1912 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

In the present time, therefore, the masses of the world--deluded, enslaved and intoxicated by ignorance, superstitionand the wiles of the Adversary--are generallysympathetic with the darkness wherein they are. Theywere born in it and are so accustomed to it that if broughtimmediately into the presence of the light they would bein distress. There are not many light-bearers in the worldanyway. True, the census reports four hundred millionsof Christians, but alas! the vast majority give no sign ofever having seen the true light, and many of those whodid receive the light put it under a bushel, until it wasextinguished.Surely it is as true today as it was in Jesus' day that avery small number of humanity, comparatively, have thetrue light of the Gospel of God, the Holy Spirit illuminatingtheir minds and hearts, and who set this light upona candlestick that it may give light in the midst ofdarkness.But although these are few in number, they arevery precious to the Lord. He calls them His saints,His jewels, and tells us that at His second coming, priorto the setting up of His Kingdom to rule the world, these,as His jewel class, shall be gathered to Himself beyondthe veil--changed by the power of the First Resurrectionfrom human to the divine nature. These He tells us Hewill gather as His true "wheat," in the Harvest of thisAge, into His heavenly garner--"changed in a moment,in the twinkling of an eye"; "Then shall the righteousshine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father."--Matt. 13:43.It is this latter class that the Apostle addresses in thislesson--the same class which the Savior addressed saying,"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasureto give you the Kingdom." (Luke 12:32.) When theFather shall give these the Kingdom, as joint-heirs withtheir Redeemer, everything will be changed. The Princeof Darkness will be bound for a thousand years. ThePrince of Light will shine forth to scatter all the darknessand miasma of sin, sorrow, ignorance andsuperstition.THE LIGHT-BEARERS' RESPONSIBILITYIn today's lesson the Apostle is explaining the responsibilityof these light-bearers. They represent Godin this dark, benighted world; they represent the Justice,Wisdom, Love and Power of God. They are not able tolet all of this glorious light so shine before men as toscatter the gross darkness of the present time, but theycan do much to glorify their Father and can measurablyscatter the thick darkness and bring in a sort of twilightat least to some. Obligation to do this is laid upon all ofthem.These are not expected to convert the world, butmerely to find a sufficient number of similar characters tothemselves to complete the foreordained membership in