Hello friends. This is Doug Batchelor. How about an amazing fact? Most Americans have heard of the legend of Johnny Appleseed. Who went about the frontier with a kettle on his head scattering apple seeds. But, unlike Pecos villain Paul Bunyan there really was a Johnny Appleseed. His real name was John Chapman. And he lived between 1775 and 1845. John had an extraordinary love for apples and he wanted everybody to enjoy its fruit. He came from Philadelphia with apple seeds he had collected which he planted throughout the Ohio River Valley. He roamed the wild countryside with a vigilant eye looking for a suitable place where young apple trees could flourish by a spring or on a side of a hill with rich soil.
With a humble prayer he would gently push those little seeds into the earth and then pat the ground and then build a brush fence to protect the saplings before moving on to the next promising pace to start a nursery. Every fall he would return to the cider presses in Pennsylvania where he would select good seeds from the discarded apple pressings which he carefully washed dried and bagged for the planting the following spring. As the orchard grew he would sell the thousands of new trees to the farmers that were settling the land. Even though he loved the frontier he ate no meat, but he carried a stew pot or kettle with him. In this he would gather nuts or berries and carry the water, boil potatoes or cook ground cornmeal. He has been pictured before as wearing the kettle on top of his head, but more than likely he kept it tied the top of his backpack.
John Chapman never married, but he was deeply religious and loved people especially children. As the settlers moved into the wilderness his lonely nights were fewer because he was a welcome guest at every cabin. Many a night he would hold them all enthralled with his many stories about the wild woods or read to them from the Bible that he carried. As a result of practicing his favorite hobby for about fifty years this one man provided thousands of apples to feed thousands of people for several generations. There is no way to estimate how many millions of seeds he planted or the hundreds of orchards he in the territory south of the Great Lakes between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
This was his service to mankind. Even to this day that region is very rich and full of beautiful apple trees largely inspired by the early work of John Chapman or Johnny Appleseed. I’ve often wondered what the world would be like today if every Christian felt the same compelling desire to spread God’s seeds of truth. Stay with us friends and we are going to learn more as “Amazing Facts” brings you this edition of “Bible Answers Live”.
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Doug: Welcome back friends to “Bible Answers Live” amazing what you can get through the radio program and we will give you the numbers to get free materials. And if you have any questions regarding the word of God the Bible then pick up your phone and dial a toll free number and call 1-800- GOD-SAYS or 1-800-463-7297. Right now at the beginning of the program is a good time to call to get your questions on the air. We have got a whole lot of phone lines open and I need your help because Pastor Dick is on vacation tonight. And I will be winging it here in the studio so I would like to have you call in your questions. Once again call 1-800-463-7297 and as always we want to begin the program with a word of prayer to start it.
Father in heaven thank you for this wonderful opportunity we have to come together as your children. Though we might be driving down the road or working in the kitchen we can join together and listen together to better understand what your blessed book the Bible teaches. We pray that you will meet with us and please do forgive the sins of the one who will speaking and teaching and I pray that together we will collectively draw closer to you. I ask in Jesus name. Amen.
Well friends I was always interested in the heroes of the pioneers and some of them were of course real like Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone and others were fictions like Paul Bunyan with his big steer that he had and who else is somebody thinking about? Well you’ve got John Henry and Pecos Bill and lot of legends and some of them are probably rooted in truth, but when I used to hear the story about Johnny Appleseed I was surprised to learn he really was a historical figure and his name was John or Johnny and that was his nickname. And you just think about the drive or the love a man must have for apples that he would want to plant them everywhere. And share them and just spend his life spreading the fruit. And it made me think about Christians and what we could do when we love the word of God. Because when you love the word of God you want everybody to receive those seeds of truth. Jesus compared the word of God to seed.
Pastor Doug: In the Bible He talks about the sower who goes forth to sow good seed. And that good seed is of course the word of God and in Revelation you’ll remember Jesus is coming to harvest the crop that has been planted. And we hope friends that if you have been a believer you’ll have the interest in sharing those seeds of truth.
If you’d like to know more about the word of God and the truth of the Bible we have a special offer tonight. We haven’t offered in awhile you know “amazing Facts “has a series of 27 study guides. And if you would like to request the first study guide you can sign up for the entire series for free. We’ll not send them all to you all at one time. But, we will send you the first one you fill it out and send it back and we will send you the other lessons. And if you’d like to just call that toll free number that goes to our resource operators that is 1-800-835-6747 tell them you are listening to “Amazing Facts” and that you would like the first Bible study guide called “Is There Anything Left You Can Trust”. Just tell them Bible study guide number one and it’s the one on the Bible being dependable. Number to call once again is 1-800-835-6747 and if you have a Bible question write down these numbers to the studio it is a live program. That is 1-800-GOD-SAYS that’s 1-800-463-7297. And together we will try to find out together what God’s word the Bible says.
Pastor Doug: I have few internet questions and usually we take two. Tonight I am going t see if we can do three because they are short ones. First question is there any verse in the Old Testament that says in the last days knowledge will increase, but wisdom will escape them? If so where can I find that?
Pastor Doug: Well not exactly it does say in Daniel Chapter 12 that many will run to and fro and knowledge will increase. But, the last part of your question of wisdom escaping them; it doesn’t really say that. It does apply and it is possible to have knowledge without wisdom and there are several references in the Bible for that in the book of Proverbs.
Next question we have got there. I am an Education major and I have been doing a lot of research on music. Does it say anywhere in the Bible that Christian music played or sung in the church?
Pastor Doug: And my answer would be a resounding no it doesn’t say that. It is of course appropriate that all the music played in church should bring glory to God. But, that music should not be restricted to just to the church. The Bible says that Jesus sang a hymn in the upper room just before He went to the Garden of Gethsemane. Ephesians 5: 19 it says “Speaking to one another and in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” spiritual songs and singing obviously is not only in church. And Christian music is something we should sing with our children on a daily basis when we have our morning and or evening worship. And so I hope that answers that one.
Pastor Doug: Now I said I have three questions. So what is the third one here? Oh it is asking about demon possession. Now in the New Testament it talks about Jesus casting out demons. Were these actual manifestations of demons dwelling in people? Or is it referring to some obsession with sin or a medical problem?
When it says in the Bible that they were demons then I take the Bible at its word that they were demons. Now sometimes these demons cam manifest themselves that will sometimes appear as medical symptoms. But, there is real demonic activity. Now I do believe some people struggle with medical problems that could be behavioral problems that might be chemically or environmentally induced. It can be caused by fatigue. That doesn’t always mean it is demon possession. Sometimes the devil will take advantage of these medical problems.
Demonic possession and demonic harassment of course they are two separate things and we are all tempted and harassed by the devil. Some people are demon possessed. But, it is a complex issue because you are dealing with the spirit realm. You know maybe this would not be too opportunistic if I mention it. I have just finished a book and it was just printed and by the time you call they will be at “Amazing Facts” and it is called “Broken Chains” and so it deals with Jesus delivering this demoniac there by the Sea of Galilee from a legion of demons and if I do say so myself it is an intriguing book. If you would like to purchase a copy of that because we can’t offer it for free it is fairly inexpensive. You can just contact “Amazing Facts” through their website “Amazing Fact dot org”.
If you want the study guide it is free and a number of other things we offer tonight are free. But, the “Broken Chains” book there is a small fee. That resource number to call for the study guide is 1-800-835-6747.
Pastor Doug: We are now going to the phones and Brooklyn, New York and is this Isaiah calling on WMCA?
Isaiah: Hello Pastor Doug.
Pastor Doug: Or is it “Isa” I am sorry.
Isa: That is alright.
Pastor Doug: You know that is an abbreviation for Isaiah in my Bible.
[Laughter]
Pastor Doug: But, go ahead.
Isa: My question is with a couple of friends we you know after watching the movie the “Passion of the Christ” we were talking about the beatings which they showed had happened to Jesus. And a couple of them disagreed with how He was beaten. And I just found that in the book of Isaiah it was saying that He was brutally beaten and they were saying then why on the Gospels doesn’t it give mention to how badly He was beaten? So they believe He was beaten, but not as badly. What do you suggest?
Pastor Doug: Well first of all nobody that made a movie has a video of exactly how Jesus was beaten. You are correct that it does say in the book of Isaiah that He was marred more than the sons of men. He was severely beaten to where He collapsed under the load of the cross. Keep in mind though that Hollywood is famous for taking Biblical stories and shall I say expanding on them; exaggerating them. The suffering that Jesus experienced and the most intense suffering was not just the beatings that He received, but it was especially the separation from God and keep in mind that Christ’s sufferings became most intense right before anyone lifted a finger to Him. He was in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane because He was sweating drops of blood. That is where He was suffering began and nobody even had lifted a finger to Him at that point.
So if the movies make it gruesome and I don’t know how far the Romans went. I know I would not want to go through what Jesus went through. He was whipped with a cat of nine tails and he was beaten by soldiers. And crucifixion of course is one of the most horrifying ways to die. But, I would not use Hollywood as my gauge on reality. Okay?
Isa: Okay thank you so much Pastor Doug.
Pastor Doug: Alright. Thanks I hope that helps a little bit.
Isa: Have a good night.
Pastor Doug: You, too. And now we are going to Mel calling from Newark and listening on WJHE welcome.
Mel: Hello Pastor Doug how is it going? I have heard those famous left behind books are leading or deceptive. Is this true?
Pastor Doug: Well first of all you have your radio on in the background and you might turn it down because there is a delay and it might cause some confusion. To answer you quickly there are a couple of things in the “Left Behind” books where they seriously flawed in the concept that there timeline in where they place the tribulation and the nature of the rapture and the idea that they have Christians using deception to try to fight against evil forces. God’s people would never use deception.
Mel: What did you say?
Pastor Doug: Yes I have never read the whole series. I have read parts of them, but I have seen the first or second movie that came out. It is a very fanciful erroneous portrayal of last days according to the Bible.
Mel: I’ve read every one of those books and some of the stuff they have in there; the technological stuff.
Pastor Doug: Yes it is a little bizarre. And I can’t comment on them all because I haven’t read them all, but the first one I read was so fanciful that what they do is they try to combine a little bit of the Bible with fiction. But, they have the tribulation happening after the rapture and they have got people just disappearing and the secret rapture is not taught anywhere in the Bible; the Bible says when He comes every eye will see Him.
Mel: Right.
Pastor Doug: For instance it says in 2 Peter Chapter 3 the day of the Lord comes as a thief. People stop right there Mel and they say see it is as a thief. If they keep reading this is what it says. 2 Peter 3: 10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works therein shall be burned up.” So how can life go on the way it is portrayed in these books? If the earth is burned up with fervent heat and the elements dissolved when Jesus comes as a thief. So the whole teaching is the Alice in the wonderland and probably has more fact to it.
Mel: I see what you are saying.
Pastor Doug: But, you know there is a book that we carry at “Amazing Facts” and we can’t send it to you for free, but wait a minute I do have something I will send you for free. I have a book I have written and it is called “Anything But Secret” and it talks about the second coming and the tribulation and I will send it to you or anyone who asks for it for free. It is called “Anything But Secret” and it speaks about the chronology of last day events. Just call 1-800-835-6747 you can also probably—there is a book that we carry online called “The Left behind Deception” by Steve Wohlberg. He goes step by step behind the left behind scenario and it just exposes it.
Mel: Yeah that was mentioned in the back of that Harry Potter book.
Pastor Doug: Well yeah you ought to order that book by Steve Wohlberg. We can’t give it away though, but it is very reasonable.
Mel: Right.
Pastor Doug: Alright I hope that helps you a little bit Mel.
Mel: It does and thanks to you. Bye-bye.
Pastor Doug: Alright God bless. Bye. Now we are talking to John who is calling from right here in Sacramento, California KFIA. Welcome John.
John: Yes how are you doing sir?
Pastor Doug: Pretty good. How are you doing?
John: Very good. I was asking on John Chapter 20: 23 and when you look at it compare it to Matthew Chapter 6: 14 & 15.
Pastor Doug: Well in John 20: 23 it says “If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven and if you retain the sins of any they are retained. And then in Matthew 6; 14 & 15 at the end of the Lord’s Prayer where it says if you forgive not men their trespasses neither will the Father forgive you?
John: Right. This verse seems to be…
Pastor Doug: Sounds like a conflict right?
John: …yeah.
Pastor Doug: Well first of all if you are looking in the original language here in John 20 it says that if you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven and retain the of any they are retained. The word “sins” does not appear in the second part of that, but that shouldn’t really change the meaning of that much. So think about this for a second where does forgiveness come from?
John: The Lord yes it comes from the Lord.
Pastor Doug: If I do not share Jesus with somebody then their sins may be retained because I have not shared Christ with them.
John: Oh okay.
Pastor Doug: And John I think is approaching it from a whole different aspect if you will notice he says in Chapter 20: 22 in the verse just before this when he said this: He said “Receive the Holy Spirit.” In the verse just before that He said “As my father sent me, so I send you.” Why does he give us the Holy Spirit? Isn’t it to witness?
John: Yeah. Right He does.
Pastor Doug: Here He says I am sending you; receive the Holy Spirit in Acts Chapter 1: 8 says “You’ll receive power to be my witnesses.” So when He says in the next verse “Whosoever’s sins you forgive they are forgiven and if you retain them they are retained.” He is basically saying you are the vehicle of forgiveness by sharing with people. If you don’t share with them they are not forgiven. So this is a mandate that they should share the forgiveness of God with others; otherwise they are still in their sins.
John: Okay it seems to indicate they have the authority to do this to forgive or not forgive.
Pastor Doug: I know where part of the problem comes in when you translate from one language to another. Sometimes the exact wording takes on a different meaning. If you take this on the surface the way it comes out in English; well let me give you an example. I think it is in German I forget. But, if you were to say in German that you want to feed the cow you would say “Throw the cow over the fence some hay.” Well it sounds like you are throwing the cow over the fence which is hard to do. It is the way they structure things. So when you translate Jesus talking about bringing forgiveness to people and if you don’t bring forgiveness to them their sins are retained.
John: That puts a lot of light on this.
Pastor Doug: Well of course the Bible says we are all called to be watchmen on the wall. Paul said I am free of the blood of all men and he was saying when we have the opportunity to share our faith with people we should take it.
John: Oh okay.
Pastor Doug: I was on an airplane today flying back from Cincinnati and I sat next to this lady on one leg of the flight and I prayed that as we talked that God would give me an opportunity to talk to her about our faith. And I always feel that when I am exposed to people for any length of time and you have that opportunity because that is how they find forgiveness right? Through Jesus and I hope that helps a little.
John: Alright it did. I was confused because I didn’t know that. I thought it was the other way if I feel they offend me and I can keep their sins and I don’t forgive them then that will mean they go to out that way. And that is how I took it.
Pastor Doug: Yeah and why would you do that? I mean if you look in Acts Chapter 7 where Steven is stoned he says Father do not lay this sin to their charge because the spirit of Christ is forgiving them because they don’t know what they are doing so why would we say I don’t ever want to forgive you, but I will forgive you and I am going to decide who is saved and who is lost. God doesn’t give us that ability. The only way that you and I can determine who is saved and lost is by sharing the gospel with them and then they make the decision. I sure hope that helps a little.
John: Sure it did it did and it cleared up a lot of things. Thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: Thank you John for your question. I am not trying to rush, but I am trying to see whether we can squeeze in another call here before our break. Neville is calling from WTLN in Orlando, Florida. Welcome Neville.
Neville: Yes I am here and I wanted to find out about Hebrews 9: 12 and how it relates to the 2300 day prophecy.
Pastor Doug: Hebrews 9: 12 let me go there. I will read this real quick. “Not with the blood of goats and calf’s, but by his own he entered the most holy place once for all having obtained eternal redemption.” Alright are you wondering about the 2300 day prophecy?
Neville: Yes.
Pastor Doug: I think I know what you are asking. For our listening friends Neville I want to make sure anybody listening behind so I need to explain this. There is a prophecy in Daniel Chapter 8 called the 2300 day prophecy that prophesies that after the 2300 day period the sanctuary would be cleansed. And of course at this time there is only one sanctuary that is operating and that is the one in heaven. When Christ first ascended to heaven Neville He entered into the Hoy of Holies where God is to activate the heavenly temple. Now there’s only two times when a high priest would enter the Holy of Holies. Once was when they activated it. When Moses first built the temple on earth he went in and he sprinkled it with blood. He offered the blood of animals and he set it in motion.
Then the other time was the Day of Atonement. When Christ first ascended to heaven He went before the Father and plead His sacrifice and it was accepted and then He came back to earth and that is why He told Mary, “Don’t cling to me I have not yet ascended to my Father.” And then He didn’t enter the sanctuary for His heavenly Day of Atonement administration until the 2300 day period was concluded.
Friends if this is getting confusing we have a study guide we will send you for free. And it is called “God Drew the Plans” if you want to have it call 1-800-835-6747 to know more about the heavenly temple and these prophecies Neville and I are discussing ask for the study guide “God Drew the Plans”. Just call 1-800-835-6747 and does that help a little bit Neville?
Neville: Yes I just wanted to ask you the same question can you repeat you said there was twice the priests went in one for activation and one for the Day of Atonement.
Pastor Doug: Well what I said was twice to be accepted and let me explain. The temple on earth was patterned after the one in heaven. Even the Old and New Testament says that. The one on earth was a microcosm, but the real one is the dwelling place of God in heaven. When Moses built the first temple on earth and matter of fact t says this in Hebrews. He went in and sprinkled all the furniture with blood to activate it so to speak.
Now the temple in heaven was the spreading of goats and calf’s for the first 4000 years of history? There was no blood to offer. The blood of cows is worthless to God. It wasn’t until He died on the cross that Jesus went to activate that heavenly vehicle of forgiveness with his own blood.
Neville: Ah-ha. Oh. Right.
Pastor Doug: Then He began to serve as our high priest in the Holy place so to speak and that’s why in Acts Chapter 1 you see Him standing by the seven candlesticks and later in Acts you see Him in the Holy of Holies. And that would be Acts Chapter 11 I believe. Alright I hope that helps a little.
Neville: That does and it does answer the questions I had. Thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: I am going to try to get tin one more call Neville and get the study guide and tell me what you think. Thanks for your question. Alright now we’re going to see if Martin is calling from Brooklyn, New York on WMCA. Welcome Martin.
Martin: Pastor?
Pastor Doug: Yes sir.
Martin: Yes hi Pastor God bless you. I wanted to ask you two questions. As a Christian I have been saved for about ten years and I keep falling into a sin that I keep repenting of. I wanted to ask you can I lose my salvation? And does God hear my payer when I am in the sin?
Pastor Doug: Well I am going to answer your second question first. God will always hear a prayer of repentance. See if God only hears the prayer of righteous people we are all lost because we are all sinners.
Martin: But, if my prayer of repentance is only a repentance for the moment or the week does he hear/
Pastor Doug: Well if your repentance isn’t heartfelt then you have a problem.
Martin: When I do I feel it is genuine and then I fall back into it.
Pastor Doug: Well that doesn’t mean you repented and it isn’t genuine because the Bible says a righteous man can fall seven times and rise again and the Bible tells us Jesus cast seven devils out of Mary Magdalene. And then Jesus said to Peter if your brother offends you seven times in one day and repents then you should forgive him. And repentance is not on the guarantee that you will never make that mistake again. When you do repent you should be sincerely sorry. And sorry enough to stop, but that doesn’t mean that if you fall again that God says well you said you were sorry and you must not have been sincere because anybody who struggles with any kind of an addiction knows that you can be absolutely sincere and then make the same mistake again. Let me read to you something about your second question. Can a person who is saved lose it here is what Ezekiel 18: 24 says “When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity and does according to all the abominations of the wicked.” That doesn’t mean he slips if you notice how he words it? He is doing according to all the abominations of all the wicked. Hall he live? God says that all of his righteousness shall not be mentioned that in the sin that he sins he shall die. And so it is saying that there should be a consistency and there is a quote that is not in the Bible Martin. This is in classic steps to Christ.
Martin: Yeah.
Pastor Doug: And here is what the quote says “It is not the occasional good deed or misdeed that determines whose side we are on. But, it is the habitual words and acts.” So if the direction of your life is that you are consistently obeying God and living for the Lord and you slip and fall you know—God doesn’t—if a parent is teaching a child their child to walk and they slip he doesn’t disown them do you know what I am saying?
Martin: But, if this sin continues on for a long period of time then I don’t know.
Pastor Doug: If you cling to sin it will separate you and what you need to do is plead for the forgiveness. And Martin that is such an important question you know. I hope you will—we have a book and I want to send this to you for free. Please send for this and it is called “Is it Possible to Live without Sinning” it will bless you. Please ask for that because we are taking a break and cannot control that. Listening friends we are just take our breath here and Pastor Dick has something else to share with you. Make sure t check out the website which is just “Amazing Facts dot com” and we will be back in just a moment.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Doug: Welcome back friends. This is Doug Batchelor. But, if you want to call in just call the toll free number. It is 1-800-GOD-SAYS or 1-800-463-7297 with any Bible question that you have to be sure to stay away from finance and romance and no politics; let’s stick to the Bible. Dial 1-800-463-7297 and we are going to go back to the phones now. We’re going to talk with John who is calling from Lovington, New Mexico and listening on KCMG welcome John.
John: Hi.
Pastor Doug: Hi your question?
John: I was having a conversation and the topic came up whether the church replaced and I cannot find any reference about this.
Pastor Doug: Well tell me when you want me to jump in because I think I know where you are going with this.
John: Well I am lost on this deal so any help is needed. I cannot find anywhere in the Bible where it states that or even hint of that. That would be great any help you can give me.
Pastor Doug: Well first of all I always like to remind people that I am Jewish and a Christian because we have new listeners every week. Some people think it is strange that you are Jewish and a Christian, but I would remind them that Jesus was Jewish and He was a Christian.
John: Amen.
Pastor Doug: So for what I am about to say I am about as objective as anybody can be on this. Why did God call the Jews? Was it because God was being racially selective? I don’t believe so. I believe He called these people because He chose a people that He would place geographically at the crossroads of the world because you have to admit the land of Israel today is a very interesting piece of real estate. It is right on the intersection of three continents. And He wanted them to be a light to the Nations and this is what the Lord says in Deuteronomy; that He was placing them there to be a Nation of Priests.
Now they were to introduce the Messiah to the world. The Messiah was to come through the seed of Abraham and David and that is what Jesus did. The apostles were all Jews. They introduced Jesus to the world and of course Pentecost is exhibit A of when they did that. Then the gospel about three and one half years after that went to the Gentiles in addition to the Jews; not just to the Gentiles. Paul often says to the Jew first and then also to the Gentile. But, there is a very interesting message that is seen all through the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. And here is what that message says many will come from the eats and the West and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; they were Jews. And the children of the kingdom will be in outer darkness.
Now what that message means is just because you are a member of a church or a member of the Jewish race does not mean you are saved. God does not save us based on our genetic line. He saves us based on our faith. Now Paul said he is not a Jew which is one outwardly, but he is a Jew which is one inwardly. Do you remember that? So if that is true a real Jew could be a Jew because if he is a Jew inwardly is what was meant. And also a believer in Christ can be a Jew. He that is Christ’s is the same as Abraham’s seed. So those that accept Christ become spiritual Jews. John the Baptist said God can raise up from these stones children of Abraham. And so the idea that God is exclusive or that He is racist is not Biblical. Does the Lord have something planned for the Jewish people and the Jewish Nation? Absolutely. But, most of the promises in the Bible have shifted to the spiritual church which may include Jews. Did you catch that? It is not just the Jew; it is the Jew and the Gentile. So God never passes by people and says you know there are four people there in that life raft and I want to save them all, but I can only save one so I am going to save the Jew. Do you hear what I am saying?
John: Yeah I hear what you are saying.
Pastor Doug: You know probably I’ll send you a book for free and it is not a big book it is easy to read. I wrote a book with Steve Wohlberg and another Jew. It is called “Spiritual Israel” and it talks about what God says about real literal Jews in Israel and the church. And prophetically and Biblically where is there standing? Would you like a free copy of that John? It is called “Spiritual Israel”.
John: Yeah.
Pastor Doug: Just call this number is all you have got to do. 1-800-835-6747 and ask for “Spiritual Israel” and they will send it to you. It is toll free number 1-800-835-6747. I hope that will help you a little bit. Oh I forget sometimes we have said toll free and I think everybody knows, but that also could be 888.
John: Thanks.
Pastor Doug: Alright let’s see next we are going to talk to Miguel who is calling from the Bronx and listening again on WMCA. Welcome Miguel your question please? You there Miguel? Sometimes people will wait patiently for a while and then go do something and then here I am talking to dead air. Miguel I am going to put you on hold and move on and try to give you another chance. Um let me see I’ll be talking to Richard in Fort Saint Lucy, Florida. Richard welcome you are on the air. Do you have a question?
Richard: Yes I do thank you.
Pastor Doug: Thank you for waiting.
Richard: No problem. A friend of mine gave me some Scriptures and he needed some clarification and actually I do, too.
Pastor Doug: Alright.
Richard: James 1: 14 and he referred to Hebrew 4: 15.
Pastor Doug: James 1:14? “But every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.” And before I comment you want me to go to Hebrews 4: 15. Okay I am using my Bible program here “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but was in all points tempted as we are and yet without sin.” Okay before I answer let me hear what you want to ask.
Richard: Well my friend seems to look at it that it might suggest that just Jesus was tempted in all points as we are then he lusted.
Pastor Doug: I have no doubt that He was tempted with that physical desire, but temptation is not a sin.
Richard: Right.
Pastor Doug: And so think the way you worded it is different. Christ it says He was tempted—let me give you an illustration. When it says He was tempted in al we were. The word points is not in the original language it has been supplied. When Jesus was in the wilderness there are three principle areas where everybody is tempted. 1 John Chapter 2: 15 it talks about the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. All temptations fall into one of those three categories. Christ was tempted three ways with the bread, the lust of the flesh. Now the lust of the flesh is the lust of the flesh. It could be a sexual temptation, it could be a food addiction, and it could be a craving for alcohol or drugs. But it was a physical craving were what that is dealing with. Sex is s physical craving and a combination of mental and physical food is that. Christ was tempted physically and I am sure He was tempted if He was healthy man then he felt those same drives that all healthy men feel. But, He did not ever allow Himself to embrace any impure thoughts and that is the difference.
The devil may put something before you as a temptation. But, you must choose to embrace it and let me be very graphic about that. If you are a healthy man for instance, and a woman who is dressed in a scanty manner who is yes I was trying to find a delicate way to say she is sexually attractive. You see a lot of that in the summer time because it seems like it is part of the fashion. As soon as you realize you are being attracted by your lower nature you can choose to look at something else. And let me just tell you something do you know what I do? I’ll let you know a little secret of one way I am able to get a little victory in that area is I am somewhere and my attention is arrested and it is because some young lady is dressed inappropriately I will look to see if there are any other men around and I look and I see how they react and makes me realize that his is just a real problem that people struggle with. But, in the meantime in my seeing and praying for them my problem is gone because my attention then redirected.
Richard: Right.
Pastor Doug: But, it is that looking and noticing something and looking and lusting is why Jesus said if a man commits adultery in his heart that is different. Do you see what I am saying?
Richard: Right.
Pastor Doug: But, Martin Luther just let me add this one more point. Martin Luther used a very famous quip. He said you cannot prevent the birds from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from making a nest in your hair.
Richard: Sure. Right.
Pastor Doug: Temptation will come. Jesus was tempted, but dwelling on it or embracing the temptation is what makes it become sin. And that is what James is talking about. He says sin when it is conceived it brings forth death. And that is the next verse, verse 15.
Richard: Right I think where he might be getting caught up is just in the wording because if he looks at Hebrews 4: 15 first it says Jesus was tempted as we are to a point. And then when he goes over to James, but every man is tempted when he is run away with his own lust. And I think he said he is looking at that from a sexual standpoint.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, but still even Jesus was and that whole verse there still applies to Jesus. Jesus was drawn away by what was within Him. But, where it changes is when it says desire has conceived it gives birth to sin. Notice that? Jesus never allowed it to conceive. He stopped it before it got to that point.
Richard: Right. Right.
Pastor Doug: That’s why it says in the Bible “yet without sin” He lived holy life without sin. I hope that helps.
Richard: Okay it does and I really appreciate it.
Pastor Doug: Alright thank you very much and a good question. Okay let’s see here. We’re going to talk now with Sylvester calling from also WMCA from Corona Queens, New York. Welcome Sylvester.
Sylvester: Hi Doug how are you?
Pastor Doug: Good and your question?
Sylvester: Yes sir. I heard you talking about the tribulation and the question that I have for you now is it has always been believed that the Christian will be raptured before the great tribulation begins which is the both the three and one half years and then another three and one half years. But, I just wanted to know because I have actually had some light shed on that subject. Just wanted to know how long for the tribulation will we be here and what will take place when the rapture actually does happen?
Pastor Doug: Okay good question. First of all the Christian church is split fairly evenly on whether or not we will be here during the tribulation. I am very firmly in the camp that we are in the world. And I don’t find Scripture that teaches otherwise. There’s a lot of speculation that I can’t find and Jesus said he that endures until the end will be saved. Endures what? And when the tribulation takes place it is synonymous with the last seven plagues that take place in Revelation. And almost everyone agrees with that. Well when the children of Israel—I’m sorry when the plagues fell on Egypt were the children of Israel still in Egypt? And the obvious answer is yeah they were still there and did God protect them through the plagues? Yes see the Bible says and Paul says we are saved through tribulation not from it.
Sylvester: Right.
Pastor Doug: Now how long will the tribulation last? You know it says in Revelation all of her plague will come in one day. And prophetically a day means a year in Bible prophecy. So if it means that all of the plagues come in one year’s time then it is less than one year. All of the plagues that fell on Egypt fell within a month and a half and the trial that came on Job came within a matter of a few weeks and a couple of months. It happened in quick succession. I believe that the tribulation is going to be extremely intense, but there are two parts to the tribulation Sylvester. There is what they call the small time of trouble and this is when you can’t buy or sell unless you get the mark of the beast. That may last 3 ½ years I don’t know I am just saying because nowhere in the Bible do you find there are seven years of tribulation. Everyone says that, but nowhere in the Bible does it say that. It is doctrine that has sort of been popularized by Hal Lindsey. But, when you look at the tribulations in the Bible they always took a short time and let me show you one other reason this will be. If you look in your Bible in the book of Daniel Chapter 12 it gives three time periods. This is the oldest—this Chapter has more time prophecies than any other in the Bible. Daniel 12 and it talks about a 1290 day period and a 1335 day period. And then it says blessed is he who comes to the 1335 day period. It may be and now I believe in the historical application of the prophecy—but, it may be there is also that 1335 day period is explained in the length of time as the plagues. There are 45 days difference between 1290 and 1335. So I don’t know how long exactly that it is and I don’t think anyone knows the day and the hour, but it won’t be long and prophecy seems to say it will be less than a year.
Sylvester: And when the rapture comes there has always been speculated belief that either we will be raptured no matter where we are. And the rest of the world will still be here or we’ll all be raptured with everybody in church on whatever day they choose to worship on. But, I just wanted to know when the rapture does come is the best one to use from the one you mentioned earlier in 2 Peter?
Pastor Doug: Well I think that is a very powerful one. But, you know we just talked about the seven plagues. Let me read what the seventh plague is. Revelation 16: 17 then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air and a loud voice came out of the temple in heaven saying it is done and there were noises and thundering and lightening and there was great earthquake such a mighty and great earthquake as has not occurred since men were upon the earth. Now these are all the things that happened at the second coming. Every island fled away in Revelation 16: 20 the mountains were not found. There was a great hail every single thing I have just mentioned also happens at the second coming. So the seventh plague the last of the seven plagues appears to be the second coming.
Sylvester: I see.
Pastor Doug: So obviously the tribulation happens before the second coming and the rapture. The Bible says that the angel will descend from heaven. This is 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4 “The Lord will descend from heaven with a shout and the voice of an arch angel and the dead in Christ will rise and we who are alive and remain will be caught up and that is the rapture. And then obviously what happens to the earth behind us? Well it is its elements melt with a fervent heat and it dissolves. So I’ll send you a copy of that book that I mentioned earlier Sylvester. Just ask for “Anything But Secret” have you read that?
Sylvester: No not yet.
Pastor Doug: Yeah well send for it, it is free. 1-800-835-6747.
Sylvester: Okay. Thank you.
Pastor Doug: Tell them you are listening to “Amazing Facts” and ask for the book “Anything But Secret”. Thank you and God bless. Alright we are going to talk to –who is this—Duane who is listening in Brooklyn, New York on WMCA. Welcome Duane. Are you there Duane you are on the air?
Duane: Good night Pastor Doug Batchelor. How are you?
Pastor Doug: Good evening your question? I am okay.
Duane: Yeah. I have one question on the Sabbath. I have been trying to read some Sunday keepers and they are not on the Sabbath, but they are always talking about Colossians 2. And they try to say that it is just a Christian legacy that does not apply to us today. And I want to know what do I say to them to let them know that this commandment still stands? And that we must observe the Sabbath today?
Pastor Doug: Well first of all what is sin? The Bible says that sin is the transgression of God’s law. And the Sabbath is the only one of the Ten Commandments that begins with the word remember and it would seem really absurd that, that would be the only commandment that they say is optional. Would any Christian say it is optional to commit adultery or murder? That whether you keep that or not is a liberty or whether you worship images or other gods or dishonor your parents; what other commandment is optional? Anyone who argues they are doing violence to their conscience because the Bible is so clear. I know one thing whenever you are in doubt do the safe thing. I know I am not going to be in trouble when I stand before the Lord and they say Doug you shouldn’t have kept the Sabbath day. And Jesus said whoever will do and teach the law will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. He quotes the Ten Commandments when He says that. So I am doing it and I am trying to teach it and a lot of Christians don’t think that it matters if you keep that one commandment, but that is why so many their relationship with the Lord and the church have evaporated because they don’t remember to keep the Sabbath holy. And they rush out and are taking antacids and everything else.
Duane: Well I try to tell them that Jesus observed the Sabbath himself and you know even the Lord when He created the earth He rested on the seventh day so try to tell them these things, but they still try to you know tell me that it is all nailed to the cross and that…
Pastor Doug: Well listen I will send you a book that will really help and we haven’t really offered this, but Joe Crews has a book called “What was Nailed to the Cross”.
Duane: Okay.
Pastor Doug: You just call and ask for the book “What was Nailed to the Cross” and I think that is really going to help you and help them also. I have to keep moving and take a couple of more questions.
Duane: Thank you God bless you.
Pastor Doug: God bless you. Thank you. Alright let me see who is next standing in line here? We’ll talk next to Pearl who has been waiting patiently on line 8 in Little Rock, Arkansas on KWLR welcome Pearl. Your question?
Pearl: My question is concerning the name given to Moses. And the accepted name is Yahweh, but the son name is always Jesus and now I have been doing some research on this and my research is telling me that in Greek it is Hausas and I am thinking this is where the name Jesus is coming from.
Pastor Doug: Well you are on the right track. When God spoke to Moses in the burning bush at Exodus 3:14; he said I am who I am and then later He identifies –and we don’t know the exact pronunciation in English because the Jews left out the consonants. Or the vowels and it is it is something to the effect of Yahweh or Jehovah we’re not exactly sure how to pronounce it. But, when you get to the New Testament it is written in Greek and so they used the Greek pronunciation of those words.
Pearl: Okay that makes sense.
Pastor Doug: For instance. The name John that is the Greek name for Jonah. But, how many people in the world today that their name is John they don’t want to change back to Jonah do they? And the word Mary is the Greek way of saying Miriam. And I could just go right on through the New Testament names and you’d find Judas; he is from the tribe of Judah and you’d find his name was Judah, but the Greek way was Judas if you notice that there is an “s” in there? Same thing with Yashua is Joshua that was Jesus name which is Jesus the way they say it in Greek. So if people have a burden to say the name of Jesus with a Hebrew pronunciation then there is no extra value in that. God expects us to speak our language. Do you know what I am saying?
Pearl: Well my question is concerning salvation because in the New Testament it is talking about in my name, in my name.
Pastor Doug: Yes well now this is where people get mixed up and this is a good question Pearl. Some people think when they read in the Bible in my name that there is some special value to the pronunciation of the word and that has nothing to do with it. When God says in my name He means in the person of whom I am. Let me illustrate. If I send my son on a mission and I have three sons and I send him on a mission overseas and tell them you have come in the name of your father Douglas. Now I have got friends that call me Doug they call me Douglas and some just call me Doug. They don’t really care what the name of the father is as long as they know that the son is coming in the name of the friend that they have got. Do you know what I am saying? They are not going to say well you are not pronouncing his name right. Because God knows all things and those who try to make it seem like the power is in the proper pronunciation of His name. I have been to different parts of the world Pearl where no matter how hard they try people cannot say certain words in their languages. Have you ever heard the Spanish where people roll their “r”’s? I do that and just end up spitting.
So when people say that you have to say things a certain way or God is not going to hear your prayer. That is not at all true. God wants us to revere His name and respect His name, but His name is not the words pronunciation. His name is the character of who he is. Are you able or do you have a friend who can go on the internet?
Pearl: Ah no.
Pastor Doug: Do you have an enemy that can?
[Laughter]
Pearl: No, but maybe I can go to the library or something.
Pastor Doug: There is an article I wrote called “The name of God” and it explains this, but you have to download it from the internet. I tell you what. You call our toll free number and you ask them for a reprint of my article and we’ll send it to you. Ask for reprint of my article called the “Name of God” and we’ll send it to you okay?
Pearl: Okay. Thank you.
Pastor Doug: Alright. God bless. Alright do I have time for another call? Alright that doesn’t look like a two minute question. Randy you are on the air. Thanks for waiting and calling from Orville, California. Randy are you there?
Randy: Yes I am here. I don’t know in my earlier life I was with God and now I just seem like I have pulled away from it and want to get back with Him.
Pastor Doug: Do you feel like that you have lost your first love?
Randy: Yes I did.
Pastor Doug: Do you remember when you first committed your life to the Lord?
Randy: Yes.
Pastor Doug: What brought that about?
Randy: A pastor friend of mine.
[Laughter]
Pastor Doug: Well I mean was he studying with you?
Randy: Yes.
Pastor Doug: Was he praying with you?
Randy: Yes.
Pastor Doug: Alright then I will make a suggestion and this is that usually the thing that brings us to God keeps us to God and it is also what revives our first love. Is to make a decision to get back into the study of the word on a regular basis and that might mean a group Bible study a personal Bible study or a setting….
Randy: But, there have been a lot of complications with me so.
Pastor Doug: When you go to bed at night Randy take your shoes and throw them under your bed and when you get up on the floor in the morning to find them then pray because you will be on your knees already.
Randy: Yes certainly.
Pastor Doug: Well I got to go because we ran out of time. It was an important question.
Randy: Well thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: Alright God bless and sorry to keep you waiting. Listening friends before you change the dial I hope you will hear the last part of the program. That is what we need to do is remind you that this is a totally faith based ministry. We have tried t dedicate the last hour to answering your Bible questions and if you have been blessed or edified and instructed let us know. You can email us at “Amazing Facts dot com” Pastor Dick will give the address to drop a note in the mail in just a minute. You can even donate online going t the website “Amazing Facts dot org” and you can also get your diploma in Bible Prophecy by attending “Bible University dot com”. We are out of time and God willing we will be back next week and Jesus is the truth.
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