64-JUDGMENT OF THE DEAD AND THE LIVING by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Dec 22, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 50.

64—JUDGMENT OF THE DEAD AND THE LIVING

By Editor

It is said that the Investigative Judgment of the dead began in 1844, and that when the heavenly court is through with the dead, the living will be judged. How can the Judgment of the dead be finished when people are dying every day?

C. W. W.

Naturally, logically, the investigation of cases in the heavenly court begins with those who first lived in the first generations, and from there onward to the last generation. That investigation does not pertain to all, but simply to those whose names have been written in the book of life. All whose names have not, will die, and their cases will be determined during the thousand years, and Judgment executed at the end of that period. The Judgment which began in 1844 must of course deal with both dead and living as we near the end. God does not satisfy our curiosity in dealing with particulars. We may safely leave it all with Him. He will be wise as well as just.

65—THE APOCRYPHA

Upon what authority were the books of the Apocrypha eliminated from the Scriptures and rated as sectarian [secular?], while the balance are rated as inspired?

A. T. S.

They were not in the Jewish Scriptures held to be sacred, the Scriptures which Jesus learned.
They sprang out of that time in the Jewish church concededly after prophets had ceased; that is, after Malachi.
They were not written in the Hebrew language.
Their style, their character, their teaching, are not up to the standard of the law and the testimony. This is evident to any devout Bible reader.
They are considered valuable as throwing light upon the time that produced them, and the books of Maccabees are valuable as history.

66—EVERY CREATURE

If it is wrong to eat meat, what is the meaning of 1 Tim. 4:1-5?

INQUIRER.

Now, first, that text is not instruction on diet. It is a prophecy of the apostasy which should arise after the apostles' day. Some should depart from the faith—that Jesus and Jesus alone is all-sufficient to save. They would give heed to evil spirits, who would come under the guise of good spirits oftentimes, and to doctrines of demons. Persons thus deceived would speak lies. Their consciences would become seared. They would forbid God's ordinances, and enjoin celibacy. They would command persons to abstain from foods. The word translated "meats" is broma, which Strong defines as follows: "From the base of bibrosko (to eat); food, especially articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law." See Matt. 15:37; Mark 8:8.

"Meat" in these chapters is from the same word, meaning mostly if not all bread. "Meat" is the old English word for food, and we use it still for the kernel of a nut. This apostate power would therefore forbid what is good. The meats of 1 Tim. 4:3 seem clearly to be modified by "created to be received with thanksgiving," and "sanctified by the word of God." God wants us to eat the best for our good and His glory. 1 Cor. 10:31. But a flesh diet is not the best, and it is growing to be more and more dangerous all the time. God does not command this. He pleads with us to eat that which is good, and "custom will render it most delightful."

67—IS WAR RIGHT?

Where in the Bible is war spoken against?

E. M.

The Lord does not speak complimentarily of one of whom it is said, "War was in his heart." Ps. 55:21.
Inspiration prays that God will "scatter" "the people that delight in war." Ps. 68:30.
Rev. 16:13, 14 certainly shows that the spirits which urge to war are not of God or good; they are "the spirits of demons" from the mouth of the dragon, sent forth by the command of the devil himself.
Read the reason of the prophet's lamentation in Jer. 4:19-22.
This is enough on the negative side. Men indulge in strife and go to war because they are carnal. James 4:1, 2. Christians can not do this. Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace. One injunction is, "As much as lieth in you [not in the other man—in you, the Christian], live peaceably with all men." Rom. 12:18. God's gospel is, "On earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14. "Peace be unto you," "Go in peace," fell like balm from the lips of Jesus upon wounded and troubled hearts. The sea was at war from winds of the devil; Jesus said to it, "Peace, be still." Every one of Paul's epistles speaks peace. Our Father is a "God of peace." A fruit of the Spirit is peace. Gal. 5:22. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Heb. 12:14. "Seek peace, and ensue it." We could fill pages with the divine injunctions and promises regarding peace. "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever."
If we are saved in Jesus Christ, we are delivered from this evil world, and translated "into the kingdom of His dear Son." Col. 1:13. Our King said to His ardent, sanguine follower of old, "Put up again thy sword into his place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Matt. 26:52. He said again in that very time: "My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence." John 18:36. His subjects have weapons; but "though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh, (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.)" 2 Cor. 10:3, 4. The Christian's complete panoply is found in Eph. 6:10-17. It is mightier to the son of faith than all the kaiser's 16-inch field howitzers. It has the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come.
In the light of all this and much more, how can Christians go to war? If Christians fight Christians, each is fighting Christ in the person of His people; for has He not said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me?" When the man who did nothing to the one in need is cast out, what will be done to the man who, with hate-filled heart, sought the life?