Ask a Bible Teacher

Making Covenants

Published: September 26, 2009
Q

Wondering what your thoughts are on the subject of Christians making covenants? An increasing number of bible studies and christian groups are asking participants to sign covenants agreeing to whatever is required by the course, or to certain obligations within the group. I feel uncomfortable being asked to do so. Wondering if you have addressed this subject in your writings? Thanks!


Changing The times And The Law

Published: September 26, 2009
Q

I had a thought the other day, in Daniel 7, verse 25 specifically, it talks about the Anti Christ thinking to change the times and the law. Is this saying he is trying to change the calendar? and international laws? I find this interesting since all this hype about the mayan calendar ending in 2012, and it appears that we are heading to a one world government, just something I have been thinking about, but I want to clarify what Daniel is saying exactly. Thanks so much!


Describing The 2nd Coming

Published: September 25, 2009
Q

Could you please explain Matt. 24:28? I was once taught that the carcasses were the spiritually dead (non-born again believers) that the vultures come after. However, knowing now that Mt. 24 has nothing to do with the Church and everything to do with the Jews, I was wondering if perhaps it is referring to Jehovah coming to the aid of Israel during the tribulation.


Has The Glory Of The Lord Departed?

Published: September 24, 2009
Q

You may have a unique perspective on this due to your missionary work in another country yet you receive questions and comments from all over America. Your willingness to speak the truth and gift of discernment may help also.

I go to a fairly small church, just large enough for a full time pastor, in the Bible Belt. Our pastor is not perfect, neither is his congregation including me, but he preaches the Gospel. I sometimes believe I see God working in the lives of members but I seldom see Him working in the church itself. Apathy seems to be a contagious disease for which no remedy seems available other than application of the Word in my daily life.

It’s almost as if the Glory of the Lord has departed from the church. I’m really concerned as I see people I believe are believers seem to be reducing their commitment steadily and I fight the trend myself with the only successes seeming to come privately but the life in the church seems to be flickering more weakly all the time. Some wish to blame the pastor but I don’t agree, I think the reasons go deeper. Is this the great falling away or am I just in a pocket of apathy? Your input would be greatly appreciated.


Post-Rapture Sin?

Published: September 24, 2009
Q

Thank you for your web-site. I have learned so much in the recent weeks that I have been made aware of what you have written and studied.

My question is – once we have been raptured and have come back with Jesus during the millennium, and then we are in eternity, what will keep us from falling away from the Lord as Lucifer did or as men will during the millennium when Satan gathers his army from people who knew no temptation or had any influence of unbelievers?


Redeeming Angels

Published: September 22, 2009
Q

Thank you for your site. It is a wonderful resource for both new and old Christians. The question I have relates to the redemption of our sins. We know that Christ died for us, and by his death he paid the penalty for our sins if we chose to accept it. His blood was so holy that even one drop of it is sufficient to clear the world of all of man kinds sins, truly an amazing concept and wonderful act of love by our creator. The question which comes to mind though is what about the fallen angels?

I know there does now appear to be any scripture which says that any of the 1/3rd of the angelic host who rebelled with Satan can repent, but given that Christ has paid the penalty of death for sin is it theoretically possible for a fallen angel to repent of his/its sins and accept the blood of christ as redemption for its sins?


Who Was Revelation Meant For?

Published: September 21, 2009
Q

I was just reading your article on “No one knows the Day or the Hour”. It is very good. After many years of things that were viewed in the traditional sense that didn’t make sense, I finally realized that the Book of Matt. was all Jewish. Why would Jesus talk about things that were going to be revealed by Paul, anyway? The Church is no where in view in the Gospels.

My question is, after studying Revelation many times I have come to the conclusion that the seven letters to the assemblies are telling the remnant in the Trib., of the history of Israel’s failures and what they need to do to avoid the same failures. Of course God will not let them fail this time. What do you think? I think that Rev. is mainly Jewish as well. As in the first letter, I see that as representing Israel’s espousal, the second letter, Israel’s wanderings and the book of Numbers. The third one the wilderness period and the fourth , Kings etc. It makes more sense that it being Church or Body of Christ requirements. The Body of Christ has already overcome, haven’t they??

I think we can learn from the Book of Revelation but I never thought John represented the Church in 4:1 being taken up. John was called up to watch what was going to take place in the future, on the Day of the Lord. Do you think I might be right on this?


More Day or Hour Follow Up

Published: September 19, 2009
Q

I am wondering how can the 2nd coming can be like a thief in the night when the exact timing is spelled out in scripture in days and in feasts? Also, in the same way how could Israel pray that their departure not be in the winter or on the Sabbath, in relation to the 2nd coming?

I thought this would be in reference to the fleeing from the Admonination of Desolation and the subsequent fury of the anti-christ which is unleashed. Even in this I can understand how it could be moved to miss a Sabbath, but with all the feasts lined up how could the winter be missed?


Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

Published: September 19, 2009
Q

What is your understanding of ‘Baptism in/with the Holy Spirit’. We have members in our group – which by the way is a mix of denominations incl. RC – on this subject. All agree we need to be baptized to witness to others our faith in Christ and that this is by immersion. However some maintain that you receive the Spirit after the water baptism.

Some say you may never receive Him, some say (and they are the ones I agree with) that nowadays we receive the Spirit as guide, helper and rebuker of our conscience the minute we pray the sinners prayer and accept Christ. In the apostles days it happened suddenly as at pentecost, by laying on of hands by an apostle or at/after baptism so there seems to be no clear answer. For some this has become a sticking point in accepting brothers or sisters as true believers. Can you please give us some insight?


Old Earth Young Civilization

Published: September 18, 2009
Q

I was channel-surfing last night, and began to watch ( a well known christian TV personality). All these years, he’s said that the earth is young, and that the evolutionists had it all wrong. Now, he says that earth is thirteen billion years old, and that there was another creation, of man. It is my belief that (he) has gone around the bend. What are your thoughts?