A Flower Not Contaminated by Surroundings—The Lesson of the Thorn and the Thistle
Words Still Active That Were Spoken Six Thousand Years Ago—The Eternal Decree That Follows
"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow." "If God so clothe" them, "shall He not much more clothe you?"
EVERY flower is a thought of God. Yes, every flower embodies many thoughts of God. Yet there are numerous people in this world who never got one thought of God from any flower.
DID NOT SEE ITS MEANING
We read, in an English poem, of one, a type of many others, who sees in a flower only a flower. And by this we do not mean the real wonder and glory that is in the flower. We quote from the poet:
"A primrose by a river's brim
A yellow primrose was to him,
And it was nothing more."
When we view it as it really is, we find that every flower shows within its own life the providences of God. This is how it grows; and Jesus admonishes us to "consider the lilies of the field, how they grow."
PURITY OUT OF THE MIRE
The flower comes in all its purity out of the dirt. The lily grows out of oozy slime and mud, yet it carries with it no taint of the blackness of the dirt in which its roots grow. In the coal-fields, there grows out of the black carbon dust a flower of waxy whiteness, that is not soiled either by the dust in which it takes root or by the dust that settles all around it but can find no lighting place upon its smooth, waxy petals.
From "The Guardians of the Columbia," by John H. Williams "OFTENTIMES THAT LAND IS SOON COVERED WITH A GLORIOUS GROWTH OF FLOWERS — FIREWEEDS SOME CALL THEM"
After the fire has swept a tract of land, and left it black with its devastation, oftentimes that land is soon covered with a glorious growth of flowers — fireweeds some call them. Thus by the provision of God, the very blackness of nature is made beautiful.
USE MADE OF THE THISTLE
Some people can see no use for thistles; yet there must be a use and purpose for them, or they would not be here. God has decreed that the earth should bring forth thorns and thistles, and His word is not arbitrary. It is not given merely to try and vex us. We will seek an explanation of this in a moment.
But before we seek the explanation, let us say that the thistle is here because God decreed it. When He told man of the consequences of sin, He declared that the earth was to be under the bondage of corruption, and that henceforth it should bring forth thorns and thistles. This was God's decree. Sin came by man's will; and when it came, then God decided the condition under which it would
be allowed for a time to exist. And the present condition of this world is the condition which God has permitted while sin reigns.
HATRED OF SIN MANIFESTED
The world manifests to-day God's hatred of sin; and it speaks to man from every side, to lead him away from his sin to obedience to God.
We know that neglect works havoc anywhere. If a man neglects his business, that neglect is disastrous to his business. If parents neglect their families, the families suffer. So in the realm of the soul — if you or I neglect our soul's welfare, evil results to the soul.
When a farmer neglects his land, havoc is wrought with the land; and one of the signs of that neglect, as likely as not, will be a patch of thistles. And every thistle, as it grows on that farm, and lifts itself up in prosperity, and finally puts forth its blossoms, says thereby: "I stand here to witness to this man's neglect. I am the result of neglect. And I tell you, O soul of man, that if you are neglected, there shall grow in you something worse than thorns and thistles. Beware of neglect!" Viewed in this light, even a
thistle can teach us, for it stands like a beacon to warn against neglect.
MEANING OF THORNS
And when we study into the meaning of thorns, we find that they are but twigs and limbs arrested in their development. Life was not sufficient to grow a full-formed twig or limb, and the aborted twig or limb was a thorn. Nature has lost some of the life of God that it once had. It can not come to its full perfection. This is a mark of sin, of the load resting upon nature, bearing it down, causing it with much travail and labor to bring forth its fruits, and then with immeasurable loss.
And so again the thorns, like the thistles, warn us against sin, against neglect, against failure to be completely in harmony with God, who is the foundation of life.
THE SIGNIFICANT CROWN OF THORNS
When Jesus hung upon the cross, by wisdom that was deeper than any intention of man, there rested upon His holy head a crown of thorns. Thorns mean, in nature, the consequences of sin; and Christ, by wearing thorns, said to all, I take all the consequences of sin, that you may have all the consequences of My life. So He wore a crown of thorns, that we may wear a crown of immortal glory.
Thorns and thistles are still with us and teach their lessons. We have not exhausted yet the lessons they teach, but we will mention but one more thing here.
THE DECREE OF SIX THOUSAND YEARS
It has been six thousand years or thereabouts since God uttered the words, "Thorns also and thistles shall it [the earth] bring forth." And that decree has lost none of its power. The earth still brings forth thorns and thistles, and it will do so until sin is removed.345Then when sin — or, to put it more directly, when the mind of man — has ceased to oppose the mind of God, nature will show the harmony that exists between God and the new man, by a world where there shall be neither thorns nor thistles; for the desert places even shall blossom as the rose, and without thorns.
ANOTHER DECREE TO BANISH THEM
The Lord, who decreed thorns and thistles, has decreed a world where there shall be no thorns and thistles. God's will is supreme. Whatever He decrees, shall be exactly as He has decreed it. His word does not lose any of its power by lapse of time. It keeps all its energy undiminished; for within that word, flowing out of that word, is the might of the eternal God.
And so the presence of thorns and thistles in the world to-day teaches of the power that decreed them to exist while sin existed; and also it teaches of a power that can cleanse us from all sin, and fit us for the world where there will be neither thorns nor thistles.
O, the wisdom of the Creator, who has ordained that even thorns and thistles shall teach us of the awful consequences of sin; shall teach us that Christ accepted these consequences of sin in order that He might give to us all the benefits of His life; and last of all, shall teach us of the undimmed power of the word of God, that can save us from sin and death!
L. A. R.
A WORD TO OUR READERS
By Editor
We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.
DATE OF EXPIRATION
The SIGNS wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date.
If herewith is an order-blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Our authority for the doctrines we teach is the Bible. Quotations are usually from the King James Version or the American Standard Revised.
One new yearly subscription and one renewal, or two new, sent at one time, $3.00.
Two new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or three new, sent at one time, $4.00.
Three new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or four new, sent at one time, $5.00.
Five or more copies to one person, six months, each $0.60.
Five or more copies to separate addresses, six months, each $0.65.
Weekly and Monthly SIGNS one year, $2.25.
G. C. HOSKIN, Circulation Manager.
NOT ACCOMPLISHED BY FORCE
By Editor
CHRIST'S KINGDOM AND THE RELIGION OF FORCE
The Master Refused to Be Taken by Force and Made a King
Protestantism Reaching Toward Rome to Assist in Unscriptural Work — Which Is Changing, Rome or Protestantism? — The Final Result
IN last week's paper, Mr. Porter spoke of the National Reform Association, the Federation of Churches, and other powerful ecclesiastical organizations that are combining in this time with the one thought in mind of establishing the kingdom of Christ on this earth. One central thought with these religious bodies is that Christ's kingdom is to be established through the enactment and enforcement of both civil and ecclesiastical laws. They say they are numerically so strong that no human power can stand before them. The thoughtful consideration of what is presented in Mr. Porter's article this week ought to show any candid mind that these modern organizations that are working for the establishing of the temporal kingdom of Christ prior to His second coming are out of harmony with the Author of the Bible.
CHRIST forewarns of this very National Reform movement that was discussed last week, and declares its character. "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." "And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of His household?" "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt. 10: 16-20, 22-25, 28.
NOT ACCOMPLISHED BY FORCE
The whole purpose of Beelzebub is apparent in the federation and National Reform movements spoken of last week, as it has been in every other such movement. It has ever been Satan's game to get nations worked into a frenzy of zeal for God which would lead them to enact laws enforcing conversion. Then he would laugh at his deluded followers, who, in the name of Christianity, were reproaching the cause of Christ with an enforced religion.
One of the most ridiculous farces undertaken by Satan was to try to get the people to take Christ by force and make Him king. Satan thus undertook to transform the kingdom of God, a kingdom of love and free will, into a kingdom of force. Christ refused to be identified with any movement that sought by force to establish His kingship.
"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone." John 6: 15.
WHY IS SATAN SO PERSISTENT?
Thus every attempt that was made to establish an earthly kingship for Christ, before His second advent in glory, was defeated by the Lord. But Satan's insistence that Christ shall have a kingship is very noticeable. His scheme is that Christ shall be enthroned king in this world before His second advent.
Why is Satan so persistent in making Christ king by force, before the time of His second advent? — It is because Satan knows that if he can implant this false view of the kingdom of Christ in the hearts of men, he can deprive them of the spiritual experience in righteousness by faith that will prepare them for Christ's reign in glory at His second coming.
CHRIST DENIED A FIELD OF WORK
Satan had so deluded the Jewish people, that when Christ made His first advent, they had the parishes parceled out, and denied Christianity the right of the field. They claimed undisputed rights for their parish, as they were the chosen people of God, and through them He had designed to enlighten the nations. If the disciples should go to the Gentiles, they would reject Christ, because His disciples ignored God's chosen people. Coming to them, they were legislated out of all rights.
But God's reform movements are not dependent upon national or federation permissions. Christ's commission gave the gospel the right of way in every nation under heaven, regardless of territorial parceling. Matt. 28: 18-20. The Jews objected to the gospel teachers invading their territory. These teachers were arrested, beaten, and imprisoned. They "laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth." Acts 5: 18, 19. Thus angels of God, with a commission from His throne, reversed the order of the church leaders of that time who had the parishes so parceled that there should be no overlapping.
THE JEWS COULD NOT WORK THE PLAN
The Jewish church had been the chosen church of God; but when they reached that stage in their history where they began to compel religious observances, parcel out parishes, and forbid overlapping, they had apostatized, become formalists, represented a religion of works, as Hagar and Ishmael, the bondswoman and her son; and God ordered that that kind of religious movement should be cast out. It could have no part in a Christianity of faith, represented by Isaac, a child of faith and promise.
This was written that all similar movements might be known as not of God. Christianity demands for all, freedom of choice. Any enforcement of religion interferes with the freedom of individual choice, and is satanic, even if it parades under the banner of Christ as king.
COMMANDED THEM NOT TO SPEAK
Then "they called them [the disciples], and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to harken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4: 18-20.
How did that ancient political church movement succeed in preventing overlapping of parishes? Let the Jewish high priest answer:
"And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5: 27-29. The gospel was never more pure and powerful than when its adherents trusted in Christ and fearlessly faced the world with their message, regardless of threatenings from civil legislators in priestly garments.346
IS CATHOLICISM MORE PROTESTANT?
Why was Roman Catholicism invited to connect with this Protestant "reform" movement? Has Roman Catholicism been converted? Has it ceased to hate Protestantism? Let the Rev. William H. Ketcham, director of the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions, answer:
"Do you not realize that a Protestant, if he be a sincere, intelligent, instructed, consistent Protestant, can not be in sympathy with any movement which tends to advance the interests of the Catholic faith, to strengthen the position of the pope, to propagate ideals distinctively Catholic? He realizes as well as you do that the complete triumph of the Catholic Church means death to every heresy and to every schism. He can enter into an alliance with sects other than his own and be consistent. He can join with them in a mutual aid policy without compromising his principles; but he can not honestly and conscientiously do this when there is question of the Catholic Church, whose basic teaching — the doctrines of the one true church, out of which there is no salvation, and of the supremacy of the pope — renders impossible religious fellowship on any ground save that of unqualified submission to her claims." — Sermon preached in St. Paul's Church, Washington, D. C., October 31, 1909, published in the Catholic Standard and Times, November 13, 1909.
ARE PROTESTANTS READY TO UNITE?
Are Protestants ready to unite with Catholicism in this great confederation movement, on the basis of "unqualified submission" to the claims of the Catholic Church?
Protestants in Hungary and Germany are required to subscribe publicly, among other things, to the following, when entering the Catholic Church as members. "We swear also, that as long as a drop of blood remains in our veins, we will persecute that accursed Protestant doctrine, by all means in our power, secretly and openly, by violence and stratagem, by word and deed, even with the sword." — Protestant Magazine, 1911.
The Western Watchman (Catholic), September 12, 1907, edited by the Rev. D. S. Phelan, LL. D., declares:
"We must stand up for the church of God; no compromise, no truce, no peace here. The church of God is always right. We need no defense from the world. We ask for none. The church of God was always right; she is right to-day; she will be right to the end of days. . . . We are children of the unchangeable church of God; we have continuity, and everything the church of God has said or done in the last two thousand years we must be ready to defend."
THE PROTESTANTISM OF A HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Would Protestantism have proposed such a union as has been proposed with Rome, in this confederation movement, a hundred years ago? — By no means. Why does Protestantism make such a proposal now? Has Rome changed? It is very evident that a change has occurred. Who can not see that the change is in Protestantism?
A hundred years ago, Protestantism would have spurned such a proposition of federation as she is welcoming to-day. Protestants then became martyrs to the principle that the word of God and its adherents were free. In Christ's name, Rome was defeated and Protestantism was triumphant. Like her Master's, her triumph came through her crucifixion. Her sword of conquest was the sword of the Spirit, not the sword of civil power. Shall she now follow Rome into religious intolerance? May God forbid it!
THE PEACE CRY
The cry that "there shall be no more war," completes the identity of this federation movement as a false movement. Paul forewarns the church that "the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Tim. 4: 3, 4.
In the third chapter, he tells when this will be, and who will accept fables in preference to truth: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, . . . having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Tim. 3: 1-5. The last-day movement that shall fulfil this scripture will press with great show of religious zeal the forms of religion, but lacking in faith, it shall be shorn of gospel power. Paul exhorts, "From such turn away."
WHEN SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COMES
His reason is consistent. "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." 1 Thess. 5: 1-3.
Those who are swallowed up in this last-day peace movement will be not only disappointed, but destroyed with the unbelieving world when the day of the Lord breaks upon the world suddenly "as a thief in the night," "and they shall not escape." "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." Verse 4. R. C. P.
FOR A STRICTER SUNDAY OBSERVANCE
A Prophecy in the Case
"The committee on the Sabbath Observance," in making its report to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Chicago on May 23, recommends "that the General Assembly reiterates its strong and emphatic disapproval of all secular uses of the sabbath day, all games and sports in civic life; also in the army and navy; all unnecessary traveling, and all excursions."
Public officials are requested to exercise "the potent influence of their positions" for a better observance of Sunday.
Families are urged not to buy anything "on the sabbath," and also to plan "for their servants on the sabbath so that they may fulfil their religious duties."
It is also urged that laborers "be paid on Saturday afternoon," so that they may make provisions for the observance of Sunday.
The Sunday newspaper was condemned, and the members of the church were urged not to subscribe for it, read it, or take it.
It was recommended that colleges omit recitations on Monday morning, "so as to leave the sabbath free from the necessity of some students' preparing their lessons on that day."
Sunday baseball also was condemned.
It is the privilege of individuals to observe Sunday if they so choose, but they have no authority for calling it the sabbath day. The Bible nowhere calls it the Sabbath. The only Sabbath the Bible recognizes is the seventh day of the week, which is commonly called Saturday.
While it is the religious right of any person to observe Sunday, or any other day of the week, for that matter, and also to seek to persuade men to accept and practise his views, his rights end there. There is no reason why he should endeavor to secure Sunday laws that will compel other people to observe the day, regardless of their desires in this matter.
And it would be just as wrong to have a law to require the observance of the day for which there is Bible authority as it is to require the observance of Sunday, for which there is absolutely no authority in the sacred Word.
The American people have been educated to believe in religious freedom. But there is a class of men who are working almost night and day to lead us into the belief that the enforcement of the observance of Sunday is not religious legislation. Many laboring men believe that this enforced observance of Sunday would give them a holiday, so that they might go to church on that day if they saw fit, or they might spend the day with their families in the country or anywhere they might choose. But when religious legislation gets under way, there is no determining the bounds that it will reach347under the guidance of religious despotism.
But beyond and above all this, the issue needs to be clearly defined.
God, in His word, definitely says that the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath. In that same Word, He specifically states that a power would "arise that would think to change the times and the laws." See Dan. 7:25.
The thirteenth and the fourteenth chapter of Revelation tell us also of a decisive controversy that will be waged between the powers of apostasy, that will seek to enforce the mark of the beast, his worship, and his image, on the one hand; while on the other, a strong and solemn warning is given to those who will fall under the snare of such apostate worship.
In view of the distinct warnings that the Book of God gives, and in view of the many prophetic declarations concerning the apostasies that will exist at the close of time, men need to be careful how they enter the realm of enforcing religious dogmas, through civil law, upon their fellow men.
For half a century, we have been calling the attention of the world to the fact that the prophecies of God's word show that a religious despotism will be the great climax in this world's history, and that the enforcement of the observance of Sunday will be the central point in this ecclesiastical intolerance.
Men have laughed at us, and then gone right on fulfilling the predictions while still sneering and ridiculing. One of the most peculiar things about humanity is that so many men and women will fulfil the prophecies of God's word, while at the same time making all manner of sport of that which warns against such a course.
If we give careful attention to these matters, God's Spirit, through the unerring guidance of His word, will show us where the light is shining. And certainly there should be no difficulty in this matter of Sabbath observance, as there is not a single ray of light anywhere to show that Sunday is a sacred day, while the Word, from beginning to end, declares that "the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God."
No matter what other questions we may make mistakes upon, there is no necessity of making a mistake here.
TRUE WISDOM
By J. O. C.
FROM an inspired source we are informed that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. 1 Cor. 3: 19. This seems a hard statement to many who pride themselves on having ability to reason out the deep things of God's word. But let us stop a moment to consider. The wisdom from above is said to be "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated." This is in wide contrast with reputed worldly wisdom, which is well known to produce in abundance envy, and bitter strife of an unspiritual nature. James 3: 14-16.
The last-named specimen has not only robbed great nations of their proudest blood, for the settlement of carnal feuds, but it also compassed the death of the world's Redeemer. Had the leaders of the Jewish nation in His day possessed the first-mentioned type of wisdom, they could not have crucified their Lord. 1 Cor. 2: 8.
Why this conclusion? The reason is, had the wisdom from above actuated them in their course, peace and gentleness, the characteristics of God's dealing with things earthly, would also have been their prominent characteristics.
To the raging sea the Lord said, "Peace, be still." So to every sinner is extended the call to accept peace with God. In harmony with this the psalmist exclaims, "Thy gentleness hath made me great," or enlarged me. Ps. 18: 35.
"Nothing is so strong as gentleness,
Nothing so gentle as real strength."
J. O. C.
SYSTEMATIC BIBLE STUDY
By Editor
THE reading in Deuteronomy this week gives a text that discloses to us, in a very clear way, God's plan for us in the giving of His word. He says, "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." Everything that God has revealed in His word is for us to study. We may not understand it all now; but as we familiarize ourselves with the Word, as we study it day by day, it becomes clearer and clearer, and more and more of a comfort and a charm.
Read one chapter in Deuteronomy or Joshua each week-day and two on the Sabbath. Read one chapter in Isaiah each day. Read one chapter in Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, or 2 Thessalonians each week-day and two on the Sabbath.
Will a literal angel make the proclamation of the gospel message, as expressed in Rev. 14:6, 7? W. T. K.
The text reads: "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His Judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
All through this book of Revelation, angels are represented as doing certain classes of work. In the prophecy of the seven churches, in the first three chapters of the book, each of these churches is represented as having an angel. Angels are represented as sounding the trumpets of the eighth to the eleventh chapters. Angels are represented in the fifteenth and sixteenth chapters as pouring out the vials of the seven last plagues.
Such a work of the angels is perfectly in harmony with the general teaching of the Bible, for "are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" Heb. 1:14. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." Ps. 34:7.
While the angels are the invisible attendants and helpers, yet the real work of preaching the everlasting gospel spoken of in these verses of Revelation was committed to men. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt. 28:19, 20. These words present the great commission that Christ gave to His disciples, and they were to transmit it to their successors, and so on to the end of time.
Thus while the literal work of carrying the gospel is committed to men, nevertheless the angels are the invisible beings sent forth from God to help and strengthen the Christian worker in his great duties and responsibilities. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven." Matt. 18:10.
1. Does the beast of Rev. 13: 1-9 symbolize the union of church and state under papal control? 2. Does the dragon in the same verses represent Satan, the devil, and Beelzebub? 3. How many years of our Christian era are covered by the forty-two months in verse 5, and also in chapter 11, verse 2? W. G.
1, 3. Yes. This is one of the cardinal doctrines of Protestantism, and without question the facts fully warrant the interpretation. This beast represents the Church of Rome, to which the powers of earth gave civil authority, and which during forty-two months, 1,260 years prophetic time (538-1798 A.D.), persecuted the church of God. The forty-two months of Rev. 11:2 refers to this same period.
2. In verse 9 of chapter 12 the text specifically states that “the great dragon” was “that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan.” Reference is frequently made to Satan, throughout the book of Revelation, under the symbol of the dragon.
4312 — PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT
By Editor
In Isa. 28:13 it reads to me as if the “precept upon precept” would cause them to fall and to be broken. Please make it clear, as I have always understood we were to study the Bible by comparing scripture with scripture. J. R. J.
This is said of those who would not hear the Lord's word. Verse 12. The message came to them over and over again, one precept after another, as they were able to receive it; but to them that rejected it, it became a stone of stumbling, which, when they attempted to go forward, blindly following their own wisdom, caused them to fall backward and be broken. Instead of profiting by God's mode of instructing, “precept upon precept,” etc., they made it into a stumbling-block. Hosea 6:5; 8:12; Matt. 13:14. Read the next two verses (14 and 15) of this chapter, which show that the Lord is addressing a class of “scornful men.”
4314 — RELIGION
What does the word "religion" mean, and from what is it derived? W. G.
The word "religion" is derived from the Latin religare, to bind fast. As commonly used, it means any system of faith or worship. There are numerous heathen religions, and other cults which do not recognize the predominance of the great omnipresent God, which all come under the class of religion.
But the "pure and undefiled religion" is more than a system of ethics. It is the love of God which is placed within the heart of the regenerated man, and which bears fruit in deeds of benevolence and charity. It is the conscientious devotion in practise which accompanies the outward profession. Love is the basis of God's government, and love to the brethren is the token which proves the reality of our religion. 1 John 2:9-11; 3:10-24; 4:7-12, 20, 21. This love of God, which is the basis of the pure and undefiled religion, is imparted to the believer by divine power. It comes in answer to faith, through a study and an absorption of the divine Word itself.
4316—Jubilee Sabbaths
Why don't we keep the year sabbaths that came every seven years, and the Jubilee sabbaths which came every forty-nine years?
We do not keep these national sabbaths of the Jews, because they were given for a specific time and for a specific purpose, and all those local and national sabbaths were obliterated at the cross. The apostle tells us they were blotted out and nailed to the cross, and we are to "let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Col. 2:16, 17.
The new moons, the meats and drinks, the holy days, and the sabbath days which were a "shadow of things to come," are no part of God's service in the Christian dispensation; but the seventh-day weekly Sabbath is in the very bosom of God's law, and Christ Himself says it was made for man. Mark 2:27. It was given to man before he sinned, and is for the specific purpose of pointing to the great God as the Creator of all things. The Sabbath day was given to man at creation; and those who have been loyal to God, and who have at the same time had a clear knowledge of His teaching, have observed it in all the ages. The seventh-day Sabbath is in a class by itself, and is given for a distinct purpose; and those who place it along with the ceremonial observances of the old dispensation have a very narrow and limited view of God's mighty truth upon this subject.
