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For over twenty years a lamp emblem appeared on the covers of the "Millennial Dawn" textbook series. (its name was later
changed to "Studies in the Scriptures") In 1911 the lamp was replaced by a winged solar-disk. This is
a favorite point for critics of Charles Taze Russell. By constantly harping on his use of this symbol (all the
while claiming that it is of the occult) critics and "cult watchers" present this as solid evidence that Charles Taze Russell
had occult connections, thus invalidating his life and 42 years of study in one fell swoop. But do you want to
know the truth about this symbol? Why was it used? What does it mean? Although, as
critics point out, the ancient Egyptians did incorporate this symbol into their culture, it actually pre-dates them by several
centuries, putting its creation and use very close to the time following the Great Flood. In fact, archaeologists
recognize the winged sun-disk originated from two different types of earthly observations. First, during a full
solar eclipse when the sun is totally covered by the moon, there appear for a split second "streamers" or "wings" on either
side of the eclipsed sun. The ancients stylized this into a winged sun-disk to represent how light always gains
power over darkness. Secondly, at the dawn of the day, when the sun first emerges on the horizon, there is again
a split second when it appears to have "streamers" or "wings" on either side. This is the basis for the messianic
prophecy of Malachi 4:2 (Malachi 3:20 in Hebrew Bibles) "The SUN of righteousness shall arise with healing
in his WINGS." A sun - with wings!!!
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So why was this symbol chosen to appear on the covers of "Studies in the Scriptures"? Well, actually, it was
a very common symbol, and appeared as a decoration for many things in the early-mid 20th century. (even todays Chrysler automobile) It
was immensely popular in the art-deco movement of the 1920s. But, those reasons are not why Charles Russell chose
it. He used it for the same reason that he had used the lamp symbol for so long previously: The light of Truth
was shining brightly! By 1908 Pastor Russell's writings were amongst the most distributed on earth, and it was
now clear that the errors of the DARK Ages were finally being overcome by the LIGHT of truth. People
today don't seem to realize that Bibles were still new, and most were still uneducated as to its meaning. Additionally,
Pastor Russell taught from the Bible that Christ had returned as the all-powerful spirit son of God, and that therefore the
Malachi prophecy quoted earlier was NOW being fulfilled: the SUN of righteousness was already RISING. The dawn
of the Millennial day had begun. The long prayed-for Kingdom of God was emerging in its incipient stages.
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