CHAPTER II
TO LIFE
SALVATION from impending disaster is one thing; salvation to life is another thing. The great enemy of man is death. Man's chief blessing is to receive life everlasting in a stale of peace, happiness and prosperity. To obtain salvation from death means to gain everlasting life. Salvation from the wrath of God expressed at Armageddon will not necessarily mean that all such will eventually be saved from death and live forever. Jehovah God has made certain and unchangeable rules which, if obeyed by man, will result in man's salvation to everlasting life. Those who escape the disaster of Armageddon will then be entering upon the way to everlasting life. To learn of God's requirements, and to have faith and to be obedient, will then be absolutely necessary on the part of all who will be saved to everlasting life.
To have God's approval the creature must please him. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." — Hebrews 11: 6, 7.
Noah and his sons escaped the disaster of the flood of waters, but Noah is the only one, of the eight, mentioned as receiving God's final approval. (Hebrews 11: 7,13,39) Moses and a multitude of Israelites were saved from the waters of the Red sea, which destroyed the Egyptians (Hebrews 11:29); but only a few of those Israelites are later mentioned by the Lord as having received his approval. That does not necessarily mean that none of the others shall receive life everlasting, but the point here made is that all who do receive salvation unto life must have the approval of Almighty God. It is therefore necessary for man to learn what God requires of men, and then the man must diligently obey God's fixed rules. "God is no respecter of persons," and he does not show partiality to any. (Acts 10:34; James 3:17) All men stand equal before God, and all are required to willingly obey God's rules. All must have and continue to exercise faith. "Faith" means to have a knowledge of God's purpose as set forth in his Word, the Bible, and then to confidently rely upon God's Word of truth as therein made known.
Religious organizations, and particularly the leaders therein, induce persons to believe that they must join some religious system or organization, which men call "a church"; and the leaders or clergymen claim that joining such religious organization is the means to salvation. Such claim or representation by the clergymen is entirely wrong, because such organizations do not have God's approval. On the contrary, such religious organizations teach chiefly the doctrines of men, which doctrines blind the peo-
ple to the truth of God's purpose as set forth in His Word, and such teachings of men make the commandments of God of none effect and hence are exceedingly harmful to men. — Matthew 15:6-9.
There are hundreds of religious organizations on the earth, all of which differ somewhat in the doctrines they hold and teach. Many persons will contend that 'it matters not which religious organization you join, because all are traveling the same way, and if a man is satisfied in his own mind that he is on the right way, that is all that is required in order to guarantee his salvation'. That doctrine is very misleading, and to follow it means destruction in the end. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." (Proverbs 12:15) "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12) To follow the teachings or traditions of men, therefore, leads unto destruction. The man who ignores God's Word and follows the way of man is designated as a fool by the Word of God. By his course of action he shows that he does not have faith in God, and hence it is written in the Scriptures: "The fool hath said in his heart [that is, the motive that directs his course of action], There is no God." (Psalm 14:1) The wise man is he that diligently ascertains God's way as set forth in the Bible and then follows faithfully and earnestly that way: "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels." (Proverbs 1: 5) "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be
yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." (Proverbs 9:9) "The wise in heart will receive commandments; but a prating fool shall fall." (Proverbs 10:8) "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20) "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5,6) God's way is the righteous way: "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." — Proverbs 12: 28.
"Religion" is therefore properly defined as a belief in and indulging in a form of worship of some higher power, and which belief is based on the teachings of men handed down by tradition from one generation to another, and which system of belief or teaching is induced and put forward by God's adversary the Devil in order to turn men away from God. For this reason religion is a snare of the Devil.
Christianity is exactly opposite to religion. The name "Christianity" is derived from Christ Jesus, who at all times obeys the commandments of Almighty God. Christ Jesus is therefore the beginner of Christians. "Christianity" means to know what God has set forth in his Word disclosing his purpose, and to fully obey God's commandments at all times. To follow the lead of religion means everlasting death. To follow Christ Jesus means everlasting life. (John 17:3) With a knowledge of the truth there is set before men death and life. To live, one must
avoid religion and truly follow the lead of Christ Jesus.
AUTHOR OF SALVATION
"Salvation belongeth unto the LORD," that is, Jehovah God. (Psalm 3: 8) No man or organization of men can give salvation to others. Religious organizations, and particularly the leaders therein, claim to save souls or to bring salvation to men; but such claim is wholly false. Jehovah God is the Creator and Giver of life, and no creature can get life from another. God created man and gave the perfect man life. (Genesis 2: 7) God has made provision for the salvation of sinful men from death and unto life. The doctrine that man has inherent life and that the soul of man is immortal and cannot die is as false as the Devil himself and is the result of the Devil's first lie. The doctrine of inherent immortality of souls was the lie told by Satan, the Devil, to Eve for the first time, and led to death upon Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3: 4) Every man is a soul, that is to say, a living, breathing creature. He does not possess a soul separate and distinct from his body; but the body of flesh and the breath of living creatures, together, constitute the soul. When these are separated the soul is out of existence. If a soul were immortal it could not die; but it is plainly written in the Word of God: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezekiel 18: 4) "What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah." (Psalm 89:48) When a man dies he is completely dead and entirely without knowledge or
consciousness. He is not conscious anywhere, and therefore the doctrine of "purgatory" and of "eternal torment", "where men are suffering conscious punishment," is completely false, a wicked doctrine promulgated by the Devil to deceive men: "For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward, for the memory of them is forgotten." "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." — Ecclesiastes 9:5,10.
Why do human creatures die? Because the first man Adam willfully sinned by joining the Devil in rebellion against Jehovah God. All the human race-sprang from Adam; and since Adam became a sinner before he and Eve had children, it follows naturally that all men have been born imperfect and are therefore sinners by inheritance. "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51: 5) "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12) Unless provision is made by the Almighty God to save men from death, in time all men would perish. God alone could provide for man's salvation, and therefore it is written: "Salvation belongeth unto the Lord." (Psalm 3:8) It is easy to be seen, therefore, why it is recorded in the Scriptures that the man who claims there is no God is a fool, and his course of action in refusing to hear and to obey God proves him to be a fool.
UNSELFISH
God is under no obligation to provide salvation for any man, because all men are by nature sinners. The salvation of sinful man could bring no profit to Jehovah God. He could well let all men die and then create a new race and by that new race prove the Devil a liar and prove Jehovah's supremacy. It pleased him to do otherwise. It is written: "God is love" (1 John 4:16); which means that he is wholly unselfish. Acting entirely unselfishly, Jehovah God has provided for the salvation of man from death. Hence it is written: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) That Scripture text is no authority whatsoever for the doctrine of universal redemption or universal salvation. The doctrine of universal redemption and salvation is a ruse of the Devil to prevent men from learning the only means of salvation to life. Salvation is mentioned as only to those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, as the foregoing scripture says: 'He that believeth on him shall not perish.' It follows, then, that those who do not believe on the Lord shall perish. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6: 23) Since life is a gift from God, then it can be received from no one else.
No man can receive a gift until he first has knowledge that the gift is offered to him, and then he must willingly accept that which is offered, in order for the gift to be completed. Anything that is forced upon another against
his will is not a gift. When the gift is offered to man it becomes effective only when that gift is accepted upon the terms offered. (Romans 5:18) Jesus Christ is mentioned in the Scriptures under the symbol of "the Stone", upon which rests the great organization and kingdom of Jehovah, and it ministers life to those who receive salvation to life. Therefore it is written: "This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." — Acts 4:11,12.
The name Jesus means "Jehovah is salvation"; that is to say, Jesus is the means by and through which Jehovah God has provided salvation for man to life, and such salvation is granted upon the terms which God unselfishly provides. At the birth of the child Jesus the angel of Jehovah announced to witnesses this message: "Unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) How does Jesus Christ become the Savior of men?
PURCHASE
Jesus Christ becomes the owner of the human creatures by right of purchase. The purchase price is the lifeblood of the man Jesus poured out unto death according to the will of Jehovah God his Father. (Isaiah 53:10,12) Jesus willingly submitted to being put to death that he might purchase the human race, and concerning this Jesus said: "Therefore doth my Father
love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." — John 10:17,18.
Jesus was "put to death in the flesh [that is to say, a perfect human creature], but quickened [(A.R.V.) made alive] by the spirit [that is, by the power of the Great Spirit, Jehovah God]". (1 Peter 3:18) God raised up Jesus out of death, and hence he is alive for evermore. (Acts 2: 31, 32; Revelation 1:18) Jesus, as it is written, "was made flesh [that is, a human creature], and dwelt among us [men]," as stated by John the apostle of Christ Jesus. (John 1:14) Angels are spirit creatures, and men are human and therefore lower than angels. It is written concerning Jesus: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (Hebrews 2:9) "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." — Philippians 2: 8-11.
Jesus suffered for three and one-half years the contradiction of sinners and was continuous-
ly persecuted by the religious sinners, and under these adverse conditions he maintained his integrity toward God. It is written concerning Jesus: "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." — Hebrews 5: 8, 9.
Concerning the purchase price by which the human race is bought it is written: "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:18,19) The lifeblood of the man Jesus provides the ransom price for man. The philosophy of the ransom sacrifice will be more fully considered in a subsequent chapter. Here the proof is submitted that by right of purchase Jesus is the owner of mankind, clothed with full power and authority to minister salvation from death to human creatures who comply with that which God's law requires. Jehovah God is the great Savior, because 'salvation belongeth to God' and God has made Christ Jesus the "author of eternal salvation", that is to say, God's Executive Officer, who ministers the salvation of life to men according to the will of God. — Romans 5:18; 6: 23.
SALVATION FOR WHOM
Is salvation for all men, whether men desire to have salvation or not? No, it is not for those who do not desire it. Note carefully the words
of the scripture: Jesus is made "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him". (Hebrews 5:9) Salvation is granted to man according to the specific terms and conditions which God has named in his Word, and one specific condition is, "That whosoever believeth in him [Christ Jesus] should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) God sent Jesus into the world "that the world through him might be saved". (John 3:17) There are specific conditions attached to such provision for salvation which must be met. God's provisions for man's salvation could not mean compulsory salvation, but that salvation must be for those who believe, because the promise is to those who believe, that they shall not perish. To perish means to go completely out of existence. It is the love of God that provides for man's salvation, and hence salvation to those who desire to be saved. Since salvation is the gift of God through Jesus Christ (Romans 6: 23), it follows that no man could gain salvation to life for man. Life is a free gift from God, and those who comply with the terms of the gift freely receive it.
Salvation is not provided for everyone. The intelligent creature who willfully and deliberately is the adversary of Jehovah God certainly would not receive salvation to life as a free gift from God. Lucifer the Devil is a willful and deliberate enemy of God, and his end is destruction. (Isaiah 14:19; Ezekiel 28:19) Adam, when created, was a perfect man. All the creation of God is perfect. (Deuteronomy 32:4) Adam, being perfect, was intelligent, and he was fully
advised of God's law and the penalty for violating it.
Satan the adversary of God deceived Eve and led her into sin, but "Adam was not deceived". He voluntarily joined the Devil in rebellion, and hence he was an intelligent, willful and deliberate sinner. (1 Timothy 2:14) Adam had the privilege of obtaining life everlasting upon condition of his obedience unto God. Adam, being duly informed that willful wrongdoing would mean death and the end of life, deliberately walked into death. There is therefore no reason to conclude that he could ever thereafter find redemption and salvation to life. God sentenced Adam to death; and God does not change. (Malachi 3:6) To Adam God pronounced in these words: "For out of [the dust] wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." (Genesis 2:7; 3:19) That judgment is final and is not subject to be reversed. It must stand forever. God sentenced Adam to death while in Eden, but He deferred the complete execution of that judgment for a time, and that for his own wise purpose. In God's due time Adam died. (Genesis 5:5) There is no promise found in the Scriptures that Adam's redemption and resurrection and salvation will take place at any time. Adam had a fair trial for life and completely failed. If God should provide the second trial or second chance for Adam, that would be a denial of the justice of his own judgment entered against Adam. That is an impossibility with God; as it is written: "He cannot deny himself." (2 Timothy 2:13) "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither
the son of man, that he should repent; hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" —Numbers 23:19.
But with Adam's offspring the situation or condition is entirely different. Before Adam sinned he and his wife Eve had not exercised the power and function to bring forth children. It seems that God deferred the complete execution of the judgment of death against man in order that Adam and Eve might bring forth children; which they did. (Genesis 4:1,2,25; 5:3-8) At the time of the judgment entered against Adam his children, not having been born, were not on trial for life, and hence they were not sentenced to death. However, when born, they were under condemnation because of inherited imperfection. The imperfect Adam and Eve under condemnation could not bring forth perfect children. Every one of Adam's children was therefore conceived in sin and brought forth in iniquity, for the very reason that Adam and Eve were sinners under the judgment of death when their children were conceived. Those children had done nothing before or at the time of birth to make them sinners, as indeed they could not do anything to that end. Their conception and birth was without their knowledge or consent. They became sinners by inheritance; and that is true with reference to every child that has been born on the earth, except Jesus alone. Upon this point of inherited sin the scripture is clear, positive and indisputable. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." "Nevertheless, death reigned
from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of [manner like or similar to] Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." — Romans 5:12,14.
Moses was a type of Christ Jesus, the great Savior of man from death. The children of Adam being sentenced by inheritance and being therefore under condemnation, they must in the course of time suffer death and return unto the dust, because God could not approve imperfect ones and permit such to live. (Habakkuk 1:13) God could consistently have mercy upon all who were not willful and deliberate sinners or opposers of Jehovah God. This fixed rule of Jehovah he emphasized in the declaration of his law to the Israelites through Moses, wherein it is written: "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses." (Hebrews 10: 28; Deuteronomy 17: 2-7) All of humankind, having been born as sinners and under condemnation, must die unless some provision is made for them to live; and God, the giver of life, is under no obligation to provide salvation. On the other hand, "God is love," and in the exercise of his unselfishness he could show and has consistently shown mercy to mankind by providing salvation through Christ. Mercy is loving-kindness extended by Jehovah to those under condemnation (and justly so) and subject to destruction. God has shown mercy to mankind in what manner? By providing redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ. — John 3:16,17.
In order to be just must God extend mercy to every creature? No. Those who are willing and deliberate opposers of God would not accept
his mercy if extended to them; and certainly God would not extend mercy to such opposers, and he does not. Furthermore, mercy is not the result of the exercise of justice, but is the exercise of loving-kindness when such attribute may be exercised consistently with justice. "As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." — Romans 9:13.
Jacob was faithful and obedient to God. His brother Esau spurned the goodness of God and died without mercy. (Hebrews 12:16,17) God foreknew that Jacob would remain faithful; and hence Jacob was used to picture that class of persons who receive the mercy of God and continue faithful and obedient unto God. God also foreknew that Esau, because of his selfishness, would prove to be the enemy of God; and which he did, and therefore with Esau God made a prophetic picture of a class of persons who refuse to continue in faith and obedience unto God. Was there any unrighteousness on the part of Jehovah God in so doing? Certainly not. Concerning this it is written in the Scriptures: "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." — Romans 9:14-16.
Jehovah's rule of action, or law, is unchangeable. (Malachi 3:6) His mercy is extended to all who comply with his fixed rules. The result to the wicked and unfaithful is stated in these words: "The Lord preserveth all them that love
him; but all the wicked will he destroy." — Psalm 145:20.
The man who begins to fear God is gaining some wisdom. The tear of Jehovah God means to hate evil and to love that which is right. (Proverbs 8:13) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. (Psalm 111: 10; Proverbs 1: 7) Therefore the man who fears God, within the meaning of the Scriptures, begins to have some knowledge and to go in the right way, which is the way of wisdom. "Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy." (Psalm 33:18) What rule of God, then, must be followed by the creature who would receive God's mercy? The rule laid down by the Scriptures is, Faith in God and in Christ Jesus and obedience to the commandments of the Lord. Such is the way that leads to life, because that is the right way and because God's commandments are right and righteous: "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth." (Psalm 119:142) Therefore it is written in the Scriptures: "Without faith it is impossible to please [God]." (Hebrews 11:6) The mercy of Jehovah God to the creature who is a sinner by inheritance is granted only to those who believe on God and on Christ Jesus; as it is written: "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." —John 3:35, 36.
The purchase price of the human race is the precious blood of Christ Jesus, poured out unto
death for as many as believe and obey the commandments of the Lord. To that divine rule there is no exception. Those who receive the benefit of that rule and who continue in faith and obedience receive salvation unto life everlasting.
WHO HAS SHOWN FAITH
Can God put on the earth men who, when subjected to the severest test put upon them at the hand of Satan, will under such test maintain their integrity by remaining true and faithful to Jehovah God? That is the question raised by the wicked challenge of Satan. (Job 2:1-6) Failure to maintain one's integrity toward God means death, "everlasting destruction." Maintaining one's integrity toward God means life. To understand and appreciate salvation to life, that question raised by the challenge of the Devil must always be kept in mind. If salvation were granted to man in the absence of the test, no opportunity would be afforded to adequately prove the matter and settle the question at issue.
It necessarily follows that Satan must have a free hand to put the test upon men. Since imperfect men cannot successfully cope with Satan, it follows that such men must have some help. God has provided that needed help to be administered to men by and through Christ Jesus; but the man or men who receive the same must do something in order to receive the provided help. God's requirement is that man must believe in the existence of the Almighty God, whose name is Jehovah; and such is the first step toward receiving help. He must believe that
Jehovah God is supreme, and that God is "the rewarder of them that diligently seek him", and that he is the One who has provided salvation for man by and through Jesus Christ. If a man says, 'I do not believe there is any Almighty God, who is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him,' that man has no faith and cannot please God and will not receive the provided help by and through Christ Jesus. (Hebrews 11:6) Or if that man says, 'When I do what appears in my own eyes to be right, and I continue in that way, I think I shall be saved,' that means that the man is without faith and cannot receive the provided help, and he puts himself in the class of the fool. (Proverbs 12:15) Likewise one who relies upon sentiment or feeling is void of understanding. Faith is the first essential to please God, and it is written in the Scriptures: "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) That means that one must be guided by the Word of God, and not by sentiment or by what some other creature may tell him. (Psalm 119:105) Then the question arises, In the many centuries that have come and gone, who have believed? 'Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" — Isaiah 53:1.
In pronouncing sentence upon the rebellious at Eden God announced His purpose to raise up a Seed through his universal organization, which Seed in time would destroy "that old serpent", Satan the Devil, and all his cohorts. Later he made promise that in that Seed so raised up all blessings should come to the human race. (Genesis 3:15; 12:3) The Scriptures set
forth the overwhelming proof that such Seed of promise is Christ Jesus, the Lord or Savior, and the King of the world, who shall rule the world in righteousness at the command of the Almighty, Jehovah God. (Galatians 3:16; Philippians 2: 9-11; Isaiah 32:1) Some persons have had full faith and confidence in the promise thus made by the Almighty God, as the facts and the Scriptures clearly show.
Individual persons are of small importance, and classes of persons are made more prominent by the Word of Jehovah God, and it is important for one to get into one of such classes. Jehovah has laid down his rules that relate to each class, and in His due time those who comply with his rules find a place in one of his provided classes.
Abel is the first one named in the Scriptures as exercising faith in God. (Genesis 4:4; Hebrews 11:4) Then, in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, follows a list of men among whom are named Enoch, Noah, Abraham, (Sarah,) Isaac, Jacob, Moses and others, all of whom were in a class known as faithful men, which men were counted righteous by reason of their faith in God and obedience unto his commandments. It is written of those persons that they "looked for a city [city being a symbol of a government or kingdom] which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God". Those men lived in the world of wickedness, surrounded by the servants of the Devil, but under those adverse conditions they had faith in Jehovah God and in his promise to set up a government of righteousness that would administer life and all attending blessings to them that serve and
obey God. They believed God's promise that he would send the Messiah or Christ to save, to rule, and to bless, but just how He would accomplish that great work they did not know, because God did not reveal it to them. Those persons were put to the most crucial tests, but none of such tests shook their faith in God. The Devil saw to it that those persons were caused to suffer all manner of indignities, and the record in God's Word concerning those faithful ones is that 'they had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, bonds and imprisonment; they were stoned, and sawn asunder; of whom the world was not worthy'. (Hebrews 11th chapter) Those men, because of their faith, faithfulness and obedience, form or constitute a class of faithful men, "just men," who shall be perfected in God's due time. From Abel to John the Baptist that class of men were tested and proved their integrity toward God and received God's approval; and of them it is written: "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise; God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." —Hebrews 11:39,40.
Why did that class of men end with John the Baptist? and why were not these men made perfect and given everlasting life at the time of receiving God's approval? John the Baptist lived at the time when Jesus was on the earth, there being only six months' difference between the birth of Jesus and that of John. He was the last of the prophets preceding the coming of the great Prophet of God, Jesus Christ. He died before the ransom price was paid. He was the fore-
runner and, by the grace of God, was made the announcer of Jesus when he saw Jesus coming, and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." — John 1: 29.
With the coming of Jesus came another class in Jehovah God's arrangement. As of first importance Jesus came as the spokesman of Almighty God, the Vindicator of His holy name. The day of the other prophets had been filled, and concerning Jesus and the prophets, including John, the latter said: "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3: 30) Jesus selected twelve men from amongst the Israelites, the covenant people of God, and whom he specially taught, and all of those disciples, except one, remained true and faithful to the Lord Jesus. Later Paul was made a disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ. Christ Jesus is the beginner, the head and the chief one of God's capital organization called Zion. The faithful apostles and all who are made members of the capital organization of God are the others of the "elect" class. The apostle Paul is one of the elect class; and learning from the Lord that Christ Jesus and the members of his royal house must first be selected and perfected by Jehovah in carrying out His purposes, Paul wrote of and concerning the faithful men mentioned in Hebrews the eleventh chapter these words: "God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect"; that is to say, the elect company or class must first be perfected and gathered unto Christ Jesus before those faithful men of old shall be made perfect
and granted life everlasting. Such is the purpose of God, and such he is carrying out.
FOR JEHOVAH'S NAME
The "elect" class of Jehovah God is Christ Jesus, the Head thereof, and the members of "his body", which constitute the church of God. (Ephesians 1:22,23) Because Christ Jesus is the Chief One and is the Vindicator of Jehovah's name and of His Word, he must be put to the test and maintain his integrity. Likewise all the members of his body must be put to the test and maintain their integrity toward God. All careful students of the Bible are familiar with the record of the cruel persecution of Jesus that came upon him at the hand and instance of the religionists, who were the agents of the Devil. (Matthew twenty-third chapter; John 8:42-44) From the hour of his anointing until his body hung limp upon the tree Jesus suffered all manner of contradiction of sinners and cruel persecution inflicted upon him by the enemies of God. All this was done at the instance of the Devil, and the religious leaders were the Devil's chief instruments used. Because of his faithfulness unto death and because he fully and completely maintained his integrity toward Jehovah God to the end, the Almighty God raised Jesus out of death and made him the King of the world and "the Author of eternal salvation" and exalted him to the highest place in the universe. (Hebrews 5:9; Philippians 2:9-11) Every one of the true followers of Christ Jesus has in like manner suffered persecution and indignities heaped upon them by the enemies of God, which
visible enemies are the religionists who carry on the persecution of true Christians. Recognizing the necessity for such crucial test upon the followers of Christ Jesus, the apostle wrote: "For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." (1 Peter 2:21) In support of that the apostle Paul adds his testimony: "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church." — Colossians 1: 24.
Concerning the necessity of all of this class' being put to the test, it is written: "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us." (2 Timothy 2:11,12) Every member of the body of Christ must, under the test, maintain his integrity toward God; and to such, while undergoing the test, Jesus says: "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10) Christ Jesus is "the faithful and true witness" of Jehovah. (Revelation 3:14) As Jesus declared, he came into the world specifically to bear testimony to the truth; and every member of his body, that is, the elect class, must bear witness to the truth concerning the name and the kingdom of Jehovah God. — John 18: 37; Isaiah 43:10-12.
The chief doctrine set forth in the Bible is that concerning the vindication of Jehovah's name. The kingdom of God under Christ is the instrument Jehovah uses to accomplish the vindication of his name; hence the importance of the kingdom. Christ Jesus is the King, and he is 'Head over the body, which is his church', and all the members thereof are kings and priests unto Christ. (Ephesians 1:17-23) John, to whom the Lord gave The Revelation and the commission to record the book of Revelation, wrote: "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the firstbegotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." —Revelation 1: 5, 6.
Jehovah God made a covenant with Christ Jesus that Jesus should be the King and rule the world; and concerning this matter Jesus said to his faithful disciples: "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." — Luke 22: 28-30.
The Devil at all times has attempted to destroy every one of those persons who have been called and selected to a place in the kingdom. This the Devil has done in his attempt to support his wicked challenge, and Jehovah has permitted the Devil to have a free hand in putting such tribulation upon his called ones in order
that they might be tested and that under the test they might prove their integrity. Such is the real reason why God permits the Devil's agents, the religionists, to persecute Jehovah's witnesses, the faithful followers of Christ Jesus. Their persecution is because they bear testimony to God's name and to his kingdom.
"SHEEP"
Christ Jesus is also called "the Good Shepherd", and he refers to his faithful followers who are made members of "his body" or official family as "sheep", whom he leads, teaches, protects and sustains. His relationship to the members of his body is pictured by the relationship of the shepherd to his flock of sheep. The sheep know the shepherd's voice, and they obey him. Concerning those creatures that are called "sheep" and that are called to the "high calling" that they may be made members of the kingdom, Jesus said: "I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." — John 10: 9-11,14,15.
Those who are selected and who are ultimately made members of the kingdom class must willingly and joyfully devote themselves exclusively
to God and to his kingdom under Christ. To them the kingdom is of paramount importance, even greater than life itself; and therefore Jesus says to them: "Take no thought for your life," but rather devote yourselves exclusively to the interests of the kingdom and the Lord will take care of all your interests. Then Jesus adds: "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; and your Father knoweth that
ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." — Luke 12: 29-31.
These faithful followers of Christ Jesus do not recognize anything as of importance when compared to the kingdom. They joyfully acknowledge Jehovah God and Christ Jesus as "the Higher Powers", to whom they must "be subject". (Romans 13:1) Therefore when the law of the nations conflicts with the law of God, those faithful followers of Christ Jesus, acting as did the apostles, "obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29) They have complete faith in God and in Christ Jesus, his King and Vindicator. Note now that such faithful ones are not to fear what men or devils might do to them, because they trust exclusively in the supremacy of the Almighty God. The members of that kingdom class are limited to 144,000 (Revelation 7:4-8; 14:1-3), and that is a small number compared with the billions in existence. Jesus speaks of them as a small number, and therefore says to them: "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." — Luke 12:32.
Comparatively, a long period of time has been employed in the selection of the little flock or kingdom class. While the selection began with the faithful apostles under Christ Jesus, others at Pentecost began to be called to that class. All such must first seek the Lord and voluntarily devote themselves to God and Christ. Later the Lord revealed to the apostles that the purpose of Jehovah is to select or take out from the nations "a people for his name". (Acts 15:14)
Those so selected or taken out, and who faithfully serve God and maintain their integrity, are truly Christians, because they follow closely in the footsteps of Christ Jesus in obedience to the commandments of Jehovah. God's purpose of taking out a "people for his name" is that such might be witnesses; that is, Jehovah's witnesses bear testimony before others, telling them of God's name and his kingdom. During the past 1900 years many persons have professed to be Christians, but only a very small proportion have proved faithful under the test. Now the time has come when Christ Jesus, the King, is enthroned and is present conducting in the earth God's "strange work", which consists of proclamation being made before the nations and the people that religion is of the Devil and is a fraud and a snare and a racket, and that Christians are those who are wholly devoted to God and Christ and who must obey him; that it is God's purpose to soon destroy Satan's entire organization, and that this will be done at the battle of the great day of God Almighty called "Armageddon"; and that the only place of safety and salvation is in God's organization under Christ Jesus.
Note again that Jehovah said to the Devil, in substance: 'I have permitted thee to remain that my name might be declared throughout the earth and that I might show thee my power.' (Exodus 9:16) The day of Armageddon is very near, when God will express his wrath and exhibit his great power against Satan and all his forces. Therefore just preceding the great battle Jehovah's witnesses, or faithful followers of
Christ Jesus now on the earth, must go about the land and bear testimony before the people of and concerning Jehovah's name and his King and kingdom. These persons who are thus faithfully performing the commandments of God are designated in the Scriptures as "the remnant of her seed", meaning the last ones on earth of the children of God's elect organization. (Isaiah 54:13) They are the last ones of the called-out class that must bear testimony to the name of Jehovah God, and this they must do up until the time of Armageddon. Because those persons of that faithful class called "the remnant" do bear testimony as commanded, the Devil, who is called that old "Dragon", tries to destroy them; and hence it is written: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman [God's organization], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." — Revelation 12:17.
Such is the reason why Jehovah's witnesses are so sorely persecuted in every part of the earth, and also the reason why the chief persecutors of these faithful servants of God are the religionists, led by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. The religionists do the persecuting because they are the Devil's chief instrument on the earth. The Devil and his agents expect to destroy the remnant of the little flock of the Lord called "Jehovah's witnesses"; and Jehovah and the King, Christ Jesus, will fully protect them, and therefore these faithful Christians, known as "the remnant" or "little flock" of sheep, continue to carry on their work faithfully amidst a
time of great persecution, and in so doing they maintain their integrity toward God under the test.
But now in these latter days the Lord says to those of the remnant that there is another class, who are their "companions". Immediately following his words concerning his sheep as hearing and obeying his voice, and which sheep compose the "little flock", Jesus then adds these words: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." — John 10:16.
The Lord is now gathering unto himself his "other sheep", because it is due time so to do. These are also called "sheep" because they are persons of good will toward God and toward his King and kingdom. They desire to know and to do what is right, and hence they seek the Lord, because his ways are always right. Those who will compose the Lord's "other sheep" are not limited as to the number, but are called the "great multitude" without number, and they come "of all nations and kindreds, and people, and tongues", and they rejoice and joyfully acknowledge that salvation belongeth to Jehovah God and is ministered through Christ Jesus, the King. (Revelation 7:9,10) In a marvelous manner the Lord has manifested his loving-kindness to those of the "great multitude", as will be seen by what follows.
