"It Is Indeed Divine Revelation"

 Introduction

Below is a very interesting letter found within the February 1, 1931 Watchtower (p. 47) from J. A. Bohnet. Despite its exceedingly bold claims about Rutherford’s two volume book Light, we are not presenting it as conclusive proof that Witness leaders had prophetic pretensions, because it is not clear that everything within the letter was endorsed by the Watchtower. Nonetheless, it is relevant to this topic for the following reasons. First, it was reprinted approvingly in an official Witness publication. Second, at least many of its claims are the same as those made by the Watchtower and in Watchtower books of that time. Third, its author appears to have been a prominent pro-Rutherford Bible Student during this era.

The letter's author is likely the same J. A. Bohnet who was an officer of the International Bible Student Association in (at least) 1917 and one of the Board of the Directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in (at least) 1918 and 1920. (November 1, 1917 Watchtower, p. 6162; January 15, 1918 Watchtower, p. 6202; January 15, 1920 Watchtower, p. 30) He appears to have been a travelling Watchtower speaker during the 1920s and the same Pilgrim who wrote another less extreme letter praising Rutherford's philosemtic book Comfort for the Jews, which was also reproduced in a 1926 Watchtower and which we also include below. (May 15, 1926 Watchtower, pp. 159-160)

1931 Letter

“Dear Brethren:

“I have just read the double volume Light carefully, and now intend going over it again more thoroughly and studiously, looking up its various references and citations with still more care and prayerfulness for deeper mind impression. Its perusal in a cursory way should very clearly show to those falling away from the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society that they are entirely wrong and are affiliated with Satan, and it should hasten their steps toward reuniting themselves with the instrument God is using to enlighten the world; namely, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which was formed of Jehovah and has been his earthly mouthpiece ever since its inauguration, and still is.

“To read Light and then persist in antagonizing the Society is clear evidence of being on the side of the great adversary of God and men, whether its reader is cognizant of the fact or not. Light proves conclusively and indisputably that the Society of Bible Students have the correct understanding of the Bible and are positively right in their faith and work. Careful readers of this book can now plainly see why the Lord has kept secret his Revelation until now, and in his due time has made it so plain to his faithful remnant class, and has thus afforded ample opportunity for all the outgoers to select and appoint their own course of action, that is, to exercise their free moral agency on affiliation.

“After reading Light how can any of the outgoers continue longer in their present course, the evidence being so clear that they are on the wrong side? There is now no excuse whatever for antagonizing the Bible Society. All right-minded ones of them must at once renounce their adherence to the faction to which they have belonged, and instead take a stand with the Lord, or prove themselves worthy of God’s righteous indignation and punishment. And every wavering one of the Society, and such as may entertain some measure of criticism respecting its work, or may to some extent have questioned its more recent interpretation of Bible truth, should feel stimulated to greater zeal and confidence that God is with his human instrument, namely, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and is its guiding light. Our faith is strengthened and our confidence is made more secure. To Jehovah be all praise for this wonderful book, and thanks to the Brooklyn staff of ardent workers. This book will stimulate the colporteur corps to greater activity and incident blessing.

“In his sending forth the book Light Jehovah leaves no excuse for any Bible Student to doubt that the Society has the truth and is being used of him for the proclaiming of his message. This book within itself conclusively proves that God directed its presentation, and that its human author was not employing his own judgment and wisdom in its preparation. No human creature could have written Light unless the holy spirit of God operated on his mind, actuated his thoughts and guided its utterances. It matters not whether Jehovah individually inspired the volume or had his representative Jesus do it. The evidence is there that the work is of the Lord. Brother Rutherford could not of himself have written this book. The wisdom therein is beyond human. It is divine. This double volume is priceless. It is wonderful. It should be an inspiration to the entire remnant class, prompting to still greater zeal and service, and should steady any who are wavering in faith or wondering whether the Society is right and correct in Bible interpretation and understanding. It should prompt any faltering ones to get into line and herald the divine message to the peoples of earth. No other agency on earth is doing that service.

“Light carries witness in itself that its presentations have divine origin. It is indeed divine revelation entrusted to human for portrayal. God be praised for this gift, a satisfying portion. At last Revelation reveals. Brother Rutherford could not have improved on the book Life except by divine supervision. What a comfort to our dear brother this must be. I hesitate to take up his precious time with a personal letter of my deep appreciation. May the Lord continue to strengthen him is my prayer. Not once in this book does he allude to himself either directly or indirectly, but ever accords credit to the whole Society membership, and he treats the deluded outgoers as gently and as kindly as circumstances and conditions would admit of his doing in justice to his sacred trust.

“If this letter seems too long, please pardon me, for “my cup runneth over’’ with gratitude. 1 heartily endorse everything set forth in Light. It is sublime.

“Faithfully in Christ, your brother,

“J. A. Bohnet, Michigan.”

1926 Letter

“Dear Brother Rutherford :

“I have just read your new book of 712 Scripture citations bearing upon the restoration of Palestine to the Jewish people.

“How any Jew can read that book and not be convinced that we have the correct understanding of prophecy relative to the Jewish regathering in Palestine in the very near future as God’s first people, is beyond my comprehension. The Jew must surely believe his return to divine favor is near at hand when he reads this wonderful book.

“What a research of Bible texts you have put into that work I The subject throughout is handled admirably, forcefully and conclusively. Except the Lord were with you the subject could not have been so delightfully dealt with. There is nothing omitted and nothing more needing to be said. It is complete.

“I congratulate you on the achievement. Now it is up to us to do our part. I’ll do my very best,

“Faithfully yours, J. A. Bohnet.—Pilgrim.”

Romans 11:26 Teaches a Mass Conversion of Israelites

Romans 11:26 affirms that there will be a mass conversion of ethnic Israelites prior to the end of the world for the following five reasons. First, Paul had just affirmed the possibility and fittingness of God saving ethnic Israel (vv. 15, 23-24) and does so again in v.30. It is, therefore, most natural to read v. 26 as the claim that this possibility will be realized. Second, “Israel” in v. 25 refers to ethnic Israel (as it does in vv. 1-2, 7), so we should expect that only a verse later (v. 26) “Israel” still refers to ethnic Israel. Third, the partial hardening is evidently temporary; it lasts “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” True, “until” does not always mean that the thing that last until X should end at that time, but this is the typical meaning and, in context, is the preferred meaning. Fourth, “Israel” in v. 26 refers to the same group as “Jacob” and “them” in vv. 26-27. And “Jacob” and “them” in vv. 26-27 refer to the same group as “they,” “their,” and “these” in vv. 28-31. And it is clear that “they,” “their,” and “these” in vv. 28-31 refer to ethnic Israelites in contradistinction to Gentiles (“your,” “you” in vv. 28-31); cf. v. 13: “I am speaking to you who are Gentiles.” In other words, “all Israel” and “Jacob” are currently “enemies on your account” (on account of Gentile believers) and yet “beloved on account of the fathers.” (Cf. v. 16: Even unbelieving Israel is still “holy”.) So, when Paul teaches that all Israel will be saved in v. 26, he is referring to ethnic Israel. Fifth, what Paul discloses in vv. 25-32 is a “mystery,” something that requires divine revelation to make it known. That the historically wayward and presently apostate ethnic Israel would nonetheless be saved is something that would need special revelation; so, it would be most fitting to refer to this as a mystery, something revealed by God. However, if what Paul meant is that the Church composed of ethnic Jews and Gentiles would be saved it is hard to see why he would refer to this as a mystery. Instead of being a mystery it would be tautological. Nor would it do to say that the mystery revealed in vv. 25-32 is that the Church is the true Israel. Firstly, Paul supposedly already disclosed that in Galatians 6:16 and Romans 2:28-29; 9:6, so it would seem to be superfluous for him to refer to it as a mystery in v. 25; Paul appears to be presenting something new. Secondly, in v. 26 Paul is not identifying who Israel is (let alone with the Church) but is saying that they will all be saved. The mystery is not about the identity of Israel (which Paul has been clear about in Romans 11) but is about the end-time fate of Israel.