In the old testament, why is taking a census considered to be such a terrible thing? In 1 Chronicles, for example, when Satan convinced David to take a census of Israel’s fighting men, and God viewed it as evil in his sight.

Every so often I come across a negative statement about Free Masonry. I have a very close Christian friend who is also a Speculative Mason. What is it about the Masons that causes (Religious?) people to be suspicious? hateful? distrustful? Am I reading too much into those negative comments? Thanks and God Bless, I look forward to your questions and answers daily, and I’m learning a lot.

I was reading your answer to a Pre-Wrath question and I have one too. I have been Pre-trib, pre-mil for at least 30 yrs and plan on staying that way unless prophecy events that happen show me different.

Pre-wrath opinion, if I understand right says the Bible doesn’t say there is a specific 7 year tribulation but do admit to Daniel’s 70th year prophecy. So they believe that the Great Trib (last 3 1/3 yr) is the tribulation period and they believe the rapture is before that during the first 3 1/2 yrs? If that is correct, then how can it be believed that they go thru tribulation if it is not believed that the entire 7 years is a tribulation period? Anyway, they seem to try to determine if Daniel’s 70th year (7 yrs) have begun yet.

All things considered, if the view was correct, how would someone know that Daniel’s 7th year (70th week) had begun? As a Pre-trib person we believe the Rapture occurs before that and the things that are occuring now just show how close we are, not that Daniels week has already begun, right?

I have a question that a lot of people don’t know how to answer but I’m pretty sure you do, can the devil get into your mind or more precisely put thoughts into your mind? people get the idea that this is possible because of what Christ said.

Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

The Bible also records, in the Matthew and Mark gospels, how Jesus rebuked Peter with the same words at his suggestion that Jesus would not be raised from the dead.

Matthew 16:23. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Where in the Bible does it indicate this being possible?

I’ve been reading Prophecy Update for a long time now, and all of what you relay in your articles I understand and sense to be valid. Thus, my question to you this evening lies upon the myths and legends of the Fallen Ones, or the Nephilim (nefilim).

In Genesis, it states that these superhuman being existed in the time of Noah and also after. I know of Goliath, but what claim do names such as Hercules, Gilgamesh and some others have to this name. Evidently, there are not human, nor were they gods, but half-breeds walking in the paths of human heroes in myth and legend. Could the “and after that” from Genesis explain Hercules, or tell of Gilgamesh’s manner with women and his need to fight and kill oponents. Does this explain why pharoahs always proclaimed themselves to be god-kings. What about these gods we hear of? Does this account for them to? I know that most of these icons were just idol metals and such, but what about the reality that these beings did and do still exist?

You have written some good studies on tithing. I am interested in your thoughts regarding “the storehouse” – – is it the local church only or can it be any ministry that” feeds” the saints?

When a man and woman marry they become one until death do them part. Right? So when the Rapture occurs and a married couple is taken to meet Christ in the air and doesn’t experience death, will they still be married? If not, will we have a special relationship in eternity with our spouse? Will we be able to have a family and enjoy sex still, possibly in the Millennium? Or just be close friends and ex husband and wife?

I read comments from another prophecy person that the giving up the West Bank to the Palestinians was part of the prophecy of Ezekiel 35 and I’m confused. My question is “What is Mt. Seir?” Is or was it a real Mountain or God’s description of the Edomites? Has Ezekiel 35 already been fulfilled or yet to be? Can you sort this chapter out for me, past and present. Does it show something future happening or is it already fulfilled?

Thanks for your time, you have been a great help in my studies. After a year of studying prophecy, I finally have found peace with the pre trib rapture doctrine. I truly believe the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the truth and after reading many different interpretations, I finally turned to the one thing I wasn’t doing, which ironically was reading the Word of God for myself. This truly has opened my eyes.

However, after settling on the rapture issue, I now have a question about dispensationalism. Correct me if I’m mistaken, but the church age ends with the rapture. However, the “dispensation of grace” still continues, correct? If this is the case, my question centers around two groups of people: 1.those who die during the tribulation after becoming saved and 2.those who survive to end of the tribulation and are saved.

In Ephesians 2:6-10 Paul says we (the church) will serve as an example of the incomparable grace of our Lord in the coming ages. Since the “church age” ends with the rapture, what does that make people of groups 1 and 2? Won’t they also be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ? So won’t they also serve as an example of God’s incomparable grace through eternity?

While I’m on the subject, I have also wondered, do saved Israel trib saints and gentile trib saints share the same destiny throughout eternity or the millennium?

After the Millennium and the Great white throne judgment is ended, perhaps they (Israel and gentile trib saints) too will become part of the church and serve as an example of God’s grace throughout the rest of eternity?

I enjoy gleaning wisdom from this site. I get questioned by naysayers in my church. They can’t understand why some in the Church are obsessed with end times events. This time a sister asks why so many believe that the mark of the Beast will be physical, like a microchip, and not a mark like the one the Holy Spirit gives to believers. Could you offer some advice?