Christ . . . shall judge the quick [the living] and the dead at his appearing.” The word here rendered “appearing” does not mean his coming; but it means that while the Lord is present in the spirit, and at the time of his shining forth or clearer manifestation of his presence, that judgment begins.
The sleeping saints must be first raised. Their raising up constitutes their final judgment, because it is the awarding to them of the prize for which the apostle Paul declared he was running also. It is the time of the realization of the “blessed hope” spoken of by the apostle, because it marks the time when the sleeping saints (including the apostle) come into their everlasting portion. Back in A.D. 33 the Lord Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem offering himself as King and then came to the temple there and cleansed it, and his own resurrection from the dead followed six days later. If the Lord came to the spiritual temple in A.D. 1918, as foretold at Malachi 3:1, and came for the purpose of judgment and began the judgment of the saints first, that would be a strong and persuasive argument that the awakening of the sleeping saints took place in 1918, which is the parallel date of A.D. 33.
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