The Watchtower, November 15, 1918
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Vol. XXXIX
PITTSBURGH, PA., NOVEMBER 15, 1918
No. 22
SELF^DENIAl^-ITS PURPOSE AND ITS IMPORTANCE
"Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that
Denying one's self is self- denial. In considering what
is meant by the phrase, "denying one's self," we, must distinguish
as to what self is and what are the self -rights. Upon
mature reflection we perceive that our personality, our ego,
is represented by our will. Evidently, then, our Lord requires
that every one who becomes his disciple shall surrender his
own will — "all that he hath"; for elsewhere the Master says:
"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take
up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24) Whether
our will be good or bad, strong or weak, it must be given up
when we consecrate ourselves to do the will of God; and when
once we have surrendered our own will to do the divine will,
it follows that henceforth we are to do God's will to the best
of our ability in every matter.
After our consecration to do the will of God, and the subsequent
acceptance on the part of our heavenly Father through
Jesus Christ our Lord, we were begotten of the holy Spirit as
sons of God, new creatures in Christ. This transaction meant
that we gave up self-will and accepted God's will instead of
our own on all subjects. This matter of giving up one's
own will in order to do the will of another is a moat radical
proposition. Indeed, the yielding up of the will to any one
except the heavenly Father is the most dangerous thing we
can do. Very grave mistakes have been made in this way.
In various cults, in denominational bodies and in political
circles the surrender of the individual will, the failure to
maintain a personal responsibility, has resulted in many
serious mistakes and in much evil practise.
THE STABT OF THE HEW 0KMTXO1T
In the case of those who have surrendered their will to
God the matter is altogether different, however. God has
given our Lord Jesus Christ to be the Head over the church
which is his body, and of which the consecrated, spirit-hegotten
children of God are the members in particular. No
one could properly be a member of the body of Christ if he
retained his own individual human will. This fact is well
illustrated in the human 'body, every member of which is
fully under the control of the head, unless the body is seriously
diseased. The hands, the feet, etc., have no volition of their
own, but respond to the will of the brain. And bo it is with
the members of the body of Christ; they are subject to the
will of the Head, our Lord Jesus.
At first the new creature seems to have been nothing but
a wilL Originally as a human being he 'had a body, a mind,
and a will which represented his personality, his ego, his
being. But while he was still a natural man a proposition
came to him: If he would heartily comply with certain
terms and conditions, God would give him a change of nature
from human to spirit. This change evidently would mean a
new body, a new mind and a new will, in order that the new
creature could adapt himself to his new environment. But
in the divine arrangement for the Gospel age those who accepted
this proposition received neither a new body nor a new
mind first, but a new will, with the promise that the other
two requirements would be given in the resurrection, as a result
of cheerful compliance with all the terms of the covenant
entered into with God at the time of consecration.
Thus the first step on the part of those who accepted the
divine proposition to become members of the new creation
was that of giving up the human will. Whoever took this
step contracted to become dead as a human being—not that
his human body or his human brain died, not that he lost
the power to think, but that he promised to forgo his human
personality and experience in order to be ruled thereafter
by a new will, the will of God. Those who have taken this
step of full consecration are accepted of the Father through
our Lord Jesus Christ, and have been begotten of the holy
Spirit as new creatures in Christ,
NEW WILL THE NEW CBEATTJRE
At the present time this new will is all that there is of
the new creature. At the time of his spirit^begetting this
new will had not yet attained control of the mind or of the
body; but it is expected to conquer them, to bring them into
obedience to the new standard of living. The new will should
control the brain as to what things may be proper subjects
of thought and what things may not be so considered. This
new creature is exhorted to put away from his mind all selfish
lines of thought, and to put far away from him all anger,
wrath, malice, hatred, strife, works of the flesh, and to put
on meekness, gentleness, patience, brotherly kindness and love.
From the Word of God the new creature learns that the
former spirit, mind or disposition of anger, malice, hatred,
he hath, cannot be my disciple." — Luke 14:33.
is of the flesh and of the devil, but that the spirit of meekness
, gentleness, patience, brotherly kindness, love, is the
spirit, mind or disposition of Christ, and is in accord with
God. He also learns that since he has heen begotten of the
holy Spirit of God, his human will must be kept dead, that
his new will is to be God's will, and that it must not operate
except in line with the divine arrangements. As the new
creature develops, he gains more and more control over the
mind, the body, the acts, the thoughts. It is the new will
which is thus gaining control of the human body — the will of
the new creature. This divine new will is entirely upon
God's side, and hopes to receive some day the things promised
in the Word of God to the overcomers of the Gospel age.
When we characterize this new will as being divine, we do
not mean to imply that there is no individuality about the
new creature, however; for our Lord Jesus still maintains his
individuality, and it is written that the church, the new
creation, shall be like him. — 1 John 3:1, 2; 2 Peter 1:4;
Philippians 2:8-11.
The holy Spirit i3 the same disposition or mind, whether
the Father or the Son or the church possesses it. When at
the moment of spirit-begetting we received the impartation
of this holy Spirit, we began to take on the divine spirit, or
disposition. In other words, we have been making the divine
mind ,ours. As the Apostle Paul intimates, we are being
transformed, formed over, by the renewing of our minds, in
order that we may prove more and more the good, the acceptable
, the perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1, 2) As
gradually our minds expand to grasp that will, we are enabled
more and more to appreciate the lengths and breadths
and heights and depths of the divine mind; and we say to
ourselves: "This is what I am aiming to reach." Thus our
will is endeavoring continually to do the divine will, the diTinfe
purpose; for we have taken over to ourselves the mind
of Christ, who delighted to do the Father's will.
DESIBE TO DO BIGHT NOT SUFFICIENT
"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself
and take up his cross," setting aside his own will, disposing
of it forever. If at any future time a will which is contrary
to God's will should develop, then the whole transaction would
be at an end; for the covenant o£ sacrifice into which we
entered at consecration involves the death of the old mind
and the old will. The new creature must never permit the
will of the flesh to come into control again. So it is the new
will that is^ working out the victory for the new creature;
and every victory won over the flesh leads to the consummation
, the death of the human nature.
In Philippians 2:12 the Apostle Paul exhorts the new
creature in Christ to work out his own salvation with fear
and trembling. How necessary it is for us to battle against
the adverse conditions of the human body, as well as against
those of the world and of the devil! God has started his
spirit-begotten children in this narrow way of giving up their
own will and taking the divine will instead, of determining
to live in harmony with God's will. # VVe are to do his will
even to the extent of sacrificing the" human body. God is
looking on to see whether or not we are overcoming self in
this respect; for only the more than overcomers shall receive
the promised glory, honor and immortality — the divine
nature.
It is God who is working in us, the Apostle declares, as
new creatures. He began that work when he drew us to
himself through the knowledge of his provision through Christ
Jesus for our salvation, and when he accepted us in the Beloved
and begat us of his holy Spirit, Continually he gives
us fresh beauties in his Word. But while God is working
upon our wilte, we must see to it that we go further than
merely having the desire to do right. We must make strenuous
efforts to put our desire into operation.
OTO WILLS NOT OUB THOUGHTS
We must make sure that we do not mistake our thoughts
for our will. The will ia the decision, the determination of
the majority of those faculties of the brain which constitute
the mentality. The will of the flesh actually dies at the moment
of consecration; and we receive the will of God instead,
thenceforth to be our will. But we retain our human bodies,
with the old brain, which has the same tendencies after consecration
as before. When we accepted the will of God instead
of our own will we did not fully understand that new will;
but as time went on, the divine will became more and more
apparent to us.
This determination to accept the will of God as our will
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was not made for a day or a week or even a year, but for
eternity. We are resolved to have no other will than that
which God gives, that which he approves, that which is in
harmony with him. Yet as we go on from day to day, new
scenes arise before us. Sometimes our earthly senses seem
to sidetrack us, and in many things we may feel that we are
at liberty to choose what we shall do. But as we progress, we
may learn that God has expressed himself in these very
matters about which we had thought we might exercise our
own preference.
If, for instance, we should say: "It is God's will that I
should be his ambassador. What kind of coat shall I wear?
What style of tie would be appropriate?" we have come to
realize that the interests of God and of his cause are linked
up with ours. Thus we have new thoughts upon the matter
of our personal appearance. As soon as we perceive this
point, we say to ourselves: "I bad thought that my former
course was the right one; but now I see that the divine interests
are linked up with this matter; and God's will must
rule in all the affairs of my life."
Each new circumstance surrounding us "is a test of our
loyalty to God. Therefore just as surely as we are loyal to
him we shall choose his way; and the promptness with which
we do whatever we see to be the Father's will becomes a test
of our loyalty to him. On the other hand, we might hold
to a thing that was contrary to the divine will, saying, "What
difference will it make to the Father whether I do this thing
or that?" Thus every circumstance of life forms a test
of our devotion to God and to tlie principles of righteousness.
We can have only one will. It we have truly presented ourselves
to God in consecration and have been accepted by him
and begotten as new creatures in Christ, then old things have
passed away and all things have become new.
HYPNOTIC INPHTBNCB OF SIN
As a matter of fact, however, the only thing that has
actually become new is the will; for although we have new
hopes, new aims, new aspirations, new desires, they are only
the outworkings of that new will. If at any time we should
return to a love of sin intentionally, wilfully, this act on our
part would mean that the new will had died, had ceased to
be, and that a human will had come into existence. Since the
Father does not purpose to beget any one of the holy Spirit
the second time, whoever had become an old creature again
would have no opportunity of ever getting out of that state.
He would be ""twice dead, plucked up by the roots," as the
Apostle declares. — Jude 12, 13.
But there are those who, while possessing the new will
and still clinging to it, are brought into subjection to the
flesh in some measure. For a time such might seem to be
willing to do wrong and to have changed their will from a
right one to a wrong one; whereas in reality they may not
have done so at all. On the contrary they have been temporarily
overcome by the fleshly appetites and desires common
to the natural man. As new creatures in Christ God's
people wish to bring every thought into captivity to the divine
will. This ia the earnest endeavor of the new will, the
new creature. But sometimes the flesh advances such plausible
theories, such false reasonings, that the new will seems
to be beguiled (2 Corinthians 11:3) by the fleshly mind, just
as a little bird 13 said to be hypnotized by a serpent. While
every now and then the bird might try to fly away from the
serpent, yet the latter watches it, allures it, draws it nearer
and nearer, until finally it loses all power to get away.
This illustration well represents the overpowering effects
of sin. (Hebrews 3:12, 13) Under the influence of the flesh,
the new will may 'become more or less hypnotized, more or
less under a spell. For this reason the Scriptures urge all
new creatures to make no provision for the flesh. We are
ever to remember that the. flesli wars against the spirit continually
. Therefore we are to be circumspect, to look aH
around us, and to note what conditions are about us. Before
we undertake any project, we should ask ourselves:
"Did I ever get into trouble by following this course heretofore
? Am I in danger of 'being misled by such a course?"
And so the Apostle urges new creatures to make straight
paths for their feet, lest that which in themselves has been
blemished by sin should turn them away from righteousness.
— Heb. 12:11-15.
We are to do our very best to make our path as smooth
as possible. But if despite our earnest efforts we get into
a quagmire, we are not to be overwhelmed with discouragement
; for the promise is that God will not suffer his loyalhearted
children to be tempted above that which they are able
to bear, but with every trial will provide a way of escape.
(1 Corinthians 10:13) " In every circumstance of life we are
to look to our heavenly Father' knowing that he is the one
to help us. If we find ourselves involved in difficulties, ■ we
are to endeavor to extricate ourselves from them, remembering
that God has made provision for our escape from what
otherwise might prove to be too much for us. This course
on our part implies that the new creature does not consent
to the deeds of the flesh, but is seeking to take another course,
is striving for the right way, even though for the time being
it may have been hypnotized, lulled to sleep, on* guard.
DISTINCTION BETWEEN MIND AND WILL
Of necessity the mind and the will are very closely related.
Yet they are evidently not the same; for the mind can entertain
, consider and discuss a variety of contradictory propositions
, while the will is the determination in respect to a certain
clearly defined course. The will may, however, direct
the mind to discuss both sides of any proposition. In thus
calling upon the faculties of the mind to consider any subject
and to set forth the reasons pro and con, the new will has to
do with the mind of the fallen flesh. From experience along
this line the new will becomes conscious of the fact that it
is dealing with a treacherous opponent, that certain elements
of the mind are sure to be hostile to the new will. Consequently
the new will should always restrict the mind as to
the nature of the subjects to be considered and as to how
far the discussion should be permitted to proceed.
From this we see that the new will must limit the operation
of the mind, and that consequently various complications
may result. If the will is weak, if it lacks experience,
it may not be critical enough; and those faculties of the mind
which are not in harmony with the new will may come forward
with their strong arguments on the wrong side of the
subject under consideration. Thus the whole being might be
led into a wrong attitude, or even into actual sin of word,
deed or thought. The new will has accepted the divine standard
, which is superior to the fleshly brain which the new
creature must use. This divine standard, which is the highest
possible, and which cannot be changed, is revealed to us in
the words of our Lord and the apostles. It is not to be
swayed by the prejudices of the fallen flesh, but is to rule
both body and mind. Hence the battle waged by the new
creature is a conflict between the fleshly mind and the new will.
The two are contrary.
But since the new creature has accepted the will of God,
the mind of God, the purpose of God, he must rule his mortal
body according to that standard, until finally the experiences
which he undergoes in the school of Christ shall have developed
him and prepared him for the new foody which is to
be given him in the resurrection.
A soul, a sentient being, is the result of the union of the
life principle with an organism. (Genesis 2:7) When an
organism and the life principle are united they produce a
soul. Such are the human souls all about us. In the case
of the church of Christ, to each one of us individually there
came A time when we ceased to be human souls, and became
new creatures In Christ. (2 Corinthians 5; 17) But
while we reckon ourselves dead indeed as human beings, yet
we have only the human body in which to operate, as the
Apostle declares. — Romans 6:3-8, 16-19; Ool. 3:1-3.
HOW TO BECOME AN OVERCOMES
St. Paul also tells us that the power of God is able to
quicken the mortal body in which the new creature sojourns,
and that these new souls will not be without proper opportunity
for service. More and more the fleshly body is to be
brought into subjection to the new will; for the new creature
dwells in an earthly tabernacle. If faithful, he will be by
and by given a new body, a spiritual body. This combination
of the new life imparted at spirit-begetting and the human
body is the soul which God counts as a new creature. But
it is not a perfect new creature, and will not be until God's
properly arranged time.
From the foregoing argument we perceive that the value
which we attach to words has. much to do with our understanding
of a^y matter. There is more or less of a philosophy
about all oUi* conversation; Taking man as the Bible does —
in his fallen, sinful condition — and inquiring about the human
will, we find that under present unfavorable conditions
it is selfish, self-seeking. In all fallen beings there is more
or less of selfishness, of the desire to look out for one's own
interests, to please self and to take whatever course one prefers
. This condition may continue for years. Thus the person
may have heard of God's great proposition that whoever
will set aside his own will and take the will of God instead
shall in the resurrection have a change of nature from human
to spiritual. This full consecration to do the will of God
means the making void the human will in order to do the divine
will. Those believers in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus
Christ who accepted this proposition were accepted of the
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THE WATCH TOWER
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Father through our Lord Jesus, and begotten of t the holy
Spirit. Thus they were started in the narrow way of life
eternal. Immediately they entered the school of Christ, there
to .be fitted for the high position to which they were called.
In this school our Lord's true followers have made progress
toward the full overcoming of the spirit of the world. This
progress can be achieved only by faith, by that implicit confidence
in the Master's teaching and training which will keep
them continually as earnest, diligent pupils under his guidance
and instruction. "This is the victory which overcometh
the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4) This text is very
suggestive of what it is to be an overcomer, to be one of those
to whom pertain all the great and precious promises of the
Word of God. The suggestion is simply this: Day by day
we are to heed attentively and carry out patiently the instructions
of our infallible Teacher and Guide in full, unquestioning
faith in hia wisdom and his love, no matter how
heavy the daily cross may be or how severe the discipline.
The process is indeed tedious; but the end will be glorious.
Even the daily discipline will, if borne patiently and meekly,,
bring the present reward of conscious progress in the great
work of attaining the goal of ripened Christian character.
INCORRUPTION AND IMMORTALITY— DISTINCTION BETWEEN
THESE TERMS
"This corruption must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" — 1 Corinthians 15:53.
Through his word God declares that those who become
his people during this Gospel age, become new creatures in
Christ, to whom old things pass away and all things become
new. {2 Corinthians 5:17) To those who are spirituallyminded
there is very great evidence indeed that this is true;
and yet this doctrine of spirit-begetting might be unrecognized
by those who have not taken the step of full consecration to
God. "Here a little and there a little" is the method we must
pursue in order to see the deep things of God's Word; for this
seems to be the one general principle upon which these "deep
things" were recorded; and they will be revealed only in this
manner. Those who study the Bible superficially overlook
everything of importance; and as a result they find only a
part of the truth. But those who search the Scriptures diligently
axe enabled to discern a wonderful plan whieh others
have failed to perceive; for those who are not of the right
class cannot see the truth in its clearness, beauty and harmonv
' IMMORTALITY AKB INOORRUFTION
Those who have the right spirit will desire to know what
the Lord ha3 in reservation for his people; and this desire
gives opportunity for the operation of the spirit of truth, and
leads them to come together for Bible study. Thus, as they
are searching to know the divine plan, the Lord reveals it
more and more to them, "here a little and there a little"; and
these littles make a great aggregate. In this way many doctrines
long lost eight of have been brought to light. Among
these is that of the resurrection of the dead.
The words "mortar' and "immortal" are not generally understood
. The ordinary definition of mortal is dying, and of
immortal, everlasting. Both of these definitions are wrong.
Bible students have learned that in the study of God's Word
confusion is unavoidable unless the true meaning of these
words is clearly recognized. Mortal is a word which means
liable to death; mortality, a state or condition in which death
is possible, but not necessarily a dying condition unless a
death sentence has been incurred. Immortal means not liable
to death; immortality signifies the state or condition in which
death is an impossibility- — a death -proof condition.
To those who think that the Bible contains many such
phrases as "immortal soul," "never-dying soul," etc., we can
do nothing better than suggest that they take a Bible concordance
and look for such expressions. They will find none;
and thus those who are really seeking to know the truth on
these subjects will readily perceive that Christian people in
general have for centuries been mentally adding to the Word
of God, much to their own confusion.
According to the Scriptures the angels have life everlasting
, but are mortal; that is, their life continues everlastingly
not because they are immortal, or death-proof, and so
could not be developed by their Creator, but because he purposes
that they shall live as long as they will use their lives
in harmony with his just and loving arrangement. That this
is true is demonstrated by the fact that Satan is eventually
to be destroyed. — Hebrews 2:14; Psalm 145:20; 2 Thessalonians
1 :9.
Before Adam's disobedience, his life condition was similar
to that now enjoyed by the holy angels. He had life in full
measure — lasting life — which he might have retained forever
if he had remained obedient to God. But because Adam was
not death-proof, because he did not have "life in himself," because
he was dependent upon conditions subject to his Creator
's pleasure, therefore God's warning that disobedience
would result in death meant something. {Genesis 2:17;
Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 6:23) It meant the loss of the
spark of life given Adam when he was created — "the breath
of life." without which his body would moulder into dust, and
the living soul, the sentient being, would cease to exist. If
father Adam had been immortal, death-proof, God's sentence
would have been an empty threat, as Satan has made it appear
to be through hia lie to mother Eve. — Genesis 3:1-5; 2 Corinthians
11:3; Revelation 20 : 2.
But while the Scriptures speak of man's mortality, and indeed
in nearly all particulars confine themselves to man's
relationship to God, yet they no less positively teach in another
way the mortality of angels; for they declare that Christ
"only hath immortality" (1 Timothy 6:16) — the Father, as
always, excepted. (I Corinthians 15:27) Immortality is a
quality of the divine nature, and was given to our Lord after
his resurrection as a reward for his faithful obedience to the
Father's will even to the extent of self-sacrifice. This exaltation
raised him, as the Apostle declares, far above angels,
principalities and powers, and every name that is named in
heaven and in earth. — Philippians " 2 : 9 ; Epheaians 1:21; 1
John 3:2; 2 Peter 1:4.
RESURRECTION THE ONLY HOPE OF THE WORLD
As the result of Adam's trial in Eden, the death sentence
passed upon him, and by the laws of heredity has -been inherited
by all his posterity. But as the result of the ransom
price laid down at Calvary, the opportunity for a new
trial is to be granted in due time to each member of the
human family; and only a favored minority get such opportunity
and trial during this Gospel age, appointed for the
church class. This means the rolling back of the original
sentence of death, and the bringing of all mankind into a
condition of judgment, or trial, for everlasting life, on the
basis of their individual obedience or disobedience. This fact
necessitates the awakening of the dead. Therefore we find
that the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead has a very
prominent place in the Scriptures. — Acta 24:14-16; 26:6-8;
John 5:25, 28, 29.
The Scriptures teach that at the proper time all mankind
will be granted a full trial, or judgment, to determine their
worthiness or unworthiness of life everlasting. Not only
those living at that time will be granted this opportunity,
but those who have gone into the tomb will be awakened from
the death sleep to be judged. This judgment day for all mankind
is located in the Millennial age, even as the Gospel age
is the day of judgment for the church. In ita highest and
ultimate sense restitution will be the bringing of mankind not
only out of the tomb, but out of the various degrees of death,
represented in sickness and imperfection, up, up, up, to lasting
life, such as father Adam enjoyed before his disobedience.
Full opportunity to attain this blessing of life everlasting will
be granted to all who are willing and obedient under the
reasonable terms of the New Covenant which is to be made
with Israel in due time. — Jeremiah 31:31-34.
THE RESURRECTION OF THE CHURCH
The phrase "first resurrection" is applied in Scripture to
the resurrection of our Lord Jesus and the church which is
his body. (Revelation 20:4-6; Philippians 3:10) This expression
has the thought of chief resurrection, resurrection to
the highest, chief position. All who share in it will have divine
nature — glory, honor and immortality. But if we were
to mention time and order in connection with it, we would
speak of our Lord's resurrection as the Head of the Christ
nineteen centuries ago — in the year 33 A. D. — and the resurrection
of the church in 1878. Since then, each member of the
church receives his resurrection "change" as he passes beyond
the vail. Hence we believe that the first resurrection
is still in progress,
St. Paul mentions his intense desire to be made a sharer
in our Lord's resurrection — the great first resurrection, the
resurrection to the spirit plane — a partaker of the divine
nature. In order to attain this distinction, he was anxious
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to make his calling and election sure by being made conformable
unto our Lord's death, by being a, living sacrifice; for he
realized that only thus could he attain membership in the
glorified body of Christ.
TWO CLASSES IN THE BESTJSBECTION
In the context from which our text is taken, the Apostle
is discussing this first resurrection. He says, "Behold, I
show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all
bo changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the
last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this
corruption must put on incorruption, and this mortal must
put on immortality." Here he mentions two classes — those
who had died in Clirist during the Gospel age and those who
remained alive at his second coming. These classes are also
pointed out in 1 Thes&alonians 4:13-17.
In this connection the Apostle seems to use the words
mortal and immortality, corruptible and incorruption, in
such a way as to imply a distinction between them. Apparently
he applies the words corruptible and incorruption
when he speaks of those who would have gone into the tomb,
and mortal and immortality when he mentions those who
would not yet have passed into death when our Lord returns.
Those who had gone into the tomb, into corruption, would
put on incorruption ; but those who were still alive would
put on immortality. Those who are mortal are liable to
death; those of the church who remained alive at the time of
the second advent would in their resurrection "change" receive
the body that is not liable to death. The terms corruptible
and incorruption seemingly refer to those o«f the body
of Christ who were dead at the time of our Lord's return, and
the words mortal and immortality to those who remained alive
at that time onward until the last member had experienced
his resurrection "change/*
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE OHUBOH IN THE FLESH
Addressing the new creatures in Christ, and informing
us that we are spirit-begotten, the Apostle tells ub that this
new creature has its residence in the old human body. (2
Corinthians 4:7; 5:1) We are no longer old creatures, because
the old will is gone. The new will has come in, and
taken possession of what was once the old person. The "old
man" and his works are cast off; and the "new man" begins
to use the mortal body in the service of God. The Apostle
Peter speaks of us aa in times past having done the will of
the flesh, and reminds us that henceforth we are to serve the
will of God, the will of Christ. (1 Peter 4:1-5) This new
will has no body of its own as yet, and for the time being
uses the old body.
In discussing this subject, St. Paul declares that the new
creature is to put off forever those things which are associated
with the fallen flesh — the works of the flesh and the devil;
such as anger, wrath, malice, hatred, strife, etc. Some have
by nature more of these weaknesses than have others; but
all have some of them. As a result, the new creature has a
continual work of putting off the things pertaining to the
fallen flesh. Meanwhile, the flesh is not counted the new
creature; but it is his body in the sense that he owns or controls
it. In other words, it is his property, and he is responsible
'for it.
The new body of the new creature is to-be a spirit body.
The Lord has promised that if we are faithful while we have
the treasure of the new mind in these earthen vessels he will
give us a new body of the kind which he has arranged for
us. This will be a spirit body of the divine nature, and will
have the quality of life in itself — immortality. But as long
as the new creature has the old body, there will be a constant
conflict between the new will and the flesh; for the new
will seeks to control it. Nevertheless, we as new creatures
are to maintain a good fight, recognizing that the things of
the spirit are contrary to the things of the flesh. The two
are contrary, irreconcilable; they can never come into harmony
. Therefore the new creature is to maintain a severe
attack of opposition until Anally he shall have won a complete
victory and the flesh shall be entirely overthrown. —
Romans 8:13, 14; Galatians 5:15-25.
The conquest of the fallen human nature will not be fully
accomplished until the flesh is fully dead. While the body is
counted dead at consecration, yet it is not actually dead until
it parts with life. The new creature uses this old body, but
is promised a new one at the resurrection of the just* This
change will be instantaneous, not gradual; as the Apostle declares
, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." — 1 Corinthians
15:52.
RESURRECTION BEGUN IN THE SAINTLY
The development of the new creature is a work of time.
It is a matter of the soul, the mind and the will, coming into
harmony with God and losing all harmony with sin. After
both mind and will have been tested and fully developed, the
new creature will be accounted worthy of the resurrection.
The Apostle tells us that it is sown in weakness, raised in
power; it 13 sown in dishonor, raised in glory; it is sown an
animal body; raised a spiritual body. We do not understand
this to mean that the body is sown, and that the body is
raised; but that what is sown is the ego, the individual, the
person who was once a fleshly or earthly being, but who has
become a new creature.
In this same connection the Apostle declares in our text
that this mortal must put on immortality. He seems to be
speaking of those who would be alive when our Lord returned.
He says that while we shall not all fall asleep in death, nevertheless
we shall all experience a change — from the earthly to
the heavenly nature; and that we who are in a mortal condition
will put on immortality. In other words, the resurrection
change of the church will complete the work which has
been going on for years. This work began when at our consecration
our wills were buried or immersed into the will of
Christ, immediately after which we were begotten of the holy
Spirit as new creatures in Christ, and raised to walk in newness
of life. But unless this resurection continues, we shall
not be ready for the consummation of the resurrection in the
end of the age, "at the last trump."
Meantime the faithful overcomers are continually putting
off the deeds of the old nature — anger, malice, hatred — and
putting on meekness, patience, long-suffering, brotherly-kindness
, love. Whoever is growing in truth is growing in all
these fruits and graces of the holy Spirit; and as he puts on
these qualities, he becomes strong as a new creature. Finally
he completes the matter by putting on his new body; for at
the time of bis "change" he ceases to have further use for
his human organism, and then he receives the spirit body
which God has promised. When this has been received, he
will have been perfected as a new creature in Christ.
Elsewhere in this same chapter from which our text is
taken, the Apostle indicates that in the resurrection there
will be different orders, or classes of those who come forth
from the tomb. (Verses 22, 23) First will come the church
of Christ, in the first resurrection. Next in order will be the
great company, those spirit-begotten ones who have failed to
make their calling and election sure. While this class, or
order, will have a glorious portion upon the spirit plane, yet
it will not be so high as that attained by the church, the
body of Christ. Another order to come forth in the resurrection
will be the ancient worthies, who have the testimony
that during their lifetime they had pleased God. (Hebrews
11:39-40) As to the orders to follow, we have no Scriptural
information.
Here it may be well to point out that the title "Church of
the Firstborn" (Hebrews 12:23) was evidently designed to
include all who would be born of the Spirit — not only the
little flock who attain the chief resurrection, but also the
great company who come up out of the great tribulation. In
the type the entire tribe of Levi was taken as representative
of all the firstborns of Israel, those who were spared when
the firstborns of Egypt perished. (Exodus 12:12, 13; Numbers
3:40-45) This tribe consisted of the priestly family,
high priest and under priests representing the little flock,
and the Levites representing the great company.
In a general way the Scriptures seem to pass by the great
company class, whatever is stated of them being done in an
inferential manner. If the Lord had made special promises
to them, it would imply that they had been called to occupy
that position; whereas the Scriptures plainly state that all
of the church are called in the one nope of their calling.
(Ephesians 4:4) -God did not call any one to the great company
. Those who are finally assigned to that position receive
it as a kind" of secondary reward, inferior to that which was
originally offered them.
THE BINDING OF THE STRONG MAN
"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent which is the devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years"
— Revelation 20:2.
[Reprint of article published in issue of May I, 1910, which please see.]
[6S55]
JOSEPH MADE RULER OF EGYPT
[The first ten paragraphs of this article were reprinted from article entitled, "In the School of Adversity," published in
issue of October 1, 1901. Paragraphs 11 to 18 were reprinted from article entitled, "Far God Was With Him/' published
in the same issue. The remainder was reprinted from article entitled, "Them That Honor Me I Will Honor," published in
issue of April 15, 1907. Please see the articles named,]
A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
We thank thee, Father, for this day;
We thank thee for the narrow way,
For love and joy and peace of heart,
Foiling the tempter's cunning art.
We thank thee for the mind to do
Thy sovereign will the whole day through,
To take each moment as a gift
Divinely sent us, to uplift
Some fellow pilgrim on the way,
Or check the thought that fain would stray
Afar from thee and speed its way
To earth's dull care or revels gay.
We thank thee for a mind intent
On counting tests as blessings sent
Straight from the courts of heavenly love
To bind our souls to things above.
We thank thee for faith's anchorage,
That doth our every power engage
To reach that land where 5s no night,
Where d.wells the Lamb, thereof the Light.
With grateful hearts thy love we own;
We thank thee for the gracious loan,
Through Christ, of merit for each hour
Till we shall waken, "raised in power."
JOSEPH FORGIVES HIS BROTHERS
{The first fifteen paragraphs and the last paragraph of this article were reprinted from article entitled, "Blessed are the
Merciful," published in issue of April 15, 1907. The remainder was reprinted from article entitled, "Joseph the Merciful/'
published in issue of October 15, 1901. Please see the articles named.]
OUR LORD JESUS' PRE-HUMAN EXISTENCE
Question. — Before his consecration, had Jesus any knowledge
of his pre-human existence!
Answer. — There is nothing in the Scriptures to the effect
that up to the time when Jesus made his consecration and
was begotten of the holy Spirit he had a definite knowledge
respecting his pre-human existence. The fact that nothing of
that kind is stated, however, would not prove that hti.did not
have some information regarding the matter. We read that
as a boy he grew in wisdom, in -stature and in favor with God
and men. We know that in boyhood he was studying the
Word of God, the prophecies, the law. Even as a child he
had come to a sufficiency of knowledge to enable him to think
out quite clearly the meaning of some of the prophecies, to
see that he had a great work to do, and to conjecture as to
the nature of that work.
This is shown in his meeting with the doctors of the law
at the age of twelve, hearing them and asking them questions
respecting the prophecies, seeking to know to what extent he
might be eligible for some kind of service to God as a boy,
or what would be the starting point at which he would begin
his ministery. Having ascertained that he could not begin his
work until he reached the age of thirty, he returned home,
content to wait until that time. There is no indication of any
special knowledge or impartation of the Spirit of God until
he consecrated himself and was baptized at Jordan.
From his mother Jesus must have gained some knowledge
of his origin — of how he came into the world. His mother
did not know of his pre-human existence; but she had been,
informed by the angel that her son would not be born after
the manner of men. He had said to Mary: "The holy Spirit
shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall
overshadow thee; therefore that holy thing which shall he
born of thee shall be called the Son of God." And to Joseph
the angel said: "That which is conceived in her is of the holy
Spirit. So Mary undoubtedly told her son that he had not a
human father, but that hi<s Father was God. All our knowledge
of our Lord's pre-existent condition comes to us from
Scriptures written later, and from the Master's own words
after he was begotten of the holy Spirit.
Just how and when Jesus came to know of his pre-existence
with the Father we do not know. It seems doubtful that he
knew <xf this before his spirit-begetting. After he was begotten
of the Spirit, the deep things of God were opened up
to him. He then saw from the Scriptures of the Old Testament
that he was to be the slain lamb; that he would later be
restored to the heavenly plane of life, and that he was to be
honored of the Father after his sacrificial work for man.
We know that his pre-existence was made very plain and
clear to Jesua; for he declared this on various occasions.
He said: "What and if the Son of Man shall ascend up where
he was before?" Again, "Before Abraham was, I am." (John
6r62; 8:58) In his last prayer with his disciples before
his crucifixion, he prayed : "And now, Father, glorify thou
me with the glory which I had with thee before the world
was; Thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."
He spoke of himself as the "bread which cometh down from
heaven." Again he said: 'The bread of God is he which
cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world."
St. John calls him the Word, the Logos, which was "in the
beginning with the God," and declares that "all things were
made by him, and without him was nothing made that was
made." — John 1:1-3.
LETTERS FROM AFIELD
BESOLVED TO * 'ABIDE IN THE SHIP"
Dear Brethren: —
I desire to express my continued appreciation of The
Watch Tower, and my complete confidence that the same
loving Providence which guided our Pastor in founding the
Tower (Z '16, page 173) continues to guide and direct the
Editorial Committee in their labors of love through its
columns. How short is the memory which forgets the oft
repeated assurances of Brother Russell that The Watch
Tower is the Lord's channel for the truth and that he was
its servant? What a loyal "faithful servant" he proved himself
to be, even to the very last! And now, though passed
from the busy scenes of his earthly labors, he still ministers;
for his "works do follow" him.
The Word says that "hope deferred maketh the heart
sick." The spring of 1918, like the fall of 1914, brought disappointment
to many hearts. Nevertheless we can, and do,
look up and lift up our heads as we behold the multiplied
evidences of "the effect of every vision." As in the past,
so now each disappointment brings its trials and siftinga ;
but when the clouds have gone, greatest opportunities come
for service. (Z '16, page 170) "They that wait upon the
Lord shall renew their strength," and we have found it bo.
I am glad that according to the will of God I am still here
and pressing toward the mark for the prize.
But it is sad to note that many once loyal and obedient
no longer walk with us, some even opposing the way of the
truth. Can it be that such were heedless of repeated warnings
to "resist everything akin to occultism," and have given
ear to evil suggestions, have become victims of abbreviation
and so have made shipwreck of their faith? Such foolish
and subversive suggestions as: "The Watch Tower is no
longer the channel," 'The manna ceased at Passover," "The
present executive committee are usurpers," etc., are finding
free circulation in some quarters. Are these brethren going
Mind? Even a superficial examination of Brother Russell's
writings would reveal the folly of such suggestions. In the
Tower of 1909, page 234, the Pastor says: "Truth tests
character." Yet these brethren argue that error has crept
into its columns to teat the church. Whither are they drifting
? A careful reading of the Tower for 1909, top of page
287; that of 1910, page 391; and that of 191S, page 85, may
serve to open the eyes of some to their danger. See also
Proverbs 26:17-28.
I fully believe that the Lord is still at the helm, guiding
the Society's affairs as of old, even as he promised:
"Awake, O sword . . . against the man that is my fellow,
. . . and I will turn my hand over the little [humble]
ones." As far as I am concerned, through the grace of him
that never faileth, I am resolved to "abide in the ship."
(346-350)
[6356]
November 15, 1918
THE WATCH TOWER
(350-351)
The Pastor's words are true: "Whatever may 'be the difficulties
of the Lord's children in the near future, there will
be special comfort in remembering that the Lord i<s able to
make full provision for all his truehearted ones, and that
he will do so. Ho will continue to use these agencies; and
there will be the strengthening of his people to the end of the
way. If there be any who will not be thus led, it must be
because there is something wrong in themselves," — Z 1915,
page 370.
If I read my Bible aright and understand the Pastor's
thought, much remains to be done before the kingdom of
Christ assumes full control; and surely ;the faithful, loyal
disciples will be honored, as in the past, with further opportunities
for service. Yes; the church will emerge from its
"dungeon." (Jeremiah 38) May we all be found faithful!
YVith assurances of love toward the Bethel family, and
praying the Lord's rich blessing upon you in your new quarters
, I am
Your fellow servant, W. A. B. — Oregon.
GREETINGS FROM AFAB
Dear Brethren: —
The Rockdale church of the I. B. S. A. all unite in sending
love and greetings to all their brethren in Chri-st. We realize
that all the ways of God are good; yea, all the paths of the
Lord are mercy and truth unto such as love him. The Lord
deals graciously with his people. Though he puts them into
the furnace, he will not suffer it to be heated one degree more
than is needful. He presides over it himself. In the midst
of all their trials, he never leaves nor forsakes them. It ia
delightful to consider that the sufferings which the footstep followers
of our Master are now called upon to endure are the only
sufferings which they shall ever experience. God is a sovereign
good and wise. Who can harm us if we be followers of that
which is good? Suffering we may endure, but real injury we
shall not sustain; for Eternal Truth has declared that ajl
things shall work together for good to them that love God,
to the called according to his purpose.
May we all make the glory of God our first and chief
concern : If Jesus be precious to us, and all else esteemed
as nothing when compared with him, we shall be able to walk
before God with a perfect heart, upright and sincere, setting
the Lord always before us and doing all things to the glory
of his name. Let our whole desire be that Christ may be
magnified in our bodies, whether it be by life or death.
The church here numbers about thirty, and was formed
about twenty months ago, the Lord having sent his messenger,
Brother Gates, to this district, to sow this field. We are in
full accord with the studies in the scriptures; and the
watoh towebs are much appreciated by all and are eagerly
read and, being "meat in due season," bring comfort and
hope, and give us greater zeal in our Master's work.
Praying that God will bless and sustain you all in every
trial, and at the end grant you victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ, and with the assurance of our deepest love and constant
prayers, we are
Your brethren in Christ,
The Rockdale Church. — N. S. W.
BLESSED ONES THAT DIE IK THE LOBJD
Mr. Walter Thomas, Vandergrift, Pa.
Dear Sir: —
I presume you have doubtless received the sad news of your
brother, Marks R. Thomas' death; but I am writing to assure
that he was prepared fully to meet his Master.
I had a few minutes conversation with him just about one
hour before he passed away, and he impressed me as being
the sweetest character I have ever met in the Army in my
seventeen years of service. He remarked that if he should
pass away he would show the men around him "how easy a
Christian could die"; and it was reported that his death was
a happv one, if such could he.
I wish to extend to you my sincere sympathy in your
bereavement, and hope you will nave strength to bear the sad
news. Faithfully yours,
S. J. "Smith, Major-Chaplain, Field Artillery,
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
FINDS GREAT PLEASURE IK BIBLE STUDY
Deab Bkethren: —
Grace and peace be unto you! We note the return of the
Society to its birthplace as of the Lord; and the hope of still
sharing in the service on behalf of the multitude yet to be
drawn into contact with the truth is thrilling. If we read the
signs of the times correctly in conjunction with the prophecies,
we can see a gigantic federation of religious and civil interests
soon. At any rate, present conditions are causing an
immense amount of thinking and of investigation leading to
causes. On the other hand Jewish themes are threading the
shuttle for a new garment as the nations approach the name
of the present conflict.
1 wish also to say that the study of the Ezekiel Temple is
surely a fruitful theme to Bible students. How wonderful is
the thought of restitution for every wrong done, with the
addition of 20 per cent interest, to" be rendered by all who
come forth from the tomb! Again, how marvelous it is that
the east gate is to be closed forever when the church has
entered it; and that the ancient -worthies will guard the entrance
all through the Millennium. Also, how just is the
Jewish system of weights and measures and of symbolism of
numbers !
Some signs and Scriptures indicate that the watch tower
will continue right through the time of trouble, and that
through it the divine power will be exhibited in preserving
the fruits of our Pastor's great labors. Be this as it may, we
look for a move to the glory of the Lord shortly, through
the watch TOWEE, using the treasures laid up by our Pastor.
We would be glad to hear more about the prophecies of Jeremiah
, as they seem so full of interest at this time, especially
to the church.
The Lord bless and keep you all, loving and faithfully doing
his will.
Yours in the most loving of bonds, J. (J. — Colp.
LOVING GBEETINGS FROM THE NORTHWEST
Deab BKETHREX: —
Greetings in the name of God our Father and of our Lord
Jesu3 Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you. The
Everett Church have voted to send their Christian love and
support to you all in this our time of special trial and of trying
experiences. Do not forget to keep us on the list when
Pilgrims are routed this way.
There seem to be some who have taken a stand against
the watch tower because of certain articles published therein
. They say that the tower is not used of the Lord any
more. Yet some of the articles thus criticized were from the
pen of our beloved Pastor. Here we know that we have
arrived at a time when every one must stand for himself, or
in other words, "when every tub must stand on its own bottom
/' Let every one read prayerfully and carefully Romans
14:4, 22, 23.
We have learned well the lesson that there are two tables:
one, the table of Babylon, full of error and uncleanness; the
other, the table of the Lord, spread with heavenly bounties,
a feast of fat things. (Psalm 23:5) We also know that
God has used the watch tower ever since its dedication,
to proclaim our Lord's presence and to do the harvest work.
Then why should he cast it off at this time above all others,
just when we need its help as never before? We remember
his promise that he will never leave nor forsake us. We also
believe that through the tower the Lord is fulfilling the statement
of Isaiah 21:5: "Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower
, eat, drink; arise, ye princes, anoint the shield."
Have not our prayers been answered as we have asked
God's guidance of the dear brethren at the Watch Tower
office? Dear ones, let us keep together, provoking one another
unto love and good works, building each other up in
the most holy faith. Laying aside all malice and jealousy,
let us pray for one another always, remembering our standard
, the mark of the prize — perfect love. God bless the
watch toweb!
With much Christian love and prayer,
The Everett Ecclesia. — Wash.
"NATIONS SHALL COME TO THY LIGHT*'
Gentlemen : —
By accident I got the loan of a copy of one of the publications
of your Society. I read the most of it carefully and,
I must admit, was very favorably impressed. I am an Episcopalian
, but have not attended services to any great extent
. The many quotations and your interpretations from the
Bible have led me to doubt my position as a believer in the
doctrines of that church. Now, there is one important point
that must be clearly and satisfactorily answered before I
separate from the Episcopalian Society: In your Finale of
this book in question I read thus: "Are you aware that he or
she who denies or denounces the sayings of this little booklet
is not denouncing the compiler, but the Word of God?" By
this, I presume, you hold the Bible as your only authority.
In other words the Bible, and the Bible only, is your guide
and the guide of every teacher in your church.
Now I have long -been doubtful as to the confidence I should
possess before taking the Bible as the Word of God. If. the
Bible is your guide, and your only guide, satisfy me that it is
indeed the Word of God; and I will become a member of
your church immediately. I am sincere in this matter, but
need convincing. Do not presume that I am a prayer less
[6357]
(351-35S)
THE WATCH TOWER
Pittsburgh, Pa.
man. On the contrary I have been praying for light, and 1
think my prayers have been heard; for I feel that there is
something in your church worth while considering.
I beg to remain moat sincerely yours, E. B. — Md.
FAITH IJT GOD'S OVERRULING PROVIDENCE
Dearly Beloved Brethren in Chbist: —
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and
from the Lord Jesus Christ. The church at Dallas has voted
to extend to you our love and sympathy in this hour of final
trial and testing, and to assure you of our prayers and cooperation
. We believe the Lord will uphold and guide you
in your efforts at service as long as there is any work for
the angel of Revelation 8:3 j and for this we pray daily. We
appreciate your services to us, and we rejoice in the blessings
that each issue of the watch tower ibrings.
We do not know just what awaits us; but we do know
that "all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose";
and that no weapon formed against hia children can prosper
in the sense of injuring them as new creatures.
Remembering you daily at the throne of grace, and with
much Christian love, we are
Your brethren in Christ, The Dallas Ecclesia. — Texas.
THE EXPRESSION OF A NOBLE HEART
Dear Brethren: —
Greetings in the Lord's name; and may grace and peace
be multiplied unto you. I am writing you at this time to
advise you of my regret at having taken any part in causing
to be circulated a certain letter in which surprise was expressed
re articles on pages 152, 168 and 174 of the 1918
watch toweb.
Because of certain conditions that have arisen in local
classes, the conviction has been growing in my mind that
perhaps, after all, the above mentioned articles were right,
and that I along with a number of others was wrong. So I
determined to reread them with a mind as unbiased as possible
. This I did last night and again this morning; and,
thank God! I can say from the bottom of my heart: "I find
no fault with them." I found that I could unreservedly
accept them for what they say, but not for what others think
they say. So I haste to write you my apology for having
opposed in any sense the words which have come forth from
the channel the Lord has so abundantly used in the past.
Your brother in the one hope, J. T. B. — B. C.
"THERE IS NO SCHISM IN THE BODY"
Deab BRETHRFlN in the LOBD:—
We would like the dear Bethel family to know that they
are daily remembered in our prayers. We are grateful for
the continued help given us through the towers, which are
still coming through regularly. We ask the Lord's guidance
and help for you in these times of difficulty, knowing that we
shall be heard, as we believe he will continue to use you as
he has done in the past if you remain steadfast and faithful
unto the end.
With fervent love in our dear Redeemer,
Sec'y London Tabernacle. — Eng.
DAILY PRAYERS FOE HEAVENLY WISDOM
Beloved Brethben: —
The Associated - Bible Students of Bristol and vicinity held
a two-days' convention here Sept. 21, 22, in which the spirit
of the Lord was manifested in a most noticeable manner by
all who attended; and we were blest beyond measure. Praise
his name!
A motion was made, which carried unanimously, to draft
a resolution to send to you, which read substantially:
"Resolved, That we conventioners here assembled at Bristol,
Tenn., hereby repledge our loyalty and* undivided support to
our brethren at the headquarters* of the Watch Tower Bible
& Tract Society, and most especially to those in direct charge
of the work; that our prayers continue to ascend daily for
them to exercise the spirit of a sound mind at all times and
to be guided by the unerring counsel of the Lord, until our
heavenly Father is pleased to place his everlasting arms about
us and welcome us to the Great Convention, our eternal
home."
Bristol, Tenn., Convention.
SECOND THOUGHTS ABE BEST
Bear Brethren: —
I am writing this letter to make clear my attitude toward
the Society. When I read Brother Johnson's paper, "Harvest
Sittings Reviewed," last November, I was so moved to sympathy
for him that I resigned from my position at the Tabernacle
office force.
Two months later, however, I wrote that I had made a mistake
, that I had had the opportunity of thinking the entire
matter over calmly, and that I realized that I had permitted
my sympathies to get the better of me. Ever since that time
my heart has been with the Society; and I am happy to say
that, at the present time, in spite of the many influences that
have been exercised to swerve me from my position, I find
myself in fullest harmony with the Society.
With much Christian love,
Yours in the Crucified One N. Y.