Prophecies

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Question 1: Does Genesis 3:15 refer to a conflict between Christ and Satan?

ANSWER: Yes! In this conflict, Satan was to bruise Christ's heel, i.e., our sin, caused by the influence of Satan, would cause Christ to die for us that we might re­ceive the atonement (Romans 5:8-11). Jesus was to bruise Satan's head, i.e., "that He, through death, might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14).

 

Question 2: Was King Saul not in the original plan for Israel?

ANSWER: Clearly, God was displeased with the Israelites choice of having a king, as did the nations around them. In so doing God said, " they have rejected me!" Please read I Samuel 9.

 

Question 3: Is Isaiah 66:17 applicable to us today?

ANSWER: No! The prophecies of Isaiah sixty-six are neither applicable today nor tomorrow! They had their total and complete fulfillment in the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity!

 

Question 4: Please explain Isaiah Chapter 19 in full detail.

ANSWER: A detailed study of this chapter would require volumes and more time than is available. However, perhaps an outline of the chapter followed by responses to the specific verses and questions cited in your letter would aid your further private study.

This chapter is a prophecy through Isaiah about those things that were to befall Egypt as follows:

A.  God is seen figuratively coming in a cloud in judgment upon Egypt (Vs.1).

B.  The effect of this judgment would cause much confusion and fear (Vs.1-2).

C.  The people would turn to their idols for comfort (Vs.3).

D.  Egypt would be conquered by a foreign power (Vs.4).

E.  They would suffer many physical discomforts (Vs.5-10).

F.  All of their princes and wise men would be looked upon as fools (Vs.11-16).

G.  God's people would become a terror to them (Vs.17).

H.  Many Egyptians would be converted to the one true God (Vs.18-20).

I.  The one true God would eventually heal their land (Vs.21-22).

J.  An alliance would develop between Israel, Egypt and Assyria (Vs.23-25).   

(Verse two question): Egyptians being set against Egyptians. Was this fulfilled or is it yet future?

(Verse two answer): It was fulfilled. Shortly after this prophecy, there was civil war in Egypt.

(Verse sixteen question): What does it mean that Egypt shall be like unto women?

(Verse sixteen answer): It means that they would be alarmed and fearful as a woman might be (See B. above).

(Verse nineteen question): How would Egypt raise an altar to God, since they never recognized Him?

(Verse nineteen answer): See H. above. Many Egyptians at that time did come to recognize and honor Jehovah.

(Verse twenty-four question): What was the connection between Israel, Egypt and Assyria?

(Verse twenty-four answer): See J. above.

(Verse twenty-five question): Is Egypt and Assyria of today to be blessed before Israel?

(Verse twenty-five answer): No! In Christ, "God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him."

Although the prophecies in Isaiah have been fulfilled, it is interesting to note the similarity of imagery used in Chapter thirteen (about Babylon), Chapter seventeen (about Damascus), Chapter eighteen (about Ethiopia) and Chapter nineteen (about Egypt) with that used in Matthew chapter twenty-four about the destruction of Jerusalem! 

 

Question 5: Would you explain Daniel's seventy weeks of prophecy?

ANSWER: This prophecy foretells of the coming of the Messiah. The seventy weeks, or 490 days, is, for many reasons, to be understood as representing 490 years. This practice was often the case in biblical prophecy (Ezekiel 4:6). In Daniel 9:24-27 we learn that the Messiah was to appear and accomplish His mission during the 70 weeks or within the 490 year period from the decree (commandment) going forth to rebuild the temple. This period was to include 69 (7+60+2) weeks (483 years - perhaps to the recognition by the Father that Christ was His Son, the promised Messiah) in additon to the final (70th) week or 7 years. The decree to rebuild the temple (Ezra 7) went forth in about 454 BC. Adding thirty-three years (the approximate age of Christ at His death), we are now in the midst of the seventieth week of the 490-year prophetic period (486-487). His mission (as described in Daniel 9:24), during the final week, including His death on the behalf of others (Daniel 9:26), was completely fulfilled. There is little, if any, doubt that this final week also included the es­tablishment and confirmation (through the giving of the Holy Spirit) of the kingdom (the church) of which Daniel had previ­ously prophesied (Chapters two and seven). Certainly, this, and the complete fulfillment of all other Old Testament prophesies, attests mightily to the inspiration and accuracy of God's Word.   

 

Question 6: Would you please clarify Isaiah 9:6-7?

ANSWER: Generally, Verse six is a prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, while Verse seven deals with the nature of the kingdom over which He was to rule. Verse six specifically: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:” The reference is to Jesus Christ who was to come for our benefit. “And the government shall be upon His shoulder:” This means that the Messiah would come as a ruler and sustainer of government. “And His name shall be called Wonderful:” Everything about Him would create wonder in those who would come to know Him. “Counseller:” One of honorable rank, able to advise princes and kings. “The Mighty God:” The Messiah, Jesus Christ would have all of the attributes of deity. He would possess the Divine nature. “The everlasting Father:” means ‘the Father of eternity’ or ‘one who possesses the eternal nature, without beginning or ending’ (Micah 5:2). “The Prince of Peace:” His purpose in coming would be to restore and maintain peace in the coming kingdom.

Verse seven specifically: “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end:” This means that there would be no limits to His government and the peace to be enjoyed therein. “Upon the throne of David and upon His kingdom:” He would sit upon David’s throne (refer to II Samuel 7:12-13 & Acts 2:30). “To order it:” means to raise it up. “And to establish it:” means He would provide a proper foundation for His kingdom. “With judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever:” His rule would be just and right in every way forever. “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this:” means that these things would come to pass through the desire of Jehovah.

 

Question 7: In what way was the fourth kingdom of Daniel’s prophecies different from the others?

ANSWER: Daniel 7:7 states that the fourth kingdom was different from the first three in that it would be a divided kingdom as indicated by the multiplicity of “horns” of the fourth beast and as expressly stated in Daniel 2:41-42.

 

Question 8: How and when was the fourth kingdom divided?

ANSWER: The fourth kingdom would be divided as the iron and clay were in the image. It does not necessarily mean that there would be an open rupture or an actual separation into two parts; but that there would be "such a diversity in the internal constitution" that, while there would be the element of great power, there would be also an element of weakness. There would be something diverse that could never be blended with the element of strength, so as to produce one united nation. This division was seen in the strife and animosity that existed between the Roman senate and the popular military generals, Pompey and Julius Caesar. This division continued between the senate and the emperors of Rome even after Rome became a world empire. The Roman Empire existed from 166 BC to 476 AD. Significant strife and division occurred during the one hundred years prior to the birth of Christ, which included the death of Caesar in 44 BC.

 

Question 9: Are the present day powers prophesied in the book of Daniel?

ANSWER: No! The prophecies of Daniel pointed to the fifth kingdom over which the promised Messiah was to reign.

 

Question 10: Daniel 12:1 discusses a time of distress. When was/will this be fulfilled? How and by whom? Does Verse 2 talk of the resurrection at Christ’s coming? What does Verse 11 and 12 talk about?

ANSWER: The passage refers to the savage attack and distress that was to be heaped on the Jewish nation by Antiochus Epiphanes who lived from 215 BC to 163 BC. Verse two is speaking symbolically and, though it shows that there was at that time a belief in the resurrection, refers to a Jewish resurrection from captivity and lethargy to serve God and nation courageously. 

Daniel 12:11 is a reference to the destruction that would be brought by Antiochus Epiphanes and his desecration of the temple, who would even sacrifice pigs (an unclean animal to the Jews) upon the altar. He would not allow the Jews to continue their daily sacrifices and, in fact, caused the Jews to forsake all order of worship as prescribed by Moses. He forced the Jews to worship idols and even forbade them to circumcise their children! He was truly an abomination.  

The figure of 1335 of Daniel 12:12 must be understood in the light of the figure of 1290 in 12:11. The “one week” of Daniel 9:27, which was to commence with the beginning of the personal ministry of Christ, equates to seven years (a year for each day). The Covenant of the Messiah was to be confirmed in the midst of the week or three and one-half years or 1290 days. The sacrifice and oblation was to cease at this time and did so with the death of Christ on the cross three and one-half years after His ministry began. The 1335 days of Daniel 12:12 includes the 1290 days of Daniel 12:11 plus 45 days or years and refers to that period of time when the preaching of the Gospel would also be extended to the Gentiles, causing the expected blessing to fall upon all flesh, Jew and Gentile alike!

 

Question 11: When was Zechariah 14 fulfilled?

ANSWER: It was fulfilled with the first coming of Christ and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

 

Question 12: Please explain Zechariah 14:5b, 6, 7, 8, & 21. 

ANSWER: Zechariah 14:5b is a prophecy about the coming of the powers of heaven (symbolically expressed as the coming of God and His saints) in the destruction of Jerusalem. Verse Six is parallel to Matthew 24:29. Verse Seven states that Christ only, at that time, knew when the destruction would come. Verse Nine is a reference to the spreading of the Gospel of Christ, whose blood would flow backwards and forward (Hebrews 9:15) to cover sin. Verse Nine simply states that Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah, was to be the One King over all people. Verse Twenty-one refers to that time in the church, over which Christ would reign, when there would be a great advancement of holiness. Here the writer states that even the common vessels used in everyday life would be used as vessels of holiness and that no enemy could harm those the faithful, nor could they participate in the holy activities of God’s people.

 

Question 13: In Isaiah 2:2, what does it mean, “all nations shall flow to it?”

ANSWER: The prophecy of Isaiah Two has to do with the coming kingdom or the Church of Christ. It was to be established in the top of the mountains (Jerusalem) and people of all nations would flow into it. Such as been fulfilled from the beginning (Acts, Chapter Two) and continues today!

 

Question 14: How do all nations flow into it?

ANSWER: Through obedience to the Gospel of Christ (Acts 2:37-47).

 

Question 15: If the above prophecy has been fulfilled, has Isaiah 2:4 been fulfilled? If not, explain?

ANSWER: Yes! Verse four has been fulfilled. The Verse, however, is not referring to peace among the nations from which people flow. It is referring to the peace that will exist among brethren (both Jew and Gentile) within the kingdom/church that was to be established (Ephesians 2:11-16).

 

Question 16: Please explain Joel Chapter 3, Verse 1, 3, & 20.

ANSWER: The word “for” of Chapter Three links the discussion to what was written in the last part of Chapter Two, which obviously prophesies about the establishment of the church/kingdom of Christ (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21). So “in those days and in that time” refers to the same period. It was at this time that those of the captivity were first brought to Christ.

Verse three is a discussion of things that happened to the Jews when they were in captivity. It says that their captors would cast lots to decide who would own them as slaves. They paid prostitutes of their evil societies for sexual favors by giving a boy to be a slave rather than giving money. They though so little of females that they would give a girl into slavery for a glass of wine! In the peaceable kingdom of Christ, none of these things were to exist. It follows then that if all were to enter that kingdom, none of these things would exist in our world today!

Verse Twenty does not refer to an earthly Judah, nor earthly Jerusalem, for these must come to an end, together with the earth itself, of whose end the prophets well knew. It is then the one people of God, the true Judah, the people who praise God, the Israel of God that is the church (Galatians 6:16), which is indeed Israel. All the enemies of God will come to a destructive end in eternity; but His church shall never come to an end. "The gates of hell shall not prevail against her" (Matthew 16:18). The enemy shall not destroy her; time shall not consume her; she shall never decay. The people of God shall abide before Him and through Him here, and shall dwell with Him forever in a place Christ is preparing for the faithful.

 

Question 17: Why was Malachi God’s last inspired messenger?

ANSWER: It is true that Malachi was possibly the last prophet of the Old Testament, but why Malachi was chosen to be that individual we are not told. He wrote the final inspired work of the Old Testament in about 450 BC It should, however, be noted that Malachi was contemporary with Nehemiah who had been appointed Governor in 446 BC and who penned, by inspiration, the book that bears his name. It is this book that actually closes out Old Testament history, although Malachi was apparently the last to prophesy in the Old Testament. We should not, however, assume that he was God’s last inspired messenger of all time, for, even he, spoke of other inspired messengers to come, i.e., Jesus Christ, the “Lord’ of Malachi 3:1 and John, the Baptist, the “messenger” of Malachi 3:1 and the “prophet” of Malachi 4:5 (Matthew 11:7-15; Matthew 17:10-13). Certainly, many in the New Testament spoke and wrote by inspiration (including the apostles - John 16:13) and gave us in written form the final inspired message of our Lord (the New Testament) for these last days (Hebrews 1:1-2).

 

Question 18: Would you please shed more light on why Genesis 3:15 is a reference to Christ and His death?

ANSWER: The reason we can know that the Genesis 3:15 refers to Christ is that no other series of events in history even begins to answer to what is, by inspiration, prophesied here by Moses. Consider the phrase, "He shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel?" Is not the seed of the woman here personalized and placed in conflict with the tempter of the preceding verses? Certainly! Do not these words talk about some notable descendant of the woman, who is, in the bruising of the tempter’s head, to gain a final victory over the adversary of man? Surely!

The serpent makes the woman (Eve) the object of his attack, but it is the seed of the woman that is prophesied to bruise his head. Who else can be said to have bruised Satan except the Christ, the seed of Eve? Who else but the One who overcame the Prince of this world (Revelation 2:21) by overcoming death, hell, and the grave that comes to all because of his evil assault on the woman? None but He! And certainly not Moses, Elijah, or John the Baptist that you suggest as possibilities. Neither these three or any other answer to Genesis 3:15! This passage describes exactly and literally He who was made of woman without the intervention of man, that He might destroy the works of the tempter. Satan bruised Christ’s heel at His crucifixion, but Christ bruised Satan’s head at His resurrection; a bruise from which he will never recover, with his power being greatly restricted by that event (Revelation 20:1-3), and finally to be dealt with at the Second Coming (Revelation 20:10; I Corinthians 15:25-26).

 

Question 19: Would you explain the new heavens and the new earth as seen in Isaiah 65:17-25, Revelation 21:1-5, and in light of Ecclesiastes 1:3-4?

ANSWER: We must understand that Isaiah 65:17-25 is highly symbolic, and we are not required to understand it literally. There is no more reason for understanding this literally than there is for so understanding that animals will experience a change in their nature with the coming Gospel and church of Christ, as expressed in Isaiah 11:1-8. Calamity and punishment in the Bible are often represented by the heavens growing dark, and being rolled up as a scroll, or passing away (see Isaiah 13:10; 34:4). On the other hand, prosperity, happiness, and the divine favor, are represented by the symbolism of the clearing up of a cloudy sky; by the restoration of the serene and pure light of the sun; or, as here, by the creation of new heavens (see Isaiah 51:16). The figure of great transformations in material things is one that is often employed in the Scriptures, and especially in Isaiah, to denote great spiritual changes (see Isaiah 11; 51:3; 35:1-2,7; 60:13,17). In the New Testament, the phrase used here is employed to denote the future state of the righteous (see 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1). All that is implied in 65:17-25 that there would be future changes, from that time, in the condition of the people of God as great as if the heavens, often overcast and subject to storms, should be changed, so as to become always peaceful and serene; or as if the earth, so dry and unproductive in many places, should become fully fertile, beautiful, and productive. The immediate reference here is, doubtless, to Palestine and to the welcome changes that would be realized there on the return from Babylon. But there can be no doubt, under this symbolism, there was a prophecy about far more important changes and blessings in future times under the Christ and within His kingdom/church, i.e., changes as great as if a barren and sterile heavens and earth should become universally peaceful and beautiful. Isaiah 35 expresses the same imagery, both immediate and future!

The new heavens and new earth of Revelation 21:1-5 must be seen in much the same way. Remember that John was writing in signs (Revelation 1:1), or symbolic language. This passage simply teaches that the New Jerusalem originated in heaven with God and will one day again be in heaven where He is! It does not teach that the "new heavens and new earth" will be physically located on a renovated planet! The symbolic statement, “and there shall be no more sea,” refers back to Revelation 13:1 and teaches that in the new heavens and the new earth there will be no sea from which a beast would arise to persecute the saints. Those who teach a renovated earth with no literal sea are in error! Reference of this passage is clearly to the redeemed state of the church in the future abode where we shall be with God who will “wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away,” i.e., that place that He has gone to prepare for us! If He is preparing a place for us where He has gone and from where He is coming to get us to take us to that prepared place, what need is there of a renovated earth? None at all! As noted above, “all” of the redeemed will be before His throne that is located in heaven where we shall abide eternally!

As to Ecclesiastes 1:3-4: Verse three is a question that will be answered throughout the book. The bottom line expressed by Solomon, who experienced all this earth had to offer, is that all that a man does that is of this world and not of God is “vanity.” It is all meaningless and worthless as relates to the soul of man, whose full responsibility is to ‘Fear God and keep His Commandments in light of the coming Judgment’ (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).  Concerning Verse 4, the Jehovah’s Witnesses fully wrest the word “forever” here and throughout the Old Testament the words "for ever" in the Old Testament mean "throughout the appointed time" or "age lasting." For example consider carefully the usage in Exodus 12:14; Leviticus 6:18; Leviticus 7:36; and Numbers 10:8. In these, the words "for ever" clearly mean "throughout (or in) their (your) generations." Notice too, the Old Testament says that circumcision was to be an "everlasting covenant" (Genesis 17:13). Yet, Paul says in Galatians 6:15 that circumcision avails nothing in Christ! In Numbers 25:13, Moses said that the Levitical Priesthood would be "everlasting," but in Hebrews 7:12, we learn that it had been changed. How can this be? Clearly, the same is true with these as with the existence of the earth. It is to exist “forever” throughout its time as appointed by God, just as was the case with the covenant of circumcision and the Levitical priesthood.

 

Question 20: Why was Jacob blessed by God even though he had deceived his father?

ANSWER: It was the will of God, as He promised in Genesis 25:23, that the older of the twins would serve the younger. God kept that promise which had its roots in the promise made to Abraham that through his seed all nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). Neither the deceitful act of Rebekah and Jacob toward Isaac; nor Isaac's attempt to give the blessing to Esau rather than Jacob, while knowing the will of God; nor the profane Esau's (Hebrews 12:16-17) request for the blessing that he had sold to another, could deter the providence of God in this matter!

If God worked His providence only through those who do no wrong, certainly His providential will would be totally thwarted, since all of us do err. This does not mean, however, that in the receipt of His blessings, we do not suffer the consequences of sin, nor that we are free, as God's children from His chastening (Hebrews 12:5-11). Concerning Jacob's deceitfulness, it might be well to ponder the fact that just as he deceived his father, even so was he deceived many years later by his own children (Genesis 37:29-36)!

 

Question 21: What covenant did God make with Abraham?

ANSWER: In Genesis 12:1-3 God first promised Abraham that He would (1) make of Him a great nation and (2) that in him would all nations of the earth be blessed. This promise was repeated to his son Isaac (Genesis 26:1-50 and his grandson Jacob (Genesis 28:13-14). The blessing to all nations through Abraham was wonderfully ful­filled in Christ. "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ" (Galatians 3:16). 

When one is born again (baptized into Christ) he has put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). (Note that one does not put Christ on before baptism!) "And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29). This passage shows how we become heirs and are blessed through the Seed of Abraham!

 

Question 22: Would you explain Ezekiel 19:1-14?

ANSWER: This chapter is divided into comparisons. The first (Vs.1-9) is a de­scription of God's justice which He poured out through other nations upon Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim during their reigns in Jerusalem, because they had turned the people away from Him. The lioness in Verse two refers to Jerusalem. The first young lion (Vs.3) refers to Jehoahaz; the second young lion (Vs.6) refers to Jehoiakim. The second comparison (Vs.11-14) describes the captivity of all the Jewish peoples, represented by a vine (Vs.10), who at the first were blessed greatly by God (Vs.10-11). But when they rejected Him and turned to idols, He permitted them to be destroyed and carried away into captiv­ity, as depicted by the destruction of the vine (Vs.12-14).

 

Question 23: Would you please tell me which kingdoms are represented in Daniel 2:38-45?

ANSWER: Daniel begins the interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Verse 36 of Chapter two. He speaks of four earthly kingdoms as follows:

Kingdom No.1, represented by the head of gold, under Nebuchadnezzar, was the Babylonian Empire. Judah was carried into captivity in 588 BC. This kingdom survived until 562 BC.

Kingdom No.2, represented by the breast and arms of silver, under Darius and Cyrus, was the Medo-Persian Empire. This kingdom existed from 562 BC until 330 BC.

Kingdom No.3, represented by the belly and thighs of brass, under Alexander the Great, was the Grecian or Macedonian Empire. It existed from 330 BC until 166 BC.

Kingdom No.4, represented by the legs of iron and feet of iron and clay, under the Caesars, was the Roman Empire. It existed from 166 BC until 476 AD.

It was during the days of these Roman kings that the God of heaven was to set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44). Jesus and John the baptist both began preaching during the rule of the Roman Empire that the kingdom of heaven was very near (Matthew 4:17; Matthew 3:2). In Mark 9:1, Jesus said that the kingdom would be estab­lished during the lifetime of the people to whom He was speaking. In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus referred to His kingdom as His church; the church of Christ. This promised king­dom/church came into being in a grand way in Acts, Chapter two on the day of Pentecost. People, for the first time, upon their obedience to Christ, were added by Him to His church. They became citizens in the kingdom of God that had been foretold of by Daniel hundreds of years earlier. When people today are obedient to Christ in baptism, they too, just as those on Pentecost Day, will be added to His church and became citizens of that same kingdom! 

 

Question 24: Why is it that some prophets like Elijah went to heaven alive while others died and were buried?

ANSWER: The Bible does not tell us specifically why God translated Elijah. However, of Enoch, who was also translated, it is said in Hebrews 11:5, "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had trans­lated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

Though all reasons for the translation of these two men of God cannot yet be known, it appears likely that such was done, at least in part, to provide evidence to those living during the Old Testament period that a future state of existence with God through faith was a reality, in spite of the fact that "it is appointed unto men once to die" (Hebrews 9:27)! These actions were, as well, recorded for those of us who live under the New Tes­tament (Romans 15:4). Therefore, these actions, in addition to the resurrection and as­cension of Jesus Christ, bear witness to the fact that from the beginning it has been the intent of God that all who are faithful to Him can be assured of a future life in a place called "Heaven" (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:1-3).

 

Question 25: There seems to be a contradiction between what is stated in Exodus 33:20 and the encounters that occurred between God and some of the Old Testament prophets. Please explain.

ANSWER: No man has literally looked into the face of God (I John 4:12). Man has, however, seen manifestations of God in miraculous situations such as the burning bush, etc., but never God Himself. In Exodus 33:11, it is stated that “Jehovah spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend.” This passage does not imply that Jehovah (who is a spirit) took on Himself a fleshly existence so Moses could look into His face. It simply affirms that God spoke to Moses directly and openly, as would a friend.

 

Question 26: Explain Ecclesiastes 3:19-21. Does the spirit go back to God when someone dies?

ANSWER: In order to understand any passage in Ecclesiastes, one must understand that Solomon is speaking from the viewpoint of a vain man or the way that man sees and does things (For example see Ecclesiastes 1:13-18; 2:1-11, 15, 21, 26). He is saying, then, in Verse 19, that the way he, as a vain man, had one time perceived life was that there is little, if any, difference between the man and the beast; that man had no preeminence over the beast; that all go to the grave as an end point of life and return to dust. This, of course, is not the way of God. He made man to have dominion over the animals (Genesis 1:28) and in Matthew 12:12, Jesus says clearly that man is better than the beast. So what is being expressed, by Solomon, is not God’s wisdom, but rather man’s faulty wisdom. Yet, there are many today who, as Solomon once did, put no difference between man and animals, but they do not do so on the basis of Scripture. In Verse 21, he states that, as vain men, none know whether the spirit of man goes upward, or that of a beast downward, assuming no difference between the two. Later in life Solomon apparently came to the truth of the matter. In Ecclesiastes 12:7 he would state, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Then in closing the book, he declares in Chapter 12, Verse 13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” All else (man’s perceptions) is vanity of vanities (Ecclesiastes 1:2)!

Consider the following as you study these matters: There are twelve chapters in the book of Ecclesiastes. The first six state the vanity of the conditions of human life, while the last six deal with how one should conduct himself under those conditions.

 

Question 27: Explain more on Psalms 146:4. Is there life after death?

ANSWER: This verse refers to the Prince of Verse three. It states that he (the prince) dies like any other man, no matter how exalted he may be. His thoughts (plans and schemes) perish with him. God is no respecter of persons. As one dies all shall die (Hebrews 9:27).

 

Question 28: In the book of Jeremiah there is a sentence that talks about a woman encompassing a man. Was Jeremiah talking about Mary, the Mother of Jesus?

ANSWER: The passage is Jeremiah 31:22. Some have said that the reference is to Mary, who encompassed Jesus in her womb. However, this seems to be reaching for something that is not there. In context, the discussion is about the restoration of Israel who was said to be a “backsliding daughter.” The word “compass” is from the Hebrew cabab, which may also be translated, “enclose or embrace.” The idea is that the woman, symbolic of the nation of Israel, as used throughout the chapter, will, upon her restoration, once again will embrace the man, symbolic of Jehovah, their God. In other words, it is simply saying that, in her restoration, Israel will once again embrace God. This appears to be the clear and evident meaning, even from a casual reading of the verses preceding verse twenty-two! 

 

Question 29: It is difficult for a rich person to enter heaven. How is it then that in Deuteronomy 8:18 that Moses said that God would give power to Israel to “get wealth?”

ANSWER: Certainly, as stated, it is difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. Jesus so taught in Matthew 19:23-24 and Solomon, as well, recognized the same truth in Ecclesiastes 5:12-13. Deuteronomy, Chapter 8 holds to the same principle. In context, God is warning the Children of Israel who had just suffered forty years of hardship, deprivation, and hunger, and who were now going to cross over Jordan to inherit the Promised Land of milk and honey, to not allow the riches of that land to cause them to forget the God who, through His grace, enabled them to “get wealth.” They had been a people of humility in their desert wandering and had been caused to see that “man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, doth man live” (Verse 3). It is the case, however, that man is often lifted up by pride, because of riches, and as a result has a tendency to no longer be humble as at the beginning, but rather becomes one who forgets the God, who through His providential guidance, enabled the wealth to come. In Verse 18, we have a summary of this warning directed to those who were to “get wealth” in Caanan Land far beyond what they had possessed previously. God warns here: “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He who giveth thee power to get wealth (i.e., the wealth of the promised Land).” Through God, came the power to get the land and it’s wealth in order to confirm the Promise that He had made to their fathers (Genesis 15:18-21; Exodus 23:31; Deuteronomy 1:7-8). The warning to the Children of Israel was, as it is to all men, ‘don’t allow riches to cause you to turn from God, but rather remember Him who gave you the power to gain riches, for without Him you have no such power.’ James said, “Every good and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). Without God, not even the unjust could be rich, because He provides life through the sun and the rain that He gives to both the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45)! The just will, in humility, handle and dispense their riches in accordance with (and in memory of) God’s provision and will, as did wealthy Abraham, a man of faith. The unjust person will, in pride, credit himself for the riches that God as allowed him to have. He will forget God, as a faithless individual, not recognizing the needs of others (spiritually and physically), as did the rich man of Luke 16:19-31. Since God caused Abraham (and others) to be wealthy in their faithfulness, we can safely conclude that wealth in and of itself is not sinful. However, it must also be concluded that the wealthy are more likely to be lifted up with pride that will divert one’s trust from God to self, thus endangering the final destiny of the soul! This truth, the Bible consistently expresses throughout!

 

Question 30: Who were the false prophets in Isaiah’s days? Were they sent by God?

ANSWER: The children of Israel had revolted against Jehovah (Isaiah 31:6) and had turned to the foreign gods of Babylon, Egypt, and Assyria, and even idol gods of their own making (Isaiah 31:1 & 7). They rejected truth, by saying “to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:10). God did not cause His children to go into captivity, but He allowed it to happen because they had rejected Him! When the children of God returned to worship Him, He caused the destruction of their captors (Isaiah 47:6-11) and returned a remnant of His penitent faithful to their land (Isaiah 11:11-16).

 

Question 31: For what purpose did Jacob wrestle with God?

ANSWER: Jacob did not wrestle with God Himself, but rather a representative of God. In Genesis 32:24 he is called a man and in Hosea 12:4 he is said to have been an angel. The phrase in Genesis 32:30 must be taken to mean that God "has dealt directly with me," especially since John wrote in I John 4:12, “No man has seen God at any time."

The purpose of the wrestling appears simply to be that God wanted to assure Jacob that he had power with God and by that power he could and would do all that God had planned for him. Imagine the increased strength of conviction and character gained by knowing that you had wrestled with an angel and had been victorious to the point of receiving God's blessing through him! Surely, Jacob was now more fit to accomplish that which was set before him!

 

 

 

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