Post by ResLight on Aug 29, 2013 12:48:53 GMT -5
I have just updated and added a response to this study:
ctr.rlbible.com/?p=1441
The added comments are at:
ctr.rlbible.com/?p=1441#comment-665
In the October 1, 1900 (page 296), issue of The Watch Tower, Russell used this phrase regarding some articles that concerned the changing of black skin to white skin: "These suggest and illustrate the process of restitution soon due." One claims that this phrase is offensive, and wonders how Russell could think that changing color of skin would be a restitution.
Evidently, the responder fails to understand what Russell meant by "restitution", even though the study shows what he meant by such.
At any rate, here is the my response:
Do you understand what Russell was speaking of as being restitution? He was referring to Acts 3:21 of the KJV, “the times of restitution” (the times of restoration). He was talking about coming time when mankind will be restored to what was lost in the Garden of Eden.
mostholyfaith.com/bible/reprints/Z1916JUN.asp#R5909:22
Brother Russell evidently believed that, due to the times of restitution (Acts 3:21), eventually there will be only one race, as there was in Garden of Eden. Ths would be based on the premise that the different races were addeed as a result of the orginal curse upon mankind. Was God being racist in making Adam and Eve whatever color they were? Some, not understanding the overall plan of God, may think that he was.
Nevertheless, one should not take a single phrase and over-emphasize that phrase without comprehending the meaning behind it.
The Bible says:
By “He”, Paul meant “The God who made the world and all things in it”. (Acts 17:24) In effect, God made the races out of only one race. Was God being racist in originally making one race? Was he being racist in making the other races? If one does not understand the end result, one could judge God wrongly in this matter.
Some of Russell’s comments regarding Acts 17:24:
Likewise, God chose only one race as His special covenant people in the Old Testament. Was he being racist in this choosing? One could answer yes or no, depending one whether one understands the overall picture.
I do not know for a certainty that in the times of restitution God will eventually bring mankind back to the original skin color; it does seem to be a reasonable assumption based on the belief that the reign of sin is only temporary. Nevertheless, would God be racist if he brought all mankind back to whatever color He had made man in the beginning?
ctr.rlbible.com/?p=1441
The added comments are at:
ctr.rlbible.com/?p=1441#comment-665
In the October 1, 1900 (page 296), issue of The Watch Tower, Russell used this phrase regarding some articles that concerned the changing of black skin to white skin: "These suggest and illustrate the process of restitution soon due." One claims that this phrase is offensive, and wonders how Russell could think that changing color of skin would be a restitution.
Evidently, the responder fails to understand what Russell meant by "restitution", even though the study shows what he meant by such.
At any rate, here is the my response:
Do you understand what Russell was speaking of as being restitution? He was referring to Acts 3:21 of the KJV, “the times of restitution” (the times of restoration). He was talking about coming time when mankind will be restored to what was lost in the Garden of Eden.
mostholyfaith.com/bible/reprints/Z1916JUN.asp#R5909:22
Brother Russell evidently believed that, due to the times of restitution (Acts 3:21), eventually there will be only one race, as there was in Garden of Eden. Ths would be based on the premise that the different races were addeed as a result of the orginal curse upon mankind. Was God being racist in making Adam and Eve whatever color they were? Some, not understanding the overall plan of God, may think that he was.
Nevertheless, one should not take a single phrase and over-emphasize that phrase without comprehending the meaning behind it.
The Bible says:
Acts 17:26 WEB
He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation.
He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation.
By “He”, Paul meant “The God who made the world and all things in it”. (Acts 17:24) In effect, God made the races out of only one race. Was God being racist in originally making one race? Was he being racist in making the other races? If one does not understand the end result, one could judge God wrongly in this matter.
Some of Russell’s comments regarding Acts 17:24:
Wherever the Bible is, liberty is more and more manifest. Even where the people do not recognize the Bible, the spirit of its teachings has had its effect. There is something of a realization that all are of one flesh and blood, one common brotherhood. God created of one blood all people that dwell upon the face of the whole earth. (Acts 17:26.) There are, of course, advantages in the way of birth, education, etc. Various circumstances affect conditions. But all mankind are responsible to the Creator, who is the great Judge over all. He is to be looked to as the One who will give rewards and punishments. — The Watch Tower, March 1, 1914, page 71
THE TOWER OF BABEL
Generations afterward, when the family of Noah had multiplied, the meaning of the rainbow as a covenant between God and man — the guarantee against another deluge — was forgotten. The worldly-wise of that time were foolish enough to undertake the building of a great tower, to whose top they could go in the event of another deluge. Since they had neglected the Lord’s message and disregarded His promise, He let them alone to make manifest their own folly in labor and sweat of face, which could prove of no avail.
Finally, however, when they were measurably wearied with their herculean task, and when they had, to some extent at least, learned a valuable lesson, the Lord confounded their language so that they could not understand each other, nor co-operate with each other in any such vast enterprise. Separated in tongue and in interest, they scattered. Their interests became diverse, and gradually manners and customs and color of skin, during the centuries, became more and more dissimilar. Thus the various races with their peculiarities of temperament and language had their start.
St. Paul tells us all this was a premeditated plan on God’s part, as being to the best interests of humanity and most favorable for the outworking of the Divine purposes. He says, God “hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation, that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him and find Him.”– Acts 17:26,27.
How one part of God’s Word sheds light upon another! Thus we are enabled to see how Divine Wisdom has had a supervision of the ultimate interests of humanity. Even though God has allowed man in his ignorance to become the servant of Satan, He still has protected him in a measure, and shaped his affairs for his ultimate good. That good, as we have seen, is to be fully attained by the world in general at the Second Coming of Jesus and the establishment then of His Messianic Kingdom, which will bind Satan and scatter the power of darkness and sin. It will shine forth as the Sun of Righteousness, to heal and bless and uplift the willing and obedient of mankind.
But the matter of separating the human family into different nationalities has been specially useful during the dark time preceding Messiah’s Second Coming. More or less the nations have been occupied in watching each other and guarding themselves against each other. The barrier of language for centuries served to keep apart peoples living in close proximity, to hinder the running to and fro which has been going on, particularly within the last seventy years, since steam power became effective for transportation.
The commingling of all nations within the last sixty years is breaking down the national barriers wonderfully. It is fulfilling the word of prophecy, “My determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms.” (Zephaniah 3:8.) The world of mankind is being brought into close touch, barriers of language are breaking down; and the breaking down of these barriers is favorable to human co-operation, either for good or for evil. Since mankind are sinners by nature, their co-operation is most likely to be along selfish lines, and therefore most likely to be evil.
So we find today that rich corporations are building together a great Tower of Babel for their protection against every kind of calamity which could come upon their riches. The laboring classes are doing likewise. The mechanics are building up a great Tower of Babel of Unionism, which they trust will deliver them from all adversity and in which they hope to be safe forever. Had it not been for the dispersion and for the language-barriers, no doubt these world-wide organizations of Capital and Labor would have developed long ago and the final great catastrophe or conflict between these great giants would have come so much the sooner, precipitating all its terrible anguish and disaster on humanity — “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.”–Daniel 12:1.
***
The Lord, in the prophecy of Zephaniah, describes the time of trouble that is coming, as a fire to consume; and then tells us that following the fiery baptism of trouble, He will send to mankind “a pure Message, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord to serve Him with one consent.” (Zephaniah 3:9.) This teaches that mankind will not be wholly destroyed by the fiery trouble of that Day, but it teaches that the confusion of doctrines given forth in the name of the Lord will all terminate with this present Age. The Message of Divine grace and Truth which will be promulgated in the future will be pure, and the blessing to all who will receive it will be great. — The Watch Tower, January 1, 1913, pages 13,14
Generations afterward, when the family of Noah had multiplied, the meaning of the rainbow as a covenant between God and man — the guarantee against another deluge — was forgotten. The worldly-wise of that time were foolish enough to undertake the building of a great tower, to whose top they could go in the event of another deluge. Since they had neglected the Lord’s message and disregarded His promise, He let them alone to make manifest their own folly in labor and sweat of face, which could prove of no avail.
Finally, however, when they were measurably wearied with their herculean task, and when they had, to some extent at least, learned a valuable lesson, the Lord confounded their language so that they could not understand each other, nor co-operate with each other in any such vast enterprise. Separated in tongue and in interest, they scattered. Their interests became diverse, and gradually manners and customs and color of skin, during the centuries, became more and more dissimilar. Thus the various races with their peculiarities of temperament and language had their start.
St. Paul tells us all this was a premeditated plan on God’s part, as being to the best interests of humanity and most favorable for the outworking of the Divine purposes. He says, God “hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation, that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him and find Him.”– Acts 17:26,27.
How one part of God’s Word sheds light upon another! Thus we are enabled to see how Divine Wisdom has had a supervision of the ultimate interests of humanity. Even though God has allowed man in his ignorance to become the servant of Satan, He still has protected him in a measure, and shaped his affairs for his ultimate good. That good, as we have seen, is to be fully attained by the world in general at the Second Coming of Jesus and the establishment then of His Messianic Kingdom, which will bind Satan and scatter the power of darkness and sin. It will shine forth as the Sun of Righteousness, to heal and bless and uplift the willing and obedient of mankind.
But the matter of separating the human family into different nationalities has been specially useful during the dark time preceding Messiah’s Second Coming. More or less the nations have been occupied in watching each other and guarding themselves against each other. The barrier of language for centuries served to keep apart peoples living in close proximity, to hinder the running to and fro which has been going on, particularly within the last seventy years, since steam power became effective for transportation.
The commingling of all nations within the last sixty years is breaking down the national barriers wonderfully. It is fulfilling the word of prophecy, “My determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms.” (Zephaniah 3:8.) The world of mankind is being brought into close touch, barriers of language are breaking down; and the breaking down of these barriers is favorable to human co-operation, either for good or for evil. Since mankind are sinners by nature, their co-operation is most likely to be along selfish lines, and therefore most likely to be evil.
So we find today that rich corporations are building together a great Tower of Babel for their protection against every kind of calamity which could come upon their riches. The laboring classes are doing likewise. The mechanics are building up a great Tower of Babel of Unionism, which they trust will deliver them from all adversity and in which they hope to be safe forever. Had it not been for the dispersion and for the language-barriers, no doubt these world-wide organizations of Capital and Labor would have developed long ago and the final great catastrophe or conflict between these great giants would have come so much the sooner, precipitating all its terrible anguish and disaster on humanity — “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.”–Daniel 12:1.
***
The Lord, in the prophecy of Zephaniah, describes the time of trouble that is coming, as a fire to consume; and then tells us that following the fiery baptism of trouble, He will send to mankind “a pure Message, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord to serve Him with one consent.” (Zephaniah 3:9.) This teaches that mankind will not be wholly destroyed by the fiery trouble of that Day, but it teaches that the confusion of doctrines given forth in the name of the Lord will all terminate with this present Age. The Message of Divine grace and Truth which will be promulgated in the future will be pure, and the blessing to all who will receive it will be great. — The Watch Tower, January 1, 1913, pages 13,14
Likewise, God chose only one race as His special covenant people in the Old Testament. Was he being racist in this choosing? One could answer yes or no, depending one whether one understands the overall picture.
I do not know for a certainty that in the times of restitution God will eventually bring mankind back to the original skin color; it does seem to be a reasonable assumption based on the belief that the reign of sin is only temporary. Nevertheless, would God be racist if he brought all mankind back to whatever color He had made man in the beginning?
