The Watchtower, September 1, 1944
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“PRODIGAL SON" TESTIMONY PERIOD
The month of October comes in the 1944 Service Calendar under the above title. All familiar with the parable remember that the prophetic story of the prodigal son was given by Jesus in connection with his nation-wide announcement of the Kingdom of God. Most appropriate is it therefore that, during this October Testimony Period, which is world-wide, when the “prodigal son" class are being aided to return to the heavenly Father, the two new publications to be distributed to this class should be entitled, the book “The Kingdom Is at Hand’’ and the booklet “The Kingdom of God Is Nigh". The two will be offered in combination by all Kingdom announcers on a contribution of 25c. The circumstances surrounding the Testimony Period are thrilling, and all desiring to have part in this treasure of service will joyfully start getting ready now. Many of our newly interested readers are wanting to share in this Kingdom announcement in company with others, and we invite such to send their inquiries on the work promptly to this office.
“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES
Week of October 8: “This Gospel Shall Be Preached,” 1-22 inclusive, The Watchtower September 1, 1944. Week of October 15: “This Gospel Shall Be Preached," 23-41 inclusive, The Watchtower September 1, 1944;
also, “Resolution," 1-5 inclusive, The Watchtower September 1, 1944.
“THE KINGDOM IS AT HAND”
This 384-page book was released by the Society's president at the recent United Announcers’ Theocratic Assembly and was given a royal reception. “The Kingdom Is at Hand’’ brings together all the important scriptures and events bearing upon God’s kingdom and weaves them together into an interesting but most enlightening story of truth. The book is bound in a deep shade of red cloth, and the cover design is stamped in gold, conveying the idea of announcing the joyous fact of the Kingdom as at hand. The colored pictures which illustrate the theme are of fine artistic value; and the text matter is supplemented by both a subject index and a scripture text index. As long as the special Publishers’ Edition lasts we will mail it to contributors postpaid on a contribution of but 25c. Release of “The Kingdom Is at Hand" in a general edition for public distribution is announced elsewhere.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
Pursuant to the provision of law and the charter of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, notice is hereby given that the annual business meeting of the said Society will be held at Pittsburgh, North Side (formerly Allegheny), Pennsylvania, at nine o’clock a.m., Monday, October 2, 1944, at which the usual annual business will be transacted.
Vol. LXV September 1,1944 No. 17
‘‘THIS GOSPEL SHALL BE PREACHED”
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole inhabited earth for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.” – Matt. 24:14, Am. Stan. Ver., margin.
JEHOVAH is the Sender of the gospel. He makes the gospel; for he is the Creator of the facts that provide the good news, and which facts he causes to be recorded and understood. At his own appointed time he sends forth the gospel. To this end he chooses, ordains and sends out the publishers of the gospel.
2 No work, no life’s occupation or career on earth, could be greater, more important and more essential than that of preaching the Kingdom gospel. Why may this strong assertion be made? Because no job or calling could be higher and more vital and beneficial than that pursued by the Chief Servant of the Most High God, namely, Christ Jesus the Son of God. It was only on the one day, Nisan 14 of A.D. 33, that he hung upon the tree and died; but what was Jesus doing during the years between then and his baptism by John the Baptist? He was acting as a publisher of Jehovah’s Theocratic Government. Jehovah God knew what the people needed more than anything else, and therefore he sent and commissioned his Son Jesus to deliver the Kingdom gospel to them. Christ Jesus knew what his Father’s will was in this regard. Hence when he appeared at the Nazareth synagogue amidst those who had known him hitherto as a carpenter, the sou of a carpenter, Jesus read his commission to preach from God’s Holy Scriptures, in the following words:
3 “The spirit of the Lord [Jehovah] is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim glad tidings to the poor; he has sent me to publish a release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; to dispense freedom to the oppressed; to proclaim an era of acceptance with the Lord.” “And he began to say to them, ‘To-day, this scripture, which is now in your ears, is fulfilled.’ ” (Luke 4:16-21, The Emphatic Diaglott) Jesus did not set aside Jehovah’s commission to him, but was one in mind with his Father on this matter and gladly complied with his Father’s will. Hence Jesus set himself to his real life’s-work, which was not merely to the highest good of humankind but primarily to the eternal glory of God and the vindication of Jehovah’s name. Accordingly it is written, at Luke 8:1: “And it occurred afterwards that he traveled through every city and village, publishing and proclaiming the glad tidings of the kingdom of God; and the twelve were with him.”– Emph. Diag.
1. How is Jehovah the Maker and Sender of the gospel?
2. Why may it be asserted that no work on earth could be more Important than gospel preaching?
3. How did the commission to Jesus read? and what was his course toward that commission?
4 Why were those twelve with him? For this reason: Jesus knew that his earthly life would be cut short. He also knew it would be a long time from his death and restoration to life until The Theocratic Government would be set up, and that therefore the proclamation of The Theocracy would have to be carried on for a long time after his own ascension to heaven to the right hand of God. It was to be a span of more than eighteen centuries till The Theocracy’s coming. Did Jesus then take the view that it would not be of importance or of urgent need to preach the gospel, and so his disciples could lay off from preaching it and might as well apply their means, faculties and time to other pursuits? Did Jesus take the position that, when they saw the signs of the Kingdom’s coming which he foretold to them, then first it would be due time for them to think about arranging their affairs to get in on some gospel preaching? Not at all. In view of his own departure and the length of time ahead, Jesus laid the foundation for a body of gospel proclaimers whose ministry would extend over the entire interval of time and would never let the preaching of the most important information fail until The Theocracy should come. Hence Jesus chose and educated twelve apostles to pursue the same vocation as he did. They must so appreciate it as of the greatest consequence and moment that they would never neglect it or push it into a secondary place or turn away from it. These twelve also should hand on to others the gospel torch, so that, when they had finished their course, these others would be able to teach still others also.–2 Tim. 2:2.
4. In view of what knowledge by Jesus, and for what purpose, were those twelve with him?
5 Thus down through all the centuries the faithful preaching of the Kingdom gospel has continued without a break, although very weakly at times. Yet this is not what Jesus referred to when he uttered the stirring phrase: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt. 24:14) He did not mean that the many centuries would be required, and only many centuries could afford enough time, that the good news of a coming kingdom might be proclaimed to all the nations before the end of the world came.
6 What, then, did Jesus mean? Any news about The Theocratic Government is gospel or good news. Thus when the patriarch Abraham was told that God would make of him a nation and that in his seed or offspring all the families and nations of the earth should be blessed, that was good news or gospel. However, Jesus’ above-quoted words have a distinct setting which imparts to the expression “this gospel of the kingdom” a special and timely meaning. The words were part of his remarkable prophecy on the end of the world, and in it the announcing of this gospel was shown to precede immediately the final end of the world. For well into this twentieth century it was thought that “this gospel” meant the good news of a kingdom to come, no different from the gospel preached all during the eighteen centuries preceding. First in the year 1920 did Jehovah God by his greatest Prophet, Christ Jesus, reveal that “this gospel of the kingdom” had a more definite and instant meaning. In 1920, in an article appearing in the July 1 issue of The Watch Tower and entitled “Gospel of the Kingdom”, this statement was made under the subheading “Work for All”: “It will be noted he does not say the gospel that has been preached to the meek throughout the entire Gospel age shall be preached. What gospel then could he mean? The gospel means good news. The good news here is concerning the end of the old [dis]order of things and the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom. It means the dark night of sin and sorrow is passing away. It means that Satan’s empire is falling, never to rise again. . . . because the Lord is here. He has taken unto himself his great power and reigns! It will be observed that in the order named this message must be delivered between the time of the great world war [I] and the time of the ‘great tribulation’ mentioned by the Master in Matthew 24: 21,22. This message could not have been delivered prior to the beginning of the world war [I].” [Pages 199,200]
5. How long has the Kingdom gospel been under proclamation, and was Christ Jesus referring to that in his prophecy at Matthew 24:14?
6. (a) What is gospel, and since when has it been preached? (b) Why does the expression "this gospel of the kingdom" have a special meaning, and by what published explanation did Jehovah God disclose the meaning thereof to his people?
THE TIME FOR PROCLAMATION
7 Every one who takes the pains to examine Jesus’ prophecy will note that, after predicting the uprising of nation and kingdom against nation and kingdom, which began in the World War of 1914, he not only foretold the afflictions that would be heaped upon his disciples, but added what they should do in spite of all this. He said: “And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be proclaimed throughout the whole world to set the evidence before all the Gentiles; and then the end will come.”–Weymouth’s translation.
8 It sounds like a tremendous work to do it within that time. Nevertheless Jesus meant that this particular “good news of the Kingdom”, not possible to be preached theretofore, would be proclaimed in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all nations between World War I and the disappearance of all those nations in the hell of death at the battle of Armageddon, “the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Rev. 16:14-16) At such limitation of the time those who are charged with this grandest part of all the gospel preaching should not be dismayed. The question facing us is not, Can we do it, with so few publishers and in such a short space? Almighty God will see to it that the time is sufficient and also that publishers sufficient are there. The question is, Who will have a part in the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy with all the blessedness that it means for the ones taking part therein? Will it include you and us? It will, if we appreciate the opportunity and discharge our obligations to the Lord God according to our complete consecrations of ourselves to Him. These words by his Son Christ Jesus are not simply a prophecy of what is to be, but are also a command. God’s mere statement as to what work is to be done at a certain time constitutes or stands as a command to those who are serving Him at that specified time. Those who are faithful to him at that time will not want the prophecy’s fulfillment to get away from them, leaving them without a privileged part therein.
9 The length of the time for the proclamation is not the matter over which to be concerned. The duration of the time, short as it is when compared with the previous eighteen centuries, is in God’s hands. Our responsibility is to know that now is the time for us to engage in an unequaled privilege with zeal and with the determination to keep on therein until the end.
10 This is the long-foretold “day of Jehovah of hosts”, for it is the day of his Theocracy’s coming. It is the thrilling day of the Kingdom already come and no more needed to be waited for. When its establishment was yet eighteen hundred years in the future, Jesus Christ, according to God’s will, considered it of such importance as to preach it. How much more important to sing it forth now when that Righteous Government is here? Yea. if Paul in that distant past could say, ‘Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! for necessity is laid upon me’ (1 Cor. 9:16); then woe unto those upon whom the necessity is now laid, if these preached not “this gospel” that the Kingdom has come and its purposes are due to be fulfilled!
7. According to Jesus’ statement, in spite of what would “this gospel of the kingdom" be preached?
8. (a) Accordingly, when must "this gospel" be preached, and what therefore becomes the vital question for each of us? (b) were Jesus’ words merely a prophecy, and why?
9. Why is the matter of the time-length not our responsibility? and what really is?
10. What outstanding day is this? and why has the importance of gospel preaching been enhanced?
11 We must be deeply impressed with the particular reason why this interval of time was set aside. Jesus declared that this short time was mercifully allotted by Almighty God in order that there should be some flesh saved at the battle of Armageddon. Do not say, therefore, Well, if the kingdom of God has come, why does it not fight the battle of Armageddon at once and get it over with and relieve men of this distress of nations? In answer, the Bible replies: ‘If the established Kingdom had proceeded directly to the battle of Armageddon, then there would have been no earthly or human survivors of it, not even a remnant of God's elect.’ The “great tribulation” upon Satan's organization began in 1914, as signalized by World War I. The final end and grand climax of that tribulation will come at the decisive fight between Jehovah’s hosts and all of Satan’s hosts at Armageddon. From this standpoint Jesus said: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”–Matt. 24: 21, 22, 29.
12 For a comparison’s sake, we look back nineteen centuries and ask: 'What would have happened if judgment and death had overtaken Simon Peter immediately after having denied his Master three times? What would have been the fate of the disciples, aside from Judas Iscariot, if execution of judgment had been meted out to them after all fled, forsaking Jesus and leaving him alone in the hands of that rough mob that arrested him in Gethsemane? Would judgment have been on the credit side in favor of their salvation? Hardly! Likewise, during the stress of World War I not only did Jehovah’s wrath come on the nations because of their conduct, but his anger rose against his consecrated people because of their failure to preach boldly “this gospel of the kingdom”. Their yielding to the dictates of the warring worldly powers that the open and public proclamation of the Kingdom be stopped or soft- pedaled reached its low point in 1918, in which critical year, Bible prophecy shows, Christ Jesus came to the temple for judgment. In that year, in fact, the oppressed consecrated people of Jehovah were expecting the battle of Armageddon to break loose. What if the actual battle had then overtaken them? Would it have found even a remnant of His elect ones pleasing to Him for the Kingdom? Would it have found them free of all fear of men which brings a snare? Would it have found them free from the stains and easily-besetting sins of religion?
11. When did the “great tribulation” that Jesus foretold begin? when will it end? and why has a time interval been allotted?
12. (a) Looking back nineteen centuries, what facts do we note bearing upon the answer to the above question? (b) What like facts were there in 1918, and what questions might be raised respecting the possibilities then?
13 The facts answer in the negative. It was only after some time had passed and Jehovah God delivered his faithful remnant of elect ones that they realized that God was angry with them at that time for good reason. If the battle of Armageddon had then struck the earth, the remnant in the flesh would not have been saved to survive that fight. And if this remnant of consecrated ones was not found worthy unto salvation, who, then, of all the multitudes of human flesh would have been saved and ever gotten through the battle of Armageddon alive? It is only since the remnant’s recovery and their deliverance into freedom to preach “this gospel of the kingdom” that they are fulfilling the prophecy which declares: “And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord [Jehovah], I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with mo, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and mv song; he also is become my salvation.”–Isa. 12:1, 2.
14 To the elect it is written: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling: for it is God which worketh in [among] you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:12,13) It is therefore evident that in order for the restored remnant to work at the Lord’s good pleasure, and thereby insure their salvation, the days of the “great tribulation” were shortened. Make no mistake of understanding. The days of “great tribulation” were not cut short by the halting of World War I; no more than those days were renewed by the outbreak of World War II in 1939. The Lord God and his Christ were not responsible for either World War I or this present global conflict. Satan the Devil and his demons and their human agents are accountable for these wars. The real days of the “great tribulation” are those which are brought against Satan’s organization visible and invisible by the great King Jehovah and his associate King Christ Jesus. The great tribulation began against that wicked organization in 1914, when the “times of the Gentiles”, 2,520 years long, came to their close, in the fall of that year. There the uninterrupted continuance of Satan as invisible “prince of this world” must end, and the time for Theocratic rule to be reinstated over this earth must begin. Without a moment’s delay, at the end of the Gentile times of un-Theocratic, political-religious rule of this earth by worldly men, Jehovah God took to Himself his great power and began reigning. (Rev. 11:17) How! In the following way:
13. Why do the facts answer in the negative? and since when has Isaiah 12:1, 2 undergone fulfillment respecting Jehovah's people?
14. (a) Specifically why were the days of “great tribulation” shortened, and why was it not by the stopping of World War I? (b) When did those tribulation days begin, and why then?
15 In defiance of the Deal’s organization and its threatenings in heaven, and in display of his own invincible omnipotence, Jehovah brought into active power the capital organization of his universe. This he did by placing his most highly exalted Son, Christ Jesus, upon the throne as King of that capital organization, this capital to act as Jehovah’s chief representative against the enemy organization in heaven and earth. Thus Jehovah God resumed his Theocratic rule respecting this earth. He brought forth from the womb of his universal organization a new government, the capital organization, conceived according to God’s will and brought forth and dedicated to the vindication of His name. It was as if a man-child had been born from a woman of God; and this birth of the capital government of God’s universe is pictured in such symbols at Revelation 12:1-5. The new government was anciently symbolized by the capital city, Zion. Jehovah God, now reigning by means of the power of this capital organization of his Christ, sent forth at once the rod of his enthroned Son out of Zion and told the King to go into action against the enemy organization. With that, the “days” of “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time”, began upon Satan’s organization. At the beginning of the world Satan’s organization was not challenged in heaven nor thrown out and debased to this earth, but now it suffered this most humiliating experience and tribulation.
16 How great such tribulation of Satan’s demon organization in heaven was we cannot know. According to Jehovah God, who gave Christ Jesus a foresight of it and had him describe it in advance for us today, “then war broke out in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting with the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought but they were defeated, and there was no place for them any longer in heaven. So the great dragon, the ancient serpent who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, ‘The deliverance and power and reign of our God, and the authority of his Christ have now come, for the accuser of our brothers, who kept bringing charges against them day and night before our God, has been hurled down.’ ” (Rev. 12:7-10, Goodspeed) That fight began in 1914 and ended at least by 1918.
15. In what way did those days of tribulation begin in 1914?
16. How does Revelation, chapter twelve, describe that beginning of the tribulation for us? and when did that part of it end?
17 Does this prophetic foreview of modern events show that God’s triumphant King then gave the debased enemy organization no rest at the earth, but kept up the violent offensive against the enemy at this new location, this his last stronghold at the earth! At that time did Jehovah God give the signal for the battle of Armageddon to begin, the kings of this earth to be struck through in God’s great wrath, and their invisible head Satan to be bruised and bound and cast into the “bottomless pit” and sealed up there for a thousand years! Has Satan the Devil already been bound! and has the thousand-year reign of Christ Jesus with his glorified footstep followers begun, with increasing peace and prosperity for obedient “men of good-will”? All facts are against such a conclusion.
18 After suffering great tribulation in heaven, Satan, now cast down to the earth, was not confronted at once with the battle of Armageddon and destroyed. The Revelation shows that he is yet granted great freedom of action at the earth, which freedom he uses to bring great woe upon the earth and “sea", and also to persecute God’s “woman”, or universal organization, as represented on earth by the “remnant of her seed”. It is because of the activities of this remnant, as described in later chapters of The Revelation, that Satan and his dragon organization make war upon such remnant. And it is first at Revelation, chapter sixteen, after foretelling of vexatious plagues against Satan’s organization at the earth, that the gathering of worldly rulers under the demons unto the battle site of Armageddon is made known. It is therefore clear that at the coming battle at Armageddon, which is the “battle of that great day of God Almighty [Jehovah]”, the final part of the “great tribulation” upon Satan's organization, visible and invisible, commences. Hence, by the merciful break in between the opening and the closing of the great tribulation, it was possible for those days of tribulation to be “shortened”. It is like in the years of 66-70 (A.D.). Then the retreat of the Roman armies and their lifting of the siege of Jerusalem for several years shortened the days of her tribulation. This break permitted the Christians and persons of good-will residing in Jerusalem to escape and flee to places beyond the wrath of the Romans on renewing the siege.–Josephus’ Wars, book 2, chapter 19.
17. What questions then arise concerning what followed next? and do the facts favor an affirmative conclusion?
18. (a) What, then, has been granted to Satan in the meantime, and when does the final part of the “great tribulation" begin? (b) So how actually have the tribulation days been shortened, and what ancient illustration do we have of this?
19 Now is the time for flight in order that ‘some flesh shall be saved’ at Armageddon. The present means of aiding in this escape and saving of flesh is the preaching of “this gospel of the kingdom”. Such flight and other events of this “day of Jehovah” were symbolically foretold in the prophecy of Zechariah, chapter fourteen. Zechariah was one of the “holy men of old’’ whom Jehovah God raised up to prophesy and stir up and encourage the Jews to rebuild Jehovah’s temple which had been destroyed when Jerusalem was overthrown for the first time by the Babylonian armies in 607 B.C. Now, in our days, when God’s Messenger, Christ Jesus, has come to the temple and brings his faithful residue or remnant into the temple condition of unity with him, and when also a great flock of “other sheep” are brought to the temple to serve God day and night, in these very days is when Jehovah’s great Prophet, Christ Jesus, makes understandable Zechariah’s prophecy. Chapter fourteen reads:
20 “Behold, a day of Jehovah cometh, when thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall Jehovah go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the mount of Olives shall be cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee by the valley of my mountains; . . . yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah; and Jehovah my God shall come, and all the holy ones with thee. And it shall come to pass in that day, that there shall not be light; the bright ones shall withdraw themselves: but it shall be one day which is known unto Jehovah; not day, and not night; but it shall come to pass, that at evening time there shall be light. And it shall come to pass in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem [of the remnant] ; half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea: in summer and in -winter shall it be. And Jehovah shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall Jehovah be one, and his name one.” – Vss. 1-9, Am. Stan. Ver.
19. (a) For what course is it now the time, and what is the present means of aid thereto? (b) Why was the prophet Zechariah raised up long ago, and why is this the time for his prophecy to be understood?
20 What is the substance of the prophecy of Zechariah 14:1-9?
JEHOVAH’S KINGDOM AND CHRISTS AUTHORITY
21 The “day of Jehovah” came in 1914 with his taking to himself his power as Theocratic Ruler and Universal Sovereign with special reference to this earth and its nations which are rebellious against his Theocratic rule. Visible signs that His day has begun and that 1914 was the marked year for the “time of the end” to begin upon Satan’s organization were produced by the coming of World War I and other foretold events, notably the persecution of Jehovah’s consecrated people. Jesus had forewarned them in his prophecy that “ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake”; but “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”. (Matt. 24: 9,13) These hated ones were the visible part of God’s universal organization symbolically called Jerusalem. Their devotion and service to Jehovah God and his Christ provoked the nations to hatred, and by this Jehovah God gathered all nations against Jerusalem to battle. The opening part of that battle came during 1914-1918, when the nations laid violent hands upon Jehovah’s visible organization. The dwellings of his people, their assembly places, and also the branch offices for carrying on the preaching work in foreign lands, were rifled, in many places. Under the assaults many who were trying to keep their virgin integrity toward their espoused Bridegroom, Christ Jesus, yielded to the onslaughts of the foe and let their Christian virginity be ravished, unlike good women who will fight till death to keep their virgin purity in obedience to God’s law.
22 A great portion of Jehovah’s consecrated ones, described as “half of the city”, buckled together under the pressure of the persecuting nations and demons, and let themselves be taken captive in heart and spirit as well as bodily, and these were taken into the enemy organization as servants and slaves to such. They formed the “evil servant” class. Further service to God within His organization was out of the question for these, because Christ Jesus, as Jehovah’s Judge at the temple, cut them asunder from the holy organization and assigned them their portion with the religious hypocrites. (Matt. 24:48-51) But not so with the faithful “residue”, or remnant, of Jehovah’s consecrated people. As it is written: “And the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.”
23 The residue, or remnant, are the ones that stayed faithful in spirit and prayer and effort. As soon as Jehovah’s anger turned from them due to their recovery from their shortcoming of 1918, they were given renewed privileges of service within his visible organization or “city”. Hence they were not “cut off from the city”.
21. (a) When did the "day of Jehovah" begin, and what signs to that effect were produced? (b) How were the nations gathered against Jerusalem to battle? and how was It spoiled and rifled, and women ravished?
22. How did “half of the city" go into captivity and become "cut off" from the city?
23. How was it that the “residue” was not cut off from the city?
24 The end of World War I did not cause the nations to discontinue gathering round about Jehovah’s devoted remnant in hatred and opposition. The worldly nations still keep up the encirclement of them and are conspiring on a world-wide scale to close in on them just prior to the battle of Armageddon to wipe them out utterly. Such antagonism and persecutions against Jehovah’s witnesses will not cease in the postwar period. Jehovah’s witnesses will stand isolated like a little island of true worshipers of the only true and living God amid a sea of organized foes all round about them. Nevertheless, we see that Jehovah God stands ready to go forth and to fight against all those nations, just as he did in ancient times in the day of violent battle against the enemies of his typical people. We wait upon Jehovah God to bring us glorious deliverance by his “strange act” against such nations and against the “dragon” organization which makes war against us. While waiting we rejoice at the revealed facts about God’s kingdom, which facts we behold with our eyes of understanding in the light of divine prophecies now coming to pass, including Zechariah’s prophecy.
25 In this day of Jehovah his remnant behold the feet of Jehovah standing “upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east”. That mount symbolizes his universal organization, over which the “Sun of righteousness” has arisen, beaming down light of blessings and deliverance upon the visible earthly part of that organization besieged by the nations. Upon that mountain Jehovah stands, being represented in his crowned and reigning King Christ Jesus, who has stood up in his authority against Jehovah’s enemies. Regarding this it is written, as applying at the “time of the end”: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”–Dan. 12:1.
26 At the standing up of Jehovah’s anointed King as Head of the new Theocratic Government under Jehovah, a miracle takes place in Jehovah’s organization, as symbolized by the “mount of Olives”. The “mount” or universal organization is seen to “cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west”, causing a “very great valley”. A “half of the mountain” is seen to “remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south”. This in no way pictures that a cleavage takes place in Jehovah’s universal organization, to produce disunity and a kingdom divided against itself. To the contrary, the cleavage pictures the birth of the new Theocratic Government under Christ Jesus. This is also pictured in Daniel’s prophecy as the ‘cutting of the stone out of the mountain without the use of human hands or powers’, and which stone also destroys the entire Devil’s organization from the universe and becomes a great mountain and fills the whole earth. – Dan. 2:34, 35, 45.
24 (a) Since the end of World War I, and also during the coming postwar period, what about the gathering of the nations as respects Jerusalem? (b) As an offset to this, what do we see, and how so?
25 What is the “mount” upon which Jehovah's feet stand, and in what representative way does he stand there?
26 At his standing up, what miracle takes place in this “mount of Olives”, and what does or does not this picture?
27 The cutting out of that symbolic stone, and the cleaving of the symbolic “mount of Olives” with half of it moving to the north, took place in the year 1914. Both symbolic actions represent the birth of the kingdom of God and authority’s being given to his Christ. The north being the direction of Jehovah’s Theocratic seat, the cut-out stone and the mountain half which took the northern position both picture his capital organization which is head over all his universal organization. The other mountain half which took position to the south pictures the universal organization as subject to His capital, Zion. The capital organization and the universal organization co-operate together in perfect unity according to the will of the Most High God. Together they form the only mountains to which to flee for complete safety; and in the “valley” sheltered and protected by them is a secure haven. Jehovah’s kingdom by his Christ is the only hope of deliverance for those oppressed by the Devil and his organization. It is the only hope of salvation for all seekers of life. It is by that kingdom that Jehovah God will yet go forth against the besieging nations of earth and destroy them all in the grand fight at Armageddon, just as he fought by that same kingdom against Satan’s demon organization in the historic “war in heaven”, now past. Thus it is that Jehovah God comes, and “all the saints” or “holy ones” with him; and the Chief of his holy ones is his King Christ Jesus.
28 From the birth of his Theocracy, in 1914, and down till his going forth and fighting and whipping the combined enemies at Armageddon is the famous “day of Jehovah”. This is the favorable day of flight to real security against execution at Armageddon. This is the day to preach the gospel of the Kingdom and thereby prove our worthiness to salvation and also to point others to the only refuge of salvation. To the Kingdom valley, flanked by Jehovah’s “mountains”, namely, Jesus the King and all the holy angels with him, even thither is where the faithful remnant of Jehovah’s witnesses have fled. Thither too must all those “men of good-will” flee who would escape being annihilated with those nations that fight against God’s remnant. It is a marvelous day. Though it appear partly dark because of the persecutions and oppression by enemies, yet Jehovah’s clear light of truth is shining and his blessings upon his people help to brighten the situation and prevent it from being altogether dark. It is a day by itself, for it precedes the thousand-year reign of his beloved Son. It is a particular day which Jehovah God has reserved for himself for the vindication of his name. Therefore it is known and shall be known as "Jehovah’s day”.
27 (a) What are pictured by the two halves of the mount, and what purpose does the valley in between serve? (b) How does Jehovah come, and all the "saints" with him?
28 (a) For what, then, is this day of Jehovah fitting, and who take advantage of It? (b) How is the dav neither clear nor dark, and how is it a day by itself and known as Jehovah's day?
29 At the evening of His day Jehovah shall rise up and go forth by his King to give his own testimony to his supremacy and universal sovereignty. Then the day shall be light. It shall be lightened with the blaze of His glory by his complete victory over all Satan’s organization; and “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea”.–Hab. 2:14.
30 In this day of Jehovah also the “river of water of life, bright as crystal”, is seen “proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb”, his King. It is lined on either side with the grove of the tree of life, the leaves of which are for the healing of all persons of good-will out from all nations. (Rev. 22:1, 2, Am. Stan. Ver.) The waters of that crystal-clear river of life descends from the Kingdom source and through his visible organization and then to men. Hence in this day of Jehovah the “living waters” of the Kingdom gospel are observed to “go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea”. Eastward and westward they go, to reach the seas of humanity alienated from Jehovah God. No winter torrent such as dries up in the hot, dry season of persecution is this river of living water. The prophecy says, “In summer and in winter shall it be”; and the facts disclose that all the year round, in season and out of season, in times of violent heat of persecution and in more peaceful times, the life-imparting waters keep flowing from the Kingdom throne and through the faithful organization of Jehovah’s witnesses.
31 Now, in this day, it is true that Jehovah is “King over all the earth”, for he has taken his rightful power to rule here as well as in all the rest of the universe. And he reigns! In all parts of the earth where his faithful people are, there they confess that he reigns by his anointed King Christ Jesus, and they acknowledge Jehovah God and his King as the true “Higher Powers”. They subject themselves to these “powers that be” and obey them rather than men. (Rom. 13:1; Acts 5:29) And before the day is over at Armageddon, Satan and all his demons will see all their agent-kings on earth cleared off by Jehovah’s “strange act” and only Jehovah continuing to hold the field as “King over all the earth”. There is only “one Jehovah”. Only One bears the name Jehovah, and it is improper for men now, as it was in the days of Enos, to ‘call themselves or other creatures by the name of Jehovah’. (Gen. 4:26, margin) His active witnesses make known these all-important truths, and they pray that He will duly make a demonstration of his power against all foes at Armageddon: “that men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.”–Ps. 83:18.
29. How shall this particular day be bright “at evening time"?
30. (a) How does Revelation 22 picture those "living waters”, what is their source, and whither do they go? (b) How is it that neither “summer" nor “winter” makes any difference as to their flowing?
31. Who is now “king over all the earth", and how is this manifest in respect to the king’s people?
THEOCRACY AND THOUSAND-YEAR REIGN
32 While Almighty God permits his enemies to continue their abuse of power as kings and rulers by their opposition to Him and his enthroned King, yet His decree goes forth, declaring: “Jehovah reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his adversaries round about.” (Ps. 97:1-3, Am. Stan. Ver.) It is because “the kingdom of the [new] world is become the kingdom of our Lord [Jehovah God], and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever”. (Rev. 11:15, A.S.V.) Primarily Jehovah reigns, with universal sovereignty: “for the Lord [Jehovah] is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” (Ps. 95:3) However, in his loving appreciation of the One who was willing to humble himself under God’s almighty hand even to the shameful death on Calvary’s tree for the vindication of God’s name, Jehovah God has ordained to associate with himself in His reign on this day his Son Christ Jesus. This association of Father and Son in this joint reign precedes the Armageddon of destruction for Satan’s hosts. It is like the association together of the “kings of the east”, Darius and his nephew Cyrus. After Babylon was thrown down, King Darius the Mede took over the empire once dominated by Babylon. Two years later his nephew Cyrus became the king.–Dan. 5:31; 6:28.
33 The day of Jehovah God is a day of warfare against all his foes in heaven and in earth. The finishing act of this glorious day will be the binding of Satan by Jehovah’s mightiest Messenger or Angel, the King Christ Jesus. Thereafter will come the peaceful thousand-year reign over the earth by “the Prince of Peace” in behalf of all “men of good-will”. Christ’s reign’s following this day is like the consecutive reigns of David and his son King Solomon. The day of Jehovah corresponds with David’s turbulent reign of wars, putting down all enemies of the typical Theocracy and extending the boundaries of the Theocracy to the limits ordained by Jehovah God. The day of Christ’s thousand-year reign corresponds to the peaceful and prosperous reign of David’s son Solomon in the glory of his majesty and the fullness of his power and wisdom. So now, in this day of Jehovah, the Lord God Jehovah reigns, and The Theocratic Government of Jehovah by his Son Jesus Christ is here. At the same time the thousand-year kingdom of Christ Jesus is near, and it approaches nearer with all the speed of Armageddon’s approach! Verily now, in that twofold sense, it can be announced unitedly and with joy by us, “The kingdom of God is nigh at hand,” and, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”–Matt. 4:17; Luke 21: 31.
32. (a) Why, despite the continuing opposition of worldly rulers, is it yet true that “Jehovah reigneth”? (b) Why does Jehovah have an associate with him in his rule, and by what two ancient kings of the east was this illustrated?
33. (a) How do Jehovah's day and Christ’s reign stand related, and by the consecutive reigns of what two kings was this illustrated? (b) What fact, therefore, can we announce unitedly and with joy?
34 This is the Kingdom, the gospel of which shall be preached, as foretold and commanded, in all the inhabited earth for a witness unto all nations. This gospel preaching must be done now during this day of Jehovah, during this time of His grace between the “war in heaven” and the final battle of Armageddon, by the inserting of which break Jehovah God has shortened the days of the “great tribulation”. For the elect’s sake whom he has chosen he has shortened the days. (Mark 13:20) Therefore, in appreciation of this provision whereby they may work out their salvation and make their calling and election sure, let all the remnant of the elect yet in the flesh keep on preaching this good news of the Perfect, Righteous Government not created by human hands but by God. The remnant are also the last members on earth of Christ’s bride-class. Hence, in this day of Jehovah, when the “pure river of water of life” is flowing forth from the Kingdom throne and through his visible organization “Jerusalem”, let this remnant of the “bride” join with the Bridegroom, the Spirit, in saying, “Come.” Let them encourage to like service all “men of good-will” that hear, by bidding them to say to still others, “Come.” Then by a combined preaching of “this gospel of the Kingdom” to all races, nations, peoples and tongues, let both the remnant and these good-will companions extend the King’s welcome to all others who are athirst for life-giving truth, saying: “And let him that is athirst come: and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”–Rev. 22:17.
TORRENT AND WAR
35 Many years of such preaching have been spent thus far, but not without undergoing hardship and fanatical opposition. The gospel proclamation has been carried forward while having to stem the tremendous tide of counter-propaganda for the kingdoms of this wicked world, all of which propaganda has tried to drown out the Kingdom message and to preoccupy the minds and attention of the people. Furthermore, as Revelation 12:15, 16 describes the progress of recent events, the “serpent”, or great “dragon” organization, has disgorged out of his mouth against God’s “woman” (or organization) “water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream”. (Am. Stan. Ver.) The more stable parts of humanity are symbolized by “the earth”. Since World War I the satanic “dragon” organization has let loose upon the “earth” a mighty river of radical, revolutionary elements, including Catholic Action and so-called “Christian fronts”, and Nazis and Fascists and other totalitarians, upon which aggressive river Satan’s “woman”, Babylon, is pictured as sitting, at Revelation 17:15. These reactionary, religious-totalitarian elements were in-doctrined, organized and then belched out by Satan's organization, particularly through his religious mouthpieces on earth, to take away all God-given human liberty and all freedom of speech, of press, of education, and of worship of Jehovah.
34. (a) Why, then, should the elect be specially appreciative of this time and what should they do? (b) Who should join them now in a like service, and how?
35. (a) In the face of what has the gospel proclamation been carried on thus far? (b) What is the “river" the dragon cast out of his mouth, and why has it done so?
36 Although apparently aimed directly at the liberal democratic governments, this stream of onrushing religious-action–Nazi–Fascist hordes was antiJehovah and against his kingdom by Christ Jesus. Hence it was launched by Satan’s demon organization against the remnant of God’s “woman” on earth, that by the overthrow of all democracy and liberal constitutions on earth it might sweep Jehovah’s witnesses and their good-will co-laborers from the surface of this globe and completely silence the preaching of “this gospel of the kingdom” by word of mouth and by printed page. This view of matters is no mere fantasy. The infallible Word of God is authority for it. And since 1922 and 1933, the respective dates of Fascism’s and Nazism’s coming to power, and particularly since 1940, the year of nation-wide mob outbreaks against Jehovah’s witnesses in America’s stronghold of democracy, the stark-naked facts prove it. Because the totalitarian forces could not dominate the League of Nations, they quit the League and moved to establish a religious-totalitarian league of their own. Then by their aggressions in 1939 they provoked global war and caused the seven-headed beast of the League of Nations to tumble into the abyss of ineffectiveness and inaction.
37 In the face of all this Jehovah’s witnesses, by his grace, have not been swept into destruction, but are today still alive upon this earth, boldly preaching His kingdom gospel. Why! Revelation 12:16 discloses one part of the reason, namely: “The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth.” That is to say, Because Jehovah’s witnesses did not lie down like dead fish under the supposed “higher powers” as back in 1918, but, because they obeyed God’s commandments first and carried on an uncompromising fight for God-approved liberty on the home front, therefore the “earth”, or more stable and anti-radical part of human society, got courage to take action. This “earth” opened its mouth by coming out with editorials and declarations for freedom of speech, press and worship and for constitutional rights. The earth rendered decisions in favor of such rights and liberty in the very highest courts of the nations. And thus the earth has met and absorbed the onslaught and swallowed up the flood and thereby helped the “woman” in this indirect way. This very present total war appears to be a part of the professed democratic, liberal earth to absorb the totalitarian waters and to give yet further room for action to the long- cherished freedoms. At least according to the ideals expressed at the beginning of this global conflict, the effort of the liberal-democratic “earth” is to make the world safe from aggressions by further such torrents of totalitarian hordes out of the “dragon’s” mouth.
36. (a) What was the apparent alm of the river, but against what was it really aimed? (b) Why is this view no mere fantasy?
37. Nevertheless, what ta the state of Jehovah's witnesses today? and what was part of the reason, according to Revelation 12:16?
38 What now, all you who are bearing testimony to God’s kingdom, as He commands? Let none of you think that, due to such present temporary help of upholders of international stability and security, therefore freedom from encroachments against these liberties and our witness work is ahead. The demons are yet on the loose! Revelation 12:17 declares that the dragon organization, being defeated in its program of persecution by totalitarian elements, is yet wroth with all of God’s “woman”, or holy organization. His enmity against all members of God’s organization waxes hotter due to his chagrin. Hence you are forewarned that now he will go forth further to “make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ”. That most certainly applies to the postwar period. Therefore Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions may expect that the Satanic warfare under demon influence will be carried into that yet remaining period before the final end comes at the battle of Armageddon. Shall our hope of help be in the “earth”, particularly its postwar international formation? No! Jehovah’s Theocracy be ever our help!
38. (a) What, now, shall Jehovah's witnesses not expect, and why not? (b) In view of what certainly is ahead, wherein shall be our help?
39 Christ Jesus foretold the League of Nations “abomination of desolation”, which arose after World War I and which assumed to take the place of God’s kingdom and thereby 'stand in the holy place, where it ought not’. (Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14) Many were deceived by that makeshift for Christ’s kingdom, which makeshift was in reality an “image of the beast” with seven heads. (Rev. 13:14- 18) During the current total war that seven-headed monstrosity took a plunge into the “bottomless pit”, the Nazi-Fascist-religious powers helping it in that direction. Now, according to the unfailing Word of God and all indications of the times, that submerged creature is due to reappear after the global war, in the form of some organization of international cooperation for peace, security and freedom from aggression. It will be hailed as man’s last hope. The political forces behind it will exert pressure to have all men worship the Devil’s visible organization under this final form of man-rule. Those worshiping it will receive a mark of support and collaboration which will doom them to destruction at Armageddon. The creators of this postwar international creature, and the propagandists for it, and the religious clergy which will for a season ride it, will thereby not only take a stand against God’s kingdom but also oppose all proclamation of it by Jehovah’s remnant and “men of good-will”. This means war against “this gospel”.
40 Jesus’ forewarning against that “abomination of desolation” will be of greater urgency in the period succeeding this present total war than in the period following World War I. Unquestionably, at the reappearance of this abomination from the “bottomless pit”, as foretold at Revelation 17:8-11, it will be most urgent for all seeing it and discerning the desolation that such anti-Kingdom abomination portends to flee without delay to the mountains of God’s kingdom for security and. preservation. How will they know the way thither unless this gospel of the established Kingdom is preached to them!-Rom. 10:11-15.
41 Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions cowitnessing with them have already fled to those mountains. The faithful ones refuse to leave this only place of protection and salvation, despite all enticements and assaults by the forces of this world. Their duty is clear. Neither now nor in the postwar period will they be awed by the sight of the “abomination of desolation”. They will not be deceived or coerced into worshiping it, or be embarrassed by the world-wide agitation and propaganda in favor of it. They will not fear it, nor discontinue their obedience to the supreme commandments of Jehovah God, nor lay down the testimony of Jesus Christ, regardless of what be the world organization and what be its laws in conflict with God’s laws. Their commission to be the witnesses of the Most High God they will cherish as their most precious possession. In vindication of Jehovah’s name they will be active continually to fulfill their blessed part in the Master’s prophecy, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.” Finally, by Jehovah’s grace through Christ Jesus, they will persist down to the end proclaiming, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
39 (a) What baa been the experience of the “abomination of desolation" thus far? (b) According to God's Word, what future there for it, and what does this mean for “this gospel”?
40. In view of this, how about Jesus' forewarning as applicable to the postwar period, and what will have to be done then for security and preservation?
41. (a) Where are Jehovah’s witnesses and their companion witnesses now, and what do they refuse to do? (b) What is their clear duty as respects the present and the postwar period?
RESOLUTION
ON Saturday afternoon, August 12, after delivering the foregoing speech to the nation-wide United Announcers’ Theocratic Assembly, N. H. Knorr, president of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, at Buffalo, the key city, submitted the following for adoption by this 17-city Assembly:
“Resolution
2 “Studied in the light of Christ Jesus’ prophecy concerning the signs that would mark the end of the world, all the events of this world and also the experiences of Jesus’ true followers make certain that in A.D. 1914 Satan the Devil’s uninterrupted rule ended and Jehovah’s Theocratic Government and the authority of his Christ began;
3 “Despite the most intensive activity of Jehovah’s consecrated people during the past thirty years to publish the kingdom of God by his Christ as mankind’s sole hope, the message of the Kingdom continues to be rejected by the world rulers. Already, before end of the global war, the world leaders and governors are proposing for the postwar epoch a new or revised scheme of international collaboration for world peace, prosperity and security; and this they do in defiance of the established kingdom of God;
4 “Therefore, be it resolved:
“That the kingdom of God by his Son Christ Jesus is the Government of the new world of righteousness ; and it alone is the hope of all human creatures desiring everlasting life, unbroken tranquility, security against all aggression by the Devil’s organization visible and invisible, and the full freedom on earth of the sons of God;
“That the inspired Word of God foretells the revival after this total war of a man-made arrangement for the political, economic and religious cooperation of the nations; and that this will divert mankind’s attention away from God’s kingdom and will attempt to stand in the holy place of that Righteous Government, and hence will be an ‘abomination’ in God’s sight and will bring desolation upon all nations in expression of His wrath;
“That we, as Jehovah’s witnesses, will continue to give our unswerving allegiance to God’s kingdom;
“That the prophetic command of Christ Jesus still stands in effect, to wit, ‘This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations’;
“That we, as those who are fully consecrated to God to do His will in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, recognize our obligation as ministers of the Kingdom gospel; and that, therefore, down to the final end of Satan’s organization and its postwar creation for dominating humankind, we will keep integrity by continuing to advocate the kingdom of God and never slacking in preaching to all nations that ‘The kingdom is at hand’.”
1. Why was the afternoon of August 12 this year eventful?
2. What does the Resolution state regarding A D 1914?
3 What does it say regarding the gospel preaching, its reception, and the worldly plans for after the war?
4. What was resolved regarding (a) God's kingdom; (b) God’s Word respecting the "abomination of desolation", (c) the course of Jehovah's witnesses; (d) the prophetic command of Christ Jesus; and (e) the obligation and determination of Jehovah’s consecrated ones?
5 Adoption of the above Resolution was moved and seconded. On putting the question by the president, the Resolution was adopted by an overwhelming acclamation, followed by great applause. Full details on the occasion will be published within an Assembly report in a subsequent issue of this magazine.
5. What action was taken toward the Resolution?
ENLARGING YOUR PRIVILEGES
IN THE early days, when the apostles were still on earth, it was seen fit to build up congregations or companies of believers in Jehovah’s Messiah, Jesus Christ. To establish these it was necessary for some believers filled with the zeal of the Lord God to go out alone or in a small group into various parts of the earth and carry on pioneer work. It was through their efforts at hard work, with full faith in God, that the congregations were founded.
Such field blessings and privileges were not to be shunned or looked upon lightly; and the apostles appreciated their responsibility in this regard. As the record is set forth in God’s Word, there can be no question as to the trials and tribulations that these apostolic pioneers had to endure. They endured them joyfully and never for a moment slacked their hand. They knew that ‘whosoever would call upon the name of Jehovah would be saved’. They also knewthat those calling must know something about Him before they could call upon His name. As recorded at Romans 10 :13-15: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent?” It is God that sends forth preachers.
From Jerusalem, the then center for directing the work so far as God’s visible organization is concerned, apostles, evangelists, teachers and ministers were sent forth in order to provide the preachers. Lovers of righteousness in those days had to have an opportunity to hear the Lord’s Word, and therefore such preachers were sent to them. Having heard, they could believe; and numbers in a community believing, they were organized into churches or congregations, “companies,” as we call them today. Today, every one in the truth is thankful to Jehovah God for having sent forth his preachers (not “clergymen”, mind you), to bring to us the message of Kingdom truth. We are grateful to Him for these faithful servants of His. To show our gratitude and appreciation to Him we have in turn become field publishers for the Kingdom and have gone forward to preach, from house to house, and this in gladness of heart.
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