Correspondence: Heb. 13:9, 1:14; Rev. 3:5; 1 Jo. 2:28; Matt. 20; 1 John 2:18

From: Young Christian: Volume 24, 1934

• 2 min. read • grade level: 8

Question: What are we to understand by Hebrews 13:9⁹Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. (Hebrews 13:9), “For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace”?

Answer: “Grace” sees all good to be of God, and found in the second Man. “Meats” still looks for something from the first man works, doings, ordinances. Grace establishes the soul “meats” make a place for man and contribute to bondage. For an explanation of the principle referred to by the expression “meats” see Rom. 14:14-15¹⁴I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. ¹⁵But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (Romans 14:14‑15); 1 Tim. 4:3³Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:3).

Question: Does every person who will be saved, as well as those who have been saved, have an angel to guard them? (Heb. 1:14¹⁴Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)).

Answer: Scripture does not speak of “a” guardian angel, but of the fact that they are serving spirits for the good and blessing of the heirs of salvation.

Question: What is the Book of Life? How do persons have their names entered if they can be blotted out? (Rev. 3:5⁵He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5)).

Answer: Revelation 3:5⁵He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5) refers to Sardis or the period of “State Churches” where baptized professors are formally unregistered as Christians in the State Church Rolls. Such records supposedly represent the roll of the redeemed, but “that day” may declare many a one “blotted out.” God’s “book of life” (Phil. 4:3³And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlaborers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:3)), knows no erasures. (John 10:28, 29²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:28‑29)).

Question: Will some Christians feel ashamed of themselves when they meet Christ? (1 John 2:28²⁸And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)).

Answer: The “shame” of 1 John 2:28²⁸And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28) is that of the apostle not of the believer. If they turned out badly it would reflect on the workmanship of the Apostle. (See 1 Cor. 3:10-15¹⁰According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. ¹¹For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹²Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; ¹³Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. ¹⁴If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ¹⁵If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:10‑15)).

Question: Does the parable of the laborers, Matthew 20, show the grace of God to sinners at whatever time they are saved?

Answer: The parable of the laborers, in Matthew 20, does not apply to the salvation of sinners at all. It applies to Christian service, which shall be rewarded, not according to our thoughts of its value, but according to the Master’s sovereign will and pleasure. A very wholesome truth.

Question: What is meant by “the Antichrist,” and “many antichrists”? (1 John 2:18¹⁸Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (1 John 2:18)).

Answer: “The Antichrist” is the man who will be over the Jews as king in the tribulation. He is pictured (Rev. 13:11¹¹And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. (Revelation 13:11)) as coming out of the earth – the order brought about by the first beast (vs. 1). He is like a lamb, but his voice is a dragon’s. This is future – these two beasts cannot rise till the Church is in glory.

The “many antichrists” are those now who deny the work of atonement, and the Person of God’s beloved Son. This includes Unitarians, higher critics, Seventh Day Adventists, Russellites, Spiritists, and all who deny either the deity, or spotless humanity of the Son of God.

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