Chapter 5
PRINCES
THE foregoing scripture text describes the government that is exactly the opposite of the governments that now rule this earth. All the nations of the earth are now in distress and in perplexity, and men's hearts are failing them because of what they sense is further coming upon the earth in the way of wickedness. In his great prophecy relating to the end of the world and the coming of his kingdom Jesus told specifically of the sorrowful and dreadful conditions that now afflict the earth. (Luke 21: 25, 26) It is under the rule of the new heaven and new earth that the King shall reign in righteousness and the princes shall rule in jus-
tice. Sincere persons are eager to know about that righteous government. It means peace and life to those who flee to it and obey its laws.
The Almighty God appointed Lucifer to the place of overlord or overseer of the earth, and God did not take that position away from him when Lucifer rebelled and became Satan. Christ Jesus, as Jehovah's officer, will take away from the Devil every vestige of authority. The term "the end of the world" means the end of Satan's uninterrupted reign or rule, and which time began in 1914 and which will be completed at Armageddon, the battle of the great day of God Almighty.
When the man Christ Jesus began his earthly ministry, the Devil offered to turn over to Jesus the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would bow down to and worship the Devil. That offer Jesus refused and said to the Devil: "Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:3-11) This is further proof that Satan was then the invisible governor or overlord of the earth. Later Jesus referred to Satan as "the prince of this world". — John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11.
"It seems strange, John," said Eunice, "that so many persons deny the existence of the Devil at the present time. At our
seminary I heard several of our teachers say: 'There is no Devil.' In these texts which we have just read Jesus emphatically testified to the existence of the Devil, and there are many other scriptures showing the same thing. Note at 2 Corinthians it is written: 'But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.' (2 Corinthians 4: 3,4) There Satan is called the god, or mighty one, of this wicked world."
"Yes, Eunice, that scripture also says that Satan has blinded those persons who believe not. Persons who deny the existence of Satan the Devil are blinded to the truth because they have no faith. Again I thank God, my dear, that you are a woman of unfeigned faith. Now let us proceed with our study."
Away back in Eden the Almighty God announced his purpose to build up a kingdom that would crush Satan in due time. A "woman" is a symbol of Jehovah's organization, and the seed of his "woman" or organization is Christ, the King of the holy government. (Galatians 3:16-29) It is God's "woman", symbolical of his organization, which is called 'Jerusalem above, who is the mother of us all' who are in
Christ Jesus. (Galatians 4: 26-28) The seed according to the promise of Jehovah that shall destroy Satan is Christ our Lord. Jehovah announced at Eden that he would put enmity between the seed of the woman (that is, his beloved One, the seed of his organization) and the Devil. It has ever been so, as we well know from history and from experience, that there has been constant enmity between those who love the Lord and those who hate God: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15) That clearly shows why the Devil and his dupes always fight against Christ Jesus and his faithful followers. It is the Kingdom, the Holy City, The THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, that shall destroy Satan and all wickedness, and that government must be and shall be properly represented on the earth.
Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, was the first man on the earth to show faith in the Almighty God. God never forgets a faithful creature. It was Abel's faith and obedience that pleased God. (Genesis 4:4) "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he, being dead, yet speaketh." — Hebrews 11:4.
God counted Abel a righteous man because of his faith. Abel was murdered at the instance of the Devil, and every murder that has been committed on earth has been done at the instance of the Devil. Concerning Abel's righteousness and God's purpose to punish those who have practiced religion and used it to bring about the murder of many others, Jesus Christ said to the religionists on earth at his time: "Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar." (Matthew 23:34,35) Abel was a good and faithful man, and it is written that "they that have done good" shall be resurrected. (John 5:29) God has a place for Abel.
The next man who had faith in God was Enoch. When it is said that a man walks with God, that means that his course of action is in harmony with God's appointed way or rules. Long ago, as it is written of Enoch, "Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." (Genesis 5:24) God did not permit the Devil to kill Enoch, and because of Enoch's faith God
took him away: "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." (Hebrews 11:5) Enoch prophesied that the Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming and his kingdom, will punish those who have fought against God. (Jude 14,15) It was Enoch's faith that pleased God; and therefore it is written in connection with him and other faithful creatures: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." — Hebrews 11:6.
Because of faith God counted Noah a righteous man, and "Noah walked with God". (Genesis 6:9) In Noah's day the human race had become exceedingly wicked and filled the earth with violence. God informed Noah of His purpose to destroy that wicked generation, and Noah obeyed the Lord God and was saved from that destruction and brought over to the world beginning thereafter: "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." (Hebrews 11: 7) That blessing of Noah and his family
was because of his faith. God has a further blessing for Noah yet to be received.
Abraham resided in the land of Ur when God directed him to move into a land about which Abraham knew nothing. Having faith in God, Abraham obeyed and went into the strange land. Concerning him and his faith it is written: "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." — Hebrews 11:8.
In that strange land of Canaan God made a covenant with Abraham and caused Abraham to perform his part in a great prophetic drama, wherein Abraham pictured God himself, and in which Abraham's son Isaac played a part picturing the coming of Christ Jesus and his great sacrifice: "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." — Romans 4:3.
Thereafter Abraham was called "the Friend of God". (James 2:23) Abraham saw by faith the day coming when God would have his kingdom in operation under Christ Jesus the Messiah, and that filled his heart with joy. Jesus referred to this when he said: "Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad." (John 8:56) The Bible magnifies the importance of faith and obedience unto God by frequent reference to the faith of Abra-
ham, who is called the father of the faithful. "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore, that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham." — Galatians 3:6, 7.
Abraham was swift to obey God, and that meant he was ready and willing, upon short notice, to move, and also shows that he had no fixed abiding place on the earth, but was looking for a better place. He dwelt in tents with his sons and grandsons; concerning which it is written: "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." — Hebrews 11:9,10.
Abraham had faith in God's government of righteousness, THE THEOCRACY, which is symbolized by a city, and God has fixed a place "for Abraham. Sarah his wife was old and past the age of childbearing. She had no children; but when God sent his angel and informed Sarah that she would give birth to a son, Sarah had faith in God's promise and God blessed her: "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 11:11,12.
Abraham and Sarah's only son, Isaac, grew to manhood's estate, and then God put a great test upon Abraham. God commanded Abraham to offer his son upon a fiery altar of sacrifice. Under that great test Abraham exhibited strong faith in God. "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; Genesis 22: 9-18) It was on that occasion that Abraham and Isaac performed their parts in the great prophetic drama foretelling the sacrificial death and resurrection of the beloved Son of Jehovah God.
Faithful Isaac was also used of God to foreshadow the seed of promise, that is to say, those who would be made partakers of the great THEOCRACY. (Galatians 4: 28) The Scriptures tell of the faith of Isaac and of Jacob, who, because of their faith and obedience unto God, became heirs to the promise of God made first to Abraham; and concerning this it is written: "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff." — Hebrews 11:20, 21.
Moving on in the development of the typical theocracy, and looking further to the great and real THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, the Holy City that shall rule the world in righteousness, God makes note of the faith and faithfulness of Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob. Then he makes mention of Moses, who also was there used as a type of Christ Jesus. Moses was reared by the royal family of Egypt; but, upon receiving instruction from God and having faith in God's promise, he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, and devoted himself to the service of Jehovah. "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." — Hebrews 11:25-27.
By faith he saw the coming THEOCRACY and devoted his life to the service of God. He was chosen of God to lead the Israelites put of Egypt, and in this he played the part in one of Jehovah's great prophetic dramas foretelling the deliverance of God's faith-
ful people from the power and oppression of Satan's organization. "Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned." — Hebrews 11:28,29.
Joshua succeeded to the place once occupied by Moses. He received command from Almighty God to lead the Israelites into Canaan, and in doing so God worked a great miracle, causing the raging waters of the Jordan river to stand still while Joshua led the host of Israel and they marched over dryshod into safety. (See Joshua chapter 3.) At God's command Joshua led the Israelites around the walled city of Jericho, behind which walls the enemies of God's people hid for safety, and it was God who threw down those walls; and concerning the faith of Joshua and those who were with him it is written: "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days." — Hebrews 11:30.
God would have it known that even harlots can turn away from a wrongful course and find the way of life, whereas those who practice religion and refuse to obey God fail to find life. (Matthew 21: 31) In Jericho resided a woman named Rahab, who was engaged in keeping a bawdyhouse. She learned of Jehovah's power and his bless-
ing upon those who have faith in him and who serve Jehovah God. Upon learning these truths she readily made a covenant with God's servants to shield and protect them, and she exhibited her faith in God by agreeing to do what they requested her to do to protect them. Thereby she played a part in a prophetic drama foretelling that in the present time of wickedness on the earth those who show favor to God's servants shall be blessed by the Lord. Rahab's faith in God was rewarded, and she was saved from the fate that befell those of Jericho who had no faith in God; and concerning her it is written: "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace." (Hebrews 11:31; Joshua 6: 23) God has given his Word that he will not forget the faith of Rahab but in his own due time she is certain to receive his everlasting blessing because of her faith.
Although Israel as a nation turned to demonism or religion and for that reason God cast away the nation, there were amongst the Israelites some faithful men who exercised faith in God, and who looked forward to THE THEOCRACY, and who because of their faith rendered service unto God and received his promised blessing. Those men are mentioned in the Scriptures as receiving the approval of Almighty God because of refusing to yield to the influence of Satan and
his agents, and because of their devotion to God it is written concerning them: "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets." — Hebrews 11:32.
There was Gideon, a farmer, who was threshing his wheat when the angel of Jehovah appeared and told Gideon that God had selected him to be a deliverer of the Israelites from the Devil religionists, the Midianites, who were oppressing the Israelites. (See Judges sixth chapter.) With his little band reduced to only 300 men Gideon put to flight and destroyed the enemy host of the Midianites. Thus God rewarded him with service because of his faith and made a prophetic picture of greater blessings to come in future days.
Barak is another specifically named because of his faith. With him was Deborah, the prophetess of God, who worked with Barak. Deborah played a part in the prophetic drama, picturing the organization of God, while Barak, the commander of the loyal forces of Israel, played the part in that drama picturing Christ Jesus the Lord. With a small army of 10,000 men, poorly equipped, Barak joined battle with an overwhelming enemy host, which host was equipped with iron chariots under the leadership of Sisera. In that battle the angels
of heaven fought with Barak and Almighty God sent a great storm and flood, which swept away the disorganized and disrupted army of Sisera, and then Barak destroyed the entire lot as they fled. (See Judges chapters four and five.) Barak is mentioned for his faithfulness, and God has a place for him.
Samson received favorable report from the Lord because of his faithful devotion to Almighty God. He was used by the Lord to deliver the Israelites from the bondage in which they were held by the demonized religionists, the Philistines. (See Judges chapters 13 to 16.) After faithful service to God Samson was taken prisoner and brought before the Philistines, who put out his eyes and brought him into a public place to exhibit him and taunt him and reproach his God. Samson there played a part in the prophetic drama picturing the faithful servants of the great THEOCRACY, who are blind to everything except Jehovah God and his kingdom. Blind Samson, held a prisoner, was given great strength by Jehovah to pull down the two pillars supporting the temple of the demons, where there were assembled thousands of religionists who reproached and defamed God's holy name. Samson was faithful even to the last and in his death slew a host of God's enemies. His faith secured for him God's approval.
Jephthah was another faithful servant of God, who led the loyal Israelites in battle against their enemy, the Ammonites, who were demon-worshipers. Jephthah gained by the Lord's grace a great victory in vindication of Jehovah's name. (See Judges 11:1-33.) That which appears to have been pleasing to God, and which gained for Jephthah God's approval, was the keeping of his vow, which Jephthah made, the keeping of which put Jephthah to a great and crucial test. — Psalm 50:14.
David when a lad, because of his faith and devotion to Almighty God, was permitted to slay the monster Goliath, foreshadowing Christ Jesus slaying the monster, the oppressor of humankind. David fought many battles, and, in every instance, those battles were for the vindication of Jehovah's name. Of David God said: 'He is a man after my own heart.' (1 Samuel 13:14; Psalm 89: 20; Acts 13:22) David's name means beloved. He was a type of Christ Jesus. It was David's faithfulness to God that gained for him His approval.
Samuel was a child of parents who were devoted to and served God. His mother consecrated Samuel to Jehovah before Samuel's birth, and when the babe was weaned she handed him over to the service of God. That was a specific instance in which the child was taught from his youth up to have faith in and to serve God, and from that
he never departed. He was yet a child when God called Samuel to be a prophet and used him thereafter as a prophet. Samuel was faithful unto the end and repeatedly warned the Israelites against demonism or religion. He judged Israel with a righteous judgment, always showing his devotion to Almighty God. (See 1 Samuel chapters 1 to 7.) Samuel prophesied the coming of The THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT and the King thereof and the setting up of that kingdom in power and glory. — Acts 3:20-24.
Then favorable mention is made of the prophets by and through whom God has spoken, which prophets had faith in God and in his coming government, THE THEOCRACY, and prophesied of its coming. Because of their faithfulness they received God's approval. A list of these names of faithful prophets appears in the Bible. Their prophetic utterances were not their own conclusions, such as "wise men" of today utter, but those faithful men wrote as they were moved of the spirit of God to write. — 2 Peter 1:21.
Valiant Fighters
Every one of those faithful men endured great affliction, which was heaped upon them by religionists and other dupes of the Devil, and all these faithful men are mentioned as valiant fighters. The Devil, in his effort to make effective his wicked challenge to Al-
mighty God, fought against these faithful men, endeavoring to turn them away from God. In that fight the Devil employed religion or demonism as his chief instrument, and applied physical force where he could not succeed by fraud and deception. That those men remained true and steadfast under the test and showed their faith and devotion to God, the Almighty caused to be written in his Word concerning them the following, to wit: "Who through faith sub-
dued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance ; that they might obtain a better resurrection : and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." — Hebrews 11:33-38.
The Promise
Almighty God had given his word that he would raise up a seed and set up his government, by which the world shall be ruled in righteousness and by which obedient men shall be forever blessed. Later he renewed this word of promise to Abraham and bound his word with his oath. (Genesis 12:3; 22: 16-18; Hebrews 6:17-20) The faithful men described in the foregoing chapter who died before the coming of Christ Jesus trusted God implicitly. They believed his promises and relied upon them. They willingly bore
testimony to their faith in God's Word of promise, and they sealed their testimony with their own lifeblood. They did not expect the promised government in their day, but they were firmly convinced that in his due time God would carry out fully his word of promise, and therefore they went into death full of faith. Their faith is certain to be rewarded by the Most High. Mark here the Scriptural proof: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." — Hebrews 11:13.
They knew that the promise would not be fulfilled completely while Satan continued to be the invisible overlord or god of this wicked world: "For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country." (Hebrews 11:14) They were seeking a country; which manifestly meant that they were not devoted to the country wherein they resided. They were seeking what country? The Scriptures answer: "The kingdom of heaven," "the Holy City," which Jesus bought with his own lifeblood. They willingly took that course, and they could have turned back had they so desired. "And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned: but now they desire a better country, that is, an
heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city." — Hebrews 11:15,16.
God has prepared a place for them in connection with the Holy City, his THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. A "city", or ruling organization, is specifically prepared for them. This "city" is not a part of the Holy City, but God's organization just the same, and which operates under the supervision of the Holy City.
When will those faithful men come into possession of what is prepared for them? The Scriptures answer that they received the approval of God as faithful men but, while they sojourned on earth, they did not come into possession of or bear away that which was promised. And why did they not receive it before their death? That question is specifically answered as follows: "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." — Hebrews 11:39,40.
Clearly the meaning of this scripture, last quoted, is that some "better thing" must first be provided for others, of whom Paul was one part, and before those faithful men of old could come into their reward or that which was prepared for them. That "better thing" here mentioned is the Holy City, the kingdom of God, The THEOCRATIC GOVERN-
MENT, and it is prepared for those who compose the capital organization, to wit, Christ Jesus and the members of his body, all of whom must prove faithful unto death. That would mean that all of the Holy City must be selected and the Kingdom must come before those holy men of old could receive what is prepared for them.
This is the order, as shown by the Scriptures : Jehovah God first revealed to his beloved Son the hidden treasure, which is The THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. The beloved Son gave up everything that he had that he might buy that treasure, and he bought it, including all obedient creatures. The purchase price was presented in heaven, and the first ones to receive the benefit thereof are those who are called and elected to be members of the Holy City or "holy nation", the kingdom of heaven. The Kingdom must be completed and set up, with Christ Jesus in full authority and glory as King, before these faithful men could be granted everlasting life on earth. The ransom sacrifice, by which the purchase price was provided for mankind, must first be paid over before any man could be released from the bondage of death, which had been inherited through Adam.
When Jesus became a man and when he was crucified as a man, at that time all the faithful men preceding him and herein mentioned had passed away. Where were they
since they had been counted righteous and had received a good report from Jehovah? Had they gone to heaven? The Scripture answers that all were dead. No one could go to heaven before the purchase price was paid over in heaven and the heavenly way was open. Concerning David, 'the man after God's own heart,' it is specifically written: "For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool." — Acts 2:34,35.
John the Baptist was one of the great prophets, and he can never be in heaven, because he had died before the crucifixion of the Lord: "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." — Matthew 11:11.
All those men died and went out of existence into the grave, or "hell", but all are held in the memory of Almighty God, and whom he will resurrect from the dead in his own due time and according to his promise. Those men had faith in the resurrection, and therefore they endured the great fight of affliction even unto death in order "that they might obtain [the] better resurrection". — Hebrews 11:35.
Resurrection
Those who compose the royal house, the holy nation of which Christ Jesus is the Head, participate in the "first resurrection", that is to say, first in importance and first in time. (Revelation 20:4, 6) The apostle Paul wrote that he gladly suffered the loss of everything that he might share in that resurrection with Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:7-14) Those who have a part in the resurrection of Christ are raised up out of death and made spirit creatures and are given like immortality, and their everlasting existence is in the spirit in heaven.
Faithful men of old, from Abel to the last one of the prophets, cannot have a part in the "first resurrection", for the reason that they died before the heavenly way was opened and before anyone was called to the heavenly kingdom. The life of those faithful men shall be forever human on the earth. They have a "better resurrection", however, than those of the human race in general have who are favored in the general resurrection. Those faithful men of old had their trial of faith before the purchase price or ransom was made available, but they had full faith in God's promise and they shall receive the benefit of the ransom sacrifice because of their faith and faithfulness. Other human creatures, that have lived on the earth for a season and died, are held in the memory of God and shall be resurrected, but not on
equal terms with those faithful men of old who received God's approval before they died.
Invisible
Jehovah God is the great eternal Spirit. No human eye can ever see God: "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live." (Exodus 33:17-23) Jehovah is the almighty Potentate, the King of eternity. (Jeremiah 10: 10, margin) "[God] only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." — 1 Timothy 6:16.
The Lord Jesus Christ is "the express image" of his Father, Jehovah God. (Hebrews 1:3) He is that great Spirit, and, like Jehovah, no human eye can ever behold him. The members of the body of Christ in the resurrection are made in the likeness of Christ Jesus (1 John 3:2), made spirits and with Christ Jesus in the Holy City, and can never be seen by human eyes, because human eyes cannot see a spirit. Therefore The THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, the Holy City, will always be invisible to human eyes, but will exercise absolute control over all things in the earth.
Visible
When God set up his typical theocracy with Israel and ruled over Israel as his chos-
en people, none of the Israelites saw him; yet they observed his power. When God spoke to his faithful men he sent an angel as his messenger, who appeared in human form and delivered the message from the Most High. (Genesis 22:11; Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 6:11) God made the earth for man and He made man for the earth, and in due time righteous men shall live for ever on the earth. They shall have an organization that shall govern in righteousness. That organization will be, not a democracy, but a government representative of the great THEOCRACY, acting under the direct supervision of the King of the great THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. Necessarily that representative government will be visible to human eyes, and the people will receive the laws and instructions through those visible representatives.
Princes
A "prince" is a sovereign ruler appointed by and acting under the direct command of the supreme or higher powers. Jehovah God and Christ Jesus his King are "the Higher Powers". (Romans 13:1) Jehovah is the King of eternity over all, and Christ Jesus is the King of the Holy City and, as the Chief Executive appointed by Jehovah, has and exercises all power in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18; John 5:22,26) The Lord Jesus Christ is "the Prince of
Peace", and upon his shoulder the government of THE THEOCRACY shall rest. (Isaiah 9:6, 7) The chief ruler amongst men appointed by the Lord is a prince. — Genesis 32:28; 1 Kings 14:7.
"In All the Earth"
The faithful men of the nation of Israel were called 'fathers in Israel' and were so recognized by the Israelites, and are thus spoken of in the Word of God. (Acts 3: 22) Those faithful men of old who had faith in the coming THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT and were under the great test proved their faith and integrity toward God; and while a long time ago they died and went into the tomb or grave, yet in the memory and purpose of Almighty God they have lived, because it is his express purpose by and through Christ Jesus to resurrect them from the dead. (Exodus 3:6; Matthew 22:31,32) Since those faithful men and servants of Jehovah God have opportunity of a "better resurrection", and since God gave his word of promise that he had "prepared for them a city", that is, an organization, where will their eternal existence be? and what position or place in God's great arrangement shall they have? This question is answered in the following scripture, to wit: "INSTEAD OF THY FATHERS SHALL BE THY CHILDREN, WHOM THOU MAYEST MAKE PRINCES IN ALL THE EARTH." — Psalm 45:16.
Christ Jesus bought those faithful men, and bought their rights to life with his own lifeblood. They must therefore receive life from God by and through Christ Jesus. It is the will of God that Christ Jesus shall raise them out of death and give them life. (Romans 6:23; 5:18,19) Their resurrection shall take place, according to the Scriptures, when the Kingdom comes and begins to function. When raised from the dead and given life they will be the "children" of Christ Jesus because receiving life by and through him. Therefore it is certain that those faithful men will be raised from the dead as perfect human creatures, and be appointed to and occupy the high position of "princes [or visible overlords or sovereign rulers] in all the earth". They will not be a part of the Holy City, or THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, because that is spiritual; but they will occupy the high position of visible representatives of the Holy City, or THEOCRACY, and will govern or rule the peoples of the earth, and all the people will look to them to receive instruction from them.
In full corroboration of this note the words, to wit, "Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment." (Isaiah 32:1) The King James or Authorized Version uses the word judgment as to the manner of the rule of these princes, whereas another translation renders the word justice. Both are correct. The
judgments or judicial determinations are made by the Lord, and those faithful princes will carry out or execute those judgments previously written and made by the Lord, and they will carry out these judgments or orders with exact justice to all. All the peoples that live on earth shall come under their visible rule or command. That will be a rule that will be a joy to the whole earth and all the people in it. "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice." — Proverbs 29:2.
"That is certainly thrilling," said John. "Eunice, by the grace of the Lord we may see those faithful princes soon. We shall be anxious to see them and follow their lead. As Jesus said, 'Abraham by faith saw the day of His kingdom, which shall rule in righteousness, and he rejoiced.' Abraham saw it by faith. Now by faith we see the righteous government or rule of the world, and we do now rejoice. Let us continue our studies and learn from the Scriptures what may be our position or place in the Lord's gracious arrangement."
