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Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Oct 30, 1879

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 5, No. 41.

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Answers to Questions.

By Editor

To F. C. W.—You will find our opinion of the latter part of Ezekiel's prophecy briefly given in the work on the “Age to come.” We firmly believe there are “conditional prophecies,” founded upon certain promises with conditions, which cannot be fulfilled if the conditions are not complied with. For the rule, see Jer. 18:1-10. There are good and sufficient reasons to believe that portions of the book of Ezekiel are of this kind.
J. M. G.—We believe that so far as an election before our action was concerned, that we are chosen in Christ, as Eph. 1:4 says. But the unbeliever and unregenerate person is not “in Christ.” He is not partaker with Christ in the election, which is not personal or unconditional, but is of character. When an individual “puts on Christ,” and becomes a member of his body, he partakes of the privileges and blessings of the head of the body. The only personal pre-election is that of Christ himself; 1 Peter 1:19-21. By repentance, faith, and obedience we become his, “if,” as Paul says, Heb. 3: 6, “we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Compare Matt. 24:13; Rom. 2:7, etc. This shows the necessity of our making our “calling and election sure,” 2 Peter 1:10; for even the branches which are in Christ, the heavenly vine, will be taken away if they do not bear fruit. John 15:1-6.
W. T. P.—The charge that we worship the Sabbath instead of Christ is too frivolous to call for any explanation. We think it is possible to keep both “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12. We do not go to anything for our faith instead of the Bible. The Bible, as the word of God, is the test of everything with us. But how is it with your “first-day friends?” Do they prove from the Bible that it is duty to keep Sunday? In keeping it, contrary to the commandment of God which is in the Bible, are they not more open to the charge of worshiping Sunday instead of the Lord of the Sabbath? Let us cling to God's revealed will, and let those scoff who choose to speculate on things not revealed.