Notes on Former Queries: Vol. 2, 378, Ecc. 5:20

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Ecclesiastes 5:20  •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 12
Q. 378. p. 52. Will the Editor kindly tell us whether F. L. P.’s answer to D. T. C. is right? Why should the overcomers of one church (Laodicea) move into Philadelphia? The four last churches go on to the end, and we to not see that their overcomers move into Philadelphia. Moreover, what does F. L. P. mean about no overcomers being found in Laodicea, see Revelation 3:2121To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21). “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,” &c. Why does F. L. P. say that in Philadelphia all are overcomers? The promise there is individual as everywhere else. “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar,” &c. Revelation 3:1212Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Revelation 3:12). Lastly does F. L. P. refer to salvation when he says about verse 20 (Chapter 3) that “the mighty word if keeps the door open for “any man” to repent and be saved. I always thought that the promise of John 14:2323Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23), and Revelation 3:2020Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20), referred to fellowship with Christ, and was addressed to believers. I fail to see there a sort of gospel preaching. Is it possible that one of the seven assemblies according to F.L.P. was composed only of false professors? Which of us is mistaken, F.L.P. or myself, and will the Editor kindly set us right?
A. We are glad to have further remarks on the interesting subject which appears by no means settled either by D. T. C. or F. L. P. In the first place in our vivid application of these churches to the present day, we all seem to have forgotten that there ever were actual churches at Philadelphia and Laodicea, and that to ask a man because he was faithful in Laodicea to go and live at Philadelphia some 50 miles away is obviously unreasonable. It may be replied this is not what D. T. C. meant, but it is clear that such would be the case if the thought were carried out. If it be true that spiritually, as E. B. positively states, the four churches go on till our Lord’s return, it is plain that those who answer to Philadelphia are a godly company, while those who are overcomers in Laodicea are individuals in an ungodly one. It would certainly appear that those who persevered in Philadelphia in keeping separate from Thyatira and Sardis on the one hand, and from Laodicea on the other, would be overcomers (though not of anything in Philadelphia), hence the force of F. L. P.’s remark. We cannot however agree with him that in Laodicea there are no overcomers, nor in his giving to verse 20 a simple gospel interpretation. —Ed.
Q. Ecclesiastes 5:2020For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. (Ecclesiastes 5:20). The writer, having shown the abuse of wealth by covetousness, shows (ver. 18,19,) the contrary use thereof, and then comments or reasons (v.20) that the good man’s days shall quietly pass away without sad remembrances, (or with little thought), for God giveth him comfort, “The happy man finds life short, enjoys its good things thankfully, and waits for the better life beyond.”
P. 92. With regard to some remarks by A. R. C. in reference to Revelation 4:77And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. (Revelation 4:7), while I do not see any Scripture for the fancy, it is curious that it was adopted by the Roman Catholic church, as may be seen by the living creatures put beside the evangelists in their churches, in pictures or statues. I have an old picture where the four evangelists are so drawn. A. M. H.