The Watchtower, April 1, 1910
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SEMI-MONTHLY
VOL. XXXI
APRIL 1
No. 7
A.D. 1910—A.M. 6038
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CONTENTS
The Memorial Passover Supper......................115
What We Memorialize...........................115
“My Cup of the New Covenant”..................116
“Let Us Keep the Feast”.......................118
Secret Faults and Presumptuous Sins...............118
Yearly Requests for Pilgrim Visits................119
The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand..................120
More Tolerable for Sodom......................121
Truth Spreading in India..........................121
The Least in the Kingdom..........................122
John in Prison Doubted........................122
The Letter and the Spirit.........................123
Publisher’s Notices...............................126
Bro. Russell’s Jerusalem Trip.................126
Berean Studies on the Atonement...................127
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PUBLISHED BY
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
CHARLES T. RUSSELL, PRESIDENT
“BROOKLYN TABERNACLE,” 13-17 HICKS ST.,
BROOKLYN, N.Y., U.S.A.
Foreign Agencies:—British Branch: 24 Eversholt St., London, N.W. German Branch: Unterdorner Str., 76, Barmen. Australasian Branch: Equitable Building, Collins St., Melbourne.
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ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 (4s.) IN ADVANCE. SEND MONEY BY EXPRESS, BANK DRAFT, POSTAL ORDER, OR REGISTERED. FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY FOREIGN MONEY ORDERS, ONLY.
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Terms to the Lord’s Poor as Follows:—All Bible Students who, by reason of old age, or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for this Journal, will be supplied Free if they send a Postal Card each May stating their case and requesting its continuance. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and in touch with the Studies, etc.
ALSO FRENCH, GERMAN, SWEDISH AND DANISH EDITIONS. SAMPLE COPIES FREE.
ENTERED AS SECOND-CLASS MAIL MATTER AT BROOKLYN, N.Y., POSTOFFICE ENTERED AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER AT THE POSTOFFICE DEPT., OTTAWA, CANADA
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BROTHER RUSSELL’S SERMONS
The Brooklyn Eagle advises that it has received a great many requests for the sermons, but for the present it concludes not to publish Brother Russell’s sermons. Should it change its opinion later we will advise our readers.
Meantime do not forget to encourage by letters and cards those papers that are publishing the sermons—especially the one located nearest to your home. Encourage also by your own subscription or those of your friends. If a paper ceases to publish the sermons, please do not berate it, but merely in kindly terms express your disappointment at the loss and your hope that the sermons will be continued. The proper time to encourage the Editor is while the sermons are a regular feature.
Report concerning Volunteer Matter. We have no method of checking our printers except as you assist us. Please, therefore, report to us on post-card the receipt of your Volunteer consignment—stating how many bundles you received and the condition in which they arrived, and how many papers to each bundle. You need not count every bundle, but average them; count about two. One brother recently reported that his bundles of one hundred averaged only ninety-seven. This small shortage on a million copies would amount to thirty thousand. Kindly assist us in this matter.
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BROTHER RUSSELL’S SERMONS IN GERMAN
A German newspaper publishing the weekly sermon can be supplied to our readers on a clubbing proposition at the low rate of $1 per year in the United States or $1.50 per year in Canada or Europe. Send orders to us.
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PUBLISHERS’ NOTICES
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[CONTINUED FROM 2ND PAGE]
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BROTHER RUSSELL’S JERUSALEM TRIP
Curiosity as to why Bro. Russell takes the trip to Jerusalem is not to be wondered at amongst our readers. He is recognized as being intensely practical and having a reason for every move.
His motive in this instance is not curiosity, nor change of scenery, nor health, nor relaxation; for a stenographer accompanies him, so that not an hour may be lost.
He goes at the suggestion of the newspaper syndicate which handles his sermons, and all of his expenses are provided for. The syndicate feel the public pulse and urge that it is necessary to center the public interest upon the preacher in order to make his sermons the more attractive to the publishers and to the reading public. Brother Russell yields to anything which does not bridle his tongue nor compromise the Truth.
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AMENDED DATES ABROAD
In order to keep an appointment at Rome, May 1, Brother Russell will arrive one day later at Vienna, Austria, May 3; Warsaw, Russia, May 4, and at Berlin, May 5. The Swiss meeting will be at Berne instead of Basle. London arrival will be at 8 o’clock Sunday morning, May 8, at Liverpool St. Station, giving another day for Barmen.
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ITEMS AGAIN IN STOCK AND NEW ONES
“Heavenly Manna” in German, same price as English.
Syrian, “What Say the Scriptures About Hell?” Price, 10c.
Syrian, “Calamities; Why God Permits Them.” (Tract pamphlet.)
Norwegian, DAWN-STUDIES. Vol. III.
Hungarian PEOPLES PULPIT. Order all you can use. Free.
1910 Motto Cards, very beautiful, very cheap. Will close them out five for twenty cents, postage prepaid. (See description, November 15 issue.)
SCRIPTURE STUDIES in full leather binding, gold edges, postpaid; any volume, 60c. We still have a few leather first volumes without volume number on binding. Specially suitable for gifts.
STUDIES in India paper, per set of six volumes, postpaid, $4.40.
STUDIES in Karatol binding (same general dimensions as India paper edition, but cheaper paper and binding), per set of six volumes, to WATCH TOWER subscribers, $1.65.
“Outlines” (six booklets bound in one volume), cloth, 50c.; leather, $1.00.
“Helps” (same as in latest WATCH TOWER BIBLE), cloth, 50c.; India paper edition, leather bound, $1.25.
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CROSS AND CROWN PINS
Some time ago we announced both gold and silver cross and crown pins. The order was only partly filled and many of our friends were obliged to wait on our later order. We believe this will be to their advantage, though we regret the delay. What we now have are very satisfactory. They are in stock and you can order at your convenience.
No. 1. Cross and Crown design in ten carat gold, three-fourths inch in diameter. The crown is burnished. The surrounding wreath is rustic and washed in green gold. The cross is of dark red enamel with only the outlines showing gold. The pin has a patent fastening. Price, $1.15.
No. 2. This is exactly the same as No. 1, except that instead of the pin it has a screw-clamp at the back, making it more desirable for men’s wear. Price, $1.15.
No. 3. Exactly the same as No. 2, except that it is one-half inch in diameter. Price, $1.
No. 4. This pin is of smooth burnished gold with a circle instead of a wreath. No enamel. Patent pin fastening. Price, $1.
No. 5. Exactly like No. 1, except that it is of silver instead of gold. Price, 35c.
These prices all include postage and are very much less than jewelers would charge, as we have them manufactured in large quantities for your convenience. None is showy.
The demand for the small one-half inch celluloid pins continues. We have a large stock now; 3c each, 25c per dozen.
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“THE TORONTO WORLD”
This journal assures us that hereafter it will publish Brother Russell’s sermons every week in full—three columns in Monday edition. All WATCH TOWER subscribers can have it on the clubbing list for an additional 50 cents, or $1.50 for The World and THE TOWER—anywhere in Canada.
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DO THIS INSTEAD!
Not everyone knows how to approach newspaper people to show the advantages to them of publishing “Pastor Russell’s Sermons.” All would, therefore, best desist and let the work be done by the Newspaper Syndicate now handling the service. Co-operate with the syndicate rather, and write to it or to us your views and what you would be willing to do to assist the newspaper if it should begin the publication.
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“THE OVERLAND MONTHLY”
Many of our readers took the Overland magazine last year because it published a series of articles on “The Divine Program” from Brother Russell’s pen. Such will no doubt be interested to know that Brother Russell has engaged to send twelve articles this year on the topic, “God’s Chosen People.” This series began with the February issue. The magazine can be had of news dealers at 15 cents the copy, $1.50 per year. By special clubbing arrangements the year’s issues will cost our subscribers only 80 cents.
BROOKLYN BETHEL HYMNS FOR MAY
After the close of the hymn the Bethel Family listens to the reading of “My Vow Unto the Lord,” then joins in prayer. At the breakfast table the MANNA text is considered: (1) 80; (2) 49; (3) 244; (4) 313; (5) 93; (6) 165; (7) 135; (8) 107; (9) 4; (10) 155; (11) 8; (12) 67; (13) 312; (14) 283; (15) 280; (16) 105; (17) 333; (18) 152; (19) 12; (20) 214; (21) 95; (22) 178; (23) 293; (24) 30; (25) 60; (26) Vow; (27) 218; (28) 201; (29) 195; (30) 264; (31) 88.
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THE MEMORIAL PASSOVER SUPPER
AS heretofore announced, the date of the Memorial Supper Anniversary this year falls on Friday evening, April 22d, after six o’clock, according to Jewish reckoning. The Christian Church originally kept this Passover Memorial as we now do, but in order to make the dates more regular, and also in order to draw the minds of Christians away from the thought of following the Jewish precedents too closely, the method of reckoning the date was slightly altered. Thus the Jewish reckoning let the Passover fall where it might as respects the days of the week. But the change made the anniversary of our Lord’s death to come always on a Friday, styled “Good Friday,” and his resurrection date always, therefore, to fall on the Sunday thereafter, “the third day,” styled subsequently Easter Sunday. The Jewish reckoning of time was by the moon as well as by the sun. Thus the majority of years with them had twelve months, but occasionally one would have thirteen months. The Jewish reckoning of the Passover date begins to count with the first New Moon after the Spring equinox, the Passover day thus coming on the full moon, fourteen days thereafter. Subsequently the Christian Church accepted the Friday near the first full moon after the Spring equinox, even though the moon was new before the Equinox. This explains the difference in dates this year, Good Friday, according to Catholic usage, falling on March 25, while the corresponding date, according to Jewish reckoning, will be April 23. We celebrate the
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Memorial on the evening preceding. Yet it is not the hour or day of our Lord’s death, but the fact that is chiefly important. This year such a Memorial service will be in order on Friday evening, April 22, after six o’clock (Nisan 14th). The next afternoon, Saturday, April 23, at 3 p.m., will correspond to the hour of our Lord’s death; the Jewish Passover Feast beginning three hours later. So much explanation for the satisfaction of the minds of all.
WHAT WE MEMORIALIZE
We memorialize four great matters:—
(1) The death of our Lord Jesus as the Passover Lamb.
(2) Our relationship or participation with him in the sufferings of Christ, the death of Christ, as followers in his steps and sharers in his cup.
(3) We celebrate incidentally and prospectively the great deliverance which soon will follow this passing over of the present night-time. The deliverance will affect first of all those passed over, the Church—the “little flock” and the “great company,” the antitypes of the Royal Priesthood and the Levitical host or tribe. The deliverance of these will come in the morning, the resurrection morning, the Millennial morning.
(4) We also incidentally commemorate the great “feast of fat things” which will follow the passing over of the Church, when the passed-over ones shall be associated with their Lord in his heavenly Kingdom as the great antitypical Prophet, Priest, Judge, Mediator and King over all the earth, to bless and uplift the human family through the merit of the same precious blood which he now permits the passed-over ones to participate in sacrificially, after the imputation of its merit to them has made them worthy.
These different points should be kept in memory separate and distinct from each other if we would have the greatest blessing from this Memorial.
Looking unto Jesus as the “Lamb of God,” we behold his spotlessness—“holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.” We behold how “he was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth.” (Acts 8:32.) By speaking the word he could have resisted those who were intent upon his destruction. He assures us that no man took from him his life; that he laid it down himself—voluntarily. He laid it down not in obedience to the Father’s Law, for Justice could not demand sacrifice; but laid it down in accordance with the Father’s will, saying, “I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is written in my heart.” From this standpoint the Christian believer can rejoice greatly that the Redeemer spared not himself, but freely delivered himself up with the foreknowledge that in the Divine purpose the value of his sacrifice would ultimately redound, first for the benefit of his followers, and subsequently for the blessing of all the people. Hence in partaking of the broken, unleavened bread we memorialize the purity, the sinlessness, of him who gave himself to be, in God’s due time, the Ransom-Price for all of mankind. From this standpoint we realize that his shed blood signified that his death was necessary in order that our condemned humanity might be restored to life without infracting the Divine Law. Our hearts should pause here to appreciate, not only the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, but also the love of the Father, who designed the programme; and the Justice of God thus exemplified; and the Wisdom of God in making
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the arrangement; and the faith also to grasp the Power of God, as it will ultimately be manifested in the full carrying out of all the glorious purposes and promises which we Memorialize.
The second point is scarcely less important to us than the first. The first blessing from the Redeemer’s sacrifice has been offered during this Gospel Age to such as have the “hearing ear” and the appreciative heart. This blessing is most astounding. It purposes a still further blessing to such of mankind as turn from sin and accept the grace of God in Christ by faith, and present their bodies living sacrifices, with full consecration, vowing to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. To all such, during this Gospel Age and until the completion of the elect number, the Redeemer will impute the merit of his sacrifice, in order to make their sacrifices acceptable in God’s sight—to the intent that they may suffer with him in the flesh, and share with him in the begetting of the Spirit now and in birth to the Spirit plane in the resurrection. Thus as his glorified “members” they may be associated with him in his Millennial Kingdom, when he shall act as “Mediator between God and men.” The word men here includes all not begotten of the holy Spirit to be New Creatures on the spirit plane.
Our partaking of the bread symbolically represents our partaking of the fleshly perfection of the man Jesus. We partake of his perfections by faith, and not actually. He gives us, not restitution to human perfection, but merely an imputation of his righteousness, his perfection, as covering in the Divine sight the blemishes, the imperfections, of our fleshly bodies, which we have tendered to God as living sacrifices.
When as our great Advocate the Redeemer imputes to our offering the merit of his sacrifice the Father accepts the same and begets the sacrificer to the new nature as a “member of the Body of Christ.” And since we are not at once perfected as New Creatures, but still have mortal flesh, the Father “adopts” us in a sense that includes our justified flesh and all of its interests.
It is only those who have thus partaken of the merit of Christ and whose sacrifice God has accepted that are directed in conformity to their Covenant of sacrifice to drink of his cup and to daily be immersed into his death.
“MY CUP OF THE NEW COVENANT”
The cup is not ours, but the Lord’s. The life or sacrifice symbolized by the blood is not ours, but the Redeemer’s. We are merely given the privilege of drinking it, partaking of it. The blood of Jesus could have sealed the New Covenant between God and Israel, and on behalf of all mankind through Israel by the New Covenant, without being offered to us at all. The offering to us of the privilege of participation in the cup of Christ’s sufferings and death is therefore not to indicate that it was insufficient nor that we could add anything to it. It illustrates the grace of God—that he is willing to receive us and make us joint-heirs with our Lord and Savior, if we have his Spirit. The Spirit which actuated Jesus was a spirit of devotion to the doing of the Father’s will—to the smallest detail, and even unto death. Exactly this same spirit must be in all those whom the Father will now accept as members of his Bride, his Body, his Church in the heavenly glory. Hence the Redeemer emphasized the matter distinctly, saying that all who would sit with him in his Throne must drink of his cup of self-denial, self-sacrifice, and must be immersed into his death.
This is exactly what St. Paul points out to us, namely, that our Lord is the true Bread, the true Loaf, which came down from heaven, and that we are invited to be portions of the One Loaf, which ultimately will be the Bread of Life for the world during the Millennial Age. We not only partake of Christ, but, accepted by him according to the Father’s plan, we become members with our Lord in the larger Loaf, the multitudinous Christ. Hence, as St. Paul suggests, when we break this Bread together as a Memorial, we not only symbolize our Lord’s broken Body, but in a larger sense we symbolize the breaking of the Church and our own breaking or dying as members of that Church. “The loaf which we break, is it not the communion (the common union or participation) of the Body of Christ? For we, being many, are one Loaf, the one Body; for we are all partakers of that one Loaf.”—I Cor. 10:16,17.
The cup of the fruit of the vine to us means the sacrificed life of our Lord. But additionally, it reminds us that we, in becoming his disciples, accepted his invitation to share his cup. To us this means faithfulness in self-sacrifice as the Lord’s representatives, even unto death. “The cup of blessing which we bless (for which we give thanks as the greatest imaginable favor of God bestowed upon us), is it not the communion (the general union, the fellowship) of the Body of Christ?” Does it not represent our Lord’s sacrifice and our share with him in his sacrifice, by his invitation and in harmony with the Father’s pre-arranged Plan, in which he foreknew us with Jesus from before the foundation of the world?
Oh, what a depth of meaning attaches to the Communion Cup from this standpoint! Oh, what heart-searching should go with the accepting of it! How evident it is that this Communion Cup represents not merely turning from sin; not merely believing in Jesus; not merely preference for right over wrong, but chiefly the presentation of believers’ bodies living sacrifices to God: sacrifices considered holy, because of the imputation of Jesus’ merit, and which sacrifices God has accepted, begetting the offerer to the new nature as a New Creature!—Rom. 12:1.
No wonder the Apostle intimates that whoever lightly, irreverently, yet intelligently, partakes of this symbolic flesh and symbolic blood brings condemnation upon himself. It is of this blood, viewed from this standpoint, that the Apostle speaks in Heb. 10:29. He speaks of some who count the blood of the Covenant wherewith they were sanctified an unsacred or common thing—some who do despite to the spirit of grace, favor, which has called us with this high calling during this Gospel Age. The Apostle intimates that God’s providence for such would be the Second Death. We cannot understand the Apostle to mean that Church members who have never made a real consecration to God, who have never understood the real grace of God, the real privilege which they enjoy—that these should be subjects of the Second Death. The context, on the contrary, intimates that the persons referred to had at one time a clear understanding of the matter; that they had been “once enlightened”; that they had not only been justified by faith in the precious blood to approach God thus, but, on the basis of that justifying faith, they had gone on to sanctification—presenting their
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bodies living sacrifices. The text cited indeed declares that it refers to only such as despise the blood of the Covenant (the Cup we memorialize), with which they had previously been sanctified by the begetting of the holy Spirit when they agreed to “drink of Christ’s cup” in their consecration.
“EVEN YOUR SANCTIFICATION”
Our sanctification, which is the will of God and in harmony with which the present Gospel call is made, is effected not when we are “called,” nor when we begin
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to turn from sin, nor when we begin to hear and heed the voice of God, but when, under the influence of these blessings and mercies of God, we come to the point of full consecration—full discipleship, full surrender, full sacrifice of all of the earthly rights and privileges, that we might have instead thereof the spiritual blessings, the divine nature, joint-heirship with our Lord in his Kingdom. Is it asked who would despise such a favor as this? Who would repudiate the privilege of being joint-sacrificers with the Lord? Who would spurn “his cup” and “his baptism” into death in view of the privilege of being associated in the reward? The answer is that surely none would do so who still retain the spirit of begetting and faith-appreciation of the things not seen as yet—glory, honor and immortality. If, therefore, any who have once tasted of the heavenly gift and been made partakers of the holy Spirit and participated in the powers and privileges of the coming age—if they shall fall away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance.
We cannot read the heart. We cannot know, surely, who have seen beyond the first veil, and who have not. We cannot know absolutely who have committed the “sin unto death,” and who have not. We are not to judge one another. We are rather to accept one another’s expressions, provided the course of life corresponds—in that it is not symbolically represented by the injurious thorns and thistles. If, however, any should repudiate “the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified”—if any should claim that participation with Christ in this Memorial Cup is participation in something common or ordinary, and not participation in his great sacrifice, it would imply that he had lost his spiritual vision, his spiritual apprehension of the value of being a partaker of Christ’s cup—the blood of the Covenant, which shortly is to be sealed for Israel and through Israel for all the families of the earth who will come into harmony with its Divinely arranged terms.
It may be possible that some who have professed to see the spiritual things, some who have professed a fulness of consecration even unto death, some who have professed to appreciate the participation in the breaking of the One Loaf and the drinking of the one cup of fellowship with Christ in his death, have never really appreciated these things. Perhaps they not only deceived us by their statements, but also deceived themselves.
Let us remember our Lord’s words, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” If those who once professed that they were sanctified, set apart, consecrated sacrificers as members of the Body of Christ and who partook of his cup of suffering and self-denial and then manifested a spirit of holiness and gave evidences of developing the fruits and graces of the spirit, we may safely consider that they were spirit-begotten. If these afterward repudiate the blood of the Covenant and view the privilege of partaking of Christ’s cup as something that is merely common or ordinary, but not exclusive and only for the members of Christ—if these now manifest no longer the fruits of the Spirit of God, but the fruits of the spirit of the Adversary, we may well fear for them that they not only have lost the light, but also lost the Spirit. We are not to expect that such would necessarily go to open deeds of violence, murder, robbery, etc. It would be sufficient evidence of their having lost the Spirit of the Lord if they should develop afresh the spirit of anger, malice, hatred, envy, strife. These St. Paul designates works of the flesh and of the devil.
True, a sanctified member of the Body of Christ might be overtaken in a fault, or act in a manner that would imply anger, but he certainly could not have malice and hatred. Besides, if overtaken in a fault, he would soon realize his difficulty and not only go with the fault to the throne of heavenly grace for forgiveness, but also go and make reparation and full apology to those wronged, injured, by the act. Whoever, therefore, indicates that his spirit has become a malicious one, gives evidence that he has already lost the Spirit of God and is “twice-dead, plucked up by the roots,” and belongs to the thorn and briar family and not to the vine.
“THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE”
In our Memorial service let not our hearts merely meditate upon the sufferings of Jesus, nor merely upon the sufferings of the members of his Body as they walk in his footsteps to sacrificial death. On the contrary, let us receive a proper exhilaration of spirit from our participation in this cup. We read that Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and the Apostle urges all these who are drinking of the cup, saying, “Rejoice in the Lord; and again I say, Rejoice!” The Christian’s life is not a sad or morose one, but a most joyful one. He can even be joyful in tribulation, “knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” Knowing also that “our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”—beyond the veil. (Rom. 5:3,4; 2 Cor. 4:17.) We thus partake in the cup of suffering and joy which is an earnest of our inheritance, which we will receive at the Second Coming of our Lord and our gathering together with him—as his members and his Bride class. This rejoicing in spirit is necessary to our courage and zeal in the service of the Lord. Note the operation of it in St. Paul, who, with Silas, could sing praises to God in the prison with his feet in the stocks and his back lacerated. And so it should be with all Christ’s true followers in the narrow way. With the wound of every thorn, with the pain of every sharp arrow of bitter words with which we are assaulted for Christ’s sake, we may have joy unspeakable.
JOY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
A further joy may be ours as we gradually comprehend more and more fully the significance of this New Covenant or New Testament blood in which our Lord offers us an opportunity to participate. He imputes his merit and thus enables us to be dead with him. He thus passes the blood of the New Covenant through us, his members. But it is offered only to such as pledge themselves to be dead with Christ. Even then it is not given, but merely imputed or loaned to us to make good or worthy our offerings when the great High Priest as our Advocate presents them and accepts them in the Father’s name and grants us his Spirit of adoption.
These earthly rights which belong to our Lord Jesus alone, which are at his disposal, are to go by the New Covenant to natural Israel. (Jer. 31:31.) “They shall obtain mercy through your mercy.” (Rom. 11:31.) We may therefore rejoice in sympathetic anticipation of the blessings about to come to natural Israel, in which all mankind will have an opportunity of sharing. If their casting away at the beginning of this age was preparatory to our acceptance, how glad we may be that our acceptance will not mean their everlasting loss, but, on the contrary, that they will be profited through the blessing of Spiritual Israel, members of the great High Priest and Mediator and fully “qualified servants of the New Covenant.” (2 Cor. 3:6.) Thus to Israel eventually will be given the earthly blessings and promises which God originally set apart for them, and which were typified under
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the Law Covenant and its typical Mediator Moses, who is like unto or a type of the great Mediator, the Christ of God, of which Jesus is the Head and the overcoming saints, his faithful followers, are accounted members.—Acts 3:22,23.
Let us then appreciate this glorious Memorial more and more as the years go by, seeing in it expressed more and more of the “Love Divine all love excelling,” whose length and breadth and height and depth surpass all human comprehension.
“LET US KEEP THE FEAST”
We urge upon the Lord’s people who recognize the foregoing facts and signification to meet in the name of the Master as his “members,” and comply with his invitation, “Do this in remembrance of me,” and not as the Jews, in remembrance of the type; as St. Paul said, “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come” (I Cor. 11:26): until at his coming he shall change the Church, which now is his Body of humiliation, to make it in the truest sense his glorious Body.
Again, we suggest that where the dear friends possibly can they meet together in little groups, and where this is impossible, they nevertheless should celebrate alone with the Lord. We do not urge large gatherings on such occasions, but the reverse—that each little group or company meet by itself as a separate organization of the Body of Christ. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”—Matt. 18:20.
The Congregation of Brooklyn Tabernacle will meet at No. 13-17 Hicks street, Brooklyn, near the Fulton Ferry and Jersey City (P.R.R.) Annex, and not far distant from the terminus of the Brooklyn Bridge. On the preceding Sunday there will be an immersion service. All who desire to participate will, if possible, please give word in advance. Friends from nearby cities will be accommodated with pleasure at this immersion service. But no Memorial Service invitation is given to distant friends. Individuals, however, who have no better opportunity at their homes will be welcomed at any of the classes anywhere.
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SECRET FAULTS AND PRESUMPTUOUS SINS
“Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me; then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”—Psa. 19:12-14.
THIS prophetic prayer represents well the heart attitude of the fully consecrated and earnest Christian. While realizing forgiveness of the “sins that are past through the forbearance of God,” through the grace of God which was in Christ Jesus, which imputed our sins to him and his righteousness to us who believe in him, nevertheless the well-instructed soul realizes his faults, his shortcomings. These secret faults may be of two kinds: (1) They may be faults which were secret to ourselves at the time committed—slips, unintentional errors. Of course, the earnest heart, desiring full fellowship with the Lord, will regret even his unintentional shortcomings and will strive and pray for Divine grace to get the victory over these. But besides these there are other secret faults, which are secret in the sense of being unknown to any one but ourselves and the Lord—imperfections or faults of the mind before they take the outward form of actual and presumptuous sins.
All Christians of experience in the good way and in the battle against sin and self have learned that there can be no outward or presumptuous sins that have not first had their beginning in the secret faults of the mind. The sinful thought may be one of pride suggesting self-exaltation; it may be one of avarice suggesting unlawful acquisition of wealth; or it may be some other fleshly desire. The mere suggestion of the thought before our minds is not sin; it is merely the operation of our faculties, and of the influences which surround us, inquiring of our wills whether or not we will consent to such thoughts. Many consent to thoughts of evil who at the time would utterly repudiate any suggestion to commit evil deeds; but if the thought be entertained it is a secret fault, and the growing tendency would surely be toward the more outward and presumptuous sinful conduct, the tendency of which is always from bad to worse. To illustrate: Suppose the suggestion should come to our minds of a method by which we could advance our own interests of fame or honor or reputation by the undermining of the influence and reputation of another, how quickly the evil, selfish thought, if entertained, would lead to envy and possibly to hatred and strife. Almost surely it would lead to backbiting and slander and other works of the flesh and the devil. The beginnings are always small, and correspondingly much easier to deal with than in their developed form. Hence, the prophetic prayer, “Cleanse thou me from secret faults” and thus restrain or keep me back from presumptuous sins.
In the Epistle of James (1:14,15) we read, “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own desire and enticed. Then, when desire hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Here we have the same thought differently expressed. The temptation consists at first in the presentation to the mind of suggestions which are impure or unkind or unfaithful to obligations; but there is no sin, no fault, as yet. The fault begins when we harbor the evil suggestions, begin to turn them over in our minds and to consider the attractions which they may have to offer. This is where desire (taking hold of the evil thing instead of resisting it) causes a beginning of the secret fault; and it is only a process of development, which in many instances, under favorable circumstances, may be very rapid, that sin, the presumptuous or outward acts of sin, results—for instance, bearing false witness against a neighbor, or slander, or other evil deeds. And the evil course having begun in the fostering of the evil suggestion, and having progressed to presumptuous sin, there is a great danger that the entire course of life will be ultimately affected thereby and bring the transgressor into that condition where he will commit the great transgression—wilful, deliberate, intentional sin—the wages of which is death, “Second Death.”
It would appear, then, that every intelligent Christian would continually pray this inspired prayer, for cleansing from secret faults, that he might thus be restrained from presumptuous sins; and thus praying heartily, he would
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also watch against these beginnings of sin and keep his heart in a cleansed and pure condition, by going continually to the fountain of grace for help in every time of need. He who seeks to live a life of holiness and nearness to the Lord by merely guarding and striving against outward or presumptuous sins, and who neglects the beginning of sin in the secrets of his own mind, is attempting a right thing in a very foolish and unreasonable way. As well might we seek to avert smallpox by outward cleanliness, while permitting the germs of the disease to enter our systems. The bacteria or germs of presumptuous sins enter through the mind, and their antiseptics and bacteriacides of the truth and its spirit must meet them there and promptly kill the bacteria of sin before it germinates and leads us to such a condition of evil as will manifest itself in our outward conduct.
For instance, whenever the bacteria of pride and self-importance present themselves, let the antidote be promptly administered from the Lord’s great medical laboratory for the healing of the soul. The proper dose to offset this species of bacteria is found in the words, “He that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted”; and, “Pride goeth before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
If the thought presented to our minds be the bacteria of envy, then let us promptly apply the antidote which declares that envy is one of the works of the flesh and of the devil, and contrary to the Spirit of Christ, which by our covenant we have adopted as ours. And let us remember that envy is closely related to and apt to be followed by malice, hatred and strife, which, under some circumstances, mean murder, according to our Lord’s interpretation.—I John 3:15; Matt. 5:21,22.
If the bacteria which presents itself to our minds is avarice, with the suggestion of unjust methods for its gratification, let us promptly apply to it the medicine furnished in the Lord’s Word, namely, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” “For the love of money is the root of all evil, which some, coveting after, have erred from the truth and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
The more attention we give to this subject, the more we will be convinced, from our own personal experiences, of the truth of the Scriptural declarations respecting the beginnings of sin as secret faults in the mind; and the more we will appreciate the statement of the Word, “Keep thy heart [mind, affections] with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”—Prov. 4:23.
But we are not to wonder that God has so constituted us as to permit temptations to come to our minds, nor are we to pray that we may have no temptations; for if there were no such presentations, no such temptations, then there could be no victories on our part, no overcoming of sin and of the Wicked One. But we know that for this very reason we are now in the School of Christ; not that we shall there be shielded from all temptation, but that we may learn of the great Teacher how to meet the Tempter, and, by our Master’s grace and help, to come off conquerors, victors in the strife against sin. The degree of our success in this conflict will depend largely upon the keenness of our faith and trust in the great Teacher. If we feel confident of his wisdom, we will follow closely his instructions and keep our hearts [minds] with all diligence. Faith in the Lord’s wisdom and in his help in every time of need is necessary to us in order that we may be thoroughly obedient to him; and hence it is written, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith,” that is, it will be by the exercise of faith and the obedience which flows therefrom that we shall be enabled to “come off conquerors and more than conquerors through him that loved us and gave himself for us.”
Nor are we to seek Divine aid far in advance; as, for instance, to be kept throughout the year to come, or month to come, or week to come; rather we are to know that if we have made a covenant with the Lord and are his, that he is near us at all times in every trial, in every temptation; and that his assistance is ready for our use; if we will but accept it and act accordingly. Hence, our prayers should be for help in the time of need, as well as general prayers for the Lord’s blessing and care for each day. In the moment of temptation the heart should lift itself to the great Master, in full assurance of faith, recognizing his love, his wisdom and his ability to help us, and his willingness to make all things work together for good to those who love him. Asking for his assistance in such a time of need would surely draw to us the Lord’s counsel and help and strength for righteousness, truth, purity and love; and thus we should be hourly victorious, daily victorious, and finally victorious.
The difficulty with many is that they are looking for some great battles, instead of averting the great battles by availing themselves of the Lord’s provision, and keeping their minds cleansed from secret faults. The little battles, which are much more numerous, are the ones in which we gain the victories with their ultimate rewards. “Greater is he that ruleth his own spirit [mind, will] than he that taketh a city.”
Finally, the grand results of obedience to this counsel of the Lord, the grand attainment of those who have faithfully kept their hearts with diligence, is expressed in our text, and may well be the repeated earnest prayer of all the sanctified in Christ Jesus—“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
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INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
FOR many years the dear friends who regularly meet all over the world for the study of God’s Word, using WATCH TOWER publications as helping hands, have been perplexed to know how to advertise themselves. We have continually warned against everything simulating sectarianism and Churchianity. But we have been at a loss to know what to suggest to the friends along this line. It is true that wherever two or three are met in the Lord’s name, they would be entitled, if they chose, to speak of themselves as a Church. But if the name Church be used our friends and neighbors inquire, What Church, What denomination? And we find it impossible to explain to them in a reasonable time that we do not mean a sect or party separate from other Christians. Indeed, there is danger of our losing sight of the fact that we are non-sectarian—that we acknowledge all as brethren and members of our Church, Christ’s Church, the Church of God, who give evidence of full consecration to self-sacrifice, following in the footsteps of the Redeemer. There is a disposition on the part of
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some, unconsciously, to fellowship only such Christians as are outside of all denominations. Our true position, nevertheless, is that we recognize all loyal to our Redeemer, whether babes or fully-grown, whether in Babylon or out of her, whether they follow with us or indirectly speak evil of us.
Now in the Lord’s providence we have thought of a title suitable, we believe, to the Lord’s people everywhere, and free from objection, we believe, on every score—the title at the head of this article. It fairly represents our sentiments and endeavors. We are Bible students. We welcome all of God’s people to join with us in the study. We believe that the result of such studies is blessed and unifying. We recommend therefore that the little classes everywhere and the larger ones adopt this unobjectionable style and that they use it in the advertising columns of their newspapers. Thus friends everywhere will know how to recognize them when visiting strange cities.
In harmony with New York State laws the association will be under the direction and management of the Peoples Pulpit Association, which, in turn, represents the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
We have adopted the style Brother instead of Pilgrim, as requiring less explanation to the public; and the term lectures instead of sermons, as carrying with it less prejudice. It should be our desire, while holding the Truth in love, to present it as acceptably as possible, giving none offense to any—Jew, Gentile or Christian—seeking in everything to glorify God and to assist his people out of darkness into his marvelous light.
To avoid everything that might be construed as “joining,” the membership is confined to those constituting the chartered Peoples Pulpit Association. The provision is made that all Bible Student Classes using the Bible Study Helps published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society may consider themselves identified with the Association and are authorized to use the name “International Bible Students’ Association” in respect to their meetings.
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THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND
—MATTHEW 10:1-15.—APRIL 10.—
Golden Text:—“Freely ye have received,
freely give.”—Matthew 10:8.
JESUS had been preaching for more than a year when he appointed twelve of his followers to be specially his representatives sent forth—Apostles. He sent these two and two throughout Judea. They had not the Father’s appointment. They had not yet received the holy Spirit from on high and did not receive it until Pentecost, some two years later. The holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:39.) But by virtue of the holy Spirit given without measure to Jesus at the time of his baptism, he conferred upon these Apostles his own special powers that they might heal the sick, cast out demons, etc. But their special mission, like his own, was not that of healing physical ailments merely, nor chiefly. They were to proclaim the Lord Jesus to be the King, the long-expected Messiah, and to tell the people that the time was at hand for the establishment of his Mediatorial Kingdom, in conjunction with their nation. This message would be in harmony with the expectation of all the Jews. For centuries they had been waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise made to Abraham that through them all the families of the earth would be blessed. The miracles of Jesus and the Apostles were to call attention to the proclamation, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 3:2.) This message, in harmony with that of John the Baptist, was expected to arouse all the “Israelites indeed” and to attract their attention to Jesus as the King. They were particularly warned that their message was not for the Gentiles, nor even for their neighbors, the mongrel people called Samaritans. True Jews, and these only, were called upon to make ready their hearts and minds that they might be participants in the Kingdom and its glories. Their message was only “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”—V. 6.
They were to make no provision for their journey—neither money nor extra clothing. They were to learn a lesson of absolute dependence upon the Master who sent them forth. They were not to be beggars seeking from house to house. On the contrary, they were to recognize the dignity of their mission and service for God and ambassadors of Messiah and were to inquire in each village for the most worthy, the most saintly, the most holy people, because these would be the ones who would be specially interested in their message—whether rich or poor. And such of these as received their message would be glad indeed to treat them as representatives of the King, whose Kingdom they announced. Their stay in each place was to be as guests until they were ready to depart to the next place. On entering into a house they were to salute the householder in a dignified manner, advising him of the object of their call. If received peacefully, cordially, their blessing would be upon that house. Otherwise they were not to lose their own confidence and serenity, but to pass along and look for one more worthy of the message and of them as its representatives. Those receiving them would receive a blessing. Those rejecting them and their message would lose a great privilege.
THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
Many wonder greatly why it was proper for our Lord and the Apostles to declare the Kingdom of Heaven at hand when, as a matter of fact, it has not yet come and, by the Lord’s directions, its followers still pray, “Thy Kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.” The understanding of this furnishes the key to the appreciation of much of the Bible that is now misunderstood. We must, therefore, outline the matter in some detail.
For more than sixteen centuries Israel had been waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise that they would become so great that through them the Divine blessing would extend to every nation. Our Lord through the Apostles signified that God’s time had come to fulfil all of his promises made to the Jewish nation if they were ready for them. To be ready they must be a holy nation. And to instruct them and prepare them their Law Covenant had been introduced to them through Moses centuries before. And now, just preceding Jesus, John the Baptist had preached to them reformation, repentance, getting into harmony with the Law, that they might be ready to receive the Messiah. While as a people they were the most religious nation in the world at that time, nevertheless
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but few of them were “Israelites indeed”—at heart fully consecrated to God; fully in accord with the principles of holiness. As a consequence, instead of the whole nation being ready for God’s work, only a small remnant of them were saintly and received the message. At the close of Jesus’ ministry only about five hundred worthy ones had been found, and the multitude cried, “Crucify him!” while the godless Pilate inquired, “Why, what evil hath he done?” Most evidently, therefore, Israel was not ready to be used of God in the blessing of the other nations.
God foreknew this, however, and through the prophets declared that a remnant only would be found worthy. To the nation as a whole our Lord declared, “The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matt. 21:43.) Accordingly five days before his crucifixion our Lord said to them, “Your house is left unto you desolate. Ye shall see me no more until that day when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”—Matt. 23:38,39.
The Kingdom privileges or opportunities which were first offered to natural Israel were transferred to Spiritual Israel, whose existence began at Pentecost. All “Israelites indeed” of the fleshly house were privileged to become members of the spiritual house—to receive the begetting of the holy Spirit and adoption into the Body of Christ, which is the Church. Of this Church St. Peter says, “Ye are a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a peculiar people.”—I Pet. 2:9.
After selecting as many Jews as were worthy a place in Spiritual Israel, nominal Israel was cast off from Divine favor until the completion of Spiritual Israel, when God promises that his favor shall return to them. (Rom. 11:25,26.) Meantime the invitation has gone through the Lord’s faithful members to every nation, seeking such as have the spirit of loyalty to God, the spirit of “Israelites indeed.” All such are accepted with the Jews as
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members of the same Kingdom. Around these Spiritual Israelites have gathered all sorts, so that there is an outward or nominal body or Church numbering millions, as well as a real body or Church scattered amongst them.
As at the end of the Jewish Age Jesus came to inspect them and to set up his Kingdom if enough worthy ones were to be found, so he will do in the end of this Gospel Age; he will come to Spiritual Israel to find the saintly. The Scriptures assure us that from first to last, from Pentecost until the end of this age, a sufficient number of saints will be found to constitute the elect Church of Christ, designed of God to be his Queen and Joint-Heir in the Millennial Kingdom, which will then be set up and begin the work of blessing the world. After the spiritual Kingdom of God shall have been exalted, the Bible assures us, in Romans 11:25-32, that God’s favor will return to natural Israel and they will be the first nation to be blessed under the new order of things that will then prevail and through those of that people in harmony with God the blessing will extend to every nation.
“MORE TOLERABLE FOR SODOM”
The Sodomites were wickedly immoral; yet, in the Master’s estimation, less wicked than those who, after hearing the Gospel, rejected it. This principle applies to many people and many cities of our day, as well as to Capernaum. The Master assures us that when the great Millennial Age, otherwise called the Day of Judgment, shall furnish opportunity for the whole world to be on trial for everlasting life or everlasting death, it will be more tolerable for the Sodomites than for many others. In proportion as anyone has come to a knowledge of Christ he has become responsible. The death of Christ secures for Adam and all of his race one full opportunity for salvation and no more. The majority have died in heathenish darkness without any opportunity; and many in Christian lands have disregarded their opportunity, as did the people of Capernaum. All must be brought to a full knowledge of their privileges in Christ and then all rejectors will be destroyed.—Acts 3:23; I Tim. 2:4; Matt. 20:28.
It is for us to be followers of Jesus and the Apostles—to walk in their steps of devotion and thus to make our calling and our election sure to a share with Messiah in his Kingdom, which, during the Millennium, will bless Israel and all the families of the earth under a system of rewards and punishments, called judgments. The Scriptures distinctly tell us that the Israelites and the Sodomites will be sharers in that work of restoration—restitution.—Ezek. 16:50-55; Acts 3:19-21.
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TRUTH SPREADING IN INDIA
WE are much gratified with the reports reaching us from India. Apparently the Lord has a great harvest field there. A large proportion of the natives in the cities understand the English language, which is taught in the schools; besides a considerable number of English-speaking people reside there. The fact that India’s three hundred millions have come under subjection to the British rule has operated both favorably and unfavorably as respects Christianity. It has carried the Bible to the people—to a very limited extent, of course. But it has also carried here and everywhere much of error and much of combination with sin and pride. Apparently many people in India realize the impossibility of ever converting the world. And such of these as are of believing hearts are earnest and ready for the harvest message—the gathering of the Lord’s jewels and the establishment then of the Millennial Kingdom for the blessing of all the families of the earth with restitution privileges.—Acts 3:19-21.
Our Brother Devasahayam writes us that in the city of Madras there are approximately 120 to 150 who have considerable ear for the Truth. But the majority of them, weak and fearful, he styles Nicodemuses, because they desire to inquire after the Truth in secret rather than more courageously. Apparently there is a good field in India for laborers—Colporteurs and preachers. Few, of course, can afford the expense of such a journey and few are qualified for the position. Europeans there are quite generally well educated, as are many of the natives; and no one could properly present the Truth unless he could speak English quite grammatically and with some fluency. Moreover, it is a place where great self-denial would be required, as the people are poor and Colporteurs would have more difficulty than here in meeting their expenses.
Some of you, but not all, know of Brother Devasahayam’s conversion to the Truth; hence we give a brief recital. His father was a convert to Christianity, a native preacher in India. The son desired to enter the ministry, and, seeking a good education, came for it to the United
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States. He took a college course, working his way as janitor, etc., through a college under the auspices of the Methodist Church. In common with all colleges, that one had Professors who inculcated Higher Criticism and Evolution, and Brother Devasahayam was poisoned thereby. He was too conscientious to further consider preaching the Bible, which he had come to disbelieve. He had gained an education, but lost his religion.
He came in contact with the Truth, but cared not to read it, disbelieving everything connected with Churchianity.
A friend of the Truth, deeply interested in him and believing him to be honest, paid his expenses to the Saratoga Convention. There he became partially interested in the Truth and began to read the SCRIPTURE STUDIES. He stopped with us at the Bethel Home while studying and became fully convinced respecting the Bible and the Divine Plan of the Ages. He gave his heart fully to the Lord and symbolized his consecration by baptism. The Society paid his way to India and purposes to co-operate in the work there as the Lord shall seem to open the door further.
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THE LEAST IN THE KINGDOM
—MATTHEW 11:1-11.—APRIL 17.—
Golden Text:—“But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.”—John 5:36.
JOHN THE BAPTIST, the Master declared, was a prophet; yea, more than a prophet, for of him it was written, “Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.” (V. 10.) This noble character was God’s chosen servant for heralding the Messiah to Israel. His message to the people had been “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; repent and believe the good news.” Many had responded and had been baptized, symbolically washing themselves from sin and giving fresh adherence to the Law and care in its observance. Prophetically John had declared that stirring times were ahead of the nation; that the Messiah was about to make a separation between the true wheat and the chaff class; that he would gather the wheat into his barn, but would burn up the chaff in unquenchable fire. The wheat in this prophecy signified “the holy,” “the righteous,” who, as a result of following Messiah, would be exalted or glorified. This prophecy was fulfilled at Pentecost and subsequently, when the “Israelites indeed” were accepted of God as sons on the spirit plane—begotten of the holy Spirit—as members of the Body of Christ, members of the Kingdom class—then in embryo, but, later on, by resurrection power, to be ushered into heavenly glory and dominion. The remainder of the nation, merely nominally God’s people, had merely the outward form, as chaff. For such, the Prophet John declared a time of trouble at hand, symbolically represented by a furnace of fire, which would consume them as people. As the forepart of this prophecy was fulfilled at Pentecost, it reached final accomplishment thirty-seven years later, when the entire nation collapsed, ceasing its national existence, which it has never since re-attained.
JOHN IN PRISON DOUBTED
But instead of Jesus becoming a great king after the manner of John’s expectation, to reward his faithful and destroy the impious, John beheld, What?—Himself cast into prison and Jesus surrounded by a paltry few—barred from the vicinity of Jerusalem because the Jews sought to kill him, and doing most of his preaching in “Galilee of the nations,” amongst those who made less religious profession and amongst whom were few scribes or Pharisees or Doctors of the Law. Moreover, Jesus had not made any attempt to deliver his forerunner from prison, although he continually manifested great power in the healing of diseases and the casting out of devils. What could it all mean? was John’s query. Had he been mistaken?
Surely he was not mistaken in supposing that he had God’s testimony to Jesus at the time of his baptism; as he had declared, “This is he!” But what he? Was he merely another prophet still greater than himself preceding the still greater and true Messiah? Thus wondering, he sent messengers to inquire of Jesus, saying, “Art thou he that should come (the Messiah), or look we for another?”—Are we to look behind you for a still greater through whom God will fulfill his prophecy?
PROOFS OF JESUS’ MINISTRY
In answer to the query our Lord sent word to John particularly of the work he was doing—healing the sick, casting out devils and preaching the good tidings of God’s
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grace to the poor. And he added, Tell John not to get offended; not to allow his faith to stumble in respect to me. Otherwise he will lose a great blessing.
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