The Watchtower, November 1, 1934

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ATLANTA CONVENTION

The Atlanta, service convention will be on November 23, 24 and 25; headquarters Ansley Hotel, root garden. Meetings Saturday and Sunday will be held in the. City Auditorium. These meetings will be addressed by various brethren, including the president of the Society.

It is hoped that many of the pioneers in the south may be able to attend. Sleeping quarters are being provided for a hundred or more pioneers. Pioneers will make no arrangements for quarters until seeing convention committee. A credit of $25 will be allowed to each pioneer on book account to help pay expanses to the convention. Let all the Lord's people present this matter before the throne of grace for his blessing that there may be a splendid witness to the. honor of his name. Address all communications to Clifton It. Thomas, Chairman Convention Committee, 1391 Belmont Ave., 8.W., Atlanta, Ga.

THE SERVANT’S TESTIMONY PERIOD

This period embraces the nine days of November 24 to December 2 inclusive. Seeing that it is Jehovah’s will that the feet members of The Servant of Jehovah shall, without delay, give a witness to and concerning the unseen creatures that now have to do with things pertaining to this earth, the new booklet Angels will be specialized on as for distribution daring this period. Let all who have taken restand on the side of Jehovah to serve hint make preparation promptly to have supplies, time and territory for this special witness. Reporting results for the entire period is an item of importance. Let Jehovah’s witnesses and Jonadabs alike report direct to the Brooklyn office if not working in territory under one of the Society’s branches.

“ANGELS”

Wicked spirit creatures have afflicted the human race for many centuries. It is of the greatest importance that mankind should understand the origin of those wicked creatures, their methods of operation, and the power they exercise over the men and nations of the world. It seems the Lord's due time to reveal these truths. The booklet Angels gives the Scriptural proof and is now ready to be released to the people the remnant should study its contents carefully and be diligent to get the booklet into the hands of every person of good will and all who are seeking the truth. The Jonadabs should join in this witness work and distribution. The climax of the great; day of God Almighty is rapidly approaching, and a knowledge of the truth is essential to all who would receive protection. The booklet will be translated and published in many languages. The Society will supply the demand as rapidly as possible.

Vol. LV November 1, 1931 No. 21

FEAST OF CONSPIRATORS

“For they cat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.’’–Prov. 4:17.

PART 1

JEHOVAH has forewarned the remnant that the ‘seed of the Serpent’ would form a conspiracy and carry it out to the limit of his ability, the purpose of which conspiracy is to destroy Jehovah’s anointed. To the witnesses of Jehovah now on earth is committed the testimony of Jesus Christ, and because they try to fulfil their commission they arc hated by the Devil and all of his offspring. (Rev, 12:17; Ps. 83:2-5) Those in the, conspiracy are attempting to cut off Jehovah’s anointed from being a nation; and this wicked crowd of conspirators is composed of Gog and a host of wicked spirit creatures who joined Satan in his rebellion at Eden and who continue to fight against the anointed; and of those on earth, the religious, political and commercial elements that operate, performing their respective parts, all of which is under the direction of Satan the Devil; hence all of these conspirators are the ‘seed of the Serpent’. Satan is proud, haughty, arrogant and austere. All of his offspring are likewise disposed. It is the divine rule that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Prov. 16:18) In keeping with this rule Belshazzar the king of Babylon held a great feast, at which he and his assembled guests became very drunk. The feast was an occasion for much swaggering and boasting and great hilarity and carousal. The proverbial fall of the king of Babylon and his followers quickly came thereafter.

EPITOME

2 Let the anointed remnant now on earth take comfort in this fact: that the divine record of Belshazzar's feast, was kept and preserved until this day for their learning and that, the fulfilment of this prophetic picture having now begun, the understanding thereof gives strength to their hope of ultimate triumph through Christ Jesus, who leads the army of Jehovah against the enemy. In this prophetic picture Belshazzar represented the earthly offspring of the Devil, that is to say, the visible part of the ‘seed of the Serpent’, and he and his allies are in the conspiracy under the leadership of Gog; the “lords” picture all who are in the League of Nations or like combines; the golden vessels used at the feast, out of which the wine was drunk, pictured the remnant, Jehovah's witnesses, who are wholly devoted to him, which Satan’s crowd expect to completely discredit and then to destroy ; the fingers of the hand that wrote upon the wall pictured Christ Jesus, to whom Jehovah has committed the testimony which must be delivered before the fall of Satan’s organization; Cyrus, the invading king, pictured Christ Jesus, the victorious Warrior who will clean out Satan’s organization. The fulfilment of this prophetic picture begins a short time before Armageddon and is concluded at Armageddon. The fulfilment has now begun, and hence it appears to be the will of God that his anointed remnant should have an understanding of the prophecy.

BELSHAZZAR AND HIS FEAST

3 Belshazzar was a son (or grandson) of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon. (Dan. 5:2,18) Satan’s organization is named “Babylon”; hence Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon would picture Satan himself, while Belshazzar, being his son, would represent the earthly seed of Satan, particularly the rulers of “Christendom”, which are made up of the religious, political and commercial elements, the latter being the principal ones of the religious flock. “Belshazzar” means “prince of Bel” or “whom Bel favors”, and hence pictures “Christendom”, which is now drunk on Babylon’s wine, and under the leadership of Gog, the invisible field marshal of Satan who is assigned to lead the army of Satan at Armageddon. “Bel” was the chief god of Babylon, and hence means Satan himself. “And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up; and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him; yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.” (Jer. 51:44) In the first year of Belshazzar's reign Daniel had a dream in which dream or vision he beheld four beasts, picturing the earthly ruling powers of Satan. (Dan. 7:1-3; see The Watchtower, 1933, page ISO) In the third year of Belshazzar’s reign Daniel had a vision of the defiling of God's sanctuary and its later vindication. – Daniel 8; see The Watchtower, 15'33, pages 179-186, 195-202, 211-219.

4 The time of the fulfilment of the prophetic picture of the feast of Belshazzar seems to be shortly preceding Armageddon. The record thereof as set forth in the fifth chapter of Daniel begins in this manner; “Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank vine before the thousand.’’ (Dan. 5:1) This feast was held in the king’s palace, and on the very night that Babylon was overthrown by the Medes and Persians, and hence must picture a time after Christ begins his reign and is sent forth to oust the enemy and shortly preceding the battle of the great day of God Almighty. That definitely fixes the time of the fulfilment of the prophetic picture after 1914 and shortly before the battle of Armageddon; hence both the scripture and the physical facts show that the prophecy is now in course of fulfilment.

5 The Chaldaic word for “feast” is lechem, meaning “common eating together”. “A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry; but money answereth all things.” (Eccl. 10: 19) The greed for gain and power brought these, festers together in a great carousal or common drunken revel. The love of money, the root of all evil, brings into a common assembly those of all nations bent on reproaching the name of Jehovah and doing violence to those who serve God, which even now exists amongst the nations of “Christendom”. At the time of Belshazzar's hast war was on between the Chaldeans on one side and the Medes and Persians on the other, and doubtless the feast was held by Belshazzar that he and his men might for a time forget what was going on outside their fortification and to afford them opportunity to further devise deeds of wickedness. (Prov. 4:17) Bread (lechem) eating well pictured the eating of the common bread of conspiracy against Jehovah’s “hidden ones”. (Ps. 83:3) “Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.” (Ps. 14:4) The Chaldeans were eating behind the walls of the city, and hence in secret; and, being in secret, it was pleasant to them. (Prov. 9:17) The word “feast” in the Hebrew is derived from the word meaning “to feed on”, figuratively “to consume”, and by implication “to battle”, as in destruction.

6 Today “Christendom” is in great fear and trepidation because of seeing the on-coming battle of Armageddon. They know something terrible is impending, but they have not the knowledge of God’s Word or faith in it to determine what it is. Like Pharaoh and his crowd in Egypt during the ninth plague, they are in great darkness. Even the pope is saying that his “holy year” proclamation has failed to bring forth fruit, and has closed up the wall with golden bricks and called upon his allies to pray that Armageddon may be averted. He does not realize that Armageddon will be fought by the powers of Jehovah God. The rulers who sense the approaching battle or great trouble would like to minimize it and its frightful results, and hence they are drinking and eating together, which furnishes them some relaxation while they are discussing and considering ways and me us for the elimination of Jehovah’s witnesses. It is noticeable at this time that in every nation the ruling powers are following exactly this course. Belshazzar assembled a thousand of his lords, symbolically meaning the fullness or completeness of the earthly part of Satan’s organization. Antitypically it is now a great feast embracing all of “Christendom” and its dependencies, all of which are brought into the conspiracy against Jehovah and his anointed, that is to say, against all who are in line for the kingdom and who faithfully serve Jehovah God. Satan employs his ‘three frogs’ to gather the nations together for the battle. (Rev. 16:13-16) These magnates or “lords” more particularly picture those in the inner circle of “Christendom” who, together with the king or chief officers, control or rule the people. They consume much wine at their feast, lo give them fresh courage. Their hearts are heavy because of what they sense is approaching, exactly as Jesus foretold, and hence Satan sees it is well to ‘give wine unto those of heavy hearts’. (Prov. 31:6; Luke 21:25,26) It is the “wine of violence” directed against God’s people and his cause. Satan having lost out in the battle in heaven, ins cohorts on earth now need wine to cheer them, because now is a lime of “woe to the inhabiters [rulers] of the earth”. (Rev. 12:12) They arc seized with perplexity and distress. The “thousand of his lords” also well picture the “ten kings” which “receive power as kings one hour”, which time ends at Armageddon. “These have one mind [to form and carry out the conspiracy against God’s chosen ones], and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb.” – Rev. 17:12-11; see Light Book Two, pages 105, 106.

7 The place or seat of Belshazzar at the feast would be at the head of the banquet hall or table, and he would doubtless be surrounded by a select company, with plenty of secret service men in the wings of the stage, well armed. His wine was red, and doubtless his eyes also were red. “Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.” (Dan. 5:2) The excessive wine of Babylon had stimulated and heated Belshazzar, and now he felt strong and well able to carry out the will of his father the Devil. Hence his actions became reckless, malicious and regardless of the rights of others. Here again we must emphasize the fact that the Devil’s primary purpose on all occasions is to reproach the name of Jehovah God; and he was using Belshazzar on the occasion here considered to do that very thing. Full of wine, and reckless, Belshazzar gave command that the golden and silver vessels which his father had stolen from the temple at Jerusalem should be brought out and set before his guests, and out of which they were to drink. The golden vessels here mentioned represented those who are now diligent in putting forth their best endeavors to honor the name of Jehovah. The modern use of “wine” by the antitypical Belshazzar crowd finds its potency in the expression of Satan’s will in such things as the League of Nations, the World Court, peace pacts, “holy year,” international arms conferences, and like arrangements, employed for self-preservation and prosperity. Gog, Satan's field marshal, puts the evil suggestions into the heads of the leaders of “Christendom”, and, of course, all such is inspired by Satan himself, as he is the chief one, sitting in his high and lofty position to direct the movements against Jehovah’s anointed ones.

8 The vessels of the temple of Jerusalem were for the sacred use in the service of Jehovah, and not for any selfish pleasure, which latter use would bring further reproach upon Jehovah's name. These vessels Belshazzar’s father had stolen from the temple and brought to Babylon, and now Belshazzar would desecrate them at his carousal. Belshazzar’s father had been guilty of great effrontery when he robbed the temple of these vessels, and now the use of them by this infidel, drunken crowd would add insult and bring further reproach upon Jehovah’s name. At the present time “Christendom’s” elect, which are the visible ‘seed of the Serpent’, would bring greater reproach upon Jehovah's name by persecuting and humiliating and improperly ill-using God’s faithful remnant who bear testimony to his name and his kingdom and which faithful witnesses are declaring the day of God’s vengeance against Satan’s organization. Modern Babylon, or “Christendom”, would desecrate these chosen vessels of the Lord by using them in a ridiculous manner, and thus in their carousal would make a merry time with them. It is noticeable at this time that the mouthpiece (or publicity agents, to wit, the public press) of “Christendom” takes great delight in ridiculing and holding up to scorn Jehovah’s witnesses. ‘The king’s wives,’ mentioned in the account of the feast of Belshazzar, means the clergy who are married to the state or political power of the earth; and “his concubines” means the modern “Judas” company, or ‘sons of perdition’, who are not recognized as wives of the political element but who hire themselves out to the state or political ruling power for their own pleasure, to be used as instruments to bring about humiliating action against Jehovah’s witnesses. The “Judas” class, who are also in the conspiracy, now participate in the overt acts against the anointed of the Lord and seek means not only to interrupt the Lord’s work but to put Jehovah’s servants in embarrassing positions and cause violence to be inflicted upon them.

9 The army of Cyrus, at the time of the feast, was invading Babylon, and Jehovah had caused his prophet to say concerning this: “He shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward.” (Isa. 45:13) This prophecy, of course, applies to Christ Jesus, whom Cyrus foreshadowed, while Belshazzar, who now had possession of the vessels of the temple, foreshadowed the rulers of “Christendom” desiring to restrain Jehovah ’s witnesses and prevent them from being properly used and to cause them to be used for an improper and unholy purpose. Also, Jehovah’s prophet said concerning the Devil, acting by his earthly agents, that he “opened not the house of his prisoners” (Isa. 14:17), meaning the ‘vessels of silver’, which representatively stand for the “great multitude”, who are now held in the prison house of “Christendom”, or modern Babylon. “Christendom” now resists the kingdom of Christ Jesus, the Greater Cyrus and invading King, and also refuses to permit Jehovah’s witnesses full freedom in their activities of service, while at the same time Babylon holds the “great multitude” in “the prison house” and restrains and prevents them from going free from “the prison house”. – Isa. 42:7.

10 All of Satan’s organization is against Jehovah’s anointed, who are pictured by the “golden vessels” mentioned in the prophecy. The religious leaders, the political bosses, and the commercial giants are the favored ones of “Christendom”, while the smaller fry, the strong-arm squad and the hangers-on do the heavy work and apparently the dirtier, contemptible work. “Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God, which was at Jerusalem ; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.” (Dan. 5: 3) It may well be surmised that those that, brought, out these vessels did not handle them in a kind and delicate way. Today it is the strong-arm squad, acting on orders, that bring forth the “golden vessels” of the Lord, that is to say, the faithful remnant who are Jehovah's witnesses; and they do not handle than in any soft and delicate way, but rudely, and speak to them with harsh and angry words. These faithful ones are, by Jehovah’s grace, maintaining their integrity toward him and have obeyed his commandments to ‘buy of him gold tried in the fire’. (Rev. 3:18) Each one of the faithful remnant is a ‘vessel unto honor, sanctified and made meet for the Master’s use’ and engaged in a good work. (2 Tim. 2: 20, 21) Be it noted in the prophetic account that the “silver vessels” mentioned in the prophecy were not brought out, bur only the “golden vessels” were brought out. The “silver vessels”, representing the “great multitude”, are held in custody in the prison houses as prisoners, and these in due time must take their stand for Jehovah even at the cost of their lives; but that time has now about arrived. (Rev. 7:9-14) The bringing of these golden vessels out would mean the bringing of them into view and exhibiting them to the drunken revelers. Likewise, antitypically, Jehovah’s witnesses are brought forth and exposed to the view and exhibited before the drunken revelers of “Christendom”. The purpose of this part of the conspiracy is to make Jehovah’s witnesses the center of ridicule and reproach by centering attention upon them while the revelers attempt to make them appear ridiculous. The king, and his princes, wives and concubines, drank wine out of the golden vessels; showing that the entire crowd of modern times indulge in overt acts in furtherance of their wicked conspiracy. The revelers, both ancient and modern, being drunk with the wine of Babylon, they get cheer and hilarity out of misusing Jehovah’s witnesses. In this manner those of “Christendom” show themselves as being on the side of God’s vilifiers; and thus they don the garments of Baal and mark themselves for the slaughter that must shortly follow at Armageddon. (2 Ki. 10; 18-27; Jer. 25:33-36) All nations of “Christendom” now hate Jehovah’s witnesses, us Jesus foretold, and all arc engaged in a conspiracy and are doing what they can to bring reproach upon Jehovah’s name by ill- using such witnesses.

11 The wicked one Satan, who commercialized the human race and debauched the whole world, has poured the potion for his earthly representatives who are doing his will by persecuting Jehovah’s witnesses. “They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.” (Dan. 5:4) It is the wine of Babylon that is being drunk out of the golden vessels from Jehovah’s temple, and this adds to the hilarity of the rulers, and they get a great thrill out of it, and this induces them to praise everything except Jehovah and those who are on his side. The language of this part of the prophecy further identities the revelers as the ‘seed of the Serpent’ and the worshipers of the Devil and his organization. In the divine record concerning the dream of Nebuchadnezzar recorded and interpreted by Daniel (see Daniel, chapter two) the organization of Satan was pictured by a great metallic image, the gold thereof picturing the Devil himself, while the other metals, in their order, pictured other portions of Satan’s organization; hence these revelers at Belshazzar’s feast give praise, while drinking, ‘to the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone,’ and thus they identify themselves as a part of Satan’s organization that is fighting against Jehovah and his kingdom. The modern “Chaldeans”, that is to say, “Christendom,” revere and worship the strong ones of the world organizations, and with trembling voice and hypocritical hands uplifted they cry out concerning the League of Nations, ‘It is the only light that there is’; and thus they ‘change the truth of God into a lie, and worship and serve the creature more than the Creator’, even though outwardly, hypocritically and fraudulently they claim to represent the kingdom of Christ.–Rom. 1:25.

12 It was in 1928 that the seventh “plague” was poured out, and in the year following the great commercial crash began; and yet the Babylonians, that is, those of “Christendom”, have not changed their worship nor repented of their wicked works. “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues, yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.” (Rev. 9: 20, 21) Now, with the ever increasing proclamation of the truth, the rulers in “Christendom” have an opportunity to see what, is right, but they continue the persecution of those faithful and true witnesses of Jehovah. Those composing “Christendom’s” organization like to pose as the law-abiding, peace-making and prosperity-making crowd, and to this end they seek and use the law-making and law-enforcement powers to bring the anointed ones of God into disrepute and to subject them to great humiliation. They take this course of action upon the false pretext and false claim that Jehovah’s witnesses are a menace to the peace of the existing governments. The truth of God’s Word when told reflects very unfavorably upon the iniquitous doctrines and work of those who rule in “Christendom”, and in their anger and in furtherance of their conspiracy they enact laws to prevent the telling of such Scriptural truths to the people, and take whatever course they can to cause the truth to be suppressed. They conspire together to destroy freedom of speech, freedom of press, and the free ex- pressiou of one’s understanding of God's Word; and all of this they do upon the wrongful claim that such is necessary in order to maintain the peace of the state. They wrongfully use Jehovah’s anointed vessels of gold, that is to say, his witnesses, and they would prevent the delivering of the testimony of Jesus Christ which God has commanded now must be delivered. They are foolish in believing that they can defeat Jehovah and put him to greater shame. Jehovah now has the entire drunken crowd in derision. (Ps. 2:4) It is time for the handwriting concerning the wieked crowd of “Christendom” and their end to appear upon the wall. It does appear!

HANDWRITING

13 Men sometimes make themselves drunk to drive away distress and perplexity; and for some years last past there have been great distress and perplexity among the ruling elements of the world. But a dreadful shock will bring even a drunken man to his senses to some degree. That was the effect upon Belshazzar, and the picture will be fulfilled. Belshazzar and his lords were in distress concerning the approach of the Medes and Persians, and they were drunk, and continued to drink out of the golden vessels in order to bolster themselves up. Likewise the rulers of modern “Christendom”, which is Satan’s organization, misuse God's anointed in their attempt to give themselves courage; and while they are doing it they get a jolt. “In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.”–Dan. 5:5.

14 The modern application of the words “the same hour” manifestly is to the short period of time in which Satan prepares his organization for the final battle. (Rev. 12:12) “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings [foreshadowed by Belshazzar and his lords], which . . . receive power as kings one hour with the boast [that is, the image of the 'sea beast’, which is the combine of nations].” (Rev. 17:12) These all act together against Jehovah's anointed ones in the short time when Satan is preparing for the battle of Armageddon. “Babylon” is the name of Satan’s crowd, and stands for or represents his organization both invisible and visible, and concerning which it is written: “That great city Babylon, . . . in one hour is thy judgment come.” (Rev. 18:10, 19) This is the time of the handwriting’s appearing on the wail in fulfilment of the prophetic picture; and the facts show that this time began with the London convention in 1926, at which a testimony was issued To the Rulers of the World.

15 The “fingers of a man’s hand”, which did the writing on the wall, pictured Jehovah’s power exercised and by his “right hand”, Christ Jesus. (Matt. 12:28) The Lord Jesus at the temple uses the faithful remnant in connection with his work in serving notice upon the visible part of Satan’s organization, and of this fact the invisible part of the enemy organization no doubt takes notice. (2 Cor. 3:2, 3) Of himself Jesus said: “If I with the finger of Clod [the power of Jehovah] cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.” (Luke 11:20) Concerning the third plague of Egypt the magicians said to Pharaoh: “This is the finger of God.” (Ex. 8:19) The law written on the tables of stone was “written with the finger”, that is, the invisible power or spirit, of Jehovah. (Ex. 31:18) Thus God causes Christ Jesus to bring forcibly to the attention of the enemy notice and warning of the enemy’s early downfall. The fingers of the man’s hand “wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall”, hence in the well lighted surface of the wall, thus forcing the revelers to see it. This illustrates how Jehovah does nothing in the dark, but that he acts against the enemy only after full warning, and he causes his witnesses to openly and aboveboard declare his judgments against the enemy. the enemy will never be able to say that they did not hear and that they unintentionally overlooked what Jehovah said to them. He illustrates this by compelling Belshazzar and his lords to take notice of the writing on the wall. It was Belshazzar’s candles that lighted the wall of his palace, and likewise today the truth of God's Word is forced into the light which the rulers of modern Babylon, or “Christendom”, cause to burn, and they are compelled to take notice of the message of truth whether they want to do it or not. Today the rulers exhibit perplexity and distress, and at the same time they are drinking the wine of Babylon in their efforts to hide their perplexity while they go on feverishly preparing for war. While they are thus doing Jehovah causes the message of truth to be put before them under the light, and which message in substance says to them: “Soon you will have a fight, and a losing fight.”

16 In London, England, the “seat of the beast”, a warning was sounded openly and aboveboard in May 1926, which message was heard by the ruling powers of “Christendom”, but at which they scoffed and which they have spurned, and that message marked the beginning of their “transgression of desolation”. The handwriting, the message on the wall, was notice and warning to Belshazzar and his revelers, and corresponds with the plagues upon Egypt, which also served as notice and warning to the rulers in Satan’s visible organization. “The king saw the part of the hand that wrote,” but he did not see the power that moved the hand. Today “Christendom’s” rulers have seen Jehovah's human agents used in serving to give them notice of warning, and they have heard the notice of warning, but they have not seen or discerned Jehovah’s spirit which moves such agents or servants to bring that notice of warning to them. The handwriting on the wall was by the power of God, and for that reason could not picture the present-day depression or had economic conditions that affect the world. That handwriting on the wall foretold disaster to Belshazzar the king of Babylon and his army ; and in modern times the fulfilment thereof foretells the doom of Satan’s organization, which is Babylon including “Christendom”. The judgment, notice and warning must be delivered before the execution of the judgment, and that is why Jehovah’s witnesses engage in declaring the day of the vengeance of our God. Such notice must be served before the giving of the message described by the prophet: “One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon [Belshazzar and the modern rulers of ‘Christendom’] that his city is taken at one end [on every quarter, R.V.], and that the passages are stopped [surprised, R.V.: seized, R.V.], and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.” (Jer. 51:31, 32) From 1926 to 1933 Jehovah’s message of warning heralded by his faithful witnesses was boldly delivered and raised high by wide publication, and thus “Christendom” was compelled to take notice of that message of warning, and which message of warning must be delivered before the fall of Babylon is complete.

17 Belshazzar and his revelers in wine were compelled to take notice of the sign or handwriting appearing on the wall, and the sight thereof somewhat sobered them; especially was that the effect upon the king. The rulers of “Christendom” have not been able to ignore the notice of warning that Jehovah has caused his witnesses to proclaim before them. They have been compelled to give the matter some thought; and the facts show that they have thought, and some of them have thought seriously. They have been sobered for a time, but this has served only to harden their hearts. “Then the king’s countenance [brightness, R.V., margin] was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.’’ (Dan. 5:6) It was in 1928 that the Lord caused his remnant to make a declaration of Jehovah’s judgment which is written against Satan and all of his organization, and to give warning that all who would live must take the side of Jehovah. That message of notice and warning was proclaimed throughout “Christendom”, and as to the rulers thereof it somewhat loosened their joints and caused their knees to knock together. That would sober them for a time. Shortly thereafter the great commercial crash came and Babylon began to sober up a little more, and the chief ones thereof showed a dull countenance instead of a bright one. By his prophet Jehovah tells them now to howl, because their howling days are short. “Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: and they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth; they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.” (Isa. 13:6-8) While they are howling evidently Jehovah laughs at them. – Ps. 2:4.

18 This corresponds to the prophecy uttered by Jesus, to wit: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:25, 26) Although “Christendom’s” mighty men bring forth the League of Nations compact, peace treaties, disarmament conferences, “holy year,” national recovery acts, yet their howling continues. In that period the pope regains his temporal power and the other parts of “Christendom” receive his delegates or ambassadors, lie declares 1933 a “holy year”; and when he sees that has failed he continues to howl with his other allies and asks them all to pray that Armageddon may be prevented. Within this same hour, with increased zeal and activity Jehovah’s remnant places the message of the Lord God high up on the wall, and God has compelled the rulers in “Christendom” to read the message although they do not understand it.

19 For many years the clergy have held the position of spiritual advisers to the other ruling elements of Babylon, or “Christendom”. True, some of these clergy are Catholics, some are Protestants, and some are Jew's; but all are engaged in the same business for hire. Naturally they are now being called upon to give advice and counsel and consolation to the other rulers in “Christendom”. “The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” (Dan. 5:7) This description of the king’s advisers given in the prophecy shows that these advisers include not only the clergy of the various religious organizations but also the professional economists, historians, philosophers and such like in the present time, and which are designated by Babylon’s publicity agents as “the brain trust”, meaning, of course, those that have great “wisdom”. The seventh “trumpet” for Jehovah and against Satan and his organization was sounded in 1928, and shortly thereafter, as it should be expected, the ruling powers of “Christendom” pictured by Belshazzar would begin to cry out; and that is exactly what did come to pass. Tn 1928 a world conference was held in Paris, and another in London the next year, for the evident purpose of ascertaining the meaning of the threatening conditions and of the signs, notices or declarations that had been given. That was after the “sign in heaven, great and marvellous”, had appeared. (Rev. 15:1) The time having arrived to vindicate Jehovah’s name, his witnesses would came the trumpet to sound and to give notice, and discomfort came to the earthly rulers as a partial result there of King Belshazzar appealed to his own advisers for help, and even so the rulers in “Christendom” in modern times have assembled its “wise men” that wisdom might result from such multitude of counsel and that they might determine what to do. Of course, none of Jehovah’s witnesses would be called to such a conference; for such conference is anti-God and anti-kingdom, and Jehovah’s witnesses would not be wanted there, neither would they want to be there.

20 The handwriting on the wall at Belshazzar’s feast was in a foreign language, a language not known to Belshazzar, and, even if he could read it, he was not learned therein and was not able to interpret the same. Likewise the ‘seven angels having the seven hist plagues’ were messengers not of a human organization, and consequently the message was not of human interpretation. The rulers of “Christendom” saw the activities of Jehovah's witnesses and heard what they were declaring, but the force and significance of their message needed some explanation or interpretation. Belshazzar wanted an explanation of what he saw on the wall, and in modern times “Christendom’s” rulers want to know the meaning of the present-day events, including what Jehovah’s witnesses declare, and to find this out they ask their own clergymen and “wise men”. No doubt the activities of these faithful witnesses have been frequently discussed in the secret conferences of the “wise men” of the modern day. The “Monday Morning Ministerial Conferences” have often been occupied with a consideration of these matters without reaching any satisfactory conclusion. When it appears that the public press, which is the advertising part of Satan’s visible organization, begins to give attention to what Jehovah's witnesses arc doing, then it must be known for a certainly that the “wise men” of “Christendom” have been discussing the matter.

21 Belshazzar sobered up for a brief season and had his counselors brought in. “Then came in all the king’s wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.” (Dan. 5:S) They must have been a sorry lot when they, composing the “brain trust” of his administration, appeared before the king, and not one of them able even to read the handwriting, much less to make known the interpretation thereof. The same thing is true today. The wise counselors of “Christendom” are unable to read the signs or interpret the same because they ignore God’s Word. Especially since 1929 the ruling powers of “Christendom” have appealed to the “wise men” of their own organization to place a construction upon or explain what is the meaning of the ‘signs and wonders in heaven’, that is to say, the declarations made by Jehovah’s witnesses and their continuous work in bearing witness to the people, and what relation the same has to the distress and perplexity upon the earth. But none of the wise men of Babylon can read or interpret the same, because it is all foreign to them. Their Bibles do not read that way. One is reminded of the words of Jehovah’s prophet applying to the same crowd, to wit: “And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Bead this, I pray thee: and he saith, 1 cannot; for it is sealed.” (Isa. 29:11) The advisers of Belshazzar undoubtedly attempted to advise him, but, being careful to make no guess that would worry the king, they were anxious to tell the king, and did tell him, that “everything will be all right; behold the strength of our walls”. They, being in the service of the Devil, of course, would be unable to have any knowledge of the secrets of Jehovah. (Ps. 25:14) Likewise in modern times, the “wise men” of “Christendom” are careful to predict nothing that would be offensive to the political and financial ruling clement; hence they say: “Give no heed to these foolish Jehovah’s witnesses, because every day and in every way the world is gelling better. Everything will be all right. Behold the strength of our great institutions. We must stand for ever.”

22 The declarations of Belshazzar’s wise men did not please him; and it is just the same today. The wise men of “Christendom” cannot give any answer that is pleasing and satisfactory to their allies. “Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.” (Dan. 5:9) As Belshazzar was troubled and his countenance was dark, and his lords sat about with long and astonished faces, even so it is today. The modern “brain trust”, including the clergy, and particularly the Catholic hierarchy, make an effort and try to give advice to the political and financial ruling element, but the latter have little or no confidence in such advice. They become, more perplexed every day, and they know not which way to turn. That perplexity has continued to increase since 1929, some evidence of which is here mentioned. In June 1931 the president of the United States issued a statement strongly advocating a moratorium of indebtedness of the various governments to the United States. In July 1931 the United States and France signed an agreement concerning foreign indebtedness and the moratorium went into effect. Then followed conference after conference looking to the recovery of the common interests of the nations and an effort to prevent the disastrous effects of war. Nations of “Christendom” agreed to scrap many of the battleships and otherwise limit war preparations, and then their perplexity and fear increased, and again they feverishly rushed out to construct even more war vessels and greater war equipment than ever before. Then came the NRA scheme, and it was thought this would pull the world, and especially the United States, out of the hole. This, together with other schemes, has been launched and pushed for the purpose of staving off the disaster. Each nation in “Christendom” promulgates its own ideas of what should be done and how it should be done. The pope puts on his “holy garments” and tries his hand in an effort to bring about peace and prosperity in his “holy year”, and finally gives that up in disgust because it brings forth neither peace nor prosperity except to the pope and the Catholic hierarchy. No other institution would be able to provide gold bricks to stop a hole in the wall, which gold bricks came to them without effort on their part, except it might be said it was some effort to don their sparkling garments and lay the bricks. These things are here mentioned to show the perplexity of the rulers of the world and that the advice given them by their “wise men” or “brain trust” fails to bring forth any satisfactory results.

23 There must have been confusion among the rulers at Belshazzar’s feast, and much talk, when the wise men failed to interpret the sign-words written on the wall of the banquet room. Belshazzar bad spoken his words of disappointment, and those words had been taken up and repeated by the lords, and then by the smaller fry, and then by those who were serving the wine. At any rate, the fact got out to the queen. It is quite evident that the queen did not attend the banquet, because she heard what was going on and then she appeared at the feast to advise the king. “Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house; and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever; let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed.” (Dan. 5:10) When the queen arrived at the banquet hall and beheld the troubled face of Belshazzar she greeted him in the customary and friendly way and bade him to be of good cheer, since she had something to suggest that might be of aid to him. Evidently she was not the wife of the king, but the mother queen, because the account of the prophecy says that the wives were there drinking wine. The mother queen seems to picture some men of the world friendly to the ruling clement and subject to them but who are entirely separate and apart from the religious frauds who pose as the spiritual advisers of the rulers. There are some men in public office who are friendly to the ruling powers but who have no confidence in or partnership with the hypocritical religious advisers. The queen appeared before Belshazzar but offered no explanation or interpretation of the handwriting. Having heard of the disturbed condition of the king and his lords, she had come to suggest one who might be able to give the needed information. This indicates that she pictured some who are in the world who are familiar with the conditions that exist and arc. somewhat familiar with Jehovah’s dealings with his faithful people, especially his dealings with them and their work at the time of the World War, from 1914 to 1918. It seems the mother queen was used to bring Daniel to the favorable attention of Belshazzar, thus indicating that she represents someone that brings the attention of the ruling power's to Jehovah’s witnesses. At the time Daniel was approximately 100 years of age, and had previously served Nebuchadnezzar, and seems to have withdrawn from public service and was not on familiar or intimate terms of acquaintance with Belshazzar. The queen mother, knowing about this, came to bring to the attention of the king the man Daniel, and what he had done in previous years; and this shows that no one of the wise men of Babylon had recommended Daniel to the ruler. Likewise it shows that today not one of the “wise men” of “Christendom”, that is to say, the clergy and their allies, would recommend anyone of Jehovah’s witnesses to be called in and their advice asked as to the meaning of present conditions, not even so much as to suggest that they be asked as to whether the present-day events have any relationship to Jehovah and his prophecies long ago written. But today there are some men and women who during the World War took notice of the treatment of those who were then faithful to God; and they also observed that such faithful followers of Christ Jesus were the only ones on earth that were then or arc now qualified by the Lord to give a proper interpretation of and concerning that which now threatens the world destruction. Some of such men and women are in public office and hold positions under the ruling powers. They have a kindly feeling towards Jehovah’s witnesses and believe that such witnesses represent the Lord. Therefore they make an honest endeavor to draw the attention of the high ruling element to such witnesses and to recommend that such witnesses are trustworthy and that it is advisable that they be heard. Such friendly ones may be called persons of good will who have faith in God and believe that he has some representatives on earth, and for this reason they favorably commend Jehovah's witnesses, even as the queen mother recommended Daniel to the king. In this connection we are reminded of the words of the prophet: “And kings shall be thy nursing fathers [margin, nourishers], and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.” (Isa. 49: 23) Among the ruling element there is now a division. Those of less power or importance in the world have a kindly feeling towards Jehovah’s witnesses and have exercised their influence in behalf of Jehovah’s witnesses that they may have opportunity to be heard and to present their testimony concerning Jehovah and his kingdom. An example of this may be found in the. fact that members of Congress in 1934 saw to it that Jehovah’s witnesses had opportunity to appear in person and give their testimony before the Congressional committee and to state the reason why they should be permitted to worship God in his appointed way without interference from others. the Lord will not forget such men who have shown their fairness in their desire that the truth might be heard.

24 The mother queen entered the banquet hall and greeted the potentate with the words, “O king, live for ever”; which seems to say that those of the present day whom the queen foreshadowed do not claim to be hostile to the earthly governments. They are now in position to furnish the facilities to open the way for Jehovah’s witnesses to tell God’s message before the rulers. These officers of good will are not seeking to overthrow the present governments of earth, but they use formal words in greeting the ruling powers of earth and ask that the powers give opportunity for the testimony of Jehovah’s witnesses to be heard. As the queen mother said to Belshazzar, so these men in official positions say to the rulers of higher rank: “Let not your thoughts trouble you,” but give ear to these witnesses of Jehovah and they may be able to find a solution of your difficulties.

25 Daniel’s past record was known to the queen; hence, addressing the king, she said: “There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and, in the days of thy father [Nebuchadnezzar], light, and understanding, and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.” (Dan. 5:11) And so today the past record of the Lord’s “faithful servant” class is known by some who recommend them to the favorable consideration of “Christendom’s” ruling powers. These kindly and considerate men of the official family of the present rulers recall that Jehovah’s witnesses used the Bible testimony to point out the World War and ether difficulties that then and now beset the world, and that all their efforts are put forth in the spirit of kindness, and that they exhibit the wisdom that comes from above, and not the wisdom of man. They seeing that what these witnesses of the Lord have said and are saying finds support in the Bible, the recommendation is that they be publicly heard. Before 1918 there were some in the official element who observed closely what the Lord’s devoted people were saying and doing, and it was easy to be seen that such witnesses were much more sincere and possessed much more faith than the clergymen. Many honest men have seen that the clergymen, out of cruel hatred, cause the faithful followers of Christ Jesus to be greatly' persecuted and that they' did so during the World War merely because such faithful ones were preaching the truth of God’s Word. These honest men in official positions took notice then, and now they well know, that the. clergy are hypocrites and practice hypocrisy while they falsely charge Jehovah’s witnesses with wrongdoing and persecute them because they arc doing the work of the Lord.

26 Daniel had exhibited the spirit of God in the day of Nebuchadnezzar; and the queen, knowing this, said: “Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.” (Dan. 5:12) This exactly describes the spirit and the work exhibited and done in the Elijah period of the church by those who were made members of the “faithful and wise servant” class upon the coming of the Lord to the temple. The governing powers were taking notice of these faithful men and women and of what they were telling about God’s kingdom during the World War, and were really afraid that there was much truth in what they said, and hence gave ear to the appeals made by the clergy that something should be done against these witnesses. On the other hand, the class of men whom the mother queen foreshadowed, and who are of less importance in governmental affairs, and arc therefore called the “weaker vessels”, take notice that the true followers of Christ Jesus, who were and are the faithful witnesses of Jehovah, had a real message from God. Still holding to that belief these men, like the queen, recommended Daniel, that is, Jehovah’s witnesses, to the greater ruling element, saying, “Let them be called and heard.” Those who are willing to give Jehovah’s witnesses, the faithful remnant, opportunity to talk believe that if these cannot give a true interpretation of the present distressing world conditions and what the Bible has to say about the same, then no one else can, and certainly the hypocritical clergy have made such a miserable failure in giving explanation that it is time to give opportunity for those to talk who give evidence that they are really sincere and have the spirit of the Lord and know what they are talking about. Jehovah had arranged this matter and was now causing a picture to be made and a record thereof to be kept for the aid and comfort of the faithful remnant now on the earth. This fact gives much consolation to Jehovah’s witnesses, and with eagerness they' continue to seek a better understanding of the prophecy, particularly with reference to the meaning of the calling of Daniel before the king and what relation that has to the activity of Jehovah’s witnesses in the present day.

(To be continued)

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY

¶ 1. Account for Jehovah's now particularly forewarning the remnant concerning the activities of the 'seed of the Serpent'.

¶ 2. Why has Jehovah provided and preserved this record of Belshazzar's feast? Who are pictured in the descriptive record of Daniel 5:1, 2? When does this prophecy have its fulfilment?

¶ 3. Belshazzar's name, his position, and his relationship to Nebuchadnezzar bear what significance?

¶ 4-6. What is seen pictured in the time and place of holding this feast? Show how other scriptures further indicate the occasion and the purpose of the feast, and that the present situation in "Christendom" fits this part of the prophecy.

¶ 7, 8. Describe the present situation as clearly fulfilling the picture presented in verse 2.

¶ 9. Apply Isaiah 45:13 and 14:17.

¶ 10. How does Daniel 5:3 have fulfilment?

¶ 11, 12. Point out how the modern "Chaldeans" identify themselves as the revelers referred to in verse 4; also the relationship hereof to what was foretold in Revelation 9:20, 21. On what pretext, yet for what purpose, do the rulers in "Christendom" persist in wrongfully using the 'vessels of gold'?

¶ 13-15. With scriptures to support, explain and apply verse 5. How is this related to the "one hour" of Revelation 17:12 and 18:10, 19?

¶ 16. When and how has the 'handwriting on the wall' taken place before the rulers of "Christendom"?

¶ 17, 18. What are the facts marking fulfilment of verse 6, and of Isaiah 13:6-8 and Luke 21:25, 26?

¶ 19. How, in fulfilment of verse 7, were "the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers" 'called before the king' and appealed to for counsel?

¶ 20, 21. Apply verse 8.

¶ 22. Point out the facts in evidence that the prophetic situation described in verse 9 has been in course of fulfilment.

¶ 23, 24. Referring to verse 10: (a) Identify the "queen", both in the prophecy and in its fulfilment. (b) In application of that which was there pictured, how did "the words of the king and his lords" come to the attention of the "queen"? and how did she 'come into the banquet room'? (c) With illustration, apply the queen's words of greeting and of encouragement there spoken.

¶ 25. How, in the fulfilment of verse 11, is "Daniel" a 'man in the kingdom' in whom in former days 'light, and understanding, and godlike wisdom was found'?

¶ 26. How do the words of the first part of verse 12 apply? How, in the fulfilment of the latter part of the verse, has "Daniel" been called upon 'to show the interpretation'?

CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED: WHY PERMITTED

PERSECUTION and sufferings are not to be desired by anyone. Everyone would rather dwell in peace and in happiness. Jesus and his true followers have been persecuted because or their loyalty and faithfulness to God. This being true, and God being all-powerful and the very expression of love, why would he permit his beloved Son and his faithful followers to suffer persecution at the hands of the Devil and his representatives?

The answer is that God has not interfered with Satan’s pursuing his course of willful wickedness; he has permitted him to demonstrate his malignant dis- position, and to reproach God and reproach everyone who has been faithful to God, because these persecutions would furnish the opportunities for the Lord Jesus and his faithful followers to prove their loyalty and faithfulness unto Jehovah and to prove the same under the most adverse circumstances, and thereby demonstrate to all creation Hint God can put men on this earth who can and will maintain their integrity toward God.

Concerning Jesus it is written: “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”– Heb. 5: 7, 8.

If a man prefers bodily case and comfort and peace rather than the approval of God, then he will put himself in a condition to not be persecuted; and this he may do by proving disloyal and unfaithful to God. But he who would willingly suffer the most ignominious death in order to maintain his loyalty and faithfulness to God can be for ever trusted.

Concerning Jesus it is written: “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”– Phil. 2:8-11.

Thus did the Foundation Stone, the Chief Corner Stone, become a tried and proved Stone, as the prophet Isaiah (28:16) had foretold in these words: “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” Before God granted unto the Lord Jesus the exalted reward of being the head of the great empire or kingdom of God which is to rule the earth, he put him to the most crucial test. Those who will be approved of God and become a part of the empire must follow in the footsteps of Jesus, which includes their suffering for doing right. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”– 1 Pet. 2: 21.

Why do true Christians suffer? Because God has chosen them out of the world and because they refuse to show allegiance unto the Devil’s organization, Jesus said concerning his followers: “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that 1 said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”–John 15:19,20.

During the World War, from the year 1914 to 1918, humble Christians residing in Germany were subjected to all manner of wicked persecutions and punishment because they declined to disobey God’s command, “Thou shalt not kill.” In England, Canada and America like followers of Jesus Christ were beaten, thrown into prison, tarred and feathered, and some of them were killed, because they refused to take up arms against their fellow man and shed innocent blood. The war furnished an opportunity and an excuse for the clergy who, as the representatives of Satan, bated these humble Christians and who induced the commercial and political powers to unjustly punish Christians. Not all were persecuted because of refusal to kill; some were persecuted merely because they were witnesses for the Lord. Men too old for war service, and women who were not at all subject to military duty, because they were Christians were hated by the Devil; and his offspring the clergy induced the persecution and imprisonment of such. For a full account of these wicked persecutions see the Golden Age magazine, number twenty-seven.

Recently in the towns of Jersey City, Plainfield, Bergenfield, Asbury Park, and Ocean Grove, New Jersey, and in divers places in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and offer places, good men and women while engaged in an effort to do good, and while bringing comfort to the people now in distress, have been ruthlessly arrested, cursed and abused by officers, and otherwise illtreated, and thrown into dungeons. These men and women who have been thus arrested and persecuted arc Jehovah's witnesses engaged in the performance of their lawful and rightful duties. They are being thus wrongfully treated because they are the representatives and servants of Jehovah and arc messengers of peace concerning his righteous government.

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