3518-The Shape of the Earth by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 25, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 29.

3518—The Shape of the Earth

By Editor

Please explain Rev. 7:1. Is the earth square or round? What does it mean about the four corners?

The four corners of the earth, the four winds of the earth, the four quarters of the earth, all common, every-day expressions, simply mean in all directions, embracing the whole thing. The Bible language is just simply the ordinary language of humanity. Just as we very commonly hear now, the four points of the compass — east, west, north, and south. Such expressions as these do not have any reference whatever to the shape of the earth. As to what that shape is, the evidence to us is overwhelming that it is round. We have not space to discuss that here. What is meant in Rev. 7:1 is this, that God has His own great messengers, who are in the four quarters of the earth, holding the winds of war, in order that the war shall not break out universally until His work is done.