Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 24, 1904

Question Corner

By Editor

1477.—Melchizedek. Please explain who Melchizedek was, and his priesthood. T. R. C.

We know absolutely nothing of the antecedents of Melchizedek save what the record in Genesis 14 and Hebrews 7 give. He was a priest-king, "priest of the Most High God." No record is given of his pedigree, which is the meaning of the expression, "without father or mother." No record is given as to when he began his priesthood, or when he ended it. No predecessor or successor is known. For this reason he could be well taken as a type of Christ, who received His priesthood from no predecessor, and who yields it to none to come. Like Melchizedek Jesus was a priest-king, king of righteousness, and, therefore, king of peace.

1478.—A Second Tithe. Is it necessary to pay a second tithe? T. R. C.

That depends upon the individual's understanding of duty and his conscience respecting it. Does the Bible teach it? Let that settle the question. The duty, if it is a duty, lies between us and God.

1479.—How Long Was It? How many thousands of years, or how many dispensations was it, at an estimate, from the time of the first creation until God created Adam? J. J. L.

What is meant by "the first creation"? If that of Gen. 1:1 is referred to, we do not know how long a period elapsed between that and verse 3, nor do we need to know. We have no desire to estimate how long ago the beginning was. That it was previous to the six days is clearly evident from the record. Between verse three and Adam's creation was less than six literal days. "There was not a man to till the soil" refers to the time of the sixth day before man was created at all.

1480.—The Rich Man and Lazarus. Please explain Luke 16:19-31. A. C. McC.

It requires too much space for this department. See tract, "The Rich Man and Lazarus," or chapter entitled "A Great Gulf Fixed," pages 263-271 in "Christ's Object Lessons."

1481.—The Prophet Foretold. Acts 3:21, 22. Does this mean that a prophet must come in these last days and restore all things before Christ can come? A. C. McC.

If you will read carefully the third chapter of Acts, from verse 12 to the close, you will see that the prophet predicted by Moses in Deut. 18:15, was Jesus Himself, the Restorer. Stephen uses the same scripture and applies it to Jesus as that prophet. Acts 7:37, 58. Jesus is the One like unto His brethren. Heb. 2:17.