WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST

“We understand that Armageddon and Jacob’s Trouble are two separate and distinct events; Jacob’s Trouble being the last feature of Armageddon, after Armageddon is mainly over. In Armageddon, the Lord’s great army will destroy present powers world-wide. In Jacob’s Trouble, Gog and Magog, armies from the north, will come to Israel to take a spoil.”

In Reply – Our thought is different. We understand Armageddon to begin with the Middle East conflict, and that the breaking of the might of nations there will directly lead to the unleashing of severe strife within nations, which will overturn present institutions. Under the correspondent’s thought, it would seem that the structure of Christendom would be largely removed before the invasion of Israel. Yet Ezekiel 39:17-20 cf. Revelation 19:17-19 implies that the strength of Christendom is broken “upon the mountains of Israel.” Joel 3:12, 13 suggests the same. But the subject is too large to treat comprehensively here. We recognize that each perspective – the correspondent’s and ours is shared by a number of brethren. – BT

ON GOD’S ATTRIBUTES

Jan. 1981, 3B) “We see strong evidence that the face of a lion represents justice. In Bible times. the ox, Ezek. 1:10, was the most used and best known, source of power – the lion was not. The character of a lion is that of unyielding boldness; picturing justice. In contrast, an ox would be much more docile, yielding. Ironstone china, made in England had on it an insignia showing a lion holding a balance – justice. The idea that the ox corresponds to the bullock used in the Tabernacle ceremonies is not valid. The bullock did not represent justice. The blood of the bullock was used to satisfy justice. Also, the bullock was a male. The ox was any cattle used for draft purposes, usually a cow or a steer (altered male). A calf could be either a male or a female. The Scripture (Ezek. 1:10) corroborates this. The face of a man was in front – God is love. The face of a lion was on the right side – justice is the foundation of God’s throne. Justice is more prominent than Power. The lion on the right side; the ox on the left.”

In reply – We incline to believe with the previous correspondent (Jan. 1981) that Power is represented by the lion. It is not a matter of which animal could physically pull the greater load (an elephant would be best for that – and even in this regard a “calf” – Rev. 4:7 – would be outdone by a lion), but which is considered to more commonly display power. Archaeologists indicate that from the ages of antiquity the lion has been considered a symbol of power, strength and might. The Scriptures are consistent with this. “… Out of the strong came forth sweetness… what is stronger than a lion?” (Judges 14:14,18) “A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any.” (Prov. 30:30) “The Lion of the tribe of Juda … hath prevailed. . .” (Rev. 5:5, italics ours)

The “ox” (Ezekiel 1:10) or “calf” (Revelation 4:7) was the highest expression of animal sacrifice. (Psalms 69:31) It was a calf (bullock) which provided satisfaction to justice on the Day of Atonement. The blood applied was only representative of the animal itself.  “For the life of the flesh is in the blood.” (Leviticus 17:10. Similarly our Lord’s humanity was that which was sacrificed to secure atonement. “… My flesh … I give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) We speak of his blood redeeming us only because it represents the human life which he gave.)

Another approach to this matter compares the cherubim in the most holy of the tabernacle with the cherubim on the walls of Ezekiel’s temple. The cherubim in the tabernacle were over the ark of the covenant, looking in toward the mercy seat. We have the suggestion that they represented Power and Love, waiting to see justice satisfied, before “they fly to help, to lift up and to bless.” (Tabernacle Shadows, pg. 125) Ezekiel’s temple, which pictures matters from a Kingdom viewpoint, after satisfaction to justice has been met for mankind, shows cherubim with wings stretched out, as if active in their mission of power and love. Ezekiel 41:18-19 identifies their faces as of a man and of a young lion. Since all seem agreed that the man’s face pictures love it leaves the lion face to represent power. (Also of interest is the apparent coupling of man and lion in Ezekiel 1: 10)

More indirectly, Rev. 15:7 cf Ezek. 10:7,13, L-10 may suggest that the cherub-ox face represents the attribute responsible for the plagues, which we assume to be (retributive) justice.

HOUR OF TEMPTATION

(Feb. 1981, IA) “We notice that Bro. Russell very definitely, and repeatedly, applies the “Hour of Temptation” (Rev. 3:10) to the true Church.

THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS

(1) “We’ve been much enjoying the thoughts presented… Last Sunday … we severally discussed the four Gospel accounts of Jesus’ anointing just prior to His last Passover. Excepting the Luke account, all other Gospels have the event taking place in Bethany, and for His burial, and during the Lord’s last week on earth.

(2) We seem to perceive the possibility of a family connection between Simon the Leper and Mary, Martha, Lazarus.

(3) On the lower corner of the last page of Beauties are references not immediately clear … please mention what the citations mean.

(4) Might the Centurion in Luke 7:2 have been Cornelius? We are rejoicing in The Memorial season.”

In reply – (1) We think the Luke account (7:36-50) differs because it describes a different occasion than the other gospels. Luke records an anointing by “a woman in the city, which was a sinner,” rather than by Mary. Jesus was in a Pharisee’s home evidently in Galilee rather than among his close friends at Bethany; and “it came to pass afterward that [Jesus] went throughout every city and village preaching” (Luke 8:1), instead of dying a few days later. The Pharisee’s name was Simon, but we think he is not “Simon the leper” at whose home in Bethany Jesus was anointed by Mary. (See Rep. 2625)

(2) Rep. 2447 is in harmony with your thought, it suggests he may have been the father of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

(3) They are merely a listing of Scriptures referenced in that issue, with page and column (A or B) where they appear.

(4) “it is certainly within the range of possibility that this centurion … might have been removed by Roman authority from Capernaum to Caesarea, another fortress, and that he may have been the centurion named Cornelius…” (Rep. 2620) But as there is no proof, it remains conjectural. Notice the consideration of this question also in Rep. 2132 and 1922. – BT

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