Hello friends. This is Doug Batchelor. How about an amazing fact? It is a virtual definition of a monumental project. A dam more than one and one half miles wide and more than 600 feet high that will create a reservoir hundreds of feet deep and longer than the state of Oregon. And this one dam’s hydro power turbines are expected to create as much electricity as seventeen nuclear power plants. In 1994 The People’s Republic of China began the largest construction project in modern history known as the Three Gorges Dam. At three hundred seven thousand miles the Yangtze River is the third longest river in the world; after the Amazon and Nile.
This fifteen year project will create the world’s largest dam and hydro electric power plant. To China’s leaders the Three Gorges Dam proves that the sleeping giant has awakened. It will propel the Nation’s economy into the twenty-first century. The project promises significant flood control and safer navigation. The reservoir will allow ten thousand ton ocean going freighters to sail up the river directly into the Nation’s interior for six months of each year opening a region exploding with agriculture and manufacturing. The Yangtze River has also experienced hundreds of catastrophic floods. A flood in 1998 resulted in four thousand dead, fourteen million left homeless and twenty-four billion in economic loss.
The project is estimated to be complete in 2009 at a cost of over forty billion. Chinas leaders call the dam China’s greatest engineering feat since the construction of the Great Wall. But, to critics worldwide it is a social and environmental disaster. When the dam is completed thirteen cities, one hundred and forty towns and over one thousand three hundred villages will be submerged by the reservoir. Ancient temples and burial grounds and hundreds of known archeological sites will be lost forever under water. After this over one thousand six hundred factories and abandoned mines will be submerged to make way for the Three Gorges Dam. One point five million people will have to abandon their homes. Then consider that over three hundred and sixty million people live within the water shed of the Yangtze River. If in the unlikely event that the dam breaks; millions of people that live downstream could perish.
You might be surprised to know that the book of Revelation in the Bible predicts a dragon will send a flood to destroy God’s church in the last days. Stay with us friends as “Amazing Facts” brings you this edition of “Bible Answers Live”.
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Doug: Hello friends and welcome once again listening friend to a fresh edition of “Bible Answers Live”. And we are coming to you from the capitol of California and matter of fact we are right across the street from the California State Fair that is now in full swing. If you would like to call with any Bible question this is your opportunity to reach the program with a free phone cal and that number is 1-800-GOD-SAYS or 1-800- 463-7297. It is a free phone call and lines open so if you have any Bible related question that is what this program is for. Give us a call right now while the lines are open. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Dick: My name is Dick Debit. Good evening Pastor Doug.
Pastor Doug: Good evening Pastor Dick.
Pastor Dick: Have you been traveling this week?
Pastor Doug: No I think I have been home and I had to think about that.
Pastor Dick: Praise the Lord. So you haven’t been to China yet to see them?
Pastor Doug: No I have received an invitation to preach in China and if I get that close I’d like to get up there and see that big construction project. I have seen pictures and it is really something.
Pastor Dick: Well Doug we normally start with a word of prayer so let’s start. Father in heaven we praise you and we thank you for your love, grace and mercy. And for the privilege Lord of opening the word of God and digging deeply into the truths that you have for us. We pray that you will calm the roar and noise of this world and Pastor Doug’s mind and have him to hear you as you speak to him tonight and may our callers hear you also. Lord we want to hear the truth. We want to know you in a saving relationship. Sp please use the airways Lord to bring yourself honor and glory and worship and praise. In Jesus name we thank you. Amen.
Pastor Doug: Amen.
Pastor Dick: Yes so that would be a fascinating trip. China is just a fascinating place to be to begin with.
Pastor Doug: It is. It’s a nation—it’s a world unto itself in that nation with over a billion people and as I said I receive an invitation at the ASI Convention to go and to preach there. You still cannot publically teach Christians. But, we made progress. They actually said they would invite me to teach their people to teach Christianity. And I thought that was quite a step forward and so we’re looking into that.
Pastor Dick: Well; it sounds exciting and you have a spiritual application here.
Pastor Doug: Well quite honestly it is a little bit of a stretch. You know I have wanted to talk about the Three Gorges Dam because it is one of the wonders of the modern world now. At least when it is completed it will be and when you think about we often refer to China as the sleeping dragon and it really has awakened and economically it has exploded there.
Pastor Dick: but, in no way are you suggesting that the dragon is the modern China.
Pastor Doug: Well in the Bible it uses different animals to characterize different Nations and It talks about a leopard was Greece and a lion was Babylon and some people today wonder about the dragon and today we think of the eagle as America and the dragon as China and the lion as England. These modern day analogies don’t really apply back in Bible times. But, it does take our minds at least to a similar story in the Bible where it says in Revelation 12 that the dragon sends a flood after the woman and tries to destroy God’s church. And I don’t know if our friends realize that there are two prominent women and well you not only see them throughout the Bible all the way from Solomon’s judgments to the wives of Alcana and Jacob that are babbling. And when you get to Revelation you are talking about two women again. One in Revelation 12 and one in Revelation 13 and it is a battle between two systems of religion; Babylon and her daughters and the woman in God’s seed Jesus. And the dragon wants to destroy God’s church. People might be wondering the dragon and this woman and we actually have an offer that covers about this and it has a big red dragon on the cover. Tell us about it.
Pastor Dick: Well it’s called “The Beast, the Dragon and the Woman” and it is an in depth study of these three creatures in the book of Revelation and is written by Joe Crews. It is an excellent study that we would like to put into the hands of those…
Pastor Doug: This is not for the faint of heart and this is what you would call the industrial strength of Revelation 13 is what we are talking about.
Pastor Dick: That’s right. This is in depth; it is heavy duty Bible study. Just we need to say that it is not for the person who is just starting out as a Bible student. But, for those who really want to delve into prophecy and delve into the symbolism that is found in the book of Revelation; this is what you want.
Pastor Doug: The heart of last day prophecy.
Pastor Dick: Please call our resource operators if you would like this. It is called “The Beast, the Dragon and the Woman” and if you call our resource operators at 1-800-835-6747 they are standing by right now and they will take your name and address and send it out to you immediately. So please add this to your library and you will be pleased that you did because it will open up your understanding on the book of Revelation.
Pastor Doug we take a Bible question or two from the internet questions that come in to “Amazing Facts” each week and the first one comes from a lady who is asking about animals. She says I am so confused as to why animals are here today. They have feelings and they have emotions. Do you think the slaughtering of animals for human consumption will happen in heaven?
Pastor Doug: Well the Bible is very clear that in the beginning that everything was good, good and very good in Genesis when Adam named the animals. He did not name them T-bone or pork chops or chop sticks. The animals were never created to be consumed. God created man to be a vegetarian. And all the creatures were vegetarians and the Bible tells us in Isaiah and other places that in heaven the lion will eat straw like the ox. The animals are vegetarians there. The wolf and the lamb will lay down together they won’t kill each other in heaven and so not only will man not be killing and consuming animals there, but animals won’t be consuming animals there.
Pastor Dick: Alright.
Pastor Doug: The Bible says there is no more death in Revelation 22. So no of course not. Death in our world and he eating of dead animals is all a part of the sin problem.
Pastor Dick: Okay let’s go to our second question. In the New Testament things seem totally different thank God it says. We no longer have to follow the old law of the Old Testament. If so how is God the same yesterday, today and forever?
Pastor Doug: Well I think I understand where the customer is coming from, but I would have to disagree that the God of the Old Testament and the New Testament seems so different. I actually see a very beautiful harmony between the same God in both books. Not only do you have your plagues in the Old Testament, but you have that in the New Testament. You have grace in both the New and Old Testament.
But, the idea that all the laws in the Old Testament are obliterated in the New Testament there is a simple rule of thumb for our friends. The only laws in the Old Testament that have been altered or negated are the ones that point to Jesus that were shadows and symbols of when the Messiah would come. For instance we don’t need to sacrifice lambs now because Jesus is the lamb. Circumcision is not required because it is the circumsion of the heart and so a number of those ceremonial laws were nailed to the cross. But, the social laws about caring for your neighbor and the Ten Commandments have of course still been reiterated in the New Testament.
Pastor Dick: Amen.
Pastor Doug: So I think it is based on a misconception and it really is that same God. You can see Jesus in both the Old and New Testaments.
Pastor Dick: Amen. Alright let’s go to the phones and take our first call for the evening. We want to go to Patterson, New Jersey to start tonight and we have Jermaine standing by who is listening on WMCA. Jermaine welcome to the program.
Jermaine: Hello and praise the Lord. How are you tonight?
Pastor Doug: Good and how are you doing?
Jermaine: Good and I have a quick question about Revelation Chapter 3: 9 and I just wanted to know if you could elaborate on it for me?
Pastor Doug: Revelation Chapter 3: 9 and it says “Behold I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.” And you know to understand this Jermaine you could also look at Revelation 2: 9 “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” Keep in mind that in the New Testament that everyone who became a Christian the Jews thought of them as becoming spiritual Jews. That is why Paul said if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s seed. And he also said that he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, but he is a Jew who is one inwardly. And so when it is talking about the synagogue there it is not talking about Israel specifically as a literal Jewish race; it’s talking about God’s people. That means that there are many who claim as it says here they say they are Jews, but they are really of the synagogue or church and the word synagogue really just means gatherings and the same word as church. They were of the church of Satan. And it is simply saying that here are many false churches during this time that are competing with the truth.
Jermaine: Okay I see. This is…
Pastor Doug: Yes I have a book I have written called “Spiritual Israel” written with Steve Wohlberg and it helps us understand a lot of the new prophecies in the New Testament and the Old. I think it makes a very strong case that there are a lot prophecies that talk about Israel that are really applying to the church.
Jermaine: Okay I see. Okay thank you.
Pastor Doug: Okay? And ask if you call the resource number for the book called “Spiritual Israel”
Jermaine: “Spiritual Israel” thanks to you.
Pastor Doug: It is written by two Jews so it should be safe. Okay thanks.
Pastor Dick: Thanks Jermaine for the call that number is 1-800-835-6747. Let’s go next to Loma Linda, California and Daniel is listening on the internet. Welcome Daniel.
Daniel: Hello.
Pastor Dick: Yes sir and get real close to your telephone please.
Daniel: Okay my question is then that in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21 where David initiates his sons over Israel my question is why was that such a bad thing and such a sin? And since it was something that David did why was Israel punished for it?
Pastor Doug: Well two good questions and I am looking for the reference now. You know I wish I had a photographic memory. But, during the Law of Moses given and I think it could be in Deuteronomy, but I could be wrong; he specifically said that they were not supposed to number the people and they used to number the army and the only time they numbered Israel was in the days of Moses; they numbered how many fighting men. They never numbered the people as a whole. David’s purpose in numbering Israel was it was a proud motive. God had blessed him and given him victory and he is beginning to wonder how big my kingdom is? Is it bigger than the other kingdoms and it was a competitive proud motivation. And the kingdom was kind of riding on a zenith and they were not trusting in the Lord now they were trusting in their numbers. And God had used David before and David was exhibit “A” on not looking ta the size of the giant. Or the numbers of the army and he was able to affect incredibly with the very small force. And so it was just a departure from the whole spirit he had lived by to number his people like this. And so that was one reason and then you are asking why did the people suffer? Usually the people would also share the sentiments of the king and so it may have just been the National pride that they were all humbled for. Some people believe that what happened in 9-11 was a form of judgment that doesn’t mean that it was justified because it wasn’t, but even Billy Graham in his address implied that maybe God is trying to get our attention and humble us. Sometimes you can’t figure out why certain people suffer. It doesn’t tell us specifically who suffered, but a lot of people died from that plague. And it was a means of humbling a whole Nation. But, that has happened in history many times with other Nations including North America. Does that help Daniel?
Daniel: Yes sure.
Pastor Doug: Well let me take one more stab at it. During the civil war Abraham Lincoln said we are now paying for 150 years of slavery through the blood that was shed and it was like a National judgment. And there was more to than just numbering a people. There was a pride that they were beginning to embrace not trusting God, but their own numbers. It’s the reason remember when God didn’t give Gideon victory? Because He said you have to whittle down your army because if I give you victory with 32 thousand you will take the credit.
Daniel: Yes.
Pastor Doug: And so he whittled it down to 300 and that is the whole thing that when you go to battle with God that is not the numbers; you and God are a majority and they had lost sight of that. Okay hope that helps Daniel.
Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Daniel. To Spokane, Washington Donna is listening on KTGS. Hi Donna your question please.
Donna: Hi. Well you how in Luke 17 some people use that for the secret rapture. Well yes and then you go to 37 and the disciples are saying where. And it’s the…
Pastor Doug: Where the body is that’s where the vultures are or eagles gather round.
Donna: Yes so that makes my husband and I think that wouldn’t you ask someone where a person is taken instead of ask where they are left? Okay my last thing is earlier in the Chapter the second coming is compared to as in the days of Noah. And in that situation the ones that were taken were taken in judgment.
Pastor Doug: Well you go to Mathew 24: 39 it says it exactly. It says “And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall it be in the coming of the son of man be.” Here talking about the wicked well they were all taken away and swept away by the flood. You are making a good point and let me go back to back to Luke there and give you a quick thought there Donna. Jesus there wasn’t talking about the nature of how people were taken. When He made that statement He classifies three groups. Two women grinding, two men sleeping and two men working in the field and those are very profound Bible symbols. The women were the church grinding with the mill is the church working with the word of bread. There are two kinds of churches when Jesus comes back. Just like there are two women in Revelation the true and the false. There are two different people sleeping in their graves right now. Paul says there are two resurrections; the resurrection to life and the resurrection of damnation. There are two kinds of people when you then go to the two men working in the field. There are two kinds of people out working and spreading the gospel and Jesus said the field is the world where the harvest is great and the laborers are few; the true and the false. So you’ve got the saved and the lost, the true and the false and what He is emphasizing and people take that to be emphasizing that suddenly someone is going to disappear and be raptured away and that wasn’t His point at all. But, it is true that the ones taken away are very likely the ones taken away in judgment. Keep in mind that in the mind of God’s people in Israel, whenever they were conquered by another Nation they were carried away and it was a sign of punishment and they were carried off to Assyria or Babylon. So the ones who were left in the Promised Land; they were blessed. And even in the parable of the wheat and the tares; it says first gather the tares and burn them and they are taken away first and burned. So a good argument can be made that those taken away are the ones being judged.
Donna: Okay.
Pastor Doug: And it is misapplied often.
Donna: Okay great thank you!
Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Donna. Let’s go next to Newark, Ohio and Mel is listening on WJHE Mel welcome to the program.
Mel: Yes in some verses of Psalms there is a word at the end of the verse which is “Selah” what does “Selah” mean?
Pastor Doug: Well I am going to look that up for you right now, but I think it means let it be or even let it be so.
Mel: Like Amen?
Pastor Doug: Well yes similar to that. I am opening up my Strong’s concordance here right now. And let’s see what we find. Selah and it means; interesting there was a rock in Edumia that was called Selah and well that’s probably not the only reference I want. I am pretty sure that means; a rest or. Say something here Pastor Dick I am going to look it up.
Pastor Dick: Pastor Doug is using his computer here to research it for you and he is…
Pastor Doug: Okay hang on here I made a boo-boo in my spelling. Sellah is Sala or Selah. Okay here we go I am getting warm bear with me.
Mel: Okay.
Pastor Doug: It means a pause in music. It was a suspension and now it is coming back to me. It was a suspension and now it is coming back to me. You see the Psalms are music and you know how you’ll be singing a song and you will see something in brackets and it will say you know “CHORUS” or some musical notes that you are not supposed to sing or play, but it is giving instruction to the musician?
Mel: Right.
Pastor Doug: Well whenever they had the word Selah in the Psalms it meant to meditate on this and there was a pause in the music.
Mel: That’s right. Okay I see what you are saying.
Pastor Dick: And often times you know the Psalms were strung together as were the other parts of the Bible. They were without any chapter divisions and without any numbering. So as the Psalms were being repeated they would have certain pauses at the ends of certain points.
Pastor Doug: I am embarrassed because I used to know that, but it just shows I am aging I thought to myself I know the answer to that, but it left me.
[Laughter]
Pastor Doug: But, it means think on this and it was a pause in the music and you were supposed to meditate on the last verse.
Mel: Okay I see so thank you.
Pastor Doug: Like for instance you always find it like in Psalms 3: 2 “Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. Selah.” Think of this and then you see it again in verse 4. Okay? Good question Mel thank you.
Mel: Right. Alright. Thanks a lot guys.
Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call. Let’s go to Richfield, New Jersey and John is listening on WMCA; hi John.
John: Hey how are you doing?
Pastor Dick: Good and your question please?
John: Okay yes I have a question here about the parable of the beggar and the rich man.
Pastor Doug: Yes the rich man and Lazarus.
John: Yes and Lazarus was the beggar I believe. There is a very popular Pastor and I will not mention who it is but, he says that in his Bible it is a literal story because Jesus mentions the name. It is a parable where he mentions the name of somebody right is a—the beggar went to heaven and the rich man went to hell and the rich man was talking from hell to Abraham and had talked to him in heaven and I am real confused. Where do we go when we die because I have heard your program many times and what you say is different and can we die and then be communicating into heaven?
Pastor Dick: Alright well why we don’t take that one point at a time. I would respectfully disagree with anyone who is saying this is a literal story just because Jesus uses the name Lazarus. I think the reason that Jesus uses the name Lazarus is because at the end of the parable the rich man says Father Abraham if you would send Lazarus back from the dead then my brethren would believe. And Jesus said if they don’t believe Moses and the prophets that they won’t believe one even though they should rise from the dead. Well it shouldn’t be any coincidence that Jesus did raise someone four days before by the name of Lazarus and the still did not believe and that is why Jesus used the name Lazarus. It wasn’t because people in heaven and hell can talk to each other. Heaven forbid that this is literal or that one drop of water could quench a thirst in hell. Or that when we die everybody who dies goes to Abraham’s bosom where else is that in the Bible. So it is so apparent this is a parable that I think it is Biblically irresponsible to say this is a literal story.
John: Okay.
Pastor Doug: And it is in a string of parables.
John: Umm-hmm. And one other thing when we die I heard you say we sleep and then our next waking moment is when we’re with God. Where does that spirit go; does it go directly to heaven if we are saved?
Pastor Doug: Our spirit doesn’t go without our body because we are not disembodied souls. This is what confuses people they want to know well what does the spirit do in between now and when Jesus comes? Does it cease to exist as a soul and here’s where our confusion comes in and Einstein actually helped us with this s little bit with his theory of relativity. God does not live in the same dimension of time that we live in. For Kind David who died three thousand years ago the Bible says he is not in heaven yet. That is in Acts Chapter 2 and it says he is dead, he is buried, but he is not in heaven yet. Well that is very clear. You cannot be more precise than that. But, as far as David is concerned; his next conscious thought is his spirit is united with a new glorified body and he is in God’s presence. That is why it says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. But, it hasn’t happened yet. That is the only way you can explain all those Scriptures that say that the dead are sleeping until the resurrection. Why have a resurrection if they go right to heaven?
John: Exactly.
Pastor Doug: So it is just a misconception on the dimension of time, but they are not there yet. They are asleep. It is a dreamless sleep and their souls and I don’t know if you want to say this or not, but it is like you pop out a hard drive and just wait until you put it in another computer. You might say well where did the data go? Well it is stored. It is still there, but you have to put it in the computer for it to do anything and that is the way our souls ar. We don’t float around like a ghost.
Pastor Dick: Some people will argue that there are some exceptions in the Old Testament of a few that did go to heaven. And so thus; your argument isn’t correct.
Pastor Doug: But, Elijah and Moses they have glorified bodies now and are not floating around. Do you have our study guide called “Are the Dead Really Dead”? Have you read that?
John: No, but I do go to your website a lot.
Pastor Doug: Well you can go to our website and see that “Are the Dead Really Dead” And for our listening friends at “Bible Universe” we have a lesson called “The Witch of Endor” and that also covers the subject in great detail and is very confusing to people. Appreciate your question John thank you.
John: Very helpful. Thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: We get a lot of questions on death where people say if the resurrection is when Jesus comes and we get our glorified bodies when we are caught up in the twinkling of an eye then where are the souls now? And you can’t find any two denominations that teach the same thing and they are asleep just like the Bible says until the resurrection comes. Friends we are taking a break, but before e do you already heard me mention the “Bible Universe dot com” website. Take time to also jot down “Amazing Facts dot com” and go to the “Amazing Facts” website like our friend was just telling us about. We have another broad selection of Bible questions and answers and books and studies with a whole free library. It is there for you to take advantage of and so just check out “Amazing facts dot com”.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Doug: Welcome back friends this is “Bible Answers Live” where we are taking Bible questions just pick up your phone and call 1-800-GOD-SAYS we still have a few mines open. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Dick: My name is Dick Debit. And we want to talk with John in New York. Hello John welcome to the program. Are you there?
Pastor Doug: John has been waiting patiently. We are putting you on hold because you may have stepped away from the phone.
Pastor Dick: He just might have. We’ll go south to Little Rock, Arkansas and talk with Steven who s listening on KWIR and Steven are you with us?
Steven: Yes sir. How are you all doing tonight?
Pastor Dick: Good evening. And your question?
Steven: Yes sir basically I would like to hear from you all about your interpretation of how we’re supposed to study the Bible?
Pastor Doug: Well I guess everybody may have a slightly different approach because the Bible is really a relationship with God and we all approach relationships with a little individual uniqueness. I like what Martin Luther said that he studies the Bible the way you might pick apples. He said first you shake the whole tree and the ripe ones fall and then you shake the branches and then you shake the limbs and then you shake the twigs and then you look behind every leaf and by the time you get done doing that there’s a new crop of apples. And the Bible is like a mine that you can never reach the bottom of.
One thing I do—is I think it is a good idea to read the book of Genesis and half way through Exodus to get an overview of the history of God’s people. And it is pretty interesting reading that first part. And when we start talking about the part that is building the temple there’s a lot of details that could be tedious for a new Christian. And then go to the New Testament and you might read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. To get the picture of Jesus the book of Acts then you could also pop back and read some of the history where you get in 1 & 2 Samuel where you get the 1 & 2 Kings and pop back to the New Testament and read the letters of Paul and the apostles, Peter, James and John. What do you do Pastor Dick?
Pastor Dick: Well I think what I would add to what Pastor Doug has said is Steven that the word of God is alive. It is living and as Doug said it is a relationship with God. S the first thing that I would do when I study the Bible is I pray and I ask God please you are alive and your word is alive and talk to me Lord. Calm me and let me be still and hear from you before I even open my Bible that is the first thing I do.
Pastor Doug: That is right and I am glad you mentioned that.
Steven: Well okay basically both of you all gave me is a synopsis of what the church teaches today. And the Bible actually tells us how to study the Bible. One good place and there are many different places that it tries to –you know tell us in one way or another, but one time that it does tell you straight out how to do it is in Proverbs Chapter 2: 3 through 5.
And Pastor Doug you came right close to that, but the Bible doesn’t say that we can say a simple prayer. The Bible says that we have to cry out and plead and beg God for that and when we come into the fear of the Lord; which Jesus taught in Matthew 10: 28 to His disciples who were going out casting out devils and all of that.
Pastor Doug: Now Steven I am going to interrupt you because I think we have transitioned from you asking a question to you sharing a small discourse. I thought you honestly wanted to know how to study the Bible for your own benefit and it seems like you already know the answer to how you want to study the Bible.
Steven: Well it is not how I want to study the Bible. It is how God prescribes us to study the Bible.
Pastor Doug: Let me give you one more verse on that and this is talking specifically I was just giving you a broad overview Steven. In Isaiah 28: 10 it says 10” For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” And that’s an exact quote. And so that is what we were talking about comparing book with book and verse with verse going deeper and deeper or like picking apples. Obviously a baby Christian needs to start with a big theme of salvation. And so we try not to allow the program to be a platform and I hope that you understand that. We need to give the other questioners a chance for their questions.
Pastor Dick: Let’s go on to the next call which is Neptune, New Jersey and we’ll talk with Brian who is listening on WMCA. Hello Brian.
Brian: Hello Pastors. My question is concerning eating food and just in Genesis I have heard you say before Pastor Doug that we shouldn’t eat certain foods. Is that correct?
Pastor Doug: Well I am quoting the Bible, but yes you have heard it on this program.
Brian: Okay because I meant to call you and I have been trying to call you for some time and got this Genesis 9: 3 uck oh—I think. Yes this is it “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”
Pastor Doug: Okay do you think that means we can eat anything?
Brian: It says everything living shall be for food.
Pastor Doug: Alright. Genesis 9: 4 “But the flesh which the like thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.” This is in the next verse.
Brian: And that is pertaining to what?
Pastor Doug: Well it is saying there that you shouldn’t eat things which have blood. And even in the New Testament is stated that they are to abstain from blood. It was against the law Old and –that’s the law even for Gentiles. You can’t get away from that even in church.
Brian: Alright hold on. Pastor Doug that doesn’t make sense if it and if it says every living thing that moves shall be food for you and it is saying that you shall not eat flesh that is its blood that means that we can’t eat an animal.
Pastor Doug: Do you think that it is okay to eat a skunk?
Brian: Eat a skunk well I guess unless it is poisonous there is nothing in the Bible that says we shouldn’t.
Pastor Doug: Well there is that is my point. If you will continue reading it tells us the unclean animals were the ones if they moved and they weren’t to eat the unclean ones. I am sorry the clean animals they could eat they weren’t to eat the unclean animals and that is specified to Noah as well as in Leviticus. Why would God make a distinction between the clean and the unclean and now use your head here for a second Brian, the unclean animals were taken on the Ark by twos. Is that correct?
Brian: Umm-hmm.
Pastor Doug: The clean animals were taken by sevens correct?
Brian: Okay.
Pastor Doug: If they ate any of the unclean animals during the time they were on the Ark; they’d be extinct now. Does that make sense?
Brian: Umm-hmm.
Pastor Doug: But, the clean animals and He specifies which ones they were. They could eat and a matter of fact the same animals that were allowed for a sacrifice were also permitted to eat. And you can go all the way up to the New Testament where in the vision of Peter he said I have never eaten anything common or unclean in Acts Chapter 10 and so the idea. Do you have any children Brian are you a parent?
Brian: No I don’t.
Pastor Doug: Okay let’s just pretend for a minute that you do. Do you have any nephews or nieces?
Brian: Yeah.
Pastor Doug: Okay if you were taking care of a nephew or a niece and as they get breakfast ready in the morning they take a bowl of cereal and they put chocolate syrup and marshmallows on it and caramel and you are looking and you say whoa wait a second. We’re going to have an insulin shock. Would you let them eat that for breakfast?
Brian: Well of course not.
Pastor Doug: Well I want you to think now why not?
Brian: Well I wouldn’t want that to be the first meal of the day maybe later they can have some candy.
[Laughter]
Pastor Doug: Yeah don’t let them eat that and then go to school they’ll be bouncing off the walls. My point is that any parent knows there is a cause to the effect between what you eat and how you feel. God says don’t be deceived God is not mocked whatever you sow you are going to reap and we already know that the animals that God specified as the most unclean are also the most unhealthy. And the first thing the doctor will tell you to avoid is the pork and lobster is just dripping with cholesterol and they are unsanitary animals and it is just common sense, but that statement there where God spoke to Noah up until that statement they only ate vegetables and God is telling them of the clean animals they could eat every moving thing and the reason you know that that was a criteria is that you read on later and He makes a distinction and you just need to read on to find it.
Brian: But, what about where it says in 1 Timothy Chapter 4 about food?
Pastor Doug: Every creature of God is good and nothing is to be refused that is received with thanksgiving and it is sanctified by the word of God. That is talking about the animals and I am quoting it ---that’s talking about the animals that are sanctified by the word of God and prayer and some are and some aren’t. If you are taking it the way you are taking it; then cannibalism is okay and we can eat other humans. Wouldn’t that be true?
Brian: Well no because we’d have to kill one another and God is against that.
Pastor Doug: Well supposed a person dies in a natural cause can you eat their body?
Brian: No I don’t think I’d want to eat a dead body.
Pastor Doug: Alright then that’s my point these statements if you take them the way you are applying them that is not the way God meant it. Have you read our lesson on this? We have all the Scriptures on this subject. Would you like us to send you a free copy?
Brian: Sure.
Pastor Doug: Well two things you can ask for one is called “Death in the Kitchen” and the other one is called “Hogs and Other Hazards” and we will send them both if you ask okay?
Brian: Okay.
Pastor Dick: Call the resource number Brian 1-800-835-6747 and give it a good study and take a look at all the Biblical verses in all those two lessons. And then call us back and we will be happy to talk with you again. That number is 1-800-835-6747. Pastor Doug let’s go next to Brooklyn, New York and we want to talk with Raphael who is listening on WMCA. Raphael welcome to the program.
Raphael: Good evening.
Pastor Doug: Good evening and thanks for waiting. Your question?
Raphael: Yes first I want to congratulate you for your program. It should make this program longer than that an hour.
Pastor Doug: Well we have to buy the time for that and otherwise we would.
Raphael: Well my question is my little girl she asked me a question and I couldn’t give her an answer. Her question was does the Bible allow homosexuals and lesbians on earth? And where in the Bible says it?
Pastor Doug: Well first of all in the Bible God gives people freedom to make decisions even thought they are the wrong decisions. And a person might be tempted with an attraction to the same sex. But, the Bible tells us that is inappropriate. There are a number of places where you read that. You can read for instance in Romans Chapter 1: 25 where it talks about-- well I’ll read verse 24 “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. 27 And likewise the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly and receiving themselves that recompense for their error which was meet.”
Pastor Dick: That’s Romans Chapter 1: 24 through 27 and you can read that for yourself. And you will see that it is talking about people giving up the natural and taking on what is wrong.
Raphael: Do you have a book that has other?
Pastor Doug: We do have a book we’ll send you and it is called “Return to Sodom” by Gary Gibbs. And we’ll send that to you and anyone else out there that wants to call if you have questions on that subject.
Pastor Dick: Again Raphael call that phone number that we just gave to our last caller. 1-800-835-6747 and ask for “Return to Sodom” and we will send it out to you tonight. Okay?
Raphael: If I may I have one last question. It is very short and I know there are a lot of lines that are busy. When did the Bible disallowing people from drinking wine? I know in different religions they don’t allow people to drink wine.
Pastor Doug: Well in the Bible just look at the record of course in the Old Testament. Noah drank wine and he stumbled around naked. Lot drank wine and he slept with his daughters. Another king drank wine and he lost a battle because he was drunk. Then you get to the New Testament and the Bible says that wine is a mocker and a strong drink because it is raging. And in the New Testament it is very clear that we should not be drunk with wine, but we should be filled with the spirit. I have a book on that called “Alcohol and the Christian” and if you promise to read it I will send it to you.
Raphael: I will promise to read both of them, but I missed the number you gave me 1-835
Pastor Dick: 1-800-835-6747.
Pastor Doug: 800 number.
Raphael: 800 number and I thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: Alright.
Pastor Dick: Alright thanks for the call. Let’s go to Clarkston, Washington and Kevin is on KGTS welcome Kevin.
Kevin: Good evening.
Pastor Dick: Good evening. Get real close to your phone Kevin.
Kevin: Okay. My question regards creation and most of my Christian friends when we talk I get the impression most people think the earth to be just several thousand years old. But, when you get into Astronomy and Physics you start dealing with millions of light years which obviously means these things have been around for millions of years. What I am wondering is when it says in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth does that necessarily have to mean the entire Universe because God has been around so long this short span of just a few thousand years is not very long?
Pastor Doug: Good question. Let me do my best. The first verse in the Bible when you read Hebrews the Jews write like a newspaper they start with the headlines and then they back up and give the details. The first verse in the Bible “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” is not saying that six thousand years ago God made everything up there and down here it was all made six thousand years ago. Chances are there has been countless galaxies and life throughout the Cosmos for time immorally as they say without end.
The Bible record tells us that about six thousand years ago God came to this orb and there was probably was some chaotic mass that was floating out here and He began to create. One reason we know that is God said “Let there be light” it doesn’t say God said let there be a rock you know. The planet was already here. It says it was without form and void. So when He came to this corner of the solar system or this galaxy; I believe that was when He created what we call the Milky Way Galaxy because it does say that on the fourth day He made the stars. I don’t think that is all the stars in the cosmos I think that is the stars that are principally in our galaxy. And that is somewhat my theory, but I think there is good Bible support for that. And that would explain why the light that began to reach our planet did not just begin traveling six thousand years ago and that doesn’t make any sense. Do you know what I am saying?
Kevin: You bet.
Pastor Doug: So I believe that six thousand years ago God began creating the world and there is no written history beyond 4000 B.C. There are no tree rings. There is not any living evidence of life beyond that. Other than what the paleontologists can set some very ambitious dates.
We have a book we’ll send to you called “When Evolution Flunked the Science Test”. Would you like that?
Kevin: Sure.
Pastor Doug: And it gives more detail from the Bible.
Pastor Dick: Yes Kevin just call us at that number we have been giving out this evening 1-800-835-6747. Ask for that book and we will send it to you tonight just call 1-800-835-6747. Let’s go next Pastor Doug to Manhattan, New York. Frank is listening on WMCA Frank welcome to the program.
Frank: Hi pleased to meet you.
Pastor Doug: Hi. Get real close to your phone Frank we can’t hear you.
Frank: Can you hear me?
Pastor Doug: A little better.
Frank: Okay I have a question on Revelations 22: 18 &19
Pastor Doug: And should I read that for our friends?
Frank: Sure.
Pastor Doug: Revelation 22: 18 “For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book and if any man shall add unto these things, God will add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away the words of this prophecy God shall take away his part in the book of life and out of the holy city and out of the things that are written in this book.” So that is the end and your question?
Frank: Why was there seven apocrypha books written and why is there a thing called the Koran; it is not the word of God to me?
Pastor Doug: Well there are a lot of books that are considered by many to be sacred books. First of all I have to be honest this verse in Revelation when John wrote the book of Revelation the New Testament books were not even assembled. And so John was not even thinking of what other books would be added to his prophecy he’s saying if anyone should mess with the words of the prophecy of this book. That’s the book of Revelation, but I think that the principle is true that we should not alter or corrupt any of the books of the Bible. The word Bible means Biblio books it is a book of books. And there are a number of other books that people believe are inspired or sacred and some may have some historical validity, but I think some of them are very doubtful. I don’t know if I am answering your question specifically.
Frank: Are you saying this was written by John?
Pastor Doug: Yes the book of Revelation he says for I John so we believe it is written by John. The first verse in the book says the Revelation of Jesus Christ. You know you are cutting out on us pretty bad. But, if you look in Revelation 21: 2 “And I John saw the holy city and the New Jerusalem.” And then if you also look in Revelation Chapter 1 he says there he was given this by Jesus through his angel. He didn’t just write it so it is transcribed you might say by John. But, I don’t know if we are answering your question still.
Frank: Umm.
Pastor Doug: You know what Frank I am going to ask you to call back because your voce is cutting in and out. It is difficult for us to hear.
Pastor Dick: Yes sorry Frank call us back and we will do our best to delve a little deeper into your question. Let’s go to Canton. Ohio and Mark is listening on the internet. Mark welcome.
Mark: Hi how are you guys doing this evening?
Pastor Doug: Good and how about you?
Mark: Good and I was calling I wanted to ask you a question on my son. He is going to be a junior.
Pastor Doug: I can barely hear you, too, Mark.
Mark: We have been keeping the Sabbath and he is seventeen now and feels he is old enough to make his own choice. As far as his relationship with Jesus Christ and I just wanted to get a view on kids getting older and how to approach this?
Pastor Doug: Does he live at home?
Mark: Yes he does.
Pastor Doug: Well let me quote the commandment to you. It says your son and daughter within your gate and as long as he is eating at your table and within your gates then you have a responsibility to respect your beliefs. When he is old enough to support himself and have his own gates and then lives in his own house then he’ll answer to God for his decisions. But, you are the priest of your home and if he is living within your home and living under your authority and especially if he is eating from your table. You need to say look I know you might disagree on this, but this is our belief and it is one of God’s commandments and I wouldn’t let you live here with a girlfriend you are not married to and I am not going to let you be deliberately violating one of God’s commandments under my roof. And there are times when we slip up and have a mistake, but if he is scheduling to break God’s commandments then you have a responsibility to forbid that.
Mark: Well that is the way I feel, but I just wanted to see what you felt of that.
Pastor Doug: In a loving and kind way he needs to respect that it is your home and you are the father. And that you are going to obey God’s law. I hope that helps a little Mark.
Mark: It does.
Pastor Doug: Alright thanks for the question.
Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Mark. Let’s see if we can get one more in and go to Seattle and talk with Chad. Welcome to the program Chad. We have about two minutes Chad what can we do?
Chad: Yeah. There is a question that has always troubled me. And obviously we all agree Jesus was born of a virgin and Mary was a virgin when she was about to be impregnated or that Jesus was divine. A little later on in the gospel maybe Mary or Joseph or one of the angels that came said or maybe some of Jesus’ siblings came to the synagogue to pull Jesus out because of the things he was saying and they thought he was out of his mind. And I don’t have the Bible in front of me, but how could Mary question authority or His sanity rather when she was visited by an angel when she was pregnant with the child and had never had any sex? How could she…
Pastor Doug: Well let me read this to you. I found it Chad it is Mark 3: 21 “And when His friends heard Him they went to lay hold of Him and said that He is beside Himself.” Meaning he is out of His mind. You notice it says when His friends heard of it they went to lay hold of Him. I don’t think Mary ever questioned His divinity or His mission. His brothers certainly did.
Now there was an occasion when He was preaching on the outskirts of the crowd and they said come here we want to talk to you or we need to straighten you out or something. And Jesus said who is my mother and my brethren but they that hear the word of God and do it. But, I don’t know as Mary fully understood His mission. But, she certainly never doubted His divinity because she had very intimate knowledge that Jesus was not conceived the normal way and she never forgot that.
Chad we’re going to have to go and I don’t want to cut you off, but it is not anything we can control. We only have a few seconds before we are cut off the program. Give us a call again. Listening friends thank you again for tuning in and I want to remind you that if you are one of the listening friends the only way that we know you are out there is if you call in or only a fraction of those listening call in. Email us at the website of “Amazing Facts dot com” or “dot org” we’ll answer to either letter or most of all tell your friends and remember it is not just the details, but it by knowing Jesus who is the truth that will set you free.
---------------------------------------------END----------------------------------------------------------------------