Ques. Should there ever be prayer when there is not faith for the answer?
Ans. Decidedly, though such prayer is not of the highest order. Still Phil. 4:6 is clear; "in everything" that is, I am entitled to carry straight to God whatever burdens my heart. The point in Philippians is not the prayer being answered, which may or may not be the case, but the relief of a burdened heart in casting its care on God.
Ques. What is the purpose of the book of Jonah?
Ans. The book of Jonah is, at once, historical, prophetic, and typical. We have the history of the prophet's actings, a prophecy of the overthrow of Nineveh, and a type of the death of Christ. It is a most precious compendium of the very finest moral principles.
Ques. Will the Old Testament saints be raised when the Lord comes? Are they part of the bride, or what is to be their portion?
Ans. No doubt the Old Testament saints will be raised from among the dead at the coming of the Lord-"they that are Christ's at His coming." A multitude of the servants of God are called to the marriage-supper of the Lamb; and they are blessed, but still distinct from the bride. They rejoice because she hath made herself ready (Rev. 19:5-9). The promises to the one are connected with the land, the earth (Gen. 12:3; 13:14-17). The predestined glory of the Church is heavenly in Christ (Eph. 1; Col. 1).
Ques. Is it right for a Christian to marry an unsaved person?
Ans. We believe it to be a fatal step for any one to marry an unconverted person, and a melancholy proof that the heart has departed from the Lord, and that the conscience has slipped from beneath the light and authority of God's Word. It is amazing how the devil succeeds in casting dust into people's eyes, in this matter.
He leads them to believe that they will be made a blessing to the unconverted partner-a lamentable delusion! How can we possibly expect blessing upon a flagrant act of disobedience? How can I, by going wrong, hope to set another right?
But it not unfrequently happens that a person, when bent on taking an unconverted partner, deceives himself into the belief that the one in question is converted. He affects to be satisfied with evidences of conversion which, under other circumstances, would utterly fail to command his confidence. The will is at work. He is determined to have his own way, and then, when too late, he discovers his solemn mistake.
“Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" (or an unbeliever) 2 Cor. 6:14,15.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6:7.