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. There are overcomers in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:12) to whom a high and blessed reward will be given, but to those who stand for God in a more evil time, association on the throne is the reward given (ver. 21). If more is required, please write again.
Q. 379. How do you reconcile 1 Tim. 5:14 with 1 Cor. 7:40? m. W.
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. 11:22 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.
Q. 381. How do you explain Mark 10:30? It certainly is not literal, though we receive greater blessings. M. H. U.
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.
Q. 382. What is the meaning of " Most High" in Dan. 7:27? N. L.
A. The margin to verse 18 gives the correct meaning "high places" and refers to Eph. 1:3; 6:12, where the expression is more fully explained. It does not in ver. 18, 22, 27 refer to God, but to the sphere of blessing.
Q. 383. If a christian were to fall into the sin of Mark 3:29, would there be no forgiveness for him? N. L.
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, 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; 24:7; 26:5; Mark 3:24,25; 10:11: Luke 9:5;12. 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.
Q. 385. (1) Why was Daniel not with the three in the fiery furnace, and why were they not with Daniel in the lions' den? (2) Kindly explain 2 Thess. 1:10. T. D. S.
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.
Q. 386. (1) How does Heb. 2:3 look at salvation? (2) What is the scope of Heb. 4:15? T. D. S.
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. 6:4-6 apply to any cases now? (2) Is Heb. 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. 1:4? 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; 29:12; Psa. 9:6-10; 97:1; 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 12:31), 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 1:6. (violet); Jer. 10:9; Num. 15:38 (blue). The color we call scarlet is alluded to in Ex. 26:14.
Q. 391. Who are the sons of God spoken of in Job 1:6? E. M. B.
A. The same we believe as in Chapter 38:7; i.e. the angelic hosts.
Q. 392. (1) Explain "we shall be saved by his life" Rom. 5:10. (2) How can Christ " deny us?" 2 Tim. 2:12. E. M. B.
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 14:19. 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 8:38; 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 16:8—11; Rom. 2:4; Heb. 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.