In reading this weeks article I saw the reference to the modern day city of Tyre. This reminded me of Ezekiel 26 where the prophecy concerning the destruction of Tyre is made and the fact it will not be rebuilt. Keeping in mind I am 100% certain of the infallibility of God’s Word I have searched and found several answers to this apparent contradiction but am curious as to what you feel is the best explanation.

You have given 4 reasons why God chose the Jews,which have all been fulfilled. Why then do we still refer to them as God’s Chosen 0r special people today? Please explain Gal.3:26-29 and the book of Ephesians plus many more which tell us we are now one.

Please could you spare a moment to tell me how you interpret Christ’s statement in Matthew 16:28? He says there were “those present who would not taste death until they saw the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Some say it is evidence of Christ’s humanity – since He said that He didn’t know the time of His return. Others have said He was referring to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. What is your interpretation?

Was Jesus’ half-brother, James, one of the original 12 apostles? Paul mentions James in Galatians 1 as being an established apostle early on in Paul’s ministry; but which James is he in the list of the original 12 if indeed he was one of them?

I have been hearing about persons and or ministries saying that the glory cloud of God is manifesting today like it did in Old Testament times and it is evidence of God working in these ministries. I believe that the Old Testament is shapes and types of everything in the New Testament. But I do not see this same glory cloud mentioned in the New Testament except maybe at the mount of transfiguration, which does not seem fit with what people are claiming for today. Help me out and tell me what you think about this.

Our study group recently had a lesson on the “doctrine of election”. Many of us were confused to the point that we are going to continue the teaching next week. Can you please shed some light on this subject? We were told that God chose those who will be saved “before the foundations of earth” and everyone who wasn’t chosen then has no hope. We know God is a just God and would not create people who had no chance of being saved. Can you help?

Can you tell me what Jesus meant when he stated in Matthew 23:8-10 not to use the titles Rabbi, Father and Master? We have the Jews using Rabbi and the Catholics using Father for the Pope and Priests so are they deliberately disobeying Jesus?

Your answer in “Am I Expected To Tithe?” states that we should tithe “Out of gratefulness that the Lord has saved us from eternal punishment.” Our pastor has brought up the point that Jesus didn’t die to save us from an eternity in hell, although that’s a good side benefit. He died to restore the relationship that was lost in the garden. John 10:10 says “He came that we may have joy to the full”, it doesn’t say He came to keep us from eternal punishment. Our pastor goes on to say that people who accept Christ as “fire insurance” have missed the point and missed the joy of what Jesus wants…a relationship with Him for now and all eternity.

Re: Who is the Assyrian? When you mentioned the angel of the Lord sweeping through and killing all of those soldiers, a question came to mind. Whenever angels carry out killing commands, do they physically harm the person (i.e. stab, slit throat, etc.) or they just fly over them and kill them by touching them, looking at them, etc.?

I’m still having difficulty understanding how people get saved during Daniel’s 70th Week. I understand that faith is the cornerstone, as it always has been. But salvation will not be guaranteed, as it is now. The Jews will return to the old system of sacrifice and offerings. I assume, in order to maintain their salvation (prove their faith?). What about the Gentiles, like some of my family members? Will they also participate in sacrifices and offerings? Or, do the Gentiles prove their faith in some other way?