Hello friends this is Doug Batchelor. How about an amazing fact? Most plants and flowers must pollinate to survive. So the Lord has devised many ingenious ways to help them exchange these particles of life. Wind of course is the most common. Then many of the plants and the trees are pollinated by enticing the birds and the bees and even some bats; by offering them sweet nectar. God has also created many flower species that pretend to have food that other insects want and they emit scents like coconut and even rotten meat to attract them. Some orchids however to achieve pollination seem to offer some insects the promise of marriage. Parts of the flower have been designed to resemble the female versions of some insects and the imitation is often astounding.
Take for example the Australian hammer orchid which has taken advantage of the mating ritual of the Thynnid wasp. The lower limb of the orchids flower labellum of the female mimics the female wasp resting on a twig looking upward waiting on a male to fly by and spot her. Even to the human eye it almost perfectly resembles the plump wingless female Thynnid wasp; complete with a shiny head and furry body. The orchid even releases an enticing female pheromone that is a chemical copy of the same sexy perfume that a female wears when she is ready for marriage. Amazing posed above the arm of this alluring decoy are sticky bags filled with pollen.
A male Thynnid wasp flying by lured by the imitation scent will grab the decoy and try to fly off with her in his grasp. As he tries to fly off though his imitator flips him into the flowering momentum over and upside down into the sticky bags of the pollen sacs. After realizing his mistake he releases the decoy and flies off only to be fooled again by another orchid which he now pollinates with the pollen he picked up from his previous bad date. In the process the wasp transfers pollen from flower to flower.
When real Thynnid wasps are around males will always invariably choose a live one over the imposter. For this reason God conveniently made these orchids to bloom in the brief period of time several weeks before the female wasps emerge from the underground giving the flower temporary advantage when the male wasps are out flying about, but the females are not yet available. Mimicry in nature is truly amazing. Sometimes even humorous, but wolves in sheep’s clothing are no laughing matter. Stay with us friends we will learn more as “Amazing Facts” brings you this edition of “Bible Answers Live”.
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Doug: Welcome once again listening friends to another fresh edition of “Bible Answers Live” we are very thankful that you could tune in and either by God’s design or providence. This is a live, interactive Bible study and you can participate either by listening or if you have a Bible based question we invite your phone call. It is a toll free call. The number is 1-800-GOD-SAYS and the Bible is our source book. 1-800-463-7297 you are welcome to call in with your questions and right now is a good time because we have several lines open and so just feel free to pick up the phone and dial and you have a good chance of getting your question on the air. My name is Doug Batchelor. Pastor Dick Debit is on vacation. So tonight we are going to be navigating a little bit on our won. And so as we continue with the program we would like to have a word of prayer and then we will move on.
Father in heaven we want to thank you for your many blessings and right now we pray that you will bless this broadcast for a purpose that it can be a blessing to others and that lives are touched and we pray the final result will be that lives are touched and they are inspired to be more like Jesus. And it is in His name we pray. Amen.
You know I thought that is an amazing, amazing fact how people can believe everything evolved accidently over time over millions of years when this kind of sophisticated, symbiotic relationship between orchids that is creating and how could a flower plan that? They have no brains. They have no eyes to create in its petals an artificial wasp that looks and smells like the female for the purpose of pollinating. It is just hard to comprehend how evolution can explain things like this. But, we see a number of examples in nature of this mimicry, but it is deception in God’s church when Jesus said in His sermon “Be aware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Again Paul said in Acts Chapter 20: 29 “For I know this that after my departing grievous wolves will enter in among you; not sparing the flock; even from among your own selves.” He was speaking to the church. 30 “Even from among yourselves will men arise, speaking perverse things; to draw away disciples after them.” And we see this happening and there is a variety of extremes coming into the Christian church that often give the church of God a bad name. Where people are confused about what constitutes salvation. On one hand people say all you have to do is admit you believe Jesus existed and you will be saved. That is sometimes referred to as the sloppy a guppy or the disgraced grace form of the gospel and just believe that Jesus exists and you will be saved. Of course the Bible says and you don’t have to believe and then you have the other extreme where people have a long list of rules that make the religion drudgery and a form of legalism. Wolves appear in sheep’s clothing in a broad variety of ways and if you would like to better understand what the simple gospel is and how to avoid these many counterfeits that are out there we have free book we’d like to send you. If you will; call our toll free number which is 1-800-835-6747. Now this is different than the number to get your question answered. 1-800-835-6747 free book and free phone call and the book is called “Satan’s Confusing Counterfeits” and you can just say Satan’s Counterfeits and the operators will know what you are talking about. It talks about some of the counterfeits and the true gospels that are out there. And Bible evidence of how you can know how to decipher the truth from the counterfeit. Ask for this book “Satan’s Counterfeits” and we will send it to you for free all you have to do is call.
Pastor Doug: We generally take a couple of internet questions before we go to the phones. And someone has written in and they have asked that we see so much evidence in the Bible of us being asked to praise God is it wrong to praise Jesus? Is there any commandment that tells us to praise Jesus? Technically no, but in Spirit there is nothing wrong with praising Jesus. There are a couple of places in the Bible where we are encouraged to praise the LORD for instance Revelation 4: 10 it says they fall down before the throne and cast their crowns before the throne saying 11 “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Well this is obviously talking about Jesus because the Bible says that all things that were made were made by Him and that He is the Lord. And so if they are praising the Lord with this kind of a statement in heaven and again in Hebrews it tells us that the angels worship Him. Obviously there is nothing wrong with that and that would be Hebrews Chapter 6 and again when He brings His first begotten into the world; that is Jesus the only begotten son of God. He said let all the angels of God worship Him. So while there may be no specific command to praise Jesus there certainly is nothing wrong with that and it says to praise the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Doug: The next question is why there are so many denominations that immediately upon death people are either ushered into heaven or hell before the resurrection or judgment? That is a very good question and one reason is it is largely misunderstood and misapplied. In the Scriptures because it is true when a person dies their next conscious thought is the resurrection. We put ourselves into those people’s shoes and we say well their next thought is going to be the resurrection of life or the resurrection of judgment. But, for us who are alive and still walking on this world they are still sleeping. The Bible says the Lord will descend from heaven when Jesus comes and awakens those who are dead in Christ to receive their rewards.
And then in Revelation Chapter 20 it tells us that the wicked dead do not rise until the 1000 years are finished and so obviously they are not risen. And Jesus said my friend Lazarus is asleep. When Lazarus died Jesus referred to death as a sleep, but a dreamless sleep they have no consciousness of time. So for our loved ones and friends who have died the next thing they are aware of is the resurrection and rising to an award. But, it hasn’t happened yet and that is why people get confused. We have a free offer on that question if you want to know more about it and it is simply called “Are the Dead Really Dead?” And if you have any questions on that call the resource number again 1-800-835-6747.
Pastor Doug: Now we are going to go to the phones. And if you will just say a little extra prayer for me because when my partner isn’t here I stumble through this a little bit. Okay talking to John calling on line 2. John you are calling and listening on WMCA welcome.
John: This John [inaudible].
Pastor Doug: Okay John you are on the air.
John: Well thank you very much for taking my call.
Pastor Doug: Yes sir.
John: I am concerned about my wife passed and since that time I am a born again Christian. So I have met a young lady and we just dated that is all no fiddling no nothing. But, I am concerned because she is not of my religion it is different religion altogether. Can I hurt my you know what I am saying my
Pastor Doug: Your relationship with the Lord?
John: My relationship with the Lord?
Pastor Doug: Are you contemplating marriage?
John: No nothing like that.
Pastor Doug: Well there is nothing wrong with having friends. Jesus had...
John: It’s companionship.
Pastor Doug: …well the issue is in the Bible in 2 Corinthians 6: 14 it says “Do not be unequally yoked together.” Now a farmer can have all kind of animals in his barn. He could have a donkey and he could have a sheep and he could have a cow. But, you don’t yoke a sheep to a cow when you are plowing. Yoking is a relationship of the same kind. You don’t want to be married to someone who is of a different persuasion because it can bring in conflict to a marriage.
John: This has nothing to do with marriage cause…
Pastor Doug: Well there is nothing wrong with having friends who are of a different faith.
John: Just a companion.
Pastor Doug: Well that is what I am saying. There is nothing wrong with having friends and it can sometimes create interesting discussions. But, being yoked in a marriage or business relationship with people who do not share your values can create problems.
John: I see what you are saying.
Pastor Doug: Because I don’t know what the other religion is, but it could have completely different values. And that is what the Scriptures say about that.
John: I understand, but I can’t damage my relationship with God if I date this person can I?
Pastor Doug: Well if they are going to distract your faith in God they can if you, but I don’t know who this person is or what their faith is, but if it erodes your faith in the word of God and your relationship with God then that isn’t healthy. But, you don’t sound like you are talking about marriage.
John: No there’s no marriage. I am just concerned about dating.
Pastor Doug: You know John I wonder if the reason you are asking this question is have you sensed that it is having an effect on your relationship with God?
John: That is what I am concerned with.
Pastor Doug: Well the very fact that you are asking the question the spirit of God could be talking to you and your conscience could be talking to you. Maybe there is something there that isn’t healthy and I don’t know that. But, if it is eroding your relationship with God then let it go. Jesus said you are better off cutting out an eye and plucking off a hand than doing something that will separate you from God. Okay hope that helps John, but we probably need to get some of the others who are waiting in line.
So now we are going to talk to Ron who is on his cell phone and calling from Lancaster, California. Ron you are on the air.
Ron: Hello Pastor Doug. Going solo huh?
Pastor Doug: Well I am trying. Well the crew here in the studio is helping me, but Pastor Dick is gone.
Ron: Great well you are doing great and I have a question on Romans 11 the whole chapter and context. I have a sky angel network and I have different types of preachers on the air.
Pastor Doug: I have sky angel, too, I know exactly what you mean.
Ron: Well it is a great ministry it really is because of the variety of teachers, but anyway this guy went on the air and he was preaching on Romans 11 and he was trying to spin it to say god has totally rejected the State of Israel and talking about literal Israel the people and the Jews and saying the Church means that Gentiles are grafted in that replace Israel like replacement theology.
Pastor Doug: Right.
Ron: Now I did a study on Romans 11 and I don’t see that now. I do see where God has actually blinded them in Romans 11: 8. And why would somebody come up with this kind of dogmatic theology or interpretation of Romans 11 that the church has totally replaced Israel? I don’t understand.
Pastor Doug: Well let me for our friends who are listening because you and I are sort of dealing with the meat of the word right now. The people of Israel were called back during the time of Abraham very specifically and even more specifically with Jacob and his name was later changed to Israel. The twelve sons of Jacob became the twelve sons of Israel. And their place was primarily to proclaim and introduce the Messiah to the world which happened when Jesus came. But, God still has a work for Israel and there are prophecies that deal with Israel. Even in Romans 11 where it talks about the branch of Israel being broken off it goes on to say if they abide not in unbelief then they are grafted in. Whether they are in or not in deals with their belief. Do you catch that?
Ron: Right.
Pastor Doug: So now I am a Jew and I have been to Israel twice and I consider myself a Jew. I am a messianic Jew. I believe that Jesus was the Messiah. I see myself as still grafted in. For the Nation of Israel and the people of Israel it is far different because as far as god is concerned God is not a racist. In other words He does not give preferential treatment to one race of people over another because of their DNA. God is no respecter of persons it says He has made of one blood all Nations.
But, you are asking about the Nation of Israel I think and I believe that God still has a special work for the Nation of Israel, but I also believe that it is spiritual Israel because you cannot get away from the fact that the Bible teaches that if you’re Christ’s then you are Abraham’s seed.
Paul says he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; he is a Jew which is one inwardly, but here’s the part that many people forget Ron. Do you know what the New Covenant is? Obviously the New Testament and New Covenant is the same word and all Christians are saved based on the New Covenant. Now let me quote the New Covenant to you. I will make a New Covenant saith the Lord with the house of Israel. God never makes a saving Covenant with Gentiles He only makes it with Israel. I will make a New Covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. So if anyone is saved we are all saved based on being Jews. In other words we must become spiritual Jews or literal Jews. And that is why the Bible says that we are grafted in. It is not a different tree it is grafted into the original root. Anyone who is saved reads a Jewish book and I am talking about Christian’s right. They are reading a Jewish book. And so I think people tend to take this issue too far one way and they try to eliminate the role of Israel or they take it too far the other way and they make the center of the gospel and everything that is happening over in the Middle East right now; well I don’t agree with that either.
Ron: Right, but what I am trying to understand here is you don’t believe that the church the…
Pastor Doug: Well I do believe in the spiritual Israel. But, right go ahead.
Ron: …Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ and the physical Jew and the spiritual Jew because I am not a Jew I am a spiritual Jew.
Pastor Doug: Right.
Ron: Right. But, the church itself of all tribes, tongues and peoples does not replace Israel as the apple of God’s eye right? It says here in Romans 11: 29 that “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” They are talking about it being irrevocable without Israel right?
Pastor Doug: Well let me quote a few things. Jesus said to the woman at the well you worship you do not know what. And of course salvation is of the Jews. And then Paul says to the Jews first and then also to all the Greeks or the Gentiles. You are dealing with a question requiring more than three minutes. I have written a book and I don’t mean to sound like farm out our books, but I did write a book with Steve Wohlberg another Jew that we will send you for free. Does that sound fair? It is called “Spiritual Israel”.
Ron: I have seen it on the website.
Pastor Doug: Well you can read it for free online or you can order it at “Amazing Facts dot com”. Okay?
Ron: Okay well thank you so much.
Pastor Doug: Alright thanks Ron. Now we are going to try to go to Spokane, Washington. Rob who has a question listening on KAEH welcome.
Rob: Hi there.
Pastor Doug: Hi your question? Get real close to your phone I can barely hear you.
Rob: I am sorry I am at work here so I am going to try to make it short, but I was wondering for a friend because he was trying to justify something. I was wondering what the Biblical translation of adultery was?
Pastor Doug: Well if you are talking about the Ten Commandments there are two forms in which adultery fits and manifests itself. One would be if one of the parties is violating a marriage vow. But, in the Ten Commandments when that says thou shall not commit adultery that also covers fornication which covers sex outside of the marriage. So there are two ways of breaking a marriage vow and one is to take the benefits of the marriage vow without being married that is one. The other is to break the marriage vow by inviting a foreign partner into that relationship. They are both adultery. One is taking the rights by sex before marriage and the other is when you are married and having that intimate relationship and having a relationship outside. Those are the definitions of adultery.
Rob: Okay because what he was telling me today is he and his wife have since separated and they don’t plan on getting back together. And he calls what the drugs she was doing adultery to him.
Pastor Doug: Well now that is not and people call all kinds of things adultery. Adultery is adultery and we keep trying to broaden the door that allows divorce. I have these people who say well I am leaving my wife because she is addicted to these soap operas and it is sort of mental adultery and that is his reason for leaving. That is pretty pathetic. That is not adultery and it maybe nuisance, but it is not adultery. It could be irritating, but it is not adultery. So people just keep trying to widen the door where Jesus said this is grounds for a divorce.
Rob: I am not exactly sure if she has somebody else, but he told me today that somebody liked him and they were holding him and stuff like that. Not the sexual business, but to put your thoughts onto somebody else while you are still in a marriage because it is a legally contracted union with God and I was wondering whether he is just trying to justify that?
Pastor Doug: It sounds like to me that is what is happening because if you use that and everybody married used that as criteria there would be very few married people anymore. Every time you had a fleeting thought it was grounds for divorce. See what I am saying and if people just don’t take the vow and the promise of marriage as seriously. It is very serious. There is no commitment now a days and people get divorced because they can’t balance the checkbook. But, anyway.
Rob: So is he pretty much shooting himself in the foot?
Pastor Doug: They can do whatever they want and then they have to live with the results of it. But, it doesn’t mean that he has Biblical grounds or that he can be breaking a vow that he has made in the presence of God for a pretty flimsy reason to. I hope that helps a little bit Rob. “Amazing Facts” has a Bible study guide on marriage we will send you. I know it is for your friend, but I will be happy to send it out. Call the resource line 1-800-835-6747 and we’ll send it.
Rob: Alrighty. Thank you.
Pastor Doug: Thanks to you and now we are going to Diana calling from New York, New York listening on WMCA. Diana you are on the air and welcome to the program.
Diana: Hello how are you doing?
Pastor Doug: Good thanks for asking.
Diana: You are doing quite well without your other partner.
Pastor Doug: Well I miss him, but it is okay.
[Laughter]
Diana: The Holy Spirit and that is really the only helper we are in need of isn’t it?
Pastor Doug: Amen.
Diana: Well my question is about the law and I have been having these friendly arguments that get a little heated each time. It is with a couple of friends regarding the law and my point to you is the law my Lord Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law. I think like it says it set us free from that curse. I would like you to explain to me that so I can pass it along.
Pastor Doug: Yes. It is a good question.
Diana: And I looked at the Ten Commandments and somebody just spoke about adultery and somebody told me that Jesus made it easier for us to live. And I don’t completely agree with that because even Jesus said you have heard thou shall not commit adultery, but I tell you that if you just look on a woman you have already committed adultery in your heart. So I think He made it even harder.
Pastor Doug: Yes what it is let me explain where the confusion comes in Diana. There are a couple of different primary laws in the Bible. You have got the Ten Commandments. Then there is the law that is an unchangeable moral law for Christians and Jews. Well actually for all men, but it is recognized by Christians and Jews. It is written in stone by God’s finger to help us understand its permanent nature. There were a number of other ceremonial temple laws like circumcision and the sacrificing of lambs and things of this nature that Jesus fulfilled and they were nailed to the cross and we are not under these ceremonial laws anymore. We are under the penalty of the law when we sin. Like when you kill you have broken His law.
Diana: Right.
Pastor Doug: The penalty is death for breaking God’s law. Jesus saves us from being under the curse or the death penalty. So when someone says I am no longer under the law I am under grace what they mean is they are no longer under the death penalty. But, that doesn’t give us a right to break the law.
Diana: Right that is what is what I would say.
Pastor Doug: If a policeman pulls me over for speeding I have broken the law. And he decides to have mercy on me whenever I tell him whatever my excuse was I am still guilty for speeding. But, now he is giving me grace and I am not under the penalty of the law because he has had mercy. But, I can’t drive as fast as I want and now I have to be really careful about what I do.
Diana: Yes before the Lord if you were caught in breaking the law more likely you would die is that correct?
Pastor Doug: Say that again?
Diana: If you were caught in the days before Christ breaking the law is it correct that people would die?
Pastor Doug: There were some laws that were the death penalty. If you were caught stealing they did not kill you for that, but you had to pay four fold. Do you know what I am saying some of the laws had different punishments depending on the seriousness?
Diana: My friend was saying that Jesus took and has all authority for the law has no longer authority.
Pastor Doug: Well what I ask people Diana and pardon me we are almost out of time. But, what I ask people does God want us to keep the Ten Commandments or not? What Christian who believes the Bible would say God doesn’t care if we lie and kill and steal and worship other gods or graven images? Did Jesus come to give us permission to do those things?
Diana: No.
Pastor Doug: Obviously not. But, that is where these arguments end up going and you have to ask does God care? We are taking a break now Diana and I didn’t mean to be short with your answer.
Diana: No it is alright.
Pastor Doug: We have a study guide we’d like to offer to you for free and it deals with the law and it is called “You are Responsible” it helps you to understand what the relationship between law and grace is. Call 1-800-835-6747 and ask for it. If you want to get on with your question it is 1-800-GOD-SAYS that’s 1-800-463-7297. Be sure to pick a pencil up for the next half and be sure and write the website down at “Amazing Facts dot com” and we will be right back.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Doug: Welcome back friends you can call our number 1-800-GOD-SAYS with questions or you can listen and pray for me as I do my best to search the Bible here and find answers with people. And now we’re talking to Immanuel in New York listening on again WMCA and your question Immanuel.
Immanuel: How are you doing Doug?
Pastor Doug: Good and your question?
Immanuel: I‘ve been instructed by the girl while on hold to be very, very careful about what I say. And I wasn’t happy about that.
Pastor Doug: Well the reason for that is. Let me just explain why we say that to our listening friends. When people call in questions sometimes they refer to various denominations and we try to avoid identifying denominations because sometimes people say disparaging things about them and we’d rather focus on the Biblical so go ahead what was the question Immanuel?
Immanuel: It is about the Sabbath, but I am very, very disappointed as a Christian right. And those having Sunday church because they think the Sabbath is a ceremonial law.
Pastor Doug: Well what you are saying I am still waiting for the question.
Immanuel: The members leaving a long time and now they are leaving the church. And what are our Pastors doing about this problem?
Pastor Doug: I appreciate that and the question is when others are telling that the seventh day Sabbath is part of the ceremonial law I would say first of all that is ignorance because the ceremonial laws were the laws that were given during the time of the building of the sanctuary and they were the ceremonies around the sanctuary. They were to deal with the entrance of sin and the Sabbath not only is one of the Ten Commandments, but goes back to the day of creation where it tells us that god Himself rested.
So to say that the Sabbath day which is part of the Ten Commandments is part of the ceremonial law is a mistake. In addition to that the Ten Commandments were written on stone and the ceremonial laws were written on paper. The Ten Commandments were placed in the Ark of the Covenant the ceremonial laws were outside in a pocket. The Ten Commandments are in stone written by the finger of God and eternal and the ceremonial laws are written by the finger of man and one was spoken by the voice of God and there is a big difference.
And even if you read in Deuteronomy I believe it is Chapter 4 when Moses is talking about the giving of the Ten Commandments he says God gave you His covenant of the Ten Commandments and He gave me at that time other statutes and ordinances. Well the Sabbath was part of the Ten Commandments. Hope that helps you a little bit Immanuel and next we are going to line 5. And next we are talking to Arlene in WMCA in New York and your question?
Arlene: Yes Arlene. Yes on what he is talking about we have Isaiah 65 and 66 that say to keep the Sabbath. In the New Testament in Colossians it says do not let any man tell you what to eat on the Sabbath. So I am confused do we still need to keep the Sabbath?
Pastor Doug: Good question. Two questions on the Sabbath. In Colossians Chapter 2 when he said do not let anyone judge you in regards to Holidays or Sabbath days. You will notice there are two kinds of Sabbaths. The word Sabbath means rest. There was the Sabbath of the Ten Commandments that was written in stone and we just spoke about that. The Jews also had about seven annual Sabbaths they came once a year such as the feast of trumpets and the feast of the Passover and the Day of Atonement or what we call Yom Kippur. When Jesus died on the cross the ceremonial Sabbaths met their fulfillment. And that had nothing to do with the Ten Commandments Arlene the only one of the Ten Commandments that begins with the word remember is the fourth commandment the Sabbath. Why would God take that only commandment and say don’t forget this and then later say well this is the only one you are supposed to forget? That wouldn’t make sense and the purpose of the Sabbath. Do we still need a day of physical rest and is the reason it is still there. He blessed it and sanctified it and these are the reasons it is still there. It is forever and we still need that day of rest and worship. There is a study guide we will send you if you would like. It deals with the subject. Just call and ask for our study guide on the Sabbath day. It is called “Why God Said Remember” and call this number 1-800-835-6747 and you’ll hear us five that again.
Arlene: Thank you.
Pastor Doug: And so let’s see here we are going to be talking to line 8. This is why I miss Pastor Dick. And Donna is listening on KEAH in Spokane also welcome to the program Donna.
Donna: Hi. Thank you Pastor. I was going to ask about a friend who said you could spend your time on anything and you could even spend it on wine and I was like what are you talking about. And they said oh it is in Deuteronomy and I looked there and came to Chapter 14: 23 no I am sorry 26.
Pastor Doug: Could I read that to everybody? Let me read this to our friends because a lot people listen when they are driving down the road. Deuteronomy 14: 26 and Moses said “And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and you shall eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household.
Now let me tell you what the context of this is. There were certain annual feasts when the people would go to Jerusalem. This is of course in the Old Testament when they had a temple to go to. And they couldn’t always bring their lambs with them to offer a sacrifice. See that was why he says in the previous verse he says turn them into money and bind the money in your hand and go t the place that the LORD thy God shows you. And that was Jerusalem. So they would go there and buy their sacrifices and pay their tithe and along the way they needed provisions. And when he said that they were to take that there was a second tithe that they used for the annual feasts; now that was a separate tithe than what they gave for the purpose of the Levites an the support of the ministry. This second tithe was something different that they could give some of it to the poor and they would use it for the annual feasts to go to Jerusalem and when it says strong drink that is not wine the word strong drink it means concentrate. Have you ever drunk some concentrated grape juice or orange juice? And it is very strong and the word strong there means intense like that. And they used to dilute their wine to keep it from fermenting and then they had to carry less because it weighed less. And that is what the word is talking about there. So God wasn’t telling them to go take their money and get drunk.
Donna: Well and they weren’t really saying that. Their context of the conversation was don’t judge people on what they do with their tithes.
Pastor Doug: Oh I see what you are saying.
Donna: Yes. I mean and I believe we shouldn’t judge people, bur the tithes the way I see it is it is not to be used indiscriminately.
Pastor Doug: No God tells us where to put it. And in Malachi Chapter 3: 10 he says “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse”.
Donna: But, what—where can I read to get the concept of the second tithe? That it is a separate thing?
Pastor Doug: You know that is a tough study. We have a book we can send you that has an assembly of Scriptures on the subject that would probably be helpful would you like that?
Donna: Oh sure.
Pastor Doug: And I am looking for it here. We have about 100 books we carry on Bible subjects. There’s a lesson that we have—no this book is called “Thieves in the Church” there we go.
Donna: Okay “Thieves in the Church”
Pastor Doug: Yeah kind of an ominous title, but it is a good book by Joe Crews.
Donna: Okay I can go and order that.
Pastor Doug: Or you can read it for free online. How does that sound?
Donna: Alright thank you.
Pastor Doug: Alright God bless.
Donna: Umm-hmm. Bye-bye.
Pastor Doug: Next we’re going to talk with Haley calling in from Pasco Washington listening in to KAEH welcome Haley. And your question. Hi thanks for waiting.
Haley: Hi. I have a question like everyone else.
Pastor Doug: Hold a second Haley you just dropped out. Are you there?
Haley: Yes.
Pastor Doug: Repeat your question. We lost you for a minute.
Haley: Okay if you have a question about the Bible aren’t you supposed to…
Pastor Doug: Well if you have a question on the Bible you are supposed to pray about it or ask somebody else?
Haley: Yeah.
Pastor Doug: Well first of all the best interpreter for the Bible is the Bible. And even the Lord tells us to compare Scripture with Scripture. Sometimes if you want to find the meaning of something you look for other passages dealing with same subject and often then that is where you find the keys that unlock the mysteries. It is not wrong for us to hear someone who is using the Bible to explain the Bible to help us understand or explain things.
But, ultimately Peter talks about the danger of arriving at our private interpretations. You know if someone just says well think it might mean this or it might mean that. Well you can’t arrive at any kind of truth with that kind of ethereal kind of water witching to find out what the Bible says. God’s word is very precise. You just need to compare Scripture with Scripture and it usually explains itself. Are you there?
Haley: Yeah.
Pastor Doug: We have a book that we’ll send you that which talks about how to read the Bible and different things about understanding the Bible. Would you like that? It is called the “Faithful Witness”
Haley: The Faithful Witness? Okay.
Pastor Doug: Well you know what you would like? This is even more important Haley. We have a study guide called “Is There Anything Left You Can Trust?” I’d read that first and we will send them both to you. “Is There Anything Left You Can Trust?” it is the number one study guide. Just ask them for that and call 1-800-835-6747. Okay? Tell them you are listening to “Amazing Facts” and that you want the offer.
Haley: Okay.
Pastor Doug: Now we are going to talk to Pam line 10 in Riverside, California on KERM welcome. Pam?
Pam: Hi.
Pastor Doug: Your question?
Pam: Well my husband passed about three years ago. And he went from our home and I stood up and went up to be absent from the body to be present with the Lord. There has been a lot of controversy that I have heard about cremation. Now my husband I both chose to be cremated and his mother was very against it and I have heard a lot of things that you are not supposed to do that or whatever. And I just need some understanding about this and he has already been cremated and when it says to be absent from the body is to be present from the Lord and ye she was saved and he was baptized in the water and the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Doug: Well first let’s deal with the first question. First of all my heart goes out to you and I know that is difficult and I’ve got my mother was cremated and my father was buried and my brother was cremated. My son was buried. So I have been on both sides of this. The Bible says ashes to ashes and dust to dust. God says you are from ashes and unto ashes you’ll return that word ashes and dust is really the same word in the Bible.
Pam: Umm-hmm.
Pastor Doug: There is no command in the Bible in regards to burying people as opposed to cremating them. Most of the time in the Bible when people died they were buried. There are a few exceptions for instance when King Saul died and his son Jonathan and brothers their bodies were somewhat mutilated by the enemy they were cremated. And that does not mean it is going to keep Jonathan from going to heaven. I am quite certain I will see him there, but Saul I am not too sure about. Jonathan will be there.
If—do you see what I am saying? During the Dark Ages sometimes the church would dig up the remains of the heretics and they would burn them as though that was going to keep them from being saved or consign them to hell. What happens to the body after you die because we are not taking these bodies to heaven? The Bible says all things are made new and those of us who are alive when Jesus comes in a moment and in the twinkling of an eye we’re transformed.
Pam: I truly believe that.
Pastor Doug: So while I don’t want to be the one to say dogmatically one way or the other. I don’t see a commandment one way or the other and if you bury someone and one hundred years later you dig them up they have turned to dust. If you cremate them they turn to dust so you have that either way. Do you see what I am getting at?
Pam: Yeah I sure do the thing I did do though was having him put in an urn and at the time if we decided that we would not put that in the ground. So it is in my home and I…
Pastor Doug: Well there is nothing wrong with that and some people have loved ones that are buried on their ranch. There is really nothing wrong with that. You see my responsibility is to give you Bible answers and there is no command for the person to be buried as opposed to cremated. Typically in the Bible they were buried and I need to be honest, but it is not because necessarily it was commended it may have been just their tradition. Pam there are times when people are living when space is a premium and they can’t even afford a grave. And I think God takes those things into account.
Pam: Right. It is very, very expensive to go that way and we did choose that we took care of it prior and I just didn’t want to hurt his mom’s feelings, but she doesn’t know this right now. And I wouldn’t say it to her to hurt her.
Pastor Doug: Right I understand.
Pam: Well that is wonderful and to hear that is a relief for me.
Pastor Doug: You know we have a lesson that touches on this a little if you’d like it?
Pam: Oh I would love to have that.
Pastor Doug: It is called “Are the Dead Really Dead?” It helps to understand the very delicate subject of death. Just call 1-800-835-6747 we’ll send that to you.
Pam: 800-835-6747. And this is called “Are the Dead Really Dead” God bless you and thank you so much for your time.
Pastor Doug: Alright thank you Pam and God bless you.
Pam: Thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: Now we are talking to John listening in on line2. John you are on the air listening on KFIA right here in Sacramento.
John: Hi Doug how are you doing?
Pastor Doug: Good how are you?
John: I am doing very well thanks. I have a question on Proverbs 8: 22 through 36.
Pastor Doug: Okay let me go there real quick. What is the question while I am looking it up?
John: I essentially think this is talking about Christ since it is before creation actually happened. You know he was brought forth.
Pastor Doug: Oh yes. Let me read this. I t quite a bit here, but I will read some of it. 22 “The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:” Now is that the verses you are referring to?
John: Exactly.
Pastor Doug: Are you wondering if this is talking about Christ?
John: Well I have heard it by several people saying that does actually describe Christ. And in my commentary it’s got the interlinear with the Strong’s numbers and a lexicon and that’s at the bottom it says it is talking about Christ and I don’t have any conflict with that. But, when it said he was brought forth I have written and asked the Trinitarians how do they get around that I never get any direct answer to my question. They couldn’t explain how this phrase could fit in with the harmony of the rest of the Bible though.
Pastor Doug: Well that is a good question. I am of the opinion that God is speaking more specifically of wisdom. If you look at Proverbs Chapter 1: 9 for instance he says 8 “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head and chains about thy neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” 13”And we shall find all precious substance,” there is wisdom found in the personality in Proverbs that should be loved. And Proverbs 1: 20 “wisdom crieth out, she uttereth her voice in the streets:” so Proverbs 1 sort of identifies wisdom as a wife and then Proverbs 8 is identifying wisdom as a son. It is talking about how it should always be with us and how wisdom was always with God. If we are saying that Christ had a beginning then there is a problem. Double problems because e God tells us that all things that were made were made by Him and if all things were made were made by Him the He could not have made Himself.
John: From what I understand it says he was begotten of his father and that’s how it got to be his son.
Pastor Doug: But, since he was begotten of his father then it is not true that all things that were made were made by Him. It would say all things were made except Himself by Christ do you see what I am saying?
John: Well I know what you’re saying. I don’t have a problem with that part of it, but I—um.
Pastor Doug: Now it tells us you have a bigger question about the Trinity.
John: Well I have wrestled with this for years.
Pastor Doug: Would you allow me I wrote a book on that subject just this year. I could give it to you for free if you like.
John: Actually I have your book.
Pastor Doug: You’ve got it? It didn’t help huh?
John: Well not really because that is part of the issue.
Pastor Doug: The book I wrote is kind of designed to be a quick view of the subject. There are books and matter of fact “Amazing Facts” carries a book that is about an inch thick that does a much better job because it is a deep subject. The church has grappled with the nature of God for 2000 years.
John: In all fairness I read that book as well.
Pastor Doug: Did you really?
John: It does answer that verse that I brought up and it says that it cannot be wisdom because then you have time when God didn’t have wisdom when He brought it forth and I found that to be a fair assessment.
Pastor Doug: Well because I—now we’re getting into some deep stuff here—but, I think that the Bible is dealing often in poetic language and if ever that is true it is true in Proverbs. And so if you put too much exactness on poetic language you know as it says in Isaiah when it speaks of heaven and it says in the days of the tree so shall my people be. Well now that doesn’t mean we are going to have tree rings. Do you know what I mean? It is a poetic phrase you don’t have birthdays for trees. It is the same way in Proverbs here. It says and is simply emphasizing that wisdom has always been with God. So I probably ought to move on because we have several people waiting would that be okay John?
John: That is fine thanks.
Pastor Doug: Okay and thanks a lot good question. Going to jump to Daniel who has been waiting patiently on line 6 calling from Fresno on KARM welcome Daniel.
Daniel: Yeah can you hear me?
Pastor Doug: Yeah and real quick because we’re running out of time.
Daniel: Quick question is how do we know the Sabbath falls on the seventh day or doesn’t?
Pastor Doug: This is the third question tonight on this subject. Okay I’ll do my best first of all you have a whole State full of Jewish people that for the last 3000 years have worshipped God every seventh day. And they are still celebrating it on what we call Saturday. You can also look in the encyclopedia under seventh day and it will say Saturday. The first day will say Sunday. You can look in the dictionary of course and find the same thing. And even the U.S. Naval Observatory will tell you that there has been no change in the calendar for the last 2000 years that in any way affects the weekly cycle. So that is just for starters there is lots of evidence there. It sounds like you might also enjoy that book “When God Said Remember” would you like a copy of that?
Daniel: I sure would.
Pastor Doug: Yeah it has got some of these facts in there and Scriptures. But, of course we know when we celebrate the resurrection what day of the week do we celebrate that? Sunday correct? We call it Easter Sunday.
Daniel: Right.
Pastor Doug: Well the Bible says that Jesus rose the first day of the week. That is Sunday and then the Bible says that Jesus was buried just before the Sabbath. Well what day is before Sunday?
Daniel: Well I believe we’re on the Julian calendar or?
Pastor Doug: We’re actually on the Gregorian calendar.
Daniel: Oh the Gregorian okay.
Pastor Doug: But, the calendar doesn’t affect the weekly cycle that is a common misconception. And no matter how they change the calendar it never touches the week. The week is always 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and they’ll make all kinds of change sot the calendar, but the week days stay the same. So don’t get confused about the calendar affecting the week it never does.
Daniel: Well I would like…
Pastor Doug: Why don’t you just send for the book because I am trying to get in one more call “When God Said Remember”? The number will be given again by Pastor Dick in a recorded form in just a moment. Okay let’s talk to line 8 to Darrel Lynn. In Ukiah, California KNAD welcome Darrel Lynn.
Darrel Lynn: Hi.
Pastor Doug: We have just about two minutes.
Darrel Lynn: Yes I wanted to know since God named the people Israel how’d they get to be called Hebrews and Jews?
Pastor Doug: Good question. They were called Hebrews before they were called Israel. Abraham was a Hebrew and Jacob called himself a Hebrew. A Hebrew comes from the word eber and it means to cross over because the Hebrews crossed over with Abraham the Euphrates River when they came to the Promised Land. And so that is where Hebrew comes from and the Jews were a derivative. There were no Jews until they really didn’t call them that until the Babylonian captivity. They are primarily the descendents of Judah. And it is sort of a shortened form of Judah.
Darrel Lynn: Oh okay.
Pastor Doug: Because most of the people who came back from Babylon were 90 per cent from the tribe of Judah. There were also some Benjamin and Levite and other tribes, but the other 10 tribes were carried off to Assyria and they never returned the same way. So the people who came back when they returned mostly were Judah and so that is where you get the term Jew.
Darrel Lynn: Okay thank you.
Pastor Doug: Yeah that was a good question thanks.
Darrel Lynn: Okay thanks.
Pastor Doug: Well let’s take one more here. Ahh I tried I am so sorry friends. We have run out of time. Listening friends before you change the dial allow me to just spread before you the fact this is a completely listener supported broadcast and faith based ministry. We do truly appreciate anything you do to help us stay on the station you are listening to as well as others. To contact us go to “Amazing Facts dot com” or “dot org” and you can learn about all the free resources. Those are some of the best for those who teach a Bible class or preach. You really need to check out the library and you can listen to Bible questions online any time of the day we have them archived there. Check out the website and you can even make a donation online. If it sounds like I am whining friends then I am sorry friends, but summer months are hard to make budgets stretch. We do appreciate it, but we do it. Not just to get the facts out, but we want you to know about Jesus who is the truth that will set you free.
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