Physical death means separation of the spirit from the body but the second death of Revelation, the lake of fire, is eternal separation of both body and spirit from God. THE CHRISTIAN’S SUFFERING Q. Why do so many wonderful, de vout believers undergo such te rri ble suffering? A. This is a question only God can answer. Hundreds of books have been written on the subject of suf fering but there still remains a “ Why?” There are many reasons given, all of which are true: We need the discipline of sorrow and pain; we are brought to a place of trust and dependence upon the Lord; sometimes we require chast ening because we have not been walking closely with Him; trouble gives the Christian a more sym pathetic understanding of others’ sorrows and troubles. Paul stated in II Corinthians 1:3, 4: “ The God of all comfort . . . comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are com fo rted of God.” Trials may embitter those who do not love God, but they burn up the dross in the Christian as he lets his all-wise Father mold and shape his life. . . . God permits His saints to be an example to an unworthy world of the sufficiency of His grace. Such a one was Job, an example before Satan, angels, men and demons and he has encouraged thousands to trust God, even when they could not understand why they were called upon to suffer. His triumphant testimony: “ Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" has come ringing down the corri dors of time to cheer believers of all lands and tribes and nations.
D r Talbots QUEST ION BOX
trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.” How could the Jews “ trust” Moses and yet not “ be lieve” Moses? A. Thousands of people are doing this very thing today. What does Moses represent? The law. People are relying upon the law for their salvation, but they do not believe what Moses wrote about “ the suf ferings of Christ and the glory that should follow" (I Peter 1:11). When Moses gave the Jaw, which he knew the people would not keep, he also gave the sacrifices which spoke of Christ. They sought righteousness by law not by faith in the Lamb of God slain for the sins of the world. MEANING OF CONVERSION Q. Please explain the words of Jesus to Peter in Luke 22:32: “ Sa tan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art con verted, strengthen thy brethren.” Wasn’t Peter saved at that time? A. This well-known passage, when properly understood, is f u ll of blessed comfort to the children of God in their manifold temptations. "Conversion” in the Bible is used not only of our first turning to God which brings salvation but also of any subsequent turning back to God after a period of backsliding. It is certainly used in this latter sense here for Peter's salvation is de scribed in Matthew 16:16, 17 and John 1:41, 42. Even this passage indicates that he was born-again, for the Lord speaks of his faith: “ I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not.” In this sense a be liever can be converted a number of times — that is, he can be brought back from wandering from God to Him — but he is truly saved only once. Peter backslid, so did David, who in the 51st Psalm cries to the Lord to restore the joy of his salvation. James 5:19 also refers to the same experience. KB THE KING’S BUSINESS
THE SECOND DEATH Q. What is the second death? I have been reading Revelation 2:11 which states: “ He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Please explain. A. There are other references in Revelation to the second death: Revelation 20:6, 14 and Revelation 21:8. Revelation 20:14 states that the lake of fire is the second death. The term is used to describe eter nal punishment, separation from God, remorse, suffering and sor row. Death in the Bible never means cessation of existence. It means separation. The prodigal son was separated from his father and from his father’s house. The father said after he returned, “ This my son was dead, and is alive again” (Luke 15:24). The father did not mean that his son had ceased to exist, but that he was separated from him, in the far country, and in this sense dead to him. Paul expressed the same thought in Ephesians 2:1 where he stated, “ You hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins" and James 2:26 reads: “ The body without the spirit is dead.” 18
THE LAW OF MOSES Q. Please explain John 5:45, 46: “ Do not think I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accus- eth you, even Moses, in whom ye
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