Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 17, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 29.

1159. Indulgences.

(1) Where is the difference between a papal indulgence to commit sin, and a government license for same privilege? (2) Does not every soul that sins indulge, or license itself [himself]? J. C. K.

1. The principle may be the same. There is a difference, however, in motive and effect. The first is done under the cloak of religion by an organization standing, professedly, for Him who came and died to save men from sin. Civil government exists for the purpose of restraining incivility, to protect men in rights common to all. It is practically based on policy and expediency. At its best it can give nothing but temporary benefit. Of course, a Christian acting as a civil officer could not do an unchristian thing.

2. Yes, if he justifies himself in that sin. There are slaves of sin, who continue in sin, knowing the consequences of sin, admitting all its evil, yet knowing no power to save from sin. But that soul who indulges in sin, and justifies himself in sin, grants himself license to sin. The Papacy is not confined to the Vatican. It is found first in the individual heart. It is perversion usurping the rule of right; it is self enthroned as love; it is sin usurping the place of righteousness; it is man exalting himself to the place of God. Whether in one individual or in an aggregate of ten millions, the principle is the same. Connected with the civil power, or the civil power controlled by this principle, it is well likened to a cruel, rapacious “beast.”

1160. Predestination and Free Will.

Is predestination possible in the exercise of free will? K.

It is. In brief, God has predestinated (marked-out-beforehand) character, and has foreordained that a certain number of pre-marked-out characters shall inherit this earth. All that is of worth in God’s sight is character. All that men truly prize in men is character. Those characters, pre-determined, were all alike righteous, yet each having its own individuality, all at last perfectly fitting together in the great temple of God’s saved ones. Each character contemplated victory, and so crowns await them. Each character was in the beginning named appropriately, and those names recorded in the Lamb’s book of life from the foundation of the world, from the planning of this cosmos. Every soul coming to accountability (for it is to such that God’s message comes) is called to one of these characters; and it is the privilege of that soul to choose or refuse the call; to submit to God and let God by His providence, His power, His love, shape that soul into that character; or to reject God’s love at any stage, and let some other soul take the character, the crown, and, what will be when character is formed, the new name. If the scriptures which teach these things are unfamiliar to those interested, they can follow no more profitable study than looking them up. If more light is wanted, send for Bible Student’s Library, No. 67, “Bible Election;” price, two for five cents, or ask for further information.

1161. Who Are the Swine?

The swine of Matt. 7:6 represents those whose natures are so gross, selfish, and swinish that they can see no more value in the priceless pearls of truth than in worthless clay; Satan’s agents, who are sent to hinder the work and consume the time of the minister of God, and lower the more spiritual truths of the Gospel to the things of the world; “devilish, sensual, not having the ‘Spirit.’” They must be reached in some other way than by feeding them on pearls of spiritual truth.