Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 24, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 38.

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

No. 422. John and Our Lord.

KINDLY explain what is meant by “he must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30. M. M. D.

It means that the work and mission of John would grow less and attract less attention as Christ’s work and mission became known, even as the light of the morning star fades away before the greater light of the sun. Some endeavored to stir John up to jealousy because the people were going from him to Jesus; but in this John rejoiced, and so should every worker of God rejoice that his own glory and fame were less and less manifest under the increasing glory and fame of Christ.

No. 423. Oppression Denounced.

DOES Amos 8:9-10 refer to future time, or has it been fulfilled? and when? M. M. D.

It refers to both past and future. Amos prophesied about B.C. 787, at a time just following the wicked reign of Jeroboam II., and but a little while before Israel was carried captive, as recorded in 2 Kings 17. It was a time of great apostasy; oppression, and corruption, not only in Israel, but in Judah. Religion was but a form, the grinding of the poor was general. But God’s judgments that are here pronounced will be visited upon other generations who do the same thing. This was true of the Jews when carried into captivity; it was true when Christ was rejected, the acceptance of whom would have led to reform; it is true of many of the professed people of God in these days. Following these judgments comes the great famine for the word of God.