Question Corner

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

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

721. What Day Is the Seventh?

Can it be proved that Saturday is the Sabbath, the true seventh day in succession? G. S. M.

Yes; without a shadow of doubt. However it may have been with men, God has not lost the time. He made the Sabbath in the beginning. Gen. 2:2, 3. More than 2,500 years later He spoke it again in the very heart of His holy law (Ex. 20:8–11), and showed what day the seventh day was, and that it could be no other day, by a threefold weekly miracle for forty years (chapter 16). When Christ was upon the earth, He kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16), and the women who followed Him kept it at the time of His death “according to the commandment” (Luke 23:56). The next day was “the first day of the week.” Luke 24:1; Mark 16:1, 2. Since that time the regular sequence of the days may be shown in four ways: (1) Astronomy shows that no time has been lost. (2) The Jews scattered among all nations have observed the seventh day, which was the day before the first day of the week. (3) From the days succeeding the apostles Sunday has been regarded with a superstitious reverence, and there has been no question as to what day of the week it was. (4) There is general agreement among all nations concerning the days of the week. The matter has never been questioned, so far as we know, save as an excuse to avoid what ought to be a pleasure,—obeying the commandment of God.

722. Soul and Body. Matt. 10:28.

Is the soul and body the same? If so, please explain Matt. 10:28. H. A. R.

Sometimes the soul includes the whole person. See Gen. 2:7; 1 Peter 3:20. Sometimes, as in Matt. 10:28, it means life. Man may destroy the body, but the ultimate power of life and existence are beyond him. Luke 12:4. But God can destroy not only existence here, but the future as well.

723. Who Are Referred to?

Of whom is the Lord speaking in Jer. 16:16? Is it the same people as are mentioned in the two preceding verses? M. L.

He is speaking of Israel, His own people, who will be gathered out of every land, and clime, and nation, born Israel, not by natural birth, but by the power of God, of which Israel of old was a type. The question of Israel involves more than can be considered here. Its origin is found in Gen. 32:24–28. Build on that.