Correspondence: Matt. 24:6-7; Gen. 9:6; John 1:9; Phi 3:2

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 6
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W. H. W.
The wars, earthquakes, pestilences, famines. etc, that have taken place or may take place, ever since the destruction of Jerusalem, are not the fulfillment of prophecy. Prophecy centers around Israel and Palestine. God holds the nations in His hand, overruling, that no one of them gain the ascendancy over the rest, till the Roman beast rises again, end that cannot be till the Church is gone from the earth. The beast rises from the bottomless pit (Rev. 17:88The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Revelation 17:8)) and his power is wholly from the Dragon, or Satan (Rev. 13:44And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:4)). While the Church is on earth, He who now restrains will restrain until He be taken out of the way, and then the lawless one can be manifested. (2 Thess. 2:7, 87For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:7‑8).)
The hope of the Church is the coming of the Lord to receive her to Himself (1 Thess. 4:15, 1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:15)
18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18)), and there are no signs given for this, it may take place at any moment. The state of the Church as in 2 Tim., 2 Pet, Jude and Rev. 2 and 3, is our sign, and the conditions mentioned in these different Scriptures are already fulfilled. He may come now. Till He comes, we preach the gospel of the grace of God. The gospel of the kingdom comes afterward for Israel and the Gentiles.
Ques. 114. Will you kindly explain Gen. 9:66Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6): "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man"? A. L. S.
Ans. After the flood the government of the earth was put in the hands of men. Noah was the first governor: the executive power was put into his hands, and ever since, in every country, there have been "powers that be.... ordained of God." (Rom. 13:1-71Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1‑7); 1 Peter 2:13, 1413Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. (1 Peter 2:13‑14).) The Christian is not a citizen of this world. He should not make the laws nor interfere with them, but be subject to them as ordained of God, except where they would come between his conscience and God, being contrary to the Word of God, having to obey God rather than men. (Acts 4:19; 5:2919But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. (Acts 4:19)
29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29).),
Verses 5 and 6 require that a beast or a man that kills a man shall be killed by man.
Capital punishment was thus instituted by God and has not been repealed. It is for Jew, Gentile and Christian alike to be subject, but the Christian, being heavenly, should not interfere with the laws of the land in which he lives.
Ans. The "Word", the Son of God, is the true light, and, coming into this world, shines for every man-both Jew and Gentile. It shows what every man is by nature' It does not mean that every man sees it. The sun shines on blind men, but they do not see it. The light shows out what man is, and "the light was the life of men." It shines for every man so that all may receive the blessing of John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
Ques. 116'. What is the meaning of "the concision" in Phil. 3:22Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. (Philippians 3:2)? M. C.
Ans. "The concision mean those who are trying to improve the flesh by cutting off bad habits. The truth teaches us that the death of Christ is the end of the flesh before God, and that our old man is crucified with Him. (Rom. 6:66Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6).) The circumcision in Phil. 3:33For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3) recognize this. Col. 2:1111In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (Colossians 2:11) means dead with Christ. "The concision" do not know this, but teach the improvement of man without redemption.