Participants:
Series Code: AFBA
Program Code: AFBA022221S
00:00 (bright upbeat music)
00:03 - [Announcer] It is the best selling book in history. 00:05 No volume ever written has been more loved and quoted, 00:09 and its words sometimes simple and sometimes mysterious, 00:13 should always be studied carefully. 00:16 It is the Bible. 00:18 The Word of God. 00:20 Welcome to "Bible Answers Live," 00:22 providing accurate and practical answers 00:25 to all your Bible questions. 00:28 This broadcast is a previously recorded episode. 00:31 To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned 00:34 in this broadcast, call 800-835-6747. 00:39 Once again, that's 800-835-6747. 00:45 Now, here's your host from Amazing Facts International, 00:48 Pastor Doug Batchelor. 00:50 - Hello, friends. 00:51 Would you like to hear an amazing fact? 00:55 In 2015, Guinness World Records identified Mawsynram, India, 00:59 as the wettest place on earth. 01:02 The region, about 4,600 feet above sea level, 01:05 receives rainfall of 449 inches annually. 01:10 That's almost 40 feet of rain a year, 01:12 more than three times as much as Hilo, Hawaii, 01:15 which is the wettest place in the United States. 01:17 And that's just their average. 01:19 In 1985, the region experience a record busting, 01:22 1000 inches of rain. 01:25 The area is blessed with incredible flora and fauna, 01:28 but you better bring your umbrella year round. 01:31 The torrential rains are caused by warm moist winds carried 01:34 from the bay of Bengal, that are funneled into a narrow zone 01:38 of cool air over the Khasi Hills, 01:40 thus continually transforming the moisture into mist 01:43 and rain clouds. 01:45 And it doesn't just rain, it pours. 01:47 Any house with a tin roof becomes so loud, 01:50 it's virtually impossible to have a conversation. 01:53 Many homes and schools use grass roofs to quiet the roar 01:56 when it rains in a heavy way. 01:59 During the monsoon season, 02:00 it's not uncommon to have 40 days 02:02 of unrelenting rain in Mawsynram. 02:05 Fortunately, the land is steep and well drained, 02:08 so it never floods. 02:10 I even heard Pastor Ross, 02:11 they actually have trouble getting drinking water, 02:14 because it rains so much and it all just runs down the hill. 02:17 They've not been able to build a containing pond. 02:20 What do they say? 02:22 Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. 02:23 - Right. 02:25 Well you know, Pastor, we were just talking about here. 02:27 You have a place that has so much water, so much rain, 02:29 and then you have other places on the planet 02:32 that is just dying for rain. 02:34 I mean, think California and the Western part 02:36 of the United States, it's been dry. 02:38 And, of course, you have fires as a result. 02:41 And yet there's some places that just have a lot of rain. 02:44 Of course, you've been in Hawaii, I have, 02:46 we've been in Hilo. 02:47 And it does rain there a lot, almost every day. 02:51 When I was there, it rained. 02:52 - It's very common in the afternoon. 02:53 The clouds gather and it rains. 02:56 And I was there once on vacation with our family 02:59 when it was a vacation. 03:01 And Hawaii had experienced 40 days and 40 nights of rain. 03:05 It wasn't continual, but for 40 days it rained, 03:08 which makes us think of what story in the Bible? 03:11 - Whenever you talk about 40 days of rain, 03:13 you think of Noah and the flood. 03:14 Now, of course, fortunately, 03:16 we're not gonna have a worldwide flood, 03:18 but yes, our 40 days of rain, you think of Noah. 03:22 But Noah is also used in the Bible, 03:24 not only connected with rain, Pastor Doug, 03:25 but he's also used with sort of our time 03:28 and things that are taking place just before Jesus comes. 03:31 - Yeah, the Lord said that as it was in the days of Noah, 03:34 the conditions that brought on the destruction 03:36 of the world back then will be replicated. 03:39 And the Bible tells us that violence filled the world 03:43 at that time. 03:44 Of course, we've got war and violence on the streets 03:47 and on the battle front, as well as immorality. 03:52 And Jesus said, "The days would be like the days of Noah 03:54 and the days of Lot," meaning Sodom and Gamora. 03:57 And that kind of describes conditions in the world today. 04:01 You can read this in Luke 17:26. 04:03 Jesus is speaking and He said, 04:06 "As it was in the days of Noah, 04:08 so will it be also in the days of the Son of man. 04:11 They ate and they drank, they married wives, 04:13 they were given in marriage." 04:15 Not that there's anything wrong with eating and drinking. 04:16 He's talking about, to excess. 04:20 Marrying wives and giving in marriage and divorce, 04:23 it's talking about. 04:24 "Until the day that Noah entered the ark 04:27 and the flood came and destroyed them all." 04:30 So, they did not know both in Sodom and Gamora, 04:36 and among the people living in Noah's day, 04:38 the sun was shining for seven days before the flood. 04:42 And then boom, it happened. 04:45 And Jesus tells us one of the shortest verses in the Bible. 04:48 He says, "Speaking of the last days, remember Lot's wife." 04:55 The people then didn't know it was their last night, 04:56 their last day. 04:58 And we've got an offer that I think talks about that. 05:00 - The book is called "The Last Night on Earth." 05:03 And it looks at these prophecies in the Bible 05:05 that talk about end time events. 05:07 We'll send it to anyone for free. 05:09 All you have to do is call the number 800-835-6747. 05:13 And you can ask for offer number 101. 05:15 Or ask by name, 05:17 the book is called "The Last Night on Earth." 05:19 We'll be happy to send it to anyone in North America. 05:22 Again, that number is 800-835-6747. 05:26 That is our resource phone line. 05:28 This is a live program. 05:29 And if you have a Bible question, 05:31 the phone line here to the studio is 800-463-7297. 05:37 That's 800-463-7297. 05:39 Now, Pastor Doug, we were just talking before the program. 05:43 We mentioned we haven't had a chance 05:44 to actually do a live program on and off 05:47 for a couple of weeks, but it's good to be back. 05:49 And finally, we're able to take these Bible questions. 05:52 It's sort of an international Bible study. 05:53 - Amen. 05:55 - So if you have a Bible related question, friend, 05:57 call 800-463-7297. 06:01 Well, before we go to the phone lines, 06:02 we always like to start with the word of prayer. 06:04 So we'll do that now. 06:05 Dear Father, we thank You for Your Word, the Bible. 06:08 We thank You for the opportunity 06:09 to be able to study together. 06:11 And Lord, we ask Your blessing upon this program 06:13 and also those who are listening wherever they might be. 06:16 Lead us into a clearer 06:17 and a fuller understanding of the Bible. 06:19 We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. 06:22 - Amen. 06:23 - All right, we're gonna go to the phone lines. 06:25 Our first call this evening is Glen listening in Ohio. 06:27 Glen, welcome to the program. 06:30 - [Glen] Good evening, Gentlemen. 06:31 Thank you very much for taking my call. 06:33 And it concerns the question of a translation of the Bible, 06:37 which means much to me. 06:38 And I think it's a significant mistranslation. 06:42 It's First John 5:18. 06:45 There's two sections to the verse. 06:48 In King James it says, "He who is born of God does not sin." 06:52 But I heard a translation the other day on Radio 74 06:57 that said, "He that abideth with God does not sin." 07:01 And I think that it's diluting the truth. 07:04 And that's when one is born again. 07:07 And my question is the validity of that translation. 07:15 - Yeah, well there's of course, 07:16 several translations translate this differently. 07:19 I typically read the King James or New King James. 07:22 You got me curious, 07:24 and I opened up the English standard version. 07:26 And here it reads, 07:27 "We know that everyone who has been born 07:28 of God does not keep on sinning, 07:32 but he who is born of God protects him 07:34 and the evil one does not touch him." 07:36 And so, I think when I've looked at this first before, 07:39 and Pastor Ross may also know about it, 07:41 the verb that is used there for sin 07:43 is talking about practicing sin. 07:46 So when we're born again, 07:47 we do not live a life of practicing sin. 07:50 It doesn't mean that if a person is born again, 07:52 that they are incapable of sin 07:54 or they may not stumble and fall. 07:56 So, does that make sense? 08:00 - [Glen] You have the second part of that that says that, 08:02 "He that has begotten of God keepeth himself 08:06 that the evil won't touch him not." 08:07 And it doesn't sound like there's that much difference 08:09 between the first part and the second part, 08:13 if you relate the first part to, 08:14 that is not continue to sin. 08:16 And being born of God, to me, is the ultimate. 08:20 And I understand that some people even goes so far 08:22 as to translate that he who is born of God cannot sin. 08:26 And that sounds to be the truth to the matter. 08:30 Once you're born of God, there's no sin to be done. 08:33 It makes a lot of sense to me. 08:35 And when I heard that it diluted that truth 08:38 about when one is born again. 08:40 - Yeah, well, in the King James, 08:42 "We know that whoever is born of God sinneth not, 08:44 but he that has begotten of God keeps himself 08:46 that the wicked one touches him not." 08:49 And I think that's just telling us that 08:51 when a person is born again, they do not live a life of sin. 08:55 But again, I don't think you can use this verse to say 08:58 that once a person is born again, 08:59 they are sinless from then until their death 09:01 or Jesus returns. 09:03 So, is that what you're wondering? 09:05 Or, are you saying that? 09:06 - [Glen] Well, I think that the thing that's diluted is, 09:09 me personally, I believe that a person is saved 09:12 and born again like Shelah was, 09:14 and that's by a resurrection 09:15 and that's gonna be at the second coming. 09:18 And from that point forward, 09:19 we're eternally secure and there's no way 09:22 when you're born of God, there's no more sin there. 09:25 That's my thinking. 09:27 - Okay. 09:29 - Yeah, I mean, the point you're mentioning there, 09:30 talking about the resurrection, 09:31 I think we're all in agreement there. 09:33 That when Jesus comes 09:34 and the dead in Christ are resurrected, 09:36 absolutely, sin is no more. 09:38 Eventually, there is the final destruction of sin 09:41 and sinners, but we can be spiritually born again now. 09:44 We can be set free. 09:46 Jesus said, "If the Son sets you free, 09:48 you shall be free indeed." 09:49 But once again, the Bible also warns us that says, 09:51 "Let him who thinks he stands takes heed, lest he fall." 09:56 Peter said, "Lord, I'm ready to go to prison and to death." 09:59 And then we find out a little lady in the same chapter, 10:01 he denies Christ. 10:03 So we can never be self-conscious and think somehow, 10:05 or we can overcome in our own strength. 10:07 It is Christ that works in us. 10:09 So we've gotta keep trusting in him. 10:12 - We have a book that, I think, would answer this. 10:14 It gives a really balanced view 10:15 and it's got a provocative title. 10:17 "Is It Possible to Live Without Sinning?" 10:20 And Joe Cruz, the author of this booklet, 10:23 he goes through the scriptures 10:24 and talks about what it means to live a holy life. 10:27 And he deals with the subject of sinlessness as well. 10:30 So folks would really enjoy that. 10:32 It's a book called, 10:33 "Is It Possible to Live Without Sinning?" 10:34 - If you'd like receive the book, 10:36 all you need to do is call the number 800-835-6747. 10:40 And you can ask for the book, 10:41 "Is It Possible to Live Without Sinning?" 10:43 We'll be able to send that to anyone in North America. 10:46 If you're outside of North America, 10:48 you'd like to read the book, 10:49 just go to the Amazing Facts website, amazingfacts.org. 10:53 And you can read it on our free library there 10:56 on our website. 10:57 Thanks for your call, Glen. 10:58 We've got Brittany listening in California. 11:00 Brittany, welcome to the program. 11:03 - [Brittany] Hey. 11:04 - Hi, thanks for calling. 11:07 And your question. 11:09 - [Brittany] Yeah, my question is, 11:12 why is the name Malchus only in John's gospel 11:17 and not in the others? 11:19 - My guess is, when you read the gospel of John, 11:21 John seems to have more personal information 11:24 on what's happening with the court and the trial. 11:28 Because you'll read that the other disciples 11:30 for Christ had fled. 11:32 Peter, he stayed outside 11:33 with the servants of the high priest. 11:35 John knew somebody that was related to the high priest. 11:39 He went in. 11:40 He saw these things firsthand. 11:42 He gives a little more information about what was the name 11:44 of the servant that had his ear whacked off. 11:47 But that's my understanding. 11:49 - I think he's just adding some additional details there 11:52 as to who this person was. 11:54 You wonder, Pastor, that the Bible doesn't tell us, 11:56 but you wonder to have your ear cut off 11:58 and then healed miraculously by Jesus. 12:01 Did this Malchus ever become a believer? 12:03 I don't know. 12:04 The Bible does say that there were priests 12:06 that eventually became believers 12:07 after Christ rose from the dead 12:09 through the preaching of the apostles. 12:10 So we don't know if this Malchus, 12:13 a servant of one of the priests, 12:14 the high priests' servant, the Bible doesn't say. 12:16 - His name, I just looked it up out of curiosity. 12:18 The name Malchus means the counselor. 12:22 Means, a reigning counselor. 12:24 Interesting. 12:26 - All right, well, thanks your call, Brittany. 12:27 We've got Caleb listening in New York. 12:29 Caleb, welcome to the program. 12:32 - [Caleb] Hello, thank you Pastor Ross and Pastor Doug. 12:35 Thank you for picking up my call. 12:39 - Thanks for calling. 12:40 - [Caleb] So, my question is, 12:42 I had a dream the other night that really scares me. 12:47 I wonder if, does God speak to us in dreams? 12:48 Because as you know, 12:50 the return of Christ is described in the Bible as a wedding, 12:54 and we are the church of the bride room. 12:57 And the other night I had a dream. 12:59 And my brother, 13:00 I have a brother who is not really religious. 13:02 He doesn't really go to church, which I'm not judging him. 13:06 I'm no better than him. 13:08 But I had a dream we were supposed to go a wedding. 13:12 And he made it there and I was late. 13:15 I was running late. 13:16 And I've been nervous about this. 13:19 And I was running late. 13:22 The dream ended, I don't know if I made it. 13:25 I was just wondering, is that a sign of God telling me, 13:30 get my life together, or is this sign saying, 13:34 I may not make it to heaven? 13:35 Does God do that? 13:37 Would He do that? 13:38 - Let me give you a scripture. 13:39 Of course, I'm not gonna claim I've got the gift 13:41 of interpretation, but it does tell us 13:44 in the book of Joel chapter two, 13:46 and you'll look at verse 28. 13:48 "And it'll come to pass afterward 13:50 that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh 13:53 and your son's and your daughters will prophesy. 13:55 Your old men will dream dreams. 13:57 And your young men will see visions." 13:59 So, having dreams or God giving dreams, 14:03 there's nothing in the Bible that tells us 14:05 that God has ever curtailed that ability 14:08 to speak to people through dreams. 14:10 I mean, he spoke to Joseph through a dream. 14:12 God even spoke to Pontius Pilate through a dream and said... 14:15 No, his wife rather. 14:17 And Pilate's wife was told, 14:19 "Have nothing to do with that just man." 14:22 And she wasn't a Christian. 14:23 So God can certainly speak to you through dreams. 14:26 And maybe the Lord is telling you that... 14:29 Yeah, I don't think God would give you a dream just 14:31 to tell you you're doomed. 14:32 He'd probably would give you a dream to tell you that 14:35 this could be your fate 14:36 if you don't repent and come back to Him. 14:39 But like I said, I'm not gonna pretend I'm Daniel or Joseph 14:42 and I understand what that dream means. 14:44 That'd be between you and the Lord. 14:46 But yes, the Bible says, God does speak through dreams. 14:49 - And there's different times in our life, 14:51 probably that we can look back 14:52 and we can see how God was speaking to us. 14:54 Maybe through a friend, maybe through circumstances, 14:57 maybe through a dream or an impression. 14:59 And it's God wanting to get our attention, 15:01 trying to warn us saying, "You're doing something wrong." 15:04 Or, "Repent." 15:05 Or, "This is the way I want you to go." 15:06 So, I think we need to be sensitive to that. 15:09 Of course, we've gotta test everything by the Word of God. 15:11 I mean, you don't have a dream. 15:13 And then if it contradicts the Bible say, 15:15 "Well, this must be God." 15:16 No, God will never contradict the Bible. 15:17 - That's right. 15:18 - But we do want be sensitive to that. 15:20 - Yeah. 15:21 I've heard a number of testimonies in recent years. 15:23 And this is not what you base your theology on, 15:26 of people like for instance, in Islam. 15:29 And someone will have a dream. 15:30 And the Lord speaks to Him and says, Jesus appears to them. 15:33 And they had no inclination. 15:34 They weren't reading the Bible. 15:36 And He says, "I am the truth, read the Bible." 15:38 And they say, "God gave me a dream." 15:40 And it brings them to the Lord. 15:42 It's hard to question that. 15:43 I mean, it seems like it's valid. 15:46 - All right, well, thanks to your call, Caleb. 15:48 Again, friends, if you have a Bible question, 15:50 the phone line is 800-463-7297. 15:54 That'll get you right here in the studio. 15:56 800-463-7297. 16:00 We've got Aaron listening in North Dakota. 16:02 Aaron, welcome to the program. 16:05 - [Aaron] Hey, thank you. - Thank you for calling. 16:09 - [Aaron] I had a quick question in Matthew 24:20. 16:15 It says, "And pray that your flight may not be in winter 16:17 or on the Sabbath." 16:20 It's obvious that you don't wanna be running in the winter, 16:23 but why would you not wanna run on the Sabbath? 16:28 - Well, for one thing, 16:30 the Sabbath is supposed to be a day of rest. 16:33 You wouldn't want it to be a day of anxiety 16:35 and fleeing for your life. 16:37 So it would sort of be the antithesis 16:39 of the purpose of the Sabbath. 16:42 You don't wanna be in a situation where you're challenged 16:44 with that kind of decision. 16:47 Soldiers are ready to go to war, but in Israel, 16:51 they really don't like going to war on Sabbath, 16:53 but they will, if they have to. 16:56 And I've heard people say that this is a dual prophecy, 16:59 because sometimes on Sabbath, it talks about Nehemiah. 17:03 They threaten to shut the gates on Sabbath 17:05 because the people were going out and buying and selling. 17:07 I don't think that's the best argument for this verse 17:10 because Jesus is looking down in history, hundreds, 17:14 if not thousands of years. 17:16 So, I think mainly it's just saying, 17:19 fleeing for your life is not a good restful practice. 17:24 - And in the immediate context of the verse 17:26 is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem, 17:28 where the Romans surrounded the city. 17:30 And the idea that the gate would be open during the week 17:34 and then closed on the Sabbath. 17:36 Well, that doesn't really make sense. 17:37 If the enemy's outside the walls, 17:39 the gate would've been closed all the time. 17:40 So, this wasn't just an admonition 17:44 that pray that you don't have to flee on the Sabbath 17:46 because the gate would be closed. 17:47 But rather, the idea is, 17:48 if you're gonna gonna be keeping the Sabbath, 17:49 which the disciples of Christ 17:51 and the Christians were to be doing, and this is some 70 AD, 17:55 it means that the Sabbath was still a special day 17:58 to have worship in communion. 18:00 And so it has relevance and importance. 18:02 - Right. 18:03 And not in the winter because there's no food 18:04 in the fields to glean or harvest. 18:07 - And according to history, Pastor Doug, 18:09 I don't believe the Christians who recognize that sign 18:12 and listened to the words of Jesus, 18:14 when it came time for them to flee from Jerusalem, 18:16 history bears fact that they didn't have to flee 18:18 in winter, neither on the Sabbath. 18:20 So they praises were answered. 18:22 God took care of them. - That's right. 18:23 - Next caller that we have is Juan, 18:24 listening from Massachusetts. 18:26 Juan, welcome to the program. 18:29 - [Juan] Hi, thank you guys. 18:30 First, I wanna say I'm a big fan 18:32 of Pastor Batchelor and you Ross. 18:36 And I pray that God keeps blessing you both. 18:39 - Thank you. 18:41 - [Juan] So my question is, 18:44 is it possible in today's day and age 18:48 to be translated into heaven before Jesus comes 18:52 like Enoch and Elijah did? 18:56 - Well, the Bible says all things are possible with God. 19:01 That would certainly be the exception. 19:03 The rule is, it's appointed under man wants 19:05 to die in the judgment, unless you're alive 19:07 when the Lord returns. 19:11 Someone might be caught up in vision, just as John was, 19:15 and prophets may be shown a vision of heaven, 19:17 but to literally be taken up like Enoch, 19:22 I don't anticipate that's gonna happen very much 19:24 in the last days. 19:25 Especially now, 'cuz people would assume 19:27 that the secret rapture had taken place, 19:29 and only one person was ready. 19:32 So, anyway, any thoughts on that? 19:35 - Yeah, I'm just gonna add to that. 19:36 It's significant that Elijah was taken to heaven, 19:39 and that Moses who died and was resurrected 19:41 and was taken to heaven, and they served as types. 19:44 For the second coming when Christ comes again, 19:46 you'll have those who'll be translated without seeing death, 19:49 symbolized by Elijah. 19:50 And you have those who are resurrected symbolized by Moses. 19:53 - And Enoch, it says, he was the seventh from Adam. 19:56 - And he was taken up. 19:58 - So he's like the last generation that he's resurrected. 19:59 - That's right. - So they're all three types. 20:00 - Mm-hmm. - Yeah. 20:01 - There's significance to that. 20:02 - So God doesn't really need the types anymore. 20:03 So probably not. 20:05 - Yeah, I mean, I think we close enough 20:06 to the end of time now that- 20:08 - You just wait for the real time. 20:08 - Just wait, yeah. 20:10 - That's right. - We're almost there. 20:11 All right, thank you for your call, Juan. 20:13 We've got Phil listening in Arizona. 20:15 Phil, welcome to the program. 20:17 - [Phil] Thank you. 20:19 I just wanna thank both of you guys 20:20 for your program you present. 20:22 It's been so helpful for me. 20:24 My question is the question of speaking in tongues. 20:29 I've been told that it's evidence 20:31 that you have the Holy Spirit 20:33 and it's something that it's needed. 20:36 I guess it's proof of the Holy Spirit. 20:38 I've heard people that were speaking in tongues, 20:41 but couldn't understand what they're saying. 20:44 And there was no one there pretty much 20:46 to interpreted to what's going on. 20:48 I thought it was more along the lines I read in Acts 20:51 that there was a myriad of people there 20:53 at the times of speaking different languages 20:55 and they were to talk to all of them 20:57 in their native tongues. 20:58 So, if you can explain that to me, I'll appreciate it. 21:01 - Yeah, speaking in tongues is a gift of the Spirit 21:04 that is often misunderstood. 21:07 To make it very simple, Jesus told the apostles 21:10 and you'll read this in Mark chapter 16. 21:12 He said, "You will speak with other tongues." 21:15 The Holy Spirit would come on 'em 21:16 and one of the signs would be, 21:18 they would speak with other tongues. 21:19 What does that mean? 21:21 Well, they were bright, but not formally educated. 21:25 And very few of them spoke other languages. 21:27 They all probably spoke Aramaic, 21:29 maybe a little bit of Latin and Greek 21:31 'cuz they were occupied by those two forces. 21:35 But on the day of Pentecost, 21:37 the Lord miraculously gave the apostles 21:40 and those in the upper room, 21:42 the ability to speak in other foreign tongues. 21:44 Meaning, tongues of people in the world 21:47 that they had not formally studied or known 21:49 because they were visiting Jews 21:51 from every nation under heaven. 21:52 This is Acts chapter two. 21:54 In Jerusalem, worshiping on Pentecost, 21:56 they heard the disciple speaking in their tongues 21:59 from the countries where they had come, 22:02 and they accepted Jesus and then took the gospel back 22:04 with them to these other countries. 22:06 So it was a brilliant way to spread the gospel. 22:08 They didn't have time to go 22:10 through a cram course in foreign languages. 22:12 The Holy Spirit gave them this ability. 22:16 And when you read in First Corinthians 14, 22:19 it makes an emphasis there that we're really not 22:22 to be speaking unless people understand what we're saying. 22:25 Paul said, "I'd rather say five words 22:27 with my understanding that I might instruct others, 22:29 than 10,000 in an unknown tongue." 22:32 And he says, "If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, 22:35 who will prepare for the battle? 22:37 And if you're going to speak in a different language, 22:39 make sure that it's translated, 22:42 and you may need two translators." 22:44 And he's talking to the Corinthian church 22:45 where there are multiple language groups there, 22:48 and the services had become very confusing. 22:50 And so, Paul only addressed the speaking in tongues here 22:53 in First Corinthians. 22:55 Peter never talks about it. 22:58 John never talks about it. 22:59 Matthew never talks about it. 23:01 Luke never, other than Acts chapter two. 23:03 Luke doesn't talk about it. 23:04 I guess Acts 10 and Acts 19 tell 23:07 of a case where they spoke in tongues, 23:09 but there are other language groups present. 23:12 So, the fruit of the spirit is not tongues. 23:15 The evidence of the Spirit are the gifts of the Spirit. 23:18 Love, joy. 23:19 Jesus said, "You'll know them, not by the fruits, 23:20 but by the gifts." 23:22 Love, joy, peace. 23:23 Galatians chapter five 23:24 is where you find the gifts of the spirit. 23:26 That's the evidence for the Holy Spirit. 23:28 - And if you think of the word, tongue, 23:30 just think of the word language. 23:31 And the purpose of a language is to communicate. 23:34 And in this case, it's communicating the gospel. 23:36 - [Doug] Right. 23:37 - And it was demonstrating in a beautiful way 23:38 there on Pentecost, 23:39 we had representatives from the whole realm. 23:42 They heard them preach the gospel in their own language. 23:44 They were were able to take it back and share it. 23:46 And Pastor Doug, 23:48 are there still needs today for the same gift? 23:50 The gift of tongues? 23:51 Is that still relevant 23:53 or does God not give the gift of tongues anymore? 23:56 Or does He give it in a different way? 23:58 - Well, sometimes I think people get the gift of tongues 24:00 in a practical sense in that they've got a natural ability 24:04 for languages and they're blessed with the ability 24:07 to translate and speak. 24:10 I saw some people in church just yesterday 24:12 that they spoke like four languages. 24:15 And it's always very impressive to me 24:18 when people have that gift. 24:21 I did an amazing fact one time about a man 24:22 that spoke about 100 languages. 24:26 They just picked it up and had a photographic memory. 24:28 Anyway, we have a book on that, 24:30 that talks about the gift of tongues, 24:31 and it's called "Understanding Tongues." 24:33 We'll send you a free copy. 24:35 - The number to call for that is 800-835-6747. 24:38 That is our resource phone line. 24:40 You can ask for the book 24:41 it's called "Understanding Tongues." 24:42 And we'll be happy to send this out 24:43 to anyone who calls and asks. 24:46 Again, that number is 800-835-6747. 24:49 And as we've said before, 24:50 if you're outside of North America, 24:52 we're unable to send you the book, 24:53 but you can go to the Amazing Facts website. 24:56 You can actually read the book there online. 24:58 And I believe, Pastor Doug, 25:00 you've got a sermon dealing with the subject 25:01 of speaking in tongues. 25:03 What does the Bible have to say about that? 25:05 And that's available even if one were to go to YouTube 25:07 and just type in Doug Batchelor, speaking in tongues. 25:10 And I think- 25:11 - Probably something like that, and it'll come up. 25:12 It's amazing to me how Google works. 25:14 - I know, to find this stuff. 25:15 Yeah, absolutely. 25:16 - Now, we are gonna come back in just a moment 25:18 with more Bible questions. 25:20 Don't forget, this is not something you can only listen to. 25:23 People are listening on LAN-based 25:25 or satellite radio across the country, 25:27 but you can also watch the programs are airing, 25:31 not only on the Amazing Facts Television station, AFTV, 25:37 but you can also see it on the Amazing Facts Facebook page. 25:40 You can join us here in the studio, 25:41 also on the Doug Batchelor Facebook page. 25:44 And we'll be back in just a few minutes. 25:45 Take some more Bible questions. 25:47 (bright upbeat music) 25:50 - [Announcer] Stay tuned. 25:52 "Bible Answers Live" will return shortly. 25:54 (bright upbeat music) 25:58 - [Announcer 2] Would you like to know God's plan 26:00 for our troubled world 26:01 and solutions for your life's challenges? 26:03 Beautifully redesigned and updated, 26:05 Amazing Facts 27 Bible study guides, 26:08 provide straightforward Bible-based answers 26:10 that are enlightening, encouraging, and easy to understand. 26:13 Giving you real relevant Bible answers to questions like, 26:16 how can I have healthier relationships, 26:18 when will Jesus come? 26:19 And much more. 26:21 Order yours today by visiting afbookstore.com. 26:24 or by calling 800-538-7275. 26:28 - Every year, 40,000 souls 26:30 in North America end their own lives. 26:33 Suicide is a terrible tragedy. 26:36 And while it's difficult to talk about, 26:38 we need to face it together as Christians. 26:40 That's why in my new book, "Choosing Life," 26:43 I share the biblical perspective about suicide, 26:46 answering some difficult questions 26:47 about faith and salvation along the way, 26:50 and offering practical tips that should help 26:53 and encourage others. 26:54 Jesus wants us to choose an abundant life in Him. 27:00 - [Ross] Are you looking for a simple way 27:01 to share your faith? 27:03 If you've ever found yourself tongue tied 27:05 when trying to explain what the Bible teaches 27:07 about the Sabbath, the second coming, or the afterlife, 27:12 you'll love the new Amazing Facts Tracts. 27:14 These colorful tracts feature easy-to-read type 27:17 and are large enough to grab everyone's attention, 27:20 but small enough to fit in your pocket, 27:22 to carry with you wherever you go. 27:25 11 key Bible teachings are available now. 27:28 Purchase a sample bundle to see what fits your needs. 27:30 Then buy them in bulk and save. 27:33 Equip yourself and your church to reach your community 27:35 with the eye-catching Amazing Facts Tracts. 27:38 Amazing Facts Tracts, easy to read, easy to share. 27:42 To order your sample bundle, call 800-538-7275, 27:48 or visit afbookstore.com, 27:51 and get ready to share your faith like never before. 27:55 (slow music) 27:59 - Okay, friends, let's start with the basics. 28:02 We know we're here, but we're not here for very long. 28:05 So the most important thing would be 28:07 if we could learn during this life, how to live forever. 28:10 This is the central focus of Amazing Facts. 28:12 Now, there's a lot of wonderful things 28:14 that Christian ministries do. 28:16 I believe in Christian education. 28:18 But if the schools lose the message of salvation, 28:21 you end up with more educated sinners. 28:24 I think it's very important for us to build churches. 28:27 But if the churches lose the message of salvation, 28:30 they just become buildings and shells. 28:32 I think it's important to have a medical ministry 28:34 and build hospitals. 28:36 But if they separate that from the message of salvation, 28:39 you just prolong a sinner's life for a little while. 28:41 That's why for years, Amazing Facts has made it our focus 28:45 to present the saving truth that sets people free. 28:48 And friends, we wanna thank you for your support 28:50 and your gifts. 28:52 We'll do our very best to convert those resources 28:53 into the currency of heaven. 28:55 May God bless you, and keep Amazing Facts in your prayers. 28:59 (dramatic music) 29:14 (bright upbeat music) 29:17 - [Announcer] You're listening to "Bible Answers Live," 29:20 where every question answered provides a clearer picture 29:23 of God and His plan to save you. 29:26 So, what are you waiting for? 29:27 Get practical answers about the 'Good Book' 29:30 for a better life today. 29:32 (bright upbeat music) 29:34 This broadcast is a previously recorded episode. 29:37 If you'd like answers to your Bible related questions 29:40 on the air, please call us next Sunday 29:42 between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM Pacific time. 29:46 To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned 29:49 in this evening's program, call 800-835-6747. 29:55 Once again, that's 800-835-6747. 30:01 Now, let's rejoin our host for more "Bible Answers Live." 30:06 - Welcome back, listening friends, to "Bible Answers Live." 30:08 If you've joined us along the way, 30:10 this is a live international interactive Bible study, 30:13 and you are invited to call in with your Bible questions. 30:15 And Pastor Ross, we've got several lines open now. 30:19 And we took a couple weeks off 'cuz we were traveling. 30:22 I was in Ireland for two weeks 30:23 and sent greetings to the people there. 30:25 We even have people there that watch the programs. 30:28 It's usually archived, 30:29 but they watch the programs over there in Ireland. 30:32 And so, when you do a couple reruns 30:35 and people think you're not really alive anymore. 30:37 But we are live, so if you have a Bible question, 30:40 call us tonight. 30:41 That number 800-GOD-SAYS or 800-463-7297 is the same number. 30:47 I am Doug Batchelor. 30:49 - My name is John Ross. 30:50 And as you mentioned, Pastor Doug, 30:51 we're not only on the radio, 30:55 you can also tune in through Facebook, through YouTube. 30:58 We're also on the Amazing Facts Television Network 31:01 or channel. 31:02 So many ways that a person can participate 31:04 in this live international Bible study. 31:07 All right, phone number again, is 800-463-7297. 31:11 That'll bring you here into the studio 31:13 with your Bible question. 31:14 Next caller that we have is Joe listening in Colorado. 31:17 Joe, welcome to the program. - [Joe] Hello, pastors. 31:20 Thank you so much for taking my call. 31:22 - Yes, sir. 31:24 - [Joe] Yeah, so my question refers 31:26 to Proverbs chapter eight verse 22 to 31. 31:33 I'll start here. 31:34 It says, "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, 31:37 before his works of old. 31:39 I will set up from everlasting from the beginning, 31:42 wherever the earth was." 31:44 So I understand as Jesus is Lord. 31:48 And this is Lord speaking right here. 31:52 So, who did the Lord possess? 31:55 I'm having trouble understanding that passage. 31:57 - Do not be trouble. 31:59 Jesus said, "Let not your heart be trouble." 32:01 John chapter 14. 32:03 Let's go back to the first verse in chapter eight. 32:06 And here, Solomon, this is a whole soliloquy about wisdom. 32:11 And what you're reading is part of this. 32:13 Notice it says, "Does not wisdom cry out, 32:16 and understanding lift up her voice? 32:18 She takes her stand on the high hill." 32:21 He goes through and he compares wisdom to several things. 32:24 He compares wisdom to a woman. 32:25 He compares wisdom to a son. 32:27 And so, the whole passage is talking about wisdom. 32:30 This is not talking about God creating Jesus. 32:34 It's just talking about the attributes. 32:36 "My fruit," if you look at verse 19, "Is better than gold, 32:38 yes, than fine gold and revenue of choice silver. 32:41 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way." 32:43 Now I'm in verse 22, talking about wisdom. 32:45 "Before his works of old, 32:47 I've been established from everlasting, from the beginning." 32:50 This is all about wisdom. 32:52 And people sometimes just read these verses 32:54 and they don't realize that this is a whole passage, 32:57 talking about how valuable wisdom is. 33:01 Of course coming from Solomon, 33:02 the wisest king, that would be appropriate. 33:05 Does that make sense? 33:09 - Yeah, it makes a lot of sense, thank you. 33:11 - All right, hey, thank you so much. 33:13 - Next caller that we have Steve listening from Missouri. 33:15 Steve, welcome to the program. 33:18 - [Steve] Yes, thank you, pastors. 33:20 My question is, I'm confused about the city of David. 33:24 In Old Testament, seems like it was Jerusalem. 33:29 When he conquered Jerusalem, 33:31 it said it became the city of David. 33:32 And then when we go to Luke, 33:35 I think is when the angels are talking to the shepherds. 33:37 It says, "Your savior is born in the city of David," 33:40 and then that's Bethlehem. 33:42 So can you clear that up for me? 33:44 - Yeah, you've asked a good question that I've had myself. 33:46 Yeah, I wish I could say that I know all the answers, 33:49 but I've noticed that also sometimes it refers 33:52 to as Jerusalem as the city of David. 33:54 Sometimes, or one time, or a couple times, 33:56 it talks about David being, of course, born in Bethlehem, 33:59 Jesus born in the city of David, 34:01 meaning where David was born. 34:04 David wanted his capital to be in Jerusalem, 34:06 and then keep in mind Bethlehem is not far from Jerusalem. 34:10 So the phrase, city of David, is used for both cities. 34:15 That's the only way I can answer that. 34:17 - And just to add to that, 34:18 I think the phrase, city of David, 34:20 with reference to Jerusalem, was the temporary name. 34:22 Because it was conquered. 34:24 The old Jebusite fortress conquered by David, 34:26 named at the city of David. 34:27 But it didn't take long before it became known as Jerusalem. 34:30 And then once it was sort of adopted as Jerusalem, 34:34 rarely is it referred as the city of David anymore. 34:37 It served as Jerusalem, 34:38 especially when the temple was built there, 34:40 as the dwelling place of God. 34:41 So the city of David from that time onwards, 34:44 seems to be more related to Bethlehem, 34:46 the birthplace of David, than actually Jerusalem. 34:49 'Cuz Jerusalem replaced the city of David, so to speak. 34:53 - [Steve] Where was David buried? 34:55 They buried all the Kings in the city of David. 34:58 I thought they said that too. 34:59 - Yeah, David is buried in Jerusalem. 35:00 - In Jerusalem. - [Steve] In Jerusalem, okay. 35:02 - So they do refer to it, even after the death of David, 35:05 sometimes they refer to Jerusalem as the city of David. 35:08 'Cuz it was the city he chose as the capital 35:12 and where he chose to build the temple. 35:13 That was the love of his heart 35:15 is to have a temple for God's glory. 35:18 So I've studied this 35:20 and I've just seen it's interchangeable, 35:22 is the only thing that I can come up with. 35:23 Sometimes it's talking about the city where David was born, 35:26 and calling Bethlehem a city back in David's day 35:29 was sort of funny 'cuz it was like a little Pueblo. 35:31 It wasn't very big. 35:33 And then later, he moved the capital to Jerusalem, 35:38 and that was called the city of David. 35:40 But they're not far from each other, either. 35:42 - And wasn't the city of David a portion of Jerusalem? 35:44 Wasn't the whole temple Mount, 35:46 it was the original Jebusite fortress. 35:48 - Yeah, we went and looked at it. 35:49 - And then it was expanded. 35:50 I remember in Jerusalem, there was one area they referred 35:52 to as more the city of David, not the whole part. 35:54 - 'Cuz he had built on to the Jebusite city, yeah. 35:57 - Interesting. 35:58 All right, thanks for our call, Steve. 35:59 We've got Becky listening from Michigan. 36:01 Becky, welcome to the program. 36:04 - Hello, how you guys doing? 36:05 - Doing well, how can we help you tonight? 36:10 - [Becky] Question is, I'm struggling with a diet. 36:13 I'm trying to lose weight to stay healthy 36:15 and I'm really struggling with it. 36:17 I'm going by a Bible scripture 36:19 in Philippians chapter four verse 13. 36:22 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 36:26 Maybe I can get some advice from you guys. 36:30 - Yeah, it is a struggle, and especially any habit. 36:36 And changing your habits of eating as with any habit, 36:42 it's like you're trying to crawl out of a rut 36:44 that you've been in. 36:45 Now, keep in mind, every time that you say no 36:49 to the temptation to eat either something or time 36:52 or an amount you shouldn't be eating, 36:53 which is usually that covers every aspect of a diet, 36:58 you make it easier next time. 37:00 Let me see if I can put it this way for you 37:02 and that might help you. 37:04 You have been walking down a trail, 37:06 a particular trail for years, 37:09 and you've gotten used to it, 37:10 and it's cleared, and it's easy, 37:11 but the trail's going the wrong way. 37:14 Now you've gotta plow a new trail, 37:17 but there's thorn bushes and things 37:19 that are blocking the trail. 37:20 And the first time you go through, 37:21 you gotta hack your way through and you're tripping, 37:23 and it's a real problem. 37:25 But you know what? 37:26 The next time you take that trail, 37:27 you did plow things down a little bit. 37:29 It gets a little easier. 37:30 And the next time, it gets a little easier. 37:32 And every time you say no to temptation 37:35 and you say yes to the right thing, 37:37 it makes it easier the next time. 37:39 So, one way that we overcome through the power of God, 37:43 is one moment at a time. 37:45 It's day by day, sometimes hour by hour. 37:48 For me, and I often refer back to this. 37:50 One of my biggest struggles was smoking. 37:56 And they say sometimes quitting smoking 37:58 is as hard as heroin. 38:00 And I struggled. 38:02 And boy, the first few days I'd quit smoking, 38:04 I'd think about it just every few minutes. 38:07 I couldn't get it outta my mind. 38:08 I could barely make it from hour to hour. 38:11 And I fell several times. 38:13 But finally I quit and said, enough's enough. 38:16 And I made it a day, then two, then three, 38:18 and now it's been 40 years. 38:20 So, you can do it. 38:21 And I have a video. 38:24 I think pastor Ross heard it. 38:27 I actually had a food addiction. 38:30 And I shared this video of how I overcame my addiction. 38:35 All I'm gonna do is tell you the title of it. 38:36 It's a Doug Batchelor Cold Confession. 38:39 If you want to take a listen to that, Becky, 38:42 just go to YouTube, type in Doug Batchelor Cold Confession. 38:46 And I'll tell you kinda, 38:48 you'll hear me confess what my addiction was, 38:50 and how the Lord help me get the victory. 38:54 And praise God he's helped me keep the victory 38:55 for about eight years now. 38:58 Anyway- 38:59 - Absolutely, it's a great sermon, 39:00 really encouraging for a lot of people. 39:02 I remember Pastor Doug, when you actually got up 39:04 and preached that sermon. 39:06 You could hear a pin drop in the congregation. 39:08 At least at first when you said, 39:10 "I'm gonna make a confession," you got everyone's attention. 39:12 - People wanna hear the minister confess. 39:13 They don't know what to think. 39:14 - But it was extremely encouraging. 39:16 And yeah, just a great blessing. 39:17 And take a look at that if you haven't, Becky. 39:20 I think you'll be blessed. 39:21 If you have a Bible question, friends, 39:23 we've got all about 15, 16 minutes left. 39:26 And if you have a question that you're wondering 39:29 about the Bible or the Christian life, 39:30 the number to call is 800-463-7297. 39:35 That's 800-463-7297. 39:38 Next caller that we have is Taylor listening from Virginia. 39:41 Taylor, welcome to the program. 39:43 - [Taylor] Hello? 39:45 - Hi, how are you? 39:47 You're on. 39:50 - [Taylor] I'm good. 39:53 I have a question. 39:55 I don't really know if counts much 39:57 as a Christian question in general, 40:00 but it's more about just what it is once we get to heaven. 40:08 - Okay, fire away. 40:11 - [Taylor] All right, my question is about the amount 40:13 of free will we have heaven. 40:16 I was always confused growing up in the church 40:21 where we were told that we had like free will 40:27 to do pretty much anything we wanted. 40:28 And yeah, it was always into boundaries, 40:31 what was good and right and moral, 40:34 which is something that humanity in general 40:36 is just not always good at, to say the least. 40:42 I was wondering if, once we reach heaven, 40:45 are we beyond the reality of sin completely? 40:49 Or are we just absolved from it continually? 40:53 But I don't know if that's- 40:55 - Yeah, no, it's a good question. 40:56 I think I understand what you're saying. 40:58 Will we still be free moral agents in heaven? 41:00 Or since we're beyond the possibility of being tempted, 41:03 does that mean we're no longer free? 41:06 I might answer that, 41:08 and hopefully I'm rightly restating your question, 41:11 but I might answer that by saying, 41:16 there is a law that says 41:17 you're not supposed to murder your children. 41:20 Most people don't think very much about that law 41:23 because most people don't wanna murder their children. 41:26 It's a very bizarre perversion 41:28 when it's one in a million parents 41:31 that would think such a thing. 41:33 Because most parents, they love their children. 41:36 It's the last thing that would ever come into their mind. 41:38 Now, they're free to murder their children if you wanted to. 41:43 I mean, you know what I'm saying? 41:45 They've got the ability, 41:47 but they don't think about it 'cuz they love their children. 41:50 In heaven, we'll still have that freedom to sin. 41:53 But now we are so full of the love of God 41:55 and love for one another, 41:56 that when you look at the 10 commandments, 41:58 we are keeping them now because we love. 42:01 And so, are we still free moral agents? 42:04 Yes. 42:05 You can read in the book of Nahum, 42:06 that sin will not rise up the second time. 42:09 Jesus, when He rose from the dead, 42:10 He still had the scars from His crucifixion in His hands. 42:14 That'll be a perpetual reminder of what sin costs. 42:17 And we won't want to ever sin again. 42:19 Not to mention the devil's gone. 42:22 - Absolutely, and again, 42:23 you can't have true love without freedom. 42:26 And the whole experiment with sin proves that. 42:28 And the devil will take worship any way he can get it, 42:31 but God can only accept worship that is freely given. 42:34 Well, that's true for the rest of eternity. 42:36 God still will accept worship freely. 42:38 Given, of course, we won't want to not worship Him 42:40 because we've seen what sin can do, 42:42 and that's the difference. - And we'll love Him. 42:43 It'll be our greatest joy. 42:44 - Yep, absolutely. 42:46 Good question. 42:46 Thank you, Taylor. 42:48 We've got Sean listening from Oklahoma. 42:50 Sean, welcome to the program. 42:52 - [Sean] Hey guys, what's going on? 42:54 - Well, we're living day by day with the Lord. 42:57 How are you doing? 42:58 - [Sean] It's really good to talk to you, guys. 42:59 Doug, you pretty much saved my life. 43:02 - Well, the Lord did it, 43:03 but I'm glad if I could be involved. 43:05 Praise God. - [Sean] I know that's right. 43:06 But I just wanna say thank you 43:08 from the bottom of my heart, guys. 43:10 I watch Amazing Facts and I follow you guys 43:12 and listen to YouTube all the time. 43:15 - Well, praise the Lord. 43:16 I wish everyone was listening to our programs on YouTube, 43:18 but I know they're watching other stuff. 43:20 - [Sean] I'm on my knees every night praying 43:23 that your message goes a little bit more 43:25 around the world than it already is. 43:26 - Oh, that means a lot. 43:27 We appreciate that, thank you. 43:30 - [Sean] All right, my question is, 43:32 I know it's called the millennial reign, 43:34 and millennial means 1000 years, 43:36 but is there anything gonna happen after that? 43:40 - Yeah, well, we'll offer you a lesson on that 43:43 in just a minute, but at the conclusion of the 1000 years 43:47 and for our friends that are listening, 43:48 you find the verses on the 1000 years, 43:51 sometimes called the millennium. 43:52 The word millennium is mille, ennium. 43:54 It just means 1000 years. 43:55 You'll find that in Revelation chapter 20. 43:58 And you can find illusions to the 1000 years 44:00 in a few other places in the Bible. 44:02 But most of it's there in Revelation 20. 44:04 And it tells us that the devil is tied up for 1000 years. 44:08 And after the 1000 years, he's loose for a little season. 44:13 And it says the rest of the dead don't live again 44:15 till the 1000 years are finished. 44:16 So at the end of the 1000 years, 44:18 the rest of the dead live again, 44:19 that's how the lost, dead in Christ rise first. 44:22 If all the dead in Christ rise first, 44:24 the only dead that are left are the dead out of Christ 44:26 are the lost, the wicked. 44:28 They're resurrected, 44:29 and Satan is now now loose 'cuz he has someone to tempt. 44:33 The Bible refers to this mass of all the lost 44:36 who've ever lived in the resurrection of the lost, 44:40 or the second resurrection, as Gog and Magog. 44:43 Those are ancient enemies of God's people. 44:46 And the devil will stir them to launch an assault 44:51 on the city of God. 44:53 They surround the beloved city, the camp of the saints, 44:55 and fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them. 44:59 Now, you'll also find that passage in Revelation 20, 45:05 is also taken from Ezekiel 37 and 38. 45:07 Talks about Gog and Magog, 45:09 they surround my people like a cloud. 45:11 Very same words that you're gonna find in Revelation. 45:14 And then God fights for His people. 45:16 Then God is gonna create a new heavens 45:18 and a new earth following that. 45:21 So, it's a very interesting time that we have a lesson 45:25 that talks about that "1000 Years of Peace." 45:27 Is that still the title? 45:29 - It is, it's called "1000 Years of Peace." 45:30 It's one of our Amazing Facts study guides. 45:33 Gets into quite a bit of detail 45:34 about what happens during that 1000 years, 45:37 what'll happen at the end of the 1000 years. 45:39 To receive it, all you have to do 45:40 is call the number 800-835-6747. 45:44 That is our resource phone line 800-835-6747. 45:48 Ask for the study guide. 45:50 It's called a "1000 Years of Peace." 45:52 And we'll be happy to send that 45:53 to anyone who calls and asks. 45:55 And a great study, really exciting subject. 45:58 So thanks for your call, Sean. 46:00 We've got Milo listening from Rhode Island. 46:03 Milo, welcome to the program. 46:05 Or Milo. 46:06 - [Milo] Hey, can you hear me? 46:08 - Yeah. 46:09 - [Milo] Hey, how are you? - Doing great. 46:12 How can we help you tonight? 46:14 - [Milo] Good to hear it. 46:15 So just been recently saved. 46:19 You can say I've been saved for about four to five months. 46:23 You can say, yeah five. 46:25 - Congratulations, praise God. 46:27 - [Milo] Appreciate it, Amen. 46:28 And I'm so grateful and I have this desire 46:31 to minister and disciple and just to assist God 46:36 as much as possible, but I don't know where to go, 46:39 whether north, south, east, or west or who to talk to. 46:43 And I just don't even know how 46:45 to even jumpstart "my Christian career" so to say. 46:49 So how do I find my purpose and my will of God? 46:55 - Well, I know exactly how you feel. 46:58 Well, I think I do. 46:59 But I was in the same boat after I came to the Lord. 47:02 I was living in a cave. 47:04 I wanted to get away from people and I came to the Lord. 47:06 Now I wanted to tell everybody. 47:10 I'd say, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" 47:13 Now, I wanted things to happen right away. 47:16 And God wanted me to take some more time 47:19 to study and get grounded. 47:20 And so, things did not happen right away, 47:22 but God certainly did guide. 47:24 He did open the doors. 47:26 Keep in mind, Moses said, 47:27 "Lord, I'm ready for you to use me. 47:29 I'm ready to lead the people out of Egypt." 47:32 Matter of fact, before God told him, 47:34 he thought he'd do it on his own. 47:36 And he killed an Egyptian 47:38 and thought he'd get everybody to rally behind him. 47:40 And next thing he knew, 47:41 he was out in the wilderness for a few years. 47:44 So Paul, after he was converted, 47:47 he went to Arabia for a couple years anyway. 47:49 Yeah. 47:51 And he was studying there and getting grounded, 47:52 and then he was very effective. 47:54 Your next step may be going to school. 47:56 You might even consider the Amazing Facts AFCOE program. 47:59 I don't know if the Lord just told me to say that or. 48:02 - Yeah, absolutely. 48:03 I would encourage anyone listening 48:05 who wants to be of service, 48:07 begin by really grounding yourself 48:09 in the practical truths of the Bible. 48:12 Amazing Facts has a free course, 48:14 we call it the Bible school. 48:16 And that's a great starting point 48:18 for anyone wanting to learn, 48:19 what does the Bible have to say 48:21 on a number of important topics. 48:23 Once you learn and you discover these truths 48:25 and you're able to learn them for yourself, 48:27 then you're in a position to share them with somebody else. 48:29 - So Milo, if you go to the website 48:31 that says Bible Universe, 48:33 if you go to bibleuniverse.com, 48:36 there's a series of Bible studies. 48:38 You can go through there for free, 48:40 and that will really ground you. 48:42 I also have a book we'll send you for free, 48:44 and it's called, how do I know the will of God? 48:46 Or "Determining the Will of God." 48:48 And it'll give you steps to know God's will for you. 48:51 And I think it'll give you peace 48:52 that if you follow those steps, He'll be guiding you. 48:55 Even if part of that means waiting, 48:57 He'll be guiding you, you don't need to worry. 48:59 - If you would like to receive the book, 49:00 as mentioned by Pastor Doug, 49:02 the number to call is 800-835-6747. 49:05 "Determining the Will of God," just call and ask for that 49:08 and we'll be happy to send it to you. 49:09 And again, you can go to the Amazing Facts website 49:12 or Bible Universe, and you can enroll 49:15 in the free Amazing Facts Bible study school. 49:18 Just a lot of good information. 49:19 We also have, just thought of one other thing, Pastor Doug. 49:22 We have a program called the AFCOE online course. 49:26 It's actually a series of online classes 49:28 that a person can take that brings them 49:30 through fundamental doctrines of the Bible, 49:32 but also, how do you share your faith? 49:34 - It's great ministerial and mission training, yeah. 49:35 - Practical discipleship. 49:37 - Some good resources out there. 49:39 All right, we've got Vanessa listening from New York. 49:41 Vanessa, welcome to the program. 49:44 - [Vanessa] Hi. 49:45 - Hi. 49:46 - Okay, so I've been struggling with marijuana addiction. 49:50 And I quit, but everyone in my house smokes. 49:57 So it's been a little difficult. 49:59 Do you have any advice for me to avoid temptation? 50:04 - Yeah, well, like the last phone call, I can relate. 50:07 Because when I became a Christian, 50:08 all of my friends smoked pot. 50:10 In fact, one of the things I had 50:11 to do when I became a Christian, 50:12 I became convicted to pull up my pot plants. 50:15 Now, I didn't know any better. 50:16 I pulled them up and gave 'em to someone. 50:17 I probably should have thrown 'em away. 50:19 But I was still pretty young. 50:22 And then all of my friends that I hung out with, 50:24 they kept smoking pot and offering it to me. 50:26 And I was around it and I was probably getting high 50:28 off secondhand smoke, but I wouldn't smoke it anymore. 50:32 But finally, I just started finding other friends 50:34 'cuz the environment just was not good. 50:37 I don't know how you can completely escape your environment. 50:40 You may not be in a situation where you could do that, 50:43 'cuz it could be your family. 50:45 You can just ask 'em to respect your decision. 50:48 And when that behavior's happening, 50:50 you just try and get into another room 50:52 and avoid that contact as much as possible. 50:58 And there's a book we'd like to send you. 51:00 It's called "Tips for Resisting Temptation." 51:03 Because I was tempted when my friends would pass the joint 51:07 to take another drag and go back into it again. 51:11 And it can be a struggle. 51:12 Praise God, I didn't. 51:14 But it's around you all the time, 51:16 whether it's alcohol or pot. 51:18 - The number to call again is 800-835-6747. 51:22 And the free book is called "Tips for Resisting Temptation." 51:25 We'd encourage anyone to call and ask for that 51:28 and just some practical, good Bible encouragement 51:31 on how we can resist temptation. 51:33 And if you're trying to live a Christian life, 51:35 you will have temptation 'cuz the devil's not happy, 51:38 but you can overcome in the strength of Christ. 51:41 Next caller that we have, I think we have time for one more. 51:43 We've got Almay listening in Canada. 51:47 Almay, welcome to the program. 51:49 - [Almay] Hi, thank you for having me. 51:51 - Yes. 51:52 - [Almay] For listening to my question. 51:54 Second Peter one verse five says, 51:57 "And beside this giving all diligence at your face virtue 52:01 and to virtue knowledge and to knowledge temperance." 52:04 And someone told me that self-control 52:07 or temperance is a gift from God. 52:11 The Holy Spirit gives people gifts, 52:17 as it thinks you should get a gift. 52:20 But I think self-control is more from a person. 52:24 A person makes a decision and God gives you the strength 52:27 to practice self-control. 52:29 Am I wrong? 52:31 If I think of that, is there a Bible verse 52:33 that tells you that self-control is a gift 52:35 that you get from God? 52:37 - Well, that's a great question. 52:39 And when you look at the virtues that Peter itemizes here 52:42 in Second Peter chapter one. 52:46 And he says, "For this very reason, giving all diligence, 52:49 add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 52:51 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, 52:54 to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, 52:57 and to brotherly kindness love." 52:59 It's like everything's building up to love. 53:01 Well, these are fruits of the spirit. 53:03 But you can seek knowledge. 53:07 When God gives you the gift of knowledge, 53:08 you're not laying on your bed 53:10 and all of a sudden He starts pouring knowledge 53:11 into your head. 53:13 I think what happens is, 53:15 the Lord gives you hunger for knowledge 53:17 and you feed your mind, you feed your soul. 53:20 The Holy Spirit will then bring those things to remembrance. 53:23 I think when you make an effort to resist some temptation, 53:25 to exercise self-control, whether it's in something you do, 53:28 eat or say, some people struggle 53:30 with self-control over their words, 53:32 the Holy Spirit will then come to your aid. 53:35 So, it's choosing these things. 53:38 That's why Peter mentions them. 53:39 He wants us to choose virtue self-control, kindness, 53:43 and all these different gifts, 53:45 and the Spirit then empowers us in performing those things. 53:49 - Just to add to that, Pastor Doug, 53:51 Galatians chapter five versus 22. 53:53 It says, "But the fruit of the spirit is love and joy 53:55 and peace and long suffering and kindness and goodness 53:58 and faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 54:01 Against such, there is no law." 54:03 So one of the evidences that the Holy Spirit is working 54:06 within the life of a believer or a person 54:08 is love, joy, peace, and so on, and self-control. 54:11 That's one of those identifying fruits of the Holy Spirit. 54:15 It's important for Christians to be able to have that. 54:17 I mean, nothing will hinder your witness 54:20 if somebody loses their temper or can't control themself. 54:24 It's not a good witness. 54:25 - Absolutely. 54:27 So appreciate that, Almay. 54:28 Hopefully that helps a little bit. 54:30 And I wanna tell our friends who are listening right now, 54:33 we don't have time to take another question live on the air. 54:37 But what we do is, we come back after a brief break, 54:41 and we end up doing some rapid fire Bible questions. 54:44 Now, it always takes a little explaining, 54:47 but we broadcast Amazing Facts "Bible Answers Live" 54:50 on hundreds of stations around the country. 54:52 One of the main stations is satellite, 54:55 and is all over the North America on satellite. 54:58 But then after that, we're gonna come back, don't go away. 55:00 Those of you who are on the other stations, 55:02 we're gonna come back 55:03 and we're gonna do rapid fire internet questions 55:05 that have come in. 55:07 God bless, and be right back. 55:08 (bright upbeat music) 55:11 - [Announcer] Thank you for listening to today's broadcast. 55:14 We hope you understand your Bible even better than before. 55:17 "Bible Answers Live" is produced 55:19 by Amazing Facts International, 55:21 a faith-based ministry located in Granite Bay, California. 55:26 (bright upbeat music) - Hello, friends. 55:27 Welcome back to "Bible Answers Live," 55:29 for those of you who stayed by. 55:31 We're gonna be looking at some Bible questions 55:33 that came in from our listeners. 55:35 If you would like to post a Bible question 55:37 or email us a Bible question, 55:39 you can do so by simply emailing, 55:41 BALquestions@amazingfacts.org. 55:46 First one that we have is, in Mark chapter nine, 55:48 what does Jesus mean when He said that, 55:50 "There are some standing here who will not taste death 55:53 until they see the Kingdom of God?" 55:55 - Yeah, the key is what happens right after 55:57 He makes that statement. 55:58 You'll find that in not only Mark chapter nine, 56:00 you'll find it in Matthew, and you'll also find it in Luke. 56:04 And immediately after He makes this cryptic statement, 56:07 "Some of you standing here will not taste of death 56:09 until you see the kingdom of God come with power." 56:12 It says after six days, 56:13 He took them up to this tall mountain 56:16 and He was transfigured before them. 56:18 And Moses appears and Elijah appears 56:21 and the voice of God speaks and says, 56:22 "This is My beloved Son." 56:24 And the disciples are cowering. 56:26 They got a miniature picture of the second coming. 56:29 They saw Christ in His glory on the right hand of power. 56:32 And they spoke to Moses who represents 56:35 those who died and are resurrected. 56:37 And they saw Elijah there who represents 56:39 those who died and are translated. 56:41 The whole thing was a microcosm of the second coming. 56:44 The statement of Jesus was introducing 56:46 what was about to happen, 56:48 and basically telling us we need a mountaintop experience 56:52 to prepare for the cross and what's coming. 56:55 - [Ross] Okay, next question that we have. 56:56 What is the significance of Palm Sunday? 56:59 - Yeah, now there are of course, 57:02 millions of Catholic people around the world 57:04 that celebrate Palm Sunday. 57:06 That's because when Jesus had the triumphal entry, 57:10 they would wave palms before Him. 57:12 And it's talking about the week immediately prior 57:14 to the crucifixion. 57:16 And so they've made a festival or a holiday out of that. 57:18 There's no command in the Bible to do that, 57:21 but that's the reason that our Catholic friends 57:23 have picked that day. 57:25 - [Ross] What was Jesus doing after He ascended 57:27 to heaven to be with the Father? 57:30 - Well, the Bible says, He ever lives. 57:32 And this is in Hebrews. 57:33 He ever lives to make intercession for us. 57:36 And so He is our high priest. 57:38 And so He's there now. 57:40 He's in the Holy of Holies before the Father, 57:43 interceding for us. 57:45 He's our advocate. 57:47 - Our next question that we have, 57:49 is there more than one Passover spoken of in the Bible? 57:54 - Well, Passover was an annual feast. 57:56 And so, they're several times they celebrated Passover, 57:59 but it only came once a year. 58:01 And of course, Jesus, during the last supper, 58:03 was celebrating Passover with the disciples. 58:06 Well, that's probably all we're gonna get 58:07 to tonight, Pastor Ross. 58:08 We wanna thank our friends for joining us 58:10 on "Bible Answers Live." 58:11 And we look forward to studying God's Word 58:13 with you again next week. 58:15 (bright upbeat music) 58:17 - [Announcer] "Bible Answers Live," 58:19 honest and accurate answers to your Bible questions. 58:23 (bright upbeat music) |
Revised 2022-10-28