Hidden Wisdom

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Short Summary
The discourse emphasizes the concept of hidden wisdom revealed through Scripture to devoted truth seekers, highlighting that while God’s existence and power are evident in creation, deeper understanding of His grand plan requires spiritual dedication and insight. It traces biblical examples—from ancient worthies to King Solomon and the apostles—illustrating how divine wisdom and providence provide hope, encouragement, and zeal, especially in times of trial, and stresses the importance of mutual support among believers. Ultimately, it affirms that the unfolding of God’s plan is purposeful and discernible, offering joy and assurance to those who earnestly seek and apply this revealed wisdom.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on Hidden Wisdom and God’s Plan

Theme and Scriptural Foundation:
– The discourse centers on the concept of hidden wisdom, a divine knowledge revealed only to consecrated truth seekers.
– Opening scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:7 — “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.”
– Emphasis on the difference between human wisdom and divine wisdom revealed by God’s Spirit.

God’s Revelation to Humanity:
Ecclesiastes 3:11 highlights that God has “planted eternity in the human heart,” showing limited divine revelation to mankind.
– However, people cannot fully comprehend God’s entire plan from beginning to end due to the world’s spiritual darkness.
Romans 1:19-20 (Weymouth’s translation) states that God’s invisible attributes—eternal power and divine nature—are clearly visible through creation.
– Yet, this knowledge of God as Creator is only the first step.

Hidden Wisdom and Spiritual Insight:
– Beyond creation’s evidence, hidden wisdom reveals God’s grand plan, accessible only to those who love Him and seek deeply.
1 Corinthians 2:5, 7-10: Paul warns against relying on human wisdom; true wisdom comes from God’s Spirit and is revealed to those who love Him.
– The “deep things of God” are searched and revealed by the Spirit to faithful believers.

Examples from the Old Testament:
– Ancient worthies like King David and Job had glimpses of God’s plan and resurrection hope.
Psalm 17:15: David expresses confidence in beholding God’s righteousness.
Job 19:25-26: Job’s declaration of his Redeemer living and seeing God in flesh.
– Prophecies about resurrection and redemption are found in:
Hosea 13:14 (“I will ransom them from the power of Sheol”)
Isaiah 26:19 (“Your dead will live; awake and shout for joy”)
– These Old Testament hopes were fulfilled and confirmed by Jesus’ resurrection, witnessed by the apostles.

Types and Antitypes:
– The Israelites’ experiences in Exodus—miracles like the parting of the Red Sea, the guiding cloud, and manna—served as tangible evidence sustaining their hope.
– Similarly, modern believers receive “antitypical” provisions—spiritual assurances and guidance through the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13-14: Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit “the earnest of our inheritance,” likened to the Israelites’ cloud.

Faith, Trust, and Divine Providence:
– Believers are encouraged to recognize and appreciate divine providences in their lives, which the world cannot discern (quote from Brother Russell).
– Example from Mark 10: The rich young ruler was challenged to trust God fully to gain “treasure in heaven” and “hundredfold” blessings.
– The importance of active faith and earnestness in applying God’s teachings is stressed.

Solomon’s Wisdom as a Type of God’s Kingdom:
– Solomon’s reign symbolizes God’s righteous kingdom, characterized by wise judgment and understanding heart.
Matthew 12:42: Jesus references the Queen of Sheba who came seeking Solomon’s wisdom and declares, “A greater than Solomon is here.”
Colossians 2:2-3: Christ embodies all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
– Solomon’s wisdom was a partial glimpse; the full revelation surpasses it.

The Danger of Rejecting God’s Wisdom:
– Israel’s history shows repeated refusal to obey God’s counsel:
1 Samuel 8:19: People demanded a king despite Samuel’s warnings.
Ezekiel 33:31: People hear God’s words but do not act on them.
– Pharisees in Jesus’ time exemplified this attitude, demanding signs rather than seeking deeper wisdom.
– Jesus rebuked them, calling them “a generation of vipers” (Matthew 12:34) and warning that words justify or condemn (Matthew 12:37).

Blessings for the Hungry and Thirsty for Righteousness:
Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
– True seekers of righteousness receive joy, zeal, and confidence from understanding God’s deep wisdom.
– This joy sustains believers amidst trials, as exemplified by Paul and Silas rejoicing in prison (Acts 16:23-25).

Attitude and Endurance:
– Trust in divine providence is essential, especially during hardship.
Matthew 6:8 reminds believers that God knows their needs before they ask.
– Changing attitude towards trials is encouraged (quote from Brother Edgar Buckley).
– Paul endured the cross “for the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2).

Thankfulness and Fellowship:
– Thankfulness to God is a vital expression of faith:
1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks.”
Psalm 116:12-14,17: “What shall I render unto the Lord… I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving.”
– Fellowship among believers is a source of comfort and encouragement.
– Apostle Paul expresses gratitude for brethren’s support (Romans 1:8, Philippians 1:3-7, Romans 1:12).
Hebrews 10:24 calls for mutual encouragement to love and good works.

Brotherly Love and Spiritual Unity:
– Jesus redefined family as those who do God’s will (Matthew 12:48-50).
– Example of Jonathan’s loyal love for David despite Saul’s hostility:
1 Samuel 20 shows friendship grounded in righteousness and spirit.
– Proverbs 18:24: “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
– This spiritual oneness is rooted in love for truth and understanding of hidden wisdom.

The Present Time and the Revelation of God’s Plan:
– Pastor Russell’s teaching: We live at the “time of the end” when hidden things are revealed.
– God’s plan is executed in fixed seasons and times, not randomly.
Habakkuk 2:2: “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables.”
– The Bible’s chain of testimony on God’s appointed times shows a perfect harmony beyond human origin.
– Even before final victory, faithful ones gain a clear view of the coming kingdom and millennial glory.
– This vision is “the joy of the Lord in which we are permitted to participate.”

Closing Encouragement:
– The speaker exhorts brethren to appreciate these blessings, deepen zeal, and continue in faith.
– May the Lord add His blessing to their efforts in understanding and living by the hidden wisdom of God.

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Key Bible Verses Referenced:

– 1 Corinthians 2:5, 7-10
– Ecclesiastes 3:11
– Romans 1:19-20 (Weymouth)
– Psalm 17:15
– Job 19:25-26
– Hosea 13:14
– Isaiah 26:19
– Ephesians 1:13-14
– Psalm 48:14
– Mark 10 (rich young ruler)
– Matthew 12:42
– Colossians 2:2-3
– 1 Kings 3:5,11-12; 4:21,25; 10:5
– Proverbs 29:2; 18:24
– 1 Samuel 8:19; 20
– Ezekiel 33:31
– Matthew 12:24, 34, 37, 38-41; 5:6; 12:48-50
– Acts 16:23-25
– Matthew 6:8
– Hebrews 12:2; 10:24
– 1 Thessalonians 5:18
– Psalm 116:12-14,17
– Romans 1:8,12
– Philippians 1:3-7
– Habakkuk 2:2

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This detailed summary captures the discourse’s main points about the nature of hidden wisdom, biblical examples of faith and revelation, the importance of seeking divine understanding, the role of providence and fellowship, the present prophetic time, and the encouragement to live with zeal and thankfulness in God’s revealed plan.

Transcript

Okay, that looks about right.

Again, we’ve got that subject, hidden wisdom, and it comes from that First Corinthians 2:7, Scripture, we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom. This is what the consecrated truth seekers search for.

Just a second here. Now going to Ecclesiastes 3:11 shows that Jehovah does reveal himself to the world, but only to a very limited extent, and it says there very nicely that he has planted eternity in the human heart. This is of the world, too. But even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from the beginning to the end.

And we know this because the world is so much darkness, even though I have a glimpse that there is a God. Now, to support this, we also have Romans 1:19 and 20, which says, I’m going to read from the Weymouth on this. From the very creation of the world, his invisible perfections, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been rendered intelligently intelligible and clearly visible by his works. Well, this is great. This is what the people in the world, people that are Christians, hang on to, that they think that they can see God, and that’s pretty much all there is.

Well, this is just the first step, coming to know God, that the Creator must exist. That’s the first step. But beyond what is inspired by his works of creation, there’s also a hidden wisdom which only the truth seekers can see, a wisdom that reveals God’s grand plan buried deep in God’s word. As Bible students, we would like to declare unto all the complete testimony of God. Let’s look at 1 Corinthians 2:5.

Here Paul warns that the fallen human thinks he has wisdom, but it cannot compare with the wisdom from above, and we should not stand in the wisdom of men, but we should stand in the power of God. Continuing in First Corinthians 2:7 10, the apostle explains how the wisdom of God will only be revealed to those that love him and are willing to dig deeply to have it revealed to them. We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which our God ordained before the world unto our glory, which none of the princes of this world knew. But as it is written, I have not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

But God has revealed them unto us unto you by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God, and that’s from 1st Corinthians 2:7 10. We know then that the ancient worthies did understand a little bit, and quite a little compared to those in the world. But it was only because they were given just small glimpses of the hidden wisdom that we now know and understand.

Let me give you an example. Even without understanding the great mystery that God has revealed to us today, King David expressed confidence that God had a plan and he was going to see the wonders of it. In Psalm 17:15, he even states, as for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness. I will be satisfied with your likeness when I awake. Yes, the ancient worthies had confidence in and longed for the time when they would enjoy the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

David also had a glimpse of the future in the statements in Job that he knew about in Job 19:25, 26, where Job said, for I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and though my skin, though my skin, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God also. Hosea was given the prophecy that God would provide a way of reconciliation. Let’s call it the mechanism, the mechanism that God would employ to offset that penalty imposed by the Adamic race and the fall of Adam. Hosea 13:14 remarkably says, I will ransom them from the power of Sheol the grave.

I will redeem them from death. O death, where are thy plagues? O Sheol, where is thy destruction? And then Isaiah 26:19 echoes that same hope of a resurrection. Your dead will live their corpses, those who died will rise.

You who lie in the dust awake and shout for joy. How much more perfect a definition of the resurrection can you get than that? Of course, as Christians, we have the added benefit of actually having verified the fulfillment of these prophecies in the reality of Jesus resurrection, the reality that the apostles saw, and as the disciples of Jesus, the resurrection changed, or should have changed any uncertainty into a real substantiated faith. Well, let’s go back in time to Exodus at the time of leaving Egypt.

And the Israelites really back then did not have a verifiable proof for the promised resurrection, but they did have evidence to help them maintain hope in God’s promises and protection. This hope was sustained by a lot of miracles. The parting of the Red Sea, the cloud that went with them before them in the wilderness, and the manna from heaven which was given to them as a foretaste of the promised land. While very tangible evidence to maintain hope in God’s promise is also given to the antitypical Israelites, this is a depth of knowledge and understanding of the hidden wisdom to feed us. Just like that manna and a cloud of providences that to assure he is with us, there is where we get a pledge, a foretaste of our inheritance, a comprehension is the foretaste of the depth of his plan and our part in it.

And so this also, this is also where the Lord, I’m going to say, would be very, very pleased if he would see that we show our appreciation by applying, by applying what we have been taught in our lives with renewed enthusiasm and zeal. So we look to Ephesians 1:13,14. It says, in whom ye have trusted, after that ye have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom ye have after also, after that ye have believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession into the praise of his glory. So this seal of the Holy Spirit is our cloud, like that which went before the Israelites. Well, in addition, just as the cloud was a foretaste of the promised land, and the precious manna was their assurance that Jehovah was with them, the Lord has also given us the antitypical Egypt special providences in our lives.

For this is God, for this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide. From Psalms 48:14. Well, the comment from the Songs in the night in May 4 says, it is for us to look for the Lord’s providences in all our affairs at this time, and to find them guiding us, sheltering us from the heat of persecution and tribulation and trial, and again at other times, enlightening us, refreshing us in the dark seasons, and this leading of divine providence is intended to be ours so long as we are of the true Israel of God, until we pass over Jordan into the heavenly Canaan and need such special providences no further.

Blessed are those whose faith is awake and on the alert, and who discern the Lord’s favors, which those the world certainly is not going to discern, and which those in the right attitude of mind only, only they can appreciate, and that’s a quote from Brother Russell.

A similar example of trusting the Lord leadings and providence is found in Mark 10, where the rich young ruler had a choice to make, and Jesus explained to him how he had too much trust in himself and in his riches. But he gave him assurance that if he divested his riches, and he trusted in following Jesus, just as the Israelites trusted in following that cloud, then there would be waiting for him what we have termed the treasure in heaven. But even more so and especially encouraging, was that if he stayed on the proper path, entrusting the leading of the Lord, he would receive and hundredfold now in this time, abundant manna from heaven. So maybe an introspective question we might ask ourselves.

Do we recognize the Lord’s providences in our lives? Do we ever stop to imagine how sad and miserable we would be in this life without the Lord in our lives?

Where would we be without an understanding of the deep things of God? The hidden wisdom, the revealing of God’s plans in and of itself for me are surely take away any uncertainty and fear. Of course, as we were told, the blessings are conditional, demonstrating our thankfulness by actually doing our part. The blessings are not just given based on our intent to follow him, but they require our putting in a real effort.

Pastor Russell suggests that we look past the time of the Exodus to the glory of the reign of Solomon and his desire for understanding the those deep things of God, wise judgment and wise in an understanding heart. He valued, as we know, wisdom above all temporal riches, even though he had a lot of riches, and this is a picture of God’s righteous kingdom. Jesus In Matthew 12:42, in his rebuke of the Pharisees, mentions this queen of the south, the Queen of Sheba, who traveled to Solomon’s palace to see the splendor of the kingdom and experience his wisdom for herself. Well, the text states there in Matthew 12:42, the queen of the south, we’re going to say, the Queen of Sheba shall rise up in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it.

For she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, and here’s the punchline, a greater than Solomon is here. Now remember, he’s saying this to the Pharisees right in front of them. Well, and certainly the actual experience of the Queen of Sheba going back to that time of Solomon in that court in First Kings, chapter 10, it pictures that antitypical kingdom. You know what it’s going to be like.

Sheba herself here declares that she had heard Solomon’s fame and had come to see him with her own eyes. Most of all, she was seeking to find true wisdom.

And this wisdom, the true riches is what we know, is offered now by Christ, as stated in Colossians 2:2,3. Their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge. Well, going back in history to 1 Kings again, notwithstanding the queen’s great expectations, she found that not one half of Solomon’s greatness had been told to her. In some translations in 1 Kings 10:5 it says there was no more spirit in her.

But noting that the King James word for spirit is breath in the Hebrew, I’d like to render this astute many of the translations. It took her breath away.

So I think that’s there was no more spirit in her. No, it took her breath away. Yes, the Queen of Sheba was seeking true wisdom and saw it especially manifest in Solomon’s wise and understanding heart, and how the people loved him.

Proverbs 29:2. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. This was what that kingdom at that time was all about. This was certainly evident in Solomon’s reign under his wisdom and righteousness at that time, and note how it is stated in 1st Kings in chapter 4, 1 Kings 4:21 and Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt, and then 25 and Judah and Israel dwelt safely every man under his vine and fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

But now, going back just one chapter in First Kings to chapter three, let’s look at verses five, eleven and twelve and we see the lesson in why Jehovah rewarded Solomon in Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, ask what I shall give thee, because thou has asked this thing, he says, and has not asked anything for thyself long life. Neither has asked for riches, but has asked for thyself for understanding to discern judgment. Behold, I have done according to thy words. Lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart, so that there was none like before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto him, and that’s from 1st Kings 3:5,11 and 12.

Yes, King Solomon valued the hidden wisdom, wise judgment, and an understanding heart, and it was an appropriate picture of Christ ruling in God’s righteous kingdom.

But remember in Proverbs 29:2 the positive statement of when thy righteousness authority the people rejoice. Unfortunately, it ends with the negative declaration, which is, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. This was of course, another lesson for Israel, exemplified by the chronic refusal to obey God’s wise counsel.

Note one of the first instances of refusing God’s wise counsel, in 1st Samuel 8:19, and I mentioned this yesterday. Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel, and they said, nay, but we will have a king over us, and then in Ezekiel 33:31, and they come unto thee, and the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them, for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. We see this unreachable attitude was pervasive all the way to the time of the Scribes and Pharisees, as demonstrated there, where Jesus was rebuking them and talking about the Queen of the south. Matthew 12:24 says, but when the Pharisees heard it, they said, it’s just amazing.

They’re coming back this way because it’s the only thing they could think of. This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils, and then in verse 34, O generation of vipers, Jesus said, and in 37, for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Well, even after all of that, in Matthew 12:38, 41, the Pharisees still kept prodding Jesus, taunting Jesus to show a sign. This is the big thing. It’s similar to today, isn’t it? Everybody wants a sign. This is the context of where Jesus declared his antitypical connection to Solomon that we just read, saying to them, a greater than Solomon is here right in front of you.

We might note here that the Pharisees of Jesus time were just like the Pharisees of our day. Aren’t they not really wanting to dig for the hidden wisdom, but just desiring something quick and simple. A sign like a healing, an appearing of Mother Mary that seems to be popular in the Catholic Church, or another kind of miraculous evidence.

In contrast to that Pharisaical attitude in Matthew 5:6, the Lord said, blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Now as then, his words and the truth and proof of God’s plan, gleaned as we dig further, will spark enthusiasm and zeal and give confidence and joy. It will, and this is the tangible earnest of our inheritance. This zeal, this joy.

I hope you’re all feeling that as we’re having these discussions here at the convention, we will be filled by the manna from heaven, the depth of his riches revealed to us that take our breath away, as did the Queen of Sheba as with the apostles, this rejoicing spirit is necessary to our courage and zeal when putting ourselves forward in the service of the Lord. Yes, and if we are assaulted with bitter words for Christ’s sake, we should remember how the apostle Paul with Silas rejoiced even in prison in Acts 16:23, 25, it says, and when they have laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, sang praises unto God. Can you imagine? Paul and Silas were the ideal example. But we also realize that when we experience a great hurt or sorrow, and it’s going to be easy for most of us to get discouraged, depressed.

But try to remember that even in the dark hours, remember that example of rejoicing that Jesus that Paul did.

And then Jesus comforting assurance that in Matthew 6:8, your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. Yes, reminding ourselves even of our darkest hour to trust in divine providence.

It’s all about attitude, and I remember this from Brother Edgar Buckley when he used to say, and Brother Larry’s going to remember this too, I’m sure. If you can’t change your situation, knowing that it’s permitted by the Lord, change your attitude about it. How? Well, bringing to mind a mental picture of the righteous kingdom to come can bring to our hearts a new attitude and stir us to be thankful.

Just as Paul portrayed Jesus attitude, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross in Hebrews 12:2. Yes, seeing a glimpse of the righteous kingdom and wishing to express our thankfulness to our heavenly Father from the heart is appropriately shown through consecration. Baptism in everything. Give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Psalms 1:16,12,17 puts it this, what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefit toward me?

I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people, and I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Well, there’s a special kind of thankfulness thankful for our brethren. We want to emphasize this because these are the angels from the Lord. Romans 1:18. Excuse me. Romans 1:8.

First I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all. The apostle Paul was thankful for his brethren. The Lord provided his brethren to assist and be a comfort to him. Philippians 1:3:7. He says, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now, even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my bonds and in the defiance and confirmation of the Gospel, ye are partakers of my grace.

We’re especially thankful for the wonderful fellowship as we work together in the common mission. The Apostle Paul in Romans 1:12 echoes those statements that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith, both of you and me. I emphasize this a lot. At the end of the Epistle to the Romans, we again see the outpouring of Paul’s emotion for his brethren in Rome, a thankfulness for the enlightenment from the heavenly fellowship and the Heavenly Father, but also the meaningful fellowship with those of like faith and mission, and he then mentions Priscilla and Aquila and sends greetings to the many others that gave him greetings and that were supporting him and comforting him.

Note here how even the strongest, like Paul, needed those comforts, those messages from Priscilla and Aquila, and like Paul, needed comfort to deal with all that kind of turmoil in the Corinthian church. Well, Hebrews 10:24 says, and let us consider how to stir one another up to love and good works. I think that’s what we’re doing right now.

And note, and brother Larry kind of mentioned this. There are so few of us left as one by one the body of Christ on the side of the veil grows smaller. So how can we encourage one another who remain to keep pressing on and not to lose zeal and excitement which once energized the Lord’s service together?

This is still a truth movement, isn’t it? So what are we doing to move us all forward to the completion of the body? Herein is the lesson that this should be the basis of our relationships too, and don’t we find ourselves having a greater love for the brethren, even our spouses, as we see them develop in the Lord? We are told by Jesus in the Matthew 12:48 50 who is my mother and who are my brothers?

And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, behold my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father and is in heaven, he is my brother and my sister and my mother.

Along this line I’d like to share the example of Jonathan’s love for David. We’re looking at 1st Samuel 20. The strong friendship between Jonathan and David was guided by the spirit of righteousness. Jonathan’s friendship was not merely in word, not merely when his father, King Saul, favored his friend David and when the public acclaimed David. But Jonathan loved David just the same way when the king became the enemy of his friend and sought his life.

Jonathan even endured Saul’s angry outburst of hurling a spear in Jonathan’s direction. When the king was venting his anger and hatred toward David, Jonathan had love of the kind the Lord admonishes us to have. Proverbs 18:24 There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. It was because Jonathan realized David was guided by the spirit of righteousness that he loved David. This is the oneness that we have with one another because we love the truth, the understanding of that hidden wisdom, and the spirit of it.

How wonderful for us that we are living in a time when the hidden and sealed up things are now being revealed.

And Pastor Russell points out the fact that the entire outline of our Father’s plan is now clearly discernible, and I’d like to quote this he says, it is strong proof. I say it again, it is strong proof that we are now living in the time of the end of the present dominion of evil and the dawn of the millennial age, when knowledge should be increased and the wise should understand.

Also, the pastor indicates that God is not executing the various parts of his plan in a random or haphazard manner, but that he has a fixed and definite times, definite seasons for every feature of his great work.

This was confirmed when God said to Habakkuk, make it plain upon the tables. This statement is not logical if God desired all to remain hidden. The Pastor indicates in volume 2 on page 15 concerning the knowing of the times of the seasons, that proofs of God being the author of the Bible and verification of of God’s plans can be seen in the chain of testimony, Brother Russell says, as presented therein. He further states, we offer a chain of testimony on the subject of God’s appointed times and seasons, each link of which we consider scripturally strong, while the whole of it, when viewed together in the relationship which one part bears to another, gives evidence of a plan so broad, so comprehensive a design, so deep a harmony so perfect as to clearly manifest to the studious and the reverent inquirer, that it is beyond the breadth and depth of human thought, and therefore cannot be of human origin. Brother Russell comments from volume three, page 134 even before the enemies are conquered, even faithful ones, each faithful one is permitted to get a clear view of the coming kingdom and glory, and of the great work of the dawning millennial day.

And this view is the joy of the Lord in which we are permitted to participate. Let me read that one more time. Because this is my final statement in closing, and this view is the joy of the Lord in which we are permitted to participate. Thank you, brethren.

May the Lord add his blessing.

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