I heard construction on the Altar of the Temple in Jerusalem started on July 30. Could you please update me on this?

Do you know of any ministry, particularly on the web, that deals specifically with those who were once saved but are now unfaithful?

I follow a variety of ministers in America, but I don’t see anyone in particular who is actively pursuing the present day backslidden. I think that specific kind of ministry is desperately needed. And while I know there is supposed to be a great falling away, and apostasy, still…there is gleaning that can be done in fields post the general harvest, and even burnt-over fields can and do experience regrowth. Please do not take this question as a criticism — you clearly have a true servants heart, and I am so very grateful for your web ministry.

In Revelation 17-18 the Bible talks of “Babylon the Great” as being the center of the world’s ungodly religion, government, and economics during the end of the Great Tribulation. Currently the site of the ancient city of Babylon is scarcely inhabited to my knowledge. How do you see this current heap of rubble being made into the center of the world’s religion, government, and economics in the near future? For instance, if the 70th week of Daniel started tomorrow, do you see a way that Babylon can be turned into the world’s capital within a 7-year time span?

What is your feeling regarding the G12 cell structure, that is popular amongst the churches? It appears to have all the bells and whistles,with “add ons”. I personally believe that we do not need a name for the gathering of the believers in houses, and also that it maybe a pyramid scheme without money. Please assist.

I have a question regarding “orbs.” And also, if you have time, gold dust, jewels, gold teeth, etc…. For the first question, in photographs, you can sometimes see round orbs. Sometimes a photo is saturated and sometimes just one or two. They appear lacy, and bubbly on the interior of the orb, and sometimes colorful. Some in the Church appear to believe these are angelic beings. On the other hand, many in the Occult believe them to be spirit beings of individuals whom have died (obviously this is untrue). What is your take on this? I have found that orbs are believed to be angelic beings by those also believing in gold dust, jewels appearing, and gold teeth during times of “worship.” (Although that would be a generalization, so forgive me for that) What can you teach on the validity of all these matters?

Does it make sense to pray for a soon -possibly the soonest- rapture? I mean, can we influence with our prayer the timing of the rapture? I know that it is based on the number of the people who get saved and will be part of the church and I know that God knows all these persons. So, does a kind of request to the Lord make sense, if we pray for that regularly and ask Him to speed up things with these people and all the necessary processes too? Will He speed up things and a much sooner rapture is possible if we pray for it?

I have wondered about what we will know of our past relationships once we’re in Heaven. I have read of God wiping away all tears. Will we not have knowledge of family who were not saved and what of our relationships with those who were saved? I am happily married and have asked if I will know of the relationship we had once we are in heaven.

I need an answer to a question that could throw off the idea of the Rapture or worse-found an error in the Bible. Perhaps there is already an answer to it, perhaps there’s a misinterpretation somewhere along the line or perhaps some further study needs to go into this.

The question:

The bible says – “It is appointed for man to die once, but after that the judgment,” Hebrews (9:27).

How is it then that many believers who are Raptured are alive? Please help with this, have I misunderstood something?

In 1 Corinthians 11: 17-30 Paul talks about the Corinthians observing the Lord’s Supper. But he rebuked them saying that what they were doing was not good; not proper. I have observed that many pastors (evangelicals pastors) emphasize confession of sins before taking the communion – a matter of 2-5 minutes of examining oneself and saying a prayer of confession, then the bread and the cup are being passed.

As I understand the passage it didn’t look like Paul was giving new directives on confessions. Also, if confession of sins is a pre-requisite of taking the communion I believe it shifts the focus of this memorial service, making it about us instead of Jesus and the Cross.

What is really meant by Paul in saying “examine yourself?” Is it examine ourseves in the area of our sins, unworthiness? Or is it examine our approach in taking the Lord’s supper memorial?

I was raised in (a denominational) church where you really don’t hear the word “saved”, however I believe I was saved as a child when I thanked Jesus ( not out loud, but in my head) for dying for me. I feel it was then that I made it personal to me.

When my daughter was 3 she asked me to pray so she could go to heaven. I led her in a simple prayer at that time. She is now 15 and still remembers that and feels that is when she was saved. Since that time we have heard pastors and friends say you shouldn’t lead a 3 year old to the Lord because they are too young to understand. It makes my daughter upset to think people are doubting her salvation. She also has a hard time telling her testimony because of that. Sometimes I wonder if the church is getting to hung up on a “sinners prayer” instead of “saved by faith”.

I have told her it really doesn’t matter what you say or when, but what you beleive in your heart. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this. I would hate to think she is not really saved but only thinks she is.