Question Box
Good News Magazine
April 1951
Volume: Vol I, No. 1
QR Code
Question Box
Good News Staff  

WHAT LAND WILL ESCAPE "THE BEAST" AND HIS "MARK"?

   According to Daniel 11:41, Edom, Moab and Ammon will escape the domination of the coming revival of the Roman Empire in Europe. These ancient nations dwelt to the south and east of Palestine. Today, the lands are found on any map as Transjordan — an Arabian nation today.

COULD A COLONY LIVING UNDER GOD'S LAWS ESCAPE IMPENDING WAR?

   Although God will provide a way of escape in the future for those who are accounted worthy, no colony living separate from the world under the laws of God could escape.
   The reason is obvious. Destruction is to be visited on those not obeying God. If there is a group that would attempt to obey the laws of God by cutting themselves off from the world, they would still be disobeying the commands of God, because the commission of the church is to GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL. To separate ourselves would not be love: it would be self-seeking. The gospel is to be preached to warn the world to turn from its evil ways to avoid destruction. If we fail to do this, but want, instead, to safeguard ourselves only, we are not loving our neighbor — we are loving ourselves. Only by living and giving our lives NOW for others will we be accounted worthy to escape the calamity already looming above the horizon.

WILL CHRIST RETURN BEFORE OR AFTER THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES?

   The seven last plagues contain the wrath of God which is to be poured out in the presence of Jesus. Rev. 14:10; 15:1. Other texts showing that the plagues cannot precede the Master's second appearance are these: The seven last plagues constitute the seventh trumpet, which sounds at the very time Christ returns. I Cor. 15:52; I Thess. 4:16. One of the plagues falls on the wicked hosts gathered at Jerusalem to war against Christ and His army at Megiddo. Undoubtedly, the plagues begin simultaneous with, or almost immediately after the appearance of Jesus in the heavens as King of kings and Lord of lords.

HOW CAN I OBSERVE THE SABBATH AND THE ANNUAL HOLY DAYS IF MY FAMILY DOES NOT DO SO?

   We have all, at some time or another, found ourselves faced with this very situation. First, our attitude should be that of David: I will not fear what men should do or say of me. But "if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:18. We must obey God, yet without antagonizing men, if possible.
   The unbelieving usually fall into two classes: the indifferent and the violent. To know what to do in each situation, we might well apply I Cor. 7:12-14. Remain with your family if offense is unlikely and if there is no group with which to assemble. If indifferent relatives will be offended, it is better to celebrate these festive occasions away from home. Of course, the best would be to meet with brethren of like faith whenever possible. However, sometimes our example of living on the Holy Days of God at home could win an unconverted relative if no true church group is near.
   If your family forcibly prevents you from obeying God, you are wiser to leave — especially if they want you to. We are not to be the slaves of men, but the free men of God. Didn't Israel come out of Egypt in order to live as God directed? Whatever the circumstance, remember Jesus' injunction: be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matt. 10:16.

IS IT WRONG FOR MY MOTHER TO WEAR MY FATHER'S HEAVY WORK SHIRTS FOR WARMTH? OR HIS DISCARDED GLOVES? DOES IT MEAN HIS ACTUAL GARMENTS OR SIMILAR ONES?

   The law given to Israel on this very subject reads: "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment." Deut. 22:5.
   Because some women would want to obey this law in the letter, but disobey it in the spirit, they get around the technicality by dressing ill outfits cut exactly like men's suits. When we see the spirit of the law, it is not difficult to grasp its real purpose. No christian should dress to appear like the opposite sex. Let's dress instead to glorify the bodies which we were given. Knowing this principle, it would not he wrong for a farmer's wife to wear her husbands's heavy shirts to keep warm. It becomes wrong when the purpose is to look like a man. Of course, the same applies to men who want to look effeminate.
   By the same token, becoming slacks are appropriate if the occasion necessitates. Under any circumstances, however, let's stay as close to center as possible.
   As far as the styles in Abraham's day, remember that garments change from age to age as the need arises. A business man's suit would not do fur a farmer shocking hay. Flowing garments are very satisfactory in hot climates. The robes of the patriarchs were masculine appearing, quite unlike the feminine dresses appropriate for women today.

WHAT IS BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT?

   In only three places in the Bible is the phrase "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" mentioned. Mt. 12:24-31; Mr. 3:22-30, Lu. 12:10. The definition of the Greek word to blaspheme is to speak abusively, to defame, to vilify. Certain Jews blasphemed the Spirit by attributing the power and works of God to the devil — by saying Jesus cast out demons by an unclean spirit. Mr. 3:30. THERE IS NO OTHER BIBLE DEFINITION OF BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF GOD THAN THAT GIVEN, no matter what emotional religionists teach.
   Blasphemy against the Spirit of God is not pardonable. The reason is this: We can come to repentance only when the Holy Spirit convicts us that our ways have been wrong and that God's ways are right. If we reject and vilify the works of God done by the Holy Spirit in human beings, we are rejecting the only channel through which we could gain repentance. John 10:37, 38 explains the reason why blasphemy against the Father or Son is reconcilable provided we believe the works of the Spirit to be from God.
   Falling away after once having the Holy Spirit is also unpardonable, as there is no other means by which to gain repentance. Hebrews 6:6.
   Let us not be perplexed by false fears on the subject. No one, having blasphemed the Spirit of God, wants to do the works of God. He hates them and accuses anyone living them of being of the devil.

Back To Top

Good News MagazineApril 1951Vol I, No. 1