VOL. XXVIII OCTOBER 1945
NO. 10 "Therefore...the More Earnest Heed" Things Coming to Pass"When ye see these things come to pass, know ye
that THE PAST
several months have seen world events follow one another in bewildering succession, the
like of which has never been duplicated in history. During this period three international
figures, Roosevelt, Mussolini, and Hitler have passed from the scene. Two others,
Churchill and Hirohito have been relegated to secondary roles. The world has seen the
birth of a global organization embodying the hopes of millions in all lands for an
enduring peace. England, that citadel of modern capitalism, has turned her face toward
socialism in the most significant election of her long parliamentary history. Weeks and
days have consummated events that once covered years, even centuries. In Europe, the Nazi
Reich which at the height of its power ruled over some 400,000,000 people in an area of
2,500,000 square miles, has collapsed in utter defeat, even losing some of its own ancient
lands, and has been reduced to the state of not even having a Government of its own. In Asia, the
Japanese Empire, which extended half-way down the globe, ruling almost half a billion
people in a land area of nearly 3,000,000 square miles, with dreams of a
"co-prosperity sphere" that would give her the dominance over half the human
race, collapsed, battered and broken. All these and
the many lesser but momentous events that have transpired have caused a sense of awe and
expectancy to move all nations. As Bible students, we have shared their feelings. Six
years of horrible destruction, counting its toll in upwards of 40,000,000 dead, countless
injured, and unmeasured physical wreckage, have ended in a great dawn of peace.
War-weary humanity's sigh of relief was almost audible. And yet that relief has been
tempered by solemn reflection on the future, and men are wondering more even than they are
rejoicing. For coincident with the war's end has come into existence a force so vast as to startle the imagination and
bewilder the senses. The explosion of the atomic bomb over Japan did more than produce
the surrender offer. It has brought man face to face with himself. Under the
pressure of war the most powerful destructive weapon ever invented has been given to
man, for better or for worse; with implications that are staggering. In short, mankind
stand before a door which leads to Utopia or destruction. These are the sober conclusions
of the greatest men in the earth today. As students of God's Word we know that the onward
march of human events is inexorably leading to a state of things from which man will have
to be saved from himself. There is no salvation in the "arm of flesh." The
intervention of Divine power in mundane affairs will result in the establishment of the
long-prayed-for Kingdom of God, the unconscious hope of all people. It would be
premature to attempt a full evaluation of the present significant events in their
relation to the Scriptures and the Divine Plan. This we must leave for future articles,
for fuller comparison with the many prophetical statements, particularly those in -the Book of Revelation. We would,
however, urge upon every Christian the desirability, yea, the necessity of becoming well
acquainted with these portions of the Scriptures. It is our sincere -belief that in the
darker days before us, they will prove founts of Divine wisdom to strengthen the faith of
all God's people. We can, however, consider three Scriptures that pertain to these
"last days," which have become of even fuller significance recently. With each
we shall couple some expressions on these times from prominent men and institutions of our
day. The comparison will be obvious to all. "TERRORS SHALL MAKE HIM AFRAID ON EVERY SIDE"The first
Scripture, the familiar words of Christ, is found in Luke 21:25, 26, Diaglott rendering:
"On the earth anguish of nations in perplexity; roarings of the sea and waves; men
fainting from fear and apprehension of the things coming on the habitable; for the powers
of the heavens will be shaken." Concerning
this apprehension note the following significant statements: "Even
the inevitable end of a great war cannot wholly lift from men's hearts the burden that was
laid upon them by the dropping of an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. By
their own cruelty and treachery our enemies had invited the worst we could do to them.
Even so, no one could fail to realize that by this invention and this act humanity had
been brought face to face with the most awful crisis in its recorded history. Here the
long pilgrimage of man on earth turns toward darkness or toward light. . . . We have only
to carry out the resolve, which surely every humane person on earth must have felt when
he heard the news, that with the surrender of Japan this device must never again be used
in war because there must never again be war. Is this torn and embittered world capable of
living up to such a resolve? It has to be-or die. The San Francisco Charter is a
beginning. A11 our hopes and strivings are only a beginning. The tramp of doom is at our
door but the stars of an eternal aspiration still shine. "The
mysteries that have been solved do not reveal the inner secret of the universe, nor
destroy our reverence in the presence of powers we cannot control. Bewildered
humanity, with this awful instrument in its hands, may feel the ages-old impulse to
pray-and rising from its knees to work humbly and unselfishly for the perpetual peace that
is now our only salvation." - New York Times. "This
revelation of the secrets of nature long mercifully withheld from man should arouse the
most solemn reflections in the mind and conscience of every human being capable of
comprehension. We must indeed pray that these awful agencies will be made to conduce to
peace among the nations and that, instead of wreaking measureless havoc upon the entire
globe, they may become a perennial foundation of world prosperity." - Winston
S. Churchill. "There
are problems here calling for statesmanship of the highest order. Establishment of any
organization for the maintenance of world peace and security would obviously be sheer
mockery if means could not be found of guaranteeing the effective. control of an
instrument of war of such potency." - Sir John Anderson, in chargeof atomic bomb
research for the Churchhill Government. "['The
atomic bomb] is a challenge to every element of our national life, but most of all to
organized religion." - Dr. Earl F. Adams, executive director of the Protestant
Council of the City of New York. "Such
power of destruction would have been a social hazard even in the civilized thirteenth
century. Our savage generation cannot be trusted with it at all. It is a triumph of
research, but unfortunately it is also a superb symbol for the Age of Efficient Chaos."
- The Rev. Robert I. Gannon, S.J., President of Fordham University. "The
last twilight of the war is colored by mortal flames never before seen on the horizons of
the universe, from its heavenly dawn to this infernal era. This incredible destructive
instrument remains a temptation, if not for horrified contemporaries then for posterity,
to whom history we know it very well because we are the posterity of yesterday teaches
very little, and which the forgetfulness of experience dominates so willingly." - Osservatore
Romano, Vatican City Newspaper. "A DAY OF DARKNESS AND OF GLOOMINESS"Our second
Scripture, again the words of Christ, is found in Matt. 24:22: "Except
those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake
those days shall be shortened." These words
are among the most terrible in the Bible. Strange words to be uttered by the gentle Jesus!
And yet how truthful they are, for though even a year ago it would have appeared
inconceivable that the entire human race (2,000,000,000 people) could ever be in
danger of extinction, terrible as are present war implements, we have lived to see it become a stark possibility.
Hear the words of the wise of this world: "Man is
at last well on the way to mastery of the means of destroying himself utterly: All future
international relations. will be influenced for good or ill by the existence of the
atomic bomb.... Naturally the first thought in most people's minds will be of how this
weapon, so perilous to the world should it fall into the wrong hands, may be
controlled." - Manchester Guardian. "Never
before has the answer to this question [how to make the human race behave] been so
important as it has become . . . by the news flash of the success of the atomic bomb. In a
matter of hours we have changed from a world in which humans could go along in their slow
and deliberate way, hating and killing, loving and letting live with all eternity to keep
on doing so, improving ever so slowly as time, scientific development and education,
both religious and academic, wore their slight groove deeper and deeper into the human
mind, changed of a sudden to a race and generation which can, with misdirection, wipe out
all civilization." - Letter to N. Y. Herald Tribune. "Two
victories [over Germany and Japan] more complete and geographically more extensive than
any recorded in history combine to leave the world a blank tablet, ready to take the
impress of a new age, and confront the United Nations with the soul-testing responsibility
of unlimited power. How absolute is the power and how immense the responsibility are shown
by the apocalyptic force of the instrument with which they have completed their conquest.
Public opinion, though in some degree confused in its first reactions to a literally
shattering event, has emphatically registered its universal and instant sense that a
revolution in human affairs has occurred, confronting the world with stark and urgent
problems, on which it behooves every man to search his conscience and make up his mind.
With the explosion of the first atomic bomb in Hiroshima the world moved for good or ill
into an age of new and uncharted forces. There is no way back to the era of steam and
electricity, of tanks and guns. This defeat of Germany and Japan is in a most grim sense
the last victory. Nations can no longer look forward to victory as the prize of successful
war; the outbreak of another war will be in itself the final defeat of civilized man.
Ravage and ruin beyond imagination must be the fate of all who engage in it. So far as
human foresight can divine, the powers of destruction have now gone beyond the possibility
of defense. Henceforth the quest for security can place no more reliance upon
the hope of providing that, should war break out, at least the just cause shall prevail;
it must be made impossible for war to begin, or else mankind perishes." - London Times. "PEACE, PEACE, WHEN THERE IS NO PEACE"Our third and
final Scripture is found in 1 Thess. 5:3. These are the words of St. Paul, who, caught up to the third heaven, possessed a
knowledge of latter day events above those of his fellow apostles. "For
when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as
travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." Obviously,
for such a proclamation to have any meaning; the preceding times must have been
exceedingly troublous. This expresses mildly the state of world affairs since the year
1914. The great hope of humanity today is "peace and safety," and all the
energies of the most capable men are being devoted toward that end. A World State
utilizing the atomic bomb as a "big stick" is the new hope of the nations. "I have
asked Congress to consider promptly the establishment of an appropriate commission to
control the production and use of atomic power within the United States. I shall give
further consideration and make a further recommendation to Congress as to how atomic power
can become a powerful and forceful influence towards the maintenance of world peace." - President Truman. "The
Doctrine of unlimited national sovereignty for the Great Power was much criticized at San
Francisco; since the atomic bomb, those who still hold to it must wish the destruction of
mankind. We are now drawn inexorably towards some form of world authority, which all
nations would accept, for the control of a weapon which we dare not leave in national
hands. That we have been ready neither by habit nor by general inclination for a world
authority is apparent. But if the challenge of this new weapon is to be met at all, the
world must alter its thinking. The work begun at San Francisco acquires new point and
urgency." Manchester
Guardian. "The
prevention of war, however, not the assurance of the power to win wars, is the fundamental
purpose of the system inaugurated at San Francisco. If now by recasting and perfecting
what they have begun, the United Nations can assure themselves that the evil
potentialities of the new force are kept under control, they have a right to look
forward to the widening prospect of the good. The release of atomic energy is the greatest
single event in the long history of man's advancing mastery over natural forces. How
soon can man, the one anachronism -- persistent in the midst of the modernity with which
he has surrounded himself, find his way of adjustment to the new climate? There is no
salvation in retreat; he has himself destroyed the shelter of the world of yesterday. He
must face the future unafraid. The inquiry into the secrets of atomic energy will and must
go on.... This time Nature offers her alternatives with a choice more than ever plain --
the loss more sure, the positive gain more patent. 'I call heaven and earth to record this
day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.' It is a time for courage and
solemn resolve that must be sustained through the years. Humanity stakes its life upon its
ability to prove itself worthy of its material achievement. The intellect, the skill, the
organizing power have already been made visible. Nothing is lacking to a well-found
craft-except the rudder. And nothing can provide it save vision, purpose, faith-the very
qualities that have triumphed over the dangers and disappointments of these six tragic
years. A huge opportunity -- accompanied by the huge risk which is the condition of all
opportunity -- opens from this moment before the feet of man." - London Times. "LOOK UNTO ME, ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH"Thus in
sober, reflective words do men appraise the seriousness of affairs today. And while a note
of optimism prevails, it is based not on faith in God but in the ability of man himself.
Can society lift itself by its bootstraps? God's Word says, No! Man, though not quite so sure of himself as in the past, still
says, Yes! The future will show who is true. One thing is certain. "The wages of sin
is death," whether it be individual, . national, or world-sin. "God is not
mocked." Over fifty years ago, God's great servant, Pastor Russell, in his volume,
"The Battle of Armageddon," forcefully drew attention to the Scripture teaching
that present institutions would collapse violently and be replaced by a Divine order of
things. His was a "voice crying in the wilderness," scoffed and derided. Today ,from
the most conservative and soberest sources are heard ominous notes of warning. Will the
world wake up in time to know the day of its visitation? The Master said, "As a snare
shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." (Luke 21:35.)
We conclude therefore that the present "evil heavens and earth" are plunging on
to inevitable destruction, to be replaced, thank God, by the "new heavens and a new
earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." - 2 Pet. 3:13.
- W. J. Siekman. The Divine Law of Recompense"The righteous shall be
recompensed with good." - Prov. 13:31. IN THE law of
spiritual harvesting they who sow sparingly shall reap in like manner. By the operation
of this divine rule, "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The, liberal soul shall be made
fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." (Prov. 11:24, 25.)
Therefore, those disposed to give generously of love and sympathy, unselfishly serving
others, will in this be lending to the Lord, and learning that He repays most bountifully.
Has He not promised that a cup of cold water given only in the name of a humble disciple
shall by no means go unrewarded? When heaven's final rewards are received, there will
surely be some happy surprises for generous souls whose kindly acts were marked for
remembrance when all such ministry "shall be recompensed with good." It was of
this generous spirit Jesus was thinking when He said, "It is more blessed to give
than to receive." (Acts 20:35.) This is so because this is the exercise of the
spirit of benevolence in which God is always giving out His blessings, even to sending
rain and sunshine over all men, just and unjust alike. Bread cast on the water returns
sooner or later when we willingly sow beside all waters. Likewise are the results to these
who scatter acts of kindness, and .pour out words of cheer and comfort fitly spoken. The
rule of divine compensations cannot fail. A sure recompense comes when
In the
ministry of Jesus we find some beautiful illustrations of how this law of recompense
operates. So that a weary and hungry multitude might not suffer on their return from the
retreat into which they had followed Him, Jesus borrows two small loaves and five little
fish from a lad, and from these He spreads a feast for the thousands gathered around Him.
Need we ask how much of the twelve baskets left over were given back to this boy who so
willingly placed his scanty fare in the hands of Jesus? We may well believe that he was
recompensed according to the rule always present in the Savior's measure, "pressed
down and running over." Peter's boat is borrowed for a pulpit on the seashore and
returned to him laden with fish. Simon, the Cyrenian, is compelled by Roman soldiers to
assist Jesus in carrying His cross, a task which at the moment must have seemed very
undesirable to Simon, but a reward was certain to come in due time. The Lord can never be
debtor to any one. In after days the household of Simon has a place of honor in the
Apostle Paul's list of intimate friends. By comparing Mark 15:21 with Romans 16:13 we have
a substantial basis for the thought that the cross. Simon shared with Jesus that day, very
shortly thereafter became the emblem of a great salvation for him and his house. What
sweet recollections must have been his in recalling that time of unusual privilege. Mary
breaks her alabaster box of fragrant ointment, thinking only of a service to be grasped in
a passing moment. Jesus multiplied that moment into nineteen hundred years of compensating
honor by inscribing her act of love on the pages of His imperishable Gospel story. All the
recorded and unrecorded acts of loving service given to Jesus in days when He had no place
of His own where He could lay His head, we may be sure have already been, or will yet be
rewarded a hundredfold. Such things are treasures laid up in heaven where they never
decay, and where they will be a joy for evermore. The same
thought may be followed through, the experiences of Paul. Who can measure the tecompense
laid up for him through God's rule of compensation. How his years spent in prison have been glorified for him.
Where can we find in all his ministry a greater verification of Romans 8:28, "We
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the
called according to His purpose." When Paul penned those words he could not know how
wonderfully true they would yet prove to be in regard to his own ministry. He yearned to
carry the message of Christ crucified to the ends of the earth; but it was only to be hindered it would seem by
frequent imprisonments. But he was in God's hands and all that could
befall him must be for a greater good than he could see. He accomplished more for Christ
and the Church while in chains than he could have done without them. Christ was doing for
him "exceeding abundantly above all he asked or thought." His Church Epistles
and personal letters written in prison have gone into practically every quarter of the
globe, and through these he has spoken to tribes and nations in their own tongue. Today,
through New Testament translations he has "a thousand tongues to sing his great
Redeemer's praise." From Greenland's mountains to far-flung isles of the seven seas
he is proclaiming the Gospel of Christ as "the power of God unto salvation to every
one that believeth." Instead of a ministry limited to his own day, in God's
overruling it continues unending through nineteen centuries. What a recompense for bearing
those cruel chains for a few short years! Thus it is
in all aspects of God's dealings with His people. Debtors to His marvelous grace they are,
and ever shall be. And it matters not that the sphere of suffering or service be very far
short of that which God ordained for the Apostle Paul. The same overruling and law of
compensation operates in the smallest fields of spiritual life. All are in God's hands for
fashioning into the likeness of Christ. All are God's workmanship in Christ Jesus. In
every individual experience the present life has its relationship to the same two
worlds-the present world with all of its sorrows and joys, its lessons and meanings, a
preparation for the one to come. We live for, and in, eternity from the moment we begin
our walk in newness of life through Christ Jesus. Therefore, the compensating joys meant
to be a part of present experience are just so many links connecting us with the complete
joy awaiting us at the end of our pathway. This makes
it important that we know as a matter of personal joy that "Godliness is profitable
unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to
come." (1 Tim. 4:8.) If there is any disposition to weigh each trial as it comes, and
to measure each sacrifice required as burdensome and something not to be desired, little
will be known of the sweet profitableness God wants us to experience now. In such an
attitude of mind it will not be long before the complaint will be ready for expression,
"It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept His
ordinance?" Growth in grace and spiritual understanding is therefore determined by
the measure of joy we show in letting God have His way with us. Those Hebrew brethren had
the proper attitude toward God's permissive will, and consequently they were happy in
contemplating the recompense sure to be theirs in due time. To them the word was, "Ye
had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in
yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance." (Heb.
10:34.) This is the spirit always necessary if we would know the "hundred-fold"
of blessing Jesus promised for the present life. Thinking,
then, of the little acts of kindness we may perform; of the trials we must have for our
testing; of the providences shrouded in a measure of mystery, what recompense there is
in remembering that all things are under God's control and each meant to enrich our
experience beyond our thought, as in the case of Paul and others. This frame of mind and
this harmony with God's will is wholly essential before we can "in everything give
thanks" with sincerity. While steadfastly looking forward to the joys set before us
when our course is finished, we must also feel a proper concern in respect to a present
realization of the joys of salvation, which realization God has made a witness of our
resting in His will. And this means much! The rule of compensating blessings will
sometimes mean that God's denials are the deepest manifestations of His love. His delays
are very often the clearest expressions of His priceless favor. We do not know what is
best for us many times. God always knows! We have great aspirations and feel the surges of
wonderful hopes. We are capable of visions which we yearn to have brought into living
realities, thinking thereby to have life and service crowned with a triumph of
rejoicing. But cherished hopes continue to be thwarted, and coveted boons are kept
beyond our reach. Nevertheless the Divine compensations are still with us. If not now,
some day we will confess, as many others have done, that God's way is best. How many have
discovered in time that the afterward of blessing was so much greater than that which
would have been theirs if God had allowed them to have matters move in the way of their
imperfect understanding. Who of us has not needed to learn the lesson set forth in these
lines:
Then, as God
keeps our two worlds united in His providences, so let us strive to keep them thus united
in our thoughts. We will be eternally thankful for all of God's overruling when we know as
we are known. In the assurance that so it will be, how easy it should now be to "let
the little while between, in all its golden light be seen." The word written cannot
fail, "The righteous shall be recompensed with good" -- compensated now
according to the measure of faith, and recompensed hereafter "according to the riches
of His glory." - J. J. Blackburn. "Therefore...the More Earnest Heed"Studies in the Book of Hebrews-Chapter II"Take fast hold of instruction;
let her not go; IN THIS
chapter the Apostle calls to our attention how surpassingly great is the offer of thee
salvation made to the Church; how careful we should be to listen very earnestly and hold
fast the truth, for our very life depends on it. Then he shows how the Father's purpose
for the exaltation of His Son involved the redemption of our fallen race; that He should
share their nature, their troubles, their sicknesses, and pay the death penalty in their
stead, and in the course of these experiences be trained for the highest possible
exaltation to the Father's right hand in the throne of the universe. He closes the chapter
with such a revelation of sympathetic understanding by our Lord as lifts up our hearts
in thanksgiving that we are accounted worthy to be associated with Him in His work now,
and in the future. Heb. 2:1 - "Therefore"
-- because of the evidence presented in Chapter 1, that Christ is far above all
angels and so speaks with the highest authority and the most complete experience -- when
He speaks it is not a light matter which we can afford to ignore or forget, but we should "give
the more earnest heed." "Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; keep
her; for she is thy life." (Prov. 4:13.) How our attention ought to be
increased and intensified by our appreciation of the dignity of Christ, the speaker! The
Greek word dei means ought or should, from the verb deo, to bind. As
children of God it is binding on us to heed -- we must! The Greek word perissoteros,
translated "the more earnest" is the comparative of another word which
itself means beyond, superabundant or excessive, and so means literally more
superabundantly to give close, undivided attention with all our faculties.
"Heed" means literally to hold the mind towards or pay attention to, the things
heard "lest haply" -- without our notice, unknowingly -- we should "let
them slip" -- literally, to flow by. Time and events are passing onward; we
must live our lives in one direction or another; and we must give particular attention to
the messages of our Lord, lest while our attention is on other things, these life-giving
directions pass by and leave us without their helping and guiding influence,
which at some time or other we will sorely need. Despite the pulling of our natural
inclinations and other influences, we must hold our minds with firmness and
determination toward the Word of God and its truth. How necessary it is then that we keep
reading and studying the things which we know are the truth, and thus keep them fresh and
straight in our minds, for we are leaky vessels. The whole thought of the verse is that
our spiritual life depends on our heeding the Master's word; that we cannot afford to
treat it lightly or ignore it. It is vital to our existence; we neglect it at our peril. Heb. 2:2 - "For"
-- introducing an argument in behalf of the foregoing admonition -- "if the word
spoken by angels," a reference to the Mosaic Law Covenant "ordained by
angels in the hand of a mediator." (Gal. 3:19.) The Law Covenant was introduced by
the angels of God, and was enforced with strict precision. It "was
steadfast" -- literally, became basic, or binding. "Every
transgression" -- parabasis, literally walking alongside of and not in the path
that is marked out, hence overstepping the ordinances, the outward act of withstanding the
Law's precepts. "Disobedience," the Greek word parakoe, used but
three times in the New Testament, means a mishearing, not listening to the teaching or
person, a reluctance to hear or carelessness in hearing, so that the hearer does
not get the message straight. The Emphatic Diaglott renders it "every deviation and
imperfect hearing." These "received a just recompense of reward." The last three words
of this phrase is a translation of the Greek misthapodosia: apo -- off, didomi -- give,
misthos -- wages or pay; for "just" here is endikon, right or just.
Justice was the basis of the Law Covenant. Heb. 2:3 - "So
great salvation" - literally, such as this, or so vast. This is the greatest
offer ever made to any being -- angel or human. "How can we escape" literally
to flee out, as if from an impending disaster. How could we expect anything but disaster, "if
we neglect" -- the Greek word indicates a lack of interest, or concern. What a
world of woe is in that word "neglect"! What might have been had we only
paid heed! Careless of such a jewel, of such priceless value, which cannot be replaced if
once lost! He that prefers another thing surely is not worthy of "so great
salvation." How many are now drifting off to other pastures because they did not hold
their minds to various features of the truth by going over them again and again as the
years went by. There are so many ways in which we can refresh our minds about the
different items of the truth, by use of the Sunday School lessons, as they come up each
Sunday, reading what the back Towers (Reprints) have written on them, by
attending the Class studies of the truth, by meeting together for study, by rereading of
the Studies and Tabernacle Shadows, and by reading the various journals which give forth
the truth and are faithful to it. This Great
Salvation "first began to be spoken by the Lord." This passage is one of
the proof-texts that the High Calling to the heavenly glory is confined to the Gospel
Age, that it never was mentioned before, and when the door is closed it will never be
offered again. (See Heb. 10:19, 20; John 3:13, 25-31; 2 Cor. 6:2; Matt. 11:11; Acts
2:29;36; John 14:2.) The whole Jewish Age was to prepare the Jewish people for that Call,
and when so few of them responded the Call went to the Gentiles, and ends with this Gospel Age. This invitation was so
important as a special favor that Jesus Himself was selected to introduce it, as the
Captain and Elder Brother. Jesus announced it, and those who heard, the Apostles and
disciples, confirmed His words unto us. These writers were eye-witnesses and hearers,
and Jesus said: "I pray also for them who shall believe on Me through their
word." Accordingly this same Apostle afterward wrote: "The things which we have
heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have
handled of the Word of life . . . declare we
unto you." And the Apostle Peter confirms this declaration, saying: "For we have
not followed cunningly devised fables, but were eye-witnesses of His majesty, and this
voice we heard when we were with Him in the Holy Mount." - John 17:20; 1 John 1:1-3;
2 Peter 1:16. Heb. 2:4 - "God
also bearing them witness." Behind and supporting all these witnesses was the
great Creator Himself. So great and important was the work, that its announcement was
accompanied by "signs and wonders and divers gifts of the Holy Spirit" --
signs such as the star in the east, and the song of the angels. "Signs" is a
translation of the Greek semeon, which means anything or everything whereby a
person or saying is witnessed to be true -- anything that proves. It has a more
general, broader idea than the Greek teras, here translated
"wonders," which means something marvelous, extraordinary in itself,
something which by its very occurrence causes astonishment, and cannot be explained by the
known laws of nature; whereas semeion may be something that in itself appears an
ordinary event, but which gets its character from its associations, such as heavenly
messengers. Various mighty works such as healing, causing the blind to see, the deaf to
hear, and the lame to walk, further witnessed this announcement; together with the gifts
of the Holy Spirit. This was -a distribution as parts from a whole, a progressive
assembly of evidence, increasing in weight and importance. In fact, what a multitude of
witnesses and proofs are given to the honest, inquiring mind -- enough to announce and
establish the fact beyond dispute! What a wonderful introduction to our High Calling;
what a vast assembly of divine agencies are used to bring our attention to this great
opportunity! Heb. 2:5 - "For
unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak." On
the surface it is a little difficult to see what relation this verse has to the adjacent
text and to the argument. But it is introduced by the word "for," showing that
there is a relationship as one of the causes for the truth of the things stated. Does it
not give us greater assurance of the success of Christ's Kingdom when we know that the
Father has placed it under the direct control of His Son rather than under any of the angels? Wise as they are, and
beautiful beyond our understanding, they have twice failed in their efforts to deliver
mankind from the grasp of sin and death, once in the time before the flood of Noah's day,
and again during the operation of the old Law Covenant; and even some of their own number
fell, ensnared into disobedience. This verse has been used as an indirect proof that some
world, such as that before the Flood, was under the administration of angels. Other
records show that the old world was thus governed after the expulsion of Adam from Eden.
However, the preposition "for" refers back to verse two, where the Mosaic Law
Covenant is mentioned. The Lord thus assures us that no such failure will accompany the
new world as befell the old, but that it will be under the administration of Christ
Himself, who never fails because He always does the will of the Father. Its success is
guaranteed by the Almighty. "The world to come" -- here again
occurs that name for the earth, oikoumene, meaning the habitable, from oikeo, to
occupy a house, to dwell. It refers to the habitable earth in its restitution time, when
it will no longer be a dying world, but a world again teeming with life and increasing in
beauty and vitality. Heb. 2:6 - 'But
one in a certain place testified" - the indefiniteness is designed. The very
omission of the name so well known to all, fastens the attention upon it. David is thus brought in to add his
testimony, from the Eighth Psalm. This testimony is concerning mankind and the great
dominion that was lost. "What is man. that Thou art mindful of him?" asks
the Psalmist. This question is the inevitable result of thought upon the immensity of
creation, and in comparison the puny efforts and nothingness' of man. The vast forces and
distances of the universe should .surely humble us. How small a thing is needed to destroy
human life! A few degrees of extra heat or cold, and we are destroyed; shut off the supply
of oxygen and we die, or if we have too much oxygen it is equally fatal; so small a weight
is needed to crush out our life. And yet the great Creator who made the vast system of
worlds, provides this balance of forces that man may live and be happy, and provides
them in immense detail and in abundance and continuity. Surely our gratitude should lead
us to supreme confidence and trust in such a Creator, and to consider it a great privilege
to be counted worthy to serve Him. "What
is . . . the son of man, that thou visitest him?" This means every son of Adam.
The Greek word translated "visit" means to peer about, to inspect, to select,
and by extension to go to see, to relieve. Man is God's crowning achievement upon earth,
and God visits him daily with many aids and helps and directions. Why should so great a
Being be mindful of such a small creature as man? The Greek word is often used of a
physician visiting the sick. So God visits the sick and fallen race of mankind ultimately
to cure them of all ills and afflictions. Heb. 2:7, 8
- "A little lower than the angels" -- more literally, "A little less
than" -- is used in Greek (brachu ti par) just as much of space and quantity
as of time, so there is no need that this passage be rendered as some insist -- "a
little while inferior to." God has made
man in perfection just a grade or step lower than the angels. They are spirit beings, man
is a material being. Nevertheless, "Thou crownest .him with glory and
honor." This refers to Adam, the progenitor of the human race. The "glory
and honor" rested upon him as a diadem, the glory of perfect manhood in the image of
his Creator, the honor of rulership over all the lower creatures whom he was to guide and
manage in love and wisdom, so that earth would be a place of happiness and contentment.
This was "the first dominion" referred to by the Prophet Micah (Micah 4:8) and
the "Kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world," referred to by our
Lord in Matthew 25:34. What a wonderful and glorious dominion is the earth even now,
filled with the riches of God, of which man is just beginning to learn, and to get some
intimation of the joys, beauties, and delights yet in store for restored mankind! - Acts
3:19-24. But, alas,
man lost his dominion and his glory and honor, and we behold him now in misery and
distress as the result of his own willfulness and stupidity. Despite his pride and
boastful words he is not yet able to take his dominion nor to rise out of his sickness and
dying. (Psalm 49:7-10.) But we do see a beginning of the carrying out of God's Plan for
his restoration-we do see Jesus. Heb. 2:9 -
Yes, "We see Jesus . . . made a little lower than the angels ... crowned with
glory and honor." Note in this verse that the Apostle shows that Jesus became an
exact counterpart of Adam in his glory and honor, using the same descriptive terms in
reference to each, and then that Jesus yielded up His. perfect manhood to redeem Adam
and his race. When Jesus "was made a little lower than the angels," to become
the "corresponding price" for Father Adam, it was not an "incarnation"
of "the second person of the Trinity," or of the Logos, because He did not
retain His glory which He "had with the Father before the world was," but
"divested Himself" (John 17:5; Phil. 2:7, R.V.) and became a perfect human being
"crowned with glory and honor" as Adam was. And for what purpose? "For
the suffering of death" -- that He might go down into the grave and bear. the
curse of death pronounced upon Adam and his race. (Rom. 5:12, 18.) "The Lord hath laid
upon Him the iniquity of us all . . . He poured out His soul unto death" - and thus
He has made atonement for the sins of the world. (Isa. 53:6, 12.) What an exhibition from
our wonderful God, of His graciousness and His love, which in beauty bends to assist a
wounded one! When man was helpless and could not redeem himself, nor could any other
savior be found, God Himself provided the ransom. (Isa. 59:16.) See the words of Abraham
to Isaac in Genesis 22:8, and the joyful announcement in Job 33:24: "I have found a
ransom!" Notice the emphatic statement that this ransom was for all mankind. Heb. 2:10 - "For
it became Him" --
it was suitable,
proper, just like Him -- God the Father, in accomplishing His purpose of bringing not
one but many sons to glory. Starting with them as fallen children of Adam, He adopts them
as His sons because of their faith in Him, and brings them to the heights of the divine
nature -- from the depths of the valley to the mountain top. For all these sons He
provides a pattern in their Captain. So He guides, first their Captain and then each one
of them, through- a wondrous way of depths of sorrow and seasons of joy, experiences
which teach them to know and trust and love their heavenly Father. The writer expands the
discussion to show the Mystery of God, that following Jesus is a company of
fellow-travelers, under similar begetting, similar training, similar guidance. Jesus goes
first, that He may help us along the way, show us how to overcome the hard trials, the
severe temptations, how to bear the loneliness, get the most out of our joys; and profit
by all our experiences, even as the Father taught Him. He shows us that none of our
experiences are needless, except as we by our blindness or slowness make our way harder or
longer. He teaches us how the Father's love and power operate to cure and deliver. "The
Captain of their salvation ... perfect through suffering." "Captain," a
translation of the Greek archegos, chief leader, ruling leader, is a most
suitable title of Jesus as the Head of the Church. "Make . .. perfect" -- the
word implies a distant aim or result desired; a more or less long process or journey or
experience, to reach the final goal. This goal is only to be attained "through
suffering" -- the disagreeable and painful experiences appointed by the Father
"in bringing many sons to glory." So of their "Princely Leader" it
is written: "Thou tellest My wanderings: put Thou My tears into Thy bottle: are they
not in Thy book?" "The cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink
it?" "Ye shall indeed drink of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I
am baptized with." (Psalm 56:8; John 18:11; Matt. 20:20-23.) How perfect was the
trust of the Son in the Father! To Him it was a privilege to follow where the Father
led; no other course was thinkable, could not for a moment be considered! But what a
strange perfection is this! For instance, perfect piano playing is not reached in a
short time, but only after days and weeks and months and years of continuing, unrelenting
study and practice. How the fingers and hands sometimes ache! But by determination to
endure the discomfort, and persistence to, the end, the muscles and the eyes, the ears
and the mind eventually become adept, accurate, powerful, and quick, so that what the
eyes read is instantly carried through the mind to the fingers and executed with
accuracy, expression, and beauty, which fills the hearers with delight. For the average
person the discomfort of long study and practice seems too great a cost, for they look at
the present aches and pains, and fail to set their eyes on the goal -- the trained mind and eye
and hand which can bring forth the loveliest music. But if the whole soul is possessed
of a deep love of music, and an ardent desire to attain it at any cost, then the aches and
pains and the hardness of the way seem unworthy of consideration, because the mind's eye
is looking ahead, steadfast to the end, the goal, the mastery of music. So if we love
our heavenly Father and Princely Leader, Jesus, enough, and think of being with Them in
Their home and nature, and of helping to bring others to the great joy and happiness of
knowing and loving Them and enjoying this fellowship, then we count it a privilege to
endure. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he hath been approved,
he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love
Him." "Behold we count them happy which endure." (James 1:12; 5:11.)
These sufferings teach us how terrible is the cost of disobedience, and by contrast how it
darkens the mind and degrades man into a beast. Heb. 2:11 - "For
both He [Jesus] that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one" -- the Father. "Sanctify" in the
Greek is hagiazo, which means to set apart to and adopt into God's family and
service. In this sanctification, through our high calling, "washing of water by the
Word," our offering in consecration and service in sacrifice, we become familiar
with God's ways and become at one with Him in mind and heart. This Body, including its
Head, are "all of one," because they are all called and begotten by the same
Father, by the same Holy Spirit, in a similar way; all drink of the same cup and are
baptized with the same baptism to the same nature and to a like glory. For this cause
Jesus "is not ashamed to call them brethren." But "Whosoever shall be
ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall
the Son of man be ashamed when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy
angels." (Mark 8:38; Rev. 3:3.) There are some of whom Jesus will be ashamed; but
those mentioned in this verse of Hebrews are the overcomers, who appreciate their
privileges. Dean Alford has expressed this very beautifully: "Sanctification is
glory working in embryo; glory is sanctification come to the birth and manifested." Heb. 2:12,
13 - No instance is here given where Jesus actually did call them brethren, but the writer
gives far greater proof by citing prophecy-God's own statements: ' I will declare Thy name unto My brethren
in the midst of the Church [the congregation -- ekklesia or called out, ones] will I sing praise unto Thee." (Psalm 22:22.) "And again,
Behold I and the children [of God, therefore My brethren] whom God hath given Ml Me" -- as My associates. (John 17:6-24.) This last
quotation is from Isaiah 8:18: here the Prophet says these children were sign-children,
part of a wonderful arrangement of God. The quotation "I will put My trust in Him" may
be from several prophecies; some commentators take it as being from Isaiah 8:17, the verse
just before the preceding prophecy, in both Isaiah and Hebrews. [For this reason it seems
quite likely that the second "And again" in verse 13 is a corruption of the
original text, and should be omitted -Ed.] In John 17, Jesus acknowledges these children
to have been given Him by the Father: "Thine they were and Thou gayest them Me."
What a loving exchange between the Father and the Son, the Father's loved ones entrusted
to the care of the Son, a reward, and a rejoicing for both. Heb. 2:14 - "Forasmuch then as the children
are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself took part of the same; that through
death He might destroy hint that had the power of death, that is, the devil." These children were all originally
Adam's children, therefore to redeem them He had to become of their nature -- the human
nature, flesh and blood. The writer here brings in the philosophy of the Ransom: that
Jesus had to become a human being, gladly and willingly fulfil the Law covenant, and thus
by obedience win its reward -- the right to life, with its inheritance of joy and
blessing; then lay down that life at the bar of justice, that through the help of the
Father he might render powerless the Slanderer or Accuser, the Devil (diabolos). This
is one of the four names of Satan, which the Bible uses to show his characteristics:
Satan, opposer or adversary; Dragon, devourer; Serpent, deceiver; and Diabolos, slanderer
or false accuser. Jesus proved Satan's slander of Job a lie. He said: "Doth Job
serve God for naught?" Jesus showed that there are some who serve God because they
love Him and delight to do His will, and do righteous things because they love them, and
find in them beauty and delight and happiness. Satan's idea is that selfishness is the
key-note of life; but Jesus proves that love is more beautiful, more successful, more
effective, and leads to everlasting joys; whereas selfishness winds up with hopeless
sorrow and vain regrets. "The harvest shall bea heap in the day of grief and
desperate sorrow." - Isa. 17:11 How does
Satan have "the power of death?" The Greek word rendered "power" has
the thought of vigor or power from office, and is often translated dominion, or
authority. The dominion Satan has seized and misused has become a dominion of death. As
shown in Ezekiel 28, the being we now call Satan was originally a cherub, one very near to
the Most High, to whom the Father gave position and power as "the covering
cherub" in the Garden of Eden, to protect Adam and his race and guide them in the
ways of righteousness and truth. But instead of being faithful to this trust, Satan's
vanity desired man to worship him instead of the Almighty; and through deceit he became
the Father of lies and the murderer of the human race. He seized authority in "the
heavenlies" and became the prince or ruler of this world. (Eph. 6:12; 2:2; John
14:30.) So Jesus comes to bind the "strong man" and take away his dominion and
authority, and to restore life and His kingdom and authority to mankind. "I am
come," said Jesus, "that they might have life and have it more abundantly."
Thus Satan will be rendered powerless at the beginning of the Millennium, and be destroyed
at its end. Heb.2:15 - "And
deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." The
whole human race are subject to the bondage of death, but not all are held in bondage by
"fear of death." Many in the Church and outside of it have dared to die: they
held not their lives dear unto them. Who are these who are afraid of death and are held in
bondage by that fear? It has been suggested that this may refer to a class of
consecrated ones who fear the suffering and sacrificing experiences which they covenanted
should be their portion, and -who because of this fear are held back from their
privileges and opportunities of suffering with Christ. until it is too late to become of
the Bride class. These later are delivered through great tribulation, when Babylon falls,
and become servants of the Church; and this class is often referred to as the Great
Company. There have been such all through the Age. Reprints, pp. R4648, R5232. Heb. 2:16 - "For
verily" -- Dean Alford points out ..that this word rendered "verily" is
used only once in the New Testament, and not once in the Septuagint. It means that the
statement made is a well-known, universally admitted truth; Dean Alford renders it
"For, as we all know"; Moffatt translates it "Of course." Literally, "He
did not take hold of angels, ,but he took hold of the seed of Abraham." Some
modern translators render this with the thought of taking hold to help or assist. The
Authorized Version reads: "Took not on Him the nature of angels." .Some other
translators understand the subject of the verb "take hold" to be not Jesus but
"the fear of death." Death did not take hold of the angels, they were not
condemned to death, but the children of Abraham were under that sentence. Either
rendering would be allowable as far as grammar is concerned, but
which is in harmony with the thought of the text? The writer is considering the fact that
Jesus was made like unto His brethren, and so this statement should be in line with that
thought, namely, that He did not become an angel, did not take the angelic nature, but
did become one of the seed of Abraham, and took his nature. Heb. 2:17 - "Wherefore
in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a
merciful and faithful High Priest...." For this purpose He ought, it was morally
necessary, that He be made like unto His brethren. How great and how deep is the justice of our Creator here
exhibited -not too great a value demanded for Adam's release, but a corresponding price,
an antilutron. What confidence this begets in us toward our Creator! What depth
of wisdom that Jesus should share the woes and difficulties which beset men, so that He
might be a merciful High Priest. He is merciful because He realizes the difficulties, the
weaknesses, the temptations which beset His followers, and humanity in general. This is
the first mention of Jesus' office as priest. He notes here one of the privileges of a
true priest is to extend to the repentant one an assurance of forgiveness and mercy, and
sympathetic understanding and patience in helping him to regain his feet and standing
before God. He is faithful to man, because He loves the human race, and sees in it
possibilities of a happy, restored race, in the image and likeness of the Creator, master
once more of the earth and its teeming creatures, and stamped with the grandeur of victory
and self-mastery, worthy to be entrusted with the care of God's creatures of lower orders.
And He is faithful to God, telling man the truth about God, and seeing that every feature
of the Father's Plan is properly carried out. "To
make reconciliation for the sins of the people." To "make
reconciliation" means to expiate or atone. The Greek word is hilaskomai, and
refers to one who, paying the price, makes propitiation for the sinner and brings him back
into God's favor. Heb. 2:18 - "For
in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are
tempted." He suffered aches and pains and agony of heart and mind and body,
rather than yield to evil. In those things that He suffered He was tried, and so knows how
to bring to our aid the things which helped Him, to help us hold on and endure even as He endured through the help of the
Father. He suggests these helps to us, and shows us how to use them. He walked all that
lonely way Himself, and so knows by experience not only how hard it is, but also the
things which will sustain us. When we come to Him and to the Father in prayer He applies
His bountiful merit to our shortcomings and corrects them and renders our puny efforts
acceptable to the Father. So let us go to Him in our hour of need and know that we will
find in Him an understanding, sympathetic helper. Dunati boethesai -- "He is
able to render aid" -- by the power of sympathy and knowledge and
experience, fully equipped, fully trained. - J. A. Meggison. The Crisis of the Christ"Father, glorify Thy name."
- John 12:28. IT IS
significant that this crisis hour of our Lord is associated by St. John with the visit of
certain Greeks who sought an interview with Jesus, and to whom our Lord vouchsafed a
brief summary of the Gospel hitherto confined to Israel. "We are not told who these
men were, or from whence they came. But tradition affirms that more than one effort was
made -- notably by the King of Edessa -- to induce Jesus to leave the hostile and
ungrateful Jews, and to take up His residence in some foreign Court, where He would be
assured of an honorable welcome. And it may be that these Greeks -- for Greeks were to be
found in every Court -- were ambassadors from some such Prince, and came on some such
errand as this. Or it may be that they themselves were persons of wealth and distinction,
who, seeing that Jesus had finally broken with the Jews, and knowing that the Pharisees
were compassing His death, sought to save Him from their hands, by offering Him an asylum
beyond their reach. Or again, it may be that they had been so impressed by His words and
deeds, that they had resolved to attach themselves to Him and to share His fate whatever
it might be. Only the day before, He had driven from the temple the money changers who
defiled it with their traffic and chicanery, and rebuked them for degrading into a 'den of
thieves' the sanctuary which God intended to be 'a house of prayer,' not for the Jews
only, but 'for all nations.' These Greeks may have been impressed by His courage,
His purity, His liberality. They may have felt that though Himself a Jew, Jesus was the
friend of all men; their friend. They may have wished to confer with Him, and to
learn how He proposed to convert the Hebrew temple into a universal sanctuary. "WE WOULD SEE JESUS"
"Whatever
their immediate motive and intention, there can be no doubt that there was far more in
their visit to Christ than lies on the surface of this narrative. For, first, the words
rendered in our Authorized Version: 'We would see Jesus,' not only imply a very strong
desire to see Him; they also mean, 'We have decided on seeing Jesus'; and seem to imply
either that there had been some strife and debate in their own minds before they reached.
that decision, or that they had discussed the matter with Philip before, and had only just
determined what they would do. "Nor
again, was it only a sight of Jesus which they wished to obtain, such a long,
lingering gaze as men love
to fix on the great and
mighty. They could have had that, probably they had had as much as that, as He went in and
out of the temple, and passed through the court in which they, as Gentiles, worshiped.
Hence it was, we suppose, that Philip was so deeply impressed by their decision. To him
it. seemed so important that he did not venture to taker it straight to Christ. He first
goes and consults Andrew, who may be presumed to have been on more intimate terms with
the Master, as one of the first four among the twelve. And then, as we are told with a
ceremonious formality which denotes the importance of the occasion, Philip having come and
told Andrew, Andrew and Philip; the only two of the Apostles who bore Greek names, and
therefore fitting ambassadors for Greeks, tell Jesus. Nay, Jesus Himself, ordinarily of
so calm and serene a spirit, is much more profoundly impressed and moved than His
disciples. To Him the decision of these Greeks is at once as the stroke of doom and the
harbinger of victory. He reads in it a sign that the hour is come in which He must glorify
God by dying for men, and Himself be glorified by God by being made victor over death and
the Savior of the world. He finds in it nothing less than the 'crisis of the world,' an
omen. of the utter defeat of the usurping Prince of this world, and a promise that men
shall be drawn to Him, the world's true Prince and Lord." "St.
John, to whom we owe our only record of this memorable and significant visit, does not
tell us how the Lord Jesus responded to their request. But we can hardly doubt that He who
was so full of grace acceded to it; that He came down into the Court of' the Gentiles in
which perforce they awaited Him,. and spoke with them face to face." Indeed most
expositors are agreed that in the verses which follow we have the substance of what He
said to them. "In the parable of the grain of wheat which is fruitful only in death;
in the paradox on losing one's life in order to save it; in the promise that as many as
serve -- and follow Him here shall hereafter be with Him where He is; in the prediction
that by His death on. the cross He will draw all men unto Himself -- in all of which we
find one dominant and uniting thought,, that of gain by loss, life by death, joy by
sorrow He sums up in a few sentences what was most precious and distinctive in the
Gospel which He had taught at large among the Jews. And, as if to round out the whole
circle, as if to give these Greeks a veritable and complete gospel all to themselves,
however brief it might be, miracle is added to parable and paradox, promise and
prediction, and a great voice from heaven, loud as thunder, but sweet as angel's song,
confirms and ratifies all that He had said to them." "EXCEPT A CORN OF WHEAT FALL INTO THE GROUND
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