Note: We regret the error in the correspondence column for May, page 140. The Question should have read,
“Will children of irresponsible age whose parents are unsaved be taken at the Lord's coming?”
Ques. Please explain Dan. 3:25.
Ans. In the Old Testament the Lord appeared at times in different forms. In Gen. 18, He is a way faring man communing with Abraham the pilgrim. In Josh. 5, He appears as Captain of the Lord's host, giving instructions how to take Jericho. In this chapter He is a companion in tribulation, and a deliverer, while in it, from its power. The fire killed the men that put these three men into it, but over them it had no power. It took the cords off their limbs, and put them in the company of one like to the Son of God. Nebuchadnezzar did not know the Son of God. (It is literally "a son of the gods.) But how happy a place it was to be in. Was it not? They might be afraid before they were thrown in, but it was delightful to be in the presence of the Lord Himself (Nah. 1:7).
Ques. What is taught by the Seven Churches? What is the "Synagogue of Satan?" (Rev. 2:9; 3:9).
Ans. Seven is the number of spiritual completeness. Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation give us a complete picture of the spiritual state or condition of the Church as the Lord's witness here on earth from the time John wrote, till its end when Christ comes to claim His own out of it. The chief mark of each we might say: Ephesus, declension; Smyrna, persecution or suffering for Christ; Pergamos, worldliness; Thyatira, seeking worldly power; Sardis, formal religion; Philadelphia, revival of the truth of Christ's person and coming; Laodicea, indifference to the claims of Christ. The last four run on concurrently till the end. May the Lord keep our hearts true to Himself.
“The Synagogue of Satan" is spoken of in the two phases of the assembly where no fault is found with them. It is there traditional religion opposes the truth, they "say they are Jews"-the people of God-but "they do lie." They try to improve the flesh and to keep the law, and this recognizes good in man, whereas the truth is "in my flesh dwelleth no good thing." Compare for the word "Jew", which means "praise" (Rom. 2:21, 22; Gen. 29:35), those that say they are Jews, praise themselves; they are good in their own eyes.
Ques. What does "looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" mean? (Jude 21.)
Ans. "Eternal life" is seen here at the end of our journey. "Mercy" is needed in such dark days as Jude pictures, to keep us true and faithful to the Lord, when so many who once seemed bright and happy, have turned aside. When we are with the Lord, there will be no danger then of going astray. We shall eat of the tree of life in the paradise of God, and shall be perpetually in the enjoyment of the Eternal life.