regarding the Progressive Tabernacle and THE ADJUSTMENT OF MATTERS RE THE HOLY

As Bro. Russell showed (see, e.g., Z 4745; comp. E Vol. 4, pp. 126-128), in the adjustment of matters in the closing of the Age as it pertains to the Holy, the Great Company (those Spirit-begotten ones who would not prove to be "more than conquerors," i.e., who would lose their crowns) were to be put out of the Holy back into the Court. Thereafter they would no longer be typed by the priests in the Holy, nor would their death be typed in the high priest passing beyond the Second Veil into the Most Holy; rather, they would be typed by Levites in the Court. After Bro. Russell's death, Bro. Johnson set forth many proofs showing that the time for the adjustment of matters pertaining to the Holy had set in in the Fall of 1914, when the Epiphany, or Apocalypse, period of our Lord's Second Advent began and the Parousia (reaping) period ended, and that by that time "the whole Church had been set up tentatively and individually" (1 Vol. 8, pp. 174, 175; E Vol. 11, pp. 472, 473). Among these proofs were many lines of Scriptural evidence showing that the Gospel Harvest Reaping (as distinct from the gleaning, which continued about 1½ years longer) ended by Oct. 1914 (see C, Appendix, pp. 387-404; E Vol. 5, Chap. 111; E Vol. 7, pp. 307-309; comp. Bible Standard Extra No. 51), and that the door of entrance into the High Calling closed at that time. Also, he showed that, beginning shortly after Bro. Russell's death (P '34, 1). 179, par. 1, lines 1-14), the Great Company began to be manifested as no longer in the Holy, but back in the Court (E Vol. 4, pp. 211-213; E Vol. 8, pp. 169, 170).

Let us note carefully, however, that when the Great Company members, who had had their justification vitalized and Had been Spirit-begotten for the purpose of becoming of the Royal Priesthood, were put out of the Holy, they did not thereby lose their Spirit-begettal, nor forfeit their consecration, or their vitalized justification; but they could no longer thereby secure for themselves a standing in the Holy. Though back in the Court, they retained these, BUT WITH A CHANGED PURPOSE, i.e., for becoming Epiphany Levites. They had lost forever their opportunity of becoming of the Royal Priesthood. Thus while throughout the Gospel Age, including the Harvest Reaping time, the Holy typed the condition of all embryo New Creatures, regardless of whether they were crown-retainers or crown-losers, when we came to the Epiphany, or Apocalypse, period, there was a decided adjustment of matters, a decided change, as the Tabernacle antitype progressed to the building of the Epiphany Court as distinct from the Holy, which change we must recognize if we would walk in the light on the subject as it has advanced; for, in the Epiphany picture, the Holy, as a finished work, represents the Spirit-begotten condition, not of all embryo New Creatures, but of the crown-retainers only (comp. E Vol. 10, p. 209).

ANTITYPICAL KETURAH'S CHILDREN

Gen. 25: 1-4 (comp. 1 Chron. 1: 32, 33): We learn from Gal. 4: 22-31 that Abraham's wife Sarah represents the covenant that develops The Christ (antitypical Isaac) and that Hagar the bondwoman, by whom also Abraham had a son, represents the Law Covenant, which developed fleshly Israel (antitypical Ishmael) in the Jewish Age. Gen. 25: 1, 2 shows us that after Sarah's death, Abraham took Keturah as his wife (concubine 1 Chron. 1: 32) and that she bare him six sons. Because of Keturah's association in this relationship with Abraham, a clearly expressed typical character (E 10, p. xv), who represents God, it follows that she also is a type of a covenant the New Covenant which God will make in the Millennial Age, "after those days," i.e., after the Jewish and Gospel Ages (Jer. 31: 33; Heb. 8: 10 E 6, p. 699), after both the Sarah and Hagar Covenants have ceased to operate (Z 4309, col. 2; see E 6, pp. 667-728, for 21 lines of proof that the New Covenant is not operative in the Gospel Age). Accordingly, Abraham's descendants by Keturah represent classes (including the quasi-elect) and subdivisions of classes which are developed in the Millennial Age under the New Covenant. Isa. 60, which clearly applies to the Millennium, also proves this, by its mention of some of Keturah's family (v. 6).

"Isa. 60 unquestionably describes the Millennial reign ofThe Christ, under the picture of a city Zion (v. 14) the same thought as is in the New Jerusalem of Rev. 21" (E 6, pp. 716, 721, par. 1; P '35, p. 76; E 15, p. 681; E 16, p. 140). Among other verses, vs. 4, 13 note comments in par. (11) above prove clearly that The Christ in the Millennium is addressed here (see also E 17, pp. 150, 148; D 638; E 11, p. 293; P '26, p. 118, col. 2; '29, p. 136, col. 2; '50, p. 7; E 1, pp. 535, 536; E 9, p. 24; E 16, p. 138). V. 13 indicates the other three elect classes coming to "thee" The Christ (E 4, p. 324). V. 4 by the "sons" pictures the Jewish (comp. v. 9; E 17, p. 46) and Gentile quasi-elect, and by the "daughters" the non-elect, coming to The Christ for restitution blessings under the New Covenant (comp. Isa. 2: 2, 3; Psa. 72 E 17, pp. 315-320); v. 5 shows that this includes the conversion of "the abundance of the sea," the restless masses (comp. Rev. 21: 1).

V. 7 mentions Kedar and Nebaioth, the two eldest, hence chief, sons of Ishmael, whose twelve sons type the twelve tribes of fleshly Israel (Gen. 25: 13-16). These two sons here "stand typically for the two principal divisions as they were designated in the divided kingdom: Israel (the ten tribes under Ephraim) and Judah (the two tribes under Judah), even as we find them set forth in the classic New Covenant passage Jer. 31: 31-34" (E 6, p. 716). During the Gospel Age, while The Christ has been in process of development, fleshly Israel has been cast off from God's favor (Gal. 4: 29, 30; Rom. 11: 1-25); but in the Millennial Age, when He makes the New Covenant with them, they will again be in favor with and acceptable to Him (v. 7; Rom. 11: 26-33).

These considerations show very clearly that the setting ofIsa. 60 is in the Millennial reign of The Christ, when fleshly Israel will be blessed under the New Covenant, which God will make with them (Jer. 31: 31). Hence v. 6, by its mention in a Millennial setting of Midian, Ephah, and Sheba, three of Abraham's descendants by Keturah, who here seem to stand for all who will be developed Millennially under the New Covenant (comp. Psa. 72: 10, 15 E 17, pp. 317, 318), is a further proof that Keturah represents the New Covenant. Accordingly, Keturah's sixteen designated sons, grandsons, and great grandsons (Gen. 25: 2-4; comp. 1 Chron. 1: 32, 33) type classes (including the quasi-elect) and subdivisions of classes which are developed under the New Covenant in the Millennium. We list the sixteen as follows:

(1) Zimran

(2) Jokshan
Sheba-Dedan Asshurim
Letushim
Leummim

(3) Medan

(4) Midian
Ephah
Epher
Hanoch
Abidah
Eldaah

(5) Ishbak

(6) Shuah

We will now indicate in each case the class or subdivision of a class mothered Millennially under antitypical Keturah which seems to be typed by the pertinent individual:

Zimran (celebrated), Keturah's firstborn, types the 70 most prominent of the Ancient and Youthful Worthies, who will be given the most prominent positions in the earthly phase of the Kingdom during the making, sealing, of the New Covenant (Ex. 24: 1, 9 E 11, pp. 405, 412).

Jokshan (bird catcher overcomer of the fallen angels) types a second class to be developed under the New Covenant the Worthies in general (comp. E 6, p. 717; P '38, p. 158, last par.; '50, p. 15, col. 2). His sons, Sheba (oath) and Dedan (lowly), type respectively the Ancient and the Youthful Worthies. Dedan's three sons type the three groups of Youthful Worthies, according to the Levitical divisions in which they have been developed (E 4, pp. 322, 323): (a) Asshurim (mighty ones) types those Youthful Worthies developed in association with the Kohathites, the highest of the three Levitical groups; (b) Letushim (oppressed ones) types those Youthful Worthies developed in the Merarite section, e.g., in the Watchtower Society, where they surely have been oppressed; (c) Leummim (peoples) types those Youthful Worthies developed in the Gershonite section, who in their evangelistic service have dealt with the peoples. These three groups of Youthful Worthies are pictured also in the three rows of hewed stones around the outer court of Solomon's temple (1 Kg. 7: 12; see P '53, p. 53, col. 2, par. 3; '68, p. 71, col. 2, par. 3).

Next in order among antitypical Keturah's children come the restitutionists as distinct from the above-mentioned elect classes which will be given life under the New Covenant.

Medan (strife) types a third class to be developed under the New Covenant the Consecrated Epiphany Campers, the highest class among the quasi-elect. Under the Worthies, they will be most able controversialists (Jude 3) for the Truth.

Midian (this name means the same as Medan) types afourth class to be developed under the New Covenant the quasi-elect fleshly Israelites (E 6, p. 717), who also will be controversialists on behalf of the Truth. Midian's five sons (Gen. 25: 14) seem to represent the following five groups among the Jewish quasi-elect: (a) Ephah (darkness) types "those Israelites who in the Jewish Age were not faithful enough to become Ancient Worthies, . . . but still retained faith in the Abrahamic promises and clung to the Mosaic Covenant," i.e., Jewish-Age loyal Covenant-believing Jews. As a group they have been in considerable darkness. (b) Epher (fawn an immature animal) types those Jews who in the Gospel Age, but prior to Israel's conversion in Jacob's Trouble (Phase II), are believers in the Abrahamic promises and the Mosaic Covenant, and remain faithful thereto until death, before the time of Israel's conversion. Because of immaturity, they need much of the milk of God's Word. (c) Hanoch (initiated, teaching) types those Jews who during the Gospel Age, but prior to Sept. 16, 1954 (when the Basileia started in its first lapping beginning), accepted Jesus as their Savior, but failed to consecrate, yet remained faithful to the Ransom and righteousness. They have had much advantage in gaining knowledge through having accepted Jesus as their Teacher, at least measurably. (d) Abidah (father of knowledge) types those Jews who after Sept. 16, 1954, but prior to Israel's conversion accept Jesus as their Savior and as unconsecrated believers remain loyal to the Ransom and righteousness. This group has even more advantage than the former ones. (e) Eldaah (god of knowledge: mighty in knowledge) represents those Jews who will be converted at the time of Israel's conversion in connection with and just at the end of Jacob's Trouble (P '30, p. 15). These will then have had the greatest advantage of all the unconsecrated Jewish quasi-elect in gaining a knowledge of the Truth. Thus we see that, as suggested by the meanings of the names, these five groups take in all of the unconsecrated Jewish quasi-elect, from those of the Jewish Age, who had the least advantage in gaining knowledge, to those who will be living at the time of Israel's conversion in Jacob's Trouble (Phase II), and who will have the greatest pertinent advantage.

Ishbak (leaving) types a fifth class to be given life under the New Covenant the loyal tentatively-justified Gentiles. This class also has forsaken sin, and has come into a closer relationship with God than the unjustified, i.e., the world in general. Though not specified, as in the case of antitypical Midian and his five sons, this class also is composed of individuals who have different degrees of opportunity and consequent development in knowledge. Many in it have throughout the Gospel Age been developed in sectarian systems, where in many cases they have not had much opportunity to learn of the Truth of God's Word and of the privileges of consecration; others among them, particularly here in the end of the Age, are blessed with much of the light of Truth now due and with an understanding of the privileges of consecration. However, this does not mean that the latter will have the highest place among this group of the quasi-elect; rather, on the principle that "unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required" (Luke 12: 48), it may be the reverse those of them who have had the greater opportunities respecting the Truth and the privileges of consecration, and have not responded properly thereto (2 Cor. 6: 1), may have the least place among this class, little abovethat of the non-elect (Z 2286, top; F 117, 118, 682, 683; P '70, p. 94); and many because of measurable wilfulness may have lost a place among the quasi-elect altogether.

Shuah (low place, depression) types the non-elect, the lowest class to be developed under the New Covenant. They are the "daughters" of Joel 2: 28; Isa. 60: 4, i.e., unbelieving Gentiles and those Jews who have forsaken the Covenant promises. Non-elect Gentiles are shown also in Ezek. 16: 60, 61, as coming in under the New Covenant. Here also the pertinent ones are referred to as "daughters," for as converts they will be symbolic daughters of fleshly Israel (E 17, p. 146).

How marvelous it is to our eyes to see that Keturah's six sons so fittingly and fully picture six classes, embracing all who will be developed under the New Covenant, from the highest class to the lowest: (1) the 70 most prominent Worthies; (2) the Worthies as a class, subdivided into the Ancient and the Youthful Worthies, with the three divisions of the Youthful Worthies also being shown; (3) the Consecrated Epiphany Campers; (4) the quasi-elect fleshly Israelites divided into five groups; (5) the loyal tentatively-justified Gentiles, and finally (6) the non-elect. Despite the attacks by errorists, this marvelous Truth will stand (P '58, pp. 3-8; '73, pp. 25-27).

We have already noted .... above that the three descendants of Keturah mentioned in Isa. 60: 6 seem there to stand for all the others. Thus Sheba (the Ancient Worthies) there stands for the Youthful Worthies also (even as similarly both the Sheba and Seba classes of Psa. 72: 10 are included in Sheba alone in v. 15 E 17, pp. 317, 318), and Midian, even Ephah, includes by implication all the other restitutionists (E 15, p. 682), both "those believing Israelites now in darkness who will be Millennial overcomers" (E 6, p. 717) and also eventually the loyal tentatively-justified Gentiles and the non-elect (represented separately in Ishbak and Shuah); for to gain life under the New Covenant (which will be made with Israel Jer. 31: 31-33) they must by faith in Christ as Savior and by consecration become "Israelites indeed." When this is done by all the obedient of mankind, then "the promises made to the Jews will apply also to the Gentiles" (E 15, pp. 730, 733). As the "sheep" class of mankind, they will be "the kings of the earth" who will bring their glory into the New Jerusalem (Matt. 25: 34; Rev. 21: 24; A 296; P '78, p. 47). We render all praise to God, and long and pray for the time when all of antitypical Keturah's children will in consecration bring to The Christ the worship, including service, befitting to Them as Divine beings (gold), with choice human powers (incense), "and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD"! (For more on the order of precedence, etc., in bringing the different Millennial classes under the New Covenant, see P '73, pp. 25-30; '78, pp. 45, 46).

From Present Truth 2004, pages 37-39