Panel Discussions (continued) represented springtime was known as “Easter.” The word itself is not signifi cant; it is what it represents. Similarly, there is much made over the date of Christmas, however, the important fact is that Christ did come, and that He did live a sinless life and that He was put to death for our sins and that He did rise again, and that He is coming back for all those who have put their faith and trust in Him. Q . Burbank, California — “W ill we see God in eternity?” A. Revelation 22:3, 4 gives us an af firmative answer: “And there shall be no curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.” Q . Vancouver, British Columbia — “Do you believe that the Great Tribulation is now upon the earth?” A, First, the Great Tribulation is not now upon this earth, but is prophesied for a coming hour when the wrath of God is poured out on sinful men. There is, of course, tribulation, tur moil, and trouble now, however, it cannot begin to compare with that which is to come to pass. The Great Tribulation takes place after t h e Church has been taken up to meet the Lord in the air, and “so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Q . Modesto, California — “/ have talked against relatives, friends, and neigh bors. Should / confess it to them and make any necessary restitution?” A. According to Scripture that is the Christian thing to do. (See Matthew 5:23, 24.) All confession should first be to the Lord. Then, as is necessary, where forgiveness of our fellow man needs to be obtained, we should make things right. We should seek the Lord’s leading that we do not foolishly make amends for things which are already under the blood and need not have recompense made for them.
Q . Scottsdale, Arizona — “Does God put sickness on backsliders in order to bring them back to Him?” A. Sometimes people get sick because of their own foolishness and careless ness. Do not blame God for all sick ness on the part of human beings. There are times, however, when God puts a man on a bed of sickness in or der that He might get hold of him, and that the man might realize his days are in the Lord’s hands. Again, God may bring a person to a bed of sickness not because he is a backslider, but simply in order to enable him to get rested. Dr. A. T. Pierson was on a world mission tour having tremen dous success and making a great im pact on the mission stations. While in the Orient he got very sick. They had to bring him back on the fastest steam ship of the time so that he might have proper medical help. It was his state ment, “You know, the Lord had some things to say to me, but I was so busy I didn’t have time to listen. So, He just put me on my back where I could be alone and He could get at me.” Sometimes we never look up into the face of God until we are on our backs and are forced to look up. Q . Chico, California — “What does Jesus mean when He says that when we bring our gifts to the altar, we are first to seek reconciliation? This is if we know someone has ought against us before offering our gift. (See Matthew 5:23, 24) I have seen hard feelings result from a person’s confessing unkind feel ings to another.” A. Notice that the Lord mentions bring- ing “gifts” to the altar. There was an altar in the temple at Jerusalem during those days. Although this verse has an earthly setting, there is a principle for proper application. Suppose our heart begins to condemn us because someone has something against us. The Scrip ture indicates we ought to make it right with them first in order that our hearts may be clear before God. Otherwise the Lord sees an element of insincerity, and of an unforgiving spirit. It is too bad, 10
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