Question Corner

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

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

711. Eze. 43:27. “The Eighth Day.”

Does the above scripture teach that the Sabbath was changed? A minister so stated.

The text teaches nothing of the kind. The claim that it does is most ridiculous. The prophet is giving directions concerning the purifying of the altar. “Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it. . . . And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt-offerings,” etc. “The eighth day, and so forward,” means every day after the seven days of purification. Yet we saw one tract which quoted the text, “It shall be that on the eighth day of the week.” Such work speaks for itself, but not with the text.

712. 1 Tim. 4:1-4.

Please explain 1 Tim. 4:1-4. Does not this scripture disagree with the teachings of Seventh-day Adventists, and with other scriptures which teach that there are clean and unclean animals? A READER.

No; there is no contradiction so far as we know. That there is a difference between beasts and fowls the Lord expressly tells us in Leviticus 11 and in Deuteronomy 14. It is implied in Gen. 7:8, and elsewhere. This is true in the very nature of the beasts themselves. It is recognized by physicians from a purely physiological standpoint in their prohibitions of certain flesh foods from the dietary of the sick and feeble. But what 1 Tim. 4:1-4 refers to is not particularly flesh, but foods; for that is all that is implied by the word “meats,” even as we apply it to the kernels of nuts at the present time. There will be those who depart from the faith, who will give heed to seducing spirits, who will forbid marriage, who will prohibit foods created of God to be eaten. If you know of such a class, do not follow them. These creatures of God are modified, to our mind, by the expression, “sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.” All foods that God has sanctified, or set apart, may be eaten, if you can in faithful prayer and thanksgiving receive them.

713. Eccl. 3:21. The Spirit of Man.

Please explain Eccl. 3:21, “Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?” E. T.

The Revised Version probably gives the better idea, “Who knoweth the spirit of man whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast whether it goeth downward?” There were those in Solomon’s day evidently who taught the immortality and conscious, separate existence of the spirit. But he asks, “Who knoweth?” Read verse 21, in the light of verse 19, remembering that “breath” in verse 19 comes from the same original word as “spirit” in verse 21. In both cases the word simply means life. When any living thing yields up its life, that life goes back to God, the Fountain of life. Eccl. 12:7.

714. Matt. 24:40-43. Watching.

Kindly explain Matt. 24:40-43.

Verses 40 and 41 give an illustration of the separation which will take place between the wicked and the righteous when the great day of the Lord comes. Verses 42 and 43 show the necessity of watching. He who does not watch will be overtaken, even as the sleeping man when the thief comes.