| Christian Life and Doctrine | August 1952 |
The Hope Set Before Us
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith [Greek, hope] without wavering; for He is faithful that promised.” —Hebrews 10:23
EVERY Bible student, enlightened by the truth of the glorious divine plan of the ages, remembers the thrill of joy received upon learning that great doctrine pertaining to “the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:19-21) This precious truth was, without doubt, one of the sweet morsels of “meat in due season” which was served to the household of faith by our returned Lord, and at the hands of “that faithful and wise servant,” Brother Russell. Those who received this teaching in the love of it, continue to rejoice in the knowledge that God has provided such abundant blessings for all the families of the earth.
It is a truth which was restored to the household of faith at the end of the age, and in the “harvest time,” both for the encouragement of the consecrated, and because the Lord wanted it witnessed to the world by his church, the “feet of him,” ere the last member pass beyond the veil to be with him in the spiritual phase of the kingdom. Many who received this truth, therefore, realized that they were not being offered restitution blessings for themselves, but that the Lord, through his love, was drawing them to himself, and to Jesus, and inviting them to a higher calling—indeed, the “high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”—Phil. 3:14
These heard and recognized the meaning of that beautifully worded invitation extended to them by the Lord, which reads, “Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty.” (Ps. 45:10,11) They understood that to “forget” their own people meant the same as when Jesus said that those who love father, mother, son or daughter, more than they loved him where not worthy of him. (Matt. 10:37) They understood, too, that to forget their father’s house meant to give up their hope of restitution, of being restored to life on the earth—Father Adam’s house.
So it was that with the restoring of the gold and silver vessels of the truth, those of the household of faith were blessed with an understanding of the two phases of the kingdom—the spiritual phase made up of Christ and his church, and the earthly phase consisting, first, of the resurrected ancient worthies, and eventually, the entire restored human race who, during the years of the Millennium, would align themselves with the ancient worthies, the “princes in all the earth.” (Ps. 45:16) Consecrated Christians, therefore, who understood these glorious truths, entertained the personal hope of joint-heirship with Jesus in the spiritual phase of the kingdom, while rejoicing in the realization that all the rest of mankind would, in God’s due time, be given the privilege of restoration to human perfection and of enjoying life everlasting on the earth.
Between the Ages
Another blessed portion of present truth was the revealed fact that we are now living in the end of the age, in a transition period when the old world is dying and a new one is soon to be established. The age that is ending has been the period during which the “great salvation” is offered to the followers of the Master, the time referred to by Paul when he wrote, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (II Cor. 6:2) Since we are living in the closing years of this “accepted time,” it is but natural and proper that the question should arise as to just when there will be no further opportunity to enter the race for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Or, to state it in other words, just when the door to the high calling will close and there will be no further opportunity for those consecrating to the Lord to gain a spiritual reward.
Much thought has been given to this question, and conflicting conclusions reached. One view is that consecration implies sacrifice, therefore is unto death, and with one’s only hope being a spiritual one—living and reigning with Christ.
Another viewpoint often expressed is that consecration to the Lord is always in order, that even those who obtain life during the Millennium will have to devote themselves in full consecration to the Lord; therefore, one should make a consecration now and leave the reward with the Lord.
Still another view is that there is now no possibility of the door to the high calling still being open, therefore those who make a consecration to the Lord should do so with the understanding that they will be of the restitution class—a sort of youthful or modern worthy class who will become associated with the ancient worthies in the earthly phase of the kingdom.
What Saith the Scriptures?
The proper answer to this question—the true and scriptural answer—is of vital concern to everyone who loves the Lord and his truth. Some who have, in the recent past, made a consecration, and who have been setting their affections on things above, are at times discouraged by assertions that the “door was closed in 1914,” or at some other time, therefore they could not possibly have been “partakers of the heavenly calling,” and at the best can hope only to be of the youthful, modern worthy class, or the Jonadab class (different groups of students have different names for the earthly class which they visualize as now being called by God).
Brother Russell recognized the difficulties relating to this question. In his discussion of the harvest work, as found in volume three of Studies in the Scriptures, he emphasizes that the Lord can be trusted to give a just and generous reward to all who serve him faithfully, and urges all to consecrate themselves to his service, and to watch for his leadings. In his treatment of this subject in Studies in the Scriptures, it was with the thought that the harvest work would definitely come to an end in the year 1914. But when that date was reached, and the work went on, he was quick to recognize that he was wrong, and humble enough, not only to say so, but to point out that actually no date is given in the Scriptures to indicate just when the door to the high calling would close.
A careful study of the Scriptures reveals how wonderfully correct Brother Russell was in this statement. Certainly Jesus said nothing about such a date. Nor is there any mention made in the Book of The Acts concerning the “closing of the door” at this end of the age. The apostles make no mention of it in their writings.
In the Book of Revelation, reference is made to holding back the “four winds” until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. All agree this sealing has reference to receiving a “head” knowledge of the truth, and the fury of the “four winds” has certainly not yet reached a height sufficient to prevent the circulation of the truth in a way to reach those who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and to give them a comforting knowledge of the divine plan. The blowing of the “four winds” is not a signal that the sealing work should stop, but indicates that when these winds reach a vortex, it will be impossible for the work to continue.
There is certainly no direct reference in the Old Testament to the time for the closing of the door to the high calling. We realize that there have been many interpretations of pictures and alleged types in an effort to prove that the “door” is no longer open; but these interpretations are not proofs. After all, we have no sure way of knowing what an Old Testament story may mean, or if it has any symbolic meaning at all, unless mention is made of it in the New Testament, and at least a partial interpretation given. Brother Russell once said (1910):
“Bearing fruit does not consist in imagination and making of all sorts of types. I am sorry to see such a tendency of some to make types out of everything and to take their own minds as well as the minds of others from the more important things. I am afraid that the Adversary is behind some of this type-making. Stick to the types explained in the Scriptures.”
This is good advice. It should be recognized by Bible Students that doctrines cannot be taught by types. The term doctrine simply means teaching, and is there—aside from the ransom—a teaching in the Bible more vitally important to us as individuals than that which pertains to our relationship with God, and the part he has invited us to take in his plan? All the plain teachings of the Bible, the glorious doctrines of the divine plan, are embellished and made to shine with a brighter luster by types and illustrations found in the Old Testament, and by the parables and symbolisms of the New; but we cannot base our faith upon a type, or be guided by it, unless the antitype, the reality, is clearly set forth in the Scriptures and stated in plain, understandable language.
We are stressing this important point for the reason that most of the confusion and discouragement among some of the brethren today on the matter of the door to the high calling being opened or closed has resulted from attempts to settle the question through the interpretation of types and applying human reasoning to the things of the Spirit of God. These interpretations do not have a single plain statement of the Scriptures to support them. They are based upon no higher authority than the human speculation of those who, first of all, have imagined that the Lord specially appointed them to do the interpreting. Without exception, the only closing of the door of opportunity to the high calling has been by those who entertain these fanciful interpretations.
God Is in Control
The Lord tells us that in sending out his Word, he sees to it that it shall accomplish that which he pleases, and that it shall prosper in the thing whereto he sent it. (Isa. 55:11) Here is a plain statement of a fundamental truth pertaining to the Word of God itself, assuring us of how fully the Lord controls that which is accomplished by his Word. When he tells us that his Word accomplished that which he pleases, it certainly means that it does not accomplish that which is out of harmony with his will. God considers his Word to be sacred, too much a part of himself to permit it to engender hopes in the hearts of his faithful people which he is not prepared to fulfill. This would be out of harmony with both his justice and his love.
God gave his Word to Jesus, and concerning his disciples, Jesus said to his Father, “I have given them thy Word.” (John 17:14) Subsequent to his resurrection, Jesus told his disciples the use he wanted them to make of the “Word” which he had given to them—they were to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, and thereby to make disciples from among all nations. (Matt. 28:19) He had already outlined the manner in which one could become his disciple, which was to deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow him. (Matt. 16:24) He promised that those who would do this would have “treasure in heaven,” and that they would sit on “twelve thrones, judging.”—Matt. 19:21,28
In giving this commission to his disciples, Jesus told them to begin at Jerusalem. (Acts 1:8) This was because the “seventy weeks” of exclusive favor to the Israelites had not yet ended, so the time had not come for the Gospel to go to the Gentiles. God saw to it that no Gentile came into vital contact with the Gospel until the due time. The Lord gave Peter the “keys” of the kingdom, that is, the authority and honor of opening up kingdom privileges, first to the Jews at Pentecost, and later, to Cornelius, the first Gentile convert of record.
And how wonderfully and miraculously the Lord overruled in the case of Cornelius in order that Peter and the entire church might know of a surety that the door to the high calling had actually opened to receive Gentile converts! Testifying on the matter Peter later said, “God at the first DID visit the Gentiles.” (Acts 15:14) It was difficult for some of the Jewish Christians of that day to become reconciled to the fact that Gentiles could then become “fellow-heirs” with them; but the evidence was clearly before them and they had no alternative but to accept the Lord’s will in the matter. God’s Word was going forth, and it was accomplishing what he wanted it to accomplish.
Nor can we conclude, or even surmise, that when the Lord’s Word circulates among the people, those whom he does not call will be attracted by it and therefore will latter have their hopes dashed by the realization that they were mistaken in supposing that God’s promises applied to them. Our Heavenly Father is not a God of chaos, and he does not permit his Word to influence people promiscuously whether or not he desires to draw them to Jesus and to himself. He does not permit his Word to accomplish that which is not intended by him.
Jesus confirmed this, saying, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” And again, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:44,37) These two statements prove conclusively, first, that no one can come to Jesus unless drawn by the Father, and second, that those who are drawn to him Jesus will not turn aside. Here are definite promises upon which every believer can confidently rely. They are not speculation, or fanciful interpretation. Their meaning cannot be twisted. They are plain, understandable, and dependable statements, and there is nothing anywhere in the Bible to nullify them.
We have seen how definitely the Lord opened the door to the high calling, first to the Jews at Pentecost; and later, to the Gentiles, through the conversion of Cornelius. These providences of God left no doubt in the minds of those in the Early Church, regardless of whether they were Gentiles or Jews. They knew that if the Lord’s Word reached them, and their hearts responded to it in the spirit of full consecration, they would be accepted.
It is unreasonable to suppose that the Lord would deal any less definitely with his people in this end of the age. His love and justice would not permit him to allow his Word to engender false hopes in the minds of those reached by it; and he is abundantly able to prevent this from occurring when his due time shall have come.
The Scriptures indicate that the time will come, when the “battle of the great day of God Almighty” increases in fury, when it will no longer be possible for the truth to circulate. That will be a “dark night” wherein “no man can work.” We can foresee that when such a situation develops the world over, the truth will no longer be reaching the people; hence no one will be influenced to make a consecration to the Lord. When such a time does arrive, or when other circumstances prevent the truth from reaching the hearts of men and women, then we will know for certain that the door to the high calling is closed.
However, as long as the providences of God permit his truth to reach the people, and as long as we have evidence that through his truth the Lord is still touching the hearts of some, drawing them to himself through Jesus, we may be certain that the door to the high calling is not closed. God’s providences in this respect should be just as meaningful to us now as they were at the beginning of the age when he opened the door to the high calling to the followers of Jesus.
And the Lord IS still drawing hungry-hearted and sincere ones to himself. He is doing this in virtually all parts of the world, certainly in all parts of the professed Christian world. In some instances, it is through the sincere efforts of his people to promulgate the kingdom message. But there are instances of people “coming into the truth” today, and responding to the call to consecration, who have not been reached through the efforts of others, at least not by present efforts. There is the case of a brother in Ireland, who, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, was hunting in secondhand book stores for religious books which might help him to understand the Bible better, and he found an old copy of “The Divine Plan of the Ages.”
This brother read the “Plan,” accepted the truth, made a full consecration to the Lord, saw clearly the terms of the narrow way, and bending every effort to conform to them, was assured of his acceptance to the high calling by the witness of the Spirit. Would a just and loving God permit this to happen if he were not in a position to make good the promises of his Word? We do not think so. This brother began witnessing the truth to others, and some of them accepted, and likewise entered the race for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This undoubtedly was the leading of divine providence in the case of these individuals, and how very richly they have been blessed!
God’s providences also have been manifested in making possible a wide witness of the truth over the radio. This has resulted in many hearts responding in full consecration, and the determination to sacrifice all earthly hopes and to set their affections on things above. We can no more deny these facts than Peter and others in the Early Church could deny what they saw occur then. Our God is the same, yesterday, and today, and forever. He was not a God of order and justice and love yesterday, and a God of chaos and injustice today.
Always in Order
What, then, shall we urge upon those coming into the truth today? Shall we tell them to make a consecration, with the thought that they will be sure to receive a heavenly reward? No! Such would not be a true consecration. That would be like making a bargain with the Lord. Rather, we should urge all to make a full consecration to the Lord to do his will. Such a surrender of oneself to the Lord is always in order. It is improper to say either that one consecrates to the high calling, or to earthly life. We consecrate to do God’s will, and the will of God for his people in this age is that they sacrifice their all in his service, even life itself. There is no other way pointed out for the present time than this “narrow way.” Those who have come to a working knowledge of the truth, and are impelled by its power and beauty to consecrate themselves to the Lord, will know that God’s will now is that they sacrifice themselves in his service.
True, the Bible does hold out a glorious prospect of restitution for the world of mankind. But those promises are not put in the Bible for us to read and then conclude that we would like to receive these blessings for ourselves, and in order to do so, “consecrate to human life.” To take such a view, would simply be making an individual plan for ourselves and expecting the Lord to bless it. The whole Bible was written for the special instruction of the church, not the world. Its call to consecration is to the church, and to no one else. It is a call to sacrifice—this is that “good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” No consecration would be acceptable to God unless it implied a willingness and readiness to sacrifice.
If our consecration is accepted, it is accepted for only one reason, which is that the Lord has made us probationary members of the body of Christ. As we shall see later, there is no other calling in this age. But how may we know whether or not our consecration has been accepted? This knowledge is based upon the witness of the Spirit. There is a wonderful presentation of this subject in volume five of Studies in the Scriptures, chapter IX.
The Apostle Paul declares, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: … if so be that we suffer with him [Christ].” (Rom. 8:16,17) In the carrying out of the terms of our consecration, are we having opportunities to suffer with Christ? This does not necessarily mean the severe suffering such as many in the Early Church endured. Suffering for and with Christ today is on a more refined basis—such as the loss of earthly friendships because of the truth; the cold indifference of those who once loved us and cherished our company and friendship.
And in this connection, do we have the privilege of sacrificing in the service of the Lord, the truth, and the brethren; and do we find joy in such sacrifices? We are, of course, to discharge properly and lovingly whatever responsibilities we may have toward our own families; but outside of that, is the Lord giving us little opportunities to serve him, to use time, and strength, and means in the promotion of the kingdom message? If so, then we have another witness of the Spirit that our consecration has been accepted.
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John wrote, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” (I John 3:14) Do we love the brethren? Would we rather be with the Lord’s brethren, enjoying their fellowship, than any other place in the world? Do we have a desire to serve the brethren, to lay down our lives for them? If we do, this is another very definite witness of the Spirit that we are the children of God, and have passed from death unto life.
Do we grasp and rejoice in those truths of the divine plan which pertain to the heavenly calling? and are they inspiring us to set our affections on things above, and not on things of the earth? No human mind, of course, can really grasp what it will mean to be with Christ in the spiritual phase of the kingdom, to be a partaker of the divine nature. John wrote, “It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” Then he adds, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”—I John 3:2,3
Do we long to be with Christ, and see him as he is? And is this hope a purifying influence in our lives? If so, this is still another “witness” of the Spirit, another assurance God has given to us that he has accepted our consecration to do his will, and that, if we continue to sacrifice the flesh and its interest, we will have an abundant entrance into “the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”—II Pet. 1:11
No Other Calling
Some may ask if it isn’t possible to make a full consecration to do God’s will and have these evidences that God is dealing with us, and yet not be accepted for the high calling? Might it not be possible that God is thus dealing with us as a special earthly class which he is now preparing? We do not think that there is such a possibility. It seems reasonable to us that if God had planned to develop such an earthly class of the fully consecrated, side by side with the last members of the spiritual church, he would have made it very clear in his Word, and would have put in his Word special instructions for these. It leads only to confusion to take the promises and instructions of the Lord which were given for one class and try to apply them to another class; and it is because some have tried to do this that they are in confusion today. There is no Bible provided for an earthly class now, and will not be until the “books” are opened in the millennial age.
We realize that on a few occasions Brother Russell spoke of the possibility of a “youthful” or “modern” worthy class at this end of the age. But a careful study of his thoughts in this connection will reveal that he did not expect that those who made a full consecration to the Lord, and subsequently received the witness of the Spirit that their consecration had been accepted, would be in such a class. And what Brother Russell did say on the subject was merely in the nature of suggestion, and he gave no scriptures upon which to base the suggestion.
We do think, however, that today there are thousands, perhaps millions, who are receiving some knowledge of the truth, and are aware that Christ’s kingdom is near. To a degree, these are being prepared for the kingdom, and certainly will be the first to fall into line with the ancient worthies and co-operate with them. But these are not coming among the brethren and making a full consecration of themselves to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Nor are they, therefore, receiving the witness of the Spirit that they are the children of God.
To hear the truth, and to accept its main features, and do nothing particularly about it is one thing. To be drawn to the Lord in full consecration by the power of the truth is another. And it is this latter class which we insist, since they are being drawn by the Lord, are in line for the prize of the high calling, otherwise the Lord would not be drawing them.
And this really is the difference between the millions who are hearing the truth, and to some extent enjoying it, and the one here and there who is being influenced by it to make a full consecration to the Lord. It is simply a case of the Lord drawing the few; but, in his providence, seeing to it that the others are merely being witnessed to, and to that extent being alerted, so to speak, concerning the near approach of kingdom blessings.
The possessiveness of the truth in this regard is based upon the fact that the Scriptures say absolutely nothing about a modern worthy class of consecrated followers of the Master—absolutely nothing! We are aware that, with some, when they read this, there will immediately come to their minds many alleged types, pictures, interpretations, and deductions. But we urge these dear ones to take another look at these supposed proofs. Do they actually say what you have been told that they say?
The Bible informs us definitely that the “fathers” in ancient Israel will be made “princes in all the earth.” (Ps. 45:16) Jesus said that the people would come from the east, west, north, and south, and would sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom. (Luke 13:28,29) Paul informs us that the ancient worthies are to have a “better resurrection.” (Heb. 11:35) These statements are clear and positive, and we can build our faith upon them. But where does the Bible say anything about a modern or youthful worthy class? Nowhere!
Search through the teachings of Jesus and you won’t find it. Examine carefully the writings of the apostles, and no hint is given of such a class. In Hebrews 12 Paul mentions the “church of the firstborn”—which includes the “little flock” and the “great multitude”—and also the “spirits of just men made perfect,” the ancient worthies, but makes no mention of “youthful worthies.” Nor is there any reference in the Book of Revelation to a youthful worthy class. Such a class, in the sense of being a group of consecrated believers in the truth whom the Lord is now training to co-operate with the ancient worthies, is purely a figment of the imagination. Such a class does not actually exist!
Father to the Thought
There are those who make a consecration to the Lord without understanding its full implications. Later, when they do discover that the Lord’s will is for them to sacrifice their all in his service, they are inclined to hold back. They conclude that they would rather not do too much sacrificing now, and that they will be satisfied with earthly life in the kingdom. They rather hope that the Lord did not accept their consecration, and that therefore restitution blessings are still available for them. To these, the idea of a youthful worthy class is very appealing indeed, for it coincides with the way they would like it to be. The wish is father to the thought.
But the Lord is not making his plan to suit the preferences of individuals. Probably those who feel this way about it, not understanding consecration, were not accepted and Spirit-begotten. They will have an opportunity to share in the blessings of restitution. Whatever of progress they may have made in righteousness will then be to their advantage. However, this does not mean that the Lord is calling a special youthful worthy class. It simply means that to whatever extent one learns to know the Lord and to obey his righteous laws, he is to that degree being prepared for the blessings of the kingdom.
If you have come to a knowledge of the truth, and recognize that the present age is the time during which the Lord is calling and preparing those who are to live and reign with Christ; if you understand that the sacrifice of one’s all to follow in the footsteps of Jesus is the condition upon which one may run for this prize, and that consecration to do God’s will means sacrifice, then do not hesitate to make such a consecration. Present your all to the Lord, and if subsequently his providential leadings in your life indicate that he is dealing with you as a son, then rejoice, and lay hold upon the hope set before you—the glorious hope of the divine nature, and of joint-heirship with Christ.
There is no other calling now! If the truth has found a responsive chord in your heart, and you earnestly desire to do God’s will, it is of God, and means that he is calling you. Otherwise, you would not have been drawn by him. His Word has reached you by his design, and is accomplishing in your heart that which he pleases, so do not let human philosophy and vain imaginations rob you of the assurance contained in his Word.
Human speculation cannot disannul the promises of God. Hold fast, therefore, the profession of your hope, “for faithful is he that promised.”
Let us thank God for his faithfulness, and continue to place our trust in his integrity. King Solomon said, “There hath not failed one word of all his good promise.” (I Kings 8:56) This is still true; so if by his promises he has drawn you to himself, and inspired you with the desire to run for the prize of the high calling, launch out on his promises, present yourself to the Lord, watch for his further leadings in your life, for he is faithful.
We know, of course, that we are living in the end of the age. Surely the time is short in which the glorious prize of the high calling will still be available. We understand that even now it is available for a few, only because some previously called are proving to be unfaithful. The time will come when the last one will be called. The Lord has not revealed when this will be. The Times of the Gentiles ended in 1914, but this period had to do with a lease of power to Gentile nations, not to the call of the church during the Gospel age. The parallel dispensations mark the beginning of the harvest, and the resurrection of the sleeping saints, but do not indicate when the door to the high calling would be closed. There is no time prophecy to show this.
The Lord said that he was the One that “openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.” (Rev. 3:7) May none of us attempt to run ahead of the Lord in this matter. Let us realize that a statement by any man, without definite scriptural proof, should carry no weight in our viewpoints and in our hopes. Scriptural proof is not an arbitrary interpretation of words or phrases in the Bible which are wholly unrelated to the subject matter in hand. Let us then hold fast that which we have, and permit no “man” to take our crown. Some men mistakenly might like to discourage us, and we know that the devil would. But if we have received the anointing, witness, and seal of the Spirit, let us rejoice, and hold fast, for again we emphasize, “Faithful is he that promised.”—Heb. 10:23; I Thess. 5:24