The Little Flock PT 1992 Part 4

THE YOUTHFUL WORTHIES
(4) He forecast the non-Spirit-begotten but Spirit-enlightened class that we call Youthful Worthies. He told of them first as individuals from 1881 onward for whom no crowns were available, and forecast that later, i.e., in the Epiphany, they would come forth as a class, when all consecrations would be without subsequent Spirit-begettal (see, e.g., F 156, 157; Z 4836, 5761; Question Book, pp. 151, 152, 154, 156-158). He did not use the term Youthful Worthies in describing this class, but spoke of them as consecrating between the Ages, as a class not begotten of the Spirit, who would be given a nature and reward with the Ancient Worthies. Some Spirit-begotten and non-Spirit-begotten ones among Truth people, either through ignorance or self-will, insist that they are of the Little Flock. If they do this in ignorance, they should seek to learn the Truth more thoroughly; if they do it in self-will, they should seek more carefully to do God's will, or they may lose out entirely. Some claim that Bro. Russell never spoke of non-Spirit-begotten consecrated ones here in the end of the Age as a class, but only as individuals. But note, e.g., his statement in Z 5761, col. 2:
"It is our thought that with the closing of the 'door' of this Gospel age there will be no more begetting of the holy Spirit to the spirit nature. Any afterward coming to God through consecration, before the inauguration of the restitution work, will be accepted by him, not to the spirit plane of being, but to the earthly plane. Such would come in under the same conditions as the ancient worthies, who were accepted of God. The ancient worthies came in, no call being opened to them—the high calling not being yet open, and the restitution opportunities not open. But they freely gave themselves up to God without knowing what blessings their consecration would bring, except that they had the intimation that they would, in the future life, have a 'better resurrection' than would the remainder of the world.

The Little Flock PT 1992 Part 3

THE GREAT COMPANY
(3) Bro. Russell's forecasts on what would happen to the Great Company during the Epiphany, or tribulation period, confirm that he was "that Servant." He taught that they as represented in their humanity in the scapegoat, or Azazel's goat (Lev. 16: 8, margin), would have the sins of Christendom confessed over them, that as new creatures they would be remanded from the Holy into the Court, and that in their humanity they would be led out of the Court into the fit-man's hands, taken to the wilderness by the latter and there let go, and then fall into Azazel's hands for buffeting experiences (T 68-72, 130-133; Z 4273, 4864, 4921, 5056, 5463, 5874; comp. PT No. 214). We have seen the fulfillments in the Epiphany period both toward the Truth section and the nominal church section of Azazel's Goat. Bro. Russell further showed that, remanded from the Holy into the Court, the crown-lost new creatures would thereafter cleanse themselves and serve as Levites (F 126; Z 172, 4428, 4745, 4876). The Epiphany period witnesses this fulfillment also. The fulfillment of these forecasts proves that Bro. Russell was "that Servant."

The Little Flock PT 1992 Part 2

THE LITTLE FLOCK AND THE GREAT COMPANY
(2) Bro. Russell's forecasting of Epiphany events involving both the Little Flock and the Great Company, seeing that these events have fulfilled, proves him to have been "that Servant." How clearly he forecast the separation of antitypical Elijah and Elisha (and that on account of disagreement on matters of policy as distinct from matters of doctrine), also the antitypical second smiting of Jordan by antitypical Elisha after that separation (see, e.g., Z 5771-5773, 5824, 5844-5846, 5888, 5950) ! The Epiphany Truth points out in pertinent events the fulfillment of this prophecy (E 3, pp. 67-148).
He showed also that in the extreme end of the Gospel Age—the Epiphany—the antitypical Priests and Levites would be separated, according to the Tabernacle picture (see, e.g., Z 4745, 4864, par. 10, 4876, col. 2, par. 1). The Epiphany Truth shows in the divisions of the Lord's people the fulfillment of this Tabernacle picture (E 4, pp. 126-128; P '52, pp. 18-25; '59, p. 35, pars. 4, 5).
Bro. Russell taught also that Aaron's sacrificial garments represent the Church's condition during her sacrificing time (Z 4601, 4602), and that the blood of the antitypical Bullock is continued on the antitypical Mercy Seat for atonement purposes until the last of the Great Company leaves the earth (Z 4634, 5661, par. 1, 5973). In these teachings, when considered with reference to Aaron's leading forth Azazel's Goat while still clothed in sacrificial garments, he impliedly taught that while the Church would still be in the flesh, and after its last member had been offered in consecration to God by Jesus, the Great Company's justified humanity, as Azazel's antitypical Goat, would be dealt with (Question Book, pp. 289, 290). This was actually fulfilled in the Epiphany period (E 4, pp. 153-229). Bro. Russell taught that all these things would take place after the reaping—the 40-year Parousia—was over, i.e., in the Epiphany period. And to have been able from God's Word to have forecast all these marvelous things implies that he was the steward who had charge of the Storehouse to give the seasonal meat, i.e., that he was "that Servant." He was God's eye, hand and mouth.

The Little Flock PT 1992 Part 1

THE LITTLE FLOCK
(1) This is manifest from forecasts given by him as to the Little Flock. Among other things, he taught that the Little Flock, as the antitypical Elijah, would begin in 1914 the antitypical first smiting of Jordan (Z 5845, pars. 4, 5; 5888, par. 14), and this first smiting was fulfilled from 1914 'to 1916 (E 3, chap. 2). He taught also that Jesus and the Little Flock, as antitypical Gideon and his three hundred, would engage in two conflicts with errorists during the Time of Trouble, i.e., during the Epiphany period (Judges 7; Z 3686, last par., 5606, 5607). These two antitypical battles have been having their fulfillment during the Epiphany: the first was from 1914 to 1916, and the second began in 1920 and consisted especially of the refutation of two great errors of the Dark Ages-eternal torment and the consciousness of the dead (E 5, pp. 158, par. 2, 215-251; P '40, pp. 117-121). [The Great Company in its three groups and the Youthful Worthies, represented respectively by (1) the men of Naphtali, Asher and Manasseh (Judges 7: 23) and (2) the men of Ephraim (Judges 7: 24—8: 3), entered into this battle along with the Little Flock, and many of them still continue in this good fight.]
Another truth pertinent to the Little Flock in the Epiphany that was taught by Bro. Russell and has been fulfilled in the Epiphany concerned its final work toward, and suffering from, Christendom—antitypical John's rebuke, imprisonment and beheading (see, e.g., B 260, 261; comp. E 3, pp. 428, 446-467; P '40, pp. 139, 140; '51 pp. 115-119; '56, pp. 50, 84). The fulfilling of these three prophecies (others could be mentioned) pertinent to the Little Flock in the Epiphany help to seal Bro. Russell as "that Servant."

Importance of Little Flock's Completion (PT Feb, 1951, page 22)

The Lord clearly set forth for us the date of the last Spirit-begettal, so that the Youthful Worthies could clearly recognize themselves from that time on, i.e., those consecrating from that time on had no doubt as to their standing; and the Lord likewise clearly set forth for us the date of the last Little Flock member's glorification, so that the Great Company could clearly recognize themselves from that time on, i.e., the new creatures from that time on need have no doubt as to their standing.

Levites - Or Priest. How Do We Know?

Question (1926)—How may we be sure whether a
person is a priest or a Levite?

Answer.—We should accept all brethren as priests
who consecrated before Oct. 1914 and came into the
Truth by Passover 1916, if they are not revolutionists
or partisan supporters of such. While some who
consecrated before Oct. 1914 and came into the
Truth before Passover 1916 are Youthful Worthies,
we do not know who these are. Therefore, we are to
accept all brethren, having consecrated before Oct.
1914 and having received the Truth before Passover
1916, as priests, unless they revolutionize or
partisanly support revolutionists.

A Miscellany, Page 205

For instance, how many accepted our Pastor's teachings, not from a thorough and convincing study of them, but merely because he was “that Servant”! Neglecting his repeated exhortation to accept nothing that he wrote or taught, unless they "proved" it true, they simply swallowed what he said, just because he said it.

80 ProofsThe High Calling is Ended-Number 22

(22) The manifestation of the Youthful Worthies as a separate and distinct class as early as 1917 (the antitypical men of Ephraim; Judges 7: 24—8: 3; E 5, pp. 224-235), proves that prior to that time the reaping and gleaning of the Little Flock had ended; for the Youthful Worthies could not be known as a separate and distinct class while the Little Flock were still being reaped.

Permanent Marker Series: The Youthful Worthies Article, PT May-June, 1972, Paragraph 9

With the Winter 2011 PT out for all to read, we not only have a new view on the CECs, but we also have more of Bro. Jolly's Youthful Worthies article reprinted (as part 2). Again, we have to make edits where needed to help the Executive Trustee. Here in paragraph 9, the order of development of the elect classes has no mention of the new and unique idea that the Youthful Worthies became a separate and distinct class during the Harvest.

Finish Their Course - Must Have The Spirit That Would Be Faithful Unto Death

We are very pleased to see the current Executive Trustee actually provide a reference. We do have a recorded copy of Bro. Jolly's explanation to the question that was placed at the Chicago convention in 1971. Unfortunately, We see a few challenges here:

1. The current Executive Trustee seems to thrive on being controversial with the Brethren
2. *The current Executive Trustee also has difficulties being objective. There are later, printed thoughts from Bro. Jolly that he is ignoring. Also, those of us who personally knew Bro. Elmer know that he believed it possible that some C.E.C.s would not have to die.
3. The Current Executive Trustee struggles with semantics. Two come to mind: "Finish their course" and "must have the spirit that would be faithful unto death"

*He brings us partial truth that precedes Bro. Elmer's discourse, and doesn't disclose Bro. Jolly's later thought on the subject::

However, we are not to think that all who consecrate before the Highway of Holiness is opened up must of necessity die. Since some of the Consecrated Epiphany Campers may consecrate, e.g., shortly prior to or during the time of Israel’s national conversion (which we understand is pre-Millennial—E. Vol. 16, p. 130), and thus be living very near to the time of the inauguration of the New Covenant and its restitution blessings, it would be reasonable to suppose that some of them may not die, but live through the remaining portion of the Time of Trouble, and then serve as special assistants to the resurrected Ancient and Youthful Worthies in starting the restitution work...

...Whether those whose lives are spared during the Time of Trouble will include any of the Consecrated Epiphany Campers we are not sure; but of one thing we do feel certain, i.e., to be acceptable to God in their consecrations they must have the spirit that would be faithful unto death, even if they were not to die in every individual case. ’55- 42; ’78-62...

E. Vol 3 Pgs 105 - 115 Lessons From Elijah and History

105 ..."the present management," in their relation to the Board and the general work, were not keeping the peace and unity that the rest of God's people as a rule were. We fear that they were seeking other things, which interested them more than Zion's welfare.

111-112...the Society among its loyal supporters. Certainly the Society's advocates were surprised and saddened to find the affairs of the Society in the condition in which they were; and certainly did discuss and recognize the organization of the Lord's people, the chariot of Israel, crying out, "the Society! the Society! the Society! the Channel! the Channel! the Channel! We must stand by the Society! We must stand by the Channel! We must defend the Society in its trial! We must be loyal to the Society, because it is the Channel! Whatever the wrong that has been done by the Society leaders, we must nevertheless remember that the Society is the Channel!"...

114-115 ...The fourth activity of Elisha was his rending his own clothes into two pieces. Clothing in the symbols of the Bible represents our graces of heart and mind. "Put on, therefore, as the Elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, etc." "Be clothed with humility." (Col. 2: 12, 13; 1 Pet. 5: 5.) Other passages along the same line will come to every Bible student's mind. To rend one's clothes would seem to represent doing violence to one's graces, and to rend them in twain would seem to represent such gross violence done to one's graces as to tear them in twain, and thus to expose one's double-mindedness, which is a quality of the Great Company (Jas. 1: 8). This action of Elisha's seems to find a fitting antitype in the violence to Truth, Justice and Love committed by J.F. Rutherford and his supporters against the so-called "Opposition." As an illustration of this  gross, unscriptural conduct we refer to J.F. Rutherford's "Harvest Siftings," cruel in itself and grossly deceptive as to facts. All over the world those who stood faithful for "that Servant's" arrangements were treated with gross injustice, lovelessness and misrepresentation by those who rallied to the battle cry, "the channel! the channel!"

All you need to do is change a few names, and the dates...

Why have the Youthful Worthies not been favored with the High Calling? E5 Page 259 (55) Q5

…After the appearance of The Present Truth, especially Nos. 1, 6 and 12, this same resentment increasingly manifested itself the world over. In varying forms these dear brethren showed their great disappointment at coming too late for the High Calling. Their sorrow and disappointment have been great, and we are sure that the entire Priesthood has deeply sympathized with them; for theirs has been a terrible disappointment, which, however, affecting them with more or less resentment, has occasioned them as a class to contend strongly with the Lord ("they did chide with him sharply") at their not being called in time to have had the privilege accorded to the Very Elect exclusively, i.e., unto a completion and in the proper spirit to engage in antitypical Gideon's first battle, to smite Jordan the first time, to confess the sins over Azazel's Goat, to execute the Gideon judgment written. In not a few cases we have received letters from some of these dear brethren blaming us, as if it were our fault that they came in too late for the High Calling, and as if our announcing the Truth on the subject caused them the loss of this special privilege. Seemingly such dear ones forget that our setting forth the Truth on this subject did not cut off further access to the High Calling; for the opportunity of the Spirit-begettal had ceased nearly four years before we learned of it; and the sealing of the Elect had ended about two years before we learned of it. In complaining against us on this account they are, as the type shows, really murmuring against the Lord, the antitypical Gideon, as do all of those Youthful Worthies who, without blaming us, resent their not having been favored with the High Calling… 

E. Vol 5 - Par. 55 Page 231- ...All must admit that some time in the Lord's Plan the time for gaining the last member of Christ would have to set in, and this having set in would necessitate the withholding of the invitation of the High Calling from all others. Scripture, Reasons and Facts prove that that time has already set in with the indicated results... 

Despite "Scripture, Reason, and Facts," the current Executive Trustee's "present view" of the Youthful Worthies having its beginning in 1878 is completely contradictory to Bro. Johnson's teachings on the matter. If there truly had been a Youthful Worthy call beginning in 1878, instead of 1914, Bro. Johnson could have eliminated the above explanation of their disappointment that the High Calling ended when they were discovered, and identified as "The Youthful Worthy Class" in 1919 - See PT. 1919 Page 34 

153 Fishes

In John 21: 1-11 a still more restricted viewpoint is given; for here it was not "a great multitude of fishes"; nevertheless, they "were no longer able to draw it [the net], from [because of] the multitude of [the, so the Greek] fishes" (see Diaglott). Only "the very elect," the Little Flock (very small in number compared to the Great Company or to the world of mankind, but yet by itself rather large in number—144,000), is here indicated. The Little Flock was full and complete in its final membership by the Fall of 1914, the end of the 40-year Harvest reaping period (for proofs see E 5, pp. 143-177; P '37, pp. 182-192). Then the plowman—the Time of Trouble—began to overtake the reaper (Amos 9: 13), and it did so fully by the Spring of 1916, when the sealing of the 144,000 in their foreheads was finished (Rev. 7: 1-4; E 5, pp. 147-150), though many of them remained on earth for years thereafter. But by Oct. 1914 God had begotten by His Spirit the full number of those who He knew would finally make up "the fishes," the "many brethren" predestinated "to be conformed to the image of his Son [as members of His Body] " (Rom. 8: 29; Eph. 1: 5). Accordingly, in the Fall of 1914 the door of entrance into the High Calling closed—the net was full, they "were no longer able to draw it"—no more of "the fishes," those who would be of the Little Flock, were to be caught, and therefore no more Spirit-begettals were to be made for Gospel-Age purposes.

PT. 1964 Page, 42-C2

Permanent Marker Series: The Youthful Worthies Article, PT May-June, 1972, Page 34, C1-C2

 

We continue our edits of Bro. Jolly's Youthful Worthies article from 1972 in order to help the Executive Trustee with his new view (see previous post). We have one last tweak on paragraph 2. How is it possible that Pastor Russell was not aware of a second call to a class during the Harvest if, in fact, one did exist? We don't know.

Permanent Marker Series: The Youthful Worthies Article, PT May-June, 1972, Page 34, C1

The current Executive Trustee seems to be republishing (in sections) Bro. Jolly's Youthful Worthies article from 1972. So far, he has not altered it to meet his needs. This is surprising because the entire article does not show his changed view of their existence. So, with the use of a fresh set of permanent markers, we would like to help.

We begin with paragraph 2, where the term "individuals of a class" may be misunderstood to mean a class when the historical use of it only indicates a group of undefined individuals with like characteristics. Bro. Johnson used a similar sentence in E4 on page 318. Here, we change it to the date and event that the Executive Trustee needs. We also have to change the next sentence in order to allow for surplus consecrators from 1878 instead of 1881.

Letters of General Interest: PT July-August, 1972

DEAR Bro. Jolly: I would appreciate it very much if you would answer this question for me. I have studied and loved God's Word for over 30 years. I have the Studies in the Scriptures. I understand about the High Calling, yet my desire is to live on this earth. I cannot bring myself to desire anything else. It is not the fear of death. I am almost 63 and expect to die, but I have full faith in the resurrection. I was in the "J. W.'s" organization for 16 years, mostly because they do preach the earthly kingdom; but I could not go along with many of their teachings and practices. I left them 13 years ago and occasionally have some fellowship with others who left. I have assembled with the Dawn people for three winters, but they hounded me constantly to "run for the High Calling." Now if you can tell me what is wrong I will very much appreciate i it. Please send me ten each of these tracts: . . . . Thank you, Mrs. R M., Pennsylvania.

THE EDITOR'S REPLY TO THE ABOVE

Dear Sister: Greetings in Jesus' name (John 14: 6; Phil. 2: 5-11)! Thank you for your good letter of Feb. 22. I appreciate what you mention about your Christian life and hopes. In view of this being a time of dispensational changes in the Plan of God, I do not think you should feel distressed if you as one of God's people cannot bring yourself to desire other than the earthly salvation. Pastor Russell showed that from 1881 onward there would be some consecrated ones for whom no crowns, no places in the Little Flock, could tentatively be assigned, but that nevertheless, if faithful in their consecration, their reward would be similar to that of the Ancient Worthies--see F 156, 1157; Z (Reprints) 4836, pars. 3-6, 10,11; 5761, col. 2, pars. 1,2; Question Book; pp. 151, 152. We call these Youthful Worthies (Joel 2: 28; E 4, Chap. 5). For all who have consecrated since the Fall of 1914 there are no crowns available. Thus since 1914 many additional Youthful Worthies have come forth. In PT No. 515 (a copy free on request), 80 proofs are given to show that the door of entrance into the High Calling closed with the beginning of the World War, Phase 1.

You tell of having studied and loved God's Word for over 30 years. I rejoice with you in this (Psa. 119: 97; Provo 8: 10, 11; Acts 17: 11; 2 Tim. 2: 15). Though you do not specifically mention it, I suppose you have consecrated, or dedicated, yourself to God (Rom. 12: 1; Provo 23: 26), giving up your own will selfward and worldward, and accepting His will as your own, as Jesus did (Heb. 10: 7; Matt. 26: 39). If not, I would encourage you to do so. 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.

Those who are prospective Youthful Worthies, Spirit-enlightened but not Spirit-begotten consecrated ones, should not be expected to have emphatic heavenly aspirations (E 15, p. 653) at the present time. If their desires are along the lines of living in the new earth-2 Pet. 3: 13 (surely they should not desire the conditions of "this present evil world"!-Gal. 1: 4), no one should find any fault with them on this account.

However, a word of caution should be given in this connection-if anyone is looking forward to living in the new earth with the thought in mind of then using all of his time on his own home, his own education, the arts and sciences; or just traveling about, viewing the beauties nature and living a life of ease, he has a decidedly wrong and unbiblical perspective. Those who in the Kingdom on earth as they have opportunity will not gladly give the Truth to those who are hungering and thirsting for it as the Bread and Water of life, will not willingly bring those who are strangers to the New Covenant into their hospitality in it, will not seek to clothe those destitute of Christ's righteousness with it as a garment, will not help to cure the sin-sick of their sin-maladies and will not, by their earnest prayers for them to come forth, visit those in the prison-cells of the tomb--all who will not do these things, but who will live selfishly, will end up, not with the "sheep" class who will be given everlasting life on earth, but with the "goat" class--see Matt. 25: 31-46. They will be destroyed in the Second Death.

The Scriptures indicate that the Ancient Worthies, who some cases (e.g., Samson-Heb. 11: 32) evidently did not in this life have emphatic heavenly aspirations, will be Spirit-begotten in the Little Season. They will then all have emphatic heavenly aspirations. Being of the Millennial Church of the Firstborn, antitypical Levites, they will have no eventual inheritance in the earth among the restitutionists, but will after being tested sufficiently Spirit.Jbegotten ones be born of the Spirit to a spirit nature and inheritanceHeb. 12: 23; Num. 18: 20, 23, 24· Z (Reprints) 5182, 5183; E 4, pp. 331-336. The Youthful Worthies will share with them in these things.

It may be very difficult under present circumstances for you to understand how you will ever have emphatic heavenly aspirations; but rest assured that if you are faithful in following in the Master's steps in serving Jehovah (1 Pet. 2: 21) as one of the Youthful Worthies, you will when begotten of the Spirit in the Little Season definitely have such aspirations. In the meantime, while looking forward to the blessings, privileges and service God's Kingdom with its new order in human society, seek to be just as faithful as you can in following our Lord Jesus, in self- and world-denial, in study of and meditation on God's Word, in watchfulness and prayer, in growing in the graces, in witnessing to the Truth, and suffering for loyalty to it. Jehovah will bless you richly you do so. If you do not have the Epiphany volumes, including those mentioned above, I suggest that you get them and study them at your early convenience. Be assured of my warm Christian love and fervent prayers.

The above response from Bro. Jolly shows that he refers to consecrators after 1881, not 1878. This response to a letter appears one month after he published the Youthful Worthy article, the one that the current Executive Trustee is also in the process of reprinting because he thinks it shows his view. There are references in the article itself that contradict this current view, which we will cover, but this response is also very clear.

Christians generally make no effort to harmonize... P Vol. 2 Pages 143-144

...As seekers after truth, it will not do for us to say, in view of these passages, that their majority seem to favor whatever view we incline to prefer, and then to ignore the others. Until we have a view of the matter in which every Bible statement finds a logical representation, we should not feel sure that we have the truth on the subject. One statement of God is as true and firm a foundation for faith, as a hundred. And it would be wiser to seek for a harmonious understanding than to arrive at a conclusion or adopt a theory based on a one-sided interpretation, and thus to deceive ourselves and others.

Christians generally make no effort to harmonize these statements, and therefore their ideas are one-sided and incorrect... 

If the brethren at large would apply Bro. Russell's principle stated above, they would readily see the error with the current Executive Trustee's one-sided interpretation of the "Present View" "Shutting of the Door several times," etc...

Truth To Be Given When Due - Part 2

PT 1957 Page 23, 24

(23) How marvelous it is to our eyes to see that Keturah's six sons so fittingly and fully picture six classes, embracing all who will be developed under the New Covenant, from the highest class to the lowest (1) the 70 most prominent Worthies; (2) the Worthies as a class, subdivided into the Ancient and the Youthful Worthies, with the three divisions of the Youthful Worthies also being shown; (3) the Consecrated Epiphany Campers; (4) the quasi-elect fleshly Israelites divided into five groups; (5) the loyal tentatively-justified Gentiles, and finally (6) the non-elect.

Truth To Be Given When Due - Part 1

In this general outline Bro. Russell did not specify separately the Youthful Worthies, though he already indicated that the non-Spirit-begotten consecrated quite likely would come forth in the resurrection as “members of the same class as the ancient worthies” (F 156, 157; R 4836, par. 5). Nor did he mention the Consecrated Epiphany Campers and the various groups of Jews and Gentiles, as typed by Keturah’s descendants (Gen. 25: 1-4), for the further unfolding of Truth in respect to these classes was not yet due to be given. Bro. Johnson followed the same general outline, but specified some of the pertinent classes and groups that Bro. Russell did not mention (see, e.g., E. 11, pp. 405, 406, 412; E. 6, p. 717; E. 15, p. 682); and we have done the same (see, e.g., P. ’57, pp. 23, 24).

Memorial Service Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2011 - Ustream Link

Pastoral Memorial Archive Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 2011

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http://www.ustream.tv/channel/memorial-service-october-1-2011