CHAPTER I
JEHOVAH
JEHOVAH GOD is the owner of the universe. He made the heavens and the earth, and all things are at his disposal. "The LORD God made the earth and the heavens." (Gen. 2:4) "Lo! unto Jehovah thy God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens; the earth with all that is therein." (Deut. 10:14, Rotherham) "The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world, and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them." (Ps. 89:11) "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands." (Ps. 102:25) "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Ps. 24:1) "I am Jehovah, that is my name." (Isa. 42: 8, A.R.V.) "Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God." — Isa. 44: 6, American Revised Version.
Jehovah God is the unselfish One, because "God is love". (1 John 4:16) Love means unselfish devotion to righteousness. "For righteous is Jehovah, righteousness he loveth, the upright shall behold his face." (Ps. 11:7, Roth.) "O Jehovah! in the heavens is thy lovingkindness, thy faithfulness as far as the fleecy clouds: thy righteousness is like mighty mountains, and thy just decrees are a great resounding deep;
man and beast thou savest, 0 Jehovah! How precious thy lovingkindness, 0 God! therefore the sons of men under the shadow of thy wings seek refuge." (Ps. 36: 5-7, Roth.) In the Scriptures "father" means life-giver, and Jehovah God is the Life-giver to all who live forever. "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph. 4:6) All creatures that get life everlasting must receive it from Jehovah God through his chosen One. Life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ. — Rom. 6:23.
Jehovah the immortal One is "from everlasting to everlasting". (Ps. SO: 2) He has revealed himself to his creatures by his name Jehovah, meaning his purpose toward his creatures; by his name God, meaning the Creator of all things; by his name Almighty, meaning that he is all-powerful and nothing can successfully resist him; and by his name Most High, meaning that he is the supreme One above all. His name has been defamed before all creation. In due time he will vindicate his name for the good of all creation. His Vindicator is his chosen, anointed, beloved One who executes his judgment.
The covenants of Jehovah God manifest his purpose and reveal the manner of carrying out his purpose. Because his name and his covenants are so vitally important to man consideration thereof is given in the pages following. His name and his covenants are inseparably linked together. The carrying out of his covenants will be a vindication of his name, and the opening of the way for mankind to gain everlasting life, and will bring everlasting peace and joy to those that live on the earth.
The present-day visible rulers of this world are woefully deceived. They think they have the right to
rule the people. They possess no such right. God, "whose name alone is JEHOVAH," is the "King of eternity". (Ps. 83:18; Jer. 10:10, margin) All just power and authority reside in him. The tune is at hand when all must know that Jehovah is God, and that "to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will". (Dan. 4:17) When God took away from the nation of Israel all authority to rule, which he did in the year 606 B.C., he said: "It shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him." (Ezek. 21:27) He "whose right it is" has come. The great question now before living creatures is, Who is supreme? and who shall rule or control the world? The proper consideration of this question involves the name and the covenants of Jehovah, to the intent that men of intelligence may choose whom they will serve.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Chief Executive Officer of Jehovah, the Redeemer of man, and the world's rightful Ruler. Satan the Devil is the wicked one, the opposer of God, and man's greatest enemy. For centuries Satan has been the invisible overlord or controller of the world. There must be a change from Satan's rule to that by Jesus Christ. That change is impending and will take place within this generation.
WORLD
There is first here given the Scriptural definition of "world", and then the proof that Satan controls the world, and why a change of world control must shortly come to pass. "World" means the peoples of earth organized into forms of government, under the supervision of an invisible power or overlord. In the Bible the word "heaven" is used to represent the invisible
part of that rule, while "earth", as there used, means the visible power that rules, and it is "heaven" and "earth" together which constitute the "world". The 'people of good will' herein mentioned are those who have an honest and sincere desire to see justice and righteousness prevail, and hence they desire that the will of God may be done on earth as well as in heaven.
Jehovah God created the earth and put perfect man upon it, and made the spirit creature Lucifer the invisible overlord of the earth. Associated with Lucifer were many spirit creatures or angels forming a part of his immediate organization. Lucifer rebelled against Jehovah God, in which rebellion his host of angels joined, and man was led into lawlessness and sentenced to death. Since the entire human race sprang from that one man after he had sinned and was sentenced to death, all mankind have been born imperfect. (Rom. 5:12) God changed the name of Lucifer to that of Devil, Satan, Serpent, and Dragon, and since then Satan and his host of wicked angels have controlled the world.
Satan defied Jehovah God to put on earth men that would be faithful and true to God. That challenge God accepted. (Job 1:8-12; 2:1-6) Although sentenced to death, Satan and his wicked angels have been permitted to continue for a definite period of time unhindered in the prosecution of their wicked work, God abiding his own due time to take action against them. As the human race increased on the earth, other angels which had been wholly devoted to God materialized in human form and were induced by Satan and his wicked angels to mingle with humankind and marry the daughters of men, and from that union there came forth an unusual offspring. There followed a period of great wickedness in the earth, and God announced
his purpose to destroy the "world that then was" by a flood. That time in the Scriptures is called "Noah's day", because Noah was a righteous man and remained true to God. — Gen. 6:1-8; 1 Pet. 3:19, 20.
Jehovah God then told Noah to build an ark in which he would find refuge for himself and the immediate members of his household. Noah did as commanded, and then there came upon the world the deluge or great flood which destroyed all flesh. That destruction of all flesh was a type foreshadowing the destruction of the present wicked world. The saving of a few persons who found refuge in the ark pictured or foreshadowed the millions of people of good will who will be carried through the battle of the great day of God Almighty soon to be fought. A knowledge of the truth of and concerning these things is now of most vital importance to all persons of good will; hence that message is now declared as a notice and warning to all such people.
In the flood God destroyed all flesh, but he did not destroy the Devil and the other wicked spirits, but permitted them to continue to exercise power and influence over humankind until God's due time to take action. Why did not God then destroy the Devil? Jehovah's answer to that question is found in the Bible, at Exodus 9:16, in these words: "But for this cause have I allowed thee to remain, in order to show thee my power; and in order that they [my witnesses] may proclaim my name throughout all the earth." (Leeser) But the day of final reckoning must come, and in that day Satan and his power will be completely destroyed and there will be a complete change in the rulership of the world.
After the flood the human race multiplied in the earth and then men began to organize themselves into
governments, the first organization being under the leadership of Nimrod. (Gen. 10:8-10) In that government and in every government from then till now three elements have constituted the visible ruling power, to wit, religion, politics and commerce. During all that time Satan the Devil has exercised his subtle power over the men of the nations, defrauded and deceived them, and led them away from the true God. But in all the centuries past God has had a few men on earth who have remained true and faithful to him, and such men he has caused to be his witnesses in the earth.
Then Jehovah organized the people of Israel into a nation for himself and used that nation to foreshadow and foretell his purpose toward the human race. For some time that nation was faithful to God, but in the course of time the rulers and people fell under the wily influence of the Devil, turning away from God, and then that nation was completely destroyed. Israel was a type foreshadowing "Christendom". The nations of earth now called "Christendom" began to serve Jehovah, but in the course of time those nations fell away from the true worship of God, yielded to the seductive influence of Satan, and became corrupt, and God's decree is that they shall be completely destroyed at Armageddon, even as Israel was destroyed.
Satan, the wily and subtle foe, in order to deceive man, has caused the people to be kept in ignorance of himself and his work, his agents even denying that Satan exists at all. The question which you must determine now is whether you will believe and accept the word of man or believe and accept the truth of the Bible, which is God's Word. This message is addressed to those who believe that the Bible is the Word of God; and it will be a comfort to them, but not to
others. Now the world is in great distress; the rulers in every nation under the sun are in very great perplexity. They sense disaster ahead, but do not know the reason why, nor will they give heed to the Bible truth of and concerning the same. Many religious leaders have said that the present trouble upon the world is a punishment from God, whereas the Scriptures plainly state that Satan the Devil is the one causing the great distress and woe now upon the people. Therefore it is written: "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." (Rev. 12:12) Why has Satan brought this great woe upon the nations of earth?
SEED
At the beginning of Satan's rebellion Jehovah God promised that he would produce a "Seed" that would in due time rule the world in righteousness, destroy Satan and his organization, and bring blessings of peace, prosperity and life to all the peoples and nations of the earth that would do justice and righteousness. (Gen. 3:15) That promised "Seed" or Ruler is Christ Jesus, the beloved Son of God. Concerning him it is written: "The government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty [Ruler], The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, .. . The zeal of [Jehovah] of hosts will perform this." (Isa. 9: 6,7) Thus Christ Jesus is identified as earth's rightful ruler, by and through whom the human race must receive the desired blessings.
In A.D. 33 the man Jesus, after having delivered God's message of truth to Israel, was killed by Satan's agents. God then raised Jesus out of death and gave him life divine and made him the most exalted one in the universe and appointed him to the office of King or Ruler of the world. Jesus was required to wait, however, until God's due time for him to assume his rulership. (Ps. 110:1) When on the earth Jesus declared that he must go away and receive the kingdom and that he would then come again and set up the kingdom; and for that reason he taught Christians to pray: 'Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth.'
In answer to the question as to what would be the proof of his coming and his kingdom Jesus stated that the world war would mark the beginning of his operations concerning the world. That world war came in 1914 in fulfilment of the prophecy uttered by Jesus. It was in that year that Jehovah God installed Jesus and commissioned him to rule the world. (Ps. 2: 6-12) Christ Jesus is a spirit now, and cannot be seen by human eyes. As Satan has long been the invisible ruler over the world, hence unseen by men, so now his rule must cease and Christ Jesus becomes the invisible ruler and controller of the world. Jehovah God has for centuries suffered or permitted Satan to be the invisible ruler; but now that time limit is up and the end of Satan's world has come, and the time for Christ Jesus to take over the affairs of the world; and just before he begins the administration of blessings he will destroy the wicked ruler of this world and all who support that wicked ruler. — Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3: 8.
Satan knows that it is only a short time until Armageddon, which will be the final fight by Satan and his angels on one side and Christ Jesus and his angels
on the other side, and, knowing this, Satan brings great woe upon the world, his purpose being to turn the people away from the true God and cause their destruction. This is further supported by the words of Jesus, who said that at the end of the world there would be great distress upon earth, with perplexity, and men's hearts failing them because of things they sense coming upon the world. (Luke 21: 25, 26) This is exactly the condition that we see today. The great change from unrighteous to righteous rule or control of the world is impending.
Seeing the great danger of world collapse, earthly rulers organized the League of Nations as a substitute for God's kingdom, and the religious element of the world hails that League of Nations as "the political expression of God's kingdom on earth"; which claim is wholly false. Today an organization in America known as "The League of Nations Association, Inc.", by its president, has issued an appeal to the people to support the League of Nations, and which appeal among other things says: "In a world as dark as this, why blow out the only light there is?" meaning that the League of Nations is the only hope of the world. Let the people be warned that the League of Nations is the product of Satan, brought forth to deceive the people and blind them to the truth concerning God's kingdom. The League of Nations is absolutely certain to go down with the other parts of Satan's organization. God foreknew and foretold this confederacy of nations, and concerning it by his prophet he said: 'Associate yourselves together, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces.... Bind yourselves together, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought.' — Isa. 8: 9,10.
In giving his answer concerning the evidence proving the end of the world Jesus referred to the League of Nations as that "abomination that maketh desolate", because it assumes to take the place of God's kingdom. He said to his followers: 'When ye shall see the abomination of desolation [which is the League of Nations] stand in the holy place, then flee to God's kingdom.' (Matt. 24:15, 16) Jesus gives this warning because the League of Nations is Satan's scheme to blind the people to the truth. All who seek refuge in the League of Nations will come to disaster. God's kingdom under Christ is the only hope of the human race, and refuge will be found only in God's organization.
For more than 1800 years the Israelites were God's typical people, and it is expressly stated in the Bible that what came to pass in connection with that nation foreshadowed what shall come to pass at the end of the world, where we now are. The nation of Israel began to function while domiciled in Egypt, and there the people of Israel pictured or represented the peoples now on earth who are on the side of God and Christ and who desire to see righteousness control and oppression end. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, represented or stood for Satan, the god or invisible ruler of the wicked world. Pharaoh and the officers of his government heaped great oppression upon the Israelites. — Ex. 1:8-22; 2:23-25.
Jehovah God sent Moses and Aaron to Egypt to be witnesses to his name and power. Moses was a type of Christ Jesus, while Aaron was a type of Jehovah's witnesses working under the direction of Christ Jesus. God commanded Moses and Aaron to go before Pharaoh and demand that his people Israel be permitted to serve and worship God in the way that Jehovah had
appointed for them. Pharaoh refused to grant that request. Then God commanded Moses to bring plagues upon Egypt, that the rulers and the people might be informed and warned that Jehovah is the Almighty God and that his commandments must be obeyed. In all there were ten plagues that befell Egypt. The ninth plague was that of great darkness over all the land of Egypt except that part where God's chosen people were, and there the Israelites had complete light, which was a special favor from Jehovah.
Now at the end of the world Jehovah has sent Christ Jesus, the Greater Moses, and has sent forth his witnesses, pictured by Aaron, and commanded that his testimony must be given to the rulers of the world and to the people that Jehovah is the Supreme One and that his people shall be permitted without interference to worship and serve God in the way he has appointed for them. In the year 1919 the religious, political and commercial elements of "Christendom" set up the League of Nations in opposition to God's kingdom under Christ, and since then all these visible rulers have vigorously opposed Jehovah's witnesses. At the command of the Lord his witnesses have served notice and warning upon the rulers that the world has ended, and that the kingdom of God is at hand, and have demanded of the rulers that God's people be permitted without interference to serve and worship him in the manner Jehovah has appointed for them. The serving of such notice and warning constitutes the fulfilment of the nine plagues of Egypt; which nine prophetic plagues have been fulfilled upon the rulers of the world.*
As the ninth plague on Egypt was great darkness, just so now the rulers of the world are in great dark-
ness as to God's purpose, because they refuse to heed God's truth. This is particularly shown by the fact that the League of Nations is openly claimed to be the only light that now shines on earth. The only exception to this great darkness is that those persons who have taken their stand on the side of God and his kingdom are now enjoying the light of the Word of God and by it are directed in the right course. At the conclusion of the ninth plague upon Egypt Pharaoh said to Moses and Aaron: 'Be gone and see me no more.' Even so now after the ninth antitypical plague has been served upon the rulers of the world, they have in effect said to Jehovah's witnesses: 'Be gone and let us have no more to do with you.' Pharaoh defied Jehovah God. The rulers of the world are now doing the same thing. They oppose Jehovah's witnesses and spurn God's warning, and they reject God and his kingdom.
After this, and in harmony with the will of God as he has commanded, Jehovah's witnesses will give no further notice and warning to the rulers of the world, but must now bring to the attention of the people of good will the message of notice and warning concerning Armageddon and God's kingdom, even as Moses and Aaron gave special instruction to the Israelites just before the tenth plague came upon Egypt.
The firstborn of Egypt under their law constituted a specially favored class; and hence in the prophetic picture the firstborn represented the present visible ruling element of the earth. The tenth and last plague which God sent upon Egypt was this: He sent his angel throughout the land of Egypt and slew every one of the firstborn of the Egyptians, but gave protection to the firstborn of the Israelites because they obeyed his commandment, showing faith in man's Redeemer.
The Israelites immediately left Egypt and were pursued by Pharaoh and his official organization, all of which were destroyed in the sea. That foreshadowed or pictured Armageddon, which will mean the complete destruction of Satan's rule of this world, both visible and invisible. — Rev. 16:13-16; 19:19-20:3.
WARNING NOTICE
The Scriptures reveal that God never takes advantage of the ignorance of anyone, but always gives notice and warning before taking action to vindicate his name. Mark this, that he caused Noah to testify to men and angels of his purpose to destroy the world before he brought the flood, which destroyed the world. He caused Moses and Aaron to give full notice and warning to Egypt, and then came the destruction of that world power. He caused Jesus to give fair notice and warning to the rebellious nation of Israel; and then followed the destruction of that nation. Now Jehovah has caused his witnesses to give full and fair notice and warning to the rulers of this world; and when this witness work is completed there shall quickly follow the complete destruction of the world. The flood, the destruction of Egypt, and the fall of Jerusalem brought great trouble upon the people, but Jesus declares that Armageddon shall bring upon the world the greatest tribulation ever known, and that it will be the last. (Matt. 24:14, 21, 22) Hence we may know that the impending battle of Armageddon will be the final and complete execution of Jehovah's judgment against the wicked, both invisible and visible.
Armageddon will not be fought between men of the nations of earth. Armageddon is the 'battle of the great day of God Almighty', in which Christ Jesus
and his angels will fight against Satan and his wicked host, and Christ will be completely victorious. Mark now the words of the record in 2 Peter 3, to wit: 'In the last days shall come those who will deny and scoff at the kingdom of God, and for this they willingly are ignorant of the truth, that by the word of God the heavens and earth that were of old, constituting the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished; but the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto destruction against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. . . . Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements [visible ruling powers] shall melt with fervent heat.' — 2 Pet. 3: 3-7, 12.
Those inspired words recorded in the Bible tell what shall shortly come upon the world, making a complete end of Satan's rule, thus clearing the way for the righteous rule of Christ Jesus. Continuing the apostle says: "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Pet. 3:13) This marks the complete change of world control, the "new heavens" being the Christ or invisible rule, and the "new earth" meaning those faithful men of old from Abel to John the Baptist, who being resurrected as perfect men shall become the visible rulers in the earth; and that rule shall be one of righteousness. — Ps. 45:16; Isa. 32:1; Heb. 11:4-35.
In Revelation 21 the new rule of the world is symbolically called "the holy city" or organization, and is described as coming down from God out of heaven, which holy and righteous rule under Christ shall bring the greatest blessings to the people. Exercising
his supreme power by and through Christ Jesus, Jehovah the great God of the universe will then bless all the people who obey his righteous law. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new: . . . for these words are true and faithful." — Rev. 21:4, 5.
The so-called "holy year" has failed to bring the promised peace and prosperity, and that failure should of itself convince the people of good will that God did not authorize the year 1933 to be called a holy year, nor will he answer the prayers of men who try to make it a holy year. Upon earth there is now no peace, and poverty continues to stalk hideously through the land. Jehovah's witnesses have no controversy with men. Their only purpose is to be obedient to God's commandment to tell the message of truth. As he has commanded this message to be delivered, by his grace they will do it, regardless of opposition; and when they have thus done, their responsibility ends and the people's begins. All human schemes to recover the world are certain to fail. The world is sick unto death, and it is going to die. There may be a temporary period of prosperity, but it will be very brief. Jehovah's decree is that there shall be a complete change of world control, and for this reason the old world must perish.
In the terrible disaster that shall soon come upon the present world all who oppose God will die and will find no possible way of escape. (Jer. 25: 33-36) Money, property and worldly influence will not avail anyone to buy protection or relief in that tune of great trouble. Concerning the same it is written in
God's Word: "The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." (Isa. 24: 3, 5) The everlasting covenant here mentioned 13 God's covenant concerning the sanctity of life. (Gen. 9:1-11) Every nation on earth has grossly violated and willfully broken that covenant by causing the unnecessary and untimely death of human creatures. Examples of such needless bloodstains upon the record of America are the cruel treatment to which the Indians have been subjected, and the wanton slaughter of animals; and which was done chiefly because of greed for gain. The commercial and political elements of the earth have unjustly oppressed and killed millions of human creatures, and the religious element has connived at and condoned such wrongful deeds. God will balance the books at Armageddon.
The people are here warned of a wicked conspiracy formed by Satan, and in which conspiracy there are joined the international bankers, the unfaithful clergy, and the conscienceless politicians, among the purposes of which conspiracy are these: To put America into the League of Nations, control the money and all other property, rule the people by the hand of their one-man dictator, destroy the freedom of speech and press, and stop the true worship of God and Christ.
But be of good courage! The hand of Almighty God at Armageddon will smite all these enemies to the dust!
What, then, is the hope of the nations of the earth? Jehovah God points to Christ Jesus, the new Ruler of the world, and says: 'Behold my servant, in whom my soul is pleased. He shall show righteous judgment to
the nations, and in his name shall the nations hope.' (Matt. 12:18-21) Having been warned, men are at liberty to join whatsoever organization they may wish; but let the people of good will who desire to see righteousness, peace, prosperity and life everlasting on the earth take their stand wholly on the side of God and his kingdom. There is no place of safety anywhere else. To take your stand on Jehovah's side you do not need to join any human organization, but in the privacy of your home devote yourself to God and his kingdom under Christ. Be diligent to study the Word of truth and learn the way of righteousness. Avoid all controversies and strifes. If riots and revolutions come, keep away from them. Deal honestly and justly with your fellow man, and worship and obey the Almighty God. There are on earth today millions of people of good will who desire to know and to do what is right, and those who follow the instructions given to them in the Word of God may be hid in the time of the great tribulation, and be carried through it safely, and then live for ever on the earth and never die. (Zeph. 2:2, 3) Hence it can be truly said, "Millions now living will never die." — John 8: 51.
Jesus said: "All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth." (John 5: 28, 29) In Acts 24:15 it is written: "There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust." The general resurrection of dead mankind covers the period of the thousand years of Christ's kingdom, and within that period all in their graves will be brought forth and given a trial for life. Human perfection and eternal life on earth will be given to the obedient ones. The earth will be made glorious and a fit place for perfected man to live. "Jehovah preserveth all them that love him; but all the wicked will he destroy."
