CHAPTER X
DUTY AND RESULTS
JEHOVAH is just toward all creation. 'Justice is the foundation of his throne.' (Psalm 89:14; Revelation 15:3) "God is no respecter of persons" and shows no partiality. (Acts 10:34) He has permitted Satan to remain and put forth his best endeavors to prove his boastful challenge. God causes his witnesses to proclaim his message of truth as a testimony, and then he exhibits his supreme power. (Exodus 9:16, Leeser) Just preceding Armageddon God causes wide witness of the truth to be given that the people may have opportunity to choose whom they will serve. Those who have died in ignorance of the truth God in due time will raise out of death and cause them to know the truth, that they may choose their own destiny. The Lord has favored you by bringing you in contact with his truth. What is your duty? The Lord puts the words in your mouth by telling you what you may do, to wit: "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." — Zephaniah 2: 2, 3.
"Meekness," as used in this text, means that one is teachable, that he gladly hears the truth and diligently
attempts to get an understanding of the truth and then studies the Scriptures that he may know the will of God more fully. He lays hold upon all of the published helps, which the Lord has provided, that he may gain more knowledge. In that way he is seeking meekness in obedience to the Lord's instruction. The mere fact that you have heard the truth of God's Word and that you have taken your stand on the side of God and his kingdom will not be sufficient. You must steadfastly remain on the side of the Lord, and in order to do that you must continue to grow in knowledge and understanding of his purpose, as set forth in his Word.
A mere knowledge or mental conception of God's Word is not all, that is, sufficient. You must "seek righteousness", and that means to do right; and in order to do right you must keep God's commandments. It is written: "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly [obediently] with thy God?" (Micah 6:8) The first great commandment is to love God. One proves his love for God by keeping his commandments. You must know what are his commandments in order to prove your love for him. Whatsoever Jehovah or Christ Jesus commands, that you must do, and do it gladly. The second great commandment is that you must love your neighbor or fellow-man who is of good will. (Matthew 22: 39) Having learned of Jehovah and his purpose, you must now tell your neighbor God's message, that he may find the way of riches that will result to those who will serve Jehovah and his kingdom. Note carefully some of the commandments the Lord has given, which commandments you must now obey.
FLEE
Many persons will read these lines who have been a long while in darkness by reason of the fact that Satan has caused them to be imprisoned or restrained by his agents who fraudulently operate under the name of Christ. To his faithful disciples Jesus said: "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God," (Mark 4:11) That mystery is The Christ, Jesus being the Chief Corner Stone and Foundation Stone, the one Jesus mentioned when he said: 'On this Rock [Stone] will I build my church.' The members of his royal house are 144,000 others, illustrated as living stones, and these are called "the church". (Colossians 1: 26, 27; 1 Peter 2:2-9) Satan created and brought forward "the mystery of iniquity" or lawlessness, which opposes God and his kingdom. (2 Thessalonians 2:4-8) Satan substitutes the mystery of iniquity for the kingdom of God. The Roman Catholic Hierarchy claims to be the official representative of God on earth and therefore the chief part of what is called "Christendom". The nations of "Christendom" have formed a league amongst themselves, and this League of Nations the religious element hails as "the political expression of God's kingdom on earth". Otherwise stated, the nations of "Christendom" by binding themselves together in a league, and the Roman Catholic Hierarchy assuming to be the foundation or main part of the religious organizations and a part of the political powers of the world, these together constitute that which stands in opposition to God and his kingdom. The nations in the League, including religious, political and commercial elements, set the same up in the place and
stead of God's kingdom, and the religious elements attempt to sanctify and make the whole thing holy and to stand in the place and stead of God's kingdom, therefore "in the holy place". Concerning that ungodly thing the religious elements say, "The League of Nations is the only light of the world"; whereas Jesus said: "I am the light of the world." — John 9: 5.
ABOMINATION
"The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord." (Proverbs 15: 9) Satan is the chief wicked one, and that which is put forward by Satan and his organization as a substitute for God's kingdom constitutes an abomination unto God. Satan and his agents have caused the League of Nations to be put forward in the place and stead of the kingdom, and therefore says Jesus, and the prophet Daniel (11: 31; 12:11), that such abomination that makes desolate stands in the holy place, where it ought not to stand. To all persons of good will the Lord Jesus now sounds the warning, which warning must be repeated to the peoples of earth, to wit: "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. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." — Matthew 24:15,16,21.
What are the mountains here mentioned? The answer is, the organization of Jehovah God under Christ Jesus, God being the GREAT ROCK or "Mountain", and Christ Jesus the capital organization also being
"a great mountain". The commandment of the Lord, therefore, is to those of good will that they must flee to the kingdom of God tinder Christ, "the mountains," for the reason that the kingdom is the only hope of the human race. It is God's provision of safety for those who will be saved. No one can remain in the Devil's organization and escape the plagues that will come upon all creation at Armageddon. You flee to the mountains by getting into the "chariot" of the Greater Jehu, that is to say, joining yourself to the organization of the Lord under Christ Jesus.
When you have fled to the mountains, that is to say, to God's kingdom under Christ, you must there continue to obey the commandments of the Lord if you would be hid and shielded during the final cataclysm that shall befall creation during Armageddon, and for that reason the Lord tells you to "seek righteousness, [and] seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger". If you fail to obey this commandment, you are certain not to be hid or shielded during Armageddon. There is no promise that anyone will survive the battle of the great day of God Almighty except those who are in the organization of Jehovah under Christ, and who remain faithful and true to the Lord. Some here will ask, How may I know what are the commandments concerning me, which the Lord has given, and which I must keep? The Word of God contains the information concerning his purpose toward his creatures. The coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple of God in 1918 fixes the time when God is pleased to make known his purposes to those who diligently seek him and serve him. The Lord has graciously provided for
the publication of his message in the form of books, that the people may be informed of the truth. On the last pages of this book you will find a list of such publications, which will enable you to locate in the Bible the very texts about which you desire to know, and which answer your questions. Provide yourself with those publications, study the same, together with your Bible. Those books do not contain the opinion of any man. They merely enable you to locate the words of the Lord and to find out the very things you desire to know; and doing this, you are obeying God's commandments.
"SAY, COME"
One of the commandments of the Lord that specifically applies at the present time is this: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations: and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14) In fulfillment of this commandment faithful men and women who are privileged to be Jehovah's witnesses go from place to place and present to the people the publications setting forth the message of the kingdom. When you have taken your stand on the side of God's organization, when you have fled to the kingdom of God under Christ, then it becomes your privilege and duty to transmit that information received to others who may desire to hear. You must therefore join with Jehovah's witnesses in 'preaching this gospel of the kingdom'.
Christ Jesus is the great Spirit and the Head of God's capital organization, and those who are associated with him as members of his royal house are designated "the bride". All of these must be at com-
plete unity and are at unity and doing the same work to the glory of Jehovah. Therefore it is written: "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17) It is the people of good will, the Jonadabs, those who have fled to the city of refuge, the Lord's "other sheep", that hear the message of the kingdom of God. To such persons, when hearing, the Lord, "that Spirit," gives this commandment: "Let him that heareth say, Come." This is a specific command to the Jonadab class to take up the message of the kingdom and carry it on to others. The purpose of their so doing is to prove their love for God and his kingdom, and this they do in order that "whosoever will" may come and "take the water of life freely". Jehovah, the great Fountain of unfathomable riches, is now opening to all who desire to have life everlasting the means of understanding. If you love God, you will obey his commandment by continuing faithfully to proclaim to others the good news that the kingdom is at hand and that it is the only hope for humankind. If you love your neighbor you will joyfully make known to such the message of truth, that he too may receive the blessings of God and become rich.
ACCOMPLISHED
The purpose of Jehovah is certain to be fully accomplished. The Lord Jehovah says: "I have purposed it, I will also do it." "My word... shall accomplish that which I please." (Isaiah 46:11; 55:11) Everyone who has faith in God knows that God will
bring about exactly what he has promised and that nothing can prevent it. Why, then, should anyone consider for a moment the idle theories of imperfect men? Only the fool will follow men, and by so doing he says in his heart: "There is no God." "Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured." (Proverbs 13:16,18) If you have been following the doctrines of men, the Lord will now reprove you by bringing to your attention the truth; and then if you obey the truth, you may enter into the very great riches which he has prepared for those who love and serve him.
God's will and purpose is expressed in his Word, and upon that expressed purpose creatures can always confidently rely. For this reason Jesus instructed his followers to always pray to God: 'Thy will be done in heaven and in earth.' That prayer does not affect the outworking of God's purpose, but it does keep the creature's mind in the right condition by always keeping his affections set upon God and his kingdom.
When covetousness led to the crime of rebellion against God and to the death of humankind Jehovah there expressed his purpose to bring forth a "seed" that would regenerate with life all those who under the test prove their integrity toward him. The promised seed is The Christ, and according to his purpose God has fulfilled that promise. Each one of the royal house proves his integrity toward God and then enters into the riches of immortality and is for ever with the Lord Christ Jesus. (Revelation 20:4) To
such it is written: "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what, is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power." —Ephesians 1:18,19.
Before the coming of the Lord Jesus to earth a few men resisted the Devil, maintained their integrity toward God, and died in faith and faithful. The names of many of these men appear at the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. Soon those faithful men shall be awakened out of death, made perfect men, and be the "princes" or visible representatives of the kingdom on the earth. (Psalm 45:16; Isaiah 32:1) They will inherit riches, and their riches and honor shall endure everlastingly, because such is the purpose of Jehovah.
God declares that he made man for the earth and the earth for obedient man. (Isaiah 45:12,18) The earth is certain to be the everlasting home of those now living on earth and who prove their integrity toward God. Those living are first judged, and then those who have died in ignorance shall be awakened and given an opportunity to prove their integrity toward God. The faithful ones shall live everlastingly and enjoy all the riches of the earth, because God has so promised. — John 8: 51; 11: 26.
Men everywhere continue to charge God with responsibility for permitting all wickedness in the world, and in this they do wrong, because they are ignorant of God's purpose. Many say, Why should God let me suffer so much? To such these words are addressed: "Nay but, 0 man, who art thou that repliest against
God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory?" —Romans 9:20,22,23.
God will give all men an opportunity to choose the side of the Devil and die or choose the side of the Lord, be faithful to God, and live. Which is your choice?
Study to show yourself approved unto God, know Jehovah and Christ Jesus, because such is the way to life everlasting. (2 Timothy 2:15) The gates of God's kingdom are swinging open and already his exceeding great riches begin to appear to the vision of men. The kingdom is here and soon will destroy all that oppose it. Those who rely upon Jehovah's promises know this to be true. The apostle was one of the faithful, and under inspiration from the Lord he wrote concerning God's purpose to destroy all wickedness of the world. The day for the destruction of the wicked organization under Satan is now at hand. Therefore this faithful follower of Christ Jesus wrote: "Eagerly looking forward to the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens, all ablaze, will be destroyed, and the elements will melt in the fierce heat? But in accordance with his promise we are expecting new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness will dwell." —2 Peter 3:12,13, Weymouth.
The "new heavens" is composed of Christ Jesus and the members of his royal house. The "new earth" will be composed of the faithful men on earth who
represent God, some of which men are named in Hebrews the eleventh chapter, and these will perform service as the visible rulers. That will not be "restitution" of old things. It will be the making of all things new, as it is written: "And I heard a loud voice, which came from the throne, say, 'God's dwelling place is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His peoples. Yes, God Himself will be among them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death shall be no more; nor sorrow, nor wail of woe, nor pain; for the first things have passed away.' Then He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am re-creating all things.' And He added, 'Write down these words, for they are trustworthy and true.' " — Revelation 21:3-5, Weymouth.
The accomplishment of these things, according to his purpose, will be a complete vindication of the name and word of Jehovah God. All creation will know that Jehovah is the source and fountain of all riches and glory, and that all creatures who obey him will live and receive his blessings of riches, which he gives freely, and to such he adds no sorrow. (Proverbs 10:22) All the obedient ones will enjoy the riches of Jehovah for ever and will continue in everlasting peace and happiness. Then everything that breathes will for ever honor and praise the
