6, Correspondence.

From: The Believer's Monthly Magazine: Volume 2

G.L.— Paul a castaway (1 Cor. 9:27²⁷But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:27)). The apostle would have them and us know that preaching to others is not in itself a guarantee of one’s own standing before God. In every true child of God preaching is accompanied by practice. The apostle applies the principle to himself as an example (not that he has doubts as to himself). He kept under his body and brought it in subjection, which was a sure proof of the possession of eternal life, but service was not (Matt. 7:22²²Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (Matthew 7:22)). See the solemn case of Judas. Notice it does not speak of one being a castaway after receiving eternal life, but after preaching to others. Those who have eternal life can never perish. In the next chapter (1—12) the apostle gives actual examples of castaways.

H.S.— Is the “lake of fire and brimstone” figurative language (Rev. 20:10¹⁰And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10))? The expression is figurative, but figurative of a real punishment which continues forever. There is an allusion, perhaps, to the judgment of God which overthrew Sodom and Gomorrha (Gen. 19: 24, 25). You have our sincere sympathy and prayers that, if the Lord will, you may see your heart’s desire, Oh, for an unchanging trust in Him!

W.E.— Greek Prepositions. Your question has its importance, but is a little out of place for these pages. Ask the Editor of the Bible Treasury.

J.H.— What is the mystery of God (Col. 2:2²That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (Colossians 2:2); Rev. 10:7⁷But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. (Revelation 10:7))? Mystery, in Biblical usage, refers to some truth long concealed but now revealed. In Colossians (1:26, 27; 2:2) it refers to what was unknown till apostolic times, viz., that God was calling out from Jews and Gentiles those who are to be associated with Christ in heavenly glory. But in Revelation 10:7⁷But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. (Revelation 10:7) the church cannot be referred to, for it is seen completed and in heaven from chapter 4. This mystery, on the contrary, is finished when the seventh angel sounds, and that is the moment when Christ takes the kingdom and puts down all evil (11:15-18). From the fall up to that time when the Man Christ Jesus judges the world in righteousness, sin has appeared to have its own way unchecked. That a holy God permits this appears to be the mystery here spoken of. It should be remembered that 11:18 concludes the first division of the book, and coincides with the advent of Christ to take His kingdom (Rev. 19).

R.— Are believers made righteous before God and afterward justified? Both expressions refer to the same act.

A.S.— Shall we “receive for the things done in the body” before our conversion (2 Cor. 5:10¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10))? Manifestation before the judgment seat of Christ would seem to include the whole life in the body; but reward for service would, of necessity, be confined to the life as a child of God. This passage (2 Cor. 5:10¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)) speaks generally, and does not especially refer to service. Observe it does not say “receive for the things,” but simply “receive the things,”

M.M.— In what sense was Paul debtor (Rom. 1:14¹⁴I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. (Romans 1:14))? In the sense that we are all debtors to love all men (Rom. 13:8-10⁸Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. ⁹For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. ¹⁰Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:8‑10)) and to desire their salvation. In addition, the apostle was commissioned to bear the Lord’s name before Gentiles, kings, and the sons of, Israel (Acts 9:15¹⁵But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (Acts 9:15)). Therefore he declares himself a debtor to all nationalities and all capacities.

R.Q.— Marriage. You are individually responsible faithfully to obey the truth as the Lord has shown you. This often brings us into difficulties, and even hardships, which the Lord duly values, and will display in their true worth at. His appearing. The registry office is the civil recognition of the marriage tie, which must be owned (Rom. 13:1-7¹Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ²Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. ³For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: ⁴For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. ⁵Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. ⁶For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. ⁷Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1‑7)), and is surely public enough. It is good, however, that in such an important matter we should, at the same time, seek the fellowship of the Lord’s people to invoke His blessing.

J.D.B.— Evolution. — We heartily endorse your vigorous protest against the boastful pretensions of the book you refer to. Were there not such pressure on our space, we would print your letter in extenso. The author, though violent, is honest, and boldly avows open antagonism to the Bible. We confess we do not fear this so much as the evil influence of so-called “Christian scientists,” who seek to harmonize the scriptures and the theories of evolution, always, of course, at the expense of the word of God. Genesis flatly contradicts these theories. Which shall we believe? An attempted mixture of light and darkness is hateful to God, and should he to us, though, alas a great many are thereby deceived.

R.M.S.— Matthew 18:18,¹⁸Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18) etc. We do not recollect receiving your query on these texts. Binding and loosing refer to admittance into and exclusion from the assembly. See B.M.M. for March last, page 71.

A.L.R.— Is the path of wisdom (Job 28:7,8⁷There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: ⁸The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it. (Job 28:7‑8)) the path of faith? No; the reference is to the means, unknown to birds and beasts, whereby man obtains precious ores from the earth. See context.