CHILDREN

Chapter 4

THE HOLY CITY

IN SYMBOLIC phrase a "city" is an organization that governs. "The city of our God," as stated in the foregoing text, is the government of holiness that shall govern the world in righteousness. A "mountain" is also used as a symbol of God's organization, and in the foregoing text is called "mount Zion", which is "beautiful for situation". It is the city of the New Jerusalem, the Holy City, and of which Jerusalem, established by the Lord God in Palestine, was a type. The Lord Jesus Christ revealed to his servant John the importance, the glory and the beauty of that holy organization, and concerning which John wrote: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first

heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write; for these words are true and faithful." — Revelation 21:1-5.

The Almighty God is the builder of the Holy City, "a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:10) It is the capital organization of the Most High, and over which Jehovah has made his beloved Son, Christ Jesus, Head, Lord and King. Every whit thereof is dedicated to the Holy One, Jehovah, and to his service and to his glory for ever. That city or organization is the kingdom of the Almighty God, for the coming of which Jesus instructed his followers to continuously pray. (Matthew 6:10) It is Jehovah's government, through which he will vindicate the name of Him who ministers the bless-

ings of life, and by which the world shall in due time be ruled in righteousness. It is created a city up in heaven, and comes down "from God out of heaven" to take charge of and rule the earth. The Holy City, or Kingdom, is the most important doctrine set forth in the Bible. Every person who loves righteousness and who desires life will diligently seek to inform himself of that great and glorious city. In this study we shall learn of the manifestation of God's loving-kindness and the revelation of his provision for the vindication of his name, for the government of the world in righteousness, and for the ministration of life to obedient men.

In our last study we learned of the expression of God's wrath against wickedness in the great deluge that destroyed all flesh upon the earth, save Noah and his family. The great flood was dried up and Noah and his sons came forth from the ark, by which means they had been brought over from the old world to the new world beginning. Then Noah and his sons began to carry out the divine mandate to multiply, and at the end of 427 years there were many human creatures on the earth. (Genesis 11:10-31) Then it was that Almighty God began to make pictures pointing to the building of the Holy City, his capital organization. God took Abraham out of his native land and sent him into a strange land called

"Canaan", and concerning this it is written: "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran: and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came." — Genesis 12:1-5.

In that great prophetic drama, which God began with Abraham, whom he led into a strange land, Abraham pictured God himself, while Sarah his wife played the part picturing God's organization. In that prophetic drama their son Isaac pictured the beloved Son of God, Christ Jesus. Abraham and his wife did not understand the meaning of the parts they were playing in that great drama, and neither did Isaac, but they all had faith in God and obeyed him. This is also proof that only those who

have faith in God and obey him can receive his blessings. A brief record of this drama is written by one of the faithful apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, wherein this statement is made, to wit: "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable." (Hebrews 11:8-12) Even though Sarah had passed the age of childbearing and her husband was old, yet they both had faith in God that he would make good his promise.  —  Genesis 12:1-3; 18:1-11; 21:1-7.

As that prophetic drama progressed God put Abraham to a great test of faith. The son Isaac had grown up, and he was the only son of Abraham and Sarah and, to be sure, they loved him dearly. God then commanded Abraham to build an altar and to

offer up Isaac his son thereon as a living sacrifice. Abraham, having great faith in God, obeyed to the point of striking dead his own son and offering him upon the altar of fire. Because of his faith and obedience to that point God sent his angel, who held back the hand of Abraham and prevented him from striking dead his son. This part of the prophetic drama foretold the sacrificial death and resurrection of the beloved Son of Almighty God, Christ Jesus, and pointed to him as the one who should be the Savior of the world. (Genesis 22:1-18) "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called; accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." (Hebrews 11:17-19) — Galatians 4:22-28.

Jacob, the son of Isaac, succeeded as heir to the promise which God had made to Abraham. (Hebrews 11:9) God changed the name of Jacob to that of "Israel", which latter name means "prince of God". (Genesis 32: 28,29, margin) Later, under God's direction, the descendants of Jacob, now known as "Israel", were domiciled in Egypt, where they remained for some years and were greatly oppressed by the Egyptian rulers. Hearing their cries for help,

God appointed Moses and sent him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and deliver them. (Exodus 3:9-22) Here another drama was performed and Moses therein played a part picturing Christ Jesus, the Deliverer of his faithful followers from the wicked world into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

Typical

A "type" is that which represents something greater that is to follow. The Lord God caused to be made and recorded in his Word types or prophetic pictures of things that would come to pass in the development of his holy city, his great kingdom or government. He organized the people of Israel into a nation, with himself as the supreme ruler and with Moses as the mediator and visible representative of the Most High. It was to Moses that the Almighty first revealed himself by the name Jehovah, which name means His purpose toward mankind. (Exodus 6: 3-8) In Egypt he made a covenant with the Israelites, and at Mount Sinai confirmed that covenant. He gave to that people his promise that if they would obey him they should be to him a holy nation, a peculiar people, and the recipients of his blessings: "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me

a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." "These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." — Exodus 19:5,6.

His chosen people were then under the leadership of Moses, journeying toward the land of Canaan, the land of promise, where later Jerusalem was made the typical holy city. For the protection of his typical people, the Israelites, and to safeguard them from demon gods and their religious practices, the Almighty God caused Moses to declare unto them His law, to wit: "And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." —  Exodus 20:1-6.

Had the Israelites been faithful to their covenant and obedient to God's law, that nation would have survived. They were overreached by the Devil and other demons

and repeatedly fell under the influence of the demons, turned away from the service and worship of Almighty God, and practiced religion or demonism. When they repented and cried unto God for help, Jehovah extended his mercy and favor to them again. Time and again they fell away from God under the influence of demonism or religion. They continued to mingle with the heathen nations that practiced demonism or religion and were ensnared by that practice, as God had plainly warned them they would be: "And they served their idols; which were a snare unto them." (Psalm 106: 36) For their disobedience and continuous practice of idolatry God destroyed the Israelites as a nation. Only a remnant of that people remained faithful to God and were blessed by him.

To the Israelites God sent his prophets, who were holy men, entirely devoted to Almighty God, and who obeyed his Word. Under inspiration and commandment of the Almighty God those holy men uttered prophecy or prophecies of God foretelling Jehovah's purpose to set up his holy city or kingdom and foretelling that his Anointed One, the Messiah, would be the Head and Ruler thereof. All things that were written in the prophecies and in the law of God were there recorded specifically for the benefit of those persons who would devote themselves to Almighty God and to his service,

and who would be on earth at the time of the setting up of the Kingdom, or the Holy City. The dramas in which the Israelites and others played parts were recorded to enable the faithful servants of God, who should be on earth at the end of the world, to have a better understanding of God's purpose concerning them. Therefore it is written: "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [types (margin) ]; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1 Corinthians 10:11) This shows that the nation of Israel was a typical nation or people, used by Jehovah to make pictures or prophetic dramas foretelling greater things to come to pass at the time of the setting up of his kingdom, the Holy City, Zion.

The "end of the world" means the end of Satan's uninterrupted rule. For centuries Satan has exercised ruling power over the world without hindrance. In 1914 Christ Jesus was enthroned by Jehovah. That marks the end of the uninterrupted rule of Satan, which is to be followed soon by Armageddon. It is at the end of that time when the Holy City begins to come down from God out of heaven. It is the time of the coming of the great Messiah to oust Satan and to put in operation the kingdom of righteousness. By his prophets God foretold that at that "time of the end" the boastful, self-constituted "wise men" of the earth

would be in total darkness as to the purpose of Almighty God; that they would reject the Bible, and that they could not understand the truth, and would join themselves wholly to the Devil and his organization. By His prophecies He also foretold that those who at that time would take the wise course and give heed to the instruction of the Most High as recorded in the Scriptures, and who would be obedient, such should have the light of truth and should understand the truth. Therefore to those devoted servants of God on earth at this time of the building up of Zion, the Holy City, this prophecy is directed, to wit: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." — Isaiah 60:1,2.

By another prophet the Lord God foretells the coming of the great Messiah, the blindness of the wicked, and the understanding of those who should be righteous: "And at that time shall Michael [mighty King] stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. . . . And he said, Go

thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." — Daniel 12:1, 9,10.

These prophecies show how marvelously God has carried out his purpose to the building of his holy city and the enlightenment of those who have been diligent in obedience to his commandments and in their service to God and Christ. Such are permitted to understand.

A college education does not make a man "wise", as that word is used in the Bible. The man who gives his heart to God and devotes himself wholly to the service of God and Christ Jesus in obedience to the commandments of the Lord is a wise person, because he is taking the wise course. He fears to displease God and always seeks to please the Most High by obeying his commandments: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." — Proverbs 9:10.

The present is the time when those who have taken the wise course can understand and appreciate the purposes of Jehovah. When studying what is written in the Scriptures covering the period of time from Moses to the coming of the Messiah in great power and glory, it must be kept in mind

that these things were written in the Bible for the comfort and hope of those in the "last days" who have given their hearts unto the Lord and who are faithful and diligent in rendering themselves in obedience to his commandments. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." —  Romans 15:4.

Moses was a type of the Messiah the King. Joshua, Barak and other faithful men performed parts in prophetic dramas, in which they pictured Christ the Messiah. Having these things in mind, the Scriptures written of old, as well as those written by the faithful apostles of Jesus Christ, are now to be understood by those who are devoted to God, and such are studied with profit and joy.

The King

The "Messiah" means the Anointed King of the Holy City, the kingdom or government of the Most High. By his prophets God foretold and caused to be recorded that the birthplace of the Messiah would be Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); and that his name should be called Jesus, the Prince of Peace; that the government should rest upon his shoulder, and that he is the Minister to bestow life upon the obedient ones. (Isaiah 9: 6,7) In God's due time these prophecies began to be fulfilled with the birth of

the man-child Jesus, and Jehovah used men of low degree, who were faithful to him, to be witnesses to the great event. Those men were shepherds. Near the town of Bethlehem they were guarding their flocks of sheep at night, when their attention was suddenly arrested by the manifestation of the glory of the Lord about them: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel [of the Lord] said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:8-12) Then quickly followed a song sung by a heavenly host to the glory of Jehovah: "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, among men of good-will." — Luke 2:13 and 14, Rotherham.

The above record is a brief account of the birth of Jesus, who shall rule the world in righteousness. God had selected Mary to be the mother of Jesus, but her conception

was not by the power of man, but by the power of the spirit of the Almighty God. (Matthew 1:18-23) God transferred the life of his mighty Son, the Logos, from spirit to human that he might be born of a woman, be a perfect man, and therefore possess the full qualifications to purchase mankind. By his prophets God had foretold the same centuries before: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14) The name Immanuel means "God with us": "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) These prophecies constitute further evidence of the genuineness or authenticity of the Scriptures set down in the Bible, proving beyond any doubt that the prophecies came by the command of Almighty God, and not from any man.

When Jesus was a child of twelve years of age he sat amongst the learned men of the Jews, and by his questions and answers to them concerning the Scriptures those men were greatly astonished. There he was carrying out the will of his Father, the Almighty God (Luke 2:46-49) ; and from that time forward Jesus grew into manhood's estate and greatly increased in wisdom: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." — Luke 2:52.

The age of maturity of Jesus, that is, when he possessed the qualification for priesthood, was when he was thirty years of age. He then presented himself before the Lord and commanded John to baptize him in the river of Jordan that he might thus fulfill his Father's commandments, and in that baptism he pictured that God had made a covenant with him and that he had agreed to do God's will, and his baptism was an outward testimony to that effect. The prophetic record is that he had said: "I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart." (Psalm 40:8) "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him; and, lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3: 16, 17) Here the testimony from Jehovah shows that he recognized Jesus as his Beloved One, to whom he had committed the great work and responsibility of being his King.

The Kingdom

Within a short time after his baptism Jesus began to preach and instruct the people, and amongst his first words addressed to the Jews were these: "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17) "repent" meaning that they must forsake reli-

gion and worship Jehovah. God had anointed Jesus with his spirit to be the King, had begotten or acknowledged him as his beloved Son, and had thus identified Jesus as the Messiah, The Christ, the King of the Holy City or kingdom of God, then and there beginning to be made manifest. It was the anointed King, Christ Jesus, who now was addressing the people, and truly to them he said: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand"; meaning that the Head of God's royal house was then and there present amongst them. Because he is the King and upon his shoulder should rest the government, the kingdom was present and the kingdom was beginning to be made manifest. This is exactly in harmony with his words later uttered in the presence of the Pharisees, to wit: "God's royal majesty is among you" (Diaglott); "The kingdom of God is among you." (Rotherham) (Luke 17: 21) Four thousand years before that God had foretold that he would set up a government that would be to his honor. Now the development of that government began to appear.

During the three and one-half years that Jesus, the man, walked with his disciples, he taught them and he taught the people who heard him, and in all this time he emphasized above everything else the importance of the Kingdom. This he did because it is the Kingdom, or the Holy City, that shall fully vindicate the name of Jehovah God

and prove to all creation that Jehovah is supreme, and by and through the Kingdom the obedient ones of the human race will be delivered from the bondage of Satan and granted life everlasting. When Jesus delivered his great sermon on the mount, there giving specific instruction to his disciples, he put the Kingdom forward as of first importance: "And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  — Matthew 5:2,3.

Clearly his words here meant that those who have a proper appreciation of themselves and their relationship to the Creator would fully recognize that they are poor and insignificant, and that they would have a desire to know the will of God and to obey him. Such a spirit would be that manifested by those who would be taught and led by the Lord. These are the ones that love to learn, and this is in harmony with God's instruction previously given through the prophet, to wit: "The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way." — Psalm 25:9.

The worldly-wise men are not poor in spirit, but, on the contrary, think too highly of themselves. They regard their learning and importance above men generally, and themselves too wise to give any heed to the Word of God. The man who appreciates the truth realizes that all he has and that

is worth while and all that he hopes to have or to be in the future proceeds from Almighty God. He realizes that man's first duty is to fear God and be obedient to his law. Being thus poor in spirit, he is in the way to learn of God's purposes and to advance in all the riches that proceed from the throne of the Most High.

Then Jesus instructed his followers as to what constitutes a model prayer, and in that prayer again he puts forth the Kingdom as of greatest importance. Mark his words in this respect: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." —  Matthew 6:7,9,10.

Why is that prayer of such great importance? Because it keeps the mind and the heart of the sincere person fixed upon that which is of greatest importance and which will vindicate Jehovah's name and bring life to the human race. God would have his creatures keep in mind that he is the Almighty and that through his government of righteousness the world shall ultimately be ruled in righteousness and the name of the Most High shall be magnified above all. The Kingdom is THE THEOCRACY, that is, the government of the Almighty God, by and

through which the earth shall be filled with righteous people who shall dwell together forever in peace and joy. Everything else is secondary in importance to the Kingdom, and this Jesus frequently emphasized, and particularly when he used these words to his disciples: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." — Matthew 6:33.

By all of his holy prophets God had foretold the coming of his kingdom, or The THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. The Almighty God had preached the good news or "gospel" to Abraham long previous to the coming of Jesus, when he said to Abraham: "In thee shall all [the] nations be blessed." Then the scripture adds, it is those who have faith in God and in Christ and his kingdom that shall be blessed. (Galatians 3: 8-14) (Genesis 12:3) Jesus made it clear to all who love God and his Word that the final work of his followers on earth at the time of his coming to set up the Kingdom would be to declare the Kingdom, and therefore he said to them: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14) This action was placing the Kingdom above everything else so far as the earth is concerned.

Jesus had finished his work which had been assigned to him by the Most High and then he said to his Father: "I have glori-

fied thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word." — John 17:4-6.

This is proof that previously he had been a spirit in glory with Jehovah God, that he had been sent to earth to perform a work which he had done, and that he desired to return and be with his Father in heaven. Shortly thereafter he was arrested, charged with the crime of treason against the earthly rule or government then in control of Jerusalem. This charge was based upon the fact that Jesus had repeatedly emphasized the kingdom of God and had constantly kept that before the minds of his followers. The man Jesus, under arrest, was brought before the governor at Jerusalem to be tried, and there he was convicted and executed for treason even though he was wholly innocent. In reply to the charge Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence." The time had not come for putting the Kingdom in operation in power and glory, and for that reason, he stated,

his kingdom was not in operation from that time forward. The clear inference must be that there was a further work to be done before he would come in glory and in his power. The Almighty God had another work to be done, as the Scriptures clearly disclose. At that time he was asked by the governor this question: "Art thou a king?" And to which Jesus answered: "I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. " — John 18: 36,37.

This further establishes the fact that Christ Jesus, the Anointed One of God, was sent to earth and made a King to bear witness to the truth of the majesty and supremacy of Almighty God and of His purpose to set up a kingdom that would completely vindicate the name of the Most High. Within a few hours thereafter Jesus was crucified, being nailed to the tree as though he was a vile sinner. (Galatians 3:13) Concerning a sinner God's law is: "His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance." — Deuteronomy 21:23.

God's law announced through Moses provided that the willful sinner should be hanged on a tree and should be accursed of

God, and thus Jesus' being crucified on a tree (improperly called a "cross") marked him in the eyes of sinful men as a sinner; yet he was without sin. (Deuteronomy 21: 22,23) Jesus had done no wrong. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and without sin. (Hebrews 7: 26; 1 Peter 1:19) Why, then, should the perfect One, the Son of God, be put to death? and why did God permit his beloved Son, who was anointed King, to thus be put to death as though he was a sinner?

The Purchase

As Jehovah God reveals to man the meaning of his Word his devoted servants on the earth more clearly understand God's purpose. They see that the Kingdom, THE THEOCRACY, is that which is of paramount importance in God's purpose and arrangement. They see that everything else is of secondary importance to the great THEOCRACY. At the very beginning of human creation God stated his purpose to bring forth his kingdom that would destroy the wicked one and that would exalt and vindicate Jehovah's great name. (Genesis 3:15) Then later to Abraham he announced His purpose to set up his capital organization or government that would rule the universe in righteousness and through which all the families of the earth who obey him might receive a blessing. (Genesis 12:3; 22:17,18) It is certain that Abraham did not under-

stand the full meaning of God's promise to him; but that did not alter the matter at all with Abraham. He believed God and willingly obeyed His commandment, and in addition to that Abraham was being used by Jehovah God to make a great prophetic picture. It appears that no man on earth had an understanding of the Kingdom and its real purpose and meaning until after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The kingdom of heaven, The THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, is the mystery of God. (Ephesians 1: 20-23; 5: 32) God purposely kept this mystery hid until his own due time to reveal it to his obedient creatures. He first revealed it to his beloved Son and thereafter revealed the meaning of it to those who became the true and faithful followers in the footsteps of his beloved Son, Christ Jesus, and no others have understood the mystery of God. Jesus spoke in parables concerning the mystery, but those who stood by and heard him did not understand the meaning of his words. After the ascension of Jesus into heaven his inspired apostle wrote these words, which are set forth in the Bible: "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints." (Colossians 1: 26) That great mystery was hidden from all of God's creation and revealed in his own due time to those who

should have an opportunity to understand it.

To his beloved Son, the Logos, Christ Jesus, God first revealed his purpose to have a capital organization, that is, the kingdom of heaven, THE THEOCRACY, his great government, his Holy City, the Royal House, all of which names mean the same thing; also the name Zion meaning the same; and which Royal House or government should be composed of 144,000 and One, that is to say, Christ Jesus the One, and the 144,000 members of his reigning house. Faithful men from Abel onward understood that God would have a mighty organization and government that would bring blessings to obedient men, but they did not have a knowledge or understanding as to the manner or the time of its coming or how it would operate. It was the apostle under inspiration who said that this mystery is now revealed unto the saints. The word "saints", used in that text at Colossians 1: 26, means those persons who are pure of heart and who are righteous in the sight of God. No one can be pure and righteous in the sight of God without faith in God and in Christ and without obedience to God's commandments. That rule entirely excludes the evolutionists from having an understanding of "the mystery of God", because the evolutionists deny God's Word and have no faith in his Word. Thus it is seen that those persons who have faith

in God and in his Word and in Christ as the Savior of mankind are greatly favored, and these are they of unfeigned faith.

The Scriptures also clearly show that the Almighty God revealed this great mystery for the first time to his beloved Son, the Logos, and also informed him what would be the requirement of the One who would occupy the exalted position of Head of that great government. Among the requirements announced were full and complete obedience unto the will of the Almighty God, faithfulness even unto death. This is made certain by the words of Jesus, who said: "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."  — John 10:17,18.

These words of Jesus prove that there was a covenant or an agreement between Jehovah the Father and the Son, the Logos, that the Son should lay down his own life in obedience to his Father's will and that the Father would raise the Son out of death in his due time. That covenant Jesus further emphasized by his words which he uttered to his Father after he had finished his earthly ministry, to wit: "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now,

O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." — John 17:4,5.

Greatest Importance

It is true that the death of the man Jesus provided the ransom price for obedient men, but at this point consideration is given to that which is of far more importance than any human creatures. That which is of the highest importance is the Kingdom, the Holy City; and that should be given first consideration. Note, then, the indisputable argument supporting the conclusion that the Kingdom is that which is of paramount importance to anything and everything pertaining to the human race.

Jesus often spoke in parables, and the parables which he uttered are prophecies, and such prophecies could not be understood until God's due time to understand them, and could be understood then only by those who had devoted themselves to God and to his kingdom. Note these words of Jesus uttered to his disciples in answer to their question as to why he spoke in parables: "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall it be given, and he shall have

more abundance; but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables; because they seeing, see not; and hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." (Matthew 13:10-17) He uttered a number of parables relative to the Kingdom, each one of which was a prophecy, which was not understandable until God's due time to reveal the meaning thereof to those who were devoted to him.

When the Logos, now Jesus, learned from his Father that he would have an opportunity to be the Head of God's great capital organization, which organization would prove Satan a liar and fully vindicate Jehovah's name, the heart of Jesus was filled

with joy and he straightway took the steps his Father required that he might possess that great prize. This is proved by the prophetic utterances of the Lord Jesus, which later were understood for the first time by those devoted to the Most High. He was emphasizing the importance of the Kingdom to those who heard him when Jesus spoke the parable concerning the treasure hid in the field: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." —  Matthew 13:44.

The Treasure

That treasure was hid from all creatures; but it then being made known to the Lord Jesus, his heart was filled with joy and he kept it secret thereafter from all until God's due time to reveal it. At the same time he gave another parable concerning the Kingdom: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" — Matthew 13:45,46.

In these two parables Jesus was making a comparison that would enable his followers, when the time should arrive, to understand the meaning thereof and the importance of the Kingdom as compared with all

things else. The due time for the faithful disciples to understand was at Pentecost, and thereafter God revealed, through Christ Jesus, the understanding to them. Let this be emphasized at this point, that the purchase here referred to in both of these parables emphasized the Kingdom as the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price.

The English words buyeth and bought, used in the above parables, are translated from the Greek agorazo, which means to go to the market and purchase, as a person buying in the market place that which is sold. The buying or purchasing mentioned in these two parables had nothing to do with the purchase of the human race as a whole. While the blood of Christ Jesus does purchase the human race, these two prophetic utterances are limited to that which constitutes the kingdom of heaven. The buying mentioned in the parable includes those faithful ones who are called and chosen of God, and who prove faithful and who in due time are made members of the royal house or kingdom of heaven; but this is a matter separate and distinct from the purchase of the human race in general. It is written in the Scriptures that God appointed Jesus his beloved Son as the heir of all things. "God . . . hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." — Hebrews 1:1, 2.

His faithful followers, who ultimately become members of "the body of Christ", who are made members of his holy organization, are made joint heirs with Christ Jesus in his kingdom: "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." — Romans 8:16,17.

How, then, did Jesus become the heir of all things? The answer according to the Scriptures is, by selling all that he had, and with that price he bought the treasure or pearl of great price, the hidden mystery, which is the kingdom of heaven, and which treasure is within God's universal organization, and is holy and therefore includes only those who, by God's grace, are made pure and holy and made members of the royal house.

To purchase the kingdom of heaven, the "treasure" or "pearl of great price", Jesus surrendered everything that he had inherited. That he did by laying aside all his heavenly glory and becoming a man, and by then proving his integrity unto God under the most trying conditions, and by remaining faithful and obedient unto God, even to going down to an ignominious death. Jesus, carrying out faithfully his part of the covenant with Almighty God, gave up every-

thing, and the Almighty his Father was entirely faithful in completing His part of the covenant. This is proved by the following inspired words set forth in the Bible, to wit:

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." — Philippians 2:5-11.

Men have been inclined to think more highly of themselves than they ought to think, and within such a class many Christians have been included. For a long while the purchase of the human race has been set forth as the most important thing, but when we stop to reason about it we see how far short that comes of the facts. Why should it fill the heart of Jesus with joy and lead him to the giving up of everything he had merely to buy a broken-down, sinful

race? That magnifies the importance of humankind far above what it should be. It is far different, however, when we understand that Jesus was giving up everything he had to buy the headship of the Government which should vindicate the name of his Father. In God's economy and loving-kindness he at the same time provided for the purchase of mankind, but this should not be magnified as above or even equal to the purchase of the hidden mystery, the kingdom of God.

The Ransom

By surrendering everything he had the Logos, that is, Jesus, bought the hidden "treasure", the "pearl of great price", himself becoming the Head and Lord of that treasure, to wit, the capital organization of the Most High. He also made a purchase of secondary importance to the Kingdom, and that was the purchase of condemned mankind. In purchasing the Kingdom he gave up his heavenly glory, because it was the will of his Father, and became a man, and then laid down even his life as a man, and thus including everything that he had, that he might be made the vindicator of his Father's name. What was the price required for the purchase of mankind? Certainly not the heavenly glory. The life of a perfect man, that is, a life for a life, was the price required.  —  Deuteronomy 19:21.

All the creation of God is perfect, and therefore Adam, when created, was a perfect man. "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." (Deuteronomy 32:4) At the time Adam sinned he was perfect, and from the moment of the pronouncement of God's judgment he was imperfect For that willful disobedience to the law of God Adam forfeited his life and the right to life. In due time he died, and, all mankind being descendants from the condemned Adam, all are imperfect and all by inheritance are sinners under condemnation and condemned to death. (Romans 5:12) Since it was the perfect man that sinned, nothing less, nothing more, than a perfect human life could purchase the descendants of Adam, because his descendants had proceeded from one who was perfect at the time he was given the authority to bring children into the earth. The life of an angel could not furnish the purchase price, because an angel is greater than a human. All on the earth being descendants of Adam and hence imperfect, no perfect man being in existence, there was no way that man might be redeemed until God should make provision. (Psalm 49:1-7) Therefore all men, after living for a brief space of time, must die and remain dead forever unless provision is made by Jehovah to give them life. Jehovah God has pro-

vided a way for man to get life, and that way He has pointed out clearly in the Scriptures; and hence it is of greatest importance to mankind that he gain a knowledge of God's purpose as set forth in the Scriptures.

Jehovah is the fountain of life, that is, the One from whom all life proceeds. (Psalm 36: 9) "Salvation belongeth unto Jehovah." (Psalm 3: 8, Am. Rev. Ver.) No one could provide salvation but Jehovah. While the Logos, that is, Jesus, was purchasing the Kingdom, with all its rights and powers, God provided that he should also purchase mankind. In carrying out God's purpose, therefore, to purchase the hidden treasure, the Kingdom, and also to purchase mankind, Jesus laid aside his spirit life and became a man. Then he willingly laid down his life and, by the grace of his Father, Jehovah God, he had the privilege of taking it again because he had that commandment from his Father, as he states. (John 10:18) To carry out Jehovah's purpose the man-child Jesus was conceived in perfection by the power of Almighty God. (Matthew 1:18-25) He was born of a woman, like other men, yet without spot or blemish. He grew to manhood's estate, and then willingly submitted to an ignominious death. Mark here the Scriptures conclusively proving this point: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffer-

ing of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." — Hebrews 2:9.

The word-for-word rendering of the following text (John 1:14), as set forth in the Diaglott concerning the Logos' becoming a man, reads: "And the Word flesh became and tabernacled among us, (and we beheld the glory of him, a glory as of an only-begotten from a father,) full of favor and truth."

The Authorized Version of this text reads: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." — Galatians 4:4,5.

If the purchase made by the lifeblood of Christ Jesus is limited to the human race in general, why should there be a distinction between the purchase of those who were "under the law", that is to say, the house of Israel, and others of the human race, which were not under the law?

The Israelites were a typical people, and by this people God set up a typical theocracy or kingdom and entered into a covenant with them, through Moses as mediator,

that they should be his holy nation or kingdom. To them Jehovah said through Moses: "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." "And Moses came, and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord." — Exodus 19:5-8.

In this covenant God provided that the Israelites should be a "holy nation" unto him, a "kingdom of priests", a "peculiar treasure". Thus God covenanted with that people for The Kingdom. Israel violated the covenant and were cast away, but, according to the apostle's statement in the above text, Jesus was "made under the law", not only that he might redeem the human race, but that he might "redeem them that were under the law", to wit, the nation of Israel, with whom a covenant had been made for the Kingdom and that they should be a peculiar treasure unto himself. Therefore the man Jesus, in laying down his life as well as in laying aside all his

heavenly glory and power, purchased everything pertaining to the Kingdom and also purchased the human race in general. This point is here mentioned in order to emphasize the importance of the Kingdom above everything else and that the purchase of the human race in general is secondary to God's kingdom, which was set up typically with Israel and of which the Lord Jesus, by laying down his life, purchased every prospect and everything that had been committed to the nation of Israel.

Later, when the privilege was extended by the Lord Jehovah to Jews and Gentiles alike to devote themselves to him and to Christ, the testimony delivered and recorded shows that this purchase of the Kingdom included the Kingdom class, or those who shall be members of the Kingdom. Concerning this the apostle Peter, under inspiration, authoritatively stated to the faithful followers of Christ Jesus, to wit: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." — 1 Peter 2:9,10.

Jesus was a perfect man, perfect in his organism, and with full and complete right to life as a perfect man. He did not inherit

any of Adam's imperfections, because Jehovah God brought him into the world. The man Jesus, therefore, as it is written, "is holy, harmless, undefiled, [and] separate from sinners." (Hebrews 7:26) The man Jesus, at thirty years of age, was fully qualified as a perfect man to furnish the purchase price for mankind. He immediately presented himself to Jehovah to carry out his agreement or covenant, and he performed his outward immersion as a testimony of that fact (Luke 3:21-23; Psalm 40: 8) He was fully qualified, and was ready and willing, to lay down his life that he might take it again, as he had covenanted with his Father. (John 10:15-18) Jesus died as a man, and, being crucified on the tree as though he was a sinner, he died as a sinner, that sinners might live. Jesus did not forfeit his right to life as a man; hence when he was raised out of death he possessed that right as a valuable thing, which constituted the purchase price, or the ransom price. Jehovah God raised Jesus out of death, not as a man but as a spirit immortal. (Acts 3:26) Jesus was put to death in the flesh and made alive in the spirit and by the power of Jehovah. (1 Peter 3:18, Am. Rev. Ver.; 1 Corinthians 15:3-20) Jesus, still possessing the right of human life when raised out of death by his Father and exalted to heaven, there in heaven presented before his Father's judgment seat the value of his

perfect human life as the purchase price for mankind then under condemnation of death.

Long before Jesus became a man God caused a prophetic picture to be made foretelling the appearing of Jesus Christ in heaven and there presenting the purchase price or ransom sacrifice, and which prophetic picture, performed on the atonement day, is particularly set forth at the sixteenth chapter of Leviticus. God caused to be erected in the wilderness a tent or tabernacle consisting of two parts, the Holy and the Most Holy, and this was within the confines of a court, the court representing things on earth, and the Holy and Most Holy the spiritual things. Once each year, on the day known as the atonement day, the priests of Israel performed a living picture, which prophetically pointed forward to the sacrifice of Christ Jesus.

On the typical atonement day the picture was made in this manner: A bullock without spot or blemish, which represented the man Jesus, was brought into the court of the tabernacle and slain there, which court of the tabernacle pictured the earth. The blood of the bullock, representing the life-blood of Jesus, which lifeblood was poured out as "an offering for sin" (Isaiah 53:10), was then carried by the typical priest into the Most Holy of the tabernacle and there sprinkled upon the mercy seat. (Leviticus 16:14) The Most Holy of the tabernacle

pictured heaven itself, where Jesus Christ appeared and presented and offered the asset or valuable thing, his right to human life, as the purchase price for the offspring of Adam. (Hebrews 9:3-25) The sacrifice offered at the tabernacle in the wilderness once each year on the typical atonement day foreshadowed or pictured the work of Jesus in offering himself, that is, his human life, as the purchase price for man. Concerning the type, or picture, and the reality, it is written: "Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second [the holiest of all, or Most Holy, picturing heaven] went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people." "It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared, to put away sin by

the sacrifice of himself." (Hebrews 9:6,7, 23-26) Thus it is seen that Christ Jesus, God's great High Priest, the spirit creature, when he appeared in heaven, presented and offered unto Jehovah the asset he possessed, to wit, his right to human life, as the purchase price for man, which offering was accepted by Jehovah, and Christ Jesus became the owner of all of Adam's offspring that willingly comply with the rules of Jehovah governing salvation. Thus God laid the foundation in Christ Jesus for the salvation of man, and there is no other possible means of salvation.

The lifeblood of the man Jesus is the ransom price for man. As God declares in his law: "The life of the flesh is in the blood: . . . the blood of it is for the life thereof." (Leviticus 17:11,14) So the lifeblood of the man Jesus is the asset, the valuable thing, by which he ransomed sinful men.

The man Jesus, by the will of God his Father, turned his perfection and right to life as such a man into a thing of value with sufficient purchasing power to purchase or buy back all the rights which Adam had forfeited for himself and which his offspring lost by reason of Adam's sin. That does not mean that Adam was purchased, but that every right that Adam once possessed was purchased. When God raised Jesus out of death a spirit, Jesus still possessed the right to life as a man, and which constituted an

asset or thing of value, which he paid over to Jehovah as the price required and thereby became the owner of Adam's offspring who should in due time avail themselves of the value of the ransom price. Jesus Christ then could release from the bondage of sin and death such of the offspring of Adam as heard and complied with the rules which God had provided. That means that the ransom sacrifice would enure to the benefit of all of Adam's offspring who believed on Christ Jesus and who rendered themselves in obedience to the Lord's commandments.

The man Jesus died, and as a man remains dead; but his right to human life, continuing to exist and constituting the purchase price, was paid over as the purchase price. The Lord Jesus was resurrected a spirit and lives for ever immortal; as he states: "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."  — Revelation 1:18.

By his own blood he purchased mankind, and to him are granted the right and power to administer life to obedient men. By the will of God Adam the perfect man had received authority from Almighty God to transmit life, together with the right thereof, to his offspring. (Genesis 1:28) Jesus, by his lifeblood, bought that right, and Almighty God has given to Jesus the power and authority to minister life to all of man-

kind who shall ever live and who therefore must, as a condition precedent, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and obey him. Therefore it is written in the Scriptures: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) It is only by and through the Lord Jesus Christ that any man can possibly gain life everlasting. There is no other name given under heaven whereby man can be saved. — Acts 4:12.

Life is not the right of an imperfect man. Almighty God is the Fountain of life, and he gives life to those who obey his will. The offense of Adam lost for himself and his offspring the right to life. God's provision is that Christ Jesus, who has bought mankind, may minister life as the free gift to those who obey him: "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." — Romans 5:17-19.

A free gift is never effective unless the one to whom the gift is offered accepts that gift. It follows, therefore, that anyone who is not willing to receive the gift of life through Christ Jesus cannot receive the benefit of the ransom sacrifice. God's gift of life is for men who willingly accept it on the terms given, and those who do accept the gift and render themselves in obedience unto God are made righteous.

To Redeem

Religious teachers would have men believe that all men are immortal and therefore cannot die. Evolutionists would have men believe that man is evolved from an insignificant thing and advanced from one degree to a higher degree until he becomes perfect. Both theories are entirely wrong, and both positively disproved by God's Word. God's provision for man to live is the only possible provision or means of obtaining life.

Do the Scriptures show that Jesus died for all men? He died that all men who will avail themselves of God's provision for life might live; but that cannot mean that life is forced upon any man whether he desires it or not and whether he obeys God or not. The one who is a willful and deliberate opposer of God's kingdom cannot receive life through Jesus Christ. There is no reason to think that Adam will ever live again, be-

cause he was a wicked man and died as such, and all the wicked shall suffer destruction as God's law provides. (Psalm 145: 20) Those persons who deny the existence of God, and who treat the blood of Christ Jesus as a common thing, and who refuse to have any faith in God or in Christ, and who oppose the Kingdom, and who teach the false doctrines contrary to the Word of God, cannot have the benefit of everlasting life. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." — 2 Peter 2:1.

Way to Life

The kingdom of heaven, the hidden treasure which Jesus purchased by surrendering his all, is the organization of Jehovah created and organized by him and by which the world is to be governed in righteousness. That organization is also designated in the Scriptures as Zion, THE THEOCRACY, the Holy City, and the Royal House of God. Christ Jesus is the duly appointed and anointed King of that heavenly royal house or kingdom. God's provision is that there shall be associated with Christ Jesus in that kingdom 144,000 others, who shall be taken from amongst men and changed from human to spirit, and these are also called kings

and priests unto God and unto Christ, and they shall reign with him. (1 Peter 2: 9,10; Revelation 1:6; 20: 4, 6) Every member of that kingdom must be spirit, changed from human to spirit in the resurrection and live as spirit creatures in heaven invisible to human eyes. That means that all such must die as human creatures and be resurrected by the Lord as spirit creatures. As it is written in the Scriptures: "It is sown [in death] a natural body; it is raised [to life] a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."  —  1 Corinthians 15:44.

Christ Jesus was the first and is the Head and Lord of the Royal House. God has committed to Christ Jesus all power in heaven and in earth, including the power to resurrect from the dead and give life to others, all of which he does as Jehovah's officer and representative. (John 5: 22, 26; 6: 40, 44) God's provision to give life to those who shall become members of his kingdom is by and through Christ Jesus. His disciples were seeking the way to life and Thomas propounded to Jesus the question as to that way, and Jesus answered: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  —  John 14: 6.

Until Christ Jesus had been raised from the dead and had ascended to heaven and paid over the purchase price for mankind, it was impossible for any man to receive life

everlasting, and hence impossible for any man to understand how he might receive life everlasting. After Jesus had ascended into heaven, and after the pouring out of the holy spirit at Pentecost, then his disciples understood how God would minister life through Christ Jesus, and then it was that Peter, filled with the holy spirit and inspired to speak, uttered these words concerning the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, to wit: "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." — Acts 4:8-12.

Jehovah God had made a covenant with his beloved Son to make him the King of the kingdom of heaven, the Head of the Holy City, THE THEOCRACY; and now just before the crucifixion of Jesus he announces to his eleven faithful apostles that he made with them a covenant that they should be associated with him in his kingdom: "And you are they who have continued with me in my trials. And I covenant for you, even as my Father has covenanted for me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." — Luke 22:28-30, Diaglott.

The kingdom of heaven being first in importance, it must be first built up before any man could be resurrected to life. The purchase price for mankind had been paid over,

but the Kingdom must first be brought into operation before the ministration of life. Those who would be associated with Christ Jesus in the Kingdom must first be selected, be put to the test, and be inducted into the Kingdom before others could find and receive life. Those who are members of the Kingdom must be redeemed before they could enter upon the way to life. It is the lifeblood of Jesus, presented in heaven as the purchase price, that provides the purchase and redemption for those who shall be members of the Kingdom and also for all others who shall comply with God's fixed rules. What are those fixed rules? "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." — John 17:3.

This is the rule by which every man must be guided who finds the way to life. He must learn and know that Almighty God, the Eternal One, is Jehovah and that He is the source of life. He must learn and know that Christ Jesus is the beloved Son of the Almighty God, the Savior of man, the Chief Officer of Almighty God, the great Judge, and the One who ministers life unto those who obey God and Christ. This means that the person must have faith in God and in Christ. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) In order for one to have faith he must have some knowledge, which knowledge must proceed

from a truthful source, and then he must rely upon that information or knowledge so received. Faith, therefore, may be properly defined in this manner: A knowledge and appreciation of God's Word, which is the truth, and a confident reliance upon that Word. The Bible, which contains the Word of God, must therefore be the guide of every one who has and exercises faith that leads to life. "Without faith it is impossible to please [God]." (Hebrews 11:6) The Scriptures define faith in these words: "Now faith is the substance [ground, or, confidence (margin) ] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." — Hebrews 11:1.

The faith that pleases God is faith in him and in his Word as the only true guide. The traditions of men could not possibly be any ground or basis for faith in God and in Christ. The theories or traditions of men are false guides that lead one into complete darkness, the end of which is everlasting destruction. Religion, demonism and evolution all spring from Satan and all plunge men who follow such theories into complete darkness and destruction. To safeguard men who are looking for the Kingdom and for life everlasting God specifically warns them against religion, demonism or false theories, all of which constitute a snare to man. — Deuteronomy 7:16.

The "gospel" means "good news" received by man from the Lord. It is good

news to learn that God has provided for man a way to life and reveals to man how he can obtain life everlasting. And who has brought this good news or gospel to the knowledge of man? Certainly no evolutionist or religionist has brought it to man. The Scriptures answer: "God, who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." — 2 Timothy 1:8-10.

By this scripture it is seen that Christ Jesus has brought life and immortality to light, and this proves that Satan's doctrine of inherent immortality of all souls is an absolute falsehood. Almighty God preached this good news to Abraham, but Abraham could not understand how salvation would come; but, regardless of this, he had complete faith in the truthfulness of God's promise and God counted him righteous because of his faith. (Galatians 3:8, 9) In God's due time Abraham will live and will understand and will rejoice forever. Before that, however, the Kingdom must be fully organized and in operation. — Hebrews 11:39,40.

The coming of Christ Jesus in power and glory marks the beginning of his reign as

King. (Matthew 25: 31) When Jesus ascended into heaven he received commandment from his Father to wait until God's due time for Jesus to begin his reign. (Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 10:12,13) In the meantime God proceeds to select from amongst human creatures those who will be associated with Christ Jesus in his kingdom. That selection the Lord does according to fixed rules governing those who have faith. Concerning this selection Jesus said: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." —  John 6:44,45.

Those who receive knowledge of God and Christ the Redeemer, and who exercise faith, such God draws unto Christ Jesus. Such persons are seeking the way to life. The disciples of Jesus were the first to conform to the rules leading them to be members of the Kingdom, and since then all who have become true followers of Christ Jesus were required to take the same course. To all such Jesus says: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16: 24) To deny oneself, within the meaning of this scripture, is to put aside one's own selfish

will and agree to do the will of the Lord. Such is consecration, even as Jesus said: "Then said I, Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart." (Psalm 40:7,8; Hebrews 10: 5-9) Having made a consecration, then one must "take up his cross" and follow Christ Jesus. The "cross" here does not mean a tree or a piece of wood; but the word cross, as here used, means the reproaches that have fallen upon the Lord Jesus; and man must willingly bear these reproaches if he would be a follower of Christ Jesus. Concerning such it is written: "For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps."  — 1 Peter 2:21.

Justification

Since all men are by inheritance sinners, and hence imperfect, how could God accept such as a follower of Christ Jesus, the Perfect One? Because of the man's faith in God and in Christ as his Redeemer, and by his agreeing to do the will of God concerning His purpose, and by devoting himself to God, Jehovah God counts that person as a righteous man, as perfect or righteous. It is by reason of the man's faith and obedience that he is counted righteous by the Lord: "Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all

and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:22-24) "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1,2) This proves beyond any question of doubt that the benefit of the ransom sacrifice enures only to those who have and exercise faith in God and in Christ and who render themselves in obedience to God's will.

It is the will of God that all those who are made members of the Kingdom shall die as human creatures and be resurrected and live in the spirit with Christ Jesus. Such faithful ones die as the Lord Jesus died and, being faithful unto death, have a part in his resurrection, which is the chief resurrection. Those selected to become prospective members of the Kingdom are therefore justified by faith, counted as dead with Christ Jesus, and begotten to life as spirit creatures. Note the Scriptures on this point: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by

the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him." — Romans 6:3-8.

"Beget" or "begetting" means the acknowledgment by the Father that the child is his son. God gives this assurance to the obedient ones by and through his Word: "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures." (James 1:18) One begotten of God is counted as a new creature in Christ, on his way to life in the Kingdom, which life he shall receive if he continues faithful unto the end: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17,18) "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." —  Colossians 3: 3,4.

Such begotten ones are called or taken into the covenant for the Kingdom, and if they continue faithful unto the end of their earthly journey they have the assurance of being in the Kingdom.

Those consecrated persons who are justified and begotten by the spirit of Almighty God he calls or invites to the "high calling", that is, to the "holy calling", to the heavenly calling, to a place with Christ Jesus in his kingdom: "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." (2 Timothy 1:9) From that time onward such begotten ones are admonished to deport themselves in a proper manner as new creatures. — 1 Thessalonians 2:12.

Are the evolutionists and teachers of the traditions of men, generally called "religionists", are such persons called to the kingdom of God? The Scriptures answer: "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought

things that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence."  —  1 Corinthians 1:26-29.

Those called to the heavenly calling are selected to become members of the glorified body of Christ: "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 2:14) One who has become a follower of Christ Jesus is called to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ: "For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." (1 Peter 2: 21) One being thus called to the Kingdom must continue to fight the good fight of faith against everything that seeks to destroy his faith, and thus he must continue faithful unto the end: "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."  —  1 Timothy 6:12.

The Church

"The church" is another name applied to the kingdom of which Christ Jesus is the Head, Lord and Chief; and the 144,000, found faithful unto death, are members of that body. Hence the church is composed of 144,000 and One. (Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-3) The word church has been much misused amongst men. Jesus propounded to his disciples this question: "Whom say ye that I

am?" The manifest purpose of that question was to afford an opportunity for his disciples to make known whether or not they recognized Jesus as the Messiah or Christ, whom God had promised to send: "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." — Matthew 16:16-18.

A religious organization of great power and influence in the world has for centuries taught the people that Jesus said that he would build his church upon Peter; but it is clear that Jesus said nothing of the kind. Peter answered the question, saying to Jesus: "Thou art the Christ." To that answer Jesus replied: 'My Father, which is in heaven, has revealed this unto you. You did not get it from anyone else.' And then Jesus added: "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell [death, destruction] shall not prevail against it." This must be true because Christ and the members of his body are the only ones granted immortality.

"Rock" or "Stone" is one of the titles applied to Jesus Christ the King and to his

kingdom. (See Daniel 2:26-45.) Jehovah God is called the "great Rock", and the Lord Jesus is "the express image" of his Father, Jehovah. (Deuteronomy 32:4) All those who are called to the Kingdom and who follow faithfully in the footsteps of Jesus are counted as living stones of the Kingdom, and of which class Christ Jesus is the Chief Corner Stone. Such was the understanding of Peter, who heard the words of Jesus, and therefore Peter testified and recorded this fact, which proves beyond any doubt that the church is the body of Christ, that Christ is the Chief Corner Stone, and that the members are builded upon him the foundation: "As newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation; if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious; unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious, ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner; and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence;

for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."  —  1 Peter 2:2-10, A.R.V.

The claim made by religious organizations that Peter is the foundation of the church and was the first pope is false and is entirely unsupported by any scripture in the Bible. The manifest purpose of such a false doctrine being advanced by Satan and his emissaries is to cause men to violate God's law by worshiping a creature. — Exodus 20:1-5.

Further testimony of the Scriptures fully supports the conclusion that the church is the kingdom over which Christ Jesus is Head and Lord. God made Jesus the Foundation and Lord and Head of the church: "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." — Ephesians 1:17-23.

The church is the creation or building of God, and means the same thing as the capital organization, or Kingdom. It is the com-

posite body of The Christ, Jesus Christ the Head and the 144,000 who are the members of the body, and this arrangement in creation is according to the will of God. "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him." (1 Corinthians 12:18) The church of God is one body, not divers bodies. Jesus Christ, the beginning of creation, is the Head of that one body: "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence."  —  Colossians 1:17,18.

Redemption

All those who shall become members of the body of Christ, being the offspring of imperfect man, were born sinners. All these Christ Jesus bought with his own precious blood. These, when justified, called and begotten of the spirit, and continuing faithful unto the end, constitute 'the church of God, which he has purchased with the blood of his own'. (Acts 20:28, Emphatic Diaglott) The ransom sacrifice, and the purchase price, operates first for the benefit of those who by faith and the grace of God are called to be members of the Kingdom. Such are bought with a price, to wit, the blood of Christ Jesus: "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,

and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:20) Such belong to the Lord, and such creatures must and do faithfully obey the Lord Jesus Christ and God, rather than men: "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." (1 Corinthians 7:23) — Also Romans 3:22-24; 1 Corinthians 1: 30; Colossians 1:14.

The scripture text at Ephesians 1:5-14 is addressed to those who are called to be members of the Kingdom and who therefore have and exercise faith in God and in his King and are diligent to obey the will of God: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, . . . in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; . . . having made known unto us the mystery [the hidden mystery, the Kingdom] of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself." — Ephesians 1:5-9.

These are sealed or receive "the earnest", or hand payment, that is, the promise that they shall be of the Kingdom: "Which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:14) That which is purchased is the same as mentioned by the apostle Peter in these words, 'a people for God's purpose' (1 Peter 2: 9, Diaglott), and the language in the two fore-

going texts is limited to that company. These have the full assurance from God of their redemption until the time of the deliverance of the "purchased possession". At the coming of the Kingdom and the destruction of Satan's organization these of the "purchased possession" will experience complete deliverance.

Faithful

Not everyone who is called to have a part in the Kingdom finally enters into the kingdom of glory. If one who is in line for the Kingdom becomes unfaithful he is put out and someone else assigned to that place. (Matthew 13:41) Pull obedience and faithfulness to the end is required of all who enter into the Kingdom. Each and every one of the Kingdom company is put to a severe test to prove that he really loves God and Christ. For that reason Jesus says: "If ye love me, keep my commandments. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." — John 14:15, 24.

Jesus Christ, the Perfect One, was put to the most severe test and proved himself faithful under the test, and God made him "the Author of eternal salvation" to all them that obey him, and to none other: "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author

of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." — Hebrews 5: 8, 9.

Jesus was made perfect in obedience and faithfulness under that severe test. All the members of the Kingdom must have a like test. (1 Peter 2: 21; Hebrews 12:1-10) Suffering the reproach from Satan and his agents, who put reproaches upon the name of God and Christ, is a test of faithfulness to those who are in line for the Kingdom. These are thus permitted to suffer such reproaches and persecution in order that they may prove their integrity toward God. To those who are called and on the way to the Kingdom Jesus says: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10, Am. Rev. Ver.) They must be faithful to the end.

Resurrection

Christ Jesus was the first one raised from the dead to life, to glory and to immortality. The followers in the footsteps of Christ Jesus are those who "seek for glory and honour and immortality". (Romans 2:7) Those who are faithful unto death are resurrected out of death and given eternal life, glory and immortality with Christ Jesus. The resurrection of Christ Jesus is a guarantee to his faithful followers of their privilege of sharing in that resurrection. The Christ, that is, Jesus Christ and the 144,000 members of his royal house, constitute one body,

and all share in the first resurrection. All these die as human creatures and are raised to life as spirit creatures. The entire body, Christ Jesus and the 144,000 members, are first in the flesh and at the resurrection become spirit: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. . . . There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. ... So also is the resurrection of the dead. It [the composite body of Christ] is sown in corruption; it [the composite body of Christ] is raised in incorruption; it [the composite body of Christ] is sown in dishonour; it [the composite body of Christ] is raised in glory; it [the composite body of Christ] is sown in weakness; it [the composite body of Christ] is raised in power; it [the composite body of Christ] is sown a natural body; it [the composite body of Christ] is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." — 1 Corinthians 15:12-58.

Reign

Jehovah's promise concerning the Kingdom is that those who constitute that royal house shall be unto him 'an holy nation, a royal [reigning] priesthood'. (Exodus 19: 5,6; 1 Peter 2: 9,10) Such are the ones that have part in the first or chief resurrection, and concerning them it is written: "There-

fore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us."  —  2 Timothy 2:10-12.

The faithful apostles of Jesus Christ died and must remain dead until the coming of the Lord Jesus in power and glory, at which time they are resurrected and receive the crown of life, or immortality: "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." — 2 Timothy 4: 8.

All faithful Christians who died faithful before the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ are the ones who share in the first or chief resurrection, and all those on earth at his coming and who are faithful at that time and continue faithful until the end, are called "the remnant", and these receive at their "change", or resurrection, life and immortality. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53) All those who share in "the first resurrection" become kings and priests unto God and reign with Christ Jesus. — Revelation 1: 6; 20: 4, 6.

The spirit body, the Christ, the Holy Nation, is the Holy City, created and organized

in heaven and which in God's due time comes down from God out of heaven and as Jehovah God's organization rules the world in righteousness. That glorious Holy City vindicates the great and holy name of Almighty God and shall be forever to his glory, serving him and carrying out his purpose according to his holy will. Christ Jesus is the King, Lord and Head of that Holy City, and upon his shoulders rests the holy government; and he, as the administrator of life, gives life to those who receive it, and hence he is called The Everlasting Father. (Isaiah 9: 6, 7) During his reign every vestige of the wicked is destroyed and those who receive life everlasting from the Lord shall be for ever to the praise of Almighty God.

"Sheep"

Those who willingly obey the Lord he designates under the symbol of "sheep", and those who disobey or oppose him and his kingdom he designates under the symbol of "goats". (Matthew 25:32) Note, therefore, that Jesus says concerning the ransom or purchase price that buys mankind: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." — John 10:11,14,15.

Note also that Jesus does not say that he lays down his life for the goats. A man receives a designation as a "sheep", who is obedient unto the Lord, or the designation as a "goat" that is opposed to the Lord; and therefore the man makes his own choice as to whether he will be a "sheep" or a "goat". If he chooses to believe on the Lord and renders himself in obedience unto God and Christ he chooses to receive the benefit of the ransom sacrifice, that is, the purchase price; but if he refuses to believe and to obey the Lord he does not receive the benefit of the ransom sacrifice.

Only those who are obedient to the Lord, that is to say, the "sheep", receive the benefit of the ransom sacrifice, and those called to the Kingdom are the first ones to receive the same. Only those who continue faithful to the end continue to be sheep. Such constitute only a "little flock" as compared with the numerous persons in the earth. These faithful ones must give themselves and all they have to the service of the Lord. They cannot divide their devotion between the Lord and any earthly thing. To that faithful little company Jesus says: "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." — Luke 12:32.

"John, could you give a brief summary of this study, that we might better keep the points in mind?"

"I shall try to do so, Eunice. The Scriptures reveal the stupendous and glorious purpose of Jehovah, the Almighty God. Long centuries ago God purposed the building of the Holy City, which is his capital organization and of which he has made Christ Jesus the Head and King. That Holy City is THE THEOCRACY, also called Zion, which God has chosen for his special purpose: 'For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.' (Psalm 132:13) No wonder it is beautiful for situation, since it is the habitation of the Most High: ' Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge.' — Psalm 48:1-3.

"In Zion is the throne of the King, Christ Jesus: 'Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.' (Psalm 2:6) There is where Jehovah God shines before all who love and obey him: 'Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.' — Psalm 50:2.

"Note that the Holy City, Zion, The THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, is also called 'the temple of God'. (2 Corinthians 6:16; Le-

viticus 26:12) Jehovah is the builder thereof, and he builds it to his glory: 'When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.' — Psalm 102:16.

"His appearing in his glory necessarily must be when God begins to reveal to his people the meaning of his prophecy, thereby disclosing to them his purpose. Then notice this prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus coming to the temple: 'Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.' —  Malachi 3:1-3.

"Eunice, I have read these books that we have here, and the book called Salvation submits the proof that the Lord Jesus Christ came to the temple in the year 1918. On page 160 this appears: 'In the year 1914 the Lord Jesus was enthroned as king of the world. (Matthew 24:3-14) Three and one-half years thereafter Christ Jesus the King appeared at the temple of Jehovah and gath-

ered unto himself his faithful followers and commissioned them and sent them forth to "preach this gospel of the kingdom"; and thus is marked the beginning of the Lord's judgment of the nations, and concerning which it is written: "And before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. " — Matthew 25: 32, 33.

"'This identifies specifically two classes of persons. One class, being extremely selfish and who oppress others and persecute those who serve God, are designated under the symbol of "goats". The other class, being kind to God's people, and who love righteousness, are designated as "sheep". These latter ones are good and do good unto those who serve Jehovah as his witnesses. Such persons of good-will are the "other sheep" of the Lord.'

"Surely that proves why so many persons are now against the Bible and why a comparatively small number of persons are fleeing from religious organizations and seeking the Lord and his kingdom."

"John, we have learned what we know about the Scriptures since 1918. If the Lord Jesus builded up Zion, his temple, at that time, what about those who have turned to the Lord since that time?"

"Such, Eunice, are also called 'sheep' if they serve the Lord. We have just seen that the temple, or Kingdom company, is called the 'little flock' of sheep. Note the words of Jesus after speaking of the 'little flock': 'And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.' — John 10:16.

"The Kingdom is made up, as we have seen, of a fixed number, that is, 144,000, with Christ Jesus as the Chief One, the Head. These 'other sheep' we must learn about in another study."

"We have been greatly blessed, my dear John, by having received instruction from our parents in our youth concerning the Bible, and now we begin to have an understanding of it, evidently because it is God's due time for us to understand. Thanks be unto our God!"

"Yes, Eunice, your sincere faith has been a great blessing to you all the way. We are very grateful to our God and Lord, our Savior. Let us look a little further into the Scriptures concerning THE THEOCRACY.

Begins to Function

"A few notes should be made here, Eunice, I believe, concerning the Kingdom and when it begins to function as such; and as we continue this study I will write some of these down."

Jesus emphasized the importance of his coming in power and great glory to reign as King. His apostles had received the anointing of the holy spirit and wrote under inspiration concerning God's purpose, and they emphasized the importance of the coming of the Lord and his kingdom. Particularly the apostle Paul stressed the importance of His coming. The appearing of the Lord Jesus in glory and power takes place when his kingdom begins to function. To Timothy Paul wrote: "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom." — 2 Timothy 4:1.

The resurrection of faithful Paul and other faithful followers of Christ Jesus could not take place, according to the Scriptures, until the day of the coming of Christ Jesus and his kingdom. (2 Timothy 4: 8) When Jesus ascended into heaven Jehovah said to him: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." — Psalm 110:1.

Christ Jesus must wait until his Father's due time for him to begin his reign, and concerning that due time it is written: "The LORD [Jehovah] shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies." (Psalm 110:2) That proves that the Kingdom begins to function while the enemies, Satan and the other

demons and their agents, are still exercising power over the nations of the earth.

In reply to a question propounded by his disciples concerning his coming and his kingdom and the end of the world, Jesus said: "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." — Matthew 24:7,8.

The sorrows here mentioned are sorrows which Satan brings upon the peoples of the earth because he knows that his time is short before the final end of his power. This prophecy of Jesus began to be fulfilled in the year 1914, at the beginning of the World War, and that sorrow and distress, with increasing power and fury, is yet upon the earth and must continue until the final climax at Armageddon, which is "the battle of that great day of God Almighty" against Satan and all his forces. In this connection note that it is written in Revelation concerning the Lord Jesus Christ: "Thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come." — Revelation 11:17,18.

When the Lord brings to pass the facts or circumstances fitting exactly his prophetic utterance written long before, we may know that such is the time for the beginning of the fulfillment of that prophecy.

The prophecy of the Lord Jesus concerning the end of the world and the coming of his kingdom began to have fulfillment in 1914, and that fixed the time of his coming and the beginning of his reign as King. As shown by the scriptures we have just seen, he begins his reign while the enemy is yet in power and operating. The twelfth chapter of Revelation tells of a "war in heaven" in which Christ Jesus and his angels fought against Satan and his angels, and that the enemy Satan was cast down to the earth. In the twelfth verse of that chapter it is written: "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." (Revelation 12:12) All the facts show that the woes beginning in 1914 have continued to increase upon the earth, and at the present time the distress and woes are greater than ever before known, and this indicates that Armageddon is very near. — Revelation 16:13-16.

The earthly ministry of Christ Jesus was for three and one-half years, and then he ascended into heaven. Corresponding to that same three and one-half years: Christ began his reign in 1914; three and a half years later he appeared at the temple of God and began to gather to himself those faithfully devoted to him and to his kingdom. That was in 1918 that he came to his temple.

That marks the beginning of the assembly or gathering to himself of the members of the Holy City.

"At this point, John, may we give some consideration to Revelation 21:1-8, which tells of the Holy City coming down from God out of heaven?"

"Eunice, these two books entitled Light discuss the entire book of Revelation. We will take a little space here to set down some of the points concerning the Holy City. The Revelation is that which Jehovah God gave to his beloved Son concerning the Holy City, and Jesus sent his angel to transmit that information to his faithful servant, then a prisoner on the isle of Patmos: 'The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.' — Revelation 1:1.

"Literally 'Revelation' means 'unveiling'. It is the uncovering of that which is coming to pass within a short time. Jehovah God committed to Christ Jesus those truths, which in due time must be made understandable by those who are devoted to Jehovah and his King. The book of Revelation is written chiefly in symbols, as it is stated: 'He sent and sign-ified it' to John and recorded the same. Otherwise stated, it was written in signs or symbols. John the apos-

tle stood in the place as representative of all the faithful followers of Christ Jesus who were on earth in 1918 and thereafter. These are mentioned in the Scriptures as 'the remnant' of the seed of promise. — Revelation 12:17.

"John the apostle was given a vision of the Holy City, meaning the heavenly organization of Jehovah God, of which Christ Jesus is Lord and King. It is the New Jerusalem, which means the organization of everlasting peace. 'Of the peace of his government there shall be no end.' (Isa. 9:7) The Holy City comes down from God, who created it. It is described in symbols as beautiful 'as a bride adorned for her husband'. He heard a voice from heaven saying : 'Behold, the tabernacle [dwelling place] of God is with men.' This language applies specifically to the faithful followers of Christ Jesus on the earth from and after 1918, when the Lord came to his temple. From that time forward the Kingdom functions; and here in symbolic phrase is recorded what it shall accomplish: 'And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write; for these words are true and faithful.' — Revelation 21:4,5.

"That glorious kingdom will first destroy all wickedness in the earth, which wickedness has caused so much sorrow, crying and death. There will then be a clean earth under the reign of Christ: 'For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.' (1 Corinthians 15: 25,26) The kingdom of God, THE THEOCRACY, will remove from the universe all things that cause sorrow, suffering and death, and will give life and peace to all that obey the laws of that kingdom. Furthermore, the Kingdom will completely vindicate Jehovah's holy name. The Kingdom, THE THEOCRACY, therefore, is the greatest thing, next to Jehovah, that exists. Every person now on the earth who hopes to live must flee to the Kingdom and through its administration, by Christ Jesus, receive life everlasting, which is the gracious gift of Almighty God.

"Concerning his vision of the Holy City John the apostle wrote: 'And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.' (Revelation 21:1) The word 'heaven' symbolically means the rule that is invisible to human eyes. 'Earth' is a symbol of the visible ruling powers over the people. 'Sea' is a symbol of and is properly defined as the peoples of the earth that are ungodly, and therefore alienated from God, which peoples nourish, bear up and

support the visible ruling power acting under Satan. With the destruction of Satan and his organization, which includes all the wicked ones, there will be no more symbolic sea. The apostle Peter wrote: 'Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.' (2 Peter 3:13) The promise of which he speaks is the promise which God made to Abraham, to set up a Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the new heaven. Concerning the new earth we shall learn as we progress in these studies."