p. 5 | Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Mar 28, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 13.

Question Corner

1788.—Ten Lost Tribes.

Please explain about the ten lost tribes, and where are they? Where did Israel get the message that God sent through Malachi if they were lost? F. H.

The “ten lost tribes” is not a Bible term at all. There have been all sorts of fanciful theories erected on that idea. Of course, the kingdom of the ten tribes was subverted until God utterly overthrew it, and yet the Lord declares in Romans 11 that there was always a remnant left. The honest-hearted ones were true to the worship of the God of Judah. We read that in the time of Josiah, after the ten-tribe kingdom had been overthrown, the tribes were still there, and messengers were sent among them to bring them back. Some turned to the Lord, but others hardened themselves, and while the kingdom was called the kingdom of Judah, there is no question at all but what there were those of the other tribes connected with it all the way through. James addresses his epistle “to the twelve tribes that are scattered abroad, greeting.” There are many different theories, one that the Indians of North America are the ten tribes, another that they are the Anglo-Saxon people; but all these have no ground in the Scriptures. Joseph Wolfe, a converted Jew who traveled extensively in the East, tells us that remains of those tribes are still found in Afghanistan, Persia, and other states in the East, and that the old rallying cry would still call their attention, “Hear, O Israel!” Many of these doubtless accepted Christianity in the early centuries. We do not have the records of these separate tribes, but doubtless God keeps them, for in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian nor Scythian, bondman nor freeman; all who are in Christ are of Israel.

1789.—Investigative Judgment and 1844.

What is the Bible proof that the investigative judgment began in 1844, and that it will end in this generation, and that then the Lord will come?

To give a full account of this would be to study the whole subject of the sanctuary and priesthood of Christ. See the last of the four Special SIGNS, and also Signs of the Times Leaflet No. 6. The cleansing of the sanctuary, Leviticus 16, in the type was literally a judgment work. All who did not on the last day of ministration, on the great day of atonement, afflict their souls, were cut off from among God’s people. In Dan. 8:14 we read, “Unto two thousand three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” That period is prophetic, the days standing for years. They began 457 B.C. and ended in A.D. 1844. To this time the angel refers in Rev. 10:7 when he says: “The mystery of God shall be finished, as he hath declared by His servants the prophets.” The mystery of God is the Gospel; the finishing of the mystery is the finishing work of the Gospel. The closing part of every probationary work must be a judgment work, to ascertain how many have availed themselves of the pleasures and opportunities offered. Synchronous with this work is God’s great message of warning and invitation to the world. Rev. 14:6–14. The warning of the judgment must end with the close of the judgment. That judgment simply determines who shall be found worthy to stand when Christ shall come. See works on the sanctuary advertised from time to time in this paper, such as “Christ Our Advocate,” etc. For the meaning of “this generation” see SIGNS OF THE TIMES of February 14 and onward, under heading, “A Great Literal Prophecy.” “This generation” begins with the judgment message and closes with Christ’s coming.

1790.—Close of Probation.

Does probation close to different individuals, or do all living have a chance until the close of probation for all?

Just as long as a single soul lives, he has opportunity, so far as God is concerned, to come to the Lord. His mercy endureth forever, and He declares, “I am the Lord, I change not.” Man’s probation is cut off when he so rejects God’s counsel and reproof and invitation that he can no more hear or distinguish the voice of the Lord or yield to His love. That being the case would indicate that probation closes at different times because different individuals harden their hearts to the utmost, or in other words, take their stand against God. Of course, there will come a time when truth has been covered by the awful errors of the last days when the multitudes in the valley of decision will decide largely together, and thus the probation of the whole world will close. When the last plea of mercy has been made, and infinite love has done all that it can possibly do to reclaim the lost, infinite justice will cry, “It is enough,” and men will be left to themselves to reap the awful fruitage of their own sowing.

1791.—Circumcision and Baptism. Mark 16:15.

Isaac was circumcised when eight days old. Please tell why infants should not be baptized when eight days old. Also tell who has the right to baptize. G. W. S.

Circumcision as applied to the Jewish nation is no parallel with Christian baptism. It certainly is not wise to look back to what might seem to us a parallel or type, but which we are expressly told is nothing (1 Cor. 7:10), when the Lord very clearly reveals the truth and the duty for this dispensation. Peter’s words are, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you.” Acts 2:38. Jesus declares, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” The whole question turns over the matter of faith. God asks for intelligent children, those who are His by choice. Those who have the right to baptize are those who are sent by Him and ordained to do His work. He ordained the twelve (Matthew 10); He sent them forth (Matt. 28:18–20). Others have been ordained all the way through. He has sent forth others and is still sending them.

1792.—Genealogy of Christ.

Please explain the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. In Matthew Jesus is said to be the son of Jacob, and in Luke he is called the son of Heli, which please explain. F. H.

There are no differences in these accounts, which may be harmonized under two or three suppositions. If we understood the customs of that time and were thoroughly acquainted with the people of that day, we would see no contradiction at all. Heli may have been another name for Joseph, as Levi was of Matthew, or the generally-accepted supposition is doubtless correct, that one gives the genealogy of Christ through Mary and the other through Joseph. In the light of the Jewish laws Joseph was the legal father, hence in both cases he is named as the father of Jesus, because by the law he was so considered; yet of course the fleshly descent came through Mary; but as she was the wife of Joseph, Joseph is treated as the son of her father, and Jesus as the son of Joseph.

1793.—Manifestations of Departed Spirits and John Wesley.

Do you understand that John Wesley was a believer in manifestations of departed spirits of the dead? Is there any proof of this?

We do not now recall as to whether there is anything in Wesley’s writings which we have read to prove this, but the writer has not all of Wesley’s writings. Some of our readers may be able to tell us. He may have so believed. Whether he did or not, of course, does not in anywise affect the truth or falsity of the theory.