What is meant by the gifts of healing, and divers kinds of tongues, as spoken of in 1 Cor. 12:9, 10? M.
These gifts are special endowments of the Spirit as truly as is the gift of prophecy or the working of miracles. There are some upon whom God has bestowed the power to heal by the laying on of hands, by speaking, by touching, or otherwise. It is special, extraordinary, miraculous healing. The apostles spoke with tongues on the Day of Pentecost, in languages which they did not know, but which the people did. The need demanded it; and God supplied the need. These gifts are not constantly in exercise. They were not all with Jesus our Lord, or with Paul. God bestows them to meet the need if there are those whom He can trust with them. The consecrated skill used by doctors and nurses would fall under "helps," and the gift of "ministry." 1 Cor. 12:28; Rom. 12:6, 7. When God's children come to that place where they recognize and appreciate that the mightiest of all miracles to humanity is a regenerated, obedient heart, then God can trust them with other miracles. Then, knowing Christ formed within, they will give all glory to Him, and to the one through whom the miracle is wrought as His instrument.
3492— The Morning Stars
When the morning stars sang together, was Satan numbered as one of them? Was Christ a morning star before Satan fell? I infer from what you say on page 202 ("Questions and Answers") that when the foundation of the earth was laid, there was perfect harmony in heaven. You say on page 203 that the war in heaven continued until Christ died upon the cross. From those statements it seems to me that the foundations of the earth must have been laid before Satan sinned. How is that? E. H. M.
1. The name of the great adversary before he fell was Lucifer, "son of the morning," "day-star." Isa. 14:12, margin, also A.R.V. He was the highest of all created beings, sealing up the sum, "full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty." Eze. 28:12. "Day-star," "son of the morning," is equivalent to morning star. The only other being called "morning star" is Jesus; "I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." Rev. 22:16. This makes two morning stars.
2. In Job 38 the Lord Himself speaks to Job. Among the questions asked him are the following: "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? . . . when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" Verses 4-7.
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." When He began that work, we do not know. It antedated the six days' work of Genesis 1. But when He did begin it, when what He calls the foundations were laid, then the "morning stars sang together;" there was no discord. Then "all the sons of God," the heads and priests of different worlds (compare Job 1:6 with Luke 3:38), all shouted for joy. Adam of this world had not then yielded his dominion to the usurper. There was harmony throughout God's universe. Later Satan met with the sons of God as representing this world, yet as accuser of the brethren. That work continued till Jesus died and ascended to God. See Rev. 12:7-10. See the recent articles in this paper on Revelation 12.
3493— The Seven Churches under the First Church
Were the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 church buildings or companies of God's people?
Where and by whom was the first church built? J. A. H.
1. The "seven churches of Asia" were so many bodies of Christians. Doubtless they had places of worship. These may have been synagogs, or buildings erected by the Christians themselves. No one knows. These seven churches represent seven different phases of the Christian church from the apostles' days till the Lord's coming.
2. If by "the first church" is meant the first church building, no one knows where, or when, or by whom it was erected. They did not think so much of the buildings in those days as they did of the worshipers. The first congregation after Christ was at Jerusalem. The Catholic "Church" as such can not be said to have existed till Constantine, tho apostasy had begun even in Paul's day. 2 Thess. 2:7; Acts 20:29, 30. The first church and last church and only church is the true Bible church of Jesus Christ.
3494— The Unpardonable Sin
How is a person to know when he has committed the unpardonable sin? What is it? G. N.
The unpardonable sin is the unrepentable sin. It is the utter rejection of God's means of saving from sin. It is counting the sacrifice of Christ nothing and the power of God by His Spirit as of no account. See Heb. 10:29. He who does this to the uttermost will have no repentance of sin, no true desire for salvation. Why should he care to know that he had committed the unpardonable sin? How could he know? The man who feels sorry for his sin, sorry that he has offended such a good, kind Father and Saviour, may be sure that he has not committed the unpardonable sin. The devil would be glad to drive to desperation some discouraged soul.
3495— The Battle of Armageddon
Will you please give me the attitude of Seventh-day Adventists during the battle of Armageddon? Should they fight? E. C.
The warfare of the Christian, of him who follows Bible teaching, is "not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places." Eph. 6:12, margin. For this conflict "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." 2 Cor. 10:4. His armor is furnished him of God, that he "may be able to withstand in the evil day." See Eph. 6:13 to 18, where his armor and equipment are described. "The evil day" includes the time of Armageddon. Those who are faithful to God will not be moved by that spirit of slaughter and bloodshed predicted in Jer. 25:15-33. They will not drink of that cup of fury. They will not be led or gathered by the "spirits of demons" which gather the nations. Rev. 16:14-16. They will stand with Jesus Christ. Rev. 17:14. In that time of trouble they will be hid in Him. Joel 3:16; Isa. 26:20, 21.
3496— Names of the Lord's People
Why do the Seventh-day Adventists go by that name? And why were the disciples of the Lord first called Christians at Antioch? M. N. L.
The name Seventh-day Adventists is a missionary name used to call attention to two great downtrodden and neglected phases of truth, the acceptance of which involves all others. The seventh-day Sabbath calls direct attention to the Creator of the heavens and earth; to His authority; to our obligation and duty to Him, even as to our dependence upon Him; to His blessed rest of soul; to His power to re-create and save to the uttermost. Christ's coming again is the climax of all that He has passed through, all that He has wrought for us. It is impossible for a person to accept intelligently these two things and not be an intelligent, full-orbed Christian, a child of God. Seventh-day Adventists count themselves disciples, Christians, children of God, etc., but they do not feel to arrogate to themselves any one of these names exclusively, or war with some sect which has adopted it, when God has children scattered through all divisions of the Babylon of creeds now existing. It is a missionary name. It stands for downtrodden, neglected, needed, saving truth, held by followers of Christ, who would gladly bring the same precious light to others.
The followers of Christ may have been called Christians at Antioch by the outside simply to designate them as followers of Christ. There is nothing to show that they formally adopted it as a name.
3497— Various Distances
What is the limit of a Sabbath day's journey? How far about was it from the city of Philippi to the river? See Acts 16:12, 13. How far is Olivet from Jerusalem? See Acts 1:12.
1. A Sabbath day's journey is given by various authorities at from 3,000 to 4,854 feet, or from two thirds of a mile to nearly a mile. It is a tradition of the Jews, based, it is said by the Standard Bible Dictionary, on Joshua 3:4. It is not authorized of the Lord, and is mentioned in Acts merely to give the distance.
2. It is impossible to determine the distance walked by Paul and the believers to the place of prayer. The river of Gangites ran near the city; but that would not tell us the distance to that place of prayer. The point of nearest contact between city and river must have been too public and noisy.
3. From the eastern wall of Jerusalem to the slope of Olivet was but a short distance across the narrow valley, varying in width, of the brook Kidron. The mount itself extends about two miles. From the gate of the city to the traditional place of ascension is said to be about one half mile. It might have been twice that. These localities of ancient events are not always easily placed.
3498— Degrees of Punishment
If the wages of sin is death, if all the wicked are to be destroyed, how can there be degrees of punishment? An Interested Reader.
The death includes the dying; the destruction includes the destroying. It would be impossible for two persons in this world receiving the same sentence under the same conditions, to endure it alike. One would suffer much more than the other. Man of course can not regulate this. But that Heavenly Court under Divine Direction will mete out to each one "according to his deeds," "every man according to his works," "the things done in his body." Matt. 16:27; Rev. 20:12, 13; 2 Cor. 5:10. We would not be able to do this; but we know that God is able and wise and just.
3499— To What Church?
Rev. 18:4: "Come out of her, My people." If persons come out of other churches in obedience to this command, to what church will they go? As Seventh-day Adventists say there is sin among them, and this being the case, is it best to stay out of all churches? G. N.
Go wherever a conscience guided by the Word of God directs. Let us say this: There will never be found a perfect human organization on this earth before man is made immortal. Notwithstanding the fact that Judas was one of the twelve and yet of the devil's own, and our Lord knew it, Jesus still invited souls into His fold. It is better, always better, to have associates in the pilgrim way. God calls out and on His remnant people, not because they are perfect, but to the perfect standard. There will be apostates and hypocrites; but that, too, in the light of His prophecies is evidence of truth. See Acts 20:28-30; 2 Peter 2:1; 2 Tim. 2:16-19.
"IF YE WILL INQUIRE, INQUIRE YE."
By Editor
This Inquirers' Department is conducted for the purpose of helping those who are studying the Bible. The answers are oftentimes only suggestive. They are never to be considered infallible, only as they agree with the infallible Word. The writer who may answer them does not consider that his opinion is infallible. He will simply give the best that he has, and plead with the inquirer to search the Word. Such questions only will be answered as, to the editors, seem to minister to the good of the readers and to the mission of the paper. We can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question, not for publication, but as an evidence of good faith, and that answer may be made by letter if deemed advisable. No letters are answered which do not contain the name of the writer. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply.
The Kingdoms of Judah and Samaria
Schedule for Week Ending July 15, 1911
Sunday
July 9
2 Chronicles
21-23
Monday
" 10
"
24-27
Tuesday
" 11
"
28-30
Wednesday
" 12
"
31-33
Thursday
" 13
"
34-36
Friday
" 14
Jeremiah
1-3
Sabbath
" 15
"
4-6
Jehoshaphat was succeeded by the wicked Jehoram, who was led away by his idolatrous wife, the daughter of Jezebel, a result of Jehoshaphat's kindly, misdirected alliance with Ahab. Jehoram's career was short and his end fearful. Following came the wicked reigns of Ahaziah; Athaliah, Jezebel's daughter; Joash, good as long as Jehoiada the priest lived; Amaziah, the disloyal; Azariah, or Uzziah, a great king; Jotham, a good king; Ahaz, the weak; Hezekiah, the good; Manasseh, the wicked above all others, but at last repentant; Amon, the foolish; Josiah, the pious; the kingdom of Judah dwindling out in the vacillating reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, closing in B.C. 586.
The kingdom of Samaria from the time of Jehoshaphat in Judah passes under the reign of twelve different kings, but little mention of which is made in Chronicles. Of them we learned in the books of the Kings. It is all a sad, sad record. That people and kingdom which might under God's blessing and guidance have been the greatest of earth, turned God's blessing into a curse, perverted every good, and was brought to naught.
Jeremiah, "the weeping prophet," was of priestly stock, born at Anathoth, about three miles from Jerusalem. His name means "exalted of the Lord." He began his work in the early days of Josiah, and was doubtless a great help to that King in his reforms. His time of prophecy extended over a period of forty years, laboring, pleading, praying for a rebellious people.
The Gospel in Type and Antitype
By Loretta V. Robinson
By Loretta V. Robinson
IV. The Cleansing of the Earthly Sanctuary — Our Great High Priest
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people. Heb. 9:6, 7.
On the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement. Lev. 23:27.
THE daily ministration, examined in last week's article, was the means by which sins were borne into the sanctuary; the Day of Atonement reversed the process, and shows us the means by which they were borne out.
The principal feature of the service of this day was the ministry in the second apartment, or most holy place. The description of this is found in Leviticus 16.
Aaron was to make an atonement for himself. Two kids of the goats were then brought to the door of the tabernacle, and lots were cast upon them, "one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat." The high priest was to slay the goat upon which the Lord's lot fell, for a sin-offering for the people, and bear his blood within the veil, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy-seat and before the mercy-seat seven times.
Two special purposes are stated for which this blood was offered: (1) to cleanse or make atonement for the sanctuary and altar; (2) to cleanse or make atonement for the children of Israel.
Facts Concerning the Atonement
These facts are clearly stated in Lev. 16: 16, 18, 19, 30. "And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. . . . And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the Lord, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about. And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel. . . . On that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord."
The Golden Candlestick
The Ark of the Testament
Notice that the blood of the sin-offering was sprinkled upon the mercy-seat directly over the broken law, to make full satisfaction for its claims. Its demands being thus met, the law released its hold of all the sins in the sanctuary, and through them of the sinners from whom they had come.
The Scapegoat
Those sins were canceled as related to the forgiven sinner, but were not even by this act destroyed. The high priest then gathered, as it were, the sins all upon himself and bore them from the sanctuary. Placing his hands upon the head of the scapegoat, he confessed over him all these sins, putting them upon the head of the goat; and the goat was sent into the wilderness, bearing all their iniquities into a land not inhabited, implying the destruction of the goat, in the death of which the sins of the people which he bore also perished.
This sending away of the scapegoat is a demonstration of the fact that sin is considered an entity, and as such is pursued by the avenging power of the law till it is chased out of existence. Such was the service performed "unto the example and shadow of heavenly things." Heb. 8:5. The earthly sanctuary was but "a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices." Heb. 9:9. "The way into the holiest of all [the heavenly sanctuary] was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." Verse 8.
According to the type, the ministration could not begin in the heavenly sanctuary until the offering was made and a high priest anointed for that work.
All Typical Offerings Pointed to Christ
That Christ was the offering to which all the sacrifices pointed from the time of Abel's offering to the death of our Saviour on the cross, further proof is unnecessary; and also that Christ's priesthood was typified by the service of the priests in the earthly sanctuary. It might be well, however, to note how and when Christ was made priest. We find from Heb. 7:21 that He was made priest by the oath of God. "The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." "For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected forevermore." Verse 28, A.R.V.
The oath making Christ a high priest was spoken after the law of the Levitical priesthood was given, but not until Christ was made perfect. It was only through suffering that this was accomplished. "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him; called of God an high priest after4the order of Melchizedek." Heb. 5: 8-10. Again: "Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto Him, Thou art My Son, to-day have I begotten Thee. As He saith also in another place, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." Verses 5, 6.
The Altar of Incense
These two statements were evidently made at the same time, which was at the resurrection of Christ, as proved by the following scriptures. Acts 13: 33; Rom. 1: 4: "God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that He hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the Second Psalm, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee." "Declared to be the Son of God with power, . . . by the resurrection from the dead."
Why Melchizedek and not Aaron?
But why was not the Saviour made a priest after the order of Aaron instead of Melchizedek?
Several reasons are given in the Scriptures, a few of which we will notice.
1. Perfection was not of the Levitical priesthood; for if it had been, says Paul, what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not after the order of Aaron? Heb. 7: 11.
2. Those priests were many, because they were not suffered to continue, by reason of death; but this Man continues ever, and has an unchangeable priesthood. Verses 23, 24.
3. It was necessary for the priests of the house of Levi to offer up sacrifices daily, embracing all the various offerings that were made by those who had transgressed. But all this Christ did by one act when He offered up Himself. Heb. 9: 25, 26, 28; 10: 11, 12, 14.
The Melchizedek Priesthood
A short study on the priesthood of Melchizedek will enable us to see many other reasons why Christ should be a priest after that order. Altho so little apparently is said about him, yet Paul says there were "many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing." Heb. 5: 10, 11. This should encourage us to study this subject diligently.
The first and only mention of Melchizedek in the Old Testament is where he appeared to Abraham and blessed him, and it is stated that Abraham "gave him tithes of all." Gen. 14: 18-20.
Paul in Hebrews 7 shows how great Melchizedek was, and also the superiority of his priesthood over that of the Levitical order. He also gives us a clue as to who he was.
Let us examine carefully a few expressions: "For this Melchizedek." Verse 1. The word "this" implies that there were others; as indeed there must be, for it takes more than one to constitute an order.
"Now consider how great this man was." Verse 4. Here Melchizedek is called a man.
There are two ways through which men have come into existence,—by birth and by creation. Melchizedek was created, hence was "without father, without mother, without descent [or pedigree], having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." Verse 3. He was "made," or created.
Had Adam never sinned, inspiration itself could have given no truer picture of the
first created being of this world. "God said, Let Us make man in Our image." He was made "like unto the Son of God," also without "beginning of days." Adam did not begin life as an infant of days, but in the prime of manhood. But because of sin he ceased to abide "continually." And as there has never been a man since in this world to whom this could apply, we must of necessity look to some other world for "this Melchizedek."
Other Worlds and Their Heads
That there are other worlds is shown from the expression in Heb. 1: 2, which states that God has spoken to us by His Son, "by whom also He made the worlds."
In peopling one of those worlds, there must be a first created being who stands in the same relation to the inhabitants of that world as would Adam to ours had he not transgressed, which would be that of father or priest-king—“king of righteousness, . . . king of peace.” Heb. 7: 2. In other words, he would be the Melchizedek of that world.
Notice, further, that the Melchizedek that met Abraham still lives. It is said of him that he "abideth a priest continually."
"Here [under the Levitical priesthood] men that die receive tithes; but there he [Melchizedek] receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth." Verse 8. Which is further proof that Melchizedek was not an inhabitant of this world. We must therefore conclude that the Melchizedek order of priesthood is a priesthood composed of those who are rulers of worlds; that it is a perfect priesthood, as the father and priest imparts by birth the righteousness and peace that he himself has, and so is called "king of righteousness, king of peace." Christ through the new birth imparts the same to His children. That He will become the ruler of this world, and hence its Priest-King, or Melchizedek, is clearly stated in the following text: "I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession." Ps. 2: 7, 8.
The Table of Showbread
Adam Lost His Place as Head
When God created Adam, He called him His son (Luke 3: 38), and gave him dominion over all the earth (Gen. 1: 26). But Adam through disobedience turned the dominion over to Satan (Rom. 6: 16), who is therefore termed "the prince of this world." John 14: 30.
In Job 1: 6-8 we find that the sons of God (rulers of worlds) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan, as the ruler of this world, came also among them. God recognized him as such, and asked him concerning some of his subjects on this earth.
But was Satan always to be its ruler? Let the Saviour Himself answer: "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die." John 12: 31-33; Rev. 12: 10, 12.
Christ Takes the Lost Headship
At the death of Christ Satan was conquered and lawfully cast out as prince of this world; and when our Lord rose from the dead, God called Him His Son, and gave Him the dominion over all the earth. The question might be asked, Was not Christ always the Son of God? To be sure He was, but not in the sense that Adam or the first created beings of other worlds were.
When God said, "Thou art My Son," He spoke to humanity. He adopted human nature in the person of His Son, and has carried the same into the highest heaven. It is the Son of Man whose name shall be called "Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. . . . The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. . . . And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." 1 Cor. 15: 45, 47, 49.
In amazement I stop and ask, Can all this be true? The answer comes back, "The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
The second Adam does not take immediate possession of His dominion. Being made a quickening or life-giving spirit, He is seeking to woo the lost sons and daughters of the first Adam back to life and immortality, that they may become the willing subjects of the restored kingdom; and in so doing, He is but carrying forward His priestly work in the sanctuary above, as shadowed forth by the Levitical service in the earthly, which work will be the subject of the next article.
There Is Health in Hope
THE spiritual creates the mental condition, which in turn influences the physical. Bright mental views make desirable physical conditions. Hopeful views make for happiness and health. It has been noticed in a victorious army that few of the wounded die, even tho severely wounded. But in a defeated army very many die from slight wounds. The mental depression or elevation has much to do with this. You can grow sick or well, weak or strong, by mental attitude.—Anon.
The Nature of Unselfish Love
“THERE is no excess in patient, pure, true, unselfish love. Men may revel in it without remorse, and become the greatest prodigals without regret.”
