What is the full story about good works? I know Paul says in Romans 3, “there is none that doeth good”. I’ve also heard preachers talk how our works are as “filthy rags” before God. I know good works are completely out of the salvation equation, but was a little confused about how their can be good works if there is “none that doeth good”, and they are like “filthy rags”.

Re: Seven Things Part 1. With all due respect, your order of end times event just can’t be correct. I don’t see how the Rapture can occur prior to the Battle of Ezekiel because scripture clearly states that Israel will be living in peace and security and without walls! The Rapture will foster anything BUT peace and security for anyone in the whole world so how then will Israel find itself peaceful for this battle to subsequently occur? It seems to me that Psalm 83 may just provide the cloak of protection Israel needs to be able to let down it’s guard, followed at some point by the Battle of Ezekiel when Israel is living peacefully. The Rapture may happen on the heels of this battle but I don’t see how the Rapture can occur first. There will be no peace after the Rapture.

I know there are several verses that talk about not being friends with people who are unbelievers or who are living in sinful lifestyles. I have acquaintances that I spend short periods of time with occasionally who definitely live in ways completely opposite of how I would ever live. Some are homosexual and some are sexually promiscuous. But, when hard times hit, I am the one they always call and I point them to the truth of the scriptures and encourage them to change how they live. So, my question is, am I not permitted to be acquaintances with such people according to scripture?

I understand there will be mortal people living in the 1000 year reign of Christ that begins after the tribulation period. Some will be destroyed in a rebellion against Christ near the end of the millennium. Those left, of course are true believers. When the old heaven and earth are then destroyed to make way for the new heaven and earth, does the bible say anything specific about the apparent need for another rapture, or transfer to immortality for those mortal believers in order to survive the destruction of the “old” and to live in the “new”?

John 14:2 (In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you) has puzzled me ever since I became a Christian in 2002. I asked my favorite Sunday School teacher the meaning of this scripture, and he said it had to do with permanence. But that still doesn’t explain Jesus’ reference to “many rooms” (or “mansions” in some translations). What are these rooms?

One of your posts said that in preparing for tough times ahead, that we shouldn’t “horde” things, and that storing up food or supplies to last a year or two isn’t putting our trust in God. Since we see what we think is coming, shouldn’t we take these things as a warning to start “squirreling” away somethings for when times get worse? After all, Joseph was smart and helped Pharaoh store food for when the famine hit. If we make no preparations at all, isn’t that just asking to be enslaved even more when we see many signs in front of us that our economy is about to collapse?

I have a friend who continually says she can’t wait to get to heaven to see her deceased husband. Her daughter tells her she knows of no scripture to confirm this possibility. Can you please give a reply to settle this confusing matter for them?

I believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins and I accept his Grace. I have been baptized and praise Him everyday. I try to be a good person, but know I am still a sinner. I am confused about the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. I am unable to do so. What does this mean?

Is it possible that when John wrote Revelation the 666 that he saw was the phrase “in the name of Allah” in Arabic? With the crossed swords when turned sideways it looks like 666 in Greek?

Certainly immediately after the rapture, the whole word will be in chaos which will result in a huge mess and the deaths of many unbelievers as well. Have you seen reference to this in scripture? I can’t help but think 1 Thes 5:3 may be referring to this time period. It seems like the epitome of “sudden destruction”!