Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 9, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 23.

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

791. Luke 21:35. “As a Snare.”

WHAT does it mean: “For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth”?

It means that the great day of God and Christ’s second coming shall take unawares the earth-dwellers, whose affections are on earth, those doing what verse 34 warns us against. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thess. 5:4.

792. Soil, and Fruit-bearing.

WHEN Christ speaks in the parable of the sower, does He infer that the soil which is unfit for fruit-bearing will remain so? or how is it to be made fit? O. F. B.

We should say not. He tells the wicked: “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12. “God is no respecter of persons.” The soil of the heart is made fit by doing in faith just what God says.

793. “Times” of Leviticus 26.

DOES the expression “times,” in Leviticus 26, refer in any manner to the number of years in which the people of Israel were to be punished for disobedience?

No. The word “times” occurs in verses 18, 21, 24, and 28. In no instance is the word in the original. The word “seven” means fulness, “sevenfold.” Rabbi Leeser (Jewish translation) renders, “sevenfold.”

794. Luke 23:43; John 3:5.

HOW CAN you harmonize Luke 23:43 with John 3:5? Was the thief ever baptized by water, or born again?

SEEKER OF TRUTH.

There is no inharmony. The thief was born again by the Word of Christ. 1 Peter 1:23; John 15:3. He was probably never baptized, but he was willing; and “if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” 2 Cor. 8:12. Why trouble about the thief, when the Lord so clearly addresses us? See Acts 2:38. If you are fixed on a cross, He will not demand baptism of you if you are willing; if you are not willing, it would do you no good. Baptism is God’s outward ceremony of heart union between the believer and Christ.

795. A Judge yet Not a Judge.

“THE Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” John 5:22. “Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.” Chap. 8:15. How can all judgment be committed to the Son, and yet He judge no man? G.

Christ did not come as a judge, but as a man; but because He lived a blameless life as a man, He will in that great day execute judgment, because He is the Son of man. John 5:27. But while here on earth, He was not a judge (Luke 12:13, 14); neither so are His people (Luke 6:37); nor is Christ now judge, but priest (Heb. 8:1); neither now are His people judges, but priests (1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 4:17, last clause). But when all men have passed their probation, Christ will “execute judgment,” and His saints will be with Him. 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Rev. 20:4; Ps. 149:6–9.

796. End of the World. Matt. 13:39, 40.

PLEASE explain Matt. 13:39, 40. When is the end of this world? Does it end before the millennium? J. M. C.

The word “world” would better be “age.” It does not mean the end of the earth, but the end of this dispensation, which is now nearing. The millennium on this earth will be one of emptiness, darkness, and terror. Zeph. 1:14–18; Isa. 24:1, 3, 19–22. The wicked will then be dead, the righteous in the heavenly city with Jesus. Rev. 20:1–6. Wickedness will exist upon this earth with righteousness until Christ shall come. Then will be the end of the world, or age. Compare Rev. 14:14, 15; Joel 3:13–16.

797. From the Beginning. John 8:44; Eze. 28:16.

PLEASE explain John 8:44 and Eze. 28:15. Kindly harmonize the two. I. T. H.

Eze. 28:15 says of Satan, under the term “king of Tyre,” “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” That was the beginning of iniquity. And this is just what is stated in John 8:44: “He was a murderer from the beginning [of his work as the devil], and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him,” etc. He was, therefore, once in the truth, but he did not abide or remain therein. He was once perfect in his ways, till iniquity was found in him. The “beginning” must be the beginning of his apostasy.