Ladybugs

Other names for the ladybug include "ladybird," "lady beetle," "lady fly." But over time this was shortened to the simple modern name "ladybug." Naturally, not all ladybugs are ladies. There are also boy ladybugs too. There are more than 4,000 different kinds of ladybugs in the world.

Beside the familiar red with black spots, they also come in brown, yellow, and one beautiful species is black with the red spots, exactly the opposite of the common type. Whatever their color, farmers praise ladybugs for healthy crops. They're good bugs that fight the bad bugs by eating billions and billions of aphids, scale insects and mealybugs every year.

Gardeners even buy boxes of ladybugs to eat the pests in their garden. These hardy little beetles beat their wings 85 times a second when flying and can live for weeks without eating. When insects are scarce, they can switch from eating insects to eating pollen.

Another reason ladybugs survive so well is their ability to emit a foul-smelling and bitter-tasting chemical from their leg sockets when attacked by a predator, so birds generally avoid them. In winter, ladybugs gather in huge groups to hibernate under sticks, bark and even rocks.

In California, 750 million ladybugs were discovered hibernating together in one group. In 1999, four ladybugs were went into space as part of an experiment on NASA's space shuttle. Upon completion of the mission, it was determined the ladybugs survived very well in space and even ate the aphids while in zero gravity.

Do you know the Bible teaches that God will send angels to protect those who trust in Him? Stay with us friends. We'll learn more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of Bible Answers Live.

[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]

Pastor Doug: The best possible use for the medium of talk radio, to talk about the Word of God. Bible Answers Live, using broadcasting to broadcast the seeds of the Gospel. If you have any Bible question, this is a live, international, interactive Bible study. You can participate by calling in your Bible question.

It's a free phone call, 1-800-GOD-SAYS, that's 1-800-463-7297. We still have a couple of lines open so it's a good chance if you pick up the phone now, you'll get on the air. Once again, that's 1-800-GOD-SAYS, 1-800-463-7297. My name is Doug Batchelor.

Pastor Dick: And my name is Dick Devitt. Good evening Pastor Doug.

Pastor Doug: Good evening Pastor Richard.

Pastor Dick: How are you?

Pastor Doug: I'm doing fine. How are you doing?

Pastor Dick: That's good. Not too much traveling for the last few days, right?

Pastor Doug: No, it has been nice. I've been home for a whole week.

Pastor Dick: That's good. Well we're going to talk about some traveling you're going to be doing a little later in the program. We'll remind folks of what's coming, something very special.

Pastor Doug: That's right.

Pastor Dick: And we'll talk about it at the break time.

Pastor Doug: Very good.

Pastor Dick: Okay. In the meantime, we like to start with a word of prayer as we get started with this program so let's do that.

Father in heaven, we want to thank You once again for the privilege of being able to come and open the Word of God, and share the airwaves, and look intently into what You are trying to say to us. May You open our ears, Lord, and our eyes that we may hear and see You in a saving way and draw close to you in a saving relationship. Lord, we want to be saved. We want to go home to heaven. We want You to come soon. And so I pray for wisdom and insight and understanding tonight. Be with Pastor Doug and give him clarity of thought. We thank You and we praise You. In Jesus' name, amen.

Pastor Doug: Amen!

Pastor Dick: Well now, ladybugs. I buy them and I put them in my front yard and my back yard because - -

Pastor Doug: Yeah, they're great.

Pastor Dick: They are great.

Pastor Doug: I was out working in the back yard with the family today and one of the boys spotted a praying mantis. They're very intimidating-looking but I said, "No, look here." I scooted the thing up on my arm and pretty soon they got brave enough to hold it. They're good in the garden too because they, of course, eat the pests. But ladybugs really do have their black belt, so to speak, and - -

Pastor Dick: Oh-h-h boy, they're voracious, especially with the aphids.

Pastor Doug: They'll save your roses and the crops.

Pastor Dick: That's right.

Pastor Doug: It makes me think of a couple of passages of Scripture. One being where God promises if we're faithful in tithes and offerings, He will rebuke the devourer. In other words, the pests that devour our crops.

Pastor Dick: Um m-m

Pastor Doug: But even beyond that, you think about the protection that God simply promises to those that trust in Him.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: And sometimes that protection is unseen.

Pastor Dick: Um-hm, um-hm

Pastor Doug: I understand the smallest ladybug is only about a 16th of an inch across; and, of course, we know that they get to nearly half an inch in size. But God has angels that watch over us. Not only do they watch over us, they communicate.

Pastor Dick: Um m

Pastor Doug: They help guide. Of course, God's Spirit speaks through angels sometimes and they protect. Some of the important messages you find in books of prophecy, like Daniel and Revelation, are delivered by angels. We have a special offer for our friends tonight. It has a new lesson cover dealing with angels.

Pastor Dick: This is a study guide that is part of the Amazing Facts' study guide set. It's called "Angel Messages from Space." We'd like to make this available to all of our callers, anyone who would like a copy of this. This talks about the important end-time message that is given to us, especially in Revelation chapter 14.

Revelation chapter 14 speaks of the three angels' messages. If you would like a deeper, clearer understanding of those three angels' messages in Revelation 14, this lesson is the lesson for you to get you started on your Bible study. So call our resource operators and ask for a copy of "Angel Messages from Space."

Folks, I can tell you that this little lesson will really open your hearts and your minds to a very special message in Revelation 14.

Pastor Doug: Amen

Pastor Dick: 100, rather, 1-800-835-6747. In ten years, Doug, you know, the phone number ought to come just, right--just second nature, but [laughs]

Pastor Doug: I can't get my kids' names straight sometimes.

Pastor Dick: [Laughs] 1-800-835-6747. That's the resource number that puts you in touch with the operators who are standing by; and we'll send that lesson to you. We take a couple of internet questions before we go to the phones, so let's do that.

Pastor Doug: Okay

Pastor Dick: This is an intriguing question Pastor Doug. This comes from a person who has moved to a new city because they are escaping from a domestic violence situation. And they have taken on a new name, a phony name; and they use a fake name. They want to know if doing this is lying and is it a sin?

Pastor Doug: I remember hearing a story about a man in Ireland that was getting ready to go to work and he held his shirt up to the window one morning wondering if he could wear it one more day. His wife called, "If it's doubtful, it's dirty."

Pastor Dick: [Laughs]

Pastor Doug: And if a person is even asking this question, that means they have doubts about the integrity for a Christian and why someone might defend. Well it's a justifiable thing to protect yourself. My recommendation would be if you need to change your name, there are legal ways of doing it where you won't be lying.

Pastor Dick: Right, right.

Pastor Doug: So if you need to change your name, change your name, because you start building relationships in this new city and someday you're going to have to say, "Well that wasn't really my name" and it erodes trust.

Pastor Dick: Right, right.

Pastor Doug: So, you know, I know it's a difficult situation but it's either your name or it's not. If it's not, it's not true.

Pastor Dick: Very good. Second question, Luke chapter 19, verse 27, and the question is, "People are using this text to show that the Bible is like the Qur'an in that Jesus says that it is okay to kill his enemies. Can you give us some insight into that?"

Pastor Doug: Well this is actually the last verse in a parable Jesus has about some servants that did not want their king to reign over them. It's the one regarding the talents, Luke's version of that. Verse 27 says, "But bring those enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them and slay them here before me."

I think someone may be wondering if this is justification for violence, similar to those you seem to find in the Qur'an.

Pastor Dick: Um-hm, um-hm

Pastor Doug: Keep in mind, this is a parable that is pointing to the ultimate judgment day at the end of the world. This is not talking about people's relationships with people. It's talking about God, the Creator, executing the final judgment on His creation in rebellion, which is a whole different set of circumstances.

So Jesus told us to love each other, to forgive and to turn the other cheek. He's not using this parable to justify treatment of one another, but rather the King's ultimate judgment day.

Pastor Dick: Okay, very good. Let's go to the phones. We'll take our first call for the evening from Castroville, California. We want to talk with Orion who's a first-time caller. Welcome Orion.

Orion: Hello Pastors

Pastor Dick: Yes

Orion: I'm familiar with Pastor Doug. I've watched several of the tapes and I have a book here, Bible Answers Volume 1. I was told I could only get about three minutes and I'm sad because I could probably keep you guys' ears busy for a full hour of questions.

Pastor Doug: Well you could email longer questions, but we try to budget time for everybody on the program.

Orion: I know, and I do not want to be selfish. I just got a lot that I want to go through with you guys. I want to start with what laws have been abolished and what has been kept?

Pastor Doug: Okay, good - -

Orion: I'm curious. I'm looking for the clear answer to that.

Pastor Doug: Alright. Good question. There are a number of different laws in the Bible and, obviously, some of these laws were nailed to the cross and met their reality when Christ came. I think the easiest way to understand that, Orion, is when Jesus died on the cross and He said, "It is finished," the veil in the temple rent in two.

And, of course, John the Baptist had pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God. Up till then, they sacrificed physical, animal lambs for forgiveness.

Orion: Sure

Pastor Doug: With the death of Christ, all of the sacrificial system and ceremonial laws that pointed to Christ met their fulfillment. Now, there is a number of other just practical laws in the Bible that the death of Christ did not make them impractical. For instance, there are civil laws in the Bible that talk about how neighbors should treat each other.

Matter of fact, the Mosaic law is the foundation for most American law, if you really look back on it. Even the different first, second and third degree murder is all based on Mosaic law.

Pastor Dick: Um-hm, um-hmm

Pastor Doug: You have the health laws; and those laws regarding sanitation and cleanliness are just practical laws. Jesus dying on the cross does not suddenly make it okay to be unclean or unsanitary.

Orion: Can I get back to the Mosaic laws? Which of those, uh, are--I mean, like you said they're the basis for a lot of our laws in society in general, at least in governments like America. But what of those do we still--like, because obviously, it's not okay to take people to the edge of town and stone them to death for blasphemy, uh - -

Pastor Doug: Well keep in mind, the penalty for the laws, I mean, even the law about adultery, the penalty was stoning. You remember they brought Mary Magdalene in, or this woman caught in adultery, and they said, "The law says we should stone her."

Orion: Absolutely, yeah.

Pastor Doug: See, Jesus said, "You can't do that under Roman law," because the Romans had different laws. Under a theocracy that's how they operated, where God was in their very midst. Even King David, when he committed adultery, nobody stoned him. So by the time of David they were, sort of, winking at some of those.

But you have the Ten Commandment law that is called the moral law. It's eternal in nature. We just had a question on honesty. It will always be wrong to lie, even a million years from now. Jesus dying on the cross did not make it okay to lie, or to steal, and so forth.

Orion: Right

Pastor Doug: So, you've got the health laws; the civil laws, and a lot of these are practical; and then I talked about the ceremonial law, those laws that dealt with circumcision, sacrifices that revolved around the temple. The church is now the spiritual temple. Christ is our Lamb. And those symbols have been transferred to Christ and His church.

Orion: But how can we tell, for example, the Ten Commandments taught, "Thou shalt not kill," or murder, depending on the text; "Shall not commit adultery," but then Jesus clarifies those and says it's not simply not killing. In order to keep the Commandments, it's not just not killing; it's actually not having anger in your heart because that will make you guilty - -

Pastor Doug: Right

Orion: - - enough to enter hell-fire.

Pastor Doug: The Lord showed that it's not only the action. He showed not just the letter of the law, but the spirit. It's not just the action of adultery; it's an attitude of adultery. It's not just the action of murder or untruth, but Jesus said, "Let your yea be yea." So Christ expanded and magnified the law. He didn't make it smaller. He made it bigger.

Orion: Yeah, oh yeah, He said--He actually made it harder because the Ten Commandments are actually pretty simple to keep; but living by Jesus' definition of the law, the new law, makes committing adultery to be as simple as having lust in your heart.

Pastor Doug: Right. Jesus showed that the real meaning of the law is love, love for God and love for your fellow man; and that makes it easier. He said, "Take My yoke upon you. My yoke is easy." We have a booklet we'll send you, Orion. We'd like to have had more time. It's called "Does God's Grace Blot Out the Law?" It goes into more detail about what law is still in effect. It's right up the alley with your question.

Pastor Dick: Orion, I want to encourage you to call our resource operators. That phone number is 1-800-835-6747. The call is free and the booklet is free as well. We'll send it to you. It's called "Does God's Grace Blot Out the Law?" at 1-800-835-6747. Call that number and they will send that out to you; so give them a call this evening.

We want to go next, Pastor Doug, to Boston, Texas, and talk with Mario. Good evening Mario.

Pastor Doug: Boston, Texas? I thought Boston was in Massachusetts [chuckles]. Go ahead Mario.

Mario: That is Austin.

Pastor Dick: Oh, it's Austin, oh.

Pastor Doug: You threw me. I used to live in Texas. I never heard of Boston Texas.

Pastor Dick: I used to live in Austin, Texas myself. Sorry Mario.

Mario: Maybe it's prophetic.

Pastor Dick: [Laughs]

Pastor Doug: I think our operator maybe didn't hear you clearly. Anyway, your question?

Mario: What is the law of the Spirit?

Pastor Doug: Oh, that ties in well with the last question we had. Well, the law of the Spirit, of course, is going to be not just the action connected with the law, but the attitudes. It is possible to keep the letter of the law and break the spirit. [Crackling noise] Are you still there?

Mario: Yes I am.

Pastor Doug: So, it's not just an action. It's an attitude. Following the law of the Spirit is having Christ in us being guided by the Holy Spirit. The natural outcome of that is that we will follow the Holy Spirit and follow His law.

Mario: Hmm.

Pastor Doug: You know, we've got a book that deals with that subject a little bit. We'd be happy to share with you. It's called "Life in the Spirit."

Mario: May I include a verse here?

Pastor Doug: Yes

Mario: Romans chapter 8, verse 2.

Pastor Doug: Okay. Do you want me to read that for everyone, or do you want to read it?

Mario: Yes, please.

Pastor Doug: Romans 8, verse 2 says, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh," I'm reading the next verse too, "God did by sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin, He condemned sin in the flesh."

Pastor Dick: Amen

Pastor Doug: Now, was there a special reason you wanted us to read that?

Mario: And may I read a little further too, verse 4, "That the righteousness required of the law might be fulfilled in us, which not walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Pastor Doug: Yes, okay.

Pastor Dick: And what's your question Mario?

Pastor Doug: Was there something else connected with that verse that you're wondering about? [Long pause] Hello?

Pastor Dick: Mario?

Mario: Does any of it tie into all that at the start of the program? God works in great ways.

Pastor Doug: Oh, I think I know. Are you wondering if what it's saying here is that when we are walking in the law of the Spirit, it means that we're not obligated to keep the Ten Commandment law? I'm not sure what you're asking.

Mario: Well, can't be any clearer than what the verse says.

Pastor Doug: Well, the verse is clear to me, but I'm not sure - -

Mario: It's the Spirit that guides us in Christ.

Pastor Doug: Yeah. Do you think that this is saying that God no longer wants us to keep the law? Or does it say that when we have the Spirit, we will keep the law?

Mario: Even--yes, even goes beyond that. James says it best, those that know how to do good and don't them, to them it is sin.

Pastor Doug: Right. You know, I think that you'd really appreciate the book that we were mentioning. It's a free book. It's called "Life in the Spirit." And it also talks about the law and the Spirit and being led by the Spirit. The result of that is following the law.

Pastor Dick: Mario, again, I would encourage you to call the operators, 1-800-835-6747. They're standing by, and if you'll call them this evening, they will send this book to you. It's called "Life in the Spirit." The call is free and the book is free. After you get it, we'd like to hear back from you and let us know what you think.

Pastor Doug, let's go next to Grants Pass, Oregon. We want to talk with Billie who's listening on the Internet. Hi Billie.

Billie: Hey, how are you doing Pastor?

Pastor Dick: Good, what's your question please?

Billie: Good. The question is regarding to Revelation chapter 21. I've heard many people refer to the bride of the Lord as being God's church. But reading in Revelation chapter 21 I see that it's referring to the New Jerusalem. Could you clarify that for me?

Pastor Doug: I'll try. I don't think there's a conflict there because the New Jerusalem is going to be the City where the church abides.

Billie: Okay

Pastor Doug: You know it talks in Revelation about a woman with 12 stars above her head and she is the church. That's Revelation chapter 12.

Billie: Right

Pastor Doug: But then you go to Revelation 21, it talks about the New Jerusalem; 12 gates; 12 foundations; 12 kinds of fruit 12 times a year; 144 kinds of fruit on the tree of life. And it's 144,000, 12 x 12,000 that are among those that live in it. So when it talks about the New Jerusalem coming down, what is it that God loves about the New Jerusalem? The buildings, or the people that will live there?

Billie: Ah, okay

Pastor Doug: So, it is the church. It's just another figure for saying, "This is so beautiful because it's the bride of Christ." The church lives in this city.

Billie: Okay

Pastor Doug: Okay?

Billie: Makes sense.

Pastor Doug: Yup, not a conflict.

Billie: Okay, great.

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Billie.

Billie: Thank you

Pastor Dick: Bye. Let's go next to Pablo in Manhattan, New York who's listening on WMCA. Hello Pablo.

Pablo: Hi

Pastor Dick: Your question please?

Pablo: My question has to do with Daniel 9:25, - -

Pastor Doug: Yes

Pablo: - - 70 weeks. I've been confused for the past year about, "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem...." So what I'm confused about is the three decrees in the book of Ezra,

Pastor Doug: Yes

Pablo: I keep reading in detail. It talks about the temple being rebuilt on the first decree, the second decree with Zerubbabel, and then a reformation through Ezra. And it seems like they didn't have anything to do with the temple, but when I read the book of Nehemiah, he was, like, went back to build Jerusalem's walls and the gate. So when did 70 weeks really start? That's what I'm confused on.

Pastor Doug: The third decree given by Artaxerxes was the complete decree to rebuild the city and permission to work on the temple too.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: And that was given in 457 B.C.

Pablo: And the third decree, where do I find that?

Pastor Doug: You find that in Ezra chapter 7, and I can't remember the verse. I should know it, but Ezra chapter 7. You'll find it there. It actually has a quote of the decree [crosstalk]. That began in 457 B.C. and the interesting thing it says--in Daniel chapter 9--it says that from that degree to anoint the Most Holy would be one week less than 70 weeks. That would be, in other words, 483 days; and a day is a year in prophecy.

Exactly 483 years from 457 B.C., A.D. 27, Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.

Pastor Dick: Amen

Pastor Doug: It's just one of the most marvelous prophecies in the Bible. Matter of fact, we have a lesson that goes through that time prophecy. It's called "God Sets a Date for the Judgment." If you'd like a free copy of that, Pablo, we'll send you that study guide. It has the dates, the decree, and the whole history around it, and just ask for it.

Pastor Dick: Mario, again, call that number, 1-800-835-6747 and ask for "God Sets a Date for the Judgment." It's amazing, Mario, how that prophecy just falls into place. It is incredible. Let's go next, Pastor Doug, to Queens. We'll stay in New York. We want to talk with Gil who's listening - -

Pastor Doug: Pardon me, one second. Gil, we'll be right with you. Pablo, who just called in, we've got a new cover and a new title for that lesson. A little voice was telling me that it's called "Right On Time."

Pastor Dick: "Right On Time"

Pastor Doug: "Right On Time" is the name of the lesson on the judgment and on Daniel chapter 9. Sorry about that.

Pastor Dick: Okay. Good evening Gil.

Gil: Good evening. It's such a pleasure, treasure to talk to you guys once again. And I have a question that might sound like a contradiction. It's in Exodus chapter 20, verse 5, and it talks about, "You shall not bow down to them or worship them: for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing the children of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me." Now, of course, God is merciful and everything like that, but I wonder how you would connect that with Exodus chapter 18, verse 20?

Pastor Doug: You mean Exodus or Ezekiel?

Gil: Ezekiel I meant to say. I'm sorry.

Pastor Doug: I thought I knew where you were going and you surprised me when you said Exodus.

Gil: [Laughs] Yes

Pastor Doug: Ezekiel where it says, "The son is not guilty for the sins of the father, and the father is not guilty for the sins of the son"?

Gil: Yeah

Pastor Doug: Well, that's a good question, it's a very good question. Here it's telling us in the Ten Commandments that the behavior of the parents is duplicated by the children, often to the third and fourth generation, both good and bad. The good behavior of one parent can sometimes be seen several generations away.

Matter of fact, I'm reading through the Kings right now and I noticed that it would say, for instance, God said to Jehu, "Because of your faithfulness, your sons will sit on the throne for four generations" and you'll see a lot of cases of that. But that is talking about the influence of the parents can often be seen in the children unto the third and fourth generation.

But God does not punish the children for the sins of the parents, nor does He punish the parents for the sins of the children unless there's some direct responsibility, like in the case of Eli. He would not discipline his sons so God punished the father for not restraining his sons.

Gil: Yes. For the people listening, I just wondering if you could read that to the audience just so they can understand? I think it's Ezekiel 18, verse 20?

Pastor Doug: Yeah, let me go there for you real quick. I was doing it from memory here.

Gil: Thank you so much.

Pastor Doug: Ezekiel 18, verse 20?

Gil: Yes

Pastor Doug: Alright. "The soul who sins will die. The son will not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son: the righteousness of the righteous will be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon him.

Gil: Yes

Pastor Doug: That's the essence of that; and when it's says there in Exodus chapter 20, verse 5, "unto the third and fourth generation," I also like to remember it says, "And showing mercy unto thousands of those that love me, and keep my commandments." [Exodus 20:6]. Judgment unto the third and fourth generation, because the parents influence each other; mercy unto thousands of those who keep the commandments.

Pastor Dick: Well Pastor Doug, we're about to take a break here halfway through the program. I mentioned that we wanted to talk just a minute about something very special that's coming up next month. Why don't you tell us about the revival.

Pastor Doug: Well I hope our friends have a pencil handy, or a good memory. All they have to do is write down or remember 05, like our year, 05Revive.com. They'll find a website where they can learn more about this global event. I will be speaking from the Fort Worth convention center called the Will Rogers Auditorium to a global audience on both the 3 Angels Broadcasting Network on the Hope Channel, as well as a number of other affiliates.

It is basically a 10-day revival for one week, ten meetings. We're going to be talking about returning to the Lord, drawing near. If you're going to be hosting this in your home, you can bring your friends to your home and pray together. Some will be fasting and praying and just asking God to give them a new experience.

These messages are designed for anybody with any Christian background and faith in the Word. Maybe you've got some friends who have drifted away a little bit and they need to return to the Lord. This meeting would be ideal for that situation. Again, the website is 05Revive.com, and we'd encourage you to encourage your friends to come.

And be praying for me as I go that God will give me the Spirit and that I might be able to encourage others as well. We'll be back with more Bible questions in just a moment.

[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

Pastor Doug: We are back for more Bible questions. We're going to go to the phones in just a moment. My name is Doug Batchelor.

Pastor Dick: My name is Dick Devitt. Praise the Lord Doug, we're halfway through the program. Good questions tonight.

Pastor Doug: Good questions.

Pastor Dick: Good questions. Well let's go right to the phones and take our first call for this segment of the program. We want to go to Rocklin, California and talk with Joanna, who's listening on KNDL. Hi Joanna.

Joanna: Hi

Pastor Dick: Welcome to the program. Your question please?

Joanna: Oh, thank you. Can I just put a plug in first about Doug's book, "The Last Elijah Message"?

Pastor Doug: Sure. I'll let you do that [chuckles]

Joanna: Oh, I just want to tell you what a blessing that is. I cannot get past chapter 2, about the two thieves on the cross on either side of Jesus. Oh, that is just so powerful.

Pastor Doug: Well, praise the Lord. Hey, don't stop there, keep going.

Pastor Dick: [Laughs]

Joanna: Ah, yeah. Well I read that one a couple of times before I move on. I have a big question that has been, kind of, on my mind for quite awhile. I would think about it and want to call you, and then I'd forget when your program would be on; and I happened to remember today so I'm so glad I got through. In Matthew 12 where Jesus has just healed a man who was demon possessed who was blind and mute in verse 22, - -

Pastor Doug: Yes, um-hmm

Joanna: - - and the Pharisees come to Him and say, "It is only by Beelzebub the prince of demons that this fellow drives out demons." And then Jesus goes on to talk about every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, you know that one.

Pastor Doug: Right

Joanna: What my question is--and this is something that has always confused me--about in the last days how we hear that Satan will perform miracles, and the antichrist, he'll look like, you know, he has that power. And these verses have always confused me, this passage, because when Jesus said that, we're going to see that happen in the last days in a different way. So could you just--and I'll just listen to your answer off the air so I can listen on the radio--would you just compare those two for me of, what that, Jesus - -

[cross talk]

Pastor Doug: I think I know what you're asking - -

Joanna: - - and what's going to happen now?

Pastor Doug: Good question, yes. It says in Matthew chapter 12, verse 26, "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?" Now, Jesus is not really saying Satan cannot appear to cast out Satan.

When it works to his benefit, the devil will--you know, of course, it's easy enough for him to get someone involved in demon possession, Joanna--but if it works to his benefit, he will appear to cast out devils, and they'll appear to be relieved so that he can pose as an angel of light. Jesus wasn't saying the devil never does this, but He is saying when Satan starts to do this, his kingdom will not stand.

But it is going to appear, in the last days, that Satan will cast out Satan. The devil has many times tried to counterfeit the miracles of God, just like the magicians did for the Pharaoh. So yeah, you'll see that again. I hope that helps a little bit.

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call Joanna, good question. Let's go next to Walla Walla, Washington, Doug. We want to talk with Tom who's a repeat caller and has a question, I think about halloween. Welcome Tom.

Tom: Good evening

Pastor Dick: Good evening

Tom: Pastor Doug, I've got a question about halloween. Does the Bible say anything about halloween and what a Christian should do as far as celebrating halloween, or all saint's day? Do you have some thoughts on that?

Pastor Doug: Well, you know the Bible does tell us that we should "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them", and that's Ephesians 5:11. Of the different holidays, there's nothing wrong, really, with celebrating some local holiday that isn't in the Bible. There's nothing wrong with being patriotic on the 4th of July or giving thanks on Thanksgiving.

Those holidays aren't set aside as dates in the Bible, but in principle, there's nothing wrong.

Tom: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: But if there is a popular holiday that does have an awful lot of diabolical trappings, it would be halloween. Even just the commercials that I've seen on TV, they're constantly accentuating the movies dealing with horror and death, and fear and bloodshed; and it's just such so many grisly, diabolical and satanic trappings that go with it.

And the history of it, with the druid priests leaving the pumpkin at the door and if you didn't give them an offering they'd put a hex on you. That's where you get trick-or-treat.

Pastor Dick: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: But we're in a culture that tried to make it cute. What we do in our family is when the kids come knocking on the door, we open the door and scowl at them and say, "We don't believe in halloween!"

Pastor Doug, Pastor Dick, and Tom: [Chuckles, laughs]

Pastor Doug: No, that's not what we do, but we try and give them something good. I don't think even a good dentist wants to give out candy; but the Bible says, "Overcome evil with good." Our kids don't go out trick-or-treating. They don't dress up like that. Some folks might think we're fanatical but you know, there comes a place where you explain, "Hey this is a work of darkness."

It's a holiday that really does deal with the occult. It highlights the devil and deception; and I don't think Christians can embrace that. So what we recommend--someone was asking this week--Amazing Facts carries some really good witnessing booklets, anyone can go to the Amazing Facts website. Matter of fact, we've got one that Steve Wohlberg wrote on the "Hidden Dangers of Harry Potter." That will get the kids' attention.

But you know, you might give them something healthy to eat and one of our Hidden Truth magazines.

Pastor Dick: There you go!

Tom: Alright, well thanks a lot.

Pastor Doug: Alright, thanks.

Tom: God bless.

Pastor Doug: Bye bye.

Pastor Dick: Thanks, Tom, for the call. That was a good call. Let's go next to Brooklyn, New York. June is listening on WMCA. June, welcome to the program.

June: Hello?

Pastor Dick: Hello? And your - -

June: This is actually, um, this is June's husband. She was calling for me. I was busy doing something.

Pastor Doug: Well do you have a question?

Dixon: Yes. This is Dixon. My question is taken from Mark chapter 1, verse 8 - -

Pastor Doug: Okay

Dixon: - - when John said, "I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost," when he was referring to Jesus. I wanted to know what was he referring to when he said, "but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost"?

Pastor Doug: Alright, good. The Bible tells us that Jesus said to the apostles after His resurrection, "To abide in Jerusalem," and this is Acts chapter 1, and they "would receive power from on high." They were all baptized by John during John's ministry but then Jesus, after He ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit; and at Pentecost, they were baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Matter of fact, it says, "with the Holy Spirit and fire" in one verse. You can also find that in Matthew 3:11. "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and fire." Well, that helps us narrow it down, because at Pentecost, tongues of fire appeared on their head. That fire is a symbol for power. They received the Holy Spirit then.

So Christ baptized them with the Holy Spirit. John baptized them with water.

Dixon: So, John was actually talking to the disciples here?

Pastor Doug: Yeah--well you see, John's ministry was to point everybody to Jesus. And he said, "I'm baptizing you with water and that's great, but I can only give you a physical baptism. The One who's coming can give you a spiritual baptism."

Dixon: Okay

Pastor Doug: "I can help you with the outward cleansing. The Holy Spirit is the inward cleansing."

Dixon: Oh okay

Pastor Doug: Unless you're born of the water and the Spirit, you can't enter the kingdom of heaven. John was the water baptism. Jesus, spirit baptism, okay?

Dixon: Okay

Pastor Doug: Hope that helps a little; and you can also read that book. We'll send it to you free called "Life in the Spirit" if you'd like a copy of that Dixon.

Pastor Dick: Thanks for the call. We appreciate it. Hope that helps a bit. Let's go next to the Bronx, New York and talk with Samantha who's listening on WMCA. Samantha, welcome.

Samantha: Yes, good afternoon. How are you doing? I always listen to Pastor Doug. I enjoy the program with you; and it was very encouraging. I'm very young, but I love God very much. The question I want to ask about, in Revelation chapter 18, about, "Babylon the great is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils and demons." And it speaks about the lady decked in gold and precious stones; and the kings of the earth commit fornication and things; but God said her filthiness of her fornication....What is he speaking about that--isn't God talking about that's America and parliament, and those (unintelligible) was, they were saying the kings of the earth are going to fornication with her? And they're decked in gold, and precious stones, and ointment, and cinnamon; and God is still saying their filthiness was fornication?

Pastor Doug: Yeah, so - -

Samantha: Is that what he's talking about?

Pastor Doug: Yeah--well you mentioned two verses, Samantha.

Samantha: Yes

Pastor Doug: In Revelation 17, it identifies this woman who's decked in the gold and the pearls, and she is the woman, sometimes called the "scarlet harlot" in Revelation chapter 17, that represents Babylon. And we've got a whole lesson that we'll send anybody who wants a copy of it, called "The Beast, The Dragon and the Woman."

But then when you get into Revelation 18, it talks about the overthrow and the fall of Babylon. Now, to understand this Samantha, you need a little bit of Old Testament history. The children of Israel did not get to go back to the Promised Land in the time of Daniel until after Babylon fell. So Babylon falling in the last days is a sign that we're about to go to the new Promised Land, to heaven.

We believe that America does have a prominent role in the final prophecies and in what constitutes Babylon. I think anybody who just sees the dynamics in the world today recognizes that America is a major economic and spiritual power; and that prophecy does address it.

I've actually heard some evangelists on TV say, "There is no prophecy that has anything to do with America" and I think, "I have to respectfully disagree with that."

Pastor Dick: Yeah, I do too.

Samantha: And you know what? Can I make a point to you Pastor Doug?

Pastor Doug: What's that?

Samantha: It got to be America too, because it says, "the great city is fallen," and America--out of all the countries of the world--America got everything, the finest stores, everything. The economy makes a lot of money, and its got to be America.

Pastor Doug: Yeah. There's no question but that America is the most prominent and prosperous city in the world; and we have more excess and luxury and abundance than any city in the world. You know Samantha, you would enjoy the study guide, "The Beast, The Dragon and The Woman."

Matter of fact, you know, we've got that lesson called "America in Prophecy."

Pastor Dick: Um m

Pastor Doug: That would even be closer to what you're looking for. "America in Prophecy."

Pastor Dick: Samantha, we have this lesson and we'll send it to you if you'll just call our resource operators at 1-800-835-6747. That's a free call and the lesson is free also. It's called "America in Prophecy." So call and ask for that lesson and we'll send it out to you, okay? 1-800-835-6747, and thanks for the call Samantha.

Pastor Doug, we want to go to Pennsylvania and talk with Chuck who's listening on WFBS. Welcome Chuck.

Chuck: Thank you for taking my call.

Pastor Dick: Get real close to your phone, if you would please, Chuck.

Chuck: Okay. In our church we had some off springs because of the Trinity. They said 1st John 5:7 was added to the Bible. They said it wasn't in the Greek manuscript. Well I did some study on it and I found out that the Greek took it out; and I went clear back to the old Latin, and it was in there at 250 A.D. I just want to know if Doug Batchelor did any studies on this?

Pastor Doug: Yes. This is the verse in 1st John 5:7, and the people who do not believe in the Trinity, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, have a real problem with this verse so they try to delete it. "For there are three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one."

Now, there are manuscripts where this verse is omitted. And there are manuscripts, ancient manuscripts that still retain this. That's why the King James translators and Martin Luther chose to include it. It is certainly consistent with the teaching of the rest of the Bible. I mean, Jesus said to go baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Obviously, they are three distinct Individuals.

At the baptism of Jesus, Chuck, you've got God the Father, who's speaking, saying, "This is my beloved Son;" and the God the Spirit is coming down and endorsing Christ and anointing Him. You know, there's a book that you might enjoy that would help with some who might be struggling there at your church.

I ran into the same thing. Oh everywhere I go people still struggle with the issue of the Trinity. And I wrote a book called "The Trinity: Is it Biblical?" I'll send you a free copy of that. It's a simple book that anyone can understand. It has the Scriptures and the simple explanations. It deals with this verse. Would you like a copy of that Chuck?

Chuck: Yes. Does it talk about the manuscripts at all or not?

Pastor Doug: Yeah, I think it does. I actually wrote it about five years ago; and I'm trying to remember. I do so much writing and speaking it's hard to remember everything that's in every book or sermon, but I do believe that I addressed the various manuscripts connected with that verse.

Chuck: Okay

Pastor Doug: Alright?

Chuck: Alright, thank you.

Pastor Dick: So Chuck, call that phone number that I've been giving, it's 1-800-835-6747, and ask for "The Trinity: Is it Biblical?" and we'll send it to you right away, okay? 1-800-835-6747. Pastor Doug, earlier in the program you mentioned you were going to be in Dallas, Texas in a few weeks, or in a couple of weeks, and we want to take a call from Dallas. We want to talk with Leslie who's listening on KMPX. Hello Leslie.

Leslie: This is Leslie.

Pastor Dick: Yes sir.

Leslie: My question is this, where in the Bible does it say anything about what music to listen to? See, I'm trying to be a Christian, a righteous Christian. I listen to all kinds of music. I'm trying--what does the Bible direct you--it says the Bible is your guide; and a friend of mine says you're suppose to listen to music that honors God. What do you listen to? What kind of music do you listen to?

Pastor Doug: Well that's a good question. There's a Scripture in Philippians chapter 4, verse 8, Leslie, - -

Leslie: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: - - and it says, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever is of good report; if there is any virtue or praise, meditate on these things."

So as a good test for the music that you might listen to you ask, "Is it good? Is it holy? Is it appropriate?"

Leslie: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: And once you ask that question, it will help you know. I listen to principally Christian music.

Leslie: I listen mostly to Christian music but I have some music like Stevie Wonder put out. He sings about Highways to Grace when he was a little boy, and stuff like that.

Pastor Doug: Well, there are some contemporary artists that also have done some Gospel music - -

Leslie: Uh-huh

Pastor Doug: - - but you try to listen to that music that's going to be edifying, and uh - -

Leslie: What does "edifying" mean?

Pastor Doug: It means it helps build you up.

Leslie: Okay

Pastor Doug: The word "edify" comes from the word "edifice." It means to build you up.

Leslie: Okay

Pastor Doug: And so you want music that's going to build. You know that there's some music--the words might be fine, but the music is, sort of, melancholy and sad and depressing.

Leslie: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: You don't want to listen to stuff that's going to make you feel--some music is very sensuous.

Leslie: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: It might have Christian words but the music is very sensuous music. So you want the music and the words to both be edifying, to build up, to be pure, and that, hopefully, will be a blessing. You know, at the Amazing Facts' website, it's not a book we can give away, but we have a couple of books on music that are very popular and folks can order them there.

It is a very controversial subject. Matter of fact, about a month ago, Pastor Dick, I did two sermons back to back on the Christian and music because there are so many questions on the subject.

Pastor Dick: That's right, that's right. Well Leslie, I hope you'll call and ask for those books or check them out through the Amazing Facts' website, AmazingFacts.org; and perhaps they will help you with your selection of the kind of music that will lift you up and lift up Jesus Christ in your heart as well.

Pastor Doug, we want to go to, well let's see.... We'll go to Citrus Heights, California and talk with Michael who's listening on KFIA. Welcome Michael.

Michael: Hi. My question was, was there a Holy Spirit in the Old Testament or is that just the New Testament?

Pastor Doug: Yes, the Holy Spirit is in the Old Testament. It starts in Genesis chapter 1 where it says, "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters," and that's right there in the first chapter of the Bible; but you can go on. King David, when he was repenting, and this is Psalm 51, he said, "...take not thy holy spirit from me."

Michael: Okay

Pastor Doug: And then the Spirit of the Lord came on Samson and he would have supernatural strength.

Michael: Oh okay

Pastor Doug: You can read Isaiah 11 where it talks about the Holy Spirit. So, there are quite a few verses in even the Old Testament where it talks about the presence of the Holy Spirit and how people could be filled with the Spirit.

Michael: Oh, see? Because I thought when Jesus went up into heaven that the Holy Spirit came down and it wasn't until then that the Holy Spirit came.

Pastor Doug: Oh I see. That's a good question. Now actually, what Jesus was saying is--Jesus is God the Son, the Holy Spirit is God the Spirit. God the Son was on earth during the time of Christ. And He's saying, "Look, I can be with you physically, but the Holy Spirit is omnipresent. He can be with you wherever you are. So I'm going to go back to heaven and send Him."

And it wasn't that this was the first time the Spirit had come. Evidently, something about the arrangement of the Father, Son and Spirit--the fullness of the Spirit and Jesus both didn't need to be on the earth at the same time.

Pastor Dick: Yeah. At the Creation story it says that the Father, and Son and the Spirit hovered over the earth, so....

Pastor Doug: Yup. God said, "Let us make man in our image."

Pastor Dick: Right

Michael: Okay, thank you.

Pastor Doug: You would also enjoy that book we mentioned a moment ago on the Trinity. We'll send you a free copy if you just call the resource number.

Pastor Dick: Michael, we appreciate the call. That number again is 1-800-835-6747. If you'll call that number and ask for the book on the Trinity, we'll send it out to you. We appreciate the call. Let's go next to New York, to Mt. Vernon, New York. Chilean is listening on WMCA. Good evening Chilean.

Chilean: Hello, good evening. My question is concerning Revelation chapter 7 where it tells of four angels who are holding back the four winds to prevent any wind from blowing on the land, nor the sea or any tree.

Pastor Doug: Right

Chilean: And it says that the angels have to restrain the winds from blowing until they put, well, the "seal of God is put on the foreheads of the servants of our God." Now, I've never heard this before, but I read in a magazine recently that these servants of our God that are to be sealed before the release of the winds are the 144,000. Have you ever heard of that, and what would be the basis of that conclusion?

Pastor Doug: Well, it does say in Revelation 7, verse 3, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of those who were sealed: an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel." They were sealed. So that is there in Revelation 7, verses 3 and 4. So they're not the only ones who are saved, if that's what you're wondering.

Chilean: No, no, no, no. The persons sealed were the 144,000; so when the winds are released, that is the beginning of the time of trouble?

Pastor Doug: It seems like it's starting, doesn't it?

Chilean: Um-hmm

Pastor Doug: Yeah, the winds of strife. It talks about the winds blowing on the ocean in Daniel chapter 7 and Daniel chapter 10, I believe, but these winds are representing of turmoil, war, tribulation. So these angels holding back the winds of strife, that they shouldn't blow upon earth, the trees or the sea, they're holding back the winds of strife that the Gospel might go forward until the servants of God are sealed.

Chilean: Okay. Alright, thank you so much.

Pastor Doug: Alright. Hey you know, I don't want to let you go without telling you. I wrote a book on the 144,000. I'll send you a free copy.

Chilean: Alright. I'd love to call in for that.

Pastor Doug: Alright

Chilean: Thank you Pastor Doug.

Pastor Doug: Thank you

Pastor Dick: Chilean, thanks for the call. The 144,000. It's a good book Doug.

Pastor Doug: Thank you Pastor

Pastor Dick: Excellent book. 1-800-835-6747 is that number. Anyone who would like a copy of it, just give them a call and we'll send it out to you. Let's go next to Idaho. We want to talk with Sheila who's listening to us on the Internet this evening. Good evening Sheila.

Pastor Doug: Stacy.

Pastor Dick: Or Stacy, I'm sorry.

Stacy: Stacy, yeah. Hi.

Pastor Dick: Sorry, good evening.

Stacy: My question was in regard to lying for purposes of work, like investigative work; debt collection; looking for missing persons.

Pastor Doug: You're wondering if that's okay?

Stacy: Yes

Pastor Doug: Well, is lying okay?

Stacy: I know that lying is not okay. I was told by someone that the Bible references lying for police work and I've been looking all over for it and I can't find it.

Pastor Doug: Well, what they may be talking about is the Bible does talk about deceit being used in war, not in police work, because, of course, there are no police in the Bible.

Stacy: Right

Pastor Doug: And there are cases where they used deception in war to create a diversion to win a battle. That happened many times. I mean, even Joshua pretended he was being defeated.

Stacy: Um-hm

Pastor Doug: David pretended he was crazy one time so his enemies wouldn't take him. But for a job, for a person to use deception like that, I think that's a difficult situation for a Christian to be in. And my answer to that would be some people might argue it's necessary; then I would argue, "Let the dead bury the dead" [Luke 9:60].

But if a person is a Christian, don't be involved in a job where you've got to use deceit because, you know you're better off making less money and having a soft pillow at night for your conscience.

Stacy: Right [chuckles]

Pastor Doug: Okay?

Stacy: Alrighty, thank you.

Pastor Doug: Thank you. Oh, it looks like we're starting to wind out of time. Is that right Pastor Dick?

Pastor Dick: It is, yup, yup.

Pastor Doug: You know friends, I don't know if we're going to get another call tonight, and so if you would let me take one more moment to remind you to both be praying for and check out the information on the upcoming, international revival that Amazing Facts will be conducting with 3 Angels Broadcasting and the Hope Channel.

That's going to be from Fort Worth, Texas; and I know Pastor Dick said Dallas but you know you can just about spit and hit Dallas and Fort Worth. They're pretty close.

Pastor Dick: [Laughs]

Pastor Doug: It's the DFW area is where we're going to be, but technically in Fort Worth at the coliseum there, Will Rogers Auditorium. We'll be broadcasting via satellite around the world. You can participate online. It will be live streaming on the Internet. Just go to 05Revive.com. You can invite your friends to your home, watch in your home, watch on television, watch on the Internet.

There are a number of churches in just about every town where they're going to participate. If you go to the 05 website if you wanted to find a location, you can do that online and go and worship and pray with others there. This is going to be what we used to call an "old-fashioned revival."

Pastor Dick: Praise the Lord!

Pastor Doug: Outstanding music. We're going to be praying together. Biblical preaching, encouraging preaching, talking about how to draw near to God. So this is for anybody who would like to be closer to God, to have more of a spirit-filled life. Tune into the 05Revive program November 4.

It begins Friday night, November 4 through November 12, every night, and I think twice on Sabbath, and "come and see," as they said.

Pastor Dick: Yeah! If you're in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, go by and say hello and uh- -

Pastor Doug: Come and visit us, all our friends in the DFW area. Our friends who are at Southwestern University we hope that you'll come up and tune in. And also, pardon me Pastor Dick. I saw you take a breath. I thought maybe you were going to say something. [Laughs]

Pastor Dick: Go ahead, go ahead.

Pastor Doug: Don't forget to check out the Amazing Facts' website. When you go there, click on the Library. You're going to see that there are a lot of resources, a lot of questions you maybe wanted to ask tonight. There are archives of some of the most popular questions you can listen to right online and so take advantage of that. Pastor Dick, something else?

Pastor Dick: No.

Pastor Doug: No? Alright.

Pastor Dick: That's it for the night.

Pastor Doug: Listening friends, do check out the Amazing Facts' website. Go to the free library section. And for those of you who are involved in teaching Christian groups or home Bible studies, you get a lot of Bible questions from your group, no doubt. That is a good place to go to find the answers. AmazingFacts--very simple--AmazingFacts.com. You could also do AmazingFacts.org; AmazingFacts.tv; AmazingFacts.net and you'll find your way there.

Until then, we want you to know we do what we do because we want you to know Jesus. It's not so much the details as the Person, the Truth who will set you free.

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