RICHES

CHAPTER VI

PRISONERS

JEHOVAH has no prison houses and he imprisons no one. At times Jehovah's witnesses are imprisoned by the Devil and his agents, and then those faithful ones are called 'Jehovah's prisoners'; meaning that they are his people. Prison houses are places of darkness and torture. Death cannot be properly called a prison house, because no one when dead is conscious nor could therefore be in torture. Prisons are the institution of the Devil. Jehovah by his prophet says: "Behold my servant, whom I uphold, mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. ... I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house." — Isaiah 42:1-7.

Satan has made the religious institutions prison houses, places of darkness and hypocrisy, and where many persons of sincerity have suffered much torture. Jehovah commissions his elect servant to get his prisoners out of Satan's prison houses.

A prisoner is one who is a captive and under restraint by another and is bound and denied his full liberty. A creature in this condition must be alive, because a dead one could not be said to be a prisoner. If a person is blind to the truth and such blindness

is caused by another, then that person is bound in fetters of ignorance. If one is in darkness and does not know which way to go, he is restrained in the exercise of freedom of action and is therefore a prisoner. Satan is the prince of darkness, and Satan, together with his many agents employed in his wicked work, holds the human race in restraint and therefore in darkness. — 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:13; 1 John 5:19.

The foregoing prophecy uttered by Isaiah appears to have its particular fulfillment at the time of the coming of the Lord Jesus in glory and power at the temple for judgment. The statement is therefore here made which, taken by itself, may be said to be dogmatic, to wit, that the prisoners mentioned in the prophecy include, (1) those who become members of the royal house of the Lord, particularly the ones pictured by Mordecai and Naomi, and also those pictured by Esther and Ruth, all forming "the remnant"; and (2) the Jonadabs or "other sheep" class. This statement is made here, not that it might appear dogmatic, but that the student may have these classes in mind when examining the various scriptures relating to the prisoners.

Those who are in a covenant with God are bound to him; but when the enemy came against them by force, they, because of fear of the enemy, failed to do their duty, and fell into Satan's snare, and hence Jehovah permitted them to be taken prisoners. These coming to a realization of their restrained condition and why thus bound and in prison, and who then turn with their full devotion to Jehovah and seek and look for deliverance by him, Jehovah hears their cries and delivers them. In harmony with this the

prophet wrote: "But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. . . . The humble shall see this: and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners." (Psalm 69:29-33) Manifestly the prisoners here mentioned are God's covenant people, and particularly the remnant, which were in restraint by the enemy because of their negligence, and were released by the Lord and gathered to him at the time of the coming of the Lord to the temple. They are God's own children, and they are held in restraint, bound, and are thus prisoners.

During the World War period it was the faithful devoted ones of God's saints on the earth that were in danger of death at the hand of the enemy. It was "for the elect's sake" that the period of tribulation was shortened, which period began in 1914 and was cut short in 1918 by the stopping of the World War, that the elect might serve Jehovah in bearing testimony to his name. (Matthew 24: 21, 22) The faithful saints of God on earth during the World War period were groaning and praying that their bonds might be removed, and it is to them that the following text applies: "To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those that are appointed to death [(margin) the children of death]." — Psalm 102:20.

Why were these praying that their bonds be broken and they be released from prison? They had been called and separated from the world as a 'people for the name of Jehovah', and both the facts and the words of the prophecy agree that their desire was to be released that they might serve Jehovah, as stat-

ed in the prophecy: "That men may declare the name of Jehovah in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem."  — Psalm 102:21, A.R.V.

The prophecy then fixes the time when the Lord would hear their prayer: "When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer." (Psalm 102:16,17) The prayer of such is not disregarded; but while they thus prayed, God heard them: "For Jehovah heareth the needy, and despiseth not his prisoners." (Psalm 69:33, A.R.V.) With confidence these prisoners continue to pray: "For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah; and they shall abide there, and have it in possession. The seed also of his servants shall inherit it; and they that love his name shall dwell therein."  — Psalm 69:35,36, A.R.V.

DELIVERER

Jehovah God has appointed Christ Jesus the leader, commander and deliverer of his people. (Isaiah 55:4) Those who constitute the faithful anointed followers of Christ Jesus now on the earth are commanded to give witness to the name of Jehovah and to do this under the leadership of Christ Jesus. These are part of The Servant, and it is the servant of Jehovah that is commissioned to bring the prisoners out of the prison house, as stated in Isaiah 42: 6,7. The work of releasing the prisoners is done within a time of controversy or fight, when the Devil is employing all his power to turn the people away from God and to hold them in subjection and ultimately cause their destruction. The truth is now declared at God's com-

mandment that those of good will who also are prisoners may get the light and have the privilege of escaping from the prison houses of Satan.

COMMISSION

The commission of The Servant is now made known, to wit: "And I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant [guarantee of salvation] of the people [a people (Rotherham)], to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages." (Isaiah 49: 8) The application is first to spiritual Israel, Christ Jesus being the guarantee unto the remnant, and now later a guarantee "of the people" that go up with the remnant to God's organization, that is to say, the people of good will, who constitute the "other sheep" mentioned by Jesus; and for these the elect servant is a guarantee. (See Zechariah 8: 20-23; John 10:16.) The time is come to make God's name known in the earth and when his faithful ones must bear witness to his name. Therefore says the commission: "To establish the earth"; (R.V.) "to raise up the land". The earthly condition of the remnant was trodden down of the Gentiles during the World War period. (Revelation 11:2) When released and established, the remnant "arise" and "shine" to the honor of Jehovah's name. — Isaiah 60:1; 51:17; 52:2.

At Isaiah 49:6 it is written: "That thou shouldest . . . raise up the tribes of Jacob [the faithful remnant]." In another part of the prophecy Jehovah declares "to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof. . . . Cyrus [meaning Christ], he is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure". (Isaiah 44:24-28) Refer-

ring to the same thing God through his prophet says: "In that day will I raise up [by my servant, Christ Jesus] the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof: and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old." (Amos 9:11) As to the people of good will, that is, "other sheep," the 'foundation of the earth' must be and now is laid by Jehovah, as stated at Isaiah 51:16.

The elect servant not only 'establishes the earth', but also is commissioned "to cause to inherit [to bring into possession (Rotherham)] the desolate heritages". (Isaiah 49:8) This prophecy first applies to spiritual Israel, which had been dispossessed during the World War period, as shown by verse 19: "As for thy waste and thy desolate places, and thy land that hath been destroyed." (R.V.) Such then become "trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that [his name] may be glorified". Then says the prophet: "And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities." (Isaiah 61:3, 4, A.R.V.) This waste had been committed during the World War period. The building up of God's people, the elect, came first; then follows the work in behalf of the "other sheep" (or the Jonadab class), to whom the Lord Jesus says: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."  — Matthew 25:34.

Furthermore, the official commission given by Jehovah to his servant says: "That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and

their pastures shall be in all high places." — Isaiah 49:9.

Who are the "prisoners" here mentioned; according to Rotherham, "them who are bound"? The prisoners here are, first, the original ones made into the "faithful and wise servant" class (Matthew 24:45), foreshadowed by Mordecai and Naomi; and, those of the Ruth and Esther class, who are brought out of prison and made a part of the remnant; and then the people of good will, that is to say, the "other sheep", the Jonadabs. All of these were prisoners in Babylon, that is to say, Satan's organization, and each class in their turn are addressed by the elect servant, who says to them, "Go forth," not merely out of literal prison houses, but out from Satan's organization called "Babylon"; and this is done shortly preceding the time of Armageddon. "Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks." (Jeremiah 50: 8) "My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord." (Jer. 51:45) —See also Jeremiah 51: 6; Revelation 18:4; 2 Corinthians 6:17,18.

These were in darkness; therefore says the commission (Isaiah 49:9) concerning them: "To them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves." This does not mean that they are naked captives led by Satan's gang and that they should show themselves as such, but that they must 'show themselves' by making a public appearance and public declaration or confession that they are out of harmony with Satan's organization, that they are out of Satan's prisoner organization and are on the side of Jehovah, and that they are living testi-

monials to the name of Jehovah; and thus they must let their light shine. (Ephesians 5:8) Concerning all who so do, and who continue faithfully to serve him, Jehovah says: "They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places"; the "high places" here meaning the kingdom heights. They no longer sit in darkness, neither are they hungry, but they are led and fed by Jehovah and his good Shepherd. During the World War period their pastures were made bare, but now says the Lord God: "I will open rivers on the bare heights." — Isaiah 41:18, R.V.

Those of God's organization shall be led, comforted and blessed by him and his elect servant: "They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them." (Isaiah 49:10) These words of the prophecy appear also at Revelation 7:16, and are there applied to the "great multitude"; and this proves that the "great multitude" class is included in the prophecy of Isaiah; and this applies, not only to them, but to all those once in the prisons of Babylon, and who are brought forth and made a part of God's organization; and this is shown in the words of the prophecy: "Behold, these shall come from far; and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.

"Sing, 0 heavens; and be joyful, 0 earth; and break forth into singing, 0 mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people; and will have mercy upon his afflicted. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not

have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee. Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth. For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.

"The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me; give place to me that I may dwell. Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been? Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulder. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me."  — Isaiah 49:12-23.

Jehovah shows his mercy toward those in Babylon who seek to find God's provided way for their escape. Now, since the Lord has built up Zion and those who are on Jehovah's side recognize and appreciate the truth that Jehovah and Christ Jesus are their Teachers and Shepherds, no more are the "elective elders" or the clergy class permitted to act in the capacity of leaders and teachers. "For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17) "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." — John 4:10,14.

The Lord hath not forgotten Zion! Says the prophet: "The children [the Ruth and Esther class] which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other [the 'evil servant' class], shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell." (Isaiah 49: 20) This clearly indicates that there shall be a great multitude of "children" that come out from Babylon. Many people will come to the Lord, and blessed are the remnant, Jehovah's witnesses, who are commissioned to bear the fruits of the kingdom before them that they may be sustained. As the prisoners are released they must join with others in making proclamation to the name of Jehovah, advertising his King and his kingdom.

"HIGHER POWERS"

A misunderstanding of what constitutes "the higher powers" has caused many persons to be held in restraint or in Babylon's prison. It is written: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same."  — Romans 13:1-3.

Those inspired words do not refer to the governments or rulers of the nations of earth. That scripture is addressed "to all that be ... called to be saints" (Romans 1:7) and to no others, and the "higher powers" over such are Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, that is, God and his royal house in heaven. The powers that rule the present wicked world and which are known as "temporal powers" are not ordained of God. Jesus plainly said: "My kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36) Also he said that Satan the Devil is the prince or ruler of this world and that Christ Jesus has no part with him. (John 12:31; 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4) Those who are devoted to God will obey the laws of this world when those laws are not in conflict with God's law.

Jesus commanded that his followers render "unto Caesar [the temporal or worldly governments] the things which be Caesar's; and unto God the things which be God's". (Luke 20: 25) When God commands

that a thing be done, no earthly law can override that, because God is the highest power and Christ Jesus is his executive officer and is Jehovah's "sword". (Deuteronomy 32:41) With his sword Jehovah will execute Satan and his organization. "For he beareth not the sword in vain; for he [Christ Jesus] is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." (Romans 13:4) Every law of the governments of this world that is right should be obeyed, and all laws that are contrary to God's law are wrong and cannot be obeyed by the followers of Christ Jesus.

The following is an example: The law of the land says you must obtain a license or permit to operate your automobile upon the highway. That is not in conflict with God's law, is right, and should be gladly obeyed by all. If the state or temporal power says, "You cannot preach the gospel by going from house to house unless you first obtain a permit from the police so to do," such a law is contrary to God's law and cannot be obeyed. God specifically commands that all who agree to do his will shall preach the gospel of his kingdom to others, and Christ Jesus specifically repeats that command to his followers. (Isaiah 42:10-12; Matthew 24:14; 10: 5-10) God and Christ Jesus are "the higher powers", and those who do not obey the Lord shall be destroyed. (Acts 3: 22, 23) For that reason, when the apostles were arrested for preaching the gospel, they said to the officers of the temporal governments: "We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29; 4:13-19) By obtaining a license to operate your automobile you render unto Caesar (the temporal government) a thing that is

Caesar's; and by preaching the gospel of God's kingdom by going from house to house you render unto God the things which be God's; and no earthly power can rightfully interfere with your so doing.

Because men have improperly understood the "higher powers" to be the officers of the state, they have been restrained by fear from boldly declaring the gospel of the kingdom. Satan, "the god of this world," has caused men to thus fear the temporal powers and for that reason to refrain from obeying God. Those who love God will get free from such restraint and will joyfully obey the Lord. — Romans 13:5.

During the past few years there has been a wide proclamation of the message of and concerning God and his kingdom under Christ, and many persons of good will have heard that message. Because, however, many of such persons have believed that the "higher powers" are the political rulers, such people of good will have feared to offend those officials and have thereby been held back from proclaiming the truth to others. They see many wicked things committed by officials of the church organizations and of the state, and they sigh and cry because of such abominations. God commands that his message of truth must now be taken to those persons of good will in order that they may learn and understand the truth and escape out of bondage of Satan's organization and take their stand on the side of God and his kingdom. Such is the only hope for the people. — Matthew 12:18-21, A.R.V.

Men have organized various peoples into nations, and both the rulers and the ruled, being ignorant of

God's Word, have fallen away victims to the deceptions of Satan and have been held in Satan's prison house. The time has now come, as clearly shown by the Scriptures and extraneous facts, for the people to be enlightened by the Lord and be enabled to see how God has opened the prison doors that all who are of good will toward him may escape from such restraint and flee to the only place of refuge, that is, to God's organization. You are now about to get a view of a gigantic organization which for centuries Satan has operated for the very purpose of keeping the people in darkness. Long ago a great prophetic drama was performed by an ancient people, which foretold how the people of good will of the present tune are bound and restrained, brought into darkness, poverty and despair, and then how God opens the way and gives light to all such persons of good will that they may joyfully walk in the pathway that leads to boundless riches.