Achan

In 1895 Achan's sin illustrated spiritual Israelites selfishly appropriating what had been consecrated to the Lord. In 1902 the application was broadened to the Millennial world: Achan's destruction symbolized the Second Death of those who outwardly conform while secretly retaining or loving evil. In 1913 this was refined especially to consecrated Christians who take back what they have devoted to God. In 1927 Achan's stoning was used contextually as corresponding to the swift judgment on Ananias and Sapphira. In 1939 the prophetic-drama interpretation narrowed Achan to a modern class of persons who had served within God's organization but became wicked and selfish, explicitly identified with the “evil servant” class; this modern Achan course was repeated in 1940 and the organizational-cleansing application in 1941. In 1942 Achan was used contextually for persons coveting the gain of the doomed enemy organization, while in 1945 the organizational-cleansing application was repeated. No later verified type/antitype identification was found in the Knorr years after 1945 through 1976, and none was found in the Franz years 1977–1980; later references chiefly use Achan as a historical, moral, or disciplinary example.