ties of an Oriental monarch? Wives often were a part of the loot in the conquest of other lands. We need not read into a biblical account our Western concept of marriage. In such a harem the husband or king is not seen daily across the table from each wife. His interest might be based on a passing whim of fancy. It was cer tainly not the divine order of God as we find in the New Testament where we are told that every man should be the husband of one wife. Q. Arkansas City, Kans. — “I ’m unable to understand John 5:28, 29 about those in the graves coming forth. Does this mean that some souls are not with our heavenly Father but are waiting judgment?” A. Before our Lord’s death and res urrection, the souls of all men went to hades (or sheol as it is called in the Old Testament). This was divid ed into the abode of the wicked dead and the abode of the righteous dead. The latter is sometimes called Para dise or Abraham’s bosom. Those who die today without Christ still go to the place of the wicked dead. Para dise, on the other hand, was emptied by Christ and taken to glory. So therefore, the souls of believers go to be with God (“absent from the body — present with the Lord”). In this passage you’ve mentioned it was before the cross. Today the abode of the righteous dead is uninhabited. Paul said it’s far better to be with the Saviour than to remain here upon earth. Consider the penetrating ques tion in John 5:29. God’s desire is that all men might be saved; He’s not willing that any should perish. Accepting Jesus Christ as one’s Sav iour is the good work of God that brings resurrection unto life. Q. San Diego, Calif. — “Is there a sense in which the Lord Jesus Christ is King of the Church or is this title reserved exclusively for Israel?”
A. Generally it is better to refer to Christ as the Bridegroom of the Church. Scripture speaks of us as sheep in the flock of the Lord Jesus who is our good Shepherd. Again, we are branches and He is the vine. He is the One who is the foundation. We’re built upon Him as living stones. Our Lord Jesus Christ, be ing given the pre-eminence, is to be made King of our lives. He is poten tate and sovereign. Q. San Diego, Calif. — “Who were the 2U elders spoken of in Revela tion? Someone told me it’s the Church. That disturbed me. Is it correct?” A. These are very real men, not just symbols. We believe they represent the Church (Rev. 4:4 and 10). The use of the crowns here represents authority. These trophies are then presented to the Lord of glory as the elders exclaim, “Thou art worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory and honour and power.” In Revelation 5:8, the 24 elders “fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints.” Then, they turned to say what I believe is one of the most magnificent passages in all of Scripture, “they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals, for thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Read this entire passage and let your heart rejoice In the song of the redeemed, forming one massive Hal lelujah chorus. Q. Whittier, Calif. — - “Will you ex plain what God is saying through Paul in Galatians 3:28 when he wrote, ‘there is neither male or fe male’? Does this mean that when we receive Christ, we are sexless?” A. Here is a case where we need to 23
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