Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 1, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 22.

Question Corner

By Editor

1510.—"The Book of Jasher." Joshua 10: 13.

1. How could the record of the sun's standing still be written in the book of Jasher before it occurred? Who wrote the book of Jasher, and where can I obtain it?

2. Can I get the Apocrypha of the Bible separate? if so, where?

(1) Joshua was not written till several years after the events occurred related in chapter 10. In the meantime the song in the poetical Book of Jasher may have been written, from which Joshua quotes. The word "Jasher" means "The Upright;" and the book seems to have been one in which Israel recorded in song the deeds of her heroes. See reference to it also in 2 Sam. 1: 18. That book, as well as others referred to in the Bible, are not now known to exist. It is not found in the "Apocrypha." You can get the revised version of the Apocrypha (by all odds the best) from any of the dealers in the Oxford Bibles. We can secure it for you if you desire.

1511.—Punishment of Wicked. 2 Peter 2: 9.

Does 2 Peter 2:9 (American Revised Version) teach the punishment of the wicked at death, and before the judgment?

Not necessarily. It may simply mean under sentence of punishment. "He that believeth not is condemned already." John 3: 18. Rotherham translates Wescott and Hort's Greek text as follows: "To keep the unrighteous unto a day of judgment to be punished." When Jesus comes, and not till then, will the rewards be given. 2 Thess. 1: 7-10; Rev. 22: 12; Matt. 16: 27.

1512.—The Mark of the Beast. Rev. 13: 16, 17.

Is it not possible that the mark here referred to may be a mark or badge? Some argue that it is the cross.

There is not space in this department to present a full explanation of the mark of the beast; but these facts will be obvious to the reader: (1) The beast is a power antagonistic to God, and one which demands universal worship. (2) The ancient badge, or mark, of servitude is here used to symbolize that which distinguishes the worshipers of the beast from the worshipers of God. (3) The truest worship is service, obedience. "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." Matt. 4: 10. "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6: 46. The mark of the beast is the characteristic token of obedience to the beast, and disobedience to God. This could not refer to a mere sign of a cross; for, as has been stated, there is no law against making crosses, circles, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, rhomboids, or other figures geometric. The mark, in itself, or in its opposite, pertains to moral duty. (4) Duty to God is summed up in the observance of the Decalogue. Eccl. 12: 13; Matt. 19: 17. (5) The very point where the beast-worshipers and the worshipers of God differ constitutes on the one hand the mark of the beast and on the other the seal of God, the name of God. Rev. 7: 1-3; 14: 1-3; 15: 2, 3; Ezekiel 9. Note the contrast between the true worshipers as set forth in these scriptures, and the beast-worshipers. Rev. 13: 16, 17; 14: 9-12. (6) The true child of God will keep all His commandments. John 14: 15; 15: 10; 1 John 5: 3; Rev. 14: 12. The beast-worshipers will obey the beast law, and the difference between the two laws will be the difference between the worshipers. That difference in the beast law is the mark of the beast in its followers. (7) Many may have followed the beast law through ignorance; many others through prejudice, believing it divine. But the prophecy implies a direct issue, which we have not yet seen, between man-made and God-given laws. The difference now, as always, has been in respect to the day of the Sabbath. Study that question, and place yourself on the side of God. When the clear lines are drawn, there may be outward badges indicating the inward worship.

1513.—Isa. 65: 20.

Please explain Isa. 65: 20. To what time does this refer?

See article in another column on the above text.