47. “Χ. Α. Ζ.” “There is a sin unto death,” are the words of divine truth; by which we understand such a character of moral evil as God can only deal with governmentally by visiting the person with death. Some persons are dealt with by sickness, and weakness, but others are removed by death. Hence we read, “For this cause [improper conduct concerning the Lord’s Supper] many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” (1 Cor. 11:3030For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (1 Corinthians 11:30).) The sin of lying unto God by Ananias and Sapphira, was visited by God with death.
With regard to the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost in Matt. 12:31, 3231Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. (Matthew 12:31‑32), our Lord was there replying to the wicked Pharisees, who had charged Him with casting out devils by Satanic power. It showed the apostate condition of the people thus to blaspheme against, and refuse the Holy Ghost. They rejected God. They would not be forgiven, neither in that age, nor the coming one.
As to your third question on Matt. 16:2828Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. (Matthew 16:28)? we ask, Did not those who after six days, beheld Jesus transfigured before them as in Matt. 17:1-51And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:1‑5), see a beautiful sample of the coming kingdom? To this, doubtless, our Lord referred when He said, “There be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”
48. “K. P., Aberdeenshire.” It is clear that after Egypt has been smitten by Jehovah, He will heal, and bless, according to the word of the prophet, “Whom Jehovah of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.” No wonder then that it is added that, “In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar in the border thereof to Jehovah: and it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto Jehovah of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they shall cry unto Jehovah because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a Savior and a great One, and he shall deliver them.” (Isa. 19) Who this Savior is we are not told; but it is certain that all blessing in store for the nations, as well as for Israel, will be through Abraham’s “seed”—Christ. (See Gen. 12:2, 3; 22:182And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:2‑3)
18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. (Genesis 22:18); Gal. 3:1616Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16).)
As the king of the south (Egypt) has yet to play an important part in reference to the Holy Land, perhaps no circumstance more clearly marks the approach of the day of the Lord than its rapid development during the last twenty years.
“How God was in Christ,” is better known to faith and by the power of the Holy Ghost, than can be described by human language.
49. “A Constant Reader.” A little acquaintance with the inspired epistles will be enough to show what care was manifested in the apostles’ days as to receiving into “fellowship.” When a christian woman was going from Cenchrea to Rome, the apostle of the Gentiles was led by the Holy Ghost, to write words both commendatory and descriptive of her, in order that the saints at Rome might freely and lovingly receive her. “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church at Cenchrea; that ye receive her in the Lord as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you; for she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also.” (Rom. 16:1, 21I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also. (Romans 16:1‑2).) This seems to have been the practice in those days, for allusion is made elsewhere to letters of commendation. (2 Cor. 3:11Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? (2 Corinthians 3:1).) Moreover, the many exhortations to saints to “love as brethren,” “love not the world,” to “come out from among them [unbelievers] and be separate;” to “turn away” from those “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” to “purge” from vessels to dishonor, and such like scriptures, plainly show what care was taken to be separate from evil-doers. But for this godly care, and desire for the Lord’s glory, dependence and spiritual discernment are necessary, as well as walking obediently to the will of God ourselves, for the Lord will be with those who are thus honoring Him.
It is also clear from scripture that the responsibility of receiving at the Lord’s table, and also of putting away, does not rest with any individual, but with the assembly. It is however plain that those already gathered together to the name of the Lord Jesus, in the membership of the one body, must be informed of those who desire fellowship, and have opportunity of considering each case before the Lord, for how otherwise could they in faithfulness to the Lord act as to their being received? Again, as to excluding, the assembly must have proof of the sin and its character, for how otherwise could they put away from among themselves the wicked person? (Rom. 15:77Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. (Romans 15:7); 1 Cor. 5)
It is well when saints are truly exercised, both about receiving and excluding, as to pleasing Him who is “holy and true;” but we are persuaded this will not be so, if personal intercourse and communion with our Lord Jesus are neglected.