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Series Code: AFBA
Program Code: AFBA202314S
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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, 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," 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 in this 00:33 broadcast, call 800-835-6747. 00:38 Once again, that's 800-835-6747. 00:44 Now, here is your host from Amazing Facts International, 00:47 Pastor Doug Batchelor. 00:49 Doug Batchelor: Hello, friends. 00:51 Would you like to hear an amazing fact? 00:54 On May 1st, 2023, a plane carrying seven crushed in the 00:58 Amazon jungle of Colombia. 01:01 The soldiers located the wreck and the bodies of three adults, 01:04 but the four children ages 1 to 13 were missing. 01:09 In a coordinated search effort called "Operation Hope," 01:11 soldiers and indigenous people covered approximately 01:14 1,650 miles while looking for the siblings. 01:19 Incredibly, 40 days later after tracking little footprints, 01:23 soldiers located the four children alive. 01:26 They were very gaunt and dehydrated, but they were 01:29 expected to make a full recovery. 01:31 They suffered only minor cuts and scrapes from the crash. 01:34 Officials especially praised 13-year-old Leslie for ensuring 01:38 survival of her younger siblings 9, 5, and 11 months old. 01:43 Because of their indigenous background, the children 01:46 had some familiarity with the rainforest fruits. 01:49 This plus some cassava flour were the key to their 01:52 extraordinary survival in an area where snakes, jaguars, 01:56 mosquitoes, and other animals abound. 01:58 Because the children lost their mother, the president of 02:01 Colombia has committed funds for the care of the children 02:04 and to educate them. 02:06 You know, Pastor Ross, I think this is just amazing. 02:08 You know, they were 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness. 02:12 Jëan Ross: That's right, Pastor Doug. 02:13 It's just--it's remarkable for a grown-up to be able to survive 02:15 under those conditions for 40 days let alone three kids, the 02:19 younger of which you said was what, 14 months? 02:22 Doug: The younger--11 months. 02:24 Actually he turned 1 year old during the 40 days. 02:26 Jëan: That is amazing, yeah. 02:28 So there were angels unseen that undoubtably were protecting them 02:31 from just the wild animals and all the things that could 02:34 destroy them there. 02:35 Doug: So when we hear 40 days in the wilderness--well, you can 02:38 think about the children of Israel were 40 years in the 02:41 wilderness, but you've got Jesus fasting in the wilderness 02:45 for 40 days and 40 nights. 02:47 And you can read in Mark 1, verse 12 and 13 after his 02:50 baptism, "Immediately the Spirit of God drove him 02:54 into the wilderness. 02:55 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted 02:58 by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels 03:02 ministered to him." 03:04 I'm pretty sure angels took care of those kids out there. 03:06 Jëan: That's right. 03:07 Doug: And you get the story where Elijah ran into the 03:09 wilderness and angels fed him. 03:12 And then, of course, Moses was 40 days and 40 nights up on the 03:15 mountain, actually two times, getting the Ten Commandments. 03:20 And you see a picture then in the New Testament, the three 03:25 individuals had fasted 40 days, 40 nights in the Bible are all 03:28 on the mountain together, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, 03:34 in what they call the Mount of Transfiguration. 03:37 And many people are surprised to know they are the two witnesses. 03:41 Moses and Elijah is a symbol of the two witnesses that you find 03:45 in Revelation chapter 11. 03:48 Jëan: That's right, Pastor Doug. 03:49 That is a great study. 03:51 You just mentioned a few of the similarities between Moses and 03:52 Elijah and Christ. 03:54 What else is interesting is you have Moses who died and he was 03:56 resurrected and taken to heaven, and of course Elijah was taken 03:59 to heaven without seeing death. 04:01 It's obviously a miniature of the second coming because it's 04:03 going to be those who are resurrected when Jesus comes 04:05 again and there will be those who will be translated 04:08 without seeing death. 04:10 So you almost got a picture here of the second coming of Christ. 04:13 So much to this story that we read about. 04:15 We have a book. 04:17 It's called "The Two Witnesses," and it's all about Moses, 04:19 Elijah, Jesus there on the Mount of Transfiguration. 04:22 That is our free gift for anyone who is listening. 04:25 All you need to do is call the number, 800-835-6747, 04:30 and you can ask for offer number 195. 04:33 We'll be happy to send it to anyone here who is 04:35 in the US and Canada. 04:37 If you're outside of the United States, just be sure to visit 04:40 our website at AmazingFacts.org. 04:43 Another way that you can get the free offer is by simply dialing 04:46 #250 on your smartphone and say "Bible Answers Live" 04:50 and then ask for the free gift. 04:52 It's called "The Two Witnesses." 04:54 And we'll be happy to send that to anyone who calls and asks. 04:58 Well, Pastor Doug, before we get to our phone lines, as we always 05:01 do we'd like to begin the program with a word of prayer. 05:03 So let's do that now. 05:05 Dear Father, what a joy it is for us to be able to open up 05:07 Your Word and study together, and, Lord, 05:09 we ask for Your blessing. 05:10 We recognize the Bible is Your book. 05:12 You inspired the prophets of old who wrote it. 05:14 And so we pray for that same Spirit to come and guide us as 05:16 we search the Scriptures. 05:18 Be with those who are listening wherever they might be, 05:20 and we ask this in Jesus's name, amen? 05:22 Doug: Amen. 05:24 Jëan: I think we're ready to go to our first caller this 05:25 evening, Pastor Doug. 05:27 We have got Cristi listening in Canada. 05:29 Cristi, welcome to the program. 05:31 Cristi: Hi, pastors. 05:33 Doug: Hi, thanks for calling, Cristi. 05:35 And your question tonight? 05:37 Cristi: My question is the validity of Jeremiah chapter 29, 05:41 verse 11 and how to trust in the Lord as David did in Psalms 31 05:46 despite the verbal criticisms of others. 05:50 As the adversities I see in the Bible kind of contrasts, 05:54 I guess, in the literal sense-- as it complies with 05:59 school and my grades and my future, 06:02 as I grow despondent of such matters 06:04 and, you know, worry since I'm not making the ideal grades even 06:08 though I try my hardest and pray while reminding myself 06:12 of the promises of God. 06:15 Doug: Well, that's a good question and, you know, if-- 06:19 when you pray and you trust God 06:21 and you still find yourself struggling, 06:23 don't be discouraged, 06:25 because there's many examples in the Bible 06:27 of people that prayed several times 06:28 before they experienced an answer. 06:31 You can read about the children of Israel, and there was quite a 06:34 while that they were crying unto the Lord for deliverance 06:36 and says then the Lord heard their prayer. 06:38 Sometimes during the time of waiting God 06:41 is building our faith. 06:43 There is a story in the Bible about blind Bartimaeus. 06:46 And Jesus was passing by, and he was crying out and people told 06:50 him to be quiet, but he kept crying out, and then God stopped 06:56 and Jesus brought him and healed him. 06:59 You wonder, why did the Lord make him cry out several times? 07:02 And there is a parable Jesus shares in Luke chapter 18 about 07:05 the widow that continues to go to the judge and say, 07:09 "Give me justice. 07:11 Deal with my adversary." 07:12 And then finally the judge says, "Well, she is wearing me down. 07:17 I'm going to answer." 07:18 And God says how much more will the Lord answer the prayers 07:21 of those that cry unto him day and night. 07:23 So don't be discouraged, Cristi. 07:25 You can trust what it says there in Jeremiah 11--or 29, verse 11. 07:30 He promises, "You'll search for Me and you'll find Me when you 07:33 search for Me with all your heart," in verse 13. 07:36 Just continue to pursue God and you will see peace and answers. 07:40 Jëan: You know, Cristi, we do have a book for anyone 07:42 who is listening, and it's about prayer. 07:44 You mentioned prayer and persistence in prayer is one of 07:47 the important principles that we find in the Bible, 07:50 and we have a book written called "Teach Us to Pray." 07:52 And we'll be happy to send this to anyone in the US or Canada. 07:55 The number to call for that is 800-835-6747, 07:59 and you can ask for the book. 08:01 It's called "Teach Us to Pray." 08:02 Or just dial #250 on your smartphone, say "Bible Answers 08:06 Live," and then ask for the book "Teach Us to Pray." 08:10 And we'll be happy to send that to anyone who calls. 08:12 Take advantage of it. 08:13 It's a great book. 08:15 Next caller that we have is Kaela listening in Tennessee. 08:17 Kaela, you are on "Bible Answers Live." 08:20 Kaela: Hi, my question is: Where did Elijah get the water 08:25 for the offering on Mount Carmel? 08:27 Doug: Yeah, just for our friends listening, 08:29 I'll set this up so they have the background. 08:32 But there is a big showdown on Mount Carmel during 3 1/2 years 08:35 of severe famine where Elijah called together all the prophets 08:41 of Baal, this false god, and they prayed 08:44 and nothing happened with their altar. 08:46 They were supposed to pray and fire would come down, 08:48 but there was no fire. 08:49 But Elijah said, "I'm going to pray for fire 08:51 to come on God's altar. 08:52 But to prove it's God, we're going to put 08:54 three barrels of water." 08:57 You figure like, you know, three big oil barrels of water were 08:59 dumped on this altar to show that it was a supernatural fire. 09:02 But it's a famine. 09:04 Where is the water coming from? 09:05 Well, the famine there was no food, there was no rain. 09:07 Nothing was growing. 09:08 There was still water in the wells and in the springs 09:12 not too far away from Mount Carmel. 09:15 You not only have the ocean down the hill, doesn't say it was 09:17 fresh water, could have been salt water, and you've also got 09:19 the Gihon spring and the creek there, 09:23 and it probably still had water in it. 09:25 So they, you know-- and all the people gathered 09:28 up there on the mountain. 09:30 The king probably had bought some--brought some water 09:33 so the people would have something to drink up there. 09:35 So there is a few different options, but Bible says that 09:38 they had water. 09:39 They just didn't have any food. 09:41 Jëan: All right, thank you. 09:43 Next caller that we have is Brittany, 09:44 listening in California. 09:45 Brittany, welcome to the program. 09:47 Brittany: Hey. Doug: Hi. 09:50 Brittany: Yeah, mine is: If dogs are unclean, 09:53 and Revelation 22:15 condemns dogs, 09:57 will there--will our pets be in heaven? 10:01 Doug: All right, and says there in Revelation 10:02 that the dogs are outside. 10:05 And does that mean there'll be no dogs in heaven, 10:07 or will our pets be in heaven? 10:09 You've got a couple of questions here. 10:10 First of all, what is it talking about when it talks about dogs 10:14 outside of the New Jerusalem? 10:16 The word dogs there is not even talking about people. 10:20 You can look where Jesus and even some of the Old Testament 10:25 people in the prophecy about Christ--when they were around 10:29 the cross persecuting Jesus it says, 10:31 "Dogs have encompassed me." 10:34 That's talking about people that kind of rip and tear into you. 10:36 So it's an analogy of evil, vicious people. 10:40 And even Christ said you don't give the children's food 10:43 to the dogs. 10:44 He was talking about the unbelievers. 10:46 So when it says dogs are outside the city, don't be thinking 10:48 of canine or pooches. 10:50 It's talking about evil people. 10:53 Will there be dogs in heaven? 10:55 God made dogs. 10:56 I'm sure there'll be dogs in heaven. 10:58 Will your pets be in heaven? 10:59 That's another question. 11:01 No Scripture that guarantees that God is going 11:02 to resurrect your pets. 11:04 There's no Scripture that says God can't do that. 11:06 So just--when you get to heaven, I'll promise you 11:10 you will be happy. 11:12 So don't be discouraged or worried. 11:14 Jëan: That's right, Pastor Doug. 11:16 The Bible says eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither entered 11:18 into the heart of man the things that God is preparing 11:20 for those that love Him. 11:22 No one's going to get to heaven and say, 11:24 "Oh, man, I was expecting something different. 11:26 It's not quite what I envisioned." 11:28 No, it's going to be everything that you can--you can't even 11:30 imagine the things that God has prepared 11:32 for those that love Him. 11:34 So we just need to get there. 11:35 Next caller that we have is Glenn listening in Ohio. 11:37 Glenn, welcome to the program. 11:40 Glenn: Thank you for taking my call. 11:42 And I tell you, Amazing Facts is wonderful. 11:45 Not above Yahweh. 11:47 He's able and He did it again. 11:50 You know, my question is a little bit strange. 11:55 I don't think that God was very knowledgeable of such a thing 12:00 as sin as evidenced by the Scripture that the Savior 12:03 claimed from before the foundation of the world, 12:06 but I wonder--my question is I wonder what was on His mind 12:09 when He allowed Satan to introduce sin to the creation. 12:14 Doug: Well, I won't pretend that I could read God's mind. 12:17 It tells us that, you know, God is passed finding out. 12:20 His ways are higher than our ways as the heavens 12:23 are above the earth. 12:25 And I think the nearest star is four light years away, which 12:28 means if you travel 186,000 miles a second it's going 12:31 to take you 4 years to get to the nearest star. 12:33 So God is infinite, but in His wisdom God knew that He would 12:39 have to take the risk of making creatures--even powerful 12:42 creatures like Lucifer that might choose not to love Him 12:45 because they're free. 12:47 And we are all free moral agents. 12:50 And so Lucifer is exhibit A that God makes us with a freedom 12:55 to love Him, and Lucifer loved God probably for, you know, 12:58 millennia before he rebelled. 13:00 We don't know. 13:02 He was one of the highest angels. 13:03 He was probably around a long time before the seeds of pride 13:05 and rebellion grew in his heart. 13:08 Jëan: Yes, we do have a study guide that talks about that, 13:10 Pastor Doug. 13:11 It's called "Did God Create the Devil?" 13:13 And sometimes people think of the devil, they think of Satan, 13:15 they say, "Well, did God create him bad?" 13:17 No, that's not what the Bible teaches. 13:19 God created a beautiful angelic being, the highest of all the 13:22 angels, but He created Lucifer and the others angels with 13:26 freedom of choice, and he exercised that choice 13:29 to rebel against God. 13:31 We'll be happy to send that to anyone who calls and asks. 13:33 The study guide is called "Did God Create the Devil?" 13:35 And the number to call is 800-835-6747 13:39 and ask for that study guide "Did God Create the Devil?" 13:42 You can also dial #250 and just say "Study guide--" 13:46 or say "Bible Answers Live" 13:47 and then say "Study guide, Did God Create a Devil?" 13:50 And we'll make sure that we get that to you. 13:53 Doug: By the way, Pastor Ross, we also have a video 13:55 online people can watch called "Cosmic Conflict." 13:58 You can just go to YouTube or go to Amazing Facts 14:00 and type in "Cosmic Conflict." 14:02 I think it's the first thing that will come up on YouTube, 14:05 and it explains how the devil came to be the devil. 14:09 So you'll enjoy that. 14:11 Jëan: All right, our next caller that we have is Dennis, 14:13 listening in South Carolina. 14:14 Dennis, you're on the air. 14:17 Dennis: Hey, Pastor Doug and Pastor Ross. 14:20 How are you? 14:22 Doug: Good, thank you for calling. 14:24 Dennis: Well, my question is real quick. 14:26 So I'm on this group on Facebook and everybody has different 14:29 opinions and beliefs, but it is my understanding that the Great 14:35 Tribulation is a great tribulation for the believers 14:39 because we'll be being persecuted by the unbelievers, 14:44 and it'd be a great tribulation for the unbelievers 14:48 because they are going to experience the wrath of God 14:51 via the plagues. 14:54 Doug: Well, yeah, the Bible speaks of these 14:57 two great tribulations. 14:59 Jesus talks about a historic great tribulation that went from 15:04 538 to like 1798 during this tremendous religious persecution 15:10 throughout the Roman-- fallen Roman Empire. 15:14 May have been called Papal Rome at that time. 15:16 But there's a lot of religious persecution 15:18 that the church went through. 15:20 He also talks about a great tribulation the Jews 15:21 went through. 15:23 So he's also telling the apostles that Jerusalem was 15:26 going to fall and they go through a great tribulation. 15:28 But there's a final great tribulation you read about in 15:31 Daniel chapter 12, says that Michael will stand up. 15:34 I think this is verse 1. 15:36 Michael will stand up. 15:38 "The great prince that stands for the children of Thy people 15:40 and there'll be a time of trouble such as there never was, 15:43 even unto that time, and at that time, many of those that sleep 15:47 in the dust of the earth will awake." 15:50 So it's saying the resurrection comes after 15:52 this great time of trouble. 15:54 There's going to be problems not only of religious persecution. 15:57 Not only will there be plagues. 15:58 I think the whole planet is going to be sort of imploding 16:03 shortly before the Lord's coming. 16:05 So I think everyone's going to experience some element 16:07 of persecution or tribulation that's going to come 16:10 on the whole world. 16:12 Jëan: You know, Revelations chapter 7 describes four angels 16:14 holding back the four winds of the earth. 16:16 Another angel comes from heaven saying, 16:18 "Don't let go of the winds until we have sealed 16:20 the servants of God in their forehead." 16:22 The wind represents this time of trouble, 16:24 this turmoil, this conflict. 16:26 And so, yes, God is doing a work of sealing, but when that work 16:28 is finished probation closes, the seven last plagues 16:31 get poured out, and then Jesus comes. 16:34 Now, the good news is for the believer, when probation closes 16:37 God is going to preserve those who trust in Him. 16:41 We read in Psalms 91 no plague will come nigh thy dwelling. 16:44 God will send His angels to watch over you. 16:46 But there will be those who suffer before probation closes. 16:49 Some might even give their life as a testimony of their faith 16:52 and as a witness to others, but that occurs 16:54 before the close of probation. 16:56 All right, thank you, Dennis. 16:58 We've got Junith listening in Nevada. 16:59 Junith, welcome to the program. 17:01 Junith: Sure, hi, good evening, Pastor Jëan and Pastor Doug. 17:07 Can you hear me? 17:08 Doug: Yes, your question? 17:13 Junith: Thanks for taking my call. 17:14 My question is regarding the Lord of the Sabbath, 17:20 who is the Lord of the Sunday. 17:22 Mark 2:20. 17:24 Jesus--can you please explain in a holistic way the connection 17:30 between creation, redemption, and then recreation, and then 17:38 restoration to eternal paradise before Adam and Eve sinned? 17:44 And also please focus also on the mark of this 666 beast and 17:50 the seal of the heavenly Father. 17:52 Thank you. 17:53 Doug: All right, well, you gave us a tall order that-- 17:56 Jëan: It's a Bible prophecy seminar, right? 17:59 All the important prophetic truths. 18:00 Doug: Not going to be able to cover all of that. 18:03 Now, part of what Junith was asking, if you look in-- 18:06 for example, in Revelation chapter 1, 18:09 I think it's verse 10, John says, 18:11 "I was in the spirit on the Lord's Day." 18:14 And some have wondered, what is that Lord's Day? 18:16 And I even heard a pastor say this week that was Sunday. 18:20 Well, there's no Scripture that calls Sunday the Lord's Day 18:22 anywhere in the Bible. 18:24 They just--it sort of comes from a tradition. 18:27 If you want to know what is the Lord's Day, the Lord's Day, the 18:30 Bible says God is--the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord. 18:36 And then you can look in Isaiah 58 and He calls 18:38 the Sabbath My holy day. 18:41 And Jesus says, and she was referring to this, in Mark 18:44 chapter 2 the son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath. 18:48 So if there is a day of the week that God is the Lord, 18:51 it would be the Sabbath. 18:53 Some have wondered there in Revelation chapter 1 it says, 18:55 "I was in the spirit on the Lord's Day," 18:57 is it talking about, "I was in the spirit and I witnessed 19:00 the day of the Lord's return." 19:02 I actually think he had his vision on the Sabbath day. 19:05 He's just saying that he was resting that day and God came 19:08 to him and spoke to him. 19:10 Jëan: Yeah, you know, in the Bible you have the 19:12 phrase--Pastor Doug, as you know we've got the Lord's Day 19:14 and then we have the day of the Lord. 19:16 It's not always the same thing. 19:18 You have the Lord's Day and then you have the day of the Lord. 19:19 It's often associated with the second coming or the 19:21 establishment of Christ's kingdom and power and glory, 19:24 but the Lord's Day would be the seventh day of the week. 19:27 Doug: Correct. 19:29 Jëan: You know, we do have a book, it's one of our study 19:30 guides, and it's called "The Lost Day of History." 19:33 So if you're wondering what does the Bible say about the Lord's 19:35 Day, you're wondering about the Sabbath, call and ask. 19:37 The number to call for that is 800-835-6747. 19:41 You can ask for the study guide. 19:43 It's called "The Lost Day of History." 19:45 Or dial #250 on your smartphone, say "Bible Answers Live," 19:50 and then, again, ask for the study guide 19:51 "The Lost Day of History." 19:53 We'll send it out to you. 19:55 Next caller that we have is Billy listening in LA. 19:57 Billy, welcome to the program. 19:59 Or I guess Louisiana. 20:02 Billy: Okay, my question is: What day of the week 20:07 was Jesus crucified on? 20:11 Doug: Well, a quick answer would be Friday. 20:14 And the reason we say this--it says the Sabbath drew on and 20:19 they wanted to take the bodies off of the crosses 20:22 before the Sabbath. 20:23 Now, that Sabbath was also a Passover Sabbath, 20:26 but it calls it the preparation day. 20:29 And then you read in Luke, it says that they went home 20:32 and kept the Sabbath according to the commandments. 20:34 So we know what Sabbath it was. 20:36 It was a Sabbath according to the Ten Commandments, 20:40 which is the seventh day of the week. 20:41 So the day immediately precedes the seventh day, 20:45 which is Saturday. 20:47 You know, all the Jews today 20:49 still keep the seventh day, Saturday. 20:50 That would be Friday. 20:52 That's why many religions call Friday Good Friday. 20:56 Now, some have read in Matthew chapter 12 where Jesus said 20:59 Moses--I'm sorry. 21:01 "As Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three 21:04 nights, so the son of man will be in the heart of the earth 21:07 three days and three nights." 21:09 And they think, "Well, in order for that to work, 21:11 you got to move the day of the crucifixion." 21:13 So were you wondering about that, Billy? 21:15 Billy: Yes, because I've done a lot of study on it, 21:18 and everybody believes that he was crucified on Friday, 21:24 preparation day for the regular seventh-day Sabbath. 21:28 But John, he quotes in there about the half Sabbath the-- 21:36 in other words, you can't get 3 1/2 days from Friday 21:42 to early Sunday morning. 21:45 Doug: Well, you don't mean 3 1/2, 21:46 you mean 3 days? 21:48 Billy: Three days, but there's-- 21:50 it clearly says in John that they last the-- 21:56 Jonah in the whale, he's been in the heart of the 21:59 earth three days and three nights, and the only way I can 22:06 see the Scriptures all and falling in together is he was 22:13 crucified on Wednesday evening before the half Sabbath and 22:21 entered into the grave, and he been there 3 1/2-- 22:25 3 days and 3 nights, which he'd be resurrected 22:32 probably 72 hours later. 22:34 Doug: Yeah, let me tell you the place where 22:37 the mistake comes in. 22:39 People read that one verse there. 22:41 You don't want to build a doctrine on one verse. 22:44 That one verse there in Matthew chapter 12 22:46 where Jesus says three days, three nights, 22:49 heart of the earth, they assume the heart of the earth 22:52 means only his time in the tomb. 22:54 When Jesus says heart of the earth, there's nowhere else 22:57 in the Bible the tomb is called the heart of the earth. 22:59 When he says heart of the earth, 23:01 he's talking about in the midst of the world. 23:04 When Jesus started suffering for the sins of the world, 23:07 that was Thursday night. 23:09 The penalty for sin was not just death. 23:11 And it wasn't just the time that he was in the tomb, 23:13 it was the suffering. 23:15 And in the Garden of Gethsemane he told the disciples, 23:17 "Now is the hour." 23:19 So that's when you punch the starting stopwatch, 23:21 you might say. 23:23 Thursday night he began-- he said, "Not my will. 23:26 Thy will be done." 23:28 The Father withdrew His protection. 23:30 For three days and three nights Jesus was suffering for the sins 23:33 of the world, and he was beaten and tried and mistreated 23:38 and tortured and he rose again Sunday morning. 23:41 So that's the three days and three nights. 23:44 It starts Thursday night after the Last Supper. 23:47 And so you don't need to move the crucifixion day. 23:50 'Cause when Luke talks about the sign of Jonah, 23:52 he never even mentions-- in the Gospel of Luke, 23:55 Jesus talks about the sign of Jonah. 23:57 He says as Jonah was assigned to the Ninevites. 23:59 Doesn't even mention the three days and three nights. 24:01 So be careful not to try and move the day of the crucifixion 24:04 because of that. 24:06 We do have a free book we can offer you on that. 24:08 Jëan: We do. 24:09 The book is called "The Sign of Jonah," 24:11 and we'll be happy to send this to anyone who calls and asks. 24:13 The number is 800-835-6747. 24:16 You can ask for the book "The Sign of Jonah." 24:18 We also have a book called "Three Days and Three Nights." 24:20 I think that's two books on the same subject. 24:23 Both are very good. 24:25 Just call and ask for either one: "The Sign of Jonah" or 24:27 "Three Days and Three Nights." 24:29 You can dial #250 on your smartphone, say "Bible Answers 24:32 Live," and then ask for the free offer by name, 24:35 and we will send it to you. 24:36 Well, let's see, Pastor Doug. 24:38 We've got 2 minutes to go here. 24:39 Let's see if we can maybe get Roger in Minnesota. 24:42 Roger, welcome to the program. 24:46 Roger: Hi, Pastor Doug. 24:47 Doug: Hi. 24:49 Roger: My question is kind of heavy. 24:50 It's why did God choose the number 2,300. 24:53 Why not 2,000 or 2,400? 24:57 Doug: You're talking about in Daniel chapter 8, verse 14, 25:00 I'm assuming. 25:02 Roger: Yeah, and if you could--you would allow me to 25:04 respond after your comment, I would appreciate that. 25:06 Doug: Okay, don't know-- hopefully we'll have 25:08 enough time, but I don't-- I can't give you a reason 25:11 why God chose that particular numerical quantity. 25:15 I just know that God said that's what the quantity would be from 25:18 the starting point to the ending point of the prophecy. 25:21 So you must have something in mind. 25:24 Roger: I do. 25:26 Doug: Okay, please be brief because we're going 25:28 to run out of time. 25:30 Roger: I'm sorry to hear that. 25:31 God gave Moses two festivals to keep after they left Egypt: 25:36 the spring festival and the fall festival. 25:38 And when Jesus was crucified, how did he know he was going to 25:41 be resurrected on the third day? 25:43 That's because he was a wave sheep of the first fruits. 25:46 And how did he know that was his last supper? 25:48 That's because on the 14th day of the first month the Passover 25:51 lamb was slain, and Jesus knew he was the lamb of God. 25:55 So if the spring festival held that much weight, then the fall 25:58 festival must hold also that much weight. 26:01 So if we count the days God has already given in Leviticus 23 on 26:05 the first day, the blowing of the trumpet for 90 days, on the 26:08 10th day the Day of Atonement, on the 15th day the Feast of 26:11 Tabernacles for 7 days, and then there's a 8th day. 26:14 You add all that together and you come up 26:16 with 22 literal days. 26:19 So 1 Kings chapter 7 and 2 Kings chapter 7, thereabouts, it says 26:27 that when Solomon had finished building the temple he told the 26:31 people to go--which was--and then he--then they had the feast 26:35 then and then at the 22nd day they were told to go home 26:38 in 1 Kings and on the 23rd day they was--told to go home 26:42 in Chronicles. 26:44 So in Daniel 8 it says unto 2,300 days, 26:48 not 2,300 days and one more. 26:51 It's just unto, up to that. 26:53 So you have 22 days, 22 1/2, 22 3/4, 22 7/8, 22 8/8. 26:58 That brings you right up to 2,300 of 22 full days, and 27:03 evidently God has taken His 22 full days and turned it 27:07 into hundreds of days. 27:11 So it's 2,300, which is a little over 6 years. 27:13 Doug: Okay, well, we're going to run out of time here. 27:17 I bet you are an accountant because you got a lot of math 27:21 going on there. 27:23 Hey, friends. Don't go away. 27:24 We're just taking a halftime break. 27:25 We're coming back with the very best of "Bible Answers Live," 27:28 and they'll be more time to call in your questions. 27:35 announcer: Stay tuned. 27:36 "Bible Answers Live" will return shortly. 27:42 announcer: Can't get enough Amazing Facts Bible study? 27:45 You don't have to wait until next week to enjoy more 27:48 truth-filled programming. 27:50 Visit the Amazing Facts media library at aftv.org. 27:55 At aftv.org, you can enjoy video and audio presentations as well 28:00 as printed material all free of charge 24 hours a day 7 days 28:05 a week right from your computer or mobile device. 28:08 Visit aftv.org. 28:12 announcer: Life can be overwhelming. 28:14 Where can an on-the-go woman find quality time with God? 28:17 The new "Amazing Treasures of Faith" box set from Amazing 28:20 Facts empowers your devotional life with inspiring resources 28:23 that will bring lasting peace into your busy life. 28:26 This beautifully-designed box set by women for women comes 28:29 with a 31-day devotional, recipe and Scripture cards, and special 28:32 messages from Pastor Doug and Karen Batchelor. 28:35 Get your "Amazing Treasures of Faith" box set today. 28:37 Just call 800-538-7275 or visit afbookstore.com. 28:43 Doug: Millions of people believe that planet earth is on 28:46 the verge of some apocalypse that will plunge the world's 28:49 cities into chaos. 28:51 In response, thinking people everywhere are wondering if it 28:54 might be a good time to locate their families outside of the 28:58 congested metropolitan areas. 29:00 In my new book "Heading for the Hills? A Beginner's Guide to 29:04 Country Living," I do my best to provide a biblical balance. 29:09 I'd like to share with you some of the crucial things you'll 29:11 need to know before you head up for the hills. 29:14 I'd also like to identify some of the practical things you look 29:17 for in buying a piece of country land, how to develop water, 29:21 power, and a garden all while still seeking to save the lost. 29:26 This book has some very valuable information for anybody that's 29:29 ever considering country living. 29:31 announcer: Order your copy of "Heading for the Hills?" 29:33 Call 800-538-7275 or visit afbookstore.com. 29:40 ♪♪♪ 29:45 announcer: You're listening to "Bible Answers Live" where 29:48 every question answered provides a clearer picture of God 29:51 and His plan to save you. 29:53 So what are you waiting for? 29:55 Get practical answers about the good book 29:57 for a better life today. 30:02 This broadcast is a previously-recorded episode. 30:05 If you'd like answers to your Bible-related questions 30:07 on the air, please call us next Sunday between 7 p.m. 30:11 and 8 p.m. Pacific Time. 30:14 To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned 30:16 in this evening's program, call 800-835-6747. 30:22 Once again, that's 800-835-6747. 30:27 Now let's rejoin our hosts for more "Bible Answers Live." 30:34 Doug: Welcome back, listening friends, 30:35 to "Bible Answers Live." 30:37 And if you're tuning in and you've just joined us along 30:39 the way, this is a live, international, interactive Bible 30:42 study where we take your calls and we--calls from around the 30:46 world and do our best to use the Bible resources to answer 30:49 any question regarding the Word of God or living 30:51 the Christian life. 30:53 My name is Doug Batchelor. 30:55 Jëan: My name is Jëan Ross. 30:57 And friends, if you're listening on radio, we want to let you 30:58 know that you can also participate in this program live 31:02 via the internet. 31:04 We are live streaming this program, and it's at the Doug 31:06 Batchelor Facebook page, the Amazing Facts Facebook page. 31:10 We're also broadcasting live on AFTV. 31:13 So if you have a question, feel free to give us a call. 31:16 The number to call for that is 800-463-7297. 31:20 That's 800-463-7297. 31:24 And just be patient. 31:26 One of our assistants will answer the phone 31:28 and cue you up and you'll be on the air. 31:30 Next caller that we have is Bob, listening in Washington. 31:33 Bob, welcome to the program. 31:35 Bob: Hi, thank you very much. 31:37 My question is in this time that we're living now on earth, is 31:42 there a connection between physical healing from God 31:47 and obedience? 31:50 Doug: Yeah, well, sometimes Jesus healed a person. 31:52 I'm thinking about the pool of Bethesda. 31:54 When he healed that man he said, "Go and sin no more, 31:58 lest a worst thing come upon you." 32:01 So there is definitely a connection between sin 32:05 and healing, not every time. 32:07 Some sickness is just because, you know, degeneration of 32:10 humanity and disease in the world, but some sickness is 32:14 brought upon us by sin. 32:17 And God does still also miraculously heal 32:21 in response to prayer and-- 32:24 Jëan: You know, I think of the verse, Pastor Doug, in James 32:25 where James gives guidance for the church and he says, 32:28 "If somebody is sick among you, let them call for the elders. 32:31 Let them pray over him." 32:33 But there was also associated with that special anointing 32:36 service a confession of sin because it says, 32:39 "If he has committed any sins, he shall be forgiven, 32:42 and the Lord will raise him up." 32:44 So if we are seeking the Lord to heal us and we know of a sin 32:48 that we have not committed or forsaken, we want to get 32:51 that taken care of. 32:53 We want to get that out of the way so that doesn't become 32:55 a hindrance to God answering our prayer. 32:56 Doug: Yeah, says He forgives our sins and heals our diseases, 32:59 and I think it's Psalm 103. 33:01 So there's often a connection. 33:03 Thank you. 33:05 Hope that helps a little bit, Bob. 33:07 Jëan: All right, next caller that we have is Angela, 33:09 listening in Illinois. 33:10 Angela, welcome to the program. 33:12 Angela: Hello. 33:14 I have a question in regards to Acts 23:8. 33:19 It says that, "For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection 33:24 or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe 33:28 in all of these." 33:29 I guess my question is then if the Sadducees says that, 33:34 that there's no resurrection or angels or spirits, 33:37 then what did they actually believe in? 33:40 I mean-- 33:42 Doug: Seems pretty hopeless, doesn't it? 33:44 Angela: Yeah, I was going to say there's no hope. 33:47 Doug: Yeah, the Sadducees were a pretty liberal group and 33:50 they thought that, you know, God, He can bless you in this 33:52 life if you obey Him, but they didn't really talk about 33:56 a resurrection or a spiritual life. 33:58 It was all like it's all right here right now. 34:01 And yeah, that'd be pretty sad. 34:04 It's almost like those who believe in evolution 34:05 that say this is it. 34:07 Jëan: Mm-hmm, it's all you have. 34:09 Doug: Yeah, you die and you turn back to fertilizer, 34:11 and that was your life. 34:12 So I've wondered that before. 34:14 Just, you know, who would want to be a Sadducee? 34:15 That's why they were sad, you see? 34:17 [laughing] 34:19 Jëan: And they claimed to only believe the first five 34:21 books written by Moses, but in those first five books you do 34:24 have references to angels. 34:26 Doug: Yeah. 34:28 Jëan: So it was kind of strange how that they rejected 34:29 the belief of angels and the resurrection. 34:31 Of course, you know, we have examples in the first five books 34:34 of Moses of the resurrection. 34:36 So, you know, it is interesting that-- 34:38 yeah, that's neglected, pushed aside. 34:40 Doug: Yep. 34:42 Jëan: All right, next caller that we have is Dale 34:43 in Illinois. 34:45 Dale, welcome to the program. 34:47 Dale: Yes, good evening, Pastor Doug, Pastor Jëan. 34:51 Doug: Evening. 34:52 Dale: In your Minnesota seminar you answered that you 34:56 believe Sunday worshipers will be in heaven and on your Amazing 35:00 Facts program on Hope Channel you said you believe millions 35:05 of Sunday worshipers would be in heaven. 35:07 So my question is: Wouldn't any and all Sunday worshipers 35:11 be disobeying the Sabbath? 35:14 Doug: Well, yeah, and I did say that. 35:16 And you know, sometimes people have said because we teach the 35:18 Sabbath truth on this program, are we saying that all those 35:22 people that don't know that truth are going to be lost? 35:25 And we say, "No, absolutely not." 35:27 It's one of God's commandments. 35:29 But there are going to be people in heaven--for example, the 35:32 Bible says that you're only supposed to have one wife, 35:35 but you're going to find people in heaven like David and Solomon 35:38 and Jacob and others that had multiple wives. 35:41 And you read in Acts chapter 17, "At the times of this ignorance 35:44 God winked at." 35:46 And so there are people of God who lived through history who 35:49 maybe they didn't know certain biblical truths and they lived 35:52 up to the light they had, and God will wink at their 35:54 ignorance, but once we know the truth--for example, 36:00 I don't drink. 36:02 I don't drink alcohol. I think it's a sin. 36:04 I know better. I see what it does. 36:07 Martin Luther drank, but he lived in a time where everybody 36:11 drank beer 'cause the water wasn't good. 36:13 I expect to see him in heaven. 36:15 He didn't know. 36:16 I don't smoke 'cause I think smoke is--smoking is kind 36:19 of like, you know, thou shall not kill yourself. 36:21 Says right there on the pack, "This will kill you." 36:24 Well, the guy who wrote Amazing Grace, John Newton, he smoked. 36:28 They thought it was good for your lungs back then. 36:29 They were wrong. 36:31 So there are people through history that are godly people, 36:33 they just didn't know certain things. 36:35 And there's dear spiritual people in many churches that 36:38 have not heard what the Bible says or they've not had it 36:41 presented well about the Sabbath truth still being a commandment 36:44 that is to be kept. 36:46 So do I think there are people that are going to go to heaven 36:49 that went to church on Sunday? 36:51 Absolutely. 36:53 I don't think there's going to be people in heaven that knew 36:55 the Word of God and turned away from it. 36:59 The Bible says once we know what God wants, 37:01 if we turn away from it, that's sin. 37:03 Sin is knowing to do good and not doing it. 37:05 So hopefully that clarifies that a little bit, Dale. 37:08 Jëan: Yeah, of course, when everyone does get to heaven, 37:10 the Bible says that there will be a gathering 37:12 that occurs every week. 37:13 It's not the first day or the sixth day. 37:15 It's going to be on the seventh called the Sabbath. 37:17 So everyone will be keeping the Sabbath in heaven. 37:20 Doug: Yeah, from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come 37:22 to worship before the Lord: Isaiah 66. 37:24 Jëan: All right, thank you. 37:26 Next caller that we have is Ivan from Mexico. 37:29 Ivan, welcome to the program. 37:31 Ivan: Good evening, pastors. How you doing? 37:33 Doug: Doing great. 37:35 Ivan: My question is in 2 Corinthians 12:9. 37:38 "And he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, 37:41 for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' 37:44 Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities 37:47 that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 37:51 Doug: Okay, you just want to explain it? 37:55 Ivan: Yeah, please. 37:57 Doug: Yeah, Paul had some affliction he talks about, and 38:01 he mentions that earlier in that verse where he said, 38:03 "I had a thorn in the side, messenger from Satan." 38:07 No one's exactly sure what it was, but many speculate 38:09 he had a problem with his vision. 38:12 And he prayed that God would heal him, but God says no. 38:15 You'll notice other people often write Paul's letters. 38:17 He dictates for them. 38:18 And there's a few occasions in the Bible where it appears Paul 38:21 didn't see what was happening. 38:23 Paul is basically saying that God is allowing him to suffer 38:26 some affliction, that he would trust the Lord had kept him 38:30 humble, and he says in verse 7, "Lest I should be exalted above 38:34 measure by the abundance of revelations." 38:36 Paul had talked to Jesus, he saw visions, and he said, "You know, 38:40 God's keeping me humble because I've had that relationship 38:42 by this physical affliction. 38:45 And I'm going to glory in my afflictions if that keeps me 38:48 closer to the Lord. 38:50 If that's God's will, I will embrace it." 38:52 And I've known people who have struggled with some kind of 38:55 physical handicap and they say, "God use this to save me, 38:57 and I thank God for it." 38:59 It's hard to understand when you're going through it, but in 39:02 the big picture when we get to heaven we'll say, "I am glad for 39:05 the trials that God sent 'cause he used it to save me." 39:09 Jëan: All right, thank you, Ivan. 39:10 We got Michael in Alabama. 39:12 Michael, welcome to the program. 39:15 Michael: Oh, good evening. 39:16 First, about a month ago either Mr. Ross or Mr. Batchelor on 39:22 this broadcast answered another caller's question about the 39:26 so-called mark of the beast. 39:27 Now, I myself am not obsessed with Bible prophecy unlike 39:32 countless thousands of Protestants, but one that-- 39:37 your interpretation has frightened me. 39:41 It said--you answered the person's question, either one of 39:45 you, that the beast--mark of the beast is like the devil's seal 39:52 of approval in your mind and heart and spirit-- 39:54 mind and your will and your spirit. 39:58 I don't see that definition anywhere here in Revelation 40:03 and I wonder where and how you arrived at this. 40:06 I got obses--severe depression as a baby Christian, a teenage 40:10 Christian, and then obsessive compulsive disorder from 40:14 churchianity from pastors that taught stuff like this, that you 40:18 could commit practically unpardonable sins without 40:23 knowing it because you have some secret-- 40:26 almost like you have some secret covenant with Satan 40:29 just for being you or something like that. 40:31 Doug: All right, well, let us get it-- 40:33 jump in here and try and say something to respond. 40:36 So, again, I don't know exactly what question 40:39 or which one of us responded to. 40:41 We probably pretty much believe the same thing on this, 40:43 'cause it's not new with us. 40:46 The teaching through history, and it's from the Bible, is that 40:50 the mark of the beast is really the opposite of the seal of God, 40:54 talks about the mark being in the hand or in the forehead. 40:57 If you look in the Old Testament, Moses, after giving 41:00 the Ten Commandments, says in Deuteronomy chapter 6, 41:03 "These words I command you this day shall be in your heart. 41:07 You shall bind them for a sign upon your hand. 41:10 They shall be as frontlets between your eyes." 41:12 It's talking about the forehead biblically. 41:15 The law of God was to be in their hand. 41:17 And again, you read in Isaiah chapter 8, it says that we are 41:21 sealed with the law of God. 41:23 So the law of God is sealed in our hearts and our minds. 41:27 If we do not have the law of God we'll have the laws of the beast 41:31 in our minds. 41:32 And ultimately it's going to mean they're obeying the laws 41:36 of the beast instead of the laws of God. 41:39 You look in Daniel chapter 3 and it's got the king making 41:42 everyone worship a image or he would be killed. 41:46 Revelation 13 is harkening back to that. 41:49 Says those who do not worship the image of the beast 41:51 would be killed. 41:53 If we obey the laws of this final beast power that will be 41:56 in conflict with the law of God, we're going to have the seal of 42:00 God, but we'll be persecuted by the beast as a death penalty. 42:03 Now, I'm not saying this to scare you. 42:05 I just have to tell you what the Bible says. 42:07 It's pretty clear it's happened several times in history. 42:10 Jëan: You know, Pastor Doug, I think not only is the Bible 42:12 portray it, but we can just look in the world around us. 42:14 We're in the midst of the great controversy 42:16 between good and evil. 42:17 There are bad things happening to good people. 42:19 There are bad things happening to bad people. 42:21 There are wars and there's unjust things happening 42:23 all around us. 42:25 And the question is why? 42:26 Well, the Bible gives the answer. 42:28 It says that Satan is the author of pain and suffering and death, 42:30 and God wants to save us, and that's the whole plan of 42:33 redemption and why Jesus came. 42:34 But Bible prophecy points to this final showdown that occurs 42:38 just before Jesus comes. 42:40 And you're going to have two groups in the world. 42:42 Those who love the Lord, keep His commandments, they have the 42:45 seal of God, and those who follow manmade tradition, 42:47 they have rejected the commandments of God, they 42:50 end up with the mark of the beast. 42:51 So two distinct groups just before Jesus comes. 42:54 Doug: Now, Michael, I detected in your question that 42:57 you are feeling some anxiety, and God wants to give you peace. 43:02 And I think if you study the subject I think you'll see that 43:05 the Book of Revelation has a happy ending for those 43:09 that embrace Jesus. 43:11 And you shouldn't be frightened by this when you, you know, 43:14 accept the Lord. 43:16 We're going to send you a study on the mark of the beast, and it 43:18 ends with good news, and all you have to do is call the number. 43:21 Please look at the study and it gives you 43:22 all the Scriptures on the subject-- 43:24 anybody out there. 43:25 Jëan: Matter of fact, you might want to ask 43:27 for the whole series. 43:28 That's just one study, one lesson amongst many, 43:30 but you'll be blessed if you go through the whole set. 43:31 It's all free. 43:32 Just ask for the Amazing Facts Bible School. 43:34 The number to call for that is 800-835-6747. 43:38 You can ask for the study on the mark of the beast, 43:40 but I'd encourage you ask for all of the studies, 43:42 and they'll be happy to send it to you. 43:44 Dial #250 if you have a smartphone and you can just say 43:47 "Bible Answers Live" and ask for the Amazing Facts 43:50 Study Guide series, and we'll get that in the mail. 43:54 Thanks for your call. 43:55 We've got Sue, listening in New York. 43:57 Sue, welcome to the program. 43:59 Sue: Hi, thank you. Good night, pastors. 44:01 Doug: Evening. 44:03 Sue: I would just like you to explain Mark 2:27, 44:07 which says the Sabbath was made for man 44:11 and not man for the Sabbath, please. 44:13 Thank you. 44:14 Doug: Yeah, well, we'll read also verse 28. 44:16 "Therefore the son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." 44:19 This verse Jesus--you always want the context. 44:22 The religious leaders were giving the apostles a hard time 44:24 because they were going through the fields 44:26 as they walked with Jesus. 44:28 They were grabbing some of the heads of grain, 44:30 they'd rub them in their hands, it was harvest time, 44:32 and they'd blow away the chaff. 44:34 They'd pop up in their mouth. 44:35 I see corn out of a field, green sometimes. 44:40 And they're--the religious leaders that were watching this 44:43 said, "Oh, they're harvesting." 44:45 Well, they weren't harvesting. 44:46 It was like picking an apple on the Sabbath day. 44:48 It's not harvesting. 44:50 But they were very legalistic and they said, 44:51 "You're harvesting." 44:52 And Jesus said, "No. 44:54 They're just--they're gleaning a little food to eat." 44:56 And they were putting all these manmade laws on the Sabbath like 44:59 the reason that man existed was to serve the Sabbath. 45:03 And Jesus reminded them that man was made first and the Sabbath 45:08 was made to be a blessing for man 'cause man was made on the 45:14 sixth day, the Sabbath then was made this period of time 45:17 to be a blessing for man in his communion with God. 45:20 That's why he said the Sabbath was made for man 45:22 and not man for the Sabbath. 45:24 So we shouldn't be legalistic about Sabbath-keeping as the 45:27 Pharisees were, but neither should we neglect it. 45:30 Jesus never said, "Ignore the Sabbath. 45:32 It's done away with." 45:34 He said, "The son of man is Lord of the Sabbath, 45:35 meaning I'm the one that created the Sabbath." 45:38 And Jesus--all things that were made were made by him. 45:40 He made it to be a blessing, not a burden, 45:42 and that's simply what he's teaching there. 45:44 Jëan: All right, thank you, Sue. 45:46 Next caller that we have is Tim listening in Texas. 45:48 Tim, welcome to the program. 45:50 Tim: Hey, how you doing? 45:52 Doug: I'm doing great, thank you. 45:54 And your call--your question? 45:56 Yeah. 45:57 Tim: Oh, my question is in heaven talks about the tree 46:00 will be--the leaves will be for the healing of the nations. 46:04 Why would there be healing of the nations 46:05 if it's a perfect world? 46:07 Doug: Yeah, that's-- that is a good question. 46:10 You can also look in the end of Ezekiel. 46:14 And Pastor Ross might find the verse where it says--when you 46:16 type in the word medicine you'll probably find it, and it says 46:18 the leaves of the tree will be for medicine, and it's a similar 46:21 vision that Ezekiel has, a lot of comparisons between Ezekiel 46:27 and Revelation in this respect. 46:31 Obviously nobody is going to get sick in heaven and need to go, 46:35 you know, clawing or crawling up to the tree of life 46:38 and rubbing the leaves in a wound or something like that. 46:41 The way that I've understood it is there's two things. 46:43 You notice it says healing of the nations. 46:45 It doesn't say healing of disease. 46:48 All the nations are divided in this world by language 46:52 and culture and politics and different things. 46:55 As God's redeemed gather together under the tree, under 46:59 the leaves of that tree to eat the fruit, all the divisions of 47:03 the nation will be healed, and we will be one people. 47:07 So it's a healing of the nations. 47:10 And when we're resurrected, though we'll have 47:12 glorified bodies, man has been stunted by sin. 47:17 And again, not only will we be eating the fruit, it's possible 47:21 that maybe there'll be some edible properties of the leaves 47:25 and they'll eat that and grow up to the full stature, 47:28 'cause it does say in Malachi, "They shall go forth 47:30 and grow up as calves of the stall." 47:33 So we may even increase in height. 47:36 And so I can't wait to get to heaven and find out, but. 47:38 Jëan: Yeah, the verse that it's--that's drawn from 47:41 in Revelation is Ezekiel chapter 47, verse 12. 47:43 Doug: Yeah, okay, thank you. 47:45 Jëan: Talks about the leaves of the trees used for medicine. 47:47 All right, good question, Tim. 47:48 Next caller that we have is Joel in Tennessee. 47:50 Joel, welcome to "Bible Answers Live." 47:53 Joel: Thank you for taking my call. 47:55 My question regards to Matthew 5, verse 19. 48:00 Doug: Okay, I can read it if you want. 48:03 Joel: Yes, please. 48:05 Doug: "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these 48:08 commandments and teaches men so, he'll be called least in the 48:11 kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, 48:14 he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." 48:17 So are you wondering what that verse means? 48:20 Joel: I was wondering are there levels in--like, are there 48:23 levels or, like, positions that people will have 48:25 when they get to heaven? 48:27 Doug: Yes, but that is not taught by this verse. 48:30 When I say will there be levels it's not that God segregates us 48:32 in heaven, but Jesus tells us there are varying degrees 48:35 of reward both for the saved and the lost. 48:39 You know, Christ says that those that knew their master's will 48:42 and did not do it are beaten with many stripes while those 48:46 who did not know their master's will but somehow disobeyed are 48:49 beaten with few stripes. 48:51 And the Bible also says, "Great is your reward in heaven, 48:54 those who are persecuted for righteousness sake." 48:56 So there's varying degrees of reward, but this verse when it 48:59 says if you're teaching others to break the commandment you'll 49:02 be called least in the kingdom, that's not saying you're in the 49:05 kingdom and you're going to be in low position. 49:07 It means the people in the kingdom of God call that 49:11 individual the lowest kind of person. 49:15 The people that teach others to sin, not going to be 49:17 in the kingdom. 49:19 He's simply saying whoever breaks the least of these 49:21 commandments and teaches men so shall be called least. 49:25 Those in the kingdom of heaven will call that person the lowest 49:29 kind of person. 49:31 So they're not going to be in heaven, if anyone's teaching 49:34 people to sin. 49:36 Joel: I do have another question. 49:37 It's about, like, pastors that may not be all-knowing of the 49:43 truth or, like, if they teach--like, if they're ignorant 49:46 of something and they teach others to sin kind of, would 49:50 they still be in--like, I don't know if that kind of ties in. 49:53 Doug: Yeah, well, yeah. 49:55 You know, when the apostles first started teaching under 49:58 Jesus, they didn't have all of their eschatology correct. 50:02 Even after the resurrection, they said, "Lord, 50:04 will you at this time establish the kingdom?" 50:07 And then even after Jesus ascended to heaven, they didn't 50:10 think they were supposed to preach to the Gentiles, 50:13 and so their knowledge grew with time. 50:18 So, you know, I've preached before and did evangelism and 50:22 lead people to the Lord, but then later I realized, you know, 50:24 I said something that actually wasn't accurate. 50:27 And I, of course, correct that and I grow on my knowledge. 50:30 So I think if a pastor makes a mistake--an honest mistake in 50:34 his teaching 'cause he really believes something and he's just 50:36 misinformed, you know, God is going to wink at that ignorance 50:39 and he'll bless the ministry as much as he can. 50:42 I think there are godly ministers in many churches that 50:45 are doing their best to lead people to Christ and repentance 50:48 and faith and they may not have all their theology square, 50:51 as I'm sure mine isn't perfect. 50:53 But what Jesus is saying here in Matthew chapter 5:19 50:57 is different. 50:58 This is people teaching people to disregard God's commandments. 51:02 Jëan: All right, thank you for your call, Joel. 51:04 We've got Matthew listening in Arizona. 51:05 Matthew, welcome to the program. 51:07 Matthew: How is it going, pastors? 51:09 Blessings. 51:10 Doug: Thank you. 51:12 Matthew: The question is did Noah preach to the whole world 51:15 being that the whole world was flooded? 51:18 Doug: Yeah, but keep in mind that in the time of Noah, while 51:22 there may have been hundreds of thousands or even millions 51:25 of people that lived in the world, I think they were mostly 51:30 restricted to one section of the planet. 51:33 They had not dispersed all over the planet. 51:36 And so, you know, wherever Noah had the ark parked where he was 51:40 preaching, probably not too far from the gates of the Garden 51:42 of Eden, that he was preaching to the people. 51:46 He may have gone on a circuit preaching during the 120 years 51:50 he was building the ark. 51:51 I don't know that he was a global jet-setter back then 51:54 and that there were people all over the planet. 51:56 So I don't know. 51:59 You got any thoughts on that? 52:00 Jëan: Yeah, but I don't think it was just Noah 52:02 that was preaching. 52:03 There were others who passed away bef-- 52:05 Doug: Probably Methuselah, Enoch. 52:06 Jëan: Methuselah and others, yes. 52:07 Doug: Yeah. 52:09 Jëan: They lived for hundreds of years. 52:10 So word got around, people would speak, so even if it wasn't Noah 52:12 speaking, there were others that testified saying 52:15 judgment is coming. 52:16 Doug: Yeah, maybe they had the internet back then. 52:18 Jëan: Maybe, stuff for communications. 52:21 Yeah, all right, well, thank you, Matthew. 52:23 Next caller that we have is Israel in California. 52:26 Israel, welcome to the program. 52:28 Israel: Hi, thank you, and thank you for your ministry. 52:32 It's meant a lot to me. 52:33 Doug: Thank you. 52:35 Israel: My question is concerning transgender theory. 52:38 Is there any way that it correlates with the Bible? 52:41 Is there any way that transgender and queer theory 52:44 some denominations have accepted it? 52:48 What are your thoughts on this as far as it relates 52:50 to the Scriptures? 52:52 Doug: Yeah, well, I'll do my best. 52:53 And I guess I'm pretty simplistic about it in that the 52:57 Bible says that in the beginning God made the male and female. 53:02 Not only is that in Genesis, Jesus quotes it. 53:05 That leaves two options when it comes to gender. 53:07 You're male or you're female. 53:09 And in every human body every female is stamped 53:14 with a XX chromosome, 53:18 while every male is stamped with an XY chromosome. 53:21 So even if a person goes and has some kind of reconstructive 53:25 surgery, their maleness or femaleness is stamped 53:30 on the chromosomes, and that's not changed by that. 53:32 God wants us to celebrate the distinctions about being male 53:36 or being female. 53:37 Now, I--you know, my heart goes out to people that struggle with 53:41 very strong feelings towards sin, 53:45 whatever those feelings might be. 53:46 Everyone struggles with sin, but some people struggle 53:49 with how they feel about being a boy or a girl. 53:53 And while I don't understand it, my hearts go out--my heart goes 53:55 out to them, but I know that we all need to bring our feelings 53:59 in harmony with the Word of God and ask for God to transform us. 54:03 It's called conversion. 54:05 The world doesn't believe in conversion theory, but God does. 54:09 And we can be new creatures. 54:12 The Bible is pretty clear. 54:14 Deuteronomy chapter 22, verse 5 the Lord says, 54:19 "A man shall not put on the garment of a woman, 54:22 nor shall a woman put on a man's garment. 54:24 All that do so are an abomination to the Lord." 54:27 The Lord wants us to not only celebrate but to preserve 54:31 the distinction between men and women. 54:33 And in the last days the devil is attacking every institution 54:37 that God established in the Garden of Eden. 54:39 The devil is attacking. 54:41 Well, we've talked about the Sabbath night. 54:43 He's attacking that day of rest, 54:44 and people are working themselves to death. 54:46 The devil is attacking family and the devil is even 54:49 attacking just the distinction in the genders. 54:51 So everything you see established in the Garden 54:53 of Eden is sort of under attack right now, 54:56 and that would be part of it. 54:57 Hey, for our friends listening, we're going to sign off 55:00 in two stages. 55:02 God bless to those listening on satellite. 55:03 Stay tuned. 55:04 The rest of you, coming back in just a moment 55:06 with rapid fire Bible questions. 55:08 Stick with us. 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. 55:27 Jëan: Hello, friends. Welcome back. 55:29 And as you can see, we can't take the radio programs. 55:33 But with those of you who stayed around on AFTV and you're 55:36 watching on the internet, we have just 2 minutes 55:37 to answer the email questions that have been sent in. 55:40 If you have an email question, just simply send it to 55:43 BALquestions@amazingfacts.org. 55:47 All right, pastor, that first caller that we have-- 55:50 or first question that's been emailed to us, 55:51 I should say, which of the member of the Trinity 55:54 spoke to the prophets, for example, Moses or Isaiah? 55:58 Doug: Well, when you say which member of the Trinity, 55:59 Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Father typically 56:02 communicates to us through the Son and through the Spirit. 56:06 There are a few times where you had what they call a 56:08 Christophany, where it seems that Jesus may have been the one 56:12 that actually wrestled with Jacob and Jesus who spoke 56:15 to Moses and Jesus who met with Abraham. 56:19 So there are examples of Christ himself coming 56:22 to earth and speaking. 56:24 Most of the time God spoke through the Holy Spirit. 56:27 And I think it says that through the Spirit, 56:29 God spoke to the prophets. 56:30 Jëan: Holy men of old, yeah. 56:32 Doug: Holy men of old spoke as they were moved 56:33 by the Holy Spirit. 56:34 So in most cases it would be the function of the third person of 56:39 the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, to communicate the will 56:42 and the mind of God to the prophets 56:43 and the patriarchs and the kings. 56:45 Jëan: All right, very good. 56:47 Pastor Doug, here's a question. 56:48 Galatians 2:18 is the verse. 56:50 And the person is asking about what law is being referred 56:54 to here in Galatians chapter 2, verse 18. 56:57 Doug: All right, now, I think we need to read more 56:58 than just verse 18. 57:00 It says in verse 17, "But if, while we seek to be justified 57:04 by Christ, we ourselves are also found sinners, is Christ 57:07 therefore a minister of sin? 57:09 Certainly not. 57:10 For if I build again the things that I destroyed, 57:12 I make myself a transgressor." 57:14 That's verse 18. 57:15 "For I through the law died to the law that I might get-- 57:19 might live unto God." 57:21 Well, of course, according to the law we're all guilty of sin. 57:24 We are condemned through the law. 57:26 The penalty for sin is death. 57:29 But when we come to Christ, we die to self. 57:32 That's what Paul is talking about. 57:33 We take up our cross and we follow Jesus 57:35 and we're dead to law and we're dead to the pen-- 57:39 now, it doesn't mean we don't disobey the law, 57:41 but we're dead to the penalty of the law 57:43 through the sacrifice of Jesus. 57:45 Now, we live lives of obedience through the power of Christ. 57:48 Jëan: Okay. 57:50 Doug: We're not doing it because it's the law, 57:51 but because we love the Lord. 57:53 Jëan: Amen. All right, last question. 57:54 How do you respond to somebody if they keep telling you that, 57:56 "Well, that's just your understanding of the verse?" 57:59 Doug: Well, Peter warns against those who have 58:01 a private interpretation. 58:03 We shouldn't all be coming to our own feelings about it. 58:06 We need to compare Scripture with Scripture. 58:08 And I believe when you do that, that's how you find evidence 58:12 to arrive at truth. 58:14 We want to thank you for tuning in to "Bible Answers Live," 58:16 and we'll study again next week. 58:18 God bless. 58:20 announcer: "Bible Answers Live," honest and accurate 58:22 answers to your Bible questions. |
Revised 2024-01-10