The Watchtower, March 15, 1941

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“THE SIGN” TESTIMONY PERIOD

This Testimony Period, covering the month of April, will be world-wide, and brings to a climax the three-month campaign with The Watchtower. Those looking for the early appearance of “the sign” for Armageddon to begin will not slack the hand in this final month of the campaign, but rather intensify their efforts, and unquestionably more Theocratic publishers will enter the field. Never have such had a finer offer to make to humankind in danger of Armageddon, to wit, a year’s subscription for The Watchtower, together with the book Religion and the two new booklets Theocracy and God and the State, all on a contribution of $1.00. Begin planning and preparing now for your part in this special Testimony Period. Write us if you need references to the local company organized for this service. Your report of work at the close of this Period will be appreciated.

“THEOCRACY”

This new booklet by Judge Rutherford, in 64 pages, offers the clearest and best description yet of the world’s leading issue today, “The Theocracy.” The visible operations of its representatives on earth are plainly set forth, together with the vicious opposition which they are encountering world-wide. A specially fine cover dignifies Theocracy, picturing in full-color illustration the judgment of the nations and the dividing of the people on this supreme issue and their ultimate destiny. Get your copy now, on a contribution of 5c, and study it preparatory to its general distribution shortly as elsewhere announced.

MEMORIAL

The Scripturally assigned date for the memorial celebration to both Jehovah’s name and the sacrifice of His provided Lamb, Christ Jesus, is Friday, April 11, 1941, after six p.m. Each Christian company should therefore assemble after six p.m. of April 11, and the anointed ones celebrate the Memorial, and their companions, the Jonadabs, be present as observers. If there is no competent person present to deliver a brief discourse just before the partaking of the emblems, the short article “Memorial” as published in the Watchtower issue of March 15, 1939, should be read instead. Since the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the wine both picture the death of Jesus, it follows that both emblems should be served together at partaking, and not separately. The emblems should be unleavened bread and real red wine, to follow the example of Jesus and his apostles, who used real red wine in (Continued on page 95)

Vol. LXII

March 15, 1941

No.6

VICTORY SONG

PART 2

"The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne."—Ps. 132:11.

JEHOVAH’S Word makes it impossible for the faithful servant to doubt the establishment and complete domination of The Theocracy. Not only has Jehovah given his unchangeable Word, but he has confirmed his Word by his oath that he will build up his capital organization Zion with his beloved One, Christ Jesus, as the Head thereof, upon the throne of the organization, and that his good and righteous government shall rule the world in righteousness and that rule shall never end. David, whose name means “Beloved”, and who stood as the representative of Christ Jesus, had uttered a prayer unto Jehovah, and the words of the psalmist in the text first above cited is the response of Jehovah to that prayer; which words he binds with his oath, thus making doubly sure that he will bring forth his government, The Theocracy, to complete victory and glory, the vindication of his holy name. Over a period of centuries men who have pledged themselves to serve Jehovah God have divided themselves into two classes: some have departed from that covenant, while others have been faithful. The failure of some men, in turning away from their covenant, has in no wise altered Jehovah’s announced purpose. Having purposed it, he will do it. There cannot be the slightest doubt about the result in the mind of one who loves Jehovah, and for the comfort and assurance of His faithful servants the Lord Jehovah supports his word by his unbreakable oath. The apostle sums up the matter in these words, at Hebrews 6:17,18, which reads: “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.”

2 From Abel to the last of the holy prophets of God there were faithful men on the earth who not only believed in The Theocracy but staked their all on it and gladly suffered martyrdom rather than to yield to the adverse influence or power of the enemy, and thus they maintained their integrity toward Jehovah. Within that period of time, however, many persons who once declared themselves to be believers on and servants of Jehovah lost faith, fell away, and became unfaithful to their agreement. The entire nation of Israel solemnly agreed to be faithful to Jehovah God, and yet that nation fell away, and the result is the loss of the benefit of The Theocracy, which can never be regained. In modern times nations of the earth have claimed to be “Christian” and claimed to have faith in the kingdom of God, and have publicly uttered prayers that it might come and God’s will be done on earth as in heaven, and yet all these nations have forgotten God, and today there is not one nation on earth of the organized governments that advocates or even believes in The Theocracy. On the contrary, The Theocracy is opposed by every nation, and those who are witnesses to the name of Jehovah and Christ Jesus are hated in all the nations, and this hatred, as Jesus declared, is because of their faithfulness to The Theocracy.—Matt. 24:9; John 15:19-21.

3 The promise and oath of Jehovah was to his beloved One, and that was not an unconditional promise so far as the creatures are concerned. Jehovah further added these words: “If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.” (Ps. 132:12) The condition is that the children of the beloved One, Christ Jesus, whom the Lord Jehovah gave to him, must “keep my covenant and my testimony”; and, so doing, such faithful ones shall be with Christ Jesus, the beloved One, in the Kingdom. Every one that has faithfully kept his covenant and testimony with Jehovah has suffered violence and persecution at the hands of the enemies of The Theocracy. Thus opportunity has been offered to each and every one that made the covenant to prove his integrity under adverse conditions and to thus prove Satan’s challenge to Almighty God a malicious lie.

4 Why have so many creatures failed? There has been one chief besetting sin that has caused such failure, and that besetting sin is demonism, otherwise called “religion”. It was that close-girdling sin, religion, concerning which the apostle wrote to those who had made a covenant to be faithful servants and witnesses of Jehovah, and of which the inspired witness said: 'Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race set before us; looking unto Jesus [the beloved One, to whom Jehovah gave the oathbound promise], the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy set before him [the joy of being the King and vindicator of Jehovah’s name] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’—Heb. 12:1, 2.

5 God’s people living on the earth today have all the wealth of Jehovah’s revealed Word and the record of faithful men who have gone before and who proved their integrity toward God, together now with an abundance of physical facts which have come to pass in fulfillment of God’s prophecies, to uphold and strengthen them and to fully fortify them against all opposition and violence heaped upon them by the enemies of The Theocracy. Amidst the strife and turmoil now upon the world, and with the demons exercising over men indescribable influence and power, Jehovah continues to reveal to his faithful servants the meaning of his prophecies written long ago, and which discloses that in the centuries past he had such faithful servants of today in mind and made these prophetic pictures for their benefit, comfort and hope. The “remnant”, and those “other sheep” of the Lord who are companions of the spiritual class, should now be strong of faith and very courageous and should continuously proclaim the name and the praise of Jehovah and his King and never permit anything to turn them aside from that complete devotion to The Theocracy. The “great multitude”, as well as the “remnant”, must be faithful in keeping covenant with God and must prove their integrity to the Most High and to his King. The same degree of faith is required of all who receive the approval of the Almighty and his King. The Victory Song has begun in the fulfillment of prophecy, and that song must continue to swell with increasing volume and until all who survive Armageddon shall know that The Theocracy is now exercising its authority and power and that everlasting peace and blessings have come to stay forever. The Victory Song, sung by Barak and Deborah, pictured the things that are now being fulfilled in the earth with those who are fully devoted to God and his King.

6 Barak, who pictured Christ Jesus, and Deborah, who pictured the organization of Jehovah, with Christ Jesus as the appointed and anointed Head, performed their respective parts in the prophetic drama and together raised the typical song of victory. This they did at God’s appointed time, and the fulfillment thereof is now in progress. Note then what brought about the terrible and deplorable conditions in Israel and why Barak and Deborah were used by Jehovah to make the prophetic picture and to sing the prophetic Victory Song: “They chose new gods; then was war in the gates; was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?”— Judg. 5:8.

7 Prior to the arising of Deborah, the Israelites, as a nation, were pursuing the course of idolatry. That people had fallen under the influence of demons and the nation had chosen to serve the demon mighty ones and thus to practice religion, which is demonism. The fact that Barak pictured Christ Jesus at the temple and that Deborah pictured the capital organization of Jehovah shows that the prophetic picture began to have its fulfillment with the coming of Christ Jesus to the temple for judgment, and is conclusive proof that at that time religion would be still clinging to God’s covenant people on earth and that they that would prove faithful must be cleansed of religion or idolatrous practices. As there were a few of the Israelites amongst those of the nation who were faithful and true to their covenant with Almighty God, even so it is to be expected that there would be a few faithful amongst the spiritual Israelites, or those who had made a covenant at the time of the beginning of the temple judgment by Christ Jesus. It follows also that there would be an unfaithful class made manifest at that judgment.

8 Note here the facts which did become so very manifest at the time of the beginning of the temple judgment with the appearing of Christ Jesus in 1918. Up to that time the people of God were indulging in many religious practices of which the following were some, to wit: Idolizing individuals, and “character development”, and exalting “character development” by men as a means by which entrance into the Kingdom could be had; the exaltation of individual men by setting some of them in a prominent place or upon a pedestal, figuratively speaking, and giving to them unusual honor and praise; the existence of man-made vows and ‘daily morning resolves’, and the performance of such ceremonies in the homes and at public assemblies; the fixing and forecasting of dates, attempting to tell what God would perform in the future ; consulting a pile of stone, the pyramid of Gizeh, for the fixing of dates; standing in awe of political rulers of the state as being the “higher powers” to which every Christian soul should be subject, and thus making of them gods or mighty ones; the practice of designating a fixed number of pages in certain books to be read daily, and the wearing of pins or other marks of identification attempting to indicate that such by outward show were followers of Christ Jesus; long faces, long and solemn prayers in affected tones of voice; similarly a like outward appearance for the purpose of impressing upon observers the importance of the one thus performing. These are some of the things that represented the spots on the garments or identification of those who had entered into a covenant to obey Almighty God.

9 What is here said is not for ridicule of the consecrated of the “Elijah period” of the church, but to show how Jehovah foreknew and foretold the influence of religion and how it would affect those who consecrated themselves to do his will and who then followed the traditions of men. Also the prophecy foretells the necessity of cleansing the faithful ones that they might be used as servants of the Lord to offer to him an “offering in righteousness”. This and other prophetic pictures disclose to the people of God now what a subtle and devouring enemy religion is and the great havoc religion has wrought amongst men. Another strong and corroborative picture of the same thing is that recorded in the prophecy of Zechariah 3:1-3. As there described, “Joshua the high priest” pictured Christ Jesus, the great High Priest, while “Joshua”, alone, pictured those who had made a covenant to do the will of God, whom Christ Jesus the great Judge gathered together unto himself at the temple for judgment. Prior to the beginning of the temple judgment Christ Jesus, “the Messenger of the covenant,” hence “the angel of Jehovah”, did a great work of preparing the way before Jehovah, as stated by the prophecy. (Mal. 3:1) Then straightway that great Messenger came to the temple and there began the judgment of the covenant people of Jehovah God. Satan was there to look after his religionists, whom he had subtly entrapped by means of deceit and the practice of formalism and other religious ceremonies. The prophet of Jehovah describes the scene in these words: “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.”—Zech. 3:1.

10 The faithful ones standing there with the Lord are described as ‘brands plucked from the fire’. (Zech. 3:2) What fire? The destructive fire of demonism or religion. Some of those who had covenanted to do God’s will had withstood that destructive influence and power even though they were mixed up with and identified as religionists. Their “garments” are symbols of identification, and the soils on their garments pictured the religion or demon influence. “Joshua,” thus distinguished from “Joshua the high priest”, pictured the prospective members of the Kingdom. Concerning those to be judged at the temple, the Lord’s Word describes them, to wit: “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.”—Zech. 3: 3.

11 Even those who had been faithful to their covenant to the best of their knowledge were still subject to certain influences and practices to which they held and in which they indulged. The judgment at the temple begins and the great Judge, Christ Jesus, readily discerns the real heart condition and the degree of faithfulness of each one there, because he judges not by outward appearance nor by reason of the soft words and sanctimonious looks, but his judgment is based upon the heart or motive of each individual who has entered into a covenant with Jehovah God. The Lord Jesus judges according to Jehovah’s rule, because the Father has committed all judgment to him and he knows the secret “thoughts and intents of the heart”.-Heb. 4:12,13; 1 Sam. 16 :7.

12 At the temple judgment the rejected ones were unwilling to divest themselves of their religious garments and they continued to wear their filthy garments of religion, but the faithful and approved ones were anxious to do the will of God and to follow the great Judge, Christ Jesus, whithersoever he would lead. Concerning those whom the great Judge found to be faithful servants, he speaks to them by and through his faithful angels standing by in these words, to wit: “And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments [religion-demon influence] from him [the faithful, approved class].” The great Judge said: “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” “And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.”—Zech. 3:4, 5.

13 That was an unconditional approval, and taking them into the Kingdom; but these from that time forward were required to walk in the way of the Lord and to shun religion, that is, other gods; and concerning this it is written: “And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts; and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.” —Zech. 3: 6, 7.

14 Henceforth everyone who receives the final approval of the Lord, and who receives an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our God, must shun religion and must be a true and faithful witness to the name of Jehovah God and his Theocratic Government.

15 When the Israelites “chose new gods”, that is, when they became idolatrous, “then was war in the gates.” Thus was foretold what should come to pass at the time of the temple judgment. In the fulfillment of that part of the prophetic drama, which took place at the beginning of the temple judgment, the disapproved ones, that is, those who were not pure of heart but who held to religion, took their stand over with the other religionists, and all of whom become open opponents of the faithful servants of Almighty God. The facts exactly corroborate this, as it is well known that in 1918, at the beginning of the temple judgment, there was no peace amongst those who claimed to be in covenant with God, that is, between the faithful and the unfaithful. The religionists of the various denominations, together with the disapproved ones at the temple judgment, began a warfare and carried on a warfare against the faithful servants of Jehovah up to the point of cruel persecution and imprisonment and did all within their power to hinder the witnesses in their bearing testimony to the name of Jehovah God and to his King. From 1918 onward there was no unity of action amongst those who professed to be on the Lord’s side at the beginning of the temple judgment, because the religionists continued their warfare against the approved ones; and these religionists the Lord designates as the “evil servant”. The “evil servant” class have ever since been open opponents of the “faithful servant” class, who put forth their best endeavors to advertise The Theocracy.—Matt. 24:45-51.

16 Concerning the Israelites the words of the prophetic song are: “Was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?” It is estimated that there were four million Israelites in the land at that time, and, that being true, there would have been less than one hundred shields and spears in the hands of the Israelites. At any rate, there must have been a very small amount of war equipment at hand. That condition was due to the fact that the Devil-worshipers, or religionists, the Philistines, had almost completely disarmed the Israelites, and this the Philistines did that they might feel safe in their position. Likewise the church denominations prior to 1918, and up to that time, endeavored to overreach all of the consecrated and induce them to surrender their devotion to the Lord’s kingdom and to join with the church denominations in their religious practices, even saying to those who insisted on remaining faithful: “If you will come along with us, there will be no persecution of you by the warmongers.” Later the Philistines repeated their disarmament program against the Israelites when they regained control over Israel just before Jonathan and David arose in Israel. The record of that disarmament set forth in the Scriptures reads: “Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel; (for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears;) but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. So it came to pass, in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan; but with Saul, and with Jonathan his son, was there found.” (1 Sam. 13:19-22) The Lord provided the equipment for his faithful people in times past, and the Lord has provided equipment for warfare by his faithful people ever since.

17 King Jabin and his forces must have thought it very strange that Barak and his little army of ten thousand would arise against the mighty organization of Jabin; and when Barak led his little army of ten thousand unto Mount Tabor and prepared to fight against King Jabin and his Captain Sisera, whose army was equipped with nine hundred chariots of iron and other strong equipment, it would still appear to be a very strange action on the part of Barak. The Israelites being almost without arms, it was necessary at that time for Jehovah to perform a “strange act” in using his mighty power to destroy the enemy and to deliver his covenant people, who had remained faithful to him in Israel and had stood out against other gods or religionists.

18 Likewise in the latter part of the “Elijah period” the covenant people of God had so conformed themselves to religion or religious practices, which the enemy had brought forward, that they were almost without any equipment to stand against the assaults of the enemy. God’s covenant people were then looked upon as just another religious sect that held peculiar ideas. They were recognized as only a part of other religions. They looked upon the political governors as the “higher powers” and were otherwise conforming to religious practices; and yet amongst them there were some who insisted on obeying God rather than men. Then shortly after the beginning of the temple judgment Christ Jesus as the great Executive Officer of Jehovah brought his faithful approved ones into the temple, equipped them for warfare, not with carnal weapons, but with an understanding and appreciation of God’s Word, and sent them forth to engage in Jehovah’s “strange work”, that is to say, in the work of boldly declaring the name of the great Theocrat and his government. He armed them in the holy cause of righteousness and afforded the ability to stand against the machinations of religious influence. This “strange work” amidst organized and fully equipped opponents must continue and shall continue until Jehovah God, by Christ Jesus, begins to carry to complete success his “strange act” and to use his equipment to completely annihilate the enemy.

19 The faithful Israelites, under the command of Barak and Deborah, went forth with joy to their task, trusting wholly in Jehovah God and that his power would be exercised in their behalf. Even so the “strange work” of Almighty God has continued to progress under the command of Christ Jesus and his organization, including the faithful servants of Jehovah now on earth, and these have, with much and increasing joy, engaged in that “strange work”. It has seemed strange to the enemy, because the faithful ones have denounced religion as God’s enemy and continued to do so. The faithful have increased in their zeal and devotion, and it has been a time of joyful song in which they have sung and continue to sing the praises of Almighty God; and today that song of joy and victory is ever increasing in volume because the faithful servants of the Most High know that soon Jehovah shall vindicate his name and that he will bring about their complete deliverance. “My heart is toward the governors [the lawgivers (Young)] of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the Lord.”—Judg. 5: 9.

20 Both Barak and Deborah sung of their heart devotion to Jehovah’s righteous cause, thus picturing the heart devotion of Christ Jesus and those of his organization singing the praises of The Theocracy. It is that warm appreciation and genuine love of Christ and the capital organization under him that causes them to express their burning zeal and heart devotion to The Theocracy, and a heart that ‘esteems them [their fellow laborers in the vineyard of the Lord] very highly in love for their work’s sake’.— 1 Thess. 5:13.

21 “Governors,” or “lawgivers”, of Jehovah’s organization are those who announce or proclaim the law and statutes of Jehovah. In the fulfillment of that part of the prophecy those in the organization of the Lord upon whom rests the obligation to outline the work that is being done and who stir up action to accomplish that work which Jehovah has commanded to be done are prefigured by the word “lawgivers”. It must be true beyond all doubt that such are guided and directed by the Lord and that they carry on the work assigned without, knowing at the time that it is in fulfillment of a certain prophecy. The Lord causes his faithful servants to do his will and then afterwards reveals to them how every man has had to do with the fulfillment of his prophetic utterance. The song of victory here under consideration was not understood as being a prophecy of victory until very recently, yet, back in 1919, those who were devoted to Jehovah went forward in the work assigned, doing with their might what their hands found to do, and it now appears to have been done according to and under the command and direction of the Lord. In 1919 certain imprisoned servants of Jehovah were released and immediately they began to outline and draw up a program of activity in the service, and this must have been according to the Word and will of the Almighty God.

22 This Jehovah had foretold through his prophet, to wit: “I will appoint the oversight of thee to Prosperity, and the setting of thy tasks to Righteousness.” (Isa. 60:17, Rotherham) Sincere, heart devotion or love for Jehovah and his King was the moving cause for his servants to engage immediately in activity in the service work of proclaiming The Theocratic Government.

23 Acceptable service must be a willing service; therefore says the Victory Song prophecy: “My heart is toward the governors ... that offered themselves willingly among the people.” Such is the proper and therefore exemplary course to be taken by the faithful. In line with this the apostle instructed Timothy, and hence all servants of the organization whom Timothy pictured, in these words: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Tim. 4:12) The faithful ones must be “doers of the word, and not hearers only”.—Jas. 1: 22.

24 The Israelites who followed the lead of Barak against their oppressors, the Canaanites, must have been men of faith and courage to volunteer to go to war against the far superior force which was well armed and equipped for war. It took faith to believe that God would fight their battles for them and give the Israelites the victory over their enemies. Likewise following the World War, when the call came through Christ Jesus, the Greater Barak, who is the Head of the organization pictured by Deborah, to go into action, those who willingly offered themselves and voluntarily entered the service did so because of their faith and love for God and Christ. They were courageous because they recognized that they were backed up by the Almighty God, who had exercised his power in their behalf. Those charged with the responsibility of the oversight and directing of the work must promptly take the lead in the active program and with zeal carry forward the work against the entrenched and well-equipped enemy. The faithful servants of God have gone forward and have not been dismayed or discouraged by reason of the equipment of the enemy and their activities. The faithful servants of God trust him and go forward in the strength of the Lord and in the power of his might. Their weapons are not guns and swords and tanks and airplanes, but their weapons consist of “the sword of the spirit”, the message of Almighty God and his King, which they deliver in the name of Jehovah, and which is “mighty ... to the pulling down of strong holds” of the enemy. (Eph. 6:17; 2 Cor. 10: 4) The faithful believe and appreciate the promise that Jehovah has given to them, to wit: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord; and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”—Isa. 54:17.

25 And what is the continued attitude of all such faithful servants of The Theocracy? The answer follows in these words: “Bless ye the Lord” is their song of joy. To bless the Lord Jehovah means to praise him and serve him with joy. Those who have the interests of The Theocracy at heart do bless or praise Jehovah for providing them with the opportunity to serve him and to prove their integrity toward him and for stirring up their zeal and courage to vigorously attack demonism. All of Jehovah’s witnesses do bless or praise Jehovah for providing his faithful, fearless and progressive Society organization on earth, by and through which the Lord carries forward his witness work to the honor of Jehovah’s name. They cannot keep back the song of joy.

26 “Speak [Meditate (marginal reading)], ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.” (Judg. 5:10) This prophetic admonition was appropriate when uttered and has been appropriate at all times since. The word of God should never be passed over lightly, but should be soberly considered. Here is an admonition forcibly addressed to all who have made a covenant with the Lord, and particularly those who are not performing their duties and privileges. The Scriptures and the physical facts which apply thereto should always be considered together. One in a covenant with Jehovah should face the facts and take them to heart as to their significance and then after calm meditation act properly, seeking the wisdom that comes from above. God put in the mouth of his servant Asaph the sweet singer the appropriate words: “I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, 0 God, is in the sanctuary; who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders; thou hast declared thy strength among the people.”—Ps. 77:11-14.

27 Manifestly the admonition to meditate was primarily addressed to those who had not willingly offered themselves as did the governors or leaders in Israel. On the contrary, the ones primarily addressed were those who in their hearts had said: “Let others do the hard work, and we will take it easy.” Such are the ones whom the prophetic song describes as “ye that ride on white asses”; that is to say, the elite classes who think more of themselves than they do of their brethren, such as lords and ladies, who, because of their position amongst others, think themselves to take it easy and pursue a soft way. The song further says: “Ye that sit in judgment”; (Rotherham) “ye that sit on carpets”; (Young) 'who wear long robes’; that is to say, those who sit in style and would not think of soiling their fine garments by squatting on the ground and talking the Kingdom message to others who might hear. Now applying the prophecy to the present day of fulfillment: The admonition is addressed to those who profess to be in a covenant with God to do his will but who insist that it is their privilege to take it easy and let someone else do the witness work in the field. These excuse themselves, and they do not ordinarily tramp from door to door to publish the Kingdom message. They are too delicate and refined to set foot on the ground. Moses gave a description of such in these words: “The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter.”—Deut. 28: 56.

28 Such have not the zeal for the Kingdom that is pleasing to Jehovah. Such look upon those who have less of the material wealth of this earth and no luxuries as the ones who should bear the hard part of the field work. The faithful, zealous ones are willing to sit anywhere and on anything, even on boards or on wheel chairs or on slabs of stone or on prison benches in the cells while delivering the message of The Theocracy. The ones who are specifically admonished in this prophecy to meditate are inclined to “sit in judgment” on those who do not have the outward appearance of being so much favored as themselves. The willing ones who form the ten thousand volunteers who followed Barak and who trod the rocky and roadless slope of Mount Tabor gladly took things as they were, having in mind but one thing, and that to do the will of Almighty God and to follow their leader who pictured Christ Jesus. Others of Israel’s many thousands took the easy way, to “walk upon the road” (Roth.), and thus stayed out of the rugged mountain. The prophecy here pictures some today who have made a covenant to do God’s will and who then seek the way of least resistance and least opposition and who desire the way of ease; and they are in contrast with those covenant people of God who joyfully bear the brunt of the hardships. The one class desires the easy way, and they have much reason to meditate upon their present-day opportunities and responsibilities and to deny themselves ease and personal comfort when such is necessary to engage in the service of The Theocracy. They should be willing to follow the lead of the Greater Barak and his ten thousand willing fighters who in this day of the fulfillment of the prophecy desire to bear witness to the name of Jehovah God under any and all circumstances. What the Lord requires of those who receive his approval is the zeal peculiar to the Lord’s house and the zeal that consumes them in his service, which the Lord Jesus has always had. (Ps. 69: 9) The Lord requires unstinted devotion to The Theocracy. The faithful ones are such, who have entered into the joy of the Lord and have a keen appreciation of having a part in the vindication of Jehovah’s name. Mark the fact that the prophecy began to have its fulfillment with the temple judgment by Christ Jesus, and the physical facts disclose that from that time onward there have been those who profess to love God but do little or nothing in the service, while there are those who profess to love God and do prove their love by willingly serving under all conditions and circumstances. This latter class sing the victory song by faith now with ever-increasing joy. This should cause the others to meditate and to get busy.

29 “They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates.” (Judg. 5:11) The King James or Authorized Version of this text interpolates the first four words, namely, “They that are delivered.” The text literally reads: “From the voice of those dividing between the water channels.” Apparently the meaning thereof is, those who divide the spoils of the enemy. This part of the prophetic song appears to mean that those who go out to battle against the enemies of God’s covenant people are the ones who should receive the abundant blessings of the Lord and who therefore refresh themselves at the watering places. As the prophecy says: “There shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord.” Such faithful and zealous ones are in a position to appreciate the manifold blessings of the Lord and to tell about them. They do tell of the Lord’s work of vindicating his name against all unrighteousness. They are privileged to tell others how religion has misrepresented Jehovah and brought great reproach upon his name. They have many thrilling and blessed experiences in going about among the people and telling them of the righteousness of Jehovah and the blessings that The Theocratic Government will bring. Those who seek the easy way and who avoid the more rugged field service, which brings upon them some hardships, have nothing to tell or relate about the Lord’s “strange work” and his “strange act”. They can only relate about their own self-righteousness and “character development”. They do not have the joy of the Lord and do not refresh themselves by his Word, pictured by the watering places. Those who willingly and joyfully participate in the Lord’s “strange work”, bearing the reproaches that fall upon them for his name’s sake, do serve and do refresh themselves greatly from the waters of revealed truths that come from Jehovah’s wells of salvation. Thus it is that the prophet of Jehovah God described them: “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”—Isa. 12: 3.

30 They bear the brunt of the battle, the abuse and ill-treatment of the enemy, but that only increases their zeal, because to them such is evidence that they are servants of Jehovah according to his will. Therefore they lift up their voice with joyful sound, relating many thrilling experiences that are theirs while in the field service, some of which experiences are from time to time published in The Watchtower.

31 According to Rotherham that part of verse eleven reads: “The righteous acts of his rule over Israel.” As related in the prophecy, Jehovah did perform his righteous acts in behalf of Barak and Deborah, whom the Lord commissioned and sent forth to the service and who took the lead in Israel against the enemy. Now in the fulfillment of the prophecy Jehovah performed his righteous acts in behalf of his “woman”, that is, his organization, pictured by Deborah and under Christ Jesus, the Head thereof, the Greater Barak. Jehovah’s faithful witnesses now by the grace of God examine the prophecy and the physical facts, which the Lord has brought to pass in fulfillment thereof, and they learn that now the great prophecy is in course of fulfillment; and that gives them joy. When these precious truths are made known to the faithful witnesses of Jehovah they joyfully carry the message abroad and tell it to all who have the hearing ear. Such faithful, zealous field workers, as servants of the great Theocracy, are strengthened by Jehovah and they put forth greater efforts in his service. Each trying experience aids the faithful to meet other difficult tasks, which likewise brings them increasing joy.

32 “Then shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates.” (Vs. 11) Barak led the ten thousand, who were in Mount Tabor with him, and at the appointed moment they marched right down in the valley of the river of Kishon to the gates of Sisera’s headquarters, to the gates of Harosheth of the Gentiles, and there pressed the battle against the enemy. Says the prophecy concerning this: “But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles; and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.” (Judg. 4:16) Thus the prophecy clearly foretells that in Jehovah’s due time the Greater Barak and his faithful followers shall put the enemy to complete rout. Then, as stated in the prophecy, Barak pushed on to the royal city of King Jabin and there pressed the battle to the gates of Hazor: “And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan” (Judg. 4:24), and made a complete cleanup of the enemy’s stronghold.

33 Shall Jehovah’s witnesses today tremble with fear because of the enemy? Certainly not; because as the servants of the Most High they are backed up by his everlasting and irresistible power. The faithful under Christ Jesus, the Greater Barak, are not now on the defensive, but on the offensive against demon influence and the power manifested particularly in religion. These faithful ones zealously obey the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ, their Leader and Head, and they press the battle right to the gates of the entrenched organizations that are against The Theocracy. This is the day of the Lord Jehovah, the almighty Lord of hosts, and concerning this time it is written: “In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue [remnant] of his people, and for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.”—Isa. 28: 5, 6.

34 The faithful followers of Christ Jesus know beyond all possibility of doubt that Christ Jesus, the Vindicator of Jehovah’s name, shall gain the victory and that they who remain faithful and true to their Leader to the end shall share with him in that victory.

35 The combined and official enemy, led by Satan and his chief officer Gog, know that the great climax is at hand, even though millions of hangers-on do not realize that fact. It is certain that the Devil knows that his time is short (Rev. 12:12), and, knowing this, he musters all his forces in his efforts to destroy those who support The Theocracy. In most of the countries of the earth what appears to be a successful movement to suppress the Kingdom message has been accomplished. Such, however, instead of causing dismay among the faithful people, only adds strength to their faith and zeal, because they know the day of Jehovah’s victory through Christ, and the deliverance of his faithful servants, is at hand. The faithful have no doubt as to the result. They are fully determined to maintain their integrity toward Jehovah, and they trust him to provide all needed strength.

36 Jehovah’s promises never fail! With him failure is impossible! His promise to the antitypical David, his Beloved One, Christ Jesus, is that he shall rule The Theocratic Government. Jehovah has sworn it: “He will not turn from it. Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon [my] throne.” Jehovah gave to Jesus twelve apostles. One of them proved unfaithful, and was destroyed. The eleven proved faithful, suffered great persecution, maintained their integrity, and are now for ever with the Lord Jesus Christ. When he was with them Jesus gave them the assurance that they would sit with him in his kingdom; and now their resurrection has taken place. (John 17: 6; Luke 22: 28-30; 1 Thess. 4:13-18) Jehovah has given unto Christ Jesus a sufficient number of others to make up the other 144,000 members of “his body”, and the obligation and requirements placed upon these are that they must keep their covenant and remain faithful: “If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.”—Ps. 132:12.

37 Deborah and Barak pictured Zion and the Head thereof, concerning which Jehovah said: “For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision ; I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation; and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.”—Ps. 132:13-16.

38 By faith the victory song, prophetically sung by Deborah and Barak, is now in course of fulfillment and is being sung. Jehovah has placed his beloved One on the throne, and the faithful are gathered to him. For the anointed Jehovah has provided a lamp which marks out clearly the pathway which his faithful servants now follow. These are not in darkness, because they are “children of the light”, and they are marching triumphantly on by faith, singing the victory song. For their further comfort Jehovah says to them: “There will I make the horn of David [power of Christ Jesus the Beloved] to bud; I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame; but upon himself shall his crown flourish.”—Ps. 132:17,18.

39 The enemies are now on the run, and soon their complete destruction will be accomplished. The faithful remnant, together with their companions, the “other sheep”, are singing the praises of Jehovah and of Christ Jesus, and all together sing: “Salvation to our God . . . and unto the Lamb.” (Rev. 7: 9-12) None of the faithful will now slack the hand, but will continue to proclaim the truth of Jehovah and his King, regardless of what the enemy may say or do. In his day Paul could say, and now all of the faithful together say: “Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice.”—Phil. 4:4. (To be continued)

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; his understanding is infinite. Jehovah upholdeth the meek; he bringeth the wicked down to the ground.—Psalm 147:5,6, A.R.V.

EVIDENCE OF IMPEDING DISASTER

“CHRISTENDOM” has hardened her heart against the Greater Moses, who is the great Prophet Christ Jesus. Therefore the early destruction of “Christendom” is as certain as the death of Egypt’s firstborn and the destruction of her king’s chariots and hosts in the depths of the Red sea.

Jehovah’s primary purpose in sending Moses to Egypt was to place before the Egyptian ruling class and before the people the proof that He is the Supreme One. His primary purpose in sending Jesus, the Greater Moses, to earth at both his first and his second coming is to place before creation the proof that Jehovah is the Almighty, and that there is none besides him. This he does for his own name’s sake, that all may know that life and attending blessings come from God, and from Him only. This conclusion is proved by his words to Moses, to wit: “The Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah.” (See Exodus 7:5, Am. Rev. Ver.) Moses was Jehovah’s instrument in Egypt to place the evidence before the people. Jesus Christ is His instrument by which Jehovah places the evidence before all the world.

Since the divine purpose is to bring knowledge home to creatures with a view to the vindication of his holy name, Jehovah did this in Egypt in olden time by ten plagues. The modern-day plagues which are in fulfillment of those ten typical plagues consist of some definitely provided means of bringing before the peoples of the world the knowledge that Jehovah is God, that his Theocratic Government is here, and that his time is at hand when the oppressive power must get out and the people of good-will be delivered, and hence Satan must let them go or must suffer complete destruction. All this Jehovah does for his own name’s sake. Hence what came to pass three thousand years ago in Egypt was and is a memorial to Jehovah’s name. What is now done in the earth by Christ Jesus and his faithful remnant of footstep followers is a memorial to the name of Jehovah God. The plagues upon Egypt culminated in the slaying of Egypt’s firstborn, whereas the firstborn of Jehovah’s covenant people in Egypt were passed over due to the slaying of the passover lamb, which foreshadowed the death of the great Lamb of God, Christ Jesus. Since his death nineteen hundred years ago his faithful followers do, by yearly celebrating the Memorial feast, thereby show forth the death of our Lord, who is the Vindicator of Jehovah’s name.

The ten plagues upon Egypt were immediately followed by the destruction of Pharaoh’s army, which foreshadows that immediately following the present-day fulfillment of the antitypical plagues there must come the destruction of Satan’s organization at Armageddon. The third plague upon Egypt was one of lice. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron [thy brother], Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.” (Ex. 8:16,17) Lice are associated with filth and are found on creatures of unclean habits. The root of the Hebrew word translated “Tice” means “to nip”. Hence the lice were nippers which would greatly annoy and plague the Egyptians or anyone else whom they might bite. It was the order to Moses to direct Aaron to stretch out his rod and smite the dust of the land, thereby showing that it is divine power and authority conferred upon Christ and which power and authority are by him put upon the remnant of Jehovah’s witnesses on earth to cause the coming of these antitypical nippers upon the world, which forms Satan’s organization, including “Christendom”. The lice symbolically stand for or represent that which results from the message of truth delivered by Jehovah’s witnesses and which greatly annoys, plagues and nips or bites the unclean organization of Satan, and particularly the official members thereof.

The visible part of Satan’s organization, particularly that section called “Christendom”, is an unclean and abominable thing and a good habitation for lice. It hypocritically claims to be on the side of the Lord, whereas it is a part of Satan’s wicked organization. In the days of Christ’s apostles Herod Agrippa the First, who was Rome’s representative in Palestine, killed the apostle James and imprisoned Peter and thereafter posed as the representative of God, but was in fact the instrument of Satan. It is said that he died of a loathsome or lousy disease. Acts 12: 21-23 records: “And upon a set day, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms [lice], and gave up the ghost.”

Aaron used the rod of Moses to smite the “dust of the earth”. That dust was symbolic of the earthly, human, visible part of Satan’s organization, and particularly “Christendom”, because that part is hypocritical in the superlative degree. The present-day mouthpiece of the Greater Moses, Christ Jesus, is God’s remnant of anointed witnesses on the earth acting by authority conferred upon them by Jesus Christ, and these bear and give forth his message that smites “Christendom” and declares it to be not of God nor of Christ, but that it is unclean, filthy, and abominable in the sight of God and is exceedingly lousy with Satan’s agents who are nippers of the flesh and suckers of the lifeblood of the people. These lice bring upon the people great suffering, sorrow and death. The message of truth thus delivered by Jehovah’s witnesses to the visible organization of Satan declaring that organization to be lousy greatly offends the respectability of “Christendom” and plagues and annoys that organization. Thus Jehovah’s witnesses are used by him to bring a plague upon Satan’s organization by exposing the duplicity and hypocrisy of the chief visible operators therein.

It was in 1921 that The Watchtower, by the Lord’s grace, began to call attention to the fact that Satan has an organization and that its visible earthly part is made up of commercial, political and religious elements which exercise a beastly rule over the people, and is exceedingly filthy. From that time forward Jehovah’s witnesses have been continuously and consistently heralding this message before the people and exposing the hypocritical duplicity and lousy state of “Christendom” in particular and Satan’s organization in general. By completely separating themselves from "Christendom” and refusing to have any part or anything in common therewith, or to touch the unclean, lousy, crawling thing, the faithful remnant of Jehovah’s witnesses add force to this plaguing message.

The lice plague came upon the ancient Israelites as well as upon the Egyptians; which means that in order for a professed Christian to be pleasing and acceptable to the Lord such must be separate from the world and be clean. Hence God’s sanctuary or temple class must be cleansed, which includes the removing from the Christian congregations such parasites as the self-seeking “elective elders”, and this must take place before God’s visible organization is entirely clean. (See Daniel 8:13,14.) As commanded at Isaiah 52:11: “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels [the truths] of the Lord.” Also 2 Corinthians 6:17,18: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” The wide proclamation of the divinely provided message throughout “Christendom” has been to that devilish organization like nipping lice, greatly plaguing and annoying particularly the religious clergy and the principal ones of their flocks, including, of course, the commercial and political chief men.

Pharaoh’s magicians, including Jannes and Jambres, the class opposing Jehovah God, were unable to produce lice when commanded to do so and had to admit to their chief, Pharaoh, concerning the lice plague, “This is the finger of God.” (2 Tim. 3:8; Ex. 8:19) The modern opposers of Jehovah see themselves as unclean and that those devoted to him are clean and nothing can be found against them except their devotion to Jehovah. Jehovah declares that the unclean organization of Satan shall die like a louse. At Isaiah 51:6 it is written: “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die like a louse [Hebrew] : but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.” (Marginal reading) The plague is still upon Satan’s organization, and he and his agents continue to harden their hearts as did Pharaoh and his officials of old.—Ex. 8:19.

It is noteworthy that, beginning with the fourth plague, the Israelites were spared and that the seven last plagues of the ten were only upon the Egyptians. This would indicate a complete separation of Jehovah’s faithful remnant today from the world. The fourth plague was that of a great swarm of flies, or, as the Bible marginal reading says, “a mixture of noisome beasts,” that came upon the Egyptians. (Ex. 8:21) In order that God’s chosen people at that time might be assured that Jehovah was with them, and that his enemies might know that Jehovah is God and favors those who love and serve him, Jehovah said by Moses to Pharaoh: “And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the Lord [Jehovah] in the midst of the earth. And I will put a division between my people and thy people; to morrow shall this sign be.” (Ex. 8: 22,23) Moses then served upon Pharaoh this fourth notice of warning demanding that Pharaoh release God’s chosen people and permit them to go and worship Him “And the Lord did so: and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt; the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.” (Ex. 8-24) “He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them.” —Pss. 78:45; 105: 31.

Just what composed the flies that came upon the Egyptians is not certain; in the expression “swarm of flies” the word “flies” appearing in the quotation above from the Authorized Version Bible is an added word. The word “swarm”, however, is in the Hebrew text and is from the root word meaning “to intermingle; to traffic with; to give security as a kind of exchange”. The expression well applies to swarms of flies which mix with one another in great numbers, especially in the East and the Near East, and are a great pest to the people. Ecclesiastes 10:1 says that ‘dead flies [(Hebrew) zebub] cause the ointment to send forth a vile odor’. The word zebub is derived from the Hebrew root meaning “to flit”. Hence the name “Baalzebub”, according to the Hebrew, means “lord of the flitting one; that is, the side-stepper; the great transgressor”, which is Satan himself. This term would also apply to all who willingly act according to Satan’s will. The whole world, or modern-day Egypt, lies under Satan the wicked one. (1 John 5 19, Emphatic Diaglott) The world has been terribly pestered by these “flies”, that is to say, Satan and his numerous invisible and visible agents, especially since Satan has been ousted from heaven and down to the earth.—Rev. 12 : 12

After A.D. 1918 Christ Jesus, at the temple, has gathered unto himself the faithful remnant on earth and has anointed them as Jehovah’s witnesses and sent them forth with his message of truth to be given as a testimony. Tins message has been and is a great pest to Satan’s organization on earth. Such message has declared and continues to declare, particularly to “Christendom”, the truth of and concerning what constitutes “the higher powers” according to Romans 13:1. Prior thereto the people, including the followers of Christ, understood and believed that the "higher powers” mentioned in the Scriptures are made up of the visible rulers of this world. The Lord has enlightened his covenant people, and by his grace they now see clearly and declare to the world that “the higher powers” means Jehovah and Christ Jesus and that the world is serving the Devil, and that the big business, political and religious elements, jointly, rule and demand obedience from the people, yet are not of the “higher powers” but are in fact the agents of Satan and the opposers of Jehovah God His witnesses further declare that Jehovah is in no wise responsible for the woes that have come upon the peoples of earth in these last days, but that Satan and his agents are the ones that have brought these woes and troubles upon the people, and that all mankind holding on to Satan’s organization are afflicted by the bites, corruption, annoyance and all the schemes and blood-sucking doctrines of the wicked rulers of this world, including Satan himself. Jehovah’s witnesses now declare these truths, and this message exposing Satan and his organization galls and bites and plagues the chief rulers and their allies and supporters.Jehovah’s faithful remnant serve the true “higher powers”, God and Christ Jesus, and refuse to obey any part of Satan’s organization.

In obedience to God’s commandments Jehovah’s witnesses go about the country preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, which message bites the religionists and plagues them like numerous flies. The rulers in “Christendom” claim to be representatives of God, and if they were honest they would welcome Jehovah’s witnesses; but, instead, they sidestep the questions that are presented to them by the Lord’s witnesses and declare Jehovah’s witnesses to be peddlers and hawkers and not preachers of the gospel. The rulers of this wicked world claim that they have no objection to anyone if he worships God according to their ideas, but they denounce Jehovah’s witnesses and evade the real issue by declaring them to be engaged in a commercial enterprise instead of preaching the gospel. The truth plagues them so thoroughly that they must make some apparent plausible objection thereto.

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