Questions & Answers

Harold S. Paisley

Question: It is usually taught that the Queen at the right hand of the King in Psalm 45:9 is the Church of this age. Is this the true interpretation of the passage?

Answer: The Messianic character of Psalm 45 is unmistakable. Two verses, (six and seven) are quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9. It is a psalm with a number of inspired titles including "Maschil" which means "instruction." The theme of the Psalm is "The King." The Lord Jesus Christ is the person presented, not here as the Saviour, but as the King. The personal glory of the King is followed by His advent as the Righteous Judge and the assertion of His absolute Deity (verses 1-8). Following these blessed unfoldings of His elegance and eloquence, the Queen is seen at His right hand. It is our belief that this is necessarily the godly remnant, clothed in righteousness - the Jewish Queen. The King greatly desires her beauty. He is her Lord and she shall worship Him. The Queen is also "the daughter of a King." This royal one is the companion of the King in the glory of His millenial reign on earth. The Lord, as King of Israel, will be with His earthly people. Joy and gladness will fill the whole earth and Jerusalem will be the center of universal dominion. This we judge to be the primary interpretation.

 

Question: The words "the Christ" have been interpreted to teach that Christ, the Head, and we the members, together form "the Christ" (1 Cor. 12:12). Does this have scriptural support?

Answer: Our answer would affirm this teaching. "The Christ" of 1 Cor. 12:12 is the "one new man" of Eph. 2:15. The body of Christ is that which was formed for the glorious display of the Head in this world where He is not, and in the "world to come" it will be associated with Him in His universal dominion when He will be revealed as "Head over all things" (Eph. 1:22). In the day when God created man in His own likeness, male and female created He them and blessed them and called their name Adam in the day when they were created (Gen. 5:2). They were one. Grace has so inseparably linked all christians with Christ that He could speak of all His suffering ones as "me" (Acts 9:4). This mystery of "The Christ" in 1 Cor. 12:12 should cause us to wonder and worship .

 

Question: A young believers asks, "what is meant by the second Tabernacle of Hebrews 9:7?"

Answer: It is of great interest to consider that the word "Tabernacle" is used in three aspects in the epistle to the Hebrews. In chapter 8:12 we read of "the true tabernacle" which we believe to be the universe, of which the tent in the wilderness is a type. Concerning Christ, we read "this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more glory than the house. He that built all things is God" (Heb. 3:3-4).

Christ is the Builder of the universe and also the eternal city (Heb. 11:10). He is also the divinely appointed Blesser thereof. "The minister of the true tabernacle."

The first tabernacle was the former place of priestly approach. "When these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first Tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God" (Heb. 9:6). "The second" was the "Holy of Holies." The first Tabernacle has no standing since the death of the Lord Jesus Christ (verse 8). The order of things which imposed a barrier between God and His people was morally ended at the cross. Before His death, the first Tabernacle was yet standing. Now we are privileged to draw near into the very presence of God. Faith honors God by coming with holy boldness to the throne of grace to offer spiritual sacrifices, the fruit of our lips in worship. This we conclude is what the "second tabernacle" means.

May the consideration of the freedom of approach to the Father through the work of the Son cause us as priestly ones to enjoy the gracious presence of the Holy Spirit to enjoy the liberty of sonship before the Lord in heaven itself.

 

Question: What are the two immutable things in Hebrews 6:18?

Answer: The two immutable things are God’s promise and God’s oath. These are unchangeable and are given to assure and encourage all who believe for salvation. The promise of blessing was made to Abraham and was later confirmed to him and his seed by the word of God (Gen. 22:16-17). "By myself I have sworn saith the Lord." The Lord pledged His word to carry out the promise. He could swear by none greater - He swear by Himself. In any human covenant, the oath implies limitations on both sides. It is in grace that God has descended to human custom. In His case however, He has but to promise a thing once for it to stand unalterable.

The writer to the Hebrews is seeking to encourage believers who were being sorely tried to go on and become imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Heb. 6:12). God thus is willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, so confirmed it by an oath. Hence the believers still have two unchangeable things upon which to rest eternally: God’s Word and God’s promise. Nothing can be more assuring to the soul. Who are the heirs of promise who may enjoy the security and certainly of salvation? Galatians 3:29 settles who they are. "If ye be Christ’s, then ye are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise."

 

Question: What can be understood by the word of God piercing even to the dividing of joints and marrow? (Heb. 4:12).

Answer: This part of the action of God’s word is metaphorical. Just as a keen sword will sever joints and reach even the marrow within, so the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit, can penetrate and lay open the innermost depths of human consciousness, dissecting our spiritual condition and passing unerring judgment upon our thoughts and purposes. The searching Word of God divides between what is true and false. It tests every purpose and motive. The Word is instinct with all the attributes of God Himself and shows us, when unresisted, what we really are in God’s sight.

How solemn to saved and unsaved is the Word of Truth. When spoken in power given by the Holy Spirit, it can penetrate every disguise. May grace be given to preach the Word and grace to allow its searching power to search the heart. David wrote a solemn end to one of his greatest Psalms: "Search me, 0 God, and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any way of wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psa. 139:23-24). This is one of the objectives of the sharp sword of the Word of God.