ZION'S WATCH TOWER
AND
HERALD OF CHRIST'S PRESENCE.
----------
PUBLISHED TWICE A MONTH.
----------
TOWER PUBLISHING COMPANY,
"BIBLE HOUSE"
ARCH STREET, ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
C. T. RUSSELL, EDITOR; MRS. C. T. RUSSELL, ASSOCIATE.
----------
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE,
By Express Order, Postal Money Order, Bank Draft, or Registered Letter. Foreign only by Foreign Money Order.
FREE TO THE LORD'S POOR.
N.B.--Those of the interested, who by reason of old age or accidents, or other adversity, are unable to pay, will be supplied FREE, if they will send a Postal Card each December, stating their case and requesting the paper.
----------
LETTERS OF CONGRATULATION.
----------
Our mails are very large since the Extra TOWER was sent forth. We are receiving from all quarters congratulations on the completeness of the answer to the charges of the conspirators.
Please accept our thanks for these; and be assured that we will no more be puffed up by the loving congratulations of our friends than we were cast down by the slanders of our enemies. To the Lord be praise, now and ever more. Give thanks with us for our mutual deliverance.--THE EDITORS.
ANCIENT RECORDS.
ACCOUNTS OF THE HEBREW INVASION FOUND IN
EGYPT.
Science contains an interesting account of the Tellel-Amorna tablets from the pen of the Rev. Thomas Harrison, of Staplehurst, Kent. These tablets, 320 in number, were discovered by a fellah woman in 1887 among the ruins of the palace of Amenopis IV., known as Khu-en-Aten, between Missieh and Assiout, about 180 miles south of Cairo. They have been found to contain a political correspondence of the very greatest interest, dating from some 3,370 years back. Many are from Palestine, written by princes of the Amorites, Phenicians, Philistines, etc., the burden of almost all being: "Send, I pray thee, chariots and men to keep the city of the King, my Lord." Among the enemies against whom help is thus invoked are the Abiri, easily recognized as the Hebrews. The date fixes that of the Bible (1 Kings 4:1) as accurate. Many names occur which are familiar in Scripture, as for example, Japhia, one of the Kings killed by Joshua (Josh. 10:3); Adonizedec, King of Jerusalem (ditto); and Jabin, King of Hazor. (Josh. 11.) Very pathetic are the letters of Ribadda, the brave and warlike King of Gebel, whose entreaties for aid are observed to grow less obsequious and more businesslike as his enemies prevailed against him, robbing him eventually of his wife and children, whom he was powerless to protect. But the greatness of Egypt was waning under the nineteenth dynasty; enemies were pressing her at home, and the chariots and the horsemen went not forth.
----------
Remittances from foreign countries should be made by Foreign Money Order. From Canada by International Money Order.
Please remember that Canadian and all other Foreign stamps are useless to us.
====================
r1652 VOL. XV. JUNE 1, 1894. NO. 11.====================
[page 159]
STUDIES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
--INTERNATIONAL S.S. LESSONS.--
SUGGESTIVE THOUGHTS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THOSE OF OUR
READERS WHO ATTEND BIBLE CLASSES WHERE THESE
LESSONS ARE USED; THAT THEY MAY BE ENABLED TO
LEAD OTHERS INTO THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL.
----------
THE PASSOVER INSTITUTED.
----------
II. QUAR., LESSON X., JUNE 3, EXOD. 12:1-14.
Golden Text--"Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." --1 Cor. 5:7.
The term Passover signifies to pass by or spare from an affliction. When the last plague was visited upon Egypt, the houses of the Israelites were all marked with the blood of a slain lamb, that the destroying angel might not cut off the first born of Israel with the first born of Egypt. These first born ones were afterward represented in the priestly tribe of Levi, to which Moses belonged (Exod. 13:2; Num. 3:11-13), and through this priesthood all Israel was brought into covenant relationship with God. The Gospel Church, is the antitype. These alone of all people are now in danger of everlasting death--the second death--because these only have the knowledge sufficient--if rejected or abused--to bring condemnation to the second death.
The first born of Israel represented those who now by faith abide in Christ, under "the blood of sprinkling"--the precious blood of Christ, our passover lamb, slain for us. And these shall be delivered, spared, passed over, being counted worthy of life through the merit of the precious blood of Christ. But if any abide not under this covering, he must surely perish, as any of the first born of Israel would have perished had they ventured out, beyond the protection of the blood of the typical lamb. How forcibly does the type thus illustrate the value of the precious blood of Christ, our Passover Lamb!
The typical feast, commemorative of the
typical Passover, was celebrated ever after
by Israel. Our Lord and his disciples observed
it, as all Jews were required to do,
yearly on the fourteenth of Nisan. The
Lord's Supper was instituted just after this
Passover supper, and to take its place, on
the last night of our Lord's earthly life--
[R1657 : page 160]
the same night in which he was betrayed,
the same day on which he was crucified,
the Jewish day beginning the evening preceding
at sunset. This annual remembrancer
was to be to Christ's followers what the
Passover had been to the Jews. They were
to see Christ Jesus as their lamb, and rejoice
in their justification through his precious
blood. And they were to celebrate it
yearly--as the Israelites had done--but now
in remembrance of the reality and not of the
type. "Christ, our passover, is sacrificed for
us; therefore, let us keep the feast"--as often
as the season returns, until fully delivered
from death to life in his likeness.
[R1657 : page 160]
PASSAGE OF THE RED SEA.
----------
II. QUAR., LESSON XI., JUNE 10, EXOD. 14:19-29.
Golden Text--"By faith they passed through the Red Sea."--Heb. 11:29.
This chapter in the history of God's ancient people is an illustration of the power and wisdom and love of God. And it is a warning to all who are disposed to heed it, to beware of undertaking to contend with the Almighty. No matter how weak or insignificant or poor or despised among men may be the subjects of his care, the hand that is lifted against them defies the power of Jehovah, and shall surely come to grief.
This deliverance of typical Israel from Egypt illustrates the deliverance from sin and its bondage of all who desire to be God's servants and to have the promised blessing as it shall be fulfilled after the plagues (Rev. 16), in the utter destruction of all the systems born of sin and selfishness which would hinder human prosperity and advancement toward God. The overthrow of Pharaoh's army by the sea, corresponds to the fact that many of the present enslaving agencies will be overthrown by anarchy in the great "time of trouble," now so near at hand. Already the storm is approaching which will eventually overthrow all evil-doers; but a way of escape is provided for all who seek God and put their trust in him, following the course which his wisdom has marked out.
It is important to note in this connection that the terms "borrowed" and "lent" in Exod. 11:2; 12:35,36are improper and misleading translations of the Hebrew word shaal, giving the impression of a command to dishonesty on the part of God and a dishonest transaction on the part of the Israelites. The Israelites did not borrow, but asked for (as in R.V.) jewels of silver and jewels of gold and garments. And the Egyptians did not lend, but allowed their request. Thus the Israelites had some reward for their long service, though it was only granted by their oppressors under fear to refuse them.
THE WOES OF THE DRUNKARD.
----------
II. QUAR., LESSON XII., JUNE 17, PROV. 23:29-35.
Golden Text--"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red."--Prov. 23:31.
The significance of this lesson is too manifest to need special comment, but is worthy of the careful consideration, not only of those who are liable to the temptations of strong drink, but also of all who have any influence over others in this respect. The principles and practices of all God's people should be specially clear and pronounced upon this and every other question of morals and conduct.
REVIEW.
----------
II. QUAR., LESSON XIII., JUNE 24, SCRIPTURE
READING, PSA. 105; HEB. 11:17-29.
Golden Text--"The Lord's portion is his people."-- Deut. 32:9.
A careful review of the lessons of this quarter in connection with the Scripture readings suggested will be found very profitable. The Old Testament worthies surely command our deepest respect and admiration; and their faith and faithfulness is worthy of our study and imitation. And all the steps of divine providence so clearly marked in Old Testament history are such as to establish and confirm our faith in the goodness and power and love and wisdom of God. Let us not forget that these blessed lessons are recorded, not to satisfy mere idle curiosity, nor to furnish entertainment, but to acquaint us more fully with the works and ways and will of our God.
====================
r1658 TO BRING THE GREEK CHURCH UNDER====================
[page 162]
ZION'S WATCH TOWER
AND
HERALD OF CHRIST'S PRESENCE.
----------
PUBLISHED TWICE A MONTH.
----------
TOWER PUBLISHING COMPANY,
"BIBLE HOUSE"
ARCH STREET, ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
C. T. RUSSELL, EDITOR; MRS. C. T. RUSSELL, ASSOCIATE.
----------
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE,
By Express Order, Postal Money Order, Bank Draft, or Registered Letter. Foreign only by Foreign Money Order.
FREE TO THE LORD'S POOR.
N.B.--Those of the interested, who by reason of old age or accidents, or other adversity, are unable to pay, will be supplied FREE, if they will send a Postal Card each December, stating their case and requesting the paper.
----------
EARTH'S LABOR PANGS.
"As travail upon a woman with child" is the inspired description of the forty-year day of trouble, by which the Millennial age is commenced. The panic of 1873, which affected the whole world, was the first spasm, and since then at irregular intervals the labor-pains of earth have been experienced. Just now, we of the United States are in the midst of one of these throes of the groaning creation.
In this land of bountiful crops, many, because of strikes, are almost destitute of food. In this land of liberty thousands of armed and unarmed men in half a dozen states are in a state of war. It is a war of labor against capital, and is the natural result of the competitive system of business, which evidently will hold on until spasm after spasm of increasing severity, resulting in anarchy will ultimately give birth to a new order of society based upon the new-old teaching of Christ.
RABBI HIRSCH PREACHING JESUS.
DEAR BRO. RUSSELL:--My mind has been enlightened by reading MILLENNIAL DAWN. I hope the truth therein revealed will reach every thinking Christian who asks, seeks and knocks for the true meaning of the Bible.
I received a circular from the conspirators, but was unmoved by it; and last Sunday I had the pleasure of hearing your wife faithfully and thoroughly defend her husband and the truth, in the presence of one of the deluded men.
Enclosed find a "straw" that tells which way the wind blows. It is from the pen of Rabbi Hirsch of this city. I heard him preach a series of sermons in his synagogue recently, which were highly in favor of Jesus and Paul, and he read each time a chapter from the New Testament. Once, after giving utterance to a sentiment similar to that of the clipping [below], he said to his Jewish hearers: "Crucify me if you will for saying it." Yours in the Master's service. Loftus Frizelle.
"We quote the rabbis of the Talmud; shall we then not also quote the Rabbi of Bethlehem? Shall not he in whom there burned, if it burned in any one, the spirit and the light of Judaism, be reclaimed by the synagogue? Yea, he hath been reclaimed. Happy this day, when Judaism again finds her son, the son comes back to the mother laden with the rich reward of his quest. The New Testament in the gospels presents Jewish thought, Jewish religion, Jewish universalism. Not an advance beyond Judaism, but a correspondence with Judaism, we have in the doctrine of Jesus, who was Jew and man; and because man, son of God."
--Reform Advocate (Jewish).
====================
r1659 Pentecost Memorial Issue.====================