CHAPTER X
HIS EXECUTIONER
JEHOVAH caused his prophet Ezekiel to prophesy against Jerusalem and the nations round about her. Jerusalem pictured "Christendom". Concerning Jerusalem, and therefore concerning "Christendom", Jehovah said: "I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her." "Christendom," by her hypocritical practices and oppressions of the people, has brought the greatest amount of reproach upon and defamation of Jehovah's name, and upon her the execution of God's judgment falls with greatest severity. "And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her; for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them. Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Because ye multiplied more than the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you." — Ezek. 5:6,7.
Within the realms of "Christendom", and immediately adjacent to her, there are many others who
are Jehovah's enemies. These are symbolized in the prophecy of Ezekiel by the countries of Ammon, Moab and others. They have known about God and have had opportunity to know much more, but have joined with "Christendom" in defaming Jehovah's name, and they must suffer the consequences in connection with "Christendom's" downfall. Out from the nations Jehovah has taken "a people for his name" which constitute his witnesses. Before his judgment falls upon the enemy Jehovah's witnesses must go throughout the land and deliver the testimony of Jesus Christ and give notice and warning to the enemy, as well as to the peoples of good will. In giving this testimony Jehovah's witnesses are spectacles, or an open show, to angels and men, particularly to those who have defamed and reproached God and his organization.
It would seem impossible before Armageddon to bring to the multitudes of ignorant and depraved persons of earth who have never heard of the Word of God such knowledge as would make them responsible; therefore, for their knowledge they must wait until the times of restitution. It is hypocritical "Christendom", and those within her realms and immediately adjacent to her, that the Devil and his wicked angels, which "bear rule over all the earth", have used to exploit and oppress mankind and to grossly defame God's holy name. "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee, in the sight of the nations. And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations." —Ezek. 5: 8, 9.
Satan is assembling his forces for Armageddon, and these forces are under the immediate command of his field marshal Gog. At Armageddon Jehovah's army, under the immediate leadership of Christ Jesus, will destroy Satan's army and then take Satan and put him into the pit, meaning death, for the period of a thousand years. Within that period the judgment of the individuals of the human race will take place and all those who love God and obey him will be restored. All this will be to the glory of the Most High.
Jehovah must and will execute all of his enemies in order that his holy name, fame and good reputation may abide for ever. In no other way could the universe be made clean and the name of Jehovah made to occupy the place where it belongs in the hearts and minds of his creatures. His judgments against his enemies are written. In the execution of these judgments Jehovah employs certain of his creatures that are loyal, true and faithful to him. An executioner is one who executes a legal judgment in conformity to his certificate of authority or commission. The one who renders the judgment takes the responsibility therefor. The executioner is merely the arm of the law or supreme authority. The judgment of Jehovah God against his enemies declares that they shall be destroyed. (Ps. 145:20) "Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies; thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. For they intended evil against thee; they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform. Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back,
when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them." (Ps. 21: 8, 9,11,12) An executioner is a vindicator of God's name. "If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me." — Deut. 32: 41.
Who are God's enemies? His arch or chief enemy is Satan the Devil, and with him there is a host of wicked ones. Satan's covetous desire to make merchandise of the human race led him to formulate a scheme for the alienation of mankind from God. That scheme was based upon a false religion, to wit, the worship of the Devil primarily, and secondarily, the worship of anything to turn man away from Jehovah. The express purpose of Jehovah is to destroy Satan's false religious schemes and what has grown out of them, and this purpose he definitely makes known when he says: "Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment." (Ex. 12:12) Whom will Jehovah use to execute his judgments? With the people of Israel God began to make pictures of the execution of his judgments and to foreshadow his Executioner. "David executed judgment and justice unto all his people." (2 Sam. 8:15) David was a type of Christ Jesus. Solomon was commanded to execute the judgments of Jehovah. (1 Ki. 6:12) He also was a type of Christ as long as he was faithful to Jehovah. "0 house of David, thus saith the Lord, Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor." (Jer. 21:12) "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the
earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Jer. 23:5,6) These scriptures foreshadow Christ Jesus. "And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard." (Mic. 5:15) This prophecy foretells the work of Christ Jesus. Jesus himself stated that to him is committed all judgment and the execution thereof. — John 5: 22, 27.
These scriptures definitely prove that Christ Jesus is Jehovah's Executioner and support the conclusion that those appointed by Jehovah in Israel to execute his judgments typify or foreshadow Christ Jesus. By the will of Jehovah God Christ Jesus associates others with him in the execution of Jehovah's judgments. Together these constitute the "higher powers" that are ordained of God. "For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." (Rom. 13:1-4) This is further supported by the statement: "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all; and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." (Jude 14,15) This scripture refers to the execution of final judgment. As to those who are associated with Christ Jesus in this work: "To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord." — Ps. 149: 9.
JEHU
Having in mind the foregoing points, which are definitely settled by the Scriptures, consideration is now given as to whom Jehu foreshadowed or pictured. As the Scriptures show that we are near the great conflict in which Jehovah will express his wrath upon his enemies, we may look with confidence to him to give us an understanding of the matter concerning Jehu and his slaughter work of which the Scriptures specifically speak. That Jehu was an executioner of judgments of Jehovah there cannot be the slightest doubt, because it is written, in 2 Chronicles 22:7,8: "And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram; for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them." Whom did Jehu foreshadow? What is meant by the Jehu work?
In the outset, and in order to consider the Scriptural proof to a better advantage, the answer to the foregoing question as to whom Jehu foreshadowed is specifically given, and then followed by argument based upon the Scriptures in support of the answer. This will enable the student in progressing with the study to determine whether or not the answer is correct. The answer is, to wit:
From the time Jehu was anointed and until he had completed the execution of his divinely given commission he pictured or foreshadowed the work of the
execution to be done in "the day of the Lord" by Christ Jesus, the Chief Executive of Jehovah, and in which work his body members in glory, the remnant who arc members of his body and are now on the earth, and his host of holy angels, all participate. The Jehu work runs parallel with the work foreshadowed by the prophecy of Ezekiel appearing in chapters nine and ten concerning 'the man clothed in linen and with the writer's inkhorn by his side', and with the work of marking the foreheads of the people and scattering coals of fire over the city, and with the six men that followed him with slaughter weapons, and the destroying the city. The Lord having revealed to his people the meaning of the ninth and tenth chapters of Ezekiel's prophecy, as well as other parts thereof, and since the Jehu work is directly related thereto, it seems God's due time to permit his people to understand the Jehu picture and the work that Jehu performed. The work of Jehu was for the vindication of Jehovah's name, and therefore is properly considered in connection with the study of Ezekiel's prophecy.
Elijah foreshadowed the ambassadorial or witness work to be done by God's people during the time of 'preparing the way before the Lord'. His was a restitution work also, as Jesus declared, and thus showing that in the Elijah period of the church a similar work was done. (Matt. 17:11) His was also a work looking to the vindication of Jehovah's name. Elisha was anointed to finish the work Elijah had begun, and hence his was an ambassadorial or witness work also. But furthermore of him it is written: "And him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay." This shows that the Elisha work is directly related to
the execution of the enemies of Jehovah. (1 Ki. 19:17) Jehu pictures an execution or destructive work for the vindication of Jehovah's name. Elisha also foreshadows a vindication work, showing that the same persons connected with the Elisha work are likewise connected with the Jehu work. Elisha was anointed long before Jehu received his anointing; which shows that the witness work must be done first and must then be followed by the work of destruction, even as shown by the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.
HISTORICAL
Some historical facts concerning Israel's rulers, and in which Jehu figures, will be of interest at this point. The ten tribes of Israel had rebelled against the house of David and had selected their own king. Asa was king of Judah and reigned at Jerusalem about 979 B.C. The ten tribes were located in the north part of Palestine. Omri, a captain in the army of Israel, seized the throne of Israel, making himself king. Later he bought the site of Samaria and built his royal house there, where he reigned over the ten tribes of Israel. (1 Ki. 16:16-24) Ahab succeeded Omri as king of Israel. Ahab married Jezebel, the daughter of Eth-baal. To Ahab and Jezebel was born a daughter named Athaliah. Some time later Elijah prophesied concerning the coming of the three and one-half years of famine. Afterwards Ahab was killed in battle, and was succeeded by his son Ahaziah. — 1 Ki. 22: 34-40.
Elijah anointed Elisha in his place or stead. Athaliah the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel married Jehoram, the heir to the throne over Judah. He began to reign about 913 B.C., at Jerusalem. (2 Chron.
21:1) He was succeeded to the throne by Ahaziah the son of Athaliah, who was a grandson of Jezebel. Joram (Jehoram) the son of Ahab succeeded Ahaziah his brother to the throne of Israel. Elijah was taken away, and was succeeded by the Prophet Elisha. Then Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, was anointed to be king over Israel. (2 Ki. 9:1-6) Shortly thereafter Jehu slew Joram (or Jehoram). (2 Ki. 9: 24) Thereafter Jehu wiped out the entire house of Ahab.
THE KEY
Jehovah's purpose in having the house of Ahab destroyed furnishes the main key to the understanding of the work that Jehu performed and what it foreshadowed. Ahab pictured Satan, that old Serpent the Devil. Jezebel, his wife, pictured Satan's woman or organization. Their offspring or seed pictures 'the seed of the Serpent', which must be destroyed because anti-God, anti-Christ and anti-kingdom. The work of Jehu pictures Jehovah's procedure in destroying that which has brought depravity upon the human race and dishonor upon Jehovah's name.
The chief development leading up to the slaughter work done by Jehu was Baal worship, which is Devil worship. The name Baal means "to be master; hence, to marry, to be the husband and, figuratively, the owner". Baal worship therefore appears to be the worship of the Devil by joining the organization of which the Devil is the master, husband and owner, and by accepting him, the Devil, as lord and head. "Baal-peor" means the practice of this Devil religion in connection with lewd and immoral women. It was a
seductive means of turning men away from Jehovah God.
Balaam, the soothsayer from Mesopotamia, taught Balak the king of Moab how to seduce the Israelites in connection with this devilish religion of Baal-peor. That Jehovah hated the detestable thing is shown by the following: "And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor; and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord, against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor." (Num. 25:1-5) That wicked Balaam was slain by the sword at the command of the Lord given to Moses. — Num. 31:8.
Gideon was faithful to the Lord and was also used to execute God's judgment against Baal worship. (Judg. 6:24-32) After Gideon's death the Israelites again fell away to Baal worship. (Judg. 8:33) God caused his faithful prophet Samuel to warn the Israelites concerning Baal worship. "And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Then the children of Israel did put away
Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only." — 1 Sam. 7: 3,4.
David was faithful to Jehovah and he "sought not unto Baalim, but sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel". (2 Chron. 17:3,4) Jehovah was long-suffering with the Israelites, and when they repented he forgave them and further extended his favors to them.
After the ten tribes withdrew from Judah and set up their own kingdom at Samaria it was Omri who gave official sanction to satanic worship by the Israelites. Ahab followed him on the throne, and concerning him it is written: "And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him." — 1 Ki. 16:30-33.
The three and one-half years' famine came upon Israel even as Elijah had prophesied. About the time of the end of that famine Elijah met Ahab and then and there told Ahab to his face that his practice of the Devil religion was the real cause of the trouble upon Israel. "And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth. Israel? And he answered, I have not trou-
bled Israel; but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim." —1 Ki. 18:17,18.
Ahab and Jezebel maintained "the prophets of Baal" by which the Israelites were debauched and turned away from Jehovah. Jehovah God used Elijah to execute his judgment upon these four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. Later, when Jehu was addressing an assembly of the people he said to them: "Ahab served Baal." (2 Ki. 10:18) These scriptures definitely show that Ahab was given over entirely to Devil worship.
During Ahab's reign Jehu was an officer in his army. He was a captain and a charioteer. At the time Jehovah told Elijah that Jehu and Elisha must be anointed he also said: "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." (1 Ki. 19:18) It seems quite reasonable, therefore, that although Jehu was serving in the army of Ahab Jehu was among the seven thousand Israelites that had refused to indulge in the Devil worship of Baalism.
Ahaziah succeeded his father Ahab to the throne. He was injured by a fall and he sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, meaning the Devil-god of Ekron, concerning his recovery: "And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover of this disease. But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of
Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? Now, therefore, thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed." — 2 Ki. 1:2-4.
Jehoram (or Joram) succeeded Ahaziah to the throne; and while he was not as wicked as Ahab, still Baal worship persisted in Israel during his reign. During his reign the old woman Jezebel was still alive and she continued to sponsor the Devil worship. (2 Ki. 3:1-3) Afterwards, concerning Jehu, it is written: "Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel." (2 Ki. 10: 28) At that point the Jehu picture ends. The subsequent facts recorded concerning him do not foreshadow any work done by any servant of Jehovah.
Jehu came in contact with the Prophet Elijah and lived through more than twenty-eight years of Elisha's prophetic work. This would strongly support the conclusion that the company whom Jehu foreshadowed Jehovah began to gather and prepare for his name during the Elijah period of the work of the church and those proving faithful in that period he made a part of the 'elect servant' class. Jehovah takes away from Lucifer, now Satan, the rulership of the world and gives it to his beloved Son Christ Jesus, earth's rightful Ruler. This great work he illustrated by taking away the kingdom from Saul and giving it to David the beloved, who foreshadowed Christ Jesus. (1 Sam. 15:28) Likewise in the picture in which Jehu appears, the Lord takes away the kingdom from Ahab and gives it to Jehu. The same rule applies to those who are given an opportunity for the kingdom
and who prove unfaithful to Jehovah. "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." (Matt. 21:43) This would show that the remnant of God's people are embraced within the picture of the Jehu work. Jehu therefore pictured Christ Jesus, earth's rightful King, and all of his body members sharing in the kingdom with him, and which necessarily includes the remnant, and also his holy angels who serve him always in the kingdom.
OBJECTIONS
Because some may raise objections to the conclusion that Jehu pictured the faithful "servant" class of Jehovah the strongest possible objections are here considered. First, the objection is made that Jehu could not be a representative of Jehovah's "servant" because Jehu was a charioteer and a captain in the army of Ahab and also of his successor, who were Baal worshipers, and which army is that of the ten tribes of Israel which had broken off from Judah. This objection is not well taken, for the reason that God approved David, who fought in the army of the unfaithful king Saul, not because David fought in the army, but because he was faithful to Jehovah. Practically all the members of the remnant class now on the earth were once engaged more or less in the systems of "Christendom" and then honestly believed that the rulers of the hypocritical Devil-worshiping "Christendom" constituted the "higher powers" mentioned by the apostle, and to which all are admonished to give allegiance. (Rom. 13:1-4) Of course they were wrong in that, but they were not unfaithful to God.
Another objection is raised because of Jehovah's declaration against the house of Jehu, as uttered by his prophet, to wit: "And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel." (Hos. 1:4) This objection cannot be consistent, for the reason that this prophecy of Hosea was pronounced about fifty years after the death of Jehu. It was pronounced against "the house of Jehu" because of the wicked course taken by his son and his grandsons who succeeded him to the throne. God's vengeance did not come upon Jehu's house until more than eighty years after Jehu's death; hence Jehu did not see or experience it any more than King Solomon saw Jehovah's vengeance come upon his house, which came years after his death.
Another objection is raised on the ground that during the rulership of Jehu worship was conducted in connection with the golden calves at Bethel and Dan: "Howbeit, from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan." (2 Ki. 10: 29) This objection is not sound and must be overruled for the reason that Jehovah did not commission Jehu to destroy calf worship out of Israel. The golden calves set up by Jeroboam at Bethel and Dan pictured hero worship in which many of the Lord's people ignorantly indulged and have continued to indulge until recent years because they knew no better. (See The Watchtower 1930, page 116.) The commission given by Jehovah to Jehu manifestly directed that he should destroy all the
house of Ahab and Jezebel. (2 Ki. 9: 5-10; 2 Chron. 22: 7, 8) That commission Jehu carried out, and after he had done so the record of his approval is given, to wit: "And the Lord said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel." (2 Ki. 10: 30) God approved him for the faithful performance of the work he had been commissioned to do. At this point the picture of Jehu necessarily ends. The Scriptures show that God has used men in the fulfilment of his purposes even though such men were not wholly devoted to him. An example is that of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.
IN SUPPORT
In support of the conclusion that Jehu pictured Jehovah's 'elect servant' the following is submitted: Jehu was born under the law covenant and was therefore an Israelite, in covenant relationship with Jehovah, and which facts are shown by the Scriptures and God's dealing with him. (2 Ki. 13:1-6; 14:23-27) The fact that he was against Baal worship is further proof that he was in the favor of the Lord God.
The name "Jehu" means "Jehovah is he". His name is emphatic in calling attention to the fact that Jehovah is he that is the Supreme One, and this is the same fact to which the "servant" class, including Jehovah's witness the remnant, now call the attention of the people. The names of his father and grandfather are also significant. Jehu was the son of Jehoshaphat, who was the son of Nimshi. (2 Ki. 9: 2,14)
"Nimshi," the name of his grandfather, means "extricated", being probably derived from mashah, the primitive root word meaning to "pull out", and being the same root word from which the name Moses is derived. "Jehoshaphat," the name of the father of Jehu, means "Jehovah-judged, that is, vindicated". The latter part of the name, shaphat, means "to judge or pronounce judgment or sentence either for or against, and, by implication, to govern or rule and vindicate". This Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, is not the same Jehoshaphat mentioned in 1 Kings 15: 24 as the son of Asa. These two names therefore, Nimshi and Jehoshaphat, would represent that which is taken out or pulled out and used for the vindication of Jehovah's name.
It was Jehovah who gave order for the anointing of Jehu to be king over Israel, and therefore the anointing was by Jehovah. Ahab was never anointed by Jehovah. So far as the record discloses Jehu was the only man ever anointed by order of Jehovah to be king over Israel, the ten-tribe kingdom. The record is: "And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel." (1 Ki. 19:16) Acting under instructions from the Lord, Elisha directed his young man to go and perform the anointing. "And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber; then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not. And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and
said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel." — 2 Ki. 9: 2, 3, 6.
Jehu was duly anointed and commissioned as the executioner of Jehovah to exterminate Baal, or Devil worship, in Israel. His divinely given commission reads: "And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel. And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah; and the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled." — 2 Ki. 9:7-10.
Jehu fulfilled his commission. "And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab" (2 Chron. 22: 7, 8); which words prove that he was an executioner. In carrying out his commission from the Lord Jehu gained Jehovah's "well done" or approval, and for that reason Jehovah made the covenant with Jehu that his sons should continue to reign on the throne. (2 Ki. 10:30) This statement is that they should reign for four generations, that is to say, a foursquare or complete succession to the throne. Jehu and his house occupied the throne of Israel for a hundred years. Jehu himself reigned twenty-eight years. (2 Ki. 10: 36) Jehoahaz, his first generation, reigned for seventeen years, and during that time God favored Israel. (2 Ki. 13:4, 5)
Joash, or Jehoash, the grandson of Jehu, was on the throne of Israel at the death of Elisha, and he was favored by Jehovah's prophet. — 2 Ki. 13:14-23.
Jehu associated unto himself Jehonadab the son of Rechab, whose descendants, the Rechabites, won Jehovah's favor in Jeremiah's day. (2 Ki. 10:15,16; Jer. 35: 8,18,19) Jehu invited Jehonadab to ride in his chariot and to come with him and see his zeal for the Lord. — 2 Ki. 10:16.
At Mount Carmel Elijah had slaughtered four hundred and fifty of the priests of Baal; and Jehu duplicated that slaughter work, only on a far greater scale. (1 Ki. 18:40; 2 Ki. 10:18-25) Elijah made a start at the slaughter work of Baal worship, and Jehu completed that work. (2 Ki. 10: 28) Another point in his favor is that Jehu was anti-Jezebel. He had and manifested the spirit similar to that of the Lord's approved people who have and manifest the anti-Jezebel spirit, as described in Revelation 2:20-23. He rode over Jezebel in utter contempt and trampled her to death. Jehu was a vindicator of Jehovah's Word in this, that he fulfilled the word of Jehovah spoken by his prophet Elijah against Ahab and Jezebel. In this work he also completed that which Elijah had begun. Elijah had called down fire from heaven in the presence of the prophets of Baal and Ahab at Mount Carmel. His prayer was: "Hear me, 0 Lord, hear me; that this people may know that thou art the Lord God." (1 Ki. 18:37) That was a vindication of Jehovah's reputation, but not sufficient to cause the reformation of Ahab and Jezebel. Baal worship continued, and the Lord God used Jehu to vindicate his Word and his
name in connection with Baal worship. —2 Ki. 9: 25-37; 10:9-11.
These are merely abstract statements of historical facts showing that Jehu was used by Jehovah in performing the work of execution upon the representatives of Satan, and therefore supporting the conclusion that he foreshadowed the work of executing God's judgment upon Satan and his organization and which the Scriptures plainly show will be done by Christ Jesus and those associated with him; hence these facts fully support the conclusion first announced as to whom Jehu foreshadowed. Other facts will be considered in the argument that follows.
ARGUMENT
Jehu was a fighting man. He was in the chariot corps and a captain in the army of Israel. Whenever Jehovah favored the army of Israel that army was victorious over the enemy, and hence the army became and was the army of the Lord of hosts; and that, being true, would make Jehu a captain in the army of the Lord of hosts. (1 Ki. 20:1-30; 2 Ki. 3:5-25; 6: 24-7:16) Jehu was known and was recognized by reason of his rapid driving, because he drove "furiously", that is, "in madness." (2 Ki. 9:16,20, marginal reading) The fact that Jehu was associated with the war chariot of Israel seems to suggest that those who fulfil the Jehu picture must have to do and are associated with "the chariot of the cherubims" (1 Chron. 28:18) that pictures the colossal chariot of Jehovah's organization, which the Prophet Ezekiel saw in vision and which the Ezekiel class understands to picture Jehovah's great organization. (Ezek, 1; 10)
"The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels; the Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the holy place." (Ps. 68:17) "The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet; the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken." (Nah. 2:3) "Was the Lord displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?" (Hab. 3:8) "Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; who maketh the clouds his chariots; who walketh upon the wings of the wind." — Ps. 104:3.
NAB0TH
That Ahab and Jezebel pictured Satan and his organization is borne out by the facts. Ahab ruled over God's covenant people, but, like Satan, he turned all his power and authority to wickedness. Jezebel, his woman, pictured the "wife" or "woman" of the Devil, hence pictured the Devil's organization. The seed of Ahab and Jezebel, therefore, would necessarily picture or represent the 'seed of the Serpent'. Ahab and Jezebel, like Satan and his representatives, were guilty of covetousness, hypocrisy, lying, stealing, commercial oppression, and murder, and brought great reproach upon the name of Jehovah by the practice of the Devil religion.
There was a man, a Jezreelite, whose name was Naboth and who was the owner and possessor of a vineyard situate near the place of residence of Ahab the king. "Jezreel," the name of the town of the residence of Naboth, means "God is planter" or
"God will sow". The name is derived from the Hebrew words meaning 'God' and 'seed' and appears to refer to the "seed of God", that is to say, to his royal house which he sows and brings forth in many fold, that is to say, the seed of God according to the promise made to Abraham. (Gen. 22:15-18; John 12:24) "Naboth" means "fruits". "And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel. And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God." — Hos. 2: 22, 23.
By Jehovah's law of inheritance the vineyard had come into the possession of Naboth, who was therefore the lawful owner, and for this reason he desired to keep it. (Lev. 25: 23; Num. 36: 7) Ahab coveted that which Naboth possessed. He saw the garden, liked it, and wanted Naboth to turn it over to him, which Naboth refused to do. Ahab was displeased and reported the matter to his woman Jezebel. A conspiracy was formed against Naboth to obtain possession of his vineyard; and this conspiracy is exactly in line with others that the Devil has formed and carried out.
Naboth was charged with the crime of sedition and blasphemy against God. Witnesses were hired to swear falsely against him, and upon this false testimony, produced at the instance of Jezebel, Naboth was convicted and stoned to death. Then his vineyard was seized by Ahab and Jezebel on the theory that the property of a condemned criminal reverted to the state. (1 Ki. 21:1-15) Both Ahab and Jezebel were
therefore guilty of covetousness. (Ex. 20:17) By hiring witnesses to swear falsely they were guilty of hypocrisy and lying. (Ex. 20:1C) By conspiring to wrongfully get possession of Naboth's vineyard they were guilty of stealing in violation of the law. (Ex. 20:15) They were also guilty of murder, which was a breaking of God's everlasting covenant. (Ex. 20:13; Gen. 9:6) Both Ahab and Jezebel were equally responsible before God for these crimes. — Num. 30: 6, 7,10,11,14.
Satan and his organization has repeatedly acted in a similar way toward others, and this is specially true with regard to the action of Satan and his organization toward Jesus Christ and his faithful followers. Christ Jesus is the "true vine", and the heir of God, and the owner of the vineyard. Therefore Christ Jesus owned the vineyard by God's law of inheritance. Jesus bore fruits unto Jehovah, even as Naboth's name means 'to bear fruits'; and hence Naboth foreshadowed Christ Jesus. Satan incited the Jews, and especially the clergy and other leaders, to acts of violence against Christ Jesus. This was done to gain possession of the kingdom or vineyard that is the ruling power. This was accomplished by the Jews' falsely charging Jesus with sedition and blasphemy against God. Upon perjured testimony they convicted Jesus and crucified him, the method of killing him being an accursed thing, and hence it would represent that all of his possessions revert to the Devil's organization pictured by Ahab and Jezebel. Like Jezebel, the clergy and leaders of the Jews were the chief movers in the commission of this crime against God's beloved Son, the possessor of the vineyard. Jesus had related a parable
in the presence of these clergy and leaders in Israel, the words of which show that he had in mind the very thing that was done against Naboth and which would be done concerning himself. Amongst other things he said:
"But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him. He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. " — Matt. 21:38-43.
During the World War period the governing class of "Christendom", at the instance of the clergy, seized God's "servant" class, which class was then bearing fruit before the Lord, the fruit of the kingdom, and who had to do with the "true vine" of Jehovah's vineyard, namely, Christ Jesus. These faithful followers of Christ were maltreated, charged with sedition and blasphemy, convicted upon unlawful testimony and imprisoned, and some of them killed, and the work in which they were engaged, to wit, the Elijah work, was killed or stopped. (Rev. 11:3-10) In order to hold the possession and occupancy of the imperial vineyard
the same crowd of the Devil's organization formed and established the League of Nations and now cause this abominable thing to "stand in the holy place", that is to say, in the possession of that which rightfully belongs to the Lord. — Matt. 24:15.
JUDGMENT PRONOUNCED
When Ahab was taking possession of the vineyard that had been stolen from Naboth God caused Elijah to go down there and meet Ahab and tell him to his face what should come upon Ahab and Jezebel, and this Elijah did. "And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, 0 mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee; because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin. And of Jezebel also spake the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat." — 1 Ki. 21:19-24.
Doubtless Ahab and Jezebel had a regiment of the army on the spot to see that nothing should interfere
with their taking over the vineyard which they had stolen after murdering Naboth. At least the facts show beyond any question that Jehu, a captain and a charioteer, was present and heard Elijah denounce Ahab. Jehu's own words prove that fact, as appears later. (2 Ki. 9: 25, 26) It was at that time that Jehu came in contact with Elijah and heard his denunciation of Ahab and Jezebel; and this shows that the class whom Jehu pictured began to form in the time of the Elijah period of the work of the church, and the faithful ones thereof were made the "faithful and wise servant" class.
For some time before 1918 the Jehu picture was a much mooted question and was often considered and discussed by the Lord's people in a desire to know what it meant. Since then God's people have been diligently trying to ascertain the meaning thereof. God's due time now seems to have arrived to permit his people to understand the meaning of the Jehu work. These facts further support the conclusion that Jehu, prior to the time that he was anointed, corresponded to the class pictured by Mordecai prior to the time of the selection of Esther for the place on the throne, and before Mordecai and Esther together represented the remnant of God. (Esther 2: 5-7) As we are now approaching the day of the final execution of Jehovah's vengeance upon Satan's organization, it seems to be pleasing to the Lord to show his people the meaning of the Jehu picture and what it foreshadows; and this is further evidence that this final execution is in the very near future.
Jehu was conveniently present at Naboth's vineyard to hear the pronouncement of God's judgment
upon Ahab and Jezebel. As Naboth had been murdered God's declaration was that in like manner the murderers should die, and must die at the hands of the one to whom Jehovah transferred the kingdom. (1 Ki. 21:19-23) Both Elijah and Elisha knew that God had determined to transfer the kingdom from Ahab to Jehu, but Jehu did not know that fact at the time. (1 Ki. 19:16) Jehu must wait until God's duly appointed time for the execution of his judgment in destroying Ahab and Jezebel and then he would know, and was so informed. Likewise Christ Jesus must wait for many centuries until God's due time to send him forth for the vindication of his name. What part will the remnant have in the Jehu work?
PERIOD OF WAITING
Jehovah's law of retribution is just and right. Like violence must be requited with like violence. 'An eye for an eye; a life for a life.' (Ex. 21: 24; Deut. 19: 21) It was the duty of Lucifer to worship Jehovah; but instead he set up a worship for himself, and this led him to commit murder. Satan and his organization for centuries has continued to reproach Jehovah's name and to shed innocent blood. It was the duty of Ahab to worship God; but he adopted and practiced the Devil religion, which led him to commit murder. God has declared that Satan and his organization shall be destroyed and all of his possessions transferred to Christ Jesus. God's decree that Ahab and Jezebel and all their house should be destroyed and that the kingdom should be transferred to Jehu foreshadows transferring the possession of the earth to Christ. When Elijah was at Mount Horeb God had instructed him to
anoint Jehu to the kingdom. The slaying of Ahab and Jezebel would meet the requirements of God's law for the murder of Naboth; therefore it was doubtless because of the introduction of Baal worship into Israel that God decreed that the kingdom should be taken away from Ahab and given to Jehu. Elijah, without doubt under the direction of the Lord, withheld from Ahab the information that the kingdom should be transferred to Jehu, who then and there was present; because, had Ahab been given that knowledge, he and Jezebel would have tried to kill Jehu and probably would have done so.
More than fourteen years elapsed from the time Elijah was directed to anoint Jehu until the anointing was actually performed. Immediately thereafter Jehu went forth and drove furiously or with madness in the execution of Jehovah's purpose against the enemy. This pictured haw Jesus must wait until God's due time for him to begin action against the enemy and how as soon as he received the order from Jehovah Jesus did proceed to the execution of that order by ousting Satan from heaven and is proceeding now to the further execution of his orders. — Ps. 110:1, 2.
Doubtless Elijah and Elisha often wondered as to when Jehovah would issue orders to proceed with the anointing of Jehu and to the execution of the work he was to do. Those of the church pictured by Elijah and Elisha have often wondered what is the meaning of the Jehu work, and when it will begin, and whether or not they will have any part in it. It is consoling to God's people to know that Jehovah in his own good time directs his anointed people to proceed with his work. His work is done according to his will, not ac-
cording to the will of man. In harmony with this it is written: "And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not." — Rev. 10:4; see Light, Book One, pages 177, 178.
JEHU ANOINTED
In due time the day arrived for the anointing of Jehu and the Lord directed Elisha to act. Therefore Elisha sent a young man, one of the children of the prophets, to perform the work of anointing Jehu. This occurred at a time when Jehu was warring at Ramoth-gilead. This name, Ramoth-gilead, means "heights of the heap of the witness (or testimony) ". (2 Ki. 9:1-10) This would seem to suggest that the anointing of Jehu and the beginning of his work would be at a time when God's people were bearing testimony against Satan's organization. The anointing of Jehu was done secretly and was unobserved even by the members of his military staff, and it was done in haste. It was Elisha who sent this young man to do the anointing. So far as the Jehu picture relates to the faithful witnesses of Jehovah on earth this shows that the anointing comes upon the Jehu class during the period of the Elisha work of the church after 1919. The facts indicate that it points to the date of September 1922, which marks the beginning of the pouring out of the seven plagues upon "Christendom", upon both the church and the state, that is to say, upon the Devil's organization. As Jehu's military staff did not know what was taking place, and had
to inquire, so likewise the remnant of the Jehu company on earth were having a part in the fulfilment of the prophecy, by the grace of the Lord, but they were unaware that the anointing had been poured out upon the Jehu class and that the Jehu work was being done and they were participating in it.
The anointing of Jehu was really done by Jehovah, and Elisha and the young man whom he sent were merely outward symbols of this work. (1 Ki. 19:16; 2 Ki. 9:3-6) The young man here mentioned seems to correspond very well with what Queen Esther pictured, to wit, the bringing of others into the service of Jehovah with Mordecai after Mordecai had been for some time in God's service. Also, the one performing this work being designated "young man" suggests that it was a time when, according to the prophecy, 'young men see visions.' (Joel 2:28,29) All this points to the fact that the anointing and the beginning of the Jehu work would take place during the Elisha period or work of the church and during which time God raised up his "young man" for the occasion.
It further shows that God would reveal the fact of the anointing and the commission involved therein by means of unfolding and revealing the meaning of his prophecies to those devoted to him. It is well known by God's people that he has opened up his prophecies to his people within the last few years. Also it suggests that Jehovah is using members of the Elisha class to call this matter to the attention of one another who form the class pictured by Jehu. Christ Jesus is the Head of the Jehu company. We must not, therefore, make the mistake of concluding that the young man doing the anointing would represent the remnant
informing Jesus that the time had come to begin the Jehu work. On the contrary, this merely shows that the anointing was made in harmony with God's will, and the statement of the young man to Jehu was an announcement made calling attention to what was to be done, similar to that made by the angel, as represented in Revelation 14:18. (See Light, Book One, page 340.) It is Jesus who is the Head of the Elisha company, and he gives information to the remnant concerning Jehu, his commission, and the work that is to be done. We must bear in mind that both Elisha and the young man were merely instruments in the hands of the Lord.
THE COMMISSION
A commission is a formal warrant of authority defining what shall be done by the one to whom it is directed, and grants certain powers and authority to perform the duties therein specified. It is hardly reasonable that Jehovah would anoint and commission one to do something with which the creature was not in sympathy and in harmony. The facts show that during the fourteen or more years following the death of Naboth Jehu had kept in mind the denunciation of Jehovah's prophet Elijah against Ahab and Jezebel, When Ahab fought with the Syrians and was killed Jehu had witnessed a partial fulfilment of Jehovah's decree against Ahab's house, as the record shows; but that was not the end of it, by any means. (1 Ki. 22:37,38) Jehu must have been against Baal worship; otherwise God would not have anointed and commissioned him to do the work he did. Jehu must have concluded that when God's due time came he
would take his place on the side of Jehovah and do what Jehovah commanded him. Jehovah had said to Elijah that he yet had seven thousand in Israel that had not bowed the knee to Baal, and the course taken by Jehu strongly supports the conclusion that Jehu was one of these seven thousand. This would further support the conclusion that the fulfilment of the Jehu picture includes the remnant, Jehovah's witnesses now on earth, and who are pictured in the seven thousand. — See Revelation 11:13; Light, Book One, page 214.
The commission or warrant of authority which Jehovah gave to Jehu reads: "And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel. And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah; and the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her." — 2 Ki. 9:7-10.
Jehu's military associates were eager to know the mission of the "young man" who had come and left so hurriedly, and they put the question to Jehu. Upon learning from him that Jehu had been anointed as the ruler in Israel these men hastened to make known the anointing of the king. The words of the prophet, which doubtless Jehu had just repeated to them, were sufficient authority for them to hail him as the king. The facts show that at the Cedar Point convention in 1922, when the eyes of the understanding of God's
people were opened to the great truths that Jehovah God had commissioned Christ Jesus to destroy Satan's power and organization in the universe; that Christ Jesus was at the temple of Jehovah for judgment; that judgment had begun and that now there was a great witness work to be done on the earth by the anointed people of God, and that under the direction of the King at the temple, God's people then and there raised the slogan: "Advertise the King and the kingdom." Jehu's military assistants blew long blasts upon their trumpets and shouted: "Jehu is king." Likewise God's anointed people in convention, on learning that the King was at the temple, shouted for joy and began immediately to take action accordingly. An organized movement for the giving of the testimony was begun, and those who understood and appreciated what must be done manifested their willingness and eagerness to do their part in this day of the Lord's power. (Ps. 110:3) 'All power in heaven and in earth is given to Christ Jesus,' and which is his commission, and includes full authority and power to destroy the Devil and his organization. — Matt. 28:18; Heb. 2:14; 2 Thess. 2: 8; 1 John 3:8; Rev. 11:17,18.
BEGINS WORK
Immediately following his anointing and the receipt of his commission Jehu took steps to execute and he did execute the same. He "conspired" with, or, literally, brought to him, others and united them with him in his movement against Joram (or Jehoram). Likewise, immediately upon learning not only of the commission to Christ Jesus but that the time had
come for judgment, and that a testimony work must be given in connection therewith, God's people banded themselves together in an organized movement to do this work.
Jehu had his plans laid and he did not want any worshiper of Baal or traitor to interfere with the carrying out of his commission. He determined, therefore, to move secretly and to surprise the enemy. This shows that it is in harmony with God's will for his people to go about their business without calling attention to themselves. Jehu directed that no one should go forth or be permitted to escape out of the city and go and tell Joram and Jezebel concerning his movement. Jehoram (or Joram) had been in a fight with the Syrians under Hazael, who was also doing some executing work against the wicked Israelites, and Jehoram had got bruised up and had gone down to Jezreel for repairs. He was keeping close to the vineyard that his father had stolen from Naboth by killing him. It is quite likely that that was an elegant place for taking sun baths and Jehoram was indulging in that luxury that he might recuperate from his wounds. This Joram (or Jehoram) was a bad man and he is the same one of whom Elisha said: "This son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head." (2 Ki. 6:32) During the World War the rulers of "Christendom" got pretty well bruised up, and since then they have been keeping close to their League of Nations, basking in its sunlight and trying to recuperate, even as Joram was doing. But they will not recover.
Ahaziah was then king of Judah at Jerusalem. He was a grandson of Ahab, because Athaliah, the daugh-
ter of Ahab and Jezebel, had married Jehoram of Jerusalem, the father of Ahaziah. Ahab had a son named Jehoram (or Joram) also, and he succeeded Ahab as king of Samaria. In addition Ahab had seventy sons still living in Samaria. (2 Ki. 10:1) Of course by that time Jezebel was an old granny, but as mean as ever. Ahaziah, king of Judah, had certain princes and sons of his brethren that ministered to him. God's decree was that all of the house of Ahab, which pictured Satan's organization, must be cut off. Jehu started out to clean out the whole crowd.
Just at the time Jehu started on his work of executing his commission these two kings of the house of Israel and Judah, that is to say, the king of Judah at Jerusalem, who was Ahaziah, and the king of the ten tribes at Samaria who was Jehoram (or Joram), were together down at Jezreel. Ahaziah had gone down there to visit his uncle because he was sick, and doubtless to console him while he was being patched up. (2 Chron. 22: 6) These two kings then and there present constituted the ruling factors of the entire twelve tribes of Israel, and both were unfaithful to the Lord and would walk in the way of their ancestor Ahab. Of Ahaziah, king of Judah, it is written: "Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter [granddaughter] of Omri. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly. Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab; for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction. He walked also after their counsel, and
went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead: and the Syrians smote Joram." — 2 Chron. 22:2-5.
These two rulers had been influenced by the wicked women Athaliah and Jezebel and had turned the house of the Lord at Jerusalem into a place of worship of Baal. "For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord did they bestow upon Baalim." (2 Chron. 24:7; 2 Ki. 8:26) Without doubt God had so ordained the matter that these two kings would be down at Jezreel together so that Jehu could catch them there and speedily execute his commission against them. This is proof that the Jehu company of which Christ Jesus is the Head will make a clean sweep of the ruling powers of "Christendom" and their allies who are together in a conspiracy against God's people. And here it is interesting to note how Jehu carried out his commission.
"HE DRIVETH FURIOUSLY"
Jehu got into his chariot and, together with his faithful helpers, began his work of execution. "So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram." (2 Ki. 9:16) Evidently Joram was uneasy, because he kept a watchman in the tower to see what might come to pass; but his watchman did not obtain much information for his master except to say that it was Jehu driving. "And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send
to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?" (2 Ki. 9:17) This very well corresponds to what the visible riding powers of "Christendom" are now doing in keeping watch in respect to Jehovah's witnesses. Doubtless the chief one of the Devil's crowd having to do with the things of the earth, and under the command of the Devil himself, is having a hand in the matter of watching and arranging the movements of his earthly company.
A man on horseback is a symbol of military equipment and movement. The king then directed that a man should be sent on horseback to find out the meaning of the advancing of the chariot of Jehu. When this messenger hastened to Jehu and accosted him Jehu made him get to the rear and would not let him return. A second messenger was sent out by Joram to inquire if Jehu was coming in peace or for trouble. And Jehu told him to get out of the way and get to the rear, and he did so. (2 Ki. 9:18,19) The two kings were getting anxious. "And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously [in madness, margin]." (2 Ki. 9: 20) Jehu was now recognized by the rulers, but they were ignorant of the fact that God had anointed Jehu and that their day was at hand. Being guilty of crimes made them uneasy. Their own wickedness made these kings cowards. "The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion." — Prov. 28:1.
These two kings, doubtless trembling and uneasy, went out to meet the mad driver Jehu, and the Lord saw to it that they met right at Naboth's vineyard.
"And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel, and Ahaziah king of Judah, went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite." (2 Ki. 9:21) When these offspring of the murderers of Naboth approached, doubtless Jehu then had in mind the words of Elijah uttered in denunciation of Ahab. King Joram was anxious to find out Jehu's mission. "And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel, and her witchcrafts, are so many?" (2 Ki. 9:22) Immediately when these guilty kings saw that Jehu was after them they cried "Treachery!" and fled: "And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, 0 Ahaziah!" (2 Ki. 9: 23) This proves that the Devil religion was the chief reason for Jehu's slaying work, that it brought reproach upon the name of Jehovah; and that the hypocritical practice in "Christendom" has been the chief reason for the reproach upon Jehovah's name and that such has made possible the wicked political and commercial powers that have ruled and do now rule the world. Jehu called the practice of these kings and that of old Jezebel "whoredoms" and "witchcrafts"; and likewise the Devil's organization, particularly "Christendom", is now guilty before God.
As these kings fled Jehu picked off Joram first. "And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms; and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot." (2 Ki. 9:24) Mark how well this corresponds with
the prophecy concerning the arrows of Jesus that shall pierce the hearts of the enemy. "Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee." (Ps. 45: 5) Jehu had a bow, and used it. Likewise the Greater-than-Jehu, Christ Jesus, will use a weapon of destruction: "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him; and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." (Rev. 6:2) As Jehu was supported by his military staff, so the Lord takes others into the fight with him: "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." — Rev. 19: 14-16.
And now here is the proof that Jehu stood nearby and heard Elijah denounce Ahab for stealing the vineyard and murdering Naboth: "Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the Lord laid this burden upon him; Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the Lord; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the Lord. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the Lord." (2 Ki. 9: 25, 26) This also proves that the Lord had selected Jehu at the time
he was a commander in Ahab's army to do the very work that he did on this occasion and that it foreshadows the execution by the Lord Jesus of Satan's representatives on earth. God had decreed that the dogs and the birds should eat the flesh of the house of Ahab, and doubtless this is what happened to the body of Joram. (1 Ki. 21:19-2-1) That was a partial fulfilment of the prophecy in vindication of Jehovah's name, and pictured the beginning of a slaughter work that must be done by the Lord's army, which Ezekiel pictures under the symbol of 'six men with slaughter weapons by their sides'. (Ezek. 9:1-6) Jehu was executing Jehovah's decree; and the Greater-than-Jehu, Christ Jesus, will execute Jehovah's decree at Armageddon.
Jehu then proceeded to the execution of another one of Ahab's descendants, 'the seed of the Serpent.' Ahaziah had fled and hid himself at Samaria, but he was brought out and killed. "But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house; and Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there." — 2 Ki. 9:27.
That this execution was done in righteousness and at Jehovah's command is made certain by the divine record, which states: "And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram; for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab." (2 Chron. 22:7) This alliance and cooperation of the two kings in their wicked work, and their being killed in close proxim-
ity, indicates that the antitypical fulfilment of the prophecy will be upon the combined forces of Satan's organization, particularly in the land of "Christendom", and that the execution will take place at the hand of Christ and his army, and that all of the ruling powers shall fall before his victorious march.
EXECUTION CONTINUES
Jehu was not done with the work he was commissioned to do. He had slain two kings, but Ahab had more sons; in fact he had seventy sons by his numerous wives and concubines, all of which were Devil worshipers. By this time it was announced throughout the realm, we may be sure, that Jehu was king and was proceeding to execute the house of Ahab. He would serve notice upon the rulers and these sons to give them a chance to fight. Therefore he sent them word to get ready for what was coming: "And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab's children, saying, Now, as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour; look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house." — 2 Ki. 10:1-3.
Jehu would not shirk his duty by avoiding a fight. He was certain that his commission was from Jehovah and that Jehovah would be with his anointed when in the fight and would give him the victory over anyone that disputed his claim to the throne of Israel. He therefore would give his opponents a chance to get
the best of their men and get ready for the fight that was certain to follow and which he intended to push. Likewise Christ Jesus, the chief one whom Jehu foreshadowed, fought with Satan the Devil and his officers and cast them out of heaven. Also, the course that Jehu took foreshadows that Christ Jesus now permits Satan to assemble his forces and to get ready for the decisive battle at Armageddon which is certain to follow. As Jehu sent letters to the enemy, even so now Jehovah by his anointed King, Christ Jesus, causes the remnant, to whom is committed the obligation of giving the testimony, to serve notice upon Satan's armies. In harmony with this it is written by the prophet: "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen [nations], and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, 0 Lord." — Joel 3: 9-12.
Christ Jesus has not yet compelled the ruling factors of the world to submit to him. He lets the nations combine in leagues, and then permits them to choose any or all of their best men of the nations to engage in the fight. All of these are sons of the Devil, whom Ahab pictured, and the Lord serves notice on them that he will fight with their strongest, and with any or all of them that raise any question as to his right to the throne of the world.
Jehu's letters were really a challenge to all comers, and raised the question amongst the people: "On whose side are you? Are you for the house of Ahab,
or do you stand by Jehovah's anointed king?" The Lord Jesus likewise is flinging a challenge to the enemy and raising the same question now before the nations and rulers of the world. Jehovah's witnesses form a part of the anointed and elect "servant" of God and they have a part in this work by means of the radio message and millions of books, and house-to-house testimony work, in which the remnant is now engaging. The challenge of the Lord to Satan's organization is flung out, and the question is raised before the rulers and before the people: "On whose side are you? Who is your God? Whom do you favor as having the right to rule the world?"
When the leaders and rulers mentioned in the foregoing text received Jehu's letters they were exceedingly afraid, and claimed to be willing to do whatever Jehu said. Jesus declared that following the World War fear would take hold on men who ruled the world: "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:26) This prophecy is now in course of fulfilment. The clergy of "Christendom" and their allies falsely claim to be on the Lord's side, and so represent themselves before the people, even as the men of Israel claimed to be on the side of Jehu. Mere words counted for nothing with Jehu as long as these seventy sons of Ahab lived. The decrees of Jehovah had gone forth, and now they must be executed. Therefore Jehu wrote another letter to these same elders and rulers, asking them to prove which side they were on. "Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto
my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time. (Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up.) And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel. And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning." (2 Ki. 10:6-8) We cannot properly construe this text to mean that the people living in "Christendom" are expected to kill the rulers. The matter of vital importance in this picture is the destruction of the house of Ahab, which included these seventy sons and which foreshadowed Satan's organization which must be destroyed. Jehovah had laid upon Jehu the obligation to see that these seventy sons were slain, and whether Jehu did the slaying in person or caused it to be done was not the material point. It was the action of Jehu in determining that this should be done that led to the slaying of these seventy sons by others. He was prepared for battle, and if they had fought him Jehu would have been victorious and the seventy sons would have been slain together with many others. The real point of this part of the prophetic picture is that the modern brood of Ahab's house that rules the world must be destroyed either directly or indirectly, and that by Jehovah's Executioner, Christ Jesus. Whether this be done by Christ Jesus or some members of his army, or even by some of Satan's own organization, is not of great importance.
Another matter of importance in this picture is this: There are in the world today many who have political, commercial and religious connections with Satan's organization which rules and controls the world. These have the mark of the beast in their foreheads and in their hands. If they mean to take their stand on the Lord's side they must completely sever their connection with the beastly rule and to them Satan's organization must become as dead, and their allegiance to his organization must cease, and must be given to the Lord. This course they must take if they would receive the protection of the antitypical Jehu, Christ Jesus, the great Executioner who will execute Jehovah's judgments at Armageddon. The slaying of the seventy sons of Ahab well corresponds to the language of the psalmist: "He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries." (Ps. 110:6) The heads over the divisions of Satan's organization will be broken by the great Executioner, Christ Jesus. This will be a further vindication of Jehovah's name.
Jehu declared to the people that Jehovah's decree would be carried out to the uttermost: "And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these? Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the Lord, which the Lord spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the Lord hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah." — 2 Ki. 10:9,10.
Jehovah had caused his word to be spoken by his prophet Elijah concerning the house of Ahab, and Jehovah would prove that his prophet spoke the truth, and this he would do in vindication of his word and his name. There is no record that these seventy sons were given a decent burial, and the presumption is that Jehovah's decree concerning their flesh's being consumed by the beasts and the birds was carried out. This exactly fits the declaration of the Lord's prophet concerning the slaying of Satan's organization and the disposition to be made of the carcasses. (Ezek. 39:17) Jehu fulfilled his commission by disposing of the entire house of Ahab. "So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining." (2 Ki. 10:11) The Scriptures make it clear that Jehovah God will cause his great Executioner, Christ Jesus, together with his army, to completely wipe out all the ruling powers of the world that have ruled by Satan's direction and oppressed the human race and that have particularly persecuted his anointed people; not only those pictured by the rulers of Israel, but also those pictured by the rulers of Judah, which rulers also were agents of Satan the Devil.
NO WORLD RULERS SPARED
Ahaziah of Judah had turned to Baal worship. He was a grandson of Ahab and Jezebel. Not only was Ahaziah killed, but those who supported him met a like fate. "And he [Jehu] arose and departed, and came to Samaria, And as he was at the shearing house in the way, Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah
king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king, and the children of the queen. And he said [to his men], Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them." (2 Ki. 10:12-14) The account of the same matter given in the Chronicles proves beyond a question of doubt that Jehu was there executing Jehovah's decree and that therefore he foreshadowed Christ and his armies. (2 Chron. 22: 8) It is probable that these forty-two corpses described in the above texts were devoured by the dogs and birds in harmony with Jehovah's decree concerning Ahab's house.
Jehu, by slaying the princely adherents of Judah, might have provoked war with Judah. But evidently he did not consider that seriously or permit it to prevent him from proceeding with doing his duty. He knew only the terms of his commission from Jehovah, and that he was determined to carry out. He knew that God had decreed death to these wicked rulers and Devil worshipers and that the decree must be executed. He was blind to everything else. In this he corresponds with the work of Christ Jesus and of his faithful associates concerning whom it is written: "Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant? Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not. The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." (Isa. 42:19-21) Jehovah has assigned
to his beloved Son the great work of executing the enemy that the name of Jehovah might be completely vindicated, and Christ is blind to everything that would in the least interfere with the complete performance of his commission. The same is true with those who are really devoted to the Lord God and who love and serve him and his kingdom. To boldly declare the truth now tends to bring down the wrath of all of Satan's agents upon the heads of Jehovah's witnesses. No personal fear or other selfish interests, however, will deter God's faithful people from doing their duty as commanded. The testimony must be given by which the foreheads of those that sigh and cry for relief may be marked, and this must be done before the slaughter work begins. In doing this witness work the remnant are having some part in the execution of the judgments of the Lord written, and as soon as the witness work is completed the slaughter work must follow even as the Lord has said must be done by that part of Christ's army pictured by the six men with slaughter weapons. — Ezek. 9: 5, 6.
The name "Ahab" means "brother (that is, friend) of (his) father". Omri was Ahab's father, and he is the one that seized the throne of Israel; and he was an exceedingly wicked creature. (1 Ki. 16:25,26) He was the servant and representative of the Devil. Ahab's name therefore clearly points to the fact that the ruling powers of the nations of the world, particularly of "Christendom", are the friends of their father the Devil, whose will they do. They are the 'seed of the Serpent' which Jehovah by his Executioner will wipe out. — John 8: 44.
Now Jehovah has brought his faithful remnant into the temple, given to them the garments of salvation, and brought them under the robe of righteousness, and has given them "a new name, which the mouth of the Lord [has named]". Those of the remnant must now be entirely devoted to Jehovah and must proclaim his praises while giving proclamation concerning the judgments of Jehovah written against his enemies. (Ps. 149: 6) These faithful ones of the remnant have the Word of God in their hands, which is the sword, and they must wield that sword of truth with force and effect. In this the remnant have a part in the Jehu work by virtue of being in Christ and being a part of Jehovah's "servant". It is now the day of Jehovah's vengeance, and he commands his faithful remnant to declare his truths to the nations of the world. "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord." — Ps. 149: 6-9.
In order to appreciate the agencies which the Lord uses to carry out his purposes we must keep in mind always that the question of paramount importance is the vindication of Jehovah's name. The remaining work of Jehu in executing the commission given to him by Jehovah shows that God's Greater-than-Jehu, of which the remnant is a part, still have a work to do that Jehovah has assigned them to do. The remnant yet has something to do with this work.
SATAN'S WOMAN
Jehovah has been pleased to use a woman to picture his universal organization which gives birth to his capital organization. He caused a picture to be made in the early days, using Abraham and his wife Sarah, and his son Isaac, by which he foreshadowed his royal house that shall rule the world in righteousness. In that picture Abraham represented Jehovah God, Sarah represented God's universal organization, and Isaac represented the royal house of which Christ Jesus is the Head. Jehovah names his woman or organization "Zion". As Sarah was barren for a long while, even so Zion was barren for a long while. When the Lord appears at the temple Zion is built up and her children are then born, which means the kingdom begins and those who constitute the royal house are brought into the temple or house of the Lord. The children of Jehovah, born of his woman Zion, are taught of God and enjoy great peace. Such is the present situation of God's remnant. (Isa. 54:1-13) It is Jehovah's children by Zion, to wit, The Christ, that constitute Jehovah's executioner, because it is written concerning such: "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord; and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord." — Isa. 54:17.
For the purpose of deceiving mankind and turning them away from Jehovah God, Satan has mimicked Jehovah in regard to his organization, as well as in other matters. Satan's woman is named Babylon. As Zion gives birth to the true worshipers of Jehovah,
so Babylon gives birth to the false religions of which Satan the Devil is the father and to those who worship the Devil and his unrighteous system. Satan's woman or organization is hypocritical, unclean, abominable and the shedder of righteous blood. She makes a show of herself by her outward appearance, claiming to be righteous, but she is desperately wicked. "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration." — Rev. 17: 5, 6.
Ahab, being an Israelite, was bound by his covenant to worship and serve Jehovah, even as Lucifer was duty-bound to worship and serve Jehovah God. Ahab was a covenant-breaker and in violation of God's law he married that Zidonian woman Jezebel and embraced the Devil religion of Baal. The Zidonians were an abomination unto Jehovah. (2 Ki. 23:13) "And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him." — 1 Ki. 16:30,31.
It was Jezebel that brought the Devil religion to the house of Ahab by which the name of Jehovah was defamed in Israel. She was a cruel, covetous and wicked murderess. Like the Devil's woman Babylon, she 'was drunk with the blood of God's faithful people
unrighteously shed'. Ahab and Jezebel brought forth wicked children who likewise defamed God's holy name. Ahab, therefore, was a picture of the Devil, and Jezebel pictured or represented the Devil's organization, and their children pictured the 'seed of the Serpent'. At the very beginning God had said: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Gen. 3:15) Jehovah commissioned Jehu as his executioner to destroy the house of Ahab and the Devil worship of Baalim. In this Jehu foreshadowed Christ Jesus who shall bruise Satan's head and destroy his organization. — Rom. 16: 20.
Jehu had destroyed the kings and now old Jezebel was due for her turn. She knew that she must expect a visit from Jehu, and her vanity led her to take steps to try to overreach Jehu by reason of her appearance. "And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window." (2 Ki. 9: 30) Jezebel was the grandmother of King Ahaziah, who had already been executed. She was old and ugly, no doubt, but she resorted to paint and other artificial means, padded herself well, and framed her head and bust in a lattice window. She had for a long while been dictating the policy of Israel, and now she reasoned that the newly anointed king Jehu had no right to remove her and her cruel, covetous and commercial associates, and that her very appearance would so dazzle the king that he would give her a place in the kingdom and still permit her to perform.
How well that illustrates the devilish systems that have long dominated the world, and particularly is that true of "Christendom". "Organized Christianity," so called, is dominated by a covetous, commercial spirit, and Big Business is the chiefest one in her councils and the one part of Satan's organization that uses "organized Christianity" for commercial purposes. "Organized Christianity," or "Christendom", which embraces the seventh world power, considers herself so important that she believes she will never be deposed, but that earth's new King Christ Jesus will need her to govern and control things; and hence she has her windjammers the clergy to tell the people that "we are going to make the world a fit place for man, and then Christ can come to visit it". Like old Jezebel, she puts on her best bib and tucker and takes her scat at her lattice window with the avowed purpose of "vamping" the King. So cocksure are the ruling factors of Satan's visible organization that they are impregnable in their position that they tell the people that they alone can make this world a fit place in which to reside. They are in their own estimation "the higher powers", to which all others should be subjected. They have induced many who have consecrated themselves to the Lord to believe that gross falsehood. So thoroughly do some of them believe it that they say: "We must do nothing to offend the higher or ruling powers of the nations."
Jezebel reasoned that she could show Jehu that if he expected to continue in peace he must not be against her and her brood. A few years before Zimri had slain his master, and she would call that to the attention of Jehu in order to press home her point.
(1 Ki. 16: 8-20) "And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?" — 2 Ki. 9:31.
The clergy of "Christendom", and the principal ones of their flock, in substance say this very thing to the incoming King Christ Jesus. They at least say to the remnant of Jehovah's witnesses, who represent the Lord, the Greater Jehu, in substance what Jezebel said to Jehu. Their speech is: 'Will you have peace in turning against the ones who are "the higher powers", and who are ordained of God? because it is written that there is no power except of God, and that means the rulers of the world. Surely you are wrong in declaring a message against the rulers of "Christendom" and saying that God's anointed King will destroy "Christendom" at Armageddon. You will certainly experience the fate of all who have raised sedition against the government in times past.' The clergy and their allies try to make trouble for Jehovah's witnesses and seek their destruction. They try to dampen the zeal of the remnant by declaring that almost all of Jehovah's witnesses are dupes and perverts engaged in a book-selling scheme at the instance of selfish men. A sample of this howl appears in The Church Chronicle for the diocese of Ballarat, Australia, of November 15, 1931, one of the official church organs of the seventh world power. Three and one-half pages of that paper are devoted to a tirade against Jehovah's witnesses; and that is just a sample of what they are doing in other places more secretly, and marks the beginning of a conspiracy against God's organization.
Jehu refused to be impressed or influenced by Jezebel's presumptuous words, nor was he at all frightened by what she said. He refused to slack his hand in the performance of his commission. He knew that he was the anointed of Jehovah to perform his work. Jehu took in the situation immediately when he saw the old woman and heard her words: "And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs." — 2 Ki. 9:32.
Jehovah's witnesses are now raising this same question, identically, throughout "Christendom". As Jehu said, so they are saying, "Who is on the Lord's side? who?" By means of radio, books and booklets the message is going to the people, and all arc told that the hope of the world is Jehovah's kingdom and that if they would have his blessings they must take their stand on the side of Jehovah. Hence the question, "Who is on the side of Jehovah?" The religious systems in particular have amongst them many people who must have an opportunity to hear and who must be served with notice concerning God's purposes. By the publication of false statements, such as that published by the above-mentioned paper, The Church Chronicle, the Jezebel crowd acknowledge that they have received notice from the Lord delivered by his remnant. Although many of them have tried to avoid this notice by refusing to accept the literature, by their very course of action they acknowledge that they have received notice. Others are standing by and they must have an opportunity to say whether or not they are on the Lord's side.
EUNUCHS
There were some eunuchs up in that house who leaned out of the window to ascertain who was in the street propounding the question, 'Who is on the Lord's side?' Who these eunuchs were we do not know, and that is not the material point. They were merely there to fill in some part of the picture. They were clearly not Israelites, for the reason that God's law prohibited the performance of the surgical operation by which eunuchs are made. (Deut. 23:1) Probably these eunuchs were slaves who had been captured by the commercial element working under Ahab and Jezebel, and had been made eunuchs and assigned to serve the old woman and her household. In any event these eunuchs were sharp-witted enough to take in the situation immediately when they saw the conqueror Jehu there calling out and asking, "Who is on my side?" These eunuchs well picture those peoples of "Christendom" who have been robbed of their manhood and their property and forced to attend hand and foot upon the old granny, that is to say, the old wicked organization of Satan that dominates and oppresses the peoples of earth and which is guilty of many whoredoms and witchcrafts and in whose skirts is found the blood of the prophets, the faithful witnesses of Jehovah God. (2 Ki. 9: 22; 1 Ki. 19:10; 18:4; Rev. 17: 6) The God of battle, acting by the Greater-than-Jehu, takes action in behalf of this very class. — Jas. 5:1-5.
Jehu gave the command concerning the old woman. "And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot."
(2 Ki. 9: 33) Today the Greater-than-Jehu, the Lord Jesus Christ, says to all who would stand on the side of Jehovah and against the Devil's old woman his wicked organization: "Throw her down." Throw down the Devil's organization and all of its sponsors. Throw it down by getting away from it and letting it fall. To the "great multitude" the Lord now says: 'Go forth and show yourselves.' (Isa. 49: 9) To the peoples of good will the Lord says concerning Satan's organization: 'Forsake her and leave her to be trampled under the hoofs of the King's horses.' — Rev. 19:14-16; Jer. 51: 6; Isa. 63:1-5.
Jezebel was thrown down just as that great city, Satan's organization, will be thrown down. (Rev. 18: 21) It was Jehu who was responsible for the death of old Jezebel, and the Greater-than-Jehu Christ Jesus will take the responsibility for the death of Satan's organization. The eunuchs, therefore, would more specifically picture those who throw the devilish thing overboard by forsaking and abandoning it, getting free from it. It is the Lord's army that will trample underfoot the satanic organization pictured by Jezebel. This was pictured in Ezekiel's prophecy by the 'six men with slaughter weapons', which constituted the fighting army of the Lord; and these will bring about the destruction of Satan's organization. In their execution work they begin with the religionists and go down the line, making a complete clean-up of the entire wicked thing. (Ezek. 9:5-7) At the present time Jehovah's witnesses, pictured by the 'man with the writer's inkhorn, clothed with linen', go through the land marking those who are in sympathy with the Lord's cause, but they do not put any marks upon
Satan's organization, and hence Satan's organization are the ones that shall be executed. Like as old Jezebel marked herself, so Satan's organization marks herself for destruction. Like as Haman was hanged, so that wicked organization will be hanged high. — Esther 7: 9,10.
Jezebel was Satan's representative, and therefore the daughter of a king; hence Jehu gave orders concerning her: "And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter. And they went to bury her; but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands." (2 Ki. 9: 34, 35) This part of the record evidently is merely to show that this Jezebel was disposed of without an honorable burial and as a vile thing and in disgrace. Even so Satan's organization will be disposed of and scattered upon the ground that the dogs and the carrion birds may feed upon it. When those who went out to look after the body of Jezebel came to the place the only thing that they found of the old woman was her skull, which she had used to devise wicked schemes; and her feet, with which she walked after the ways of her father Satan; and the palms of her hands, with which she committed deeds of wickedness and violence.
This is exactly in accord with what shall come upon Satan's organization, as stated by the prophets. (Rev. 19:17-21) "And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord God, Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the
mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood." (Ezek. 39:17) Satan's organization, represented by Jezebel, will go down with all others of the Zidonians. (Ezek. 32:30) Since the remnant of Jehovah's witnesses are part of the "servant" class, and therefore part of the executioners whom Jehu pictured, it seems that the remnant will see this wicked organization thrown down by the fighting army of the Lord.
The old wicked Jezebel had reached the end of her reign of terror, even as Satan's organization is about to the end of her tether. Jehu was acting under the direction of the Lord, even as Christ Jesus, acting under the commandment of Jehovah, will destroy Satan's organization. It is recorded that when the facts were reported to Jehu he called attention to the prophecy that Elijah had uttered: "Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the Lord, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: and the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel." (2 Ki. 9:36,37) This marked the fulfilment of the prophecy uttered by Elijah at the direction of Jehovah and proved that Elijah was God's true prophet. "And of Jezebel also spake the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel." (1 Ki. 21: 23) The greater fulfilment of the prophecy appears to be in the near future.
The word of Jehovah concerning the house of Ahab and Jezebel was fully vindicated with the destruction of that house. In his due time Jehovah God will com-
pletely vindicate his word and his name concerning Satan and his organization by the full and complete destruction thereof. Jehu had done the work well concerning the house of Ahab and Jezebel, but he was not yet through with his execution work specified in his commission. There was something more for him to do.
ZEAL FOR JEHOVAH
Jehu had much zeal for Jehovah, and that is another reason why he pictured Christ the royal Executioner. Concerning the Lord Jesus it is written: "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me." (Ps. 69:9) Such is the zeal peculiar to the royal house and therefore is pleasing to Jehovah. Elijah manifested like zeal for the Lord of hosts. After he had slain the prophets of Baal, and then went and hid himself in a cave at Mount Horeb, in response to an inquiry from the Lord as to why he was there Elijah said: "I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts." (1 Ki. 19:10) The word "jealous" in this text means the same as 'zealous' in Psalm 69: 9. The two words are derived from the same root. 'Jehovah is a jealous [zealous] God.' (Ex. 20: 5; Deut. 5:9) "For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God." (Deut. 4:24) Concerning the establishment of the righteous government under Christ the King it is written: "The zeal of the Lord of hosts [Lord of battle] will perform this." (Isa. 9:7) In the New Testament the words "zealous" and "jealous" are from the same root word: "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy." (2 Cor. 11: 2) When Paul was defending him-
self before the Jews he said of himself: 'I was taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.' (Acts 22:3; Phil. 3:6; Col. 4:13) The remnant of God who are anointed to do his work must have this same zeal for Jehovah. "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." — Titus 2:14.
The words "zealous" and "jealous" as used in the above scriptures do not mean ill will or hatred or envy, but they do mean a strong, unbending determination to carry out the righteous purpose of the Lord. They mean an unbreakable determination to accomplish that which one is commissioned by the Lord to do. The means by which Jehu was identified was his rapid driving. He drove "furiously", or with "madness", and with an unbending and unbreakable determination that he would permit nothing to hinder him in the accomplishment of his purpose for which he was commissioned. In the very hour that he received his commission he started with his military staff to execute that commission. When the messengers of the kings approached him and inquired why he was thus driving he said to them: 'Get out of my way, and get to the rear; I have no time to waste with you.' Likewise when Christ Jesus received the order from Jehovah to go forth and rule in the midst of the enemy he started the war in heaven and ousted Satan and his angels from heaven and cast them down to the earth. The Scriptures show that just as soon as the testimony work now in progress is completed, according to the will of Jehovah, Jesus will move without delay
and will permit nothing to hinder him in executing the enemy. — Ps. 110:1-6; Rev. 11:17-19; 12:7-12; Matt. 24:14, 21, 22; Ps. 45:3,4.
The members of the body of Christ, including the remnant now on the earth, must have this same zeal as that which was manifested by Jehu. To see and to appreciate the fact that the kingdom is here means that the remnant must be diligent in performing their work until every vestige of the enemy organization falls. (Isa. 6: 9-12) Jehovah has commanded that the testimony which does the marking must be done before the slaughter work begins, and the remnant are zealous to do it, fully determined that by the grace of God nothing shall prevent them from doing it faithfully. "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not, to keep thy commandments. My zeal hath consumed me; because mine enemies have forgotten thy words." — Ps. 119:59,60,139.
In doing this work in the name of Jehovah of hosts the remnant must drive rapidly, and many call them mad perverts for so doing. But it matters not what the enemy says; they are doing it with joy. When David went out to fight in the army of the Lord he said: "The king's business required haste." (1 Sam. 21: 8) When the Lord's anointed see and appreciate that the kingdom is here they see that it is time to make haste in obeying God's commandments. They arc diligent to make their calling and election sure. (2 Pet. 1:10) They engage in the Lord's service with a zeal peculiar to Jehovah's house. "In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack." — Zeph. 3:16.
JEHONADAB
Jehu had progressed with his work of execution and had slain the kings and sons of Ahab and others, and when he finished with the forty-two adherents of Ahaziah he met up with Jehonadab. Jehu put the question to Jehonadab: 'Are you on my side or not?' By that time Jehonadab would have heard what Jehu was doing, or probably Jehu told him he was destroying Baalism in Israel; otherwise Jehonadab would not have understood the question Jehu put to him: "And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab, coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And ho gave him his hand: and he took him up to him into the chariot." (2 Ki. 10:15) Manifestly Jehovah permitted Jehonadab to appear in this picture for some good purpose and that purpose when known must be an encouragement and comfort to the remnant. It does not appear from the record that Jehonadab did anything toward the slaying work. What, then, did Jehonadab represent in this picture?
Jehonadab represented or foreshadowed that class of people now on the earth during the time that the Jehu work is in progress who are of good will, are out of harmony with Satan's organization, who take their stand on the side of righteousness, and are the ones whom the Lord will preserve during the time of Armageddon, take them through that trouble, and give them everlasting life on the earth. These constitute the "sheep" class that favor God's anointed people, because they know that the anointed of the Lord
are doing the Lord's work. In support of this conclusion the following is submitted.
Jehonadab was not a Jew, nor was he anointed to do work in the name of Jehovah, and therefore he could not picture the anointed class. Ho was a descendant of Abraham through his wife Keturah. (Gen. 25:1,2; Ex. 2:16-21; Num. 10:29; Judg. 4:11; 1 Chron. 2:55) Jehonadab was the son of Rechab the Kenite. Abraham had six sons by Keturah after the death of Sarah. Keturah represented the New Covenant, the seed or offspring of which covenant is the restitution class that shall live forever. (See Reconciliation, pages 270, 325.) "And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac." (Gen. 25: 5) Isaac pictured the "seed", that is to say, Jehovah God's anointed. "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise." (Gal. 4: 28) The descendants of Keturah pictured the restitution class; hence Jehonadab pictured the same class.
The name "Jehonadab" means (according to Strong) "Jehovah-largess", that is to say, 'liberal, generous and bountiful'. According to another authority the name means "Jehovah is bounteous". His name, therefore, would suggest that Jehonadab pictures the class to whom Jehovah is very generous. The Rechabites were sticklers for observing what they considered to be right as they were taught. The Scriptures show that Jehonadab followed the course of honesty and meekness and did what he believed to be right, and that he taught his children righteousness and that they followed a like course. The descendants of Jehonadab received a commandment from man, but not from Jehovah, that they must drink no wine for ever,
that they should not build houses, but must dwell in tents. That meant that they must lead a simple life of self-denial. Their faithfulness in doing what they had been taught because they understood it to be right the Lord used by way of comparison with the unfaithfulness of Israel in failing to do what they were commanded by him. God had commanded the Israelites that they should not eat at the Devil's table, which meant that they should have nothing to do with Devil worship, and the Israelites disregarded this commandment and turned to Baalism or Devil worship. Today the so-called "organized Christianity" entirely disregards the commandments of the Lord and attempts to eat and drink at his table and at the same time to partake of the Devil's table. "Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." —1 Cor. 10:21.
To show that the descendants of Jehonadab were more pleasing to the Lord Jehovah than were the Israelites, he commanded Jeremiah to set before these Rechabites pots of wine and request them to drink it. Jeremiah did, and the Rechabites refused to drink, giving as their reason that Jehonadab, the son of Rechab, had commanded that they should not drink wine for ever. (Jer. 35:1-10) By way of comparison the Lord then directed Jeremiah to say to the Jews: "The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me." (Jer. 35:14) Jehovah had
sent his prophets to teach the Jews and to warn them to do right and they had not obeyed him. But the children of Jehonadab had done what they had been taught to be right, and their teaching was from merely a man. (Jer. 35:15-17) They were therefore more faithful than the covenant people of God. Today there are on earth many people of good will, and who make no pretense of being members of "organized Christianity", but who strive to do right and who believe on God and his Word, and on Christ Jesus, and who study the truth and worship Jehovah.
Jehonadab was against the Devil worship of Baalism. When Jehu said to him, "Are you in heart sympathy with the work I am doing?" Jehonadab answered that he was in sympathy with Jehu. Jehonadab knew that Jehu was doing the Lord Jehovah's work and that it was a righteous work, and he was in full sympathy with it. Even so today the peoples of good will on earth, who believe in Jehovah God and his Word, believe that Jehovah's witnesses are doing a righteous work in the name of Jehovah, and they are in full heart sympathy with such work and they tell others so. Jehu then gave Jehonadab his hand and took him up into his chariot. That was an invitation to come along with and associate himself with, the Jehu class doing the Lord's work. This corresponds to many good people of today who are hearing: the truth, many of whom attend the conventions of God's people and who support Jehovah's witnesses with full heart sympathy and associate themselves with the anointed who are doing the work of the Lord, and who take some part in giving the testimony also.
Jehu then evidently told Jehonadab what he was going to do: "And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord. So they made him ride in his chariot." (2 Ki. 10:16) Jehu was not boasting of his zeal. He was known to be a man of earnest determination and active when fighting in the army of Ahab, just as Paul was a very zealous man in enforcing the law before he knew Christ. Jehu's words therefore merely mean that he was going to accomplish God's purpose, and he invited Jehonadab to come and see that he would do it in the name of the Lord and do it faithfully; therefore he says: 'Come and see what I am going to do.' "So they made him [Jehonadab] ride in his [Jehu's] chariot." This suggests that now the Jehu class are accompanied by a class of people of good will who go along with God's organization but which people are not begotten or anointed of the holy spirit.
Jehu, by giving his hand to Jehonadab, in symbol said: "I will use my power for you and give you aid." Jehu was engaged in the slaughtering of Devil worshipers, but was showing favor to all who took their stand on Jehovah's side. Today Jehovah's witnesses are commanded to declare that the day of the vengeance of Jehovah is at hand and to tell those who are meek and honest and who love righteousness to take their stand on the side of the Lord, and to such the Lord says: "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) The Jehonadab class are meek, that is to say, they are teachable and they seek to do right and are anxious for the kingdom to be established, and it is this class that Jehovah's Word shows he will take through the Armageddon trouble. In this connection mark what God directed Jeremiah to say to the descendants of Jehonadab: "And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you; therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man [margin, There shall not a man be cut off from Jonadab the son of Rechab] to stand before me for ever." (Jer. 35:18,19) This supports the conclusion that these will be taken through Armageddon.
To 'the man with the writer's inkhorn by his side', which is the "faithful servant" class of Jehovah, the remnant, the commandment is given to 'go through the midst of the city and set a mark upon the foreheads of all those that sigh and cry for all the abominations that are done in the midst thereof. (Was not Baal worship an abominable thing in the mind of Jehonadab? and did not he say he was in full sympathy with Jehu's work of destroying it?) When such witness work is done Jehovah then sends 'the six men with the slaughter weapons' to do the slaying work, and to them he says, "Slay utterly . . .; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark"; thereby meaning that these that are marked are to be pre-
served. (Ezek. 9:4-6) It is the Jehonadab class that arc marked, and these are to be spared.
When Jehu went into the temple of Baal for inspection before the slaughter work there began Jehonadab was with him and observed what he was doing, and this suggests that the class that are 'marked in their foreheads' today associate themselves with Jehovah's witnesses and know what they are doing and are in full sympathy with their work. By associating himself with Jehu and going into the house of Baal Jehonadab gave notice to others that he was on the Lord's side. Even so today the peoples of good will who take their stand on the side of Jehovah, by associating with Jehovah's witnesses in supporting them, let it be known by their course of action that they are against the organization of Satan. The class pictured by Jehonadab seems to correspond exactly with the "sheep" class mentioned by the Lord, which class gives aid, comfort and support to God's anointed witnesses because they are doing the Lord's service. Concerning such Jesus said: "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in." (Matt. 25: 35) Thus the bounteousness and goodness of Jehovah is shown to this class as the name Jehonadab signifies. The foregoing is a confirmation of the scriptures proving that millions now living will never die and shows that the Lord's anointed have been right in declaring this truth.
Jehovah's witnesses now have the zeal like to that of Jehu and they should encourage the Jehonadab class to come along with them and to take some part in proclaiming to others that the kingdom of God is
at hand. "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." (Rev. 22:17) Let the anointed encourage all who will to take part in telling the good news of the kingdom. They do not have to be anointed of the Lord in order to declare the Lord's message. It is a great comfort to Jehovah's witnesses to now know that they are permitted to carry the waters of life to a class of people that may be taken through Armageddon and given everlasting life on the earth by reason of the bounteous goodness of Jehovah. — Rom. 15:4.
BAAL WORSHIPERS
Many peoples in this day are induced to practice satanic worship under various forms. One of the most subtle of the Devil's corrupt schemes of worship is that of so-called "Christian Science". This is a misnomer, of course, because the very teachings of this class repudiate the blood of Christ Jesus. There are many other forms of Devil worship. The remnant have a duty to perform in telling the people about the satanic organization and how it has defrauded and oppressed the people, and also of telling them of God's kingdom and the relief and blessings it will bring, and, above all, the vindication of Jehovah's name. Jehu proceeded to inform the people to take a course of action that would divide the Baal worshipers from those who are on the side of the Lord. "And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu shall serve him much." — 2 Ki. 10:18.
This was not a fraud or a lying scheme on the part of Jehu. He was merely using sagacity in taking a wise course in harmony with what Jesus has told his followers. (Matt. 10:16) Esther and Mordecai followed a similar course, hiding her identity until the proper time for her to declare herself. The purpose of Jehu was to assemble the practitioners of Baalism and get them to clearly identify themselves; hence he sent them word to assemble. Today all religions in the land are walking on together. Catholics and Protestants, Jews, Christian Scientists, Theosophists, and others, are all made one by their father the Devil. Even the representatives of Big Business have tried to cause the exclusive use of the radio facilities to be turned over to this unholy combine of religionists. The people now must be informed. Jehu was making known then that Ahab had displeased God by serving Baal, and in a sagacious way he said: "Jehu shall serve him much." That was an ironical statement, however.
Jehu called for all the preachers, prophets and priests, regardless of age, nationality or previous condition of servitude, to assemble in one body at the house of Baal. "Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal: whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. And Jehu sent through all Israel; and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into
the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another." (2 Ki. 10:19-21) He got the whole bunch lined up on one side.
In a similar manner the Lord today is causing his "servant" class to publish far and wide the great fact and truth that this is the day of decision and that the Devil is assembling his hosts for the final conflict and that the people should get on one side or the other. If they want to serve the Devil, get on his side and do so, and show it openly. If they are for Jehovah God, follow him and obey his commandments; take their stand on his side. As Elijah said, so now Jehovah's witnesses say: 'If Jehovah be the Almighty God, follow him; if the Devil be god, follow him.' (1 Ki. 18: 21) Let the line of demarkation be clearly drawn.
When the time came to destroy certain ones in Egypt Jehovah caused them to be marked and designated as the "firstborn". The firstborn of Israel were saved only by virtue of the fact that they obeyed the commandments of the Lord. Likewise Jehu carried out God's orders to mark all the Devil worshipers, priests, preachers, prophets and all. By their course that they took they marked themselves. "And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments." (2 Ki. 10:22) When these Baal worshipers got their garments on they thereby openly acknowledged themselves to be worshipers of the Devil. Likewise today the Lord permits all the Devil worshipers to identify themselves. This they do by taking their stand on the side of the Devil after full and fair warning, and thereby they mark them-
selves for destruction. Jehovah's witnesses are charged with the responsibility of giving this warning, even as God charged Ezekiel, and their failure to do so would bring God's adverse judgment upon them. (Ezek. 3: 7-21) Those who do not heed the warning of Jehovah's witnesses are not marked with an intelligent understanding and appreciation of the kingdom, and hence they take their stand in the Devil's company. In full corroboration of this conclusion it is written: "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb." — Rev. 14: 9,10.
After those Devil worshipers got on their glad garments Jehu took Jehonadab and went into the house of Baal to see that the trap was entirely and properly set. "And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only." — 2 Ki. 10:23.
Jehu was particular to see that no one remained in that house and took part in the Devil worship except those who were on Baal's side. Today Jehovah's witnesses go right into the midst of 'organized religionists' that worship Satan and give a warning to those who claim to worship the Lord, in order that no one may be forgotten or left there without a warning. This warning is given by carrying the message of
truth to the people and calling upon the people to take their stand upon the side of the Lord or upon the side of the Devil. This was particularly begun on the 26th of July, 1931. (See Resolution adopted at the Columbus convention on the above date.) The witness work is progressing and it is marking and separating the people. Jehovah gives directions to the 'six men with slaughter weapons' to begin the slaughter work after the witness work is done, and warns them to do no harm to those who have the mark in their foreheads but to slay all the others. While the marking work is going on the "faithful servant" class, Jehovah's witnesses, forming a part of the Jehu company, are also gathering coals of fire from off the altar and scattering them over the city, and within a short time the slaughter work shall begin. — Ezek. 9:6; 10:2.
BAALISM DESTROYED
It is interesting to note how well the picture of Jehu and the prophecy of Ezekiel dovetail and corroborate each other. As it is shown in the Ezekiel vision the Lord sends "six men" to do the slaughter work, so it appears that Jehu employed a company of fourscore men to do the slaughter work upon this crowd and warned these men not to let a single one of the Baal worshipers escape. This shows that God's purpose is to completely clean up the satanic worship in the earth. "And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him." (2 Ki. 10: 24)
Jehu made it clear that there was to be no falling down or failure in the performance of duty, like as Saul had failed when he was commanded to slay the Amalekites. The device that Jehu employed definitely identified every Baal worshiper by letting them choose their own means of identification, which they did by putting on the Baal vestments. Likewise this shows how Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus chooses the delusions of the satanic worshipers that they might go true to form of the Devil worship and honestly disclose themselves as being for the Devil.
Jehu waited until all the Baal worshipers in the temple had made an end of their burnt offerings, and were showing their devotion to the Devil, and then he sent his men in to clean them up. "And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal." (2 Ki. 10:25) This exactly corresponds to the slaughter work done by the "six men" in Ezekiel's prophecy. (Ezek. 9: 5-8) Moses did a similar work. (Num. 25: 5) Every Baal worshiper was destroyed and their bodies were cast out. Doubtless the dogs and the birds fed upon their carcasses also.
Jehu then caused all the images of wood, which are images of the lesser deities, and the images of stone, to be burned and destroyed and broken up, and the house destroyed: "And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the
house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day." (2 Ki. 10:26,27) According to Rotherham: "And they break down the pillars of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and appointed it for a sewer-house. "
These scriptures strongly suggest that Christ Jesus and his army, the Greater-than-Jehu, will take the base of operations of the enemy and go into the very private quarters of the Devil's organization, and destroy everything in connection with his organization, including the conspirators of his invisible organization, as well as all of the tangible part of the Devil's worship and organization on earth. (Ezek. 28:17-19) This is further supported by the prophecy of Ezekiel 39: 6: "And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly [securely, R.V.] in the isles; and they shall know that I am the Lord." This pictures the realms of Satan's invisible organization. The Lord will make a clean sweep of the entire wicked thing, and he will use the Greater-than-Jehu, to wit, Christ and his army, to accomplish that purpose.
The temple of Baal stood for the religious part of Satan's organization. The religions of the Devil, however, were organized and carried on as a means to an end. It was his covetousncss for exploiting the human race that led Satan into his gross wickedness, as it is written: "By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence." (Ezek. 28:16) It was the covetous spirit of the Devil to make merchandise of the human race that led him to fraud, deception, pillage, murder, and other crimes. His Baal religion served his purpose to alienate mankind from God in order that he might build up his beastly or-
ganization on earth, hold the people in ignorance of and away from Jehovah God, and then by the Big Business or commercial schemes rob them of the precious things and, above all, of their devotion to Jehovah. The destruction of the Devil religion will tend to release the people from their blindness, and hence from the satanic power. By his wicked religions Satan got control of the Israelites and made merchandise of the house of God, even as Jesus declared in his day: "And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." — John 2:16,17.
Ahab and Jezebel employed the Devil religion of Baal as a means by which they could alienate the Israelites from God and then rob them, even as is illustrated by their stealing the vineyard of Naboth and committing murder in order to get it. The Lord used Jehu to destroy the house of Ahab and Jezebel, and their attaches and adherents, and all the priests mid prophets of Baal. Hence it is written: "Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel." — 2 Ki. 10:28.
Here the picture of Jehu ends, and he drops entirely out of sight so far as doing anything in the name of Jehovah is concerned, and which foreshadows the greater things to be performed by Christ and his organization. The work of Jehu was a vindication of Jehovah's name, and that is the purpose of putting the record of his work in the Scriptures. Jehu completed his work which he was commissioned to do, and when he completed it Jehovah commended him: "And the Lord said unto Jehu, Because thou hast
done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel." — 2 Ki. 10:30.
The work performed by Jehu, which foreshadows the part performed in antitype by the remnant, is that of declaring the judgments of Jehovah. When Jehu had finished his work he reported it, and this is exactly what was done by the man clothed with linen mentioned by Ezekiel: "And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me." — Ezek. 9:11.
SUMMARY
Let those now who study God's Word with an honest and sincere desire to understand it, always keep in mind the question at issue and which is of paramount importance, to wit, the vindication of Jehovah's word and name. Everything else is subservient to that and is important only in that it tends to the vindication of Jehovah's name. Individuals are of no importance whatsoever except as instruments in the hand of the Lord.
Elijah the prophet was a witness for Jehovah, and his work foreshadows the testimony work given on earth during the time that Christ Jesus was preparing the way before Jehovah. His work at Mount Carmel, when he prayed to God to send down fire from heaven, was that the people might know God and turn their hearts to him. That was a vindication work. "Hear me, 0 Lord, hear me; that this people
may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again." (1 Ki. 18:37) Elijah did a destructive work also in the slaying of the prophets of Baal, and thereby pictured the slaying of satanic doctrines of "Christendom" by the promulgation of the truth prior to 1918. Baalism continued in Israel after the taking away of Elijah. Satanic religion continued in "Christendom" after the end of the Elijah work. The Elijah work was important, but Elijah himself was not important.
Elisha was anointed to continue the work that Elijah had begun. Elisha did a witness work, which was also a vindication work. His work was not one of restitution. The miracles that God permitted him to perform were manifestly for the purpose of establishing faith of the people in him as God's prophet and witness. Elisha himself was not important, but his work was important so far as it vindicated Jehovah's name. The Elisha work of the church is a witness work in vindication of Jehovah's name. Elisha did no actual bloody work, but he did anoint Jehu to do that very work in his time, and therefore Elisha had a part in it. Elisha survived Jehu, which seems to say that the Elisha work of giving testimony will continue after Armageddon. The Elisha class, being a part of The Christ, the Greater Jehu, have a part in the destructive work of pronouncing and executing judgment upon the enemy organization. — Ps. 149: 7-9.
Hazael Jehovah directed to be anointed king over Syria. (1 Ki. 19:15) Hazael was not a Jew, but a Syrian. Manifestly he was used by the Lord to do some slaughter work and to inflict punishment upon Israel for their wrongdoing in like manner as the
Lord used Nebuchadnezzar. Hazael himself was not important. His work foreshadowed an important work to be done by instruments in the hands of the Lord.
Jehu was an Israelite selected by the Lord to do a certain work in his name. Jehu was not important, but his work was important so far as it vindicated God's name. The antitypical Jehu work is done during the Elisha period of the church, and therefore the class whom Elisha foreshadows has a part in the slaughter or vindication work, not actually, but by way of announcing the judgment and telling of its execution. Jehu was an executioner. (2 Chron. 22: 8) Christ Jesus is Jehovah's great Executioner. (John 5:27) Jehu did his work with haste and without halting. The Lord Jesus does likewise. Jehu executed his commission by destroying the house of Ahab for the following reasons, to wit: The defamation of God's name by the establishment of Baal worship, by which Ahab and Jezebel carried on their covetous schemes, and which schemes led to the murder of Naboth. This pictures the Devil religions established by him for the defamation of Jehovah's name and by which he has turned the people away from God, and which led to the murder of Jesus. The destruction of the house of Ahab and Jezebel by Jehu pictures the destruction of Satan and his organization by Christ Jesus, and the turning over of the rulership of the world to Christ. (Rev. 12: 9-11) Those who are faithful unto God, and bring forth the fruits of the kingdom to the end, will share with Christ Jesus in his kingdom. (Matt. 21:43) Jehu and his work of destruction therefore foreshadowed Christ and his army executing judgment upon Satan and his organization, and
in which honor all the saints participate. The net result is the vindication of Jehovah's name.
The fact that Jehovah God is now revealing to his people the meaning of the Jehu picture is proof that the fulfilment thereof is near at hand. These truths now bring comfort and consolation to God's remnant because they are further assurance of Jehovah's love and provision for those who love him and who appreciate the fact that the kingdom is begun, and that soon Jehovah's holy name will be for ever vindicated.
