Читать книгу The Harp of God: Proof Conclusive That Millions Now Living Will Never Die - J. F. Rutherford - Страница 7

HIS REVELATION

Оглавление

[12]It is conceded by all that man is the very highest type of all living creatures on the earth. His intelligence is far superior to that of any other earthly being. Truly man is fearfully and wonderfully made. Is it not reasonable for him to expect that the Almighty God would reveal to man something of the divine greatness and plans and purposes? Yes, and such revelation is found in that wonderful book, the holy Bible.

[13]Who wrote the Bible? What is known as the Old Testament was written by holy men of old who were moved upon by the invisible power of Jehovah to write it. (2 Peter 1:21; 2 Samuel 23:2; Luke 1:70) The New Testament consists of the spoken words of Jesus, the Son of God, who spake as never man spake, and whose words were recorded by those who heard him and witnessed his acts; and in addition thereto, the written testimony of his disciples, who wrote under inspiration from God.

[14]The holy spirit means the invisible power or influence of Jehovah—holy because he is holy. This power of Jehovah operated upon the minds of honest men who loved and who were devoted to righteousness, directing them in the writing of the Bible. The spirit of God, i.e., his invisible power and influence, moved upon the waters and thereby he created. (Genesis 1:2) In like manner his invisible power and influence operated upon the minds of men and directed them what to write. Thus did Moses write the first five books of the Bible. The invisible power or influence of God, which is the holy spirit, operating upon Moses' mind enabled him to make a record of the chief events that had occurred and to write the law of God, as given to his people through Moses. In no other way could the true history of creation have been written. These facts and truths were, therefore, written by inspiration of God. (2 Timothy 3:16; Job 32:8) There are twenty-four prophetic writers of the Old Testament, who foretold the great events that were to transpire in the earth. Their accounts were written at different times and under widely different conditions, yet their testimonies agree. Their testimony foreshadowed future events.

[15]History, when written, is a recorded statement of facts and events, arranged in a chronological order.

[16]Prophecy, which is true, is a statement of facts and events foretold to take place at some future time. Otherwise stated, prophecy is history written before it transpires.

[17]No human mind could actually foretell facts or events to happen in the future. Only the divine mind could do that. If, then, we find that the Bible foretold certain facts and events to happen and the record of the same was made centuries before these facts and events did happen, and these events and facts are now definitely established as having taken place, such would be the strongest proof that the persons recording such facts and events were directed in so doing by the divine mind; hence that such writing was under divine inspiration.

[18]As an illustration of this point: Wireless telegraphy and airships are modern discoveries; yet since they have been discovered we find that God, through his holy prophets, foretold centuries ago the use of such inventions. (Job 38:35; Isaiah 60:8) The railway train has been in use less than a hundred years; and yet the prophet of God many centuries ago gave a clear and particular description of the railway train and the manner of its operation, and prophesied that the same would be in vogue at the time of the end, at the time the Lord is making preparation for the establishment of his kingdom. (Nahum 2:3–6) And he also foretold that at that time there would be a great running to and fro by other means of transportation, such as automobiles, electric cars, etc. (Daniel 12:4) There is no one living in modern times who is wiser than Solomon; yet during the past 125 years there has been a great development in invention and a marvelous increase of knowledge; because it is due time, and because the prophets of God centuries ago foretold that such would come to pass.

[19]Through his holy prophets God foretold that at a time future there would come into the world a mighty man; that he would be born a Jew (Deuteronomy 18:15), specifying the place where he would be born (Micah 5:2); that he would come to his own people and they would not receive him; that he would be despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:1–3); that he would ride into Jerusalem upon an ass, the foal of a like animal, and offer himself as king to the Jews (Zechariah 9:9); that he would be rejected by the Jews (Isaiah 53:3); that he would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12); that he would die, but not for himself (Daniel 9:26); that there would be no just cause for his death (Isaiah 53:8,9,11); that nevertheless he would be numbered among the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12); that he would die a violent death, yet not a bone of his body should be broken (Psalm 34:20); that his flesh would not corrupt, and that he would arise from the dead (Psalm 16:10)—all of which and many more similar prophecies were completely fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth, the great Teacher who lived about and died at Jerusalem. Later we will examine the Scriptures proving a further fulfillment of all these prophecies.

[20]All of the foregoing facts show that the Bible was written, as it is claimed, by holy men of old, who were directed in writing it by the power of Jehovah, and that it is a record which God caused to be kept and has given to man for his guidance in righteousness, and which foretells the course and final destiny of man.

[21]The prophets who made record of the divine arrangement did not understand what they wrote. They knew they were writing something that would take place in the future, but just how and when they did not know. They inquired and searched diligently all sources of information open to them as to what these prophecies meant and when they would be fulfilled and in what manner of time. Particularly with reference to the coming of Jesus, his suffering, death and resurrection they prophesied and did not understand, although they attempted to understand. (1 Peter 1:10,12) Even the angels of heaven knew that the prophets were thus writing, but they did not understand, although they desired to look into these things. God revealed his great plan only in his own due time, and until that time he kept it all to himself.

[22]The divine plan means the arrangement made by Jehovah for the creation of everything that has been created and for carrying out his purposes with reference to his creatures. The first one to understand the divine plan was Jesus, who prior to coming to earth was known as the Logos, which means one who speaks and acts for Jehovah. In Revelation, chapter 5, a wonderful picture is given in symbolic language. Jehovah is pictured as seated upon his throne, holding in his right hand a record or scroll of his great plan. The hand is a symbol of power and holding it in his hand foreshadowed the fact that Jehovah held it exclusively in his own power and keeping. The picture then shows a strong angel or messenger speaking with a loud voice and asking the question: "Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?" In heaven there was a host of holy beings or angels. No one of them was able to open the book or scroll, neither to look on it. No one in earth was able to look upon it nor to open it.

[23]One of the titles given to Jesus is "Lion of the tribe of Judah". This great and mighty One, the beloved Son of God, afterward designated Jesus, was granted the privilege of opening the book and of loosing the seals that kept it secret, thus picturing how Jehovah made known his plan to his beloved Son. The picture describes him thus: "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne … stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, … and he came and took the book out of the right hand of him [Jehovah] that sat upon the throne".

[24]Seven is a symbol of perfection; horn a symbol of power; and eyes a symbol of wisdom. Therefore this One is pictured as having perfect power and perfect wisdom to perform this wonderful privilege and duty. This is the first time that the great mystery of Jehovah, his great plan or program, was made known to any one; and since then, from time to time, he has been pleased to reveal portions of his plan to men who have honestly and faithfully sought to understand it. He has promised to reward those that diligently seek him and who seek a knowledge of him. Therefore we can come to the study of his plan, confidently expecting that he will grant us from time to time such a vision and understanding of it as pleases him and as would be for our good and happiness.

[25]The harp is used to symbolize the grandeur and beauty, the exquisite harmony and majestic sweetness of the divine arrangement or plan. The record of this great program or plan is found in the Old and the New Testaments. This record reveals the purpose of God concerning man, gives a record of his fall, a prophetic vision of his redemption and deliverance, and ultimately the blessing of all obedient ones of mankind with life everlasting. The great fundamental doctrines or truths stated in the Bible and which constitute the fundamentals of his plan concerning man would, therefore, constitute the strings upon the harp of God. These fundamental truths were spoken by Jehovah through the prophets, through Jesus, and through his disciples. God's law is his expressed will. Law means a rule of action, directing that which is right and prohibiting that which is wrong. The Bible contains the law of Jehovah for the governing of mankind.

[26]The name David means beloved one. The beloved One of Jehovah is his Son, Jesus, the Christ. David was therefore used by Jehovah to picture or to make a type of Christ, including Jesus and his faithful followers. David used the harp of ten strings and was an expert performer upon it. This would seem to picture how that the antitype of David, Jesus and the members of his body, his faithful followers, would have an understanding of this harp of God and that God would use them to make it plain to others who would want to understand it. The ten strings of the harp, therefore, very fitly represent the ten great fundamental truths or doctrines of the divine plan. These ten fundamental doctrines appear in the order named, as follows:

(1) CREATION

(2) JUSTICE MANIFESTED

(3) ABRAHAMIC PROMISE

(4) BIRTH OF JESUS

(5) RANSOM

(6) RESURRECTION

(7) MYSTERY REVEALED

(8) THE LORD'S PRESENCE

(9) GLORIFICATION

(10) RESTORATION

[27]When one understands these ten fundamental truths and can appreciate the beauty and harmony by them expressed, he is thereby enabled to use the harp of God, and the use of it brings joy to his heart and fills his soul with sweet music. Without doubt the great plan of God pictured by the harp was all made and arranged at one time, but we will here consider each one of these fundamental truths, represented by a string, separately and in the order above named.

What is the harp? and when was it invented? ¶ 1.

Who invented the harp? and where is mention made of it in the Bible? ¶ 1

When did God organize the twelve tribes of Israel into a nation? ¶ 2.

What arrangement did God make with the nation of Israel? ¶ 2.

For what purpose was that nation used by Jehovah? ¶ 2.

To what did the nation of Israel consecrate the harp? ¶ 3.

What king of Israel was skilled in the use of the harp? ¶ 3.

Where in the Scriptures is the harp used symbolically? ¶ 3.

On what occasions did the Jews use the harp? ¶ 3.

How many strings were there on Israel's harp? and what did these symbolize? ¶ 4.

Did the harp at any time have a less number of strings? and if so, what did that picture? ¶ 4.

In what phrase or language is the book of Revelation written? ¶ 5.

Where in the book of Revelation is the harp mentioned? and what kind of beings are pictured as using it? ¶ 5.

What is the first essential to an understanding of God's plan? ¶ 6.

Name some visible proof of the existence of a Supreme Being or Creator. ¶ 7.

How was David impressed with what he observed of creation? ¶ 8.

How does man's organism prove the existence of a Supreme Being? ¶ 9.

Who is the Supreme Being or Creator? and what does his name signify? ¶ 10.

Give some Scriptural proof of the existence of Jehovah. ¶ 10.

Name the four primary divine attributes. ¶ 10.

How was divine justice manifested? ¶ 11.

How was divine power manifested? ¶ 11.

How was divine love manifested? ¶ 11.

How was divine wisdom manifested? ¶ 11.

Is there proof that God foreknew the end from the beginning? ¶ 11.

Why should man expect some revelation of the divine plan? ¶ 12.

Has man found a revelation of God's plan? and if so, where? ¶ 12.

By whom was the Bible written? and what are the two general divisions of it? ¶ 13.

What is meant by the holy spirit? ¶ 14.

What relationship does the holy spirit bear to the Bible and its preparation? ¶ 14.

Who wrote the first five books of the Bible? and under what influence? ¶ 14.

Was the Bible written under inspiration? ¶ 14.

How many prophetic writers contributed to the Old Testament? and does their testimony agree? ¶ 14.

Define history. ¶ 15.

Define prophecy. ¶ 16.

Can a human mind accurately foretell future events? ¶ 17.

What is one of the strongest proofs that the Bible was written under inspiration? ¶ 17.

What relationship do wireless telegraphy and airships bear to fulfilled prophecy? ¶ 18.

Were railway trains foretold by the prophets? and if so, where? ¶ 18.

What other means of rapid transit did the prophets foretell? ¶ 18.

Why did not Solomon give the world great inventions such as we now have? ¶ 18.

Did the prophets point to the coming of any special one to earth? ¶ 19.

What prophecy, if any, did the coming of Jesus of Nazareth tend to fulfill? ¶ 19.

How did the coming of Jesus tend to confirm the authenticity of the Scriptures? ¶ 20.

Did the prophets understand the meaning of what they wrote concerning the happening of future events? ¶ 21.

What effort did they make to understand? ¶ 21.

Did the angels in heaven understand what the prophets were writing? ¶ 21.

What is meant by the term "the divine plan"? ¶ 22.

Who was the first one to understand the divine plan? ¶ 22.

What was the name of Jesus before he became a man? and what is the significance of his prehuman title? ¶ 22.

What is pictured by the fifth chapter of Revelation? Give the details of the picture. ¶ 22.

Who is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah"? ¶ 23.

What is the symbolic meaning of the words "seven", "horns," and "eyes"? and what do these words signify as used in Revelation 5? ¶ 24.

Is there reason to expect that God would grant certain ones from time to time an increased understanding of his plan? and if so, why? ¶ 24.

What does the harp symbolize? ¶ 25.

Where is the record of the divine plan found? ¶ 25.

What does this record reveal concerning man? ¶ 25.

By whom has God spoken his fundamental truths? ¶ 25.

What is the law of God? ¶ 25.

Define law. ¶ 25.

Where is the law of God found? ¶ 25.

What is the meaning of the word David? ¶ 26.

Whom did David picture or typify? ¶ 26.

What did David's use of the harp typify or picture? ¶ 26.

What is pictured or symbolized by the ten strings of David's harp? ¶ 26.

Name the ten fundamental truths represented by the strings on the harp. ¶ 26.

How can one learn to use the harp of God? ¶ 27.

What effect is produced upon one who skillfully uses the harp? ¶ 27.

OMNIPOTENT GOD


Harps of eternity! begin the song,

Redeemed, and angel harps! begin to God

Begin the anthem ever sweet and new,

While I extol Him holy, just, and good.

Life, beauty, light, intelligence, and love!

Eternal, uncreated, infinite!

Unsearchable Jehovah! God of truth!

Maker, upholder, governor of all:

Thyself unmade, ungoverned, unupheld.

Omnipotent, unchangeable, Great God!

Exhaustless fullness! giving unimpaired!

Bounding immensity, unspread, unbound!

Highest and best! beginning, middle, end.

All-seeing Eye! all-seeing, and unseen!

Hearing, unheard! all knowing, and unknown!

Above all praise! above all height of thought!

Proprietor of immortality!

Glory ineffable! Bliss underived!

Of old Thou build'st Thy throne on righteousness,

Before the morning Stars their song began,

Or silence heard the voice of praise. Thou laid'st

Eternity's foundation stone, and saw'st

Life and existence out of Thee begin.


--Pollok



The Harp of God: Proof Conclusive That Millions Now Living Will Never Die

Подняться наверх