The Watchtower, November 15, 1934
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“JEHOVAH”
With deep gratitude to the great Revealer of his own name The Watchtower announces the publication of a new book. All faithful witnesses of God and Jonadabs will thrill to know the book bears the title “Jehovah”, and that its contents set forth, as does no previous publication, the glorious name, the marvelous works and dealings, past, present and future, and the sure covenant purposes, of the Most High God. The book’s beautifully embossed cover holds within it 384 pages of text matter, color illustrations, and complete index. The author’s edition also contains a facsimile letter in the author ’s own handwriting, specially written for and addressed to the Lord’s anointed ones (and the Jonadab brethren). It is now ready and may be had at 50c a copy, this to help offset the heavy original costs of publication. Jehovah’s faithful witnesses and true Jonadabs will not fail to read this new book and thereby to arm themselves for future service in placing it before the whole world, by his grace. Those wishing a copy should place their order through the director or with the sharpshooter. If not associated with a company, then order direct from the Society.
PHONOGRAPHS
In his own chosen time, and when his enemies are desperately trying to limit his witnesses on earth in getting the truth to the people, Jehovah has provided another effective instrument for the kingdom proclamation, to wit, a portable phonograph equipped with electrically transcribed records of 4 1/2 minute speeches by Brother Rutherford on vital Bible topics. Reports to date from pioneers and others already equipped with and using this phonograph attest the success and potency of this method of introducing and driving home the Lord’s message. The machine is manufactured by the Society at its Brooklyn factory, and is specially designed for its work, and is the best available for the purpose. Strong, compact, with a powerful spring-wound motor, and carrying space for several discs, it weighs 21 pounds with six discs bearing twelve recordings. To cover the bare cost the phonograph, with 18 recordings, may be had for $19.25. All orders therefor, remittance accompanying, should be sent to the Brooklyn office of the Society.
ATLANTA CONVENTION
The Atlanta service convention will be on November 23, 21 and 25; headquarters Ansley Hotel, roof 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' expenses 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 R. Thomas, Chairmen Convention Committee, 1391 Belmont Ave., S.W., Atlanta, Ca.
Vol. LV November 15, 1934 No. 22
FEAST OF CONSPIRATORS
“For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.” – Prov. 4: 17.
PART 2
JEHOVAH had Daniel in Babylon to bear testimony to His name. Daniel stood out separate and distinct from all men of Babylon. Jehovah has taken out from the world (which is antitypical Babylon) men and women whom he has anointed and appointed to be his witnesses, and these must stand out separate and distinct from all men of the world. It is the name of Jehovah God that is involved, and the vindication of his name was the paramount issue in Daniel’s day. That is still the paramount issue, and which issue must now be definitely settled in the right way. Men are of little importance, but the name of Jehovah is all-important; hence all divine prophecy should be examined with this thought in mind: that the principal reason for these prophetic pictures and the fulfilment thereof is the vindication of Jehovah’s name, and what men have to do therewith and what is the result to men are of secondary importance.
2 Daniel had been in Babylon for several years, and in that time had proved himself a faithful and true witness to the name of God. He was of good old age, and still the Lord God would use him to bear testimony. For approximately 1,900 years God has been taking out from the world his church and using those thus selected to be his witnesses, and now, even in the old age of the church, in these last days the faithful arc having greater opportunities of bearing testimony to Jehovah’s name. The picture made in connection with the appearing of Daniel before the king of Babylon strongly indicates that the remnant would in these last days he given a greater privilege and responsibility to be witnesses to the name of the Most High and to bear before rulers of this world testimony to Jehovah’s name and to his kingdom. The mother queen had concluded her speech before his royal majesty, and the king, giving heed thereto, had Daniel brought before him. “Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the childien of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?” (Dan. 5:13) The bringing of Daniel before the king was a last resort of Belshazzar, and after his wise men had utterly failed. The so-called “wise men” of the present day, including the “brain trust”, have utterly failed to suggest a method that will effectually bring peace and prosperity to the people. The prophecy failure that the remnant of the church yet on earth must as a last resort serve notice and warning of such utter failure upon the earthly rulers of Satan’s organization called Babylon and that this notice must be served shortly preceding the overthrow of the wicked organization by Jehovah’s great Executive Officer. Jehovah has brought forth his witnesses for the purpose of giving such notice. The miserable failure of the clergy to tell the truth to the people makes it necessary for Jehovah God to employ the remnant to give notice and warning to the rulers of the world. It was in 1925 that God revealed to his people on earth the meaning of the two great signs or wonders appearing in heaven. (Rev. 12:1,3) Those great signs or wenders disclose to God’s people the organization of the enemy Satan, and the greater organization of Jehovah God, the explanation of which appears in The Watchtower, 1925, page 67 on. On September 27, 1930, the books Light, explaining The Revelation, including the two great signs and wonders and the seven last plagues, were released to the public, and a wide distribution of these books followed, and which were placed in the hands of many of the ruling class. Thereafter the importance of giving testimony was emphasized, and God’s organization on earth fixed a quota for the year 1931 of the amount of literature that it was hoped would be placed; and during each year from that time forward a like course has been taken and a greater testimony than ever given to the name of the Lord. It then became apparent that such is “the testimony of Jesus Christ”, and the remnant understood more fully than before that the Lord has committed to his anointed ones on earth the obligation of delivering this testimony and that they must deliver it regardless of all opposition. The remnant are the witnesses for Jehovah.
3 No longer, therefore, could the faithful remnant be identified as merely “Bible Students”; because anyone claiming faith in God, and accepting the Bible as his Word, might be thus designated. When Daniel appeared before Belshazzar the king inquired of him : ‘Are you Daniel of Jewry?’. That question required Daniel to identify himself as a Jew, that is, one of the people of Jehovah God who gives praise to Jehovah’s name and who was at that time in Satan’s world, Babylon, but who was not a part thereof. Corresponding to this, in the year 1931, Jehovah caused his faithful people to come up before the rulers of the world and to_ boldly confess their identity, that is, that they arc those who give praise and service to Jehovah God and therefore are true Judeans. This does not at all mean that they have any relation whatsoever with the so-called commercial “Jews” or selfish Yiddish people who make gold their god; but it does mean that these of the remnant are entirely devoted to Jehovah and his kingdom. The faithful remnant representatively in a body accepted the gracious gift of Jehovah God, to wit, the new name given to them by Jehovah, and adopted that new name which he had revealed to them, that is to say, Jehovah’s witnesses, and from that time forward they have been known as “Jehovah’s witnesses”. Jn the resolution adopted at that time, to wit, July 26, 1931, reference was made to the period of the work of the church foreshadowed by the prophet Elijah and the names by which the faithful followers of the Lord Jesus had been known during that period, and then the resolution said: “We are servants of Jehovah God, commissioned to do a work in his name, and, in obedience to his commandment, to deliver the testimony of Jesus Christ, anti to make known to the people that Jehovah is the true and almighty God ; therefore we joyfully embrace and take the name which the mouth of the Lord God has named, and we desire to be known as and called by the name, to wit, Jehovah’s witnesses.” (The Watchtower, 1931, page 279, paragraph 5) Since then the anointed have been known as and called “Jehovah’s witnesses”, meaning Judeans in fact, that is, those who are wholly devoted to the praise and service of Jehovah God.
4 Belshazzar, after having Daniel identify himself, then said: “I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light, and understanding, and excellent wisdom, is found in thee.” (Dan. 5:14) It is certain that he had not heard of Daniel from his wise men, because they would consider it best to keep Daniel’s name in the dark. Likewise the world rulers have had no favorable report from the modern clergymen and their “wise” associates about Jehovah’s witnesses, because such “wise men” prefer to have Jehovah’s witnesses entirely discredited. Whatever report is made about them is adverse. The clergy and their allies go even to the point of preventing the people from hearing the testimony delivered by Jehovah’s witnesses; and in this they are ably supported by Big Business, who own many radio facilities, and who deliberately prevent Jehovah's witnesses from using the radio to proclaim God’s message of truth. It was the queen mother who brought the information to Belshazzar, and it is the honest and fair-minded men of the world today, foreshadowed by the queen, that bring testimony to the higher rulers concerning the witnesses of Jehovah; and these honest men have had to do with opening the way for Jehovah's witnesses to be heard before the higher governmental officials, recently at Washington, D.C.
5 The prophecy of The Revelation, among other things, says: “And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” (Rev. 8:13) Woes were pronounced by the Lord in his message delivered and proclaimed at London in 1926 ; Toronto in 1927; Detroit in 1928; and the clergy had been unable to explain 1o their coconspirators the meaning of those woes. When Belshazzar had Daniel before him, continuing to address Daniel he said: “And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing.” (Dan. 5:15) The king acknowledged the utter inability of his wise men to make known the interpretation of the handwriting on the wall. Their failure was due to the fact that such wise men were the sons of the Devil and his servants, and they could not tell the truth, and hence they lied. (John 8:44) Likewise, when the “woes” were pronounced, as above stated, and which corresponded to the three, woes shown by the handwriting on the wall in Belshazzar’s least room, the clergy or “wise men” of modern Babylon lied to the other rulers and insisted that what the “pestiferous Bible. Students named Jehovah’s witnesses” called ‘signs from Jehovah God’ were not from God at all, but that these men and women who were going about promulgating a message which they claim to be God's message concerning his great signs and wonders are in fact impostors. These clergymen have gone, to the point of saying that Jehovah's witnesses are seditionists, pacifists, unpatriotic, against the government, socialists and communists, uncompromising foes of Christianity, hawkers, peddlers, and many other like names. Therefore they have insided before the higher rulers that no credence should be given to the ‘prattle’ of these witnesses. But the clergy, or modern “wise men”, have not been able lo allay the fears of the higher rulers, nor have these lying servants of Satan been able to keep the real and true interpretation of present-day events from getting to the ears of the ruling class, and especially ’to those of the ruling class who have a desire to see fair play. The message of the kingdom and the vengeance of our God against Satan's organization, in printed form, has gone into the hands of the rulers of “Christendom” and has been widely broadcast by radio throughout the land. The rulers face been served with notice and warning, as contained in God's message of the truth, and have been plainly told what they may expeet to come upon the world organization.
6 If Belshazzar had been satisfied with the answers given to him by his wise men he would not have continued to be in great trouble as the Scriptures declare he was. He hoped to get some satisfactory answer from Daniel, and therefore said to him: “And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now, if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.’’ (Dan. 5:16) The opinion of man, unsupported by authoritative proof, only tends to raise doubts in the minds of thoughtful men. Belshazzar was in much doubt as to what he had heard from his wise men, and now he wanted to be informed of the truth. Today the clergymen boastfully express their opinion concerning the present-day events, but their opinions thus expressed are not supported by any real authority and carry no conviction to thoughtful men. The word of God used by Jehovah’s witnesses, the remnant, is not the message of any man, nor the expressed opinion of man, but is the authoritative truth of God’s Word, and does away with all doubt as to the final solution of the world situation. Those who believe and rely upon God’s Word know what is coming to pass shortly; and when they speak thereof they speak with authority from the Lord.
7 Daniel was told that if he could give an honest and satisfactory explanation and interpretation of the handwriting on the wall he would receive great honor and distinction in the realm of the king. But Daniel was not before the king for selfish gain; and this is shown by his answer to the king, to wit: “Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.” (Dan. 5:17) In presenting Jehovah’s message before the rulers of the earth at this present time, and announcing his judgments against Satan’s organization, Jehovah’s witnesses are not doing so for selfish gain. They are not asking, nor are they expecting, to receive any favor from worldly source. Let the rulers of this world favor their own; which they will do, of course. This is made manifest on every occasion when the questions concerning the truth are presented before the rulers by Jehovah’s witnesses. Recently a petition was presented to the Congress of the United States relative to the use of the radio, which petition was signed by many persons of good will. Some persons have foolishly said that the presentation of such petition was ‘going to Egypt’, that is, to the world, for help. That conclusion was not only foolish, but very erroneous. The petition asked for no favor from anyone, but does demand that the rights of God’s people be respected and that they be permitted to go on with their work without let or hindrance from any part of the Devil’s representatives or organization. The occasion of this petition was similar to what God directed Moses and Aaron to do in Egypt when appearing before Pharaoh. Such is a witness against the world powers and to the name of Jehovah.8 Those whom Daniel foreshadowed at this point, namely, Jehovah’s witnesses, began to give answer before “the king”, that is to say, the ruling powers of the world, particularly from July 26, 1931, and forward, and to do so in an effective manner by serving upon them the message contained in the Kingdom booklet, the distribution of which began on the fourteenth day of September, 1931, and was world-wide. The clergy were first served with that booklet, and then their allies, the political and financial clement. Now modern Babylon’s “wise men” cannot truthfully charge Jehovah’s witnesses as being peddlers and hawkers engaged in a commercial enterprise, particularly with reference to the foregoing booklet, because that was given to them, and many of the clergy viciously tore the booklet to pieces and used abusive language against those who brought it to them. Jehovah’s witnesses are not peddlers and hawkers in delivering any part of Jehovah’s message, and the clergy know that when they charge them with such their charges are wholly false. Jehovah’s witnesses are doing their work in obedience to the command given to them. When before the king Daniel appreciated the fact that Jehovah had ‘raised him up for that very time’, and hence he took advantage of the occasion to make known the judgments of Jehovah God; and this he did unselfishly and without fear, favor, or hope or promise of reward.
9 In this day only Jehovah’s witnesses identify “the higher powers” properly. They know and publicly declare that the “higher powers” consist of Jehovah God and Christ Jesus. They point to the supremacy of Jehovah, and prove their contention by the historical facts as well as the inspired Word of God. Anyone who holds that a man or company of men or any organization on earth constitutes any part of the “higher powers” mentioned by the apostle in Romans 13:1 shows that he does not understand and does not appreciate God’s Word. The faithful anointed remnant well know that Jehovah is supreme and that his Chief Executive Officer at the temple is directing the work of God’s organization on earth, and that no man is entitled to credit or honor therefor. As did Daniel, so do they give all honor, credit and praise to the Most High.
10 In a few words Daniel covered much of the history of man from the time of Eden onward: “O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour.” (Dan. 5:18) Nebuchadnezzar here mentioned represented Lucifer, to whom was given the overlordship of the earth prior to his rebellion in Eden. It was to Lucifer that God committed the rulership of the world; and becoming wicked, he was thenceforth known as "that old serpent”, “the devil.” ‘the father of lies,’ and his offspring are designated the ‘seed of the Serpent’, and which seed of the Serpent was represented by Belshazzar and his lords and wise men and others of his official organization. After the rebellion of Satan Jehovah gave nothing to Satan nor to his seed; hence verse eighteen, above quoted, applies specifically prior to the rebellion in Eden. On a previous occasion Daniel had said to Nebuchadnezzar: “It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong [like a great tree in the midst of the earth] : for thy greatness is grown, and reaeheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.” (Dan. 4:22) Daniel had also stated to Nebuchadnezzar: “Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the heaven, hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.” (Dan. 2:37, 38) Thus Daniel had spoken of Lucifer as he had appeared at the beginning and before the rebellion. Lucifer, now Satan, turned his organization into wickedness, and at the point of the prophecy concerning the feast of Belshazzar the king Belshazzar there represented the ‘seed of the Serpent’.
11 Lucifer had been entrusted with the power of death, which power, of course, was to be used in harmony with the will of God and against those willfully disobeying God. (Heb. 2:14) Lucifer did not use his power as authorized ; likewise his representative Nebuchadnezzar improperly used his authority: “And, for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive, and whom he would he set up, and whom he would he put down.” (Dan. 5:19) Satan was never authorized to use his power tyrannically; nor has any man been authorized to be a tyrant. Now there are many who tremble before the debased Lucifer, who is Satan, and which people are, because of fear, Devil worshipers. Jehovah's servants do not tremble before the Devil, but they fear and worship Jehovah God. God does not permit the Devil to do as he would against men who are faithful to Jehovah; and this is shown by the experiences of Job. (Job 1:12; 2:4-6; John 19:10,11) Satan has used his power autocratically and despotically in his attempt to be like the Most High and to turn people away from Jehovah. It is true that Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem; but he did so only by permission of Jehovah and as an instrument employed by Jehovah to accomplish His purpose in executing His righteous judgment against a rebellious people. (Jer. 25:8,9) Pride with prosperity always leads to disaster. That was true in Nebuchadnezzar's case. Hence said Daniel concerning him: “But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride [and his spirit was hardened that he dealt proudly, R.V.], he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.” (Dan. 5: 20) Nebuchadnezzar continued in his selfish and proud schemes for such a long time that he concluded that he was master of his own destiny and that his actions were not subject to Jehovah’s permission or disapproval. That was exactly the spirit of Lucifer, and which led to his downfall. Another example of pride and prosperity was that of Uzziah, one of the kings of Israel, who also met disaster. (2 Chron. 26:11-23) Nebuchadnezzar brought his beastly insanity upon himself by his wrongful course. God was in no wise responsible for that madness, any more than God is responsible for the beastly madness of the modern rulers of “Christendom”. (Dan. 4:29-37; Luke 21:24) Jehovah did not say, as his message delivered by Daniel shows, “I will create in him a beast’s heart,” but he did say, “Let a beast’s heart be given unto him [by another].” (Dan. 4: 16) Doubtless God permitted a wicked spirit, a part of Satan’s organization, to take control of Nebuchadnezzar, just as he permitted wicked spirits to get control of the herd of swine. (2 Chron. 18:18-22; Matt. 8:28-32) God has permitted the same crowd of wicked spirits associated with Satan to imprison the “sons of God” who sinned in Noah's day. By reason of his own fall Nebuchadnezzar found himself in a shameful and insane condition, and when his heart was lifted up and he was hardened in pride God took away his throne from him.
12 Nebuchadnezzar was like a wild beast, and Daniel called this to the attention of Belshazzar: “And he. was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was make like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses; they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven ; till lie knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.” (Dan. 5: 21) At the end of the seven years described Nebuchadnezzar came to know that Jehovah, “the most high God,” is the ruler; but Belshazzar his son had failed to learn that great truth, and Daniel was reminding him of that fact. The “seven times” of the Gentiles ended in 1914, and, like Belshazzar, the visible rulers of the world failed to then learn the vital truth that Jehovah is God, although they had been told of it time and time again. Had they learned this great and all-important truth they would not have held a modern feast, such as Belshazzar held, and which present-day world carousal was foreshadowed by his feast. The modern rulers failed to give heed to the fact that Jehovah sets up whomsoever lie wills, and in due time debases those who go contrary to his will. God did not “set up” the selfish rulers of the earth, nor did he set up the proud and self-exulted pope, the clergy, and other like austere men. God sets up what the world considers the “basest” or lowest, that is to say, Christ, who abased himself, and whom Jehovah God has exalted even as he had caused to be foretold by his prophets. (Ezek. 21: 26, 27 ; Dan. 4:17) In 1931 Jehovah God by his witnesses brought this great fact to the attention of the rulers of this world, but they failed to give heed thereto or to learn any part of such great and important truths.–The Watchtower, 1931, pages 277, 278.
13 The proud failed to take warning, and refused to humble themselves before the mighty hand of God, just as Belshazzar failed to take warning and humble himself before God. Therefore said Daniel: “And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this.” (Dan. 5:22) When the World War came the rulers were told that that, was in fulfilment of prophecy, marking the end of Satan's power and rule, and the end of their own power and rule, and that God’s kingdom was now at hand; but they failed and refused to give heed thereto. Since 1918 the purpose of Jehovah to destroy the organization of this wicked world has been repeatedly told to the rulers as a notice and warning to them; hence they can never plead ignorance concerning Jehovah's King and his kingdom. With the completion of the ‘pouring out of the seventh vial’, which pouring out began in 1928, “Christendom” has received full notice that she is weighed in the balance, is found wanting. and is going to be destroyed. It is the handwriting on the wall; and the rulers, although being informed, refuse to repent and refuse to cease interfering with Jehovah’s witnesses in carrying the message of truth to the people. They show their stubbornness and disregard of God’s Word by continuing to oppose the delivering of the testimony by Jehovah’s witnesses. These facts have recently been presented to the Congress of the United States, at the hearing of which Big Business, the clergy, and the political representatives were present; and instead of giving heed to the message and acknowledging Jehovah God as supreme, such rulers, like Belshazzar, appealed to their own “wise men”, including the clergy, and ignore Jehovah’s witnesses and His message of truth, and by their course of action they continue to reproach the name of Jehovah the Most High. They have heard the truth and have had full opportunity to know what course to take, but, like Belshazzar, they spurn the truth.
14 The Lord Jesus at the temple as Jehovah’s Chief Executive Officer has caused the warning to be given to “Christendom” time and again. As evidence of such warning there is here cited the “Warning” resolution of July 1931. above referred to, also the Kingdom booklet, the Crisis booklet, and other like booklets since distributed. Instead of giving he, d to this message of warning from the Lord the rulers of the world foreshadowed by Belshazzar have ridiculed, reproached and persecuted Jehovah’s witnesses, and held them up to scorn before others, and have thus lifted up themselves against Jehovah even as did Belshazzar. Said Daniel: “But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, word, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.” (Dan. 5:23) The wicked conduct of the modern rulers of “Christendom” in persecuting Jehovah's witnesses is in fact against “the Lord of heaven”, because these witnesses bring not their own message, but the message from the. Lord God. These matters have been plainly stated before the rulers of the present day in the publications above mentioned, and also in Vindication, Books One, Two, and Three. The rulers, instead of giving heed to God’s message, have continued to drink the wine of Babylon, make themselves drunk, and use Jehovah’s witnesses in a disgraceful way to amuse themselves.
15 It was ‘the finger of Almighty God’, that is to say, his beloved Son Christ Jesus, that did the writing upon Belshazzar’s banquet hall: “Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.” (Dan. 5:24) Since Jehovah has poured out Ids spirit upon all his faithful witnesses he has sent forth these witnesses and used them to write his message of truth ‘upon the wall’ of reveling “Christendom”, but the rulers have ignored and despised the message and wickedly persecuted the messengers.
16 Belshazzar’s feast of wine-drinking and debauchery did not cease after the handwriting appeared; on the contrary, the misuse of the golden vessels of the temple continued. Likewise during the time the antitypical plagues were being poured out upon the world, from 1926 to 1929, the carousal of “Christendom” has continued and those participating therein have increased their hatred and bitterness toward Jehovah’s witnesses. During recent years the faithful remnant, under the direction of Jehovah's Chief Officer, have continued to boldly, plainly and fearlessly inform "Christendom” that this world organization is that of the Devil. That message delivered, and the reaction of “Christendom” thereto, is all well summed up in the words of Jehovah’s prophet Daniel spoken to Belshazzar on the occasion of his feast, to wit: “And this is the writing that was written, ΜΕΝΕ, ΜΕΝΕ, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” (Dan. 5:25) From an authority on oriental literature the following is quoted: “These mysterious words are Aramaic. They are rendered on the margin of R.V. ‘Numbered, numbered, weighed, and divisions’; Pharsin being the plural of the noun peres, Mene being the regular passive, participle of its verb in the Peal species, and Tekel being regarded as likewise a passive participle, with the vocalization which is traditionally given to it changed from tekil to tekel to conform to the sound of mene’. These letters were not vocalized as written on the wall, and might have been pronounced in a variety of ways. Even if the correct pronunciation had occurred to cue or the wise men as among several possibilities, he had no means of establishing the correctness of his reading or of interpreting the words. – Davis Dictionary of the Bible, page 491. (See also McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopaedia, Vol. VI, page 89.)
17 The king and his company of revelers had seen the handwriting on the wall in this strange language, and now they must be told what it meant. Had they been entirely sober they might have been able to read the words, even though they did not get an understanding thereof. Daniel, who foreshadowed Jehovah's witnesses, God now used to both read and interpret the strange words. Likewise “Christendom” had heard the words concerning God’s kingdom and the fall of Satan's organization at Armageddon, and had heard these words repeated time and again. Had “Christendom” been sober her wise men might have read them with some understanding; but, being drunk with the wine of Babylon, they neither properly read nor understood. But it is the will of God that “Christendom” must be told concerning the words and the meaning of the “handwriting on the wall”, particularly as from 1926 to 1929, when this message was (delivered to “Christendom” in fulfilment of these words. The interval between 1929 and 1930 afforded the rulers time to investigate and learn, and time to determine what attitude they would take toward God and His people, and their work being done on earth. In the booklet Freedom for the People, distributed in 1927, Big Business, conscienceless politicians and hypocritical religion were exposed, and, among other things, these words were used: “The Word of God; and the physical facts prove that ‘organized Christianity’ or ‘Christendom’ is a failure,” that is to say, is weighed in the balance and found wanting. The metropolitan press took notice of the message in fulfilment of the “handwriting on the wall” and denounced Jehovah's witnesses who delivered the message as the ‘uncompromising foes of organized Christianity’. Seven years later, to wit, in 1934, before a Congressional committee at Washington, D.C., one of t he representatives of “organized Christianity” placed in evidence before such Congressional committee the booklet Freedom far the People, containing the message of warning, and called attention to that message as the reason for refusing Jehovah’s witnesses the use of radio facilities to proclaim God’s Word of truth. Thus “Christendom's” representatives admit that they have seen the “handwriting on the wall” and that they saw it in 1927. “Christendom” and her representatives are therefore estopped from ever being heard to say that they did not see the “handwriting on the wall”. They admit that they saw it; but now, how about the interpretation?
18 Daniel, by the grace of God, was used to give the interpretation of the mystic words, as he said, “This is the interpretation of the thing” (vs. 26) ; which message the king and his revelers had seen, but they were too drunk and blind to appreciate the meaning thereof. Likewise the rulers of “Christendom”, drunken with the wine of Satan's organization, were and are dull-eyed and cruel of heart and slow of understanding. They read the words, but they understand not. It was in 1918 that the great Judge, Christ Jesus, came to the temple and began judgment. Concerning the clergy of “Christendom” and their allies the words of Jehovah’s prophet now apply, which words Jesus quoted, to wit: “Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He [Jehovah] hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not sec with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory [Jehovah’s glory in the temple], and spake of him.” (John 12:39-41; Isa. 6:9,10) The fulfilment of the interpretation began upon “Christendom” and began to be told to “Christendom” on July 26, 1931, when the message contained in the booklet The Kingdom, the Hope of the World, accompanied by the resolution of “Warning”, was spoken and widely broadcast, and later distributed throughout “Christendom”, and especially among the rulers of “Christendom”. Then was made known for the first time the “new name” that Jehovah gave to his people and by which name, that is, Jehovah’s witnesses, they arc now known and recognized by the rulers of “Christendom”.
WHOM DANIEL FORESHADOWED
19 Daniel gave the interpretation, which foreshadowed the interpretation of Jehovah’s message of the present day. Mene means “numbered”. The repeating of the word or writing upon the wall twice, as stated in the text, shows two numberings. Daniel knew that God had numbered Babylon, the world power, and this he had learned from the prophecy of Jehovah uttered by Jeremiah ; and Daniel so states. (Dan. 9:1, 2; Jer. 25: 11-13) Jehovah numbered not only typical Babylon, but also Satan’s organization, the Greater Babylon, symbolized by his woman. The divine statement at Genesis 3: 15 discloses that Jehovah then fixed a time certain during which he would not interfere with Satan and his efforts to turn men away from the true God but would abide his own due time to raise up a seed by which he would destroy Satan and his organization. The words written upon the wall and interpreted by Daniel show two separate and distinct numberings, the first “mene” of the numbering of Babylon fixed the end of the “times of the Gentiles” or beginning of “the time of the end” for Babylon, and this time is fixed as at A.D. 1914. The seven symbolic times, each of 360 years, beginning with the destruction of Jerusalem by typical Babylon in the year 606 B.C., would necessarily end 2,520 years thereafter, to wit, A.D. 1914, at which time also the prophecy uttered by Christ Jesus began to be fulfilled. – Lev. 26:18, 21, 24; Dan. 12:4; Matt. 24:3-8.
20 The second "mene" would apply to the finishing, or ending, of Satan’s organization: “And finished it,” or, according to the Revised Version, “and brought it to an end.” The final end comes at Armageddon and just before which the witness work must be completed. (Matt. 24:14, 21, 22; see Rev. 18:10, 17, 19) The message first promulgated at the Columbus (Ohio) convention July 26, 1931, and which appears in the booklet The Kingdom, the Hope of the World, gave forth the notice and warning to the rulers of “Christendom” similar to the interpretation which Daniel gave before Belshazzar.
21 The word tekel that appeared written on the wall means “weighed”. It is from the verb meaning “to balance”, and was used by Job: “Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity. If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands.” (Job 31: 6, 7) Jehovah’s prophet Daniel informed Belshazzar that his kingdom was done for and the reason thereof was, as Daniel stated: “TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” (Vs. 27) The uninterrupted reign of great Babylon, Satan’s organization, came to an end in 1914. It was then weighed in the balance and found wholly wanting. The weighing consumes time, which weighing began when the official Weighmaster, Christ Jesus, appeared at the temple of Jehovah, and he continues weighing until the enforcement of the second “mene”, when it is completely finished, marking the final end, and which final end is after the finishing of ‘the preaching of this gospel of the kingdom’, at which time the final end comes in the great tribulation. “For her [Babylon’s] sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” (Rev. 18:5) By his prophet Jehovah says: “We would have healed Babylon [while being weighed], but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country; for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.” (Jer. 51:9) She is weighed in the divine balances, which are impartial and absolutely true and accurate. “A just weight and balance are the Lord’s; all the weights of the bag are his work.” (Prov. 16:11) “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.” (Ps. 62:9) It is during the weighing of Babylon by the Lord Jesus Christ that the ruling elements of the earth, pictured by Belshazzar, his wives, concubines, lords and other officers, put on the vestments or garments by which they identify themselves as anti-God, antikingdom, and as Devil worshipers, hence deserving to be slaughtered at Armageddon as Jehu slaughtered the Devil’s typical crowd. – 2 Ki. 10:18-26.
22 While the weighing progresses Jehovah’s witnesses in obedience to commandment go through “Christendom” and mark those whom God would save from the slaughter. (Ezek. 9: 3-10) Concerning “Christendom” Jehovah says, “Thou art found wanting.” The message of truth, delivered by Jehovah’s witnesses, is God's message, and he directs its preparation and furnishes the means of delivery; and in doing so he uses radio stations, transcription recording machines, and a little army of faithful men and women who go from house to house delivering the message which other machines have printed. The message of the Lord declares concerning “Christendom” that she is ‘weighed in the balances and found wanting’; and this message is particularly· contained in such as “Can the American Government Endure?” “America’s End,” in The Crisis and in like booklets which are distributed throughout the land called “Christendom”, and also in “heathen” lands, so called, where few Christians reside. Modern Babylon has been told that “the world is sick unto death and is going to die”. The rulers in “Christendom” are wanting in fear of God, and this is shown by the fact that they spurn his message of truth and continue to profane the “vessels” of God, that is, Jehovah’s witnesses. “Christendom” is wanting in love for, God and for his kingdom, and they show this by continuing the persecution of Jehovah’s witnesses, thus disclosing that they are acting under the direction of Gog, Satan’s chief officer. (Ezek. 38:1,2) “Christendom,” which is part of Babylon, the Devil’s organization, has defamed the name of Jehovah and desecrated his temple; hence “his device, is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple”. – Jer. 51:11.
23 At Armageddon the rulership of the world will be snatched away from Satan and taken over by Christ Jesus. Foreshadowing this, Daniel’s interpretation continues in these words: “PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” (Dan. 5:28) In verse twenty-five the word “Pharsin” or “Upharsin” is used, and which is the plural form of the verb Peres or Peras, meaning “to split up”, “to deal,” “to distribute.” (Isa. 58:7; Lev. 11: 3, 4) In verse twenty-five the plural “Pharsin” calls attention to two dividings or dealings-out, that is to say, the dealing out of Babylon to Christ in 1914, when the Devil and his crowd were cast out of heaven, an I the second dealing-out, which takes place at the battle of Armageddon, when the organization of Satan is destroyed and the ruling of the world completely taken over by Christ Jesus. Daniel’s use of the word “Peres”, in the singular in verse twenty-eight above quoted, seems to apply specifically to the final dividing or splitting-up, at Armageddon.
24 Satan combines all his forces in his organization that are on the earth; hence the words “thy kingdom is divided” do not mean Satan’s organization falls by reason of internal dissension and division. This isnotthe ‘dividing’ mentioned in Revelation 16:17-19. The rule of the world will be forcibly snatched away from Satan at Armageddon by Christ Jesus the Conqueror; and concerning this the prophet Daniel records his vision which he had in the first year of the reign of Belshazzar, to wit: “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” – Dan. 7:13, 14, 27.
25 The rulership taken from Babylon, as the record states, was “given to the Medes and Persians”. The dividing of the kingdom seems to support the conclusion that there are two divisions of the conquering forces, to wit, the unseen and the seen. These two divisions of conquering forces seem to be symbolized by the ram’s “two horns” mentioned by the prophet: “The ram which thou rawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.” (Dan. 8: 20) The Scriptures always give precedence to the Medes. They are mentioned as a very ancient people, the sons of Japheth. The Medes seem to symbolically represent the invisible organization of the Lord God, which includes cherubim, seraphim and angels. Persians are Scripturally mentioned as picturing Christ Jesus; hence in the prophecy of Daniel the Persian ruler seems to more particularly picture the anointed ones of Jehovah on earth, members of the Christ, to wit, the remnant. – Isa. 45:1-3.
26 It is the invisible army of Jehovah, led by Christ Jesus, that will destroy Satan’s organization. “The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see. Behold, I will stir up the Diodes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children. And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.” (Isa. 13:1,17-19) “Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple. . . . They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.” (Jer. 51:11-18) In the execution of Jehovah’s judgment against Satan’s organization ‘all the saints’ have a part. (Ps. 149: 6-9) The part to be performed by the division of God’s army on earth is merely that of declaring the day of the vengeance of our God, calling attention to the “handwriting on the wall”, and announcing Jehovah’s purpose to destroy Satan’s rule and give the rulership of the world to Christ Jesus. Such is the very part the remnant have been having and doing particularly since 1926. The ‘handwriting on the wall’ has been explained to the rulers, and now the remnant is engaged in telling the people of good will what is about to come to pass and in instructing them in the way of the Lord. Now Jehovah's witnesses are engaged in a world-wide distribution of the message “Dividing the People”, that those orf good will may see the right way and have opportunity to take it in order that they may receive the favor of Jehovah in the greatest of all crises, just ahead.
27 Belshazzar the king had given his word that the one who could show the meaning of the handwriting on the wall should be rewarded. (Dan. 5:7) Probably Belshazzar did not enjoy the divine message which Daniel delivered in response to his question. Probably he did not then believe what Daniel said, but, having given his word, he would keep it: “Then commanded Belshazzar and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should he the third ruler in the kingdom.” (Dan. 5:29) While it is true that the king Belshazzar decreed that Daniel should be made “third ruler in the kingdom”, Daniel did not assume the duties of that office during the reign of Belshazzar, because Belshazzar was slain that very night. Daniel satisfactorily explained the handwriting on the wall, and his exaltation by Belshazzar surely brought great chagrin to Babylon’s wise men. This seems to clearly correspond to Haman’s being compelled to lead a horse on which Mordecai rode through the public streets and to announce to the people that. Mordecai was one honored by the king. (Esther 6:4-12; see Preservation, page 132) Just what relationship this particular part of the prophecy may bear to Jehovah’s witnesses and to their position in the near future would be a mere guess, and hence the guess would better not be made.
28 On that same day that Babylon fell Darius the Mode became the ruler of the nations of the world ; and the Scriptures show Darius pictured the supreme ruler. Darius carried out the decree that Belshazzar had announced, and made Daniel the third ruler in the kingdom, this being the order: first ruler, Darius; second, Cyrus; and third, Daniel. (Dan. 6:1-3) Corresponding to this, at the complete fall of Babylon, which is Satan's organization, including “Christendom”, the order of the rulers of the world will be this, to wit: first, or supreme ruler, Jehovah; second, Jesus Christ; third, the members of the body of Christ, and hence the “faithful and wise servant” class, whom Daniel foreshadowed. – 1 Cor. 11:3.
29 While Belshazzar and his lords were feasting handwriting appeared on the wall, and shortly thereafter Belshazzar and his revelers were slain. The ‘handwriting’ has now appeared on the wall of “Christendom”, and her doom is sealed. It is certain that Satan’s seed, that is, those who now rule the earth, will be destroyed. “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.” (Dan. 5:30) The Bible does not disclose who slow Belshazzar. What profane history* has to say about it deserves no consideration. It was the agency of Jehovah that did the slaying; hence there is pictured the work of Jehovah’s Executioner enforcing the divine judgment, which is already written against Satan’s organization. At Armageddon those who have long ruled the world in wickedness, and have oppressed the human race and shamefully dishonored God's holy name and his kingdom, will come to an end, and Christ Jesus will do the executing of all the wicked ones.
30 At this point in the world 's history embraced within the prophecy Babylon as a world power ceased, and the rule of the Medes and Persians there began: “And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.” (Dan. 5:31) The name “Darius” means “coercer, or, conservator”. In fact, Darius did coerce Babylon completely and preserved or conserved Daniel the faithful servant and prophet of Jehovah God. It is said that Darius was a kinsman, that is, the uncle, of Cyrus, and probably Cyrus was the heir of Darius. This seems to suggest that Darius the Mede pictures the supreme power, Jehovah himself, the Most High. He began his reign as the world ruler at the fall of Babylon, which corresponds or pictures the fall of Satan’s organization, and Darius there pictures Jehovah, who is, of course, the First Ruler in the great universal kingdom. Cyrus, the second ruler, pictures Jehovah’s “heir of all things”, that is, Christ Jesus, to whom Jehovah gives the kingdom and all the nations of the earth as a possession. (Ps. 2: 8) He is the one with whom Jehovah associates himself in the destruction of Satan’s organization. The fact that the scripture tells that Darius was about sixty-two years old when he became the first ruler of the world power would further indicate that he there pictured Jehovah, “the Ancient of days.”–Dan. 7:9.
31 At the fall of Babylon Darius the Mede, rather than Cyrus the Persian, is made foremost; and this would seem to say that as the result of the battle of Armageddon Jehovah the great King, who is the Supreme One, is made known to all creation that lives, and that his name is fully vindicated, and he is seen to be above every creature, including his beloved Son, Christ Jesus, the world’s King. All secular historians have difficulty in identifying Darius the Mede, and do not mention him by name, but do give prominence to Cyrus the Persian. The Bible makes known Darius; and this corresponds to the further fact that the rulers in this world do not know Jehovah God, and that they make mention of his name only in derision, while at the same time they give prominence to the name of Jesus Christ, even though they do so for a selfish reason. After Armageddon all shall know Jehovah.
32 Jehovah, by permitting his people to have some understanding of the prophecy at this time, is further manifesting his loving-kindness toward his anointed and thus he brings great comfort to them even as he has in his Word given promise to do. (Rom. 15:4) The fact that Daniel survived the fall of Babylon and lived even unto the third year of the reign of Cyrus the Persian king (Dan. 10:1) would suggest that the Greater Darius (The Conservator, Jehovah) will keep alive at least a part of the remnant during the battle of Armageddon and grant to them some service on earth after the battle, which service will be to the honor and glory of Jehovah’s name. “Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God hath made himself known in her palaces for a refuse.” –Ps. 48:1-3, A.R.V.
QUESTIONS FOR STUDY
¶ 1. Account for Daniel's being in Babylon at the time of the event here under consideration. Show that the record of his integrity and experience is a prophecy.
¶ 2, 3. Explain the prophetic significance here of Daniel's being brought before the king, and of the inquiry made by the king concerning Daniel's identity.
¶ 4. What information had come to the king concerning Daniel, and how had it reached him? What is foreshown therein?
¶ 5, 6. Relate the facts which show that, in fulfilment of verses 15 and 16, the modern 'wise men and astrologers' have been given an opportunity to read the handwriting and to interpret it, but have been unable to do so. Account for their failure, and describe the methods employed by them to conceal their lack of wisdom.
¶ 7, 8. How did the king's offer of reward appeal to Daniel? What has taken place to show that at that point also Daniel foreshadowed Jehovah's witnesses of the present time?
¶ 9, 10. When and how does verse 18 apply? Point out other statements by Daniel which support that conclusion.
¶ 11-15. In verses 18-21, of whom was Daniel speaking? Compare Lucifer and Nebuchadnezzar, according to this record, in points of position, source of authority, course of action, and result of such course. Why did Daniel call Belshazzar's attention to those facts concerning Nebuchadnezzar, and to the further facts declared in verses 22 and 23? Show that the rulers of "Christendom" have received notice and warning and that they have failed to use their privilege or to meet the responsibility brought to their attention.
¶ 16-18. How, in fulfilment of the prophetic picture, is it shown that the revelry continued even after the appearing of the writing on the wall? Was this justified, and why, in view of the fact that they were unable to read and understand the writing? What was the writing, and the interpretation thereof, as revealed by God to Daniel and by him made known to the king? What are the facts which show that the 'handwriting on the wall' and 'its interpretation' have been made known to the rulers of "Christendom", and the further facts which clearly disclose why they have failed to profit thereby?
¶ 19-25. With illustrative related scriptures, explain the meaning and application then, and the prophetic meaning and application, (a) of "MENE", and of its being repeated. (b) Of "TEKEL". (c) Of "UPHARSIN", or (as in verse 28) "PERES".
¶ 26. What is herein clearly seen as to whom Daniel foreshadowed and what was foreshown by his reading the writing on the wall and making known its interpretation as revealed to him by Jehovah?
¶ 27, 28. Was Belshazzar's word fulfilled concerning reward to the one who could read and interpret the handwriting on the wall? What is foreshown therein?
¶ 29. What further event took place that night? By whom was it accomplished? and what is pictured therein?
¶ 30. What is the prophetic significance of the recorded statement of verse 31, and of the relationship and position of Cyrus and of Daniel in that kingdom?
¶ 31. Compare the Scripture record and secular history in point of prominence given to Darius the Mede and to Cyrus the Persian, and account for the contrast.
¶ 32. What does Daniel 10:1 suggest in regard to the remnant during and after Armageddon?
TEMPTATION AND FALL OF ECCLESIASTICISM
THE term “ecclesiasticism” applies to all denominations, Catholic and Protestant, which have united with the financial and political elements of the earth to form the governing or controlling factors to rule the world. To these ecclesiastics the Devil presented the three great temptations. These temptations he had also presented to Eve in the garden of Eden. She yielded and fell. The same three temptations were presented to Jesus by the Devil, and Jesus resisted all of them and gained the victory. And now mark how they were presented to the ecclesiastical systems and how these have all fallen to the wiles of the Devil and have become a part of his organization, the evil world.
The Scriptures declare that God does not tempt anyone. The apostle James (1: 13-15) writes: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” It was the desire of these ecclesiastical leaders for honor and power that led them into temptation.
Jesus Christ is the great Shepherd of the Rock of God. (Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25) In the organization of the church the Lord provided for undershepherds, designating them as overseers and teachers. Upon these is enjoined the duty and obligation of feeding the flock of God, to unselfishly look well to the interest of such (1 Pet. 5: 2-4), and not to lord it over the people of the Lord. Contrary to the Word of God, the elective elders or shepherds of the denominational churches in earlier centuries organized councils, synods, presbyteries, and like bodies politic, elected their own members to the high offices of popes, cardinals, bishops, doctors of divinity, reverends, and so forth, and thus formed and created what are properly termed the ecclesiastics of “Christendom”, the high personages in the denominational churches, Catholic and Protestant. God did not tempt these men so to do. Of their own desire were they led to these steps; and thereby they laid themselves open to the great Tempter, who promptly presented to them temptations similar to those which were presented to Eve and Adam and later to Jesus Christ; namely, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.–1 John 2:15-17.
Consider, first, the lust of the flesh (or body): The power gained by the ecclesiastics in the church, by reason of their position, they have used for their own selfish purposes. They have fed themselves and let the flock of God go without attention. (Ezek. 34:8) Selfishly they have advanced their own private interests, permitted the people to go without spiritual food, and thereby have caused a famine in the land for the hearing of the Word of God. Yielding to the temptation to use their powers for selfish purposes, they fell. – Amos 8:11.
Second, Just of the eyes (or mind): Desiring to possess the seductive things of this world, and to be admired by men rather than be approved of God, the clergy have yielded to the lust of the eyes; they have clothed themselves in scarlet and long, flowing robes, decked themselves with jewels, and have arrogantly assumed a form of godliness while denying the power thereof. They fell ready victims to this temptation. –2 Tim. 3:5.
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