When I was in the seventh grade, I heard a sermon about Mary and Martha. Before I heard this sermon I never really cared about God, or desired to get to know Him. But after this sermon, I decided I wanted to live for Christ. I didn’t understand that I was a sinner or that I needed a Savior, but after deciding that I wanted to follow Christ, my whole perspective changed. I wanted to get to know Christ and read the Bible and share about God’s love. But I realize that I had absolutely no understanding of a need for a savior or that Christ had died so that I could be reconciled to God. My life definitely changed in a radical way after deciding to follow Jesus, but was I saved somehow by this decision even though I had no understanding of the Gospel?

Great work. I could not function in my studies without your web site. Concerning Gen 49:10 Is this a Messianic reference? In my searches I have not found a clear rendering of the meaning of the phrase “till Shiloh comes”.

A friend, referring to Deut.28:63, said that the God she knows would not rejoice over anyone to destroy and bring them to nothing. I said that she was forgetting that God’s ways are not our ways and we can’t figure His ways out with our feeble minds. Can you give me a better answer for her?

If the first Christians were Jews, then those first Christians were obviously from one of the 12 tribes of Israel. If so then some Christians around the world should have Jewish linage from one tribe of the 12 tribes. Using this logic could a Christian today be from one tribe of the 12 tribes of Israel, making it possible for Christians to be among the 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel sealed in Rev. 7?

I love your website and I visit it daily to read the various questions and answers as well as the articles. My question is in regard to the bible translation The Message. My husband prefers it over any other version as he considers it easier to understand. From the few verses I’ve read it doesn’t seem to read like NIV versions or NKJV versions. In fact when my husband was asked to read a particular verse the pastor thought my husband wasn’t reading the correct one. Needless to say it was slightly embarrassing. I was wondering your thoughts about this and whether or not it was okay for him to continue using it.

I always taught and thought the anti-Christ would be revealed at the signing of the peace treaty between himself and the leader of Israel. And that the rapture would take place right before. And that the first 3 1/2 years of the anti’s rule would be peaceful, then he would be indwelt by Satan for the last 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation. Where am I going wrong?

I just read an article by a pastor who is explaining the scripture where Jesus says “In my Father’s house there are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you…” This pastor explains that “mansion” actually means “residence” or “resident”. A resident (as in a new doctor being a “resident” in a hospital) is actually a place of authority. So his understanding of this verse is that God has prepared a “place of authority” in his government for each of us and not a “large house” as most of us believe. I find this disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?

First I just want to thank you and say how much your site has meant to me, your answers are always well thought out and clear up a lot of difficult scriptures. Revelation 22:2 shows the river flowing down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. What is the meaning of the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the nations? Aren’t we all in our new bodies and all the curses are gone? Aren’t we in the new heaven new earth and new Jerusalem? Thanks again for any insight you can provide.

Thank you for your devotion to the saints! My lastest question has to do with our(my wife & me) attendance at church. We have been having trouble with finding a church in our area that preaches sound doctrine. So many churches have gone over to the emergent/purpose-driven camp, and we cannot sit there, or serve in an apostate church, so we’ve been meeting in our home.

My parents tell me that I’m falling away from the faith, but I study and pray every day, throughout much of the day (I’m a disabled vet). They attend what we believe to be one of those churches mentioned above (amillennial). I’ve asked them why they attend that church, and they said, “for the fellowship”. They don’t mind that the church leadership doesn’t preach sound, Biblical doctrine.

My thoughts are on God’s word, His love for me, and seek His will for my life continually. They want me to go to any church, because of Hebrews 10:25, but I believe it is our responsibility to attend the right church. What thoughts could I convey to my parents, so they would understand? Thanks!

I have a question. The Bible says Jesus will return in the same manner he ascended, which is at the Mt. of Olives. Will His and our first touch back on earth happen here or at the Battle of Armageddon? I get confused since the battle at Armageddon happens first before Jesus reaches Jerusalem where the Mt of Olives is located. If at the Mt. of Olives, how does Jesus confront and engage the enemy at the battle of Armageddon. Will we be suspended in the air during the battle?