Publication date
3/15/18
Volume
39
Number
6
The WatchTower
The great shaking now in progress
The Watchtower Magazines
/../literature/watchtower/1918/6/1918-6-1.html
 
 
 
 
 
~IARCH 
I, 
1918 
THE 
WATCn 
TOWER 
(7~ 
84) 
represent 
it 
or 
the 
International 
Bible 
Students 
Association 
or 
the 
Peoples 
Pulpit 
Association. 
'rhe 
eviJent 
purpose 
of 
the 
two 
named 
and 
those 
associated 
witll 
them 
is 
to 
cause 
divi­ 
sion 
amouw;t 
the 
brethren. 
"l'ow 
1 
beseech 
you, 
brethren, 
mark 
them 
which 
cause 
divisions 
and 
offences, 
contrary 
to 
thc 
doctrine 
which 
ye 
haVl' 
learncrl; 
alld 
avoi,l 
them. 
For 
tlwy 
that 
al'l' 
such 
serve 
1I0t 
our 
Lord 
Jesus 
Christ., 
but 
their 
own 
belly' 
and 
by 
good 
words 
and 
fair 
speeches 
,Ieceive 
the 
hearts 
of 
th~ 
simple." 
(Romans 
16: 
17, 
HI) 
"These 
six 
things 
doth 
the 
Lord 
hate; 
yea, 
seven 
are 
llll 
ahom 
i 
nation 
unto 
him: 
A 
proud 
look, 
a 
lying 
tongue, 
an,1 
hands 
that 
shed 
illnocellt 
blood, 
an 
heart 
that 
deviseth 
wicked 
imaginations, 
feet 
that 
be 
swift 
in 
running 
to 
misehid, 
a 
flllse 
witness 
that 
speaketh 
lips. 
and 
he 
that 
80\\"l'th 
di~eord 
lUIIOllg 
hrl'thren." 
To 
avoid 
such 
does 
IIOt 
mean 
to 
treat 
them 
nnkindly, 
but 
it 
,ioes 
mean 
to 
refuse 
to 
fellowship 
such 
in 
the 
spirit 
of 
tl](' 
Lord. 
Leave 
their 
judgment 
entirely 
to 
him 
who 
judgeth 
all 
. 
- 
-- 
---- 
.~~=- 
things 
righteously. 
Again 
Brother 
I1ussell's 
words 
in 
the 
artiCle 
above 
mentioned 
are 
applieable: 
"If 
he 
has 
different 
views, 
do 
not 
pers{'cllte 
him-do 
not 
follow 
the 
style 
of 
the 
dark 
ages, 
but 
follow 
the 
proper 
eourse 
of 
letting 
him 
'flock 
to 
himself,' 
or 
with 
as 
many 
as 
pref,'r 
to 
view 
matters 
as 
he 
views 
them. 
We 
have 
not 
given 
such 
strong 
advice 
heretofore; 
bllt 
we 
perceive 
that 
many 
of 
the 
<lear 
sheep 
are 
be,jug 
troll 
bled, 
hindered 
of 
deveiopment, 
and 
imposed 
upon. 
W 
(' 
see 
that 
proportionately 
such 
elders 
and 
deacons 
are 
growing 
more 
bold, 
and 
hence 
the 
need 
is 
the 
greater 
that 
all 
who 
have 
the 
right 
spirit, 
and 
who 
realize 
that 
under 
the 
Lord's 
guidance 
in 
our 
study 
of 
the 
'Divine 
Plan 
of 
the 
Ages,' 
we 
have 
not 
been 
following 
'cunningly 
devised 
fables,' 
should 
now 
take 
a 
positive 
starid 
for 
the 
good 
of 
thelllselw,s, 
for 
the 
good 
of 
the 
leaders 
who 
manifest 
a 
wrong 
spirit, 
and 
for 
the 
good 
of 
the 
pulJlic, 
who 
are 
inquiring 
for 
t.he 
way 
of 
the 
Lord 
as 
never 
before." 
YOLo 
XXXIX 
BHOOKLYN, 
~. 
Y., 
l\IAHCII 
15, 
1915 
====-=--===. 
---. 
-·-----.o·----·--~,,--.-. 
__ 
-_~=__-_- 
_c_.==o_== 
THE 
GREAT 
SHAKIN 
G 
NOW 
IN 
PROGRESS 
Xu. 
() 
"II'I/i)~e 
'C'uicc 
then 
shook 
the 
earthj 
bllt 
nrl/" 
hr, 
hath 
T"'()rnised, 
!1Ii/illff. 
ret 
on<:e 
more 
I 
shllk!" 
not 
till' 
r'{/l'th 
(J1I1:1. 
bllt 
rtl.m 
heaven. 
And 
this 
ll:ord. 
Yet 
on('e 
lnU1'C, 
signifieth 
the 
n;fl/ol"ing 
of 
those 
tilillflS 
th"t 
rIre 
shaken. 
'" 
of 
things 
that 
are 
made, 
that 
thosc 
tjz'ngs 
wjzich 
cannot 
be 
shnken 
may 
,"('rn"lin."--Ilehrew" 
1:!:2ti, 
27. 
Why 
should 
there 
be 
so 
many 
trying 
experiences 
in 
the 
illg 
pn'parC'd 
a 
LettC'r 
thillg 
for 
the 
Gospel 
chureh. 
But. 
when 
church 
at 
this 
time~ 
is 
a 
qnestion 
often 
asked. 
A 
Scriptural 
the 
church 
is 
perfected, 
thl'n 
these 
faithful 
ones 
of 
oltl 
shaH 
consideration 
of 
the 
period 
in 
which 
we 
are 
living 
clearly 
an- 
come 
into 
their 
reward. 
swC'rs 
this 
quC'stion. 
And 
we 
believe 
all 
~\'ho. 
,,'ill 
thus 
pra):er- 
WRITTEN 
AFORETIME 
FOR 
OUR 
ADMONITION 
fully 
and 
earefully 
examine 
the 
matter 
.w1ll, 
mstead 
of 
havmg 
Why 
did 
the 
LorJ 
cause 
the 
apostle 
to 
rC''Drd 
these 
events 
their 
faith 
shaken 
by 
reason 
of 
the 
tnals 
that 
are 
no:" 
l~pon 
so 
mueh 
in 
uetaiH 
Because 
they 
are 
experiences 
typical 
of 
the 
Lord's 
people, 
have 
it 
greatly 
strengthened. 
ThIS 
IS 
a 
the 
experiences 
that 
should 
come 
to 
the 
members 
of 
the 
church. 
time 
when 
all 
~he 
co.nsccrated 
should 
.have 
con~dent 
assurance 
Those 
trying 
things 
demonstrated 
the 
loyalty 
of 
the 
Illell 
of 
of 
thcir 
standmg 
With 
the 
Lord. 
Smce 
makmg 
a 
c.onsecra- 
old, 
and. 
prove 
that 
those 
who 
enter 
into 
the 
king\iom 
must 
tion, 
our 
hope 
has 
been 
for 
an. 
abundant 
ent;ance 
~nto 
th~ 
possess 
a 
like 
lo)'alty. 
These 
faithful 
worthies 
were 
l'anse. 
king,lom 
of 
our 
Lord. 
and 
SavIOr 
Jes.us, 
Ch~lst. 
Co?fiden~ 
crated, 
but 
they 
had 
no 
opportunity 
to 
obtain 
membership 
in 
assurance 
of 
t~e 
estabhs~ment 
of 
Me.ssl~h 
s 
klllgdom 
.1S 
that 
the 
heavenly 
phase 
of 
the 
kingdolll; 
for 
tlw 
rallsOlll 
,;ae'ritke 
condition 
of 
mmd 
resultmK 
from 
bel1evmg 
th~ 
teaclllngs 
of 
was 
not 
yet 
giv('n. 
the 
Scriptures 
upon 
the 
subJect. 
These 
teach~ngs 
arc 
elear, 
The 
apostle's 
argument 
beginning 
with 
the 
twelfth 
chapter 
eogent 
and 
convincing; 
so 
tha!., 
thoroughly 
relY1~g 
upon 
.them, 
shQWS 
conclusively 
that 
the 
elel"enth 
ehapter 
was 
written 
for 
all 
doubt 
of 
an 
early 
esta 
bhshment 
of 
the 
klllgdom 
IS 
re- 
the 
very 
purpose 
of 
encouraging 
Christians 
in 
their 
trying 
moved. 
. 
. 
. 
experiences. 
There 
he 
says 
in 
substance: 
"Take 
into 
con- 
I~ach 
one 
who 
will 
enter 
the 
.klllgdom 
must 
have 
h!s 
faIth 
sideration 
the 
great 
trial 
through 
whieh 
the 
prophets 
and 
faith­ 
thoroughly 
tested. 
This 
t~st 
WIll 
demonstrate 
who 
1S 
loyal 
ful 
worthies 
passed; 
and 
having 
in 
mind 
the 
promise 
of 
memo 
and 
who 
is 
not. 
To 
be 
faIthful 
means 
not 
only 
to 
know 
the 
bership 
in 
the 
heavenly 
kingdom, 
let 
those 
experiences 
te 
a 
truth 
and 
rely 
upon 
it. 
but 
to 
be 
loyal 
to 
the 
Lord-to 
Jehovall, 
stimulus 
to 
you 
to 
endure 
cheerfully 
whatsoever 
the 
Lord 
is 
to 
Christ 
Jesus, 
to 
the 
c~use 
of 
t~uth 
and 
to 
the 
brethr~n. 
pleased 
to 
give 
you; 
having 
in 
mind 
also 
the 
Lord 
Jesus, 
who 
Loyalty 
to 
the 
very 
core 
WIll 
be 
reqUlr~d 
of 
those 
who 
e~ter 
m. 
was 
the 
author 
and 
who 
will 
be 
the 
finisher 
of 
your 
faith, 
who 
In 
('hapters 
eleven, 
twelve 
and 
thuteen 
of 
t~e 
~p1stle 
to 
rejoiced 
greatly 
in 
the 
prize 
set 
before 
him 
and 
endured 
all 
the 
Hebrews 
the 
apostle 
pr.esents 
the 
most 
~onvmclllg 
argu- 
hardships 
and 
persecutions 
gladly. 
Take 
these 
into 
eonsid­ 
ment- 
concerning 
the 
C'stabhshment 
of 
the 
kmgdom 
and 
the 
("ration, 
therefore, 
lest 
vou 
!le;;ome 
wearied 
'and 
faint 
in 
your 
conditions 
to 
prevail 
immediately. 
prec~ding 
tha~ 
ev~n~. 
. 
I1J 
minds. 
You 
have 
not 
yet 
resisted 
to 
the 
end; 
but 
you 
must 
the 
eleventh 
chapter 
he 
.defines. 
faIth, 
w1thout 
,,:hlch 
1t. 
IS 
Im- 
thus 
resist 
in 
order 
to 
prove 
your 
loyalty 
to 
the 
Lord." 
possible 
even 
to 
be 
conSIdered 
m 
the 
class 
that 
IS 
runnmg 
for 
What 
an 
encouragement 
to 
Christians 
at 
this 
time, 
who 
the 
prize 
of 
the 
kingdom. 
He 
defines 
the 
elements 
of 
faIth, 
may 
be 
undergoing 
severe 
trials 
and 
tribulations! 
There 
is 
a 
which, 
when 
once 
acq~Iired, 
lead 
to 
confident 
assurance 
an.d 
disposition, 
w:hen 
severely 
t('ste(1, 
to 
draw 
hack 
and 
give 
up 
loyalty. 
B~inning 
wltm. 
Abel, 
the 
fin;t 
ma.d)·r 
to 
sln'd 
hI>; 
the 
fight. 
Not 
Infrequently 
one 
will 
say: 
"I 
wonder 
why 
bloo,1 
for 
the 
cause 
of 
nghteousness, 
the 
aI~ostle 
enumerates 
the 
Lord 
permits 
me 
to 
have 
such 
severc 
trials. 
Why 
does 
the 
many 
o~ 
that 
array 
of 
strong 
.characters, 
whleh 
reaches 
down 
('hurch 
have 
to 
endure 
81Wh 
trying 
C'xpe-ri",n('es 
now?" 
To 
this 
to 
and 
mcludes 
John 
t~e 
Baptist, 
the 
last 
and 
greatest 
of 
the 
the 
apostle 
answers 
in 
substance.: 
'You 
have 
forgotten 
that 
prophets. 
Th~ 
cro,,:nmg 
vlrtu.e 
of 
each 
of 
these 
.approved 
the 
Lord 
disciplines 
his 
called 
ones, 
and 
that 
he 
puts 
them 
ones, 
~hat 
whIch 
gamed 
for 
111m 
a 
g?od 
report 
helore 
God, 
through 
the 
necessary 
trials 
for 
that 
purpose. 
He 
does 
this 
was 
h1S 
loyalty 
to 
the 
Lord 
and 
to 
rl~hte0.usnpss. 
It 
.would 
because 
he 
loves 
his 
children.' 
It 
is 
added 
then 
that 
if 
we 
appear 
that 
the 
very 
purpose. 
of 
the 
lust.orlcal 
re~ord 
~n 
the 
endure 
this 
discipline 
cheerfully, 
Go;] 
deals 
with 
us 
as 
his 
eleventh 
chapter 
of 
Hehrews 
IS 
to 
establ1sh 
oefillltely 
m 
the 
sons. 
To 
emphasize 
the 
matter 
he 
says 
that 
if 
we 
are 
without 
mind 
of 
tho 
Christian 
the 
fact 
that 
the 
fixed 
law 
of 
Jehovah 
this 
discipline 
we 
should 
have 
cause 
t8 
be 
alarmed. 
It 
would 
approves 
only 
those 
who 
a:e 
fully 
loyal 
at 
heart; 
and 
the 
be 
an 
evidence 
that 
we 
were 
not 
sons. 
In 
other 
phrase, 
trying 
further 
fact 
that 
to 
prove 
himself 
loyal 
he 
mllst 
endure 
~any 
experiences 
are 
indispensable 
to 
all 
those 
who 
eome 
into 
the 
trying 
experiences. 
He 
must 
fight 
against 
the 
foes. 
of 
nght- 
kingdom. 
eousness, 
and 
·he 
must 
fight 
loyally 
to 
the 
end. 
Apphell 
to 
the 
fully 
consecrated 
Christian, 
these 
principles 
prove 
that 
only 
INAUGURATION 
OF 
MESSIAH'S 
KINGDOM 
AT 
HAND 
the 
truly 
loyal 
at 
heart 
will 
be 
able 
to 
stand 
the 
great 
shak- 
"But," 
one 
ask~, 
"""hy 
Rre 
these 
trials 
mt>re 
severe 
.just 
ing 
that 
precedes 
the 
establishment 
of 
the 
kingdom. 
now~" 
The 
apostl~ 
alll!wers 
that 
que~tion, 
sayin~, 
."Ye 
are 
The 
apostle 
waxes 
eloquent 
when 
he 
describes 
the 
virtues 
come 
unto 
Mount 
ZlOn, 
and 
unto 
th~ 
elty 
of 
the 
hvmg 
God, 
and 
achievements 
of 
the 
faithful 
ancient 
worthies. 
He 
tells 
the 
heavenly 
Jerusalem, 
and 
to 
an 
mnumerable 
company 
of 
us 
that 
time 
would 
fail 
him 
to 
tell 
of 
Gideon 
Barak 
Samson 
angels, 
to 
the 
general 
assembly 
and 
church 
of 
the 
flrst·born, 
J~phtha, 
David 
and 
other 
prophets, 
who 
by' 
reason' 
of 
thei; 
which 
ar~ 
~ritten. 
in 
heaven, 
and 
to 
God 
the 
Judge 
of 
all, 
and 
faith 
and 
loyalty 
subdued 
kingrloms; 
wrought 
righteousness; 
t~ 
the 
sp1nts 
of 
Just 
men 
made 
perfect, 
and 
to 
Jesus 
t~e 
t,ne- 
fought 
with 
wild 
beasts' 
quenche,1 
the 
violence 
of 
fire' 
turned 
dlUtor 
ef 
the 
new 
eovenant, 
and 
to 
the 
blood 
of 
sprmkling 
armies 
to 
flight; 
endured 
mockings 
and 
scourgings, 
bo'nds 
and 
th~t 
sp'eaketh 
better 
things 
than 
that 
of 
Abel 
..... 
w~ose 
imprisonments; 
wandere<1 
about 
in 
sheepskins 
and 
goatskins, 
vOIce 
tnen 
shook 
the 
earth; 
but 
now 
he 
hath 
promIsed, 
saymg, 
being 
destitute, 
aftlicted, 
tormented; 
were 
stoned, 
sawn 
asunder, 
Yet 
once. 
more 
I 
shake 
not 
the 
earth 
on,ly, 
but 
also 
heaven." 
and 
slain 
with 
the 
sword, 
of 
whom 
the 
world 
was 
not 
worthy. 
In 
brIef, 
we 
are 
told 
that 
when 
the 
feet 
members 
of 
the 
All 
this 
they 
did 
that 
th~y 
might 
obtain 
a 
better 
resurrection. 
church 
approach. 
the 
inaugu:ation 
of 
.the 
kingd~m 
ther.e 
will 
But 
they 
have 
not 
yet 
received 
the 
thing 
promised, 
God 
hav- 
be 
a 
great 
shakmg 
and 
testmg. 
A 
pIcture 
or 
IllustratIon 
of 
[6223] 
Maren 1, 1918 THE represent it or the International Bible Students Association or the Peoples Pulpit Association. The evident purpose of the two named and those associated with them is to cause division amongst the brethren. ‘Now I heseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:17, 18) “These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innoecut blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that. soweth discord among brethren.” To avoid such does not mean to treat them unkindly, but it does mean to refuse to fellowship such in the spirit of the Lord. Leave their judgment entirely to him who judgeth all Von. XXX1X THE WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. Y.. MARCI 15, 1918 REAT SHAKING NOW IN PROGRESS _ (79. 84) things righteously. Again Brother Russell’s words in the article above mentioned are applicable: “If he has different views, do not persecute him—do not follow the style of the dark ages, but follow the proper course of letting him ‘fiock to himself,’ or with as many as prefer to view matters as he views them. We have not given such strong advice heretofore; but we perceive that many of the dear sheep are being troubled, hindered of development, and imposed upon. We see that proportionately sneh elders and deacons are growing more bold, and hence the need is the greater that all who have the right spirit, and who realize that under the Lord’s guidance in our study of the ‘Divine Plan of the Ages,’ we have not been following ‘cunningly devised fables,’ should now take a positive stand for the good of themselves, far the good of the leaders who manifest a wrong spirit, and for the good of the public, who are inquiring for the way of the Lord as never before.” “Whose voice then shook the earth; but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more 1 shake not the earth only. but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the remoring of those things that ure shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remuin.’-—Hebrews 12:26, 27. Why should there be se many trying experiences in the church at this time? is a question often asked. A Scriptural consideration of the period in which we are living clearly answers this question. And we believe al] who will thus prayerfully and carefully examine the matter will, instead of having their faith shaken by reason of the trials that are now upon the Lord’s people, have it greatly strengthened. This is a time when all the consecrated should have confident assurance of their standing with the Lord. Since making a consecration, our hope has been for an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Confident assurance of the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom is that condition of mind resulting from believing the teachings of the Scriptures upon the subject. These teachings are clear, cogent and eonvincing; so that, thoroughly relying upon them, all doubt of an early establishment of the kingdom is removed. Fach one who will enter the kingdom must have his faith thoroughly tested. This test will demonstrate who is loyal and who is not. To be faithful means not only to know the truth and rely upon it, but to be loyal to the Lord—to Jehovah, to Christ Jesus, to the cause of truth and to the brethren. Loyalty to the very core will be required of those who enter in. In chapters eleven, twelve and thirteen of the epistle to the Hebrews the apostle presents the most convincing argnment concerning the establishment of the kingdom and the conditions to prevail immediately preceding that event. In the eleventh chapter he defines faith, without which it is impossible even to be considered in the class that is running for the prize of the kingdom. He defines the elements of faith, which, when once acquired, lead to eonfident assurance and loyalty. Beginning with Abel, the first martyr to shed his blood for the cause of righteousness, the apostle enumerates many of that array of strong characters, which reaches down to and includes John the Baptist, the last and greatest of the prophets, The crowning virtue of each of these approved ones, that which gained for him a good report hefore God, was his loyalty to the Lord and to righteousness. It would appear that the very purpose of the historical record in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews is to establish definitely in the mind of the Christian the fact that the fixed law of Jehovah approves only those who are fully loyal at heart; and the further fact that to prove himself loyal he must endure many trying experiences. He must fight against the foes of righteousness, and-he must fight loyally to the end. Applied to the fully consecrated Christian, these principles prove that only ‘the truly loyal at heart will be able to stand the great shaking that precedes the establishment of the kingdom. The apostle waxes eloquent when he describes the virtues and achievements of the faithful ancient worthies. He tells us that time would fail him to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephtha, David and other prophets, who by reason of their faith and loyalty subdued kingdoms; wrought righteousness; fought with wild beasts; quenched the violence of fire; turned armies to flight; endured mockings and seourgings, bonds and imprisonments; wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented; were stoned, sawn asunder, and slain with the sword; of whom the world was not worthy. All this they did that they might obtain a better resurrection. But they have not yet received the thing promised, God hav ing prepared a Letter thing for the Gospel church. But when the church is perfected, then these faithful ones of old shall come into their reward. WRITTEN AFORETIME FOR OUR ADMONITION Why did the Lord cause the apostle to reeord these events so much in detail? Because they are experiences typical of the experiences that should come to the members of the church. Those trying things demonstrated the loyalty of the men of old, and. prove that those who enter into the kingdom must possess a like loyalty. These faithful worthies were consecrated, but they had no opportunity to obtain membership in the heavenly phase of the kingdom; for the ransom sacrifice was not yet given. The apostle’s argument beginning with the twelfth chapter shews conclusively that the eleventh chapter was written for the very purpose of encouraging Christians in their trying experiences. There he says in substance: “Take into consideration the great trial through which the prophets and faithful worthies passed; and having in mind the promise of membership in the heavenly kingdom, let those experiences ke a stimulus to you to endure cheerfully whatsoever the Lord is pleased to give you; having in mind also the Lord Jesus, who was the author and who will be the finisher of your faith, who rejoiced greatly in the prize set before him and endured all hardships and persecutions gladly. Take these into consideration, therefore, Jest you become wearied and faint in your minds, You have not yet resisted to the end; but you must thus resist in order to prove your loyalty to the Lord.” What an encouragement to Christians at this time, who may be undergoing severe trials and tribulations! There is a disposition, when severely testea, to draw back and give up the fight. Not infrequently one will say: “I wonder why the Lord permits me to have such severe trials. Why does the church have to endure such trying experiences now?” To this the apostle answers in substance: ‘You have forgotten that the Lord disciplines his called ones, and that he puts them through the necessary trials for that purpose. He does this because he loves his children.’ It is added then that if we endure this discipline cheerfully, God deals with us as his sons. To emphasize the matter he says that if we are without this discipline we should have cause te be alarmed. It would be an evidence that we were not sons. In other phrase, trying experiences are indispensable to all those who come into the kingdom. INAUGURATION OF MESSIAH’S KINGDOM AT HAND “But,” one asks, “why are these trials mere severe just now?” The apostle answers that question, saying, “Ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel... . whose voice then shook the earth; but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” In brief, we are told that when the feet members of the church approach the inauguration of the kingdom there will be a great shaking and testing. A picture or illustration of 16223]

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