Hello friends, how about an amazing fact? Gobies are small fish that during low tide like to swim in rock pools at the edge of the ocean. One species, the Bathygobius, often swim from one tidal pool to another. Researchers intrigued by this habit decided to investigate. They discovered that this little fellow always jumps in just the right direction and at just the right distance without ever landing on the rocks. Although much of the area around the pool is exposed rock and little fish cannot see from one tidal pool to the next it never misses.
How does the fish know just how far to leap and in what direction? Scientists have discovered that when the tide is in and covers the rocks the little fish swims around and then arises over the bumps and hollows so that when the tide is out it knows exactly where to jump. In other words this amazing fish is able to pre-memorize the shapes of all of the rocks and then calculate where the water will pool. How could a small fish have enough wisdom to go about in advance and learn all of that? Well, stay tuned for more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of Bible Answers Live.
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Hello friends, you’re listening to Bible Answers Live, Pastor Doug Batchelor is out of townthis evening but we’re open for your calls if you have a bible-related question and we would love to hear from you this evening. The number to call is 800-GOD-SAYS. That’s 800-463-7297. 800-463-7297. We have some phone lines that are open. This is a good time to pick up your phone and give us a call with your bible question. And I’m sitting on the other side of the table here in the studio that I normally sit at. I’m usually worked in the phones but in my sit is Brad. Brad thank you for joining us and helping with the phones this evening. Brad would you start the program with the word of prayer?
Brad: Certainly. Heavenly father, thank you for this opportunity to study your word. We ask you to bless those that are hearing this program and pray for wisdom as we search the scriptures. In your loving name, we pray. Amen.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Amen. Well, friends we open the program by talking about the Goby fish. This little fish that likes to swim around in these tidal pools, these rock pools and then jumps from one pool to another. And of course, as we mentioned at the opening of the program this fish has the amazing ability to actually memorize the shapes of all of the rocks and then calculate where the water will pool so that when the tide is out, it can jump from one pool to the next. Where did all of that wisdom come from in this little fish? Of course, the bible tells us that God is the one who provides for all of His creatures including the Goby fish and that God is the source of all wisdom. In James 1:5 we read, “If anyone lacks wisdom let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him.” Now, perhaps you needed to make some important decision in your life.
Perhaps you’re facing a choice and you want to know what God’s will is in this situation. Friends we have a free offer we’d like to provide for you. It’s entitled “Determining God’s Will”. It’s a book written by Pastor Doug Batchelor. The book is “Determining the Will of God” or “Determining God’s Will” and we will give you that book for free. All you’ll need to do is give us a call on our resource line. Now that number is 800-835-6747. That is the resource line, 800-835-6747 and our free offer this evening is “Determining the Will of God. Just ask for that and we’ll send it out to you. The number here to the studio with your bible question is 800-463-7297 and by the way if you’re close to your computer you can join us live here in the studio. We are streaming the program again this evening and that web address is live.amazingfacts.org. Well, Brad who’s our first caller this evening?
Brad: Our first caller is Tim on KFIA in Sacramento. Tim, welcome to the program.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Tim! You’re on the air.
Tim: Hi.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi and your question this evening?
Tim: Yes. My question is what does it mean to dwell in the secret place of the most high according to Psalm 91:1?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright, let me read the verse to our listeners. He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. That’s Psalm 91:1. If you read the rest of Psalm, it’s a beautiful Psalm talking about God’s protection and how He will sustain His people. So what does it mean to dwell in the secret place of the most high? That is to commune with God through prayer and through the study of His word. That is the place that we can go by ourselves and commune with the creator of the universe. And then the promise is those who dwell in the secret place of the most high, those who commune with God through prayer, through the study of His word shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. The shadow there symbolizes God’s protection, God’s watch care. So by communicating with God through prayer, through the study of His word, that is being in the secret place of the most high and then God will watch over us. He’ll preserve us. He’ll keep us.
Tim: Thank you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thanks for you call, Tim. Good question. Who do we have next, Brad?
Brad: Our next caller is Gilbert listening on WMCA in New York. Gilbert, welcome to the program.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Gilbert, you’re on the air.
Gilbert: Yeah.I just want to get clarification. I’ve heard from Pastor Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes.
Gilbert: Does faith has any influence on hunted housesand ghost because I know people who are saved cannot huntpeople, hunt houses or stuff, but does faith have any influence on you know like ghost and spirit and stuff?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, you know when we talk about ghost, we’re talking about spirits really what it is, it’s Satan masquerading as a departed loved one. So the devil is able to transform himself into different forms. The bible says the devil can transform himself into an angel of light. So, it’s not that big of a deal for the devil to show up and look like a departed loved one and maybe even say things that only that loved one would know for the purpose of deceiving.
Gilbert: Okay. He can intimidate unbelievers as well believers?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, he can try to you know, the devil, he’ll try to deceive anyone especially those who believe in Christ. But when we trust in God whatever the situation, when we trust in God, God will deliver us and sustain us. There are accounts where a believer would be approached by a departed loved one or a supposedly departed loved one and the person will say well, you know, “Lord Jesus please deliver me or protect me from this” and it would be an evil spirit in disguise and the evil spirit would be forced to leave because the believer calls upon the name of Christ.
Gilbert: Alright. Alright, alright, thank you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, we got a study guide dealing with this subject and it’s entitled “Are the Dead Really Dead?” and it gets into the subject of what happens to a person when he dies and Gilbert we’d be happy to send that to you or to anyone that’s listening who would like more information on the subject, just call our resource line. It’s 800-835-6747 and you can ask for the Amazing Facts study guide dealing with the subject of death, it’s called “Are the Dead Really Dead?” And you know, Brad we have one other website that we need to mention also on this subject. Well, maybe two. We have one entitled ghosttruth.com. It’s one of our new websites. A lot of scripture there as well as some video content dealing with the subject of ghosts and spirits. We have another one entitled deathtruth.com. Just deathtruth.com dealing with the subject of death, what happens to a person when he dies? So go to those websites. Take a look at it. Also call our resource line, you can ask for a study guide “Are the Dead Really Dead?” If you have a bible question again that number is 800-463-7297, we’re ready for our next caller.
Brad: Our next caller is Lyn, listening on the internet from Greenville California. Lyn, welcome to the program.
Lyn: Hi, thank you for taking my call. And that’s Greenville, North Carolina.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright, well, welcome. We’re glad you called in.
Lyn: My question is, it has to do with Garden of Eden after the sin.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay.
Lyn: I’ve just been wondering why was the serpent punished and the serpent was being, you know, was possessed by Satan. I mean did this serpent have anything to do with being possessed or…
Pastor Jëan Ross: No. It’s not the serpent’s fault. It’s Satan came in the guise of a serpent and since Satan took on the form of a serpent and he deceived Eve and eventually Adam as a result of deceiving Eve and man sinned, the serpent became with synonymous with deception and sin. Deception, sin and Satan and as a continual reminder of the deceptive power of Satan, the serpent lost its ability to what many scholars believed was to fly. Prior to the entrance of sin, serpents were able to fly from one tree to another.
Lyn: Alright.
Pastor Jëan Ross: They’re beautiful creatures and Satan chose one of the most spectacular of the creatures that God had created to deceive Eve and so as a continual reminder of Satan’s deception, the serpent now goes about on his stomach.
Lyn: This thing seems like it’s not fair. I mean like if he doesn’t have to do anything with it.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, that’s true. I mean remember sin isn’t fair. As a result of sin you have animals now that suffer and die, you have babies that suffer and die. So, the consequences of sin is not fair. However, we do have the promise that God says one day He’ll make all things right.
Lyn: Okay. I appreciate that. Thank you very much.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thanks for your call. Our next caller is?
Brad: Our next caller is Ken listening in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ken, welcome to the program.
Ken: Hello.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Ken!
Ken: Hello, thank you. In Leviticus 19:27 it says, “Do not cut the hair at the sides, you had to clip off the edges of your beard”, just wondering why that’s in there or what the implication or what’s that supposed to mean or I don’t understand.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. Know the significance of that. God gave the children of Israel certain traditions, certain reminders that they would always recognize Him as their God, as their leader and the things that God told Israel to do were often quite different than that which the pagan nations around them did. One of the things that the pagan nations would do would be to shave a portion of their hair, whether that was on their face, their beard or whether that was the portion of their hair on the head as a sign of devotion to one of the pagan gods. And God wanting to make a clear distinction between the children of Israel and the pagan nations around them told them not to follow the traditions and the customs of the nations. One of which was the shaving of the beard and the cutting of the part of the hair. It wasn’t completely the whole hair but it was the cutting of certain portion of the hair as a sign of devotion and worship to the various pagan deities.
Ken: And cutting the edges of your beard is not, it’s more than that to them…
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, you know that today there’s certainly nothing wrong in shaving or even trimming one’s beard, but because of the connection that that had with these pagan nations, God told His people not to do it. If they would do it for certain ceremonial activities connected with the worship of the deities along with also cutting their flesh and making marks on their skin and God told the children of Israel “have nothing to do with that.”
Ken: Okay, it makes sense to me now. Well, thank you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thanks for you call, Ken.
Brad: Our next caller is Karen in Cedar Grove, Tennessee. Karen, welcome to the program.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Karen, your question.
Karen: Yes, pastor John, I was wondering in 1 Samuel 11:8 when Saul is king and he’s numbering the people and he distinguishes between the number of the children of Israel being 300,000 and the men of Judah 30,000 and at this point there’s only one kingdom. The kingdom is not divided yet so I’m curious as to why they’re differentiating between Judah as a tribe, I would guess and Israel.
Pastor Jëan Ross: That’s a good question. We know that David came from the tribe of Judah and it would appear that the tribe of Judah to some degree took a certain degree of ownership perhaps on the monarchy because David came from that tribe and they were more committed perhaps to the monarchy later on when you have David’s son, Solomon dies and then you have Rehoboam who’s on the throne that is when the kingdom is split. You have the tribes of the north, the ten tribes of the north and you have Judah part of the tribe of Benjamin and Levi that remain faithful to the monarchy to Rehoboam and they became known as Judah. So it appears that even during the time of David those from the tribe of Judah begin to recognize the monarchy more so than maybe some of the other tribes.
Karen: Actually, this is during the time of Saul which is in 1 Kings.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay, yes, 1 Samuel 11, so we have Saul who’s king but remember you have Samuel the prophet that anointed David king when Saul was still the king.
Karen: Yes, yes. Okay.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Does that help?
Karen: Alright. Yes, it does. Thank you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright, thanks for your call. If you have a bible question we’d love to hear from you. The number is 800-463-7297 we have about two lines that are still open. 800-463-7297.Brad, who’s our next caller?
Brad: Our next caller is Gardner, he’s in Yonkers, New York. Gardner, welcome to the program.
Gardner: Good evening. Jeremiah 30:7 Jacob’s trouble. I think they are talking about the great tribulation but why is it called Jacob’s trouble?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay, good question. Let me read the verse Jeremiah 30:7 says Alas! for that day is great so that there is none like it and it is the time of Jacob’s trouble but he shall be saved out of it. Now this becomes a, go back to the story of Jacob. Do you remember when Jacob fled from his home because he deceived his brother Esau? He went and ended up working for his uncle Laban. Eventually he married two of his daughters and they began to make their way back home. While Jacob was coming back home, Esau heard about it and gathered a group of four hundred armed men and came out to meet Jacob. And Jacob received a word that Esau was on his way. Jacob knew that he could not defend himself and so after separating the family and sending all the gifts to try to appease Esau, Jacob began to pray and it was evening. He entered into his tent and began to pray and then a strange, the bible tells us in Genesis, came and Jacob began to wrestle with that stranger and he wrestled all night long. At first doubtless Jacob thought that this somebody from Esau’s camp and he was wrestling for his very life. But as the morning began to dawn, Jacob began to realize that he was actually wrestling with an angel of the lord.
He was wrestling with a representative from heaven and then the angel touches Jacob’s spine and his hip is dislocated and then the angel says “leave me now for I must go as the days coming” and Jacob says, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.” And then the angel responded and says, “what’s your name?” and Jacob says, “it’s Jacob” which means deceiver supplanter and then he receives a new name which is Israel meaning a prince with God. And so Jacob’s time of trouble is when Jacob’s faith was tested where he had to hold onto God’s promise. He couldn’t rely upon his own strength to defend him. His enemy was coming up against him and he had to hold on to God. His faith was tested and tried and that’s referred to as Jacob’s time of trouble. Now that has a prophetic significance because prior to the coming of Christ Revelation as well as Daniel talks about the enemies of God’s people coming up against them and they like Jacob, will experience a time of trouble when their faith will be tested. And they need to hold on by faith but the promise is Jeremiah 34:7 that they shall be saved out of it. God will sustain them and carry them through.
Gardner: Yeah, I don’t want to make light of Jacob’s unusual trouble but it seems like the tribulation that’s coming upon the earth now will be a lot worse would you say?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, you know in Jacob’s situation he was really in essence, under a death decree. Esau was coming and there was no way that he was able to defend himself.
Gardner: We’re facing a nuclear annihilation.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, in Revelation 13 we also find the death decree of those who refuse to worship the beast or his image or receive his mark, eventually there is a death decree that is passed against them. So like Jacob they will not be able to defend themselves. They will have to trust themselves fully and completely to God to sustain them and their faith will be tried like Jacob’s faith was tried.
Gardner: Okay. Thank you very much.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Good question. Thanks for calling Gardner.
Brad: Our next caller is Victor in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Victor, welcome to the program.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Victor! You’re on the air.
Victor: I’m going to just kind of ask, has little bit to do with the last caller, my question has to do with Ezekiel 38, 39-40.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Did you say Ezekiel?
Victor: Ezekiel 38:39-40 about Gog and Magog.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes.
Victor: My question is because I understand in the spiritual sense that we’re Israel and we’re of Jacob in the spiritual sense because you know, our hearts have been changed to Jesus Christ. But my question is concerning when the people, when Gog and Magog surrounds the city of God which is literally is alone I don’t understand why particular chapter 39:8-14 speak of the people gathering all the bones and they’ll put the mark on the bone and gather and bury it all the bones in the Valley of Hamon Gog and they’ll burn their buckler and their hands stakes so my question is did that happen already in the past, in history at particular part…
Pastor Jëan Ross: There was the historical aspect of that where you have Gog and Magog symbolizing the literal enemies of Israel and how God delivered them but the more broad significance and application as you say represents the enemies of God at the end of time.
Victor: I understand, but I’m asking this particular passage, did it happened, is it mentioned in the bible somewhere else in the old testament that I just didn’t happened to come across?
Pastor Jëan Ross: No. This passage in Ezekiel is very prophetic in its description. Now there’s aspects of it that are rooted in the experience of Israel as far as their enemies coming up against them in the valley of Megido and how God delivered them from that. But imagery that we find in chapter 38, 39 and 40, we don’t really have a historic account in the book of Kings or in Samuel or in Joshua that might actually describe that type of battle. So it does represent more of a future application.
Victor: Do you say that for a year scenario applies to this specific like the seven years and the 7 months?
Pastor Jëan Ross: It could. Now, I haven’t actually gone into detail in the application of those specific time periods but in prophetic time one prophetic day does equal one literal year. And as I said I haven’t studied that out in detail to be able to give you a clear answer on that.
Victor: Yeah. That’s kind of confusing you know, reading in Revelation about the five months or people having like a scorpion stinging them for five months.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Right.
Victor: If that was the case, it would be a hundred and fifty years.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Right. Now that is hundred and fifty years dealing with prophetic time and that have a historical application during the time of the crusades when you have the Islamic armies expanding through Europe and there was a tremendous amount of pain and suffering that was caused by that. And of course you’re referring to the fifth and the sixth trumpet that you read about in Revelation.
Victor: Right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Does that help a little Victor?
Victor: Yeah.
Pastor Jëan Ross: It’s a deep subject and we don’t have time to go into all the details of that. You might want to take a look if you haven’t seen and get in our website called prophecytruth.com. I don’t know if we deal with this specifically but I do believe we talk about Gog and Magog on that website. So, you can go ahead and take a look at that or anyone wanting to learn more about these prophetic truths. That’s prophecytruth.com and we do have some lines open. We got five minutes before we come up on our break so this would be a good time to give us a call, the number again is 800-463-7297, that is 800-GOD-SAYS, 463-7297. Who’s our next caller Brad?
Brad: Our next caller is Robert listening on Satellite XM radio in Charlotte, North Carolina. Robert, welcome to the program.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Robert! You’re on the air.
Robert: Thanks for taking my call. First-time caller. Quick question so Satan.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes.
Robert: How much of what we know about him is tradition and popular culture in this versus what’s in the bible. Two examples. We know, you know, there’s that first reference about bright and fallen star and of course in the garden with the serpent, but how much of what we know about him specifically verse by verse mentions him for example as being a fallen angel and where specifically or verses that mentioned that he is indeed the snake or serpent in Genesis. So that’s my question. I’ll take your response off the air. Thanks again and God bless your ministry.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. Thanks for your call. With reference to Satan being called a serpent, you go to Revelation 12 where it speaks about this dragon and then it actually identifies the dragon in Revelation 12 and says “that old serpent of old called the devil and Satan who deceives the whole world. So there Satan is referred to as the serpent. Of course, that leads us back to Genesis 3 where we read the account of fall of man. And then the other question you mention was Satan, a fallen angel, Jesus mentioned that he saw Satan fall as lightning from heaven. So Christ refers to Satan as fallen from heaven as well. You can also read about that in Isaiah 28 and Ezekiel 36 will tell you more about that. We have a website as well as a study guide that think you’ll enjoy. Anyone who wanted to hear more about this, it’s called “Is the Devil In Charge of Hell?” and it talks about the devil and there’s another one actually called “Did God Create the Devil?” and we’ll send that to you for free if you call our resource line. It’s 800-835-6747. You can ask for the study guide “Did God Create the Devil?” It will tell you more about that subject. If you have a question, we love to hear from you. The number is 800-463-7297. 800-463-7297. I think we have time for one more call before the break.
Brad: Raul is listening in Huntsville, Alabama. Raul welcome to the program.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Raul, welcome to the program.
Raul: Yes, thank you. Thank you for letting me posts my question. My question do we have any biblical reference of female-named angels or the angels are all male-dominated.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay, in scripture, all angels if they’re going to be assigned a particular sex, it’s referred to as men. You won’t find any reference in scripture to an angel as being female. However, remember Jesus says that the angels don’t marry neither given in marriage. So they are of different dimension than we are but they are referred to in the masculine form.
Raul: So there weren’t any female angels at all because they have all male names. But it could be a woman that has male names?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, you know angels are neither male nor female. They do appear in scripture in a male form but they don’t procreate. So they’re different than we are.
Raul: What a sexist society, I guess we’re in. Eve was the mother of us all but she cannot be angel?
Pastor Jëan Ross: well, of course Eve was a literal person. Adam and Eve were literal people and then of course, angels are created beings by God. Satan is a fallen angel but there’s also good angels. We have guardian angels that minister to us and they help us in our battle against sin and Satan. But they’re different than we are. They’re not human. They’re in a different dimension. You know, we have a book Raul, entitled “Who are the Sons of God?” and it speaks a little bit more about the subject of angels and their role in our world, what they do and where they come from. Friends, you’re listening to Bible Answers Live. We’re going to take a break in few minutes but just before we do, I’d like to remind you of some great websites that Amazing Facts has, of course the main website, amazingfacts.com is filled with all kinds of bible studies, different subjects, there’s a video that you can watch and then we also mentioned a few others sabbathtruth.com. We have bibleuniverse.com. Deathtruth.com. All dealing with various bible subjects to help you in your study of God’s word to come to a clearer and fuller experience of what it is that God wants you to do. We also want to remind you of our resource line. It’s 800-835-6747 and if you call that resource line you can ask to enroll in our free bible study course dealing with various prophetic subjects and just really wanting you to dig deeper in God’s word. Friends, we’re just taking a short break and we’ll be back for more bible questions.
Don’t go away, there’s more Bible Answers Live in just a moment. Don’t forget to tune in to Pastor Doug Batchelor’s weekly television broadcast Amazing Facts Presents which is aired on major networks including ABC family, the Word network and Superstation WGN. Check your local listings or contact us to find out when and on what channel the programs will be aired. Are you in need of additional bible-based materials for further study? Consider Amazing Facts as free correspondence bible study course or our sale catalogue featuring hundreds of inspiring books and tapes. To order call our resource line at 800-835-6747. That’s 800-835-6747. Don’t forget friends that Amazing Facts is a faith-based listeners’ supported ministry operating only by God’s blessing through your prayers and financial gifts. We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at P.O. Box 909 Rose Road California 95678 or online at AmazingFacts.org.
Welcome back to bible answers live with Pastor Doug Batchelor. This broadcast is pre-recorded if you have a bible-related question you can call us from 7-8pm pacific standard time on Sundays and receive clear honest answers directly from scripture. Call 800-God-SAYS. That’s 800-463-7297. Now please join us as we look to God’s word for more bible answers live with author and evangelist Pastor Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hello friends you’re listening to Bible Answers Live. This is a live interactive international bible study. If you have a bible question we would love to hear from you. Our phone lines are now open. The number is 800-GOD-SAYS. That’s 800-463-7297. 800-463-7297. You can also join us here in the studio by the web. Go to live.Amazingfacts.org. We have a live streaming of the program live.Amazingfacts.org and we are going to straight to our questions. Brad, who’s our first caller?
Brad: Our first caller is Rolando. He is in Miami, Florida. Rolando welcome to the program.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Rolando, you’re on the air.
Rolando: Thank you so much. I’m so happy for your ministry. God bless you all.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thank you and your question tonight.
Rolando: My wife and I, we were talking a little bit about God and so forth and she asked me a question that’s tumbled me. She said why is the Lord knows the future and he can see that our descendants might suffer and we are suffering, and you know how sometimes life can be hard, why doesn’t the Lord end this earlierthan taking his time off throughout for the last two thousand years. So I guess that’s my question.
Pastor Jëan Ross: That’s a good question. First of all, we know that God does not by any means for one suffering. He’s a God of mercy. He’s a God of love. Why does He allow so much suffering in the world? Why does He allow it to continue? Well, I think we find the answer to that in 2 Peter 3:9. It appears as though people back in Peter’s time, time of the disciples had a very similar question, and so Peter is addressing that in 2 Peter 3:9 he says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise”. Now the promise is the second coming. Remember Jesus said in John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again”. So that’s the promise. Jesus will come again. So Peter says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness but is long suffering towards us”. That’s 2 Peter 3:9, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” So there’s the answer. Why has Jesus not come?
Well, he is not willing that any should perish. He wants to give as many people an opportunity to make a decision to serve Him. Because when Jesus comes, well that’s the end. And so even though there is suffering and pain, God allows or He puts up with it because of His love. He wants to try and save as many people as possible. However, His mercy is not going to extend forever. There is a point where Christ says, “enough is enough” and then he comes. The same passage that as you’re reading 2 Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, the elements shall melt with fervent heat and the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up”. So Jesus will come. But He’s waiting as long as He can to try and save as many as possible.
Rolando: I appreciate that very much and you have a wonderful night. Thank you very much. God bless you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thanks for your call. The number again is 800-463-7297. Our next caller.
Brad: Our next caller is Marcus listening on WMCA in Queens, New York. Marcus, welcome to the program.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Marcus from New York! You’re on the air.
Marcus: Thank you. Thank you, thank you for receiving my phone call. It settles, kind like a previous, a previous caller basically when a King Saul summoned the witch to invoke the spirit of the prophet Samuel. What did transpired because I’m just curious. So the devil cannot tell the future and that spirit prophesied told him, told to king Saul that he was going to die in the battle because he was basically looking for answer from God, and Saul was not given a dreams or visions since he want to find out if he’s going to war or not. And that’s when all of his sons died.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Right.
Marcus: So the spirit of the prophet Samuel, I mean, I’m just curious.
Pastor Jëan Ross: So, your question is, was that really Samuel that appeared to Saul? Or if it wasn’t Samuel how did he know the future?
Marcus: Exactly, how was he able to tell the future?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright! Well, it wasn’t really the prophet Samuel that appeared to Saul because remembered God had stopped communicating with Saul through visions, through dreams or through the prophets. So, it wasn’t the prophet Samuel that appeared but rather it was an evil spirit, fallen angel masquerading as the Samuel the prophet. Now, how did he know what was to happen the following day in battle? By this point, Saul had hardened his heart against God even to the point of open rebellion. God had thus withdrawn his protection from Saul. So, Saul was really exposed to whatever it is that Satan wanted to do. So, Satan knew very well what his plan was for Saul the following day and God had already withdrawn his protection thus, the devil will say you’ll going to die tomorrow and because the devil going to make sure that that happen. Did that helped Marcus?
Marcus: No not really. I was thinking, I was like. It has me pause I mean.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, let me put it this way. The devil didn’t tell the future but the devil knew what was he going to do to Saul the next day and because God withdrawn his protection the devil made it happened.
Marcus: Yeah but my concern is that it was specific and he say exactly, you know that he wasn’t going to die but that he was not going to win. He’d go to the battle and he was going to lose. It was almost as if it was real prophet, you know, you said it was the evil spirit but it’s as if it was the evil spirit actually prophesying.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, the evil spirit was saying what was to happen the next day. Now remember you have the king who has rejected God’s protection and so he’s already vastly outnumbered by the enemy. He doesn’t have God fighting for him or protecting him so the devil has influence now on this, the enemy of Saul and the devil engaged in how the battle is going and the outcome of the battle and because Saul had rejected God’s protection he was really under the control of whatever it is that Satan was about to do. So, in other words to step outside of God’s protection is to fall under the influence or the control of Satan and that’s what Saul did.
Marcus: Okay. Good enough.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright! Thanks for your call Marcus. Good question. Who do we have that’s next?
Brad: Our next caller is Jennifer, she is listening on WMCA in Brooklyn, New York. Jennifer welcome to the program.
Jennifer: Hi! Good Night! I want to ask a question about Lot’s two daughters. When they didn’t have no men for them to have children and they went and slept with their father and they had children. What happened to their children?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, if you trace back the history the descendants of Lot by his daughters they actually developed as time progress into tribes not part of Israel but they’ve developed into some of the tribes of the nations that fought against Israel when the children of Israel came out of Egypt.
Jennifer: Okay. Thank you!
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. Thanks for your question. The number if you have a bible questions is 800-463-7297. That’s 800-463-7297 and who’s our next caller?
Brad: Our next caller is Anita she is listening on WMCA also in Mountain Bear in New York. Anita welcome to the program.
Anita: Oh, thank you I just got my phone to work and the question is I’m so happy for your show Doug. May God reward you and bless you. I’ve been wondering for a long time. I love the bible. It’s my guide in life but I’ve been wondering why in the Old Testament, correct me if I’m wrong why father God demanded or He ask the people for a blood sacrifice of little tiny innocent like lambs I think. I love animals. They are God’s creatures. Why would He demand such a thing to kill the baby animals you know for a blood?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Sure, It was a very powerful reminder of the consequences of sin in every animal that have to be sacrifice you can just imagine a family having to take a lamb and cutting it’s throat watching it suffer and then placing it upon the altar to burn. That was reminder of the cost of their sin. Of course, all the lambs that was sacrificed, the animals that was sacrifice were all types of Christ. That’s what John the Baptist when Jesus came to be baptized in the Jordan River pointed to Jesus behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. So through this sacrificing of animals people were reminded of the cost of forgiveness, the cost of salvation. Jesus would actually have to come and die for their sins.
Anita: Oh! It’s so complicated but I understand and I like the thing you said tonight about the beardsbecause I’m an artist [inaudible 00:40:38] of course that’s my hobby all my life. But I did know why I like beards. I didn’t know and it’s biblical from ancient times you said oh it’s beautiful that Jews wore them to tell God you know that they belong.
Pastor Jëan Ross: That’s right!
Anita: Oh! But can I ask one more question. I’m forgetting it I’m so excited and happy that all the other questions. I can’t think now see. I got so nervous about it. The other question was. I can’t think. Well, it’s tough to call and get in line for two weeks.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, you do that, the question comes back jot it down and then give us a call back we love to try and answer that question for you Anita. Thanks for your call.
Brad: Our next caller is Rey, in New York, New York. Rey on line 10 welcome to the program.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Rey your on the program!
Rey: Hi! Good Night Pastor. I’ve been listening to your program. It’s very informative. I have a question I need an interpretation on Genesis 6:1-4.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. Let me read it for you it says for those who are listening “Now it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the Earth and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were beautiful that they took wives for themselves of all who they chose. And the LORD said My spirit shall not always strive with man, for he’s indeed flesh yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years. So, you are wondering who these sons of God are?
Rey: Exactly! Who are these sons of God?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Okay. Good question. Now there’s been different interpretations as to the identity to the sons of God but we want to let the bible interpret itself. The New Testament tells us “Behold what manner of love the father has bestowed upon us that we should be called sons of God” Those who exercise faith in Christ they refer to as children of God, sons and daughters of God. So, what’s taking place here in the verse? Well you have the descendants of Adam, you have Cain and Abel, Cain kills Abel and then he sort of leaves home and at this time Cain takes a wife somewhere along the line and they have children. They begin to multiply. Then to replace Abel, Seth is born.
Then you have two groups of people. You have those who descendent from Seth who remain loyal to God. They were faithful and you have those who descended from Cain who rebelled against God. They were sinful. These two groups became known as the sons of God referring to the descendants of Seth and the sons of Men or the daughters of Men referring to the descendants of Cain. Now as long as these two groups stayed separate there was preserved a degree of righteousness in the earth. But as time progress the sons of Seth began to take wives of the daughters of Cain, his descendants and as a result of that intermarrying as time progress it says that the wickedness became so great that every imagination of the heart was evil. So the sons of God refer to the descendants of Seth and daughters of men refer to the daughters of Cain.
Rey: So, it had nothing to do with angels coming down from heaven as some people do want interpret as?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes. It got nothing to do with that. That is why Jesus said that the angel’s neither marry nor given in marriage. So angels can’t procreate.
Rey: Right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: So, the sons of God refer to the descendants of Seth. Those who remained obedient and faithful to God. The daughters of men are referred to the descendants of Cain. Now we do have a book entitled “Who are the sons of God?” And it deals with this specific verse will send that to you for free Richard, if you will call our actually. It’s Richard if you would call our resource line. We’ll be happy to send that out to you the number is 1-800-835-6747 800-835-6747. Ask for the book, “Who are the Sons of God?” written by Pastor Batchelor. “Who are the Sons of God” and will send that out to you. If you have a bible question the number again to the studio is 800-463-7297
Brad: Our next caller is Greg he is listening in on WNCA in Orange, New York. Greg welcome to the program.
Greg: Yes. Thank you for taking my call. I’m referencing back to the Psalm 91.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes.
Greg: And he who dwells, Now I have the Aramaic translation. “He who dwells in the protection of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” and but there is a mirror which says “He will spread his feathers over me and under his wings shall I trust.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright.
Greg: That’s a little deeper. What it is, he who dwells in the protection, he who dwells in the protection in the word I shall live, or abide under the shadow of the Almighty. It references to when God gave three things to Moses at the top of the mountain. He gave him the Ten Commandments and then two patterns: the patterns for the tabernacle and the patterns for the seven lamp stand Menora and that reference into Abraham got a bull sheep and a she go got them into half three years old each put a pigeon and a turtle dove. In the Holy of holies in Solomon’s temple there were two Cherubim and the wings were five cubits each five is grace and they were touching over the mercy sit. Now the feathers are the words. Spread your feather over me, your word over my thinking and on your wing shall I trust therefore he who dwells in the protection of the Most High shall abide on the shadow of the Almighty. When your eyes touch the word you are spiritually placed like Ezekiel 41 over the mercy sit under the wings of cherubim where you meet him face to face.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Greg, that is a fantastic insight. Excellent you’re right. Spending...
Greg: I just wanted to share that with you because it goes a little deeper on that and it marries up to the pigeon and the turtle dove, there’s a lot more there but the time is three minutes on the show. I just wanted to.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Greg, that was a great insight I appreciate you calling us in. You know by spending time in God’s word and of course as you mention same to the ark the covenant in the most holy place you have the cherubim that cover the mercy sit underneath that the Law of God. So by abiding in God’s law by abiding in His word in communing with Him you’re under his protection. Wonderful insight thanks for your call Greg. Who’s next?
Brad: Our next caller is Rob in Canada, listening in WMUZ Rob welcome to the program.
Rob: Yeah, There’s a lot of new preaching that new preachers are preaching against the rapture. I am one that believes in it and the scripture talks about that those who are alive and remain in Him shall be caught up to meet him in the air and so shall they ever be. So, I just wanted to hear your comments on that and also if I could just ask people to pray for those coming back from combats the Canadian, the American, the British guys are going through a very rough time.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Absolutely and of course at this time at least at the US it’s memorial weekend and so for the families who have served and those have given their life protecting freedom. Thank you for mentioning that Rob. With reference to the rapture. It is true when Jesus comes again the righteous will be caught up that’s where the word comes from to rapture it means to catch up to lift up in 1 Thessalonians speaks of that when the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God the dead in Christ rise first and we alive in remain shall be caught up to meet Him in the air. That’s we shall be with the Lord so that’s the hope of the Christian is the second coming of Jesus and the rapture being caught up to meet Jesus and now the question is that a secret rapture? Or is it going to be a visible literal personal event.
Now the bible speaks of Jesus coming it be in literal event in Revelation 1:7 says “Behold He comes with Clouds and every eye will see Him. And 2 Peter 3 speaks about the coming of the Lord and the heavens will melt, the heavens will pass away the earth will melt with fervent heat. So it’s going to be cataclysmic event when Jesus comes at the second coming and that’s when the rapture happens the righteous are caught up to meet Him in the air. So that is the hope for the Christians. That’s the hope indeed. We have a book dealing with the subject of the second coming of Christ and for anyone wanting to learn more about it we’ll be happy to send it to you it’s an Amazing Fact Study Guide entitled “The Ultimate Deliverance” talking about the second coming and the rapture. The Ultimate Deliverance and will send that to anyone who call our resource line 800-835-6747. Ask this study guide “The Ultimate Deliverance” and we’ll send it out to you. Brad, who’s next? We have about five minutes.
Brad: Lydia. She is listening in on WMCA in Long Island. Lydia, welcome to the program.
Lydia: Hi.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi, Lydia, welcome to the program.
Lydia: It’s my first time calling. I have some health problems and I’m a little cold right now and I also learn better by hearing. So, I was wondering if you have any of your… I definitely want to learn because I’m a new believer and I want to learn as much as possible. I was wondering if you could recommend either a bible that’s on CD. I know that they’ve recorded the bible on CDs or if you are, I’m not familiar with your website, because I don’t have an access to a computer right now. But if you have any CDs or tapes that are available for.
Pastor Jëan Ross: We do. We have a lot of stuffs at our website AmazingFacts.com.
Lydia: Okay, do you have like a, is it very expensive or.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well no. There’s a lot of free material. Our goal is just to get the Word out. So there’s free material on our website. Anyone who goes to amazingfacts.com there’s audio sermons to listen to, there are also videos that you can watch and if…
Lydia: I don’t have a web. I don’t have a computer, right now.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Call our resource line. If you have a pencil or pen handy Lydia, write down the following number and ask them to enroll you in our free bible course and they’ll send all the information to you in the mail absolutely free. The number to call is 800-835-6747. That’s 800-835-6747 and just ask the person on the other end of the line to sign you up for a free bible school course. That’s for anyone wanting to learn more about the bible. Let’s see if we can get a few more callers before we run out of time. Who’s next?
Brad: Our next is Richard listening in on WMUZ. Richard welcome to the program.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Richard, you’re on the air.
Richard: yes sir. How are you doing this evening?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Doing well.
Richard: I have a question. I think this is in Genesis. Who are the Nephilim?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes, the Nephilim are referred to as being giants. You read about that in Genesis. They were, of course, prior to the flood. There were larger animals on the earth, larger plants on the earth. We have the fossil remains of various animals. It’s quite possible that people were bigger before the flood. Giants especially in comparison of what we see today and the Nephilim as a result of intermarrying between different groups. They appear to be one particular group of people that were larger than most. And they refer to it as giants.
Richard: Okay, thank you very much.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thanks for your question. Do we have time for one more? Alright.
Brad: Phil, listening on XM radio. Phil, welcome to the program.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Phil! You’re on the air.
Phil: Hi, thanks for taking my call. I’m going to make this real quick. More and more Christian leaders are teaching that we worship the same God, who’s the God of love. I’d like your comment on that.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, you know, if a person is a Christian, Jesus is the way to the father. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life”. The scripture says there’s no other name given among whereby we must be saved. So central to a Christian is Jesus, the belief that He is the son of God and Muslims don’t accept Jesus as the son of God. They accept that He’s a good man, a prophet as to other different religious groups, but not as a son of God. I don’t know how you’re going to get around Jesus trying to somehow harmonize the two different lines of belief.
Phil: Well, but can you tell everybody what they teach about when Jesus returns, the Muslims what they teach.
Pastor Jëan Ross: With reference to the second coming of Christ or what happens to Christ when He’s on the earth?
Phil: No, they were teaching about when Jesus returns, there’s like what he is a converted Muslim, Quran teachers are you familiar with that?
Pastor Jëan Ross: you know, I’m not familiar with the teaching or what happens when Jesus returns with reference to the Quran but I am familiar with what the Quran had to say at least teaching that is prominent with reference to when Christ is on the earth. That He was a good man. He was a prophet and but He didn’t die for our sins. There was a Jesus who died on the cross, but prior to His death, it’s believed that His Spirit was removed and He’s not a sacrifice for sin. He didn’t die for us. And of course that’s why most of our new testament is not accepted because it speaks about Jesus dying for our sins.
Phil: Alright. Thank you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thanks for your call, Phil. We appreciate it. Well, friends you can hear the music playing in the background. We have run out of time and I apologize if we weren’t able to get to your call this evening. Give us another chance. Call us back next week. We’d love to hear from you. We’d like to remind you of our website, that’s amazingfacts.org. The program doesn’t have to end now. You can go to the website and hear more and study more about what the bible has to say. Until we meet again, God bless.
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