How can we reconcile Ecclesiastes 1:4, which says the earth “abides forever,” with scientific claims that the solar system is slowly running down and that the earth may one day become cold and lifeless?
Ecclesiastes says that “the earth abides forever,” and this statement can be harmonized with scientific projections without any contradiction. Even if some scientific models suggest that the solar system will eventually run down and the [...]
In 2 Kings 20:11, we read that Isaiah the Prophet cried unto the Lord; and He brought the shadow of the sun ten degrees backwards, by which it had gone down on the dial of Ahaz. Does this record teach that the Lord reversed the motion of the earth upon its axis?
The possibility of such a miracle has been questioned by many, who have insisted that it would involve not only stoppage of the motion of the earth upon its axis, but an impossible retrograde movement, [...]
Can we say that Jesus is divine and yet not worship Him as deity?
The Logos is designated "The Only Begotten Son" of God. The thought conveyed by this expression is that the Logos, the Lord Jesus, is the only direct creation or begetting of the Heavenly Father, while [...]
Do the words “everlasting” and “forever and ever” as applied to the punishment of the wicked, mean an eternity of misery, and torment, or merely punishment for a season?
Let no one be deceived regarding the duration of the punishment of the wicked, as it is repeatedly put forth in the scriptures that it is for eternity and not merely for a season. However; [...]
What is the meaning of the word "Armageddon"? Also, what is signified by "the battle of Armageddon"?
The name is found in Revelation 16:16, and means literally "The Mountain of Destruction." It references the place where the Lord destroyed Israel's enemies before the Israeli armies of Gideon, and of Jehoshaphat. On both of these [...]
I have just lost a dear little girl who never was baptized. I am about mad with grief and sorrow. Some people tell me that she is lost to all eternity and may possibly now be writhing in eternal torture. I have called in our minister and he only shakes his head in doubt. I have also talked with ministers of other denominations and can get no consolation.
We appreciate your sorrow and anxiety. Many mothers have been comforted by the Lord's word found in `Jer. 31:15`. "Thus saith the Lord, A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping [...]
Kindly explain the last part of Ecclesiastes 11:3, "In the place where the tree falleth there it shall be."
We find this scripture to be in harmony with the remainder of the Bible and as particularly expressed in the ninth chapter of this same book of Ecclesiastes-- "for there is no work nor device, [...]
In 2 Kings 22:20, we read "Behold, therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shall be gathered into thy grave in peace." Then in 2 Kings 23:29-30, we are told that Josiah was killed at Megiddo. Please explain and harmonize.
The promise which the Lord made to Josiah in 2 Kings 22:20 was because of the splendid work of reformation. King Josiah had inaugurated and was prosecuting against the false and idolatrous religious systems in the land. While [...]
Who are the dead who die in the Lord, and how can a dead person die? – “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from hence forth.” `Rev. 14:13`.
There are three kinds of death mentioned in the Scriptures--the Adamic death; the sacrificial death, as death of Christ; and the "second death." The Adamic condition of death, passed upon all the human race because [...]
If a man has lived a sinful life, committed murder and robbed the widows and orphans, etc., and then at the last moment, with his dying breath, confesses his sins and accepts Christ as his Savior, will he not go immediately to Heaven and be with the Lord in glory?
When we think of the vast numbers of vicious, depraved characters, hardened criminals, convicts, etc., who at the solicitation of clergymen and religious devotees have "made their peace with God" at the last moment before [...]
What is death?
Death is the cessation of life; the cutting off of the great privilege of living. It signifies annihilation. "The dead know nothing," Ecclesiastes 9:5. Also, Ecclesiastes 9:10, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your [...]
Is there any difference between death and annihilation?
The Bible speaks of two types of death. The first is Adamic death, so called because the entire human race was put under its curse because of Adam's disobedience to God. In Genesis 2:17, God [...]
What is meant by Divine nature, etc.? What is the meaning of the word nature in these connections?
The word "nature" in its true sense, as applied to creatures, or beings, signifies the kind of organism and sphere of existence in which they live and move and have their being. Thus when human nature is referred to, it signifies [...]
God said to Adam, “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” How can you harmonize this with the record that “all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died?”– `Gen. 2:17`; `Gen 5:5`.
St. Peter gives us the key to this question in his declaration, "One day with the Lord is as a thousand years" (`2 Pet. 3:8`). Father Adam began to die as soon as he was [...]
1 Peter 4:6 – Who were the dead that the gospel was preached to? And when and by whom? How will they be judged in the flesh and live to God in the spirit?
In the preceding verses, the Apostle Peter says, "Speaking evil of you who shall give an account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead." From these words it is manifest [...]
If the dead are asleep in the graves awaiting the time of the resurrection at the second coming of our Lord, when all who are in their graves shall be awakened and shall come forth, as the Scriptures affirm; how shall we understand the experiences of some who, at the time of their departure from this life, see heavenly visions of angels, and hear strains of celestial music?
The Scriptures are clear that the dead are "asleep" "in their graves" and "the dead know not anything," “for there is neither wisdom, nor device, nor knowledge in the grave whither thou goest,” and that [...]
If Moses and Elijah were actually dead, how could they appear on the Mount of Transfiguration with our Lord Jesus? (Matthew 17:1-3)
While Moses and Elijah both passed from the scene of earth's experiences under peculiar and mysterious circumstances, yet we are assured that both died. We’re plainly told in Colossians 1:18 that Jesus was the firstborn [...]
Here is a Scripture that is confusing. If you can explain it I will be very thankful to you. It reads, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”–`1 Cor. 15:22`. What is the meaning of the latter part?
The correct translation of this text is thus: "As in Adam all die, even so all in Christ shall be made alive." Adam by disobedience brought death upon himself, and all his children being then [...]
How shall we understand the words of Jesus, "Let the dead bury their dead"? (Matthew 8:21,22)
When our first parent, father Adam, disobeyed the divine command, the death sentence passed upon him. Therefore, from the Creator's standpoint in a legal sense, he was dead although the dying process took over 900 years. The death [...]
What does this mean: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; but their works follow with them?" Revelation 14:13. How can the dead continue their works when there is no consciousness, wisdom or knowledge in the grave? Ecclesiastes 9:10
Addressing the members of the church of Christ, the followers of the Lord Jesus, the apostle says "Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). From the Divine viewpoint, [...]
Please give the Scripture evidence for the statement that the seventh creative "day" is a period of 7,000 years. Harmonize with the fourth commandment.
Genesis chapters 1 and 2 outline God’s grand act of creation. Chapter 1 divides God’s creative process into six distinct phases which the scriptures refer to as “days.” At the conclusion of many of these [...]
Were there two works of creation as narrated in the first and second chapters of Genesis, (Genesis 1 and Genesis 2) or are these simply two accounts of the same works of creation?
The first and second chapters of the book of Genesis are wrongly divided. There are two descriptions of the work of creation. The division of the chapters should show this and be in harmony. The first [...]