1. “Η.,” near Wigan. We believe that the glory of God should be the governing motive of our hearts. If this be not so, self in some form or other will take its place. We are enjoined in scripture to “do all to the glory of God.” Even in the case you name, how could a christian servant be acting for the glory of God if only seeking an “easy and comfortable situation,” to the neglect of the Lord’s Table, and fellowship with the Lord’s people? Is it surprising, under such circumstances, that any should get into a “low condition of soul”? Your letter has interested us much; and while we thank God for the exercise of soul you are brought into before Him, we beseech you to wait on and for Him to deliver you, and lead you into a plain path. This He will assuredly do according to His own word, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” With God there are no difficulties. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6.33.)
2. “L.,” Port Glasgow. We do not at present think of pursuing the subject further.
3. “J. C,” Gloucestershire. There is no difficulty in the use of the word translated “church” in Acts 7:3838This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: (Acts 7:38), when we remember the simple meaning of the word is “assembly,” as may be seen in Acts 19:32, 39, 4132Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. (Acts 19:32)
39But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. (Acts 19:39)
41And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. (Acts 19:41). It is the same word in each case. But “the assembly which is his body” could not have existed, before Christ, as man, ascended up on high, was given to be Head. (Eph. 1:22, 2322And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23).) There was an assembly truly in the wilderness, the nation of Israel. But Jesus had not yet died to gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. And when Jesus was on earth, He distinctly spoke of His assembly as a future thing. (Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18).) The assembly, His body, had not then been revealed. (Eph. 3)
The 144,000 do not appear to be Christians at all. The christian period closes at the end of Revelation 3— “The things which are.” (Chap. 1:19.) In chapter 4 we come to the things which shall be after these things; after therefore the translation of the saints as revealed to Paul. (1 Thess. 4) The opening of the seals then in chapter 6 must be after the translation of the saints; and also the sealing of the 144,000, not Christians, but from the tribes of Israel; sealed for future blessing on the earth, but no intimation that either they, or the innumerable company, will form part of the assembly, His body.
The 144,000 in Rev. 14 contrast with those who worship the beast. (Chap, 8) They hear and learn the heavenly song which is sung before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders. This proves the present period of Christianity had closed; for the elders take their seats after the present things have closed. (Rev. 4:1, 41After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. (Revelation 4:1)
4And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Revelation 4:4).) It is a most precious scripture, and shows how God will have this blessed and holy remnant, even when the earth seems entirely given up for a short moment to the dragon, to the beast, and to Antichrist. Oh, the riches of His grace!
Instead then of the 144,000 being caught up, there is no evidence that they form part of the translation at all, but are a blessed first-fruit remnant during the days of tribulation and unparalleled evil.
4. “N.,” Truro. It is unaccountable that anyone who is horn again should assert, as, you say, that “we are only adopted into the family, children by adoption only, and then, if we did not behave ourselves, cut off from the family, and have lost all benefits—meaning have lost eternal life.” It shows how little persons gather their thoughts from scripture. We know nothing like it in the word of God. The truth is exactly the contrary. It is that we are born again—children of God—but are not yet adopted; that we have received the Spirit of adoption, but wait for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Being born again, born of God, we have a new nature—that which is born of the Spirit is spirit—a new and everlasting relationship is formed by birth, and, because of this, the Holy Ghost is given to indwell us, and to abide with us forever. Thus we have the consciousness of this new relationship, and have feelings suited to it “crying, Abba, Father.” (Read prayerfully John 1:12, 1312But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12‑13); Rom. 8:15, 1615For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:15‑16); Gal. 4:66And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6).)
5. “R. B.,” Wreningham. Your difficulty arises from not observing the distinction between propitiation and substitution. The two goats on the day of atonement illustrate this distinction. Their both doubtless point to the one sacrifice of Christ. The one as the propitiation for the world; the other as the substitute of those whose sins He bore. These distinct aspects of His death should never be confounded. In scripture they are always distinct. The death of the Lord Jesus glorified God, and maintained His throne in righteousness in proclaiming mercy to all. (Rom. 3:2222Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22).) But those spoken of who believe God—“on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” they (not the world) are declared to be accounted righteous before God “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” All this is strictly limited to those who believe God. The scripture never speaks of Jesus as the substitute of the world. It does not say He died for their sins, or that He was raised again for their-justification. He is the substitute of His people. (Isa. 53:5, 11, 125But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:11‑12); Rom. 4:24, 2524But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:24‑25); Heb. 9:2828So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28).) “Once offered to bear the sins of many,” not all. Otherwise all must be saved. He is the propitiation or mercy-seat for the world. (1 John 2:22And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2).) Notice in this text the words “the sins of” are in italics, and have been added. (Compare 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); Acts 10:43; 13:3843To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)
38Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (Acts 13:38), and many other passages.) Both things are equally true. Mercy in righteousness to all; and the substitute of God’s people.
To speak of universal redemption is simply to forget what redemption is. Can an unconverted man say, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace?” Universal redemption would give unbounded license to sin. Just think, an unconverted man living in sin, having redemption, and the sins he is living in all forgiven Γ Surely men go on without thinking of the errors they hold and propagate. We are thankful to hear you are inquiring what is truth. A few days ago we met an intelligent man, who had been, after many years preaching to others, awakened to diligently search the scriptures. We were greatly struck with his remark, “I have found ninety-nine things out of the hundred I have held, to be contrary to the word of God.” May our blessed Lord by His Spirit guide us into all truth.