47. “L.,” Whitby. Gifts of healing, and other sign gifts, seem to have had their place at the beginning of the church of God on earth as a special testimony to the unconverted. Concerning “tongues,” we are told they were “for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.” (1 Cor. 14:22.) That God should answer the prayer of faith, and heal His sick children, remains true all through this time till the Lord comes. “The prayer of faith shall save the sick,” &c. (Jas. 5:14, 15.) We need not say that “ gifts of healing” were very distinct from this.
That the saved will recognize each other in glory is clearly shown by 1 Thess. 2:19, 20. We should never allow ourselves to indulge in questions on what God has not revealed. How the disciples knew the two men who appeared with the Lord on the mount of transfiguration, we are not told.
48. “A Feeble One.” You will find your question answered in last month’s magazine, in a paper on “The Young Believer’s Difficulties.” We only add, that in the Jewish dispensation there was judgment for willful sins, atonement and forgiveness for sins of ignorance. The epistle being addressed to Hebrews accounts for the use of such language. The willful sin they were in danger of, was giving up Christ and His perfect work, and going back to Judaism; to whom there will be a “much sorer punishment” than was ever known under the law. (Heb. 10:2(5.)
In Luke 17:1, 2, we judge that the “little ones” are those who have believed unto salvation, through grace. They may be young in years, or young in the faith.
49. “A Constant Reader.” The new Jerusalem which came down from God out of heaven, and said to be built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, is evidently a symbolic vision of the church of God—the bride, the Lamb’s wife—during the millennial age. The “pure river of water of life” sets forth the abundant joy and blessing of those who are there. The saints will eat of the “fruit” of the tree of life (Christ), and “the leaves” will be for the healing of the nations; for during the millennium there will be nations on earth.
There is no doubt, from 2 Thess. 2:4, and other scriptures, that the Jewish temple will be built on earth, which may be called Antichrist’s temple. This will be after the Lord has taken up His saints, and before He comes in manifested glory to reign with His saints. There will be also another temple built, according to Eze. 40, which will be the millennial temple.
50. “W. B.,” Pitlochry. Your question as to the scriptural ground, or principle, of gathering demands a much longer article than can be given in this short reply. If we go back to the days of our Lord, we hear Him thus speak: “For where two or three are gathered together in [or to] my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20.) This ground of gathering, gathered to the Lord Himself, remains true to the end. Yes, if but two or three. How much this is forgotten! Where it is understood, there will be the earnest desire to be found in a state suited to His presence, and to do that which is pleasing in His sight. It is certain, from the word, that it is His will that the children of God in this dispensation, or period, should be gathered together in one. This was one thing for which He died. (John 11:52.) It is also certain that this unity should be manifested, and for this He prayed, “that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17)
It is further evident that when Jesus had glorified God by His death on the cross for us, and when God had raised Him from among the dead, and glorified Him, and the Holy Ghost was sent down from heaven to abide with us—the divine representative of Christ on earth; then the children of God were gathered together to the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus the church of God began on earth. Acts 2 “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
From that day we see the church in the New Testament. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free.” &c. (1 Cor. 12:13.) “There is one body, and one Spirit.....One Lord.” (Eph. 4:4.) Such was the church of God, as formed by the Holy Ghost on earth.
All assemblies of Christians on earth formed the one undivided church of God. Such is the true church of God; every Christian on earth united by the Holy Ghost to the Head, the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. We have seen that the will of Christ is, that that unity should be manifested on earth. (John 17)
What is the response of the church on earth? Where is the manifested church on earth in its unity? Division, division, division. Three great divisions, containing more than fifty millions each—the Roman, Greek, and Protestant! For any one of these to talk of being catholic, is knowingly to deceive. None of the lesser sects, we suppose, would pretend to this.
Do we learn from the word why divisions are permitted, since they are condemned in the word so strongly? We do. “For there must be also heresies [schisms] among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” (1 Cor. 11:19.) This is a scripture of vast importance to guide us, whether as to the general divided state of Christendom, or any particular division that may grieve the children of God. In the midst of all the sad Christ-dishonoring divisions of this our day, think of these words— “that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” This will surely be the case. The Lord will show to such as are subject to His word, and only desire to please Him, who and where they are whom He approves. And thus they will have the unspeakable privilege, even in all the confusion of the last days, to “Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Read carefully 2 Tim. 2:19-22. It will be found that those who cause divisions never follow these. Thus, if we look to the Lord, He makes all plain and straight for our feet. Let us not look out for the bad, but for whom the Lord approves, and seek with them to call on the Lord out of a pure heart; at the same time, remembering in faith and charity and peace, that all Christians on earth form the one body of Christ, and are responsible to manifest this unity to the world.