Hi Friends,
Peace.
The debate over discussing politics is in Bible class is in our class as well. Is it appropriate?
I think yes - when it's in regard to the Lord's plans and purposes. Not when it's about state or national issues and our party preferences, which, we shouldn't have any [Gal 5:20]. Local, state and national laws of any nation are merely man's patchwork efforts to maintain the social order.
As Bible Students we SHOULD understand the end of the social order is necessary to clear the way for the Kingdom. I believe it is upon us.
My position is clear, that Bro. Russell predicted all we see in the news today from the Bible. It is the very Battle of Armageddon we should have studied (but sadly many classes have not), clearly described in the forward of Volume 4 titled "The Battle of Armageddon". [se http://mostholyfaith.com/Beta/bible/volumes/DFwd.asp ]
However one person in class disagrees. The sticking poing: whether or not Pastor Russell taught any such thing (that humanity would divide itself into two opposing classes, labor and capital, upper and lower, conservative vs. radical.) AND whether we're seeing anything like that now in the news.
My answer: I personally don't see how anyone who has read even the first volume and seen any news broadcast in the last 20 years could miss the obvious, that there are two opposing classes, liberal vs. conservative, and that it is as plain as seeing red earth vs. blue sky.
TO PROVE THE POINT, we simply read the first volume: here are a few excerpts which are strikingly clear.
If you don't have a first volume the link is here: http://mostholyfaith.com/Beta/bible/volumes/AFwd.asp
[A307] STUDY XV
THE DAY OF JEHOVAH
... today sees a growing opposition between the wealthy and laboring classes--a growing bitterness on the part of labor, and a growing feeling among the wealthy that nothing but the strong arm of the law will protect what they believe to be their rights. Hence, the wealthy are drawn closer to the governments; and the wage-working masses, beginning to think that laws and governments were designed to aid the wealthy and to restrain the poor, are drawn toward Communism and Anarchy, thinking that their interests would best be served thereby, and not realizing that the worst government, and the most expensive, is vastly better than no government at all. [A313]
Many scriptures clearly show that this will be the character of the trouble under which present civil, social and religious systems will pass away; that this is the way in which increase of knowledge and liberty will result, because of man's imperfection, mental, moral and physical. These scriptures will be referred to in due course; but here we can only call attention to a few of the many, advising our readers meanwhile that in many of the prophecies of the Old Testament in which Egypt, Babylon and Israel figure so largely, not only was there a literal fulfilment intended, but also a secondary and larger one. Thus, for instance, the predictions regarding the fall of Babylon, etc., must be considered extravagant beyond measure, did we not recognize a symbolic and antitypical as well as a literal Babylon. The book of Revelation contains predictions recorded long after literal Babylon was in ruins, and hence evidently applicable only to symbolic Babylon...
...Take another prophetic testimony (Zeph. 1:7-9,14-18). "The Lord hath prepared a slaughter, he hath bid his guests. [Compare Rev. 19:17.] And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lord's slaughter that I will punish the princes and the king's children, and all such as are clothed in imported clothing. And I will inflict punishment [also] on all those [marauders] who leap over the threshold on that day, who fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit. [This shows not only that there will be a great overthrow of wealth and power in this time of trouble, but that those who will for the time be the instruments of heaven in breaking down present systems will also be punished for their equally unjust and unrighteous course; for the coming [A316] trouble will involve all classes, and bring distress upon all the multitude.]
...The same events are here noted that are described under the fire symbol, namely, the sweeping away of all falsities, both from believers and from the world--errors regarding God's plan and character and Word, and also errors as to social and civil affairs in the world. It will be good indeed for all to be rid of these fabrications, which came to man largely through his own depraved desires, as well as by the cunning craftiness of Satan, the wily foe of righteousness; but it will be at great cost to all concerned that they will be swept away. It will be a terribly hot fire, a fearful storm, a dark night of trouble, which will precede the glorious brightness of that Kingdom of Righteousness which can never be shaken, that Millennial day in which the Sun of Righteousness will shine forth in splendor and power, blessing and healing the sick and dying but redeemed world. Compare Mal. 4:2 and Matt. 13:43....
The Present Situation
We here leave the prophetic statements regarding that day, to mark more particularly the present aspect of affairs in the world, as we now see them shaping themselves for the rapidly approaching conflict--a conflict which, when its terrible climax is reached, must necessarily be a short one, else the race would be exterminated. The two rival parties to this battle are already visible. Wealth, arrogance and pride are on one side, and widely-prevailing poverty, ignorance, bigotry and a keen sense of injustice are on the other. Both, impelled by selfish motives, are now organizing their forces all over the civilized world. With our eyes anointed with truth, wherever we look we can see that the sea and the waves are already roaring and lashing and foaming out against the mountains, as represented in the threats and attempts of anarchists and discontents whose numbers are constantly increasing. We can see, too, that the friction between the various factions or elements of society is rapidly getting to the point described by the prophets, when the earth (society) will be on fire, and the elements will melt and disintegrate with the mutually generated heat. ...
...An important question arises regarding the duty of the saints during this trouble, and their proper attitude toward the two opposing classes now coming into prominence. That some of the saints will still be in the flesh during at least part of this burning time seems possible. Their position in it, however, will differ from that of others, not so much in that they will be miraculously preserved (though it is distinctly promised that their bread and water shall be sure), but in the fact that, being instructed from God's Word, they will not feel the same anxiety and hopeless dread that will overspread the world. They will recognize the trouble as the preparation, according to God's plan, for blessing the whole world, and they will be cheered and comforted through it all. This is forcibly stated in Psa. 91; Isa. 33:2-14,15-24.
Thus comforted and blessed by the divine assurance, the first duty of the saints is to let the world see that in the midst of all the prevailing trouble and discontent, and even while they share the trouble and suffer under it, they are hopeful, [A339] cheerful and always rejoicing in view of the glorious outcome foretold in God's Word.
Pastor Charles Taze Russell Volume 1 Studies in the Scriptures "The Divine Plan of the Ages"
Please feel free to comment and let me know if the point is clearly proved or no.
Yours in Truth,
Bro. Regan Balman
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