Signs of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 40. (10/15/1912)

Signs of the Times

Oct 15, 1912

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 15, 1912

The New Heaven and the New Earth

Revelation 21 : 1-7

AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His peoples, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God: and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away. And He that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true. And He said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.

"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 The name and address must accompany question, not for publication, but as an evidence of good faith, and that answer may be made by letter if deemed advisable.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.

3883 — Losing and Gaining a Day

By G. M.

The question has been asked me, what a person would do who was to travel around the world, and in doing so would lose or gain a day, according to which way he traveled, keeping each seventh day as it came to him. When he got back, would he be keeping the same day? — G. M.

One who had a normal understanding of what going around the world means would know that if he traveled with the sun he would be lengthening his day each day. For instance, if one travels from the east to the west across the American continent, for every thousand miles he deducts one hour from his time. If he were traveling from west to east, against the course of the sun, he would add an hour to his time, or turn his watch forward. That is, he keeps losing time with the sun, and it is necessary for him to turn his watch forward in order to keep with the time and the longitude of the place he finds himself. The earth's circumference is practically 24,000 miles. Going around the world with the sun, he gains a day; against the sun, he loses a day. He would therefore, if he wished to be in harmony with the people of the world, recognize this simple fact, and drop or add a day to his reckoning, in order that he might harmonize with the peoples of the earth.

In God's providence, this so-called "day line" has been placed in the Pacific Ocean. One finds himself in harmony with all the nations of the world, traveling landward from the eastern shores of Asia to the western shores of America. Custom, in God's providence, has placed the day line in the Pacific. When the traveler crosses this, east or west, he must adjust his time in harmony with the facts. Thus doing, he will still keep in harmony with the world. God knew, when He made this earth, that it was round, knew that these changes would necessarily have to take place when men circumnavigated the globe. And He knew also that in His providence light and knowledge would be given to man to enable him to meet these conditions. All that He asks of us is to trust His providence, observe His Sabbath as it comes to us, use our Christian, sanctified common sense in the decision of the question, as in all other questions, and go on our way rejoicing. We would suggest to our reader that he put together two scriptures,—Acts 17:24-26, "God that made the world and all things therein, . . . made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation;" and Mark 2:27, "the Sabbath was made for man." There is no difficulty in man's observing God's Sabbath on God's earth,

3882—Sinning Against the Holy Ghost

By Editor

Can you tell me what sinning against the Holy Spirit is, as given in Matt. 12:31, 32; also in Luke 12:10?

Compare these two scriptures with Mark 3:28-30. It will be clearly seen by this comparison with the words found in Mark, that the sin against the Holy Spirit on the part of the Jews was attributing the power by which Christ wrought miracles, to Satan. Jesus was working miracles that only Divinity could work. It was a strong, clear manifestation of the Spirit of God in Him. His teaching was in harmony with those miracles. He taught also the things of God. To declare, as the Jews did, that He cast out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, was utterly to turn away from the only power that could save them, the power of the life and Spirit of God. This is the teaching of Jesus, and this will serve to show what the sinning against the Holy Spirit is. The only reason why a sin is unforgivable is that it is unrepentable. God has but one power to save His people, one means of cleansing. He cleanses by the blood of the Lord Jesus. He gives life and power by His Holy Spirit. See Heb. 10:29. When, therefore, the soul rejects the only means by which God can save him, when he continues to reject that, when he counts the thing which will make him holy an unholy thing, when he declares that the very Spirit which would woo him to repentance is not of God, but a mere delusion or a cheat, he puts himself in a place where God can not reach him, because God will not compel acceptance. The sin, therefore, against the Holy Spirit, is the attributing to the enemy the work of the Holy Spirit, or in other words, it is denying the Spirit in its working. The unforgivable sin is therefore not one which God is not willing to forgive, but of the forgiveness which man can not receive, because he does not know it when it is offered.

3884—Thy Kingdom Come

By Editor

Will you please offer me an explanation of "Thy kingdom come," in the Lord's Prayer? Is not the kingdom here referred to the same kingdom as that illustrated in Christ's parable of the mustard-seed? And is not this kingdom already established on earth, tho not completely? And was it not to grow as the mustard-seed, until the second coming of Christ, when the kingdom of God was to be completely and forever established?

"Thy kingdom come" has a far broader meaning than any manifestation of God's grace in the world. God's kingdom includes the King, the law of the kingdom, the subjects of the kingdom, and the territory of the kingdom. These will not be seen in this world until after Christ shall come the second time. Then His kingdom will be set up, and not until then. See Matt. 25:31; 2 Tim. 4:1. The prayer, then, "Thy kingdom come," is the prayer that the Lord shall reign universally, everywhere. It involves the great thought that sin shall be no more, but that righteousness shall reign forever. But the expression, "Thy kingdom come," ought to come closer home to the one who prays than that. It ought to mean that God's kingdom shall come first of all in our own hearts, that we ourselves should yield to the law of that kingdom, that we ourselves should welcome the entrance and absolute control of the King, that in our own hearts He would establish the law through faith (Rom. 3:31), and that in our own hearts He would dwell (Isa. 57:15). "Thy kingdom come" is parallel with Rev. 22:20, "Come, Lord Jesus." There is a sense in which it is said that God's kingdom of grace exists, and will exist, until the grace is lost in the overwhelming glory of Christ's second coming,—the kingdom of grace in one's heart which may grow even as the mustard-seed. That will not be true, however, of God's church in this world; it will not grow, and grow, until it includes all the world. The prophecy of His Word is that that church will meet with trials and tribulations which will seem almost at times to blot it from the earth, but out of it all God will deliver His people. The kingdom of the prayer is the second coming of Christ, when God's will shall be done in earth as it is in heaven.

3885 — Jewish Laws

By Editor

You say in No. 3875 that Lev. 25:4 is not binding, and class it among Jewish national laws. Is the term "the law of God," or "the law of the Lord," ever applied to these national laws? J. J. S.

In a very clear sense it would seem that every law that the Lord ever gave was a law of the Lord. It may not be the law of God, the summary of all morality, like the Decalogue; nevertheless, as God gave it to man, it must come from Him, and consequently would be the law of the Lord. That law might be eternal in its scope, as are the Ten Commandments—not only eternal, but universal; but that law might be a limited law, given simply for a little time, and then expiring by limitation. It was a command of the Lord, or a law of the Lord, that Noah should build the ark; that he and his household should enter into it. But when the Deluge was passed, that law had expired by limitation. So it was regarding all the scriptures that were given in the last dispensation. The laws regulating those sacrifices were laws of the Lord. They, however, expired by limitation at the cross. "The law of the Lord" sometimes refers directly to the Decalogue. Sometimes it is very comprehensive, and includes all (what is called the law) the books of Moses. The context and character of the law will usually determine where it belongs. For an instance of where one of these temporary things is spoken of as "the law of the Lord," see Luke 2:22-24,—the offering made by Mary was given "as it is written in the law of the Lord." There are other expressions similar, which one with a concordance can easily learn.

3886—Meals on the Sabbath

By Editor

Can you suggest to me the best plan to pursue on the Sabbath day for those who have to board at restaurants and hotels? Is it best to allow them to serve us?

We think our correspondent suggests a very good plan. It is one that the writer personally would follow if he were so situated, and that is to procure food on the day before the Sabbath, and eat it in one's own room. Of course there may be those who would feel that warm food, or food which they themselves could not prepare, would be better for them physically, and such we should not judge. In this we ourselves must recognize our personal responsibility to God. It certainly would minimize Sabbath work for us to procure food the day before, and eat it in our own rooms. Let us, however, in doing this not condemn others. Regarding the care of rooms, all work that could be left, it would be well to leave until after Sabbath. And yet if we were to invite the Lord into our rooms with us on the Sabbath day, the Lord would be pleased with a minimum amount of work which would make the room look presentable. It seems to us that such work as that would be regarded as done for His glory. A Sabbath certainly could not be pleasantly spent in a room that was in disorder, or unclean.

3887 — Ghosts in a Priest's House

By Editor

A correspondent (H. A. D.) sends us clippings from the Boston "Herald," which tell of spirits overturning things in a priest's house, smashing tables and clocks, and doing sundry and numerous vicious things, and wants to know what we think of it.

Well, if the story, given in various papers, is correct, the work done is evidently by malefic demons, or angels of the devil. So they worked in the days of our Saviour. There are many foolish pranks in spiritistic circles which are frauds; but there are many which are not frauds. Those referred to in the Boston "Herald" are evidently not.

3888 — Is It Right?

By Editor

Is it right for a minister of the gospel who has charge of a congregation to admit as members of the church, the body of Christ, a man and a woman who are not married by law or by the church, and who after they have been instructed how to please God refuse to marry?

The question answers itself. Of course it is not. Those who are living contrary to both human and divine law certainly should not be regarded as part of the body of Christ. This is on the supposition that the question states the fact as it is.

Schedule for the Week Ending October 26, 1912

Acts 13–19 Reading Schedule

Sunday October 20 Acts 13 Monday " 21 " 14 Tuesday " 22 " 15 Wednesday " 23 " 16 Thursday " 24 " 17 Friday " 25 " 18 Sabbath " 26 " 19

Seven Chapters for Seven Days

Only seven chapters for the seven days, records of faithful work for God, of the struggles and perplexities of the early church, of the results of the simple yet mighty preaching of the living Word to Jew and Greek in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and other towns and cities. We read of the first council of the church; that in that council Peter did not preside nor give voice to the Spirit, but James; of the simple instructions to the Gentiles concerning not duty to obey God's moral law, but questions over which they were perplexed. The record is simple and clear. God's working is both varied and wonderful. He works no two miracles just alike. His power works in infinite variety. In one case it converts souls, in another raises the dead, in another shakes open prison doors. He is just the same yesterday, to-day, and all days to come.

Decorative Divider

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The Sabbath a Memorial and Sign

By Editor

THE very first words of the Sabbath commandment show unmistakably that the sacred day was instituted to be a memorial, and a careful reading of it all the way through will show what it was to memorialize, or commemorate. Please read carefully and thoughtfully the commandment which follows:

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Ex. 20: 8-11.

This commandment starts out with the word "Remember"—keep in mind. Keep in mind this important institution, is God's command. We are to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. In other words, from one Sabbath to another we are to be looking forward to the sacred day, remembering it, so that when it comes we may be prepared to keep it holy, because it is holy.

The reason why we are to remember this sacred day is specifically stated in the commandment. We are to do this because the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, in six days, and rested upon the seventh day. This commandment is designed to keep fresh in our minds the fact that we have a Creator. We are to remember Him, we are to remember His mighty works; and when we keep Him thus in mind, the Sabbath day at once forms a great bulwark of strength against heathenism, which would make

gods out of wood and stone; and at the same time it guards us against the sophistries of evolution, which would draw our minds away from the Creator to some unexplained courses of nature that have caused the systematic and organized universe to evolve into the orderly state that it manifests.

The true value and the importance of the Sabbath can not be overestimated, because of the purpose, through the Sabbath, of keeping the Creator Himself in mind. Upon the subject of the importance of the Lord's great works, the psalmist says:

"Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honorable and glorious: and His righteousness endureth forever. He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear Him: He will ever be mindful of His covenant. He hath showed His people the power of His works, that He may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant forever: holy and reverend is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endureth forever." Psalm 111.

Observe how frequently in this psalm he refers to the works of the Lord, and that they are great and honorable, and furthermore, that He has made His wonderful works to be remembered. And again: "He hath showed His people the power of His works, that He may give them the heritage of the heathen."

One of the striking facts of Bible history is that the longest commandment of the ten, and the one which was placed in the very bosom of the law, is the Sabbath commandment, which expressly declares that it is given to man to teach him to remember the mighty works of the Creator. And why does the Lord thus desire that His works shall be so carefully remembered? Let the psalmist in another place answer this question:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath He set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof." Ps. 19:1-6.

Observe how clearly the foregoing utterances state that the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork. The mighty works of God are such that the individual who intelligently comes in contact with Him is imperceptibly lifted clear above all the dross and superstition of heathenism, and away from all of the follies and childish assertions and speculations of evolution, and is brought into the very presence of the Infinite, who is the Creator and the Supporter of all the vast worlds and suns that inhabit the infinite expanses of space.

If the people of this world had intelligently kept the Sabbath, they would not have got into the position described by the apostle Paul in the following words:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” Rom. 1:18-25.

Observe that the apostle Paul declares that “the invisible things” of God “from the creation of the world are clearly seen,” because they are understood by the things that are made. Through God’s creation He designs that we may lay hold of the truth of His eternal power and Godhead. But men have turned away from God, and even when they knew Him they glorified Him not as God, but became vain in their imaginations, and thus allowed their foolish hearts to become darkened. While they professed great wisdom, yet they became fools by going into all of the mazes of idolatry.

Now the idolater that worships idols made of wood and stone, and the idolater that worships theories made by men, would all have been kept out of the world if humanity had not lost sight of the true Sabbath of Jehovah. God not only designed that His Sabbath should be a memorial to His people, but that as they came into the intelligent observance of it they would find in the Sabbath itself a sign of His power. Note how forcibly the following texts declare this:

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.” Ex. 31:12, 13.

“Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” “And hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.” Eze. 20:12, 20.

The foregoing texts declare that the Lord designed through the keeping of the Sabbath that men should know that He is the Lord that sanctifies; and not only so, but through observing the sacred Sabbath day, He says, “Ye may know that I am the Lord your God.”

The individual who intelligently keeps the Sabbath that God has given in His Word, has no trouble in his mind in regard to the hereafter, for he is following the plan upon which God works, and he actually knows God. He knows that God is the mighty Creator, and he enjoys this great truth so thoroly that he looks forward from one Sabbath day to another in delightsome anticipations of spending one whole seventh part of his time in meditating upon the great fact that his God is the Author and Upholder of the universe; that He is the Possessor of all power, and that this Creator is his Father, his Redeemer, and his Friend.

There is much embraced in Sabbath-keeping. Sabbath-keeping is far broader than the mere refraining from labor on the seventh day. A man may rest regularly one day out of every week, and yet know nothing practically in regard to actual Sabbath-keeping. We must come into touch with the Creator, and recognize in His Sabbath day the memorial and sign of His creating and sustaining power, before we really know anything at all about what Sabbath-keeping actually is.

"Every Thought"

By W.

How to Win in the Greatest Conflict

ONE of the great discouragements which meet the Christian is the lack of ability to control his thoughts. They are ever turning aside to bye and forbidden things. Incidents of the old life of sin will intrude themselves with startling vividness, arousing all the old emotions experienced at that time. A word, a thought, a person, a picture, or an act, recalls things seemingly and gladly forgotten, and they stand out anew with all their old-time wicked insinuations and associations. If dwelt upon, if parleyed with, the mortal flesh responds, and sin is committed in thought, if not in deed, and the soul is ready to sink in discouragement. There is longing for perfect victory, but the experience often marks utter defeat.

How obtain the pure mind? These souls know that the Bible says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." The Revised Version puts it, "Have this mind in you;" but how to have it is the question. If we could seize these marauders as physical things, we would cast them forth, and then close the doors of the mind, that they could not gain entrance; but this we can not do. If these deadly foes were men, we could war against them; but they are not. They are thoughts, suggestions, temptations, dreams, sometimes so vague, so shadowy, so subtle, as to be indefinable, so interwoven with our being and experience as to seem to come to us of our volition or choice. How banish them from heart and mind?

Surely the Lord has not asked of us impossibilities. He does not tantalize His children by setting before them impossibilities. He does not lead them to hope for blessed attainments in character which can never be reached. All that He requires is possible through Him. In Christ all things are possible. Here are some scriptures which may help some poor souls:

"For tho we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds); casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:3-5.

"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matt. 11:29.

"The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way." Ps. 25:9.

"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, . . . having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." Eph. 6:11-18.

"Thy Word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Ps. 119:11.

Any one of these is sufficient, if faithfully studied, to show the way; but we give several, that what may not help one may help the other. Read them all, over and over again. Believe them to be, as they are, living and mighty to build you up. Note the one thought in them all of the Word of God, either stated or implied. You desire the mind that was in Christ? — Well, that was the mind of God; and God has expressed His mind to us in His written Word and His works. But His works have been greatly marred, and we can read them aright only as we read them through His written Word. Let us study the scriptures above.

1. The first — 2 Cor. 10:3-5 — clearly shows that the evil strongholds, evil imaginations and evil thoughts, are opposed to the knowledge of God. They are all used of Satan to keep us from that knowledge which to us is eternal life. John 17:3. What is the lesson, then? — We must oppose all these by the power of the knowledge of God. Where is this knowledge revealed? — In His Word. Guard every avenue of the heart by sentinels of His Word.

2. Learn of Christ. He came to this earth, the Son of God, the Son of Man, to meet what we must meet, to live as He desires us to live. When Satan came with all his hellish, crafty, insinuating, subtle temptations, how did our Lord meet him, and meet him victoriously? — By the use of the Word. In every case His calm reply was, "It is written." Matt. 4:1-10. The meek will be taught of God; only the meek can be.

3. There is but one weapon to be wielded by the Christian warrior, the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. The breastplate, the shield, the helmet, are for protection. The girdle binds his panoply about him in a glorious band of strength and beauty. The greaves of peace express the purpose of his goings. The only weapon for offense and defense is the sword of the Spirit. The field is the mind, the heart, the soul, the flesh of him who is fighting life's battle. The foes are the wicked thoughts, principles, passions, and impulses, pressed home by the evil one. We may not prevent the enemy's using them; we may not prevent his temptations; but we may slay them from within, and guard the citadel lest they enter. We must

likewise pray, earnestly, faithfully, constantly. Mark, also, that our warfare is not against our brethren. Our duty is to pray for them, and that earnestly. "The Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends." Job 42:10.

4. Lay up God's Word in the heart. Fill the heart with the expressions of God's mind. The basket that is full of chips will hold no apples. The basket filled with apples will hold no chips. The measure filled with wheat has no room for chaff. The heart filled with the thoughts of God, with the Word of the living God, has no room for the foolish, vain, corrupting thoughts of sin. "Concerning the works of men," says the psalmist, "by the Word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer." Ps. 17:4.

Thus Jesus lived among men. His language was, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart." The clamors of sin, the discord, the strife, the siren voice of temptation, were heard on every side; but He was as if He heard them not. The seductive temptations of the flesh, the flaunting wiles of the enchantress, were all about Him; but He was as if He saw them not. Well did the Lord through the prophet say: "Who is blind, but My Servant? or deaf, as My Messenger that I send? who is blind as He that is at peace with Me, and blind as Jehovah's Servant? Thou seest many things, but Thou observest not; His ears are open, but He heareth not." Isa. 42:19, 20. And yet toward God His eyes and ears were ever attent. He declares: "The Lord Jehovah hath given Me the tongue of them that are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth Mine ear to hear as they that are taught. The Lord Jehovah hath opened Mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward." Isa. 50:4, 5.

Trust Him. Follow Christ Jesus. Fill the mind, the heart, the flesh, with the Word of God, and let the life be a life of earnest prayer, keeping ever open the channel of almighty life, and love, and power. Thus shall you win the greatest of all conflicts.

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