Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Sep 28, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 38.

1567.—Names in a Church Book.

Why do we have to have our names recorded in a church book? Rev. 13:8; Ex. 32:32; Dan. 12:1; Phil. 4:3; Rev. 3:5; 20:12. M. R.

We do not have to. We do not have to belong to a church at all in this free land; there is no coercion. But if we do belong to a church, is it not well for that church to keep a record of its members? Surely it would seem as if every one would wish to do that. It is the family record of when each child came into the family, etc. The name of Jesus, the son of Joseph, was doubtless in the records of Israel. When at twelve years of age He became a “son of the law,” His name was doubtless recorded as such in the proper records of the synagogue, to which He belonged. It is a matter of best business prudence and the most effectual church and missionary work to have a record of names of members. What is more important than all else, however, is to have our names in the book of life, as suggested by some of the scriptures above cited.

1568.—Can Water Burn?

Can water be burned? Is there any case of water being burned nowadays? I heard a preacher say there was. W. A.

Yes, water can readily be burned by separating it into its constituent gases, by electricity, or by certain chemicals. Water and quicklime in combination cause tremendous heat. A certain amount of water on a coal fire increases brilliancy and energy. The great Alchemist can easily turn the streams of earth “into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone.” Isa. 34:9.

1569.—What Thrones? Dan. 7:9.

In Dan. 7:9 what thrones were cast down? Are these thrones the same as the thrones of Rev. 20:4. H. G. M.

The thrones are seats, in God’s council, around about His throne. So the “seats” of the four and twenty elders (Rev. 4:4) are literally “thrones.” In Dan. 7:9 they refer to thrones of judgment, or the investigative council of the Most High. “Were cast down” would be much better “were placed,” were cast down as a rug, or divan, upon which some one sits. Whether the same thrones as those of Rev. 20:4 we do not know; the two scriptures however refer to different times.

1570.—Correspondence School.

Will it pay me to take the correspondence course given by the Berrien Springs faculty?

We do not know. The course given by the faculty of Berrien Springs (Mich.) Training-school we are sure is good; but we do not know whether it would or could pay you or not. It would depend on the way you studied, your purpose in studying, your capacity to study and receive, etc. We can advise only in a general way. The rest depends on you. Write the faculty giving particulars.

1571.—A Matter of Grammar.

In the sentence: “It left him to complete what none but him could have begun,” why does the writer use the last “him.” I can not get the grammatical construction.

In the above sentence “but” is used as a preposition in the sense of “save” or “except.” “Him” is the object of the preposition “but,” and of course must take the objective form. We think, however, that the same thought could be better stated.

1572.—Sign of the Son of Man.

Please explain: “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven;” Matt. 24:30. What is that sign to be? M. M.

When Jesus ascended up on high, “a cloud received Him” out of the sight of His disciples. Then to them the angel said: “This same Jesus, which is taken from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11. When He comes again it will be in a cloud. Luke 21:27; Rev. 1:7. This cloud, it is reasonable to believe, will be composed of myriads of the angels of God, and will be seen first and recognized by His watching people. To them alone it will be the sign of His immediate coming.