The reader should always turn to the Bible and read the passages referred to.
QUES. 15.-The question was raised in our reading-meeting whether or not there will be distinct nations on earth in the eternal state. Please give answer in Help and Food.
ANS.-While Scripture tells us positively of "a new heaven and a new earth" (Rev. 21:1; 2 Pet. 3:13), remodeled apparently after they have been purified by fire, we are not aware of any passage that speaks of the inhabitants on the new earth, unless it be Isa. 66:22; if so, it applies to the seed of Israel alone. But in what condition, or how transferred to the "new earth," is a mystery not revealed. The glory of the new Jerusalem, the heavenly saints' habitation, symbolized in Rev. 21:8-27, seems to be in some measure visible to the inhabitants of the millennial earth, which would explain how the kings then on earth render homage to the heavenly city, "bring their glory and honor to it" (ver. 26). But this applies to millennial times, not the eternal state, as "The leaves of the tree of life were for the healing of the nations" (22:2) makes plain.
QUES. 16.-Three cases of sore bereavement about us here have given rise to serious questions. 1st.-A godly woman's child, whom she dearly loves, is taken from her. 2nd.-Another, a devoted Christian woman's beloved husband, also a Christian, is taken away. 3rd.-A brother is afflicted with a painful disease, disabling him from earning the family's living-all these are said, by Russellites here, to be the work of Satan. Some brethren think so too; or as a punishment from God. Answers in Help and Food have been very helpful. Please answer as to the above.
ANS.-Death was God's appointed penalty for sin, as Adam was forewarned (Gen. 2:7), and sooner or later it comes to us all as sinful children of Adam (Heb. 9:27). The time, the means, and circumstances of it are entirely in God's hand. In the case of Enoch and Elijah God intervened that they should not see death. In Abraham's case and many others, they "died in a good old age, satisfied with years." In the New Testament, salvation having been accomplished by our great Redeemer's death and resurrection, death is spoken of for the believer as "asleep in Jesus" (or "'put to sleep through Jesus," New Trans.; see 1 Thess. 4:14; Acts 7:16, etc.); for by Christ's atonement, the sting of death, sin, has been taken away for the believer.
Sometimes, as an expression of special displeasure in rebellion, or presumption, or in solemn warning to others, we. see death inflicted as a direct chastisement from God. (See Lev. 10:1, 2; Num. 16:35; Acts 5:1-5; 1 Cor. 11:29-32, etc.) In the case of Job we see Satan, under God's permission, using various agencies for Job's extraordinary affliction; but even here Satan is absolutely limited-he may not touch Job personally (ch. 1:12); then at the second trial, when permitted to afflict Job's person, he may not touch his life (2:6). It is a fallacy, therefore, to attribute to Satan absolute power to do as he will.
On the contrary it is ever the sweet privilege of God's people to say like Job, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away," while we pour our tears at His feet, and trust Him in the dark if we are unable for the present to understand His ways, which to us now are often "past finding out," but will all be seen by and by to be in wisdom and love to us. See Rom. 8:28; John 11:4, 6, etc.
"Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace:
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain."