Q. 7, p. so. —Referring to the above question on Galatians 1 lo, “For do I now persuade men or God,” do we not learn that the apostle had delivered to the Galatians a full Gospel, ver. 7-9, so, much so that it was not possible either to alter it or add thereto, and if one was found so doing even though it was the apostle Paul himself, let him be anathema, and that in preaching this gospel it was not in any wise to “satisfy” (which seem to be the force of the word persuade here) the minds of men, or to please men, but God, thus his question has also the form of an unanswerable argument in asking, “do I now seek to persuade men, or satisfy man or God; if man was satisfied so much the better. The pure and entire Gospel was proclaimed, this was what, and what only could satisfy God. A. E. W.
Q. 7, p. 10. —Has Galatians 1 so any direct reference to the previous part of the chapter. Is it not rather a reference to another and distinct charge? namely, that he was a man please, and he uses the strong expressions of the previous verses as a proof that he is nothing of the kind, the word persuade seems to mean literally “making friends with,” then, that in speaking as he was, he was making friends with God, surely not with apostates! I know another explanation is suggested that he is contrasting his present life with his former one as a Pharisee, then he admits pleasing men, but NOW as accountable to and only pleasing God. I think the first explanation the correct one. The other seems “farfetched,” and if the first explanation is adopted the expression or God is understandable,-with the explanation in the “Bible Student” I venture to submit it is unintelligible. E. H. S.
Q. 44. p. 51. —Is not the word Christendom (not being a Scriptural one) in itself rather misleading? especially, as used by us, both for the kingdom of heaven, as now existing, and for the apostasy later on (2 Thessalonians 2) Does not there seem a danger, when defining it as “ the corruption of Christianity,” of losing sight of the thought that it is still Christ’s kingdom, and so contains the King and His redeemed? And that it is a place of privilege for us to be in, though until He takes His great power and reigns, terrible failure, according to God’s sovereign counsels, Doubtless the Lord Jesus Christ speaking it?
Surely even the “great house” of 2 Timothy 2 can hardly be designated as “the corruption of Christianity” as long as “ vessels of gold and silver, some to honor” are found in it. Doubtless after the true church has been taken up, the heaviest judgments will fall on what will become unclean Babylon. Then the King will come forth to “reign in righteousness,” and will cast out of His millennial kingdom “all things that offend, and them that do iniquity.” D. T. C.
(It is important to observe that Christendom (or the place of the “christened,” i.e, those who profess Christianity) is indeed the corruption of that which God originally established, although, as our correspondent observes, it does contain those who are true Christians. We observe also that although it is a privilege for those who are saved to be in the kingdom of God’s dear Son, it is a terrible responsibility for those who are not, to take such a place. —Ed.)
Q. 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), I have heard that “the first living creature like a lion,” symbolizes the gospel by St. Matthew, Christ being therein represented as the Royal Son of David, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. “The second living creature, like a calf,” symbolizes St. Mark’s gospel; our Lord the elect servant of the Lord; “the third living creature, had a face as of a man,” symbolizes St. Luke’s gospel where we have before us, more particularly Jesus the Son of Man. And “the fourth living creature, like a flying eagle;” symbolizes St. John’s gospel, which seems to soar into Heaven itself and reveals to us the only begotten Son of God who is in the bosom of the Father Himself very God manifesting the glory of God unto us, and this is why the eagle, represents or is emblematic of St. John. A. R. C.
We think the above rather imaginative, and especially the comparison of the eagle to the Son of God. —Ed.)