FreBruary 15, 1934
under the leadership of Christ Jesus and amidst great
opposition, to bear the message concerning Jehovah,
his King and kingdom to the people of the earth. Hap-
py is the lot of Jchovah’s witnesses who are now priv-
ileged to declare his works, sing his praises and have
a part in the vindication of his holy name.
QUESTIONS FOR STUDY
{ 1. What provision has Jehovah made for the vindication of
his name?
q 2. What was here prophetically pictured by the tree that
was hewn down and destroyed? By leaving the stump
in the ground? By the new tree?
{ 3-5. Show that Daniel 4:16 has been fulfilled.
3 6,7. ILow does verse 17 emphasize the supreme purpose of
Jehovah? In view of the stutement set forth in this
verse, account for Satan’s so long exercising overlordship
of man.
{ 8,9, With corroborative scriptures, make clear the identity
of the ‘‘lowest of men’’, here mentioned, and how the
Most High gives to him ‘‘the kingdom of men’’, Also
show how the Scriptures’ reveal the rule governing true
exaltation of Jehovuh’s creatures,
{ 10,11. Why was it important that Daniel be able to inter-
pret this dream? Account for Daniecl’s being astonished
and troubled concerning the dream. What, in Daniel’s
words to Nebuchadnezzar, was evidence of divine guid-
ance? Apply Daniel’s words of verse 19.
§ 12. Apply the words of Daniel (verse 22) which he used
to make known the identity of the ‘‘tree’’ and to inter-
pret the description thereof, Just what was pictured by
this tree?
fhe WATCHTOWER. 59
§ 13. The decree declared in verse 23 applies to whom? With
scriptures, account for this tree’s being so long permitted
to stand.
§ 14. Since Nebuchadnezzar recognized Daniel's God as ‘‘a
God of gods, and a Lord of kings’’, why was he now to
be dealt with as deseribed in verses 21,257 Point out the
application of the prophetic interpretation and decree here
recorded.
{ 15,16. What is clearly the application of the prophetic state-
ment of verse 267
4 17-22. Explain whether Nebuchadnezzar could have profited
by the counsel (verse 27) offered to him by Daniel. In-
stead, what did he do, and with what result? Tow does
this apply to those whom Nebuchadnezzar there represented
--~or pictured?
¢ 23-26. What was pictured by the band of iron and copper
about the stump? How and when does the prophecy of
verse 34 have fulfilment? Referring to Daniel 4:1: Who
is here speaking, and when, and how?
© 27,28. When and how will Jehovah bring about recognition
of his supremacy as expressed in verse 30?
{ 29,30. Describe fulfilment of verse 36, quoting other proph-
ecics finding fulfilment in the same events.
§ 31,22. Identity the new ‘cedar tree’, What is said in
Ezekiel’s prophecy concerning this ‘‘ goodly ecdar’’? How
is the creation of the new tree uccomplished, and what
does it mean for the obedient ones of the human race?
{ 33. When and how will the obedient of mankind be brought
into the new tree?
§ 34, How has verse 37 already found a measure of fulfilment?
7 35. Point out the important lessons which, in this prophecy,
Jehovah presents te those honestly desiring to know the
truth. Ifow will those respond who are favored with knowl-
edge of Jchovah and his purposes and with the privilege
of having some part in the vindication of his name?
JEHOVAR’S LAW COVENANT PROPHETIC
OR a long time there has been a general tendency
to think and speak of the writings of the Old
Testament, or Hebrew Scriptures, as being not
worthy of consideration by people living today. The
clergy have impresscd upon many the thought that
the Old Testament writings belong entirely to the
Jews.
Now, however, in the light of Jchovah’s ancient
prophecies that are being fulfilled before our eyes, the
records of God’s dealings with his chosen people of
old become very significant.
Did not the covenant made by God with the Jews
promise them life if they would keep it? It did. ‘‘Ye
shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments;
which if a man do, he shall live in them.’’ (Lev. 18: 5)
“‘For Moses deseribeth the righteousness which is of
the law, That the man which doeth those things shall
live by them.’’—~Rom. 10: 5.
Had the Jews kept the law of God perfectly, would
they have been granted everlasting life? Certainly;
beeause God had so promised, and he always keeps
his promises. (Isa. 46:11) If there was any doubt
in any mind, the words of Jesus make the matter
elear. ‘‘And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and
tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to in-
herit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written
in the law? how readest thou? And he answering
said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength,
and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right:
this do, and thou shalt live.’’—Luke 10; 25-28,
When Jesus came, did he keep the law perfectly?
He did; and that proves that the law could be kept
by a perfect man and that no one else could keep it.
As Paul states, he who would keep the law would be
righteous, and every righteous ereature is entitled to
lite. Therefore, had the Jews kept the law it would
have proved their rightcousness, which would entitle
ihem to life. The reason the Jews could not keep the
law was because of imperfection, the result of sin.
Sin entered the world by reason of Adam’s disobedi-
ence; and all, including the Jews, were born sinners,
(Rom. 5:12) No sinner has the right to life, (Rom.
6: 23) The law therefore proved to the Jews and to
all men that if the human family is ever to reecive
the blessing of life, as promised by the Abrahamic
covenant, something must be done to remove the sin
or make atonement for sin. The basis for reconcilia-
vion must first be laid by the perfect sacrifice,
God, forcknowing the scheme of the Devil to bring
forth amongst men a crop of evolutionists who would
declare that men do not need a Redeemer, demonstrat-
ed the falsity and foolishness of that position by the
operation of the law covenant. No man can ever be
heard to truthfully say: ‘If I had an opportunit:;
Page:Tree-of-hope-1934.djvu/11
Revision as of 07:45, 25 April 2020 by Administrator (talk | contribs) (→Not proofread: Created page with "FreBruary 15, 1934 under the leadership of Christ Jesus and amidst great opposition, to bear the message concerning Jehovah, his King and kingdom to the people of the earth...")
This page has not been proofread