Pastor Doug Batchelor: Hello, listening friends. Welcome to
Bible Answers Live. Would you like to hear an amazing fact? Back in 1912, Wallace Hartley faced a difficult decision. He'd been given an incredible job opportunity, but it meant a long time away from his fiancée Maria. She understood a professional musician often traveled. That's why she gave him a silver engraved plaque for his violin with the message, "For Wallace on the occasion of our engagement from Maria."
Wallace decided to accept the important job opportunity. It would be a valuable foundation for their future together. In April 1912 he set sail as the bandmaster on what was then the largest ship ever built, the RMS Titanic. But just four days later, in the cold, dark, early morning hours of April 15th, Wallace gathered the ship's seven musicians together. Taking his violin, engraved with Maria's message, he led them in plain music to help keep passengers calm as they realized they had too few lifeboats to escape the doomed sinking vessel.
Witnesses later reported the music played to nearly the very end. None of the musicians survived. Wallace's body was one of the few recovered and his leather music case was found strapped to his body with his violin inside. On October 19, 2013, Wallace Hartley's violin sold at an auction for the highest price ever paid for a Titanic artifact; $1.45 million. The most powerful point of verification was the silver plaque engraved with Wallace and Maria's names.
Did you know the Bible says that God himself has engraved a special sign of his love for us? Stay with us, friends. We're going to learn more on this edition of Bible Answers Live.
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Announcer: You're listening to Bible Answers Live, honest answers to your Bible questions. 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 Jean Ross.
Pastor Doug: Welcome, listening friends to a fresh installment of Bible Answers Live and if you have Bible questions, we are live. Pick up the phone, give us a call. The number, if you'd like to get in with your question, is 800-463-7297. Got your pencil? I'll give it to you again. 800-463-7297. That's 800-GOD-SAYS. I want to welcome our friends who may be watching on Facebook, either the Doug Batchelor or Amazing Facts Facebook page.
We're glad that you can tune in here and see what we look like Sunday if we forget to shave, but we're glad that we can come to you. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Jean Ross: My name is Jean Ross. Good evening, friends, and Pastor Doug, let's start the program with prayer. Dear Father in heaven, we thank you once again for the opportunity for us to gather together and open up your word and study. We do pray for your blessing on the program this evening. Be with our listeners wherever they might be. Lord, as we search the scriptures, we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us and we ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Doug: Amen.
Pastor Jean: Pastor Doug, you opened the program this evening by sharing an interesting fact connected with the Titanic. Now, of course, there's all kinds of relics that have probably been pulled up from the bottom of the ocean.
Pastor Doug: I have one here in the office.
Pastor Jean: Do you have one?
Pastor Doug: Here. I don't know if you remember. I got a little piece. I got a Titanic shrine in my office. A little piece of coal that they recovered from the Titanic. [crosstalk] Yes, I'm sorry I interrupted.
Pastor Jean: Yes, [laughs] but it is fascinating. I've seen knives that were gathered from the Titanic, spoons, plates, and they sell them at auction to make a lot of money. $1.4 million for the violin, probably because of the attachment of the story that goes along with it and the fact that they were engaged, to get married and lost his life. It's just a lot involved in that story. Sort of summarized the tragedy of the whole event.
Pastor Doug: It's the only instrument that survived because the others were destroyed in the depths, 85 years underwater. They found Wallace and the violin just a few days after the tragedy. What made it so valuable was the engraving. The Bible tells us that God cannot forget us because he's engraved his name and his love on his hands, his love for us. You can read in Isaiah 49:16. God says, "Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands."
We think of the love that the Lord has for us and that he's engraved it with the crucifixion through the scars in his hands. Even when you get to Revelation, it tells us that everybody in Revelation seems to have something engraved in their forehead or some identifying mark. I even talked about Babel and this woman, engraved in her forehead, she's got a virtual paragraph and the people who have the mark of the beast but it's not just the lost that have an engraving.
The saved have the seal of God, the name of God, written in their foreheads. Sometimes, it's referred to as the seal of God. You can find a reference to this if you look in Isaiah 8:16, "Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples." This harkens back to when God said through Moses that the laws of God should be in our hearts we should bind them for a sign on our hand and they should be as frontlets between our eyes.
Remember the high priest of Israel. He had a plaque on his mantle, his hat, that said, "Holiness to the Lord." Being in the forehead, it meant in the mind. There's something there. Now, I'm not going to say any more because we want people to study this out for themselves, but I'll bet a lot of folks out there would like to understand what is this engraving in the forehead. Revelation talks about the mark of the beast and the seal of God. What does that mean? Is it literal? Is everybody getting a tattoo in the last days? We have a lesson that talks about that. We will send you for free.
Pastor Jean: The lesson is called The Mark of the Beast and not only talking about the mark of the beast, but also the seal of God. It's all contained in this one lesson. We'll be happy to send this to anyone who calls and asks. It's part of our Amazing Facts study guide series. It's called The Mark of the Beast. The number to call, if you'd like to receive this, is 1-800-835-6747. That is our resource phone line. Just ask for the study guide called The Mark of the Beast. We'll be happy to send it to anyone who calls and asks.
Pastor Doug, we're ready to go to the phone lines. Our first call of this evening is James, listening from Florida. James, welcome to the program.
James: Thank you.
Pastor Doug: Hi, thanks. Your question?
James: Doug, Pastor Jean, thank you so much for having me. The particular question that I have this evening, I was wanting to get some biblical clarity on a subject that my wife and I have a difference of opinion on. She has biblical references to support her side and I have biblical references to support my side. That's on the subject of the right to own a firearm or a gun for strictly defensive reasons.
The scripture that she relates to, and I want to do my best to support her side and speak for her. She likes to quote the night of Gethsemane when Peter had drew his sword and cut off Malchus's ear and Jesus said that he who lives by the sword dies by the sword, that one who possesses a weapon is just asking for trouble. My opinion with that is that because Peter had used a weapon in an offensive manner to attack someone, that's what Jesus was condemning. Not so much that it's wrong to own the sword if someone happens to attack you. Curious about your thoughts on that side.
Pastor Doug: It is a great question. Thanks a lot for getting me in the middle of a marital dispute, because I know I'm going to make someone mad.
James: That's what Pastors are for.
Pastor Doug: [laughs] That's right. I'm just teasing. Let me give you some Bible principles. Personally, if a person lives by the sword, that's obviously not Christian. The Bible tells us that, "Blessed are the peacemakers." Jesus said to Pilate, he said, "If my kingdom was of this world, then my servants would fight." Jesus did not want the disciples to try to take and spread the power of his kingdom using weapons.
He said, "I've come to send a sword", but he meant his word, so the word is a sword in that sense. But that's really a different question from, is it wrong? Or is there some moral dilemma with a Christian having a weapon that is used for self-defense? Now, there's a lot of different scenarios. Our family, Pastor Ross has been there, we have a ranch cabin way up in the hills. We have wild animals everywhere. I've got a pistol. When I head up there. I always try to keep a pistol handy.
We literally see bears, mountain lions, and rattlesnakes. If nothing else, you fire in the air and you can scare them off. One of my neighbors got within six feet of a bear a couple of weeks ago. It's a practical tool in that setting. Some people live in a city and they're concerned, "Is there going to be an intruder?" If their idea is that they might use it as defense, there's nothing wrong biblically.
There is that story that if a strong man guards his house, he's able to protect it. If a thief comes in, he can try and conquer. Christians, I don't think should ever be taking up arms and it should be a last resort to use something like that to defend your family or in a situation like that. You certainly would want to keep them safe and out of the reach of children but I don't think we should live by the sword. I don't think we should live by guns or try and conquer for Christ or-- Help me, Pastor Ross, am I making sense?
[laughter]
Pastor Jean: Well, I think it's a good question and each person probably needs to properly consider. Paul says, "If I fail my brother in doing this, I'd rather be framed." When it deals with that, if somebody has a sensitive conscience and doesn't want a weapon or gun or whatever it is.
Pastor Doug: Yes, out of love for your wife.
Pastor Jean: Maybe some compromise needs to be there, but there are good Christians who do have a firearm and they do use it for self-defense if they need to. There's nothing wrong with that.
Pastor Doug: If you're in some kind of law enforcement, there is a scripture where Paul says that he, the sheriff, or he is the Minister for good. He does not bear the sword in vain. In other words, they expected that the police and the soldiers back then that help keep the peace, they were armed. We don't want any Christian officers out there to think there's a moral dilemma for that, but as Pastor Ross said, a lot of good Christians take the position, "We're just going to trust the Lord and we're not going to use anything to have a weapon for self-defense", and others feel differently. It's really a personal choice. I don't know if that helps at all.
James: It helps. Now, I had more of a question part of the Scripture that I had felt was along the side of my opinion on the matter. I wanted to get an opinion on a Scripture reference which is in Luke 22. When you guys get there, I'll actually recite the verse.
Pastor Doug: Okay, we're there.
James: Okay, verse 36, I'm reading from New King James, "And he said to them, but now he who has the money bag, let him take it and likewise a knapsack. And he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." Then down in verse 38 it says, "So they said, 'Lord, look, here are two swords' and he said to them, 'it is enough.'"
Pastor Doug: Yes, was Jesus saying two swords is all you're going to need to take on the Romans or the Temple guard coming to arrest you? No. Because when Peter pulled out a sword, Jesus said, "Put your sword away." When Jesus said, "It is enough", he didn't mean it's enough weapons. Actually, that translates enough of this. In other words, when he said, "He that has a garment sell it and buy a sword", he was speaking of the sword of the word back then. Jesus was not implying that we need to go get swords to fight to spread the kingdom or defend ourselves in that way.
That verse, I don't think is talking about the disciples arming themselves because Jesus clearly tells Peter to put a sword away after he cuts off the earth Malchus. Hopefully, that helps a little bit. It is a great question. We ought to add that to our list of-
James: Yes, it helps out greatly on my wife's side on the discussion. That's great.
Pastor Doug: [laughs] Well, we hope you have domestic bliss but we've probably got to get through another call. Thank you so much, James. All right, bye-bye.
James: Thank you. Have a great evening.
Pastor Doug: Take care.
James: Bye-bye.
Pastor Jean: Our next caller is also calling from Florida and we have Chris on the phone. Chris, welcome to the program.
Chris: Yes.
Pastor Doug: Hi.
Chris: My question is from Zechariah, book Zechariah 12. When it comes chapter 12 verse 10 through 13.
Pastor Doug: Want me to read that?
Chris: Please.
Pastor Doug: It says in the Zechariah 12:10, "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication and the look on me who may have pierced, as the mourn for him is one mourns for his only son and grieve for him is one grieves for a first born."
Chris: He talks apparently about Jesus, correct?
Pastor Doug: I believe it's a prophecy about Christ, yes.
Chris: About Christ, okay. The part of my question is also the first five Books of the Bible, the Jews are called Torah. Correct?
Pastor Doug: The Pentateuch, the first five books. The Pentateuch are part of the Torah but what's the heart of your question?
Chris: Is Zechariah the prophet that they accept also in their bible?
Pastor Doug: Well, Zechariah is part of the Jewish canon of scripture. Even liberal jurors accept that the book of Zechariah is a Jewish prophecy. You're wondering how is that they don't recognize this is a powerful prophecy of Christ?
Chris: Correct.
Pastor Doug: Yes, there's not only this one, Zechariah's got a great one where it talks about his hands are pierced. You've also got Isaiah 53 which is very clear about his suffering for our sins and being led like a lamb to the slaughter. There are a number of prophecies that make some Orthodox Jews very uncomfortable because they do seem to vividly point out Christ.
Pastor Jean: There's a number of the Psalms that actually talk about Christ suffering and his death as well.
Pastor Doug: Yes, we have a book that I think you'll enjoy that talks a little bit about this and it's called Spiritual Israel. We talk about some of the prophecies there that point to Christ. We actually have a series now. I think they can watch it online and it's talking about, Is Jesus Kosher for Jews? That I did with or to other Jewish speakers. You can just go to probably YouTube and watch that, but we-- Go ahead.
Pastor Jean: Yes, if you'd like to receive a free copy of the book called Spiritual Israel, the number to call it's 800-835-6747, and you can ask that book called Spiritual Israel. We'll be happy to send it to anyone who calls and asks. Or go to YouTube and look up Pastor Doug Batchelor, Is Christ Kosher for Jews? You'll be able to watch that very interesting discussion about Christianity and Judaism. I think you'll enjoy it.
Pastor Doug: It's, yes, 3 Jews talking about how we accepted Christ.
Pastor Jean: Right, absolutely.
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Pastor Jean: Our next caller is Bill and he is listening in Chicago. Bill, welcome to the program.
Bill: Hi, Pastor Doug, Pastor Jean, good evening?
Pastor Doug: Yes, evening.
Bill: I'm calling because I have a weird question. I have an aunt who brought us into church back when I was 5 and I'm 54 now. She spent her entire life working for the church and working for God. As a matter of fact, she didn't even get married until she was 79.
Pastor Doug: Well, that's being careful.
Bill: She used to say and I hope I don't start a problem by saying this but it's been bugging you for years and I just can't find an answer. My mother said she's looked at Bible so many times and she can't find an answer either and she didn't know why she would say this but she used to say that we were not supposed to have anything to do with Black people. She said except to say hello, goodbye, and to pray for them because they were an eternally cursed race by God but can't seem to find it anywhere.
Pastor Doug: No, that's not the Bible. Yes, you know what, there's an urban legend out there that when Noah pronounced a curse on him that Noah and his wife had three children. One was I guess Asian, one was Black or African and one was Caucasian. It's just a really elementary absurd interpretation and it's not true. Noah's children were all related. We don't get the three races from Noah's children. The races actually slowly divided long after the Tower of Babel as different tribes developed and went to different parts of the world. Through intermarriage, certain genetic differences became viable.
The curse of Ham is not a curse on any particular race. If she said that, your dear aunt was wrong and she struggles with some prejudice I guess.
Bill: I just could never seem to find it and my mother said she could never find it and I finally got one pastor- [crosstalk]
Pastor Doug: Yes, they're referring to the curse of Ham. Where is it? Genesis 9, I think. We'll look at up for you but, of course, we don't believe that. We don't believe that's what it's talking about but I've heard that before.
Bill: I didn't understand and I finally got one pastor, he said that he thought that it wasn't in the Bible, but it was referred to in Ellen G. White's writings. [unintelligible 00:20:35].
Pastor Doug: No, absolutely not. If you look, you find it in Genesis 9:24, that's where they get it. It says, "Crispy Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be to his brethren." That's just talking about a curse that came on him because of his disrespect for his father, but that was not a particular race. Shem, Ham, and Japheth were all the same race. They were all brothers. Yes, that's a myth.
Pastor Jean: All right, next caller that we have is Joseph listening from Dubai. Joseph, welcome to the program.
Joseph: Hi, good evening.
Pastor Doug: Evening, and your question?
Joseph: My question is, yes, it's still in Revelation 2 and 3, the seven churches, does it also apply to the church in the Old Testament starting from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all the way to Malachi? Is that okay?
Pastor Doug: Well, of course, the message to the seven churches came after the era of the Old Testament. It says in Revelation, "For the time is at hand." The starting point for the things you find in Revelation is the time of John, and the New Testament Church. There are similarities that you would find in the messages that come to the church and things that ancient Israel went through, but it's mostly talking about the seven ages or phases the church goes through seven epics, between the time of Jesus first coming and the second coming. I don't know if you'll add to that, Pastor Ross?
Pastor Jean: Yes, absolutely. The whole book of Revelation mentions seven churches, but the whole book of Revelation deals primarily with that 2,000-year period, from the ascension of Christ all the way through to the second coming and beyond.
Pastor Doug: Yes. I hope that helps a little bit, Joseph, and you would probably enjoy our Bible study series, Going Through Revelation. You can take a look at the Amazing Facts website. It's a seven-part series just gives you an overview of Revelation. We talked about the seven churches, and the seven messages there.
Joseph: All right. Thank you.
Pastor Jean: The next caller that we have is Becky listening from Michigan. Becky, welcome to the program.
Becky: Hello.
Pastor Doug: Hi, Becky. Yes, Grand Ledge, Michigan.
Becky: Yes, how are you?
Pastor Doug: Doing great. How are you?
Becky: I'm doing fine. From a Biblical viewpoint, I have a question. How do you overcome frustration? Because I have a real low intolerance to it. I've been struggling with this since I was a little kid.
Pastor Doug: What are you struggling with?
Pastor Jean: Frustration.
Pastor Doug: Just frustration?
Becky: Yes, I have a disability. I've been struggling ever since I was a little kid.
Pastor Doug: Well, first of all, the Bible tells us that God does answer prayer. He does heal and transform hearts. I think that God can-- The human mind is incredible in that God can teach us gradually to overcome all kinds of problems, of doubts, frustrations, anxiety through prayer. All of us are born with a certain amount of inherited and some are cultivated tendencies that drag us down. Through the power of God, many of these things can be overcome. Have you seen progress in your life?
Becky: Yes. [crosstalk]
Pastor Doug: Well, if the very fact that you've seen progress, if you see that you're able to learn, if you see you're able to grow, the Bible has a lot to say about God giving us grace to develop self-control, and to have faith and to have peace. All of us struggle to have more of these things. It sounds like you've been really challenged in that area. He can give it to you. If you've seen progress, then just keep believing he will give you more.
Becky: Okay.
Pastor Doug: All right, Becky, thank you. We'll be praying that God helps you to see some encouragement there.
Pastor Jean: Next caller that we have is Jared listening from Maryville, Tennessee. Jared, welcome to the program.
Jared: Yes. My question was Jeremiah 15 and 16. It mentions that the showers, the latter rain is withheld. Then it mentioned something about, "I will give you pastures which shall feed you knowledge and understanding." Supposedly about the next verse talking about, "The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord shall not be done anymore that should not be visited." Is that going to be a part of the latter rain in the future or no?
Pastor Doug: Now, tell me one more time, Jeremiah-- What chapter were you in?
Pastor Jean: Chapter 3:15 and 16.
Jared: Jeremiah 3:15 and 16.
Pastor Doug: Okay, "And I'll give you shepherds according to my heart who feed you with knowledge and understanding." Verses three were it talks about, "And therefore, the showers have been withheld and there's been the latter rain and you have a harlots forehead, you refuse to be ashamed." It's interesting it mentions a harlots forehead, which we find in Revelation 17. A harlot with something written in her forehead, that was talking about stubbornness and rebellion against God. What Jeremiah says, Lift your eyes up to the desolate heights and see, where have you not lain with men?
They had idols on all of their mountains to different gods, and the Lord said, "You shouldn't have idols and you shouldn't worship other gods." He said, therefore, the rain is withheld, the blessings of God are withheld. When they returned to the Lord, and they repented, he's saying, "I will send the former rain and the latter rain." Of course, that's a symbol for the Holy Spirit that comes saying, "I'll give you pastors that will feed the flock." You had that, of course, during the time of the apostles during the former rain and it happens again in the last days during the latter rain before the second coming. That latter rain is also referenced in Zechariah. Am I answering what you're asking?
Jared: Yes, that's really, really great information. I didn't know if that had anything to do with the future reference or anything in our future or.
Pastor Doug: It does. In fact, some of the apostles when they're preaching, they quote from Jeremiah and I think that that does apply. Well, you can tell Jared that we're going to have to take a break that just snap right up on us, but don't go away friends. Just a time for station identification, and get a drink of water. We'll be back with more Bible quotes.
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Pastor Doug: Have you ever wondered, how can I share Jesus with my Jewish friends? Amazing Facts has recently produced a fascinating three-part DVD series called Is Jesus Kosher for Jews? In these new programs, three Jews, Steve Wohlberg, Jeff Sermonski, and myself relate our personal encounter with a Christian faith. Pick up a copy today for yourself and share one with your Jewish friends. Call 800-538-7275 or visit us at afbookstore.com to get yours.
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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 Pastor Doug Batchelor for more Bible Answers Live.
Pastor Doug: Welcome back listening friends to Bible Answers Live. We know some have tuned in. Some are along the way. We are very glad you joined us. This is a live international interactive Bible study. You get to participate by calling in your questions 800-463-7297 is your free phone call to our studio. You'll also hear us give out another number and that's the resource line. We even have chaplains there who are willing to pray with you if you have some special need. We'll give that number out in just a moment. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Jean: My name is Jean Ross and we are ready to go back to the phone lines, we have another caller from Florida, Yasuko. Yasuko, welcome to the program. Hi.
Yasuko: Hi, how are you?
Pastor Doug: Good, thank you for calling, and your question?
Yasuko: Yes. Okay. My question-- Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm talking to you guys, but anyways, my question is, I wanted to ask Pastor Doug who does he think the two witnesses are in the Book of Revelation 11?
Pastor Doug: All right, that's a good question. Revelation 11, much of Revelation 11 is dedicated to talking about these two witnesses before the throne of God and everyone's wondered who they are. Some have thought is it Elijah and Enoch because they didn't die, and some have said, "Well, the Bible says it's appointed under men wants to die and they need to die so they've got to come back down to under earth and they'll be slain." No, that's not who it is. Others think, is it Elijah and is it Moses? Because Elijah and Moses, in the Bible, have many of the same characteristics. Well, that's getting closer.
Elijah represents the prophets and Moses represents the law. The two witnesses are the Word of God, the law and the prophets. It's sometimes called the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. The Word of God is often referred to in a dual stereo nature. You've got the 10 commandments on two tables of stone. The Bible says the Word of God is like a double-edged sword. The two witnesses, it tells us, they are like a lamp before the throne of God. Well, the Bible says thy word is like a lamp unto my feet. It says they're like the two olive trees before the throne of God and the olive trees used to give the oil. It was a symbol for the spirit that kept the light burning.
The law of the prophets, the testimony of the spirit is what inspired the prophets. You notice what these two witnesses do. It says they they called down plagues. Well, you get plagues in Revelation in the New Testament, you get plagues in the Old Testament. It says that they could shut up the heavens with drought. You've got drought and famine in the New and the Old Testament. It's really an allegory prophecy of the two witnesses and a war that the devil fights on the Word of God. Whether you call it the law of the prophets or you call it Moses is a symbol of law allied to the prophets or if you call it the New and the Old Testament.
We have a book we can offer on that to Yasuko. Am I saying that right?
Yasuko: Yes, you are.
Pastor Doug: It's called Who Are the Two Witnesses?
Pastor Jean: To get the book, all you'll have to do is just give us a call 1800-835-6747, and you can ask for the book called Who Are the Two Witnesses? Again, that number is 800-835-6747.
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Pastor Jean: We got Wyllie listening in California. Wyllie, welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: Wyllie, you're on the air.
Wyllie: Okay. I need to know when we get our immortal bodies, will they be flesh bodies?
Pastor Doug: Yes, good question. A quick answer is yes, they are spiritual and they are real. When Jesus rose from the dead and Pastor Ross might find it for me in Philippians where it says our body will be fashioned liked to his glorious body. When Jesus rose from the dead and he appeared with his glorified body to the disciples, He was also real. Somehow he could be invisible if he wanted to, but He said, "Touch me, feel me, see that I am not a ghost." Then he ate in front of them to try to emphasize he was real.
When God made Adam and Eve, they were real but they lived in four dimensions. They could talk to God, they could see angels. After they sinned, their garments of light went out. They lost their spiritual dimension and they became purely physical bodies, but we will have a combination of spiritual and physical bodies like Adam and Eve had in the garden. That verse in Philippians.
Wyllie: [unintelligible 00:35:59]
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Pastor Jean: That's Philippians 3:21 that talks about that.
Pastor Doug: Now, we have-- Is it our lesson on death? Talks about the kind of bodies we'll have.
Pastor Jean: Yes, talks about the resurrection and we'll be happy to send that to anyone who calls and asks. It's called Are the Dead really Dead? That's the name of the lesson and it does talk about the resurrection, talk about what it's going to be like when Jesus comes again. To receive that study guide, the number to call is 800-835-6747. You can ask for the amazing facts study guide called Are the Dead Really Dead? Our next caller is Matt and he's listening from New York. Matt, welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: Matt, you've probably got to turn your radio down because you are live.
Matt: Hello.
Pastor Doug: Hey, you're on the air. Welcome.
Matt: Okay, well, thanks for having me on. I just had a quick question. I was a church leader about six years ago. I've since walked away thinking it was for the benefit in the beginning. I didn't realize how fast life was going to take over and one thing led to another. Here I am six you later, now looking through old messages from back in 2012, 2011 and just wondering-
Pastor Doug: How do you get back?
Matt: Yes, how do you get back? I know the Bible verses are confessing to God and then forgiving you, but emotionally and spiritual, it's hard to recover that, what I once had. That favor and that--
Pastor Doug: That's a great question. I'm thankful you're asking that question because it sounds like you want to get back to that first love.
Matt: Yes, I do and it's like I go back and forth. It's really hard.
Pastor Doug: All right, well, first of all, don't be surprised that it's hard. There's a story in the Bible that when Mary and Joseph made their first trip to the temple with Jesus when he was 12 years old, as they were heading home they lost track of Jesus because they figured he was just somewhere in the parade heading back to Nazareth. When they finally found him three days later, they said, "Son, we have spent three days sorrowing searching to find you again." When we lose track of Christ, it sometimes means we need to retrace our steps. If you read in Revelation, it's in Chapter two where Jesus gives a message to the church of Ephesus.
He said, "If you lose your first love, you need to repent and do the first works." In other words, you need to go back and cover that same ground. Read the things that stirred your heart when you gave yourself to Jesus about being born again, about the forgiveness. Where you spent 20 minutes on your knees praying, you may need to spend 40 minutes on your knees praying. You get a little callous on your heart when you wander away after knowing the Lord, but you definitely can come back. There's many examples in the Bible of people that did it. Peter denied Jesus and it says he went out wet bitterly.
There may be a struggle, don't get discouraged, but you persist in coming back and you know what, he will give you that first love again.
Matt: Okay. [crosstalk]
Pastor Doug: Read your Bible each day, spend quality time in prayer, be deliberate about praying even if you don't feel like it. Get some good spiritual books that will inspire you. I love reading testimonies and you'll find there are some testimonies of Christian leaders that wandered from the Lord and came back. That I think will courage you.
Matt: Yes. You said testimonials, is there like a compilation of something that you have compiled or just google it, look it up?
Pastor Doug: Well, you can listen-- Sometimes I'm driving, I just listen to the testimony of David Livingston. He felt like a failure as a pastor. He ended up becoming one of the great explorers that opened up Africa for all the other missionaries. You've got George Mueller who wandered from the Lord. He ended up becoming a great Christian of prayer and you've got John Newton who his mother, his raised a Christian. He turned from God became an atheist and a slave trader. Got converted on a slave ship when it was sinking. There's just a few to start with.
I can think of probably hundreds if we had time to tell you all, but yes, look up. Just even google great Christian testimonies, you'll see some wonderful story. Hey, thanks. Appreciate your question and we'll be praying you get that new beginning, that first love.
Pastor Jean: Our next caller that we have is Mark listening in Michigan. Mark, welcome to the program.
Mark: Thank you. My question is, in Genesis 9:4, it talks about not eating blood. I was just wondering, a lot of times when God gives laws and commandments, it really translates to a blessing physically, why you want to avoid certain things. How do you reconcile these days when they have blood transfusions? That might be a ridiculous question, but I'm just trying to see what the principle is behind that eating blood and transfusion.
Pastor Doug: It's a good question. Yes, I'm glad you're asking this because a lot of Christians are oblivious. They think that all the health laws have been abolished. It's very clear there in Genesis 9, as well as the New Testament in Acts 15, you can read in verse 20, that he says, "You commend those who have turned to God from among the Gentiles, right to them that they abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood." Now, the things strangled and blood goes together. When they butchered an animal, a clean animal to eat it, they'd cut its throat, they'd drain all the blood out. They were not to eat blood.
Now, eating blood is very different from a blood transfusion. You're not eating blood as a dietary thing. Matter of fact, I could say someone in Pastor Ross' family probably would not be alive if it wasn't for blood transfusion. More than one. Blood transfusions can save life. Eating blood can transfer disease, and hurt your health. Disease can be transferred from animal to animal when you ingest their blood. The blood transfusion of another human in good health with the same blood type can save a life. It's usually a last resort. People don't do that recreationally.
"What do you want to do for lunch today?" "Let's have a blood transfusion." It's usually a life-threatening thing. I know there some churches that teach there's a moral problem with a blood transfusion, but that's not eating. It's a whole different term.
Mark: Okay. Very good. Thank you.
Pastor Doug: By the way, we're saved by virtue of a blood transfusion, the blood of Christ.
Mark: That's right.
Pastor Doug: All right. Hey, thank you. Great question.
Pastor Jean: The next caller that we have is Amber. Amber, you are on the air?
Amber: Hi, this is Amber. I had a question about-- Well, first of all, hi, how are you doing?
Pastor Doug: Hi, thank you for calling, and your question? We're excited to hear it.
Amber: Okay. I've been having dreams ever since I was a child. I can remember some of my dreams from probably before I can even talk. I still remember my dreams, but I remember them being very vivid and real like, and more of I would say some dreams that I would dream about like 20 years ago are now coming true in maybe the future, like the end of the world type stuff.
Pastor Doug: Are you wondering if some of them are divine or prophetic?
Amber: Yes. I'm wondering if they are prophetic. I feel like some of them are because I've had them over 20 years ago, and they're coming true, and they're still coming true. I do feel like the Holy Spirit is confirming these, my dreams, and I just was wondering, what does the Bible say about dreams? I know the enemy can give dreams too. I can tell the difference between his dreams and God's dreams. Yes, I want to know, could I be a prophet? What does the Bible say about dreams?
Pastor Doug: All right. Well, that's a great question. First of all, God does give dreams and you're right, the devil can give dreams that we usually call them a nightmare. You can read in the book of Joel I think it's chapter 2, Pastor Ross, where it says the old men will dream dreams and young men will see visions and also on maidens and handmaids I'll pour out my spirit.
Pastor Jean: It was Joel 2:28.
Pastor Doug: Joel 2:28 does say that dreams will be given in the last days. You never use a dream to be a substitute for the word. Keep in mind it does also say in Ecclesiastes and you have to type in the word multitude of business. I forget where in Ecclesiastes because I'm a little bit dyslexic with numbers. It says a dream comes through the multitude of business. In other words, if you spent a lot of time playing chess, you might dream of a chessboard. You spent a lot of time hanging out with certain friends, they might be in dreams. If you spend time worrying about last events, you might dream about the tribulation.
I can't tell you that your dreams are prophetic because you know how you know if a dream is prophetic, the Bible says that these things are best understood after they come true. First of all, you want to follow the Word of God, the Lord may be sharing dreams with you. Usually when he gives somebody supernatural dreams, like Joseph, they may also have the gift of interpretation. I don't have that gift. I couldn't tell you. Sometimes a dream can come from eating the wrong thing before you go to bed. Just sit back and say, "Lord, if this is from you, you'll have to show me", and there'll be confirmation that will come.
We actually have a lesson that will tell you if you-- Matter of fact, it'd be a great idea because in that lesson, if I'm not mistaken, Pastor Ross, it will help Amber identify what are the criteria of biblical prophet?
Pastor Jean: It's called Strange Title. It says, does God inspire astrologists and psychics, and it talks about the genuine gift of prophecy and how it's manifested in the Bible. We'll be happy to send it to anyone who calls and asks and I think Amber, you'll find this interesting to read. Again, just ask the study guide on does God inspire psychics and we'll be happy to send that to you. There's a number of tests that can be applied to dreams and visions to make sure that they are indeed coming from God.
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Pastor Jean: Our next caller that we have is Robert listening in Washington. Robert, welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: You're on, and your question?
Robert: Okay. Yes. I was calling to ask about this question I've been wondering about for a while. It's in Isaiah 28:10-13.
Pastor Doug: Okay, "For precept upon precept line upon line, line upon line here a little there a little." Is that what you're wondering?
Robert: Yes. Someone's told me anyway, that according to these verses, verses 10 and 13, that when you study the Bible, you're falling back. Because if you put verse 13 with it, it says that they might go and fall backward and can be broken, and snared, and caught. I keep hearing from this one person that it's not good to study the Bible here a little there a little.
Pastor Doug: No, of course, everything else in the Bible tells you it's a blessing to study the Word. We're commanded to study the Word. Jesus said, "Search the Scriptures, these are they that testify of me." Absolutely. the Jewish people back in the time of Isaiah, sometimes were arguing they were teaching in the schools, but they weren't living it in their lives. Christ said, "These people draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." There's nothing wrong with studying precept upon precept. Matter of fact, in Daniel, it says, "Many will run to and fro and knowledge will increase."
Well, as you go to and fro through the Scriptures, your knowledge increases. Comparing spiritual things with spiritual and it's good to compare Scripture with Scripture. I'd say is dealing with a time some of the kings he dealt with like Manasseh, they had a lot of religion, but they were very corrupt during that time.
Pastor Jean: I think we also need to recognize that there are those who will twist the scriptures to the own destruction as you read in the New Testament. It's possible for someone to take one verse out of context and maybe build a doctrine. It's contrary to what other passages of Scripture might seem to be saying. We need to compare Scripture with Scripture and follow the principles. Don't just take one verse and build a doctrine around it, but compare scripture on that theme throughout Scripture to be safe.
Pastor Doug: If you read a little further on in that same passage, Robert, it says, "Therefore, thus says the Lord God," verse 16, "I will lay in Zion a stone for foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation tried precious, sure, whoever believes will not act hastily." He then says basically, that there's a foundation cornerstone that is going to be the bottom line of all that we measure truth by and that is, of course, the Word of God. Jesus said, "He that hears these words of mine and does them is building on the rock." The Word of God is a rock. Right after them saying, "We're going to argue precept after precept", he says, "It's all going to be based on the rock of God's word." I think we've got a free book we can send you if you like. It says, Is there anything left you can trust about the word of God?
Pastor Jean: To receive the book, all you'll have to do is just give us a call on our resource phone line. The number is 800-835-6747. Again, you can ask for the book Is there anything left you can trust? We'll be happy to send that to anyone who calls and asks. We've got Yvonne listening from Michigan. Yvonne, welcome to the program.
Yvonne: Hello.
Pastor Doug: Hi. Thank you for calling.
Yvonne: You're welcome. Thank you for listening to me. I have a question for Pastor Doug. Two questions. The question that my husband has, which is Kurt--
Pastor Doug: You need to turn probably your radio off in the background.
Pastor Jean: We can hear the radio the background back.
Pastor Doug: You'll get confused by the delay.
Yvonne: I'll do that. Sorry. All right. Can you hear me?
Pastor Doug: I can.
Yvonne: My husband, Pastor Doug, wants to know. He absolutely loves your humor and he loves it when you get going from one after the other, but he wants to know where he can apply for a job when you're going on your next journey.
Pastor Doug: It'd be fun to work together. Huh?
Yvonne: Oh, yes. He's quite a card. Secondly, most importantly for me, I would like to know when the Sunday law comes into effect, what are our duties to be as Christians? What are we supposed to do? Where are we supposed to go?
Pastor Doug: Well, let me help explain your question to our other listeners. We've got listeners from all different backgrounds. In Revelation when it talks about worshiping the beast in his image, we remember that in Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had to make a decision. "Are we going to break the law of God or keep the law of the King?" They had to decide, "Do I break the law about idolatry?" That's the second commandment. In Daniel 6, Daniel's got to make a decision, "Do I obey the law, the first commandment, don't have other gods, or do I worship King Darius?" He decided to go to the lion's den rather than disobey.
The day is going to come where God's people are going to be tested on the fourth commandment and there may be laws that compel people to go to church on a day other than the Bible Sabbath and they call that the Sunday law. Well, during that time as with all times in history, it's like Peter said, "We ought to obey God rather than men," and so we just pray that God will give us faithfulness. Now, the day may come where persecution during the time of the beast's power may be severe and we may have to flee to more desolate places. It says, "When the abomination of desolation is set up, let those that be in Judea flee into the mountains."
In the meantime, we want to be as busy as we can, reaching as many as we can with the good news. Do we have time for one more quick question, Pastor Ross? You see a promising short one.
Pastor Jean: Yes. We got Daniel listening from New York. Daniel, welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: Daniel, you're on the air. We got about one minute.
Daniel: What's that?
Pastor Doug: We got about a minute, so what's your question?
Daniel: I was just wondering what the last name was of the very first person on earth and who named him that. Who named her that?
Pastor Doug: Our last names are often derived from the places where we live and from our occupation. Someone might be named Bill Miller and that's because their family were Millers. Someone might be Carpenter. They were the carpenters. Others might be Jesus of Nazareth because it was where they came from. Last names usually were a descriptive name about the family to help you identify it, especially in places like Israel where so many people have the name Judah. It's not only Judas Iscariot. There were several Judas.
Jesus had a brother named Judah. It was a very common name so they would also give you another descriptive name from this place or from this occupation. Jesus the Carpenter, they would say. The last names typically came from occupation to help identify people. Now, Adam and Eve didn't have last names because they weren't going to be confused with anybody else in the early days. Interesting question. I think that's the first time we've had that.
Hey Ron, thank you so much for your question. Listening friends, we have a great website. It's called Bible Prophecy Truth. We started out with some questions about Bible prophecy tonight. If you have any more questions on that, go to bibleprophecytruth.com. You'll find it talks about angels, millennium, rapture, second coming, all the great exciting themes of Bible prophecy. bibleprophecytruth.com. Please bear with us a moment longer as we remind you this program is only on the air because people like you listening say, "I want to be a friend of Amazing Facts."
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