Question: What is the point of difference in Matthew 12:30, and Mark 9:40?
Answer: Matthew 12:30 is the condemnation of those who said that “Jesus cast out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils.”
Mark 9:40 was a rebuke to John’s jealousy over someone doing miracles that he may have failed to do. and because it took away some of the reputation of his company.
The world is against Christ; these blasphemers were against Him. This man mentioned in Mark 9:38 was on His part. Christ is the test, and standard in both.
Question: Romans 8:5 to 9 is not clear to me.
Answer: Romans 8:5-7 speaks of the contrast between the flesh and the spirit. (Compare John 3:6.) So verse 8, the unconverted cannot please God. But the believer is now in Christ where there is no condemnation (verse 1); and also in the Spirit (verse 9); and the Holy Spirit dwells in him (verse 11). If the Holy Spirit does not dwell in him, he has not the true character of Christ in his walk and ways; so verse 9 says,
“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is not of him.” (This is the true rendering.)
Question: Who are “My people” in Revelation 18:4? Is that call applicable now?
Answer: The call to “My people” in chap. 18:4 is primarily to those who are the converted ones in that day, that is: after the saints of this day are caught up to be with the Lord. There are others, both of Jews and Gentiles that own the name of Jesus and the Word of God (6:9; 7; 14:12), and these are warned to “come out of her.” The warning should be also useful to saints now to come out from all the babel of men’s arrangements and systems that are not in the Word of God, and are contrary to it.