Ques. Does the word "church" always mean the same people? N. I. F.
Ans. The word "church" means "assembly." It has two distinct aspects. The one is called the "house of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Tim. 3:15)
The other is "the church which is His body," the fullness of Him who filleth all in all. The first is put into man's responsibility, so failure and corruption have come into it. (1 Cor. 3:10-17; Eph. 4:5; 1 Peter 4:17, and many other passages.)
The second depends on God, and is built by the Holy Spirit, so none but saved ones are in it. Such verses as Math. 16:18; 1 Cor. 12:12, 13; Rom. 12:4, 5; Eph. 4:4; 5:25, apply to it. All who are saved shall be caught up to lie forever with the Lord. (1 Thess. 4:15-16.) All who are only professors, without the new life, shall be left behind, forever lost.
Ques. What does "Elect" mean? Who are "the Elect" in Scripture? A. F. K.
Ans. "Elect" means "chosen." In Isa. 42:1 and Math. 12:18 the Lord Himself is the chosen one of God, God's Beloved Son. In Math. 24:31, it is the elect nation of Israel, chosen out of the nations to be a peculiar treasure unto Jehovah above all people. (Exo. 19:5.)
In 1 Tim. 5:21 we have the elect angels also. There we have the "elect" of the present time, those who compose the Church. (Eph. 1:4; Col. 3:12; 2 Thess. 2:13; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:2.) This is the Treasure and the Pearl of Math. 13:44, 45. Election is the choosing of the persons; predestination is to the place or position of relationship they are to fill.
Ques.. What is the difference between those in Rev. 7:14, and of those converted in this present period? E. G.
Ans. They and we are both saved through the death and blood-shedding of our Lord Jesus. They are saved through believing the gospel of the Kingdom. (Psa. 2:12.) We are saved through believing the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24.). We are saved, and shall reign with Christ in heavenly glory. They are saved, and will be some of God's people on earth; they are saved Gentiles. The Church, though composed of Jews and Gentiles; are now neither Jew nor Gentile, but Church of God. (1 Cor. 10:32.) These faithful Gentiles have won a place as servants of God in His temple on earth, and their blessings are on earth.
The Church, and all the saints who pass through death from first to last, will reign with Christ, the Lord, in heavenly glory.
Ques. Math. 12:30, and Luke 11:23, and Mark 9:40. To what does each refer? E. G.
Ans. Read the context, and you will see that Math. 12:30 and Luke 11:23 both refer to those who were saying of Him, It is by Beelzebub, the prince of devils, that Jesus cast out devils. The Lord traces this to the deep malice of their wicked hearts.
In Mark 9:40 John said, "We saw one casting out devils in Thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbade him. because he followeth not us." The disciples were jealous of their own importance, but Jesus said, "Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in My name, that can lightly speak evil of Me. For he that is not against us is on our part." There is he opposition in true service for Christ, and each one who serves Him will be rewarded. (Verse 41.)