Earlier text: TRUST IN GOD AND DO THE RIGHT- Was not the Septuagint (or LXX) the earliest Greek translation of the Old Testament scriptures?
- Was it not made by seventy-two learned rabbis several hundred years before Christ?
- Was it not in universal use and of unquestioned authority at the time of Christ and for a long time afterward?
- Was not the Greek translation from which our English Old Testament is translated made long after the time of Christ?
- How do you reconcile the startling disagreement in regard to chronology between the later translation and the Septuagint—especially in regard to the age of the patriarchs?
- What good reason had the early church for adopting, and what good reason have modern scholars and theologians for retaining the later translation instead of the earlier and original one, the Septuagint?
Please elucidate this subject in the columns of the SIGNS at your convenience, and greatly oblige
A SEEKER AFTER TRUTH.It is impossible to give extended reply to the above questions. Therefore we reply briefly, and refer the reader to any good Bible Dictionary, such as Smith's, for fuller information. 2. It was, according to tradition, made about B.C. 285, in Egypt, under the Ptolemies; and it is said that to seventy-two learned Jews was assigned the task. Some declare that these translators worked each singly, while others say they worked in pairs, each pair having two scribes, and that the work was finished in seventy-two days. Some parts of the translation are greatly inferior to other parts. It is not an excellent translation by any means, tho doubtless it was an honest attempt at one. 3. It was in extensive use in the time of Jesus, and was largely quoted from, because Greek was generally spoken. But it is not always followed by the New Testament writers. It could hardly be said that it was of unquestioned authority ever, except locally. 4. Our English Old Testament was not from the Greek, but the Hebrew, tho in all probability the Greek translation, the Septuagint, is from an older Hebrew text than our English Bible. 5. We do not try to reconcile them. There are good scholars who prefer the Septuagint, and vice versa. 6. This is answered in number 4. Our Hebrew Bible is not from the Greek, but a copy of older Hebrew copies. The Septuagint is a translation, probably the very first, from the Hebrew. 1601.—Ordinances and Baptism.
Should children who have not been baptized be permitted to partake in ordinances.
A. C. If properly instructed they would not. By baptism one comes into the church of Christ, and for His children is the Lord's Supper. And yet we would arbitrarily forbid no one. The best way is to teach what it means, what its object is, and then leave it with others. When is the time to flee, spoken of in Isa. 30:17? Who are they that shall be left as a beacon on top of a mountain, and as an ensign?
A. D. A. The time referred to undoubtedly has reference to the last days. See verse 8, margin. The people referred to are doubtless the people of God; some of them full of unbelief and fear; some of them returning to Him in quietness and confidence. THE SABBATH
By L. A. Phippeny
BLESSING, SANCTIFICATION, AND KNOWLEDGE.
THERE are many who seem afraid of the word sanctification, as tho the idea of a present realization were a thing almost sacrilegious. This is not the teaching of the Word of God. The realization of this blessed condition rests upon the same basis as that of righteousness and grace and holiness. It is not something to be attained by any deed of merit that man of his own ability can do for himself or for others, but it rests entirely upon what God can do for or through the man, measured by the man's willingness to have something done for him, or to be used as an instrument to do something for others' salvation. The Father never withholds the blessing of realization because of lack of willingness on His part; "for this is the will of God, even your sanctification." This has been His will from the beginning. Will we acquiesce, and receive the great gift? When the Lord, at the end of six days of creative work, indicated the character of the seventh day, He defined it as a day of rest, that is, the Sabbath. The record is that He "blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it,"—made it holy. What was the significance of that blessing and sanctification? The day of itself—that is, an evening and a morning, a dark and a light part,—was not different from any other fully constituted day,—not different in these respects from any of the six days preceding. It was twenty-four hours long, all told, and each of the preceding six days of creation was the same length. The blessing and the sanctification were wholly with respect to the man made in God's image, whom the Lord had made to be His representative, and to whom the dominion was given. Otherwise the language is meaningless. In the image of God man was created, and entered into life with fullest capacity for knowing his Creator and appreciating the wonderful thoughts expressed in the works of creation. His endowments were after the divine similitude,—a form like the form of his Maker, a brain modeled after the brain of his Maker, thinking as his Creator would think, and with a character holy, and with a purpose to fulfil the object of his creation. In him, and the possibilities before him, was manifested the Creator's master-thought concerning this dominion of earth. In the man, endowed with powers of mind and freedom of will like those of his divine Father, Jehovah rested. And the man,—what did the first seventh day mean to him?—It meant, first, last, and altogether, the lesson of creation. "I am your Creator, your Father," was the announcement made to him by the glorious Being on whom his eyes first rested. "I am the Maker of all things in heaven and in earth and in the sea. Behold in them the expression of My thoughts." And as he viewed the trees and the flowers, the verdure-clad mountains and plains, the birds and animals and creeping things in the perfection of their pristine beauty, his mind responded to the thought of the Creator in each object, and he delighted and rejoiced in the abundance of life and the revelation of the Life-giver. This could be joy uttered only in songs of gladness and in the supreme ecstasy of a realization of life everlasting. This was peace that passeth understanding. "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it." This was not an arbitrary blessing, not an arbitrary decree making the day holy. The holiness and the blessing were essential elements of the day, appearing and inhering in it by virtue of the attendant circumstances. There were three essentials which constituted it, without the necessity of a decree, a blessing, and a holy day: first, the Creator, a holy God; second, a perfect creation; third, man, the intelligent, free-minded creature made for communion with his Maker. Lacking the first, there would be nothing; given the first and the third, there could be no adequate conception of the character and power and greatness of the first; given the first and second, without the third, there could be no revelation of God, because there would be no intelligence to whom He could reveal Himself. It was, therefore, after the essentials were present, after the creative work was finished, man included, that the lesson of nature and nature's God, was given. There were present a holy and omnipotent Creator, a perfect creation manifesting the Creator's thoughts, and then the essential study of all studies was inaugurated, and man began learning the one great lesson. Was it not a joy? Was it not a holy and delightful day? Was not this manner of employing the day a very befitting climax to the creative work? Could this lesson have been taught, or learned, on any other day of the week—the first, for example? Manifestly impossible. And therefore the sequence of events in the order of creation, and the establishment of the weekly cycle, was a divine and natural ordination of the seventh day for the purpose just mentioned. Following the divine example, man was to pursue the pleasurable occupation of life six days, and devote the seventh day to special contemplation of the things of nature speaking of the One who made them and him. It was to be a day of delightful reminiscences, a day made holy and honorable by all that it commemorated, a day when added blessing would come with added knowledge resulting from close communion with God. "And God did rest the seventh day from all His works." The thought accompanying this quotation in Hebrews is that the works were finished from the foundation of the world. The lesson from these words, taught by the writer of Hebrews, is the lesson of soul rest through the Gospel. This is the lesson for us in creation's story, for the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and in creation is seen and proclaimed the power of God. Salvation—redemption—is re-creation, and our Redeemer is our Creator. It was the power of the Godhead, of which He is the fulness, that was exercised through and by Him in creation and in His redemptive work. The details of redemption were planned before the world was, in eternity before, in the council of peace between God the Father and God the Son. When this world was created, every provision for every possibility was prepared from its foundation. All that creation implied, whether the creation of a world or the re-creation of a soul dead in trespasses and sins, was summed up in Christ, the Creator. In Himself, therefore, the works were finished from the foundation of the world. When sin and death entered and separated man from God, there was only one way for man to regain life,—by re-creation, and a renewed knowledge of the Creator Redeemer. This work of re-creation is accomplished by the power of the Gospel—creative power—and its result is soul-rest, which therefore becomes the sign that redemption has been accomplished. The redeemed man knows his Redeemer. He sees Him and is glad, and rejoices in newness of life. He has ceased from the works of the flesh, and has entered into rest. Christ dwells in him, and finds in the renewed soul a place of rest, even as originally He found a resting place—an abiding place—in man, the crowning work of creation. This indwelling Presence drives out evil, cleanses the habitation, and the man is made holy, is sanctified by reason of the Holy One enthroned within. The process is not a new process, as being something different than was ever done before; it is a repetition—a process accomplished in like manner to the first creation, a part of the plan of the work finished from the world's foundation. Blessing and sanctification now are nothing in the abstract; they are effective only as respecting souls whom the Master desires to save, and does save. "Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." The man Adam was created holy, and the Lord rested, because there were prepared completeness, perfection, life, joy, and delight. The Sabbath day revealed God to the man, and blessing and sanctification were natural results. Therefore the day commemorated creation, and proclaimed the Creator, the true God, and signified the Holy Presence, the Sanctification. The commemorative and revelatory idea were inseparable. And the seventh day of the weekly cycle was the only day when these results could possibly find expression. The sign of redemption and the memorial of creation are the same. God's plan has not changed. It is fixed in Christ, the Creator and the Redeemer from the beginning. And so, when the Leader would lead forth a people through whom He wished to manifest Himself, and bring redemption to the world, He said, "Verily My Sabbaths shall ye keep; for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you." The Leader was Christ; and the principles enunciated by Him, when these words were spoken, are at once recognized as the basic principles of our lesson,—principles as enduring and eternal as God Himself. "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification." Is it not worth while to let Him accomplish the blessed work in us? And then is it not fair that we should fear and tremble at His word? [The next and fifth article in this series is entitled, "The Covenants; the Everlasting Covenant."] "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." SCIENCE FALSELY SO-CALLED.
By Mrs. E. G. White
SAYS Paul, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." This scripture is especially applicable as a warning against modern Spiritualism. If the mind commences to run in the channel of phrenology and animal magnetism, it is almost sure to lose its balance. "Vain deceit" takes possession of the imagination. Many think there is such power in themselves that they do not realize their need of help from a higher power. Their principles and faith are "after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Jesus has not taught them this. He does not direct the minds of men to themselves, but to God, the Creator of the universe, as the source of strength and wisdom. "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." In this verse a special warning is given. The teachers of Spiritualism come in a pleasing, bewitching manner. Their object is to deceive, and those who listen to their fables are beguiled by the enemy of righteousness. When one is overcome by this fascinating influence, the mind is poisoned, and faith in Christ as the Son of God, is destroyed. The victim of this sophistry is beguiled of his reward; for he is led to rely upon his own merits for salvation. Many exercise voluntary humility, are even willing to make sacrifices, to debase themselves, and to yield their minds to the belief of supreme nonsense. They receive the most absurd and erroneous ideas from those whom they believe to be their dead friends, now angels in a higher sphere; and their eyes are so blinded and their judgment so perverted that they see not the evil. Spiritualism is a most successful and fascinating delusion,—one that is calculated to take hold of the sympathies of those who have laid their loved ones in the grave. Evil angels come in the form of these loved ones; they relate incidents connected with their lives, and perform acts which they performed while living. In this way they lead persons to believe that their dead friends are angels, hovering about them and communing with them. These evil angels who assume to be dead friends, are regarded with a certain idolatry, and with many, what they may say has greater influence than the Word of God. This Holy Word they entirely reject, or they select the vital portions which testify of Christ and point out the way to heaven, and change the plain statements to suit their own corrupt nature, and ruin souls. With due attention to the Word of God, all may be convinced, if they will, of this soul-destroying delusion. That Word declares in positive terms that "the dead know not anything." Eccl. 9:5, 6: "For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun." The Word of God expressly declares that the dead have no more a portion in anything that is done under the sun. Spiritualists say that the dead know everything that is done; that they communicate to their friends on earth, give valuable information, and perform wonders. "The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence." Satan, transformed into an angel of light, works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness. He who could take up the Son of God, and place Him upon a pinnacle of the temple, and again could take Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and present before Him the kingdoms of the world, can exercise his power upon the human family, who are far inferior in strength and wisdom to Jesus, even after He had taken upon Himself man's nature. "Intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind," says the apostle. Some tamper with Spiritualism to gratify their curiosity. They have no real faith in it, and would start back with horror at the thought of being mediums; yet they place themselves in a position where Satan can exercise his power upon them. They do not mean to enter deep into this work; but they know not what they are doing. They are venturing upon forbidden ground, and the mighty destroyer considers them his lawful prey, and exercises his power upon them against their will. They have yielded their mind to his control, and he holds them captives. Nothing can deliver these ensnared souls but the power of God, in answer to the earnest prayers of His faithful followers. How Only Satan Can Control.
Satan can not control minds unless they are yielded to him. But those who depart from the right are in serious danger. They separate themselves from God, and from the watchcare of His angels; and the prince of darkness, who is ever upon the alert to destroy souls, begins to present to them his deceptions. Such are in the utmost peril. If they see the snare, and try to free themselves from it, it is not an easy matter. They have ventured on Satan's ground, and he claims them. He will not hesitate to engage all his energies, and call to his aid all his evil host, to wrest a single human soul from the hand of Christ. Those who have tempted the devil to tempt them can not free themselves from his power without making a desperate effort. But when they begin to work for themselves, angels of God, whom they have grieved, come to their rescue. Satan and his angels are unwilling to lose their prey, and the conflict is severe. But if those who have erred continue to plead, and in deep humility confess their wrongs, angels that excel in strength will prevail, and wrench them from the powers of darkness. The only safety now is in searching for the truth as it is revealed in the Word of God, as we would search for hid treasure. The great and important truths for this time will prove as an anchor to hold God's people amid the perils of the last days. But the mass of mankind despise God's Word, and prefer fables. They receive not the "love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." The most licentious and corrupt are highly flattered by these spirits, which they believe to be the spirits of their dead friends, and the wicked and vile are vainly puffed up in their fleshly minds, "not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God." They deny Him who ministers strength to the body, that every member may increase with the increase of God, and each man become perfect in Christ Jesus. Vain philosophy! The members of the body are controlled by the head. Spiritualists lay aside the Head, and believe that all the members of the body must act out their nature, and that fixed laws will lead them on in a state of progression without a head. Said Jesus: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." Christ is the Source of our strength. He is the Vine, we are the branches. We must receive nourishment from the Living Vine. Deprived of the strength and nourishment of that Vine, we are as members of the body without a head, just the condition that Satan wishes us to be in, that he may control us as he pleases. He works "with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." Spiritualism is a lie. It is founded on the great original lie, "Thou shalt not surely die." Satan is Christ's personal enemy. He is the originator and leader of every species of rebellion in heaven and on earth. His rage increases as the time to work grows shorter, and we do not realize his power. Evil angels are upon our track every moment. Are we prepared to resist them? Will not many souls be ensnared and taken? We should all now seek to arm ourselves for the contest in which we must soon engage; and the Word of God is the only weapon which we can use successfully. That Word, prayerfully studied and practically applied, will be our shield from Satan's delusive arts, and will bring us off conquerors through the blood of the Lamb. COVERING SIN.
By D. L. Moody
THERE are two ways of covering sin—man’s way and God’s way. You cover your sins, and they will have a resurrection sometime; let God cover them, and neither devil nor man can find them. There are four expressions in the Bible with regard to where God puts sins. He puts them “behind His back.” If God has forgiven me who shall bring a charge against me? “He has blotted them out as a thick cloud.” You see a cloud to-night, and to-morrow there isn’t a cloud to be seen. “He casts them into the depths of the sea.” Some one has said, “Thank God that it is a sea and not a river; a river might dry up, but the sea can not.” The greatest blessing that ever comes to me this side of heaven is when God forgives me. Have you been forgiven? The fourth expression is that He removes them “as far as the east is from the west.” Do you know how far that is? Perhaps some good mathematician will figure that up. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Then make sure that you are forgiven.—D. L. Moody.