Hello friends. How about an amazing fact? On August 23, 1799 the American Ship Nancy was captured in the Caribbean by the English Navy and taken to Jamaica. At the time Britain was at war with France, Spain, and Holland and the Royal Navy was active in preventing neutral countries from trading weapons with its enemies or their colonies.
The English claimed that the Nancy had been supplying weapons to a Dutch Colony in the southern Caribbean and that the ship should be confiscated as a prize of war. But the court could not really find any real evidence against the Nancy and was about to release the ship when an English Lieutenant rushed into the court room. He had proof he said that the Nancy was guilty of supplying arms to the Dutch. And he held out several wet papers that had just been taken out of the stomach of a shark.
Those papers did indeed prove the Nancy guilty. The Captain of the Nancy had thrown them overboard when he realized that his ship was about to be captured, but a passing shark had swallowed the papers and the evidence was found when the big fish was caught and cut open. Did you know friends that the Bible speaks of a time when the hidden deeds of men and women will be open to the investigation of the entire universe. Stay tuned for more as “Amazing Facts” brings you this edition of “Bible Answers Live”.
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Ross: Hello friends this is Pastor Jean Ross. Pastor Doug Batchelor is out this evening, but this is “Bible Answers Live” and it is a live, international, interactive Bible study. And I f you have a Bible related question we would love to hear from you this evening. The number to call here to the studio is 1-800-463-7297. I am giving you that number again 1-800-463-7297. So give us a call if you have a Bible question. Friends we want to do like we always do and start by asking a special blessing upon this program because we recognize the Bible as His word and we need His leading. Dear Father in heaven thank you for the opportunity we have to spend a few moments studying your word and looking at different questions from the Bible. And we invite your presence to come and be with us here in the studio and be with those who are listening where ever they might be. And lead us all Lord into a clearer and a fuller understanding of your word. For we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Friends I opened the program by talking about the Ship by the name of Nancy. And it was during 1799 during a war between the British and principally the French. And how that the papers that proved the guilt of the ship in smuggling arms was actually found in the belly of a shark when a shark was cut open and they found the papers there. You know friends the bible speaks of a time when there will be another investigation. And the sins will come to light. So the Bible speaks of a time when those things done in darkness those things that are hidden from others will be revealed. 2 Corinthians Chapter 5: 10 says that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. That each one that did those things that were received in the body according to what he has done. Whether it be good or whether it be bad. And then one more verse. Revelation Chapter 20:12 John writes and I saw the dead both great and small standing before God and I saw the book and it was opened which is the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works by the things which are written in the books.
So the Bible is clear there is a day of reckoning. There is this judgment that the Scripture speaks about. And I guess what we need to consider is how do we stand in the judgment? The good news is that Jesus is our advocate. If we put our confidence and our trust in Him. If we surrender our lives to Him. He is our advocate in that Day of Judgment and He will step forward presenting His righteousness in the place of our unrighteousness.
If we put our trust I him we have an offer friends we’d like to send to anyone who calls and asks for it. It is called “Your Day in Court” and it tells how we can face the judgment with confidence. Not based upon our own deeds. But, rather trusting in the work that Jesus our advocate is doing for us. So again call and we will send you that offer for free. It’s called “Your Day in Court”. Now the phone number to our resource line is 1-800-835-6747. And again that is 1-800-835-6747 and the number here to the studio if you have a Bible related question 1-800-463-7297 that is 1-800-GOD-SAYS or 2-800-463-7297. And we are going straight to the phone lines and taking to Chris who is listening in Maryland. Chris welcome to the program.
Chris: Hello and how are you this evening/
Pastor Ross: We’re doing very well. How are you?
Chris: I’m okay tonight.
Pastor Ross: And your question this evening.
Chris: My question for this evening is in the Bible it says he has a question when the Lord is coming.
Pastor Ross: Right.
Chris: But, can we give like God like a time?
Pastor Ross: Okay can we put a sort of time limit on God saying Lord I really need an answer. Please help me out. Well you know that is a good question Chris. Obviously, God knows everything related to our lives. He knows what decisions have to be made. He knows what circumstances we face. He wants us to come to him in prayer and ask for wisdom and ask for guidance. Now we have confidence that if we come to God and we have a humble heart and a sincere desire to do what God is asking us to do. He promises to hear our prayers. Jesus said speaking to earthly parents if you will give something good to your child when he or she asks how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him? Now of course the thing God really wants to give us more than anything else is the gift of the Holy Spirit and everlasting life. So that is the most important gift that god wants to give us, but in addition to that God does care about our everyday lives the needs that we have and the challenges that we face. So we can come to God in faith and we can place all our requests before Him and then we need to trust that God knows what is best and at the right He will open up the way or He will make it clear to us what action we need to take. So prayer is an exercise of faith. It is placing our faith before God and then trusting in the right way and in the right time God will answer those prayers. Does that make sense Chris?
Chris: It does. But, it is like I have a bad time because I have multiple sclerosis.
Pastor Ross: Umm-hmm.
Chris: And have taken the time for the word and then I am seeing the best.
Pastor Ross: And you have been asking God for healing and for health?
Chris: Yes my, but He has brought me a long way.
Pastor Ross: Alright.
Chris: And I thank Him every day for this.
Pastor Ross: What—you know what?
Chris: Because there has been at one point I was on life support and my—in the hospital.
Pastor Ross: So you have seen God’s hand working in your life Chris? You are not where you want to be, but I can definitely see how God has led you. You know what Chris I am going to have a word of prayer with you. If that is alright. I want to just ask that God is real close to you and He comfort you and encourage you and just pray for healing. I guess there is actually a special season of prayer for one of my church members who is facing such challenges with his health and we know that God does hear and answer prayer. So we can ask and then trust that He will in His own time and in the right way because He loves us and will answer our prayer. So let me pray for you right now.
Dear Father in heaven we just want to lift up Chris and ask that you would be with him. He is facing some health challenges and we are grateful Lord that you have been with him because there is some improvement that he has shared with us, but still there is a need for additional healing. And dear Lord you are the great physician you still heal people both body and mind and you are concerned about the trials and difficulties of that we face every day. So we just lift Chris up and ask for him in a special way that you would comfort him and give him strength and thank you for your love for him and your love for all of us. And we ask this all in Jesus’ name. Amen. Well God bless you Chris and thank you for your call and keep trusting in the Lord and keep praying and He’ll open up the way.
The next caller that we have is Brandy listening from Roseville, California. Brandy you are on the air.
Brandy: Hi.
Pastor Ross: Hi and your question tonight?
Brandy: My question was actually a quick one. It is one I actually think about quote a lot and it actually scares me. I am curious as to who created God.
Pastor Ross: Okay well you know the Bible doesn’t say the origin of God. It begins by saying,”In the beginning God…created the heavens and the earth.” Now one aspect of divinity is that it has no beginning and divinity has no end. So what we understand from Scripture is that God always was and all things that were created were created by God. God is the author and sustainer of life and everything that we see in the Universe. So it is one of those mysteries that receive by faith that God has been and He always will be. It is hard for us to understand that because we live confined in space and time. You know we measure our lives based on time.
Brandy: Umm-hmm.
Pastor Ross: But, God has no beginning and He has no end. Time is different than our sort of parameters that we live in. That is a question that well for us we seem to be well we need to have an answer for this. But, the Bible just simply says God always was and always will be. He has no beginning and He has no end.
Brandy: Well thank you and I kind of fell like that maybe it is something we can’t understand.
Pastor Ross: Yes and I think that when we are in heaven with that gift of everlasting life and with the angels that maybe we’ll understand a little bit more. But, right now we just receive that by faith and take God at His word.
Brandy: Thank you very much for trying.
Pastor Ross: Thank you for your call. Again if you have a Bible related question the number here to the studio is 1-800-463-7297 that is 1-800-463-7297. We’d love to hear from you this evening and our next caller is Nancy and Nancy is listening in Florida. Nancy welcome to the program.
Nancy: Good evening Pastor and thank you for your giving of time to answer questions.
Pastor Ross: It is our pleasure. Thank you for calling.
Nancy: Will we recognize friends and family in eternity our heavenly home? Is there perhaps anything in the Bible Chapter and verse or your opinion on this?
Pastor Ross: Yes. Good question and I am just looking up a verse here. And yes we will recognize each other in heaven. We read in and let me find where it is at here. The New Testament states that even as we are known we are known. So we should be able to recognize each other.
Nancy: So in heaven we will recognize each other as we are known and that is from Paul.
Pastor Ross: Yes from the writings of Paul and just searching it here on my computer to get—see first of all 1 Corinthians 13: 12 is one of the references for that. You know Paul speaks about seeing through a glass darkly. Meaning that we see only in part now of the reality or truth of eternity is somewhat dim, but then we shall know completely and fully. We will know our loved ones and we get to meet our guardian angel and so we will be able to interact with each other throughout eternity.
Nancy: Do you have the Chapter and verse for me in that please?
Pastor Ross: The verse that I am looking at here is 1 Corinthians Chapter 13: 12.
Nancy: 1 Corinthians Chapter 13: 12.
Pastor Ross: And that is the one where Paul says and now we see through very dimly, but then—speaking about heaven—face to face. Knowing now in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
Nancy: Well thank you ever so much.
Pastor Ross: Alright.
Nancy: Thank you. God bless you.
Pastor Ross: Oh Nancy one other thing we do have a book that I think you will enjoy. It is called “Heaven is it for Real?” And it actually gives us the Scripture references to what the Bible says heaven is like. And what we will be doing in heaven. How we will be interacting with each other. We will send that to you for free and anyone who calls and asks. 1-800-835-6747. And ask for the book called “Heaven is it for Real?” and that is the home of the redeemed and I am going to give the number to call it is 1-800-835-6747 that is the resource line and you can just ask for the book on heaven. It is called “Heaven is it for Real?”
The phone number her to the studio with your Bible questions is 1-800-463-7297. We have Michael listening from Orlando, Florida. Michael you are on the air.
Michael: Yeah Pastor can you hear me?
Pastor Ross: I can hear you, yes.
Michael: Yeah I want to know where in the Old Testament the penalty is for having disobeyed one and much less all ten of the Ten Commandments is in the Old Testament and then I have a second question as well.
Pastor Ross: Okay so the first question is what was the penalty for violating the Commandments or one of the Commandments?
Michael: Yes where is it stated Chapter and verse?
Pastor Ross: Alright there are several examples that we have in Scripture where the penalty for violating the Commandment was death. There is one example in the Old Testament where somebody was picking up sticks on the Sabbath and an open violation of the Commandment. And he was actually stoned. Let me find that verse for you there. Numbers Chapter 15: 32 and you can actually read the story there in Numbers 15: 32. So this is just one example of this and the kind of high handed rebellion spirit. This is not somebody that made a mistake and said oh I am sorry and did not realize. This was an act of defiance against the law of God and open rebellion against God’s law. The result of which was stoning in this case.
Michael: Okay now my second question is in Revelation 21 I think it is verse 8 it talks about people who have transgressed by particular sins. And that they will have their part in the Lake of Fire. But, it does not mention certain commandments like believe bearing false witness and or stealing. Taking stuff that is not your own. Is that intentionally left out so it doesn’t apply or what is the status of all the Ten Commandments? Where not all of them are mentioned as the violators will be going to the Lake of Fire.
Pastor Ross: Well right and good question, but the verse you are looking at here in Revelation Chapter 21: 8 it says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (KJV) Now of course the descriptions given here in verse 8 the principles of which are found in the Ten Commandments meaning that if we love our neighbor as ourselves we won’t murder or we won’t bear false witness. If we worship God supremely we won’t be worshipping idols. But, those principles are expressed at least in this verse in Chapter 8 using different words. For example coward that would be somebody with a lack of faith. Somebody who doesn’t believe and then it says the unbeliever and the abominable and the murderers and so this is sort of just a summary expressing certain rebellious principles people might have which would run in violation with the Ten Commandments.
Michael: Okay alright.
Pastor Ross: You may remember where the man came to Jesus and asked what the greatest commandment Lord is. Jesus said well actually there are two. First is love the Lord thy God with all of thy heart, soul and mind and the other is love your neighbor as yourself upon these two commandments hang on the law and the prophets. So you can see that the first four of the Ten Commandments is summarized by the principle of loving God supremely because if we love god supremely we won’t worship idols and you won’t take His name in vain and love thy neighbor then we won’t kill, steal and so on.
Michael: Right. Alright I appreciate thank you.
Pastor Ross: Thanks for the call Michael I appreciate it. Anyone wanting to learn more about the Ten Commandments and the principles found in God’s law and are they still binding for the Christian today? We have a study guide called “Written in Stone” and that number is 1-800-835-6747. That is 1-800-835-6747 and the phone line here to the studio is 1-800-463-7297 for your Bible questions. Our next caller is Scott and he is listening from Irvine, California. Scott welcome to the program.
Scott: Hi Pastor Ross. My question is how many actual Israelites crossed the Red Sea? Was it two million like Joel Osteen says on television this morning? Or is it like three and half million like the Holy Spirit I think told me.
Pastor Ross: Okay. Well you know it is hard for us to know for sure. The Bible doesn’t specifically give us an exact number. It was a great multitude of people that came up out of Egypt that weren’t necessarily Jews. There were some Egyptians and they became known as the mixed multitude. They also moved out with the Israelites recognizing that their God was more powerful than the gods of Egypt or the so called gods of Egypt. So their number was not just Israelites, but it was this mixed multitude as well. And God opened up the Rea Sea and they passed through as well and I have heard numbers anywhere of about one and half million all the way up to about three million.
Scott: Okay.
Pastor Ross: It is hard to say the Bible doesn’t exactly say.
Scott: Okay then and I have a follow up question with that one. Will Joel Osteen get a part of the seven last plagues for not telling Bible truth accurately? Or is that just something to build people’s faith if it is not exactly right?
Pastor Ross: Well you know I think what we need to do especially when it comes to preachers and teachers. We need to recognize the sober responsibility have in sharing a Bible truth with them as individuals. Now we want to make sure that first of all we study to know ourselves what the Bible says so that we can share that with others. I think God first of all looks at the sincerity of them to share the truth. Jesus says you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. If we are willing to do what God asks then the Holy Spirit can guide us into a fuller understanding of truth. Now that doesn’t mean that a preacher or a teacher might not come across a Scripture and come to a fuller understanding and realize that what he previously had said maybe wasn’t perfectly correct.
And then of course if that is the case and an important point of doctrine he would probably need to explain that to the church and say to the church that I made a mistake and this is what I found. But, if a preacher is purposefully contradicting the church for whatever reason maybe for popularity or whatever reason then maybe because of the influence or finance or if they are deliberately contradicting what the Bible says and teaching people to do so that is a very dangerous position for a preacher to be in.
Scott: How does one get that information? Does the Holy Spirit tell an individual because I have read stuff that isn’t exactly in the Bible.
Pastor Ross: Right. Well you the safest guard for finding truth is multiple witnesses in the Scripture.
Scott: Okay.
Pastor Ross: The Bible give us a principle and it says in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established. Now when it says two or three witnesses it is not talking about people. It is talking about Scripture witnesses. The bible speaks of the law and the prophets. They are the two witnesses. That’s Scripture referring to the five books of the Bible known as the Pentateuch which was referred to as the law. And everything else in the Scripture was referred to as the prophets. So when we are seeking for truth we need to take into consideration the prophets and the law.
Scott: Pastor Ross let’s ask the Holy Spirit to guide us on this because we don’t want to not say anything that actually is not true.
Pastor Ross: of course we need to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and that is important. And we did pray at the beginning of the program. I don’t know if you were tuned in then? We don’t even start by opening the Bible unless we ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and then of course recognize that the Bible doesn’t contradict the Scriptures. The same Spirit that inspired the prophets of old will guide our minds if we earnestly seek for truth in the Scriptures.
You know think of it this way. If we have genuine desire to know God’s will for our lives and we want to find truth and we ay Lord I am willing to do whatever it is that you want me to do. God will recognize that humble spirit and He will lead us into a clearer understanding of truth. It does take time. God doesn’t reveal all the truth all at one time. But, somebody who has a sincere desire to learn truth we can have confidence that as we prayerfully study the Scriptures the Holy Spirit will guide us into a clearer and fuller understanding of truth.
Scott: Okay.
Pastor Ross: You know Scott we do have a book talking about the Bible. And how we can study it and how we need the Holy Spirit guiding us in our study of the word. It is called “The Faithful Witness” and ii is about the Scriptures and that needs to be the foundation of every true Christian we need to know what the Bible says. I would be happy to send it to you or anyone who asks and tells us about truth in the Bible and how to study the Bible. Then number to call is 1-800-835-6747. And you can ask for the book called the “The Faithful Witness” and again that’s 1-800-835-6747 to know what the Bible says. Thanks for your call Scott. And our next caller is Mike and he is listening from New York Mike welcome to the program you are on the air.
Mike: Yes hi thank you for taking my call. I have simple question here look at Matthew 24: 34 “Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” (KJV)
Pastor Ross: Matthew 24: 34 let me read that it says, “Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” (KJV)
Mike: Correct now this generation in my Bible and the explanation of this generation probably refers to a new race of Christian. That even doesn’t explain it to me.
Pastor Ross: Hmm. Sure.
Mike: What is this generation because He is not speaking about the generation of that time only? Do you know what I mean?
Pastor Ross: Yes good question let me see if I can give you some more thoughts on that. A Biblical generation is forty years. So when it speaks about the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness forty years that was considered a generation of forty years. Remember in Matthew 24 Jesus gave specific signs of not only the second coming of Christ, but also to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans which happened in 70 A.D. And so the signs with reference to this destruction of Jerusalem they were fulfilled within that generation.
Let’s see Jesus spoke these words somewhere around 31 A.D and within the forty year period you do have the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. So in one sense yes it was fulfilled in Christ’s time as He said. Now the application of the destruction of Jerusalem are the principles that we are given and the signs we are given for its destruction have a broader application and relate to the time in which we are living and they are all signs that point to the coming of Jesus.
So with reference to that in 34 yes it was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem and that generation did not pass until that was fulfilled just as Jesus had stated. So we think that the other things will be fulfilled before time passes. Friends you are listening to “Bible Answers Live” and Mike we are going to come back and talk some more on Matthew 24, but we are coming up on a break and just before we take that break, however, I want to let you know about an exciting project that “Amazing Facts” is working on. We are working on a full prophecy series later on this year. It is called “Landmarks of Prophecy” and Pastor Doug Batchelor is going to present a full prophecy seminar from Albuquerque, New Mexico. And we have a website called “www Landmarks of Prophecy dot com” and I want to encourage you to take a look at the website there are all kinds of resources and you can download, but it will tell you about this exciting prophecy series. You can also register online and just before each of the programs begins you can click on a link and you can watch this series live on YouTube. So you can participate in this prophecy seminar wherever you might be and share the link with a friend. They can also join you and participate in this exciting series again it starts, October 31.
So take a look at the website that is “Landmarks of Prophecy dot com” or just “www Landmarks of Prophecy dot com”. We’ll be right back with more Bible questions.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Ross: Hello friends this is Pastor Jean Ross. Pastor Doug Batchelor remains out this evening, but this is a live, interactive, international program and if you have a Bible question call 1-800-GOD-SAYS or the number here to the studio is 1-800-463-7297 with a Bible question again that number is 1-800-463-7297. We have a couple of lines open and one more time 1-800-463-7297.
And just before the break we were talking to Chris (Mike) about Matthew 24 and the signs that spoke about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., but also signs that have a broader application for our time. We have an offer talking about the second coming of Jesus and also talks about Matthew 24 and will send it to anyone who calls. It also talks about how we know how soon Jesus will come? What are the certain signs given in the Scriptures? We don’t know the day or the hour when Christ will come. But, we do have certain signs that we should be looking for. We have a book called “The Ultimate Deliverance” and you can get this by calling the resource line at 1-800-835-6747. Again the book s called “The Ultimate Deliverance”.
We are going to go to the phone lines and our next caller Is Dean and Dean is listening in Kansas. Dean welcome o the program.
Dean: Hello how are you Pastor Ross?
Pastor Ross: Doing very well and yourself?
Dean: I am doing good.
Pastor Ross: Thank you for your patience this evening.
Dean: I have a question. Oh no problem, no problem. My question this evening is actually going to be on Revelation Chapter 19 and actually I gave them the wrong verse it is verse 20. Well it starts in verse 20 and it is in reference to the beast and the false prophet being cast into the Lake of Fire. And I know you have people traveling and so if you want to read that/
Pastor Ross: Yeah let me read it. Revelation Chapter 19: 20 it says, “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (KJV)
Dean: Now with that I know if you continue to read on and if you obviously can read a few verses beforehand.
Pastor Ross: Yes.
Dean: The question actually pertains to the time frame of which they are talking and I have been kind of doing my own study here and there and kind of just been talking with a few people at my job. And in correlation with it all and doing my own studies I am just a little perplexed a little bit to finding out about are they actually cast in before the millennium or before the 1000 years? I guess you could say the end of the millennium right at the White Throne Judgment.
Pastor Ross: Sure.
Dean: Or are they thrown in afterwards and everyone actually begins that at the same time?
Pastor Ross: Alright good question. Yes. Let me give you a little bit of background Revelation Chapter 20 you have what is called the 1000 years. The event that begins the 100 years period is of course the second coming of Christ. In Revelation Chapter 19 it is a description in the last part of the Chapter and a symbolic description of Jesus who has come to rescue His people. And when Christ returns He takes them to heaven and those who are in their graves who are righteous and the dead are resurrected and they are caught up to meet the Lord I the air. And then the righteous go to heaven. But, at the second coming of Christ the wicked are destroyed at the brightness of Christ’s coming and when it says here that they are cast alive in the lake of fire and burn with brimstone. There is if you like a lake of fire at the second coming of Christ and there is also a final lake of fire that you read about at the millennium at the end of the 1000 years. Elsewhere in Scripture it also describes the being destroyed with the brightness of Christ’s coming in 2 Thessalonians. So the brightness of Christ’s coming and the fire that seems to accompany Him as He comes destroys the wicked. And some Bible scholars have said well there is little lake of fire, so to speak, to which the wicked are destroyed to the brightness of Christ’s coming before the millennium begins. And then they are resurrected at the end of 1000 years period at the Great White Throne Judgment and that is their final destruction in what we refer to as hell fire.
Dean: Okay. And I appreciate that it just I was under the assumption that there was obviously one lake of fire. And that obviously that God wouldn’t because we now that the beast and the false prophet they are not just two people.
Pastor Ross: Right. That is true that is a system that comes to an end. Correct. And so they will be alive according to this verse. These powers and these entities will be alive right at the second coming of Christ. They are destroyed with Christ’s coming and it is described here in Revelation Chapter 19 that there is almost this lake of fire so it is the brightness of Christ’s coming which consumes them. Some kind of a fire, but then again there is the actual hell fire or the big lake of fire that you read about at the end of Revelation 20.
Dean: Okay. It’s if you don’t mind I have another quick question for you?
Pastor Ross: Sure.
Dean: The other question actually comes and actually deals with the same thing. It actually deals with the two different parables and I can’t remember exactly how and I apologize where they are in Scripture. But, it is in regard to the wheat and the tares. And the second one are the sheep and the goat.
Pastor Ross: Okay.
Dean: And there is a separation and I just want to have a question for that is were those defining the second coming and also I guess you could say the end of the millennium? Just like at the Great White Throne Judgment?
Pastor Ross: Yes. The first parable is of course the one with the wheat and the tares. And that is found in Matthew Chapter 13: 25. Now verse 30 says, “Let them both go together unto the harvest and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers first gather together tares and gather them in bundles to burn them. But, gather the wheat into my barn.” Now later on the passage the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Explain the wheat and the tares.” And Jesus said it was the end of the age and the reapers were angels. So the harvest here in this context refers to the second coming of Christ. It is at the second coming of Christ that the righteous are gathered and taken to the barn which is symbolic of heaven. The wicked are referred to as the tares and taken and bundled which is symbolic of being destroyed.
But, the destruction of the wicked happens at the end of that 1000 year period. And what else is interesting if you look in Revelation Chapter 14: immediately following the proclamation of the angel’s messages, there is another harvest scene that John sees in a vision. And this is the harvest of the heat and the grapes. And it that passage the wheat represents the righteous and the grapes represent the wicked. And that happens also at the second coming of Christ.
Dean: Okay and I do appreciate your time and you have other callers to get to. Thanks again and God bless you.
Pastor Ross: Well thanks for your call we appreciate it. If you have a Bible question the number to call her to the studio is 1-800-463-7297. Our next caller is Patricia calling from Portland, Oregon. Patricia welcome to the program.
Patricia: Yes hello Pastor. A real simple question why in the Bible when Christ heals somebody or does something that they pay for why does He tell them go and tell no one. And other times He tells them go and tell what have done to you. And then related to that is how comes sometimes the people did not want him in their towns and they threw Him out or they pushed Him out. And other times the wanted him right there.
Pastor Ross: In their synagogues sure. Let me start with the last question first and it was because of the prejudice that had been created in the minds of the people by the religious leaders. The religious leaders felt threatened by Christ because He didn’t recognize them in a way that they wanted to be recognized. Jesus preached the truth and at times He said things that actually revealed their hypocrisy so they didn’t like Jesus. And so the religious leaders had quite a bit of influence over the people. And so they were actually able to persuade many of the people to not even listen to Jesus and not even allow Jesus to come to their town.
With reference to healing certain individuals and Jesus saying don’t tell anyone. I am thinking about a leper and you and read about this I think in Mark Chapter 2. It is the first leper that Jesus healed. And Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go show yourself to the priests. And offer the sacrifice that was required in the Old Testament and the Law of Moses.” He said, “Don’t tell anyone.” But, he did he went and he showed himself to the priest, but he couldn’t keep it a secret so he went and told everyone and it actually hindered Christ’s ministry. It says as a result of that He couldn’t travel as freely as He would have liked to other villages to preach the Gospel.
There is another reason Jesus said don’t tell anyone. If word had gotten to the priests who were very prejudice against Christ if word had gotten to them first that Jesus had healed the man they probably wouldn’t have given the man a fair—or a clean bill of health. They would have been very skeptical and have said well I don’t think we are going to do this. So Jesus said go straight to the priest and do what was required so that he could give the word that yes you are healed. And also it was Christ at work.
Patricia: Who was given a clean bill of health?
Pastor Ross: Well it was required by the priests. In other words if somebody had leprosy, or they caught that leprosy and then you know the sore healed and went away and the spot cleared up. Before they could be reintroduced in society they had to present themselves to the priests. The priests would then examine the area of their skin and where this sore would have been and look at it and if it was clean then they would say, “Alright, you are healed and you can go back and be with your family.” And they would be back in society.
Patricia: Okay. Okay thank you.
Pastor Ross: Alright good question thanks for calling Patricia. Again if you have a Bible related question the number here to the studio is 1-800-463-7297. Our next caller is Moses listening in Michigan. Moses welcome to the program.
Moses: Hey how are you doing Pastor?
Pastor Ross: Doing well.
Moses: Yeah I have this question about having a tattoo on your body. Because I am looking at Leviticus Chapter 16: 19 and on downward where it says--
Pastor Ross: Make no cuttings in your flesh?
Moses: Yes and then going back to 1 Corinthians Chapter 6:19 it says, “Our body is a temple of God.” I want you to help me out to support that a Christian cannot change their body. I am not talking about people with demonic or these demonic images in their body that we all know they are ghosts. I am talking about someone who wants to have a state or a baby on his body to remember something.
Moses: Yeah sure. Is it still sinful or it is not?
Pastor Ross: Well you know I think obviously there are a lot of people who have tattoos and they come to knowledge of the truth and they love the Lord and yes of course God forgives them and you know they have the promise of eternal life. A tattoo is not going to keep someone out of the kingdom. But if we are a Christian the bible tells us do not make cuttings in your flesh. It says your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible tells us also whatever we drink or eat or whatever we do that we will do it to the glory of God. And so we want to consider what God would have us do and He would not want is drawing on our skin or making cuttings. The Old Testament Temple was a very special place. It was very sacred and someone would have gotten in big trouble if they would try to do graphitti on the wall of the temple.
And you know I think it is good if we just do what God asks of us. The Bible is very clear that as a Christian that is not something that we want to do. But, what about tattooing a cross? Well the Bible tells us that the most important thing is to bear our cross in our heart. Meaning that we surrender ourselves to Jesus every day. It is not wearing the cross. Or tattooing the cross, but it is bearing the cross. And we need to surrender ourselves to Jesus every day. That is the most important thing. That is what God is looking for.
Moses: Yes, yes sir, but the trouble right now is that in Leviticus you know like we read we are not to eat something of blood. Some people argue that okay. So why are we not given some part of the law with these generation and some of them are not for us and some they will argue that was then.
Pastor Ross: Okay well let me mention something about it. You have the moral law and that is in the Ten Commandments and reveals to us what sin is. So if we steal or kill we know we sin. And in the Old Testament there are also ceremonial laws that deal with activities that took place in the temple. Now all of those ceremonial laws pointed forward to Jesus who is the Lamb of God and He was to take away the sin of the world.
So those laws were to help people have faith that He would come and take away the sins of the world. So those laws were meant for the coming of Jesus. In addition to these ceremonial laws we also have certain health laws or health principles that we find in the Bible. And God gave these health laws because God wanted people to be healthy. Well just because Jesus died it didn’t mean now that food is unhealthy just because He died and suddenly becomes healthy after He died. So I believe that those health laws are still important today and we should take care of our bodies because our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Moses: Is not eating pork part of the laws?
Pastor Ross: Yes it is absolutely. That is part of the health laws. And as we all know pork is a kind of unhealthy meat. We know that blood is not healthy to eat. Now the Bible does tell us that there are some kinds of meat that is healthier than others and I think it is important for us to careful and prayerfully say to the Lord that I want to do all that would please you. Does that make sense?
Moses: Well I am a first time caller and I am just so happy I got in. I can read these and with my wife discuss the laws and all that.
Pastor Ross: Yes absolutely. We have got an offer that talks a little bit about our bodies being the hone of the Holy Spirit and what is and is not good to eat and it is called “God’s Free Health Plan” call our resource operators at 1-800-835-6747 and you can just ask for the book called “God’s Free Health Plan” and I think you will really enjoy it. It will give some really good solid Bible based principles to lead a healthy happy life. Again thank you for calling. Our next caller is Jeannie and she is listening from Washington Jeannie welcome to the program.
Jeannie: Hi.
Pastor Ross: Hi how are you?
Jeannie: Yes I am calling about marriage and infidelity. I have been married over forty years and in that time my husband has had multiple episodes of infidelity. He has been fathering children outside our relationship. And I have always went by the guidelines of 1 Corinthians where if the unbelieving spouse is willing the believing spouse should stay with them because thereby they might be saved.
Pastor Ross: Umm-hmm.
Jeannie: I have forgiven him so many times for all he has done in the past, but now he has decided to move out and have a place of his own and he says he doesn’t want a divorce. And I am wondering as a Christian woman how I am supposed to deal with that now because I don’t know what he is doing and where he is at. I don’t think I have to follow him around and I don’t know I feel like I am in limbo and am I married or am I not?
Pastor Ross: Well we can understand the difficulty of your situation. It is one of the most heart wrenching experiences is to have a spouse that is unfaithful to them. It just tears families and it is a very, very difficult thing. You know the Bible does give us some guidelines. And Jesus did say that divorce is permissible in the case of adultery and you can read that in Matthew Chapter 5: 32. It doesn’t mean that you have to get divorced if there is unfaithfulness, but there needs to be a willingness to repent and to rebuild trust and rebuild the relationship.
There is no value in staying in a relationship where nobody I committed to the marriage and they want to go do their own thing. You know it is something that you want to pray about, but from the Bible perspective there is no sense if the person is unresponsive and unwilling to do what is necessary to build confidence and trust in a relationship.
It makes more sense to just move on with your life. We do have a book Jeannie that we will be happy to send to you that can give you a whole lot more information on his subject. It is called “Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage” and it will give you the Bible principles and the specific guidance in what you can do in different situations. The number again is 1-800-835-6747 and you can ask for the book “Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage” and we will be happy to send that to you.
You know Jeannie I just want to have a prayer with you. It sounds like you are going through a very difficult time. Dear Father in Heaven, I ask for a special comfort and encouragement for Jeannie as she is facing some difficult challenging situations Lord. We know it is your will that a marriage is to be strong and healthy for a wonderful reflection of your, but the devil is doing everything he can often to tear marriages apart. So I just want to lift of Jeannie and her situation and pray that you give her guidance and comfort. For we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our next caller is Michael. And he is listening from Kentucky Michael welcome to the program.
Michael: Hi how are you?
Pastor Ross: Doing fine and your question?
Michael: My question is can people be saved after the rapture occurs?
Pastor Ross: Okay well alright good question. Well first of all the Bible when it speaks of the rapture… the word “rapture” does not appear anywhere in the Bible that we have in Scripture, but it comes from the idea of the righteous being caught up to meet Jesus and that is from second Thessalonians where it speaks about the second coming of Christ. The rapture is really when Jesus comes. The Bible describes Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven and the dead in Christ are raised. And those who are alive and remain are caught up to meet Jesus in the air. And then they go to heaven with Jesus and they are there for 1000 years. So the rapture is synonymous with the second coming of Christ. So then they rapture and life goes on here on earth for seven years or three years or any length of time. And then Jesus comes. According to the Bible when Jesus comes He raptures the saints and are caught up to meet in the air. The wicked are destroyed at the brightness of His coming and the righteous go to heaven to be with Christ for 1000 years.
Michael: Yes. Have you heard about the four blood moons?
Pastor Ross: Yes I have heard about the four blood moons and there is a prophecy given in the Bible and there have been some occurrences of that. Probably one of the most noticeable ones was back in the early or late seventeen hundreds which really marked the end of a time of severe persecution that came against the Christians in the dark ages. And they recognized the red moon as a fulfillment of that prophecy. It is quite possible as we near the end of time that we will just witness some of these phenomena that it will strengthen our faith in what the Bible teaches.
Michael: Alright. Thank you so much.
Pastor Ross: Alright. Well thanks for calling Michael. We do have a book dealing with the rapture and it is called “Anything but Secret”. We’d be happy to send that to anyone who calls and asks talking about the second coming of Christ. The number to call is 1-800-835-6747 and the book is called again “Anything but Secret”. It is on the second coming of Christ and what happens to the righteous when Jesus comes. Look like we have time foe r one more cal and maybe two we have Edith calling in Florida. Edith welcome to the program.
Edith: Yes thank you for talking my call. My question is I heard a Pastor last week say the unsaved will not go directly to hell. And I would like to know exactly where so they go? I believe he quoted a Scripture from the Old Testament, but I can’t remember which one.
Pastor Ross: Okay. Well you know the Bible tells us that the dead don’t go anywhere in grace. In other words when a person dies they are in their grave until the resurrection. It is at the resurrection that the Righteous are resurrected and they are taken to heaven and then after that the 1000 years the wicked are resurrected. They will resurrect for the final judgment known as the Great White Throne Judgment. And it I sat that point that they try and attack the golden city if you read about in Revelation Chapter 21 and fire comes down and devours them or destroys them. That is really the hell fire where the wicked are destroyed. So the Bible talks about death as being a sleep and those who are in their graves are in an unconscious state waiting for the resurrection, The resurrection is the great hope of the Christians you know and it is also the end of the wicked waiting for a resurrection of them known as the second resurrection which the Bible speaks about. Well friends we are out of time and thank you for joining us. And tune in again next week as we talk more about the Bible. God bless.
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