Penguins

A swimming chinstrap penguin seven inches wide slices through the water with less resistance than a quarter-sized pebble. These sleek bodies also help penguins snag prey and escape predators, like the leopard seal and killer whales. Not only are penguins able to swim faster than a man can run, their efficient shape enables them to travel long distances.

Emperor penguins, for instance, have been known to cover almost a thousand miles foraging trips for food. Matter of fact, they can swim more than 40 miles a day. Not too bad for a bird. Penguins also have other features that make them highly efficient fishers. Their tongues are armed with sharp backward-facing barbs that help prevent prey from escaping.

Penguins are also world-class divers. In the 1970's, dive recording devices were attached to emperor penguins, and it revealed the penguins were shown to be diving to depths of at least 1,700 feet in search of food. That's astonishing when you consider it's much deeper than a nuclear submarine likes to cruise.

It's a mystery how these birds survive at such depths. At 1,200 feet, for instance, the birds are being compressed by 40 times the pressure they feel at the surface. And the penguins eyes appear to be another marvel. The pupils can adjust much more than a cat, dilating from a pinhole to the size of a quarter.

This enables sharp vision in both pitch-black depths and the blinding bright Arctic surface. This is also an amazing accomplishment since air and water demand very different kinds of site; but penguins apparently make the switch smoothly by using fine eye muscles to bend and to warp the lens in their eyes to correct for the differences between air and water vision.

You know friends, the Bible teaches that a Christian must be able to maintain spiritual vision with their eyes on heaven while still living in this dark world below. Stay with us. We're going to learn more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of Bible Answers Live.

[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]

Pastor Doug: Welcome once again listening friends to another edition of Bible Answers Live. It is a pleasure to be with you. If this is your first time tuning into the program, this is a live, interactive Bible study that's going across the country, across the ocean and around the world via the Internet on about 130 radio stations.

If you have any Bible-related questions, we invite you to pick up the phone, it's a free phone call, and dial 1-800-GOD-SAYS. That's for those of you who like the number really in words. For those of you who like it in numbers, it's 1-800-463-7297. We have several lines open right now so this is a good time to pick up your phone and to give us a call.

The number again is 1-800-GOD-SAYS. That's 1-800-463-7297. My name is Doug Batchelor.

Pastor Dick: My name is Dick Devitt, and we really are live from Sacramento, California this evening.

Pastor Doug: Absolutely

Pastor Dick: Welcome home Pastor Doug. You've been out of the country for awhile.

Pastor Doug: The family spent about two weeks in South Korea doing some evangelistic meetings that were beamed up from one of the largest universities there in Seoul. The Sangmyuk University went up on satellite to about 450 churches that were watching all over the country, not to mention it's being broadcast all over the Orient - -

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: - - by satellite. So that was very exciting. It's an incredible country. We went to the DMZ where the border of North Korea and South Korea--let me just say something about that. I should have saved this for our amazing fact. There's such a stark difference between the life north of that line and south of that line.

You know what makes the difference? Christianity and freedom of religion in the South has made South Korea one of the economic dynamos of the world. In the North it is poverty-stricken, and it's because they are told there is no God. You can really see what happens when people turn away from God. It's just the blessings that they deny themselves.

Anyway, it's very good to be back. We had a great meeting and it was good having the family; and we're glad to be live once again.

Pastor Dick: Amen! Well we're glad that you're back too and we're looking forward to speaking with all of our listeners who call in every week. We normally start with a word of prayer so let's do that.

Father in heaven, we want to thank You and praise You for Your gift of grace and mercy that You have extended to us in all of the blessings that You give to us each day. We thank You, Lord, for the privilege of being able to come into the studio here and to go on the air, and to open the Word of God and search and share with people all over the United States and Canada; in fact, all over the world Lord, who are listening on the Internet with us. We pray that You will speak clearly, Father; that You will clear Pastor Doug's mind of things of this world and give him wisdom and insight as we seek to answer the questions that come from our callers. May You be honored and glorified Lord in all that we do and say is my prayer in Jesus' name, amen.

Pastor Doug: Amen!

Pastor Dick: Well Pastor Doug, penguins are a fascinating creature. I think the one thing you mentioned in that little story was the fact that they could go to such depths, 1,700 feet and survive that pressure.

Pastor Doug: Survive that pressure. That's incredible. I do scuba diving and I know that after you get down to 100 feet, your mask is pressing against your face - -

Pastor Dick: That's right

Pastor Doug: - - so that it'll break your nose if you don't equalize the pressure.

Pastor Dick: Um-hm

Pastor Doug: And you can't imagine what it would be like at 17 times 100 feet. It's just incredible they survive! Then, their eyes. You know how bright it is in the sunlight in Antarctic in the summer; to have eye pupils that will dilate to pinholes to take that light in, and then go down to where it is pitch black and be able to see prey.

You know when we go in the swimming pool, we can't see because our eyes aren't adjusted for underwater. You need goggles or a mask. But the lens actually warps in the penguin, so he can see as clearly under the water as he can above. It's such a miraculous creature. It's obvious that they did not evolve. It just made me think about how they're able to see clearly above and below.

That's sort of what a Christian needs. We need spiritual discernment so that we keep the heaven perspective; but we need to have vision here below where we live so we can see God's leading.

Pastor Dick: We tend to be very prideful as human beings and we're just one step below God, that we were created in His image. But sin has done such a terrible injustice.

Pastor Doug: The purpose of the plan of salvation is to restore in man the image of God and to worship Him, where we often want to worship ourselves. That's what the big battle is over. Satan said, "You will be as God."

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: We have something we'd like to offer people if they'd like to better understand how do you live a holy life in a sinful world and keep that God-perspective.

Pastor Dick: You know, we've been doing this program now for about nine years I think, or eight and a half years, something like that. I don't think we've ever offered this little book Pastor Doug, but we want to offer it tonight. It's called, Culture and the Christian. It deals with a very, I want to say, an in-depth, concise study of how pride affects the Christian life.

Pastor Doug: Um-hmm

Pastor Dick: So we want to make this available to all our listeners tonight.

Pastor Doug: It's an excellent resource book. It makes a great Bible study and personal devotions to inspire people, written by the late Joe Crews, and we highly recommend it. It's a new edition; just came out with a new cover.

Pastor Dick: Culture and the Christian is available to anyone who will call our resource operators tonight at 1-800-835-6747. If you'll call now, they'll make that book available to you. They'll send it out to you tonight, 1-800-835-6747, Culture and the Christian is the title. Please add it to your library. Pastor Doug, we want to welcome four radio stations that have joined our network.

Pastor Doug: Great, amen!

Pastor Dick: This is always a joy for us when we hear about any radio stations that have joined. A couple of these may have been broadcasting us for some time, but we've just received word that they have joined our network: WWGC in Albertville, Alabama; WVCL in Galesburg, Illinois; WQIN in Quincy, Illinois; and WAWB in West Branch, Michigan.

These are all affiliates of 3ABN.

Pastor Doug: Well praise the Lord. That's encouraging.

Pastor Dick: We're delighted to hear that these radio stations are now broadcasting Bible Answers Live. If there's anyone listening on those four stations, call us tonight and let us know that you're listening to one of those stations. We'll do our best to get you on the air before the program is over tonight.

Pastor Doug, we take a couple of Internet questions before we go to the phones.

Pastor Doug: Okay

Pastor Dick: So let's do that. The first one, this is intriguing Doug. I like this question and I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say. "Leviticus 19:27 says, 'You shall not shave around the sides of your head, or shall you disfigure the edges of your beard.' What do you think God is wanting Christian men to do here?"

Pastor Doug: You know, it's often misunderstood that this is some form of a fashion mandate. It really has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not to shave or how to cut your hair. They had a practice of cutting off the sides of their beard when they lost a loved one as a sign of mourning.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: And all you have to do is read the next verse, and it'll say, "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead." Now keep in mind, there were not these chapter verse divisions when it was first written, so the way it reads is, "Don't shave around the sides of your head. Do not disfigure the edges of your beard. Do not make cuttings in your flesh for the dead."

Pastor Dick: Ah

Pastor Doug: So it all had to do with they used to physically mar themselves when they were mourning and God said, "Don't do that. You're holy."

Pastor Dick: So basically, it's the same idea of the 450 false prophets on Mt. Carmel.

Pastor Doug: And cutting themselves to get their god's attention.

Pastor Dick: Yeah

Pastor Doug: It's a pagan practice.

Pastor Dick: Okay, okay

Pastor Doug: So He's saying, "You're holy. Do not mar your bodies for the dead."

Pastor Dick: Okay, alright. Second question. This one, too, is a little intriguing. I like this question. "My daughter believes that giving a child a teddy bear for comfort, security or for other reasons than this, is breaking the Second Commandment. She believes that this teaches the child not to depend on God for all our needs. Is this true?"

Pastor Doug: Well, I suppose that somebody could make an idol out of a stuffed animal, but they get bigger and bigger too.

Pastor Dick: They do, don't they?

Pastor Doug: But I don't think a child having a toy that they carry around to occupy their attention, that it's a violation of the commandment about making graven images and praying to them, or worshiping them.

Pastor Dick: Um-hm

Pastor Doug: Children, naturally, if you didn't give them a stuffed animal, then they'll collect sticks, and rocks and plants.

Pastor Dick: That's true

Pastor Doug: And we give one of our children something and he sort of fixates for a day or two and then he tosses it aside. So I wouldn't worry about that being a breach of the Second Commandment.

Pastor Doug: My daughter is 21 years old and she has a turtle the size of this desk that we sit around, you know.

Pastor Doug: Yeah. My boys have some teddy bears and stuff that they got when they were little and now they use them as pillows at night.

Pastor Dick: Yeah, yeah

Pastor Doug: I haven't seen too many children later in life become warped because of stuffed animals.

Pastor Dick: But Pastor Doug, you and I are Pastors, and we've heard of things like this where people do stretch this and make it an issue.

Pastor Doug: Well, I'd say if you're going to err, err on the side of compassion and leniency with something like that.

Pastor Dick: Okay

Pastor Doug: Typically, the parents, who was it, Jim Dobson that said, "If you squeeze the soap too tight it pops out of your hand," - -

Pastor Dick: Yes

Pastor Doug: - - "and if you hold it too loose, it slips away." You need to balance.

Pastor Dick: Okay

Pastor Doug: So that would be my advice in that area.

Pastor Dick: Good, alright. Well Pastor Doug, let's take our first caller for the evening. We'll start in Sacramento, California. In fact, we'll go to Citrus Heights, California and talk with Carl who's listening on KFIA. Hello Carl.

Carl: Hello, can you hear me?

Pastor Dick: Yes, we hear you, and your question please?

Carl: Is this Pastor Doug I'm speaking to? It is, right?

Pastor Doug: He's here, yes.

Carl: Okay. The question is when he was in Korea, they ran an encore performance of one of his shows and I was listening to it. A caller had called in and said, 'Do all children go to heaven?'

Pastor Doug: Uh-huh

Carl: And the question was--actually, I've got to turn my radio down, excuse me.

Pastor Doug: Alright

Carl: The question was do all children go to heaven; and Pastor Doug gave an answer that said in his opinion, that he didn't think they did because heaven would be a nursery in that case. And I wanted some biblical Scriptures on that, if there were any, or if that was just his opinion?

Pastor Doug: Well first of all, my opinion is, I wouldn't base a conclusion on that. Some opinions that I form are based on the confluence of a number of principles in the Bible. But let me give you a Scripture that adds a little bit to this concept, 1st Corinthians 7:14. "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy."

This Scripture seems to indicate that believing parents have a sanctifying influence on their children prior to the age of accountability. Now, I am not saying that children that die before the age of accountability are lost. I believe there will be children in heaven whose parents are not there.

You think about all the children that may have died in the first flood. They, obviously, were not all accountable. Some of them may have wanted to go on the ark and they weren't permitted by their parents. But I also don't know if I'm ready to say--and I've got some dear friends that debate with me on this, and I don't know.

There are those who say that every conceived embryo that is miscarried or aborted is going to be in heaven; and that's where I say, "I don't know." And there is a Scripture in Job, and I don't have it at the tip of my fingertips, but Job talks about--it's in the first couple of chapters of Job, he prays in his lament that he would be like an unborn child that never sees the light of day.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: He's implying here "as though it had not been" when you read the whole context of it. So, just on those two Scriptures, it makes me wonder if every single, conceived child is going to automatically be in heaven because you do the math on that, and heaven would be a nursery.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Carl: Well, you say "nursery" in that case, but as we know this is just our shell. The soul that would be up there wouldn't be actual babies or children because this is just a shell that - -

Pastor Doug: Well, the Bible does tell us that there are children who are resurrected as children. You can read that in Malachi chapter 4; and Isaiah 65 and Isaiah 11, it talks about little children in heaven. So they're not resurrected as adults. God has us grow up, and then if we reach that age of maturity, we're probably going to get a glorified, mature body in heaven; but otherwise, we'll grow up as just little children and then mature.

I'd recommend a lesson. We've got a lesson on heaven that deals with that, and also the one on the resurrection Carl. The one on the resurrection is actually the one that deals with death, and it's, "Are the Dead Really Dead?" It addresses this subject about the resurrection.

Pastor Dick: Carl, let me recommend that you call our resource operator and ask for a lesson called, "Are the Dead Really Dead?" It's 1-800-835-6747, it's a free call. Ask for, "Are the Dead Really Dead?" and we'll send it to you. Pastor Doug, let's go to Huntsville, Alabama to Sharon who's listening on WOCG. Hi Sharon.

Sharon: Hello

Pastor Doug: Thanks for calling, and your question?

Sharon: My question is concerning my friends who are in the New Age movement.

Pastor Doug: Okay

Sharon: And they don't see the evil behind it, but I think that there's so much evil behind it and I just don't really understand why they can't see it.

Pastor Doug: What are they doing that makes you aware they're in the New Age movement? [Cross talk] Because the term "New Age" is a very broad term that applies to so many things. Are they into channeling and crystals, or?

Sharon: The group that they're in, I did research on them and they're listed as a cult.

Pastor Doug: Okay. Did your friends believe the Bible?

Sharon: No they don't.

Pastor Doug: Alright, then the best thing you can do, be a good witness, pray for them, love them, respect them, and help them see that Christianity is superior by your example.

Sharon: Okay

Pastor Doug: You can't beat them over the head. The foundation of your decisions is the Bible and if they don't recognize that as an authority, then all you can do is be an example and pray for them, and that's powerful.

Sharon: Okay, thank you.

Pastor Doug: Okay?

Pastor Dick: Sharon, thank you for the call.

Pastor Doug: Sharon, I should mention, if you're still listening, we do have a resource that you can maybe read that might give you some ideas, and it's, "Does God Inspire Astrologers and Psychics?" and it talks a little about the New Age movement.

Pastor Dick: Again, 1-800-835-6747 Sharon. Let's go to Napa Valley. John is listening on KNDA. Hello John.

John: Hi, how are you tonight?

Pastor Dick: Very good

John: Good. Say, I read Pastor Doug's book, The Richest Caveman, recently. I loved the book, wonderful book.

Pastor Doug: Well praise the Lord.

John: I've been sharing with other people as well. My question is I talked with someone recently who said that mainstream, evangelical Christianity teaches that once you get to heaven, that you no longer have free will in the area of good and evil, that you will is actualized. And they also said that Jesus, Himself, when He was here on earth could not sin because He had a actualized will; and that He could be tempted, but He couldn't sin. And this just sounded very strange to me. I'd never heard that before and I'm just wondering what you think of that?

Pastor Doug: Sounds like some scholar wanted to create a new doctrine and make a name for himself. But the fact is, you cannot love without a free will. That's what makes the free will so crucial, is that love must be freely given. And Jesus, who is the essence of love, obviously had a very free will.

In heaven, we will still have a free will because we'll still love God. If God could pre-program us where we'd have this actualized will, I wish He'd do it now, - -

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm, amen

John: Right

Pastor Doug: - - you know, while we really need it. But the fact is that He lets us choose now and that choice will last for eternity because, of course, the source of temptation is removed; but we still will have our free choice. You know, we've had a little phone trouble.

Pastor Dick: We just lost John.

Pastor Doug: I hope that answered the question for you John.

Pastor Dick: John was listening on KNDL.

Pastor Doug: We've got a new government in California. I'm sure it's a conspiracy [chuckles].

Pastor Dick: [Laughs]

Pastor Doug: Just kidding.

Pastor Dick: Sorry John. You just dropped off the air with us but try to get back to us and we'll take your call again. Let's go to Linden, New Jersey. We want to talk with Eileen at WMCA. Hello Eileen.

Eileen: Hello. What I wanted to ask is, all Christians that love God are concerned about committing the unpardonable sin. So what I would like to know is can you please tell me who in the Bible committed unpardonable sins, and what were they?

Pastor Doug: Good question. Well, I can name a few characters who I think committed the unpardonable sin. Probably the most prominent would be Judas. Jesus gave him a sop of bread at the Last Supper and Satan entered him; and it says he "went out, and it was night." And I think that there's sort of an allegorical second meaning to that.

When he went out it was dark, but he went out into the dark of lost eternity. Judas repented, but he hung himself. He had no redeemable qualities. He had spent three and a half years in the Presence of the most loving Being in the universe, and he rejected, he hardened himself to that love. He grieved away the Holy Spirit and committed the unpardonable sin. He killed himself.

King Saul was chosen by God, filled by the Spirit, but over a course of years he hardened his heart, became rebellious, and he finally killed himself. And then you've got Balaam the prophet who, I believe, grieved away the Holy Spirit. He just kept resisting what he knew God wanted him to do.

He wanted the rewards. He wanted the honor, even though God said, "Don't go and curse My people." So there are a few examples there. I'm sure there are others we could study and identify. Absalom.

Pastor Dick: Absalom. The apostle Paul mentions a young man who has his father's wife or something, and he doesn't identify who that is.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, he actually says such a one should be given over to the devil, - -

Pastor Dick: Right, um-hmm

Pastor Doug: - - but I don't know that he had grieved away the Holy Spirit completely. There it was saying, "Let him get beaten up by the world and maybe he'll come back."

Pastor Dick: Maybe he'll come back, right.

Pastor Doug: But there were others that he felt had completely drawn the line.

Pastor Dick: Right. Hope that answers your question Eileen.

Eileen: Alright, thank you.

Pastor Dick: Alright, thanks for the call.

Pastor Doug: By the way, if Eileen is still there, we do have a book on the unpardonable sin, one of our sermon books she can request or read online.

Pastor Dick: 1-800-835-6747 Eileen, and ask for the book on the unpardonable sin and we'll send it to you. To Sparta, New Jersey. Sandy is listening on WMCA. Hello Sandy.

Sandy: Yeah hi, how are you?

Pastor Dick: Good

Pastor Doug: Good, how can we help you?

Sandy: I have a question, Pastor Doug. In one of your studies you talk about what happens at death, and you were saying that we sleep.

Pastor Doug: Yeah. I'm quoting the Bible, but that's what it says.

Sandy: Well I wanted to know what happens to your spirit? I mean, is that also like in a limbo state there also?

Pastor Doug: Now I'm going to get into some quantum physics here but stay with me, okay? I'll simplify this. We live in a dimension of time here on earth. When a person dies, the Bible says, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Have you heard that before?

Sandy: Right

Pastor Doug: That means that the next conscious thought of a person who dies is the resurrection. But for those of us who live here on earth, that hasn't happened yet because the Lord says the resurrection takes place at the second coming. When the Lord descends then the dead in Christ rise. "Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake," Daniel chapter 12.

They're sleeping, and the Bible says they are waiting in their graves and they're reserved. I mean, there are so many phrases that make it clear that the dead are waiting for the judgment, waiting for the resurrection, but they don't know they're waiting.

Let me give you a first-class example of this. In Acts chapter 2, Peter talks in his Pentecost sermon about King David. We all know that good King David is saved because he's sort of Exhibit A in the Bible of someone after God's heart. Peter says that even after says that even after Jesus has ascended to heaven and 40 days have gone by, he says, "David is dead and buried and not ascended to heaven."

He couldn't be more plain if we read it out of an encyclopedia; but as far as David is concerned, who died 3,000 years ago, does it seem like 3,000 years for him? No. His next conscious thought is the resurrection. So that's why Jesus said, "Our friend Lazarus is asleep"; and Nathan the prophet said, "David is asleep. You'll sleep with your fathers."

Sandy: So you think that because energy can't be (unintelligible) that our spirit is limbo? I mean, it's just not aware, because it has to do something, correct?

Pastor Doug: Well the nearest thing I can compare it to is a dreamless sleep. You remember when Jesus resurrected Lazarus in John chapter 11?

Sandy: Right

Pastor Doug: He said, "Our friend Lazarus is asleep." He had been dead four days. When Lazarus is resurrected, he didn't feel like he had been dead four days, but he made absolutely no comment on his experience in death. That would be the big question everybody would ask, except he says nothing because he had no experience.

It was a dreamless sleep I expect. Now, when I'm talking about the dimension of time, it doesn't mean that the spirit is floating around doing nothing, or in limbo. The Bible doesn't teach that. Keep in mind, Sandy, God can see the future perfectly. He can see the past. The way I understand it is God can live in all eternity at the same time.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: He is the Beginning and the End, the Bible says. So one of the reasons this is a confusing subject for us is because here in this world, we live in a dimension of time that is different from what God dwells in. I don't believe that the dead have been resurrected yet. I believe they're sleeping.

What happens with their spirit? Well that word "spirit" typically means "breath." Hey, we've got a study we'll send you for free Sandy. We're just taking a break now. We have to drop the call here. It's, "Are the Dead Really Dead?" We offered it a few moments ago. We'll send it to you for free, or you can read it online.

Pastor Dick: Call our resource operators at 1-800-835-6747 Sandy, and ask for, "Are the Dead Really Dead?" We're going to take a break now and we'll be back in a few minutes with the second half of the program. So please don't go away. Stay with us, and new folks will be joining us when we come back.

Pastor Doug: Yup, and don't forget, we always like to say at this point in the program, please take advantage of the Amazing Facts' website. That's simply AmazingFacts.org. There's another website we'd like to tell you about. So many questions have come in on the subject of the Sabbath we've dedicated a website.

It's called, SabbathTruth.com, and SabbathTruth.org, and Sabbathtruth.net. Just type in Sabbath Truth and you'll find it. We'll be right back.

[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

Pastor Doug: Welcome back listening friends. If you've just tuned in, this is Bible Answers Live, a live, interactive Bible study that is meant for you. You can join us by listening, praying for us as we attempt to answer these questions that are coming from all directions, and you can ask a question as the lines open up. Dial 1-800-GOD-SAYS, that's 1-800-463-7297.

That brings you to the studio. Pastor Dick will be giving you another number that is our resource number where we give away a lot of free offers.

Pastor Dick: That's right.

Pastor Doug: So who's next Pastor Dick?

Pastor Dick: Well let's go to Belmont, New Jersey. Michael is listening on WMCA. Hi Michael.

Michael: Hi, how are you?

Pastor Doug: Very good

Michael: Hi Pastor Doug. Listen, I just have to respectfully say I don't agree with you about the dead, and the consciousness and not being aware until the Lord comes back, because on the Mount of Transfiguration, Elijah and Moses were there.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, that's right.

Michael: And also, Elijah walked with the Lord; so how do you explain that? I know it'll be - -

Pastor Doug: Actually, I think you're talking about Enoch. Enoch walked with God and is in heaven.

Michael: Enoch walked with God, I'm sorry.

Pastor Doug: It's okay, and Elijah and Moses were on the Mount.

Michael: Right

Pastor Doug: Well first of all, we know there are easy answers for Elijah and Enoch. They were translated, so they're in heaven. And I don't say that there are no people in heaven, because Jesus, when He rose from the dead, the Bible says many of the graves around Jerusalem opened up and they ascended when He ascended.

It was not a universal resurrection, but there was a special resurrection at the time of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. But, if you read in the book of Jude, I think it's verse 9, it tells about how Michael the Archangel resurrected Moses. Moses was specially resurrected.

But the general resurrection, I'm just going by what Jesus said, He said the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; they that have done evil, the resurrection of damnation.

And again, in John chapter 6 it says that they'll rise in the resurrection "at the last day." Matter of fact, three times in that chapter it says the resurrection "at the last day." So obviously, not everyone is raised. You with me?

Michael: Okay, yeah I'm with you, absolutely, 100%. It just seems like some are there, some aren't there. It just seems kind of, you know, God is pretty consistent.

Pastor Doug: Well, generally speaking - -

Michael: To me, that's not a consistency.

Pastor Doug: Well, there are exceptions and He tells us what those exceptions are; but generally speaking, people die and they wait in their graves until the resurrection. That's why Paul said, "When the Lord descends, the dead in Christ will rise." That's 1st Thessalonians chapter 4.

Michael: Okay, thank you.

Pastor Doug: I hope that helps.

Michael: That helps.

Pastor Doug: If you haven't read the study, take a look at it okay? The one on, "Are the Dead Really Dead?" answers a lot of these questions.

Michael: Okay

Pastor Doug: Appreciate that.

Michael: Thank you, alright.

Pastor Doug: You know, we offer these, Pastor Dick, because we can only give a brief answer and there's so much in these lessons, so many Bible references, sometimes hundreds of them.

Pastor Dick: That's right, that's right.

Pastor Doug: So please request the free offers if you have questions on these things. You'll be glad you did.

Pastor Dick: These are great calls. We really appreciate everybody thinking, and studying and asking a lot of these questions.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, I love it!

Pastor Dick: It's great!

Pastor Doug: The truth will stand up to investigation and so we welcome your questions.

Pastor Dick: Exactly, 1-800-GOD-SAYS. If you have a Bible-related question, give us a call. Let's go next to York, Pennsylvania. We want to talk with Brian who's listening on WWVA. Brian, welcome to the program.

Brian: Hi, how are you guys doing?

Pastor Doug: Very good

Brian: Okay. I was talking to somebody at work; and I believe the rapture, as far as what you guys believe.

Pastor Doug: Uh-huh

Brian: And he's pre-trib, or whatever.

Pastor Doug: Right

Brian: He was reading Revelation 19 about the voice of the great many in heaven. He said those people are described; and then Revelation 19:8, it says they're clean and white and they're dressed in fine linen.

Pastor Doug: Yes

Brian: And he said, 'Well then look when Jesus comes back,' and he says, 'the army with Him are dressed probably the same way as those guys.' And he said, 'Well if they're up in heaven, then how, you know....' You know what I'm trying to get at there?

Pastor Doug: Yeah, I think so. Keep in mind, Revelation is a prophetic book that shows you the future.

Brian: Yeah

Pastor Doug: So if you read in Revelation 14 it talks about the second coming of Jesus.

Brian: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: So Revelation 20 is talking about Satan being bound

Brian: Yeah

Pastor Doug: Revelation has several stories that completely take the church from the time of John, to heaven. You've got the seven churches that cover the religious history of the church from Ephesus to Laodicea. Then you've got the seven seals that cover the political history of the church all the way to the second coming.

Brian: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: The last seal is the great earthquake and the second coming. Then you've got the seven trumpets; and the last trumpet is the second coming. And you could go through the series of seven voices and, you name it, seven plagues; and the Bible, in Revelation, is giving us a broad panorama from several different angles.

So because he finds a passage in chapter 19 where it talks about a great multitude in heaven, doesn't mean they're there now; - -

Brian: Yeah

Pastor Doug: - - because it also talks about Satan being bound in chapter 20. Well he's not bound now, I can promise you that.

Brian: Um-hmm, yeah.

Pastor Doug: All you have to do is look around you.

Brian: Could those people still be the people in heaven?

Pastor Doug: Yeah, I believe that they are. Matter of fact, you go all the way to Revelation chapter 7 and it talks about the 144,000. Well we know they're not in heaven yet because it tells us that they're the ones who make it through the great tribulation; but that's way back in Revelation 7.

And it says there's a great multitude--I'm still in Revelation 7--a great multitude arrayed in white robes, that no man can number. Well, I mean, this group of the redeemed appears several places. It doesn't mean that they're all there now - -

Brian: Yeah

Pastor Doug: - - because they're all talking about after the Lord comes; this is who they are. This is what they'll be doing.

Brian: Yeah. The people that come with Jesus, though they're dressed in white and clean, those are the angels, right? In verse--what did I say it was?

Pastor Doug: Yes. When the Lord comes riding on His horse, He's coming with His armies; and that supports everything else in the Bible that says He's coming with ten thousand times ten thousand angels.

Brian: Yeah

Pastor Doug: But anyone who reads Revelation thinking it's a chronological book is going to get real mixed up.

Brian: Yeah, that's what I was telling him too, yeah, okay.

Pastor Doug: It's not written like that.

Brian: Okay, thank you Pastor Doug.

Pastor Doug: Alright, God bless.

Brian: God bless.

Pastor Dick: To Dallas, Texas. Alex is listening on KSKY. Alex, welcome.

Alex: Hi, how are you doing guys?

Pastor Doug: Very good, and your question tonight?

Alex: My question is on Genesis chapter 6, verses 6 and 7, where I read, "And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and he was grieved in his heart. So the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; for I am sorry that I have made them."

Pastor Doug: Yes

Alex: And I was just wondering if you could throw some light on this passage, if you could talk about it a little bit?

Pastor Doug: Well I think you can understand that God's initial purpose for the human race was to be a glory, it was to be a paradise. And here, it says, "The thoughts of their hearts were only evil continually," so God repented. In the King James Version that word there "repent" is "naham," which means "to sigh." He was grieved that He had made man. It broke His heart because man had just become evil and debased. Sinful people are unhappy.

God said, "You know, I'm going to destroy man, this whole world filled with people that are only evil. They're possessed by the devil." That's what He did during the flood. He did it with water the first time. The Lord says He's going to do it with fire the next time; and we're getting to the point where we are like the days of Noah.

Alex: Okay, so you really read this text as it is, that the Lord was sorry that He had made man; because some people say that, "No, He was not sorry. He tried to show a different" [cross talk].

Pastor Doug: No. I think it means exactly what He says; and if anybody questions that, all they've got to do is look at how He dealt with it. He, obviously, was sorry because He wiped the planet clean and started over with one family. A lot of parents out there listening, they may love their children, but they can be grieved by them.

Alex: Yeah, okay. Thank you very much Pastor Doug.

Pastor Doug: Okay, I hope that helps.

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Alex. To Post Falls, Idaho. Hannah is listening on KGTS. Hello Hannah.

Hannah: Hi Pastor Doug

Pastor Doug: Hi

Hannah: My question is on the Sabbath. I've talked to a lot of people about this. I know a lot of questions come in about this and there's a lot of controversy. But a lot of people argue about the Jewish calendar and about the Roman calendar and how they were all changed, but I really want [call cuts off]

Pastor Dick: Oh-oh

Pastor Doug: She's still there, line 10.

Pastor Dick: Let's see, line 10, here we go.

Pastor Doug: Okay. Sorry Hannah, you dropped off for a minute.

Hannah: Oh okay

Pastor Doug: So you were talking about the two calendars and we lost you.

Hannah: Um-hmm. I'm really wanting to know is there anywhere in Scripture that points to the Sabbath being a specific day? I've looked around in Exodus everywhere and I really cannot find it. I just find, "Six days shall you labor and on the seventh day you rest." But does that specifically mean that if you don't worship on Saturday, you're breaking the Fourth Commandment?

Pastor Doug: Alright, good question. First of all, the first time in the Bible anything is mentioned three times is the number 7. In Genesis chapter 2 it tells us the Lord blessed the seventh day. He hallowed the seventh day. He rested the seventh day. The seventh day, the seventh day, the seventh day.

Hannah: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: The Romans named the days of the week with names of Roman gods. The Jews named the days with the numbers. They called what we call Sunday the first day.

Hannah: Uh-huh

Pastor Doug: They called the seventh day, or what we call Saturday, the seventh day. And no matter what anyone has ever done with the calendar, it does not affect the weekly cycle. This is sort of an optical illusion. People look at a calendar and they see the month and the days of the month on the calendar and then they also see the days of the week, and they think any change to the calendar will alter the days of the week.

Think about it. Nothing that anyone has ever done to the calendar affects the days of the week.

Hannah: Um-hm

Pastor Doug: The days of the week simply go Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. No matter what they do to the calendar, that cycle is not affected. That's why our birthdays fall on different days of the week every year.

Pastor Dick: Hannah, another thing that you want to keep in mind, looking for biblical proof, look at the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was crucified on what day?

Hannah: I believe He was crucified on, well, everybody assumes He was crucified on Friday.

Pastor Doug: They call it Good Friday.

Pastor Doug: They call it the Preparation Day though right? The Bible calls it the Preparation Day.

Hannah: Oh yeah

Pastor Dick: And the Roman church calls that day Good Friday. What day was Jesus raised from the dead?

Hannah: On Sunday I believe.

Pastor Doug: Yup

Pastor Dick: Sunday morning. The Bible says, if you look carefully in Matthew and in Luke, it says, "Early on the first day of the week," - -

Pastor Doug: "...after the Sabbath had past."

Pastor Dick: - - "after the Sabbath had past." The women came to the tomb in order to anoint the body of Jesus, and He was gone, okay?

Hannah: Yes

Pastor Dick: Look carefully at those passages. It says, "Early on the first day of the week...."

Hannah: Um-hmm

Pastor Dick: The Roman church calls the first day of the week Sunday morning; and in fact, their highest day, in all of their liturgy, their highest day is Easter Sunday.

Pastor Doug: Easter Sunday.

Hannah: Uh-huh

Pastor Dick: And it always has been Sunday, the first day of the week.

Hannah: I see what you mean.

Pastor Dick: What day is between the Preparation Day and Sunday?

Hannah: Okay, so if the Commandment - -

Pastor Dick: No, wait a minute, before we go there, just tell me what day is between the Preparation Day and Sunday?

Hannah: Uh, well which was the Preparation Day?

Pastor Doug: If it's Friday, what day falls between - -

Hannah: If it's Friday--well Saturday.

Pastor Doug: There you go.

Pastor Dick: Thank you.

Hannah: Alright

Pastor Dick: There's your biblical proof.

Hannah: Okay

Pastor Dick: Okay

Pastor Doug: You know, if, for no other reason, you could just pick up a dictionary and look up what day of the week is the first day and it'll say Sunday. What day of the week is the seventh day, it'll say Saturday. And if you look at a normal calendar, there are some business calendars, look at a normal calendar and it'll list Sunday as the first day of the week and Saturday as the seventh.

The Jews to this day still celebrate on the seventh day, Saturday.

Hannah: So I have this one last thing to add to that.

Pastor Doug: Okay

Hannah: Thank you very much for what you've told me so far, but my heart is only to worship my Lord and my Savior. That's all I want. I just want to be like Him.

Pastor Doug: Um-hmm

Hannah: That's all I want.

Pastor Doug: Good

Hannah: But does this mean that in order to please Him, I would have to leave my church family and worship on Saturday?

Pastor Doug: I'm not going to answer that question telling you what to do. I will tell you that Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."

Hannah: Uh-huh

Pastor Doug: And I think that would include the one Commandment that begins with the word, "Remember." So you pray about what the Lord wants you to do, but I would think that, at any cost, God wants us to obey Him, if we love Him.

Hannah: Okay

Pastor Doug: There's a lot of doctrine floating around in the church today that, as long as we love and worship, that He doesn't care if we obey, but that's really a myth. If we do love Him, we will obey Him. Okay?

Hannah: Alright, thank you very much.

Pastor Doug: Alright. Hey, send for our lesson. Two things I'll tell you real quick Hannah. Go check out the new website called SabbathTruth.com.

Hannah: Okay

Pastor Doug: There's a lot of answers. We received so many questions on this subject that we just developed a website dedicated to answering some of these questions, SabbathTruth.com. We also have a study guide we'll send you for free, or you can read it online. The study guide is called, Things Are Not What They Appear.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Hannah: Things Are Not What They Appear?

Pastor Doug: Things Are Not What They Appear, and we'll send it to you. It's our study guide on the Sabbath.

Hannah: Okay

Pastor Doug: Call the operators and ask for that.

Hannah: Alright

Pastor Doug: Thank you

Hannah: You're welcome. Alright, thank you very much.

Pastor Dick: Hannah, that number is 1-800-835-6747.

Hannah: Okay, thank you.

Pastor Dick: Okay, thanks for the call.

Hannah: Alright, good bye

Pastor Dick: To Shirley who's on a cell phone in Grandview, Washington listening on KYPL. Welcome Shirley.

Shirley: Hi

Pastor Doug: Hi

Shirley: I was curious. My husband has done a lot of study about polygamy, and no particular religion in mind; but I was just curious if it was pertinent for today or if it is still biblical?

Pastor Doug: Well, I'm automatically suspicious when a man spends a lot of time studying polygamy.

Pastor Dick and Shirley: [Chuckles]

Pastor Doug: I just hope he's not wanting to do things in stereo.

Shirley: I'm sorry, what was that?

Pastor Doug: You're hoping he's not thinking of doing things in stereo; in other words, getting an additional wife.

Shirley: Yes, well, that has crossed his mind.

Pastor Doug: Oh well, I hope you labor with him. The Bible says no man can serve two masters; and so that's a Scripture right there that should shoot that down. But obviously, God's plan in the beginning--I hope you can still hear me, Shirley, on the radio if not your phone--God's plan in the beginning is for one man, one woman.

He made that very clear in the Garden of Eden. Then it even says Cain took his wife, not his wives. It wasn't until later that Lamech, I think, was the first one who started taking additional wives. But every example in the Bible where the patriarchs had more than one wife, it always brought heartache into the family.

Shirley: Uh-huh

Pastor Doug: The only family of the patriarchs that seemed to have real harmony was Isaac and Rebekah because there weren't extra wives around; and they loved each other and they were very happy together. So, there were laws made regarding polygamy because it was so prevalent to protect the additional wives, but it was never God's will.

God made laws about slavery, but slavery is not His will. It even says in the New Testament that elders should be husband of one wife.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: I believe that's not talking about if a wife had died. It's talking about polygamy, one wife at a time. Okay?

Shirley: That's exactly what I've understood, and thank you for backing me up.

Pastor Doug: Okay

Pastor Dick: Alright Shirley.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, you hit your husband over the head if he's thinking about another wife.

Shirley: [Chuckles] Okay, thank you.

Pastor Doug: Alright

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Shirley. Let's go to Staten Island, New York. Lisa is listening on WMCA. Hi Lisa.

Lisa: Hi, how are you Pastor Doug?

Pastor Doug: Good, thanks for calling.

Lisa: Oh you're welcome. I have a question because I became very confused just now listening earlier to one of the conversations regarding the state of the dead, those that are dead in Christ right now?

Pastor Doug: Yes

Lisa: Now, are they absent from the body in spirit, and at home with the Lord, awaiting the resurrection of their body? And are they in the spirit form in heaven at this time until the resurrection?

Pastor Doug: Alright. You know what confuses people, and I'm going to have to answer your question in a circuitous way. The word "breath" is often translated "spirit" in both the Greek and the Hebrew.

Pastor Dick: Right

Pastor Doug: For instance, in Ecclesiastes it says when a person dies, the body returns to the dust and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Now that verse is talking about the breath of life.

Lisa: Okay

Pastor Doug: You remember God breathed into Adam's nostrils and he became a living soul?

Lisa: Yes

Pastor Doug: That word "breath" there is the exact same word that's later used for "spirit."

Pastor Dick: That's right.

Pastor Doug: Even Job says, "The spirit of God is in my nostrils" [Job 27:3]. Well, we understand there, obviously, that's the breath of God.

Lisa: Right

Pastor Doug: So when it talks about the "pneuma", it's the Greek word, that's where we get the word "pneumonia", "pneumatic tools". When a person dies, the "spirit" of life always returns to God; but that's not talking about the conscious character or the soul of who a person is. It's simply saying the power of life returns to God.

The individual is unconscious in a dream-less sleep. Jesus said that they're asleep until they're called forth from their graves. And I don't know why people worry. I think that folks feel like they're dismantled and they cease to exist; but Jesus said, "I'm the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I'm not the God of the dead, but the living. In the heart of God, they're still alive.

Lisa: Okay

Pastor Doug: See what I'm saying?

Lisa: So are they in heaven, - -

Pastor Doug: No

Lisa: - - or they're in the memory, God's memory, to be held until the time of resurrection?

Pastor Doug: Yes. They're obviously not in heaven yet because Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you.... I will come again and receive you unto Myself," and then take us where He is. So, He hasn't come and taken us to the mansions He has prepared yet, that's heaven; so they are sleeping until the resurrection, and the Great Judgment is also still future. So why would God put a person in heaven, then judge them?

Lisa: Right, right. I've thought of that exact, the statement you just made.

Pastor Doug: This is the only scenario that I've looked at that really works with all the Scriptures.

Lisa: Now, this Scripture I'm just recalling for whom I (unintelligible) I'm trying to speak quickly right now.

Pastor Doug: Well you give me the Scripture and I'll help you.

Lisa: Okay. When he stated that to be absent from the body, then to be at home....

Pastor Doug: And present with the Lord.

Lisa: Yes

Pastor Doug: That's 1st Corinthians.

Lisa: Okay now, what was he referring to there and who was stating that?

Pastor Dick: It was the apostle Paul

Pastor Doug: Paul

Lisa: Okay, and what was Paul referring to?

Pastor Doug: Well two things, keep in mind Paul often speaks in mysteries, even Peter said that. For one thing, Paul is talking about the body being carnally minded, the spirit being spiritually minded. When we live for the body, we are absent from the Lord; but when we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord.

In other words, if we're living for the carnal fulfillment of the body, you can't be living in the Spirit.

Lisa: Right, right

Pastor Doug: So that's one aspect of that statement. But then he said, "I would rather be absent from the body and be present with the Lord," meaning that if he should die, his next conscious thought is the resurrection. Paul knew that.

Lisa: Right, okay

Pastor Doug: But it didn't happen until the resurrection. Matter of fact, in 1st Corinthians 15, this is a powerful verse, "The dead receive their glorified bodies at his coming." That's what Paul says.

Lisa: Okay, right, right.

Pastor Doug: So, that can't be any more clearer. They haven't received them yet; at His coming. And then again, 1st Thessalonians chapter 4, the Lord will descend from heaven, the dead in Christ will rise; and he says "those that sleep." We don't need to sorrow regarding those that sleep. So he's calling them "sleep."

Lisa: Right, right. I'm aware of that.

Pastor Doug: If they're awake and running around, they're not asleep.

Lisa: So, if one were to pass away and someone is trying to console that person by saying they're with God now, is that - -

Pastor Doug: It's not technically accurate, because they're not with God at our same time. You can say, keep in mind, their next conscious thought is being caught up to meet the Lord.

Lisa: Right

Pastor Doug: And if you put yourself in the deceased's shoes, you can rejoice for them that the next thing they are aware of is the resurrection and getting the glorified body.

Lisa: Okay

Pastor Doug: But while we're still walking this earth, it hasn't happened yet. Hey, we probably need to move on. We've had, I think, four questions on death tonight [chuckles].

Lisa: Okay

Pastor Doug: We don't want it to be too depressing.

Lisa: [Laughs] I appreciate the answer.

Pastor Doug: Send for that lesson we offered earlier okay Lisa?

Lisa: Great

Pastor Doug: "Are the Dead Really Dead?"

Lisa: Thanks so much.

Pastor Doug: God bless.

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Lisa. Let's go next to Rockaway, New Jersey. John is listening on WMCA. Hello John.

John: How are you doing tonight?

Pastor Doug: Good, your question?

John: I had a question in regards to women being pastors. I see it's a current trend in the evangelical church today and I'm just wondering if it's biblical and what your view is on it?

Pastor Doug: Well, I like to stick with the Bible, and the word "pastor" in the Bible is often synonymous with "elder," "bishop," "priest." The functions were the same. There is no example in the Bible of a woman serving in the capacity of a priest, pastor or elder.

Matter of fact, the Bible says that an "elder needs to be the husband of one wife." It's hard for that person to be a woman, and be the husband of a wife. Now, that does not mean God never uses women in ministry. First of all, my wife co-ministers with me, but I'm the Pastor.

We just went to Korea together and did evangelistic meetings. She was up on the platform with me helping me answer Bible questions, but she would never call herself a Pastor; and so it's a distinct role. Pastors are to the church what a husband is to the family. So when women assume those roles, I think it blurs the distinction that God has in the family too.

John: Okay. Do you have any information on that?

Pastor Doug: I do.

John: Website?

Pastor Doug: I have an article at our website that I wrote on this very subject. It's called, "Unisex in Jesus?" You'll see Free Library at the top of our web page, Amazing Facts. Just go to the free Inside Report Articles. It will say, "I R Articles," okay?

John: Okay, very good.

Pastor Doug: It's called, "Unisex in Jesus?"

John: Thank you very much.

Pastor Doug: Thank you, God bless.

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call John. Let's go next to Spokane, Washington. Terri is listening on KEEH. Terri, we have about two minutes so what can we do quickly?

Terri: Okay, this will be an easy question. Basically, I've had premarital sex and, you know, I've confessed to God and turned around, but I'm still dealing with the guilt so I was wondering if there are any Scriptures that might help?

Pastor Doug: Well, the Bible tells us in, oh I believe it's in 1st Corinthians, he says that we, speaking of the church, he said we were living in sin; and he names a whole list of sins, including adultery and even homosexuality. And he says but we have been purged, we have been cleansed, we've been sanctified.

So when you repent and confess your sins, the Bible says He cleanses you from all unrighteousness and you need to accept and believe that He cleanses you.

Terri: Um-hm

Pastor Doug: I believe you'll find great liberation in that. The Bible says in Romans 5, verse 8, "But God demonstrates His own love towards, in that, while we were still sinners, He died for us." And we come to Him like we are. You know, one of the stories that I think you'd enjoy, Terri, is Mary Magdalene.

Mary Magdalene is Exhibit A in the Bible of a woman that had a very sordid reputation, who becomes a virtual virgin at the end of the Gospels. She is the one that Jesus first reveals Himself to, and she is the one that He commissions with the news that He's alive.

Terri: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: And so that should give us hope that everyone can get a new beginning. I've even written a book on that called, At Jesus' Feet, the Gospel According to Mary Magdalene.

Pastor Dick: Excellent book Pastor Doug!

Pastor Doug: You would enjoy that.

Terri: Alright

Pastor Doug: You can find out about that at our website. You can tell from the music, Terri, we're out of time. I hope that helps. We want to thank you for your questions. We want to thank all of our friends who have tuned in.

Listening friends, keep in mind that a lot of the resources that we have mentioned tonight you can download for free at the Amazing Facts' website. We're into getting the truth out. There are other books and resources you can order or buy; but we want to spread the truth.

Pastor Dick: Amen!

Pastor Doug: That's why God has called us. If you've been blessed by this program, if you've learned something, we are completely listener-supported, faith-based from week to week. We're trusting that people like you, yes you, will support us. Keep in mind, take advantage of the year-end tax deductions. If you'd like to make a donation to Amazing Facts, we can help you with that. God bless you, we'll see you next week.

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