Demolition of the LHMM - let's make an example

On November 8, 2006 the executive trustee sends a another silly letter to the U.S. brethren associated with the LHMM. He falsely accuses these two brothers of vocalizing errors and abuses, seeking to draw attention away from himself.

To the nominal truth brethren associated with the LHMM, this letter appears to be appropriate, because they have fallen into sectarianism, and don't have a strong Epiphany Truth understanding. Those who hold a position in the movement have to make a choice. Unfortunately for many, their positions with the movement become more important than defending the truth.

In the letter, the executive trustee explains that he had given the named brethren ample time to respond. Mail from Chester Springs, PA to Springfield, MA can take 5-7 days to be delivered. It's very apparent the executive trustee had an agenda to move forward with his error, even at the cost of those who had done nothing wrong.

You will also notice the last sentence of this letter he uses the term "former brethren." Those who consecrate between the ages are not on trial for life. His clouded judgement allows him to think he has the ability to take one's justification away.

He owes these two faithful brothers and the faithful brethren upholding the Truth an apology. He should step down and resign his position for such a blunder.

Click HERE to see the November 8, 2006 letters to the brethren.

Demolition of the LHMM - "Leader of God's people under the Lord?"

Are we to think that the small handful of individuals associated with the LHMM can make the claim that they are God's only people? Such a silly comment.

Demolition of the LHMM. Engaging in clericalism and sectarianism.

On November 5, 2006, the executive trustee begins his work to destroy local bible classes. He starts with Springfield, MA. With the help from family members, and especially his nephew,  instructions are given not to vote for Bro. Branconnier as an elder. The executive trustee's plan backfires. Instead of removing Bro. Branconnier as an elder, no elder receives a majority vote to serve in 2007.

The executive trustee is responsible for this class splitting. How far would you go to defend a thought "let"?

Click HERE to see the email with partisan collaboration to split the Springfield, MA Bible class.

Demolition of the LHMM. Are these now "former brethren"?

Demolition of the LHMM. A thoughtlet, how far would you go?

On October 25, 2006  the executive trustee sent Bro. Branconnier a letter accusing him of a verbal campaign against the "thoughtlet" error he published in the Present Truth magazine.

Bro. Branconnier was an evangelist and an active elder in the Springfield, MA class. That ecclesia's annual business meeting, a recorded event, included a discussion of the error and how the class could study the matter for themselves. Those recordings were sent to the Bible House by several family members of the executive trustee, and that is how this came to be.

Click HERE to download the letter to Bro. Banconnier.
How far would you go to defend error?

If you had the thought(let) ...

... that in Bro. Johnson's notes on Tabernacle Shadows, page 133, he's referring to the existence of the actual Youthful Worthy class, understanding the grammar and looking nearby will show this view to be incorrect.

Page 133: "It will also be remembered that it is he who brought to our attention the fact that there has been since 1881 a class of non-spirit-begotten consecrated ones, whom we call Youthful Worthies."

Some brethren get caught up in the word "class" in this sentence. They ignore the "a" before it and "consecrated ones" after it. Bro. Johnson does not use the definite article "the" and write "the Youthful Worthy class" to mention a separate and distinct entity, but instead is referring to the "ones" of individuals. Clearly, this is the meaning of the sentence. He even goes on to point out that it is only later on, in the Epiphany, when they have a unique distinction.

Second, these notes were first published in the November 1936 PT. Had Bro. Johnson thought of them as being a separate and distinct class in 1881, we should find other references nearby to prove this view. Of course, we do not.

Fifteen pages earlier in the October issue, he addresses the subject in the Questions of General Interest, showing how the spirit-begotten could only see spiritual things up until 1881. Had there been Youthful Worthy individuals before 1881, they should have been able to see those deeper things. But, those individuals were not to be found.

Fifty pages later in the February issue, he also addresses this same subject in the Questions of General Interest. Here he references St. Paul on 1 Cor. 2:14, "for between Pentecost and 1881, to which time alone his words are limited, all the consecrated were new creatures; hence during that time the term new creature and the term consecrated applied to the same persons and were interchangeable."

Demolition of the LHMM - Hostess to a convention that supports error?

If you had the thought(let) ...

... that E10, page 284 shows that the Youthful Worthies existed in 1878, just look nearby to see that this view is incorrect.

E10, p. 284: "After leaving the nominal church as Youthful Worthies, from 1878 onward, and coming into the Truth, these were as a class taken by Bro. Russell as a symbolic daughter."

Two pages later on p. 286: "... since from 1881 onward these things were not certain in individual cases, because all consecrators were not accepted into the high calling."

Both the dependent clause "from 1878 onward" as well as "and coming into the Truth" are required to complete the understanding as to their beginning. We just don't have the date of their full consecration listed in the second clause. That is, until two pages later, where we are told that ALL consecrations until 1881 were Spirit-begotten.

Demolition of The LHMM - The Future Appointed Leader in Waiting

Between 2004 and 2006, a certain Pilgrim of the BS Ministries served local classes in America with the topic Incidental Features. At last year's convention in Tulsa, OK, he made the comment that this talk would make a return to his discourse repertoire. And it did at their most recent convention in Washington. Not one person in the audience groaned in dismay as to what was being said. From the very beginning, he has misinterpreted Brother Russell's use of the term "incidental" and has convinced himself that many essential features of GOD's plan like "Faith Justification" and "The Great Sacrifice for Sin" use today's meaning of the word. Very sad.

See December 2012 postings on this matter.

Click here to listen to this confused Pilgrim

Take note to listen at the 19:15, 23:06, 30:00, 37:15, 39:00, 43:20, and 44:00 minute marks.

This brother attempts to support his claims that this information is found in the writings. Attached is an example from R4555. Also see R4137 and R4656

R4137: "...Our Lord's mission was primarily to make the great sacrifice for sin, which was the redemption price, and to secure ultimately the release of mankind from the sentence of original sin. As an incidental feature connected with the world's salvation through his sacrifice, he preached the good tidings and called for followers to walk in his steps and to be joint-sacrificers with him, and thus ultimately to be joint-heirs with him in the work of distributing the blessings and favor of God, secured through his death..."

R4555: "... Nevertheless the divine plan does not end with the deliverance of "the Church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven" and who shall share with Christ in "his resurrection"--the first, or chief resurrection. The appropriation of the merit of Christ first to the Church is merely an incidental feature of the Divine Plan. Soon the Church shall have shared by the privilege now granted to believers of becoming dead with Christ to the earthly interests and alive as New Creatures by the first resurrection..."

R4656: "...Their hope will be the same as that of the remainder of the world, viz., a hope of actual justification during the Millennial Age --Restitution. In other words, this matter of faith-justification is merely an incidental feature connected with the consecration to death--for the selection of this special class which is now being called. To impute justification to any except these would be greatly to their disadvantage."

Modern definitions belonging to the word "Incidental" are:  (chance, accidental, untended, unintentional, unplanned).  Additional definitions that should be considered from the late 1800's, early 1900's include "Natural Occurring Event", "Followed By" etc.

The redemptive part of GOD's plan was thoughtfully planned, and deliberate.

R5409: "...The essential features of the Gospel are that Jesus came from above--that He was holy, harmless and undefiled, and gave Himself a Ransom-price for sinners. God recognized the merit of His work and raised Him from the dead, and He ascended on High, there to appear in the presence of God--first for the Church class, later for the world. All this the Christian accepts by faith."

This individual is the next executive trustee in waiting for the BS Ministries. His understanding of the Parousia, and Epiphany Truth is lacking, as demonstrated by this, and other subject matters he has misrepresented. This US Pilgrim who has preached this error should offer a correction, and step down.

Demolition of The LHMM - A Pilgrim Addresses the General Church

On July 25, 2006 Pilgrim Bro. Blaine addresses the general Church with Truth references from the Parousia and Epiphany writings pointing out the error in the 2006 Present Truth contrived by the current executive trustee of the LHMM.

Click here to see the original document mailed to the Brethren

Demolition of The LHMM Timeline - "The Truth is First Pure, then Peaceable"

"The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable" (James 3: 17). 

Demolition of the LHMM - The Editor of the Present Truth Magazine Denies the 1914 Date

The question the executive trustee originally posed was: "What is the correct date of the Youthful Worthy call? 1878, or 1881?" Later in the article, he diverts the attention from the word "call" to the word "class", and never addresses the Truth on the subject. Did Anyone Notice?

Along with his misunderstanding of the word "class" and the English language, the executive trustee ignores hundreds of references dealing with the Gospel Age Harvest which focuses on the completion of the Church. Below, you will find direct references pertaining to the "Youthful Worthy call" having its beginning in 1914.


PT 1951, p. 135, col., 1
"Thus the material was all ready, initially, for the Epiphany temple by the Fall of 1914; and, as Bro. Johnson indicates in E Vol. 11, p. 493, the work of building the Epiphany tabernacle, or temple (frequently used interchangeably—. E Vol. 8, p. 623), "had its beginning in the call of the Youthful Worthies from 1914 onward." Hence we are warranted in beginning the time of the laying of the foundations of the Epiphany temple in the Fall of 1914."


PT 1951, p. 135, col., 2
"As already seen (in the third and fourth preceding pars.), the work of building the Epiphany temple had its first beginnings in the Fall of 1914 with the call of the Youthful Worthies. The Youthful Worthies will all be appointed by Oct. 1954, after which no more Youthful Worthies will be won (E Vol. 10, p. 114; P '51, p. 90),..."


PT 1959, p. 56, col. 1
"These other leaders could not see, e.g., that a great step of progress in connection with the antitypical Tabernacle had set in—that beginning in the Fall of 1914 in the call of the Youthful Worthies as a class, God was building the Epiphany Tabernacle Court as distinct from the Holy..."

Another grace parallel occurs between the closing of the door of entrance into the High Calling on Sept. 16, 1914 (E 3, p. 401; E 4, p. 464; for 80 proofs that it closed, see P.T. No. 515), and the closing of the door of entrance into the Youthful Worthy calling, exactly 40 years later, on Sept. 16, 1954 (E 10, p. 114; E 11, p. 473; P '54, pp. 41, 57).


P2 Page. 212-213: "This call, which must end when enough invited from which to complete the favored Little Flock, the body of Christ, is far from being the limit of God's love and favor and calling. Its end will close the heavenly or high calling. For where this call ends, where this door of opportunity and favor closes, another door begins to swing open..."

The above references show that PT 2006, p. 18, p. 21, col. 2, p. 22, col. 1. denies the 1914 date.

Click here to download 2006 Present Truth Whole Number 714

The Demolition of the LHMM - Where is the correct date?

1. The current executive trustee in the 2006 Summer PT seeks to deceive the reader by offering two incorrect dates, and omitting the correct date for the Youthful Worthy call. Again, did anyone notice?

2. As responsible Bible students; do we accept the latest expression from the Spirit Begotten on this subject, or do we promote a thoughtlet?  Click Link to see:  E Vol. 5 Pages, 340 - 344 

3. "Do you want the Lord's will or do you want your will?" It's a fair question.

Demolition of the LHMM - The Deceptive Question - Did Anyone Notice?

Below, you will find the original question that was posed to Pilgrim Bro. Blaine by the current executive trustee seeking support for his thoughtlet. (See our 3/3/13 post.)

The question below deals with clarification on "classes."

The deceptive question in the 2006 Summer Present Truth deals with clarification on the word "call." Did anyone notice?

Demolition of the LHMM - The Deceptive Question

Demolition of The LHMM - Summer 2006 Present Truth

Very few brethren associated with the Bible Standard Ministries applied the Berean method of study to the executive trustee's "Present View" error in the Summer 2004 Present Truth revised "Quasi Elect" article. Two years later, he further promotes his thoughtlet in the Summer 2006 Present Truth with an outright attack on the Epiphany Truth dates given by the spirit-begotten servants. He knowingly changes his talking point from the term "class" to "call". Did anyone notice?

We feel that this continuation of error will go down in history as one reason the movement is no longer used by our Lord. Clericalism and Sectarianism would soon follow. We will deal with this deception over the next several posts.

Demolition of the LHMM - Preparing for Summer 2006 PT Bombshell

Demolition of the LHMM - Notes Found in a Drawer Used as Authentic Proof to Support Error?

Authentication (from Greek: αὐθεντικός; real or genuine, from αὐθέντης authentes; author) is the act of confirming the truth of an attribute of a datum or entity.

Despite the incredible amount of authentic printed material found in the Truth writings on the Youthful Worthies as individuals and as a separate and distinct class, the current executive trustee and his partisan supporters forge forward with the "Present View" error.  Notes found in a drawer from an unidentified person are published in the Winter 2005 Present Truth (see download) as proof to support the executive trustee's thoughtlet. The notes do not meet the standards of real, printed references such as the following:

PT 1947, p. 53 - col. 1

The Youthful Worthies as individuals have been developing since in 1881 the general call ceased, and as a class since the last Little Flock member was won in 1914.


Present Truth 1949, page 156

"Another wonderful happenings of these past years is the many consecrators who are given the privilege of Youthful Worthiship. While there were Youthful Worthies from 1881 to 1914, i.e ., in the cases of those for whom no crowns were then available, since 1914 all new consecrators are of this class; because by Oct. 1914 all crowns were filled to completion

Click Here to Download Notes from Winter 2005 PT

Demolition of the LHMM - "If you're not for me..."

Pilgrim Bro. Blaine Responds to the Executive Trustee's Error

On 2/11/2005, Pilgrim Bro. Richard Blaine responded to the executive trustee's strange letter with the intent to provide Truth references that would help him rightly divide the word, and see the error. In his original document, he included only 20 proofs that the Youthful Worthies came on the scene as individuals in 1881, and the call began in 1914 when they became an Epiphany Class.

 Click Here: To Download 35 Page Expanded Document.

Demolition of the LHMM - Pastor Blaine Responds

Demolition Of The LHMM - The Executive Trustee Confused

In this letter to a Truth brother, the Executive Trustee brings up the topic of conflicting messages in our writings regarding the Youthful Worthies. He mentions a few references that he feels support his view. But, as we have pointed out in the past, they do not. For if they did, he would make Brother Johnson a confused author, contradicting himself within the same books. That makes no sense at all.

We have to remember that the leaders of the current BS Ministries use the "thoughtlet" method of finding new truths where none exist. They reach into a book and find a few sentences to generate a new idea, but ignore the rest which put it in context. Most of the time, it is their lack in understanding grammar and usage. Let's review!

He starts out, of course, with the very reference that generated the thoughtlet: the Ruth picture in E4, pp. 374-376. All three sentences he's thinking of are clear when you realize that the picture shows her starting the journey in 1878. Her being fully consecrated is not until 1881. Ruth's condition was not perfected until then. Grammar and usage. Previous to 1881, all the consecrated were Spirit-begotten. See E4. p. 469 (or even p. 462) for the clearest reference WITHIN THE SAME BOOK.

He then points out another thoughtlet reference, E5, pp. 62-64, where "the last of all the classes, the Youthful Worthies, entered the antitypical Ark in 1881." He gets tripped up by the word "class" in this reference. We have to remember that the Great Company, as a class, is also in the Ark. Even though the Epiphany is when it became a separate and distinct class, it is in the Ark because there were GC individuals during the Gospel Age. So, logically, the Youthful Worthies can be in the Ark as of 1881 because it is when individuals started to exist. They too became a class in the Epiphany. Again, the Executive Trustee ignores clear references WITHIN THE SAME BOOK. See the foreword, p. 39, p. 226, and p. 419.

Finally, he goes back to E4, p. 318, and points out "individuals of a class" as a reference supporting his view. As we have stated before, that term was used by the scientific community to indicate an observed grouping of something that was not expected. For example, a math equation expressed on a scatter diagram may show a grouping of points that were not expected. That is why it is phrased as individuals of A class and not THE class. The Executive Trustee misses the meaning completely. Besides, all we have to do is go to the VERY NEXT SENTENCE WITHIN THE SAME BOOK. When it says, "...since the General Call ceased in 1881, more people consecrated to the Lord than could be provided with crowns," it means that up until that time all those who consecrated could be provided with crowns.

What a silly letter from the Executive Trustee.

Demolition of the LHMM - Creating the Rift

Demolition of The LHMM - Setting The Stage for Muckracking - 2004 Tulsa Oklahoma Convention Part 2

Shown above are two 2004 Tulsa, OK convention programs: the original program and a revised version. Initially, the executive trustee was planning to come to this convention. When he couldn't make it, he assigned his portions to Pilgrim Bro. Blaine. You will notice that the executive trustee was scheduled to handle the question meeting in the initial program.

During the convention, one of the other officiating chairman endorsed the "present view" error during a discourse, even though it was unrelated to his subject matter. At the question meeting, the following was asked. "What is the correct date for the Youthful Worthy call? 1878 or 1881."

As we all know, neither date is correct. The Youthful Worthy call began in 1914. So, the questioner offered no real choice. Never before from the Epiphany Truth platform was the thought ever given that the Youthful Worthies had their beginning in 1878. And the call was after the Harvest in 1914.

Who planted such a strange question? We suspect that the current executive trustee and his fellow collaborators began their destructive course at this convention by seeking out those who opposed his new error. False accusations and character assassinations were soon to come.
 

Demolition of The LHMM - Setting The Stage for Muckracking - 2004 Tulsa Oklahoma Convention Part 1

The Demolition Begins With A Subtle Error

The current Executive Trustee’s “present view” of the dates for the existence of the Youthful Worthies is what caused the split in America. This was first expressed in print with his modification of the first paragraph of Bro. Jolly’s 1978 PT Quasi-Elect article in his 2004 version (both shown below).

The current executive trustee supports Krewson's error

The current executive trustee wasn't the first individual to promote the error that the Youthful Worthies had their start in 1878. Krewson's thoughtlet also ignores other references in E10 that would contradict this view (see the Author's Foreword, pages 209, 250, 285-6, and others.). For instance, page 286 says that all consecrators up to 1881 were accepted into the high calling.

For clarity, please refer to the July 19, 2008 post on Esther. It has information pertaining to E Vol. 10, p.284, and other misunderstood references.

Demolition of the LHMM Timeline - March 12, 2004

Minutes of the Florida Convention Business Meeting March 12, 2004

BE IT RESOLVED by this General Convention of the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement held in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, on March 12, 2004 with all delegates thereto in convention assembled, that, due to the demise of Pastor Bernard W. Hedman while acting as Executive Trustee of the L.H.M.M., Pastor Ralph M. Herzig, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, be appointed as Pastor Bernard W. Hedman's successor as Executive Trustee of the L.H.M.M., with the following powers:

(1) To continue, manage and conduct in the name and on behalf of said L.H.M.M., its business and affairs, as he may deem to be appropriate, requisite or advisable to be done or performed;

(2) To receive, hold in charge and expend, for the objects and purposes of said L.H.M.M., any and all monies and other assets thereof;

(3) To borrow from time to time on behalf of and for the purposes of said L.H.M.M., any sums of money he may deem advisable upon the monies or other assets of said L.H.M.M., including its real estate;

(4) To invest or reinvest any monies, assets or property of said L.H.M.M. as he may deem advisable and proper;

(5) For and in the name of said L.H.M.M., to buy, sell and convey real estate in fee simple to any person or persons and for such sum or sums as he shall deem proper, without any liability on the part of the purchaser to see to the disposition of the purchase money, and further with power to mortgage the whole or any part of any real estate owned or subsequently acquired by said L.H.M.M.

(6) To grant, bargain and sell any messuages, tenements, hereditaments and real estate whatsoever, or any part or parcel thereof, for any sum or price as to him shall seem proper;

(7) To manage all lands, messuages, tenements or hereditaments freehold or leasehold or otherwise, owned and/or occupied by said L.H.M.M.;

(8) To enter into, accept, terminate and vary leases or tenancies thereof; and

(9) To grant, accept, terminate and vary leases and tenancies thereof, and to demand and receive all rents due or to become due to said L.H.M.M. from any person, persons, partnership or corporation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Pastor Ralph M. Herzig shall have the power to designate an attorney, agent or representative, with full power to do everything requisite and necessary in furtherance of the L.H.M.M.'s activities, and with full power of substitution and revocation in such duties or actions as Pastor Ralph M. Herzig shall deem necessary; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Pastor Ralph M. Herzig shall have the power to delegate certain of his duties to such person or persons as he may designate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, for effectually removing any possible doubt which may arise as to the true meaning or as to the construction or application of the powers aforementioned, that the L.H.M.M. hereby declares that the same are intended to extend and shall in all cases extend to any other matters or transactions not previously mentioned or defined which in the course of the general business of said L.H.M.M. as aforesaid may by Pastor Ralph M. Herzig be deemed to be requisite or advisable to be done or performed.

RESOLUTIONS FOR TEMPORARY SUCCESSION

WHEREAS, Ralph M. Herzig, the incumbent Executive Trustee of the L.H.M.M. does not deem it advisable at the present time to propose anyone to be duly elected to succeed him as Executive Trustee of the L.H.M.M. at the time of his demise, and

WHEREAS, it is deemed advisable to make a provision for the temporary carrying on of the normal functions of the L.H.M.M. without interruption in the event of said incumbent Executive Trustee's demise at a time when no succeeding Executive Trustee of the

L.H.M.M. shall have yet been duly elected and is then capable of serving in that capacity,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Pastor Ralph M. Herzig shall have the power, and is hereby invested so to do, to designate in writing, a Pilgrim or an Auxiliary Pilgrim of the L.H.M.M. to act as Temporary Executive Trustee with the powers hereinafter enumerated until a succeeding Executive Trustee of the L.H.M.M. is duly elected, and qualified, and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Ralph M. Herzig shall have the power and is hereby invested so to do, to designate in writing, a Pilgrim or an Auxiliary Pilgrim of the L.H.M.M. to act as alternate Temporary Executive Trustee with the same powers as the Temporary Executive Trustee in the event that the person designated as Temporary Executive Trustee is unable or incapable of acting as Temporary Executive Trustee for any reason whatsoever, and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED that the following shall be the powers and duties of the Temporary Executive Trustee:

FIRST: To announce the death of the incumbent Executive Trustee and to assist his family to arrange for his funeral.

SECOND: To arrange for the election of a succeeding Executive Trustee, which election shall take place within four months from the date of the death of the incumbent Executive Trustee, and which election shall be held either at:

(a) A special business meeting called for the purpose of electing a succeeding Executive Trustee at a general convention which had already been scheduled before the demise of the incumbent Executive Trustee, if in the opinion of the Temporary Executive Trustee there is adequate time to provide for an election at such general convention.

(b) A special business meeting of a special general convention called and arranged for by the Temporary Executive Trustee.

THIRD: In the interim between the demise of the incumbent Executive Trustee and the election of a succeeding Executive Trustee, the Temporary Executive Trustee shall exercise all the necessary powers to carry on the work of the L.H.M.M. without interruption; provided, however, that the expenditures of money by the Temporary Executive Trustee shall not exceed $150,000.00.

FOURTH: That otherwise the powers of the Temporary Executive Trustee shall be the same as the powers as those of the Executive Trustee as enumerated under paragraphs (1) through (9) above and the three additional resolutions immediately following paragraph (9) above.

Coming Soon: The Demolition of The LHMM Timeline, and E Vol. 4 Revisited

Coming Soon: The Demolition of The LHMM Timeline, and E Vol. 4 revisited.

"Incidental Features" Misunderstanding - Error - Part 3

Between the period of 2004 - 2006 a certain "US Pilgrim" served local classes in America with the topic: "Incidental Features." In a recent convention held in Tulsa, OK, this same "US Pilgrim" made the comment that this talk would make a return to his discourse repertoire. This brother has misinterpreted Brother Russell's cultural and technical use of that term, and has convinced himself that many essential features of GOD's plan like "Faith Justification" and "The Great Sacrifice for Sin." are in today's meaning of the word "Incidental."

Fact:

The redemptive part of GOD's plan was thoughtfully planned, and deliberate.

R5409: "...The essential features of the Gospel are that Jesus came from above--that He was holy, harmless and undefiled, and gave Himself a Ransom-price for sinners. God recognized the merit of His work and raised Him from the dead, and He ascended on High, there to appear in the presence of God--first for the Church class, later for the world. All this the Christian accepts by faith."

Conclusion: The US Pilgrim who has preached this error should offer a correction.

"Incidental Features" Misunderstanding - Error - Part 2

Between the period of 2004 - 2006 a certain "US Pilgrim" served local classes in America with the topic: "Incidental Features." In a recent convention held in Tulsa, OK, this same "US Pilgrim" made the comment that this talk would make a return to his discourse repertoire. This brother has misinterpreted Brother Russell's cultural and technical use of that term, and has convinced himself that many essential features of GOD's plan like "Faith Justification" and "The Great Sacrifice for Sin." are in today's meaning of the word "Incidental."

Reason, Scripture, and Fact

Scripture - The Writings:

This "US Pilgrim" attempts to backs his claims that this information is found in the writings. Attached is an example from R4555. Also see R4137 and R4656

R4137: "...Our Lord's mission was primarily to make the great sacrifice for sin, which was the redemption price, and to secure ultimately the release of mankind from the sentence of original sin. As an incidental feature connected with the world's salvation through his sacrifice, he preached the good tidings and called for followers to walk in his steps and to be joint-sacrificers with him, and thus ultimately to be joint-heirs with him in the work of distributing the blessings and favor of God,
secured through his death..."

R4555: "... Nevertheless the divine plan does not end with the deliverance of "the Church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven" and who shall share with Christ in "his resurrection"--the first, or chief resurrection. The appropriation of the merit of Christ first to the Church is merely an incidental feature of the Divine Plan. Soon the Church shall have shared by the privilege now granted to believers of becoming dead with Christ to the earthly interests and alive as New Creatures by the first resurrection..."

R4656: "...Their hope will be the same as that of the remainder of the world, viz., a hope of actual justification during the Millennial Age --Restitution. In other words, this matter of faith-justification is merely an incidental feature connected with the consecration to death--for the selection of this special class which is now being called. To impute justification to any except these would be greatly to their disadvantage."

Modern definitions belonging to the word "Incidental" are:  (chance, accidental, untended, unintentional, unplanned).  Additional definitions that should be considered from the late 1800's, early 1900's include "Natural Occurring Event", "Followed By" etc.
 

"Incidental Features" Misunderstanding - Error - Part 1

A certain pilgrim in the US continues to misinterpret the Parousia truth writings, and has convinced himself that many essential features of GOD's plan like "Faith Justification" and "The Great Sacrifice for Sin." are in today's meaning of the word "Incidental."

Reason, Scripture, and Fact

Reason:

First question we might want to ask this Brother:  What part of the Ransom, and sacrificial death of our Lord in GOD's plan should be considered incidental? ( chance, accidental, untended, unintentional, unplanned, etc.)

Youthful Worthies—Do they Have The Imputed Merit Of Jesus For Their Standing.

Question (1921)—The Ancient Worthies had their faith imputed to them for righteousness, and were regarded by God as friends, and as such had access to Him. Is this the standing of the Youthful Worthies, or do they come through the Way—Jesus?

Answer.—All of the tentatively justified have their faith imputed to them for righteousness. This would, therefore, include the Youthful Worthies as well as
the Ancient Worthies. Just like the Ancient Worthies, the Youthful Worthies are not sons of God; for neither Christ’s merit has been imputed, nor has the spirit
begettal been given to either Class. Just like the Ancient Worthies they are friends of Jehovah God, and have access to God; but not to Him as their Father, even as was the case with the Ancient Worthies. They are not to pray to Him as their Father, but as Jehovah, their God. They are not introduced to the Father by the Advocate, though Jesus as God’s Vicegerent acts providentially toward them, as He did in His prehuman condition toward the Ancient Worthies. Therefore they do not by Him have access through the one Spirit to the Father as the Church does.—Eph. 2: 18. ’21-9

Youthful Worthies—Would It Be Proper To Say That They Are Tentatively Covered By The Imputed Merit.

Question (1952)—Would it be proper, then, to say that the Youthful Worthies are covered tentatively by Jesus’ imputed merit and that it will not be used for the world of mankind until after all the Youthful Worthies have finished their earthly course?

Answer.—Yes. The Epiphany Messenger stated the matter as follows (P. ’46, p. 104, col. 2, 50-53): “Godward the application [of the ransom-merit] will be made instantaneously after the complete death of the Great Company and Youthful Worthies, who are covered, the former vitalizedly, the latter tentatively, by the imputed merit.” We see, therefore, that the Youthful Worthies enter into their complete death before the ransom-merit is applied for the world, prior to which they are tentatively covered by it. In the Jan. Herald, 1946, p. 6, par. 1, appears the following: “It will be seen that God’s wisdom planned every step in the salvation of the four elect classes, that God’s love provided all the sacrifices, including the ransom sacrifice, for their winning, and that Divine power executed every step of it, on the basis of an imputative use of the ransom. Note how wisely Divine wisdom planned for an imputative, a reckoned, and not an actual purchase by the ransom on behalf of the elect classes.” Obviously, then, the Youthful Worthies need the imputation, though tentatively held, of Christ’s ransom-merit as their covering in their covenant relationship with God during their earthly course; and surely the God who invited them to this high privilege of consecration would not deprive them of their standing under the tentatively imputed ransom-merit until they have had full opportunity to make their calling and election sure. It is not logical to suppose that Jehovah, who is a God of order, would begin the non-elective salvation before the elective salvation is entirely completed and the last class to leave the earth, the Youthful Worthies, have all gone into death. In The Herald, Jan., 1946, p. 6, par. 2, we read: “After the three elect classes of the present will have left this world, and thus will no longer need the imputation of Christ’s ransom-merit, then it will be free to be used for the actual purchase of Adam and his race of the unbelief class.” We may be sure, therefore, that its tentative imputation will be available for the Youthful Worthies until they will have finished their course. ’52-45

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pg. 213 cont.)

The Gospel age has been the calling time: first, for calling sinners to repentance and to faith in Christ the Redeemer; and, second, for calling the justified ones to joint-heirship with Christ in his Kingdom, on the condition of following now in his footprints of self-sacrifice, even unto death—as the condition of acceptance to the Kingdom work and honors of the coming Millennial age. When, therefore, the Lord tells us that the closing period of the age will be a harvest time, it indicates clearly a radical change—from sowing to reaping, from calling to testing the called and closing the work begun by the call.

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pg. 213)

On the other hand, the closing of the "door," in the parable of Matt. xxv., marks the full end of all opportunity for any, even of the "called" ones, thereafter to attain the prize of the high calling. It marks the end of all opportunity to prove worthy of the prize by faithfulness in the service: all opportunity for service will there terminate, in the "night" wherein no man can work ( John 9: 4). It is manifest, therefore, that the door, or opportunity, thus to make our calling and election sure, does not necessarily close when the call, or general invitation to all believers to enter, ceases to go forth. And, while the door stands open, it indicates that any believer who is anxious to enter and ready to comply with the conditions may yet do so, even though the general "call" or invitation to enter is no longer sent out. As a matter of fact, the door or opportunity to labor and sacrifice has not yet closed, though the general call ceased in 1881.

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pgs. 212-213)

The ending of the high calling to joint-heirship with our Lord Jesus in the Kingdom of God, it should be distinctly understood, is not the shutting of the door in the parable of the virgins. Though the general "call" to this favor ceased in 1881, the "door" is yet open. The call is the general invitation of God, to all justified believers in the Redeemer, to follow in his footsteps of self-sacrifice, even unto death, and thereby prove their worthiness to reign with him in glory. This favor had a definite time for beginning: the waiting disciples were accepted to it on the day of Pentecost, A.D. 33. And it has had, as already shown, a definite time of ending; viz., October 1881.*

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pgs. 207-208)

There are three ways in which the closing of this door might be indicated: first, by a definite Bible state the exact date; second, by such a reversal of public sentiment with reference to the truth, that fidelity and its service would no longer meet with opposition and when suffering with Christ for the truth's sake (Rom 8: 17) would be no longer possible; or third, by such a of affairs obtaining in the world that all opportunity for such service would be effectually obstructed, thus leaving no opportunities for candidates to enter into the work and to develop and prove their love and faithfulness by their activity and endurance.

Though we are definitely informed that the door will be shut sometime in this harvest period or end of the age, the Bible does not give the exact date; and, although after the great time of trouble there will be a grand reversal of public sentiment in favor of truth and justice, we have no intimation whatever that such a condition of affairs will obtain until after the harvest period is fully ended. But we have a clear intimation that the door will be shut in the manner last named; for, before the Millennial day breaks, we are forewarned of a dark night wherein no man can labor—"The morning cometh, and also the night"— Isa. 21: 12. See also Vol. 11, chap. viii.

Pastoral Memorial Service Begins October 5th

Friday October 5 - 7th, 2012

Memorial Archive:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/12016985 

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pg. 207)

In view of its glorious termination, the opportunity walk in this narrow way of self-sacrifice for the truth’s sake is the grandest privilege that was ever offered to any creature. The privilege of suffering with Christ and in his cause, after first recognizing him as our Redeemer, is therefore the door, and the only door of opportunity which the glory to follow, as the bride and joint-heir of Christ, can be reached.

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pgs. 206-207)

Consider this "door" of opportunity and privilege, soon to close. Our Lord called it a gate, and said that during the Gospel age it would be difficult both to find and to enter it, and advised us to make great effort to enter, if we would share the immortality and Kingdom honors, to which it and no other door leads. He said, therefore, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in and shall not be able, the Master of the house hath risen up and shut to the door (Luke 13: 25). This narrow way, as we have already seen,* is the way of self-sacrifice in the interest of the)] and work. The way is made narrow by the circumstances of the present time, by the opposition of the worldly spirit against truth and righteousness, so that whoever walks in the footprints of our Leader and Forerunner will find the way narrow or difficult and must suffer persecution. To walk in this way, as our Lord set us an example that we should follow in his steps, implies not only a passive conformity to his disposition or spirit, but also an active, energetic zeal in the promulgation of his truth at all hazards. And all who walk in this narrow way, faithful as he was faithful, unto death, have fellowship in his sufferings, and will also in due time have fellowship in his glory, at the marriage feast, in the glory to be revealed at his appearing and Kingdom—Phil. 3:10: 1 Pet. 4: 13.

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Page 206)

An open "door" symbolizes an opportunity of entrance to certain conditions and privileges; a shut door represents the termination of such privilege or opportunity. The privilege, invitation or opportunity of the Gospel age, granting, under restrictive conditions, to believers in Christ, entrance into joint-heirship with him in the heavenly Kingdom and to the divine nature, is the "door" by which we "have access into this grace [favor] wherein we stand"; namely, into the hope of sharing the glory of God. (Rom. 5: 2.) This door, which has stood open throughout the entire age, is sometime to be closed; and the door in the parable of the virgins marks this close, the termination of all such opportunities and privileges. This parable of the virgins merely portrays the events in the close of this age among those of the true Church living at that time. The "door" of this parable represents that certain special privileges, the consummation and goal of all the favors of the Gospel age, will be open to the "wise virgins" in the time of harvest; and the closing of the door when all of this class shall have availed themselves of such privileges represents the close of all the favor and privileges of the Gospel age; because the feast represents in full the Gospel advantages and privileges, being a representation of the grand consummation to which all other favors lead, the promised Kingdom glories.

Memorial Service Oct. 5 - 7, 2012 - Ustream

The 2012 Pastoral Memorial Service will be streamed live October 5 - 7 from Chicago as events take place.

Link and schedule will be available soon!

E Vol 8 Pages 619-620 Treats Youthful Worthy's "Tentative Justification"

(15) A number of times in The Present Truth, e.g., when treating of Ex. 12: 43-50, in the article on Israel's Enslavement And Deliverance, and of Ruth 2-4, in the article on Ruth, Type And Antitype, we pointed out that the strangers in the land (v. 14) type the Youthful Worthies. Their dwelling in the land types their being consecrated, i.e., in the Truth and its Spirit, while their not being born there types their not being Spirit-begotten. It is of the Youthful Worthies that v. 14 treats. For such an one to keep the antitypical Passover unto the Lord, it is necessary that he do exactly what the new creatures do with it (v. 14). He must keep it according to the statute (chukath) of the Passover and according to the judgment, ordinance (mishpat) of the Passover. According to the doctrine (mishpat—judgment, ordinance) he must keep it, i.e., in living faith in the Lamb as tentatively justifying him, through the tentative imputation of His merit. And according to the practice (chukath—statute) he must keep it, i.e., during the Gospel-Age from 1881 onward as a part of Nisan 14, with the leaven of sin and error purged out, with the unleavened bread of sincerity and Truth and with the bitter herbs of trials, sufferings and persecutions, with the staff of God's Word in hand as his support, with the girdle of service about his loins and journeying out of symbolic Egypt to antitypical Canaan. When v. 14 tells us that there is one statute for the stranger and the Israelite born in the land, it gives us the thought that in the antitype there is no difference in what consecration requires of the new creatures and of the Youthful Worthies. They make the same vows of deadness to self and the world and aliveness to God. The difference is, therefore, not in the obligations that they take upon themselves, but in the use God makes of their consecration: the consecration of some is accepted by God through the begettal of the Spirit and that of the others is not. But the same antitypical Passover doctrines and practices both classes are to live out—one statute to the stranger and to the one born in the land. But as the Youthful Worthies now do these things, not as the parts of a trial for life, but of faith and loyalty, they will unto a completion do these things Millennially and in the Little Season as the parts of a trial for life.

"We Are Perfect?" Part 4 - E4. Pgs. 461-462

(63) Question: Do the Youthful Worthies in this Age have to develop perfect love?

Answer: If the question were put as follows, Are the Youthful Worthies now on trial for life, i.e., are they being tried along the lines of perfect love, on which trial for life must be, we would have to answer, No; for their trial is like that of the Ancient Worthies, who evidently were not on such a trial, as is proven; e.g., by the cases of Samson and David who were among the approved Ancient Worthies (Heb. 11: 32, 39), but who died wishing evil on enemies of theirs. But the Youthful Worthies must now develop disinterested love in some measure, though not necessarily unto perfection; for to carry out a consecration unto death, which is not a demand of justice, duty love, but is a matter of privilege, disinterested love, it is inevitable, if one is faithful, that he develop a measure of disinterested love, though not necessarily unto perfection, i.e., crystallization. In the case of the Little Flock and the Great Company, their trial being for life, they must develop disinterested love unto crystallization, otherwise they could not get life. The Youthful Worthies, not now being on trial for life, are not required to develop disinterested love unto crystallization. We would not even say that they must develop perfect untested love, i.e., gain the mark, though some of them do it, which will bring them a higher reward in the Millennium than those of them who do not develop it. Apparently God does not now permit to come upon them such trials as would be necessary to develop disinterested love unto perfection, crystallization. But He does have come upon them such trials as will test their faith and devotion to righteousness sufficiently to qualify them for Millennial princeship, as well as such as will measurably test their disinterested love.

"We Are Perfect?" Part 3 - PT. 1947, Pg 115

…And if only those who have faith have been called throughout this Gospel Age, what shall we say of the testings of faith for these? The Apostle's intimation is that their faith will need a great testing. He says, "The trial of your faith is much more precious than that of gold which perisheth" (1 Pet. 1: 7). Gold has a special value at the present time by reason of its scarcity—a value that will perish when with the new order of things it will be as easy to have gold as to have clay or iron; but the "Little Flock," which the Lord is selecting during this Gospel Age, is always to be specially precious in that to this class alone of humanity, so far as the Divine revelation shows, will be granted the Divine nature, with its glory, honor and immortality. Hence the trial of the faith of this class is very precious, a very important matter. None shall be admitted to that glorious immortality without first being tested and proven by the Lord. But here again let us remember that our testing is not as respects the flesh, to see whether or not we are perfect in the flesh, but on the contrary we are assured that God knoweth our condition—that all things are open and naked before His sight, and that He declares that we are all imperfect. What then is God seeking in us? The development and perfection of faith! The first element in it is to believe in Him as a faithful, wise, true God; and secondly to believe in His revelation of Jesus as His Son, and the one through whom He has provided a covering for our imperfections, our blemishes, past, present and future. This is the essential phase which must be held on to, and which He will therefore test in order to prove our loyalty...

"We Are Perfect?" Part 2 - PT. 1919, Pg. 167

Whoever is controlled by the spirit of love will have this witness that he is infilled with God's Holy Spirit; for "God is Love." In due time this spirit will enlarge our hearts, our minds, our entire spiritual capacity. This does not prove, however, that we may not be sidetracked before we reach the end of our course, either by our own faults or those of others. The ideal condition is that we should be continually filled with the Holy Spirit of God and not engrossed with earthly things. But if upon careful self-examination we find that this is not our condition, we are not to feel discouraged. Rather we are to demonstrate our loyalty to the Lord and to the principles of righteousness by renewed efforts to do His will. He is watching us, not to see whether we are perfect according to the flesh, but to see whether or not we have the spirit of loyalty which is trying to control our imperfect earthly body. 

"We Are Perfect?"-Rightly Dividing the Word, Pt 1

The same confused Pilgrim (see April 26th posting) representing the Bible Standard Ministries who has been making statements that those of us who are consecrated living now have Christ's Imputed Merit, and are perfect, doesn't clarify his position. He doesn't understand the difference between those who were called during the Gospel Age (the Spirit Begotten) and those consecrating between the ages. He contradicts himself within his own discourses. His understanding of the Parousia and Epiphany Truth is like oil and water. Sad as this is, he has also been named as the next Executive Trustee of the Bible Standard Ministries. This is from his talk: In Prison, Out of Prison - Part 1

From 32 seconds to 1:03
"...We are living in a time when many changes are coming along in our understanding as we progress down our, our avenue of consecration and as God's plan comes, excuse me, ever closer to fruition, we are finding more and more progressive, thoughts we should be discussing with each other…"

From 3:34 to 4:13
"…John 8:36 We have been emancipated by the one named Jesus Christ, and the scripture reads 'If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.' Remember not too many years ago there was a gentleman that used that thought. 'Free Indeed' Martin Luther King, wasn't it…"

From 9:22 to 10:05
"…Now I want to take a little different avenue about from where we were committed by our mothers into condition of sin; and I want to ask the question Can we be perfect? and the answer is yes, God expects it of us. When we've use the word perfect, we think of that one that has, holy, come from the sand, to the glass, to the crystal. We are working on crystallization of our character, that is the whole purpose of where we are today in God's plan…"

From 11:35 to 12:15
"…Gen 17:1… and the scripture goes on: and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. This is what God expected when he made a covenant with him that he would walk before Him and be perfect. The thought of being perfect here is to do our very best. Be the best we know how to be…"

From 14:16 to 15:07
"…We can be perfect in the sense that God is perfect in Matt 5:48 there is the text where God gives us what he expects us to be, 5: 48 'Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.' These are Jesus' words to the one's he was addressing at that time. Be thou perfect..."

Here is a truth reference stating the opposite, from THE TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH, R4004 Pg. 170.
We are glad to have the testimony of the Apostle that these grand characters of the past met with the divine approval, and fell asleep in death to await at the resurrection a grand reward--their trial and testing having been successfully finished. But in the same connection the Apostle tells us that in the divine plan the "little flock" of this Gospel age has been called to a still higher station and privilege and blessing than the ancient worthies. The Apostle's words are, "These died in faith, not having received the thing promised; God having provided some better thing for us [the Gospel Church], that they without us should not be made perfect." Their perfection will be to the human nature; ours, if we are of the very elect, will be to the divine nature, far above angels, principalities and powers. What then shall we suppose respecting God's approval in the Gospel Church, and the tests that he will apply? Can we think that he would make faith a test in the past and ignore it as respects the present election? Nay, verily! Faith is still the test of all who would please God. So then, as God in the past selected for the channels of his promises and blessings only those who could exercise faith, we may expect that in the present time the Lord has nothing whatever to offer except to those who can exercise faith in him and in his promises. We know that this must of necessity signify that the called of this Gospel age would be a very much smaller number than the whole population of the world; and then again we have the further declaration that of the called few will be chosen.

What does this signify except that few will prove themselves to have the requisite faith and obedience to please God, to be counted worthy a share in the Kingdom with his dear Son, our Lord. And if only those who have faith have been called throughout this Gospel age, what shall we say of the testings of faith for these? The Apostle's intimation is that their faith will need a great testing. He says, "The trial of your faith is much more precious than that of gold which perisheth." (1 Pet. 1:7.) Gold has a special value at the present time by reason of its scarcity--a value that will perish when with the new order of things it will be as easy to have gold as to have clay or iron; but the "little flock," which the Lord is selecting during this Gospel age, is always to be specially precious in that to this class alone of humanity, so far as the divine revelation shows, will be granted the divine nature, with its glory, honor and immortality. Hence the trial of the faith of this class is very precious, a very important matter. None shall be admitted to that glorious immortality without first being tested and proven by the Lord. But here again let us remember that our testing is not as respects the flesh, to see whether or not we are perfect in the flesh, but on the contrary we are assured that God knoweth our condition--that all things are open and naked before his sight, and that he declares that we are all imperfect.

Who is the mother of these new 1878-81 Youthful Worthies?

At the Muskegon convention in 2012, the Executive Trustee was asked a similar question. His answer was Hannah. Do we find this in our writings? Hmmmm....

E13, p.8: "... Hannah additionally types the earthly elective truths and the servants that apply them to the earthly elect class, the Youthful Worthies developed in the end of the Age, i.e., from 1881 onward."

PT 1938,  p. 53: "...Hannah additionally types the earthly elective truths and the servants that apply them to the earthly elect class, the Youthful Worthies developed in the end of the Age, i.e., from 1881 onward."

PT 1972, p. 40: "Hannah types additionally the earthly elective truths and the servants that apply them to the subordinate earthly elect class, the Youthful Worthies, developed in the end of the Age, i.e., from 1881 onward. Further information on Hannah and her children is given in E 13, pp. 7-64."

"Watch and Pray"

OUR 1972 MOTTO TEXT
"Watch and pray. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Matt. 26: 41; Heb. 10: 37).

FOR 1972 motto text we have, we believe with the Lord's guidance, chosen a combination of two texts which are logically closely related and apparently very timely. As the Lord's people approach to the very end of the Gospel Age and the complete overthrow of Satan's empire, they need to watch and pray more than ever before. Satan and his demons are more active than ever as they see the end of their dominion rapidly approaching. As Satan since 1874 is being bound in certain respects he becomes more active in others...

...Error has also greatly increased. New systems of error continue to spring up on every hand, and their multiplicity is appalling. Many errors in these systems are so plausible and subtle that they are very deceptive. Our Lord foretold that "there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect" (Matt. 24: 24—ARV)...

"Try The Spirits"

"TRY THE SPIRITS"

1 John 4: 1
THE APOSTLE JOHN exhorts in this text: "Beloved, believe not every spirit [teaching], but try [test, prove] the [and [teachings, doctrines] whether they are of God [he shows why this is necessary, and warns]: because many false prophets [with their false teachings] are gone out into the world [thus it is evident that the word spirits here means teachings]." Pastor Russell, "that faithful and wise servant," indicates (F 232, 278) that the spirits in this text are teachings and teachers (comp. Life-Death-Hereafter, pp. 129-132, 209). We are to "prove [test by the truth of God's Word] all things," all teachings presented to us by those we have reason to believe are true Bible teachers, and to hold fast only to those teachings that are good and true (Isa. 8: 20; Acts 17: 11; 1 Thes. 5: 21). We are not in any manner to accept the erroneous doctrines of false teachers or to give heed to their wrong practices, but, as the Apostle Paul advises, "from such turn away" (2 Tim. 3: 5; Rom. 16: 17)…

...Therefore this Scripture proves that, generally speaking, Jesus as God's Mouthpiece, and thus the exclusive Interpreter of the Word, would use in the end of this Age the Parousia and Epiphany Messengers as antitypical Aaron, generally speaking, to interpret to the brethren the Word as due, especially on new doctrines, prophesies and types. And during the earthly lifetime of these two Messengers, any attempt of others to unravel these three things as new matters would be the prohibited "gazing"—speculation—of Ex. 19: 21-25, and would meet with a cutting off from their standing, if wilfully persisted in (comp. P '76, p. 92, pars. 3, 4). Had this matter been heeded, the Lord's people in the Parousia, and especially in the Epiphany, would have been spared much confusion and many a fall from class standings before the Lord. 

We should, however, differentiate between "gazing" and watching for fulfilments of Scriptures (Hab. 2: 1; Luke 21: 36). We understand that this watching, as distinct from "gazing," means the meek and humble study of current events for signs of the times in the light of the Scriptural forecasts and interpretations given by God's special mouthpieces, including the one serving at the time, in order to see how these are being fulfilled...

PT. 1978

"Exposing and Refuting Error A Necessity"

EXPOSING AND REFUTING ERROR A NECESSITY

SOME have questioned the advisability of our exposing and refuting various errors from time to time, claiming that to do so is entirely negative and not really edifying or necessary for the welfare of the Lord's people. The thought has been expressed that we should merely state what we believe, and let others set forth and believe what they wish, without our pointing out or refuting any of their errors for our readers' benefit.

But let us not forget that a large part of the New Testament, of the teachings of both Jesus and the Apostles, is made up of this very kind of ministry—namely, showing the Satanic origin, and therefore the dangers and unsettling results, of the propagation of erroneous doctrines, which the Apostle Peter (2 Pet. 2: 1) so definitely refers to as "damnable heresies."

Our Lord prophesied and warned (Matt. 24: 4, 5, 24), "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Throughout the Gospel Age, and even in our own day, how many antichrists have arisen (1 John 2: 18; 4: 3), and how many false prophets, deceiving many!

The Apostle Paul predicted and warned (Acts 20: 28-31), "Take heed therefore unto yourselves . . . for I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them...

PT. 1965

Come To You In Sheep's Clothing

Fishmongers who seek to sell fish unfit to be eaten never cry, "Nasty, old fish," nor label them as such, but usually offer them as "nice, fresh fish"; likewise, "false prophets," of whom the Lord told us to beware, never identify their repudiations of the Truth, their restatements of old errors, their erroneous new interpretations, their misapplications of Scripture or their wild speculations as being such, but usually misrepresent them as being revelations from heaven, "advancing Truth," "new light," "mature thoughts," etc.

PT. 1958

Another Great Door of Favor

It is quite clear from the Scriptures, reason and facts that 1914 marked a very significant point of time in history, the end of the Times of the Gentiles and the beginning of the great Time of Trouble foretold in Dan. 12: 1 and referred to also by Jesus in Matt. 24: 21, 22.

But what many are not aware of is that 1914 marked also an important milestone for God's people. The plowman (the great Time of Trouble, as identified by Pastor Russell—Amos 9: 13; Z 5761) then overtook the reaper, those who were doing the harvesting work of gathering the remnant of the Spirit-begotten saints of God (Psa. 50: 5).

According to Rev. 7: 1-3, all of the Elect, the 144,000, were sealed in their foreheads before the wind—the World War—began to blow in 1914-16. Before the War began where they were, they all had received enough of the Truth as due to leave Babylon or wherever they were and to come into an understanding of the Truth as due on Jesus' Second Presence, etc. Before nominal Zion's travail, in the great Time of Trouble (Isa. 66: 7; 1 Thes. 5: 3), she brought to Spirit-begettal the Man-child—the full number of the Body of Christ, the one New Man of Eph. 2: 15.

Some of the Spirit-begotten remained after 1914 for many years to complete their earthly course, but the passage of time, as well as other considerations, show that now they have all finished their earthly course.

However, another great door of favor of God has opened—another special class has been developing here in the end of the Gospel Age—the Spirit-enlightened, Spirit-energized, non-Spirit-begotten, dedicated servants of Jehovah, who have consecrated too late to be of the Spiritual elect, but who are nevertheless greatly beloved of God and Christ and are given Their fellowship, joy, mercy and peace in believing (1 John 1: 3-7; Rom. 14: 17). They will have marvelous rewards in the Millennial Kingdom in association with the Ancient Worthies in its earthly phase. Pastor Russell referred to them in Z 5761 as "Those Consecrating Between the Ages."

PT. 1983