The Watchtower published a controversial article in the 1920s entitled "Birth of a Nation." This article published for the first time the belief now held by the Jehovah's Witnesses that God's Kingdom was established in the heavens in the years 1914/18. Does anyone know if this article is on the internet somewhere? Or, if someone has it, could they post it here? I think the article is that important to understand the history of the Watchtoer/JW beliefs. --VM44
Watchtower "Birth of a Nation" article
by VM44 15 Replies latest jw friends
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sf
Final Bethel letter
... The Watch Tower of March 1 featured the article "Birth of the Nation." It presented ... This
account places the experience around the 1920s, around 5 years ...
www.607v587.com/final%20Bethel%20letter.htm - 27k - Cached - Similar pagesWT 1914 Lies
... when The Watch Tower of March 1 featured the article "Birth of the Nation." It presented ... account
placed his experience in or about the year 1920, more than ...
www.xjw.com/1914lies.html - 14k - Cached - Similar pagesLetter re 1874
... in 1925, when The Watch Tower of March 1 featured the article "Birth of the Nation."
It presented ... In May 1920 the malaria flared up again, and I was sent up ...
www.607v587.com/Letter%20re%201874.htm - 25k - Cached - Similar pagesSchool of History Handbook - ... HI359, Empire in Africa, 1922-1980. HI341 THE BIRTH OF A NATION: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1760s-1789 Convenor: Dr David Turley Location: Rutherford W3.E1. ...
http://www.ukc.ac.uk/history/undergrad/handbook/modules/one/hi341.html ;search within this siteWhat About Jehovah's Witnesses?
... Watch Tower of March 1 featured the article "Birth of the Nation ... thrilling news I
had ever heard." --The Watchtower ... his experience in or about the year 1920 ...
www.jehovahswitnessesandthetruth.com/1914misrep.html - 17k - Cached - Similar pages -
TD
If you have an e-mail address, I can send you scans
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VM44
Thanks sf for doing that search. From the second link
http://www.xjw.com/1914lies.html we get this:
On pages 138-139 (Proclaimers book), the March 1, 1925 Watch Tower's feature article is quoted:
A real milestone was reached, therefore, in 1925, when The Watch Tower of March 1 featured the article "Birth of the Nation." It presented an eye-opening study of Revelation chapter 12. The article set forth evidence that the Messianic Kingdom had been born--established--in 1914, that Christ had then begun to rule on his heavenly throne, and that thereafter Satan had been hurled from heaven down to the vicinity of the earth. This was the good news that was to be proclaimed, the news that God's Kingdom was already in operation. How this enlightened understanding stimulated these Kingdom proclaimers to preach to the ends of the earth!"
Here it is! Outlined in bold! The statement of the Gospel according to the Watchtower (and published years before they took on the name "Jehovah's Witnesses"!) The doctrine that defines the JWs was established during the Rutherford years. This proves that C.T. Russell was not the founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
--VM44
Edited by - VM44 on 10 November 2002 21:59:22
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VM44
Thanks TD. --VM44
Edited by - VM44 on 11 November 2002 3:34:57
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refiners fire
Im just re reading "birth of the Nation". Its a pretty stuffed article.
Just a couple of points for your amusement:
Paragraph 69 says that the 1260 days of Revelation 12 verse 6 occured between the release of the Watchtower leaders from Prison on March 27th 1919 amd the Cedar point convention on September 8th 1922. The 8th of September was "THE DAY",as it is known.
Here is their interpretation of Revelation 12 verse 7, in paragraph 51:
"satan and his official family must have been hurled out of heaven and to the earth sometime after 1914 and before 1918. He must have been so dazed from this battle that he did not realize what had happened to him. When he did arouse himself to this fact he set about to persecute Gods organization on earth".
So Satan was dazed for 3 years and didnt know where he was before persecuting the "organization" in 1917! Not only that, but the scriptures are fullfilled out of sequence to fit Rutherfords "facts" as he sees them.
Revelation 12 Verses 7 thru 9 are fullfilled between 1914-18 , while verses 6, 13 and 14 are fullfilled between 1919 -1922.
Talk about convoluted reasoning.
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Nathan Natas
PART 1/3
THE WATCH TOWER March 1, 1925
BIRTH OF THE NATION
"And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child
was caught up unto God, and to his throne."-Revelation 12:5WHAT is here published is not dogmatically stated. Trusting in the Lord for guidance, it is
submitted for the prayerful and careful consideration of the anointed ones. If there are readers of
the WATCHTOWER who can not agree with what is here stated, then it is suggested that such
calmly and carefully wait upon the Lord, always keeping a pure heart. We know that the Lord is
his own interpreter, that he will interpret his Word to his people in his own good way and in his
own due time.It seems to be a safe rule to follow, that prophecy can not be understood by us until it is fulfilled
or in the course of fulfilment. The twelfth chapter of revelation is prophecy.3 Another safe rule to follow in the examination of scriptures is this: First locate some
starting-point, or monument, which we know to he correct; then that which is both Scriptural and
wholly consistent therewith may be reasonably accepted as correct.4 It seems to be well settled now in the minds of the anointed that the Gentile Times, which
began in 606 B.C., ended in 1914: that the devil became the god of the entire world when Israel
was cast off, and that with the coming of 1914 the devil's privilege of ruling the world without
interference ceased. The physical facts are consistent with these conclusions.5 In Revelation 11:17, 18 we read that the Lord has taken his power and reigned: "And the
nations were angry, and thy wrath is come." This prophecy began to have its fulfilment with the
World War in 1914.6 The antitypical temple of the Lord is his anointed ones. (1 Corinthians 3:16,17) The Scriptural
proof heretofore submitted in the WATCH TOWER is to the effect that the Lord came to his
temple in 1918; and that there began a final trial and judgment upon the Church. (1 Peter 4:17;
Psalm 11:4-7; Malachi 3: 1-3; Matthew 25:1-30) Revelation 11:19 reads "And the temple of God
was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were
lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail."7 We should therefore expect that following 1918, when the Lord came to his temple and it was
opened there would be flashes of lightning; that is to say, intermittent illuminations of the Word
of God, giving further glimpses of truth in the great plan.-Z 1916, page 339.8 Voices symbolize proclamations of truth. Let the anointed bear witness as to whether or not
there have been great truths come to light, and a wider proclamation of truth throughout the
earth since 1919 than at any time previous. The reader is referred to the annual reports of the
SOCIETY published for 1923 and 1924; and this proclamation of the truth has caused much
thunderings of the enemy. There have been disturbances amongst them; and there has been a
great hail storm falling upon them in the nature of proclamations, indictments, etc.9 It seems quite clear that the last three verses of Revelation, eleventh chapter are a part of the
twelfth chapter. If that be true, then it follows that the twelfth chapter of Revelation, under the
rule above stated, could not be understood or appreciated until after 1918; that is to say, until the
opening of the temple when the Lord came to his temple. If the prophecy of Revelation twelfth
chapter began to have its fulfilment at or immediately after that date, then the temple class should
now be able to see some of it and to appreciate it. After careful and prayerful consideration, it
seems proper here to call attention to some physical facts which seem to be in fulfilment of the
prophecy of the twelfth chapter of Revelation. Probably the Lord wants his anointed to see a little
more just now, during a flash of lightning, that they may be encouraged to hold fast to the
promises and press on in the fight. Would not such be a comfort to those who are in Zion?THE NEW NATION
10 What has been the outstanding feature of the divine plan during the ages? At once we all
answer: The establishment of the kingdom for which Jesus taught us to pray. That means the
birth of the new nation, which shall rule and bless all the families of the earth. -Daniel 2:44.11 What has been the opposing power that has kept the people in ignorance of this glorious new
nation and the blessings it will bring to them? Again the anointed will in one accord respond:
Satan the devil, and his organization.12 These two points are immovably fixed. Now we see from the evidence about us that the real
fight is God against the devil, the kingdom of righteousness putting out of possession the
kingdom of wickedness and darkness, and establishing the kingdom of truth instead.13 The nations spent their anger on each other in the great war and until they were exhausted.
Following 1918 the devil's organization, financial, political and ecclesiastical, particularly the
latter, openly repudiated the Lord and his kingdom; and then and there the wrath of God against
the nations began to be expressed. From that time forward the battle has gone on in the earth.
Prior to that the battle was fought in heaven.14 Knowing that the book of Revelation is written in symbols, we now begin to give
consideration to the symbolic language of the twelfth chapter. The "woman" seems clearly to
symbolize that part of Zion, God's organization, which gives birth to the new government or
nation which shall rule the nations and peoples of the earth with a rod of iron and with
righteousness. St. Paul says: "Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all."
(Galatians 4:26) In other words Zion or Jerusalem, Gods organization, is the mother which gives
birth to the New nation, or governing factors. The anointed ones on earth are a part of "the
woman", and surely represent her. The woman "clothed with the sun" means Zion in heaven and
the approved ones on earth of God's organization at the time the Lord comes to his temple. To
clothe means to throw around or invest as with a robe. Those whom the Lord approves be brings
under or clothes with his robe of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10) He is the Sun of righteousness.
(Malachi 4:2) Now in his temple encompassing the temple class or investing them with his robe
of righteousness, his organization producing the new nation, otherwise designated Zion, shines as
the sun.15 This anointed class on earth is walking according to the divine rule or law, which is
symbolized by the "moon under her feet", which is God's law or rule of action for the governing
of the Church.-1 John 1:7; 2:6; 2John 6; Psalm 119:105.16 "And upon her head a crown of twelve stars." Her head is Christ Jesus, who is crowned with
full power and authority to rule (Colossians 1: 18); and with him are the twelve apostles of the
Lamb.17 From 1878 to 1914 the anointed ones of Zion were hoping and patiently waiting for the
kingdom. Up to that time Zion suffered some pain. Truly it could be said that she being "with
child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered" "Even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body."-Romans 8:23.18 In 1918 and 1919 Zion suffered still more, and there may yet still be more sufferings to
endure.19 Mark how the facts fit the prophecy: "Before she travailed, she brought forth: before her pain
came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who bath seen such
things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for
as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.' (Isaiah 66:7,8) Be it noted here that
from 1874 until 1918 there was little, if any, persecution of those of Zion; that beginning with the
Jewish year 1918, to wit, the latter part of 1917 our time, the great suffering came upon the
anointed ones, Zion. Prior to 1914 she was in pain to be delivered, greatly desiring the kingdom;
but the real travail came later. This is the first great wonder appearing in heaven.20 Another great wonder or marvelous thing appearing to the anointed ones since 1918 is: "A
great red dragon." Dragon is one of the names which God gives the devil. (Revelation 20:1-3)
The name signifies devourer. Red dragon would symbolize a devilish, wicked movement to
destroy Zion, or that which Zion will give birth to, the man child, the new nation or new
government. It is since 1918 that the anointed ones this side the vail first understood that the
dragon symbolizes the devil's organization acting in the capacity of a devourer, seeking to devour
the seed of promise.
Satan's organization, visible and invisible, is the second great wonder or marvel mentioned here.21 The seven heads and the ten horns symbolize the completeness of the devil's organization
invisible and visible; and the seven crowns show that the invisible phase exercises the authority
of both the old heavens and the old world. It seems reasonable that the devil's invisible
organization is divided into seven departments, over which reign seven heads of the departments.22 "Stars" symbolize leaders in the Church, who possess a knowledge of present truth. Stars
could
not symbolize nominal leaders, because they have no knowledge of present truth. "And his tail
drew the third part of the stars," etc. In the trouble that began in the Fall of 1917, which is really
the beginning of 1918, it would not be unreasonable to estimate that one-third of the then leaders
of present truth on earth were turned against the Lord's kingdom work, and have been against it
since. It was the tail of the devil's organization down at this end that drew them.23 Since 1878 the devil has watched the development of Zion; and hearing so much about the
new kingdom, or nation, he thought that he would be able to destroy it. Therefore, as the picture
represents him, "the dragon stood before the woman [Zion],... for to devour her child [the new
nation] as soon as it 'was born."24 "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her
child was caught up unto God, and to his throne." The man child could be none other than the
new kingdom, or new government, or new nation, which is to rule all the other nations with a rod
of iron.-Revelation 2:27; Isaiah 66:7,8; Romans 11:26; 1 Peter 2:9.25 In the WATCH TOWER of 1894, page 135, Brother Russell says, in commenting on Isaiah
66:7, 8: "This man child is the little flock, the body of Christ."26 It is not an unusual thing to speak of the birth of a nation or government. In 1776 the people
of the
American colonies were an organized body of people for action. They were hoping for the birth
of a nation, and they endured much trouble and hardship to that end. The nation was born at the
surrender of the British forces under Cornwallis. At the time of that great struggle, not all the
people in the country were in favor of the new government; but after the birth of the American
government, then the others came in and became a part of it.27 And even so it is with Zion. From 1878 forward Jesus was gathering together his consecrated
followers; and these, with the hope of an early birth of the new nation or government, have
struggled on for the cause of righteousness, holding fast to the precious truths. They expected this
birth in 1910 and at other dates, but particularly in 1914. In that year the Lord took his power and
began his reign. There the "man child [the Nation], which was to rule the nations with a rod of
iron," was born. Up to 1914 not all the anointed who loved the Lord were of Zion. Since that
time more have come into harmony with Christ and the new government.28 In harmony with the prophecy, Zion travailed more after she brought forth than before. The
greater trial of the Church was after 1914. "And her child [the new nation with authority to rule
and govern] was caught up unto God and to his throne." The new government, or Lord's
kingdom, or new nation, is God's kingdom; and the authority proceeds from Jehovah's throne.
The devil can not injure the new government, even though he can do injury to some of the
remnant yet on earth, the consecrated who form a part of Zion, of God's organization, yet on
earth.29 At this point we pass over verse six for the reason that it seems best to consider it in
connection with verse fourteen. -
Nathan Natas
PART 2/3
WAR IN HEAVEN
30 The Scriptures do not bear out the thought that Satan has been debarred from appearing in
heaven since the fall of man in Eden, nor at the time of the flood. On the contrary the Scriptures
and the physical facts seem to indicate that Satan was permitted to remain in heaven for some
good purpose; that is to say, God permitted it, therefore for a wise purpose and a good purpose.31 In proof of this the following is submitted: Job, the man of Uz, probably lived about the time
of Abraham. Certainly the experiences recorded of him occurred subsequent to the great deluge.
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and
Satan came also among them." (Job 1:6) Without doubt at that time Satan was permitted to
communicate with God, because there is recorded the conversation. The Lord spoke to Satan,
and Satan responded. There he made an accusation against Job, showing that he had an
opportunity to make accusations before Jehovah against the righteous; because Job was called a
righteous man.32 Jehovah, through his prophet Zechariah, gives a picture of the development of the Christ,
which record discloses the fact that Satan was then and there present to hinder the Christ: "And
the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, 0 Satan; even the Lord that Hath chosen
Jerusalem [Zion] rebuke thee."-Zechariah 3:1,2.33 When Jesus was in the wilderness Satan appeared to him, and had communication with him,
and presented temptations to him, and claimed to be the ruler of the earth. This claim was not
gainsaid by the Lord. (Luke 4:5-7) Later when Jesus spoke of Satan, he referred to him as "the
prince of this world".-John 12:31.34 Later, the apostle Paul calls Satan the god of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:3,4) St. Peter
plainly infers that Satan is the ruler of the old heaven and old earth, which must pass away. (2
Peter 3:7-13) This proof ought to be sufficient to establish the fact that Satan has been in heaven,
and for some reason has had access and opportunity to accuse the brethren in Christ before
God.-Revelation 12:10.35 Michael, who is Christ the Lord, has been present since 1874 but he did not interfere with
Satan. He remained silent until his right to rule had come. Satan's right had expired in 1914.
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy
people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to
that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found
written in the book."-Daniel 12: 1.36 There the Lord Jesus did stand up, and took his power to reign. It should be expected that the
first work he would do would be to throw the devil out of heaven; and then and there the fight
began. Revelation 12:7-9 reads:37 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the
dragon
fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And
the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the
whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."38 This is no imaginary thing; it was a real fight. The dragon and his official family, members of
his invisible government, fought and fought hard; but they lost, and were literally hurled out of
heaven. [SeeWeymouth's translation.]39 It is inconsistent to think that Jesus, the righteous One, would take his power to reign in
heaven and permit the devil to remain there; and he did not. Both Satan and his angels, namely,
his official family, his invisible joint-rulers, were hurled down to the earth. That fight must have
begun in 1914. Just how long it lasted the Scriptures do not indicate.40 There was no more place found in heaven for the dragon and his angels, but they were cast out
into the earth. From verse twelve we quote: 'Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in
them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you,
having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."41 Do not the physical facts bear witness that since 1914 there has been a greater element of
wickedness in the earth than ever before, and that this wickedness is on the increase? Crimes,
wickedness indescribable, and ascribable to none other than the devil's influence, have become a
common thing in the past few years. "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea." "The
inhabiters" here means those who were permanently located, particularly the ruling factors; to
wit, big business, big politicians and big preachers, who are much disturbed and in distress and
perplexity.42 "The sea" refers to the restless element of society, which has been more bent on revolutions
and troubles of various kinds since 1914 than ever before. Now being hurled out of heaven and
to the earth, Satan knows that his time is very short; and so he is angry at the Lord and his
followers, the seed of promise, that has promised to bruise his head.43 While in heaven and before the battle was begun in 1914, Satan had been the accuser of the
brethren in Christ before God day and night. When he was hurled out of heaven and into the
earth, then "I heard a loud voice saying in heaven. Now is come salvation, and strength, and the
kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,
which accused them before our God day and night." This is further proof that the casting of the
devil out of heaven did not take place until the Lord Jesus Christ took his power and began his
reign; and with the ousting of the dragon from heaven comes the salvation of the Zion class, the
birth of the new nation, the new government, which is to he the salvation of the world. No
wonder, then, there was great rejoicing.44 In verse eleven we are told that the faithful overcame the devil "by the blood of the Lamb, and
by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." These refused to
yield to the seductive influences of the devil, either by using their spiritual favors for fleshly
advantage or for the purpose of shining in the eyes of others, or because of ambitious desire to
run ahead of the Lord. Their overcoming is not in their own strength but through the merit of
Christ Jesus, and this by abiding in him and his word abiding in them. Thus faithful, they ask of
the Lord strength and help for overcoming, and receive it. -John 15:7.45 They hesitate not in giving their testimony concerning the Lord. They love the Lord and his
cause better than their own lives. In the strength of the Lord they overcome. Those dwelling in
heaven from that time forward are called upon to rejoice, because no more can Satan interfere or
hinder in all God's purposes.46 All the members of the Church may take courage and rejoice, knowing that no more shall the
rod of the wicked rest upon the lot of the righteous" (Psalm 125:3); that nothing Satan attempts
against the Lord's arrangement can succeed, because the kingdom of glory is in power and
marching majestically on to final victory.47 The loyal and faithful ones may be absolutely certain of victory if they remain true to the
Lord. This should bring great consolation to the Church now, and should enthuse all to greater
efforts to give their testimony to the glory of the Lord and his kingdom.48 This scripture, and others, indicates that the fight of the Church remaining on earth may grow
in severity: but these need have no fear. Their strength is in the Lord. "For the eyes of the Lord
run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose
heart is perfect toward him." -2 Chronicles 16:9.FLEES INTO THE WILDERNESS
49 The different events prophesied in the twelfth chapter of Revelation do not necessarily occur
in the order there named; but it is reasonable they do occur in near proximity to each other. This
seems to be the proper place and order in which to put verses six, thirteen and fourteen:50 "And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they
should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." "And when the dragon saw
that he was cast into the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And
to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into
her place, were she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the
serpent."51 Satan and his official family must have been hurled out of heaven to the earth some time after
1914 and before 1918. After this battle, he must have been so dazed for some time that he did
not realize what had happened to him. This is indicated by verse thirteen: "And when the dragon
saw that he was cast unto the earth." This shows that it required for him some time to wake up to
the fact. When he did arouse himself to this fact, he realized that the woman (Zion, God's
organization, which brought forth the new kingdom) still had some people in the earth; and he set
about to
persecute God's organization on earth. Beginning in the Fall of 1917 (which is really the
beginning of 1918) Satan began to marshal his forces to persecute those of God's organization,
Zion, pictured by the woman.52 In the spring of the year 1918 this persecution became so great that many of the Lord's
children of Zion were imprisoned and some killed. The SOCIETY, doing the Lord's work, was
disrupted, its officers imprisoned, and the entire Church restrained and greatly discouraged.
With the happening of these events, brought about by Satan and his earthly representatives,
evidently Satan reasoned that he was rid of this pestiferous company that stood in his way and
exposed his wickedness.53 But on the 26th day of March, 1919, the imprisoned officers of the SOCIETY were released;
and the next day, to wit, on the 27th day of March, 1919, they began to formulate plans for the
aiding of the Church and the furthering of the witness. (See Z 1919, Page 118, Column 2.) From
that time dates the fleeing of the woman (Zion, God's organization on earth) into the wilderness.
(See verses six and fourteen.) What, then, is signified by the wilderness?54 When Jesus was in the wilderness, God specially shielded and protected him there. (Mark
1:13) A
place symbolizes a condition. The wilderness in this chapter under consideration seems to
symbolize the condition prepared by divine providences for the Church, composing that part of
Zion on earth; and under these divine providences she was fed, or nourished by the food which
the Lord graciously provided in his chosen way.55 Verse fourteen reads: "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she
might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished." The "wings" seem clearly
to symbolize divine provision made for Zion's protection.56 God gave a picture of this when he said to Israel: "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians,
and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself."-Exodus 19:4.57 The two wings, or divine providences, may properly be said to be God's love and power
exercised for the benefit of the Church organization, to feed, shield and protect her from the
enemy's wiles. The food which she was made to feed upon was the message of truth provided by
the Lord through THE WATCH TOWER and kindred publications, which he has provided on his
table for the benefit of his people.TIME
58 0ne of the most difficult parts of this chapter to be understood has been the time features
designated in verse six as "a thousand two hundred and threescore days", and in verse fourteen,
"a time, and times, and half a time." Without doubt these two verses name the same identical
time; that is to say, the time is stated in two different ways. The question here is, is this period of
time symbolic or literal?59 While Revelation is written in symbolic language, it seems quite clear that the numbers
mentioned in Revelation are to be taken as literal. For instance, we have the seven churches, the
seven golden candlesticks, the seven seals, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven plagues, and
seven vials, all of which we have considered literal, so far as the number itself is concerned. The
144,000 members of the Body of Christ are always taken as literal. (Revelation 7: 4) From
Volume Seven, page 130, we quote: "That this is not a symbolic, but an exact number, seems
certain from the fact that, in the same chapter reference is made to another company, also
spirit-begotten. In the 9th verse we read: 'I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could
number.' It is not probable that this multitude is so great that no one could actually count them,
but rather that none can state their number, God having left it indefinite."