“IS” OR “WAS”-WHICH? by G. B. Thompson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 18, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 38.

“IS” OR “WAS”—WHICH?

By G. B. Thompson

MUCH depends on the exact reading of the Scriptures, and much caviling and endless controversy over theological questions would be saved if those who read the Bible would simply notice what it says, and believing it, let the plain statement of the Lord end the matter. The Lord has given us much counsel in this matter, exhorting us to heed what He says, “Consider what I say; and ‘the Lord give thee understanding in all things.’” 2 Tim. 2:7. “He ‘said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?’” Luke 10:26. He did not inquire after the meaning, but the reading. What does the law say? is the question of the Master. “So they read ‘in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and ‘caused them to understand the reading.’” Neh. 8:8. The essential point for them was to understand the reading of the “law of God.”

This was important, but it is no less so to-day than in the days of Israel’s captivity. This would clear up many things claimed to be obscure and hard to understand. Take the Sabbath question for an illustration. Men argue and debate as to which day is the Sabbath. Christendom is disturbed with the question; the keenest minds are studying the matter, and have been for years, yet all do not see alike.

But why? Simply because the reading of the “law of God” is not heeded. If we will take the commandment as it reads, there can be no possible room for difference or debate. Let us read the fourth commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days ‘shalt thou labor and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God,” etc. Ex. 20:8-11. Notice, the commandment says that the “seventh day is the Sabbath.” Is it? It either is or it is not. Which is it? How does it read? You say, I believe the seventh day was the Sabbath, but the first day is now the day to be observed. Many think so, and herein lies the trouble: we follow what we think instead of what the Lord says. His admonition is to “consider” what He says. What He really says is worth infinitely more than what all the men in the world may think He says. Now, the commandment does not say the seventh day was the Sabbath, but that it “is the Sabbath.” Is is present, not past.

We may argue, and construe, and seek some excuse for disregarding this plain precept of Jehovah, but in the judgment we will have to meet the Word of the Lord as it reads. When the Lord asks us, Did you not know that My law said that the seventh day is the Sabbath, what will we reply? Reader, it is safe to take the law as it reads, without any human interpretations. G. B. THOMPSON, Rome, N. Y.