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Series Code: AFBA
Program Code: AFBA022241S
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00:03 - 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, the Word of God. 00:19 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. 00:30 To receive any of the Bible resources 00:33 mentioned in this broadcast, 00:35 call 800-835-6747. 00:38 Once again, that's 800-835-6747. 00:44 Now, here's your host 00:45 from Amazing Facts International, 00:48 Pastor Jean Ross. 00:50 - Hello, friends. 00:51 Pastor Doug Batchelor's away this weekend. 00:53 But this is a live, interactive international Bible study 00:56 and if you have a Bible related question, 00:58 we would love to hear from you this evening. 01:00 But why don't we start the program with an amazing fact. 01:03 The record for hiding away from family and friends 01:06 was made by a young Chinese college student 01:08 by the name of Cheng Lim. 01:10 He was studying engineering at the University of Michigan, 01:13 but was doing very badly in physics and math. 01:16 If his studies did not improve 01:17 he would have to leave school, 01:18 quit his job as the janitor 01:20 at the Ann Arbor First Methodist Church 01:23 and take the humiliating news of his academic failure 01:26 back to his father who was a school teacher in Singapore. 01:30 Finally, one day in October, 1955, Cheng disappeared. 01:36 His friends, 01:37 including the Reverend Eugene Ransom pastor of the church 01:39 called the police, but they found no clues. 01:43 Cheng's Methodist friends had another mystery to ponder, 01:46 strange bumping noises that came out of the church at night. 01:51 Early one morning, four years after Cheng's disappearance, 01:54 a pair of private detectives called by Reverend Ransom 01:57 heard a trap door to the church attic slam. 02:01 Together with the police they climbed up 02:03 and they swept their flashlights across the attic, 02:05 and there crouched above them in the rafters was Cheng. 02:09 For four years, the attic of the church had been his home. 02:13 The bumping noises 02:14 had been Cheng skipping rope to keep in shape. 02:17 During the day, he slept on padding from a pew, 02:20 and at night he walked around the church 02:22 and helped himself to food from the church kitchen. 02:24 Physically, Cheng seemed unaffected 02:27 by his hermits experience, 02:29 but as the police hauled him off to county jail, 02:32 his four year preoccupation with loss of face 02:36 suddenly vanished. 02:38 "I've been a coward," he said, "I'm glad I was found." 02:42 Well, did you know, friends, 02:43 that the Bible speaks of a time 02:44 when the devil will be forced 02:46 to sort of live the life of a hermit? 02:49 The Bible tells us 02:50 in Revelation chapter 20 beginning in verse one, 02:53 "then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, 02:56 having the key to the bottomless pit 02:59 and a great chain in his hand. 03:01 And he laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old 03:04 who is the devil and Satan, 03:05 and bound him for a thousand years 03:08 and cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up 03:11 and set a seal on him 03:13 that he should deceive the nations no more 03:15 till the thousand years were finished. 03:17 But after these things, 03:18 he must be released for a little while." 03:22 So here we find the Bible speaking of a time 03:24 when the devil is bound 03:25 in something called the bottomless pit. 03:28 Now, if you study that subject out, 03:29 you'll actually discover that the bottomless pit 03:31 is really a reference to the earth 03:33 in a broken down, desolate condition 03:36 after the second coming of Christ. 03:38 Now, we have a study guide 03:40 that talks about this 1000 year time period 03:43 that you find in Revelation chapter 20, 03:45 sometimes referred to as the Millennium, 03:47 which literally means a thousand years. 03:49 It's called 1000 Years of Peace. 03:51 That is our free gift 03:52 and we're happy to send that to anyone 03:54 here in North America. 03:56 If you'd like to receive the gift, 03:57 all you need to do is call the number 800-835-6747 04:02 and you can ask for offer number 123 04:04 or ask for the study guide by name, 04:06 it's called 1000 Years of Peace, 04:09 we'll be happy to send that to anyone here in North America. 04:12 If you're outside of North America 04:13 and I know we have a number of folks 04:15 who are tuning in from different countries around the world, 04:18 we encourage you to go to the Amazing Facts website, 04:20 just amazingfacts.org or .com, 04:23 and you'll be able to download the study guide 04:25 and read it for free right there online. 04:28 Well, as mentioned a little earlier, 04:29 Pastor Doug is out this evening 04:31 and so working the phones 04:32 we have a new face to Bible Answers Live. 04:34 We've got Pastor Aron Crews who is joining me here, 04:38 and we're just delighted that Pastor Crews is here. 04:40 Now, Pastor Crews, 04:42 you're new to California 04:43 and you've just joined the Granite Bay Pastoral team 04:46 right here 04:47 and so we work together, 04:48 we are colleagues at the church. 04:50 Prior to you coming to California, 04:52 I think you've been here, what? 04:53 About a month, if that? 04:55 - Almost two. 04:56 - Almost two months. 04:57 Okay. 04:58 Prior to that, you were doing pastoral work 05:00 and where were you located? 05:01 - I was located in Michigan. 05:03 I pastored in Michigan for almost seven years. 05:06 - All right. 05:07 And I know we have a number of folks who listen in Michigan, 05:10 so some of the people might even know you 05:13 from that part of the world. 05:14 But we are just delighted 05:15 that Pastor Aron is with us and joining us. 05:17 He's also got a wonderful wealth of Bible knowledge, 05:20 and so he'll be joining me 05:22 as we answer these various Bible questions 05:24 and looking them up. 05:25 If you have a Bible question, 05:27 the number to call here to the studio is 800-463-7297. 05:32 Again, that's 800-463-7297. 05:37 That'll get you in the queue. 05:38 We have a number of folks 05:39 who are waiting for us to take their questions, 05:42 so we're gonna get to it right away. 05:44 But Pastor Crews, 05:44 before we go to the phone lines, 05:46 would you start the program with prayer? 05:48 - Absolutely. 05:48 Let's pray together. 05:50 Dear Heavenly Father, 05:51 thank you for the opportunity to be alive today 05:54 and to have minds to think critically 05:57 about what Your Word says. 05:59 Lord, open our minds 06:00 to hear Your answers from Your Word this evening. 06:04 We pray in Jesus' name, Amen. 06:06 - Amen. 06:07 All right, well Pastor Aron 06:09 let's go to our first caller for this evening. 06:11 Who do we have? 06:12 - All right, we have Phillip from Arkansas. 06:16 Phillip, hi. 06:17 Welcome to Bible Answers Live. 06:19 What is your question today? 06:21 - Hi, good evening pastors. 06:24 There's a prophecy in Hosea 6:2. 06:27 It's part of an interesting passage there, 06:30 but I was wondering, 06:31 have you guys ever applied that to end-time prophecy 06:35 especially if you assign one day for a thousand years? 06:37 - Okay, well, good question. 06:39 Let me read it. 06:40 So those of you who are traveling in your car, 06:42 you might not have your Bible in front of you. 06:44 Hosea 6:2 says, 06:46 "after two days He will raise us up 06:48 and on the third day, He will raise us up..." 06:51 Sorry, let me reread that, I messed it up. 06:53 "After two days he will revive us;" 06:55 I need to add, "on the third day he will raise us up, 06:58 that we may live in his sight." 07:01 Now, it's interesting. 07:02 When you look at this prophecy here in Hosea, 07:05 we have a time period after two days 07:07 and then on the third day we'll be raised up. 07:10 It's a reference to Israel. 07:12 That's the most immediate context 07:13 and deliverance that'll come to God's people. 07:16 But I think it's quite clear 07:17 that this is a prophecy not only related to literal Israel, 07:20 but it's also a prophecy related to Christ 07:22 because Christ rose from the dead on the third day. 07:25 It's also interesting that I believe Hosea, 07:27 Pastor Crews, mentions that Israel came up 07:31 obviously as we know, out of Egypt, 07:33 but there's also a prophecy with reference to Christ, 07:35 and it says, "I called my son out of Egypt." 07:38 And of course we know, 07:39 Jesus when He was still a baby, 07:41 just before Herod slaughtered the babies 07:44 in the area of Judea, 07:45 that Joseph, directed by an angel, 07:48 took the family down into Egypt, 07:50 and then Jesus was brought up out of Egypt. 07:52 So we see a parallel between ancient Israel 07:55 and we see a parallel with that 07:56 in the experiences of Christ. 07:58 And in particular, we have a prophecy here 08:00 that refers to Christ's death and His resurrection. 08:03 And of course, 08:04 Jesus also speaking of His death, 08:05 He says, "tell that old fox," 08:07 speaking of Herod, 08:08 "that I work today, tomorrow, 08:09 and the third day I'm perfected or completed." 08:12 So we do have a number of references, 08:14 but I think this is a clear reference here 08:16 to the death, burial and crucifixion of Christ. 08:18 Does that help Phillip? 08:20 - Yeah, I get what you're saying. 08:22 But if you apply a day for a thousand years to it, 08:25 you could see where the third millennium 08:27 would be after 2000 years since Christ's baptism. 08:31 We would be starting that third millennium 08:32 when Jesus would rise up- 08:34 - Yeah, no, I think you... 08:36 Yeah, I think you're onto something for sure. 08:38 You know, Peter tells us that one day with the Lord 08:40 is as a thousand years 08:41 and a thousand years is as a day. 08:44 We know the earth is inhabited for about 6,000 years. 08:47 And then Jesus comes, 08:48 and then we have that 1000 year millennium 08:50 or that 1000 year Sabbath. 08:53 And we actually spoke about that in the the opening. 08:55 So we believe 08:57 that we're living very close to that 6,000 year mark, 08:59 and soon Jesus will come 09:01 and for the redeemed, they will be raised up. 09:03 They will live in the presence of God. 09:05 So I think you can apply this prophecy 09:08 to final redemption as well as to Christ. 09:11 - Amen. 09:13 - All right, great question. 09:14 Thanks for calling Phillip. 09:16 All right, who do we have next? 09:18 - All right, next we have Dennis calling in from Minnesota. 09:22 Hi there Dennis, what's your question today? 09:24 - Hello, Pastor Ross. 09:26 Pastor Crews. 09:28 I've been wondering for a long time on Genesis 3, 09:34 when the Earth got cursed because of sin by Jesus Christ. 09:39 It's obviously been deteriorating ever since, 09:42 with the flood and all. 09:44 And it seems like our solar system seems to be too, 09:47 because the sun doesn't seem to be as powerful as it was 09:51 even in my 70 years of existence. 09:56 Is the rest of the whole universe 09:58 or the solar system that we live in cursed? 10:03 Is it just the earth 10:04 or is it the rest of the creation? 10:07 - You know, that's a good question. 10:08 I mean, the Bible specifically mentions 10:10 after the fall of Adam and Eve 10:11 that God cursed the earth 10:13 and most specifically the ground, for man's sake 10:16 and it produced thorns and thistles. 10:18 But what about the rest of our environment? 10:21 Could that also was affected by sin? 10:24 Well, you know, if you look at our solar system, 10:26 it does seem that, you know, we live in a solar system 10:30 that to some degrees there's violence. 10:32 You have asteroids, 10:33 you have the service of the moon 10:35 that has kind of broken down Mars, 10:37 it's got storms that rage on the surface of Mars. 10:40 The Bible 10:42 does not specifically say more than just our earth, 10:44 but it is possible that our earth 10:46 is sort of surrounded by these planets. 10:48 We have the sun at just the right distance 10:50 so that we could have life on earth. 10:52 It seems as though our little solar system 10:55 was created and set up just for earth. 10:57 So could the consequences of what's happened here on earth 11:00 spill out to at least those planets within our solar system? 11:04 Possibly. 11:06 Although the Bible does not directly come out and say that, 11:08 but it is an interesting observation. 11:10 It's a good point. 11:11 Well, thanks for your call, Dennis. 11:12 - Thank you. 11:13 - All right, who do we have next? 11:16 - Next we have Angela calling in from Illinois. 11:19 Hi there, Angela. 11:20 What is your question? 11:23 - Hello. 11:24 Hi, Pastor Ross. 11:26 - Hello. 11:26 - And Pastor Crews. 11:28 Exodus 24:9-11. 11:31 And it talks about Moses and Aaron and Nadab and Abihu 11:36 and the 70 elders. 11:38 But in verse 10 it says, 11:40 "and they saw the God of Israel." 11:43 Did they actually see- 11:46 - Did they see God? 11:47 - Yeah, did they? 11:49 - Well, they saw Him at a distance, 11:52 they didn't see Him closely. 11:54 I mean, they saw Him at a distance 11:55 just as the children of Israel to some degree saw God 11:58 in the fiery cloud that came down on Mount Sinai. 12:01 They saw enough of God 12:03 to actually describe at least what He was on, 12:05 because it says, if you read the verse there, 12:07 it talks about under His feet, 12:09 there were paved works of sapphire stone 12:11 like the very heavens in its clarity. 12:13 So they had a picture of God's glory, 12:16 but it was at a distance 12:18 and I think they didn't clearly see the face of God 12:21 because the Bible tells us, 12:22 "no man can see God and live." 12:24 And when it came to Moses, 12:26 who was a lot more righteous than these gentlemen, 12:28 God said, "you can't see My face, 12:31 but I'll put you in the cleft of the rock and I'll pass by 12:33 and you'll at least see My back." 12:35 So yes, they did see God, but at a distance. 12:38 They couldn't see the direct features of God. 12:40 Maybe there was a glory shining forth that appears that way, 12:44 a light shining forth from God. 12:46 They witnessed Him seated on His throne 12:48 and the paving stones. 12:50 - Oh, okay. 12:52 Thank you. 12:53 - All right. 12:53 Great question. 12:54 Thank you Angela. 12:55 - Okay, bye. 12:56 - Bye bye. 12:57 - All right, next we have a caller, Jerry, 13:02 calling in from Texas. 13:04 Hi there Jerry, welcome to the show. 13:06 - Hey, Pastor Crews and Pastor Ross. 13:09 Always ask some questions 13:11 I appreciate that mentioning 13:12 about the sapphire throne of God. 13:14 Though my question I guess relates to Exodus 25:8. 13:19 Before sin existed, was there a sanctuary in heaven? 13:23 We know that Lucifer and probably Gabriel 13:26 sat upon the throne of God, 13:29 the covering cherubs, 13:32 but was there a sanctuary before sin existed? 13:36 - Okay, good question. 13:37 Well, we know there are parts of the sanctuary 13:39 that existed forever. 13:40 For example, God's law. 13:42 The foundation of His government 13:43 that you know, in the earthly, 13:45 which is a shadow of the heavenly, 13:47 you have the Ark of the Covenant with the mercy seat 13:49 that serves as the throne of God, 13:51 at least in the most holy place 13:53 under which are the ten commandments 13:54 which form the foundation of God's government. 13:57 That was always in existence. 13:59 The tables of stone 14:01 that were placed in the Ark of the Covenant 14:03 was a copy of the great original that was in heaven. 14:06 However, the functioning of the sanctuary prior to sin, 14:10 God's throne room. 14:11 But you know, there was a modification you might say 14:14 that took place 14:16 because everything that was revealed in the sanctuary 14:18 as it relates to Moses 14:20 was to point forward to the plan of redemption 14:22 and how God was gonna save mankind 14:24 all the way from the work of the priest to the sacrifice 14:27 to the various articles of furniture in the sanctuary. 14:30 And then of course, the movement of the priest, 14:32 the high priest into the most holy place for a judgment. 14:35 And then he was gonna come out from the temple 14:38 on the day of atonement, 14:39 he'd lay his hands on the scapegoat, 14:40 which would be taken to the wilderness. 14:41 So all of that ties into the work of redemption. 14:46 It is interesting to also note 14:47 that during the 1000 years, 14:49 we know that the heavenly sanctuary is in heaven, 14:52 but in the earth made new, when everything is created, 14:55 the end of Revelation 14:56 and John describes that he saw no temple therein. 14:59 Well, this is after the earth is recreated. 15:02 In other words, 15:03 the work of the sanctuary has met its ultimate fulfillment, 15:06 the purpose of which was to bring redemption to people. 15:10 That doesn't mean there's a demolition of the sanctuary, 15:13 but its function is now complete. 15:15 It's served its purpose. 15:17 So God has a throne room, God has a dwelling place. 15:20 It's always been. 15:21 Maybe there was a modification to that throne room 15:24 for the plan of redemption. 15:26 And then we find that after all things are made new, 15:29 at the end of the thousand years, 15:30 the earth is recreated, 15:31 there is no need for a sanctuary to function 15:34 because sin has been taken care of. 15:36 Does does that help? 15:37 - There was no adultery in heaven before... 15:39 There was no adultery before the ten commandments 15:42 so that wasn't a law then. 15:45 - Well, you know, if you think about it, 15:47 there's a principle that governs all of God's law. 15:49 The first four commandments have to do with love for God, 15:52 the last six have to do with love for our fellow man. 15:55 Now, it's true, 15:56 adultery was not the sin related to the angels, 15:59 but that was definitely a sin 16:00 that could be related to mankind 16:02 and there are other intelligent beings. 16:04 We believe that, you know, Adam and Eve 16:06 and the inhabitants of earth, 16:07 were the only ones that could procreate in their own image. 16:09 And that was unique. 16:11 So yes, that commandment relates to us, 16:13 but I think there is a spiritual application, 16:16 that of betrayal. 16:18 And of course, Lucifer is guilty of that. 16:20 He betrayed his trust to God or trust in God. 16:23 So the principles of love for God, 16:24 love for our fellow man 16:26 is of course the foundation 16:27 of which God's government is based. 16:30 - Oh, you guys have such knowledge. 16:32 Of course, it's given to you by the Holy Spirit. 16:35 Thank you guys, continue to do your work. 16:37 - Well, thanks for calling Jerry. 16:38 We're happy we can share 16:39 and we're all learning together. 16:41 We like studying 16:43 and there's always something new to learn. 16:45 Friends, if you have a Bible question, 16:46 the number to call is 800-463-7297. 16:50 Again, that's 800-463-7297 16:53 if you have a Bible related question 16:55 and we'll be happy to take your call on the air. 16:59 Pastor Crews, who do we have next? 17:02 - Yeah, next we have Gregory 17:04 calling in from Mississippi. 17:06 Hi there, Gregory. 17:08 - Hey. 17:10 - Thanks for calling. 17:11 - Can you hear me? 17:12 - Yeah. 17:13 Hi, what's your question, Greg? 17:16 - My question is, 17:17 is it okay to go fishing on the Sabbath? 17:20 - Okay, is it okay to go fishing on the Sabbath? 17:22 Well, let me put it this way. 17:25 It is okay to be in nature on the Sabbath, 17:28 but on the Sabbath 17:29 we wanna lay aside our own personal interests 17:32 or activities that would take away 17:35 from centering upon Christ and upon worship. 17:38 So yes, when you're in nature 17:40 and you're witnessing the beauty of nature 17:41 and the beautiful creation around you, 17:43 that's a good thing to do on the Sabbath. 17:45 But if your focus is on trying to catch the big fish, 17:47 that's probably not the right activity to do on the Sabbath, 17:52 focusing on fishing 17:54 or maybe somebody wants to go surfing on Sabbath 17:56 and they say, Well I'm in the ocean, 17:58 I'm out in nature with the waves. 18:00 So there are certain activities 18:02 that we want to lay aside on Sabbath 18:04 so that all of our focus, our attention 18:06 could be on what the Sabbath principles are, 18:08 that is rest, 18:09 that is an opportunity for us 18:11 to build a relationship with our fellow men, our family, 18:14 but also to worship. 18:16 That's the centrality of the Sabbath, is worshiping God, 18:18 worshiping the Creator. 18:20 So I would say, you know, I'm not a fisher, are you? 18:23 Do you fish Aron? 18:24 - I don't fish. 18:26 - You don't fish. 18:27 Okay. 18:28 - No. 18:29 - I know that it's a pretty compelling sport 18:30 and a lot of folks enjoy doing that 18:31 but you know, just knowing other sports 18:34 that people can be involved in, 18:36 that's probably not the activity 18:38 that one wants to be engaged in on Sabbath. 18:40 I'd do that on another day of the week. 18:42 - Yeah. 18:43 Something I want to add is, 18:44 when there's ever questions regarding the Sabbath, 18:47 I like to go back to the command itself, right? 18:49 And build whatever answer that we're developing 18:52 from the actual text. 18:53 So if we turn to Exodus 20:8-11, 18:56 I'll just kind of read 18:57 through some of the fourth commandment here. 19:00 It says, "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," right? 19:03 Just as Pastor Jean was saying, right? 19:04 The emphasis is on, this day is different. 19:06 - It's God's day. 19:07 - It's God's day, right? 19:08 So if there's commonplace things 19:11 that you do the other six days, 19:12 perhaps fishing is one of those things, 19:14 then maybe on the the seventh day 19:16 you wanna say, "Hey, I wanna treat this day holy 19:19 because it's God's day and do something a little different." 19:21 And the command goes on, 19:22 "six days, you shall labor, do all your work, 19:24 with the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God, 19:26 in it you shall do no work, 19:27 you nor..." and then it goes on to give long list. 19:30 So to me, the summary of the fourth commandment 19:34 is the day should be treated holy 19:36 and then it's a day to be treated and kept restfully, right? 19:42 But it's a twofold rest. 19:43 You take rest and then you give rest. 19:47 You extend rest 19:48 to those within your sphere of influence, right? 19:51 The stranger within your gates, your children- 19:54 - Even your animals. 19:55 - Even your animals get a rest. 19:56 So when we apply these principles, 19:58 I think we can think through any question about the Sabbath 20:02 and find an answer. 20:03 - All right, well thank you, Gregory. 20:04 That's a good practical question 20:06 that a lot of people are wondering about. 20:07 What is appropriate to do there on the Sabbath? 20:10 You know, we do have a study guide 20:11 for anyone wanting to learn more about the Sabbath. 20:14 Is it still binding on Christians in the New Testament? 20:16 We have a study guide called, The Lost Day of History. 20:20 It's free, we'll send it to you. 20:21 All you have to do is call 800-835-6747 20:26 and we'll be happy to put it in the mail and send it to you. 20:28 Again, that study guide is called The Lost Day of History. 20:31 And you know, Pastor Crews, 20:32 we have a website that Amazing Facts has put together. 20:34 It's called sabbathtruth.com 20:36 and it's just jam packed with great resources. 20:39 There's sermons, there's bible studies there. 20:41 So if you wanna learn more 20:43 about what is the Bible saying about the Sabbath? 20:44 Take a look at the website. 20:45 It's sabbathtruth.com, 20:47 I think you'll find it very interesting. 20:50 Who's our next caller? 20:53 Terrence? 20:54 Is that Terrence in North Carolina? 20:55 - Yeah, we've got Terrence. 20:56 Hi there. 20:57 Are you there Terrence? 20:58 - Yes, Pastor Crews. 20:59 How are you? 21:00 - Hi, I'm doing well. 21:01 Welcome to the show. 21:01 What's your question today? 21:03 - Question for Pastor Crews and Pastor Ross 21:06 is Revelation 20:10, 21:11 "and the devil who deceived them 21:13 was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur 21:15 where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. 21:18 They will be tormented day and night, forever and ever." 21:22 And my question is, 21:23 is that literally forever and ever or is that just- 21:28 - Figurative language? 21:30 No, I think it's literal. 21:31 They're gonna be tormented forever and ever 21:33 until they are no more. 21:35 Now, I wanna make that clear. 21:37 You know, the Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death 21:41 and in the judgment, 21:42 everyone is rewarded according to their work 21:45 so not everyone receives the same punishment. 21:47 So some will suffer a little longer 21:49 before they are completely destroyed in the lake of fire. 21:52 And the devil himself being the author of sin and suffering, 21:56 he'll probably suffer the longest. 21:58 But all sinners, including the devil and his angels, 22:02 they come to an end and they are destroyed 22:05 because the fires that destroy the wicked eventually go out 22:09 because it says God creates a new heavens and a new Earth 22:12 and the lake of fire actually takes place on the earth. 22:14 If you're reading Revelation chapter 20, 22:16 it talks about the wicked mounting their attack 22:18 upon the new Jerusalem, the golden city 22:21 and fire coming down and devouring them, 22:23 so that occurs on the earth. 22:25 But once the fire has accomplished its work 22:27 and they are forever no more, 22:30 they are destroyed forever and ever, 22:32 they can never be resurrected, 22:33 then the fire, of course, has done its job 22:36 and God is able to recreate the earth. 22:38 So forever and ever means as long as life shall last. 22:41 Now, we're not talking about, you know, 22:43 long ages of suffering here. 22:45 It appears at least a day and a night 22:48 that they'll be suffering. 22:49 And the Bible doesn't say how long. 22:52 It's not gonna be a long time 22:53 because God's gonna create a new earth 22:55 and you're not gonna have the wicked suffering forever. 22:57 But they will receive a just penalty for their actions. 23:03 Does that help, Terrence? 23:05 - Yes, it does. 23:07 Thank you very much Pastor Ross. 23:08 - All right, great. 23:09 Good question. 23:10 You know, we have a study guide, 23:11 actually the one I think we offered 23:12 called 1000 Years of Peace 23:14 touches on that a little bit 23:14 because the whole subject there 23:16 is talking about Revelation chapter 20. 23:18 And we also have another study guide 23:19 called Is the Devil in Charge of Hell? 23:21 You know, Pastor Crews, this is a subject 23:23 that has brought a lot of confusion to people. 23:25 It's verses like this 23:26 that you say, well, how long do the fires of hell burn? 23:29 Do they burn without end? 23:31 Well, you've gotta put a number of Bible verses together, 23:33 but the Bible makes it pretty clear 23:35 that the wicked are destroyed. 23:37 The wages of sin is death. 23:39 Jesus said we have two choices. 23:40 We can have everlasting life or we have death. 23:43 It's not life in a place of torment throughout eternity, 23:48 it's death. 23:49 So yes, there is a fire, there is a hell fire. 23:52 The wicked are destroyed in the fire. 23:54 They do suffer according to their works, 23:56 but they all are destroyed. 23:58 The Bible says that the wicked turned to ashes. 24:00 - Yeah, in fact there's one verse in particular 24:03 that's directly, I believe, related to Revelation 20:10, 24:07 which has as its focus the devil, right? 24:10 If we turn back to Ezekiel chapter 28, 24:13 there's a prophecy concerning the devil 24:16 about his fall from heaven. 24:19 And it says here in Ezekiel 28:18, 19, 24:23 it says, "I turned you to ashes," 24:26 speaking of the devil, 24:27 "upon the earth, 24:29 in the sight of all who saw you." 24:30 Verse 19, 24:32 "all who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you. 24:35 You have become a horror and you shall be no more forever." 24:41 - Now that's a pretty clear verse. 24:42 It talks about the devil. 24:44 So it's not just talking about, you know, bad people here, 24:46 but it's talking about the devil himself, the author of sin, 24:49 that he's turned to ashes 24:50 and it tells us where. 24:52 It's on the earth. 24:53 And then it tells us of his final fate. 24:55 You shall be no more. 24:57 Well, you know, that's good news for the believer. 24:59 We're not always gonna have to deal with the great tempter, 25:01 the adversary, 25:03 the one who is causing sin and suffering and pain. 25:06 The Bible also speaks about God 25:07 wiping away every tear from the eyes of those who are saved. 25:10 So the time comes where there'll be no more pain 25:12 and God will make all things new. 25:14 And friends, the most important truth that we can understand 25:17 is that Jesus has made a way of salvation. 25:21 None of us need to be outside that city of gold 25:23 when those fires fall and the wicked are destroyed. 25:26 Through Christ and through His atoning sacrifice, 25:28 we can have everlasting life. 25:31 And friends, that's good news. 25:32 If you'd like to learn more 25:34 about how you can make sure 25:36 that your heart is right with God 25:37 and that you can receive the gift of eternal life, 25:40 we wanna encourage you to call and ask for our study guide. 25:42 It's called Ultimate Deliverance, 25:44 and it's talking about salvation. 25:46 Ultimate deliverance that comes through Christ, 25:48 through what He has done for us, 25:50 and that's really good news. 25:52 So yes, there is a judgment, 25:53 the wicked will be destroyed. 25:55 There is a hell, it does not burn people forever. 25:58 But then God creates a new heaven and a new earth. 26:00 And you know, that's good news that we find in the Bible. 26:03 God is gonna make all things new. 26:05 - Amen. 26:06 - Well, friends, if you have a Bible related question, 26:07 the number again is 800-463-7297. 26:12 I'm looking at the clock past the air 26:13 and we don't have time to take another call. 26:15 We're coming up on our mid show break, 26:17 but we've still got another half an hour of Bible questions, 26:20 so if you've got a question about the Bible, 26:22 just call us and we have a couple of lines that are open, 26:25 so this is a good time during our break to give us a call. 26:27 The number is 800-463-7297. 26:32 Now, I'd mentioned just a little earlier 26:34 that Pastor Doug is out of town today. 26:36 And you might be wondering, well, where is he? 26:38 Pastor Doug and Pastor Carlos 26:40 who sometimes also helps with Bible Answers Live, 26:42 they're actually in Mexico City 26:44 both this weekend and next weekend, 26:46 and they're doing a special revival series 26:49 that will be broadcast. 26:51 It's actually gonna be broadcast 26:52 and Pastor Doug's gonna be preaching, 26:54 Pastor Carlos will be translating to Spanish for him. 26:56 And that's gonna be taking place on 3ABN Latino 26:59 and it's gonna be later in the week, 27:01 I think it starts on Wednesday evening. 27:03 So friends, if you're interested in that, 27:05 we wanna encourage you to check out 3ABN Latino. 27:08 They're gonna be carrying it live. 27:09 It's gonna be a great revival series 27:11 actually coming from Mexico City, 27:13 one of the most densely populated, 27:15 one of the largest cities on the earth. 27:17 So make sure you tune in and find out more about that. 27:21 Again, if you have a Bible question, 27:23 the number is 800-463-7297. 27:27 We're not ending the program, 27:28 we're just gonna take a short break 27:30 and we'll be back in a few minutes 27:31 to answer your Bible questions. 27:34 We also have some interesting information 27:36 and some announcements 27:37 that we'll be showing you during the break 27:39 so don't go too far away. 27:41 We'll be back in about a minute and a half. 27:43 (upbeat music) 27:47 - Stay tuned, 27:48 Bible Answers Live will return shortly. 27:50 (upbeat music) 27:54 - Do you feel as though 27:55 your world is spiraling out of control 27:58 or perhaps new life challenges 28:00 are frightening you more than they should? 28:02 Are you sinking while you're thinking? 28:04 Excessive worry can consume you, 28:06 eating you from the inside out, 28:08 resulting in sickness, insomnia and paralyzing fear. 28:12 It can also damage relationships, ruin opportunities, 28:15 and yes, diminish your witness for the gospel. 28:19 - Worry affects everybody differently, 28:21 but it's all driven by fear. 28:23 So how can you overcome 28:25 a world full of reasons to be anxious? 28:28 I'd like to recommend for you my new book, 28:30 Finding Peace In a World of Worry. 28:33 You'll discover a lifeline to victory, 28:36 a place where you can cast your cares upon Christ 28:39 and experience a serenity 28:41 that isn't subject to your circumstances. 28:43 - Send a gift of any amount 28:45 to receive your copy of Pastor Doug's new book, 28:47 Finding Peace in a World of Worry. 28:50 Call 877-232-2871 today. 28:54 Are you wondering what lies ahead in human history? 28:58 Landmarks of Prophecy offers clear answers 29:00 to your most pressing questions. 29:01 Presented by Pastor Doug Batchelor, 29:04 Landmarks of Prophecy is a video Bible study adventure 29:07 designed for today's audiences 29:09 presenting the landmark themes of the Bible 29:11 in a compelling way, 29:13 giving you knowledge to face the future with confidence. 29:15 Start your epic Bible study adventure 29:16 with Landmarks of Prophecy today 29:18 by calling 800-538-7275 29:22 or by visiting afbookstore.com. 29:28 - You're listening to Bible Answers Live, 29:30 where every question answered 29:32 provides a clearer picture of God and His plan to save you. 29:36 So what are you waiting for? 29:38 Get practical answers about the 'Good Book' 29:40 for a better life today. 29:44 This broadcast is a previously recorded episode. 29:49 If you'd like answers 29:50 to your Bible related questions on the air, 29:51 please call us next Sunday 29:53 between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM Pacific Time. 29:56 To receive any of the Bible resources 29:59 mentioned in this evening's program, 30:00 call 800-835-6747. 30:04 Once again, that's 800-835-6747. 30:11 Now, let's rejoin our host for more Bible Answers Live. 30:16 - Hello friends. 30:17 Welcome back to Bible Answers Live. 30:18 My name is Pastor Jean Ross 30:20 and joining me is Pastor- 30:21 - Pastor Crews. 30:22 - Pastor Aron Crews is joining me on the phone. 30:24 We're glad he's here. 30:26 A new face to those of you who watch Bible Answers Live 30:29 on a regular basis 30:30 and we are delighted that he's helping out this evening 30:32 and I'm sure we'll be seeing him again 30:34 during our upcoming Bible Answers Live program. 30:37 Now, if you have a Bible question 30:39 and we've got one line open that I can see, 30:41 so give us a call, it's 800-463-7297, 30:46 800-463-7297. 30:49 We also wanna greet those who are watching on AFTV, 30:52 Amazing Facts Television, 30:53 also those listening 30:55 on the various land based radio stations, 30:57 also on satellite radio. 30:59 And also we have a number of folks 31:01 watching on, I believe, the internet, YouTube, and Facebook. 31:04 And so we wanna welcome all of you 31:07 and also those who are watching the program 31:09 in the rebroadcast phase on various other networks. 31:12 So Pastor Crews, who's our next caller? 31:15 - Yeah, we've got Robert calling in from Washington. 31:18 Is that Washington DC or Washington State, Robert? 31:23 - Well, Washington State, North West Pocket here. 31:27 - All right, well, welcome. 31:28 What is your question? 31:32 - Well, I hear quite often as I'm on Facebook mainly, 31:38 that a lot of people 31:40 believe that Christ is gonna set up His earthly kingdom, 31:44 the millennium will be here on Earth 31:50 and of course, they've got their Bible verses 31:52 to explain that. 31:57 So how would you go about saying that, 32:00 well, you are wrong, we go up? 32:04 - Okay, well, good question. 32:05 Well, if they've got Bible verses that explain somehow 32:08 that Christ is gonna rule here on this earth over the wicked 32:12 during the thousand years, I'd like to see that. 32:14 It is true. 32:16 The Bible does speak about Christ ruling on the earth, 32:17 no doubt about that. 32:19 But the sequence of how things play out, 32:21 the Bible's pretty clear. 32:23 Let me begin with one verse, 32:25 the great promise in John chapter 14. 32:27 Jesus said, "let not your heart be troubled. 32:29 You believe in God, believe also in Me. 32:31 In My Father's house, there are many mansions." 32:33 Where? 32:35 In My Father's house. 32:36 Where's the Father's house? 32:37 Well, it would be in heaven. 32:38 "In My Father's house, there are many mansions. 32:40 If it were not so, I would've told you. 32:41 I go to prepare a place for you, in the Father's house, 32:44 and if I go and prepare a place, 32:46 I will come again unto you to receive you unto Myself 32:51 that where I am, there you may also be." 32:53 So at the second coming of Christ, 32:54 Jesus is coming to take the redeemed 32:56 to the place that He has prepared for them 32:58 in the Father's house. 33:00 All that, of course, would be in heaven. 33:03 So when Jesus comes the second time, 33:04 there are several things that take place. 33:06 The righteous are changed. 33:08 The righteous living are changed in a moment, 33:11 in the twinkling of an eye 33:11 they get their immortal bodies. 33:13 The dead in Christ are resurrected 33:15 and they are caught up to meet the Lord in the air 33:18 and Christ takes them to heaven. 33:21 The wicked are destroyed 33:22 with the brightness of Christ's coming, 33:25 1 Thessalonians speaks of that, 33:26 as well as Revelation chapter 19 near the end. 33:30 So the wicked are all destroyed with the coming of Christ, 33:32 the righteous are taken to heaven. 33:34 And for a thousand years, 33:36 the righteous are in heaven and they're involved in judging. 33:39 The Bible refers to them as ruling. 33:41 The aspect of rulership that's so significant 33:43 is that of judgment. 33:45 And they're involved in judging the wicked, even the angels, 33:48 the wicked angels, during that thousand years. 33:50 Not determining who's saved and lost, God does that, 33:53 but they have something to do 33:54 with reaffirming the decision God has made, 33:57 but also the rewards of, or the judgements 34:00 that come upon the wicked. 34:01 And then at the end of the thousand years, 34:03 according to Revelation chapter 21, 34:05 it describes the new Jerusalem coming down from God 34:07 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 34:10 And then Jesus sets His foot on the Mount of Olives, 34:13 which is in Zachariah. 34:15 It opens up and forms a great valley, 34:16 and the New Jerusalem comes to rest 34:18 and all the wicked are then resurrected 34:20 for the great white throne judgment 34:23 that you read about in Revelation chapter 20. 34:26 At the end of that, and I'm just giving you a synopsis, 34:28 at the end of that great white throne judgment 34:30 the wicked actually mount an attack upon the golden city. 34:34 Fire comes and devours them. 34:36 Then the earth is recreated 34:38 and the righteous then will inherit the earth. 34:41 That's the promise, 34:42 the meek shall inherit the earth. 34:43 So they're not ruling over the wicked 34:45 during the thousand years here on the earth, 34:47 they're in heaven. 34:48 And at the end of the thousand years 34:50 is the final great white throne judgment. 34:52 - Yeah, a couple things to add. 34:55 And that's a great summary of the thousand year period here. 34:58 In Revelation 20:5, 34:59 it says that "the dead," speaking of the wicked dead, 35:03 it says, "did not live again 35:04 until the thousand years were finished," right? 35:07 - Right. 35:08 - So here on the earth, there's no humans alive. 35:10 Then what we see right before Revelation 20, 35:12 in Revelation 19, 35:13 this is a picture of the second coming. 35:15 Jesus is coming on a white horse 35:17 with a sword symbolically coming out of His mouth. 35:20 King of kings, Lord of lords. 35:22 This is the second coming. 35:24 And we know from the rest of the scripture, 35:25 at the second coming 35:26 that's when all of the righteous are resurrected, 35:28 go to heaven. 35:30 So when it says they reign with Christ for a thousand years, 35:31 this reign happens in heaven, 35:34 while the wicked are sleeping, 35:36 they're dead, they're resting 35:38 awaiting the end of a thousand years. 35:39 - Now, of course, people wonder, 35:40 well, who're they reigning over 35:42 if they're reigning with Christ for a thousand years? 35:43 And the point that I wanna emphasize, 35:45 the most significant part about reigning, 35:46 when a king sat upon his throne and he was reigning 35:47 he was acting as a judge, it was a judgment. 35:51 So the redeemed will be involved in a judgment 35:53 during the thousand years. 35:54 Paul says, "know that you shall judge angels," 35:57 how much more things pertaining to this life? 35:59 So anyway, there's just a quick overview. 36:00 Hopefully that helps, Robert. 36:01 You might wanna get the study guide 36:03 called 1000 Years of Peace. 36:05 It's just jam packed with scripture 36:06 and I think you'll find it an interesting study. 36:09 Who do we have next? 36:10 - All right, next we have Jerry, 36:13 calling in from California, our very own state. 36:16 Hi there, Jerry, what is your question tonight? 36:19 - So actually that call prompted another question. 36:23 - Sure. 36:25 - So that question is, 36:28 what do you guys think is the timing of, 36:32 or do you even believe in the rapture 36:35 as pre-tribulation or post-tribulation? 36:38 - Okay, good question. 36:39 Well, of course, the word rapture 36:40 does not appear in the Bible 36:41 but the idea of being caught up, 36:43 that's where it comes from, 36:44 the rapture is to be caught up. 36:46 The Bible is clear that when Jesus comes 36:48 the dead in Christ are raised and the living, 36:51 together are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. 36:55 And maybe you can look that verse up in first Thessalonians. 36:57 So the Lord comes, Jesus comes the second time, 37:01 the dead are resurrected, 37:02 the righteous are changed, 37:04 and together we are caught up to meet Jesus in the air. 37:07 But the wicked are destroyed 37:08 with the brightness of Christ's coming. 37:10 So the wicked are all died. 37:11 So the rapture occurs at the second coming of Christ, 37:14 which occurs when Jesus comes the second time. 37:17 So there is a tribulation. 37:19 The Bible in Daniel 12:1, 37:22 talks about a terrible time of trouble 37:23 that is worse than the world has ever been, 37:26 but that precedes the second coming of Christ. 37:28 And that's when the seven last plagues are poured out 37:30 that you read about in Revelation chapter 16. 37:32 Now, God's people are protected during that time. 37:35 God provides for them. 37:36 We need not fear, God will take care of His people, 37:39 but they're on the earth, 37:40 just like the children of Israel were in Egypt 37:42 when the plagues came upon Egypt 37:43 and then they were delivered out of Egypt 37:45 and they went to the Promised Land, 37:46 so the righteous will be on the earth 37:48 when the plagues come during this time of trouble, 37:50 but they're protected 37:52 and they're delivered out from the earth 37:54 and they go to heaven for a thousand years. 37:56 So that's kind of the context there Jerry, 37:58 does that make sense? 38:01 - So I guess you guys believe post-tribulation? 38:04 - We believe that the time of trouble 38:06 precedes the second coming of Christ. 38:10 - All right. 38:11 Many believe that it happens pre-tribulation, 38:14 but I'll move on to my next question. 38:16 - Sure. 38:17 - So my original question, sorry to change up- 38:20 - Oh, no problem. 38:22 - So my original question is, can we lose our salvation? 38:26 - Okay. 38:27 Well, it's probably up to us you might say. 38:30 If we're trusting in Christ, 38:32 the Bible says that no one 38:34 can pluck us out of the Father's hand. 38:35 Actually, Jesus said that. 38:37 So if we're trusting in Christ 38:39 and we have a living relationship with Jesus, 38:41 we need not fear. 38:43 We are safe and secure. 38:45 But when one receives salvation, 38:47 accepts Jesus as his personal Savior, 38:49 his free will doesn't go away. 38:52 We still have freedom to choose, so we can choose. 38:54 And the apostle Paul says, "I die daily." 38:56 It is a daily surrendering of ourself to Christ. 39:00 We can unfortunately, if we choose, we can walk away. 39:04 God's not gonna force us to be saved 39:07 if we no longer wanna be saved, right? 39:08 I mean, we have that freedom of choice. 39:11 But if we are choosing Him and surrendering to Him, 39:14 we need not fear, we are secure. 39:17 He's going to hold us in the palm of His hand. 39:19 - Yeah. 39:21 And I think sometimes the question asks, 39:23 can you lose your salvation? 39:25 Sometimes it's like a pen, right? 39:27 Can you lose your pen? 39:28 Sometimes we view salvation as an item. 39:31 Something that's, oh, I dropped it. 39:32 We have to remember that salvation is a relationship. 39:35 We get it through a relationship with Jesus, right? 39:38 And as you were mentioning earlier, 39:40 God doesn't take away our free will. 39:43 Once you're married 39:44 or once you're in a relationship with someone, 39:46 for you to say, "ha, I've got you now, 39:48 you can never leave me," right? 39:50 God's not like that. 39:51 He's not gonna force you to stay. 39:53 So salvation can be lost 39:55 in the sense of someone can walk away 39:58 from a relationship with Jesus. 39:59 - Yes. 40:01 Now, I don't know why somebody would wanna do that, 40:02 but they are free to do that, 40:06 although Christ doesn't want us to do that. 40:08 - Yeah. 40:09 And one more helpful thing. 40:10 I think if you read the book of Hebrews, 40:12 you find all throughout the book of Hebrews, 40:14 lots of warning passages about walking away from Christ. 40:18 One of them is in Hebrews 3:14, 40:20 where it says, "for we have become partakers of Christ." 40:24 Notice, "if we hold the beginning of our confidence 40:29 steadfast to the end." 40:32 God wants us to hold onto Him until the end. 40:35 - And one other verse. 40:36 Jesus said in Matthew 24, 40:38 "he who endures to the end," the same "shall be saved." 40:41 So to be a Christian today requires endurance, 40:45 it requires faith and belief in God. 40:47 You know, we do have a book that deals with the subject. 40:50 It's called Can A Saved Man Choose To Be Lost? 40:53 That's the title, 40:54 Can A Saved Man Choose To Be Lost? 40:56 We'll be happy to send that to anyone who calls and asks. 40:59 You'd like to learn more about that subject? 41:01 The number again is 800-835-6747. 41:05 Call and ask, Can A Saved Man Choose To Be Lost? 41:07 And we'll be happy to send that to anyone in North America. 41:10 Who do we have next? 41:12 - Next, we've got Keith calling in from Michigan. 41:15 Hi there Keith, what's your question? 41:18 - So the question I have is, 41:22 if Satan no longer has access to the tree of life, 41:29 how is God sustaining him 41:31 and how was he not destroyed when the flood came? 41:35 - Okay, good question. 41:36 Well, we do know that the angels 41:38 are in a different dimension than we are. 41:42 They are spiritual beings. 41:44 So that means they don't have flesh and blood as we do. 41:48 We do know that they have abilities to appear 41:51 and they can even appear as dead loved ones, 41:53 they can possess a person, 41:55 you call that demon possession, 41:58 they can travel quickly. 42:00 They can't read our thoughts, 42:02 but they can put ideas in our mind, so to speak. 42:05 The Bible says only God knows the heart of man, 42:08 but they can tempt us. 42:09 So there is that dimension that we can't see. 42:13 Now, I think maybe before Adam and Eve sinned, 42:15 their eyes were open, 42:16 they were able to see the angels. 42:18 But Adam and Eve were created unique. 42:21 They were created in a different format than the angels. 42:24 And by then partaking of the tree of life, 42:26 that was a symbol of their faith and obedience in God 42:29 and it sustained their life here on the earth. 42:32 So the devil has a different type of life, 42:37 a different sustenance you might say, 42:39 that preserves his life. 42:41 But the clock is ticking, the devil will be destroyed. 42:44 His life can come to an end. 42:47 He couldn't have been destroyed during the flood 42:49 because he's a spiritual being. 42:51 Although maybe the devil was afraid 42:52 when he saw everything happening here on this planet. 42:55 The rain and the storm and the volcanoes 42:56 and everything else that was happening. 42:58 But as a spiritual being, 43:00 he can't be chained with a physical chain 43:02 or be bound or held physically. 43:04 So it's just a different dimension than we are. 43:07 But he will be destroyed. 43:10 Does that help, Keith? 43:11 - Oh okay. 43:12 Yeah, it does. 43:13 - All right, great. 43:14 Thanks for your call. 43:15 Who do we have next? 43:16 - Yeah, next we have calling in is Jonathan. 43:20 Another caller from Tennessee. 43:21 Hi there Jonathan, are you with us? 43:23 - Hey, good evening. 43:24 I can hear you very well. 43:25 - Yeah, thanks for your call. 43:27 - Hey, good. 43:28 Enjoying the discussion so far tonight. 43:30 Hey, so my question is regarding 43:33 kind of interpreting the second coming of Jesus. 43:36 So I guess I would phrase it this way, 43:38 didn't Jesus lose His omnipresence on earth? 43:42 If so, how is it that He will be seen by every eye 43:46 as it is stated in Revelation 1:7? 43:50 - Yes, good question. 43:52 Well, when Jesus comes the second time 43:54 as He's coming to the earth, 43:55 the earth is still turning. 43:57 So the Bible doesn't say 43:59 that everyone's gonna see Jesus at exactly the same time, 44:01 but it says everyone on the earth 44:03 will see Jesus when He comes. 44:05 So as Christ approaches the earth, 44:07 and of course Jesus is coming with all of the angels, 44:09 it's gonna be very dramatic and glorious event. 44:12 As the earth turns, everyone's gonna see Jesus. 44:15 Perhaps at the second coming of Christ, 44:17 Jesus circles the earth 44:19 before the righteous are caught up to meet Him. 44:22 We don't know for sure how Christ is gonna do that 44:25 but yes, everyone living will be able to see Jesus 44:29 when He comes the second time. 44:31 Of course, there's two responses. 44:32 The righteous look up and they say, "this is our God, 44:34 we waited for Him, He'll save us." 44:36 The wicked turn to the mountains and the rocks 44:37 and they say "fall on us and hide us 44:40 from the face of Him who sits up on the throne 44:41 and from the wrath of the Lamb." 44:43 That's Revelation chapter six. 44:44 All right, thank you Jonathan. 44:46 Who do we have next? 44:47 - Yes, next we have a caller from Texas. 44:50 I think it's- 44:53 - Fredine. 44:54 Fredine, is that correct? 44:57 - Yes. 44:58 Hello, good evening. 44:58 - Hi, welcome. 45:01 - Hi, thank you pastors. 45:02 So my question is, earlier someone called in 45:05 and they were asking about, do people or you know, Satan... 45:11 Do they burn literally forever? 45:14 But my question is in regards to the degrees of punishment, 45:19 because I always hear it said 45:22 that some people that have done greater sin, 45:25 they burn for longer. 45:28 And I'm thinking to myself, 45:30 I know this scripture does kind of hint at that, 45:33 but how does that work if we're all mortal beings? 45:35 How does one person burn longer than the other? 45:37 - Okay, well, that's a good question. 45:39 Let me give you a verse. 45:40 Maybe you can look it up for me Pastor Aron. 45:42 Jesus says, "He who knew the will of his master 45:44 and did not do it, will be beaten with many stripes. 45:48 He who did not know the will of his master 45:50 and did not do it, will be beaten with few stripes." 45:53 So there are degrees in punishment 45:56 that's gonna be meted out for the wicked. 45:58 Not everyone receives the same reward. 46:00 Did you find that verse? 46:01 - Yeah, that's Luke 12:47. 46:02 - Luke 12:47. 46:04 And the Bible does tell us in Revelation 46:06 that when Jesus comes... 46:08 Revelation 22, 46:09 that He'll reward everyone according to their works. 46:11 So there are degrees, 46:12 there are varying rewards. 46:14 As far as how will that actually happen? 46:16 Well, when the wicked are resurrected 46:19 at the end of the thousand years, you know, 46:22 I don't think they're gonna have 46:23 exactly the same type of bodies that we have now. 46:27 I don't think they're gonna have to go plant 46:29 and find food to eat and find water to drink. 46:32 It seems as though they're resurrected 46:34 in a form where they can actually see what's happening 46:37 in the golden city. 46:39 They'll be able to see the angels, 46:40 they'll even be able to see the devil. 46:42 So it's a little bit of a different form than we have now. 46:45 And apparently, 46:46 the fire that destroys the devil and his angels, 46:49 it's not just a regular fire 46:50 because the devil can't be burnt 46:52 with the fire that we know today. 46:54 So it's a special fire that purifies and cleanses the earth. 46:58 So it's gonna be a little different 47:00 at the end of the thousand years 47:03 when the wicked are resurrected. 47:05 - Yeah. 47:06 We know the ultimate punishment 47:07 for all the wicked is death, right? 47:09 The wages of sin is death. 47:10 I mean to use an example of today, 47:13 in many places there's a death penalty, right? 47:17 There's different kinds of ways 47:19 that the punishment of death can be inflicted, right? 47:21 Lethal injection, electric chair, you know, just being shot. 47:25 So we know that the ultimate punishment is death, 47:29 but the process to get to that death can be different. 47:33 - Can vary. 47:34 - It can vary in intensity and duration. 47:36 So how God's gonna do it exactly- 47:39 - The Bible doesn't tell. 47:40 - The Bible doesn't tell, 47:41 but we know that it's gonna be just and fair. 47:43 - Absolutely. 47:44 Well, does that help a little bit, Fredine? 47:48 - Yes, it does actually give me a new perspective. 47:51 I was thinking while I was on hold 47:53 that maybe it's kind of like when you're cooking a chicken, 47:56 if you cook it on low, 47:58 it takes a longer time to go to the organs, right? 48:00 - Yep. 48:01 - But if you cook it on a higher heat, 48:02 kind of like with Nebuchadnezzar 48:05 when he was like turn up the fire seven times hotter, 48:08 it should kill them on the spot, 48:10 and it should get to their organs faster 48:12 than if it was on a lower heat. 48:13 So I don't know. 48:15 I guess we won't know that part, 48:16 but at least we do know that there is like different levels- 48:20 - There is, yeah. 48:21 Good question. 48:22 Now, the good news of course is 48:23 none of us need to have firsthand experience 48:25 of that fire, right? 48:26 - Amen. 48:27 - Because God has provided a way of escape 48:29 and we can praise Him for that. 48:31 We can receive Him as our personal Savior. 48:33 Who do we have next? 48:35 - Yes, we have Cha'kyra. 48:39 I'm sorry if I'm mispronouncing. 48:41 - Cha'kyra, there we go. 48:42 - Cha'kyra calling in from Minnesota. 48:45 Hi there. 48:46 What is your question this evening? 48:49 - So in Psalms 82:6 it says that we are Gods, 48:56 can you explain what that means? 48:57 - Okay, very good. 48:58 Well, let me read the verse here. 48:59 For those of you 49:01 who might not have their bibles in front of them, 49:02 it says, starting verse five, 49:04 "they do not know nor do they understand; 49:06 they walk about in darkness; 49:08 all of the foundations of the earth are unstable." 49:10 It says as, "I said, you are gods, 49:13 and all of you are the children of the most high 49:17 but you shall die like men." 49:18 So the word there "gods" 49:20 can also be translated as rulers or lords 49:25 or those who might hold dominance over others. 49:28 So of course, God does hold that position, 49:31 He is the Ultimate Ruler. 49:33 But there were also others 49:35 that claimed themselves to be rulers over others. 49:37 They claimed themselves to be worthy of recognition, 49:44 but the reality is they're gonna be destroyed. 49:46 That's what the next verse says. 49:47 Even if they are princes, it says, 49:49 "and there'll fall one of the princes" 49:51 when God rises up to judge them. 49:54 So there's no escape 49:57 even of those who claim to be in positions of influence 50:00 or power or lord over others. 50:03 - Yeah. 50:04 It's certainly true that we are made in the image of God 50:07 and in the likeness of God. 50:08 So we are like Him in a variety of different ways. 50:10 - All right. 50:11 Does that help a little bit, Cha'kyra? 50:15 - Cha'kyra, and- 50:17 - You've got our thank you. 50:18 - One time at church, there was a pastor 50:23 and he said that his name was Elijah Mighty God. 50:27 Is that okay for us to say? 50:30 - You mean the phrase Almighty God? 50:32 Yes. 50:33 If we are referring to the God of heaven, absolutely. 50:36 I think we want to be careful. 50:38 The Bible tells us don't take God's name in vain. 50:42 And when we talk about God 50:43 and we talk about the Almighty God, 50:46 we want to do that humbly and reverently, 50:48 we don't wanna do that in jest. 50:50 And that title Almighty God only belongs to one, 50:54 and that is the Creator God. 50:56 That's the God that we worship and serve. 50:57 So yes, there's nothing wrong in saying Almighty God, 51:01 but we want to do it reverently 51:03 and in the proper circumstance. 51:06 All right, who do we have next? 51:08 What about Joe in New York? 51:10 Joe, are you there? 51:11 - I'm glad you're there to help people. 51:14 - Hi, welcome to the program. 51:15 - I had a question about the Bible 51:17 when it talks about Satan blinding the minds 51:19 of the people of this world. 51:22 Does that mean like they were born blind 51:24 and they can't see till God awakens them up 51:27 or they choose to be blind? 51:29 It says there's foolishness to them that don't believe 51:33 or Satan keeps blinding them 51:35 or he blinded them before they were born? 51:38 Like when they're born, you're blinding him or what? 51:42 - Okay, of course... 51:46 Okay, we're talking about spiritual blindness here, 51:48 we're not talking about literal blindness. 51:50 But when it talks about the devil blinding a person, 51:53 what happens is if you hear the truth, 51:56 if you have access to the truth 51:59 or the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and you reject that, 52:03 you harden your heart, 52:05 very often that gives access to the devil to present a lie. 52:11 And in doing that, your heart is even hardened 52:13 and you are even more blind. 52:15 Jesus said of the religious leaders of His day, 52:18 He spoke of them as being the blind leading the blind. 52:22 Now, He's talking spiritually 52:23 because they had rejected the truth 52:25 that Jesus had come to give. 52:26 They rejected the teachings of the scriptures 52:29 and they had their own manmade traditions 52:31 and they were considered spiritually blind. 52:34 And so yes, if we reject truth, 52:36 our hearts are hardened 52:37 and we're opening ourselves up for more deception. 52:40 Paul actually says, and maybe you can find that verse, 52:42 "because they receive not a love of the truth, 52:44 God shall send them strong delusions 52:46 that they shall believe a lie." 52:49 So if somebody rejects truth, 52:51 their hearts are hardened in disobedience. 52:55 So hopefully that helps a little bit. 52:56 Did that make sense, Joe? 52:58 - So that comes after they harden their heart 53:00 or they're born blind 53:02 so a natural man can understand or obey the things of God? 53:08 - Yes. 53:09 So we are naturally born with a selfishness towards self 53:11 but God still speaks to us 53:14 and God tries to reach us 53:15 because He's not willing that any should perish 53:17 but He wants all to come to salvation. 53:19 And depending upon how we respond to that, 53:22 how we respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit 53:24 and the truth of God's Word, 53:25 that determines whether we are going to spiritually 53:27 have our eyes open to see more truth 53:30 or we're gonna be blinded by the deceptions of Satan. 53:34 So it's what our response is that gives access to the devil. 53:37 I think we have time, maybe for one more caller. 53:39 Who do we have? 53:40 - Yeah. 53:42 Let's go with Frank, calling in from Montreal. 53:45 International caller. 53:47 Hi there Frank, welcome. 53:48 - Thank you very much. 53:50 Good evening pastors. 53:51 Thank you for taking my call. 53:52 - You're welcome. 53:53 - So back to creation. 53:55 Did God create death? 53:57 Because God, when He was speaking to Adam and Eve He said, 54:00 "if you eat the fruit you will die." 54:02 I believe that was the first time 54:03 death was mentioned in the Bible. 54:05 - Yes. 54:06 Did God create death? 54:07 Well, the absence of life is death, 54:10 and the Bible says God is life. 54:12 So whenever somebody is separated from God 54:15 or they chooses to rebel against God, 54:17 the natural consequence of that is death. 54:20 I've heard it, 54:21 somebody once explained it 54:23 that if you have a light 54:24 and you have it plugged into the socket in the wall 54:25 and you have electricity flowing through, 54:28 you're gonna have light, 54:29 the light's gonna shine. 54:30 But the moment you unplug 54:32 and you pull the plug out from the wall, 54:35 there's no electricity flowing 54:37 and so the light goes out and you're in darkness. 54:41 So if we're plugged by faith into Christ, 54:44 if we are trusting in God, we have life, 54:46 especially eternal life. 54:48 But if we reject Christ, 54:49 if we reject eternal life, 54:51 the end result is darkness and death. 54:53 So it's not that God creates death, 54:55 death is just the natural result of rebellion against God 54:58 for without God there is no life, 55:00 the only other alternate would be death. 55:02 Stay with us, 55:03 we're gonna take some Bible questions in just a moment. 55:05 (upbeat music) 55:08 - Thank you for listening to today's broadcast. 55:11 We hope you understand your Bible even better than before. 55:14 Bible Answers Live 55:16 is produced by Amazing Facts International, 55:19 a faith based ministry located in Granite Bay, California. 55:24 - Hello friends, welcome back. 55:25 We have about two and a half minutes. 55:27 For those of you who are listening on land based stations, 55:30 we had to say goodbye to those who are on satellite radio, 55:33 but those who are watching on the internet 55:34 and also land based stations, 55:36 we've got some of your email Bible questions 55:39 that have come in 55:40 and so we're gonna try and give an answer 55:41 to as many of these questions as we can 55:43 in the next two minutes. 55:44 What's the first question? 55:45 - Yeah, the first question we have here is, 55:46 what will we be doing in heaven throughout all of eternity? 55:51 - All right. 55:52 Sometimes people think, 55:53 well, is it gonna be boring in heaven? 55:54 Are we just gonna sit on a cloud and play a harp? 55:55 No. 55:56 The Bible says, "eye has not seen nor ear heard. 55:59 Neither has it entered to the heart of man 56:01 the things that God is preparing for those that love Him." 56:05 So we can't even begin to imagine 56:06 all of the exciting and fun things 56:08 we're gonna be doing in heaven. 56:10 We do know that we're gonna be building our own houses 56:12 in the earth made new, 56:13 and we'll be inhabiting them 56:15 and we'll be going up from one Sabbath to another 56:17 to worship before the Lord. 56:19 We are gonna have friendships. 56:21 We might even be able to travel to other worlds 56:24 and travel through the universe. 56:25 So we don't know, 56:27 the Bible doesn't tell us exactly what we're gonna do, 56:29 but the Bible does say 56:30 it's gonna be better than you can even imagine. 56:32 What's our next question? 56:34 - Yeah, we have Judy and she wants to know 56:37 where in the Bible does it describe angels having wings? 56:42 - Okay. 56:43 Well, we have a couple of references. 56:44 Revelation chapter four describes God's throne room 56:47 and it talks about these four living creatures. 56:50 You read in Ezekiel, 56:51 they are spoken of as Cherubim and Seraphim, 56:54 and they have six wings. 56:56 Two wings they cover their feet, 56:57 two wings they fly, 56:58 two wings they cover their face. 57:00 So these are angelic beings and they have wings. 57:03 We also know that the angel Gabriel 57:05 when he appeared to Daniel, 57:08 in response to Daniel's prayer, 57:09 the angel said, "I was caused to fly swiftly." 57:12 So apparently the angel can fly. 57:15 We know Gabriel is an angel. 57:16 So yes, there are references to wings in in the Bible 57:19 that these heavenly beings have, 57:21 but these wings 57:23 are not the kind of wings that we think of here 57:25 that you need to be able to flap to get airborne. 57:28 They can fly in space. 57:31 What do we have next? 57:32 - Yeah, great answer. 57:33 Next question is, 57:35 why did God choose to cast the devil to the earth? 57:39 - Okay. 57:40 Why did God choose cast the devil to the earth? 57:41 Well, He didn't choose to cast the devil to the earth. 57:44 But when the devil came and tempted Adam and Eve, 57:46 the devil claimed, 57:47 because Adam was given dominion over the earth 57:49 when Adam sinned, 57:51 that dominion passed from Adam to Satan, 57:53 and Satan claimed the earth as his. 57:55 Matter of fact, 57:57 Jesus said that the devil is the prince of this earth. 57:59 But when Jesus died on the cross and He rose again, 58:01 He became the second Adam, 58:03 now He is our representative. 58:05 The devil has lost that dominion. 58:07 - Amen. 58:08 - So he is here on the earth 58:09 going around like a roaring lion. 58:10 Friends, thank you for joining us. 58:12 We look forward to visiting again next week. 58:14 God bless. 58:15 (upbeat music) 58:17 - Bible Answers Live, 58:19 honest and accurate answers to your Bible questions. |
Revised 2023-01-10