Pagină:Tree-of-hope-1934.djvu/11

FreBruary 15, 1934 under the leadership of Christ Jesus and amidst great opposition, to bear the message concerning Jehovah, his King and kingdom to the people of the earth. Hap- py is the lot of Jchovah’s witnesses who are now priv- ileged to declare his works, sing his praises and have a part in the vindication of his holy name. QUESTIONS FOR STUDY { 1. What provision has Jehovah made for the vindication of his name? q 2. What was here prophetically pictured by the tree that was hewn down and destroyed? By leaving the stump in the ground? By the new tree? { 3-5. Show that Daniel 4:16 has been fulfilled. 3 6,7. ILow does verse 17 emphasize the supreme purpose of Jehovah? In view of the stutement set forth in this verse, account for Satan’s so long exercising overlordship of man. { 8,9, With corroborative scriptures, make clear the identity of the ‘‘lowest of men’’, here mentioned, and how the Most High gives to him ‘‘the kingdom of men’’, Also show how the Scriptures’ reveal the rule governing true exaltation of Jehovuh’s creatures, { 10,11. Why was it important that Daniel be able to inter- pret this dream? Account for Daniecl’s being astonished and troubled concerning the dream. What, in Daniel’s words to Nebuchadnezzar, was evidence of divine guid- ance? Apply Daniel’s words of verse 19. § 12. Apply the words of Daniel (verse 22) which he used to make known the identity of the ‘‘tree’’ and to inter- pret the description thereof, Just what was pictured by this tree? fhe WATCHTOWER. 59 § 13. The decree declared in verse 23 applies to whom? With scriptures, account for this tree’s being so long permitted to stand. § 14. Since Nebuchadnezzar recognized Daniel's God as ‘‘a God of gods, and a Lord of kings’’, why was he now to be dealt with as deseribed in verses 21,257 Point out the application of the prophetic interpretation and decree here recorded. { 15,16. What is clearly the application of the prophetic state- ment of verse 267 4 17-22. Explain whether Nebuchadnezzar could have profited by the counsel (verse 27) offered to him by Daniel. In- stead, what did he do, and with what result? Tow does this apply to those whom Nebuchadnezzar there represented --~or pictured? ¢ 23-26. What was pictured by the band of iron and copper about the stump? How and when does the prophecy of verse 34 have fulfilment? Referring to Daniel 4:1: Who is here speaking, and when, and how? © 27,28. When and how will Jehovah bring about recognition of his supremacy as expressed in verse 30? { 29,30. Describe fulfilment of verse 36, quoting other proph- ecics finding fulfilment in the same events. § 31,22. Identity the new ‘cedar tree’, What is said in Ezekiel’s prophecy concerning this ‘‘ goodly ecdar’’? How is the creation of the new tree uccomplished, and what does it mean for the obedient ones of the human race? { 33. When and how will the obedient of mankind be brought into the new tree? § 34, How has verse 37 already found a measure of fulfilment? 7 35. Point out the important lessons which, in this prophecy, Jehovah presents te those honestly desiring to know the truth. Ifow will those respond who are favored with knowl- edge of Jchovah and his purposes and with the privilege of having some part in the vindication of his name? JEHOVAR’S LAW COVENANT PROPHETIC OR a long time there has been a general tendency to think and speak of the writings of the Old Testament, or Hebrew Scriptures, as being not worthy of consideration by people living today. The clergy have impresscd upon many the thought that the Old Testament writings belong entirely to the Jews. Now, however, in the light of Jchovah’s ancient prophecies that are being fulfilled before our eyes, the records of God’s dealings with his chosen people of old become very significant. Did not the covenant made by God with the Jews promise them life if they would keep it? It did. ‘‘Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments; which if a man do, he shall live in them.’’ (Lev. 18: 5) “‘For Moses deseribeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.’’—~Rom. 10: 5. Had the Jews kept the law of God perfectly, would they have been granted everlasting life? Certainly; beeause God had so promised, and he always keeps his promises. (Isa. 46:11) If there was any doubt in any mind, the words of Jesus make the matter elear. ‘‘And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to in- herit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.’’—Luke 10; 25-28, When Jesus came, did he keep the law perfectly? He did; and that proves that the law could be kept by a perfect man and that no one else could keep it. As Paul states, he who would keep the law would be righteous, and every righteous ereature is entitled to lite. Therefore, had the Jews kept the law it would have proved their rightcousness, which would entitle ihem to life. The reason the Jews could not keep the law was because of imperfection, the result of sin. Sin entered the world by reason of Adam’s disobedi- ence; and all, including the Jews, were born sinners, (Rom. 5:12) No sinner has the right to life, (Rom. 6: 23) The law therefore proved to the Jews and to all men that if the human family is ever to reecive the blessing of life, as promised by the Abrahamic covenant, something must be done to remove the sin or make atonement for sin. The basis for reconcilia- vion must first be laid by the perfect sacrifice, God, forcknowing the scheme of the Devil to bring forth amongst men a crop of evolutionists who would declare that men do not need a Redeemer, demonstrat- ed the falsity and foolishness of that position by the operation of the law covenant. No man can ever be heard to truthfully say: ‘If I had an opportunit:;