The Watchtower, December 1, 1934
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YEAR BOOK FOR 1935
The prophet Ezekiel regularly measured the waters flowing out from the temple. The Society does likewise, and here announces the issue of the Year Book for 1935. This contains the president's annual report, describing the purposes of the Society and briefly but comprehensively reviewing the activities, the experiences and the work accomplished during the service year just past by Jehovah's witnesses and Jonadab brethren in the various countries where the Lord has placed them. Also the 1935 year text, with appropriate comment, is given, and daily texts and comments for your refreshment and instruction each day of the year. Only a limited edition is being printed; hence the Year Book is offered at 50¢ a copy. Remittance to cover should accompany order, forwarded to the Brooklyn office or branch office. Groups of Jehovah's witnesses and Jonadabs should combine orders and send through local service director or sharpshooter.
1935 CALENDAR
You will be especially pleased with the Society's calendar for 1935. Full of action and graphically representing the astounding victory Jehovah will gain for his name's sake, the calendar picture is most expressive of the year's text and sets forth, too, the part that Jehovah's witnesses must perform all through 1935 and clear through to the glorious finish. The calendar also bears a letter from the president and naming the special service periods for the year. These particular service periods, both national and world-wide, are also indicated on the calendar date pad. Order from the Society, the Brooklyn office or branch office, enclosing remittance with order, at 25¢ each, or five for $1.00 if sent to one address. Orders may be grouped and forwarded through the company director or sharpshooter.
“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.
Vol. LV December 1, 1934 No. 23
"LIONS’ MOUTHS”
“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.’’–Dan. 6: 22.
PART 1
JEHOVAH uses the lion as a symbol of justice and judgment. Christ Jesus is the judicial officer of Jehovah to whom is committed all judgment in heaven and in earth, together with the authority and power to execute judgment. (John 5:22-27) Jesus Christ is therefore appropriately named “The Lion of the tribe of Juda”. Of all who praise and serve Jehovah, Christ Jesus is the Head and chief. His judgments are in strict harmony with justice. To the workers of iniquity Christ Jesus, the Executioner of Jehovah’s judgment, is a power of evil, but to those who love and serve Jehovah the Chief Officer is a shield and strength and protection. (Phil. 4:13; 1 Tim. 1:12) It is by the grace of God through Christ Jesus that the victory for the faithful is gained. – 1 Cor. 15: 57.
2 In the construction and operation of his organization Satan has attempted to mimic Jehovah, and by this means he has succeeded in bringing much reproach upon the name of the Most High. Satan uses the lion to represent his law, his abortive justice, and his judgments. In Satan’s organization men are condemned to death and are often literally thrown to the lions for execution, and the multitude, beholding the infliction of the penalty of the law, wag their heads and remark: “That man got justice.” But in this they are wrong. For centuries men have organized governments, made laws, and attempted to administer them in the way of justice, but in almost every instance they have failed and their failures have been due to the power and influence of the wicked one, Satan. In the world the failure of the law and justice to go hand in hand has caused the people to have little respect for the law and also has caused them to greatly reproach the name of Jehovah God.
3 “The law of Jehovah is perfect, . . . the [judgments] of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether.” (Ps. 19: 7, 9, A.R.V.) “O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.” (Ps. 89: 8, 14) It is profitable to keep in mind the proper meaning of law, justice and judgment. The law of God is his perfect rule of action. Justice is that which is right, righteous, pure and equitable. It is the strict conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude. Judgment means the finding or conclusion of the court based upon the facts, that is to say, the judicial determination or decree rendered by one having authority so to do. All of Jehovah’s judgments are just, true and righteous, and are in exact harmony with his perfect law. Likewise all the judgments of Christ Jesus are just, true and righteous and in harmony with the divine law.
4 With Jehovah his law and equity are the same. That is not true in the organizations of men under the control of Satan. Because of the harshness and inflexibility of the law of the governments the nations long ago found it necessary, in order to more nearly render justice between men, to establish courts of equity. Law courts often render judgments that are not only very unjust but shockingly cruel and oppressive. Courts of equity attempt to render justice regardless of the fixed rules of law; hence the rules of equity are more bending or flexible, and an honest judge in chancery may render a just judgment. In the organization of the world the inflexible legal rule is that ignorance of the law excuses no man, and the enforcement of this rule often results in very great injustice. In Jehovah’s organization ignorance of the law is an excuse or defense. (Acts 3:17; 17: 30; Heb. 5:2; 1 Tim. 1:13) Because of his rule of righteousness Jehovah always brings notice to the wrongdoer before he pronounces judgment against him and executes that judgment. Jehovah’s law judges no man without first giving him a hearing and opportunity to make his defense or excuse for his action. – John 7:51.
5 Men who organize and rule the nations of the world frequently make and enforce laws exactly contrary to justice. With them law and justice do not mean the same thing, even though the ruling element attempts to induce the common people to believe that law and justice are one and the same. Often when laws that are proper in themselves are improperly construed and enforced the result is great injustice against the person. When the religious organizations, such as the Catholic hierarchy, find it desirable to rid themselves of annoyance created by Jehovah’s witnesses’ telling the truth, that political- religious organization brings forth a scheme to accomplish its purpose in an apparently lawful manner. The Catholic hierarchy widely advertises itself as strictly adhering to and obeying the law, while at the same time violating the spirit of the law in almost every instance. If a person is found doing something that is displeasing to the Catholic hierarchy and its agents, at once an effort is made to find some “lawful means’’ by which the supposed offender may be apprehended and severely punished. This is very often true, even though the one charged with wrongdoing is at the time proceeding exactly in accordance with God’s law. The law of men makes it unlawful for a person to go from house to house and sell goods, wares and merchandise. The law of God commands his witnesses to go from house to house and preach the gospel of his kingdom, and it is the duty of God’s servants to obey this law. When they do so in obedience to God’s commandments the ecclesiastics, particularly the Catholic hierarchy and their agents, misapply and misconstrue the law of the land and insist that Jehovah's witnesses should be severely punished, on the theory that they are violating the laws of commerce, although they well know that Jehovah’s witnesses arc not engaged in a commercial work. The real purpose of the hierarchy and their agents is to rid the community of Jehovah’s witnesses; and the real and primary author of their unjust scheme and procedure is Satan the Devil. This is proof that the Catholic hierarchy and its agents form a part of the Devil’s organization.
6 A striking example of the injustice of certain laws and the enforcement thereof is found in the sixth chapter of the prophecy by Daniel. Since we are advised that whatsoever things were written aforetime in the Scriptures were written for our learning that we may have comfort and continue in patience and be strong in hope, we must be assured that this record concerning the prophet Daniel was written and kept for the benefit of us who in these last days arc endeavoring to serve Jehovah according to his commandments. (Rom. 15:4) As we see and appreciate Jehovah’s dealings with his faithful servant Daniel we can have strong consolation in the experiences of Jehovah’s witnesses in these days, and may confidently hope that God will supply all the needed protection for his faithful witnesses. The rulers of “Christendom’’, and particularly the religious element thereof, have a strong desire to be rid of Jehovah’s witnesses because such witnesses tell the truth and the truth exposes the sins and delinquencies of the religionists. The experience of Daniel aids us in understanding why Jehovah’s witnesses continue to suffer at the hands of men who proceed against them under laws that are conceived in malice and enforced in wickedness.
7 The record of the sixth chapter of Daniel’s prophecy following immediately upon the fall of Babylon and the coming into power of Darius the Mede, the king, Darius, here appears to picture Jehovah God in whom supreme regal power is vested and who assumes rulership over the world from and after 1914. Satan was then cast out of heaven, and from and after 1918 Darius, whose name means “coercer, conservator’’, pictured Jehovah exercising his power in things pertaining to the earth. The sixth chapter of Daniel opens with the statement: “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom.’’ –Dan. 6:1.
EPITOME
8 To aid one in the examination of this prophecy it seems well to here set out an epitome of the prophecy, to wit: Darius the king pictured supreme regal power; Daniel pictured Christ Jesus, the Judge of all things in heaven and earth; Daniel also pictured Jehovah’s elect servant, of which Christ Jesus is the Head and chief and which includes the faithful remnant who are joined together with Christ Jesus in the covenant for the kingdom. There also prominently appears in the prophecy a representation of the League of Nations, and of “the man of sin’’; also the elements of Satan’s organization, both invisible and visible, under the immediate leadership of Gog in his attempt to destroy the remnant who are Jehovah's witnesses; and the lions, picturing justice of Almighty God; and the power of Jehovah Ged shutting the mouths of those wild beasts, foreshadowing the protection of those who are wholly devoted to him.
9 In 1914 Jehovah began the exercise of his power over things in the earth by then placing his King upon his throne and sending him forth to rule and to east Satan out of heaven and down to the earth. (Pss. 2:6; 110:1, 2; Rev. 12:1-5) By 1918 Satan and his wicked angels had been east out of heaven and down to the earth. The prophecy of Daniel states that “it pleased Darius to set over the kingdom . . . presidents’’, or satraps; and even so it pleased Jehovah God to set his rulership over the earth, particularly from and after 1918. The three presidents, or satraps, set up by Darius the Mede included Daniel as one of them, and Daniel was the only one amongst them that served Jehovah God. Since the year 191s the only class of persons who claim to serve Jehovah God. and who in truth and in fact do so, is the temple company under Christ. When the World War ended, “Christendom's” leaders called attention to the fact that the time for the Kingdom had come, assumed to represent God on earth, and proceeded to set up an organization called the League of Nations and designated it as the expression of God’s kingdom on earth. The highest court in America also rendered a judicial decision announcing that “the United States of America is a Christian nation". Approximately at the same time the “man of sin” class, “the son of perdition,” set itself up as the representative of Jehovah God. – 2 Thess. 2:4.
10 Seeing that the kingdom was set up, and the judgments of Jehovah God began in 1918, why should he permit wicked ones to assume to represent the kingdom on earth and still continue in their wicked practices? This was foreshadowed by the act of Darius setting the satraps over Medo-Persia. The kingdom of God is pictured by a great house. It is written in the Scriptures: “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.” (2 Tim. 2:19, 20) Thus it is seen that, amongst those who name and serve Jehovah God there arc vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor. The vessels of honor arc those truly and faithfully devoted to Jehovah and his kingdom interests. The vessels of dishonor are those assuming to represent God and who misuse their opportunities because of their selfishness and wickedness. Many have been perplexed and anxious to understand why Jehovah would permit the wicked clement to continue to exercise power over the earth after he has set his King upon his holy hill and caused him to begin his judgments. Manifestly the reason is, as appears from the Scriptures and facts, that Jehovah might cause a witness to be given of and concerning his name and that lie might manifest his supreme power and demonstrate to all creation his supremacy and his riches of glory on those who are true and faithful to him. “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which be had afore prepared unto glory.” (Rom. 9:22, 23) This is also shown by God’s dealing with Pharaoh, which foreshadows his permission or his sufferance of the operations of Satan to continue in the earth after the coming of the King, Christ Jesus: “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.”–Rom. 9:17.
11 The beginning of judgment by the great Judge Christ Jesus, in 1918, marks the time for the beginning of the testing of all creatures who claim to be servants of Jehovah God and his kingdom. Whether the end of that testing be “honour” or “dishonour” and “destruction” is determined by the course of action taken with reference to God’s kingdom interests. Those of “organized Christianity”, which is called “Christendom”, and particularly the ecclesiastical element thereof, take unto themselves the honor of the kingdom covenant with God. The rulers set up the League of Nations as a substitute for God’s kingdom, and hence cause it to stand “in the holy place”, “where it ought not” to stand; “the man of sin,” while claiming to represent God, joins in the conspiracy against Jehovah’s faithful remnant; while the remnant, to whom the testimony of Jesus Christ is committed concerning the kingdom, continues to faithfully advertise the King and the kingdom. Respectively these classes show by the course of action taken whether they are vessels of dishonor or vessels of honor. The faithful ones who constitute the remnant Jehovah God has “set” in his own appointed way to perform his will. (Rom. 8: 29, 30) The others above named assume to represent God, and hence, by their assumption they place themselves in an implied covenant to truly represent the kingdom of God but, on the contrary, they are opposed to the kingdom of God and hence arc vessels of dishonor. Due to its vast colonial possessions and mandates by the League of Nations “Christendom” has its ruling power operating practically throughout the entire earth. This was foreshadowed by the 120 satraps of the empire of Aledo-Persia scattered throughout the various provinces. Jehovah’s witnesses, the remnant on earth, continue to push the work of giving testimony throughout the earth of and concerning the kingdom, and this greatly annoys “Christendom’s” ruling power, and particularly the religious element thereof.
12 The ruling group now on earth and who have assumed to represent God’s kingdom on earth were foreshadowed in the prophecy of Daniel, as it is written: “And over these three presidents, of whom Daniel was first [was one]; that the princes might give, accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.” (Dan. 6:2) The three presidents here specifically mentioned foreshadowed the super-ruling group, (1) the League of Nations, that is caused to stand in the holy place (Matt. 24:15); (2) the “evil servant” or “man of sin” company, which first buries in the ground its “one talent”, and then exalts itself against God’s kingdom, and which has become a part of the mystery of lawlessness (Matt. 25:18.24,25; 2 Thess. 2:3-12); and (3) Jehovah’s witnesses, “the faithful and wise servant,” to the members of which are committed all the goods or kingdom interests of the King, and which faithful remnant deliver the testimony of Jesus Christ according to the commandments of Jehovah God. (Matt. 24:45-47; Rev. 12:17) Daniel “was one” and the only real one of the presidents or satraps, and even so now Jehovah’s remnant, who are his witnesses, are the first and only real ones who may speak with authority from the King and to whom the King has duly delegated authority to speak in his name.
13 Daniel stood head and shoulders above the other satraps; meaning that he was preferred above the others because he was an honest and faithful man: ‘‘Then this Daniel was preferred [distinguished, R.V.] above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.” (Dan. 6:3) It is even so in these days, that Jehovah’s witnesses have a distinguishing mark above all others who claim to speak in the name of Jehovah God, and even the common people can see that. Jehovah showed his preference for such in 1922 by pouring out of his spirit upon all truly devoted to him and the giving to such the glory or honor of bearing his name, which honor he gives to none save the elect servant class. (Joel 2:23, 29; Isa. 41:1-8) The faithful servant is greatly blessed, and in harmony therewith Jesus said: “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods.” (Matt. 24:46,47) Thus it is seen that Daniel in this respect foreshadowed the “faithful and wise servant” class, otherwise called the remnant of Jehovah’s organization yet on earth.
14 Jehovah’s expressed thoughts disclose his purpose. The prophecy states: “The king thought to set him [Daniel] over the whole realm”; and even so Jehovah purposed to set Christ Jesus and his faithful associates over the entire world. In due time the “League of Nations” group and the “man of sin” group will be put completely out of business, and the remnant with Christ Jesus will reign. It is a fixed rule of Jehovah that men must be put to the test to determine their integrity. The faithful, because of their faithfulness, suffer, but, as it is written, ‘if we suffer with him, we shall reign with him.’ (2 Tim. 2:12) It is further written: “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:10) The peculiar and special test upon the remnant from 1918 onward until the enemy is completely cleared out at Armageddon is had in order to prove that such are ‘vessels of honor’ maintaining their integrity towards Jehovah.
15 A conspiracy against Daniel was fanned by the other presidents or satraps, which conspiracy was conceived in malice and born in iniquity. “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.” (Dan. 6:4) The two other presidents aside from Daniel foreshadowed the “League of Nations”, which is the instrument employed by “Christendom” (Rev. 13:15), and the “man of sin”, which particularly embraces the malicious clergy and those who were once enlightened concerning the truth, and all of whom have become the opponents of God and his kingdom. All of these are now operating under the special guidance of Gog, their spiritual adviser, and who is the chief active agent of the Devil. The modem conspiracy led by Gog is formed in express malice and is prosecuted with murderous intent; and concerning this it is written: “They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee.”–Ps. 83: 3-5.
16 Daniel was a captive Jew, an alien, and devoted to the praise of Jehovah God, and he told the truth, and his righteous course stung the others who wore associated with him, and “shocked their susceptibilities”. The truth always “shocks the susceptibilities” of those indulging in crooked practices, because the truth exposes their wrongdoing. With malice, envy and coveteousness the other satraps took note of the royal favor Daniel received. By speaking the truth and pursuing a course of strict honesty and integrity Daniel would interfere with the schemes of the conspirators in enriching themselves at the expense of the public exchequer. They needed to get rid of him to pursue unhindered their wicked course. Likewise today Jehovah’s witnesses, under commandment from Christ Jesus, speak the truth, and the truth stings the. clergy and “the man of sin” and their allies, disturbs their nerves and “shocks their susceptibilities”. Jehovah’s witnesses, in order to he faithful to him, must tell the truth, and it is the truth that holds up to shame, ridicule and contempt the hypocritical element in “Christendom” that assumes to represent God and his kingdom. As his name implies, Daniel stood for justice and for judgment; and even so Jehovah's witnesses speak the truth and advocate justice and true judgment. These, things not only disturb “Christendom’s” leaders and “the man of sin”, but cause such op- posers of God’s kingdom to harden their hearts and to seek the destruction of Jehovah’s witnesses.
17 The satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom, that is to say, they sought to find some apparently lawful means to bring about Daniel’s destruction. Exactly similar things come to pass in these wicked days. “Christendom,” and particularly the religious clement thereof, now seeks some apparently lawful means to destroy Jehovah’s witnesses because these witnesses’ telling the truth interferes with the wrongdoers. The clergy, and particularly the Roman Catholic hierarchy and the “man of sin”, are the chief ones on earth that commit overt acts in the performance of their wicked conspiracy. They have gone to the political element, whom they wrongfully designate as “the higher powers . . . ordained of God”, and laid charges against Jehovah's witnesses, chaining them with being lawbreakers, communists, revolutionists, and anarchists. Those malicious conspirators know that their charges arc wickedly false, and this proves that their conspiracy is conceived in malice and prosecuted with extreme cruelty. Even after the worldly courts have repeatedly held that Jehovah’s witnesses arc not lawbreakers, the religious clement and their immediate allies continue to cause the arrest and imprisonment of Jehovah’s witnesses. As no real fault was found in Daniel, even so none can be found in Jehovah’s witnesses in their work which would justify their arrest and imprisonment. They cannot be faithful to Jehovah God and at the same time engage in lawbreaking, such as revolution and anarchy, or otherwise willfully do injury to men. To the faithful followers of Christ Jesus the commandments arc given to “love thy neighbour’’, and “love worketh no ill to his neighbour”. –Rom. 13: 10.
BETRAYERS
18 An honest and faithful man is diligent in doing what is right without regard to the law which requires right to be done. Laws are unnecessary for righteous men. (1 Tim. 1:9) Any law that contravenes or opposes Jehovah God’s specific law is an unrighteous one, and no righteous man could obey that which is contrary to God’s Jaw. The wicked are diligent to find some apparently lawful excuse or justification for their wrongful deeds, and for this purpose quite often unrighteous laws are enacted by the lawmaking body. Doubtless there were some among the 120 satraps who were of Hebrew stock but who were unfaithful to God, preferring to have the approval of men and pursue their own wicked and selfish course. Such men, being acquainted with the devotion of a true Jew to Jehovah, would know about Daniel’s strict observance of God’s commandments, and they would be the very ones who would suggest to the others in the conspiracy a means by which they could “get” Daniel. “Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” (Dan. 6:5) The betrayers of Daniel here pictured the Judas or “man of sin” class, who pretend to serve God but who in fact are God’s enemies. “These men” mentioned in the foregoing prophecy knew that Daniel observed the commandments of Jehovah: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Ex. 20:1-3) Knowing this, the betrayers in the conspiracy advised a course that should be taken by which they would entrap Daniel, and hence the enactment of a law of the realm directly contrary to God’s law. Today Jehovah’s witnesses are strictly endeavoring to obey God’s law, and his rule by which they are now specially guided is this: “Ye are my witnesses, . . . that I am God”; “go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem [from house to house in ‘Christendom’], and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh, and that cry, for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof”; and obeying these commandments they publicly preach and go from house to house. (Isa. 43:12; Ezek. 9:4; Acts 20: 20) The faithful witnesses of Jehovah now heed the admonition of God’s Word: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers,” that is, to Jehovah and to his King, to whom he has committed the authority, and not to the base, world- powers that dishonor God's name. (Rom. 13:1) Having undertaken to do the will of God, and having no desire to violate any just or righteous law, these faithful servants of the Lord say. “We ought Io obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) Where the law of this world contravenes God’s law the faithful must obey God’s law at any cost, and no one of the conspirators understands that fact so fully as the “evil servant” class. It would be some of that very crowd that would suggest to their coconspirators the enactment of a law whereby Jehovah’s witnesses might be entrapped. It. was the Judas “man of sin” class that first denounced the work of Jehovah’s witnesses as a “book-selling scheme”, and doubtless they made the suggestion to the other conspirators that Jehovah’s witnesses be proceeded against as breakers of the law concerning hawkers and peddlers.
19 The suggestion made by those men that “we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except, we find it. against, him concerning the law of his God”, would necessarily call for a consultation to be held by the conspirators to determine just the course that they should take. Without a doubt this meeting was held without, the knowledge of Daniel. “Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.” (Dan. 6: 6) The course of the wicked is the same at all times; hence we may reasonably conclude that the satraps assembled and with great manifestation of loyalty and loud words of being themselves law-abiding, and with much solemn and hypocritical speech, worked up a feeling against Daniel and patted themselves on the back as being the defenders of the kingdom. Then they would appoint probably the greatest hypocrite amongst them, who also possessed eloquence, to be the spokesman of the crowd, and these would march into the presence of the king and there proceed to induce the king to make a decree that, would suit their purposes. It is even so today.
20 The “Ministerial Alliance” meets at regular intervals to discuss ways and means to further their own selfish ends. These, together with their “stool birds”, assemble and pretend to look up to the supreme power, offer up hypocritical prayers for the protection of their crooked allies, declare their own allegiance to the government, and thereby hope to have the endorsement and support of the common people. They work themselves up to convince themselves that they are pursuing a great and righteous course, and hope to induce the people to back them up. In harmony therewith God’s prophet says: ‘Why do these non-Judeans thus tumultously assemble, and the people imagine a vain thing?’ (Ps. 2:1) These modern-day satraps deem it necessary that they must first impress the common people with their own devotion to the law and that they are guardians and protectors of the nation, and many of the common people are induced to believe just such vain things. The action of the conspirators both in Daniel’s day and in modern times is in fact a challenge to Jehovah God for him to permit them to put their schemes into operation so as to put his witnesses to a decided test. Such a thought necessarily would originate with Satan and would be carried forward by his chief officer. These modern-day conspirators are so thoroughly impressed with their own importance that they think that Jehovah will use them to rid the land of the men and women who go about preaching to the people, and which preaching interrupts and shocks the susceptibilities of the modern conspirators. They even think to show Jehovah that his confidence in these people, who call themselves Jehovah’s witnesses, is sadly misplaced. These conspirators of modem times come to Jehovah with their mouths wide open, speaking honeyed words, but their hearts arc insincere and far removed from the Lord. (2 Tim. 3:5; Isa. 29:13) They rely upon their “garments” as a means of deceiving the people and their being continued in the favor of God. (Ps. 59:7,8) Satan set the pace for such hypocritical action when he appeared before Jehovah God with respect to Job.
21 The satraps approaching Darius said: “King Darius, live for ever”; but they were insincere and their hearts were not with the king. They were bent upon accomplishing their own wicked purposes. Likewise the modern-day satraps or conspirators approach Jehovah God and in substance say: “Jehovah, you are mighty, but you stay in heaven and let us run the things down here on earth. We are looking after your interests.” Be assured the Lord knows that such men are liars and hypocrites. They use their mouths, and ‘their speech betrays them’. “With their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.” (Ezek. 33:31) This should be sufficient evidence to convince all sober-minded and thoughtful persons that such religionists are not the representatives of God, but are God’s enemies and the enemies of his kingdom. The modern-day conspirators, particularly the Roman Catholic hierarchy, well know that the truth is their greatest danger and that if the common people know the truth, these ecclesiastics will lose their power and control over the people and their opportunity to fleece the people will be done; hence they want to “get” the ones whom Daniel here foreshadowed, namely, Jehovah’s witnesses, who testify to the truth.
22 The first thing that those satraps did was to tell the king a lie; and the modern-day satraps do the same thing when they stand before the Lord God. They told the king that all the official element of the government had consulted together to establish a royal statute for the protection of the government. They knew that was a lie, because the chief president of the government, Daniel himself, knew nothing about it. The Devil put that thought into their mind; and the Roman Catholic hierarchy has followed the same tactics ever since it was organized.
23 Imagine now this company of solemn-faced hypocritical “roosters”, with long beards, well oiled, and with long flowing robes, marching solemnly into the presence of the king. Then the fat, pot-bellied spokesman standing forth in the front line and speaking that the entire crowd might hear him, saying to the king: “All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, 0 king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.”–Dan. 6: 7.
24 In order to bring all those distinguished satraps from every part of the wide-flung Medo-Persian empire it required much travel and communication and much expense, and all of this just to “get” one man, Daniel, whose honest administration of his office had interfered with the robbing of the public treasury and obtaining money from the people by false pretenses on the part of the 119 other satraps. They well knew they were lying when they said to the king, “All the presidents of the kingdom” had consulted together. Their purpose in leaving out Daniel’s name was to deceive the king. Likewise today the Roman Catholic hierarchy, which constitutes the earthly brains of the modern conspiracy, and who are aided and supported by the Protestant clergy and by the “evil servant” class, go to great efforts of time, energy and expense merely to “get” a little company of men and women, Jehovah’s witnesses, who are interfering with their selfish operations. At first they treated Jehovah’s witnesses with silent contempt, and then the truth stung them so terrifically and so terribly “shocked their susceptibilities” that they were moved to act. Simultaneously they attempt to have a law passed in New Jersey, New York, the provinces of Canada, in England and in other places, upon the pretext that such a law is necessary to protect the people from the wicked movement known as Nazism, which now controls Germany. At the same time they well know that their real purpose is to destroy Jehovah’s witnesses. In Germany the Roman Catholic hierarchy and the Nazis work hand in hand. The Nazis are engaged in an effort to kill Jehovah’s witnesses. The Roman Catholic hierarchy is engaged in the same unrighteous business. The overzealous New Jersey representative of the hierarchy tried to slip one over on the people in New Jersey, to get a law enacted with teeth in it to prevent the speaking in any manner whatsoever of anything that might expose the crookedness of the hierarchy. He talked too much with his mouth, however, and his noisy words caused some to hear and to act and to expose the nefarious movement. It must be the due time of the Lord for this matter to come to the open, because long ago he foretold the conspiracy in his Word, when he said: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bunds asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” – Ps. 2: 2, 3.
25 Whenever some unusual and drastic measure is introduced in the legislative halls the claim is made that “an emergency has arisen’’, hence action must be taken. The same policy was followed in Daniel’s day. The conspiring satraps declared to the king that they had all agreed that a law should be made, and which must be enforced for thirty days, because an emergency had arisen, within which time certain things must be done. They concluded that thirty days would be long enough for them to "get" Daniel or any other faithful worshiper of Jehovah. The time of an entire moon was to be set aside to spy out and gather together the necessary facts, that is, evidence, whether true or perjured, and then within that time and during some day of formal worship and practice of their Baal religion they would have Daniel duly and “legally" executed. Those conspiring satraps reasoned that, if Daniel prayed openly to Jehovah within that period of time and they could prove it, such would be a shock, not only to their own “susceptibilities’’, but to the susceptibilities of the king, and that such a flagrant violation of the law would demand the immediate and public execution of Daniel. Satan seems always to have held that “religious groups’’ should be safeguarded from slander and libel and hence no one should be permitted to speak the truth or act any truth that would tend to call attention to the frauds and hypocritical practices of such Baal-religious groups. This really involves the great issue: Jehovah God or the Devil, who is supreme? It was tried out with Daniel, and it is tried out now, and the result is certain to be the same way, because Jehovah is at the helm.
26 Of course, any Jew, including Daniel, could within the secrets of his own heart and in his secluded bedchamber make petition to Jehovah and be heard by Jehovah just as well as in doing so by public prayer, and, he so doing in secret, the rulers in the governments could not know about it. The same is also true of the present day. Such hidden worship by Jehovah’s witnesses might be carried on by praying to Jehovah God and talking secretly to others about his kingdom without even the hierarchy’s knowing it. But such hidden worship would be positive evidence of the fear of men, and a tacit admission that Jehovah is not supreme and cannot protect and deliver his own. That is exactly what Satan desires to accomplish. The Lord foreknew this and warns that ‘the fear of man leadeth into a snare’. (Prov. 29:25) But “the fear of the Lord tendeth to life". (Prov. 19:23) To be a true worshiper of Almighty God one must obey his commandments, one of which is, “Ye are my witnesses’’; that is to say, you must make known to others that your trust is in Jehovah and that he is the only source of life and blessings and the One to whom all proper petition can be presented with certainty of having the same answered.
27 To limit all prayers or petitions to the king of Persia would be making the king a god and allowing him to control the conscience of men. Such would show supremacy of a power other than Almighty God. The conspiring satraps proposed a law that would make the state the supreme power, to which all the people must yield and thus blindly obey a human dictator. It is exactly so today. Every part of the earth is in a state of turmoil. The powers that rule arc being defied by the lawless. The clergy and all religion-mongers come forth with pious faces and hypocritical words and say to the political powers, in substance, this: ‘The communistic and revolutionists spirit is due to a lack of proper respect, for the religious groups in the land; therefore give us a law with teeth in it, which law will not permit any person or organization to in any manner speak or publish or say or do anything that might in any manner whatsoever subject our religious groups to ridicule, scorn, or contempt.’ Further the religious conspirators say, ‘This is a Christian nation, and it is the Christian duty of all to be subservient to the state in order that there may be peace and prosperity in the land.’ Those words seem to be well chosen, but the speakers know they are hypocritical. They know that their claim is false and that their real purpose is to rid the land of those who faithfully serve and worship Jehovah God and speak the truth about his King and kingdom, which is the only hope of the world, as the Scriptures declare. This is further proof that the clergy and their allies, or coconspirators, are instruments of Satan. These conspirators, therefore, demand that provision be made by law that whatsoever the people may hear by radio, phonograph, transcription machines, word of mouth, printed page or other means of communication, must first be approved by a committee appointed by the state; hence no one would be permitted to say anything until it is first censored by the duly appointed groups. They proceed to make up a committee of Catholies, Protestants and Jews, who practice their own religion, each of a different kind, and none of which serve Jehovah God, and this committee attempts to tell the people what they shall or shall not hear. The evidence offered before the Congress of the United States in 1934, and before the state legislative body in New Jersey in the same year, abundantly proves that the clergy, and particularly the Roman Catholic hierarchy, priests, preachers and other agents, have formed and are carrying out a conspiracy to prevent the people from worshiping Almighty God as he has commanded them. The enactment of such drastic laws which arc destructive of freedom of speech and of press, so far as religion is concerned, proves beyond all doubt that the real purpose is to prevent the people from hearing the truth of and concerning Jehovah God and his kingdom. The Devil himself is back of such a movement. To be sure, that conspiracy is led by Gog, but these earthly hypocritical representatives of Gog have concluded that their quickest and most effective method of accomplishing their wicked purpose is to destroy Jehovah’s witnesses and thus to stop their work in every part of “Christendom” and to thus succeed in ‘cutting them off from being a nation’. Those who really love Jehovah and have taken their stand on his side will not be disturbed by’ the activities of the enemy. They know that the conspirators cannot succeed in their wickedness; for the reason, it is written: “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.”–Ps. 2: 4. 5.
28 The conspirators asked that the law should provide that anyone who should pray to any other than Darius should be east to the lions and by them consumed. The lions here mentioned were the king's lions and stood for the execution of justice. The conspirators reasoned that, if they could have Daniel thrown to the lions, all the people would say: “Surely that man Daniel got what was coming to him. He must have been a bad man.” At the same time these conspirators would expect the people to sing their own praises and hold them up as defenders of the law. The modern-day conspirators have reasoned the same way and have concluded that they must find some apparently lawful means of destroying Jehovah’s witnesses and, if the laws on the statute books are insufficient to accomplish their purposes, then some new law must be passed. In line with this the conspirators said to King Darius: “Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.” (Dan. 6:8) In keeping therewith the pope sends word along to his various active agents in the nations of “Christendom” to get a law passed that Jehovah’s witnesses might be destroyed.
29 The enemy of Jehovah’s witnesses desire God’s approval to go ahead in their destructive work, and hence they seek a “lawful means” to accomplish the same. They have long held and openly advocated that the political element of the world rule by divine right and hence that if they can have a law put upon the statute books under which they might “frame” Jehovah’s witnesses they can thereby bring about their destruction and accomplish the same in apparently a lawful manner and with God’s approval. Because the action of the conspirators was, in Daniel’s time, and is now, a challenge to Almighty God, the King eternal, he responds to them as he did on another occasion to the Devil: “Thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3) “Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?”–Ps. 94:20.
30 The king, Darius, yielded to the request of the satraps. “Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.” (Dan. 6:9) This illustrates how Jehovah permits ‘the wicked to spring up as the grass, and all the workers of iniquity’ to flourish’ (Ps, 92: 7), and to use so-called “legal” means or methods to bring about the destruction of faithful witnesses of the Lord. God permits the earthly ruling factors to pursue their own way and to enact laws according to their own selfish ideas and to enforce the same, that such laws may operate as a test to his own people; but that does not moan at all that God approves such cruel and unrighteous laws. The great question involved is the vindication of Jehovah’s name, and hence that means that his anointed ones must receive the test and continue to maintain their integrity toward God until the end.
FAITHFUL WITNESSES
31 The big powwow before King Darius was held publicly in the absence of Daniel, but when Daniel learned that the decree was signed he did not falter in his faithfulness and devotion to Jehovah God. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Dan. 6:10) The record does not say that Daniel attempted to prevent the making of the decree; but if ho did know about it before it was signed he may have protested against it. Jehovah’s witnesses presented a petition to the Congress of the United States and a protest to the legislative body of New Jersey against certain laws, but they have not tried to prevent the enactment of any law against them. Their vigorous protest has been made in order that the record might be made up against the conspirators and that thus the mouths of the conspirators might be for ever stopped from saying that they did not know they were fighting against Almighty God by persecuting his witnesses. The attitude of Jehovah’s witnesses concerning all such matters is, Let the Devil and his crowd do what they will, but while they are doing it we will take occasion to tell them and the people what they are doing.
32 Daniel went into his house, and before his window that opened in the direction of Jerusalem he got down on his knees three times every day and prayed to Jehovah God. This proved that he feared not man, but that he feared Jehovah. Thus he pictured the remnant now on earth with their hearts and faces turned toward Jehovah’s organization, his kingdom, and showing that their chief purpose is to have a part in the vindication of Jehovah’s holy name. The remnant will remain true to Jehovah and his kingdom, regardless of consequences that might come upon them at the hands of the enemy. Like the faithful ones of olden times, the faithful remnant now say concerning Jehovah and his organization: “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.” (Ps. 137: 5, 6) “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice.” (Ps. 55:17) Regardless of the opposition of the conspirators and the persecution of Jehovah’s witnesses the faithful remnant will continue to worship Almighty God as he has commanded them, in the same way that Jesus and his faithful apostles did aforetime, to wit, by 'publicly going from house to house and preaching the gospel’.–Acts 20:20.
33 Had Daniel gone to the king and asked for a permit or a license to pray to Jehovah, that would have been conforming to the decree of the king, because he must first get the consent of the king before he could pray, and that would be showing that he did not sincerely hold that Jehovah is supreme and above the king on earth, which course of action would have been an insult to Jehovah. The state or earthly government is not a mediator between God and men. Jehovah is above all, and his law is supreme and his people will obey it.
34 The divine rule is not subject to change. Jehovah has commanded his anointed to go and bear testimony to the people by telling them the truth that Jehovah is God and that Satan’s organization is the enemy of God and shall soon be destroyed. This truth of God’s Word necessarily subjects the practitioners of modern religion to shame, ridicule and contempt in the eyes of honest men and women, and calls forth the denunciation of the religionists and their efforts to destroy the witnesses; but this must not deter the remnant nor cause them to slack their hand in the performance of what God has commanded them to do.
35 The conspirators posted men at vantage points where the evidence they needed might be procured. Likewise today the conspirators against Jehovah’s witnesses post members of their strong-arm squad and those of the Judas class where they can obtain evidence against Jehovah’s witnesses. A company of these forming a part of the Judas class camp near the Bethel home in order that they may spy out what goes on and misrepresent the facts, hoping thereby to entrap those who are serving Jehovah God. If the evidence at hand is not strong enough those “staked out” witnesses make it stronger to suit their own desires. This was foreshadowed by what the crooked satraps did concerning Daniel: “Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying [making petition] and making supplication before his God.” (Dan. 6:11) The real purpose of the conspirators was, not to stop Daniel’s worship of Jehovah, but to find some apparently lawful excuse to destroy Daniel. Likewise the modern-day conspirators move against Jehovah’s witnesses, not merely because they are worshiping Almighty God, but for the reason they hope to find some apparently lawful excuse to destroy those witnesses who testify to God's truth, which truth exposes the Devil worshipers to ridicule and contempt. As it was with Daniel, so it is with Jehovah’s witnesses. Daniel, by disregarding the unrighteous law of that realm, would bring upon him death, but unfaithfulness to Jehovah God would bring upon him destruction. Even so today, Jehovah’s witnesses, by disregarding some law of the land, may be subjected to death, but their disregarding of or disobedience to Jehovah’s law means the complete destruction of their very existence, as Jesus declared: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28) Those faithful unto Jehovah obey his law, and trust him implicitly as to the result. The faithful fear neither man nor Devil, hut they do make Jehovah God their fear; as it is written: “Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary.” (Isa. 8:13,14) To obey Jehovah’s law the faithful anointed cannot hide themselves by declining to openly testify to his name, nor can they have an excuse to sit quietly in their homes and hum hymns and read books. The true and faithful are Jehovah’s witnesses, and they must not cease to bear the fruits of the kingdom before men and to pray for the increase of Jehovah’s kingdom interests and for the destruction of Satan’s rule. In the faithful performance of their divinely given commission the remnant know that they are putting themselves in a position of jeopardy at the hands of men; but they are blind to everything save that of rendering full obedience unto Jehovah God. –Isa. 42:19.
36 The divine record supports the conclusion that Daniel was not present before the king when the conspirator's appeared to make accusation against him. He was tried in his absence. It is even so at the present time. Often the case is made up, and the decision determined upon, before the defendants, Jehovah's witnesses, are even arrested. Seeing Daniel down on his knees praying, the satraps chuckled to themselves and went straightway before the king. “Then they
came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any god or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.” (Dan. 6:12) The conspirators wished to get the absolute confirmation from the king’s lips that the decree had been signed making death the penalty for any man’s asking a petition of any god or man other than the king within thirty days. They put a hypothetical case before the king, being careful to hold back the name of Daniel until they received the desired answer. The answer of the king was in the affirmative, that they had properly stated the decree as signed, and that such law was unchangeable. The conclusion of the conspirators then was that they had an open and shut case against Daniel the Jew and that now they would soon make lion feed of him. In modern times, when it seems needful to accomplish something that is unusual the ruling powers declare that a "state emergency” exists and that for the safety and peace of the people of the nations drastic laws must be made and executed. Based upon that hypocritical excuse the Hitler government did without reason or just cause issue a decree prohibiting Jehovah’s witnesses from preaching the gospel of the kingdom and from serving Jehovah God within that realm. In other parts of "Christendom” Satan’s crowd, under the leadership of Gog, is doing the same thing. Such was foreshadowed by the thirty-day period fixed by the law of the king as an “emergency period”. The enemies of God seize upon like man-made period of “emergency” to find some lawful excuse by which Jehovah’s witnesses may be destroyed. Thus the satraps put the matter before the king in order to bring about the death of Daniel. It is even so today, that the leaders of “Christendom” hide behind what they call a “state emergency” and emergency laws as a cover for their wicked action in bringing about the persecution and destruction of Jehovah's witnesses and the preventing of the declaration of the message of God’s kingdom. Daniel at this stage of the prophetic picture appeared to be in grave danger of immediate destruction. The king had unwittingly committed himself by his declaration of the law, and from this he could not now withdraw. Likewise in the present time Jehovah’s witnesses and their work in every part of “Christendom” apparently stand in grave danger of immediate destruction. What will the faithful do now? and why, some will ask and do ask, does Jehovah permit his anointed to be placed in such a position of immediate danger?
(To be continued)
QUESTIONS FOR STUDY
¶ 1. Point out the significance and fitness of Jesus Christ's being named "The Lion of the tribe of Juda".
¶ 2. In this connection show that Satan has attempted to mimic Jehovah, and with what result.
¶ 3. What is meant by "the law of God"? Justice? Judgment?
¶ 4. Compare law and equity, and the administration thereof, in Jehovah's organization with that in the organizations of men, and account for the difference.
¶ 5. Point out the chief violators of justice, with illustration of their method of procedure. Of what is this a proof?
¶ 6, 7. What purposes are here seen to be served by Jehovah's providing record of the sixth chapter of Daniel's prophecy?
¶ 8. What are the chief points to be kept in mind in the study of this prophecy?
¶ 9. Describe the situation in which the opening expression of this prophecy finds its application.
¶ 10. Account for the wickedness on earth at the present time, in view of the fact that the kingdom is set up, and the judgments of Jehovah began in 1918.
¶ 11. By pointing out the manner in which they reveal their identity, distinguish between the 'vessels of honor' and the 'vessels of dishonor'.
¶ 12. Identify the "three presidents", mentioned in verse 2.
¶ 13. Explain and apply the statement that "Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes", and the reason therefor, as recorded in verse 3.
¶ 14. Apply the prophetic statement, "The king thought to set [Daniel] over the whole realm."
¶ 15-17. How in the record of verse 4 are the modern conspirators identified and their motives confirmed? Account for the conspiracy against Daniel; and apply the prophetic picture.
¶ 18. Why are laws unnecessary for righteous men? How do the grounds assigned for 'finding occasion against Daniel' serve to reveal the chief conspirators then and at the present time? What are evidences of the laws of God which Jehovah's witnesses are earnestly endeavoring to obey?
¶ 19-21. Apply the prophetic picture presented in verse 6, and their thus greeting the king.
¶ 22-25. Show, from the record of verse 7, that the tactics adopted and practiced against Daniel clearly foreshadowed the methods employed by the modern-day satraps, and especially by the Roman Catholic hierarchy.
¶ 26, 27. Explain whether it would have been just as well for Daniel to pray only in secret. Apply the same principle to those now whom Daniel there prophetically represented.
¶ 28-30. Just why did the conspirators provide for that particular penalty for violation of the "emergency law" which they were proposing? Apply the prophetic picture, together with verse 9.
¶ 31-33. What was foreshown in the record concerning Daniel upon his learning that the decree was signed? Quote other scriptures supporting Daniel's course of action on that occasion.
¶ 34, 35. Why does the testimony borne to the people by Jehovah's witnesses call forth denunciation of the religionists? Describe the methods these employ to procure "evidence" against Jehovah's witnesses. Show that this was foreshadowed by what the crooked satraps did concerning Daniel.
¶ 36. Why did the conspirators withhold expression of their purpose or objective until after they had the king's verbal confirmation that he had made such a decree? Relate facts in which verse 12 finds fulfilment.
ASCRIBE UNTO JEHOVAH, O ye sons of the mighty, ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name; worship Jehovah in holy array. ... Jehovah sitteth as King for ever. Jehovah will give strength unto his people; Jehovah will bless his people with peace. – David.
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