About the time of King Josiah and his reformation the
Prophet Jeremiah began to speak in the name of the Lord.
Josiah was succeeded by his son, who proved himself another
bad son of a good father. Under the evil rule of King
Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, under the Lord's guidance, foretold the
coming destruction of the city and Temple. According to
Jeremiah's account it was a time of great moral delinquency.
He pictures a terrible condition of the people. As Jeremiah
told them of the time of trouble nearing, so some of God's
people today are declaring that the greatest time of trouble
ever known in the world's history is probably but a few years
off. All cannot be reformers and prophets to the same extent
as Jeremiah. Every child of God, however, should be a foe to
sin in its every form. Such must be prepared for the finger of
scorn and the lip of sarcasm and slander. R4856:3
The faithful prophet, Jeremiah, was persecuted because he boldly
declared the word of the Lord which foretold only trouble
upon Israel, and how the government foolishly thought to
avert the trouble by persecuting the Lord's warning
messenger, instead of heeding his wise counsel. In this the
faithful Prophet typified the faithful of the Gospel age who
will also suffer persecution in some shape or form, if they
boldly declare the whole counsel of God. R1372:2
Jeremiah prophesied in the days of Josiah and of his four
successors, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah.
He was of about the same age as Josiah, and seems not to
have been seriously ill-treated by that reformer; although he
was passed by when the king sought heavenly counsel
respecting the Book of the Law and the turning away of the
penalties for sin therein recorded. Jeremiah's position was a
peculiarly trying one, for although his prophesying evidently
had a marked effect and greatly influenced the king and the
princes and the people in cleansing the land of its idolatry and
in re-establishing the worship of Jehovah, yet he was not
permitted to compliment the people on these measurable
reforms, and to promise them a return of divine favor, as did
the false prophets at that time, and was considered unpatrio-
tic. R2400:1
But he was a patriot in the highest sense of the
word, namely, in that he looked for the highest good of his
nation along the lines of divine wisdom. R4865:3
The captivity of Judah was in two sections: the first
included Daniel and others with the King Jehoiakim. The
king of Babylon left Zedekiah in control as his vassal under
tribute, but on account of the latter's treachery and league
with Egypt, the Babylonian army came again against
Jerusalem and besieged it. Famine and pestilence resulted,
and ultimately the city of Jerusalem was captured and utterly
destroyed, and King Zedekiah, with his eyes put out, was
taken a prisoner to Babylon, with all the people except a few
of the very poorest and least competent. Jeremiah, given his
liberty, chose to remain with the poor of the land who
subsequently went down into Egypt, so that Jerusalem and the
country round about lay desolate without inhabitants for
seventy years, according to the word of the Lord at the mouth
of Jeremiah. R3616:2
Words of Jeremiah -- To be read to all the people at the
Temple on the occasion of a general gathering for worship
and repentance. R4857:2
End of the 11th year -- The 70 years of desolation began
in the end of the 11th year of Zedekiah. HG47:2
It was here the diadem was removed to "be no more until he
come whose right it is." (Ezek. 21:25-27) HG46:5
Before I formed thee -- In the case of Adam, God knew
what man, without experience, would do before he formed
him, and made full provision for his failure. R875:3*
I have this day -- A prophecy which belongs to Christ's
Millennial reign. B311
Set thee -- Christ. B311
Claimed by Papists to refer to the Pope. B311
To deliver thee -- Not from persecution or even death, but
merely such protection as would prevent his enemies from
hindering the Lord's purpose in him. R1372:2
The Lord does not engage to deliver his children from all the
ills of life; but if faithful unto death, they will have a glorious
deliverance and entrance into the Kingdom. R1372:3
O ye heavens -- Powers of spiritual control,
ecclesiasticism. A318; Q841:2
Fountain -- Of truth, the Lord's Word. Q841:2
Cisterns -- Receptacles to hold the muddy waters of the
traditions of men. Q841:2
Hold no water -- The old systems are breaking up and are
useless for holding the waters of truth. Q841:2
Yet I had -- God. R1795:3
Planted thee -- Nominal fleshly Israel and nominal
spiritual Israel. R1896:1
A noble vine -- "A certain man planted a vineyard." (Mark
12:1) R1795:3
A strange vine -- Not for any lack of attention on God's
part, but because of the perversity of the vine. R1896:1
Thou sayest -- Through emotional revivals, by pointing to
these as evidences that the holy Spirit is still working among
the churches. R3583:1*
Had put her away -- Had been previously carried away
captive. (2 Kings 17:1-24) R1372:5
A bill of divorce -- The Lord has not remarried, nor ever
will remarry, the ten tribes. R1341:5; C296
Treacherous sister Judah -- Judah had not profited by the
example of the Lord's displeasure with Israel, nor by the
warnings of his prophets, but had outrivaled her sister in
corruption. R1372:5
Married unto you -- Union or covenant between Jehovah
and Israel. R1388:6
At that time -- During the Millennial age. D615
Call Jerusalem -- The earthly phase of the Kingdom.
A297
Land that I have given -- The gathering of Israel and
Judah to re-establish them in their own land. R2125:1
We come unto thee -- When the iron rod has accomplished
the work of destruction. A256
Of mountains -- Kingdoms. A318
Bless themselves -- In becoming Abraham's seed, in
coming into relationship with the Kingdom, which shall have
an Israelitish basis. R5810:1
Circumcise yourselves -- Symbolizing a cutting off, a
separation from the flesh, its aims, hopes and desires.
R3022:3
As a whirlwind -- The great time of trouble which follows
the second coming of Christ, sweeping everything before it.
R5863:6; D528
His horses -- See comments on Isaiah 31:1
Mount Ephraim -- The governments of Christendom.
D22; R3104:2, R1357:3, R562:2
I beheld the earth -- Society. A318
And the heavens -- Powers of spiritual control. A318
Had no light -- Truth. A20
Mountains -- Kingdoms. A318
And all the hills -- Less autocratic governments. D551
The whole city -- Religious government. D25
For the noise -- The time of trouble. (Jer. 25:31) D20
Of the horsemen -- The great leaders in false doctrines.
(Isa. 31:1) C316
With crimson -- Scarlet, symbol of the blood of the
ransom. T34, T109
Ornaments of gold -- Symbol of the divine nature. T18
Daughter of Zion -- The nominal church. D23
My people -- God's professed people, the nominal church.
R1137:5
Love to have it so -- Take pride in their growing
denominational strength. R1137:5
Daughter of Zion -- The nominal church. D23
With their fields -- Of labor. C157
And wives -- Churches. C157
Peace, peace -- The whole world boasts that civilization
and Christianity have won the day, that the world has become
God's empire and the blessings of the Millennium are ours to
enjoy. R4795:3
As at the World Parliament of Religions, it is merely a stroke
of human policy to try to quiet the fears of the church. D238
As at the opening of the Kiel ship canal, where 120 ironclads
participated. D156
As at the First National Arbitration Board, convened at
Geneva, Switzerland, Sept. 14, 1872. R5554:1
Ever since the first peace conference at The Hague the church
systems have been declaring that war has come to an end.
Q529:2
Their theory has been that universal peace between the
nations would speedily usher in the Messianic Kingdom.
R5554:2
There can be no true peace as long as there is sin; for sin is
the great difficulty with the world. Q529:2
The Lord will raise up other servants who will not seek to
please the ear with soft words, nor to lull the drowsy, but will
proclaim the unvarnished truth concerning hypocrisy and
deception. R563:3
Ask for -- If our ways are not in harmony with those of
God. R705:6*
This is the appropriate lesson for each of us, to come to the
Bible afresh, to hear its message. SM543:1
The old paths -- Not the theories of the Dark Ages; not
Higher Criticism, Evolution, Theosophy, etc.; but the
doctrines of Jesus and the apostles. SM302:1, SM543:1;
E62
The finding of the Word began afresh with the introduction of
the art of printing. R3609:4
The doctrines older than Wesley, Calvinism or Roman
Catholicism--the doctrines of Jesus and the apostles and
prophets. HG433:5
For example, celebrating the Memorial Supper upon its
anniversary. R1943:2, R2115:2
As the "old paths" are found, pompous human titles which
seem so much to the world and to Babylon come to appear
vain, inappropriate and deceitful. R2826:2
Watchmen -- The prophets and others. R1795:6
Of the trumpet -- Let the trumpet give no uncertain sound.
(1 Cor. 14:8) R309:1*
The trumpet is to sound until a company shall be developed
who will be the virgins, the companions of the Bride. (Psa.
45:14) R309:1*
Hear, O earth -- Society. A318
I will bring evil -- Prophetic of the siege of Jerusalem after
Jesus' death. R2787:3
Incense -- Representing praise. R3703:4
Like the sea -- The restless, turbulent, dissatisfied masses
of the world. A318
Ride upon horses -- Doctrines. C316
Amend your ways -- If our ways are not right they should
be amended and not justified, saying, It is my way. R2204:4,
R705:3
Temple of the LORD -- The Christ. T70
Unto Baal -- To whom were offered human sacrifices.
D24
After other gods -- Corrupting the Israelites by contact
with them. D24
Provoke me to anger -- The idolatrous tendencies of that
nation brought divine wrath upon them and sent them into
captivity to Babylon. R5125:1
I have even sent unto you -- God was continually
reminding them of their unfaithfulness. R1365:4
During the Millennial age it will no longer be necessary to be
always preaching "know the Lord." R1365:5
Hardened their neck -- A figure taken from the stiffness
of neck of an unruly yoke of oxen. R3464:1
Tophet -- Later called Gehenna, the valley of Hinnom.
PD63/73
Used as a type of the real Gehenna, or lake of fire,
unquenchable till its work is done. R1449:5*
A place for the offerings or sacrifices of persons in idolatrous
worship. R1449:5*
The valley of Hinnom was first established under demon
influence as a place of torture; but Israel made it a crematory
for the carcases of dead animals and the bodies of certain vile
criminals and it thus became a symbol of the Second Death.
R3069:1
Burn their sons -- The image of Moloch was erected there
and children were roasted alive in the arms of the image.
R3069:1; PD63/73
Neither came it -- The doctrine of everlasting torture is
contrary to every element of divine character. R5326:6
Under the Lord's arrangement no torture was permitted in
Israel. R3069:1
For centuries the masses of Christendom have attributed to
the God of love a character far worse than that of Moloch.
R3069:1
Not the judgment -- Arrangement, dealings. C157;
R230:5
Of the LORD -- That this harvest day of full, complete
separation of wheat from chaff and tares must come; in this
they show less discernment than the migratory fowls. C157
How do ye say -- How can you say, when you cannot
discern the harvest time and the change of dispensation then
due. C157
Is in vain -- Because the Word of the Lord by his prophets
and apostles is made void and set aside without attention.
The creeds formed in the Dark Ages are the lightless lanterns
of them that walk in darkness. C157
The wise men -- Those learned in the wisdom of this
world. C157
They are dismayed -- Disheartened by the failure of their
cherished human schemes. C157
And taken -- Caught. C157
Will I give their wives -- Their churches. C157
And their fields -- Of labor. C157
To them -- To the conquerors. C157
For every one -- Of them. C157
To covetousness -- "They are greedy dogs, which can
never have enough." (Isa. 56:11) C157
From the prophet -- Orator. C157
Unto the priest -- Minister. C157
Dealeth falsely -- Practiseth falsehood: "For we have made
lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves."
(Isa. 28:15) C157
Healed the hurt -- The sore. C157
In the days of Luther and the Reformation, when the
daughters might have been radically healed. R498:5
Of the daughter -- Nominal Zion, Babylon. C157
There is no peace -- Her whole system is diseased and
needs thorough cleansing with the medicine of God's Word,
the truth. C157
Were they -- They should have been. C157
Abomination -- Their abominable work. C157
Shall they -- The teachers. C157
Their visitation -- Or inspection, in the harvest. C157
Shall be cast down -- They shall stumble. C157
"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should
overtake you as a thief." (1 Thess. 5:4) C215
Consume them -- Make an end of them. C157
There shall be -- There shall be left. C158
Shall fade -- Shall wither. C158
And the things -- All divine favors and privileges. C158
The defenced cities -- Governments. C158
Water of gall -- Bitter poison-water, the poison of bitter
error, the "doctrine of devils" mingled with the pure water of
life, the truth of God's Word. C158
We looked for peace -- Anticipating that our bitter poison-water
doctrines would convert the world and bring about the Millennium. C158
And behold trouble -- The disease of nominal Zion will
grow rapidly worse as the Israelites indeed withdraw. C158
Of his horses -- Doctrines. C316
The city -- Babylon, Christendom. D527
The LORD in Zion -- Nominal Zion, Babylon, is spewed
out of his mouth. C157; R498:4
Provoked me to anger -- Love can be justly provoked to
anger. R5978:6, R5603:2
His anger is righteous indignation against sin. R5603:1,
R5978:6
God's indignation was kindled against his chosen people.
R5603:2
Strange vanities -- Infidelity sits in the pews, declaims
from the pulpits, rules in the assemblies; and, together with
Agnosticism and Evolution, these strike against the very
foundation doctrines of Christianity--the fall of man and his
redemption through Christ. R1690:5
The harvest is past -- We did not do the Lord's will.
R4079:5*
They realize they have failed to make their calling and
election sure to a place in the kingdom class. R2837:3
Nominal Zion might have been healed once, but now it is too
late to reform the sects. R731:4
Summer is ended -- "Pray ye that your flight be not in the
winter" with the tribulation class (Matt. 24:20). Escape from
Babylon before the winter time of her trouble comes upon
her. D578
We are not saved -- A class who would realize that the
Bride has been taken and that they are left; at the fall of
Babylon. (Rev. 19) Q229:2
No balm in Gilead -- None of the human remedies
proposed will cure the malady of human depravity. D469
Consolation of wounded spirits on the battlefield of life.
R5803:1
Babylon might have been healed once, but now, like her
prototype Israel, she is given up--left desolate. R731:4
No physician there -- There is no remedy, these systems
must die. The disorder comes from within. Though the
canker is carefully concealed, the bad odor and distress are
noticeable. R498:5
With the harvest ended those then in Zion will have lost the
"especial" salvation, the prize of being made the heavenly
Zion. R230:5
Glory in his wisdom -- Worldly wisdom tends to self-exaltation
and pride. R1919:3
Glory in his might -- Power in the hands of the ungodly
tends to haughtiness and overbearing selfishness. R1919:3
Glory in his riches -- Riches only tend to dwarf the soul
among those who have not learned from God the
responsibilities of stewardship. R1919:3
Glory in this -- "My soul shall make her boast in the
Lord." (Psa. 34:2) R1920:1
This exhortation should inspire unbounded confidence and
bring lasting comfort to those who honor and love him.
R1351:4*
Knoweth me -- The beginning of this wisdom is indeed the
reverence of the Lord. This is the knowledge that does not
puff up. R1919:6
Let our entire trust be centered in God; his promises will not
fail. R5501:5
"This is eternal life that they might know thee, the only true
God." (John 17:3) R1919:6
At his wrath -- The word of the Lord to the nations
assembled before him for judgment. D12
The earth -- The present organization of society. C229;
D46; A323
The gods -- Mighty ones; a general name, often and
properly applied to our Heavenly Father, as well as to Jesus,
angels and men. R338:2, R421:3
Uttereth his voice -- God makes use of different agencies
to do his service. These are sometimes animate, sometimes
inanimate. R5385:3
Is the rod -- A symbol of authority. R4058:4
Not in himself -- It is not in the power of man to direct his
own steps, but the child of God has learned where to seek
counsel. R1753:1
Eaten up Jacob -- Natural Israel. A300
Flowing with milk -- It is believed that Jerusalem will
become, as of old, the marketplace of the Orient. HG649:2
Branches...are broken -- "Because of unbelief they were
broken off." (Rom. 11:20) D651
Swelling of Jordan -- Meaning "judged down,"
"condemned," representing the curse. R3086:4
Speckled bird -- The saints. R5974:6
A target for the world's sneers and ridicule. R132:1
Especially attractive to the hunter, the great Adversary.
R5974:6
Birds round about -- Mankind. R5974:6
Have compassion -- These promises are yet in the future.
R515:6*
Hid it -- Accompanying signs were common with the
prophets of olden time. R2223:4
I will dash them -- Complete destruction of present evil,
unjust and oppressive governments and institutions. R362:1
Change his skin -- The differences between the races of
men have long been arguments against the solidarity of the
human family. God can change the Ethiopian's skin in his
own due time. R3320:5
The Ethiopian eunuch, to whom Philip was sent with the
message of salvation, was unquestionably a black man.
R3043:1
No rain in the earth -- There are now rains in the holy
land; the plowmen are no more ashamed. R1297:5*
Could not be -- Could not be changed. Jeremiah was
esteemed a pessimist, and we are now placed in much the
same position. R2400:2
Thy words -- Those truths which God designed should,
during this Gospel age, be the food to sanctify the Body of
Christ. R200:4
Were found -- Implying first that the Word of the Lord
would be lost and need to be searched for; and secondly,
when found, it would avail nothing unless appropriated to our
needs. R3609:2
Not only obeying the divine will, but seeking to know it more
and more so that one can obey it. R5648:4
Not gained by human skill or labor. R1867:5
After he has found it, every child of God has considerable
labor in proving and eating his spiritual food. R1867:6
I did eat them -- Diligently appropriated them to the
building up of my character. R2146:5, R200:4, R1867:5
We must eat the Word of God if we would derive his spirit.
E225
There must be a daily laying up of its treasure of wisdom and
counsel in the heart and the working out of its principles in
the life. R2093:5, R1867:5, R2146:5, R5431:6
Living upon the divine promises. R3087:2
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matt. 4:4) R3087:2
Rejoicing of mine heart -- The language of the heart must
be expressed in daily life. R1274:5
Out of this place -- Scattered and persecuted among all
nations. B216
Will I cast -- In chastening, correcting, forgiving, restoring
and promising to bless and fully reinstate them to his favor,
God illustrates his great love and mercy toward the whole
world. R1373:4
Out of this land -- This was to be their punishment, to be
driven out of their own land and to receive no favor from
God. R599:3, R4782:2
Into a land -- Europe. R1378:6
Nor your fathers -- Their fathers had been in Egypt and
Babylon, but never in Europe. R1378:6
This prophecy positively marks Israel's present dispersion
among all nations. B217
Serve other gods -- Other rulers, elohim, mighty ones.
B216; R421:3, R599:3, R1378:6, R1410:3
Not shew you favour -- The Jews have been shown no
favor since their rejection of Christ. B216; OV75:5;
R1364:6
They will not forever remain cast off, but shall be regathered
and blessed. R1378:6
The days come -- Favor would return again in some form
to the Jew in 1878. R357:1, R1364:6
No more be said -- The hand of providence is about to
work out such a deliverance as Israel never knew before.
R1405:6, R1652:2, R1063:2*
The land of Egypt -- The deliverance from Egypt was a
great and marvelous sign of God's favor to them; but their
deliverance soon to be consummated will quite eclipse it.
R599:3, R608:4, R384:6
That deliverance was but a type of the one to come. R1652:4
Land of the north -- Russia, where nearly half of the
Hebrew race resides. B217; D553; R599:3, R608:4;
OV76:1
From all the lands -- Their later blessing would be their
regathering out of all nations, and is being accomplished in
our day. R4782:2, R1374:1
Bring them again -- We have strong testimonies of God
through the prophets that he will gather them again. OV76:1
The hope of the world's peace being cemented by the Jews
occupying the lands of their fathers. R83:6*
For many fishers -- The Zionist movement. R3855:1-3,
R1288:2*
Teachers. C215
Shall hunt them -- Persecution by revolutionaries,
forceable expulsion. R3855:2, R1288:4*
From every mountain -- Kingdom. A318
And first -- Before the time of favor will come. B218;
R599:4
Recompense -- Some of the recompense with favor, and
some without favor. SM399:2; CR104:5
Their sin double -- Mishneh, a second portion, a
repetition; implying a casting off from all favor for as long a
period as they had enjoyed favor, namely, 1845 years, from
AD33 to 1878, when the Berlin Congress of Nations was
held, which greatly ameliorated the conditions of the Jews.
B218; CR104:4; R599:4, R1202:1; HG53:4
The double's being accomplished is the reason for the great
awakening among the Jews and for the Zionist movement.
R5920:6
"Even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee."
(Zech. 9:12) "She hath received of the Lord's hand double for
all her sins." (Isa. 40:2) B225, B227
The double of Israel's experiences would reach full
accomplishment in 1915. R4623:1
Gentiles -- As well as the Jews. A59
Maketh flesh his arm -- Illustrated by David's numbering
of Israel contrary to the law of God. (1 Chron. 21) R2016:3
The heart -- The natural affections; the natural mind.
F600; R1985:1, R2038:1, R2762:2, R3735:3, R2445:1
Is deceitful -- It requires constant watching and purging. If
it is wrong the head will seek to justify it and thus pervert
judgment and truth. R2038:2
The various members of our bodies, in their depravity,
sympathize with the natural mind and favor it. R1985:1
At times misleads the New Creature, the new will, the new
heart. R2762:2
The Lord's followers should daily, hourly, keep watch over
their thoughts, words, deeds and motives. R4524:1
Those who practice evil speaking and evil surmising and
attempt to justify their conduct have either never entered the
school of Christ or are infants therein. R5123:1, R2445:1
LORD -- "Jehovah" is the original word wherever
"LORD" is spelled in small capital letters throughout the
common version of the Old Testament. R3438:2
The sabbath day -- Type of the Millennial age. B40
Hinnom -- Gehenna. Evil spirits led the people of Canaan
to establish the valley of Hinnom as a place of torture.
R3069:1
I will bring evil -- Calamity. R1226:2
High places of Baal -- Corrupting the Israelites by contact
with them. D24
Into my mind -- The doctrine of everlasting torture is
contrary to every element of God's character. R5326:6
Hinnom -- Or Gehenna, a type of the real Gehenna, or lake
of fire, unquenchable till its work is done. R1449:5*
In Greek, Gehenna, Second Death. R3069:1
Carcases -- No torture was permitted; not the living, but
the dead, were consumed in Gehenna. R3069:1
Hardened their necks -- A figure taken from the stiffness
of neck of an unruly yoke of bullocks. R3464:1
Word of the LORD -- Concerning Israel. R5489:1
A reproach -- Despised and rejected. R5489:2
Nor speak any more -- He had become disheartened.
R5489:2
If he had allowed his fears to overwhelm him and had
withheld God's message, he would have been set aside and
another commissioned to deliver the message. So it is with us
today. R5489:3
His word -- Telling them that they had failed to keep their
covenant with the Lord and would surely be carried away into
captivity. R5489:2
Our message is the overthrow of the kingdom of darkness and
the establishment of the Kingdom of God. R5489:5
In mine heart -- God has let us into the secret of his
counsels. R5489:3
As a burning fire -- Burning zeal in his heart, a consuming
sense of the importance of the message given him to deliver.
R5489:1
All of the Lord's people filled with his spirit must be engaged
in the harvest work in some manner. R2490:5
Shut up -- If kept shut off from a draft the fire will become
extinguished. "Quench not the spirit." (1 Thess. 5:19)
R5489:3
I could not stay -- His message had to be spoken; he
overcame the temptation to hold his peace. R5489:2
He could not quench the fire within his soul, withholding
God's message, without losing his relationship to Jehovah.
R5489:3
We might let the holy Spirit of God die out in our hearts by a
failure to do our duty. R5489:3
Greatly ashamed -- The only standard of judgment in
public sentiment in the Millennium will be character.
R1655:2
Everlasting confusion -- "Some shall awake to everlasting
contempt." (Dan. 12:2) R1655:1
For evil -- The evil the Lord creates and does is the
calamities and judgments that he visits upon the ungodly
nations. R1299:6*
Though Coniah -- Called also Jehoiachin and Jekoniah.
E132
No man of his seed -- If Christ were the son of Joseph this
prophecy would be false. R468:1*
Messiah was of Nathan's line, not Solomon's. E133
Throne of David -- Only the legal heirship came through
Solomon, through Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, as shown
in Matthew 1. R2060:4
Pastors that destroy -- A self-constituted "clergy" lording
it over God's heritage, taking spoils, honors, reverence, titles,
from their flocks. R1895:6
Sheep of my pasture -- Characteristics of sheep are
meekness, docility, lack of self-confidence, and obedience to
the shepherd--traits which we should manifest. R5491:4
True sheep respond quickly to the shepherd's call and watch
for his guidance. R5491:4
A fitting emblem of the kind of characters the Heavenly
Father is seeking. R5491:4
Let us, as good sheep, not stray from the green pastures and
pure waters. R5491:4
Scattered my flock -- To feed the flock is the Lord's
province. The chosen elder may be the instrument through
whom the Great Shepherd sends his own their "meat in due
season." F283
Elders need first to watch themselves lest they assume
authority and honors belonging to the Chief Shepherd. F283
Shall feed them --The Shepherd has been feeding us
wonderfully. R633:4
The days come -- In due time God's Kingdom, founded on
equity and justice, must fill the entire earth. R1213:5*
A righteous Branch -- Solomon's royal branch is the high
branch of the Davidic line. This must be abased and a low
branch exalted. R468:4*
Exalting Nathan's line, not Solomon's. E133
The prophets foretold that Messiah was to be the son of Jesse
and of David; and the glorified Jesus himself declares, "I am
the root and the offspring of David." (Rev. 22:16) R944:1*
Christ was the Root of David's family, as well as the Branch.
(Isa. 11:10) R1063:1*
His name whereby he -- The Body of the great Prophet,
Priest and King, the Church, will be part of the Everlasting
Father. T102
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jehovah--Tsidkenu, our Righteousness
of Jehovah. The Church is to share this title. (Jer. 33:16) E42;
T102; R3970:5, R4831:2, R4913:3
"That we might be made the righteousness of God through
him." (2 Cor. 5:21) R4913:3
The righteous one imparts righteous life--the power which
embodies righteous words in righteous deeds. R1323:1*
Water of gall -- Bitter poison-water, the poison of bitter
error, the doctrine of devils, mingled with the pure water of
life, the truth of God's Word. C158
Prophets -- False teachers. R1715:4
Heads and pastors of worldly organizations, claiming the
name of Christ yet refusing his headship, leading and control,
and the teachings of his Word. R365:4
Of their own heart -- There are many such false teachers
who are ambitious to declare the visions of their own heart.
R1715:4
A whirlwind -- When God lets go his restraint on the
"powers of the air" (Eph. 2:2), the evil spirits, these symbolic
winds will produce a great cataclysm, sweeping everything
before it. R5470:1, R5863:6
Symbol of the time of trouble. D528
Not sent these prophets -- "There were false teachers also
among the people." (2 Pet. 2:1) R265:4, R365:4
See also comments on Jer. 23:16
Yet they prophesied -- By an inspiration, or power, in
them, almost like the real prophets of God. These were the
counterfeits. R265:4
That hath a dream -- An imagination. SM671:1;
OV411:T, CR343:3
Possibly caused by indigestion or inspired by evil spirits.
R3277:6
When a man does not see a thing himself he is very apt to
conclude that nobody else sees it. HG353:2
If a dream corroborates a plain statement of the Word it may
be used as we would use a type, to illustrate but not to teach a
doctrine. R3971:6
"If they speak not in harmony with the Word of God, it is
because there is no light in them." (Isa. 8:20) R3278:1
Tell a dream -- Many are teaching their own or their
forefathers' imaginings; which the faithful are obliged to
contradict as unscriptural. OV158:4; R2400:3
He that hath my word -- The Lord's Word, his revelation,
his inspired testimony, is to be put far above all dreams of our
own and of others. R3971:6
All are authorized to teach his Word who know his Word.
CR343:3
People are awakening to the difference between dreams and
realities and are wanting something more substantial.
R3757:3
Let him speak -- With the Gospel itself went the right and
the authority to declare it. R2966:4
If we hold back for fear of man we would be sharing in the
sin of adding to the Scriptures. OV411:T, SM671:1
My word faithfully -- Not uncertainly, doubtfully; but as
the oracles of God. R1882:6
Not human speculations, philosophies and fanciful dreams.
R3726:6, R2400:2, R3945:1
All authority to speak in the name of God must come from
him. OV158:4; R2966:4
God's Book makes no division of his people into clergy and
laity. HG617:4
Let him speak only my Word faithfully. R1633:5
In as kind a manner as possible, but not shunning to declare
the "whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:26,27) SM404:2
Of the Chaideans -- Mystic Babylon, Christendom. For
since their overthrow they have been dispersed among all the
nations of so-called Christendom. C259
For their good -- For their discipline and punishments--good
thing in disguise. C259
For I will -- During the Millennial age. A109
Bring them again -- This is a deliverance which will need
no repetition. R1483:5
Not pluck them up -- This cannot refer to the return from
the captivity to literal Babylon, since after that return they
were again pulled down and plucked up. OV226:3; C259;
A109
Nebuchadnezzar -- Unlike Cyrus, Nebuchadnezzar
thought to unify the people by compelling worship of one
God. R2509:5
Bring them against -- Verses 8 to 38 are a vivid
description of the great time of trouble. R5735:4
Utterly destroy -- Pointing to total desolation, not
captivity. Such was not the case prior to Zedekiah's
dethronement. R3437:3
Perpetual -- Here the 70 years of desolation are olam,
lasting. R3725:5*
A desolation -- The 70 years desolation of the land.
R1372:5, R1976:1
Punishment upon the Israelites; substitute for the whole
number of Jubilee years. PD48/59
The seven times of Israel's chastisement began in 606 BC
with the foretold desolation and continued until about Sept.
21, 1914. Q356:2
Seventy years -- Scripturally declared as a punishment
upon the Israelites for not properly keeping their Jubilee
years. PD48/59
Nineteen for the Jubilees imperfectly observed (950 years)
and 51 additional at 49 years each (2499 years), from the last
Jubilee to earth's Great Jubilee, the Times of Restitution, 1874
AD. "Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it
lieth desolate." (Lev. 26:34) B191-196; PD48/59
Seventy years -- From the destruction of Jerusalem to the
time of the return of its inhabitants. (Compare Jer. 29:10 with
2 Chron. 36:22, 23) R4893:1
Punish the king -- Through King Cyrus as the divine
agent. R2509:4
Cup of this fury -- The time of trouble, which is daily
increasing in volume and intensity. R1561:6, R5769:4
All the nations -- More and more, all the nations are being
dragged into it. R5790:3
All the kingdoms -- No trouble that has ever yet come
upon the world answers to the many prophetic descriptions of
this one and none has ever yet involved all nations. R1371:5
King of Sheshach -- Babylon, Christendom. R2663:3,
R1371:6
Drink after them -- Be the last to fall in the great time of
trouble. R2663:1, R1371:3, R1561:6; HG94:1
Suffering more severely than the heathen nations because she
has sinned against greater light. R2663:3
And fall -- In the time of trouble. R1561:6
Certainly drink -- Of the cup of wrath, which will mean
their utter destruction. R2338:5, R2663:2
Evil on the city -- Christendom, Babylon. D527
The evil the Lord creates is the calamities he visits on the
ungodly nations. R1299:6*, R2663:2
Roar from on high -- Call aloud from on high. D527
His holy habitation -- Over his nominal habitation,
Christendom. D527
Controversy -- The great time of trouble spoken of by
Daniel and our Lord. R1371:3, R438:1; D20
He will plead with -- He holdeth judgment over. D527
Nation to nation -- Nations, because of close
communication, are dependent upon one another. What
affects one affects all. R4750:3
A great whirlwind -- Intense and complicated trouble and
commotion. D13, D527; R1519:4, R534:6
The great time of anarchy. R5845:6
The result of letting loose "the four winds of heaven." (Rev.
7:1-4) R5058:6, R5470:1
Coasts -- The outward parts; society being encroached
upon by the lawless element (sea). R4750:3, R2663:1
The slain of the LORD -- As the "old world" ended with
the almost entire destruction of individual life, so national life
is to be destroyed in the end of this world. HG18:2
Howl, ye shepherds -- Pastors of nominal Christendom, at
the spoliation of their pasture fields. R2663:4
Ye shall fall -- And be ruined. R2663:4
No way to flee -- Hireling shepherds are ready to flee the
trouble and avoid persecution. R2673:4
The evil, which I purpose -- The evil that the Lord creates
and does is the calamities and judgments that he visits upon
ungodly nations. R1299:6*
The priests -- Nearly all the persecutions of Jesus and his
followers came from professed servants of God. R4857:1
The princes -- But for the moderation of the civil power
many a reformer would have been put to death. R4857:4
Hearken not -- We are not to permit any of these false
prophets to have any influence over us. R5800:2
Build ye houses -- Because your captivity will be 70 years
long, much longer than you have ever before experienced.
C294; R1341:3
Prophesy falsely -- God warns us against having anything
to do with these occult powers. R5800:1
Seventy years -- In the first year of his reign I, Daniel,
understood by books the number of the years whereby the
Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he
would accomplish seventy years in the destruction of
Jerusalem. (Dan. 9:2) B64
"Till the land had enjoyed her sabbaths" (Lev. 26:34): 19 for
the Jubilees imperfectly observed and 51 for the cycles in
which no Jubilees were observed, ending in 1874 AD. B191
See also comments on Jer. 25:11, 12.
And find me -- When the Gospel Church is complete Israel
shall be saved from their blindness and obtain mercy at the
hands of glorified spiritual Israel. R2402:5
An hissing -- They have been outcasts from God's favor.
OV76:1
They themselves say that God has shown them no favor.
R599:2
Write thee -- The prophets did not confine themselves to
oral teachings. R1145:3
The writings of the prophets collectively were termed "The
Law and The Prophets" and esteemed as of divine authority.
R1145:3
Jacob's trouble -- Here are a number of events: the return
of the Jews to Palestine; the reorganization of the Jewish
nation, though not independent; the gathering of great wealth
to Jerusalem; many peoples go up to "take a spoil"; the "battle
of the great day"; the partial success of the invaders; the
power of Messiah effecting deliverance; the recognition of the
long-awaited Messiah; then the recognition of him as the one
they rejected; God pouring on them the "spirit of grace and
supplication"; their mourning for sins and being accepted to
fellowship again with God. These events we expect in about
the order mentioned. R26:6
Spring has come, the fig tree is "putting forth"; yet we must
look for more storms, as in nature the Spring equinoxial storm
is one of the most severe. R384:2
The famine for the Word of the Lord shall reach Israel and
cause them to come to the great Governor for bread. This
will be the time of "Jacob's trouble." R3982:2
We have reached this period. (1882) R341:5*
We are in the "time of Jacob's trouble." (1895) R1898:5
Jacob's trouble is not yet (1898) ended. Greater persecution
will shortly overtake them--to drive them to Palestine.
R2290:1
The final conflict of the Battle of the Great Day will be in
Palestine, upon regathered Israel. D554, Dxvi; SM239:3;
OV276:5
In conjunction with a world-wide trouble--financial, religious,
political and social, eventuating in anarchy. OV67:1;
R2504:1
The time for the special manifestation of God's favor will be
in that dark hour when Israel will recognize their King.
SM425:4; R5442:6
The Gospel Church having first been completed. SM425:4
Saved out of it -- In the midst of the trouble God will
reveal himself as Israel's defender, as in ancient times. D555
All the prophets testify that the power of God will be so
marvelously manifested in Israel's deliverance that all the
world will know that the Lord's favor is again with Israel.
D557; OV75:4
In and through that trouble the Lord will pour upon Israel the
spirit of grace and supplication and they shall look upon him
whom they have pierced. (Zech. 12:10) SM426:T
The end of Jacob's trouble is the deliverance of Israel from
the blindness that has been upon her. R3469:1
The coming deliverance is mentioned particularly in Zech.
14:1-4. R3469:2
The Ancient Worthies, as judges and lawgivers, will be
restored to them. R4320:5
Natural Israel will obtain mercy through spiritual Israel.
R3982:2
Burst thy bonds -- Natural Israel, whose favor ceased
when ours began and whose favor is to return when ours has
accomplished its purpose. R2290:1
I will bring again -- "The Lord shall save the tents of
Judah first." (Zech. 12:7) A294
Of Jacob's tents -- Fleshly Israel. A294
And the city -- Jerusalem. C259
And the palace -- The Temple. C259
"I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as
at the beginning." (Isaiah 1:26) A294
The whirlwind -- The time of trouble. D528; R5863:6
Letting loose of the four winds, or air powers; resulting in the
overthrow of the social order in anarchy. R5470:1, R5845:6
Also likened to a great tidal wave (Psa. 46); letting loose the
"four winds of earth" (Rev. 7) and a "great fire." (2 Pet. 3)
R5863:6
See also comments on Jer. 23:19 and Jer. 25:32.
For Jacob -- Natural Israel. A300
The north country -- Russia, where nearly two-thirds of
all the Jews now living reside. C259
With weeping -- Bitterness against Israel will cause the
"remnants of Israel" to be expelled from various nations.
R1898:5
Will gather him -- Confirms the assurance of God's
returning favor to fleshly Israel. R1364:5
Shall be satisfied -- The perfect man will not understand
the spiritual glory; he will be absorbed with the glory that
surrounds him on the human plane. R613:2
Bitter weeping -- Sorrow for the dead is not a sign of
weakness; rather, a sign of love and sympathy. OV212:9
Rachel weeping -- Prophecy of the slaughter of the infants
in Bethlehem. R1681:6
They were not -- They were dead, unconscious. "The
dead know not anything." (Eccl. 9:5) Q766:3; R3436:4
Thus saith the LORD -- This is the word of the Lord,
which cannot be broken. OV212:8
Shall be rewarded -- The labor of parents endeavoring
properly to rear their children is not lost. OV212:7,
OV217:1
Shall come again -- Restored to life; not all at once, but
gradually in the resurrection. OV212:5, OV213:3, OV216:1
Land of the enemy -- The great enemy, death. CR430:2;
OV85:1, OV214:6; R2063:4; Q830:2
The place to which all alike go--from the sinner of three-score
and ten, to the little one of two years old and under. R822:5*
While Satan has the "power of death" (Heb. 2:14), it is a
subordinate power which he grasped as an usurper. R452:4*
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." (1 Cor.
15:26) OV214:6, OV212:6
Compass a man -- How marvellously Christ fills the
picture here. R350:1*
House of Israel -- The entire passage, verses 27 to 40, is
for the Jew, natural Israel. R4586:2
House of Judah -- The object in mentioning both is to
prevent any from getting the idea that only the ten tribes
would be blessed in the future. R1364:5
Seed of man, and...beast -- Israel to be replenished with
man and beast indicates New covenant entirely earthly.
R4530:4*
Shall come to pass -- In the Millennial, or Restitution, day.
A109
And to afflict -- Ever since Jesus rejected Israel they have
been under divine displeasure. The faithful performance of
the evil part of the promise is an assurance of the ultimate
blessings. R1364:6
Watch over them -- The Jewish people. A109
To build, and to plant -- They shall be firmly planted in
their everlasting possession. R1483:5
This is a deliverance that will need no repetition. R1483:5
The succeeding verses how that this does not refer to earlier
deliverances from Babylon, Syria, etc. R545:4
In those days -- In the Times of Restitution, the Millennial
age. A109; E332; R3304:5, R4812:2, R4971:4, R258:6
When fleshly Israel receives its portion. C298
In the days of favor following the "seven times" of
chastisement, or "Times of the Gentiles." (Luke 21:24) B92
Indicated by the return of divine favor to Israel. R1365:3;
C298
Say no more -- No longer shall any die for Adam's sin.
R2608:5, R1260:5, R3304:5, R4018:3*, R5240:4
The weakness of heredity will no longer weigh men down.
R892:4
The fathers -- Adam and his posterity. A109, A143;
R2050:6, R4371:3, R5063:6, R2611:5
Eaten a sour grape -- The sour grape of sin. R1365:3,
R2050:6, R2611:5, R4812:2, R282:6; A109; E332;
OV90:2
The children's -- All of Adam's children. R2587:4
Are set on edge -- In the case of Adam, one soul sinned
and twenty thousand million souls die as the result--because
they are his children. CR431:5
By the chain of sickness, misery and death which follows.
A109, A143; E309; R1365:3, R2049:4; OV392:3;
HG351:4
The nature of the fathers, being polluted by sin, is transmitted
to the children, who come under the death sentence for having
the same nature (disposition) as the fathers. R527:2*
So that sometimes we cannot do the things that we would do,
and frequently leave undone the things that we ought to do.
R2587:4
But every one -- Who dies in that age. A109; B92; E473
Since the race will no longer be "in Adam" this trial must be
an individual one. R2117:4
Shall die -- The Second Death. R1365:3, R2608:5,
R2677:6, R4909:1, R5309:5, R381:2, R904:6
None but wilful sinners shall die then, but such shall surely
die. R1073:2
The atonement for Adamic sin will not cover wilful sin
against light and knowledge. E474, E332
His own iniquity -- His own sin only. A109; R2759:4,
R2677:6, R2833:2, R4971:4, R5240:4, R5292:5
No longer shall die for Adam's sin. R1260:5, R2608:5,
R3304:5, R4018:3, R5240:4, R904:5
Since it is recorded that "Christ dieth no more," it follows that
not one of such condemned ones can be redeemed as Adam
was. R912:6
His teeth -- There will then be a test for life or death, as
there is now with the Church. Q288:6
The days come -- When The Christ is glorified and beyond
the veil, after the days of the Gospel age. R5000:1, R4321:6;
Fii
When the sufferings of the Body of Christ will be finished
and Messiah shall come as the great Priest and King.
R4513:1, R4452:3, R4497:5, R4505:1, R4612:6
When Israel's "seven times" of punishment are over. R5163:6
As soon as this blood of the atonement shall have been
applied for the sins of all the people. R5292:6
Saith the LORD -- God made a promise to the Jews and
that promise must be fulfilled. CR44:2
I will make -- In the future; replacing the Law covenant.
R4496:1, R4646:4, R4344:5
A covenant does not go into operation until after it has been
fully mediated. R5164:1
Covenant relationship with God means perfection. Mankind
will not reach perfection or enter into the covenant until the
end of the 1000 years. R5293:6
A new covenant -- Properly so called because it will take
the place of the Old Law covenant. R5163:6, R3916:5
The Everlasting covenant, to be made with Israel alone, will
bring blessings to Israel, and to all mankind through Israel.
R4321:2, R5163:6, R4806:2, R4902:6, R4706:1, R4821:1,
R4505:1, R4497:5, R3916:5, R4452:3, R4528:5, R4555:1,
R4592:5, R4612:6, R4624:4, R4768:5, R4940:1; CR44:2,
CR157:3; Q170:7, Q468:2, Q622:1
The one that God intended should come to replace the typical
covenant. R5071:2, R4474:3, R4309:5, R4555:1, R5164:2,
R5292:2; OV118:2
The mention of a New (Law) covenant implies a Mediator for
it. R4437:6*, R4496:1
The antitypical Moses, The Christ complete, as Messiah will
mediate between God and mankind. R5301:6, R4840:3,
R5071:3, R5164:1; CR157:3, CR98:6; SM200:3; R4452:3,
R4474:5, R4511:5, R4624:6, R4696:3, R4713:5, R4840:3,
R4902:6, R4912:4; SM730:3
Mediated by The Christ for 1000 years. R5301:6, R5292:3,
R5000:2, R4613:4, R4640:3, R4646:1, R4586:6; HG460:4
The words "New covenant" indicate the repetition of God's
favor to Israel under the better Mediator. R4624:6
This cannot set aside, or make null and void, the original
Abrahamic covenant of grace, any more than could the Law
covenant. R5301:6
Implying that Israel was right in not expecting much from the
Law covenant. R4496:1
The covenant is a conditional one. That is shown by the fact
that it has a Mediator. Q187:2
The New covenant has been promised for centuries but it has
not yet gone into effect. R5292:6
The Ancient Worthies will be under the New covenant, their
indiscretions or imperfections will come under the review of
the Mediator. Q12:T-13:3
The offer of life to the Church is under the covenant of
sacrifice; to the world, under the New covenant. A141
The Gospel Church was not at all under the first covenant;
only the Jewish nation was. R4624:4
The New Creation is not under the Law covenant typified by
Hagar, or the New covenant typified by Keturah, but under
the original covenant, the Everlasting, Oathbound, Abrahamic
covenant typified by Sarah. R4011:1, R4624:4
Superior to the old covenant in that it will have a better
Mediator. R4309:6, R4624:6, R4931:1, R4714:3,
R4940:1; CR157:3
Of which our Lord was the Messenger. R4495:6, R4715:3
Which will absolutely take away sin and bring man into
harmony with God. R5292:2, R5293:4
The house of Israel -- As the natural seed of Abraham.
R4821:1
The New covenant will be Israelitish. CR157:3
The New covenant will be made directly with the nation of
Israel. R4497:5
The New covenant is given to Israel and the world only
indirectly. The Father's dealings are not with Israel, but with
the Mediator of the covenant. R3109:2
God's covenant will be with the Mediator for Israel. R4555:1,
R4640:5
All the Jews will be transferred from Moses to Christ, the
better Mediator; and from the Old Law covenant to the New
Law covenant. R4840:3
In order to avail themselves of this covenant all other nations
and peoples will be obliged to become a part of Israel.
R4902:6; CR139:1, CR485:2, CR51:4; OV72:T, SM596:1
The expression "New covenant" is not used with others than
the Jews because it is not true that God will make a covenant
with the rest of mankind. R4659:2
The New covenant is not to be made with any others than
Jews for no others were in covenant relationship with God.
R4624:6
This work will proceed from Israel to all the families of the
earth. R4674:2
The New covenant will mean that all through the Millennial
age all the blessings will go forth first to the Jews. CR44:2
The nations are to be blessed also under this New covenant by
becoming "daughters" to Israel. (Ezek. 16:61) R4371:3
The mediatorial work will be accomplished through natural
Israel. R4624:4, R4821:1
All mankind, represented by Israel. R904:6
The Jewish nation needed to be redeemed in a special manner
before God could use it as his channel of blessing to the other
nations. R4624:4
The house of Judah -- The ten tribes of Israel and the two
tribes of Judah: both mentioned to prevent a
misunderstanding. R4586:2, R1342:1, R2125:6; C297
Not according to -- The old one was written merely on
tables of stone. The new one the Lord will cause gradually to
be written in the hearts of all. OV90:4, OV115:3
God intended to give them a better covenant than the Law,
which they had found to be a bondage and one unto death.
R4309:5
The Law given at Sinai was inferior when compared with the
perfect heart-and-mind written law bestowed upon Adam.
R1717:5
The covenant -- The Law covenant, made only with the
Jews, did not accomplish the blessing of Israel and of the
world. OV29:1; R4659:2; Q169:3
The inauguration of the Law covenant was typical of the
inauguration of the New covenant. R5000:2, R4592:5,
R4646:4; OV118:2
The terms of the New covenant will be the same as those
under the Law covenant instituted by Moses. OV81:2
The Law covenant is as binding upon the Jew as it ever was
and it will remain so until it is superseded by the New Law
covenant. R4912:4, R5164:1
In the day -- The day of the Passover, the first feature of
the Law. R1731:2, R971:6; OV94:T
The Passover is the first feature of the Law, and the Law
covenant is continually referred to as dating from that time.
R971:6
The covenant -- The New covenant, the Everlasting
covenant. R3597:3
House of Israel -- The whole twelve tribes. C293
After those days -- After the "seven times" of
chastisement. B92; R4497:4
After the days of this Gospel age. R4321:6
Signifies after the completion of the selection of the Church.
R4497:6, R4612:6
When the days are accomplished for the overthrow of the
kingdoms of this world and the setting up of the Kingdom of
God. R904:5
After a while, by and by. R789:1
I will put my law -- Love shall be the law. R1244:6
God had a law before the Ten Commandments. It was graven
on man's nature in Adam. That original standard is again
promised for the future. R1731:5, R5294:2, R5309:4
Gradually retrace and rewrite the divine law in the hearts of
men. F359; R5309:5, R1365:5, R2195:6, R2060:5
When the law has been fully written in their whole being the
covenant condition will be fully attained. R4570:5*
The perfect human nature will then be as it was at first, a
law-inscribed nature. R764:2
In their inward parts -- In their very thoughts as well as
in their outward life. CR299:5; OV130:4
In their very nature. R1717:5
In their hearts -- The center of affection, the character.
R789:5, R2060:3, R5309:4, R4613:1
Restoring a heart of flesh, of tenderness, sympathy,
righteousness and divine likeness. R4806:2, R636:6,
R1244:6, R4729:4, R3071:3
Implying that the ability will be given to keep the law.
R5071:3, R4821:1, R812:5*
More than Adam had. R111:1
Be my people -- The Ancient Worthies will come forth
perfect; to them will gather their own Israelitish kindred, and
all nations. R4575:4
Teach no more -- Because all will know the plan of God.
R1771:6, R3285:2, R4908:6, R5352:5; A75
Then mankind will no longer be invited to accept Christ, but
will be compelled to be obedient. CR51:3; SM440:T
The teaching of "churches" will be unnecessary. R2428:2*
It will no longer be necessary to preach. R5919:6, R1717:5
Shall all know me -- The eyes of their understanding shall
be opened. R3192:2, R2940:4, R4883:1, R5594:2,
R5919:6, R6013:5
The glorious opportunity for salvation shall come through the
knowledge of the Lord. R5078:4; SM558:2
Come to a knowledge of the truth. R5407:1, R3140:5
"The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord." (Isa.
11:9) R1363:6, R2690:1, R1717:5, R1972:4; OV215:5;
R858:5, R2610:3, R4883:1, R5594:2, R5919:6; SM792:1
The way will be so plain that "the wayfaring men, though
fools, shall not err therein." (Isa. 35:8) A215; R1363:6,
R1450:5
This statement is not true now, and cannot be true until the
Lord's Kingdom is established. A75
This is restitution work, the work of the entire Millennial age.
R4613:4; SM792:T
The conditions will be such that doubt would be more
difficult than belief is at present. R1771:6
As a kind and loving father, God provides for the education of
all who ever came into the world. R33:3*
Forgiveness of sins and the blessing of being awakened from
the dead would profit mankind little if future arrangements
did not permit a thorough recovery from present mental,
moral and physical weaknesses. HG390:6, R443:3
A personal acceptance of the conditions of the New covenant
will be required of each individual. R1771:6
Instead of misrepresentation of God's character and loving
plans, the reverse will be given to mankind. R5485:5
When they know, each will be responsible. R5084:1
All who have ever lived. R5407:1, R3140:5, R3285:2
From the least -- "The wayfaring men, and those
unacquainted therewith, shall not go astray." (Isa. 35:8--Leeser) A215
Forgive their iniquity -- The taking away of their sins is a
necessity before they can receive the New covenant because
God makes no covenant with sinners. R4497:5
Under the Law covenant this was not done and sins remained;
for atonement was made fresh for them year by year.
R5293:4
I will remember -- The Mediator will not hold against
anyone the transgressions of this present life. R5293:5
Their sin no more -- Israel's sins have not yet been taken
away, even as the world's sins have not yet been taken away.
R4892:3
Past sins and iniquities shall no more rise up in judgment
against them, demanding their just penalty, death. R1654:1;
HG231:6
Christ will have appeared on their behalf and made
satisfaction for their sins. R5164:2
Guarantees that none shall die the Second Death except the
wilfully, intelligently disobedient. R3770:6, R5164:2
The seed of Israel -- Uses one name for all the tribes.
C297; R1364:6
That the city -- The city of Jerusalem will be rebuilt and
will become the capital city of the world. Q790:2
Located in the territory of the two tribes, showing that the
foregoing prophecy is not only for the ten tribes. C292;
R1342:1
Shall be built -- It is now being built along these very
lines. C266; R1044:4*
Tower of Hananeel -- Discovered in 1886 in laying the
foundation for a hotel. R1390:2
Describing the portion outside the Jaffa Gate. R1382:4
Behold his eyes -- Seems to contradict Ezek. 12:10-13.
He lived and died in Babylon, but saw it not. He saw
Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, in Palestine. His sight was there
taken from him. R4866:2
Nothing too hard -- A prayer, trusting God's power.
R5380:4*
Signs and wonders -- The Great Pyramid. See Isa. 19:19.
C318
Unto Molech -- Modern Molech worship is the
misrepresentation of God by those who endorse the eternal
torment theory. R2360:1, R3464:6
I will -- Herzl's death may do good--teaching those
interested that they must trust in God and not in man.
R3412:4
Gather them out -- Regathering from among all the
nations. R1483:5
The Lord will no doubt use persecution to awaken them.
R1819:6
A deliverance already beginning which will need no
repetition, for they shall be established in their everlasting
possession. R1483:5
Dr. Herzl's continuance at the head of the Zionist movement
might have proved inimical to these divine arrangements
centered in Palestine. R3412:4
And I will -- In the Millennial age. A109
Everlasting covenant -- Both the Abrahamic (Gen. 17:7,
13, 19; 2 Sam. 23:5; Psa. 105:8-10) and the New covenant
(Jer. 32:40; Jer. 31:31,32; Ezek. 16:60) are styled "the
everlasting covenant" in contrast with the Law covenant,
which passed away. The one is perpetuated in the other.
R4321:2
With them -- With the Jews. A109
Devout Jews are still waiting for the fulfillment of these
promises. R5885:6
See also comments on Jer. 31:31.
Fields shall be bought -- Therefore it was suggested that
wealthy Hebrews purchase from Turkey all the government
lands with the proviso that Syria and Palestine be constituted
a free state. R1342:6
In this land -- This is now being fulfilled. C266
The Lord has commenced bringing the Jews back to their
land, and arranges for their reception and comfort on arrival.
R84:1
Buy fields for money -- Baron Rothschild, at the time of
the last loan of 200,000,000 francs made to Turkey, accepted
a mortgage on the whole of Palestine (1879). R84:1*
Captivity to return -- Just as the Lord opens the way for
their return to Palestine, he, as it were, forces them out of
other lands. R84:4
I will cure them -- The Jews, and the whole world of
mankind, in the Millennial age. A109
Unto David -- The prophets foretold that Messiah was to
be the Son of Jesse and David. R944:1
This is the name -- "I will write upon him my new name"
(Rev. 3:12). The name of the Bridegroom is given to his
Bride. R3970:5
Wherewith she -- The glorified Church. T102; R4831:2
The LORD our righteousness -- Jehovah Tsidkenu, our
Righteousness of Jehovah; a wife shares her husband's honors
and name; all femininity having been dropped. E42; T102;
HG275:3, R3970:5, R238:2*
"That we might be made the righteousness of God through
him." (2 Cor. 5:21) R4913:3
The antitypical Zion, the glorified Christ. R4913:3;
HG606:3
Sacrifice continually -- It is possible that in the beginning
of the Millennial age God may restore some of the features of
the Jewish Law, even sacrifices, to serve as object lessons.
R1732:6
My covenant -- A covenant is a ratified, unalterable
agreement. R4370:2
Without an inhabitant -- Which seems to be what God
meant by "making the land desolate that it might enjoy its
Sabbaths." (2 Chron. 36:21) HG47:2
This word came -- Its prophecies of dire disaster incurred
the enmity of the king. R4857:2
Jeremiah -- Restrained from liberty and forbidden to
address the people publicly in the Temple. Similarly those
who have "present truth" are forbidden to speak in the
nominal churches. R2400:5
Write therein -- As Jeremiah employed Baruch, the scribe,
to write the words of the prophecy, God's people today
present their message in written form. R2400:6
Against all the nations -- A solemn warning in our day,
for the prophecy is not only against Israel but against all the
nations." R1371:3
All the evil -- The two uses of the word "evil" in this text
illustrate the two kinds of evil (sin and calamity). Sin is
always an evil but evil is not always a sin. R1226:2
Baruch wrote -- Although he well knew that it meant the
loss of the king's favor; a lesson to God's people today.
R2400:5
Into the fire -- He evidenced his disregard for the Word.
R3614:3
Until all the roll -- The entire manuscript was read and
destroyed. R3614:2, R1371:3
Was consumed -- All endeavors to destroy God's Word
will fail. R2401:1
Papacy endeavored in vain to destroy the Bible. R3614:6
Some today, although they would not burn the Bible itself,
would be in full sympathy with the burning of truth literature.
R3615:3
Those in power today will be similarly disrespectful of the
message and may futilely attempt to destroy it. R2400:6,
R4858:4
The first edition of Tyndale's translation of the New
Testament was bought up and burned. R3614:6, R4857:6
Made intercession -- Merely advised the king in a
worldly-wise way, as some today advise a more liberal
course. R2401:1
The LORD hid them --Possibly at some time in the future
the servants of Present Truth may need to hide from injustice.
R2401:1
Again another roll -- Suggesting the manner in which the
Bible came into existence--piece by piece, under the Lord's
supervision. R3614:3
He shall have none -- Messiah was of Nathan's line, not
Solomon's. E132
If Christ were the son of Joseph this prophecy would be false.
R468:1*
I will punish him -- As the king brought upon himself
additional trouble as a punishment, all modern methods of
fighting against God are sure to bring punishment. R2401:1
Many like words -- Resulting in the book of Jeremiah as
we now have it. R3614:3
Zedekiah -- He was a vassal to Nebuchadnezzar, king of
the Chaldeans, whose seat of empire was to the north.
R4865:3
Smote him -- Shameful handling of the worthy servant of
the Lord. R1796:1
Put him in prison -- Persecution implies that the person or
thing persecuted possesses some qualities or powers that are
feared. R4865:2
Mental attitude has much to do with the amount of suffering.
Jeremiah, for instance, had a mind at peace with God.
R4866:1
Cabins -- Underground cisterns or vaults, frequently deep
with mud and slime. R4865:5
Jeremiah -- Because Jeremiah was faithful to the Lord's
message he was persecuted. This test is upon us today.
R3616:5
Zedekiah the king -- No heir of his has occupied the
throne of Israel from Zedekiah's day to the present time, over
2500 years. R3616:1
Into the dungeon -- Probably the water cistern. R3616:3
Typifying the faithful of the Gospel age who suffer
persecution. "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:12; Phil. 1:29) R1372:2
Sunk in the mire -- The lot of the Lord's prophets in early
Bible times was far from an enviable one. A54; HG536:5
The Ethiopian -- A Negro. R3042:6, R3616:3
He had a cleaner heart than did the majority of the chief men
of Israel, much nearer to the divine likeness. R3616:4
Took him up -- The king acted not from sympathy but
from a desire to inquire of the prophet. R4865:6
Zedekiah the king -- He despised Jeremiah, yet he feared
that his message was true. R4865:6
City was broken up -- After a year and a half of siege.
R4866:2
Not just a scrap of history, nor for a moral lesson, but given to
mark: (1) the beginning of the great Jubilee cycle; (2) the
close of God's typical kingdom; and (3) the beginning of the
Times of the Gentiles. R1372:6
Put out Zedekiah's eyes -- Thus was made possible the
fulfillment of the seemingly contradictory prophecy of Ezek.
12:13, that he would live and die in Babylon and yet never
see the city. R4866:2
The punishment was after the manner of the time as
illustrated on some of the victory tablets which still remain.
R4866:2
Bound him with chains -- Thank God that the prisons of
today are reformatories rather than dungeons. R4866:5
The remnant of the people -- Not beginning just 70 years
of captivity, but 70 years of desolation. R1372:5
Smote Gedaliah -- Assassinated the governor under whom
many of the Jewish fugitives were disposed to return from
captivity. R1372:5
All the residue -- Beginning the period of 70 years
desolation of the land. R1980:5, R1372:5
All the remnant -- See comments on Jer. 41:10.
The land of Egypt -- After the assassination of Gedaliah
the entire population speedily removed into Egypt for fear of
the wrath of the king of Babylon, thus beginning 70 years of
complete desolation. R1372:5, R1980:5
This day -- Marking the beginning of the 70 years of
desolation. HG47:2
Cakes to worship -- This cake was round, as an image or
effigy of the sun, and was worshipped as such. Here the
pedigree of the modern ritualistic Communion wafer is
suggested. R1991:1*
Against Egypt -- The world. C317
Draw near to battle -- The time of trouble. D527
Harness the horses -- Old doctrinal hobbies. C316
Ye horsemen -- Great leaders in false doctrines. C316
Rage, ye chariots -- Worldly organizations. C316
Made drunk -- With pride and prosperity; typical of an
intoxication with the error and false doctrines of
Christendom. R4287:3
And take balm -- None of the proposed human remedies
will cure the malady. D469
My servant Jacob -- Natural Israel. A300
Not...unpunished -- The Lord will no doubt use
persecution to awaken them. R1819:6
And his affliction -- Rendered "evil" in "I create evil."
(Isa. 45:7) A125
In the latter days -- In the Times of Restitution, olam
sleepers awake. R3725:5*
Gloriest thou -- The glory of the nominal church is in
numbers, wealth and worldly prosperity. R562:3
Shall be driven out -- Jews are not shown much favor in
Germany and Russia. R351:4*
And afterward -- In the Times of Restitution, olam
sleepers awake. R3725:5*
Concerning Edom -- Christendom. D15
That Bozrah -- Ecclesiasticism, the chief citadel of
Christendom. D17
To the battle -- The Day of Vengeance. D527
The earth -- The present organizations of society. C229;
D46; A323
In the latter days -- In the Times of Restitution, olam
sleepers awake. R3725:5*
Against Babylon -- Of two-fold application and
fulfillment: first upon literal Babylon, the type; more fully
upon symbolic Babylon, the antitype. R45:1, R177:4,
R2498:3
Mystic Babylon, Christendom. D26
As the literal city was captured by diversion of the literal
waters symbolic Babylon is to fall by the diversion of the
symbolic Euphrates, i.e., the alienation of the people and their
withholding of financial support. R2498:4, R4699:4
A company who live separate from, and endeavor to keep
themselves unspotted from the world, and bear the fruits of
the spirit, are no part of Babylon. R46:5
Literal Babylon never was Israel, but the Israelites were for a
time swallowed up in Babylon; likewise, mystic Babylon
never was spiritual Israel, though for a time spiritual Israel
was in captivity to mystic Babylon. R2498:6
Bel -- The God of Babylon, the Pope. D40
Out of the north -- Cyrus and his army, overthrowing
literal Babylon, was a figure of Messiah, King of kings and
Lord of lords, overthrowing mystic Babylon. R2498:4
Their shepherds -- Greedy, ignorant, lazy teachers. F287
Mountains -- Kingdoms. A318
Out of the midst -- "Come out of her, my people." (Rev.
18:4) D43
Her walls -- Built of ignorance and superstition, whose
great foundations were laid centuries ago. SM409:2
Do unto her -- "Reward her even as she rewarded you."
(Rev. 18:6) R1371:6
I will pardon -- Showing that the real fulfillment of this
prophecy was not on literal Babylon, but would be when God
shall take away the sins of Israel. R177:4
A sound of battle -- The Day of Vengeance. D527
To declare in Zion -- Nominal fleshly Zion, Christendom.
D23; C157
Of his temple -- The Christ. T70
Do unto her -- "Double unto her double, according to her
works." (Rev. 18:6) R1371:6
A sword -- The truth, the Word of God. B100
Shall be dried up -- "The sixth angel poured out his vial
upon the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof was
dried up that the way of the Kings of the East might be
prepared." (Rev. 16:12) R1371:6
As the drying up of the literal Euphrates by Cyrus was the
immediate cause of the fall of ancient Babylon, so the drying
up of the waters of the mystic Euphrates is the prelude to the
fall of "Babylon the Great." (Rev. 16:12, 19) HG89:3;
SM410:1
Implies a cessation of the revenues of Babylon. SM410:1
Roar like the sea -- Restless, turbulent, dissatisfied masses
of the world. A318
At the noise -- The time of trouble. D20
The earth -- Society. A318
And the cry -- Because of her more terrible punishment.
D28
Among the nations -- "The kings of the earth shall bewail
her and lament for her." (Rev. 18:9) R1371:6
Against Babylon -- Mystic Babylon, Christendom. D26;
HG64:1
And against them -- All in sympathy with Babylon. D39
The day of trouble -- Rendered "evil" in "I create evil."
(Isa. 45:7) A125
Flee -- No one is responsible to flee unless he sees that it is
Babylon, but the very suggestion that it is Babylon means that
one should make a thorough investigation to see if it is so.
Q65:T
Present Truth will guide us into closer fellowship with God
and separateness of mind, heart and service from Babylon.
SM127:2
For those who obey this command there is but one place of
refuge, "The secret place of the Most High" (Psa. 91:1)--the
place or condition of complete consecration. D43
Out of the midst -- "Come out of her, my people." (Rev.
18:4) D43; R436:5, R2538:1
The Lord's people are not to look back at the things that are to
be destroyed. R5456:4
With a full renunciation of the things of the present time.
R5456:5
And deliver -- This call must be heard and heeded before
the disaster comes; for it will come suddenly, as in an hour.
SM411:2
Whoever shall seek to save his life must lose it. Whoever
shall lose his life will thereby be preserving it. (Luke 9:24)
R5456:5
LORD'S vengeance -- A part of the work of the second
advent will be the overthrow of antitypical Babylon.
R5092:3; D39
A recompence -- In the time of trouble God will repay his
enemies according to their deeds. D39
A golden cup -- Representing the Bible, the Divine
Standard or authority. SM407:1
"Having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations."
(Rev. 17:4) C156
The cup suggests that the unfaithful church had once been the
receptacle of divine truth. R5092:1
Made all the earth drunken -- Not that every doctrine
presented by Papacy was false and intoxicating; but that a
stupefying potion was put into the wine already in the cup.
SM407:2
So strong is the power of this intoxication that its
inconsistencies are not discerned by those intoxicated.
SM408:1
Nations have drunken -- As heathen philosophies were
joined with Christianity a poisonous draught was mixed and
poured into the "golden cup" of truth, making all nations
drunk. R5910:6
"She made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her
fornication." (Rev. 14:8) C156
Wine -- False doctrine. R5092:1
The nations are mad -- Intoxicated with her errors. C156
As error spread, the spirit of ambition superseded the spirit of
humility. R5910:6
The pagan doctrine of the immortality of the soul, combined
with that of the torture of the wicked, resulted in the doctrine
of eternal torture. R5911:1
During the Dark Ages millions were tortured, exiled, and
murdered in multitudinous ways. R5911:2
Is suddenly fallen -- Both literal and symbolic Babylon.
R2498:3
"Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen." (Rev. 18:2) C156
She has been spewed out of his mouth, and the Almighty now
calls upon his true people to "come out of her." (Rev. 18:4)
R5478:2
And destroyed -- And broken. C156
Howl for her -- "And they cast dust on their heads and
cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, Alas, that great
city." (Rev. 18:19) C156
"The merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her."
(Rev. 18:11) R1371:6
Take balm -- Human remedies. D469
For her pain -- Her wound. C156
Babylon -- The chief empire of earth in Jeremiah's day; an
illustration of a prophecy which has had one literal
fulfillment, and is about to have its second or higher
fulfillment. R436:5
Is not healed -- Illustrated by preparations for war among
nations which confess allegiance to the Prince of Peace.
R4411:6*
The protests and warnings of the righteous are steadily
ignored by the world. D542
There is no balm in Gilead, and no physician there. (Jer.
8:22) D469
Forsake her -- "Come out of her, my people." (Rev. 18:4)
D543
Get out from under her influence; stand free from this
bondage to error and worldliness. R5696:6
His own country -- To the true Church, or to the world, as
the case may be, according as each is thus proved to be of the
wheat or the tares. C156
Her judgment -- Her punishment. C156
Reacheth unto heaven -- "Her sins have reached unto
heaven and God hath remembered her iniquities." (Rev. 18:5)
R1371:6
Declare in Zion -- There is a nominal spiritual Zion, and a
nominal fleshly Zion. D23; A297; T33
The kings -- Of Christ's Kingdom, the Royal Priesthood.
R2498:4
Of his temple -- The Christ. T70
The walls -- Civil power. D40
Upon many waters -- "The waters that thou sawest where
the whore sitteth are peoples and multitudes and nations and
tongues." (Rev. 17:15) R1371:6, R5846:2
The literal was built on the river Euphrates and derived
wealth and splendor from that source; the symbolic is seated
upon many waters--peoples, nations, from which it derives
its support. R45:1
Babylon -- Christendom, the nominal Christian church,
especially the Papacy. D26, D39
Of Chaldea -- Babylonia, Christendom, all the nations of
the so-called Christian world. D39
Mountain -- Kingdom. A318
Set ye up a standard -- The standard of the truth. D40
Blow the trumpet -- The seventh trumpet, the last trump,
the trump of God, the trump of knowledge and liberty. B148
Not metallic trumpets. The angelic movements under the
seventh trumpet are as noiseless as they have been under the
other six. HG26:1
The kings -- Of Christ's Kingdom, the Royal Priesthood.
R2498:4
Without an inhabitant -- See comments on Jer. 43:7.
Of her harvest -- "Thrust in thy sickle and reap, for the
time is come for thee to reap, for the harvest of the earth is
ripe." (Rev. 14:15) R1371:6
For dragons -- "An habitation of devils, and the hold of
every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful
bird." (Rev. 18:2) R1371:6
They -- Babylon's great ones, highly esteemed by her
subjects, called by various dignified and high sounding titles.
R1951:4
Perpetual sleep -- As clergy, with high-sounding titles and
offices, they shall never awake or exist again as such.
R1951:4
Olam, lasting, not endless. R3725:5*
How is Sheshach taken -- Representing Babylon. The
religious element will be the last to fall. (Jer. 25:26) HG94:1
The sea -- Restless, anarchistic masses of mankind. A318
Bel in Babylon -- The God of Babylon, the Pope. D40
Out of his mouth -- He shall repudiate in his extremity the
"great swelling words" and blasphemous titles which he has
for so long appropriated to himself. D40
The wall of Babylon -- The civil power that once defended
it and that in a measure does so still. D40
Built of ignorance and superstition, whose great foundations
were laid centuries ago. SM409:2
Go ye out -- "Come out of her, my people." (Rev. 18:4)
R1371:6, R2538:1
Rumour that shall be heard -- "Ye shall hear of wars and
rumors of wars." (Mark 13:7,8; Luke 21:8,9) R5969:2*
Another year -- A second year. R5969:2*
The heaven -- The powers of spiritual control. A318
And the earth -- Society. A318
So at Babylon -- Because of her greater responsibility,
against her will burn the fierceness of his wrath and
indignation. D28
Made drunk -- An intoxication of error, false doctrines
and theories. R4287:3
See also comments on Jer. 51:7.
Her high gates -- Representing mystic Babylon's worldly
wisdom, human ingenuity and dexterity of organization to
maintain control of the symbolic waters. SM409:2
Be burned with fire -- Be destroyed. D40
The same symbol of fire is used by St. Peter in referring to the
same trouble and destruction. SM424:3
Shall labour in vain -- To prop and save the walls of
Babylon. D40
Jeremiah wrote in a book -- The prophets did not confine
themselves to oral teachings. R1145:3
Midst of Euphrates -- Peoples, nations. B209
Shall Babylon sink -- Into the restless sea of ungovernable
peoples. D111
Showing that her destruction will be sudden, violent and
complete. D37
And shall not rise -- "And a mighty angel took up a stone
like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus
with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down
and shall be found no more at all." (Rev. 18:21) R1371:6,
R5478:2
The "sea" of anarchy will swallow up the false systems.
R5478:2
Reigned 11 years -- In round numbers; actually 10 years,
4 months, 9 days. B48; R67:6
Ninth day of the month -- Corresponding to about July 1,
1914 or 1915. Q75:8*
Judah -- Represented those Israelites who were faithful to
the Lord. R2401:3
As the Lord sifted Judah, so he has been sifting Protestants, to
gather out the "jewels." R2401:6
19th year of Nebuchadrezzar -- Then was the land made
desolate so that it could enjoy the "seventy years" of sabbaths.
HG58:2
Left certain of the poor -- So long as they remained, the
prophecy of 2 Chron. 36:21 was not fully met. HG47:3