The Watchtower, June 1, 1925
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Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented) roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking to the things coming upon the earth (society); for the powers of the heavens (ecclesiasticsm) shall be shaken. . . When ye see these things begin to come to nass then know that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Look up, hit up your heads, rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh.—-Matt. 24.33; Mark 13.29; Luke 21:25-3L
THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION
THIS Journal Is one o£ the prime factors or instruments in the system of Bible instruction, or “Seminary Extension”, now being presented in all parts of the civilized world by the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, chartered A. D. 1884, “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 of 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 all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V. D. M.), which translated into English is Minister of God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School 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 Peter 1:19; 1 Timothy 2:6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3: Ills ; 2 Peter 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”.—Ephesians 3 : 5-9,19.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men. while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord hath spoken—according to the divine wisdom granted 'Unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, 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 leaders 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 Corinthians 3:16, 17 ; Ephesians 2 : 20-22 ; Genesis 28 :14 ; Galatians 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.—Revelation 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”.—-Hebrews 2:9; John 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, “see him as he is,” be “partakers of the divine nature’,’ and share his glory as his joint-heir.—1 John 3:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
Tnat 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.—Ephesians 4:12; Matthew 24 : 14 ; Revelation 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 all 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 ; Isaiah 35.
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BETHEL HYMNS FOR JULY
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The International Bible Students Association will hold conventions as follows :
Springfield, Mass., August ]3 to 16, inclusive, 192,">.
Indianapolis, Ind., August 24 to 31, inclusive, 1925.
Wilmington, N. C., October 22 to 25, inclusive, 1925.
We make this announcement now in advance in order tim the friends may arrange their vacation periods accordingly. More detailed information will be published later:
RADIO PROGRAMS
WBBlt, New York City (official address, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N. Y.'), 272.6 meters. Sunday morning, 10: 00 to II : 30; Sunday evening, 9: 00 to 10:30; Monday, Thursday and Saturday evenings, 8.00 to !): 00 ; Daylight-Saving, E. Standard Time.
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I .B-SA. BEREAN BIBLE'STUDIES
By Means of “The At-one-ment”
STUDY XII: THE SUBJECT OF THE ATONEMENT
Week of July 5........Q. 55-60 Week of July 19........Q. 68-74
Week of July 12.......Q. 61-67 Week of July 26........0 75-80
AND HERALD OF CHRISTS PRESENCE
Vol. NLVI
June 1, 1925
No. 11
LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
“Vnlo the upright there ariselh light in the darkness.”—Psalm 112: If.
THE human race is in the valley of death. The world has ended and is rapidly dying, and with it many peoples of the earth. It is the day of God's vengeance upon Satan's organization, and all the nations are under judgment. Concerning this time the Prophet says: “A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains.” (Joel 2:2) We are here reminded of the darkness that enshrouds the mountain peaks just before the first gray streaks of the light of day appear. It is a dark time for the world. It is light in due season for those of Zion; that is to say, those saints now on earth are to speak to each other concerning this great darkness and its meaning, and to comfort and encourage each other as the darkness increases. The command' of the Lord is: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble : for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.”—Joel 2: 1.
2 Another of God's holy prophets, looking down to the day when the peoples of earth would enter this time of darkness, says: “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wastencss and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.” (Zephaniah 1: 15, 16) Since the tragedy of Eden the peoples of earth, cut off from the sunshine of God’s favor, have been in the land of “the shadow of death”, moving on in darkness, which is well represented in the land that lies along the banks of the Jordan, traversed by the waters which hurry on to the Dead Sea.—Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4: 13, 16.
3 The journey of the human family down through the ages has been run like that of the Israelites traveling from Egypt, “through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits; through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death; through a land that no man passed [safely] through, and where no man dwelt.” (Jeremiah 2: 6) Cut off from God’s smile and exposed to the attacks of darkness, it is no marvel that man has realized his unhappy lot, and backward through the ages has looked with longing eyes and fainting heart to the paradise where the smile of Jehoiah was joy to his heart and sunshine to his soul. But thanks be to God, the ties that bind the earthly creature to Jehovah are not entirely and forever severed. “Lor his anger endureth but a moment: in his favor is life: weeping may endure, for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”—Psalm 30 : 5.
WHY THE DARKNESS,.
4 The inspired Apostle says that the rulers of this world are rulers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12), and that the chief ruler or god of this world is Satan. (2 Corinthians 4:3,4) This evil one is also designated as the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and as the prince of this world. (John 12:31) The Scriptures disclose that he who is the prince or ruler of this dark world was the first to become disloyal to God, and by reason of his wickedness man was induced to sin. Following the course of wickedness pursued by Satan, great numbers of the angels of heaven sinned and became a part of the principalities of darkness. These angels God has restrained in darkness until the groat judgment day.—2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6.
5 The organized powers and principalities of Satan, invisible, constitute the evil heavens or invisible ruling power. Sian for a long time has endeavored to organize governments, hoping thereby to safeguard his own interests. Being weak, he has yielded to the seductive influences of Satan. He has become vain in his imaginations. His foolish heart has become darkened and his organized governments have become a part of Satan’s organization.
0 For many centuries Satan has been the prince of the wicked heavens and the god of the evil world. During all that time it has been the constant purpose of Satan to make God appear a liar and his Word unreliable. He has induced man to believe that there is no sin; that there is no death; and that God’s judgments arc of no effect. He has turned the minds of the groat masses of humanity away from the Lord and from his Word. Men have organized legitimate commerce and
have attempted to- deal honestly with their neighbors. Satan has overreached the minds-of these chief ones of commerce, increased their greedy desires, and turned the commercial interests into wicked profiteering, and made this a means of oppressing mankind. With an honest desire to have governments in the interest of the people, men have formulated some wholesome laws and established courts to mete out justice to the offenders and for protection to the oppressed. But overreached by the sinister and wicked influence of Satan, selfish men have made the courts a farce, and justice a mockery, greatly to the sorrow of mankind.
T The Lord planted his Church on earth, a pure vine, and into its organization many men entered, with a sincere desire of serving God. Early in its history Satan overreached the leaders of the church organization, turned their minds to selfishness and caused them to join the other part of his worldly organization. He has increased in men’s minds and hearts the desire for power, fame and great reputation, that they might receive the plaudits of the world. Many who have pretended to represent the Lord and who have appeared in his name have become the very instruments of the prince of darkness. These emissaries of Satan have hypocritically assumed to represent God, blasphemed his holy name, and manifested their enmity toward the truth.
8 These three elements, commercial, political and ecclesiastical, compose the governing factors of the wicked world, and with one accord they proclaim the blasphemous doctrines that the unholy alliance is divinely constituted and rules the world by divine right. The Lord in his Word designates such as “the power of darkness’’. (Luke 22:53) The people are steeped in ignorance concerning the Word of God, and truly there is a famine in the land for the hearing of his Word. (Amos 8: 11) The masses cry and moan under the wicked hand of the oppressor. Truly the whole creation groans and travails in pain until now.
THE LIGHT
0 The inspired writer of the Scriptures says: “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) The great eternal One, the Source of light, dwells in the light which no man can approach unto.—1 Timothy 6 : 16.
10 When God created the earth that it in his due time might be a fit habitation for man (Isaiah 45: 12,18), he made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it. (Job 38: 9) At his command the darkness fled away. “And God said, Let there be light; and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3) He is the great Source of light, and all who enjoy the light must be in harmony and remain in harmony with him.
11 Foreshadowing a class who delight themselves in the Lord, and who rejoice in the light that comes to them from him, David wrote: “Bless- the Lord, 0 my soul. 0 Lord my God, thou art very great: thou art clothed with honor and majesty. Who covcrest thyself with light as with a garment; who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; who maketh the clouds his chariot; who walketh upon the wings of the wind; who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire; who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment ; the waters stood above the mountains.”—Psalm 104: 1-6.
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
12 Jesus Christ is the express image of Jehovah and possesses the brightness of his glory, and is the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22: 16) Since the dark day began at the expulsion from Eden, God has had some representatives on earth that reflected his light. Against all such Satan has fought and his effort has been to destroy them. In the fulness of time God sent to the earth his beloved Son, that he might redeem mankind and lead the willing ones out of darkness into light and life. Early in his ministry, speaking to the ecclesiastics of that time vs ho fraudulently claimed to represent God, Jesus said: “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12) To his disciples he declared: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:4,5) Speaking with authority to those in darkness he said: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to iudire the world, but to save the world.”—John 12: 46,47.
13 Every creature who receives the light of God receives a favor of priceless value. All life and all light proceed from God. Light and life as applied to Jehovah are synonymous terms. Knowing this, we can better understand the words of Jesus when he said: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
14 Writing of his mission to earth and the blessing that Jesus would be to those who would receive him, the words of St. John are: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:4,5) This great light came into the dark world and was its light when here. He came to give his life a ransom for mankind, to the end that man might have life and have it more abundantly. (Matthew 20:28; John 10: 10) In due time he will abolish death and destroy him that has the power of death, because he “hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”—2 Timothy 1: 10; Hebrews 2:14.
THE CHURCH
15 Everything that is in harmony with God, the great Source of light, must reflect the light. The Church, which is the Body of Christ, and each membfer thereof who is pleasing to the Lord, must be in the light and reflect the light of the Lord. In proportion as one has the spirit of the Lord he has the light and reflects that light. The spirit of the Lord is made manifest in and by his Word. He who has the spirit of the Lord can understand the Word of God, as it is revealed. It is by and according to his own will and his Word that God begets the members of the Body of Christ to the divine nature. (James 1: 18) He begets them to a hope of life, reserved in heaven for those who are kept by his power through faith. Faith in the merit of Christ Jesus, a full and complete consecration, justification and spirit-begetting, mark the beginning of the new creature whose prospects from that time forward are to membership in the glorious Body of Christ.
16 Each Christian was once in darkness even as the world is in darkness. Now the Lord has brought these new creatures out of darkness into his marvelous light. For this reason the Christian can always give thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. (Colossians 1: 12,13) But the mere fact that a member of the Church has been translated out of darkness does not mean that he will not continue to have a battle with the powers of darkness. There is still a battle-ground in his mind and he must continue to fight against principalities, powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12) As a new creature, that he might please God, he must walk in the light. (Ephesians 5:8) He must avail himself of the provision God has made to keep him in the light. The world is in darkness and the Lord is the light. The Christian must be made into the likeness of the Lord. This is a transforming process. Hence, says the Apostle, “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”—Romans 12: 2.
17 This means that the mind of the new creature must feed upon the Word of God, that he may have light by which he can walk and which brings him life. Hence it is written for the Christian’s benefit: “The commandment is a lamp, and the law [of God] is light.”— Proverbs 6: 23.
18 To the Christian the Word of God is a lamp unto his feet and a light illuminating his pathway; and he who receives the Word of the Lord receives light and understanding. (Psalm 119 :105, 130) The light of the Lord that shines in this dark world is not for those who refuse to walk in it. It is not for those who love wickedness. “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” (Psalm 97: 11) The righteous on earth are only those who are in Christ and who abide there.
SURROUNDED BY DARKNESS
19 All along her journey the Church has been surrounded by the darkness of this evil world. The prince of darkness, taking advantage of the weakness of the weary traveler in Zion, has attempted to darken his mind. Sometimes the way has seemed very dark; but still striving to walk in the light the Christian has rejoiced in the promise that “unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness. God is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”—Psalm 112:4.
20 Those who contend for righteousness and who are diligently walking in the light, with confidence look up to the Lord and say, “For thou wilt light my candle; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.”—Psa. 18: 28.
21 When darkness surrounds, and when the evil one is active, to calm the Christian’s fear the Lord gently whispers: “Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night.” (Psalm 91:5) Many times when these terrors surround the Christian! he finds strength in confidently claiming the promise of the Lord, as it is written: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear ? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”—Psalm 27:1.
MUST CONTINUE IN THE LIGHT
22 God has not given to the saints all the light at one time. They could not have borne it all at once. He has graciously revealed it to them step by step, for their own good. “The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4:18) When the Lord sees it to be well to give more light to his people then it is given.
23 Every Christian should remember that the Scriptures are not of private interpretation. God has not committed to man the authority to interpret his Word. Jehovah is the Source of light and he sends forth his light to his people through his beloved Son by his spirit in his own good time. Jesus, the head of his Church, feeds his Body members upon the Word and illuminates their minds according to the Father’s will. Members of the Church, therefore, should watch for the increased light that the Lord sheds forth upon their pathway, that they may diligently walk therein. It will not do for a Christian to say: ‘I have learned all that can be understood of God’s Word, and there is no more to learn in this time.’ Such has been the trouble with some professed Christians all along the age. They have advanced to a certain point and there stopped and refused to look for more light, much less to further walk in the light. For this reason some have had “their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” (Ephesians 4: 18) Nowhere docs the Lord encourage ignorance or indolence in seeking him through his Word.
21 Nominal Christendom, as we now see it, fell into this very snare of ignorance, indolence, unfaithfulness and darkness. The leaders in the ecclesiastical systems have put away the Word of God, the lamp that was given to light the Christian’s pathway, and have walked on in their own wisdom. They have become wise in their own conceits and have ignored the light that the Lord has provided. Some of these by nature have been more brilliant than other men. Their natural brilliancy and lack of humility was a misfortune to them. The Lord likens their brilliancy merely to sparks that soon disappear in the darkness. To them he says: “Who is among you that fearelh the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walkcth in darkness, and hath no light? Jet him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks [the light of your own wisdom] ; walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand, ye shall lie down in sorrow.”—Isaiah 50:10,11.
OUTER DARKNESS
23 If one brought out of darkness into the light fails or refuses to appreciate his privilege and avail himself of God’s provision, he is in danger of greater darkness. It behooves each Christian now to look well to his pathway; that he walk in the light of the Lord in this evil hour. The Scriptures show that there will be some, particularly in the end of the age, who will fail to appreciate their privileges, lose the light and be cast into outer darkness. What would lead to such a disaster? Among some of the things mentioned by the Scriptures are these: Bitterness of heart; slothfulness; indifference to privileges of service; a failure and refusal to walk in the light, and a returning to the world from which they were taken. If one permits himself to become embittered against his brother, he loses the spirit of the Lord and therefore loses the spirit of light, and darkness ensues.
2G The apostle Paul, warning the Christians against the perils of darkness now surrounding them, says: “Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” —Hebrews 12: 14, 15.
27 Contention and strife amongst the brethren in the classes or otherwise leads to bitterness, and this bitterness leads to a loss of the spirit of the Lord. The Apostle plainly shows that in order to have an understanding of the mysteries of God, to appreciate the precious truths of the Lord’s Word and walk in the light thereof, the hearts of God’s people must be united together in love. (Colossians 2:2,3, Diaglott) It follows, then, that where there is bitterness, if persisted in it drives out the light, because it drives out love, and darkness results.
28 Hatred will lead to darkness. If one persists in permitting bitterness in his heart to result in hatred of his brother, he is sure to go into darkness. “He that saith ho is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walkcth in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”—1 John 2: 9-11.
29 We are now in that dark hour of the world’s history in which everything is being shaken that can be shaken. (Hebrews 12:21) One of the essentials to abide in the light and to withstand the shaking is to unselfishly look to the interests of our brethren as new creatures in Christ, as it is written: “Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13: 1) In the parable of the talents the Lord shows that to those who have been brought into the light he has committed certain interests of his kingdom, and to all of his servants he has committed all his goods or interests of his kingdom. To each one is given a measure of the spirit of the Lord, and if he diligently walks in the light and avails himself of opportunities of serving the Lord, prompted by the spirit of love, he increases in the Lord’s spirit.
30 But to one who is indifferent, who fails to feed his mind upon the Word of God, who fails, neglects or refuses to avail himself of opportunities to proclaim the truth, and who thereby fails to safeguard the interests of the kingdom committed to him, such by the Lord is counted “a wicked and slothful servant”. The Lord’s pronounced penalty against such is: “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. . . . And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25: 28, 30) Surely the Lord has his own good way of making known the good news of his kingdom. He has commanded his followers to proclaim the truth to the world as his witnesses.
31 The consecrated are looking forward to the time when they might be made members of the Lord’s wedding party, partaking with him at the wedding feast. The preparation for that happy day is illustrated by putting on the wedding garment. One who refuses to conform to the Lord’s appointed way of preparing himself is thereby refusing to put on and maintain the wedding garment. And when the day of reckoning comes the Lord directs that such a one shall be east into outer darkness.—Matthew’ 22:13.
32 There is now great danger of Christians becoming overcharged with the cares of this life and permitting themselves to become sleepy or indifferent to the interests of the Lord’s kingdom, and to fall back into the darkness. Failing to feed the mind upon his Word of Truth, failing or refusing to avail oneself of opportunities of serving the Lord, will cause one to grow drowsy and his hand to slack. This is a dangerous position; and it is the privilege of each of the brethren to call the others’ attention to this condition that they might be awakened. To such the Apostle says: “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the de:i(l? 1111 d Christ shall give thee light.”—Ephesians 5:14.
33 Only the saints will continue to walk in the light unto the perfect day. Those who turn away from the Lord and from his precious provision are classed with the wicked. “The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble.”—Prov. -1: 18,19.
CONFLICTING ORGANIZATIONS
34 The visible part of Satan’s organization is designated as the beast, composed of the three elements, selfish commercial, political and ecclesiastical power. These are now steeped in darkness and walk on in the dark. So gross is their darkness that they even presume to hide their ways from the Lord. Their works are in the dark, even though they claim to be in the light. (Isaiah 29 : 15,16) The commercial powers openly and flagrantly violate every rule of justice in their oppression of the poor for their own selfish gain. The political powers ignore the rights of the people and willingly and openly violate the laws which they themselves have made. The clergy ignore the Word of God, and many openly deny his Word and the blood of Jesus Christ that bought them. They have been warned of the Lord to judge justly and to deal righteously with the poor and needy; but they have refused to heed and consequently walk on in darkness. (Psalm 82:3-5) Such constitute the wicked organization of Satan, which has reached its day of judgment.
33 God’s organization visible is composed of those on earth who have been begotten and anointed of the holy spirit and who appreciate the privilege of being in his sendee. Because they reflect the light of the Lord they are the light of the world, even as Jesus said: “Ye are the light of the world.” These must work in harmony with Jehovah, the great Source of light, and with all the other members of his organization, Christ and the glorified members of his Body beyond the vail, and the holy angels of heaven. They must let their light shine, as representatives of the Lord.—Luke 11: 33-36; Matthew 5:14-16.
36 Now darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people, and the command to these faithful ones of the Lord is: “Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord hath risen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1) These must shine by reflecting the light of the present King of glory, who has taken unto himself his power and begun his reign.
37 Satan is the prince of darkness and has the power of death. lie would destroy all who refuse to obey him. The Christian absolutely refuses to obey him and flees to Christ for refuge. Jesus Christ is the Prince of light and of life. He became a man that he might redeem the race; and there has been committed to him all power in heaven and in earth. (Hebrews 2:14) “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”—1 John 3: 8.
38 Now the great battle is on. It is the beast, the devil’s visible organization, led by Satan himself, warring against the Lamb and his organization. The victory is with the Lord, and those who are faithful and true to the end shall stand with him in victory.—Revelation 17:14.
RAISE UP THE STANDARD
39 It is not sufficient now to merely know the truth and feed upon it. But he who walks in the light and shows his appreciation and his love for the Lord must obey the Lord’s commandments. Satan, the prince of darkness, who is leading his cohorts against the Prince of Light and his followers, has come in like a flood. This is a flood of falsehood and wickedness. The command to the Christian, therefore, is: “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19) The enemy’s flood of lies would efface the name of God from the minds of men and turn the whole world into complete and absolute darkness and away from God. Now the Lord says to those who are followers of the light: “Ye are my witnesses, . . . that I am God.” (Isaiah 43: 10,12) “And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.”— Isaiah 51:16.
THE STANDARD
40 Those who have the spirit of the Lord and who are therefore in the light must now raise up the standard against the enemy. This standard is that of righteousness and truth, the truth concerning God’s kingdom and the blessings that shall flow to mankind from it. They must tell those who have a hearing ear that God is light and in him there is no darkness; that God is love and his provision for man’s salvation is complete; that Jesus is the express image of the Father, clothed with power and authority to save to the uttermost, and that he has taken unto himself his power and begun his reign; that he is leading the fight against the forces of darkness, and the victory with him will be complete; that he shall reign amongst the people in righteousness; that his judgments will be right and true, and when his judgments are in the earth the people will learn righteousness.—Isaiah 26:9; Hosea 6 : 5.
41 This great dark day that is now upon the world is because God’s indignation is expressed against the powers of darkness. It has brought great distress upon mankind, and it is the privilege of the Christians who walk in the light to comfort the hearts of those that mourn, that they may see out of their obscurity some hona for the future.
42 Tn raising up the standard, then, against the wicked one, those who have the spirit of the Lord will joyfully tell the people of some of the precious things that God’s kingdom will bring to them. Those who appreciate this privilege and avail themselves of it really enter into the joy of the Lord now. They have in mind not only their own salvation, but the elimination of darkness and the opening of the blind eyes that the peoples of earth may know of the great Source of light and life.
4, ! Those of the Lord’s organization who are faithful to their charge are a delight to the Lord. To them he says: “I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” (Isaiah 42: G, 7) It must be apparent to all that the prison-house referred to is the tomb, and that the darkness is the darkness of superstition and ignorance that now enshrouds the people. It is a happy privilege now to tell the people who have a hearing ear that the Lord’s kingdom is at hand; that in that kingdom “he will destroy . . . the face of the covering that is cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.”—Isgiah 25: 7.
44 The Apostle declares that the Lord will consume the wicked one with the spirit of his mouth and destroy him with the brightness of his presence. (2 Thessalonians 2:8) It follows that the message of truth must be used in the Lord’s own due time and way to remove the darkness from the minds of the people. Those Christians on earth who are witnesses for the Lord must avail themselves of the opportunity to thus proclaim the truth. It is therefore the privilege of each Christian to point the people to the fact that this great time of darkness and trouble on the earth is the result of sin, which has reached a culmination; to show them that God is light; that Jesus is the express image of the Father; that he is the great Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world; and that his kingdom will bring to all who will obey him the great desire of their hearts—light, happiness and eternal life.
45 It follows, then, that no one could be faithful and tine to the Lord in these remaining days when the conflict is on between light and darkness unless he would avail himself of the opportunity of letting his light shine. He must do this by telling the good news to the peoples of earth, and by conforming himself to the ways of light, walking in the light as the Lord has provided it.
4 ,1 In proclaiming this message the Christian has no need to fear. The Psalmist has expressed the sentiment of the hearts of the devoted ones: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) While humanity is sitting now in darkness and unable to see, it will not always be thus. Truly, “on account of the tender compassions of our God, by which he has visited us; a daydawn from on high, to illuminate those sitting in darkness and death-shade: to direct our feet into the way of peace.”—Luke 1: 78, 79, Diaglott.
47 Happy will be the day for the world when the Millennial reign is done; when the Lord has turned over the human race to God, fully restored. In that city there will be no need of the gospel, nor of the law, as recorded in the Word of God, to shine for the benefit of the people, but the glory of the Lord will enlighten mankind, and the Lord will be the light thereof. “And the nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of it, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day, for there shall be no night there.” —Revelation 21: 24-26.
48 It is the Christian's present privilege to tell the peoples of earth that this blessed condition is in store for those who obey the Lord.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
State the position of the human race? Why are the Lord's saints to blow the trumpet in Zion? Flow is our day described? What hope is held out? 1? 1-3.
Why does darkness still obtain? How has the good that men would do been turned into oppression? V 4-6.
How did the Lord plant his Church? What caused the apostasy? What three elements try to perpetuate their existence? V 7, 8.
What is the light that God dwells in? Once getting into the light of God, what must one do to remain in it? 7 9-11.
Is Satan a constant opponent of all light-bearers? What is the effect upon one who follows Jesus? From when'"' comes light and life? 7 12-14.
How may one be a reflector of the light of God? What great thing lias God done for the disciples of Jesus? Where does the battle of the Christian principally take place? What does this battle result in? 5 15-18.
What is it the duty of the Christian to strive against? How is it done? How is victory accomplished? 719-21.
Does the light dawn upon the mind as a flood, or gradually? How is the mind of the Christian illuminated, and by whom is it done? Has the brilliancy of the ecclesiastics been to their advantage? 7 22-24.
What is it that leads into darkness? What is Brother Paul's warning? What is the admonition of Brother John? 7 25-28.
Where is the Church at the present time? What should be our attitude toward the brethren and toward the kingdom interests which have been committed unto us? V 29,30.
To what great event are the consecrated looking forward?
Is there danger in losing sight of this eventful hour? V 31-33. What is the deplorable condition of Satan’s visible organization? What is the commercial power guilty of? The political? The ecclesiastical? 734.
Who belong to God’s visible organization? How is it demonstrated who these are? 7 35, 36.
What are the opposing forces of Satan and Jesus? 7 37,38. What is one of the ways that the Lord meets the attacks of the adversary? What is the instrumentality that the Lord uses? What is the standard used? 7 39,40.
What is the privilege of the Christian in this hour of distress? What blessing will eventually come to the people of earth? 7 41-44.
What is the means by which one may let his light shine? Has the Christian reason to fear? Is there cause for rejoicing, knowing that the Millennial day is approaching? 7 45-4S.
PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR JULY 1 TEXT FOR JULY 8
“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress,”—Psalm IS: 2.
NOW we arc nearer the perfect day than when first we knew the Lord, True to his promise the light is shining with greater brilliancy. Now we can see that Satan is making a desperate and murderous assault upon the saints yet on earth who keep the commandments of God. He is a wily foe. He will attack every saint at his most vulnerable point. Satan will help each one to magnify self and self rights.
It will be well for each of the saints now to bear in mind that while on earth a saint has no rights which any one is bound to respect. “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”—Colossians 3: 3.
Those who forget this will be easily offended. It is selfishness that takes offence. Selfishness cultivated loads to strife. Satan is diligent to plant strife amongst the brethren. Selfishness develops into pride. Pride leads to disloyalty, unfaithfulness and destruction.
Love is the very opposite of selfishness. Perfect love is the perfect expression of unselfishness. He who really loves the Lord is anxious to proclaim the message of the Lord's kingdom, and will boldly do so in this day of judgment. (1 John 4:17,18) He who loves his brother will be anxious to see his brother serving the Lord. If he finds his brother in distress, mourning, dull or indifferent, he will be anxious to give him beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. He who loves the Lord loves his brother and will be loyal and faithful.
A fortress is a place of security. The Lord is a fortress to the faithful, and all such he will shield and preserve.—Psalm 31:23; 18:1-3.
Those who love the Lord are joyfully keeping his commandments. His commandments now are to comfort those that mourn, and do this by bringing to them a knowledge of the glad news of the kingdom. Doing this in love, and in faithfulness, will keep us in the joy and love of the Lord. Herein is our safety.
“Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.”—Psa. 96: 6.
THE sanctuary is the place made for the dwelling of the Lord. (Exodus 15:11) It is God’s organization.—Psalm 74:2; 7G : 2.
The consecrated and anointed ones this side the vail are in the sanctuary by reason of being in Christ. The great Jehovah, rich in mercy and boundless in love, “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”—Ephesians 2:6.
Now being members of God's organization the saints this side the vail are the special objects of Satan’s wrath. In their own strength they could not stand for one moment. But dwelling in Christ, in the sanctuary, they arc safe and secure from all harm. In this secret place of the Most High they rest in peace. “Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” ■—Psalm DI: 9,10.
This assurance from the "Word of God brings great consolation to the heart of the Christian. So he is strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, and the joy of the Lord is in his heart. With the Apostle he joyfully says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”—Ephesians 1: 3.
In this blessed condition there is also beauty. The fairest of ten thousand, the One altogether lovely, the Head of the Church, dwelleth there. That which beautifies the Christian this side the vail is the establishment of the mind with beautiful truths. The mind is the battle-ground. It is the mind that is transformed. As the Christian abides in this secret place of God’s love, and receives the blessings and comfort from the Lord, he grows into the likeness of the Lord, and reflects this upon others, bringing comfort to other hearts. He receives comfort and strength, and in the strength and beauty of the Lord he grows into a comforter.
AN INTERESTING QUESTION
Question: Is it proper for parents to teach their children that they will have a chance to consecrate for restitution, and then neglect thereafter further instruction in the divine plan ?
Answer: It is not proper to say that a person can consecrate for any reward. Consecration means to do the Lord’s will. The proper course for parents, then, it would seem, would be to teach their children that only those who are obedient to the Lord would get life on any plane. They should teach their children in the home, as well as in the class, the privilege of learning the Lord's plan and of joyfully doing his will, and leave entirely to the Lord what the reward shall be. It is not proper to urge them to make a consecration, but to give them the truth insofar as we can. and then let each one determine for himself. The child that has not reached a sufficient age to determine what consecration is should not be expected to consecrate; but he should be taught concerning the Lord’s plan as far as he can understand it, and urged to be obedient to the Lord and the cause of righteousness. It would not seem exactly the proper thing for one to speak of his children as “restitution children”. That will depend upon whether or not they are obedient to the Lord. Teach the children the truth, and the Lord will determine what the reward shall be.
1C9
THE BEGINNING OF FOREIGN MISSIONS
----July 5—Acts 12: 25 to 13:12----
BARNABAS AND PAUL ENTER NEW SERVICE—LAYING ON OF HANDS IS INDORSEMENT—SORCERER IS SILENCED BY PAUL. “And he said unto them, Go ye unto all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation/'’—Mark 16:15. A. S. V.
OUR lessons now take us into the second phase of the spread of Christianity. Hitherto they dealt chiefly with the work which centered in Jerusalem ; but they also introduced those arrangements which the Lord made for the wider mission of the truth to the Gentiles; namely, the conversion of Saul, and Peter's visit to Cornelius. Antioch in Syria now becomes the center of the story.
2 Barnabas and Saul apparently remained in Jerusalem over the time of Passover, when James was slain and Peter imprisoned. It is possible that both were in John Mark’s mother’s home when Peter called after his deliverance from prison, for the mother of Mark was sister to Barnabas. When they returned to Antioch they took Mark with them. Evidently Barnabas wanted to serve his nephew, and knew of no better way of helping him into full manhood and into the Lord’s service than by taking him to Antioch. Barnabas was a man who could see possibilities both in men and in circumstances, and who knew how to seize a circumstance and to use ability; for it is evident from later accounts given of Mark, and by the fact of his Gospel, that he was a man of ability and energy.
BARNABAS AND PAUL ENTER NEW SERVICE
3 Through various reasons and causes there were now in Antioch a company of men, leaders of the church, who may be compared to the seven deacons of the church in Jerusalem of whom were Stephen and Philip; and, like those, these also were Hellenist Jews.
4 Here, then, without prearrangement, was a company of men with a broad outlook and the right spirit, in the best place for that further work which the Lord had said should be done. Their names are mentioned. Barnabas is named first and Saul last. Of these two we know much, but of the others, Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen, we know little or nothing beyond what is here recorded. Manaen was a man of some standing; he had been brought up as foster brother with Herod the tetrarch.
5 Verse 2 of chapter 13 says, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the holy spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” The word minister gives the thought of direct service to the Lord rather than that of service to the Lord through the brethren, and it seems as if the intention is to convey the thought that these men were waiting on the Lord as if for direction from him. It certainly is not merely a record of sendee such as is conveyed in Acts 11: 26.
0 These were wise and understanding men. It could hardly be otherwise 4han that both these good men talked together of the way of the Lord, and that Paul had told Barnabas and also the others of what the Lord had said to him. All would see that there was more serving ability in Antioch than the needs of the church called for, but instead of acting on their own account they sought the Lord’s guidance. They were rewarded. In some way not recorded, though probably by prophetic declaration, for some of them were prophets, the holy spirit made it plain that Barnabas and Paul were to be separated to the work “whereunto I have called them”.
7 Whatever feelings Paul might have had after Barnabas was thus associated with him in his special work for the Lord, there is no indication that he even for a moment questioned why Barnabas should also be called, or why his own name should be mentioned second. Indeed, Paul had been told that he was a chosen vessel and should be sent far hence to the Gentiles; but the Lord had not said that he would not use another. In any case Paul was obedient and submissive to the will of the Lord, and glad of his privilege; there was no question whether he should be the Lord’s chief or his sole representative.
s These men betook themselves to prayer. They laid their hands on the chosen two and sent them away, probably with some equipment of money for their travels, provided by the church in Antioch. Luke says, “So they, being sent forth by the holy spirit, departed"’ (Acts 13:4); that is, they were sent by the holy spirit, but the brethren in Antioch were the means used.
LAYING ON OF HANDS IS INDORSEMENT
9 The holy spirit had come upon the Gentile, Cornelius, some years before this, and it is certain that that good man and his household had told others of the precious truth; but God’s ministry to the Gentiles now began at Antioch, and in such fashion as is here related.
10 The laying on of hands was not to keep up any apostolic succession, but was a significant action of good men commending their brethren to the Lord. It is clear that these men understood that they were authorized of the Lord to do this thing, for when the Lord by the holy spirit said, “Separate unto me Barnabas and Saul,” it was not as if he said, “I am separating unto me Barnabas and Saul.” They were to do it. That little company of men devoted to the Lord understood that they were to attend to this matter; and their act was acknowledged of the Lord to Barnabas and Saul as much as the laying on of hands of the apostles was acknowledged to any convert who was baptized.
11 It is good when the elders of an ecclesia are men of prayer, who charge themselves with the Lord’s interests.
i;o
The Lord can reward them as he rewarded these faithful men in Antioch. But it often happens that elders instead of confining their thoughts to the things which are necessary for their good service to the church, and charging themselves with the Lord’s interests, selfishly concern themselves with their own, seeking to get themselves into prominence.
12 This was the second occasion on which hands were laid upon Paul: the first was v hen the humble, and otherwise unknown, Ananias of Damascus laid his hands on Saul’s head. (Acts 9:17) Paul could not have desired that the hands of any apostle should be laid upon him, for lie knew he eras chosen apart from them; and it is evident by this providence that God never intended that he should be sent out from Jerusalem on his mission charged by the other apostles.
13 Neither Barnabas nor Paul were of Antioch, and it would therefore be comparatively easy for them and for the brethren who remained to make the separation. Accompanied by John Mark, whom they took to minister to them, they left for Seleucia, at the mouth of the Orontes, whence they took boat to Cyprus. Cyprus was Barnabas’ own country, and probably that was the reason they went there first. At Salamis in Cyprus they visited the synagogues, for there were many Jews in Cypru«. Little seems to have been gained on this their first call in Cyprus, at Salamis, and they went to Paphos.
SORCERER IS SILENCED BY PAUL
14 At Paphos the Roman deputy, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man, desired to hear from them of what they were preaching. In the establishment of the deputy was a Jew, named Bar-jesus, otherwise called Elymas, who was a sorcerer, and a false prophet. This man openly withstood Barnabas and Paul, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. But Saul (who now permanently took the name of Paul), filled with the holy spirit, set his eyes on Elymas and said: “0 full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:10) He then said that Elymas should be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. Blindness immediately came upon the sorcerer, and “he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.” (Acts 13:11) With all his cunning and his union with dark powers he was helpless. The deputy seeing this believed, and was astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.—Acts 13: 12.
13 This opposition by the man whose name means “son of Jesus”, and who styled himself “the wise”, is an important item of the study. When Barnabas and Paul preached to the Roman deputy it was the first occasion of the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom to a Gentile with the object of converting him to the faith of Jesus Christ. And the devil was there, opposing through his willing tool. Paul realized the situation. There was no question here of bidding an evil spirit come out of its victim, as was so frequently the case during our Lord’s ministry. Here was a man bearing the name the Savior bore, who had deliberately given himself to evil. Without doubt this ready tool of the devil was Satan’s instrument by which he hoped to frustrate the work of the Lord’s apostles.
1G These incidents are illustrations of the work of the Church now, at the time when the truth goes forth in full measure to those who have not had the opportunity of hearing it. There are those today associated with the establishments of earthly potentates who are in as bitter opposition to the truth of the kingdom of God now being established in power, as he who was called the “son of Jesus”, and who claimed to be a wise man, was opposed to the truth of the kingdom of grace then being preached. Without doubt these opposers will have their opposition manifested. There is no question that many are already struck with blindness as to the true condition of human affairs.
17 It is apparent that the ecclesiastics of today are groping about as if seeking for someone to take them by the hand. And there can be no question that numbers will scon believe the message of the kingdom as they see the ecclesiastical world smitten with blindness.
18 As then, so now, the people are apathetic about the kingdom; but they do not oppose the truth; they do not understand, nor will they until the trouble has made them long for relief. The opposers now are of the same class as those of that day, when the gospel of the grace of God was preached to the Gentiles. They arc, first, the ecclesiastics and the principal of their flock; these correspond to the Jewish leaders; second, the rulers and supporters of the present order who, like the Roman officials, care but little till they are in some way disturbed; and third, the instigator of evil, the great enemy, the devil, who through his mediums, the latter day sorcerers, and his other tools, still opposes all truth. Some of these arc like Elymas, very willing, while some are but dupes.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Where do our lessons now take us? What city now comes specially into prominence? What advantages had Antioch over other cities at that time? V 1-4.
How do Acts 13:2 and Acts 11: 2G compare? What does the word minister mean in the former? 5.
What may be said of Barnabas and Paul? How did they show that they were willing to serve the Lord? G, 7.
How were Barnabas and Paul sent by the holy spirit? IT S. Was the laying on of hands to keep up apostolic succession?
If not, what was it for? T9,10,12.
Is it good for the elders to look after the Lord’s interests prayerfully? H 11.
Was it easy for Barnabas and Paul to leave Antioch? Was their ministry a success at Cyprus? K13.
What does Bar-jesus mean? Why was he stricken with blindness? Why is it significant that Satan had his representatives present at Paphos? 14,15.
How do these incidents illustrate the work now going on? II16-18.
THE GOSPEL IN ANTIOCH OF PISIDIA
---July 12—Acts 13:13-52----
Paul’s iiest recorded discourse—experiences of jesus fulfil scripture—persecutions cojie .from leaders.
"Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.”— Isaiah 55:4,. A. 8. V.
FINDING little interest to detain them in Cyprus the apostles did not stay, but took ship for the mainland of Asia Minor, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. But neither did they stay there, probably because the time was unfavorable. It is said that at certain seasons the coast there is very unhealthful.
2 For some reason, not explained, Mark declined to go on from Perga. It may be that the dangers and hardships of the road made him afraid; but it is as probable that his decision was because of personal feeling. In Cyprus, Paul had come into greater prominence than Barnabas, Mark’s uncle, and it is quite probable that John Mark was not pleased with this. It also seems that there was some rearrangement made at Perga, for the Scriptures now speak always of the two as Paul and Barnabas, as if henceforth Paul was the foremost. Perhaps John Mark’s deflection had something to do with this. We may not know the reason why Mark went home; but experience shows that it is dangerous to spiritual well-being to decline work which has been given by the Lord, either directly, or which has come in the order of his providence.
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