Ques. 146. Please explain Mark 9:43; Luke 9:24; Deut. 13:6-9. M. L. E.
Ans. Mark 9:43. The Lord tells them to let nothing be spared if it stands in the way of their eternal life. If it costs a hand, a foot, an eye, or anything as dear, it is better to be maimed or halt or half blind, than to go into eternal fire.
Luke 9:24 is in view of Christ's rejection. The follower must take up his cross daily. There is no profit in gaining the whole world for a moment, and then be lost for eternity. It is giving up life now in the world for eternal blessing; or saving it now, but soon to have eternal misery.
Deut. 13:6-9 is part of a subject that showed how jealous Jehovah was over Israel, lest idolatry should take their hearts from Him. They must judge the idolater.
This illustrates for us, that no teacher (1-5), nor relative, however dear (6-9), nor company of associates, is to be allowed to come between our souls and the Lord. If they are false to Christ we cannot have fellowship with them, without being untrue to Him who has bought us at the cost of His own life. How keen the enemy is to ensnare our souls, is seen in that chapter. (Also 1 John 5:21.)
Ques. 147. Please explain James 5:7, "The early and latter rain." W. W. H.
Ans. It is God that giveth the increase. The husbandman plowed and planted and cultivated, then waited with patience for the precious fruit of the earth; the rains give the increase.
Jehovah promised these rains if the Israelites were obedient (Deut. 11:13, 14), but because of their wickedness the rains were withheld. (Jer. 3:3; 5:24.) On Israel's repentance they are encouraged to expect these rains again. Hos. 5:15; 6:1-3; also Joel 2:23-32, and Zech. 10:1, connect the fulfillment with the "Day of the Lord" when Israel is restored. James 1:1 has Israel in view, and so looks on to the coming of the Lord for their blessing. The Christian waits to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thess. 4:15-17.) He looks for no signs.
On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came. (Acts 2:33.) He formed the House of God of those one hundred and twenty, and baptized them into one body. (1 Cor. 12:13.) The Holy Ghost came then, and never went away again. He is here still dwelling in every saved one, and also in the House of God. Since then every one that believed the gospel of his salvation, has been added to that one body. The baptism of the Spirit took place then, and can never be repeated. Christ is not said to have been baptized with the Holy Ghost, nor is any individual. It reads, "By one Spirit are WE all baptized into one body.' Individuals are sealed, and so added to the body formed at Pentecost. The Gentiles are also included in this action of the Spirit. (Acts 11:15, 16.)
Joel's prophecy (2:28-32) was not fulfilled at Pentecost. but will be, to usher in the Day of the Lord, for Israel's deliverance. Peter quoted it to show that what was happening was not from men drunk with new wine, but like what Joel spoke of.
The Church is not waiting for the kingdom with blessings on the earth, but for the coming of the Lord to meet us in the air-not on the earth. (1 Thess. 4:15-17.)
The woman m Rev. 12 is Israel, of whom Christ, the man child, came.
We are now in the last days. (2 Tim. 3). In subjection to God's Word increases. Paul said by the Spirit, women were to keep silence in the assembly (1 Cor. 14:34), and adds (verse 37), "Are the commandments of the Lord." (See also 1 Tim. 2:11, 12.) They take off their hats, yet the Spirit says, women should have their heads covered. (1 Cor. 11:5, 6, 10, 13.)
Speaking with tongues is mentioned three times in Acts. The hundred and twenty spake with tongues, and were understood. The converts did not speak with tongue's as far as we know, The Samaritans did not, nor the Eunuch, nor Saul when he received the Spirit. The Gentiles in Acts 10:46, did, to confirm Peter and those with him, in admitting the Gentiles into the House of God. But notice, they magnified God; it was intelligent, not jabbering. Acts 19 is the other place, and there they prophesied, again it was intelligent, giving out the mind of God.
The gift of tongues is different in 1 Cor. 14. Directions are given that such a gift is not to be used in the assembly, except some one can interpret. (Verse 28.) The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. But this new, so-called speaking in an unknown tongue, comes on those who have given themselves up to it when in their families or alone, when it can have no meaning, and some say they cannot help it. What power is behind such ways?
In Acts 2:22, God bore witness to Jesus, with power, and signs, and wonders; but we find in 2 Thess. 2:9, that one is coming after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders. God's signs were at the beginning; Satan's signs are at the end. And the mystery of iniquity is working already, even now are there many antichrists. (1 John 2:18.) There is a demon or evil spirit behind every evil doctrine, giving it power in men's souls to hold them enthralled. (1 John 4:1-3.) Our only safety is to act on the Word of God. "Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." (2 Tim. 2:19.)