QUES. 1. -In our Bible class lately we had the fifteenth chapter of John, and I did not quite understand the explanation given. Would you kindly explain in help and FOOD the second and sixth verses ? I know that when God has saved a sinner, he is saved for all eternity, and I could not have peace with God if I were not sure of this. But these verses seem to cast a cloud over that precious truth, and I will be thankful for light.

ANS. – First of all, let me say that yon must never allow a passage which needs interpretation to cast a cloud over those which need none. The eternal security of the believer in Christ is affirmed in a multitude of passages of Scripture, in words which need no interpretation, no explanation of any kind. Nothing can contradict them in Scripture, for Scripture cannot contradict itself. If a passage seems to contradict, or is difficult to understand, it is usually because we do not realize sufficiently the subject of which it treats. For instance, in the one you now inquire about, the salvation of the soul is not the subject at all. It conies in only as an adjunct. The Lord looks at Israel, which God had brought out of Egypt into the Holy Land, to be there a fruit-bearing people for His enjoyment, and to be His witnesses among the nations of the heathen. He compares them to a vine planted in a vineyard. See Ps. 80. But they brought forth only wild grapes – nothing for God. So now Christ says, "I am the true vine " – that is, in Me God is going to get fruit He can enjoy. But a 'vine bears fruit through its branches, and Christ's disciples, which were all around Him, were those branches. Some were true disciples, such as Peter and John. They would be " purged," or pruned, as is done to all good vines, that they may yield more and better fruit. Some were false disciples, like Judas and others, and as the fruitless branches of the vine are taken off and burned, so would these be taken to the lake of fire.

Your chief difficulty is in the words "in Me"; for is not a man " in Christ " a new creation, and can such be burned? Surely he is a new creation, as 2 Cor. 5 :17, and other passages, clearly testify ; and surely no one of the new creation can burn. But remember that in such passages as 2 Cor. 5:17 the Lord is seen as Head of the new creation, from whom eternal life flows into every one who is of faith. Not so in John 15. There He is seen as the True Vine, from whom alone God can get any fruit He loves. Thus "in Christ" is vital if it is Christ as Head of the new creation."In Me" is not vital if it is Christ as the True Vine, though to be vitally connected with Him is the only condition in which we can be fruitful branches. The position in which Christ stands, has everything to do with the character of our relation to Him. As the True Vine, all professing Christians are branches in Him, whether they be fruitful or fruitless; and they will all have their proper places at the end-"They that have done good unto the resurrection of life ; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5 :29).

As the Head of the New Creation none are in Him save those who have been born, "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1 :13).

QUES. 2.-Of whom does Zech. 13 :6 speak ? Does it refer to our Lord? If so, who shall say unto Him, "What are these wounds in Thy hands" ?

ANS.-Yes, the passage refers to our Lord. It looks to the time (now drawing near) of Israel's restoration to their land, and of their exaltation above all the nations of the earth, according to the declared purpose and promise of God. Then they will learn that Jesus, whom they crucified and slew, was the true Messiah, the King from heaven, who alone can bring on their greatness. When they realize this, "They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son" (chap. 12 :10).

They then sleep no more as they do now. They are awake. They confess their guilt and shame. They lovingly ask Him, 'What are these wounds in Thy hands?" and He replies, " Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends." Like Joseph to his repenting brethren, He does not accuse them (Gen. 45 :1- 15), but stirs love in them and a deeper repentance.

Thus, while it is a Jewish scene, we learn God's way of action to bring about His holy and blessed ends.