1917_The_Finished_Mystery_Text

presentation, until the last great item of theHebrew Tabernacle types, was ready. Then, in1881, be became God's watchman for allChristendom, and began his gigantic work ofwitness.Ezekiel 3:17.Son of man, I have made thee a watchmanunto the house of Israel; therefore hear theword at My mouth, and give them warningfrom Me.— The function of watchmanship wasnot given until 1881. (Jer. 6:17; Isa. 21:6-12.)Faithfulness in individual watching during a trialperiod of seven years was rewarded by thebestowal of the office of the greatest servantwhich the Church of God has had since theApostle Paul. "Whosoever will be chief among you let him beyour servant." (Matt. 20:27.) Pastor Russell at alltimes served the Church in great things andsmall. No request was too insignificant to get hiscareful attention. Rich and poor alike werefaithfully served in every possible way. Thiswork prior to 1881 was a great work for anyordinary man, but insignificant compared withwhat was to follow. By 1884 the watchman'swork had grown to such proportions as to causethe founding of The Watch Tower Bible andTract Society. This is the agency through whichGod's appointed watchman has delivered hismessage to Christendom. Pastor Russell paid noattention to the words or opinions of man,however learned or pious, whether men ofmodern days or the "early fathers" of postapostolictimes. He listened to the word directfrom the mouth of God, spoken by holy men ofold as moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21.)Ezekiel was raised up shortly before thedestruction of Jerusalem to warn the Hebrews ofthe impending calamity. Pastor Russell's warningto Christendom, coming direct from God, hasbeen of the imminent collapse of the present"Christian" civilization in a welter of war,revolution and anarchy, to be succeeded by theearly establishment of the Kingdom of God. Inall his warnings he claimed no originality. He