Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 10, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 10.

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

725. Mark 9: 44, 46, 48.

How does the statement in Mark 9: 44, 46, 48 compare with the doctrine of everlasting destruction? S.

There is perfect harmony between the passage above referred to and such texts as Matt. 25: 41, 46; Mal. 4: 1; Matt. 3: 12; 2 Thess. 1: 8, 9; Ps. 37: 20, and other scriptures. The worm does not die till it has devoured what it preys upon; nor can the fire be quenched till it burns up the material on which it feeds. Compare Isa. 51: 6; Jer. 17: 27; 2 Chron. 36: 18, 20. See “Tormented Forever and Ever,” Bible Students’ Library, No. 111; price, 1 cent.

726. Acts 10: 12-15. Are Swine Included?

PLEASE explain this scripture. Were these wild beasts and fowls of the air cleansed for food? Was not the swine included? A. A. AND C. W. J.

There were no beasts there. Why should we doubt “what this vision” “should mean”? The Lord had not explained it when Peter doubted (verse 17), but He has to us. That vision of those unclean beasts, which probably included swine, was not given to eat, but to show Peter and everybody else for all time that he or they “should not call any man common or unclean,” and that “God is no respecter of persons.” Labor for all men; that is the lesson.

727. “Every Creature of God.” 1 Tim. 4: 4.

PLEASE explain how every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving, as some take this as an evidence that they are permitted to eat all kinds of animals. E. L. P.

Well, we are. The Lord will let us, if we wish, eat the most abominable things of earth; but He tells us that the only true way to eat or do anything is to His glory. 1 Cor. 10: 31. Now he who eats to God’s glory will not eat to satisfy the lusts of the flesh. And, to our mind, before he gave thanks, he would wish to know whether it is “sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.” 1 Tim. 4: 5. Man has sanctified, or set apart, many things for food which God calls abominations. He who wishes to serve God in all things with all his heart will not be quibbling over texts, and childishly asking the question, “May I eat this?” or “Mayn’t I eat that?” God has given much light concerning what is best, and He asks us to eat and drink to His glory; and we may be assured that this is also for our best good, “for strength and not for drunkenness” or gluttony.

728. 2 Cor. 3: 7-12.—G. W., an explanation of this passage will be found in Bible Students’ Library, No. 134, pp. 53-59, “The Lord’s Day the Test of the Ages” (price, 15 cents), or No. 149, “From Glory to Glory” (price, 3 cents).

729. Righteousness. 1 John 3: 7; Rom. 3: 10.

PLEASE harmonize 1 John 3: 7 with Rom. 3: 10. H. P.

According to Rom. 3: 10, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” That is true of every man of himself and in himself. John declares that “he that doeth righteousness is righteous;” that is, one must be righteous before he can do righteousness, and the evidence that he does righteousness is a proof that the doer is righteous. But while man is not righteous of himself, there is One in whom man may become righteous, “created in righteousness and true holiness.” Eph. 4: 24.