Ques. 6.-In 2 Cor. 5:3, is "naked" the same as "unclothed," verse 4 ?

Ans.-The subject in this part of the epistle is the glory-the final glory-that awaits the people of God. There is not the dwelling upon the intermediate condition at length, save to speak of the blessedness of being " absent from the body and present with the Lord." In verse 1, the apostle says that even in view of the dissolution of the body, we have the eternal heavenly abode-the resurrection body; that our desire is to be freed from this body in which we groan, and to be clothed upon with our heavenly house-our glorified body. He is careful to say that our desire is not death, to be unclothed,-though willing even for that, verse 8,-but the resurrection body. Then he shows, by way of parenthesis, it would seem, that such a resurrection body clothing us is absolutely inconsistent with the thought of being "naked," 1:e., in our sins before God. For when raised, it will be apart from sin forever. This seems to be the force of "naked," not synonymous with "unclothed," (the state of the soul of the believer between death and .resurrection,) but being without a covering before God. This seems to fit in with the line of thought, where it would be natural to show that the "house from heaven" was forever freed from the possibility of the presence of sin. The use, too, of the word in several passages would bear this out (Rev. 3:17, 18; 15:16). A prominent thought seems to be that of the shame of such a condition, connecting it with our first parents. We can hardly think of one clothed with the "Best Robe" being "naked," though he might -as to his earthly body-be unclothed.

Ques. 7.-Is the manifestation at the judgment-seat of Christ, 2 Cor. 5:10, to include all our sins before and after we were saved, or is it the work of believers from the cross until we are caught up to meet the Lord ? And what does "whether good or bad "mean?

Ans.-There can be little question that the manifestation includes the whole life of the believer. The very thought of " manifestation " would suggest that. When we remember that the glory of God's grace will thus be exhibited, we can easily understand why the whole record should come out. It is never the habit of Scripture to hide sins, though God blessedly "covers " them. We know the life of Paul, for instance, before conversion, and of Matthew. The sins of Abraham, Lot, David, and Peter, after conversion, have been manifested in the word of God. We may be sure that what is brought out at the judgment-seat of Christ will only manifest in perfection the wonder of redeeming love.

" Whether good or bad" shows that not merely the failures, but the faithfulness, will be brought out; "and then shall every man have praise of God."

No doubt, too, the moral character of all judgment is alluded to, showing its absolute impartiality', which, while it decides the loss or the reward of the believer for his works, shows the fearful doom awaiting the unsaved. The apostle adds, therefore, "Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men."

Ques. 8.-Please distinguish between "the man of sin," the Antichrist, and "the false prophet."

Ans.-Some have thought the "man of sin" to be (2 Thess. 2:3, 8, 9, 10) identical with the first beast of Rev. 13:(1-10). Notice, however, that the development of the man of sin is in connection with a religious apostasy already working in a mystery; that this man of sin is a false teacher, and works lying wonders, and claims a divine place in the temple. All this would identify him with the second beast (Rev. 13:11-end), called the false prophet (Rev. 19:). None question who this second beast is. He is the religious ally of the imperial rule resuscitated by satanic power, and by signs and lying wonders would deceive, if it were possible, even the elect. Lastly, the man of sin and the false prophet are identical with the Antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son (1 John 2:18, 22)-a Jew, who, in the last days, when apostasy shall have ripened, will usurp the worship of Jehovah, and claim that he is the true Christ, and divine. That he is intimately associated with the civil power, the first beast, and sets up his image in the temple-the abomination of desolation-has probably been the ground upon which some have thought the first beast and the man of sin were identical. There is no contradiction, however, in his setting up an image for worship, and claiming worship for himself also.

Ques. 9.-As to the eternal city, is not the tabernacle in the wilderness, with the camp surrounding it, a type of it ?

Ans.-Yes ; save that it is important to guard against the thought that the heavenly city is upon earth. That, it never is, but always " eternal in the heavens," like the glorified bodies of those who will inhabit it.

[Other answers deferred.]