CHAPTER VII
DOOM
(ZECHARIAH, CHAPTER 9)
JEHOVAH comforts his remnant people by telling them in advance what shall be the fate of their enemies who persecute them. (Isa. 42:9) Some of Jehovah's witnesses at times are inclined to become discouraged when they do not see plainly that prosperity and the Lord's blessing are with them. The enemy continues to persecute them and attempts to hinder the work in which they are engaged, and some of the weaker ones wonder just why this is permitted. Jehovah is permitting each one who hears the truth to identify himself as being either for or against the kingdom. The remnant must keep this in mind always, that the vindication of Jehovah's name is the all-important thing and the kingdom will vindicate his name. Jehovah gives assurance to his faithful witnesses that they shall have a part in the execution of his judgment written. (Ps. 149:9) By his prophet Zechariah he tells the temple builders what his judgment, previously written, is against those who oppose God and the builders of his palace.
The word "burden" used in the following prophecy means "an utterance of doom", that is to say, a written penal decree announcing the fate or destiny of the one named. Zechariah was
caused to write: "THE BURDEN OF THE WORD OF THE LORD IN THE LAND [UPON THE LAND, R.V.; CONCERNING THE LAND, Leeser] OF HADRACH, AND DAMASCUS SHALL BE THE REST THEREOF: WHEN THE EYES OF MAN, AS OF ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL, SHALL BE TOWARD THE LORD." (9:1) "HADRACH" is identified with Syria and, some authorities say, refers to a Syrian deity. It is written: "For the head of Syria is Damascus." (Isa. 7:8) The doom pronounced shows that it finds its 'resting place' on Damascus. The name "Damascus" means "industry, or, busy place". It was the capital of Syria, and a busy and industrious place for Satan and his representatives even in the days of Abraham. (Gen. 14:14,15; 15: 2) In the day of King Jehoiakim the Syrians participated in the assault on Jerusalem, and this was shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem. (2 Ki. 24:1-5; Jer. 35:11) Both Damascus and the League of Nations are products of Satan, the League of Nations being particularly brought out by the seventh world power. Damascus clearly pictures a part of the League of Nations, because Rezin the king of Syria confederated with or formed a league with the ten tribes of Israel against Jerusalem, (Isa. 7:1,2,8) Jehovah caused Isaiah to give a name to one of his sons, signifying that judgment would be meted out on this league or confederacy. — Isa. 8:1-4, 9-12.
God's prophet, addressing commercial Tyre, that is, Big Business of Satan's organization, said: "Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they
occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate. Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool." (Ezek. 27:16,18) This shows that Damascus pictured the commercial part of Satan's organization. The League of Nations is the handmaid of Big Business; hence Damascus stands for the commercial part of Satan's organization upon which the doom of the Lord finds 'its resting place'. "FOR JEHOVAH HATH AN EYE, TO MANKIND, AND TO ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL." (9:1, Roth.) That statement of the prophecy is a comfort to the remnant because it means that Jehovah will act in their behalf and in behalf of all mankind who stand on the side of Jehovah and remain steadfast at Armageddon.
The doom or fate is also directed against others: "AND HAMATH ALSO SHALL BORDER THEREBY [AND HAMATH, ALSO, WHICH BORDERETH THEREON, R.V.]; TYRUS, AND ZIDON, THOUGH IT BE VERY WISE." (9:2) "Hamath" means "fortress". It was a separate province in upper Syria and in league or alliance with Syrians of Damascus; hence it also pictures an integral part of the League of Nations. The seventh world power, or Anglo-American imperialism, and which is "Christendom", is the chief element of the League of Nations, having brought it forth at Satan's command. "Tyre" specifically refers to the commercial element of Satan's organization, and it is this element that dominates the com-
merce of the sea and the land and oppresses the people and persecutes those who represent Jehovah's kingdom. Zidon particularly pictures the propaganda agencies of the commercial wing of Satan's organization. (See Vindication, Book Two, pages 52,108.) Jehovah's penal decree is also against these elements of Satan's organization. Big Business and its advertising agencies assume to be very wise, and to them Jehovah ironically says: "Behold, thou art wiser [in thine own conceits] than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee." (Ezek. 28: 3) Today the public press, the magazines, and other advertising agencies of Satan's organization take a fiendish delight in holding up to ridicule and contempt Jehovah's witnesses. For the encouragement and comfort of his faithful witnesses Jehovah now says, in substance: 'Be calm and wait until I rise up and take action.' — Zeph. 3:8.
"Christendom," formed chiefly by the Anglo-American imperialistic system, claims to be Christian. On the contrary, she is a colossal fraud, and about her the prophet wrote: "AND TYRUS DID BUILD HERSELF A STRONG HOLD, AND HEAPED UP SILVER AS THE DUST, AND FINE GOLD AS THE MIRE OF THE STREETS." (9:3) "Organized Christendom," particularly the commercial part thereof, has heaped up much silver and fine gold, but this will not save her from destruction at Armageddon. Concerning her the Lord says: "BEHOLD, THE LORD WILL CAST HER OUT [DISPOSSESS HER, R.V.], AND HE WILL SMITE HER
POWER IN THE SEA; AND SHE SHALL BE DEVOURED WITH FIRE." (9:4) Her sea power will be destroyed by the terrific storm stirred up by "the east wind". (Ezek. 27: 26) '"Tyre" herself, both on land and sea, shall be devoured. The very places of Big Business, which is found chiefly in the seventh world power, will be made an ash heap. Jehovah by his Chief Officer, Christ Jesus, will do this destructive work in due time.
Today Big Business controls the radio, which is God's provided means for communication between places of the earth. Big Business uses the radio to exploit the people, and acts with other elements of Satan's organization to prevent the message of Jehovah's kingdom from being carried to the people. In January, 1933, the Radio Commission of Canada, at the instance of a company of Anglican clergymen, issued an order that Jehovah's witnesses should first submit to the Radio Commission to be censored the message which they are telling at the command of Jehovah, before broadcasting it to the people. To comply with such demand and place before these self-appointed censors the message of Jehovah's kingdom and let them determine whether or not the same should be broadcast to the people would be, in the language of Jesus, to 'give that which is holy into the hands of the dogs, and to cast pearls before the swine'. (Matt. 7:6) It would be obeying man rather than God, and therefore a gross insult to the Lord God. (Acts 4:19) God's anointed ones now have no alternative, but must obey implicitly the com-
mandments of Jehovah and his King Christ Jesus, the Greater Moses. — Acts 3:22,23.
For the encouragement of those who wholly trust in Jehovah he now tells them what shall be the ultimate result upon the wicked crowd. Jehovah's faithful remnant will not bow down to Satan's representatives nor yield to their request concerning the radio. They will not submit to the censorship of Satan's organization to be done and performed by the clergy, commercial or political power. Jehovah's witnesses could not be faithful to him and at the same time consent to such wicked agencies of Satan censoring the message of God's kingdom and determining what shall be broadcast to the people concerning God's Word. Jehovah is all-powerful, and he will provide in his own good way to get the truth to the people. His faithful witnesses will not insult him by yielding to the request or demands of any of Satan's agencies. They will not compromise with Satan's organization, but will rely implicitly upon Jehovah God, knowing that he will bring to pass all things according to his sovereign will. In due time the whole of Satan's organization will go up like smoke, and will never be known again.
Jehovah caused Zechariah to prophesy that the clergy and all who sympathize with Big Business, and all who act as Satan's agents, shall, just before destruction, see what is coming upon Satan's organization and this will make them sore afraid. That wicked crowd is now being served with the message of truth, and
this has caused fear to take hold on them and 'their faces are black'. Therefore says the Lord: "ASHKELON SHALL SEE IT, AND FEAR; GAZA ALSO SHALL SEE IT, AND BE VERY SORROWFUL; AND EKRON, FOR HER EXPECTATION, SHALL BE ASHAMED; AND THE KING SHALL PERISH FROM GAZA, AND ASHKELON SHALL NOT BE INHABITED." (9: 5) Ashkelon, Gaza and Ekron were Philistine cities and were also engaged in commerce either directly or indirectly. They were in sympathy with Tyre, and the doom was against them. They symbolized elements of Satan's organization. The clergy and all minor institutions related thereto and relying upon Big Business are now in a very panicky state. The entire crowd tell the people that "prosperity is just around the corner", but their expectation shall not be realized. Big Business economists, advertising agencies, clergy racketeers, political racketeers, royalty and aristocracy, democracy and every other element of Satan's organization shall perish, because that is the decree of doom or penal announcement written against them by Jehovah. Knowing this, the faithful remnant will confidently go on in their work of proclaiming the message of the kingdom, wholly trusting in Jehovah and doing their work in his strength and with joy and praise to his name.
Jehovah's law covenant with Israel provided that a bastard should not enter into the congregation of the Lord. (Deut. 23:2) That law foreshadowed present-day matters. The Pharisees, being sticklers for the letter of the law but en-
tirely ignoring the spirit of it, and being blind in their own conceits and being the 'more holy than thou' crowd, called in question the legitimacy of Jesus; in other words, applied to him the name "bastard". (John 6: 42; 8: 41) A
bastard was very despicable in the eyes of the hypocritical Pharisees. Likewise the clergy of "Christendom", who are the antitype of the Pharisees, look on the outward appearance of men and hypocritically assume to be above reproach themselves, despise the humble followers of Christ Jesus and put them in the class of bastards ; and when the clergy are told of the kingdom of God they turn from it with a contemptuous air and at the same time hail the Devil's substitute, the League of Nations, for the kingdom of God. The Lord tells them that the One whom they have labeled as a bastard shall put the hypocrites out of business.
"AND A BASTARD SHALL DWELL IN ASHDOD; AND I WILL CUT OFF THE PRIDE OF THE PHILISTINES." (9:6) "Ashdod" means "stronghold", and it was the chief town of the five confederated Philistine cities and was the seat of the worship of the sea-god Dagon. (1 Sam. 5:1-9) It therefore pictures the stronghold of the confederated enemy against God's kingdom. (Ps. 83:5) To this wicked crowd of hypocritical "highbrows" the kingdom of God under Christ is despicable and in their eyes is described by the term "bastard". Jehovah therefore tells them that the despised One, Christ Jesus, as the great victorious Conqueror, shall take possession of the stronghold of the Philistines (that is, "Christendom") and cut off the whole crowd. The people of good will, known as the Jonadab class, therefore are warned and shown the way of escape in this time of destruction. "Before the
decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger come upon you. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." (Zeph. 2:2,3) "But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof: and I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon; and I will turn mine hand against Ekron; and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord God." (Amos 1:6-8) All of these shall drink the cup of Jehovah's wrath. (Jer. 25:20) This will be a vindication of Jehovah's Word and his name.
For many centuries "Christendom", chiefly within the realms of the Anglo-American empire system, has illegally shed human blood in open violation of God's everlasting covenant. Claiming to be followers of Christ, these have eaten at the Devil's table and sacrificed to the Devil. (1 Cor. 10:21) Concerning the confederated enemies of God, and particularly "Christendom", the Lord through his prophet says: "AND I WILL TAKE AWAY HIS BLOOD OUT OF HIS MOUTH, AND HIS ABOMINATIONS FROM BETWEEN HIS TEETH; BUT HE THAT REMAINETH, EVEN HE, SHALL BE FOR OUR GOD; AND HE SHALL BE AS A GOVERNOR IN JUDAH, AND EKRON AS A JEBUSITE." (9:7) The oppressed people of the earth shall be delivered from the voracious jaws of modern Philistines
which have long persecuted them. The remnant, delivered from the enemy organization, "SHALL BE FOR OUR GOD," Jehovah, as "a people for his name". "JUDAH" means the class that praise Jehovah's name; hence here pictures the faithful remnant : "AND HE [the remnant] SHALL BE AS A CHIEFTAIN IN JUDAH" (R.V.), that is to say, shall be leaders or chief ones on the earth in the publishing of the name of Jehovah. (Isa. 62:10) The modern Philistines, that is to say, those who oppose God and his faithful remnant, shall be vanquished, just as ancient Jebusi was subdued by the tribe of Judah under King David, who therefore foreshadowed Christ, the true Governor or Chieftain of Judah. — 2 Sam. 5: 6-9.
Satan is gathering all of his forces against Jehovah's organization preparatory for the great battle. The wicked forces under the immediate leadership of Gog would immediately destroy Jehovah's witnesses, except for the protection the Most High throws around them. (Ps. 34: 7; Ps. 91:1, 2,10,11) Jehovah's royal house is his anointed ones, foreshadowed by the temple built by Zerubbabel and Joshua; and concerning the anointed ones Jehovah says: "AND I WILL ENCAMP ABOUT MINE HOUSE BECAUSE OF THE ARMY, BECAUSE OF HIM THAT PASSETH BY, AND BECAUSE OF HIM THAT RETURNETH; AND NO OPPRESSOR SHALL PASS THROUGH THEM ANY MORE : FOR NOW HAVE I SEEN WITH MINE EYES." (9:8) This proves that the remnant now is in great danger of the enemy, but that God provides complete protection for them. Included in the enemies of the
anointed are those who sneak in among God's company and by hypocritical use of fair speech attempt to sow discord among them and bring destruction to the faithful. The faithful remnant should not even discuss anything with such spies and hypocrites, but should avoid them, as the commandment says. (Rom. 16:17,18) Jehovah gives his faithful remnant class the assurance that 'the enemy shall not pass through any more'. The enemy, particularly the ecclesiastical element, together with the "man of sin" class, see God's favor bestowed upon the faithful remnant, and they are in fear. (Ps. 48: 4-8) "For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity." — Ps. 125: 3.
The temple work has progressed, and the remnant are gathered into unity with the Head of the royal house, and Jehovah says: "Now HAVE I SEEN WITH MINE EYES." He takes note of those who maintain their integrity toward him and bestows upon them his great favor. He sees the wicked conspiracy that is formed and being prosecuted against his faithful anointed ones, and he protects them, bestowing upon them his name, and brings them into his fortress, and there they shall dwell in safety and see the mighty power of Jehovah God and of his Executive Officer enforce the penal decree or doom against the enemy at Armageddon.
