Q. Long Beach, Calif. — “Who are the children mentioned in Habba- kuk 1:6? Are they Rome or Greece?” A. Habbakuk has been called the prophet of doubt and faith. The Lord led him out of doubt into marvelous faith. Here he cries out in perplexity. The Chaldeans ori ginally were Babyl oni ans who existed long before the sixth and seventh centuries B.C. The verse refers to the new Babylonian em pire started with the fall of Nine- vah in 612 B.C. At first glance, the question involving Rome or Greece seems to have no connec tion or involvement. The famous Dead Sea Scrolls, interestingly enough, indicate these nations are the ones prophetically involved. In the Scrolls, the commentary based this on Rome, although in Habbakuk’s day, it meant Babylon. Historically, in later centuries the trouble-makers and invading forc es were the Romans. Q. Vista, Calif. — “I have heard different ministers quote Acts 16: 81, They always seem to leave out the statement, ‘and thy house.’ This was always comforting to me when our children were with us. Should it be left off today?” A. Certainly not, for the Spirit of God directed that it should be in there. People, in quoting Scrip ture, will often leave out a num ber of things. One can get some very strange ideas if he doesn’t read the entire verse. God is in terested in unified households in Heaven. Salvation is always a per sonal matter by faith, but it is for the whole family. Preachers from the pulpit are talking to in dividuals rather than home units. This may be the reason for the omission of the last three words. It should not be inferred, how ever, that salvation comes through
twice as many. The use of the word then refers to priority of position rather than of origin. It speaks of His majesty and of His undiminished glory. This mean ing is clear from Psalm 89:27. Christ, as the eternal Son, holds the position of priority in relation to all creation in that He was be fore all things (v. 17), He cre ated all things (v. 16), and by Him all things hold together (v. 17). It means He is God’s number one choice and great desire. He was not created; He was the co- Creator Himself of all things. Q. Hawthorne, Calif. — “What’s the difference between everlasting life and life eternal? Some say ever lasting life is when you have Christ as your Saviour.” A. There is no difference whatso ever between everlasting life and life eternal. Both of these words in our English translation come from the same Greek word, a form of which is ionios. This signifies everlasting or eternal, wi thout end, forever and forever. Q. Phoenix, Ariz. — “Can you teU me what is meant by the elect lady and her children found in II John 1?” A. Some Bible teachers believe she is representative and actually a personification of the first cen tury churches. It would seem, however, that John is writing to an actual, high-ranking Christian lady whom he knew personally. She was evidently willing to be more l e n i en t with individuals. John had to tell her some strict things about those who come to our doors, not bringing the cor rect doctrine. We are not to re ceive him into our house, neither to bid him Godspeed. The New Testament epistles are written to individuals as well as churches. 22
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