Hello friends! This is Doug Batchelor. How about an amazing fact? Back in February 1994, a 21-year old Cuban windsurfer waded ashore in the Florida Keys and asked for asylum. He told the amazed sheriff's deputies a story. The windsurfer, Eugenio Maderal Roman, had made the 110-mile trip across the open sea, looking for freedom.
He had a childhood friend, Lester Moreno Perez, who had windsurfed to Florida in 1990 and now works as a computer programmer in Miami. Eugenio said he thought of following his friend but at the time he decided it would be too dangerous to attempt. Eugenio said he windsurfed almost daily in Cuba.
As usual this day, he set out from his girlfriend's house in Varadero about 1 pm. and he went for a spin around the beach resort. "I went surfing to catch some air and have some fun." He began surfing that evening and when he caught a favorable northern breeze, on a whim and a prayer, he just kept going with freedom urging him on.
Eugenio encountered friendly porpoises along the way, but he avoided resting in the dark waters that are also the frequent haunt of large sharks. The young man made the epic trip from north Cuba to Marathon Key in about nine hours. The coast guard was not even involved in this case because Mr. Maderal made it all the way to shore unassisted. Eugenio said he has always wanted to come to the United States for freedom but he didn't plan for it to happen this way.
You know friends, the Bible teaches one windy night long ago, Jesus walked across a stormy ocean to save His friends. Stay with us friends. We're going to learn more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of Bible Answers Live.
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Doug: Welcome friends, we are very thankful that you are listening to this frequency. We hope you stay right here because for the next hour we're going to be taking Bible questions. This is a live program. It's always exciting because there's that dynamic of the unknown. If you have a Bible question, we'd like to encourage you to call in.
It's a toll-free number, 1-800-GOD-SAYS. That's 1-800-463-7297 and yes we do have about half our lines open. So it's a good program to call in if you want to get your question on the air. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Jëan Ross: And my name is Jëan Ross. Good evening listening friends. Good evening Pastor Doug.
Pastor Doug: Good evening. Now this morning we were both in the lone star state of Texas--
Pastor Jëan Ross: That's right, in Dallas.
Pastor Doug: --at the big, Christian conference where thousands attended this week; a very inspiring conference where people talked about and shared soul winning and witnessing, evangelism secrets, and stories and uh--
Pastor Jëan Ross: Absolutely inspiring [cross talk]
Pastor Doug: It was encouraging. So friends, we just want you to know we're dedicated to this program because we flew back quickly so that we could be here. It was kind of fun because we both had our families, or at least part of our families, on this trip, right?
Pastor Jëan Ross: That's right. Absolutely. Let's start with a word of prayer. Dear Father, once more as we open up Your word tonight, we ask for Your Holy Spirit's blessing. We ask that You would be with those listening and those that call in with questions. We recognize, Lord, that in order to understand Your word, we need Your guidance. Thank you for this time. In Jesus' name, amen.
Pastor Doug: Amen!
Pastor Jëan Ross: The program was open, Pastor Doug, by this remarkable story of a young man, Eugenio, who went windsurfing from Cuba to Florida, not something you hear about every day.
Pastor Doug: You know, when I first heard that story, just--you wanted to get up and cheer because somebody who would do something where--you know, frequently people get in boats together and they try to make it. Some lose their lives doing it but this young man launched out on his own. And I've been windsurfing before.
And you get out there in the water where you can barely see the shore and it gets a little spooky.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Absolutely!
Pastor Doug: To be out there and do it at night--
[Cross talk]
Pastor Jëan Ross: No compass?
Pastor Doug: --across the ocean. Well you know, I vaguely remember and I was looking for more of the information today when I assembled this amazing fact. But I think whenever he went out, he always took a little pack of fresh water because he used to go away from shore frequently.
And he may have even taken a compass, because some windsurfers, they know they can get blown out to sea if they're caught unprepared and you need to sort of navigate your way back. So he may have had a compass. I know he had some fresh water, but that's about it.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um mp
Pastor Doug: That's a pretty brave venture. And if the wind died and you get in a dead calm out there between the straits, you could drift who knows where?
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, it always amazes me what people will do for freedom. Something within us that we long for freedom, to do some daring things to have freedom; freedom to worship, freedom to pursue what they want to pursue in life--
Pastor Doug: That's right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: --just something within every human being.
Pastor Doug: And our friends who listen to this program know that we frequently close the program by saying, "Jesus is the truth that will set you free."
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: Christ came to set us free. One time when He mentioned this to some of His Jewish friends, they said, "We're children of Abraham. We've never been slaves to any man." Christ said, "Whoever sins is a slave to sin."
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: Jesus came into this world, He crossed the dark cosmos to save us who are trapped in this storm; and that's, of course, similar to the story there in the Bible where the disciples were caught out in that dark sea in the middle of the night. And Jesus walked alone across the sea to reach His friends and bring them to shore.
Jesus wants to save us. He wants to bring us to that shore of eternity and freedom. And He wants to do that for each person.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Absolutely. You know, we have a book that you wrote, Pastor Doug, dealing with this subject of what Jesus has done for us, to bring us freedom, crossing that stormy sea to bring peace and forgiveness. It's entitled, The Sign of Jonah. That's our free offer for tonight.
So anyone who would like it can call our resource number. The number is 1-800-835-6747. It's a book written by Pastor Doug. It's entitled, The Sign of Jonah.
Pastor Doug: Friends might be surprised, "What does Jonah have to do with Jesus and salvation?" But Jesus is the one who said, "As Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so I am to this generation." Jonah came to Nineveh to save this nation from destruction.
Matter of fact, Jonah went three days' journey, entered the city half a day, and then preached in 40 days it would be destroyed. Jesus, for three and a half years,--
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: --preached that if the people did not repent in 40 years, one generation, they would be destroyed. And that's what happened in 70 A.D. So it's an amazing study. Jonah was thrown overboard so the sailors might live. Christ was sacrificed that we might live. And there's a lot of amazing parallels and you might just enjoy this as a Bible study, as well as an inspiring look into the ministry of Jesus.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Again, the booklet is entitled, "The Sign of Jonah." By calling our resource number, 1-800-835-6747, you'll be able to get that book. Pastor Doug, our first Internet question today is, "Is it possible for someone who has sinned deliberately to come back to Christ and be forgiven?" And the verse that they have is Hebrews chapter 6, 4 through 8.
Pastor Doug: Alright, well let's read that verse to our friends. We frequently get questions on this verse because it can be troubling if it's read at first blush. Hebrews 6:4, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, And have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, If they fall away, to renew them again to repentance; since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put him to an open shame."
So someone is thinking, "Well here it says once a person is saved, if they backslide, how can they be renewed? It's impossible it sounds like." Well, I think that, first of all, you have to look at the Bible. Are there examples in the Bible of God's people who backslid that came back? Many appeals of the Lord are for the nation of Israel that backslid many times; and He said, "Return to me, O backsliding Israel and I'll forgive you."
So obviously, it is possible to repent and be saved from backsliding. Peter denied the Lord. He repented, was forgiven. David, major backsliding with Bathsheba and murder and was forgiven. And I could go through a whole litany of examples in the Bible.
But what is this saying then? Well Hebrews here, Paul is talking about if we are going to reject the best that God has to offer, if we have tasted the heavenly gift, if we've become partakers of the Holy Spirit, if that is not enough and we turn away from that, what more is God going to send to change us?
There really is nothing else. If He gives us the best and we embrace that and turn away from that, what is He going to offer?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: It's like when someone gets the best medicine and it doesn't kill the infection, what else is there?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Right
Pastor Doug: This is what it's saying, if we reject the best, it's impossible for anything else so we must embrace what God has sent.
Pastor Jëan Ross: So, even for those who have turned back deliberately, there is still hope?
Pastor Doug: Yeah, if there is no forgiveness for anybody who has deliberately sinned, then virtually everybody listening to the sound of my voice is doomed--
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: --because there is sin that is unintentional, and there is deliberate, presumptuous sin. They are sin. One is more offensive than the other, but neither of them are the unpardonable. And so the idea that if you deliberately sin there's no forgiveness, the Bible doesn't call that the unforgivable sin. Every other sin can be forgiven, Jesus said.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm, absolutely. So that gives hope.
Pastor Doug: Yes
Pastor Jëan Ross: Our next question here is, "The Bible says that Jesus was in the grave three days and three nights. How can three days and three nights fit between Friday and Sunday?"
Pastor Doug: Good question. We get that frequently. And by the way, that answer is given very thoroughly in the free offer for tonight, The Sign of Jonah. But very quickly we'll explain that. Many people assume, where Christ makes this statement in Matthew chapter 12, "As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Very naturally people assume "heart of the earth" must mean the tomb.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: But in reality, nowhere else in the Bible is the tomb, or a tomb, called the "heart of the earth."
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: The word there "heart" comes from the Greek word "cardio" or "cardia," where we get the word "cardiac arrest." It means "in the midst," the "middle." Christ was in the middle of this world suffering for the sins of the world in the grip of the devil, who's called the "prince of this world" for three days and three nights.
The penalty for sin is punishment and death. The penalty for sin is not just death. Jesus did not just close His eyes and die on the cross. He suffered and died. And for three days and three nights, He bore our penalty. He did not start paying our penalty when the nails pierced His hands. He started suffering Thursday night when the mob arrested Him.
And the spit on Him and they beat Him. So Jesus was in the "heart of the earth," meaning the clutches of the dark world, for three days and three nights like Jonah was in the digestive system of that sea monster.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: Jesus was in the clutches of a lost world. So "heart of the earth" does not mean the tomb. That's where the confusion comes in. When we say the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done, in earth," doesn't mean in the tomb.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: It means in the world. So hopefully that helps. There's more in the book. Do we have a station to welcome Pastor?
Pastor Jëan Ross: We do. We have a station that's joining us in North Dakota. It's Minot. It's KSAF 104.1 FM. So if there's anyone listening from Minot, North Dakota, we hope you'll give us a call. Call in your Bible question.
Pastor Doug: Amen, would love to have you tune in!
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well let's go to the phone lines. Our first caller, Joseph, calling from New York listening on WMCA. Welcome to the program Joseph.
Joseph: Good evening gentlemen and thank you both for being there.
Pastor Doug: Thank you, and your question?
Joseph: My question is that I read about the Holy Spirit appearing as a dove on the shoulder of Jesus when He was baptized. Did the Holy Spirit appear much in the Old Testament, specifically, did He appear as the burning bush to Moses?
Pastor Doug: Well, that is a good question. Sometimes the Holy Spirit appeared as fire. For instance, in Acts chapter 2, when the Holy Spirit baptized the disciples, it came as tongues of fire. Probably one reason the Holy Spirit took on the form of a tongue is because they then received the gift of tongues. They were given power of speech. And so fire often represents power.
The burning bush is an interesting symbol. It's different, I think, in that the fact that that bush burned but it was not consumed is something like a symbol of Israel. Though they went through fiery trials and it appeared like they would be extinguished, they weren't consumed. Peter says don't be amazed at the fiery trials that try you; but what it really does is the gold comes out.
So was it a symbol of the Holy Spirit? Not really. I don't think it says that. I think it was talking more about how God saves His people through fire because that burning bush was where He
spoke to Moses in the context of "we're going to bring them out of the furnace Egypt." So in that particular instance, I don't think it represented the Spirit.
But, let me think, are there other symbols for the Holy Spirit? Well, the oil, in the Holy Spirit. When they anointed the king it was a symbol of the Holy Spirit. You know, they would pour oil--
Joseph: Yes
Pastor Doug: --and that was a symbol for the anointing of the Spirit.
Joseph: In the Old Testament.
Pastor Doug: Yeah. Hope that helps a little Joseph.
Joseph: It did. Thank you so much.
Pastor Doug: Okay, you're welcome.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thanks for calling Joseph. Our next caller is Robert listening on KIRF in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Welcome to the program.
Robert: Thank you. Concerning Daniel 11:40 through 45--
Pastor Doug: Yes
Robert: --assuming the United States as a power element of the king of the north and Islam part of the king of the south, this prophecy is now being fulfilled because the United States is covering and sustaining Israel, as indicated in verse 45 for sure.
Pastor Doug: You know, it's interesting, Robert, you would ask that question because tonight I got back from Texas. I went to my computer and I looked up this very verse that you're asking about. Now isn't that strange? I just felt impressed to look that up. Now I don't know that I entirely agree with you about some of the equations--and Pastor Ross is invited to chime in here.
This passage of Daniel chapter 11, matter of fact, you can read from 35 to the end of the chapter, is a very deep and sometimes confusing chapter. One thing that came to my attention is the very last verse in the chapter, where it says, "And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas."
Now that position, "between the seas," is not talking about the Atlantic and the Pacific. It's talking about the Mediterranean and the Sea of Galilee. Jerusalem, where the temple is, was called "the place between the seas" because if you look on a map, it's somewhat stationed in the mountainous region between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean.
And so it's talking about the "glorious holy mountain." Obviously, that's talking about Mount Zion. This is, I think, a parallel with how, in the last days, this power is going to plant himself in the position of the holy. This sounds like what you find in--oh help me Jëan--is it 2nd Thessalonians where it says, "that wicked one will sit in the temple of God, showing himself he is God"? 2nd Thessalonians 2 or 1st Thessalonians?
Pastor Jëan Ross: I think it might be 2nd.
Pastor Doug: 2nd Thessalonians 2, "sitting in the temple of God, showing himself he is God." That verse, Robert, is a parallel with verse 45. Now for our listening friends, I think one thing Robert is asking about, it is interesting that Edom, Moab, Ammon, Egypt, Libya, and the Ethiopians are all largely Islamic nations. Now, of course, not all the Ethiopians are. They're Coptic, but many of them are.
These Islamic nations, Edom, Moab and Ammon surrounded Israel. They occupy some of the area that's now held by Syria and Jordan. And it is interesting that in the next verses after it talks about these five, almost exclusively Islamic nations, it says Michael will stand up and there will be a great time of trouble. In verse 45 it talks about annihilation. It says, verse 44, "great fury to destroy, and annihilate many."
I was reading these verses wondering myself today, Robert; and you know what? I have to every now and then say on Bible Answers Live I don't have all the answers.
Robert: Yeah
Pastor Doug: And this is one of the passages I'm studying right now to understand.
Robert: Yeah. What I was thinking about was that just like when Israel left Egypt, they were protected by God with the column of the cloud. And He asked them to have the festival of tabernacles--
Pastor Doug: Yes
Robert: --and celebrate it all through their history; and that was to commemorate where God sustained them through their travel when they left Egypt. And I was thinking that the United States has been there to support Israel every since it became a nation back in '48, or whatever.
Pastor Doug: Right, 1948.
Robert: And so it is protecting, or covering, the people borderline just like the people were protected by God. Only the United States is being placed by God to protected these people.
Pastor Doug: Yeah. Well there's no question in my mind that these verses are talking about the last days because the next thing you find in chapter 12 is the great time of trouble, Michael standing up, the resurrection, and the very final events. So I think that everybody would do well to study these things prayerfully and carefully.
I wish I could take more time with this but this is a deep subject; and we need to try and get a couple more calls in Robert, but good question.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thank you for calling Robert.
Pastor Doug: Very relevant question.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Absolutely. Frank, welcome to the program, listening from Liverpool, New York.
Frank: Yes, hello?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi Frank
Pastor Doug: You're on the air Frank. Are you with us?
Frank: Yeah, hello Pastor Doug and Pastor Jëan.
Pastor Doug: Your question?
Frank: Yes, about the true Hebrew name of Jesus--
Pastor Doug: Yes
Frank: I was told in, I think the book of Zechariah, where it said Satan came before Joshua. And they say the Hebrew name for Jesus is Yeshua and that it's not really Joshua, but it's Jesus because Jesus is the real High Priest. Should we call God Yahweh instead of Lord, or is this just something that you do if you want to? Is this something really important or...?
Pastor Doug: That's a good question. Can you get on the Internet Frank?
Frank: Yes
Pastor Doug: If you go to the Amazing Facts' website, I wrote an article about this a couple of years ago called, The Name of God. I go into more detail. The reason I mention that is because I get into some of the technical information on the pictured gammatron, the sacred letters of God and the history of God's name and how there is some mystery today about the exact pronunciation.
Frank: Yes
Pastor Doug: Of course, Jehovah Witnesses would disagree with some of my friends that think that the name of Yahweh... There is no question that Mary and Joseph did not call Jesus "Jesus." They didn't speak Greek. They spoke Aramaic and they called Him Yeshua--
Frank: Yeah
Pastor Doug: --or something very close to that. The bigger question is when we address God is it required for us to address God in a foreign language or in our own tongue? And have you ever tried to pronounce some of the words in the Hebrew? I know when I tried to speak Spanish I can't roll my "R’s" the right way. And I tease Pastor Ross because he speaks South African English and I speak American English.
Pastor Jëan Ross: [Laughs]
Pastor Doug: And he said he never had an accent until he came to America.
Pastor Jëan Ross: And everyone has accents over here.
Pastor Doug: Yeah [chuckles]. So some people have made a big issue about must we pronounce the name of Jesus in the original Hebrew tongue. Some people struggle just to, you know, wrap their tongues around some of these Hebrew words. I think the Lord wants us to address Him in the names that are in our own tongue.
That's why the gift of tongues was given so that we can use our native tongues to speak the language.
Frank: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: But there are many names for God in the Bible. You're aware, of course, that Jesus, I think in Revelation, has probably got 44 different titles that He appears under. Everything from the Bread to the Living Water, the Alpha, the Omega, the Lamb, and I could go on and on. So I think we've got to be careful not to turn a small thing into a mountain.
Some people have done that with the doctrine around the name of the Lord and it has become, I think, a big distraction.
Frank: Yeah
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, even in our languages today we have the names of people. For example, John in English; but it's a different pronunciation. I know my name is Jëan. It's John in French.
Pastor Doug: It took me forever to say your name right.
[Cross talk]
Frank: Yeah, in French Jëan is Jean.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Right, or Jëan. And then you have the Spanish version as well. So--
Pastor Doug: Juan.
Pastor Jëan Ross: --different pronunciations but the same name.
Pastor Doug: So I really don't think God is up in heaven, Frank, looking down and saying, "I'm not answering you until you can pronounce it correctly." You see what I'm saying?
Frank: Yes
Pastor Doug: So I wouldn't get distracted with some of these dear folks who are making that a big issue.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: The big issue is that we follow what we do understand, not how we utter His name.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Absolutely.
Frank: Alright, thank you Pastor Doug.
Pastor Doug: Alright
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright, thanks for calling Frank. Our next caller is Rich and he's listening on the Internet, calling from Scio, if I pronounced that right, in Oregon. Welcome to the program Rich.
Rich: It's Scio.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Scio, alright.
Pastor Doug: See? There we go talking about how hard it is to pronounce things [cross talk, laughter]. And your question?
Rich: Well I want to know does God wink at individuals that are committing a sin, knowing it's a sin, when they're doing a greater work for the Lord of winning souls?
Pastor Doug: Well let's look at that- -
Rich: I could give you examples but,--
Pastor Doug: --go ahead. Do you want to give uh, don't give a personal name but you might give an example if you want.
Rich: Well an individual, say he's an evangelist or whatever, committing a sin of some sort, yet he's winning souls to the Lord. Or someone smuggling Bibles into a country and thus winning souls, you know, by smuggling these things and lying to the, knowing it's illegal to do it, yet lies about whether or not they have Bibles.
Pastor Doug: Right. I think I know where you're coming from. Well let me read the verse that I think you're referring to. It's Acts 17, verse 30. "Truly the times of ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent." That means if someone doesn't know the Lord might wink.
There are people who are very sincerely doing the best they can do for God and maybe that have not been convicted or they don't understand that they're using some questionable means to try to do God's work. God might be blessing them because they don't know better.
An example would be when Rahab, the harlot, lied to the soldiers in Jericho and saying, "Well I don't know where they are, the two spies from Joshua. If you run out the gate, you might catch them. They went out...." I mean, it's a big, fat lie. [Cross talk] But God forgave her because here she was a pagan Canaanite and she was doing her best to try to protect the servants of God, but she was using unethical means to do it.
Rich: Right
Pastor Doug: So is that similar to what you're talking about?
Rich: Well no, but someone that--a believer--and is knowingly committing a sin but justifies it by saying, "Well the greater good is coming"--
Pastor Doug: Well they are accountable for disobeying their conscience; but God can still use those Bibles to save people. In other words, those Bibles are not cursed. For instance, the Bible tells us God can speak through a donkey but that doesn't mean donkeys are going to heaven.
Rich: Yeah, but, okay. Well....
[Cross talk]
Pastor Doug: And so it doesn't justify--yeah
Pastor Jëan Ross: In other words, the end doesn't always justify the means.
Pastor Doug: Exactly
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, Jesus is an example and He never used the seeds of dissension.
Rich: Well that's what I'm getting at. And so they wouldn't really wink at these sins. I mean, even though they're doing a greater good, uh--
Pastor Doug: Oh that's right.
Rich: The ends doesn't justify the means.
Pastor Doug: No it doesn't. I'm simply saying that God can still bless the people that are benefiting from what this evangelist or these people are doing.
Rich: Right
Pastor Doug: But God doesn't--it doesn't mean that He's going to overlook these things. And you would think that He would want them to repent, change their tactics. Hope that helps a little bit Rich. Good question though.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thanks for calling Rich. That's a good question, yes. Let's go to our next caller calling from Sun Valley, California. Welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: Joaquin, are you there?
Joaquin: I'm there.
Pastor Doug: Hi, your question?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Hi
Joaquin: Yes, I have a question about the 144,000. I read your book and was doing a study on it. I was curious if they are the only ones going to be raptured?
Pastor Doug: Alright. You'll need to get a little closer to your phone, but I think I heard the question. You're wanting to know if the 144,000 are the only ones raptured?
Joaquin: Yes
Pastor Doug: Alright, before I go any further, don't forget to write down our resource number because I've written a book on the 144,000. I'll send you a free copy of that. It goes into detail--
Joaquin: Oh, I read it, I read it.
Pastor Doug: Well then you know where I'm coming from.
Joaquin: [Laughs] I do.
Pastor Doug: I think there are many others that are saved when Jesus comes besides the 144,000. The 144,000 are, in the last days Joaquin, what the apostles were when Jesus came the first time. The apostles were 12 disciples that were specially filled with the Spirit, but they weren't the only ones saved. They were the leaders.
Twelve in the Bible is typically a number for leadership: 12 tribes, 12 judges, 12 patriarchs, the 12 apostles. So the 144,000 is 12 x 12,000. God is going to use that number to raise up a great multitude; and you find that in Revelation chapter 7. Oh I hate to cut you off without giving you a chance to respond, but the music is telling us that break is coming. We can't stop that.
Friends, it is just that, a break. We're not going away. This is where we build up our steam for the second half of the program. It's still not too late to call. We've got lines open, 1-800-GOD-SAYS, if you have a question, 1-800-463-7297. In the meantime, you might jot down Amazing Facts, our website, a lot of resources there that will help you. We'll be right back.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Doug: If you are among those who have been listening, welcome back. If you are just joining us and wondering what you're listening to, this is Bible Answers Live. It is a live, international, interactive Bible study and we have people calling from across the country and occasionally overseas who are listening to the program and asking questions about the word of God and what is truth.
If you have a question for tonight's program, the number again is 1-800-GOD-SAYS, that's 1-800-463-7297. Keep a pencil handy. You'll be glad you did because we have some valuable free things to share with you to help you in your personal devotions and witnessing, sharing your faith.
Pastor Ross, we've got something exciting on the horizon that we've mentioned before. If you haven't heard yet friends, Amazing Facts is going to be on the PAX Network, formerly called the PAX Network, it's I-TV. It'll be a national, prime time broadcast on September 11. We hope that you'll mark your calendars and tell all your friends and enemies to tune in.
This program is called the Final Events of Prophecy; and especially in the context of what's happening in the headlines right now in the Middle East, you know I just heard rumblings today that Hezbollah is talking about joining forces with Al Queda and maybe even Hamas to carry on the fight against Israel, and America I guess, indirectly.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Right
Pastor Doug: But these are very interesting times. Tune in to that program, the Final Events of Bible Prophecy, 7:00 pm Eastern and Pacific time on I-TV, that's the former PAX Network, 91 million homes, and I'll be there with my good friend Dr. Dwight Nelson. In that program we're going to talk about the final events of Bible prophecy.
We are offering people a free, 45-minute DVD explaining last-day Bible prophecy and encouraging them to tune into the 10-day seminar that will follow beginning that Friday, which is the 15th of September. There's a website you can go to where you can get more information about that. It's simply called the Most Amazing Prophecies. That's the name of the program. The website is mostamazingprophecies.com.
You can find out churches and locations in your area where you can view this live satellite prophecy seminar that will be for 10 days. So September 11th, 7:00 pm, 30-minute program, Final Events of Prophecy. September 15th through 23rd, the Most Amazing Prophecies. Maybe you'd like to register your church and have them be one of the down links sites. You can find out more about that there.
That's my commercial. I hope people will take advantage of it.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright, well that's a good commercial. We're looking forward to that. It'll be here before we know it.
Pastor Doug: We're excited!
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yeah!
Pastor Doug: We've already taped the half an hour program and I watched it.
Pastor Jëan Ross: So that's ready to go huh?
Pastor Doug: I got goose bumps. I thought, "Boy, this is so timely right now."
Pastor Jëan Ross: Oh absolutely. We just see that happening in the world today. Let's go to the phone lines. Francis, listening on WMCA, Baldwin, New York. Welcome to the program.
Francis: Good evening Pastor Doug.
Pastor Doug: Good evening Francis, and your question tonight?
Francis: What did Christ mean by He's the Lord of the Sabbath? I keep running across a lot of people that ask.
Pastor Doug: That's a good question. Well Jesus said, in the whole sentence, He says, "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath." In other words, God did not create the Sabbath day and say, "Now I think I'll make a man to serve the Sabbath." God made man first, then He made the Sabbath to be a blessing to man.
Back in the time of Christ, people were acting like we existed to serve the Sabbath. Well the Sabbath is to be a blessing to man. And then Jesus said, "I am the one who created all things;" 1st John and John chapter 1 tell us all things that were made were made by Him. Christ is the Creator. Who is it, then, that created the Sabbath? Jesus.
So when He says, "I am the Lord of the Sabbath day," He's the creator of all things; so for them to accuse Him of Sabbath-breaking was really absurd.
Francis: Okay that sounds good.
Pastor Doug: Hope that helps. I think it's a simple answer but it's the truth.
Francis: Okay then. Thank you.
Pastor Doug: God bless.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thank you for calling Francis. Next caller, David from Victorville, California, listening on KTIE. Welcome to the program David.
David: Good evening Pastors. How are you?
Pastor Doug: Good. How can we help you tonight?
David: In the book of Ezekiel chapter 40 tells of the rebuilding of the temple, I suppose. I've had this question brought forth to me. What is this temple that is being rebuilt, is the best question I can ask?
Pastor Doug: Alright. Good question. By the way, and Pastor Ross will help me find the reference in Revelation where it talks about measuring the temple.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Revelation 11.
Pastor Doug: Revelation 11, thank you very much. You have to read Ezekiel and Revelation together, just like Daniel and Revelation.
David: Okay
Pastor Doug: There are two meanings for the temple. The Old Testament temple was a dwelling place of God. It was a building.
David: Correct
Pastor Doug: Christ said Destroy this temple made with hands and in three days I'll raise it up. He spoke of His body. The church is the body of Christ. The Bible tells us that you and I are living stones in the temple. We are built up to a spiritual habitation. Christ is the Cornerstone. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit; but the church collectively.
Paul says, "What? Don't you know ye are the temple of God?" So, measuring the temple of God represents a judging of God's people that takes place. It's not that angels are going around in heaven with Stanley tape measures trying to figure out how big the temple is. It's talking about God's people. The Lord wants to inhabit His people. We are the temple of God.
And Ezekiel is talking about a time when God's people would be judged. Is that your understanding?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yes Pastor Doug. You know, you mentioned this measuring and it's interesting. In Ezekiel and then also in Revelation 11 it talks about a rod and the temple was measured by this rod. The rod is the standard.
Pastor Doug: Exactly
Pastor Jëan Ross: And this measuring is this judging. What's the standard in the judgment? It's the law of God.
Pastor Doug: The law of God.
Pastor Jëan Ross: That's the rod.
Pastor Doug: Good point.
Pastor Jëan Ross: It's a very interesting point there in Revelation 11 as well as Ezekiel, this measuring, this special time of judgment that takes place.
Pastor Doug: You'll find, David, that there are a lot of repeats of what you find in Ezekiel in Revelation. Ezekiel talks about the river that flows from the throne. It talks about the tree of life with all the different fruit and the leaves for healing- -
David: Right
Pastor Doug: - -and a lot of parallels. So as you read Revelation in connection with Ezekiel, it just adds a whole new dimension that opens it up. That's a quick answer for a big question. I hope that helps a little bit.
David: No you guys are always great and I appreciate so much of what you do and the truth that you bring forth.
Pastor Doug: Well praise the Lord.
David: And we just wish--exactly. God bless you both.
Pastor Doug: Thanks so much David.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thanks for calling. Our next caller is listening on the Internet. Nahum, Jacksonville, North Carolina, welcome to the program.
Nahum: Gentlemen, good evening.
Pastor Doug and Pastor Jëan Ross: Good evening
Pastor Doug: You've got a good Bible name.
Nahum: Yeah, yes sir. I have noticed on the website that Pastor Doug doesn't have a wedding ring. And my question is what does the Bible say about wedding or engagement rings? And is it okay for me to give a wedding ring as a sign of love and commitment?
Pastor Doug: Well some people might think that Pastor Batchelor doesn't have a wedding ring because bachelors don't wear wedding rings. But I am married. I'm a married Batchelor. My wife is the only person you'll ever meet that got married and became a Batchelor. But really, I like to be a Bible Christian and you really find nothing in the Bible that says anything about a wedding ring.
The wedding rings are a tradition that--you know--they are, of course, very popular and very common. It's interesting that it has spread now to China and Japan and places where they never wore wedding rings because it has come from the Western culture.
Originally, it dates back almost to Babylon, ancient Babylon and when a woman lost her virginity, she would have a ring on the finger that signified that she was either owned as a slave or concubine, or spoken for. That transitioned then to Egypt and to Rome. From Rome it found its way into the Roman church; and then it sort of became a standard for Europe during that time.
So, I don't wear any jewelry. I believe there will be plenty of people in heaven that wore wedding rings and wore jewelry. My convictions are that the Bible says, "Let it not be the outward adorning." A lot of Christians put on what they call "Christian jewelry." For me, that's an oxymoron because the Bible tells us that we should be simple and humble and not ostentatious.
Paul says, "Let it not be the gold and pearls and costly array but let it be the hidden man in the heart." So, you know, that's one of the reasons. It's just my extreme position. I just don't wear any jewelry. [Cross talk] I don't wear a tie clip, excuse me?
Nahum: It's pretty much up to the Christian to wear one if, you know, [cross talk]
Pastor Doug: I think there's Scripture on this. Matter of fact, you know what I think is the best answer? If you want get a study on it--I did a study because I get a lot of questions on this--and it's called, "Jewelry: How Much is Too Much?" Let me send you a free copy of that book Nahum. "Jewelry: How Much is Too Much?" Read that and let me know what you think.
It doesn't all deal with wedding rings and engagement rings but it talks about the principle of Christian attire, jewelry, adornment. And there's a lot of Bible on that subject.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Nahum, the number to call for that book is 1-800-835-6747. And for anyone listening, if you'd like more information on what does the Bible have to say about jewelry--
Pastor Doug: They can actually read that, pardon me.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Can they get it online? [Cross talk]
Pastor Doug: They can read it for free online if they'd like, yeah. Just go to amazingfacts.org.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yup, great. "Jewelry: How Much is Too Much?" is the name of the book. Our next caller is Isaac listening on the Internet from Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: Isaac, are you there?
Isaac: Yeah, I'm right here.
Pastor Doug: Is there a place called Egg Harbor, New Jersey?
Isaac: Actually it's called Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um m!
Pastor Doug: Wow
Isaac: Yeah
Pastor Jëan Ross: Never heard of an Egg Harbor before.
Pastor Doug: You just wonder what the harbor smells like, but anyway, go ahead.
Isaac: Okay. First, I'd like to say I read your book, your testimony, and I love it, and I love what you're doing for God.
Pastor Doug: Well bless your heart, thank you. And your question tonight?
Isaac: Okay. My question is I am a Christian now and I know that God wants us to have our sins forgiven before Jesus comes. And I've been studying, and I know that I need to have them forgiven, but I'm puzzled because I'm wondering if God wants me to forgive them one at a time? I need to remember every sin one at a time? Or, should I forgive them all at once? A lot of people have been telling me things, like, I should forgive them one at a time and they've been using verses. And other people have been telling me all at once. And then, I am baptized. And I was baptized around 10 years old. And when you get baptized, I know that you are a new creature. So I'm wondering if I should get baptized again too, or, I'm not sure, and uh--
Pastor Doug: How old are you Isaac? Isaac, do you mind if I ask how old you are?
Isaac: 14
Pastor Doug: Alright. You got baptized at 10 and someone is already wondering if you should get re-baptized?
Isaac: I'm wondering.
Pastor Doug: Well I wouldn't worry about that just yet. First of all, you're going through a tremendous time of transition in your life and you'll want to get through the rapids before you try to bake a cake. And so, you know, go through this transition time that you're going through right now in your life. You're going to do a lot of growing spiritually and you'll have a lot of challenges.
When you first come to the Lord and you're baptized, you experience complete forgiveness through faith, it's justification. Now it's in Luke chapter 18, and Pastor Ross might find the
verse for me, where Jesus said two men went to the temple to pray, one a publican and the other one a Pharisee.
The publican, he just says, "Lord have mercy on me a sinner." His prayer does not go into every sin he has committed. Jesus said, "That man went down to his house justified." That means he had been made just, meaning his sins were forgiven. He said, "I am a sinner" and the Lord forgave him.
Peter said, "Lord depart from me; I am a sinful man." Jesus said, "Don't be afraid; from now on you're going to catch men." So when you first come to the Lord, the Lord offers us a complete covering of all our sins. Then as you walk with the Lord in sanctification, the Holy Spirit may bring to your attention specifics that need confession and forsaking.
There may even be things in the past you hadn't thought of before and it's healthy for you to clear out those cobwebs, confess and forsake those things; and that's sanctification. So there's an ongoing work of confession as the Holy Spirit reveals things to you and the word of God, and forsaking, and a renewed cleansing every day. Paul said, "I die daily." We should take advantage of the blood of Christ every day.
But when you first come to Christ, there is a universal forgiveness that He offers under justification.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yeah absolutely. Can you imagine trying to recall every sin you've ever committed in order to try and ask for forgiveness?
Pastor Doug: I don't know if I could remember last month [laughs]
Pastor Jëan Ross: [Laughs]
Isaac: Yeah
Pastor Jëan Ross: Fortunately, yes. We can have confidence in the verse in 1st John 1:9 that if we confess our sins He's faithful and just to forgive us. Even if we can't remember the specifics, we can say, "Lord, you know my heart and [cross talk], forgive me."
Pastor Doug: And it is a good thing when you first come to the Lord to confess your sins in a general sense. You might start by just going to the Ten Commandments and say, "Lord, forgive me for lying. Forgive me for anything I've stolen. Forgive me for impure thoughts." You know what I'm saying?
Isaac: Yes
Pastor Doug: "Forgive me for anger and wanting to kill someone in my heart." And so you can just go through that list, because God expects us to, maybe, be specific with the general categories but I don't remember every dishonest thing I said in my life. But I do know that I was a liar, so I can say, "Lord forgive me for lying."
So that's one way to do that. But when you first come to the Lord, it's good to repent and confess but He gives you complete forgiveness. That's a good question Isaac and hope that helps a little.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Thanks for calling Isaac. We appreciate it. Our next caller is Dora listening on WMCA, Brooklyn, New York. Welcome to the program.
Dora: Hi, thank you so much for taking my call. I just have a quick question. This is in reference to Exodus chapter 25, verses 2 through 8. It states that God speaks of His love for Israel and I want to know why did He choose Israel when He spoke to Moses?
Pastor Doug: Well God chose Israel for--of course, first of all, He chose Abraham because of Abraham's faith. Abraham was willing to come out. Matter of fact, I understand the word "Hebrew" means "one who crossed over." Abraham crossed over the Euphrates. He left the gods that his fathers were worshiping in preference for the true God of creation.
Israel, of course, was the new name given to Jacob. And Israel was chosen because they were to be the people that were to introduce the Messiah to the world. Keep in mind friends, Hebrews, Israel and Jews are all not necessarily the same. The 10 tribes of Israel were carried off to Assyria.
Anyone related to Abraham is a Hebrew. Technically, even the descendants of Ishmael were Hebrews.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: They were people who practiced circumcision that were descendants of--no one thinks of it that way anymore; but that used to be their own definition. But Jews are from the tribe of Judah. And so, principally in Israel today you don't have the 10 tribes. You've got the descendants of Judah, Benjamin and Levi that lived there. Those are the ones we typically thing of as Jews in the world today.
God called the nation of Israel and then the house of David from the tribe of Judah to introduce the Messiah to the world. They did that. Acts chapter 2, when the Holy Spirit poured out, the 12 disciples were all Jews. They introduced Christ. It was spread through the world and then it went to the Gentiles. And it was taken to the Gentiles by Jews.
So, are you there? Oh, I think we need to--do we lose her?
Pastor Jëan Ross: We might have. Dora, are we there?
Dora: Yes [cross talking]
Pastor Doug: Yeah we lost you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Sorry about that. Yes. Did you hear the answer?
Dora: That's okay. Yes, yes that definitely answered my question. I definitely appreciate it.
Pastor Doug: Now I've got a booklet. We'll send you a copy if you want it and I wrote it with another Jewish friend called Steve Wohlberg. Matter of fact, I was at the airport with Steve today.
Dora: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: And it's called, Spiritual Israel--
Dora: Oh great!
Pastor Doug: --and it talks about both the church as Israel and Israel today and what the roles are. If you want a free copy of that just call the resource number.
Dora: Sure. I'll definitely appreciate it.
Pastor Jëan Ross: If you have a pencil, it's 1-800-835-6747. That's the number to call and the book that Pastor Doug wrote is, Spiritual Israel, dealing with that important question. Our next caller is Marcus. He's listening on the Internet from North Carolina. Welcome to the program Marcus.
Marcus: Thank you so much. Okay. My question is about braiding your hair. I understand there's a Bible verse about braiding your hair and wanted to know if that was relevant to today?
Pastor Doug: Yeah, let me read this here. It's in 1st Peter chapter 3, verse 3, "Do not let your adornment be the outward arranging of the hair, wearing of gold, or putting on of fine apparel." Now if you read this verse in the King James Version--and this is what has thrown some people.
It says, "Let not the adorning be the plaiting of the hair." They had a custom back in the Roman occupation of the world, or during the time of Rome, where prostitutes would actually weave gold chains and things into their hair. And some women wanted to top that and they thought that it was very beautiful and they were braiding gold into their hair.
There was nothing intrinsically wrong with braiding. It's a practical thing for women to sometimes keep their hair long without it getting caught in everything. So it wasn't a mandate that there's anything sinful about a braid. It was talking about the embroidering of the hair they were doing, the embellishing of their hair. They were putting more attention in the outward adorning than the inward adorning.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, in 1st Timothy chapter 2, verse 9, it also talks about the broided hair but it includes there, "gold, pearls, costly array." And just like Pastor Doug says where the gold was woven into the hair is a form of jewelry that was used.
Marcus: Okay, so there's nothing exactly wrong with braiding without the gold, the jewelry and all the stuff that they were using at that time.
Pastor Doug: Right. The whole principle is for Christians to be flamboyant and ostentatious to attract attention to ourselves. And let's face it you know, some men and women are tempted with vanity to try and outdo each other with the latest hairdos, the dos. I don't worry about that. I have no hair so it's never a temptation for me.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright, thank you so much Marcus for calling. Our next caller is McKenzie listening from Queens, New York on WMCA. Welcome to the program.
McKenzie: Hi Pastor Doug, good evening.
Pastor Doug: Good evening. Thank you for calling.
McKenzie: God bless you and the other Pastor. Pastor, I have a question for you. I love the Lord; and I read the book of Revelation twice.
Pastor Doug: Okay
McKenzie: And my mouth fell open the second time. This is the question, but I'm going to just say something quick. When Satan, the dragon, tried to drown the woman, which was Israel and kill her son, which was Jesus, what fascinated me was when the surrounding nations, the Arab nations, the Muslim nations, that they're trying to eliminate Israel, when they said that they want to drive Israel into the sea.
Pastor Doug: Right
McKenzie: Can you equate that with the dragon still aiming at this war in Israel to water?
[Cross talk]
Pastor Doug: Well, I'm going to try to give you a quick answer. Revelation chapter 12 is the verses that you're talking about where the dragon, which is the devil, tries to destroy the woman, which is principally the church. Now, that woman was Israel, and that Israel is also--of course--includes God's people, the church now.
McKenzie: Amen
Pastor Doug: In the Old Testament you've got the 12 tribes. The New Testament you've got the 12 apostles. And so in the Old Testament God's church fled from Egypt into the wilderness; and in the New Testament it says there that the woman fled into the wilderness and God fed her there. God fed Israel in the Old Testament. So there are a lot of parallels between the Old and New Testament church and the devil trying to destroy her.
The first prophecy in the Bible, McKenzie, do you know what it is, the very first prophecy? Genesis chapter 3, verse 15. It says, "I'll put enmity between thee and the woman." God is speaking to the serpent, the dragon. "I'll put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed." Jesus is the seed of the woman that the dragon, the serpent, wants to destroy.
So you're asking, more specifically, maybe about what's happening in the headlines and does that woman represent Israel. Well there's no question that Israel has enemies that would love to eradicate them from that territory. But I think there's a deeper meaning, and it's talking about that woman as God's church, whether they're Jews or Gentiles, that the devil wants to drown.
The flood in the Bible is people. If you read in Revelation, McKenzie, chapter 17, I forget what verse that is.
Pastor Jëan Ross: 15.
Pastor Doug: Verse 15, Revelation 17, verse 15. It says, "The waters that you saw...are multitudes of nations, and tongues, and people." These nations represent the flood that is trying to attack. Sometimes in the Bible God talks about a lot of people as a flood. Daniel chapter 9 refers to them with a flood.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Um-hmm
Pastor Doug: And it's talking about armies. So, you're on the right track; but don't just confine it to literal Israel.
McKenzie: Okay
Pastor Doug: It's broader. It deals with a battle between the dragon and the church.
McKenzie: But we as Christians should also support the state of Israel though because our Savior came through that, you know--
Pastor Doug: That royal seed.
McKenzie: Right
Pastor Doug: Well, that's right. I do believe that God has a special work for Israel, and there's no question that the prophecies--God said He was giving territory to Abraham, right?
McKenzie: Right
Pastor Doug: You'd enjoy that book that I offered a minute ago called, Spiritual Israel. If you want a free copy of that McKenzie, just call the resource number. We'll send it out to you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Let me give that number again. It's 1-800-835-6747. Our next caller is Bob calling from Washington listening on KCSH. Welcome to the program Bob.
Bob: Thank you Pastor. Hey Pastor, I got a question for you. Kind of got a little bit of a bur under my saddle. I'm hoping you can help my wife and I remove it. We've always gone to churches that have elected their deacons and elders. The church we're in now we've been going about three years and we love it. We just want to stay in unity with the body. The Pastor appoints all the deacons and elders. Now, I've looked in the Bible and had seen the qualifications for elders, but I can't seem to find anything in terms of the process to how they should be appointed that's Biblically-based and not based upon tradition. Can you help me out with that at all?
Pastor Doug: You know, I do think there's a Bible precedent. I see Pastor Ross typing. Matter of fact, Paul talks about appointing bishops I think. It is true that some of the apostles would appoint people; but what they were doing is ratifying the recommendations of the church body.
Bob: Right
Pastor Doug: In our church, for instance, the Pastors do sit with the nominating committee and they make suggestions. And people have a lot of respect for the input of the Pastor, but the members are there as a family to recommend and to pick the people that they want to nominate. Then it's brought to the entire church body. Even the Pastor's choices, if he should highly recommend someone, it has to be approved by the church body, because uh--
Bob: That's what I'm used to.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, well I think that's a healthier program. The problem is because you could otherwise get a Pastor that creates a power block of just handpicking those who agree with him; and he can have some eccentric teachings or something. He's just trying to shut down any opposition; and that's not always healthy because it provides checks and balances that the body is also involved in endorsing those choices.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, I think an important principle is that it's the Holy Spirit that basically chooses who's going to hold what office and the Holy Spirit works through individuals.
Bob: Right
Pastor Jëan Ross: And so in a church setting where different individuals gather together and names are nominated, that's the Holy Spirit working--
[Cross talk, unintelligible]
Pastor Doug: I'll give you another verse. I'll tell you the verse and Pastor Ross will tell you where it is. It's, "In the multitude of counsel there is safety." That is in Proverbs somewhere.
Bob: Right
Pastor Doug: If you read the whole book, you'll find it.
Bob: It is in Proverbs, yup.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, so--
Bob: You're right.
Pastor Doug: --if any one person is making the decision, there's some risk because one's person's judgment could be off. But in the multitude of Christian, godly counsel, that's where your safety is. And that's why I think the whole body should be involved.
I am sorry Bob. I hope that helped a little bit. We ran out of time; and if we did not get to your question tonight friends who've been waiting, please give us another chance. Forgive us. Call us back. God willing, we will be here again for more Bible answers this coming week.
Keep in mind that--did you ever find that verse?
Pastor Jëan Ross: I'm looking it up.
Pastor Doug: [Laughs]
Pastor Jëan Ross: I can't get it on my computer here.
Pastor Doug: Keep in mind friends that there's a lot more. You can listen to these programs there by going to the Amazing Facts website. You can watch our TV programs at the Amazing Facts website. Find out about all of the other studies that we have. We're there to serve you. The main reason we're doing what we do is not just to get the details out. We want you to know, personally, Jesus, the truth that will set you free.
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