not in Israel” (v. 10). He then speaks of His earthly millennial reign. Those who were cast into outer darkness were unbelievers. How sad that the natural heirs to the promises and kingdom of God should, by their neglect, miss the promises of eternal life! It takes more than being born in Israel, a natural son of Abraham, and being circumcised, to be saved. The only thing that avails is personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. While children of the king dom referred to here are the unbe lieving ones of Israel, remember the Church is composed of believing Jews as well as Gentiles. Thank God that’s His incomparable plan for our day. Q. Tucson, Ariz. — “In I Corinthians 3:15 Paul says, ‘I f any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.’ Does this mean that poor workmanship or service will re quire a person to pass through pur gatory or some other place of refin ing and punishment?” A. First of all, there is absolutely no scriptural evidence for purgatory. The teaching is foreign to the Bible as we know it. We need to go back to the 11th verse which plainly states that there is only one way a person can be saved. That comes through personal faith in the Lord. After this blessed transaction, this new creation in Christ begins to live the Christian life. There are two types of existence referred to here. The first is characterized by gold, silver and precious stones. That doesn’t mean that his personal goals are monetary gain, but those substances represent durability and quality of life and service. Contrast that with wood, hay and stubble. The former, when ap proached by fire, will only be re fined and become more valuable, while the latter will be destroyed. Keep in mind that we are not talk ing about salvation, but those works which have or have not been ren
concerning’ this text. The wo rd grudge is more properly translated, “murmur not one against the other.” As an example of Satan’s success in bringing spiritual d e f e a t among God’s people, read the entire book of Numbers. Some people are always murmuring and, without being face tious, seem to have been “born in the objective case.” They don’t like any thing. Nothing is good enough for them. Q. Seattle, Wash. — “Please explain the difference between predestination and fatalism. Are certain people chosen for heaven and some for hell?” A. Fatalism is just what the word means: a blind fate without rhyme, reason, purpose or personality. The term predestination, as used in the Bible, is always referring to our God of love who predestines c e r t a i n events to come to pass. This is why we can put our future destiny safely into His hands, knowing that He do- eth all things well. Q. Denver, Colo. — “Does Matthew 8:11 and 12 imply that those who least expect to go to heaven will be there because they are so destined? Who are the children of the kingdom who are to be cast into outer dark ness ?” A. This is a very important and sig nificant passage. First of all, read the entire context, beginning at verse five. The centurion was pleading with the Saviour on behalf of his servant. The Lord promised to heal him. But the commanding officer said he felt he wasn’t worthy of Christ’s entering his home. He had faith to believe that Jesus had but to speak the word and his servant would be well. Here was a Gentile who recog nized both the power and the authori ty of the Redeemer. Christ wasn’t showing partiality when He observed, “I have not found so great faith, no,
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