Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 9, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 15.

“Enquire, and make search, and ask diligently.”

No. 292. A Conditional Prophecy.

WILL you please explain the following scriptures: Eze. 47:1, 12; 48:31? What city is this mentioned in the last text? J. H. COX.

We understand that the last nine chapters of the book of Ezekiel are conditional prophecy, based on Israel’s acceptance or rejection of God’s message. The principle of these conditions is clearly stated in Jer. 18:9, 10. The conditions of the fulfillment of the promises of the prophecy, the building of the sanctuary, the restoration of the kingdom of Israel, the wonderful glory of Jerusalem, etc., were that Israel should be ashamed of their evil doings and put away their iniquities. See Eze. 43:9-11. But Israel did not repent; consequently the sanctuary was never builded, Jerusalem was never enlarged and glorified as promised, the healing waters never sprang forth, etc. But all these things will be fulfilled even more gloriously in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. See chapters 21, 22 of Revelation. That Ezekiel’s prophecy can never in the future be fulfilled is evident from the fact that the blood of bulls and goats will no longer be acceptable to the Lord even as a type. See Heb. 9:9-11. Yet had Israel yielded to God, these offerings would have still been made by the sons of Levi. See Ezekiel 45 and 46.

No. 293. A Famine.

AMOS 8:11-13. When will this take place?

It was doubtless partially and typically fulfilled when the ten tribes of Israel were carried away captive because they rejected the Lord; and will meet its ultimate fulfillment after probation closes, the plagues of God’s wrath begin to fall, and the work of the servants of God is done. See Rev. 22:11, 12. Then men who have rejected the word of the Lord will seek it, not because they love it, but that they may be saved from the fruit of their own doings. See Prov. 1:23-32; Isa. 65:11-14.

No. 294. Sitting with Abraham.

IS MATT. 8:11 during the reign of Christ?

It doubtless will be then fulfilled. Compare with Luke 13:28, 29. Of course, in a degree it is now true. Every one who accepts Christ is represented in him, exalted with him to the heavenly places; but its fullness will be when Christ takes the throne of his glory, at his second coming.

No. 295. Women Speaking in Churches.

WILL you please explain through the columns of your paper 1 Cor. 14:34? J. C. QUILLIN.

See Signs of the Times, March 5, 1896, page 4, answer to question No. 278.

No. 296. Nehemiah and Sabbath Laws.

WILL you please explain Neh. 13:15-22 with reference to the Sunday-law question? A READER.

Nehemiah was acting as the agent of God in the work that he did. Israel was still under the special providence of God, not a pure theocracy, it is true, but still a modified theocracy, in which God spoke directly by his prophets to his people. See Ezra 6:14; Neh. 2:12, 18, and all through the book. The city was the Lord’s city, the people the Lord’s people, the Sabbath was the Lord’s Sabbath, and those who did not keep it were interlopers, working against the direct plan and providence of God in the restoration of the city. The place, the time, the circumstances have no parallel in the matter of modern or ancient Sunday laws.

No. 297. The Gospel Commission.

WHAT authority have Christian churches to set apart a select portion of their teachers to carry into effect a part of the commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach [“make disciples of,” margin] all nations, baptizing them,” etc.? Is there any Bible authority? J. C. B.

The commission to show forth the praises of Christ is given to the whole church. See 1 Peter 2:9. But there are different kinds of work to be done, and to supply all this God has placed different gifts, ministers, and offices in the church, such as wisdom, knowledge, healing, prophecy, working of miracles, tongues, helps, governments, apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, pastors, elders, deacons, etc. See Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-31; Eph. 4:7-13, et al. Some of these officers were specially mentioned, the qualifications requisite set forth, and they solemnly set apart by the church for their important duties. See Acts 6:2-6; 13:1-3; 14:23; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 2:2; Titus 3:5, etc. These scriptures certainly give ample authority for the setting apart of special persons for special work. But there is room for all.

No. 298. The Lying Spirit.

PLEASE explain 1 Kings 22:23, concerning the “lying spirit.” CHAS. E. HALL.

God desires to send truth and light to his people always; but when they reject his counsel, his light, his truth, his prophets, his Spirit, he then permits to come upon them that which they choose. So it is often said that the Lord sends that which he permits, because without his permission it could not go. But God never permits the lying spirit to deceive, nor the “strong delusion” to come upon the people, till they reject the love of the truth. See 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Prov. 1:29-31.

No. 299. Wicked after the 1,000 Years.

IS THERE any proof in Isa. 65:20 that the wicked will live upon the earth 1,000 years after their resurrection?

Nothing but inferential proof. Rev. 20:5, 8, 9 shows that they will live, that Satan will deceive them and marshal them into armies. How long this will take we are not told in this scripture. But might we not infer from Isa. 65:20 that this would be a period of 100 years, during which time the responsible lost child and the mature sinner would alike die at the end of the period? We merely suggest it.

No. 300. The Worm Shall Not Die.

PLEASE explain Isa. 66:24, “The worm shall not die.” C. T. D.

The worm is an agent of destruction, which consumes—not living beings, but “the carcasses of the men that have transgressed” against God. What the worm does not devour, the fire will consume; but the worm shall not die nor will the fire be quenched till it has done its work. Isa. 51:8. But the fire will utterly consume, or burn up, the wicked. See Matt. 3:12; Mal. 4:1; Rev. 18:8; 20:9; Ps. 37:20.

No. 301. Ezekiel 40, etc.

FOR remarks on the last nine chapters of Ezekiel see answer to question No. 292.

No. 302. The Day of the Lord.

WILL the day of the Lord be dark to his people?

If they were here on this earth, it would be; for it is to this earth and its desolate, dark condition that the day of the Lord pertains. See Amos 5:18-20; Zeph. 1:14-18; Rev. 6:15-17; Isa. 13:9-11. So to all who desire the day of the Lord on this earth, thinking it to be a good time, it will be darkness and not light. The people of God will not then be on the earth, however, but in heaven with Christ (John 14:1-3; Rev. 19:1); and where the Lord is, there is light.