This is a continuation of the Psalms commentaries.
As a very young man, I began searching for God. For the past half-century, I have called Jehovah “my God.” In all of this time, though, I cannot say that I have ever had to appeal to Jehovah to rescue me —at least not from a life-or-death situation. That is not to say I have not experienced distressing circumstances from which I have appealed for God’s help and guidance, nor is it to imply I have not been blessed. No doubt, many others share my experience.
As an American, I suppose we should consider ourselves blessed to reside in a country that has not directly experienced wars, revolutions, and extreme turmoil —at least not the post-WWII generations. Wars, shortages, and persecution have always been elsewhere. Even the two world wars, so-called, left the Western Hemisphere untouched. That all may be about to change soon.
“In you, O Jehovah, I have taken refuge. May I never be put to shame. Rescue me because of your righteousness. Incline your ear to me. Come quickly to my rescue. Become for me a mountain stronghold, a fortified place to save me. For you are my crag and my stronghold; for the sake of your name, you will lead me and guide me.”
The composer of the 31st Psalm, David, experienced many hardships, including war and betrayal —not to mention disastrous personal mistakes. Although he was king of Israel, one of his sons treacherously usurped the throne and tried to have David killed. How distressing that must have been! David indeed came to trust God and look to him for salvation from his many enemies. And Jehovah rescued him on more than one occasion.
According to the Watchtower, the mountain of the house of Jehovah was lifted up in 1914 and people from all the nations are streaming to it. This interpretation of prophecy is based upon the numerical growth of Jehovah’s Witnesses over multiple generations. But why should God provide a mountain-like place of refuge for us when we are living in relative security?
Take the leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example. They reside in a gated fortress in a secluded woods. They live like kings. A large body of helpers and servants tend to their every need. The organization has hundreds of millions of dollars at its disposal. Their treasury overfloweth, so much so that they have recently set up a couple of hedge funds to play the markets. Why ought God provide a place of refuge for them? Are they not already in a secure place of their own making?
Jesus, on the other hand, experienced many dangers and hardships. The murderous Jews sought to kill him on more than one occasion. And, of course, they were finally successful. Speaking to God, the last thing Jesus said was: “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.”
In doing so, Jesus quoted Psalm 31:5, which, in context, says: “You will free me from the net that they have secretly laid for me, for you are my fortress. Into your hand I entrust my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Jehovah, the God of truth.”
Some foolish Trinitarians make the absurd claim that Jesus resurrected himself. He, of course, did no such thing. When Jesus expired on the stake, he died. That was the end. His life force left him. He expired. As a lifeless corpse, he retained no power —no consciousness, no will, no life whatsoever. He entrusted himself entirely to God when he submitted to death. His spirit, his life force, could only return to him if God intervened. And God did.
Jehovah had already inspired David to foretell that He would not leave his son in the tomb. Jesus believed God. And Jehovah proved Himself to be the God of truth when Jesus came back to life.
David went on to sing: “You have not handed me over to the enemy, but you make me stand in a place of safety.” (Vs 8)
In the case of Jesus, God did hand him over to his enemies. God removed his protection from Jesus during the Passover, when Jesus dipped the morsel and handed it to Judas and Satan entered into him and put into motion the conspiracy to destroy Christ. In Gethsemane, Jesus knew it was the hour of the authority of darkness. However, it was a short-lived victory. Even though the Roman sentries stood guard at the mouth of the tomb, they could not prevent Jehovah’s angel from rolling the stone away, and the living Christ emerged triumphant over death.
Although many of David’s inspired Psalms apply to Christ, David himself was a very imperfect man. As such, David could speak for Christians, especially those who belong to Christ, during the hardships that will come upon them at the conclusion. Hence, David writes: “Show me favor, O Jehovah, for I am in distress. Anguish has made my eyes weak, my whole body as well. My life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning. My strength is waning because of my error; my bones grow weak.” (Vs. 9-10)
It is evident that David’s experiences are portentous. Consider what is stated next: “I am put out of their heart and forgotten, as if I were dead; I am like a broken jar. I have heard many evil rumors; terror surrounds me. When they gather together as one against me, they scheme to take away my life.” (Vs. 12-13)
Jesus forewarned his disciples that they would be persecuted even by family and former friends, as was David. When foretelling of events destined to unfold during the conclusion, Jesus said: “As for you, look out for yourselves. People will hand you over to local courts, and you will be beaten in synagogues and be put on the stand before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them…Furthermore, brother will deliver brother over to death, and a father a child, and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all people on account of my name.”
All of Jesus’ original disciples were Jewish. They attended meetings at the synagogue, as did Jesus. No doubt, many Jewish Christians were beaten by their fellow Jews and thrown from the synagogue. However, the words of Christ are intended to be fulfilled in the future during Christ’s presence. Among the many thousands of congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses are found anointed persons who have been called into the Kingdom of Christ. It is they who will be beaten in their Kingdom Halls for the witness they will give.
Have Christians in the modern era been put on the stand before governors and kings and given them a witness? I know of no instance. Besides, what would be the point? Everyone has access to a Bible. People know the basics of the gospel. Giving a witness for the sake of Jesus then, during the actual conclusion, is much more than merely reiterating a message that has been preached for decades. Anointed Christians will be called upon to give witness to the fact that they have seen Jesus. That is why they will be “hated by all people on account of my name.” That is why they will be handed over to be put to death.
Returning to the 31st Psalm, perhaps with a fresh perspective, we can better appreciate what David meant when he said: “How abundant your goodness is! You have stored it up for those who fear you, and you have shown it before all men, in behalf of those taking refuge in you. You will conceal them in the secret place of your presence from the schemes of men; you will hide them in your shelter from malicious attacks.”
What is the “secret place of your presence”? From the earliest days of the International Bible Student movement, C.T. Russell taught that the parousia is invisible. Jehovah’s Witnesses still believe that. However, my studies in the Scriptures have led me to discover that the presence of Christ is the same as the revealing of the Son of man and the manifestation. I have discussed these matters in great detail in other articles. The Watchtower is correct, in so far as to most people the presence of Christ will be invisible. But Jesus will manifest himself to the chosen. John assured us of this, writing: “Beloved ones, we are now children of God, but it has not yet been made manifest what we will be. We do know that when he is made manifest we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is.” — 1 John 3:2
Concerning a secret place of God’s presence, or to be more correct, of the presence of the Son of man, we ought to call to mind the experience of three Hebrew princes in Babylon: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, better known by their Chaldean names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were ordered to be executed by the king of Babylon because they would not worship the golden image. Although the blast furnace was superheated seven times hotter than usual, and the three Hebrews were bound and thrown in, they were not consumed in the blaze. Instead, to his astonishment, Nebuchadnezzar noticed a fourth person standing in the flames with them, whom he described as a son of the gods. And indeed, he was a son of the God.
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were concealed in the secret place of God’s presence, at least figuratively. Daniel’s entire prophecy concerns the coming of Christ in his Kingdom, and Daniel and the three Hebrews played prophetic roles, foreshadowing Christ revealing himself to the chosen.
The Watchtower correctly notes that parousia is not the same as Christ’s coming. It does extend over a period of time—-—just not a century. If there is any true chronology, it is this: Christ’s presence will mirror his earthly ministry from the time of his baptism and anointing to his death and resurrection. His ministry lasted three and a half years, expressed in prophecy as time, times, and half a time, 1,260 days, and 42 months.
Fittingly, David concluded his Psalm by urging us to be strong: “Be courageous, and may your heart be strong, all you who are waiting for Jehovah.”
