Publication date
1/1/07
Volume
28
Number
1
The WatchTower
1907--Our Year Text--1907
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1907/1/1907-1-1.html
VOL. 
XXVIII 
ALLEGHENY, 
PA., 
JANUARY 
1, 
1907 
1907-0UR 
YEAR 
TEXT-1907 
No.1 
Our 
book 
of 
"Daily 
Heavenly 
Manna" 
is 
evidently 
being 
greatly 
used 
of 
the 
Lord 
for 
the 
blessing 
of 
the 
household 
of 
faith. 
The 
bringing 
thus 
of 
a 
morsel 
of 
meat 
from 
the 
store­ 
house 
of 
truth, 
with 
a 
comment 
upon 
it, 
at 
the 
beginning 
of 
each 
day, 
is 
evidently 
tending 
toward 
the 
strengthening 
of 
the 
new 
nature, 
the 
new 
mind, 
by 
continually 
directin~ 
it 
in 
the 
ways 
marked 
out 
in 
the 
Lord 
's 
Word. 
Additionally 
our 
year-texts 
are 
helpful, 
as 
tending 
to 
remind 
us 
along 
the 
lines 
of 
onr 
general 
duty, 
as 
the 
daily 
texts 
refresh 
us 
and 
strengthen 
us 
along 
particular 
lines. 
We 
have 
had 
this 
in 
mind 
in 
the 
choosing 
of 
this 
text, 
and 
believe 
it 
to 
be 
one 
the 
frequent 
consideration 
of 
which 
will 
be 
profitable-llnd 
the 
value 
of 
all 
these 
spiritual 
refreshments 
is 
enhanced 
by 
the 
realization 
that 
the 
minds, 
the 
hearts, 
of 
the 
Lord's 
people 
everywhere 
are 
being 
similarly 
stirred 
and 
refreshed 
along 
the 
same 
lines. 
As 
announced 
in 
a 
previous 
issue 
we 
have 
this 
year's 
texts 
in 
large 
supply, 
very 
elegantly 
gotten 
up 
and 
at 
a 
trifling 
cost, 
so 
that 
none 
need 
do 
without 
them-none 
need 
be 
deprived 
of 
this 
help 
and 
encouragement. 
Desiring 
that 
every 
reader 
of 
this 
journal 
should 
have 
the 
comfort 
and 
profit 
of 
this 
means 
of 
grace-this 
assistance 
in 
the 
narrow 
way-we 
have 
made 
the 
prices 
extremely 
low, 
simply 
to 
cover 
cost, 
but 
additionally 
now 
propose 
that 
if 
there 
be 
any 
of 
you 
who 
cannot 
afford 
to 
purchase 
we 
will 
take 
pleasure 
in 
supplying 
you 
without 
charge: 
that 
thus 
we 
may 
assist 
in 
washing 
the 
feet 
of 
the 
Lord's 
disciples-assist 
in 
cleansing 
them 
from 
earthly 
de­ 
filements 
and 
thus 
in 
preparing 
them 
for 
the 
heavenly 
courts. 
TO 
WHOM 
IS 
OUR 
TEXT 
APPLICABLE 
The 
Apostle 
does 
not 
address 
the 
world, 
however 
morally 
well 
disposed 
they 
may 
be. 
N 
one 
has 
an 
interest 
in 
the 
things 
above 
unless 
first 
of 
all 
he 
has 
heard 
of 
Jesus 
as 
the 
Redeemer, 
renounced 
sin 
and 
fled 
to 
the 
Savior 
for 
refuge-justification. 
He 
must 
have 
gone 
even 
further 
than 
this 
to 
have 
an 
interest 
in 
the 
things 
above: 
he 
must 
have 
consecrated 
his 
justified 
life, 
presenting 
it 
a 
living 
sacrifice 
to 
the 
Lord 
(Rom. 
12: 
1), 
and 
been 
accepted 
of 
the 
Lord 
and 
been 
begotten 
again 
of 
the 
holy 
Spirit, 
and 
thus 
have 
started 
his 
experiences 
as 
a 
spirit 
being-a 
"new 
creature" 
in 
Christ 
Jesus. 
It 
is 
well 
for 
us 
to 
have 
continually 
in 
mind 
the 
sharp 
distinction 
which 
the 
Scriptures 
draw 
as 
between 
the 
natural 
man 
and 
the 
new 
creature. 
The 
natural 
man, 
however 
well 
disposed, 
is 
of 
the 
earth 
earthy. 
This 
does 
not 
signify 
that 
he 
must 
be 
sensual, 
degraded, 
devilish; 
for, 
on 
the 
contrary, 
some 
natural 
men 
have 
very 
fine 
characters 
indeed, 
considering 
that 
they 
are 
sharers 
with 
all 
of 
mankind 
in 
the 
degradation 
of 
the 
fall. 
Adam 
thus 
was 
a 
natural 
man 
in 
his 
perfection, 
in 
the 
image 
of 
God. 
He 
could 
not 
set 
his 
affections 
on 
things 
above, 
for 
he 
had 
no 
revelation 
respecting 
them, 
no 
hopes 
or 
prospects 
centered 
there. 
His 
interests, 
in 
harmony 
with 
his 
nature, 
were 
earthly. 
So 
it 
will 
be 
also 
in 
the 
future 
age. 
While 
mankind 
under 
the 
blessings 
of 
restitution 
will 
be 
re­ 
stored 
to 
the 
full 
perfection 
of 
human 
nature 
lost 
through 
Adam, 
redeemed 
by 
the 
precious 
blood 
of 
Christ 
(Acts 
3: 
19­ 
21), 
although 
they 
will 
he 
reverencing 
the 
heavenly 
laws, 
mes­ 
sages, 
authorities, 
they 
will, 
properly 
enough, 
be 
giving 
their 
thought 
and 
attention 
largely 
to 
earthly 
things-appreciating 
especially 
the 
restitution 
blessings, 
privileges, 
opportunities 
that 
will 
then 
be 
afforded 
them. 
THE 
CHRISTIAN'S 
CONFLICT 
It 
is 
because 
the 
Lord 
has 
called 
us 
out 
of 
the 
world 
to 
constitute 
the 
new 
creation, 
his 
"body," 
his 
"Bride," 
to 
share 
with 
him 
his 
spiritual, 
heavenly 
glories 
and 
honors, 
therefore 
we 
should 
ever 
keep 
this 
in 
mind 
and 
strive 
for 
these 
things, 
for 
"even 
hereunto 
were 
ye 
called. 
"-1 
Pet. 
2: 
21. 
Called 
to 
"glory, 
honor 
and 
immortality," 
it 
remains 
for 
us 
to 
make 
this 
oolling 
and 
election 
sure. 
(Rom. 
2: 
7; 
2 
Pet. 
1 
: 
10) 
. 
Again 
he 
reminds 
us, 
"Let 
us 
f 
ear 
lest 
a 
promise 
having 
been 
left 
us 
of 
entering 
into 
his 
rest 
[the 
heavenly 
rest] 
any 
of 
you 
should 
seem 
to 
come 
short 
of 
it. 
"-Heb. 
4: 
1. 
The 
Apostle 
forewarns 
us 
that 
we 
must 
not 
forget 
that, 
although 
we 
are 
reckoned 
by 
the 
Lord 
and 
by 
ourselves 
and 
by 
the 
brethren 
as 
dead 
according 
to 
the 
flesh 
and 
alive 
ac­ 
cording 
to 
the 
spirit, 
nevertheless 
we 
have 
this 
treasure 
of 
the 
new 
life 
in 
the 
earthen 
vessel, 
which 
is 
only 
reckoned 
dead, 
but 
which 
really 
is 
very 
much 
alive 
and 
constitutrs 
our 
chief 
enemy. 
Not 
that 
we 
have 
two 
wills 
and 
are 
thus 
double­ 
minded 
(Jas. 
1:8). 
Thank 
God, 
No! 
We 
have 
only 
the 
one 
will, 
and 
it 
is 
fully 
devoted 
to 
the 
Lord 
according 
to 
the 
terms 
of 
its 
consecration. 
But 
this 
one 
new 
will 
can 
not 
have 
its 
new 
body 
until 
it 
proves 
itself 
worthy 
of 
it, 
and 
then 
will 
gain 
it 
as 
a 
reward 
in 
the 
resurrection. 
Meantime 
the 
con­ 
flict 
is 
on 
between 
the 
nrw 
"ill 
(which 
has 
no 
body 
of 
its 
own 
kind) 
and 
the 
old 
flesh 
(which 
has 
no 
will 
of 
its 
own 
kind). 
In 
order 
to 
be 
a 
conqurror 
the 
new 
will 
must 
struggle 
with 
the 
old 
flesh, 
and 
by 
the 
Lord's 
assistance 
keep 
it 
under, 
in 
subjection 
until 
the 
end 
of 
the 
course, 
until 
literally 
dead. 
The 
Apostle 
assures 
us 
that 
in 
proportion 
as 
the 
new 
mind, 
the 
new 
creature, 
grows 
on 
the 
spiritual 
food, 
the 
promises 
of 
the 
Lord's 
Word-in 
proportion 
as 
it 
affiliates 
with 
other 
new 
creatures 
and 
is 
thus 
strengthened 
and 
sustained 
by 
the 
holy 
spirit 
granted 
to 
all 
such, 
it 
grows 
stronger 
and 
stronger 
for 
its 
conflict 
with 
the 
world 
and 
the 
flesh 
and 
the 
adversary. 
It 
cannot 
hope 
to 
conquer 
the 
adversary 
nor 
the 
world, 
even 
though 
it 
may 
resist 
them; 
but 
it 
is 
encouraged 
to 
hope 
for 
victory 
in 
its 
combat 
with 
the 
flesh. 
The 
Apostle's 
assurance 
along 
this 
line 
is 
that 
"If 
the 
spirit 
of 
him 
that 
raised 
up 
Jesus 
from 
the 
dead 
dwell 
in 
you, 
he 
that 
raised 
up 
Christ 
from 
the 
dead 
shall 
also 
quicken 
your 
mortal 
hodies 
by 
his 
spirit 
that 
dwelleth 
in 
you." 
(Rom. 
8:11). 
If 
the 
power 
of 
God 
was 
sufficient 
to 
quicken 
and 
energize 
the 
dead 
body 
of 
Jesus, 
surely 
he 
is 
able 
as 
well 
as 
willing 
to 
make 
it 
suffi­ 
cient 
for 
us~o 
give 
us 
the 
victory 
over 
our 
flesh 
to 
the 
extent 
that 
sin 
need 
not 
reign 
in 
(dominate) 
our 
mortal 
bodies, 
but 
instead 
we, 
as 
new 
creatures, 
will 
be 
able 
to 
use 
them 
more 
and 
more 
efficiently 
in 
the 
service 
of 
our 
Lord, 
to 
whom 
we 
have 
pledged 
our 
all. 
WHY 
SET 
OUR 
AFFECTIONS 
ABOVE? 
Since 
the 
new 
mind 
(the 
will) 
has 
no 
way 
of 
expressing 
itself 
except 
through 
the 
mortal 
body, 
and 
since 
the 
latter 
is 
prone 
to 
sin 
through 
inherited 
weaknesses, 
the 
new 
mind 
has 
a 
difficult 
task 
before 
it 
to 
rise 
from 
the 
grovelling 
things 
of 
sin 
and 
the 
sordidly 
selfish 
conditions 
surrounding 
everything 
at 
the 
present 
time 
to 
the 
grand 
heights 
of 
perfect 
love 
and 
unselfishness 
inculcated 
by 
the 
spirit 
of 
the 
Lord, 
by 
which 
we 
have 
been 
begotten. 
Realizing 
that 
the 
tendency 
of 
the 
fallen 
flesh 
is 
continually 
downward, 
the 
new 
creature 
is 
[3913] 
Vou. XXVIII eral of (hr a Presence ALLEGHENY, PA., JANUARY 1, 1907 1907—OUR YEAR TEXT—1907 Our book of ‘‘ Daily Heavenly Manna’’ is evidently being greatly used of the Lord for the blessing of the household of faith. The bringing thus of a morsel of meat from the storehouse of truth, with a comment upon it, at the beginning of each day, is evidently tending toward the strengthening of the new nature, the new mind, by continually directing it in the ways marked out in the Lord’s Word. Additionally our year-texts are helpful, as tending to remind us along the lines of our general duty, as the daily texts refresh us and strengthen us along particular lines. We have had this in mind in the choosing of this text, and believe it to be one the frequent consideration of which will be profitable—-and the value of all these spiritual refreshments is enhanced by the realization that the minds, the hearts, of the Lord’s people everywhere are being similarly stirred and refreshed along the same lines. As announced in a previous issue we have this year’s texts in large supply, very elegantly gotten up and at a trifling cost, so that none need do without them—none need be deprived of this help and encouragement. Desiring that every reader of this journal should have the comfort and profit of this means of grace—this assistance in the narrow way—we have made the prices extremely low, simply to cover cost, but additionally now propose that if there be any of you who cannot afford to purchase we will take pleasure in supplying you without charge: that thus we may assist in washing the feet of the Lord’s disciples—assist in cleansing them from earthly defilements and thus in preparing them for the heavenly courts. TO WHOM IS OUR TEXT APPLICABLE The Apostle does not address the world, however morally well disposed they may be. None has an interest in the things above unless first of all he has heard of Jesus as the Redeemer, renounced sin and fled to the Savior for refuge—justification. He must have gone even further than this to have an interest in the things above: he must have consecrated his justified life, presenting it a living sacrifice to the Lord (Rom. 12:1), and been accepted of the Lord and been begotten again of the holy Spirit, and thus have started his experiences as a spirit being—a ‘‘new creature’’ in Christ Jesus, It is well for us to have continually in mind the sharp distinction which the Scriptures draw as between the natural man and the new ereature. The natural man, however well disposed, is of the earth earthy. This does not signify that he must be sensual, degraded, devilish; for, on the contrary, some natural men have very fine characters indeed, considering that they are sharers with all of mankind in the degradation of the fall. Adam thus was a natural man in his perfection, in the image of God. He could not set his affections on things above, for he had no revelation respecting them, no hopes or prospects centered there. His interests, in harmony with his nature, were earthly. So it will be also in the future age. While mankind under the blessings of restitution will be restored to the full perfection of human nature lost through Adam, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ (Acts 3:1921), although they will be reverencing the heavenly laws, messages, authorities, they will, properly enough, be giving their thought and attention largely to earthly things—appreciating especially the restitution blessings, privileges, opportunities that will then be afforded them. [3913] THE CHRISTIAN’S CONFLICT It is because the Lord has called us out of the world to constitute the new creation, his ‘‘body,’’ his ‘‘Bride,’’ to share with him his spiritual, heavenly glories and honors, therefore we should ever keep this in mind and strive for these things, for ‘‘even hereunto were ye ecalled.’’—1 Pet. 2:21. Called to ‘‘glory, honor and immortality,’’ it remains for us to make this calling and election sure. (Rom. 2:7; 2 Pet. 1:10). Again he reminds us, ‘‘Let us fear lest a promise having been left us of entering into his rest [the heavenly rest] any of you should seem to come short of it.’’—Heb. 4:1. The Apostle forewarns us that we must not forget that, although we are reckoned by the Lord and by ourselves and by the brethren as dead according to the flesh and alive according to the spirit, nevertheless we have this treasure of the new life in the earthen vessel, which is only reckoned dead, but which really is very much alive and constitutes our chief enemy. Not that we have two wills and are thus doubleminded (Jas. 1:8). Thank God, No! We have only the one will, and it is fully devoted to the Lord according to the terms of its consecration. But this one new will can not have its new body until it proves itself worthy of it, and then will gain it as a reward in the resurrection. Meantime the conflict is on between the new will (which has no body of its own kind) and the old flesh (which has no will of its own kind). In order to be a conqucror the new will must struggle with the old flesh, and by the Lord’s assistance keep it under, in subjection until the end of the course, until literally dead. The Apostle assures us that in proportion as the new mind, the new creature, grows on the spiritual food, the promises of the Lord’s Word—in proportion as it affiliates with other new creatures and is thus strengthened and sustained by the holy spirit granted to all such, it grows stronger and stronger for its conflict with the world and the flesh and the adversary. It cannot hope to conquer the adversary nor the world, cven though it may resist them; but it is encouraged to hope for victory in its combat with the flesh. The Apostle’s assurance along this line is that ‘‘If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you.’’ (Rom. 8:11). If the power of God was sufficient to quicken and cnergize the dead body of Jesus, surely he is able as well as willing to make it sufficient for us—to give us the victory over our flesh to the extent that sin need not reign in (dominate) our mortal bodies, but instead we, as new creatures, will be able to use them more and more efficiently in the service of our Lord, to whom we have pledged our all. WHY SET OUR AFFECTIONS ABOVE? Since the new mind (the will) has no way of expressing itself except through the mortal body, and since the latter is prone to sin through inherited weaknesses, the new mind has a difficult task before it to rise from the grovelling things of sin and the sordidly selfish conditions surrounding everything at the present time to the grand heights of perfect love and unselfishness inculeated by the spirit of the Lord, by which we have been begotten. Realizing that the tendency of the fallen flesh is continually downward, the new creature is (3-4)

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