The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-02
EVERYBODY'S BIBLE BOX.

Q.-Please explain Revelation Xxx,
10, particularly the last clause of the
verse which reads: and shall be tor
mented day and night for ever and
ever" &c. w. Do
Answer.-AII Bible students recog-
nlze that the expressions of this chap
ter and verse are highly figurative.
Where it is stated that a beast and
lake of fire and birthstone" no rea-
soning mind would say that a literal
beast, or a literal false prophet were
meant; but that these were symbols,
and represent false and beast1y sys-
TENS. And if not an actual beast is
meant, so also with the lake of fire
and birthstone" This lake would fit
tingly symbolic absolute destruction,
birthstone, the two most destructive
agencies known to mankind. is imme-
diately destroyed and not preserved in
any sense. AS stated in the 14th
verse, 1t is the second death''-anni-
hilation. To our understanding, the
devil here mentioned is not satan
himself, but is an evil system-a
devilish power. These evil systems
false civil and ecclesiastical powers
in the end of the age are to be
"tormented day and night" as long
as they last, with financial. social and
religious difficulties and pains. For
aionion which signifies lasting. The
torment" will last until these Satanic
systems are consumed.
ON II Kings 22d chapter and
goth verse we read "Behold, therefore,
I will gather thee unto thy fathers,
and thou shalt be gathered into thy
grave in peace" Then in chapter %,
verses 20 and 80. we are told that
Josiah was killed at Megiddo. Please
explain and harmonic. On. D. CD
Answer-The promise which the
Lord made to Josiah. as stated in II
Kings. xxi, 20, was because of the
splendid work of reformation which
the king had inaugurated and was
prosecuting against the false and idol
atrous religious systems that had be-
come esta blished in the land. during
the preceding reigns of the kings of
Judah. While it is not specifically
stated that this promise was condi-
toned on Josiah's continued faith and
obedience to the Lord, yet we can be
assured that such must have been the
case, for all of Gods promises are of
this nature. AS Josiah did not die in
peace, but was slain in battle, we
would naturally be led to examine the
scriptures to find wherein Josiah had
acted contrary to the Lords will. The
incidents narrated in the next chapter,
are described more in detail in II
Chronicles 35th chapter, and the rea-
son why Josiah suffered violent
death IS clearly outlined in the 10th
to the oath verses. What lesson for
ALTO mind their own business and
not to NEEDLE in the affairs of others!
Q.-Kindly explain I Timothy ii, 40.
Ct. So
Answer-God will have all men to
be saved from the death conditions
that came upon all because of father
Adams disObedience; just as the whole
race is in a dying condition with the
vast majority in the tomb so the Lord
will have 'all,' every man." saved
from this condition of DEATH and to
Gin order to bring the racial men
to the knowledge of the truth it would
be necessary to resurrect them from
the grave, for very few mmebers OF
the race have come to the knowledge
of the truth in this present life, as
the Lord Jesus Himself stated on one
occa sion-.'Strait is the gate and mar
row is the way which leadeth unto life;
and few there be that find it'), for
there is one God (not three Gods nor
many, and one Mediator Ego between),
the Man Christ Jesus, who viii satisfy
the claims of Divine Justice and bring
about the atonement or reconciliation
between God and men, because, by the
grace of God, He) gave Himself a ram
som for all ('severy man. which truth
due time1, when all have come forth
from the tomb.
On Hebrews XII, .. we read that
Enoch was translated that he should
not see death. Then in the 18th verse
we read that these all DIED in faith
referring to those mentioned in the
preceding verses. Would this include