TO CORRESPONDENTS by C. W. S.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 14, 1876

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

By C. W. S.

Does Paul mean to be understood that we should choose one that is of the least esteem to judge in matters of difference between brethren? 1 Cor. 6:4. C. S. C.

Ans. We think not. We think that Paul uses a little irony in that verse.—If now it should happen that trials, involving secular matters, are held among you, you will set up as judges those who are despised in the church, will you?!

The fifth verse shows this to be the sense of the fourth: “I speak to your shame.” And then he asks in all candor, Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one? Is there not even one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? Paul would have the wise men of the church do this important business.

Fayette Kingsley: See articles on the two covenants in Nos. 16 and 18 of present vol. For information on the word soul, see “Man’s Nature and Destiny,” chap. 6.

How can you harmonize Heb. 9:4 with 1 Kings 8:9. H. M. Van Slyke.

Ans. The pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, were both laid up before the Testimony. Ex. 16:34, Num. 17:10. Leaving out Paul’s testimony, there is no scripture to show that they were inside the ark. They might be before the Testimony, and yet be outside the ark. The book of the covenant was put in the side of the ark. Deut. 31:26. Prideaux thinks it was put in a till on the outside of the ark.

But admitting that Paul says these things were inside the ark, there is no more disagreement between his testimony and 1 Kings 8:9 than there was between the statements of the two men in relation to the chameleon; and they were both correct. One said the creature was blue, and the other affirmed that it was green. They had seen it at different times.

Now we know the book of the covenant was lost and found. 2 Chron. 34:30, 14. It is also possible that the pot of manna and Aaron’s rod, if they were once in the ark, were removed from it during its separation of 136 years from the sanctuary. This shows us how the record in 1 Kings 8:9, which speaks of the ark after its return, can be true, and yet not contradict Paul in Heb. 9:4.

How do you harmonize Eccl. 7:20 and 1 John 1:8, with 1 John 3:6, 8, 9?
To whom does Zeph. 2:1 apply?
Is it proper for persons who keep the Sabbath to attend other meetings on that day?

G. W. S.

Ans. 1. 1 John 3:6, 8 is probably to be taken in an accommodated sense. A man that is begotten of God cannot sin; i. e., if he be asked or tempted to do a wrong thing he will say: “I know this to be wrong—I cannot do it.” Not that he is physically unable to put forth his hand to do wrong; but, abiding in Christ, he has a hatred of sin, and when he sees that a thing is wrong he feels, as above expressed, that he cannot do it.

2. It applies to that unpopular, “not desired” people who, just before the decree is made (verse 2 and Rev. 22:11, 12), just before “the day of the Lord’s anger,” shall be seeking meekness, one of the Saviour’s attributes, and righteousness, right doing as determined by the law of God, two qualities akin to, if not the same as, those mentioned in Rev. 14:12. We think it applies to the remnant church.

3. It is right to attend religious meetings on the Sabbath. Luke 4:16, Acts 13:14.

What temple and what land is referred to in Eze. 40 and following chapters? F. R. Richmond.

Ans. It is probably the same which he saw before his captivity, and which had been burned by the Chaldeans fourteen years before this vision. You will find the same dimensions in the parts described in Kings and Chronicles as are given by Ezekiel. The land is that which they possessed before going into captivity, to which they were to return.

Are Enoch and Elijah and the dead that came out of their graves at the crucifixion, in heaven? Mrs. D. F. Chase.

Ans. Yes. God took Enoch. Gen. 5:24. Elijah went up by a whirlwind into Heaven. 2 Kings 2:11. A multitude, who were raised from the dead at the crucifixion, followed the Redeemer when he ascended to the right hand of God. Matt. 27:52, 53; Eph. 4:8 (see margin). There they are, as assistants in the work of the sanctuary in Heaven. Rev. 4:4; 5:5, 6, 8, 10. The 9th verse shows that they were redeemed from the earth. See “Thoughts on Revelation.” C. W. S.