SOLOMON ISAACSON had eighty years of life's journey behind him. He had traveled a stormy pathway. His body was bent from years of toil and suffering. His hair was as white as the driven snow. His long flowing beard somewhat concealed his sunken chest. The old man was seated on the front porch of his humble home, reading from a well-thumbed copy of the Hebrew Scriptures. Occasionally he would speak to his faithful wife Rebecca of some text relating to their ancient fathers. At one time Isaacson and his good wife had made a long journey to the holy city, and there with others of their people mingled their tears before the wailing wall built of stones which it is supposed that Solomon the Wise caused to be quarried. Like others of their race, these two had a desire and held some hope that the time would come when their people might again possess the land of promise.
The front gate to the yard of this humble home stood ajar. The gravel pathway leading to the house was flanked on either side by sweet-scented flowers that bloom early in June. The dewdrops of the morning still lingered on the
petals of the roses, and the humming-birds flitted about gathering the nectar from the blossoms of the honeysuckle; the song birds, perched on the evergreen trees that grew in the yard, warbled their happy morning songs. The scene was simple, but pleasant and inviting. A young man walking that way quickly took in the situation, entered the gate and walked briskly to the house, greeting the old man, as he approached, with a broad smile and a cheerful "Good morning". The old man returned the greeting, but with sadness in his eye and pathos in his voice.
"Reading the good Book, I see," said the young man. "I hope you find much joy in so doing on this beautiful June morning."
"Joy?" responded the old man. "No, sadness rather. I have just been reading from the Ninetieth Psalm to my good wife Rebecca. These words were written long ago by Moses. They were sung by him as a prayer unto Jehovah, and their sound is that of a dirge. I remarked to Rebecca how well did Moses describe our condition. Young man, you are now in the vigor of youth, but some day you will grow old and you will look like you now see me. Young men should be instructed in the Scriptures. Let me read to you these words of wisdom from Moses that you may have them in mind in days to come. Concerning men Moses wrote: 'In the morning they are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.
For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath; we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.'" — Ps. 90:5-10.
"But," said the young man, "please read also verse three, and then verses twelve to seventeen, of that same prayer of Moses, and find some consolation and hope therein. May I read them to you? 'Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Return, 0 Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. 0 satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.'"
"Young man, seeing that you are a Gentile and of tender years, by what means do you understandingly consider the word of the ancient Moses!"
"From the door-plate I perceive that you are Mr. Solomon Isaacson. Please, Mr. Isaacson, do not think it rude for one of my youth to speak to you whose head is hoary and whose years have brought you wisdom. I assure you that I speak not my own learning and wisdom, but I repeat only the words of him in whom is all wisdom. Jehovah is the God of your fathers. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon the Wise. In the words which you have just read is expressed the wisdom of Almighty God. You will recall that David said: 'The spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.' (2 Sam. 23: 2) By the same power did Moses speak and write the words which you have just read. The spirit of the Lord God is his power invisible to human eyes. He exercises that power over men at will, and causes men to write as God wills they should write. That is what I understand David to mean when he said that the spirit of the Lord was upon him. Without doubt Moses, at the dictation of Jehovah God, gave utterance to the prophecy of God's purpose concerning man. The due time must come when that prophecy must be fulfilled and when man shall understand its meaning. Otherwise there would be no occasion to record such a prophecy. The facts seem to prove conclusively that God's due time has now come for the prophecy to be fulfilled and for men to understand that and other like prophecies, and the proper under-
standing thereof must bring joy to man. For this reason I expressed the hope that you are receiving joy from reading the Scriptures.
"If God would use Moses and David to write down the prophecies, it is reasonable to conclude also that he would use other men to record facts which have actually come to pass, and which mark the fulfilment of those prophecies. In neither instance is the prophecy or the record of its fulfilment the expression of man's wisdom. By prophecy God has foretold what in his due time shall come to pass concerning man. When events do come to pass, and those events or facts exactly fit the condition described in the prophecy, then we are entirely justified in concluding that we have come to the time of the fulfilment of the prophecy. The fact that the Hebrew people were so long the exclusive custodians of the Scriptures, and the further fact that they and the Gentiles have read the Scriptures with much interest and profit, is proof that God intends men to have consolation by reading them.
"The Psalm which you have just read is a prophecy. Therein Moses has stated, in substance, that God turns man into death and then says to man: 'Return, ye children of men.' Return,' whence and to what? we may properly ask. It was life that man had and lost, and the return mentioned must be the return from death to have life restored to man. Then the prayer of Moses is, that God would re-
pent or change his course of action concerning man. That could mean only that God would bring man out of death and lead him in the way of life everlasting. All these centuries man has been going into death. From this statement of Moses we must conclude that God will return man from that condition. That such is the hope expressed is shown by the words of Moses in verses fourteen and fifteen: '0 satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.'
"The 'mercy' of God, when duly exercised, would mean that the 'wrath' of suffering and death would cease, life be given, and that thenceforth man would rejoice and be glad for evermore. From the words of Moses, namely, 'Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children,' it must be understood that the work of God will lift man out of death and restore him to life, and that would bring joy unto his faithful servants and glory to their children.
"If you were now assured that you would cease from your suffering; that you would be restored to the days of your youth; and that your flesh would become fresher than a child's, you would greatly rejoice, I am sure. I perceive that you are a believer that the Scriptures, as recorded, constitute the truth, which is the Word of God. May I remind you that Job wrote
these words: 'His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: he shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him; and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.' (Job 33: 25, 26) Surely Job also spoke a prophecy at the dictation of Jehovah. Undoubtedly it was for that very happy condition that Moses prayed as the record of the Psalm, which you have just read, shows.
"I perceive that you believe that the Scriptures are the true Word which comes from Jehovah God through his prophets. The fact that you have thumbed over that Bible so much is proof that you do so believe. Just as certainly as God caused Moses and Job to write concerning his purpose of returning man from death and giving him the blessings of youth, health and life, just that certainly God will perform that great work. You will recall that God caused another of his holy prophets to record his purposes in these words: 'So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.' 'I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.' — Isa. 55:11; 46:11.
"I also beg to remind you that God caused his holy prophet Daniel to make a record that the time would come when there would be a great increase of knowledge amongst men, and
that then those who diligently and honestly seek to understand the truth will understand it. To enable man to determine, from things that appear to him daily, the time of the fulfilment of that prophecy, God further caused Daniel to say that then there would be a great running to and fro as well as increase of knowledge. (Dan. 12:4,10) That we are now living in that very time is certain. It is hardly necessary for me to mention to you the fact, because you know that the means of rapid transit today were never dreamed of even in the days of your early youth. Surely the men who operate these machines of rapid transit, and who make them, were never as wise as Solomon. Why, then, did not Solomon, or some men living at the same time, have in operation these wonderful means of rapid travel? The only answer is, that it was not then God's due time. The due time has now come, and these things speak to us; and so the time has now come for the fulfilment of truth and for those who see and understand to rejoice. Books are now published setting forth the facts as they are coming to pass, and by applying these facts to the prophecies, it is thereby proven that the due time has come to understand the Scriptures. Such is the source of my knowledge concerning which you have inquired. My joy is great because I am permitted not only to understand these marvelous truths but also to carry them to others, and thereby enable sad hearts to be made glad. It is a real joy for the
people to learn that Jehovah is the great God of justice and love, and that all blessings proceed from him. If the human race is to be lifted out of suffering and death and to return to life and happiness, that is the best news that could be brought to man.
"Restitution means to restore that which was once possessed and for good reason was lost. Only the one who gave, and who took away that which was possessed, can again restore it. Job, writing under inspiration from God, said: 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' (Job 1:21) In his own due time and good way God will give man the full opportunity for restitution blessings. Moses wrote the words: 'From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.' Undoubtedly the meaning of those words is that for a good reason God sent man into death, and that in due time he will bring man back from death. To 'return' means that man will come back to his former estate. This must be the divine rule, because the Scriptures so announce it. The fact that such is the divine rule means that in due time it will apply to all men, because God is no respecter of persons.
"Restitution is the great boon for humanity. It must include those who are dead and those who are in a dying condition. Look at those beautiful flowers blooming in your front yard.
A few months ago the winter season was on, and even the bushes appeared to be dead. Then the spring time came and they revived, put forth their leaves, and the flowers bloomed. That aptly illustrates the condition of humankind. There has been a long dark and dreary time of winter during which billions of human beings have died, and other billions are on the way to death. The winter season of death is ending. The spring time of God's plan is at hand, and the time is therefore here for the people to awake to the blessings which God has in store for them. Both Jews and Gentiles must now rejoice that Jehovah is the only true God, and that from him life must proceed. He is the great Life-giver. How are men to be guided in the right way? God's prophet wrote: 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.' (Ps. 119:105) That means, then, that man must read understandingly the Word of God, and follow as he directs.
'It seems quite clear that God did not intend His Word to be understood until his due time, and that, as Daniel stated, when the due time comes, it is the wise who understand. (Dan. 12:10) A wise man is he who honestly and earnestly searches for the truth in God's Word, and then fashions his course of action accordingly. His knowledge must come from the Scriptures and the physical facts in fulfilment thereof; and then if he is wise he will order his course in that way. Is not that according to
the rule that Moses announced in his prayer? 'So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.' (Ps. 90:12) When the due time arrives, those who would understand must study God's Word and use all the helps that the Lord God has provided for them to understand. In this connection note the words of the prophet of Jehovah:
"'Give ear, 0 my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children; that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.' — Ps. 78:l-7.
"God having expressed his purpose to permit man to understand his prophecy at some time, and seeing from the facts that we have come to the time of understanding, should we not expect God to further provide other means to gather the knowledge contained in his Word? In these days of understanding, books have been
written or compiled, bringing together the Scriptural texts that apply to certain fundamental truths. These texts, viewed in the light of facts that we see before us, enable man to see some of the wonderful provisions God has made for man's blessing. We know that no man has ever yet brought forth a remedy for the unhappy conditions that men have experienced. God has the complete remedy. God's remedy for the peoples of earth is to lift them out of death and restore them to health and strength and life. These facts are set forth in books published at this time which enable men to take their Bibles and read them in an understanding manner. It is my privilege to call your attention to some of these books. I have some of them here that I would like to leave with you. This is my method of preaching the gospel of good news concerning God's plan for the restitution blessings that are coming to all the nations and peoples of the earth.
THE TRUTH
"All honest men desire to know the truth. How may man know what is the truth, and whence it comes? There must be a Supreme One, who is above all and from whom all good things proceed. That one is Jehovah God, the Creator of heaven and earth. (Isa. 42:5) He is the Almighty God, and his power knows no limitations. (Gen. 17:1-3; 35:11) He is 'the Most High' above all others. (Ps. 91:1) Jeho-
vah God is just, wise, and is the very expression of love. He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.' (Deut. 32:4) He is therefore the source of truth. His Word is his expression of truth for man's benefit. All the ways of Jehovah God are true and right. (Ps. 33:4) Therefore to understand his Word, recorded in the Scriptures, is to have the truth. The truth is beautiful and harmonious and, when understood, it yields sweet music that makes glad the heart of man. King David was an expert player on the harp. The name David means 'beloved of God', and it is written that David was a man after God's own heart. (1 Sam. 13:14) Appropriately, therefore, God likens his truth unto a harp. The Bible indicates that the harp, which is his truth, would be used for a long while and then would be understood and appreciated, and that its music would bring joy to those who have hearing ears. He caused to be recorded in his Word this beautiful statement: 'Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: both low and high, rich and poor, together. My mouth shall speak of. wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon the harp.' — Ps. 49:1-4.
"A parable is a cryptic or dark saying. The Lord caused much of his Word to be written in this manner, that its meaning might be con-
cealed until his due time to reveal it. The enemy Satan has also caused much misunderstanding of the Word of God, by reason of slandering the name of Jehovah. God foreknew and foretold that in his due time he would restore to his people the truth and would open their understanding that they might see and rejoice. The first part of restitution work is to restore to the people the truth which has so long been hid. An illustration is found in the experiences of Israel after being taken in captivity to Babylon. The vessels of the temple were carried away by the Babylonians. In due time Jehovah used Cyrus the Persian to restore these vessels to the temple or house of the Lord. Such vessels were delivered to Sheshbazzar (Zerubbabel) to be replaced in the temple when it was rebuilt in Jerusalem. Likewise God has used his anointed One to restore to his people the understanding of his truth; and for this reason the truth of the divine plan may now be understood and appreciated. The restoration of the truth conclusively proves that restitution is one of the unchangeable laws of Jehovah God. Restitution is one of the great truths, once plainly spoken, and long forgotten; and now the time has come to understand, because it is God's due time.
LAW
"The law of God is just and perfect. His statutes, or rules of action, are always right.
The understanding thereof, and obedience thereto, always brings peace and joy. (Ps. 89:14; 19: 7, 8) The people of Israel were God's chosen people and were used by him to foreshadow his purposes concerning all mankind. The law which he gave to the Israelites announced his rules of action and foretold better things to come. Restitution is one of the great parts of God's plan definitely fixed by his law. Restitution was required as a matter of justice. If a man stole his neighbor's ox, he was compelled to make restitution thereof. If such restitution was impossible because the offending one had no property, then the man himself must be sold for his wrongful act, and the price paid to the one who had been wronged.
"If a man borrowed his neighbor's animal and the animal died, the borrower was compelled to make restitution. If the thief be found breaking in, and be smitten so that he dieth, there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be bloodguiltiness for him; he shall make restitution: if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. And if a man borrow aught of his neighbor, and: be hurt, or die, the owner thereof not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.' — Ex. 22: 2, 3, 14, R.V.
Under the law which God gave, if a man should carelessly or wilfully cause the destruction of his neighbor's property by fire, he was compelled to make restitution therefor. 'If fire
break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.' — Ex. 22: 6.
"Furthermore, it was provided by the law of God which he gave to Israel, that if a man deceive his neighbor and thereby obtain possession of his property, or take it from his neighbor by violence; or have found that which was lost, and lie concerning the finding of same, in order to hold possession of it for himself; in all of these things the man has sinned, and he must make restitution. 'Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.' — Lev. 6:4,5.
"As provided by the law of God which he gave to Israel, if a man kill a beast belonging to another, he must make restitution therefor. If he injure his neighbor or kill a man, he must suffer a like punishment. 'And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast. And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; breach for
breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again. And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death. Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the Lord your God.' -Lev. 24:17-22.
"If a man lost his property by reason of poverty, and another acquired that property, the one acquiring title could hold that property only until the time of the jubilee, and then restitution thereof must be made to the original owner who lost his property. 'Then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it, that he may return unto his possession. But if he be not able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee; and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.' — Lev. 25:27, 28.
"The law of God is just; therefore God established by his law that restitution is that which his justice requires.
MERCY
"Restitution is a manifestation of the mercy of God toward his creatures. The mercy of God endures for ever. (Ps. 118:1) That divine rule was made known in God's action toward the nation of Israel. That people repeatedly broke the
covenant which God had made with them. To make clear his rule of action, and as a manifestation of his mercy, God sent his prophet to the Israelites and invited them to be restored to him. 'Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you; for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. Turn [return, R. V. ], 0 backsliding children, saith the Lord. . . . Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.' (Jer. 3:12,14,22) Through his prophet God announced his purpose to have mercy on the offending ones and grant them opportunity for restitution blessings. 'Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.' (Isa. 55:7) Hereby is proven God's mercy and loving-kindness toward men, and that restitution to life will be a great manifestation of his justice and mercy.
LIFE FOR MAN
"God's gracious gift to man is life. A child is born, grows to manhood, endures much suffering and hardship, becomes sick, lingers, and dies. Many die early; others attain the age of threescore years and more, and then die. Comparatively, only a small number have lived for half a century. The great majority die when
young. When God caused Moses to write: 'Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men' (Ps. 90:3), what was the meaning thereof? Why should he be invited to return? The correct answer to these questions makes clear the great truth of restitution blessings which the Lord has provided for mankind. The correct answer is found only in God's Word of truth.
"God is the Creator of heaven and earth. 'The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.' (Isa. 42:5; Ps. 24:1) God created the earth for man and man for the earth. (Isa. 45:12,18) God created first the earth; and then he 'formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul'. (Gen. 2:7) The means by which God gave life to man is plainly stated in these words. He did not give him an immortal soul. He made man a creature, a breathing, sentient being, which is a soul. In harmony therewith Job wrote: 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' (Job 1:21) In harmony with this, Moses stated that God turns man to destruction. But why did God take away from man that which he had given him, namely, life on earth?
DISOBEDIENCE
"The law of God means his rule of action, commanding the doing of that which is right
and providing punishment for the doing of that which is wrong. The law could not be enforced against the wrong-doer unless there be a penalty attached and enforced for its violation. Whether the wrongful act be great or small, it is a violation of the law. The law being exact, the penalty must be enforced as announced. God had previously created a beautiful garden and named it Eden, and he put man in that garden to dress it and keep it. It was God's garden, and not man's. It was therefore entirely right that God should make a law or rule of action to govern man and his actions in that garden. It is therefore written: 'And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.' —Gen. 2:16,17.
"The manifest purpose of God was to teach man that full obedience to the law of his Creator was necessary in order for man to continue to live. The wilful violation of God's law would mean the taking away from man the right to live. God did not require man to do a great and laborious thing to keep his law. He required man to refrain from doing a certain thing. That certain thing was a small thing, and Adam could have easily refrained from doing what he was commanded not to do. By the wilful disobedience of that law Adam proved his lack of appreciation of life, and the lack of love and apprecia-
tion for God, the great Giver of life. If Adam could with impunity disregard God's law by eating fruit which he was forbidden to eat, then he could with impunity do any other wrongful act. Had Adam loved God, he would not even have considered violating his law. Adam showed by his course of action that he was extremely selfish. He preferred to have that which was forbidden rather than to have God's approval. Not only did Adam wilfully disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit, but he accused his wife of being responsible, and also laid blame to God who gave him his wife.
"Above all other reasons is this one: God had announced his law and the penalty to be inflicted for the wilful disobedience of that law. The Word of God must stand. He must be and is consistent. It would be inconsistent for him to make a law, permit it to be violated, and then fail or refuse to inflict the penalty which he had announced. To enforce his law meant that he must take away from Adam life which he had given him. The right to that life depended upon Adam's obedience to the Giver. The taking away of that life was because of disobedience on the part of Adam. Therefore God sentenced Adam to suffer the prescribed penalty of the law. The words of that divine decree plainly set forth that Adam was taken from the dust and given life, and now that life must be taken away, and he must return to the dust. — Gen. 3:17-19.
"The enforcement of that divine decree covered a period of 930 years, approximately. At the time the decree was announced, the right to life was taken away from Adam. The man was expelled from the garden of the Lord in Eden, compelled to feed upon the imperfect food outside thereof, became sick, and at the end of 930 years was dead. Within the period of time of the enforcement of that sentence of death, Adam's children were begotten and born. God had given Adam the power to transmit life to his offspring; but the right to life being taken away from Adam before he begot children, it was therefore impossible for him to transmit the right to life to his offspring. Adam himself being under the sentence of death, and therefore a sinner, all his children were born sinners as a natural consequence. That rule was announced by the prophet of the Lord when he wrote: 'Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.' — Ps. 51: 5.
"The life of man was therefore lawfully and rightfully taken away from him. All men have for this reason been born without the right to life. All such have life upon the earth only by reason of sufferance or permission which God has granted. If man shall ever have life and the right thereto, then God alone must make the necessary provision. The fact that he caused Moses to write the prophecy concerning man's return is of itself proof that God would make such provision.
"After Job had said: 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' he also said: 'If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.' (Job 14:14, 15) This, being a part of the Word of God, is further proof of God's purpose to grant restitution of life to man.
"For many centuries death has reigned. By far the greater number of those who have been born are now in their graves. Death is the enemy of man, because it is the very opposite of life. When death is experienced, life ceases. All who have gone into the graves have gone into a condition of unconsciousness, as it is written: Tor the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor. wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.' — Eccl. 9: 5,10.
"Therefore all who have gone into the grave have gone into the land or condition of the enemy, which is death. The dark sayings or parables of God through his prophets are now beginning to be understood in the light that God is giving to his people. This shows God's purpose to grant restitution to man. Among the Parabolic statements is this: 'Thus saith the
Lord, Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears; for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.' (Jer. 31:16, 17) This is proof that the dead shall be returned and restored to their former condition.
"The mercy and loving-kindness of God will be extended to all the people by giving to them all the opportunity of restitution. That restitution meaning the giving back of life to man is true beyond all doubt, is shown by the words of God spoken through his prophet, which follow: 'But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.' (Ezek. 18: 21) 'If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.' — Ezek. 33:15.
OBLIGATION
"No creature can obligate God to do anything. But God can obligate himself to do what he provides shall be done. Otherwise stated, God having made a rule, he lays upon himself the obligation to carry out that rule or promise. God's law gave Israel commandment that restitution must be made in the proper course of the demonstration of justice. Restitution required
the exact price or value of the thing that had been taken away. If God, out of his love, provides the cost price of man's restitution, by so doing God obligates himself to grant to man the full opportunity for restitution of life and all the blessings incident thereto. When God makes promise to do a thing, he thereby obligates himself to do that which he has promised. God made an unalterable promise that he would provide the price of redemption of man from death and the grave. Through his prophet he said: 'I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: 0 death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.' — Hos. 13:14.
"That unqualified promise to purchase man from the power of death and the grave, and to destroy both death and the grave, is proof beyond all cavil that God will grant to man the opportunity of restitution to life. That means that life, which is the greatest desire of man, will come to man by the process of restitution blessings. It further means that, the earth being the home of the perfect man, man's future home will be for ever on the earth. No man can go to heaven. He must be changed from man to spirit being in order to be in heaven.
"God's promise to redeem man from death shows also that the process of restitution of man to life must come through the good offices of a redeemer. It follows further that God in
his own good time and good way would provide that Redeemer and thereby provide the cost price of restitution of man to life. By thus providing the cost price, God obligates himself to open to man the opportunity for restitution.
"Furthermore, this promise of redemption by Jehovah is proof that billions of dead now in their graves must be awakened out of death, and be granted the privilege of restitution blessings if obedient to the divine provisions therefor. God having laid the obligation upon himself by his promise to grant restitution and by providing the cost price, every man of faith can with confidence look forward to the happy time when the poor and suffering human race will be lifted out of death and suffering and be given the opportunity for the blessings of everlasting life by means of restitution.
"The Scriptures, written by the prophets who acted as the amanuenses of God, are called the Hebrew Scriptures or Hebrew Bible. The same are also designated under the name, the Old Testament. These Scriptures abound with proof of the restitution of life for man. By the mouth of every prophet God spoke in veiled or prophetic phrase concerning his purpose to give man the blessings of restitution to life.
EARTH
"God, the great Creator, caused to be written these words by Isaiah: 'I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands,
have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.' — Isa. 45:12,18.
"To inhabit means to have a lasting dwelling-place. Truly the earth is not now inhabited. Thus far the sojourn of man upon the earth has been brief. No man has lived to be a thousand years of age. The above statements quoted from the prophet being true, then the day must come when the earth will be inhabited by men. If that is not true, then the promise of God is made void. Nothing could be void or of no avail with God. For him to will a thing means that it must be done. He is the Almighty God, and there is nothing beyond his power. (Gen. 17:1) Having made the promise to do a thing he will do it. (Isa. 46:11) Having stated his purpose that the earth shall be for man to inhabit, then the time must come for this purpose to be carried into operation. This could be done only by man's being restored to life.
"At the time Adam was sentenced to death, God further stated to him that the ground or earth was cursed (which means unfinished) for Adam's sake. (Gen. 3:17) Why for Adam's sake? Because it would be necessary for him to work in order to earn his living. Work for suffering and dying man has been a great favor.
If man were required to dwell in idleness, such would be greatly to his disadvantage. The garden of God in Eden alone was a paradise. No other part of the earth has ever been a paradise. For man's good he was expelled from that perfect place. Through the centuries man has been required to toil and fight the thorns and thistles in order to earn his bread. It was not so in Eden, because there the earth yielded that which was necessary for man. The fact that Eden was perfect and the happy home of perfect man is proof that in the time of restitution God will make the earth a place of beauty and glory.
"For many centuries the earth has been undergoing a gradual improvement. When restitution is in full sway, then the desert land shall blossom as the rose. The promise of God is that the earth shall be made a glorious place; and that is exactly in accord with the restitution to man of all things that perfect man lost. Jehovah said: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.' 'I will make the place of my feet glorious.' (Isa. 66:1; 60:13) The declaration of Moses, as God's spokesman, is an invitation to man to return to perfect humanity and to a perfect home.
"More than two thousand years ago God selected the descendants of Abraham and organized that people into a nation. That was the only people or nation God ever so favored. He led them out of the land where they were suf-
fering by reason of oppression. He made with that people a covenant and gave to them his law. He fought their battles for them and showed them great favor from time to time. Yielding to the wrongful influence of Satan the enemy, the Israelites violated their covenant and were turned away from God. In his mercy expressed toward them God said: 'Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal' you. Thus he proved his purpose of restitution. God was long-suffering with the Israelites, but they continued to disregard the covenant he had made with them. Reaching their fulness in wrong doing, he pronounced his decree of and concerning them, as follows: 'Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand. And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, thus saith the Lord God, Remove the diadem, and take off the crown; this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.' — Ezek. 21:24-27.
"The very language of this prophecy indicates the purpose of Jehovah God to some day grant restitution blessings unto Israel. The fact that
God has declared that Israel is to be restored to his favor is another proof of life from the dead. That which is to be desired above all things else is life; therefore every Jew and every Gentile should seek knowledge at the Word of God, that they may know the way that leads to life and endless joy.
"Man is the work of God's hand. God made him perfect. The imperfection of men is the result of alienation from God. The cause of that alienation was disobedience. This alienation and separation from God by reason of sin has deprived man of life. Full restitution to God's favor must mean restitution of life to man. Moses' prayer is therefore a prophecy showing that God's favor will return to man, and that the beauty of the Lord our God will be upon us, and that he will establish the work of his hands upon his people. Every man has an interest in the answer of the prayer of Moses and the fulfilment of the desire there expressed; the Jews first, because they were God's chosen people, and then the Gentile nations and peoples of all the lands. If the Scriptures prove that the Jews are to be restored, then it follows that restitution blessings will come to all mankind. The Jewish question, therefore, becomes of the deepest interest to all."
