two witnesses, the prediction of Mala- chi 4:5, considered with our Lord’s words in Matthew 17:11, seems to indicate that Elijah will be one of these witnesses. There is a difference in the opinion of Bible scholars as to the identity of the second witness. Some believe it will be Moses, others that it will be Enoch. These witnesses are not on the earth today. They should not be confused with the 144,- 000 of Revelation 7 either. Mary's Other Children Q. Did Mary, the mother of Jesus, have other children than Jesus? A. Yes, after Jesus was bom in Beth lehem. As you know, Jesus Christ was virgin-born with no human father. The Scriptures make it very clear that Mary and Joseph had children after the birth of Jesus, Whose Fa ther was God. In Matthew 13:55, 56 we read: “ Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sis ters, are they not all with us?” Mat thew 12:46 also refers to His brothers: “While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him” ; and John 2:12: “ After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples.” This refutes the claim of some who contend that the “brethren” were just disciples, for a distinction is made in this verse. There is a teach ing that the brothers and sisters men tioned in these verses were Joseph’s by a former marriage but there is not a line of Scripture to warrant such a position. All Scripture argues the contrary. Psalm 69:8 gives additional proof: “I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.” The Only Motive for Service Q. I understand from the 13th chap ter of 1 Corinthians that unless all we do is prompted by love, our service is as wood, hay and stubble. Is this true
or will God recognize all the service of mankind? A , It is true. Anything and every thing not done for the glory of God and the love of Him will be like w o o d , h a y and s t u b b le , to be burned up at the judgment seat of Christ. Three kinds of works are men tioned in the Bible: bad works, dead works and good works. Bad works are the works of unregenerate people. Other unsaved people may classify them as good works but in the sight of God the works of an unregenerate person are like himself — all bad. Dead works are the works of believers but the motive behind them is wrong. They will be wood, hay and stubble at the judgment seat of Christ. Good works are the works of believers that have been performed, not for self- glorification, but for the praise and glory of God, out of love for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Apostate and Backslider Q. I read in 2 Peter 2:20, 21 that it would be better if certain ones had never known the way of righteous ness. Does this mean that the back slider has no chance of restoration1 A. The Scriptures refer to apostates, not to backsliders. An apostate is one who, after making a profession of Christ, repudiates Him and gives up his profession altogether. An apostate never did know the regenerating pow er of Christ. A backslider is a Chris tian who is out of fellowship with Christ. He may be restored according to 1 John 1:9, 10 and 2:1, 2. He no doubt will be chastised by the Lord as one of His children for we read in Hebrews 12:5-7 that the Lord does chastise everyone whom He receiveth. However, the passage to which you have referred has to do with fallen angels and apostates and closes with the verse you have quoted: “ For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment deliv ered unto them.” I THE KING'S BUSINESS
The Purpose of the Law Q. What is the meaning of Psalm 19:7, 8: “ The law of the Lord is per fect, converting the soul: the testi mony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” ? A. If you read these verses in the light of Galatians 3:24, you have your answer: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.” Because the law of the Lord is per fect, it follows that imperfect people cannot in any wise keep it, and cer tainly they cannot be saved by it. It was given to reveal the exceeding sin fulness of human nature and thus convert the soul from trust in human righteousness. In Romans 10:4 we read: “ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” John the Baptist and Elijah Q. Were John the Baptist and Elijah the same person? What did Christ mean when He said concerning John the Baptist that “ this was he who was to come” ? , j A. They were not the same person. John came in the power of Elijah and with the spirit of Elijah. Elijah’s message was not received and neither was John’s as they preached of Him Who was to come. The Two Witnesses Q. Who are the two witnesses found in the 11th chapter of Revelation? Are they on earth now? How will we know them when they come? A. My view of this matter is that the preaching of the two witnesses is 1,0 take place during the latter half of Daniel’s 70th week. That is to say, I believe they will preach during the tribulation proper and their testi mony will be given in Jerusalem as a witness against antichrist. Their testi mony will be given there because antichrist will erect his image in that temple. As to the identity of the 22
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