The Proposal — Claim Your Promises!

In his zeal to promote Zionism, on August 18, 1891, Pastor Russell wrote to the philanthropists Baron Maurice de Hirsch and Baron Edmond de Rothschild, or as he described them, “the two leading Hebrews of the world.” Russell presented to these two men a practical plan for Zionism. “As you will see from my books [Studies in the Scriptures], we find the testimony of the prophets to be, that your nation will be greatly blessed and return to divine favor between now and the year 1915, A.D.” Russell went on to suggest that the persecutions that Jews were suffering in Russia were “a mark of divine favor rather than the reverse…” Russell then pointed out the prophecies which indicated that persecutions would only get worse, because the Lord’s purpose was to drive the Jews “out of all lands whither he has scattered them.” With predictions drawn from the Prophet Jeremiah (32:37-44; 33:6-22), the Pastor continued to elaborate his proposal: “My suggestion is that the wealthy Hebrews purchase from Turkey, at a fair valuation, all of her property interest in these lands: i.e., all of the Government lands (lands not held by private owners), under the provision that Syria and Palestine shall be constituted a FREE STATE… “But please note, my dear Sir, that the sacred Scriptures predict the return to Palestine, and not a further wandering to the ends of the earth — to America or elsewhere. And, therefore, it is my humble opinion that Israel will find no rest for the sole of his foot until he finds the land of promise; and I pray you, therefore, not to waste your efforts in assisting emigration elsewhere, but concentrate them in the direction where God has indicated success. God bless you.”

A month after Russell’s letter to the two barons, on September 11, 1891, Baron Hirsch founded the Jewish Colonization Association to buy land, principally in North and South America, but in Palestine, as well, where agricultural colonies could be established and resettled by Jews who had been persecuted in Russia.

Russell’s Unprecedented Invitation!

Meanwhile, the Pastor’s message did not go unnoticed in the broader Jewish communities of the United States and Europe. They noted that the proposition boldly put forward by Pastor Russell and the International Bible Students Association contrasted with the position of many Christian churches at that time. The predominant belief among most Christian sects in the late 1800s was that God’s covenant with the Jews had long ended because of their rejection of Jesus, and that the Jews should convert to Christianity. By contrast, and based on Scripture, Russell and the Bible Students did not agree, proposing that God’s covenant with Israel is eternal and was being revived according to time prophecy.

Because of Pastor Russell’s determined, non-proselytizing message of comfort to the Jews, in 1910 Russell received a letter from a committee of Jewish leaders:

“Dear Sir: Your Sympathetic interest in the Jewish people for years past has not escaped our notice. Your denunciation of the atrocities perpetrated against our race in the name of Christianity has added to our conviction that you are a sincere friend. Your discourse on ‘Jerusalem and Jewish Hopes’ has struck a responsive chord in the hearts of many of our people. Still we doubted for a time if any Christian minister could really be interested in a Jew as a Jew and merely from a hope of proselyting him… You may well understand how surprised we are to find a Christian minister acknowledging that there are prophecies of the Bible still fulfilled, which belong to the Jew and not to the Christian…

“These things, Pastor Russell, have led to the formation of a Jewish Mass Meeting Committee, which by this letter, request you to give a public discourse, especially to our people….”

The Pastor accepted the unprecedented invitation and on October 9, 1910, gave a sermon entitled “Zionism in Prophecy” to an audience of about 4,000 Jews at the Hippodrome — New York’s largest and finest auditorium.

As The New York American reported on that day: “The unusual spectacle of 4,000 Hebrews enthusiastically applauding a Gentile preacher, after having listened to a sermon he addressed to them concerning their own religion… Pastor Russell, the famous head of the Brooklyn Tabernacle conducted a most unusual service. It was not long before all reserve, and all possible doubt of Pastor Russell’s entire sincerity and friendliness were worn away. Then the mention of the name of a great leader [Herzl] who, the speaker declared, had been raised by God for the cause — brought a burst of applause.”

Russell held similar mass meetings to Jewish audiences in Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Kansas City and Cincinnati. In England he addressed 4,600 Jews in London’s Royal Albert Hall, following which he appeared in Glasgow and Manchester, then gave talks in other European cities with large Jewish populations, including Vienna, Berlin, Krakow and Budapest.

Although embraced by the vast majority of his audiences, Russell did at times get a mixed reception. After he had left one meeting, three Jewish groups got into such a clash that 46 policemen were called to disperse them. Even though a few Jewish groups such as these resisted hearing the messages of Russell, his words echoed on. The Herzl Year Book provides statistics of Russell’s printed preaching on the subject of Judaism and Zionism, which appeared in 107,000 copies of Anglo-Jewish newspapers and weeklies, and in 650,000 copies of the Yiddish Press. Russell even published a Yiddish-language paper of his own, Die Shtimme - “The Voice.”

In May 26, 1911, Jacob De Haas, editor of the Boston Jewish Advocate and a personal confidant of Herzl, published an article in The Jewish Advocate praising Russell as a “Philo-semite” with no desire to convert the Jews. Russell’s persistent encouragement reminded the Jews of their own, separate covenant with God — promises of restoration delivered to ancient Israel by Old Testament prophets:

“And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them…” — Amos 9:14, 15

“Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.” — Jeremiah 30:18

In recent history, Russell’s work to proclaim the importance of Zionism has been acknowledged by none other than the current Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, who said, “A recognition of Pastor Russell’s important role as an early American Christian advocate of Zionism is long overdue.” The late Jeane Kirkpatrick, the former U.S. Ambassador to the UN, praised Russell calling him a “neglected man and chapter in the history of Zionism.” While Russell may not have lived to see the fulfillment of his forecast, his legacy continues.

Bible Students Continue to
Encourage Jews to Embrace Their Prophecies

Bible Students carry on Pastor Russell’s legacy as enthusiastic, non-proselytizing Christian Zionists. Associated Bible Student fellowships throughout the world support the return of the Jews to their homeland and encourage them to cherish their Jewish heritage. God has not forgotten His promises to them and intends to bring them to a role of prominence in His Kingdom. “In thee, [Abraham] and in thy seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed.” Genesis 22:18

“For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee… I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” — Isaiah 62:1-4 & 6-7

For a more thorough understanding of the prophecies surrounding the

Nation of Israel, please click this link to our current Issue of

The End Times Bible Report Quarterly:

“Be Not Ignorant of This Mystery…

All Israel Shall Be Saved”

— Romans 11:25, 26 —

For more fascinating short articles covering many prophetic topics, click this link:

The End Times Bible Report Quarterly