Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 30, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 18.

1230—Three Important Lessons. Rom. 14:5, 6.

Will you be so kind to give me further light on Rom. 14:5, 6? F. J. H.

We wish our correspondent had asked more definitely. How far does his present light extend? what is yet in darkness? The scripture in question in the Revised Version is as follows:—

“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.”

Now the great lesson or lessons of this scripture and the context is not as to what days should be kept, or what food should be eaten; but (1) Each man must stand for himself before God. He is not to observe any day or thing because some other human thinks so; he is to be assured that it is truth in his own mind. For “each one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Verse 12. (2) A second lesson is that we are not judges to justify or condemn a human soul. “To his own Master he standeth or falleth,” and in spite of any judgment of ours “God is able to make him stand.” Verse 4. We may teach what God teaches, we may point out what is wrong by His Word, what His Word condemns, but the condemnation of the soul rests with Him. “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?” (3) A third lesson is that we should be very careful of our own conduct that it be no cause of offense to others. “Let us not therefore judge one another any more; but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.” “It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth.” Verses 13, 21, R. V. Read the chapter with these things in mind, and see what new beauty it takes on.

1231.—“Silence in Heaven.”

Has Rev. 8:1 been fulfilled, or is it yet future? R. J. C.

The text reads: “And when he opened the seventh seal, there followed a silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” R. V.

Some persons have conjectured that this took place at the crucifixion, others at the destruction of Jerusalem; but these are only conjecture. The seven seals present before us a series of events beginning with the Christian dispensation and continuing in succession to its close. The last event at the close of the Christian age, is the second coming of Christ. Heaven is a living place, filled with living beings, holy messengers and servants of God, who delight to do Him praise. But when Christ comes to earth, at the very close of all His travail of soul, to take back the fruits of His victory, He will be accompanied with “all the holy angels.” Matt. 25:31. Heaven will empty itself to join in that glorious, eternal, universe-wide triumph. The half hour is probably prophetic, symboling one-forty-eighth part of a prophetic day, or literal year, equaling seven and one-half days. It will be fulfilled when Christ comes.

1232.—Laborers in the Vineyard.

Did the laborers hired the third hour (Matt. 20:4) go into the vineyard to work when it is said, “They went their way”?

Evidently they did. See the use of “likewise” in verse 5, and the “also” of verse 7. The scene is a common one now in England. On the great public market days people come not alone to sell their products or goods, but to sell their labor as well. The householder comes not only to buy goods, but to obtain servants. He hires them, if he can make a bargain, and sends them on their way to his farm.