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MARCH
1,
1912
THE
WATCH
TOWER
(87-92)
never
have
sinned
against
the
light;
and
therefore,
their
ain
was
greater
in
proportion
to
the
greater
blessing.
So
it
is
today.
If
you
had
never
had
your
eyes
opened,
if
you
had
never
heard
more
than
the
heathen,
then
you
would
not
have
any
more
sin
than
other
heathen
people
whose
eyes
have
never
been
opened.
But
when
you
sin
with
a
measure
of
wilfulness
against
the
light
and
knowledge,
your
sin
will
be
the
greater.
Your
responsibility
is
in
proportion
to
the
light.
This
seems
to
be
the
reasonable
view
of
the
matter.
DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN
FRUITS
AND
GRACES
OF
SPIRIT
Question.-What
is
the
difference
between
"the
fruits
of
the
Spirit"
and
"the
graces
of
the
Spirit?"
.A.nswer.-The
expression
"fruits
of
the
Spirit"
has
very
much
the
same
significance
as
"graces
of
the
Spirit."
One
term
might
be
proper
to
use
at
one
time
and
the
other
at
another
time,
according
to
the
figure
of
speech
which
would
be
appro
priate.
If
we
were
speaking
of
a
<J.uality
which
was
being
de
veloped,
it
would
be
proper
to
thmk
of
the
fruitage
of
tl\e
Spirit-those
beautiful
qualities
worked
out
in
our
lives
through
the
indwelling
of
the
Spirit
of
God.
If
we
were
speak
ing
more
particularly
of
the
individual
and
his
conduct,
we
might
more
appropriately
say
that
the
graces
which
he
mani
fested
and
which
he
had
developed
were
brought
out
through
his
possession
of
the
holy
spirit,
through
his
possession
of
the
spirit
of
love.
VOL.
XXXIII
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
MARCH
15,
1912
No.6
UNJUST"
THE
OF
AND
THE
GENERAL
RESURRECTION
TO
BE
GRADUAL
"Those
who
have
done
evil"
will
come
forth
to
the
resurrec
tion
of
"damnation"
(Greek,
krisis).
resurrection
of
trial,
res
urrection
of
testing.
What
kind
will
it
be?
The
Scriptures
show
us
that
it
will
be
a
gradual
resurrection.
During
the
thousand
years
of
Christ's
reign
the
people
will
be
awakening
from
the
sleep
in
the
tomb.
This
awakening
will
be
a
preparatory
work.
not
the
full
resurrection,
which
will
require
the
entire
thousand
years.
But
the
divine
provision
is
that
the
account
will
have
been
settled
for
the
whole
world,
so
that
when
they
shall
come
forth
from
the
tomb
in
the
future
they
will
be
in
the
hands
of
the
Redeemer,
whose
kingdom
will
be
world-wide.
They
will
have
the
opportunity
of
being
raised
again
to
that
which
was
lost.
Human
perfection
was
lost,
which
includes
not
only
perfect
physical
health,
but
perfect
mental
power;
for
mental
power
depends
upon
the
brain,
iR
affected
by
the
brain,
as
well
as
by
the
body,
so
that
men
are
now
in
a
dying
condition,
mentally,
morally
and
physically.
None
will
be
fully
raised,
from
imperfection
to
perfection,
until
the
end
of
the
thousand
years.
All
who
will
respond
to
the
beneficent
arrangements
wili
secure
that
which
Father
Adam
enjoyed
at
first-perfect
manhood.
Those
who
will
not
be
obe
dient
to
the
requirements
of
Christ's
kingdom
will
be
cut
off
in
the
second
death.
They
will
be
destroyed
as
brute
beasts,
hav
ing
had
the
full
meallure
of
divine
favor.-2
Pet.
2:
12.
"And
the
rest
of
the
dead
lived
not
again
until
the
thousand
years
were
finished."
(Rev.
20:5)
Wllen
the
sentence
came
upon
Father
Adam
he
was
thrust
out
of
Eden.
All
of
his
chil
dren
have
been
born
dying,
and
are
still
in
a
dying
condition.
Therefore,
the
raising
of
man
out
of
sin
and
death
will
be
the
bringing
of
him
to
full
perfection-perfect
life.
This
will
be
a
gradual
process.
They
will
be
made
more
alive
and
more
alive,
and
less
dead
and
less
dead,
as
the
thousand
years
progress,
and
none
will
get
the
resurrection
life
until
they
are
raised
to
the
condition
of
perfection-perfect
life
in
the
image
of
God,
which
was
lost
by
Adam.
THE
RESURRECTION
OF
THE
WORLD
But
all
will
have
a
resurrection.
How
will
the
resurrection
of
the
world
differ
from
that
apportioned
to
the
church?
The
world
has
not
had
the
divine
approval;
the
heathen
have
not
had
the
divine
approval.
The
Apostle
says,
"How
shall
they
believe
in
Him
of
whom
they
have
not
heard
1"
(Rom.
10:
14)
They
are
not
fit
for
heaven.
They
are
not
fit
to
be
with
the
angels
or
with
the
saints,
no
matter
how
they
came
to
be
in
this
condition.
They
came
into
this
condition
because
of
heredity,
as
children
of
Adam.
But
they
could
not
have
the
same
kind
of
resurrection
that
those
will
receive
who
have
God's
approval
now,
at
the
time
of
their
death:
"Be
thou
faithful
unto
death
and
I
will
give
thee
a
crown
of
life."
So
with
the
majority
of
those
in
Christian
lands.
They
could
not
be
thought
to
be
fit
for
heaven
or
to
have
God's
ap
proval
in
any
sense
of
the
word.
And
they
know
it.
They
con
fess
it
themselves.
Nobody
could
deny
that
nine
hundred
and
ninety-nine
out
of
every
thousand
are
living
"after
the
flesh."
They
are
not
saints,
but
have
the
divine
disapproval,
some
hav
ing
heard
more
of
the
WOrd
of
God,
and
some
having
heard
less.
JUST
24:
15.
BURNING
OF
THE
WORLD
SYMBOLICAL
The
Scriptures
declare
that
"the
earth
abideth
forever"
and
that
"God
formed
it
not
in
vain;
he
made
it
to
be
inhabited."
(Sce
Eccl.
I:
4;
Isa.
45:
18)
It
has
not
yet
reached
the
blessed
condition
when
it
will
blossom
as
a
rose,
although
it
is
in
process
of
completion.
At
the
end
of
the
thousand
years
of
Christ's
reign,
the
whole
earth
shall
have
bepn
brought
to
perfection.
In
[4989]
THE
OF
RESURRECTION
"THE
ACTS
The
resurrection
of
the
just
could
not
mean
a
resurrection
of
those
who
had
been
perfect,
for
there
are
none
perfect,
none
just,
"no,
not
one."
"The
resurrection
of
the
just,"
then,
must
mean
the
resurrection
of
those
who
have
been
justified;
and
the
justified
are
those
referred
to
in
the
Scriptures
of
whom
Abra
ham
was
an
example.
Abraham
believed
God,
and
was
justified
by
faith.
It
was
the
faith
that
justified,
and
the
works
corrob
orated
the
faith.
So
with
the
church
of
this
age.
The
Apostle
says,
"Being
justified
by
faith,
we
have
peace
with
God
through
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ,
by
whom,
also,
we
have
access
by
faith
into
this
grace
wherein,
we
stand.
and
rejoice
in
hope
of
the
glory
of
God."
(Rom.
5:
1,
2)
We
are
not
only
justified
out
of
sin,
but
are
also
brought
by
operation
of
our
faith
into
the
glorious
standing
of
members
of
Christ;
and
we
may
hope
to
participate
with
Christ
in
the
glories
of
his
kingdom
in
the
future.
It
is
0!le
thing
to
be
freed
from
guilt,
and
another
thing
to
be
raised
to
the
position
of
sons
of
God,
heirs
of
God
and
joint-heirs
with
Christ,
our
Lord.
The
resurrection
of
the
dead
is
similarly
spoken
of
in
John
5:
28,
29,
where
we
read,
"Marvel
not
at
this,
for
the
hour
is
coming
in
the
which
all
that
are
in
the
graves
shall
hear
his
voice,
and
shall
come
forth."
The
Lord
does
not
mean
merely
all
the
good,
for
he
also
includes
in
this
all
that
are
in
their
graves.
"Ve
read
in
the
context
that
they
that
have
done
good
shall
come
forth
"unto
the
resurrection
of
life":
those
who
have
done
evil
shall
come
forth
to
"damnation."
The
word
damna
tion,
in
the
Greek,
signifies
a
crisis,
a
turning-point,
a
decision.
THE
RESURRECTION
OF
THE
CHURCH
Those
whose
faith
enables
them
to
stand
through
evil
report
and
through
good
report,
and
who
thus
fulfil
the
Divine
require
ment,
are
character-likenesse~
of
Jesus.
These
now
pass
from
under
the
condemnation
condition
to
the
life
condition.
As
the
Apostle
says,
"'Ve
know
that
we
have
passed
from
death
unto
life,
because
we
love
the
brethren."
(I
John
3:14)
This
pass
ing
from
death
unto
life
is
not
in
the
full
sense
in
the
present
time.
By
faith
we
are
reckoned
dead
with
Christ,
counted
mem
bers
of
his
body.
That
future
life
is
reckoned
to
us.
We
are
counted
as
having
it;
and
this
is
our
condition
because
we
have
the
divine
approval.
Since
there
is
none
good,
the
only
sense
in
which
one
could
"do
good"
would
be
hy
coming
into
accord
with
God
by
obedi
ence,
as
under
the
covenant
which
prevailed
with
Abraham,
Isaac
and
Jacob,
or
under
the
still
higher
covenant
that
prevails
with
the
church
in
this
Gospel
age.
We
have
this
testimony,
that
we
are
pleasing
to
God,
who
indicates
his
pleasure
by
be
getting
us
of
the
holy
Rpirit.
In
contradistinction,
the
world
are
aliens,
foreigners.
(Eph.
2:
19)
By
this
holy
Spirit,
this
"unction
from
the
Holy
One,"
therefore,
we
have
the
evidence
of
acceptance
with
the
Father.
The
outcome
will
be,
that
those
having
this
approval
of
God,
having
passed
the
trials
and
testings
which
they
have
received
-for
he
receiveth
no
son
whom
he
does
not
scourge
(Heb.
12:
6)
-and
having
proved
faithful
to
the
end,
will
be
raised
by
the
Lord
to
the
very
highest
place-glory.
honor
and
immortality.
This
is
the
crown,
or
very
highest
pinnacle
of
life
that
could
be
imagined.
So,
then,
those
who
will
have
part
in
this
first
res
urrection
will
reign
with
Christ
a
thousand
years.
This
is
the
first
class
mentioned
by
the
Apostle.
They
are
approved;
they
shall
come
forth
to
"life
resurrection."
What
is
the
significance
of
"life
resurrection"?
We
answer
that
these
shall
come
forth
to
perfect
life
instantly.
As
St.
Paul
says,
"It
is
sown
in
dishonor,
it
is
raised
in
glory;
it
is
sown
in
weakness,
it
is
raised
in
power;
it
is
sown
a
natural
body,
it
is
raised
a
spirit
body."
Thus
instantaneously
these
blessings
come
to
them.
They
have
their
trial
in
the
present
time
and,
therefore,
theirs
will
be
the
chief
resurrection.
VI-17
Marcu 1, 1912 never have sinned against the light; and therefore, their ain wag greater in proportion to the greater blessing. So it is today. If you had never had your eyes opened, if you had never heard more than the heathen, then you would not have any more sin than other heathen people whose eyes have never been opened. But when you sin with a measure of wilfulness against the light and knowledge, your sin will be the greater. Your responsibility is in proportion to the light. This seems to be the reasonable view of the matter. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRUITS AND GRACES OF SPIRIT Question.—What is the difference between “the fruits of the Spirit” and “the graces of the Spirit?” THE WATCH TOWER (87-92) Answer.—The expression “fruits of the Spirit” has very much the same significance as “graces of the Spirit.” One term might be proper to use at one time and the other at another time, according to the figure of speech which would be appropriate. If we were speaking of a quality which was being developed, it would be proper to think of the fruitage of the Spirit—those beautiful qualities worked out in our lives through the indwelling of the Spirit of God. If we were speaking more particularly of the individual and his conduct, we might more appropriately say that the graces which he manifested and which he had developed were brought out through his possession of the holy spirit, through his possession of the spirit of love. VoL. XXXIII BROOKLYN, N. Y., MARCH 15, 1912 No. 6 “THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND OF THE UNJUST” Acts The resurrection of the just could not mean a resurrection of those who had been perfect, for there are none perfect, none just, “no, not one.” “The resurrection of the just,’ then, must mean the resurrection of those who have been justified; and the justified are those referred to in the Scriptures of whom Abraham was an example. Abraham believed God, and was justified by faith. It was the faith that justified, and the works corroborated the faith. So with the church of this age. The Apostle says, “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom, also, we have access by faith into this grace wherein, we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:1, 2) We are not only justified out of sin, but are also brought by operation of our faith into the glorious standing of members of Christ; and we may hope to participate with Christ in the glories of his kingdom in the future. It is one thing to he freed from guilt, and another thing to be raised to the position of sons of God, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, our Lord. The resurrection of the dead is similarly spoken of in John 5:28, 29, where we read, “Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.” The Lord does not mean merely all the good, for he also includes in this all that are in their graves. We read in the context that they that have done good shall come forth “unto the resurrection of life’: those who have done evil shall come forth to “damnation.” The word damnation, in the Greek, signifies a crisis, a turning-point, a decision. THE RESURRECTION OF THE CHURCH Those whose faith enables them to stand through evil report and through good report, and who thus fulfil the Divine requirement, are character-likenesses of Jesus. These now pass from under the condemnation condition to the life condition. As the Apostle says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” (1 John 3:14) This passing from death unto life is not in the full sense in the present time. By faith we are reckoned dead with Christ, counted members of his body. That future life is reckoned to us. We are counted as having it; and this is our condition because we have the divine approval. Since there is none good, the only sense in which one could “do good” would be by coming into accord with God by obedience, as under the covenant which prevailed with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, or under the still higher covenant that prevails with the church in this Gospel age. We have this testimony, that we are pleasing to God, who indicates his pleasure by begetting us of the holy Spirit. In contradistinction, the world are aliens, foreigners. (Eph. 2:19) By this holy Spirit, this “unction from the Holy One,” therefore, we have the evidence of acceptance with the Father. The outcome will be, that those having this approval of God, having passed the trials and testings which they have received —for he receiveth no son whom he does not scourge (Heb. 12:6) —and having proved faithful to the end, will be raised by the Lord to the very highest place—glory, honor and immortality. This is the crown, or very highest pinnacle of life that could be imagined. So, then, those who will have part in this first resurrection wil] reign with Christ a thousand years. This is the first class mentioned by the Apostle. They are approved; they shall come forth to “life resurrection.” What is the significance of “life resurrection”? We answer that these shall come forth to perfect life instantly. As St. Paul says, “It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spirit body.” Thus instantaneously these blessings come to them. They have their trial in the present time and, therefore, theirs will be the chief resurrection, VI—-17 24:15, THE RESURRECTION OF THE WORLD But all will have a resurrection, How will the resurrection of the world differ from that apportioned to the church? The world has not had the divine approval; the heathen have not had the divine approval. The Apostle says, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (Rom. 10:14) They are not fit for heaven. They are not fit to be with the angels or with the saints, no matter how they came to be in this condition. They came into this condition because of heredity, as children of Adam. But they could not have the same kind of resurrection that those will receive who have God’s approval now, at the time of their death: “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.” So with the majority of those in Christian lands. They could not be thought to be fit for heaven or to have God’s approval in any sense of the word. And they know it. They confesa it themselves. Nobody could deny that nine hundred and ninety-nine out of every thousand are living “after the flesh.” They are not saints, but have the divine disapproval, some having heard more of the Word of God, and some having heard less. THE GENERAL RESURRECTION TO BE GRADUAL “Those who have done evil” will come forth to the resurrection of “damnation” (Greek, krisis), resurrection of trial, resurrection of testing. What kind will it be? The Scriptures show ug that it will be a gradual resurrection. During the thousand years of Christ’s reign the people will be awakening from the sleep in the tomb. This awakening will be a preparatory work. not the full resurrection, which will require the entire thousand ears. y But the divine provision is that the account will have been settled for the whole world, so that when they shall come forth from the tomb in the future they will be in the hands of the Redeemer, whose kingdom will be world-wide. They will have the opportunity of being raised again to that which was lost. Human perfection was lost, which includes not only perfect physical health, but perfect mental power; for mental power depends upon the brain, is affected by the brain, as well as by the body, so that men are now in a dying condition, mentally, morally and physically. . None will be fully raised, from imperfection to perfection, until the end of the thousand years. All who will respond to the beneficent arrangements wil] secure that which Father Adam enjoyed at first—perfect manhood. Those who will not be obedient to the requirements of Christ’s kingdom will be cut off in the second death. ‘They will be destroyed as brute beasts, having had the full measure of divine favor.—2 Pet. 2:12. “And the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” (Rev. 20:5) When the sentence came upon Father Adam he was thrust out of Eden. All of his children have been born dying, and are still in a dying condition. Therefore, the raising of man out of sin and death will be the bringing of him to full perfection—perfect life. This will be a gradual process. They will be made more alive and more alive, and less dead and less dead, as the thousand years progress, and none will get the resurrection life until they are raised to the condition of perfection—perfect life in the image of God, which was lost by Adam. BURNING OF THE WORLD SYMBOLICAL The Scriptures declare that “the earth abideth forever” and that “God formed it not in vain; he made it to be inhabited.” (See Eecl. 1:4; Isa. 45:18) It has not yet reached the blessed condition when it will blossom as a rose, although it is in process of completion. At the end of the thousand years of Christ’s reign, the whole earth shall have been brought to perfection. In [4989]
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