Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2
Hy. J. — As to such interval of time as may separate these verses nothing is definitely revealed, and we may not be wise above what is written. From Isaiah 45:18, it seems clear however, as already pointed out — page 101, April issue that during this period some terrific cataclysm overwhelmed this earth as a result of divine judgment. With this passage read Jeremish 4:23-26, and Isaiah 24:1. In the words of another we may add: “The face of the earth bears everywhere the marks of such a catastrophe. There are not wanting intimations which connect it with a previous testing and fall of angels. See Ezekiel 28:12-15 and Isaiah 14:9-14, which certainly go beyond the kings of Tyre and Babylon.” (Schofield Reference Bible: Note fi. 3; see also pp. 726 and 871).
As often in the prophetic writings what is said in these passages has a scope embracing much more than is immediately contemplated. Many of the expressions in Ezekiel 28:12-15 are incapable of full application to any mere man. There is no doubt that the addresses to the Prince and the King of Tyrus have a threefold bearing: first they describe to us Satan the inspirer and unseen ruler of all such pomp and pride as that of Tyre and other successive world powers; secondly, they apply to the then reigning ruler as Satan’s tool (more particularly perhaps verses 1 to 10 addressed to the Prince); and thirdly, they look on to the terrible development of this character of evil in the last days before Christ’s public return.
Ezekiel 28:17 should be read with 1 Timothy 3:6: pride was the condemnation, or more correctly translated, the fault of the devil. Here we get sin in its inception, manifested in the “I will” of Lucifer, day star (Isa. 14:9-14) who can be no other than Satan. There are many passages which lead us to the conclusion that in bygone ages Satan was set in a place of great dignity, and that that dignity, though he has fallen by sin, still attaches to him in measure according to the permit of God in the working out of His ways. Thus see Jude 8-9.
Eternal Punishment
“Anxious.” — Your inquiry runs “would God our Father who is merciful commit anyone to eternal punishment for wrongdoing;” and your letter passes on to the question of whether there is or is not “a sort of purgatory where we purify after death to fit us for heaven.”
The witness of the Scriptures to the dread reality of eternal punishment is plain and direct. It is impossible for anyone who honestly and implicitly accepts the Bible as the Inspired Word of God to doubt the fact of judgment being “eternal” (Heb. 6:2). The same word is used to describe the duration of the punishment of the wicked as is used to describe the duration of the blessing of the just (Matt. 25:46; and note here that the two words used in the verse, “everlasting” and “eternal,” are both the same in the original); the same word is used moreover as to the very existence of God Himself (Rom. 16:26).
God has only one measure of judgment for sin, and that is infinite. Sin is rebellion against God, hence it is infinite in its character, and judgment against it must be infinite.
For the believer that infinite judgment has been exhausted in an infinite Sacrifice, but he who rejects the free offer of mercy and pardon on the basis of that infinite Sacrifice must himself, as the only possible alternative in the righteous ways of God, come under the weight of eternal judgment.
As to the last question, the idea proceeds on the assumption that punishment is reformatory. It is not. The history of Pharoah in the book of Exodus is evidence of how the enmity of man’s heart is unaltered by judgment; stroke after stroke of wrath from God fell upon him; there were apparent momentary repentances, but the instant these judgments were withdrawn the irreconcilable enmity of the sinner’s heart was manifested in renewed rebellion against God. For an awful New Testament example of this truth see Revelation 16:10, 11; “they gnawed their tongues for pain, and blasphemed the God of heaven.”
Sin Which Hath Never Forgiveness
“An enquirer.” — “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: because they said, He hath an unclean spirit” (Mark 3:29, 30).
If this passage is read with the parallel passage in Matthew 12, it will be seen that the Lord had just healed one possessed of a devil, blind and dumb. The people were amazed and said “Is not this the Son of David” but the Pharisees said “This fellow doth not cast out devils but by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils.” This was the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit which hath never forgiveness, as Mark 3:30 distinctly states.
The occasion was unique. The Son of God, who was Israel’s Messiah, was there in the midst of the people, and through Him the grace of God was displayed in delivering power. His mighty works were the witness to them as to who He was, and for the moment the people confessed Him, but the Pharisees, seeing His works, willfully and deliberately charged Him with being in league with Beelzebub. This was no passing thought, causing them poignant grief afterward, but their deliberate verdict after having weighed the evidence; and it proved the intensity of their hatred of Him. There was no mixture of the failure of the sinful creature in anything that the Lord did: in Him everything was absolutely perfect, and altogether of God; and yet they attributed that which was altogether of God, the manifest working of the Spirit of God, to the Devil; and that which was purely good they called unmixed evil. There was no other test for them: their doom was sealed by their own attitude towards the only One who could have saved them; and they manifested in this way an utterly reprobate state that would not bow to receive forgiveness.
Strictly speaking the commission of such a sin is impossible today, though the deliberate and final choice of evil in the known presence of good entails now, as always, consequences which are eternal and irrevocable. It was by words, not acts or thoughts, this sin was committed: certainly those of whom “Enquirer” writes “into whose minds blasphemous, thoughts have entered, unbidden and hated” have not committed it: their very grief because of these thoughts, which they hate, and which are attacks of the evil one, are proof of this. Let all such be assured that the grace of God is free and boundless. He will eternally forgive all who turn to Him in repentance. The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth from all sin (1 John 1:7).
“A Little While”
Miss. T. — Replying to your inquiry for copies in leaflet form of this hymn, which appeared in our April issue, we have to intimate that copies (music and words) can now be had at 6d. per dozen from the office of this paper, 12, Paternoster Row, London, E.C.
China
The following is an extract from a communication just to hand from a missionary in China: —
“Some kind friend sent me a March copy of Scripture Truth’ this week, and I shall be grateful if January and February copies can be sent and the remaining copies for this year... you may have a distribution fund.
“It is sad, very sad indeed, to find even in the China Mission field so much teaching that is not Scriptural. We have quite a little ‘modern Theology’ here, and you will be doing good service in helping those who stand up for the Bible, the Word of God.”
This request is being attended to; but we print the extract for the sake of half-a-dozen words in it: “You may have a distribution fund.” Well, we have not; but we think we should these are days of terrible departure on every hand, and there is not a question as to the need of spreading sound Christ-honoring teaching to the utmost limits of our power, or of strengthening the hands of those of our brethren and sisters in Christ who are standing for the truth, often in most difficult circumstances.
We propose, therefore, to commence such a fund forthwith; and as we prefer for several reasons to keep the working of the fund separate altogether from the editorial conduct of this magazine, we have secured the kind consent of our brother in Christ, D. R. Huntley, of Stocksfield-on-Tyne, to undertake the management of the same.
Contributions may be sent to Mr. Huntley at his address given below, and will be duly acknowledged by him jointly with a colleague whose name and address will be published next month, and moneys thus received will be applied to the free distribution of monthly copies of “Scripture Truth,” principally to Christian workers in the foreign mission field.
Some hundreds of copies at least are being sent abroad in this way already by friends known to us, to whom we have supplied names and addresses of missionaries in distant lands (and letters of appreciation are being received from such); but we have the addresses of many hundreds of others to whom we long to supply copies.
Oft-times too we may remark a single copy reaches many workers: thus in a letter to hand from Egypt the writer says: “It is with much pleasure that I have received the second copy of “Scripture Truth” which you have so kindly sent to me. Please accept my hearty thanks for the same. It is being read with interest and profit by our little band lien-e-for we realize how necessary it is to hold closely to the Scripture of Truth in these days when so many of God’s children are being led into error.
“We are holding the fort here in a dark and difficult field, for the darkness and fanaticism of Mohammedanism is hard to break down, and how hardly are men saved from its power; and were we not assured that God’s Word shall not return unto Him void we should often faint and be discouraged, but we know that the gospel must triumph. To this end pray for us that the Word of God may have free course, and God be glorified in the conversion of men and women, and in us His representatives.
“With hearty thanks, and praying that much blessing may result from the publication of Scripture Truth.’”
Address to which contributions to “Scripture Truth Free Distribution Fund” may be sent D. R. Huntley, New Ridley, Stocksfield-on-Tyne, England.
Along with our practical aid in this direction, may we not also pray with increasing fervency to God: “O send out Thy light and Thy truth.”
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“Go quickly.” Not with angel
hosts the glad commission lies:
‘Tis thine the blessed news to bear.
Redeemed lips His love declare,
A joy which angels may not share,
The work is thine! Arise!
“Go quickly,” urgent is the call, it will not brook delay;
Go forth with loyal heart and brave,
Go win the souls He died to save,
Go tell them of the empty grave;
Go speed thee in thy way,
Happy who so Christ’s word convey,
That He may meet them on their way.
“Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14).