Signs of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 2. (1/9/1907)

Signs of the Times

Jan 9, 1907

Pacific Press Publishing Company · MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA · Jan 9, 1907

THERE IS NO END TO LOVE.

By Flora E. Yergin

THERE is no end to Love,— Earth's little day Sees grander deeds than mortals ever dreamed; And what to earth had seemed A little thing, is Love where angels stay,— A sweet, true Love.

O'er Hatred's battle-field,— Where nations send Their death-tipped arrows to another's breast, Shall spread Love's throne of rest, And of His kingdom there shall be no end; Hail, Love revealed!

Within a longing heart,— While prayers ascend, The reign of cruel self will broken be, And like a quiet sea Sweet Love will rule, and all His graces lend,— Nor more depart.

Love has no end, dear friend,— The shadows grim That quickly filled the heart with doubt and fear Will quickly disappear, And open to our view the ways of Him Whose name is Love.

Then come, ye brave and true,— Who sorrow now While gazing at Earth's crumbling form and bare; Rear now your altars where The streamlets murmur, and the angels bow Around Love's throne.

Faint heart, learn what is Love,— And when we see Our cherished hopes, as blossoms, quickly die, We will not wonder why, But build on Him who lives eternally, Immortal Love!

FLORA E. YERGIN.

SALE OF SPECIAL "SIGNS."

By Editor

It has been stated several times in this column that the special "Coming of the Lord" number of the SIGNS continues to sell readily.

We have many reports to this effect, and believe you will be interested especially in the following letter dated December 12. This is from a worker in a large Southern city:

"SIGNS OF THE TIMES: "Your kind letter of the 28th received. I am glad to state I have just sold the last one of the five hundred Special SIGNS sent to me. I find they sell readily, and most people note at first sight that it is a fine paper. I have had rich experiences in selling them, and I praise the Father for the grand privilege of thus spreading the precious truth. I wish I had a hundred or so more to sell here. I sold the five hundred papers in less than six days. You may send me a hundred more if you like. "Please find enclosed twelve dollars and fifty cents for the five hundred you sent. Accept thanks for the tract list you enclosed. "Yours truly, "____________."

Needless to say we are sending the hundred additional copies that this good work may continue.

The value of this number is most appreciated by those who have studied the article entitled, "Signs of the End" it contains. This is a word-picture, so to speak, of the conditions in the world at the present time, and a presentation of the great prophecies which make clear the meaning of these conditions.

Think for a moment of the possible results of its circulation.

For seventy-five cents you can supply twenty-five homes with this number. For $1.50 fifty homes can be supplied. For $2.50 one hundred homes may be blessed with the spiritual food it contains.

This issue will not be reprinted. A few more good orders will transfer the few hundreds of copies left from our shelves into the hands of those who are waiting for the message the paper contains. Do you wish to help in making this transfer at once? Address either your tract society, or SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Mountain View, Cal.

BOOKS IN STOCK

By Editor

Since the fire it has been impossible to fill many of the orders received, as the books could not be manufactured fast enough, but we are in position to ship any of the following promptly:

Our Little Folks' Bible Nature

This book contains simple lessons on nature, taking up the subjects in the order of creation. It is designed as a beginner's book in reading, and at the same time to teach beautiful lessons from nature, based on the Bible.

128 pages. Price, board, 25 cents; cloth, 50 cents.

Christ Our Saviour

A graphic account of the birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, interwoven with many interesting incidents in His life. The story is simply, yet beautifully told, and the lessons taught, inspiring and helpful.

The book is written in a style that will hold the interest of the children, and will so acquaint them with the life and character of the Saviour as to lead them to make Him their personal friend and to desire to be more like Him.

182 pages. Price, board, 50 cents; cloth, 75 cents; presentation edition, $1.25.

Also in German, Danish, and Swedish.

Uncle Ben's Cobblestones

Familiar talks with boys and girls about the common articles of every-day use, such as air, water, sunshine, fire, smoke, glass, coal, salt, paper, matches, etc.

Uncle Ben has a very pleasing way of telling about the origin and use of these various things. There is a ray of sunshine streaming throughout the whole book, and yet it does not touch the fickle so prevalent in books for children.

The purpose of the book, aside from the useful information given, seems to be soul culture, for we observe on every page a moral fragrance that will impress young minds in the right way.

Uncle Ben tells about more than one hundred different things in all, and intersperses with happy thoughts that bring good cheer to young and old.

221 pages. Price, 75 cents.

Education

The object of true education and how it may be realized by the youth, the parent, the teacher, the writer, the tiller of the soil, and the business man, is the great theme of this book.

The first chapter deals with the first principles of education, followed by examples of true education, as illustrated in the Israelites, schools of the prophets, and the lives of great men of Bible times. The methods of the Master Teacher, and the Bible as an educator, are particularly dwelt upon. The chapters on the Study of Physiology, Manual Training, Methods of Teaching, and Discipline, are interesting as well as helpful.

Every family will want this book, first of all for themselves, and then for their friends.

320 pages; beautifully bound in cloth. Price $1.25.

Story of Daniel the Prophet

A biography of this wonderful prophet of God. Entirely new in its conceptions and designs. The scriptures narrating the story are printed in parallel columns with the author's delineations and interpretations. This one feature of the book alone renders it very serviceable and desirable.

In connection with the story of this remarkable life, a clear and forcible exposition of the prophecies is also given. The author has endeavored, not to arouse controversy, but to suggest thoughts, both in the story and side references, that will create a religious interest and further study in the things of God.

The book contains both a scriptural and general index of subjects, has eighteen chapters, and 369 pages. Price, $1.00.

House We Live In

How many of the children ever saw a house built? If you have, you remember how the frame was put up, the roof put on, the frame sided up, and the windows put in. Then it was divided into rooms, such as the kitchen, bath-room, dining-room, music-room, and maybe a place for the telephone.

Did you ever stop to think that your body is something like a house,—that it, too, has a frame, enclosed and partitioned off into rooms or apartments, has windows, and servants, and a perfect telephone system? The author of this book, Mrs. E. W. Farnsworth, has found a great many interesting comparisons and withal the very best materials to put into the body-house to make it grow up strong and healthy, and the best locks to use to keep out the thieves and murderers that try to get in to steal and destroy.

You would like to read a book like that, wouldn't you? It contains over 200 pages, with pictures on every page. Price, $1.00.

Steps to Christ

This little work, by Mrs. E. G. White, presents in a simple and attractive manner, the steps by which the sinner may find Christ, and be made complete in Him.

While the book is an excellent guide to inquirers and young converts, it also contains a wealth of counsel and encouragement for those older in the way, who are experiencing difficulties.

The all-pervading spirituality and wholesome counsel blended throughout its pages, cause the book to meet with general acceptance. Once read, it is often re-read and studied as a guide-book in the way of salvation.

200 pages; 44 chapters. Price, paper, 25 cents; cloth, 50 cents.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY, Mountain View, Cal.

285 Salmon Street, Portland, Ore.

1109 East 12th Street, Kansas City, Mo.

GOD'S WONDERFUL LOVE.

By Editor

THIS is the story God has told us thru all human ages—His wonderful love. This is the story He has endeavored to make poor humanity understand. He has told of His love in the warming, shining sun, and in the glowing, guiding stars of night; in the falling, fertile rain, and in the pure whiteness of the protecting snow; in the sheltering forest tree, and in the perfumed blossoms of the flower; in the constantly varying seasons, and in the unvarying recurrence of day and night; in all the blessings of bounteous nature; in all her beauties, despite the curse of sin, God has said and is saying to the children of humanity, "I love you."

JEHOVAH has said to the children of men in His written word, "I love you." He has not left them to surmise it, or think that perhaps it may be so; He has plainly told it. By His chosen ambassador He declares: "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee." Jer. 31:3. He has verified that love by His messages of warning and reproof, of mercy and pardon, of instruction and revelation, of promise and assurance.

AND "when the fulness of time came," God gave an object-lesson of His love which has amazed the universe. He not only said, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love," but He tried to tell us how much He loved us. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. The Gift of God in the beginning became before men an actual fact. All that was manifest in the life of Jesus of Nazareth was saying to the world, "God hates sin, but He loves the sinner." His personal character was the second member of the spiritual equation of which God's law of love was the first. He was the Incarnate Word, saying to men, from the manger to the cross, from the cross to His exaltation in glory, "See how much God loves you." For the sacrifice of the Son of God was an infinite one. From the time He left the courts of transcendent glory with the infinite Father, and came down thru the ranks of angels to become partaker of sinful flesh, even to all eternity, He will bear the marks of His humiliation, the everlasting evidence of the inseparable love of Father and Son for a race of rebels.

How HE has endeavored to set forth His tenderness and mercy by similitudes and examples! There is no tenderer, more touching love on earth than that of the mother. But God declares that tho a mother should forget her nursing child, "yet will I not forget thee." Isa. 49:15. There is no occupation on earth which draws out the sympathy of the human heart like that of a shepherd for the feeble sheep and the helpless lambs. The Lord declares: "He will feed His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs in His arms, and carry them in His bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young." Isa. 40:11. Even so God loves with a tender, solicitous love.

BUT it has been the chief purpose of the enemy of all righteousness to deny all this, and lead poor, human souls to believe, "God hates you. You have offended Him, and He despises you. Your only hope of His favor is to purchase His love and mercy." And so in all the false religions of earth, God is a purchasable being. By penance, by sacrifice, by pilgrimage, by the intercession of a sacerdotal class, or of persons who have earned great "holiness" by self-inflicted suffering, poor mortals may obtain the mercy of God.

MEN have been taught that God must be reconciled to us as well as we to God; that the everlasting, infinite proof of God's love was not God's offering, but the offering of another to win God's favor. The Father has been set over against the Son, giving the lie to the words of the Son, "I and My Father are one." John 10:30. Men have set the law of God against the mercy of the Son, giving the lie to the words of the Son: "I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart." Ps. 40:8. "I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love." John 15:10. Men have made God as changeable as the ages in His dealings with men, and have given the lie to His own words, "I, Jehovah, change not." Mal. 3:6. "Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning." James 1:17.

O FRIENDS, God loves you. Let not a cordon

of priests, or a collocation of saints, or the prejudice of a creed separate you from the love of God. “God is love.” Does your heart respond to His love? Does it respond in mere words, or in deeds? God loved, and so loved that He withheld not Heaven’s Choicest Gift to save you. In that Gift He pledged all things. God loved in deeds. Do you so love God? If you do, you will meet the test of love in your life—“This is the love of God that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3. “Ye are My friends, if ye do the things I command you.” John 15:14. May God’s love appeal to the heart of all our readers, and may it awaken obedient love in return.

THE FUTURE SEAT OF THE PAPACY.

By Editor

A CANDID correspondent sent us some time ago the following question regarding the “Seat of the Papacy,” which we hoped would be answered in the articles by “Abdiel,” but the purpose of his writing did not seem to include that. We therefore reply briefly. Our querist writes:

“In your last issue [October 3] you say (page 571): ‘The removal of the residence of the church from Rome would be fatal to the maintenance of this position. The pope would then no longer preside over the bishopric of Rome,’ etc., etc.

“What then happened to the Church of Rome, or the Papacy, or its claim as Roman Catholic Church when the popes lived for seventy years at Avignon in France? or when Napoleon I captured the pope and took him from Rome to Fontainebleau? or when Pius IX had to flee from Rome in 1849 and resided for a long time at Gaeta? or when other popes at frequent intervals refused to live at Rome during the Middle Ages, owing to dissensions between them and the Roman people? J. J.”

The statement was not ours, but another’s based on the argument that the church is founded on St. Peter.

The argument is not strong in the light of history. To us it seems that Rome’s claim would be still stronger and all-inclusive if the seat of the Papacy were transferred to Jerusalem, where the first church after the crucifixion was raised up, and that by Peter as the chief spokesman. There is only tradition to show that Peter was ever at Rome; there is positive Bible evidence in abundance that he was a mighty man at Jerusalem.

Then, too, there would be an additional argument in fixing the Papal throne in Jerusalem, “the Holy City,” the city where David and Solomon dwelt, where Christ preached, where He died and was buried; from which for centuries the waves of the Crusaders endeavored to beat back the infidel.

If the true bishop and head of the church could reign at Avignon and Gaeta, he could certainly reign in Jerusalem, the very center of the theological world. And this has been suggested of late years by thinking, scholarly men.

The reasons are that as long as the Papacy has its throne in Europe, it will be a source of trouble and contention, unless Italy makes uncompromising surrender. This is not even hoped for.

The Turk, under pressure from the Powers, and to aid failing finances, could be induced to sell Palestine, or Judea, for the Papal Seat. Let that be done, and from all over Christendom nations would vie with each other in putting the Papacy in a position which would rival all that which could be imagined elsewhere. A St. Peter’s would not be immediately built, but a larger “Christ’s Cathedral,” or “Cathedral of the Sacred Heart,” or under some other equally potent and inclusive name, would be projected on a scale to astonish the world. All international troubles, so far as the Papal temporal power is concerned, it would be argued, would be at last settled, and the Papacy would be in a position to treat impartially all nations, and act as arbiter on all religio-political questions.

Is there Bible evidence for this?—We suggest two scriptures as having a bearing upon that point. The first is Isa. 2:2-5. That passage predicts the false cry of peace which will be raised because of the seeming exaltation of nominal Christianity; when many people shall say, “Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,” etc.

All this sounds good; but note, first, that it is the “many people” (not God) which raise this cry; secondly, that this peace cry is the very opposite of that which this world shall know in “the last days” (Joel 3:9-12; 1 Thess. 5:1-3); and, thirdly, the prophet tells us in the very context that because of this false cry God has forsaken His professed people, “because they are filled with customs from the East, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with the children of foreigners.” See Isa. 2:6-11, A. R. V. The head of this movement is a false representative of Jehovah who deceives the world.

The second scripture is that at this very time in the world’s history the apostate church will say: “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” And this is just before her final doom, as Isaiah portrays. The true church is then suffering persecution. Rev. 12:17.

Another suggestion: The true “King of the World” is God. See Ps. 48:2; Eze. 1:4, 5, 26. The pseudo king, or “god of the world” is Lucifer, who declared, “I will sit upon the mount of congregation in the utermost parts of the north; . . . I will make myself like the Most High.” Isa. 14:12-14. Satan has his vicar among the children of the flesh, an earthly “king of the world.” This king is described in Dan. 11:36-39. Compare with this 2 Thess. 2:3-7, a clear setting forth in both cases of the Papacy. But this king of the north “shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain [Jerusalem], yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” Dan. 11:45. Compare with “broken without hand” (Dan. 8:25), and the destruction of the last symbol of Rome, broken by a stone cut from the mountain “without hands” (Dan. 2:45).

In the restoration of this abnormal union of Church and State with all its awful consequences, the powers of earth will unite with seeming success for a little while, but a success foretokening eternal destruction. Read Revelation 17. The subject is worthy of careful study, in which we shall see wonderful developments.

IGNORANCE OF THE BIBLE.

By Editor

It is simply marvelous, even among those who profess to believe it, and hold it as the guide of salvation. It is popular to possess a copy or so, but it is not popular to read it or to be seen reading it. Apart from its divine message it is worth reading for its English, its strong, lucid style, its expressive figures of speech.

William Lyon Phelps, professor of English at Yale University, suggests that entrance examinations in English for college work be simply from the Bible. He remarks:

“If all the undergraduates in America should be placed in one room and tested by a common examination on the supposedly familiar stories of the Old Testament—I mean on such instances as Adam, Eve, and the Garden of Eden, Noah, Samson, David and Goliath, Moses and Pharaoh—the results would be a magnificent contribution to American humor.”

Professor Phelps cites an instance of “one fine specimen of American manhood” who believed that it was Adam, instead of Cain, who killed his brother. Would the high classmen make a better showing? The Professor further says:

“The Bible has within its pages every single kind of literature that any proposed list of English classics contains.”

Upon this the New York “World” remarks:

“Ignorance of the English language on the part of the average student is one of the serious problems in American colleges, and the suggestion of Professor Phelps, despite its sweeping character, has much to commend it. Most of the great orators of England and America used the Bible as the basis of their style. Broughman, Macaulay, Webster, and Garfield knew the Bible better than most ministers. Lincoln’s literary style was formed largely by the study of the King James version. When Macaulay, who began his literary career by learning to read at three years of age, wished to acquire a new language—and he learned most of the principal modern languages—he bought the Bible in that language, and his familiarity with it made his study easy.

“Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the poet, said: ‘Study of the Bible will keep any man from being vulgar in point of style.’ Kossuth, the great Hungarian patriot, who electrified American audiences by his eloquence, was asked how he had acquired such a mastery of the English language, and replied that it was the result of studying the Bible.”

And many others of the masters in English might be cited as examples. We appeal to our readers to study the Bible with us. We shall put forth more earnest effort than ever before to make the SIGNS OF THE TIMES a Bible paper in the year 1907.

The Cynic

By Henry Ward Beecher

THE cynic is one who never sees a good quality in a man, and never fails to see a bad one. He is the human owl, vigilant in darkness, and blind to light, mousing for vermin, and never seeing noble game.—Henry Ward Beecher.

Questions

By Editor

1972.—Pain and Mourning. Job 14: 22.

Please explain Job 14:22.

It is simply a statement of man's condition in life. The verses before seem to make it after death, but scripture teaching throughout show that it refers to man in this life while he is waiting for his change to come. In other words, it is a repetition of the thought in the first verse. While in this state man's flesh suffers pain, and his soul mourns.

1973.—"Worm Shall Not Die." Isa. 66: 24.

Kindly explain Isa. 66: 24.

The text describes the end of the incorrigibly wicked. Note that it is not upon living persons the worm and fire preys, but upon the dead bodies or carcasses. All that is meant by these expressions are this: the "worm shall not die," nor the fire be quenched until they have "devoured" that upon which they preyed. For the unquenchable fire, read of its nature and work in Jer. 17: 27; 2 Chro. 36: 19, 21. For the worm and its work, read Isa. 51: 8. The result will be utter and complete destruction. Mal. 4: 1; Ps. 37: 20. The time of this destruction is just before God speaks the whole earth new. The going forth is from the holy city. See Rev. 20: 7-10.

1974.—Probation after Death.

Does the Bible say the wicked will have a chance to repent after the resurrection? A minister, a few days ago, said that the Bible said every one would hear the Gospel, and as hundreds have died without hearing it they would have to hear after they were resurrected; they would have another chance to repent, but I have failed to find anything of the kind in the Bible.

And you will fail to find anything of the kind in the Bible. See Rev. 22: 11, 12; 2 Cor. 6: 1, 2; Zeph. 2: 1-3, and many other passages. It is said of the Word, "That was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1: 9. Not alone by His written word does He do this, but by His creative works. See Ps. 19: 1-7; Rom. 1: 20. The apostle Paul quotes from Psalm 19, and declares that all have heard. Rom. 10: 18. The whole difficulty lies in defining God's Gospel. The darkest heathen in heathendom if he follows the light which he has, will be led to salvation by the Crucified One. That soul may never have heard of the Bible, may never have heard spoken the name of Jesus, but if he is consecrated to his highest conception of God and duty, God will lead him home. It is not the amount of light and opportunity we have, but how we use it. "For the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." 2 Chron. 16: 9. One ray of light followed will lead to the Source of light; floods of light rejected, lead to darkness.

1975.—Duties of Church Officers, etc. 1 Tim. 5: 9-12.

Please explain 1 Tim. 5: 9-12.

We do not know how the matter could be much plainer than is given in the word; the instructions are to the Christian ministers in regard to the church, especially enjoining them to look after the widows and the needy, but in this work they should not be imposed upon. Widows that were able to work should support themselves. Supposedly, a widow under threescore years of age would be able to do that, normally; and she should be one who was worthy, as indicated by verses ten to twelve. While younger widows who waxed wanton, and were not faithful to their Christian pledge, should be rejected; that is, they should not be placed as objects of charity in the church. This is the substance of the apostle's teaching. We may not be able to understand what each expression means because they refer particularly to his time, but we certainly may understand the principles.

1876.—Later-Day Apostasies. 1 Tim. 4: 1-5.

Please explain 1 Tim. 4: 1-5, especially from three to five.

The text reads as follows: "But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, thru the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified thru the word of God and prayer." A.R.V. 1. Note that the time is not the "last days," as so many are prone to read, but simply "later times" than the days of the apostle. Some render it, "in subsequent times:" that is, anywhere in the Christian dispensation. 2. The things specified are among those who have fallen away from the faith and are giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. 3. These demons work thru hypocritical men who have departed from God, with consciences branded as with a hot iron. Connect this with what the apostle Paul says in Acts 20: 29, 30: "I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after THEM;" and with 2 Peter 2: 1: "There arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them," etc. Again Paul tells us in 2 Thess. 2: 7: "For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work." It began in his day, in the great apostasy of the Christian church. 4. Among the things which these false teachers take upon themselves to do is to forbid marriage. That certainly has not been a characteristic of the true Christian church. It has been quite so, however, of Roman Catholicism, especially as regards the priesthood. The celibacy of the priests has been one of the characteristics of that church. 5. It also commands to abstain from "meats." The word rendered "meats" means simply food, either flesh or vegetable, just as we now speak of the meat of nuts. The old English word "meat" is used in that sense in England today. It is a common thing to hear the old farmer ask his servant if he has fed the horses their meat. To put it in other words, these false teachers command fasting, not from a wrong kind of food, but from good foods, foods of which it is said, "God created it to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth." Any arbitrary command of fasting will certainly fall under this. The kind of food mentioned seems to be modified by the expression, "It is sanctified thru the word of God and prayer;" any food that is set apart for any use by God, and properly received and used, is for the benefit of His creatures, and no one has a right to forbid the use of such food. Instances of all these various things may be found in numerous heretical sects and offshoots from the Christian church, as well as in the great apostasy itself, centering in the Roman Catholic Church; numerous false isms in which men have set themselves up as God's special representatives, have some one or more of these characteristics. When our readers know the teachings of the word, let them avoid all these errors.

1977.—Christ's Kingdom—When Set Up.

Will you please explain Prov. 11:31; Micah 4: 8; Acts 3: 19, 20; 2 Tim. 4: 1? These texts are used to make it appear that Christ sets up His kingdom on earth at His second coming, and that the New Jerusalem comes to earth at that time.

We have no space in this department to explain these passages. If our querist and others who may be troubled with the time of Christ's coming, will send for the tract, "The Great Day of the Lord," this office, they will find all these references to Christ's kingdom in their proper setting. The price of it is five cents. We may say in brief that Christ now sits upon the throne of His Father as King-priest (Heb. 8: 1; Rev. 3: 20); that when His priesthood ends He takes His own throne and delivers up the position He now occupies with the Father to the Father (1 Cor. 15: 24-28). He begins His reign in the New Jerusalem in heaven, the capital city of the new earth. During the thousand years the earth lies desolate, even as Judea did of old, until it has enjoyed the Sabbaths which man refused it. At the end of this period, Christ will come down from heaven on Mount Olivet, a great plain will be formed, purified by His own presence, where the New Jerusalem will rest. The rest of the earth will be purified by fire. The wicked will perish in the presence of the Lord. There is harmony in this view, and there is harmony in no other. Of course, we will find in the Old Testament passages which relate partly to the time in which the prophets lived, and partly to the future; these can be understood only in the light of the New Testament and the later prophecies.

1978.—The Resurrection of the Wicked.

When Christ comes are the wicked dead raised and then put back in their graves? How do you harmonize 2 Thess. 2: 8; Rev. 1: 7; 20: 5? It would seem that Scripture contradicts itself, but that can not be.

No, the wicked are not raised at the first resurrection. The first resurrection is that of the righteous; that takes place when Christ comes—"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection." "The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished;" then comes the resurrection of the wicked. Second Thess. 2: 8 refers to the man of sin and that whole system being brought to naught at the manifestation of Christ's coming. All the kings of the earth will then come to nothing and all systems of men will perish, that is all. Of course the wicked men die and will remain among the "congregation of the dead" till the second resurrection. Rev. 1: 7 simply refers to those who are alive and on the earth when Christ comes. "Every eye shall see Him," means every living eye that is on the earth; and "they that pierced Him" may refer to some who are raised from the dead at that time, as indicated by Dan. 12: 1. In that case, of course, it would be a special resurrection of both evil and good who would see Christ at His second coming. Rev. 20: 5 has already been explained, "the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years should be finished," refers to the wicked. The last clause, "This is the first resurrection," does not refer to "the rest of the dead," but to those mentioned in verse 4. They are the ones that have part in the first resurrection, but the rest of the dead wait until the thousand years are over. See "The Great Day of the Lord," mentioned in previous question.

Continue reading: THE GREAT SALVATION