QUES. 16.-Is the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25) addressed to Israel or the Church?

ANS.-It clearly applies to the time of the Lord's absence, and implies a time of long waiting (ver. 5). Have the Jews been looking for Christ's return since they crucified Him ? Clearly not. Have Christians been looking for the Lord's return? They clearly have, though sadly fallen asleep. And has not the cry, " Behold, the Bridegroom cometh ! " awakened Christians at large? Who that has any knowledge of the remarkable revival of "the blessed hope " of our Lord's return and coming for His own can deny it?

Now look at Matt., chaps. 24, 25.

(1) It should be clear to any intelligent Christian that 24:1-44 is a prophetic announcement (in answer to the disciples' questions in ver. 3) of what would befall the Jews, because of their rejection of Christ, until He returns for the deliverance of the oppressed, suffering godly remnant among them.

(2) From ver. 45 to chap. 25:30, exhortations and warnings are given which apply to those professing to wail for and serve Him while He is absent. Who can they be but professing Christians?

(3) Lastly, in vers. 31-46, the living nations are in view. It is the reckoning with the nations of the earth, at the time of the Lord's return to take the kingdom.

Thus, in this wonderful discourse on Olivet, our Lord gives the prophetic outlook (1) as to the Jews, 24:1-44 :(2) as to the professing Church, 24:45-25:30; and (3) as to the living nations, 25:31-46. The time of His coming again to each one of these divisions, is thus marked out.

QUES. 17 -Is it right to use leavened bread at the Lord's table to remember His death ? Please answer in Help and Food.

ANS.-Leaven is not evil in itself (Rom. 14 :14); if it were, it would reflect upon God's character as if He had made something evil; for ferment (which leaven is) is a law of nature which God has established.

Under the Mosaic law leavened bread was strictly excluded from the passover feast and the sacrifices(not at other times), for they were shadows or types of things later to be revealed. They were "carnal ordinances " pointing to spiritual things. (See Heb. 9:9, 10 ; 10:1-1). As the sacrifices pointed to Him who gave His life in ransom for ns, so, in an opposite «ay. leaven pointed to the evil in man which puffs him up, but was wholly absent in Christ.

These types having served their purpose, were done away with the coming of Christ-the substance or realities having come, the shadows flee away. (See Heb. 10 :5-9.) In the New Testament therefore we are taught that " there is nothing unclean of itself." Christians may eat ail that was forbidden to the Jews (Acts 10:10-15). If, then, we are occupied or concerned about the kind of bread on the Lord's table-leavened or unleavened, with fermented or unfermented wine-we are returning to the shadows, whilst the blessed realities to which the shadows pointed are before us. The New Testament occupies us not with the types or shadows, but with the realities-the truth as it is in Jesus.

QUES. 18.-Please give us briefly in help and food the thoughts in 1 Pet. 4-what is meant by "the gospel preached to them that are dead" (ver. 6), and especially to what "Judgment must begin at the house of God " applies (ver. 17).

ANS.-This pastoral epistle of Peter is written to Jews who had turned to Christ for salvation, and had much to suffer from Jews and Gentiles on that account. This epistle is a blessed example of the deep and tender care of n true pastor for the sheep of Christ, to guide them, instruct, exhort and encourage them in their difficult journey through a hostile world. God also permitting difficulties to arise to chasten the flesh, and to develop in them the Christ-like character and ways which He loves. This is the general point of view in this epistle.

Christ having suffered because of man's sin, both in the contradiction of sinners against Himself in His life here upon earth, and in atonement for sin upon the cross, has done with sin ; the believer is to arm himself with this truth, and have done with sin, as Christ has (chap. 4:1). Unbelievers may make light of sin, and seek the gratification of their lusts without fear, but they shall give account to the righteous Judge, who is ready to render to all according to their works-both to those living upon earth, and to those who have passed away (ver. 5). The apostle's mind seems to revert to those of Old Testament times, who have passed away, and says that good tidings were preached to them also-promises of God were presented to them that, if rejected, as many did, they shall be judged as men who walked according to the lusts of the flesh, whilst those who embraced those promises of good tidings, shall live according to God unto eternal life (ver. 6).

Let not the followers of Christ then think it strange if they suffer in this world where their Maker suffered. Let faith triumph rather, in being partakers with Christ in the path that He trod (vers. 12-15). Let no looseness of the flesh be allowed, remembering that God shall maintain His own character in the government of His house (those who profess faith and subjection to Him) ; for God is a just Judge, and holy in His governmental dealings. He must be sanctified in those near Him-His house (ver. 17). It is of God's governmental dealings here and now, that the apostle speaks If those of His household (God's people upon earth) are with difficulty brought through this evil world- the flesh being in them, the world and Satan around-if they, "the righteous," are with difficulty brought through, what shall happen to the ungodly when God deals with them in righteousness? He is our faithful Creator, and He shall bring His people through every difficulty if they but cling to Him with uprightness of heart.