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INTERESTING
QUESTIONS
CAN
ANY
OF
THE
GREAT
OOMPANY
BE
OF
THE
RESTITU·
TION
CLASS?
Question.-Can
any
of
the
great
company
become
members
of
the
restitution
class?
Answer.-We
understand
that
the
terms
under
which
any
are
begottf'n
of
the
holy
Spirit
are
that
they
renounce,
give
up,
the
human
nature.
\Vhen
God
ac('epts
their
consecration
and
takes
such
into
covenant
relationship
with
himself,
he
indicates
that
relationship
by
begetting
them
of
the
holy
Spirit.
The
only
class
into
whi('h
these
can
come
for
future
life
is
that
of
spirit
or
heavenly
beings.
If
they
live
up
to
all
the
terms
and
conditions
of
their
sa('rifice,
then
they
will
have
the
very
fullest
blessing
whi('h
God
has
provided
for
the
loyal
and
to
which
he
has
called
thf'm.
But
for
those
who
fail
to
live
up
to
the
highest
standard-that
of
walking
in
the
footsteps
of
Jesus
the
arrangement
seems
to
be
that
they
shall
at
least
prove
themselves
loyal,
even
if
not
to
the
same
degree
as
their
brethren.
This
loyalty
will
be
tcsted
in
the
great
time
of
trouble
through
which
the
great
company
will
go.
Then
if
they
fail
to
prove
their
loyalty,
apparcntly
they
will
lose
that
life
in
the
seconrl
death.
But
if
they
give
up
the
earthly
life
and
manifest
loyalty
to
the
Lord,
even
though
they
may
never
give
it
up
willingly,
but
merely
when
brought
to
straits,
then
they
will
have
life
on
the
spirit
plane.
The
merit
of
Christ,
which
has
been
under
embargo,
as
it
were,
must
all
be
released
before
the
restitution
work
can
begin.
J
n
other
words,
thf'
little
flock
must
have
been
"changed"
and
the
great
company
must
have
suffered
destruction
of
the
flesh,
before
the
merit
can
again
be
free
in
the
hands
of
Justice,
ready
to
be
given
to
the
world
in
restitution.
Therefore,
our
answer
would
be,
\Ve
cannot
expect
the
Spirit
begotten
ones
to
pass
through
the
time
of
trouble
in
the
end
of
this
age
and
to
live
on
during
the
Millennial
age;
for
they
belong
to
the
church
of
the
first-born,
all
of
whom
must
be
born
before
the
after-borns
can
be
brought
forth.
The
after
born
will
he
the
world
in
the
restitution.
FIFTH
SUNDAY
OONVENTIONS
Question.-Are
Fifth
Sunday
conventions
advantageous?
Answer.-We
are
perplexed
how
to
answcr
this
question,
and
must
leave
the
answering
of
it
to
each
class
for
itself,
without
any
particular
advice
even.
From
some
we
have
heard
good
reports
with
blessings
secured.
From
others
we
have
1'1'
ports
to
the
contrary.
Those
who
have
had
practical
experi
ence
with
these
conventions
should
decide
for
themselves.
We
have
had
no
experience
in
this
direction.
HOW
TREAT
"THE
MENACE"
Question.-How
should
the
\V
ATCH
TOWER
rellderg
treat
"The
Mena('e?"
Answer.-This
is
a
free
country
and
everyone
has
a
right
to
follow
that
course
which
he
believes
will
be
most
to
the
Lord's
glory
and
most
to
the
advancement
and
the
good
of
his
fcllow-men.
The
Editor
of
"Thc
Menaee"
is
merely
exprpising
his
rights.
As
for
the
WATCH
TOWER,
it
pursues
a
different
course
without
criticising
others.
Perhaps
the
Lord
may
have
a
work
for
"The
Menace"
for
all
we
know.
Our
judgment
is
that
his
work
for
us
is
in
a
different
direction
and
we
exhort
all
the
WATCH
TOWER
readcrs
to
reserve
all
their
might
and
physical
strength
for
the
promulgation
of
the
truth
as
the
Lord
has
been
granting
us
to
see
it
within
the
last
forty
years
in
the
WATCH
TOWER.
It
is
our
mission
to
preach
the
Word
-the
Gospel
of
the
kingdom.
We
cannot
do
all
that
we
would
in
this
direction,
and
hence
have
no
time
to
devote
to
other
matters,
political,
social,
etc.
TRULY
Beautiful
hands
are
they
that
do
The
work
of
the
noble,
good
and
true,
Busy
for
them
the
long
day
through;
Beautiful
faces-they
that
wear
BEAUTIFUL
The
light
of
a
pleasing
spirit
there,
It
matters
little
if
dark
or
fair;
And
truly
beautiful
in
God's
sight,
Are
the
precious
souls
who
love
the
right.
VOL.
XXXIII
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
DECEMBER
1,
1912
No.
23
LOVE
NOT
THE
WORLD
"Love
not
the
world,
neither
the
things
that
are
in
the
WO'I'ld.
If
any
man
love
the
world,
the
love
of
the
Father
is
not
in
him."-1
John
2:15.
In
the
text,
"Love
not
the
world,"
we
do
not
understand
he
would
care
for
his
soldiers
and
have
them
well
dressed_
the
term
"world"
to
mean
either
the
human
race
or
the
planet
80me
of
our
great
captwins
of
industry
have
done
the
world
on
which
we
live.
The
thought
of
the
text
seems
to
be
more
good
service,
and
incidentally
have
blessed
many,
while
cany
particularly
the
present
order
of
things,
for
the
Greek
word
ing
out
their
own
designs.
here
translwted
world
is
kosmos,
signifying
arrangement.
We
SELFISHNESS
THE
SPIRIT
OF
THE
WOBLD
are
to
appreciate
the
beauties
of
nature.
\Ve
are
to
love
the
hu-
If
all
of
the
great
worldly
enterprises
were
undertaken
man
family,
whom
God
also
loves,
though
not
in
the
sense
in
with
a
view
to
the
betterment
of
mankind,
the
spirit
of
these
which
he
loves
the
church
of
Christ.
\Ve
read,
"God
so
loved
the
would
not
be
selfish.
We
know,
indeed,
that
much
is
done
world
that
he
gave
his
Only
Begotten
Son,
that
whosoever
be-
to
help
those
who
are
needy,
and
that
where
there
is
a
lieveth
in
him
should
not
perish,
but
have
everlasting
life."-
motive
of
this
k'ind,
it
is
often
misinterpreted
and
misjUdged
John
3:
16.
to
be
selfish.
But
"the
Lord
looketh
on
the
heart."
(1
Sam.
8t.
John
cannot
therefore
be
understood
to
refer
to
the
16:7)
Those
who
have
the
selfish
heaTt,
the
selfish
intentions,
world
of
mankind,
when
he
says,
"Love
not
the
world."
For
will
continue
to
love
the
things
of
the
world.
In
proportion
them
we
should
have
sympathy
similar
to
that
which
the
as
such
may
be
shown
that
there
is
a
new
order
of
affairs
Heavenly
Father
has
for
the
fallen
race.
The
Scriptures
coming.
in
that
proportion
the
selfish-minded
will
not
be
in
inform
us
that
the
present
order,
or
arrangement,
of
things
sympathy
with
the
change
of
dispensation.
on
earth
is
entirely
out
of
harmony
with
God's
will,
or
pur-
If
a
man
,conducts
a
large
enterprise
for
the
benefit
of
pose;
fOT
the
world
is
ruled
by
selfishness.
The
divine
those
who
would
have
opportunity
to
share
such
blessings,
arrangement
is
that
love
shall
be
the
rule
among
God's
crea-
that
man
would
rejoice
that
there
is
a
betteT
time
coming.
tures.
"God
is
love
.
.
.
.
.
He
that
dwelleth
in
love
dwelleth
A
man
who
would
truly
rejoice
to
have
a
better
arrangement
in
God."-1
John
4:8,
16.
of
affairs,
would
not
have
the
spirit
that
dominates
in
the
The
world
operates
along
linps
different
from
those
of
love.
present
order
of
things.
He
would
have
the
8pirit
of
Uod,
Each
one
strives
selfishly
to
heap
together
treasure
for
him-
the
Spirit
of
love,
the
spirit
that
will
dominate
the
new
order
self,
even
if
meantime
his
neighbor
goes
destitute.
Many
live
of
things,
that
will
control
during
the
thousand
years
of
in
luxury,
while
realizing
that
there
are
others
who
lack
the
Christ's
reign.
necessities
of
life.
Many
seek
for
power
to
control
men,
no,t
Many
are
in
the
attitude
of
mind
which
would
say,
"My
with
the
thought
of
their
uplift,
but
with
a
view
to
using
employer
is
rich.
Whenever
I
get
the
opportunity
to
help
them
for
selfish
ends
and
motives.
This
spirit
of
selfishness
myself
to
soone
of
his
money,
I
will
do
so
and
get
as
much
belongs
to
the
present
order
of
things.
We
see
it
in
opera-
a,s
possible."
Such
people
love
the
present
order
of
things,
tion
everywhere.
whether
they
be
rich
or
poor.
A
great
many
poor
love
the
The
spirit
of
the
world
lays
hold
of
all
the
forces
of
nature
things
of
this
world,
and
hope
some
day
to
get
their
share.
and
seeks
to
control
these,
to
adapt
them
to
its
own
selfish
There
are
people
who
say,
"Oh,
I
do
not
love
the
world
interests.
It
is
true
that
much
good
has
resulted
indirectly
and
its
selfish
spirit!
From
the
crown
of
my
head
to
the
from
this
spirit
of
selfishness.
For
instance,
a
man
with
a
sales
of
my
feet
I
am
opposed
to
it.
Sometimes
I
say
to
my
great
amount
of
the
vain-glorious
spirit
may
for
his
own
husband,
'This
is
a
very
selfish
world,
John.'
Then
he
replies,
selfish
purposes
benefit
others.
A
general
might
have
so
much
'Yes,
Mary,
it
is.
Everywhere
people
are
seeking
for
every
pride
in
his
service
that
in
order
to
win
praise
for
himself
thing
that
will
gratify
self
and
selfish
desires.
But
while
(363-370)
[5138]
INTERESTING QUESTIONS CAN ANY OF THE GREAT COMPANY BE OF THE RESTITU. TION CLASS? Question.—Can any of the great company become members of the restitution class? Answer.—We understand that the terms under which any are begotten of the holy Spirit are that they renounce, give up, the human nature. When God accepts their consecration and takes such into covenant relationship with himself, he indicates that relationship by begetting them of the holy Spirit. The only class into which these can come for future life is that of spirit or heavenly beings. If they live up to all the terms and conditions of their sacrifice, then they will have the very fullest blessing which God has provided for the loyal and to which he has called them. But for those who fail to live up to the highest standard—that of walking in the footsteps of Jesus— the arrangement seems to be that they shall at least prove themselves loyal, even if not to the same degree as their brethren. This loyalty will be tested in the great time of trouble through which the great company will go. Then if they fail to prove their loyalty, apparently they will lose that life in the second death. But if they give up the earthly life and manifest loyalty to the Lord, even though they may never give it up willingly, but merely when brought to straits, then they will have life on the spirit plane. The merit of Christ, which has been under embargo, as it were, must all be released before the restitution work can begin. In other words, the little flock must have been “changed” and the great company must have suffered destruction of the flesh, before the merit can again be free in the hands of Justice, ready to be given to the world in restitution. Therefore, our answer would be, We cannot expect the Spiritbegotten ones to pass through the time of trouble in the end of this age and to live on during the Millennial age; for they belong to the church of the first-born, all of whom must be born before the after-borns can be brought forth. The afterborn will be the world in the restitution. FIFTH SUNDAY CONVENTIONS Question.—Are Fifth Sunday conventions advantageous? Answer.—We are perplexed how to answer this question, and must leave the answering of it to each class for itself, without any particular advice even. From some we have heard good reports with blessings secured. From others we have reports to the contrary. Those who have had practical experience with these conventions should decide for themselves. We have had no experience in this direction. HOW TREAT ‘‘THE MENACE’’ Question—How should the WatcH Tower readers treat “The Menace?” Answer.—This is a free country and everyone has a right to follow that course which he believes will be most to the Lord’s glory and most to the advancement and the good of his fellow-men. The Editor of “The Menace” is merely exercising his rights. As for the Warcu Tower, it pursues a different course without criticising others. Perhaps the Lord may have a work for “The Menace” for all we know. Our judgment is that his work for us is in a different direction and we exhort all the Watcn Tower readers to reserve all their might and physical strength for the promulgation of the truth as the Lord has been granting us to see it within the last forty years in the Watcu Tower. It is our mission to preach the Word —the Gospel of the kingdom. We cannot do all that we would in this direction, and hence have no time to devote to other matters, political, social, etc. TRULY BEAUTIFUL Beautiful hands are they that do The work of the noble, good and true, Busy for them the long day through; Beautiful faces—they that wear Vou. XXXII BROOKLYN, N. Y., DECEMBER 1, 1912 The light of a pleasing spirit there, It matters little if dark or fair; And truly beautiful in God’s sight, Are the precious souls who love the right. No. 23 LOVE NOT THE WORLD “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”—1 John 2:15, In the text, “Love not the world,” we do not understand the term “world” to mean either the human race or the planet on which we live. The thought of the text seems to be more particularly the present order of things, for the Greek word here translated world is kosmos, signifying arrangement, We are to appreciate the beauties of nature. We are to love the human family, whom God also loves, though not in the sense in which he loves the church of Christ. We read, “God so loved the world that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”— John 3:16. St. John cannot therefore be understood to refer to the world of mankind, when he says, “Love not the world.” For them we should have sympathy similar to that which the Heavenly Father has for the fallen race. The Scriptures inform us that the present order, or arrangement, of things on earth is entirely out of harmony with God’s will, or purpose; for the world is ruled by selfishness, The divine arrangement is that love shall be the rule among God’s creatures. “God is love..... He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God.”——1 John 4:8, 16, The world operates along lines different from those of love. Each one strives selfishly to heap together treasure for himself, even if meantime his neighbor goes destitute. Many live in luxury, while realizing that there are others who lack the necessities of life. Many seek for power to control men, not with the thought of their uplift, but with a view to using them for selfish ends and motives. ‘This spirit of selfishness belongs to the present order of things. We see it in operation everywhere. The spirit of the world Jays hold of all the forces of nature and seeks to control these, to adapt them to its own selfish interests. It is true that much good has resulted indirectly from this spirit of selfishness. For instance, a man with a great amount of the vain-glorious spirit may for his own selfish purposes benefit others. A general might have so much pride in his service that in order to win praise for himself (363-370) he would care for his soldiers and have them well dressed. Some of our great captains of industry have done the world good service, and incidentally have blessed many, while carrying out their own designs. SELFISHNESS THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD If all of the great worldly enterprises were undertaken with a view to the betterment of mankind, the spirit of these would not be selfish, We know, indeed, that much is done to help those who are needy, and that where there is a motive of this kind, it is often misinterpreted and misjudged to be selfish. But “the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7) Those who have the selfish heart, the selfish intentions, will continue to love the things of the world. In proportion as such may be shown that there is a new order of affairs coming, in that proportion the selfish-minded will not be in sympathy with the change of dispensation. If a man conducts a large enterprise for the benefit of those who would have opportunity to share such blessings, that man would rejoice that there is a better time coming. A man who would truly rejoice to have a better arrangement of affairs, would not have the spirit that dominates in the present order of things. He would have the Spirit of God, the Spirit of love, the spirit that will dominate the new order of things, that will control during the thousand years of Christ’s reign. Many are in the attitude of mind which would say, “My employer is rich, Whenever I get the opportunity to help myself to some of his money, I will do so and get as much as possible.” Such people love the present order of things, whether they be rich or poor. A great many poor love the things of this world, and hope some day to get their share. There are people who say, “Oh, I do not love the world and its selfish spirit! From the crown of my head to the soles of my feet I am opposed to it. Sometimes I say to my husband, ‘This is a very selfish world, John.’ Then he replies, ‘Yes, Mary, it is. Everywhere people are seeking for everything that will gratify self and selfish desires. But while [6138]
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