OUR QUESTION CORNER by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 7, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 39.

OUR QUESTION CORNER.

By Editor

[From time to time we will reply under this head, if deemed advisable, to such candid inquiries on scriptural topics or moral questions as may be sent us. Questions which minister strife to no profit to our readers will not be answered here. Correspondents wishing a reply to their questions must give their full name and address, not for publication unless they wish, but as an evidence of good faith on their part, and to give us opportunity to reply by letter if deemed best. It is always well to inclose stamp. The questions will be numbered continuously.]

101. LUKE 23:43.

Will you please explain Luke 23:43, what our Saviour meant when he said to the thief on the cross, "Verily I say unto thee to-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise"? M. F. B.

See the article in another column entitled "The Importance of Christ's Second Coming." Our correspondent says that she does not believe that the thief is with Christ now, for the dead in Christ will Christ raise when he comes. Certain it is that Jesus did not go to Paradise on that day; for (1) Paradise is where the tree of life is (Rev. 2:7), and the tree of life is "fast by the throne of God" (Rev. 22:1, 2); and (2) Jesus said the third day after his crucifixion, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father" (John 20:17). He therefore did not go to Paradise on the day of his crucifixion. For the meaning of the thief's prayer, and the promise of the Saviour, see the last part of the article referred to above.

102. THE TURK.

Do you understand that the Turk must have Constantinople before the seven last plagues are poured out? Please harmonize Dan. 11:45 with Rev. 16:12. R. D. C.

The Turk has Constantinople now. Just how long he will keep it before Russia, or England, or some other power, seizes it we do not know. Dan. 11:45 and Rev. 16:12 are in perfect harmony already, tuned by the same divine spirit. We cannot undertake to harmonize the various conflicting views concerning them.

103. NAHUM'S CHARIOTS.

Does Nahum 2:3-6 refer to the cars and railroads? Does it not apply to the destruction of Nineveh? R. D. C.

Many persons think that the prophecy applies to railroad cars and railways, but we see nothing in the prophecy which may not all be applied to the destruction of Nineveh. We certainly know that some of the particulars of the prophecy are rather incongruous and forced when applied to railways and railroad cars in the Old World.