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November 15, 1934
The Watchtower
341
message of the truth, and have been plainly told what
they may expect to come upon the world organization.
6 If Belshazzar had been satisfied with the answers given to him by his wise men he would not have continued to be in great trouble as the Scriptures declare he was. He hoped to get some satisfactory answer from Daniel, and therefore said to him: "And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now, if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom." (Dan. 5:16) The opinion of man, unsupported by authoritative proof, only tends to raise doubts in the minds of thoughtful men. Belshazzar was in much doubt as to what he had heard from his wise men, and now he wanted to be informed of the truth. Today the clergymen boastfully express their opinion concerning the present-day events, but their opinions thus expressed are not supported by any real authority and carry no conviction to thoughtful men. The word of God used by Jehovah's witnesses, the remnant, is not the message of any man, nor the
expressed opinion of man, but is the authoritative truth of God's Word, and does away with all doubt as to the final solution of the world situation. Those who believe and rely upon God's Word know what is coming to pass shortly; and when they speak thereof they speak with authority from the Lord.
7 Daniel was told that if he could give an honest and satisfactory explanation and interpretation of the handwriting on the wall he would receive great honor and distinction in the realm of the king. But Daniel was not before the king for selfish gain; and this is shown by his answer to the king, to wit: "Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation."(Dan. 5:17) In presenting Jehovah’s message before the rulers of the earth at this present time, and announcing his judgments against Satan's organization, Jehovah's witnesses are not doing so for selfish gain. They are not asking, nor are they expecting, to receive any favor from worldly source. Let the rulers of this world favor their own; which they will do, of course. This is made manifest on every occasion when the questions concerning the truth are presented before the rulers by Jehovah's witnesses. Recently a petition was presented to the Congress of the United States relative to the use of the radio, which petition was signed by many persons of good will. Some persons have foolishly said that the presentation of such petition was 'going to Egypt', that is, to the world, for help. That conclusion was not only foolish, but very erroneous. The petition asked for no favor from anyone, but does demand that the rights of God's people be respected and that they be permitted to go on with their work without let or
hindrance from any part of the Devil's representa-
tives or organization. The occasion of this petition was
similar to what God directed Moses and Aaron to do in Egypt when appearing before Pharaoh. Such is a witness against the world powers and to the name of Jehovah.
8 Those whom Daniel foreshadowed at this point, namely, Jehovah's witnesses, began to give answer before "the king", that is to say, the ruling powers of the world, particularly from July 26, 1931, and forward, and to do so in an effective manner by serving upon them the message contained in the Kingdom booklet, the distribution of which began on the fourteenth day of September, 1931, and was world-wide. The clergy were first served with that booklet, and then their allies, the political and financial element. Now modern Babylon's "wise men" cannot truthfully charge Jehovah's witnesses as being peddlers and hawkers engaged in a commercial enterprise, particularly with reference to the foregoing booklet, because that was given to them, and many of the clergy viciously tore the booklet to pieces and used abusive language against those who brought it to them. Jehovah's witnesses are not peddlers and hawkers in delivering any part of Jehovah's message, and the clergy know that when they charge them with such their charges are wholly false. Jehovah's witnesses are doing their work in obedience to the command given to them. When before the king Daniel appreciated the fact that Jehovah had 'raised him up for that very time', and hence he took advantage of the occasion to make known the judgments of Jehovah God; and this he did unselfishly and without fear, favor, or hope
or promise of reward.
9 In this day only Jehovah's witnesses identify "the higher powers" properly. They know and publicly declare that the "higher powers" consist of Jehovah God and Christ Jesus. They point to the supremacy of Jehovah, and prove their contention by the historical facts as well as the inspired Word of God. Anyone who holds that a man or company of men or any organization on earth constitutes any part of the "higher powers" mentioned by the apostle in Romans 13:1 shows that he does not understand and does not
appreciate God's Word. The faithful anointed remnant well know that Jehovah is supreme and that his Chief Executive Officer at the temple is directing the work of God's organization on earth, and that no man is entitled to credit or honor therefor. As did Daniel, so do they give all honor, credit and praise to the Most High.
10 In a few words Daniel covered much of the history of man from the time of Eden onward: "O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour.’’
(Dan. 5:18) Nebuchadnezzar here mentioned represented Lucifer, to whom was given the overlordship of the earth prior to his rebellion in Eden. It was to Lucifer that God committed the rulership of the world; and becoming wicked, he was thenceforth
