Pastor Doug: Hello friends. This is Doug Batchelor. How about an amazing fact? Billionaire in New York City, real estate investor Leona Helmsley was a flamboyant personality with a reputation for tyrannical behavior. She earned the nickname Queen of Mean for her apparently heartless and vindictive behavior with employees and contractors, but when it came to her beloved dog, a Maltese called Trouble, the Queen of Mean was all heart. When Leona Helmsley died in August 2007, she left 12 million dollars of her estimated 8 billion dollar estate to the upkeep of her 8 year old pooch even as two of her grandchildren got nothing. Fortune magazine awarded this decision with third place in the 2007 dumbest moments in business.
The court eventually reduced the dog's inheritance to 2 million saying it's more than adequate. 11 year old Trouble lives in Florida with his caretaker in Helmsley Sand Castle hotel. Trouble's caretaker stated that the 2 million will pay for the maintenance for more than 10 years providing $100,000 a year full time security, $8,000 for grooming, $1,200 for food. The caretaker's paid $60,000 a year as a guardian fee. In 2009, Americans spent 41 billion dollars on their pets, more than the gross domestic product from most of the world's countries. That's double the amount shelled out on pets a decade earlier. So what did Jesus mean when He said, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs nor cast your pearls before a swine?” Stay with us friends. We're going to learn more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of Bible Answers Live.
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Doug: Welcome listening friends. This is Bible Answers Live. And we're so thankful that you have joined us. We trust that it's been designed by providence that you're tuning in right now. And this is a live interactive Bible Study where we invite you to participate. You can call in with your Bible questions. Our toll free number that number one more time is 1-800-GODSAYS. We still have plenty of lines open for tonight's program. You wanna get your call in, call 1-800-463-7297 one more time, 1-800-463-7297 for your Bible questions. There are programs that deal with finance and romance and all those other things but we really deal with the Word of God here. So we welcome your questions about the Word of God and the Bible. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Jean Ross: My name is Jean Ross. Good evening listening friends. Pastor Doug, let's begin the program with a prayer.
Dear Father, once again, we thank you that we have these few moments this evening to open up your word. We ask you your blessing to be upon this program, be with those who are listening wherever they might be. I pray to you Lord that something that is said this evening might draw our heart closer to You. For we ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Doug: Amen.
Jean Ross: So, Pastor Doug, you started the program by talking about a lavish gift that had been bestowed on a dog. Probably, well at least the court realized that 12 million is probably too much for a dog, for any dog, reduced it down to 2 million. But still, that's a tremendous amount of money and this lady has a reputation for not being the kindest person to other people but she definitely seemed to be kind to her dog.
Pastor Doug: You know that does a trend that we see that seems to be spreading where she gives nothing to her grandchildren--2 of her grandchildren receives nothing--but the dog, originally 12 million dollars. And as I said the amount that Americans spent on their pets is just... It's exploding. They’ve got now pet centers that got MRI machine and radiation treatment for their dogs and their cats and supposed rabbits soon. I mean, how far do you go? And I wanna make it clear to everybody, I love animals. I have one cat, 2 dogs and I love animals but at what point do we realize that we are confusing the value of the animal life with human life? Now Jesus made a statement that's pretty clear. He says in Matthew 10:31, "Do not fear therefore," if you know God feeds the sparrows, he says, "you are of more value than many sparrows." In other words, one human is worth how many sparrows? I mean obviously, we want to protect the environment but at some point, it seems that we're willing to have thousands of people go out of work to protect somewhere mosquito or something that… You know what I'm saying? And the folks now are willing to lay down their lives to save a whale--and I love whales. I’ve gone whale watching--but you know, we don’t have a problem with people dying. It seems like... And I think you've mentioned before we run on the air that our state, you can get fine very heavily for disturbing certain bird eggs and in some cases be imprisoned but though actually subsidized you for killing human eggs. So what's the story?
Again, Jesus said in Matthew 12:12 of how much more value is a man than a sheep. Now in the creation, we see that God made things on different days. He made the things with no intelligence on the first few days, the land and the vegetation. Then he made the creatures with some intelligence. And then the last, (inaudible 6:31) act of creation was man made in God's image. And women, of course, love to remind us that woman was of course the final creation. Then, they'll argue that's because they are of the greatest intelligence. But it seems like the evolutionary thinking that we've all evolve from apes... And we can hardly see a nature program without them saying you know our nearest relatives, the chimpanzees. And they'll show some squirrel and say you know "this is where we came from." I think that's influenced people's thinking about the value of humans. And one of the fastest way to correct that divergence is to look at what God did in making man in His own image and sending His son to die to save people. Now, there's an ongoing debate about whether some pets will be in heaven but I don't wanna go there. There's no question Jesus did not die to redeem mice and squirrels. He died to redeem people. And everybody now is just losing their moral compass about the supreme value of humans, as considered very, very politically incorrect to say that people are worth more. And we've all been influenced by this evolutionary religion that has permitted even some Christian churches.
We have a free offer on that subject tonight.
Jean Ross: We've got a book entitled "How Evolution Flunk the Science Test?" It gives you evidences from science that really disproves this idea that we've evolved from lower life forms. To receive this book, call our resource line 18008356747. You can ask for the book "How Evolution Flunk the Science Test?" The number again is 18008356747. We're gonna go to the phone lines. Our first caller for this evening is Mario and he's calling from New Hampshire. Mario, welcome to the program.
Mario: Hello.
Pastor Doug: Hi. You're on the air.
Mario: Yes. I'm calling from Concord, New Hampshire. My question is about John 3 where Jesus is speaking (inaudible 8:39), no one has ever gone up to heaven. It is the son of man came down from heaven. And I was you know reading that passage and I notice that I was thinking to myself, “wait a minute, didn't Elijah and Moses, he (inaudible 8:55) to heaven. And I was wondering if you guys could help me with that. And I have several other questions but I'm just calling to get answers for one scenario, I guess.
Pastor Doug: All right. Well, I think that the key is the second sentence that Jesus makes. He says, "no one’s gone up to heaven but he that came down from heaven." He's basically saying no one has gone up to heaven to bring down from Heaven the information about God, except the son of God. So he's not really stopping the thought with no one’s gone to heaven because, as you've mentioned, Enoch, Elijah and the Bible indicates that even Moses had gone up to heaven.
Jean Ross: Well I think in verse 12, it leans itself to that where Jesus said that if I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things. And then He said no one's received heavenly things from heaven and has come down and share it. So I think it's more talking about bringing the message from heaven.
Pastor Doug: Right. Christ is the only time that God came to earth. He brought both the vine and human representation. First hand report of what's going on in heaven came from Jesus. No one else really had that. Moses went up the mountain and the brought back word from God from the mountain but he didn't go to heaven. And come back again so that's really the completed thought, Mario. Hey I appreciate your question on that. Next.
Jean Ross: Our next caller is Katie and she is calling from Glendale, California. Katie welcome to the program.
Katie: Thank you. I want to know what is your opinion regarding yoga?
Pastor Doug: Well, you're talking about the benefits of it or is something the Christian should...
Katie: Yeah, the Christian should attend yoga.
Pastor Doug: You know, my opinion is that why people go to yoga class is to, you know, be at one with themselves and to meditate. And I should mention that before I was a Christian, I practiced yoga. And you can’t really disconnect the teaching of yoga and the exercises of yoga from the religion of yoga. And that doesn't mean there isn't some value in the exercise. I should hasten to add there is value in truth in every religion. It’s pretty hard to sell a religion that has no truth or no good. What we gotta watch out for is when they have some good things that are co-mingled with some devious or dangerous teachings. And yoga it does spring from the Eastern religion and from reincarnation and sort of God is in you. So I as a Christian--you know, like I said I'm not denying there's probably some benefit in the exercises and meditation--but I think a person should avoid it.
Katie: Okay. Thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: All right. God bless you and I appreciate your question.
Katie: Thank you.
Jean Ross: We have Loretta--
Pastor Doug: Yoga, it's okay.
Jean Ross: Yoga, it's okay.
Pastor Doug: Yoga but not (inaudible 11:53). [Pastors laugh]
Jean Ross: Loretta is calling from Savannah, Tennessee. Loretta, welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: Loretta, are you with us?
Loretta: Hello.
Pastor Doug: Hi. You're on the air. Get real close to your phone.
Loretta: (Inaudible 12:05) Pastors.
Pastor Doug: And your question tonight.
Loretta: I've got a question. Actually, I asked this question last week. And when I got off of the phone, I was still a little bit confused about my actual question ‘cause I didn't got a chance to ask it in full.
Jean Ross: Do you know, Loretta… I’m wondering do you have your radio on the background.
Loretta: I'm moving away from it.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, we're getting some feedback. All right you wanted to restate your question from last week.
Loretta: Yes. Yes. Yes. My question was actually about the spirit behind the modern day glossolalia.
Pastor Doug: Uhuh, speaking in tongues.
Loretta: That we're finding now. And my question is about those who speak in tongues and the spirit that is behind that. And I'm referring to just glossolalia that we see in a lot of church these days.
Pastor Doug: All right. Did that complete the question?
Loretta: No, I'm gonna make a statement about it. I have a friend that dear lady and she claims she speaks in tongues and when we try to give her material with (truth?) in it, her response is “well, I'll read it but if the spirit tells me that it's not okay then I stop reading it."
Pastor Doug: Yeah, that's kind of typical because a lot of people that are involved in some of the modern examples of speaking in tongues, they put more emphasis on feelings in what they call the spirit then on a very clear (inaudible 13:50) the Lord. First thing we should remember is the Holy Spirit, Jesus said--and Pastor Ross you might help me remember where this is—Jesus, he said “he will not speak of himself but he will bring to your remembrance whatsoever things I have said,” that's gospel of John. And again the Holy Spirit is given to them to obey him, which is in Acts chapter 4, I believe. You got that?
Jean Ross: Yeah, John 16 verse 13, "Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you in to whole truth: for he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear, that he shall speak: and he will show thee things to come."
Pastor Doug: Yeah and then there's the verse where it says he'll bring to your remembrance whatsoever I have said. And so the emphasis of the spirit is not to speak of himself and say "Well, I'm gonna impress you this way and that way" like every person has their own boat with the wind blowing in different directions. The spirit will never ever teach or speak anything contrary to the Word. and so when people say, "Well, I know the word of this Bible study makes this very clear but the spirit inside of me." Well, how do you know what that spirit is? You know all kinds of people can get different impressions. And now I wanna be careful not to judge you know different people have all kinds of experiences. And you can’t make your decisions based on anecdotal information but I've got a dear friend, became a Christian, came through a church that practice the modern interpretation of tongues where people are babbling in the church--and I study the subject with them. And actually I wasn't there for the study, study with someone else--and he became convicted that the Bible said one thing but his experience was something else. And he prayed and he said "All right, Lord. If what I've been doing is not from you" and he would go into this prayer language in speaking tongues he said "If this is not from you, take it away. I don't want it." And he said it never happened again. And he's actually a minister in our church today. And when I came to the Lord, I came to a church, a charismatic church that's spoken tongues but I could never and I studied it and I could never get it from the Bible and we finally had to part ways because Jesus doesn't say you'll know the person has the spirit by the gifts of the spirit, it's the fruit of the spirit. And the purpose of tongues in the Bible--and I believe in the gift of tongues--but the purpose of tongues Christ gave his disciples: the ability to speak these languages. They did not know, prior to Pentecost, for the purpose of preaching and teaching the gospel in other languages that was it. And God can still give that gift today but for people that just babble and say, "This is the spirit and it's (inaudible 16:35). It's an expression that makes me feel good." You don’t find an example of that in the Bible.
We do have a book on that. And we may have offered this to you last week, Loretta--I don't remember--but there are probably some who did not get this book and it's called, "Understanding Tongues." “Understanding Tongues.”
Jean Ross: The number to call is 1-800-835-6747. That's the resource line. You can ask for the book entitled "Understanding Tongues." It deals with the gift tongues, what does the Bible says it is and what it is to be used for. Our next caller is Brent and Brent is calling from Brooklyn, New York. Brent, welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: Or is this Burt?
Jean Ross: Sorry. Burt.
Burt: Thanks very much. In God’s name, I'm speaking with you and asking you in my time of earth I see (and believe?) many people has served mankind all the life without any kind of appreciation and they have been enslaved only back from (Mosaic?) base and even when God gave them the people on the (inaudible 17:51) that would have to be feed because he was hungry. Now these people in all the world at countries we have see from the cradle to the grave, now if we do not have food, we can still live according to the word because if they have special treatment all day and then the disciples have to find way to feed them as God said them.
Pastor Doug: Burt, can you summarize this into a question.
Burt: Yes. Why have many churches spoken about the on treatment of the people that do all the farm work for the people and never get paid properly?
Pastor Doug: Now, of course, I'll do my best to give a Bible answer. And the Bible answer would be that God says the Bible laws do more to preserve, to protect, to reward the poor and the farmers than any other religion in the world: for instance, Moses said there was a law regarding gleaning and that meant that once they went over the ground, then they harvested it, you'll always miss something when you first get your food out of your trees or your olives or your grapes or your wheat. They weren’t to go back a second time but they were to leave that to the poor. You'll find on the book of Ruth that she goes and she cleans what have been left behind. Every 7th year, God said that the poor should be able to eat of the land. They would not farm the land but it was for the poor and even for the animals and they would leave it (inaudible 19:24) whatever came up volunteer. And then God, over and over, through the Bible, it says, “You shall not grind down the poor. You shall not take interest from your brother if they need to borrow for their seed.” And so the Bible is filled with laws and protection for the poor who were farming. And so you're right, there's a lot of very greedy people in the world today that grind down the poor and take advantage of it. And you can read in the book of James, God says in the judgment, God is going to reward those who have kept back the laborers. Do you have that reference there?
Jean Ross: I do, James chapter 5. And let me read it to you starting in verse 3, it says, "Your gold and your silver is cankered and your rust, and the rust of them shall be a witness against you. You shall eat your flesh as it were fire. You have heap treasures together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your field, which you have kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered in to the ears of the Lord of the Sabbath.”
Pastor Doug: That's very clear. Yeah, it says that God is watching it and He's gonna judge people that keep back the work of the farmers and laborers.
Jean Ross: You know, it also says that this is a sign of the end where there is a lack of justice when it comes to paying people what the--
Pastor Doug: The rightful wages.
Jean Ross: That's right.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, absolutely. So that's a great verse Burt. I hope you made a note of that. One more time that verse, Pastor Ross.
Jean Ross: It's James chapter 5 verse 4 and 5.
Pastor Doug: All right we get a couple more calls in before our break. Thank you, Burt.
Jean Ross: We've got Clifford calling from Garfield, New Jersey. Clifford, welcome to the program.
Clifford: Hi. How are you?
Pastor Doug: Doing well. How can we help you today?
Clifford: Great. My pastor says… It's a question regarding the Rapture. My pastor pointed me to two Scriptures. They believe that the (inaudible 21:21) thing where you're just gonna be like raptured like I guess through the tribulation or whatever.
Pastor Doug: Right.
Clifford: Or yeah...
Pastor Doug: Did he go to Daniel 9?
Clifford: No, he gave me... It doesn't really make sense. I don’t know what he's talking about. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 53 and he gave 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verse 13.
Pastor Doug: Well that is strange, yeah. Well, of course, 1 Corinthians 15:53 speaking about when the Lord comes that we will be transformed. It says, "This corruptible, these bodies that are old and mortal will put on incorruption. This mortal must put on immortality." And then in 1 Thessalonians 4, it says that the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch angel and trumpet of God, then dead in Christ will rise. So that really doesn't address 7 years. That is simply… You know, we on this program and most protestants agree in the essence in the word ‘rapture,’ meaning we are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. That’s what rapture would mean. The idea of the secret rapture of the church before the world is judge, then you've got 3 big camps: you've got your premillennial, your post, your mid-millennial. And what that means is some people would believe that the rapture takes place and the millennium begins then and the wicked are destroyed by the brightness of his coming. That’s' what we believed. That's actually what Christians believed for 18 hundred years of church history.
Clifford: That's the first one?
Pastor Doug: That's, yeah, the first belief. We believe that the Rapture takes place before the millennium at the end of the tribulation.
Clifford: Okay.
Pastor Doug: And so, then you have some believed that 3 and a half years in to the tribulation, the rapture takes place they call them mid-trib. and then you have those who believe the rapture takes place before the tribulation. Now the big question that isn’t being resolved: where in the Bible does it say the tribulation is 7 years?
Clifford: I don’t know.
Pastor Doug: There's no place in the Bible. This is just come from presumption. It's a nice biblical number but there really is no statement in the Bible that says the tribulation is 7 years. Jesus said except those days be short, no flesh would be saved. And when you look at the other tribulations in the Bible: whether it’s the plagues that fell on Egypt, there are plagues that came to Job, the 7 last plagues in the last days. They all seem to come in quick succession in a matter of months. Can you imagine the world going on 7 years where there's the oceans are blood and (inaudible 24:05)--
Clifford: Yeah, (inaudible 24:06). Right.
Pastor Doug: --and people being scorched of great heat in (inaudible 24:09). Anyway that I think is something that is kind of grown out of fantasy. I've never really seen a verse on that. I know where they get it. I think they take it from our prophecy in Daniel 9. They just take the 7 year prophecy and they kind of plaster it down kind of like cut and paste it, cut the 7 years off of prophecy in Daniel 9 and put it at the end of time. And it really is one complete prophecy before the Messiah comes.
Clifford: And the Daniel 9 verse...
Jean Ross: You know I think one of the concerns Daniel 9 is with the passages. Do you know another concern of this idea is that it really gives people a second chance. If they don’t have their life together and someday all the righteous people just disappear--well, it's gonna be difficult for the next 7 years--but it you try real hard, you’ll make it. Well the Bible doesn't say that we're gonna have a second chance after Jesus comes, that's the end when Jesus comes.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, it's very clear. Now, let me give you a verse that I think really nails that down. If you look in the Bible in 2 Peter chapter 3, and people often refer to the secret rapture as when the Lord comes like a thief. If you look in 2 Peter chapter 3, it says in verse 10, "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise." Now wait a second, is earth, is life gonna go on earth after the Lord comes life a thief? It says the day of the Lord will come as a thief and which the heaven pass away with a great noise and the elements melt with fervent heat. The earth also and the works in it are burned up so when the Lord come like a thief, it says the earth is burned up. How can life go on for 7 more years?
Clifford: So that... That's what I told the (inaudible 25:51) right on, the burning of the earth. And my pastor was telling like ahh and I was like ahh...
Pastor Doug: And this is one of many verses. Can we send you a Bible study on this subject please, Cliff?
Clifford: Oh, you know what happened, I gets (stuff?) but I'm constantly moving around in whatever but...
Pastor Doug: Can I give you a website?
Clifford: --address.
Pastor Doug: Well, for you and anyone listening, if you just go to the Bible Prophecy Truth website, it's called Bibleprophecytruth.com. I'm very happy. It's on the first page of google or yahoo and you just type in ‘Bible Prophecy.’ So anyway, you type in ‘Bible Prophecy Truth.’ There’s a booklet in there on the rapture and it’s got all these Scripture laid out there for you. So if you get a chance, Cliff, take a look at that. And you can also read the book there on the secret rapture. It's called “The Secret Rapture.”
Jean Ross: And for anybody else that is listening, if you want to get additional resources on the subject, call our resource line. You can ask for the book "Anything but Secret."
Pastor Doug: “Anything but secret.” Wait and there's another book. It's simply called by Joe Crux, “The Secret Rapture.”
Jean Ross: “The Secret Rapture,” we'll be happy to send that out to you. The resource line is 1-800-835-6747.
Pastor Doug: Tell you what, Pastor Ross? Instead cutting one of our next caller short—don’t go away anyone, we still have lines open by the way. It's 1-800-463-7297. We're just coming up to a break--why don’t I tell people now where you and I are gonna be in 2 weeks. Yeah, we start live October 8. We're gonna be doing a meeting especially for teenagers. It's called MIQ. It's Amazing Facts for teens. MIQ stands for Most Important Questions. We're gonna be dealing with is there a God, where did we come from, how do you know you can trust the Bible, how do you find out God's will for your life. We've taken and (inaudible 27:38) the most common big questions that teenagers asking. And we're addressing them head on on this program. One reason we're doing this is because statistic say that straight across the board and most evangelical churches, young people between the ages of 17 and 20, the college years, they stop going to church. Some come back, many don’t and it's because they don’t have their faith grounded during the teenage years. If you wanna know more about the meetings coming up, we have a website. It's called miqteens.com, miqteens.com. And there will be a lot more information there. By the way, that program will not only air on 3ABN starting on October 8 but the following week, it’s going to be on the Inspiration Channel, primetime--80 million homes. And so go to the website and forward that link to your friends. Now that music is just we're coming up on a break. We're gonna be taking your Bible questions. Still our lines open. 1-800-GODSAYS. We'll be back in just a minute.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Doug: That's me friends. You're listening to Bible Answers Live and we're glad that you have tuned in. Also remember that so much of what we share here, you can find at the Amazing Facts website. It's really easy to remember. It's Amazing Facts. That's just about anything, amazingfacts.com .org .tv .net and it's just filled with Bible study resources. There you will see our tv programs and our (printing?) ministry and our mission work overseas and our internet ministry and I forget what else we're doing. We’re doing everything we can to get the word out. You know why? Jesus said the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world, then the end will come. And we're doing everything we can to hasten that day. If you have Bible questions, that's what this program is for, Bible Answers Live. If you've joined us along the way, lines open 1-800-463-7297 with your Bible questions. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Jean Ross: My name is Jean Ross. And Pastor Doug, you've already spoken about the MIQ meetings coming up and that is exciting. What is the website again that folks can go to for more information?
Pastor Doug: And by the way, kids can now--kids meaning teenagers--can send a Bible questions now that we will answer on the air and that's miqteens.com, miqteens.com. I've got right here on my laptop and there's even a little video. You can watch and tell 'em about the program. And if you know teenagers, send them this link. It could change their life. And they can send us in a Bible questions. And there's a place to locate at the website different sites where you can go. Some are gonna have live gatherings. Teens are gonna get together and probably eat pizza and watch the program... So you'll find out about that.
Jean Ross: All right. Let's go to the phone lines. We have Lorna that is calling from New Jersey. Lorna, welcome to the program.
Lorna: Yes. Good evening, (Sir?) Batchelor. How are you?
Pastor Doug: Doing fine. How about you?
Lorna: I'm fine. Thank you. I just had a question and I wanted to take the answer off the air so give me a minute to turn my radio up when I give you the question.
Pastor Doug: All right.
Lorna: It's in 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verses 29 to 31, if you can give me your interpretation what those Scriptures mean for this time, I would appreciate the answer.
Pastor Doug: Just one more second, 1 Corinthians chapter 7, 29 to 31.
Lorna: Yes.
Pastor Doug: All right. I'll read it. And we'll let you get to your radio by answer. For our friends who aren't acquainted with this 1 Corinthians 7:29, "But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none And they that weep, as though they wept not and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not and they that buy, as though they possessed not And they that uses world is not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passes away." Well, I would say that's a good application for today. There have been a couple of times in history where the church has been severely persecuted. And the cry of pastors, evangelists and church leadership has been do not become encumbered by the cares of this life, lay aside earthly distractions, seek first God's kingdom. When Paul wrote these words, they were on the verge of one of the most severe persecutions to basically commit genocide against Christians--to exterminate Christianity. The Romans tried it and nearly succeeded but it seems like the more they persecuted Christians, they grew. So I believe Paul was addressing this wave of persecution that was coming and telling everyone that they needed to travel light and ready. And if you have any thoughts on that, Pastor Ross.
Jean Ross: Yes, if you just read a few verse above, he's talking about Marriage. And in that context, he says and then you follow on verse 29, it seems at least what Paul is admonishing people at this point: it's not a good time right now to get married because of these things that are taking place.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, Christianity was declared by Nero, religio illicita, illicit or forbidden religion. And so Christians basically had to go underground. And having a wedding and travelling to preach with a wife and children, it just created greater danger. So he was advising Christians throughout the Roman regions to live (inaudible 34:51) lives so that they can move freely. Hope that helps a little bit. And we appreciate your question.
Jean Ross: Our next caller is Sofia. And she is calling from Connecticut. Sofia, welcome to the program.
Sofia: Yes. Thank you.
Pastor Doug: Hi, Sofia. You're on.
Sofia: Thank you. My question is… There is a pastor, he was a (inaudible 35:13) ministry and medium ministry that does great work around the world and she ask, in regards to living in the last days, for God to give more time. And I was wondering if it's biblically right to ask for God to delay His coming.
Pastor Doug: You know Paul refers to the second coming as the blessed hope. And I'm gonna tell everyone to turn to a book in the Bible, it shouldn't be hard to find, it’s the last 2 verses of the Bible. Revelation 22:20, "He that testifies of these things said surely I come quickly." And now the Bible closes with a prayer. And the prayer is “amen,” even so, “come, Lord Jesus.” And so the parting prayer in the Bible is even so "come, Lord Jesus" and then he closes with a benediction of grace, grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. You know I can understand people saying “Lord, please don't come yet because I've got some love ones not ready,” but you know it's real hard for us to want to see the suffering and go on any longer. Every day that goes by, more people are born in to it. So you know I understand. And I'm not here to condemn people that might pray that but the second coming of Jesus in the blessed hope, and I believe that we are to work towards hastening that.
Jean Ross: You know I’m reminded of what Jesus said when he gave the disciples and us an example of prayer. In the Lord’s Prayer, it says “thy kingdom come.”
Pastor Doug: Oh, good one. That's right.
Jean Ross: And we pray and ask for the God's kingdom to come.
Pastor Doug: How did I miss that? I'm glad you're here. [Pastors laugh]. That’s pretty clear. Last words in the Bible and the Lord’s Prayer. It says Lord come and it’s even in Matthew 24 where Jesus talked about this Second Coming. He said we should pray always that we be accounted to worthy to escape all these things and to stand before the son of man. And so you know the prayer of the heart when you love some body and you're yearning to see them, it's hard to comprehend why you would ask them to wait. And so I understand people are worried about their love ones and those who haven’t been warned. We don’t have to worry that Jesus is gonna come before the world has an opportunity because he promises that they will in Matthew 24:14. Hopes that helps a little Sofia. Good question.
Jean Ross: Next caller is Claude and he's calling from Brooklyn, New York. Claude, welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: Claude, you're on.
Jean Ross: Or is it Claude?
Claude: Yeah.
Pastor Doug: And your question.
Claude: Oh, yes. If heard Loretta called in concerning the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues.
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Claude: I am visually impaired. Okay.
Pastor Doug: Okay.
Claude: So I cannot say (inaudible 37:42) but I think I heard it when you could all find the Scripture where Paul said (inaudible 37:49)--he was talking to some folks--he said, "I speak in tongues more than you are." He was kind of telling them if they're gonna speak in tongues, there would be two or three together for the most and one someone must (inaudible 38:00) competition.
Pastor Doug: 1 Corinthians 14.
Claude: I can’t remember where.
Pastor Doug: It's 1 Corinthians 14.
Claude: I would like you to read it for me because the impression I got he was he's speaking in tongue but most tongue was in private devotion.
Pastor Doug: Well--
Claude: To him and God alone. (Inaudible 38:18) understand.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, let me explain here in Corinthian church, they had many language groups. It was a seaport. People were getting up and praying and prophesying in other languages. I think you know the word ‘tongues’ here in the Bible, simply means languages. And they were praying in different languages that others couldn't understand and Paul was saying, "Look, when you pray, go ahead. You can pray in your tongue, pray in your native language but do it privately if there's no one to translate.” And--
Claude: Right. I understand what you're saying but what I'm saying, (inaudible 38:50) but to me when he said I pray in tongues more than you all together.
Pastor Doug: Well, that's very clear. Paul travelled more widely and he was more educated than any of the apostles and he spoke more different languages. It doesn't mean that he babbled incoherently more than anybody else. Paul said “Look, I speak in more tongues than any of you." Paul, he went all through Asia and he could speak Latin. He could speak Greek. He could speak Hebrew and (Romaic?). So he was very educated but he wasn’t saying that he babbled more than anybody else.
Claude: Okay. Okay. Okay.
Pastor Doug: Now, brother… Boy, I know it's gonna be tough for you if you don’t read because you're blind but if you can have someone read it to you, we have the book. We'll be happy to send you and it's called “Understand Tongues."
Claude: I get somebody to read it for me. Of course, I'm visually impaired. I'm totally... I cannot see.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, well if you could find someone to read it at our website, we actually got the sermon. And you can have someone download and play the audio recording of me expounding that. It’s from a series called “Millennium of Prophecy.” And it talks about the baptism of the spirit but we all go through all of 1 Corinthians 14 and make it very clear. Yeah, appreciate your questions. And we invite our friends, anyone that has questions on the subject of speaking of tongues one more time Pastor Ross that book and what’s the number?
Jean Ross: The resource line is 1-800-835-6747. And the book is entitled “Understanding Tongues." 1-800-835-6747 and the phone number here to the studio is 1-800-GODSAYS, 1-800-463-7297. We have Diana who is calling from Paradise, California. Diana, welcome to the program.
Diana: Thank you.
Pastor Doug: We're always glad to get a call from Paradise. [Laughs] And we're actually worked up there a few years ago. It's about what? 17 years ago. You folks kind of get hit pretty hard with fire, about a year ago, didn't you?
Diana: Yeah, sure did.
Pastor Doug: Anyway, your question tonight.
Diana: I wanted to know with all the boundaries with religions, I wanted to know if their... Everybody claims the true, their way after...
Pastor Doug: Which church is the truth? Yeah.
Diana: Different... There's just so many conflicts and I just wanted to know if there... I mean, we're all basically serving the same purpose so my question is does the Bible state anything about the chosen people (inaudible 41:32.) I've heard about it in the past with different denominations that I’ve studied with just tried to gather through the years.
Pastor Doug: Let me give you a couple of thoughts on that. I really, really appreciate your question. First of all, we here in this program believe that God has His people in many different churches and I mean many different denominations of course primarily Christians. The Lord looks on people's hearts but Jesus said other sheeps I have. This is John chapter 10, but I forget the verse, "Other sheep I have that are not of this fold: them also I must call and then there would be one fold." It says, "They'll hear my voice, then also I must call and there would be one fold and one shepherd," meaning that, yeah, there may be a time where God got His people scattered all over the place but as we near the end, there's gonna be a shaking the wheat and the (shaft?) will be separated. One group is going to receive the mark of the beast. The other group receives the seal of God. And we need to, at that point, make sure we are in the right group. And you know God had His people in all through the Middle East back in the days of Jesus. Christ said "hey look I heal Naaman, the leper." Elijah worked miracles for the Canaanite woman. Many will come from the East and the West but they come and they sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. So they are to come together to the truth. So you know God spirit is speaking to people in many different parts of the world but he wants them to come. There’s only one truth. There's not two different truths or two and a half truths. There is an absolute truth.
Diana: What happens with fear? We are all blocked with the unknown. It seems like in just the boundaries to communicate you know.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, well you're on the right step. You're starting it out. [Diana laughs] Now we do have a Bible study that we'd like to send you or anyone. It's called "Search for the True Church." And what Bible criteria would a person use if they were to say "All right, if I was going to find the right Church, where do I start?" And we have a book that gives the Bible criteria. How do you find a biblical Church in the last days?
Jean Ross: The number to call is 1-800-835-6747. And again the book is entitled “Search for the True Church." We also have a study guide pastor Doug on that same subject entitled "The Bride of Christ."
Pastor Doug: That’s right. I like that one better. It's got pictures.
Jean Ross: It's a great study, yeah. 1-800-835-6747. “The Search for the True Church" or the “Bride of Christ." We'll be happy to send that out. Our next caller is Mary and she is calling from Missouri, listening on KOKS. Mary, welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: Hi, Mary.
Mary: I always wanted to know, in Revelations 4 through 8, were the people that are going to have their heads cut off that are witnesses of Jesus when they will be reigning for a thousand years in during the millennial reign who was they reigning over?
Pastor Doug: Well, now that's a good question because you're saying something that many people believe that I don't believe. The idea that the wicked... That the righteous will be reigning over the wicked during the 1,000 years is based on 2 primary views about the millennium one group believes we live and reign in Christ in heaven. The other group believes we live and reign with Christ over the righteous reigning over the wicked. First of all, think about what that would look like if you got the righteous that now have glorified bodies that are eternal and they're in the city of God and they somehow are reigning over the wicked that are mortal and dying and so they're killing each other. That's sick to me. I don't want that. I don't know any saint that wants that. Do you follow me now? Jesus left, he went to heaven, he said "I go and prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you." This is John 14, "that where I am, you might be." Then you read in 1 Corinthians... I'm sorry, 1 Thessalonians "For the Lord descends and we are caught up to meet him.” So when Jesus goes, Mary, what direction do we head?
Mary: Up.
Pastor Doug: And it says after we're caught up, you read in Revelation 20, "The millennium begins with the resurrection of the blessed."
Mary: Right.
Pastor Doug: You read in 1 Thessalonians, "For blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection."
Mary: Correct.
Pastor Doug: So the resurrection and the second coming are the beginning of the millennium but we have gone up so we live and reign in Christ. Reigning—people have this idea that we gotta be you know pounding or gaveling, ordering people around--that's not what it means to reign with Christ. Christ is king not just of the Earth He is the king of the whole universe.
Mary: (Inaudible 46:36).
Pastor Doug: He is king of all the angels.
Mary: I'm sorry.
Pastor Doug: So I'm saying we're we know we live and reign in glory with Christ for 1,000 years not here on earth.
Mary: Okay.
Jean Ross: And you know there's an aspect of judging that's involved with reigning. It's Paul that talks about the righteous that will judge the angels, speaking with the wicked angels. So during that thousand year period, there will be a review and some part that the redeemed will play in judge in the wicked. The wicked, of course, will be dead until the end of the thousand years but there'll be involve somehow in that judgment.
Mary: Okay but where it in 7 where it says that Satan’s (inaudible 47:12)?
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Mary: And they (collected?), you know, from the four quarters of the earth.
Pastor Doug: (Gagon may gagon?). Yes.
Mary: So what do they collect in?
Pastor Doug: At the gather, at the... And this is also based on Ezekiel 37. At the end of 1,000 years, the New Jerusalem comes down to earth, you read that in Revelation 21. And Christ feet touch the Mount of Olives you can read that in Zachariah 14. Forms a great valley, the New Jerusalem comes down and all the wicked who ever lived are raised, Revelation 20. I think its verse 5 where it says, "The rest of the dead don’t live until the 1000 years are finished." If the righteous are raised at the beginning of the 1000 years, the Millennium, the rest of the dead can only be the wicked. It says even Jesus said the hours come in which all that are in the graves will hear his voice righteous, they that have done good, resurrection of life they that have done evil, resurrection of damnation. Two resurrections. Two resurrections, 1,000 years apart. At that point, where all the wicked are raised, they gather around the city of God. (Gagon may gagon?), the Old Testament, were enemies of God's people. That's a spiritual term for the enemies of God's people. Some have said "Oh, it's Russian and China," but I don’t agree with that. You know, we have... It's so hard to give it. You're asking several chapters in the Bible. Can we send you please, Mary? Let us send you our study guide dealing with the subject of the Millennium. All you got to do is call this number. We'll send it to you or you can even read it at the Amazing Facts website. Pastor Ross, you wanna tell us about that website?
Jean Ross: Yeah, it's called “A Thousand Years of Peace." It deals with the subject of the Millennium, Revelation chapter 20. Mary, call our resource line 1-800-835-6747. It's again 1-800-835-6747. And asks for the study guide "A Thousand Years of Peace."
Pastor Doug: By the way, that's not just Mary, anyone who wants to understand the Millennium. You feel free to call. And we'll send that to you.
Jean Ross: All right. Well, let’s go to our next caller. Our next caller is Sofia and she's listening on the internet. Sofia, welcome to the program.
Sofia: Thank you. I'm calling back again. My question initially was in regards to Daniel, in regards to King Nebuchadnezzar and why he came to be blessed by God in the knowledge and go back and do the (worldly?) things and set forth (worldly laws?) but it seems kind of make sense in the way that he could just simple forgets. But something I was really wondering is in regards to the next king, the Belshazzar, how did he get to like one of the chapters?
Pastor Doug: Well, Nebuchadnezzar actually wrote his experience when he kind of lost his mind and during the vision of the tree. But his senses came back to him at the end of 7 years then he recorded this all experience, of course kings all have scribe writing things down as he dictated and so he dictated his all experience to glorify God for giving him his mind back again. by the way, there was a kind of England, he was actually I think it was king George of England during the American Revolution that went out of his mind and the court trying to hide it for several years. And they figured that he had some kind of toxemia because he also seems to get better. And it was interesting now the court, they tried to keep running the British Empire while he was out of his mind. Now, the son of Nebuchadnezzar was not Belshazzar. He was... Actually Belshazzar was kind of a distant grandson to Nebuchadnezzar. The son of Nebuchadnezzar reigned briefly and he is mentioned in the end of Jeremiah. His name was Evil-Merodach. And he reigned briefly. He's the one who brought Josiah out of prison. And so then the grandson, once removed from Nebuchadnezzar, was Belshazzar. But you asked how Nebuchadnezzar have that great experience with the Lord in chapter 2 and then go set up a golden image in chapter 3. Well you could also... It's a good question. How can the children of Israel have God part the Red Sea and feed them with bread from heaven and then say they wanna go back and be slaves in Egypt? Human nature forgets.
Jean Ross: They receive the 10 Commandments, spoken by God from Mt. Sinai. And how soon does that happen when they build a golden calf and they start worshipping?
Pastor Doug: They worshipped an idol and then they get undress and they break all the commandments in one day. So yeah, human nature, it seems our commitments are shallow and that’s why we need to have a regular ongoing devotions with God to keep our experience fresh. You're still there, Sofia?
Sofia: Yes, I'm still here.
Pastor Doug: Does that make sense?
Sofia: Yes, that makes sense and I just wanna say more quickly in regards to Katie earlier who asked about yoga. I also kind of have that question before but then yoga, I stopped, so uncomfortable with it when I went to the classes. So I just started practicing some moves at home and you know without listening to all that music, distracting music and you know listening to all that other things that they may do. You can just easily do it at home and even refer to some things on the internet about feeling like...
Pastor Doug: Yeah, you don’t have to get in to the Eastern Religions. That's right.
Sofia: Exactly.
Pastor Doug: And you know a lot of those melodies like you're saying it's kind of a hypnotic and chanting sounds and they're supposed to make you empty your mind. Bible meditation is not about emptying your mind. It’s about listening to God meditating on his Word, which is very different from Eastern meditation where you repeat one word over and over until it doesn't mean anything. Your mind is just filled with gibberish. Do we have time for another call?
Jean Ross: Yes. We got Madeline calling from Ohio. Madeline, welcome to the program.
Madeline: Hi. Thank you. My question was my husband and I, I know that God wants us to have one mind and one accordion. My husband and I tend to take different things. When we read the Bible, for instance though, and so when we read together like I see more of the long suffering and God is patient with us and my husband sees that and he also sees you know within a few verses, God said that we should you know (inaudible 53:29) evil and casts things away from us: that we like for instance, people in our lives. And so I wondered how long suffering does God want us to be?
Pastor Doug: Sounds like the Lord put you guys together to balance out that decision.
Madeline: Yes.
Pastor Doug: But you know 'cause it really is a balance, you know the Lord wants us to be patient and at the same time, there are limits. Now, you look at Jesus and Judas. I mean for three and a half years, Jesus, he knew Judas was stealing. And he even washed his feet. He was praying for his repentance. And Judas hardened his heart and finally Jesus said you know have I not chosen one of you, 12 of you and one of you is a devil. And so you know he basically went out. He said go what you do quickly me. And he basically said someone at the table is going to betray me tonight. So there was a limit even to the patients of God but Jesus is typically a lot more patient than most of us. So you need to balance of wisdom. You don't wanna be so austere that you just cut people off and at the same time. You don't wanna be taken advantage of because you enable them in their sin.
Madeline: Right.
Pastor Doug: Hope that helps a little bit, Madeline. Can we get to Alberto? We have time for one more--
Jean Ross: One more.
Pastor Doug: --Pastor Ross.
Jean Ross: Alberto calling from New Jersey. Alberto, welcome to the program.
Alberto: Yes, hi. Hello. My question is--
Pastor Doug: We got about two minutes so do it quick. Okay?
Alberto: Okay. 1 Corinthians 13 in verse 10. 1 Corinthians 13 verse 10.
Pastor Doug: You wanna read that? Go ahead.
Alberto: Okay. I'm not good reading but I'll read it. But he says "when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." What is that mean? Is that like... Is that verse saying the gifts that were given to the church before what I think is the perfect like you know like the New Testament wasn't done? Was incomplete?
Pastor Doug: No, good question. And I'm just gonna jump in here to make sure I can get part of an answer for you. The emphasis of 1 Corinthians 13 really is not tongues. It's about love. And sometimes God will bring us to Him and we might even start with the wrong motives. Some people come to the Lord because of a fear of hell, that might be their starting point but once they fall in love with the Lord, they don't need that imperfect motive anymore. Some people come to the Lord because of their selfishness 'cause they say "I wanna go to heaven." Well, they're still thinking about themselves but God may use that but it's imperfect. Once they fall in love with Him, they don't need those stepping stones anymore that might be other reasons to consider God. And some people come to God because they just say "I just wanna know the truth." Well, that's a good motive but when you fall in love with the lord, even love is better than just wanting that is rational. And so he closes that out by saying the greatest of these is love. All the gifts of the spirit are still there. The church needs the gifts of the spirit until Jesus comes again. And so good question, Alberto. I hope you ask for the book "Understanding Tongues."
And we believe in all the gifts and we'll be happy to send that to you for free. That's 1-800-835-6747. Friends, remember keep praying for the MIQ Teen meetings. Pastor Ross and I will be there. We're asking people to fast for 1 meal on October 1 for the youth of our country. Just fast for one meal and pray for these youth meetings. Remember, so much more is that the amazing Facts website and that's amazingfacts.org and of course the MIQ website: miqteens.com. God bless till next week.
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