TO CORRESPONDENTS by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 30, 1879

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

By Editor

C. M. French: An explanation of Mark 9: 44, 46, 48, and Rev. 20: 10 will be found in Man’s Nature and Destiny.—Matt. 5: 25, 26 teaches the utter destruction rather than the restoration of the wicked; for the penalty they pay being eternal death, they never reach the end of that state.—Christ was in the power of wicked men three nights.

Please explain Luke 17: 37. W. P.

Ans. The previous verses speak about some being seized, or taken, and others escaping, or being left. Those who are seized are those who are overtaken by the judgments of God’s wrath, in the day of trouble. Those who escape are those to whom the plagues do not come nigh, and who are saved by Christ at his coming. Therefore we conclude that the “body” of verse 37, called “carcass” in Matt. 24: 28, denotes the wicked; and that the eagles are the judgments of God, especially the seven last plagues.—We do not know that Judas ever gave any evidence of being a good man.

W. Crittenden: Some do experience some such blessing as is mentioned in Acts 10: 44; but we suppose it was not invariably the case even in those days.

Wm. Schram: Matt. 25: 31–33 does not contradict the idea that the investigative Judgment is held before Christ comes, which is taught by the subject of the sanctuary; for what is brought to view in this scripture is only the carrying out of the decisions rendered in that Judgment; namely, separating the righteous from the wicked. See explanation of Luke 24: 39 in Man’s Nature and Destiny.

M. A. Green: Cyrus entered Babylon B. C. 538. The prophecy concerning him, Isa. 45: 1–3, was given B. C. 712, one hundred and seventy-four years before the fulfillment.—Araunah, 2 Sam. 24, and Ornan, 1 Chron. 21: 15; 2 Chron. 3: 1, are the same.

J. M. Hopkins: We think there would be nothing inconsistent in renting a farm with team and implements to a first-day keeper, provided the Sabbath-keeper is so situated as not to be disturbed in his Sabbath privileges and duties.—We think Rome is the seat of the beast, and that no other place will ever become such. Hence we do not look for the papacy ever to be removed from Rome.

How are we to understand Deut. 22: 11? L. F. D.

Ans. Dr. Clarke says that “we really do not know what the original word shaatnez, which we translate linen and woolen, means;” but he thinks the prohibition of divers sorts and colors in garments was designed as a safeguard against pride, which was especially manifested in that manner in that land and age.

D. B. Welch: The saints reign through a thousand years, doubtless, in the same sense in which they reign on the new earth.

Please harmonize Acts 9: 7, and 22: 9. H. S.

Ans. The word “heard” in the latter reference means to “understand.” They heard the sound, as stated in Acts 9: 7; they did not

understand the words, as stated in Acts 22: 9.

M. McGregor: For an explanation of the two covenants, see the pamphlets on the subject published at this office.