Referring to the tithing done in the Old Testament – ten percent was given to support the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who served, not only as spiritual leaders, but as the governing body of Israel. As you well know, we give more than ten percent to the IRS — our governing body. But, then, Yeshua said to give to Caesar what was Caesar’s and to Yahweh what is Yahweh’s. While this would not be a hardship for us, it is for many who make very little.

Also, to whom do we give this ten percent? There are very few churches that teach the truth. My husband will not give ten percent of his salary for many reasons. I, being without earned income, donate each Wed. afternoon to doing work at my congregation. At minimum wage, this still would not make up for the ten percent we don’t give. We also try to help some of our needy neighbors down the road with food, appliances, and help with things they don’t know how to do (such as installing a window air conditioner, fixing a broken down pipe, driving them to the store, etc.) But this still doesn’t replace the ten percent, I realize.

This bothers me a lot, but I don’t feel free to give my husband’s salary. Please comment.

I have a question concerning baptism of the Holy Spirit. Recently I was in a conversation with another Christian and was asked if I was saved. When I replied yes, they then asked if I had been baptized in the Holy Spirit and could speak in tongues. I told them that when I accepted Jesus as my savior I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, but I can not speak in tongues. They then showed me Acts 8:12-17. It would seem that receiving the Holy Spirit is a separate event apart from salvation. They conclude that the sign for this event is the person’s ability to speak in tongues. Though the passage doesn’t mention anyone speaking in tongues, they make the remark that in verse 18 Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given. It is said by the person I was talking to that no one can see the Holy Ghost for he is a spirit, so naturally, there had to be a physical sign and that sign was tongues.

Could you please help me to understand what is going on in these passages, if I haven’t been filled with the Holy Spirit, perhaps I should get that done. Thanks and God bless.

I need to know all the views there are on THE CONCEPT OF PREDESTINATION.

Many bible teachers say that the seven seals in Revelation and the subsequent breaking of them are a picture of the seven year tribulation period up to the coming of the Lord. These teachers also say that the scroll that John saw is the title deed to the Earth or that the seals and the information on the scroll are all one in the same. This doesn’t seems logical to me.

John was told to “come up here” to see what things were to “take place after these things”. When John got to Heaven he saw the scroll and that it was sealed with seven seals and that it had writing on both sides. But even if all the seals are broken, logically, you still have to unrolled it then read what’s written inside and out. How can the seals and the information on the scroll be the same thing? If they are not, what did the scroll say.

In his first century mind John understood that inforation was written on scrolls, after all He was called there to see what was on the scroll ( the prophecy ) not the seals. The seals were primarily a kind of security measure and a sign of the scroll’s authenticity, not information. When John saw what occurred when the seals were opened I think he got something additional that he wasn’t anticipating.

Could the seals be a picture of the “birth pains” or the “beginning of sorrows” and the scrolls prophecy be the Lords return and us with him in the eternal state. As a pregnant women first breaks her water, then the contractions start and become more intense and then finally the climax………the baby is born.

I agree with you that the attack upon Israel as foretold in Ez.38-39 will come but I also think that the devastation of the army of Islam will open the door for the temple to be rebuilt. I think the temple will be built before the start of the last week of the 70 weeks as there will be virtually no opposition to its building. Its use however is another question. I think that is where the AC comes in. After that war there will be a gigantic shift in the balance of power in the middle east and the western world. Add to that, should the rapture occur soon after that war, most of the world will be thrown into chaos and the USA will be out of the picture as a power leaving a big hole for the right person to fill. I don’t think the tribulation begins immediately after the rapture as it will take time to realign powers and consolidate control. That could take most of a year or more to do, what do you think???

Thank you so much for your site! I believe that God’s hand is truly upon you and your understanding of the Bible. You offer a true service in today’s world!

I have a hard time understanding how Israel could possibly believe that they are living in peace before the battle of Ezekiel 38, since they have never known peace from there inception in 1948. Do you think that it is possible after Israel levels Damascus, as Isaiah 17 clearly spells out, and which I believe could be very soon, the Anti-Christ could come on the scene and bring this false peace? Otherwise Israel will have to take out every enemy they have in the Middle East.

Also in your true opinion how close do you think we are of going home to be with the Lord? I know no man knows the day or the hour but we can watch and know that it is drawing close!

I have a question about tithing. Up until a year ago when I lost my full-time caregiver job I was a faithful tither and it blessed me so to be able to give to God’s work on this earth.

Now I’m unable to give as I once did. It’s tearing me apart and the guilt I have is more than I can bear. It takes everything I make just to pay bills and there are times when I have to let things go because at the end of the month there isn’t anything left. I’m overwhelmed financially. I know God is our provider, but sometimes things look so bleak. I don’t shop or go anywhere that I may need money for, thus I pretty much stay in my house. I feel guilty about even buying grocery’s because I could give that money to the Lord’s work. I want to be obedient to God’s word, but what do I do when there is nothing left?

Should I pay my tithe first even if it means getting two months behind on bills or going without the things I need to just survive? I’ve heard so many different things I don’t know what to do.

I am writing to ask a question that I feel strongly about but would like to support from a biblical sense. I am an officer in the army and a strong believer. I see our role in places like Iraq and Afghanistan as protecting our loved ones and country by getting rid of people who would do us harm. IE 9/11. Do you see a conflict between being a believer and being a soldier who has the duty to combat those bent on terrorism etc?

This has nothing to do with strategy and policy. I work in ROTC now on a Catholic Campus, and some actually assume that soldiers in some way are not Christians. In actuality, we are generally quite a religious bunch. But some see that concept as a complete contradiction. What are your thoughts?

This also loosely ties in to my non acceptance of the turn the other cheek mind set that means you have to be others punching bag to be a good Christian.

I do not believe that the kings of the east must come from east of the Euphrates, or China and/or other far eastern nations. If you look up the words alone you will find that the kings of the east have always been in the neighborhood and were Israel’s enemies from surrounding nations. Just look up the term in the book of Judges alone! The Word of God repeats itself as to theme and function and I believe that these same “kings of the east” that always troubled Israel will be a confederacy of Islamic near-by nations. They can make up the large number if you combine the players of Ps. 83 and Ez. 38. We need not go to Korea, China, etc. This doctrine started with Hal Lindsay’s Late great Planet Earth but I don’t think it follows a clear path of scripture and its repetition. As we await the coming of the Lord in the clouds for us we certainly see a growing hatred of Israel in the surrounding nations. By this alone and the veracity of scripture I don’t believe we need add into the Bible things it doesn’t really say. This is mere speculation.

Thanks so much for all your time and effort in studying the word of God. He has truly gifted so many people through you!

I was speculating, could the fulfillment of Isaiah 17 possibly be after or during the tribulation? That particular scripture passage is hard to understand as well, so do you have a posted article concerning it?

Thanks so much, and God bless you a thousand times!