Signs of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 22. (5/29/1907)

Signs of the Times

May 29, 1907

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · May 29, 1907

2097.—Long Hair.

By Editor

As the Good Book says it is a shame for a man to wear long hair, why is it that you follow all other sects in picturing Jesus with long hair, parted in the middle like a woman, as is pictured in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES?

The expression in Corinthians which says it is a shame for men to have long hair does not come from the word usually translated hair. In fact, it is used in only that one passage. It means to wear tresses of hair as ornaments; and the thought is that it is proper for women to make the hair an ornament, but not for men. It would be a shame for a man to spend the time and pains to arrange his hair that a woman would spend on hers. Woman's glory is her hair. Men's hair was generally cut middling short, tho not so short as men do nowadays. See Lev. 10:6, "And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Let not the hair of your heads go loose, neither rend your clothes." Certainly that would seem to indicate that their hair was moderately long at least. And yet they were not to shave their heads nor trim them as did the idolatrous nations around them. See Lev. 19:27; Jer. 9:26, margin. This was to prevent them from following idolatrous customs. The Arabs cut their hair from the temples in a circular form in honor of the idol Orotal. So much for general custom. On the other hand the Nazarites wore their hair uncut. See Num. 6:5, "He shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long." Judges 13:5, "No razor shall come upon his head; for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God." The reason why the artists have represented Jesus as having long hair is that He has been counted as a Nazarite, separated unto God. Evidently the custom grew out of this. While many of good sense have discouraged the custom of men parting their hair in the middle, we know of nothing in Scripture, morality, or sound sense that would prevent a man from parting his hair in any way, or not parting it at all. There are some things which God has left to common sense, and there are great big things enough in matters of righteousness and truth for us to consider without taking time to dwell upon minor affairs of this kind.

2099.—Interest, Profit, and Rent.

By S.

Are interest, profit, and rent forbidden? See Lev. 25:36; Deut. 23:19; Eze. 18:8, 13, 17.

In a community like Israel it was very proper to forbid the taking of interest on money loaned to the poor. All Palestine was divided among the tribes, each tribe and each family had its own land, all that was necessary for its living. It was God's design that each one of His children should have sufficient for all needs. The wealthy ones would be the ones who had the money to loan, the poor would be those who were in need, and it was contrary to His plan for the wealthy to take interest of the poor. As to the matter of rent, it would seem as tho there could be no question but what it is perfectly proper to pay a certain amount of rent. If one man furnishes the land and the other the labor, there should be a proper division of the product between them. In these days, on the simple principle of justice, it is perfectly proper to pay interest. Sometimes men have money in lieu of land; all that they have is money. Their living depends upon the use of that money. It certainly is just and proper for them to get a right amount of interest for the use of that money if some one desires it. On the other hand, if there is a wealthy brother who has money which he does not need and a poor brother who needs money, it is certainly only the right thing for the wealthy man to help the poor brother. There is danger sometimes of taking a custom from altogether different environment and making it apply now and missing the great lessons which it teaches, and that is the justice, kindness, and joy which should exist among God's people. There are certain commandments of God which are eternal in their very nature; they take hold of great principles of morality, like the Ten Commandments. There are other laws that applied to Israel in the land which God gave them, and which in their details and customs only apply to some conditions.

Questions and Answers

By Editor

With Our Inquirers “If ye will inquire, inquire ye.”

[All questions to this department will be answered which to the editors will minister to the general good of the readers and to the mission of the paper. The same question can not be answered repeatedly in the same volume. 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. It is well always to enclose a stamp for reply.]

2095.—Outward Keeping of the Sabbath.

By Editor

May I ask what is meant by outward keeping of the Sabbath, or any command of God? It seems to me that the one who desires to keep or observe the Sabbath, or Sunday, in very truth, will or does believe in Jesus Christ, for we read that Christ said, "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." What should actuate one to keep the commandments of God but love to God?

What is meant by the outward keeping of the commands of God is simply the keeping of the form, as did the Pharisees of old. They observed the Sabbath very scrupulously; that is, they did no work upon that day. They observed certain forms of prayers, outwardly were very religious, yet Jesus, who read the heart, said they were like whited sepulchers that appear beautiful outwardly but within are full of corruption. One could refrain from open adultery, and yet at the same time transgress the commandment, as Jesus points out in Matt. 5:28. One could refrain from killing, and yet transgress the commandment by hating his brother. 1 John 3:15. There are many things which would actuate people to observe outwardly the forms of religion. Many do it and have done it confessedly because they have been so taught. Some do it hypocritically, wolves in sheep's clothing, that they may gain an advantage. We think we know from God's word that it is not for us to judge the hearts of men. On the other hand, there are many who have not observed the outward keeping of the fourth commandment, not purposely, nor wilfully, but because they have not seen the truth in regard to it, and God judges by the light which we have. The saints will come to the light and accept of the light, as stated in John 3:17, 18.

2096.—Degrees in Christianity.

By F. F. F.

Are there degrees in Christianity?

There are no degrees in Christianity, in the essence of the thing. Christianity is Christianity or it is not, but there certainly are degrees in experience. A little child may be as truly a Christian as an aged saint. The polygamous-believing African native may be as truly a Christian as was the apostle John. He sees only a part of his duty, but what he has seen he gives his whole heart to and accepts Christ for full salvation. The working out of character is a matter of development and degrees. The quality of the work is determined, not by the amount of knowledge, but by the heart and devotion that is put into it. When a person truly accepts of the Lord Jesus Christ he certainly wants to follow His word, "Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you;" and certainly what is not commanded of God will be of no worth to him if he is properly instructed in the word.

2098.—Remembering the Former Things.

By Editor

I heard a man say that if he were in heaven and knew that any of his children were in torment, that heaven would be nothing to him. Please say if the Bible does not say that there will be no remembrance of such things in heaven.

When we come to a right understanding of the word of God we will have no grounds for such statements as the above. When God's children are enjoying the glories of eternal life there will be no place somewhere else in the universe where people are writhing in torment. It will be seen in the judgment that every one has just what he has chosen, that the fruits he has reaped are the fruit of his own sowing; so those who have chosen righteousness have reaped eternal life; those who have chosen sin have reaped eternal death; and in that will be seen so clearly not only the justice, but the mercy of God; more as the prophet expresses it in Isa. 65:17, "The former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind," or, as the margin reads, "come upon the heart."

2100.—Providing for One's Self.

By Editor

Please give me an explanation of Matt. 10:9, 10. Would it be wrong for a man to provide for his own expenses in the work? I see in Matt. 6:25 and in other passages not to provide for the body.

Matthew 10 speaks of a certain mission which Jesus gave to His twelve disciples. In Luke 22:35 we read these words: "And He said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing. And He said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet." The Lord would have us understand by this that different circumstances call for different plans. He has not laid down one single mode of operation by which our life is to be governed in mere business affairs. Sometimes His Spirit tells His missionaries to go out without making any provision whatsoever, with simple faith in Him; the same Spirit may teach another man to go provided with proper amount of funds. In the Pentecostal church some gave their all, like Barnabas, and God used him; some said they gave their all while they withheld a part, like Ananias and Sapphira, and God's judgment rested upon them; and yet Peter told them that it was theirs to give or to keep just as they chose. God makes us stewards of our means here. If He has given us the ability to earn money, He will also give us wisdom to use it in the right way. If He asks us to go on a certain mission, and we have not the funds, and yet He says Go, it is duty to go, and trust Him for the rest. If His Spirit says, Earn means by which to go and do the work, or which will help us to enter His work, still heed the voice of the Spirit. Matt. 6:25 does not say that we should provide nothing for the body. Read as in the Revised Version, "Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on." Other translations, "Take no anxious thought;" do not worry over those things if you are doing God's will; "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness," and leave the rest with God. There are many scriptures which show the duty of Christians to work for their living, to support themselves, to support their families, to be prudent and economical. There is danger of becoming so absorbed in the world that our hearts will be set on gain. There is also danger of taking the words of Scripture in such a way as to lead to utter fanaticism, such as has been manifest thru the ages where men give themselves up to idleness and feel that the public ought to support them as holy men. See 2 Thess. 3:7-12.

2101.—The Covenant by Sacrifice. Ps. 50: 5.

By William Warren Prescott

To what time does this apply? When will the gathering take place?

The gathering will take place when our Lord Jesus Christ shall gather home His people. The covenant by sacrifice is that covenant which centers in the sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. That does not mean that His people will not sacrifice. They will give all, even as they accept all; but no sacrifice can make effective a covenant save the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. His is the sacrifice, ours the acceptance, and the acceptance is the renunciation of our all upon the altar. Luke 14:33.

"There Shall Be Signs"

By Abdiel

CHRIST is coming again. Of that we are abundantly assured. The "same Jesus" who walked upon this earth, who taught and healed and saved, is coming again; literally, personally, visibly, He is coming; coming as He went away, in clouds of angels; coming in all the transcendent, outshining glory of the Godhead.

When will He come? It has been a question of the last two millenniums among His devout people. Jesus gave birth to the longing taught by His promise: "I will come again, and will receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." What more blessed thing than to dwell with "Him that loveth us and loosed us from our sins by His own blood"? Jesus perpetuated the longing by teaching the prayer of the ages, "Thy kingdom come;" and every time it is uttered, it is in the Master's sense, a prayer for His coming; for then shall come His kingdom. 2 Tim. 4:1; Matt. 25:31.

May we know just when His coming, the event of the ages, shall occur? Our Lord has settled this question forever; for "of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only." Matt. 24:36. Whether we understand the verb "knoweth" in the sense of "maketh known," as some interpret (see 1 Cor. 2:2), it matters not. Known or not known, it shall not be made known till the voice of God, finding response thruout all creation, shall say,

"It Is Done."

And whosoever shall claim to present a definite time for Christ's coming is in conflict with the Bible and in grievous error.

But does this mean that we are to know nothing of the time when Christ shall come? —Assuredly not; for it is the same infallible Teacher who declares, in the words at the head of this article,

"There Shall Be Signs"

and when these signs are in evidence, He declares, "When ye see all these things, KNOW ye that He is NIGH, even at the doors." Matt. 24:33.

What gave rise to these answers? What led Jesus so definitely to declare that while we know not the day of His coming, we are to know when He is nigh? The reply is found in one of His great discourses outlined in Matthew 24; Mark 13, and Luke 21. All, then, must be studied together to obtain clear information, and these must be compared with other prophecies applicable at the same period of the world's history. A statement of Christ gave rise to the question. After visiting the temple at Jerusalem on one occasion with His disciples, and viewing the great stones which entered into its construction, Jesus declared, "There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down." Matt. 24:2. A little later four of His disciples asked Him, "When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world [age]?"

The divine answer is found in these three chapters and in other concomitant prophecies.

1. Jesus did not discourage the question. He did not say that it was not a matter for them to inquire into. He encouraged inquiry.

2. He knows the importance of His coming, and what it means to His people and to the world. He knows also that the enemy will put forth every effort to deceive the hearts longing for His return. Therefore the instruction: "Take heed that no man lead you astray. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray." And the false Christs, who have deceived their dupes by the thousands number upward of twoscore. These were not to be special signs of His coming, no more than wars and rumors of war, no more than famines, or earthquakes, or persecution.

3. But, on the other hand, "There shall be signs" in the sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity

for the roaring of the sea and the billows; men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:25-27.

4. Everywhere these signs are to be seen—in the heavens, in the physical world, in the social world, in the religious world; God in every way will forewarn the world of the great crisis.

5. The answer may be largely found in Matthew 24. Verses 4 to 14 name various progressive events which bring us down to the consummation of the Gospel age, when “this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.” Thus our Lord answers the last part of the question first.

Then—verses 15 to 31—beginning with their own times, He leads down the centuries, thru the great tribulation, foretold by Daniel, down to the special signs of Christ’s coming.

6. The greater part of this prophecy applies to the last days, to the times immediately preceding the coming of Christ. It was given by Him whose Spirit inspired all the prophets. 1 Peter 1:10, 11. He foreknew that when this literal prophecy of Matthew 24 and parallel chapters in Mark and Luke were fulfilling, there would be many other predictions of earlier and later prophets fulfilling. He knew that the great symbolic prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation would be reaching their focal point in the coming of Christ. He knew that numerous other signs—a score or more—would be in process of fulfilment, and that the minds which were startled by them and the hearts which wanted to know their meaning, and to find a refuge from their terrors, would not have in their field of vision the events of His discourse upon that occasion alone, but all the other occurring phenomena divinely foretold. Therefore, while He spoke to His disciples then and there, in His divine providence, what He said was written for the larger field and the larger view of that people before whose eyes and in whose times the culmination of all these events should occur. Therefore we must conclude that the expression, “When ye see all these things,”—see them in the light of the “more sure word of prophecy,” fulfilled and fulfilling—includes all the signs of Christ’s coming.

7. Therefore the “all” things includes the signs in the heavens, sun, moon, and stars, signs in the physical earth, signs in the political, social, and religious spheres of life, signs everywhere. Some of these signs will be presented in this and the next issue.

The Lord’s Personal Presence.

By Francis M. Wilcox

We love our friends, and in the love we bear for them we love their personal presence. It is impossible to conceive how this could be otherwise. To the one who loves father, mother, wife, or children, there is no place in all the earth so dear as the hearthstone and the family circle. Here is sweetness of communion that the world knows nothing of. Heart beats in sympathy with heart; love flows free and untrammeled. The cold formality of the world is shut out. Position loses its distinction. All meet on common ground, and love makes all hearts one. Such a home is the nearest approach to heaven that this earth affords. The love of such a home is a type of the love which will exist in the heavenly family. And as love of home and friends embraces love of personal communion, so will it be between God and His children.

As one truly comes to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and finds in Him a Saviour, a Friend, a Brother, a Father, will he not love personal communion with such a being? Will he not love to look up into that glorious face which has appeared so many times to his aid and encouragement, and hear that melodious voice which has so often sustained his courage and quieted his fears and nerved him for all of life’s conflicts? Strange, indeed, would be a Christian experience foreign to such desires!

In all the history of the world no class of men ever suffered keener disappointment than did the disciples at the departure of their Lord. With their hopes crushed to the earth, with every ambition disappointed, the death and burial of the Lord left an aching void in every heart which no human agent could supply. Their feelings were voiced in the sorrowful lament of the two disciples that went down to Emmaus, when they said, “We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel.” It had been their fondly cherished desire that Christ should take the throne of David, and they looked with eager anticipation to every succeeding event in Christ’s experience to bring about this fruition of their dreams. But now all was lost, and their hopes and ambitions were as dead as the lifeless body of their Lord sealed in its rock-bound tomb.

The resurrection of the Lord revived their hopes. At the meeting in Galilee which He had appointed, and to which hundreds assembled, they believed that the time had come when Christ was to take the throne. They ask, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Again are they doomed to disappointment. “It is not for you to know the times nor the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power.” That event is still future. Before the hour of triumph is the time of labor. You are to be My witnesses, the heralds of My work to earth’s remotest bounds.

He is parted from them, and again unutterable sorrow fills their hearts. But the Lord leaves them not without comfort and assurance. Two angels appear to comfort them. “This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” This is their message of cheer. And again there echoes in their ears the blessed words of their Lord, spoken the night of His apprehension: “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. . . . I will not leave you comfortless [orphans]; I will come to you.”

This was their support in the hour of darkness and disappointment, and blessed assurance it was indeed. This same Jesus was to come again. The one with whom they had associated for three years; who had acted the part of a friend and a counselor, the part of a brother in every trial; with whom they had walked and talked and communed in every phase of life’s experience among the hills and valleys of Judea; whose blessed hands had supplied their temporal needs, whose sympathetic tones had quieted their fears—He was to come again. Truly this was comforting assurance.

But no less comforting to them than it may be to us. This, to-day, is the sweet assurance which heaven gives to every child of God. Sometime, and now not very long, we shall see Him as He is. We shall bask in the presence of the One we have learned to love. We shall see the King in His beauty. Our faces will lighten under the glance of His kindling eye, and the sweetness of communion with Him shall be the inspiration of eternity. Francis M. Wilcox.

For Me.

By Max Hill

DID Heaven's mighty King come down to earth To die for me? Could One so great count me of so much worth To die for me? Did He give all the glory Heaven knows To take on Him earth's sin and all its woes? Did He His kingdom leave and His own throne To come to this dark world—a Babe, alone— To die for me?

What matchless love that comes a helpless child In human arms! That dares to risk a world by sin defiled In human arms! That trusts to mortal man to guard and lead A Saviour thru His helpless infant need! O love divine! that deigns to freely give, That sacrifices all, that I might live, To human arms!

What tireless love that walked the weary way?— A Saviour's love. That healed the sick the hand of Death would slay?— A Saviour's love. The healing touch, the blessing of a child, Forgiveness granted to the sin-defiled, The loving words to troubled sinners said, The living word that brought life to the dead,— A Saviour's love.

What love but His would bear the wo and want He bore for me? What love but His would bear the shameful taunt He bore for me? O Love divine! tho sinless, crucified, Who, willing, lived for me, and for me died! Low at His feet a sinner vile I fall— Saved, saved by grace,—e'en angels know not all He bore for me. MAX HILL.

A Warning Against Worldliness

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” Luke 21:34, 35.

Measured by Thoughts for Others

“A MAN must be measured not by his thoughts of himself, but by his thoughts for others.”

Continue reading: Social Conditions of This Time