Chapter 9
ADMONITION TO CHILDREN
THE Lord's promised blessing is to those children that obey his laws. Almighty God is the Father, or Life-giver, to all and he has delegated to Christ Jesus the authority and power to administer life to all obedient ones. Hence Christ Jesus the King is called in the Scriptures "The Everlasting Father", meaning the One who administers life everlasting. (Isaiah 9:6) The 'first command with promise' given to children is this: "Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." — Exodus 20:12.
The words "father" and "mother", in this text, are used symbolically as well as literally. Symbolically this command means
that the Almighty God, the Life-giver, is the Father, and his organization is the "mother", of all who receive life everlasting. Hence every one who receives life must honor God the Father and his organization, the mother, through which life is administered. For this reason it is written in the Scriptures: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." The emphasis here is on the words "in the Lord", that is to say, parents who are devoted to Jehovah and his kingdom.
Marriage and childbearing is God's arrangement for humankind that shall live on the earth. Parents who have made a covenant to do the will of God and who have children are properly said to be "in the Lord", within the meaning of the foregoing text. Their children, therefore, must be taught by the parents in the Lord to be obedient to the Lord and to their human parents as they follow the Lord. Such parents, who are in the Lord, must be "taught of God" and obey him. (Isaiah 54:13) It follows that they should require their children to be obedient to His commandment or rules, which the Lord has put in his Word. Upon all parents who are in a covenant to do God's will there is laid a duty and specific obligation to teach their children the Word of God, and it is the duty of the children to obey their parents who give such instruction. There can be no question about the re-
sponsibility that rests upon the parents as well as the children. To the parents this admonition is given: "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." — Ephesians 6: 4.
Let the words of the text be emphasized, to wit: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." The only inference to be drawn therefrom is that parents in the Lord must teach their children that which is right, therefore that which is righteous. The words "right" and "righteous" are from the same root and mean the same thing. This is shown by the following proof texts: "For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright." (Psalm 11:7) "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." (1 Peter 3:12) "The Lord knoweth the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever." (Psalm 37:18,19,29) "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." (Psalm 97:11) These and many like promises of God are given to those who love and obey righteousness. Parents in the Lord will be glad to instruct their
children in righteousness, and the children should be obedient with real joy. They should have in mind the words of the beloved Son of God: "I delight to do thy will, O my God." — Psalm 40:8.
How may parents and children learn of and know the way of righteousness? Only by receiving and obeying instructions given by Jehovah and recorded in his Word: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting : give me understanding, and I shall live. My tongue shall speak of thy word; for all thy commandments are righteousness." — Psalm 119:105,142,144,172.
Religious ceremonies produce no good results and are in vain and injurious, because contrary to the Word of God. Note the clear distinction made between such religious ceremonies and the truth. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness." — 2 Timothy 2:15,16.
The word here rendered "profane" means heathenish. Religion is heathenish and is a reproach to the name of Almighty God. The words "vain" and "babblings" translate the same root word, and both mean empty, fruitless, and therefore detrimental. The theory
of "human evolution" could not possibly lead to righteousness, but rather to increase selfishness, arrogance, and disobedience to God. Evolution denies the creation of man as stated in the Bible, and the theory is equivalent to saying, "There is no Almighty God." Religious ceremonies that pay tribute, honor or praise to any creature are likewise contrary to God's will and are degrading and reproach Jehovah's name. Many persons sincerely indulge in fixed religious ceremonies and think that by so doing the same will bring to them good results. But such persons are woefully deceived. To lean to the information or instruction of men, to the effect that any kind of religion is good just so the person sincerely believes it, not only is harmful but leads to destruction.
If one desires to be taught in the right way he must not follow the teachings of men, which teachings are contrary to God's Word, nor even lean to his own theories. To prate about, talk about or participate in such things as religion and evolution, is vain babbling. God's instruction to those who would find the right way is this: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord, and depart from evil." — Proverbs 3:5-7.
Sane persons desire to live, because without life nothing else could be enjoyed. How may one get life? Jesus answers: "This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17: 3) To know means to receive and perceive the truth. Where is the truth concerning life to be found? Jesus answers: "Thy word is truth" (John 17:17) ; which means that the truth concerning life is found only in the Word of God the Creator. To receive and perceive the truth one begins to gain knowledge. God's visible creation imparts information or knowledge that a mighty power, far above man, exists. (Psalm 19:2) The sincere person would fear to offend that great power: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." — Proverbs 1: 7.
The fear of God, therefore, is the beginning of knowledge. How does such a person become wise? One becomes truly wise by receiving and perceiving the truth of God as set forth in his Word, and then by pursuing a course of action in harmony with that knowledge. Pear of God, therefore, is the beginning of true knowledge, and also the beginning of wisdom. The "fear of God" means to believe that Jehovah is the Almighty Creator, from whom all good proceeds, and therefore one fears or dreads to pursue any course that is contrary to God's
will. The wise person is he who is diligent to do that which is pleasing to God, perceiving that God grants his favor of life everlasting only to those who joyfully do his will: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased." (Proverbs 9:10,11) "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." — Psalm 111:10.
Mark that the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom; and that fear of God must continue in the heart and mind of the person who would please him. Such person must first have some knowledge of God and his purpose, and then, by taking the course pointed out by God's Word, that person begins to grow wise. When he appreciates God's instruction as set forth in the Bible, and then shows that appreciation by his obedience, he begins to have understanding. Knowledge, wisdom and understanding, therefore, are progressive and advance in this order: First knowledge, then wisdom, then understanding. By "understanding" is meant the creature's proper appreciation of the relationship he bears to the great Creator, Almighty God.
To further illustrate the point: The child beholds the stars and planets at night, and
his reasoning faculties conclude the star did not make itself, it is not the result of evolution, but the great and mighty One made all stars and planets. To himself he says: 'I would like to know more about the Creator and his purpose, and I would fear to do anything that displeases him.' That is the beginning of knowledge. The child then learns that the Bible contains the Word of God. He seeks and studies the Bible and gains more information and knowledge and begins to follow the course pointed out by the Scriptures as to what he shall do, fearing lest he should go wrong, fearing to displease God; and that is the beginning of wisdom. Then he begins to see and appreciate that God is the Almighty One, and that he, the child, is but a small creature, and that God's goodness and mercy are extended to all creatures who know and obey him; and then he tries to obey, and thus he gains understanding. He is appreciating his relationship to the almighty Creator, Jehovah.
To the child or person who has faith in God and who desires to learn of him, the Almighty says: "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul, discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee." — Proverbs 2:1-11.
Discretion would require such a person to follow the way God has pointed out; and understanding, which is a proper appreciation of the relationship between the creature and the Creator, will keep one in the right way.
Parents who have covenanted to do the will of God have a special responsibility resting upon them concerning their children. That responsibility cannot be side-stepped or avoided by placing their children under another to be instructed, and particularly when that other person, the teacher, is not "in the Lord". Parents are the ones who brought their children into the world, and it is their duty and responsibility to teach their children. There is but one right way to teach them, and that is in harmony with God's Word and what is contained in the
Word of God. They should avoid teaching them anything that is contrary to God's Word. Hence they must avoid and shun evolution concerning men, and shun religion, because it is false.
When?
When shall the parents begin to teach their children? Preparation should be made before the child is born, by properly informing themselves. From the time the child is born it should be taught obedience, because to obey that which is right is essential to life. Obedience in small things, as well as in the more weighty matters, should be required of the child. As the child increases in years and in ability to receive and perceive the truth, the parents should enlarge upon the teaching of that child, particularly concerning the Word of God.
The foundation of the child's education must be laid in the Word of God, because that is the one way that leads to life everlasting. In order to be equipped to teach their children, the parents must first learn. For their own good, and for the good of their children, the parents must faithfully keep their covenant with God, and that covenant includes learning for themselves and teaching the child God's commandments. In this connection note the following instruction: "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that
fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all." — Psalm 103:17-19.
Teaching of children by the parents that which is contained in the Word of God will result to them in the greatest of all blessings; and hence such is the greatest blessing the parent can bestow upon the children. Generally those of the world who are parents desire to provide their children with a college education and a training in religion, commerce, and politics, with the ability to make money and shine in the world. Good that is enduring does not result from such worldly teaching. It is of far greater importance to the child to teach it God's Word, that it may gain knowledge, wisdom and understanding, which lead to endless blessings: "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" (Proverbs 16:16) "Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." — Proverbs 8:10,11.
He who follows the course of religion, politics and commerce usually ends his career in sorrow. He who pursues the course of wisdom, which is pointed out by God's
Word, receives the blessings of the Lord and enters into everlasting joy: "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich; and he addeth no sorrow with it." (Proverbs 10:22) "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding: for the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is every one that retaineth her." — Proverbs 3:13-18.
Where?
Shall the child be sent to the Sunday school of some religious organization to there receive instruction? No; for the reason that religious organizations do not teach the Bible, which is the way of righteousness. If the parents love their children they must and will instruct them at home in the Word of God and will take their children with them to the class or company where the Bible is carefully and systematically studied, and there require the children to sit quietly and learn; and when they have advanced sufficiently they will let the children participate in the study. Such is the
rule which God has made known, and that is the only proper rule to follow. The rule or rules which God made known to the Israelites, his typical chosen people, apply to all persons who enter into a covenant with God to do his will. These rules, applying to the typical people, with stronger reasoning apply to the antitypical. When a person believes that God is the Almighty and that Christ Jesus, the beloved Son of God, is the Redeemer of men, and when that person relies upon these truths and willingly agrees to do the will of God, that person then and there covenants to do what God's Word commands him to do. God's rules do not change, even as he does not change. (Malachi 3:6) Therefore the rules announced in his Word from Genesis to Revelation apply to those who have agreed to do God's will. God is the great Teacher or Instructor, by and through Christ Jesus, of all His people; and the rules relative to such instruction apply to all persons who have agreed to do God's will, even as it is written: "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." — Ephesians 3:14,15.
What, then, are the rules which God has announced concerning the parents and their responsibility to teach their children? Let the Word of God answer: "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest
thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life; but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; specially the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the Lord said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children." — Deuteronomy 4: 9,10.
After announcing to his covenant people the rules which they must obey God says to them: "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates; that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth." — Deuteronomy 11:18-21.
Note these specific commandments concerning the teaching of the children: "Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever,
when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord thy God." (Deuteronomy 12:28) "And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law." — Deuteronomy 32:46.
The parents who have agreed to do the will of God must teach their children to love God: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes." — Deuteronomy 6: 5-8.
To 'love God', as commanded in verse five above, means to be unselfishly devoted to doing the will of God, and doing so with a genuine delight. "If ye love me, keep my commandments." "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." (John 14:15; 15:10) Jesus emphasized the necessity of obeying God's commandments. (Matthew 22: 37-40)
Parents who love God will keep always in mind concerning their children that the life of the child is involved and that it is of the greatest importance that the child should be instructed from its youth onward as to what God requires of those who shall find life everlasting.
Human Laws
Nations enact laws, and it is the duty of parents and children to obey all such laws as are in harmony with God's law, because such is right. Laws are made for transgressors, but if one always does that which is right, according to God's law, he will not be a transgressor of either the law of man or the law of God. Suppose the state enacts a law, and the keeping of that law by a child who is in covenant with God would make the child an idolater and hence a violator of God's law, what shall the child do? God's law provides that all who practice idolatry shall be everlastingly destroyed. Human laws, that is, laws of nations, punish those who disobey their laws, and sometimes the punishment is death. As to what a person in a covenant with God shall do under such circumstances Jesus gave the correct answer, a similar question being propounded to him: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Mark 12:17) "Caesar" here stands for the state, nation, or human laws. The law of God
is supreme. All human laws that are valid derive their authority from God's law. One must choose to obey either the law of man or the law of God, and those in a covenant with God and having agreed to do his will must obey the law of God, if they would live. Such is the Scriptural authority, and that authority is controlling so far as persons who have made a covenant to do God's will are concerned. (Acts 3: 22, 23; 4:19, 20; 5:29; Daniel 3:15-28) The person who is always diligent to obey God's law, and who does obey God's law, will never infract any law of any state that is just, proper and right.
Parents are often required to suffer punishment because they teach their children the Word of God, but such suffering does not deter them from teaching the child what God has commanded. If the parents or children are punished by the state for rendering obedience unto God's law, then that suffering is suffering for righteousness' sake: "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing than for evil doing." — 1 Peter 3:13, 14,17.
Punishment being inflicted upon the children of God because they obey his command-
merits will receive due attention from the Lord himself, and in his own due time he will recompense those who punish the children for obeying God's law. He will avenge his faithful servants, and his due time for doing so is just at hand. — Luke 18:7,8.
It has ever been the practice of Satan to put the fear of man into the heart and mind of Christians, and this he has done in his endeavor to turn them away from God. The true child of God has no fear of what man or Devil may do to him, because he knows that the fear of man leads into the snare of the Devil. (Proverbs 29:25) The greatest punishment human laws can inflict upon one is death. The greatest punishment God inflicts upon the violators of his law and covenant is complete destruction. Christians who suffer death at the hands of the state because they obey God, such persons are guaranteed a resurrection out of death by the power of the Lord. Therefore Jesus admonishes the Christian in these words: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." — Matthew 10:28.
If the child of God is put to death because he obeys the law of God, which is supreme, God will not forget that faithful soul but will raise him up out of death and grant to that faithful one life everlasting. Fear God, and live.
Obey
All parents who are consecrated to God, and hence in a covenant to do God's will, must obey his commandments; and one command concerning their children is this: "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." — Ephesians 6:4.
"Nurture" means to discipline and train the child in the way of righteousness; and such way of righteousness God has marked out in his Word. 'Admonish' means to teach and instruct, to counsel and advise, the children of and in accord with the will of God as set forth in the Scriptures. The parents who love their children will not neglect to obey this injunction of the Scriptures. They will see to it that their children receive instruction as God has commanded. If the parents claim to love and serve God, and at the same time fail or refuse to teach their children the Word of God, such course of the parents is certain to cause the children to lose respect for the parents, and thus the parents will be provoking their children to do wrong or to wrath. For this reason the admonition is given to the parents to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Gathering His Own
The present is the time when the Lord is gathering his "other sheep", which shall form the "great multitude". Both parents and children are of the "other sheep". Both should walk together with the Lord, seeking always to know and to do the will of God. The hope of the parents and of the children who are Jonadabs or persons of good-will is that they may live forever on the earth, serving and praising God and his King. Rendering themselves now in obedience to the Lord's law their hope is to be forever together, that is to say, real partners or companions in doing righteous deeds to the glory of God and his King. That companionship should begin now, and both parents and children should together study the Word of God and be diligent to obey his commandments and to inform others who will hear, of the blessings that await all who obey God and his King. God has laid this great obligation upon the parents, even as he laid a similar obligation upon his typical people.
First take note of what the Lord says to all those who would find the way of life: "Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. . . . which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them
from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments." — Psalm 78:1-7.
The consecrated parents who make confidants of their children will take their children to the company studies where the Bible is studied, and both will have a part in the study. Also they will pursue their studies of the Scriptures together in the home, and will talk about the Lord and his kingdom as they go about their work. Also they will go together in the witness work from house to house, telling the people of God's gracious provision for those who love and obey him. Parents who pursue this course win the highest respect of their children and set them an example and lead them in the way to the fountain of life. Both have in mind the same great objective, that is, looking forward to the day of their deliverance from unrighteousness and when righteousness shall fill the earth, to the glory of God
and to the good of all who obey THE THEOCRACY.
Children Witnesses
A child of tender years often shows itself as a good and effective witness for Jehovah and his King. The child mind is free from errors of religion, if it is receiving proper training at home from consecrated parents. Naturally that child speaks to others of the most important thing in its mind, and the most important thing is the Kingdom and the vindication of Jehovah's name. In simple phrase the child tells of the blessings that are soon to come to mankind through THE THEOCRACY, and that testimony given by a child is frequently received by elder persons, as well as others, and by them given deep consideration. On many occasions children have brought the Kingdom message to grownups in such a simple and forceful manner that grownups could not fail to consider it. The consecrated parents will teach their children to be witnesses to the name and kingdom of God.
The Lord made a marvelous picture foretelling exactly what is today observed by those who love God and his kingdom. Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem in the manner that ancient kings presented themselves to the people. (Matthew 21: 2-16) Men, women and children hailed Jesus as King, thus publicly giving testimony that they recog-
nized and accepted Christ Jesus as man's King and Deliverer. That was a prophetic picture, the fulfillment of which is now in progress, when Christ the King has come and sits in judgment and is separating his "other sheep" from those who are against him. As the great King he is now enthroned, and his reign has begun. That prophetic picture points to the present when men, women and children now recognize and hail Christ Jesus as the great King of The THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT which shall rule the world in righteousness and bless all obedient ones. As it was in the picture, so it is now in reality. Christ the King has come, and his "other sheep" are proclaiming his name and praises: "And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!" — Matthew 21:8, 9.
After riding into the city, as shown in the prophetic picture, Jesus went into the temple and there the multitude, including the children, followed him. Their presence there offended the religious leaders, even as today the testimony of the multitude, including minor children, offends the reli-
gious leaders. Now Jesus is in the temple and the children cry out, hailing him as King and Deliverer. Mark the words of Jesus speaking then, and which words apply now with greater force and effect: "And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David 1 they were sore displeased, and said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?" (Matthew 21:15,16) Encourage your children now to be witnesses and their testimony will be effective.
The hour has now come when children who are taught and who love God and his King will give the greatest witness to the name of Jehovah and his King that has yet been given. These little ones who now fearlessly and faithfully proclaim the name of the great THEOCRACY and continue faithfully to do so are certain to receive the approval of the Lord and be granted an everlasting inheritance in this earth, here to enjoy endless life, peace and joy beyond anything man has ever known. This is the most favorable time children have ever had on earth, because it is the time when they may serve God in sincerity and in truth and bear testimony to his name and his kingdom.
Requirements
To receive God's approval his covenant people must meet his requirements. "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice." (1 Samuel 15:22) Faith, faithfulness and obedience are required of all who shall receive life. The servant of God inquires: "Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? . . . He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" — Micah 6: 6, 8.
"Parents in the Lord" will be diligent to obey God by 'bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord', as commanded. They will teach their chil-
dren to be obedient, and particularly to love and obey the commandments of God and Christ. Together they will study God's commandments in the home, that they may understand them and that they may obey the Lord. This done, parents and children will walk together in righteousness with God, that is, in the way he has commanded. Being diligent to seek righteousness and to be guided by God's Word, they will be guided in the right way: "The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." (Psalm 25: 9,10) To his "other sheep", who in this day walk according to the commandment of the Lord, he will give protection until his wrath be overpast.
The children of tender years, as well as the older ones, who have given their sincere, heart devotion to God and his King, and who in obedience to the Lord's commandment continue faithfully and joyfully to bear testimony to his name and to the kingdom of the great THEOCRAT, will soon see the earth cleansed of all wickedness, which will come in the expression of God's wrath leveled against Satan's entire organization. During that time of greatest crisis God will keep in the hollow of his hand and under his complete protection all those that
love and serve him faithfully. For centuries a great divine mandate has waited God's due time to be carried into full effect. After Armageddon the faithful "other sheep", who will form the "great multitude", will come forth from their place where God has hidden and protected them, and they shall be advanced to a place under the capital organization and given a service of great importance in the favor of the Lord. The Lord will assign them to a place prepared for the "great multitude" from the time of Eden, and, performing their assigned duty, they will participate in the vindication of the name of the Most High. Today the greatest favor to children is to know God and Christ Jesus and to be witnesses to the name of Jehovah and to his glorious government, THE THEOCRACY.
"Permit me to make this observation, Eunice, concerning the capital organization of Jehovah: The Scriptures, as we have learned, show that the marriage of man and woman pictures the relationship of Christ and his church. Christ Jesus is the Bridegroom, and the body members collectively constitute his bride. It is written to the faithful followers of Christ Jesus by the Lord's true servant: 'I have espoused you to one husband, that I may
present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.' (2 Corinthians 11:2) Now, Eunice, I remind you that you have agreed to be my wife, and since seeing the relationship of Christ and his bride we appreciate more than ever the beauty and sacredness of such relationship. I am grateful to the Lord that I am to have the companion of my youth, who has always been so faithful, soon to be my wife and companion, that together we may forever serve the Lord. By His grace we will bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It now seems to be the appropriate time to name the day when we shall consummate our marriage contract. Shall we do so?"
"You are very kind and considerate, dear John. Our hope is that we shall be of the 'great multitude' that shall forever serve the King of Eternity. Before consummating our marriage and beginning to bring children into the world, would it not be well for us to learn more from the Scriptures about what position or place the 'great multitude' will have in God's gracious and blessed arrangement, and whether that multitude shall rear children?"
"Yes, Eunice dear, that is a timely suggestion. In our next study let us ascertain from the Scriptures, if we can, what the Lord will have the 'great multitude' to do, both now and in the future. We must thus
be instructed, that we may properly teach our children, if the good Lord permits us to have children."
