The Watchtower, November 15, 1927
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WATCH TOWER
"Watchman, What of the Night?
The Morning Cometh, and a Night also!"—Isaiah
VOL. XLVIII SEMI-MONTHLY No. 22
Anno Mundi 6056—November 15, 1927
CONTENTS
THE PASSING OF THE POWERS .................................................. 339
God's Organization ................................................................. 340
Beginning of World Powers ..................................................... 343
The Issue ............................................................................. 344
Serving Notice .................................................................... 345
THE EARLY PROPHETS OF ISRAEL ............................................. 346
THE BIRTH OF JESUS ............................................................... 347
INTERESTING QUESTIONS .......................................................... 349
LETTERS FROM AFIELD .............................................................. 350
RADIO SERVICE ................................................................... 352
YEAR BOOK ........................................................................ 338
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS DISCONTINUED ......................... 338
HOLLANDISH WATCH TOWER .................................................... 338
A WHOLESOME WARNING ........................................................ 338
"I will stand upon my watch and will set my foot upon the Tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, and what answer I shall make to them that oppose me."—Habakkuk 2:1.
From 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; for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken... When ye see these things begin to come to pass, then know that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Look up, lift up your heads, rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh.—Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21:20-31.
THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION
This journal is published by the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY for the purpose of aiding the people to understand the divine plan. It provides systematic Bible study in which all its readers may regularly engage. It gives announcement of the visits made to Bible classes by traveling speakers, announces conventions, and gives the reports thereof. The International Sunday School lessons are treated in harmony with the Scriptures.
It adheres strictly to the Bible as God's revealed Word of Truth. It stands firmly upon the great ransom sacrifice as the fundamental doctrine by which all doctrines are measured. It is free from parties, sects, and creeds of men. It does not assume a dogmatic attitude, but confidently invites a careful examination of its utterances in the light of the infallible Word of God. It does not indulge in controversies, and its columns are not open to personalities.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
THAT JEHOVAH is the only true God, the Maker of heaven and earth, and is from everlasting to everlasting; that the Logos was the beginning of his creation; that the Logos became a man, that he is now the Lord Jesus Christ in glory, clothed with all power, honor and eternal life.
THAT GOD created the earth for man; created perfect man for the earth and placed him upon it; that man willfully disobeyed God's law and was sentenced to death; that by reason of Adam's wrongful act all men are born sinners and without the right to life.
THAT JESUS was made a human being in order that he might become the Redeemer of man; that he gave his life a sacrifice for man and thereby produced the ransom price; that Jesus the divine arose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and presented the value of his human sacrifice as the triumphal price for man.
THAT for many centuries God, through Christ, has been selecting from amongst men the members of his church, which constitutes the body of Christ; that the mission of the church is to follow in the footsteps of her Lord Christ Jesus, and in his likeness give testimony to the name and Person of Jehovah God and ultimately be glorified with Christ Jesus in his heavenly kingdom; that Christ, Head and body, constitutes the "seed of Abraham" through which all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
THAT THE WORLD HAS ENDED; that the Lord Jesus has returned and is now present; that Jehovah has placed Christ Jesus upon his throne and now commands all nations and peoples to hear and obey him.
THAT THE HOPE of the peoples of earth is restoration to human perfection during the reign of Christ; that the reign of Christ will afford opportunity to every man to have a fair trial for life and those who obey will live on earth forever in a state of happiness.
PUBLISHED BY
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YEAR BOOK
Because the supply of the 1927 Year Book was exhausted early we had to print a second edition. There are now on hand about one thousand of that second edition. If any of our readers desire a copy of this, please order immediately, price 50c.
The 1928 Year Book is in course of preparation. We would appreciate if the classes through their secretaries will write in the number that they will require as this will enable us to determine how many to print. The price will be 50c per volume because of the limited edition.
You may send in your orders now. Shipment will be made as soon as the books are ready, which will be in December.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS TO BE DISCONTINUED
The Society has decided to discontinue the publication of the Sunday School lessons. These lessons, as everyone knows, are arranged by the International Sunday School committee of ecclesiasticism; and to follow their arrangement causes us to publish things at times that are not meant in due season. Believing The Watch Tower can be used in a more effective way, for this reason they are to be discontinued. Instead, there will be published a series of short articles suitable for broadcasting by any of the speakers who use the radio stations.
HOLLANDISH WATCH TOWER
For the benefit of some who may not know, The Watch Tower is published in the Dutch (Hollandish) language. Subscriptions may be sent to this office. Subscription price to those living in America is 1.50; in foreign countries,1.50.
A WHOLESOME WARNING
Daily we are reminded of the fulfilment of Revelation 12:17, the Devil making war on the remnant. There are wars without and wars within our ranks. For some time D. Chomiak worked at the desk of the Ukrainian department in the Society's office. He was formerly a Catholic priest. He became wise in his own conceit. Quietly he went about his work of getting out something in opposition to the Truth. He used the Society's time and the Society's machines to print his own matters. As soon as he was found out he was expelled from the office. He now puts out a paper in English called A Study, which is signed Brooklyn Ecclesia, and mails it about to The Watch Tower subscribers. The fact that this is signed Brooklyn Ecclesia is misleading and is not the truth, not even the Ukrainian Ecclesia; but it is wholly Chomiak and one other who are getting it out. The The WATCH TOWER
AND HERALD OF CHRIST'S PRESENCE
Vol. XLVIII NOVEMBER 15, 1927 No. 22
THE PASSING OF THE POWERS
"Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth."—Dan. 2:35.
JEHOVAH through his Word reveals that Armageddon is "the battle of that great day of God Almighty". The inference to be drawn from the name used is that in that great day the Creator of heaven and earth will exercise almighty power in battle against his enemy. If, then, we are correct in the conclusion that the battle of Armageddon will be fought by Satan and his forces on the one side, and Jehovah of hosts on the other side, then it is of greatest interest and importance to the Christians now on earth to have a mental vision of both organizations. It will also be of great importance for the Christians to go forward in harmony with God's organization and to faithfully perform the duties God has laid upon them.
2 It seems quite certain that we are approaching the greatest crisis of all time and that in the conflict of Armageddon the powers of evil shall fall, never again to secure a solid footing on the earth. That fact alone should thrill the soul of every lover of righteousness. It will mean the vindication of God's holy name, the triumph of his Christ, the deliverance of the people from oppression, and the opening of the plain highway by which the people may fully return unto God. Truly we are entering into a grand and awful time. To be living now is sublime!
3 It seems profitable at this time that we take a mental vision of the history of the nations or world powers found recorded in the Word of God, and such part of profane history relating thereto as is in full harmony with the Word of God. Undoubtedly God caused the record thereof to be made in his Word for the benefit of the Christians on earth at this time. The understanding of the same in harmony with God's will is therefore meat in due season to strengthen all those who are striving to do the will of God.
DEFINITIONS
4 Power, as used herein, means a potentate or authority exercising jurisdiction and power over others.
5 World, as herein used, means mankind organized into forms of government acting under the supervision and influence or control of an invisible overlord, potentate or authority. There is both a visible and an invisible part of the world. The invisible part of the organization is termed "heaven". The visible part thereof is called "earth", and the authority of the visible part thereof is exercised by men. In the Scriptures the earthly part is symbolized by a beast because a wild and ferocious beast fitly represents earthly governments or powers.
6 A world power therefore is defined as an organization on earth of men into forms of government, which government possesses and exercises supreme jurisdiction, power, and the controlling influence over various powers or nations, and which is under the supervision of the invisible overlord, Satan the Devil. World powers have been permitted by Jehovah in order to put men to the test and to teach them lessons which they could not otherwise learn. Many nations have arisen and quickly fallen again, but world powers have been limited in number and have existed until God's due time for such to fall.
7 God permitted man to follow his own devices in organizing governments. He placed before man righteousness and truth, and then permitted him to choose good or to go in the way of evil and unrighteousness. Man changed the truth into lies, reproached God and worshiped the creature rather than the Creator. (Romans 1:25) Men were induced to take this wrongful course by reason of the evil influence exercised over them by Satan the enemy. By fraud and deceit Satan turned the mind of man away from God. The Devil induced some to worship him, and others he induced to worship any object except Jehovah. By this means Satan became the god or invisible ruler over men, and has influenced and controlled men's organization of governments or powers.
8 The Devil's organization therefore consists of himself and the evil angels that he drew away from the paths of rectitude, and of men under his influence organized into earthly systems and governments. The majority of men have not cared to retain God in their knowledge, and therefore God permitted them to go in the way of evil and to do those things which are unrighteous.
As the knowledge of men increased they have turned that knowledge into selfish and wrongful channels. Satan, seizing upon the opportunity, has builted a mighty organization on earth. In the latter days, due to the great goodness of God, knowledge has increased; but this knowledge has been used among men under the influence of Satan to strengthen his organization. The commerce of the earth, the political machinery of earth, and the organized religion of earth, are all under the control of Satan. He has united these into one mighty organization, which organization is cruel and oppressive. He stands opposed to God and everything that represents God.
9 Throughout the ages only those who have been faithful to God have stood aloof from the Devil's organization and refused to yield thereto. Many of these have suffered martyrdom, and over them Satan's organization apparently has triumphed. Many others for a time have stood in opposition to Satan's organization, but under his subtle influence have fallen into his snares. Today upon earth there is but a remnant that is true and faithful to God. Against these Satan and his organization now make desperate assault with the determination of destroying them because they keep the commandments of God and have the witness that they are the Lord's.
GOD'S ORGANIZATION
10 God's organization is unknown to all except a few. It consists of Jesus Christ, his beloved Son and great High Priest, and a host of true and holy angels, and the members of the body of Christ in glory, and of those anointed ones on earth who are yet faithful and true to the Lord. Over all of these is the great Eternal Jehovah God. The fact that one of his names is Jehovah of Hosts means that he has a mighty army of holy angels that delight to render complete obedience unto him. These not only carry out his purposes in general, but under his direction furnish protection for the faithful ones on earth. God's representatives on earth are small in number and meagre in power. In themselves they have no strength. The faithful ones have entered into the secret place of the Most High; and dwelling there in the shadow of the Almighty God they are safe while the battle rages. With confidence and with a complete sense of security they can perform and do perform their duties.
DIVINE RULES
11 It appears that God has fixed rules of procedure concerning world powers: (1) He manifests toward such his own goodness that the people thereof, and particularly the rulers, may see evidences of his righteousness in contrast with the wickedness of the evil one. (2) He serves notice upon them of his purposes to punish their evil course. (3) He magnifies his own name by a manifestation of his supreme power that all may know that there is no Almighty God besides him and from him alone proceed all things that are good and righteous.
12 It also appears that another fixed rule of God is that where there is greater knowledge, or opportunity to obtain the same, there is greater responsibility resting upon those who do know or who might know. Having in mind these fixed rules will enable us to more fully appreciate what are the present duties of the remnant and what Armageddon may mean.
13 Nebuchadnezzar succeeded his father upon the throne of Babylon, a nation that had existed for many years. In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar he had a dream. Daniel the Hebrew was brought before the king and gave the interpretation of his dream. In that interpretation Daniel, the prophet of God, specified four kingdoms or world powers. (Daniel 2: 36-40) From the description given, however, and from other facts that appear on the Sacred Record it is manifest that these four are not all the world powers revealed by the Scriptures and that Babylon was not the beginning of world powers.
14 The Gentile Times began under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. When Daniel stood before that potentate to give interpretation of his dream he said: "God maketh known what shall be in the latter days." Those words would indicate that God would reveal to his people in the latter days a better understanding of Nebuchadnezzar's dream and of its interpretation, which was in fact a prophecy. God's purpose in making the dream and its interpretation appear so prominently in the Bible must be of greater significance merely than to record a historical fact to be thereafter remembered by the people. It now appears that the primary purpose of the record concerning that world power was and is that God thereby serves notice on the ruling factors of the world that he is the only true God, that his name shall be magnified notwithstanding the enemy, and in his own due time he will demonstrate this to all creation.
EGYPT
15 It is an indisputable fact that long prior to the existence of Babylon as a world power there were two other great world powers. The first was Egypt. God permitted Joseph to be sold into Egypt, and then to be elevated to a position of great power and authority in that government. There was a divine purpose in this. It was through Joseph that God gave Egypt evidence of his own goodness. That nation was the predominant world power then. That nation received many blessings from God ministered to it and its people through the hand of Joseph, the servant of Jehovah.—Genesis 41.
16 The rulers of Egypt learned of God and his goodness. Joseph died, and another king arose who was against God and forgot the favors that the empire had received from Jehovah.
(Exodus 1: 8) God's chosen people were then domiciled in Egypt. They were being persecuted and oppressed by the rulers. Their cries came up before Jehovah. God then went to Egypt to make for himself a name. (2 Samuel 7: 23) He did this by sending his servants, Moses and Aaron, into Egypt. He told Moses in advance what he intended to do. (Exodus 3: 20) Through Moses God served notice on Pharaoh that he is the Almighty God and of his purpose to deliver his people. After full and fair warning God slew all the firstborn of Egypt, delivered his own people, and then destroyed the army of that great world power. Thus he gave a demonstration of his power that he is God, that his name might not be forgotten for the good of men.
17 Egypt was the first world power; and what came to pass concerning it foreshadowed what shall happen to the last of Satan's world powers. Moses, who served as deliverer, foreshadowed Christ, the great Deliverer. The overthrow of Egypt foreshadowed the time when God through Christ would dash to pieces Satan's organization in the latter day. From that time forward Egypt as a world power became typical of other world powers that should follow. Students of Scripture have long recognized Egypt as a type and its king as the representative of the Devil and a part of the Devil's organization.
ASSYRIA
18 Later and next in order Assyria arose as a dominant world power. That nation was the dominating organization of Satan on earth. God recognized Assyria as a world power, and specifically showed his goodness to that nation by sending Jonah his prophet to them to give them warning. And that world power recognized Jehovah as God and acknowledged him as such. (Jonah 3:6-9) Because of their knowledge of God the rulers of Assyria were responsible. Not only did the rulers of Assyria forget God and worship Satan and his angels, but openly defied the Almighty and brought reproach upon his name. (2 Kings 18:22; 19:10-13) Then God manifested his power against the empire of Assyria and demonstrated that he is the Almighty God. Assyria fell, and ceased to be a world power.
BABYLON
19 The next world power that appeared on the scene was Babylon. It existed as a nation long prior thereto. Early in the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Babylon became a world power or dominant national organization of Satan. Because of the unfaithfulness of the nation of Israel, which formed the typical kingdom of God, that nation was overthrown and God even permitted Nebuchadnezzar to become "a king of kings" or dominant world power to be used for his own purposes. By the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and the interpretation thereof by Daniel God brought notice to that ruler that Jehovah is the only true God; and Nebuchadnezzar recognized that fact when he said to Daniel: 'Of a truth thy God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings.' (Daniel 2:47) Later Nebuchadnezzar was forced to undergo certain ordeals by which he was compelled to acknowledge the supremacy of Jehovah. (Daniel 4:25-37) The goodness of God was made manifest to Babylon. Later that nation forgot God and persecuted his people and fell.
20 By the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream which God gave to him through the Prophet Daniel Jehovah was serving notice upon Babylon, and upon all the nations that followed, that he is the great and only true God and that in his due time he will destroy all powers that oppose him even as he had destroyed Egypt, and that he will do so through his righteous kingdom, and that his kingdom shall stand for ever for the blessing of mankind. The facts therefore show that Babylon was the third world power in the order in which they actually came into existence. The Lord through Daniel did not say that Nebuchadnezzar was the head of the first world power. He described an image, which Nebuchadnezzar saw, the head of which was gold; and then said to the king: "Thou art this head of gold." He then stated that after Babylon there should follow a second, third and fourth kingdom or world power.
21 It clearly therefore appears that such powers in the order named were numbered from Nebuchadnezzar forward. The second was the Medo-Persian kingdom, the third Greece, and Rome is recognized as the fourth. Counting Egypt as the first world power, which indeed it was, then Rome was the sixth from Egypt but the fourth from Nebuchadnezzar. The fourth world power mentioned by Daniel covered the time or interregnum between the overthrow of the typical kingdom of God and the coming of the real kingdom; to wit, Christ Jesus, who came and declared, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." He is the one "whose right it is" to reign (Ezekiel 21:24-27). He was crucified during the time that Rome was the dominant power of earth, the fourth in the order named by Daniel. Daniel the prophet did not then disclose the world powers that preceded Nebuchadnezzar nor those which should follow Rome and which should exist until the establishment of God's kingdom under Christ.
22 While Daniel specifically named only four world powers, yet his prophetic description shows there were to be more. The image which he described to Nebuchadnezzar had legs of iron, which represented the fourth world power or kingdom named by Daniel and which is recognized by all as Rome. Iron represents a cruel military power that breaks to pieces and subdues all others. The military history of Rome fully meets this description.
23 The image had feet and toes, which are no parts of the legs any more than the thighs are parts of the legs.
The two feet had ten toes; and while the toes grow out of the feet, yet they are separate from the feet and are described separately. The description therefore shows that the feet represent a great world power to follow Rome, and then later another would arise which is represented by the toes growing out from the feet and which form a part thereof. The prophet's description is: "And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes part of potters' clay and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay."—Daniel 2: 41-43.
24 Then in the forty-fourth verse follows the prophet's statement that God will set up his kingdom and will completely destroy all these world powers, and that then God's kingdom shall stand for ever.
25 The time of the fulfillment of this prophecy, which is the time of the complete fall and destruction of world powers, is indicated by the words of the prophet: "They shall mingle themselves with the seed of men." Otherwise stated, at that time there shall be an effort to ally the two things represented by the iron and the clay. Iron symbolizes military power, while clay symbolically represents the democracy or common peoples of the earth; and the mingling of the two represents an effort to unite all the peoples and nations including the democracy into one great military camp or war machine, and therefore corresponds with the statement concerning Satan's gathering together all his forces for the great battle of Armageddon.
26 In 1799 Rome fell and ceased to be a world power. At that time Napoleon was desperately attempting to establish a universal world power which would completely ignore Jehovah God and push him out of the mind of men. He was following Voltaire's theory of evolution, which is another evidence that he was acting under the direction of the Devil. It is manifest that the Lord God interfered to prevent him in establishing such a universal power. At the great naval battle of Tafalgar and in the land engagement of Waterloo the forces of Napoleon were defeated and his power broken. That marked the beginning of the ascendancy of the British Empire, which is the seventh and without doubt the greatest world power that has ever existed.
27 Peculiar to that world power is this, that the chief part of its political body is the House of Lords, consisting of the lords spiritual and lords temporal. The Archbishop of Canterbury is first peer of the realm and therefore next to the king. The bishops and other ecclesiastics are large owners of the lands and mines. The empire claims to represent Christ on earth, and at the same time it is the greatest military power that the world has ever produced. It fully meets the description of the two-horned beast that has the appearance of a lamb, because it is diplomatic, pious in appearance, sanctimonious, and speaks like the Devil. (Revelation 13:11) Its dominion encircles the earth. America is really a part of the British Empire because both countries are controlled by the same money power, and that is the power that is responsible for the military and the politicall machinery.
28 The British Empire or world power, together with her colonies and allies, is represented by the feet in the image described by Daniel. The iron represents her great military strength, while at the same time the clay represents the democracy or common people of the empire, all of whom she counts as a part of her great military system. The battle cry during the war of Britain and her allies was: "Let us use the military to make the world safe for democracy." Such is a mixing of iron with miry clay. It was and is a subtle attempt to amalgamate the military with the common people. The scheme will deceive the people for a time but not for long, because God through his prophet so states.
29 The ten toes of Daniel's image symbolically represent all the rulers of Christendom. These have united to form a League of Nations, which is the eighth beast, and which comes from nowhere and goes into perdition. It is the final desperate attempt of Satan to make all the peoples of Christendom stand together as a great and warlike body preparatory for the great battle of God Almighty and which the enemy expects to launch against the Lord God and against his Anointed. The British Empire is therefore the seventh world power; and the League of Nations, which is combined Christendom, including of course the British Empire, which is the real life-giver to the League, is the eighth; and both the seventh and the eighth function at one and the same time and both seem destined for the same fate.
30 The British Empire is the strongest and most powerful nation on the earth. She is the greatest world power that has ever existed. Her dominion extends from east to west and north to south, and reaches almost every part of the earth. Because of her strength she is weak. It is her numerous colonies that make her strong as an empire and as long as those colonies remain entirely loyal her strength continues. If a break should start with one it might easily extend to all others and the empire would quickly go down.
31 The British Empire claims to be the most liberal on earth with regard to freedom of speech. That claim is probably true. The English have learned that it is a good policy to let the people vent their feelings by giving expression in words. At the same time she is the strongest military power on earth. Her effort is to draw the common people into her military organization. Her financial power works the political and ecclesiastical elements for all they are worth; and these in turn impress upon the people the great necessity of the military strength of the nation.
There is a constant burden of taxation laid upon the people to further the preparations for war. While America is separate and independent from Britain, yet she is more dependent than many of her citizens think. The commerce of the British and American nations is closely allied, and therein lie the strength and power of each. Should Britain fall, America could not long continue her commercial enterprises. Her markets in Europe would fail. She would also be greatly menaced by Japan and China. Commerce, therefore, holds the two great nations of Britain and America in close alliance.
32 America is likewise pursuing the same policy concerning war preparations. This is induced by the commercial element or Big Finance. When one of America's sons, little known, flew across the Atlantic that marvelous feat accomplished by him was seized upon by Big Business to boost war preparations. Great sums of money were spent apparently to honor this young man. That was not done because the spenders had any love for the young man. They love no one but self. Millions were spent to enthuse the common people concerning war and to draw them into the war arrangement.
33 Other nations are doing the same thing. All Christendom, which really forms the League of Nations, is talking about disarmament but at the same time increasing that armament. There are more armed men in Europe today than there were in 1914. Every possible effort is being put forth to make soldiers of the common people. What is now called a temporary army composed of young men is being trained and drilled in the United States, and the real purpose is to increase the military power and to encourage the common people to be a part of it. The action of the nations is clearly in fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy. The military and democracy are mingling themselves together with the purpose of getting all the common people in Christendom into the great war camp. "They shall mingle themselves with the seed of men." That is being done. "But they shall not cleave one to another." This is certain proof that the common people will break away from the military.
34 Satan sees his time is short to prepare for Armageddon. He knows that he has the people blinded concerning God; and now he is carrying out his scheme to get the common people into his military trap and hold them there for himself and use them for his own purposes. He is possessed of so much egotism that he believes he can defeat God. The time has come for God to make for himself a name, and for the complete passing from earth's stage of all the world powers that the kingdom of righteousness may be given full sway.
THE STONE
35 Daniel described a Stone cut out of the mountain without hands. Manifestly that Stone is God's Anointed King, who was born out of God's organization. The Stone is seen to smite the image upon the feet, made of iron and clay, and to break them in pieces. "Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth."—Daniel 2:35.
36 The description here given by Daniel shows that the Stone smites the feet and that then the entire image together at one and the same time is ground to pieces and becomes like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors. Undoubtedly this is a brief description of the battle of Armageddon, in which God through Christ shall grind these world powers into a powder and destroy them for ever. Daniel states it in another form when he says: "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."—Daniel 2:44.
37 In 1914 the Gentile Times ended, and the due time there arrived for the great Executive Officer of Jehovah to take charge. There the new nation was born, and God set his Anointed King upon his throne. (Psalm 2:6) The ousting of Satan from heaven followed. In 1918 the Stone, God's Anointed King, was laid in Zion; and there the judgment throne was set, and in due time all the nations of earth shall be brought before that judgment bar. The overwhelming weight of evidence therefore shows that we stand now almost in the shadow of Armageddon.
38 Because of Egypt's knowledge of God there was great responsibility upon that world power, and God held it to account therefor. Likewise there was great responsibility upon other world powers that followed. The British Empire and all the nations of so-called Christendom must bear a greater responsibility before God than any powers that went before them. The British claim to rule by divine right, and as a part of so-called Christendom claim to represent God and his Christ on earth. The clergy of this great world organization claim to represent God; but they do so hypocritically, and in fact they represent the Devil. For this reason they are more reprehensible before God. We may conclude, therefore, that that which befell Egypt will be carried out upon Christendom on a far greater scale and shall affect the uttermost ends of the earth.
THE ISSUE
39 What was the issue in the crucial hour of Egypt in the time of her power and glory? The question at issue was: "Who is God?" What is the issue today in Christendom's most crucial hour? The question now at issue is: "Who is God?" Jehovah demonstrated his power against Egypt that men might not forget that he is God, but that they might remember that he is the One from whom all blessings flow.
Likewise he demonstrated his power against the other world powers, including Rome, and for the same purpose. Now in the time of the enlightenment of the nations of earth so-called Christendom has disregarded the name of the Lord God, and pushed it aside and hypocritically used his name as no other power ever did. Christendom is the very zenith of the Devil's organization. God declares his purpose that such organization shall fall amidst the greatest time of trouble ever known, and that such will be the last.—Matthew 24: 21, 22.
SERVING NOTICE
40 In keeping with the fixed divine rule, before dashing Christendom to pieces Jehovah will have it duly served with notice of his purpose. Acting under his rule he sent Moses and Aaron to serve notice upon Egypt. He sent Jonah to serve notice upon Assyria. Through his prophets he served notice on Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. He served notice upon Rome through Jesus and his apostles. Now shall God perform his great and terrible act in a corner without due notice being given to the world powers of Christendom? No; he declares that notice must be served upon her.
WITNESSES
41 Whom then will God have to serve notice upon Christendom? Keep in mind that the issue now is, Who is God? To the faithful anointed ones who delight to follow in the footsteps of Jesus at this time God says, "Ye are my witnesses that I am God." (Isaiah 43: 10, 12) God commands his people to go and give this witness, and says to give it until the battle is on and until Satan's organization shall fall, never to rise again. If you are one of the anointed ones and love the Lord you will delight to have a part in obeying his commandments and participate in giving the witness.
42 The events that have come to pass since 1914 have been brought sharply to the attention of Christians. These events constitute the good news to the faithful and to all who love righteousness. The Lord tells the faithful who love him to go and give this witness to the peoples of the earth. Undoubtedly the World War ceased that the witness might be given; and when it is given, it may be expected that the battle of Armageddon will follow.
43 Last year there was sent to the ruling powers of the world due notice that God had set his King upon his throne and that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. As was expected, they have ignored and disregarded that notice. Now notice must be given to the people that go to make up Christendom. Those who love the Lord God and who have opportunity to give this witness will regard such as the greatest privilege that has ever come to them. With joy and with boldness let each and every one who is anointed prove his love for God by availing himself of every opportunity to testify that Jehovah is God, Christ is King, and that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
What is the battle of Armageddon? When and by whom will it be fought? What will be the result? ¶ 1, 2.
For what purpose was the history of world powers recorded in advance in the Bible? Define the terms "power" and "world". What purpose of Jehovah has been accomplished in permitting the existence of world powers, and who has controlled these organizations? ¶ 8-7.
Describe the elements that compose the Devil's organization. What light is shed on the attitude of the servants of God toward Satan and his organization? ¶ 8, 9.
Of whom is the organization of God composed? Describe the orderly procedure of God concerning world powers. What is another fixed rule of God under which the responsibility of his creatures is determined? ¶ 10-12.
What did the vision of Nebuchadnezzar, as interpreted by Daniel, reveal with reference to world powers? What divinely-marked period of human history began during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar? Can the sincere student now discern the purpose of God in making a record of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, and what is that purpose? ¶ 13.
What world powers existed before Babylon? Describe the supremacy of Egypt and the part played in connection therewith by Joseph, the Israelites, and Jehovah, respectively. What greater event was foreshadowed in the passing of the first world power? ¶ 15-17.
Describe the rise and fall of the second world power and its responsibility before the Almighty. When did Babylon become a world power? How and why was the supremacy of Jehovah brought to the attention of the king of Babylon? What larger purpose of God was served in the giving of that knowledge to Nebuchadnezzar? ¶ 18-20.
Name in order the world powers that succeeded Egypt and Babylon, respectively. During the rule of which power did he come "whose right it is" to reign? Describe the characteristics of the fourth world power as depicted in Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream. What was pictured by the feet and toes of the image? ¶ 21-23.
Quote the prophetic statement concerning the kingdom or world power that shall never be destroyed. What is signified by the "mangling with the feet of men"? After the decline of the Roman Empire how was an ostensible effort to establish another universal empire frustrated? Under whose direction was this effort made, and who prevented its accomplishment? Describe fully what followed the defeat of Napoleon. ¶ 24-27.
How was the British Empire represented in the image seen by Nebuchadnezzar? Who are represented by the ten toes of the image, and what is pictured by the joint functioning of the feet and toes? In what does the strength of the British Empire consist? Describe the common activities of the various elements of the empire. How are the interests of Britain and America joined and interdependent? ¶ 28-32.
What inconsistent effort is now being put forth in all the nations of Christendom? How is this action fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel? Who is the prime mover in all this activity, and will he succeed in his purpose? ¶ 33, 34.
What was foreshadowed by the Stone mentioned by Daniel? What followed the setting by God of his Anointed King upon his throne, and what may yet be expected? What responsibility has rested upon each world power in its turn and why? Why should the present world organization be of greater responsibility? ¶ 35-38.
What was the issue in the hour of Egypt's glory? What is the issue today? How will it be decided? What has God ordained shall precede the execution of his judgment against Christendom, and how will this preliminary work be accomplished? ¶ 39-43.
REVIEW: THE EARLY PROPHETS OF ISRAEL
—DECEMBER 18—
"God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son."—Hebrews 1: 1, 2, R. V.
THE lessons of the past quarter have taken us through that period of the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah which must be known as the time of their decadence. The glory of the kingdom, seen first in the strength and justice under David, and then in its opulence and peace during the earlier part of Solomon's reign, was specially typical (1) of the setting up of God's kingdom on earth, and the preparations therefore which God made for that kingdom, and (2) of the Millennial kingdom of Christ's rule on earth.
2 From the time when Solomon began to fall away from the high place which his wisdom and the blessing of God had given him, the history of the kingdom of Israel began to make another series of pictures, which partly illustrate the history of Christendom. There is, however, no regular sequence of events which can be noted as type and antitype or fulfilment. Rather, certain events in those periods, first in the northern kingdom and then in the southern, are brought into relief, and are set forth as typical of some special features in the work which God would do in the latter days in connection with the establishment of his kingdom; more particularly those which represent the breaking down of the things which really oppose the kingdom, whether of the powers which are outside the churches or those disintegrating forces which are within.
3 While the northern kingdom remained it carried the name of Israel, and in it rather than in the southern kingdom God wrought out his types. It pleased God to have it so, though as the temple was at Jerusalem, and it was in that city that the sons of David were to sit upon the throne of David, it would have been a natural expectation that God's types would have been made in the southern kingdom, especially in view of the fact that the northern kingdom at once openly departed from the commandment to worship no other God but Jehovah.
4 The sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat in causing the golden calves to be made and to be set up at Dan and Bethel, was specially dangerous to Israel; for there was no profession of departing from the worship of Jehovah. The calves were professedly to represent him, so that there was a pretence of avoiding idolatry as such, and also that of helping the mind to realize the God it worshiped. That it was hypocrisy and sham is shown by the fact that Jeroboam took of the basest of the people for his priesthood.
5 A prophet of Jehovah was sent to Bethel to witness against this. He declared of Jeroboam that his house should be cut off from the throne. A rebellion was started then; and one after another the first kings of Israel were deposed in bloodshed. After nearly one hundred years had passed, Ahab was king over Israel. He married Jezebel, a daughter of Tyre, a clever, dominating woman. She determined to establish the worship of Baal in Israel. As Ahab had little respect for Jehovah he became as a tool in her hands. She had gained her end.
6 But at that time God raised up Elijah to be his instrument to destroy this abomination out of Israel. The sin of Jeroboam was heinous; but the sin of Ahab and Jezebel was something which God could not permit, for it was open defiance. How Elijah was used of God to gather Israel to a demonstration as to whether or not Baal, who was worshiped as the god of nature, had or had not any power, our studies have shown us. The trial on Mt. Carmel was a disclosure of the mockery of the worship of Baal, and it resulted in the reestablishment of the name of Jehovah as the only God. The priests of Baal were slain there and then. But despite all that was done on that day, the work was negative rather than positive in character. Baalism had received a shattering blow, but the worship of Jehovah was not reestablished.
7 After Elijah's particularly strenuous day on Mt. Carmel, and then his running for twelve to sixteen miles before the chariot of Ahab from Mt. Carmel to Jezreel, his spirit seemed as if it had exhausted itself. He had done his work in the strength of the Lord. Now he appears in a moment of reaction to have trusted to his own strength. Just at that time the threatening message came from Jezebel to say that by the next evening she would treat him as he had treated the prophets of Baal. Elijah fled for his life. He made his way, a lonely man, far south to Mt. Horeb, where seven hundred years before Moses had met God. There God spoke to him by convulsions of nature as to Moses and Israel. There were the shaking and breaking of the rocks, and a violent earthquake, and fire, phenomena similar to those which came when God was before at Sinai. God dealt kindly with Elijah, who in some petulance of spirit expressed his loneliness, as if God was not caring for those who serve him.
8 As at the first with Moses, so now with Elijah, these things were made symbolic of things to be when God establishes his kingdom on earth. Elijah's two experiences, (1) on Mt. Carmel, the slaying of the priests and God's demonstration of himself, and (2) this at Horeb of the forces God would use, become united as one type. Elijah represents those who stand for God in the day when God will break down the worship of idols of which Christendom is guilty; namely, the worship of its creed systems by which before men it has professed to worship God. The Baalism of Israel's day represents the present day worship of, and cooperation with, human forces in the religious world; and the power of God manifested at Horeb represents the powers God will use in the breakdown of the present order of things, which is so contrary to his will, and which has kept men in the bondage of darkness in all things concerning God.
9 Thus in this great work there are two pictures: (1) The witness for God by his people, and (2) the ordering of circumstances of human life and events which together bring about the destruction of the present order of things. God says through Haggai, a later prophet, "I will shake the heavens, and the earth"; and the Apostle Paul declares that these things are shaken so that there may remain only those things, the everlasting things of truth and righteousness, which cannot be shaken.—Haggai 2: 6; Hebrews 12: 27.
10 Elijah and Ahab met once again, and their meeting was personally a more violent contact than at Carmel. Ahab, by accepting Naboth's vineyard after that man had been violently done to death, had assented to the evil done. As Ahab went into the vineyard to take possession, God sent Elijah to meet him there. The king was denounced. The destruction of his house was foretold, as if God would mark thereby that such a bad servant as Ahab had proved to be should meet with an untimely end; his sins would bring him disaster. His wife Jezebel was included in the sentence of doom.
11 This corresponds with the end of great Babylon, both political and religious. Christendom has misused its privileges, has dishonored the name of God; it is not allowed to die, but is brought to a violent end. Great Babylon is lifted up by the angel of God, and is cast like a heavy millstone into the great deep.
12 The subsequent lessons of the studies call attention to the manner in which God calls and uses his prophets. Sometimes, as in the case of Amos, he gave them a direct word; sometimes, as with Isaiah, he called them by a vision; sometimes, as in Hosea's case, he both gave them a message and caused them to pass through hard experiences; for God demands of his servants that they should yield themselves to him, and that not merely with such abilities that they have, but so that they and their lives are his in the fullest sense. They become types of those who in later days were permitted to give themselves to God in full consecration for his service.
13 The studies show that the condition of Israel during the days of the Prophets Isaiah, Amos, Micah and Hosea were typical of the days when Christendom comes to maturity, and is brought into judgment before God. Christendom, of which men have boasted, has not brought mankind nearer to God, despite all its great profession, but rather has turned men away from the true worship. It has led them into formality; it has led them into hypocrisy; it will lead them into destruction.
14 Amos was one of the earliest of the prophets after the days of Elijah and Elisha. Like them he was a man of courage, as is shown by his refusal to be intimidated by Jeroboam's chief priest when, obeying the command of Jehovah, he stood before the idolatrous altar in Bethel denouncing the altar, the priesthood, and the professed worship of Jehovah there. Amos saw the inevitable desolation of Israel which must follow their sins against their covenant. He also saw that the nations which God would use to waste Israel were alike worthy of punishment, even though they had not sinned against their Creator as Israel had against Jehovah.
15 But Amos foretold the time would come with blessings to his people, and would restore them to their place of favor with him. He would build again the house of David to rule over Israel. Then that kingdom of God, whose King would be the Prince of Peace, would possess all the land of the enemy; that is, all those powers of evil which were represented by the enemies of Israel would be broken down, when the people who had been under their rule would be given blessings to enjoy such as God's people had.
16 The Prophet Micah was not called upon so much to denounce sins of idolatry as to rebuke God's people for their sins against each other. He says they lay awake at night, devising evil upon their beds, thinking how they could gain something from their neighbor. They gave scant measure; the traders carried deceitful weights in their bag. For this and other sins against Jehovah, God would punish the house of Jacob till "Jerusalem should become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest". (Micah 3: 12) But Micah, like all the holy prophets, tells of the time when God will bless his people. His closing words are comforting. He says, "He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities: and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old."—Micah 7: 19, 20.
17 Thus each prophet, however much he has been used to denounce the sins of Israel and to speak of evil to come, is given a message of restoration. God will save his people, but will destroy those men and institutions that have misled them.—See Revelation 11: 18.
18 These prophecies are intended of God to guide his people in these last days of human history into his will that they may do his work and may serve him as did the prophets of old. The experiences of the prophets may be expected to be repeated now; for those who carry the message of the King and the kingdom are certain to find opposition. But they are days of the greatest gladness to God's servants; for now is come the end of every vision, and they know that immediately following the trouble of these days comes the time of gladness for all men. His servants enter into their reward; the world is brought out of its distresses into the quietness of the reign of righteousness, which shall bring peace to all men, and under which the dead shall be raised, so that those who have appeared to be taken from God, and from all hope of enjoying his blessings, will yet be brought back to him.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Through which period of the history of Israel have the lessons of the quarter taken us? Under which kings did the kingdom reach the zenith of its power? When was it divided? What later events were connected in the rise and fall of the kingdom of Israel? Which part of the divided kingdom illustrated God's work in these latter days? Why? ¶ 1-3.
What caused the state church of the northern kingdom to be a system of hypocrisy and sham? What excuse was offered to account for separating from the temple at Jerusalem? What warning did God send to the king who introduced the change, and what resulted? Who introduced Baal worship into the northern kingdom? With what success? ¶ 4, 5.
Whom did God raise up to destroy Baalism in Israel? To what extent did this prophet succeed? Why did he flee from Israel? What remarkable experience did he have at Mount Sinai? Of what were the scenes on Carmel and Sinai evidently typical? ¶ 6-9.
What became of Ahab and Jezebel? Who was used of God to pronounce their doom? What event of the latter days is evidently pictured in their tragic deaths? ¶ 10-12.
Which of the prophets were used of God to foreshadow the destruction of the present order? What is meant by "Christendom"? What has this great system claimed to do? What has it really accomplished? What hope, then, is there for the world? ¶ 13, 14.
What special message did Amos bring to the people? What was Amos's word? What other message did each prophet bring? What application have their prophecies to our day? What fact makes God's Servant class thankful and happy now? To what are they looking forward? Meantime, what are they doing? ¶ 15-18.
THE BIRTH OF JESUS
—DECEMBER 25—
"Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for it is he that shall save his people from their sins."—Matthew 1: 21.
IT WAS several hundred years after Jehovah had last spoken to his people Israel by the Prophet Malachi when he once again manifested himself to them. The long period of silence must have been a trial of faith and patience to many in Israel; for all the time they were under the bondage of the Persians, the Grecians, and then the Romans without tokens of Jehovah's favor towards them. Some, like the Maccabees, held to the belief that God would be with them if they endeavored to throw off the foreign yoke and restore the ancient order of things in Israel. But God did not manifest his favor with them, and the effort failed.
2 The establishment of a kingdom under the Romans, with Herod the Idumean as king, had done something to help to revive a national spirit; for Herod, wishing to secure his kingdom to his family, tried to secure the good will of the Jews by rebuilding the temple. Apparently some saw in that a revival of God's favor to them. But there was no light in Israel. That which the prophecies would have given was hidden under the bushel of the traditions of their fathers. And their leaders in Herod's day were self-seekers. Thus it may be said that with the outward revival the true hope of Israel had receded to a very low ebb.
3 It was at such a time that God again manifested that he had not cast off his ancient people. About twelve years after Herod had begun the rebuilding of the temple a messenger from heaven appeared to Zacharias as he was serving his course in the temple. Zacharias was a priest now old in years and childless. The angel promised that a son should be born to him, and that he should be a forerunner of another child to be born who should be called the Son of the Highest.
4 Not understanding all that God was about to do for Israel, but quite well understanding the promise made to him, Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were blessed of God; and the child, known in later days as the man John the Baptist, was born to them. Six months after the conception of the child, the angel Gabriel was sent to Mary of Nazareth, a virgin, espoused to Joseph, who was of the house and lineage of David. She was told that she was the accepted of God of whom the expected one of Israel should be born. In due time her son was born, begotten of the holy spirit, and, according to the word of command, was named Jesus; for in the announcement of his birth it was said that he should save his people from their sins.
5 There was not then any announcement that this child should be the Savior of all men; for the immediate purpose was to bring God's people Israel to himself, necessary before his further purpose of blessing the world could be accomplished. But on the night of the child's birth, to shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem a fuller announcement was made. While watching their flocks they were startled by a light shining about them; it did not shine on them from heaven, as is so commonly understood; the angel stood by them, and the light shone round about them.
6 The heavenly visitor announced the birth of Jesus in the neighboring city, and said that the child was Christ the Lord. (Luke 2: 11) Then suddenly there was round about them a company of heavenly beings who, breaking forth into song, sang the praises of God, telling of his purpose through this child, to bring good will between heaven and earth, and among all men.—Luke 2: 14.
7 How the child was dedicated to God by his mother, being circumcised according to the law; how he was preserved from Herod's wicked destruction of the children of Bethlehem; how Jesus was brought up in Nazareth, is a story known to every child whose parents give attention to this sweet story of old.
8 The birth of the child rejoiced the hearts of those who were waiting for the consolation of Israel; for though there were not such demonstrations to all Israel as might naturally have been expected, there was that which showed to the true-hearted that God had remembered his people Israel.
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