Why would Jesus say He would come as a “thief” in the night and not use another analogy? To me this is odd. Why not use something like I will come unexpectedly like a person to the market when the market is closed? To me a thief is someone who does something illegal, one who is a criminal. Or has the word thief been translated in a wrong way over the many years?

I wanted to know if an old pastor was right when he said that, because I don’t speak in tongues I’m not saved and am going to hell. I’ve prayed hundreds of times to speak in tongues but can’t, I feel useless and sometimes like just giving up, “not on God though as I love Him too much”. Can you please give me some advise and/or some comfort in this situation?”

Will the church be on earth when the devil is allowed to run around for a while after Jesus’ 1000 year reign? I figure we will be here on earth after Heaven descends and all. Still wondering how and why he’s allowed to come back esp if Jesus is in charge at that time.

I have been considering the issue of pagan holy days being repackaged by the Christian church. My tendency in my faith-walk is to fall into legalism (following an outward practice thinking that I am a “better” Christian because of it). Since I know it’s a pitfall for me, I am cautious to change my outward practice until I am certain that is the best way. For example, while the Christian church celebrates Easter and not Passover, does the very act of celebrating Christ’s death and resurrection not somehow redeem the fact that it may not be on the right day or have questionable beginnings (inclusion of pagan elements)? I’ve attempted to discuss this issue with several friends who are Believers, and they tend to “roll” their eyes at my comments. Do you have any insight on this?

Eternity is outside of time, is the kingdom outside of time? I ask because when I consider Matt 26:29, when you take a sip of wine there is a beginning and a end to that sip……isn’t that a time thing? I ask because I have a hard time thinking about a place outside of time. How do you consider a timeless state of being?

When the New Jerusalem descends from heaven in Rev 21, I was under the impression that the city would not be on earth, but sort of a satellite, like our moon. If that is the case, then part B of Rev 21:24 intrigues me: “The peoples of the world will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their wealth into it.” If this city is a satellite, how do earthly people “bring their wealth into it?” I believe you also believe the New Jerusalem will be a satellite. I hope I interpreted that correctly. I guess there might be forms of travel. It seems odd to think that we are new creatures and will be mingling with humans, or that humans will be walking within the New Jerusalem.

Gods Blessings on you, and again thank you for your site. Question: Where is the scripture that states that we can “speak things that are not – as though they are” ? Please explain…

I was having dinner with my (Christian) sister last night and started to tell her about something funny a pastor said, and she said that was wrong to say. She becomes smug about Christian beliefs. Her husband told her she was being self-righteous. She was saved before me so I get the impression that she thinks she’s a “better” Christian.

The same sister has another daughter who was married a year ago to a man with the last name of “Butts”. They are all Christians. She got together with them and had a picture taken with their backs to the camera, half bending over but looking at the camera. It says “Merry Christmas….from the Butts”. I think it’s cute but my sister thinks it’s unbiblical. She said the butt is a sexual part of the body and they should not have done that. She likened it to Sodom and Gomorrah. I think this is really stretching it and I don’t see anything wrong with the picture. What do you think?

I am ever so thankful for your site – read it every day. I have a question regarding the new covenant – in Jeremiah 31:31-34 – we see the Lord saying that He will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and Judah – it is my understanding that we are talking here prophetically of the covenant with the Church – if so – how do we understand that to be the church from that portion of scripture when it specifically says the house of Israel and Judah?

Until just yesterday, I struggled with believing we could not lose, nor walk away from, our salvation. I was sitting at work and it dawned on me that we have a number that has to be fulfilled prior to the rapture. If OSAS isn’t true, that number could never possibly be hit as I see more and more people walking away from true Christianity due to apostate churches. Am I in-line in my thoughts? I know other countries are having success with evangelizing, but in our own nation, the numbers would be dwindling rapidly, possibly enough to balance out new people coming to Christ, making the number incredibly difficult to achieve. I feel like this may be the “proof” I needed of OSAS. Thoughts?