Pastor Jëan Ross: Hello friends. How about an amazing fact? In 1913, the little country of Albania in Eastern Europe achieved its independence. There were many Muslims in Albania so they chose as their leader a Turkish prince named Halim Eddine. Prince Eddine seemed reluctant at first to lead his native Turkey but one day a telegraph was received saying that he would shortly arrive in the Albanian city of Durazzo. The people of Durazzo turned out in force to greet the prince. They could tell at once that he was a nobleman. He spoke with authoritative voice, splendid uniform, and carried a long sword. When he told them that he would lead the attack against the hated city of Belgrade, they went wild with joy.
The people of the city quickly declared him to be the King of Albania. The new king chose a strange name for a Muslim, Otto the First. But the people were not critical of their hero. They cheered him everywhere he went and showered him with costly gifts. Everyone was happy. Five days later however, another telegraph arrived. Otto the first, it said, was a fraud. The real Prince Edinne was still in Turkey. The people rushed to King Otto to find out the truth but the King was gone. So King Otto was really was Otto Witte, a German circus performer who would carry out one of the boldest hoaxes in history.
Friends, did you know that the Bible predicts that the greatest impersonation of all is soon to come. Stay tuned for more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of Bible Answers Live.
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hello friends. Pastor Doug bachelor is out this evening but I wanna welcome you to this live national and international Bible study. The phone lines here are opening to the studio so if you have a Bible related question, we’d love to hear from you tonight. The number to call is 1-800-GOD-SAYS, that’s 1-800-463-7297.
I opened the program this evening by talking about this amazing impersonation. Otto Witte, a circus performer who was able to convince a sizeable city that he was someone who he really wasn’t but you know, the Bible tells us that before Jesus comes, there will be many claiming to be Christ: Matthew 24 verse 24, the Bible says, “For false Christ and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders” Revelation 16:14 says, “For they are the spirits of demons performing signs or miracles.” Before Jesus left, he warned that the devil’s deceptions would be well crafted in the end of time that they would deceived impossible even the very (inaudible 3:36). Matthew chapter 24 verse 24, and Jesus said, “Take he that no one deceives you.” He then went on to expose Satan’s plans and falsehoods so that we would be forewarned. For example, Jesus stated specifically that he will not appear in a dessert or in some secret chamber, Matthew 24 verse 26. He also said that when he comes everyone will see him. And that He will come with the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, Matthew 24 verse 30. Friends, Satan will do everything he can to deceive God’s people. Our only safeguard is the Bible. People who know what the Bible teaches will not fall prey to the devil’s deceptions.
Well, friends, if you like to learn more about some of these deceptions the devil will do and how you can make sure that you do not fall prey to them, we have a free offer this evening we’d like to make available to all of those who are listening. All you need to do is call our resource number, it’s 1-800-835-6747. 1-800-835-6747 and ask for the study guide entitled, "Ultimate Deliverance" dealing with the Second Coming of Jesus. “Ultimate Deliverance” and we’ll be happy to send that out to you this evening. Dealing with the same subject of the Second Coming of Jesus, I’d like to deal with two commonly asked questions related to that. The first question is this: In what manner will Jesus return the second time? Well, the Bible is rather clear. We can read in Matthew chapter 24 verse 30, Jesus says, “They shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
And then also in Luke chapter 24 verse 36 through to 43, “Not only does he come with clouds but he will be a personal being. He’ll have body and flesh and bones.” The Second Coming of Jesus will be a very visible worldwide event. In Revelation chapter 1, the Bible says, “Behold He comes with clouds and every eye will see Him.” So when Jesus comes the second time, it will not catch –well, it will catch many by surprise but you won’t wake up one morning and opened the paper and read about the Second Coming and say “Well, I missed it.” Everyone will see Jesus coming again and when He comes, the righteous will be taken to heaven. We read in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verse 16, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven. A shout of the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with Him to the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
Well, question number 2: what will happen to the wicked people when Jesus comes again? Well, concerning this in Isaiah chapter 11 verse 4, we read that the Lord will with the breath of his lips, slay the wicked. And in Jeremiah chapter 25 verse 33, the Bible says “And at that day, the slain of the Lord shall be from one end to the earth, even to the other.” And in 2 Thessalonians, the Bible says that the Lord shall destroy the wicked with the brightness of His coming. So it will not be life as usual after Jesus comes but there will be a tremendous change.
Well, friends, again we would like to hear from you tonight. If you have a Bible related question, the number to call is 1-800-GOD-SAYS, that’s 1-800-463-7297. And we go to the phone lines now. Max is listening on the internet from Brooklyn, New York. Max, welcome to the program.
Max: Hi. Good evening, Pastor Ross.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Good evening, Max.
Max: Oh, yeah, hi. My question comes from the book of Mark chapter 1, it tells with the baptism of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Jëan Ross: All right.
Max: I was wondering where when the voice of God was coming down from heaven, was it made audible to all those that were in attendance--[coughs] I’m sorry--or was it Jesus Christ that was able to hear the voice?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. No, it was inaudible voice. Not everyone is able to make it out but they heard some type of a noise. The disciples heard that the words “This is my beloved son whom I’m well pleased.” John the Baptist heard God, the father, giving the sign of His approval for what Jesus was doing. So, yes, it was a voice that was heard from heaven.
Max: So all that was in attendance was able to hear that voice.
Pastor Jëan Ross: They heard something. I don’t believe everyone in attendance was able to make that out specifically but they heard a noise. Those whose hearts were opened to the Holy Spirit were able to discern exactly what it said: for example, John the Baptist, who was looking for Jesus, looking for the Messiah, waiting for him. To others, it was probably just a sound of thunder. They heard something but they couldn’t quite discern it.
Max: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Does that help?
Max: Yeah, that did.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, Max, just to add to that a little bit more. I believe that when a person is baptized following Christ example, you might not hear a voice from heaven saying this is my beloved son or daughter but I believe that God is pleased just in the same way when he said that he was well pleased at the baptism of Jesus. He’s well pleased when one of his people decided to follow Christ example.
Max: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know we have a study guide dealing with baptism. And for anyone wanting to know about that, it does touch on Christ baptism and explains that a little bit more, to receive that study guide, just ask for the study guide on “Baptism.” And they’ll be happy to send that out. Just call the resource number, 1-800-835-6747, and we’ll be happy to send that out to you. If you have a Bible question, the number to call is 1-800-463-7297. That’s 1-800-GOD-SAYS, that’s... There are two or three lines still open so if you’d like to get your question this evening, this is a good time to call.
Angel is listening on KPRZ from San Diego, California. Angel, welcome to the program.
Angel: Hello. How you doing?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi. Good, thank you.
Angel: Well, my question was always when there’s foretelling of what’s gonna happen on the coming of Jesus Christ, they always mention that the dead will arise. I just wanted to ask who was that? Who is it about that raised up from the dead? Is it us? Is it people from hell or…
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. Good question. Well, at the time of the Second Coming, there will definitely be a resurrection. For example we read in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 17, I just mentioned this verse in our opener, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” So for those who are resurrected, when Jesus comes again, are the dead in Christ so those are the ones who profess faith in Jesus. They trusted in him. They believed in him and now when Jesus comes again, he will resurrect them. There is also a resurrection for the wicked but that takes place at a later point in time. Not at the time of Christ’s Second Coming.
Angel: Oh, okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yeah, let me give you that verse. 1 Thessalonians 4:16, that’s verse 16 and 17 that talks about that. Also, in Daniel chapter 12 verse 1 that says, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of my people. There will be a time of trouble such as there never was.” And it says, “And at that time, thy people will be delivered, every one that is found written in the book and the grace will be open.” Many of those who sleep will be resurrected. Those have done good unto everlasting life and then later, those who have done evil unto everlasting destruction or damnation. So there’s two resurrections. The first happens at the Second Coming of Christ and as for the believer. And there’s another resurrection, Revelation 20 speaks of the Second Resurrection, that’s for the wicked and that takes place a thousand years afterwards.
Angel: Oh, okay. I see. Awesome. Thank you very much.
Pastor Jëan Ross: All right. You might like that study guide “Ultimate Deliverance” dealing with the Second Coming of Jesus. And there’s a lot more verses and further explanation about what happens when Jesus comes again. The number here to the studio is 1-800-463-7297. Charlie is listening on WBAJ from Columbia, South Carolina. And Charlie welcome to the program.
Charlie: Good evening pastor. How are you?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Good and yourself.
Charlie: I do fine. my question is my study of the Bible in the case to me that God doesn’t want us to drink alcohol but in Proverbs chapter 31 verses 6 and 7, the circumstances seems to indicate that it is okay for someone to drink to forget their problems. Can you explain that especially the last part of verse 6 and verse 7?
Pastor Jëan Ross: All right. Let me read it for those who are listening. We’re looking at Proverbs chapter 31 beginning with verse 6. “Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish and wine unto those who be of heavy hearts. They then drink and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more,” and then verse 8, “Open they mouth for the dumb in the course of such all such as they’re pointed to destruction.” So here we find the Proverb “Give strong drink to those who are ready to perish, wine to those who have heavy of heart” and then in verse 8, it speaks of them as ones appointed unto destruction. So in one sense, yeah, I suppose you can give alcohol to one who is ready to die but it’s not being admonished because of something that is given to those who are ready for destruction.
Charlie: Right. But I’m particularly concerned about what’s in wine to those who are bitter of heart and drink and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more, is that referring to someone to who is dying or is that referring to someone who has problems and they just want to drink to forget their poverty and their problems?
Pastor Jëan Ross: No, I don’t think the Bible would ever admonish someone to drink because they have problems. Where do we go with the problems? We go to Christ. He’s the great source.
Charlie: Right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Jesus says, “My peace I give you, not as the world.” Now the world might seek for peace with strong drink and some other things but the peace that God gives us is a peace that passes human understanding. He’s the solution. He said “Come to me all of you that labor and have heavy laden, I will give you rest.” So the Bible is not admonishing us to give alcohol to those who have problems to forget their problems rather, we should go to Jesus. Now, remember, you’ve got the word ‘wine’ there and the word ‘wine’ is not always strong drink or alcohol as we think of it today.
Charlie: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Grape juice can also be referred to as wine so depending upon the context of the verse. There’s many instances the wine represents grape juice. And grape juice is in the Bible is a drink that is often associated with joy, with celebration. It was a special juice that was a special drink, grape juice. And for those who are heavy of heart, the grape juice can send joy, sheer, encouragement. It’s not an admonition to give people alcohol.
Charlie: Okay. I’m glad and I agree. That confuse me but you’ve given me some new insight as to what that means. I see exactly what you mean.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Oh, great. Glad I could help.
Charlie: I appreciate it.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thank you, Charlie. I appreciate your call. Again friends, our phone line here to the studio is 1-800-GOD-SAYS, 1-800-463-7297. Kris is listening to WMCA from Queens, New York. Kris, welcome to the program.
Kris: Hello. How are you tonight? And God bless you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Good. Thank you. And your question.
Kris: I have a question that comes out of… It’s a little off the topic but I just wanted to take advantage of your teaching and ask you a question. It talks about in Corinthians 6 verse 9, 10 and 11. And could I read the verse?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes, please do.
Kris: It says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” Now this is the verse that I just wanted to get your take on. “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God.” Now my question is if someone becomes a professed Born Again Christian and they’re walking with the Lord--and they’re fellowshipping. They’re part of the church. They’re going out and they’re doing (glory?) to the Lord and what not. And they fall back into some of these things that are mentioned—now, is a person still washed and still sanctified even if they fall back into it? And let’s say in the middle of one of these maybe a fornicator, they pass away in a situation where they’re fornicating and is that person still washed?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. Good question. Well, when a person comes to Jesus and accepts him as his personal savior, his past, whatever it might be, all of his sins are forgiven because of Christ atoning sacrifice on the cross however, that does not now provide him with a license to go out and live like the devil. And notice what Paul says here in 1 Corinthians, he says, “These were some of you,” past tense, so he’s not encouraging by any means the thought that one can continue in sin and yet still claim to be washed, justified and sanctified. However, if someone does come to Christ and receives him as his personal savior and with sincerity of heart choses to follow him but then he comes unto temptation and he slips and he falls back into sin if he repents for that in sincerity--we have the promise in 1 John 1 verse 9 that if you confess our sins, He’s faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness--so there is the promise of forgiveness and cleansing even if we sin or fall again, whatever the sin might be. God gives forgiveness and cleansing if we come with repentance for it. Now, if someone dies in the act of some gross sin, will he be saved? Will she be saved? You know God knows the heart but that would be a dangerous place for someone to put themselves in. Every time we deliberately violate Gods law or go against what God has what we know to be true, we are placing ourselves on very dangerous ground. Does that make sense?
Kris: Okay. Well, I understand what you’re saying. I guessed my question have to do… I guessed it’s a doctrine that’s called—and I guess you know it very well--that once you’re sealed in Christ, you know that passages that speak in Ephesians about being sealed in Christ. And you know just to back track, I wasn’t talking about a person who was in habitual sin. I’m speaking about a person who might like you said fall back into temptation and yes repent on it. I was just curious as to a person standing in Christ, can you lose your salvation?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. Well, the Bible does tells us that we who endures until the end, this is Matthew 24, the same shall be saved. So in order to be saved, there was a certain amount of endurance. We also read in Revelation chapter 3 verse 5, it says, “He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment and I will not let his name blot out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels.” Now here’s a point I want to emphasize, when someone receives Jesus as their personal savior, their name is then written in the lamb’s book of life. They have salvation. Notice here that Jesus says those that don’t overcome, their names can be blotted out of the book of life. In other words, they can lose their salvation. So I don’t see a teaching in scripture that once you profess faith in Jesus, you are now free to live any way that you want.
Kris: Well, you know that wasn’t my intention to probably lead anyone to think that they can do whatever they want. I was just reading different you know perspectives and you know there’s a lot of teachers in biblical who will teach that once you’re saved, you’re probably secure and then there’s teachers that teach that if you do sin, then you are going to lose your salvation. I was just wondering what your take on that.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know salvation is a relationship that we have on Jesus. And when we’re on a saved relationship, when we trusting him and you know we’re trying to live our life that brings honor and glory to His name and we slip and fall, it’s not as though we suddenly lose our salvation because attitude is one of repentance. We’re saying Lord forgive me but if the person’s attitude is one of “Well, I can do whatever I want to do because I’m saved” that is a dangerous attitude to have. It’s presumption where we can just continue in sin and expect God to forgive us. God does not look at the occasional good deed or wrong deed but the train and direction in our life. Where are we going? Who’s got our thoughts? Who’s got our hearts? Who are we living for? These are the things that are essential in a saving relationship with Christ.
Kris: You see, one of the reasons why this is a you know an important question to me is because I actually fellowship and somewhat minister in a church that has to do with recovering alcoholics, recovering drug addicts, recovering pornographers, you know people who are addicted to these issues. And it seems like most of the people who are in fellowship has these constant battles with where they stop and then they do it again, and then they stop and they do it again, and they stop and they do it again and this could go on and I’ve been taught of this ministry for a few years and it seems like out of people so I was just wondering you’re take who is washed and if that person and that church falls and stop drinking again and let’s say that night, they happen to get a heart attack, does that constituted that person lost their relation because they gave in to drinking and maybe immoral behavior?
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, I think again God looks at the heart. He looks at the experience the person goes through. For someone to slip and fall and to be truly repentant of that, God will forgive him but again if the attitude “Well, I’m saved.” So I can just do anything I want, that’s the wrong attitude. That’s a dangerous attitude to have.
Kris: Right. Well that’s—
Pastor Jëan Ross: I would… By no means would I discourage someone because the opposite is well someone tries to do what’s right, they’re trying to be a Christian and then they slip and fall and then suddenly they think well God’s given up on me, I’m lost. The devil will come and tempt the person in that situation and say “You’re no good you know. You might as well give up.” And God can save us to the utmost. He is extremely patient but we should never give room for sin.
Kris: Okay. Well thank you so much for your time.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Appreciate your call, Kris. Thank you.
Kris: Bye-bye.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Important question. Our next caller is Bruce listening on KNDL from san Francisco, California. Bruce, welcome to the program.
Bruce: Thank you. You know I had a question about the book of John and a little contrast in the book of Luke but where Jesus is at this is where many of the disciples disserted after talking about eating his body, that and the wine, and where it (says?) here in John chapter 6 verse 61 it says--I have the Living Bible Translation here but I’m reading this right now—it says, “Jesus knew within himself that his disciples were complaining so he said to them, ‘does this offend you?’ And what would you think if you see me as a son of man return to heaven again. It is the spirit that gives eternal light. Human effort accomplishes nothing and the very words I’ve spoken to you are spirit and life but some of you don’t believe me.” And then in Luke, the contrast I wanted to find was were the ascension. And this would be Luke chapter 24. In the, what is that verse? My glasses aren’t very good. But anyway, what is it? It looks like 49, it says, “Now I will send the Holy Spirit just as my Father promised to stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes for you how in heaven.” Now Jesus is saying that the spirit is in his works and when he went back to heaven, why did Jesus sent the spirit somehow separate and the Holy Spirit came back by himself?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay, good question. The Holy Spirit points to Jesus. Jesus says concerning the Holy Spirit, “He will not speak of himself but he will testify that which he has seen,” speaking of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said “I can’t be with you forever but I will send my spirit,” a confidant who is with him. The word of God, when we receive the word of God, we receive the Holy Spirit to impress that word upon our minds. For that reason whenever we open up God’s word, we wanna pray and ask for the leading of the Holy Spirit. So the word of God is a spirit in a sense that when we receive it, the Holy Spirit is able to make that word active in our lives. Let me give you an illustration. In Genesis, about the creation of the earth, the Bible says “And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face and the deep,” it says the spirit of God was moving upon the face of the waters. Then God said “Let there be light, and there was light.” So here you have this dark just massive water and the Holy Spirit is hovering over the deep over the water and as soon as the word is spoken ‘let there be light,’ the spirit makes it so. So likewise, when we open up the word of God, when we read the Bible and we believe it that Jesus (inaudible 26:21) “If you confess your sins, I’m faithful and just and to forgiving, to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.” When we believe the promise the Holy Spirit makes that a reality within our lives. That’s how the word of God works in conjunction with the Holy Spirit.
Bruce: Okay. Thank you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Does that help, Bruce?
Bruce: Yes, it does.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know we got a study guide on the Bible on the word of God. It’s called “Is There Anything Left You Can Trust?” and it deals with the word of God and how it relates to the Holy Spirit. You might be interested in that and want to take a look at it. It’s free. All you need to do is call the resource number, 1-800-835-6747, Bruce, and ask for the study guide, “Is there Anything Left That You Can Trust?” and we’ll be happy to send that out to you.
John is listening on Life Talk radio from Washington. John, welcome to the program.
John: Hello.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi.
John: I just had a question about the mark of the beast.
Pastor Jëan Ross: All right.
John: I was wondering what’s the mark of the beast is and who enforces it.
Pastor Jëan Ross: All right. Very quickly, what is the mark of the beast? The mark of the beast, and you read about this by the way in Revelation chapter 13, it speaks about this beast power that has a mark and he forces everyone to worship. This mark of the beast deals with worship. It’s not some tattoo that some might think in the forehead because in Revelation 7, there are—the redeemed the saints 144 thousand, they have the seal of God in their foreheads. Now the forehead represents the mind. It’s what the mind that we choose to worship and so there is this counterfeit system of worship that is established right before Jesus comes. And all the world bows down and worships this counterfeit system except for those who have been faithful to God. Those who worship this particular way they receive the mark of the beast.
Well friends, I hear the music in the background that means we’ll be coming up on a short break here. And then we’ll be back for another half an hour of Bible questions. But before you go to the break, I just want to remind John, in particular, if you like more information on the mark of the beast, we’ve got a study guide that’s just dedicated to this topic. To receive that, just call our resource number 1-800-835-6747, that’s 1-800-835-6747. And ask for the study guide dealing with the “Mark of the Beast” and we’ll be happy to send that out to you. Well friends, we’d also like to let you know some exciting websites that you can take to look at which will help you in your study of God’s word. And after we do this break, pass on some important announcements, we will tell you some of these great resources, these great websites that you can use. We’ll be right back.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hello friends, welcome back. This is Bible Answers Live. My name is Pastor Jean Ross. Pastor Doug Bachelor is out this evening. And if you would like to get your Bible question on the air this evening, the number to call again is 1-800-GOD-SAYS, that’s 1-800-463-7297. And before we go to the phone lines, I’d like to share with you some exciting resources for Bible study, some websites that Amazing Facts have had developed. Probably one of the most important is the Amazing Facts website, just www.amazingfacts.org. The resources that we speak about here on the program, we ask you to call the resource number. All of these resources are available also at the Amazing Facts website and you can go and just read it right off the website there. There’s good stuff that you can download, a lot dealing with Bible questions and different topics. By the way, if you have a question that you would like to send us by the email, you can also do so at the Amazing Facts website. There is a link that says ‘Contact Is’ you click the link and then you can type in your email and we will try to get your question here on the air at Amazing Facts. In addition to the Amazing Facts websites, we also have some other websites dedicated to specific true scripture that people are asking about. One of the websites is the ‘Truth About Death,’ thetruthaboutdeath.com. It deals with what happens when a person dies. There’s a lot of confusion out there. When a person dies and do they remain in the grave and wait for the Second Coming? Do they go straight to heaven? Do they go straight to hell? The website does a very good job in sharing Bible truth concerning this important subject. And then on those same lines, there is another website that Amazing Facts has called helltruth.org or .com. What does the Bible say about the destruction of the wicked? Will the wicked burn eternally in hell? What does the Bible say? So for more information on that subject, take a look at helltruth.org or .com. And again, if you would like to put your question here in the program this evening, it’s 1-800-GOD-SAYS, 1-800-463-7297.
And we’re gonna go to the phone lines now. Robert is listening on the internet from Frankfurt, Indiana. Robert, welcome to the program.
Robert: Good evening, Pastor Ross.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Good evening.
Robert: My question, basic question has to do about ownership.
Pastor Jëan Ross: All right.
Robert: I’m gonna state a few scriptures. In Daniel 5:18 it states that the O king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar his kingdom. And Nebuchadnezzar forgot this in Daniel 5:21, till he learned this as stated till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men and He appoints over whomever He will. So God appoints the king of kings, is that correct?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Correct. He raises them up and brings them down.
Robert: And brings them down. And yes many, many tackle your kingdom has been numbered and when the bounds is taken from you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Sure.
Robert: But in Revelation 13:4, God does give authority to Satan for this beast. Is that correct? He’s given Satan. So everything is associated with this beast, the heads and the horns. Satan’s given authority over that, the point he may will.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Right.
Robert: Is that true?
Pastor Jëan Ross: That’s true. In other words when it comes to nations and kingdoms and authorities and governments, even though God has the final say, there are times where God will allow Satan to influence the establishment of certain kingdoms.
Robert: He can influence.
Pastor Jëan Ross: He can. He can influence them and if you look in Revelation chapter 13 a little more specific, we have this beast power that it seem coming up out of the sea. And this power eventually grows to where the whole world is supporting its power. In other places in scriptures refers to as the antichrist. And God allows this tower to grow and all the world ends up worshipping this beast, Revelation 13, except for those whose names written in the lamb’s book of life. So God allows a test to come to the inhabitants of the earth for them to choose who they’re gonna serve. Are they gonna serve God? Are they gonna worship God? Or are they gonna worship this counterfeit beast power?
Robert: Okay. Ownership. Satan was not given ownership all those previous kingdoms then.
Pastor Jëan Ross: But when Jesus
Robert: God had authority to do that.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Correct. God raises them up and sends them down. Daniel is very clear on that.
Robert: Yes, sir.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Now of course, Satan had, in a sense, limited control. Remember when Jesus was tempted by the devil, the devil said I will give you all of the kingdoms of this world. Well then Jesus died on the cross, he became the rightful owner of the world. Now, God created all but when Adam fell, he gave his control. And Adam was to be the governor of the earth. He was to be the head of the earth, the leader of his creation and he sort of gave that over to Satan. So in a sense, Satan had control and power over the earth but at the cross, Jesus earned the right. He is the kings of kings and Lord of Lords.
Robert: Yes, sir. Thank you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: All right. Good question. Thanks for your call. Our next caller is David listening on WMCA from Jersey City, New Jersey. David, welcome to the program.
David: Thank you very much. Yes, I have a question in reference to Matthew chapter 6:1 to 4.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay.
David: I just wanna read it. “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them, otherwise you have no reward with your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, and they finally trumpet before thee as the hypocrites do in synagogues and in the streets, that they may have the glory of men. We listen to you, they have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” And the last verse, verse 4, said that “Thy arms maybe in secret and thy Father which see in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Well, basically, my question is when you give tithes and offering, we would give out envelopes in our churches. Is it a sin to put your name on it and your address? Is that letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing? And I’m saying like you when people see that, is that like I turn to glory or not? Or maybe I’m making a big thing out of it.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. Well, good question. If you write a check, they’ll probably know who you are anyway.
David: Right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: To write your name on the envelope would probably make a little easier for the treasury in the church as she gather the funds together. The principle that we find in scripture, where it says don’t let your one hand right hand what your left hand is doing, when you give, give with sincerity. Don’t give to be seen of men. That doesn’t mean that you have to hide your giving but give for the right motive. Jesus is specific here referring to the way the Pharisees gave when they would give a gift, they would sound a trumpet and make a big deal about it. Jesus says you know, that’s not the right motive. Give because there’s a need. Give because the Holy Spirit is working upon your heart. Don’t give to be seen of men so they would say “Wow, look at what this person has done. Look at what that person has done.” If it comes to paying your regular tithes and offerings, there is no need to not write your name on the envelope or to try and hide that because we want to set a good example for others in being faithful in giving our tithe and offerings. If we wanna be give some big gifts to the church, we might wanna do that anonymously or maybe mention that just to the treasurer or something. But your every week giving, I don’t see any problem with writing your name on the envelope.
David: Right. I just want to say that because when it says do not let your left hand and your right hand, what does that term mean, terminology left hand right hand? Is that about the body of Christ, the parts of Christ or…
Pastor Jëan Ross: No, it’s an idiom. It’s just referring that when you give, don’t give to be seen of men.
David: Okay. So when we bless people and people say “What is that?” I mean you doing not to glorify me and that’s not wrong. Is that bad? Is that necessary--
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yeah, if the motive is genuine, if you’re giving to a need because you love the Lord and you want to perhaps help someone or you wanna further the work and you’re giving out of sincerity, that’s what important but if your motive is to be seen of men, then you have the wrong motive.
David: Now, how about if one last part of that question. You know the income tax thing, about the income tax you know the church gives you like the treasurer when you put your name and then they give you like my church, they give us the list of all the tithes or offerings. And you can’t apply that for tax right? Is that correct?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Correct, as a donation.
David: As a donation, and then is that a sin? That you’ve given you show them like showing the man that you gave to the church so you gave, is that greed? Is that—
Pastor Jëan Ross: No, I don’t think no. I don’t think that’s wrong to do that. You all look at from the (iris?) stand point, unless you are making millions and millions of dollars and you are giving huge amounts of money, right tithe to the church. For the iris, it’s not even something they’re gonna think twice about. I mean it’s not… We’re not talking about huge amounts of money. And the person working at the iris, if they happen to see your tax return, they don’t know who you are. So it’s not as though you are boasting.
David: Okay but (inaudible 40:23) that’s sin because I figure you know you shown a little (inaudible 40:25) what I gave ‘cause I want more money but eventually when you get the income tax, you give 10% of that back to the church. You know what I’m saying? So I mean is that okay?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yeah, that’s okay.
David: It’s not a sin, right?
Pastor Jëan Ross: No.
David: Because for the glory of men, correct?
Pastor Jëan Ross: No, Frankfurt, again if the motive is not for (posting?) yourself up and showing other people what you can do, if your motive is genuine to help God’s work, then that’s the right motive.
David: So if you give to iris but then your motive, you give more, that would be a blessing, right? Because God blesses the work that you do of course and then you take well you got it more and you still give a tithe of that back to the seat of God.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Absolutely.
David: That’s okay, right?
Pastor Jëan Ross: That’s okay. That’s okay. Well, thank you, David. You know we have a study guide dealing with the subject of giving. It’s called “In God You Can Trust,” and it talks about tithing and offerings. To receive that free study guide, David, or anyone listening, call 1-800-835-6747. And ask for the study guide “In God We Trust.” We’ll be happy to send that out to you.
Kriseda is listening on WMCA from Brooklyn, New York. Kriseda, did I mention your name correctly?
Kriseda: Yes, it is.
Pastor Jëan Ross: All right. Welcome to the program.
Kriseda: Good night, Pastor.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes.
Kriseda: My question is Jesus came to this earth as a man, did he has sinned?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, did the devil tempt him?
Kriseda: Yeah, because he had sinned.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, if he couldn’t have sinned.
Kriseda: He couldn’t.
Pastor Jëan Ross: No, I’m saying if he couldn’t have sinned, why would Satan have tempted him? You see Jesus could have sinned.
Kriseda: Could have.
Pastor Jëan Ross: That’s why the devil tempted him but Jesus overcame where Adam fell.
Kriseda: But he was both man and God.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Correct. And so he depended upon his father to resist temptation in the same way that we must depend our father, upon God. In other words, whenever Jesus performed a miracle, it was not for his own benefit. Remember when the devil came to him and said if you’re the son of God--
Kriseda: Yeah.
Pastor Jëan Ross: --Command these stones to be made into bread.
Kriseda: Right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: That kind of temptation wouldn’t be a temptation that would come to you or I because we can’t turn stones to bread.
Kriseda: Right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: But Jesus could have but he knew that was not His Father’s will. And so He chose to trust in His father to sustain Him, to provide for His needs and not to use His own power for His own good. So that was a real temptation. Probably feel greater than anything you and I will ever have because we don’t have that power in our own self. So Jesus could have sinned but he overcame in the strength of his Father and that gives us courage and strength.
Kriseda: So that means did he overcome (Lucifer?)?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes, through dependence upon his father.
Kriseda: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: He set an example. Remember the Bible says that Christ was in all points tempted as we are.
Kriseda: (inaudible 43:27).
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yet without sin so he’s giving us an example. Not only an example but he can help us overcome.
Kriseda: That discussion and they said that he could not have sinned.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, if he couldn’t have sinned, then what kind of test would that have been?
Kriseda: That’s true. That’s true.
Pastor Jëan Ross: It wouldn’t have been a temptation.
Kriseda: The devil was no—
Pastor Jëan Ross: Sorry.
Kriseda: The devil was no, because he would know if he could not have sinned.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Right.
Kriseda: He would sense him.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Right. Exactly. Exactly.
Kriseda: Thank you so much.
Pastor Jëan Ross: All right. You’re welcome. Thank you for your question. Our next caller is Robert listening on WMCA from Bloomfield, New York. Robert, welcome to the program.
Robert: Hi. Good evening, Pastor.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Good evening.
Robert: [laughs] That’s actually Bloomfield, New Jersey.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Oh, I’m sorry. All right. Well, I’m glad we finally connected.
Robert: Okay. Thank you. My question is concerning predestination.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes.
Robert: I was listening to a pastor from a radio this morning Calvinistic Pastor you know. And he mentions a few Bible verses that he said that mentioned the election and the (elect?) of God and the predestination.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay.
Robert: Here that the God has picked people before they’re born and others to destruction. And particularly, he was talking about Romans 9:1-18, he also mentioned Proverbs 16:4 and I know… You know I don’t believe in the predestination (inaudible 45:11) but I mean because I don’t think God would just pick people haphazardly for destructions and others for saving, why would he go through… Why would he bring Jesus to die for our sins?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Correct. Correct. Let me just start then briefly on the idea of predestination. We do find the idea of predestination in Scripture but it’s not what people might find, at least, first think. Let me read you a verse, it’s Romans chapter 8 verse 29, it says for whom he did foreknow, he also predestinated or predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son that he might be the first born among many brethren.” Now this type of predestination is not God deciding who’s gonna be saved or who’s gonna be lost but rather God is deciding that those who have responded to Him, those who accept Jesus that they be transformed or that they be predestinated to be like Jesus. That word is sanctification to become like Jesus so it’s God’s purpose. It’s God’s plan that everyone who receives Christ be transformed in to his image but that’s not choosing some to be lost and some to be saved. You know, the most well-known verse in the Bible is John 3:16, “For God so love the world,” that’s everyone, “that he gave his only begotten son and said that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” So if God is gonna choose some to be lost and some to be saved, why did He say that He loves the world?
Robert: Yes, but how about Romans 9:17 to 18 where he says some (inaudible 46:41) something that effect that he’s… Well, he says something, in fact, God…
Pastor Jëan Ross: All right. Let me read it to you. Let me read it. Starting in verse 17, this is Romans 9 verse 17 “For the scriptures saith unto Pharaoh, even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, that my name shall be declared throughout all of the earth. Therefore has my mercy on him, therefore he have mercy on him whom he will have mercy and whom he will harden.” So here we have the experience that Paul is referring to is Pharaoh and the children of Israel were there in Egypt. Now God sent these plagues upon Egypt in the process of delivering Israel and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. Did God know that Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened?
Robert: Yes.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Now, even though God knew Pharaoh’s heart is gonna be hardened, did God hardened Pharaoh’s heart?
Robert: I don’t believe so.
Pastor Jëan Ross: In the Bible, it says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and then it also says Pharaoh hardened his own heart.
Robert: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: God sent the plagues upon pharaoh upon Egypt. The plagues brought pressure upon the king. The king chose to respond to that pressure by hardening his heart.
Robert: So God didn’t force him to --
Pastor Jëan Ross: God didn’t force him. God dint force him. God putting him in a position where he have to choose what he was going to do.
Robert: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: And then he chose to harden his heart. Now, God knew that the Pharaoh would do that and God's glory was manifest because He delivered His people.
Robert: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: But God did not raised Pharaoh up for the sole purpose of destroying him.
Robert: May I quote one more verse?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Sure.
Robert: It's Proverbs 16:4, it says, I'm reading from Living Bible version, “The Lord has made everything for his purposes, even the wicked for punishment." What would that mean?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, let’s read the contents here. The context of the verse starting verse 3, “Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established. For the Lord has made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord and thou hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.” So God is created all things that's true. And there are those who have chosen to be wicked. And they will be punished. But God did not choose them to be wicked. They’ve chosen themselves to be wicked.
Robert: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yeah, the minute we get into the idea that God has purposely created a son to be wicked, then the question rises up as well, is God the creator of evil?
Robert: Absolutely not.
Pastor Jëan Ross: And if he is the creator of evil, then how can he be all good?
Robert: Do you have any resource materials on this?
Pastor Jëan Ross: We do. There is a little booklet that we have and all you need to do is call the resource number. It's called "Can a Saved Man be Lost?" a little booklet written by Joe Crews dealing with the subject. It has a whole lot more scriptures in there than we could possibly give on the air tonight. 1-800-835-6747 is the resource number. And the little booklet is "Can a Saved Man be Lost?" and, Robert, take a look at that. I think you'll find it interesting. Thanks for your call. Our next caller is Jessie listening on KARM from California. Jessie, welcome to the program.
Jessie: Thank you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: And your question tonight.
Jessie: My question was he that God is the Father is all creations. He knows from beginning to end, then why did he allow sin to originate in heaven when he created Lucifer knowing that he was going to sin? Why couldn't he stop that?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Good question. You're right. God could have somehow stop that. He knew then from the beginning. He could have said "Oops! Lucifer is gonna rebel. So I'm not gonna create him."
Jessie: Yeah.
Pastor Jëan Ross: But if God would have done that, would he have been true to himself? Remember, God values freedom. Freedom is very important to God. God does not accept worship that is forced. He wants people to choose to love him. Love cannot be force. Love has to be won. So if God decided not to create Lucifer or you could say Adam and eve, God knew that Adam and Eve would rebel. They would sin and eventually would cause the life of Jesus. God knew that but still He didn’t allow that to stop Him from doing what He had planned to do to create men.
Jessie: Right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: So God values freedom and God is willing to take a huge risk and even to allow sin and suffering in the world because of freedom. He value Freedom. Now, if let’s just say Satan was created and we don’t know how long Lucifer existed in heaven before he sinned but let’s say he began to rebel against God and suddenly God just destroyed right then and there. He knew what would happen. All of the other angels in heaven would look one to another and say “Oh men, we gotta be real careful. The minute we start questioning God, he’s gonna destroy us.” They would have done worship God out of fear instead out of love. And God could not accept that. So God allowed sin to work its way so that all the created beings throughout the universe, the angels, they could see the consequences of sin. And when sin has finally played itself through, when they see that it caused God the life of his son, Jesus then, everyone will worship God out of sincerity because they’ve seen his love. It’s not a false worship.
Jessie: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: So freedom is something God values very much.
Jessie: So I guess the way God created (that says?) to have the freedom of choice which produces love because we have that choice and he promises when we go to heaven, we’re not gonna go through this sinful nature again. I mean how is he going to change that?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. Good question. Well sin won’t ever rise up again. Mayhem, the little book of mayhem, in the Bible tells us that the reason for that is because we have seen the consequences of sin. And we have seen the love of God.
Jessie: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: No one will go down that path ever again because they know where it leads.
Jessie: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: So forever the universe is secure of sin and rebellion.
Jessie: Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright.
Jessie: Okay. Well thank you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thanks for your call. Our next caller is Manuel listening on the internet calling from Chicago, Illinois. Manuel, welcome to the program.
Manuel: Thank you. My question is I’m an Adventist and for example, I would get a divorce, will the Lord save me?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. Well let me give you a few verses in the Bible dealing with divorce, Jesus says in Matthew 19:5, “Whosoever shall put away his wife” that is get a divorce “except for fornication which is adultery and shall marry another committed adultery.” So in the Bible, in the New Testament, the reason for divorce, the Bible gives is if the spouse has been unfaithful. Now, this is not a guarantee that there has to be a divorce. There’s always forgiveness and reconciliation that can take place but if somebody decides to leave their partner and marries somebody else or runaway with somebody else then, according to the word of Jesus here in Matthew 19, that person who is left is free to get divorce and remarry. Does that help?
Manuel: All right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Other than that you can’t really find any other evidences in scripture for divorce.
Manuel: All right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, thank you. Thank you, Manuel. I hope that helps.
Our next caller is Andrew listening on WMCA from New York, New York. Andrew welcome to the program.
Andrew: Good evening, Pastor Ross.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Good evening.
Andrew: My question is regarding Matthew 11: 2 and 3 where on John sent his disciples to ask if Christ was the one.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes.
Andrew: That doesn’t seem to me.. It seems to me that John did not know that Christ was the one that was to come.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. good question. Well, remember when Jesus was baptized--we had a caller asked about this earlier--There was this voice from heaven, “This is my beloved son whom I’m well pleased” and John the Baptist himself pointed to Jesus and said “Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.” And then the disciples later on felt jealous for John because all of the people are going to hear Jesus and they weren’t coming to John very much and so John said “He must increase,” speaking of Jesus, “and I must decrease.” Now John is taken by Herod and is thrown in prison and Jesus doesn’t come and visit him. And so he’s sitting there in prison and he doesn’t hear from Jesus and as time goes on, the devil begins to tempt him and he begins to doubt. He begins to question is Jesus really the messiah. So he sends his disciples to Jesus. And I like the response. Jesus did not tell John’s disciples to go back and say, “No. No, I am. You know, just have faith.” But instead Jesus says to John’s disciples, “spend some time with me.” And they watched as he opened the eyes of the blind, as he preaches the gospel, as the dead arise to life. And then the disciples go back to John in prison all excited and they tell John the things that Jesus is doing. And I’m sure John’s faith was revived and strengthened. And by the way, after this experience after John’s disciples went back to John when he was in prison, Jesus turned to the crowd and he said “What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?” He went on to talk about John and said “Among those born of women, there is not a risen one greater than John the Baptist.” So despite his time of questioning when his faith waivered, Christ still looked at him as a very special prophet doing a special work. Does that help?
Andrew: Yes.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, Andrew, it’s important for us to remember even these great champions of faith have their faith shaken at times. So we shouldn’t get discouraged if we begin to question. God does not abandon someone when his faith is shakened, when his faith is tried. All right, Andrew.
Well, friends that’s the music playing in the background. We’ve come to an end of another program of Bible Answers Live. I wanna thank all of you for joining us this evening. I encourage you to take a look at our website, amazingfacts.org. And friends until next week, remember Jesus is the truth that will set you free. God bless.