Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 15, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 50.

Question Corner

By Editor

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

893. Is It Right?

Is it right for a Christian to take life in defense of property intrusted to his care? A postal employee is under oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the U. S., and his oath is taken without any purpose of evasion. Can a Christian take such oath, and then allow constitutional laws to be broken in his official presence, that is, when he is in charge of Uncle Sam’s property? Feeling that I have no right to take up carnal weapons against my fellow-men, have I a right to make such oath?

L. X.

It is not the object or desire of THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES to point out each man’s particular duty. It is our purpose to preach the Word, to honor God’s law, to lift up Jesus Christ as the Saviour, the great example, the One able to make man in all things obedient. But He wants men to know their duty from Him, and to do it for His sake. What would Christ do in respect to the above questions? Would He tie Himself up in any employment of life so that He would be forced to take life rather than lose property? In other words, would He place His conscience at the disposal of men? A Christian may do many things in a public capacity and be true to God; but he must do it all “as to the Lord, and not unto men.” If he be a Christian, he is bound to be faithful to God “without any purpose of evasion.” “Ye were bought with a price; be ye not the servants of men.”

894. Deut. 14 : 26-28.

If the tithe belongs to the Levite, how had the man a right to use it for what his soul lusted after?

L. C. H.

The tithe referred to here is a second tithe. The first tithe belonged to the Levite and priests. Num. 18:24-28. After that a second tithe was taken, which was eaten before the Lord the first and second year, and in the third year was given to the poor. Deut. 14:28, 29. In the fourth and fifth years it was again eaten by the owners, and in the sixth year given to the poor. The seventh year—a sabbath to the Lord—all things were common. Ex. 23:10, 11. A people who were living in the light would not lust after things displeasing to God.

895. The Kings of the East.

In Rev. 16:12 we read that the river Euphrates was dried up, “that the way of the kings [that come from the sun rising] of the East might be prepared.” What country do they come from?

J. H.

From the territory east of Turkey and Persia, where the Euphrates River is. It may come to mean such powers as England, Germany, France, Russia, and the United States, when they divide up Asia among themselves, and the last power takes the Philippines. Thus the kings of the West become the kings of the East.