Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 14, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 14.

Question Corner

By Editor

WE can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply.

4288—"ANOTHER ANGEL"

In Rev. 14:6 it says, "And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven," etc. This is referred to as the first angel's message. Why say "another"?

The heart and soul of the book of Revelation is prophecy. It is showing in sublime language, usually in the form of symbol, the leading events to mark the progress of history on to the close of time. In the eighth chapter and the thirteenth verse, the revelator speaks of an angel flying in mid-heaven announcing the "wo" trumpets that were to sound. By the use of the term "another" in the fourteenth chapter and sixth verse, there is no opportunity for confounding these two angels, both of which are seen flying in mid-heaven.

4289—"WHATSOEVER IS NOT OF FAITH"

Please explain, in the question column, Rom. 14:23, particularly the expression "whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

Rom. 14:23 reads, "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." The apostle, in this fourteenth chapter of Romans, among other things, is talking about clean and unclean meats; and while the question of our food is important, yet he shows that there are other things that are of even greater importance, and an individual should have an intelligent faith as a basis for anything that he does.

The same apostle, and in this same letter, tells us how we obtain faith: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." We will be judged in the great day by the saying of God's word. "If any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not. . . . He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." John 12:47, 48. God's word is the great standard. God's word is to be the basis of every act of the Christian life. It is the great instrument through which God implants faith in our hearts; and "whatsoever is not of faith," or that is not in harmony with that word, "is sin."