Announcer: Welcome to Bible Answers Live where you'll get honest answers to your Bible questions. Let's face it, it's not always easy to understand everything you read in the Bible. With 66 books and more than 700,000 words, the Bible can generate a lot of questions. If you'd like answers to your Bible questions, you've come to the right place. Now here's your host, Pastor Doug Batchelor, President and Speaker of Amazing Facts.
Pastor Doug: Hello friends. Would you like to hear an amazing fact? Religious services are not just good for your soul. They can evidently lengthen your life. A study released, May 15, 2016, in the Journal published by the American Medical Association says that those who frequently attend church services have a much better chance at living longer.
Over a 20 year span, the study surveyed a group of more that 76,000 female nurses. At the end of 20 years, more than 13,000 of that group had died. But the study revealed that the women who went to religious services more than once a week were 33% less likely to be in the group who died as compared to those who never attended services.
One of the teams most remarkable findings was on breast cancer. One of who attended services were no more or less likely to contract breast cancer, but those who attended church services were much more likely to survive it. You know, the Bible says, "Only those who are in the house built on the rock will survive the storms of life." Stay with us friends. We're going to learn more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of Bible Answers Live.
Announcer: Your listening to Bible Answers Live. Honest answers to your Bible questions. Our phone lines are now open. If you have a Bible related question, call us at 1-800-God-Says. That's 1-800-463-7297. Let's get to our first Bible question with Pastor Doug Batchelor and our co-host, Pastor Jean Ross.
Pastor Doug: Welcome listening friends. If you have a Bible question, then you've tuned in to the right program. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call. Here is the number and lines are open. 800-God-Says. 800-463-7297 will bring your Bible question into our studio during this Memorial Day weekend. Pick up your phone. Give us a call right now. One more time in case you weren't ready, 800-God-Says. The Bible is our source book for this study, 800-463-7297 with your Bible questions. Good chance your call now. You're questions will be on tonight's program. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Jean: My name is Jean Ross. Good evening listening friends and Pastor Doug as usual. Let's begin the program with prayer. Dear Father, we thank you that we have this opportunity once again to open up the Bible and study, and we ask for your blessing. Be with us as we search the Scriptures. Be with those who are listening, wherever they might be. And Lord guide us all, for we are seeking the Holy Spirit which is the author of Scripture. For we ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Doug: Amen.
Pastor Jean: Well, Pastor, you opened up the program by sharing a rather interesting fact with reference to how going to church can actually help extend a person's life. Now it's been known for quite a while that people who are faithful in praying, they typically have better health and longer lives than those who don't pray. But it is interesting to note here that there's some value in actually assembling together in church.
Pastor Doug: That's right and in addition on the prayer fact, they found that those who pray are more likely to heal more quickly and more likely to heal when they're suffering from some serious illness. But this was a fascinating fact. Just came off this week dealing with attending services. Just before I give you a Scripture on this I read somewhere that according to statistics from an insurance company, you need to avoid riding on automobiles because they're responsible for 20% of all vehicle accidents.
Don't stay in the house because 17% of all accidents occur in the home. Avoid walking on the streets or sidewalks, because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians. And you need to avoid traveling by air or rail because 16% of all accidents involve these forms of transportation. Then of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in hospitals. Above everything, avoid hospitals. But you'll be very pleased to know that only .001% of all deaths occur in church services.
Friends, if you just stay in church all the time, you are bound to live much longer. Of course, that's tongue and cheek. But the Bible does say it's very important for us to continue to gather together. Hebrews 10:24 and 25, "Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as a matter of some is, but exerting one another and so much for more as you see the day approaching."
You know, just one more comment on this study that just came out from the American Medical Association. They figured that there may be a connection with the people who attend religious services are less inclined to have problems whether to be using drugs or alcohol or cigarettes. They're [unintelligible 00:05:29] address, because of their morals and their values, they have healthier lives. Less risk, fewer accidents. Whatever you want to call it friends, go on to church. Evidently helps.
Now when we talk about that, people wonder, "Well, does it matter? Should I just take a dartboard and throw it up the phone book and find a church?" I don't know what church to go to. How do you pick a church? Well we have to study God that will tell you how to use Biblical principles to find a Bible based church. And if you call our toll free number, we'll send it to you for free and tell you a way that you can also get it online.
Pastor Jean: The book is called, "The Search For The True Church" We'll be happy to send it to anyone who calls our resource phone number. The number is 800-835-6747. Again it's 800-835-6747 and even ask for the book called, "The Search For The True Church" Again one more time that number is 800-835-6747, the resource line and ask for our free offer tonight called, "The Search For The True Church". If you have a Bible question, the phone line here to the studio is 800-463-7297. Again that's 800-463-7297. If you have a Bible related question, we'd love to hear from you tonight. Our first caller this evening is Marla listening in Redding, California. Marla, welcome to the program.
Marla: Yes, hello.
Pastor Jean: Hi, thank you for calling.
Marla: I do so much appreciate this. I'm a first time caller and I just want to thank you both for taking the time doing this for us. This is wonderful.
Pastor Jean: We enjoy studying the Bible.
Marla: Yes. Well, I've always had a burden for young people and here's my question, as I've looked at different videos on Jesus' life and I want to be able to hand them -- something that's as accurate as I can find. My question is what does the Bible say about Jesus' response to -- when He did something good for someone? Did he respond, "Oh, thank you very much. This comes from me.", or did he respond, "No, this is all for my Father."? Where in the Bible can I have a definite on that?
Pastor Jean: Well, let me think. First of all I'm trying to think of a case where Jesus -- He frequently, He says, "I receive all this from my Father and I share it unto you." He's frequently giving the Glory to God for all that He did. But the Lord, He was just very good at being gracious with people. He said, "I'm meek and lowly." Sorry, you're wondering about where the Lord was -- was the Lord showing gratitude?
Marla: Yes. [crosstalk]-
Pastor Jean: Let me give you one example real quick. John, chapter 11, when He's at the tomb of Lazarus. Before he raises Lazarus, He says, "I thank thee Father that You've heard me." There's many times its says, "Before Jesus fed the multitude, He gave thanks for the bread", when He broke the bread and it multiplied in the hands of the disciples. Are you talking about when He was being thankful to Father or- ?
Marla: If someone had their legs healed or their sight restored or-- His response when they said-- Did they say, "Thank you, Jesus", or did they thank the Father because of something that Jesus was making sure they- ?
Pastor Jean: Yes, like when He healed the lepers, He healed 10 lepers and one came back to thank Him or he glorified God. Jesus said, "Where are the other nine?" Only one came back to give glory to God. It was appropriate to thank Him when He healed Bartimaeus, the blind man. Because he followed Him in the road and glorifying God. And that was usually a way of saying, giving thanks to the Lord. It's interesting though, Marla, that most of the time when Jesus heals somebody, He never said, my faith has made you whole. He never even says, the Father's faith made you whole. He almost always says, "Your faith has made you whole.". God has given to all men a measure of faith. But it was the power of the Father honoring their faith.
Marla: Okay. I appreciate that because I'm looking for Him being an example for those of us that may be, God uses us to do something good and then how do we respond. We always say, "Well it's not me. It's really God." And I was looking for that in the scripture but I hear what you're saying, I guess you graciously receive the things they might give you but you give it back to God is that--
Pastor Jean: I think when Jesus did heal people he never deflected that they should thank him. He never said, "Oh, it's not me it's God" because Jesus is God, he’s God the son. It was right you know one time the rich young ruler came to Christ, he said, "Good master" and Christ said, "No one is good but God," but he wasn't saying he wasn't good, he was saying, "If you're calling me good master, maybe you don't know who I am. I’m God." Every good and perfect gift is from the Lord. It's a good question, but we should always, of course, deflect the glory to God, because without the Lord we can't do anything but we can do all things through Christ.
Marla: Amen.
Pastor Jean: I appreciate your question, Marla.
Marla: Thank you so much. Thank you.
Pastor Jean: God bless you.
Marla: Thank you.
Pastor Doug: If you have a Bible question again the phone number here is 800-463-7297. Pass it like the light from our studio lights here was hitting that plastic covered [unintelligible 00:11:17] I think we should by now. Again, one more time 800-463-7297. That is the phone line here to the studio with your Bible question. Our next caller is Rachel listening from Reno, Nevada. Rachel welcome to the program.
Rachel: Hi.
Pastor Doug: Hi Rachel.
Rachel: Thank you for taking my call.
Pastor Doug: Sure and your question.
Rachel: My question is in regards to the now a transfiguration. I have two friends who were debating this issue and one of the friends said that he doesn't believe that Moses was resurrected or Elijah could be in Heaven because of the verse John 3:13. I was hoping that you could explain that further.
Pastor Doug: Well, for our friends let me read John 3:13 and here it says, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who came down from heaven that is the son of man who is in the heavens." Well the Bible's pretty clear it says Elijah went up to heaven with chariots and horses of fire in a whirlwind and then Elijah appears to Jesus and so when Jesus is saying, "No one has ascended to heaven," I think he is saying, "Nobody has gone from heaven to earth." Christ came from the Father and he ascended to God, He came back down but no man had come down to teach, except Jesus who is with the father.
Rachel: Because his viewing was he just saw it was a vision, but in the Hebrew doesn't-- for a vision, for that word, for the Mount of Transfiguration, does the vision mean actual vision, not a dream vision?
Pastor Doug: Well there's no person in the Bible where you get three people having the same vision or four people at the same vision at the same time. So here you've got in Mark chapter 9 for instance Jesus makes a statement, he says, "Some of you stand here who will not taste death till you see the kingdom of God come." After six days he took them up the mountain and he was transfigured, it doesn't say they had a dream. It says Christ was transfigured before them and this clothes became a shining exceeding white like snow and Elijah appeared to them with Moses, It doesn't say they saw vision of Elijah. Elijah and Moses appeared. I think it was really them. Now, if it had said that Joshua appeared, Joshua get to heaven because there is no record of that, but Moses was resurrected. You can read about that in the book of Jude and Elijah, of course, went to heaven in a fiery chariots.
Rachel: Yes.
Pastor Doug: I don’t know why.
Rachel: Okay, thank you.
Pastor Doug: He shouldn’t interpret John 3 to mean that Jesus is not saying that nobody had gone up to heaven.
Rachel: Okay. Thank you, pastor Doug.
Pastor Doug: All right, thank you, appreciate your call Rachael. Another thought that counts to me is there in Revelation chapter 5, it’s Jesus has got these 24 elders around the throne there's obviously others in heaven. And then in Matthew of course that was before John. Matthew chapter 28 at his resurrection a number of people ascended.
Pastor Doug: Our next caller is Philip listening from the Bahamas. Philip, welcome to the program.
Philip : Hello.
Pastor Doug: Hi Philip. Thank you for calling in your question.
Philip : I'm a first time caller. Thanks for taking my call. I listen to you guys every day on my lunch break, you're a real blessing.
Pastor Doug: It’s an honor.
Philip : My question has to do with with King Artaxerxes and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. So inside of Ezra 4:18. I see where King Artaxerxes seems to be against the rebuilding of Jerusalem, like he receives a letter of complaint and he does a search and finds out that the city of Jerusalem has had some problems before [unintelligible 00:15:30] to their kingdom and so he is against the rebuilding of Jerusalem. But then when I move into Nehemiah I see that Artaxerxes seems to be for the rebuilding of Jerusalem. He gives Nehemiah the [unintelligible 00:15:46] the go ahead to go and rebuild the wall.
Pastor Doug: If I could jump in you could also look at Ezra 7:11 it says,"This is the copy of the letter--" and by the way friends, just so you know, we're talking about I'm pretty sure Philip is referring to the prophecy in Daniel 9 that says there would be command to restore and build Jerusalem you can actually find the decree to restore and build Jerusalem in the book of Ezra in 7:11 says, "This is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priests to scribe," and it says there Artaxerxes, King of Kings, Ezra the priests the scribe of the Law God of heaven peace and so forth it says "I'm sending you counselors regard to the law of your God, dwell in Jerusalem, freely offered," let me see here, "I'm giving you freely for the service of the house of your God. He gives them permission and a budget to rebuild the temple, to rebuild the house of God," and that would be Ezra 7:11 and you find something similar Nehemiah, I think is what you're referring to. You still there Philip?
Philip : It's a bit kind confused, because it seemed as if Artaxerxes was originally against.
Pastor Doug: Yes, there were some enemies that wrote a letter to try to stop-- they had some of their Samaritan and Arabian enemies that tried to stop the Jews from rebuilding and they spread false reports but once they cleared that up Artaxerxes got behind them and supported it.
Philip : Also, what added to my confusion even more if you turn back to Ezra 6, then it credits Darius as the King who gave permission and I was reading somewhere and it says might have been the same as Nebuchadnezzar, I'm not sure.
Pastor Doug: No, Nebuchadnezzar was dead by the time Ezra went back to Israel. Nebuchadnezzar died before Babylon even fell. He died probably 20 years before Babylon fell, so he had been dead for quite a while. If you read that somewhere, they're missing the timeline by many years.
Philip : In Ezra 6, it just shows that the decree of Darius, basically he’s giving them authorization and he's following up on what King Cyrus had originally decreed. It's a bit confusing because at one point Nebuchadnezzar seems to be against it and then I can understand that he changes his mind a little later but then--
Pastor Doug: Then it mentions Darius. Darius was actually a common name there were several kings of that name and it's kind of like using the word Caesar for the different Roman emperors you've got Augustus Caesar, Tiberias Caesar and the word Caesar means Tsar or Kaiser, it's all the same word and Darius was a Persian word that was applied to several kings. Even Artaxerxes, they could have referred to him as Darius. Darius was the king also that when Daniel went to the Lion's Den. So I want to be confused by that, I think it's all talking about Artaxerxes and now there is a different king when you get to the book of Nehemiah and Nehemiah gets permission to go, that's it has you [unintelligible 00:19:21], I'm pretty sure and he gets permission to go in to rebuild but we need to keep going.
Pastor Doug: Maybe just a little on that you got three key decrees that allowed the Jews to go back and rebuild Jerusalem. I’m Just looking this here at the commentary on it we have Cyrus who gave a decree in 536 B.C., which mainly concerned the rebuilding of the temple and then you have Darius in 519, which was the renewal of the Previous decree because the rebuilding of the temple had been hindered by enemy attacks and letters were written and then the other decree of Artaxerxes which not only involved building the temple or finishing the building of the temple but it also involved the building of Jerusalem and the reestablish of worship in Jerusalem. The decree of Artaxerxes is in 457 BC is usually the key that's used in the further prophecies of Daniel.
Pastor Jean: That would be the starting point. We have a lesson that talks about those decrees. Is that the one about God set a date for judgement?
Pastor Doug: Yes. That covers those important dates and topics.
Pastor Jean: Thank you, Philip.
Pastor Doug: We'll be happy to send it to you Philip or anybody who would like to learn more about these prophetic timelines. The number to call is 800-835-6747. That is the resource line. You can ask for the study guide called, "God Drew The Plans." If you have a Bible question the number to the studio is 800-463-7297 with your Bible question, 800-463-7297.
Our next caller is Van and he is listening from Vacaville, California. Van, welcome to the program. [pause] Van, you're on the air. [pause] Van in Vacaville, California.
Pastor Jean: Van may have his mute on. Van, are you there?
Pastor Doug: All right, maybe we can come back to Van. We have Malik listening from Orlando, Florida. Malik, welcome to the program.
Malik: Thank you very much.
Pastor Jean: Yes, get real close to your phone.
Malik: Yes.
Pastor Jean: We hear you. Go ahead.
Malik: All right. My question is regarding-- I'm not exactly sure what source it is in chapter where the-- and basically I'm just trying to follow who-- I think [unintelligible 00:21:41] that says, "The father should not bear the iniquity-", I'm sorry, "The son should not bear the iniquity of his father, nor should the father bear the iniquity of his son." Who is talking to whom and of course what-- that the Messiah was saying that the Father has created them all,so who was talkingto whom in that chapter and what chapter--?
Pastor Jean: That's Ezekiel 18 and he says -- let me see here, "And if man begets his son -- [mumbles]," bear with me, I'll just mumble, so you'll know you haven't lost the reception here. Yes, all right, "If he begets his son who sees all the sins which his father has done," and this is in Ezekiel 18:14, and, "He consider and he does not do likewise, he has not eaten on the mountains, nor lifted his eyes to idols", and so forth. It says, "He'll be forgiven." He will surely live. As for the father, because he clearly oppressed and robed his brother by violence and did not what was good among his people. He will die for his iniquity.
Then verse 19, why should a son not bear the guilt of the father? Because the son has done what is lawful and right. He's kept all my statutes. The whole chapter uses this phrase several times and it says, "The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous will be upon him and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon him." That's the one you're talking about, right?
Malik: Yes, I was wondering who's talking to whom in that verse?
Pastor Jean: Okay, good question. Well God is revealing this to Ezekiel. Ezekiel is basically dictating a message from God to the people. The people were saying, "It seems like the father has sinned and now the sons are suffering." And God says, "No, it's the wickedness of the wicked is going to be upon them. But if the wicked turn, I'll forgive them all their wickedness and I'll bless them as I would the righteous. And if the righteous turn from righteousness and they turn wicked, I'll forget their righteousness."
Malik: Right. With that said and what I'm trying to get from that is, is that [unintelligible 00:24:02] from Adam's perspective? Did God actually never forgive Adam, or did He forgave Adam? And did Adam -- did he go upon the Lord of righteousness and he was forgiven? Because if he was forgiven and his son did not commit any wickedness, nothing should be beared on the sons of Adam, because we're all the son's of Adam, correct?
Pastor Jean: Yes, I think I see what you're saying. Let me take a stab at this. When Adam sinned, God, of course, forgave Adam. That's why He gave him coats of skin. They established a sacrificial system. Adam and Eve, we trust, repented of their sins but why then would their sons and daughters suffer the penalty for their sin? Well, they may not suffer the eternal death penalty. All of humanity has been infected with the genetic problem of selfishness and sin, but God is not going to hold any son of Adam guilty. Abel repented of his sins. He's going to be in heaven, as will Seth. Cain did not. For his own wickedness, Cain is going to be lost.
The righteousness of the righteous will be on them. The wickedness of the wicked will be on them. But it is true the whole human family is suffering because of a decision that Adam and Eve made. I think that's where you're heading. Does that make sense?
Malik: If that makes sense? No, sir because it sounds like a contradiction when God said, "This is going to happen if you're righteous and if you're not righteous, this is what's going to happen to you." If I'm being righteous at this time in my life and I'm not going backwards, He says that his sins-
Pastor Jean: You'll be forgiven. You'll live.
Malik: All my sins are upon me. Now there's not a son , not with sins of Adam.
Pastor Jean: Well, God is talking -- well, you're not suffering for the sins of Adam. See the penalty for sin is death and we're talking here about eternal death. Not the death that all men die. If you turn to the Lord, you don't suffer eternal death. Only the wicked will suffer what they call the "Second Death." The verse in Ezekiel, it's assuming when it says, "He will not die. He will live." He's not talking about the first death obviously because everyone dies. Ezekiel died that death. He's talking about about the second death. He says, "He'll live if he repents." He's talking about eternal life.
Malik: [unintelligible 00:26:31].
Pastor Jean: Yes, Christians exactly. Christian, they die, but the Bible calls it to sleep. Jesus said, "If you got the Son, you got life." You may die, but you've got eternal life. Next thing you know in the resurrection you have a glorified body and you'll live forever. We thank you Philip, Malik rather. I appreciate your call and hope I helped a little.
Pastor Doug: Next caller is Brian and he's listening in Oklahoma. Brian welcome to the program.
Brian: Hi guys, pastors. I just wanted to say you guys are such a blessing to me and a lot of people.
Pastor Doug: Well, thank you.
Brian: I just have a question. I was previously married and I got three kids with my ex-wife. She's remarried now, I'm remarried. I don't know about my ex-wife, but I'm just not doing too well with my wife. We don't get along at all.
Pastor Doug: You wondering if it's possible for you to ever get back together again?
Brian: Yes, I was wondering -- I think about my ex-wife a lot, because I got three kids-
Pastor Doug: Tell you what, Brian, we got the music coming up behind us. If you don't mind standing by, when we come back from the break, if you'll hold on we'll talk about that. That's a good question and there's actually some verses in the Bible that talk about it. Stay with us friends.
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Announcer: Every Bible questions you have answered moves you one step closer to the fullness of God's will for your life, so what are you waiting for? Get the answers you need for a fuller, richer, more confident life. You're listening to Bible Answers Live. We still have a few phone lines open if you have a Bible related question, call us at one 1800-God-Says, that's 1800-463-7297. Now, let's join pastors Doug Batchelor and Jean Ross for more Bible Answers Live.
Doug Batchelor: It's a toss-up, who's more excited, me or Pastor Ross that we're back on the air. If you have a Bible question maybe you're more excited, let's find out. We want to hear from your friends, give us a call we have some lines open. It's 800-God-Says. 800-463-7297, this is our favorite thing to talk to people about the Word of God. Now during our break we had cut off with an important question from Brian and so we're going to double check and see if Brian is still on the line. You’re with us Brian?
Brian: Yes, I'm here.
Pastor Doug: Let me just see if I could set the stage for those who may have just joined us.
Brian: Okay.
Pastor Doug: You were married, had three kids, divorced. Your ex-wife and you remarried, but your marriage is not working out well, and you’re wondering if the door would ever be open to get back together with your first wife.
Brian: Yes. I met with my wife, today I met her and the one I’m with now, she got pregnant and out of the doing right thing we got married and but she miscarried. But now--
Pastor Doug: You’re in a marriage that you're not very happy with.
Brian: Yes. I don't know, am I supposed to stay with the wife I’m with now or am I--?
Pastor Doug: Let me give you a verse and this may be some strong medicine, but you want to know what the Bible says right?
Brian: Yes.
Pastor Doug: This is from Deuteronomy 24:1 and I think it's repeated almost verbatim in Jeremiah 3:1. Let's look at Deuteronomy 24. “When a man takes a wife and marries her, if she then finds no favor in his eyes because he's found some undecency or uncleaness in her and he writes her certificate of divorce and he puts the certificate in her hands and sends her out of his house, she departs out of his house. And if she goes and becomes another man's wife and the latter man hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hands and sends her out of the house, if the latter man dies who took her to be wife then her former husband who sent her away may not take her again. May not take her again to be his wife after she's been defiled for that is an abomination before the Lord.”
Now principally I think the Lord said this so that people who think, "Well, I don't know if my wife and I are getting along, I'm going to head bad for a divorce certificate, it doesn't work out after I marry someone else, we'll get back together." The last thing in the world God wanted was for his people not to take marriage and divorce seriously, and get involved in the sort of a church thing to find wife swapping. You could see how that could get out of hand. And so the Lord made some strong rules there that said if you do get divorced -- there was a provision in the Law of Moses. Jesus said the reason Moses gave them a law about divorce is because of the hardness of their hearts.
It was never part of God's original plan. If you are married to someone now, I would say love your wife and she is your wife and you are her husband. If you're always looking over the fence for greener grass, you're going to never be satisfied with what you have. I have a book I can send you a free copy of—Brian it’s called "Marriage, divorce and remarriage." If you call the resource number, we’ll send you one, okay?
Brian: Okay, thank you.
Pastor Doug: All right, thank you.
Pastor Jean: All right the number to call is 800-835-6747. You can ask the book called "Marriage, divorce and remarriage" written by pastor Doug, we’ll be happy to send this to you. Again the number is 800-835-6747. That is the resource line if you have a Bible question the number to call is 800-463-7297, that is the phone line here to the studio with your Bible question. Our next caller is Christopher and-- actually before we get to Christopher, let's -- I see Van's not there anymore. We're going to try and see if we get him but we're going to go to Christopher next in call Michael, California. Christopher welcome to the program.
Christopher: Yes, Pastor Doug, I was wondering, hi, I would like clarification. Wasn't King David had several wives?
Pastor Doug: Yes, he did, at least 10 concubines and not to mention his first class wives.
Christopher: Can you tell us what the Bible says about polygamy, please?
Pastor Doug: Yes, no man can serve two masters. The Bible tells us that God made a wife for man, for Adam and the examples of polygamy in the Bible, God made laws about polygamy. Because people were doing it to protect the wives, It doesn't mean he endorsed it. God also made laws to protect slaves, it wasn't because he endorsed slavery but what would happen in Bible times is all the men would go to war. They would just sometimes be decimated and you could have one man per seven women in the nation.
If you doubt that, just read Isaiah 4:1. If a woman could never have a husband and if she never had children and her name would just drop off. Sometimes a woman would say, "Please, marry me, I will feed myself, I'll take care of myself, but I need a name, I need children to take care of me in my old age, for my posterity." And so God winked at their ignorance and he allowed it but it was never God's plan. That's why in the New Testament church one of the guidelines for picking leadership Paul says that elder pastor was to be the husband of one wife. And what verse is that again, that's in Timothy, pastor Ross. It's a couple places I think.
Pastor Jean: Yes.
Pastor Doug: You still there Christopher.
Christopher: I'm still here.
Pastor Doug: You wonder why God let David have so many wives?
Christopher: Yes, it's not acceptable.
Pastor Doug: You got Abraham had too many wives and you've got Jacob had four wives and even married sisters. The only one who got that right was Isaac, he had one wife.
Pastor Jean: This verse you are referring to pastor Doug is first Timothy 3:2, and then again in 12 and then Titus 1:6. So, mentioned three times.
Pastor Doug: Now, of course Jesus addressed the issue of marriage and he said it was-- they quoted Moses and Jesus said it was because of the hardness of your heart that God permitted that. Now in essence we know better. Pastor, I think things were also a little different back in those days you mentioned before that often the wife of a brother who died was to be taken in by the brother to help provide for her if she didn't have any children.
Pastor Jean: Sort of Social Security back in those days, but it was abused especially by the wealthy and the ruling groups of people.
Pastor Doug: Kings because kings used to --Henry the Eighth did it and he tried to get the churches sanctify it. Henry the Eighth was having problems having a son, so he went through several wives trying to find one that could be a son, because at that time having a harem was not accepted in Christian England. But these ancient kings, wanting to make sure that their posterity ruled and that their family would be able to help manage the affairs of the kingdom.
They had harems with many children, Solomon had-- I was get mixed up if he had 300 wives and 700 concubines or 700 concubines and 300 wives, but we are way beyond what anybody should think about. It wasn't God's plan, it just says what they did.
Christopher: I'm sorry?
Pastor Doug: It wasn't the original plan of God, polygamy. It just is telling us what-- the Bible gives a faithful history of what they did.
Christopher: It seems that the ones that were favored by God had the most wives.
Pastor Doug: You're not getting any ideas, are you Christopher?
Christopher: No-
Pastor Doug: [laughs] Just checking on you.
Christopher: - because it seems strange that like David was favored by God and Abraham et cetera.
Pastor Doug: You also have wicked kings that did it. It wasn't just the good kings. It was just sort of prevalent. If you look at-- even Solomon son and good kings, bad kings often had many wives. King Saul had several wives and he turned into a bad king, he had his wife and he had some concubines. It was sort of the practice of the ruling class and it was not God's plan. God said they shouldn’t multiply wives.
Christopher: Thank you very much for the program, Doug.
Pastor Doug: Thank you, I'm glad you're listening and you're living in our hometown, appreciate your call Christopher.
Pastor Jean: Our next caller is Franklin listening from New Jersey, Franklin. Welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: Franklin. you're on the air with Bible Answers Live.
Franklin: Yes. Doug, my question is, when you marry, and you divorce and you remarry. That's considered adultery, correct?
Pastor Doug: If you divorce without biblical reason and Jesus tells us what those reasons are. If someone would say "I don't like her cooking, then I'm going to get divorced", and then you remarry, you're committing adultery. You don't have grounds for divorce.
Franklin: Okay, I understand.
Pastor Doug: If your wife commits adultery, that was biblical grounds Jesus says in Matthew chapter 5. I think it's also in Matthew 19, those were biblical grounds for divorce and remarriage.
Franklin: Okay, I see. I understand. I was confused a little bit about it because I had watched you do one sermon on that particular subject and you had said that if a person remarries, if a person marries and then they get a divorce and remarry, then that was adultery. That bothered me there because I'm in that situation as well. I just wanted to know, what do you do in a case like that?
Pastor Doug: There are a lot of people out there that got married and divorced without biblical grounds and they've remarried. The bible says that they sin. It doesn't call it the unpardonable sin. I want to be clear about that because you have examples in the bible like the Samaritan woman and King David that was just mentioned. You would probably enjoy our book, Franklin on "Marriage, divorce and remarriage" and we'll send you a free copy if you'd like and it's got all the verses on this subject.
Pastor Jean: The number to call again is 800-835-6747. That is the resource line and ask for the book called "Marriage, divorce and remarriage" and we'll be happy to send it to you Franklin or anybody who calls and asks. If you have a Bible question, the phone line here to the studio again is 800-463-7297. That's 800-463-7297. Our next caller is Robert, listening from New York. Robert, welcome to the program.
Robert: Hi guys.
Pastor Doug: Hi. Your question tonight.
Robert: Ananias in the bible is sent to Paul or Saul, is it the same Ananias who later him and his wife sold some property, brought the proceeds back and held back some?
Pastor Doug: No, Ananias was a pretty common Hebrew name and you've got the Ananias and Sapphira in Acts chapter 5, they die in Acts chapter 5. The other Ananias doesn't appear until several years later in Acts chapter 9. He's in Damascus, it's a different person. There were a number of Jewish names that were as common as John, Charles, Frank, Bill. Ananias was one of those names and so you'll find several of them in the bible. Different person.
Robert: That's a quick one. Thank you for your time.
Pastor Doug: All right, I appreciate that. Good question.
Robert: Good show. Thanks.
Pastor Doug: Thank you Robert. We've got Wayne listening from New Jersey. Wayne, welcome to the program.
Wayne: Hiya, How're you doing? Good. Question was, how do you put on the whole armor of God?
Pastor Doug: Good question. Friends, if you read in Ephesians chapter 6, where Paul talks about putting on the armor of God. Of course, this is he speaking in metaphors here because God does not have some clunky armor that we're supposed to find, dig up somewhere and put on and it's going to help us spiritually. Then he talks about the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness and the belt of truth. These are spiritual things. The sword, he tells us, it the Word of God. You also find that in Hebrews. Every time Jesus was attacked by the devil with temptation, he quoted Scripture.
He hid the Word in his heart that he might not sin. The Word guided him when temptation told him to do one thing, the Word of God said "No, do not do that, do this," and it saved him, it gave him direction. The helmet of salvation-- above our neck, we've got most of the major senses that enter the body. Your mouth and your nose and your ears and your eyes. Having the atmosphere-- like an astronaut breathes a special atmosphere or he dies. We need to just surround our sense with a holy atmosphere.
Do not allow the devil's sticks and stones to get in our head. That's talking about being careful what you watch, what you listen to, even what you eat, what you say. This is like the helmet of salvation. The breastplate of righteousness, it's guiding the vital organs of the heart. You know what, I'm going through this whole thing, I'd have just sent you my book. I wrote a book on this, Wayne, would you like me to send you a copy?
Wayne: Absolutely, yes.
Pastor Doug: It's called "The armor of God". We'll send you a free copy. How does that sound? Can't beat that.
Wayne: Sounds good.
Pastor Doug: We'll do that. Just call the number here, they'll take your information and--by the way, friends, when you do call, there's also a chaplain line and they'll be happy to pray with you as well.
Pastor Jean: The number to call is 800-835-6747 and again, you can ask for the book called "The armor of God" and we'll be happy to send that out to anybody who gives us a call and asks. The number again is 800-835-6747, and again, ask for the book called "The armor of God". You can also go the Amazing Facts website. You can actually read a pdf version of the book, just type in there "The armor of God" in a little search bar and it will take you to that book as well. Our next caller is Mandisa listening from Washington. Mandisa, welcome to the program.
Mandisa: Hi.
Pastor Doug: Evening.
Mandisa: Hello.
Pastor Doug: You're on.
Mandisa: Thank you, guys, I'm super nervous. Thanks for taking my call.
Pastor Doug: I'm nervous too, so we're in it together.
Mandisa: Awesome. I just have a question and forgive me, I can't think of where it's at but-- you know, where in the bible, it talks about women should not cut their hair because it is a covenant, you know what I mean?
Pastor Doug: Yes, head covering, it's in first Corinthians chapter 11. That's where it's at. You want me to read it to you?
Mandisa: Can you explain it to me? Does that mean they shouldn't cut their hair? What does it mean?
Pastor Doug: First, let me be honest, it is a difficult passage. Sometimes when you have a difficult passage in the bible, you'll find other passages that shed light on it. You don't want to build a doctrine out of one verse in the bible. It always says, "In the mouth of two or three witnesses, let a truth be established." This here, it's talking about women who are praying or prophesying, praying in public or preaching. The word prophesy means that they're teaching. The women as a sign of submission used to cover their heads in public when they're praying or teaching as basically saying that a woman was to reverence her husband. As a sign of humility, they would cover their glory because their hair was long and flowing.
Most men can't grow hair like that and I can't seem to grow any on my head. Anyway, they would cover their head as a sign of humility and that was a custom. The one little key word, one of the verses that pastor Ross always says, for we have no other custom. It's in the same chapter, isn't it? Hear what it says, it's verse 16, but if any one seems to be contentious, we have no such custom. In other words, it says, don't be contentious, don't let this become a big debate or argument for we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. I think Paul was saying that don't do anything in public in your dress that would be a sign of disrespect.
Typically, women grow their hair better than men, they have long hair. Paul says it's a shame for a man to have long hair. I know a lot of long haired men are listening right now, they're going, what? But that's just what the bible says. There should be a distinction in the attire and the conduct of men and women. I know we are in a culture today that is teaching this pan-omni-sexual gender, you're not supposed to have any distinct gender identity, but the bible was very different from that . It says a man shall not wear that which pertains to a woman, a woman shall not wear a mans clothing, those that do it are an abomination. It even said there should be a difference between the hair.
Women typically had long hair, Paul said they should cover it when they're in public preaching or praying as a sign of humility. That may have been a custom in the Roman empire, in our culture today, we shake hands, there's nothing in the bible that says that you have to do that but there's different things you do for respect. When I go to preach in some parts of the world, I take off my shoes before I go in the church. I don't do that here in America but out of respect, I'll do it there. The big question was, was this mandate about a woman and her hair, was it a cultural custom? Without more verses on the subject, we got to be careful not to build a doctrine. Does that make sense?
Mandisa: Okay. That makes a lot of sense. Okay. And why women shouldn't have a boys haircut.
Pastor Doug: I think there should be a distinction in the attire and appearance of men and women. Whatever the styles are, in every culture, there were almost always differences between what the men and the women wear until this last generation where everything is unisex. I don't think it's healthy for children growing up not to know those distinctions, and it's unfortunate that they're being blurred so much right now. I'm old fashioned, I think men ought out walk, and talk, and act like men, and I think it's very healthy for young men, and I think the same thing with women.
Mandisa: Right, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: Alright. Thank you. Appreciate that. And it's holy Chris and he's listening in New Jersey, listening on WMCA. Chris, welcome to the program.
Chris: Hello.
Pastor Doug: Hey, thank you for calling.
Chris: Thank you for taking questions. You guys have a great ministry.
Pastor Doug: Appreciate. Now, if you got your radio on in your background, you may want to turn it down. You're going to hear feedback, and there's a time delay.
Chris: Can you hear it?
Pastor Doug: Yes. I'm hearing voices. What does that mean?
Chris: Okay. Okay, hold on. Hello.
Pastor Doug: That's better.
Chris: Alrighty. Can I go then and ask my question?
Pastor Doug: Sure.
Chris: I was just wondering, I feel like I know the answer to this question but I feel like I should ask it, what does the bible say exactly about Christians having relationships, like boyfriend-girlfriend relationships, with people that they think might be saved, or might be a Christian themselves, as far as you know believing in the resurrection, and the Holy Spirit, and all those things?
Pastor Doug: Well. You know there is a verse that talks about not being unequally yoked with unbelievers?
Chris: Yes.
Pastor Doug: So, is that what you're asking about?
Chris: Well, I don't know if I could explain my situation. I have a girlfriend. I've talked to her so much about spirituality, and things like that. And she grew up in a church, and stuff like that, and so. But as far as her having godly responses, and wanting to do godly things, I don't see it in her, and she troubles me a lot.
Pastor Doug: Is she your girlfriend because you're wondering if you have a future together?
Chris: Yes. Pretty much.
Pastor Doug: Or she's just a friend? Because if she is a friend, then she is a girl that's a little different. But if you're dating with the prospect of being married, I would say, don't even go down that road if a person doesn't share your faith. Because you're getting your heart emotionally wrapped up with somebody that doesn't share your worldview. And if you're a Christian, you've got worldview of total commitment to Christ and seeking for his kingdom, and you're dating someone that isn't totally sold out to that same commitment. You got a problems right out of the gate, and they don't get better after marriage, usually compounds with interests.
Chris: If I could just add [Unintelligible 00:53:10]?
Pastor Doug: Okay. Well, we got one minute before we go off the air. So, go ahead.
Chris: I talked to some of my peoples, Christian friends, and one of my good friends told to me, "Hey, don't end it yet.". He said;"Don't end it, you have to fight through it." I thought that was wrong, I followed what he said.
Pastor Doug: You know what I recommend, Rob, is: it doesn't mean you have to break off knowing this person, but you have to make it very clear that maybe you could study the bible or something. But you see, we can't really be in a prospective dating relationship if we don't share our values. Hey, Rob, you would enjoy your book called "Marriage, divorce, and remarriage," it's the out of break tips. we also have a study guide, "Keys to a happy marriage." You can get that for free by calling 800-835-6747, and go to amazingfacts.org, it is there as well. Hey friends, stand by. Important announcements coming your way.
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Male Speaker 3: Friends, have you ever heard of the bowhead whale? This enormous Leviathan is the second largest creature in the world, dark and stocky, it runs the further Arctic northern waters. These massive creatures can be more than 65 ft long, and weigh more than 75 tons, that's heavier than the space shuttle. In spite of their titanic size, they're able to leap entirely out of the water. Can you say belly-flop?
The bowhead whale gets its name from its bow-shape skull, and they've got one giant enormous margin. In a matter of fact, their heads are about 40% of their body size, which comes in handy when you find out how they'll use their heads. They've got very thick skulls. Sometimes, they got trapped under the surface and they use their head to ram the ice. They can break a breathing hole in the ice that is a foot and a half thick. Friends, you have to just imagine what it would to be walking around on the Arctic ice, and all of a sudden have the ground beneath you crack, and split, and rise as one of these sea monsters, pushes its heads up to breathe for the first time in 90 minutes.
Because bowheads make their home in the coldest part of a world, they have the thickest blubber of any whale. But this plus their friendly, and curious nature, make them prime targets when the European whalers discovered the bowheads, they hunted them nearly to extinction. Fortunately, because of conservation efforts, we slowly seeing their numbers begin to increase since in the 60s.
One of the most amazing facts about the bowhead whale is its longevity, scientists have discovered by evaluating harpoon tips found in their skull, and examining their eye tissue, there are bowhead whales out there that are probably over 200 years old. You realize that means there are bowhead whales swimming in the ocean right now, that were alive before Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Can you imagine that? Among the other amazing mega facts about the bowhead whale, is its mega mouth. They have the largest mouth of any in the animal kingdom. And when they open their pile for extended, it's large enough to park a medium size SUV inside. and in spite of the fact they've got such big mouth, they survive by eating the very smallest creatures in the ocean: blinking,
Among the other amazing mega facts about the bowhead whale, is its mega mouth. They have the largest mouth of any in the animal kingdom. And when they open their pile for extended, it's large enough to park a medium size SUV inside. Yet in spite of the fact they've got such big mouth, they survive by eating the very smallest creatures in the ocean: plankton, krill, and other microscopic animals.
Friends, I'm always amazed by the creature God has made. This bowhead whale is able to dive to the deepest oceans, they can break through the ice and move mountains with their head, and completely leave the water and fly through the air. And they do all that by gaining strength from almost microscopic organisms. Hopes us remember that we survive to the little promises in God's word. Jesus when tempted by the devil, he quoted just a few little verses, and he sent the enemy running. You can also have that same durability and live as the bowhead whale, by trusting in God's word and his promises.
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