p. 9 | Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 27, 1901

Question Corner

1127. WHY LIMITED.

“Why was not the meteoric shower of 1833 visible over a greater part of the earth’s surface, if it was to be a sign of Christ’s coming? A. A. A.”

Special signs of the approach of Christ’s coming and kingdom are the darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of the stars. These events were to begin to occur “in those days [1260, A.D. 538 to 1798] after that tribulation,” “immediately after the tribulation.” Mark 13:24; Matt. 24:29. The tribulation of those days ended in 1776. The days ended in 1798. The darkening of the sun occurred May 19, 1780, visible throughout Eastern America. The darkening of the moon occurred the night following. A great meteoric shower occurred, visible in Europe, in November, 1799. The greatest ever recorded occurred Nov. 13, 1833, visible in America and over a large part of the Atlantic Ocean.

The cause of God and the center of living, witnessing religion have been girdling the earth by moving westward, following the course of empire. Hence in God’s plans these three great prominent signs were especially marked in “Time’s greatest offspring” among the nations. Wherever seen they were regarded by many as precursors of the great day.

More than this: The seeing of these things must not be confined to the visible view of the occurrence itself. But few comparatively see any of the great extraordinary sights in the heavens. The seeing of Matt. 24:33 and parallel passages is in the light of the predictions of the Word, as proclaimed in the Lord’s last message to the world. Only to those who thus see these signs are they truly heralds of His coming. Given in the light of prophecy, they are a twofold witness that Christ’s coming is near. The one witness, the prophetic Word; the other, the signs themselves; the two brought together in the Lord’s last message.

1128. E. H. Forgiveness.—To truly forgive is not a matter of words, but of spirit, of heart, of disposition, which Christ alone can give. We are to hold forgiveness toward him who has wronged us. Whether we should go to him and say, “I forgive you,” before he has asked it, is another thing. If he had hard feelings against us, and felt stubborn and rebellious, it probably would make matters worse to say, “I forgive you.” He would probably say, “Who asked your forgiveness?” But if he were all broken in penitence, fearing yet longing to ask, it would be well at least to let him know by act or word that we forgive. The Christian, he who knows and cherishes Christ’s forgiveness, forgives whether he says it or not. The saying is another thing. It should be said if asked for; if not asked for, the saying of it is a question. If never asked for, it should ever be held in readiness.

1129. V. A. Rev. 20:10; 14:11.—These texts mean utter destruction. See Bible Students’ Library No. 111, “Tormented Forever and Ever.” Price, 1 cent. There will be articles on this subject in this paper before many weeks.

1130. Matt. 25:46.—It means everlasting cutting off from life. See answer to question 1129.

1131. Dr. Young’s. Women in the Church.—It is impossible in this department to give an exposition of 1 Cor. 14:34-40. But note (1) that God has used women in a public capacity in all ages to His glory (Ex. 15:20; Judges 4:4-10; 5:1-31; 2 Kings 22:13-20; Luke 2:36-38; John 20:17, 18; Acts 18:2; Rom. 16:1, 3; Acts 21:9; etc.); (2) that in the original creation woman was not made an inferior, not a helpmeet, but a help meet, fit, for the man, one to be his companion, taken neither from his head nor his feet, but his side (Gen. 2:18, 21-24; Mark 10:6, 8); (3) that woman’s inferiority has come from the original sin; from her lack of physical strength; from her burden in child-bearing; from the degraded positions which heathen nations have assigned her; and where this is stated in the Gospel it states not God’s idea, but what is (1 Cor. 14:34; 1 Tim. 2:11, 12); (4) that it is the purpose of the Gospel to restore her to the primal conditions (Gal. 3:28); (5) that the apostle in 1 Corinthians 14 is reproving disorder, evidently of which the converted heathen women were guilty, resulting in a shameful course on their part and confusion in the church; (6) but that by this instruction the apostle did not mean to prohibit women speaking, is shown by the fact that he gives instruction in the same Epistle as to how such women should appear (1 Cor. 11:5-15); (7) The conclusion is therefore inevitable that the apostle was rebuking all women who did not know that true Christian conduct is modest, humble, not usurping authority over man, or indeed over the church at all; but to be willing learners of those best fitted to fill important positions. Read the passage again in the light of these suggestions, asking the guidance of His Spirit.

1132. O. W. Acts 10:11-16.—Whatever repeal of ancient laws concerning food God has given, the passage in question is no proof either way. Peter was a Jew, and abhorred Gentiles as he did unclean animals; and God took the strongest possible object lesson to teach His servant that he “should not call any man common or unclean.” Acts 10:28; 15:8, 9. Why make the lesson to mean something different from what the Lord taught Peter? There is no contradiction in the Word over the matter, though men may disagree concerning a text. There are no absolute prohibitions against the use of flesh foods of all sorts in this dispensation. God would not bind all the Gentile Christians by the ceremonial Levitical laws, because many would be in those positions where it would be impossible not to technically transgress them. But He has pronounced certain food the best, certain animals unclean because they were unclean, and this is sufficient for him who desires to eat and drink to God’s glory, and not to a debased appetite. 1 Cor. 10:31.