Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 3, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 44.

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

876. Gal. 4:22–31. Two Covenants.

WHAT bearing has the above on the Sabbath? M. T. C.

The scripture above noted reveals simply the contrast between the two covenants and those who hold to them for salvation. The first covenant—in which Israel pledged their obedience, but could not fulfil it—is represented by Hagar, the bondswoman, who bore children to bondage, and by old Jerusalem in bondage with her children, because all who promise to do God’s will in their own strength are bringing themselves under the bondage of sin. Man of himself can not keep the law, therefore the law condemns him, and he is “under the law,” condemned by it. So it is true that every one who wishes to work out his salvation by his works wishes to be in sin, under the law, for the two are the same. All who hate wisdom love death. See Prov. 8:36. So those who love their own deeds and ways, love sin, and are under the condemnation of the law. But the new covenant, represented by Sarah, Isaac, and the Jerusalem above, centers in Christ, who sets us free from sin, “transgression of the law,” and enables us in Him to keep it. The new covenant establishes through Christ the law of God in its every part in the heart of the believer. The free man is the man who keeps the law. The man in bondage is the man who sins, whose heart is carnal. We may be in the class we choose. We may choose God’s way, or mark out some other

877. Matt. 28:9; John 20:17.

In Matt. 28:9 it is said that the Marys held Jesus “by the feet, and worshiped Him,” while in John 20:17 He forbids Mary to touch Him. C. D. M.

The earlier event is John 20:17. Jesus forbade Mary to touch Him till He had ascended to His Father and His sacrifice and work were accepted. This He evidently did at once. Subsequently He meets the two Marys, and permits them to pay Him the homage they did, for God had accepted Him. He therefore ascended immediately after His resurrection, to be acknowledged of God, and returned again to His disciples. His visible ascension took place forty days later.

878. “Spirits of Demons, Working Miracles.”

HOW CAN I convince people that the spirits of devils are working miracles in the world at the present time?

By the fulfilment of such divine predictions as I Tim. 4:1; 2 Thess. 2:9–11; Rev. 13:13, 14; 16:13, 14. In the latter text the culmination of the works of these spirits is shown. They have before prepared the world, as shown by such texts as Isa. 8:19; I Tim. 4:1, and others. If you can not convince persons by the prophecy and the marked fulfilment before their eyes, you can only pray, and leave them with God.

879. Suffereth Violence. Matt. 11:12.

PLEASE explain Matt. 11:12: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” E. L.

The text is illustrative of the power and influence of John’s preaching. He was terribly in earnest, “Repent,” reform, was his burden. It meant agonizing effort. Men agonized, strove, struggled to enter the kingdom; and the violent, the earnest, the zealous seize upon it, or obtain it, as by force.