I am currently leading a study of the Torah with an effort to draw from Jewish Rabbinic teaching. I am finding the impact on translations into our language challenging. Genesis 1:2 (a) is a prime example. The first word of verse 2 is interpreted “And the earth” with the possibility of being “But the earth.” The second word is translated “was” while the Hebrew reads “she became.” Verse 2 when translated seems to read more like this given the Hebrew meanings: “But (or Now) the earth became chaos and vacant; and (now or but) darkness (was) over the abyss.” As you can see the meaning is much different than the English translations. While I want to be careful to remain faithful to the Word, it is a struggle, as I know there are those who translate in ways to justify their preconceptions. Can you give me any recommendations for a faithful translation of the Hebrew into English that is true to the Hebrew?

My friend says although in the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness it was legitimate when Satan offered the kingdoms of the world to Jesus, everything changed after the cross and because of Matthew 28:18 all the world, authority, and power was once again in Jesus ownership. I tried to explain that although this is true, consummation of both our salvation, as well as His kingdom will occur in a future time – our bodies at our glorification and His kingdom at His second coming. Are there scriptures I can use to help Him understand that Satan is still the god of this world and in control, as God allows him to be?

There are 4 riders of chapter 6 – although I wish to understand what the horses represent, I am more interested in who the riders are. I understand the first rider to be the Antichrist, but who are the other 3 riders, since “he ” is used of all of them?

The rebirth of Israel in 1948 was a significant prophetic event. According to scripture the generation that witnesses this event will see the end times. The question becomes what is a generation? According to a few pastors I have spoken with when the Bible refers to a generation it usually is a period of 70 years. Whether or not a generation is literally 70 years, or it is a longer period, how much longer could it be?

First I would like to say that your bible studies have helped me and my family’s understanding of the bible tremendously and I would like to say thank you! My questions are: What happened to people who died before Jesus came to save us? Who went to heaven and who went to hell? What happens to people who die who haven’t heard about Jesus? Some friends of mine asked me these questions and I didn’t have any answers for them.

My husband is convinced that you can lose your salvation. He believes we are initially saved by the blood of Jesus, but if we continue sinning once we know better, we will not go to heaven. Also, he believes that if we are caught sinning when Jesus returns, we will not go to Heaven.

I believe that that I will go to heaven because Jesus died for all of my sins; past, present, and future, and I have asked asked for His forgiveness. I believe he was God’s son, died on the cross, and was resurrected and because of this, he paid the price for me. I am very concerned about my husband’s views, and that he is teaching them to others, including our daughter. Please help me with this.

Re: How Many Were Raised From The Dead? I noticed that you didn’t include the dead who came out of their graves when Jesus died (Matthew 27:52-53) in your answer to this question. What about them? Did they go back to the grave?

I was reading 2 Cor. 12: 2-5 again where Paul speaks about a man that was caught up into the third heaven. I have always believed that Paul is speaking about himself although I had questions why he would speak as if he is referring to the second person. My understand was recently challenged by an opinion of a friend who says Paul was perhaps more speaking about Stephen in Acts 7: 54-58 who when he was stoned saw heaven opening, Glory of God and Lord Jesus standing at the right hand of God. I have to be honest with you that this new view kept me thinking hence I ask for your view. Is Paul speaking about himself here or about Stephen perhaps? If he is speaking about himself then why he refers to himself as a second person?

Re: Ishmaelites Or Midianites you wrote; “The Ishmaelites were descendants of Ishmael, a son of Abraham and Hagar (Genesis 16:1-16). The Midianites were descendants of Midian, a son of Abraham and Keturah, the wife he took after Sarah died (Genesis 25:1-2). Therefore the two groups were related and both being nomadic probably traveled together.”

I just finished reading this and was wondering if these two groups split at some point? If they did can you please point out where it is in the Bible? The reason I ask is because I was of the opinion that Islam came from the descendants of Ishmael the son of Hagar. Who would the descendants of the Midianities be or did the two groups become one?

I’ve been reading your “Ask a Bible Teacher” articles for a couple months now and want to say thank you for all the time you put into this site. I have a question that has been on my heart and mind for a while now. I’ve understood ‘Praying in the Spirit’ to be following the leading of the Holy Spirit when we pray. (I’ve heard it said that praying in the Spirit is also speaking in tongues, but I’m not sure that’s entirely correct.) In Revelation 1:10. John says he was “in the Spirit” before hearing the loud, booming voice. Is this the same thing as praying in the Spirit? If not, what exactly does John mean when he says he was “in the Spirit”?