Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 24, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 47.

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

[From time to time we will reply under this head, if deemed advisable, to such candid inquiries as may be sent us. Correspondents wishing a reply to their questions must give their full name and address, not for publication unless they wish, but as an evidence of good faith on their part, and to give us opportunity to reply by letter if deemed best. It is always well to inclose stamp. Let the questions be short and pointed, and such as may be answered in limited space. The questions will be numbered continuously.]

887. Matt. 22:32. Not a God of the Dead.

Does our Lord mean in this passage, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living,” that He is not a God of the righteous dead, or not a God of those dead in trespasses and sins? S. M.

God is not the God of the dead, of any dead. Death did not come from God; it is contrary to His nature. God is the God of Abraham, who to man is dead, but not to God. God purposes to raise up all those who sleep; and He counts all living, because in His purpose they do live, and in His time they will live. Our Saviour used these words to prove the resurrection.

888. Isa. 65:20.

If Isaiah 65:17–25 refers to the new-earth state, will you please explain the 20th verse? Elbe.

See answer No. 873 in the SIGNS of October 20. Verse 20, first part, tells what shall be no more; the last part reveals what took place just previous to the entering of the new-earth inheritance.

889. Appearances of Jesus.

How many times did Jesus appear in person to man or woman after His resurrection? Scripture proofs of each meeting. When and in what manner to Simon or Cephas? Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5. When to James? 1 Cor. 15:7. J. A. W.

To Mary (Mark 16:9); the other women (Matt. 28:9); to Peter (1 Cor. 15:5; Luke 24:34); two other disciples on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–31); to the apostles, Thomas absent (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36–43; John 20:19–25; 1 Cor. 15:5); to the apostles, Thomas present (John 20:26–29); to the seven at the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1–24); afterward to all of them in a mountain (Matt. 28:16–20); to above 500 at one time (1 Cor. 15:6); then to James (1 Cor. 15:7); then to all the apostles (same verse); then to those present at His ascension (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:49–51; Acts 1:4–11). There may be some mistake in the above. How many other times during the forty days of Acts 1:3 we know not. We presume He appeared to James and Peter, as to others. God does not minister to curiosity in details. He also appeared to Paul. 1 Cor. 9:1; Acts 9:3, 17; 22:13, 14; 1 Cor. 15:8.

890. The Word “Day.”

Are the two words “day” in Gen. 1:5 from the same original? W.

They are both from the Hebrew word yowm, and, with but few exceptions, every other “day” in the Old Testament comes from the same word. See Gen. 1:5; 2:4; Ps. 110:3, 5; Prov. 6:34; Isa. 34:8, etc., for illustrations of its various uses. The context generally shows the meaning.