Shower of Truth

“How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1335 days” (Daniel 12: 12 NASB).

— Len Griehs

“A knowledge of these things, and the evidences that they are nigh, even at the door, should have a powerful influence upon all, but especially upon the consecrated children of God, who are seeking the prize of the divine nature. … But to obtain this knowledge and this strength, which God thus proposes to supply to each runner for the heavenly prize, will surely test the sincerity of your consecration vows. You have consecrated all your time, all your talents, to the Lord; now the question is, How much are you giving? Are you still willing, according to your covenant of consecration, to give up all?’’ (The Divine Plan of the Ages, page 346).

Martin Luther and other reformers such as Jon Hus, John Calvin, John Wycliffe, and Fredric Zwingli had recovered some gospel truths corrupted during the reign of Papacy. Those bursts of truth led to a broader doctrinal cleansing during the 17th to 19th centuries.

When the United States was founded, the atmosphere of religious freedom emerged. As a previous article detailed, William Penn oversaw the founding of the American Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a refuge for religious minorities.

Among the 42 books and pamphlets he authored, Sandy Foundations Shaken and No Cross, No Crown, reexamined beliefs about the nature of God and the purpose of consecration.

By the mid-19th century, seven key doctrines had been recovered although not fully refined:

(1) The Bible as the sole authority for spiritual truth. (2) Salvation by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. (3) The priesthood of all believers. (4) Immortality as a gift from God for the faithful. (5) Soul sleep until the resurrection. (6) Consecration and adult baptism. (7) The second personal coming of Christ to complete the church and set up a kingdom on earth.

However, no one reformer had assembled a thorough, cohesive, and systematic examination of these Biblical doctrines. In 1879, Charles Russell’s vision developed into the Bible Student movement, which he led for 37 years. Pastor Russell left a legacy of spiritual values and commitment in every corner of the early 20th century world. His written works were translated into almost 7000 languages. He is estimated to have delivered over 30,000 sermons and written over 50,000 pages. The foreign missions he established were accorded the same status as those in the United States. During his ministry, the International Bible Students Association emerged as a significant force for change in the Christian world.

Pastor Russell’s ministry focused heavily on the fulfillment of biblical time prophecy and the dawning of an age in which God’s long-promised kingdom would be established. His ministry reached those willing to consecrate their lives, follow in Jesus’ footsteps, and use the Bible as their sole source of authority. The six volumes he authored, “Studies in the Scriptures,” were subtitled “A Helping Hand for Bible Students.”

Background for the Harvest Message

In the 1879 introduction to Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence, Pastor Russell noted that the time had come for a refreshment of truth lost during the dark period of 1260 years. He gave credit to nine individuals whose writings on the Bible inspired his desire to “assemble” and “compile” this truth publicly. He wrote: “I have been a Bible student since I first had my attention called to the second coming of our Lord by Jonas Wendell, a Second Advent preacher, about 1869, who was then preaching the burning of the world as being due in 1873.”

Wendell emerged following what was known as the “Great Disappointment.” Around 1831, William Miller, based on his study of the Book of Daniel, concluded that Jesus would return “about the year 1843.” This was based on the Papal rule, lasting from 538 /539 to 1798/1799, the 1260 days of Daniel 12. It was assumed the 1290 days ended at the same time, which suggested the 1335 days would end in 1843. Of course, as chronology showed, if instead the 1260 and 1290 years began at the same time, the 1335 years would end at 1874. Miller’s followers became known as “comerouters” because of their exodus from orthodox beliefs. Opponents attacked Miller as heretical, schismatic, immoral, obstructionist, un-American, and even insane. While there were many other prominent evangelists, only Miller insisted on Christ’s imminent personal return. In 1839, he was joined by Joshua Himes.

Following the Great Disappointment, Jonas Wendell began studying Bible chronology, preaching it throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, the Virginias, and New England. By the late 1860s, his studies had led him to conclude that Christ’s return would occur in either 1868 or 1873-1874. When 1868-1869 passed quietly, he published The Present Truth, or Meat in Due Season, concluding that the Second Advent would occur in 1873.

Pastor Russell continued in the 1879 supplement, “Bros. George Storrs, Henry Dunn, and others were preaching and writing of the ‘times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy Prophets’ (Acts 3:21) and that ‘in the ages to come, God would show the exceeding riches of his grace.’” Others saw and taught the two stages of the second advent, viz. coming unobservedly for His bride and his appearing, when “we also shall appear with Him in glory.” Lest some should suppose these statements unwarranted by facts, let me here give extracts from writings on the subject by Rev. Jos. Seiss. The Last Times, a work published by him in 1856” — which Pastor Russell went on to do.

George Storrs

George Storrs was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire, on December 13, 1796, the son of Colonel Constant Storrs, a wheelwright in the Revolutionary Army, and his wife, Lucinda Howe. He became a Congregationalist at age 19 but joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and began preaching at the age of 28. In 1837, while riding a train, he came across a copy of a pamphlet by Henry Grew, which discussed the doctrines of conditional immortality and hell. For three years, Storrs studied the issues independently. Frustrated by the lack of interest by other church ministers, he finally resigned from the church in 1840, feeling he could not remain faithful to God if he remained in it.

Storrs became affiliated with William Miller and Joshua V. Himes. He began publishing the Bible Examiner in 1843 and continued it until 1879, although not on a regular basis. Much of his literature was devoted to the condition and prospects of the dead. In 1847, Storrs published Six Sermons, which included “An Inquiry: Are the Wicked Immortal?” “Have the Dead Knowledge?” (“Biography of George Storrs,” The Granite Monthly, a New Hampshire Magazine, July 1883).

Henry Dunn

Four articles by Henry Dunn appear in Zion’s Watchtower (Reprints pages 644, 649, 653, and 796). All come from his book The Study of the Bible, published in 1871. Other publications by Dunn, some of which have been reprinted, include The Destiny of the Human Race, Facts, Not Fairy Tales: Brief Notes on Matthew Arnold’s Literature and Dogma, An Essay Towards a Better Apprehension of The Bible, and The Study of the Bible.

Joseph Seiss

First published in 1856, The Last Times and the Great Consummation contained Biblical studies of: “The Subject Propounded — Matthew 24 Applied — Christ’s Return Proven — Importance of the Subject,” “Christ’s Coming in Relation to Other Events — The Millennium — Wrong Views Corrected — The Advent Pre-millennial,” “The Restitution of all Things,” “End of the World,” “Peter’s Conflagration,” “Repeal of the Curse.” Besides a strong believer in dispensations, Seiss (1823-1904) was known for his contributions to pyramidology. His best-known work is The Great Pyramid of Egypt: A Miracle in Stone — Secrets and Advanced Knowledge (1877), considered a primary text of pyramidology.

Christopher Bowen

… was credited in the 1879 Supplement also. “The chronology, showing scripturally that the 6000 years from Adam ended in 1873, was, I believe, first dug from the Bible, arranged and printed by Rev. Bowen of England, and is there known as ‘Bowen’s chronology.’” In 1849 Bowen had published a pamphlet, “Things to Come Practically Enquired Into.” He contributed a chronological table to Edward Elliott’s Horae Apocalypticae (HA Volume 4, page 709, published 1862). Elliott apparently made some revisions to it, as described in Pastor Russell’s reference, and from what first appeared in Volume 2 of “Studies in the Scriptures,” The Time is At Hand.

The Permission of Evil a Key to Understanding

“That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). “That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away” (Ecclesiastes 3:15) (RVIC).

Sin has been part of God’s plan. For the past 2000 years, God has been preparing man for a life that was taken away by the fall of Adam. The permission of evil stands as a unique doctrine among Bible Students. It is unparalleled in its explanation of why bad things happen. Modern preachers have tried to explain human suffering, but lack the understanding: “Probably one of the greatest challenges faced by Christianity and Christians is the reality of evil and suffering. At times even great thinkers are baffled by the seeming contradiction between the existence of a loving God and the fact of evil” (Focus on the Family, 1977). Billy Graham, speaking consolation following the 9/11/2001 World Trade Center attack, spoke of “the mystery and reality of evil.” “I have been asked hundreds of times why God allows tragedy and suffering. I have to confess that I do not know the answer. I have to accept, by faith, that God is sovereign and that He is a God of love and mercy and compassion in the midst of suffering.”

Pastor Russell however, in his very first public communication, The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence, an 1879 Prospectus, wrote “Why evil was permitted.”

“We take the fact which sickness, death, vice, and company, make so plainly and painfully evident, viz., evil exists. Its existence is attributed in Scripture to the devil. Evil continues because Satan’s power is continued. It will last throughout the present age, because ‘the devil is the prince [ruler] of this world’ [age]. He will continue its ruler as long as he can, or until he is bound. He cannot be bound until a stronger than he takes the control out of his hands. God, of course, can control him; and of Jesus it is written, ‘All power in heaven and in earth is given unto me.’ But while Christ has all power, for wise purposes He has not made use of it, permitting evil to reign and measurably control the world, and permitting the devil to be ‘prince of this world,’ or epoch. But the time is coming when ‘He shall take to Himself His great power, and reign,’ exalting His Church, giving her ‘power over the nations,’ so that instead of, as now, being ‘subject to the powers that be,’ she shall ‘rule the nations.’ But when will He thus assume control? When the Gospel Church, ‘His body,’ Ecclesia, is complete. Evil now being permitted for ‘the trial of your faith,’ the perfecting of the saints. This time is synchronous with the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Revelation 11:15. Here the mystery [church] of God is finished, and ‘the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His anointed’ [church].”

The Divine Plan of the Ages, Volume 1 of “Studies in the Scriptures,” brought to light many other truths that had been hidden and were now being revealed during the Harvest of the Gospel Age: “Earth’s Night of Sin to Terminate in a Morning of Joy,” “The Permission of Evil and Its Relation to God’s Plan,” “Ransom and Restitution.” Between 1879 and 1916, five additional volumes appeared: The Time is at Hand, Thy Kingdom Come, The Battle of Armageddon, The Atonement Between
God and Man, and The New Creation.

Over 8,000,000 volumes of Studies in the Scriptures were circulated worldwide. Pastor Russell’s public sermons were published weekly in over 1000 newspapers.

Completing this issue regarding people and events that paved the way for the prolific publication of Harvest Truth, we leave this thought from “Grace for the Humble,” an article published in 1905. “We call every reader of our publications to witness that the author has never boasted of his wisdom or originality, either publicly or privately. We have boasted in the truth, and shall continue to boast of it — that no human philosophies can hold a candle to its brilliant electric ray; but we have never boasted of being its originator” (Reprint 3595).

In “Words of Caution” 1913: “In the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES we have classified the various presentations of Jesus, the Apostles and Prophets into different studies or topics; and this is what we meant when we declared in an old WATCH TOWER that, on this account, whoever reads the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES is really reading the Bible in an arranged form — topically. In no case have we ever presented anything as of ourself. In every instance we have fastened our presentations to the Scriptures on which they depend and rest.”

From seeds of growth begun in the 1500s, Biblical truth is now available on every continent. Let us proclaim the truth, bring hope to others, and assemble to encourage others called to dedicate their life to preaching the true Gospel. Let us continue to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13- 18), searching and ministering to Christ’s true followers (Mark 8:34). Console a world torn by evil that glorious kingdom approaches and the resurrection of all that have ever lived will dominate the news. When the Church is complete, God will intervene on a grand scale (Revelation 7:3).

We close this issue with the final words in chapter one, Volume One, “Earth’s Night of Sin to Terminate in a Morning of Joy.” “During the Christian Age, some of the saints sought to understand the Church’s future by examining this symbolic book (the Bible), and doubtless all who read and understood even a part of its teachings were blessed as promised (Revelation 1:3). The book kept opening up to such, and in the days of the Reformation was an important aid to Luther in deciding that the Papacy, of which he was a conscientious minister, was indeed the “Antichrist” mentioned by the Apostle, the history of which we now see fills so large a part of that prophecy. Thus gradually God opens up his truth and reveals the exceeding riches of his grace; and consequently much more light is due now than at any previous time in the Church’s history.”