ST. PAUL was one of the inspired witnesses of God who wrote a portion of the Lord's Word. At the time St. Paul wrote more than four thousand years had passed since the tragedy of Eden. During that period the peoples had suffered, and continue to suffer, bodily pain and mental anguish, sorrow, sickness and death, being in bondage to the great oppressor. Knowing of this, and having likewise experienced much of it, St. Paul wrote: "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." (Romans 8:22) At the same time, quoting from the Prophet Isaiah, he said: "There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer." — Romans 11: 26.

Zion is the name applied to God's organization. It is plainly written that out from God's organization, Zion, shall come the Deliverer of the human race. If a man really believes that Jehovah God exists and that he is the Almighty God, the Most High, the Creator of heaven and earth, that he is all powerful and is the very expression of love, and that he has promised deliverance to the human race, then why should man look to any other source for deliverance? It is clearly manifest that Satan the enemy, for a selfish purpose, has deceived mankind, and that in selfishness and wickedness he has strenuously opposed every effort looking to man's relief. It must appeal to every reasonable

mind that none other, aside from Almighty God, through his organization, can provide deliverance of man from his enemies.

Evolutionists teach that the remedy for man's uplift is by his own efforts, and that he needs no Savior or Deliverer. Such teaching is not only unreasonable but upon the face of it shows that it emanates from the Devil, and that he puts forth such a theory for the very purpose of deceiving the people and turning them away from God and away from his plan for man's deliverance. Every sane man, from experience as well as from observation, knows that he and all other men are imperfect. Not only that, but every one must know that he is sinful. How can man be relieved from these imperfections? God answers: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." — Isa. 1:18.

The fact that God asked man to reason with him shows that he is not going to arbitrarily deliver man and give to him blessings without man's consent. If the destiny of man is fixed, without regard to whether he accepts or rejects the provision made for him, then there would be no occasion for him to reason with the Lord. This for ever puts to silence the theory of predestination of every creature.

Furthermore, the fact that God invites man to reason upon the question of his salvation is conclusive proof that God's plan for man's salvation is reasonable, not a foolish one as some would make it appear. Again, the Devil deceives many who say: "No matter what a man believes, just so long as he is honest in his belief, that is sufficient. The belief of one is as good as that of an-

other." One man says: "My parents were good Catholics, and their religion is good enough for me." Another says: "My mother was a Methodist, and her religion is good enough for me." The parents of both the Catholic and the Methodist may have been equally honest; but it is absolutely certain that both could not have been right, because their theories of salvation are very different. How then should we determine what to do? The Lord answers: 'Come, reason with me in the light of my Word, and I will show you the way to life.' Jesus adds: "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." — John 17:3.

To reason means to arrive at a just conclusion, by starting at a premise or fixed basis and step by step applying the known facts according to fixed principles or rules of action.

The question at issue is the salvation of man. The premise is: Man is imperfect, in a dying condition, suffering in his present condition and desiring deliverance therefrom. That is conceded by all. The conclusion is: God's plan provides for complete relief, by arranging for deliverance of man from all these disabilities and for his complete restoration to life and happiness. The facts upon which this conclusion is reached are set forth in the Word of God, the Bible, which is true because it is the Word of the Infinite and Eternal One. These facts are supplemented by things that each intelligent person sees and experiences.

A principle is a rule of action. The primary attributes that are inherent in Jehovah are wisdom, justice, love and power, working always harmoniously.

Man was created in the image and likeness of God,

in that God endowed him with these attributes of wisdom, justice, love and power. While it is true that man failed and is greatly degenerated, yet every sane, intelligent man in some degree retains the image of God and possesses in a small degree some justice, some wisdom, some love and some power. These attributes he must learn to exercise harmoniously. He cannot exercise them perfectly, but he can exercise them to some extent nevertheless.

That which goes to make up every man is mind, will, heart and organism. The mind is that faculty of the being by which man searches out facts, weighs and considers those facts, and reaches a conclusion.

Will is that faculty by which man determines to do or not to do certain things. It is the faculty of determination, a determination after the mind has considered the facts and reached a conclusion.

Heart, as used herein, does not mean the organ which propels the blood through the arteries; but the word is used symbolically, and denotes that faculty of the man which induces action. It is the seat of motive. It is the seat of affection and love. Man is said to have a bad heart when it appears that his motive in acting is evil. He is said to have a good heart when it appears that his motive in acting is good.

No creature can exist without an organism. A human body of flesh is the organism of man, and the breath of life in that organism animates the organism and causes all the faculties to function. Hence we read that God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into him the breath of lives, and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7) Every man is a soul. It has been the fraudulent teachings of Satan and his agencies that

have induced men to believe that man possesses a soul, and that the soul is the immortal part of him.

Wisdom, justice, love and power are attributes of the creature. They are faculties of the mind. In these attributes man is like unto God. Every man is a character. No man possesses a character, even as he does rot possess a soul. When a man is good or bad it is said of him that he is a good character or that he is a bad character, because he is either a good or a bad man. A perfect character is a being possessing all of these four attributes in equal and exact balance. God is the perfect character. The primary attributes are equally balanced in him, and they always work in exact harmony.

God created man with the purpose of giving him everlasting life on earth. Wisdom provided that man must first be put to the test before being granted the prize of life everlasting. The test was: Would man be true and faithful to God? Adam was put to the test and failed.

Justice demanded that Adam forfeit his life because he had violated the law of God, and justice must see to it that the law is enforced. Man could not be excused for his wilful wrong-doing without violating justice. Justice alone operating would destroy man for ever. Love, which is the perfect expression of unselfishness, provided for man's redemption and deliverance and that all the obedient ones, under the test, would be given the blessings of restitution to human perfection and be granted life everlasting. Thus it is seen that wisdom, justice and love were acting in exact harmony. Power carries into operation the plan of God. The

four attributes of Jehovah therefore work always in harmony and always in equal and exact balance.

It must be conceded that the All-wise Creator had a plan from the beginning. Satan being the one who for selfish reasons induced man to violate God's law, it would follow that he would oppose every step in the execution of the Lord's plan which looks to the redemption and deliverance of man. Furthermore it would follow that every suggested plan for man's deliverance, which is contrary to God's plan, is from the Devil; and is advanced by him for the very purpose of turning away the minds of men from the plan of God. God's plan is right and reasonable. None other is reasonable. It is therefore easily seen that all the remedies suggested by men are not only unreasonable but have proceeded from the Devil, and are injected into the minds of men in order to keep men from considering God's plan.

There would be no necessity for more than one plan of action for man's blessing. It is conceded that there are thousands of man-made plans held before the people. The reasonable mind must at once conclude that none of these are right, because they are unreasonable and because they are all different; and when he sees the real reason for them he sees they are all suggested by the evil one. This should cause the intelligent man to more carefully seek to understand the divine plan and its outworkings. Therefore God invites man to come and reason with him. He says: If you do this it matters not how wicked you have been, I will show you the right way; and if you follow my way I will make you as white as the bleached wool and as pure as the snow from heaven.

Now let us reason upon God's plan as set forth in

the Bible. Man finds himself in an unhappy condition, sick, suffering and dying. What is the reason? God answers: Adam sinned and was justly sentenced to death. This took place before any of his children were born. All of his offspring were born imperfect and inherited from Adam imperfection, therefore all came under condemnation. Condemnation means to be disapproved. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5: 12) "I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." — Psalm 51: 5.

Why would God permit all to be born in sin? This is answered by the scripture: "But the scripture has shut up together all under sin, in order that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to the believers." (Galatians 3:22, Diaglott) Of course an imperfect child would spring from an imperfect father. In wisdom and in love God provided in his plan for redemption of man, and the redemption price is valuable for the entire human race. St. Paul thus puts it: "Therefore, as by the offense 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." — Romans 5:18,19.

Justification to life is a gift from God. The first thing essential to a gift is knowledge. No man could accept a gift without knowing that the thing was offered to him. God has provided that his intelligent creatures shall have knowledge. He presents this knowledge to man in at least three ways: (1) by precept, which means the commandments or the authoritative rule of action, or his expressed will as set forth in his

Word, the Bible (2) by example, which means that which corresponds with or resembles something else which is to be followed; a pattern or picture, such as shadows and types as hereinbefore defined, and including the use of men for the purpose of teaching lessons to other men; and (3) by experience, including both enjoyment and suffering.

The Lord has spread this course of learning over a wide range; and now at the end of the age, where we now are, God has shed greater light upon his Word and upon the transpiring incidents, that those who desire to know may have a knowledge of the outworking of his plan. (1 Corinthians 10:11) For this reason it is now possible to understand much about the Scriptures that heretofore were not understandable by men. The student therefore has the keenest interest in watching the majestic steps of the Almighty God, as he unfolds his great plan leading up to the selection of him who shall deliver the human race. Also it is of interest to mark Satan's attempt to interfere with God's purpose.

The first clear proof that God was beginning to work out his plan for man's cleansing and deliverance is found in the promise made to Abraham, in which the Lord said to Abraham: "In thy seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed." This promise must mean that God intends to arrange for the removal of man's disabilities; and then to restore him, if obedient, to the conditions enjoyed before the tragedy of Eden. This promised blessing must come through the seed. The seed must be developed and made manifest before the blessing could begin. Who then is the seed? St. Paul answers the question: "Now to Abraham and his seed

were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." — Galatians 3:16.

Christ means anointed one. The anointed one means him who is clothed with authority to do certain things. We must then understand that God would clothe some one with authority to bring to mankind the blessings which he has promised. Messiah means the same as Christ. The Jews have long looked for their Messiah to come, and through him the bringing to them of the promised blessings. The typical people of God, when in Egyptian bondage, represented all the human family in bondage to the Devil and to his organization. Moses delivered the people from the hands of the wicked Pharaoh, and in thus doing he pictured Christ or the Messiah who shall deliver all mankind from Satan and the evil resulting from his influence. Moses said that he was a type of the great Messiah or Deliverer. He said that such an one, when he came, would be clothed with authority to speak in the name of God; and that the people must obey him in order to have the promised blessings. Moses told the people that God had said to him:

"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him." — Deuteronomy 18:18,19.

When Jacob was on his deathbed he uttered a prophecy, showing that the Deliverer must come through the house of Judah. (Genesis 49:10) David was a descen-

dant of the tribe of Judah. He was anointed to be king over Israel. His name means beloved. He was a type of the mighty One who would deliver the human race. It is written of David that he was a man after God's own heart. (Acts 13:22; 1 Samuel 13:14) Why was David a man after God's own heart, seeing that David was guilty of the crime against Uriah? For that crime God punished him. But the reason he was a man after God's own heart was that he never for one moment turned away from the true God to serve any other gods. The Devil was never able to seduce David to worship idols. David was always faithful and true to Jehovah. He did not at any time compromise the Lord's righteous cause with that of the unrighteousness of Satan's organization. Be it noted here that David also pictures that class of creatures who will be found approved by the Lord. No one will ever have God's approval and be accepted as a member of his kingdom who turns away from worshiping, either directly or indirectly, the true God; or who lends aid, counsel, comfort or support to any part of the Devil's organization. He who has the approval of the Lord God must be absolutely faithful to the Lord.

Satan used every means at his command to destroy David, but God prevented him from so doing. "But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. The Philistines also came, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up; for I will doubtless deliver the

Philistines into thine hand. And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim." — 2 Samuel 5:17-20.

God gave David the victory over the nations who were enemies to Israel, and over them who were his personal enemies. "And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song, in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, ... In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God; and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears, . . . He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eyesight.

"With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them

down. For thou art my lamp, 0 Lord; and the Lord will lighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried; he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip." — 2 Samuel 22:1, 7,18-37.

Jehovah limited the promise of the coming Deliverer to the house of David, and therefore we must expect to find in the sacred record that he who is to be the Deliverer is of the house of David. "The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, he will not turn from it: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore." — Psalm 133: 11, 12.

The Lord God did not permit David to build the temple, because he was a man of war and had shed blood. But David was always faithful to God, and because of that faithfulness God subsequently favored one of David's descendants, as it is written: "Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite." —1 Kings 15:5.

David assembled the people of his realm to tell them

about the house of the Lord, or the temple, which he had intended to build. "Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: but God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. Howbeit the Lord God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me, to make me king over all Israel: and of all my sons (for the Lord hath given me many sons) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. Moreover, I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day." — 1 Chronicles 28:2-7.

Then David, as the anointed of the Lord, therefore as a mouthpiece of the Lord, said unto Solomon his son, who had been selected to rule over Israel: "And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever." — 1 Chronicles 28:9.

The reign of Solomon was marked with peace. His wisdom and riches exceeded those of any man of his time. Other nations came and paid him homage and tribute. But the wily enemy Satan was not idle. He found a way to overreach the wise ruler. It seems quite evident that woman is an easy instrument in the hands of the Devil. He used Eve to cause trouble in Eden. Ascertaining the peculiar weakness of Solomon, the enemy Satan surrounded him with a company of attractive women. The daughter of Pharaoh, one of the Devil's representatives, became Solomon's wife. Besides this woman he had other heathen wives, to the number of seven hundred. These women, who were devil worshipers, were used by the Devil to turn Solomon's mind away from the great Jehovah God. Solomon became an idolater and worshiped the Devil and lost the great opportunity that was set before him.

Concerning the deflection of King Solomon, and the withdrawal from him of the right to the promise of God, it is written: "But king Solomon loved many strange women, (together with the daughter of Pharaoh,) women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods. Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after

Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

"And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem; and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense, and sacrificed unto their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded. Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it, for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, which I have chosen."  — 1 Kings 11: 1-13.

Probably Satan thought he had won the victory by overreaching this wise ruler of Israel to whom the promise of God had been made. But not so. Jehovah cannot be defeated. He held the tribe of Judah in his hand to use according to his purpose. It is written concerning David and his sons: "And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon."

(2 Samuel 5:14) His son Nathan therefore became the line through which the promised seed came.

A barren woman amongst the Jews was a reproach, because the Jews were in expectancy of the birth of a son who would be the king of their nation and who would drive out their enemies and deliver them into full freedom. Prophetically Isaiah had written of such a king and his power. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." — Isaiah 9: 6.

In the city of Nazareth in the land of Galilee there dwelt a virgin named Mary. She was a direct descendant of Nathan, one of the sons of David, therefore of the house of David and of the tribe of Judah. At the time she was espoused to Joseph, who was also of the tribe of Judah, of the house of David and a descendant of Solomon. Unto this humble Hebrew woman the Lord God sent his angel Gabriel: "And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this

be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The holy spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." — Luke 1:28-35.

Satan, having access to heaven and watching the movements of the righteous messengers of God, would be on the alert to learn anything concerning the "seed of promise". He must have known of this mighty angel coming from the courts of heaven to visit the virgin of Galilee. He must have heard the announcement to her that she was to conceive and give birth to a son and that this son would be the "seed of promise" which in due time would destroy the Devil and his works. In keeping with his wickedness Satan began to lay his plans to have the babe destroyed. Mark the subtle and wicked way that he went about it.

Under the law a woman guilty of adultery was subject to be stoned to death. (Leviticus 20:10) Being espoused to Joseph Mary was, under the Jewish arrangement, then to all intents and purposes his wife and subject to the law. Satan sought to have Joseph make a public exhibition of her, which would have meant that she would have been publicly executed; and by so doing the unborn child would have been killed. But the Lord God thwarted Satan's purposes. Joseph, being a just man, had no desire to make a public example of Mary by having her brought before the executors and stoned to death, but had determined in his own mind to privately rid himself of her.

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph,

before they came together, she was found with child of the holy spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the holy spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." — Matthew 1:18-21.

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

This is a day of great inventions; because it is the day the Lord foretold by his prophet. (Daniel 12:4) The radio and airships are amongst the marvels of the age. Imagine the curtains of night having been drawn and silence brooding like a silent spirit over the earth. In the quietness of his bed-chamber a man rests, but sleep is gone from his eyes. Stretching out his arm he touches the dial of his receiving set and turns it. There come to him from some unseen place the strains of sweet music, telling of the glory of God and the marvelous provision made by him for the blessing of mankind. His heart responds in gladness. Then suddenly through the thick darkness there also bursts a flood of light, and he beholds in the canopy above him a great fleet of airships illuminated with myriads of lights and carrying a multitude of sweet singers. The music and the lights thrill his soul and he instinctively cries out: "How wonderful, how marvelous!" But this illustration is inadequate. It pales into insignificance

when compared with what transpired on the night of the birth of Jesus.

Four thousand years had sped by since the tragedy in Eden. Two thousand years had gone since God had called to Abraham and said: "I will multiply thy seed as the stars in heaven and as the sands upon the seashore; in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." During all that period of time the peoples of earth had groaned in pain and travailed in suffering, waiting for the time of deliverance. Throughout that period the angels of heaven, in harmony with God, had been watching for the birth of him who would be the Savior of the world. The time drew on when this great event was to transpire.

The earthly preparation was simple and is told in a few words. No amount of preparation that man could have made would have added any dignity or honor to that occasion. The Lord God saw to it that not one of the Devil's earthly representatives was permitted to witness the birth of his beloved One. The Pharisees and other ecclesiastics of that day posed before the people as the representatives of God, even as the clergy do now; but not one of these was called to witness the birth of the Redeemer of man. On the contrary God selected a few plain and honest watchmen of sheep to be the witnesses to this unparalleled event. In heaven the preparation was on a more elaborate scale. To Gabriel had been assigned the honorable duty of journeying from the courts of Jehovah as bearer of the message to the virgin Mary that she should bear a son who would deliver the peoples from their enemies and restore the obedient ones to full fellowship with God. Nine months had elapsed since the delivery of

that all-important message. In the meantime Gabriel had returned to heaven and doubtless communed with many others of the holy angels of heaven, advising them of his commission to earth. There are millions of such glorious creatures before the throne of God. (Daniel 7:10) The great Jehovah would issue the order for the organization of a multitude of the heavenly host to act as a guard of honor to accompany the special messenger to earth, there to testify to the birth of his beloved Son. There must have been tremendous rejoicing in heaven and songs of boundless praise to God when this mighty throng began its journey to earth. Probably some few days would be required to make the journey from the Pleiades to the earth; and while the heavenly messengers proceeded on their way the stage on earth was being set.

Joseph and Mary, responding to the decree of Caesar to report for the purpose of being taxed, were on their way to Bethlehem. Joseph was a man of small means, but honest; and above all he served Jehovah God. He would not have a great retinue of servants with him, nor would the populace hail him by the way and bow before him or kiss his toe. How unlike men of the present time who think they are charged with some exalted duty and privilege! With his virgin wife seated upon an ass, and with staff in hand, he trudged by her side over the hills and through the valleys, unaccompanied by visible attendants. Satan knew where this blessed man and woman were going, and the reason why; and without a doubt he would have slain them by the way had not God prevented him. It is equally certain that some of the holy angels of heaven were delegated to walk by the side of Joseph and his bride,

and when they stopped to rest these messengers would encamp about them and guard them from the assaults of the enemy and save them from all harm. — Psa. 34: 7.

After a few days of hard journeying they arrived at Bethlehem, late in the evening, and found all the available space in the lodging houses occupied. Prom place to place they went and applied, and each time being turned away they finally found a place to rest where the cattle were usually housed. What a fit place for the Savior of the world to be born!

It was night time. The shepherds had gathered their flocks into the corral and were keeping watch lest the wild beasts should carry some away. These were plain, humble but kindly men; otherwise the Lord would not have used them. They were familiar with the promises God had made to their forefathers. It is not unreasonable to think that even at that very time they were recounting to each other these promises and discussing the future, that some day the Lord would send to them a King who would deliver them from the Roman yoke. They would be familiar with the prophecies concerning the coming of the King and Deliverer; and with no light by which they might read, and while they must be awake and watching, they would sit and talk about the things dear to their hearts.

The hour had now come. The heavenly throng was flue. God does everything on time. In the van of this marching heavenly host was one mighty angel of God, to whom had been delegated the authority to announce the birth of the beloved Son. Probably this angel was Gabriel; because he had been sent on the previous mission to Mary. As they came near to Bethlehem, doubtless the multitude halted while the leader of that heaven-

ly company advanced and made announcement to the humble men who were to be the witnesses of the birth of Jesus. The shepherds watched their flocks, waiting for the dawn of day. "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 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." — Luke 2:9-11.

The glory of the Lord shone round about these shepherds; and that glory must have been a great light in the heavens, because usually the glory of the Lord appeared unto witnesses in this manner. (Acts 9:3) That was a far more wonderful and beautiful light than all the illuminated fleets of airplanes that could fly over cities in modern times. Then there fell upon the ears of that shepherd company sweet strains of music such as no mortal ear had ever heard. It was a song of the mighty host of angels that had accompanied this special one from heaven. This chief messenger who had made the announcement was now joined by a multitude of the heavenly host singing praises to God; and this is what the shepherds heard: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." — Luke 2:14.

Not only was that a sweet and melodious song but it was a prophecy that he who was born at that hour in the city of David would in God's due time vindicate the name of his Father, bring peace on earth and establish good will between and toward all men. This song of the multitude of angels must have been wafted back to heaven and there joined in by all the holy ones before the throne of the Almighty God. As the sweet

anthem thundered on through space the very stars and planets would dance for joy and join in the song of praise. We are told that they did this very thing when God laid the foundation of the earth as a place for the habitation of perfect man. (Job 38: 7) How much more must they have sung the songs of praise when he was born who would save mankind and make earth a fit place in which to live!

Who was this One now born in the manger at Bethlehem, and whence had he come? The record of God is that in the beginning he was the Logos. He was the first and only direct creation of God. Thereafter he was the active agent of Jehovah in creating all things that were created. In obedience to the will of Almighty God his life was now transferred from the spirit to the human plane. The Logos was 'made flesh and dwelt amongst men', that he might take away the sin of the world. — John 1:1-29.

God had foretold through his prophet that the mighty ruler and deliverer should be born in the city of Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2) In due time and at the proper place this prophecy had been fulfilled, and nothing Satan could do could in any wise interfere with the progression of the divine plan. Of course Satan would know about the birth and about the announcement of the birth made by the holy angels of heaven. We may even be sure that another company of mighty angels of God would keep Satan and his wicked angels back from interfering with the birth of the Savior. This wonderful event and this marvelous manifestation of the power of God should have served to convince all those angels who had fallen away with Satan that Jehovah God is all-powerful, that nothing can prevent

him from carrying out his plan, and that their hope of eternal life and blessing would be forever blasted by their continuing to follow Satan. It should have been sufficient to even induce Satan to cease his wrongful course. But Satan, doubtless totally depraved and fatally bent on continuing in wickedness, still pursued his nefarious course and drew along with him a host of evil ones as his assistants.

CONSPIRACY

Satan the enemy began to devise ways and means for the destruction of the babe Jesus. The Romans were in control of Palestine; and Herod acted as a petty ruler and king under the supervision and control of the Romans. He was a very wicked man and a willing instrument in the Devil's hands. He would not hesitate to destroy anyone who he thought might interfere with his occupancy of the office of king. He wag one of those conscienceless and wicked politicians who would resort to any mean and wrongful act, and stop at nothing to accomplish his purposes. Yielding to the influence of Satan he had put himself in this position.

At the same time there dwelt in Persia savants or wise men, so-called. They were sorcerers and magicians who worshiped the stars and other objects, which is proof conclusive that they were idolaters and worshiped the Devil. (1 Corinthians 10:20) Magicians or men of this kind were employed by the various rulers of the Devil's organization, as advisers. These "wise men" were mediums, through whom the adversary operated. Satan used such as his visible instruments at various times. (Exodus 7:11) Many of them may have been sincere men, but they had been overreached by the

Devil and bad turned away from the true and living God to worship anything except the Lord Jehovah. Being tools in the hands of the enemy Satan, he could use them to carry out his wicked schemes, the details of which they would not even understand.

These so-called wise men of the east were astrologers who believed that a star is assigned for each creature when born into the world, according to his relative importance. There are many incidents showing that Satan and his wicked angels have power to produce lights and to cause them to move through space and to make them appear like stars. We know however that stars do not move in this way. Satan caused a light to appear to these astrologers, which had the appearance of a star; and he induced them to believe that this was the star of the child born to be king of the Jews.

The enemy's scheme was to bring these wise men to Herod and have them inquire of the king, "Where is the one born to be king of the Jews?" That information would immediately start the thought of murder in the heart of Herod, and he would search out the babe and have it murdered lest it should interfere with his kingdom. The Lord God let the enemy Satan carry out his scheme until the danger point, then held him back. Subsequent facts show that it must have been between one and two years after the birth of Jesus that the Devil attempted to carry out this conspiracy.

Joseph and Mary were then living in a house at Bethlehem. These astrologers or wise men appeared before Herod and said: "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." (Matthew 2:2) The information which they brought Herod upon this occasion

troubled him and his official family. The first thing he thought of was his clergy allies, the priests and Pharisees. He sent messengers and gathered them in before him.

Without a doubt the Devil was invisibly present, directing each move of Herod; in fact, moving all parties to the conspiracy like as a player moves his pawns upon a chess board. When the clergy appeared before the king he demanded of them to tell him where Christ should be born. (Matthew 2:4-6) Then. Herod, directed by his super-lord the Devil, next arranged a private audience with the "wise men" and got all the information possible from them concerning the "star" that they had seen. Without doubt Satan engineered this in such a way that Herod would think that he was carrying out the scheme.

Then Herod gave the order that these men should be sent to Bethlehem. (Matthew 2:8) Here is another glaring case of hypocrisy. We recall how hypocrisy had its first appearance. The Devil sees to it that it crops out always at the proper time for his purposes. Little would Herod worship the Lord God or his beloved Son when he was found. He had no thought of so doing. His purpose was to locate the babe that he might murder him. The astrologers started on their way to Bethlehem; and the Devil saw to it that the light, supposed to be a star, went before them. Let it here be noted that stars do not move first from east to west and then from south to north, nor in any other direction at the suggestion or whims of men nor for the purpose of guiding men. This of itself is proof that the light was not a star, even though these men doubtless thought it was a star. It was a light produced by the Devil, as

one of the means for carrying out his wicked conspiracy.

The three astrologers arrived at Bethlehem. "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11) The babe was now located, and Satan thought he was about at the point where he would soon have the child destroyed. But God interfered:

"And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child, to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and dew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." — Matthew 2:12-16.

The fact that Herod caused all the children of two years and under to be slain is proof that it was more than a year after the birth of Jesus that this conspiracy was carried out. To thwart the wicked designs of the

enemy and to preserve his beloved Son God moved him into Egypt and there kept him until Herod's death; (Matthew 2:19-21) Later Joseph and Mary returned to their native city of Nazareth, and there the lad was subject to Joseph and his mother until he attained the age of his majority.

MINISTRY OF JESUS

Jesus came into the world that he might bear witness to the truth of God's plan. (John 18: 37) When he reached his legal majority at thirty years of age he began his ministry, that the purposes of God might be accomplished. His first act was to report to John at the Jordan, asking to be baptized. He was a perfect man. Why should he be baptized? Baptism or water immersion is a symbol of being buried or put to death. The baptism of Jesus was a symbolic representation of the fact that Jesus, at a great sacrifice to himself, had yielded unto his Father to do his Father's will, no matter what that will might be, even unto death. (Matthew 3:15-17) John, in putting Jesus under the water and raising him up out of the water, represented Jehovah; and symbolically this act declared: Jesus is in the hands of his Father to do his Father's will, to accomplish his Father's purposes, and this will lead to his death; but the Father will raise him up out of death. Here at the Jordan he fulfilled what the prophet had before said for him: "Lo, I come: ... to do thy will, 0 my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." — Psalm 40: 7, 8.

At the time of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan it is written concerning him that "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"; thus giving an outward demonstration to John, as a witness that this was God's beloved Son, born to be the Deliverer of mankind.

Satan the enemy did not miss so important an occasion as this. No doubt he heard these words of approval spoken concerning Jesus. He immediately began to devise ways and means for the destruction of Jesus. He knew that the life of Jesus depended upon his being loyal and faithful unto God his Father. Satan was egotistical enough to believe that he could induce Jesus to be unfaithful to Jehovah and thereby bring about self-destruction. Jesus had been forty days and nights in the barren mountain without food and, of course, would be hungry at the end of that long fast. Satan seized the opportunity to present to him a temptation, appealing to his fleshly wants and needs, which temptation on the face of it seemed innocent; and yet, if yielded to, Satan knew it would lead to the death of Jesus. He said to Jesus: "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." (Matthew 4:3) He thought of course that Jesus would say: I will make myself some bread and satisfy my hunger.

To be loyal means to be obedient to the letter and spirit of the divine law. The law of God is his expressed will, particularly that which is written in the Scriptures. To be faithful means to be uncompromisingly devoted to the Lord at all times, and never at any time to render allegiance to another or to even sympathize with a course contrary to that of Jehovah.

Doubtless Jesus possessed the power to change the stones into bread and by that means to satisfy his hunger. The argument might be presented: What harm

will result to any one from making bread of these stones? The answer is, God had not commanded him so to do. It was the will of God that Jesus should be governed by God's expressed will, and to await the Father's due time to direct him in what course he should take. Being faithful to the Father he refused to yield to this temptation, and responded to Satan: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) Otherwise stated, bread may be needed for the natural requirements of the body, but such will not sustain life except temporarily. Life is a gift from God, and he who possesses life must abide by the word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Then the Devil tried another method. He knew that Jesus was born to be king of the Jews. "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone" (Matthew 4:6) Paraphrasing Satan's words, he said to Jesus something like this:

"You have come for the purpose of setting up a kingdom, to be king of the Jews. You are going about it in a poor way. Your conduct is that of a meek and lowly one of heart. By pursuing this course you will have great difficulty in convincing the people that you are king. There is a lot of rich men in this country, and there are associated with them scheming politicians; and of course the priests are with them, likewise the scribes and Pharisees. They are men of great influence, to whom the people look for advice. Before you can accomplish anything you will have to do something to

overshadow their greatness and thereby convince the people that you are sent from heaven. Why not demonstrate to them that you are sent of God? No man has ever gone upon that temple spire and jumped off. You now go up to the top of the temple and jump down into the valley below. You being the Son of God, your Father will see to it that you are not injured; and then the people will say, Surely you are sent from God and are not a man; and they will make you king immediately. In proof of what I say, that God will not let you be injured, it is written that he shall give his angels charge concerning you and in their hands they shall bear you up lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone."  — Psalm 91: 11.

This was a subtle and wily temptation, but it did not induce the Lord Jesus to be disloyal to God. For the Lord Jesus to yield to this would be to tempt his Father. Even though he might know that his Father would not permit him to be injured under such circumstances, yet it would be wrong for him to put the Father to this test. Therefore Jesus replied to Satan: "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." (Matthew 4:7) Again the Devil had failed. And now Satan must try one more scheme to see if he could not accomplish his purposes. God made Lucifer overlord of the world, and when he became Satan this commission had not been taken away from him. He was at that time the god of the whole world. St. Paul so states in 2 Corinthians 4: 3,4. Jesus always recognized Satan as the "prince of this world", and did not deny his title. (John 12: 31) And now Satan laid before Jesus a subtle temptation. To paraphrase his language, he said: "All the kingdoms of this world are

mine and all the glory of them. You recognize that I am the prince and ruler of this world. You have come for the purpose of being king. In order for you to be king of the world you will have to oust me. But I will surrender to you now. I will give you all the kingdoms of this world; and I will ask but one thing of you, and that is: If you will fall down and worship me." — Matthew 4: 8, 9.

Satan at that time again manifested his insatiable desire to be worshiped. He knew, also, that if the Lord Jesus should worship him for one minute then Jehovah God would take away from Jesus all of his rights and privileges. Yet Satan was egotistical enough and presumptuous enough to believe that he could induce Jesus to take that course. He was maliciously bent on Jesus' destruction. The reply of Jesus showed his utter contempt of the tempter and the temptation. He said: "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:10) Here was positive testimony that every creature in the universe at some time must choose between the worship of God and the worship of evil, and that in God's due time sufficient knowledge will be brought to every man that he will have an opportunity thus to choose. Satan had failed in this temptation. The Lord Jesus had won the victory, and it is written: "Then the devil leaveth him."

PERSECUTION

Jesus began his ministry by preaching "The kingdom Of heaven is at hand". (Matthew 4:17) Seeing that nearly 1900 years have passed since he uttered those words and that there is evil yet on the earth, what could

Jesus have meant by those words? Kingdom primarily means the governing factors authorized to rule. When God overthrew Zedekiah, the last king of Israel, he said: "I will overturn it ... until he comes whose right it is; and I will give it him." (Ezekiel 21:27) Now with the anointing of Jesus at the time of his baptism he received the right to rule. Therefore he had come whose right it is. There was delegated to him the authority to be King; hence he could say with authority: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." The royal One, the King, who in due time shall exercise his legal authority, was present. It was not necessary for him to begin his reign at that time in order to make the statement above quoted true. It was the will of God that he should possess this right for a long period of tune before he should actually begin to exercise his authority as king. This right, as the Scriptures show, he began to exercise nearly 1900 years later.

At his first coming Jesus began to instruct the people in the way of righteousness and to teach them to worship Jehovah as the true and living God; to heal the sick and open the eyes of the blind, and to cast out demons. Gracious words fell from his lips, and "the common people heard him gladly". (Mark 12:37) The many miracles that Jesus performed drew the attention of the people to him, and great multitudes came to hear him. He fed them upon bread and fish for their bodies, and he also provided food for their minds. The common people were anxious to know about Jehovah God and his ways, and how he would bring about their relief and blessing. At that time the clergy had long had the rule over the people. These were made up of Pharisees, scribes and priests. It was their duty to teach the peo-

ple the Word of God, but this they failed to do. Like their counterpart of the present time, they fed themselves and let the flock of the Lord seek pastures anywhere they could, or else starve. Being austere and assuming great piety, these had repelled the people and caused them to stand in awe of them.

It was so different with Jesus. He came and walked amongst the common people and talked with them. He took the mothers' babes from their arms, caressed their cheeks and spoke words of kindness to them. His words cheered everyone with whom he came in contact. The multitudes were so moved by his words of kindness and loving ministration, and by the miracles he did, that they would have taken him by force and made him king. (John 6:15) But it was not God's due time for him to begin his reign. The plan of God must be carried out as it was made, and Jesus was more than willing to perform his part.

The nation of Israel was a typical nation, to whom God had given the law which performed the function of a schoolmaster to lead that people unto Christ. (Galatians 3:24) The word here rendered "schoolmaster" is from the same word that our English word pedagogue comes, and originally meant one who would lead the children to school and care for them. The law performed this function toward Israel. Christ had now come. The Jews had been shielded by the Lord as a nation until Zedekiah's time, and even since then all those who returned to Jerusalem from captivity and showed faith in God had likewise been shielded. Had the nation accepted the Lord as their king they would have been transferred from their covenant with Moses as mediator, to Christ the greater than Moses; and all

the royal family of the new kingdom would have been selected from amongst the Jews. The Jews were therefore looking for the time to set up a kingdom, and those who really believed in Jesus were anxious to take him and make him king.

Satan the enemy was ever on the alert to find some means whereby he might put Jesus to death. He soon found some ready tools to be used for his wicked purpose. The religious leaders of Israel, made up of the scribes, Pharisees and priests, doctors of the law, et cetera, were these ready instruments. They were anxious to hold the common people subject to them. They were extremely selfish, even as their counterpart today are extremely selfish. Satan knew that it would be an easy matter to array these religious leaders against Jesus. With malicious hatred deeply rooted in their hearts he knew that he would find a way for them to bring Jesus before the financial and political factors of the government, charge him with disloyalty or treason, and thereby succeed in having him put to death, and that in an apparently legal manner. He set about to carry this scheme into operation. He injected into the minds of the Pharisees evil thoughts against Jesus.

Early in the ministry of Jesus the Pharisees and other members of the clergy began to take issue with him. They diligently sought to find some way to accuse him and his disciples of a breach of the law. These Pharisees were sticklers for the letter of the law, but the spirit of it they ignored. Even so it is today among the clergymen. For instance, they insist upon having a Prohibition Law upon the statute books, yet they avail themselves of the opportunity to take a drink when the occasion affords; and some of them find a way to stock

their cellars with the forbidden stuff. The purpose of calling attention to this here is to show that Satan has ever made inconsistent all those whom he can control. Deception is one of the Devil's chief methods of operation. He makes one thing appear to be accomplished, while he is really doing the very opposite.

When the Pharisees saw the disciples of Jesus plucking corn on the sabbath day that they might eat, the pious souls who stood for the letter of the law vigorously protested that the acts of the disciples were in violation of the law. Jesus at the time tried to teach them the spirit of the law; that the sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath. But they were not willing to hear. When Jesus healed a sick man on the sabbath day the pious Pharisees were greatly angered. They immediately took counsel together as to how they might put Jesus to death. (Matthew 12:14) Malicious murder had been planted in their hearts by the Devil, and now they were willing to carry it into operation.

On another occasion Jesus spoke a parable in the presence of the scribes and Pharisees, to this effect: "There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: and when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among them-

selves, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. . . . And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet." — Matthew 21; 33-39, 45,46.

Satan was really the one who desired to kill Jesus. He knew that Jesus was the heir of the promise that God had made to Abraham. He was using his invisible power to cause the Pharisees to bring about Jesus' death. He was now making some progress. But it was not yet God's due time to permit this to happen. Jesus knew what was in their minds, and that is why he spoke the -parable to them.

On another occasion Jesus referred to himself as the Son of God. Satan's emissaries the clergy, on the pretext that this was blasphemy, again sought Jesus' life for this offense. "We read: "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." . . . "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God." — John 3:34-36; 5:17,18.

There was really no excuse for the Pharisees to permit the Devil to overreach them. They knew that God

had by precept and by pictures foreshadowed the coming of the Messiah. They knew that the time was due for him to come. In fact, they knew that Jesus was the One. But because of selfishness in their own hearts, and with a desire to hold power over the people, they were ready tools of the Devil; and he took advantage of them. Of course Jesus knew that Satan was back of it all, and knew that these men were seeking his life. They did not deceive him for a moment.

On another occasion he said to them: "I know that ye are Abraham's seed: but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father.

"Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why

do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words; ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God." — John 8: 37-47.

On this occasion Jesus plainly told these men that the Devil was their father, that he was back of them, that they were carrying out Satan's purposes, and that they were seeking the life of the Son of God because they were from the Devil.

That Satan the Devil was the real one who was arranging to bring about the death of Jesus there cannot be any doubt. Jesus knew that; he knew that the Devil was using the clergy and that through them he was preparing Judas to carry out his purpose. Speaking in the synagogue, in the presence of his disciples and others, Jesus said: "As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever." — John 6:57,58.

Many who had followed Jesus up to that time turned aside and followed him no more. "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve." — John 6: 67-71.

Jesus was not at all being deceived. He knew that he was carrying out his Father's purposes, and he knew what would be the result. Straight forward and on-

ward he went with his work. He continued to minister unto the needs of the poor, healing the sick, opening the eyes of the blind, making the lame walk and raising the dead. The exercise of Jesus' great power in the raising of Lazarus from the dead furnished the Devil with an opportunity to again stir up the clergy. They were now to the point of frenzy and were anxious to act. Now was the opportune time for the clergy to draw into the conspiracy their allies, the financial and political factors of the government. This they proceeded to do, under the supervision of their overlord Satan.

They now determined to go to the ruling factors and show them that their country was in danger (?) because of this man Jesus, and that unless something be done they would lose their property and their right to hold office. Where selfishness is the moving cause others of like selfish interests are easily drawn into a compact. Satan was the god of the world. The financial, political and ecclesiastical factors were his. Now he needed but to hold before their eyes the danger of losing the things that they cherished, in order to induce them to act. "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also he

should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death." — John 11: 47-53.

The passover season drew nigh and everybody expected Jesus to come up and observe the passover, because he kept the law both in spirit and in letter. Knowing this the clergy, under the supervision of Satan, began to prepare to take Jesus: "Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him." — John 11: 57.

But some may here ask: Why recount all these terrible things that the clergy of that time did, and liken them unto the clergy of the present time? What good can be accomplished by that? The answer is that the purpose in so doing is not to injure any man. It is not the purpose to hold men up to ridicule. No real good can come from resorting to such a course. The real purpose is to prove to the reasonable mind that the enemy of God and of Christ, and of the people who desire righteousness and truth, is Satan the Devil; that he is the one who has arranged the wicked schemes and conspired to hold the people in subjection to him through selfish and wicked men; that he is the one who has planted selfishness in the hearts of human beings; and that to accomplish his purposes he has united the commercial, political and ecclesiastical elements in a compact of self-interest that he may carry on a government of the people contrary to God's way. All the remedies offered by men have failed because they have all been interfered with by Satan, either directly or indirectly.

Furthermore, it is the purpose here to show that the

remedy that will bring about relief to the people is the remedy of God, and none other; and that in due time God's remedy applied for the benefit of the people will bring complete deliverance and the blessings which the people so much need and desire. When the people see that the clergy are the tools of the Devil, even as the Pharisees were when Jesus was on earth, the power of the clergy to deceive the people will be broken, and having the eyes of their understanding opened the people will be able to see God's remedy and to put themselves in a proper attitude of mind and heart to receive the blessings when they are ministered unto them.

The purpose therefore in stating these things, and in showing the operation of God's plan and the opposition by the Devil, is for the benefit of mankind; that the people may see who is their real enemy and who is their real friend. A real friend is one who loves you all the time (Proverb 17:17), and it will be found by studying the operation of Jehovah's plan that in everything God has manifested his love for the people and upon every occasion. The time has come for God to establish his name in the minds of the people, not for his benefit but for their benefit.

But why should God permit the Devil to persecute his beloved Son and use the religious teachers of that time to aid him in that wicked persecution? The answer to that is: God knew that Satan would kill Jesus on the very first opportunity unless he should prevent it. He knew that the hypocritical religious leaders of that day, who had already proven unfaithful to him and unfaithful to their trust, would be the willing tools of the Devil to accomplish his wicked ends. It was a test that God permitted to come to them. Jesus had plainly

told them that the Devil was their father. He was not trying to keep them in the dark. He was trying to help them. They claimed to be the representatives of God. Jesus was telling them: If you were of God my Father, then you would do his works; but since you do the works of the evil one you prove that you are from him. God was permitting the religious leaders to have a great test, and under this test they failed. In other words they failed and refused to follow and obey Jehovah God, but followed and obeyed the Devil.

God could have prevented the persecution of his beloved Son, but his wisdom dictated otherwise. It was necessary for Jesus to learn obedience by the things that he suffered under adverse conditions. He also must have a test, and when the test was laid upon him he met it in every way. — Hebrews 5: 8, 9; Phil. 2: 5-11.

God arranged to put a test upon Adam as a perfect man before he could grant him everlasting life. Adam failed under that test. God had permitted a test to come to the religious leaders of Jesus' time, and they failed. Jesus was now a man, and before him was set the greatest prize in the universe. It was the purpose of God that his Son should also be tested before being granted this great prize. Jesus met the test and won.

God saw it wise to permit Satan and his emissaries to go to the full in wickedness, and then to overrule their wrath to his own glory. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee." — Psalm 76:10.

Now it is due time for the people to see and to understand the truth; and particularly to see that all the warfare amongst themselves, the conflicts between religious systems, and the crimes and wickedness that stalk about in the earth, that all these unrighteous

things originated with Satan, who has used these agencies to turn the minds of the people away from God. The time is here for the people to see that God is their friend and benefactor. Let each one put out of his mind for all time that there is here any attempt or desire to array one class against another. But the truth must be set forth in contrast with the evil one and his evil course, in order that the people may know that Jehovah is God, that his beloved Son Jesus is the Christ, and that the Lord has outlined a way to life and that there is none other.

The time came when Jesus must offer himself formally to the Jews as their king. This must be done on the tenth day of Nisan, just preceding the passover, because it was the plan of God that it should be done. In fulfilment of the prophecy of Zechariah (9:9,12) Jesus seated upon an ass rode into the city of Jerusalem. It was the custom of kings to ride on an ass when coming to be crowned as king. The fame of Jesus had now spread throughout Palestine. Many people believed on him. Great multitudes gathered by the way and laid down their garments in the road, cut down boughs from the trees and put them in the way for Jesus to pass over, thus representing their acceptance of him; and the people cried out unto him: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!"  — Matthew 21:1-9; John 12:13.

This great outburst of spontaneous applause from the common people made the blood of the Pharisees boil, and the Devil saw to it that fuel was added to the flame of anger. Now the Pharisees quickly called a council of blood. "The Pharisees therefore said

among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him." — John 12:19.

A few days later was the passover. As one who kept the law perfectly, Jesus celebrated this passover. While eating it with his disciples great sorrow came upon him, and he said to them: "One of you shall betray me." In an undertone Jesus, speaking to the beloved disciple John, said to him in substance: Watch the one to whom I hand the sop when I dip it in the dish; he is the one that will betray me. Then Jesus handed the bread to Judas: "And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly." — John 13: 27.

What could be meant here by the expression: "After the sop Satan entered into him"? Surely it meant that from that moment Satan had full possession of the mind of Judas, and now Judas was bent on carrying out his wicked purpose. This is positive proof that the Devil was really the one seeking the death of Jesus, because he knew Jesus was the Son of God and he desired to get rid of him in order that he might keep control of the world.

Then Judas hurried away to meet his co-conspirators, into whose hands he had agreed to betray Christ Jesus for the paltry sum of thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:15,16) Of course Judas also knew that Jesus was the Son of God; but he had permitted bitterness to spring up in his heart, and now he was anxious to carry the conspiracy out and anxious to have some selfish profit. He got his money and then joined the mob and led them to Jesus. With that hypocrisy which had its conception and birth with the Devil, and its manifestation on a former occasion, Judas now approached the Lord Jesus and kissed him and by this sign indicated to the mob

that he was the one to be taken. Jesus did not resist the mob but yielding to them was led away.

The supreme court was already convened, knowing beforehand that the arrest would be made. It was contrary to the law for that court to meet at night; but the priests and Pharisees and the doctors of the law, the rich men and the politicians composing that court, were now ready to ignore the law. The chief priests and the leaders, yea all the religious leaders of the Jews, were there to aid and to abet the arch-conspirator. So maliciously bent were they upon the destruction of Jesus that the clergy and their allies sought false witnesses against Jesus in order that they might put him to death. (Matthew 26: 59) Members of that court, which court was supposed to be an august and righteous body, had now gone mad; because into their hearts the evil one had planted wicked murder of the innocent. Being unable to find witnesses who were willing to testify to any wrongful act against Jesus, members of that devilish court — in utter violation of their own law and the rules of the court itself — compelled the defendant Jesus himself to give testimony. The high priest then made himself prosecutor and vehemently propounded this question: "Tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God." (Matthew 26:63) Jesus answered him: "Thou hast said." Upon this testimony he was adjudged guilty of blasphemy, and the verdict of the court was: "He is guilty of death." — Matthew 26: 63-66.

When will the people learn the statement, long ago made by the inspired witness of God, that Satan is the god of this world and hath blinded the minds of men? (2 Corinthians 4: 3,4) Is it not easy to be seen that when Satan desires even the courts of the land to wicked-

ly do his bidding he can have it done? The Lord God will shortly permit the people to see that Jehovah is God and that his righteous way will completely deliver them. Let us proceed with the examination of the outworking of God's plan, that we may have cause to rejoice.

The defenseless, harmless, righteous One stood before this court and was adjudged guilty of death; and that without a cause. Now he was led before the high political ruler for a confirmation of the sentence; and although that august ruler and ally of the profiteers and clergy found no wrong in Jesus, yet he had not the moral courage to turn him loose. Conditions are no different now.

It was the supreme hour for the Devil to act, and he held a tight hand over all of his servants who were then engaged in this wicked work. Yielding to the importunities of the clergy, the political chief formally consented to the sentence of death; and then, that he might free himself from the responsibility thereof, Pilate took water and in the presence of the people washed his hands and exclaimed: "I am innocent of the blood of this just person." The Jews willingly took the blame upon themselves, and then Jesus was led away to be executed. — Matthew 27: 24, 25.

Hypocrisy and mockery proceed from the Devil. No one having the spirit of the Lord would resort to such methods. Jesus had said: "I am the Son of God." The enemy Satan, thinking he had Jesus now within his power, purposed to make the name of the Son of God despicable, and to have the mob mock him as such. The Devil knew that Jesus was the Son of God, and now to have him mocked would be a reproach to the

Father. The enemy therefore induced his earthly representatives to go through many mocking ceremonies. They first put on Jesus a scarlet robe, which is a symbol of royalty; then they made him a crown of thorns and put that on his head as a symbol of authority; then they put a reed into his hand, a symbol of right to rule, and then they hypocritically bowed before him in worshipful attitude, and mockingly said: "Hail, King of the Jews." Truly here were fulfilled the words of the prophet: "The reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me." (Psalm 69: 9) The Devil was here reproaching Jehovah. He had been reproaching him all along, and now these reproaches had reached a climax and they were heaped upon his beloved Son Jesus.

Not content with this, but with a further exhibition of malicious hatred on the part of Satan the enemy, his emissaries were induced to spit upon the Lord Jesus and to take the reed out of his hand and strike him with it. After going through these many ceremonies of mockery Jesus was again dressed in his own clothing and prepared by them to be crucified. As a further indignity upon his head vinegar was provided, mixed with gall, and given to him to drink. Then he was cruelly nailed to the cross and thus was subjected to the most ignominious death known to man. While he was hanging upon the cross, the chief priests and other members of the clergy further showed their malicious hatred by leading the mob and deriding and mocking the Lord Jesus. We see that God permitted Satan and his emissaries to go to the fullest extent of wickedness, and that then God made it known that he was taking cognizance of what was transpiring and that with him resides all power.

For three hours gross darkness covered the land.

Thus the Lord Jehovah pictured that with the taking away of his beloved Son darkness would settle down over the world. At the end of that period of darkness Jesus cried with a loud voice and died. At the moment of Jesus' death Jehovah caused the earth to quake. The mountains shook and the rocks were torn away. In the temple there was a great curtain thirty feet long by thirty feet wide and four inches thick which, at the moment of Jesus' death, was rent in twain from top to bottom. (Matthew 27: 51) Great fear and terror came upon those who were assigned to witness the crucifixion, when they saw this manifestation of Jehovah's power. They said concerning Jesus: "Truly this was the Son of God." Never before and never since was the death of a man marked by such a manifestation of power from Jehovah God. Again God was giving the people the lesson that Jehovah is God, and in due time some will benefit therefrom.

The body of Jesus was prepared for burial and laid in the newly prepared tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. The heir to the throne of the kingdom of God was dead. With malicious glee the enemy Satan considered that he had won the long fight, and that now he was even greater than God. Thus ended the earthly ministry of the only true and good man that was ever on earth. He was without fault, without spot or blemish. He was holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners. He was the Son of God, and to this time he had faithfully performed his part in the divine program.

In God's due time a test must come to every man as to whether he loves righteousness and will obey God, or whether he prefers wickedness and will follow an evil course. Every intelligent human being must have

an opportunity to exercise such free moral agency. The opportunity came to the scribes, Pharisees and others at the crucifixion of Jesus. Some of the Jews who participated in the death of Jesus were ignorant of the fact that he was the Son of God. Some of the rulers were also ignorant. (Acts 3:17) But the scribes, Pharisees and priests were not ignorant. Judas was not ignorant, and of course the Devil was not ignorant. The ignorant ones who sinned against the Lord God and against Christ Jesus will be forgiven. But those who knew that he was Christ sinned against the holy spirit. "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the holy spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."  — Matthew 12: 32.

There are those at this very day who know that Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and who know that there are a few humble ones who are giving testimony of these facts to the common people. And yet these self-constituted wise men assume a sanctimonious air, parade in the name of the Lord Jesus and claim to represent him, but wilfully sin against the light they have and persecute those who are calmly telling of God's great plan of salvation. The Lord Jesus referred to this self-same class in the parable of the sheep and the goats. — Matthew 25: 31-46.

To sin against the holy spirit does not mean to sin against a being or person, but it means to deliberately go contrary to the light of truth. The holy spirit is the invisible power of God that illuminates the minds of men. Therefore to sin against the holy spirit means a wilful and deliberate course, contrary to one's knowledge

of what is right and wrong. One who sins against the holy spirit is possessed of a malicious heart; which means that such a one has no regard for the law of God, and no consideration for the rights of others, but is fatally bent on doing evil in order to accomplish a selfish purpose, and doing it knowingly.

WHY SHOULD JESUS DIE?

Could not God have prevented the death of his beloved Son? Seeing that God is all-powerful it follows that he could have prevented the death of his beloved Son. If Jesus was holy and without sin, then why should he die? When he left the courts of heaven to come to earth and become a man it was the will of God that he should die as a man in order to provide the great redemptive price for man. It was necessary for the perfect man to die in order that the human race might have an opportunity for life. That being true is Satan any the less reprehensible because he conspired to put Jesus to death and because he incited his emissaries to kill Jesus? No. God had not delegated the authority to Satan to put Jesus to death. Neither had he authorized any one else to conspire to destroy Jesus. Satan maliciously sought his death because he knew that Jesus was the Son of God and because he expected and feared that Jesus would be king over the people and would take away the rulership from himself.

The scribes, Pharisees and others who knowingly participated in putting Jesus to death did so selfishly and wickedly, according to their own words, for fear that they would be deprived of their position as office-holders amongst the people. (John 11: 47,48) In fact, Satan had no power to take the life of Jesus had Jesus even

called upon his Father to exercise His unlimited power in his behalf. When Peter smote off the ear of the high priest's servant we read: "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take tile sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" — Matthew 26: 52-54.

Jesus was so completely devoted to his Father that he would not do anything contrary to his Father's will. He said: "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (John 6:38) "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. ... As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 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. 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 10:11,15-18.

Knowing it to be the will of his Father that he should die, Jesus willingly went to death and would not even ask for power to intervene to prevent it. Certain Ones of the Jews crucified the Lord. (Acts 2: 36; 7: 52) The moving cause for them so to do however was the influence of Satan the enemy. God permitted the death of his Son in this manner in this, that he did not prevent it; and he did not prevent it because it was his

will that Jesus should die that his plan might be carried out. He could have arranged for his Son's death in some other manner; but since Satan was maliciously bent on killing him God permitted the Devil to show his utter depravity, and at the same time he put the test upon those who would follow Satan, knowing that thereafter he would raise Jesus out of death.

It is of the greatest importance that man understand the reason why Jesus had to die, because by so understanding man is enabled to see the great love of God that has been and is exhibited toward man.

REDEMPTION FIRST

As we progress with the examination of the divine plan as revealed and unfolded through the Word of God it is observed that Jehovah intends to deliver the human race from sin and death and from all the powers of the evil one. Who will deliver man from this bondage? What are the legal requirements? When will it be done and how? These are questions of vital importance, and the death of Jesus is directly related to the proper answer of each of them. Deliverance could not take place until after redemption. Otherwise stated, the rights of man must first be purchased and then mankind may be delivered. Therefore this is the proper place to examine the question of redemption, and in its examination will appear the reason why the perfect man Jesus must die.

Adam was a perfect man when in Eden. Because of sin he was sentenced to death. God's announced law required that the violator thereof should die. Justice therefore required the enforcement of the law, which meant the death of Adam. When the judgment of an

earthly court of final jurisdiction is entered there is no power that can reverse that judgment. With stronger reasoning can that rule be applied to Jehovah's court. When he sentenced Adam to death that judgment was final and must be enforced. God could not consistently reverse his own judgment. God cannot be inconsistent. Therefore it was impossible for the judgment against Adam to be set aside or reversed. It is entirely consistent however that a final judgment entered in the case may be satisfied by a substitution.

To illustrate: Suppose Jones has a judgment against Smith for one thousand dollars, which has been confirmed by the court of last resort. This judgment has been entered in a jurisdiction where imprisonment can be had for failure to pay debt. The debtor is incarcerated in prison because of his failure to pay. Smith has a father who loves his son, and he produces the thousand dollars and hands it over to the judgment creditor Jones, who accepts it in payment of his judgment. The law therefore requires that the judgment shall be satisfied and Smith released. This is a rule of righteousness.

The same rule with stronger effect operates in Jehovah's court. God could consistently arrange for the satisfaction of the judgment against Adam, by substitution. But this must be done in a legal manner; that is to say, in a manner in conformity to the divine law. What then did the law require? The answer is: "A life for a life." (Deuteronomy 19:21) A perfect man Adam had been sentenced to death. The law required therefore a perfect human life. The price for redemption, the satisfaction of the judgment by substitution looking to the release of Adam, must be a life

exactly equal to that life which Adam lost by reason of the judgment. Otherwise stated, nothing short of a perfect human being willing to go into death could meet the requirements of the divine law.

All the human race descended from Adam, therefore all were born in sin and shapen in iniquity. (Romans 5:12; Psalm 51:5) It therefore follows that there lived on earth no human being capable of fulfilling the divine requirements with reference to the satisfaction by substitution of the judgment against Adam. This must not be understood as meaning the satisfaction of justice. Justice was satisfied with Adam's death; and that judgment, which means the legal determination, would hold Adam for ever in death unless some substitute is provided equal to Adam that could be given instead of Adam to satisfy the judgment and let Adam go free. The substitute must be the life of a perfect man. Could not an angel or a divine being be used to satisfy the judgment against Adam and release him from the death sentence? The answer is: No, because the law of God could receive nothing more and nothing less than the judgment required; otherwise God would be inconsistent, and he cannot be inconsistent. Here again Satan has employed his cunning devices to blind men to the true philosophy of the great ransom sacrifice. He has induced his representatives on earth, who have paraded in the name of the Lord, to teach the people that Jesus Christ when he was on earth was divine and not a man; and that he died as a divine being. Any reasonable mind can see that if God would require such, God would be unrighteous. This false reasoning has turned away many men from the Lord and from his Word.

Seeing then that the law required the life of a perfect human being, and that all the offspring of Adam were and are imperfect, the race appears to be and was in a helpless condition. It is stated by God's prophet thus: "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." (Psalm 49: 7) Would God provide for redemption? The Word answers: "I will ransom them from the power of the grave: I will redeem them from death: 0 death, I will be thy plagues; 0 grave, I will be thy destruction."  — Hosea 13:14.

Here is the positive word of Jehovah that he would provide redemption for the human race. Of an absolute certainty this will be carried out: "I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it." (Isaiah 46: 11) "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." — Isaiah 55: 11.

For this reason "the Logos was made flesh, and dwelt among us". (John 1:14) Seeing that the Logos was on the spirit plane with his Father how could he be made flesh? With God nothing is impossible. With the consent of the Logos the Father transferred his Son's life from the spirit to the human plane. He was begotten in the womb of Mary the virgin, by the power of the holy spirit, which means the invisible power of Jehovah. (Matthew 1:18) In due time he was born of this human mother. (Luke 2:9-11) "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman." (Galatians 4: 4) None of the imperfect blood of the imperfect Adam was in the veins

of Jesus, because his life was begotten or begun by the power of Jehovah. When he became a man therefore be was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. (Hebrews 7:26) As a man he exactly corresponded to what the perfect man Adam was before he sinned. Therefore the man Jesus was capable of becoming the Redeemer of Adam and his race.

But could the perfect man Jesus provide redemption for Adam and all of the human race? The answer is: Yes; God has planned it thus. One man was the father of the entire human family. One perfect man can redeem the entire human family, as the apostle puts it in Romans 5:18,19.

But one may ask: Why should God send the posterity of Adam into death? They were not on trial. Note the words of the apostle. He does not say that all men were sentenced to death. He does say that all men are condemned to death. Where there is a sentence of death there of necessity must be a trial preceding. Condemnation means disapproval.

A bridge is maintained across a stream until the bridge becomes unsafe; then it is condemned, because it is unsafe. It is no fault of the bridge. The fault lies in the material out of which it is made.

No man made himself. No child brought itself into the world. God gave Adam and Eve the power to propagate the race. They being imperfect when this power was exercised, their children were brought forth imperfect. God cannot approve an imperfect thing. It Was not the fault of the child. It is the fault of the material out of which it is made. Being disapproved St is condemned, but this condemnation and disapproval are the result of Adam's sin. Therefore all came

under condemnation; and God has provided that through the righteousness of his beloved Son the free gift of life shall come to all men, giving to them an opportunity to obey him and live.

Now we find Jesus on earth at thirty years of age, a perfect man and at the legal age required. Why had he come to earth? God had promised to ransom the human race. (Hosea 13:14) The law required a perfect man's life to provide the ransom. Jesus said that he came to give his life a ransom. — Matthew 20: 28.

Ransom means, literally, something to loosen with: a redemptive price. Stated in other phrase, it means the price or value which can be used in loosening or releasing something that is in bondage, restraint or imprisonment. Necessarily the ransom price must be equivalent to, or exactly corresponding with, that which justice requires of the thing or being in bondage.

The right to live as a human being was required by the judgment against Adam. This judgment took away Adam's right to live. That which would provide a ransom price must be the right of another perfect human being to live. The perfect man Jesus possessed exactly that thing, viz., the right to live on earth as a man.

The redemption of man from death and its effects, and deliverance therefrom, is the expressed will of God. (1 Timothy 2:4) Jesus came to do the will of God, as it was written of him: "Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, 0 my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." — Psalm 40:7,8.

God having promised to ransom man, now he had provided a way to carry out his promise by his Son's

willingly becoming a man. "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:8) Jesus willingly submitted to death, because it was the will of God to thereby provide the ransom price.

Now the question, Why must Jesus die? is answered briefly. The perfect man Jesus, while he remained alive, could not provide a ransom price. He must now convert his perfect human life into an asset of value, which asset would be sufficient to release man from judgment and from the condemnation resulting from that judgment. He must lay down his human life that the value thereof might be presented to divine justice instead or in place of that which Adam had forfeited, to the end that Adam and his race might have an opportunity to live. Otherwise stated, Jesus must make his human life and the right thereto a legal tender for the payment of Adam's debt.

Legal tender means currency, money, measure of value, which the law requires and receives in satisfaction of debts or obligations.

Merit means value gained. By the merit of Christ Jesus we mean the perfect humanity of Jesus and all the rights incident thereto converted into value or an asset, which is legal tender for the payment of man's debt.

To illustrate this point: Take a man, whom we will call John for convenience, who is languishing in prison to satisfy a fine of a hundred dollars, because of his inability to pay that fine. John's brother Charles is willing to pay the fine, but he has no money with which to pay. Charles is strong and vigorous, has time to work and is willing to work; but his strength and time

and willingness will not pay the debt for his brother John. Smith desires some one to work for him, and has the money with which to pay. Charles engages himself to work for Smith, and earns a hundred dollars in cash and receives it. Thereby Charles has reduced his time, strength and vigor into a money value, which has purchasing power, and which is legal tender for the purpose of the payment of John's obligations. This money may be properly called merit, because of its purchasing value or redemptive value. Charles then appears before the court which entered the judgment against his brother, and offers to pay the hundred dollars which the law demands of John. The court accepts the hundred dollars and releases John. John is thereby judicially released from the judgment; and his brother Charles has become his ransomer, or redeemer.

Adam was a son of God. It was judicially determined by Jehovah that Adam should forfeit his life in death, which judgment would mean the eternal death of Adam and all of his offspring unless he and they should be redeemed. As Adam possessed the power to beget children before this judicial determination, all of Adam's offspring came under the effects of the judgment. He is now held in the prison house of death to meet the requirements of the law. The entire human race is in a similar condition, resulting from the original sin of Adam.

Jesus, the perfect man, the Son of God, was designated by the Lord as "the Son of the man"; this title implying that he, being the only perfect man that has lived on earth since Adam, was entitled to everything that belonged to Adam — life and all the blessings incident thereto. Jesus had the power to produce a perfect

race of people, and was in every respect the exact equal of Adam before Adam sinned. It was the will of God that Jesus should redeem Adam and his posterity. Jesus was willing to pay Adam's debt and redeem him; but the perfect, righteous human being Jesus could not accomplish that purpose while living in the flesh, for the same reason that Charles could not use his strength, time and energy to pay the debt of his brother John, but must first reduce these to a purchasing value.

Jesus must reduce his perfect humanity to a measure of value (which measure of value we call merit), which value or merit constitutes legal tender for the payment of the, debt of Adam and his offspring, furnishing the price, sufficient to judicially release them all. To provide this ransom price Jesus must die. But to present the value of it before Jehovah he must be alive and have access to the court of Jehovah.

At the Jordan the perfect man Jesus presented himself in consecration to do the will of Jehovah; and it was God's will that Jesus should there lay down his life in death, but that he should not forfeit the legal right to life as a man. It was the will of God that Christ Jesus should arise out of death a divine creature, and as such should take up that merit or right or value of his perfect human life and use it as an asset or legal tender in harmony with the divine will; viz., to judicially release mankind and to provide life for the human race. Why not use the term "legally release"? The Lord could not provide for an illegal release of the human race, because he must be just. We here use the term "judicially release" because that means that the release is done in a judicial capacity or manner, by the one having authority to release.

This argument is in harmony with the statement of Jesus: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they [the people, the human race] might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. ... As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. . . . Therefore doth my Father love me, because 1 lay down my life, that 1 might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself [willingly]. I have power to lay it down, and 1 have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." — John 10:10,11,15,17,18.

Satan has done much to becloud the minds of earnest searchers for the truth concerning the philosophy of the ransom. He has made some believe that it was provided for the benefit of only a few, and that all others are predestinated to be lost. He has made others believe that it has no value whatsoever.

For whom did Jesus die? This question must be answered from the Scriptures. Everyone should desire to know the truth. "Thy word is truth." (John 17:17) It would seem strange that God would provide for his blessing to extend to a few, and not grant a similar privilege to all. The Scriptures answer: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." — John 3:16,17.

The Apostle Paul discusses this matter; and writing (as we know) under inspiration, he declared it to

be the will of God that by virtue of the ransom price all men should be redeemed from death and that then each one must be given a knowledge of God's arrangement, to the end that each one may have the opportunity to exercise his free moral agency and accept or reject the offer of life that comes through the ransom sacrifice. His argument is this: "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." — 1 Timothy 2:3-6.

The same apostle again proves that Jesus was a perfect man and not a spirit being, and that he was made perfect in order that he might redeem the human race. His argument reads: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour: that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." — Hebrews 2: 9. But how could a man, even though perfect, redeem the human race by merely dying? If he remained dead he could not carry out the redemption and deliverance, because a dead man can do nothing. The great court entering the judgment against man, and the place at which the ransom price must be presented, is the court of Jehovah. Of course Jehovah could have appointed somebody else to present to him the value of the sacrifice of the perfect man Jesus, but it did not please him to do this. It was his purpose that Jesus should be both the ransomer and the deliverer of the human race; and he could not be the deliverer if he remained dead. It was therefore necessary for Jesus to be resurrected.

The question may be asked: If Jesus was put to death as a man, and the value of his sacrifice as a man must be presented in heaven, how could a man appear in heaven and present that ransom price? The answer is: He could not. for the reason that no man has access to the spiritual realm. A human being is confined to earth. Jesus died as a man, but his Father Jehovah raised him out of death a spirit being. About this the apostle plainly says: "Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that ha might bring us to God; being put to death in the, flesh, but made alive in the spirit." — 1 Peter 3:18, R. V.

HIS RESURRECTION

Resurrection of the dead means an awakening out of death and a standing up again to perfect life. The man. Jesus was dead and must remain for ever dead as a man, to the end that his right to live as a human being might furnish the redemptive price.

The resurrection of Jesus was up to that time the greatest demonstration of God's power ever made manifest to man. The resurrection of Jesus was and is a part of God's great plan for man's deliverance. This being true it is to be expected that Satan the enemy would do all within his power to prevent the resurrection of Jesus, and failing in that he would do everything possible to blind the people to the truth thereof. Such is exactly what is found in the record. It is reasonable to conclude that Satan knew the words of the prophecies. It was written concerning Jesus: "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when 1 awake, with thy likeness." (Psalm 17:15) "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;

neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:10,11) These scriptures are sufficient to show that Jesus' resurrection was anticipated. For the first day after Jesus' death the Devil and his invisible angels, and probably some of his visible ones, would be celebrating. They would be felicitating one another over the death of Jesus. At the first sober moment, they would recall his words concerning his resurrection. The record is: "Now the next day, that followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead; so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." — Matthew 27: 62-66.

But how would the chief priests and Pharisees know that Jesus had said that he would arise from the dead on the third day? There is no evidence that he had made such a statement to them or in their presence or hearing. On the contrary the Scriptures show that Jesus had told his disciples that he would rise on the third day. But he had told them privately, and not even they understood at the time what he meant; but subsequently they did understand it. — Matthew 16: 21; 20:17,18; Mark 9:31; Luke 9:19-23; 18: 31-33.

The reasonable conclusion is that Satan the enemy knew of the words of Jesus to the disciples, and that he had put the thought into the minds of the Pharisees. Satan would reason that he would prevent the resurrection of Jesus if possible and, failing in this, he would so confuse the minds of the people that they would not believe that Jesus had arisen from the dead. Satan failed in the first, but he has fairly well succeeded in confusing the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. God has given such abundant proof however as to the fact of the resurrection of Jesus that all may know, and all will know when their minds are opened to a proper understanding.

By reference to the above scriptures it is seen that Jesus was careful to tell his disciples, when they were alone, concerning his resurrection. The Pharisees therefore could not have expected his resurrection within three days, unless the enemy had injected such thoughts into their minds. Having received this suggestion from Satan, and having been authorized by Pilate to provide a guard, the clergy hired a guard and put them at the tomb to watch. This guard kept close watch; but in due time there came to the tomb the angel of Jehovah, rolled back the stone from the door and opened the sepulchre. The guards, greatly frightened by what they saw and heard, hurried away to the city to tell the clergy that Jesus had been resurrected from the dead.

At once the unholy triumvirate called a council. In this council are seen the commercial, the political, and the clergy elements, expressing all the wisdom they had and trying to solve their difficulty. After much deliberation the financial part of the trio raised a large sum of money and passed it into the hands of the clergy, and they in turn bribed the guardsmen to lie, "saying

Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day ." — Matthew 28:13-15.

So well did they work this scheme that for over nineteen centuries a major portion of the peoples of earth have not believed in the resurrection of Jesus. The Devil was able to create such a doubt that many have not known whether the Lord Jesus was resurrected or whether his disciples carried away the body. But notwithstanding this effort of the enemy Jehovah saw to it that an abundance of proof was provided, sufficient to satisfy any searcher for truth then or thereafter that he had raised up his beloved Son out of death.

THE PROOF

When God raised up Jesus out of death the great Master did not appear to the clergy that they might see him and be witnesses. Had he done so they would not have told the truth about it. It will be observed that the Lord never uses evil ones for his official witnesses. Some may talk in his name, but they do so without authority. The Lord chose as witnesses to the resurrection those who had been faithful and those who loved him.

St. Matthew was a faithful man. He afterwards gave his testimony; and having previously received the promise from the Lord that the words the disciples spoke on earth would be confirmed in heaven, the testimony of Matthew may be taken as importing absolute verity. His testimony is that at the end of the sabbath day,

which would be early in the morning of the first day of the week, which we commonly call Sunday, two faithful women made their way to the sepulchre of our Lord. They there saw an angel of the Lord, who appeared in the form of a man. "And the angel answered and said unto the women. Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre, with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell Ms disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren, that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."  — Matthew 28:5-10.

Following the direction that had been given them the faithful eleven disciples journeyed to Galilee and into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them, and there they saw and worshiped him. — Matthew 28:16,17.

One of the best methods of testing the veracity of witnesses who testify about the same subject matter is to note that their testimony is substantially the same. If one witness tells word for word what the other witness has said it is almost conclusive that both witnesses are telling a falsehood, and that they have manufactured their testimony for a purpose. But where the same cardinal points are set forth in their testimony then, though told in a different manner, this is strong evidence that they are telling the truth. There is a sub-

stantial agreement in the testimony of these witnesses. Each one told his story in his own particular way, and told the truth.

The testimony of St. Mark is practically the same as that of St. Matthew. (Mark 16:1-7) The testimony of St. Luke also corroborates that of the other two witnesses above mentioned. He tells of the women going to the sepulchre and finding the stone rolled away, that they entered the tomb and that the body of Jesus was gone; and while perplexed and reasoning about why it was so, two men (angels, in fact) appeared unto them and said: "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen." — Luke 24: 5, 6.

The testimony of St. John differs somewhat in detail, but is substantially the same as that of the other three narrators. (John 20:1-10) These disciples would gather the facts from the women who were the first to be at the tomb, and each one would tell the facts as he heard them from their lips and what he saw. Since there is no difference in the principal facts there is no reason to doubt the testimony of any of these witnesses. In addition to that, the record was written under inspiration and is safeguarded by the Lord and therefore can be readily accepted as the truth.

It was God's purpose to make the evidence conclusive concerning the Lord's resurrection, not for the benefit of the enemy but for the benefit of those who would desire to know either then or thereafter. To this end the Lord Jesus appeared on a number of occasions to his disciples, for a brief space of time on each occasion, and left some striking testimony that would be convincing. He did not appear in the body that was crucified. Had he done so they would have been inclined to think

that it was merely the man Jesus that had gone to sleep and had awakened again. Somewhere Jehovah miraculously preserved that body. It did not see corruption, because the Lord said it should not see corruption. (Psalm 16:10) When Jesus was raised from the dead he was no longer a man, but on the contrary he was the express image of Jehovah and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3; Philippians 2: 6-11) Such would have been impossible for a human being. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. — 1 Corinthians 15: 50.

When Jesus was raised from the dead he declared: "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) Again he said that all power in heaven and earth was committed into his hands. (Matthew 28:18) Being clothed with all power in heaven and earth, then it follows that our Lord had the power to create a body at will, in which he might appear to his disciples; and this explains how he appeared to them at various times in different bodies. Had he appeared in the body in which he was crucified they would have immediately recognized him, but it is remembered that when Mary saw him she did not recognize him until he spoke to her in his familiar way. His appearances to the witnesses shortly following his resurrection are briefly stated as follows:

On Sunday morning, on the first day of the week, the morning of his resurrection, Mary Magdalene saw him near the sepulchre, "and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" (John 20:14-17) Mary on this

occasion thought that he was the gardener, until she heard the sound of his familiar voice.

On the same morning the women returning from the sepulchre saw the Master. "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren, that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me." — Matthew 28: 9, 10.

Simon Peter saw Jesus on the same day near Jerusalem. (Luke 24: 34) On this same sabbath morning, while walking to Emmaus, two of the disciples were overtaken by Jesus; and he journeyed with them and they did not recognize him until he sat with them to eat and blessed the food in his familiar way. — Luke 24:13-21,30,31.

On the same Sunday evening near Jerusalem ten of the disciples saw him. — John 20:19-25.

Thereafterwards he again appeared to the disciples at Jerusalem, when Thomas was with them. This was one week after his resurrection. — John 20: 26-29.

A few days later while seven of his disciples were fishing in the sea of Galilee he appeared to them and held conversation with them. — John 21:1-13.

A few days later he appeared to the eleven on a mountain near Galilee. — Matthew 28:16-20.

Again he appeared to a company of more than five hundred gathered by appointment in Galilee, — 1 Corinthians 15:6.

On another occasion James saw him alone. — 1 Corinthians 15: 7.

His last appearance was on the mount of Olives to his disciples, at the time of his ascension. — Acts 1: 6-9,

Saul of Tarsus had opposed the Lord and persecuted him. Bent on the slaughter of the disciples of the Lord Saul was on his journey to Damascus, when suddenly there shone about him a light more brilliant than the sun at noonday. This was a manifestation of the Lord in his resurrected glory. On this occasion the Lord spoke to Saul and said to him: "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest." (Acts 9:1-9) Afterwards Saul of Tarsus was called Paul. He accepted the Lord, was begotten and anointed of the holy spirit, and became a special minister of Christ, clothed with power and authority to speak the Word of Truth. — 1 Corinthians 1:1,2.

Writing concerning the Master, Jesus of Nazareth, Paul said: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he arose again the third day according to the scriptures; and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." — 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.

Then St. Paul sets forth an argument clear and convincing, concerning the resurrection of the Lord, in which he proves that Christ Jesus arose from the dead and that his resurrection was necessary, and that unless he did arise from the dead there is no hope for the human family. But with positiveness he asserts that Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of them that slept, and that the resurrection of

Christ Jesus was a guarantee that in God's due time he would resurrect others who have died. — 1 Corinthians 15:12-26.

Again St. Paul wrote that God has appointed a day for the judgment of the world and that he has given assurance of that time, in that he raised up Christ Jesus from the dead. — Acts 17: 31.

The beloved Apostle St. John, faithful and true to the Lord to the end, under inspiration wrote this concerning the Lord Jesus: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us:) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." — 1 John 1:1-5.

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is proven so cogently and convincingly by the Scriptures that there cannot remain a doubt in the mind of any one who believes that the Bible was written as the Word of God.

SIN-OFFERING

The value of the perfect human life laid down at the cross, but which right to life survived, constituted the purchase price or ransom price which we call merit, as hereinbefore defined. Jesus died upon the cross, but his right to live was not taken away. There is a vast difference between living and having the right to live.

Adam had the right to live, but he sinned. Immediately after the judgment was entered against him his right to life was gone, yet he survived for 930 years. Jesus actually died upon the cross; but, dying as a voluntary sacrifice, his right to life did not perish but survived.

It was Adam's commission of sin that caused God to sentence him to death. If Adam or any of his race were ever to be released it must be after the offering for sin is made, which offering must be the ransom price, namely, the merit or valuable thing or right to a perfect human life.