​Will God’s Kingdom be on Earth?

God's rule in heaven is already established, as indicated in the prayer “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” As to the earth, Jesus referred to Satan as "the prince of this world”, and the Apostle Paul called him "the god of this world", evidencing the Adversary's usurpation of power over God's earthly creation. The Creator in his wisdom has permitted this state of affairs for a time for good reasons, and the Bible throughout speaks of an end to Satan's dominion and a restoration of harmony between God and man. This is the primary objective of the kingdom, and its implications are so far-reaching for human life and experience as to surpass the possibilities of human imagination.

The kingdom is both heavenly and earthly, in that its chief ruler will be the glorified Christ, spiritual and invisible to human eyes, while its earthly subjects are the world of mankind. The Christ will, however, work through earthly representatives, and Jesus spoke of men seeing Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom, indicating that the faithful of pre-Christian times would have honored positions. They believed God's promises and their faith was counted as righteousness, in spite of the impediments imposed by the curse. Having been tried and found faithful, in the awakening from death they will receive their reward – perfect human nature (Hebrews 11:35), and it is with them first that God will enter into a new covenant, promising to write his laws in their hearts and put his spirit in them. Other faithful believers, not called to the heavenly inheritance, will also assist the Christ in the administration of new laws governing the operation of the kingdom in its every aspect – social, legislative, educational, philanthropic and religious. The removal by Christ of the evil influences of Satan and his fallen angels will give the people a full, fair opportunity to learn unimpeded what blessings can result from the keeping of God's laws, and the gaining of a permanent place in the earthly kingdom of God will gratify every desire of the perfect human heart.

Where will the kingdom's "parliament" be? As Jerusalem was the seat of empire for God's chosen nation of Israel, it will again occupy that position, and the faithful men and women of old, raised from death, will naturally return to their homeland. Isaiah 2:3 says " . . . out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem". From there the Lord will settle international disputes. All weapons will be converted into implements of peace and all military training will end. Other nations will seek help from the earthly representatives of God's kingdom as they observe its increasing prosperity, and as its influence extends ever further, another prophecy will be fulfilled: "Of the increase of his government and peace, there shall be no end" (Isaiah 9:7).

No GOD No Peace, Know GOD Know Peace

WHO IS, actually PERFECT? Is GOD perfect?

Here are some answers:

“As for God, his WAY IS PERFECT: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” (Psalm 18:30)

“The Rock! His WORK IS PERFECT, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)

“The LAW of the LORD IS PERFECT, restoring the soul; The TESTIMONY of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7)

“The LORD is RIGHTEOUS in all His ways And KIND in all His DEEDS.” (Psalm 145:17)

“As for God, His WAY is BLAMELESS; The WORD of the LORD is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” (2 Samuel 22:31)

“Your WORD is very PURE: therefore your servant loves it.” (Psalm 119:140)

“Every WORD of GOD is PURE: he is a shield to them that put their trust in him.” (Proverbs 30:5)

The above responses from the Bible writers, whose words were all divinely inspired by GOD, are all about GOD…

Now what about Jesus?

Is GOD’s only begotten and firstborn son Jesus (Messiah, Yashuah) also perfect, and was Jesus perfect when the Heavenly Father (Yahweh, Jehovah) sent him to redeem mankind from the sentence of Adamic death by paying the exact Ransom (corresponding price) to be fulfilled in due time?

Here are some quotes from the Bible where we may find answers to this question:

“Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth.” (1 Peter 2:22)

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet WITHOUT SIN.” (Hebrews 4:15)

“You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is NO SIN.” (1 John 3:5)

“When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.'” (Matthew 27:24)

BUT why did Pilate say this?

Here is why:

“Pilate came out again and said to them, ‘Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I FIND NO GUILT IN HIM.'” (John 19:4)

Jesus said: “And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I ALWAYS DO the things that are PLEASING to Him.” (John 8:29) 

About Jesus, it is written : “His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had DONE NO VIOLENCE, NOR was there ANY DECEIT IN HIS MOUTH.”(Isaiah 53:9)

In 1 Peter 1:18-19, Jesus is described as “unblemished” and “spotless”:

“We knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb UNBLEMISHED and SPOTLESS, the blood of Christ.”

Apostle Paul explains, ‘He made Him who KNEW NO SIN to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.’ (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Hang on…so what does that mean… “to be sin on our behalf”?

This is what it means:

Apostle Peter explains what it means… that Jesus “himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”(1 Peter 2:24)

How then can we as humans have peace if we are not perfect?

Or ARE WE perfect in some way or another?

Jesus taught us “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

But can we do this, if we were already born in sin?

I mean, let’s face it… from the second a human is born, we have the curse of Adamitis on us, which is the death sentence, right? A baby who is even a few seconds old, can die right?

If we were perfect, death could not touch any human and everyone could live forever as their perfect life would allow no disease nor any harm to take their life so if we are already born imperfect, then how can we find PERFECT peace?

Let’s explain …

We might not of course be able to ACHIEVE PREFECT PEACE ALL THE TIME in the current imperfect bodies we have, yet we are “to be perfect” in intentions as all fully consecrated Spirit begotten individuals are RECKONED in GOD Jehovah Yahweh’s eyes as perfect, through believing in the precious blood of CHRIST’s righteousness and through showing GOD through one’s thoughts, words and actions just how much there is a desire to DO what is GOOD, RIGHTEOUS, PERFECT, PURE and BLAMELESS IN GOD’s sight, to above all, please the Heavenly Father.

It’s one’s FAITH in believing that GOD can do the impossible–that He could even move an entire mountain and trusting in GOD’s perfect love, justice, power and wisdom implicitly.

This isn’t just blind faith…

This isn’t just believing because someone told you to believe them…

In Romans 10:17, Apostle Paul explains that Faith in GOD and Faith in all that is GODly and RIGHTEOUS and PURE and PERFECT, comes from “hearing the word of God,” and once we hear it… then we are instructed to actually examine/study it. (1 Thessalonians 5:21) By studying the inspired words of God in the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15) handed down through GOD’s holy prophets of Old and the Apostles of the first Church (after Pentecost), and by praying privately (Matt. 6:4-6; James 5:16) with earnestness of the heart striving to please GOD by doing His will (Romans 12:2) maturity in the Faith can be attained and maintained.

“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14)

What do the Scriptures say about the Faith of some?

In Romans 4: 3 and 5 we read,

“3 Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”

Now back to our question: Can we as mortals be classified as PERFECT and hence even qualify to receive PERFECT peace?

Here are some answers from the Bible:

“Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children…” (Ephesians 5:1) 

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians wrote:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)

So we’ve taken a breather, checked out some surrounding views to do with the level we are at on our mountain and now we’re going to climb higher to reach our destination.

Let’s get to the point of our original question… where can we find perfect peace in a world surrounded by pain, sickness, tragedy and death?

The short answer is: We can find perfect peace when we stick to the path set out by GOD– walking in accordance to GOD’s rule.

What is GOD’s rule?

It is the commandment that Jesus taught–as a summary of all 10 commandments under the Old Law given to the nation of Israel via Moses in the Old Testament recorded in the Gospel of John 13:34. Here Jesus said:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

There are three different types of “love” in the universe around us and in the Greek language, they are described as: agape, phileo and eros.

The word “love” here is translated from the Greek word “agape,” which is an unconditional good will towards all men love, benevolence, and feeling total kindness and good will towards our enemies and those who do harm to us, whether we classify this harm as from ignorance or not.

Agape love, thinks of others as better than one’s own self (Philippians 2:3)…

In 1 John 3:15 we are explained that “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”

What a pleasure it is to be in the midst of such who speak well of all others. These are described in Psalm 92 who “flourish like the palm tree” …. who “still bring forth fruit in old age.“

In Titus 3:2 we are reminded,

“to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

Here we are taught to rather hate the sin and AGAPE our brother.. since we do not have a PERFECT mind in the same sense our Beloved Jesus had, when he was in the flesh during his human existence.

We have no right to label our brethren by any unkind names. The more we learn to speak purely …the more we practice it through our experiences with others–(e.g. like learning to play an instrument beautifully and with ease and grace)–the more we will learn to eventually just speak this pure language and think purely.

Positive begets positive. Let positivity rule our mind.

This is a quality possessed in kings. How can a king rule without a vision?

A king has a vision and this vision we must possess by those developing in the School of Christ to be faithful unto death–a vision that sees the positive … This can be developed by focusing on the Christ-likeness qualities of character in each… 

We have many gloriously positive things to look forward to soon:

no more oppression… no more money issues in the future to cause jealousy or the need to have power… no more killing… no more struggles for food or a shelter or to feel safe or perfectly loved, no more pain or sickness… no more death!

The Heavenly Father has promised a glorious future to ALL mankind as we are told in : Revelation 21:4,

“4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.”

There are passages of Holy Scripture that talk about the necessity of words of warning. Here are some good examples:

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them (Strongs G3560, noutheteō –to caution or warn gently) that are unruly (idle–ESV; lazy–NLT; undisciplined–NET; idle and disruptive— NIV; disorderly–Rotherham’s) comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.  (1 Thessalonians 5:14, KJV)

“So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.” (Luke 17: 3)

We are taught in Scripture to recognize who is a True Christian by their  “fruits” of character (Matthew 7:16).

The more one sees their own failures and mistakes of actions, the more one can have compassion, we hope, towards others, realizing that often the more we (agape) love, the more we share in the sufferings of Christ… and this makes the heart long more for that which the Bible promises: the day of perfection in all things when GOD shall be ALL in ALL and all pain, sorrow and misunderstanding shall be no more.

The Apostle Paul speaks of this time in 1 Corinthians 15:28, “And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”

How do we agape others and ourselves ?

HERE is the where the hardest (to the flesh) but most glorious (to the New mind in Christ) challenges lie…

It is the HARDEST part of our climb up this mountain. (1 Timothy 6:12)

It requires GOD’s help as GOD’s strength helps achieve all things. (Philippians 4:13)

A true Christian is reckoned as righteous by having this level of RIGHTEOUS LOVE in our heart’s intentions towards all men, which is developed as we:

1. LOVE (Agape) GOD supremely and DWELL on GOD and what God teaches through the Bible… (Psalm 91:1; ). This is aided by FIXING our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) who is GOD’s only begotten, firstborn perfect son who died for ALL to pay the corresponding perfect price for Adam’s sin and consequently his fallen from perfection in righteousness progeny (1 Corinthians 15:22). If we compare our trials as mortals, to Jesus’ who did completely NOTHING wrong yet suffered the harshest mental and physical torture, then one’s own experiences seem trivial!

2. LOVE (Agape) our neighbour. We are to agape firstly our Brethren in Christ as if they were our own body. These are the ones who are now in training to be part of the BODY of Christ — the footstep followers of Christ and members of the 144,000 and Elect Bride of CHRIST. (Revelation 7)  1 John 1:8 – If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

We are encouraged to SEEK (through prayer to GOD ) to have a character like our Lord Jesus… to have a CHRIST JESUS’ ATTITUDE.

In 1 John 2:6 we read, “The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.”

The Apostle Paul describes numerous Christ-like qualities of character in Philippians 2: 1-11:-

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is anyconsolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind,maintaining the same (agape) love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mindregard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbledHimself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The above words are also beautifully summarized in Galatians 5:22-23,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Now, let’s gain all the energy to climb farther and higher as more glorious things we see! We are getting towards our destination, so listen up and stick through this last few moments!

In Galatians 6:16 we are told, “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them and mercy.”

Again we ask, what rule is the Apostle Paul talking about, which he teaches us, may give us PERFECT PEACE… and not only peace but also MERCY form GOD?

It is the rule of a new mind… a “new creature” in Christ mentioned in the preceding verse—“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.“

You see…..forms and ceremonies (just following blindly a religious ritual or offering sacrifices year after year, or week after week) are not the rule, but the NEW LIFE ITSELF, the new creature filled with the holy spirit of God and led of the spirit.

The rule is to “walk in the spirit,” says the Apostle, “and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh; for the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other.” (Galatians 5:16,17)

Those who walk by this rule are promised peace. (Philippians 4:7) They are also promised and mercy; our best efforts to walk after the leading of the holy spirit will be imperfect in the flesh but God who judges our heart’s, desires, and efforts is merciful and will not allow us to experience one second more than what we’re able to bear. (Romans 8:28)

Now if any man be in Christ, a new creature, he has put away the old man—the carnal nature, which is enmity against God and is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be—with all his evil deeds, which the Apostle thus enumerates in Galatians 5:19-21,

“Now the works of the flesh [the carnal nature] are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like, of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

The Apostle gives fair warning that those who do such things, no matter how loud may be their professions, have no inheritance in the Kingdom of GOD; and therefore they have no right to the fellowship of the saints upon whom, and the cause of Christ in general, they bring only DIS-grace.

They that are Christ’s have CRUCIFIED THE FLESH with the affections and desires.

If we are living according to the rule of the new nature, following the leading of the spirit of GOD, then we must have these fruits in some measure, even from the very start of our Christian experience; and if we are following on to know the Lord and to walk in the spirit, these fruits are surely growing and becoming more and more manifest to all with whom we are associated.

If those who are in Christ would observe this principle, and deal with each other as new creatures, much discord would be avoided; for the motives and endeavors of the “new creature” would be considered, and not the frailties or mistakes of the “earthen vessel.” (Reprints of the Original Watchtower 1840)

So here we are friends …. It’s the view from the SUMMIT – the view like a spiritual eagle (Isaiah 40:31), soaring with confidence in GOD’s understanding of what he expects from us so we can feel His perfect peace.

It’s that peace at last felt from understanding that the Heavenly Father (who created man for HIS own pleasure (Rev. 4:11; Isa. 43:7) and in his own image), allows man’s true pleasure, happiness and peace to be experienced when one’s thoughts and actions are in harmony, fellowship and sympathy with the Creator of all things.

GOD wants that love should respond to love, admiration to admiration, virtue to virtue, and grace to grace, in the Creator and the creature, as face answers to face in a glass. In this natural attitude of the Creator and humans, generous benevolence and gratitude combine in mutual happiness.

Our happiness is enhanced when we appreciation GOD’s character and when we actually strive to copy these same qualities of character and dispositions of mind and heart and try to meet GOD’s approval and feel a peace within our conscience.

It is true to say that all men have lost much of the original likeness of God, but this does not alter the fact that they still crave the happiness and peace which can never be found except under the natural, original relations to his Creator.

Dear friends,

No matter how deep we may sink in sin …

No matter how far we may stray from the path of rectitude…

No matter how low and vile we may have become…

We still need to remember that we are all members of that noble though fallen human race and that GOD created us in His own likeness, and GOD knows and feels our degradation. He knows that He made us for higher and nobler ends than those toward which He is ever tending.

In this painful realization of the absence of true happiness and peace of mind and heart, we humans tend to seek happiness and peace in ways in harmony with the more or less depraved tendencies of the fallen nature—in the poor substitutes which pride, ambition, strife, rivalry, wealth, fame, power, etc., have to offer; but we find that the happiness in these is only delusive, and at most VERY SHORT-LIVED!

The bubble of success may burst in an instant, and the peace and happiness built upon it be utterly wrecked.

“There is no peace, therefore, to any man except in the reestablished relationship between himself and his God. And since this relationship of sons can ONLY be reestablished through Christ, there is no peace to any man out of Christ. ” –Pastor Charles Russell

“There is no peace, saith the Lord, to the wicked.” (Isaiah 48:22.)

“Let us follow the things that make for peace.”

(Romans 14:19.)

 Acknowledgment: Br Charles T. Russell, Reprint 1840

“Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre” (Psalm 33:2).

“Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre” (Psalm 33:2).

“I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp” (Psalm 49:4).  

1. Creation - “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
2. Condemnation – “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:19).
3. The Law - “And God spake all these words, saying I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me…” (Exodus 20).
4. Ransom - “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:6).
5. Resurrection – “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain” (1 Corinthians 15:12-14).
6. High Calling – “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
7. Justification - “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).   
8. Sanctification – “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all]” (Hebrews 10:10). “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
9. Restitution – “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive [retain] until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3: 20-21).
10. Second Death – “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:14)

HIRAM - TYPE AND ANTITYPE

My dear Brethren: Grace and peace through our Beloved Master! In accordance with previous promise, we now present an analysis on Hiram – Type and Antitype.

Inasmuch as king Hiram ruled over Tyre, it would seem in order first of all to set forth the history of Tyre itself. In Gen. 10:15 we are told that Sidon was the firstborn of Canaan, the grandson of Ham, the great grandson of Noah (see Gen. 10:1 & 6). The mar­ginal reading for Sidon is Tzidon – he was the patriarch of the Zidonian Tribe of the Canaanites (note Gen. 10:15-18); and his settlement was at the outermost edge of Canaan – ­"the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon." (Gen. 10:19) Thus, Sidon comes into the Bible record more than 2,000 BC We present all this detail because it seems apparent that Tyre was a colony of Sidon; Isa. 23:12 says Tyre is "the daughter of Zidon."

It seems that Tyre had a rather rapid growth, and soon outshows the mother; it was probably at its pinnacle about 1035 BC, when Solomon began to "build the House of the Lord." At that time it was wealthy, and one of the most prominent seaports of the ancient world; and Hiram was one of its greatest sovereigns. But one of its chief assets was its location: It was on an island of rock a half mile from the mainland, which rose some 1968 feet above sea level, and was properly styled the "Queen of the Sea." Being surrounded by water, such a promontory was practically impregnable against the weapons of that time. After Shalmaneser vanquished the Ten Tribes of Israel, some 739 years BC, he lay siege to Tyre for five years, but failed to take it during that time; and the siege was lifted at his death. It was to have been a part of the inheritance of the Tribe of Asher (see Josh. 19:24-29), but they never occupied it – probably because they considered its conquest im­possible; although it should be noted these people were not among those specifically slated for extermination by the Jews when they moved into Canaan. This may have been one reason they were friendly to the Jews under David and Solomon. It also clarifies the reference in Josh. 19:29 re "the strong city Tyre." Furthermore, it was certainly policy for Hiram to be friendly with David and Solomon, because they could have seized the adjacent main­land any time they wished, which would have made life pretty miserable for Hiram in Tyre. Tyre actually paid tribute to Shalmanesor's successor to free themselves of that nuisance.

It should be noted that the mainland opposite Tyre held almost no strategic value, as it was often overrun by invaders. Therefore, Tyre itself occupied a position comparable to Gibraltar, although Tyre attained its ancient glamour by going "down to the sea in ships", rather than from its strong defensive position. The whole of Phoenicia, of which Tyre was the chief city, was about 150 miles long by about 30 miles wide – an area about one-­tenth the size of the State of Ohio. It consisted mostly of a succession of narrow valleys, ravines and hills. The whole political history of Phoenicia may be summarized thus: They never built an empire; each city had its little independent territory, assemblies, kings and government, and sent delegates to Tyre for general state business. They were strictly commercial, leaving no literature worthy of preservation. (Compare this statement with that of R. G. Jolly on p. 81, col. 2, bottom, of this September Present Truth.)

The male deity of Tyre was Baal, whose consort was Astarte. She was the Ashtoreth of the Bible, the Ishtar of the Babylonians – the same being the Moon Goddess, preeminently the Goddess of reproduction and sexual passion. She is thus readily identified with the depraved Semiramus, the one to whom the Jews "make cakes to the queen of heaven" (Jer. 7: 18), and to whom they "burn incense and pour out drink offerings" (Jer. 44:17-19). Tyre and Sidon called the sun Baal and the moon Ashtoreth; and they honored them with orgies and tumultuous feasts. It is pointedly worthy of note that as soon as Solomon became evil he "went after Ashtoreth, the Goddess of the Zidonians" (1 Kgs. 11:5, 33); so that his league with Hiram led to ultimate shame for Israel. An outstanding product of Baal – Ash­toreth is the wicked Jezebel, wife of Ahab. She was the "daughter of Eth-Baal, king (also high priest) of the Zidonians" ( 1 Kgs. 16:31); and she it was who vowed to slay Elijah after he had slain the prophets of Baal (symbolic of power-graspers) – 1 Kgs. 19:2.

It is to be hoped that the foregoing detail will help to clarify the following analysis of the two Hirams who were linked with Solomon. R .G. Jolly says we "fail to distinguish be­tween the two Hirams"; and we are grateful to him for allowing us this opening – it makes this analysis much easier for us. But we venture the opinion that, had he himself clearly distinguished between the two, he would not have effused the volume of nonsense that he has.

We consider first Hiram the Artisan: on p. 82, col. 1, of the Sept. PT, R. G. Jolly quotes our remark (re Hiram the King) that "Solomon did not so much as give him one guest room in Jerusalem." He says our statement is mere "conjecture for which we can give no proof". If the Bible is silent about it, and nothing can be found about it outside the Bible, is his conjecture not just some more of his nonsense? But he goes on to say "Hiram Ahib....... Undoubtedly was provided with living quarters in Jerusalem, for it would have been out of the question for him to commute." And the same R. G. Jolly makes this statement who accuses JJH of confusion! What proof does he have for his ''undoubted'' statement? We ask because we have pretty reasonable contradiction for it. We are told in 1 Kgs. 7:40-46 that the vessels, whose making required Artisan Hiram's skill, were cast "in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan." This locality is down beyond the River Jordan; and there would certainly be no more sense in Hiram commuting back and forth to Jerusalem, as there would be for him to do so to Tyre. It is well established that the Temple was constructed without the "sound of a hammer." The stones and timbers were all completely fashioned be­fore reaching the Temple site; so why not the vessels, too – just as the Bible indicates?

But let us assume that Artisan Hiram did "commute" to Jerusalem. He would have done so only while the Temple was abuilding, because 1 Kgs. 7:40 says he "made an end of doing all the work that he made King Solomon for the house of the Lord." There is nothing what­ever to indicate he stayed on to work on Solomon's House; and there is fairly sound reason to dispute it. Let us take a look at the antitype. Building Solomon's house means for Brother Johnson "establishing himself in his own sphere as the Lord's Epiphany Executive." Did antitypical Hiram help him do that? Certainly not! In 1923, during the heckling of Job, R.G. Jolly was "angry at him", threw "many misrepresentations" at him, ridiculed him, belittled him, and "R. G. Jolly was J's main opponent before the church." And in 1937-38 R. G. Jolly was again the ringleader in attempting to usurp Brother Johnson's authority as the Lord's Epiphany executive. In Brother Johnson's own words, "they tried to gain con­trol of J., the Lord's mouthpiece" (Vol.  E-10, p. 646 top). Thus, instead of helping The Epiphany Solomon to "build his house", instead of helping him establish himself as the Lord's Epiphany executive, R. G. Jolly was doing his level best to tear down the Epiphany Solomon's house – rather than helping him build it. And it is the same R. G. Jolly who re­peatedly accused the good Epiphany Solomon of being "impractical" that now charges JJH with confusion. Indeed, "the leopard cannot change his spots – nor does Azazel seem able to change his technique.

On p. 81, col. 2, par. 2 he goes into more profusion about types, and he says “it is hard to understand how JJH could become so blind" re types. Then he quotes Brother John­son's "general Scriptural rule when many individuals of a class are involved." Is he now contending that antitypical Hiram is a "class"? If not, then we ask again, Who is confused here?

Now we consider Hiram the King: In  par. 1,  col. 1,  p. 82,  he  says  JJH  should  "take the trouble to look up secular history." Indeed; and this JJH had done quite sometime back; and he is very much pleased to note R.G. Jolly's approval. However, in view of his own confusion, we wonder if he himself took the trouble to consult secular history. If he did, then we can only conclude that here is a man versatile indeed in the ways of Aza­zel: He "makes" secular history just as easily as he "makes" types and parallels. Of course, we shouldn't be surprised at this, because the large Evil Solomon has also "made" plenty of history!

He says our position (re Hiram passing out of the picture first) "might be somewhat tenable if we could prove that Hiram in the type died first." Then he says the Scriptures are silent about it – and this is right –; so we go to secular history for that part of it, just as Brother Russell and Brother Johnson often did in their search for truth. And secu­lar history tells us that the King Hiram, who helped Solomon, ruled for 34 years. There­fore, if he did not begin to reign until the very day Solomon began to build the Temple (which we are not contending), he would have died some three years before Solomon died. But it should be specifically noted that neither Hiram contributed one splinter – or had anything whatever to do with the Temple, the Temple Court or its fixtures once Solomon had "built the house of the Lord, and finished it." Everything they did during the Temple's construction was done under the express direction of Solomon; therefore, any attempt to "make" a type of either Hiram after Solomon finished the Temple can only be labeled as more nonsense.  Therefore, will R. G. Jolly please make a clear statement of just what feature of either Hiram he is now antityping?

As we said in our Epiphany Solomon article of July 2, there was to be an Epiphany Sol­omon, a son of the Parousia David. In the same sense that Brother Johnson was a son of the Parousia David, so also is R. G. Jolly such a son; and the latter is the only one who can now be identified to complete the Epiphany's Solomon's reign. Therefore, should us assume that all we have said herein is set aside, there remains only one simple question: Who has been sitting in Solomon's seat, using Solomon's powers, to complete the 4012-year parallel of the Parousia David? Let R. G. Jolly give a clear accounting for the Epiphany Solomon after October 22, 1950. All the building he claims he is to do has been just the reverse since that date. Like so many uncleansed Levite leaders, he inherited gold, and he has speedily turned it into ashes. We have repeatedly pointed this out; and his own figures on the Present Truth and Bible Standard subscribers tell only too clearly their pitiful story. At the recent Philadelphia Convention there was not even one candidate for immersion. Yet, there are still "great works to be done, and great numbers to win" – and this same R.G. Jolly still offers his big talk that he is the one who will supervise all this.

Before concluding this article it would seem appropriate to take note of R. G. Jolly’s statement (p. 86, top) that JJH is "more confused in his reasoning than a certain 1948-51 sifter." This is another of his cheap tricks to which he frequently resorts, all the while he himself is oozing confusion from his every pore. A typical instance of this is his con­tention that we show confusion by picturing him as Rehoboam in our July 2 treatise of The Epiphany Solomon (page 7) at the same time that we picture him as the Evil Epiphany Solomon. Nowhere in that article did we even hint that he is picturing Rehoboam – did not even use the word "type" or "picture" in what we said of R. G. Jolly. We merely spoke of the simi­larity between the foolish Rehoboam and the foolish R. G. Jolly – just as in that same article we also drew a comparison between the foolish R. G. Jolly and the wise Brother Russell. By the same process of nonsense, R. G. Jolly should also contend we are picturing, or antityp­ing him as Brother Russell. As we have previously observed, when crown-losers fall into the hands of Azazel they talk all sorts of nonsense; and here is another case at point. Azazel has R. G. Jolly so befuddled since October 22, 1950 that he cannot even read plain and simple English and understand what he has read after he reads it. From what we have presented herein, it should now be apparent that much of what he writes on pages 81-87 should be relegated to the ashcan; it comes well within the scope of what Brother Johnson said of some of the drivel published by That Evil Servant: "It is confusion worse con­founded."

And may the blessing that maketh rich indeed abide with one and all, and guide  you  in to all Truth.

Sincerely Your Brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

Beautiful Lessons from the Passover Type

Why should we, as consecrated Christians living near the close of the Gospel age, be interested in examining the details behind the Passover ceremony which commemorates the escape of the Israelites from the land of Egypt more than 3500 years ago?

Because we believe the event is also of great significance to the followers of Jesus, particularly in a symbolic manner, and that it relates intimately to our Lord’s death and our walk with him.

As a Jew, Jesus faithfully kept the Passover. In the closing scenes of his earthly ministry he gathered together with his disciples in the upper room for this very purpose. “When the evening had come,” Matthew tells us, “he sat down with the twelve” (Matt. 26:20) and  commenced to eat the Passover meal.

According to Jewish reckoning, it was the start of the fourteenth day of Nisan, the first monthof the religious year.

This day was to be a crucial one in the life of Jesus, and a day that was to become a turning point in the history of the world.

“With desire have I desired to eat this Passover with you,” Jesus said (Luke 22:15).

WHY might Jesus have expressed such a desire?

Jesus realized it would be the last occasion he would have to be together with his disciples before his death. And Jesus had carefully planned to use the occasion of the Passover to institute an entirely new thing, a ceremony that would become especially precious and dear to the hearts of his followers down through the age.

Hidden in the details of this Passover ‘type’ is a lovely and instructive picture that portrays the method God will use to bring salvation and blessing to the human family. Thus it is really a preview of the grand deliverance God has in store for the whole world of mankind.

When we think of the original Passover, two aspects come to mind :

1. The escape of the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt across the Red Sea.

Natural Israel – may here represent the whole people of God, who shall ultimately become God’s people;

Egyptians –  represent the opponents of God, both men and fallen angels;

Pharaoh – may represent Satan, the prince of evil and the arch enemy of God.

Moses – may here represent Christ, both head and body, the great deliverer;

Red Sea –  represents second death.

2. The sparing or passing over of the firstborn from the tenth and final phase of plagues, the plague of death. Only the firstborn were subjected to the possibility of death in advance of their brethren. By passing over them and sparing their lives, God reckoned them as his own hallowed possession. Later, during the wilderness wanderings, God exchanged these for the tribe of Levi. They were separated from their brethren, gave up all inheritance in the land, and became priests and teachers. How fittingly they picture the Royal Priesthood class, who are also subject to death in advance of their brethren—during the Gospel age. They are the “church of the first born,” whose names are written in heaven (Heb. 12:23). These give up their earthly inheritance also, accepting in its place the great prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.

The Lamb

The account of the Passover lamb is described in Exodus 12. Exodus 12:3 explains that ‘on the tenth day of this month (Nisan) every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household.’

The Gospel of John clearly details the time sequence of Jesus’ last days. Our Lord, six days before the feast of the Passover, came to Bethany and stayed at the home of Mary and Martha (John 12:1). That would have made it the ninth day of Nisan. The next day, Jesus presented himself to the people (John 12:12-14). Thus it was on the tenth day of Nisan that the sacrificial lamb was brought into the Jewish households, and Jesus of Nazareth was hailed “king” by the national Jewish house, symbolized by the people of Jerusalem.

In Exodus 12:5 we are told that the paschal lamb was without blemish and a one-year-old male. The position of the New Testament in regard to the nature of Jesus is that he was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26).

Our Lord Jesus was born into the world as a perfect human being untainted with sin.

How was this possible?

Our Lord’s human life was begotten by Jehovah God, thus bypassing the detrimental hereditary effects of birth to sinful, fallen parents. Only by such miraculous birth was it possible for a human being to appear entirely free from any blemish or evidence of imperfection. Thus we see our Lord, a male of the first year—that is, in the prime of his life—just thirty three and a half years old, brought as a lamb to the slaughter. Yet, as Isaiah tells us, “he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth” (Isa. 53:9).

In Exodus 12:6 we read that the typical lamb was to be kept until the fourteenth day of Nisan, slaughtered “between the two evenings,” as the margin and literal Hebrew expresses it. (Leeser and the Septuagint version translate this, “toward evening.”)

The New Testament informs us that the heavenly Father so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to become the ransom (John 3:16). Upon our Lord Jesus was to be laid “the iniquity of us all” and “with his stripes we are [to be] healed.” He would become “the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (Isa. 53:5, 6; 1 John 2:2).

It was on the fourteenth day of Nisan in the year AD 33 when our Lord was arraigned before the authorities, subjected to a mock and illegal trial, and crucified by Roman soldiers to appease the wrath of the Jewish hierarchy. This was the day of preparation, when the lambs were slain in the temple preparatory to the feast.

It was at around 3 pm of this day, (the 9th hour according to the prevailing time reckoning), between the lesser and the greater of the two so-called evenings of Jewish custom, that our Lord gave his supreme sacrifice. By the grace of God and in accordance with his great plan of the ages, Jesus Christ tasted death for every man.

So primarily, the Passover pictures Jesus Christ as “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world,” and points forward to the costly sacrifice which he would make (John 1:29).

Role of the Household

As soon as the Passover lamb was slain, its blood was used to cover the two side posts and upper post (or lintel) of the doorway of each house. This was done to deter the death angel from entering that household and to cause him to pass over the firstborn ones residing there (Exod. 12:13, 22). What a powerful illustration we have here of the efficacy of Christ’s blood! By exercising faith in the redeeming work of Jesus, all believers during the night time of the present evil world are passed over and rescued from death—from the plague of the Adamic condemnation which rests on all others. Oh, they may appear to die like other men; but their demise is actually a sacrificial offering in God’s sight, which is far different from Adamic death.

“Having a high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience” (Heb. 10:21, 22).

What an interesting use of language here, suggesting that the door posts of our hearts are to be sprinkled with Christ’s blood. As we are justified in the Father’s sight, we are to do all in our power to lay aside the evil and sinful tendencies that would hinder us.

Note also that the blood was not to be sprinkled on the threshold or entry way into the house. No, that which was represented by the blood was far too precious to be stepped upon. The Apostle Paul speaks in somber terms of those who “tread under foot the Son of God and count the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified an unholy thing.” He says these have “affronted the grace [or unmerited favor] of God’s spirit” (Heb. 10:29).

Strength for the Journey

The members of the household were to eat the paschal lamb and unleavened bread that night (Exod. 12:8). The strength received from this meal was to carry them through the initial stages of the arduous exodus as they journeyed across the Red Sea and escaped from Egypt. Today, all the footstep followers of the Master ‘feed’ upon the Lamb of God. It is still dark outside. The reign of Satan, sin, sickness, and death still abound.

All through the night, by faith the church class has been feeding upon the anti-typical Lamb, partaking of Jesus’ sacrifice and appropriating it to themselves. It is because we thus feed on Jesus, by faith partake of his sacrifice and wholly trust in him as our Redeemer, that we receive a standing of justification in the Father’s sight. “There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1).

We must also eat of the unleavened bread of truth to become strong and fortified for our pilgrim journey. The precious promises of God’s Word and the complete message of present truth now available in the harvest period are all needed. We want to be fully prepared for our deliverance in the morning for the work of blessing to follow.

There was yet another ingredient in that Passover meal. What was it? The bitter herbs!

What true follower of the Master has not tasted of the bitterness of persecution or trial or difficulty; who has not suffered for the cause of righteousness?

“All that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).

“Now for a season … ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6, 7).

But these bitter herbs serve only to whet our appetites all the more for the lamb and for the unleavened bread. The Lord is calling us for a high and lofty purpose; we need to be adequately tested for the positions of responsibility and honor that await the overcomers.

Therefore, let us bear with patience and acceptance those experiences that our heavenly Father permits in our lives (Rom. 5:3, 4).

Not a Leisurely Meal

Were the Israelites to recline in their chair dressed in carefree clothes, with slippers on their feet while eating their Passover meal? No. All members of this household were to have “no continuing city” (Heb. 13:14)—no resting place. Their loins were girded, their shoes were on their feet, and their staff was in their hands (Exod. 12:11). They were to eat the meal in haste.

So too, we, as the anti-typical firstborn, are pilgrims and strangers in the world (1 Peter 2:11), and we are working as ambassadors for Christ, witnessing to the world regarding his kingdom and holding forth the Word of life (2 Cor. 5:20; Phil. 2:15, 16).

We are not to become involved in the affairs of this world, or entangled in seeking pleasure, wealth, and status. We must focus on our goal and be disciplined, knowing that we are enrolled in strict training for a future office as Kings and Priests who desire to be part of the Body of CHRIST. Nothing must be permitted to allure us from our goal or to detour us from the pathway that we are on. We have girded ourselves for our journey and we look for the heavenly Canaan. By and by, IF faithful, we WILL receive those glorious things God has in reservation for them which love him.

What beautiful lessons we have found in the Passover type! None who recognize Christ as the Passover Lamb could any longer with propriety carry out the typical ceremony. It is the reality of these things in which we are interested and their chief fulfilment in Christ. The Passover connection, is a strong reminder of our heritage, providing the colorful and instructive backdrop to the introduction of the Lord’s supper, with its even more profound understanding. How grateful we can be that our eyes have been opened to grasp these marvelous truths!