Here’s a paragraph you wrote recently in Ask a Bible Teacher:

“I’ve probably studied the different views of the Rapture as much as any person alive and have always come away convinced of the correctness of the pre-trib position. In fact, over the years my opinion on the timing of the Rapture has gotten earlier in the End Times Scenario, not later.”

Would you please expand on the last sentence with details of things that have caused you to revise your thinking about when the Rapture is likely?

I’m not asking for date-setting. I know it is not possible, and I believe it would be sinful for me to encourage you to do it.

I’ve read your responses to the question of how gentiles were saved in the Old Testament. You say there was a court called the Court of the Gentiles outside the temple that gave Gentiles a chance to recognize God. But what about the people that lived too far away to ever have heard of it? You also say that every person on earth has a bona fide chance to hear the gospel at one point in their life. But what about the time right after Jesus died but the gospel hadn’t been spread yet? What about people in other countries like the Native Americans? (and I don’t believe the Mormon Jesus preached to them). How could they have a chance to accept the gospel if it hadn’t spread to them yet? I’ve read your other answers about nature testifying about God. If someone came to that realization before hearing about Christ, was that enough? Because certainly, it took some time for the gospel to spread.

When the Israelites were about to enter the promised land, the Lord commanded them to kill all the living, men ,women, children. I know our God is firstly and above all love, but he is also judgment. My question is, whats the difference between this situation and the muslim thing of killing those who don’t believe their religion?

In Jesus’ prayer for His disciples (John 17) He says He’s not asking the Father to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one (John 17:15). Those who disagree with the pre-trib position use this as evidence that the church will go through the tribulation. How would you respond to this?

Once the Rapture occurs, based on my understanding, our bodies will be glorified and our sin nature removed. Now, what I am having a difficult time wrapping my mind around is the type of consciousness that will still be present within an individual in regards to all of their earthly memories and emotions. For example, let’s say only one individual in a particular family is Raptured leaving behind their spouse, children, siblings, family and friends, it is hard to fathom how this person will not experience sadness knowing all of their loved ones have been left behind to face the horrors of the Tribulation, and even potentially an eternity in hell should they take the mark during that time period, while they are filled with joy and basking in glory beyond comprehension. I was wondering what your view was on this entire concept.

What is your opinion of casual, infrequent marijuana use by Christians, done in private, in a safe setting? True, it’s use is illegal and health risks of smoking are well documented. Those issues aside, in your opinion is it sinful to enjoy the “buzz” of pot or the sensation that a glass or 2 of wine provides?

In one of your articles you mentioned Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17. I was wondering in your opinion what do you think will happen first? I wanted to also know when will the peace that the Apostle Paul spoke of in I Thessalonians 5:3 come about? What event will bring this on?

I heard a sermon recently based on the premise that mankind’s soul is not immortal (that we were created immortal but by choosing to sin, we died and could only be resurrected by God thru Jesus) and that hell was permanent – not ongoing. The pastor gave several Bible references to bolster his understanding.

I’ve always envisioned hell as an everlasting (meaning ongoing) fire – not just a fire or judgment that completely destroys us and that there is no chance to reverse our path once we are there. The last part, he embraced – no second chances. He quoted John 3:16 – that believers in Jesus would not perish ( not suffer eternally, consciously). He also spoke from Rev. 20 where God would send the fire to devour, (not just make it a continuing punishment for) the wicked. I would appreciate your understanding of this concept.

I married a Catholic over 5 years ago. We have two very young daughters. The more I find out about the Catholic Church, the more guilt I feel about attending and allowing my daughters to be a part it. When we were first married, we were both believers, but both very worldly. The older I get, the more seriously I’m taking my faith. Unfortunately, my wife doesn’t seem to be progressing at all. At any rate, I’ve decided that I will attend an Evangelical Free Church here in town. She is fine with that, but she doesn’t want our daughters growing up in anything but the Catholic Church. Obviously we’re at an impasse. What should I do? Am I abandoning my family by checking out this new church by myself?

I want to thank you for this site and for your wisdom. I deal a lot with the final expense market. I find it very interesting the percentage of people that opt for cremation vs. traditional burial. Today I visited with a lady who wanted to research in her Bible what was the right way. What does scripture say about this issue?