Hello friends. How about an amazing fact? One stormy night in 1910 a group of traveling musicians arrived at the city of Riga on the Baltic Sea to fulfill a concert engagement. The weather was so bad that the conductor tried to persuade the manager of the hall to cancel the concert. He felt sure that no one would venture out on such a rainy night.
The manager refused to cancel. But, he did agree that if no one turned up the orchestra could leave early in order to catch the night boat bound for Helsinki in Finland. When the musicians arrived at the concert hall they found only one person sitting in the audience. A stout old man who seemed to smile at everyone. Because of this old man the musicians were forced to play the entire concert and weren’t able to leave early to catch the boat.
After the concert was over the old man continued sitting in his seat. Thinking he was asleep an usher nudged his shoulder. Only then was it discovered that the old man was dead. The musicians had played the entire concert for a dead man. But, ironically in doing this they had actually saved their own lives. For the boat that they would have taken to Finland sank that very night with a complete loss of life. The death of one man saved the lives of many.
Stay tuned for more as “Amazing Facts” brings you this edition of “Bible Answers Live”,
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Ross: Good evening friends this is Pastor Jean Ross. Pastor Doug Batchelor is out of town today. This is “Bible Answers Live” it is an international Bible study and we encourage you to give us a call. The number to call with your Bible question is 1-800-GOD-SAYS that’s 1-800-463-7297. The phones lines are now open so if you have a Bible related question; give us a call.
Let’s begin our program this evening with a word of prayer. Dear Father once more as we open up the Bible we ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in order to rightfully to understand the Bible we need your guidance; for after all it is your word. Thank you and we pray a special blessing upon those who are listening and those who call in. For this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
I opened the program today by telling a story concerning a group of musicians who played unknowingly to a dead man, but actually ended up saving their own lives. Now friends the principle for one person dying for many is a good Biblical principle. And as a matter of fact the life and the blood of the one that was shed two thousand years ago can still save the lives of people today. And of course the person I am referring to is Jesus. It is because of Jesus atoning sacrifice on the cross for our sins that we are saved. If you are wondering how you can experience Christ’s saving power in your own life and if you are wondering if you actually are saved I would like to encourage you to call for a free booklet entitled “Three Steps to Heaven”. In this booklet you will discover what it is that you need to do in order to enter into a saving relationship with Jesus. It might be something you would like to share with somebody else or perhaps you would like to learn so that you can tell others what they need to do to receive Jesus as their personal savior. It is a free booklet and all you have to do is call the resource number and it is different than the number you call to give a Bible question on the air. The resource number is 1-800-835-6747 and ask for the booklet “Three Steps to Heaven”. It is dealing with salvation and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and what that means to us today. The Bible tells us in John Chapter 3: 16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son; that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” And then the Apostle Paul writes in Romans Chapter 5: 8, “God demonstrated His own love towards us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” It is a historical fact that Jesus did die and He died on the cross for us, but how do we appropriate that atoning sacrifice? To learn more call the resource number and ask for the booklet “Three Steps to Heaven”.
We like to begin our program each week with an internet question. And the first question that we have for tonight says, the Bible says that Jesus’ feet will touch the Mount of Olives at the end of the 1000 year period. My question is this the literal Mount of Olives? Or is it just symbolic?
Well the verse that the person who emailed in is referring to is Zachariah Chapter 14: 4 and the verse says, “And His feet…” speaking of Jesus, “… shall stand in that day on the Mount of Olives which is in the east and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof towards the east and towards the west and there shall be a very great valley and half of the valley shall be removed towards the north and half towards the south.” Now is this literal? Well the answer to this is yes.
And let me share a couple of reasons. In Revelation you will find that before Revelation Chapter 20 describes the 1000 year period. The symbols and the time periods given are mostly symbolic. But, after Revelation Chapter 20; after the second coming of Christ, the symbols and the numbers in Revelation take a literal fulfillment. For an example in Revelation Chapter 20, it speaks about a 1000 year period. We understand that to be a literal time period. So that before the second coming has a symbolic application, but after the second coming has a literal application. And this verse speaking about Jesus standing upon the Mount of Olives at the end of the 1000 year period has a literal application. For we believe according to Revelation Chapter 21 at the end of the 1000 year period, Jesus will descend from heaven as well as the New Jerusalem with all the saints and at that time Jesus shall set His feet upon the Mount of Olives. It will form this new valley and the New Jerusalem will settle down right there.
If you would like to learn more about what happens when Jesus comes; “Amazing Facts” has a study guide called “1000 Years of Peace” to receive that just call the resource number. The number to call again is 1-800-835-6747 and asks us for the study guide on the millennium or “1000 Years of Peace” and we will be happy to send out that study guide to you.
The second internet question that has come in for this evening has to do with Moses and the question is; when was Moses raised from the dead and why?
Well I think the reason the question is being asked well we find in the book of Luke. Luke Chapter 9:33 where Jesus and three of His disciples went up onto a high mountain it says that Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus and Jesus was transfigure before them. So the question is well if Moses is there with Jesus on the mountain, when was he resurrected? We have a clue in Jude Chapter 1: 9 where it says that Michael, which is the prophetic name of Jesus, was contending with the devil over the body of Moses. And the Lord rebuked the devil. So we find that Moses is resurrected and appears with Elijah with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Now someone might ask well why Moses and Elijah were resurrected to appear with Jesus on the mountain. Well Moses represents those in a sense those who have died and will be resurrected when Jesus comes again. Elijah represents those who will be translated to heaven without seeing death. So you have two groups; those that are resurrected at the second coming and those who are translate into heaven without seeing death represented by Elijah. So when we have Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus this is a miniature of the second coming of Christ. We also have a study guide that deals more with the subject called “The Two Witnesses” it talks about Moses and the law and Elijah and the prophets. But, it also describes the two witnesses of the Revelation Chapter 11. To receive this free offer tonight call the resource number again 1-800-835-6747. Again friends the phone lines are open and we are ready to take your questions on the air.
Our first caller this evening is Daniel and he is listening on the internet from Newburg, North Carolina I believe it is. Daniel welcome to the program.
Daniel: Thank you. My question is in Hebrews 4: 8 in KJV of the Bible it says, “For if Jesus had given them rest wouldn’t He have afterward have spoken of another day?” And then another version except for a few others Jesus is Joshua in all the other Bibles. Which who is it? Is it Jesus or Joshua?
Pastor Ross: Okay good question. The name for Jesus in the Greek is the same for Joshua a more accurate translation of that verse Hebrews Chapter 4:8 would be Joshua speaking of the children of Israel as they came up and entered into the Promised Land. If you compare different translations for example the KJV says Jesus, but the New KJV will say Joshua. So it is the same word Joshua in the Greek as Jesus.
Daniel: Right well I was reading it and it was like speaking of the seventh day rest. And it said God rested on the seventh day and I look at verse 7 and it said He limited on a certain day and I kind of take that as a verse that Jesus when He will give them rest is like Him telling them who worshipped on Sunday that if Jesus had given them rest would He not have spoken of another day. But, it is sort of like that Chapter 4 it switches over to the Sabbath day. And so I just wondered could it really be Jesus that they are talking about and not Joshua?
Pastor Ross: Well we do know Jesus did lead His people all the way out of the Promise Land. But, it was Jesus or God that fulfilled the promises of all that God had made. The word there can be either Joshua or Jesus and I think the point is clear that Jesus is the one who gives rest; especially the Sabbath rest.
Daniel: Right.
Pastor Ross: But, related to that experience recorded of the Jews entering the Promised Land; it is Joshua.
Daniel: Okay so clearly Jesus and Joshua are two different people. And in Hebrews Chapter 4:8 Jesus should also be in there?
Pastor Ross: Joshua is a type of Jesus. If you look in the Old Testament experience of Joshua in the work that he did leading Israel into the Promised Land. He symbolizes Jesus leading His people, church at the end of time into the Promised Land which is heaven. So there is the symbolic nature of Joshua as it refers to Jesus, but Hebrews Chapter 4: 8 a more accurate translation based upon the context would be Joshua.
Daniel: Okay so, but can I still use that verse to say that this verse is saying that they are talking about not using Sunday as a day of Sabbath rest?
Pastor Ross: Well yes because I think Jesus is the one that gives rest. I think it would be accurate to mention that Jesus is ultimately to give us rest. The Sabbath is the Lord’s Day. But, I think to be more accurate there with the actual context Joshua would probably fit in better.
Daniel: Okay. Alright. You’ve answered my question. Thank you very much.
Pastor Ross: Alright and thank you for your call we appreciate it and our next caller is Pedro and he is calling from the Bronx, New York. Pedro welcome to the program.
Pedro: Yes, thank you so much. My question is this. I know in every genuine believer is the Holy Spirit. Now after the believer dies what happens to the Holy Spirit?
Pastor Ross: What happens to the Holy Spirit when the believer dies?
Pedro: Yeah.
Pastor Ross: The Spirit returns to God who gave it. So when a person dies the Holy Spirit returns to God. In other words the Holy Spirit doesn’t die when someone dies.
Pedro: Oh okay.
Pastor Ross: The Holy Spirit dwells within us. The Holy Spirit guides us. The Holy Spirit convicts us of truth and leads us in Righteousness. But, when a person dies the Holy Spirit by no means dies; He returns to God.
Pedro: Oh so God isn’t going to resurrect us.
Pastor Ross: Well yes by the power of the Holy Spirit God will resurrect those who trust in Him at the second coming. But, it is the Holy Spirit that lives within us and the Holy Spirit that guides us, but when we die the Holy Spirit is God. And so the Holy Spirit returns to God. The Holy Spirit doesn’t die when we die.
Pedro: Okay. Thank you.
Pastor Ross: You know we’ve got a study guide dealing with that subject of what happens when a person dies it is called “Spirits of the Dead”. And it is a great little resource that you can read and even share with somebody else dealing with the subject of death. Or what goes back to God when a person dies. Or what happens to the soul and to receive that help you can call the resource line and it is free. 1-800-835-6747 and Pedro just ask for the study guide “Spirits of the Dead”. Alright?
Pedro: Okay.
Pastor Ross: Alright and thanks for your call. Again friends if you have a Bible related question the number to call this evening is 1-800-GOD-SAYS or 1-800-463-7297.
We are going to our next caller Ricky who is listening form Little Pine Lake, Minnesota. Listening on WOPJ Ricky are you there? Welcome to the program.
Ricky: Yes I am my question is what does it mean to fear the Lord?
Pastor Ross: Okay. Good question. First of all God doesn’t want us to be afraid of Him in the sense of someone who is going to do wrong to you.
Ricky: Absolutely.
Pastor Ross: We know that perfect love casts out fear so this type of fear referred to in Revelation Chapter 14 you have a message, “Fear God and give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment has come. This type of fear is not a trembling fear, but rather is a reverent fear. It is a respect; it is an honoring of God. It is like acknowledging God for who He is. It is a humbling of our self in His presence. Does that make sense?
Ricky: Yeah.
Pastor Ross: So when the Bible says we are to fear God it is not that we are to be afraid of Him; God loves us. He wants us to come to Him, but this type of fear is a respect and a reverence for God.
Ricky: Okay thanks for your answer.
Pastor Ross: You are welcome. Friends again the number to call if you have a Bible related question is 1-800-GOD-SAYS or 1-800-463-7297. Our next caller is Joseph listening on WMCA from New York, New York. Joseph welcome to the program.
Joseph: Hello Pastor and good evening.
Pastor Ross: Hi.
Joseph: Pastor I wanted to ask you something concerning the temple doors on Solomon’s temple. I understand in the Talmud it explains the mystery of the temple doors. Are you familiar with that?
Pastor Ross: You know I think we had spoken about it one time on the program and Joseph I don’t know if you were the one who brought up the question when you were asking about the writing on the temple doors.
Joseph: I asked about the writing, but I stand corrected on that. The word writing was wrong. It’s the mystery of the temple doors and it is from what I heard it is supposed to be in the Talmud. I just wanted to know if you are familiar with that.
Pastor Ross: Yes and you know I can’t find a verse in the Hebrew Old Testament that speaks of the doors having any writing or a mystery related to doors. I don’t know if you have a verse or something related to that; I am not sure.
Joseph: No I just heard a preacher mention it on the radio and unfortunately I didn’t get the explanation and I am just curious to know what the explanation is.
Pastor Ross: Right. Right. You know that might have been one of the works of one of the Jewish scholars perhaps at the time maybe it had something to do with the additional requirements or laws connected with the temple. Remember there were many traditions that were added.
Joseph: I think there were two or three temples, too, weren’t there?
Pastor Ross: Well that’s right. You had a temple that Moses built in the wilderness. That was mostly the tent like structure.
Joseph: No I meant Solomon; that temple was one and wasn’t there another one, too?
Pastor Ross: Well so Solomon’s temple got knocked down by Babylonians in around 605 B.C. Then you have it rebuilt by Ezra and Nehemiah in the 70 years of captivity. That temple was then added on and they expanded it under Herod and that was around about the time of Christ. So you have the one that Solomon built and the one that was rebuilt during the Babylonian captivity and then you have the third phase.
Joseph: The third temple.
Pastor Ross: The third temple was expanded by Herod.
Joseph: And the wall that is remaining is from the third temple?
Pastor Ross: Yes.
Joseph: Okay so you’re not familiar with that mystery that they are talking about?
Pastor Ross: I am not. As I have said I have not found that in the Old Testament.
Joseph: Okay well I do want to thank you very much.
Pastor Ross: Well you’re welcome Joseph.
Joseph: And I do hope you have a very nice evening.
Pastor Ross: Alright well thank you for calling. Our next caller is Helen and she is listening on KADTV and she is calling from Modesto, California. Helen welcome to the program.
Helen: Thank you.
Pastor Ross: And your question this evening?
Helen: My question is when Jesus comes and the wicked people are down here, my question is it says that they will burn forever. Explain that to me. Does that mean they are going to burn until they burn up or they will burn for 1000 years or what?
Pastor Ross: Alright that is a good question. First of all let me begin by mentioning that when Jesus returns at the second coming the righteous are taken to heaven and the wicked are destroyed by the brightness of His coming in 11 Thessalonians and 1 Thessalonians.
But, then we do find at the end of the 1000 year period that when the New Jerusalem descends Revelation 20; it describes that the wicked are resurrected again and they surround the New Jerusalem and they come up and attack the New Jerusalem and fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them or destroys them. That fire that destroys the wicked we refer to as hell fire the destruction of the wicked.
There will be a certain amount of degrees of punishment in hell. In other words not everyone is going to be consumed at the same rate. Every man will be rewarded according to his works, but ultimately the fire that destroys the wicked will burn them up so they will suffer as long as they live, but when they are dead they will be turned to ashes.
Helen: Okay now where is it in the Bible that says that?
Pastor Ross: Okay there are a number of verses and references and let me just give you a website that lists a number of these verses dealing with the subject of hell. It is “Hell truth dot com” and we don’t have time to go into all of the verses there, but there are quite a number. Malachi the last book of the Old Testament speaks of the wicked being turned to ashes and you can read that there as well. The wages of sin is death is what the Bible tells us so the destruction of the wicked they will be consumed. Revelation 21 talks about a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwellth righteousness. So there are a number of references in the Bible verses that describe the destruction of the wicked as being complete. The word there everlasting is as long as life shall last. Does that make sense Helen?
Helen: So that doesn’t mean forever and ever and ever?
Pastor Ross: No it doesn’t mean forever and ever.
Helen: I didn’t think so.
Pastor Ross: I mean just think about for a moment that God is a God of love.
Helen: Right.
Pastor Ross: How would heaven be a place of joy for the redeemed if they know that there is some place in the Universe where they are continually being burnt throughout the ages of eternity? How could heaven be a place of joy? And how could God be a fair God?
Helen: That is my point exactly. But, I had a little conflict with that. I had with a friend of mine, but I didn’t know where in the Bible it was that it said they will not burn for forever and ever and ever. They will burn until they are burned up according to their sins.
Pastor Ross: Right. Every man will be given according to their work. They will be judged according to their works.
Helen: Okay.
Pastor Ross: I would encourage you to take a look at that website. It has got a number of verses and it is called “Hell truth dot com” or “dot org”
Helen: Okay.
Pastor Ross: And we also have a study guide that deals with that subject and it is called “Is the Devil in Charge of Hell?” And that also has a number of Scriptural references describing the destruction of the wicked and you can receive that Helen by calling our resource number.
Helen: Okay.
Pastor Ross: The number again is 1-800-835-6747. The study guide is entitled “Is the Devil in Charge of Hell?”
Helen: Great okay. Thank you very much I appreciate it.
Pastor Ross: You are welcome and thank you for calling. If you have a Bible related question friends the number to call tonight is 1-800-GOD-SAYS or 1-800-463-7297.
Our next caller is John listening on WMCA in Jersey City, New Jersey. John welcome to the program.
John: Good evening.
Pastor Ross: Good evening John.
John: My question is that you touched on the millennium in the beginning and I wanted to know just who will live through the millennium. Who are they because the Bible says if you live to be one hundred and infant dying? So is there death going on in the millennium? Who are these people?
Pastor Ross: Okay well there are two parts to your question. We’ll see if we can quickly touch on both of them. The first verse that you mention is that a child shall live to be one hundred and you have the new earth in Revelation Chapter 21 and then you have the millennium spoken of in Revelation Chapter 20. The millennium of Revelation Chapter 20 is when the redeemed of heaven are with God.
It happens at the end of the second coming when Jesus comes again Revelation Chapter 14 and Jesus says, “I go and prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may also be.” So Jesus comes a second time and receives those who are saved unto Himself. The redeemed go to heaven and they are there for 1000 years.
At the end of the 1000 years the New Jerusalem descends from heaven. And Jesus touches the Mount of Olives and as we spoke about at the beginning of the program the Mount of Olives opens up and forms a great valley and the New Jerusalem comes to rest right there in the valley and then it says that the wicked are resurrected. In Revelation Chapter 20 they stand before God for the final judgment and they mount their attack upon the city of God and the fire comes and devours them, this is Revelation Chapter 20:9 and then it says that God creates a new heaven and a new earth.
Now in that new earth that God creates there will be children, but they will grow up and it says a child will die at one hundred. Now we understand that in the new world there will be no death because death is the consequence of sin. But, for a child to die at one hundred it represents or symbolizes that a child will grow up and will be no longer a child at about one hundred. So it appears as though children will grow slower in the new earth. Not that anyone is going to die because at the end of the 1000 years sin is gone forever. Does that make sense?
John are you there? You know I think we might have lost John. Friends if you have any other questions in regard to the millennium we have a free study guide that deals with this subject and it also talks about the new earth and all you’ll have to do to receive that study guide is to call the resource number or to go to the website. “Amazing Facts dot org” and we will be able to give you that study guide on the millennium.
We are going to go to our next caller. Oscar is listening from San Diego, California. Oscar welcome to the program. Oscar are you there?
Oscar: Yes. Hi pastor this is Oscar. How are you today?
Pastor Ross: Good and yourself?
Oscar: Oh thank you very much; very well. It is a privilege to speak with you this evening.
Pastor Ross: Well thank you I am glad you called.
Oscar: I have a question for you and it is in regards to divorce and it is the church. I know that the Lord hates divorce.
Pastor Ross: Correct.
Oscar: And I also understand that He has given the instruction in Mark Chapter 10 where it says you shall leave your father and mother and cleave unto your wife and that you two are no longer two, but one flesh. And that what God has joined together let no man separate. My question this evening is if God desires that there is to be no divorce in the church and that what He has put together that man should not put as under; why is in the church there are so many divorces and why do they do that and then they remarry into another new marriage and another relationship and it is sort of like it is okay, but it is not it is not okay. My question to you is how does the Lord view them in the church and is that acceptable and is a new marriage valid?
Do you know what I mean?
Pastor Ross: Yes that is a good question. First of all let me just speak from the position that marriage is sacred. And it is special because it is the symbol of Christ‘s union with His church and Scripture refers to the church as the bride and Jesus is the bridegroom. So the marriage of the two and the husband and wife is a symbol of God’s union in connection with the church. So it is something that is sacred and something that we need to take seriously. Now in the New Testament we find Jesus giving a condition for a divorce and it is just one and you’ll find it in Mark Chapter 10: 11-12 and let me read it for you. Jesus says, “Who so ever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her and if the woman divorces her husband and marries another she commits adultery.’ And then dealing with the same subject in Matthew Chapter 19:9 Jesus says, “I say unto you who ever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality and marries another commits adultery and who ever marries her commits adultery.” So the principle here that you find in Scripture marriage is to be for life, but if someone does break the marriage covenant and commits adultery then the other person is free Biblically to remarry, but other than that we don’t find any precedent in Scripture for getting divorced and getting remarried. However having said that we want to also recognize that God is able to forgive right?
Oscar: Yes.
Pastor Ross: And sometimes we don’t so that and which we should and God is willing to forgive and we should repent and ask for His forgiveness and then in our lives He will cleanse us and work within us to make us everything that He wants us to be. So why is there so much divorce in the church? It is sad, but we want to follow the Biblical example that God have given us. Does that make sense Oscar?
Oscar: Oh absolutely. When a husband and wife separate and divorce not only does it affect each other, but there is children involved.
Pastor Ross: That’s right.
Oscar: It is a whole mess.
Pastor Ross: Well Oscar we have a study guide for those who are listening who might find themselves in a similar situation. We have a study guide entitled “Keys for a Happy Marriage”. And we would encourage anyone to get that and may be you have a good marriage, but you can always make it stronger. Well Oscar we appreciate our call. And friends if you would like the study guide “Key to a Happy Marriage” call the resource number it is 1-800-835-6747. You know we can hear the music playing here in the background we are coming up on a half an hour break here so don’t go away friends we are going to have another half an hour.
We still have a few phone lines that are open so during the break we encourage you to call and the number right to the studio is 1-800-GOD-SAYS that is 1-800-463-7297.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Ross: Hello friends and welcome back to “Bible Answers Live” my name is Pastor Jean Ross. Pastor Doug Batchelor is out this evening and we’re going to go to the next caller. Earl is listening on WMCA from Bronx, New York. Earl welcome to the program.
Earl: Hi and good evening. It is a privilege to talk to you. I am struggling with this one question here. I see the book of John where Jesus said I don’t know the chapter or the verse, but He was talking to His disciples and said that the work that I do you shall do and greater work than these shall you do. Yes he is saying greater works than these shall His disciples do. And the question is can we do greater works and what was He saying?
Pastor Ross: Okay well good question. And let’s look at the verse. I think the one you are referring to is in John Chapter 5:20.
Earl: No the one that says the work I do you shall do also and greater works than these shall you do.
Pastor Ross: Okay where Jesus was referring to the disciples. Okay I think this is the one John 14:12 where Jesus says, “Verily, verily I say unto you. He that believeth on me, the works the works that I do he shall do also; and even greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
Earl: Yes that is it exactly yes.
Pastor Ross: Okay what Jesus was referring to there when He says He is going to go to His Father is the special blessing of the Holy Spirit that was to come upon the church. Now the works that Jesus did which was the preaching of the gospel and of course casting our demons, even raising the dead as well as healing all manner of sickness and disease. The things that Jesus did, the disciples also did.
Earl: Yes.
Pastor Ross: And to some extent even on a broader scale than He did because there were more of them and they were involved in healing the sick, casting out demons, and we have a record in the book of Acts of all of the miracles Jesus did that were performed by His disciples when they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. So in that respect Jesus said I am going to go to my Father and the works that I do you will do and even greater. In other words even more of the works that I do.
Earl: Okay, greater is more?
Pastor Ross: Greater is more; yes.
Earl: Okay.
Pastor Ross: I agree with you Jesus has done the greatest work that anyone can do, but the disciples when they received the gift of the Holy Spirit they were able to do a greater work than Jesus because there were more of them.
Earl: Beautiful.
Pastor Ross: Does that make sense?
Earl: Beautiful. Thank you.
Pastor Ross: Alright Earl thank you. Appreciate your call. Our next caller this evening is Victor and he is listening on WMUZ from Detroit, Michigan. Victor welcome to the program.
Victor: Yes thank you. My question is based from a conversation I had with someone at work. You go to Genesis the first Chapter all the way up to the 26th verse. Genesis Chapter 1:1-26. But, more specifically I think the second and third verse where it says and the world was without form. He said that a certain Bible translation in Hebrew word for “was” means “it became” and that the world and he—went on to say that it was already created so therefore the world before Genesis and that world became corrupt and without form and then it goes with what the Bible translates. I was wondering if you can answer that and tell me what is happening?
Pastor Ross: Yes. I think I know what you are referring to. There are some folks who believe that the earth was pre inhabited before the Genesis one account and they explain a number of the fossils as a result of this world that existed before genesis one. However if you are going to go with the Bible there is no evidence for that idea. The Bible says that in the beginning God created the heave and the earth and the earth was without form and void. Darkness was upon the face of the deep and then we go through the different days of creation and discover that land was created, and then God created the sun and then God created vegetation etcetera, etcetera. It goes through the days of creation. If God has created a world and it was inhabited by beings that became corrupt and then He caused a flood or something to cleanse the earth, the sun was only created after the earth was created; according to Genesis one. So there could be no life prior on the earth because you need the sun for life. Does that make sense?
Victor: Yes.
Pastor Ross: It also says that the land was created during that creation week. So if there were people who lived on the earth before land was created it was all water. They would all have to be swimming around so. There is just no Biblical evidence to support the idea that before Genesis one that the earth was inhabited by people.
Victor: Right okay.
Pastor Ross: Does that make sense Victor?
Victor: Yes sure does.
Pastor Ross: Alright. Great we appreciate your call. We are going to go to our next caller John and he is listening on WLOCG from Huntsville, Alabama. John welcome to the program.
John: Hi.
Pastor Ross: Hi.
John: My question is…
Pastor Ross: Let me ask you to go real close to your phone. Can you speak real close to your phone? You are a little soft.
John: Okay. My question is I’ve been doing some Revelation study and Revelation Chapter 1 describes the same being that Daniel sees in Chapter 10.
Pastor Ross: Yes.
John: And in verse 13 the person in the vision quotes to Daniel that Michael the chief prince had came to help him. I came to learn that Michael and the son of man who is in the vision are the same people. How then could he help himself?
Pastor Ross: Okay good question. Let me first address Michael and who is Michael because some folks might be wondering who is Michael. If you go to Revelation Chapter 12 and you read in verse 7 it says, “There was a war in heaven and Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and the dragon fought his angels.” If you go to Daniel Chapter 12: 1 we read that Michael is the great prince that stands for the children of our people.
Jesus is the one that stands for His people. Jude Chapter 1:9 says that Michael is the arch angel. And in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4:16 it says that the Lord himself shall be sent from heaven with a shout with the voice of the arch angel and the dead in Christ will rise first. And then John 5:28 says, “All that are in their graves shall hear His voice…” And it is the voice of Jesus, “…and shall come forth.” So if you put all of these verses together you learn that Michael the arch angel is actually Jesus. Now having said that let me just clarify that we are not saying that Jesus is an angel.
He is not a created being. The word arch angel means ruler of or the one who is in charge of the angels. I am not saying that Jesus is an angel. Does that make sense?
John: Yes.
Pastor Ross: Okay now when it goes to Daniel Chapter 10 and we have a description of one that appears to Daniel, the description of that, which is the same as the description in Revelation Chapter 1 which is a description of Jesus. But, then we find an angel speaking and Gabriel appears and speaks and he speaks of Michael contending with the king to allow Israel to go back and rebuild Jerusalem. The vision begins with Jesus, but then it transitions to an angel who speaks concerning Michael or Jesus concerning letting Israel go. So it begins with Jesus, but then it transcends to Gabriel in the discussion.
John: I was wondering because earlier in Chapter 8 Gabriel comes with a message for Daniel. And the exact same thing happens.
Pastor Ross: Correct. Same thing and then we also find in Daniel Chapter 9 as well where we have the angel Gabriel speaking with Daniel. You know we have a book dealing with the subject of Michael and it is entitled “Who is Michael the Arch Angel?” And it is a great resource and we encourage any of you have any questions about Michael and this prophetic name of Jesus to call the resource number it is 1-800-835-6747. Ask for the booklet “Who is Michael the Arch angel?”
Our next caller is Christopher and he is listening on WMCA from Long Island, New York. Welcome to the program Christopher.
Christopher: Hi.
Pastor Ross: Hi.
Christopher: Well I think I have gotten myself into a little bit of a situation with my wife and my kids. I accidently found myself messing with another woman.
Pastor Ross: Umm-hmm.
Christopher: And I know I damaged my marriage and I wonder if I can redeem myself? What I should do?
Pastor Ross: Okay alright. That is a good and important question. Let me begin by saying of course when ever any one breaks the marriage vow it is very serious thing. It is heartbreaking. Not only for the other person in the marriage, but it affects so many others. It affects the children and the family. It is a difficult thing. If there is genuine repentance and there is a desire from both parties involved to put the marriage back together and rebuild the marriage there is always hope.
There is always hope. Jesus said there are all types of sin that shall be forgiven and that would include adultery. The only sin that wouldn’t be forgiven is the sin against the Holy Spirit which is refusing to come to repentance and not listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. But, if you are feeling convicted that what you had done was wrong and you want to restore the situation; there is hope. However it is very difficult and it requires much prayer and you’ve got to work with your spouse to try and bring this whole situation together. Is your spouse open to building the marriage back up and making it strong?
Christopher: Well I am not exactly sure.
Pastor Ross: Well listen everything is forgivable if someone is willing to commit their lives to God. God is able to do mighty things and of course it is a difficult situation when one finds themselves in that type of a relationship. But, if both married partners are willing to forgive and work together there is always hope. Again I would like to remind the listeners of the “Amazing Facts” study guide of “Keys for a Happy Marriage” and if any of you might have questions dealing with the subject of marriage we encourage you to call the resource number 1-800-835-6747.
Our next caller is Marianne and she is calling from San Diego listening on WPRZ. Marianne welcome to the program.
Marianne: Hi thank you for the call. I was just—is there anywhere in the Bible that talks about the description of Jesus or Mary. Some places have icons and people have shrouds and I just wonder was there anything—is there any image made after of what Jesus looked like?
Pastor Ross: Good question, but the answer Marianne is no. We don’t have any description in Scripture as to what Jesus looked like. The Bible does tell us that he had no form or comeliness that one would desire him. Now that doesn’t mean that Jesus was ugly, but He was as other people were. When you looked at Him in a crowd you didn’t look at Him and say well there is something different about Him. Or when He began to speak you sensed the Spirit that was with Him and you realized there was something that was different about Him. But, as far as just the looks go He looked like a Nazarene. He looked like any other Jew. Now tradition has brought along pictures of Jesus in books and stuff we look at though. But, we can’t verify if that is exactly what Jesus looked like; that’s more a tradition passed down over time.
Marianne: Well now in that part of the world of course it was desert and so it was sort of like everyone would have a dark complexion and dark hair wouldn’t it?
Pastor Ross: Yes, you know I know back when He was a there it was more desert like. I don’t think Jesus had blonde hair and blue eyes. He was like any other Jew back in that time.
Marianne: So I would say dark curly hair, a beard and olive complexion.
Pastor Ross: Well we do know that He had a beard because it speaks of the Roman soldiers plucking out his beard at the crucifixion. But, as far as that goes we don’t know exactly what His form was like or you know what tones and color Hs skin was. That’s just sort of something that has been transferred over time.
Marianne: We know Europeans make their image.
Pastor Ross: Sure different cultures right.
Marianne: Some feel He was black and…
Pastor Ross: And we don’t know. That’s a good thing to let the Holy Spirit direct in our understanding and of course one day we will see Him as He is and then all of our questions will be answered.
Marianne: Right, very good.
Pastor Ross: Okay thanks for calling Marianne.
Marianne: Thank you.
Pastor Ross: Friends if you have a Bible related question we have a few lines still open and you can get it in before the hour is through. The number to call is 1-800-GOD-SAYS. That is 1-800-463-7297.
Our next caller is Chris listening on KFIA in Auburn, California. Chris welcome to the program.
Chris: Yeah alright thank you. Are you there?
Pastor Ross: Yes.
Chris: Okay my question was I have two questions and I’ll keep it brief. The first one is if you are older and you want to turn away from your lifestyle you come to accept Christ and you’re doing good walking with the Lord for awhile and then you backslide and you fall back into sin and you feel trapped like it becomes a life style. You don’t mean it to it is just the way that it works out financially and with living arrangements and things like that you end up stuck in a position where you’re feeling trapped. And you’re still sinning and yet you want to be with the Lord. And you want to do well with your life and everything, but you’re drinking and doing things you shouldn’t be doing and you’re just struggling in general. You want to get out, but you’re afraid sometimes to ask the Lord for help because it usually means jail.
Pastor Ross: Well alright what do you do? First of all let me give you hope. There is no sin that we can commit that Jesus cannot forgive. The only sin that the bible speaks of that cannot be forgiven and it is not really something we do, but rather it is the rejecting of the Holy Spirit. It is the sin against the Holy Spirit and that’s where the Holy Spirit convicts us and we know we are doing something wrong, but we continually turn away from the conviction of the Holy Spirit. There comes a point where we are no longer convicted by the Spirit of God and we know that it is the Spirit of God that brings us to repentance so if we reject the Holy Spirit and we turn our back upon Him, we cannot come to repentance eventually. And then when a person gets to that point then a person has committed the sin against the Holy Spirit and they don’t want to ask for forgiveness they have no desire for repentance. So if there is a desire to reform one’s life, and bring it back to be with God, it is evident that the Holy Spirit has not left the person. And that God has a leading in their life. Now what happens if God is asking someone to do something they know is going to be difficult; it might even be some jail time. First of all God knows and understands the consequence of every action. And irrespective of what happens if you put your faith in Him He will be with you and guide you through whatever the situation might be.
Chris: Question real quick. If you have been through jail, and you have been through rehab seven or eight times in your life and you’re talking fifteen years of your life. You’ve been I and out of jail and rehab and you’ve tried to get it right and now you want to get it right. You want to be with Him so bad and He has been gentle and kind. It is like no person wants to be stuck in the devils’ foot hold or what not. But, God will allow that right? Will He allow Satan to put a certain amount of pressure on you or do we have our own choices?
Pastor Ross: Well we bear the consequences of our own choices and the devil is always there to tempt. And the devil’s plan and purpose is for us to mess up our life. But, God is able to intervene at any time if we would ask Him. If we surrender ourselves to Him and we trust and commit ourselves to Him. God is able to set us free. Jesus said that which is impossible with man is possible with God. We cannot change our own hearts by you, but we can submit our self to God and as we do that moment by moment and day by day God is able to work within us to empower us and strengthen us. Whatever trial or temptation that we face He is able to give us victory. Jesus said if the son sets you free you shall be free indeed.
Chris: Amen. My grandfather used to tell me that.
Pastor Ross: And it is still true. God is able to give us victory.
Chris: One more, quick question and I won’t take up anymore of your time. My brother just recently passed away and about a year ago and he was coming down off of Crystal Meth amphetamines off of street drugs and my question is that when he was a child the family that he was brought up in we didn’t do those things. My family taught us just to be thankful for what you have and seek God. And I feel that he accepted Christ as a young child and then later in his life you know how Satan just likes to rip us off and take everything good from us. You know I am afraid he got caught up in that and while he was coming down off the drugs he hung himself in our front yard.
Pastor Ross: So are you wondering whether or not he is going to be saved?
Chris: Right.
Pastor Ross: Okay. Let me begin by saying only God knows the heart.
Chris: I mean it is hard when you grow up singing hymns and everything.
Pastor Ross: And then we turn our back upon God.
Chris: It is like we get snatched up by the world.
Pastor Ross: Right and as the world sort of comes in on us we slide back and we lose that hold upon God. Is here hope? Well the answer first of all is yes. There is hope for us I our day to day life Jesus is there to forgive. 1 John 1:9 says, “If you confess your sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What happens to someone who is living in sin and they lose their life? Do we know what is going to happen to them? God knows. God is able to judge the heart and we can take comfort to know that god is merciful and God wants to save. But, people are also able to make their own decisions and their own choices. You know some of these questions we have to leave with God because He knows the correct and what to do. He is able to guide in all things and we can take comfort Chris that God is going to do the right thing.
We need to go to our next caller Carlos who is listening on WMCA from Brooklyn, New York. Carlos welcome to the program.
Carlos: Yes sir how are you doing? Good evening. God bless you.
Pastor Ross: Good evening.
Carlos: Okay my question is from Luke Chapter 11 verses 2 what did Jesus mean when He say and pray to our Father?
Pastor Ross: Luke Chapter 11: 2 and this is in the Lord’s Prayer and it says, Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name…” and your question?
Carlos: My question is what does He mean when He pray that prayer?
Pastor Ross: Jesus is giving the disciples and us an example of prayer and when we pray we are to address our prayers to our heavenly Father.
Carlos: Yes.
Pastor Ross: He is our father in heaven and He is concerned about us and just as a child will go to their father if they have needs, if they have pain or they are struggling with something and they will come and present their request to their earthly father so we as the children of God are to come to our heavenly Father in prayer and present our needs and request before Him.
Carlos: Yes okay and that’s what I did tonight.
Pastor Ross: Alright Carlos.
Carlos: Okay thank you and God bless you.
Pastor Ross: Alright God bless. Our next caller is Alfredo calling from Brooklyn, New York. Alfredo welcome to the program. Are you there?
Alfredo: Yes I am here how are you?
Pastor Ross: Good thank you.
Alfredo: Pastor I am in serious problem. I am now sixty years old and I never had sex. What does it mean that it is better for a man to stay single than to get married? I am in total confusion.
Pastor Ross: Good question. Alfred first of all when Paul is speaking about that he is speaking about missionary work and Paul the apostle was very busy traveling and doing the Lords work. He was a missionary and it was easier for him to do the Lord’s work without being married. He was committed to the work. Now he could have been married at one time, but when he was involved in his entire missionary journeys and when he went to the different cities of Asia Minor and he preached and established the church; his work that he did would have been difficult for him to bring along a whole family with him. So in that respect Paul said it is better to be single, especially if you are in that type of ministry and that type of work. However, having said that; there is nothing wrong with getting married of course. Marriage is a blessing and it is a type of the relationship that God wants to have with His people.
Thank you for your call and we are going to go to our next caller. Eva is listening from Brooklyn, New York on WMCA. Eva welcome to the program.
Eva: Yes.
Pastor Ross: Hi Eva.
Eva: How are you Pastor?
Pastor Ross: Fine thank you.
Eva: I need to understand this passage in Romans Chapter 14:15.
Pastor Ross: Okay Romans Chapter 14:15 and it says, “But, if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest not charitably, destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ has died.” Now what is your question?
Eva: What is it referring to in that?
Pastor Ross: Okay. The word there meat refers to food. The issue that Paul was referring to in Romans; there were these gentile Christians that had accepted Jesus that were a part of the church and there were some Jewish Christians. They were trying to get those gentile Christians to follow the ceremonial law and the traditions that were attached with that ceremonial law. One of those laws had to do with certain things they were to eat on certain days. They were to fast on certain days they were to eat on certain days. And this became quite a controversial issue in the early Christian church. Paul is writing to the Gentile believers and he is saying that if there is somebody else who is weak in the faith and you know it and even though you are not doing anything wrong by eating something which the ceremonial law required that perhaps they shouldn’t eat for the day. If you know you are going to cause someone else to offend by what you eat try not to offend. Do what you can to bring harmony with in the church. And that is really the point that Paul is trying to address in Romans. Does that make sense Eva?
Well we may have lost her and we will go to our next caller Romani is listening on WMCA in Brooklyn, New York. Welcome to the program.
Romani: Oh thanks do much. I was reading in Mark and I couldn’t; Mark 15 and if you notice the fig tree that was in full way and so he went over to get himself something to eat, but there were no leaves because it was too early in the season for it and then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit again.” And the disciples heard Him say it and then the next morning gas the passed the fig tree that Jesus had cursed they noticed it had withered from the roots. What I don’t understand is it wasn’t the season for the tree. So why did Jesus curse the tree?
Pastor Ross: Alright well that is a good question and I will give you a quick answer because we hear the music playing. But let me answer that Jesus was not angry because the tree didn’t have fruit. Now fig leaves are significant in the Bible. Remember back in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned and they tried to cover their nakedness or their guilt or shame with fig leaves. So throughout Scripture fig leaves become symbols of mans attempts to atone for his own sins. There was an outward appearance of goodness the tree had leaves, but it didn’t have fruit. And Jesus was teaching that we need more of just looking like Christians we need to bear the fruit of Christians.
Well that is all the time we have for today friends and I want to thank you for joining us for “Bible Answers Live”. We hope to hear from you next week for another episode of “Bible Answers Live”.
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