Ques. Kindly explain 1 Tim. 5:9-11. A. D.
Ans. "Widows indeed" (Verse 5) who had no one to care for them, and needed support, could be put on the list for regular help without taking them off the path of faith. Verses 9 and 10 describe their character,
Younger widows and all who needed help, could be helped, but not on a regular sum; it would destroy their faith in God alone.
Ques. Does Acts 13:48 mean that God has planned all who are to be saved, and that He will bring it to pass? G. C.
Ans. It is a blessed thing to know that we are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, and also marked out before hand, that all who believed in Him were to have the place and portion of being God's children (Eph. 1:4, 5). This is what Scripture teaches us after we are saved.
In Rom. 9:22, we find that all the lost are vessels of wrath who have fitted themselves to destruction, so have to blame themselves. And in verse 23, all who are saved, are vessels prepared afore unto glory, and they can praise and thank God for their salvation.
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Whosoever will may come. This if the invitation to the unsaved; the other is the teaching: that follow.
Remember, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.
Ques. Is the Man of Sin in 2 Thess. 2:3, ant the Antichrist in 1 John 2:18 the same person?
W. W. H.
Ans. There are two beasts spoken of in Rev. 13 The first rises out of the sea (of the nations). The second comes out of the earth (that which is already established). The first is the Man of Sin; the second is thy King of the Jews whom he sets on the throne.
At the beginning, the woman in Rev. 17, rides upon the beast (the Roman Kingdom); then the beast destroys her, eats her flesh and burns her with fire-that is he takes all the riches of the Vatican to himself, and destroys all the religion that once bore Christ's name.
The King of the Jews makes an image of the beast, sets it up in the temple at Jerusalem, and orders everyone to worship the beast, so that no religion is allowed but his own,-all must worship him on pain of death. (Rev. 13:15).
By means of miracles: power and signs, and lying wonders, he deludes men on to their doom (2 Thess. 2:9-12).
Satan has managed to dethrone God in the sight of man. He put this before our first parents,-"Ye shall be as gods." It is allowed but for a moment.
This is the Satanic trinity: The Roman Beast, the King of the Jews, and the dragon (Rev. 16:13, 14) Satan's Masterpiece. He imitates God to the end, but his destruction is sure.
The Word, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, with his armies, appear to the utter destruction of these enemies. The beast and the false prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire. The dragon is bound, but not yet put there till Christ's reign is completed, and then he too is cast into the lake of fire, where the beast and the false prophet still are (See Rev. 19:20, and 20:10). There is no annihilation there. "Shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
In Rev. 13:4, "They worshiped the dragon which gave power to the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
This is like all that is of this world, it was short lived, empty boasting.
The judgment will fall on all rebellious boasters.
Ques. What is the Meaning of Matt. 10:37, "He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me"? M. S. L.
Ans. Read from verses 34-39. We find proof in these verses that to confess Christ as our Savior and Lord, often brings bitter persecution from our nearest and dearest relatives. This was seen specially among the Jews. If one confessed Christ, that one was counted outside the family he or she belonged to.
In Matt. 10:37.39, they were warned not to turn their back on the Savior, for, "He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me." The love of Christ in the believer is stronger and above all other loves, dearer than all earthly ties, dearer than life itself. To put self or any other object first, is to fall and lose one's life spiritually.
Ques. Please explain to me the meaning of the unpardonable sin. (Matt. 12:31, 32). M. S. L.
Ans. Read from verse 24. The Pharisees said that the Lord was doing His miracles by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils. The Lord replies, that Satan would not cast out Satan. He sees their wicked hearts at enmity to Him. They were thus blaspheming the Holy Ghost, because they said that Christ had an unclean spirit (Mark 3:29, 30). This is what some call the unpardonable sin, to be forgiven neither in this world, neither in the world to come. "This world" means the time of the law, before Christ died. "The world to come" means' the millennial age or time. The present time is the day of grace, when the gospel is preached to every creature,-To Whosoever Will,