Ques. Does not the marginal reading of Gen. 4:13 suggest the idea that Cain was really sorry for his sin? and yet in 5:16 we read that he "went out from the presence of the Lord.”
E. S. G.
Ans. Whatever inference we might draw from Cain's apparent sorrow when he hears of his punishment, it is evident that the sorrow soon passed away, for only in a few verses lower we find him building his city, and making himself thoroughly comfortable away from God.
Ques. Who are the "judge" and the "adversary" spoken of in Luke 12:58, 59? J. G. S.
Ans. God was then pleading with His people by His Son; but if they refused to hear Him, He would judge them. Hence He is both judge and adversary.
Ques. Are we to understand from John 17:12 that Judas was to be lost from the beginning?
T. H.
Ans. We are to understand that he never was saved, but not that he was lost for the purpose of fulfilling Scripture. "That the Scripture might be fulfilled," should be read in parenthesis.
Ques. How can we examine and prove ourselves whether we be in the faith? (2 Cor. 13:5.) If we believe in Christ, is there any doubt of it?
S. P. T.
Ans. Verse 4 is a parenthesis, and the reason they were to examine themselves is given in the first part of verse 3. There was no doubt at all as to their being in the faith, but inasmuch as they were the seals of the apostle's ministry, their being in the faith would he a proof that God had spoken to them by him. He who knows himself to be saved, does not doubt that the message that reached his soul was of God.
Ques. What will God use the New Earth for?
Ans. It will be the habitat of all who are living on the earth at the close of the 9th verse of Rev. 20. All distinction between Jew and Gentile ceases with the introduction of the new earth. "The tabernacle of God is with men," not Jews or Gentiles.
Ques. Will the Church dwell on the New Earth?
Ans. No. The Church is always a heavenly company (Heb. 3:1; Phil. 3:14; 1 Peter 5:10).
Ques. Will the Church be included in "The tabernacle of God is with men?”
Ans. In my judgment, Yes, though I do not say that the meager reference in Rev. 21:3 definitely settles the point.
Ques. (1) Did Christ create the world? ( Col 1:16). (2) Does God, in the Old Testament, mean Father or Son?”
Ans. (1) Yes. In another sense it is also true that God made them by Christ (Heb. 1:2). (2) God, in the Old Testament, means neither Father or Son specially, but the triune God. There is abundant evidence, however, that "LORD," or "Jehovah," means the One whom we know as Christ the Son.