PREPARATION

CHAPTER XII

WAR

(ZECHARIAH, CHAPTER 14)

JEHOVAH is the God of war, almighty in battle. (Ex. 15:3; Ps. 24:8,10) He battles only for a righteous cause; hence he says: "To every thing there is a season, ... a time of war, and a time of peace." (Eccl. 3:1-8) Jehovah knew the end from the beginning. (Acts 15:18) When Satan hurled defiance in Jehovah's face, challenging him to put men on earth who would be true and faithful to him, Jehovah knew then that he would permit Satan a specific time limit in which to make proof of his defiance and challenge and that at the expiration of that time limit there would be a great war to settle the question at issue. That great war must precede the day of everlasting peace on earth and good will toward men. During that fixed period of time Christ Jesus, the mighty Field Marshal of Jehovah, must wait without taking action against Satan. (Ps. 110:1) That time limit expired in 1914, and immediately there began a war in heaven. (Rev. 11:17,18; 12:7) Jehovah caused his prophet Zechariah to prophesy concerning the end of that time limit and what should follow thereafter: "BEHOLD THE DAY OF THE LORD COMETH, AND THY SPOIL SHALL BE DIVIDED IN THE MIDST OF THEE." (14: 1) The day of Jehovah of hosts' began in 1914, and the

climax will be reached in the vindication of his holy name at Armageddon; hence that fight is called "the battle of that great day of God Almighty". In this prophecy of Zechariah the first part of that day is referred to, when the enemy makes his initial assault upon the new-born Kingdom and its earthly representatives.

The kingdom of God under Christ had begun, and such is designated in The Revelation as 'the birth of the man child'. Now Satan would, if possible, spoil those on the earth who represent the earthly interests of that kingdom. The work to be done on the earth in connection with God's kingdom had been committed to faithful men who loved God and Christ and who devoted themselves unselfishly to proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. The work which they did of preaching the gospel and thus giving attention to the kingdom interests had long previous thereto been pictured or foreshadowed by the prophet Elijah; and hence it is called the "Elijah work" of the followers of Christ Jesus. Elijah and Elisha were separated by a chariot and horses of fire, and Elijah was taken away by a whirlwind. (2 Ki. 2: 11) This prophetic picture foretold that the Elijah work would end amidst a fiery time or trials and war.

"THY SPOIL SHALL BE DIVIDED IN THE MIDST OF THEE." (14:1) This part of the prophecy was accomplished in the year 1918, when the Elijah work was killed. The prophecy shows that this dividing of the spoils must occur before Armageddon and, in fact, prior to the gathering of

God's people in the temple and their anointing there. In 1919 God's covenant people were brought back from captivity to Satan's organization and began the work which was foreshadowed by that which Elisha did; hence the work of the witnesses of Jehovah since that time is called the "Elisha work" of the followers of Christ Jesus. Since that time the promise of Jehovah applicable to his faithful people is: "For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; that the righteous put not forth their hands unto iniquity."  — Ps. 125:3, R.V.

Thereafter and before Armageddon God makes a covenant of peace with his people, which he will keep perpetually. (Ezek. 34:25; Vindication, Book Two, page 240) Gog and his wicked host shall never divide the spoil of God's remnant; which is clearly shown by the prophecy of Ezekiel (chapters 38 and 39). (Vindication, Book Two, pages 309-348) Gog and his forces attempt to take the spoil again, but fail.

The 'man child's having been born' means the beginning of God's capital organization to function. And now the great question for determination is: Shall God's organization exist permanently and rule the world in righteousness, or shall Satan continue his wicked rule? There must be a great and final war to settle this question once and for ever. The new and righteous government under Christ is designated under the symbol of Jerusalem, which is the new Jerusalem, the holy city coining down from God out

of heaven. That is the holy organization of Jehovah. (Rev. 21:2) It is this holy organization against which Satan gathers his forces for the attack, because it is the place where the Lord God has chosen to put his name. (Deut. 16:11) Therefore Jehovah caused Zechariah to prophesy: "FOR I WILL GATHER ALL NATIONS AGAINST JERUSALEM TO BATTLE; AND THE CITY SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE HOUSES RIFLED, AND THE WOMEN RAVISHED; AND HALF OF THE CITY SHALL GO FORTH INTO CAPTIVITY, AND THE RESIDUE OF THE PEOPLE SHALL NOT BE CUT OFF FROM THE CITY." — 14: 2.

Jehovah is the Commander in Chief of all the forces of righteousness, and he maneuvers the armies so that the enemy is forced to concentrate all of his forces at a certain location and where he will be completely destroyed in the great battle. The all-wise skillful General selects the place of battle, and there the battle shall be fought. Thus Jehovah in maneuvering all the forces gathers all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, that is to say, against his organization. God notifies the enemy of the attack and tells him to get ready for it, and He assembles his own troops in his organization on Mount Zion; and thus Satan is compelled to gather his forces to Armageddon. "For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses." — Josh. 11:20.

But before the great battle of Armageddon is fought Satan attacks God's organization on earth and spoils it, as stated in verses one and two of this prophecy. "AND THE CITY SHALL BE CAPTURED." (Roth.) In the spring of 1918 was the darkest period of the World War and Satan had then instilled into the hearts of the peoples of all nations of "Christendom" hatred for God's covenant people. "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake." (Matt. 24:9) Smarting with hatred by reason of his defeat and ousting from heaven in the battle there with the Lord, Satan was determined that Jehovah's covenant people on earth should nevermore give testimony in behalf of Jehovah and his Christ, which testimony would tend to vindicate the name of Jehovah. Therefore Satan set all the ruling powers of "Christendom" against God's people and sought their destruction: "But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and

Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified."  — Rev. 11:2,3,7,8.

Great Britain and the United States, that is to say, "Christendom," is where the attack was specifically made, being first begun in Canada, one of the governments of the Anglo-American empire system. God's organization on earth was captured and "THE HOUSES [were] RIFLED"; that is, many houses of the consecrated were searched and rifled, and the occupants were arrested because they had in their possession song books, Bibles, and other books pertaining to the Bible, particularly the Studies in the Scriptures. Shortly thereafter the rifling and searching by Satan's agents was begun in the United States, and the Society's headquarters and offices were rifled and searched without legal warrant, and books of account and important papers were seized and carried away. Then followed the searching of many private houses and class rooms of God's people, and a wholesale seizure of their property, and many were arrested and thrown into prison because they had in possession Bibles and books bearing testimony to the name of Jehovah God and his kingdom.

No greater humiliation can be heaped upon a good woman than to be ravished. The prophecy says: "AND THE WOMEN RAVISHED," meaning those 'chaste virgins' espoused unto Christ who were waiting for the coming of the Bridegroom, (2 Cor. 11:2; Matt. 25:1-3) These faithful devoted ones were greatly humiliated by the agents of Satan who under the pretext of making the

world safe for democracy showed no respect to the virgin purity and the relationship of the faithful ones to Christ. The agents of the wicked one attempted to force these virgins to abandon their state of virtuous devotion to Christ and to join the forces of the Devil; and when the faithful ones refused to yield, their work was killed and some of them were actually killed. This was a violent attempt to ravish some, but which did not succeed, the faithful preferring death rather than to yield.

But there were those who at and prior to that time were of God's organization, that did yield to Satan's rapers. A good woman will defend her virtue at the cost of her life, but a weaker one will be induced by fear or other cause to yield to the assault of the raper. During the World War there were those who became unfaithful to God and to Christ, being induced by fear and other causes to yield to the wicked influence and forces employed by Satan and his agents; and such became defiled, either going back into the world and denying the Lord or becoming members of the "evil servant" class, the "man of sin", "the son of perdition." Such were raped, within the meaning of the scripture, by Satan's agents, and their virginity was lost. Such unclean ones no longer could be called "virgins", but would be called "women". (Jer. 51:30) Those who had fear of man or for any other cause permitted themselves to be brought into relationship with Satan's organization, thereby became unclean, and the facts show that many who had been in

the covenant with God and Christ did thus fall away. There was a dear mark of distinction between such and the faithful who remained true to the Lord and were willing to undergo any kind of punishment rather than to yield. In the time of stress many who were in the covenant with the Lord saved themselves from prison by yielding, and many who refused to yield to the influence of Satan were imprisoned.

"THE CITY," God's organization on earth, was taken, which means that the enemy forced the covenant people of God on earth to stop their work. The Elijah work was killed, or cut off, and never thereafter revived. But those faithful members of God's organization by his grace thereafter rose up again and revived and engaged in the work of the Lord foreshadowed by Elisha. That, of course, was after they were delivered from the custody of Satan's organization. Those in the covenant with Christ and God who were weak in faith and fearful fell away to Satan's organization and lost out, some of whom have since tried to carry on a 'dead work', that is, the Elijah work, which came to an end in 1918. These being no longer virgins, because ravished by Satan's organization, are therefore unclean, and they are not permitted to enter the house of the Lord.

In 1918, during the time of the assault made by Satan's agents, the people then forming God's organization on earth were separated into two companies or divisions. "AND HALF OF THE CITY SHALL GO FORTH INTO CAPTIVITY," says the proph-

et. This captivity does not seem to apply to the "great multitude", as referred to in Ezekiel 39: 22-24, because the "great multitude" was never in line for the kingdom; whereas Zechariah's prophecy here deals with those in the organisation and who had responded to the call for the kingdom at the time when Christ Jesus appeared at the temple. Of that entire company or organization, symbolized by "THE CITY", one part goes into the "evil servant" class, while the other part the Lord uses to make up the "faithful and wise servant" class. (Matt. 24:45-51) The clear inference to be drawn from this language of Zechariah's prophecy is that the one part that went into captivity is cut off completely from God's organization. Exactly in contrast with this the prophet says: "AND THE RESIDUE [meaning the remnant] OF THE PEOPLE SHALL NOT BE CUT OFF FROM THE CITY."

There is no evidence whatsoever in this prophecy to show that the "HALF", or part, that is "CUT OFF" is ever restored to the city. That conclusion is exactly in harmony with the ultimate fate of the "evil servant", the "man of sin" class. This being true, the prophecy of Ezekiel 39, involving the "great multitude" class, is not involved at all in this prophetic picture recorded by Zechariah. The prophecy of Zechariah deals specifically with those who are being prepared for the final battle of Armageddon, and, at this particular point in the prophecy, the faithful part that is prepared for Jehovah's use is made prominent. The "great multitude" will have

nothing to do with the battle of Armageddon, and those who yield to Satan and join his organization do so before the battle is fought. It is the remnant, who maintain their integrity and their virgin purity and cleanliness, that God declares "SHALL NOT BE CUT OFF FROM THE CITY", and these are exactly in contrast with the class that does fall away to Satan. That "HALF", or part, that 'goes forth into captivity' means that they join with and go down with the enemy organization. Any interpretation of this part of the prophecy contrary to what is here said, and which has heretofore been published, is not correct. The above explanation here given is fully supported by the Scriptures and by the facts that have already come to pass, which is the best rule for the determination as to the correctness of a prophetic explanation.

Those who had unselfishly engaged in the Elijah work and who withstood the assaults of Satan and his agents at the time the Elijah work was killed, and which class was pictured by Mordecai and Naomi, are the ones that form the half (or part) of the Lord's people that by his grace are used by him to begin and carry forward the Elisha work. These are not cut off from the "city" or organization. In due time those pictured by Esther and Ruth are brought in and made a part of the "city" and become a part of the residue or remnant. The statement that "THE RESIDUE . . . SHALL NOT BE CUT OFF" surely signifies that the Elisha-Jehu work shall never fail, but that those who are permitted to

engage in that work maintain their integrity and shall for ever be with the Lord in the temple or holy organization of Jehovah.

It is the faithful remnant, cleansed and made a part of the temple organization, that constitutes the people of God 'taken out for his name' and upon which people God bestows his name and sends them forth to be his witnesses; and to this class he commits "the testimony of Jesus Christ". It is against this faithful remnant that Satan gathers his forces to make war. (Rev. 12:17) This prophecy is an assurance that Satan cannot succeed against the faithful remnant of Jehovah. That faithful half of the city is built up into Zion, and to such Jehovah is a strong tower of refuge, into which they run and are safe. (Prov. 18:10, A.R.V.) That part of Zechariah's prophecy (14:1,2) has been fulfilled, and the preparation work continues, looking forward to the great battle of Armageddon.

ALIGNMENT

Jehovah stopped the World War in 1918 'for the sake of the elect', that further preparation might be made for the coming battle. Christ Jesus then began to gather together unto himself the faithful remnant. (2 Thess. 2:1) The remnant is gathered into the temple and anointed and sent forth with the command to 'preach this gospel of the kingdom unto the peoples for a witness' before the final battle is fought. (Matt. 24: 14,21, 22) These faithful ones that maintain their integrity and obey the Lord joyfully pro-

claim the message of warning to the rulers, and the message of good cheer to those who love righteousness and who desire to learn of Jehovah and his kingdom. These faithful ones are the real enemies of Satan on the earth. They constitute "THE RESIDUE [that] SHALL NOT BE CUT OFF FROM THE CITY", but which the Lord has prepared for his service. They are in the temple, and they do temple service by continually proclaiming God's name and singing forth his praises, advertising his King and kingdom.

Jehovah brings the great 'war chariot' into view of the remnant. (Ezekiel 1) Zechariah says: "THEN SHALL THE LORD [JEHOVAH] GO FORTH." (14:3) Jehovah gives attention to the things pertaining to the earth, where his great battle is to be fought, and thus he 'goes forth'. Jehovah's chief representative, Christ Jesus, takes his place at the head of the militant column of Jehovah, riding a "white horse", hence a righteous war mount. He appears in battle array upon Mount Zion, at the head of Jehovah's great organization. (Rev. 19:11,14) He is accompanied by a host of mighty angel warriors. (Matt. 25: 31) There on Mount Zion he gathers unto himself the entire 144,000 members of his body, including the faithful remnant on earth, all of whom are joining in the victory song of praise to Jehovah and his mighty anointed One. Mark that those who are with him there have not been "defiled with women [like other men] ; for they are virgins", and are not cut off from the "city", but they follow their Head and Lead-

er whithersoever he goes and in obedience to his command. They are pictured as being on Mount Zion, that is to say, in the Lord's organization, proclaiming the praises of Jehovah and his King. (Rev. 14:1-4) It is the gathering together of Jehovah's righteous government under Christ, and it shall take away Satan's misrule and shall ever thereafter rule in righteousness.

Satan, having awakened from the jolt received by him at the time he was cast out of heaven, now boldly gathers together all his war forces, because he "knoweth that he hath but a short time", and hence he hastens to prepare for the battle. Satan has three particular mouthpieces, to wit, (1) Gog, his chief representative, and who therefore is the representative of the "dragon" who assembles the dragon's forces; and (2) the "beast", that is to say, the entire visible or worldly organization of the Devil, and (3) the "false prophet", which is the Anglo-American empire system and therefore "Christendom". (Rev. 16:13) The latter maintains a wise appearance and gives utterance to great and blasphemous words to deceive and mislead the people, and hence is designated "the false prophet". It specifically proclaims the message that it will make the world a fit place to live in. All of Satan's forces exercise great power and influence over the peoples of the earth, and what they do appears to the godless people as miraculous. "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them

to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."  — Rev. 16: 14.

Satan's war organization is here symbolized by "chariots", and these he rushes to the place of assembly, making much bluster and noise for the manifest purpose of impressing the ignorant people, as he hurries on to prepare for the fight "The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways; they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings." (Nah. 2:4) Amidst a great amount of noise, boasting and blustering of Satan and his visible agents he makes ready for the war: "The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the prancing horses, and of the jumping chariots." — Nah. 3:2.

It seems certain that from the time that the Lord 'goes forth', as stated in verse three of this prophecy of Zechariah, until the beginning of the 'FIGHT' is a period of time of considerable length, the duration of which is not made known. Jehovah, when coming forth, is pictured by the prophet as standing above his entire organization. "AND HIS FEET SHALL STAND IN THAT DAY UPON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, WHICH IS BEFORE JERUSALEM ON THE EAST; AND THE MOUNT OF OLIVES SHALL CLEAVE IN THE MIDST THEREOF TOWARD THE EAST AND TOWARD THE WEST, AND THERE SHALL BE A VERY GREAT VALLEY: AND HALF OF THE MOUNTAIN-SHALL REMOVE TOWARD THE NORTH, AND HALF OF IT TOWARD THE SOUTH." (14:4) Standing thus his feet would represent that all of his mighty

force is under his command. A similar expression occurs concerning Barak, who on one occasion led the Lord's forces, and who "went up with ten thousand men at his feet". It was at that time that God fought for his covenant people, and it illustrates how he comes forth and will fight for them again. (Judg. 4:10; 5:20) Jehovah is the great Warrior, and his war organization is at his feet, the "ten thousand" being symbolic of the entire organization. — Deut. 33:3.

His feet "STAND" upon the mount of Olives, says the prophet, "THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, WHICH IS BEFORE JERUSALEM," and which is Jehovah's universal organization and out from which he sends his Anointed, Christ Jesus, as his chief representative. This he does when he sends forth Christ Jesus, the Head of his capital organization, and commands him to stand up and rule amongst the enemy. (Ps. 110: 2; Dan. 12:1) The beginning of that period of time, or "THAT DAY", marks the beginning of the reign of Christ, to wit, in 1914. From that time Jehovah 'stands' as the right-hand support of his anointed One. "The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen [nations], he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries." — Ps. 110:5,6.

The word "JERUSALEM", in this verse four of the prophecy, includes all the spirit-begotten ones of earth, and particularly the faithful remnant, which is the visible part of Jehovah's or-

ganization. The invisible or heavenly part of Jehovah's organization overshadows the visible part, like as the Mount of Olives on the east of Jerusalem overshadows that city. It is on "THE MOUNT OF OLIVES", the great universal organization of Jehovah God, on which Jehovah's feet stand and from which point he supervises the operation of his army against the enemy nations and forces gathered against Jerusalem. The mountain is "ON THE EAST", which is the direction from which Jesus made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem when he offered himself as King. (Luke 19: 35-38) It is also the point from which he, as the great Officer of Jehovah, inspects the earth, as stated in Zechariah 1:10. Jesus was on the Mount of Olives at the time he gave the prophecy concerning the end of the world, about which Zechariah here prophesied. The east is the direction from which the Lord ascends as the angel with the "seal of the living God". — Rev. 7: 2, 3; Light, Book One, page 86.

Lucifer was at one time an officer in the organization of Jehovah, pictured by the Mount of Olives, but because of his rebellion he was cast out of that "mountain" as profane. (Ezek. 28:14-16) The feet of Jehovah stand upon the mountain at the time when the counterfeit Jerusalem, that is to say, hypocritical "Christendom", is destroyed: "Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. And the glory of the Lord went up from midst of the [condemned] city, and stood

upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city." (Ezek. 11:22,23) The prophecy of Zechariah discloses that when the feet of Jehovah "SHALL STAND . . . UPON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES" it shall cleave in the midst thereof and become two mountains, and thereafter is called by the Lord "MY MOUNTAINS". (14: 5, R.V., margin) It was in the year A.D. 1914 that Jehovah 'came forth', and out of his universal organization there then comes without the act of hands the great "stone", which is his anointed King, the Christ. That Stone, cut out of the "MOUNT OF OLIVES", becomes the great mountain that fills the whole earth. — Dan. 2: 34,44,45.

When Jehovah's feet stood upon the Mount of Olives, says the prophet, there was a splitting toward (in favor of) Jerusalem, which would now be at the western end of the split or valley, and right in line with it, as the result of the act of Jehovah's feet standing on the mountain and the bringing forth of his kingdom. At that time there was a great war in progress in heaven, and later, when the facts were revealed to the consecrated people of God on earth that 'The Nation is born', there was a great shaking up amongst them. The publication of the explanation of Revelation twelve in The Watchtower, under the title of the "Birth of the Nation", caused a great shaking amongst God's covenant people. The splitting of the Mount of Olives forms a great valley, and this affords a way or course for a grand highway. (Isa. 35:8, 9) This is the Kingdom valley.

The "HALF OF THE MOUNTAIN" that moves toward the north represents Jehovah's royal family, the Christ, now in kingdom power. "NORTH" is a superior position, as the capital of Zion, Jehovah's organization; therefore of it there is written by the psalmist: "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge." (Ps. 48:2,3) Jehovah's position would be that of facing Jerusalem; hence his right foot would rest upon the north half of the mountain, or capital of his organization, and this pictures Jehovah as the Head of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:3) His left foot would rest upon the southern half of the mountain, or the other part of his organization, that is to say, his universal organization.

Satan tried to move his position, at one time, to "the sides of the north", but did not succeed. (Isa. 14:13,14) That is the direction of supreme authority, and from which comes the destruction of "Christendom" and all other parts of Satan's organization. "I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name; and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay." (Isa. 41:25) Ezekiel prophesied: "It was according to ... the vision that I saw when I came to prophesy that the city should be destroyed." (Ezek. 43: 3, margin; 1:4) After Christ Jesus is made the Head of the royal house the rest of Jehovah's organization takes a subordinate po-

sition; and this is pictured by the mountain on the south of the split or valley, the mountain on which the left foot of Jehovah stands.

The prophecy now gives direction to those who love God, saying: "YE SHALL FLEE TO THE VALLEY OF MY MOUNTAINS." (14:5, A.R.V., margin) The remnant, "the faithful and wise servant" class, are the first to see and appreciate this provision for their protection and safety. They see that the kingdom is born and "Christendom" has set up an abominable thing in its place and stead, and they flee to the mountains: "When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains." (Matt. 24:15,16) They "which be in Judaea" are the ones set aside for the service and praise of Jehovah's name. "And when ye shall see [unfaithful] Jerusalem [which is 'Christendom' or 'organized Christianity'] compassed with [Jehovah's] armies [the six with slaughter weapons, described in Ezekiel 9], then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled." (Luke 21:20-22) While in "THE VALLEY" Jehovah's witnesses are protected by the north half (Christ) and by the south half ("his angels" of Jehovah's organiza-

tion). "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." (Ps. 34: 7) "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." — Ps. 91:11.

The "MOUNTAIN" yields to the irresistible touch of Jehovah's feet and separates according to his will, forming a valley very near to and within easy access of the remnant, pictured by "JERUSALEM". This is shown by the words of the prophet saying, "THE VALLEY . . . SHALL REACH UNTO AZAL" (14:5), which means, "REACH VERY NEAR" (Roth.), and which is for the primary benefit of those who are not "cut off from the city". "YEA, YE SHALL FLEE"; meaning the remnant shall flee to the valley. (2: 6, 7) "Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul; be not cut off in her iniquity: for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence." (Jer. 51: 6) "LIKE AS YE FLED FROM BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE IN THE DAYS OF UZZIAH." Uzziah, king of Israel attempted impiously to offer incense and was stricken with the deadly malady of leprosy and was "cut off from the house of the Lord"; and this act is connected with the earthquake. (See Josephus Ant. IX, 10,4; 2 Chron. 26:16-21.) That corresponds to the time after "Christendom" was cut off from the Lord, and after the fulfilment of the vision, had by Isaiah, of the Lord in his temple. (Isa. 6:1-10) These prophecies locate the time of the 'fleeing of the remnant' as occurring after 1918. The "great multitude" and the Jonadab

class flee into this valley of safety in God's due time.

The prophetic picture first shows Jehovah's feet standing on the mount; and now by his Proxy, Christ Jesus, he moves over to Jerusalem to the temple for judgment and for the vindication of his name, and concerning which Zechariah the prophet says: "AND THE LORD MY GOD SHALL COME." (14:5) The next words of the prophecy to follow appear to be addressed by the prophet to Jehovah, when he says: "AND ALL THE HOLY ONES WITH THEE [ Jehovah]." (14 : 5, R.V.) Manifestly "THE HOLY ONES" here means the holy creatures, seraphim and angels, that attend Jesus at the temple. (Matt. 25: 31; Jude 14,15; Isa. 6:1,2) All of these are invisible now to those who flee into the valley and who take their position preparatory for the great battle that is about to follow.

The preparation for the battle continues, and the forces assume their various positions. In a time of fog there is some daylight, but not clear light. This fog picture seems to illustrate the expression of the prophecy following: "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, THAT THE LIGHT SHALL NOT BE CLEAR [ PRECIOUS, margin], NOR DARK [THICKNESS, margin]." (14:6) According to Rotherham: "THERE SHALL BE NO LIGHT, THE BRIGHT STARS SHALL BE WITHDRAWN." The Hebrew word for "dark" means "shrunk, or, thick", like curdled milk (Job 10:10) or frozen water. (Ex. 15:8) Hence during the cloudy condition of the skies some light only is apparent. This

period of time when there is no clear light seems to have had its beginning about the end of 1914 and continued until the end of the 1260-day period, to wit, September, 1922. (Rev. 12: 6,13,14) That was the period of time when there was no clear light, but a time of much talk and conjecture and personal interpretation on the part of God's covenant people, the "mystery of God" not then being "finished". (Rev. 10: 7; Light, Book One, page 180) Since then the prophecies have gradually unfolded to those fully devoted to God, but the day is still dark to those who have declined to feed upon the convenient food which Jehovah has provided for those that love him.

Beginning with 1914 and until Armageddon, therefore, appears to be a period of time set aside as peculiar to itself. "BUT IT SHALL BE ONE DAY [AND IT SHALL BE A DAY BY ITSELF, Roth.], WHICH SHALL BE KNOWN TO THE LORD, NOT DAY, NOR NIGHT; BUT IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT AT EVENING TIME IT SHALL BE LIGHT." (14:7) The period of time from the beginning of the kingdom until the vindication of Jehovah's name at Armageddon is a period of time separate and distinct from the thousand-year reign of Christ, and is therefore "A DAY BY ITSELF". This would suggest that the "thousand years", mentioned in Revelation 20:4, begins with the binding of Satan, and not with the birth of the kingdom. This particular "ONE DAY" is the one in which the light of the temple class continues to grow brighter as Jehovah unfolds his prophecy to

them for their admonition and comfort, and it gradually comes unto the complete light of the perfect day. (Prov. 4:18) Therefore the "DAY", or period of time, is in a class by itself. It is the Lord's day; and what a day of blessedness it is to those who continue to maintain their integrity toward Jehovah, particularly from and after 1926! — Dan. 12:12.

"IT SHALL BE ONE PARTICULAR DAY" (Leeser), and that day shall be "KNOWN UNTO THE LORD". (R.V.) This means that it belongs particularly to Jehovah's service from the beginning of the kingdom and to the vindication of his name, and for which purpose it is set aside. To be sure, Jehovah foreknew the day, as he knows everything; but that is not the thought of the text, but, according to one translator, "IT SHALL BE ONE PARTICULAR DAY WHICH SHALL INDEED BE KNOWN AS THE LORD'S [day]." Jehovah's witnesses are the ones to know about it and appreciate it, and now they make it known to others.

The period of time here described by Zechariah is the period mentioned by Daniel when there is 'much running to and fro', that is to say, searching the pages of Jehovah's written Word, particularly the prophecies, to gain an understanding and discernment of the right way to go according to God's expressed will; therefore the period is "NOT DAY, NOR NIGHT". The statement is that "AT EVENING TIME THERE SHALL BE LIGHT". (R.V.) The lightning flashes from Jehovah's temple, furnishing the illumination to his people, and this illumination is a reward for their

'running to and fro' seeking an increase of knowledge. (Rev. 11:19; Dan. 12:4) It is the time when the wise understand. (Dan. 12:10) Now the children of Zion are taught of God and are growing wise, by His grace. (Isa. 54:13) Their light is come, and they rise and shine. (Isa. 60: 1, 2) Gradually the light shall merge into the perfect day. "The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended." (Isa. 60: 19, 20) "Moreover, the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound." (Isa. 30: 26) "And the city [new Jerusalem] had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." — Rev. 21:23.

To God's anointed people this has been a day of marvelous things; hence Zechariah prophesies: "AND IT SHALL BE IN THAT DAY [IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, Roth.], THAT LIVING WATERS SHALL GO OUT FROM JERUSALEM; HALF OF THEM TOWARD THE FORMER SEA, AND HALF OF THEM TOWARD THE HINDER SEA: IN SUMMER AND IN WINTER SHALL IT BE." (14:8) This prophecy shows

that it is a clay of marvels, a day which Jehovah hath made. (Ps. 118:22,23) Jehovah sends forth the miraculous stream of truth, which the prophet calls "LIVING WATERS", which go out from Jehovah's temple. (Ezek. 47:1) To these living waters Jehovah's witnesses now on earth are commanded to invite "whosoever will" to come and "take the water of life freely". (Rev. 22:17) "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains [Zion, Moriah, Olivet] shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim." — Joel 3:18.

A part of the holy waters goes toward "THE FORMER SEA", that is to say, the Dead or Salt sea. That sea was contiguous with the tribe of Judah, that is, those that praised Jehovah, and hence pictures the Jonadab class that get into the chariot with "Jehu". The other part of the waters goes "TOWARD THE HINDER SEA [TOWARD THE WESTERN SEA, Leeser]", which evidently means Mediterranean sea. This is not strictly a Holy Land sea, but is called "the great sea". The Jonadab class receive the life-giving waters before Armageddon, and the rest of mankind (symbolized by "the great sea") will receive the truth beyond or after Armageddon. This would also illustrate the truth that "his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, . . . even to the ends of the earth". (Zech. 9:10; Ps. 72:8) There are two seasons mentioned in the

Scriptures, "seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter" (Gen. 8:22); hence the statement of the prophecy: "IN SUMMER AND IN WINTER SHALL IT BE"; meaning all the year round. — 1 Tim. 2: 3,4.

In proof that "the day" begins with the birth of the kingdom, which occurred in 1914, Zechariah prophesies: "AND THE LORD SHALL BE KING OVER ALL THE EARTH: IN THAT DAY SHALL THERE BE ONE LORD, AND HIS NAME ONE." (14:9) "IN THAT DAY" is when God, whose name is Jehovah, will demonstrate to all creation that his purpose must be carried out. Satan's effort to be like the Most High shall fail in that day. The Revised Version renders this part of the text, "IN THAT DAY SHALL THE LORD BE ONE"; and Jehovah shall be made known to all that he is THE ONE and Almighty God, whose name is Jehovah. "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the Most High over all the earth." (Ps. 83:18) All his enemies will have to acknowledge this. The name of Jesus is secondary to that of Jehovah.

The following prophecy apparently refers to the remnant after being delivered from Satan's organization in 1919, after which God's faithful people have continued in prosperity and hence are said to be "in the land of the living". "ALL THE LAND SHALL BE TURNED AS A PLAIN, FROM GEBA TO RIMMON, SOUTH OF JERUSALEM : AND IT SHALL BE LIFTED UP, AND INHABITED IN HER PLACE, FROM BENJAMIN'S GATE UNTO THE PLACE OF THE FIRST GATE, UNTO THE CORNER GATE, AND FROM THE TOWER

OF HANANEEL UNTO THE KING'S WINEPRESSES." (14:10) "GEBA" was the northern boundary mark of the kingdom of Judah; "RIMMON," on the south of Jerusalem, was the southern boundary mark of the kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem. (2 Ki. 23:8; Josh. 15: 21, 32; 1 Chron. 4: 27, 28, 32) The fixing of these boundaries by the prophecy symbolically says that those of God's organization, in "THE LAND" of the living, would be made like a blossoming plain. Jehovah grants to his organization on earth favor and strength. The city of Jerusalem, that is to say, God's organization, is "LIFTED UP, AND INHABITED IN HER PLACE". (8: 4,5) The enemy killed the John-the-Baptist-Elijah work (Mal. 4:5, 6; Matt. 17:10-13), but after 1919 God raised up "Elisha" in the place thereof, stopped Satan's destructive war, and sent His witnesses back to do the work foreshadowed by Elisha.

The city is "LIFTED UP ... FROM BENJAMIN'S GATE UNTO THE PLACE OF THE FIRST GATE". Manifestly this does not refer to literal gates, but to the entryway of God's organization. The gate specifications of this prophecy would, in the case of the ancient city of Jerusalem, make a complete circuit of the city, and thus would they bound the city. From the gate of Benjamin one would swing around south and then to the northward to "THE CORNER GATE" ; and this suggests that the full territory would be occupied by the entire 144,000 of the temple company. The psalmist says: "Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 0 Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a

city that is compact together: whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord." (Ps. 122: 2-4) After Zion brings forth her children these inherit Jerusalem, which is God's organization. (8:4-7) The Lord's angels guard the gates and admit only the faithful approved ones.

The description continues: "FROM THE TOWER OF HANANEEL UNTO THE KING'S WINEPRESSES." "Hananeel" means "God has favored"; and this suggests that the organization of Jehovah on earth restored would be like the towers from which Jehovah would watch over his remnant company with favor and blessings. By Jehovah's favor these are made watchmen to sound Jehovah's message and notice of warning. (Isa. 52: 7,8) The "WINEPRESSES" symbolically say that the winepresses of Jehovah's anointed 'KING' shall be resumed and that he serves the delicious "fruit of the vine" to the royal house, drinking it new even with the remnant now on earth. This part of the prophecy seems to say "the joy of the Lord" ("KING'S WINEPRESSES") as well as divine watchfulness, care, preservation and favor are sure to Jehovah's restored remnant; and this is pictured by restoring the "TOWER OF HANANEEL".

The following prophecy shows Jehovah's sanctuary cleansed, with no more destructive ones amongst his faithful people: "AND MEN SHALL DWELL IN IT, AND THERE SHALL BE NO MORE

UTTER DESTRUCTION; BUT JERUSALEM SHALL BE SAFELY INHABITED." (14:11) The sanctuary must be made clean, that no uncircumcised or unclean or strange thing shall dwell therein. (Isa. 52:1; 35:8; Joel 3:17) There faithful men shall dwell, "AND THERE SHALL BE NO MORE CURSE." (R.V.) Those who are brought into the organization of the sanctuary and who remain faithful, maintaining their integrity, will there be safe. Not so, however, with the rebellious, hypocritical clergy, the "man of sin", and the ambitious "elective elders" who will ultimately join the Judas class. These will not be permitted in the temple. — Isa. 43: 28; 34: 5; Mal. 4: 6.

The faithful "SHALL ABIDE IN SECURITY". (Roth.) This further supports the conclusion that the 'taking of the city', mentioned in Zechariah 14: 1, 2, is not in the future, but that it took place in 1918. The army of Satan gathered to Armageddon will not weaken or destroy the safety and security of God's remnant. The attack of Gog and his hordes upon God's anointed will not succeed. The conclusion, therefore, must be that the Lord's work by his remnant now on earth will not be disrupted, but will continue to accomplish Jehovah's purpose, Jehovah's sanctuary cleansed is made ready for his purpose, and those of the sanctuary will continue to joyfully sound out the praises of the Most High. The louder these faithful ones sound the praises of Jehovah, the greater is the wrath and viciousness of the enemy, and these gnash their teeth and express their malice.

The hour of battle draws nigh! Jehovah's great Field Marshal is in the van of his army. "His eyes [flash] as a flame of fire." He is fully prepared, ready and eager to lead the assault upon the enemy and to completely vindicate his Father's holy name. His armies in heaven, including the risen saints and his host of holy angels, follow after him, riding righteous war mounts and marching on to victory. (Rev. 11: 11-14) On earth are the remnant in evidence, and these are the only ones really seen by the enemy; and these are singing aloud the praises of the victorious Warrior whose name is now to be vindicated. Over and above his entire militant organization is the great Jehovah God, the mighty Warrior, who knows no defeat and who is directing the operation of his army.

Satan at all times has been a mimic, and no doubt will try to take a position like unto the Most High and thus put himself in a place high and lifted up, from which he can direct his forces. His chief marshal Gog is supported by the host of wicked angels, and on earth by military armies, navies, strong-arm squads, hired killers, commercial giants, and conscienceless politicians, and all of "Christendom's" hypocritical clergy. All these Satan has assembled at Armageddon, and all intelligent creation awaits the striking of the war gong: "THEN SHALL THE LORD GO FORTH, AND FIGHT AGAINST THOSE NATIONS, AS WHEN HE FOUGHT IN THE DAY OF BATTLE." (14: 3) Zechariah's vision is now thrilling!

THE FIGHT

Look, and behold! the Almighty God has arisen and come forth to fight and devour with fire all the nations. (Zeph. 3:8) Look at the two "MOUNTAINS OF BRASS" where the great Conqueror's feet stand. Behold the "FOUR CHARIOTS" coming out from between those two "mountains". (6:1) The fight is on! Now the greatest issue of all ages will be settled by the most tremendous battle ever fought, and there will never be another. Now all four of the war chariots abreast, and all driving furiously, come out from between the "mountains"; and thus is pictured Jehovah's entire militant organization, foursquare and complete, rushing into the battle. Jehovah God has given the command to charge, and the fight starts like "a great whirlwind . . . raised up from the coasts of the earth". (Jer. 25:32) The "noise [of battle] shall come even to the ends of the earth", for the God of heaven and earth is moving with irresistible power against the strong enemy, both the invisible and visible parts thereof; and before Jehovah's irresistible forces the enemy shall crumble like a rotten wall.

Jehovah's forces are attacking every part of the enemy's stronghold. Now the war chariots drawn by the "BLACK HORSES", and the ones drawn by the "WHITE HORSES", attack the "NORTH COUNTRY", which is under the direct command of Gog, the chief prince of the Devil, and which division of the enemy's army is made up of a host of invisible wicked spirits. Another divi-

sion of Jehovah's army, represented by the war chariots drawn by the spotted horses, hurls its unbreakable power against the entrenched enemy on the earth, the forces of which are made up of the "wicked servant" class, the "man of sin", "the son of perdition," and the commercial power, political power, and hired strong-arm squad, and every part of the earthly division of Satan's army. Against all of these the Lord's warriors now dash with great fury. "JEHOVAH . . . [FIGHTS] AGAINST THOSE NATIONS, AS WHEN HE FOUGHT IN THE DAY OF BATTLE." — A.R.V.

No words of imperfect creature can describe that terrible battle, but since the Lord declares he will fight against those nations that have put themselves in battle array against him, as he fought in the former days of battle, we can draw some conclusion concerning that fight from what is recorded of former battles, which Jehovah fought in behalf of his people. Referring to those former fights the psalmist prays: "Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison; which perished at En-dor: they became as dung for the earth." (Ps. 83:9,10) Another prophet wrote: "For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act." (Isa. 28: 21) Of the fight against Sisera it is written: "They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the

river Kishon. 0 my soul, thou hast trodden down strength." (Judg. 5:20,21) Thus is indicated that Jehovah will employ the things of nature, or visible creation, as well as his spirit creatures to fight his battle. He fought against the Midianites, as described in Judges 7 and 8. He fought a battle for the Israelites in Jehoshaphat's day, as stated in 2 Chronicles 20:1-26; he fought for Israel in Hezekiah's day (2 Chron. 32:1-22); and Ezekiel tells how he will fight against Gog and his army. — Ezek. 38:18-23; 39:1-8.

When Joshua engaged the enemy of Israel at war he slew many by the sword, and the Lord cast down great stones or chunks of ice from heaven and by that means slew even a greater number than were slain by the sword. Jehovah then made the sun and the moon to stand still until the battle was over, that the people might see to chase the enemy. "And there was no day like that before it, or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel." (Josh. 10:10-14) Since the Scriptures show that Jehovah will fight for his people at Armageddon as he did in the days of old, we may be sure that he will employ similar means to do this fighting and which will include the sword, lightning and fire, and other spectacular means, that the people may know that the battle is the Lord's and not man's. God caused Ezekiel to prophesy that many would fall by the sword, by famine and by pestilence: "He that is far off shall die of the pestilence; and

he that is near shall fall by the sword; and he that remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine; thus will I accomplish my fury upon them. So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations; and they shall know that I am the Lord." — Ezek. 6:12,14.

Many scriptures show that Jehovah will employ means of destruction that will strike terror to the heart of the enemy: "The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together; the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: and they shall be afraid; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth; they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames." (Isa. 13:4-8) "For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them; so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts

defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it, and passing over he will preserve it."  — Isa. 31:4,5.

A war resulting in great slaughter of human creatures and nothing more would be no vindication of Jehovah's name. There must be such a demonstration of God's power that all will know that the destruction proceeds from Jehovah. Zechariah specifically names means of destruction other than the sword or blasts of fire from heaven, when he says: "AND THIS SHALL BE THE PLAGUE WHEREWITH THE LORD WILL SMITE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE FOUGHT [MADE WAR, Roth.] AGAINST JERUSALEM; THEIR FLESH SHALL CONSUME AWAY WHILE THEY STAND UPON THEIR FEET, AND THEIR EYES SHALL CONSUME AWAY IN THEIR HOLES, AND THEIR TONGUE SHALL CONSUME AWAY IN THEIR MOUTH." (14:12) Clearly this scripture means that while the earthly division of Satan's organization stand on their feet, and while on the march, the plague will mow them down.

Before the walls of Jerusalem Sennacherib had his army, which he thought to be invincible, and the Lord smote 185,000 of them in one night. (Isa. 37:33-38) At Armageddon Jehovah will smite them with the plague, while in battle formation, and they will know that the smiting comes from the great God of the universe, and not from man. When the enemy's officers give command to the army and that army attempts to shout, says the prophet, "THEIR TONGUE SHALL CONSUME AWAY IN THEIR MOUTH." While they bring into action their field glasses to discover

the location of Jehovah's faithful ones, the prophet says, "THEIR EYES SHALL CONSUME AWAY IN THEIR SOCKETS." (R.V.) The enemy will attempt to terrify the little band of Jehovah's witnesses, but their cries will be of no avail to them because Jehovah defends and protects his own; and hence the faithful fear neither man nor devil. The faithful remnant are in the valley of security, between Christ on the one side and the angels of the Lord on the other side, and the enemy will not be able to reach them. This advance information doubtless is given to the remnant that they may now be strengthened in faith and that they may be strong in hope, and that they may continue without fear to sound a warning to the crowd that is antagonizing Jehovah's work. Only the faithful who absolutely trust Jehovah will do this. The fearful will not be in God's army.

At the present time selfishness is uppermost in every part of the organization of this world. Every worldly man is looking to his own interest. At Armageddon such selfishness will become even more marked, and concerning this Zechariah prophesies: "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, THAT A GREAT TUMULT [GREAT CONFUSION] FROM THE LORD SHALL BE AMONG THEM : AND THEY SHALL LAY HOLD EVERY ONE ON THE HAND OF HIS NEIGHBOUR, AND HIS HAND SHALL RISE UP AGAINST THE HAND 0F HIS NEIGHBOUR." (14:13) That part of Satan's organization made up of men on the earth will not be able to see with the natural eye anyone that is against them

in God's organization, except Jehovah's faithful witnesses, and these will continuously and boldly declare the truth and greatly enrage the enemy. Jehovah protects his own by keeping them in the valley of safety, between his "mountains", and at the same time Jehovah causes great confusion or tumult to prevail amongst Satan's earthly organization, so that in their confusion they will fight against each other. In a similar manner God caused great confusion amongst the Philistines when they fought against Israel; as it is written: "Behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. . . . Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. So the Lord saved Israel that day; and the battle passed over unto Beth-aven." (1 Sam. 14:20-23) Likewise, says Zechariah, "THEN SHALL JEHOVAH GO FORTH, AND FIGHT AGAINST THOSE NATIONS, AS WHEN HE FOUGHT IN THE DAY OF BATTLE." — 14: 3, A.R.V.

The League of Nations, peace pacts, disarmament agreements, and like agreements between the nations, will not avail anything, because at the critical hour no nation or peoples will abide faithful by the terms of their agreements. In the language of worldly men, they will "double-cross" each other. All such agreements are unholy, and God declares they shall be broken to pieces: "Associate yourselves, 0 ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all

ye of far countries; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." — Isa. 8:9-13.

There is only one safe place for any man, and that is to be wholly on the side of Jehovah. "Christendom," or "organized Christianity", is hypocritical and selfish in the extreme. There is no real love amongst the peoples that make up that crowd, and none of them have any love for God and his kingdom. Selfishness is in absolute control. The entire crowd is against Jehovah ; therefore it is written against Satan and Gog and his organization: "And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God: every man's sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that

I am the Lord." (Ezek. 38:21-23) When the Midianites and their allies engaged in fighting one another, then Gideon and his army pursued them and slew them. Likewise in their confusion during Armageddon, and when the enemy fight against one another, Jehovah by his army will take a hand in the fight, that the enemy may know that it is Jehovah God that is fighting against them. — Judg. 7:23-25; 8:1-21.

Those who are of the anointed will stand firmly together as one man; and for this reason when there appear amongst God's people some who claim to be Jehovah's witnesses, but who are fighting against those who are really doing the work of the Lord, such is conclusive proof that the disturbers are not of Zion. All in Christ must be in complete unity. When the wall at Jerusalem was being built the order was given to the workers: "Fight for your brethren." (Neh. 4:14) At Armageddon all the sons of Zion will stand firmly together: "AND JUDAH ALSO SHALL FIGHT AT JERUSALEM ; AND THE WEALTH OF ALL THE HEATHEN ROUND ABOUT SHALL BE GATHERED TOGETHER, GOLD, AND SILVER, AND APPAREL, IN GREAT ABUNDANCE." (14:14) This is further corroborative proof that the "Judeans", that is, those that are faithful to Jehovah, his remnant, must be at Armageddon and do their part, which is not fighting with carnal weapons; but their part is to sing the praises of Jehovah, just as the Israelites did when fighting in Jehoshaphat's day. (2 Chron. 20:1-23) The faithful remnant must 'stand for their lives', as God's

covenant people did when their enemies on a former occasion attempted their destruction. (Esther 8:11) This will mean that they will not flee before the enemy, but their faces will be like adamant, and they will continue to proclaim the message of Jehovah.

This prophecy shows that the nations, and particularly "Christendom", bring all of their wealth and power against Jehovah's organization, even as Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir did against Jehoshaphat, and all of them shall fall. The enemy know that all their wealth shall not prevail against God's covenant people that maintain their integrity. "The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just." (Prov. 13: 22) All that the enemy bring of their wealth into action against Jehovah's people Jehovah will devote to his own name and kingdom: "Arise, and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass; and thou shalt beat in pieces many people; and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth." (Micah 4:13) Big Business, acting by its hirelings, now grabs the radio stations and other means of communication between the people, and uses such for its own selfish purposes and against Jehovah; but let all who trust in Jehovah be of good courage and know that when Jehovah's due time arrives he will use the radio and everything else to his glory. He now has these pig-headed, big-headed "roosters" on earth in complete derision, and laughs at them when

they boast about what they are doing in preventing his message from being heard. (Ps. 2: 4,5) God is letting such go their limit now, but he will speak to them later, and they will know their end has come.

Jehovah will cause "the plague" to be upon every part of Satan's war equipment. "AND SO SHALL BE THE PLAGUE OF THE HORSE, OF THE MULE, OF THE CAMEL, AND OF THE ASS, AND OF ALL THE BEASTS THAT SHALL BE IN THESE TENTS [IN THOSE CAMPS, Roth.], AS THIS PLAGUE." (14:15) In ancient times the armies used such beasts of burden as horses and chariots and like equipment to carry on their campaigns. (Judg. 6: 4, 5) No doubt they will use similar things at Armageddon, and also other equipment, such as tanks, airplanes, motor trucks and like instruments; hence the plague here mentioned certainly means that the Lord will cripple and destroy every part of Satan's war equipment. Nothing of the enemy will be spared. All must know that Jehovah is the only God and that he is fighting this great battle.

Never before has there been and never again will there be such a fight as that of the "battle of that great day of God Almighty". It will convince all creation that Jehovah is supreme, and will vindicate his name; and that is the chief reason for such battle. The nations of earth, and particularly "Christendom", have refused to give heed to the warning of Jehovah. Instead these nations and people have blindly followed after Satan, and the preachers have been the

chief instruments to lead the other blind ones. The preparation proceeds and the great fight draws near. The armies are made ready, and God says to the nations, and particularly to "Christendom": "For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name ['organized Christianity', taking the name of Christ], and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the Lord of hosts. . . . Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you." (Jer. 25: 29, 27) By the sword, by famine and pestilence, and by other means Jehovah will smite the enemy and destroy all his power, and will fill the earth with the slain: "And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground." (Jer. 25:33) Concerning this terrible battle Jesus prophesied: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."  — Matt. 24:21.

Gog will be the active leader, or general, in charge of the military forces of Satan, while his chief, Satan himself as commander in chief, will behold the fight from his selected point of vantage, because he attempts to be "like the Most High". Satan will see his organization ground to the dust and destroyed. In symbolic

language the Lord describes that fight, in these words: "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone," (Rev. 19:19,20) After this, what is left appears to be the enemies in "the land of Magog", which the Lord Jesus Christ, as Jehovah's great executive and mighty Sword, will annihilate. (Rev. 19: 21; Ezek. 39: 6) It will be a terrific jolt to Satan when he sees his entire organization destroyed. He will begin to see that he is not so powerful. Then, it appears, the mighty executive of Jehovah, Christ Jesus, lays hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan' and puts him out of business. (Rev. 20:1-3) Before he goes into the pit he will know that Jehovah did it.

The prophecy of Zechariah clearly discloses these truths, which, in brief, may be stated in this manner, to wit: After Satan and his wicked angels are cast out of heaven, and after the World War has ended, Christ Jesus and his accompanying hosts of angels make inspection, or survey, of all the things pertaining to the earth. The Lord beholds and makes note of the wicked condition of hypocritical "Christendom". Christ then gathers together before him for

judgment all who have made, either directly or in an implied manner, a covenant with Jehovah to do his will and all who have been called to the Kingdom, and begins the work of judging; and all the approved ones he brings into the temple and makes a part of Jehovah's organization. Thus the approved ones are made a part of Zion and are truly "Judeans". In the judgment work that takes place at the temple Christ Jesus gathers out or puts away all of "Christendom", and particularly her clergy that have proved unfaithful to God. He gathers out and puts away all lawless workers, the selfish and ambitious ones that form the "evil servant" class; the slothful and improvident or worthless servant is taken away, and everything about the sanctuary is cleared out and cleansed, leaving only those who truly love God and who are entirely and wholly devoted to him and his kingdom. Thus God's sanctuary is cleansed. The approved ones he sends forth then to "offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness", and their offering is "pleasant unto the Lord" because they are devoted to him and his praise and service. (Mal. 3: 3,4) All of such is a work of preparation before and for the great war, and at which "battle of that great day of God Almighty" the name and word of Jehovah will be for ever vindicated before all creation.

Before this great battle Christ, as Chief in command, at the direction of Jehovah sends the faithful remnant forth to preach this gospel of the kingdom as witness to all the world, and

particularly to the peoples of "Christendom". The facts show that this prophetic command has been carried forward, particularly from 1922 to the present time. It has been done amidst great opposition from the enemy. The Lord has used his message of truth to separate the pretenders from those who are really devoted to him. Thus Jehovah has revealed the "man of sin", "the son of perdition," who claim to be of God's organization but who in fact are "of the synagogue of Satan". He has revealed the selfish and ambitious men who desire to have a place or position of "elective elders", and whose chief purpose of holding such a place amongst God's people has been for their personal aggrandizement. The cleansing of the temple results in gathering out all of such, and they are no longer permitted to have a place with the faithful, but end up with the "evil servant" class. The message of truth has brought "Christendom" and her clergy clearly into the glare of the light, so that all who desire to know the truth may see that "Christendom" is hypocritical in the extreme and a part of Satan's organization. Also all who have opposed God's witness work, or who fail or refuse to have part therein, are aligned with Satan's organization.

Jehovah thus uses and is using his faithful witnesses to serve notice upon the oppressive, commercial power, the political rulers and their allies, that their acts of oppression must cease. The military and the strong-arm squad have received notice and warning. This witness is giv-

en to the world by God's command, that none may ever be heard to say that advantage was taken of them. Jehovah does nothing toward the destruction of the enemy in secret. His faithful witnesses must give this warning in the name of Jehovah, and their failure or refusal so to do would be evidence of their unfaithfulness and lead to their own destruction.

At the same time the witness work is bringing to the attention of the people who are of good will and honest heart that Jehovah is God and that his kingdom is the complete relief for the people. By this means the meek, or teachable, receive the mark of identification in their foreheads and are given opportunity to take their stand on the side of Jehovah, that they may be shielded in the day when Jehovah, with his invincible host, fights the battle of Armageddon. All of such is preparatory work, and when it is done the Almighty God, the Commander in Chief, gives the command to his war hosts, and the battle is on! This advance information was written in the Scriptures by God's commandment, and is given to the remnant that these may steadfastly go forward now against all opposition, and continue with joy in giving the testimony concerning the kingdom, and thus demonstrate their position and be comforted and brighten their hopes of having a part in the vindication of Jehovah's name and of being for ever used in harmony with his purpose. Just how soon Armageddon will be fought, no man knows; but regardless of the time, Jehovah's

faithful witnesses with joy will continue their work and praise to Jehovah. In the exercise of his loving-kindness and for their good Jehovah continues to spread his table with rich, spiritual food and to feed his children upon that which is convenient for them. With joy these sing his praises and exclaim: "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!"  — Rom. 11: 33.

Jehovah will preserve some human creatures, taking them through the great battle of Armageddon, and it is to such the prophet refers, when he says: "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT EVERY ONE THAT IS LEFT OF ALL THE NATIONS WHICH CAME AGAINST JERUSALEM, SHALL EVEN GO UP FROM YEAR TO YEAR TO WORSHIP THE KING, THE LORD OF HOSTS, AND TO KEEP THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES." (14:16) As the witness work in the name of Jehovah progresses there is made known a company of people who have no sympathy with the wicked organization of this world and hence do not get the mark of Satan's beastly organization in the hand or in the forehead. (Rev. 13: 16,17) Like Jonadab, they get into the chariot with the Greater Jehu, that is, they take their stand on the side of Jehovah and his Christ, and so declare themselves. Such the Lord described as the "sheep" class, the ones that are willing to be taught and that strive to do right and that render good unto Jehovah's witnesses because they are serving God. (Matt. 25:31-40) Such will be eyewitnesses of Jehovah's great vindication act. The promise of Je-

hovah is that he will leave in the land this remnant that shall escape: "Yet will I leave a remnant that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries." (Ezek. 6:8) "But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the Lord." — Ezek. 12:16.

All those who are thus brought through the battle, if they would continue to live, must obey "THE KING, THE LORD OF HOSTS". These will turn to God's organization, for then "THE LORD SHALL BE KING OVER ALL THE EARTH". (14: 9) Hypocritical "Christendom" has made a mess of pretending to convert the world, and this mess they have made is far worse than nothing. Not only have they failed to convert the world, but they have turned the mass of humanity against God. After Armageddon, however, Christ, as the great High Priest and King of Jehovah, will convert the world in truth and in fact. All who live must worship and serve Jehovah and Christ Jesus, and 'at his name every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that he is the Christ, to the glory of God'. (Phil. 2:10,11) Then there will be no more bowing down to and worshiping men, as earthly kings or judges or systems or leaders. The kingdom and the dominion and the greatness thereof under the whole heaven shall be given to Jehovah's King-

Priest, and all must worship and obey him. Then every soul on earth will be subject to the "higher powers", which higher powers are Jehovah God and Christ Jesus. (Rom. 13:1) During the reign of the King the people will come to Jehovah's temple, his holy organization, and there give praise to Jehovah and to his King. (Ezek. 45:18-25; Vindication, Book Three, pages 288-293) The people will not appear 'empty-handed' before the Lord, but they will come with praise and thanksgiving and worship and with pure and honest hearts. (Deut. 10:16,17; 16:16,17 ; 30: 6) It seems probable that some of the remnant may be used for a time after Armageddon in directing the people in the way of the kingdom.

PROSPERITY

Jehovah will bring to the obedient peoples of earth the greatest prosperity men have ever imagined or dreamed about. Long ago he said to Abraham: "In thee [and in thy seed] shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 12: 3; 22:18) That promised seed is The Christ, who shall rule the world in righteousness to the glory of Jehovah God. Having fought the greatest battle of all time that Jehovah's name might be vindicated and that the people on earth might have peace he, the great Prince of Peace, will establish in the earth peace and prosperity that shall never end. (Isa. 9: 6, 7) The name of Jehovah, the King of eternity and Lord of hosts, having been vindicated now, all who love life

everlasting must obey him gladly. Therefore says the Lord, through his prophet Zechariah: "AND IT SHALL BE, THAT WHOSO WILL NOT COME UP OF ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH UNTO JERUSALEM TO WORSHIP THE KING, THE LORD OF HOSTS, EVEN UPON THEM SHALL BE NO RAIN." (14:17) There will be no more unemployment, suffering and distress for want of material blessings. Then the earth will yield its increase, and there will be a great abundance for all who will do right. (Ps. 67: 6) It will be a time of joy and thanksgiving to Jehovah and his King, and of continuous prosperity. The law of God will then go forth from Mount Zion, that is, the capital of the holy organization, and the way will be made plain to all the people. (Isa. 2:3; Deut. 31:10-13) The great Priest, Christ Jesus, will be officiating before Jehovah for mankind, and the annual feast to which the people will be required to come will be a bond that will bind together the people to Jehovah's organization. The new covenant being then in operation, anyone refusing to come and participate in the feast unto the Lord will be a rebel deserving and receiving just punishment.

"THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES" mentioned in the foregoing prophecy pictures the temporary condition of dwelling and feasting of the people during the period of restoration of mankind under the glorious reign of Christ Jesus. It will be a time of learning of God and his law, a time when the people on earth will be going on to a place in or out of God's organization, and that

place of destiny will depend on their obedience to the law of God's kingdom. Hence their way will be a time of temporary dwelling. "ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH" who obey will joyfully come unto Jerusalem and worship Christ and Jehovah of hosts. The word "JERUSALEM", as used here in this prophecy, does not mean the city of that name in Palestine, because even if that city should be rebuilt all the families of the earth could not assemble there. The name "Jerusalem" refers to the new Jerusalem, which is Jehovah's capital organization and which shall rule the world in righteousness. (Rev. 21: 2) To "COME UP ... UNTO JERUSALEM" the people must travel on the great "highway", which is the way of complete devotion to God and his kingdom. Then the capital organization of Jehovah, his royal house or palace, will become the 'house of prayer for all nations', and there shall the people worship.  — Isa. 56: 7.

All the families of the earth will be required to come together at a stated time and for one purpose, and that in order that "they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent". (Zeph. 3: 9) Jesus said that the hour would come in which the people would not worship at the literal city of Jerusalem, but only "the true worshippers" would "worship the Father in spirit and in truth". (John 4: 21, 23) The actual place for the assembly of the people will not be in Palestine; but regardless of physical location, all shall assemble unto God's organization, devoting themselves to the

King and the kingdom. The arrangement of the Kingdom will permit everybody on earth to hear the name of the Lord and join in the praise of his name. No selfish men or commercial interest will then have anything to do with the radio stations; but with one grand radio station operating without interference, and with unlimited power, such will enable the people at all times, with their superfine receiving sets, to hear the message of the Lord and join in praise to his name.

The word "RAIN" appearing in the seventeenth verse of this prophecy is symbolically used. In times past, when one section of the land was without rain the people suffered for want of food and other necessities; but under the operation of the kingdom, with fleet-moving transportation facilities, refrigerator cars and storage houses, the lack of rain in one part of the earth will not be cause for starvation in another part. Symbolically, however, "rain" means the favor of God and his attending blessings. It is like the "pure river of water of life . . . proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb" which refreshes and gives life to the obedient peoples. (Rev. 22:1; Ezek. 47:1-5) Lack of such blessings would not mean instantaneous death, but disobedience would merit and receive a punishment from which one might be recovered. But if such refusal to obey would continue, that would lead to the complete removal of all the blessings of the Lord and would result ultimately in eternal death. (Heb. 6:7,8) Those who are

obedient to the Lord are represented by the prophet as saying: "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." (Hos. 6:3) The King will bless the obedient ones: "He [the King] shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass; as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth." — Ps. 72:2,6,7.

These precious truths now give hope to the remnant because they know that Jehovah will vindicate his name and give his blessings to them and to all who are obedient to him, and it is their great privilege to transmit this message to the people of good will. These truths when received will establish faith in the mind of those of good will. They can see that the great suffering, injustice and distress now on earth are soon to be followed by prosperity and everlasting joy to those who know and obey the law of God's kingdom. Thus seeing, they take their stand on the side of Jehovah and his organization preparatory for the great battle.

There will be no excuse for any to stay away from "JERUSALEM", which is God's capital organization. The way will be made plain for the people. (Isa. 19:23-25) In harmony with this Zechariah prophesies: "AND IF THE FAMILY OF EGYPT GO NOT UP, AND COME NOT, THAT HAVE NO

RAIN, THERE SHALL BE THE PLAGUE WHEREWITH THE LORD WILL SMITE THE HEATHEN THAT COME NOT UP TO KEEP THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES." (14:38) Egypt was not a land of natural rainfall, but depended upon the waters of the river Nile for irrigation. (Deut. 11:10,11) The people of ancient Egypt evidently were ignorant of the fact that the overflowing of the Nile was due to the abundance of rainfall near its source. "EGYPT," as here used, symbolically pictures the nations of the earth. As the people of Egypt felt entirely independent of rain, even so the selfish and stubborn people remaining on earth will feel independent of the Lord and will expect to go on without his blessings. God will use the plagues to bring such to terms, as he did the ancient Egyptians. (Ex. 9:13-15) In this prophecy of Zechariah the Lord states that the willful, rebellious and disobedient ones not only shall receive no "RAIN", but shall be punished by the "PLAGUE", which symbolizes destruction. Willful and persistent disobedience will preclude such from having the services of the great Physician to heal them from the "plague". (Isa. 53: 5; Luke 5:17; Deut. 28: 27, 35; Isa. 33: 24) The prophecy declares that the plague shall be visited upon all "NATIONS [R.V.] THAT COME NOT UP TO KEEP THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES".

No one will be permitted to evade the law of the kingdom. "THIS SHALL BE THE PUNISHMENT OF EGYPT, AND THE PUNISHMENT OF ALL NATIONS THAT COME NOT UP TO KEEP THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES." (14:19) For centuries God has per-

mitted man to follow his own wicked inclination, but when all come to know the Lord they must obey the Lord or die. (Isa. 66:23, 24) As the Lord now requires complete obedience on the part of the remnant, so shall complete obedience be required of all who will get life everlasting under the gracious and righteous reign of the King of kings.

COMPLETE DEVOTION

Complete devotion to Jehovah and his kingdom will be required of all during the reign of Christ, and such will be the final and complete result. Zechariah, by the Lord's direction, prophesies : "IN THAT DAY SHALL THERE BE UPON THE BELLS [BRIDLES, margin] OF THE HORSES, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD, AND THE POTS IN THE LORD'S HOUSE SHALL BE LIKE THE BOWLS BEFORE THE ALTAR." (14:20) The first mention made in the Bible of horses and riders thereon was in connection with Egypt. (Gen. 47:17; 50:9) While Satan has ruled the world horses have been employed for battle or warfare. At Armageddon the Lord will destroy all instruments and symbols of war and destroy war itself. (9:10) That does not mean the destruction of horses, because they might be employed for peaceable purposes. Under the righteous reign of Christ the horse with tinkling bells upon his bridle will denote that he is used as an instrument of service to the glory of God and for the good of the people, because the inscription upon these bells will read, 'HOLINESS UNTO JE-

HOVAH.' That will be the same inscription that was on the golden plate worn by the high priest on the front of his miter. (Ex. 28: 36) Horses will no more be employed for harmful and oppressive purposes, such as war, because at that time there will be, instead of war, "on earth peace, [and] good will toward men." The horses then will pull the plow and render other service for the good of man and to the glory of God. When they beat their war instruments into plowshares they will need horses to pull them. (Isa. 2:4) The people will then be at rest and peace in the Lord, and without any fear of any creature, but all will walk in the name of the Lord, being wholly devoted to the Most High and to his kingdom. — Mic. 4:4, 5.

In this prophecy Zechariah says: "AND THE POTS [CALDRONS] IN THE LORD'S HOUSE SHALL BE LIKE THE BOWLS BEFORE THE ALTAR." These picture the vessels of a lower order and therefore of less honor in Jehovah's universal organization. (2 Tim. 2: 20, 21) The purpose of the pots, as shown by God's prophet, is to "boil up" things for the people; hence the word is here rendered "CALDRONS". (Roth.) (Jer. 52:18,19; Ezek. 11: 3,7,11) These vessels were made of noble metal, that is to say, brass or copper (Ex. 38: 3), hence were representative of superhuman creatures in Jehovah's organization that serve in behalf of mankind. "And there was a row of building round about in them, round about them four, and it was made with boiling places under the rows round about. Then said he unto me, These

are the places of them that boil, where the ministers of the house shall boil the sacrifice of the people." (Ezek. 46:23,24) This part of the prophecy therefore clearly applies to those who serve at the temple of Jehovah. "AND THE CALDRONS IN THE HOUSE OF JEHOVAH SHALL BE LIKE THE DASHING BOWLS BEFORE THE ALTAR." (Roth.) These bowls were for sprinkling purposes and were used to minister about the altar. — Num. 4:14, margin.

The pots (or caldrons) of this prophecy being wholly devoted to Jehovah would mean that all other "vessels", that is to say, the selfish-minded persons, the clergy, the "man of sin", and the selfish "elective elder" class, had been entirely cleared out and that the sanctuary is completely cleansed; hence it would denote that when this takes place the prophecy of the 2,300 days mentioned by Daniel is fulfilled. (Dan. 8:14) The class that is described as the "more holy than thou", the "character-developing" ones once prominent in the organization of the Lord, would at this time be entirely cleared out, and would be kept out henceforth and forever. (Isa. 65:5) At this time all of the temple would be and must be wholly and completely devoted to God and to his kingdom, and hence all must conform to the image, or standard, of God's dear Son, Christ Jesus, the Head of the temple.  — Rom. 8: 29.

The prophecy of Zechariah shows that prior to and at the day of the battle of Armageddon every one on Jehovah's side will be wholly de-

voted unto Jehovah of hosts. That host will he an army of holiness and righteousness and engaged in righteous warfare: "YEA, EVERY POT [CALDRON, Roth.] IN JERUSALEM, AND IN JUDAH, SHALL BE HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD OF HOSTS; AND ALL THEY THAT SACRIFICE SHALL COME AND TAKE OF THEM, AND SEETHE THEREIN; AND IN THAT DAY THERE SHALL BE NO MORE THE CANAANITE IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD OF HOSTS." (14: 21) Sanctimonious, selfish "character development" cannot then be substituted for holiness. Jehovah's witnesses now have the correct understanding of holiness. It means everything therein, even to the seething pots, must be completely and unequivocally devoted to Jehovah of hosts. All of Jehovah's faithful remnant offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, the fruit or calves of their lips, and all of those shall come to Jehovah's cleansed temple and "TAKE OF [the caldrons] AND BOIL THEREIN". This 'boiling of the flesh' is under the supervision of Christ Jesus, and the 'boiling' process is done in the court of the temple where Jehovah's witnesses "offer up spiritual sacrifices". (Ezek. 46:19,20; 1 Pet. 2:5) The boiled flesh was offered for the offerer and the priest to eat in communion with the Lord, and hence is eaten at "the Lord's table". (1 Cor. 10: 21) This shows that to engage in offering of sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving unto Jehovah is 'meat and drink' unto Jehovah's anointed witnesses. — John 4: 34.

The conclusion to be drawn from this prophecy is: That in the organization of Jehovah on

earth, that is, the faithful remnant, there is no distinction between 'POT' and 'BOWL,'; but all of the "vessels", being anointed with his spirit, would share in the same general service unto Jehovah, having fellowship with Jehovah and his King in the same general work of presenting their bodies as a living sacrifice in praise unto God amidst fiery trials and great opposition. Their "outward man" must perish, but the "inward man" is renewed by eating at the Lord's table in fellowship and communion with him and unto his glory. Jehovah's anointed ones, the remnant, are now experiencing these very precious things. They are walking in the light and are cleansed, and have fellowship with the Lord. (1 John 1:7) While this prophecy has to do with the 'residue that shall not be cut off from the city', the faithful remnant, in due time the "great multitude" will have to take their stand on the side of Jehovah and against Satan's organization. Also the Jonadab class, or 'millions now living that will never die' class, must wholly devote themselves to the Lord. All who come to the organization of Jehovah must come wholly and completely devoted to God. This is particularly magnified in this prophecy.

This is further shown by the prophetic statement that "IN THAT DAY THERE SHALL, BE NO MORE THE CANAANITE [TRAFFICKER, R.V., margin; MERCHANT, Roth.; TRADER, Leeser] IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD OF HOSTS". There shall be none there to sell to the true worshipers so-called "holy vessels", which have been approved by men.

Such traffickers are deceivers and are unclean and must all be cleared out and separated from God's organization before the battle. Jehovah speaks by his prophet Hosea concerning the unfaithful Ephraim, who illustrates the unclean class: "He is a merchant [Canaan, margin], the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance; in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin." (Hos. 12:7,8) Likewise it is written concerning "Christendom", or "organized Christianity", so called: "And say, Thus saith the Lord God unto Jerusalem, Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite." (Ezek. 16:3) Those Canaanites were unclean, and here picture those who are not "the elect" and "chosen" by the Lord.

Those who have been gathered out from the kingdom have taken their place with the world, or 'Canaanites'. (Matt. 13:41) All having the Canaanite spirit, that is, the spirit of merchandise or selfish gain, must be removed in order that the sanctuary be entirely clean. The Judases, the Balaams, the Nicolaitanes, the selfish "elective elders", who serve for filthy lucre, those who do wrong and seek to justify themselves, those who are fearful, all of which are unclean, are cast out. (1 Pet. 5:2; 2 Pet. 2:15; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14,15; Luke 16:15) All who now bear the vessels of the Lord must be clean. (Isa. 52:11) Such are the 'drawers of water

out of the wells of salvation'. (Isa. 12: 3) Since 1918 judgment at the temple has been in progress, and this judgment of the Lord includes all who "through covetousness . . . with feigned words make merchandise of you". — 2 Pet. 2:3.

The prophecy of Zechariah conclusively proves that "the day of his preparation" began with the coming of Christ Jesus to the temple for judgment and continues until Armageddon. "FOR BEHOLD, I WILL BEING FORTH MY SERVANT, THE BRANCH," says Jehovah. (3:8) Jehovah has brought forth his Messenger, The BRANCH, for the cleansing work and judgment at the temple. (Mal. 3:1-5) He has come as a "swift witness" against those who have made God's house one of merchandise and like a den of thieves, and all such he cleans out and puts away. (Matt. 21:12,13) All of this is preparatory work for the battle of the great day of God Almighty. The overwhelming testimony of the prophecy and of the supporting facts shows that the cleansing of the sanctuary has been accomplished, and this indicates that Armageddon draws nigh.

CORROBORATION

Jehovah graciously provides the remnant of his organization on earth with corroborative proof, that they may be stronger in faith and in hope. The holy prophets necessarily would give testimony supporting each other, because all such "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy [spirit]". (2 Pet. 1:21) This proves

that their testimony is cumulative and given for the purpose of strengthening and comforting God's faithful witnesses on earth at the present time. We should therefore expect to find amongst the other prophets proof corroborating that of Zechariah. Jehovah gave Daniel a vision and caused him to prophesy concerning the cleansing of his sanctuary, which is in fact a work in preparation for the battle of the great day of God Almighty. The prophecy of Daniel describes certain world powers that existed prior to and leading up to the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary; and this is done apparently for the purpose of enabling the children of God on earth, the remnant, to clearly identify the one that takes away the "continual sacrifice" (Leeser) and casts down the sanctuary class, and to enable them to locate the time when the sanctuary is cleansed. First describing the world powers from Babylon and those that followed after, the prophecy of Daniel states: "And out of one of them came forth a little horn which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it

practised, and prospered." (Dan. 8:9-12) This prophecy is considered at length in The Watchtower, and the proof there set forth clearly identifies the Anglo-American empire system, the principal part of "Christendom", as the one that 'takes away the continual sacrifice and casts down the sanctuary'. (See The Watchtower, June 15 to July 15, 1933.)

It was during the World War, to wit, the year 1918, that the Anglo-American empire system, "Christendom," made up of the commercial, political and religious element of Satan's organization, cast down Jehovah's devoted people and took away their "continual sacrifice" of service. God's faithful people at that time were offering unto him "the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name". (Heb. 13:15) They were delivering the testimony which they were commissioned to deliver, and the Anglo-American empire system stopped that work by force and violence. This was done by stopping the witness work of Jehovah's faithful sons on earth, and the World War was the excuse for so doing. The League of Nations is the "abomination that maketh desolate", and which the Anglo-American empire system set up in the "holy place", that is to say, in the place and stead of the kingdom of God under Christ, and which Jesus prophesied would be done at the end of the world. (Matt. 24:15) Not until after that could the vision of Daniel be understood. "At the time of the end" shall the vision be understood, when

the purifying work is accomplished. (Dan. 8:17; 12:10) Then says the prophet Daniel: "Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." — Dan. 8:13,14.

The 2,300-day period must have its beginning from the time that the two things mentioned in the prophecy exist, to wit: (1) The taking away of the "continual sacrifice"; and (2) the "transgression of [and concerning] desolation". While the taking away of the continual sacrifice took place in 1918, the "transgression" could be counted only from the 25th day of May, 1926, at which time the two things here mentioned did exist. "Transgression" means a 'revolt and rebellion', that is, knowingly and willfully violating the law of God. (Rom. 7:7) One might commit an act willfully and knowingly without knowing at the time that such constitutes a violation of God's law, and hence would not be held strictly responsible for such act. That was exactly the position of the apostle Paul, and which he defines in the text above cited. The rule "The ignorance of the law excuses no man" is a rule of Satan's organization and is not of God's law. However, when knowledge is brought home to the wrongdoer that his act is in violation of

God's law, from that time forward he becomes responsible before the Lord.

The clergy of "Christendom" had declared before the world rulers that the League of Nations had God's approval. The commercial and political rulers might have claimed that, because they had been advised by the clergy that the League of Nations has God's approval, in setting up the same they were doing no wrong. Jehovah forestalled any such excuse or justification on the part of them or anyone else. Hence he brought strictly home to them the knowledge of their wrongdoing. On the 25th day of May, 1926, Jehovah's covenant people, and therefore his witnesses, assembled in convention at London, England, and adopted and widely published a resolution addressed to the rulers of the world, setting forth that the League of Nations is of the Devil and is an abomination in the sight of Jehovah God, and that the clergy are liars and that they had deceived the other rulers of the nations. That the record against "Christendom" may be preserved and stand as a testimony against them, the resolution adopted by God's anointed people at London in May, 1926, and a portion of the address given in support of such resolution, are here set forth, to wit:

A TESTIMONY

TO THE RULERS OF THE WORLD:

The International Bible Students in general convention assembled declare their unqualified allegiance and

devotion to the Almighty God; and believing it to be their privilege and duty so to do, in obedience to the commandments of God, send this testimony to the governing powers of the world, to wit:

FIRST. That it is of paramount importance that all recognize that Jehovah, the Creator of heaven and earth, is the true and Almighty God, besides whom there is none other; that his [purpose] for man is set forth in the Bible, which is his Word of Truth, and that Christ Jesus is the Executor of Jehovah's [purpose] ; that it is now apparent to all that the nations of the world are in dire distress and perplexity; that great trouble, more terrible than any heretofore experienced, is now threatened; that the efforts of the rulers to establish a desirable government or world power have failed; and now, be it known unto you, that the outworking of God's [purpose] concerning man, and that alone, can and will stabilize the world, and bring lasting peace, prosperity and happiness to the peoples; and that the time has come for those who are exercising governing power over the peoples to recognize these great truths.

SECOND. That the reason for the prevailing condition of perplexity and distress is, because man disobeyed the true God and yielded to the wicked influence of Satan the false god; that Lucifer, originally the rightful overlord of man, because of his disloyalty to God became Satan the Devil, the instigator of all [wickedness], the adversary of God and the arch enemy of man; that the [wicked] one alienated man from the true God and caused him to sin, by reason of which man lost his perfect home and his right to life and

happiness; that since then man has organized governments and world powers in an attempt to govern himself, but in so doing has ignored the Word of God and submitted to the control of Satan the Devil; that until now God has not interfered with Satan, to the end that man might be free to choose right or wrong . . . ; but now the time has come when God will interfere in behalf of the peoples.

THIRD. That Christ Jesus, by his faithfulness unto death, became the Redeemer and Deliverer of mankind; that when on earth he taught that the time for the deliverance of the people would begin when the evil world, under the rulership of Satan, shall end; and that he, Christ Jesus, would return and set up God's kingdom of righteousness that the peoples might know and follow the right way; and for this reason he taught his followers to pray, 'Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven'; that in the meantime various world powers have been organized and carried on for the purpose of ruling and controlling the peoples; and these world powers are designated in the Scriptures by the symbol 'beast', for the evident reason that they are the result of the combined efforts of the commercial, political and ecclesiastical leaders of men, and are influenced and dominated by Satan, the god of this world; and these powers have been and are military, harsh, cruel and oppressive, and manifest the spirit of Satan, their invisible ruler or god; and now the repeated cries of oppressed humanity have reached unto the God of heaven, who will hear and deliver them.

FOURTH. That divine prophecy, now fulfilled and in the course of fulfilment, bears testimony to the fact

that Satan's lease of power is done, that the old world hag ended, and that the time is at hand when Christ Jesus, the Executive Officer of Jehovah and the rightful King of earth, will oust Satan the [wicked] one and begin His righteous government which will establish God's will on earth; that beginning with 1914 divine prophecy, in the course of fulfilment, gave testimony that the end of the evil world had begun in this, to wit, the World War, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, revolutions, . . . and, later, the general distress and perplexity of the nations of the world; that this testimony of the fulfilment of the divine prophecy having been plainly given to the governing powers of the world, there is placed upon the shoulders of the rulers a responsibility that cannot be avoided.

FIFTH. That although Jehovah God furnished conclusive proof that the evil world had ended and that the time for the reign of his beloved Son had come, yet this testimony was ignored and pushed aside by those who should have known better; and contrary to the Word of God the commercial, political and ecclesiastical rulers attempted to stabilize the world and keep the peoples under control by adopting that makeshift which is called the League of Nations and which was wrongfully and blasphemously hailed as the political expression of God's kingdom on earth; that the real author and father of the League of Nations compact is Satan the Devil, the god of this evil world, which was put forward by him as his last desperate effort to deceive the peoples, turn them away from the true God, and hold them under his own wicked control; that now after seven years of laborious effort

on the part of the proponents of that compact to establish peace and prosperity, it is practically conceded that the League of Nations is a complete failure and that its utter collapse is a matter of only a brief space of time; that even now, while its advocates are striving to reassemble their forces to maintain that disintegrating and unholy alliance, the peoples are hearing the solemn warning of God's prophet concerning the federation, saying, "Associate yourselves, 0 ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. . . . Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand." — Isaiah 8: 9,10.

SIXTH. That by reason of the blinding influence of Satan the minds of the rulers and the ruled are turned away from the true God, and the evil forces are gathering the whole world unto the great battle of the Lord God Almighty; that there is now impending a time of trouble such as the world has never known, during which conflict Satan's powerful organization shall fall, never to rise again, and there shall be such a demonstration of divine power that all the nations will learn that Jehovah is God and that Christ Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords.

SEVENTH. That the great tribulation will reveal to the people the kingdom of God, which kingdom shall rest upon the shoulder of his beloved Son, the Prince of Peace; and of the peace of that kingdom there shall be no end: it will bring the heart's desire of all people of good will, and in that kingdom the blind ignorance with which the people have long been afflicted will be for ever removed; and with the knowl-

edge of and obedience to God there shall come to the people everlasting peace, prosperity, health, life, liberty and happiness; and the kingdom will be the complete fulfilment of the prophetic song of the angels, 'Peace on earth, good will toward men.'

Therefore we earnestly bear before you this testimony: That Jehovah is The God, and that he has installed Christ his Son, as The King of the earth, and bids you to give full obedience to earth's rightful King. Do so and use your influence to turn the minds of the people to THE TRUE GOD, that disaster may not befall you. — Psalm 2: 2-12.

From the address made at the time in support of the resolution the following excerpts are taken, to wit:

The trouble of this world has resulted because: (1) The law of Jehovah God has been disregarded and ignored; (2) and that throughout the ages world powers have been organized and succeeded each other, and have now reached a climax in the British Empire; (3) that in all of these world powers fraud has been freely practiced in the name of religion and in the name of the Almighty God, and that the clergy have been chiefly used in the practicing of such fraud; (4) that the time has come when Almighty God will make himself known to the people and will express his indignation against all hypocrisy; (5) that to this end Jehovah God has set his anointed King upon his throne of authority and judgment; (6) that the kingdom of God is the complete remedy for all human ills and that there is none other; and (7) that the rulers of the earth should now hear and heed these facts.

WORLD POWERS

World powers have been organized by men, with Satan as invisible ruler or overlord. To accomplish his purposes in keeping man under his control Satan has always resorted to deceit; and by this means he has overreached and controlled the world powers that have existed in all the ages, past and present.

A world power is an organization formed and operated for the purpose of ruling the peoples. Seven great world powers have existed, in the order named, to wit: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the British Empire. The governing factors of each and every one of these world powers have been three, to wit: the commercial, political and religious elements. The god or invisible ruler of each has been Satan the Devil, even as the Scriptures declare. (2 Cor, 4: 3, 4; John 12: 31) When Rome adopted Christianity as her religion she was there hypocritically calling herself by the name of the Lord; but in truth and in fact she continued to be the representative of the Devil, even as was done in the day of Enos. — Gen, 4:26, margin.

BEASTS

All of these world powers are indicated by Jehovah in his Word, and each one of them is designated by the Lord God under the symbol of "beast". (Dan. 7:3) The evident reason for this is that all of these world powers have been harsh, ferocious and oppressive. The commercial element is cold, calculating, military and harsh. The political element is suave, diplomatic and faithless. The religious element is, and always has

been, sanctimonious, hypocritical, fraudulent, and seductive. All of these reflect the disposition of their invisible ruler, Satan the Devil. In keeping with divine prophecy, these world powers have even designated themselves under the symbol of "beasts". The British Empire has adopted the lion as its symbol.

EVERLASTING KINGDOM

Prominently set forth in the Word of Jehovah is his purpose to set up his kingdom of righteousness, with his anointed Son, the Messiah, as the King. By the mouth of his holy prophet Jehovah describes the beastly world powers or kingdoms, of which the British world power is the seventh; foretells their warring with each other; and then declares: "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." — Dan. 2:44.

This prophecy relates to the kingdom foretold by all the holy prophets of Jehovah. This is the kingdom for which Jesus taught his followers to pray, 'Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as in heaven.' This is the kingdom which the clergy of all denominations, in all times past, have declared would come at some future time. Now God himself has given conclusive proof, which proof is available for all mankind and particularly for the rulers, that his due time has come; and he now calls upon the rulers of earth to recognize and render allegiance and obedience to

his anointed King, whom he has set upon his throne.  — Ps. 2:2-12.

When the war ceased the grave and wise men of the world powers assembled at Paris for conference. There the rulers took counsel together, which counsel resulted in bringing forth a compact against Jehovah and against his anointed King. Necessarily Satan, the god of this world, would know the purpose of Jehovah in establishing his kingdom; and therefore Satan set about to produce something to offset that kingdom, whereby to turn the minds of the rulers away from it and away from God. To do this he must again resort to fraud and deceit.

The commercial and political elements, constituting the military of the world powers, in substance said: "To stabilize the world we must have a compact of nations, in which all nations shall agree that our council shall govern and control them." The result was the formation of the League of Nations. Notwithstanding the claim that these world powers rule by divine right and authority, neither the name of Jehovah God nor his anointed Son was even mentioned in the League of Nations compact. But in order to lend a sacred tinge thereto, and that the people might be further deceived, Satan, through the clergy element of the world powers, in sanctimonious phrase declared the League of Nations to be "the political expression of God's kingdom on earth". . . .

These distinguished ecclesiastics, contrary to the teachings of the Prince of Peace, whom they claim to represent, and in direct violation of his law, preached

men into the trenches and hailed the World War as a means of making the world safe for democracy. Thereby they deceived the young men and sent them to untimely graves. (Jer. 2:34) And then after the war they completely repudiated the Lord God by openly allying themselves with and endorsing the Devil's substitute for God's kingdom.

The League of Nations is against God and his anointed. In it is nothing but darkness. Its approval by the clergymen, as a substitute for Messiah's kingdom, has caused gross darkness to settle down upon the peoples of the world. (Isa. 60: 2) No longer can the people look to the clergymen as safe leaders. Their leadership is done. — Ps. 82:1-5.

LEAGUE FORETOLD

God foretold the seven world powers, to wit, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the British Empire, and also foretold that out of the seven would grow the eighth. The latter is also symbolized as a "beast", because its purpose is to rule and control the peoples of the earth. The Lord foretold its birth, its short existence, and its everlasting end.  — Rev. 17:10,11; Isa. 8:9,10.

The governing factors of the world powers, particularly the ecclesiastical element, by reason of claiming that these world powers rule by divine right and authority, thereby admit that the Word of God is true. Therefore they must be judged by the Word and are estopped from denying the Scriptural proofs which disclose their wrongful acts. No one will attempt to deny that the British world power is the

earthly agency that was responsible for the formation of the League of Nations compact. The British Empire is the very bulwark thereof. Let Britain withdraw and there will be no League of Nations.

But who is primarily responsible for the League of Nations compact? Is it formed and does it exist by divine right and authority? I answer, No. The Devil is its father, the British Empire is its mother, and the other nations which support it are its wet nurses. . . .

The Devil caused the governing factors of so-called "Christendom" to enter into this compact against Jehovah and his anointed King and thereby, in fulfilment of prophecy, to say in effect: "Let us refuse to give our allegiance and support to Jehovah and his King, but rather let us cast them away from us and hold to our present evil organization."

Hear now, if you please, the inspired words of God's holy prophet, which were written three thousand years ago, written to apply at this very time, and which do apply at this hour:

"Wherefore have nations consented together? or should peoples keep muttering an empty thing? The kings of earth take their stand, and grave men have sat in conclave together, against Jehovah and against his Anointed One, [saying,] 'Let us tear apart their bands, and cast away from us their cords!' One enthroned in the heavens will laugh, my Sovereign Lord will mock at them; then will he speak to them in his anger, and in his wrath will dismay them: 'Yet I have installed my king on Zion my holy mountain, let him tell my decree!' Jehovah said to me: 'My Son art thou, I today have begotten thee: Ask of me, and let

me give nations for thine inheritance, and as thy possession the ends of the earth: Thou shalt shepherd them with a sceptre of iron, as a potter's vessel shalt thou dash them in pieces.' — Ps. 2:1-9, Roth.

But in order that those who have been inveigled into the Devil's trap might see their mistake and repent and escape, God further says to them through his prophet: "Now therefore ye kings, show your prudence, be admonished, ye judges of earth: Serve ye Jehovah with reverence, and exult with trembling: kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish on the way; for soon might be kindled his anger. How happy are all who take refuge in Him!" — Ps. 2:10-12, Roth.

The clergy are the most reprehensible of all the elements that go to make up the governing powers of the world. Claiming to be teachers of the Word of God, their duty was to ascertain the truth and explain it to the others. But instead, they have caused the rulers of earth to commit fornication with an apostate church system, and have made the people drunk with their false doctrines. (Rev. 18:3) The commercial and political rulers admit the ecclesiastics to their councils, with the evident thought that their piety and sanctimoniousness will remove the curse from their own skirts; but now they see that these ecclesiastics have practiced a fraud upon them, because they are not in truth and in fact the representatives of God as they have claimed.

That Resolution and the accompanying address widely published throughout "Christendom" were notice to the rulers that their action was a violation of God's law and an abomination

in his sight. From that day forward there existed the two things above mentioned, to wit: "The abomination that maketh desolate" (which is the League of Nations compact), and "the transgression" by reason of "the abomination", which transgression is marked by reason of "Christendom's" continuing to support the League of Nations, which is in opposition to God's kingdom, after receiving due notice that it is in violation of God's law.

It is certain that the cleansing of the temple began when the Lord Jesus, the great Judge, appeared at the temple in 1918. (1 Pet. 4:17) Those found true and faithful, and who qualified under the judgment, were then to be set in the temple, and those found disqualified would be set aside or cast out. (Matt. 24:48-51) The question propounded at Daniel 8:13,14 is: 'How long from the time of the transgression until the cleansing?' and the answer is: 'Unto twenty-three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.' According to the Scriptural method of counting time the twenty-three hundred days is actually six years, four months, and twenty days, and which time began on the 25th day of May, 1926, and would therefore necessarily end on October 15,1932.

It appears that Jehovah uses his covenant people to perform certain things in fulfilment of prophecy and then afterwards reveals to them the meaning thereof. The work of cleansing the sanctuary would mean that the clergy and the

principal of the flock of "Christendom", because of unfaithfulness and rebellion, are for ever debarred from the organization of Jehovah. All who use God's organization in any manner for a selfish purpose must be cleared out, because, as hereinbefore shown by Zechariah's prophecy, everything in Jehovah's organization must be entirely 'Holiness unto Jehovah of Hosts'. The "man of sin", "the son of perdition," the slothful and unprofitable servant class; the selfish "elective elder" class who used the office for personal pleasure or gain; those who justify themselves in wrongdoing or attempt to do so; and those who are fearful and hence have the desire to please creatures more than God, all of which are unclean in the sight of Jehovah, must be removed from his organization.

By The Watchtower of August 15 and September 1, 1932, the Lord made known to his covenant people that there is no Scriptural authority for the office of "elective elder", made so by the vote of other creatures, but that all who are brought into full unity in Christ at the coming to the temple, and who are chosen and anointed, are elders in fact. This is further illustrated and emphasized by the prophecy of Zechariah 14: 21, as above stated. On the 15th of October, 1932, exactly at the end of the twenty-three hundred days, The Watchtower published a Resolution that had been adopted concerning the Scriptural method of organization of the Lord's work and which excludes selfish "elective elders". So far as known, no one on earth at the

time of the publication of that Resolution knew that it marked the end of the twenty-three hundred days. The facts fully support this conclusion concerning the prophecy, however, and that this conclusion is correct. It must therefore be considered that the cleansing of the temple took place at that time.

"GNASHING OF TEETH"

It would necessarily follow that those removed from the sanctuary class would oppose Jehovah's clean organization. The facts are that the clergy and the principal of their flocks continue to constantly oppose Jehovah's remnant. At the coming of the Lord to his temple there were those who were once in line for the kingdom but who became lawless, who set snares for their brethren and insisted on going their own selfish way, and who now oppose and persecute Jehovah's witnesses. Also, there are even yet some who associate at times with Jehovah's witnesses who were once acting as "elective elders" amongst the company of God's people, but who are now set aside by the adoption of the Resolution above mentioned, and which persons now bitterly oppose Jehovah's witnesses and service work, and murmur, find fault with the work, weep and wail because they do not have their own way and because they are not permitted further to serve as "elective elders". Does this indicate that the sanctuary is not clean but that there is yet some cleansing work to be done?

The words of Jesus show that after the sanctuary is cleansed there would continue to be much opposition by those who even claim to be on the Lord's side. These must at one time have been in line for the kingdom, and concerning them Jesus said: "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 13:41,42) Concerning such Jesus declared that they are unprofitable and could have no service, and hence he takes away from them the "talent" and gives it to the ones who are faithful in the performance of their covenant, "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 25:28-30) "For without are dogs [commercial D.D.'s], and sorcerers [those who poison men's minds against God and his kingdom organization], and whoremongers [those who go back into the world, and who sell themselves to worldly things], and murderers [brother haters, or the haters of those who have once been their brethren], and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."  — Rev. 22:15.

It is such a class that weep crocodile tears, wailing because the truth exposes them, and they gnash their teeth against those who are faithful in telling the truth concerning Jehovah and his kingdom and declare the vengeance of Jehovah against Satan's organization. Not only

do these weep and wail, but they serve notice on others of the world that they themselves are entirely separate from the ones who claim to be Jehovah's witnesses; and such notice is about the only truth they tell in connection therewith. They thus don the garments of Satan's organization and identify themselves with his organization.

Those of the sanctuary have no occasion or time to weep, but with them it is a time and occasion of continuous and joyful service. (Isa. 12:2-6; 29:19) Being now in the temple and taught of Jehovah by the great Teacher, Christ Jesus, they rejoice and are in great peace. They drink the wine of the kingdom new with Christ Jesus there. They continue to do Jehovah's commandments with joy because they are wholly devoted to him. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." — Rev. 22:14.

The angels of the Lord stand guard at the temple gates, and if anyone of the sanctuary becomes unfaithful he would, of course, be immediately put out by these heavenly guards. The temple having been cleansed, all therein are righteous by the grace of God through the merit of Christ Jesus. Hence of them Jesus says: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Matt. 13:43) The faithful remnant from henceforth will not indulge in controversy with those who oppose them.

They have neither time nor inclination to engage such in controversy. The faithful are wholly devoted to Jehovah of Hosts. They will faithfully continue the work of bearing testimony to the name and purpose of Jehovah God and his kingdom. Fearing God and trembling lest they should come short, they joyfully continue in his service. They are secure in Jehovah's name by faithfully obeying his commandments. It is out of God's organization that he shines on earth (Ps. 50:2); and Jehovah's faithful witnesses hold forth his message of truth and deliver his testimony, and thus God shines to those who have the hearing ear.

The name "Zechariah" means "Remembered by Jehovah". Zechariah, in the prophecy, pictures Jehovah's remnant who are wholly devoted to God and who are members of his sanctuary class; and therefore those who continue faithful have a part in the vindication of his holy name. The prophecy opens with a vision of an inspection being made by Christ Jesus and his accompanying angels. It shows the progressive steps taken thereafter in preparation for the battle of the great day of God Almighty. It discloses that before and at the time of that fight everything in the organization must be wholly devoted to the Most High. The prophecy concludes with these fitting words (A.R.V.):

"Blessed be My Lord! Day by day he beareth our burden for us, God himself is our salvation.

The God we have is a God of saving deeds, and due to Jehovah My Lord are escapes from death. Yea God himself will smite through the head of his foes." (Ps. 68:19-21, Roth.) "That men may know that thou whose Name alone is

JEHOVAH

art Most High over all the earth." — Ps. 83: 18, Roth.