I.I.M. 2008 Questions
linked to audio files
How are we to understand Malachi 4:5,6?
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
(a) Who is “Elijah the prophet” spoken of here?
(b) Is “the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” referring to 1874, 1914 or some later date?
(c) In what way does “he” “turn the hearts” of the fathers and the children?
(d) “Curse” is defined as “extermination”, “things which should have been utterly destroyed” (Strong’s 2764) how are we to understand this?
If one now believes they now have a mediated relationship with God, can they? Is it possible for them to have an atoned standing? Can they be spirit-begotten?
In Deut. 15:3-5 The antitype of the Jubilee is the Kingdom. In the antitype, how does it fit that all the Israelites were released and forgiven their debts, but the foreigners still had to pay their debts? Who are the foreigners and who are the brothers?
Vol. 4 — The Lord’s Great Army — talks about the present social order, the earth, shall quake, the dark night will have come wherein no many can labor (Page 544, Top) BUT, the earth cannot be set on fire until Christ gives the ‘word of command’…cannot occur until the Little Flock have all been gathered. It sounds like the Little Flock won’t be here in the day when no man can labor (Page 548:1). It may be that if we ARE here, then we’ve missed the goal, the prize of the high calling. Can we please clarify this?
Exod. 30:9-10 seems to indicate blood was placed on the incense once a year. Lev 4:7 and perhaps verse 18 connect blood with the incense altar. Was blood put on the horns of the incense altar on the Atonement Day and does Lev. 16:18 indicate this event?
FINISH DISCUSSION ON:
Exod. 30:9-10 seems to indicate blood was placed on the incense once a year. Lev 4:7 and perhaps verse 18 connect blood with the incense altar. Was blood put on the horns of the incense altar on the Atonement Day and does Lev. 16:18 indicate this event?
Luke 19:44 “And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”
a. What did Jesus meant by these words “…because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation…” and how were they supposed to know the time of their visitation?
b. How did the wise men from the east know about Jesus — by what prophecies?
On F176 (bottom) Brother Russell mentions: “…the deliverance of nominal spiritual Israel from mystic Babylon…” How is nominal spiritual Israel delivered from mystic Babylon? Are not the two terms synonymous?
T25 uses the expression “Wilderness of Sin”. Is this a proper name, or is it intended to convey the thought of sin in some way? What is the meaning? See: Exod. 16:1; 17:1; Num. 33:11,12
Was Elijah a type of John the Baptist? How do we understand the relationship between the two? If Elijah is a type of John the Baptist, please explain in what way he is.
1 Kings 13:1-6 relates an incident concerning Jeroboam’s hand being “dried up” when he tried to go against the Lord’s will. Was this incident typical? What does it mean? Are there any other similar examples in the Scriptures? In particular, does this text support the ideas presented by Brother Russell and in the Alive Again series concerning the Iron Rule?
In Reprints 5761, under the subheading THE TWO PARTS OF THE HARVEST WORK, Pastor Russell writes in regards the BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLY:
“Similarly, the 42,000,000 copies of BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLY put out this last year, while they have not brought millions into the Classes by any means, have no doubt been doing a good work, a work of stirring up the minds of the people, awakening them to think, and reaching some of the Great Company class. Others, perhaps, have been brought directly to full consecration through our free literature. All of these works seem to belong to the Harvest; for they did not belong to a previous time.”
The question is; Shouldn’t we be concentrating our witness work to reach prospective little flock members? For what purpose would we need to reach the Great Company class? After all they are Great Company because they did not heed the call to get out. It’s not as if they were to leave Babylon they would receive a crown.
How would we explain the Pastor’s thoughts?
Regarding Rom 11:23-24, Was Paul considering the grafting in again as the Gospel Age call and opportunity or Israel’s part with the Kingdom New Covenant, or both? Verses 25-26 seem to focus on the future.
Isaiah 19:19-20 — Is the Great Pyramid mainly a sign and witness for the Church at this end of the age, or for the world in the future? How does the later part of verse 20 relate to the Pyramid subject: “…for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them”?
Rom. 12:20 — How do we interpret “…thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head…”?
How do we understand: “The seven spirits of God?” (Rev. 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6) What are these seven spirits?
In the title “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”, who are the “kings” and who are the “lords”. Are they the church? Or are they kings of the world who Christ conquers? What is the difference between a king and a lord?
In Acts 2:36, it says he hath made Jesus both Lord and Christ. What is the difference? When does Christ become Lord?
In (Rom 14:9 KJV) “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” Who are the dead; who are the living.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK:
In (Rom 14:9 KJV) “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” Who are the dead; who are the living.
Three of the titles that Jesus has are: lawgiver, king, and judge. We have these three parts to our (U.S.) government. King (president) is Executive, Lawgiver (congress) is legislative, and Judge(Supreme Court) is judicial. How do all these powers work together in one person?
When the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 10:4 that, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth,” what law and what righteousness is he referring to and to whom is he speaking?
Does the ransom put an end to all laws? Is physical or natural law in anyway ended by Christ providing the ransom?
Is there a difference between law and principle in the Scripture? How will law and order be administered when Messiah establishes the New (Law) Covenant with Israel? F387
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK:
When the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 10:4 that, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth,” what law and what righteousness is he referring to and to whom is he speaking?
Does the ransom put an end to all laws? Is physical or natural law in anyway ended by Christ providing the ransom?
Is there a difference between law and principle in the Scripture? How will law and order be administered when Messiah establishes the New (Law) Covenant with Israel? F387
Do the brethren have any thoughts as to where meetings are conducted outside of a home? Does it matter whether it is secular or non-secular? How about some examples, e.g., if the Catholic Church offered their facilities at bargain basement rates in comparison to say a hotel, would the saving of money be a deciding issue?
What is to be looked for in class servants?
What will be the role of the Ancient Worthies in respect to Israel or the world?
What is the Tabernacle of David in Amos 9:11 and Acts 15:15-18?
In 1 Cor. 7:15, what is intended by “not under bondage”?
FINISH DISCUSSION ON:
In 1 Cor. 7:15, what is intended by “not under bondage”?
If the Father is identified in Dan 7:9 with the Son given dominion in 7:13-14, what is the meaning of 7:22 “until the Ancient of Days came”? How does the Father come?
Joel 3:10; Isa 2:4 (swords, spears, plowshares, pruning hooks). How do we see these contrasting prophecies to be fulfilled?
When are the crowns allocated to the church members?
The Bible often uses the phrase: “and they shall afflict their souls” regarding Israel, and yet it does not specifically say what this means. Some say it means “to fast”. What is the correct thought?
How might modern technology be employed in the Kingdom? Will technological advancement continue during the remainder of the Millennium?
Did the Father, during Jesus’ “40 days in the wilderness”, open the O.T. scriptures regarding, pertaining to, Jesus’ role?
Can the Court of the tabernacle show both tentatively and truly justified in a manner that the Court, Holy and Most Holy show the steps of: justification, sanctification and glorification?
Brother Russell expressed on several occasions his opinion that some form of Evolution could have been used by the Lord in the bringing forth of plants and animals until they reached their intended ‘kind’, with the sole exception of Adam. If this is true then by what process would Adam have been independently created considering chimpanzees share 99.6% of human DNA? How could Eve have come from his rib?
Did the same O.T. Precious Promises apply to Jesus during his 3-1/2 years that apply to the consecrated during the Gospel Age?
Regarding the Great Company:
(a) Is the Great Company exclusively a spirit-begotten class? What Scriptural proofs do we have?
(b) What is the time setting for the Great Tribulation out of which the Great Company come?
(c) What are the relative numbers of the Great Company compared to the Little Flock, and where do they come from?
FINISH DISCUSSION ON:
Regarding the Great Company:
(a) Is the Great Company exclusively a spirit-begotten class? What Scriptural proofs do we have?
(b) What is the time setting for the Great Tribulation out of which the Great Company come?
(c) What are the relative numbers of the Great Company compared to the Little Flock, and where do they come from?
Several scriptures mention both of the words: “Kingdom” and “Nation” together. What is the differences between the two? See: Jer. 1:10;l0:7; Neh. 9:22; 2 Chron. 32:15.
The scriptures show the Jews would return to their land and at the full end of the age would experience “Jacob’s trouble”. If that trouble is future are there any scriptures which should have shown to us that there would be ongoing terror and distress in Israel from the moment they were regathered? How does “Jacob’s trouble” differ in principle from all of the trouble experienced in the land over the past sixty years?
Is it proper to use the Great Pyramid to prove that the Bible Chronology of Volume II, etc., is correct? In what other ways might the Great Pyramid show that God’s Plan could not fail?
John 9:4 — Regarding the “Dark Night” (from several questions submitted)
(a) Is this prophecy past, present or future? What is the evidence to prove this conclusion?
(b) C235:2 — Is there a special work for the feet members this side the veil to do in connection with this prophecy?
(c) Is it our responsibilty to bring persecution or death upon ourselves?
(d) Should we publicly condemn a corrupt system as did John the Baptist?
In the Jewish Law, someone who was not able to partake of the Annual Passover at the required time, could do so a month later. How do we apply this in the antitype?
Other than those qualifications given by Paul are there any other things not mentioned which could be considered requirements for eldership?
Why were many of the illnesses Jesus healed, such as epilepsy, said to be directly caused by evil spirits? Would such a designation still be correct for our day?
What does this scripture mean?
Num 17:13 KJVR) — “Whosoever cometh anything near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?”
Commenting on Matt. 24:20 “…pray that your flight be not…on the Sabbath day…” Brother Russell says: “If we got started on our flight before it began chronologically, so much the more favorable.” How could the Lord’s people begin the flight from Babylon before the call: “Come out of her My people…” had even begun?
Since God is complete in himself and was alone from eternity, why did he decide to create life, and why at that particular moment over any other?
In what way is “the Lord’s Great Prophecy” greater than all other prophecies?
In Jeremiah 32:20 it is said that there are many signs and wonders in Egypt, Israel, “and among other men”. We know of the Great Pyramid, and some things in Israel, but what are these signs and wonders among other men? Do they still exist? Should we be looking for them?
What is the difference between happiness and joy? Are there scriptures which show this?
FINISH DISCUSSION ON:
What is the difference between happiness and joy? Are there scriptures which show this?
Rev. 14:13 “…they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” What does this mean? Please give practical examples of things we might do here that we would also be doing on the other side the veil.
Matt. 11:28-30 — What is the yoke mentioned here? How does this compare to the yoke mentioned in 2 Cor. 6:14? What does it mean to be “yoked” to someone or something?
1 John 1:5 “God is light…”
Is this expression purely symbolic? Could there be a literal application?
FINISH DISCUSSION ON:
1 John 1:5 “God is light…”
Is this expression purely symbolic? Could there be a literal application?
What scriptural proofs do we have that mankind possesses a “free will”? What Scriptures are used by opponents of this doctrine to prove that mankind does not have a free will?
Related to this general subject: What is the correct view of the doctrine of predestination?
FINISH DISCUSSION ON:
What scriptural proofs do we have that mankind possesses a “free will”? What Scriptures are used by opponents of this doctrine to prove that mankind does not have a free will?
Related to this general subject: What is the correct view of the doctrine of predestination?
“To us the scriptures clearly teach…” is used on many Bible Student websites, and in publications, as a statement of beliefs. What are the fundamental beliefs stated there in a more simplified form? Sometimes it is hard to understand the main point because there is a lot of explanation given. Is this a complete list? Are there other “beliefs” we have that are not listed there?
Concerning the temptations of our Lord in the Wilderness (Matt. 4:1-10) in what ways might someone “use spiritual gifts to further temporal interests”? (E111 top) Please give real-life examples.
In several places in Brother Russell’s writings, he mentions that the “honest-minded tare class” would eventually have their eyes open to the fact that they are not “wheat”, and that this would be as a result of seeing clearly the true standard of what constitutes a Christian. What is this clearly defined standard? What points are included that could be understood by the “honest-minded tare class”? Should our witness message include this concept?
How can it be said that Jesus kept the whole Law perfectly when many of the statutes could not possibly have applied to him due to his age, sex, social position, etc.?
How many regenerations are there?
Regarding the Ancient Worthies:
Will they be resurrected before the New Covenant is inaugurated? How does this fit into the overall prophetic timeline?
What is going to be the working relationship between the resurrected saints and the resurrected ancient worthies both when it comes to things going on in Israel and the blessing of all the families of the Earth?
FINISH DISCUSSION ON:
Regarding the Ancient Worthies:
Will they be resurrected before the New Covenant is inaugurated? How does this fit into the overall prophetic timeline?
What is going to be the working relationship between the resurrected saints and the resurrected ancient worthies both when it comes to things going on in Israel and the blessing of all the families of the Earth?
If all humans are resurrected to an equal opportunity for eternal life, then what justice is applied on behalf of all those who suffered from the most heinous crimes in human history? (serial killings, genocides, etc…) Do such criminals receive any punishment at all for the many millions they slaughtered?
If Jesus is the father of the Millennial Age human race, is the Church the mother?
Daniel 5 – The Handwriting on the wall
a) What is the overall time setting for the antitype?
b) What is the antitype for the handwriting — when and how?
c) Who does Daniel represent? What is the antitypical significance of verse 29?
d) What about other details of this prophecy?
FINISH DISCUSSION ON:
Daniel 5 – The Handwriting on the wall
a) What is the overall time setting for the antitype?
b) What is the antitype for the handwriting — when and how?
c) Who does Daniel represent? What is the antitypical significance of verse 29?
d) What about other details of this prophecy?
Several of the stories in the Bible surrounding Moses and Jesus contain details and life events that are often identical to life events of certain characters in Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Mesopotamian mythologies such as Osiris, Mithras, Dionysus, Apollonius, and others. How can this be explained, and how do we approach issues such as this when witnessing to others who doubt the Bible?
July 1st Manna — “Let nothing becloud or obscure this truth;—neither other truths nor errors.” How can other Truths becloud our reasoning?
E277:top — After mentioning that Paul had a “night vision” Brother Russell makes the following comment: “These various dealings show us that the methods by which God taught and led in those days were not so very different from those he now employs in the guidance of his servants.” Should we understand from this that God is now guiding his people by means of dreams and visions?
Taking into account 2 Timothy 4:8 where Paul says “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness … not to me only, but all those who love his appearing” is it wrong to have faith in securing our place in Christ’s body?
What becomes of nominal Christians during the Great Tribulation as opposed to the Great Company? And what’s the difference between the two in terms of how they are identifiable?
Because Jesus’ ransom had not yet been made can it be said with any certainty that Judas went into second death?
Regarding consecration. The earliest record of consecration had as it’s origin the installation of the priesthood, and as was noted in Notes on the Tabernacle, Page 487: “Neither Aaron, nor his sons, could have consecrated themselves, save perhaps in the sense of responding to the call of Moses. The same is true of the antitypical priesthood; for does not the Apostle Paul declare: ‘And no man takes this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.'” (Heb. 5:4)
In conjunction with this process was the use of water so that consecration was not complete without it and it was thus a consecration by God?
What does this say about how we claim to be consecrated and then get immersed when it’s convenient as proof of our claim?
Mic 4:8 — “And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” E152:2
1) Who is the tower of the flock?
2) Who is the Daughter of Zion?
3) Who is the Daughter of Jerusalem?
4) Is there a difference between the Tower of the flock and the daughter of Jerusalem?
When the holy spirit is poured upon all flesh (Joel 3:1) how much detail of God’s plans will they understand? Will they understand “the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10), or only parts of His plan as it applies to them?
“The Son of Man” — Does this title apply to the Logos before he came to earth as a perfect man? — Please compare E150 with E153.
What is the meaning of Jacob’s dream in Gen. 28:12? Is it fulfilled during the millennium, in the ages to come when all mankind have been made perfect, or both?
What significance, if any, should we place on the current economic crisis?
(a) Prophetically
(b) Personally and practically
FINISH DISCUSSION ON:
What significance, if any, should we place on the current economic crisis?
(a) Prophetically
(b) Personally and practically
Gen. 12:3; 27:29 — “…I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee…”
(a) Does this promise apply since 1878 to the People of Israel?
(b) Could there be a tie-in to all the current problems in the world with natural, political and economic disasters?
(c) If (b) is yes, could there also be a connection with the 10 plagues on Egypt?
Might 1 Cor. 10:11 also imply that some of the events mentioned in the Old Testament did not actually happen, but are in fact a form of morality play?
F306 — “Patient Toward All” — “…the whole world has a claim upon our patience…”
a. What is the meaning of the word claim in this admonition?
b. In what way does the World have such a claim on our patience?
c. How does this differ from the claim that our Brethren have upon our patience?
d. The second paragraph says: “…we have great need of patience even in dealing with ourselves…” What does this mean? Why does Brother Russell emphasize this with the expression “great patience”?
How do we understand Daniel 7 when it speaks of the fourth beast, and the horns?
Was the Papal horn an 11th horn? When 3 of the horns were rooted up, does that mean that only 7 of the 10 horns remained? What were the remaining horns?
John 6:64 NAS — “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.”
When it says: “…from the beginning…” in this verse, when does this apply? At what time did Jesus know these things?
1 Samuel 3:2-4 [NAS] makes it sound like (1) Eli was sleeping in the Holy; (2) The lampstand was extinguished at night; and (3) Samuel was sleeping next to the Ark in the Most Holy. How does this harmonize with the regulations under the Mosaic Law and explanations given in the Pastor’s Writings?
How can the Adversary and his agents truly experience all of the facets of “second death” (Rev. 20:10) when the “permission of evil” and Satan’s rebellion would always have to exist in man’s memory to remain a proper lesson, not to mention the necessity of teaching it to other life in the ages to come?
Jesus, after being raised from the dead, was on the earth for 40 days. During that time he appeared to some as a man. If Jesus was fully a spirit being, and if he was raised immortal, and was able to appear to ones He wanted to communicate with, then does it make sense that this kind of communication will be possible in the Kingdom between the Church and say their earthly families or friends?
Vol. 1, Ch. 15 — When does the Day of Jehovah begin? When does the Time of Trouble begin?
FINISH DISCUSSION ON:
Vol. 1, Ch. 15 — When does the Day of Jehovah begin? When does the Time of Trouble begin?
In the ages to follow after mankind attain perfection and have passed the final testing will there be any further physical or mental development of the human organism? (for example, a larger brain, or changes in physical appearance, etc…)
In the Work of Harvest chapter (esp. C213-216) Brother Russell mentions a “radical change” in the character of the work at the close of the Gospel Age. What is the practical difference in the sowing work prior to 1874 compared to the reaping work after 1874?
John 5:21 — “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he wishes.” How do we understand the expression: “to whom he wishes”?
Paul indicates that we are currently in training to become judges. (1 Cor 6:1-3) What are some practical ways in which we can learn and apply this form of judgment and decision-making that Paul is referring to?