Judgment Of The Judges (1929)

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JUDGMENT

of the Judges

of the Preachers

of the Nations

of the Financiers

of the Politicians

of Satan’s Organization

of the People

by J. F. Rutherford

Judge Rutherford’s books, The Harp of God, Deliverance, Creation, Reconciliation, Government and others, published in thirty languages, have, in the past six years, reached a circulation exceeding forty-four million copies.

Made in U.S.A.

Copyrighted 1929 and published by the International Bible Students Association Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A.

London, Toronto, Melbourne, Cape Town, Berne, Magdeburg.

FOREWORD

DO YOU know why this is such a strange period of history, a day of probes and exposures? The world’s judges, preachers, nations, financiers and politicians, and all of Satan’s organization are before the bar of divine judgment. It is a fearful time for them. A just and fair trial and judgment of the people's cause is just ahead. The outcome will be glorious for mankind. Head herein about it, and hail the day!

THE PUBLISHERS

JUDGMENT

THE night was exceedingly cold. A heavy gale was driving the snow and sleet. The unprotected were chilled to the bone. The shops were closed, and there was no shelter in the street to shield one from the fury of the storm. Just around the corner stood a church edifice. Not only was it a place of shelter from the driving storm, but the steam from its furnace warmed the atmosphere inside and made the church a pleasant place in which to rest. There was a light in the vestibule, indicating that the church door was unlocked.

A dozen or more ragged and hungry men and women simultaneously rushed for the church door that they might find some relief from the perils of the night. They entered the church building quietly and orderly. The church service was in progress. The velvet-padded pews of ease and elegance were occupied by a small number of old ladies and a few men, all of whom appeared to be those who enjoyed financial prosperity. Farther back in the room a young man sat alone. Seeking knowledge, he had thought he might learn something in that church; hence he had gone in.

The hymn had been chanted, the prayer uttered, and the collection had been gathered in silver platters. For some moments the preacher had recounted to his small congregation the many important things the church had accomplished concerning the World War and the election of public officers and the enforcement of the dry law.

Suddenly the door swung ajar and a great gust of wind forced a cloud of sleet and snow inside the warm room, followed quickly by the ragged company of men and women above mentioned who wore seeking shelter from the storm. The minister paused in his oration and with a scowl watched the unwelcome visitors crowd into the rear pew provided for the less prosperous. Fixing his eyes upon the unfortunates the minister continued to gaze at them in silence until every eye in the room was turned in the direction of the motley newcomers. Some of the women had no head covering and their hair was matted with snow and sleet. The men wore not pleasing in appearance. They had been suffering outside from the storm, but now, observing that they were unwelcome, they were even more uncomfortable under the searching gaze of the minister and his rich parishioners. The young man who sat alone looked upon this poor company with great pity. He was the only one in that presence who did.

After what seemed an interminable pause the minister, with his gaze still fixed upon the bedraggled company in the rear, with great gravity and with pious and sanctimonious voice began to speak. His words were in substance these:

“The judgment of God is against you. The storm has driven you from the outside. Here you have come and found protection and warmth. You come here not to do the church any good nor to build up society and the government. You come here only because you are driven here by this storm from heaven. Soon the storms of hell will be beating against your naked souls and you will find a heat from which you can never escape. In that place of doom the fires are never quenched and the worm dieth not. I warn you to escape the wrath of God now while you can. Go and find work. Save your money and come here and pay your vows and your obligations to the church. Let the judgment of this night that has driven you into this blessed church be a warning to you to flee from the wrath of God to come. Behold, he comes to execute judgment upon all the ungodly. Beware! The church alone can render you aid, but you must do your part." Then with the voice of assumed charity the minister added, addressing the congregation: “We will now receive the silver offering for foreign missions.”

With the benediction said, the favored ones of the congregation gathered around the minister to commend him for his timely words of warning to that uncouth people that had unceremoniously interrupted the church service. While this was being done the ushers saw to it that the ragged, motley and hungry visitors were quickly sent forth from the building. As they huddled in the street outside the door some of the women asked: “Do you think this is the beginning of God's judgment against us? If this storm is just the beginning, what will hell be?”

The lone young man had followed the company of unfortunates out of the church. He saw their pinched faces and shivering bodies and their seeming distress of mind as well as of body. They disappeared in the darkness. He hurried away to his room. He kept asking himself these questions: "Does that minister represent God? Is that church the church of the loving God? Those men and women seemed to be very poor. Will God's judgment be particularly harsh against the poor? Is not the Bible God’s Word of truth? Does it nut say that God is love? How then can that church represent God?” Then and there the young man resolved to begin a careful study of the Bible, that he might learn what is meant by the judgment day and who will be judged mid what will be the result upon those who are judged. What he learned from the Bible is set forth in the following pages. It is the truth, because taken from the Word of God.

Definitions

Judgment: Judgment means a formal judicial decree delivered or entered on record by one having authority and jurisdiction of the ease or subject matter under consideration. A judgment is delivered or rendered by a judge.

Judge: A judge is one who judicially pronounces sentence or rentiers judgment. He must be clothed with power, authority and jurisdiction so to do.

Legal: Judgments may be rendered either legally or illegally. One who wrongfully assumes to render judgment does so illegally. A legal judgment is rendered by a fully qualified judge after hearing the facts, weighing the same, and applying the facts to the law. The judgment rendered by one having neither authority nor jurisdiction is void, and no one is bound to obey it. A judgment rendered by one having power or authority or jurisdiction is binding.

Issue: The word issue, as used in connection with judgment, means the question or material point that is in dispute and which is submitted to the judge for determination. The issue or question in dispute may be affirmed by one and denied by another. The rights of the parties to the issue joined are considered and determined by the judge hearing the matter. When a creature is on trial before a court or judge and the question or issue is whether he has disobeyed the law, the facts are heard and the law applied to the facts, and then the judgment follows.

Trial: The trial or hearing of the facts must precede the rendering of the decree or judgment. It follows, therefore, that there can be no just or proper judgment rendered without a hearing or trial.

Jehovah God is the great Judge over all. All rightful authority proceeds from him. He holds the power and jurisdiction over all matters and therefore he can delegate that power, authority and jurisdiction to any one whom he may choose. He is the Supreme Justice: “For God is judge himself.” — Ps. 50: 6

God is just and merciful. “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.” (Ps. 89:14) “The law of the Lord is perfect. . . . The statutes of the Lord are right.” (Ps. 19:7, 8) Therefore God gives every creature a fair trial or hearing before final judgment is rendered. His judgments are impartial. “Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; . .. for the judgment is God’s.” (Deut. 1:17) God therefore assures every one a fair hearing or trial. “Doth our law judge any man before it hear him, and know what he doeth?”—John 7: 51.

Judge Christ Jesus

After the consecration of Jesus, at the time of his baptism in the Jordan, Jehovah God appointed and anointed him as the great Judge. That means that Jehovah God delegated to his beloved Son the power and authority and jurisdiction to hear and judge all creatures. Jesus Christ was clothed with all power and authority in heaven and in earth at his resurrection. (Matt. 28: 18) It is written concerning him: “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” (John 5:22) In due time must “all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”. (2 Cor. 5:10) Acting as Jehovah God's executive officer Jesus Christ renders judgment in full accord with the will of God.

Jurisdiction: The literal meaning of the word jurisdiction is “the right to say”. It means the right, power and authority to hear and to determine the cause under consideration and to execute the same. Of necessity time enters into the matter because there is a proper or due time to hear and determine causes of action.

The fact that Jesus Christ was clothed with power and authority at a specific time does not mean that he would immediately begin to exercise that authority and render judgment. Jehovah God fixes the due time to hear and determine all matters. When the court is set for hearing, that is the proper and due time. Before Jehovah God, the great Supreme Judge, delegates power and authority to others to act as judges, he puts them upon trial and judgment. We now consider the judgment

Of the Judges

Since all authority proceeds from Jehovah God he delegates power and authority to others. This he does only after a trial and judgment of those whom he makes judges. His beloved Son was God’s active agent in the creation of all things. Then he was made flesh and dwelt amongst men on earth that he might by his full obedience to God's law become the Redeemer of man. (John 1:14, 29) At the Jordan he made an agreement to do God’s will, which meant that he must be fully obedient to God’s expressed law. At that time God made a covenant with Jesus that he should be the great Judge and Ruler of all creation. But before the authority was fully and completely conferred upon Jesus he must undergo a trial and be judged and prove worthy. For three and a half years Jesus was subjected to the most severe test, which brought upon him much suffering. He learned obedience by the things which he suffered. (Heb. 5:8) He "became obedient unto death, even the [ignominious] death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name”. (Phil. 2:8-11) He was tested and proved by Jehovah and was made judge over all creatures, to hear and render judgment in God’s due time. That includes power and authority to judge his associate judges; also to judge the clergy, the nations, the financiers, the politicians, Satan and his organization, and all the peoples, including the living and the dead.

God planned that Jesus Christ should have associated with him a small company taken from amongst men, who in due time should participate with him in judgment. Each one of these must first fully agree to do God’s will, which means consecration; and then each must be put upon trial and in that trial must prove himself loyal and faithful unto God and to Christ. Jesus said to his disciples that because they had been faithful with him in his trials they should share with him in his kingdom, and in his throne or judgment seat. — Luke 22: 28-30.

To those who agree to be his followers Jesus says: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.” “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.” (Rev. 2:26; 3:21) Again, it is written: “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” (1 Cor. 6: 2) From the time one becomes a true follower of Christ until his death he is on trial. The final judgment concerning such is rendered by the Lord Jesus Christ when he comes to his temple. - Mal. 3:1-3; 1 Pet. 4:17; Ps. 11:4, 5.

You believe it because you can prove it. That's exactly how simple and how satisfactorily proven are the facts stated by Judge Rutherford in his book

RECONCILIATION

AND more than that! The facts he gives are of more interest and vital importance to you than anything else in the whole world. We say that because the biggest thing in every one’s life is life itself. Why are we here? Whence came we? Where are we going?

Here's what the author himself says about the book: “A plain statement of the gracious provision Jehovah has made to bring all men into full harmony with himself that the obedient ones may have everlasting life on earth in contentment and complete happiness.’’

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God made man for the earth, not for heaven. Only those who are faithful unto death in doing the will of God will he a part of the heavenly kingdom. Jesus said that not every one that says, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom, but “he that doeth the will of my Father”. (Matt. 7:21) These will be associate judges with Christ in a part of his judgment work.

Of the Preachers

The rule of action, or law of the judgment, is written in the Bible, which is God’s Word of truth. All just judgments are rendered in full accord therewith. For this reason the student of the Bible can determine from the Bible what will be the nature of the judgment of the Lord. Jesus Christ renders such decree or judgment, and his followers have something to do therewith. (Psa. 149:8, 9) The due time for judgment to begin has come, and therefore the person who is devoted to God can study the matter and get an understanding thereof.

The preachers or clergymen claim to have agreed to do God's will. They claim to be representatives of God and of Christ. Among them there have been some good men and many who have been otherwise. A man is good only when he is entirely devoted to God. God calls those who are truly his sons his “watchmen”. Because the preachers pose before the people and claim that they represent God and that they are his sons, God caused his prophet to write concerning them and ironically to call them watchmen. These men claim to have a knowledge of the truth. They are therefore on trial as preachers or claimed representatives of the Lord.

The unfaithful preachers have ignored God’s Word and have looked to their own selfish interests. They have used their congregations to further their own desires. They love honor of men and seek their own personal comfort, each one looking to his own congregation for the things that he wants. Concerning such God's prophet wrote: "His watchmen are blind; they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter". — Isa. 56:10, 11.

Many of the clergmen or preachers have joined forces with Big Business and professional politicians and have tried to exalt themselves and have lost sight of God’s Word. They favor the rich and influential because they reason it will be to their own good. They make the influential men the favored ones of their congregation or the principal ones of their flock. They delight to have the rulers in their chief pews and they push out the poor and ragged and those without influence for fear that they will offend the rich and that this would work to the clergymen’s disadvantage. They do not really love God, and they serve him only with their mouths by making speeches of great gravity and assumed piety. Those men have become in toxicated with the teachings of the world, such as evolution, the great achievements of men, and what their church organizations have wrought. Concerning such it is written: “Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, hut not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets [preachers] and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Head this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed; and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise mon shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.”—Isa. 29: 9-14.

The clergymen claim to represent God and call themselves “the shepherd of the flock” or congregation, which they serve. They do not try to feed the congregation upon the proper Word of God. Their interest is centered in themselves and they feed themselves on the things that please themselves. God likens them unto the shepherd who selfishly neglects his flock. Concerning them he caused their judgment to be written in his Word, as follows: "Thus saith the Lord God unto the shopherds [clergymen], Woe be to the shepherds [preachers] of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds [preachers] feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. Therefore, ye shepherds [preachers], hear the word of the Lord: . . . Behold, I am against the shepherds [clergy] ; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds [preachers] feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.”—Ezek. 34: 2-7, 10.

When reading these words of God’s prophet, call to mind that little company of poor who fled from the storm into the church building and who were refused aid and comfort. Call to mind the desire of the clergyman on that occasion to please those of his congregation who could afford to occupy the padded pews.

The preachers have frightened the people by falsely telling them that God would consign them to purgatory for a long while and later transfer them to eternal torment where they would be tortured forever. They have told the people that each one has a soul that cannot die and, it being in hell torment, that condition of suffering would obtain eternally. They have told them that such is God’s judgment. Such statements are lies, and God calls them such. He says that he did not authorize these men to speak in his name and to represent him as a fiend, because such a wicked thing as torture was never in God’s mind. (Jer. 32:35) ‘‘Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets [preachers] prophesy lies in my name; 1 sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.” (Jer. 14:14) God has decreed that there will come a time of trouble which will destroy the wicked organizations that oppress the people. The preachers deny this, and the Lord says to them: “Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets [preachers] that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land ; By sword and famine shall those prophets [clergy] be consumed.” — Jer. 14:15.

The rich and influential in the church denominations are the “principal” ones of the flock or congregation, and they influence improperly the preacher or shepherd. Those shepherds now enjoy good pasture for themselves.

DELIVERANCE

Judge Rutherford’s Astonishing Book

With masterful thoroughness this book sweeps away all the preachers’ cobwebs of ignorance and superstition from around the Bible and proves it truly the Book of books, the very fountain of reason, logic and comfort.

You’ll certainly enjoy the skillful manner in which the author has cut away from the “grand old Book” all the ecclesiastical rubbish that has been heaped upon it for centuries and holds up for you a most fascinating view of the great Creator's plan forbringing peace, happiness and everlast-ing life on earth to the human family. No need for the scientists’ “new concept of God” once you read DELIVERANCE and see the true God of the Bible.

Here’s a bold book full of biting truths written in Judge Rutherford’s logical, straight-from-the-shoulder style.

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Of course “the principal of the flock” gladly pay the preacher, thinking that by so doing they will receive immunity or absolution from their wrongful acts. Concerning such the Lord decrees: “Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. And the shepherds [preachers] shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the Lord hath spoiled their pasture.” — Jer. 25: 34-36.

In these days the clergy are the ones who oppose all persons who try to teach the people the plain truth of the Bible. They do not want the people to know the truth, because it would interfere with their wrongful course. During the World War they caused many faithful Christians to be imprisoned and beaten because they were telling the truth. The Lord Jesus calls all his faithful followers his “brethren” and counts them as part of himself because they are his body members. (Heb. 2:11) Books explaining the Bible, and which enable the people to understand God's Word of truth, were gathered up by the preachers during the War and since and burned. The preachers strut about assuming great wisdom and warn the people to read nothing that is printed concerning the Bible unless it is endorsed by the clergymen. The Lord gave a parable in which he likened such preachers unto “billy goats” that selfishly abuse those who are in their way. Such men claim to be God’s sons, but they are in fact the children of Satan the Devil. (John 8:42-44) In the parable Jesus says concerning them: “I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not; sick and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these [my brethren], ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal." — Matt. 25: 43-46.

Of the Nations

God organized the Jews into a nation and made a covenant with that people to give them life if they kept his law. That nation was on trial. They being unfaithful to their covenant, God rendered a final decree against them and took away the right to rule. (Ezek. 21:24-27) He cast the Israelites away from him and permitted their nation to be destroyed. In due time he will grant the Jews an individual new trial.

At the casting away of Israel the Gentile nations were permitted to have full sway in the earth. The Lord God placed sufficient information within the reach of these nations to let them know that he is the only true God. The Gentile nations, therefore, were put on trial for an attempt to establish a desirable government. Many of such nations adopted a religion and called it the Christian religion, and have since called themselves Christian nations. The men that rule the nations of the earth today are anything but the followers of Christ. Christ Jesus is "the Prince of Peace”. He restated his Father's commandment: “Thou shall not kill.” When the great World War came, the nations of so-called Christendom, or “organized Christianity”, not only indulged in that war, but enacted laws compelling young men to go to war and kill each other. No one was able to give a good reason why the war was being fought. While the war was in progress the nations took advantage of the conditions and saddled upon the people many burdens in the way of unjust laws, greatly increased taxation, and other burdens contrary to righteousness.

It is well known by all persons that the laws of the so-called Christian nations are enforced with great partiality. The rich and the influential escape the punishment for the violation of the law, while they also use the law to burden and oppress the less fortunate. The poor man has little or no show in the courts. The ways of the nations are not equal. The nations of so-called Christendom are ruled by Big Business, big politicians, and big preachers. All have forgotten God and turned to the false teachings of evolution and science so called. Concerning such God’s decree is announced thus: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." (Ps. 9:17) Hell, as used in this text, does not mean eternal torment, but it means oblivion. These evil nations shall cease to exist.

OUR When

LORD’S How RETURN Why

64 pages

Hell What is it? Who are there? Can they get out?

64 pages

Restoration Was Jesus the Messiah

of the Jews? Has the Zionist movement any special significance? What is the world to come

128 pages

These three prominent Bible subjects are explained by Judge Rutherford so simply, so consistent with logic and common sense, you will wonder why there could ever have been any difference of opinion. Still there has been more confusion, more outraging of reason, more ecclesiastical hocus-pocus about these simple Bible teachings than any others.

The set of three paper-bound, mailed anywhere in the U.S. for 25c

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Today the so-called Christian nations are armed to the teeth, in fear that an attack may be made by one upon another. God foreknew the conditions that now exist and foretold such through his prophets. These so-called Christian nations set up the League of Nations and claim it to be an expression of God’s kingdom on earth. The preachers have tried to inveigle some of the true Christians into this unholy alliance. Concerning such, God says: “Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that 1 rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even ail my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the lire of my jealousy". (Zeph. 3:8) “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." (Rev. 2:26, 27) Then says the Lord : “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." (Dan. 2:44) God is now setting up his kingdom, or true nation, and through it his blesssings for the people of the nations will be given to them that obey him.— Gen. 22:18.

Of the Financiers

It is written in God’s Word: “For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Tim. 6: 10) The men who control the money of the world are called financiers. They grow rich by juggling with that which is produced by others. These men usually possess more than ordinary intelligence. They know of God; some of them have even gained some knowledge of God’s plan. Their greed and love for money and for the power it brings have led them to be oppressors of the people. Some of them have become so very selfish that human life is not sacred to them but is counted a common thing.

These men have formed and operated great inanimate bodies called corporations. These organized corporate powers are employed as agencies of great oppression upon the people. The men who use them must know that they are not doing right. If a man stands in the way of these organized systems’ accomplishing their selfish purpose they do not hesitate to hire the professional killer to remove such obstruction. If a man brings to light some important invention, and selfish financiers believe it to be to the advantage of their corporation, they find some way of defrauding the inventor out of the fruits of his labors.

The farmers grow their crops at the cost of money and much labor, but the price thereof is fixed by the heartless corporations. These hoard their ill-got gains and think such will be able to deliver them in the time of trouble. There are about 280 men who control the great corporations and the money power of America, and each one of these has an annual income of a million dollars or more. There are more than 110 million people in America, most of whom are in very ordinary circumstances. There is a great disparity in the number of the rich and those who are not rich.

Just now it is a common thing to hear the cries of the people against their oppressors. God hears those cries and he will set right all matters in his due time. He has announced in his Word his judgment against those who are responsible for these cries. It is written: ‘‘Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton: ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.”—Jas. 5:1-6.

The cruel and oppressive corporations organized and operated by a few selfish men the Lord likens unto a fierce lion amidst harmless lambs. The poor are powerless against such harsh lions. When God's judgment is enforced against the great corporations owned and operated by men, he will destroy their power and they will cease to oppress and coerce the people. The government of God under Christ, the great Judge, being in full sway in the earth then, there will be no harsh organizations symbolized by lions. They will cease for ever. “No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there.”—Isa. 35: 9.

Of the Politicians

Those who exercise rule over the people are properly called politicians. One holding a public office and who looks well to his own advantage is a professional politician. Such in part constitute the visible part of the ruling powers over the people. A ruler is also called a prince. During a political campaign such men seek office and promise much to the people, but, when elected, straightway forget their promises. The Lord mentions such in his Word: “As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.” (Prov. 28:15) The ruler that has not understanding is also an oppressor. — Prov. 28:16.

The great politicians or statesmen assemble from time to time to determine what is for the best interest of their respective countries. Such a conference was held in Paris in 1919, Although God had furnished the proof that the time had arrived for his righteous Son to begin his reign and establish righteousness, these politicians or rulers took counsel together against the Lord and his Anointed: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." — Ps. 2:2,3.

END OF THE RULE OF BOODLERS, GRAFTER AND OPPRESSORS IN SIGHT, SAYS JUDGE RUTHERFORD IN HIS MASTERPIECE

Clothbound, gold embossed, 368 pages, 16 four-color illustrations. Mailed anywhere in the United States for 45c.

Never in the history of nations was there such a spectacle as we are witnessing in these days. Openly they talk peace pacts, disarmament, outlawry of war, goodwill missions; secretly, feverishly, they plan greater navies, more diabolic engines of war, poison gas, murderous bombing-planes.

What does it all mean?

It means, proves the author in this most extraordinary book, that the governments are headed, straight for their finish in Armageddon; for “when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh". The time is here for earth's rightful Ruler to take complete control and bring to the people their heart’s desire,

PEACE, PROSPERITY, HAPPINESS, LIFE.

“GOVERNMENT” is a book you’ll enjoy to the last word.

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Then the Lord sets forth his judgment against such and advises what he will do for them: “Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” (Psa. 2:5, 6, 9) To the same effect is the Lord's judgment announced in Jeremiah 51:22, 23.

Further speaking of his judgment upon such, and of the righteousness of his own government, the Lord says: “The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.” (Isa. 14:5) Then the rulers that have ruled in unrighteousness and made public office a private gain shall cease for ever.

Of Satan’s Organization

Satan the Devil is the arch enemy of God and of man. Before he became evil his name was Lucifer and he was then a beautiful creature acting under the authority of God as man’s invisible overseer. He was then on trial before God. He rebelled against God and was guilty of treason against God and guilty of the murder of man. Immediately following his rebellion God announced what would be his final judgment against Satan. — Ezek. 28:14-19.

The 'seed of promise’ is Christ. God declared that in his due time he would execute his judgment against Satan and that this would be done by his beloved Son Christ. (Heb. 2: 14; Rev. 20: 1-3) Satan was permitted to go at liberty until God’s due time to execute his judgment against him. God permitted this in order to give his other creatures the opportunity to choose whom they would serve. Satan the Devil set about to form his own organization. He seduced a large number of the angels of heaven and made them a part of his organization. (Eph. 6:12) He organized men into bodies and induced them to hypocritically call themselves by the name of the Lord. (Gen. 4: 26, margin) He organized the people of Babel, made Nimrod their visible ruler and caused the people to place Nimrod above or "before” Jehovah God. —Gen. 10:8-12.

Egypt was organized into a form of government, and Satan was its invisible overlord. Then came Assyria to the fore as a world power, and Satan was the god of that nation. When the Israelites were cast off from God, and the Gentile nations were permitted to have sway in the earth, Satan became the invisible ruler or god of all the nations of the earth.—Matt. 4: 8, 9; 2 Cor. 4:3, 4.

At all times in Satan’s organization he has employed three visible elements amongst men to rule the people. These elements are, to wit,

(1) the commercial power, which holds and controls the money and the commerce of the earth;

(2) the political element, or the statesmen who make and enforce the laws of the people; and

(3) the religious element, which plays upon the superstition of the people to induce them to be submissive to the ruling powers, teaching the people that their failure to obey the teachings of the preachers or the church will result in their being tormented in hell for ever.

Rome was the sixth in the list of world powers formed and ruled by Satan. Originally Rome was pagan in religion. Then that nation adopted a formalism, called it by the name of Christianity and designated it the Christian religion. The ecclesiastical element formed an influential part of that world power.

There was rebellion against Rome by other countries of Europe, and then came into vogue what is called the Protestant religion of Christ. Without a doubt many good and honest men embraced the Protestant faith. Within a short time, however, the Devil, through Big Business and professional politicians and false preachers, got control of the Protestant church.

Such nations as Great Britain, the United States and others claim to be Christian nations, but they are not Christian nations by any means. These nations and other nations of the earth form Satan’s visible organization. No one will dispute the fact that the nations of so-called Christendom are the nations of the world. It is written that Satan is the god or invisible ruler of the world.—2 Cor. 4:3, 4; John 12:31; 14:30; Matt. 4:8, 9.

Satan has budded a tremendous and powerful organization. The invisible part of his organization is designated in the Scriptures as heaven, while the visible part of his organization is called the earth. The invisible part is composed of Satan and his angels. The visible part is composed of the commercial, political and religious elements, which now combine to rule the peoples of earth.

Satan is the great oppressor and he uses his organization to oppress the people and keep them in subjection. God has decreed that the works of Satan shall be destroyed. With God’s government of righteousness in power, with Christ the Head thereof, God will destroy Satan and his works. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”—1 John 3: 8.

The real head of the earthly part of Satan’s organization is the commercial power, or the great financiers. These constitute the power behind the earthly throne. The body is made up of the professional politicians or statesmen, because they are the ones that rule visibly. The tail of the organization, which tail fans from one side to the other to blind the people, is the religious element led by the clergy, which teaches lies to induce the people to submit to an oppressive rule. Such organization shall perish. It is written: “The ancient and honourable [wise financiers], he is the head; and the prophet [clergymen and religious leaders who teach falsely] that teacheth lies, he is the tail. For the leaders [the body of politicians] of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.”—Isa. 9:13-16.

Those who rule and have control over the people are proud and haughty. (Mal. 3:15) The financiers are cruel and oppressive, the politicians are proud and severe, and the clergy are arrogant, and all working together are oppressors of the people. Concerning such the Lord says: “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven: and all the proud, yea. and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”—Mal. 4:1.

The three elements forming the controlling power over the people are designated as the earth, and such are now in great fear and are feverishly preparing for war because of the things that they see coming upon the earth. Satan the Devil is therefore gathering his forces for the great battle of Armageddon. (Rev. 16:13-16) These ruling powers well know that they have violated “the everlasting covenant” by shedding innocent blood, and God says concerning them: “The earth mourneth, and fad-eth away; the world lauguisheth, and fadeth away; the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.” — Isa. 24: 4-6.

Concerning those who have deliberately acted as Satan’s instruments to oppress the people God says: “And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King whose name is the Lord of hosts?" — Jer. 51: 57.

Satan’s organization is referred to also under the symbol of Babylon, also under the symbol of wild beasts that tear and lash the people. Concerning those who form Satan’s organization God says: ‘‘Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.”—Isa. 13: 6.

The "beast”, which is Satan's visible organization composed of the three elements above named, comes into war with God’s organization under Christ. (Rev. 19:11) That war results in the destruction of Satan’s organization.

THE PEOPLES FRIEND

FREEDOM FOR. THE PEOPLES

“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of lire burning with brimstone.” — Rev. 19:19, 20.

The final judgment executed against Satan and his organization will be the complete and everlasting destruction thereof. God says: “I will early destroy all the wicked of the land.”— Psa. 101:8.

Of the People

With Satan’s organization completely destroyed, then the people that remain on the earth will constitute the world. It is written: “Because he [God] hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in, righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him [Christ] from the dead.”— Acts 17:31.

The Lord could not judge the world in righteousness until Satan’s organization of unrighteousness is destroyed. Satan, by working through his instruments of unrighteousness, has deceived the people for many centuries and has turned them away from God. Satan has made the nations evil. When Satan is bound and his organization destroyed, he can deceive the nations no more and the people will have a chance to learn the truth. (Rev. 20:1-3) Christ, the great and righteous Judge, will then judge the people in righteousness. Then the people can have a hearing and a trial. When Christ’s kingdom of righteousness is in full sway, then the judgment will take place as it is written: "The Lord . . . shall judge the quick [living] and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.” (2 Tim. 4:1) Those living on the earth will he the first ones judged. After them the dead will be brought to life on earth and be given a fair trial. The day of judgment of the people, instead of its being one of great distress, will be a day of great joy to all them that obey. It will mean the time of deliverance from oppression, and the day of blessing. Concerning that day of judgment the preachers have misrepresented God and have misled the people. God never authorized them to speak. Now the time has come when God will make known his truth to his people in his own good way.

The Trial

Bear in mind always that God is just, and his action always in harmony with his law. It follows then that there could be no judgment without a hearing or trial of the ones to be judged, because God’s law provides that such hearing must be had. (John 7:51) It also follows that there could be no judgment of the people without a judge; and since the judgment work is assigned to Christ Jesus, the judgment by Christ of the people could not take place until his court is set and the due time has arrived. Furthermore, there could not be a trial of a person unless that person has knowledge of and concerning his trial. The preachers have told the people that all have their trial and that their destiny is fixed at death. That is not true. Only those who have learned of God’s plan and who have knowledge or could have had a knowledge thereof have been on trial. Some have been tried as individuals, and some forming an organization have been subjected to trial.

Take as an illustration that little company of men and women who rushed into the church building to escape the storm and who heard the words of the preacher concerning their judgment. They were not on trial. They could not have been on trial unless they had first heard the truth. They did not hear the truth from the preacher. They had heard it in no church building. They were threatened with eternal torment, which is not true. They heard nothing about God’s provision for poor humanity. The preacher was not their judge and he had no authority to single them out and speak in words of condemnation or otherwise against them. Satan, the enemy of God, has overreached the preachers and has induced them to preach false doctrines that have really blinded the people to the truth.

Only those who have made a consecration to do God’s will and have received his spirit have been led into the truth. That is exactly what Jesus said to his disciples, that "when the holy spirit of God is given, you will be led into all truth’. (John 16:13) Until the second coming of the Lord and his kingdom the poor of the world are blind to the truth by reason of the works of the enemy through his false teachers. (2 Cor. 4: 3, 4) It has been like a vail over the face of the people. In the Bible the word mountain is used as a symbol of God’s kingdom, and the Lord declares that in that mountain he shall remove this vail that the people may see the truth.—Isa. 25:7.

Why a Trial

Why should the people be put on trial, and for what could they be tried? The proper answer to that question is important. God created the earth for man to live upon. (Isa. 45:12, 18) He gave to Adam dominion over the things of the earth and the right to live on it for ever. That right depended solely upon Adam's obedience to God’s law. God did not require much of him, but he told Adam that he must not disobey and that if he would disobey death would be the penalty. (Gen. 2:17) Adam being on trial, because of his disobedience the judgment of death and expulsion from Eden was entered against him. (Gen. 3:15-24) All of Adam’s children were born after that. Their sinful and imperfect father, undergoing the sentence of death, could not bring forth perfect children. The children therefore inherited the result of Adam's sin. Hence the prophet says: “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”—Psa. 51: 5.

CREATION

A book irrefutable in logic, reasoning and evidence, conclusively proving that the Bible is right, despite all attempts by the wild-guessing scientists to ridiculeit or the foolish sermons of the sanctimonious clergy, ever ready with lusty amens to support almost anything except God’s own Word. In this book Judge Rutherford fearlessly casts aside the moss-covered notions of men and presents the divine viewpoint in a way recognized at once as right, reasonable and satisfactory.

A book intensely interesting to all thinking people, because the author goes to the source of all true knowledge. His clear, comprehensive solutions to hitherto baffling questions are indeed astonishing. The creation of stars and planets, the length of earth’s creative days, the formation of coal, minerals and oil, the origin of man, his relationship to the Creator, the destiny of man* all these and many other subjects come in for searching analysis and satisfactory explanation.

By Judge Rutherford

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Unless God would make some provision for a new trial for mankind, all men must in due time for ever perish. God promised that he would redeem man. (Hos. 13:14) God in his loving-kindness made provision to prevent man from perishing. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, hut have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; hut that the world through him might be saved.” — John 3: 16,17.

Jesus, the Son of God, became a man. (John 1:14) He came to earth in order that he might ransom the human race and give the people the opportunity for life. (Matt. 20:28; John 10:10) Ransom means to buy back or acquire title with a corresponding price. Jesus was a perfect man, even as Adam was when he was in Eden. The death of Jesus as a man exactly corresponded to the price of the perfect life that God’s judgment required of Adam. Jesus Christ in death was made a substitute for Adam that Adam and his offspring might be released from the judgment of death and the effects thereof. For whom did Jesus die upon the cross? “For every man,” say the Scriptures. (Heb. 2:9) Furthermore, in God’s due time the fact must be told to every man, and that before he is put upon trial. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”—1 Tim. 2: 3-6.

The ransom price that purchases the right of man is the basis for the granting of a new trial to Adam and all his offspring. Only Adam was tried originally, and the offspring inherited the evil effects thereof. The new trial or judgment of men now will be an individual trial. In symbolic phrase the prophet of God says: “In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge, but every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.” (Jer. 31: 29, 30) That will mean that every man must be brought to a knowledge of the truth before he is really put on trial, and each one will stand or fall by his own course of action.

Before the trial and judgment of the people of the world can begin, the way must be prepared and the ground cleared. The court is selected, and all hindrances to righteousness must be removed. Then the Lord will judge the world in righteousness.

The Jews as a nation had a trial, and the judgment was adverse. The Gentile nations had a trial and an opportunity to establish a government in harmony with God’s way, and to them the judgment is adverse. The preachers claim to be God’s representatives and that their churches are his organization. They have had a hearing, and the judgment against them is adverse. The financiers claim the ability to establish a government on earth and to make it a fit place for man to live. They have had a trial, and the judgment against them is adverse. The politicians have claimed to rule by divine right and have had a hearing, and the judgment against them is adverse. Satan and his organization have had a trial, and the judgment against such is that the evil one and his organization must be destroyed. That done, the way is cleared for the peoples to have a trial and judgment in righteousness and without interference of unrighteousness. That is also proof that the judgment of the peoples of the world is yet future.

Period of Trial or Judgment

Jesus said: ‘If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.’ (John 12:32) The lifting up of Christ includes the members of his body, and the drawing of all men to him is during the time of his reign. It is stated in the Scriptures that the reign of Christ for the trial and judgment of the world shall cover a period of 1000 years. (Rev. 20:4-6) The day which God has appointed for the judgment of the world by Christ is not a twenty-four-hour day, but a thousand-year day. “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years.” (2 Pet. 3:8; Acts 17: 31) Within that period of time every human being will have a full and fair opportunity to be heard and his rights determined by the just Judge.

In Righteousness

When the trial and judgment of the peoples on earth begin, the people will not be righteous, but will, on the contrary, be very imperfect. What is meant by judgment in righteousness is this: The government that will rule the people will be righteous, because it is God’s government. The invisible ruler and judge will be Christ, and his representatives on earth will be the faithful men whom the Scriptures describe as the heroes of faith who died fully faithful unto God.—Heb. 11:1-39; Ps. 45:16.

A beautiful picture of the day of judgment is given in the Bible. The way which people will have to go is likened unto a highway. “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called, The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those; the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”—Isa. 35:8.

A highway represents a clear and unobstructed road to travel. It means, then, a clear and unobstructed way to learn the truth, to be obedient thereto, and to return to God. That the people are not clean and righteous at the beginning of the trial is shown by the scripture wherein it is stated that the highway is for the cleansing of the people and that they must be cleansed or cleaned up before they reach the farther end thereof. “It shall be called, The way of holiness,” because the only way to enter upon it and go completely over it is by being devoted entirely and wholly to the Lord and to his way of righteousness. Neither the Devil nor any of his agencies nor anything else will be permitted to hinder one from learning and obeying the truth. Therefore that trial and judgment way will be a way of joy to those who try to do right.

The Poor

The great mass of the peoples of earth are poor and very ignorant. They have always had a hard time, while the rich have been favored. Will the rich and learned have a better opportunity in the judgment day than the poor? No, but just the reverse. Those who have been rich and have enjoyed much advantage and have lived in pleasure have grown haughty and proud. It will he difficult for them to humble themselves under the mighty hand of the Lord and learn to do right. Jesus announced the rule when he said to the Jewish clergy and the principal ones amongst the Jews: “It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” (Matt. 11:24) The people of Sodom were very ignorant and depraved. They were a simple and poor people. The favor of the Jews was far greater, because they had the Word of the Lord.—Rom. 3:1, 2.

Even so today, the rich and the mighty enjoy the things of the present time, and have the better education and better opportunity to learn the truth and the right way. The poor are ill-situated and are kept in ignorance. The rich and favored ones are haughty and austere. You will recall with what austerity the clergyman spoke to that little company of poor ones that came into his church. It will be hard for the men that are haughty and severe to become meek and obedient. Concerning such the Lord says: “And the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.” (Isa. 10:33) But how will the Lord judge the poor?

The Scriptures answer that he will lead the poor and meek and will judge them in righteousness. "With righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.”—Isa. 11: 4, 5.

The meek are those who desire to be taught the right way. “The meek will he guide in judgment." (Ps. 25: 9) That the trial and judgment day for the poor and meek will be a happy one is proven by the words of the prophet: “The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” (Ps. 37: 11) “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5) The proud and haughty have spoken vain words and oppressed the poor. Of these God says: “The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things. For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.”—Ps. 12: 3, 5.

The Devil and his representatives have oppressed the poor, but the Lord is a just Judge and he will justly deal with them. “He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.”—Ps. 72:4, 12, 13.

Living First

The judgment of the people of the world in righteousness will begin with those who are living on the earth at the time of judgment. (2 Tim. 4:1) Not every one will have to die and enter the grave. Doubtless there will be millions living on earth when the judgment begins. There is a great deal of evidence showing that the judgment will begin within a very short time. The first thing for the people will be to bring them to a knowledge of the truth. God's great promise is that all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Gen. 12: 3) Such promised blessing means that they must have an opportunity to receive the great blessing of life which is the gift of God through Jesus Christ. (Rom. 6:23) No man can receive a gift of any kind unless he has some knowledge that the gift is offered to him. It is written: ‘‘Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”—Rom. 5:18.

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