"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

Actual and Tentative imputation

(17) God instructed that in such cases the leaders of His Gospel-Age people, as their representatives, should indicate openly His repentant people's faith in Jesus' perfect humanity as their substitute before Divine justice and their only hope for forgiveness (the elders ... shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock, v. 15). Among such leaders of His people were Arius, Claudius of Turin, Berengar of Tours, Peter Abelard, Peter Waldo, Marsiglio, John Tauler, Wyclif, John Huss, Savonarola, Wessel, Luther, Zwingli, Hubmaier, Servetus, Cranmer, John Wesley, etc. During the Gospel Age, Jesus as High Priest has held His merit available for actual and tentative imputation on behalf of His people (bullock shall be killed), and has actually imputed as much of it as was necessary to satisfy justice fully for the Spirit-begotten ones among God's people (vs. 16, 17)... PT 1965 Page 41

Tentative Justification In The Camp

TENTATIVE JUSTIFICATION IN THE CAMP - PT. 1963 - Page 45

(5) Question: Where do either Bro. Russell or Bro. Johnson teach that Tentative Justification ever has been—or ever will be—represented in the Camp, as you now teach it with respect to your Campers Consecrated?

Answer: Here again is a question that anyone who regularly reads and understands THE PRESENT TRUTH would not need to ask, for the P.T. has given much evidence to this effect. It has repeatedly called attention to Bro. Russell's teaching that tentative justification precedes consecration and that consecration is always in order, that "nothing short of full consecration will ever be proper"; he stated also that "full consecration will be required of those who would live and enjoy the blessings of the Millennial Age—nothing short of it" (Z 1113, par. 6; 5761, col. 2; F 156). Thus he showed that in the end of the Age, after the "readjustment" would take place and those tentatively-justified ones who did not go on to consecration would be remanded to the Camp, there would be tentative justification; however, it would be pictured, not in the Court, but in the Camp. In P '59, p. 41, we set forth clearly his teaching on tentative justification being pictured in the Camp after the Gate to the Court is forever closed, that it would operate even in the Millennial Age (it will operate then in the sense of a tentative actual justification), that "the world might then be said to be tentatively justified" (Z 5959, par. 6), and that "every one of that time who will be in the right way, and seeking to be in harmony with the Lord, will be said to be tentatively justified" (Ques. Book, p. 402, bottom). Yet in the face of all this J.J.H. asks where Bro. Russell ever taught that tentative justification ever has been—or ever will be—represented in the Camp! Indeed, none is so blind as he who will not see.

Bro. Johnson also taught that consecration is always in order (E 4, p. 420), and that tentative justification (in its pre-restitution sense—tentative faith justification, for the pre-Millennial seed, including the quasi-elect) would operate "until restitution begins" (E 4, p. 346; P '59, pp. 40, 41)—but not "for Gospel-Age purposes" after 1954, when the Youthful Worthy call would end (E 10, p. 114; E 11, pp. 473, 494, top) and when the Great Company's attestatorial work of building up the Epiphany Camp would begin (P '54, pp. 57, 58), by their (the Youthful Worthies co-operating) witnessing to those outside the Court, "whereby the Epiphany Camp, which will consist of the loyal justified [italics ours] and the converted loyal Jews ['Gentile and Jewish believers'—E 9, p. 156], by the Kingdom witness will be constructed" (E 10, p. 672; comp. E 14, p. 266). He showed that the antitypical Levites in the Epiphany Court would after their cleansing witness to those in the Epiphany Camp, that they would hold up the Curtain (which "represents Christ as Savior and King") "to the view of all in the Camp" (E 5, p. 420; T 114; see also P '58, pp. 60, 61; '63, pp. 28-30).

It would seem that the questioner, who in his sifting activities opposes the teachings of Bro. Russell and Bro. Johnson on tentative justification ever being represented in the Camp (just as J.F. Rutherford from another standpoint opposed Bro. Russell's teachings on tentative justification—E 4, pp. 336-358; E 6, pp. 165-170, 189-204), would make them both appear ridiculous, as false prophets: Bro. Russell, because he claimed that tentative justification will be pictured even in the Millennial Camp; and Bro. Johnson also, because he taught that tentative justification would operate "until restitution begins," and that after 1954, in the Great Company's Attestatorial Service, the antitypical Levites in the Epiphany Court would hold up the Curtain, "Christ as Savior and King," "to the view of all in the Camp," to thus build up the Camp—but, as J.J.H. would have it, holding it up fruitlessly, without winning any to justification, without even one person in the Camp ever coming to believe in Jesus as Savior and King, and therefore without any Epiphany Camp thus being built up at all, but consisting only of those rejected from the Court.

Readjust Our Thinking?

Here is another example that the Bible Standard Ministries is not upholding the Parousia and Epiphany Truth. How do those brethren who associate with this group allow for this and not "prove all things" as they should? The most recent PT, column 2, paragraph 2:

"[Please note! This article was written at a time when Bro. Russell was just beginning to recognize that not only the Church was covered by the imputation of the merit but that also the Great Company would need that cover and that the application for the world would have to wait until the death of these two classes before Restitution could begin. He had no thoughts concerning the Youthful Worthies much less Consecrated Epiphany Campers. This is a good illustration of how the Truth is progressive (Prov. 4: 18) and the need for us to readjust our thinking.]"

How can the current Executive Trustee assume "thinking Christians" are going to accept this premise? He uses Proverbs 4: 18, yet neglects to use the harmonious progressive Truth given by God's servants after Bro. Russell.

What about Bro. Johnson's thoughts on the matter? Perhaps he should consider looking at E Vol 8. Pages 619 to 620, paragraph 15.

What about Bro. Jolly's thoughts on the matter? From a PT in 1965, "...Jesus as High Priest has held His merit available for actual and tentative imputation on behalf of His people (bullock shall be killed), and has actually imputed as much of it as was necessary to satisfy justice fully for the Spirit-begotten ones among God's people (vs. 16, 17)..."

What about Bro. Gohlke? "High Priest—For All. Question (1980)—Who is the High Priest for 'Those Consecrating Between the Ages' (R 5761)? Answer.—Jesus as High Priest offered up His humanity, the antitypical atonement day bullock (Lev.16), and in His sacrificial death went under the antitypical second veil and then in His resurrection rose up a Divine being in the Most Holy (Heb. 10: 19, 20). There after His ascension He sprinkled the antitypical bullock’s blood on the mercy seat and consequently the blessings of Pentecost came to His disciples. He appeared in the presence of God 'for us,' the Church of the Firstborn, the Little Flock and the Great Company (Heb. 9: 24; T 59), and imputed His Ransom merit on their behalf. Also, He makes a tentative imputation for 'Those Consecrating Between the Ages' (comp. E. 4, p. 408)."

Opened and Unlocked?

The Pilgrim representative of the Bible Standard Ministries who is confused about the imputed merit (see April 26 post), and has been named as being the next Executive Trustee, is also confused about our writings. He seems to think that Bro. Johnson was not explaining the truth, but in fact was hiding away information to be "opened and unlocked" at a later date. Here is a portion of a  discourse he gave recently, transcribed from the audio copy:

“1 Peter 4:18. Because really we're getting some consideration to ones that are found righteous by God. We've all studied and recognized that as the last 15 or 20 years have come along, we've began to find understanding that was written back as far as 1934 in PT articles and so on, that is explaining where we are today. Brother Ralph has been bringing some of these thoughts a little bit to the forward, and its been causing just a little bit of unrest because its, again, its a new thought in the minds. But in my research I've found most of these thoughts back in 1934. It's like many things in our writings until it was time for them to be opened and unlocked, they were secret even though they were there, we didn't understand them.”

Time for it to be understood?

We continue to publish words from a discourse given by a Pilgrim brother. He is totally confused by a reference in E11. We find it strange that he has this desire to find ideas he thinks Bro. Johnson hid away for understanding at some later, unknown date. All he has to do is look at page E11, page 183 for a sentence on tentative justification for those not of the Little Flock. Here is what he says:

"In E11, there are some thoughts on page 170 that I want to share with you. Yeah, 170. As this Millennial picture comes along and the work that has been going on at the present time, Bro. Ralph has brought to the attention or our, at our...two conventions now, that, again the death, as God says, the death of my saints is a pleasure to him. The same thought goes for those that will be of that highest order and during this Epiphany time. I am just going to read the little pertinent part. Uhm, because it's talking here about going back to the, uhm, Exodus. So I am going to...it says..."

For the reference that the brother uses, see E11, page 170 where it begins with "Hence the entirety of..." and ends on 171 with "burning the uneaten parts of the lamb." Here are his comments as he reads this reference:

• "as far as individual imputations, it was one big piece"
• "That was for that Little Flock harvest, there was some that would remain for others to use. And he says"
• "Remember during that particular feast."
• "This is why I wanted to get our minds...even though we're in the Millennial thousand year period of time, the work is still a Gospel Age work. As he said, 'in this age,' he's talking about the Gospel Age, the Harvest and the second 40-year period of time. Then he goes on"
• "So, as this fifth elect group or class of people, as we...as God finds when that time comes that there are enough to fulfill that class that he's working with now, no more individual imputations will be made. And then he goes on and says that, uhm..."
• "There is a lot said in that last little thought. Listen closely..."
• "We don't believe we are totally depraved at this time, because we have been given that imputation of Christ's merit. We have the Holy Spirit of understanding. Are we still under the curse that Adam brought? Yes. But we are...are we totally depraved as the world of mankind? And the answer should be no. We're not! Here, he goes on and he says"
• "So, take time, it's the book of Exodus. Take time to read quite a few pages ahead and quite a few pages after that thought. Because it is a thought that is, IT IS NOT NEW TRUTH, as some of the brethren accusing Bro. Ralph of making. It is in that book. It's back in 1934 Present Truth. But it is PRESENT TRUTH. It is not NEW truth. It has been there all that time, but it's now it's time for it to be understood and utilized."

As long as they are looking for hidden truths in E11, maybe he should help the Executive Trustee revisit their confusion on the topic of the Youthful Worthies. If we go by their method of reasoning, perhaps Bro. Johnson changed his mind on the Youthful Worthies again (from the hidden truth they supposedly found in E4) as shown on page 483 where it says, "The Lord’s work that has since been going on has been building the Epiphany Tabernacle, which had its beginning in the call of the Youthful Worthies from 1914 onward."

BSM's journey to darkness continues

The Bible Standard Ministries has continued its downward path into greater error. Apparently, according to the same Pilgrim who is confused on the topic of Christ's merit, the true Church, the 1,000 year millennial day is now called "the Harvest," the little season is now the "Judgment Day, and "The Consecrated Epiphany Campers" are on trial for life. He contradicts himself stating we are still under a call at this present time? If we are "Perfect" as this confused Pilgrim states; why will the Ancient and Youthful Worthies be under the mediatorial reign? In essence, this Pilgrim is denying the Ransom. 

Transcribed from the audio copy:

In Prison, and Out of Prison Part 2

16:00 - 17:09

…So many of the brethren that we have spoken to over the past few years, have the thought that we have the 1845 years, the harvest, then the 1845 years the harvest, a 1000 years, and the harvest. But you won't find the word harvest on that last 40 years. No place in our writings, or on our charts. It's called the judgement day. It's not a harvest. This is important to our thinking, because the full 1000 years is a harvest, it's not a 40 year harvest. But it's a full 1,000 years, 1874 - 2874 is a harvest.   Thereby we, as we are here today, are living under harvest conditions which would be the new testament, wouldn't it. Our foundation is in the old testament, our instruction is in the new testament, we are being harvested….

17:56 - 18:25

… Then we have the judgement day at the end, when all will be judged, including ourselves, for that final test of approval. So if we can allow our minds to accept we are being harvested today, not just schooled, but harvested, are we found worthy to be garnered into the barn, or be burned as the chaff. That's the only two things the Bible talks about…

22:00 - 22:35

…Some of those, not all, but some of those went on to consecrate. Thereby we have consecrated epiphany campers. Of those, as God chose those that were be able to continue life, and those he took life away from. A separation was done. Those he found great favor in have the privilege of becoming the queen of Sheba class. The highest order of the 10 quasi-elect classes….

31:18 - 31:40

…So when the time comes for the millennial mediatorial reign to begin, and that the bible is silent on, but the ones of the grave, and the sleep of death when they began to arise that will know when that time is. Until that time comes, we are still under a condition of being called by God...

We're now part of the Church?

Since losing their understanding of the Youthful Worthy class as given by Bro. Johnson, the Bible Standard Ministries has continued its downward path into greater error. Apparently, according to the same Pilgrim who is confused on the topic of Christ's merit, we are now part of the Church.

“Bro. Ralph has been trying to...uhm...maybe I shouldn't use the word trying, but I guess that's all right. He's been bringing forth the some progressive thinking to our movement. One of those progressive thinkings that has come along is the idea of the imputed merit for those that are living today. Without that imputation of the merit of the shed blood of our Lord, again going back to the word perfect, we couldn't be perfect...on our own strength, on our own self righteousness. But God, where I think we talked a little bit about this last night too, but, God has for the Church, for that Little Flock part of the church. We are in a terrible habit, and I did that purposely when I used the word “Church”. When we say “Church” our minds go to the Little Flock, don't they? That is not correct. The Little Flock is a part of the Church. The highest part of the Church. But, the other classes, the four very elect classes...”

Use of John's Baptism Until End of Jewish Harvest

...Note carefully Bro. Johnson's statements, especially the italicized portions. Note that he shows clearly that the reaping of the Jewish Harvest, of those Jews who were not broken off as branches (which would include many who were not living in harmony with the Law Covenant and its spirit and who therefore needed John's Baptism), continued, not only until 36 .D., but until the reaping "ended in Sept., 69 A.D., just as in the parallel Gospel-Age Harvest "the reaping ended in Sept., 1914." Note also that he states that the general call (which began with Cornelius and his household, the first Gentile converts) lasted "from Oct., 36 A.D. to Oct., 1881," and that it was "apart of [i.e., separate from] the Jews of the Jewish Harvest." Furthermore, note his specification that "all Jews not reaped and Spirit-begotten during the Jewish Harvest. [not merely during Israel's 70th week, the 7 years from 29 A.D. to 36 A.D.] were broken off as branches and had to be re-engrafted, but not reaped, when they came into Christ."

See P.T. 1960 Page 11

Faith Imputed "Was Tentative Rather Than Vitalized"

There is a certain Pilgrim representative of the Bible Standard Ministries who is obviously confused and is contradictory to the Epiphany Truth writings by making the statement that those of us who are consecrated, living today, have Christ's imputed merit and are perfect.

Merit—No Embargo On Merit.

Question (1999)—Do “Between-the-Ages” consecrators have an embargo on Jesus’ Ransom merit in order to exist?

Answer.—Neither the Youthful Worthies nor the Consecrated Epiphany Campers have an embargo on Christ’s merit. But we do not expect God to apply the merit for the world until the Youthful Worthies have all gone down into death (E. 15, p. 251, par. 1, 252).

The facts that the Consecrated Epiphany Campers have no embargo on Christ’s merit does not prevent their existing now any more than similarly the fact that the Ancient Worthies had no embargo on the merit prevented them from existing. The Ancient Worthies had their faith imputed to them for righteousness and their justification—unlike that of the Gospel-Age new creatures—Was tentative rather than vitalized (Rom. 4: 1-3). ’99-87

Question (1980)—Who is the High Priest for “Those Consecrating Between the Ages” (R5761)?

Answer.—Jesus as High Priest offered up His humanity, the antitypical atonement day bullock (Lev. 16), and in His sacrificial death went under the antitypical second veil and then in His resurrection rose up a Divine being in the Most Holy (Heb. 10: 19, 20). There after His ascension He sprinkled the antitypical bullock’s blood on the mercy seat and consequently the blessings of Pentecost came to His disciples. He appeared in the presence of God “for  us,” the Church of the Firstborn, the Little Flock and the Great Company (Heb. 9: 24; T 59), and imputed His Ransom merit on their behalf. Also, He makes a tentative imputation for “Those Consecrating Between the Ages” (comp. E. 4, p. 408).

While personally Jesus is forever with God in the Most Holy, as High Priest He is pictured as ministering during the Gospel Age in the Court, in dealing with the Lord’s Goat, the humanity of the Little Flock. The Body members co-operate with Jesus as the World’s  High Priest in this work (T 51, par. 1; P ’20, pp. 167, 168) and also here in the end of the Age in dealing with Azazel’s Goat, the humanity of the Great Company.

But the World’s High Priest deals also with the Youthful Worthy Levites and the consecrated antitypical Nethinim (the Consecrated Epiphany Campers) here in the end of the Age. He is the High Priest for all—including the antitypical Israelites. Though both Head and Body are now in the Divine nature, associated with the Heavenly Father, they are still not in the antitypical garments of glory and beauty (P. ’57, p. 12). They still do not have all their Millennial Mediatorial powers, prerogatives, privileges, possessions and services (E. 11, p. 578), which are included in these antitypical garments and which come to them only after Jesus’ blood-merit is applied on behalf of the world (Z Reprints 80, par. 5; 245, par. 12, 15; 3709; 4602, par. 2).

The World’s High Priest has worked toward the Youthful Worthies from 1881 onward and toward the rest of “Those Consecrating Between the Ages,” the Consecrated Epiphany Campers, from the Fall of 1954 onward. In fact, this High Priest has worked toward the unconsecrated tentatively justified also (E. 4, p. 69). All such consecrators are of the pre-Millennial seed of Abraham (E. 11, p. 293), those who consecrate before the Millennial Mediatorial Reign begins.

The C.E.C.’s, antitypical Nethinim, are regarded, or considered by God as beforehand “bringing” or presenting offerings to the World’s High Priest at the Gate of the Court, though this type does not really enter into fulfilment until the Mediatorial Reign begins and all the antitypical Israelites bring their offerings.

The C.E.C.’s, being justified by faith (and consecrated also), will share in the resurrection of the just, but not in “the better resurrection,” which is only for the Worthies (P. ’73, pp. 60, 61).

Neither class of Between-the-Ages consecrators (Y.W. or C.E.C.) is in danger of the Second Death at the end of this life, though by persistently sinning wilfully they can undermine their characters to such an extent that they will become Second Deathers Millennially or post-Millennially, after the Kingdom is set up (comp. Matt. 23: 33).

The C.E.C.’s, the chief part of antitypical Miriam, will have a very honorable station post-Millennially among the restitutionists in the perfected earth (E. 11, p. 293). ’80-62; ’99-87

"Yet There Is Room" W.T. 1913 - Part 2

"…Those who are in a waiting attitude…"

OUR REASON FOR THIS THOUGHT

People who have not been interested in religion and who have not heretofore consecrated themselves unto God, have quite recently made full consecration of themselves and have received that evidence which seems to indicate that God has accepted them. Not only have the eyes of their understanding been opened so that they can see the spiritual, or deep things of God, but they are given opportunities to sacrifice. While we make a covenant that we will sacrifice (Psa. 50:5), yet it is for the Lord to give us the opportunity to do so. The fact that some of the recently consecrated are receiving and using opportunities to sacrifice, implies that when they made their consecration there was a place open and that they are filling it.

The fact also that so many have been thus accepted since 1878 seems to imply that there has been a considerable vacancy in the list of the Elect, and that it is gradually filling up. It is not for us to say how much of a vacancy remains, or just when it will be filled. We fully believe, however, that it will be filled before the close of "the Times of the Gentiles," which we think will end with October, 1914.

As for others who have not yet consecrated themselves, we can say with St. Paul, "I beseech you,...brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice." (Rom. 12:1.) Do your best. It may be that there is an opening and you may get in. Consecrate your time, your talents, all that you have, to the service of God. He is a good Paymaster; whatever reward He may give you will be a prize.

We realize, however, that all who will be accepted as members of the Body of Christ must have trials both of faith and of loyalty before being assigned to a definite place in the Kingdom. Those who become reprobates will constitute the Second Death class. Others may be assigned to the Great Company. All such will be counted out of membership in the Royal Priesthood. As each is put out as unworthy, his former place becomes vacant and his crown released. Such vacancies, we understand, are now being filled from among those who offer themselves.

This condition has obtained since 1881, when, we believe--as before stated--the general call ceased. When a vacancy occurs, it is reasonable to believe that from among those who are in a waiting attitude the one would be chosen who is the most highly developed and most fully in harmony with the Lord.

R5168

"Yet There Is Room" W.T. 1913 - Part 1

"YET THERE IS ROOM"

"Hold that fast which thou hast, that
no man take thy crown."--Rev. 3:11.

THE QUESTION is sometimes asked whether it is possible for one to consecrate himself and to be accepted at this late hour in the Gospel Age, unless there is a crown reserved for such a one. Certainly it would be possible for one to consecrate himself.

Consecration is always proper. Long before the Gospel Age began, Abraham and the Prophets made consecration of their lives. St. Paul informs us that these Ancient Worthies showed that their lives were consecrated to God and righteousness; for they suffered--many of them--painful and ignominious deaths for His sake. Thus they demonstrated that the world was unworthy of them. --Heb. 11:33-38.

The fact that a person has offered himself in consecration does not, however, obligate the Almighty to accept the offering. While it is true that "God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34,) yet His favor was given first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. This favor is the most wonderful ever offered to beings on any plane of existence--that all who will accept the terms may come into the Church, which is the mystical Body of Christ, until a sufficient number shall have been found, until the fore-ordained number shall have made consecration and shall have made their calling and election sure. While the Scriptures indicate clearly that we are living at the very close of the Gospel Age, yet it is not for us to know when the full number shall have consecrated themselves. It is our belief that in a general way the outward call ceased in 1881, A. D.

Our thought is that in 1878 there were a great many consecrated persons who had not passed their trial in full; and that there were in the nominal churches many thousands who had made full consecration to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. From 1874 to 1881, there was a great number of evangelists preaching both in this country and abroad. Of these, Evangelist Moody was perhaps the best known. He seemed to make a great many converts; and his preaching seemed to be very different from that of the majority of evangelists. He preached forgiveness through the precious blood of Christ, and full consecration to God.

During that revival period, many made a full consecration, had their names tentatively written in Heaven, and filled up the number required. But when the testings came, many were found unworthy of a higher reward than that of the Great Company. Others took the places of the failures and were also tested and sifted. Vacancies occurred; and still others came in for an opportunity. We see evidences that this work has been going on for the past thirty years; and we believe that it is true that some names are now being listed and that there are crowns awaiting such.