Q. 378. Why is it that there are overcomers in Laodicea? Why are there not in Philadelphia, if both go on to the end? D. T. C.
A. The passage in 1 Cor. is the apostle's personal judgment, in which he thinks he has the mind of the Spirit, and he there considers that a widow is happier if she abide in her widowhood. But practically he well knew that the younger widows would not so remain, and therefore, instead of burdening the church with the care of such, he considers it is better for them under the circumstances to marry. This does not deny the blessing of the higher path for those who have faith to tread it.
Q. 380. Do we not learn from Matt. 11:22Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, (Matthew 11:2)2 That there will be different degrees of punishment at the day of judgment? M. H. V.
A. Yes, and from many other passages. We no more believe there will be equality of punishment than of reward, though both are in their very nature eternal.
A. Refer to Q. 316, p. 303. We see no reason why, as there pointed out, it may not be in a measure literal, although the christian's blessings are spiritual, and his portion, as such, is not in this world.
A. We cannot know that a man is a christian save by his fruits, and if deliberately and willfully he were to come under this condemnation, we have no right either to say that he is a christian, or to weaken the force of the passage as it stands.
Q. 384. Will you kindly say whether in 1 Peter 3:12,12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:12) it should be "upon" as in Revised Version or " against"? Also what is the difference between " eyes" and " face"? For the eyes of the Lord,... but the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil." M. A. T.
A. The word is the same as translated " over" at the beginning of the verse, and is generally rendered " upon." The word however is translated "against" in Matt. 10:21; 24:721And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. (Matthew 10:21)
7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:7); 26:5; Mark 3:24,25; 10:11:24And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mark 3:24‑25) Luke 9:5;125And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. (Luke 9:5)
5But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. (Luke 12:5). 53 (6 times) &c., &c., and we think it has this meaning here. The reason probably why the word is rendered "upon" both at the beginning and end of the verse is to show that it is the same word in the Greek. The " face" means the general aspect.
A. (1) It is possible that at this time Daniel was too greatly in the favor of the king for any to dare to speak against him, for it was he, not the three who had interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Darius owed Daniel no such debt of gratitude: hence the presidents and princes had him cast into the den of lions. We do not know what had become of the three at the time. (2) It refers to the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, when His feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives.
A. (1) As the present salvation of the soul offered through the finished work of Christ. (2) The word is " sympathize." Our high priest is not only God, but man; and as such has felt every sorrow and weakness that sinless human nature may feel.
Q. 387. (1) Could Heb. 6:4-64For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4‑6) apply to any cases now? (2) Is Heb. 8:10, 1110For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. (Hebrews 8:10‑11) being fulfilled now, or is it future? T. D. S.
A. (1) Though primarily referring to a Jew, who had nominally embraced Christianity, we cannot doubt but that it may apply to a similar class now. (2) It is alas but too evident that this new "covenant" with Israel is yet future. Now is the time of Gentile blessing, and Israel is still distinguished by blindness and hardness of heart. This scripture will be fulfilled shortly, and thus usher in the Millennium, Q. 388. What are the "fables and endless genealogies" in 1 Tim. 1:44Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (1 Timothy 1:4)? T. D. S.
A. No doubt parts of the endless traditions of the elders that were constantly being introduced by Judaizing teachers. The fables were not such as we now understand by the word, but simply silly and foolish traditions devoid of all truth.
Q. 389. When and how did Satan become god and prince of this world? and can it be said Scripturally that he has the entire control of it? If so, in what sense can 1 Chron. 16:31; 29:1231Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. (1 Chronicles 16:31)
12Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. (1 Chronicles 29:12); Psa. 9:6-10; 97:1; 47:86O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. 7But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. 8And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. 9The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. (Psalm 9:6‑10)
1The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. (Psalm 97:1)
8God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. (Psalm 47:8) be understood? z.
A. In a general way " the Most High" ever "rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will." This was specially the case at the establishment of the four great empires of Daniel's vision-Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman. During the whole of the world's history however, the devil has had great sway and power over the corrupt hearts of men. Until the Cross of Christ, the world was as it were on its trial, then it was judged and condemned (John 12:3131Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 12:31)), and God, though still sending fruitful seasons and exercising His providence and rule in a general way, is not now dealing specially with it, save to take out of it a new and heavenly race. Of the world-system, therefore, as it now is, Satan is emphatically the god and prince. He, as well as the world, met his judgment, and had his power broken at the Cross, so that " whosoever will" may escape from the bondage of this " Pharaoh," but he still reigns, and will not be finally cast out until the second coming of our Lord and Savior. The only reason why, with the sway of one so utterly corrupt, the whole mass does not entirely sink in corruption, is because "the salt" is still in the earth. When it is taken away, then will be seen the most frightful corruptions and violence the world has ever witnessed, and Satan, not content with being practically god in the hearts of mankind, will cause an image to be set up in the temple of Jerusalem and thus destroy the last vestige of the worship of Jehovah. The fact of Satan being a god to this present evil world in no way clashes with the Scriptures you refer to, God still holds the power, though not now actively exercising it.
Q. 390. Why is the robe put on Christ said in Matt. to be " scarlet," and in Mark and John " purple"? F. M.
A. The word translated purple undoubtedly meant a "red purple," the violet purple is generally translated " blue." The word rendered " scarlet" really refers to a crimson color rather than to our scarlet. Thus in many cases as in the one you here refer to, purple and scarlet are really used as interchangeable words. The word for blue purple is found in Esther 1:66Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. (Esther 1:6). (violet); Jer. 10:99Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men. (Jeremiah 10:9); Num. 15:3838Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: (Numbers 15:38) (blue). The color we call scarlet is alluded to in Ex. 26:1414And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins. (Exodus 26:14).
A. The same we believe as in Chapter 38:7; i.e. the angelic hosts.
A. (1) The death of Christ is ever regarded as His weakness and humiliation, His resurrection and present life as His strength and glory. If then, says the apostle, such a blessing as reconciliation with God flows from the former, how much more will the latter tend to our blessing in securing our salvation from all coming wrath and eternal death? Because He lives we shall live also, John 14:1919Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (John 14:19). He is our life, and it is not in a dead, but a living Christ in resurrection that our faith and hope rests. (2) We cannot exactly say "how" because it is not revealed. Matt. 10:33: Mark 8:3838Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:38); Luke 9:26,26For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26) however all corroborate this Scripture, and show that the Lord if He rewards faithfulness must in some way also mark His sense of unfaithfulness. It does not mean that a true saint will be lost if he be unfaithful, any more than that he will be saved on account of his faithfulness.
Q. 393. Does God's Spirit strive with men now? E. M. B.
A. Yes. The Holy Ghost has been sent down for this purpose, John 16:88And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (John 16:8)—11; Rom. 2:44Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4); Heb. 10:1515Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, (Hebrews 10:15). The Scripture in Genesis refers exclusively to the antediluvians: God's day of patience and grace had a limit then, as it has now. Then it was fixed at 120 years, now it has already lasted over 1800, and will only be closed when the Master rises up and shuts to the door, i.e., when the Lord comes into the air for all His people.