Ques. 1.-What does Jesus mean in Mark 10 :29, 30 by, " He shall receive a hundred-fold now in this time, houses and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions." Experience and history show that the closer His people follow Jesus, the poorer they are in this world.

Ans.-This question was asked once of our beloved brother Paul J. Loizeaux (now with the Lord), and he answered, "I've proved the truth of this in my own experience time and again as I go about preaching Christ. Whilst away from mine own, I find not one, but several houses ready to welcome me; and in them are mothers and sisters and brothers showing utmost kindness, and providing the best they have. Whilst others, angered by the truth too plainly preached to suit them, would gladly hoot me away, and have done so at times."

Our Lord speaks here metaphorically, of course. How much of His teaching was in figurative speech and parables, by which truths were vividly presented in few words, which those in earnest would ponder over, and apply.

Ques. 2.-What is the difference between "transgression," "iniquity," and "sin " spoken of in Isaiah 53:5, 12?

Also, What is "the assembly of God " in a town or city? Kindly answer in help & food.

Ans.-"Sin " is defined for us in 1 John 3:4, which, correctly rendered, reads:"Every one that practices sin practices also lawlessness ; and sin is lawlessness." In its essence, then, sin is the insubjection of man's heart and will to God.

"Transgression" is sin coming out in violation of a known command-like Adam who disregarded God's prohibition as to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2 :17). Rom. 5:13,14 says, "Until the law (before it was given) sin was in the world:but sin is not imputed (1:e., charged as transgression) when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's transgression.1' Men were terrible sinners before the law was given, as since, and under the sentence of death, therefore. Yet man is sp unwilling to confess himself a ruined, a lost sinner, that God saw it necessary to give His holy law to convict man of his evil heart; therefore He gave the law. Sin then came out as transgression. (See Rom. 7:13.)

Iniquity points to what is unjust, unrighteous-malicious swerving from the path of truth and uprightness. "Mine iniquity have I not hid," said David in Ps. 32 :5 ; and having confessed it to God, he adds, "and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah." (Pause ; consider this!)

As to "the assembly of God in a city," it embraces all "them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus" in that place (1 Cor. 1:2)- that is, all there who are born of God. But Christendom has become "a great house" with clean and unclean vessels therein ; and the obedient children of God are bidden to "follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart," and must be in separation from the unclean vessels, as Scripture in many places commands. (See Tim. 2:20-22; 2 Cor. 6 :14-18, etc.
Ques. 3.-Who are the "demons" (mistranslated "devils" in the Authorized Version) so much spoken of in the Gospels? Lately I have heard some say they are the spirits of the wicked that have died-which is contrary to what has been generally believed. I would be glad to have this made plain from Scripture.

Ans.-When the scribes blasphemed the Lord, saying, "He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of demons He casteth out demons" (Mark 3:22), the Lord answered,"How can Satan cast out Satan?" Demons, therefore, are recognized as subjects to a prince-Satan. If demons are cast out, it is the same as casting out Satan their prince. Thus, also, when the exultant disciples returned from their mission, they said, "Lord, even the demons are subject unto us through thy name," He answered, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven ;" for he was indeed being hurled down from his dominion. In Rev. 12 :7-9 this is actually accomplished, the dragon and "his angels" are cast down.

In 2 Chronicles 18:18-22 a scene in the heavens is revealed to the prophet :the holy angels and Satanic hosts are there, and one of these last, "a lying spirit," is sent to deceive Ahab to his doom. Revelation 16:13, 14 is a parallel to this-three demon spirits go forth to seduce the ungodly to their destruction.

Can these passages leave any doubt in unprejudiced minds that the "demons" are Satanic spirits, with Satan as their prince, Those time to be hound and judged is not yet come.

As to the spirits of the ungodly, nowhere in Scripture are they seen at liberty, but utterly unable to pass the "great gulf fixed " by God's appointment (Luke 16 :26).

But more. In Rev. 1:18 the Lord says, that Se has "the-keys of hades and of death." Does He permit the spirits of the wicked dead to return to earth to afflict man ? or do they in spite of Him "break jail," as it has presumptuously been taught of late? But this is affronting the Lord and His power. No; the evil spirits cannot leave hades any more than their bodies can leave the grave till God's power brings them to judgment.