6. “J. Η.,” Ferniehirst. The Passover, Red Sea, and the Jordan, present the death of Christ in three distinct and deeply important aspects. The passover shows the death of Christ as the Lamb whose blood shelters us from the divine judgment due to us. They were still in Egypt, but safely sheltered by the blood. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”
The Red Sea was deliverance out of Egypt: they came out through the water, figure of death, from the whole power of Pharaoh. Thus through death we are brought out from this world, and—delivered from the power of him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. (See Heb. 2:1414Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14).)
The passage of the Jordan brought them into the land. Thus in the Passover we see how Christ died for us, to shelter us from righteous judgment. At the Red Sea how we are dead and buried with Him, and thus have a new life, are delivered from the old master, no longer his slaves, though in the wilderness. Read Rom. 6:1-111What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:1‑11). The Jordan not only shows in type our deliverance from sin, and Satan by death, but also our death and resurrection in Christ. As we get in Col. 2:1212Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12), and Eph. 1; 2, when the ark came up out of Jordan, all Israel were then raised out of Jordan, and in the land. Christ was that ark in death. God “hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in him.” Briefly then, the Passover is Christ’s death for us; the Red Sea, our death with Him; the Jordan, our death and resurrection in Him.
The Lord be praised for all you tell us of His grace in using this little magazine, and other tracts.
7. “H.,” Southend. We judge it would not be for profit to our readers generally to pursue farther the points of your letter.
8. “A. B.,” Dublin. The world will adopt the mixture of “religious subjects” as you say, with their carnal amusements, because they find the association of the name of Christ with them not only promotes success, but accredits before mean much that is evil. The child of God is called not to improve the world, which is under judgment, but to a path of separation; “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.” (2 Cor. 6:1717Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:17).)
9. “G.,” Kingston-on-Thames. We are called unto holiness, and to do all to the glory of God, as well as to “provide things honest in the sight of all men.” We could not express a judgment on the case to which you refer; but certainly a Christian should not connive at wickedness in another, and in this way be “partaker of other men’s sins.” Does such conduct suit Him who is “holy” and “true”?
10. Saline, We have in scripture, 1St, “The same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world;” under this head may be included temptations of Satan, and also what you term the natural decay of the body, &c. 2nd, We find bodily sufferings for Christ’s sake. Paul called the chains about his legs his “bonds in Christ;” his stripes from cruel scourgings, “the marks of the Lord Jesus:” and he writes of Epaphroditus as being for “the work of Christ” “sick nigh unto death.” 3rd. We read of direct chastisements from the Lord. “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten.” “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” An exercised state of soul before the Lord, in the consciousness of all things being naked and open before Him, alone will enable us to learn His mind, and rightly to hear His voice in all our afflictions.
11. “R.,” Southampton. We understand the scripture “Children, obey your parents” to be the words of the Holy Ghost to all saints who have living parents, whether they are converted or not. It is important to observe that it is added ‘4 in the Lord,” and then “Honor thy father and mother.” Thus the christian child is not only to obey his parents in everything they desire, but to honor them, except when parents wish the child to do what would be displeasing to the Lord; then the Lord’s superior claims must be owned. In so doing they could not obey their parents “in the Lord.” We deeply sympathize with christian children who have such wicked parents as you state; but, looking much to the Lord, they will prove the sufficiency of His grace, find His delivering power come in, and gather up deeply profitable lessons which could not otherwise be learned. Let such, however, not expect to be able to stand true to the Lord, and to act for His glory in such a trying path, without constantly leaning on the Lord for strength, and wisdom, and grace. In this and similar trials, many a child of God has been comforted in owning the necessity for such a trial in the Father’s government of His children, and in hearing Him say, “If need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.”
12. “Yr.” The responsibility for gospel ministry is with those who have received the gift of “evangelists” from the ascended Christ. The Holy Ghost (not the assembly) guides and controls such individually in their labors, as we find in Acts 13:2; 16:5-102As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:2)
5And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. 6Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. (Acts 16:5‑10). It is the privilege of saints around to comfort and sustain such by their prayers and faith, and, if need be, to minister to their temporal support; saints will also judge any unsound doctrine propounded, or unspiritual ways practiced by them. But in this, and everything else, we must be before the Lord, exercised before Him, and drawing grace and strength from Him, for He truly said “without me ye can do nothing.” If this be wanting, Christ will not have His rightful place given Him, and then nothing can go on profitably or happily. We judge that no servant of Christ will press himself among those, who, from any cause, are not willing to receive his ministry, but will own the government of the Lord, and look to Him to open a door elsewhere; and such, we believe, will generally find that He leads into a path of blessing.
13. “A Constant Reader,” Westminster Bridge Road. Who are the saints that will be caught up? This is a very solemn question, but we think one clearly answered in the word. As to those who sleep, “They that are Christ’s at his coming.” All that are Christ’s then will be raised from among the dead. (1 Cor. 15:2323But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23); 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 1615For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑16).) “Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Momentous question! Will the reader and writer be caught up? It is clear from the parable of the ten virgins that such as have merely the lamp of profession, will be shut out, or left behind. Yes, it is even possible that some who read these lines may be shut out and cry, Lord, Lord! when, alas, it will be forever too late! Everyone who has passed from death unto life, from his lost state in Adam to his eternally saved position and standing in Christ Jesus, all, all such will surely be caught up. Old Testament saints too will be raised and caught up, but will not form part of the body. When they sit around the throne, it will not be as the body, but as four and twenty elders. This seems to imply the Old Testament saints are there. (Rev. 4) There will be many in heaven besides the wife of the Lamb who hath made herself ready. (Rev. 19:66And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6).)
14. “A. E. L.” The fact of the church on earth having been unfaithful to the Lord as His corporate witness, and now in ruins, is no reason for any child of God disallowing the absolute authority of the written word. The path of a godly woman is clearly laid down in scripture, and that her general deportment should be modest, retiring, and subject, having the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which, in the sight of God, is of great price. “Let the woman,” said the apostle Paul, “learn in silence, with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” (1 Tim. 2:11, 1211Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:11‑12).) We are further instructed on this point, “Let your women keep silence in the churches [assemblies]; for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in the church [assembly.”] (1 Cor. 14:34-3534Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 14:34‑35).)