Hello this is Doug Batchelor. How about an amazing fact? Roots are of course the underground branches spreading out beneath plants and trees to anchor the as they take water and nutrients from the plant. And of course some roots like potatoes carrots and radishes are providing food for people. But, because roots are usually out of sight most people don’t realize how long and vast they can be.
An alfalfa plant is only about 1 foot tall yet its’ roots stretch as far out as 30 feet. And if you lay all of the roots of a corn plant end to end that resulting strand could be up to 500 feet long. Roots of the giant California Redwoods have been known to occupy 50,000 feet of subsoil. And the deepest that a root was ever known to penetrate the ground was in South Africa where cavers found the root of a wild fig tree reaching to a depth of nearly 400 feet. In addition to roots being long they can also be incredibly strong. We all know given the right conditions that over time roots can crack foundations they can snap water lines and crack sidewalks. The strength of a resolute root is immeasurable.
Once a root let establishes the tiniest crack a root can break through granite for example. Usually they can split the granite while the root by comparison looks soft and fragile continues to stubbornly grow. And why are roots so tenacious? They are looking for water. Some roots like cacti have swollen roots that store water like camels through the dry months. But, most roots reach out long distances searching for water that they can transport back to the plant. We know that where there is plenty of water the plant will flourish. That is why tress growing along a stream looks so much healthier than the ones growing farther away. Do you know that the Bible teaches that the person who delights in the law of the Lord is like a tree planted by the rivers of water? Stay with us friends as “Amazing Facts” brings you this edition of “Bible Answers Live”.
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Doug: Welcome listening friends to a fresh edition of “Bible Answers Live”. This is a live broadcast coming to you from the capital of California and it is for anybody who is listening who has any Bible related question. We take live questions over the phone or even over the internet and if you would like to call the number is 1-800-GOD-SAYS or 1-800-463-7297. And we have a website which is “Amazing Facts dot org” or “Amazing Facts dot com” and if you’d like to call in that number again is 1-800-463-7297. At the beginning of the program is a good time to pick up the phone. And you can participate by listening and by calling and by praying for us as we do our best to answer the questions from the book of God the Bible. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Dick: My name is Dick Debit and good evening Doug.
Pastor Doug: Good evening.
Pastor Dick: And we normally start with a word of prayer. So let’s do that. Thank you Lord; for once again allowing us to listen to you and to open the word of God and to share from the word of God with our friends and with the callers from all over the United States and beyond. Lord we pray that what You want to say to us will be made clear tonight by the power and the presence of Your Holy Spirit. Again we thank you and we praise you in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Doug: Amen.
Pastor Dick: Well Pastor Doug I was saying to you while we were off the air just a moment ago that I have an apricot tree in my backyard and the roots are tenacious because in Sacramento there is this hard pan and very hard soil about two and one half feet down. The roots don’t want to go down there. They come up to the surface because that is where the water is and I am always cutting roots out of my backyard.
Pastor Doug: Roots can be tough and they can be long and they can be strong. They can be tenacious and you can always tell when a tree is by water. A matter of fact some springs have been found and some well drillers know where to drill the well because they will look at the terrain and they will see a group of trees that are a little greener. And they say there is water there or they wouldn’t be flourishing. Now the Bible tells us in Psalms 1: 1-3 it says 1 How blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked. Nor stand in the path of sinners. Nor sit in the set of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD. And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water. Which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. And yet in our day and age despite all that the Bible has to say about the blessings that a man has that delights in the law of God people are downplaying the importance of the law of God and even some Christians are saying the law of God is no longer necessary. And that to present or to preach to exalt the law of God is legalism. And there are Scriptures in the New Testament that talk about not being under the law. Meaning of course the curse of the law because; that is death. But, some of them interpret that to mean that there is no obligation to obey the Ten Commandments which is a very dangerous teaching.
Pastor Dick: Hmm.
Pastor Doug: And some people are confused about what do we obey and what is the relationship between law and grace. And is law legalism? I think we have something that will help people out of that confusion.
Pastor Dick: Very simply the title of the study guide that we have tonight Pastor Doug is this “Is Obedience Legalism?” We want to make this available because this is a new cover to a study guide that I think people will enjoy and want to have in their resources. “Is Obedience legalism” we’ll make it available to anybody who will call our resource operators right now and call for it at 1-800-835-6747 and operators are standing by to take your call. Ask for the lesson “Is Obedience Legalism?” I know you will be blessed by it being in your stack of resources.
Pastor Doug: It is filled with good Scripture logic and especially in this day and age where you have these combative and conflicting views about presenting the Ten Commandments or no presenting them in public.
Pastor Dick: Yes right.
Pastor Doug: There are a lot of issues about the Ten Commandments and Christians need to understand what the Bible says about the law.
Pastor Dick: I just got a glance at our screen before we go on the air and you know calls are coming in and we have people in Nova Scotia and Toronto, Canada and Houston, Texas and Boston, Massachusetts, Minneapolis, Minnesota in Connecticut and from North Carolina and coming in from all over and we will be getting to phones in just a few minutes. But, we normally take one or two internet questions as they come in so here is the first one Pastor Doug. There seems to be some confusion about what the Bible says about where Jesus went when he entered into heaven after His first coming. It seems that Jesus at His ascension went and sat at the right hand of the Father. And the question is; isn’t being in the presence of God the same as being in the most holy place? Because there seems to be some confusion about what’s the holy place and the most holy place.
Pastor Doug: I will try to answer because it leads to another study, but in the sanctuary in the Bible temple the two compartments in the temple itself; the first one was the holy place. Then the place where they offered the covenant was situated was called the Holy of Holies or the most Holy place.
Pastor Dick: Behind the curtain.
Pastor Doug: Behind the veil and Jesus is our priest and you can read in Hebrews Chapter 9: 11, but Christ became a high priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with man and that is to say not of his building. Christ is our high priest and then you can read in Hebrew Chapter 9: 24 “For Christ is not entered into the Holy places made with hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.
Pastor Dick: Amen.
Pastor Doug: And people have tried to take an exact replica of the earthly sanctuary and super impose it on the one in heaven and that often causes confusion because the temple on earth while it was modeled after the one in heaven is not an exact duplicate because the one heaven is much bigger on earth they had angels woven into the veil and in heaven there are real angels.
Pastor Dick: Yes.
Pastor Doug: On earth there was angels engraved in the wall they are real angels. On earth the high priest is a type of Christ and in heaven it is Christ the Son our advocate before God the Father. He doesn’t need a veil to separate Him from the presence of God and one reason the veil was there was because of the glory of God was so bright. There is I suppose some kind of partition, but things are going to be different between the model and the reality and it is true that when Jesus ascended to heaven remember He said to Mary in John 20 “Do not touch me for I have not yet ascended to my Father.” When Christ first ascended to heaven He went to the very presence of God and He was enthroned. His sacrifice was pronounced successful and He then returned to earth for another 40 days after that. That is why He said to the disciples after that when He came back from heaven after that all hail and then He went to heaven and continued His work as our high priest in the capacity of the first pardoned. When you read Revelation Chapters 1, 2 and 3 Christ is seen among seven candlesticks. That was in the first compartment of the sanctuary. But, when you get to Revelation Chapter 11 now we see the Ark of the Covenant and that was just before the second coming and great earthquakes. So it is deep study. We need to offer the lesson we have to anyone who has a question on that. And it is called “God Set the Date for the Judgment” and if you ask for that lesson we are happy to send it out to you and it answers a lot of questions about the sanctuary which is a fascinating study.
Pastor Dick: If you want this lesson call 1-800-835-6747 we will send that lesson out to you or you can go to the website and it is also available there at “Amazing Facts dot org”. Let’s take our second question and then get to the phones Pastor Doug. Is tuna considered a clean food?
Pastor Doug: For our friends who are listening you know that there are some stipulations made in the Old and the New Testament regarding diet and some things are declared clean and unclean. And the fish that was called unclean did not have fins and scales. Tuna has very fine scales and so people have probably wondered because it almost looks like skin from a distance. But, I have been out on the sea with tuna fishermen and tuna do have scales. So it is technically and Biblically a clean fish.
Pastor Dick: Alright let’s go to the phones. And we will take our first caller for the evening and go to Gainesville, Florida. Linda is listening to our program and good evening Linda.
Linda: Good evening Pastor Doug and Pastor Dick how are you?
Pastor Doug: Fine and thanks for calling.
Linda: Thank you. I have been wondering for some time now with that Scripture in Ecclesiastes Chapter 7: 16 & 17 I believe that is where the guy that answers the phone found it from.
Pastor Doug: Alright Ecclesiastes 7: 16 “Be not overly righteous and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?” And it is just saying that if we pretend to be righteous more than we are and of course Jesus talked about that kind of hypocrisies or wiser than we are. Then a haughty spirit goes before a fall. That’s why he says why should you destroy yourself? We are setting ourselves up to fail if we come off to people and promote ourselves as being more righteous than the reality or more wise than the reality; then all you can do is fall when people discover what you are really like. And so I think Linda that it goes along with the writer Solomon who says a haughty spirit goes before a fall.
Linda: Well I guess then it means just try to grow within because I am growing a lot I am a Christian and I go to church. But, sometimes I feel like I have to put people and to just be myself?
Pastor Doug: No, no, no, no, what it means is—I think I know what you are saying. This Scripture is telling us don’t try to be as close to God as you can be. The Scripture is not saying don’t try to fill your life with God and be overly righteous or obedient. It is saying do not “pretend” to be; do not “promote” yourself as being overly righteous. You should try to take advantage of every opportunity to get as close to God as you can be. And so some people interpret the Scripture to mean don’t be too religious. But, that is not what it is saying.
Linda: So what does verse 17 mean when it says don’t be overly wicked?
Pastor Doug: Well it is the same thing. You’re not supposed to be—and let me read the whole verse so you can get the context. Why should thou die before thy time and overly doesn’t just mean be a little bit wicked it actually means more precisely that if you’re especially wicked that God will not even be patient with you to find repentance.
Linda: Oh. Okay.
Pastor Doug: There are some wicked people who have been stricken down because their wickedness was so abhorring to God. Hope that helps a little bit.
Linda: Good thank you so much.
Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Linda. Let’s go to New Haven, Connecticut. Jeremiah is listening on the internet tonight. Good evening Jeremiah.
Jeremiah: Hey Pastor Dug and Pastor Dick. My question is about baptism.
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Jeremiah: Is it necessary to be baptized in front of many witnesses and if you can be baptized in private. Do you have to do have to be baptized into a church or can you do that after become a member of a church or can you do that after you become baptized?
Pastor Doug: Two questions. First question should baptism be public? The baptisms in the Bible were generally public with the exceptions of the Ethiopian and possibly the Philippians jailer when his family was there. Baptism is like a marriage Jeremiah and it is a commitment that is being made and there should be witnesses to the commitment. It doesn’t mean it has to be 1000 witnesses. It might be a family or a small gathering. But, it is like a wedding. You don’t want to do it clandestine. The only way I know of for Christians baptizing that way is in some communists countries. Just the pastor may be the person giving the baptism because they can be imprisoned for being baptized in public. But, in the Bible John did it in a river. It was very public and people were making public commitments to Christ.
And you next question; can you be baptized without going a church? That doesn’t make sense because baptism is like marriage and it would be like saying can I get married without living with a woman or a man? Do I need to cohabit with them? Well why get married and not be with them? Sometimes like in prison you hear about someone who marries someone outside the walls well they can be friends they don’t have to get married.
Jeremiah: Is there Biblical evidence for joining a church?
Pastor Doug: Yes Acts Chapter 2 it says that when people were baptized they were added to the church. And keep in mind that we were baptized into Christ right?
Jeremiah: Where does it say that?
Pastor Doug: The church is the body of Christ. Oh you want me to find that for you. Okay hang on a second here. You know what? What I’d rather do is to send you a Bible study that has all of the references and more than just one.
Jeremiah: Is it on the website?
Pastor Doug: Yes. We have a couple on the website you can download for free at the “Amazing Facts” website. One is a study guide it is actually a sermon book on baptism. And there are a lot of references in there that talk about is it necessary to be baptized.
Jeremiah: I read that one about needing to be baptized. I mean as far as going into a church.
Pastor Doug: There is a study guide on baptism “Buried but not Forgotten” and those talks about the necessity of joining a church. So hopefully that will help a little bit.
Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Jeremiah. Let’s go next to Nova Scotia we want to talk with Sharon who is also listening on the internet. Hello Sharon.
Sharon: Hello. I just have a question about Christian educations. My husband and I have three small children and he is from a different country, but we live in the country that I live in now. My question is how much effort should a person put into a Christian education for their children because more often than not it costs a lot for a Christian education? And how much should we put into it and how necessary is it? This is coming up because he would like us to move to his country and in his country right now it is not available whereas if we stay where we are it is.
Pastor Doug: Well alright that is a very important decision that you need to make. There are three or four options I will try to put before you and give you some quick Bible principles.
Sharon: Okay.
Pastor Doug: The best is a Christian education in your faith. Then there are in North America and I guess also in Nova Scotia some Christian schools that are more generic in their Christianity and they are a Christian based education with a general Bible teaching and ecumenical evangelical. That is preferable to a public school and I don’t want to condemn people who got to public schools, but they are exposed to a lot more secular teaching and thinking. But, because of finances some families cannot send a child to Christian school because they just can’t afford it. Send your children as missionaries when they go and let your children know you are going to be a missionary. They are surrounded by a pagan environment and there may be some Christians there, but it is not that way in all public schools. And then of course home school is an option.
Sharon: Yes.
Pastor Doug: And we have done all of the above and I have traveled as a Christian to many parts of the country and we have always done. We have had Christian schools of our faith. We have had evangelical schools because there was not a school of our faith. We have done home schooling and we are just finishing two years of home schooling. And at other times the kids have gone to public schools so we have been through the whole gammit and had six kids so I can commensurate with you.
Sharon: Okay. Well I know that in this day and age I feel a real burden for my children because it is getting closer to the time for God coming in and the devil is going to be working harder on them. So I feel as a parent I need to give something to them.
Pastor Doug: Well Christian education is essential, but how you get it to them and how you deliver it is what you need to focus on. You can still deliver Christian education within a public school, but it is much more of a challenge.
Sharon: Yes.
Pastor Doug: But, you as parents are responsible for the Christian education not the teachers.
Sharon: Alright thank you.
Pastor Dick: Sharon thanks for the call. Let’s go next to Toronto, Canada. We want to talk with Thomas who is also listening on the internet. Your question Thomas and good evening.
Thomas: Good evening Pastor Doug and I apologize I forgot the name of the fellow there with you.
Pastor Doug: Pastor Dick.
Thomas: Alright. My question is and I come from a Methodist and Baptist background—and over the past few years been searching for the truth and have found a fellow who explained a lot about the Seventh Day Adventists so I am really amaze in all the truth that comes from the teaching of Adventism. But, what I was wondering because I am pretty clear on there is a separation between ceremonial and moral law, but was just wondering what the most plain and clear verse is when I am showing this to others? One that can demonstrate that there clearly is a reference in the New Testament to sacrificial law being different than moral law and shows this.
Pastor Doug: Well I was already on my way to the Old Testament for this and now you want one for the New Testament. Can I just go to the Old Testament for this? Go with me to Deuteronomy Chapter 4.
Thomas: Yes that is fine. Okay.
Pastor Doug: Look in verse 13 Moses is rehearsing when God gave him the Ten Commandments “So He declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you perform, even Ten Commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stones.” And so that is the Old Covenant which is written on stone and in the New Covenant; that is the Ten Commandments written on the heart, same law different place.
Deuteronomy Chapter 4: 13“So he declared to you His covenant and commanded you perform, even Ten Commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stones.” 14 And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do of them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.” So Moses right here at the very moment of the deliverance of these statutes makes a distinction between the Ten Commandments that are the covenant and all the other laws.
Thomas: And I agree with you that is clear. It is just that I guess what is confusing when I explain it to Christians what I am learning is when you don’t—
Pastor Doug: He kind of lumps it all together as the laws.
Thomas: And I try to break it out and it is hard to do that so I was looking for something in the New Testament that clearly showed like a parallel between old and new. You know like Proverbs 2: 16 kind of goes there, but it doesn’t call it ceremonial law and it doesn’t call it sacrificial law it is not really that plain.
Pastor Doug: I have an example in James Chapter 2: 10 “For whoever shall keep the whole law and yet stumble in one point is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” Now is that one of the ceremonial laws or the Ten Commandments?
Thomas: Ten Commandments.
Pastor Doug: This also says do not kill. Ceremonial or Ten Commandments?
Thomas: Right Ten Commandments.
Pastor Doug: For if you do not commit adultery, but commit murder then you have become a transgressor of the law. James Chapter 2: 12 “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” So here he calls the Ten Commandments the ‘law of liberty’. And he says if we break any part of the law we will be judged by all. What law is he talking about? It must be the Ten Commandments because of the hundreds of laws he is only citing those two. You know Thomas this is a very deep study and our opening offer is ideal for you and what you are asking. You can either read it on the internet for free or we will send it to you.
Thomas: I will take it for free. No that’s fine I have most of your study guides.
Pastor Doug: There is no scripture in the New Testament that makes a distinction the way that you are asking. But, you can find the truth through active study.
Thomas: Right and that is what people are not willing to do when you reason with them. They want something plain.
Pastor Doug: But, you compare and well it is pretty plain. You compare verse by verse and also it is so obvious circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments is what matters. Now what was Paul talking about? Circumcision is part of the ceremonial law and so he says circumcision is not important and uncircumcisions is not important, but keeping the commandments—whoa; wait a second—if circumcision is the law what commandments is Paul talking about? It must be the Ten Commandments.
Thomas: And just adding onto that if you don’t mind. Can I ask a fair question? The diet and I know it was given in Noah’s time and clean and unclean was made clear. But, that would be definitely considered written by Moses wouldn’t it?
Pastor Doug: Yes, but it predates Moses. See the laws about the temple and the priesthood and all the Jewish feasts came about from the time of the Exodus. The clean and unclean goes back to before there was ever a Jew to Noah. And it is a health law it has nothing to do with the ceremonial laws.
Thomas: Okay. But, the fact is that it is repeated in Mosaic Law.
Pastor Doug: Well the civil laws are repeated in Mosaic Law. In other words the civil laws are the law our country is based on is repeated in the Mosaic Law and we still go by a lot of the civil law. With Moses there is a lot of law there.
Thomas: Okay. Can I take advantage of you one more time? If you look at Romans 14 I am quite sure that people take it out of context. It is dealing with—
Pastor Doug: One man regards one day above another?
Thomas: --yes. But, it is about idolatry and what I want clear is that if it is only talking about unclean, me talking to idols, how comes in Romans 14: 16 or 17 sorry it says “For the kingdom of God is not meat or drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Why all of a sudden does it talk about drinking when it is talking about meats contaminated by idols?
Pastor Doug: Yes because they also had during the sacrificial system had meat and drink offerings. And Paul said whatever you eat and whatever you drink do all for the glory of God. So it doesn’t surprise me that it says eating and drinking. It is true the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking. It is righteousness.
Thomas: So they take that verse and they try to say that verse is clearly tied and not about clean and unclean.
Pastor Doug: But, you know even common sense tells us Thomas that our body is a temple and doctors tells us that what we eat and drink does affect our health. And so once we are Christians for us to say that we can eat or drink whatever we want and we are not accountable is really reckless. The Bible calls that mocking God. So I hope that helps and it sounds like you have already gotten the study guides so keep studying and keep listening I hope that helps. Friends we are going to take a break. Pastor Dick has some important announcements for you in just a minute. And before we go to that I want to remind you that there is a virtually unending tree of information that you can find at the website. It just branches off further and further. Go to “Amazing Facts dot com” and also if you’d like to go through a Bible course online and you can become certified as an apostle of prophecy. Go to the “Bible University dot com” or even go to the “Bible Universe dot com” and it will take you to the oracles of Bible Prophecy study series. It is interactive and you can go through it and it will help your understanding about prophetic truth explode. We will be back after a few moments with more Bible questions on your way.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Doug: We are back and getting ready to go to the phones with Bible questions. There are still one or two lines open if you’d like to call in your Bible question. We are going to race through these next batches and try to be respectful, but also prompt. So call into that number it is 1-800-GOD-SAYS or 1-800-463-7297 and my name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Dick: My name is Dick Debit. And let’s do that and take our first call it is from Houston, Texas. And Tiago is listening on the internet good evening.
Tiago: Hello good evening. Thanks for taking my call. Yes I have a question my question is regarding 2 Samuel Chapter 7: 13-17 regarding the throne of David. And in verse 13 it says that I will establish the throne of his king forever. And it says in verse 14 that even if the people commit iniquity that he will not lose the throne. But, my question is because we know that later on they have the captivity so what does that mean when they didn’t have any kings set during that time?
Pastor Doug: Well for one thing Jesus came from the line of David. In the New Testament both in the books of Matthew and Luke it goes to great lengths to draw a direct line between the House of David and Jesus. And that is why when Christ came into Jerusalem they said blessed is the son of David. And He was born in Bethlehem the City of David. So Christ is the continuation of the ruler from the House of David.
Tiago: Umm-hmm. Okay.
Pastor Doug: And this prophecy here is really a prophecy about Jesus because Nathan the prophet told David your son that will come from your body he will build my house. Remember Christ said this temple was made with hands, but I will make one without hands. Jesus built the church and we are living stones within the house of what Christ built up as a living habitation.
Tiago: I just wanted to say what it is I was looking at was a king will be always sitting on the throne of Israel and that is what I understood.
Pastor Doug: Well yes and Christ is sitting on the throne of spiritual Israel.
Tiago: I was wondering what happened during the captivity when they didn’t have any king? Like in the time of Jeremiah.
Pastor Doug: Yes the promise that Nathan made to David was that his seed; his descendents would rule over the people of God forever. And the descendent of David was Jesus who will rule forever and ever.
Tiago: Well umm-hmm. Yes.
Pastor Doug: And so we have a book—I think I hear where you are coming from. There is a book I will send you if you like and it is free and called “Spiritual Israel” it is written by myself and another Jew would you like that?
Tiago: Yes it has a copyright.
Pastor Doug: That will help I think for you to understand some of these verses about what happened to the Jewish people during this time Tiago.
Tiago: Yes I appreciate it. Go ahead.
Pastor Dick: Write down this phone number 1-800-835-6747 and ask for the book “Spiritual Israel”
Tiago: 835
Pastor Dick: 6747
Tiago: 6747
Pastor Dick: That’s right and it is an 800 number. So when you call ask for the book “Spiritual Israel” and they will send it to you.
Tiago: Okay and thanks so much for the ministry I really appreciate it.
Pastor Dick: Okay. Thanks for the call. Let’s go next Pastor Doug to Boston, Massachusetts. Evans is with us tonight good evening Evans.
Evans: Hi Pastor Doug and Pastor Dick. My question is regarding in heaven I know and think it is somewhere in there that you shall not be given unto marriage, but my question is if a single person goes to heaven and I know it says we will build houses and inhabit them. Are they going to be alone or some marriage or something like that?
Pastor Doug: Well let me read. Mark 12: 25 Jesus said “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.” And that is obviously when we are raptured and caught up to go back up to heaven. When God first made Adam and Eve He said be fruitful and multiple and fill the earth and I think the KJV uses the word replenish, but that’s an old English word for ‘fill’. And the earth will be filled or populated with the redeemed and so one of the purposes for marriage is procreation. It is not the only purpose. We will still have companionship in heaven, but we will have no interest in or a desire for procreation.
Evans: Okay.
Pastor Doug: And so I don’t think that passion is going to be a problem and nobody is going to get there and say ah I don’t think I am going to enjoy heaven because I am not going to be married. But, then someone asked the question will married people be divorced when they get to heaven? Not necessarily I mean Adam and Eve will probably live together. Will they continue to have babies? I don’t think so. But, they may continue to be companions for eternity. And don’t misunderstand, but I think when we get to heaven that King David had lots of wives and when we get to heaven he is probably going to be living next door to Jonathan. If not in the same house and if you read the story they were friends that loved each other and were in pure love and because of circumstances unable to spend any time together. So everything is going to be different and that is why Paul says you cannot imagine what it will be like. And we have a guide at our website on marriage that gives you a little more information.
Evans: Alright.
Pastor Dick: Alright let’s go to Minneapolis and we want to talk with Derrick. Good evening Derrick.
Derrick: Hello Pastor Dick and Pastor Doug. I really enjoy “Amazing Facts” it has really helped me out a lot.
Pastor Doug: Well thank you.
Derrick: My question is and I kind of switched it to Daniel Chapter 2 and it is 45 and has to do with the stone cut without hands. And the question I have is I was doing a Bible study with this friend and he was mentioning how a lot of people view the stone as coming from space. It does sound like it is illustrated like that, but then the verse when you kind of look it is pulled out of a mountain and it is coming from earth and this would not be a space oriented illustration.
Pastor Doug: Well you know you are actually right and think I have even used paintings of artists have done that illustrate the stone coming from out of space. That mountain represents the kingdom of God and the language that is used here by Daniel is very much like the Ten Commandments that were cut by God and then Christ is then the rock of ages, and it is a symbol for when Jesus said the wise man builds upon the rock. The idol in Daniel 2 is made out of gold and silver, bronze, iron and clay they are all smashed to smithereens meaning idolatry and all the false religions and are replaced with the rock of God’s kingdom. So the rock is not a meteor coming out of space you are right that the stone does not come from space.
Derrick: Well a far as the mountain—I kind of get confused with the mountain is that--you said that represents the kingdom of God, but other people say that is God’s people and you say like angels.
Pastor Doug: Well God’s kingdom is often called Mount Sion in the Bible; the holy mountain.
Derrick: Okay s that symbolism of a mountain in prophecy represents like Mount Sion in a way and doesn’t have to do with Christians or the church; right?
Pastor Doug: Well yes it represents God’s people.
Derrick: Oh so it represents—
Pastor Doug: Or God’s kingdom because—see Christ was—Christ came from God’s people. But, He was not born like other men. He was a stone cut without man’s hands.
Derrick: Yes and those results from Him not having like an earthly father in a way?
Pastor Doug: Well yes it certainly was a miraculous birth.
Derrick: Well you know Daniel do you think he is still in the grave resting or is he come out of the grave?
Pastor Doug: Well let me tell you what the Bible says. At the end of Daniel twelve it says you will sleep in your lot until the end of these days and so Daniel is told very distinctly that he doesn’t rise until the resurrection at the end of time during that great time of trouble, but Daniel twelve actually gives feedback on what his lot will be personally. I hope that helps a little bit Derrick.
Pastor Dick: And appreciate the call Derrick. To Andrews, North Carolina and Carl is listening on WKRK. Hello Carl.
Carl: Yes.
Pastor Doug: Thanks for waiting and your question please.
Carl: Yes I am calling to ask about the reference in John Chapter 20: 17 oh boy I am getting some feedback on the phone here.
Pastor Dick: Well turn your radio off Carl.
Pastor Doug: Well let me read this for our friends while he’s doing that. John Chapter 20: 17 this is Jesus talking to Mary Magdalene. 17 “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto the, ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God.” And what was your question on that verse?
Carl: It’s not the usual one it is relative to the touch. We’re having some Bible studies and someone wanted to know if this ascension was a special ascension other than the one in Acts and if so why and what purpose?
Pastor Doug: Very good question and I don’t know if you caught it at the beginning of the program, but we had a question that talked about the same issue. When Jesus first ascended after the resurrection that is where He ascended and His ministry and sacrifice in life were declared victorious in heaven. He already knew it, but it was proclaimed in heaven. Then He came back down to earth and He met with the disciples for another 40 days.
After 40 days of meeting with the disciples and He met with them at the scene and He met in the upper room and so forth. He then went to Bethany and ascended to heaven from Bethany and then 10 days later the Holy Spirit was poured out. So 40 plus 10 is 50 days and that’s why Pentecost came 50 days right after His crucifixion was Pentecost. So it was a separate—it was the first ascension before He appeared to anyone else. The only one He appeared to was Mary and then He ascended and then He came back. It is very interesting.
Carl: Right. But, Doug what—I understand what you are saying, but there is not Biblical evidence for why—for what His purpose was for ascending you know. So I know where that information comes from, but it is not Biblical.
Pastor Doug: That Christ ascended. Well if you look in Psalms—I am trying to remember which one it is—where it talks about the King of Glory coming in. Do you have a problem with that teaching that he ascended from Mary and He ascended again later?
Carl: Well this individual we are studying with does. He would like to have Biblical proof or evidence or a pre-ascension and there is only one reference to it in John you know. None of the other gospels gives that. And so that made it just a little weaker.
Pastor Doug: Well let me give you one more and again you sometimes have to use a comparative study. Let me find this here and Pastor Dick say something clever while I look.
Pastor Dick: Pastor Doug uses a very quick Bible research program here.
Pastor Doug: He says very quick and I don’t know.
Pastor Dick: Now that’s not the program that’s your finger Doug so.
Pastor Doug: Yes I learned to type with two fingers. And now I can’t spell and the computer wants you to spell it right so let me try this. Here it is Matthew 28: 9
Carl: 28: 5
Pastor Doug: No. 28: 9 and if you will remember when Mary went to worship Him He said don’t cling to me; don’t touch me right?
Carl: Right; that’s in John.
Pastor Doug: Right. But, now in Matthew when He appears later Matthew 28: 9 “And as they went to tell the disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him.” Now what is the difference between Mary and the apostles later? His sacrifice had not yet been declared and accepted and now He comes back and says I am back. It has been declared victorious you may Hail me; you may worship me. And they all grab His feet.
Carl: Okay that’s helpful. That gives me some Biblical support for that. That’s very helpful.
Pastor Doug: Well praise the Lord that’s probably the best I could do on the spur of the moment like this. We are operating by faith and these are live questions.
[Laughter]
Pastor Doug: Thanks a lot Carl and hope that helps a little.
Pastor Dick: Let’s go to the Bronx and talk with Paul who is listening on WMCA. Welcome Paul.
Paul: Yes good evening Pastor Doug and Pastor Dick. My question is in Genesis 3: 14 God cursed the serpent.
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Paul: Into a form as we know it today. My question is what form did that serpent have prior to the curse?
Pastor Doug: Well I need to be honest with you and tell you this is based on speculation from Bible commentaries and scholars. The serpent evidently had the ability to fly. Now here are some reasons for that. Telling the serpent that he was confined to the ground—if he was already—there are three kinds of creatures in the Bible. There were the sea creatures, the land creatures and the air creatures. If the serpent is being confined to the ground well he must have been an air creature.
Paul: I see.
Pastor Doug: And scientists will readily show you that many snakes today have what they call vestigial remnants of wings. Well one thing that we do know that in the fossil record there’s a lot of winged reptiles that we find dating back to the time of the flood. Pterodactyls and so evidently the serpent had the ability with its beautiful hypnotic colors to fly through the air with its hypnotizing moves and you can see why the Bible says it was a very subtle creature. Coiling around the limbs of that tree with its very exotic fruit and beautiful wings and I believe that because of science and just the practicality of the Scriptures there. Okay and you know there are serpents now that climb trees so God cursed the serpent to go on the ground, but they still swim, they still get on trees and there are tree snakes. But, they don’t fly anymore, but they do glide in Indonesia. So we believe that the only thing it could have lost was wings.
Paul: Yes exactly. Well thank you very much Pastor Doug that is wonderful.
Pastor Doug: You’re welcome and I hope it helps.
Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Paul. Let’s go to Eureka, Montana and Laura is listening. Good evening Laura.
Laura: Hi.
Pastor Doug: Hi Laura.
Pastor Dick: What’s your question Laura?
Laura: I’m calling for a friend that asked me this. Do you think it is bad to dye your hair even if you are not doing it in vain way just for fun?
Pastor Doug: Do I think it I bad to dye your hair? If you are not doing it vainly well I would not condemn people for dying their hair. I think there are a lot of things that are practical that we can do to improve our appearance and maybe even be better witnesses. Now I don’t dye my hair, but if you saw a picture of me you’d understand why because don’t have very much.
[Laughter]
Pastor Doug: But, for a Christian to have their teeth whitened to improve their smile is there is certainly nothing wrong with that. You don’t want to make yourself look artificial and I think anything you do cosmetically as a Christian do you know what I mean by that Laura; cosmetically?
Laura: No.
Pastor Doug: Well it is anything you do to improve your appearance. It should be as nature as possible.
Laura: Yes.
Pastor Doug: If a lady is wearing make-up so that you can tell she has got make-up on; she probably has too much on. Do you know what I am saying?
Laura: Yes.
Pastor Doug: If you get—sometimes these people dye their hair purple and pink—well that doesn’t look too natural.
Laura: No.
Pastor Doug: And that is not the best way to be a witness. Do you know what I am saying?
Laura: Yes.
Pastor Doug: So the idea of any improvements you make to yourself as Christians the idea is you want to look healthy and natural and that’s the idea. Of course it is personal grooming.
Laura: Yes. Well I had a little doll in my bedroom like kids could put Bible questions and I would try to look them up and get them and stuff so this one I just had to call you for.
Pastor Doug: Oh well bless your heart. It sounds like you are working for the Lord doing Bible studies huh?
Laura: Yes I started my own business, but this is fun.
Pastor Doug: Well that is exciting. How old are you?
Laura: Thirteen.
Pastor Doug: Yes good for you.
Laura: Well I have your books so I have some pictures and stuff I use all the time.
Pastor Doug: Oh well you know why I don’t dye my hair?
[Laughter]
Laura: Yes.
Pastor Doug: Okay. Well than you for your question Laura and God bless you to keep studying. I appreciate those young callers.
Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Laura we really appreciate it. Let’s go next to Astoria, New York and talk with Frank welcome to the program.
Frank: Yes. Thanks for taking my call Pastor Doug and Pastor Dick. You know my question is about the great tribulation. I just want to ask this specific question. Will we know when the great tribulation—for example will we know by the collapse of the world economy and according to Revelation Chapter 8 verse 6. Where it talks about the angels will we literally hear an actual trumpet in the air from the chasm of heaven?
Pastor Doug: Two questions. First of all can we know when the great tribulation begins? Now it appears Biblically that the tribulation is divided into a couple of parts. You have what they call a small tribulation and that is when there is going to be a lot of political pressure to worship the beast and those who don’t worship can’t buy or sell. The great tribulation is equated by most scholars with the seven last plagues so really what you are asking is will we know when the seven last plagues fall?
And I would answer that question with a question by asking did the Egyptians know when the plagues fell on them? And it was obvious when the river and the springs were turning into blood and men being scorched with great heat and the noisome sores and so forth I think we are going to know when the great tribulation begins to come. So that is a yes.
Frank: Well will we actually hear because it says there are seven trumpets proclaiming each—
Pastor Doug: No I think—let me tell you in—when the children of Israel prepared to take the Promise Land in the book of Joshua they marched around the city of Jericho. Jericho was the first city they conquered in taking the Promised Land. They marched around Jericho and they blew seven trumpets. And those trumpets in Revelation are symbols of what God’s people will experience just before they take the Promised Land. So will they be audible? No there is a lot of symbolism there in Revelation that goes to the Old Testament stories and I don’t think that we are going to hear the trumpet blasts in the heavens. This is in my opinion and if I am wrong I hope the Lord will pardon me. But, I think that would be—I do think we are going to hear the resurrection trumpet when the Lord comes down with a shout. But, the seven trumpets in Revelations I don’t think you are going to hear blasts from the heavens.
Frank: So we will know at the time when the tribulation hits us by what is written in the other parts of the Old Testament?
Pastor Doug: Revelation 15 & 16 you read that and you will see when they begin to pour out those vials and the plagues fall then probation is closed and the temple in heaven is put out of business. No man can enter and the saved are saved and the lost are lost. And it is going to be pretty serious. And Frank I have a book that is called “Anything but Secret” and I will send you a copy. The second half of the book talks about the tribulation.
Pastor Dick: Call our resource operators at 1-800-835-6747 and ask for “Anything but Secret” and they are standing by waiting for your call right now. Let’s go to Queens, New York and talk with Brendon who is listening on WMCA. Brendon welcome to the program.
Brendon: Thank you and good evening. My question is about Mark Chapter 11: 12 starting where Jesus has cursed the fig tree. First of all He cursed it when it wasn’t in season to even have figs and later it was pointed out by one of the disciples and Jesus talked about anything you pray for if you believe you have it already it is indeed yours. Could you explain why He cursed the tree and I will take my answer over the air?
Pastor Doug: Yes. Good question thank you. Many times in the Bible Brendon the Lord compares the children of Israel to a fig tree. Matter of fact in Luke 13 Jesus said a certain man planted a fig tree in his vineyard. You can read it in Isaiah Chapter 5 that the vineyard is the House of Israel. And so Judah and Jerusalem that was the fig tree. It had leave sand no fruit and that would mean at that time that the people of God had a lot of ritual and ceremony, but they were not bearing the fruits of the spirit which is love, joy, peace. And so He said I am going to curse you. And that is what also happened to the temple and to the people of Israel as a Nation. They were destroyed in 70 A.D. and the fig tree that did not bring forth fruit was cursed and Jesus also—read the parable and read Chapter 13 and it explains that in more detail. So what was that fig tree a symbol for; Israel.
Pastor Dick: Alright let’s go to Mike in Fort Worth we have about 4 minutes. Mike welcome.
Mike: Yes sir I have a question for Revelations 10: 4 where the Island of Patmos where John did his time and says he might not have heard because he says when I heard their voices I was about ready to write when I heard a voice from heaven saying to me seal up the things which I have ordered and do not write them. I was wondering if you may have any idea what that may be. I mean we know that scorpions are going to torment men and virtually the flesh of men at Armageddon will—
Pastor Doug: Well I just—
Mike: Is that something that John wasn’t supposed to hear and just something in heaven that was going on in heaven that we weren’t privy to?
Pastor Doug: Evidently John saw some things that God could reveal to him, but He did not want to reveal to us.
Mike: Do you know what that may be?
Pastor Doug: No. But, it may be revealed at the end of time because in Daniel there are some things that are sealed that are revealed later. And the book of Revelation begins with a scroll that had seals and no one can open the seals, but the Lamb and it could be that the seal of these seven thunders may be opened by the Lord before the end of time. We might have to wait until we get to heaven I don’t know.
Mike: Maybe you can address this later because at the end of the 1000 years the dead are going to ride again and live on earth again and Satan is going to be released. What’s that talking about?
Pastor Dick: Okay we appreciate the question Mike and we will try to address it later. Let’s go next to Sam in Dallas, Texas who is listening on KSKY. Sam?
Sam: Yes Pastor Doug thanks to you so much. My question is it right for a Christian to play lottery? And if he plays and wins is it right for him to pay his tithes and offerings to the church?
Pastor Doug: Well first question is really should a Christian gamble? The lottery is pure unadulterated gambling. You are paying money for a chance to win and you know the chance is very small. And a lot of people become addicted to the lottery tickets and they don’t have the money to waste. And most people that play the lottery lose money. That’s why somebody wins a whole lot.
And then your next question is should a person who wins the lottery pay a tithe on it? I should think at the very minimum they should pay tithe on any increase of course they already have a conflicted problem more of the moral problem of how they got the money. But, they might find some redemption in donating it to the Lord. But, I don’t think Christians should play the lottery. I haven’t ever bought a ticket and I don’t recommend anybody doing it either.
Sam: Okay.
Pastor Doug: it is sort of the government endorsed them and I don’t think it is a good idea. Thank you for your question. Friends I apologize if we didn’t get to your question. Some of you have been very patient give us another chance and call back next week. We will do our best next time and we had some questions on the millennium and you can find a lot of information about the tribulation and the millennium at our website. Just go to “Amazing Facts dot org” and keep in mind that this is a faith based ministry on the station that you are listening to because people like you feel the spirit to keep it going.
Pastor Dick: Amen.
Pastor Doug: And so do drop us a line and you can even go to the website to make a donation to help keep us on the air by going to “Amazing Facts” to do another program or two. Most of all we are here because we want people to know all about Jesus. He is a person and He is the truth that will set you free.
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