The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-05
EvERYBODY'S BIBLE BOX.

Q.-Will some one please explain
the passage IT make peace and create
evil, I the Lord do all these things"
Isaiah 45:7? In what sense does the
Lord create evil? (Farmer's Wife.)
Answer.-Sin is always an evil, but
an evil is not always sin. An earth
quake, conflagration, a flood or a
pestilence would be a calamity, an evil;
but none of these would be sins. The
word evil in the text cited signifies
calamities. The same Hebrew word is
translated affliction in Psalm 34:19;
1O7:39; jeremiah 48:16; Zechariah
lis. 1t is translated calamities adj
versity, and distress in 1 Samuel 1913;
Psalm 1876; 94:13; 141:5; Ecclesi-
astes TIA; Nehemiah PIT. And the
same word is in very many places
rendered harm, mischief, sore, hurt,
misery, grief and sorrow. In the text
before us the Lord would remind
Israel of the covenant made with
them as a nation-that if they would
obey His laws He would bless them
and protect them from the calmities
common to the world in general; but
that if they would forsake Him He
would bring calamities (evils) upon
them as Establishments. See Deuter-
onomy 2S:1-14; Leviticus 26:14-16;
ties came upon them, however, they
were inclined to consider them as ac-
cidents and not as chastisements.
Hence God sent them word through
the pTOpnoIS, reminding Cnom OF
their covenant and telling them that
their calamities were from Him and
by His will for their correction. 1t
is absurd to use this text to prove
that God is the author of sin, for they
do not at all refer to sin.
Owe read in 1 Corinthians 1873
10, about the gifts of the spirit and
Discerning of spirits Did Christian
theology ever regard those gifts as
hniT iY0 xxyhy do how
regard them as false today? Did
those gifts" cease with the death of
the Apostles, and is that the reason
why they are not used in the world
now? Of. W.
Answer-The gifts of the spirit
were conferred upon the Apostles, and
these alone were endowed with the
power of transferring them upon 9TH
ers. When the Apostles went down
into death none had the gifts ex-
cepting> those who had received them
from the Apostles. When these died
there were none left who possessed
the miraculous powers of the gifts
of the spirit The gifts had served
the establishment of the Church of
Christ, and therefore, were no longer
required. The Apostle Paul had fore !
told that the time would come when i
the gifts" would cease, and when |
som ething better would take their |
place. Writing to the Corinthians he
said-"Whether there be prophecies, |
they shall fail; whether there shall be |
there be knowledge, it shall vanish !
away" Il Corinthians 1888 In the /
first three verses of this chapter |
he had pointed out that the gifts |
out the quality of love ("charity'D |
they were as nothing. The Lord Jesus
had set forth the same lesson when |
He said to His followers by their |
fruits We shall know them" and not |
by their great and wonderful works. |
7:30-23.
On Acts 1881, we read that the
world is to be judged by that Man |
whom He (God) hath ordained. Is
Answer.-In the primary sense of
the teachings of this verse, the Lord |
Jesus is to be the great judge of all. |
John SGD But in the fuller and
entire Scriptures, the world is to be |
Judged by the Christine Anointed-l
Head and Body, the Lord Jesus the
Head and the Church which is His
Body. The Apostle clearly points out
his great truth when he says Know
re not that the saints shall judge the |
world q Corinthians SGD The |
saints the sanctified members of
high honor and privilege of being as
;ociated with their Lord in the judg
nent of the entire race of mankind
Turing the thousand years of the reign
IF Christ over the nations of the earth.
Then will be the worlds great judg-
nent day or trial time in the which,
vhosoever wills to do right may gain
eternal life. The church is now on
rial and being fitted and prepared for
hat future work of judging the world
rhe time for the beginning of the
worlds Judgment and blessing will not
De until the last member of the Body
If Christ has passed beyond into the