Publication date
12/1/17
Volume
38
Number
23
The WatchTower
The Light of the world
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1917/23/1917-23-1.html
 
 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT 
OF 
THE 
LORD'S 
FAVOR 
The 
SoCIETY'S 
fiscal 
year 
closes 
with 
October 
31st. 
We 
take 
pleasure 
in 
acknowledging 
the 
Lord's 
great 
blessing 
upon 
the 
harvest 
work 
for 
the 
year, 
evidenced 
by 
an 
increase 
in 
every 
branch 
of 
the 
service. 
Our 
trial 
balance 
shows 
that 
1917 
ex- 
ceeds 
every 
other 
year 
of 
the 
harvest 
work 
except 
the 
phe­ 
nominal 
years 
of 
1913 
and 
1914. 
We 
feel 
sure 
the 
friends 
will 
rejoice 
over 
this 
furthcr 
evidence 
of 
the 
Lord's 
guidance 
and 
favor 
and 
that 
he 
is 
still 
at 
the 
helm. 
VOL. 
XXXVIII 
BROOKLYN, 
N. 
Y., 
DECEMBER 
1, 
1917 
No. 
23 
THE 
UGHT 
OF 
THE 
WORLD 
"The 
night 
is 
far 
spent, 
the 
day 
is 
at 
hand.; 
let 
us 
thcreforu 
east 
off 
the 
works 
of 
darkness, 
IJnd 
let 
u.~ 
put 
on 
the 
arIlJor 
of 
light. 
" 
"Ye 
are 
thc 
light 
of 
the 
world. 
"-R()mans 
13: 
12; 
Matthew 
5: 
14. 
There 
is 
a 
depth 
of 
meaning 
in 
these 
words 
that 
the 
human 
a 
few 
saw 
it; 
for 
it 
shone 
in 
a 
dark 
place; 
and 
to 
those 
who 
mind 
cannot 
comprehend. 
This 
was 
especially 
true 
with 
refer. 
did 
see 
it 
the 
Master 
declared, 
"Blessed 
are 
your 
eyes, 
for 
enee 
to 
the 
statement 
of 
the 
Master 
when 
the 
disciples 
heard 
they 
see."-Matthew 
13: 
16. 
him 
say. 
"Ye 
are 
the 
light 
of 
the 
world." 
They 
could 
not 
grasp 
In 
proof 
that 
light 
is 
a 
symbol 
of 
Hfe 
we 
quote 
the 
words 
the 
meaning 
of 
his 
words; 
for 
the 
holy 
Spirit 
was 
not 
then 
of 
the 
Master: 
"Then 
spake 
Jesus 
unto 
them, 
saying, 
I 
am 
the 
given. 
Only 
the 
new 
creature 
in 
G'hrist 
can 
have 
an 
apprecia- 
Light 
of 
the 
world; 
he 
that 
followeth 
me 
shall 
not 
walk 
in 
tion 
of 
the 
meaning 
thereof, 
and 
the 
extent 
of 
appreciation 
is 
darkness, 
but 
shall 
have 
the 
light 
of 
life." 
(John 
8:12) 
It 
in 
proportion 
to 
his 
spiritual 
development. 
follows 
then 
that 
all 
who 
have 
the 
right 
to 
life 
must 
have 
the 
In 
all 
the 
languages 
of 
the 
earth, 
light 
is 
a 
symhol 
of 
truth 
light. 
Those 
who 
have 
no 
light 
have 
no 
right 
to 
life. 
All 
and 
life. 
The 
sun 
is 
the 
great 
light 
of 
the 
earth, 
and 
sustains 
those 
who 
will 
ever 
have 
the 
right 
to 
life 
must 
have 
the 
light; 
a. 
relationship 
to 
the 
earth 
and 
its 
products 
designedly 
and 
since 
it 
is 
God's 
purpose 
t11at 
every 
man 
shall 
have 
a 
analogous 
to 
that 
of 
C'rl>d 
to 
the 
universe. 
As 
all 
light 
of 
the 
chance 
to 
allcept 
life 
thc 
time 
must 
come 
that 
every 
man 
will 
earth 
emanatea 
from 
the 
SUll, 
so 
all 
truth 
and 
life 
proceed 
from 
~ee 
the 
Jj.,.ht. 
Hence 
we 
read, 
"It 
is 
the 
will 
of 
God 
that 
all 
God. 
As 
light 
is 
·adapted 
to 
the 
eye, 
so 
truth 
is 
adapted 
to 
the 
men 
shalt 
be 
saved 
and 
brought 
to 
an 
accurate 
knowledge 
of 
mind; 
and 
in 
proportion 
as 
we 
perceive 
and 
receive 
the 
truth. 
the 
truth."-l 
Timothy 
2: 
3, 
4. 
the 
light 
increases 
ill 
our 
lives. 
Beginning 
with 
the 
sun 
and 
HOW 
WE 
GET 
THE 
LIGHT 
tracing 
out 
the 
analogy 
we 
find 
that 
all 
nature 
is 
really 
If 
Jesus 
was 
the 
Light 
of 
the 
world, 
why 
did 
he 
say 
to 
symbolic. 
This 
does 
not 
come 
by 
accident. 
but 
designedly 
so. 
his 
disciples, 
"Yeare 
the 
light 
of 
the 
world"? 
It 
is 
not 
an 
accident 
that 
the 
sun 
and 
moon 
are 
symbols; 
for 
In 
answering 
this 
question 
we 
recall 
the 
words 
of 
the 
Mas· 
we 
read, 
"God 
said 
. 
. 
. 
Let 
them 
be 
for 
signs."--Gen. 
1:14. 
ter 
(John 
9:5): 
"As 
long 
as 
I 
am 
in 
the 
world 
I 
am 
the 
The 
antithesis 
of 
light 
is 
darkness. 
It 
symbolizes 
evil, 
Light 
of 
the 
world." 
When 
Jesus 
said, 
"Ye 
are 
the 
light 
of 
the 
wickedness, 
error, 
sin, 
death 
and 
everything 
that 
is 
unde- 
world," 
he 
spoke 
prophetieally; 
for 
it 
was 
not 
then 
true, 
ex­ 
sirable. 
Light, 
therefore, 
is 
a 
symbol 
of 
righteousness, 
truth, 
cept 
in 
the 
sense 
that 
they 
reflected 
his 
Spirit. 
In 
the 
fuller 
life, 
and 
the 
blessings 
incident 
thereto. 
sense 
it 
was 
true 
after 
his 
crucifixion 
and 
resurrection, 
and 
~IO;HT 
TO 
LIVE,LWI'l'ED. 
after 
the 
giving 
of 
the 
holy 
Spirit 
to 
the 
consecrated 
at 
Pente- 
One 
of 
~he 
prmclples. 
of 
(i{)d.s 
arrangem.ent 
18 
that 
.all 
cost. 
He 
spake, 
however, 
of 
things 
that 
were 
to 
be 
as 
though 
rlgh.teous 
belUgs 
have 
the.nght 
to 
hve. 
Truth 
IS 
the 
expresSIOn 
they 
were. 
In 
one 
sense 
the 
disciples, 
as 
his 
representatives 
of 
rIghteousness. 
Henee 
It 
follow~ 
that 
all 
ml;'st 
have 
.the 
truth 
acting 
under 
his 
authority, 
were 
then 
the 
light 
of 
the 
world; 
befo~e 
they 
can 
~now 
th~ 
wa~ 
to 
ll.fe. 
As 
an 
IllustratIon:. 
The 
for 
they 
reflected 
the 
light. 
But 
the 
time 
was 
to 
come, 
and 
did 
sun 
IS 
a 
gr,eat 
llght 
whIch 
gIves 
hgh~ 
to 
th~ 
~arth 
and 
hfe 
to 
come, 
when 
they 
constituted 
the 
light 
of 
the 
world 
because 
they 
the 
vegetatIOn 
of 
the 
earth 
.. 
The 
sun 
IS 
r.equlSlte 
to 
the 
growth 
were 
in 
him 
as 
members 
of 
his 
body. 
This 
has 
been 
true 
with 
!U1d.development 
of 
pl~nt 
~Ife. 
Plant~ 
WIll 
n~t 
~o~ 
and 
flour- 
reference 
to 
every 
Christian 
who 
has 
abode 
in 
Christ 
and 
has 
Ish 
In 
.darkness, 
but 
wIll 
SIcken. 
and 
dIe. 
So 
It 
IS 
wI~h 
all 
who 
had 
the 
words 
of 
Christ 
abiding 
in 
him. 
have 
lIfe--they 
must 
have 
the 
hght 
from 
the 
Grea.t 
LIght. 
The 
The 
ransom-price 
provided 
by 
the 
death 
and 
resurrection 
of 
Scriptu~es 
des?,t'ibe 
Jehovah 
as 
a 
"sun" 
(Psaln:, 
~4: 
11), 
as 
"a 
Jesus 
was, 
at 
the 
time 
of 
his 
ascension 
into 
heaven, 
made 
avail­ 
~nsumlDg 
fire 
(Hebr,~ws 
12:29), 
and 
a 
great 
.1lght, 
In. 
,!hom 
able 
for 
the 
use 
of 
those 
who 
throughout 
the 
Gospel 
age 
should 
I~ 
no 
darkn~s 
at 
all. 
(1 
Jo~n. 
1:5) 
.God.ls 
the 
orIgIn 
of 
offer 
themselves 
to 
God 
in 
full 
consecration. 
The 
disciples 
lIg;ht, 
and 
IS 
therefore 
the 
.0ngIn 
of 
life. 
Where 
the 
sun 
were 
consecrated 
prior 
to 
Pentecost, 
but 
not 
justified. 
Hence 
shmes, 
dark1?'ess 
flees 
before 
Its 
rays. 
Where 
the 
.countenance 
their 
spirit-begetting 
could 
not 
take 
place 
until 
Pentecost. 
of 
Jehovah 
IS 
m~de 
to 
appear, 
darkness 
and 
unng~teous.nel!s 
Those 
of 
the 
church 
receive 
the 
light 
only 
at 
the 
time 
of 
conse­ 
flee 
away 
.• 
To 
tillS 
the 
Apostle 
referred 
when 
he 
8&ld, 
"Tlme~ 
cration 
and 
of 
the 
receipt 
of 
the 
merit 
of 
the 
Master's 
sacrifice; 
of 
refreshmg 
shall 
come 
from 
the 
presence 
[face) 
of 
the 
Lord. 
llnd 
when 
they 
have 
been 
accepted 
by 
the 
lI'ather 
and 
begotten 
-Acts 
3: 
19. 
of 
the 
holy 
Spirit, 
the 
illumination 
follows. 
These 
who 
are 
in 
In 
the 
Genesis 
a~~nf~A~r::t?~T 
we 
read 
that 
''God 
Christ 
are 
members 
of 
his 
body. 
It 
is 
proper 
then 
to 
sa)' 
that 
made 
two 
great 
lights; 
the 
greater 
light 
to 
rule 
the 
day 
from 
the 
Jordan 
till 
now, 
The 
Christ 
is 
the 
light 
of 
the 
wor 
I 
I. 
and 
the 
lesser 
light 
to 
rule 
the 
night: 
he 
made 
the 
stars 
for 
the 
reason 
that 
The 
Christ 
includes 
all 
those 
who 
have 
the 
also." 
(Gen. 
1: 
16) 
The 
stars 
here 
symbolize 
that 
class 
~pirit 
of 
Jesus 
and 
who 
are 
walking 
in 
accord 
with 
the 
term, 
l 
I 
b 
of 
their 
eovenant. 
to 
which 
Abraham 
be 
onged. 
Abraham 
had 
litt 
e 
light, 
ut 
This 
is 
very 
beautifUlly 
pictured 
by 
the 
golden 
candle,tick 
great 
faitb. 
The 
moon 
symbolizes 
the 
Mosaw 
law 
given 
the 
Jews, 
to 
the 
ex;clusion 
of 
all 
others. 
Since 
the 
time 
of 
Adam, 
in 
the 
Holy 
of 
the 
Tabernacle. 
The 
candle-stick 
was 
all 
of 
one 
disobedience 
and 
darkness 
prevail 
over 
the 
ea.rtb, 
and 
gross 
piece, 
composed 
of 
gold, 
and 
represents 
toose 
begotten 
to 
the 
darkness 
over 
the 
people. 
To 
the 
Jews 
God 
gave 
some 
light 
divine 
nature, 
the 
centre-burner 
representing 
Jesus 
and 
the 
h 
h 
La 
Co 
t 
h' 
h 
. 
bor 
d 
other 
burners 
representing 
the 
body 
members. 
The 
oil 
therein 
through 
t 
e 
terms 
of 
t 
e 
w 
venan, 
w 
IC 
IS 
sym 
lze 
pictures 
the 
holy 
Spirit, 
and. 
the 
light 
coming 
from 
the 
burn- 
by 
the 
moon. 
As 
we 
know, 
the 
moon 
does 
not 
give 
forth 
her 
d 
b 
\ 
I 
· 
h 
ell 
t 
h 
. 
h 
. 
ed 
h 
ing 
of 
the 
oil 
represents 
the 
illumination 
pos8eSse 
y 
t 
JOB£' 
own 
Ig 
t, 
but 
r 
ec 
s 
t 
e 
hg 
t 
reeelv 
from 
t 
e 
sun. 
And 
so 
who 
are 
in 
Christ, 
possessing 
his 
Spirit. 
This 
illumination 
it 
is 
with 
the 
Law 
Covenant. 
It 
could 
not 
be 
appreciated 
by 
constitutes 
such 
the 
light 
of 
the 
world. 
those 
living 
prior 
to 
the 
openi~ 
of 
the 
Gosre 
l 
age. 
The 
law 
WHAT 
WE 
SHALL 
DO 
reflects 
the 
light 
from 
the 
Gospe 
of 
Messiah 
s 
kingdom, 
which 
Behold 
what 
a 
favored 
n<>Aition 
the 
body 
members 
occupy! 
Gospel 
was 
first 
preached 
to 
Abraham. 
(Galatians 
3: 
8) 
Only 
1:'-- 
those 
who 
have 
received 
and 
accepted 
the 
light 
of 
the 
message 
God 
is 
the 
great 
Li~ht 
from 
whom 
cometh 
all 
light 
and 
lik 
of 
Messiah's 
kingdom 
can 
now 
appreciate 
the 
light 
eoming 
from 
Jesus 
is 
the 
expTess 
Image 
of 
the 
Father; 
and 
through 
him 
the 
the 
Law 
Oovenant, 
which 
foreshadows 
better 
things 
to 
come.- 
fully 
consecrated 
are 
privileged 
to 
be 
a 
reflection 
of 
Jehovah's 
Hebrews 
10:1. 
light 
in 
the 
earth. 
When 
we 
realize 
this 
fact 
we 
can.better 
GBEA'l'EB 
LIGHT 
understa.nd 
why 
the 
Apostle 
refers 
to 
the 
Christian 
as 
an 
am- 
At 
the 
close 
of 
the 
Jewish 
age 
there 
came 
into 
the 
world 
bassador 
of 
Christ's 
kingdom, 
and 
can 
better 
appreciate 
the 
Jeaus, 
the 
Son 
of 
God. 
Although 
born 
under 
the 
Law 
Covenant, 
responsibilities 
that 
rest 
upon 
us 
because 
of 
this 
light 
and 
he 
was 
greater 
than 
the 
law. 
Being 
a 
perfect 
man, 
he 
could 
privilege. 
comply 
with 
the 
terms 
of 
the 
law. 
This 
he 
did, 
and 
went 
be- 
Seeing 
the 
favored 
position 
which 
the 
members 
of 
the 
body 
yond 
its 
requirements 
in 
the 
fulfilment 
of 
God's 
great 
plan. 
this 
side 
the 
veil 
occupy 
with 
relation 
to 
Jehovah 
and 
to 
the 
From 
Adam 
to 
Jesus 
there 
had 
been 
no 
true 
light 
in 
the 
world 
great 
:M:.aster, 
St. 
Paul 
was 
evidently 
desirous 
of 
impressing 
this 
whatsoever. 
When 
Jesus 
came 
he 
declared, 
"I 
am 
the 
Light 
of 
thought 
upon 
all 
Christians 
when 
he 
wrote: 
"The 
night 
is 
filT 
the 
world." 
Again 
the 
Scriptures 
record 
of 
him: 
"He 
was 
spent, 
the 
day 
is 
at 
hand; 
let 
us 
therefore 
cast 
off 
the 
works 
of 
. 
. 
. 
the 
true 
Light 
which 
lighteth 
evety 
man 
that 
cometh 
·darkness, 
and 
let 
Ult 
put 
on 
the 
armor 
of 
light."-Romans 
into 
the 
world." 
(,John 
I: 
9) 
The 
Light 
then 
was 
local; 
only 
13 
: 
12. 
(355-356) 
[6174] 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE LORD’S FAVOR The Soctety’s fiscal year closes with October 8lst. We take pleasure in acknowledging the Lord’s great blessing upon the arvest work for the year, evidenced by an increase in every branch of the service. Our trial balance showa that 1917 ex ceeds every other year of the harvest work except the phenominal years of 1913 and 1914. We feel sure the friends will rejoice over this further evidence of the Lord’s guidance and favor and that he is still at the helm. Vou. XXXVIII BROOKLYN, N. Y., DECEMBER 1, 1917 No. 23 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD ‘‘The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.'’ ““¥e are the light of the world.’’-Rémans 13:12; Matthew 5:14. _ There is a depth of meaning in these words that the human mind cannot comprehend. This was especially true with reference to the statement of the Master when the disciples heard him say, “Ye are the light of the world.” They could not grasp the meaning of his words; for the holy Spirit was not then given. Only the new creature in Christ can have an appreciation of the meaning thereof, and the extent of appreciation is in proportion to his spiritual development. In all the languages of the earth, light is a symbol of truth and life. The sun is the great light of the earth, and sustains a relationship to the earth and its products designedly analogous to that of God to the universe. As all light of the earth emanates from the sun, so all truth and life proceed from God, As light is adapted to the eye, so truth is adapted to the maind; and in proportion as we perceive and receive the truth, the light increases in our lives. Beginning with the sun and tracing out the analogy we find that all nature is really symbolic. This does not come by accident, but designedly so. It is not an accident that the sun and moon are symbols; for we read, “God said . . Let them be for signs.”——Gen. 1:14. The antithesia of light is darkness. It symbolizes evil, wickedness, errer, sin, death and everything that is undesirable. Light, therefore, is a symbol of righteousness, truth, life, and the blessings incident thereto. RIGHT TO LIVE LIMITED One of the principles of God’s arrangement is that all righteous beings have the right to live. Truth is the expression of righteousness. Hence it follows that all must have the truth before they can know the way to life. As an illustration: The sun is a great light which gives light to the earth and life to the vegetation of the earth. The sun is requisite to the growth and development of plant life. Plants will not grow and flourish in darkness, but will sicken and die. So it is with all who have life—they must have the light from the Great Light. The Scriptures describe Jehovah as a “sun” (Psalm 84:11), as “a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), and a great “light, in whom is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) God is the origin of light, and is therefore the origin of life. Where the sun shines, darkness flees before its rays. Where the countenance of Jehovah is made to appear, darkness and unrighteousness flee away. To this the Apostle referred when he said, “Times of refreshing shall come from the presence [face} of the Lord.” — Acta 3:19. THE GREAT LIGHT In the Genesis account of creation we read that “God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.” (Gen. 1:16) The stars here symbolize that class to which Abraham belonged. Abraham had little light, but great faith. The moon symbolizes the Mosaic law given the Jewa, to the exclusion of ali others. Since the time of Adam, disobedience and darkness prevail over the earth, and grossa darkness over the people. To the Jews God gave some light through the terms of the Law Covenant, which is symbolized by the moon. As we know, the moon does not give forth her own light, but reflects the light received from the sun. And so it is with the Law Covenant. It could not be appreciated by those living prior to the opening of the Gospel age. The law reflects the light from the Gospel of Messiah's kingdom, which Gospel was first preached to Abraham. (Galatians 3:8) Only those who have received and accepted the light of the message of Messiah’s kingdom can now appreciate the light coming from the Law Covenant, which foreshadows better things to come.— Hebrews 10:1. GREATER LIGHT At the close of the Jewish age there came into the world Jesus, the Son of God. Although born under the Law Covenant, he wag greater than the law. Being a perfect man, he could comply with the terms of the law. This he did, and went beyond its requirements in the fulfilment of God’s great plan. From Adam to Jesus there had been no true light in the world whatsoever. When Jesus came he declared, “I am the Light of the world.” Again the Scriptures record of him: “He was . . . the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:9) The Light then was local; only (355-356) a few saw it; for it shone in a dark place; and to those who did see it the Master declared, “Blessed are your eyes, for they see.”—Matthew 13:16. In proof that light is a symbol of Hife we quote the words of the Master: “Then spake Jesus unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) It follows then that all who have the right to life must have the light. Those who have no light have no right to life. All those who will ever have the right to life must have the light; and since it is God’s purpose that every man shall have a chance to accept life the time must come that every man will see the light. Hence we read, “It is the will of God that all men shall be saved and brought to an accurate knowledge of the truth.”—1 Timothy 2:3, 4. HOW WE GET THE LIGHT If Jesus was the Light of the world, why did he say to his disciples, “Ye are the light of the world’? In answering this question we recall the words of the Master (John 9:5): “As long as I am in the world I am the Light of the world.” When Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world,” he spoke prophetically; for it was not then true, except in the sense that they reflected his Spirit. In the fuller sense it was true after his crucifixion and resurrection, and after the giving of the holy Spirit to the consecrated at Pentecost. He spake, however, of things that were to be as though they were. In one sense the disciples, as his representatives acting under his authority, were then the light of the world; for they refleeted the light. But the time was to come, and did come, when they constituted the light of the world because they were in him as members of his body. This has been true wit reference to every Christian who has abode in Christ and has had the words of Christ abiding in him. The ransom-price provided by the death and resurrection of Jesus was, at the time of his ascension into heaven, made available for the use of those who throughout the Gospel age should offer themselves to God in full consecration. The disciples were consecrated prior ta Pentecost, but not justified. Hence their spirit-begetting could not take place until Pentecost. Those of the church receive the light only at the time of consecration and of the receipt of the merit of the Master’s sacrifice ; and when they have been accepted by the Father and begotten of the holy Spirit, the illumination follows. These who are in Christ are members of his body. It is proper then to say that from the Jordan till now, The Christ is the light of the worll. for the reason that The Christ includes all those who have the Spirit of Jesus and who are walking in accord with the terms of their covenant. This is very beautifully pictured by the golden candlestick in the Holy of the Tabernacle. The candle-stick was all of one piece, composed of gold, and represents those begotten to the divine nature, the centre-burner representing Jesus and the other burners representing the body members. The oi] therein pictures the holy Spirit, andthe light coming from the burning of the oil represents the illumination possessed by those who are in Christ, possessing his Spirit. This illumination constitutes such the light of the world. WHAT WE SHALL DO Behold what a favored position the body members occupy! God is the great Light from whom cometh all light and lie. Jegus is the expreas image of the Father; and through him the fully consecrated are privileged to be a reflection of Jehovah’s light in the earth. When we realize this fact we can better understand why the Apostle refers to the Christian as an ambassador of Christ’s kingdom, and can better appreciate the responsibilities that rest upon us because of this light and privilege. Seeing the favored position which the members of the body this side the veil occupy with relation to Jehovah and to the great Master, St. Paul was evidently desirous of impressing this thought upon all Christians when he wrote: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”’—Romans 13:12, [6174]

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