Doug Batchelor: Hello, listening friends, would you like to hear an amazing fact? In July 2018, a man with the longest fingernails in the world finally got a manicure. Shridhar Chillal, 82, from Pune India, had his nails cut off during a ceremony in New York after letting them grow out for 66 years. Chillal holds the Guinness World Record for the longest fingernails on one hand. He was first inspired to see how long he could grow out his nails on his left hand, back in 1952 when he was 16 years old. A teacher had scolded him for accidentally breaking one of her fingernails.
According to Chillal, the teacher lectured him about the level of care required to grow out nails and said he would never understand unless he experienced it for himself, so he did. According to Guinness World Records, in November 2014, Chillal's fingernails were measured and found to have a combined length of 29.8 feet, with his thumb being the longest at 78 inches. That's like 6.5 feet. Chillal traveled from India to New York City to have his nails removed for the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum where they will be forever displayed. It's not known whether or not he was compensated, or how much, for his extraordinary nails.
Chillal's decision to remove his epic fingernails was partly influenced by the constant level of care required to maintain them. Understandably, it's hard to sleep at night or do anything with your hand burdened with 10 pounds of fingernails. Did you know the Bible talks about a man who had extremely long fingernails? Stay with us, friend, we'll talk about it on this edition of Bible Answers Live.
Narrator: You're listening to Bible Answers Live. Honest answers to your Bible questions. [music] This broadcast is a previously recorded episode. To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned in this evening's program, call 800-835-6747. Once again, that's 800-835-6747. Now, let's join our host Pastor Doug Batchelor and our co-host Pastor John Ross.
Doug: Welcome, listening friends, to Bible Answers Live. If you have a Bible question, we invite you to give us a call. The number is 800-God-Says. We have some lines open. I want to welcome our friends who are watching via the internet as well. You can just go to the Amazing Facts Facebook page, or you can go to the Doug Batchelor Facebook page, and join us live. You can even text in some questions if you'd like. The number for today's program, 800-463-7297, will bring you into the studio. That's 800-463-7297. My name is Doug Batchelor.
John Ross: My name is John Ross. Good evening, listening friends. Pastor Doug, as we always do, let's start with prayer. Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that we have this opportunity to open your word and study together. We want to ask your blessing and your presence be with us here in the studio, and be with those who are listening across the country and around the world. We place this time in your care, in Jesus' name, amen.
Doug: Amen.
John: Pastor Doug, you opened the program by talking about an individual that, it's just amazing to think about that my fingernails just start getting a little long and they start bothering me, and I have to cut my fingernails. How can someone live with fingernails that hadn't been cut for, what did you say, 60 years? Is that right?
Doug: 66 years.
John: 66 years?
Doug: Yes. I know with me, if my fingernails start getting long, they break. How does a guy keep his fingernails from breaking off when they're that long for that many years? It's just pretty remarkable. What it made me think of is the story in the Bible where it tells us that Nebuchadnezzar, because of his pride, he had this dream of a big tree, and he called Daniel in to help him understand this. Daniel said, "You're that tree that's going to get cut down and humbled because of your pride and your selfishness." He admonished Nebuchadnezzar, the king, to humble himself.
For a while, he had about a year of tranquility, and then he became proud again. He's looking at Babylon, and he said, "Oh, this is my Babylon, and I built it for my majesty." Suddenly his wisdom and his mind was taken from him, and he became like a raving animal. They didn't know what to do with the king. They didn't want the rest of the nation to know that the king had gone berserk, and they put him out to pasture. The Bible says that his hair grew long, I think one version says like feathers, another version like a lion's mane, totally unkempt, and his nails grew long like a bird's claws.
It all came upon him because of his pride and his inability to humble himself. At the end of seven years, God restored his reason. He finally saw what had happened to him. He realized it's only the Spirit of God that gives us the ability to do anything. So often we take credit for whatever we accomplish, and what can we do without the Lord? What talents do we have without God's help? There's nothing that we have that God hasn't given us, that's what the Bible says, but that's the biggest battle we all wrestle with, is the surrender of self.
We have a free book we're making available tonight. It's a very important book on one of the Christian attributes of humility, and how to surrender yourself to Jesus. It’s free.
John: That's the title, it's called The Surrender of Self. That's our free gift to anybody who would call and ask. The number to call is 800-835-6747. You can ask for the book called The Surrender of Self, we'll be happy to send it to anybody who calls and asks. You can also go to the Amazing Facts website, and we have a free online library. You're able to read the book there if you can’t call.
Again that number is 800-835-6747. That is the resource phone line. You might want to jot that down. We're going to give you some additional resources throughout the program, but you can ask for the special gift tonight called The Surrender of Self. Very important principles found in the book are really essential for one's salvation. Our first caller that we have is Norman, listening from Toronto, Canada. Norman, welcome to the program. You're on the air.
Norman: Good evening, pastors.
Doug: Evening.
Norman: I have a brief question to say, but it probably has a long answer. When Jesus returns, what does the Bible say about ending poverty around the world? Because there's poverty around the world for years and years, and it's getting worse even in America and Canada.
Doug: The Bible does say in Revelation, Chapter 21, that God is going to wipe away all tears, and there will be no more sorrow, no more sadness, no more pain.
Norman: What about hunger?
Doug: It tells us that we will plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. That there's going to be abundance of food. Nobody is going to be hungry because, of course, you see when Jesus returns the next time, Norman, it says the saved are caught up to meet him in the air. You probably remember the verse it says in John Chapter 14, “Christ said, I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go prepare a place for you, I will come and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you might be also.” He says, “In my father's house are many mansions.”
He takes us back to the place he's prepared for us. We live and reign with Christ in this beautiful place called heaven, the New Jerusalem, for 1,000 years. At the end of the 1,000 years, we come down, and after the judgment, it says he recreates a new heaven, new earth. There is no poverty in the new earth. I can promise you that.
John: We have a study guide that deals with what happens after Jesus comes. It's a great lesson dealing with Revelation Chapter 20 called, 1,000 Years of Peace, describes the home of the redeemed. We'll be happy to send this to you, Norman, or anybody who would like to learn more about that subject.
Again, all you'll have to do is just give us a call on our resource phone line, 800-835-6747, and just ask for the study guide called 1,000 Years of Peace. We'll be happy to send that off to anybody who calls and asks. Our next caller that we have is Allen listening from Minnesota. Allen, welcome to the program.
Allen: Oh hey, this Allen here. It’s not Minnesota. Hamilton, Montana.
Doug: Montana, okay.
John: We got the wrong state code there, but anyway, go ahead, we’re glad you answered.
Allen: Yes, big sky country. Glad to talk to you, guys. Hey, I got a question. It has to do with forgiveness. Christ is the one that forgives us, and he can read our hearts and stuff. I just wonder if you got any insight on--
Doug: How do you forgive others?
Allen: No, yourself.
Doug: For one thing, if you died because of your sin, and a new person is born, that new person doesn't have the guilt from the old life. That really helped me because I did a lot of things I was ashamed of. When I became a Christian it said, “The old person dies, you are a new person. You get a new heart, old things are passed away, all things are made new.” For one reason, you forgive yourself because you've been born again, you're a new person. Jesus said, “Unless you're born again, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” Furthermore, if God says He forgives you, can we set ourselves up as a more important tribunal than God? If God declares, “Look, I’ll forgive you,” and we say, “God, my word is more important than your word. I’m not going to forgive myself.” Obviously, if God is willing to forgive us, then who are we to dare to say that our word is more important than God's word? Of course, we should forgive ourselves. If He goes to all that trouble to buy our forgiveness, that'd be like rejecting a very valuable gift someone bought for you and saying you don't appreciate it.
Are you still with us, Allen?
Allen: Yes, I’m here.
Doug: Did that make sense?
Allen: It does, but it don't because I didn't die to be able to pay for my own sins, only Christ can forgive my sins.
Doug: You have a chance to die now though because Jesus said you deny yourself, you take up your cross and you follow him. Then he gives you a new heart. In that sense, Jesus said, if you're going to follow him, he that seeks to save his life will lose it, but if you lose your life for his sake, you'll find it. In a sense, you do die. A matter of fact, that very book we're offering tonight, I think Allen would really appreciate, The Surrender of Self.
John: Absolutely. There's actually another one Allen. You might want to jot this down too. Two books, the one, The Surrender of Self, but we have another book called Three Steps to Heaven, that I think deals with this very subject of what are we doing in order to receive the forgiveness that God wishes to give. If you'd like to receive any of those books just give us a call. The number is 800-835-6747, and you can ask for our free offer for tonight, which is The Surrender of Self, and also the book Three Steps to Heaven. We'll be happy to send that to anybody who calls and asks.
Doug: He can read that right now at the Amazing Facts website.
John: That's right. Just amazingfacts.org, and we'll give you more information about that. Our next caller that we have is Martin listening from New York. Martin, welcome to the program.
Martin: How are you, pastor? I'm glad to get through. God bless you. My question was this; does Satan and the angels- we'll say the fallen angels- have eternal life?
Doug: No. The Bible tells us in Matthew Chapter 25, that Satan and his angels, in the judgment, are going to be cast into the lake of fire. The Bible calls that the second death. The criteria for getting eternal life, it says, "God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son," of course this is John 3:16, " That whoever believes in him might not perish but have everlasting life."
It's for those that believe in him that get the everlasting life. The devil doesn't believe in him, he doesn't get everlasting life. He's going to get everlasting death and his angels.
John: You also have a verse in Revelation 20:14, it says, "Death and the grave," or Hades is the old English, "Were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Even death ceases as a result of the lake of fire.
Doug: There's no death.
John: Meaning there's no more death following that. The earth then is purified with fire, and the earth is recreated following that event.
Doug: We do have a lesson, Martin, that talks a little bit about the devil and where he came from, and what his fate will be. It's called Did God Make a Devil?
John: If you'd like to receive that study guide, just give us a call. Once again that number is 800-835-6747, and you can ask for the study guide called Did God Create the Devil? Our next caller that we have is Jerry listening from Oregon. Jerry, welcome to the program.
Jerry: Good evening, pastors. I was looking at Daniel 7:11 where it talks about the beast being slain, and his body destroyed, and then thrown into the lake of fire. When you read, I believe there's a similar account in Revelation 19:20, it says, the beast, and in this case, and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fire. Could you comment on this?
Doug: Yes. Being thrown in the fire has a number of meanings Biblically. One is it's talking about punishment. The other is that was the way something was exterminated. If you look in Malachi Chapter 4, it says that "All that do wickedly, and all the proud, and all that do wickedly will be stubble. The day that comes will burn them up. It will leave them neither root nor branch." Those metaphors are used to say that all the wicked, that's the beast, that's the false prophet, the dragon, they're all going to be consumed. That's the confederacy of nations because that's really made up of people. God is not going to be burning flags.
I think it's just telling us that the wicked are judged, punished according to what they deserve. That's what you're reading there in Revelation 19, about the punishment of Babylon. I guess it's 18 too.
Jerry: Okay, Pastor Doug, but again, Daniel says that the beast is killed, and his body destroyed, and then he's cast into the lake of fire. The Revelation scripture says he's cast alive into the lake.
Doug: Oh, I see what you're asking.
John: Just a few quick thoughts, and then Pastor Doug, you jump in there too. If you look at the context of specifically Daniel chapter 7, the beast that's referred to there, Daniel 7, describes 4 different beasts representing different kingdoms. The fourth beast, historically from- if you look at the description given, represents Rome. Rome is consistent of two parts. You have pagan Rome and then you have the Papal or the religious side of Rome, which ruled during the dark ages. In a very real sense, pagan Rome was destroyed when Papal Rome took over and extended its rule.
Revelation Chapter 19 is talking about the final opposition that comes right at the end of time, where, once again, is revived beast power, will attempt to persecute God's people. Specifically, Daniel 7 refers to the fall of pagan Rome or ancient Rome. Revelation Chapter 19 is referring more to the religious component of Rome, and it's final downfall in the last days.
Doug: Yes, that's right. I was misunderstanding your question. Thank you, Jerry. We have a study that talks about the beast's power, don't we?
John: We do. Actually, it's called Who is the Antichrist? That's the study guide that goes along with that same theme. You can also read about that in Daniel 7. If you'd like to receive that study guide, the number to call is 800-835-6747. Again, you can just ask for the study guide called Who is the Antichrist? We'll be happy to send that to anybody who calls and asks. Thank you for your call, Jerry. Our next caller is Walter. Walter, welcome to the program.
Walter: Hello. Thank you for having me on. My question was when Jesus healed the blind man, he used mud and spit. I was just curious why he had to do that.
Doug: That's interesting. Jesus, he healed different people, different ways. I think one reason he did this-- First of all, that man is one of the few examples in the Bible where he was healed in degrees. It says that first, he saw men like trees walking, and then he saw all things clearly. It's like the Lord healed him in degrees to remind us that God sometimes heals a person instantly. Jesus doesn't even need to be there. He healed the Roman Centurion without even being in the same town. The Lord might heal a person by speaking.
The Lord might heal a person by touching. The Lord might heal a person through medical attention. Isaiah, they put a poultice of figs on a boil that Hezekiah had, but he said that God would heal him, and He did. Took three days. I think there's some symbolism there. What did God do when he made Adam? How did God make Adam in the beginning? He took the dust of the earth, He formed the man. It almost makes it sound like he added some water. Here from the mouth of Jesus, usually comes the word. The Lord takes mud, dust, what he used to create man.
Then he takes spit from his own mouth, and he puts it on his eyes. I remember when I was a kid if I had a smudge on my face, my grandmother would spit on her hand then rub it on my face. I used to think that was so yucky. Jesus is the Son of God. He is pure and clean. This was just something he did to show that he is God.
John: Something else interesting along those same lines, there was degrees, in this case, where first he sees trees walking. Jesus does say to people when he heals them, he says, "According to your faith, let it be unto you." Perhaps, in this case, the healing was not 100% immediately. Perhaps there was opportunity for this person to exercise more faith in Jesus. As his faith grew, the miracle was able to reach its fullness. Eventually, he was able to see. Jesus had different ways to strengthen people's faith when he worked with them. Did that help, Walter?
Walter: That sounds great. Thank you so much.
Doug: Thank you. [crosstalk]
John: All right, thanks for your call. Our next caller that we have is Shelley listening from Kentucky. Shelley, welcome to the program.
Shelley: Thank you guys for having me. My question tonight is, I'm doing Bible studies at my church, I've got all the set of study guides from Amazing Facts. That's what I'm doing them with. I've got a student that I'm having a hard time with. He's talking about visions. I'm doing my studies, and I'm trying to help him. I don't know, he throws it off a little bit with, he says he has these visions and stuff. I know the ones [sound cut]
Doug: You still there?
John: We might have lost you, Shelley.
Doug: Shelley, you're cutting out a little bit. I tell you what, you may come back in. We're going to leave your line open for a moment. Let me just say, it is a challenge sometimes when you're a pastor, and you talk to people, and they say, "Pastor I had a dream, I had a vision, what does it mean?" The Bible does tell us, in the last days, that- and this is Joel Chapter 2- God can give people dreams and visions, so you don't want to discount that. My experience has been that more times than not, these visions are being influenced by something else.
It could be just a troubled mind, it could be satanic, it could be medication, it could be a bad night's sleep. More times than not, when people say, "I had a dream. What does it mean?" it sounds like they ate too late. People need to be careful not to base their conclusions on a dream or vision, but what does the word say? Any dream or vision would always support or endorse the word. I would get your friend if you're studying with him, to focus back on, say, that's interesting, but let's get back to what does the word say? You might even show him in the studies where it says nothing is more important than the Word of God. That's the first Bible study. I hope you heard that Shelley, we lost your call. Appreciate your calling in.
John: Next caller that we have is Lynn, listening in Riverside, California. Lynn, welcome to the program.
Doug: Hi, thanks for calling.
Lynn: Hi. I had a question. I recently had a conversation with family earlier, and they were mentioning how when someone dies, God called them to the other side for His work. I know what the Bible says about what happens when you die. Like we rest in the grave until Christ comes. I was just wondering how would I be able to share the truth with others? It bothers me to think that God takes people for His purpose.
Doug: It is true that sometimes God will, in His love, or for whatever reason, allow a person to go to sleep, to die. He's allowed even some of His martyrs to die. There is a battle between good and evil. Not everything that happens in this world is God's will. That's why we pray in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done." Death is an enemy. It wasn't part of God's original plan. I think it's in Hebrews. Is it Hebrews 11, where it says, Satan who is the author of death? You need to be gentle when you let people know that the dead will live again in the resurrection when Jesus comes, but the resurrection hasn't happened yet.
The idea that the dead are all up in heaven, like a big balcony seat watching what's happening here on earth, is not taught in the Bible. It says in the Bible when the Lord descends, then the dead in Christ will rise. One thing you can do, we have a website called Death Truth. You can direct them there. We've also got a really neat new magazine that's called The Ultimate Mystery or The Death Magazine.
John: Yes, death, the ultimate- or Understanding the Mystery of Death.
Doug: Yes, Understanding the Mystery of Death. We've got two different products. That's something you might do Lynn, is get a couple of these magazines or the study guide, Are the Dead Really Dead? and share that with them, and the website, deathtruth.com.
John: Great resource.
Lynn: Thank you.
Doug: Thank you, appreciate your call.
Lynn: Thank you so much.
[music]
Narrator: Throughout recorded history, tales of ghosts and spirits can be found in folklore in nearly every country and culture. Egyptians built pyramids to help guide the spirits of their leaders. Rome sanctioned holidays to honor and appease the spirits of their dead. Even the Bible tells of a king that used a witch to contact the spirit of a deceased prophet. Today, ancient folklore of spirits and apparitions have gone from mere superstitions to mainstream entertainment and reality. Scientific organizations investigate stories of hauntings and sightings, trying to prove once and for all, the existence of ghosts.
Even with all the new-found technology and centuries of stories all over the world, there is still no clear cut answer. How do we know what's true? Why do these stories persist? Does it even matter? We invite you to look inside and find out for yourself. Visit deathtruth.com.
John: Next caller that we have is Dan listening from Brooklyn, New York. Dan, we have just a few minutes before we take a break here. Your question.
Dan: Pastor?
Doug: Yes?
Dan: I'm curious, is there a collection of what Jesus said to his disciples and companions that isn't in the Bible, the way the Muslims have what Mohammed said to his companions, that isn't in the Quran? Did Jesus actually say it's easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle, than for a rich man to get to heaven? Did he say that, or is it in the Bible?
Doug: Jesus both said it, and it's in the Bible, where it said it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom. I think that's Mark Chapter 10, it's in two or three places where he says that. Yes, Jesus said it. If there's any writings of Jesus that we could establish or substantiate are sayings of Jesus that are not in the Bible, I'd say if we know that they're sayings of Jesus, put them in the Bible. I don't know of anything that we know Jesus said that isn't in the Bible.
John: That story specifically is mentioned in Mark Chapter 19, as well as, let's see, Mark 10, Luke 18. At least two of the gospels referenced that account. Jesus said it's easy for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. There is some discussion as to what exactly that eye of a needle might be. I think the point of it is there needs to be, like we said, at the beginning of the program, the surrender of self. Unless one is willing to surrender all for Jesus, what hope is there?
Doug: You and I were in Israel not too long ago, and entering Jerusalem, they had a couple of very small gates that one man could get through. A camel can maybe get through if he got on his knees. They call it the eye of a needle because the enemies couldn't get through it. They could plug it real easy with a big stone. Some have wondered was Jesus referencing that you could get into the city, but you had to unload like a camel has to get on his knees to get through that gate. Meaning for a rich man to get into the kingdom, you have to humble yourself.
Christ also said it's hard for a rich man, and the disciples were shocked by that. They said, "Who then can be saved?" Christ said, "With God, all things are possible." Fortunately, right after Jesus says that in Luke, I think it's in Luke 18, in Luke 19, you've got Zaccheus, who's a rich man who humbles himself, and he ends up being able to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, there's hope, of course. Joseph of Arimathea, another rich man. You hear the music friends, we'll be right back. Don't go away.
[music]
Narrator: Stay tuned. Bible Answers Live will return in a moment.
Narrator 2: We know we're here, but we're not here for very long. The most important thing would be if we could learn during this life, how to live forever. This is the central focus of Amazing Facts. I think it's very important for us to build churches, but if the churches lose the message of salvation, they just become buildings and shells. It's important to have a medical ministry and build hospitals, but if they separate that from the message of salvation, you just prolong a sinner's life for a little while. That's why for years, Amazing Facts has made it our focus to present the saving truth that sets people free.
Friends, we want to thank you for your support and your gifts. We'll do our very best to convert those resources into the currency of heaven. May God bless you, and keep Amazing Facts in your prayers.
Narrator: Deep within the pages of the Bible, stories of great heroes, heroes of great deeds, great love, and great sacrifice, but behind them is another hero hidden in plain sight amid the shadows. He was there from the beginning, and he'll be there until the end. Discover the golden thread of a savior woven throughout the entire Bible tapestry. Shadows of Light: Seeing Jesus in all the Bible. Get your copy today by calling 800-538-7275 or visit afbookstore.com
Narrator 2: Did you know Amazing Facts has a free Bible school that you can do from the comfort of your own home? It includes 27 beautifully illustrated study lessons to aid in your study of God's word. Sign up today for this free Bible study course by calling 1-844-215-7000. That's 1-844-215-7000.
[music]
Narrator: Every Bible question you have answered moves you one step closer to the fullness of God's will for your life. What are you waiting for? Get the answers you need for a fuller, richer, more confident life. You're listening to Bible Answers Live. This broadcast is a previously recorded episode. If you'd like answers to your Bible-related questions on the air, please call us next Sunday between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM Pacific time. To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned in this evening's program, call 800-835-6747. Once again, that's 800-835-6747. Now let's join Pastors Doug Batchelor and John Ross for more Bible Answers Live.
Doug: Welcome back, listening friends, to Bible Answers Live. If you've joined us recently, this is a live international interactive Bible study where you can call in with your Bible questions. One more time, the number to the studio, if you are going to call in with a question, is 800-God-Says. My name is Doug Batchelor.
John: My name is John Ross. Pastor Doug, we're going to go straight to the phone lines, get as many calls in as we can. We have Wilson listening from Nashville, Tennessee. Wilson, welcome to the program. You're on the air.
Wilson: Thank you. My question was in the Book of Isaiah 65:17 and also 20, where it's speaking of being created a new heaven, but when you go to verses 20, it speaks of an old man that has not filled his days, for the child should die 100 years. My question was, in the new world, will people still be dying?
Doug: This is a place where, when it was translated into the King James, it's not the best word. It's talking about a child will cease to be a child. It uses the word, die, there because the word is sometimes interchangeable. Have you ever seen a 100-year-old child?
Wilson: No.
Doug: Right away, you know it's talking about something supernatural or special. If you look in the Old Testament back shortly after Adam was created, the first few sons of Adam; Seth, Enos, all down to Enoch, they didn't even get married until they were over 100 years of age. When he says in heaven, because we'll live so long, that those that are resurrected as children, they will not even cease to be children until they've reached 100, no one is going to die in heaven. There will not be an old man that has not fulfilled his days. Sometimes a person dies young, and their lives are incomplete.
He's basically saying, "My elect will long enjoy the work of their hands. It's going to be an eternity." Isaiah is also using poetic language here. He's probably the richest poet next to the Psalms in the Old Testament. You're still there?
Wilson: Yes, I'm still there.
Doug: You have anything you want to add to that, Pastor Ross?
John: Absolutely. They're telling us that children will probably grow a little slower in heaven, but childhood would finally come to an end.
Doug: Another reason we know that children will grow up, is you read in Malachi Chapter 4, it says, "They will go forth and grow up." Speaking of the new heaven and new earth again. "They will go forth and grow up as calves of the stall." They'll just be free in the fields, nothing to fear. There will be children in heaven. There are no children dying. The word die here should really be, the child will not cease to be a child, even until it's 100 because we have eternity to live.
Wilson: Thank you,
Doug: Thank you. Good question.
John: Next caller that we have is Zeek listening from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Zeek, welcome to the program.
Zeek: Thank you, Pastor Ross, and Pastor Batchelor for taking my call. My question is, does the church age have a end? Did it end in 1988? I don't want to give any names because I know the guidelines, but there was a radio station that--
Doug: They said the church age, yes. I think I know who you're talking about.
Zeek: I think you spoke to him on the phone at one point.
Doug: Yes, I have. There's nothing in the Bible. I'll tell you where they get it. Some people say that with the formation of Israel in 1948, then you add a generation which brings you to 19- is it '88 then? They're saying that it's a Bible generation after the reformation of Israel, that the church age ended. That is one person doing a private interpretation. I don't know any serious scholars that believe that. As long as the idea of the church age, Christ poured out his spirit there at Pentecost in Acts Chapter 2, there's nothing in the Bible that says he's withdrawn his promise.
Why would we need less of the spirit in the last days? This one particular leader was telling people that you're not supposed to belong to any church anymore. That's silly. Why would we not want to be gathering together with God's people right up until the Lord comes? Hebrews 10 tells us- is it verse 25? "Forsake not the assembling of ourselves together, and all the more as you see the day approaching." That's a private interpretation, in my opinion, that doesn't have any biblical value.
John: The verse you're referring to is Hebrews 10:25, and, of course, in Revelation Chapter 12, it talks about God's people at the very end of time. Refers to them as the remnant; those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. Christ will still have his bride here on the earth, the church. They'll be purified and ready for him to come.
Doug: We've got a lesson that talks about the woman of light, It talks about the church.
John: Yes, it's called the Bride of Christ.
Doug: It's about the church.
John: I'll be happy to send that to anybody who calls and asks.
Zeek: Thank you guys for answering my questions.
Doug: Thank you, Zeek, for calling.
John: Next caller that we have is Henry listening from New York. Henry, you're on the air.
Henry: Hello? Can you hear me?
Doug: We can.
Henry: My question is if I got married, and the woman that I had gotten married to, she tells me 10 years later that she's a divorcee, am I committing adultery just like she is?
Doug: First of all, sin is knowing to do good and not doing it. If you did not know--
Henry: I didn't know. She told me 10 years later.
Doug: First of all, you and your wife have to have a long talk about disclosure. That's not good for a trusting relationship to not disclose that upfront. Of course, you're not guilty of adultery on that front because you did not know.
Henry: She is though, right?
Doug: I don't know what the circumstances of the divorce were.
John: If she was converted after that, and she realized that she's made a mistake, and she's committed her life to Christ and sincerely asked for forgiveness, and she's willing to share with you and say, "We want to make sure that we don't have anything between us," God is able to forgive and able to move forward.
Henry: If I asked her has she ever been, and she tells me, "No," and then she comes back to telling the truth 10 years later--
Doug: Maybe her conscience is bothering her, and she wants to get a new beginning. She did finally tell you, so that's a step in the right direction.
Henry: One more question I want to ask you. I see on the television- I'm not going to mention his name though- these different ministers with these prayer cloths, and everything, and this oil. Is there anywhere in the Bible stating that they bring you wealth and prosperity?
Doug: No. Sometimes they take, there's a passage in-- He's asking about when they're trying to sell the Hallelujah oil or the prayer cloths. There is a place in the Bible where it tells us that after the Holy Spirit was poured out, that Peter and the apostles were so full of the Spirit that they'd even take a handkerchief or an apron from Paul or Peter, and they'd bring it to people sick. They'd touch them and they'd be healed. First of all, we're healed by our faith. Never did Jesus say, "My faith made you whole." The person's faith. People can still have faith today.
Jesus healed a man who said, "You don't even need to come to my house."
John: I'd always get real nervous, Pastor Doug, if somebody advertises this oil that'll bring healing, and by the way, all you have to do is just cover packing and shipping, and you can get it for a discount. Jesus never sold healing on that type of thing. Thanks. Hopefully, that helps, Henry. Our next caller that we have is Ken listening from Milwaukee.
Doug: Wisconsin?
John: Yes. Ken, welcome to the program.
Ken: Hi. Good evening, Pastor Doug and Pastor Ross. I have a question on Exodus 33:11-23. Did Moses see God face-to-face?
Doug: Yes. It says he did.
Ken: If he did, why did it says in verses 20 that God says to Moses, "You cannot see my face," something like that?
Doug: "No man will see my face and live." First of all, God told Moses, "When I pass by." He says, "I spoke to Moses's face-to-face as a man speaks to a friend." Then it says, "No man will see my face and live." Then Jesus said, "No man has seen the father." I don't believe that any man can look into the undiminished face of God's glory. If you look in Isaiah Chapter 6, it says the angels cover their faces and they cover their feet in the presence of God, and they say, "Holy, Holy, Holy."
Just the glory of God with Holy angels. When it says, God said, "No man shall see my face," and then He said, "I spoke to me Moses face-to-face," face-to-face is a metaphor we use for talking to a person personally. God did speak to Moses personally. Moses would get done talking to God, and Moses's face was shining, but he did not look directly into the undiminished face of God evidently.
John: An example of that is where Moses spoke to God at the Burning Bush. God communicated directly to Moses, and yet God veiled his glory in the Burning Bush. Yet He spoke to him face-to-face. Probably the closest that we have in the Bible is where God hid Moses in the cleft of the rock and passed by, and then removed his hand. He could see His form, but yes, [crosstalk].
Doug: That's awesome just by itself, God saying, "Look." Can you imagine seeing the silhouette of God pass by even if you're not looking directly into his face? Pretty awesome. Then you have other people, like, Jacob wrestled with God. He said, “I'm going to die for I've seen the Lord.” You have Manoah and his wife, they said, “We're going to die, we've seen the Lord.” They saw God the Son, often veiling himself as a messenger. That happened with Abraham when he saw the Lord, stopped, and talked to him veiled in a form of a human messenger. I hope that helps a little bit Ken.
Ken: Yes.
Doug: I'm trying to think. We do have a book on The Name of God, talks a little bit about His glory, that we could send you.
John: Yes, that might be a good gift of something to read. The number to call is 800-835-6747. You can ask for the book called The Name of God. Talks a little about God's glory. We'll be happy to send that to anybody who calls and asks. [music]
Narrator: You're listing to Bible Answers Live. This broadcast is a previously recorded episode. To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned in this broadcast, call 800-835-6747. Once again, that's 800-835-6747. For life-changing Christian resources, visit afbookstore.com.
John: Luby is our next caller listening in [unintelligible 00:41:59]. Luby, welcome to the program.
Luby: Hello, how are you?
Doug: Good. Thank you for calling.
Luby: Thank you so much. I have one question for you. I have problem with Commandment 5, "Honor your father and mother." Here is the issue, they are narcissistic.
Doug: You say your parents, what? I couldn't hear what you said.
Luby: Narcissistic.
Doug: They’re narcissistic, okay.
Luby: Yes.
Doug: You have a hard time honoring them because you feel like they’ll--
Luby: Yes.
Doug: What do you think honor means?
Luby: Oh, just respect them. I’m very confused with it.
Doug: The word honor, of course, it does mean respect them as your parents. When you become an adult, it doesn't mean you need to listen to your parents if they ask you to do something that is irresponsible, especially if it violates any kind of principle. You should always be kind and respectful to everybody, even sinful people, even selfish people, even narcissistic people. Try and be polite and respectful. I don't know if your parents are believers or not. They probably think they are, huh?
Luby: Yes, they are.
Doug: You struggle in your relationship with your parents?
Luby: Yes. I'm very confused with Commandment-
Doug: Five.
Luby: - Five; how to respect them.
Doug: When their behavior rubs you the wrong way because they seem to be in love with themselves or whatever?
Luby: Yes.
Doug: The Bible says love your enemy. If you can love your enemy, then you can probably love your parents and respect your parents. It doesn't mean you need to always listen to anything that they tell you to do if you're an adult, but you should always try and be as kind and respectful. Jesus never said keeping the commandments was easy.
Luby: I know.
Doug: When you say, "I struggle with it," most people struggle with all the commandments. That's why he commands us. [laughs] The commandments are not just, not stealing, it's, you can steal in your heart. It's not just killing, Jesus said we think angry thoughts against our brother. It's not just committing adultery, people think impure things. It's not just an action, it's an attitude. Just pray that God will give you a more loving attitude with your folks.
John: Thank you for your call, Luby. Our next caller that we have is Clayton listening from Brooklyn, New York. Clayton, welcome to the program.
Clayton: Thank you, Pastor Doug. Something been bothering me for years now because I am under science field, which is around trying to explore space, looking for human life over there. I do not believe there is life over there. If we should reach them, that mean they have sin. Would that also mean that Jesus Christ went there to die for them too, or there's some other form of redemption?
Doug: I believe there is life outside of earth because, of course, I'm sure you believe there's angels that are good, that have not sinned.
Clayton: Exactly. That, I know what the angels is.
Doug: I believe the Bible says that through Christ God made the worlds. If there are other worlds, I believe there are, they're not sinful. Jesus left the 99 sheep safe in the fold that did not sin, he came to this world as 1 lost sheep. It's like when you're in a hospital, and a person has a deadly contagious disease, they're quarantined. Our world is quarantined from any unfallen worlds because we've got sin.
Clayton: Then we would never be able to reach them?
Doug: That's correct. Until we're in heaven, we're not going to be able to.
Clayton: Exactly.
Doug: You've probably sung that song before Rock of Ages, where it says, “We will soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne.” I know it's not the Bible, but I think most of the great Protestants believe that God has got other creatures out there besides the earth, and these other creations, but they're so far away. Space is so big. I doubt we're ever going to get there.
Clayton: Yes, exactly. Just to get to some Milky Way, it would take like 200,000 [unintelligible 00:46:31] years, at a speed of light, 186,000 miles a second.
Doug: Consider for a moment that, just in our lifetime, people have gone from running, and horses, to trains, and then to cars, and then to jets, and then to spacecraft. Just imagine how much more technology God has, about how much faster we're going to be able to go.
John: I'm thinking of a book, Pastor, that dealing with that, I think it's called, Who Are the Sons of God? It’s referring to those who maybe you read about in the Book of Job.
Doug: Yes, unfallen worlds.
John: Yes, absolutely. Clayton, if you'd like to learn more about that, call and ask for the book, Who Are the Sons of God? The number to call is 800-835-6747. Again, just ask for the book called, Who Are the Sons of God? Marilyn is listening from Omaha, Nebraska. Marilyn, welcome to the program.
Doug: Marilyn, you may have your mute on. Are you there? Marilyn, Omaha going once. Marilyn going twice.
John: Welcome back.
Doug: Oh hey, she's here.
John: Are you there?
Marilyn: Thank you very much for taking my call. My question is about the rich young ruler or the rich young man who came to Jesus, and asked about how to get to heaven, how could he get to heaven? Jesus only quoted the last six commandments, and not the first four. Why do you think he did that?
Doug: Because this man's problem was with loving his fellow man. You remember what Jesus asked him to do? He said, “If you want to be perfect, there's one thing you lack. Go sell what you have, give it to the poor.” He said, “Oh yes, I love my neighbor. I love my brother.” He said, “Oh, really? Go sell what you have, give it to the poor.” He said, “What? What? What? No, I'm not doing that.” The way we show our love for God is by loving our neighbor. That's in 1st John. Jesus was dealing specifically with the commandments that deal with man's love for his fellow man.
Christ covered love for God with what he said to him, “And follow me, and you will have treasure in heaven.” It's sad because the Lord asked this man to do the same thing he asked the other apostles to do when he told Peter, and James, John, and Andrew, “Leave your nets and follow me.” He told Matthew, “Leave your cash register and follow me.” He was inviting this man to be an apostle, and he turned away. It says Jesus loved him. It doesn't say that about almost anybody else. It said that Jesus looking at him, loved him. He had something really good inside, but he was just in love with the world and money.
Marilyn: Thank you. I think that makes sense now.
Doug: Thanks. It's a great question. Why did he only quote the commandments between man and man? I don't think he quoted all of them either. I think he left out maybe the one about covetousness.
John: Right. I think before Christ is ready to talk to him about his relationship with God, needed him to understand what his relationship was with his fellow man.
[music]
Narrator: You're listening to Bible Answers Live. This broadcast is a previously recorded episode. If you'd like answers to your Bible-related questions on the air, please call us next Sunday between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM, Pacific Time. Call us at 1-800-God-Says.
John: Angel is listening from Oregon. Angel, welcome to the program. Angel, Oregon?
Doug: Sometimes when these dear folks are waiting, they mute their phone, and they're talking, we don't hear them.
Angel: Hi, thank you. My question was in the creation in the Garden of Eden, why did God punish the serpent instead of Satan?
Doug: Because snakes are slippery. [chuckles] No. I think that it's because what happened to that serpent was a metaphor of what God is going to do to the devil. Therefore, God is going to do whatever he wants with any animal. It's interesting there's snakes that swim in the ocean, there are snakes that live in the ground. There are snakes that live in the trees, and they've even got snakes in Indonesia that glide through the air. Evidently, the serpent, before it was cursed, could fly. It's interesting that around the world, there are legends of flying dragons. As a matter of fact, I don't remember, you could type it in, it talks about flying dragons in the Bible. Fiery flying serpents, I think, is what you'll type in. There are dinosaur fossils around the world of these flying reptiles. They get [unintelligible 00:51:02] and others. Some have wondered if, before the serpent was cursed, if it flew. There were even some serpents that have what they call vestigial remnants of spurs on their ribs. They don't know what it was for.
Yes, he cursed the serpent because the devil spoke through it.
John: The verse you're referring to, Pastor Doug, is actually two verses. We got one in Isaiah 14:29, talks about the flying serpent, and Isaiah 30:6. That is interesting. Next caller that we have is Ruth, and she's listening from Massachusetts. Ruth, welcome to the program.
Ruth: Hi. It's a pleasure to speak with you both.
Doug: Thank you for calling.
Ruth: My question is about the Genesis, in the beginning. The earth was void and there were water on the face of the world, and the Spirit of God was above the waters. My question is why was the Holy Spirit doing this?
Doug: The spirit of God was getting ready to create. God the Spirit, is part of that life. God breathed the spirit into man, and God the Spirit came into man, or at least part of the Spirit and animated him. It's interesting not only do you find the Spirit and water mentioned in Genesis in the very first chapter, you go to the last chapter of the Bible in Revelation 22, and it says, “Whoever wants to take the water of life, let him drink freely. The Spirit and the Bride say come.” You've got the Spirit on the water in the last chapter, and you get the Spirit in the water in the first chapter. You have any thoughts on that?
John: It's interesting that one of the elements that you have, that everything is made from, you've got the earth, you've got the air, and you've got the water. When it comes to creation, God references the water, the earth, and the air, and it's made from the earth.
Doug: It's made from the earth.
John: Our environment, our world.
Doug: Jesus, the Living Water, and the Spirit of God.
Ruth: The Holy Spirit was the only person on earth when the earth was void.
Doug: No, I think that the mass of the planet was here. It says the earth was without form and void. There was some kind of matter here, but it was formless and void. It probably looked something like the moon. I don't know, just a chaotic blob, and God then formed it. He created day and night, sent the earth spinning. The Spirit of God, the Father, and the Son were all involved in the creation. You know the Father is there, you know the Spirit is there. God said all things were made through the Son, and again, the Spirit of God moved on the water, so all are there.
John: Thank you, Ruth, for your question. I think we have time for one more. We've got Robin listening in California. Robin, welcome to the program.
Doug: Got just a minute and a half, Robin. Can we ask a quick question?
Robin: Yes. Who was Martha to Jesus?
Doug: Two of Jesus' best friends were Martha and Lazarus. They lived in Bethany, which was about 2 miles over from the Mount of Olives. That was a place where he would often go as a retreat and Jesus stayed with them. They had a younger sister named Mary. She's sometimes called Mary of Bethany, and many believe that she also was known as Mary Magdalene or Mary of Magdala. That it's the same Mary because they're never mentioned together. She had a bad reputation, and Jesus forgave her and used her. You've got Mary and Martha, they're fixing supper, and Martha is always running around serving when Lazarus died, and Martha and Mary went and met with Jesus, and pled in behalf of resurrecting, their brother.
John: It is interesting to the history of that. There's not a whole lot said why Jesus felt so comfortable with Lazarus, and Martha, and eventually, Mary after. Probably Mary met Jesus in the region of Galilee in Magdala. It was actually a town. Maybe it was through her experience with Jesus that Jesus got connected to Martha and Lazarus.
Doug: Introduced them. He must have somehow really clicked with Lazarus because when they asked Jesus to resurrect Lazarus, they said, "The one who you love." That's only used one other time in the Bible. John refers to himself as the disciple who Jesus loved. Then Martha and Mary said, "The one who you love is sick." He must have really resonated with the family. When they had the feast in Bethany, Lazarus was also at that feast. Lazarus is like Jesus; died and was resurrected. Amazing story.
Robin: Thank you.
Doug: You're welcome. Hey, listening friends, you can hear that we're going to be chased off the air. Go to amazingfacts.org.