Why is the fourth commandment (the Sabbath) different?

Please say why the Fourth Commandment is dealt with as being morally different from the rest. It will be agreed that it is wrong for Christians to steal, murder, etc. Why should it not be morally wrong for Christians not to observe the seventh day of rest?

We regard the Fourth Commandment as being morally different from the others, because apart from God’s revealed will for Israel as regards it, no natural conscience could possibly know that it was wrong to work on the seventh day, as is found to be the case by missionaries in heathen lands. The nations round Israel were never put under the Sabbath law, knew nothing about it, and are never held responsible for not keeping it. At least, I know of no place in the Prophets where not keeping the Sabbath is charged home on them.

A Gentile who sets himself to keep the Sabbath is doing himself a wrong, as he is now a debtor to do the whole law. He is taking on himself that which in no way appertains to him. He is going beyond what is written, which is wrong, just as coming short is, too. The Sabbath was a sign between Jehovah and the children of Israel for ever, and was never given to the Gentiles at all (Exodus 31: 16," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 31: 16, i7). All the other Commandments are repeated in substance in the New Testament, but the Sabbath is only referred to in Colossians z. i6, to warn believers not to allow themselves to be placed under bondage in that respect—”Let no man judge you,” etc. A certain modern heretical sect, of which Sabbath-keeping is a distinguishing feature, is so far right, in maintaining that the Sabbath was never changed from the seventh day to the first. The first day of the week, on which our Lord rose from the dead, is not a Sabbath at all; it is the Lord’s Day; though believers, are glad to profit by the usual freedom from secular employment on that day, to occupy themselves with the Lord’s service. The breaking of bread was usually in the evening (e.g. Acts 20" TARGET="_blank">Acts 20: ), because believers were at work all day in those times. Really a fictitious conscience has grown up as regards this question. We ought not to violate our conscience or that of others, by forcing or disregarding it, but to get an enlightened conscience from the Word of God.

W.H.

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Was Satan in Heaven when he sinned and fell?

This page was adapted from an answer at Truth and Tidings Magazine by David Oliver.

In the gospel of Luke 10:17," TARGET="_blank">Luke 10:17, the disciples were glad to be able to control the demons (v. 17). Christ gave them the authority to control Satan's agents; they acted in Christ's name. Christ then said, "I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven" (Luke 10:18)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 10:18). Comparing Christ's words with the eventual expulsion from heaven (Revelation 12:8)," TARGET="_blank">Revelation 12:8), some people see Christ's words as a prophecy of a future event. However, the word, "saw," means he was watching an event in the past rather than looking forward to the future. Most likely, the Lord is referring to his preexistence and supremacy. Being obedient to His name should not have surprised them. Satan’s expulsion, attributable to the Lord Himself, was like lightning: immediate; downward; devastating. "To fall from" sometimes expresses a fall from favor; in this case, it refers to Satan’s sin. In the future, he will be cast from the created heavens (Revelation 12:8, 9)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 12:8, 9). In the past, he fell from the uncreated heaven, the dwelling place of God.

Although God’s power was shown in expelling even Satan, it cannot rival the greatness of what God will accomplish by redemption (v. 20).

D. Oliver

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Should a woman not teach a Sunday school class?

Does 1 Timothy 2:11," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:11, 12 mean that a woman should not teach Sunday School classes?

Some beloved saints have come to this conclusion. Respecting their wish to uphold the Scriptures isn’t the same as agreeing with them, however.

Women are instructed to teach in non-assembly settings (Titus 2:3)," TARGET="_blank">Titus 2:3), so to require women to remain silent and to refrain from teaching necessitates conducting the Sunday School as an assembly meeting. If that is the case, children cannot say their verses, suggest choruses to sing, nor answer questions. No one should be surprised if the children lack interest in listening or coming to such a "Sunday School." If the children are saying their verses, "giving out choruses," and answering questions, then this is no different than when a husband and wife gather the neighborhood children on their back porch, in a rented building, or an available school room. Using the assembly’s building is merely a convenience for the Sunday School and doesn’t impart "church status" to the gathering.

D. Oliver
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My teen age child is rebellious. What can I do?

What can Christian parents do to help their wayward, rebellious teenagers?

Keep the relationship. Maintain communication and affirm your unchanged love. The child knows your standards; nagging will destroy communication.

The Lord (Isaiah 1:2)" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 1:2) and the prodigal’s father (Luke 15:13)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 15:13) had wayward, rebellious children. Combining these two illustrations provides several suggestions:

1. Continue to communicate as positively as possible (as God did through Isaiah).

2. Expect, long for, and plan for the best (as in both cases). "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man [and his wife] availeth much" (James 5:16)." TARGET="_blank">James 5:16).

3. Refrain from dwelling on and nagging about the negative (as when the prodigal returned).

4. Allow a mature child to make his choices and live with the results. Sheltering him from the results of his choices is counterproductive (as in both cases).

5. Don’t compromise your own standards (God remains the "Holy One of Israel" in Isaiah).

6. When confrontation is necessary, plan to express yourself effectively ONCE (as in Isaiah).

7. Keep the door open for a gracious welcome (as the prodigal’s father).

Two points contrast with both illustrations:

1. Only one parent is in view, but each parent must maintain a united purpose and effort.

2. We are failing parents. Honest admission of our limitations may help reduce resistance to our parenting. Submission to the Lord in the circumstances will help us to learn more of His heart’s longings for us and others who wander from Him. As heartbreaking as the experience is, in the Potter’s hand it can make us more like our Father and more effective as parents.

D. Oliver
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how should we handle alcohol and smoking habits before our children?

Having unsaved in-laws at holiday gatherings in the home, how should we handle their alcohol and smoking habits before our children?

As a believer you are responsible for your home and children as part of your testimony Parents are to raise children in the Lord's fear and love (Ephesians 6:4)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 6:4). Smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages are clearly inconsistent with Christian testimony (Colossians 3:5" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 3:5 and 1 Peter 4:3)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 4:3). While you cannot change your in-law's behavior, you can control the sphere of your responsibility. It is better that you kindly and clearly inform any invited guests who may normally smoke or drink alcohol that you have established principles in your family refraining from these. Ask them to respect your rules (1 Timothy 3:4)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:4). Consistency with your convictions will make a definite impression and provoke consideration of your faith and devotion.

J. Smith

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Do all people go to God at death?

Do all spirits at death go to God?

Numbers 16:22;" TARGET="_blank">Numbers 16:22; Numbers 27:16;" TARGET="_blank">Numbers 27:16; Job 34:14, 15;" TARGET="_blank">Job 34:14, 15; Ecclesiastes 3:21;" TARGET="_blank">Ecclesiastes 3:21; Ecclesiastes 8:8;" TARGET="_blank">Ecclesiastes 8:8; Ecclesiastes 12:7." TARGET="_blank">Ecclesiastes 12:7.

When are the spirits of the unsaved dealt with?

It is a good thing to “purge our references.” I am not sure for instance whether Numbers 16:22" TARGET="_blank">Numbers 16:22 or 27:16 proves that “all spirits go to God.”

The expression in Job 34:14," TARGET="_blank">Job 34:14, however, “gather unto Himself man’s spirit,” describing dissolution, certainly favours the belief that at death all spirits go to God.

So in Eccl. 3." TARGET="_blank">Eccl. 3. 21 the word “upward” points the same way. Eccl. 12." TARGET="_blank">Eccl. 12. 7 is very distinct that “the spirit returns to God Who gave it.”

Hebrews 12:23" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 12:23 refers only to the spirits of just men. I do not think there can be any question that the spirits of all men are “dealt with” at death, as regards their final destiny, but the measure of reward or punishment awaits a later day. Lazarus of Luke 16" TARGET="_blank">Luke 16 was at once comforted; the rich man was at once tormented, but at the great white throne he will be judged according to his works.

Paul knew for himself, and so did the saints in general, that “to depart” was “to be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23)." TARGET="_blank">Philippians 1:23). But I know no Scripture which describes this as having “gone to God,” and I think the propriety of anyone publicly pronouncing on the spiritual destiny of any man, who has died without giving satisfactory proof of repentance, may well be questioned. Certainly it is gravely wrong to speak of one who has led an ungodly life, and died without visible repentance, as “this our brother,” and assert he is now “at peace.” We may not affirm that such a one is saved, but is it within our province to affirm that such a one is lost?

God alone searches the beart and knows what has passed between a soul and Himself at the last. To anyone who had not heard what passed between our Lord and the repentant thief, he was clearly a lost soul, but we know that grace intervened and snatched him as a brand from the burning. Even of Judas, whose sin was manifested and his awful death a matter of common knowledge, Peter refrained from saying anything more than that “he went to his own place.” This, though it left no doubt of his fate, was said among the Lord’s disciples. As far as we know the apostles never referred to the traitor in public.

W.H.

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What is the meaning of

What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 3" TARGET="_blank">2 Samuel 3: 33: “Died Abner as a fool dieth?”

Probably the thought is: “Did Abner die like an inexperienced fool, who knew not how to defend himself?” And the intended answer is, “No, he fell victim to a deceitful wicked plot.” Compare verse 27, in which the unsuspicious nature of Abner stands in marked contrast to the suspicions Joab had expressed concerning him in verse 25. Notice, too, that he was slain in the last place where it might have been expected he would be, in the gate of Hebron which was a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7)," TARGET="_blank">Joshua 20:7), as well as being the residence of king David at that time.
Yet there is no doubt that Abner did really act as a fool on an earlier occasion, when he made the unwise choice of chap. a. 8, 9 for Ishbosheth and against David, and did so deliberately though he well knew (see chap. 3. 9, xo) what the mind of God in the matter was.

W.R.

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