p. 200 | Questions

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 14, 1869

Questions.

WILL you please give your opinion as to what is taught in Isaiah lxv, 20: “There shall be no more than an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the child shall die a hundred years old; but the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed.” C. H. B.

We understand that children will be resurrected to have part in the new earth; but that there will be no children born there, as we learn from Matt. xxii, 30. There will be no premature old age; for they will be equal to the angels, Luke xx, 26, neither will there be any death there, for they are immortal, Rev. xxi, 4. The latest death is at the great conflagration; and it may be that reference is made here to the antediluvians, who will be raised to have their share in the final doom that awaits the impenitent. These ancient inhabitants of the earth, whose natural lease of life was so much longer than ours, would be, comparatively speaking, but children at a hundred years old. These, together with those of a later day, who have prospered in sin and disobedience until they have become a hundred years old, which is now a very great age, will receive their punishment at the same time, viz., in that fire which shall mark the transition from the earth that now is, to that which is to come. It is then that the curse devours the earth. Isa. xxiv, 6. After that fire there will be no more curse. Rev. xxii, 3. So it is certain that there will be no infliction of the curse upon sinners after that time.

Also, when is the promise of the Saviour fulfilled in Matt. xix, 28? C. H. B.

The regeneration spoken of in the text, does not refer to conversion, but to the regeneration of the earth; consequently they will not sit on the thrones till after the day of Judgment is past, when they will sit as princes or judges in the future kingdom.

What does King Nebuchadnezzar mean by the expression, “The thing has gone from me,” in Dan. ii, 5; does he refer to the dream, or decree? J. W. N.

He evidently refers to the dream; for the decree to destroy the wise men of Babylon had not then been issued.

Is it advisable for us to join in with the union Sunday Schools with our children, and attend their picnics and Sunday School celebrations? J. H. C.

We think it would be better to give them the proper instructions at home; but where this cannot be had, it would be better to let them attend the school than to grow up in ignorance and vice. But as to their picnics and celebrations, as they are generally conducted, we do not think it would be advisable for our children to attend them.