A Night of Weeping and a Morning of Joy: From The Divine Plan of the Ages by Charles Taze Russell, Part 1 of 2

Charles Taze Russell, also known as Pastor Russell, was an American religious leader, author and lecturer. He was the founder of the Christian denomination of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a group that emerged from the Bible Student movement in the United States. The Bible Student movement was based on the teachings and ministry of Mr. Russell. He is noted for his analytical interpretations of the Holy Bible and for dedicating his life and resources to the preaching of the future establishment of a Golden Age on Earth. According to Mr. Russell’s research of the Holy Bible, God’s Kingdom will rule the Earth through Christ. In 1879, Mr. Russell started a Bible journal, now called The Watch Tower, after which he established the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society for the purpose of distributing religious literature. He remained president of the society until he passed away in 1916. Mr. Russell’s books and booklets were widely read, with 16 million copies in 35 languages. In addition, his weekly sermons were published by thousands of newspapers. Among the most well-known works of his is the seven-volume series, “Studies in the Scriptures.” Today, we will read a selection from Volume 1 of Charles Taze Russell’s “Studies in the Scriptures” entitled, “The Divine Plan of the Ages.” “The title of this series of Studies — ‘The Divine Plan of the Ages,’ suggests a progression in the Divine arrangement, foreknown to our God and orderly. We believe the teachings of Divine revelation can be seen to be both beautiful and harmonious from this standpoint and from no other. The period in which sin is permitted has been a dark night to humanity, never to be forgotten; but the glorious day of righteousness and Divine favor, to be ushered in by Messiah, who, as the Sun of Righteousness, shall arise and shine fully and clearly into and upon all, bringing healing and blessing, will more than counterbalance the dreadful night of weeping, sighing, pain, sickness and death, in which the groaning creation has been so long.” “‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord; for as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”