Sins Made White as Snow

[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]

Pastor Doug: Welcome listening friends. This is “Bible Answers Live” and I’ve got some exciting news. You can not only be a listening friend tonight, but we’re doing a test here in the studio. We are actually going to be streaming our show tonight on the internet. And so some of you might be listening in your homes because we don’t recommend this in your car not if you’re driving anyway, but if you’re listening in your homes you might take a look and let us know how it is coming through. It’s “Live dot Amazing Facts dot org” and let us know if the video streaming is coming through. This is “Bible Answers Live”. It’s a live interactive, international Bible study and we have open lines and you can call that number with a Bible question. It’s 800-GOD-SAYS ~ 800-463-7297 and one more time it is a good chance to get your question on tonight’s program. It’s 800-463-7297. My name is Doug Batchelor.

Pastor Ross: My name is Jean Ross. Good evening listening friends and good evening Pastor Doug.

Pastor Doug: Good evening.

Pastor Ross: Let’s begin this program with prayer. Father once again we thank You that we have this opportunity to study Your word together. We ask for Your blessing upon this program and be with those who care listening and wherever they might be. And Father give us a clearer understanding of what it is that you want us to know from Your word. For we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pastor Doug: Amen.

Pastor Ross: Pastor Doug you opened the program by saying does one’s hair turn white overnight? Tell us a little more about that.

Pastor Doug: Well you know people have often wondered for centuries if the hair of a person who has been terribly stressed or frightened in some way could instantly turn white and history says that this happened with Thomas Moore before he was executed and with Marie Antoinette, but medically they say it is impossible. More likely somebody bleached their hair.

First all of when your hair grows out with a certain color, it’s dead where it’s existing. It’s only growing from the root so for it to all turn white overnight, is not scientifically possible. It is possible a person can have a medical condition that over time it will affect the melanin in their hair through stress and you’d see it turn grey or white. You know in a matter of weeks or months depending on how quickly their hair grows.

Women sometimes with hormone changes if they’re pregnant they might experience a change in hair color very rapidly meaning weeks or months. And of course if a person has alopecia and a middle aged person who might have some grey hair and some dark colored or natural colored hair, the natural colored hair could suddenly fall out. The strands leaving, the white strands, leaving the appearance that they have quickly gone grey. But, when we read about grey hair in the Bible, it says that we should respect and rise up before the grey heads. But, the one with the whitest hair in the Bible is God.

You can read about this in Old Testament and New. He says in Daniel Chapter 7:9 “I watched the thrones were put in place and the Ancient of Days was seated.” Or enthroned, it says, “His garment was white as snow and the hair of His head was like wool.” And there’s a similar passage in Revelation.

Pastor Ross: Yes there is. Daniel Chapter 7 there’s a description of God the Father.

Pastor Doug: I read Daniel.

Pastor Ross: You read 7, yes, but the Scripture you just read you have a description of the Father having hair as white as now. But, in Revelation 1:14 you have a description of Jesus having hair as white as wool. Revelation 1:14 and speaking of Christ, it says, “And His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow.”

Pastor Doug: You know whenever I read these snow and wool and when you think about that whitest white. When Jesus went up that Mount of Transfiguration and Moses and Elijah appeared—it talks about His clothes were whiter than anything could whiten it. But, you go back in Isaiah Chapter 1:18 and it says, “Come now let us reason, together says the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white like snow. Though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool.” So when you think about these passages of white like wool or white like snow. It also makes us think about what the Lord can do with our sins. How He can forgive us and no matter what your past has been, if you turn to Jesus, and through faith accept Him and repent of your sins and confess them. He can wash all of your sins away. So that though they might have been red like crimson or scarlet they can be like snow or like wool. And so those pictures of Jesus and God with His hair so white it’s like a symbol of purity really.

And we have a lesson that talks about how they can have that experience.

Pastor Ross: We do. It’s a study guide entitled, “Three Steps” – actually a book, “Three Steps to Heaven” and it talks about how we can obtain that forgiveness where our sins are washed away and are made as white as wool. If you would like to receive this book call our resource line. The number is 800-835-6747. The number again is 800-835-6747. You can ask for the book, “Three Steps to Heaven” and we’d be happy to send that out to you. Again the resource line is 800-835-6747.

Well, we’re going to go to the phone lines now. And our first caller is McCain and he is calling form Beltsville, Maryland. McCain welcome to the program.

McCain: Hello. Yes, thank you.

Pastor Doug: Good evening.

McCain: Good evening. My question tonight is that I was reading in Revelation Chapter 5 about the 24 elders, right?

Pastor Doug: Yes.

McCain: And I see where the 24 elders are in heaven before the lamb. What I wanted to know are the 24 elders actually the chiefs as mentioned before or are they actually the Sons of God?

Pastor Doug: You know there are two theories out there. One theory is that the 24 elders are the—let me just back-up. When you see the 24 elders keep in mind that in the Old Testament, David had when he established the temple he had a cycle of or a rotation of 24,000 priests that would rotate through in praising God and serving in the sanctuary. So when you think about that number 24 there were two sets of twelve that would go in shifts and then they would circle around and it was a number representing they would praise God in His temple. But, some have wondered if that group of 24 is in the group of people who are in the special resurrection in Mathew 28. Pastor Ross I forget Matthew 28:50 or you’ll find that for me? Not 28:50 27:50 because 28 there are no 50s and the other theory is that the 24 elders are like the leaders of other worlds. Like Adam was the Son of God, leader of this planet. And what was that verse?

Pastor Ross: Matthew 27:52, “And the graves were opened and many of the bodies of the saints which slept rose.” And then it goes on to say it appeared in the city that is the New Jerusalem or rather the city of Jerusalem.

Pastor Doug: Right. So some of those people were resurrected and they ascended with Christ when He ascended. And it could be composed of them, but I’m more inclined to think that these 24 elders are maybe the Sons of God like leaders of other worlds that you find in the book of Job. Where the devil came representing this world, and there was a day when the Sons of God came and presented themselves before the Lord and Satan came also Job Chapter 1. That’s my opinion and now we’re dealing with heavenly things and we have to speculate a little more and do some more comparison.

McCain: So that would mean then that—that is the same thing I am thinking, too. And would that then mean that there are 24 other worlds with beings living there?

Pastor Doug: Are you saying that is that the number of how many other worlds there are in the Universe?

McCain: Inhabited by beings yes.

Pastor Doug: Well that’s a good question. I don’t know. It could be for all I know it could be that each one of them could represent galaxies. Do you know what I am saying? Because how God divvied it up in his Administration. I don’t know if He does it with mayors, governors or Presidents. So I am looking forward to finding the answer to that one, but these are leaders. I just like to look back in the Old Testament and see that there are leaders in worshipping and praising God. Whether they are from the redeemed of earth or whether they are the leaders of other unfallen worlds I’m not sure. Hey I appreciate your question and don’t we have a book—no we’re writing a book on the Sons of God.

Pastor Ross: We’re writing, but we do have a sermon I do believe. It is available at the Amazing Facts website. A sermon you preached Pastor Doug on the Sons of God. I believe if one goes to the “Amazing Facts dot org” website that you can just type in “Sons of God” and there is an article or two that you have written dealing with that same subject that will probably come up on that website

Pastor Doug: Yeah, I think that if they type it in thee at the Amazing Facts website they’ll probably find other resources.

Pastor Ross: Our next caller is Norberto and he is listening on WMCA from Pleasantville, New Jersey. Norberto welcome to the program.

Norberto: Thank you, thank you so much. I have a question. Considering what happened last month in New York City with the passing of the law that made it official now with the same sex marriage, I was wondering how does this event tie in with end time prophecy? Does this one act tell us that we’re near the end? What does the Bible say exactly how close we are?

Pastor Doug: Well I think that you are absolutely right. Jesus tells us in Matthew speaking of the last days that it will be as the days of Sodom and Gomorrah and you can read about that in Luke 17. Speaking of when Jesus comes again, “As it was in the days of Lot.” Luke 17:28 “They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built”, but, when Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. So yeah I believe that what is happening in the world today is evidence—where is that verse Pastor Ross where Paul says, evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse without natural affection? And it just talks about the immorality of the last days.

Pastor Ross: 11 Timothy Chapter 3:13.

Pastor Doug: So I think you are right on target for the way Christ tells us they will destroy like in the Days of Noah because of the violence and they were destroyed in the Days of Lot because of the perversion. We’ve got both now. People are entertained with both violence and perversion.

Norberto: Okay thank you so much Pastors I appreciate it. You have a good night now.

Pastor Doug: You, too. Now Norberto, I do have a sermon that you can listen to at the Amazing facts website. It’s called, “The Days of Lot and Noah” and it talks about the analogies of the days of Noah and the days of Sodom when it was destroyed.

Pastor Ross: Our next caller is Aaron and he is listening right here in Sacramento, California. Aaron welcome to the program.

Aaron: Well, hi, I actually had a question about the Sons of Adam which is kind of interesting with the last two callers. You guys got into it. But, I was talking about when Noah was-–like right before the flood, what exactly are the Sons of God? I never had a full grasp of it. It was just sort of mentioned. They came and took daughters and some people say they were angels or something. One other thing, your feed’s doing fine on the internet.

Pastor Doug: Oh well that means you’re watching. Well there must be about 3 people now. Praise the Lord. We’re glad to know that it is working. And for any who are wondering what Aaron is talking about, we are streaming”Bible Answers Live” live right now. And if you’d like to see if it’s working the address is it’s “Live dot Amazing Facts dot org” and tell your friends and enemies to tune in. You’ll find out what we really look like when we dress up for work.

Pastor Ross: I think the verse you’re referring to Aaron is Genesis Chapter 6:2 let me just read it for those who might be driving. It says, “And the Sons of God saw that the daughters of men and that they were fair and they took unto themselves wives of all that they choose.” And then it goes on and talks about giants being born in the earth.

Pastor Doug: It makes a connection between when the Sons of God married the daughters of men and their off spring evidently were giants. There are two ways the Sons of God is used. One group is the unfallen leaders of the other worlds or angels. And then here in this context there are humans who have accepted the Lord and are adopted into God’s family. John Chapter1:12 “As many as received Him to them He gave the power to become Sons of God.” A number of verses in the New Testament that show that believers are called the Sons of God Romans 8:14 “As many as were led by the Spirit they are the Sons of God.”

So back before the times of Noah they descendents of Seth intermarried with the descendents of Cain. You’ve got the descendents of Seth intermarried with the descendents of Cain, who had turned from God that’s what this verse is talking about.

Aaron: Okay.

Pastor Doug: Okay, does that make sense?

Aaron: Yeah so they are all gone now.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, but there are still sons of God. You and I are sons of God if we accept Christ and we believe in Him. We’re adopted. When we are baptized, the same way God said this is my beloved Son, God says that we are adopted and we become His beloved Sons and Daughters. So it is still true today.

Pastor Ross: You know Aaron I think you’d enjoy that sermon that we mentioned a little earlier. Dealing with the Sons of God and I think it is entitled, “The Sons of God”. And you’d probably be able to hear it if you go to the Amazing Facts website. Just “Amazing Facts dot org” if you were to type into the search bar, “Sons of God” you’ll probably be directed to that sermon. There’s also a book Pastor Doug, in the works that is dealing with the same subject.

Pastor Doug: It’ll be out.

Pastor Ross: We have Craig who is listening line internet and he’s calling from Ontario, Canada. Craig, welcome to the program.

Craig: Yes Good evening Pastor Ross and Pastor Batchelor. Question is I have this friend who is a Christian and she’s in need of medical attention and she’s deteriorating. She has so much faith in God that she wants to put it in God’s hands. And what His will is to her situation. And she does not want to turn to the medical professionals for any assistance. Is there any Biblical Scripture that—

Pastor Doug: Well Jesus is a medical professional. You know Christ healed people. There’s a variety of ways to heal people. You can heal people supernaturally. They can be healed by throwing a stick in the bitter water or a lump of figs. One time Jesus used clay to heal people. He put clay on a blind man’s eyes and told him to wash it off. And one time it was clay He mixed with spit one time. At other times it was being washed in the pool of Shalom. For God to give doctors, or Pharmacists the ability to find an antidote from a disease and for a Christian to say no I’m not going to take that miracle treatment or medicine that God has provided and instead I’m just going to leave. That can be presumptive that’s like tempting the Lord. And I’m not a doctor and I’m not recommending any medical treatment, but a lot of people have died because they said, “Oh the Lord is going to heal me,” and healing was just within a few inches that God had provided through a doctor or some valid medicine. So I hope you will be able to pray with your friend and encourage them get all the help that God has provided through natural means.

Craig: Yeah that’s some good points. I believe God provides everyone with different talents.

Pastor Doug: Now I believe that God can heal. God can miraculously heal. And usually that thing God does that when there is no other means. If you don’t have a boat, God can part the sea, but if God gives you a boat, don’t stand there and drown. You know and say, I’m waiting on the sea to part.

Craig: Well thanks a lot for those points.

Pastor Doug: Well thanks for your question.

Pastor Ross: We’ve got Carrie who is calling from College Place, Washington. Carrie, welcome to the program.

Carrie: Hi thank you for taking my call. I sure appreciate you guys.

Pastor Doug: Well it’s a pleasure.

Carrie: You really care about people. Anyway my question is, is it okay for a pastor according to the Bible to forgive sins I his church?

Pastor Doug: Well, yeah, I am a Pastor and Pastor Ross is a Pastor and if you step on my toe, and say I’m sorry, I can forgive you. But, as far as forgiving sins between you and God and you and others, the Pastor has no authority there. That’s between you and God. The only time a Pastor can forgive sins in a comprehensive way is—well they can’t—the only way is if you do something to an individual who happens to be a Pastor. Do you know what I mean?

Carrie: Yeah, personally.

Pastor Doug: So yeah there’s really nothing in the Bible teaching that—well –let me take that back—there’s one other way that Pastor can be a vehicle for the forgiveness of sins. And I think this is what Jesus is talking about when He says whenever you sin you admit and whose ever sins are retained are retained. As we are Pastors or laymen when you share the gospel with people you are sharing the serum for the disease of sin you are sharing forgiveness. And people find forgiveness because you are distributing it. But, the ultimate forgiveness can only come from God. Matter of fact it says that in Mark Chapter 2: “God and God only can forgive sin.”

Carrie: So he can’t say over the congregation anything about forgiving?

Pastor Doug: He can say it, but it won’t be true.

Carrie: Oh, okay.

Pastor Ross: Well you know if you think about it the Bible tells us that man looks at the outer part, but that God looks at the heart. And it is really in the heart that true repentance needs to take place. The Pastor doesn’t know the condition of a person’s heart, so how can they extend forgiveness? Only God knows the heart.

Pastor Doug: Yeah.

Carrie: That’s right.

Pastor Doug: Now we may have a book on forgiveness.

Pastor Ross: “Three Steps to Heaven” and that’s the one we were offering this evening and Carrie we would be happy to send that to you if you’ll call our resource line. The number is simply 800-835-6747 and ask for the book, “Three Steps to Heaven” And we’ll be happy to send that out to you.

We have Jerry who is listening on the internet and he is calling from Denver. Jerry, welcome to the program.

Jerry: Thank you Pastors, I am a first time caller. My question relates to the account in the book of John. When Mary visits the tomb, in the case in the book of John, she visits the tomb she sees the stone is rolled away. Then she travels back and mentions this to Peter and the other disciples whom Jesus loved. And they have a race back to the tomb. At which time Mary has the conversation with the angel. Now in the other three Gospels, when Mary and in the other three gospels it mentions she is accompanied with other women they visit the tomb and when they visit the tomb, they have the conversation with the angel. They don’t go back and bring the other disciples.

Pastor Doug: You know evidently Mary makes two trips. And she goes once to the tomb with the other women when they find out that it’s empty. They leave and Mary contacts Peter and John. They go to the tomb. They leave she stays and Jesus appears to her. And I may have gotten that backwards—but, that’s the way I think most scholars reconcile the difference there. I wrote a book on that it’s called, “At Jesus’ Feet” And it’s about Mary Magdalene and I address that problem in there. Of course I wrote the book about 7 years ago and I’m trying to remember what I said. But, they have two trips to the tomb and Mary comes one by herself.

Pastor Ross: You know we do also know that John’s writing of the Gospel was the last of the four and it seems as though in his Gospel he expounded upon and clarified certain points. And perhaps that was a question that was raised even back in the first century those who weren’t too familiar with the experience. John then comes in and adds some additional details and then when you look at what John says and compare it with the other Gospels, you get the idea, like Pastor Doug mentioned she went back told two of the Disciples and came back after them when they went and they looked. But, she stayed at the tomb and that’s where she met Jesus.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, that’s amazing because Jesus waited until his mother and all these Apostles, came and gone and He deliberately—remember He has not yet ascended into heaven—but, He waits until He appears to Jesus—or I mean Mary—Jesus appeared to Mary because He honored her so much. Do we have time for one more cal before our break?

Pastor Ross: We do. We have Judy who is listening via satellite radio in Seattle, Washington, Judy, welcome to the program.

Judy: Thank you. My situation—or my question is in the Bible it talks about when God was telling them to make the altar. He said for them not to build it with steps going up to it because people would see their nakedness. Okay, well we should provide a safe haven in church for all worshippers and that includes men. What about when these women come in with themselves exposed almost completely. Is that wrong because they’re also the men are having a—you know they come there for a safe time to worship? You know they can be swept into sin by just the natural inclinations that God has given them.

Pastor Doug: Well you’re making a good point. You know that is a very valid point Judy. You can read in Isaiah Chapter 6 that the angels around God actually cover their faces. And Adam and Eve had sense enough to run and hide because they realized that they were naked in the presence of God. And God even gave them clothes. It says that Adam and Eve made aprons, but the aprons didn’t have enough material or the wrong kind of material and then God gave them robes of skin and so it was not only different material, but it was bigger quantity as well as quality. And when we come into the presence of God there should be modesty.

Now there’s a problem and you’ve got two extremes. You can—you know—some churches you go to—the men and women don’t even get to sit together unless the men might think an impure thought. Even though the women are modestly clothed and you can find that in a number of countries in the world. And you can if someone is a new believer and they come to church and they are not properly or modestly clothed, you know somebody can throw a sheet over their body and hustle them out of the building and say you know you’re immodest.

Or if it’s a sister in the church have a talk with them and if it’s a man, have a man. And say well brother or sister maybe you don’t have some clothes or maybe someone hasn’t talked to you about this, but we’d like to take you shopping and you know a lot of people would be happy to dress more modestly, but they don’t know. And Pastors shouldn’t be afraid to talk about the subject because it is inappropriate if a man or a woman comes to church and they are deliberately dressing in a provocative way. It becomes a distraction and the whole purpose of going to church is to focus attention on God not on the fanciest hat a person is wearing. Or someone is being distracted by someone accentuating their sexuality.

Pastor Ross: You know when you go to church you do want to pay attention to how you dress because the Bible does give us that example of modesty. It is particularly significant when a person goes to church. So you do raise an important point and we want to be careful as to what we wear.

Pastor Doug: Yeah. Absolutely. Well friends I am not sure if we’ve got time to take another question before our break. But, do we have something that we can offer. Oh I have an article. And it’s called, “What Shall we Wear?” at the Amazing Facts website. If you go to the Amazing Facts website, you’ll find there an article called, “What Shall we Wear “and I talk about the whole modesty issue and church.

Pastor Ross: Again the website, “Amazing Facts dot org” and you can just type into the search bar, “what to wear?”

Pastor Doug: You’re listening to “Bible Answers Live”. Pastor Ross we have an exciting announcement that deals with the new Bible Universe website. This was one of the first evangelistic websites that we out up besides the regular Amazing facts website. And we would encourage people to go there. It’s “Bible Universe dot org” or “dot com” either one or you’ll find that there is all kinds of Bible study resources there and you can go through the Bible School. You’ve probably seen one of these Bible Universe bumper sticker sin your town. Take a look, “Bible Universe dot com” we’ll be right back.

[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

Pastor Doug: Welcome back listening friends this is ”Bible Answers Live” and if you would like to call in with your Bible question, that number is 800-GOD-SAYS that’s 800-463-7297 we do have lines open. We also want to make a very, very, important announcement, but this is a very, very, very, important announcement. Our program is not only a radio program tonight it is streaming on the internet. We’re doing some tests for the last few weeks and this is the first time that we have announced the address for you. We’d like to hear from you and see if it is coming through okay. The address if you’d like to watch this live broadcast streaming it is “Live dot Amazing Facts dot org”. “Live dot Amazing Facts dot org” and let us know what you think if it is working and if you may decide not to listen to the program anymore once you see what we really look like. I mean it can just shatter your visuals you’ve been having all of this time.

Pastor Ross: Well let’s hope not, but we’ll find out. We’ve got Ralph who is calling from New York, Ralph, welcome to the program. Ralph from New York listening on satellite, can you hear us?

Ralph: Yes thank you for taking my call. I have a question on the Bible when it says the phrase does it mention anything OMG if you know what I mean?

Pastor Doug: Yes. When a person says in a phrase that I hope Jesus will do this or in a prayer that’s technically appropriate, but some people use that phrase as an experlatives as slang or as even a curse. People can do that with the name of God and for people to use that name like an experlatives like that it is inappropriate. And that’s where you’re using God’s name in vain. So there is a verse or two in the Bible where he says Oh My God, but it is part of a sentence and I think it will say, Oh My Lord, but it is part of a continuing sentence. It’s not an experlatives or an expression of frustration or something.

Pastor Ross: You know we also find that used in meaningful prayer, but never used casually or in gest. I think that is the problem Exodus Chapter 20:7 is very clear, it says, “You shall not take the name of the Lord, thy God in vain. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes thy name in vain.” When the name of God is used in a careless way and there is the lack of reverence that needs to be accompanying when speaking God’s name that is a violation of that commandment.

Pastor Doug: So yeah I appreciate your question Ralph and you want to always take the name of the Lord on your lips with reverence and respect and I think that’s the key there.

Pastor Ross: Yes. And we have a book called, “The Name of God” and Ralph if you will call our resource line we’ll be happy to send that out to you. It is 800-835-6747 and you can ask for the book, “The Name of God” And we’ll be happy to send that out.

We have Richard who is listening from Detroit, Michigan. Richard, welcome to the program.

Richard: Hi.

Pastor Doug: Yes sir and your question tonight?

Richard: My question tonight is I am having some very strong difficulty in my marriage and the life of my home. And at times I feel like the Lord has forsaken me. And I just don’t know what to do and I am praying about my situation, but it just seems like I’m not getting you know, what I need. I need to know what Scriptures I can read to encourage me that I know that the Lord is still hearing my prayer and hearing my contrite heart.

Pastor Doug: Well I am tempted to ask what the issues are but because of the format I will not. I will ask whether you are getting some kind of Christian counsel for some of these stresses in your family.

Richard: Well the stresses is between my wife and I and I don’t have a problem speaking of it and I won’t make it long, but I have went through counseling throughout the years of my marriage. And at the place we are at today, I believe she is out of town with another Pastor. I don’t know what the relationship is all about, but I know it is not what I would want. That’s the place I am at right now I just don’t know.

Pastor Doug: Well I know that would be heart breaking and I appreciate that. You know one of the most devastating experiences you can go through is to feel like you are experiencing betrayal. And God talks about feeling that with the church. Sometimes the church has you know the bride of Christ has been unfaithful. And God talks about how He has pursued His unfaithful wife who He loves and He has redeemed. And I believe in the book of Hosea He talks about that love and the church being unfaithful. So you take it to the Lord and you think about I made a covenant to love you and to serve you, have I ever been unfaithful and how have I hurt you and these trials that we go through in our relationships it teaches us more about God’s trust and love for us. But, don’t get discouraged. Keep praying for your family. And we do have a new book that we just produced and it’s called, “Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage”. And it talks about the common problems that people have in these relationships.

Pastor Ross: You know we need to claim the promise in Hebrews Chapter 13: 5 Richard where God says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” At times you might feel like you are forgotten or forsaken, but God has given you a promise that He will never leave you. So like Pastor Doug says, don’t give up keep praying and lean on Jesus and He’ll give you the strength to make it through.

If you want to learn more about that book, “Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage” go to the “Amazing Facts dot org” website you can type that into search engine or the bar. Just type in “marriage” and that will probably come up as one of the resources.

Next caller is Rick and he is calling from New Orleans, Rick, welcome to the program.

Rick: Hi Pastor Doug and Pastor Ross, how are you this evening?

Pastor Doug: Doing well praise God.

Rick: My question revolves around Revelation Chapter 22:11 in understanding the probation of the end times which is akin to the shutting of the ark door I guess. Is there anything in the Bible as to telling us when that might take place as the Bible tends to mirror time periods and repeat it as you go the Bible?

Pastor Doug: You know the closest benchmark that I can find in the Bible for when probation closes is and just let me say a word about where I heard that concept of probation closing before the world ends it was new to me. People think that probation closes when Jesus comes and the opportunity to be saved or lost actually stops before Christ comes. In the same way when Noah entered the ark and the door shut people went on like life went on for seven more days.

When the angels took Lot and his family out of Sodom for whatever time it took them to get up into the hills life went on, but they were doomed. When the plagues begin to fall the last plagues that you find in Revelation 15 and 16 as the plagues begin to fall probation has ended for the world. And so that would be the closest bench mark that I can think of.

Pastor Ross: You know the verse you refer to in Revelation 22 it gives us a sequence of events. You have Jesus saying, “Let he who is unjust, let him be unjust still. He that is filthy let him be filthy still, he that is righteous let him be righteous still, he that is holy, let him be holy still.” So there you have the close of probation. And then verse 12 goes on and says, “Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according to his works shall be.” So you have close of probation followed by the second coming of Christ.

Now preceding the close of probation there are some things which transpire. We know the Gospel is to go all over the world. We know that the wickedness in the earth will be as in the days of Noah. We know there’s an increase in natural disasters and financial instability and so on. These signs have been given Matthew Chapter 24, but the actual closing of probation I don’t think there is an actual time prophecy in the Scripture given as to when exactly that will happen. Jesus said be ye ready for in an hour when you think not these things happen the Son of man comes. So we want to always be ready because we don’t know when that time will come for sure.

Pastor Doug: Matter a fact whenever a person dies their probation closes. But, we’re talking about when the probation closes for the world.

Rick: You can see that it is getting pretty close with the stock market and everything just going ill and it’s as if you’ll almost just feel when it will happen exactly, but I don’t know I guess we will find out.

Pastor Doug: Well I don’t know, I don’t think we should wait for that either because of that verse in the Bible when the Spirit of God left Samson. He got up to go fight the Philistines and it says he knew not he winced not that the Spirit had left him. He didn’t even know, so you know. A lot of people who have grieved away the Holy Spirit are oblivious.

Pastor Ross: And yet there is a stirring that is in the hearts of people, even those who don’t claim to be religious sense that something stupendous is about to happen. Things just can’t keep going the way that they are it is all a science as to where we are in the stream of time.

Pastor Doug: Well appreciate your call Rick and Pastor Ross who so we have?

Pastor Ross: We’ve got Richard and Richard is calling from Odessto, California, Richard welcome to the program.

Pastor Doug: Richard you’re on Bible Answers Live and your question?

Richard: Thank you Pastor Doug and I’m watching you guys through my laptop and it looks great.

Pastor Doug: Well praise the Lord.

Richard: I actually taped some of this for the team and they like it.

Pastor Doug: Well we’re encouraged to hear that.

Richard: Yeah the question I have I heard in a program previously regarding gambling. A lady had called and played the State lottery. So the thing that I have in my head or the question is as a Christian would that fall also if I put a thousand dollars in the stock market? That’s kind of scratching my head because is that some form of gambling or?

Pastor Doug: Well that’s a good question. There are people who speculate with the stock market. And that doesn’t mean that you buy legitimate ownership in a company because you want to be part owner in the company and you believe in what the company does because technically, stockholders own a piece although it might only be a fraction of a company and you sometimes get a dividend or a value of whether the stock goes up or down which depends on the value of the company and the economy. Then there are people who are buying and selling and speculating on whether a stock is going to go down or up and just constantly trading stocks and you know that can turn into a form of gambling.

Richard: Okay.

Pastor Doug: And the principle I think is that Christians should be willing to work for their money and the idea of getting rich quick at the expense of someone else’s loss that starts turning into an ethical problem for a Christian, trying to benefit from the loss of someone else.

Richard: Yeah I can understand.

Pastor Doug: Have you ever had someone played the lottery you are taking all of the money that someone else has lost. And some people do that with the stock market and certain kinds of commodity trading and things.

Pastor Ross: Well there’s a sure bet right now it seems that any money that goes into the stock market is going one way and that’s down at least. But, we need to be careful. But, there is a legitimate way of investing that wouldn’t fall into the category of gambling.

Pastor Doug: I think that most people who have retirement accounts—matter of fact if you’ve got your money in the bank—what do you think that the bank does with your money? They usually invest it into a variety of stock instruments and things. So it’s hard to get away from somebody down the road investing money that way, but worry about Christians when they are just glued to their screen all the time and just speculating and buying and selling. It just starts looking a little bit like gambling to me, but that’s a deep question.

Pastor Ross: We do have a study guide dealing with the subject of finance it’s entitled, “In God We Trust” deals with ta number of biblical principles and our money We’d be happy to send that to you Richard or anyone who is listening the number to call is 800-835-6747 and you can ask for the Amazing facts study guide, “In God We Trust” and we’ll be happy to send it out to you.

Our next caller is John and he is listening from Montana, John welcome to the program.

John: Howdy.

Pastor Doug: Hi.

John: I am glad to talk to you all. Has Doug been back to the cave recently?

Pastor Doug: No. It’s been a couple of years since I went to the cave and asked for a little geographic flew me up there. They’re dying up there.

John: How many miles up there from the valley?

Pastor Doug: That’s top secret, last time I shared that information they got lost and search and rescue came looking for them. It’s true. I probably shouldn’t give that out. I might need to go back there in the time of trouble.

John: My question I probably don’t believe that it personally applies modern times, but some people apply it to modern times and that’s Paul’s counsel on about wanting women to keep silent in the church. I was just wondering what was going on back then that he said that?

Pastor Doug: You may have heard me say earlier they have a practice in the church. You find in India and some places in the Middle East and some places in Africa where the men and women don’t even sit together. And in many Jewish synagogues were built that way where the men would sit around a circle on the bottom and they actually had a balcony where the women would sit and sometimes the women with their children. And apparently what was happening in Paul’s day is the women were calling and trying to explain what Paul was saying and teaching their husband’s publically and the husbands kind of felt like that they were being demeaned by their women teaching them in public as though they were no longer the priest of their household. Paul said keep that in your home. Respect your husband in public and keep silent in the church. It didn’t mean that this is a comprehensive command that women are not to speak in church bemuse you’ve got too many examples of women speaking. Hannah prays in the temple and you’ve got Anna in the temple. And when Jesus was dedicated there was a prophetess in the Bible and so that’s my understanding.

Pastor Ross: And of course if you look at the verse itself, it says, “Let the women keep silent in the churches for they are not permitted to speak, but they are to be submissive.’” But, then he goes on to say, but as the law also says. Now this isn’t the Ten Commandment Law nor is this a law found in the Old Testament, but it was a custom it was the law of the land, it was the culture of the day. So Paul said recognize that you don’t want to stir up something contrary to the culture of the time. You know Pastor Doug we have travelled overseas and we’ve been in India and there are certain cultural laws that people abide by when they go to church. For one the ladies sit on one side of the church the men sit on the other side of the church. The shoes get removed when one enters into the church. These are kind of—

Pastor Doug: Don’t reach for your food with your left hand.

Pastor Ross: Oh that’s right. These are certain cultural laws and that is what Paul is referring to here.

Pastor Doug: Well I hope that helps a little bit John and appreciate your question. I do have a book I wrote and it covers some of these issues and it is called, “Women in Ministry” and we’ll send you a free copy if you ask.

Pastor Ross: The number is 800-835-6747 that is the resource line and you can ask for the book, “Woman in Ministry”. The number again is 800-835-6747 the book, “Woman in Ministry”.

Our next caller is Malleck and Malleck is listening from Orlando, Florida. Malleck, welcome to the program.

Malleck: Thank you. I just have a quick question regarding some of the questions earlier that you had. It was one of the questions about modesty. Doesn’t it say Biblically that women should cover their hair and Paul tells them if they don’t where there is a commandment where Paul tells them they do not cover their hair?

Pastor Doug: Well again this is in the same category as something that we believe was a custom. You can read this friend at 1Corinthians Chapter 11:14 and it is talking about women who are praying or prophesying without their heads covered. And it all goes to this is a symbol of submission and respect for their husbands and it says even the women’s hair is given as a natural covering because typically women have more robust hair than men do. But, as to whether it is a command, which a woman either always has to have long hair or always has to have her hair covered when she’s in church some churches interpret it that way.

Pastor Ross: You know Paul goes on in that same chapter recognizing that there might be some contention over the issue verse 16 Paul says, “But, if anyone seems to be contentious we have no such custom nor do the churches of God.” So he sort of talks about a woman covering her head and that seems t be the culture or custom of the day and yet if that is going to bring division in the church Paul is saying it is not worth fighting over. Don’t allow that to be a contentious issue.

Pastor Doug: Well the very fact that he uses the word custom tells you that it falls into the category of a custom and not commandment.

Malleck: But, didn’t Jesus’ mother wear her hair covered?

Pastor Doug: Where is that verse?

Malleck: No I am just asking.

Pastor Doug: Well that would be based on a thousand paintings, but there really is no verse that tells us Jesus’ mother covered her hair. I could see why a person would believe that because you’ve got ten thousand statues and paintings around the world and Mary has always got her hair covered, but there is no verse I know of that says that.

Malleck: Well in certain religions people are being persecuted regarding them being covered and it seems—that it doesn’t seem right that certain other cultures or religions can do that and people are being persecuted.

Pastor Doug: Yeah that’s not right a person ought to be free, in a culture. And I tell Christians this. If somebody has got a conviction or if any woman in any church if she’s got a conviction of I will just play it safe I think I ought to have some kind of head covering when I go to church, then it certainly is not a sin then do it.

Malleck: And it’s only regarding mosques in that other people are not to read into to or be in other people’s religion or cultural interest they just want to use them instead of finding out about their cultures or religions.

Pastor Doug: Let me give you one more thought on that subject. You know you will find that a lot of people will judge a person by whether or not they are wearing a covering on their head, or if it’s a man and he goes into church with hat on it is considered disrespectful, but if you are Jewish and you go into a church without a hat on it is considered disrespectful. So yeah a lot of that has to do with customs.

Pastor Ross: Yes. We’ve got Craig who is listening from Niagara Falls, New York Craig welcome to the program.

Craig: Thank you.

Pastor Doug: And your question?

Craig: Okay my question is John the Baptist was asked, by the Pharisees everybody was asking him who he was and they asked him if he was the Elijah. That was prophesied that would come before the Messiah. And he said no he wasn’t. But, then later in the Scripture Jesus was speaking with his disciples and He says that if you can accept that or something like that that John the Baptist was the Elijah that was to come.

Pastor Doug: And so why does it say yes one place and no in another?

Craig: Yes.

Pastor Doug: Alright when the religious leaders came to John the Baptist and they said are you Elijah, they are asking a question, “Are you Elijah resurrected?” Well the answer to that question is no. When Jesus said if you can receive it that John the Baptist is the Elijah that was prophesied, one would come in the Spirit and the Power of Elijah. The angel said to John’s father he will go forth in the Spirit and the Power of Elijah. So they were believing in reincarnation when they said are you Elijah. The first one who came in the Spirit and the Power of Elijah was Elisha. He got a double portion of Elijah’s Spirit. Then John the Baptist and Christ said Elijah will come and Elijah has come meaning John the Baptist came in the Spirit and the Power of Elijah. Elijah personally appeared to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration in Mark Chapter 9 and there will be an army of Elijah’s in the last days before Jesus comes getting the world ready for the second coming. I do have a book that I wrote that is I think at our website. An article called, “The Last Elijah Message” you can download just go to Amazing Facts.

Pastor Ross: Again go to “Amazing Facts dot org” and you can go to the website and type in the little search bar there “Elijah” or “Elijah Message” and well you’ll be able to read it right there.

I think we have time for one more caller. Let’s go to Kindred who is listening from Brooklyn, New York, Kindred welcome to the program.

Kindred: Yes hi Pastors I have a friend that believes in the Bible where it talks about the seventh day Sabbath. But, the person wants to know that how can we tell if Saturday actually is the seventh day Sabbath? Didn’t some times change or why couldn’t the Sabbath be Sunday or Monday or Thursday?

Pastor Doug: Well let’s talk about that. How do we know that the seventh day that the Bible talks about is what we would commonly call Saturday today? In the Bible it tells us that Jesus rose the first day of the week. I never hear anyone argue is Sunday the first day. Everyone celebrates Easter Sunday because it is the resurrection day and the first day and all of the Muslims celebrate the sixth day which is Friday. The Jews today still keep the seventh day which we know to be Saturday.

You can find that in any dictionary or Encyclopedia and furthermore no change in the calendar in past history has any affect on the weekly cycle. So any adjustments that Roman Emperors or Popes have made through history to the calendar never alters the cycle of you know Sunday, Monday , Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Or counting as 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 that cycle has remained the same since the time of creation. There’s no need to make any change in the weekly cycle when they needed to make an adjustment in the calendar for the farming season.

So the seventh day goes back and as a matter of fact the U.S. Observatory has said that their Observatory in Greenwich, England has said there has been no change in the calendar that has ever affected a weekly cycle that has ever has been recorded by history. Go to “Bible Truth dot org” or “Sabbath Truth dot org” you’ll find that there. Thank you, friends.

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