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1021. Mrs. A. L. S. Mark 9:46, 49.—The expressions, "the worm that dieth not" and "the unquenchable fire," are terms symbolic of utter destruction. Compare Isa. 51:6-8; 66:24; Jer. 17:27; 2 Chron. 36:19-21; Matt. 3:12; Luke 3:17. It will be seen that the worm devoured the carcasses, and the fire consumed what it preyed upon; and the worm would not die, nor could the fire be quenched, until each did its work. Salt (verse 49) is an element indicative of preserving power, a token of God's saving covenant. It was a law that with "all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt." See Lev. 2:13; Num. 18:19. For the salting or testing with fire see 1 Cor 3:13; Isa. 33:14, 15.
1022. E. W. R. Bible Laws.—(1) "Is it not true that the Bible is made up of both Church and State laws? If so, why should we [not] accept it as being of God? (2) If God is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever, why should not we continue the law, including its penalties, in our time? (3) Ought we to continue the Paschal feast according to the commandment in Ex. 12:14?"
1. "God is spirit." "The law is spiritual." That is eternally true. The laws of God are not Church and State laws in the sense of such laws in human government. God as King is altogether a different government than men assuming to rule in the place of God.
2. One of the great lessons for all time of the theocracy in Israel is that there can only be a government of God among a converted people. God is the same, but He knew that His rule would not prove successful unless the people absolutely yielded to Him. If every soul now would completely yield to God, we would need no other law. But spiritual obedience can not be enforced.
3. Many of the things in ancient Israel were types, among which was the Passover. When the shadow reached the substance, when Christ, the true Paschal Lamb, died (1 Cor. 5:7), the shadow, the type, ceased.