p. 3 | Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 11, 1897

Question Corner

“Enquire, and make search, and ask diligently.”

Let it be understood; it is an invariable rule. We answer no unsigned communications. We do not ask the name for publication; but we wish the privilege of replying by letter if deemed necessary. If the name of the writer is not signed to the letter accompanying the question, the question finds its way to the wastebasket.

No. 481. Shall Never Die.

KINDLY explain John 11:26: “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” H. R. S.

The question was over the resurrection. Jesus said, “Thy brother shall rise again.” Martha answered, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus wished to make clear the great truth that the resurrection then, as well as at the last day, rested in him. “I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me [who has placed his faith in me], tho he were dead [even tho he lie in the grave as does Lazarus], yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me [in that day when the dead are raised] shall never die.” Those who sleep in Jesus will be raised from the dead as was Lazarus; and those then living and believing in Jesus shall never die.

No. 482. The Son of Man.

WHY is Christ called the “Son of man,” as in Matt. 18:11, when he was the Son of God? J. M.

Because he was the Son of man, “born of a woman,” Gal. 4:4, R. V.; Matt. 1:25. While he was truly the Son of God, he became truly the Son of man, “in all things” “made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest.” See Heb. 2:14–17.

No. 483. “Absent from the Body,” etc.

WILL you kindly explain 2 Cor. 5:8 and Phil. 1:23. They were used in Sunday school to prove that one went to heaven at death. J. M.

These two scriptures may be explained together.

Notice particularly that 2 Cor. 5:1–9 presents three states or conditions. (1) “Earthly house of this tabernacle” (verses 1 and 4), “in this” (verse 2), “mortality” (verse 4), “at home in the body” (verse 6). These expressions represent this present mortal life, in which the apostle groaned and was burdened. (2) The middle state, “found naked” (verse 3), “unclothed” (verse 4). This has reference to death. (3) The third state, “building of God,” “house not made with hands” (verse 1), “clothed upon,” etc., “swallowed up of life” (verse 4), “present with the Lord” (verse 8). This represents the future immortal state, when the saints will be with Christ. The same three conditions are set forth in Phil. 1:21–23 as “to live” here, “to die,” “and to be with Christ.” The whole thing turns on when the saints are to be with Christ, and when mortality is swallowed up of life. This is clearly declared to be when Christ comes, at the last trump (Matt. 16:27; 1 Cor. 15:51–54); then it is that man shall be rewarded, and the mortal shall put on immortality. It was that which Paul longed for. It was not to live here, altho that would further the cause of Christ; it was not to die that he wished, altho it might bring gain to Christ; he did not wish to be unclothed; but he did wish to be translated, to go where Jesus was. Of living or dying he did not know which to choose; but the third thing—to be with Christ by translation—was far better. See also Rom. 8:23, where he refers to the same groaning, and tells of his desire, “the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” It was Christ’s glorious coming, the resurrection out from among the dead, and the dwelling with Christ in an immortal state, that were the crowning joys of Paul’s wish and labor. There is nothing in the scriptures in question which suggest an immortal soul or conscious state of the dead.

No. 484. Cain’s Wife.

WHERE did Cain get his wife? A. H.

She was doubtless a daughter of Adam and Eve. Many years—even hundreds—may be covered by Gen. 4:16, 17. When the Sacred History begins the account of Cain, it carries it to the end, or till his posterity take his place. Before Cain possessed a wife, sons and daughters were born unto Adam. See Gen. 5:4. All such questions would be easily answered did we know a few more facts; but God’s Word is not given to minister to mere curiosity. What pertains to our salvation, God has clearly declared. If there are some statements of Sacred History which do not seem to accord with facts, it is, in all probability, because of our partial understanding of the subject. Knowing the will and way of the Lord, we can afford to wait his time to solve the problems of mere curiosity.

No. 485. Pot of Manna and Aaron’s Rod.

WERE the golden pot and Aaron’s rod put in the ark with the testimony or tables of the covenant? See Heb. 9:4. 1 Kings 8:9 says there was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone. A. A.

The two passages may have reference to different times: Heb. 9:4 to the time when the sanctuary was builded, and 1 Kings 8:9 to a later period, when the pot of manna and the rod had been removed. Or the word “wherein” in Heb. 9:4 may refer to the “Holiest of all” of verse 3.

No. 486. Socialists.

WHAT do you think of the Socialist organization, whose headquarters are at Ruskin, Tennessee, and should Adventists join them? A. D.

We know nothing about the Socialist organization referred to; it may be a worthy worldly association or otherwise. But we do know that the church of Jesus Christ is large enough, its gifts ample, the scope of its mission sufficiently extensive, and its platform broad and strong enough to use every power for good which every Christian possesses. Having all this, what do we want more? What organization could be better than the church, “which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all”? However good, then, any earthly organization may be, why should Adventists, if they are Christians, wish to join them? Lead the world to Christ.

No. 487. Beauty and Bands.

PLEASE explain Zech. 11:10, and as much of the chapter as you have time and space. J. M.

The chapter seems to be a prophecy of Jerusalem and the Jews as God’s people down to the Crucifixion. The first part of the chapter shows God’s mercy in restoring his people who had been oppressed by the powers of earth, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and other powers. By his staff Beauty, or Grace, he would again show them favor, and gather them and forgive them, and by Bands he would bind them together again. “Three shepherds,” the powers that rose against them, he overthrew. And yet God’s people turned against him, notwithstanding his goodness. They even betrayed the One who came to save them. Verses 12, 13. God, therefore, broke his covenant with them, because they would not hear him, and he refused to bind them together; for they would not choose his way.