Scripture Queries and Answers.

Bible Treasury, 2nd. Edition, February 1858.

(1st. Edition, February [02 1858 031])

2. Q. 1 John 1:1. — G–y asks whether peri tou logou tes zoes should not be translated, "of the word, the life," rather than "of the word of life." He refers to Phil. 2:16, where logou zoes occurs without the article, and in the sense of the quickening testimony of God. Here it is the person of the Son, who is so often called the Word, and the Life, but not (save here) the Word of life.

 A. It is obvious, however, that this proposal would give a phrase still more remote from the language used elsewhere in Scripture; so that the usual version seems preferable.

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3. Q. Rev. 11. Are there two half-weeks in the Apocalypse? (See Vol. 1, October 1857)

  A. Assuming that Rev. 11:2-3, speaks of the last half-week, and that it coincides with the continuance of the beast for forty-two months, (Rev. 13,) how comes it that after this full time is expired, the beast, far from ceasing to work, overcomes the two witnesses and kills them; that we have at least three and a half days subsequently before God interposes in any measure to vindicate His servants; that it is again after this that the seventh trumpet announces the worldly kingdom of our Lord and His Christ as come, which trumpet, it is generally considered, resolves itself into the fresh and subsequent series of vials, in their successive inflictions of wrath, and necessarily supposes a certain lapse of time? Is there not then a prolongation of the beast's power beyond the 1260 days of the witnesses? And does not this, the third woe, await its fulfilment? Certain it is that when the seventh angel sounds in Rev. 11:15, no details are given, but we have loud voices in heaven celebrating the advent of the worldly kingdom of our Lord, and the thanksgiving of the elders who anticipate the results to the very end. Now are not some of these details given under the seven vials, which, after Rev. 12-14, resume the historical course of events on earth? And, though Rev. 11:15 differs in character from Rev. 12:10, does not the latter show that heavenly celebration may long precede an earthly accomplishment? Is not Rev. 13:5 limited to the beast's action after he takes Satan's throne? Is it not more natural to suppose that the ascent of the beast out of the bottomless pit opens his half-week, as it closes the career of the witnesses and their half-week? With this ascent, the casting down of Satan (Rev. 12.) and his gift of authority (Rev. 13.) would coincide in time. These queries are put to the author of the above communication, not so much as objections, but as difficulties, and in the hope of eliciting further light.  — J. M., etc.