BY JOHN BLOORE

(The reader should always turn to the Bible and read the passages referred to.)

QUES. 6.-I am anxious to have something on Revelation 2:5.

ANS.-In Rev. 2:5 the Ephesian assembly had "fallen" from the high ground of giving Christ first place in all things. What was being done was assuming more importance than the Person for whom all should be done. Perhaps Martha may serve as an illustration. She received the Lord into her house, and in the joy of having Him began the preparation of a feast. It was all happy service while her eye was on Him; but after a little she becomes occupied with Mary, and then though service continues complaint arises. First love is not holding Martha now.

This state calls for repentance, self-judgment, then the "first works"-works which, as distinguished from the works, etc., of ver. 2, are wrought in the power and satisfaction of "first love,"

Failure to .be recovered can only mean loss of testimony -the removal of the lamp. This may have various applications, both individually and corporately.

QUES. 7.-How old was the Lord when the wise men found Him?

ANS.-From Matt. 2:16 it would appear that Christ was nearly two years of age, otherwise it does not seem probable that Herod would slay "all the boys which were in Bethlehem… .from two years and under, according to the time which he had accurately inquired from the magi" (New Trans.).

QUES. 8.-Why does the apostle say:not work, neither shall he eat?"

ANS. – Because laziness, carelessness, or refusal to "provide things honest before all men" (Rom. 12:17) leads to reproach, bringing dishonor upon the truth. We are exhorted "to seek earnestly to be quiet and mind your own affairs, and work with your own hands, even as we charged you, that ye may walk reputably toward those without, and may have need of no one" (1 Thess. 4:11,12, New Trans.).

"Let ours also learn to apply themselves to good works for necessary wants, that they may not be unfruitful" (Titus 3:14, New Trans.).

Not only provision for one's own need is to be the object, but "distributing to the necessities of the saints" (Rom. 12:13), as it is said, "Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him toil, working what is honest with his hands, that he may have to distribute to him that has need" (Eph. 4:28, New Trans.).

We are to "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things" (Titus 2:10).

Those who do not labor for their livelihood, when able to do so, are marked as walking disorderly. Laziness opens the door to evil. The grace of God has not revoked Gen. 3:19. But grace calls upon us to perform all such necessary labor as unto the Lord (Eph. 5:5-8; Col. 4:23,24).

QUES. 9.-Will you give us some help on the significance of the head, the legs, and the inwards of the Passover lamb?

ANS.-The head suggests the directive and controlling agency in life.

The legs speak of the activity in fulfilling that to which the head leads.

The inwards speak of the motives and affections which characterize the activities of life.

As we think of these things in relation to Christ as the Passover Lamb, they teach us how entirely all that He was entered into the fire of divine judgment, and was so prepared to be the food of faith sheltered under the sprinkled blood. He gave Himself for our sins and to deliver us out of this present evil world (Gal. 1:4).

QUES. 10.-At the Lord's coming are children who have not reached the age of responsibility raised up or caught up, as the case may be, like believers? Are these children in the Church?

ANS.-They belong to Christ, for He has purchased all by the cross. Even false teachers are said to "deny the Master that bought them" (2 Pet. 2:1).

It may be well to consider the difference between those who are not responsible, and those who are accounted responsible. All are lost, all are not reckoned guilty. Guilt implies responsibility for actions which are called "offences," "transgressions," "iniquities."' All are in a lost state but all can not be spoken of as "alienated and enemies in mind by wicked works" (Col. 1:21). So speaking of little children, the Lord says He "came to save that which was lost," for, "It is not the will of your Father…. that one of these little ones should perish" (Matt. 18:10-14). His death avails for them, it also avails for the guilty who believe. Through His blood they have "the forgiveness of offences" (Eph. 1:7), "of sins," for "Christ died for our sins" (Col. 1:14; 1 Cor. 15:3). Perishing then is not to be the portion of either of these classes. Now, not to perish means to escape judgment (John 3:15-18). The little ones are not to perish. So their part is not in the resurrection of judgment, but in the resurrection of life. As belonging to Christ He will gather them to Himself at His coming, and all shall tie given likeness to Him.

Such children, however, can not be in the Church. This is composed exclusively of those who believe, for such only are sealed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and so baptized by Him into the One Body.

QUES. 11.-Please explain, "Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel till the Son of Man come" (Matt. 10:23).

ANS.-This chapter treats of a special testimony to Israel, and specifically in the cities of their own land. To refer the coming of the Son of Man in this verse to visits to these cities in the days of His flesh can hardly be correct. He had already gone "around all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the glad tidings of the kingdom" (ch. 9:35). The twelve are sent forth to preach the same message, saying "The kingdom of the heavens has drawn nigh." They will share in the Lord's rejection and endure persecution, being brought before rulers and kings for His sake, so that the testimony reaches the nations also. Did all of this take place before Christ visited these cities during His earthly sojourn? Certainly not, therefore we must conclude that He refers to another coming, and not for example to a coming "to teach and preach in their cities"(ch. 11:1). It is true that in the course of the Church's early history such suffering and persecution took place, but that was connected with a world-wide mission quite distinct from the one here specified by the Lord which is connected with the cities of Israel. Though there is similarity in conditions and circumstances it is not the fulfilment of the Lord's words. If so construed, we are faced with the inexplicable, for now there is no Israel or cities of Israel to go over, and the Son of Man has not yet come. There must therefore be a still future time when what is referred to in Matthew 10 will be fulfilled. The chapter links the past testimony given during the Lord's days on earth with the future testimony to be given before He comes as the Son of Man to take the kingdom. Thus, after the manner of Old Testament prophecy, the present interval is passed over. This means that there must be a return to the land of that nation to which this testimony is given, and that there shall be again cities of Israel to go over with the kingdom-message.

This we find fits with other scripture. For example, Matt. 24, which treats of "the completion of the age" (ver. 3)-the age the disciples were then in, but the course of which is now interrupted as a consequence of Messiah's rejection, and which will be resumed again after the present purpose as to the Church is accomplished. Then the age will begin to run again and reach its completion. This "end" is realized at the coming of the Son of Man (24:27-31). This is that coming of Matt. 10:23. The details regarding persecution and testimony given in Matt. 24:9-14 parallel those of Matt. 10. Note close of 10:22 and 24:13.