The Watchtower, August 15, 1919
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No. 16
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VOL. XL AUGUST 15
SEMI-MONTHLY
A. D. 1919—A..M. 6047
CONTENTS
Blessed are the Fearless ..........
Elijah a Type ...................
Suddenly Become Fearful .......
Elijah Regains his Courage .....
Deeds of Elisha ................
Whom does Elisha Type? ........
Twice as Fearless ...............
Invisible Cohorts ................
The Mantle .....................
The Gleaning Work .............
Opportunities for Service ..........
Is there Work to Do?............
Work for the Little Flock........
Benefits of Assembling Together .
In Re General Convention..........
The Holy Scriptures ...............
Effects of True Bible Study......
"/ will stand upon mv watch, and will set mv foot upon the Tower, and will watch to see what He will sav unto nte and what answer I shall make to them that oppose me. '—Hab. 2 1.
QW.T.B.t T.S.
noon the earth distress of nations with perplexity: the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented) roaring; men’s hearts falling them for fear and for lookfnff to the dungs t-omuig upon the earth (socleti): tor the powers nt the heavens (ecclesiastlcism) shall be shaken i ,h"’v'kthpw '4 rt- \Sk'rf%‘ Luke 21fsTi
Jbeu know that the Kingdom ol God is at hand. Look up, Utt up your beads, rejoice. tor your redemption drawerb nigh.—Matthew -4.33. Mark 13.29. Luke 21.2.V31
THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SAGRED MISSION
THIS Journal Is one of the prime factors or Instruments in the system of Bible Instruction, or “Seminary Extension,” how beinfi presented In all parts of the civilized world by the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, chartered A. D. 1881, “For the Promotion of Christian Knowledge." It not only serves as a class room where Bible Students may meet In the study of the Divine Word, but also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s Conventions and o£ the coming of its traveling representatives styled “Pilgrims,” and refreshed with reports of Its Conventions.
Our “Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published Studies, most entertainingly arranged, and very helpful to ail who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz.. Verbi Dei Minister (V.D.M.), which, translated into English, is Minister oj the Divine Word. Our treatment of the International S. S. Lessons Is specially for the older Bible Students and Teachers. By some this feature is considered Indispensable.
This Journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian's hope now being so generally repudiated— Redemption through the precious blood of “the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a Ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute! for all.” (1 Pet. 1:19; 1 Tim. 2:6.) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Pet 1:5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to—“Make all see what is the fellowship of the Mystery which . . . has been hid in God, ... to the intent that now might be made known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God”—“which in other Ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed.”—Eph. 3 .5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest •ubjection to the will of God In Christ, as expressed in the Holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord bath spoken—according to the Divine wisdom granted unto us, to understand. Its attitude is not dogmatical, but confident; for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in His service ; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear In its columns must be according to our judgment of His good pleasure, the teaching of His Word, for the upbuilding of His people In grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our readers to prove all its utterances by the Infallible Word to which reference is constantly made, to facilitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
That the Church is “the Temple of the Living God”—peculiarly “His workmanship ;” that its construction has been in progress throughout the Gospel Age—ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of His Temple, through which, when finished, God's blessing shall come “to all people,” and they find access to Him.—1 Cor. 3 :16, 17 : Eph. 2 20-22: Gen. 28 :14 ; Gal. 3 :29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ's Atonement for sin, progresses; and when the last of these “living stones,” "Elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great Master Workman will bring all together in the First Resurrection ; and the Temple shall be filled with His glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout the Millennium.—Rev. 15 -.5-8.
That the Basis of Hope, for the Church and the World, lies in the fact that “Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man," “a Ransom for all,” and will be “the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," "in due time”— Heb. 2 :9 ; John 1 :9 ; 1 Tim. 2 :5, 6.
That the Hope of the Church Is that she may be like her Lord, “see Him as He Is,” be “partaker of the Divine nature,” and share HiS
glory as His joint-heir.—1 John 3 :2 ; John 17 :24 ; Rom. 8 :17; 2 Pet. 1 :4.
That the present mission of the Church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself every grace;
to be God’s witness to the world; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next Age.—Eph. 4 .12; Matt. 24 .14 ; Rev. 1:6; 20 :6.
That the hope for the World lies In the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial Kingdom— the Restitution of al) that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands of their Redeemer and His glorified! Church—when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.—Acts 3 :19-23; Isa. 35.
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I. B. S. A. BEREAN BIBLE STUDIES
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STUDY XI—“PASSOVER OF THE NEW CREATION” [ Week of Sept. 7 .... Q. 1- 5 Week of Sept. 21.... Q. 12-18 Week of Sept. 14 .... Q. 6-11 Week of Sept. 28.... Q. 17-22 [ Queatian Manual, aa Vol. VI, Studies in tha Scriptures, 10c aech, aaatpait. !
AND HERALD OF CHRISTS PRESENCE
Vol. xl Avgust 15, 1919 No. 16
BLESSED ARE THE FEARLESS
"Fear not, little flock, for it
is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”—Luke 12 :32.
PART II
HEN prophecy has been fulfilled or is in the course of fulfillment the consecrated child of God may understand it. The world has no faith in the Word of God, hence even though men of the world behold events transpire in fulfillment of prophecy, they do not believe the prophecy, and it means nothing to them. Knowing the inspired words of the prophets were written aforetime for the instruction and comfort of the church and particularly for the benefit of those upon whom the ends of the ages have come, the faithful Christian is enabled, by reason of the illumination of the holy Spirit, to see and have some appreciation of fulfilled prophecy. In this part of the subject under examination we will consider the life^ deeds and words of the prophets Elijah and Elisha from the viewpoint of type and antitype.
There has been much discussion among Bible students concerning these prophets and what class or classes of persons they represented. Since we are assured that the pathway of the just is as a shining light that shines more and more unto the day of perfection, the searcher after truth may with confidence expect to get further light as the end of the pathway is approached. The honest searcher for truth does not irrevocably commit himself to an interpretation of unfulfilled prophecy; for he realizes that the Lord may be pleased, from time to time, to grant a clearer vision of the subject, and as prophecy unfolds and the events transpire in fulfillment thereof the vision does become clearer. (2 Peter 1:19-21) What we state herein is not dogmatically given; but in the light of the great underlying principles or governing laws of conduct, as set forth in Part i of this subject, we submit the thoughts herein expressed for the careful consideration of the truly consecrated.
ELIJAH A TYPE
It seems to be definitely settled in the minds of practically all Bible students that Elijah was a type of the church in the flesh. (1 Kings 17; B-250-256) As to whether or not Elisha was a type of something, and if so of what, has not been definitely determined by students of divine prophecy. When we find that God uses a man to typify or picture events to happen in the future, it is of interest that we consider the words, deeds and character of that man. See Z T 5-285.
Ahab, King of Israel, the chosen people of the Lord, influenced by his unrighteous queen, Jezebel, had led the people into idolatry; and God sent to him the prophet Elijah, who boldly stood before the king and delivered his message, to the effect that for a period of three and one half years there would be no rain in the land, wherein dwelt the people of Israel. After delivering this message the prophet concealed himself for the period of the drouth. At the end of the three and a half years God sent him back to Israel, directing him to appear before Ahab, the king. On the way he met Obadiah, the king's most trusted servant, whom he requested to go to the king and tell him that Elijah had returned. Obadiah was exceedingly fearful of his life, fearing to report the presence of the prophet lest the prophet would fail to appear before the king; hence he begged to be relieved of the responsibility.
After being assured by Elijah that he would certainly appear that day before King Ahab Obadiah yielded to his request. A meeting of the prophet and the king resulted. King Ahab accused the prophet of being responsible for the drouth. Elijah with boldness responded by declaring that the king himself was responsible for the drouth of rain because he had forsaken the Lord and had led the people into idolatry. At the instance of Jezebel the prophets of Baal held sway in Israel, and the people followed them. Elijah now made a most startling and bold proposition to Ahab; namely, that King Ahab should summon the prophets of Baal who should build an altar and place upon it a slaughtered bullock and put no fire under it; that he himself (Elijah), would do the same thing and that then the prophets of Baal should call upon their God to consume the sacrifice by fire and Elijah would call upon Jehovah to consume his sacrifice by fire; and that whosoever’s God responded by consuming the sacrifice should be accepted by the people.
The king acquiesced and summoned 450 prophets of Baal. At an appointed time the meeting was held. The false prophets of Baal builded their altar and placed upon it a slaughtered bullock, and then called on their god Baal to consume the sacrifice. But they failed. Elijah then was not only careful to see there was no fire under his sacrifice, but he filled the trench with water. Then after he had offered up a prayer to Jehovah, fire descended from heaven and consumed not only the sacrifice, but the stones and the dust, and even licked up the water in the trench. The people then and there acknowledged Jehovah as God. Elijah, singlehanded and alone, boldly ordered that all the 450 false prophets of Baal should be taken and killed. They were taken, brought to the Brook Kishon and there were put to death. There then followed a great deluge of rain.
ANTITYPE
We have heretofore seen that these experiences of Elijah foreshadowed the experiences of the church in the flesh; that the lack of rain for three and a half years foreshadowed the lack of truth, living waters, during the period of 1260 years of Papal supremacy and wicked persecution of the saints, which ended in the year 1799. Then followed a great deluge of truth in the earth, the wide distribution of millions of Bibles and the proclamation of truth by word of mouth.
In his dealings with King Ahab and in his boldness in slaying the false prophets of Baal, Elijah exhibited a wonderful degree of courage and fearlessness. Herein he pictured the spirit and disposition of those composing the church who are pleasing to the heavenly Father. “Elijah seems to have been a most courageous servant of the Lord in executing whatever commands he received from the Great King * * * Elijah was courageous for the Lord and for the truth; Obadiah was less courageous and in some respects weak-kneed, lacking many of the qualities approved of the Lord ***** There are Christians of both of these types to-day, but Elijah stands for or represents the ‘little flock’ with whom the Lord is especially pleased and who, with the Redeemer, will constitute the kingdom class by and by.”—Z ’04-220,221.
“A general lesson may be drawn from these incidents by the Lord’s people of the new creation. The Elijah-like class have the lessons of courage and faithfulness and trust. Let us be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might; let us speak his Word plainly and show forth, on every possible occasion and by every proper means, the glories of him who hath called us from darkness to light. It is not for us to vanquish the enemies of the truth and put them to death as did Elijah, but it is for us to slay and utterly expose the errors and false teachings which are deceiving the people. The Lord’s ‘little ones’, as the Scriptures declare, may be mighty through his power to the pulling down of the strongholds of error and to the turning back of the tide of dissipation and sin from those who are in a reasonable attitude of mind to receive the Truth.”—Z ’04-234, 235.
FALSE PROPHETS SLAIN
The undaunted courage and fearlessness exhibited by Elijah in slaying the false prophets of Baal surely pictures something in the experiences of the church. Such an important event would not have been given prominence in the record unless it was intended to picture something or teach some lesson. We suggest the following: For many years the clergy, both Catholic and Protestant, operating under the name of Christ, have taught false doctrines and led the people into idolatry. They have taught the God-dishonoring doctrines of eternal torture, spiritism, the "doctrine of devils”, evolution, higher criticism, etc; and have so turned the minds of the people away from God and his pure Word of truth that even one of their own modern writers recently published this statement : “Christianity in its present form will have to go into the war scrapheap”. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, but, to quote the words of an earnest Bible student: “In the aggregate, the clergy are the greatest bunch of hypocrites that have ever afflicted the peoples of earth”. Surely there is nothing in all history that more clearly fulfills the picture of the false prophets than the majority of the clergy class of our own day. They have established a great stronghold of error and gnash their teeth and war against everyone who dares hold forth the truth.
Jehovah has armed the antitypical Elijah class; and their chief offensive and defensive weapon is the “sword of the Spirit”, the message of truth. The prophecies of Ezekiel and Revelation contain the most scathing arraignment of these false prophets that has ever been written. Volume VII of Studies in the Scriptures, “The Finished Mystery,” unfolds these prophecies so that even the unconsecrated may understand, and thus exposes these false prophets to the world as they have never before been exposed and deals a mortal blow to their false teachings and fraudulent deceptions. When this weapon was placed in the hands of the antitypical Elijah class, boldly and fearlessly they went forward and used it.
SUDDENLY BECOME FEARFUL
Ahab pictured the civil powers; Jezebel pictured the ecclesiastical elements. Ahab was not particularly interested in the false prophets of Baal. He cared for them only as they might serve his purpose, but he did not suffer much by reason of their loss. It was his unrighteous consort, Jezebel, who particularly desired to maintain these false prophets. The disloyal, unfaithful ecclesiastical systems of today are really the only ones that care particularly to maintain the false prophets; namely, the clergy.
In the type Jezebel sent word to Elijah that she would have him put to death in twenty-four hours because he had slain her prophets. This frightened him and he fled. This disposition of fear suddenly developed by Elijah seems strange in the light of the courage and fearlessness he had previously exhibited.
“Poor Elijah, so courageous previously, so ready to risk his life, now was panic-stricken and fled to Beersheba, the farther part of Judah. Even then he did not feel himself safe because Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah was a close friend of Ahab, King of Israel, so leaving there his servant he continued his flight southward to the wilderness of Mount Zion. It is useless for us to speculate as to how Elijah might have done otherwise than he did, or how he might have boldly stood up for the Lord, denounced the queen, rallied the heads of the tribes of Israel and carried forward to a general completion the reform movement which he began. We are to remember that Elijah was a type; and that hence his doings, as well as his words, in a particular sense and degree were ordered of the Lord, beyond any knowledge or motives of his own. It is only when we view this entire narrative of Elijah, Ahab and Jezebel from the standpoint of a type of more wonderful things coming afterward on a larger scale, only then can we grasp in any measure the force and meaning of the lessons taught through these types.”—Z ’04-236.
We emphasize the statement above made: “We must remember that Elijah was a type; hence his doings as well as his words were in a particular sense ordered of the Lord.” What experience has come to the church which seems to be pictured by this experience of fear and lack of courage that overtook Elijah? During the year 1917, and up to the spring of 1918, the church was unusually zealous in using the sword of the Spirit, particularly the point of the sword which had been prepared and “wrapped up for the slaughter” with which to assault Babylon’s strongholds of error and to expose her false prophets. Referring to that time it had been prophetically written: “Thou, therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain; it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers”. (Ezekiel 21:14) The “sword of the Spirit” was to be wielded by Pastor Russell twice three times in six volumes of Studies in the Scriptures. The weapons of destruction will pursue all the great ones of earth, penetrating into all their most secret places. The sword of the Spirit will search out all of the lords over God’s heritage (1 Peter 5:3), the clergy, exposing their numerous ideas contrary to Jehovah and his plan. “I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied. Ah! it is made bright. It is wrapped up for the slaughter.” (Ezekiel 21:15) The point of the sword is Volume
VII, Studies in the Scriptures, “The Finished Mystery”, because it contains the essence of the weapons of all the writings of Pastor Russell and the explanation of the prophecies of Ezekiel and Revelation against the false systems that encumber the earth, particularly the false prophets, towit, the clergy.
JEZEBEL WAXED ANGBY
Immediately following the wide dissemination of this message of truth against the false prophets the antitypical Jezebel waxed exceedingly angry, and threatened and bullied and bluffed the Elijah class throughout all the country, and, by enlisting the aid of Ahab, so frightened the Elijah class that under the unrighteous persecution that followed upon them they laid down the sword and fled. Much persecution followed, instigated, pushed on by Jezebel, the mother harlot and her daughters associated with her, by the antitypical Ahab; and so great was the discouragement of some of the Elijah class that they said: 'Would that we might die and end this terrible ordeal’. For some time there was much despondency among the Elijah class. How like the experience of their prototype, Elijah!
“The antitype of Ahab, civil government, has to a considerable extent recognized the general truth of the matter (the refreshing that has come to the people from spreading the truth) but they are more or less closely affiliated with and under the influence of the Jezebel system; and, alas! as Revelation clearly points out, Jezebel today has daughters (systems termed Protestant), which nevertheless copy largely the mother's spirit. It is through the influence of the daughters that the antitypical Elijah may expect future persecution, instigated by the mother, accomplished through the daughters, as typically represented in the case of John the Baptist, beheaded by Herod at the instance of Salome and at the instigation of Herodias—Jezebel. This, however, is looking down to a period in the future.’’—Z ’04-237.
In view of the events above related, does it not seem that Brother Russell wrote the above paragraph prophetically? Again we quote from him:
“Elijah, under the juniper tree, praying God that he might die because he had been no more successful than his fathers had been in the mission of restoring Israel to the true worship of God, is almost amusing when we think of the fact that the prophet had fled panic-stricken a few days before to escape Jezebel’s threat against his life. Why thus flee from death and yet pray the Lord for death ? The prophet’s experiences and conduct are but an illustration of what frequently occurs. Amongst the Lord’s people some of strong faith at times become discouraged, panic-stricken, fearful. For a moment they seem to forget whose servants they are and the almighty power that is behind them, able and willing to make all things work together for good to his faithful ones. The fact of the matter is that all of the Lord’s consecrated servants devote their lives to sacrifice when they become followers of the Lamb; and if they could but realize their consecration continually they would be ready for the consummation at any moment at the Lord’s pleasure and by whatever means or channel his providences may permit. The Lord’s consecrated ones of the Elijah class are to remember that not a hair of their heads could fall without their Father’s knowledge and permission; and the attitude of their hearts should be that experienced by our dear Redeemer: ‘The cup which my Father hath poured for me, shall I not drink it?’”—Z ’04-237.
Of course the Lord foreknew the trying experiences that would come to his people in the spring of 1918— at the close of the forty year harvest period, and it seems that he purposed that the trying and fearful experiences of Elijah when he fled from the threats of Jezebel should represent and picture the church’s experiences at that time. Then be of good courage.
ELIJAH REGAINS HIS COURAGE
Subsequently Elijah regained his courage; and let the Lord’s people take courage from this. Afterwards King Ahaziah, who was injured, sent a messenger to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to inquire whether he would recover. The angel of the Lord directed Elijah to go and meet the messenger and to tell the king that he would not recover. This Elijah did. Thereupon the king sent a captain with fifty men to Elijah, evidently for the purpose of apprehending him, and at Elijah’s instance fire came down from heaven and devoured them. A second fifty went up and presented themselves to Elijah, with the same result. Then the third fifty came and humbly bowed before Elijah; whereupon the Lord directed Elijah to go down to the king, saying, “Go down with him, be not afraid of him.” And Elijah rose and went down with him unto the king. (2 Kings, Chapter 1) Evidently he had lost his fear and regained his courage.
We must keep in mind that no human being could be so manipulated as to make one continuous picture showing every feature of the church’s experiences. As often stated by Brother Russell, there are pictures within pictures, and where one picture ends another begins. Therefore we must mark well the different pictures so as not to confuse them. The experience of Elijah while being taken up in the whirlwind must of necessity appear last in the picture; but whether or not that experience pictured the last experience of the antitypical Elijah class is entirely a different matter. Elijah typed a class of persons; and the fiery chariot and whirlwind might not be the last earthly experiences of the persons composing that class. He could not have exhibited the spirit of fear after the fiery chariot experience. Hence that fear must be pictured first, on the same principle that Jesus as a man could not institute the Memorial Supper after his death, and that hence it must precede his death. The taking away of Elijah in the whirlwind might represent a marked point in the church’s career, and yet many of the persons composing the church might remain in the flesh for a time after having that antitypical experience.
GREAT COMPANY CHARACTERISTICS
It has been suggested that Elisha was a type of the great company class. It is therefore important that we examine the characteristics of the great company class, and then see whether the events in the life and experiences of Elisha foreshadowed these characteristics. We here append some pertinent statements by Brother Russell:
“We have already pointed out that God does not make very particular mention of the great company in the Bible, and we have found out the reason for this, namely, that if the great company were treated on the same plane and with the same degree of interest and explicitness as the little flock it would imply that God had offered both and said, Here they are; take your choice. But that is not so. The Lord’s statement is: ‘Ye are all called in one hope of your calling’—to be members of the body of the Anointed. Thus the Scriptures merely give the hint that there are some who constitute the great company and who will get a great blessing, to which there never was an invitation. Everyone of that great company receives the grace of God in just the same way as the little flock, but they do not use it in the proper way, which was to lay down their lives with the Lord Jesus; for in carrying out the plan it must be laid down in death.”
“What are the chief things that will draw us from the little flock to the great company class?
“My answer would be ‘Lack of zeal, lack of love for God, lack of love for the brethren; that is to say, coolness on the part of your heart. The little flock will be the class without spot, etc., while the great company will be the class with robes that are spotted and wrinkled and not fit to be of the Bride class.”
“But though not voluntary overcomers, the Lord loves them and will deliver these who through fear of death (fear of contempt, fear of the reproach borne by the bullock and the goat beyond the camp in the wilderness, the separated or dead condition) were all their lifetime subject to bondage, bondage of fear of men and men's traditions and opinions, which always brings a snare and keeps back from full obedience to God, even unto death.’’—T-70.
Summing up, then, the chief characteristics of the great company are negligence or indifference in fulfilling their covenant of sacrifice, lack of zeal, fear and falling away from perfect love. Do we find any of these characteristics manifested by or in the experiences of the Prophet Elisha?
DEEDS OF ELISHA
After the anointing of Elisha to be a prophet we find him walking with Elijah, seemingly to indicate that they were in perfect harmony. They journeyed from Gilgal to Bethel, from Bethel to Jericho, then to the Jordan; and the two crossed the Jordan together. When Elijah was taken up by the whirlwind Elisha saw it, and then “he took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. And then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and smote the waters and said: Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters they parted hither and thither, and Elisha went over.” —2 Kings 2:13,14.
Other recorded deeds of Elisha are, the healing of the brackish waters (2 Kings 2:21,22); pronouncing of a curse upon some of his persecutors (2 Kings 22:24) ; causing a miraculous supply of water to flow into the ditches of the Israelites (2 Kings 3:13-20); increasing the widow’s cruse of oil (2 Kings 4:1-7); blessing the barren Shunamite woman with a son (2 Kings 4:17); raising from the dead the Shunamite’s son (2 Kings 4:37); healing the poisoned pottage (2 Kings 4:44) ; healing the leper and causing leprosy to come upon his own servant (2 Kings 5:14-27); causing the iron wedge to swim in water (2 Kings 6:6) ; and then came the experience at Dothan. In the examination of these acts and words of Elisha we find nothing of the characteristics of the great company.
It may be suggested then that these deeds do not seem to typify the great company class. Would it not indicate a restitution work on the part of Elisha and that Elisha would type the ancient worthies? The answer to this is that Elijah did a similar work in this, that he miraculously increased the widow woman’s barrel of meal and cruse of oil so that “the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil, according to the word of the Lord which he spoke by Elijah”. (1 Kings 17:11-16) Later the son of the same woman fell sick and died, and Elijah awakened him out of death “and the soul of the child came into him again and he revived”. (1 Kings 17:18-23) In this connection we are reminded that during the three and a half years of Jesus’ ministry he opened the eyes of the blind, unstopped the ears of the deaf, loosed the tongue of the dumb, healed the sick and afflicted, and awakened some out of death.
In speaking to his disciples on one occasion he said: “Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall ye do, because I go to my Father”. (1 John 14:12) Instead of these works of temporary blessings done by Elijah, and subsequently by Elisha, representing restitution work to be done by the ancient worthies, may it not be that it typified or represented the privileges that the Elijah class have had during the Gospel age of bringing blessings to those to whom they brought the message of truth through the opening of their eyes of understanding, etc? Commenting upon the words of Jesus that his disciples should do greater works than he had done, his “faithful and wise servant” wrote:
“It may perhaps be proper to think that some of these greater works will occur after the kingdom has been established, the greater work of awakening the world of mankind from the sleep of death; but in our opinion this is not the only sense in which the Lord's followers are to understand that their works are to be greater than those of the- Master. When the holy Spirit was given after Pentecost, the Lord’s people, in his name and as his representatives, began to do greater and more wonderful works than those which he himself had performed. Did the Lord open the eyes of the blind? His followers were privileged to open the eyes of men’s understandings. Did the Lord heal the physically sick? His disciples were permitted to heal the spiritually sick. Did the Lord cure physical leprosy? It was the privilege of his followers to heal spiritual leprosy, sin. Did our Lord revive the dead? It was the privilege of his followers to preach the Gospel, by which many passed ‘from death unto life' in a higher sense.”—Z’ 99-90,91.
It would hardly seem reasonable, then, for us to conclude that Elisha, merely because of the deeds above recorded, would typify the great company class, for the reason stated in the last paragraph and for the further reason that during the Millennial age the ancient worthies will do for the human race only as the visible agents of the Christ, and not as the agents of the great company.
WHOM DOES ELISHA TYPE?
If Elisha, then, was a type, whom did he picture? Our answer to that question is that we believe he was a type of the little flock; that Elijah typed the little flock up until a certain stage of the work done and performed by the followers of Jesus; towit, up to the time the fiery trials came upon the church in 1918, at which time the mantle, that is, the message of truth, particularly represented in “The Finished Mystery”, was thrown down and the remaining work to be done by the church in the flesh is pictured by Elisha, and in support of this position we submit the following:
It is interesting to note the Scriptural references concerning the anointing of Elisha. The Lord directed Elijah to anoint Elisha. The King James version says: “Thou shalt anoint him to be prophet in thy room.” It appears that both Dr. Strong and Dr. Young failed to define the word "room” in this text; but in the Leeser translation we read that God said unto Elijah: “And Jehu, the son of Nimshi, shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha, the son of Shaphat, of Abelmeholah, shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy stead”. (1 Kings 19:16) If Elisha was anointed to be prophet instead of or in place of Elijah, then it would manifestly follow that where the picture made by Elijah ceases, there Elisha would begin to picture or type the identical class, namely, the little flock. When Elijah was taken away and Elisha took his place then and there Elisha became Elijah for all intents and purposes and would represent the same class. No where in the Scriptures is the great company given such prominence as the anointing of a prophet in representation of that class.
It will be further observed that when Elisha and Elijah were walking together Elisha knew that he was shortly to be separated from Elijah. After they had crossed the Jordan together Elijah said unto Elisha; “Ask what I shall do for thee before I be taken from thee, and Elisha said: I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me”. (2 Kings 2 Unlike the picture of the wise and foolish virgins, Elijah did not say to Elisha, ‘Your request is an impossible one to comply with. You must go to the market and buy that for which you ask.’ But mark what he did say: "Thou hast asked a hard thing; if thou see me when I am taken from thee it shall be so [given] unto thee, but if not it shall not be. And it came to pass as they went on, speaking as they were going, that, behold, there came a chariot of fire and horses of fire and parted them asunder and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.” (2 Kings 2:10-12) The fact that Elisha saw or discerned what was transpiring at the time Elijah was separated from him met the condition specified by Elijah which would insure him (Elisha) of the receiving of a double portion of the spirit of Elijah. The Hebrew word here translated “double” does not mean a duplication or something similar, but it does mean, “twice as much,” “double what the other one had.” If, then, Elijah represents the little flock and Elisha also represents the little flock, wherein could Elisha antitypically have double the spirit of that manifested by Elijah?
TWICE AS FEARLESS
Again we ask the reader to refer to Part I of this argument, the essence of which is that those who will be honored with an abundant entrance into the kingdom must be a fearless class, and the fearless class is the class who are perfected in love. Furthermore, the experiences that would come to the church in the closing days of its earthly pilgrimage would be such as to require double as much courage, faithfulness, loyalty and love to overcome those difficulties as was required prior thereto. We have observed in the experiences of Elijah that notwithstanding he was bold and fearless throughout most of his earthly journey, yet there came a time when Jezebel threatened his life and he became very fearful and fled, but afterwards recovered his courage. The experiences through which the church passed during the year 1918 would have a tendency to make one become timid and fearful who had not absolute confidence in the Lord and who did not realize that his battle is not his own, but the Lord's. It would require, therefore, an increased spirit of love, fearlessness, and faithful devotion to the Lord and his cause to grasp the mantle that had fallen from the Ebjab class, or in other picture the sword, “The Finished Mystery,” and any added message in harmony therewith, and boldly and fearlessly carry it forward and use it as the Lord would have us do.
In the examination of Elisha’s experiences we fail to find anything that indicates fear; but, on the con-trarv, his whole experience down to his death indicates a disposition of full faith and confidence in the Lord and absolute loyalty to him. One of the most striking experiences which proves this point of Elisha’s fearlessness is that which occurred at Dothan. At that time wars between Syria and Israel were frequent. The king of Syria determined to invade Israel. Several plans of attack were devised to raid the cities, and each time these raids were frustrated, the Syrian army finding to their astonishment that these cities were freshly prepared for defense. The king concluded that there was a traitor in his court or camp who disclosed his secret plans and arrangements to the king of Israel; so he instituted a search for the traitor. It is not unusual for civil powers to overreach themselves while hunting for supposed traitors.
Some of the king’s counselors advised him that it was quite probable that the prophet Elisha had revealed to the king of Israel all the plots and schemes of the Syrians. The king, therefore, having learned that Elisha was at the town of Dothan, sent a whole army, including horses and chariots, for the purpose of arresting Elisha, and taking him in custody. Elisha showed that he was absolutely fearless. Elijah had fled when Jezebel threatened his life. It would seem therefore that it would take a double portion of the spirit of courage, fearlessness and faithfulness to stand firm when a whole army came with the avowed purpose of capturing and slaying the prophet Elisha, but his trust and faithfulness to the Lord caused him to remain calm. We quote the following pertinent remarks on the subject:
“As soon as the king learned that Elisha was at the little town of Dothan he sent an army, including horses and chariots, to surround the city and to make sure the capture of the prophet. The latter doubtless understood in advance; but working in harmony with the Lord’s arrangement, he did not flee the city. He was entirely restful in mind respecting the matter, but his servant was greatly alarmed. He thought of the prophet and himself as being carried prisoners to Syria to thenceforth be bondsmen, etc. Elisha, however, comforted him with assurance respecting the divine power which encompassed them, much greater than the power of their enemies. Then, not only as a lesson to the servant, but also doubtless intended of the Lord as a lesson for his people all the way dozen through the ages, Elisha prayed that the young man’s eyes might be opened that he might sec and realize the true situation.
“At once the servant perceived the city and entire hills amply protected against the surrounding hordes,—horses and chariots and fire around about Elisha and himself. We assume that the horses and chariots of fire were in the nature of a vision granted to the servant, and to us, as an illustration of the divine power and protection. Thus viewed, what the servant saw was an active parable, a picture similar to the symbolic pictures of Revelation—serving the intended purpose most thoroughly, most completely, and giving to the eyes of his understanding a proper conception of the divine power present with the prophet.’’—Z’ 04-302, 303.
INVISIBLE COHORTS
The vision that the servant of Elisha was here permitted to see most assuredly was seen by Elisha himself; otherwise he would not have asked the Lord to permit the servant to see it. In addition to what is above stated, this vision might further represent that the church, discerning the application of the pictures of Elijah and Elisha and their relationship to each other, might in the closing days of their earthly pilgrimage, have a clearer vision and appreciation of the wonderful power manifested on their behalf by the Lord under whose banner they fight. And thus having such a mental vision of God’s protecting care, they could say to each other and to those about them who might fear, as did Elisha to his servant: “Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them”. (2 Kings 6:16) In harmony with that same thought we believe: He that is for us is greater than all they that be against us.—Cf. 2 Chronicles 32:7,8; Romans 8:31; 1 John 3:20.
If this experience of Elisha pictures anything it does not seem at all reasonable that it would picture the great company class, because it does not contain one element of the characteristics of the great company class. We notice in the experiences of Elijah that Obadiah is mentioned as one who served the Lord, yet feared Ahab and Jezebel, and therefore did not take his stand boldly with the prophet Elijah. Obadiah therefore seems to represent the great company class. We quote the following in support of this proposition:
“We rejoice also with the believers represented by Obadiah; yet we could sincerely wish for them the blessings of greater zeal in the Lord's service, less care for the friendship of those who are God's enemies and greater boldness in the advocacy of the Lord's cause and in proclaiming themselves in every proper manner his servants. We fear for such that being ashamed of the Lord and to some extent preferring advantages as respects the present life—to be in a prominent position, in good society and surrounded by luxury maintained at the expense of failure to properly confess the Lord—will mean eventually to such the loss of the great prize for which we are called to run in this present life. As already intimated, our expectation would be that such a class would eventually get a blessing from the Lord and a good position; but such a class surely, unless they turn about and become more courageous, will lose the great prize for which we have been called to run—jointheirship with God’s dear son in the kingdom.’’—Z’ 04-221.
ELISHA’S SERVANT FEARFUL
In Elisha’s experiences we find a servant with him who also was fearful. This servant, when he saw the city where Elisha was compassed about with a great army, quaked with fear and cried unto his master, “My master, how shall we do?” thus indicating that there would be associated with the antitypical Elisha class a class of Christians serving who are fearful and who will be of the great company class. We are reminded also that the Lord makes it plain that the great company class will be a servant class, serving the Christ in the kingdom of glory, and this is another reason why the servants of Elijah and Elisha in these experiences picture the great company.
It is conceded by all Bible students that the Psalms were written chiefly and prophetically for the benefit of the church and represent the church, namely, the little flock. It seems not overdrawing the matter when we state that the Psalmist seemed to have in mind Elisha’s experiences when he wrote the following beautiful words which express absolute confidence in the Lord and his sustaining grace and power: “The Lord is the light of my salvation, whom shall I fear ? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” (Psalm 27 :i-3) Those who stumble and fall are usually blind ; and we note in Elisha’s experiences at Dothan that when the great host encompassed about him he prayed unto the Lord and said: “Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness, and he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha, and then Elisha led them to Samaria and into captivity to Israel”.
Another evidence that Elijah and Elisha represented the same class is found in the fact that Elijah was commanded by the Lord to anoint Jehu king over Israel. (1 Kings 19:15) Elijah did not anoint Jehu, but subsequently Elisha did, or had it done under his direct supervision, and therefore did it himself, a procedure which seemed to be entirely pleasing to the Lord. (2 Kings 9:1-6) In other words Elisha completed that which Elijah was directed to do.
The fiery chariot that separated Elijah and Elisha did not indicate that any animosity existed between the two, or the class represented by the two. On the contrary, Elisha was fully devoted to Elijah at all times. The chariot, as a vehicle, is symbol of an organization and therefore would well represent the Society which the Lord, through his faithful servant, organized, used, and is using as a vehicle to bear his message to his people. Horses represent doctrines. A whirlwind is a symbol of great trouble, war. In the picture the fiery chariot with horses of fire appeared and parted Elijah and Elisha, and Elijah went up (was taken away) by a whirlwind. In the spring of 1918 the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society was bearing a fiery message, a message due at that time. At the same time there was great trouble. There ended the work which Elijah pictured and the taking away of Elijah indicates such ending. This does not mean the taking away of individuals, but it would mean the cessation by the Lord’s people for a time at least of certain work pictured by Elijah. Elisha standing by the Jordan would indicate a period of time, however short or long, lapsing until Elisha would take up the mantle—the message borne by Elijah— and use it according to the Lord’s direction.
THE MANTLE
We note that the mantle of Elijah is prominently mentioned in this narrative. What does the mantle represent? We answer, It evidently represents something that the Elijah class has possessed throughout their journey, and particularly the journey during the harvest period of the Gospel age, Elijah and Elisha journeyed together from Gilgal to the Jordan, and not until they reached the Jordan did Elijah wrap up his mantle and smite the waters (people). As the Watch Towers heretofore suggested, the mantle represents the message of truth, and particularly the message contained in Volume VII, “The Finished Mystery,” which in truth and in fact is the condensed statement of the entire message relating to Babylon, and clearly distinguishing the antitypical Jezebel from the true church. It is also designated, and properly so, as “the point of the sword” wrapped up, or in a compact form. The message of truth, therefore, contained in all the seven volumes and particularly in the Seventh, the pointed part of it, therefore seems fitly to represent Elijah’s mantle wrapped up. We mark that the distribution of the message contained in Volume VII did cause a wide division of opinion among the peoples who came in contact with it. At the time Elijah was taken up by the whirlwind we read concerning Elisha : “He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan [the standing there suggesting a period of waiting, whether long or short, before using the mantle] ; and he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters and said: Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters they parted hither and thither, and Elisha went over”. —2 Kings 2:i-i4.
We conclude, therefore, that the Prophets Elijah and Elisha both typify the same class, towit, the little flock; that where the Elijah picture ended the Elisha picture began, and in the antitype two parts of the same character of work done by the same class of people are shown. We mark that twice the Scriptures make the statement: "The mantle of Elijah that fell from him Elisha picked up”. The message of truth, particularly that pointed part of it relating to Babylon, did fall from the hands of the Elijah class. There has been a period of waiting; and this picture seems to indicate that the time must come ere long when the Lord’s people, pictured by Elisha, must take up again this mantle, this message of truth, and use it.
PEBILOUS TIMES COME
Time arid again we have been reminded that in the last days perilous times would come, and that during that time “of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them”. Again and again we have been reminded in what marked degree this prophetic statement of the Apostle has been fulfilled. Influenced by those who have arisen speaking perverse things, by twisting and perverting the Scriptures and misapplying them, some of the Lord’s dear people have been much confused and some have even been induced to cease all efforts at performing service. These have been induced to believe that the work is now over and that they must stand still, not move, not do anything, not make any more proclamation of the message of truth nor declare to the world the incoming kingdom. How unwise, how foolish! Let such ask themselves the question, Did I consecrate to work until a certain time? Where in the Scriptures do I find warrant for my ceasing activity in the Lord’s service as long as he keeps the door of opportunity open? If I remain silent and inactive would my conduct be pleasing to the “beast” or to the Lord? Let each one remember that the adversary will deceive, if possible, even the elect; but we are sure that the elect will not be deceived, otherwise they could not be the elect. Let no child of God then be deceived by this ruse of the adversary, namely, that all opportunities for service are over. Let every true follower of Jesus remember that the war is now on between the “beast” and the “Lamb” and will not end until the “Lamb” is completely victorious and that those who are to be victors with him must continue faithful in service even unto the end.
If, therefore, our conclusion is correct, that Elisha pictures the church during the last of her earthly experiences, it means that there must yet be another smiting of the waters with the mantle of truth, and that during such smiting it must be expected that the “beast” will use all the power against the church that the Lord will permit it to use. But Zion need not fear. It is true that the forty-year period of the harvest has ended, but that does not mean that there is not yet some work to be done. In the Jewish natural harvest, used by the Lord to illustrate the harvest of the church, there was a gleaning work to be done, and also the burning of the tares.
THE GLEANING WOBK
The gleaning work of the Gospel harvest is progressing. The tares are also being burned. All these figures of speech represent the proclamation of the message of truth in whatsoever form the Lord permits his people to use it. The mantle which Elijah used was used by Elisha later. Antitypically, then, the message of truth which was used effectually up to the Spring of 1918 must again be used with whatever additional message the Lord provides. And those who will be victors with the “Lamb” must use that message as opportunity is offered, and use it vigorously and without fear.
Summing up the argument of Parts I and II of this subject, we find that God foreordained a little flock to be developed during the Gospel age to whom he would have great pleasure in giving the kingdom; that he has been developing that class throughout the Gospel age and particularly in the harvest period thereof, and that he has been teaching them by pictures, types and illustrations, as well as by direct statements, that the class to whom he purposes giving this grand and wonderful prize will be those whose faith and confidence in him is absolute, and who are without fear of man or man-made institutions and whose love is perfect. Viewing the church’s situation, then, in the light of the Scriptures, and in the light of the events that have transpired during the past year, and knowing that through much tribulation must the kingdom class enter in, let everyone who is now in the race for the prize of the high calling gird up the loins of his mind and be sober and wait for the command of the Lord, the Captain of our salvation, ready, willing, and anxious at all times to obey that command at the cost of reputation, good name, fame, riches, or even life itself.
OHB KING KNOWS NO DEFEAT
This little band of Christians are fighting the greatest fight of all times. There will never be another like it. The great God of the universe has arranged it; the great Redeemer, the King of kings and Lord of lords, is the Captain and Leader of this little band. We know that he is absolutely certain of victory, and we therefore know that after being called and chosen to run in this race, if we continue faithful, fearless, prompted by love in our actions, serving him at every possible opportunity loyally to the end, we shall ultimately stand victors with him and hear the approval of the Father, “Well done, good and faithful servants.” Let us then fear not, for “the eternal God is our refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms”.
The chief purpose of this article is to prove that Elisha typifies the little flock, the faithful and zealous Christians, and also to prove what constitutes the double portion of the spirit of Elijah. In a subsequent article we will examine the details.
MAHANAIM—TWO HOSTS
The mountain horizon was burning with light;
On its brow stood the Syrian, in glory and might;
Proud waved to the sunset the banner's rich fold:
Proud blazed the gemmed turbans, and corselets of gold.
And loud rose the taunt of the infidel’s tongue: “Ho! Israelite slaves, This night sees your graves;
And first from your walls shall Elisha be flung!”
At the word stooped a cloud from the crown of the sky!
In its splendors the sun seemed to vanish and die.
From its depths poured a host upon mountain and plain;
There was seen the starred helm, and the sky-tinctured vane, And the armor of fire, and the seraph’s bright wing;
But no eyeball dared gaze On the pomp of the blaze, As their banner unfolded the name of their King!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE
be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devou.
i Peter 5:8.
"Be sober.
HILE the writings of St. Peter have been applicable to the church throughout the age. yet his epistles seem to apply with special force at the end of the journey of those running for the prize. We may be sure that the Lord directed the message of the Apostle that it might be helpful to the Lord's "little ones" in time of need. The context shows that the Lord’s people, being in the flesh, are subject to temptations of a similar character to those which are inflicted upon the world. With each succeeding day the intensity of feeling and excitement increases. This is true because we are in the time of the judgment of the nations of earth, when the heavens (ecclesiasticism) are passing away with a great disturbance and the elements, rich and poor, strong and weak, are melting with fervent heat. It is a time when the sea and the waves are roaring—when all humanity is being disturbed and excited because of conditions.
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