Page:The-higher-powers.pdf/11

JUNE 1, 1929

The WATCH TOWER

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ever. Those who feast at the Lord's table are well aware that no such dish as eternal torment is served up to them by their gracious, loving' heavenly Father. This food is found only on the Devil's table, and those who are feasting on it and dealing it out to others are sitting at the table of devils. Another article of food which is not found on the Lord's table is the doctrine of "trinity". It belittles Jehovah God by teaching that instead of his being the one and only true God, he must share this honor with two other persons. The teaching that the wicked, corrupt governments of earth, filled with oppression, graft and corruption, and that the divided condition of the religious denominations of our day, with varied and contradictory creeds and innumerable money-begging schemes, and their modern tendeney to deny that the Bible is inspired and to declare that man was not created by an intelligent God but is the creature of a blind force called evolution, all these teachings are found on the table of devils and not on the table of the Lord. Jehovah God chose the one nation of Israel. He prepared a special table for them. He made a special covenant with them, which covenant he did not make with the other nations of earth. He gave them special promises, set a special hope before them, and promised them a special reward if they would keep their covenant faithfully. They were his own peculiar people. The word of God, given to Moses, is: "If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."-Ex. 19:5,6. All the hopes, promises and blessings mentioned in that covenant were the food on their table. No other nation on earth had any right to eat thereof. But this special favor of Jehovah God puffed them up, and they felt and claimed to be superior to other people; and in their pride and self-conceit they broke their covenant. As the prophet stated it, they "went a whoring after other gods", and established an "altar to Baal under every green tree". They deserted Jehovah God and sat down at the table of devils. They worshiped Baal, and were served at their table by Baal-zebub the prince of devils, that is, by the Devil himself. Speaking of their pride and their fall from favor, David says: "Let their table become a snare before them; and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap." Paul quotes this text and applies it to Israel. See Romans 11:9. The rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day (mentioned in the parable in Luke 16:19-31), is the nation of Israel seated at the table specially provided by the Lord. The beggar, who was full of sores and lay at the rich man's gate, represents those believing Gentiles, like Naaman the Syrian, the widow of Zarepta, and the Syro-phenician woman, all of whom begged for crumbs of favor (food, blessings) which were on the rich man's table. When the woman of Canaan begged Jesus for the healing of her daughter, Jesus said to her: "I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." This plainly shows that this blessing of healing belonged especially to Israelites. It was promised to them in their covenant, but their pride and unbelief kept them from enjoying the blessing. To this woman Jesus said: "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." (Matt.15:26) Now note her answer. She said: "Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." Here was a Gentile "dog" begging for a crumb which fell from the table of Israel. This explanation entirely explodes the idea of eternal torment which has been built up on this parable.

At the first advent of the Lord he found the great religious leaders claiming to be worshipers of Jehovah God but really sitting at the table of devils. I II blistering language and with a biting sarcasm Jesus reproved those hypocrites, saying, "Y e are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. "-John 8: 44. In a most beautiful parable beginning in Matthew 22: 2 Jehovah God is pictured as "a certain king, whieh made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding; and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready". What. does this parable mean? It means that during this Christian era, since the death of Jesus, .Jehovah God has invited IH,OOO persons to be the bride of the Lamh. He has made a covenant with them; given them speeial promises; set before them a special hope; promis(·d them his special care and supervision of their every interest, so that all things shall work together for their good. He has promised them a speeial reward of 'glory, honor and immortality' if they are faithful even unto death. lIe has promised them a share in the first resurrection; that tlH7 :;:hall be like the Lord and see him as he is, and that they shall live and reign with him a thousand years. These promises and hopes and blessings are callc·d their "table". The food on this table is for them and for nobody else. These promises are for an (Met litt Ie flock; they are for the overcomers; they are only for those who are faithful unto death. Speaking of this eleet class, David says: "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of min', enemies." (Ps. 23: 5) To this special class of faithful ones .J esus made a special promise. He said: "I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my FatlH'r hath appointed unto me; that J-e may eat and drink at lily