p. 3 | Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 14, 1897

Question Corner

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

No. 455. Affliction of Job.

WOULD like to know how long Job was afflicted. T. M. B.

The only knowledge we have of the affliction of Job is found in the book of Job and two or three references to it in other books, as for instance, Eze. 14: 14-20; James 5: 11. We do not know how long his affliction continued. And yet, it was probably just as long as was for his good and God’s glory.

No. 456. Dates Relating to Cyrus.

(1) PLEASE tell the difference in time between the date of the decree in the time of Daniel when Cyrus entered on the duties of his office as king of Babylon, and those of Ezra and Nehemiah. How many edicts were there? (2) What does the expression “only a swing of thirteen years” mean? A. C. H.

1. We do not know just what our querist refers to by “the decree in the time of Daniel,” but suppose he has reference to the decree, or commandment, of Dan. 9: 25, to restore and build Jerusalem. The first partial decree relating to that work was that of Cyrus, B.C. 536 (Ezra 1: 1-3), in the first year of his reign, not as a king of Babylon, but as ruler of Medo-Persia. The second “decree” was in the reign of Darius Hystaspes, really a renewal of the decree of Cyrus, B.C. 520. Ezra 6. The third and fullest decree, covering all contained in the former decrees and much more, granting the Jews not only the privilege of rebuilding the temple and city, but restoring the government, was by Artaxerxes Longimanus, B.C. 457. This decree is found in Ezra 7. The three decrees of the Persian king made up “the commandment of the God of Israel” (Ezra 6: 14), which, of course, was not complete till filled out by its most important installment, the decree of Artaxerxes. It is from this latter date, B.C. 457, that the 2,300 days of Dan. 8: 14 are reckoned.

2. We do not know the origin or meaning of any such expression as you name.

No. 457. Type and Antitype.

WHERE in the Old Testament is the prophecy of Christ’s saying, “A bone of him [Jesus] shall not be broken,” as given in John 19: 36? TRUTH SEEKER.

See Ex. 12: 46; Num. 9: 12; Ps. 34: 20. There may have been other prophecies then extant, now lost to us, which predicted this; but to our minds the passages relating to the paschal lamb are very clear prophecies of our Lord’s death. Christ is “our Passover” (1 Cor. 5: 7), and the slaying of the paschal lamb was a type and prophecy of his death.

No. 458. The Mistake of 1843.

WHAT was the mistake of time which caused the change of expectation on the part of William Miller and others, from the spring of 1843 to the autumn of 1844? Was this mistake caused by the difference between Old Style and New Style? A. C. H.

The 2,300 days, or years, of Dan. 8: 14 began in B.C. 457. If we take 457 from 2,300, it leaves 1,843. But the 2,300 years were full years, and the mistake was made in not recognizing this. If they began at the beginning of B.C. 457, they would end at the close of A.D. 1843. But as nearly half of the year was gone before the decree of Artaxerxes went into effect, it will be easily seen that the 2,300 full years from the middle of B.C. 457 would reach over into the next year, 1844. The Old Style or New Style had nothing to do with it.

No. 459. “Heart,” “Bowels,” etc.

PLEASE explain the use of the words “heart,” “bowels,” and “belly” in passages like Prov. 4: 23; 1 John 3: 17; John 7: 38, and many similar passages. L. C. G.

These terms are used as we use “heart,” “bowels,” “breast,” etc., indicating the seat of the feelings, emotions, affections, mind, intellect. The use of the term originated, doubtless, from the fact that violent passion or strong emotions affect the heart, bowels, etc.

No. 460. Commanding to Abstain from Meats.

PLEASE explain 1 Tim. 4: 3, 4. Does it mean that all animals are to be used as food, if we are thankful for them? What church or creed forbids those things? J. B. V.

1. The word translated “meats” does not necessarily refer to flesh foods. It simply means foods. So now the English use “meat.” It is common to hear farmers in parts of England speaking of giving their horses their meat, meaning hay and grain.

2. We should understand the foods to be eaten were limited by the expression, “sanctified by the word of God and prayer,” in verse 5. What food God has so sanctified or set apart for us is good if it be received with thanksgiving.

3. All these things in a limited degree have been done in the Roman Catholic Church, and will be more fully as time progresses. Celibacy of priests and nuns, stated fasts, the fearful deceptive errors, the leaguing with demons through so-called saint worship, are all fulfilled, tho ignorantly, in that church.

No. 461. What Is the Vail?

PLEASE explain 2 Cor. 3: 13-18. Does it have reference to the ceremonial law. What is the vail? J. B. V.

It is not possible to give an adequate explanation of the passage named in this department; it involves an examination of the whole chapter. But, briefly, to the children of Israel the glory of God was to them the glory of condemnation. To Moses, who believed God, it was the glory of righteousness. The children of Israel, in their sins to which they clung, plead, “Let not God speak with us, lest we die” (Ex. 20: 19), while Moses prayed, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory” (Ex. 33: 18). God withdrew in a measure from the one party, but he revealed himself in Moses as the Lord our Righteousness. The shining of Moses’ face was the outshining of the glory within. That glory condemned the Israelites, and they desired it vailed so they could not see it, while God desired them to receive it in their hearts, that the glory of condemnation might become the glory of righteousness. That vail represented their unbelief, which they interposed between themselves and God’s righteousness. Had they prayed, “Take the sin away, show me thy glory, let it be revealed in me,” they would have seen the end of sin and condemnation; it would have been abolished by the presence of God within. Their minds were blinded; when they read the Scriptures, they could see nothing that brought them the righteousness and life of God. But at any time when their heart would turn to the Lord, the darkness of unbelief would flee, the glory of condemnation would have no glory, by reason of the excelling glory of righteousness, and the bond-slave of sin would find freedom in Jesus. God’s revelation of his glory may at first condemn, but it is revealed that we may be made righteous. Do not turn from it; let it shine away the darkness and sin of the soul.