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Answers to Correspondents.
pp. 78 - 79
No. 14.--F.D.
"How would you explain why the Apostles still went to the Temple
(Acts 2: 46, 3: 1) when we remember what had taken place, and all that
Pentecost implied?"
It is extremely difficult to feel sure that any answer we may give will satisfy, as you
do not give any idea what you believe "Pentecost implied." We can hardly believe that
you hold that "The Church began at Pentecost." Those who hold that necessarily have a
problem regarding many of the acts of the Apostles, and are not above labeling them
Apostolic mistakes!
Pentecost was the commencement of the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel, and seven
out of the fourteen items therein mentioned found fulfillment on that day (Acts 2: 17, 18).
The remaining seven (Acts 2: 19-21) await fulfillment as recorded in the book of
Revelation. Lev. 23: 15-21 indicates the prophetic type of Pentecost and its reference
to Israel. The two loaves, together with the two sticks (Ezek. 37: 15-20), look
forward to the spiritual union of Judah (Acts 2: 14) and Israel (Acts 2: 5-11).
The temple is an essential part of Israel's national life, and the plans of
Ezek. 40:-43:, together with the instructions regarding the priests and the offerings (in
conjunction with Zech. 14: 16-21), indicate clearly that Israel will in the day of their
blessing have a glorious temple, a "house of prayer for all nations." You will see that
until you definitely say what you believe Pentecost implied, it is impossible to discover
your real difficulty.
No. 15.--J.A., DARLINGTON.
"When does the resurrection and judgment of `the just' take place? Is it
during the millennium? Does this include all the O.T. saints who have
lived since Adam? Do the rest wait for their resurrection till after the
millennium? Who are included in the judgment of the great white throne?
When does the persecution and flight of the church (i.e., `the woman' of
Rev. 12: 6) into the wilderness take place?"
Your questions will be difficult to answer in a short space, largely owing to the need
there is to dispossess our minds of the idea that the millennium is the period during which
all unfulfilled prophecy will reach its fulfillment. The millennial kingdom is largely one
of reward; all who enter it by the first resurrection (Rev. 3: 21; 20: 4) will be those
who have definitely suffered for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God--the