QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS by Uriah Smith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 26, 1861

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

By Uriah Smith

QUESTION. Explain who the four angels are, spoken of in Rev. ix, 14, as being loosed out of the great river Euphrates.

ANSWER. It will be noticed that the event here brought to view takes place under the sixth trumpet. A full exposition of all the trumpets of Rev. viii, and ix, is given in the little book entitled, the "Sounding of the Seven Trumpets." See list of Publications.

QUESTION. Can you tell who the four and twenty elders are, spoken of in Rev. iv, 10?

ANSWER. These elders are brought to view in chap. v, in a manner which, I think, throws some light on the question as to who they are. This chapter gives a record of the events that introduced the opening of the seven seals; and the part which these elders acted in those scenes, settles some important facts concerning them. By the seven seals, the same as by the seven trumpets, is undoubtedly brought to view a series of events, transpiring in consecutive order, and covering the whole gospel dispensation. The first of these seals, according to general interpretation, was opened, and the events brought to view under it, transpired, near the commencement of this dispensation. With this fact vividly in mind, that the opening of the first of these seals is far in the past, let it be noticed that it is before the opening of any of the seals that these elders are seen acting a part in heaven. When the challenge was issued through heaven and earth [verse 2], Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof? and while John was weeping much because no one was found worthy to open and read the book [verse 4], one of the elders said unto him, "Weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." Again, when the Lamb had taken the book from the hand of Him that sat on the throne, previous to his opening the seals thereof, the elders break forth into a new song, saying, "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." Verses 8, 9. This testimony shows unmistakably that those elders were in heaven, personally acting their part previous to the opening of any of the seals. The expression, "Thou wast slain," locates the time of this song subsequent to the crucifixion of Christ; it was sung therefore at some point between that event and the opening of the first seal. The transaction which called forth this song of honor to the Lamb, was his taking the book preparatory to opening its seven seals. The events of these seals all transpire previous to the redemption of the church. The church therefore will never sing such a song as this. They will never ascribe honor to him because he is worthy to do (an expression which looks into the future) something which already had been done and finished more than eighteen centuries previous to that time. The conclusion is therefore unavoidable that these elders are not introduced here merely as representatives of other persons, representing the church, for instance, and singing the song which the redeemed will sing; but that they were literally and personally present in heaven, at the time when brought to view, that the song they sung, was called forth by their own personal feelings on that occasion, and that the facts they state were true of themselves individually and then. And what was one of the facts which they stated? It was this: "Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood." The twenty-four elders were therefore some who had been redeemed from the earth at that time.

Thus far the conclusions arrived at seem to be necessary and scriptural. The twenty-four elders are persons who have at some time been redeemed from the earth. Perhaps this is a sufficient answer. But there are two other queries that may arise on this subject, which can be readily answered by at least plausible conjecture. 1. Where have we any intimation that any persons have ever been redeemed from the earth; and 2. If these are twenty-four persons who have been so redeemed how can they say, that they were redeemed from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation?

In reference to the first of these queries it may be said that there is more than an intimation that a number of saints have already been redeemed. It is said that at the resurrection of Christ many of the saints that slept arose and came out of their graves. Matt. xxvii, 50-58. And when he ascended up on high we are told that he led captivity captive, or as the margin reads, a multitude of captives. To identify the twenty-four elders with a portion of this company is the most natural and probable disposition of the matter.

In reference to the second query, these persons may have been selected from different ages since the creation of the world, those most eminent in piety and the service of God being taken from each age. In this way they could be said to be redeemed out of every kindred, people, and nation. It may be proper to add that this exposition of the twenty-four elders is an individual opinion, for which the writer holds no one responsible but himself.

QUESTION. Are there any remaining on the earth after the first resurrection? If not, who are the nations on the four quarters of the earth that Satan goes out to deceive? Rev. xx, 7-9.

ANSWER. It will be seen from the preceding portion of the chapter that the going out of Satan to deceive the nations, is placed after the 1000 years; consequently it is after the second resurrection. The resurrected wicked are therefore the ones whom he goes out to deceive.

QUESTION. Who was it that John was about to worship in Rev. xxii, 9, if it was not a departed spirit?

ANSWER. For an exposition of this text see Hope of the Gospel, page 154, and Which? Mortal or Immortal? p. 75. Both published at this Office.

QUESTION. What time is spoken of in Heb. xii, 23? What is the mount Zion spoken of? and who are the spirits of just men made perfect?

ANSWER. For an exposition of this scripture, see Which? Mortal or Immortal? pp. 67-70.