The Length of the Harvest, Part 3

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The Pastor goes on further to show the peculiar significance and correspondence to the dates 33 A. D. and 1878 A. D. as bearing on their parallel events. We quote:

"Let us remember, however, that the three and a half years of Jesus' ministry [29 A. D. to 33 A. D.] were more a time of preparation of the Apostles to be the instruments for the harvesting and a sharpening preparation of the Sickle of Truth for the later work which began at Pentecost. There was nogarnerinto which to gather the wheat prior to Pentecost [33 A.D.]." (R5950 col. 2 par. 10)

He next gives a diagram to demonstrate the Jewish Nominal Church and Christian-Nominal Church parallels, as follows:

"Jewish-Nominal Church ............... Christian-Nominal Church
A. D. 29-33 .................................... A. D. 1874-1878

'Neither house knew of the time of their visitation(i.e., the presence of the Lord)

A. D. 33-36 .................................... A. D. 1878-1881

The Most Holy Anointed, Divine favor prolonged for three and a half years [to individuals of the nominal Jewish and nominal Christian house] to complete the 70 weeks of 'favor promised to Israel, their rejection being deferred [until 70 weeks had ended, 36 A. D.].

A. D. 36-73 .................................... A. D. 1881-1918

Because of the overspreading of abominations, He shall make it desolate, even until the consummation or utter destruction-until all that God has predetermined shall be accomplished.” (Dan 9:24-27)

To get Pastor Russell’s conclusions on these parallels, which conclusions we now quote, our readers will need to consider very carefully his words, for they are his last words on these matters and were recorded only about one month before his death:

"NO PARALLELS AS BETWEEN THE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH AND THE TRUE CHURCH NOW ARE TO BE LOOKED FOR."

He states, however, that because the resurrection of our Lord took place just before the Pentecostal Church began its history in 33 A. D., it is reasonable to believe that His resurrection, at that time would parallel the resurrection of the sleeping saints in 1878 A. D.

Thus he said "the resurrection of Jesus before the Church harvesting began, may well be considered to have its parallel here in the resurrection of the sleeping members of the Church--1878 A. D."

Those who are familiar with Pastor Russell’s previous teachings concerning the matters (i.e. the harvest its time, length, and duration) of which we now call attention will need to weigh carefully his words which we now quote in order to understand what he himself states as his change of views; and also to consider carefully the significance of this change of view concerning the Church's work at the present time; and still further the fact that there is no way to determine the length and ending of the Harvest -neither any way to determine the time of the destruction of the nominal Church systems.

In view of the fact that many since his death are in their teaching, saying that the Harvest is ended, or setting particular dates for these great events to occur, his words concerning these matters are in positive conflict with their teachings. Note the following:

"We should not have looked for parallelisms between the starting of the Gospel Church [at Pentecost] and its experiences [there], and the starting in this harvest time of the Heavenly Church [since 1878] and its experiences. These are NO part of the parallel.

The parallel belongs to the nominal Jewish system, which went to destruction [in 70 or 73 A. D.] and the nominal Gospel Church, which is now [in 1916, when he wrote this] going [NOT GONE] to destruction." (R5950 col. 2 par.13)

Continued with next post.

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