Question 10.-Please explain John 1:45-51, especially 48-50. It is evidently Nathanael's first acquaintance with Jesus. But why should it be considered a great thing for Jesus to see a man under a fig-tree ?

Ans.-The miracle was, that when Nathanael was hidden from human sight, the Lord saw him. This at once showed Nathanael that Jesus was the Son of God. It answers literally to the scene with the woman of Samaria. The Lord discerned her spiritual condition, as he did Nathanael's actual position; and by the same divine omniscience. Hence her word, " Come, see a man that told me all that ever I did:is not this the Christ ?"

Ques. 11.-Please give some thoughts on Luke 9:57 to end.

Ans.-We do not have in this scripture the way of salvation, but that of discipleship. Of course, new birth, access to God, the sweet constraint of the love of Christ, must underlie all true discipleship. If they are not present, sooner or later, the one lacking them will turn aside. Hence our Lord tests those who would offer themselves for His service. They must expect to endure hardness, if they would follow One who had not where to lay His head. Ties of nature, no matter how strong and tender-even to burying a father-could not stand between the servant and his work. Note, it is when these right and good things are put between the servant and his Lord, when Christ is displaced, that they become a hindrance. It is similar to the passage where our Lord speaks of hating one's father and mother. When it is a question of loyalty to Christ nothing can be thought of as taking precedence of it,-not even the farewell to dear ones. But, we repeat, only the soul that knows grace can truly carry out the spirit of these teachings.

Ques. 12.-What were the divisions of Reuben, Judges 5:15, 16, and what is the spiritual truth underlying that scripture.

Ans.-The divisions of Reuben may refer to the divided sentiment prevailing in the tribe as a whole, or even in the individual. The lesson in either case is evident. A divided heart is ever a source of utter weakness. There may be great "resolves" and great "deliberations" (see Numerical Bible), but they go no further. It is significant that Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob, is thus characterized. Mere creature strength can never be whole hearted for God, and a divided heart means a weak walk. Well may we pray with the psalmist, " Unite my heart to fear Thy name." As in the answer to the preceding question, the heart must be controlled by grace, and grace alone if it is to do aught for Christ.

The same truth applies to companies of saints, or to the Church at large. Divisions not only bring dishonor on Christ, but weakness on ourselves.

Ques. 13.-"Why is the tribe of Dan left out in the sealing in Rev. 7:?"

Ans.-It could not mean that Dan will fail as one of the twelve tribes to inherit a place in the land when it is divided among them at the opening of the Millennium. In Ezekiel 48:we have not only his portion given, but one of the gates of the city named after him.
It would seem that we have in this list of twelve tribes sealed, the fact of Israel as a nation presented (twelve being the national number, Num. 17:2, 1 King 18:31, Acts 26:7) not merely for millennial blessing, but for a place of dignity and rule. When it is a question of blessing and inheritance, each tribe has its portion-"All Israel shall be saved;" but when special approval is to be marked, while national unity is preserved (two tribes given to Joseph), God would by the omission of Dan declare His judgment of those principles which had marked that tribe, both historically and prophetically.

Historically, Dan was noted for idolatry (Judges 19:30, 31, 1 Kings 12:29, 30; Amos 8:14), and idolatry of so grievous a character that it was apostasy.

Prophetically, "Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward." (Gen. 49:17.) This prophecy of Jacob foretells the apostasy and the deceit that will, in the last days, mark those who follow the antichrist, which awakens the longing cry of the faithful, " Oh, that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion." (Ps. 14:7.) " I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord." (Gen. 49:18.) These characteristics of idolatry and apostasy will doubtless be found throughout the whole nation, but as they have been localized in the tribe of Dan, God would mark His judgment of that sin by omitting that tribe from mention in a place of honor, just as the descendants of Zadok were marked out for the honor of priestly service in the Lord's house, when others of the priestly family were excluded for apostasy from that privilege, though inheritors of blessing. (Ezek. 44:9-16.)

Ques. 14.-Do the expressions, "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Kingdom of God" mean the same thing?

Ans.-The first is used in Matthew only, and in parallel passages in Luke we have "Kingdom of God." In such places they would seem to mean the same thing. But underlying them there is a real difference, which many scriptures bring out. "Kingdom of Heaven" is a dispensational title, the external kingdom of an absent king-in heaven-here upon earth. "Kingdom of God" includes the added, in some respects contrasted, thought, the internal kingdom of a Person. It is used, therefore, by the apostle as a synonym for "the things of God." (See Acts 20:25; Rom. 14:17.)