Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 10, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 37.

1276.—Man's Condition in Death.

Are there not as many texts in the Bible to prove that man is conscious after death as there are that the dead know not anything? S. J. M.

What is meant by consciousness after death?

After death, late or soon, comes the resurrection, and after the resurrection of course all the righteous will be conscious. If it is meant in death, the whole tenor of Bible teaching is that man is not conscious. “The dead know not anything;” “in that very day their thoughts perish,” are but echoes of other statements. All the Scriptures that are made to seem to teach otherwise are but figures of speech, personification, parable, etc. Why try to glorify death, the enemy?

1277.—Matt. 15:4 and Luke 14:26.

Please explain these two texts. J. J.

Does our querist believe that Jesus taught in one case to honor father and mother, and in the other case to hate father and mother? The first text, quoting a command of the Decalogue, enjoins duty of the child, however old, to father and mother. The second text simply teaches that we should love all other things less than God, or love God more than father, mother, and all things else. Compare Luke 14:26, 27 with Matt. 10:37, 38. Hate sometimes means to love less.

1278.—John 20:23.

Does this have reference to the Holy Ghost given on the day of Pentecost? What is the meaning of the remission and retaining of sin? G. D. M.

The Spirit is the same, but the giving and receiving are not. If the disciples had had sufficient faith they would have received the Spirit in greater measure when Jesus breathed upon them. As it was, they could not receive it in its fulness till the day of Pentecost. The Spirit fitted them to proclaim the Gospel message. They could say with all authority that whosoever received that message had forgiveness of sins, and whosoever would not receive it would be lost. Compare with Jer. 1:10, and 18:7–10. The great power and authority were in God's message borne.