Permanent Marker Series: E4, Page 437

(Click the above image for best quality.)

This page is problematic for the Executive Trustee. It says nothing about Youthful Worthies consecrating between 1878 and 1881. If everyone at the time thought they were running for the high calling, then we need to move the 1881 date back to 1878 so that the Executive Trustee's new consecrators can have the opportunity to learn that they were not Spirit-begotten.

Interestingly, if the Executive Trustee wanted to misread the starting date of another class, he could take the part where Bro. Johnson says, "through which both of these classes," to mean that the Great Company also began as a class in 1881 and that Bro. Johnson somehow had two views on their existence.

PT 1976, Page 21

In all siftings Satan is the real, behind-the-scenes sifter—the one who originates, initiates and carries on persistently the sifting activity (Luke 22: 31; 1 Pet. 5: 8). He uses as his visible agents those who are the most suitable to his purposes and who succumb to his temptations, who are pliable in his hand and do not sufficiently resist him to hinder his use of them in pertinent respects (James 4: 7; Eph. 4: 27).

Ever since Bro. Russell passed beyond the veil, in 1916, Satan has used a variety of methods in his efforts to ensnare God's Parousia-enlightened people. For example, he appealed convincingly to some of these brethren to reject the post-1916 Truth, by claiming that after 1916 there was to be little or no advancing Truth—that the door of entrance into the High Calling was not closed in the Fall of 1914 but remained open, that the Epiphany, or Apocalypse, as a period did not then begin, that no Youthful Worthy class was being developed (including post-1914 consecrators), etc...

A Consistent Message

PT 1984, Pg. 23: The Apostle Paul's words in 1 Cor. 2: 9-16 denying that the non-Spirit-begotten are able to understand "the deep things of God" are limited to the time the general call to the High Calling was open, during which time to be Spirit-begotten and to be consecrated meant the same thing, and so all the consecrated were then Spirit-begotten, which was not the case before the call to the High Calling opened. So after the general call ceased, Paul's pertinent words do not apply universally. But the rule that applies always is that only the consecrated can see the due Truth. Therefore, "Those Consecrating Between the Ages" do have the due Truth on the deep things as a witness of their being friends and servants and prospective sons of God.

Permanent Marker Series: E4, Page 426

(Click the above image for best quality.)

Since the Executive Trustee's new Youthful Worthy call in 1878 begins at the same time as the No-Ransomism sifting during the Gospel-Age Harvest (see references below), we have conflicting statements that need fixing on page 426. Bro. Johnson is clearly showing us that the Youthful Worthies were not referred to in this parable and that none were in existence until after the general call ceased. To help the Executive Trustee out, we've added these new Youthful Worthies to the time period without including them in the parable. It doesn't quite work, but it is the best solution we can offer.

PT May-June 1978, p. 38: "As the 1845-year parallel, in the Spring of 1878, 100 years ago, the No-Ransomism sifting began in the Gospel-Age Harvest, with our Lord driving away the unworthy from His Temple class."

PT Sept-Oct 1989, p.68 under the title No-Ransomism Sifting Begins: "But while we were thus helped to clearer views and brighter hopes and while we diligently endeavored to help others, the Spring of 1878 proved far from a blessing to Mr. Barbour and to many under his influence."

Letters of General Interest - From Jamaica

PT. 1980 Pg. 95

Dear Bro. Greetings in Jesus's name!. . . . In a pilgrim visit to Crofts ill, I called on a 93-year-old Brother who until recently was an elder from in Bro. Condell's day. He consecrated in 1906. I said, "You know the last Great Company member is gone? He replied, "Yes." I said, "You don't mind being a Youthful Worthy?" He said, Brother, I would be glad, for I know not everyone who consecrated and accepted the Truth from 1881 to 1914 was begotten of the Spirit." I was very glad to hear that. I close with love for you and all there.

Your brother and servant, N.S., Jamaica

Important Events of 1878 and Onward

The following is from PT. 1978 Pg. 36-40. Notice that the Youthful Worthies as an important event are never associated with 1878 date because they didn't exist. The emphasis of this class is always referred to after 1914 since up to that time, Jehovah's main focus was to complete the Church.

IN OUR Sept.-Oct. 1974 issue (a copy free on request), we called attention to many significant events and marvelous evidences of progress during 1874-1974, the first century of "the thousand years" of Christ's Reign (Rev. 20: 4, see Diaglott)...

...THE PARALLEL 40-YEAR HARVEST REAPING PERIODS ENDED IN 69 and 1914 A.D.

In treating of the Harvest parallels, Bro. Russell stated (B245, par. 2), "Remember that the forty years' Jewish harvest ended October, A.D. 69, and was followed by the complete overthrow of that nation; and that likewise the forty years of the Gospel age harvest will end October, 1914, and that likewise the overthrow of 'Christendom,' so-called, must be expected to immediately follow."

The Scriptures, reason and facts show that the close of the Gospel-Age Harvest reaping was in Oct. 1914 (in harmony with Bro. Russell's statement) and that the close of the gleaning was in 1916. Such passages as Isa. 66: 7; Amos 9: 13; John 9: 4; Rev. 6: 9-11; 7: 1-3, show this. It is corroborated by the end of the floor line measurement of the Grand Gallery of the Great Pyramid, which comes at its juncture with the Grand Gallery's south wall, indicating Sept. 16, 1914 as the end of the Spirit-begetting...

Bro. Russell never gave up 1874 as the date for the Harvest reaping's beginning, though when he saw too many people coming into the Truth in 1916 to constitute a gleaning, he changed his mind as to the close of the Harvest reaping's ending. The Lord for very wise reasons withheld from him the understanding that these people were not prospective Little Flock members, but in almost all cases were antitypical Lot (crown-losers) and his two antitypical daughers (Youthful Worthies and tentatively-justified believers) escaping from antitypical Sodom in America before it here would begin to go into destruction (Luke 17: 28-30; for details on the Z 5950 article, see PT No. 515)...

Like 1874, the year 1878 also marks some very important happenings and the beginnings of other significant events in God's great Plan of the Ages. We will note a number of these here. It is fitting that we consider at this time what the Lord has accomplished during these past 100 years, the marvelous evidences of progress...

CALLING GOD'S PEOPLE OUT OF BABYLON

Conjoined with Jesus as King casting off the nominal Jewish system in 33 A.D. was His call to Israelites indeed to come out of that system, into separateness and closer fellowship with Him, lest they become involved in "the wrath to the uttermost" that would soon come upon it (1 Thes. 2: 16). They were not to expect God to give the seasonal Truth through that system.

In the parallel 1845 years later, in the Spring of 1878, 100 years ago, God's declaring through Jesus that Babylon was fallen was conjoined with the call to God's true people to "Come out of her, my people," into separateness and closer fellowship with Him, lest they would be partakers of her sins and receive of her plagues (Rev. 18: 4, 5; comp. Isa. 52: 11; Jer. 51: 45).

God's people were not to expect the seasonal Truth, "the voice of the bridegroom and the bride," to be heard at all in Babylon—through her instrumentality—any more forever (Rev. 18: 23). But whereas the Lord would no longer speak through her instrumentality after 1878, He would speak from outside her to those in her, calling them to come out, to be gathered to Him (Psa. 50: 5; Matt. 24: 31), so that they could feast with Him on the seasonal Truth (Matt. 24: 28; Luke 12: 37; 17: 37; Rev. 3: 20).

This call for Little Flock members to "come out of her" continued until the last member of the Little Flock was sealed in the forehead (April 18, 1916), i.e., was given enough intellectual understanding of the Truth to leave Babylon or wherever they were (Rev. 7: 3).

As already mentioned, the door of entrance to the High Calling closed on Sept. 16, 1914, and since then the voice of the Bridegroom is no more being heard in Babylon inviting any to the High Calling. But He has still been inviting others to be of "those consecrating between the ages" (5761, col. 2, pars. 1, 2; comp. Z 4836, pars. 3-6, 10, 11; F 156, 157; Question Book, pp. 147, 151-158), the Spirit-enlightened, non-Spirit-begotten consecrators; and by the seasonal Truth He has been inviting them to come out of Babylon or wherever they are, into closer fellowship with Him and feasting on the Truth. We rejoice in the many consecrating since 1914 and also many coming out of Babylon into the Truth.

"THE FULNESS OF GENTILES" COMING IN

By "the fullness of the Gentiles" (Rom. 11: 25) we understand the full number of the elect Little Flock who are gathered out from the Gentiles to be meant. Because there were not enough fleshly Israelites in the Jewish Harvest who were "Israelites indeed" to fill up the elect 144,000, God visited the Gentiles to complete the predestinated number (John 1: 11-13; Acts 15: 14; Rom. 11: 5, 7, 11-15, 17-24; Rev. 5: 9, 10; 7: 1-8).

We should not confuse "the fulness of the Gentiles" with "the times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21: 24), which is the period of (7 x 360) 2,520 years from 607 B.C. to 1914, in which God gave a lease of power to the Gentiles. It is also referred to as the "seven times" (Lev. 26: 18, 21, 24, 28; Dan. 4: 10-37).

We understand that "the fulness of the Gentiles" came in probationarily at Passover 1878. In other words, those who from Pentecost onward until then had made their calling and election sure as Little Flock members, plus prospective Little Flock members who were then under the call but had not made their calling and election sure, plus those of them who at that time came under the call, totaled the entire 144,000.

Then, in the Spring of 1878, the John class (the Lord's enlightened consecrated people at the time of the fulfilment) saw the grand vision for the first time of the Lamb standing on Mt. Zion, and with Him the full 144,000. Jehovah in 1878 set His King upon the holy hill of Zion (Psa. 2: 6; Z 5990, par. 2).

The small sifting involving disgruntled Adventists in 1875 and the No-Ransomism sifting beginning at Passover 1878 imply that a large number lost their crowns between 1874 and 1878, which crowns were not only assigned to others, but enough of still other Gentiles came under that call during the Oct. 1874-Apr. 1878 period to fill up the 144,000 probationarily.

After 1881 special calls went forth to fill up the places of those who under test proved unworthy to be of the Little Flock. This continued until Sept. 16, 1914 (as already shown), when the door of entrance into the High Calling closed forever, as Scriptures, reason and facts show, corroborated by the Pyramid.

Now that 100 years have passed since "the fulness of the Gentiles" came in probationarily in 1878, and 64 years since 1914, it is high time that all Truth people should realize that they are not in the High Calling, but rather that all new consecrators since the Fall of 1914 are of "those consecrating between the Ages," the Spirit-enlightened, non-Spirit-begotten pre-Millennial seed of Abraham.

Permanent Marker Series: E4, Page 420

(Click the above image for best quality.)

The answer to the question from page 419 needs the same date change. Without this edit to page 420, the Executive Trustee's new Youthful Worthies from 1878-81 are not put on the reserved list.

We cannot suppose that the start of the reserved list was delayed for 3 1/2 years for these new consecrators, because Bro. Johnson wrote, "for whom there were no crowns available at the time of their consecration;" (using a semicolon at the end). The semicolon separates this main clause with the one that immediately follows it. While these clauses are closely related to each other, they could stand on their own as sentences. It means that the reserved list was to begin when there were consecrators and no crowns available. By changing the date to 1878, we make that possible for the Executive Trustee.

Regarding a Recent Statement from The British Representative

Many Brethren in America and other countries have the highest esteem for the British representative's ability as a speaker and his understanding of historical events surrounding the Truth movement. However, statements of the kind shown above raise questions as to the proper understanding of the arrangements.

The Epiphany brethren in America do not reject the arrangements pertinent to the office of the Executive Trustee. However, we do reject the error coming from this office. We reject and are opposed to the deviation from the precious Truth given by God's special servants.

Since the representative includes some quotes from the Truth writings, may we suggest a few additional references: "ITS TEACHINGS" in PT 1919, page 103; Bro. H.W. Roberts "The Movement" audio recording; E4 in its entirety including the questions pertinent to the Youthful Worthies and especially page 290, par. 46: "We have already shown that God's 'counsel' or plan consists of the various series of arrangements whereby He brings various classes to eternal life. He who revolutionizes against these arrangements, i.e., set them aside and puts others in their place, condemns, considers negligible, of no importance, the counsel of the Most High."

To be in harmony with the Executive Trustee as stated above means to be in harmony with Clericalism, Sectarianism and in support of error. The real truth on what has really happened in America, based on facts, would surprise many foreign brethren and the British representative.

Permanent Marker Series: E4, Page 419

(Click the above image for best quality.)

Page 419 doesn't require much editing, but it certainly alters the meaning. Without the edit, the Executive Trustee's new Youthful Worthies from 1878-81 are not addressed in this question. Bro. Johnson, examining this question during the Epiphany, is looking back to the 1881-1914 time and showing that those without Spirit-begettal are "now" of the Youthful Worthies. By changing the date to 1878, we lose Bro. Johnson's understanding in order to help the Executive Trustee with his present view. We'll have more edits for the answer on the next page.

Letters of General Interest PT. 1972 Pg. 63

The Editor's Reply to the Above

Dear Sister: Greetings in Jesus' name... Pastor Russell showed that from 1881 onward there would be some consecrated ones for whom no crowns, no places in the Little Flock,... Thus, since 1914 many additional Youthful Worthies have come forth...

...I suppose you have consecrated, or dedicated, yourself to God (Rom 12: 1; Prov. 23:26), giving up your own will self-ward and world-ward and accepting His will as your own... Obviously, however, you did not consecrate before the close of the door in 1914. It is regrettable that some are urging you to run for the High Calling at this late date. In doing so, they are not doing a Divinely approved work.

Bro. Jolly's above explanation tells us many things. 1914 is a significant date and that the door to the High Calling closes. Because the High Calling is complete, individual consecrators from 1881 - 1914 (those who are manifested as specific non Spirit-Begotten Consecrated Ones and not Spirit Begotten) are no longer a superfluity (an excessively large amount), because they flow into and became a part of the Youthful Worthy class. After 1914, the specific call to the Youthful Worthies could begin and they came forth as a separate and distinct class. This is the legacy Truth all previous Executive Trustees supported until the current one took office in 2004.

Permanent Marker Series: E4, Page 405

(Click the above image for best quality.)

We're on the very first page of the chapter that covers questions on the Youthful Worthies and our marker is being put to good use. To make this page work for the Executive Trustee, we have to remove the parallel construction that Bro. Johnson uses to show the development of the Great Company and Youthful Worthies as classes in the Epiphany. The Great Company is now the only Epiphany class because we have to move the development of the Youthful Worthy class back to 1881. What a mess!

Literally Youthfuls - Joel 2: 28

Crown-losers who have attained a place in the Great Company have been in the process of development all through the Gospel Age. All Great Company members had to be Spirit-begotten by the Fall of 1914 to be eligible for this class. They are raised from the dead in the second kind of resurrection to life. They have glorious spirit bodies of a spirit nature lower than the Divine, and can come and go as the wind (John 3: 8). They are the Bridesmaids, who accompany the Bride into the King's palace and share in the great blessings of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, partaking there of wonderful spiritual blessings (Psa. 45: 14, 15; Rev. 19: 9; P '79, pp. 89-92).

The Great Company as spirit beings will be higher than the Ancient Worthies Millennially. But after the Little Season, when the Ancient Worthies become spiritual, the Great Company, the antitypical Merarites, will have the highest place under the Ancient Worthies—the antitypical Kohathites—and the Little Flock-the antitypical Priests. The reward of the Great Company is a glorious one indeed. (For details on this class, see PT Nos. 562, 563.)

"Those Consecrating Between the Ages" (Z 5761) seem to be referred to by the "small" in v. 18. Like the Ancient Worthies, they have received the enlightenment, heart-warming and energizing of the holy Spirit, but not the Spirit-begettal. As earthly seed of Abraham, they will be associated Millennially with the Ancient Worthies in the blessing of all the families of the earth.

The Youthful Worthy class (literally youthfuls, Joel 2: 28) among them consists of those who consecrated from the Fall of 1881 to the Fall of 1914 and remained loyal, for whom no crowns were available and all those who consecrated from the Fall of 1914 to the Fall of 1954 and have remained loyal.

Permanent Marker Series: E4, Page 385

(Click the above image for best quality.)

Here is the last page we will modify in this chapter of E4. Again, we're just trying to help the Executive Trustee with his "present view" that doesn't work with the very book he believes shows it. There are other pages near 385 we could modify because they offer hints and suggestions of the correct dates (see 381 and 383), but this page is a good representation of them. Our marker is out of ink and it is time to get a new one for the next chapter.

"The Lord evidently held them in reserve" 1881 - 1914

With a sincere heart, ask yourself these Berean questions from the Truth writings:

"When did the Youthful Worthies not exist as individuals of a class? What has transpired since then? Since the Fall of 1914? What is the reason for the Youthful Worthies coming into existence as a class? Therefore what did not happen to the surplus consecrators?"-PT. 1972 Pg. 57

"Before the General Call to the Divine nature and joint-heirship with Christ ceased in 1881, the persons that we call "Youthful Worthies" did not exist as individuals of a class; but since that time they have come into existence as such, and since the Fall of 1914 have become very marked as a separate and distinct class. The reason for the Youthful Worthies coming into existence as a class, though for a time undiscerned as such, is that, after the General Call ceased in 1881, more people consecrated to the Lord than could be probationarily assigned vacated crowns i.e., places in the Little Flock; and therefore the surplus consecrators, though receiving the enlightenment of the holy Spirit, were not Spirit-begotten. The Lord evidently held them in reserve; and as from time to time crowns were lost by the measurably unfaithful, He selected the most faithful and eligible of the surplus consecrators and by Spirit-begettal probationarily assigned to them the crowns that were lost. As time went on, the number of surplus consecrators in reserve continued increasing more rapidly than the number of lost crowns; consequently, a large number of these consecrators was in reserve when the last eventual Little Flock members came under the call (see PT No. 515—a copy free on request)."- PT. 1972 Pg. 34

How simple the Truth is to understand when we see why the Lord "held them in reserve" in order to complete the call to the Church in 1914.

Permanent Marker Series: E4, Page 377

(Click the above image for best quality.)
We're only one page beyond the Executive Trustee's misread references and we've got three problems. First, his new consecrators between 1878-81 have no opportunities to serve in the Harvest until the gleaning in 1881 and it should be indicated. Second, more were consecrating than could have crowns since 1878, not 1881. Third, we have to exchange the indefinite condition for the definite--the clear understanding that Brother Johnson gave on the difference between the unbegotten consecrated and the Youthful Worthies as he later details in PT April 1947, pages 52-53:

“It is true that our Pastor called the class that we call Youthful Worthies, not Youthful Worthies, but the Unbegotten Consecrated, by which expression he meant exactly what we mean by that of the Youthful Worthies. We may be sure that in denying the existence of a class that our Pastor repeatedly affirmed exists, this Brother is a revolutionist…”

“…thus the Brother's assumption of restitution following immediately after God's last visit to Gentiles for Little Flock members falls to the ground. 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.”

Unauthorized Electioneering?

"The brethren at large remember clearly how you electioneered to get Bro. Ralph elected..." is an accusation that has been spread around by a few brethren as an attempt to discredit Pilgrim Bro. Richard Blaine. They are misinformed. We thank Bro. Blaine for providing us copy of the e-mail the then temporary Executive Trustee sent to him on February 27, 2004 in order to share it with you on the blog.

The e-mail clearly shows that the temporary Executive Trustee, Bro. Ralph Herzig, gave the approval for Pilgrim Bro. Richard Blaine to reach out and contact the brethren by e-mail. Follow up phone calls were then made to individuals to get a person count for that upcoming convention in Florida 2004 as well as to make sure the references Bro. Ralph wanted distributed were received and understood.

Unauthorized Electioneering? We think not...

Who are the Sifters?

The above PT article on the Quasi-Elect was published by Bro. Jolly in 1978. As reference to sifters, note the following excerpt which is in the header of this blog, found in E10, page 115:

"...The Assyrian here, as in Micah 5: 5, 6, represents 'those who make spoil of God’s people by devastating the Truth and its Spirit'..."

"... The Lord’s true sheep will heed only the voice of the Good Shepherd; they will study to show themselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2: 15). They will keep themselves in the love of God and in the most holy faith. The Truth and its Spirit will be the touchstones that will determine for them which is true and which is false..."

The question has been asked "Who are the Sifters?" We understand it to be those who have devastated the Truth...like in the example above. Satan never addresses the Truth. Instead, he diverts attention from it and attacks one's character.

The Executive Trustee still has not addressed why he changed the work of the Spirit Begotten. His 2004 modified PT article on the Quasi-Elect has the "our present view" idea which states that the inception of the Youthful Worthies is in 1878. THIS CHANGE IS A SEVERE VIOLATION OF THE ARRANGEMENTS. Since then, he has attacked the characters of individuals and local Epiphany classes for their inquires into this radical change of the Epiphany Truth. Oddly, he accuses them of going against the arrangements. What should we call his handywork of changing existing Truth in the above Quasi-Elect article? Advancing Truth?

Permanent Marker Series: E4, Page 376

(Click the above image for best quality.)
We're on the second page of references where the Executive Trustee developed his error on the Youthful Worthies. The first misread sentence here, like the one on the previous page, also has the Naomi class as the subject. Bro. Johnson gives us the entire 3 ½ year journey for the Naomi and Ruth classes. To make this one work for the ET, we need to get rid of the 3 ½ year process completely. Unfortunately, this changes the journey by forcing the difficult obstacles to full consecration to be overcome quickly and immediately.

The second sentence is from the Ruth class point of view, showing their 3 ½ year journey from tentative justification toward full consecration. To make this work for the ET, we are yet again forced to make it an instantaneous event in 1878. The time in between their starting location in Moab and their ending location in Judah must be removed.

Permanent Marker Series: E4, Page 375

(Click the above image for best quality.)

We are at the first of two pages that are the foundation for the Executive Trustee's error on the Youthful Worthies. He thinks a sentence on this page reads that they exist in 1878. But he is not reading it correctly, especially in light of all of the pages we've had to modify. We've detailed this sentence before, but we'll do it again since we're on the page.

Here, Bro. Johnson describes the Naomi class journey (they are the subject) viewed from their destination (“came back”) and says that they arrived with (“brought back with them”) the Ruth class in her completed condition at the end of the journey (fully consecrated after overcoming difficult obstacles) and mentions when they began the journey (“from 1878 on”) as a tentatively justified class.

In order for this sentence to work for the Executive Trustee, we need to change the journey to a completed action in 1878. The Naomi and Ruth classes must arrive in 1878. That, of course, eliminates the journey, the difficult obstacles and provides no window of time for the other tentatively justified class, the Orpah class, to attempt to fully consecrate and come into the Truth.

Truth Reavealed in Due Times II

PT. 1977 Pg. 90

...(g) There are also many other truths that are not yet due to be understood, for "the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Prov. 4: 18; A 20-28). In due time another book will be opened, which is the book of life, with further enlightenment on New Covenant revelations not yet due to be understood and expounded (Rev. 20: 12).

(25) "The mystery, which was kept secret since the world began," finally became "meat in due season" and was "made manifest to the saints" in the beginning of the Gospel Age, when they needed this information (Luke 16: 16; Rom. 16: 25, 26; Col. 1: 26). Similarly, truths and Scriptures pertaining to the Youthful Worthies were unfolded when needed, especially after 1916, for their encouragement and development as a class...