Watchtower "Birth of a Nation" article (page 2)

PART 3/3

60 Brother Russell says that the 144,000 is a literal number.-Z 1880-5; Z 1901-94.

61 If we find that almost all of the numbers of Revelation are properly interpreted as literal, why
should we conclude that the days mentioned in the twelfth chapter are symbolic, and stretch them
out over so many years? If we find that the physical facts are in harmony with a literal 1260 days,
would this not be strong corroborative proof that the Lord intended the number to be taken as
literal?

SOME FACTS

62 The Lord has usually used some one or more persons in a representative capacity to point out
some important features of his work in connection with his people. Without seeming egotistical,
and not intending to assume too much, we suggest that the officers of the SOCIETY, used of the
Lord in a representative capacity, may be used to represent his people. The personnel makes no
difference. The question is, does the Lord use them? He must use some one. God sets the
members in the Body as it pleaseth him. (1 Corinthians 12:18) When one is set in the Body, that
one's personality counts for nothing. It is the office in the Body, or place, that is to be
considered, and the representative capacity in which the Lord may use the one in that office or
place.

63 Proceeding then upon this theory: When the officers of the SOCIETY were imprisoned and
the headquarters dismantled and removed, and all relationship between the home office and the
offices in the foreign countries was severed and the work stopped, throughout America in
particular, the clergy of the land, being visible representatives of the devil and therefore
reflecting the devil's views, thought that the SOCIETY and its work were done. Their father
thought the same thing. (John 8:44) Again we emphasize the fact that from 1874 to 1918 there
was scarcely any persecution of the Church. The severe persecution took place after Satan was
hurled out of heaven. When he got the Lord's representatives into his own prison, he doubtless
concluded that he need give little or no attention to them any more, but that he would give
attention to the things of this world, and particularly the organization of his own forces to hold
them intact.

64 0n the 26th day of March, 1919, the SOCIETY'S officers were released from prison; and late
of the same evening many of the consecrated assembled at Bethel and other places on the earth to
give praise to God and to our Lord Jesus Christ. The next day, the 27th of March, plans began to
be laid to reorganize the work. This did not escape Satan, but doubtless angered him. He and his
earthly agencies would have without question destroyed the remnant of Zion on earth, but were
prevented from so doing by the Lord's gracious providences.

65 This date, as above stated, marks the flight of the woman into the wilderness, where the Lord
by his providences fed and nourished her. Not very much work was done for some time aside
from reorganizing the work by the brethren, and the strengthening of each other. God so shielded
and hedged his Church round about that the serpent, the dragon, or the devil's organization, could
not reach the woman (Zion, God's organization). "And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as
a flood, after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood."-Verse 15.

66 The water, or flood, here symbolizes teachings or doctrines sent forth amongst the people.
Since the devil could not reach the Church, he purposed now to overwhelm her influence by the
false doctrines that he would send amongst the people. Be it noted that from 1919 forward there
was a great flood of Modernism amongst nominal Christendom. There was an open advocacy by
ecclesiastics, big business and politicians of the devil's scheme, the League of Nations, the
evident
purpose being to divert the minds of the people from the testimony concerning God's kingdom.
Various plans for peace and reconstruction were brought forth to attract the attention of the
people; and these things so absorbed the attention, particularly of the ruling factors, that little
heed was given to the Lord's people and what they were doing. "The earth helped the woman,
and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his
mouth."

67 Otherwise stated, the earth absorbed this great flood of false teachings that the devil sent
forth; while at the same time many of the common people were getting the scales removed from
their eyes, and the Lord overruled Satan's effort for the benefit of the Church.

68 The organization went on until it was more thoroughly perfected than at any time prior
thereto.

69 Now take your pencil and count 1260 literal days from the date of releasing of the
SOCIETY'S officers from prison and see what we find. Since the release was effective at the
close of the 26th day of March, 1919, by their being admitted to bail and released from the
custody of the officers of Satan's organization, the time must count then from the day following;
namely, March 27.

March 27, 1919 to March 31, 1919 inclusive, 5 days
April 1, 1919 to Sept. 7, 1919 inclusive, 160 days
September 7, 1919 to September 8, 1922, 1095 days
Total...........................1260 days

70 Did anything happen on the 8th of September, 1922? At that time the Cedar Point
Convention was in session. The 8th day of September was designated on the program as "THE
DAY". We quote from THE WATCH TOWER, November 1st, 1922, pages 331-332:

71 "Friday, September 8, was designated on the program as 'The Day'. It was thus designated
because on that day the speakers discussed the subject of the Lord's presence and of his kingdom,
now being put into operation, as the most important thing to both the Church and the world. At 9
o'clock was a praise service; and at 9:30 Brother Rutherford delivered a discourse on the subject,
'The Kingdom'. Previous to this time, large banners had been hung in different parts of the
grounds and halls containing the letters, A D V. Many of the friends were guessing, of course,
what this meant; and the guesses were diverse and numerous. The real purpose of these banners
was to fix the minds of the brethren upon the importance of the day.

72 "A large banner, thirty-six feet in length, in three colors, had been made by the SOCIETY'S
artist, and was strung above the speaker's stand and so folded that it could not be determined
what was on it until the psychological moment. Brother Rutherford's address concluded with the
words: 'Advertise, advertise, advertise the King and the kingdom.' When he was repeating these
words, the strings holding the banner were cut; and it gracefully unfolded before the audience,
containing these same words: 'Advertise the King and the Kingdom.' In the middle of the banner
was a large picture of the Lord.

73 "The friends received this with great enthusiasm, and took it as the keynote of the convention
that the real privilege and duty of the consecrated now on earth is to advertise the presence of the
Lord, the great King of kings, and that his kingdom is here, and that this is the most important
thing for them to do and the most necessary thing for them to do in order to prove their love and
loyalty to the Lord. Each one present was thoroughly impressed with the fact that the obligation
is laid upon every one of the consecrated from this time forward to act as a publicity agent for the
King and the kingdom."

74 When John the Baptist began his ministry he advertised the King, the Lord Jesus. The
miracles performed by the Lord himself were for the purpose of emphasizing his presence,
therefore advertising the kingdom. Now the King of Glory is present, and has taken unto himself
his power and reigns. It is the great privilege of the body members this side the vail to advertise
the great King and his kingdom, to announce the glad tidings of great joy. It is their privilege to
bring the good tidings to the world, to publish the message of peace, to bring to all mankind the
good tidings of good, and to publish God's plan of salvation and to say unto those who have
looked for the Lord: "Thy God reigneth!" We suggest a careful rereading of that discourse.

75 Here it was exactly 1260 days to the very day that the remnant of God's people yet on earth
boldly and joyfully declared their unqualified allegiance to the Lord and his kingdom, and began
the most aggressive campaign that has ever been in the earth against Satan's empire, and to
advertise the King and his kingdom.

76 On the same 8th day of September, 1922, following the discourse delivered by the President
of the SOCIETY calling on the Church to begin the campaign, Brother Hemery, of the London
office, delivered a discourse before the same body of Christians from the text: "This is the day
which the Lord bath made we will rejoice and be glad in it."-Psalm 118: 24; Z 1922-337-338.

77 Particular attention is called to the last two paragraphs of Brother Hemery's discourse:

78 "But that our work is not finished is clear. Still there must be the shout of Hosanna! half
prayer, half praise: 'Save, Lord, we beseech thee.' Our joy is that of those who have the leader in
the camp."

79 "The Church is now entering into an experience which corresponds with the Lord's entry into
Jerusalem. The last witness is about to be given against the iniquitous teachings and practices of
the leaders of Christendom, and as to the triumph of Messiah. And our joy is like that of the
disciples going in with the Master to the last phases of his work. We are confident as he was
confident; and under him we go forward to our work in gladness of heart, and saying as in verse
27, 'God is the Lord, which hath showed us light'-his way, his plan, his purposes; and still we say
with the Psalmist:
'Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.'

80 The program was not fixed arbitrarily. The ones who fixed it did not see the significance of it
until about two years afterwards.

81 The kingdom of the Lord and its glorious King and his faithful adherents are hated by the
devil. There was a remnant of the nation of Israel. The Scriptures clearly show there is a remnant
of spiritual Israel on earth after the Lord takes unto himself his power to reign.

82 Note then, the 17th verse reads: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to
make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ."

83 From that very day forward, to wit: September 8th, 1922, the close of the 1260 days, "the
dragon was wroth with the woman [Zion, God's organization, that gives birth to the nation], and
went [began to prepare] to make war with the remnant of her seed [the remaining consecrated,
anointed ones of Zion on the earth], which keep the commandments of God, and which have the
testimony of Jesus Christ," and who joyfully give testimony concerning the kingdom. Satan was
awake to the fact that there is this remnant of Zion, the seed of the woman: and against such he
goes forth to make war.
There it was that Satan began to marshall his forces for Armageddon, in which fight he will make
a desperate attempt to destroy from the earth all who keep God's commandments and who hold to
the testimony of Jesus Christ.

84 From that day forward there has been the greatest witness for the King and his kingdom ever
given and on the witness goes, by the grace of the Lord God and the Captain of the Lord's army.

85 Mark you, it will be against those who keep the Lord's commandments that Satan will make
war; and they that keep the commandments will be proclaiming the message of the kingdom. If
he can turn aside any by inducing them to do nothing or to speak bitter words against their
brethren, he thereby captures them, and does not need to further fight against them. This is
another conclusive proof that activity is now essential to approval of the Lord. Such keep the
testimony of Jesus Christ.

86 To recapitulate, stating the points in the chronological order as we believe they have
transpired in fulfilment of this prophecy, we find the following to be the facts:

87 From 1878 to 1914 the people of Zion were expecting the birth of the new nation. At the
same time the dragon stood by, waiting to devour whatsoever was born. In 1914 the birth of the
nation occurred. In 1914 the war in heaven began, and Satan and his official family were thrown
out of heaven. In 1918, after Satan recovered from his dazed condition, be set about to persecute
the members of the Church on earth. In 1918 he caused the imprisonment of the officers of the
SOCIETY and others. On March 26th, 1919, these were released from prison; and the Church
(representing the woman) there fled into the wilderness for 1260 literal days. From March 27th,
1919, to September 8th, 1922, inclusive was exactly 1260 days, at the end of which period the
remnant of the Church on earth makes a bold proclamation of its allegiance to the King and his
kingdom, and announces its determination to begin and press the fight against Satan's empire
until it is excluded from the earth.

WAR TO A FINISH

88 Make no mistake by treating this war as a light or trivial thing. Satan will use ever
conceivable method to destroy the remnant of Zion. He will turn some of the brethren against
others; he will use some to slander and misrepresent their brethren and thereby become bitter of
heart; he will turn some to the Judas class; he will attempt to cause sorrow and woe and thereby
destroy the peace of mind and heart of some; he will cause some to mourn and others to become
indifferent, dull, inactive and fearful.

89 Remember, it will be our privilege, each and every one who is of Zion, to valiantly fight for
the cause of our King by proclaiming his message, which he has given us to proclaim. It will be
the privilege of the stronger ones to help their brethren by giving them beauty for ashes, the oil of
joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

90 The fight is on to a finish. Steady now; and courage, dear brethren. Falter not in the onward
march. Blow your trumpets in Zion; from the battlement of Zion sing aloud the message of the
King and his kingdom. Lift up your lamps of truth; for "ye are the light of the world" shining in a
dark place. Sing out: "The sword of Jehovah" and of his beloved Son, the antitypical Gideon.
"Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee."

91 What a wonderful honor it is to be in the front ranks of the battle now against Satan and his
hordes!

92 Let us remember that this is the battle of the Lord against the devil and his forces. Previously
he has thrown the devil out of heaven: now the battle is to exclude him and his forces from the
earth, that they may deceive the people no more. We need not fear, because we are safe in the
hollow of God's hand.-Isaiah 51:16.

93 What a blessed privilege to fight the forces of darkness when we know that we can not be hurt
if we remain close to the Lord!

94 The new nation is born. Its glory shall fill the whole earth. The kingdom of heaven is here.
The day of deliverance is in sight. Let this good news be heralded to the peoples of earth. Victory
is with our
King. Faithful now to the end of the war; and we shall forever bask in the sunshine of his love,
where
there is fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore.

QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY

- a person can not agree with a WATCH TOWER article- what should he do? para. 1.

Is the twelfth chapter of Revelation prophecy? What are safe rules to follow? When did "Gentile
times" close? para. 2-5.

What is the antitypical temple? What is said to have taken place in 1918? What are the evidences
of increased "voices" in 1923 and 1924? para. 6-9.

What is the outstanding feature of the divine plan? What has been the opposing power? para. 10-13.

What does the "woman" in question symbolize? How was she clothed? How does she walk? para.
14-16.

For what have the anointed ones been waiting? How do the physical facts fit the prophecy? para.
17-19.

What was the other "wonder" that appeared? How was it bedecked? para. 20-21.

Who are the third part of the stars? What did the woman deliver? para. 22-25, 27, 28.

Is It an unusual thing to speak of the "birth of a nation"? para. 26.

When was the devil cast out of heaven? para.30-38.

Where are Satan and his official family? Who are specially in danger? para. 39-42.

What is a further proof that Satan was not cast out of heaven before Jesus began his reign? With
what power do the saints overcome? para. 43-48.

When Satan found he was hurled out of rulership, with whom was he wroth? And what took
place amongst the Lords people? para. 49-52.

What Is the date of the "fleeing of the woman"? What does "wilderness" signify? What do
"wings" mean? para. 53-57, 63-65.

Are numbers in Revelation to be taken literally or symbolically? para. 58-61.

How does the Lord get information to his people concerning important impending events? para. 62.

What does "flood" symbolize? What was the devil's scheme? What became of the flood? para.
66-68.

From what date to what date do the 1260 days extend? para. 69.

What took place September 8th, 1922? How was the day specially marked by Bible Students?
Quote parts of two discourses given that day. para. 70-79.

Who is it that hates the Lord's people? Why is activity essential to victory? para. 80-85.

What are the outstanding points to be noticed? para. 86-87.

Should we treat the present warfare in a trivial manner? What is the privilege of the stronger ones
in Zion? para. 88-93.

Finally, is the new nation, the new kingdom, here? para. 94.

Edited by - Nathan Natas on 11 November 2002 15:56:48

Watchtower "Birth of a Nation" article

Nathan Natas

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