SARAH
In the story of Abraham's life, God hid the main features of his Plan of Salvation. Abraham is type of God, and his three wives are types of the three great covenants through which God's blessings flow to the world. Presently are flowing to the Church, and in the future will flow to Israel and all mankind.
By the term "Covenant" we mean the contract, promises, orders, and also the servants subject to these orders.
The covenant under which the Little Flock class grows throughout the Gospel Age is represented in Sarah.
This covenant includes:
– all the promises of the Word of God which are a instrument of begetting
of the Holy Spirit to the new life and ultimately attaining of spiritual divine nature;
– the office of the Advocate;
– all sacrificers of the Gospel Age who clung to these promises by faith and,
taking advantage of the blood of the Lamb daily, have been developing
as children of promise, that is spiritual seed of Abraham.
The Gospel Age for the election of the 144,000 members of the Church’s class began with the baptism of the Lord in the fall of 29 C.E. and it end when the remnants of that class will pass beyond the second veil in the spring of 1981. Shortly before this momentous event, the High Calling would end, pictured in the death of Sarah, who had died before Isaac join Rebecca. There is parallel between the death of Sarah and the end of the High Calling, 3,960 years later.
Additionally, compilations of the biblical numerology show that this event took place on the Jewish Day of Atonement, which fell in 1977 on September 22. We believe that since then the activity of begetting the Word of God into the spiritual, divine nature by the promises of the God’s Word has ceased, although the Advocate's help will accompany the sealed Church till of complete change of her members.
Page 243
* * *
* * *
* * *
Page 244
* * *
* * *
* * *
Page 245
Page 246
THE NET
The parable of the net being cast into the sea shows how the Kingdom class through the entire Gospel age was called and gathered by divine providence. The Lord was not looking for all kinds of people. He has called up, especially drew and took into account only the chosen ones. Coincidentally, however, various people got into the network of the Gospel Age. Some got inside because of worldly ambitions, some because religious systems were a good field for marriage, others because of social privileges and positions, and still others wanted to breathe a more moral atmosphere. Finally, there were those who wanted to use religion as a cloak covering their thirst for material gain.
The net was filled with all sorts of religious devotees, true and fake, but it was not hauled ashore until the 144,000 elect were included in it. The Jewish Day of Atonement in 1977, on September 22, marks the time of the pulling net to shore. From then on, the angels began sorting the catch under the Lord's supervision.
These angels are the various factors, animate or inanimate, which, in the crisis conditions after 1977, reveal the true value of Christianity. Various ideas and currents, under pressure of increasing difficulties, so far different and even opposite to each other, began to come to all compromises. The proclaimed slogans and appeals gather everyone in one place – a symbolic place of weeping and gnashing of teeth during the Great Tribulation.
In the same time the Truth in due season has become increasingly unpopular. In result of such conditions Truth gathered together only "good fishes", that is such believers, whose characters, developed in the image of their Lord and Master, qualify them to the Kingdom class.
Page 247
* * *
"Biblical Comments" on Mt 13:42:
A furnace of fire ....... A time of trouble, destructive to the nominal systems
and false proffesion, occasioned in great measure by an growth
of infidelity unbelief and Spiritism of various kinds.
Gnashing of teeth ... Great disappointment, sorrow, pain, trouble and anguish
throughout Christendom.
"Men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking
after those things coming upon the earth."
* * *
* * *
Page 248
THE HARVEST
"The harvest is the end of the world"
Matthew 13:39
The expression from the Word God's, "The end of the world," so popular throughout Christianity, has produced a series of theories as erroneous as it is frightening, while our Lord's pictorial comparison generally identifies the timing and nature of the changes accompanying the end of the present age and the beginning of the new age, that is the Golden Era.
This period is the most significant and fruitful time of this age, for in it all the fruits of this age are to be gathered and distributed, and the field of the world is to be cleansed, plowed, and prepared for the next time of sowing and reaping – for the Millennium.
The world will not notice these events as long as mighty, though unknown to it, factors, will not complete their work. It is not the harvest of the world, but the harvest only of the true Church of Christ and of such people who are more or less connected with this Church and constitute the so-called "Christianity".
It is a time when all the beams of prophetic light are focusing on this turbulent period, illuminating the eyes of the faithful and enabling them to know God's plan, including its development in the past, present and future. C-125
Today there is basis to look at the period of harvest of the Gospel Age from the two viewpoints:
(1) As harvest broad 1874-1984,
based on the parallelism of the Jewish Age and the Gospel Age.
(2) As harvest particular 1977-1984,
which understanding arise from interpretation of the parable
about harvest (Mt 13:39) as well as the vision of John (Rev 14:14-20).
The time of harvest particular, seven-years long, is divided into two parts. In the first part took place the reaping of the wheat, that is, the final separation, cleansing and glorification of the Church class. The second part being depicted as burning the tares or trodding the grapes of the earthly vineyard. It is illustration of the settling accounts with nominal Christianity for all its abuses in the Great Tribulation.
Page 249
* * *
* * *
Page 250
* * *
* * *
"Biblical Comments" on Rev 14:14:
The golden crown ... The divine nature;
And in his hand ...... The Lord is to be present as reaper during the time of harvest
of the Gospel Age, as typified by his presence as reaper
during the time of harvest of the Jewish Age;
A sharp sickle ......... Truth on time.
Page 251
* * *
* * *
"Biblical Comments" on Mt 13:41
Forth his angels ....... His messengers, begotten of his spirit;
Gather out of ............ Or from;
His Kingdom .............The true Church;
Things that offend....Those who put off the wedding garments
of Christ's imputed righteousness;
They do iniquity ...... Who practise sin, or who are not fully in sympathy
with the principles of righteousness;
The only things that shall remain are the things
cannot be shaken, true and faithful.
Page 252
* * *
SHE GAVE BIRTH
The apostle Paul, driven by supernatural wisdom, explained that Sarah, Abraham's wife, represents the Covenant of Sacrifice, whose spiritual seed is Christ, Head and Body (Gal 4:26-28).
Citing Isaiah's prophecy (54:1), the Apostle is arguing that Sarah's barrenness into old age illustrates the long waiting period for offspring to be born under the terms of the Covenant of Sacrifice. This entire chapter of Isaiah's prophecy gives basis to the understanding that the Sarah covenant includes not only the contract with God itself, but also all who serve that covenant. This thought helps to clarify the meaning of the woman in Revelation, verse 12:1. (See: "Bible Chronology," page 215). The birth of a son by a woman shows that the complete class of the Church was achieved at the end of the High Calling.
Page 253
In the various biblical pictures, a woman is used as the figure when the Church alone is referred to, separate from her Lord and Head. It is also in harmony with the Scripture the use of man as a figure, in representing a united work of Christ and the Church. For example: Melchizedek, Elijah, Aaron and his successors in the office of the High Priest, Moses, David and Solomon, or "a man child" in Rev 12:5. B-255
The birth of "a man child" in 1977 clearly marks the time of completing the class of Christ – on the one hand the awakening of the sleeping saints, on the other sealing on foreheads of the living on the earth the rest members of this man.
* * *
Page 254
* * *
* * *
* * *
Page 255
THE SEALING
The conclusion of the High Calling is presented in the vision of Revelation as being sealed on the foreheads of 144,000 of God's servants. It is a symbolic illustration of the achievement by God of the intentional aim, that God choosed the complete number of overcomers who make up the Church.
The act of sealing on the foreheads represents the mental assimilation of the truths of the Divine Plan of the Ages, as well as the knowledge of the dangers from the foes of the New Creature: the body, the world and God's enemy, Satan.
The last days of the Gospel Age were to be marked by a particular activity of demonic forces, seeking, through the intensification of deceptive propaganda, to revive the systems of the beast and its image. Under these conditions, the prior preparation by truth, represented in the sealing, is a factor securing the spiritual condition of the victors. This protection of God's chosen ones is done not only by understanding the truth, which is given in abundance, but also by developing the Spirit of Christ.
The Truth and the Spirit of Truth are the armor of God that seals the foreheads and hearts of the overcomers. Being such sealed they will not wander, mind or heart, in the hour of temptation, but by the grace and wisdom of the Lord, they will take a separate stand against a background od the world and its ideas (Eph 4:30; 6:11).
Time parallels and evidences of biblical numerology assure us that this momentous act of sealing of the the Church’s members was accomplished in the fall of 1977. Before the completed Christ takes over the rule of the world, his living members will undergo the harsh tests of the hour of temptation to show angels and mankind that they are worthy of the honors God has prepared for them.
* * *
Page 256
* * *
* * *
* * *
Page 257
DAVID THE KING OF JUDAH
David has been anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king over Israel, but he long waited for ascending to the throne. After the death of Saul, who had died in battle with the Philistines, David was directed by God to go to Hebron, where the tribe of Judah made him their king. It was 1079 B.C. Seven years later, in 1072 B.C., all tribes anointed David to be king over Israel.
This event took place 3056 years after the creation of Adam and 3056 years before 1984. 1984 marks the beginning of the earthly phase of the Kingdom of Christ, which, beginning with the Jewish people, will embrace the entire world. In the parallels of David's life, we note that his assumption as king over the tribe of Judah points to 1977. This is the date of the end of the High Calling, when the Lord reigns over the completed Church, which is the antitypical tribe of Judah.
* * *
Page 258
WEDDING GUESTS
The parable of the wedding garment embraces the teaching of justification and the responsibility associated with this privilege. The wedding garment represents the righteousness of Christ imputed to us as a covering of our sins resulting from the fall of Adam. This justification is received by everyone who first believed in the ransom work of Christ, and then offered himself to God for the service, and, keeping his sacrifice constantly on the altar, submits to the process of sanctifying character by truth. Maintaining of such state of things is a prerequisite for having the wedding garment and for future participation with the Lord at the wedding feast of the Lamb. In the parable, the danger of losing the garment and the consequences associated with it are especially emphasized.
The reasons for removing the wedding garment may be different:
– rejection of faith in the ransom, that is the value of Christ's sacrificial work
– breaking the wedding contract by going out of the way of the sacrifice.
It can be expressed through indifference to the Father's matters, avoiding
suffering and mocking the Lord, truth and brothers.
– cultivating the spirit of obstinacy and not forgiving those who trespass
against us. In keeping with the principle of righteousness, the lack of mercy
towards others suspends or completely withdraws God's mercy towards us.
"Judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy" (Jas 2:13).
The parable teaches us that such a condition would be revealed after the end of the High Calling, when the wedding house was filled with guests and God's truth abounded on the Lord's table (Rev 3:17; 16:15).
* * *
Page 260
"Biblical Comments" on Mt 22:11,12:
A wedding garments ... The imputed righteousness of Christ. It was the Jewish custom
to provide white linen robes for all the guests;
He was speechless ..... None ever came to a knowledge of Christ’s presence and other
deep things now due who did not have on the Robe at the time.
Page 261
* * *
* * *
* * *
Page 262
THE SETTLING ACCOUNTING WITH SERVANTS
The Lord's reckoning with his servants is undertaking some activity of Him among His followers during His Second Presence. When the general call (1878-1881) ceased, trials began in the class of the purged Sanctuary.
"Harvest gatherings and siftings"; R-5909
The sifting trials at the dawn of the Lord's Presence, that is the beginning of the broad harvest of the Gospel Age, are now repeated just before Epiphany. The last chronological orientation shows the seven years of the special harvest (1977-1984), in the middle of which the remnant of the Church will be carried beyond the Second Veil. The fall of 1977 is the end of the High Call to the Church and the beginning of a three-and-a-half-year selection.
"The testing comes on the return of the Master. Then the faithful servants shall enter into fuller joys and privileges and blessings, while the unfaithful will go into the outer darkness of error and ignorance concerning God's plans and ways, which envelops the world in general, and their neglected opportunities for more abundant service will go as a reward to those who are already earnest and active, and whose earnest and faithful labors will in due time be abundantly rewarded." R-3696
These special trials to which God's people have been exposed will reveal the rightness of God's decision. Faithful servants will enter into complete joy beyond the second veil and reign with the Lord, while those who have neglected in the service will have to whiten their garments in the Great Tribulation before they go to the wedding supper of the Lamb.
"Biblical Comments" on Mt 25:30:
Unprofitable servant ... The Great Company Class;
The Lord does not deny that he is a servant,
nor does accuse he charge him with being an enemy;
Into outer darkness .... The darkness common to and resting upon the whole
world of mankind; not the interior of a blazing hell.
Page 264
RISE, AND MEASURE
The reed of John apostle represents the Word of God applied to the affairs of the Church after the end of the High Calling. The settled in stream of time and finally understood pictures, prophecies, and parables are the measuring marks of the conditions, the character of the Church, and the right attitude of her members as they shold to show toward the world during this last three-and-a-half-year period. The use of this measure facilitates quick orientation, protects from the dangers of the hour of temptation, and hastens the separation of the Church class to be changed into the glory (Is 11:4; Jer 1:11-12; 2 Cor 6:16,17).
"Biblical Comments" on Rev 22:10:
Seal not the saings ... When the time comes for a full understanding
of the book of Revelation, the Church is not to hide the matter.
* * *
Page 267
THE FIRSTBORN
Firstborn of Israel who escaped death through the blood of the Passover lamb in Egypt represent the Church of the Firstborn – the Body of Christ and the Great Company.
In the first and most important sense, however, the expression "Church of the firstborn" refers to the Little Flock – the 144,000 of her members, to be chosen by the entire Gospel Age. The Great Company is a minor class which God has not planned, made up of those who, due to partial tardiness, have failed to achieve the goal of the High Calling. The Scriptures do not give an exact number of this class, but define it as a great multitude (Rev 7:9). See C-244,245; F-569; Q-681,220
* * *
Page 269
His Name .......................... The Church understands and faithfully fulfills the vow of sacrifice,
are "following the Lamb whithersoever he goes" (Rev 14:4).
The name of the Father ... The character of God is defined by the word "Love".
The Church learned the principles of this character (forehead)
in order to develop her own. As a result, he is able to understand
that Almighty God is absolutely righteous and full of love when
He implements his Salvation Plan.
"The Lord shall smite Egypt [the world], he shall smite and heal it" (Is 19:22).
The world commonly uses slogans of justice, love, peace and security,
but in practice it does not very often implement them.
* * *
* * *
Pages 270
* * *
* * *
* * *
As instructed by God, the Levites were to replace the firstborn in the service around the Tabernacle. The calculation showed that the Levites were 22,000 and the firstborn 22,273, or 273 more than the Levites.
22,273 – 22,000 = 273
For each of these 273 Israelites, 5 temple shekels were to be paid to Aaron and his sons as the ransom price of the firstborn. Since the shekel of the sanctuary contained twenty gerahs, the fee for each firstborn was 100 gerahs.
Page 271
* * *
* * *
AND THEY SING...
The new song of Moses and the Lamb is a pictorial representation of the harmony of the teachings of all Scripture about the Divine Plan of Salvation.
During the entire Gospel Age, only the Lamb and his 144,000 followers had the correct grasp of this plan, which reflects the glorious qualities of God's character. Like the Lamb, his followers appreciated God's great goodness and grace, and offered their earthly life without hesitation, beginning to proclaim God's mercy to all who had ears to hear. This announcement has always brought the hate, the scorn and persecution of today’s nominal Christians. They, however, who appreciated the Lord's favor as "better than life" decided "to sing a new song" at every cost. There is many who hear this song, but cannot sing it, for the love of present life close their lips and refrain them from speaking of the Lord’s loving kindness and proclaiming the Divine Plan.
But these who are faithful to their covenant and judge properly about God's grace will to tell about his qualities, even if it costs their reputation, financial losses, of home trials and difficulties, and even life. Only those overcomers of the world and its spirit, who had the courage to sing this new song, the Lord will accept and glorify. R-2853
* * *
* * *
Page 273
"The present truth would be that truth which at any time would be the particular message or fact that God would have his people take notice of. For instance, if we were today to preach about a flood of water coming, it would not be present truth; but for Noah to preach about a flood of waters coming was present truth; it was present truth in his day. He preached that thing that was due at that time; so today present truth is that truth that pertains to our time, the harvest time of the Gospel Age, the glorious morning of the new dispensation – everything pertaining to this is in that sense present truth. There are other truths that are always proper, of course, such as the fact of our heavenly Father's greatness, and love, and wisdom, and justice, and power; and such as the fact that our Lord Jesus came into the world and died for sinners. These truths are always present; but what is meant by present truth particularly is those features of truth which apply to the present time, and more particularly than to any other time. So I understand, then, in answer to the question, that the present truth of this time is the harvest message; that we are living in the harvest time of this Gospel Age, when the Lord is about to make up his jewels, and that the Gospel Age is to close and the new dispensation of Messiah's Kingdom is about to be inaugurated. To be in the truth would mean, herefore, in that sense of the word, to have a knowledge of those things, and be a loyal one in supporting those things, and in promulgating the message that is now due." Q-548
Added by: Andrzej
Copyright © 2011