What Hath God Wrought?

For 30 years, Morse Code was the most cutting edge means of communications over long distance. Then in 1872, Joshua Coppersmith was arrested in New York City. He was charged with attempting to extort money from gullible people by convincing them to invest in an instrument that he said could transmit voice over wire. He called it a telephone.

Coppersmith may not have been a con man, but what's more interesting is the reaction of the boss and newspaper that reported the case. "Well-informed people," the paper said, "know that it is impossible to transmit the human voice over wires; and were it possible to do so, the thing would be of no practical value."

Of course, within four years, Alexander Graham Bell did send a voice over wire and he did call it a telephone. I wonder what the newspaper writer would have said about something that seemed even more impossible, a telephone that transmits voice without wires? An economist at Nokia's network division said there are now about 1.6 billion cell phone subscriptions in the world.

This means nearly half of all the adults in the world have cell phones. It's not uncommon to see people in India or Africa walking around without shoes, talking on cell phones. Now with satellite phones you can make a call from virtually any spot on the globe. So, with all these phones, what is everyone talking about?

You know, Jesus said, "Men will give an account for every idle word they speak in the judgment day. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Stay with us friends. We're going to learn more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of Bible Answers Live.

[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]

Pastor Doug: Welcome once again listening friends to a fresh serving of Bible Answers Live. If you are just tuning in for the first time by God's providence, this would be a live, interactive Bible study. You can call in and participate with your questions by dialing 1-800-GOD-SAYS. That's 1-800-463-7297.

So if you have a question, now is a good time to pick up your phone as lines are open. My name is Doug Batchelor.

Pastor Dick: My name is Dick Devitt. We gather every week at this time, Pastor Doug.

Pastor Doug: Have a global Bible study.

Pastor Dick: We look forward to it every week; and we start with a word of prayer each Sunday evening, so let's do that.

Father in heaven, we want to thank You and praise You because You make it possible for us to come into the studio and to open God's Word, and share from God's Word with our callers, our listeners. Lord, we pray that You will speak clearly to Pastor Doug. Calm him and give him wisdom and discernment; and our listeners, our callers as well, Lord. Help us to hear from You tonight from the throne room in heaven. We want to know the truth, Lord, and so we ask that Your Holy Spirit would move on our hearts. In Jesus' name, amen.

Pastor Doug: Amen!

Pastor Dick: Well Pastor Doug, I'm sitting here looking at a little fiber optic Christmas tree right here in front of me with these little lights going. It's really very pretty. But this idea in 1844 that they were talking about not being able to send voice by wire is amazing.

Pastor Doug: Yes, and it's incredible that you think about the technology of communications; and even with the, as you said, fiber optics now that basically sends voice through light beams. And, of course, the voices that are going around the world through the various frequencies and cellular phones and via satellite now - -

Pastor Dick: Right, right

Pastor Doug: - - they're bouncing up where there's a vacuum in space. These geocentric satellites are revolving and ricocheting the messages off earth. But really, what surprised me--and you and I talked before the program--is that one point that 1.6 billion people in the world, about nearly 50% of the adults in the world, have cell phones, - -

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: - - or at least, over half the families. We were commenting that we've seen people walking around without shoes living in tents on their cell phone.

Pastor Dick: Oh yes. Yeah, in Africa, I've seen that. It's just amazing; and not just adults either, little kids that have - -

Pastor Doug: Yeah

Pastor Dick: So what are they talking about? [Laughs]

Pastor Doug: When I was in Korea, I was surprised that all the kids had cell phones and picture phones. They're all taking pictures - -

Pastor Dick: Yeah [laughs]

Pastor Doug: - - and they're text messaging everybody all the time, and it was really something. Yeah, but it makes you wonder what is everyone talking about. And, you know, the statistics tell us that, generally speaking, people are talking about one of two things, generally speaking. They're talking about people, or they're talking about work and making money.

It makes you think about what Christ said that we need to be careful what we talk about because we will give an account in the Judgment for every idle word we speak.

Pastor Dick: We are carrying around with us; and, in fact, you and I are using right now one of the most deadly weapons that you can imagine.

Pastor Doug: Right

Pastor Dick: This little thing called the tongue.

Pastor Doug: It has done more harm than nuclear weapons.

Pastor Dick: Yeah, yes.

Pastor Doug: Matter of fact, wars have been started, not to mention marriages have been dissolved because of a few careless words.

Pastor Dick: Um-hm, um-hm

Pastor Doug: Wars have been started in which thousands, maybe even millions have died.

Pastor Dick: Um-hm

Pastor Doug: We'll be amazed when we find out. It's like James said. It's a match that can kindle a great forest, our tongue. We need to be careful. Language is a wonderful gift God has given us. It separates from the other animals in that we are able to communicate very deep, complex, abstract thoughts. It's sacred.

Pastor Dick: Well God, and God spoke, and uh - -

Pastor Doug: That's right. Christ is the Word.

Pastor Dick: - - is the Word, exactly.

Pastor Doug: God spoke, and the world came into existence via the gift of speech.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: And so it's not to be taken for granted, to be treated reverently. I think a lot of us will be surprised that angels record everything we say and do. We need to pray that God will give us grace to speak that which is good.

Pastor Dick: Amen, amen

Pastor Doug: Jesus said, "Let your yea be yea, and your nay be nay." We have a free offer that talks about some things we can do to get the victory over this deadly creature called the tongue.

Pastor Dick: I think it has been awhile since we've offered this little booklet. It's called Tiny Troublemaker. It talks about gossip and things that you can do to help control the tongue. We want to make it available to everybody tonight who will call our resource operators and ask for it. Tiny Troublemaker is the name of our offer tonight. Just call our resource number at 1-800-835-6747, and the operators are standing by.

Ask for Tiny Troublemaker. It really is a helpful resource that gives you some ideas on how to control the tongue.

Pastor Doug: I almost guess that there are people who are right now jotting down that number and they're thinking, "Well, I don't need that but I've got someone I'm going to give it to."

Pastor Dick: Yeah, as a Christmas present [laughs]

Pastor Doug: First, read it yourself friends [chuckles]

Pastor Dick: 1-800-835-6747. Okay Pastor Doug, a couple of email questions. The first one comes from Hope British Columbia, from Jim. He says that he has been hearing some strange ideas because he was reading Isaiah chapter 65, verse 20 and he says it seems to give the indication that there is sin in the new Jerusalem.

Pastor Doug: Well let me read this for our friends. It is talking about the earth made new. Isaiah is using some poetic language here. "No more shall an infant of days there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days: for the child will die a hundred years old," now that confuses people, "In heaven children will die a hundred years old?"

And then it goes on to say, "and the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed." It's not saying that anybody dies in heaven. The word "die" there is the word "cease." That word "cease" means "cease to be a child." Now, if you look back in Genesis, people did not mature as quickly.

For instance, you'll notice that some of the first patriarchs, they didn't get married until they were 150."

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: Then it says 100; then it says 95; then it says 85. And evidently, with the acceleration of sin, the people began to mature more quickly. In heaven, things are going to be restored to their original state. Some of those who are resurrected in heaven with their glorified bodies, children will stay children there much longer. They will not even cease to be children for 100 years.

So I think that is what it's referring to; and, of course, the sinner being accursed doesn't mean they're alive. "Accursed" means that their name is infamous because there are no sinners in heaven; and so there's no sin in heaven, of course.

Pastor Dick: Okay, amen. Second question comes from Danny in Tennessee. He says, "There is a parable in the Bible, Pastor Doug, about the man who finds a treasure and sells everything that he has and goes and buys the field. He found it on land that he did not own and he did not tell the owner about it. Isn't this dishonest?"

Pastor Doug: Well, someone might argue that, but if you are prospecting and you find gold, usually you want to secure the mineral rights to that land, whether it's government or private land, before you make an announcement, because, obviously, you're never going to be able to buy the land. So from a business point of view, they think there's no problem.

Others might say, "Well, if it was in your family, you probably would want to tell them."

Pastor Dick: [Laughs] Yeah!

Pastor Doug: But you know, really the issue is, whether this man is being honest or not is not the point Christ is trying to make. The point He's making is, because of the value of the field, he sells everything to obtain it. He's not condoning the business transaction. He's talking about selling everything to get that which is priceless. And we should be willing to make any sacrifice for eternal life. That's the point of the parable.

Pastor Dick: Okay. Let's take our first caller for the evening. We want to go to Newfoundland, Canada. Chad is calling us from Newfoundland. Welcome Chad.

Chad: Yes, welcome sir.

Pastor Dick: And your question please?

Chad: The question I have--I notice in the writings of the apostle Paul he talked about the apostasy that was suppose to take place shortly after the apostles died. I was just wondering what transpired of the congregations after the first century Christians died? What were some of these apostate things that took place that caused him to fall away from the true faith?

Pastor Doug: Well even during the life of Paul, Chad, he talks about some who had abandoned the faith.

Chad: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: He identifies Demetrius and a couple of others. In Acts chapter 20, verse 29 Paul said--and this is a prophecy from Paul, he didn't make too many. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. And from yourselves men will arise, speaking perverse things."

One of those was Nicolas the deacon who is in the book of Acts. He ended up starting a new sect called the Nicolaitanes; and Jesus talks about them in Revelation. He talks about the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, "which thing I hate."

Chad: Yeah

Pastor Doug: So there are a few cases of how apostasy even came in from among the Christians in the early ages of the church.

Chad: Yes. I think also Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1st Timothy chapter 1 talks of it here, but they prophesy about a resurrection that was suppose to take place.

Pastor Doug: Yeah; and when Paul is speaking to the Corinthians he said, "Here you're saying you believe the resurrection has already happened." In 1st Corinthians 15 he addresses that apostasy. And Paul, of course, talks to the Galatians, and he says, "Who has beguiled you?" They were getting into legalism.

So he struggled with these things even in his time. He knew it was going to be worse when he was gone and no longer on the front lines to combat it.

Chad: Yeah. Seems like we have a lot of these apostate religions today with Paul's teachings floating around out there; very confusing for people who are trying to learn the truth.

Pastor Doug: Yeah. The safest thing to do is if a person just sticks to the Bible, that is always the safest course.

Pastor Dick: Amen. Chad, we appreciate the call. Thank you very much. God bless you. Let's go next to Brooklyn, New York, Pastor Doug. We want to talk with Shaun who's a first-time caller. Welcome to the program Shaun.

Shaun: Yes, how are you doing?

Pastor Dick: Real good. Get real close to your phone please. We can barely hear you.

Shaun: Okay. I just got a question concerning Hebrews chapter 6, verse 4. It speaks about, like, once someone has been enlightened, it is impossible to be a partaker of the Holy Ghost.

Pastor Doug: Yes

Shaun: I just want some clarification on this.

Pastor Doug: Well let me read this for our friends who are listening. We always have a lot of people driving down the road and they can't necessarily look it up.

Hebrews 6, verse 4, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, If they fall away, to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put him to an open shame."

In other words, if the Lord gives somebody the very best evidence that the Holy Spirit has to convert them and bring them to repentance, if they turn away from that, what more can God do? It's not saying that people who have backslidden cannot be reached, He can only use the medicine on the shelf.

It's like some people--I met with someone this week--and they have developed a resistance to the strongest antibiotics that they have for their disease. Well, what more can the doctors offer once that happens? And so the Lord is simply saying here, "If these people," notice the words that are being used here, Shaun. It says they've tasted the good word of God.

They've tasted the heavenly gift, partakers of the Holy Spirit, been enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they've felt the powers of the age to come, these folks have really had the very best that God can offer. If they turn away from that, what more can He do? So, it is not saying a person who backslides cannot be redeemed because there are too many examples in the Bible of people, like King David, who did a major backsliding with Uriah and Bathsheba.

Peter, who, of course, denied Christ; Solomon, who backslid, and at the end of his life he repented. That's where you get the book of Ecclesiastes. So there are a number of cases of people who backslid and they returned; but it's a dangerous thing to tamper with the Holy Spirit, because you may not return. You never know. Repentance is a gift.

Shaun: Yeah

Pastor Doug: So does that help explain that a little bit Shaun?

Shaun: Yeah it helps.

Pastor Doug: Alright, well thank you and I hope that will encourage you.

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Shaun. Let's go on to San Francisco, California. Carl is listening on the Internet. Welcome Carl.

Carl: Yeah, hi Pastor Doug and Dick

Pastor Dick: Yes

Carl: I have a question I haven't been able to find anywhere. It's Matthew 24:14, the Gospel to all the world.

Pastor Doug: Uh-huh

Carl: Yeah, I was uh--give you some real hard thought, doesn't that really happen in the time of trouble or just before probation, because people will be brought before court to answer, then the major media will get on it.

Pastor Doug: Well, the time of trouble, Carl, biblically seems to be divided into two or three segments, the great tribulation it's often referred to. There's the period of time, at first, when those who do not receive the mark of the beast cannot buy or sell. And that is used to try to pressure those who are following the Word of God instead of the laws of the beast to conform and to worship the beast.

When that does not work, they will ultimately enact a death decree; it says, "that he should be killed," this is Revelation 13. But during the small time of trouble, I believe that is one of the times Christ prophesied when we will be brought before kings and rulers of the world to give a defense for our faith. And He said the Holy Spirit will tell us in that hour what we should say.

Carl: Yes. And that's when I thought maybe the uh, you know, the big media would spread worldwide what these people's beliefs are - -

Pastor Doug: Oh I see what you're saying.

Carl: - - uh uh, that their holding onto, and in that way - -

[Cross talk]

Pastor Doug: He says, "The Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world." The Gospel always moves a little faster during persecution, but the Gospel is going to the world not only mouth-to-mouth but via the modern media. Right now as I speak to you, not only is it going around 130 stations in North America and other parts of the world, but via the Internet. This is streaming live right now anywhere in the world that they've got computer hookups.

And--boy, just like cell phones, I haven't been too many places in the world, Pastor Dick, Africa, India, where they've got Internet connection, China.

Pastor Dick: Right

Pastor Doug: So the message is going to the whole world; and I'm one of hundreds of programs.

Carl: Uh-huh, and I understood that Christ is not going to come until literally every single person has had a chance to make up their mind?

Pastor Doug: Well, of course, there will always be infants and young children that maybe can't comprehend; but before Jesus returns, the whole world will have access to the Gospel, and it says, "For a witness to them." Now, if they turn away and never do listen, God is not going to force them.

Carl: Um-hmm, yes, of course.

Pastor Doug: The Bible says that people are destroyed for rejecting knowledge so some people will reject the opportunity to hear the Gospel, but it's going to be available. That's the point. It'll be available in all the world and then the end will come.

Carl: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: And that's happening right now. So Jesus is coming soon.

Carl: Okay

Pastor Doug: Thank you.

Carl: Thank you very much.

Pastor Doug: Good question Carl.

Carl: Um-hmm

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Carl. 1-800-GOD-SAYS, 1-800-463-7297, if you have a Bible-related question, now is a good time to call. We have a couple of lines open and give us a call. We'll do our best to get you on the air, 1-800-463-7297. Pastor Doug, to Turlock, California. Norm is listening on KADV. Welcome Norman.

Norman: Hello gentlemen, how are you?

Pastor Doug: Good

Norman: Happy holidays. I'll ask my question and I'll hang up.

Pastor Doug: Okay

Norman: I'm curious about how the books of the Bible got named.

Pastor Doug: Alright, well I'll do my best with that and appreciate your question, Norman. And if you're still with us, we do have a book we could offer, if you're still listening, called The Faithful Witness. It addresses some of that.

Pastor Dick: Right

Pastor Doug: First of all, the word "Bible" comes from the Latin word "biblios," which means books. It is an assembly. The Bible is really not one book. It's an assembly of books. The different books in the Bible, and there are 66 of them, many of them were named differently. Some of the books were named by the author. Some of the books were named by others who read them.

Some of them are misnamed, like the book of Revelation is called the Revelation of St. John, and the first verse says, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ."

Pastor Dick: Um-hm

Pastor Doug: Well it is not a revelation of John. John was the vehicle. It's a revelation of Jesus. And then, of course, the Gospel of Matthew, authored no doubt by Matthew. Mark is probably the Gospel of Peter that was dictated to Mark. Luke was written by Luke. John was written by the apostle.

Some of the books in the Bible are named after the recipients, Philemon. The letters to the church are named after the churches that received them, First and Second Thessalonians, and Corinthians, and so forth. The Mosaic books, "Deuteronomy" means "the repeating of the law." The book of Exodus, of course, chronicles the Exodus. They're named after the contents. "Genesis" is "the beginnings."

So every book has a little different history, and some of them are self-explanatory.

Pastor Dick: Right

Pastor Doug: Anyway, hope that helps. I'd have to go through all 66 to give you a record of all of them; but that just gives you an overview.

Pastor Dick: It's a good question. We appreciate the call. Let's go next to Chula Vista, California. Cynthia is listening on KPRZ. Welcome Cynthia.

Cynthia: Hi

Pastor Doug: Yes, how are you? And your question?

Cynthia: Good. I believe there's one coming of the Lord, - -

Pastor Doug: Um-hmm

Cynthia: - - but my neighbor says there are two. There's one where He comes in a twinkling of an eye. And then there's a 144,000 left here on earth; they're suppose to minister to us. And then His final coming will be at the end where He's coming in His glory. Could you explain that to me?

Pastor Doug: I will give you a little explanation, - -

Cynthia: Okay

Pastor Doug: - - a short one. Do you have a pencil?

Cynthia: Yes

Pastor Doug: Call our resource number as soon as I'm done and ask for a book. We'll send it to you free.

Cynthia: Okay

Pastor Doug: It's called Anything But Secret. The book deals in great detail with some of the misconceptions about the second coming, specifically what you're asking. There are a lot of lovely Christians out there, Cynthia, that believe one of two things. Some believe that the time of trouble is before the second coming of the rapture. Others believe that it is after.

Those here on this program believe the second coming takes place at the end of the tribulation.

Cynthia: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: Then there are two views among Christians regarding where we spend the millennium. Some believe that the millennium is the righteous reigning over the wicked here on earth. Others believe we live and reign with Christ in heaven during the millennium. And we believe the second, that we live and reign with Him in heaven; and at the end of the 1,000 years, Revelation 21 says, "I saw the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven."

So, the understanding that there is a big fork in the river when it comes to these interpretations in the Christian church--and there are good Christians I want to emphasize on both sides of this--I will be happy to share with you the Bible reasons why we have the conclusions we have.

Cynthia: Right. Well I believe there's only one coming of the Lord, but I - -

Pastor Doug: When Jesus returns, yes.

Cynthia: - - I also--I'm a new Christian a year; and every time I get with my neighbor, we end up not fighting because I refuse to fight, but - -

Pastor Doug: Well many Christians believe a secret rapture takes place before Jesus comes back after the tribulation and I don't accept that. I think that when He comes, that's the end of the show, so to speak.

Cynthia: Is there a word "rapture" in the Bible?

Pastor Doug and Pastor Dick: No

Pastor Doug: The word is not found. There's nothing inherently wrong with the word. The word simply means "to be carried away with power." Matter of fact, unfortunately, it's connected with the same word as "rape." It means "to be caught up"; "enrapt"; "to be carried away with power."

And so, there's nothing wrong with the term. We certainly will be caught up to meet the Lord when He comes. That's 1st Thessalonians chapter 4. But it is not a secret and He doesn't come back after seven years. I believe that the church is saved through the tribulation, not from it.

Cynthia: Can you explain what "a twinkling of an eye" is?

Pastor Doug: Well, a twinkling of an eye, as far as the Jews were concerned, was a measurement of time that was such a nanosecond. That was the shortest thing they could think of. It was just like a brief sparkle in the eye. It wasn't even a wink. It's less than that. And so they were saying that our bodies, when Jesus comes, those of us who are alive and remain will be transformed.

Order the book, it's free. We'll send you the book, no questions asked. Read it, and then I'd like to know if that helps answer the question, okay? It's called Anything But Secret.

Cynthia: Is there a, like a dictionary or something that has Greek and Hebrew in it?

Pastor Doug: Yeah. Matter of fact, if you are able to access the computer, you can usually read those things for free on the computer. You know what? You said you're a new Christian, right?

Cynthia: Yeah

Pastor Doug: If you want, we will sign you up for free for the Amazing Facts Bible study course. It'll take you through all the basic fundamentals of Christianity, including prophecy and the second coming. Would you like that?

Cynthia: Well, I went through that course already.

Pastor Doug: Did it help?

Cynthia: Yeah, it helped a lot, but when I go to witness--and you were just talking about that, where our tongues were responsible; - -

Pastor Doug: Yeah

Cynthia: - - I always clam up and I don't know enough Scripture off the top of my head.

Pastor Doug: Ah, you'll get better, you'll get better. It'll start coming to you. I was the same way.

Cynthia: M mm, okay.

Pastor Doug: Well, call the resource number, Cynthia, and we'll be praying for you and trust that will be some benefit. Going to take a break in a minute.

Pastor Dick: We are.

Pastor Doug: We have two minutes? Alright, well let me share with our friends right here at the top of the program, or I should say not the top, the pinnacle, the middle of the mountain, so to speak.

Pastor Dick: [Chuckles]

Pastor Doug: Listening friends, there is a program that is going to be around North America, the whole Western Hemisphere; indeed, the whole world will be able to see by satellite coming this March. Yours truly will be in Washington D.C. up linking by satellite a special program called The Prophecy Code.

For 20 nights, we are going to be studying, very specifically, some of the high points in the Bible, with a special emphasis on Bible prophecy. If you would like to know more about that, you can to go the website, and it's called ProphecyCode.org. You also may look at the Amazing Facts' website. There will be more information there, and that is just, of course, AmazingFacts.com, AmazingFacts.org, AmazingFacts.tv.

It will take you to our websites and give you more information on this upcoming seminar called The Prophecy Code, Bible Secrets Unlocked. I'm very excited about that. We're writing a new set of lessons. You've heard, probably, about the DaVinci Code.

Pastor Dick: Yes

Pastor Doug: I saw on the History Channel the other night they had the Bible Code. There are hidden messages in the Bible that are in symbols, but so many people don't use the right key to unlock it. I'll be sharing what that is. So we hope that you plan on tuning in. There will be information at the website where you can go to a map and find a location near you where you can participate in this international satellite down link, the Prophecy Code.

We're going to take a break for just a minute. We're not done with our Bible questions; and when we come back after these important announcements, we'll be going back to the phones again. In the meantime, don't forget, go to AmazingFacts.org.

[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

Pastor Doug: Welcome listening friends. This is the second half of the program. If you have just tuned in, this is Bible Answers Live. It's a live, interactive Bible study that is coming to you from the capitol of California and sponsored by Amazing Facts. We're very thankful you've tuned in. My name is Doug Batchelor.

Pastor Dick: My name is Dick Devitt, and in Newark, Ohio there is a gentleman named Mel who's listening to us on WJHE. Hello Mel, welcome to the program.

Mel: Yes, thank you.

Pastor Dick: You're welcome

Mel: In Amos 2:1, it says that the bones of the king of Edom, E-d-o-m, were burned into lime.

Pastor Doug: Yes

Mel: How can bones be burned into lime? I don't understand.

Pastor Doug: Well, of course, lime was a word that is used. It doesn't necessarily mean that it had become lime. Lime is a word that is used to talk about something that's pulverized or powdered in the Bible.

Mel: I see.

Pastor Doug: And they used to desecrate graves because many of the people believed that if you deterred a grave, it was a great dishonor if you didn't go to your grave in peace. You'll read in the Bible where King--is it Joash or Josiah? He dug up the bones of the prophets, the false prophets of King Jeroboam, and he burned the bones, sort of to desecrate their false worship.

So it was a common practice. And because the king of Moab had done this to the king of Edom, it was considered disrespectful; and the king of Edom was in alliance with Israel at the time. Amos the prophet said judgment would come over them. Matter of fact, you'll find reference to that story in 2nd Kings chapter 3, and verse 9; again, verse 26 tells about that battle between Edom, Moab and Israel.

Mel: I see.

Pastor Doug: I don't know if that helps a little bit.

Mel: It does.

Pastor Doug: You might also just keep in mind, Mel, that in history, sometimes the church leaders would dig up the bones. Matter of fact, they dug up the bones of Wycliffe, didn't they?

Pastor Dick: Yes they did, yeah.

Pastor Doug: They burnt them and then they threw them in the river; and that was suppose to, like, desecrate his grave because they thought he was a heretic.

Mel: Um-Hmm

Pastor Doug: So, burning to lime? I don't know that it turns it into lime. It just turns it into ash.

Mel: I see.

Pastor Dick: Very fine powder.

Pastor Doug: Yeah.

Mel: I see.

Pastor Doug: Okay?

Mel: Thanks a lot guys.

Pastor Doug: Alright.

Pastor Dick: Mel, thanks for the call. We'll go to Sacramento, California and listen to Douglas who has a question, listening on KFIA. Hello Douglas.

Douglas: Good evening gentlemen

Pastor Dick: Good evening

Douglas: I have a quick question for you.

Pastor Doug: Good evening

Douglas: Recently, there's been a very public trial that has become a death penalty case here in California; and it has caused me to think, "If I'm ever on a jury and the topic turns to death penalty, what does the Bible say how we should approach that?"

Pastor Doug: Well, of course, you'd have to vote your conscience, not only on the subject of the case, but on the death penalty. But biblically, there is biblical support for the death penalty. The teachings of Jesus, "Thou shalt not kill," really translates, "Thou shalt not murder"; and those who are soldiers or policemen, if they shoot someone in the line of duty, they are not called murderers. It's not breaking that commandment.

If someone must pronounce a sentence on a criminal who has taken life, they are not called murderers, they're not breaking that commandment. God said, "Life for life" in Deuteronomy, "eye for eye", "tooth for tooth." The judge was suppose to render a judgment in proportion to the offense. So, a person would have a biblical precedent. To participate in a death penalty, it would, no doubt, cause anyone sleepless nights, but there is biblical grounds for it.

Douglas: Okay

Pastor Doug: Difficult decision.

Douglas: What about if there was no witness to the crime and it was, you know, simply circumstantial?

Pastor Doug: Well that's where I'm saying that if a person had doubts, they would want to vote their conscience. The Bible says anything that is not of faith is sin; and if the Holy Spirit is telling an individual that they just don't have peace about pronouncing that sentence, well then they might opt for life in prison.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Douglas: Oh okay. Well thank you very much.

Pastor Doug: But uh, yeah, I just wanted to establish there is biblical precedent for both.

Pastor Dick: Appreciate the call Douglass.

Pastor Doug: Thank you, good call.

Pastor Dick: Yeah

Pastor Doug: Good question Doug.

Pastor Dick: Good question. To Chicago, Illinois. Andy is listening on the Internet. Welcome Andy.

Andy: Hi, how are you this evening?

Pastor Dick: Good. Get close - -

Andy: Pastor Doug, I want to thank you for what you do. I stumbled across Amazing Facts' program at 5:30 on a Sunday morning, and I said to myself, "What kind of guy is this?" And every week, - -

Pastor Dick: A great guy! [Chuckles]

Andy: - - you, every, "What kind of wacko is this??" Every week, you keep me coming back because you tie all the loose ends together. You stick with the Bible.

Pastor Dick: Amen!

Andy: You tie the verses together, and you are changing lives.

Pastor Doug: Oh praise the Lord, well thank you for that support. You're question tonight Andy?

Andy: My question is in chapter 18 of Revelation, is that one of the dual prophecies that you've spoken about where it deals with the fall of Babylon? Is the Babylon--is that the government, or is that a country, or is that both?

Pastor Doug: Well, in Revelation 17 it identifies Babylon as a religious woman. It's identified as a religious movement and a woman. She's called a prostitute. And she's riding on a beast that has seven heads and ten crowns, ten uh, I'm sorry, seven heads and ten crowns, um--my mind is just going blank right now. Let me go back here to Revelation 17 [chuckles].

Pastor Dick: [Chuckles]

Pastor Doug: Here we go, let me read this for you, seven heads and ten horns, that's what I meant; and on the horns ten crowns. These horns are government agencies and they end up being in cahoots with the woman, the church. When you get to Revelation 18, it's telling about how they turn on her.

So these countries that are being manipulated by this beast power, this woman, this religious movement, they are going to end up turning on her and bringing about her demise. And then, of course, chapter 18 is a parallel to what you find in Ezekiel, where it talks about the fall of Babylon also.

Andy: I see. So it's actually the turning of the government against the church.

Pastor Doug: Yeah. At the very end of time, Babylon falls. Now, the dual part of the prophecy, it's not really a dual prophecy, it's an echo of what happened in the Old Testament. When Babylon fell, remember the children of God were in Babylon as slaves?

Andy: Right

Pastor Doug: When Babylon fell back in the days of Daniel, it talks about this in Daniel chapter 5, the children of Israel were then allowed to go home. When Babylon falls in the last days, we are going home. The Lord is going to take us back to His kingdom, to the heavenly Promised Land, so to speak.

Andy: Oh I see.

Pastor Doug: So that's the parallel to it.

Andy: So it's speaking of the government. It's not speaking of the government and a country, or [cross talk]

Pastor Doug: No, well it's talking about the governments of the world, because it talks about ten horns; and they are going to, basically, turn on the woman and she falls. It tells about her falling economically, and politically and every other way.

Andy: Okay, I see. Thank you very much.

Pastor Doug: Alright. Thank you, Andy, for your question.

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Andy. To Los Angeles, California. Julia is a first-time caller. Your question Julia?

Julia: Hi Pastor Doug

Pastor Doug: Hi Julia, how can we help you?

Julia: I have a--well actually, it's a sermon you gave about the Sabbath day. I don't know if it was yesterday that they taped it.

Pastor Doug: Uh-huh

Julia: It really impacted my husband and I; and one thing I want to tell you is my husband hasn't been to church in a long time. And we belong to a church that, you know, they're strict in every way. I mean, it's the--I'm pretty sure you're imaging what I'm talking about. They're strict in everything. As far as we know, we think that this is the closest thing that we could get, you know, in order to go to heaven.

Pastor Doug: Um-hmm

Julia: But, ever since, like I said, we met you, and there's not a single person that could ever argue with him; and my husband cannot argue with you.

Pastor Dick and Pastor Doug: [Chuckles]

Julia: Everything that you say, he's like, "Man! He's just like me!" I wish he was here, but he's actually out working right now. And, I just want you to clarify about the Sabbath day. You said that we need to make changes and follow what the Bible says and not what leaders or religions tell you to do.

Pastor Doug: Yup

Julia: And the thing is that I think you said you had to make changes.

Pastor Doug: Yes

Julia: How can I go to my church, because I'm not planning to move where--I don't really--I've been in this church, and I've been in, I guess, this religion--I don't know what you call religion--for, you know, quite some years. I don't know what changes to make. I can't go to them telling them, "You know what? I believe this, and this is where the Bible says, and this and this." They're not going to take my answer for it, and then I've got - -

Pastor Doug: Well the first thing you might want to do, and let me just say for our listeners out there, I believe before Jesus comes back, that God's church is going to return to biblical Christianity. We strayed over the last 2,000 years quite away. One of the things that I think we need a revival in is believing in the Ten Commandments. We don't keep them to be saved, but we keep them because we love the Lord.

Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My Commandments," and the Sabbath is one of them. It has been greatly neglected and, let's face it, evolution is just rampant everywhere we look; and the Sabbath is a memorial that God is the Creator.

Julia: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: But you're going to have a hard time probably converting your congregation. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. The first thing you could do that would give you credibility is to take a stand yourself, and become part of a Sabbath-keeping church.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Julia: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: And from that platform, then you'll have a more consistent witness to talk to your friends.

Julia: Because the one that I think right now, you know, that believes in the Sabbath is just one particular church that comes to my mind.

Pastor Doug: Um-hmm

Julia: But, like I said, do we have--and I, also, you said that um, we [stumbling] I read your Bible question, can we be saved without going to it? Because right now, we're to a point that we don't know what to do anymore. I mean, we're trying to follow what the Bible says, but sometimes people or churches don't make sense neither.

Pastor Doug: Well, let me answer you. That's two good questions. First of all, can we be saved without doing this. There are going to be people in heaven, now listen carefully Julia, there will be people in heaven that had too many wives because they didn't know better. Abraham had too many, so did Jacob, and many of the patriarchs, but they lived in a day and age where they were just in ignorance.

The Bible says in Acts chapter 17 at the times of ignorance God winks at, because we don't know. He closes His eyes a little bit. There will be a lot of people in heaven that went to church on the wrong day, or didn't keep the Sabbath, because they didn't know. They lived in ignorance, but they followed what they knew.

Sin is knowing to do good and not doing it.

Julia: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: And so if God reveals truth to you, whether it's, you know, the truth about polygamy or the truth about the Sabbath day, then not to do what God has revealed to you, that is dangerous.

Julia: Um-hmm, that's what me and my husband were discussing because I actually--the only thing he could do is just see on the Internet because he can't (unintelligible) in the morning either; and he is just, like, "I am just," oh, he says that, "There is just," I guess he's just now trying--and he doesn't want to accept it too early to a point that, I guess, like I said, we've been in, you know - -

Pastor Doug: Well it's a struggle; but keep in mind, Julia, that the Sabbath, as with other truths, God never sends the truth to be a burden. It is sent to be a blessing.

Julia: Because it says all in the Bible, what he said is that um, God also performs miracles on the Sabbath day, which means not completely does He rest. Is there any kind of exception?

Pastor Doug: No, it's not a day to just lay down in a hammock all day long.

Julia: Uh-huh

Pastor Doug: I mean, it's a day Jesus went to church, of course. The Bible says, "as His custom was He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day."

Julia: So that was considered part of the church, right? Being in church?

Pastor Doug: Yeah, corporate worship is part of Sabbath keeping. He went out and He healed people, and visiting the sick and doing those things, there's nothing wrong; but you never see Jesus in the carpenter's shop on the Sabbath, do you?

Julia: No

Pastor Doug: You see, we're to lay aside our secular labor. So, have you seen our study guide on that subject?

Julia: Yes, but, yeah, and we're kind of--I don't know if this is a good idea, we're just trying, I guess, to see you on the Internet and, I mean we're, like, this serious; and actually just going and sit in church and just be part of the church because you also said that, you know, the main reason we go to church is because we need to communicate with people. We need to learn how to love each other. So it's - -

Pastor Doug: Well let me share one other thought with you. You can get on the Internet, right Julia?

Julia: Uh-huh, yes.

Pastor Doug: We have a website that's called Sabbath Truth. We get so many questions on this subject we actually developed a website just dealing with the Sabbath because so many people had questions.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: It covers just every possible angle of the Sabbath. It's called SabbathTruth.com. And so, Julia, why don't you take a look there. You'll find some more information, and we'll just pray that God gives you the courage to follow what the Holy Spirit reveals okay?

Julia: Okay. Another uh, just quickly, can you please, I don't know, I guess we don't have time to discuss another issue, which is something--I was just asking questions that we just completely don't understand, you know, and I - -

Pastor Doug: Well I--you know what? You ought to call our office. We'll have a longer conversation, okay?

Julia: Okay

Pastor Doug: Call the Amazing Facts office. You can go to our website and you'll find the number there.

Julia: Okay

Pastor Doug: Alright

Julia: Okay, thank you very much Pastor. Bye bye.

Pastor Doug: God bless.

Pastor Dick: Okay, thanks for the call Julia. Let's go next to New York. We want to talk with Violet who's listening on WMCA. Welcome to the program Violet.

Violet: Yes, thank you very much for taking my call. I have a question about 1st Corinthians 11:5 where it says that women should cover their heads when they pray.

Pastor Doug: Yes

Violet: Would you just give me some clarification on that? I'm very confused.

Pastor Doug: Well, this is mentioned one time in the Bible. A number of scholars are wondering if this was a custom among the Corinthians in this part of the world, or if it's a mandate for Christians through history. The main thing that Paul is talking about is don't be disrespectful.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: And it was considered, in the time of Paul, if a woman had her head uncovered in a sacred place, they called her a "Jezebel"; of if she was to pray with her head uncovered, it was considered disrespectful to her husband because a woman's hair was thought to be beautiful. That's why Paul says here, "A woman's hair is her glory", and you know, they didn't have, of course, the short hair styles back then.

A lot of women had very long, flowing hair, and they spent a lot of time taking care of their hair. I guess they do today.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: And they were to cover their glory in the presence of God as an act of humility. Now, it isn't really saying that a woman, whenever she's in church, has to cover her head because it's talking about praying publicly.

And then also, others are wondering, "Is this saying a woman must have long hair? Is it required that she covers her hair?" This is one of those places, Violet, where if there are men or women out there that believe this is saying that a woman should still cover her head when she prays in church, I have no burden to change their mind.

There are a lot of denominations that still--the Mennonites, of course, and others that still take this literally; and there's certainly no harm in it. I'd be careful about being dogmatic and saying that you must do it. Let me give you, Violet, bear with me, I'll give you one more illustration that may help clarify what I'm saying.

Violet: Okay

Pastor Doug: If I walk into a church with my hat on in North America, what do people typically think?

Violet: Take your hat off.

Pastor Doug: Disrespectful, right?

Violet: Yes

Pastor Doug: When I am in the Middle East, if I walk into a synagogue without a yamaka on, it's considered disrespectful. And I remember, I went to the Wailing Wall--and I'm Jewish and I had forgotten--and they, basically, slapped me on the shoulder and handed me a paper yamaka and said, "Don't approach this holy place without covering your head." So, the custom was to be reverent. It's opposite in many parts of the world.

Pastor Dick: Right

Pastor Doug: And so that's what I think Paul is emphasizing.

Violet: Okay. Thank you so much. That really helps me out a lot.

Pastor Doug: Alright, thank you.

Violet: May God bless you.

Pastor Doug: God bless you.

Pastor Dick: Thank you Violet. To Tarrytown, New York. Bob is listening on WMCA. Welcome Bob.

Bob: Hello, and hello Pastor Doug

Pastor Doug: Hi Bob, thanks for calling.

Bob: Thank you very much for taking my call. I had a question with respect to what was done away with at the cross in terms of, well, new covenant questions? I hear so often that things that are not required of Christians today, circumcision. There's a question whether or not the clean or unclean foods should be adhered to; or whether or not any of those Old Testament things should be applied to New Testament Christians, outside of the Ten Commandments.

Pastor Doug: Good question - -

Bob: And I'm sure that I find a verse that really distinguishes which is valid, and which should be kept, and which should be done away with.

Pastor Doug: Alright. Well, one of the verses that will help you is in Colossians chapter 2, if you read in verse 14. "Having wiped out the handwriting of ordinances that were against us, which were contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"

There was a whole list of ordinances that were written on the ceremonial laws, that were connected often with the sanctuary, that were not in the Ark of the Covenant, that were nailed to the cross. These are laws that were original during the time of Moses that really foreshadowed Christ.

That involved sacrificing lambs, any blood sacrifice matter of fact; circumcision, and you know, many people don't realize circumcision is a blood ordinance.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: It's the first shedding of blood of the male, which is a type of Christ. And they were all nailed to the cross. They were on paper. The Ten Commandments, of course, are eternal in nature; because if you look at the Ten Commandments, "Don't murder, don't lie, don't bear false witness" and so forth, those are eternal principles for Christians.

Now, the health laws you mentioned, the health laws are practical laws that still apply because, well the first health laws are mentioned back in the days of Noah. God told Noah to make a distinction between the clean and the unclean animals that came on the ark. Was Noah Jewish?

Bob: Yes

Pastor Doug: No. Think about it now. All Jews descend from Abraham. Who was first, Noah or Abraham?

Bob: Abraham

Pastor Doug: How many people in the world today are related to Noah? [Pause] Everybody, right?

Bob: Yes, right.

Pastor Doug: Because Noah repopulated the world. So the health laws that God gave Noah must be universal; and basically everyone today knows the very things that God specified as unclean are typically the worse for you. Even science supports that.

Then you've got civil law. For instance, if your neighbor's donkey strays, bring it back to him. There is just practical civil law that, matter of fact, many of the courts in our world still follow those laws. The varying degrees of murder come from the law of Moses; first, second, third degree murder, unintentional manslaughter. You can find that first referenced in the laws of Moses. Many of our civil laws are based on those.

So you've got those aspects. You've got the health laws, ceremonial laws, the moral law and the civil law. The ones that were nailed to the cross were the ceremonial laws connected with sacrifices, the sanctuary, circumcision, that all were types of Christ. The other laws are all practical. Does that make sense?

Bob: I see. So everything inside of the ceremonial laws then are still binding?

Pastor Doug: Well, some of the civil law depends on what country you live in. You've got to obey the laws of your land; but there are still practical things we can learn from those laws.

Pastor Dick: Right

Bob: Um-hmm, okay. Well thank you very much.

Pastor Doug: Alright, thank you.

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Bob.

Pastor Doug: God bless.

Pastor Dick: To David who is in Adelanto, California. David, welcome to the program.

David: It depends on what city I'm in it's the time that I call. I'm in Victorville now.

Pastor Doug and Pastor Dick: Oh okay

Pastor Doug: I know where you're at.

David: [Laughs] Yeah, we've talked before. God bless you both very much. Pastor Doug, I value your opinion greatly. I just wanted to ask your opinion, if you would, and if you could support your opinion with biblical Scripture I would appreciate it greatly. The symbols that are on the back of the dollar bill I've heard are Babylonian in nature, that they are occultic symbols; the phoenix rising on one side of the dollar bill, and, of course, we have the all-seeing eye, and the pyramid on the other side of the dollar bill. And I wanted your opinion on those symbols - -

Pastor Doug: Okay

David: - - and how they might relate to the United States in prophecy?

Pastor Doug: Alright, very good. Well first of all, there is significance to the symbols that you find on our original currency. It is believed that many of the founding fathers were Masons; matter of fact, it's a fact of history. The Masons were not the same secret society back then that they are today.

Many of the founding fathers were part of a Masonic group, and they were, sort of, like the pillars of the community - -

Pastor Dick: Right

Pastor Doug: - - back then. It's a little more of a secret society and isn't necessarily practicing the same things they practiced. As far as the phoenix rising, which, I believe, comes from--oh help me--is that Greek mythology? The bird that is the symbol of the resurrection? That's really an eagle on the right, not necessarily a phoenix. And the eagle was just chosen as the national bird.

A footnote for you, David, Benjamin Franklin thought the turkey should be the national bird and he was outvoted.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

David: Okay, that's correct.

Pastor Doug: But there, I'm sure, is symbolism in the primary symbols. The all-seeing eye there is suppose to be the seeing eye of God, at least that's the company line that is given; and that's why it says, "In God We Trust" right in between those two symbols, meaning, "God is watching what you do. Be faithful with your currency."

David: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: Now, keep something in mind, our founding fathers didn't design the currency. They used gold and silver back then. The paper money that we use now is really just something of the last century, meaning the 1900's.

David: Well, I understand the symbol, actually, to have been created in 1782, 1783, but not placed on the dollar bill until 1935.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, well that may be true. But, you know, some folks say, "This is the Illuminati," and others say, "It's the Masons," and, "There's some secret society that is behind this and it's symbolic of a conspiracy, and...." I don't put too much stock in that, you know what I'm saying?

David: I understand.

Pastor Doug: And I don't know that it even matters. I know there's a movie out. I'd seen it advertised that, probably, that is addressing some of those things that have become very popular - -

Pastor Dick: Yeah

Pastor Doug: - - so we'll probably hear more about that; but - -

David: I've actually seen the movie.

Pastor Doug: Oh have you?

David: Yeah

Pastor Doug: I haven't, but I've seen the ads [chuckles]

David: [Chuckles] And I don't necessarily buy the party line or the company line, with respect to the movie, with respect to those symbols, so, um [hesitates] - -

Pastor Doug: Yeah. I'm just saying that I've heard people say all kinds of things, but every bit of our currency has a little different symbol on the back; and I don't think that there's too much stock in it. Hey, we're running out of time, David, I apologize.

David: Okay, thank you. I appreciate it very much.

Pastor Doug: Alright, God bless.

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call. Let's go one more, Pastor Doug, to Garfield, New Jersey. We want to talk with John who's listening on WMCA. Welcome John.

John: Hello, praise the Lord.

Pastor Dick: Amen!

Pastor Doug: Hey can you do your question quickly because we're running out of time?

John: Okay. My question, quickly, is you said something about Solomon, that you said he made it, he repented?

Pastor Doug: Yes

John: What is your basis and where is it proven? How do you know that Ecclesiastes was his last book? I would like to believe that he did make it, but how do you know for sure?

Pastor Doug: Well, a couple of reasons that we believe that he made it is, in all the future references of Solomon, he's spoken of in the terms of his being saved. If you read in Ecclesiastes, he wrote this as an old man. He says, "I've tried everything. I gave my heart over to pleasure," and I'm paraphrasing now, "and I've found that it was all vanity."

And he concludes the book of Ecclesiastes by saying, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil." Now, I hope I quoted it correctly. That's the last couple of verses in Ecclesiastes chapter 12.

So, based on the content of his last book, it seems like he had a change of heart, even though the many wives he had married had encouraged him to do some things he regretted.

John: And about like, you're definitely sure that Ecclesiastes was after Proverbs? His last book?

Pastor Doug: The historians believe it was and it's placed there. The Bible scholars believe it was written--and including the Jewish scholars--so it is believed that Solomon repented of his womanizing, which is what it amounted to.

John: Right

Pastor Doug: And his wives, in his old age, it says they tried to pull his heart away, and they convinced him to allow them to erect idols to other gods in the temple and different places.

John: Right

Pastor Doug: But the Bible says a prophet came to Solomon and told him about the Judgment because of what he had done; and it's believed that after the prophet came to him he had a change of heart.

We're out of time John. I apologize if we didn't get to your call tonight friends. Give us another chance. God willing, we'll be back again for a fresh edition of Bible Answers Live. Keep in mind, we are listener-supported. If you've been blessed, we'd love to hear from you. You can even donate online.

Take a look at AmazingFacts.org and look at all the free resources. We do this because we just live by faith. If you want to support a ministry that still gives things away, trusting that God's people will help, then pay us a visit. We'll be grateful for it. Also, check out BibleUniverse.com; and remember it's Jesus who is the truth that will set you free. We'll be back next week.

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