D r * . T a l Q u e s t i o B o x
2. The spirits of the dead in Christ are with the Lord, and do not return to the earth. See II Sam. 12:23; Phil. 1:23; II Cor. 5:8. 3. The spirits of the Christless dead could not return to the earth, even if they so desired. Read carefully Luke 16:19-31. The rich man desired Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth to warn his brethren. Abra-' ham stated that this was not neces sary, because his brothers had the writings of Moses and the prophets. But why did he not return himself to warn his brethren, if the dead real ly return to the earth? He could not return because there was “ a great gulf fixed.” The rich man could not pass over to where Lazarus was, let alone leave his prison and return to earth. The only explanation of Spiritism, therefore, is that those who appear in seances are demons who impersonate our loved ones. Paul says in Eph. 6: 11, 12: “ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Let us also remember that God smote Saul because he dabbled with Spiritism. (See I Chron. 10:13, 14.) HOW M A N Y DEVILS? Q. W hy does the New Testament speak so often of “ devils” when there is only one devil? A . Evidently you refer to the King James or Authorized Version of our English Bible. The Revised Version more accurately translates the word “ demons” when it does not refer to Satan, the only devil. In other words, there is only one devil; there are many demons, his emissaries. The context always makes clear which is meant, even if you do not possess a copy of the Revised Version.
greater than Aaron in His eternal priesthood. The Holy Spirit was seek ing to lead Christian Jews away from Judaism to Christ Himself. T h e Aaronic priesthood had served God’s purpose, and had been done away in Christ; therefore, why return to Juda ism? That, in fact, is the argument of this entire weighty epistle. Just one further word to show how Melchizedek, was greater than Aaron: (1) Abraham, Aaron’s forefather, was blessed by Melchizedek; (2) Abra ham paid tithes to Melchizedek; (3) having no recorded genealogy, he is a type of the eternal High Priest, even Jesus. Aaron and his sons died; Christ abideth' a Priest continually, un changing, ever living to make inter cession for us. Moreover, Aaron was only a priest, from the tribe of Levi; Christ was from the kingly tribe of Judah, ac cording to the flesh; and is, therefore, both King and Priest. Again, Aaron and his sons were made priests without an oath (Heb. 7:20, 21); Christ was proclaimed a Priest forever after the order of Mel chizedek — not after the order of Aaron -—when the Father confirmed His Word by His oath. Once again, the Levitical priests had to offer sacrifices for their own sins; animal sacrifices; many sacri fices; whereas Christ had no sin for which to atone; He offered Himself, He offered one sacrifice forever! SPIRITISM Q. What is Spiritism? A . Spiritism is the theory that the spirits of the dead do communicate and hold intercourse with those who are still upon the earth. We know that Spiritism is not of God, for the following reasons: 1. It is absolutely forbidden in the Scriptures. See Deut. 18:19-21; Lev. 8:19-22; I Chron. 10:13, 14.
W HO WAS MELCHIZEDEK? Q. Please explain Heb. 7:1-3. Was M elchizedek an appearance of God in the form of an angel? A . Some Bible teachers do hold the view that Melchizedek was an ap pearance of God in angelic form, bas ing this opinion on Heb. 7:3, but most students of the Word of God hold the other view, that he was merely a man, a type of Christ in His High Priestly Person. I am con vinced that this latter interpretation is correct, for the following reasons: 1. He was king of Salem, the an cient site of the city of Jerusalem, which means “ the city o f peace.” “ Salem” means “peace” ; therefore, as king of peace, Melchizedek was a type of Christ, the Prince of Peace and King of Peace. 2. He was also “by interpretation king of righteousness,” a type of the Lord Jesus, who one day will rule in righteousness. 4. Nothing is written of Melchize dek in all the Bible except the story recorded in Gen. 14:17-20; the state ment that he is a type of Christ in Psalm 110:4; and the explanation of the type in Heb. 6:20; 7:1-28. Very evidently the Holy Spirit omitted all reference to Melchizedek’s parents, in order that he might be a type of the eternal Son of God, who verily has “neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” In this connection, please note the Revised Version for the word “ descent” of the Authorized Version of Heb. 7:3. Accurately translated, it means, “ without father, without mother, without genealogy” ; in other words, without recorded genealogy, in order that he might be a type of the eternal Son of God. Let it be remembered that the whole argument presented in He brews is that, as Melchizedek was greater than Aaron, the first high priest in Israel, so also Christ is
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TH E KING'S BUSINESS
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