Is the Christian bride’s long hair a sufficient head covering for her wedding?

Yes. The Scriptures only instruct a sister to wear a head covering when the assembly has come together. This, once again, is a personal choice.

A sister’s long hair is her permanent expression of the headship of the man (see question 1). If her behavior during and after the wedding indicates that she respects the headship of her new husband, this is consistent with the "message" her long hair gives. Apart from that, she is disobedient to God and disturbs the beauty of His plan.

D. Oliver
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When someone dies, where does his spirit go?

Man is composed of spirit, soul, and body. When he dies where does the spirit go?

The spirit and the soul must not be confused, nor yet divided. They together form the spiritual part of man. When a believer falls asleep he only does so as regards his body. The spiritual part of him, with which the personality is really connected, goes at once to be with Christ (see a 2 Corinthians 5: 8)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 5: 8). “Absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” This, of course, cannot refer to the resurrection state, as then no believer will be absent from the body. Paul describes dying as departing to be with Christ which is far better (Philippians 1:23)." TARGET="_blank">Philippians 1:23). It is a most serious denial of God’s truth to describe the condition of the believer who dies, as that of sleep, except as regards his body.

W.H.

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What is the consequence of not serving others?

What is the consequence of not serving others?

To a servant mind (Philippians 2:5)," TARGET="_blank">Philippians 2:5), meeting the needs of others is a way of life. Human nature being what it is, the absence of a servant mind introduces "strife and vainglory" (rivalry and conceit, ESV) (v 3) into the assembly. It creates a dead, difficult-to-define, negative atmosphere that causes the disenfranchised to go elsewhere and children to turn from the gospel. The existence of the assembly in Philippi was endangered because of the lack of a servant mind. By adopting a servant mind, the believers were to "work out" the salvation of the assembly (v 12). Only by this means could the believers be effective Christian witnesses in the community. Failure to serve others is totally foreign to the heart of God and therefore is destructive to testimony, personal growth, and gospel outreach.

D. Oliver
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How will the weather be affected during the Millennium?

How will the weather be affected during the Millennium?

David longed for a just King to reign in the fear of God. That would be as "a morning without clouds" (2Sa 23:4)." TARGET="_blank">2Sa 23:4). The word "as" introduces figurative language, but this does describe the weather patterns of the Millennium, which may be more pleasant than any weather since creation.

The weather during that reign will contribute to a fruitful ecological system. In Psalm 72" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 72 (as both the KJV and JND translate it), places that rarely produce a harvest will wave with abundance of grain (v 16). While the results of sin will be rolled back from creation, they will not be eliminated. The curse of sin will not touch the heavenly city, but the nations will still need "healing" during the Millennium (Rev 22:2, 3)." TARGET="_blank">Rev 22:2, 3). The complete removal of every trace of sin awaits the Day of God (2Pe 3:11-13)," TARGET="_blank">2Pe 3:11-13), the new heavens and the new earth (Rev 21:1-5)." TARGET="_blank">Rev 21:1-5). We know that some regions of the earth will lack needed rain (Zech 14:16-19)." TARGET="_blank">Zech 14:16-19). This will be the direct result of disobedience to the King.

This leads to the conclusion that the weather during the Millennium will be controlled by the Lord in such a way that fruitfulness will abound and, where appropriate, sin will be directly and immediately punished by means of the weather. Justice will not only control the governmental systems, but the ecological system as well. Except where human depravity will express itself, conditions in that day will be "right."

D. Oliver

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Did God die on the cross?

DID GOD DIE?

Is it wrong to assert that God died on the cross? If so, we must revise some of our hymns, e.g.,

“Save in the cross of Christ, my God,” and “When Christ, the Mighty Maker, dies.”

It is quite possible that some of our hymns (though not perhaps above) need revising; at best they are human compositions, but let it be done by those capable for such work. Not every amateur possesses the poetic gift. Better leave out a hymn, than maul it. Certainly it is quite unscriptural to say that “God died on the cross,” for “God only hath immortality,” and as such of course cannot die, but this does not imply that the One who hung upon the cross was not God, for He was, and Thomas was perfectly right when he exclaimed later, “My Lord and my God.”

Perhaps an illustration will make the matter plainer. We read twice in Psalm 121" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 121 that “Jehovah slumbers not nor sleeps.” Are we then to assert when we read in Mark 4" TARGET="_blank">Mark 4: 38 of our Lord that “He was asleep on a pillow,” that God was asleep, or that He who was asleep was not God? Neither the one nor the other, for both assertions would be false. Hebrews 2:14" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 2:14 teaches that He who in chapter 1 is spoken of as the Son, the Heir of all things, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and Who as such possessed Immortality, and was therefore immune from death, did Himself in order to purge our sins “take part of flesh and blood, that through death, etc.” He did not cease to be what He was before; but He became flesh, and so far capable of death, though never subject to death, as we are.

W.H.

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What does Ezekiel's vision of dry bones mean?

What is the meaning of Ezekiel 37:1-10," TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 37:1-10, where we read of the valley which was full of dry bones?

The explanation of this vision is given in verses 11-14 of the chapter. This is a prophesy concerning the national restoration of Israel. God's earthly people have long been buried as a nation and the ten tribes hidden out of sight in many countries of the world. They are spoken of here as "dry bones," "very dry." When the Lord comes back to earth again, these dry bones, so to speak, will be raised and brought to life. Then this prophesy will be literally fulfilled. Israel will be restored to the covenant rights given to that nation by God long ago, and placed and established in the land that God gave to His earthly people.

H. Alves (December, 1963)
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Does God create a soul at the moment of conception?

How do we know when the soul begins its existence?

This touches the fundamental truth of our Lord's incarnation. "That holy thing" (Luke 1:35)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:35) is elsewhere translated "the Holy One" (Mark 1:24;" TARGET="_blank">Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34;" TARGET="_blank">Luke 4:34; Acts 3:14)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 3:14). "Shall be born" is literally "being begotten." In Mary's virgin womb, the Holy One was begotten. His dependent humanity began from the womb (Psalm 22:10)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 22:10).

Scripture links with the soul our individuality (Genesis 2:7;" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 2:7; Mark 8:36)," TARGET="_blank">Mark 8:36), accountability (values, desires, choices: Genesis 17:14; 34:3;" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 17:14; 34:3; Job 23:13;" TARGET="_blank">Job 23:13; Psalm 11:5: 13:2; 42:2;" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 11:5: 13:2; 42:2; Ezekiel 18:4)," TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 18:4), personality (emotions, moods: Job 7:11; 14:22;" TARGET="_blank">Job 7:11; 14:22; Psalm 35:9; 42:4-6, 11)," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 35:9; 42:4-6, 11), and eternality (Genesis 35:18;" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 35:18; Revelation 6:9)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 6:9).

Job wished he had given up his spirit before birth and joined the dead (job 3:11-19; 10:18, 19)." TARGET="_blank">job 3:11-19; 10:18, 19). He speaks of infants (same word as children) dying before they ever saw light (3:16). Job understood what the Spirit teaches about "the babe" (elsewhere translated child) in Elizabeth's womb (Luke 1:41)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:41). A mother carries in her womb a child with its individuality and identity which will continue to exist eternally: a soul.

Who could deny that an individual's personality has a relationship to his parents? The soul is biologically linked to parents at conception.

D. Oliver

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Who were some messengers sent from God?

Abel

Hebrews 11:3-5" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 11:3-5 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Noah

1 Peter 2:25" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:25 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.

Jacob

Genesis 49:1" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.

Aaron

Exodus 7:1" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 7:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Moses Exodus 3:10" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 3:10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

Samuel

1 Samuel 3:20" TARGET="_blank">1 Samuel 3:20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

David

Acts 2:29-30" TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:29-30 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Elijah

1 Kings 17:1" TARGET="_blank">1 Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

Elisha

1 Kin 19:16." TARGET="_blank">1 Kin 19:16. Elisha … shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. Isaiah Isaiah 1:1" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah . His (Isaiah) name means “The Lord Is Salvation

Hosea

Hosea 1:1" TARGET="_blank">Hosea 1:1 The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah His name means “Salvation”. Verse 1 divine authority and message source. He is the first of twelve minor prophets

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 1:3" TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 1:3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. His message was to the exiled people in Babylon He was a priest and about 30years old when God called him to be a prophet.

Daniel

Matthew 24:15." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 24:15. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Malachi

Malachi 1:1" TARGET="_blank">Malachi 1:1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us?

Zacharias the father of John

Luke1:67" TARGET="_blank">Luke1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

Anna

Luke 2:36,38." TARGET="_blank">Luke 2:36,38. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Paul

Romans 1;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 1;1-6 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

Peter

2 Peter 1:1-3." TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 1:1-3. Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour

Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

John

Revelation 1:1-2" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:1-2 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

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How do the churches of Revelation prophetically show ages of the church?

How do we interpret this view?

The Lord presents the seven churches as golden lampstands, precious witnesses of divine truth. Any "prophetic" or mystery interpretation must therefore focus on divine testimony and its preservation until the Rapture.

Second, the conditions affecting the 7 churches to which John sent the Revelation could, in greater or less degree, affect any assembly. In the mystery interpretation, the Lord discloses the predominating influences that will affect divine testimony until the Lord comes.

Third, others have pointed out the interesting parallels between characteristics of the seven churches and those of the judges, kings, and the parables in Matthew 13." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 13. This supports the thought that these seven predominant influences will be sequential, a sort of cycle of evil that consistently has challenged divine testimony in various ages. The influences that plagued these seven churches will run their cycle until the Lord comes. They are the very forces that appear in the rest of the Revelation, at their apex under the Man of Sin. What encouragement it gives those involved in divine testimony to see that the Lord will eventually destroy these forces when He comes!

D. Oliver
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Is it scripturally correct to say that God punished His Son?

Is it scripturally correct to say that God punished His Son?

As with any question regarding the sufferings of our Lord, we should guard our words and hide within the safety of the words of Scripture. If there is anything to which we might object in the statement, "God punished His Son," it is the possibility that this suggests God’s displeasure in the One Who suffered on the cross. God’s dealing with the Lord Jesus on the cross were directed against the sins He bore. The words of the hymn seem mistaken, "He took my sins and my sorrows; He made them His very own." The sins were not in any sense His, although He received the righteous judgment those sins demanded (2 Corinthians 5:21)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:21). The Father could never be more delighted with His Son than when the savor of that sacrifice filled His thrice-holy presence.

Some object to the word "punish" in this context. Keil and Delitzsch in their scholarly "Commentary on the Old Testament" insist that "chastisement" in Isaiah 53:5" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 53:5 (AV) be translated "punishment," due to the extreme suffering that fills the context. The contrast in that verse is between "Him" and "we." The righteous punishment was what we deserved. The remarkable discovery is that the peace-bringing punishment was on Him.

Others object to speaking of the Son in the context of the sufferings of the cross. Paul speaks of "the death of His Son" (Romans 5:10);" TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:10); he further tells us, "He that spared not His own Son, . . . freely delivered Him up for us all" (8:32). From what was the Son not spared? To what was the Son delivered up? God did not spare His own Son from the cross, but delivered Him up (the same word as in 4:25) to all that the cross involved.

It would be error of the highest order to suggest either that any sort of division occurred between Divine Persons in the darkness at the cross or that the One Who suffered the righteous punishment due to our sins was any less than the Son of God.

The more we ponder that scene, the more we worship.

D. Oliver
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