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Series Code: AFBA
Program Code: AFBA202311S
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00:02 male announcer: It is the best-selling book in history.
00:05 No volume ever written has been more loved and quoted, and its 00:09 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," providing accurate and practical 00:24 answers to all your Bible questions. 00:28 This broadcast is a previously-recorded episode. 00:31 To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned 00:33 in this broadcast, call 800-835-6747. 00:38 Once again, that's 800-835-6747. 00:43 Now here's your host from Amazing Facts International, 00:47 Pastor Doug Batchelor. 00:49 Doug Batchelor: Hi, listening friends. 00:51 Would you like to hear an amazing fact? 00:54 In July 2018, an Indonesian teenager, Aldi Adilang, 00:59 was minding his floating fishing hut when he awoke to find 01:03 himself drifting alone far out in the ocean. 01:06 During the windy night, the rope of his rompong snapped. 01:10 A rompong is a little hut about 6 feet by 6 feet on a floating 01:14 raft with no motor, paddles, or steering. 01:18 During the first few days drifting at sea he survived on 01:21 his meager food and water supply, but then 01:24 he turned to eating raw fish and drank salty seawater 01:27 he filtered through his clothing. 01:29 In the 49 days he was adrift, up to ten ships passed by but none 01:34 of their crews noticed him. 01:36 Alone at sea, he sang Christian songs, read the 01:40 Bible he carried, and earnestly prayed that he 01:43 would live to see his parents again. 01:45 He admits that at one point he felt so depressed he considered 01:47 drowning himself, but he kept going through prayer. 01:51 His mother told the news agency AFP how she 01:54 learned of her son's disappearance. 01:57 "His boss told my husband that he went missing, so we just 02:00 surrendered to God and kept praying hard." 02:04 On the 31th of August, he spotted a Panamanian coal ship 02:08 that recognized his signals of distress. 02:11 Mr. Adilang was unaware that he had floated all the way from 02:14 Indonesia 1,200 miles to the waters of Guam in the Pacific. 02:19 The crew of the rescuing vessel gave him water, food, and a 02:22 change of clothes, and Mr. Adilang stayed with the ship for 02:26 a week until he reached its destination in Japan. 02:29 Two days later, his prayer was answered and he 02:31 was reunited with his family in Indonesia. 02:34 You know, Pastor Crews, that's just an amazing story of 02:37 survival and--18 years old and he was able to do that. 02:42 And the loneliness. Can you imagine 59 days? 02:46 And it reminds me of that verse. 02:48 He spent the time praying and he-- 02:50 providentially he was a Christian. 02:51 A lot of Indonesians are Muslims, 02:53 but he happened to be a Christian. 02:56 And that promise in the Bible, "Call upon me in the day of 02:59 trouble; and I will deliver you, and you will glorify Me." 03:04 That's, by the way, Psalm 50, verse 15. 03:08 Reminds us that God answers prayer. 03:11 Aron Crews: Yes, he does. 03:12 God delivers us when we call out to Him in 03:17 our prayers, in our everyday lives. 03:18 But also there's an ultimate deliverance that's coming, and 03:21 that deliverance is at the second coming, right, where 03:24 God's coming on something even bigger than a ship. 03:28 He's coming with the clouds of heaven, with all of the angels 03:31 to deliver all of those who call out to Him for deliverance. 03:35 And on that, if you want to learn more about God's ultimate 03:38 deliverance, we have a study guide for you. 03:41 So if you want to call in and get this free offer on "Ultimate 03:44 Deliverance," a study guide, you can call 1-800-835-6747. 03:51 Or if you want, if you have a phone you can just dial #250 and 03:57 say the keyword "Bible Answers Live" and ask for 04:01 the "Ultimate Deliverance" study guide. 04:04 Doug: Amen. 04:05 Well, as you've noticed, Pastor Ross is off tonight. 04:07 Pastor Aron Crews, who is one of our associates at the Granite 04:10 Bay Hilltop Church, is joining us tonight. 04:12 And Aron's been here two or three times so far. 04:14 Aron: This will be my third time to be back. 04:17 Doug: And so we're going to begin with a word of prayer. 04:19 Aron: All right, let's pray together. 04:21 Dear heavenly Father, Lord, we're so 04:23 thankful that You are our deliverer. 04:26 Lord, You saved us on the cross of Calvary. 04:29 You offer Your salvation freely to all, and we're looking 04:32 forward to that ultimate deliverance when 04:34 You come through the clouds of glory. 04:36 Now, Lord, as we spend some time fielding some questions about 04:41 the Bible, about You, Lord, please give us direction and 04:44 wisdom as we direct people to Your truth in Your Word. 04:49 We pray in Jesus's name, amen. 04:51 Doug: Amen. Well, let's see. 04:53 Who do we have lined up, Pastor Crews? 04:55 Aron: All right, our first caller for today, 04:56 her name is Debbie. 04:58 So Debbie is calling in from Canada. 05:02 Hello, Debbie. 05:03 Welcome to "Bible Answers Live." Are you there? 05:05 Debbie: Hi, pastors. How are you doing? 05:07 Doug: Doing great. Thanks for calling. 05:10 Debbie: Okay, I called last week, Pastor Doug, and we were 05:12 talking about organ donation, and I have--the second 05:17 question to that is, what's your theory on-- 05:22 or the Bible theory on cremation? 05:25 Doug: Okay, good question. 05:26 We get that question from time to time, and I'll just mention 05:29 quickly, Debbie--I'm assuming you can get on YouTube. 05:33 I did a YouTube this last year 'cause we had that question 05:37 several times on is cremation biblical. 05:41 And I'll have a lot more information there than I can 05:44 share briefly here, but I will tell you just in a nutshell that 05:48 typically in the Bible, the Bible example for burial is 05:52 burial--I should say the way that they dealt with the dead. 05:55 That's not to say a person who's been cremated can't be 05:58 resurrected or that it's classified as a sin anywhere, 06:02 but the typical example--it says, you know, Abraham, Isaac, 06:06 Jacob, Joseph, it talks about them being buried. 06:09 Moses--God buried Moses. 06:12 And then, you know, in the resurrection talks 06:14 about those sleeping in their graves. 06:17 But you do have examples in the Bible of people like Jonathan, 06:20 who we expect to see in the kingdom, and he was--after he 06:24 was killed by the Philistines, his body was recovered and 06:27 cremated by the men of Jabesh-Gilead. 06:29 So you've got at least a couple of examples in 06:31 the Bible of people that were burned, but 06:33 they're certainly going to be saved. 06:35 So that's what the Bible really teaches about it. 06:38 And the reason that most of the early Christians 06:42 and the Protestants, Catholics both, they 06:45 saw that the pagans were cremating. 06:47 They thought that man is made in the image of God, and even in 06:51 death because man reflected the image 06:53 of God that should be treated sacredly. 06:56 So they chose burial. 06:58 Debbie: Okay, thank you very much. 06:59 Aron: Thank you so much for calling, Debbie. 07:02 All right, well, we have one Debbie that called in and, 07:06 believe it or not, our second caller is another Debbie, but 07:09 this one is Debbie Smith calling in from California and says 07:13 here, Debbie, this is your first time calling in. 07:16 Welcome, Debbie. Are you there? 07:19 Debbie Smith: Yes, hi, I'm here. Thank you. 07:21 Aron: Hi, Debbie. What's your Bible question? 07:24 Debbie S: Well, I don't know if it's necessarily, like, a Bible 07:27 question, but I kind--I don't want to make it, like, a 07:29 drawn-out question--long drawn-out question, but I wanted 07:32 to know, like, what do you do when you feel like you're lost 07:35 and, like, your faith is, like, not as strong and you don't 07:40 really understand the Bible like you would want to as well 07:43 as wanting a relationship with God also? 07:48 Doug: Well, I'd--yeah, I'd say first thing that's wonderful. 07:51 If you're feeling that hunger, that's a beautiful thing. 07:57 And there's ways that a baby grows. 08:01 You know, once a person is born, they need to breathe, 08:06 they need to eat, and they need to rest. 08:09 And, you know, that's also true with us when we come to God. 08:13 If we pray, Debbie, and we say, "Lord, I want a new beginning. 08:16 I want you to come into my heart. 08:17 I'm tired of my life of sin. 08:19 I feel bad about my mistakes." 08:22 And we've all sinned. 08:24 And you ask Him to forgive you, He forgives 08:26 you and gives you a new beginning. 08:28 You repent of your sins and then you begin to breathe, that's 08:32 prayer; and you eat, that's reading the Word 08:35 of God as the bread of life; and then start 08:38 sharing your faith, you exercise. 08:40 When a baby does those things, they're going to grow. 08:43 So do you mind my asking, Debbie, have you made a decision 08:46 to invite the Lord into your life and to get a new beginning? 08:51 Debbie S: I feel like I've tried, but 08:52 maybe I haven't used the correct terms. 08:55 Like, how you put it sounds completely 08:57 different from how I said it. 09:00 Doug: Well, you know, the Bible is pretty simple. 09:03 It says that, first of all, we have all 09:05 sinned and the penalty for sin is death. 09:10 Sin is just selfishness, and it ends in death. 09:14 Jesus died for our sins, and he rose again and he's alive today. 09:18 And He says if He'll send His Holy Spirit to be in our hearts, 09:21 He gives us peace and forgiveness and 09:23 then we feed our Christian experience. 09:26 And you grow in the Lord by the reading, praying, 09:29 and living the life, sharing your faith. 09:34 Would you like to do that now and get a new beginning? 09:38 Debbie S: Yes, 'cause--I do. 09:41 I just feel like sometimes I don't understand it 09:44 or maybe I try to read the Bible like it's a 09:46 book also and then it's like--I'm sorry. 09:49 No slot. 09:50 Another thing is like when I ask God to forgive me I know He 09:52 forgives me, but I don't forgive myself, it seems like. 09:56 Doug: Well, who's the more important judge, you or God? 10:00 Debbie S: God. 10:01 Doug: Okay, so if God forgives you, then you cannot 10:03 put yourself at a higher tribunal. 10:06 His forgiveness is the most important. 10:08 So you need to forgive yourself. 10:10 Because if you're a new creature, if you're 10:12 born again, then the old record is gone, right? 10:14 You're a different person. 10:15 Debbie S: Yes. 10:17 Doug: So with a new birth--hey, Debbie, could I pray with you? 10:20 And then I'd like to recommend that you sign up for 10:22 the Amazing Facts Bible study course. 10:24 It's free. 10:25 Let me pray with you, and then Pastor Crews 10:27 will tell you how to do that. 10:28 Debbie S: Okay, thanks. Doug: Is that okay? 10:30 Debbie S: Yeah. Doug: Yeah. 10:32 Father in heaven, I just pray you'll be with Debbie and any 10:34 out there like her that are listening that want to get a new 10:36 beginning, that they'll just come to you, accept your 10:39 forgiveness, that they can be forgiving themselves and then 10:43 just have that peace that comes from a new life as they repent 10:46 of their sins and keep their eyes on Jesus. 10:49 So be with her and bless, and we 10:51 thank You and pray in Jesus's name. 10:53 Amen. 10:54 Aron: Amen. 10:55 And yeah, Debbie, if you want to get a--what you were asking is 10:59 you want to understand God better, you want a new 11:01 beginning, you want to study the Bible, and a 11:03 great tool for understanding the Bible 11:05 are the Amazing Facts Bible study guides. 11:08 And if you want to get those, you can call in--right after you 11:11 get off the line with us, call in 1-800-835-6747, and there you 11:18 can ask for, "Hey, get me some Amazing 11:21 Facts Bible study guides." 11:22 And they will hook you up. 11:25 Doug: All right, thanks so much. Who's next, Pastor Crews? 11:27 Aron: All right, our next caller is 11:29 Tom, calling in from California. 11:32 Hello, Tom. Are you there? 11:35 Tom: Yes, I just want to say, first of all, thank you again, 11:37 pastors, for all of your hard work. 11:40 You guys have been a true inspiration to my wife and I. 11:43 Doug: Oh, praise God. Thanks so much. 11:46 What's your question tonight? 11:48 Tom: So I understand that as Christians, you know, believing 11:52 in Christ, you know that it's through Christ that he is 11:56 our mediator to God for our salvation. 12:00 So my question is, if the Jews did not believe in Christ then 12:06 or even now, can they still be saved? 12:09 Doug: Yeah, I think so because, you know, there are 12:13 some Jews that don't know about Christ and they're not 12:16 accountable for what they don't know or it's been presented so 12:20 poorly that they don't know and they believe in God. 12:25 Now, keep in mind for the Jews who lived in the Old Testament 12:28 that are saved, Abraham and all of his posterity--I guess the 12:32 Jews really begin with Israel and the tribe of Judah. 12:37 But we know that, you know, millions of them will be saved. 12:40 They believed in God. They believed in the Savior. 12:42 They believed in the Messiah. 12:44 They just did not know it was Jesus, and 12:48 some of them never saw the evidence. 12:50 And God judges to whom much is given much is required. 12:53 Those who don't know will be judged accordingly. 12:56 So yeah, I'd say of course there could be Jews saved. 12:59 Now, there are some who have had the truth presented 13:02 to them and they reject it and they've 13:04 turned to believing a lie deliberately. 13:07 You know, everyone will be judged for that equally. 13:09 Aron: Yeah, and, Tom, there's actually a Bible 13:12 verse that directly answers that question, 13:14 and it's found in Romans chapter 11. 13:17 Here, Paul is using an illustration, talking about the 13:21 Jews as an olive tree and the Gentiles that are a wild olive 13:26 tree and they are grafted into the original olive tree. 13:30 Now, check this out in Romans 11, verse 24. 13:33 It reads, "For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is 13:37 wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a 13:42 cultivated olive tree, how much more will these," 13:46 speaking of Jews, "who are natural branches, 13:49 be grafted into their own olive tree?" 13:53 So they--the Jews gave us the Old Testament, right? 13:57 Genesis through Malachi, and they have many of the oracles 14:01 and the prophecies about the Messiah, right? 14:03 And so here Paul says, "Hey, if they accept Jesus--" All who 14:06 call on the name of the Lord--Romans chapter 10, verse 14:10 13, all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved, 14:12 including Jews who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 14:16 Tom: Thank you. 14:18 Doug: Good answer. Hey, I thank you for that. 14:20 And, you know, just reminded me, as you were talking, Paul ran 14:24 into 12 Ephesian believers in Acts 19 that--they were 14:28 believers in God and--but they hadn't heard about Jesus yet. 14:32 So these were Jewish Ephesians, and he said--he preached Jesus 14:37 and they got re-baptized, but they had been baptized. 14:39 They were living up to the light. 14:40 And this is after Jesus has already died and 14:42 gone to heaven, but they still just didn't know. 14:45 So after it was presented, then that's a different story. 14:49 Okay, who's next? 14:50 Aron: Very good. 14:52 All right, our next caller is Anna calling in from Oregon. 14:56 Hello, Anna. 14:57 Welcome to the show. 14:59 Anna: Hi, good evening, pastors. 15:01 Aron: Good evening. 15:03 Anna: So my question is from Revelation 10, verse 4, and it 15:11 pertains to when John heard the seven thunders 15:19 and then a voice from heaven telling him to seal 15:23 it up and not write what he heard. 15:26 And I was wondering what that means and why did 15:33 the voice from heaven tell him to not write it. 15:35 And is there anywhere else in the 15:36 Bible that explains anything about it? 15:40 Doug: Let me read that for our friends listening, 15:43 and this is in Revelation 10, verse 4. 15:45 And it says, "Now when the seven thunders uttered their voice, I 15:49 was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to 15:52 me, 'Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and 15:56 do not write them.'" 15:58 Now, there is an example in the Gospel of 16:00 John, and you may remember offhand, where God spoke from 16:03 heaven and some of the people understood, but some of the 16:07 people--you know, God said, "This is My beloved son." 16:10 Some say it was thunder. They didn't know what it was. 16:13 And so it may be that John is referring back to that 16:17 experience and are using that analogy to say there's something 16:22 that people are not going to understand. 16:26 Also, you've got in the book of Daniel--at the end of the book 16:29 it said seal up the book until the time at the end. 16:33 At the end, we'll understand. 16:34 So he's--this message is being sealed up. 16:38 Now, anyone who says, "I know what it was," they got to be a 16:41 little careful because even John was told not to say what it was. 16:46 Aron: Yeah, that's right, yeah. 16:48 I think the best parallel would be in Daniel 16:51 chapter 12 like you were bringing up. 16:53 In Daniel 12, right at the end of the 16:55 book it says seal up the book, right? 16:57 'Cause it's not going to be understood 16:59 until the time of the end, right? 17:00 And so there are some things that--there's a certain timing, 17:04 right, in which God is going to reveal certain 17:06 things to us throughout human history. 17:08 And so we're not quite exactly sure 17:09 what those seven thunders are, but-- 17:12 Doug: Some have wondered is--was it the day or hour--day 17:15 and hour of the coming or--but it says no one will know that. 17:18 So it's a mystery. 17:20 Sorry. You get your money back, Anna. 17:22 We're not sure. 17:24 Aron: Well, Anna, thanks so much for calling in. 17:26 All right, our next caller is calling in from 17:29 New York, and his name is Anthony. 17:33 Anthony, welcome to "Bible Answers Live." 17:35 What's your question for us this evening? 17:39 Anthony: Hello. Good evening, pastors. 17:41 My question is based on Philippians 2, verse 3 where it 17:46 says, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; 17:51 but in lowliness of mind let each 17:52 esteem other better than themselves." 17:55 Now, I'm sure that, you know, the context has to do with like 17:58 our relationship with others as Christians, but I was just 18:03 wondering is there anything in there that 18:05 can help us with understand our--the 18:07 biblical principle behind our career aspirations. 18:11 You know, people like Joseph and Daniel and Moses, 18:13 they had greatness thrust upon them where 18:16 they were elevated in their positions. 18:19 But should we strive for higher positions in our--at our jobs 18:23 and our careers or is there anything wrong with that? 18:26 Is there a balance of, you know--I heard somebody say, 18:29 "Well, when you're in your performance review with your 18:32 manager, it's not--there's no time to be modest. 18:34 You should kind of, you know, for lack of a 18:37 better phrase, boast about how well you 18:39 performed and why you deserve a pay raise." 18:42 So I'm just wondering, what is the balance? 18:44 Doug: Well, first of all, whatever you do as a Christian, 18:46 you want to do it for the glory of God. 18:48 Our natural tendency--you know, we all think about ourselves and 18:52 we all struggle with ego and pride, but I do think 18:56 there's a balance where--you know, it says whatever 18:58 your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. 19:02 God will put maybe a desire in your heart 19:04 to be successful in what you attempt. 19:08 You read in Ecclesiastes whatever your 19:10 hand finds to do, do it with all your might. 19:12 And then in Psalm 37 it says He'll give 19:15 you the desires of your heart. 19:17 And so God may place a desire on your heart to, you know, 19:21 attain to a certain proficiency in something. 19:24 You might say, "All right, well, I'm glad I'm a pilot, 19:26 but I'd really want to be a commercial pilot." 19:28 And is that wrong to want to have that position? 19:32 And once you're a copilot, you might say, 19:33 "I'd like to eventually be a captain." 19:35 So that's just progressing and being successful and efficient. 19:40 I think that's normal and you can do that in a humble way. 19:44 So there's a balance. 19:45 And I think there's another verse. 19:47 I'm trying to remember the reference, 19:49 seek not great things for yourself. 19:52 May be in Jeremiah, but--so, you know, 19:56 we shouldn't be doing it out of pride. 19:59 You're right, David, Joseph, Daniel, by putting God first, 20:04 He ended up putting them in positions of leadership. 20:08 Aron: Yeah, that's Jeremiah 45, verse 5 that you were 20:12 referring to about seek great things. 20:13 But yeah, Anthony, I think the key is to--as we're doing our 20:19 best, right, whatever your hand finds to do do with all your 20:22 might is--the key here, I think, that Paul's 20:24 addressing in Philippians is that you're not pushing 20:27 other people down in the process, right? 20:30 As you're pursuing excellence in all that you're doing, you're 20:33 lifting people up with you along the way, right? 20:37 And I think that's the key biblical principle behind that. 20:40 Well, Anthony, hope that was a satisfactory biblical answer. 20:45 Thanks so much for calling. 20:47 Next caller is James calling in from 20:50 our very own state, California. 20:52 Hello, James. Welcome to the program. 20:55 James: Hello, thank you. 20:56 My question concerns Revelation 22:11 21:02 speaking about the close of probation. 21:04 Is there a connecting text that tells 21:08 us when probation will close? 21:12 Doug: Yeah, I think that the best connecting text is if you 21:15 look in Daniel chapter 12, verse 1. 21:18 It says, "At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince 21:22 that stands for the children of your people; and there will be a 21:25 time of trouble, such as there never has been 21:28 since there was a nation even under the same time, 21:31 and at that time thy people will be delivered." 21:33 When Michael stands up--usually when a judge stands up, that 21:36 means he's done listening to evidence and cases are closed. 21:41 And when Christ ceases to intercede for people just before 21:46 the end of time, there'll be--life may go on for 21:50 a little while, but the doomed are doomed. 21:53 A parallel would be in the days of Noah when Noah and his family 21:58 and all the animals got on the ark and the door was shut. 22:01 Life went on for seven more days, but those 22:03 that were on the outside were outside. 22:06 Those on the inside were inside. 22:07 The unjust were unjust still. 22:09 The righteous were righteous still. 22:11 So there'll be a period of time just like before the flood 22:14 comes, before Jesus comes when probation is going to be closed. 22:18 We don't know exactly when that is, but I think it's just before 22:21 the seven last plagues, which means it hasn't happened yet. 22:24 Aron: Yeah, we definitely don't know from scripture the exact 22:28 point in time, but definitely the seven last plagues. 22:30 If you look at Revelation 16, verse 9 and verse 11, it 22:35 explicitly says that the wicked who the plagues 22:39 are being poured out upon them, it says, they did 22:41 not repent and give Him glory, right? 22:44 They did not repent of their deeds, right? 22:46 So here is let the wicked continue to be wicked, right? 22:49 So it's at the point just before the 22:52 pouring out of the seven last plagues. 22:53 Doug: Yeah, good point. Good verse. 22:55 Aron: All right, James, thanks so much for calling. 22:58 Our next caller, again, calling in from California we have 23:01 Deborah, who is a first-time caller. 23:04 Deborah, welcome to the show. 23:06 How's it going? 23:08 Deborah: I am doing fine. Thank you. 23:11 My question is I'm not sure how to repent. 23:14 Am I supposed--in my prayer supposed to try to name 23:17 everything that I've ever done bad in my life and ask 23:20 forgiveness or do I just ask one time, "Can You 23:23 please forgive me of--for all my sins?" 23:25 Doug: Great, that's a great, great question. 23:27 Well, first of all, can you remember 23:29 everything bad you've ever done? 23:31 Deborah: Pretty close. 23:33 Doug: You got a great memory. I can't. 23:37 Deborah: The really bad stuff. 23:38 Doug: Yeah, well, I mean, we probably 23:41 remember some of the high points. 23:42 What I recommend is that--and you're really 23:45 talking not just about repentance, you're 23:47 talking about confession, and both are important. 23:50 The Bible says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to 23:53 forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 23:56 And that's 1 John chapter 1, verse 9. 24:00 So being sorry--repentance is being sorry 24:04 for your sins and willing to turn away. 24:06 What I recommend people do is you don't have to remember every 24:09 sin, but you can remember the categories. 24:12 Start with the Ten Commandments and say, 24:14 "Have I ever been dishonest or lied?" 24:16 Say, "Lord, forgive me for lying. 24:19 Have I ever had impure thoughts? 24:21 Forgive me for breaking the seventh commandment. 24:24 Have I ever taken anything that didn't belong to me or stolen? 24:27 Forgive me for that." 24:29 And go through the Ten Commandments. 24:31 Spread--you know, spread a little notepad on your bed, 24:35 kneel, and say, "Lord, I'm guilty of breaking Your law. 24:38 I'm sorry. Forgive me. 24:40 Help me to walk and follow Jesus now." 24:42 And He promises to forgive you. 24:44 Now, if there's something specific you think, "Well, the 24:46 Holy Spirit may convict me about a particular sin." 24:50 King David prayed, "Lord, search me and try me, 24:52 see if there be any wicked way in me. 24:54 Lead me in the way everlasting." 24:55 The Holy Spirit will show that to you. 24:57 If you just say, "Lord, if I'm forgetting something," God's not 24:59 trying to trick you and say, "Aha, you forgot something. 25:02 I can't let you into heaven." 25:04 No, if you say, "Lord, I'm willing to repent of whatever 25:06 You reveal to me," he'll show you and then repent of that. 25:10 And it's not like you're, you know, revealing to God a big 25:14 surprise that's going to shock Him. 25:16 He already knows. 25:18 But by repenting and confessing, we're doing something. 25:22 We're asking God to help us get victory in those areas. 25:25 We're admitting that those things are sins, and it makes it 25:28 easier for us to acknowledge it and turn away. 25:31 So I hope that helps a little bit, Debbie, and I trust that 25:35 you'll experience that peace and freedom that 25:37 comes when we do repent and confess. 25:39 "Humble yourself," James says, "in the--under the 25:42 hand of God, and He will lift you up." 25:43 That's James chapter 4. 25:45 Aron: Amen. 25:46 All right, Deborah, thanks so much for calling. 25:48 Doug: We got time for one more maybe before a break. 25:50 Aron: Yeah, one more caller before our break. 25:52 We have Gary calling in from Illinois. 25:57 Gary, hi. Are you there with us? 26:00 Gary: Yes. 26:01 In Revelation 8:7 it says that the world went by fire and hail. 26:06 And so I've seen on YouTube 26:08 hailstorms were size of baseball. 26:11 Hail comes down through windshields, 26:13 and it's all over the place. 26:15 Illinois, Germany, France, Georgia, all over the world. 26:19 But now the last plague in the Bible is one of hail, 26:22 and it's a size of a talent, 65 pounds. 26:26 Is there any event--a single event that causes it go from 26:31 baseball-size hail, which is, you know, very 26:33 dramatic to me, to 65-pound hail? 26:38 Doug: Yeah, well, just before Jesus comes, it tells us that 26:41 there's going to be a catastrophic hailstorm. 26:44 Of course, nothing can really survive. 26:46 Concrete buildings can't survive a hailstorm with blocks of ice 26:50 that weigh, like you say, between 60 and 75 pounds. 26:55 This is just helping us recognize in the same way God 26:58 destroyed Egypt during the plagues when they would not let 27:01 the Israelites go the Lord is going to destroy the world for 27:04 persecuting His people in the last days, the wicked. 27:08 It hasn't happened yet, but stay tuned. 27:12 I think we're living in the last days. 27:13 Hey, listening friends. 27:15 We're going to take a break just in a moment here, 27:17 and we have the best half of the program. 27:20 That's not a prophecy. 27:21 We're just hoping that we get all warmed up. 27:22 We'll get more questions in the second half. 27:25 You can text your friends right now and say, 27:26 "Hey, 'Bible Answers Live' is on. 27:29 Tune in." And they can join us. 27:30 We're going to take a brief break. 27:32 We'll be back with more Bible questions 27:33 in just a couple of moments. 27:39 announcer: Stay tuned. 27:40 "Bible Answers Live" will return shortly. 27:46 announcer: In six days God created the 27:48 heavens and the earth. 27:50 For thousands of years, man has worshiped 27:53 God on the seventh day of the week. 27:55 Now, each week millions of people worship on the first day. 28:00 What happened? 28:01 Why did God create a day of rest? 28:03 Does it really matter what day we worship? 28:06 Who was behind this great shift? 28:08 Discover the truth behind God's law and how it was changed. 28:12 Visit sabbathtruth.com. 28:15 Doug: Hi, friends. Pastor Doug Batchelor. 28:17 This morning, my wife Karen sent me on a mission. 28:20 She said, "When you're taping your announcements this morning, 28:22 tell people about my favorite Amazing Facts app." 28:26 It's called the Amazing Facts radio app. 28:29 You simply type that in, "Amazing Facts Radio." 28:31 You can download the app and you can listen to good Christian 28:34 music, Bible-reading, sermons all day long. 28:37 Keep your faith focused in heaven through the day. 28:40 Check it out if you haven't done it yet, 28:41 the Amazing Facts radio app. 28:43 You'll be blessed. 28:48 announcer: You're listening to "Bible Answers Live" where 28:51 every question answered provides a clearer 28:54 picture of God and His plan to save you. 28:57 So what are you waiting for? 28:59 Get practical answers about the 29:00 good book for a better life today. 29:05 This broadcast is a previously-recorded episode. 29:09 If you'd like answers to your Bible-related questions 29:11 on the air, please call us next Sunday 29:14 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Pacific Time. 29:18 To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned in this 29:20 evening's program, call 800-835-6747. 29:25 Once again, that's 800-835-6747. 29:31 Now let's rejoin our hosts for more "Bible Answers Live." 29:37 Doug: Welcome back, listening friends, 29:38 to "Bible Answers Live." 29:40 And this is a live international interactive Bible study. 29:43 We've been doing this for about 26 years, and it's 29:47 just a joy to meet so many people not only now 29:49 on the radio but we're on television. 29:51 And you can be watching on the Amazing Facts 29:54 YouTube channel, the Doug Batchelor YouTube 29:56 channel, and Amazing Facts TV, and-- 30:02 Aron: You can tune in to the radio if 30:03 you're living in California at KWOL. 30:06 So greetings to all those who are tuning in and also those who 30:10 are joining us and tuning in at pray.com. 30:14 Our show is hosted there as well. 30:16 So welcome all of you. 30:18 Doug: Thank you. You hear a new voice. 30:20 This is Pastor Aron Crews. 30:22 He's the grandson of the founder of Amazing Facts Joe Crews, and 30:26 he's covering for Pastor Ross tonight. 30:28 So who's lined up next, Pastor Aron? 30:30 Aron: Yeah, our next caller here is 30:32 Marvin calling in from Tennessee. 30:35 That's where I went to college, in Tennessee. 30:37 So, Marvin, welcome to the show. 30:39 Looks like you're a first-time caller. 30:41 Welcome. 30:42 Marvin: Well, thank you for taking my call. 30:46 My question is on Luke, 30:51 in Luke 20, actually, from 34 through 36 30:57 where Jesus explains to the Sadducees that 31:02 try to trip him up because all these 31:06 brothers were marrying the one brother's wife. 31:10 And he says that we're as angels. 31:15 Does that mean that we won't be as families in heaven? 31:22 Doug: Great question. 31:24 Yeah, the Sadducees didn't believe in a resurrection and so 31:27 they created a scenario that said, "Well, what if one woman 31:30 is married to seven men over the course of her life. 31:33 And when they go to heaven, who's 31:35 she going to be married to?" 31:36 And Jesus said--and I'll read this 31:38 here from Luke chapter 20, verse 34. 31:41 He answered and said to them, "The sons of this 31:43 age marry and are given in marriage. 31:46 But those who are continue--counted worthy to 31:48 attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, 31:51 neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die 31:54 anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are 31:57 sons of God, being sons of the resurrection." 32:01 And so Jesus is basically saying--you know, he told Adam 32:05 and Eve to go be fruitful and multiply. 32:07 They do not marry in the sense that we do here and procreate. 32:11 Because God told Adam and Eve, fill the earth. 32:14 The earth is going to be filled now. 32:16 It'll be populated with the redeemed. 32:18 But that doesn't mean if a couple that's had, you know, one 32:21 man, one woman get to heaven, they're going 32:23 to get divorce papers when they get there. 32:25 They can still be together and their children and the ones that 32:29 God has given them natural love for and be a loving family. 32:33 So it's not saying that families will no longer have that special 32:38 love, it's saying there's no more marriage as 32:41 we know it now where we're procreating. 32:44 So some people think, "Oh man, you 32:46 mean there's no sex in heaven?" 32:48 And I say, "Well, look. 32:50 If that's worrying you, I promise, you 32:52 get there, and you will be happy. 32:54 Don't worry about it." 32:56 Aron: Yeah. It's a good question, Marvin. 32:58 Thanks so much for calling. 33:00 Looking for your--looking forward 33:01 to your next time you call in. 33:03 Our next caller is Abdiel calling in from Florida. 33:07 Hello, Abdiel. Are you here with us? 33:10 Abdiel: Yes. Good evening. 33:12 That was a wonderful question from the last caller. 33:16 I was just thinking about that. Good evening. 33:21 Good evening, Pastor Doug, Pastor Crews. 33:23 This weekend actually marks one year since getting baptized, and 33:27 one thing that I've learned is that following Jesus, albeit the 33:30 most beautiful thing, is not easy. 33:32 So I commend you both for your ministry all these years, and 33:36 thank you because it's helped quite a bit. 33:39 Doug: And your question tonight. 33:40 Abdiel: So my question is regarding Job 1:6. 33:44 It would probably sound better if you read it. 33:46 Doug: Okay, Job 1:6, "Now there was a day when the sons 33:50 of God came to present themselves before the 33:52 Lord, and Satan also came among them." 33:56 Okay, you want me to stop there? 33:58 Abdiel: Yeah, so I have been reading a book by a very 34:02 interesting and insightful lady author, things called "Early 34:05 Writings," and it talks about a tree of life, 34:08 sinless beings, even Enoch is mentioned. 34:11 So I guess my question would be, are these 34:13 other beings or sons of God human? 34:16 Are they angels? 34:18 Are they a species we can't really imagine? 34:21 And I guess I almost feel guilty for asking, but if they are 34:24 humans, would that make us a bit less unique? 34:28 I'm just curious to know. 34:30 Doug: Yeah, I think that the Lord--look at all 34:33 the diversity of life we have on our planet. 34:36 I'm talking about the animal life. 34:38 I mean, I like watching nature programs and it's 34:41 just amazing to me how many different kinds. 34:44 I just saw an amazing fact this week that they went the 34:48 deepest they've ever gone with cameras and-- 34:51 you know, like 30,000 feet or something. 34:53 They found fish swimming around. 34:55 They don't know how they survive down there. 34:58 So, you know, from the eagles that soar above the Andes to the 35:03 bottom of the ocean, God's got so many different types of life. 35:06 Why would we doubt that there are other forms of life? 35:11 Before I came over to the program tonight, I was watching 35:13 a report on the James Webb telescope and the information 35:17 that's coming in, and they're saying it's really destroyed all 35:20 of their theories about the age of the universe because they 35:23 said it's much bigger than we had ever dreamed. 35:27 And I believe God has unfallen sinless 35:30 worlds out there in other creations. 35:33 You have several references in the Bible where 35:34 it talks about God in Hebrews, I think chapter 2 35:38 it says, through whom Jesus, He made the worlds. 35:42 Yeah, and you've got all the creatures in heaven 35:45 it talks about in Revelation, praising him. 35:47 So I think God has got a universe filled with life just 35:52 because--and I don't think UFOs are visiting the earth. 35:56 You know, I think the only people involved in what's 35:58 happening here on earth are God the Father, 36:01 Son, and Holy Spirit, and angels. 36:02 It's like the hospital staff 'cause 36:03 we've got a contagious disease. 36:05 Once that is dealt with, we'll be able 36:07 to interact with the unfallen worlds. 36:10 So appreciate that, Abdiel. 36:11 Hopefully that helps a little bit. 36:13 By the way, I've got a sermon you can listen to online, and 36:16 it's called "Is There Life on Other Worlds?" 36:20 And it's a YouTube sermon you'll just find. 36:23 Aron: Yeah, again, thanks, Abdiel, for calling in. 36:26 Our next caller is Junith calling in from 36:29 Nevada, our neighboring state here. 36:32 Hello, Junith. Welcome to the program. 36:34 What's your question for us this evening? 36:37 Junith: Hello. 36:38 Blessed evening, Pastor Doug and Pastor Aron. 36:41 Can you hear me well? 36:43 Aron: Yes, we can. 36:45 Junith: Yes, okay, in the context of Revelation 21:8, 36:49 one of those who will be thrown in the lake 36:51 fire of hell are the astrologers. 36:54 Now, what is the relation of astrology to Babylonia? 36:59 Because this has been bothering me. 37:01 Is it the earthen vessels and the ones that the angels that 37:05 were deceived by the dragon tail, deceived and manipulated, 37:11 or is this the embodiment of the 37:16 snake and Satan as the head or-- 37:22 Doug: Yeah, sorry, I think we got cut off. 37:24 Yeah, but I think we got the gist of your question, Junith. 37:28 When it talks in Revelation about those that are cast into 37:30 the lake of fire, it mentions people who are astrologers. 37:35 Now, astrologers are different than astronomers. 37:38 I was just talking about astronomy. 37:40 Nothing wrong with the legitimate study of the heavens 37:44 and the heavenly bodies, and that's how we get our calendar. 37:47 Astrology in the zodiac does date back, I think, 37:51 even long before ancient Babylon. 37:53 And while they kind of divided up the stars and the heavens 37:57 with these different constellations-- 38:00 you know, we can look up and we can see 38:02 Cassiopeia and we can see Orion in the sky. 38:05 They saw those as gods and that they had an influence on our 38:09 earth and that people born under different signs, they were given 38:13 to certain traits, and there's nothing in the Bible. 38:16 That's like hocus-pocus witchcraft, 38:18 and the Bible forbids witchcraft. 38:20 So there's nothing wrong with astronomy, but astrology, when 38:24 people are consulting the lucky stars to find 38:27 out their future, is total nonsense. 38:29 And I'll just give you a personal testimony. 38:32 I grew up--my mother and all of her friends were into astrology. 38:36 As soon as you met somebody, they'd say, "What's your sign?" 38:39 And they'd say, "I'm a Pisces. 38:41 I'm an Aquarius," or whatever. "Oh yeah, we should get along." 38:44 It was--and then my mother even, she began to write 38:46 horoscopes and she wrote horoscope songs. 38:49 She was a songwriter. 38:51 And she and her friends that did it, they said, 38:53 "We're just making this stuff up." 38:54 And the papers are paying them to write these things. 38:58 And they said, "Oh, we don't even believe it ourselves." 39:00 So it's a--the whole thing is a big hoax. 39:04 Don't have anything to do with astrology. 39:07 Aron: Yeah, all right, Junith. Thanks for calling in. 39:10 Our next caller is Lee calling in from Texas. 39:14 Hello, Lee. How are you doing? 39:16 Lee: Hello, pastors. Can you hear me? 39:18 both: Yes, we can. Lee: Okay, wonderful. 39:20 My question is, and I've been wondering about this for quite 39:24 some time, when the dragon makes war against the saints in the 39:28 book of Revelation, should the saints fight back? 39:33 Doug: Okay, that's a good question. 39:34 If it's a war, I'd say absolutely we should fight back. 39:39 If it's a war, if you don't want to 39:41 be defeated, you got to fight back. 39:43 The question is, how does the devil make war? 39:46 Is he making war with bazookas and hand grenades 39:50 or is he making war with deception? 39:52 And in that same chapter it talks about the 39:54 serpent that deceives the whole world. 39:57 And so our battle, our weapon is--and you can 40:01 read about this in Ephesians chapter 6. 40:03 It says take up the sword of the Spirit, 40:05 which is the Word of God. 40:07 And so we fight error with truth and the 40:11 Word of God hiding it in our heart. 40:13 How did Jesus fight the devil when he was tempted? 40:16 He said, "It is written. 40:17 It is written. It is written." 40:19 And he quoted from the Word of God. 40:20 "So thy Word I have hidden in my heart 40:23 that I might not sin against thee." 40:25 Store up the Word of God in your mind, and that is the best way 40:28 to fight the devil in the last days. 40:30 Aron: Yeah, and in fact, right there in 40:32 Revelation 12 it even tells us, right? 40:34 Revelation 12, verse 11, just a few verses earlier, it says, 40:38 "And they overcame him," that is Satan, "by the blood of the 40:42 Lamb," that's Jesus and his sacrifice for us, 40:45 "and by the word of their testimony," sharing 40:48 what Jesus has done through them. 40:51 So that would be the key. 40:53 And then also going back to what you referenced in Ephesians 40:56 chapter 6, it's important to note in Ephesians 6, 40:59 verse 12 the highlight verse here is we 41:02 wrestle not against flesh and blood, right? 41:05 So this is not a physical fighting against Satan, right? 41:08 But principalities, powers, it's a spiritual warfare, as Pastor 41:11 Doug highlighted, and we need to be equipped with 41:14 scripture to fight back against the devil. 41:16 Doug: Absolutely, and, you know, I think what would be a 41:18 perfect study for you, Lee, is we've got a book. 41:22 And it sounded like you might be driving. 41:24 So if you can just remember, "The Armor of God." 41:27 And when you get where you can make a phone call, then call in 41:29 and ask for that free offer called "The Armor of God." 41:33 Aron: Yeah, and you can call in. 41:34 An easy shortcut way is just dial #250, and 41:40 the keyword is "Bible Answers Live." 41:42 And there you can ask for this resource. 41:45 All right, thanks again, Lee, for calling. 41:48 Our next caller is Eron, which is my name. 41:52 Hello, Eron. Calling in from New York. 41:54 Are you there? 41:57 Eron: Hello, Pastor Aron. 41:58 Aron: Hello, Eron. 42:00 Doug: That's fun. 42:01 Aron: What's your question for us? 42:04 Eron: My question is meant for Pastor Doug. 42:07 Last week someone had asked whether or not ducks are kosher, 42:13 and I remember Pastor Doug saying that they 42:15 are not because they are related to swans and 42:18 the Bible say that swans are unclean. 42:22 Well, I searched the internet and saw that several 42:25 websites say that ducks are kosher. 42:29 Do you think the Jews say ducks are kosher because 42:32 they are not explicitly forbidden in the scripture? 42:37 Doug: Yeah, no, I know. 42:38 I was aware that many Jewish communities say-- 42:43 they argue about ducks, and some say ducks 42:46 are kosher and some say they're not. 42:48 I--and there's, you know, some areas where I respectfully 42:52 disagree with the Jews in interpreting scripture. 42:56 I don't think, for example, in the scripture when it says that 43:00 you're not to cut the corners of your beard, it's not talking 43:04 about growing the long, curly sideburns. 43:08 It says you're not supposed to cut the 43:09 corners of your beard for the dead. 43:11 And so my Orthodox Jewish friends that grow the long 43:14 sideburns because they think they're obeying that verse, I 43:17 think they're misunderstanding their own scripture. 43:20 When, you know, the Bible says to write the Word in your heart 43:23 and in your hand and on your head, I don't think he meant for 43:26 us to hang phylacteries with the Word of God on our forehead. 43:29 He meant the Word of God is to be in your mind. 43:31 And so I'd also disrespect with my 43:33 Jewish brethren and, again, I'm Jewish. 43:35 At least my mother was. 43:37 That when I read the Word and look at the definitions, duck 43:40 does not fit into the category of the clean foraging birds. 43:44 The birds that are clean are the quail. 43:46 These are birds that go around in the woods and they peck and 43:48 they eat bugs and seeds, and it's a quail. 43:51 And the pheasant and the turkeys and the chickens. 43:54 People will be happy to hear chickens 43:56 are clean, but I would never eat it. 43:58 I went to a chicken slaughterhouse when I was a kid. 44:00 I gave up eating chicken long time ago. 44:04 But anyway--so I hope that helps. 44:06 Yeah, I know that they're going to say--some are going to 44:08 disagree, but I think that it fits--King James Version, 44:12 I think, says swan and they're unclean. 44:16 Goose, same category. 44:17 Goose, duck, swan. 44:19 Aron: Yeah, all right, Eron. Well, thanks for calling in. 44:21 Our next caller is Paul calling in from Tennessee. 44:25 Hello, Paul. Are you there? 44:28 Paul: Hey, yes, I'm here. Evening, pastors. 44:30 Aron: Good evening. 44:32 Paul: So I've got a--really I've got about a million 44:35 questions, but given this day I figured I'd go with one 44:37 referring to Jesus's resurrection. 44:40 This verse is just really throwing me through a loop. 44:42 Okay, so I'm in 1 Peter chapter 3, verse 18 and 20, but 44:47 specifically verse 19 is what I'm struggling with. 44:51 It says, "In which also he went and made 44:54 proclamation to the spirits now in prison." 44:58 Who are the spirits in prison? 45:00 What does this verse mean? 45:01 Doug: What version of the Bible are you reading, might I ask? 45:05 Paul: You know, I've looked at it in a few different. 45:07 This one is NASB 1995. 45:10 I've also checked in, like, ASV and ESV and NIV. 45:14 Doug: Okay. 45:15 Yeah, 'cause you added a word that is not in mine, and let me 45:18 just tell you what it says and what I believe it means. 45:22 Paul is talking, first of all, about the Spirit. 45:25 And you read in verse 18, "For Christ also suffered once for 45:30 sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, 45:34 being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit." 45:38 Now, the subject now is no longer Christ. 45:40 It's the Spirit. 45:41 By whom Christ went and preached the Spirit. 45:46 Through the Holy Spirit Jesus preached to the--spirits in 45:48 prison is not talking about ghosts in prison. 45:52 It's talking about people who were spiritually 45:55 imprisoned back in the days of Noah. 45:58 It says, "Who are formerly disobedient, when once the 46:00 divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark 46:04 was being prepared, in which few, that is, 46:05 eight souls, were saved through water." 46:07 There's a verse in Genesis chapter 6 where God says, 46:11 "My Spirit will not always strive with 46:14 man, yet his days will be 120 years." 46:17 And so God was saying--back in the days of Noah, for 120 years 46:21 God, the Spirit of Christ, same Spirit that rose Jesus from the 46:24 dead, preached to those wicked people in prison, 46:28 those spirits imprisoned to save them. 46:31 And then he goes on and he talks about that, you know, 46:34 they were destroyed, but Noah and his 46:35 family believed, they were saved. 46:37 So it has nothing to do with Jesus not really dying on the 46:41 cross but going into another state and preaching to one group 46:44 of people that were getting a second chance. 46:47 That would be totally out of harmony with 46:48 where the Bible says it's appointed unto man 46:50 once to die and then the judgment. 46:52 You don't die and then get to hear the gospel again. 46:54 Aron: Yeah, great answer. 46:56 I just want to highlight again in verse 19 when it says, 46:58 "By whom also he--" the he, the antecedent, 47:02 would be the Spirit, right? 47:03 The Holy Spirit preached to the spirits in prison, right? 47:07 That would be--take us right back to Genesis 6 47:08 where the Spirit, right, was preaching 47:11 through Noah to the spirits in prison. 47:13 The spirits in prison would just be the wicked people, right? 47:17 When you look over at Luke chapter 4 and verse 18, this is 47:20 Jesus quoting Isaiah of what his mission was, right? 47:24 And here he says, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He's 47:28 anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. 47:30 He's sent me to heal the broken hearts, to 47:32 proclaim liberty to the captives," right? 47:35 The spirits in prison, those who are captive 47:38 by the sin of this world, right? 47:40 So that would be what that's referring to. 47:42 Doug: So hopefully, Paul--now, did that make sense? 47:46 Paul: Yeah, absolutely, yes. 47:47 Thank you very much. I really needed an answer. 47:50 This has been on my mind all week, so-- 47:52 Doug: I know, I first read that, and I struggled, too. 47:54 Aron: All right, our next caller is Benjamin, 47:58 calling in from California. 48:01 Benjamin, hello. 48:04 Welcome to our program. 48:05 Benjamin: Hi. How are you doing, pastors? 48:06 Aron: Doing well. How are you? 48:08 Benjamin: I'm doing well. 48:09 My question is in Revelation 16:12. 48:12 I've been tripped up a little bit with this, talking about the 48:15 great river Euphrates and I'm just curious. 48:17 I know sea represents people and usually earth represents 48:20 barrenness, but what does the great river Euphrates 48:22 represent in Revelation 16:12? 48:25 Doug: Well, you know, it says--in Revelation 17 48:28 it tells us the waters which you saw are 48:30 peoples and multitudes, tongues and nations. 48:33 And so it's not just seawater. 48:35 It would include river waters. 48:37 Now, this is--you know, Revelation is filled 48:40 with symbols from the Old Testament. 48:41 You need to know a story. 48:43 Revelation talks--I'm sorry. 48:44 I should say the Bible talks about the fall of Babylon in 48:47 Revelation and in the book of Daniel. 48:50 The little backstory that isn't specifically spelled out is that 48:56 when Cyrus--all the Jews knew this story. 48:59 But when Cyrus wanted to conquer Babylon, he ultimately diverted 49:03 the Euphrates river so it no longer began 49:06 to flow under the walls of Babylon. 49:10 A contingent of soldiers from Cyrus snuck under the walls. 49:14 They opened the city gates and let in the rest of the army, and 49:17 the inner gates had been left open as well. 49:19 And so Babylon fell. 49:21 When the Euphrates was dried up, Babylon fell. 49:25 Referring to that time in history you read in chapter 16 49:29 this verse, and chapter 17 and 18 it talks about 49:32 the fall of Babylon--spiritual Babylon. 49:35 So, you know, this might be an example where 49:38 most of the early plagues are literal. 49:39 There's going to be literal blood and sores and fire. 49:42 This one may actually have a dual meaning. 49:45 Principally I think it's saying that when spiritual Babylon is 49:49 falling, its resources, its people are going to turn on her 49:53 and it says that they ultimately do turn. 49:57 The ten kings turn on Babylon, but it's--I just think it's an 50:00 interesting note right now that the literal 50:03 Euphrates river is drying up. 50:05 It's in the news quite a bit lately, but I wouldn't look for 50:08 that as much as I'd look at the spiritual application. 50:11 Aron: Yeah, and it's--the historical account 50:15 is recorded on the Cyrus Cylinder, right? 50:17 That's the archaeological discovery. 50:19 But actually there is a small little hint-- 50:23 Doug: Isaiah? Aron: Yeah. 50:25 Of Cyrus drying up the river Euphrates, 50:28 and that's in Isaiah 44 and verse 27. 50:31 It's a prophecy written over 100 years before Isaiah--before 50:35 Cyrus was ever born and it uses Cyrus's name twice, 50:39 and it says here, "Who says to the deep, 50:42 'Be dry!' and I will dry up your rivers." 50:46 God foretold the way in which Cyrus 50:48 would defeat the Babylonian city, right? 50:52 So the river Euphrates drying up is a 50:54 reference to the fall of Babylon. 50:56 And in the very next chapter, Revelation 16, you have 50:59 Revelation 17, and what do you see there? 51:01 It's the fall of Babylon, right? 51:03 Seventeen and eighteen, the fall of Babylon. 51:05 So it's definitely a symbolic understanding which 51:08 we have to compare scripture with scripture 51:09 and understand the spiritual meaning. 51:11 Doug: I think even in Isaiah 45, is it, that it says 51:14 that the gates would be left open. 51:17 So the whole thing is really there. 51:19 Well, thank you. 51:21 And hopefully that helps a little, Benjamin. 51:22 Pastor, we got time maybe for one more question. 51:25 Let's see what it is before our break here. 51:27 Aron: Yeah, all right, our next caller here is Lisa calling in 51:31 from Georgia, and she's a first-time caller. 51:34 So hey, Lisa. Welcome to the show. 51:36 What is your question for tonight? 51:40 Lisa: Hi, how are you? 51:42 Doug: Doing great. Thank you. 51:43 Lisa: Awesome. 51:44 My question is I've always wondered, is it possible that 51:50 we--that humanity could be the fallen angels? 51:54 You know, we--is it possible that God has given 51:56 us a second chance to get it right? 52:01 I don't know. 52:02 You know, 'cause we're born into sin and we just have a sinful 52:04 nature and, you know, we have to learn to do right and to do--you 52:09 know, be as God has called us to be. 52:13 So it's just something that has been in, you 52:17 know, my mind and heart to ask this question. 52:20 Doug: Yeah. Well, it's a valid question. 52:22 I know there are some churches that teach that prior to our 52:25 earthly human existence that people existed as angels, and I 52:30 think that there are even stories of people that die--I 52:34 mean, some churches that teach that when you die, 52:36 you become an angel when you go to heaven. 52:39 They had that famous movie called "A Wonderful Life" where 52:42 this angel named Clarence is trying to do good deeds so he 52:45 can get his wings and--you know what? 52:48 The Bible teaches--and by the way, you said in Genesis. 52:50 I think you meant Revelation. 52:51 When Satan and his angels are cast 52:53 down, it's in Revelation 12. 52:55 But the Bible's pretty clear that 52:58 angels and humans are created. 53:00 I think there's a verse in Hebrews 53:02 that says that He created the angels. 53:04 They are ministering spirits of God. 53:06 This is God's army. 53:08 It's His attendants, His staff, and that man--Psalms tells us 53:12 man was made a little lower than the angels. 53:15 We are a totally different order of creation. 53:19 People did not use to be angels that are now reincarnated. 53:22 It wouldn't want to do any good because you don't remember it. 53:24 What good is it? So we are unique individuals. 53:28 God makes every snowflake different. 53:31 So certainly He knows us. 53:34 We're unique, one in a kind. 53:36 Once in eternity He makes you you. 53:39 We are not reincarnated from some 53:41 other animal or even angels. 53:44 Aron: Yeah, I think when we piece together all of the many 53:47 verses about the angels and about humans, it becomes 53:50 pretty clear that we are not the fallen angels. 53:54 We can side with fallen angels or we can side with the 53:57 righteous angels, but we are a distinct order of being. 54:02 Doug: You know, and I think--just as you were talking, 54:04 I remembered you've got Gabriel who he appears to 54:08 Daniel in the Old Testament and then, you know, 54:12 what, 600 years later he appears to Mary. 54:15 He hasn't aged. 54:16 He hasn't come down to earth to become someone else. 54:18 He's, you know--he lives an eternal life. 54:21 And so yeah, these--and fallen angels, 54:24 there are angels that are fallen. 54:26 They come to the earth, and they're demons. 54:27 They're devils, and they're down here tormenting people. 54:31 Now, we do have a study guide. 54:33 We'll be happy, Lisa, to share a free study guide with you that 54:36 talks about did God make a devil. 54:38 It talks about the angels, good and bad. 54:40 And how do we get that, pastor? 54:42 Aron: Yeah, if you want to get that study guide, you can call 54:44 in to 1-800-835-6747. 54:50 Or if you have a phone, cell phone particularly, you can just 54:53 dial #250 and say "Bible Answers Live." 54:58 And there you can ask for the Bible study guide. 55:00 Doug: All right, for our listening friends, 55:01 we're not quite done. 55:02 We're signing off for our satellite stations. 55:04 We'll be back in just a moment with rapid fire Bible question. 55:08 So don't go away. 55:12 announcer: Thank you for listening to today's broadcast. 55:14 We hope you understand your Bible even better than before. 55:18 "Bible Answers Live" is produced by Amazing Facts International, 55:22 a faith-based ministry located in Granite Bay, California. 55:28 Aron: Hello, all right, we are back 55:30 for a two-minute questionnaire. 55:31 All right, Pastor Doug. 55:33 Question number one is from Wendy 55:35 who emailed in from New Zealand, right? 55:38 So you can be all over the globe and email in. 55:39 And her question is, "Is the phrase 55:42 age of accountability biblical?" 55:46 Doug: No, well, you don't find the phrase age of accountability 55:48 in the Bible, and you do not find an exact age that is given. 55:53 There certainly is an age of accountability. 55:55 In other words, you don't find the word Bible in the Bible. 55:58 You don't find the word millennium in 56:00 the Bible, but it's in the Bible. 56:01 The teaching is there. 56:02 And you don't find the word Trinity in 56:04 the Bible, but the teaching is there. 56:05 The idea that a child gets old enough 56:08 to understand the difference between right and 56:10 wrong, that principle is in the Bible. 56:13 I think it's--you can't find Bible 56:15 support for giving an exact age. 56:17 Typically when they're old enough to understand the claims 56:21 of the gospel, the difference between right and wrong, they 56:24 hear the call of God and they--to respond 56:27 and be responsible for a decision, they're 56:29 reaching that age of accountability. 56:31 God's very patient with children and-- 56:33 'cause He knows they're growing. 56:35 He made us that way. 56:36 Aron: Yeah, and we're always judged 56:38 according to light which we're given. 56:39 So the older we get and the more mind power we 56:41 have, the better we can make decisions. 56:43 Good, before we go to the next question, I also want to remind 56:45 anyone you can email in a question, all right? 56:47 You can just call--you email in to 56:49 BALquestions@amazingfacts.org, and that's how 56:53 you can get your questions up here. 56:55 All right, our next question is from Cammy, and Cammy asks, 56:58 "Are there people who are alive right now who 57:01 are already sealed with the seal of God? 57:05 Or will the actual sealing happen at the 57:07 time right before the mark of the beast?" 57:09 I think she's referring to Revelation 7. 57:11 Doug: Right, yeah. 57:12 No, well, to just be accurate, there are people through 57:15 history that have received the Holy Spirit. 57:17 And, you know, Ephesians tells us, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit 57:21 wherewith you are sealed for the day of redemption." 57:23 So we all need the Holy Spirit to seal 57:25 us and settle us in our faith. 57:28 But then there's a special seal of God that is juxtaposed with 57:32 the mark of the beast in the book of Revelation, and that's a 57:35 seal that's found in the law of God. 57:38 In Isaiah it says bind up the testimony, 57:41 seal my law among God's people. 57:43 And in the middle of God's law you find the word holy only one 57:47 time, and that's in the fourth commandment. 57:49 So go look that up, friends, and read it. 57:51 Exodus 20, start with verse 8. 57:53 Aron: Yeah, okay. 57:54 Next question is by Laurel, and they ask, "If forever only means 57:59 until the end of the age, how then should we relate 58:02 that to spending forever with Jesus?" 58:05 Doug: Yeah, well, there are places where 58:06 forever means until a person dies, but I just say 58:09 you've got to read it in its context. 58:11 Exactly. 58:13 Hey, thank you, listening friends. 58:14 It's been a joy to be studying the Word of God with you. 58:16 We'll do it again next week. 58:20 announcer: "Bible Answers Live," honest and 58:22 accurate answers to your Bible questions. |
Revised 2023-05-24