VINDICATION

CHAPTER XI

PROPHETIC HOUSE

JEHOVAH is the Author of all prophecy concerning his purpose to establish a righteous government in the world. Much of this prophecy he has caused to be spoken and written down by faithful men who did their work faithfully under the direction of the Most High. He has also employed inanimate objects in making prophetic pictures of and concerning his purposes. Among these inanimate objects was the temple building erected at ancient Jerusalem. That house or temple prophetically told of the day coming when Jehovah God would build his royal house upon which he would put his own glorious name and that such would be a vindication of his holy name.

David, the beloved king of Israel, was used by Jehovah to make a prophetic picture concerning the reign of Jehovah's beloved Son Christ Jesus. Solomon was likewise used. As David sat in his own house there came into his mind the thought that he should build a house unto the Lord. No doubt God caused his holy angel to inject that thought into David's mind. David then spoke to God's prophet Nathan of his desire to build a house unto the Lord: "And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee." (2 Sam. 7:3) Of course, God directed Nathan to thus speak, otherwise he could not have said for a certainty to David: "The Lord is with thee." Then the Lord gave direction

to Nathan saying: "Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: and I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. Moreover, I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, and as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the Lord telleth thee, that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever." —2 Sam. 7: 5, 8-13.

The primary purpose of building the house was to foreshadow God's purpose to vindicate his name. "I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." (2 Sam. 7:14,16) After hearing this message from the Lord God at the mouth of Nathan the Prophet David went and prayed before the Lord. His prayer

further emphasized the fact that the name of Jehovah and its vindication was the purpose of building the house: "And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee." — 2 Sam. 7:23, 26.

David was not permitted to build the house for the Lord God, but he was permitted to prepare and did prepare much material for that purpose. (1 Chron. 22: 2-5) David then spoke to his son Solomon: "My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God: but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days."  — 1 Chron. 22:7-9.

That the chief reason for the building of the house was to foreshadow the vindication of Jehovah's name is shown by these words given to David by the Lord: "He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever."

(1 Chron. 22:10) The material which David had prepared for the temple was placed at the disposal of Solomon to build and furnish the temple. (1 Ki. 7:51) David and the people willingly offered their substance for the building of the house of the Lord. Jehovah God's name was involved, and now he was making a prophetic picture of his purpose to vindicate his name that all might know that he is the King of Eternity, from whom all good things proceed. In harmony with this, David, in the presence of the assembly of the people, prayed unto Jehovah God: "Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, 0 Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, 0 Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name." (1 Chron. 29:10-13) Then Solomon was made the king, and Zadok the high priest. — 1 Chron. 29:22-25.

SOLOMON ERECTS BUILDING

Solomon the king had been on the throne of Israel for more than three years before he began the construction of the temple, or the prophetic house of the Lord, at Jerusalem. "And it came to pass, in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth

year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord." (1 Ki. 6:1) Manifestly this scripture should read, ". . . in the five hundred and eightieth year" after the coming of the Israelites out of Egypt, the mistake appearing in the translation. (See Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, page 53.) When the Israelites left Egypt Jehovah fixed the month Abib, afterwards called Nisan, for the beginning of the year, which is in the spring of the year, and corresponds usually with the month of April according to our present method of calculating time. (Ex. 12: 2; Neh. 2:1) Zif was the next month following, and hence the second month of the year, which fixes the time above mentioned as in the spring of the fourth year of Solomon's reign, or approximately three and one-half years after his reign began. This may well correspond with the beginning of the erection of Zion, the royal and official house of the Lord God. Christ Jesus was placed upon his throne in the year 1914. (Ps. 2:6) In the spring of the fourth year thereafter would bring us to the spring of 1918. Solomon finished the erection of the temple at Jerusalem seven years after he began its erection. "And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it." (1 Ki. 6: 38) It is here merely suggested that this may mean that seven years after 1918, to wit, in the year 1925, marked the time when a sufficient number had been brought into the invisible temple of the Lord to make up the one hundred and forty-four thousand. This

would not militate against the conclusion, however, that some may thereafter prove unfaithful and be taken out and others substituted in the temple in their place. Where the Scriptures are not definite upon a point we cannot know for a certainty what these corresponding dates do represent, if they represent anything. At least God's remnant should keep in mind that their own security and permanent abiding in the temple of God depends upon their faithfulness in the performance of assigned duties and full devotion to Jehovah God. As long as one of the priesthood has an organism of flesh he is subjected to temptations. But if he remains faithful and true in his devotion to God he shall abide in the secret place of the Most High for ever. — Ps. 91:1.

Solomon organized his forces for the construction of the temple. He raised a company of thirty thousand men, and of these he sent ten thousand a month to the forests of Lebanon, where they worked a month and then returned home for two months. Besides these, the Zidonians were hired to hew timbers. "And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house." — 1 Ki. 5:13-18.

The temple was erected on Mount Moriah in the site of Jerusalem. "Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshing-floor of Oman the Jebusite." (2 Chron. 3:1) The stones for the building were made ready before they were brought to the place of the building. "And the

house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither; so that there was neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron, heard in the house while it was in building." (1 Ki. 6:7) The whole interior of the building was overlaid with gold, and on the walls were carvings of cherubim. "And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar. So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold. And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold. And he overlaid the cherubims with gold. And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without. And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without." — 1 Ki. 6: 20-22, 28-30.

This temple built by Solomon was destroyed by fire at the hands of the king of Babylon in the year 606 B.C. "And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, (which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: and he burnt the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire. And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about." — 2 Ki. 25: 8-10.

Solomon gave attention to strange women and they turned him away from his faithfulness to Jehovah. "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father." (1 Ki. 11:4-6) Because of his unfaithfulness to God the kingdom was taken away from him. "Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant." (1 Ki. 11:11) Since the temple was erected by Solomon to the name of Jehovah, and then Solomon became unfaithful, doubtless the Devil concluded that he had again defeated Jehovah's purposes. Not so, however. Jehovah God does not depend upon the faithfulness or unfaithfulness of men to accomplish his purposes. He blesses those that are faithful to him and continues them in his service. He has often used men who have later become unfaithful and then have lost everything that they had gained.

God could have prevented Satan from tempting Solomon to unfaithfulness, but that is not God's way of doing things. He gives a man the opportunity to prove his own faithfulness. He has used men to make prophetic pictures foreshadowing his purposes, which purposes Jehovah will accomplish in his own good lime and good way. If one man proves unfaithful he

uses another. This proves that men are not so important, but that Jehovah's purposes are of the greatest importance, and that his blessing will be upon those who remain faithful to him. Jehovah may use any creature or any object that he may desire for his purposes. He used Nebuchadnezzar, who was not at all devoted to Jehovah God, and made him his servant to do certain things and to foreshadow his purposes to be carried out later. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Nebuchadnezzar, who was used as an instrument in the hand of the Lord, shows that the Lord God will use his own chosen instrument to destroy those who are unfaithful to their covenant with him. The Israelites were unfaithful, and God sent Nebuchadnezzar to carry them away into captivity. He destroyed their city and their temple and took them into captivity, where they remained for seventy years. Later the kingdom of Babylon fell at the assault of the Medes and Persians, and this was done during the captivity of the Israelites; and the Medes and the Persians ruled over that country. — Dan. 5: 30, 31.

Jehovah's faithful prophets Ezekiel, Daniel, Haggai and Zechariah were among the Israelites held in captivity in Babylon. The Scriptures show that Jehovah used all of these faithful men to prophetically declare his purposes, and used them while they were in captivity. Daniel was a man of great influence in the land of the Chaldeans when it was taken by the Medes and the Persians. He was then given an important position in the government. (Dan. 6:1-3) Because of covetousness a conspiracy was formed against him and Daniel was cast into the den of lions, and he was

miraculously delivered therefrom by the hand of the Lord God. This great miracle forcibly impressed the rulers. "Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian." — Dan. 6:25-28.

CYRUS' DECREE

Doubtless Daniel was able to convince Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian that Jehovah God had foretold the destruction of Babylon by them, which they had accomplished. Daniel no doubt had called their attention to the prophecy of Isaiah 45:1: "Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut." Daniel was familiar with Jeremiah's prophecy to the effect that the desolation of Jerusalem would continue for seventy years, at the end of which time Babylon would suffer punishment. "For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place." (Jer. 29:10) Daniel states that he had an understanding

of this prophecy in the first year of the reign of Darius: "In the first year of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; in the first year of his reign, I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem." (Dan. 9:1, 2) He had doubtless told the king of Jeremiah's prophecy.

Cyrus the Persian, who appears to be the superior of these rulers, would be able to understand from this testimony given him by Daniel that Jehovah is the great God and that because of the unfaithfulness of the Jews Jehovah had scattered them and desolated their land, and that this desolation must continue for a period of seventy years, at the end of which period of time the house of the Lord must be rebuilt at Jerusalem. Cyrus would therefore see himself as an instrument to be used by Jehovah God, and this would be an inducement for him to act at the end of the seventy years of desolation, and without doubt Daniel's argument to him helped him to see his privilege of acting. Therefore in the year 536 B.C. Cyrus the king issued a decree directing that the Jews should return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, the prophetic house of the Lord, which had been destroyed: "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus lung of Persia, The Lord God of

heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem." — Ezra. 1:1-4.

TEMPLE REBUILT

Acting by the authority of this decree and proclamation made by Cyrus, the Jews returned to Jerusalem and began the rebuilding of the temple. The leaders in such work were Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest. When the "religious hybrids", which were then called Samaritans, offered their services for the temple construction they were positively refused. These Samaritans became angry and the open enemies of the Jews thereafter and so interfered with the work on the temple that the work was stopped for a period of sixteen years. In the meantime, and within the year 521 B.C., Darius the Persian had succeeded Cyrus as ruler of Persia. It was in the second year of his reign that God sent his prophet Haggai and his prophet Zechariah to stir up the Jews to get to work and rebuild the temple. Haggai began his prophecy in the sixth month of the second year of Darius the king, and Zechariah began his prophecy just two months later. (Hag. 1:1; Zech. 1:1) Because the Jews feared the enemy the work

on the temple had been delayed for sixteen years. The prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah show that the Jews were not trusting wholly in the Lord God, else they would not have delayed. The Jews had been waiting for a confirmation of the decree issued by Cyrus, but now Jehovah would have them to understand that the temple was being rebuilt under his direction and that they must proceed with the work.

The purpose of rebuilding this temple at Jerusalem was not merely to set up a place of worship for the Jews, nor was it that Jehovah himself might have a place on earth where he was represented. The work was prophetically foretelling a greater thing to be done in "that day" when the Lord God would deliver his people from the bondage of the enemy, Satan's organization, and would have his royal house set up through which his kingdom would be administered.

The temple built by Zerubbabel was more than once assaulted by the enemy. The ruler of Palestine called Herod the Great, who ruled that land from about 37 B.C. to about A.D. 1, at the very beginning of his reign, together with the assistance of the Roman troops, stormed the temple of Zerubbabel, and the result was the destruction of some of the walls and much damage to the temple proper. Later this same Herod, wishing to ingratiate himself with the religious and political parties of Palestine proposed to build and did afterwards build another temple on the site where the original temple stood. The Zerubbabel temple was removed, and a new building constructed. Herod had the material prepared and began the construction of the house in the nineteenth year of his reign, and the building was completed several years later. During

the final struggle between the Jews and the Romans, in A.D. 70, this temple built by Herod was destroyed. Subsequent attempts were made to rebuild a temple on the site of the former temples, but all these efforts were without success. There seems to be no Scriptural reason for concluding that a temple to Jehovah will ever be built upon this same site or spot. The prophetic pictures made by the erection of the temples had come to an end, and there appears to be no reason why another temple should be built there by the people of God.

It was the temple built by Herod that Jesus visited a few days before his crucifixion and out of which he drove the thieves with a whip made of cords. Concerning such it is written: "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." — Matt. 21:12,13.

COMING TO THE TEMPLE

There cannot be the slightest doubt of the fact that the temple built by Solomon prophetically foretold the building of the real temple or royal house of Jehovah God. The temple built by Zerubbabel, and that built by Herod, took the place of Solomon's temple and served the same purpose. It was the latter temple wherein Jesus taught the people. "And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, and could not find what they might do: for all

the people were very attentive to hear him." (Luke 19:47,48) That this temple was prophetic of the real temple of God is shown by the words of Jesus himself at the time he drove the clergy of the Jews from that temple and said to them: "Take these things from hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. . . . Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them: and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said." — John 2:15-22.

Jesus himself is the Chief Corner Stone or Head Stone of the royal temple of Jehovah God. Jesus told the Jewish clergy as much: "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. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." (Matt. 21:42-44) This is fully corroborated by the words of the apostle addressed to the faithful followers of Christ Jesus who are made members of his body. (Eph. 2:18-22) These scriptures and the facts warrant the comparison of certain things in connec-

tion with the prophetic temple with what Jesus, the Head of the real temple, does.

Solomon prepared the stones and other material for the temple builded by him, and brought them together and erected the building without a great noise. "And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither; so that there was neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron, heard in the house while it was in building." (1 Ki. 6:7) The real or royal temple of God is made of "living stones", that is to say, living creatures represented by stones, of which Christ Jesus is the Chief Stone. "If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded."  — 1 Pet. 2: 3-6.

The temple made of these living stones constitutes the royal house or royal priesthood and holy nation of Jehovah God. (1 Pet. 2: 9,10) These living stones were in course of selection and preparation from the day that Jesus selected his disciples until the time of his coming to gather together unto himself those who constitute the temple class. These living stones, which constitute the real temple, are brought together and erected into a building of God without noise or ostentation.

TIME OF COMING

The holy temple is the building of Jehovah God. The coming of Christ Jesus to that temple is first marked by his appearing and gathering unto himself those who have been the faithful followers of Christ Jesus. Those who had died prior to his coming, and had been faithful unto death, would be the first ones resurrected and gathered to himself. Then would follow the faithful ones remaining on the earth. "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him." — 2 Thess. 2:1.

Solomon began work on the temple in the fourth year of his reign and in the spring of the year. Christ Jesus, the Greater-than-Solomon, in the fourth year after he was anointed to be King and Head of Jehovah's temple class, and in the spring of the year, offered himself as King and as the Chief Corner Stone in the temple of God and was rejected by the Jews and shortly thereafter was crucified. It was three and one-half years, therefore in the fourth year, after his anointing, that he thus in a small way fulfilled the prophecy made by Solomon in connection with the beginning of the prophetic temple. The greater fulfilment of that prophecy must be after the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The disciples came out of the temple of Jerusalem with Jesus. They were talking to him about the temple. "And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (Matt. 24: 2) Evidently in this same

conversation Jesus had told them something about raising up the temple of his body at his second coming. It was then that they propounded the question to him: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign [proof] of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matt. 24: 3) The answer of Jesus then given is important in fixing the date. Jesus told his disciples what would be the sign of the end of the world, which would mean the end of Satan's rule without interference and would mean the beginning of the rule of Christ Jesus, earth's rightful King. He said to them that the first sorrows that would come upon Satan's organization would be the World War, followed by famine, pestilence and earthquakes; that then there would follow distress of nations, with perplexity. The end of the world would necessarily mark the time when Jesus would be placed upon his throne. That which Jesus told his disciples concerning the end of the world began to have its fulfilment, as we well know from the facts, in the autumn season of 1914, with the beginning of the World War.

No doubt the disciples were familiar with the text of the prophecy of Ezekiel, even though they did not understand its meaning, and they knew of the text of Ezekiel 21: 25-27 concerning the overthrow of Zedekiah. Naturally they would be looking forward to the time when this prophecy would be fulfilled and when 'He whose right it is would come'. They would know that in some future time this prophecy must be fulfilled. The decree of Jehovah pronounced against Zedekiah, the last king of Israel, as stated by Ezekiel, was enforced in the year 606 B.C. when the temple built by Solomon was destroyed. Other scriptures

show that from 606 B.C. until 'the coming of him whose right it is' would be a period of seven symbolic "times" of three hundred and sixty years each, or a total period of twenty-five hundred and twenty years; and therefore such period of time would necessarily end in 1914. (Lev. 26:18) Such is further corroborative proof that in the autumn season of 1914 is the correct date for Jesus Christ to take his power and to begin to exercise it over things pertaining to the earth.

The primary purpose of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is the vindication of Jehovah's name. When Jesus by the power of Jehovah was raised from the dead and exalted into the heaven no doubt he was then anxious to immediately begin the work of vindicating his Father's name. He was then told by his Father he must wait until God's due time in which to begin his work of vindication: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." (Ps. 110:1) "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool." (Heb. 10:12,13) The end of that period of time of waiting must of necessity be the same as the end of the time of waiting mentioned by the Prophet Ezekiel in chapter 21:25-27. Both of these prophecies would mark the time when Jehovah would send forth his King whose right it is to rule. "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." — Ps. 2: 6, 8.

The taking of power by the Lord Jesus is the taking of power by Jehovah God over things pertaining to the earth. The Lord gave further evidence that would corroborate the proof as to the time when Jehovah, by his King, would exercise power over things pertaining to the earth. The faithful servants of Jehovah speak: "We give thee thanks, 0 Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come." (Rev. 11:17,18) It was in the autumn of 1914 that the nations became angry, which was further proof of the fact that Christ Jesus was then placed upon his throne. The Revelation then follows the above with the statement that 'the temple in heaven was opened, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament'. (Rev. 11:19) The ark of the testament or covenant symbolically represents the presence of Jehovah and is therefore proof that Christ Jesus had come to the temple as the chief representative of Jehovah and hence Jehovah himself was representatively present.

As Solomon began the erection of his temple in the fourth year of his reign, and as Jesus had come and had offered himself three and one-half years after his anointing as King, we should expect that the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple of Jehovah would be in the fourth year, to wit, three and one-half years after the beginning of his reign in 1914, and that therefore the time for his coming to the temple of Jehovah would be in the spring of A.D. 1918. This date is further and strongly corroborated by the events that

came to pass in 1918, and which facts exactly fit the prophecy.

It was the express will of God that Christ Jesus should do a preparatory work before coming to his temple. This is described by the prophet of God as 'preparing the way before the Lord'. Jehovah had used Elijah the prophet to do a work which foreshadowed a similar work to be done by God's people during the period of time designated as the time of 'preparing the way before the Lord'. The work of Elijah was a vindication work and foreshadowed the restoring of truth to the people of God which had long been hidden by the practice of the satanic religion. Christ Jesus directed this work which we call 'the Elijah work' done by his faithful followers, of which work Jesus spoke in Matthew 17:11. The facts show that for forty years prior to 1918 there was a work carried on by the people of God within the realms of "Christendom" which work restored to God's people those fundamental truths which had long been hidden from them. During that period of time the members and true followers of Christ Jesus forsook Satan's organization and devoted themselves entirely to the Lord God. This was the work of Christ Jesus in preparing the way before the Lord, which work must be done before his coming to the temple of God and which is mentioned in the following prophecy: "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come; saith the Lord of hosts." — Mal. 3:1.

PURPOSE OF COMING

The above text, Malachi 3:1, proves conclusively THE FACT of the coming of the Lord Jesus as Jehovah's Messenger to his temple. The purpose of his coming to the temple of Jehovah is to execute judgment as the great Judge. This must take place before Armageddon; and since all the members of the church must be judged by him, it must take place before the last members are taken from the earth. Furthermore he must examine the facts as to the things that are to be judged. It conclusively follows, then, that the coming of the Lord to his temple must be while some of the faithful of the Lord are yet in the flesh. During the time that Jehovah's Messenger, Christ Jesus, was preparing the way before Jehovah the interests of the kingdom were committed to those who had made a covenant to do the will of God and who had been invited to a place in the kingdom. As to their faithfulness in giving attention to these kingdom interests the Lord must consider the facts before choosing and approving them. It is written: "Judgment must begin at the house of God." (1 Pet. 4:17) That judgment would determine the faithfulness of God's people up to that period of time. The judgment is a time of fiery tests, that is to say, tests that try one as though by fire. Concerning the purpose of the Lord's coming to his temple the prophet of Jehovah wrote: "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that

they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." — Mal. 3:2,3.

From the sons of Levi the priests were selected, and from the antitypical Levites the members of the royal priesthood are taken and made members of the royal house of God. The Levites picture all who are begotten of God's spirit, some of whom become priests, and others of whom go to make up the "great multitude" class. It is quite clear from the words of the prophet that the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple would be marked by severe trials which would result in separating the disapproved from those who are approved, in order that the approved ones might render a faithful service unto the Lord in righteousness.

The events that came to pass in the spring of 1918, which events we call the physical facts, exactly corroborate the other testimony that 1918, in the spring of the year, marks the time of the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple of Jehovah. It was at that time that there came upon the consecrated people of God a fiery trial. These had been for some time doing the work of proclaiming the truth. It was in that year that the work we designate the Elijah work of the church was killed, and which was pictured by Elijah and John the Baptist. (Rev. 11:7; see Light, Book One, page 203) Many of the Lord's witnesses throughout the land were at that time imprisoned, and many others restrained of their liberty of action as to giving testimony in the name of the Lord. It was in that time that many false brethren arose who had professed to be followers of Christ Jesus but whose love then grew cold and they turned against others who

were serving God and his kingdom. It was in that time that God's people were hated of all nations because of their faithfulness to the Lord, even as Jesus had foretold would come to pass after the beginning of the end of the world. "Then shall they deliver you up to be addicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." — Matt. 24:9,10,12.

These prophetic utterances, together with the events that have come to pass from and after 1918 and which fit the prophecy and hence show a fulfilment, prove that the Lord must come to the temple of Jehovah for judgment, and that he did come to the temple in the spring of 1918. There are other corroborative proofs, however, and some are here submitted. After answering the specific question propounded to him by his disciples concerning the end of the world Jesus at the same time warned them to watch concerning his coming to his own people for judgment, which shows that he meant at the time of his coming to the temple: "Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods." — Matt. 24:42, 45-47.

At the same time of determining who should be assigned to the "faithful and wise servant" class Je-

sus told of an "evil servant" class that would be made manifest: "But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken." (Matt. 24:48,49) The facts in fulfilment of these prophetic words are that in 1918 a fiery trial came upon God's consecrated people, and through which a number stood firm and true and steadfast, and these received the approval of the Lord and were made the "faithful and wise servant" class, and to which class the Lord then committed the kingdom interests, to wit, the work of giving the testimony concerning the kingdom. At the very same time, to wit, from and after 1918, there was a class among the consecrated, and who were in line for the kingdom, who said by their course of action and therefore 'said in their heart, The Lord delayeth his coming', and they then began to oppose the work of the faithful class and to persecute and to ill-treat them, even as Jesus had foretold.

That the coming of the Lord to his temple is for the purpose of judging, and that the angels accompanying him would carry out his orders, is shown by the following text: "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory." (Matt. 25:31) At this time of judgment at the temple the Lord Jesus declared that he would direct his angels to carry out this separating work. "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity." (Matt. 13:41) "Offend," as used in this text, means those who set snares for the gullible

for the purpose of catching them and drawing them away after themselves. "Iniquity" means lawlessness; therefore those who would do a work in an unlawful way, and contrary to what the Lord has directed. As shown by the above text, such are gathered out, and therefore they must have been once in line for the kingdom by reason of having responded to the call to the kingdom.

The apostle warned against the same thing, declaring that this false class would arise chiefly amongst the elders of the congregations. "Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20: 30) This is the class that cause divisions amongst the Lord's people and commit such offense for a selfish reason. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom. 16:17,18) The facts show that from and after 1918 these very things did come to pass. A number of those who had been prominent in the service of the Lord drew away in 1918 and since have done everything within their power to draw others away with them, and these oppose the work of advertising the King and the kingdom. These events the Lord declared would come to pass following the time of his appearing at his temple; and the facts show that they began to come to pass in the spring of 1918, proving that to be the date of his appearing at the temple for judgment.

In further corroboration that he came to his temple in 1918, Jesus spoke certain parables known as the parables of the pounds and talents. In these parables he tells of himself as going away to heaven to receive the kingdom and to return and to take account with his servants. (Luke 19:12-15; Matt. 25:14-28) Jesus said that his prophetic words then uttered would have fulfilment at the time of his coming to take account with his servants, which means the time of judgment, and which judgment takes place only upon his coming to the temple. To those who had been taken into the covenant to do the will of God, and who had responded to the call for the kingdom, the Lord had committed his kingdom interests on earth, meaning the privileges and opportunities of being his witnesses. Some were faithful and some were unfaithful. Upon examination at the temple he finds a faithful class, and to these he increases their privileges of service; and from the unfaithful he takes away their privileges and gives them to the faithful. To those whom he found faithful he said: "Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Matt. 25: 21) The joy of the Lord is the vindication of Jehovah's name. Christ Jesus is the Vindicator. He was compelled to wait until 1914 to begin this work of vindication.

When placed upon the throne, in 1914, Jehovah directed him to proceed immediately to rule amongst the enemy. (Ps. 2:6; 110:2) His first work was to cast Satan out of heaven and down to the earth, and then to prepare for the final battle, which is Armageddon, and in which Satan's organization will be destroyed.

(Rev. 12:5-12) Those found faithful and whom he approved he invited into his temple and to enter into the joy of the Lord and have a part in proclaiming God's judgment against Satan's organization. These faithful approved ones are the 'willing ones in the day of his power'. (Ps. 110:3) The facts in fulfilment of these prophetic utterances show that after 1918 the faithful followers of Christ Jesus entered into the joy of the Lord and that they now delight themselves in telling the people concerning Satan's organization and of God's organization and of God's purpose to soon destroy the wicked organization in vindication of his name. These rejoice to tell of Jehovah and his works and make known his kingdom. These anointed ones are commanded 'to proclaim the day of the vengeance of our God and to comfort those that mourn'. (Isa. 61:2) This is exactly what the "faithful servant" class has been doing since the coming of the Lord to his temple, and these are the only ones who have been doing his work.

Only the approved ones are received into the temple and anointed. These are made priests unto God and unto Christ. (Rev. 1:6) Their selection as members of the temple class, and their approval, is evidenced by the robe of righteousness, which Jehovah furnishes, and concerning which his prophet wrote: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." (Isa. 61:10) Since the coming of the Lord to his temple, in 1918, the faithful ones have

received the approval of the Lord, evidenced by the robe of righteousness, and have been clothed with the garments of salvation, which identifies them as members of Jehovah's organization. They have entered into the joy of the Lord and delight to have some part in the vindication of Jehovah's holy name.

Furthermore it is written that when 'the temple in heaven was opened' there were "lightnings, and voices, and thunderings". (Rev. 11:19) "Lightnings" symbolizes the flashes of light from the throne of God. (Rev. 4: 5; see Light, Book One, page 56) "Voices" proceeding from the temple are official messages of truth from the Lord coming from the seat of authority. This prophetic picture in Revelation 11:19 shows that Christ Jesus, the Messenger of Jehovah at his temple, is there for the purpose of judgment. "But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him." (Hab. 2:20) The light from Jehovah's temple illuminates the temple class, and these see and appreciate the truth that they never before knew. True to the prophecies, since 1918 God's people on earth have been enlightened concerning the fulfilment of prophecy as never before. It is a time of joy and they are in the joy of the Lord and rejoice.

Zion is the capital or chief part of Jehovah's great organization and of which Christ Jesus is the head. His coming to the temple marks the beginning of the building up of Zion concerning which it is written: "When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory." (Ps. 102:16) The 'building up of Zion' means the formation of Jehovah's official organization; and the 'birth of the children of Zion' means the bringing forth of the approved ones who are in

the covenant for the kingdom. Awakening of the faithful saints to life and the bringing of the faithful remnant into the organization of the Lord is the building up of Zion, which takes place when the Lord comes to his temple. Then applies the prophecy: "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined." (Ps. 50:2) Of necessity this must take place after Zion is built up. The 'shining of Jehovah God out of Zion' means that his Word and name are magnified by being declared by those who are of Zion in order that others might know his name. Prior to 1918 the followers of Christ Jesus magnified the name of Jesus even more than that of Jehovah. Since the coming of the Lord to his temple the "faithful servant" class see clearly that the most vital and important part of the outworking of Jehovah's purposes is the vindication of Jehovah's name. Since then they have been showing forth Jehovah's praises and magnifying his name because they are taken out for that very purpose. (1 Pet. 2:9,10; Acts 15:14) This is the day which Jehovah has made for the vindication of his name. (Ps. 118:24) Those now taken into the temple sing: "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." (Isa. 12:2-6)

Today Jehovah is shining out of his organization and "in his temple doth every one speak of his glory".  — Ps. 29: 9.

The foregoing evidence proves that the Lord came to his temple in 1918 for judgment, which judgment began at the house of God, and shortly thereafter judgment came upon the professed systems of so-called "Christians" designated as "organized Christianity". The Prophet Isaiah had a vision of the Lord in his temple, and the circumstances mentioned by him fix the time. (Isa. 6:1) Uzziah, mentioned by the prophet in this verse, clearly foreshadowed "organized Christianity". (Sec The Watchtower, 1926, page 231.) King Uzziah presumptuously acted as a priest in the temple of God, and for this was stricken with leprosy, an incurable disease. During the World War "organized Christianity" was furnished with ample proof of the presence of the Lord and the beginning of his kingdom. Some of her clergy issued a manifesto calling attention to these facts and spread that manifesto throughout the earth. In the year 1919 "organized Christianity", like Uzziah, presumptuously put herself in the position of priest and erected the League of Nations in the place of the kingdom. It was then that Christ Jesus, as Chief Corner Stone of God's holy temple, was presented and laid, and was rejected by "organized Christianity".

HAGGAI PROPHESIES

The building of the temple by Zerubbabel and Joshua at Jerusalem was prophetic of the royal house of God. Prophecy uttered in connection with the building of the Zerubbabel temple, when understood,

makes clear what constitutes the royal house and the use to which it is put. Haggai prophesied in relationship to the building of the temple, showing that the fulfilment thereof must be at a time that the faithful followers of Christ Jesus are taken into "the joy of the Lord". It is the time when the faithful are admonished to "bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar". (Ps. 118: 27) It is the time when these must present themselves as living sacrifices unto the praise and service of Jehovah. (Rom. 12:1) From 1918 to 1919 was a time of great trial upon God's people, and it was not until after that date that the work of making known the King and the kingdom was done with a real zeal. Since God's anointed people have seen what is the real issue and that it is the name of Jehovah which must now be vindicated these have pushed forward zealously with the work assigned to them. This very work the Lord foretold by his prophets.

Zerubbabel's right to Judah's throne is shown through his father Shealtiel, who was reckoned as the grandson of Jehoiachin through the latter's daughter. Zerubbabel, however, was a descendant of the male line proceeding from Nathan. Luke shows that Jesus was the descendant of Zerubbabel through the daughter of Heli, that is, the virgin Mary. Zerubbabel building the prophetic temple foreshadowed Jesus Christ building the royal house under the direction of Jehovah God. All the anointed members of the body of Christ are counted in as a part of Christ, and therefore the prophecy concerning the temple of Zerubbabel takes in or includes the faithful remnant now on earth

and shows that these have a part in the vindication of Jehovah's name.

Jehovah designated Zerubbabel as 'my servant, whom I have chosen'. This shows that Zerubbabel foreshadows Christ Jesus, of whom Jehovah says: 'My elect servant, in whom my soul delighteth.' (Hag. 2: 23; Isa. 42:1) The remnant is made a part of that 'elect servant'. Zerubbabel's name and his identification show him to be an uncompromising foe of Satan's organization. Some authorities have interpreted Zerubbabel's name to mean "stranger or banished at Babylon"; "flowing away from or scatterer of Babylon"; "the grief of Babylon." All these names properly apply to Jehovah's 'elect servant' class of which Christ Jesus is the Head. "Babylon" is the name applied to Satan's organization which shall be destroyed by Christ Jesus the Greater-than-Zerubbabel. "Before Zerubbabel thou [Satan's organization] shalt become a plain." (Zech. 4:7; Jer. 51: 25) Zerubbabel was the leader of Judah, meaning the leader of "praise to Jehovah" to the vindication of his name. Christ Jesus is the Leader of the class that gives praise to Jehovah, and this class includes the present-day remnant, and which class has to do with the vindication of Jehovah's name.

Joshua, the high priest, was included in the message delivered by the prophet to Zerubbabel. Joshua's name means the same as "Jesus". Since the remnant now on earth is part of Christ Jesus, the message of the prophecy is also addressed to that class. Joshua's father's name, "Josedech," means "Jehovah is just or righteous". Jehovah's beloved Son Christ Jesus is the great Judge to whom is committed all judg-

ment, and this name would signify that his judgment is just and righteous and that the prophecy would have its fulfilment at the time of judgment when the Lord appears at his temple for judgment.

Prior to 1918 there was in the land a class of people claiming to be, and associated with, God's children who did nothing to the glory of God, but received the truth for what selfish good they got out of it. This is the class that Christ Jesus referred to when he said: "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (Luke 21: 34-36) These did not take heed to this admonition, and later they said in their hearts, "My Lord delayeth his coming"; and they fell into the snare of the enemy.

Jehovah put it into the mind of Cyrus to send the Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple; hence the reconstruction of the temple became the most important work of their lives. Likewise in 1918, at the conclusion of the work of 'preparing the way before Jehovah', the temple activities were next in order and became the most important work ever committed to the remnant. The great Messenger Christ Jesus 'suddenly [straightway] came to the temple' in 1918. Jerusalem is also called Zion. Concerning God's people, who had responded to the call of Jehovah to the kingdom, the following scripture written for them applies to them, to wit: "Ye are come unto mount Sion . . .

the heavenly Jerusalem." (Heb. 12: 22) God had sent Jesus to build up Zion, and his followers had come to that point, and before them was set the most important work they had ever had.

The Jews were afraid of their enemies, who were the representatives of Satan; hence they said: "The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built." (Hag. 1:2) The Jews were then enjoying God's favor in a selfish way without appreciating the honor of his name. For this reason they 'knew not the time of their visitation', and they stopped the work. Corresponding to this, many who had made a covenant to do God's will, and had responded to the call for the kingdom, became fearful of the enemy Satan's organization, and in 1918 they were so frightened that they refrained then and ever thereafter from doing any work to the honor of Jehovah's name. When the Lord clearly revealed the organization of Satan and showed the duty of God's remnant people toward the same the selfish ones, desiring self-preservation and ease, ignored the truth concerning Satan's organization, and also concerning God's organization, and by their course of action said in their hearts: 'The Lord has delayed his coming, and it is not time to build the house of God.'

Jehovah then sent Haggai his prophet to give a rebuke to his people the Jews, and those who were humble and teachable of mind gave heed to that rebuke. In substance the prophet of God said to the Jews, and likewise to the unfaithful ones called to the kingdom: 'You have received the truth and have been delivered from Babylon, which is Satan's organization. Can you consistently receive these good things and at the

same time neglect the work which the Lord has laid upon you?' (Hag. 1:3,4) These words of rebuke aroused the faithful to the performance of their covenant duties, and then the prophet admonished the Jews: "Consider your ways." (Hag. 1:5) This must be taken as a plain admonition to God's covenant people now on earth to examine themselves. (2 Cor. 13:5; 1 Cor. 11:31) Those who did examine themselves awoke to their privileges and duties.

The Jews, although favored by Jehovah, were not reaping what, if faithful, they should expect. The reason was they had not been doing their full duty; hence Haggai said to them: "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes." (Hag. 1:6) After the storm of the World War and trouble of 1918 had passed many reasoned like this: 'Now we have the truth and know what God has in store for his people and we need nothing more. We have done much work in the past, but we have earned our wages. We will now wait until the Lord takes us home.' Thus reasoning, they did nothing. The Lord had something more for his faithful people to do; hence in the language of the prophet he said: "Consider your ways." (Hag. 1:7) The time of judgment had come when the great Judge, Christ Jesus, was present for that purpose. The words of Jesus addressed to those of Laodicea apply at this point: "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor,

and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." (Rev. 3:17-19) This fixes the time of the fulfilment of the prophecy of Haggai as at the time when the Lord appears at his temple for judgment, and is corroborative of what has been stated above.

Even though it was the time of harvest of the olives of the lowlands and of the dates and the figs and the grapes, the Jews had not received an abundant crop and blessing of the Lord because they had been negligent of their most important work which the Lord had given them to do, to wit, rebuilding the temple. For this reason his prophet said to them: "Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands." — Hag. 1: 9-11.

Even so God's people on the earth for some time after 1914 had not learned to appreciate what is the most important work Jehovah has for his people to do. They had been taught and they believed that the

so-called "character development" was their chief work and duty. Later the faithful ones learned that unselfish devotion to Jehovah God in the keeping of his commandments is of far greater importance than any self-development. Getting into heaven is not nearly so important as the vindication of Jehovah's name. That which is of paramount importance is the royal house or kingdom which God will use in the vindication of his name. For this reason he has taken out from amongst the nations a people for his name; and these must do his commandments, particularly in their work with reference to his royal house.

Then the Lord said to the Jews, through Haggai: "Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord." (Hag. 1:8) God's faithful remnant now on earth can see how that prophecy more fully applies to the people of the Lord since the year 1918. By his angels the Lord gave his covenant and devoted people positive orders in 1922 to move into action. He did not tell them to develop character, such as gathering cordwood, but to do real work for the temple by gathering the right kind of timber. They then learned that they must actively engage in his service in advertising his King and kingdom. It was in September 1922, as shown elsewhere, that the people of Jehovah on earth awoke to their great privileges of service. From that time forward those devoted to God and to his kingdom zealously and joyfully went to the work, even as the prophet foreshadowed: "Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God,

and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord." — Hag. 1:12.

Both Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest foreshadowed the remnant on earth who shall be made a part of the royal priesthood and who manifest a zeal peculiar to the Lord's house. These faithful ones do not resent the message from the Lord nor act stubbornly nor follow the directions of men. They follow God's order given through his organization. The faithful respond joyfully and engage in the work. The Lord was pleased with their zeal and faithfulness; hence he at that time said to the Jews by his prophet: "I am with you, saith the Lord." (Hag. 1:13) Likewise to his zealous ones the remnant in this day, the Lord says: "I am with you." Prior to 1918 and during the period known as the Elijah work a few had been prominent in the service of the Lord. The time must come when there would be no distinction between elders and faithful pioneers. The Lord had declared his purpose by his prophet that he would pour out his spirit upon all flesh, meaning upon all the faithful ones, both "upon the servants and upon [his] hand maids". (Joel 2: 28, 29) This prophecy of Joel had its fulfilment in 1922 and the Lord stirred his people to greater activity, just as he had foretold by the words of Haggai: "And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came, and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God." (Hag. 1:14) The remnant now on earth can clearly see that the work that

they have been engaged in since 1922 was foretold by Jehovah long ago. That greatly encourages them.

Solomon's temple is described as a glorious structure. When the foundation of Solomon's temple was laid the priests with their trumpets, and the Levites, sons of the music leader Asaph, with their instruments, together sang to the glory of God and the people shouted with a great shout. At the laying of the foundation of Zerubbabel's temple there were also present some of the ancient men who had seen Solomon's temple, and these old men wept with a loud voice. (Ezra 3:10-13) Approximately sixteen years later Haggai by the direction of the Lord stood before the people of Jerusalem and said to them: "Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?" (Hag. 2:3) The prophet of the Lord speaks of both Solomon's and Zerubbabel's temple as "the house of the Lord". The purpose of this speech was that the Jews might have a lesson in faith in Jehovah and in his Word. They were there asked to believe that, although the foundation had been laid for some time, out from it would come something far more glorious than Solomon's temple. That would require a great deal of faith. Of course, the prophecy was looking forward to the building of which both Solomon's and Zerubbabel's temple were merely prophetic. No human creature has ever had occasion to glory in what he has accomplished concerning the Lord's work and his house. In harmony with this the prophet says: 'Except the Lord build the house, it would be built in vain.' (Ps. 127:1) By then proceeding with the work on the

material temple the Jews would show their faith in God and their willingness to obey his commandment. This is a lesson in faith and is really for the benefit of the remnant of God's people on earth in these last days and who have to do with announcing the kingdom as Jehovah's witnesses.

Then Haggai made a speech urging the Jews to diligence and faithfulness in service. "Yet now be strong, 0 Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, 0 Joshua son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts: according to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you; fear ye not." (Hag. 2:4,5) That prophetic speech was made for the benefit of the present remnant, and it is the privilege of these latter ones to make service speeches to each other, calling attention to the fact that Jehovah God is now with those who have to do with his royal temple and who faithfully serve him. Jehovah had caused another prophet to write concerning this very day, and that for the encouragement of the remnant: "In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing." (Zeph. 3:16,17) It is no time now to dream of the departed glory that the people of the Lord think they once had, nor is it any time to weep over it, as the ancient men did concerning Solomon's temple. The faithful remnant will do now the work which God has given into their hands.

The Lord awoke the Jews and put them to work in rebuilding the prophetic temple; and now he has organized the remnant, the real Judeans who give praise to his name, and these are now joyfully giving the testimony of Christ in connection with the royal temple even as commanded. — Rev. 12:17; 14:1.

OPPOSITION

Jehovah's people, the remnant, have no reason to expect to carry forward the work assigned to them at the present time without meeting with strong opposition. Satan is the real opposer of the building up of the people of God into his holy temple, because that temple class will be used by the Lord to discredit Satan and to vindicate the name of Jehovah. As Satan used the Samaritans to hinder and persecute the Jews in the rebuilding of the prophetic temple, even so now Satan uses their counterparts, the religious hybrids, the clergy, and their allies, "the man of sin," to threaten, oppose, arrest and persecute the remnant now on earth who are having to do with the royal house of God. The remnant must now be strong in faith, that they may press on with their work. "Faith ... is the gift of God." (Eph. 2:8) There can be no faith without knowledge, and that knowledge must be received and used by the Lord's people unselfishly. Jehovah God has furnished his people with an abundance of knowledge in these last days, that their faith in him may be strong.

At this point the prophecy of Zechariah is appropriate. Jehovah gave Zechariah a vision of his purpose, and this he did for the encouragement and comfort of his faithful remnant now on the earth who

have to do with the temple of God. Jehovah gave Christ Jesus the Revelation to show to his servants the things that must come to pass speedily, and the angel of the Lord delivered this to John and caused him to write it. (Rev. 1:1) Even so the Lord by the mouth of Zechariah gave to his servant the message relating to the same thing: "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying." (Zech. 1:1) It was the heavensent messenger representing Christ Jesus, "the angel that talked": "Then said I, 0 my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be." (Zech. 1:9) This angel pointed out or showed the vision to Zechariah. In this vision Joshua was of the Aaronic priesthood, and hence the name "Joshua the high priest" must refer to Jesus as offering up his body members, and not from the royal standpoint. "The angel of the Lord [Jehovah]" must refer exclusively to "the messenger of the covenant" who comes to the temple of Jehovah for judgment. (Mal. 3:1, 2) All of God's covenant people must appear before the judgment seat of Christ Jesus for judgment. (Rom. 14:10,12) Satan is the accuser, and in the vision given to Zechariah Satan stands on the right hand of Joshua to resist him. "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him." (Zech. 3:1) Ezra testifies to the same opposing class. (Ezra 5: 3-6) Likewise Satan used the clergy to oppose Jesus when he was teaching in the temple. (Luke 20:1, 2) Satan also uses the clergy at the present time to oppose

God's people. Satan failed in his attempt to stop the building of the prophetic temple at Jerusalem by Zerubbabel, and he will fail in his attempt against the greater temple of the Lord.

In 1914 the period of waiting ended and Jehovah then sent forth his Messenger to rule and to judge. (Ps. 110: 2) At this time the prophecy of Zechariah 3:2 applies: "And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, 0 Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?"

Jehovah God speaks by and through his angel the Judge, Christ Jesus, to whom the judgment is committed, and says unto Satan and unto all of his agents both invisible and visible: 'You shall be rebuked.' "For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire." (Isa. 66:15; Ps. 80:16; 76: 6; 9:5,6) This rebuke could not be administered until Christ Jesus was present and upon his throne, in 1914; and when he appeared at his temple for judgment, in 1918, it was then the due time to administer the rebuke to Satan and to his crowd. Satan, with all of his agencies, today opposes the remnant in their work in the name of Jehovah, and would destroy them quickly except for the protection that Jehovah God furnishes them by and through his great Messenger and Judge. (Isa. 51:16) The clergy would have all the witnesses of Jehovah destroyed in a day if they were not prevented by the Lord from so doing.

As only a remnant of the Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, even so only a remnant

of those who made a covenant to do God's will are now engaged in the service of Jehovah. This remnant now on the earth is the "brand plucked out of the fire" mentioned in Zechariah's prophecy. This is the brand that withstood the fire with which the "refiner and purifier" cleansed God's people when appearing at the temple. (Mal. 3:3) From the fire of God's wrath against the unfaithful this "brand" is preserved for God's purpose in announcing his vengeance and in doing his will in other matters. Being plucked out of the fire the garments of the remnant would be soiled; hence, says the prophet, they are clothed with filthy garments; but that was no reason for accusing them. "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel." (Zech. 3:3) The Joshua class (the remnant escaped from Satan's organization) having been taken out because of their faithfulness, these are now before the Lord as holy. (Isa. 4: 3,4) There is a generation of "character developers" in the religious part of Satan's organization who make themselves appear clean but who are not clean. "There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness." (Prov. 30:12) God's faithful remnant are pictured by the "brand plucked out of the fire" and stand before the Lord, the great angel Judge, Christ Jesus. These are they that "stand" before the Lord at his appearing at the temple. — Mal. 3: 2.

Now the great "Angel Judge" Christ Jesus speaks: "Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." (Zech. 3:4) Christ Jesus gives order to

his angels to remove "the filthy garments" from the faithful remnant, that they might be identified with God's clean organization. This is in harmony with Ephesians 5:26,27: "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Then the Lord Jesus speaks to the faithful remnant class saying "I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee". This statement exactly corresponds with the prophecy of Isaiah concerning those who were found faithful upon the coming of the Lord to his temple and who then must be cleansed. "Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, . . . and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips, and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged." (Isa. 6:6,7) "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil." (Prov. 16: 6) "Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile." (Ps. 82: 2) Jehovah docs this cleansing work by Christ Jesus. — Mic. 7:18,19.

The remnant is then given a "change of raiment", which Leeser renders thus, "festive garments." This would indicate that it is a time for action and for great rejoicing; and this is corroborated by the Prophet Isaiah (61:10). Zechariah in the grip of the vision speaks by inspiration of God's spirit concerning the proper apparel to be worn by the high priest. "And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him

with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by." (Zech. 3:5) The "mitre" means a "roll, dress", hence properly an ornamented turban worn on the head, and which is also called a "diadem". (Isa. 62:3) This headdress, or "mitre", would denote vision empowering the remnant to work and to enlighten their heads or minds as to the terms of their commission; and this would reflect the glory of the Lord God, which he gives to none other aside from his servant. (Isa. 42:8) When the tribe of Judah was carried over to Babylon and the temple was destroyed the work of the high priest was suspended. To have the mitre now put back or replaced on the head would bring great joy to the priest and would represent the approval corresponding to the joy of the remnant at the present time and by which joy in the Lord they are refreshed and strengthened. (Prov. 10:6) Thus clothed, Joshua, picturing the remnant with garments, shows the approval and identification of these as members of God's organization to do temple service. Such clothing is shown by the prophet to be a symbol of the robe of righteousness and the garments of salvation. — Isa. 61:10.

"The angel of the Lord protested" (Zech. 3:6), that is to say, testified, to Joshua, who represents the remnant, that these might have an understanding of the covenant for the kingdom and their position in connection therewith: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts; and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by." (Zech. 3:7) This proves that it is still possible for members of

the remnant to deflect and fall away and go into destruction and that faithfulness in the performance of duty in connection with the temple work is required of each one who maintains his place in the remnant. As Joshua was told, even so now the remnant is told that if they will "follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth" and keep, that is, hedge about and protect, and attend to the kingdom interests, then "thou shalt also judge my house". This shows that the faithful remnant must have a part in the announcing or proclaiming of Jehovah's written judgments against the nominal house, or "organized Christianity". "This honour have all his saints." (Ps. 149: 9) The remnant must joyfully keep God's commandments and deliver the testimony of Jesus Christ, even though Satan is desperately resisting them. (Rev. 12:17) If faithful in the performance of their divinely-given commission the remnant shall "keep my courts", which means they shall be kept in the temple while on the earth and eventually be given a permanent place in the "mansions" above and "shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge". (Ezek. 44:15,16) Then says the Lord to the remnant: "I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by," that is to say, with the great Angel, Christ Jesus, and the retinue of his holy servants.

"THE BRANCH"

The Lord causes all of the priestly class to give heed to his important announcement that is now about to be made. This he indicates by using the words "Hear now". "Hear now, 0 Joshua the high

priest, thou and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at; for behold, I will bring forth my servant, The BRANCH." (Zech. 3:8) In Revelation 4:4 it is written: "And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold." These are they who have been faithful unto death and who have been resurrected to glory. (See Light, Book One, page 56.) "Thy fellows," as stated by the Prophet Zechariah, must mean the remnant on earth who are still faithful, because these are the fellows of the faithful ones who have been resurrected and the remnant must bear testimony to the fulfilment of what Jehovah is here announcing. The words "hear now" are exactly in harmony with Revelation 3:22: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." The remnant cannot be faithful if they permit this important matter about to be announced to pass without calling attention thereto.

The announcement is made beginning thus: "I will bring forth my servant, The BRANCH." The words "bring forth" here used have the meaning of "to cause to come in" and frequently are translated "enter in, come in, and let come in". The words "bring forth" are from the same Hebrew word (boh) translated "come" in Malachi 3:1:" [He] shall suddenly come to his temple"; also the word translated "come" in Haggai 2:7. The words "my servant, The BRANCH" mean Christ Jesus, Jehovah's elect Servant. (Isa. 42:1) Therefore it is clearly seen that the words "Behold, I will bring forth my servant, The

BRANCH", mean that Christ Jesus, Jehovah's Messenger, is brought to his temple. This scripture clearly means that the "messenger of the covenant" is come into the temple and that all of Jehovah's organization must take notice thereof and bear testimony concerning this great event. It means "the glorious appearing of the great God [Jehovah] and our Saviour Jesus Christ" at the temple. (Ps. 102:16; Titus 2:13) This definitely proves that "Joshua the high priest" is a type of Christ Jesus, who is THE BRANCH. He is the builder of the temple, which temple was prophetically foreshadowed by that of Solomon and that of Zerubbabel; necessarily, therefore, he must come to the temple in God's due time.

"And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is THE BRANCH: and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord." (Zech. 6:12) "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) "In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. For thus saith the Lord, David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel." — Jer. 33:15,17.

Jesus Christ is not in reality the branch of the Jewish king David, but he is a Branch of Jehovah by

the everlasting (Davidic) covenant for the kingdom. (Isa. 55:3) He is THE BRANCH of Jehovah as God's "firstborn" and as his only begotten Son. The body members of Christ are branches of THE BRANCH. To the faithful remnant on earth he is beautiful, the fairest of ten thousand, and "altogether lovely", and he is appreciated in this day which the Lord Jehovah hath made. "In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped [the remnant] of Israel." (Isa. 4:2) The remnant now on earth must and do gladly announce the coming of Christ Jesus to the temple of Jehovah.

Christ Jesus is the 'foundation stone of the temple'. (Isa. 28:16) To the faithful remnant on earth the Lord God says: "For, behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua: upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day." (Zech. 3:9) This is the same stone mentioned by the prophets in the following texts: "Who art thou, 0 great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace, unto it." (Zech. 4:7) "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." (Ps. 118:22) "Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces." (Dan. 2:34) "The stone" is Jehovah God's King whom he placed upon his throne in 1914, and was laid as the chief foundation stone of the temple be-

tween that date and the coming to the temple in 1918. The remnant must know this and call attention to or give announcement concerning the same. In due time thereafter Jehovah God brought this great fact to the knowledge of the remnant, to wit, on "The Day", September 8, 1922. The Watchtower as of 1926 and since has had much to say about this great Stone. It is the Stone cut out of Jehovah's universal organization, and the remnant must say and do say, 'Behold, thy King.' (Zech. 9:9) Jehovah discloses this great Stone to the remnant class that they may be built up thereon as living stones. (1 Pet. 2:2-8) Evidently Jehovah caused Zechariah to give this testimony to Joshua the high priest at the time of the building of Zerubbabel's temple for the purpose of taking away all fear of his people then engaged in the work and for their encouragement in proceeding with the building. Likewise the knowledge of the meaning thereof given to the remnant causes them to lay aside all fear and to be assured that God's purposes will be carried out as he has declared.

The text uses the words "seven eyes", but this does not mean that the Stone has seven pairs of eyes. Seven represents symbolically all the eyes of the universe now. Upon that Stone these eyes are fixed to note his course of action. Particularly, it means that the eyes of Jehovah are upon that Stone because THE STONE is entrusted with the great work of vindicating Jehovah's name and in so doing will destroy Satan's colossal organization. It is Jehovah's 'precious stone'. "Those seven, they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth." (Zech. 4:10) That means that The Stone has Jehovah's full

support and approval. (2 Chron. 16: 9) The remnant therefore must proclaim the King and his kingdom.

Jehovah is the great Designer, therefore he says: "I will engrave the graving thereof." No doubt the engraving thereon is its inscription, "engraved with the engraving of a signet." (Ex. 39: 6, Leeser) The engraving on The Stone must mean Jehovah's ineffaceable mark and declaration of his approval of The Stone and his authorization for Jesus Christ to act for him as his great High Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Thus Jehovah seals The Stone as the Head Stone of his organization, pictured in the temple building. "The Son of man . . . him hath God the Father sealed." (John 6:27) There is therefore no excuse for any creature in the universe to reject Christ Jesus as The Stone or Jehovah's King and rightful Ruler of the earth.

The "eyes" also suggest that the Bible prophecies would all focus on Christ Jesus and his kingdom and that there would be a revelation thereof to and an understanding of these prophecies by the remnant and that the remnant would be required to give a worldwide proclamation thereof. To those faithful members of the "servant" who are diligent and zealous to advertise the King and his kingdom the Lord God says: "And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day." The "one day" is the day which Jehovah has made. "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." — Ps. 118:22, 23.

In 1919 God removed the iniquity of those who were then faithful, (Isa. 6:7) God's faithful people then went to work and have since continued to work in

advertising the King and his kingdom. When Joshua and Zerubbabel had heard this encouraging message from the Lord they began with renewed energy to build the temple, and the Lord prospered and blessed them. (Hag. 2:18,19) "That land" pictures the condition of the faithful, and the Lord, by taking away their iniquity, has made them, the faithful remnant, to dwell in "the land shadowing with wings". (Isa. 18:1) These faithful ones he has brought into the secret place of the Most High and covered them with the robe of righteousness.

The iniquity being removed, the land brings forth its increase, that is to say, the condition of God's people has been made prosperous and joyful since. "In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree." (Zech. 3:10) Those devoted to God have been brought into unity in Christ. (Eph. 4:13) The brethren in Christ call to one another and encourage one another in the service of the Lord. They know that they are not engaged in a book-selling scheme, as the modern Samaritans falsely charge, but that they are carrying out God's commandments and singing forth his praises by telling of his works and his kingdom. (Isa. 12:4) 'Calling his neighbor under his vine and fig tree' is an invitation to all to come into the state or place of security, rest and joy, to come and partake of the truth. "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) The kingdom is the hope of the world. None other is desired. The fig tree simply denotes the sweetness and

fruitfulness of doing the will of God. (Judg. 9:11) The vine pictures the good cheer and joy of the kingdom service. (Judg. 9:13; John 15:1-8) The promised condition 'under the vine and fig tree' pictures the fulfilment of the prayer of the faithful: "0 Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity." (Ps. 118:25) Following the year 1919, when the Lord's faithful "servant" class got busy with the kingdom work, the Lord prospered them and brought them "under the vine and under the fig tree". Since then they have feared neither man nor devil, because they know that they are right in advertising the King and kingdom, and they will obey God regardless of what others may say or do. — Mic. 4:4.

'THE DESIRED ONE'

It must now be apparent to all persons of good will that there can never be righteousness and peace on earth until Satan's wicked organization is destroyed. The building of the prophetic temple was an indication to the Jews that the end of their oppression was near at hand. This prophetic picture foreshadows that when the real temple is built up, then shortly thereafter the oppression of the human race shall end. Jehovah caused Haggai to further prophesy for the encouragement of the Jews, and for the remnant, to wit: "For thus saith the Lord of hosts, Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land." (Hag. 2:6) Satan's invisible power, pictured by 'heaven', has already been shaken; and the "earth", representing the visible part of his organization, is also being shaken; but the severest shaking is yet future. The "sea"

represents the peoples of earth that are alienated from God, while the "dry land" more particularly pictures those who have a good will toward righteousness. Everything will be shaken that can be shaken, in order that the approved may appear. (Heb. 12:19-27) In 1914 Christ Jesus, being placed upon his throne, began the shaking in heaven, and that shaking resulted in routing Satan and his angels out of heaven and casting them down to the earth. — Rev. 12: 7-12.

Following the World War the nations of earth tried to bring about peace and prosperity, but all their efforts have failed. The shaking, politically, financially and religiously, continues. The rulers are in fear and in great perplexity, and the people are in much distress. The nations constitute Satan's visible organization, and the chief people of which are those of "Christendom". The shaking of "Christendom" will be more severe than that of other parts of the earth. Following the beginning of the shaking of the nations the words of the Prophet Haggai apply: "And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts." (Hag. 2:7) Everything that can be shaken will be finally shaken out, and only God's faithful remnant will withstand the shaking, by the grace of the Lord. Solomon's temple and Zerubbabel's temple were both destroyed; but the real temple of God, of which his faithful remnant constitute a part, will not be destroyed, because it is built by Jehovah upon Christ Jesus the sure foundation, and it will stand forever.

The Authorized Version reads: "And the desire of all nations shall come." Other translators give the

text a different rendering, but the Authorized Version and Rotherham are consistent with the facts and other scriptures that are plainly understood. "And the delight of all the nations shall come in." (Roth.) "The desirable things" (as mentioned in other versions) cannot be what all the nations combined would be able to bring forth. The nations have been unable to bring forth anything that is desirable. The word "nations", as used in this text, clearly means the peoples of different nationalities. The people are now seeing that the present form of earthly rule cannot bring that which is desired. The people want life and happiness; and there is only one way for them to get it, and that is Jehovah God's way through Christ Jesus the Redeemer and earth's rightful Ruler. This text really means this: that when the shaking begins Christ Jesus comes into the temple of Jehovah. The fact of his coming to the temple is a certainty. The time of the coming is at the conclusion of the work of preparing the way before Jehovah, and the purpose of his coming is for judgment, and the result of his coming is a fiery trial or shaking time; and in the shaking all those in line for the kingdom who have been following along for a selfish reason are shaken out and only the faithful approved remnant remains.  — Mal. 3:1-3; Heb. 12: 22-27.

The rendering of this text according to Leeser supports this conclusion that it means the coming of Christ Jesus to the temple of Jehovah. "And I will cause to quake all the nations, and the precious things of all the nations shall come (hither): and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts." (Hag.

2: 7, Leeser) God's faithful people have watched and waited for the coming of the Lord because he is their great desire, and when they learned that he had come to the temple there was great rejoicing amongst them. The order-loving people of the earth have an earnest desire for the coming of the King and kingdom of righteousness. Satan's organization, and particularly the religious elements thereof, has hindered the people from learning the truth. Now many of them are beginning to see that the kingdom of God is the only hope of the world. The "Jonadab" class is awakening and, upon the invitation of the remnant, is getting up into the chariot with Jehu. (2 Ki. 10:15,16) Now it is the great and blessed privilege of the remnant to tell the people that the Lord is in his holy temple for judgment. "But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him." (Hab. 2:20) "The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous; but the wicked, and him that loveth violence, his soul hateth." (Ps. 11:4,5) It is the privilege of Jehovah's witnesses now to tell these truths to the people and invite them to take their stand on the side of the Lord and his kingdom. God's way for them to do this work is by radio, by talking to the people, and by going from house to house and exhibiting the message in book form and encouraging them to read together with their Bible. For this reason Jehovah commissions his faithful remnant and says to them: 'Ye are my witnesses to tell the people that I am God.' (Isa. 43:10,12) Such testimony work is temple work now to be done by the remnant.

Armageddon, which is near at hand, will mark the end of Satan's organization; then the blindness will be removed from the eyes of the people and all will have an opportunity to gain a knowledge of God. Jehovah's holy temple, of which Solomon's and Zerubbabel's temple were prophetic pictures, is the mediatorial organization between Jehovah God and imperfect mankind, and the people will come to Jehovah God and worship by and through the royal temple, as it is written: "Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." (Isa. 56:7) Before this comes to pass Jehovah God shows his faithful remnant that the blessed time is near, and this is for their comfort. (Rom. 15:4) Now the remnant with this advance knowledge can say to the people with authority and with absolute certainty that the kingdom is at hand and that it is the means of blessing the people. "All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord's; and he is the governor among the nations." (Ps. 22: 27,28) Now the mass of the people are poor and needy and suffering from oppression, and yet many of these are haughty in spirit. When they become poor in spirit and seek the Lord through his temple they will be delivered. "For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight." — Ps. 72:12-14.

Zechariah, who prophesied about the same time that Haggai prophesied, was caused by the Lord to say:

"Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you; for we have heard that God is with you." (Zech. 8:22,23) The word "Jew" used in this text does not mean what is commonly understood by the term "Jew", but it does mean those who have the faith of Abraham and who are faithfully devoted to God. This is the temple class now on earth proclaiming the message of the King and his kingdom, and the only ones upon whom God is bestowing his special favor. Even this very day there are those who are hearing the message of truth of and concerning the kingdom and who arc saying to Jehovah's witnesses who bring them the truth: "We see that God is with you. Let us come along with you and learn." This is the class pictured by Jonadab. Now the name of Jehovah is beginning to be made known among the people, and this will increase until the time shall come that "from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same [which symbolically means, throughout all the time], my name shall be great among the [nations], . . . saith the Lord of hosts." — Mal. 1:11.

Jehovah's holy name is the great issue. His name shall be vindicated and Christ Jesus, the Head of the temple class, is the chief one of those who shall have to do with the vindication of God's holy name.

When Haggai the prophet stood before the people and prophesied they understood that the temple of Zerubbabel then undergoing construction was the one

that should be more glorious than Solomon's temple; but their understanding was not correct. Speaking as God's prophet Haggai said: "I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord." The house meant by this text is the royal house or temple which was foreshadowed by the temple of Zerubbabel. There is no record that God ever filled the temple of Zerubbabel with glory; and this is further proof that the language of this text refers to Jehovah's royal house. With the coming of the Lord Jesus and gathering together unto himself of those who upon examination are found faithful to Jehovah and their covenant the glory of the Lord does begin to fill the house. Isaiah had a vision of this glory filling the temple. (Isa. 6:1-4) Then the words of the prophet of the Lord began to apply to the remnant: "Arise, shine, for thy light hath come, and the glory of Jehovah on thee hath beamed." (Isa. 60:1, Roth.) In obedience to this commandment God's faithful remnant did arise, in 1919, and prepare for the work, and particularly since 1922 these faithful witnesses of Jehovah have been declaring his great name amongst the people of the earth.

Jehovah caused Haggai to say to the Jews for their encouragement in building the prophetic temple: "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts." (Hag. 2:8) These words apply with greater force to the faithful now on earth and who are Jehovah's witnesses and therefore workers in the great temple of God. This prophecy is both literally and symbolically true, because all the material and all spiritual things belong to Jehovah. Symbolically the truth is likened unto silver. "The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of

earth, purified seven times." (Ps. 12:6) The truth belongs to God, and not to any man. By the false teachings of men the truth has long been hid from even those who love God. Now the Lord Jesus Christ is at the temple of Jehovah and he has purified "the silver [truth]", and for this reason the truth is more clearly seen today than ever before. All honor and praise, therefore, must be given to the Lord. Gold is a symbol of things divine, and God shows his people that they can gain things divine only by faithfully and joyfully keeping his commandments. (Rev. 12:17; 3:18) The temple class, Jehovah's witnesses, do not slack the hand, but, knowing that God is with them, and that they arc doing his will, they go joyfully onward in his work. The enemies of God and of his kingdom falsely charge that selfish and wicked men furnish the money to carry on the work of the Society in giving the testimony to the kingdom. Not only is that charge false, but it is wicked and malicious. All the gold and the silver are Jehovah's, and he will furnish whatsoever may be needed to carry forward his work.

PEACE AND PROSPERITY

For the encouragement of the builders of the prophetic temple the Lord through his prophet said: "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." (Hag. 2:9) It is even so in this day of the Lord. Jehovah's witnesses see that the temple of God is made up of those who are in Christ and faithful to the end; that Christ Jesus is now at the temple, and that the royal

house is far more glorious than Solomon's temple. With natural eyes the remnant see very little, but with the eye of faith they behold that the kingdom of God is here, and that it is their present privilege to serve the kingdom by telling the people the message of God's truth as commanded.

Peace on earth will never be established by and between the present nations of the earth. 'Peace on earth, and good will toward men' is absolutely certain to come by and through the kingdom of God. When Jesus was born the angelic host of heaven sang: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14) That was a prophecy the fulfilment of which is now beginning. Christ Jesus the King is here and the glory of Jehovah has arisen upon his faithful body members now on the earth, and through his temple royal he will establish peace on earth; and this good news shall come to all men, because the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. One of the titles Jehovah gave to his beloved Son is "The Prince of Peace" whose government now beginning shall never end. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." — Isa. 9: 6,7.

The nations of "Christendom" falsely claim to serve God, and continue to war amongst each other, and

there is no peace even though they continue to cry "Peace, peace". (Jer. 8:11) Chariots are used as symbols of war. Christ Jesus, the great Prince of Peace, will fight for peace and will have it thereafter. The Lord caused Zechariah to prophesy, to wit: "And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he [the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus] shall speak peace unto the heathen [nations]; and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth." (Zech. 9:10) The kingdom of God under Christ will control the entire earth and, as Jehovah says, "in this place [his kingdom] will I give peace," and that will be an everlasting peace.

The people desire prosperity as well as peace; and the false prophets amongst the wicked nations promised to bring prosperity, but they are certain to fail. Another translator renders this text thus: "And in this place will I give prosperity, declareth Jehovah of hosts." (Roth.) Lasting peace and lasting prosperity go hand in hand. No one who loves Jehovah God should now permit himself for even a moment to be deceived into believing that human agencies can bring peace and prosperity to the peoples of the earth. To now even mentally sympathize with the worldly schemes for peace is contrary to the will and purpose of God. The League of Nations is a makeshift, the product of Satan, and a great farce, and God has declared that it shall be of no avail. (Isa. 8: 9-12) Peace between God and man, and between man and man, and between man and beast, shall be fully realized by and through Jehovah's royal house, which was foreshadowed by the temple of Zerubbabel. Let the people

now give heed to the Word of God and from him learn that peace and prosperity are certain to come by and through his kingdom.

Three months and twenty-four days after Haggai began to prophesy he again stood before the elders and the people and addressed them by authority of the Lord God. The time would correspond with our December, which was then the rainy season. (Ezra 10:9-13) Haggai, at the direction of the Lord, put a question to the priests concerning the law by which they must be governed. (Hag. 2:10,11) God's law provided that those serving in the priest's office must put difference between things holy and unholy, and between things clean and unclean. (Lev. 10:10) The question propounded was: "If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No." (Hag. 2:12) The answer of the priests was correct and in accordance with the law.

This prophecy finds its full application at the present time. The priests of so-called "organized Christianity" claim that by some power which they cannot explain, and which power they do not possess, they can turn beefsteak into fish; and by their false claim they thus justify their action in violating their own man-made rule to not eat meat on Friday. Likewise amongst the teachers of God's Word there are those who think themselves so very important that whatever spiritual provender they hand out to the people is good by reason of their own intrinsic virtue. They take themselves too seriously and claim that which they do not possess. They justify themselves

in doing a kind of work in God's name regardless of his commandments. They do not discern between the unclean organization of Satan, the god of this world, and the clean organization of Jehovah God. They claim to be servants of God and yet participate in the things of Satan's organization. No man can serve two masters. Satan and his organization are deadly enemies of God and righteousness. No man can mix up with this world and be pleasing to the Lord. (Jas. 1: 27) No one should feel so self-important as to believe that he can do any kind of work in the name of the Lord and be doing right. God has expressed his will and declared what is the right way to serve him. There is no other way. The lesson that God's people must learn from this is that obedience unto God is that which he requires and that such obedience is far more acceptable than any kind of sacrifice.

Haggai propounded another question: "If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the Lord; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean." (Hag. 2:13,14) This proves that man himself is unclean before the Lord and that the only way to be clean is by reason of the shed blood of Christ Jesus and the approval that comes from God to the creature who exercises faith and obedience. Those who do not serve God and do the work which he has commanded are unclean before him, and this is true regardless of their beautiful robes or holy water or sanctimonious appearance or soft speech. The Jews had been given the

great privilege by the Lord of working on the temple; and for sixteen years they had neglected that work, and were therefore unclean. The people of God were given the great privilege of being his faithful witnesses, to proclaim his message and to declare his vengeance against Satan's organization. Doing any other work in the name of the Lord is contrary to his will, and such works are unclean.

Jehovah's prophet then called upon the Jews to consider and compare the leanness of the sixteen years of their inactivity with the blessings of the Lord they would have after work on the temple was resumed. (Hag. 2:15-18) During the sixteen years of inactivity the Jews feared the wrath of man and attempted to justify themselves by saying it was not time to build the temple. They turned to secular work and the blessings of the Lord were withheld from them. From the very day that the work upon the temple had been resumed the Lord blessed them and Haggai called upon the people to count their blessings from that day.

Then Haggai propounded another question: "Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you." (Hag. 2:19) No seed was then in the barn, because the rainy season was on. It was not the time of harvest, but it was a good time to count the blessings and prove the Lord's favor toward them and what they might have had from the Lord had they been faithful and what they might expect in the future if faithful. These things were written in the prophecy for the admonition of God's people at the present time in order that those who are in the covenant with God

might see and appreciate that their work is in connection with the temple because the kingdom is here. Service by bringing forth the message of God's kingdom not only is their privilege, but is the absolute necessity of every one that will be pleasing to the Lord. (Ps. 29: 9) Jehovah God has blessed his faithful people on earth, particularly since 1922, because it was from that day they awoke to their privileges and duties to advertise the King and kingdom.

GREAT SHAKING

On the same day God commanded Haggai to again appear before the people and prophesy: "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shako the heavens and the earth; and I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen: and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother." (Hag. 2:21,22) In this prophecy God shows his remnant people now on the earth that within a short time he will destroy Satan's organization. The great shaking comes in the early part of the reign of Christ Jesus and after the temple is erected. Before this great trouble comes upon the world Jehovah shows his faithful people what is about to come to pass and what will be the result.

Satan has builded a powerful organization in the earth. The political, commercial and religious elements thereof constitute the powers that rule and oppress the people. "The chariots, and those that ride in them" clearly refers to the military forces and equipment that have grown to such stupendous proportions

that even the worldly rulers would let them go if they could. All such will be completely destroyed at Armageddon. All these wicked forces are now arrayed against God, his kingdom, and his faithful people. The great Builder of the temple, Christ Jesus, who was foreshadowed by Zerubbabel, will lead the assault against the enemy and his forces, and Christ shall be completely victorious.

This prophecy must apply immediately following the completion of the royal house of God, which was, foreshadowed by Zerubbabel's temple. The proof is therefore abundant from the Scriptures, and from the physical facts, that the Lord Jesus Christ must first build up the temple of God before the destruction of Satan's organization; that he has now come to his temple; and that since 1918 he is conducting his judgment first upon those who will be of the house of God, and when it is done, and when all the stones of the great and glorious temple are in place, then will follow the battle of the great day of God Almighty. That will be a fight to a finish and God's Chief Officer will win, and as the "Prince of Peace" he will establish everlasting peace on the earth. With this full assurance God's faithful remnant, his true witnesses, cast all fear to the winds and joyfully and gladly push onward with the work of giving the testimony of the kingdom. This is the reason the faithful continue to go from house to house to bring the truth to the people.

Zerubbabel is a prophetic 'shadow' of Jehovah's 'elect servant in whom he delights', made up of Christ Jesus and those who prove faithful unto death, following in his footsteps. For the encouragement of these faithful witnesses the prophecy of Haggai con-

cludes with these words: "In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet; for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts." (Hag. 2:23) This is further proof that the temple of Zerubbabel was prophetic and that the prophecy has its complete fulfilment 'in that day of war and battle' when the Lord smites the enemy down.  — Ps. 24:8; Rev. 19:11-21.

The building of the temple by the Jews under Zerubbabel foreshadowed the work of God's remnant now on earth working in the organization of Jehovah under Christ. As Satan's agents opposed the prophetic people of God, so now "organized Christianity", claiming to worship God but in fact being the instrument of the Devil, is vigorously opposing the work of God's remnant done in connection with his temple. Satan's wicked agencies employ the Bible as a camouflage to their wicked commercial schemes and at the same time violently accuse Jehovah's witnesses with carrying on a work of commercial selfishness. The enemy attempts to hinder Jehovah's witnesses, causing many of them to be arrested and imprisoned; and the enemy's official magistrate, in the heat of passion, denounces Jehovah God and his kingdom. In due time Jehovah will recompense such. For the encouragement of his faithful witnesses now on earth the Lord says: 'I will take thee, my servant, and make thee as a signet.' This means that Jehovah will give special attention to his "faithful servant" class in that day where we now are. Such action the Lord will take in behalf of his "servant" class that all creation may know that Jehovah is God and that he

has on earth a few who maintain their integrity toward him.

In beautiful symbol the signet ring is used in the prophecy and is placed upon the finger. According to the rendering of the text by Rotherham and Leeser it reads: 'Will place thee [my servant class] as a signet ring on the finger.' Symbolically that says to the "servant" class, the remnant, that they are wholly devoted to God and to his kingdom and will have some part in the vindication of his name. (Ex. 28:11, 36) The signet ring is a mark of identification, a symbol of fidelity. (Gen. 38:18) That would mean that the remnant are identified with Jehovah's organization and have his pledge of fidelity. The signet ring was used also for the sealing of documents. That would signify that the remnant will bear the name of the Lord in the temple. (Rev. 3:12) This seal of the Most High will be further proof that Jehovah is God, and that the "servant" class authoritatively represents him. — Rev. 14:1.

This is further proof that Zerubbabel foreshadowed the royal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. The signet ring's being a symbol of authority shows that the 'elect servant' class is used by Jehovah to bind up and seal the truth: "Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?" (Deut. 32: 34) "Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples." (Isa. 8:16) The remnant being a part of the "servant", Jehovah says to them: "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me."

(Isa. 43:10) It is the faithfulness of the remnant that calls forth the approval of Jehovah. Unselfishly these witnesses follow Christ. Hence Jesus says: "For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God." (John 16:27) Jehovah's name will be vindicated, and those who really love him will be preserved and have a part in exalting the name of the Most High.

The temples built by Solomon, Zerubbabel and Herod have long ago been destroyed, and the glory thereof is for ever gone. Those buildings were prophetic of some greater building that would come in the future. That which is built by imperfect man endures but a short season, and the glory of man and of his works is like that of a fading flower. That which is built by Jehovah God is lasting and for ever reflects his glory and is an honor to his name. The Prophet Ezekiel was given a vision by the Lord God of a great house built upon a very high mountain and a city on the south thereof. Those now on the earth who love God, and who look joyfully for the full sway of the kingdom of righteousness in the earth, will now proceed with the keenest interest to the examination of the temple as seen by Ezekiel, and described in his prophecy, and to the study of the meaning of that vision.