p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 12. (3/19/1902)

LESSON 13.—MARCH 30.—THE RESURRECTION.

Lesson Scripture, John 20:1-18, R. V.

1 Now on the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb. She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid 3 Him. Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and 4 they went toward the tomb. And they ran both together: and 5 the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb, 6 and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; 7 yet entered he not in. Simon Peter therefore also cometh, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he beholdeth 8 the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, that was upon His 9 head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place 10 by itself. Then entered in therefore the other disciple also, which came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again unto their own home.

11 "But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping. So, 12 as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she 13 beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and 14 one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto 15 them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know 16 not where they have laid Him. When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew 17 not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why 18 weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir, if Thou hast borne Him hence, tell me where Thou hast laid Him, and I will take 19 Him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto Him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to 20 say Master; Jesus saith to her, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father; but go unto My brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto My Father and your Father, and 21 My God and your God. Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and how that He had said these things unto her."

Golden Text.—“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:36.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) On what day of the week did the friends of Jesus first visit His tomb after the resurrection? On coming to the tomb what did they see? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) To whom did Mary run? What did she say to them? Verse 2. (3) What then did these disciples do? Verse 3. (4) Which one arrived first? Verse 4. (5) On looking in the sepulcher, what did he see? (6) When Peter came, what did he do? What did he see? Verses 5, 7. Note 2. (7) On following Peter into the tomb, what was the other disciple's experience? Verse 8. (8) Of what were the disciples still ignorant? Verse 9. Note 3. (9) Then where did Peter and his companion go? Verse 10. (10) Who still lingered at the sepulcher? (11) On looking in, what did she see? Verse 12. (12) What did the angels say to Mary? What was her answer? Verse 13. (13) As she turned away, whom did she see? Did she recognize Him? Verse 14. (14) What did Jesus say to Mary? Who did she think He was? How did she reply to His question? Verse 15. (15) How then did Jesus address her? How did Mary respond? Verse 16. (16) What cautionary command did Jesus give? Why? With what mission did He entrust her? Verse 17. (17) How did she perform this pleasant duty? Verse 18.

NOTES.

1. It was the first day of the week. It was not the Sabbath day, for "the Sabbath was past" (Mark 16:1), and the disciples had "rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment." Luke 23:56. Nowhere, before or after this memorable occasion, does the inspired record intimate that the first day of the week was or would be recognized as the Sabbath of the Lord, or the Lord's day. The only day he ever blessed and sanctified as a "perpetual covenant" (Ex. 31:16), or specially designated as "My holy day," the "holy of the Lord, honorable" (Isa. 58:13), is the seventh day. Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus had cast seven devils, was the first to whom He appeared after His resurrection. Mark 16:9. Having been forgiven most, she loved most (Luke 7:40-48), and was honored as the first human messenger of the risen Saviour.

2. Evidence of His resurrection was found in the orderly manner in which the "napkin" and "linen cloths" had been carefully folded and laid aside. Had the body been stolen as the guards had been hired to say (Matt. 28:11-15), these things would hardly have been left at all, excepting possibly something might have been dropped by accident. But all of the sepulchral habiliments would not have been left in such perfect order. The Lord never leaves Himself without witness.

3. The resurrection had been foretold in the Scripture (Ps. 16:10) and Jesus had plainly informed the disciples that He would be put to death and rise again (Matt. 16:21). But they were so imbued with the traditions of the apostate church that so far they had been unable to receive the light of life. And to-day tradition is likewise so blinding the professed followers of Christ that they can not see the light of truth pertaining to the present day and generation. They can not "discern the signs of the times," nor the inseparable connection between "the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12. The mass of professed Christians to-day are as blind concerning the second coming of Christ and the judgment as were the Jews concerning the nature of His first advent. Yet there is nothing more plainly or explicitly revealed in the Scriptures.

LESSON I.—APRIL 5.—THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM AND THE COMING OF THE LORD.

NOTE.—This series of lessons is entitled, "Studies on the Gospel Message." For Introduction and excellent suggestions as to their study, we refer the student to the Lesson Quarterly.

SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY.

HOLD closely in your study to the line of thought suggested in the lesson. There are many other things taught in these texts, but they are used in this lesson to develop a special theme. Try to get such a grasp of the scriptures used in this lesson that they shall present to your mind a connected chain of thought concerning the nature of this Gospel of the kingdom and the message in which it is to be preached just before the coming of the Lord. When this is clearly seen, other scriptures will readily associate themselves with the theme and will broaden the view of the subject.

The coming of the Lord and the end of the world are inseparably connected (Matt. 24:3), and a definite work is to be done as the preparation for these events (verse 14). This is the Gospel of personal experience (Luke 17:20, 21), and involves the doing of God's will (Matt. 6:10). It gives to God His rightful place (Jer. 10:10), and recognizes the exalted position of Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 6:14, 15). It sets forth true humility as the basis of its citizenship (Matt. 18:3, 4), and makes service to be true worship (Matt. 4:10). It shows upon what the dominion is based (Heb. 1:8), and the worthy objects of man's desire (Matt. 6:33).

There is only one Gospel (Gal. 1:8), and this was preached to Abraham (Gal. 3:8), and involved the coming of Christ in the flesh as his seed (verse 16). Wherever the Gospel is mentioned, therefore, it is this same Gospel of the kingdom, the Gospel of righteousness by faith, the Gospel of the Son of God to the human family. See Rom. 1:1-4, 16, 17.

Just before the coming of the Lord this Gospel is to be preached to all the world (Rev. 14:6) in a threefold message, directing all to the worship of the Creator (verse 7) setting forth the result of turning from this true worship (verse 8), warning against the worship of the beast and his image (verses 9, 10), and showing the result of accepting this Gospel message (verse 12). When the Gospel of the kingdom, as set forth in these verses, has been preached in all the world, the Lord will come (verse 14), and the harvest of the earth will be reaped (verse 16; Matt. 13:39).

QUESTIONS.

What two great events are associated? What makes this clear?
What prepares the way for these events?
What false idea did the Pharisees hold about the kingdom?
With what statement did Jesus seek to correct this wrong view?
What does praying for the coming of the kingdom include? How can each one co-operate in answering his own petition?
What place does the Gospel of the kingdom assign to God? How extensive is His dominion?
What titles show the place assigned to Jesus Christ?
What is the condition of entrance into the kingdom?
What is the measure of true greatness in this kingdom?
What experience constitutes an essential part of real worship?
Upon what basis is the government of this kingdom administered?
What is to be the first aim in life? What necessary things are thus assured to us? What is the result of reversing this plan?
What shows that there can be only one Gospel? What has your experience taught you concerning this?
On what basis was the Gospel preached to Abraham? In what promise was it expressed?
How is the coming of Christ in the flesh set forth in the promises to Abraham?
Who is the theme of the Gospel? What teaches the fact of the union of humanity and divinity in Him?
How extensively is this Gospel of the kingdom to be preached just before the coming of the Lord?
What is the first thing commanded? What event is announced? Who is to be worshiped? How is He distinguished from the creature?
What experience shows the result of rejecting the Gospel of the kingdom?
What powers are evidently seeking for the worship which belongs to the Creator alone?
What will be the result of yielding to this demand?
What is evidently the real question at issue? How is this shown?
What event is closely connected with the settlement of this question? What statement shows that the Son of Man comes as a king?
What is the harvest of the earth?

NOW IS THE TIME.

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ANNUAL MEETING.

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Some Things to Escape From and the WAY

The Fall of Babylon

In Rev. 14:8 this startling statement is made:—

"Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."

And another equally startling is found in Rev. 18:2:—

"Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird."

Surely not a pleasant place to dwell, you will say, and yet how few understand the import of these texts and know that these declarations concern them.

Not only is she fallen, but certain and fearful doom awaits her, as told in these words:—

"Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her."

In words of warning and entreaty, the Lord says:—

"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."

The import of this tract is to show the way out. By comparing different passages of Scripture, the writer clearly shows what constitutes Babylon, what her fall means, when it takes place, and how it concerns every one of us. You and your friends want to know about it. Read and learn the way of escape.

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"The Name"

A message to those seeking deliverance from any evil habit. A simple story, and yet a most thrilling one, relating how an old man, a heathen of South Africa, found deliverance from the dreadful demon, drink. With filthy body only partially covered with equally filthy rags, loathsome with sores, with bloated face and bleared eyes, he was so repulsive that one shrank from the sight. He had no thought or hope for anything better; he was worse than a slave, but in this wretched condition, an inspiration took hold of him. He found a way of escape. This little tract tells the way in a new setting, based on the wonderful experience of this man. It strengthens Christians, lifts up the fallen, revives the indifferent, and inspires hope in every breast.

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A Chat with My Tobacco-Loving Brother

Just a straightforward, open-hearted talk about tobacco, showing its evil effects, spiritually, mentally, and physically, on the human system. The financial side is also considered, which is no trifle. The tobacco-using habit is generally acknowledged to be a filthy and expensive one, and yet how many are under its power. Many are longing to be free, but find no way of escape from its grasp. This tract shows not only the evil effects, but tells the way of complete deliverance. The tract educates, elevates, but offends none. It inspires to a higher, better, and nobler life.

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Sunday Law—Where Begin.

By Editor

R. S. McArthur, D. D., is a prominent Baptist minister of New York City. He believes that the saloons ought to be closed every day, and that is good; but, according to the Boston Journal of February 3, he indorses the work of the New England Sabbath Protective League in endeavoring to close the saloons Sunday. He told them in Tremont Temple, February 2:—

One of the greatest dangers to the Sabbath to-day is not the saloon. It is the people within the churches who have very loose ideas as to what constitutes Christianity. The foreign legations in Washington should be made to respect our Sunday more than some of them do now.

And the first sentence is true. The major part of professed Christians not only do not keep the Sabbath of the Lord at all, but treat lightly the day that they have adopted as a substitute. But it is neither good Baptist nor Christian doctrine to compel the observance of any religious institution. But if this must be done to relieve pent-up feeling, why not try it first on these recalcitrant church-members? Surely they are the most guilty. If it works well there, foreigners and others may come under its power later on.

What Hope Have They, Anyway? — A correspondent writes:—

You quote, as your authority for the observance of the Sabbath, the fourth commandment. We will admit that the seventh, and not the first day, was the day given; but to whom was it given? Not the Gentiles, because they were not in covenant relationship with God at that time, nor were they in this relationship until after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The law was given to the children of Israel to be perpetuated as an ordinance "throughout their generations." Ex. 31:16.

No; it was not given to the Gentiles in the sense that the Gentiles as Gentiles should observe the day. They could not do it. The Gentiles are "without God in the world," and he who persists in remaining one must abide "without hope." When the Gentiles come into covenant relation with God, they are no longer Gentiles, or "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel;" the embracing of God's covenant in Christ Jesus makes them "fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone," Eph. 2:11-22. All true Israel is within, whether of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh, or of some Gentile nation. All Gentiles are without. The regenerated Gentile is of Israel. Only the spiritual can keep God's spiritual law, or know the rest of His Sabbath. There are no hopes, no promises to the Gentile, only through God's covenant with Israel.

Troublous Times

By Editor

The next article in the series of the "Restoration from Babylon" is entitled, "Troublous Times."

The Soul from a Religio-Scientific Viewpoint

By Editor

In the "Lay-Discursus-on-the-Soul" series the next article will consider the subject from a religio-scientific view point. Read the one in this issue.

Students' Volunteer Meeting Report

By Editor

Next week we publish a report from our own correspondent of the great Students' Volunteer meeting just closed in Toronto. It came just too late for this issue. But it is of interest, and all who are interested in mission work will be glad to read it. This will be followed by another article, with "Gems of Thought" from the convention.

Double Prophecy

Double Prophecy.—Many are looking for a rebuilding of old Babylon on the Euphrates River, and a subsequent sudden destruction. They think that they see this in the prophecies of Jeremiah and Revelation. They will be disappointed. (1) The prophecy in Jeremiah includes not merely the fall of the city, but the fall of the empire, a sudden fall in the midst of a feeling of security on the part of Belshazzar and his lords. (2) The prophecy is double, referring not alone to the fall of the ancient city and empire, but to the antitypical Babylon, the great apostate harlot-system which ruleth over the nations of the earth. (3) The prophecy of the Revelation refers to Babylon the apostate alone.

The Curse of Civilization Without Christianity

It is hard, in the interests of "benevolent assimilation" or true missionary work, to set aside the Spanish Government in the Philippines, which cost, according to Judge Taft, from $250,000 to $500,000 a year, and impose upon the people a government without their consent, which cost last year $1,500,000 in gold, with prospect only of an increase. What a curse our modern civilization, without Christian principles, becomes!

FORTHCOMING SONGS.

By Editor

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES has several religious songs in hand which its musical readers will enjoy, and several more to follow. One in hand, and which will be published soon, is "Encampment of the Angels." Here is one verse:—

"They are camping round about me, 'Mid the busy cares of life, 'Mid its trials and temptations, 'Mid its bustle and its strife. They will leave me never, never; They are guardians true and tried, See, they pitch their white tents closer, And they'll never leave my side."

Words are by Mrs. L. D. A. Stuttle, and music by C. A. Smith.

"My Heavenly Home," "Shine In," "A Guest of the King," and "Speed, Heralds of the King," are others that will follow. The first of these will appear next week.

Moderate Drinking

By Editor

Moderate Drinking.—A correspondent to the San Francisco Examiner tells us what a "moderate drinker" of whisky is. He never gets intoxicated during business hours, and never gets so drunk that he does not know how to care for himself. He keeps whisky at his office and at the [he does not call it home], using in this way a gallon in a couple of months or more; but besides this he takes at a saloon from ten to twenty-five drinks a day. His moderate drinking he estimates costs him $53.00 a month, excluding Sundays. He pays this to what he calls "my whisky place," because of what it costs him. This is $636 a year, a total of $666 per annum to furnish a "moderate drinker" his whisky. He says that he never drinks so much but that he can distinguish "right from wrong." Does he give his wife one-third of that amount to spend? Does he do right here? Surely this man knows that whisky does him no good; that can be found out by comparison with his acquaintances who are total abstainers. Is it not a violation of a moral principle which will pour down a man's gullet, to satisfy a habit or appetite, from $600 to $700 a year, when there are so many demands in the great public need, to say nothing of one's own relatives? All intoxicating drinks are ultimately nerve stupefying, whether classed as stimulants or not. Can one partake continually of such poisons (toxins) and not become, in all the finer sensibilities of heart and soul, stupefied thereby?

Preach the Word, Not Eternal Torment

By Editor

The Christian Endeavor World thinks hell is not preached enough. It gives four reasons: (1) It exists, and men ought to know it; (2) because millions are going there; (3) because men ought to be taught to fear God; (4) Christians should be reminded of the peril of hell. Under the third it says, "Sinners must be made to feel the terrors of the law, before they will appreciate the graces of the Gospel." True; but the only way to do that is to preach it as God has given it. He who preaches a changeable and changed law can never hope to obtain permanent results. God is One; His law is one. And if the one law is set forth aright, as God gave it, as Christ lived it, the one Spirit will arouse the sinner. He will see that death is the inevitable fruit of transgression. But the preaching of the dogma of an ever-burning hell is unscriptural, abhorrent to every just conception of God, and unfruitful of everything save the developing of superstition, the making of tyrants, and the spread of infidelity. The sinner will meet his final doom where he committed his sins—on this earth. Here also the righteous will, after sin is forever banished, reap his eternal reward. God's commission to His servants is, "Preach the Word," "preach Christ."

Mistaking Self-Esteem for Holiness

It is not safe for one to trust in his own opinion and reckon himself holy. Men have been very sure on this point, and yet very mistaken. A certain ruler once asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus referred him to the commandments of God as the standard of life, and he said, "All these have I kept from my youth up." He honestly believed that he was up to that standard, but the Lord knew better. Jesus replied, "Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." This unveiled his true character; when he heard these words, "he was very sorrowful, for he was very rich." Despite his good opinion of himself, he was covetous, and covetousness is idolatry. Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5. Here was one man resting in his own righteousness, his own supposed holiness, who was really guilty of violation of the whole law. James 2:10. The instance of the Pharisee and the publican praying in the temple (Luke 18:10-14), is another illustration of mistaking self-esteem for holiness. "Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." Matt. 23:12.

How Sunday and Divers Festivals Came In.

How Sunday and other heathen customs came into the church is well illustrated by the following from a Catholic priest in a San Francisco daily in reference to "Candlemas" day: "In the early days of the Christian era, the pope found that upon this especial Sunday a procession was made by the pagans with lighted torches to a certain temple, where offerings were made to a god to whose influence they ascribed their prosperity. In order to do away with this feast, which was known as the lupercalia, the church ordered that tapers be solemnly blessed, and carried in procession to the church, in honor of the purification of the Blessed Virgin, the day to be known as Candlemas Day." And so the pagan Sunday and Easter festivals became church institutions.

Items from the Sunday-School Times

By Editor

The Sunday-school Times of March 8 contains some articles of special interest. We mention Prof. R. W. Rogers' paper on "Diplomats as Mound Diggers," in which the beginnings of archeological research in Babylonia and Chaldea are set forth; "A Sunday-school Which Had to Fight for Its Life," by William Sissons; and "Our Country's Need of Home Missions," by Robert E. Speer.

The Advocate of Christian Education

By Editor

The Advocate of Christian Education for March is an excellent number of this regularly excellent periodical. It is only 50 cents a year. Its address is Berrien Springs, Mich.