QUESTIONS ANSWERED by J. H. W.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 6, 1868

QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

By J. H. W.

Do we break the second commandment by having our pictures taken? G. W. S.

Not necessarily. The commandment does not prohibit all likenesses or images; for then Moses would have broken it in making the sanctuary; and it would also be broken constantly in carrying on almost every useful art. It relates to false worship, and any picture or image which tends to idolatry or false worship, is strictly forbidden. We may break the law by means of them; as, if our interest in them interferes with our devotion to God and interest in his cause. The motive governs in such cases; but who knows his own heart? Self-examination and carefulness become us.

To S. S. P. On the parable of the prodigal son, Dr. Clarke remarks: “In this parable the younger prodigal son may represent the Gentile world; and the elder son, who so long served his father, v. 29, the Jewish people. The anger of the elder son explains itself at once—it means the indignation evidenced by the Jews at the Gentiles' being received into the favor of God, and made, with them, fellow-heirs of the kingdom of Heaven.” If this be correct, it illustrates a principle, as well as a fact, and therefore shows the willingness of God to receive the penitent sinner, who has ruined himself by his departures from God. Wherever mercy is needed, and penitence manifested, there it may be applied.

To C. R. A. We do not see how the 1335 days of Dan. xii, 12, can be made to reach to the resurrection without taking for them an arbitrary starting point, which would be taking great liberty with the prophecies. As this number is referred to in no other scripture, it is evident that we must look to the immediate connection for its solution; and following so closely the 1290 days of the previous verse, it is very reasonable to give them the same starting point. Indeed, if they do not begin together, we think it is impossible to fix the commencement of the 1335 days. Commencing with the 1290 in 508, they reach to 1843, and so stand closely connected with the termination of the 2300 days. Again, to stand in his lot does not mean to “stand up” in the resurrection, as has been asserted. The original of “lot” means to make decision or determine, and must refer to the judgment for the people of God at the end of the days, when the sanctuary is cleansed. The blessing promised to the waiting people was fulfilled to those who did wait for him to the termination of the prophetic periods. At no time in the whole history of the church was there a greater manifestation of the presence and blessing of God upon his people than in 1843-4. J. H. W.