The Peoples Friend (1928)

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The Peoples Friend

By J. F. Rutherford President

International Bible Students Association

Author of Deliverance! The Harp of God Creation Reconciliation Government

MADE IN U. S. A.

Published and Copyright 1928 by

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION BROOKLYN, N. Y., U. S. A.

IN OTHER COUNTRIES

ENGLAND: 34 Craven Terrace, Lancaster Gate. London, W. 2

CANADA: 40 Irwin Ave., Toronto 5. SOUTH AFRICA: 6 Lelie St., Cape Town

AUSTRALIA: 495 Collins St., Melbourne. INDIA: 40 Colaba Rd., Bombay The Real Reason

I NEVER VOTE! WHY SHOULD I? BECAUSE, IT'S NO USE! POLITICIANS AND GRAFTERS ARE RUNNING THIS COUNTRY!

The above cartoon appeared in the New York American May 31, 1928. The American is in a position to know the condition of the country. If the cartoon states the true condition, who is the invisible ruler Jehovah or the Devil?

The Peoples Friend

EHOVAH'S name shall be vindicated! The time has come! He is the great Friend and Benefactor of the people. For many long centuries Satan the Devil has defamed Jehovah God's great Name and turned the people away from him to their own injury. God promised that the time would come when he would interfere in behalf of mankind and bless all the nations of the earth. The time has come now to make known to the people his purposes to deliver them from their oppressor and to bless them.

The radio is Jehovah God's invention. Man has only found out how to use it. The time will come when Jehovah God will make it possible for his faithful representatives to stand in Jerusalem and speak clearly and audibly to all the peoples of the earth. The people will hear and rejoice.

Satan the Devil is the real enemy of mankind. He is invisible to man but uses his evil influence to direct the course of men. He is the great oppressor of the people. He uses selfish men as his agents. His rule of oppression is near at an end. It is manifest that Jehovah God intends for the people to be served with notice to this effect that they may take courage and gladly look forward to the time when they shall enjoy freedom, peace, prosperity, life and happiness.

It is but fitting that Jehovah God should permit the greatest radio hook-up yet had on earth to be used in honor of his name. It occurred at Detroit, Michigan, Sunday, August 5, 1928. The occasion was the international convention of the Bible Students gathered from the various countries of earth. These men and women are devoted to Jehovah God. The address was delivered by the president of the Association. The Washington Post, the leading daily paper at the national capital of the United States, on the following morning concerning the lecture said:

BIBLE RADIO CHAIN WITH 100 STATIONS SETS NEW RECORD

Judge J. F. Rutherford's Talk at Detroit

is Heard by Millions, Report

According to its sponsors, the broadcasting of the Sunday morning session of the International Bible Students Association, assembled in convention yesterday morning in Detroit, included more than 100 stations and therefore was the largest in the history of radio. It was heard by Washington listeners through Station WRHF.

The principal speaker was Judge Joseph F. Rutherford, at one time a Missouri lawyer, but later became an evangelical preacher, and president of the International Bible Students Association.

"I had a telegram from one of the New York dailies," Judge Rutherford said during the course of his address, "asking how much this hook-up cost, and who was paying for it.

"My answer is that it cost $50,000 and is being paid for by a multitude of Christians throughout the United States who are glad to do it." At another time the judge remarked, parenthetically, "Satan and the Devil tried to prevent this hook-up, but were unable to do it."

Included among those broadcasting the address were Stations WORD, at Batavia, Ill., near Chicago, of 5,000 watts power, and WBBR, at Rossville, N. Y., outside of New York City, both owned by Judge Rutherford's organization.

FIRST BROADCAST OF KIND.

The hour for the broadcast was set for 9:30 o'clock in the morning, so as not to be in conflict with the Sunday morning services being broadcast, thus marking the first country-wide broadcast ever made at this unusual time.

It was said the address was being heard in 36 States, three provinces in Canada, and was being relayed to other countries by short waves from Station WGY at Schenectady.

This would have been a wider territory covered than by the Lindbergh hook-up of 50 stations or the national conventions of 68 stations, neither of which reached Canada, or the proposed Hoover notification hook-up which at this time comprises 75 stations.

For the convenience of listeners in the Capital loud speakers were installed in the Pythian Temple Auditorium and at several other points in the city.

The visible audience which greeted Judge Rutherford at the Coliseum in Detroit, according to the announcement which came over the radio, numbered more than 12,000 persons. In addition to that, loud speakers were placed in Belle Isle Park about 10 miles away in Detroit, where, it was said, another crowd had assembled.

Shortly following the lecture hundreds of telegrams and thousands of letters were received stating that the reception had been clear and distinct in every part of America and in foreign lands. So great has been the demand for the copy of the lecture that this booklet is prepared and furnished to the people at a nominal cost.

Promptly at 9:30 Sunday morning, August 5, the program began before a visible audience of 12,000 assembled in the Coliseum at Detroit, Michigan, and at the same time it was broadcast by 107 radio stations scattered throughout the United States and Canada, and was heard by a great and unseen multitude.

Judge Rutherford, the speaker, being introduced said: "Before beginning my address I shall read a Declaration in the form of a resolution, move its adoption, and then speak to the resolution." His address covered a period of one hour and five minutes at the conclusion of which the great audience with a shout arose and unanimously voted the adoption of the resolution, which follows: Declaration Against Satan and For Jehovah

THE Bible Students in international convention assembled do declare themselves against Satan and wholly for Jehovah of hosts, and emphatically announce further these vital truths, to wit:

First: That the peoples of earth organized into forms of government and under the control of a superior and invisible ruler constitute the world;

Second: That Jehovah is the only true and Almighty God and the source of all just authority; that he is the King Eternal, the God of justice, wisdom, love and power and the true friend and benefactor of all creation;

Third: That Jehovah delegated to his son Lucifer the authority to be the overseer of man; that Lucifer became disloyal, rebelled against God and caused man to fall away from righteousness, and since that rebellion Lucifer has been known by the titles Dragon, Serpent, Satan and Devil; that Satan the Devil has caused strife amongst the nations and is responsible for all the cruel wars, wicked murders, all heinous crimes and other corrupt acts that have been committed; that until now Jehovah has not restrained Satan from the exercise of power and influence over man, to the end that mankind might learn the beneful results of evil doing; that for many centuries Satan has been the invisible ruler of the world, constantly defaming the name of Jehovah God and working great injury to men and nations; Fourth: That Jehovah promised that in his due time he would restrain Satan and establish a righteous government in the earth that men might have an opportunity for life everlasting in happiness; and to that end he anointed his beloved Son Jesus to be the redeemer and invisible ruler of the world;

Fifth: That Jehovah's due time has come to fulfil his promise and to clear his reputation in the minds of all creation; that Christ Jesus has taken his high office as the executive of Jehovah and the great issue now is, Who is God and who shall rule the peoples and nations?

Sixth: That because Satan will not surrender his wicked rule over the nations and peoples of the earth, Jehovah of hosts with his anointed executive officer Christ Jesus will press the conflict against Satan and all of his forces of evil, and henceforth our battle-cry shall be, THE SWORD OF JEHOVAH AND OF HIS ANOINTED; that the great battle of Armageddon soon to begin will result in the full restraint of Satan and the complete overthrow of his evil organization, and that Jehovah will establish righteousness in the earth by and through Christ the new ruler and will emancipate mankind from evil and bring everlasting blessings to all the nations of the earth;

Seventh: Therefore the due time has come for all who love righteousness to take their stand on the side of Jehovah and obey and serve him with a pure heart, that they may receive the boundless blessings which the Almighty God has in reservation for them.

Ruler for the People

"Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah." Ps. 33:12.

THE statements made in the Declaration just read in your hearing are true. Being true, they are of the greatest importance to the people at this time. I ask the indulgence of the audience, seen and unseen, while I submit proof in support thereof. I have an abiding confidence that when the people know and appreciate the truth a great burden will be lifted from their minds. I crave an opportunity to have some part in bringing the truth to the attention of the people. In doing so I come to you as a friend of all mankind. I have no selfish interest to serve, save this, that what is for the general welfare of mankind must be for my good. The eternal welfare of men far outweighs all the money by which the commodities of earth are measured.

Good government is essential to the welfare of all people. It should claim the intense interest of every man and woman. The parents should teach their children the principles of good government. There can be no real progress made in its study unless the matter be approached calmly and without bias or prejudice.

In all governments of men there is an invisible as well as a visible power exercised for evil or for good. The invisible power is superior to the visible and is therefore the power of control. If evil, then the invisible power so exercised makes the visible unsatisfactory. If the invisible power is exercised for good, then the effect upon the visible power is good and the people are blessed.

WORLD

The world is one vast government made up of the various nations and peoples. In all nations the people have recognized an invisible power that influences the nations' course of action. When in dire distress the people appeal to the invisible power and thereby acknowledge that the invisible is superior to their visible governors. In harmony with this statement it is written in the Scriptures: "Blessed is the nation whose God [invisible Ruler] is Jehovah."—Ps. 33:12.

The inference must be indulged from this Scriptural statement that there is an invisible ruling power other than Jehovah God and that when the people are controlled by that power it is not for their blessing.

All nations recognize the necessity of a visible ruler. The fact that the United States is at this very time engaged in a great campaign to determine who shall be its ruler is proof of that statement. It is deemed important to know something about the visible ruler, and to this end an educational campaign is carried on. It is of greater importance to know of and concerning the invisible ruler, because his influence and power is greater than that of the visible.

I am persuaded that the great masses of the peoples of earth, regardless of religion or politics, desire to have and enjoy a just and righteous government. Seeing that man is not perfect, and that there is an invisible power that influences him, it is vital to ascertain in whom righteous power resides and who is the dispenser of evil power. In discussing this matter there is no disposition to reflect upon men. Bible Students have no desire or inclination to fight any man or company of men. Their desire is to place the truth clearly before the minds of the people. When the truth is understood it will be found that the interests of all men are alike. I now submit the proof that there is an evil god that controls the world; that Jehovah the Almighty God of righteousness will shortly destroy the power of the evil god, and will establish on earth a righteous government that will relieve the people of their burdens and bring them everlasting blessings; that we are now at a crisis and the issue before the people is the greatest of all time.

JEHOVAH

Who is the invisible ruler of the nations of earth? Is it Jehovah or another? Jehovah is the true God. Of him Jesus declared that to know God means life everlasting. He is the great Eternal One, the Creator of heaven and earth, the Giver of every good and perfect gift. (Isa. 42:5) When Israel was his chosen people Jehovah was his national name to them. His name means more than that. It signifies his purpose toward his creation. His Word, the Bible, discloses his purpose; hence the Bible is the authority for this conclusion. He is just and righteous. His "judgments are true and righteous altogether". (Ps. 19:9) "For Jehovah is righteous; he loveth righteousness." (Ps. 11:7, R. V.) His righteousness is likened unto the stedfastness of the great mountains, and his justice as deeper than the bottomless sea.—Ps. 36:6.

Jehovah is so wise that he can never make a mistake. The wisdom of the wisest men of the world is foolishness when compared with the wisdom of Jehovah God. (1 Cor. 1:25) Concerning his creation his prophet wrote: "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all." (Ps. 104:24) In wisdom he created man, and his wisdom prepared the great plan for teaching man by experience and the granting to the obedient ones everlasting blessing.

In Jehovah resides all original power. All others exercising power do so by the permission of Jehovah. All the power of all the nations of earth is but a drop of a bucket or the small dust in the balance when compared with the power of Jehovah God. (Isa. 40:17-22) He is the Almighty God, which means there is no limitation to his power. (Gen. 17:1-6) For him to will a thing to be done means that it shall be done. When he willed to create the earth and the things thereof his spirit moved upon the elements, and the earth and living creatures thereon resulted. (Gen. 1: 1-26) His spirit is his power, invisible to man.

Jehovah God is love, which means that everything he has ever done or ever will do is prompted by unselfishness. He is self-contained and needs nothing, and none can bring him any benefit. All his acts are performed for the benefit of his creatures. His prophet, who had learned of him, exclaimed: "How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings." (Ps. 36:7) "Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."—Ps. 63:3.

I am not unmindful of the fact that Jehovah has repeatedly been charged as unjust and cruel. But when we learn that his enemy has made the charges and instilled them into the mind of man we know that the charges are false. (John 8:44) In Jehovah dwell justice, wisdom, power and love, all working together in exact harmony and always exercised for the good of his creation. For this reason it is written: "Blessed is that nation whose God is Jehovah." The converse of that statement must be true; therefore no nation could have a real blessing unless that nation has Jehovah for its God.

ABSENCE OF BLESSING

To be blessed a nation must have peace, be free from oppression and the fear thereof; the people must be secure in their property, in their homes, and in their bodies; the laws of that nation must be administered equally for the general welfare of all, with special privileges to none; and the people must enjoy prosperity in their material and in their spiritual affairs. Is there a man on earth today who can within his memory point to a nation that has had a real blessing? I am certain there is none. There is a reason for this. I wish to emphasize that my purpose is not to bring reproach upon any people. I desire now to state the facts as they exist, to the end that we may honestly and fairly determine who is, and for a long time has been, the god or invisible ruler of this world.

How may we determine who has been the invisible ruler of man during a fixed period of time? The rule laid down by Jesus is a safe one to follow, to wit: "By their fruits ye shall know them." If a nation or government practises injustice, shows undue favor to a few and greatly oppresses the majority, surely no honest man could say that that nation is just. If the visible power is exercised by a few to the detriment of the majority, that course shows a great lack of wisdom and the absence of love. Looking back over the history of the nations of earth during the past twenty-five hundred years it will be readily conceded that in that time there has been gross injustice practised upon and great oppression put upon the peoples that have been ruled. In that period of time no ruler has left an ideal record behind. Is that unhappy condition and the result due to the fact that all rulers are willingly unjust? I am sure that is not the reason. On the contrary facts show that many rulers have diligently tried to establish a just and wise government; and after laborious efforts have signally failed. Many rulers have laid down their lives in a vigorous endeavor to better the people and they have not succeeded. Their honesty could not be called in question.

Then why have they failed? True there have been officials who have been willingly dishonest, cruel and oppressive, but even the worst of these have yielded to a sinister influence which has induced them to lead a wrongful course. That evil and powerful influence has been exercised by the invisible ruler over the visible rulers. Why has this been so? God's Word discloses the true answer, to wit, that the invisible ruler over the nations has been and is that great evil one, Satan the Devil.

EVIL GOD

When man walked in Eden, the garden of Jehovah he was perfect in his organism. Jehovah delegated to his son Lucifer the power and authority to be man's invisible overlord. Lucifer was then perfect and a creature of glory. Lucifer and the Logos were the two "Morning Stars" that together sang an anthem of praise at the laying of the foundation of the earth. (Ezek. 28:14-17; Job 38:7) It was the nature of man to worship Jehovah God. Lucifer desired such worship for himself. His ambition led him to rebellion against God, which activity began by Lucifer's inducing man to disobey God's law. (Isa. 14:11-14) That wrongful act has worked great havoc to mankind.

As a result man was sentenced to death and expelled from his paradise home, and all mankind have since suffered from the effects thereof. (Gen. 3:3-24; Rom. 5:12) That evil effect upon the nations is thus expressed by the prophet: "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"—Isa. 14:12.

Ceasing to be an angel of light Lucifer became the very embodiment of darkness and wickedness, and from then till now the Bible designates him under the titles Satan, Serpent, Dragon and Devil. All the unrighteous wars that have been fought between men, and all the cruel murders committed by men, have been due to the wicked influence of Satan the Devil because he was the first murderer and the father of lies. (John 8:44) All the tears of bitterness that have flowed from those who have been dealt with unjustly and sorely oppressed must be traced to the influence of Satan because he is the great and wicked oppressor. (Ps. 72:4) All the bitterness that has existed and been exhibited between professed Christian people, all the religious intolerance and persecution of Christians, must be laid at Satan's door. All the foul aspersions against Jehovah God and all defamation of his holy name must be laid to the charge of Satan the Devil.

THE FACTS

Today in every nation there arises a cry of the people against unrighteousness. I hold that the primary unrighteousness manifested by the governments can not be laid to the charge of men who hold the offices. There is an unseen power that induces unrighteousness and oppression; and that power is exercised by Satan the Devil, who is the god or invisible ruler of this world. Nineteen hundred years ago the perfect man Jesus was on earth. He came into the earth to represent his Father Jehovah God and to do his Father's will. (John 5:30) For three and one-half years Jesus suffered the most cruel persecution that could be inflicted and which culminated in his ignominious death. For a time the common people heard him gladly and hailed him as their Savior. Then the Pharisees and rulers incited the people against him, and they all turned against him, and the Roman government yielded to their cries for his blood and they crucified him. Were the Pharisees and the rulers wholly to blame for his death? They were parties to the wrongful act of killing him, but the Apostle Peter, under inspiration, said to them, as recorded in Acts 3:17: "And now, brethren, I wot [know] that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers."

Who is the responsible one and who really prevented the visible rulers and Pharisees from knowing and understanding the truth? Jesus answered that Satan the Devil was the one, because they were yielding to his influence and doing his will. (Matt. 23: 14-16; John 8:42-44) Furthermore, it is plainly written, in 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4, that Satan the Devil is the god of this world and that he blinds the minds of men lest the truth should shine into their minds.

It was Satan the Devil who sought to induce Jesus to violate his covenant with Jehovah and thereby bring about Jesus' own destruction. Failing in this he did not cease his activities against Jesus. "When the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him [Jesus] for a little season."—Luke 4:1-13.

From time to time the Jews sought to kill Jesus, and in every instance they were acting under the influence of Satan the Devil. As Jesus neared the end of his earthly pilgrimage he said to his disciples: "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." (John 14:30) Shortly thereafter Judas betrayed Jesus into the hands of those who killed him; and, as to the responsible one who induced Judas thus to do, it is written: "And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve." (Luke 22:2, 3) "And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly."—John 13:27.

The proof is therefore conclusive that it was Satan, the invisible ruler of this world, who caused the death of Jesus. Such wicked persecution could not have proceeded from Jehovah God against his own Son. From then till now true Christians have suffered violent persecution. Nearly all of the apostles of Jesus suffered violent deaths. Was Jehovah God responsible therefor? Certainly not. Jesus Christ is the anointed Son of God; and the church are the body members of Christ, and each one is therefore a son of God. Rom. 8:14-16.

Afterwards the Romans persecuted and put to death many Christian people. The French government did the same thing. Many avowed Christians were burned at the stake in the British Empire. John Calvin, the great preacher, when he held a high position in the government of Switzerland, caused Servetus to be burned at the stake. In the Turkish government thousands of people were put to a cruel death because they claimed to be Christians. During the World War Christian people were persecuted, imprisoned and killed in nearly every nation engaged in the war because those Christian people would not violate their conscience and God's law by killing their fellow man. Shall these terrible deeds of blood be charged wholly to men? I answer, No. The wicked influence of the invisible ruler Satan induced the commission of such great crime. Such wrongs could not have proceeded from Jehovah God, because he is just and loving and because that persecution was leveled chiefly against his children.

All the evidence shows that Satan, the invisible ruler of this world, is the responsible one for such wrongful acts, and the conclusion is in harmony with the words of Jesus, who said to his followers: "Because ... I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. In the world ye shall have tribulation." (John 15:18-21; 16:33) This is further proof that the persecution of Christians has been induced by Satan the Devil and that he is the invisible ruler of this world. The fight of the Christian has not been against men, but against the invisible Satan and his cohorts of evil. Upon this point it is written: "Put on the complete armour of God, so as to be able to stand firm against all the stratagems of the Devil. For ours is not a conflict with mere flesh and blood, but with the despotisms, the empires, the forces that control and govern this dark world." Eph. 6:11, 12, Weymouth.

PRESENT-DAY WITNESSES

For the purpose of proving that Satan is the god or invisible ruler of all the nations of earth, and that he is primarily responsible for all the wickedness, crime, oppression and intense suffering of the peoples, I read into the record the testimony of some wellknown men of the world.

For a long period of time the trade in women for immoral purposes has been carried on in many nations and the governments have licensed such wicked traffic. An effort was made to abolish that evil practice. Concerning the League Committee appointed to investigate and report upon the abolition of this wicked traffic the Manchester Guardian, under date of March 6, 1928, says:

It proved impossible to obtain a unanimous recommendation for the immediate abolition by all governments of the system of licensed brothels. Representatives of the governments of countries where this system still exists, such as France, Italy, Roumania, Spain, and Japan, opposed the proposal, requesting that further inquiries should be made about the consequences of the abolition to public order and public health. The Belgian delegate was one of the most convincing advocates of abolition, although the system of licenses still exists in Belgium. Five years ago, France and other governments objected to any discussion of the subject on the ground that it was merely a domestic question. Now the international character of the evil is no longer denied.

Concerning the Roumanian government The Nation, in its issue of June 13, 1928, says:

The Roumanian Government, in fact, stands for corruption and unconcealed bribery; it stands for pogroms and the violent persecution of the national minorities within the borders of Roumania; it stands for the property rights of prominent members of the Liberal party at the expense of other individuals and of the nation itself.

In Russia the government is deporting Zionists to bleak Siberia, where they suffer indescribable agony. The New York Times of June 3, 1928, quotes Dr. Arlosoroff as follows:

Places consisting of three to five houses, situated at a distance of hundreds, sometimes more than a thousand, miles from a railway station, with mail service only three times a year, are selected to form the residence of the deported Zionists.

The Ogpu, the Soviet political secret service, provides each of the deportees with only about three dollars a month.

The convicts are prohibited from walking beyond the bounds of the village. Deportees who fall to present themselves for daily registration are considered attempting to escape and are punished by confinement in a penitentiary.

Sick persons suffering from acute attacks of fever are dragged daily to register. In Kirgisia more than forty Zionist deportees have been punished by imprisonment on account of letters found at their homes. Every second month the location of the deportees is changed in order to prevent "adjustment" and acquisition of a suitable occupation.

Italy has abolished her constitution, and her present government is a tyranny. The Manchester Guardian of June 9, 1928, publishes a communication from Signor Nitti, ex-prime minister of Italy, from which the following is quoted:

With all freedom of association, of assembly, of the press suppressed, all the independent papers, even Conservative and Catholic, suppressed, boys and girls are to be brought up from the tenderest years in the cult of violence. Irresponsible children, even young girls, are armed for the defense of the regime. In the streets of Italy children of both sexes are to be seen going through military drill with firearms. They are taught the principles of violence; they hear every day justifications of war; hatred is inspired in their young hearts. They are told that Italy should be an empire, and that in consequence she will have to go to war. Every freedom of professional activity is restricted; the independence of the magistrates is suppressed; special tribunals, no longer composed of magistrates but of party members, judge and condemn their opponents, who have hardly any means of defense, and deport them almost always without having put them under interrogation. To leave Italy without the permission of the government has become impossible. . . Italy has become a vast prison, where there is no more laughter and no more life, and where an extreme poverty, in spite of false information spread by official agents in every country in Europe and America, is becoming daily more insupportable. Thousands of honorable citizens who can no longer get permission to leave Italy have to undergo every sort of humiliation: illustrious generals, deputies, professors are thrown into prison or deported to desert islands. Political crime and torture are held in honor as in the worst periods of the Middle Ages.

The oppression of the peoples of Egypt and India by the great British Empire is well known to the people of all lands. At home her yeomanry are burdened to the breaking point under the great load of taxation to enable the nation to carry on her imperialism. From all parts of the earth are heard the cries of the people because of unreasonable taxation and other burdens laid upon them.

The United States is the richest country in natural resources on the earth; yet in this land of plenty millions are without employment and suffer in want for the necessities of life. At the same time the burden of taxation and graft has increased to the breaking point. The New York American, under date of December 17, 1927, says:

Graft and corruption are the curse of government. Nowhere is their burden heavier than in New York. The average citizen reaches the breaking point when crooked politics and crooked business unite to double the charge. Scores of property owners in Queens, including home owners, are threatened with having to let their property be sold to meet the exorbitant Queens sewer assessment. Some estimates are that half of the entire $16,000,000 cost of the Jamaica system is due to graft.

The gigantic light and power trust has corrupted the primary parts of the government, invaded the schools and colleges, corrupted the teachers, and made a systematic attempt to turn the minds of the youth from the right principles of government. The New York American of June 21, 1928, quotes Congressman La Guardia as follows:

The revelations in the Senate, and the investigation by the Federal Trade Commission of the power trust, have disclosed one of the most cruel monopolies ever formed in this country. Electric power is in the hands of an absolute monopoly, and the disclosures would indicate that millions of dollars are available for corruption, control of legislation, and the subsidizing of instructions in both public and private colleges throughout the country.

That wicked corporation has not even been rebuked by the visible rulers of the American nation.

The New York Times of June 3, 1928, quotes Senator Underwood as follows:

The people who exercise the power are not always the same people with those over whom it is exercised. Organized minorities now rule. The plain people are not organized. They have no agents at the capital to protect their interests; they are often misinformed and misled by untruthful propaganda. . . . A full half of the laws now passed are experimental in their inception and unhappy in their results. . . . The government has become a complicated bureaucracy that every day is becoming more and more oppressive.

Senator Reed of the United States Senate, from the public platform and in the press, declares that the government of the United States is now in the hands of "boodlers, grafters and lobbyists". Is Jehovah the God of those wicked men?

Derelicions of every nation on earth might be here mentioned if time would permit. My purpose is not to magnify their shortcomings but to mention enough to show that Jehovah is not the god of these nations but that Satan the Devil is the invisible ruler or god of every nation now on earth. His subtle influence always for evil is responsible for the crimes against the people and the great suffering of the people in every nation. At the same time he has sought diligently to keep the people blind to the real truth.

What could be the purpose of Satan in leading the people into such deplorable conditions, causing the nations to war against each other and at the same time to call themselves Christian? Satan's primary objective has ever been to defame the name of Jehovah God and to cause the people to hate and turn away from Jehovah, that he (Satan) might still keep them under his rule and control. He has falsely induced the clergy, his visible representatives, to teach that Jehovah is the god of the nations of earth and at the same time to charge Jehovah with the responsibility for all war and crime. In doing this he has caused millions of honest minds to turn away from the true God and to cast away his Word, the Bible.

Since the World War it is conceded by the leading men of every nation that crime and wickedness has increased; that organized Christianity is losing its influence over the people; and that corruption in high places becomes more marked. Mr. Lloyd George, in an article published Sunday, June 24, 1928, says:

The young men who passed through the war came to the conclusion that a religion which permitted and seemed to encourage such an outbreak of savagery was an exposed sham. The revolt, or, rather, the sulkiness of youth is the most serious problem with which the churches are confronted.

Why is this unhappy condition enhanced in the last decade? The Scriptures answer: "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."—Rev. 12:12.

WHY PERMITTED

If all just power resides in Jehovah God, why has he permitted Satan to exercise power over the nations? Briefly answered, he has permitted it in order that mankind might by experience have a full and complete lesson in the baneful effects of wrong doing. God expelled man from Eden, and set before him good, and permitted Satan to place evil before man; and permitted man to exercise his free moral agency and to follow the Devil, suffer sorrow and death, or to be faithful and obedient to God and learn the way to life everlasting and happiness. To that end Jehovah chose the Israelites and entered into a covenant with them. The very first words of that covenant are that the Israelites should have no other god besides Jehovah and should not bow down and worship other gods. (Exod. 20:2-5) That commandment was not given because of selfishness on Jehovah's part, but solely for the benefit of man. In other words Jehovah said to them: 'Satan and his associates will lead you into suffering and death. If you will live, hear my voice and obey me.' It was like a considerate parent saying to his wayward son: 'Do not follow that wicked man and lose everything, but obey me if you will be happy.'

The charge is often made that Jehovah is n cruel and bloodthirsty God. That charge is wholly false. Bear in mind that Jehovah is the only source of life.

He gives and he has the right to take away. By reason of wilful disobedience Adam was justly sentenced to death. By inheritance all men came into existence without the right to life. (Rom. 5:12; Ps. 51:5) Nations under the influence of Satan persisted in persecuting the Israelites as God's chosen people. They were grossly wicked, justly condemned, and deserved to die. He executed them as a sheriff would legally execute a condemned criminal. When the Israelites persisted in wilfully disobeying God's law, for their own good Jehovah used other nations as his executioners to punish them. In every instance God's acts have been legal and just and exercised for the benefit of man.

Twenty-five hundred years ago God withdrew his favor from Israel because of her disobedience and permitted Babylon to execute his judgment against that nation. At the same time he promised that he would in the future establish a righteous government at the time of the coming of him whose right it is to rule. The faithful ones have been waiting for that due time of Jehovah.

THE GOVERNOR

Is it to be understood from that statement that Jehovah intends to establish a righteous government on earth for the benefit of man? That is exactly what it does mean. Jesus Christ is the beloved Son of God. He is the anointed Governor or King of the world and in God's due time he becomes the invisible Ruler of the world in complete harmony with Jehovah's will. Where the power of the invisible Satan has been used for evil, the power of the invisible Christ will now be used for good and for the blessings of the peoples of earth.

When Jesus was before Pilate he declared himself to be the Anointed One to rule the world. When he was raised from the dead all power in heaven and earth was committed into his hands. (Matt. 28:18) He did not begin, however, to exercise that power at once. When he ascended into heaven Jehovah said to him, as recorded in Ps. 110:1: "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." The World War marked the end of that period of waiting, as shown by the testimony of Jesus himself. (Matt. 24:3-14) That marked the time when Jehovah through his prophet says: "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion." (Ps. 2:6) And now Jehovah says to Christ, earth's righteous Governor: "Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them [the powers of evil] with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."—Ps. 2:8, 9, R. V.

The beginning of the World War marked the end of Jehovah's waiting. Satan was then cast out of heaven and has come down to earth, here to carry on his wickedness against which God gives warning. (Rev. 12:12) Jehovah commands that notice now be served upon the nations before he proceeds to destroy Satan's power; therefore he says to the rulers of earth: "Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve [give allegiance to] the Lord ..., les: he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." Ps. 2:10-12.

THE GREAT ISSUE

Now the great issue before the nations and peoples of earth is, Who is your God and whom will ye serve, the Devil or Jehovah?

Jehovah God will shortly overthrow the Devil's established organization and will set up righteousness in the earth. Before he does so he offers the nations of earth an opportunity to voluntarily renounce the Devil, acknowledge Jehovah as the only true God, and Christ as earth's rightful and righteous Governor. The purpose is now to serve notice upon the nations and peoples that they may take their stand on the side of Jehovah. If they fail so to do, then what shall follow?

ARMAGEDDON

At stated intervals of time Jehovah has forcefully brought his name before the peoples, lest they should forget that he is their only Benefactor and Life-giver. When the Egyptians oppressed the Israelites, God went down into Egypt to make for himself a name. (2 Sam. 7:23) He sent Moses and Aaron to serve notice upon the Egyptians. What came to pass there foreshadowed greater things to come to pass and which are now beginning. (1 Cor. 10:11) In serving notice Moses and Aaron represented Christ and his church. Egypt and its ruler represented the Devil and his organization. God there exercised his power to overthrow the Egyptians and their armies. Now the nations of earth failing to take their stand on the side of Jehovah but holding to Satan, God will overthrow Satan and his organization in the great battle of Armageddon and all the nations and tribes of earth shall see it.

While all the nations will be involved in Armageddon it will not be fought between nations, as the great World War was fought. The Scriptures declare that it will be "the great battle of God Almighty". (Rev. 16:12-14) The reason for the battle is this: The time has come for God's anointed King, Christ Jesus, to take over the rulership of the world and to rule in righteousness. Satan's miracle must now end. Arrogant, cruel and wicked beyond description, Satan thinks he can defeat Jehovah and therefore prepares for the great battle of Armageddon. He musters all of his forces, both visible and invisible. He puts forth all of his endeavors to discredit God, and to turn the people against God, and to induce them to embrace a religion that entirely leaves out God. He blinds the minds of statesmen, leading them to believe that they have the ability to establish a desirable government and that they may be aided in so doing by heeding the advice of an apostate and dishonest clergy. He induces the selfish financiers to believe that their power is irresistible and that they can corrupt the rulers and oppress the people at will. Thus the forces of evil are arrayed against God and his anointed.

Jehovah will no longer permit Satan to exercise his blinding influence over the peoples of the earth. The great battle of Armageddon is necessary to teach all creation that Jehovah is the true God and besides him there is none. Some vision of the battle of Armageddon is given in God's Word. The time comes for action and he says to his beloved Son, his anointed Priest and King: "Thou art fairer than the children of men; grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most Mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things."—Ps. 45:2-4.

Furthermore he says to earth's new Governor: "Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies." As Satan refuses to yield his rule, the battle must follow. Further describing it the prophet says: "The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the nations, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the head [Satan] over many countries."—Ps. 110:5, 6.

As to the far-reaching effect of Armageddon God's prophet Jeremiah says: "A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth: for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations; he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind [of trouble] shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground. 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 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. 25:31-36.

Now notice to the nations is being given by those who are devoted to Jehovah, and this regardless of creed, denomination, or previous condition of servitude. Satan and his agents are making a desperate effort to prevent the giving of such notice. Jesus declares that when this witness work is done Armageddon shall follow, and he describes it as a time of tribulation such as the world has never before known and will never again know.—Matt. 24:21, 22.

As a further description the prophet mayn: "The earth [Satan's visible organization] shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth."-Ima, 24:20, 21.

Why will Jehovah engage in such a terrible battla? The answer is because evil must be eradicated and Satan, who is the god of this world, must cease to further rule over the governments and nations of earth and therefore must be ousted completely and his organization for ever destroyed. Jehovah will make for himself a name, and by this great demonstration of his power will teach the people that he is the Almighty God and that the blessings of life, liberty and happiness come from him and him alone.

The prophet, further describing Armageddon and what shall follow thereafter, mayn: "They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distressen. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waven thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven."—Pa. 107:27-30.

DESIRE OF THE HONEST

The desire of all honest persons, be they republican, democrat or of other political persuasion, is that the people might be prosperous, peaceful and happy; and the desire of all honest kings and rulers throughout the earth is that the people might have a government that would know no war and that the people might enjoy peace, health and life. Such desire could never be realized while Satan the Devil is the god or invisible ruler of man. The battle of Armageddon, now near and which shall shake the earth from center to circumference, is all-essential to awaken the people to the fact that only Jehovah can satisfy their righteous desire. Therefore God says: "Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens [invisible rule], and the earth [visible rule], and the sea [even the multitudes of earth], and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts."—Hag. 2:6, 7.

RIGHTEOUS RULER

Christ, who is God's anointed King, must now become the Ruler of earth. His power and influence is all for good. Under his rule all oppression, graft and crime will cease, and the poor and needy will have their just share and the way of his government will be equal. "He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth."—Ps. 72:4, 7.

The government resting upon his shoulder shall be a government of peace and righteousness. (Isa. 9:6,7) Seeing the people desire no more war, men are making an attempt to establish peace in earth. They can never succeed. War will not cease until Satan is bound and shorn of his power, and this will be done in the great battle of Armageddon. The act of the binding of Satan is described in Revelation 20:1-3: "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled."

Concerning the same time God through his prophet says: "The battle bow shall be cut off: and he [God] shall speak peace unto the nations."—Zech. 9:10.

With the government of Jehovah under Christ in full sway never again shall the people have war. (Isa. 2:2-4) The righteous rule will bring to the people not only peace but prosperity. Poverty will quickly pass away, the earth will yield her increase, and the Lord will spread a feast for all the people. (Isa. 25:6; Ps. 67:7) No more shall fraud and deceit be practised upon the people. No more will the people be kept in blind ignorance concerning their just rights; but all shall know the truth, from the least to the greatest of them. (Jer. 31:31, 34) Yea, more than that, sickness, sorrow and death shall cease and dead shall return from their graves and be again with their loved ones.—John 5:28; 21:1-5.

In Isaiah 25:6-8 it is written that Good voting feast of fat things for all the people...

ness and misunderstanding shall be taken away; that he will swallow up death in victory and wipe away tears from off all faces. Then they that love God and obey him and yield to the beneficent influence of earth's righteous invisible Ruler shall live for ever and shall never die.—Ezek. 18:27, 28.

Why is it that a few men can organize great corporations, with unlimited wealth and power, and brazenly use them to corrupt the officials of the government and to oppress the people? Why is it that the official government gives special favors to the ultrarich while a deaf ear is turned to the cries of the oppressed? Why does one of those corporations, to wit, the National Broadcasting Co., form an alliance with the clergy and they together attempt to determine what the people shall hear or not hear concerning religion and the Bible? Why is it that the clergy oppose and persecute those who tell the people the truth and at the same time furnish a sanctimonious smoke-screen behind which cruel corporations and conscienceless politicians carry on their nefarious work? I answer, It is because Satan the Devil is their god. They are under his power and influence, and his bidding they will do. Is there no hope of relief for the people? Yes, and that relief is near.

Jehovah's rebellious son, who has long been the invisible ruler of the world, is responsible for all the persecution, oppression and suffering of the peoples of earth. Jehovah's due time has come when the wicked rule of Satan must end. By and through his anointed and faithful Son, Christ Jesus, Jehovah will, in the great battle of Armageddon, destroy Satan's organization, and will then establish the world in righteousness, which shall endure for ever.—Ps. 96:10.

Who then will declare himself wholly on Jehovah's side? Let the battle-cry of all those who love him henceforth be: "THE SWORD OF JEHOVAH AND OF HIS ANOINTED."

I am persuaded that there are very few of the peoples of earth who really desire to be evil. Most of the men exercising the power of rulership would prefer to see righteousness in the earth. Both the people and the rulers have been deceived and overreached by Satan the Devil. When the nations and peoples come to know the truth and serve and obey God then it can be truly said: "Blessed is that nation whose God is Jehovah." The issue is now plain and clear: Will the nations continue to serve the Devil, or will they serve and obey Jehovah God?

This Declaration is not against the people nor the men in office. It is not against the blind preachers who have misled the people. This Declaration is against the common enemy of all creation. It is against the enemy who for centuries has defamed the name of Jehovah God and brought unbounded sorrow to man. It is against Satan and his allies in darkness and evil. It is made as a testimony to the fact that Satan's evil rule must shortly end and that Jehovah, for his name's sake and the salvation of the people, will establish a righteous government that all the nations of earth shall be blessed.

I appeal to the people of all nations, to all lovers of righteousness, to take their stand on the side of Jehovah God. Let every one who desires to see evil eradicated and righteousness for ever established in the earth, and the people blessed with peace, happiness and life, so signify by standing up and voting Aye for this Declaration.

The Antichrist

"Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."—1 John 2:22.

IN WRITING to the church of God the Apostle John stated that the manifestation of the antichrist would be a proof that the "last time" had been reached. Responding to the question of his disciples as to what would indicate the end of the world, and therefore "the last days'', Jesus said: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:24) There has never, during the period of Christianity, been so much deception abroad as just at this time.

"Christ" means the "anointed" of God. Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of man by His own blood. He is more than that. He is God's anointed Executive Officer to carry out Jehovah's purposes. He is the great King whom Jehovah has placed upon his holy throne of Zion. He is the Head of God's organization, through which organization Jehovah will bless all the families and nations of the earth.

"Antichrist" is that which is against Christ. It is an organization in opposition to Christ. The Scriptures plainly state that antichrist is a liar and deceiver. (2 John 7) The father of lies, the great deceiver, and the malicious opponent of Christ, is Satan the Devil. (John 8:44; Revelation 12:9; 13:14; 20:2, 3) Satan has builded a powerful organization, both visible and invisible, by and through which he has deceived the people and kept them in subjection.

Christ is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (Psalm 110:4) Priest, as here used, means God's Executive Officer who shall for ever carry out God's purposes. But Christ, the "anointed" of God, more particularly refers to him as King or Ruler of the world. To anoint means to clothe with authority. (Isaiah 61:1, 2) David was anointed to be king over Israel. (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 5:3) David was a type of Christ Jesus, whom God anointed to be King over the world. (Acts 4:27; 10:38; Hebrews 1:9) Responding to Pilate's question Jesus said: "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." (John 18:37) The proof is, therefore, conclusive that the name "Christ" has more particular reference to rulership. When the time arrives for Jehovah to send his beloved Son forth to reign as King he says: "Yet have I set [anointed, margin] my king upon my holy hill of Zion." (Psalm 2:6) It was then that Jehovah commanded all the rulers of the earth to be obedient to his King.

Since the anointing therefore refers to Christ as King, "antichrist" must specifically refer to that organization which is opposed to God's kingdom by and through Christ. It must include all creatures who are active members or supporters of that organization. In arriving at the conclusion as to who is Christ, and who is of the antichrist, it is only necessary to ascertain who is for Christ's kingdom and who is against Christ's kingdom. Jesus said: "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (Matthew 12:30) Upon the authority of these words all who are not affirmatively for Christ and his kingdom are against him and against that kingdom, and either directly or indirectly supporting the enemy organization. Those who serve and support the organization of Satan the enemy would therefore be of the antichrist.

DECEIVER

Since the Scriptures plainly say that the antichrist is a deceiver, then it follows that the active agencies of the antichrist are practising a fraud upon the people that results in deception. One who teaches and practises the truth could not deceive, because he misleads no one. Those who deceive must be teaching and practising that which is not true, and doing so subtly and fraudulently. To deceive means to mislead by the practice of hypocrisy.

A strong example of this is found in the Pharisees, who were the clergy when Jesus was on earth. They claimed to represent God and to teach the truth. They drew near unto God with their lips, but their hearts were far removed from him. They were practising deception, and for that reason Jesus said to them that they were supporters and the children of the Devil. (John 8:42-44) He denounced them as hypocrites because they were claiming one thing and doing another. His words are clear and emphatic: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides! which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee! cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."—Matthew 23:23-28.

Paul, the inspired witness of Jehovah, wrote concerning the "last days" and specifically mentions that at that time there would be a company of men who are great deceivers, claiming to represent God but in fact representing Satan the enemy. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."—2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Of necessity it follows that the men embraced within the description of the apostle here given form a part of the antichrist. If there are companies of men or organizations claiming to represent God and yet whose course of action is exactly contrary to God's Word and his kingdom of righteousness, then there is but one conclusion to be drawn, and that is that such companies or organizations of men are a part of the antichrist. If they claim to represent the Lord and yet are not telling the people the truth, and their course of action is against God and Christ and his kingdom, then they are deceivers. If they have a form of godliness and yet deny the power thereof, then they are clearly within the Scriptural definition of the antichrist, and the Lord's Word says: "From such turn away."

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