The Watchtower, August 1, 1917
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Vol, XXXVIII
BROOKLYN, N. Y., AUGUST 1, 1917
No. 15
"WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL"
[This article with the exception of the paragraphs below, was a reprint of that published in issue of July 15, 1905, which please
see.]
It poorly befits an instructed child of God to denounce
with scorn and contempt those of the poor world whose failings
and lacks in character may be apparent to us. If in
some respects we have been more nobly born than are many
others, have we anything whereof to boast in this regard?
"What hast thou that thou hast not received? And if thou
hast received it, wherefore shouldst thou boast?*' Since we
realize more and more as we go on in the narrow way how
many and how humiliating are our own infirmities, we should
learn to be very pitiful toward the infirmities of the poor,
fallen world. And since the Lord is graciously willing to cover
our many blemishes with the merit of the precious blood, we
cannot do less than manifest this same spirit, if we hope to
be pleasing and acceptable to him. Self-righteousness and a
"holier than thou" attitude will surely separate us from the
favor of the Lord to whatever extent we harbor such a spirit.
Let us search our hearts carefully along this line, for we have
a wily adversary, and our own flesh is very deceitful.
Even though the failings and weaknesses of some of the
brethren or of the members of our own family be different
from our own, who shall judge that they are less acceptable
to the Lord than are we? "To his own Master each servant
standeth or falleth." A captious spirit of criticism and of
magnifying the faults of others, a desire to show them up in
their worst light, may be far more culpable in the eyes of
the Lord than are the faults that seem so reprehensible to us.
Let parents and children, brethren in the church — all who
name the name of Christ — be of tender compassion toward one
another. All have inherited and acquired weaknesses. Our
own may be as serious as are those of some whose faults
grate upon our sensibilities. Do our best, yet none of us
can measure nearly up to the perfect standard. Who, then,
are we, that we should sit in severe judgment upon others,
whether of the brethren or of those outside, whose responsibility
would be far less than ours?
APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION
The Government is putting into motion ite machinery re- and states that he resides at in the City
lating to Selective Draft for military service. Local boards of . ; that he has had notice of call to
have been selected for each county and for various districts in military service under the Selective Draft Act; that he has
the cities. The drawing is now made. presented himself for physical examination, and being adIf
you are on the list of the called ones you will first vised that he is physically qualified, he now makes applicareport
for physical examination on the date named in the tion for exemption from military service under the provisions
call. If you are found physically disqualified you will re- of said Selective Draft Act, and claims exemption upon the
ceive a certificate to that effect, with further instructions following grounds, to wit:
from the Board as to what to do. (1) Because this applicant was, on and prior to the 18th
If you are found physically qualified and you desire to day of May, 1917, a member of the International Bible
claim exemption from military service, then you should file Students Association, a well-recognized religious organizayour
application for exemption. After having been found tion, which has been such religious organization and existing
to be physically qualified you will have seven days in which for a period of more than thirty years, the creed or teaching
to file your application for exemption ; and you will be given of which said religious organization forbids its members to
ten days' time after the filing of your application in which participate in war in any form; that the religious convictions
to file proof in support of your claims for exemption. of the undersigned, this applicant, are against war or particiWe
have been expecting the Government to publish a pation therein in any form, in accordance with the creed or
form of application for exemption, but up to this time none principles of said International Bible Students Assn.
has been published. As the calling of the men under the (2) This applicant therefore prays that he be exempted
selective Draft Act has now been made, and knowing that from military service under the provision of said Selective
many of our brethren will be desirous of filing application for Draft Act.
exemption, and as many have written the Society for a form (Signed)
of application, we have prepared one, which we publish be- State of SS:
low, and which may be used, provided the Government fur- County of
nishes no form for that purpose. t being duly sworn, upon his
APPLICATION oath says that he has read the above and foregoing applicato
the local board of exemption under the tion for exemption, and is fully acquainted with the contents
selective draft act: thereof, and that the matters and things stated therein are
Comes now the undersigned No. true.
( here insert your name and serial number ) ,
[6121] (221-231)
(231-232)
THE WATCH TOWER
Brooklyn, N. V.
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this day of . . . ., 1917
Notary Public.
If you can procure a form of application for exemption
use and insert the grounds named in this application.
If you claim exemption on any other ground than that
of religious conviction, then insert such additional ground
under paragraph marked "2" in the application; and if you
claim exemption upon any further additional grounds, insert
a third paragraph, and so on. Such other ground or
grounds for claiming exemption are set forth in a bulletin
issued by the office of the Provost Marshal General and are
published in the July 1 issue of The Tower, page 204,
HOW TO PROVE CLAIMS
Proof must be made by affidavits. Go to the Local
Board and consult the regulations to find out the form number
of the aflidavits that you must submit for your particular
claim.
Ask the Board for the blank affidavits that are necessary
in presenting your proof ; if the Board has not the forms ask
to consult the pamphlet of forms.
Have the affidavits properly accomplished and return them
to the Board within the time limit assigned you — ten days
from the filing of your claim.
Set out in your affidavit the following: that the International
Bible Students Association is a well-recognized
religious organization and lias existed for more than
thirty years; that said Association has a branch or church
at (the place where you live) ; that you are a member
of said Association and associated with said church; that you
ace fully consecrated to the Lord, and that you follow the
teachings of Jesus and the apostles as set forth and explained
in the Bible and in the publications of the International
Bible Students Association and the Watch Toweb Bible
and Tract Society; that you are in harmony with and believe
the teachings of said Association, which forbids its members
to participate in war in any form, and that your religious
convictions are against war or participation therein in any
form, in accordance with the creed or principles of said International
Bible Students Association ; that the teachings of
said International Bible Students Association, in harmony
with those of Jesus and the 'apostles, are briefly epitomized
in the following: "Thou shalt not kill." (Romans
13:9) "All they that take the sword shall perish by the
sword." (Matt. 26:52) "For even hereunto were ye called,
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example
that ye should follow in his steps." {1 Peter 2:21) il For the
Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save
them." (Luke 0:56) "No murderer hath eternal life abiding
in him." (1 John 3:15) "Follow peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." (Heb.
12:14) "As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all
men."— Or], 6:10.
You may further add to your affidavit the quotation
from The Watch Tower of September 1, 1915, page 260,
column 2, which is quoted in the May 15, 1917, issue of The
Watch Towi:k, page 151.
W T ithin three days after the production of this proof before
the Local Board, that Board will decide the question of
exemption one way or the other. Appeal may be made to the
District Board, and must be taken within ten days after notice
that exemption claim has been denied by the Local Board.
The Local Board may grant longer time to perfect appeal, in
its discretion.
Because of the fact that many of these exemption cases
are apt to arise at the same time in different parts of the
country, we make the above general statement in the interests
of all of our brethren of the Association who may desire
to avail themselves of the provisions of the law for exemption
. If any one feels that he should have a lawyer to
assist him, then if might be wise to employ some local
counsel to advise and conduct his case before the Board. We
stand ready to advise and assist any of the brethren at any
time to the extent of our ability.
Let us all trust in the Lord for his guidance, and claim
the promise that he will cause all things to work together
for our good, because we love him and have been called according
to his purpose. Be calm and sober of mind, and having
done all you can, stand fast in the faith. Hia blessings be with
you!
"UNTO THE END!"
"Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. M
'"Unto the end!* What strange,
Sweet, wondrous love! .How deep, how fond and true!
For love that knows no change
We seek, but seek in vain, the wide world through.
Until the end he loved
The frail, weak, timid ones he called 'his own.'
Nor ever heard unmoved
Their cry for help, in sorrow's plaintive tone.
'"Unto the end!* AH, all
Who are his own are known to him by name;
No tear of theirs can fall
But Jesus knows the source from whence it came.
Unto the end, though
Faithless and wayward we may be,
With calm and ceaseless flow
The tide of love divine rolls strong and free!
'"Unto the end!' Though wide
And high along our way dark barriers frown,
This truth will still abide
To comfort and sustain. We are his own
Unto the end. His own !
Not death itself from him our souls can part;
His hand has overthrown
All that divides us from his home and heart.
' "Unto the end!' With arms
Outstretched, he waits to clasp us to his breast;
Where, safe from all alarms,
He offers us our shelter and our rest,
'Unto the end' to live
And know that we are his, and only his !
The joys that life can give,
Its sweetest and its best, yield no such bliss.
"'Unto the end!!' Thine own!
dear and blessed Master! Can it be
That, never more alone,
Our weary hearts may dwell in peace with thee,
Knowing that to the end
Thou wilt be with us, walking by our side,
Our Guardian, Guide and Friend,
Until in heaven we shall with thee abide!"
THE CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH
[The first and fifth paragraphs of this article were reprinted from article entitled "A Broken Vow a Fulfilled Penalty/
lished in issue of September 1, 1905. Paragraphs 2, 3, 8 and 9 were reprinted from article entitled ''The Holy
Land Desolated, ' > published in issue of December 3, 1898. The remainder appears below.)
pubAfter
King Nebuchadnezzar had taken a part of the
Jews captive, he left King Zedekiah in control as his vassal
under tribute. But Zedekiah treacherously entered into a
league with the king of Egypt in a vain attempt to throw off
the Babylonian yoke. When Nebuchadnezzar learned of the
rebellion he came again to besiege Jerusalem. Famine and
pestilence resulted; and ultimately the city was captured and
utterly destroyed. The king's eyes were put out; and he was
taken captive to Babylon, with all the people except a few of
the poorest and leas* competent. Subsequently these went
[61
down into Egypt, so that Jerusalem and the country round
about lay "desolate without inhabitant for seventy year*, to
fulfil the word of the Lord at the mouth of the Prophet
Jeremiah."
The folly of King Zedekiah in violating his oath of allegiance
to the Babylonian king is only an illustration of the
general folly of all who reject the counsel' of the Lord.
Through the Prophet Jeremiah the Lord had warned Zedekiah
respecting the keeping of his oath and the certainty
that the king of Babylon would vanquish him. But the self-
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THE WATCH TOWER
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willed, unbelieving king, abetted by his princes and counsellors
, took the course which proved to be the way of folly,
and which led to the utter overthrow of the nation. The Lord
permitted the natural consequences of his wrong course to
overtake the king; and they were severe indeed. His sons were
slain before his very eyes. Then he was blinded and carried
to Babylon, where he remained a prisoner until his death.
From these facts we infer that King Zedekiah never came
to a proper repentant attitude of heart before the Lord. On
the contrary, Jehoiachin, the previous king of Judah, who
had been taken captive to Babylon eleven years before, was
subsequently released from prison and granted many favors
at the hand of Evil-Merod«rh. (Jornviah .V2:31-34) Properly
enough these high ones in natural Israel may represent the
more highly favored ones of the Lord's people in spiritual
Israel; and we may draw the lesson that the unfaithful, like
Jehoiachin, might be chastened and afterward treated with
leniency, but that those who violate the oath of their covenant
with God by breaking that vow will suffer I0S3 in every sense
of the word — that thenceforth they shall be blinded by the
adversary to the blessings once enjoyed, and that subsequently
they shall die the second death.
Everywhere the Scriptures uphold the thought that a vow,
a solemn compact with the Lord, ia a most binding obligation.
Under such a solemn obligation all the members of the new
creation have been granted the first-fruits of the holy Spirit.
Therefore disloyalty or renouncement of this vow could to lis
mean nothing short of the second death, from which there is
no redemption.
Judah represented those Israelites who were faithful to
the Lord, those who trusted in the promises, all of which
centered in the tribe of Judah; and many of the faithful of the
ten tribes had moved into the territory of the smaller kingdom
. Yet with all these lessons, and with the instructions of
the prophets, the history of the nation is one long record of
unfaithfulness to their great King, Jehovah God. Now the
time had come for the change which God saw best to bring
upon them; and nothing could divert the impending doom.
Nevertheless, they were given a hope that at the end of a certain
period — after seventy years of chastisement — the Lord
would graciously bring those back who reverenced him.
"THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES"
When God gave the law to Israel he plainly told them the
terms and conditions upon which he would receive them as
his people. If they would be obedient to the divine requirements
, all would be well with them. They would be prosperous
, a rich nation, blessed of the Lord. But if they should
neglect the divine law and become idolatrous, the Lord would
oppose them and would deliver them into the hand of their enemies
for chastisement. If they persisted in following the
wrong course, He would finally punish them "seven times
more/'— Leviticus 26; 18, 21, 24, 28.
Of course God knew the end from the beginning. Nevertheless
, divine patience was manifested throughout the experiences
of the nation leading up to the overthrow of King
Zedekiah's government; for he was the last king of the Davidic
dynasty to sit upon the throne of Israel. We have seen how
evil followed good, both in the kings and in the practises
of the nation ; and how divine providence chastened the people,
yet repeatedly brought them back from idolatry. Now had
come the time for the complete overthrow of the national
polity, for a period of "seven times," as foretold by Moses,
the mediator of the Law Covenant. In this case, however, the
"times," or years, must have been symbolic; for frequently
the nation had had captivities for more than seven years each.
Accepting the fact that these seven years, or "times,"
were symbolic years, we now proceed to determine how long a
period they would indicate. We find that it is an accepted
fact that in Bible symbolism a day represents a year; and
that the Jewish year had twelve months of thirty days each.
Thus each year symbolically represented three hundred and
sixty years; and the seven years of chastisement foretold by
Moses would represent 7 X 36 ^ year3, or 2520 years. When
therefore we read the Prophet Ezekiel's statement that the
kingdom would be "overturned, overturned, overturned," until
Messiah should come, we are to understand that the period of
the overturned condition of the Jewish polity would be 2,520
years, beginning with the time when the crown was removed
from King Zedekiah— in 606 B. C, seventy years prior to the
proclamation of Cyrus, king of Persia, permitting the people
to return— 536 B. C.
A LOOK AT THE FACTS OF THE CASE
It is always both interesting and profitable to Bible students
to note the fulfilment of prophecy; for thus are the
divine promises made more real, and we are assured of divine
supervision respecting the affairs of Israel — both natural and
spiritual. As we glance back over the pages of Jewish history
, we see the fulfilment of the declaration that the nation
of Israel would be overturned three times. After its restoration
by King Cyrus, 536 B. C, it continued to have a sort
of national existence for six hundred years. Yet in all that
time it did not have one king of the line of David. On the contrary
, it was ruled over by the various adjoining nations.
As it is written: "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the
Gentiles' until the times [years] of the Gentiles be filled
full."
Some may point to the Maccahaean kings as an offset to
this declaration that Israel has had no king since the overthrow
of King Zedekiah. We answer that the Maccahaean
kings were not divinely appointed nor of the royal family.
Others may remind us of the reign of the Herods at the
beginning of the Christian era. We reply that the Herods
not only were not of the line of David, but were not Jews at
all; that they were, Kdomites — descendants of Esau, who ruled
over 'the children of Israel as representatives of the Roman
Empire.
THE PROPHET DANIEL'S TESTIMONY
When God removed the typical kingdom of Israel and
his typical throne in the world, he gave over the lease of
earthly dominion to the Gentiles. This lease of power, as set
forth in the prophecy of Daniel, was to continue for "seven
times" — 2,520 years. * In other words, during the same period
in which Israel would be undergoing tribulation and subjection
, the Gentiles would be having "seven times" of prosperity;
and both periods would of necessity terminate at the same
time. Since both began in the fall of 606 B. C, and since
both were ''seven times," or 2,520 years long, both must have
ended in the fall of 1914 A. D.
During this period the world has been under the dominion
of four universal empires; (1) Babylonia, (2) Medo-Persia,
(3) Greece and (4) Rome. According to the Scriptural view
of the matter, the fourth universal empire is still represented
hi the various so-called Christian governments of the world.
These have practised and prospered during the long period of
Israel's subjection and the overturned condition of God's
typical kingdom. After the expiration of the "seven times,"
the next feature of the divine program will be the establishment
of the Messianic kingdom and its recognition by the children
of Israel. Then will follow the long-promised blessing
of all the families of the earth. — Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8.
16, 29.
NEW CREATURES IN CHRIST
The new will begins when we turn from sin to the Redeemer
, desiring to be his followers. But the new will is not
then the new creature. We do not become new creatures until
the Redeemer has accepted our offering, covered it with the
merit of his own sacrifice, and presented it as a part of his
sacrifice, to the Father. The Father, accepting all who thus
come unto him through the Son — up to the full limit of the
number of the elect — begets them through the holy Spirit.
Then, and not until then, is there a itew creature — a spiritbegotten
beinj^— ■ whose development will be in the school of
Christ, and whose full entrance upon the spirit plane as a
new creature will come through the resurrection change.
The new creature does not sacrifice itself; for, as we have
just seen, it did not come into existence until the sacrifice
had teen made and accepted by the Father. The new creature
is in full accord with the consecration made originally
by the new will, and with the sacrifice of its earthly rights
and interests made to the Lord. The new creature therefore
cooperates with the Lord, and manifest? this in profiting
itself daily, hourly, a living sacrifice to the will of the Lord.
It is the flesh that is to be sacrificed, and not the new
creature. The High Priest, our glorified Lord, alone is able
to offer the sacrifice acceptably; and we, as new creatures,
merely cooperate with him, and thus make our calling and
election sure. Any holding back on our part would spoil
the matter aa a sacrifice; and the best thing that could be done
with it would be to destroy the flesh that the spirit might be
saved. The Scriptures seem to indicate that this will be
the experience of the great company class. Any drawing back
from the Lord in the sense of the repudiation of him and
his work of righteousness in them, would signify what the
Apostle calls "the drawing back unto perdition" — untG destruction
. (Hebrews 10:39) In that event the new creature
would die; and it would be the second death, from which
there would be no recovery. As we have before shown, the
new creature never sacrifices itself. It merely cooperates
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THE WATCH TOWER
Brooklyn, >. Y.
with the great High Priest in the sacrifice of its flesh in
which, for the time, it tabernacles.^ Prior to the harvest
time, the new creature, at the death of the body, slept; for
except in the case of wilful sin, the new creature is never to
die. Since the Spring of 1878, however, the new creature
does not sleep, but passes immediately into the new body.
Tn the case of Jesus and the apostles the new creature slept
for a longer or shorter time, awaiting the divine intervention
and power for its perfecting on the spirit plane through the
resurrection change.
THE SHEPHERD OF CAPTIVE ISRAEL
September 2. — Ezekiel 34.
[This article, with the exception of the paragraph below, was a reprint of article entitled "Prophecy Against the Shepherds/'
published in issue of May 15, 1915, which please see.]
Verses 10-12 assert that at a certain time the Lord comes
to the rescue of his sheep, and casts aside the unfaithful
shepherds, Mark well that this time of his presence will be
"in the cloudy and dark day" — in the time of trouble, already
upon the nations and upon the unfaithful shepherds. Surely
we have ample evidence that we are in this "cloudy and dark
day" — that the Chief Shepherd is now present! Otherwise,
whence comes the food upon which his flock has been feeding
all the^e years and the refreshing rest of faith which they
may enjoy even amidst the turmoil of the time of trouble
now upon the world? During the past forty years the Chief
Shepherd has been feeding his people upon the richest ot
food: and all who have been strengthened thereby should be
aware that he is gathering his sheep. Although the sheep
have been scattered all over the hills of sectarianism, he calls
them his own : and those who hear his voice are being gathered
into the one fold — the true church — even as in the beginning
of the Gospel age.
INTERESTING
THE LORD'S DIRECTION OF OCR AFT AIRS
Question. — To what extent does the Lord actively direct our
affairs, and guide us in thought, word and deed? When two
courses perplex us, how may we know the divine will concerning
us?
Answer.— The Christian's relationship to God is based
wholly upon faith. The Apostle declares, "According as it is
written, 'I believed, and therefore have I spoken'; we also believe
, and therefore speak." So likewise, we believe, and
therefore we speak; we believe and therefore we act. "He
that cometh unto God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarded of them that diligently seek him." — 2 Cor. 4:13:
Heb. 11:6.
Christians are those who have approached God along this
line through Christ, who have turned from sin and have accepted
the merit of Christ as their propitiation, and the- divine
will aft their will; and who have embraced the divine promises
respecting the rewards of righteousness, truth, holiness, instead
of the rewards and delusive pleasures of sin. They have
made their consecration unto death, have been begotten to a
new nature, and have received the anointing of the holy
Spirit. They then recognize themselves as children of God,
because God has said eo. They know that all things will
work together for good to them; for God has so informed them.
—Rom. 8:28.
The whole matter, then, is one of faith. It is for the
Christian to perform his part and to trust that God will perform
his part. God's part is to instruct him, and develop him
in faith and obedience. Sometimes the way in which God will
guide his people will he very contrary to the one we would
naturally prefer. We are to remember, however, that we have
fully given ourselves to the Lord; and that we are to abide
in this condition loyally, and to accept in perfect faith all the
experiences of life — the things that seem favorable and the
things that seem unfavorable — and to bear in mind that all
things will work out for good to us, who are the called according
to God's purpose; and that "the steps of a good man
are ordered by the Lord," if we continually seek his guidance
If, therefore, trials and difficulties come, we are to look
to the Lord and go to him in prayer and seek to know his
will. How can we know that his will shall be done? We must
make sure that we desire his will above all things — whether
it be pleasant or unpleasant to us. After earnest prayer that
we may be shown his will, we are to use our best judgment
in the matter. We have asked God's wisdom and blessing, and
we are to expect that the Lord will overrule the results for
good. And we are to accept these results as of divine overruling
, divine providence, whether the matter turn out as we
have expected or some other way.
ASKING HIS BLESSING UPON OUR FOOD
Question. — Why do we ask the Lord's blessing upon our
food unless we expect him to bless it?
Answer. — A very sensible question. Our bodies are a part
of our endowment of the Lord; and we are responsible for
these bodies, to keep them in as good order as possible, in
addition to asking his blessing. We are to eat to his glory,
and so far as possible, only foods which agree with us. The
blessing we ask is supposed to be that we may have cooperation
on God's part with our own endeavor. But we are to
endeavor so to eat and drink aa to keep our bodies in the
best possible condition to render the most effective service to
Jum, Then we should expect his blessing.
QUESTIONS
COMPROMISING THE TBUTH
Question. — Since the Lord's people are to be "wise as serpentB
and harmless as doves,'* and not unnecessarily to bring
upon themselves persecution, might it have been a lack of
wisdom on the part of the three young Hebrews to refuse to
bow down before the image set up 'by Nebuchadnezzar, king of
Babylon ? Could they not, while bowing before the image, have
in their hearts worshiped God?
Answer. — It would be quite contrary to the teaching of
God's Word to suppose that the Hebrews who were cast into
the fiery furnace because of not worshiping the image of
Nebuchadnezzar were unwise. We believe that they were very
wise not to compromise the truth in respect to Nebuchadnezzar
and the image which he had made. A careful reading of the
Bible story should convince one of this. Whoever compromises
the truth is very likely to have it taken from him.
If the three Hebrews had been disloyal to God in this
matter, then there would probably have arisen other circumstances
of like nature; an d they would have been likely to be
finally swallowed up. They could not have made a reservation
in bowing the knee in this -instance. The king had declared
that any one who would fail in this matter should be
thrown into the fiery furnace; that all must bow down
and worship the golden image. If they had bowed down, it
would have implied that they were worshiping the image.
God surely set his seal of approval on their course! Any other
course would have been disloyal to Jehovah.
Applying this principle to our day, we see that churchianity
is coming to be worshiped. The book of Revelation pictures
the condition of things as we believe it soon will be. Whoever
will not worship the first beast, nor his image, and will
not receive the mark of the two-horned beast, or the number
of his name, will come into a disadvantageous position.
(Revelation 13:15-17) The question then would he, What
shall be our attitude regarding such unfavorable arrangements
? We do not ourselves take the position of some that
it would be wrong to enter a Catholic church building because
we would feel that we were thus worshiping the images.
Neither would we think it wrong to enter a Protestant church.
We would not by so doing be thought to be accepting their
doctrine.
It we happened to go to a church where the congregation
were partaking of their communion, doubtless we would commune
with them, if they were willing. The fact that they did
not understand the matter as we do would not affect us unfavorable
at all. The Presbyterians, for instance, claim to
recognize the great fundamentals of Christianity — the
heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus as Savior; they affect to
believe, at least.
Going, therefore, on that broad platform, we might be
able to enjoy ourselves with them. We could not mean that
we were palming ourself off as a Presbyterian, a Lutheran or
a Methodist, etc. To our understanding none of these denominations
are up to the divine standard of the Word of God, none
of them are recognized of the Lord. But we can fellowship
with those who worship there, if they profess belief in the
fundamental doctrines of the Bible. We can be interdenominational
on the subject and can see their good points, while we
need not be influenced by their wrong doctrines.
We would not feel justified in giving any one the impression
that we belonged to any of these denominations, by attending
their church regularly or frequently. One might
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drop into any church, at any time, without being understood
to be a devotee.
But when the time shall come that church federation will
make a test, and every other belief than theirs will be banned
, then we think it would be wrong for us to worship at all
in any of their services; that it would be more or Jess upholding
or supporting the errors for which they will be
standing. We would consider it our duty then to stand out
clearly and plainly, as did the young Hebrews of old, and refuse
under any circumstances to bow down or worship among
them.
SINS BLOTTED OTJT
Question. — Acts 3:19 refers to a blotting out of sins. Will
the sins themselves be actually blotted from memory?
Answer. — The Apostle Feter was not preaching restitution,
although he mentioned restitution. He could not, therefore,
be calling on the Jews as a nation to repent, for at that time
repentance would not have been possible. Not until after
Israel had been accepted could the Deliverer come out of Zion
and turn away godliness from Jacob. (Romans 11:25-27)
To have preached restitution at that time would have been
premature by more than eighteen hundred years.
But the Apostle's words were designed to reach those Jews
who might become members of the church. The sins would
be blotted out at the second coming of Christ. Our sins are
now covered, and because of this we are treated as sons. God
gives us the spirit of adoption, brings us into his family. This
present relationship shows us still sinners so far as the flesh
is concerned, but righteous bo far as the new creature is concerned
However, in the second presence of Christ, he will change
this vile body, the body of sin, and give us a body fashioned
like unto his glorious body. We shall have none of these sins
then, in any sense of the word. The sins will be absolutely
blotted out — gone. God will remember them no more; that is,
he will utterly ignore them, as though they had never been. He
has never recognized these sins as belonging to the new creature
, although the new creature has been charged up with
everything derelict on the part of the body. But after we
have received our "change," from that time onward there will
be no sins to be remembered.
THE NEW CREATURE NOT A SINNER
We read in Psalm 32:1, "Blessed is he . . . whose sin
is covered." We understand that this class whose sins were
covered typically during the Jewish Age were the Jewish
people, whose sins were covered year by year under the arrangement
God made with them. We understand that the
church's sins are actually covered by the special arrangement
God makes with them through Jesus Christ. Ours is not a
covenant which is renewed year by year, as was the Law Covenant
with the Jews. With us, God's covenant is perpetual,
so long as we abide in him. Nevertheless, though our sins are
thus covered by our Lord, there is not an actual blotting out
of the sins ; it is a covering with the robe of righteousness, an
imputation of the merit of Christ's sacrifice for Adamic sin.
There is a difference between the covering we now receive
through faith, and the blotting out of sin which we shall receive
later, and which the world also will ultimately enjoy.
When our sins are thus covered according to the divine arrangement
, our wills, which we determined to consecrate in
sacrifice to God, are received of him through our great Advocate
; and we are begotten of the holy Spirit as new creatures
. The new creature never was a sinner. The new creature
is in full accord with God. If he is a young new creature
, he is, it may be, not as yet fully established in his harmony
with God. If an older new creature his character jb
crystallized.
So it could not be the new creature that would be
referred to as having the sins blotted out at the second coming
of Christ. But since the new creature is the possessor, or
owner, of the fiesh, he is responsible for the things done by
the flesh; just as a man who owns a dog is held responsible
for what that dog does. The new creature reigns over the
body of flesh; but sometimes the flesh slips the leash, as it
were. As the Apostle Paul expresses it, "In my flesh dwelleth
no good thing; for to will is present with me; but how to perform
that which is good I find not. For the good that I
would, I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do."—
Romans 7:18, 19.
The trespasses of the flesh are those for which we ask
forgiveness when we pray, "Forgive us our trespasses!" A
trespass is something which is done contrary to law, and yet
in this ease it is something disapproved oi by us. But so
long as we have the flesh, the mortal body is marred by blemishes
, by the imperfections of sin. Not, then, until the members
of the body of Christ shall have passed beyond the veil
will their sins be blotted out>— be no more. Meantime they
are all covered and graciously arranged for in God's plan.
We understand that all those sins that were ours up to the
time we gave ourselves to the Lord were fully covered — that
Christ assumed those for us at the moment of our consecration
. The Apostle refers to those as "sins that are past, by
the forbearance of God." But we still have the flesh and are
still liable to trespass, and all trespasses are offenses against
the divine law.
God could say: I will just count these as something that
Jesus has arranged for. But he evidently did not see fit to do
this, but to allow these trespasses to be counted up against
the disciple of Christ. Thus the child of God is continually
reminded of his own shortcomings, and must go daily to the
throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time
of need, and he becomes much more fortified against these
weaknesses. It is these infirmities of the flesh that need to
be settled for. These weaknesses still remain with the individual
, and he has the responsibility with him unto death.
This is our thought; and it is all in God's record. In God's
accounting, each trespass must be reckoned for. And so we
do not pray to the Lord Jesus, "Forgive us our trespasses,"
but we go to the Father. And we think they are still in the
divine record until forgiveness is sought through Christ; for
we still need the Advocate. But the blotting out of these
imperfections will not be accomplished for the church until
they; shall have passed into glory, at the second coming of
Christ.
The new creature can sin, but in the act ceases to be a new
creature. If we, the new creature, sin wilfully, there remaineth
no more a sacrifice for sins. But in such a case the
sin is unto death. But the new creature might sin partially,
through beguilement of the flesh; through the weakness of the
flesh it might participate to some extent — might not properly
resist sin—and therefore would he more or less of a conniver
and participant in sin. In such a case we understand the
Scriptures to teach that the stripes which would follow would
be for that element of participation into which the new creature
had entered.
The part for which the flesh would be responsible would
be forgivable. Our Lord said: "If any blaspheme the Son
of Man, it shall be forgiven him; hut blasphemy against the
holy Spirit shall not he forgiven," Christ never made atonement
for the sins of the new creature. Anything that is not
clearly attributable to the Adamic sin is punishable. There
can be no sacrifice for it.
SOME LETTERS OF INTEREST
BIN-OFrEEING— RANSOM— TBE8PASS OFTEWNG
Dear Bbbthben: —
In our Study of Tabernacle Shadows the point has come
out that on page 105 it is stated that the red heifer is not an
"offering" at all. But in both the Revised and the American
Revised Bibles it is called a sin-offering {see verses 9 and 17
of the 19th of Numbers) ; Strong's Concordance also bears this
out. It seems to me that this point might help some to see
that the word "sin-offering" is not synonymous with "ransom
." Maybe you can explain the apparent contradiction
between this statement and that of Numbers 19.
With Christian love, R. E. B. N.
We are not to assume that the revisers were any more
inspired than were the translators of the King James Version.
There is a haziness connected with the subject which very few
VII— 20
escape until they come to a knowledge of that which we term
"present truth."
From our viewpoint, the sin-offerings were those of the
Atonement Day, which typified the satisfaction of justice in
respect to the sin of Adam and its penalty, which rested upon
Adam and descended by laws of heredity to all of his children.
We distinguish between this original sin and subsequent
wrong-doings by styling the latter "trespasses," as they are
called in our Lord's prayer.
From this viewpoint, the red heifer was not a sin-offering —
not offered for the original sin, either typically or otherwise;
not offered on the Bay of Atonement; nor connected with the
Atonement in any sense.
The word ransom is separate and apart from either the
trespass-offerings or the sin-offerings. It brings to our attention
a different arrangement, with which we have nothing
[6125]
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THE WATCH TOWER
Bkookmn, N. \.
w hate\ er to do — the arrangement that the one life of the Man
Christ Jesus should constitute the basis for the satisfaction of
Justice in respect to the original sin of the first man. The
sin-offerings of the Bay of Atonement are not to be confused
with the ransom, for they are separate pictures.
"THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUB GOOD WORKS"
Dear Brethren :
May I have a moment of your valuable time to call attention
to the habit many of" the friends have of "patting
themselves on the back" and calling the attention of hotelkeepers
and others, where considerable numbers are stopping,
to their wonderfully good behavior, etc. ?
I was privileged to attend a two-day I. B. S. A. convention
recently, in a small town, where there was only one hotel,
which was pretty well filled. The landlady had evidently
put forth a great effort to please, in which she was successful
to quite a degree, and she seemed anxious to know how
her labors were appreciated.
But the slightest query would be met with, "Well, what do
you think of these people? are they hard to please?" and,
"Are they hard to get along with?" *eto. Of course, the poor
woman felt obliged to praise them, telling how nice they were,
etc.
Now, would it not be much better to keep our "lamps'*
filled, and "trimmed and - burning," so that all could plainly
see the light; and not be calling attention to it. as though
people would not know we are good and well-behaved if we
did not tell them?
It looks to outsiders as though we are proud and boastful
of our goodness. One man in our home-town, I am told,
says he doesn't like our people because they are boastful
and think themselves better than others.
It it meets with your approval, perhaps a line in The
Watch Tower would be well, calling the attention of the
dear friends to these little oversights. I am sure a hint
would be sufficient.
Your brother in the service, Kans.
"BROTHER TO HIM THAT IS A GREAT WASTER"
Dear Friend: : —
During the past six years I have visited many different ecclesias
in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Texas, etc., and amongst
other things, one thing has impressed me more and more and
has pained me much — the careless way the Lord's tracts are
treated by many of the consecrated children of God, and also
by some of the ecclesias as a whole.
Just a few samples : (1)1 was boarding with a prominent
brother and sister in the truth during the year 1916, and at
different times I picked up truth literature which was thrown
down on the ground and scattered over the lawn and hack
yard. I also picked up quite a number of colporteur envelopes
in good condition. Finally I took the whole assortment
and showed it to the brother, and asked him to take
better care of the Lord's literature. He promised me to be
more faithful in the future,
(2) Recently 7 noticed several thousand copies of the
Lord's literature going to waste in an upstairs store room in
the home of a sister. A little ecclesia of about nine members
met at said home three times a week. Pilgrim brothers from
the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society conduct meetings
there when they come to town.
I have noticed similar conditions in other ecclesias. I feel
it my duty to notify those in charge at headquarters of these
deplorable conditions. From time to time we read glowing
accounts in The Watch Tower of the great amount of tracts
sent out and distributed by the members of the International
Bible Students Association — some years as high as 50,000,000
copies. To know that some of that quantity remain piled up
in basements, garrets, barns, woodsheds, closets, etc., dusty
and time-worn, in many of the homes of the friends in the
United States and Canada, is a shame! (Luke 16:10) I am
sorrowfully,
Your brother in Christ, Lorenzo Traub. — Ky.
GREAT HELP RECEIVED FROM V. D. M. QUESTIONS
Drab Brethren: —
Your favor of the 9tlv, re my answers to V. D. M. questions
, received. I wish to express my appreciation of the
same and my increasing love for God and his great -plan and
gratitude for all the privileges of study atnd helps in growth
afforded hy the dear servants of the Lord at Brooklyn, and
elsewhere. "
I have received great inspiration in the study of the
V. D. M. Questions, and spent not one or two days in the
study of them, but all the time I could spare for a month.
They are indeed deep questions, and require skill in answering
briefly. I feared I had fallen far short of the required
percentage.
I thank you for your patience in considering them. I
will endeavor to continue their study, so as to become more
proficient in expression of these great truths. I desire, too,
the character growth necessary to please him and to attain
the kingdom.
May the dear Father continue his blessing upon you all
and his work in your hands. With much Christian love
in him, " Mrs. E, S, Webster. — S. Dakota.
LEAVES AN EVERLASTING MONUMENT
Dear Friends: —
Our heart rejoices as we think of the glorious reward
which has now come to our dear Brother Russell. Surely
he did a noble work, and has left behind an everlasting
monument to his fidelity, in the six volumes of Scripture
Studies, in all the faithful warnings and exhortations in
The Watch Tower and his sermons!
We loved him for his faithful service, his untiring energy,
and his devoted loyalty to the glorious cause to which he
had consecrated his life. We are glad that he rests from
his labors, and we are sure that his works do follow him.
All the friends are calm and feel sure that the Lord is still at
the helm and that Romans 8:28 is still true.
Doubtless other and more varied experiences and problems
face the Lord's dear qnes on this side the veil, to still
further test our faith and patience ; but we need not fear,
for the "Lord is for us."
We should all heed carefully the noble words of warning
left us by our dear Pastor in the November 1 Watch
Tower. In the meantime let us also heed our Master's words,
"Let not your heart be troubled!" Very soon, if faithful, we
also shall join the ranks of those who have gone before; and
what a blessed reunion that will he! How glad we will be
to meet all those dear saints, our faithful devoted Pastor and
our glorious Lord and Head!
We are praying for all at headquarters, that each one
may have the "grace sufficient" to wisely and properly meet
the new duties and responsibilities thus suddenly thrust upon
them. May the dear Lord richly bless your hearts. Brethren,
pray for us also.
Your brother and servant in His service,
R. H. Barber.
OREATEST BLESSING OF HIS CONSECRATED LIFE
Dear Brethren: —
The spiritual joy and refreshment of study and recording
the great divine plan of God as outlined by the enclosed v.
D. M. Question blanks has been the greatest blessing of my
consecrated life. How thankful I feel to God that he has seen
fit to grant me, even me, a knowledge of his glorious plan for
the blessing of all.
My heart fills with gratitude and praise; for although I
have been a consecrated being, a "new creature in Christ,"
since 1908, yet never before has the effulgence of the light of
the Gospel been so gloriously mine. If the answering of these
questions has brought as much joy to all who have so far answered
them, there should be the greatest rejoicing in the
church that has ever been experienced.
Surely all who have not answered them do well to do so
speedily I
I anxiously await your decision as to granting the degree
"V. D. M."; for I do want to be corrected should I be incorrect
even in only one little item. In joy and expectancy.
By his grace, Elbert Thompson. — Wash.
AWAKE TO THE NEARNESS OT THE KINGDOM
Dear Brethren: —
Resolved, That our heart -felt sympathy be expressed to the
members of the Bethel family and Brooklyn Tabernacle, who
because of their fellowship with our departed Pastor are most
keenly affected by the finishing of his labors. Be it further
Resolved, That while confident that our beloved Pastor is
now among the glorified with Christ, we awaken more keenly
to the nearness of the Messianic kingdom, increasing our
zeal; and that recognizing the manner in which the work of
the Society has been arranged, we will in every way possible
cooperate with the work, continuing the promulgation of the
Gospel of good tidings. Reading Ecclesia. — Pa.
APPRECIATIVE WORDS TROM A STRANGER
Gentlemen: —
I condole with you in the great loss you have sustained an
losing dear Pastor Russell. I was ill at the time with an attack
of heart trouble. It was a shock to me; I never felt so
bad about a stranger. I was in hopes of hearing him some
time. He was a man of God.
I thank you for the book and paper you so kindly sent
me. T will buy another book some time, when I can.
Very cordially yours, Mas. S. Roberts.— Maw.
[6126]
Aur.ttsT 1, 1917
Tim WATCH TOWER
(239 226)
ONE YEAR'S BETEOSPECTION
Dear Brethren in Cubist: —
It is about a year since I became interested in Pastor
Russell's Studies in the Scriptures, having first read his
lectures in the San Francisco Bulletin, and almost immediately
following, I ordered the first volume, and 1 think the fourth
and fifth; then the whole six. I have since had a few of the
first volumes circulating, with the hope that they will be appreciated
as I appreciate the light. There has been a continual
flow of light as I read volume after volume. Am now reading
the sixth and still progressing, and anticipate more pleasure
, truth and strength as I peruse them again. But all this
lias not been without its trials. I can now see my own weak
ness and unworthiness. 1 can see the pitiful condition of the
world, the confusion, the egotism of man. Romans 1:25 —
what a meaning and what a picture!
A year ago, in my estimation the Bible was not much of
a book. I thought it something of a history, but not to be
taken too seriously. No doubt I gave my opinion in that way
many times, and I had never read it; in fact, I knew nothing
about it, but was willing to express my opinion just the same!
Perhaps this came from the fact that I was reared a Iloman
Catholic. Jn my boyhood days we had Bible History, a book
of its own kind,* and no doubt for its own purpose.
What a difference in one year! All the years before I
began to read Scripture Studies, I was aimlessly knocking
about, in mental slavery and full of self-conceit. I was
seeking truth, and I thought I saw truth in Socialism that
was better than our churches of today. In Christian Science,
I thought I saw something better than the hell of torment,
but could not see how Mrs. Eddy could take what she wanted
of the Bible and leave out the rest! I could not see real
Christianity in a capitalized Christianity. I mean, I thought
Christ's church should be where his people are; and then I
could not see anything very definite in Christian Science; yet
I was trying to "master it when I read Pastor Russell's lectures
and began sending for his books. Now I see how logical
and reasonable the law of God is — just what it should
be! How could a Master Builder be without a definite plan!
And how corroborative the Bible is of this wonderful and yet
so reasonable plan! The higher critics in their conceit have
caused a world of confusion. 1 shudder when I think of the
blindness in Catholicism, Surely Catholicism is closely related
to heathenism! Last-hour repentance is one of the strong
points of the Roman Catholic church. That in itself showb
the blindness that is upon Catholics; and the others are very
much the same.
Sincerely yours in Christ, C. J. Fry.— Calif.
WILL CONTINUE TO CO-OPERATE IN THE WOBK
Resolved, That we feel keenly the loss of our Pastor and
friend, but rejoice* in the assurance that he is now with the
Lord in glory; and that his passing into the heavenly courts
has quickened our zeal to press more faithfully along the
"narrow way" that we, too, may join that happy throng.
And be it further
Resolved, That we hereby assure the faithful officers of
the W. T. B. & T. Society of our continued cooperation and
hearty support in the advancement of the glad tidings so long
as this work is conducted in the manner and spirit as exemplified
by our beloved Pastor; and be it further
Resolved, That we will continue to pray for the general
interests of the work, that while we cannot now ask God
to bless our dear Pastor as we have formerly done, yet we
can and will ask him to bless the memory of our dear Brother
Russell. Atlanta Ecclesia. — Ga.
"THINKING MOBE EABNESLY THAN EVEB BEFORE' 1
Bear Brethren: —
The reading of the article about the V. D. M. Questions
in the June 1 Watch Tower set me at thinking more earnestly
than ever before, what a great responsibility, as well as
a privilege, it is to be a servant of the Lord and the brethren.
By studying those questions more carefully, I came to the
conclusion that I could not have the Lord's approval in letting
this opportunity go by to give testimony of what I have
learned in the school of Christ, since he has called me out
of darkness into his marvelous light.
So, dear Brethren, I kindly ask you to send me one of
those V. D. M. Question blanks, so that by trying to answer
them, I may show forth his praises. With much Christian
love.
Your brother and servant in Christ, C. Nousen. — Wis.
LONG-LOOKED-FOR SEVENTH VOLUME
Last winter, under the supervision of the Society, the
compilation of the matter for the Seventh Volume was begun.
A short time ago the work was finished and sent to the
printer. It was learned that, in order to get the volume out
this summer at all on account of other heavy contracts which
might later interfere, the publication must be put upon the
press at on^e. Hence it was rushed; and when the printing
was about done, it was thought that the volume might be
placed in a carton and sent to Tower subscribers, so that
everyone might receive it at the same time; this was done.
The price is sixty cents per volume. Increased cost of paper
and labor makes the cost of the book more.
Brother Russell often spoke about writing the seventh
volume, and one of his last utterances about it was to this
effect: "Whenever I find the key, I will write the seventh
volume; and if the Lord gives the key to someone else, he
can write it" — or words to that effect. Brother Russell's
modesty and humility may have prevented him from seeing
the key. When you read the seventh volume, you may readily
discover that Brother Russell himself is the key. This volume
shows Brother Russell's relationship to the church as the
seventh messenger. It is quite wonderful to see how this
is shown both in Revelation and in Ezekiel, and both books
are herein harmonized.
The Society feels quite sure that the friends in reading
this volume will greatly rejoice and it hopes that the book
will be a strength and comfort to the church in the hour
of need. To colporteurs and others the price of the volume,
in lots of fifty, will be forty cents, carriage added. The Society
hopes that the colporteurs will take up the sale of it
quickly.
We take this method of acknowledging receipt cl remittances
for the volume, and also for orders for it and to give
assurance that these will be rilled as rapidly as possible.
Orders for Karatol and India paper editions are being
entered on the books. These orders will be filled as soon aa
these editions are ready — about six weeks. Karatol, 60c
India paper, leather bound, $1 postpaid.