Q.-What is the difference, as to the persons referred to, between Rev. 1:5,6,5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5‑6) and Rev. 7:14-1714And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:14‑17)? F. W.
A.-We believe those referred to in the first of these scriptures are heavenly, the saints of the present dispensation, those who compose the church, but here speaking according to their individual place before God in heavenly blessing; when Christ is announced as " the prince of the kings of the earth," a place and glory He has yet to assume, they greet Him, as they already know Him and in the special relations in which they stand to Him. Those referred to in the latter scripture are the earthly saints who have their blessing under Christ in the the millennium; they have been converted after the church has gone to glory, and, as believers in Christ and His blood, have gone through great tribulation on earth, and have their. place and portion subsequently on the earth. o. w.
Q.-How do you reconcile the scriptures which speak of Satan's being " the prince of this world " with those which tells us " the powers that be are ordained of God "? o. J. M.
A.-The prince of this world stands in contrast with Christ as the true Prince under God, as the scriptures, John 13:31;1431Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. (John 13:31)
31But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. (John 14:31). 30;17. 11, plainly show. Satan has usurped authority over man, and he proved himself to be the world's prince by leading the world to crucify God's Christ. "The powers that be " have to say to the government of the world; and “ordained- of God " looks back to God who put the sword of government in man's hand, and still, so far as its source and real strength is concerned, maintains it there. Government on the earth was first committed to man's hand in Gen. 9, and hence Rom. 13 looks at the source of government-God, and the purpose with which it was instituted-" wrath upon him that doeth evil," and man as God's minister still " beareth not the sword in vain." Satan inducing man to use the sword wrongly does not touch this, and providentially God. is over all this and uses it for His own ends. 0. W.