Publication date
5/1/02
Volume
23
Number
9
The WatchTower
Yearly Reckonings--Spiritual Accounts
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1902/9/1902-9-1.html
 
 
 
 
(127-131) 
ZION'S 
WATCH 
TOWER 
ALLJ!CHJ!NY. 
PA. 
step 
in 
the 
divine 
program 
was 
the 
arrangement 
for 
the 
justi­ 
fication 
of 
the 
Gospel 
church-not 
actually, 
but 
by 
faith, 
reckonedly. 
So 
many 
as 
believed, 
so 
many 
as 
accepted 
Jesus, 
were 
reckonedly 
justified-reckonedly 
had 
the 
legal 
curse 
lifted 
from 
them, 
tho 
they 
were 
actually 
allowed 
to 
remain 
under 
the 
w~aknesses 
and 
difficultIes 
resulting 
from 
that 
curse. 
To 
such 
of 
these, 
reckonedly 
justified 
ones, 
as 
made 
full 
consecration 
of 
themselves 
to 
the 
Lord, 
the 
privilege 
was 
granted 
of 
walking 
by 
faIth 
in 
the 
footsteps 
of 
Jesus, 
and 
being 
conformed 
to 
his 
sacrifiCIal 
death 
;-the 
promised 
reward 
for 
this 
being 
a 
share 
in 
the 
Lord's 
glory, 
honor 
and 
immortality. 
But 
not 
until 
the 
last 
member 
of 
this 
elect 
body 
of 
Christ 
shall 
have 
been 
ac­ 
cepted 
as 
faithful 
will 
this 
Gospel 
age 
of 
sacrifice 
terminate. 
(4) 
As 
the 
Apostle 
explaInS, 
the 
Lord 
IS 
reckomng 
that 
the 
various 
members 
of 
the 
body 
of 
Christ 
are 
fillinj.; 
up 
a 
measure 
of 
the 
afflictions 
of 
Christ 
(they 
are 
joined 
with 
him 
in 
the 
atonement 
sacnfice; 
not 
that 
theu 
sacnfice 
could 
have 
been 
acceptable 
with 
God 
at 
all 
without 
that 
of 
their 
Lord 
Jesus, 
but 
that 
they 
are 
acceptable 
to 
God 
through 
and 
under 
the 
merit 
of 
his 
sacrifice). 
"I 
beseech 
you, 
therefore, 
brethren, 
that 
ye 
present 
your 
bodies 
a 
living 
sacrifice, 
holy, 
acc('ptable 
to 
God, 
your 
reasonable 
service." 
(Rom. 
12: 
1) 
When 
the 
church's 
saenfice 
is 
complete 
the 
whole 
work 
of 
suffering 
for 
sin 
ends, 
and 
forthwith 
the 
church 
WIll 
be 
received 
to 
condi­ 
tions 
of 
glory 
with 
her 
Lonl, 
III 
the 
first 
resurrertJOn, 
as 
he 
was 
received 
by 
the 
Father 
from 
the 
dead 
after 
he 
had 
finished 
his 
sacrifice. 
'rhen, 
according 
to 
the 
Scriptures, 
the 
Lord 
will 
appropriate 
on 
behalf 
of 
the 
whole 
human 
family 
so 
much 
of 
the 
merit 
of 
his 
own 
sacrifice, 
and 
of 
the 
entire 
sacrifice 
of 
the 
church, 
as 
Justice 
('oulll 
demantl, 
and 
Justice 
will 
be 
fully 
satisfied 
of 
all 
its 
legal 
claims 
against 
mankind. 
(5) 
As 
a 
result 
of 
such 
a 
legal 
satisfaction 
of 
the 
claims 
of 
Justice, 
early 
in 
the 
Millennial 
day, 
there 
will 
be 
no 
hindrance 
whatever 
to 
prevent 
the 
institution 
of 
the 
restitution 
arrangements 
which 
God 
has 
provided 
in 
Christ 
and 
the 
church, 
and 
of 
which 
all 
the 
holy 
prophets 
have 
spoken 
since 
the 
world 
began.-Acts 
3: 
19-23. 
(6) 
Thus 
seen, 
the 
curse 
or 
condemnation 
for 
Adam's 
sin 
WIll 
be 
no 
more-as 
a 
legal 
sentence 
against 
mankind 
from 
thenceforth 
forever. 
Full 
atonement 
will 
have 
been 
made 
and 
accepted, 
for 
the 
sins 
of 
the 
whole 
world.* 
But 
this 
will 
not 
mean 
that 
the 
effects 
of 
the 
curse 
will 
then 
instantly 
dis­ 
appear; 
just 
as 
if 
a 
man 
imprisoned 
for 
crime 
by 
an 
earthly 
court 
lost 
his 
hair, 
his 
sight, 
his 
hearing, 
and 
in 
general 
his 
entire 
health, 
while 
serving 
out 
the 
imprisonment; 
if 
he 
were 
then 
pardoned 
and 
set 
free 
the 
pardon 
would 
not 
restore 
to 
him 
his 
hair, 
his 
sight, 
his 
hearing, 
all 
his 
health. 
These 
must 
be 
sought 
for 
in 
some 
other 
directlOn. 
Justice 
is 
not 
responsi­ 
ble 
for 
their 
loss, 
and 
has 
nothing 
to 
do 
with 
their 
restoration. 
The 
freeu 
man 
must 
look 
for 
some 
good 
physician. 
Just 
so 
WIth 
the 
race 
and 
its 
release 
from 
the 
sentence--from 
the 
condemnation 
to 
death, 
It 
must 
also 
look 
to 
the 
"Good 
Physician." 
And 
this 
is 
just 
what 
God 
is 
provilling 
for 
the 
world 
in 
the 
glorified 
Christ-a 
wonderful 
and 
faithful 
Prophet, 
Priest 
and 
King-to 
rule 
anu 
blesE! 
and 
uplIft 
the 
redeemeu 
world, 
or 
so 
many 
of 
the 
race 
as 
will 
accept 
his 
Just 
and 
gracious 
terms. 
(7) 
Here, 
then, 
we 
see 
the 
distinctions 
between 
Christ, 
the 
RerleC'IIler, 
and 
Christ, 
the 
Life-giver. 
We 
WC'Te 
redeemed 
by 
the 
saCrifice 
of 
Christ, 
and 
through 
the 
merits 
of 
that 
sacrifice 
all 
WIll 
be 
freed 
from 
the 
condemnation; 
and 
then, 
as 
the 
Life-giver, 
he 
who 
previously 
redeemed 
will 
restore 
as 
many 
as 
will 
acrept 
his 
favors, 
bringing 
them 
[lark 
to 
the 
conditions 
of 
perfection 
from 
which 
they 
fell-back 
to 
a 
con­ 
dItion 
in 
harmony 
with 
their 
Creator, 
and 
thus 
hack 
to 
a 
condition 
of 
at-one-ment 
with 
God 
by 
tt.e 
close 
of 
the 
MilJ('n­ 
nial 
age. 
* 
See 
"Tabernacle 
Shadous 
of 
Better 
Sacrifices" 
VOL. 
XXIII 
ALLEGHENY, 
PA., 
MAY 
I, 
1903 
YEARLY 
RECKONINGS-SPIRITUAL 
ACCOUNTS 
No. 
n 
"Many, 
0 
Lord 
my 
God, 
are 
thy 
wonderful 
works 
which 
thou 
hast 
done, 
a;nd 
thy 
thoughts 
whwh 
are 
to 
1lsward: 
they 
can 
not 
be 
reckoned 
up 
in 
order 
unto 
thee 
j 
if 
I 
would 
declare 
a-nd 
speak 
of 
them, 
they 
are 
more 
than 
can 
be 
numbered."-Psalm 
40 
:5. 
Business 
men 
are 
at 
great 
expense 
to 
secure 
accuracy 
in 
spirit, 
and 
growing 
also 
in 
our 
knowledgc 
anu 
apprC'ciation 
of 
their 
accounts. 
Millions 
of 
dollars 
are 
spent 
every 
year 
in 
the 
Lord 
and 
of 
his 
wonderful 
plan. 
details 
of 
bookkeeping, 
an 
important 
part 
of 
which 
is 
to 
enable 
We 
trust 
that 
each 
reader, 
as 
he 
takes 
a 
conscientious 
vipw 
proprietors 
to 
know 
definitely 
upon 
which 
items 
of 
their 
busi- 
of 
the 
situation, 
whichever 
way 
he 
feels 
that 
the 
balance 
stands 
nes~ 
there 
is 
a 
profit, 
and 
upon 
which 
there 
is 
a 
loss,-to 
the 
(favorable 
or 
unfavorable, 
as 
compared 
with 
a 
year 
ago), 
can 
intent 
that 
the 
profitable 
branches 
may 
be 
increased, 
and 
the 
nevertheless 
thank 
God 
that 
by 
his 
grace 
we 
are 
what 
WC' 
are, 
unprofitable 
ones 
corrected. 
This 
is 
admittedly 
a 
wise 
pro- 
and 
where 
we 
are 
;-still 
his, 
with 
heQffts 
striving 
for 
things 
cedurt'. 
of 
the 
spirit, 
and 
not 
for 
things 
of 
the 
flesh. 
If 
any 
have 
If 
thp 
case 
be 
such 
with 
those 
who 
are 
seeking 
temporal 
slipped 
to 
some 
extent 
backward, 
let 
~uch 
thank 
the 
Lonl 
that 
wealth 
and 
its 
honors, 
how 
much 
more 
careful 
accountmg 
matters 
are 
not 
worse 
than 
they 
are, 
that 
they 
han' 
not 
wholly 
Rhould 
hI' 
attempteu 
in 
connection 
'\1th 
spiritual 
matters! 
let 
go 
of 
his 
hand, 
and 
rellllquished 
their 
share 
in 
the 
pxcecJing 
The 
Lord's 
people 
are 
not 
merely 
seeking 
for 
wealth, 
which 
great 
and 
precious 
promises 
of 
his 
"Vord. 
Let 
tllPJl1 
thank 
will 
la"t 
for 
a 
few 
years, 
and 
then 
must 
be 
parted 
with-at 
God 
that 
this 
day 
of 
reckoning 
and 
reviewing 
of 
aC'rounts 
finds 
the 
tomb, 
If 
not 
sooner 
;-they 
are 
seeking 
for 
the 
riches 
which 
them 
de'lirous 
of 
being 
on 
the 
Lord's 
side, 
and 
nwkinli 
a 
better 
pell~h 
not, 
and 
which 
thieves 
do 
not 
break 
into 
and 
steal. 
record 
during 
the 
year 
before 
us. 
Let 
us 
look 
togetlwr 
at 
our 
:l\'lore 
than 
this, 
with 
the 
heavenly 
riches 
they 
are 
assuredly 
text, 
and 
see 
if 
we 
cannot 
join 
heartily 
with 
the 
Prop!tC't 
in 
sepkinli 
al~o 
heavenly 
honors 
and 
glorics-even 
joint-ht'irship 
the 
sentiment 
expressed. 
He 
divides 
tllP 
subject 
into 
two 
parts: 
with 
the 
King 
of 
kingB 
and 
Lord 
of 
lords, 
in 
the 
Millennial 
(1) 
Thankfulness 
to 
God 
for 
his 
wonderful 
work 
of 
lirace 
KingdonI, 
and 
in 
the 
glorious 
opportuniticB 
which 
it 
will 
bring 
already 
done 
or 
accomplished; 
and 
(2) 
for 
his 
thoughts: 
hIS 
in 
connC'ction 
with 
the 
promised 
blessing 
of 
all 
the 
families 
of 
plans, 
his 
purposes, 
toward 
us, 
which 
are 
not 
yet 
accompb~hcd 
thc 
('al 
tho 
allll 
which 
we 
have 
grasped 
by 
his 
promiRes, 
with 
(lUI' 
arms 
The 
general 
settlement 
day 
with 
the 
world 
is 
at 
the 
close 
of 
faith, 
of 
the 
0111 
year, 
and 
the 
beginning 
of 
a 
new 
ont', 
but 
with 
the 
Looking 
back 
at 
the 
things 
that 
God 
already 
hRR 
done 
for 
phm 
ch 
Rn 
equRlly 
appropriate 
occasion, 
or, 
indeed, 
a 
still 
more 
Ug, 
we 
spe 
that 
the 
Prophpt 
has 
defined 
some 
of 
thest'. 
Baying, 
appropriatt' 
one, 
comes 
with 
the 
annual 
r('Jl1embranct'r 
of 
our 
"He 
brought 
me 
up 
Rlso 
out 
of 
an 
horrible 
pit, 
and 
out 
of 
the 
Lord's 
death 
as 
our 
Pasgover 
Lamb--Rnd 
of 
our 
participation 
miry 
clay, 
and 
set 
my 
feet 
upon 
a 
rock 
~nd 
esta?lished 
my 
with 
him 
in 
his 
sacrifice: 
and 
in 
the 
Easter 
celphration 
of 
his 
goings." 
(Verse 
2) 
If 
we 
eRn 
apply 
thIS 
heartily 
to 
our­ 
resurrection, 
and 
of 
our 
figurative 
rising 
with 
him 
to 
walk 
in 
selves, 
what 
a 
cause 
it 
is 
for 
thankfulness. 
As 
we 
look 
about 
newnes~ 
of 
hfe--in 
prospt'ct 
of 
the 
actual 
resurrection 
in 
which, 
us 
and 
see 
the 
whole 
world 
lying 
in 
the 
Wicked 
One, 
without 
if 
faithful, 
we 
shall 
be 
changed 
in 
a 
moment, 
in 
the 
twinkling 
God 
and 
having 
no 
real 
hope,-merely 
vague 
impresslOns-and 
of 
an 
eye, 
to 
be 
like 
Our 
glorious 
Redeemer, 
to 
see 
him 
as 
be 
when 
we 
look 
back 
and 
see 
how 
the 
Lord 
has 
delivered 
us 
from 
is, 
and 
to 
share 
his 
glory. 
the 
horrible 
pit 
of 
condemnation 
and 
sin, 
how 
he 
has 
had 
Let 
us 
see 
how 
our 
spiritual 
accounts 
stand 
for 
the 
year 
mercy 
upon 
us 
Rnd 
delivered 
us, 
and 
established 
our 
fret 
of 
past-since 
last 
we 
broke 
together 
the 
emblems 
of 
our 
Re- 
faith 
upon 
the 
rock 
foundation, 
Christ 
and 
his 
redemptive 
deemer's 
sacrifice 
and 
of 
our 
own 
participation 
with 
him. 
Let 
work, 
well 
may 
we 
give 
thanks, 
and 
tell 
his 
merries 
all 
abroad. 
us 
note 
whether 
or 
not 
the 
year's 
experiences 
hRve 
brought 
us 
Looking 
back 
we 
may 
see 
that 
happy 
day 
that 
fixed 
our 
choice 
nearer 
to 
the 
Lord, 
or 
have 
in 
any 
measure 
separated 
us 
from 
upon 
our 
Saviour 
and 
our 
God, 
as 
being 
the 
time 
from 
which 
the 
warmth 
of 
his 
love 
and 
fellowship, 
and 
from 
fellowship 
our 
goings 
have 
been 
established,--our 
courSe 
no 
longer 
vacil­ 
with 
fellow 
members 
of 
his 
body. 
Every 
year 
should 
find 
us 
lating. 
It 
was 
there 
that 
we 
obtained 
a 
fixed 
purpose, 
a 
nearer 
to 
the 
Lord, 
not 
only 
in 
the 
purposes 
of 
our 
heRrts, 
but 
b:;J1ast 
which 
.ha'l 
hindert'd 
us 
f~om 
b~ing 
upset 
.when 
tossed, 
in 
the 
conduct 
of 
our 
lives,-nearer 
to 
the 
perfect 
standard. 
hIther 
and 
thIther, 
by 
the 
varyIng 
wmds 
of 
phIlosophy 
and 
We 
should 
be 
making 
progress. 
growing 
in 
all 
the 
graces 
of 
thp 
human 
speculation. 
PrRise 
God 
for 
this 
which 
he 
already 
ha~ 
[3000] 
(127-131) step in the divine program was the arrangement for the justification of the Gospel churech—not actually, but by faith, reckonedly. So many as believed, 80 many as accepted Jesus, were reckonedly justified—reckonedly had the legal curse lifted from them, tho they were actually allowed to remain under the weaknesses and difficulties resulting from that curse. To such of these, reckonedly justified ones, as made full consecration of themselves to the Lord, the privilege was granted of walking by faith in the footsteps of Jesus, and being conformed to his sacrificial death;—the promised reward for this being a share in the Lord’s glory, honor and immortality. But not until the last member of this elect body of Christ shall have been accepted as faithful will this Gospel age of sacrifice terminate. (4) As the Apostle explains, the Lord 1s reckoning that the various members of the body of Christ are filling up a measure of the afflictions of Christ (they are joined with him in the atonement sacrifice; not that their sacrifice could have been acceptable with God at all without that of their Lord Jesus, but that they are acceptable to God through and under the merit of his sacrifice). “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, your reasonable service.” (Rom, 12:1) When the church’s sacrifice is complete the whole work of suffering for sin ends, and forthwith the church will be received to conditions of glory with her Lord, in the first resurrection, as he was received by the Father from the dead after he had finished his sacrifice. Then, according to the Scriptures, the Lord will appropriate on behalf of the whole human family so much of the merit of his own sacrifice, and of the entire sacrifice of the church, as Justice could demand, and Justice will be fully satisfied of all its legal claims against mankind. (5) As a result of such a legal satisfaction of the claims of Justice, early in the Millennial day, there will be no hindrance whatever to prevent the institution of the restitution Vou. XXIII YEARLY RECKONINGS—SPIRITUAL ACCOUNTS ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa. arrangements which God has provided in Christ and the church, and of which all the holy prophets have spoken since the world began.—Acts 3:19-23. (6) Thus seen, the curse or condemnation for Adam’s sin will be no more—as a legal sentence against mankind from thenceforth forever. Full atonement will have been made and accepted, for the sins of the whole world.* But this will not mean that the effects of the curse will then instantly disappear; just as if a man imprisoned for crime by an earthly court lost his hair, his sight, his hearing, and in general his entire health, while serving out the imprisonment; if he were then pardoned and set free the pardon would not restore to him his hair, his sight, his hearing, all his health. These must be sought for in some other direction. Justice is not responsible for their loss, and has nothing to do with their restoration. The freed man must look for some good physician. Just so with the race and its release from the sentence—from the condemnation to death. It must also look to the “Good Physician.” And this is just what God is providing for the world in the glorified Christ—a wonderful and faithful Prophet, Priest and King—-to rule and bless and uphft the redeemed world, or so many of the race as will accept his just and gracious terms. (7) Here, then, we see the distinctions between Christ, the Redeemer, and Christ, the Life-giver. We were redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, and through the merits of that sacrifice all will be freed from the condemnation; and then, as the Life-giver, he who previously redeemed will restore as many as will accept his favors, bringing them hack to the conditions of perfection from which they fell—back to a condition in harmony with their Creator, and thus hack to a condition of at-one-ment with God by tke close of the Millennial age. * See “Tabernacle Shadous of Better Sacrifices” ALLEGHENY, PA., MAY 1, 1902 No. 9 “Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to usward: they can not be reckoned up in order unto thee; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”—Psalm 40:5. Business men are at great expense to secure accuracy in their accounts. Millions of dollars are spent every year in details of bookkeeping, an important part of which is to enable proprietors to know definitely upon which items of their business there is a profit, and upon which there is a loss,—to the intent that the profitable branches may be increased, and the unprofitable ones corrected. This is admittedly a wise procedure. Tf the case be such with those who are seeking temporal wealth and its honors, how much more careful accounting should be attempted in connection with spiritual matters! The Lord’s people are not merely seeking for wealth, which will last for a few years, and then must be parted with—at the tomb, 1f not sooner ;—they are seeking for the riches which perish not, and which thieves do not break into and steal. More than this, with the heavenly riches they are assuredly secking also heavenly honors and glorics—even joint-heirship with the King of kings and Lord of lords, in the Millennial Kingdom, and in the glorious opportunities which it will bring in connection with the promised blessing of all the families of the earth. The gencral settlement day with the world is at the close of the old year, and the beginning of a new one, but with the church an equally appropriate occasion, or, indeed, a still more appropriate one, comes with the annual remembrancer of our Lord’s death as our Passover Lamb—and of our participation with him in his sacrifice; and in the Easter celebration of his resurrection, and of our figurative rising with him to walk in newness of life—in prospect of the actual resurrection in which, if faithful, we shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, to be like our glorious Redeemer, to see him as he is, and to share his glory. Let us see how our spiritual accounts stand for the year past—since last we broke together the emblems of our Redeemer’s sacrifice and of our own participation with him. Let us note whether or not the year’s experiences have brought us nearer to the Lord, or have in any measure separated us from the warmth of his love and fellowship, and from fellowship with fellow members of his body. Every year should find us nearer to the Lord, not only in the purposes of our hearts, but in the conduct of our lives,—nearer to the perfect standard. We should be making progress, growing in all the graces of the spirit, and growing also in our knowledge and appreciation of the Lord and of his wonderful plan. We trust that each reader, as he takes a conscientious view of the situation, whichever way he feels that the balance stands (favorable or unfavorable, as compared with a year ago), can nevertheless thank God that by his grace we are what we are, and where we are;—still his, with hearts striving for things of the spirit, and not for things of the flesh. If any have slipped to some extent backward, let such thank the Lord that matters are not worse than they are, that they have not wholly let go of his hand, and relinquished their share in the exceeding great and precious promises of his Word. Let them thank God that this day of reckoning and reviewing of accounts finds them desirous of being on the Lord’s side, and making a better record during the year before us. Let us look together at our text, and see if we cannot join heartily with the Prophet in the sentiment expressed. He divides the subject into two parts: (1) Thankfulness to God for his wonderful work of grace already done or accomplished; and (2) for his thoughts, his plans, his purposes, toward us, which are not yet accomplished and which we have grasped by his promises, with our arms of faith. Looking back at the things that God already has done for us, we see that the Prophet has defined some of these. saying, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, and ont of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings.” (Verse 2) If we can apply this heartily to ourselves, what a cause it is for thankfulness. As we look about us and see the whole world lying in the Wicked One, without God and having no real hope,—merely vague impressions—and when we look back and see how the Lord has delivered us from the horrible pit of condemnation and sin, how he has had mercy upon us and delivered us, and established our feet of faith upon the rock foundation, Christ and his redemptive work, well may we give thanks, and tell his mercies all abroad. Looking back we may see that happy day that fixed our choice upon our Saviour and our God, as being the time from which our goings have been established,—our course no longer vacillating. It was there that we obtained a fixed purpose, a ballast which has hindered us from being upset when tossed, hither and thither, by the varying winds of philosophy and human speculation. Praise God for this which he already has [3000]

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