Page:Feast-of-conspirators-part-I-1934.djvu/11

November 1, 1934

The Watchtower

331

sideration of "Christendom's" ruling powers. These kindly and considerate men of the official family of the present rulers recall that Jehovah's witnesses used the Bible testimony to point out the World War and other difficulties that then and now beset the world, and that all their efforts are put forth in the spirit of kindness, and that they exhibit the wisdom that comes from above, and not the wisdom of man. They seeing that what these witnesses of the Lord have said and are saying finds support in the Bible, the recommendation is that they be publicly heard. Before 1918 there were some in the official element who observed closely what the Lord's devoted people were saying and doing, and it was easy to be seen that such witnesses were much more sincere and possessed much more faith than the clergymen. Many honest men have seen that the clergymen, out of cruel hatred, cause the faithful followers of Christ Jesus to be greatly persecuted and that they did so during the World War merely because such faithful ones were preaching the truth of God's Word. These honest men in official positions took notice then, and now they well know, that the clergy are hypocrites and practice hypocrisy while they falsely charge Jehovah's witnesses with wrongdoing and persecute them because they are doing the work of the Lord.

²⁶ Daniel had exhibited the spirit of God in the day of Nebuchadnezzar; and he queen, knowing this, said: "Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king name Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation." (Dan. 5:12) This exactly describes the spirit and the work exhibited and done in the Elijah period of the church by those who were made members of the "faithful and wise servant" class upon the coming of the Lords to the temple. The governing powers were taking notice of these faithful men and women and of what they were telling about God's kingdom during the World War, and were really afraid that there was much truth in what they said, and hence gave ear to the appeals made by the clergy that something should be done against these witnesses. On the other hand, the class of men whom the mother queen foreshadowed, and who are of less importance in governmental affairs, and are therefore called the "weaker vessels", take notice that the true followers of Christ Jesus, who were and are the faithful witnesses of Jehovah, had a real message from God. Still holding to that belief these men, like the queen, recommended Daniel, that is, Jehovah's witnesses, to the greater ruling element, saying, "Let them be called and heard." Those who are willing to give Jehovah's witnesses, the faithful remnant, opportunity to talk believe that if these cannot give a true interpretation of the present distressing world conditions and what the Bible has to say about the same , then no

one else can, and certainly the hypocritical clergy have made such a miserable failure in giving explanation that it is time to give opportunity for those to talk who give evidence that they are really sincere and have the spirit of the Lord and know what they are talking about. Jehovah had arranged this matter and was now causing a picture to be made and a record thereof to be kept for the aid and comfort of the faithful remnant now on the earth. This fact gives much consolation to Jehovah's witnesses, and with eagerness they continue to seek a better understanding of the prophecy, particularly with reference to the meaning of the calling of Daniel before the king and what relation that has to the activity of Jehovah's witnesses in the present day.

(To be continued)

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY

1 Account for Jehovah's now particularly forewarning the remnant concerning the activities of the 'seed of the Serpent'.

2 Why has Jehovah provided and preserved this record of Belshazzar's feast? Who are pictured in the descriptive record of Daniel 5:1,2? When does this prophecy have its fulfilment?

3 Belshazzar's name, his position, and his relationship to Nebuchadnezzar bear what significance?

4-6 What is seen pictured in the time and place of holding this feast? Show ho other scriptures further indicate the occasion and the purpose of the feast, and that the present situation in "Christendom" fits this part of the prophecy.

7-8 Describe the present situation as clearly fulfilling the picture presented in verse 2.

9 Apply Isaiah 45:13 and 11:17.

10 How does Daniel 5:3 have fulfilment?

11-12 Point out how the modern "Chaldeans" identify themselves as the revelers referred to in verse 4; also the relationship hereof to what was foretold in Revelation 9:20,21. On what pretext, yet for what purpose, do the rulers in "Christendom" persist in wrongfully using the 'vessels of gold'?

13-15 With scriptures to support, explain and apply verse 5. How is this related tot he "one hour" of Revelation 17:12 and 18:10,19?

16 When and how has the 'handwriting on the wall' taken place before the rulers of "Christendom"?

17-18 What are the facts marking fulfilment of verse 6, and of Isaiah 13:6-8 and Luke 21:25,26?

19 How, in fulfilment of verse 7, were "the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers" 'called before the king' and appealed to for counsel?

20-21 Apply verse 8.

22 Point out the facts in evidence that the prophetic situation described in verse 9 has been in course of fulfilment.

23-24 Referring to verse 10: (a) Identify the "queen", both in the prophecy and in its fulfilment. (b) In application of that which was there pictured, how did "the words of the king and his lords" come to the attention of the "queen"? and how did she 'come into the banquet room'? (c) With illustration, apply the queen's words of greeting and of encouragement there spoken.

25 How, in the fulfilment of verse 11, is "Daniel" a 'man in the kingdom' in whom in former days 'light, and understanding, and godlike wisdom was found'?

26 How do the words of the first part of the verse 12 apply? How, in the fulfilment of the latter part of the verse, has "Daniel" been called upon 'to show the interpretation'?