Question: Please explain why the company in Revelation 7:14 are said to have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Answer: This figurative expression means that they owe all their salvation in common with all other saints to the blood of the Lamb. This company form the Gentile inhabitants of the millennial earth, and are doubtless the same as the “sheep” of Matthew 25.
Question: Please say what is meant by following Christ, and what is the difference between suffering for Christ’s sake and for righteousness’ sake.
Answer: Treading in His footsteps as recorded in the four evangelists. Suffering for righteousness’ sake is spoken of in Matthew 5:10 and 1 Peter 3:14, suffering for Christ’s sake in Matthew 5:11 and 1 Peter 4:13. The former is connected with the light of God shining on the conscience, the latter with the love of Christ attracting the heart. Hence I suffer for righteousness when I act in daily life according to the divine standard of truth and rectitude; I suffer for Christ when I follow Him in a path of trial and rejection.
Question: Please explain Luke 13:24.
Answer: “Strait” of course means narrow, and is in contrast with the broad way. Many will seek to enter in when it is too late (vv. 25-27). It is not only necessary to come, but to come in time.
Question: Please explain the difference between Matthew 23:9 and Ephesians 6:2.
Answer: Matthew 23:9 means those that are not naturally your father, as “Father So-and-so.” All these warnings are in a spiritual sense. In no way does this interfere with Ephesians 6:2, any more than Matthew 23:8 clashes with Ephesians 6:5. To confuse spiritual and natural relationships is very dangerous.
Question: Who are the sheep who did not go astray (Matt. 18:13)?
Answer: The Pharisees who “need no repentance,” who said “we see,” and therefore their sin remained, (John 9:41). Observe these are never brought home “rejoicing”, but are left in the wilderness.