Watchman's Teaching Letter #220 August 2016

This is my two hundred and twentieth monthly teaching letter and continues my nineteenth year of publication. I have resolved to do a series of lessons doing a beneficial critical review of Howard B. Rand’s books, tracts and articles published in his Destiny Magazine.Printed for many years, Destiny Magazine had several guest writers of varying degrees of excellence. I rate Rand and his associate writers about 50%, but some of their articles are simply outstanding.

With this lesson, I will cite an article entitled, “The Iniquitous Empire: A Great Mystery”, by Howard B. Rand found in Destiny Magazine for March, 1950 yearbook, pp. 81-88:

The phenomenal rise of world Communism and the rapid advance of Political Zionism, coupled with the presence of abundant evidence to demonstrate the exercise of pressure from hidden sources and controls over the acts of politicians and governments, reveal the existence of a blueprint for world conquest that is master-minded by the authors of a great world conspiracy.

Thoughtful men and women have long recognized the existence of a secret group of would-be world rulers whose activities have been manifested principally through the power of money and financial control. For example, a study of the history of the Nihilists, the Illuminati, the Fabians and the House of Rothschild supplies ample evidence of the existence of such a cabal. These unseen rulers have exerted a tremendous influence upon all governments and have extended their ruthless controls over the economic, political, financial and intellectual affairs of mankind. Even religion itself has come under their baneful influence.

Secret Rulers

Since these concealed forces stand behind every phase of man’s undertakings – cultural, governmental, ecclesiastical – they represent a hidden, iniquitous empire, able to maneuver policies and programs in their favor wherever they will to do so. Their weapons are influence, sometimes coercion, camouflage, subtle propaganda, secret agreements and secret diplomacy; the domain of their empire is any country, or from country to country, or in many countries at once, where they exercise their hidden influences behind the scenes. Their ultimate objective is the seizure of worldwide authority to enthrone themselves in universal rule.

[Critical note by Clifton A. Emahiser: While Rand and company seem quite familiar with certain phases of the great conspiracy, they seem not to be familiar with the Edomite-jewish connection documented by Josephus’ Antiquities 13;9;1 which reads:

Describing events circa 125 B.C., “... Hyrcanus took also Dora and Marissa, cities of Idumea, and subdued all the Idumeans; and permitted them to stay in that country, if they would circumcise their genitals, and make use of the laws of the Jews; and they were so desirous of living in the country of their forefathers, that they submitted to the use of circumcision, and the rest of the Jewish ways of living; at which time therefore this befell them, that they were hereafter no other than Jews.”

By the time of Christ, the Edomite-jew family of the Herods had gained almost complete control over Judaea under the Roman Empire, and were greater in number than the few true racially pure Israelites living there at that time, and the Edomite-jews are the ones who are at the head of “The Iniquitous Empire” today. With the Christmas story, we should all be familiar with how Herod the Great had most of the children two years and younger murdered who lived in the Bethlehem area back then.] – back to Rand.

Power To Make War

History reveals that through well-laid schemes governments have been made to prosper or die as the leaders of this empire have willed. Political rulers have taken office or have been deposed as directed by these unseen manipulators. The power to make war against anyone daring to question the authority of the rulers of this unseen empire has drenched the earth with the blood of the slain. Murderers and assassins are also in their employ. In an editorial titled ‘Who Wants War’? in Destiny for August 1939, reference was made to the hidden or invisible government:

“‘Who, through deception, are responsible for deceiving men by subtle activities as they disseminate evil propaganda and go forward with their planning.

“‘Let us now quote from their written plan, ‘We must create unrest, dissensions, and hatred throughout Europe and through European affiliations, also on other continents .... We will entangle by intrigues all the threads stretched by us into all the governmental bodies by means of politics, economic treaties or financial obligations .... To attain these ends we will worm our way into parlays and negotiations armed with cunning, but in so-called ‘official language’ we will assume the opposite tactics of seeming honest and reasonable .... We will be able to overcome all opposition by provoking war by the neighbor of that country which dares to oppose .... We will show our power to one of them by assassination and terrorism, and should there be a possibility of all of them rising against us, we will answer them with American, Chinese or Japanese guns’.”

After reading this portion of the plan, let us turn to the record of current history. What do we find? The best efforts of men of good-will have failed to prevent unrest or have been unable to bring about an understanding among peoples and governments. When at times it has seemed they would accomplish their purpose, intangible and unseen forces intervened to prevent amiable and lasting settlements. We need not comment on the economic treaties or financial obligations to which reference is made. It is apparent to all that such have caused serious conflicts in the diplomatic field today, preventing a real accord between nations. Regarding parleys and negotiations, it is a known fact that there has been planted in international documents and treaties the seeds of future strife and war.

Reference is made to assassinations. A nation was definitely picked for such activities when, many years before the coming of Bolshevism, the assassin terrorized the rulers of Russia. Then came Communism and its reign of terror. Germany, Italy and other countries rose in revolt against those responsible, with the result that, in accordance with the plan, powerful forces are trying to bring about conditions so that American guns may be used to subdue that opposition.

Who wants war? It is certain the American people do not, nor do the peoples of the world. Yet, in spite of this fact, the world is arming for a gigantic struggle. It is of interest, in the face of the present armament race, to read what the writers of the subversive plan have to say. ‘The intensification of armaments, the increase of police forces – are all essential to the completion of the aforementioned plans’.” End of what was written in Destiny in August of 1939.

[Critical note by Clifton A. Emahiser: In 1939, I was only 12 years old, and my family on both sides of our house knew little to nothing about what was really going on, but Rand and his associate writers were aware of a good bit of this subterfuge, while it took me to the mid-1970s to become a novice on this subject, but I learned a lot very quickly with extensive research into the matter.] – back to Rand:

Setting the Stage

This editorial was written at least two months before World War II commenced. Following the beginning of war on September 3, 1939, the forces behind the scenes began moving to involve the United States in the conflict. Men high in government positions at Washington were used to set the stage for the attack by the Japanese upon Pearl Harbor as a means of making our participation in the conflict inevitable.

The situation has now changed with Communist Russia dominating China. Can it be that the Chinese are now being trained and prepared under the discipline of Red leaders to be used later to pressure the United States into acquiescing to the over-all plan? Is it the work of traitors within who, through secret diplomacy, have to all intents and purposes invited the Chinese Reds to come and take the Island of Formosa from which Japan successfully launched her attack upon us?

It is unfortunate that when one suggests that such a hidden empire exists, whose leaders are directing a subversive program with such worldwide implications, the suggestion is considered by the majority to be the height of absurdity. This very attitude demonstrates how successfully these evil plotters have been able to hide their hand so that only a few are able to recognize the marks by which their activities can be identified.

The testimony of Mr. Paul G. Hoffman, Economic Co-operation Administrator, in an address at Mount Holyoke College, confirms the fact that only through actual knowledge of the situation will men awaken to the realization of these hidden dangers. The following is the report of Mr. Hoffman’s remarks as given in The Boston Herald for January 19, 1950:

The aim of Russia’s ‘Red Terror’ is to ‘take over this country of ours in due course,’ Economic Co-operation Administrator Paul G. Hoffman said today. Only a prosperous Western Europe and a union of free people, he said, can foil ‘the evil plans of the men of the Kremlin.’

Hoffman told students at Mount Holyoke College that if the Kremlin’s plans fail, Russia ‘will cease to be a slave state .... and we can all get on to the inspiring job of winning the peace.’

Charging that ‘the present Russian dictators’ are as ‘inhuman’ and ‘indifferent to the wants and needs of the average man’ as were Hitler and Ghengis Kahn, Hoffman declared: .... ‘The Politburo is planning to take over this country of ours in due course .... Their purpose is nothing less than this.’

Hoffman said he himself did not believe that until ‘I was faced with the most convincing evidence, and even more importantly, until I became so intimately involved in this cold war with Russia’s fifth columns. It is only,’ he continued, ‘as you feel the impact of the Kremlin’s drive at first hand that you sense the evil of this red terror. There isn’t a trace of idealism in Russian communism .... There is left not the slightest regard for decency, truth or the integrity of individuals’.”

[Critical note by: Clifton A. Emahiser: It is a huge mistake on the part of Mr. Hoffman to compare Hitler with the Kremlin, as I stated in my essay, Viewing Bolshevism Through The Eyes Of Adolf Hitler:

From Behind Communism by Frank L. Britton in part:

Rosa Luxemburg’s Revolution:

The first country to experience a communist revolution outside of Russia was Germany. The German government, which had abetted the Bolshevik coup in 1917 by facilitating Lenin’s return to Russia via the sealed railway car, was in 1918 faced with a revolution of its own. In many respects the German Revolution paralleled the one in Russia. As World War I reached the climactic year of 1918, and as German manpower losses mounted, the Jew-dominated German Social Democratic Party spread the seeds of defeatism among the German population much as the Bolsheviks had done in Russia. On November 3rd a mutiny broke out in the navy at Kiel, followed by rioting by the Social Democrats. On November 9th the Kaiser renounced his throne and the Social Democrats proclaimed a Socialist Republic. Two days later, on Nov. 11th, they agreed to an Armistice with the Allies.

There now occurred an event which was to embitter the German people against the Jews for all time, and which eventually resulted in the rise of Adolf Hitler. This was the demobilization of the German armies. It should be explained that Germany did not surrender by the terms of the November 11th Armistice; the agreement was that all German armies were to withdraw to the prewar boundaries of Germany as a preliminary to a negotiated peace. But as the German armies retreated to German soil, the Revolutionary government, fearful lest the Revolution be upset, ordered them demobilized. On November 11th Germany still possessed the mightiest military machine on earth; thirty days later it had nothing. Instead of being able to negotiate peace on the terms of Wilson’s Fourteen Points, a helpless and prostrate Germany got the Versailles Treaty ....” Thus, Nazism had absolutely nothing in common with Communism, as Germany was for the most part, a Christian lost Israelite nation!] – back to Rand:

What Mr. Hoffman apparently does not yet recognize is the extent of the world conspiracy which has as but one of its objectives the overthrow of the government of the United States. Soviet Russian aggression is only a part of the planned moves to accomplish the establishment of world rule.

World Conspiracy

A careful study of the affairs of the human race proves the existence of such a force, amounting to a world conspiracy, which has existed for centuries and is now moving to consummate carefully-laid plans to seize the fruits of the earth. Glimpses of its activities reveal a sordid picture of treachery, intrigue and murder, exceeding the most lurid accounts of the sinister and devilish acts of the demented. The violence of the French Revolution, with its acts of terror, and the liquidation of millions by the Bolsheviks in the Russian Revolution are some of the results flowing from the directives issued by these hidden ones.

The manipulation of the money systems of the world for the purpose of impoverishing and enslaving mankind is part of the plan in that it will enrich the few and assure control over the affairs of men by the leaders of this invisible empire. Some of the facts pertaining to monetary manipulation were set forth in ‘Is Economic Ruin Inevitable?’ by C.R. Dickey, Destiny for September and October 1949. In every land, back of all visible governments, advising, directing and compelling obedience to their edicts, are the paid minions of this invisible but iniquitous empire. Our own government today is under its control. In Destiny for August 1949 we said:

We are living in serious times and, unfortunately, subversive and radical individuals seem to have the ear of the President if we are to judge the type of advisors surrounding him by his pronouncements and activities .... Recently Justice Frankfurter, in reply to a question as to who really runs the United States, answered, ‘The real rulers of a nation are undiscoverable.’ This is in conformity with a similar statement made by Disraeli when he was Prime Minister of Great Britain:

The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes’.”

It is imperative that loyal Americans take a look behind the scenes; when they do they will demand that these invisible rulers be dethroned. Unless this is done soon the liberty and freedom our forefathers hoped to establish as a heritage for their children forever, when they left foreign shores and sailed to this North American Continent to found a new nation, will be destroyed by radical parasites who thrive upon the efforts and production of others.

Our Chief Executive seems to have become a victim of the vicious program of these personages behind the scenes, which may account for his left-wing tendencies and the proposed radical legislation which he so strongly advocates .... Powerful forces are moving to destroy our American way of life and it is disquieting and even alarming to realize that they apparently have the ear of the President of the United States so that they can exert a marked influence on his appointments and his program.

Powerful Weapons

It will only be when the rulers of this hidden empire are dethroned and their power to propagandize and make war is completely destroyed that world peace will become a possibility. To accomplish this end it is vitally necessary to reveal to the public their identity and expose their plans. It is impossible to overcome their power singlehanded; only an aroused public can do this. Many individuals who have tried to reveal the extent of their power, and break the strangle hold this invisible empire has acquired over mankind, have themselves been broken. Some have even been goaded on to commit suicide by the sniping of stooges in the employ of these hidden leaders. A case in point was the late Secretary of Defense, James V. Forrestal.

Far-Flung Empire

One significant aspect of this conspiracy is now disclosed by activities in Palestine and will presently involve the whole Middle East.

Time will shortly demonstrate to even the most skeptical the identity of these conspirators who are endeavoring through chaos to enslave mankind. Associated with, if not actually in the center of this great world-wide conspiracy to destroy Christendom, are those who were responsible for the crucifixion of Yahshua Christ, the Son of the Almighty. Their plans are now carefully laid for the seizure of His inheritance, the first steps in the fulfillment of such a program evidenced in the Zionist claims to a right to Palestine which they have undertaken to possess through acts of violence. Furthermore, in their arrogance they have assumed a messianic mission for their race and in so doing are undertaking to usurp the kingly prerogatives of Yahshua Christ, our coming Sovereign and King. The verdict of our Sovereign is therefore just in its condemnation of these conspirators and their attempt, through violence, to seize the Kingdom.’ (Palestine: Center of World Intrigue, page 49.)

It must not be assumed that these evil forces are centered in any one area of the world alone, for this far-flung empire is now actively operating in the capital cities of all nations and its secret agents have become very powerful in Washington, D.C. Mr. Douglas Reed, in his book From Smoke To Smother, points to the power of money and calls attention to the fact that, alongside the rise of world Communism and political Zionism, the transfer of most of the world’s gold supply and money to America, the present seat of Zionist power, is a vital factor to consider in an analytical survey of this kind. He writes:

It seems to me, when I consider the power of that entombed gold and the pattern of events in the last thirty years, that there are great, organized forces in the world, which are spread over many countries but work in unison to achieve power over mankind through chaos. They seem to me to seek, first and foremost, the destruction of Christianity, nationhood and liberty in Europe; that was ‘the design’ which Lord Acton perceived behind the first of the tumults, the French Revolution, and it has become clearer with later tumults and growing success. This process does not appear to me a natural or inevitable one, but a man-made one which follows definite rules of conspiratorial action. I believe there is an organization behind it of long standing, and that the great successes which have been achieved are mainly due to the efficiency with which this has been kept concealed’.” (From Smoke To Smother, page 315.)

Over-All Plan

The time has evidently arrived when the leaders of the hidden empire expect to reveal their hand and assume outward control of world governments which for many years they have directed from the background. A part of their over-all plan is the present movement for the establishment of a centralized world government, the danger of which was clearly outlined in an editorial titled ‘World Government,’ Destiny for December 1949. Quoting in part from that editorial:

With a world organization like that now being advocated, all that an ambitious man would have to do would be to capture the central government through intrigue, or some successfully executed coup, and gain control over the international police through bribery or, by political maneuvering, replace its heads with his own henchmen. Then he would indeed become a world dictator. It would be as easy as that!

The successful accomplishment of such a coup would be a thousand times more certain if the centralized government was in exclusive control of the atomic bomb. Once an ambitious man succeeded in usurping the authority and power of such a world organization, and was in control of its atomic weapons, and perhaps others of equally deadly nature, he could effectively prevent any nation from challenging his authority.

The world would then become subject to the terrorism of absolutism in government and there would be no place anywhere where men might flee to escape. World conditions would be far more intolerable then than they are now behind the iron curtain.

As long as there are men with ambitions to assume world rulership, it would be an extremely dangerous experiment to attempt to organize a world government. It is imperative to warn that there is real danger of this power falling into the wrong hands.’

Evidence in Prophecy

If such a hidden empire does exist, then the writings of the prophets of Yahweh in the Bible should have something to say about it. A study of prophecy does indeed reveal that the Word of the Almighty is not silent concerning this evil empire and its activities. The prophets clearly depict the existence of such a power; their prophecies describe a dominant evil world force more powerful than governments and exerting a sinister influence upon all mankind by the exercise of controls over human destinies.

A Heterogeneous Monster

In the seventh chapter of Daniel’s book this diabolical power, having many phases, is symbolically depicted as four beasts coming up out of the sea, the last one a heterogeneous monster combining all the characteristics of the beasts that went before it. The term ‘great sea’ is a symbolical reference to the mass of mankind; therefore, Daniel saw this power rise out from among the people. This was no ordinary vision comprising simple elements by which it could be defined with the same clarity that Daniel was able to explain the vision of the image depicting the four world empires. This beast-power was to be nothing like anything that went before it, the principal divergence being that it would not be confined to any particular territorial limitations. It would not wield its authority through any one visible government; it would be international in aspect and universal in power; its rulers would recognize no national requirements of loyalty to any government or patriotism to any country upon earth. Daniel’s dilemma as he beheld the heterogeneous monster was complete as he heard the Angel describe its evil nature:

Which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.’ (Dan. 7:23.)

Prophetic students who have endeavored to assign this description of the fourth phase of the hidden empire to the Roman Empire have overlooked the fact that Rome was never essentially different from the Babylonian, Medo-Persian or Grecian Empires in her methods and rule. Ferrar Fenton translates the above passage: ‘It will be different from all the Empires, and devour all the earth, and thrash it, and break it.’

Smith and Goodspeed translate it: ‘Which shall be different from all the other kingdoms; It shall devour the whole earth, and shall trample it down, and tear it in pieces.’

Missing Significance

Because students of the Scriptures have undertaken to identify the four beasts which Daniel saw rising out of the sea with the four world empires shown to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, they have wholly missed the significance of the meaning of this important vision. They have failed to consider the clue given that Daniel himself did not understand this vision which was sealed up until the end of days.’ As pointed out in Study in Daniel:

The very fact that Daniel was so disturbed and alarmed should have immediately put every Bible student on guard against making the mistake of assuming that, because these beasts represent four ‘kings’ arising from the earth, they must therefore be the identical kingdoms the metals in the image of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represented.

Without a single exception known to us, every student of Scripture who has approached this subject has assumed that the vision of these four beasts was merely a repetition of the vision of the four kingdoms Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream, the meaning of which was so clearly interpreted by Daniel. But the Prophet himself recognized the impossibility of interpreting this vision in the same terms that applied to the image seen by Nebuchadnezzar.

... One fact which should be pointed out here is that, in referring to the meaning attached to the metals in Nebuchadnezzar’s image, Daniel declared they represented four kingdoms, or realms, while the angel stated the four beasts represented four kings, or powers. Only in connection with the final beast, which was so terrible, was the word kingdom or empire used.

Another outstanding difference becomes very apparent when one studies the symbolisms. In the image of the man the head of gold was the greatest in the line of World Empires and, represented in the legs of iron and feet partly of iron and partly of clay, we have a much inferior kingdom. In Daniel’s vision, however, the greatest and most terrible of all the beasts was the last one which was quite different from the other three. Again, a study of the history of the rule of the kings of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Imperial Rome does not reveal any such beastly activities as are assigned to the four beasts of Daniel’s vision. While it is true that the four World Empires, each in its turn, conquered the nations, yet each also established a period of world peace as soon as it was possible after gaining domination.

But the four beasts seen by Daniel did just the reverse. The least offensive was the lion. When the bear arose he devoured much flesh, to be followed by the leopard. When the fourth beast arose it was dreadful and terrible to look upon and devoured and tore its victims to pieces, stamping down what was left with its feet. These divergent facts alone should have shown students the error of trying to make the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and the vision of Daniel merely repetitious and the interpretation the same. If these two had the same object in view, the symbolism used would have harmonized.

“‘As a matter of fact, Nebuchadnezzar saw the successive kingdoms which were to rule during the period of Gentile [rather ‘nations’] domination, but Daniel was shown forces at work within those kingdoms which were to extend beyond them, increasing their power throughout the entire period covered by the rule of the Babylonian Succession of Empires. The forces the beasts represented were to grow stronger and more powerful as the centuries passed.’ (Study in Daniel, pages 169 to 171.)

Again quoting from Study in Daniel:

When it is recognized that these beasts of prey represented the three main systems of human endeavor, the crushing effect of the tusks in the mouth of the bear becomes quite clear.

To the rending power of the bear was added the swiftness and treacherous cunning of the leopard, a development in human economy, as well as in superstitious ecclesiasticism, which began to become more pronounced during the time of the Grecian Empire, with which period that beast was associated. But with the rise of Rome to power the political, economic and religious phases of human activity took on a more sinister aspect, as evidenced in the terribleness of the fourth beast seen and described by Daniel in his vision.

It is not at all surprising that Daniel was unable to comprehend the full significance of much of what he beheld, for until the political, economic and religious aspects of the Babylonian system became fully manifested in all their evil and oppression he had nothing by which he could gauge the significance of what was shown to him. We can now understand why Yahweh told this Prophet that many of his visions were sealed and could not be made known until the time of the end. Imperial Rome had to come into being, for during its rule and the rule of the Papacy the terrible aspects of the power of the fourth beast would be manifested.

The power established over all mankind in the extension throughout the whole earth of human political, economic and religious domination has been immensely increased in the last few centuries through the enthronement of money, the establishment of usury (interest), the greed of commerce and the religious superstitions of men. Millions have gone to untimely deaths because of the oppression of our present world economy and, as men slave to serve Mammon, many have lost their health and become broken in body and spirit. The fearful beast seen by Daniel and described by John is truly devouring many victims and stamping the rest with its feet as men struggle to survive political oppression, economic oblivion and religious domination and superstition.

It is unnecessary for us to go into detail, having now established the identity of these four beasts, for the student can readily recognize that the fourth and most ferocious beast clearly represents the modern world-wide establishment of the godless activities of man’.” (Study in Daniel,pages 180-181.)

Few men even yet are aware of the full extent to which the world has been subjected to a merciless tyrannical power in the hands of a few men, seeking to regiment and control all human activities. The present institution of the welfare state is one of the final moves in the over-all plan to gain full domination over the works of men and bring all governments into complete subjection to their will. As pointed out in Study in Revelation:

Modern commercial requirements have been the contributing cause of strife and war and the oppression of peoples and nations so that a few might profit thereby. As men depart from the ways of Yahweh, and become more and more materialistic, the godless system increases its oppression with a lowering of its ethical standards, until it is the habitation of foulness’.” (Study in Revelation, p. 277.)

[Critical note by Clifton A. Emahiser: Since the subtitle above “Missing Significance”, I have been somewhat confused about what Rand is intimating, so I decided to review his Study in Daniel, pp. 179-181, but I ended up at pp. 87-88 where he implies that Great Britain is the Stone Kingdom and the Germans were “the image [that] was to be smashed, but the attack must be directed at the feet in accord with what Daniel so clearly outlined ... the Stone hits the feet of the image it will be followed by the final and entire collapse of the power of the image ... seals the doom of Germany ...” Here, Rand takes a portion of Daniel’s prophecy completely out of context!] Rand’s “The Iniquitous Empire ...” will be continued in WTL #221.