1941 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
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1941 YEARBOOK
AUTHORITY
THE FATHER
THE SON
UNITY
HIS COMMISSION
HIS TESTIMONY
TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES
CORPORATIONS
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
HOW SELECTED
HIS NAME
ORDAINED
STUDIES
PREACHING
WHY THE NAME
HIS MESSAGE
VIOLENT OPPOSITION
WHO PERSECUTED?
WHY VIOLENCE
NOT DISMAYED
WITHOUT MALICE
LIES
INTERVIEWS
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
LIGHT
ORDAINED MINISTERS
AMERICA (U.S.)
Production
ALASKA
BERMUDA, WEST INDIES, GUADELOUPE
BRITISH HONDURAS, CANAL ZONE, COSTA RICA, PANAMA
CUBA and PUERTO RICO
EGYPT
LEBANON, PALESTINE, SYRIA, CYPRUS
COLOMBIA, DUTCH GUIANA, VENEZUELA
BRITAIN
AFRICA (South, Central, and East)
AFRICA (West)
ARGENTINA
AUSTRALASIA
BRAZIL
BRITISH GUIANA
CANADA
CENTRAL EUROPE
BELGIUM
BULGARIA
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
DANZIG
FRANCE
GERMANY
HUNGARY
ITALY
LUXEMBURG
THE NETHERLANDS
POLAND
RUMANIA
SWITZERLAND
YUGOSLAVIA
CHINA
GREECE
HAWAII
INDIA
JAMAICA
MEXICO
NORTHERN EUROPE
ESTONIA
FINLAND
LITHUANIA
SWEDEN
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
TRINIDAD
CONCLUSION
YEARBOOK
of Jehovah’s witnesses containing report for the fiscal year of 1940
Also daily texts and comments
Corporate Publishers
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, inc.
International Bible Students Association
124 Columbia Heights Brooklyn, N. Y., U. S. A.
Branch offices appear on last page
Copyright, 1940, by
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society
Made in the United States of America
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
OFFICERS
J. F. RUTHERFORD President
N. H. KNORR Vice-President
W. E. VAN AMBURGH Secretary and Treasurer
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, INC.
OFFICERS
J. F. RUTHERFORD President
N. H. KNORR Vice-President
W. E. VAN AMBURGH Secretary and Treasurer
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS
J. F. RUTHERFORD
President
JESSE HEMERY Vice-President
E. C. CHITTY Secretary
W. E. VAN AMBURGH
Ass't Secretary and Treasurer
1941 YEARBOOK
of Jehovah’s witnesses
JEHOVAH’S GOVERNMENT of the world by Christ Jesus, His King and Executive Officer, is The Theocracy. No human eye will ever behold Jehovah God, because he is spirit. Christ Jesus, the King, is the “express image” of Jehovah, the Most High, and is likewise for ever invisible to human eyes. Christ Jesus is the Vindicator of Jehovah’s name and carries out the orders of Almighty God. Concerning this it is written in the Scriptures: “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” —1 Tim. 6: 15,16.
For centuries Jehovah, the Almighty God, communicated to his people through his holy prophets, whom he commissioned and inspired to speak his truth. Then he sent his beloved Son, Christ Jesus, to speak for him and to execute his purposes in the earth: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” (Heb. 1: 1-4)
Unto Jesus the Almighty has committed “all power ... in heaven and in earth”, and given him authority to execute such power. (Matt. 28:18) Christ Jesus was anointed as King at the time he was immersed in the Jordan river. He was anointed by the spirit of Jehovah. (Matt. 3: 16,17) To Christ Jesus, the King, was then committed the judgment of the world and of men: “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”—John 5: 22, 27.
AUTHORITY
The Holy Scriptures, contained in the book known as The Bible, were written by men entirely devoted to Almighty God, and which men were inspired and moved by the spirit of Almighty God to record what is there written: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy ghost [holy spirit (R.V.)].” (2 Pet. 1:21) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”—2 Tim. 3:16,17.
The “man of God” is any man who sincerely desires to know God and to be obedient to God's commandments and who is then diligent to learn his commandments and to honor the name of the Most High by being diligent in obedience to his commandments to make known the name and the kingdom of Jehovah. To such a man the Bible, which is God’s Word of truth, is a perfect and sure guide; and therefore in the language of the psalmist he says: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” —Ps. 119: 105.
To the man who is diligent to learn and to go in the right way the Almighty God says: “The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way.” (Ps. 25: 9) “I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Ps. 32: 8) “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3: 5, 6) To such devoted person God makes it possible for him to have an understanding of the Scriptures, and these scriptures thoroughly equip such man to be the servant of the Most High.
The Word of Almighty God is always right and true: “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.” (Ps. 33: 4) The “man of God” desires at all times the truth. For that reason the Holy Scriptures, set out in The Bible, constitute the authority here cited and which shows the reason for the existence and the work of Jehovah’s witnesses. This testimony is here set out in order that all persons who desire to know him have an opportunity to understand why a certain class of persons now on the earth are designated as “Jehovah’s witnesses” and why such persons are engaged in a specific work at this time and are opposed so vigorously by others.
The “man of God” continuously has this prayer in his heart: ‘Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord; let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.” (Ps. 40:11) Thus praying, he diligently puts forth an endeavor to know the truth and serve the truth. Truth never fails, and in due time must triumph. “For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Ps. 100: 5) “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth.”—Ps. 119:142,151.
THE FATHER
The Supreme One is God, who is the Almighty. He is the Father, hence the Life-giver to all who receive life and the right to life. To Abraham God said:
“I am the Almighty God.” (Gen. 17:1) "From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” (Ps. 90: 2) The name Jehovah belongs to the Almighty God and to none other, and therefore it is written: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the Most High over all the earth.” (Ps. 83: 18) Being the Most High and the Almighty, there resides in him supreme power. His will is the perfect law by which the man of God must be guided, and, if he is thus guided, in due time he shall receive life everlasting.
THE SON
Jesus is the Son of the Almighty God. There are others who are called "gods”, or mighty ones, but to those who love righteousness there is but one Almighty God; as it is written: “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Cor. 8:6) Jehovah is the Father of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 11: 31) Jesus is the beloved and only begotten Son of the Almighty God, whom the Almighty, the Father, sent to earth to represent him and to declare his truth. (John 3:16,17) Because of complete obedience of Jesus, the Son, in carrying out the will of his Father, Jehovah, he, the Lord Jesus, is commissioned and honored and exalted by Jehovah God above all and next to the Father himself: “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”—Ps. 45: 7.
UNITY
The Almighty God Jehovah is the Creator of heaven and earth, and all things of the earth and of heaven rightfully belong to him. (Ps. 24:1) His throne of authority is in heaven. Thus saith Jehovah: “The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.” (Isa. 66:1) He is without beginning and without end. He is the “I AM”; that is to say, he was not from some time past, but his existence is without reference to time: "And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you, and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” —Ex 3: 13,14.
He is the Life-giver, or Father, to all those who love righteousness. He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (Jas. 1:17) Every creature, whether spirit or human, that lives everlastingly, must receive his life and right to life from the Almighty, Jehovah God.
The Son of God, Christ Jesus, was from the beginning known by the name Logos (according to the Greek). He is The beginning of God’s creation’, and thereafter everything that was made was made by Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus. (John 1: 1-3; Rev. 3:14) He is the official representative of Jehovah, the Most High, and the one who carries into action Jehovah’s purposes. God, the Father, sent his beloved Son to earth to here perform his purposes. He was made flesh and dwelt amongst men: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) The man Jesus bore testimony before others, saying this: “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” (John 4: 34) “But I have greater witness than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.” (John 5: 36) “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6: 38-40) "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; .because I seek not mine awn will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5: 30) Thus is shown complete unity of the Father and of the Son, that is to say, oneness or unity in the accomplishment of the purpose of Almighty God. Therefore Jesus said: “I and my Father are one.” (John 10: 30) The Father and the Son are not "one in person”, but are in full and complete unity and harmony of action This is further shown by the scripture, to wit: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6: 23) Jehovah God is the Life-giver, and that life thus given is administered by his beloved Son, Christ Jesus: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”—1 Tim. 2: 5.
HIS COMMISSION
The commission of Jesus is his authority, received from his Father Jehovah, to do and perform the will of the Almighty God. The commission of Jesus is his authority to act, and includes (1) the vindication of his Father’s name; (2) the redemption and deliverance of those of mankind who believe on God and Christ, and who are obedient to God’s will; and (3) to set up the kingdom of Almighty God by and through which he accomplishes and completes his commission.
The name of Jehovah God is glorious above all creation. For many centuries before the coming of Jesus to earth the Devil had reproached the name of Jehovah, the Most High God, and had caused many creatures to blaspheme Jehovah’s name. The Devil had challenged Jehovah to put any creature on earth who would not blaspheme and reproach God’s name. To the Devil Jehovah therefore said: ‘For this cause have I permitted thee to remain; to shew thee my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.’ (Ex. 9:16, Leeser) “O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.”—Ps. 74: 10,18.
The vengeance of God upon his enemies results in the complete vindication of God’s holy name, demonstrating to all that Jehovah is the Almighty; that justice is the foundation of his throne; that he is perfect in wisdom and that he is holy, unselfish, and therefore God is love. To Almighty God belongs vengeance or vindication: "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. Rejoice, 0 ye nations, with his people; for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.” —Deut. 32: 35, 41, 43.
It is the will of Almighty God that his holy name shall be exalted and that every creature that breathes shall in due time praise the name of the Most High: “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” (Ps. 150: 6) “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”—Ps. 46: 10.
Those who have blasphemed and reproached Jehovah’s name shall be brought low, but the name of Jehovah shall be exalted. (Isa. 2:11,17) Such is the purpose and will of Jehovah, the Almighty God, which purpose will be carried out in due time and executed by the Beloved Son.
The Son Jesus came to do the will of his Father who sent him, and therefore the Beloved Son says:
“Then said I, Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, 0 my God; yea, thy law is within my heart.” (Ps. 40: 7, 8) Concerning him it is further written: “Wherefore, when he eometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure: then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Above, when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.” (Heb. 10:5-9) Christ Jesus will carry out his commission and will fully vindicate his Father’s name.
As a secondary purpose, as provided in his commission of authority, Jesus was sent by his Father to purchase and deliver obedient men from death. Upon all men fell condemnation of death by reason of the sin of the first man; and by the obedience of Christ Jesus in the performance of his Father’s will the way of redemption, deliverance and blessing is opened to mankind. (Rom. 5:12,18,19; John 3:16,17) It is by the kingdom of God, which is The Theocracy, that the purpose of Jehovah God shall be accomplished by and through Christ Jesus, his Executive Officer. It is the man Christ Jesus who by his own lifeblood furnishes the purchase price for the human race. It is the resurrected spirit, Christ Jesus, who saves and delivers from death all of the human race that believe on and obey him and his Father, Jehovah. To accomplish this ransom or redemption of men Jesus must die as a man and be resurrected as a spirit, and then carry out the purpose of Jehovah. He was therefore put to death as a man, and God raised Jesus out of death a spirit creature who lives for evermore. (1 Pet. 3:18; Acts 2:26,36) After his resurrection and ascension into heaven Christ Jesus spoke to his servant John these words: “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”—Rev. 1:18.
Before Christ Jesus could set up the Kingdom and reign as King, and before he could vindicate his Father’s name, he must first die and be raised out of death, then receive his kingdom, and in his Father’s due time begin the reign as King. Therefore Jesus said to his disciples: “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14.2,3) Furthermore to his disciples he said: “Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me.” (Luke 22:28,29) Concerning the man Jesus and his death, resurrection and exaltation it is written: “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”— Phil. 2:7-11.
When he ascended on high he did not immediately begin his reign, but must wait until God’s due time for him to take his great power and reign; therefore it is written: “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” (Ps. 110:1; Heb. 10:12,13) A long period of time must elapse and has elapsed from the time of the resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus into heaven and until his coming and the beginning of his reign as King of The Theocracy.
HIS TESTIMONY
The man Jesus when on earth must give testimony to those who would hear of and concerning the great fundamental truths set out in the foregoing Scriptural quotations. He must make known the purpose of his coming to earth as a man. To the governor then acting in Palestine Jesus said: 'I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I might bear testimony to the truth; and everyone who is of the truth heareth my voice? (John 18:37) At the same time he stated: "My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36) It therefore follows that “this world” must come to an end before The Theocratic Government could be put into operation. The commission of Jesus, therefore, required him while on earth to be a witness to the truth and to testify to the truth according to his Father’s will, that those who desire to hear might learn the truth.
“Disciples” means those who are willing learners. The testimony of Jesus was received by the faithful disciples, whom he thereafter appointed and commissioned as his apostles and witnesses. He sent them forth and commanded and commissioned them to bear testimony to the people and to instruct the people that Jehovah is the Almighty God; that Christ Jesus is the beloved Son of Jehovah God; that by the blood of the obedient Son, Christ Jesus, the human race is purchased and redeemed and delivered; that the name of Jehovah God must be and shall be vindicated; and that at the second coming of Christ Jesus all of this would be accomplished by and through the Kingdom, or The Theocracy. Therefore he taught his apostles, and all of his followers, to look for the coming and the establishment of The Theocratic Government and to always pray to Jehovah for the coming of that Kingdom.—Matt. 6:10.
TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES
From the time of the ascension of Christ Jesus into heaven to the end of his earthly existence the faithful apostles were taught by him, and from that time, as long as the apostles were on earth, they gave testimony before the people of and concerning the purpose of Jehovah, which in due time shall be accomplished by and through Christ Jesus the King. In all the testimony of those faithful apostles the fact of the coming of Christ Jesus to his kingdom was emphasized. Some of the testimony concerning his coming and his kingdom is as follows: ‘We, however, are free citizens of heaven, and we are waiting with longing expectation for the coming from heaven of a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, in the exercise of the power which He has even to subject all things to Himself, will transform this body of our humiliation until it resembles the body of His glory.’ (Phil. 3:20,21, Weymouth; Am. Rev. Ver.) “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.”—2 Tim. 4:1.
That all faithful followers of Christ Jesus must continue to bear testimony to the name of Jehovah and to his Theocratic Government this further admonition was given to them, as it is written: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”—2 Tim. 4: 2-8.
To all of his obedient followers Christ Jesus gives this admonition: “Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.” (Matt. 24: 42,44) From the days of the apostles up to this very hour there have been a small number of faithful men and women who at all times have been diligent in their endeavors to live and to act in harmony with the foregoing admonition, that is, to bear testimony to others of Jehovah God, of Christ his King, and of the Kingdom. These have earnestly waited and looked and prayed for the coming of Christ and his kingdom.
CORPORATIONS
These are days in which corporations are organized and operated to perpetuate title to personal and real property and to carry out a fixed purpose of men, without reference to the duration of life of men. Corporations are organized and employed by followers of Christ Jesus for the purpose aforementioned. In 1884 a corporation was created and organized under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania under the name and title of Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society, the name of which corporation was later changed to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. The purpose of that corporation, as stated in its charter, is as follows, to wit:
“The purpose for which the corporation is formed is, the dissemination of Bible truths in various languages by means of the publication of tracts, pamphlets, papers and other religious documents, and by the use of all other lawful means which its Board of Directors, duly constituted, shall deem expedient for the furtherance of the purpose stated.”
In 1908 it was deemed advisable to have a corporation in New York state, and therefore the Peoples Pulpit Association was created and organized under the laws of the State of New York, the name of which corporation has since been changed to Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Incorporated. The purpose of this charter is identical with that of the Pennsylvania corporation, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
In 1914 a like corporation was created and organized under the laws of Great Britain under the name and title of International Bible Students Association, and the purpose of that corporation is identical with that of the other two above mentioned. All three of these corporations are one, in this, that they are dedicated to the same use and work. Together they act as printers and manufacturers of books, magazines and other literature for that body of Christian people throughout the earth who are witnesses of Jehovah God and his kingdom. Such witnesses are the followers of Christ Jesus and, in obedience to his commandments and by his authority and commission from Jehovah God, they preach or proclaim the gospel of The Theocracy and hence are
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
Charles Taze Russell was the prime mover in the formation and organization of the three corporations above named. Of course, other persons, as the law of the land requires, joined with him in the formation of such corporations. Charles T. Russell, better known as Pastor Russell, was and is a Christian, following in the footsteps of Christ Jesus and fully devoted to Jehovah God. On October 31, 1916, he finished his earthly course. He was faithful unto death in his devotion to God and to His kingdom. He devoted his all to the service of God and Christ. He was loved by all persons knowing him, who loved and served Jehovah God, and was hated by those who were unfaithful to God and who hate God and his kingdom. Like other faithful Christians, he was hated for the name of the Lord.
Some persons who do not understand, and also others who are enemies of the kingdom of God, claim and state that the body of Christians known and designated as Jehovah’s witnesses now on the earth have in recent years ignored their founder, Pastor Russell, and have formed a cult or sect and have named themselves Jehovah’s witnesses. That conclusion and statement so published by the aforementioned persons is without truth and fact, being wholly false.
A “cult” is a system of religious belief, ceremonies and practices indulged in and practiced by an organized body of persons.
A “sect” is a religious organization of persons who follow a particular leader in their belief and practice of a specific religion.
“Blasphemy” consists of an indignity offered to Almighty God in words, in writing or in signs. The act of claiming the prerogative of God and that which belongs alone to Almighty God, Jehovah, is blasphemy.
“Religion” is doing anything contrary to the will of Almighty God.
“Christianity” means to joyfully do the will of Almighty God as He has commanded; and because the Lord Jesus Christ always does the will of God gladly, all his followers are properly called “Christians”. These definitions are proper and correct.
Pastor Russell was the general organizer of the three corporations above named, but he was not in any sense the founder or organizer of Jehovah’s witnesses. Pastor Russell was a Christian. The claim that any man is the founder or organizer of Jehovah’s witnesses is blasphemy, for the obvious reason that it is the prerogative solely of Jehovah God to select and organize his own witnesses and that no man has any authority whatsoever to select or organize them.
Jehovah’s witnesses could not be a cult or sect of religionists, because Jehovah God expressly denounces religion as a snare of the Devil, employed to deceive and to entrap men and to turn them away from God. —Dent. 7:16.
Religion originated with the Devil and has been used by the Devil at all times since to deceive the people and to turn them away from the worship of Almighty God.
Who, then, are Jehovah’s witnesses? and by whom are they selected and organized to perform their duties and carry on their work ? They are made up of persons who are entirely devoted to Jehovah God and his kingdom and who are diligent and faithful in carrying out his orders as commanded by the Most High. They are selected or chosen by Almighty Jehovah God. No man could select them. Concerning such it is written: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” —1 Pet. 2:9,10.
The chief witness of Jehovah God, the Head over all of his witnesses, is the Logos, Christ Jesus, the Lord, Savior, and King of The Theocracy. One of his official titles is “The Faithful and True Witness”. —Rev. 1: 5 ; 3:14.
The first man who was selected as a witness of Jehovah God from amongst men was Abel, who faithfully obeyed Almighty God and received God’s approval. (Gen. 4:4) His brother Cain was a religionist, the murderer of Abel, and was cursed by Jehovah. (Gen. 4:5-12) “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he [Abel] obtained [the] witness that he was righteous.”—Heb. 11:4.
From the time of Abel onward Jehovah God continued to select his witnesses from amongst men. The next name appearing amongst those selected was Enoch, who “pleased God”. The Scriptures then add: ‘Without faith it is impossible to please [God].” (Heb. 11:5,6) Such of necessity means that God would never select any man as his witness who is without faith or who is unfaithful. God then selected and gave approval to Noah as one of his witnesses. Noah was joyfully obedient to the will of Almighty God, “a preacher of righteousness,” and whose testimony was a rebuke to the religious practitioners, all of whom were destroyed in the flood.
Jehovah then mentions Abraham, whom he calls His “friend”. To Abraham he gave promise that in due time blessings should come to all the families of the earth who would be obedient to him. Because Abraham was faithfully obedient to the will of God he received the approval of the Most High and is designated as one of Jehovah’s witnesses. Concerning Abraham it is recorded in the Bible: “For he looked for a city [organization or kingdom of Almighty God] which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” —Heb. 11:10.
Favorable mention and approval is also made in the Scriptures of Sarah, Isaac and Jacob, all of whom received God’s commendation and approval, and who by faith devoted themselves to God and set their hopes and affections upon The Theocratic Government, and, as it is written: “Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city [a place in The Theocratic Government].” Jehovah also selected and mentioned with his approval as his witnesses Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, David, Samuel, and all the faithful prophets, which includes those from Moses to John the Baptist. Jehovah God selected them as his witnesses, and they were all faithful to their appointment and commission. All of them suffered great persecution at the hands of religionists, and of and concerning them it is written in the Bible: “Of whom the world was not worthy.” All of them received the commendation and approval of Jehovah God. (Heb. 11:4-40) Those faithful witnesses of Jehovah who bore testimony to the name of Jehovah and his kingdom have the promise of the Almighty God that they shall be resurrected from death and made the visible princes or governors in the earth under the great Theocratic King, Christ Jesus. (Ps. 45:16) They shall rule under the great and righteous King, Christ Jesus; as it is written: “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.” (Isa. 32:1) Then the people will rejoice. That will be in great contrast to the present-day rule of dictators and ambitious politicians : “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”—Prov. 29: 2.
Christ Jesus, the great true and faithful Witness of Jehovah, when on earth at all times, and on repeated occasions, emphasized the importance of the Kingdom. His speech and teachings publicly and otherwise were at all times concerning The Theocracy. To all his followers he gave admonition that they should continuously pray to Jehovah God: “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [religionists, who use vain repetitions and constantly finger their beads, thinking they shall be heard and answered] do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Continuing, Jesus said: “Be not ye therefore like unto them; for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:7-10) This further shows that the coming establishment of The Theocratic Government is the great and important purpose of Jehovah, and which must be carried out by Christ Jesus the King.
The faithful apostles of Jesus Christ were selected by Jehovah and given to Jesus as witnesses of Jehovah. For three and one-half years Jesus had continuously given testimony to the name and kingdom of Jehovah God and had instructed his disciples whom God had chosen and given to him. When he had finished his earthly work he addressed himself to Jehovah his Father in these words: “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.” —John 17:6,7.
From the days of the apostles forward Jehovah continued to select his witnesses to bear testimony to his name and his kingdom in the earth. Those proving faithful God assigns to a place in “the body” or organization of Christ Jesus; and concerning such it is written: “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” (1 Cor. 12:18) This is conclusive proof that Jehovah's witnesses are those, and those only, whom God selects, and whom no man can select.
Fully aware of God’s purpose to have his witnesses in the earth, and after reviewing the selection of these witnesses by Jehovah God from Abel to John the Baptist, and after calling attention to Christ Jesus, the great “Faithful and True Witness”, the faithful apostle Paul, also one of Jehovah’s witnesses, selected by Jehovah God and under inspiration of God, gives this admonition to all persons who enter into a covenant to be fully obedient unto Jehovah God and his kingdom, to wit: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Heb. 12:1-3) This is further and corroborative proof that Jehovah’s covenant people, selected and anointed by him, are his witnesses, and not subject to the orders of men contrary to God’s will.
In the light of the foregoing Scriptural testimony it must be admitted by all sincere persons that it would be blasphemy to claim that any man is the founder and organizer of Jehovah’s witnesses. It is offering an indignity to Almighty God to designate his witnesses as “a sect or cult”.
As further evidence as to who constitute Jehovah’s witnesses, and who selects them, note the following Scriptural proof. In this present day all the world is under religious influence or demonism. There are numerous religious organizations operating with other political rulers and gangsters, together claiming the right to rule the earth, which claim constitutes blasphemy of the name of Jehovah God and his King. Divers remedies are offered to the people by these nations and their rulers, each offered remedy claiming that such respective remedy would bring about a satisfactory condition to the people. All of them deny God and Christ and are opposed to The Theocratic Government. Are they justified in their claims and the position they take? Jehovah speaks and says: “Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled; who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say, It is truth.” (Isa. 43:9) Otherwise stated, God commands that the religionists justify themselves by their testimony or else admit that they are wrong and then accept the truth. Then addressing those who have covenanted to do the will of God and who have devoted themselves unconditionally to the great Theocracy, Jehovah says: “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he; before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you; therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.”—Isa. 43:10-12.
HOW SELECTED
What must a person do in order to put himself in line to be selected by Jehovah as one of his witnesses? He must believe or have faith that Jehovah is the only true and almighty God, and that Christ Jesus, the beloved Son of God, is man’s redeemer. “Without faith it is impossible to please [God]; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11:6) To all such as have a sincere desire to be followers of Christ Jesus, and hence servants of God, Jesus says: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matt. 16: 24) Obeying these injunctions, the person unconditionally agrees to do the will of God, and that means his consecration of himself to do whatsoever the Lord’s commandments direct him to do. The will of God concerning all such persons is stated in the Bible, and therefore the Scriptures constitute the guide for the Christian. To ‘'deny oneself’, as Jesus directs, means that the person must put aside his own selfish will and determine to be guided by the will of God. If God accepts the consecration of that person, he begets him, that is to say, he acknowledges that person to be his servant and son for his purpose: “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (Jas. 1:18) Thus Jehovah God accepts that person or selects him to be his servant, and from that time forward that servant is in a covenant to do the will of God, even as Jesus likewise does the will of his Father. (Ps. 40:8) The servant is called to follow where Christ Jesus, the Master, leads: “For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”—1 Pet. 2:21.
How may the servant or person know that he is in a covenant to do God’s will? The spirit of God reveals it to him; as it is written: “The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” (Rom. 8:16) Does that consecrated person need some other person, some man, to tell him whether he is a follower of Christ Jesus or not? No; because it is an individual matter between the creature and the Lord as to whether or not that person is in a covenant with God and has been accepted by the Lord. The person judges himself by the fixed rale of God, which never changes, and if he is the servant of God the spirit of God enlightens his mind and instructs him. Says the Lord God to such chosen ones: “I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Ps. 32:8) For that reason it is absolutely necessary for the creature thus consecrating himself to carefully study the Word of God that he may be informed as to God’s will concerning him. God anoints his selected or “elect” ones by his spirit: “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”—1 John 2: 27.
HIS NAME
For what purpose does God select his servants ? In order that such persons so selected may be witnesses to the name and kingdom of Jehovah God. It is written: “God at the first did visit the Gentiles [nonJews], to take out of them a people for his name.” (Acts 15:14) Those who are selected by the Lord God must thereafter be witnesses to the name of Jehovah, the Almighty God, and to his kingdom. His name has been reproached for centuries, his name must be vindicated, and Jehovah commands that a witness concerning his name must be given before that day of vindication. The consecrated person who is selected as Jehovah’s witness must therefore proclaim His name and purpose to others. (Ex. 9:16) He must become a “preacher of righteousness”; which means that he must proclaim to those who will hear the Word and purpose of Jehovah God, who is righteous. He must proclaim God’s truth, and not the teachings or traditions of men. To do so he receives authority from the Lord, and is responsible to the Lord God for what he does or fails to do.
ORDAINED
To be ordained means to be appointed by the proper authority to a position or office to perform the duties specifically assigned. Jehovah’s witnesses being selected by Jehovah, it follows that Jehovah is the authority that ordains the servant. Therefore it is written: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.” —Isa. 61:1, 2.
That scripture states the commission of authority given by the Lord God to those persons who are selected by him and made his witnesses. Thereafter such persons must be obedient to God’s commandments; as it is written: ‘Obedience is better than sacrifice.’ (1 Sam. 15:22) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God,” and not unto man. (2 Tim. 2:15) As the follower in the footsteps of Jesus Christ such person must be obedient to the commandments of the Lord and thereby prove his integrity toward Almighty God. His eternal existence now depends upon full obedience to God’s commandments. To such persons the rule is announced by the Lord: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10, A.R.V.) As Christ Jesus, when on the earth, continuously proclaimed the name and kingdom of Jehovah, so all his followers must proclaim the name and kingdom of Jehovah in order that they may prove their integrity.
The body of Christians now on the earth and known as Jehovah’s witnesses are a united body, operating together as one, that is, in full unity. (Eph. 4:13,15) As a body of Christians following in the footsteps of Christ Jesus they carry forward their work harmoniously to the praise of Jehovah. To aid them in doing so and to work to the best advantage that body of Christians have the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society to act for them and in their behalf. That Society carries forward the work of these Christians in an orderly manner. To each one who gives evidence that he is fully devoted to God and his kingdom and that he is wholly devoted to the service of God, in obedience to his commandments, the Society issues a paper or card of identification showing that such person is recognized by the body of Christians composing the Society as an ordained minister and servant of the Lord. This does not mean that no one else is an ordained minister who does not receive such card of identification. The real ordination comes from Jehovah God himself. Such card of identification is issued by the Society only to those who are the representatives of such Society. With such person the Society cooperates in the publication of the name of Jehovah God and of his kingdom.
STUDIES
In many cities, towns and communities throughout the earth classes ot companies of Jehovah’s witnesses are maintained and those companies or classes regularly meet, many times during the week, to engage in careful and prayerful study of the Bible; and to do so they use the publications of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in order that they may study the Scriptures in an orderly way and get a better understanding of the will of God concerning them. Such persons are real students of the Scriptures and, being unselfishly devoted to The Theocracy and guided by the spirit of the Lord, they learn the Scriptures and the meaning thereof. These study classes are led by elders, that is, by persons of the company who are more mature and are well qualified and apt to teach. Every person who loves righteousness and who desires to learn of God and of his kingdom is welcome to attend those studies and participate and receive instruction. Such schools of instruction of the Scriptures are held and conducted each and every week of the year to the great profit of those who attend.
PREACHING
To “preach” means to proclaim a message. “Preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” means the proclaiming to others the Scriptural truths of and concerning Jehovah God and his kingdom under Christ Jesus. Each and every one of Jehovah’s witnesses commissioned as aforesaid is commanded to preach God’s message of truth to all who will hear. Such is the means of bearing witness to the name and kingdom of Jehovah. They are not witnesses for any human organization, but are witnesses for the Most High, the great Theocrat. Having received a commission from God to preach, and being commanded by him to preach, such consecrated persons must engage in preaching or proclaiming to others who will hear. That message delivered must be that which is proclaimed in the Scriptures, particularly with reference to the kingdom of Jehovah. They must preach or make known the good news in obedience to God’s commandment, and when men attempt to prevent them from thus preaching they must follow the rule announced by the faithful apostles of Christ Jesus, to wit: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”—Acts 5: 29.
The indisputable physical facts that have come to pass in this generation, taken together with the prophecies of Jehovah God written in the Bible and relating to the Kingdom, show beyond-any question of doubt that the second coming of Christ Jesus to begin his reign as King took place in 1914, when he was enthroned and sent forth by Jehovah to begin that rule. (Ps. 110:2; Rev. 11:17,18; Matt. 24:1-25) The fulfilled prophecies show that the “world”, or rule by Satan without interruption, came to an end in 1914 and from then Christ Jesus, the King of The Theocratic Government, under authority from Jehovah God, is sent forth to rule and to completely oust Satan and all of his agents, and to establish righteousness in all the world. The coming of Christ Jesus the King has been the hope of Christian people for more than 1900 years, and his coming is good news or gospel to all who have a desire to see the will of God done on earth. To all such this commandment is given by the Lord: ‘This gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached throughout the world, as a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come' (Matt. 24:14) In obedience to this commandment Jehovah’s witnesses must engage in a campaign to advertise the King and his kingdom.
In obedience to this specific commandment from the Lord Jehovah’s witnesses go from place to place and from house to house, calling upon the people and informing those who will hear of the good news that the kingdom of heaven is here. Unlike religious denominations, who meet in houses and perform certain formal ceremonies, Jehovah’s witnesses go to the people and talk with them. They take to the people books, booklets, magazines and other printed matter concerning the Scriptures which enable the people to find in the Scriptures the full and complete proof of this good news and that the Kingdom is at hand, and thus the people are enabled to stay in their own homes and learn of God’s gracious provision for them. Throughout all the earth where there are companies of Jehovah’s witnesses each individual, as opportunity is afforded, engages in thus preaching this gospel of the Kingdom. The corporations above mentioned do the printing and manufacturing of such literature as is distributed and manage the witness work in an orderly manner. All this work is done without pecuniary profit to any person. Furthermore, persons who do engage in this witness work contribute their own money to carry on the work. There is but one purpose in our lives, and that is to make known Jehovah’s kingdom and the blessings it will bring to humankind.
WHY THE NAME
Why is the name "Jehovah’s witnesses” given to the body of Christian men engaged in preaching this gospel of The Theocracy?
All true followers of Christ Jesus are Jehovah’s witnesses, whether they are called that or not. Since the days of Jesus in the flesh and of his apostles, who walked with him, there have been some faithful followers of Christ Jesus on earth, and hence witnesses of Jehovah. Within a short time after the death of the apostles selfish and ambitious men amongst the Christians set about to organize denominations called “churches” or “church organizations”. Immediately such organizations were presided over by the stronger and there was introduced and taught therein the doctrines and theories of men, and quickly the teachings of the Bible were greatly ignored. Such organizations or religious systems designated themselves as religious churches, and now they teach the doctrines or traditions of men, which is contrary to the will of God, and which traditions make the Scriptures of none effect. The Jews fell into a like error, and concerning such Jesus said to the leaders, to wit: “Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites! well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand.”—Matt. 15: 6-10.
Even the apostle Paul had fallen into that error and followed traditions, until the Lord opened his mental understanding to the truth, and then he spurned religion as an enemy and thereafter followed Christ Jesus and taught the doctrines set forth in the Bible. Read carefully Galatians 1:1-16.
The Catholic system of religion claims to be the official organization of the Lord, but the Scriptures show that such claim is entirely without foundation and truth. The Catholic organization was founded by men and has never represented the Lord God or Christ Jesus. As a protest against the Catholic organization and system of operations, many other organizations called “churches” were formed, and these have designated themselves as the “Protestant” religious organizations. As is well known, this condition has obtained over a period of many centuries. All such religious organizations have, as it appears, entirely forgotten about The Theocracy. At least they fully ignore The Theocratic Government, and none of them emphasize the kingdom of Jehovah God under Christ.
After the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society was organized by Pastor Russell and his associated brethren in Christ, that Society stood out entirely separate and distinct from all church or religious denominations. Pastor Russell repeatedly by word of mouth and by his writings pointed out that the denominational church systems are not Christian, and hence he called such organizations “churchianity” as contradistinguished from Christianity. Pastor Russell was a real Christian and therefore a witness of Jehovah, and the term “Jehovah’s witness” properly applies to him; but that distinction had not been revealed clearly to Christians in his day.
“The end of the world,” as aforestated, came in 1914, and that truth Pastor Russell for years previous had strongly emphasized. He died in the year 1916. In 1918 the Lord Jesus Christ came to the temple of Jehovah, that is to say, to the body of consecrated Christians whom he gathered unto himself and whom he then put to a severe trial or test, as stated in Malachi 3:1-3. The days that followed his coming to the temple and his judgment there were days of real testing. Many who claimed to be his followers turned baek from following after the Lord. Others manifesting selfishness were not approved by him and were set aside. Some who were -wholly devoted to the Lord and were not followers of men were approved by the Lord and taken into the temple, that is, the Lord gathered them unto himself. The temple of God is not made with hands, but consists of the company or body of faithful followers of Christ Jesus. (1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 6:15-17) Those persons thus fully devoted to the Lord, and who were approved by him in his judgment, were gathered into the temple or to “the body” of his organization, and to them the Lord committed “His goods”, that is to say, Kingdom interests on earth, as stated by him in Matthew 24:45-47. Those who fail in that judgment because of their wrong heart condition the Lord designates as the “evil servant”. —Matt. 24:48-51.
Although the temple judgment began in 1918, not until 1922 was it understood by the consecrated of earth that the Lord was at the temple. From that time forward the Lord began to reveal to his followers the meaning of prophecy, and all of the anointed now on earth can truly testify that since 1922 the Lord has continuously illuminated the prophecies, revealed the meaning, and made them understandable by his people, greatly to the joy of all his servants. They have therefore a clearer vision of God’s Word, because it is his due time to reveal to them why the Lord has enabled the followers of Christ to have an understanding of the will of God, and to progress in the service of the Lord.
Pastor Russell never claimed to have any followers. It was not pleasing to him to have his brethren called “Russellites”. Books which he wrote and published were called “Millennial Dawn”, meaning the dawn of the thousand-year reign of Christ. Many persons thereafter called Pastor Russell and his brethren “Millennial Dawnites”. After the organization of the corporation International Bible Students Association that body of Christian people were generally called “International Bible Students”. Pastor Russell never adopted any name for himself and his associates except that of Christian.
“Jehovah’s witnesses,” as hereinbefore stated, is a term which has always been applicable to those who are fully devoted to Jehovah God and his service. Pastor Russell, because of his faithfulness to the Lord, was one of Jehovah’s witnesses, but the meaning of many prophecies was not revealed in his day and hence not understood. While the facts show that from and after 1922 in particular the Lord gradually unfolded to"his faithful servants the meaning of the prophecies, it was not until 1931 that the name of those fully devoted to Jehovah God and his King was properly understood to be "Jehovah’s witnesses”.
Religion has been confusing to Christian people for many centuries. Religion brought about the confusion amongst those who were associated with Pastor Russell. Because of having been associated with religionists many things pertaining to religion clung to them until they had a better understanding of God’s purpose. All of these things were foreknown by the Lord centuries ago: "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”—Acts 15:18.
Jehovah is not the God of confusion, but the God of order; and when the time came for the gathering of his people to Christ Jesus at the temple, and the time to reveal to them his purpose, he began to set them in order by showing them what they must do. It was therefore to be expected that in due time he would make clear to his people their proper relationship to him. The appropriate time was after the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple. Without doubt the Lord has directed the publication of The Watchtower. The Watchtower in 1931 published an article calling attention particularly to the following text, which applies to the servants of Almighty God who are faithfully performing their covenant, to wit: "For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory; and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name."—Isa. 62:1, 2.
Zion is the name of God’s organization of which Christ Jesus is the Head. It is written: "When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.” (Ps. 102:16) The building up of Zion began after 1918, and thereafter the glory of the Lord more fully continued to appear unto those devoted to him. Christ Jesus at the temple, having gathered unto himself his approved followers at the temple as stated above, shows that the foregoing text of Isaiah 62:1, 2 applies to those gathered at the temple. That text states that these so gathered will be given “a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name”. Mark this emphatic statement: that the name is not given by any man, but by “the mouth of the Lord”. Previous to that these faithful Christians had been known by various names, as above stated, but now the Lord makes known to them that they are gathered to him and he states: “Ye are my witnesses.” (Isa. 43:10-12) Thus the mouth of the Lord gives his faithful people a name that properly identifies them, and puts them in the class with his other faithful witnesses who have from time to time been on the earth from Abel down to the present hour.
The “evil servant” class, being evil, continued to go contrary to the will of God and to oppose and to smite God’s servants who persist in proclaiming The Theocracy. Therefore Jehovah says to the “evil servant” : “But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter; because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not. Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed; behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen; for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name”—Isa. 65:11-15.
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