p. 11 | Question Corner by Milton C. Wilcox

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 13, 1915

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 27.

Question Corner

By Milton C. Wilcox

Conducted by M. C. Wilcox

150 — THE TWO WITNESSES, REV. 11: 8-11

Will you please explain this passage in the Question Corner? J. N.

It is almost too much to undertake to explain the eleventh chapter of Revelation in the Question Corner. We would like to cite our querist to the book "Daniel and the Revelation" or to "Great Controversy." In brief, God's two witnesses are His word in the Old and the New Testament — His word in prediction and fulfillment, His word as He gave it, and His word as it is carried out or fulfilled when the time comes.

When the atheistic power of France arose, spiritually "called Sodom and Egypt" (1793-1796), it put forth special effort to destroy the word of God, here personified as two living persons; and at one time appearances indicated that France would banish from the earth God's word. But they failed.

At the time that they put forth their effort, some of the leading men boasted that in a little while there would be no such thing as worship of God upon the earth, the Christian religion would be mentioned as a far distant tradition; and they rejoiced and made merry over it.

But not all the people of the earth fell under the spell of France. There were true souls in England and elsewhere who still held up God's word. And the very revolution against God's word worked itself out; it was self-destructive, so that after that revolution had spent its force, men began to look to God after all. A short time after that, the great Bible societies were organized, and the word of God grew and increased. In other words, His witnesses were brought to life again. God raised them up, gave them a position that is indicated in verse 12 as ascending into heaven — that is, lifted up in the sight of their enemies, according to their true worth.

The whole passage refers to men's effort to destroy God's witnesses in His word, and the utter futility of their efforts.

151 — WINE FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER

Please give the Bible texts that unfermented wine should be used for the Lord's Supper. R. P. W.

First, the very account of the supper itself. We do not have the term "wine" even mentioned. The only thing mentioned is "the cup" and "the fruit of the vine." But "the fruit of the vine" would be wine freshly pressed from the grapes, would it not? Consequently it would not mean fermented wine. That of itself would clearly show that the wine was not wine which would make men drunken.

Secondly, the occasion was in connection with the Passover. But at the time of the Passover, there was nothing used that had to do with ferment. The bread itself must be unfermented bread. The Jews faithfully searched their houses, at the Passover season, to take from them or destroy anything and everything that spoke of ferment or leaven; consequently the wine they used at the Passover feast would not be fermented wine. The pure juice of the grape, or "fruit of the vine," was the only thing that could fitly represent the blood of Christ shed for mankind.