QUESTIONS FOR BRO. LOUGHBOROUGH by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 19, 1861

QUESTIONS FOR BRO. LOUGHBOROUGH.

By John Norton Loughborough

BY W. W. GILES.

(Concluded.)

Ques. 6. Are we to understand from Mark xiii, 10, that the gospel must be preached to every individual on the face of the globe before the Son of man shall come?

Ans. I think not. The text says, "The gospel must first be published among all nations." This same discourse is recorded in Matt. xxiv, 14, where it says it "must be preached for a witness unto all nations." It will be preached in all nations, although some may never hear a sermon, but get the testimony they have from others who do hear it. It is said that in Paul's day the gospel was preached to every creature under heaven, although in all probability some heard only a rumor of it. So here the glad news of the kingdom coming must be published to all nations, so that all will at least hear that the Lord is expected, and thus have opportunity to prepare if they will. Though thousands may never hear a sermon, yet it will be a witness against them.

Ques. 7. What is to be understood by Matt. xii, 31, 32? Is this the unpardonable sin, and what is this sin?

Ans. I understand from the very manner in which the two verses above referred to read, that it is the unpardonable sin that is referred to in these texts. As to what it is, I think we may gain light from Paul's testimony. "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Heb. x, 26. And this is more fully explained in chap. vi, 4-6. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." This shows us that the sin of blasphemy consists in understandingly speaking evil of the things of the Spirit of God.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.