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MARCH
IS.
1914
THE
WATCH
TOWER
(95'99)
the
blessing
you
have
received
from
these
Bible
Helps,
and
ar
range
to
sell
or
loan
him
one
of
them.
If
the
brother
has
some
ability,
he
might
do
good
by
hold
ing
little
question
meetings
while
eating
lunch.
The
answers
should
always
be
brief
and
to
the
point.
To
be
helpful,
such
questions
should
be
on
the
more
simple
features
of
the
plan;
deep
questions
woulu
choke
those
who
are
spiritual
babes.
For
instance,
the
conversation
might
be
turned
to
the
sub
ject
of
heH.
The
brother
could
insist
that
there
is
not
a
single
passage
in
the
Bible
where
the
word
means
a
place
of
endless
misery,
and
the
only
places
seemingly
teaching
so
are
very
highly
figurative
passages.
Then
say,
"I
have
a
little
book
in
which
every
passage
in
the
Bible
where
the
word
hell
occurs
is
explained.
I
will
bring
it
here
tomorrow
and
read
you
a
couple
of
wonuerful
paragraphs
in
it."
This
will
probably
bring
them
together
the
next
uay;
and
by
promising
to
consider
further
questions
the
third
day,
one
might
have
a
regular
little
lunch-time
class.
Of
course,
the
majority
will
tire
of
it,
but
a
few
may
stick.
In
the
larger
towns
and
cities
the
truth-hungry
might
be
advertised
for.
Some
city-dailies
will
allow
it
among
the
mis
cellaneous
religious
advertisements;
but
in
each
case,
judgment
will
have
to
be
exercised
as
to
where
it
should
be
placed,
and
how
frequently
inserted.
The
following
is
suggested
as
an
advertisement:
,
'Those
who
want
to
believe
the
Bible
but
have
never
yet
found
in
it
anything
as
satisfying
and
reasonable
as
they
would
expect
God
to
give,
are
invited
to
send
their
names
and
ad-
dresses
to
P.
O.
Box
---.
This
is
no
scheme,
but
simply
an
effort
to
bring
real
religious
satisfaction
to
those
who
feel
their
faith
is
shaking."
Let
some
able,
consecrated
brother
call
upon
those
who
re
spond,
and
either
sell
or
loan
them
"The
Divine
Plan
of
the
Ages.
'
,
He
might
first
tell
them
of
the
blessing
he
is
getting
from
the
Word
of
God
now,
in
contrast
to
the
former
condi·
tions.
He
might
call
again,
from
time
to
time,
to
see
what
progress
they
are
making,
if
the
interest
warrants.
Sisters
should
call
on
the
ladies
who
reply.
I
find
that
the
brethren
are
not
sufficiently
alert
to
the
op
portunities
among
the
foreigners
in
their
town.
If
there
be
Greek
confectioners
in
your
town,
send
for
a
half
dozen
Greek
tracts
to
give
them.
The
same
might
apply
to
Chinese
in
the
laundries,
Italians
at
fruit-stands
and
in
street
gangs,
etc.
"The
Bible
Students'
Monthly,"
on
,.
What
is
Baptism
1"
is
specially
good
where
Brother
Russell
has
been
misrepresented
very
much,
because
of
the
article
by
Prof.
Ellis
and
letter
by
Rev.
T.
S.
Thompson,
endorsing
him
anu
his
work.
The
Brethren
sometimes
forget
that
they
are
able
to
do
more
than
merely
circulate
yearly
Voluntel>r
literature.
Often
a
special
tract
will
fit
in
very
well
with
local
conditions,
if
circulated
at
the
psychological
time.
Every
day
makes
me
more
desirous
for
the
time
when
our
service
will
not
be
limited
by
the
wl'ak,
imperfect
body
in
,,-hich
we
no"
dwell.
I
am
glad
that
day
is
so
neal'.
I
remain,
with
Christian
love,
on
Joruan
'5
Banks,
B.
H.
BARTON.
VOL.
XXXV
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
APRIL
1,
1914
---
-------~
---------_.~-~---~----
JEHOVAH'S
CHARACTER
MANIFESTED
IN
HIS
GREAT
PLAN
OF
THE
AGES
No.7
Why
was
Jesus
Christ
called
upon
to
suffer
and
die'
Could
not
the
great
God
have
accomplished
the
salvation
of
humanity
in
some
other
way,
without
the
agony
and
death
of
his
Son'
These
arc
questions
which
often
present
themseh-es
to
the
thoughtful
student
of
Gou's
Word,
and
which
can
be
answered
very
satisfactorily.
God
cou!ll
have
arranged
the
matter
very
differently;
He
is
not
an
unresourceful
God.
He
is
an
all-wise
God,
an
all-powerful
God.
We
can
see,
for
instance,
that
God
could
ha\"e
decreed
that
Adam
should
be
excluded
from
the
(j;ullen
of
Ellen
for
a
time,
and
that
after
he
had
suffered
some
what
for
his
disobedience,
and
had
thereby
learned
a
lesson,
he
should
then
he
restored
to
fayor.
By
that
experience
Adam
~\'Ould,
no
doubt,
ha\"e
been
taught
a
very
goorl
lesson.
So
all
of
Adam's
children
might
have
unrlergone
some
penalty,
some
purging
experiences,
whereby
they
might
have
profited,
and
then
have
come
back
again
into
harmony
with
God.
But
the
wisdom
of
God
is
a
mighty
deep,
and
he
has
a
gTeat
and
,rise
plan!
He
had
purposerl
that
all
of
his
intelli
gent
creatures-angels,
cherubim,
seraphim,
and
humans-who
would
gain
etel'llal
life.
must
be
absolutely
loyal
to
him,
and
hence
that
they
shoulrl
all
he
tested
in
respect
to
their
loyalty.
They
must
all
be
tried
and
tested
characters.
It
was
his
pur
pose,
therefore,
that
all
his
intelligent
creatures
in
heaven
and
on
earth
should
he
brought
to
perceive
his
goodness
and
worthi
ness
of
all
praise,
that
they
might
be
able
to
exclaim
from
the
heart:
"Blessing
and
honor
and
might
be
unto
him
that
sitteth
upon
the
throne
...
foreYer!
"
'l'hose
who
prove
their
loyalty
to
the
Creator
shall
live
ever
lastingly.
Those
who
will
not
prove
their
loyalty
shall
die
go
into
absolute
extinction.
Up
to
the
time
man
was
created,
(jod
had
not
made
Imo,m
this
feature
of
his
plan.
He
then
declared
that
death
should
be
the
penalty
for
sin,
in
order
that
all
might
know
the
law
of
his
government-that
only
the
right
eous
shall
1iVl',
and
that
all
sinners
shall
eventually
be
destroyed.
Henr~e
God
arranged
beforehand
that
man's
sin,
which
he
fore
kIlCW,
should
bring
upon
Auam
and
his
posterity
the
extreme
renalty
of
his
law.
Many
would
not
have
chosen
sin
if
they
had
known
its
sure
results,
and
had
been
born
with
perfect
ability
to
choose
the
right.
But
God
purposed
that
Adam's
posterity
should
come
into
the
world
under
fallen
conditions,
as
the
result
of
his
disobedience.
He
purposed
to
make
manifest
here
on
the
planet
Earth
what
is
the
natural
tendency
and
certain
outcome
of
sin.
Sin's
tendency
is
always
downward;
and
not
only
so,
but
it
aggregates
itself,
and
leads
to
ruin
and
death.
God
designed
that
this
great
lesson
of
the
evil
results
of
sin
should
be
witnessed
by
the
angels
also,
who
before
the
creation
and
fall
of
man
were
surrounded
by
such
conditions
as
presented
no
special
temptation
to
sin.
TEMPTATION
COMES
TO
THE
ANGELS
God
desirl's
the
worship
of
only
such
as
worship
him
in
spirit
and
in
truth.
Any
who
will
not
worship
from
this
motive
shall
eventually
be
destroyed.
We
see
that
Goll
allowell
sin
not
only
to
enter
the
world
through
the
machinations
of
Satan,
but
to
be
a
source
of
temptation
to
the
angels.
We
see
how
all
the
angels
became
exposed
to
a
]It'culiar
temptation
in
connection
with
fallen
mankind.
(Genesis
6:1-5;
Jude
6)
'Ve
believe
that
Satan
instigated
this
tl'mptation,
as
he
did
the
temptation
of
Mother
Eve.
He
himself
was
the
first
tranll
gressor.
Some
of
the
angelic
host
surcumbed
to
this
temptation,
an,l
some
remaiued
loyal
to
God.
So
we
know
that
all
the
angels
of
heaven
were
subjC'cted
to
a
great
test
as
to
their
obedience
to
their
Creator.
All
those
angels
,\"ho
arc
in
harmony
with
Gorl,
accordillg
to
the
Bible,
have
stood
their
test.
These,
we
understand
the
Scriptures
to
teaeh,
haye
been
granted
the
re
ward
of
everlasting
life,
because
thry
proved
faithful
allll
obcclient
and
demonstrated
their
loyalty.
Those
who
fell
wpre
bOl1l1rl
in
chains
of
darkness
unto
the
jndgment
of
the
g'l'eat
day-now
present,
we
believe.
GOD'S
ECONOMICAL
PLAN
Man
has
for
six
thollsand
years
borne
th(~
IH'nalty,
"Dying,
thou
shalt
die'
'-the
pellalty
whieh
thl'
Bihle
(leelares
to
he
the
wages
of
sin-death
and
all
the
weaknesses
anu
(lepravities
of
mind
and
of
body
which
arc
its
aceompaniments.
But
God
purposes
that
all
shall
have
a
full
opportunity
of
recovery
from
this
condition
of
sin
and
death;
anll
the
provision
for
lIIan's
recovery
has
been
made
in
Christ.
This
provision
is
the
most
economical
one
that
could
have
been
arranged.
If
a
thousand
perfect
men
had
sinned,
it
would
have
required
a
thousanu
per
fect
men
to
redeem
them-one
retlremer
for
each
sinner.
"An
eye
for
an
eye,
a
tooth
for
a
tooth,"
a.
man's
life
for
a
man's
life,
is
the
requirement
of
Gou's
law.-Exodus
21
:23-25;
Deut.
]
9:
21.
Before
the
creation
of
our
first
parents
God
had
arranged
that
only
one
man
should
have
the
opportunity
to
fall
and
to
be
sentenced
to
death,
that
tlllls
only
one
man
would
be
re
quired
as
a
Redeemer.
This
divine
arrangement
was
most
eeonomical
because
it
will
bring
all
the
masses
of
humanity
hark
to
life
at
the
cost
of
but
one
human
life
as
the
redemp
tion-price.
No
fallen
man
could
be
a.
ransom,
a
corresponding
price,
for
the
perfect
man
Adam.
Therefore
God
purposed
from
the
very
beginning
that
his
only
begotten
Son,
the
first
born
of
all
creation,
should
become
man's
Redeemer
and
that
in
order
to
become
the
Redeemer
he
should
become
a
man.
The
death
of
an
angel
could
not
have
redeemed
man.
Divine
justice
required
that
a
perfect
human
life'must
be
given
for
a
perfect
human
life.
And
God,
knowing
all
this,
sent
his
Son
to
[5429]
MARCH 15, I914 the blessing you have received from these Bible Helps, and arrange to sell or loan him one of them. If the brother has some ability, he might do good by holding little question meetings while eating lunch. The answers should always be brief and to the point. To be helpful, such questions should be on the more simple features of the plan; deep questions would choke those who are spiritual babes. For instance, the conversation might be turncd to the subject of hel. The brother could insist that there is not a single passage in the Bible where the w ord means a place of endless misery, and the only places seemingly teaching so are very highly figurative passages. Then say, ‘‘I have a little book in which every passage in the Bible where the word hell oeeurs is explained. I will bring it here tomorrow and read you a couple of wonderful paragraphs in it.’’ This will probably bring them together the next day; and by promising to consider further questions the third day, one might have a regular little lunch-time class. Of course, the majority will tire of it, but a few may stick. In the larger towns and cities the truth-hungry might be advertised for. Some city-dailies will allow it among the miscellaneous religious advertisements; but in each case, judgment will have to be exercised as to where it should be placed, and how frequently inserted. The following is suggested as an advertisement: “‘Those who want to believe the Bible but have never yet found in it anything as satisfying and reasonable as they would expect God to give, are invited to send their names and ad VOL. AXXV THE WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. Y., APRIL 1, Apis No. 7 (95-99) dresses to P. O. Box This is no scheme, but simply an effort to bring real religious satisfaction to those who feel their faith is shaking.’’ Let some able, consecrated brother call upon those who respond, and either sell or loan them ‘‘The Divine Plan of the Ages.’’ He might first tell them of the blessing he is getting from the Word of God now, in contrast to the former conditions. He might call again, from time to time, to see what progress they are making, if the interest warrants. Sisters should call on the ladies who reply. I find that the brethren are not sufficiently alert to the opportunities among the foreigners in their town. If there be Greek confectioners in your town, send for a half dozen Greck tracts to give them. The same might apply to Chinese in the laundries, Italians at fruit-stands and in street gangs, ete. ‘«The Bible Students’ Monthly,’’ on ‘‘ What is Baptism?’’ is specially good where Brother Russell has been misrepresented very much, because of the article by Prof. Ellis and letter by Rev. T. S. Thompson, endorsing him and his work. The Brethren somctimes forget that they are able to do more than merely circulate yearly Volunteer literature. Often a special traet will fit in very well with local conditions, if cireulated at the psychological time. Every day makes me more desirous for the time when our service will not be limited by the weak, imperfect body in which we now dwell. I am glad that day is so near. I remain, with Christian love, on Jordan’s Banks, B. H. Barton. "JEHOVAH'S CHARACTER. MANIFESTED IN HIS ‘GREAT. PLAN OF THE AGES Why was Jesus Christ called upon to suffer and die? Could not the great God have accomplished the salvation of humanity in some other way, without the agony and death of his Son? These are questions which often present themselves to the thoughtful student of God’s Word, and which can be answered very satisfactorily. God could have arranged the matter very differently; He is not an unresourceful God. He is an all-wise God, an all-powerful God. We can see, for instance, that God could have decreed that Adam should be exeluded from the iarden of Eden for a time, and that after he had suffered somewhat for his disobedience, and had thereby learned a lesson, he should then be restored to favor. By that experience Adam would, no doubt, have been taught a very good lesson. So all of Adam’s children might have undergone some penalty, some purging experiences, whereby they might have profited, and then have come back again into harmony with God. But the wisdom of God is a mighty deep, and he has a great and wise plan! He had purposed that all of his intelligent creatures—angels, cherubim, seraphim, and humans—who would gain eternal life, must be absolutely loyal to him, and hence that they should all be tested in respect to their loyalty. They must all be tried and tested characters. It was his purpose, therefore, that all his intelligent creatures in heaven and on earth should be brought to perceive his goodness and worthiness of all praise, that they might be able to exclaim from the heart: ‘‘Blessing and honor and might be unto him that sitteth upon the throne ... forever!’’ Those who prove their loyalty to the Creator shall live everlastingly. Those who will not prove their loyalty shall die— go into absolute extinction. Up to the time man was created, God had not made known this feature of his plan. He then declared that death should be the penalty for sin, in order that all might know the law of his government—that only the righteous shall live, and that all sinners shall eventually be destroyed. Hence God arranged beforehand that man’s sin, which he foreknew, should bring upon Adam and his posterity the extreme penalty of his law. Many would not have chosen sin if they had known its sure results, and had been born with perfect ability to choose the right. But God purposed that Adam’s posterity should come into the world under fallen conditions, as the result of his disobedience. He purposed to make manifest here on the planet Earth what is the natural tendency and certain outeome of sin. Sin’s tendency is always downward; and not only so, but it aggregates itsclf, and leads to ruin and death. God designed that this great lesson of the evil results of sin should be witnessed by the angels also, who before the creation and fall of man were surrounded by such conditions as presented no special temptation to sin. TEMPTATION COMES TO THE ANGELS God desires the worship of only such as worship him in spirit and in truth. Any who will not worship from this motive shall eventually be destroyed. We sce that God allowed sin not only to enter the world through the machinations of Satan, but to be a source of temptation to the angels. We see how all the angels became exposed to a peculiar temptation in connection with fallen mankind. (Genesis 6:1-5; Jude 6) We helieve that Satan instigated this temptation, as he did the temptation of Mother Eve. He himself was the first transgressor. Some of the angelic host succumbed to this temptation, and some remained loyal to God. So we know that all the angels of heaven were subjected to a great test as to their obedience to their Creator. Al! those angels who are in harmony with God, according to the Bible, have stood their test. These, we understand the Scriptures to teach, have been granted the reward of everlasting life, because they proved faithful and obedient and demonstrated their loyalty. Those who fell were hound in chains of darkness unto the judgment of the great day—now present, we believe. GOD'S ECONOMICAL PLAN Man has for six thousand years horue the penalty, ‘‘ Dying, thou shalt die’’—the penalty which the Bible dcelares to he the wages of sin—death and all the weaknesses and depravities of mind and of body which are its accompaniments. But God purposes that all shall have a full opportunity of recovery from this condition of sin and death; and the provision for man’s recovery has been made in Christ. This provision is the most economical one that could have been arranged. If a thousand perfect men had sinned, it would have required a thousand perfeet men to redeem them—one redeemer for cach sinner. ‘‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,’’ a man’s life for a man’s life, is the requirement of God’s law.—Exodus 21:23-25; Deut. 19:21, Before the creation of our first parents God had arranged that only one man should have the opportunity to fall and to be sentenced to death, that thus only one man would be required as a Redeemer. This divine arrangement was most economical because it will bring all the masses of humanity hack to life at the cost of but one human life as the redemption-price. No fallen man could be a ransom, a corresponding price, for the perfect man Adam. Therefore God purposed from the very beginning that his only begotten Son, the firstborn of all creation, should become man’s Redeemer and that in order to hecome the Redeemer he should become a man. The death of an angel could not have redeemed man. Divine justice required that a perfect human life must be given for a perfect human life. And God, knowing all this, sent his Son to [5429]
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