The Watchtower, June 1, 1934
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CONVENTION
Jehovah’s witnesses will assemble in convention at Toronto, Canada, July 5-8 inclusive. Speakers will be present both from the States and from provinces of Canada. The forenoon of each day will be devoted to field service, with meetings for the interested in the afternoon and evening. Those contemplating attending the convention and who desire accommodations will please address Convention Committee, 40 Irwin Ave., Toronto 5, Ont.
One feature of the convention will be a public address delivered by the president of the Society on Sunday afternoon the 8th.
FACTORY AND OFFICE CLOSED FOR FIELD SERVICE
Each year the Society closes the factory, office and Bethel home for a period of two weeks to give the brethren here an opportunity to get away from their regular routine and engage in the field service. This year the factory and home will be closed July 21 and will not open again until Monday, August 6. During this time no mail will be attended to, and no shipments made. All readers of The Watchtower should please take note and order sufficient literature to carry them through this two-week period as well as the two weeks following. It will greatly facilitate matters if not too much correspondence is received immediately after the reopening of the factory, except, of course, regular service reports and any rush orders or other urgent matters. Considerable mail accumulates in the office because of responses to radio lectures, and we hope this can be given immediate attention without being delayed by mail that could have waited.
“BEYOND THE GRAVE” AND “HIS WORKS”
Jehovah now blesses his faithful witnesses and all people of good will with two new potent instruments for use in his service, to wit, two new booklets entitled Beyond the Grace and fits Works, respectively. The cover design of each is attractive and invites the beholder to a perusal of the contents of the booklet; there are also fitting illustrations within. Ail, Jehovah’s witnesses and Jonadabs alike, who desire to put these excellent messages in the hands of the people may now obtain a supply and begin the distribution thereof immediately. The usual contribution of 5e a copy will be accepted therefor.
“THE NATIONS’ HOPE” TESTIMONY PERIOD
A period of nine days has been specially designated as "The Nations’ Hope’’ Testimony Period. This begins with June 30 and concludes with July 8. During this period of nine days Jehovah's witnesses will have the privilege of distributing a new booklet, World Recovery? All people of good will are invited to join with Jehovah’s witnesses in the proclamation of this good news of the kingdom. To have a part in the giving of this witness is a blessed privilege.
Vol. LV June 1, 1934 No. 11
HIS COVENANTS
PART 5
“Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself.’’ – Ps. 50: 5, 6.
JEHOVAH does not gather his saints unto himself merely for the pleasure of having them with him, but he gathers them that they might do service concerning his name. Those gathered into the temple, and toward whom the new covenant is inaugurated, have become a part of “the heavens’’; hence says the Lord's prophet: “And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself.” (Ps. 50: 6) This prophecy is specifically applicable at this time to those at the temple with the Lord Jesus.
2 The Lord made the apostle Paul an able minister of the new covenant, and likewise all who arc brought to maturity in Christ and into the temple are made ministers of the new covenant. This is particularly true at the inauguration of the new covenant; hence says the apostle: “Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.” (2 Cor. 4:1) Those receiving this ministry, appreciating the fact that it proceeds from the Lord and that their strength is in the Lord, faint not. During the Elijah period of the church there was much preaching of man’s doctrines or teachings, for instance, “Pastor Russell’s teachings examined” being the title of many discourses. During the Elisha period of the church we have learned from the Lord that it is our privilege to declare the glorious name of Jehovah. Having received this commission and ministry, like the apostle, we have “obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful”. (1 Cor. 7:25) No more shall we exalt the name of man, including ourselves, nor should we attempt to exalt ourselves before others. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants [as able ministers of the new covenant; made such by the grace of the Lord] for Jesus’ sake [the Mediator’s sake]. For God. who commanded the light to shine out of darkness [out of the secret place, that is, the temple, dark to all on the outside (Matt. 10:27)], hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus.”–2 Cor. 4:5, 6.
3 Now as the faithful temple company look at the face of Christ Jesus, the Greater Moses and the inaugurator of the new covenant, they see that the face of the great Mediator is not veiled, but the light from that unveiled face shines into their hearts and there creates the proper motive for serving God, and they do serve him unselfishly. It gives to such faithful ones a light of knowledge and understanding of the purpose of Jehovah, revealing to them the glory of the Lord. But the faithful remnant do not take this honor or glory to themselves, realizing that it is from the Lord. In humility and gladness of heart they walk on in the presence of the Lord. Such ministry of the new covenant is a great honor conferred upon them, and an invaluable treasure. “But wc have this treasure [ministry] in earthen vessels [human organisms], that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Cor. 4: 7) In the performance of such ministry or commission all the faithful remnant delight to “declare his righteousness; for God is judge himself”. This they do while they are on the earth. There will be no occasion for such ministry after Armageddon; and this is further proof that the new covenant is made and inaugurated and accomplishes its purpose prior to Armageddon.
THE REMNANT SAVED
4 Israel after the flesh turned away from God, committed sins against him and against their covenant with him. In this Israel foreshadowed “Christendom”, including all the consecrated who continue to wear the “filthy garments” of “Christendom”. They claim to be for Jehovah, but they are not, even as the Israelites of old claimed to be for God but were not. As God was angry with natural Israel, so he was angry with the professed spiritual Israel at the coming of the Lord to the temple, and this included all under the terms of the new covenant and who had not. been bold in declaring the message of God's kingdom and those who had conferred great honor upon men. (Luke 16:15) The remnant of fleshly Israel was saved, and likewise a remnant of spiritual Israel is saved when the Lord appears at the temple for judgment and inauguration of the new covenant toward the remnant, “And now therefore thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered [R.V., It is given] into the hand of the king of Babylon, by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; Behold, I will gather them [the remnant of spiritual Israel] out of all countries whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place [in A.D, 1919], and I will cause them to dwell safely: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God; and I will give them one heart, and one way [thus bring them unto unity in Christ], that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them [that is, those prefigured by the Moabitish woman Ruth]: and I will make an everlasting covenant [the new covenant, made with Jesus as Mediator for the remnant of natural Israel that became spiritual, and inaugurated toward the remnant of spiritual Israel today] with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly [margin, in truth] with my whole heart, and with my whole soul.’’ – Jer. 32: 36-41.
5 In gathering unto himself the remnant and those with whom he. was angry and turning his anger away from them in 1919. Jehovah there began the fulfilment of the prophecy of Psalm 50:5. All of the professed ones to that time had made a covenant with God by sacrifice, which is a condition precedent to entering into the new covenant. They had sacrificed their right to live on earth as human creatures at the time they were begotten of God, but, they not having been bold in proclaiming the message of the truth, God was angry with them, and now upon the Lord’s coming to his temple he turns away his auger from them as stated by the. prophet Isaiah. (See Isaiah 12: 1). Neither natural Israel nor the world of mankind in general sacrifice their right to human life, and therefore they do not enter into a covenant by sacrifice and are not the ones who are at the time, brought into the new covenant and with whom the new covenant is made or toward whom it is inaugurated.
6 In 1914 God placed the rightful ruler of the world upon his throne, and at. that time “Christendom’’, or modern Babylon, had fallen from heavenly favor, concerning which Jeremiah prophesied at chapter 50: 2, 3. There began the “day of Jehovah”, during the early part of which spiritual Israel was in distress. Concerning this Jehovah caused his prophet to write: “In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the children of [spiritual] Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah [those in line for the kingdom, the royal house] together, going and weeping: they shall go [after their distress of 1918], and seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion [They shall inquire concerning Zion, R.V.] with their faces thitherward [now that the rebuilding of the temple bad begun], saying, Come, and let us [in unity in Christ] join ourselves [Come ye, and join yourselves, R.V.] to the Lord in a perpetual covenant [R.V., everlasting covenant] that shall not be forgotten.”–Jer. 50: 4. 5.
7 This scripture, expressed the desire of the fully consecrated to be faithful to the new covenant as the people taken out from amongst the nations for Jehovah's name. By coming to the Lord and inquiring concerning Zion, the organization of Jehovah, those in line for the kingdom thus pledge themselves to be faithful. The new covenant is inaugurated toward them and also they are taken into the kingdom covenant, being made a part of God’s capital organization and anointed and commissioned to do a specific work in his name. Concerning this the prophecy is written : “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you; and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.”–Jer. 3:14.
8 During the World War, and particularly the years 1917 and 1918, spiritual Israel was in a wilderness condition. Fiery trials came upon those who were consecrated to the Lord, and a separating work followed. Passing through that affliction those who were found faithful to the Lord up to that time were taken into the bonds of the new covenant. “And I will cause you [spiritual Israeli to pass under the rod [the Kingly authority of Christ Jesus sent out from Zion to rule and now at the temple for the purging of the sons of Levi], and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant [that is to say, new covenant]: and 1 will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezek. 20:37, 38) This separating work began and continued until the eleansing of the sanctuary was accomplished.
9 Those brought into the temple and toward whom the new covenant was inaugurated have been anointed; which means that they are commissioned to do a specific service to the name Jehovah; as it is written: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach.” (Isa. 61:1) Concerning this anointed company Jehovah through his prophet further sa\s: “But ye shall be named the priests of Jehovah; men [such as the Jonadabs] shall call you the ministers of our God: ye shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.” (Isa. 61: 6, A.R.V.) Prior to that time, and particularly during the humiliating conditions that existed from 1917 to 1919, God's people on earth suffered much shame; but, his anger being turned away from them now, he says: “For your shame ye shall have double [a double portion of the spirit or divine favor, such as received by Elisha], and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion; therefore in their land they shall possess the double [in this happy condition a double portion of the spirit]; everlasting joy [the joy of the Lord, they having entered into this joy at the invitation of Christ Jesus; which happy condition is referred to as ‘their land’] shall be unto them, for I the Lord love judgment [which began to be executed at the temple at the judging beginning at the house of the Lord], I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make [inaugurate] an everlasting covenant with them. And their seed [the true Judeans] shall be known among the [nations, A.R.V.; among whom they shall be witnesses for Jehovah], and their offspring among the people: all that see them [that is, discern them to be Jehovah’s servants] shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed [Jehovah’s true people taken out for his name] which the Lord hath blessed.” (Isa. 61: 1, 6-9) The physical facts, or things which have come to pass upon Jehovah’s true people, since 1919 fully corroborate the conclusion above expressed concerning the scripture. Those taken into the covenant have entered into the joy of the Lord and are now greatly rejoicing that they are privileged to bear testimony to his holy name; and others who are not of the royal bouse see that these earnest and faithful ones are Jehovah’s witnesses, and recognize them as the blessed seed of Jehovah.
10 After being brought into the temple, and lienee following the inauguration of the new covenant, Jehovah’s faithful remnant enter into peace; therefore the inauguration of the new covenant includes with them a “covenant of peace”. The new covenant has been in force and effect throughout the period of sacrifice, but, it now being inaugurated at the building up of Zion, the “covenant of my peace” began. The nations of the earth are greatly shaken and are disintegrating at the present time, and the high places in the earthly governments are being shaken down, and are in great distress; but peace is with them that are of Jehovah’s organization, (God’s peace remains with his faithful ones; as it is written: “For the mountains [kingdoms of earth] shall depart, and the hills [the high powers thereof] be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee [those of Zion, God’s capital organization], neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” (Isa. 54:10) Those toward whom the new covenant has been inaugurated, and who are therefore in the temple, are the people of God, and the great antitypical David is their Head, King or Hitler: “And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it. And 1 will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.” (Ezek. 34:24, 25) While the covenant of peace is not the new covenant, it is a covenant of peace which Jehovah gives to those toward whom the new covenant has been inaugurated.
11 Those who are born of God’s woman, that is to say, his organization, and who are now in the temple are being taught of God, and great is their peace; as it is written: “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” (Isa. 54:13) The enemy will continue to assault the faithful witnesses of Jehovah, but such assaults will not cause the faithful to fear cither man or devil, nor will the faithful fail to boldly declare God’s message of truth. They will obey God and not man. Their faith and confidence is in Jehovah and they know that their strength comes from him: hence they are at great peace, because they know that God’s promises are sure and that the enemy shall not prevail against them. Jehovah has said concerning these faithful ones: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness which is of me, saith the Lord.” – Isa. 54:17, R.V.
TEMPLE OPEN
12 The law covenant had the ark of the covenant, and the new covenant has a corresponding greater one. (Heb. 9:1-5, 23, 24) This is another proof that the new covenant applies specifically to spiritual Israel. Thy coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple in 1918 marks the opening of the temple in heaven, and then follows the inauguration of the new covenant. Concerning this it is written: “And there was opened the temple of God that is in heaven: and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant; and there followed lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.” (Rev. 11:19, R.V.) The presence of the ‘ark in the temple of heaven, as stated in this scripture, denotes Jehovah’s presence there as represented by the Lord Jesus Chris’, the great Mediator and Judge and inaugurator of the covenant, who has come to the temple. At the inauguration of the law covenant at Sinai there was a great shaking of the earth and “there were thunders and lightnings”. (Ex. 19:16-19; 20:18) So likewise at the opening of the temple in heaven marking the· inauguration of the new covenant “there followed lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail”. This symbolic language tells of what came to pass, particularly with reference to God’s people. – Light, Book One, pages 228, 229.
13 At the time of the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple for judgment, and the inauguration of the new covenant, there was a company of his faithful followers who were foreshadowed or pictured by the faithful Mordecai. Others came to a knowledge of the truth and were brought into the covenant after 1919, but these latter ones clearly seem to be foreshadowed by the "eunuchs" and “strangers” mentioned by the prophet Isaiah who were brought into the house of the Lord. Among natural Israelites there were eunuchs, and such must have been foreigners and strangers, for the reason that the Hebrew law prohibited the making of an Israelite a eunuch and one in that condition could not be taken into God’s typical organization. Manifestly the foreigners were made eunuchs in order that they might not contaminate the natural stock of Israel. But those eunuchs among the Israelites, who were diligent in trying to keep the law covenant, received the favor of the Lord, and concerning which it is written: “For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs [who must have been foreigners] that keep my sabbaths [of the law covenant and typical of the new covenant], and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant [hold fast by my covenant, R.V.]; even unto them will I give in mine house [Jehovah’s royal organization], and within my walls, a place and a name [a new name] better than of sons and of daughters [which these sons and daughters could have had if faithful] : I will give them an everlasting name [new name], that shall not be cut off.” (Isa. 56:4,5) The “everlasting name that shall not be cut off”, here mentioned, clearly refers to the new name which Jehovah God gives to those toward whom the new covenant is inaugurated and who are made members of the. royal house and who become Jehovah’s witnesses, commissioned by him to bear testimony to his name.
14 The same rule’s being made to apply to strangers shows that with Jehovah there is no respect of persons who manifest their love and obedience to him. “Also the sons of the stranger [Also the strangers, R.V.], that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain [Zion, God’s holy organization], and make them joyful in my house of prayer [God’s temple]; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar: for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” (Isa. 56:6,7) the latter words of this verse, “for all people,” manifestly include the class pictured by Ruth, who was a stranger and who was brought into the house of natural Israel. “The Lord God, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel [meaning the remnant that God approved in 1918], saith, Yet will I gather others [the Ruth class and also the Esther class, who came in after 1918] to him [that is, the “faithful and wise servant” class, so designated by the Lord, and which was foreshadowed by Mordecai and Naomi], beside those [that is, beside the original remnant, foreshadowed by Mordecai and Naomi] that are gathered unto him.” (Isa. 56:8) Ruth was a Moabitess, and hence was a stranger to Israel and to its laws; but when Ruth volunteered to go to Bethlehem with the returning childless Naomi, and that with no prospect of earthly marriage in sight for her, and nothing upon which to base a hope of marriage and the bringing forth of children, Ruth then and there made herself the equivalent of a eunuch, and hence she well pictured both the eunuch and the stranger mentioned in the foregoing prophecy of Isaiah.
15 Those toward whom the new covenant was inaugurated at the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple, end who were therefore brought into the temple and anointed, were made able ministers of the covenant to minister to those who should afterwards be brought into the covenant, such as Ruth and Esther, that is, the class foreshadowed by Ruth and Esther. The facts now well known show that a great many came to a knowledge of the truth, made a consecration, and have become Jehovah’s witnesses since 1922, and these facts corroborate the foregoing conclusion upon this scripture. We must bear in mind also that the “great multitude” is composed of that class of persons who have entered into a covenant by sacrifice but who have not been entirely faithful to that covenant by sacrifice and hence never responded to the call for the kingdom; but these (the great multitude of prisoners) are embraced in the new covenant and under its terms. (Zech. 9:12) Such are designated in the Scriptures as “prisoners”, and the ‘able ministers of the new covenant’ must also minister unto the “prisoner” class, or “great multitude”. This is one of the works that the faithful remnant are now performing on earth. – Isa. 42: 6, 7; 49: 8, 9.
16 Those pictured by Ruth and Esther, and who are brought in after 1918, also become able ministers of the new covenant and participate in this ministry, as hereinbefore mentioned. Before one could become an able minister of the new covenant he must be brought to maturity in Christ and be an elder in fact and minister to others who are spirit-begotten and who arc. of the Jonadab company; and this is further proof that the new covenant is limited to the spiritual Israel class.
KETURAH
17 Abraham had six sons by Keturah. What did Keturah foreshadow, and what relationship had she and her sons to the covenant of Jehovah? It has born said that those six sons born to Abraham by Keturah represented typically the many peoples of the world which will ultimately gain restitution blessings of life under the reign of Christ, and hence Keturah was a type of the new covenant, which covenant produces the children of restitution. That conclusion is not supported by the Scriptures, for at least two good and sufficient reasons, to wit: (1) The new covenant has no reference to the world of mankind in general, because it is the means employed by Jehovah to take out from the nations a people for his name, which people, proving faithful, are to be associated with Christ Jesus in the vindication of Jehovah’s name; and all such arc children of Jehovah; (2) Those who obtain the earthly blessings of human life will be the children of Christ, and not the children of Jehovah. This is definitely proved by the fact that the faithful men of old who will become the governors visible in the earth will be the children of the Christ and under his direct supervision. (Ps. 45:16; Isa. 9:6) To be sure, all life proceeds from Jehovah God; but Jehovah has clothed Christ Jesus with the power and authority to give life to the earthly class and he is designated in the Scriptures as “The everlasting Father’’. Ke- turah’s children were not by Isaac, who was a type of Christ Jesus, but by Abraham, who pictured Jehovah God himself. For this reason it is seen that the six sons of Keturah could not represent the earthly or human class.
THE FACTS
18 The patriarch Abraham had one wife, named Sarah, and two concubines, the first of these being Hagar and the second Keturah. For a long time Sarah was barren, and Abraham took Sarah's servant Hagar as a substitute for Sarah, and by her Ishmael was born. Later in Abraham’s old age Sarah, his true wife, convened and gave birth to a son for Abraham, whom Abraham named Isaac. When Sarah was 127 years old she died. Three years after her death Isaac married Rebecca. After the marriage of Isaac and Rebecca, then Abraham married and had six sons: “Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.” (Gen. 25:1) At the time these sons were born to Abraham and Keturah Abraham was a very old man. These facts are important to consider in determining what the sons of Keturah represented.
19 If the sons of Abraham by Keturah did not picture the earthly class to be blessed with life during the reign of Christ, what did they picture? An abstract answer to the question is first given, and then follows the Scriptural argument in support thereof. The answer that is reasonable and supported by the Scriptures is this: The six children of Abraham by Keturah picture those who were brought into the new covenant after the birth of the kingdom, “the man child.” and who are designated as ‘other children’ of Zion that are born after the birth of the “man child”. Concerning this the prophecy was written: “Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things’ Shall 1he earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” (Isa. 66:7, S) The “man child” was born of God's organization or woman in 1914. (Rev. 12:1-5) (See Light, Book One, page 235.) Her ‘other children’, particularly the remnant, arc born of Zion later and after the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple and the beginning of the building up of Zion, which occurred in 1918.
HIS ORGANIZATION
20 Jehovah has one universal organization, which organization was represented by Sarah, the true wife of Abraham; and this is definitely fixed by the prophecy. (Isa. 54:1-5) The marital relationship between Abraham and Sarah pictured the relationship between Jehovah and his “woman”, which woman gives birth to his children of the capital organization or kingdom, and which is called Zion.–Isa. 54:13.
21 Abraham had one true wife and two concubines. The one concubine, Hagar, represented the nation of Israel after the flesh, which did not bring forth a people for the name of Jehovah. This is definitely settled by the inspired testimony of the apostle Paul as set forth in Galatians. The sons of God which are later brought forth, and which do constitute a people for the name of Jehovah, are illustrated by the six sons of Abraham by Keturah. The scripture does not say that Sarah and Hagar were types of the two covenants, as we have often stated, but does say that Hagar and her son represented the covenant at Sinai and that Sarah and her son represented that which; is born of God’s organization or Jerusalem, which is above. The apostle says that this is an allegory, that is to say, that which is represented here by these two women and their offspring. An allegory is not a type, but it is a means employed to represent or picture some real thing. The apostle says: “For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondmaid, and one by the free woman; but he that was of the bondmaid after the flesh had been born, whereas he that, was of the free woman through means of a promise. Which things indeed may bear another meaning; for the same are two covenants, one indeed from Mount Sinai into bondage bringing forth, the which is Hagar, and the Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she answeretn however unto the present Jerusalem, for she is in bondage with her children; but the Jerusalem above is free, the which is our mother.”–Gal. 4:22-26, Roth.
22 Immediately following the above the apostle quotes from the prophecy of Isaiah 54:1, showing that Sarah represented God’s organization called Jerusalem and pictured by his “woman”. Abraham’s relationship to his wife and to his two concubines illustrates God’s relationship to his covenants, which covenants are a means employed to accomplish his purpose of getting a name for himself. Sarah and her son together illustrate or picture the unconditional covenant that Jehovah made that he would produce “the seed”. This seed of promise is foreshadowed by Isaac, which seed is Christ Jesus. Hagar and her son allegorically represented or pictured the law covenant, which God attached to his original promise, the purpose of which was to furnish natural Israel an opportunity to produce a people for his name, but which covenant failed by reason of the fact that Israel was made up of imperfect human creatures. This failure of the covenant is illustrated in the fact that Hagar’s son was “born of the flesh”. What the law covenant failed in the new covenant furnishes, to wit, a people for his name.
23 The ‘Abrahamic covenant’ was in fact an unconditional declaration of Jehovah’s purpose to produce a seed, and by using Abraham and Sarah his wife God pictured how he would bring forth a seed, which seed was pictured or illustrated by Isaac. God permitted Sarah to be barren for a long while and until his due time to bring forth the typical seed of promise. During that period of time Hagar was substituted for Sarah or attached to the Abrahamic household that she might give birth to an heir to Abraham. The son of Hagar was not the heir of promise, and manifestly the chief purpose of this arrangement was to demonstrate that the ‘promised seed’ could be produced only by the miraculous power of Jehovah. In due time Sarah gave birth to the typical seed, and this was the result of the exercise of Jehovah’s miraculous power. The birth of that son was a confirmation of the covenant. Isaac was a type of Jesus Christ, the Son of Jehovah God; and at the time of the baptism of Jesus, and when the holy spirit in the form of a dove descended from heaven and lighted upon Jesus, and the voice from heaven was heard to say, ‘‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” there the Abrahamic covenant brought forth the real, true seed of promise. (Matt. 3:16, 17) Isaac alone was the type of Christ Jesus, who is the promised seed; as it is written: ‘‘In Isaac shall thy seed be called.” – Gen. 21: 12; Rom. 9:7.
24 The covenant of Jehovah with Abraham was later confirmed unto Isaac, then unto Jacob, and then unto the twelve tribes of Israel (Judah), and particularly in the law covenant. ‘‘He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations: which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; and confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant.” (Ps. 105:8-10) ‘‘God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” (Ex. 2:24) Jehovah carried out the provisions of the Abrahamic covenant toward Abraham’s fleshly descendants by delivering them from Egypt by means of Moses and the law covenant, and by then thrusting out the heathen before them in the land of Canaan. “And he [Jehovah] said. Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation [nor in behalf of any nation]: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the Lord: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee. Observe thou that which I command thee this day [the day of the inauguration of the law covenant at Sinai] : behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee [Moses, typifying Christ Jesus] and with Israel [typifying spiritual Israel, including the remnant].” – Ex. 34:10, 11, 27.
25 In harmony with the aforesaid type Jehovah confirmed the Abrahamic covenant with the true seed, that is, with Jesus Christ, by making with him the new covenant. Through Christ Jesus, the Mediator, Jehovah confirmed the Abrahamic covenant to the members of the body of Christ Jesus, that is to say, with spiritual Israel, in the same way, to wit, by a new covenant, which sets forth specifically Jehovah’s purpose concerning this seed of Abraham. The new covenant is therefore ancillary to or clasped to the Abrahamic covenant, just as the back of the priest’s ephod was clasped to the front part thereof. This further confirms the conclusion that the new covenant is a means employed by Jehovah to bring forth a people for his name, which people shall be associated with and by adoption become a part of the seed of Abraham and participate in the vindication of Jehovah’s name.
26 Sarah had one son, and afterwards she died. That does not signify the end of the Abrahamic covenant, nor the end of Jehovah’s organization; because these do not end. From the time of her death Sarah 's merely out of the picture, as, of course, after her death she could bring forth no more children. Sarah died thirty-seven years after the birth of Isaac and three years before the marriage of Isaac to Rebecca; for Isaac was forty years old when he married. (Gen. 25:20) Then after Isaac’s marriage to Rebecca, and more than three years after Sarah’s death, Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. (Gen. 24: 67; 25:1) After Sarah’s death Keturah substituted for Sarah in bringing forth more children unto Abraham, just as Ruth the Moabitish woman substituted for the aged Jewess Naomi in the birth of a seed. Keturah, therefore, would picture God’s organization, but not the new covenant. She and her sons together, however, did picture God’s organization giving birth to other sons after the birth of the man child.
27 Abraham being an old man, and also Sarah being too old to bear children, Jehovah performed a miracle toward them, causing the conception and the birth of the son Isaac. It follows, therefore, that the six sons of Abraham by Keturah, born more than forty years after the birth of Isaac, were also sons brought forth by the miraculous power of Jehovah. Concerning the miraculous birth or Isaac: “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quiekencth the dead [Abraham’s power to fecundate Sarah was dead, and God miraculously quickened that power], and calleth those things [Abraham being included] which be not [even as Abraham was once not a father of a multitude] as though they were [hence God changed the name of Abram to Abraham, meaning ‘father of a great multitude’, and this he did two years before the birth of Isaac], Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” (Rom. 4: 17,18,20,21) “Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.”–Heb. 11 : 12.
28 Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac was born, and his body then was as good as dead so far as children were concerned, as it is written in Romans four; therefore, forty years later his body was equally dead, if not more so, and for that reason Jehovah must and did exercise his miraculous power that Abraham might have the six sons by Keturah. (Gen. 25:1, 2; 1 Chron. 1: 32) It was by the miraculous power of Jehovah that Jesus Christ was conceived in the womb of the virgin and later born. Thirty years thereafter by the miraculous power of Jehovah Jesus Christ was brought forth as the antitypical Isaac, the “seed of promise”. (Matt. 3.10,17) Approximately 1900 years later, to wit, 1914, the “man child”, which means God’s kingdom under Christ, was born of God’s woman or organization, and this also by the miraculous power of Jehovah. By the like exercise of miraculous power of Jehovah, Zion, symbolized by God’s “woman”, brought forth other children, in 1918 and following. Keturah, therefore, seems to clearly picture Zion in bringing forth these other children after the birth of the man child. – Isa. 66:7-9.
29 The six sons of Keturah were not the sons of Isaac, but were the sons of Abraham; therefore Ke- turah’s sons could not picture those who get life on earth and who arc here called a restitution class, because those who shall be given human perfection will be the sons of the antitypical Isaac. The conclusion, therefore, must be that the sons of Abraham by Keturah pictured the sons of Jehovah God born by and to his organization Zion separate and distinct from Christ Jesus. Those who were taken out from the nations as a people for God’s name are not the children of Christ, but they are the brethren of Christ and the sons of God. (Heb. 2:11) The relationship of Abraham to Keturah and her sons, therefore, clearly pictures the relation of God to the ‘other sons’ of Zion.
30 Christ Jesus alone is the great Messenger of the new covenant. After the birth of the “man child”, which birth took place in 1914, and later, to wit, 1918, Christ Jesus, the Messenger of the new covenant, comes to the temple for judgment. (Mal. 3:1) There Jehovah by Christ Jesus, the great Messenger of the covenant, builded up Zion, bringing forth first the faithful saints who had long ago died in faith, and then later the faithful remnant on earth are brought into Zion and become the children of God; and this latter gathering is pictured by Keturah's giving birth to six sons who are the sons of Abraham, typifying the sons of God. Christ Jesus ALONE is the “seed of Abraham” according to the unconditional covenant. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not. And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”– Gal. 3:16.
BY ADOPTION
31 It is true that the apostle, in this same chapter, says: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3:27,29) But the question is, How do they get into Christ? Clearly by adoption. Adoption means to bring another son into the family. The body members of Christ picture a part of the seed of Abraham by virtue of being brought into Christ Jesus and received and adopted into the house of God, of which Christ Jesus is the Chief and Head. They do not get into Christ's body by reason of anything they do. The apostle's argument in his epistle to the Galatians is that in the fullness of time God sent forth Jesus “to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye arc sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of [Christ] his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ”. (Gal. 4:4-7) Again says the apostle: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Rom. 8:15) Then the apostle clearly shows that the completion of bringing these into God’s family takes place at the building up of Zion. “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Rom. 8: 23) It was the purpose of God from the beginning to bring these other sons into his family by adoption. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”–Eph. 1: 5.
32 Jehovah said to Abraham: “In Isaac shall thy seed be called.” (Gen. 21:12) At the time of that declaration by Jehovah Hagar and her son were cast off. (Gal. 4:29,30) Some forty years thereafter the sons of Keturah were born. Isaac is the son of God according to the promise, and Isaac was a type of Christ Jesus, who is the seed of promise. Jesus, the antitypical Isaac, is One. and the six sons by Keturah make seven, which is a divinely complete number forming a royal family.
33 The sons of Keturah could not inherit with Isaac ‘all that Abraham had’, but Abraham gave those six sons gifts. (Gen. 25:5,6) Likewise the members of the body of Christ can inherit nothing of themselves, because Christ Jesus is the One ‘whom he [Jehovah] hath made heir of all things’. (Heb. 1:2) Christ Jesus came into the inheritance of the kingdom three and one-half years before coming to the temple for judgment and the building up of Zion, and hence that length of time before the other children of Zion were born or brought into God’s capital organization. Jesus Christ is therefore essentially “The seed of Abraham”. (Acts 3: 25, 26) By the mediatorship of Christ Jesus his brethren arc brought forth as a people taken out for Jehovah’s name, and these faithful brethren became joint heirs with Christ Jesus by adoption and their inheritance is conditioned upon certain specific things, to wit: “The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Rom. 8:16, 17) Otherwise stated, all the body members are adopted into the royal house and become for ever members of that house upon condition of faithfulness unto God, which entails upon them the reproaches and sufferings that fell upon Christ Jesus.
34 The name “Keturah” is derived from the primitive root qalar, meaning “to smoke”, that is to say, turn into fragrance by fire. Most often the word is translated “to burn incense”, also, “to burn sacrifice”; hence the name Keturah means “incense” or “perfumed”. The beautiful poetic scripture concerning Christ Jesus coming as King and Judge to the temple says: ‘Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?” (Song of Solomon 3:6) As the. King rides upon his palanquin or “litter” (R.V.) he is attended by sixty valiant warriors. (Song of Solomon 3: 7, 8) The sons of the royal house of God are joined or brought into the royal organization of Jesus Christ at the temple. The name Keturah, therefore, suggests that Zion’s other children, born or brought forth into Zion after the coming of the King and the birth of the kingdom, arc the ones who ‘offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of their lips, giving thanks to his name’, after the building up of Zion following 1918. (Heb. 13:15) From that time forward this sacrifice, being “continual”, is never stopped by the enemy as it was stopped in 1918, but for ever that capital organization continues to sing forth the praise of Jehovah. (Rev. 8:3) Those who faithfully obey Jehovah and Christ Jesus and perform faithfully their duties as ministers of the new covenant are “unto God a sweet savour of Christ”. (2 Cor. 2:15) The “man child” was born in 1914; in 1918, upon the coming to the temple, first are brought forth the faithful saints who died in faith and who must precede those on earth, and after that is brought into the temple the faithful remnant on earth. The bringing of these other saints into God’s royal family, therefore, was clearly foreshadowed by the six sons of Abraham by Keturah.
35 Upon all the Scriptural evidence set alongside the facts that have been brought to pass by Jehovah the conclusion is irresistible that the new covenant is not a covenant that has to do with restitution of natural Israel or of any people to human perfection; but that the new covenant is Jehovah’s instrument employed to take out from among the various nations a people for his name, and that those thus taken out and who prove faithful are adopted into the family of God and thereby become members of his royal house, or royal saints. This conclusion is in no wise inimical to the truth that earthly or human blessings will come to the people in general during the reign of Christ, but rather gives assurance to the world of mankind that Jehovah will have an approved seed to do the regeneration or blessing work. The new covenant is dedicated and is closely related to the covenant for the kingdom. It is the kingdom that will completely vindicate Jehovah’s name.
(To be continued)
QUESTIONS FOR STUDY
¶ 1. From where, and for what purpose, does Jehovah gather his saints together unto him?
¶ 2, 3. How shall the "heavens" declare his righteousness? Account for the present greater appreciation of "this ministry" as of 'declaring his righteousness'.
¶ 4. Compare Israel and "Christendom" in regard to Jehovah's 'saving a remnant' thereof. How, in each instance, was this 'gathering' and 'saving' accomplished?
¶ 5. When did fulfillment of Psalm 50:5 begin, and how?
¶ 6, 7. Apply Jeremiah 50:4, 5.
¶ 8. When and how does Ezekiel 20:37, 38 find fulfillment?
¶ 9-11. Point out facts proving fulfillment (a) of Isaiah 61:1, 6-9. (b) Of Isaiah 54:10. (c) Of Isaiah 54:13, 17.
¶ 12. Referring to Revelation 11:19: When and how was "the temple of God which is in heaven" opened? How was the "ark" therein seen? Briefly point out fulfillment of what "followed", as also foreshown at Sinai.
¶ 13. How may we identify the "eunuchs" referred to in Isaiah 56:4, 5? Show whether Jehovah's promise concerning them, there recorded, has had fulfillment.
¶ 14. Who are foreshadowed by the "stranger" mentioned in Isaiah 56:6? What is the significance of Jehovah's dealing with the "stranger" in the manner described in verses 6, 7? Identify "all people", here mentioned.
¶ 15, 16. Who are the ministers of the new covenant, and of what does their ministry consist?
¶ 17. State, with reasons, whether Keturah was a type of the new covenant and Abraham's six sons by Keturah picture those of the world who will ultimately gain human life and blessings.
¶ 18, 19. What other important facts must be considered in determining what or whom the sons of Keturah represented? Briefly, whom did these sons picture? How is this conclusion supported by Isaiah 60:7, 8?
¶ 20-22. Show that the Scriptures definitely settle the prophetic position of Sarah and Hagar.
¶ 23-25. In this connection point out and explain God's dealing with Abraham and Sarah, and Hagar's relation thereto. Also the significance here of the statement that "God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob", and of that recorded at Psalm 105:8-10. Also what was therein foreshown to be (a) the relationship of the new covenant to the Abrahamic covenant and (b) the purpose of the new.
¶ 26-28. Explain the prophetic significance of the fact that Abraham's son Isaac and also his sons by Keturah were brought forth by miraculous exercise of Jehovah’s power.
¶ 29, 30. What further proof of the prophetic position of the sons of Keturah is seen in the fact that they were sons of Abraham, not of Isaac?
¶ 31, 32. In view of Jehovah’s statement (Gen. 21: 12) “In Isaac shall thy seed be called”, and that of the apostle Paul in Galatians 3: 16, explain the position of the body members of Christ in relation to the “seed of Abraham”.
¶ 33, 34. If “Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac” and ‘God bath appointed Christ Jesus heir of all things’, how is it that “we are ... heirs of God”? Explain the prophetic significance of the name Keturah.
¶ 35. What, then, is the reasonable conclusion as to the nature, purpose, and outcome of the new covenant, and concerning its harmony with Jehovah’s further provision for earthly or human blessings for the world of mankind?
EARTH’S NEW RULERS: HOW CHOSEN
JOEL was one of the prophets of Jehovah God thousands of years ago. He prophesied that the time would come when God would pour out his spirit upon all those who would call upon his name. The second chapter of his prophecy, verses twenty-eight and twenty-nine, reads: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I [Jehovah] will pour out my spirit upon all flesh [that is to say, all flesh in covenant relationship with me]; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” This prophecy of Joel had its miniature or first fulfilment at the feast of Pentecost fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. At the time of the ascension of Jesus into heaven he had assembled his disciples on the side of the Mount of Olives, which lies to the east of the city of Jerusalem. He there commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem until they had received the holy spirit, and promised them that then they should receive power and that they should become his witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth. – Acts 1: 4-8.
In obedience to this command (Acts 1:4-8) the disciples remained at Jerusalem. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it. filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them: and they were all filled with the holy [spirit], and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4) Thus was made manifest the first fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel above quoted, as specifically stated by the apostle Peter, who said: “Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: . . . This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out, in those days, of my spirit; and they shall prophesy. . . . And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”–Acts 2:14-21.
The giving of the holy spirit to the disciples was an evidence that Jesus’ disciples had been taken into the covenant, for the kingdom, the government which Jehovah has laid upon the shoulder of Christ Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and which Jehovah will use to vindicate his name and word and to bless all the families of the earth.
A city is a symbol of a government or empire. It is written concerning the empire or kingdom of God: “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Rev. 21:14) The Lord Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone in that kingdom, and the apostles of the Lamb are the twelve foundations. “Wherefore also,” writes the apostle Peter (1:2:6), “it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”
Prior to his crucifixion the Lord Jesus had promised that he would confirm in heaven what those faithful apostles did on earth. (Matt. 18:18) It was at Pentecost, and after receiving the holy spirit, that Peter testified concerning Jesus Christ, as follows: “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”–Acts 4:11,12.
The Jews had thought to build an empire; and they looked forward to that empire which, under the Messiah, Christ, would rule all nations of the earth. The clergy of that time especially thought that they were the builders; but when the chief corner stone was laid they rejected him, even as the prophet Isaiah (53:3) had foretold they would do. (John 1:11, 12) The fact that the Jews rejected the chief corner stone in no way hindered or delayed the progress of the building Now that the chief corner stone and foundation of the new and glorious empire was laid, its building began and progressed according to the will of God. The holy prophet had testified that on this chief corner stone should rest the new government which should bring deliverance to the people. He said: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”– Isa. 9: 6, 7.
The apostles of Jesus Christ were also prophets because they, under inspiration from God, foretold things to come to pass in the distant future. A true prophet is one who gives testimony by divine authority. That Jesus Christ and his apostles constitute respectively the chief corner stone and foundation of the great empire, and that others were added thereto, the apostle Paul, who also was a prophet, under inspiration testified: ‘‘Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building, filly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit.”–Eph. 2:19-22.
The members of the empire arc not chosen by men nor by man-made organizations. It is God who has chosen them through his beloved Son Christ Jesus. Numerous scriptures so state. (Eph. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13 ; 2 Tim. 2: 4; Jas. 2: 5 ; 1 Pet. 2:4) Those, who are chosen to be of the royal line are called or invited by the Lord God, through his beloved Son Christ Jesus. (1 Cor. 1:2; 7:10; Eph. 4:4; Col. 3:15; 1 Thess. 2:12) Cannot priest or clergyman of some church denomination call a sinner to become a part of the kingdom of God and then choose him for that purpose? Neither a priest nor any other Clergyman possesses any such power or authority. The Scriptures alone must be the guide as to how these are called and chosen. The only way for sinners to come to God is through Jesus Christ, as he states: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) The order pointed out by the Scriptures, of coming to God through Jesus Christ, is as follows: (first) knowledge, (then) faith, consecration to God, and justification.
Faith means to know the Word of God and then to rely upon it. Therefore knowledge must precede faith; as it is written (Horn. 10: 17): ‘‘So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by7 the word of God.” From the Word of God man learns that he was born a sinner, that there is no other name given under heaven whereby he can come again into harmony with God, except through Jesus Christ. He learns that Jesus died upon the cursed tree, and that whosoever believes upon him might not perish but have an opportunity for life everlasting. (John 3:16,17) Coming to a knowledge of this fact man is thereby drawn to Jesus, learns that Jesus is his Redeemer and that to please God he must follow the direction that the Lord Jesus points out. the one thus seeking the Lord God must now exercise faith ; and the first thing of importance is to believe that, Jehovah exists, and that he rewards those who diligently seek him. (Heb. 11:6) To such Jesus says: ‘‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Matt. 16:24.
Self-denial means a willingness to completely7 surrender oneself unto God, agreeing to do the will of God, while trusting in the merit of Christ Jesus’ sacrifice. This is consecration. This is what Jesus did when he appeared at the Jordan river to be baptized, as it is prophetically written of him, saying: 'I come to do thy will, O my God.’ This is an agreement that thereafter the will of the man will be exercised in harmony with the will of God, and that he. will me his mind and ascertain God’s will and then do it.
Now the Lord Jesus presents the man who consecrates to Jehovah. It is Jehovah God who judicially determines whether or not the one thus presented is right. Justification means being made right with God, and it therefore includes the judicial determination by Jehovah that the one thus consecrating is right. The Scriptures therefore show three separate and distinct things involved in justification: (first) faith; (second) the blood of Jesus: (third) the judicial determination by Jehovah ; as it is written: ‘‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1); ‘‘Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5: 9) ; ‘‘It is God that justifieth.” - Rom. 8:33; 3:26.
Justification, between the time of Pentecost and the completion of the empire, is by faith and for the purpose of enabling the one thus justified to sacrifice all his earthly hopes and prospects, particularly his right to live on earth. The justification by Jehovah therefore constitutes one an acceptable part of the sacrifice.
To beget means to begin; and the begetting or beginning of one as a new creature in Christ is to a hope of lite and to an inheritance incorruptible. This begetting of the spirit is a covenant that God makes with the one consecrating. God gives to such a one his Word of Truth; and then he causes his invisible power to so operate upon the one to whom he gives this Word as to begin to carry on the transformation of the one thus begotten into the likeness of the Head, Christ Jesus, the chief corner stone laid in Zion, God's organization.
It is written: ‘‘Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first- fruits of his creatures.” (Jas. 1:18) Such begotten ones as God thereafter chooses and takes into tin: kingdom covenant are the ‘‘elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ; Grace unto you. and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.” – 1 Pet. 1: 2-5.
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