Hello Friends, this is
Doug Batchelor, how about an Amazing fact? Diamonds are the hardest natural material known to mankind. Their hardness is legendary since antiquity and it’s a source for the name coming from the Greek word “Adámas” for invincible. Approximately, 130 million carats are mined annually with a value of nearly 9 billion dollars and about 220,000 pounds of man-made diamonds are synthesized every year. Diamond formation requires exposure of carbon materials to very high pressure. But, diamonds can also be formed in other natural events. For example, very small diamonds, known as micro diamonds, have been found in craters caused by meteorite impact. The biggest earthly diamond is the 530 carat “Star of Africa”, one of the British Crowned Jewels. That was at least until August 28, 2007, when a diamond mine in South Africa announced that it found a diamond believed to be twice the size of the former record holder.
The uncut diamond is expected to sell for over 30 million dollars but it still may not be the biggest. Some astronomers now believe they have actually found the biggest known diamond in the Universe up in the sky directly above Australia.
According to American Astronomers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, a “White Dwarf Star” in the Constellation of Centaurus next to the Southern Cross has been found to have a 2,000 mile wide solid core of crystallized carbon or in other words, a diamond. It weights 2.27 thousand trillion trillion tons. That’s 10 billion trillion trillion carats or a 1 followed by 34 zeros, it’s “The Mother of All Diamonds” according to Astronomer Travis Metcalfe who led the team of researchers that studied the star. Suddenly, it becomes a lot more believable when the Bible says that every gate in the New Jerusalem will be made from one single pearl.
Stay with us, friends. We’re going to learn more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of Bible Answers Live.
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Doug: Welcome, Listening Friends to a fresh serving of Bible Answers Live. And if this is the first time you’ve joined the broadcast, it is as it sounds a “Live International Interactive Bible Study”. And you can call in your Bible Questions. Right now is a very good time to do it. We have plenty of lines open. That number once again toll Free it’s 800-GOD-SAYS. That’s 800-463-7297 and my name is Douglas Batchelor.
Pastor Jëan Ross: My name is Jëan Ross. Good Evening, Listening Friends and Pastor.
Pastor Doug: Kind of threw you, I said my whole name, didn’t it?
Pastor Jëan Ross: I know, I was trying to think what do I come back with?
Pastor Doug: (Laughing)
Pastor Jëan Ross: I don’t have another name. Well, let’s begin our program with a word of prayer. Dear Father, once more, we thank You for this opportunity to open up Your Word and we ask special blessing upon today’s program. Be with those who are listening, whoever they might be, traveling in their car or maybe at home. We pray that Your Spirit would impress truth upon the heart and give us wisdom as we try and find answers in the Bible. For this we ask in Jesus Name. Amen.
Pastor Doug: Amen.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know the fact that you started the program with talking about diamonds and some of the largest diamonds, I found that interesting. I lived for 2 years in the “Diamond Capital of the World”. It’s a town by the name of “Kimberly” in South Africa and it’s both the largest Man-made Hole and it’s about a mile. It’s circumference around the opening on the top, very deep and it was all for diamonds. Man’s search for diamonds.
Pastor Doug: Right, that grew into, I think, the De Beers mines.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Correct.
Pastor Doug: After awhile, it’s got very very interesting History there. Well, it’s Amazing studying diamonds in connection with the Bible. You can read that among the stones, that were on the Breastplate of the High Priest, were 12 Diamonds. And there on the Breastplate, representing those 12 diamonds were symbols of the 12 Tribes that the Priest was to carry on his heart. And when you go to the New Jerusalem in Heaven, it tells us that there are “12 Precious Stones” in the foundation of that city. And some scholars believe that one of those stones by its ancient name is also a diamond. And they’re on the foundation, one of the hardest of materials. They say that in the natural world, “The only thing you can cut a diamond with is another diamond. Because, I think they must have some man-made synthesized materials now, but naturally formed, they are the hardest material. And you think about that planet. Well, it’s not really a planet. It’s what they call a “White Star” that is sort of a sun that is imploded where the carbon material has crystallized under the pressure and under the gases of this White Star that’s above Australia. They say that they’ve got this one diamond, picture this on somebody’s breastplate;
Pastor Jëan Ross: (Laughing)
Pastor Doug: 1 diamond 2,000 miles across. That’d really be something. So when we read about Heaven and God says that every gate in the New Jerusalem 12 Gates, each Gate is a “Single Pearl”. And you think, “Boy, their oysters must be enormous.” Anyways, how do you get a pearl that big? But, hey look if secular astronomers are saying that there is a diamond out there 2,000 miles across, then I think there can certainly be one pearl a few hundred yards across. All things are possible with God. And maybe our friends would like to get some of the thrilling and inspiring facts about what the Bible says regarding Heaven. We have a Special Free Offer.
Pastor Jëan Ross: The offer is entitled “Heaven, Is It for Real?” and all you need to do to receive this Free Offer is call our Resource number, it’s 1-800-835-6747, 1-800-835-6747. You know we need to keep reminding ourselves that Heaven is real.
Pastor Doug: That’s right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: There really is a place with “Streets of Gold”. And the angels are there, Jesus is there, and He’s coming back to take us home.
Pastor Doug: I have to constantly remind myself because it’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking “What do I want to do before my life’s over? I wanna do this and this and this.” And it’s like we think this is it. And this life is so puny; it’s microscopic compared to heaven. That people feel like they’ve got to try and cram all these pleasant experiences into this life because you know, it’s that old mentality “I’ve only got one life”. Well no, this is not it. This life is really to prepare for the one that does matter, that will last forever. And so, it’s a constant battle as we make our decisions day by day to say “I’m not gonna live for the pleasures of this world as though this is it”, cause this isn’t it. What really matters is what’s gonna happen for eternity.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Right. Absolutely, this world is not our home. We're just passing through.
Pastor Doug: That’s right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, we have some questions that have come in. The first one comes from Exodus Chapter 35 and the question is: “I’ve read in Exodus 35 “Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day”. The question is: What does this mean? Does this mean: No cooking on a Sabbath?”
Pastor Doug: Yeah, we’ve had this question come in once or twice before. Obviously, The Ten Commandments, they’re God’s Idea. The Lord wrote these with His finger, He spoke them with His voice and one of The Ten Commandments is about the Sabbath. And the Bible basically says that on the Sabbath Day, it’s Holy time, precious time with God to nurture that Love-Relationship, any unnecessary work should be left aside. Our regular weekly labor should totally be left aside. If any cooking can be done in advance, the children of Israel were to gather their manna the day before, and they could even bake it. People have been disturbed by this where it says: “You shall not kindle a fire.” And they think well. Does that mean that folks are going to be shivering although the Sabbath? Especially back then, they had no other “Artificial Heat”. The word “Kindle” there means to start, to ignite. Starting a fire back in Bible times was without matches. You know you can picture them rubbing sticks together. They sometimes use this bows to ignite a fire. And it’s very labor-intensive it’s not like lighting a match. They were to ignite their fire to start the fires before sun down. They could have wood piled up. They could stay warm. But they weren’t to kindle them on the Sabbath. Today you know sometimes Friday night, our family will start our fireplace... But for us, we’ve got it all ready to go. You just light a match then throw it in there’s no labor involved.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Well, we have a Study Guide dealing with the topic of the Sabbath.
Pastor Doug: Yes
Pastor Jëan Ross: And it covers a lot more than “What you can do and what you can’t do on a Sabbath”. It gives the whole Biblical premise for its importance. It’s called “The Last Day in History”.
Pastor Doug: That’s right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: And, we’d like to make that available to anyone listening 1-800-835-6747. Ask for the Study Guide on the Sabbath called “The Lost Day of History”. Question Number 2 Pastor Doug: “What do you think is the most compelling sign pointing to the soon coming of Jesus?”
Pastor Doug: Well, there are many of them. You could talk about signs, political signs, natural signs, signs with men, social signs. For me, I think one of the most impressive signs that tells us we are living in the last generation, well as Jesus said these prophecies being fulfilled in your ears. He said in Matthew 24:14, “The Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all of the world as a witness and to all nations and then the end will come”. Well, the Gospel is being preached now more rapidly, more effectively, more broadly than any other time since Jesus came. Through, of course, radio, television, printed material, now the internet is just a phenomenon that’s unique in the last you know 10, 15 years. There’s scarcely a place in the world … we get email from people that watch our programs that are in the outback of Australia and they just get it by satellite and they email us via satellite. So, with the email actually one’s from the South Pole, somebody that was watching one of our podcasts
Pastor Jëan Ross: (Laughing)
Pastor Doug: I guess that station there. So, you know, they watch online. It’s going all over the world, in China right now, while they don’t have the same Freedom and access, there’s about as many people on the internet, in Asia or in all of North America. So through television, satellite television internet, radio, DVDs. Karen and I went to China a couple of years ago and brought some DVDs that we hear now have been duplicated and they’re all over the country. That were translating the Gospel into Chinese. I see the Gospel going in all the world and Christ said, “The Gospel will be preached in all the world then the end will come.” It was very definite. He didn’t say everybody would be converted or everybody would believe He said for a witness. So, I think, that to me is one of the most exciting signs.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright. Well, as you said this is being fulfilled right now. As together, we’re studying God’s Word via the airwaves.
Pastor Doug: And by the way, we have a Study Guide. Talking about, “The Second Coming”.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Second Coming.
Pastor Doug: With some of the signs, it outlines in there and that’s “Rescue From Above”.
Pastor Jëan Ross: “Ultimate Deliverance”.
Pastor Doug: Yeah. Well, I’m sorry. Yeah.
Pastor Jëan Ross: That’s a good one “Rescue From Above” it deals with salvation. You’re welcome to ask for that as well. The one on “The Second Coming” is called “Ultimate Deliverance”.
Pastor Doug: Correct.
Pastor Jëan Ross: “The Ultimate Deliverance”. 1-800-835-6747 to receive the Resources that we’ve mentioned on the Program; the one on The Sabbath; the one on The Second Coming and then, also, there’s the one on Salvation. So, be sure to call. We’ll go to the phone lines. Sumbal is calling from Ontario Canada. Sumbal, Welcome to the Program.
Sumbal: Good Evening, Pastors. How are you?
Pastor Doug: Very well. How can we help you tonight?
Sumbal: We just came back from Myanmar. My husband took us to [???].
Pastor Doug: Uh-huh.
Sumbal: Yeah. I don’t know if you remember.
Pastor Doug: Yes, I do. I remember visiting you, folks.
Sumbal: Yeah. We were standing right outside the class. Me, with my 3 kids.
Pastor Doug: Yes, I remember.
Sumbal: Yeah, it was really amazing.
Pastor Doug: And your question tonight?
Sumbal: Yeah. And My Pastors, my question is regarding Isaiah 4:1. Can you explain please?
Pastor Doug: Yes. Let me read this to our friends, “And in that day, seven women will take hold of one man saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear are own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.” This is an example of many you find in Isaiah that would be a “Dual Prophecy”. You get the literal, historical part of it. And that was because of the disasters that came on Israel with the Babylonian Captivity so many men were killed in the war, that the men were basically decimated. And if a woman wanted to have a family, she would say to a man, “Look, I’m not looking for anyone to support me. We’ll provide our clothing, we’ll provide our own food, but take away my reproach of being childless and at least take me as a wife”. So, it was saying that there is a calamity coming where there would be no husbands because they were killed off in the war. That literally did happen. But, the Spiritual application, “A woman represents a church” and “Clothing represents righteousness” the Bible says that “Our clothing is filthy rags, Christ’s robe of righteousness covers our sin” and then, of course, bread represents the truth the Word of God.
In the last days, you’re gonna have a lot of churches that claim to be Christian. They take the name of Christ but they have their own bread, their own interpretation of the word, their own clothing, their own idea of what constitutes righteousness but they want to be called by Christ’s name, because there’s no other name given among men whereby we must be saved. So, that would be the spiritual application of that verse.
Sumbal: OK.
Pastor Doug: That’s a good question. I appreciate that.
Sumbal: Thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: Thank you. God Bless.
Sumbal: God Bless you too.
Pastor Doug: And you folks do well.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Our next call is Ty, listening on WMCA from Brooklyn, New York. Ty, Welcome to the Program. Ty, you there?
Pastor Doug: T.Y. Brooklyn New York? Is someone on the line?
Ty: Hey, Pastor.
Pastor Doug: Hi. Welcome to the program.
Ty: Hi, Actually, I have a question about a passage in Ezekiel 28:11-19, I believe. I mean, I just really don’t understand what the Prophet is referring to. Do you have some (inaudible 15:19) in the passage?
Pastor Doug: Well, I’ll do my best. I’m there now. In Ezekiel 28, you’ve got a prophecy that begins talking about the King of Tyrus or Tyre. And this King, at this point, was a very proud wicked king and then the prophet while in vision; he goes in his oracle from talking about the king, to talking about the power behind this wicked king which is the devil. And a matter of fact, here’s another place where the word diamond appears, it says: “Thou has been in Eden” in verse 13 now, “the garden of God” well, Satan was in the Garden of Eden. “Every precious stone was thy covering” and he mentions the jewels and the beautiful adornment of Lucifer before his fall. And he goes on and says, “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth;” this is verse 14. That’s a real clue to who it’s talking about. Lucifer was an anointed cherub before his fall, one of the covering angels by the throne of God. “I have set thee so: thou wast upon the Holy mountain of God; you walked up and down and the midst of the fiery stones, ... You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created”. This is another clue, it’s talking about Lucifer. “Men are born; Angels are created from the day you were created until iniquity was found in thee”. The first sin began with Lucifer by nurturing pride in his own heart.
And so this passage here, you’ll find the parallel passages in Isaiah 14 where in verse 12, talks about the fall of Lucifer. So, it begins talking about the king and then it goes and talks about the devil behind the king. You’ll find another example of this in Revelation 12. It talks about the Dragon who was the Devil, who manipulated King Herod to try to kill Jesus when He was a baby. Remember, they killed all the babies in Bethlehem trying to kill Jesus. But in Revelation, it forgets about Herod and goes right to the Devil behind the King. So, you’ll find this also in Isaiah 14. It talks about the King of Babylon there and then it goes and it transitions to the devil working behind the king. It’s like the devil was working behind the Pharaoh when he was killing all the baby boys in Egypt.
TY: Oh
Pastor Doug: So, sometimes the Prophet, He looks past the earthly vessel and He goes to the Spiritual Power behind the earthly instrument, the Human.
TY: So, wait a minute, before The Enemy was created a beautiful angel?
Pastor Doug: Well, Lucifer, originally, was made by God. God did not make a Devil because everything God makes is good. God made a beautiful angel. His name was Lucifer. You can read about that of course in Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14, Revelation 12. Matter of fact, we’ve got a Study Guide. We’ll send you on that, Ty. And it’s called “Did God Make a Devil?” and why don’t we send that to you and you’ll just be fascinated by that Study.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Again, it’s called, “Did God Make a Devil?” And the number is 1-800-835-6747. And that’s an Amazing Fact Study Guide filled with all kinds of great information. Steve is listening on the internet from Atlanta, Georgia. Steve, welcome to the program.
Steve: Good Evening, Pastors. I have a question. My question is Matthew 27:51 and 52, (inaudible 18:41) said that when Jesus spoke His last word and gave up the ghostthat the veil of the Temple was rent and there was earthquake and all. And the saints (inaudible 18:50) or something that was resurrected and seen above the city.
Pastor Doug: Right.
Steve: Yeah, I wondered because I haven’t really been able to find anything else in the Bible referencing that. And I was just wondering. Do you think that’s the typology of Jesus when He comes?
Pastor Doug: That there’ll be a resurrection?
Steve: Yeah. Pretty. Yeah, let’s say, yeah the typology is
Pastor Doug: Yeah, it is I believe what happened to Christ during His first coming. Many things there are symbols of what will happen at the second coming. Of course, when He came the first time, there’s what they call the former rain of the Holy Spirit was poured out. When He comes the second time, there’ll be the latter rain of the Holy Spirit. When He came the first time, there was great Apostasy in the Church and only a few were ready. When He comes the second time, there’s gonna be apostasy in the Church. So you know, there’s a number of parallels that Jesus talks about. But when He came the first time, there was a great resurrection. And when He said that it’s finished, when He declares that it’s finished from Heaven the second time and He comes, there’s going to be a great resurrection. Of course, a resurrection that is first coming to all.
Steve: OK. Can I ask you this, now, do you think … what saints would that have been from the beginning of time up until the point of His resurrection or His death or?
Pastor Doug: Well, it seems to indicate that these were saints around Jerusalem. It was a very localized small resurrection. So small, it’s not even mentioned by Luke, Mark or John in their Gospels. But He took a small group to Heaven or a small group with Him and who knows it may have been Isaiah who was killed by King Manasseh. It could have been Jeremiah. Some of the other prophets that had talked about Jesus. And you got that verse?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yeah. Ephesians 4:8 gives us the idea that there were some that Jesus took with Him after the resurrection of the saints. And it says, “Wherefore He (speaking of Christ), when He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” Now, of course, the captivity that Jesus led were those who were captive by death and He broke the bonds of the grave. And here Jesus ascending to Heaven and He has with Him a sort of the first fruits of those who will be resurrected at the second coming.
Pastor Doug: So you know, we actually have a Study Guide, Steve, if you’d like it. That talks about the sequence of the resurrection. It’s called “Are the Dead Really Dead?” and I believe it references this verse, as well as the others concerning the last days. Would you like a free copy of that?
Steve: Sure.
Pastor Doug: Alright.
Pastor Jëan Ross: That’s 1-800-835-6747 and Steve asked for the Guide, “Are the Dead Really Dead?” We’ll be happy to send that to you. Samuel is listening on WMCA from the Bronx, New York. Samuel, you’re on the air with Pastor Doug.
Samuel: Alright. It was a reference to eternal salvation. Like the Bible Answer Man in that other station.
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Samuel: He sort of tends to believe that once you have salvation, you can’t lose it. But deep in my soul, I get the feeling that the answers like on 2 sides of the thing. It says, “If you do your part, then you have that Eternal Salvation”. I can’t quite believe that you can’t lose it. Otherwise, what’s all the precautions about in the Bible?
Pastor Doug: Well, I would agree with you. You know this is a big debate through Christianity’s History, between well mostly from the time of Calvin is I guess when is became popularized, Calvinism compared to Arminianism. Calvinism kind of teaches that, God because He is Supreme, and that He has “The Ultimate Authority” that we really don’t have a choice. That it’s His sovereign dictation that decides who’s going to be saved and who’s going to be lost. Whereas Traditional Christianity believes, that we do have a Free will that’s why we love. If God did not give us a Free will, then you know, to force us to be saved once we make a decision. Really, means we lose our Freedom. It is true that a Christian can have assurance of salvation and God will never let go of us. But we don’t lose our Freedom to turn from Him. And you find too many examples in the Bible of people who did walk with the Lord but they changed their mind. For whatever reason, they stopped nurturing the relationship, they became proud. People like Balaam, who was a prophet that ended up dying lost. Saul, King Saul, chosen by the Lord was a prophet filled with the Spirit but became proud and stubborn and He was lost. Judas,
Samuel: Saul was a Prophet?
Pastor Doug: It does say Saul prophesied.
Samuel: Oh, Ok.
Pastor Doug: So, you know, I’m just taking that. He was filled with the Spirit, he became another man and he prophesied. So yeah, in that sense, he was a Prophet. But, and furthermore we even have Judas. You know one of the apostles Christ sent the disciples out preaching and teaching. And Judas came back with the other 12, it says “The 12 came back.” And said, “Even the Spirits are subjects to us”. But Judas clung to you know pride in his heart, greed and did not repent. And finally Christ’s Spirit left him and he killed himself. And Ananias and Sapphira were members of the church but they lied to the Holy Spirit and dropped dead. So, and then you go to what is, it Revelation where it says if you don’t repent, speaking to the church, I’ll take your candle stick out of its place.
Samuel: Exactly.
Pastor Doug: The idea once you’re saved, that you’ll lose your Freedom and you can’t be lost.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, just to add to that Matthew 24. Jesus speaking of events, associated with the second coming gives the warning, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”. So in order to be saved there requires a certain amount of endurance we need to hold on,
Pastor Doug: That’s right
Pastor Jëan Ross: and trust in Jesus.
Samuel: Exactly.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, so it’s a popular teaching. People would love to think that once I recite this prayer, that they have nothing to worry about. But, we need to maintain our walk with the Lord. That’s why it says you know we need to continue.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, we have a Free Book Pastor Doug. Dealing with a subject called, “Can a Saved Man be Lost?” and deals with the whole subject. Gives you a little bit of the background and the history to the question, 1-800-835-6747. And Samuel or anyone else listening if you like more information on the subject ask for the little booklet. “Can a Saved Man be Lost?” our next call is Gabriel listening on K.N.D.L. from California. Gabriel, welcome to the program.
Pastor Doug: Gabriel, you’re on the air?
Gabriel: Yes, I am.
Pastor Doug: Hi. and your question?
Gabriel: Hi. Well, how can you with your morals or with God’s Commandments, how can you not waver on God’s Commandments when you come across someone that won’t listen to you unless you do something? Like an example, I put out there, was, if a certain tribe won’t listen to you unless you drink goat’s blood or something like that? How can you not waver with your Commandments, with God’s Commandments or where you’re not compromising? You know, when someone is asking you to do something that you know you shouldn’t be doing, because, God commands you not to do it.
Pastor Doug: Well, the best thing I would say Gabriel is that you stand for your convictions, and you trust that the Holy Spirit will impress them by your example. Whenever we compromise our convictions, it doesn’t increase our influence it, decreases our influence in the long run. And the Lord can help us of course obey His Commandments. Because, you know, this is the miracle of the Gospel is we find people that were; you know, their marriages were breaking up, and they were living propane, and they were lying or stealing and then they’re converted. And this is radical transformation. And their behavior is radically transformed. So, you know once we have the Lord’s Spirit we want to obey.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know, somebody came to Jesus in Matthew 22 and asked the question, “What’s the greatest commandment in the law?” And Jesus summarized The Ten Commandments, and He said the first is to love the Lord your God for all of your heart, soul and mind. This is the first and the great commandment. Then He said the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self. So our allegiance is first to God and fulfilling His will and purpose for us and then reaching out to our fellow men. We don’t want to compromise God’s desire and will for us in an attempt to reach somebody else, even if the motive is good.
Pastor Doug: We have time for one more Pastor?
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright, let’s go to Mark. Mark is listening on W.M.C.A. from Brooklyn, New York. Mark, Welcome to the program.
Mark: Hi. Goodnight. Hello.
Pastor Doug: Evening.
Mark: Can you hear me?
Pastor Doug: Yes, loud and clear.
Mark: Ok. Goodnight. I’m a Babe in Christ. I have one question to you. It’s in Matthew 19:8 through 10, this is dealing with divorce, right?
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Mark: Alright, I’m recently married, right? Is this a concern of mine? I’m growing in Christ and I’m believing and having faith, right?
Pastor Doug: Right.
Mark: Hello?
Pastor Doug: Well, you know we’re just, tell you what, Mark if you don’t mind holding on, we’ll try and pick up your call right after our break. We do need to pause here for a break. And so, just please stand by. Ok? Listening friends we’ve need to take a break at this point. We didn’t know if we could get that one more call in but we will be back in just a couple of moments. In the meantime, also, I’d like to encourage you to, make sure you do have a pencil handy. You’ve probably heard Pastor Ross give away our Toll Free number as often as we’ve mention that during the program sometimes well mention and offer people really interested in and they’ll say, “Ah, I didn’t get the number!” and also while you’re there, to play it safe write down amazingfacts.org. That is the website and at the website many of the offers can be listed there and you can order them there and many of them, you can read for Free. In the meantime, we’ve got some important messages and we’ll be right back.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Doug: We are back. And for those who have joined us en route, this is Bible Answers Live. And wherever you got on the train or heading towards the word, this is a Bible Interactive Study. If you have Bible Questions, we do have a few lines still open, this it’s a Toll Free number and that number is 800-GOD-SAYS, 800-463-7297. And my name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Jëan Ross: My name is Jëan Ross. Pastor Doug, we were visiting with Mark and he had a question in connection with a Matthew chapter 19. Mark, are you there?
Mark: Yes, I’m here. Good night.
Pastor Doug: Thank you for waiting. Get real close to your phone. Ok?
Mark: Ok, you hear me?
Pastor Doug: That’s better.
Mark: Ok, Pastor Doug, right?
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Mark: Chapter 19:8 through 10. I was explaining to you, I just got married and I’m learning through faith. This is what it is to be a non-Christian. But in the event of divorce, like I’m confused with this verse here. Is it ok in God’s eyes to get divorced? Or like its (inaudible 31:38) commits adultery and you know, or...
Pastor Doug: No.
Mark: Do I do as a Christian and you know, turn the left cheek you know, love thy neighbor. You know how does it work?
Pastor Doug: Well first of all, as a Christian, you don’t want to even be thinking about divorce as an option. Specially, if you just became married. But to understand this verse, Christ is saying, and I’ll read Matthew 19:8, “Because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered he you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so”. “And I say unto you, whoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, (meaning, you know, physical unfaithfulness) and shall marry another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is put away, commits adultery”. And so, biblically, there’s only a couple of examples where a person has a right to biblically be divorced and then remarried. And the prominent one of course is for unfaithfulness to the marriage vows. But, you know hopefully,
Mark: Oh, Ok, to the marriage vows in general?
Pastor Doug: Well, meaning yeah, violating the marriage vows through fornication, adultery.
Mark: Oh, Ok, so there’s no such thing as like when they say... People just don’t agree. What is that phrase?
Pastor Doug: Irreconcilable differences, incompatibilities?
Mark: Yes. Yes.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, there’s a lot of divorces happened because people are incompatible, and you know a culture begins to disintegrate when people can get divorced and married based on that commitment, really means that you make a promise and you keep the promise, even when it’s not convenient. And there are gonna be days in virtually every marriage, where a person may second guess their decision. And you got to say, you know, I made a promise to this person, I made a promise before God and witnesses that I’m taking this person as my husband or my wife. And you know if the Heavens fall, you stick to that promise.
Mark: (Laughing) Ok.
Pastor Doug: So, that’s what you know, Christian commitment’s all about. And you know Jesus loves us and we’re not always lovable.
Mark: Oh yeah, I know.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yeah, we got a Study Guide also on marriage Pastor Doug.
Pastor Doug: Yeah.
Pastor Jëan Ross: It’s called “Keys for a Happy Marriage” and just great for those who
Pastor Doug: That’s great mark. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it. Perfect.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Yeah, planning to get married or those who are married. This will help strengthen the marriage. 1-800-835-6747 and ask for the Study Guide: “Keys for a Happy Marriage”. And we gotta go to our next caller; Ernestine is listening on W.M.C.A. from Bronx, New York. Ernestine, Welcome to the Program. Ernestine, you there?
Pastor Doug: Ernestine, testing, you there?
Ernestine: Yes, Good Evening, Pastor Batchelor.
Pastor Doug: Oh, We’re glad you came on, we almost lost you there.
Ernestine: (Laughing)
Pastor Doug: And your question tonight?
Ernestine: I have a couple of questions, but they’re very quick. One, is it ok to attend school on a Saturday?
Pastor Doug: Well, if you’re talking of a Bible School that’s you know in your church. But if you’re talking about School that is dealing with you know, any kind of secular education, no. I don’t believe it is appropriate. I think that we ought to you know keep the day Holy. I know some schools say you know if you want to take your exam for law or whatever it is that happen to be doing it on a Sabbath day, you know I think a Bible Christian takes her stand this is God’s time, and they don’t compromise that, not even once. You know, that man Eric Liddell was a missionary to China, he also was an Olympic champion and they made a movie out of his life called Chariots of Fire. And when he found out that his race that he specialized in, was on Sunday which he believe was a Sabbath, that he said “I’m not gonna even run”. And he had trained his whole life for this race. But he said “I’m not gonna run”. Because of his convictions and you know, God ended up blessing him cause he stood by his convictions. So,
Ernestine: Right
Pastor Doug: Christians, when they know what the Sabbath is, they need to keep it Holy. And if you,
Ernestine: Well, I’m aware of that yeah. Well I get to school on a Saturday and I never really feel very good about it. So I was wondering if it’s a sin.
Pastor Doug: Well, I think the Holy Spirit’s working on you and you said you had two questions, what was the other one?
Ernestine: Oh, the other one is Proverbs 5:15
Pastor Doug: Alright, let me read that, “Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and then running waters from thine own well.”
Ernestine: Can you explain that for me?
Pastor Doug: Yeah, I think that this is really a Proverb that is talking about marriage.
Ernestine: Oh.
Pastor Doug: And you know, somebody, sometimes, you know, they start thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. And this is…
Ernestine: Right, I thought as much
Pastor Doug: Yeah, this is what the Hebrews used as colloquialism for saying basically the, “Find your satisfaction with your husband, with your wife and your family...
Ernestine: Right.
Pastor Doug: ...and be faithful.” And so,
Ernestine: Right.
Pastor Doug: They’re just using those terms for that
Ernestine: Oh, thank you so much.
Pastor Doug: Alright, Ernestine, appreciate your call. God bless and I hope you will take a stand for your convictions on the Sabbath.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Dianne is listening on K.F.I.A. from Cameron Park, California. Dianne, Welcome to the Program.
Dianne: Thank you. I had a question, my child was told at school, that all fish had fins and scales and were clean meat. I was wondering if that was correct and also we were told to not eat the blood. Why in the market, would we not eat the red meat?
Pastor Doug: Ok, you got two questions. First of all in the Bible, there’s a distinction made between clean and unclean foods. And most people don’t have any problem with what God calls unclean. I mean, God says the scavengers are unclean and people shouldn’t eat them. Personally, I recommend a vegetarian diet. I’ve been a vegetarian for; I don’t know 30 years now and feel pretty good about it. But, you know the Bible does say “If you’re gonna eat meat, you can eat meat but they have to be the clean meats”. And among the sea food, in order for it to be clean, it needed to be fish with fins and scales. No, not all fish have fins and scales. Catfish, which are scavengers, they go around on the bottom and they just clean everything up. They’re very toxic fish, they don’t have scales they got fins. And you got a lot of sea creatures like jelly fish that don’t have fins or scales. Sharks they don’t have scales they’ve got this cartilage, so they needed both characteristics. So, if someone is telling your child that all fish have fins and scales, they haven’t spent a lot of time around the water. Because, there’s a lot of fish that have fins that don’t have scales.
Dianne: Ok.
Pastor Doug: And the second question about the blood in the food. Another Bible mandate this is New and Old Testament friends, very clear, even for New Testament Christians it says “You Shall Not Eat Blood” it’s as clear as it can be. But, it is true that a lot of meat that you would find in the market is not butchered biblically where they would drain the blood out. And you pick up your little Styrofoam Container and it’s floating around in there. But, you know, one thing people do is some people who are more stringent, they take it home they actually, they drain it off and they clean it. But, way to get around that is don’t eat any animal products, you won’t have to worry about cholesterol.
Dianne: Yes, I understand.
Pastor Doug: Anyway, you can even read in Acts 15 where they’re talking to the New Testament Christians, it says, “Don’t eat anything strangled”. The pagans would strangle their animals; they’d kill them and butcher them with the blood still in it. Because they thought it gave it more flavor. And so, this is a command you never hear Pastors talking about it. But it’s as vivid and clear as it can be New and Old Testament. So, yeah you’re right it is a problem in the regular supermarkets.
Pastor Jëan Ross: And you know, we have a Study Guide on that as well, called, “God’s Free Health Plan”. Talks about not only clean and unclean foods, but what will make a person healthy.
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Pastor Jëan Ross: So, just a great Free Resource. Call 1-800-835-6747 and ask for the Study Guide “God’s Free Health Plan” and we’ll send that out to you. Our next caller is Rodel listening on W.M.C.A. from Queens, New York. Rodel, Welcome to the Program.
Rodel: Yes, thank you for taking my call. I just have a question about, what about the people that never heard the Gospel like in isolated areas in the world?
Pastor Doug: Well, God is very good. And the Lord judges us according to the light that we have. Jesus said, that to whom much is given much is required, to whom little is given little is required. And if the person has never heard the full Gospel, they’re judged based on the light that God has given them and sometimes that light comes through providence, sometimes it comes from others who have shared elements of truth. But you know, parts of the Gospel, parts of the truth about God have been revealed even in nature. And is it Romans Chapter 1, where Paul talks about the things that God revealed through the things that He created. And Jesus said, “If you did not see, you would have no sin. But, since you say we see, your sin remains”. So, there’s more responsibility for those who do not know. Keep in mind there are gonna be people who will be saved Rodel, who maybe did not hear the full story of Jesus. That’s why Christ said, “Many will come from the east and the west and sit down in the Kingdom with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob”. And so, God has got His children that they have not had the opportunity, they’re still living in darkness, but they’re walking in the little bit of light that is fallen on their path and God will judge them according to what they know.
Rodel: Ok.
Pastor Doug: But nobody’s getting to Heaven without Jesus. In other words, no one’s gonna be saved by their works. It’s His sacrifice that saves everybody, whether they hear about Him or not. K?
Rodel: Ok. Thank you.
Pastor Doug: Obviously, there can be children in Heaven that aren’t gonna understand everything that Jesus did.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Right but everyone’s still saved through the sacrifice of Christ.
Pastor Doug: Right.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Mary’s listening on the internet from Texas. Mary, Welcome to the Program.
Mary: Hi
Pastor Doug: I know where Levitt Texas is, I used to live there.
Mary: Oh. Hey, Pastor Doug I have a question, the other day I was incidentally admonished for praying to the Holy Spirit because I thanked God for what He had done for me and I thanked Jesus for my salvation and then I thanked the Holy Spirit for what I’m learning. And I was gently admonished for that and was told, you should not pray to the Holy Spirit because He always points back to the Savior. So is that true?
Pastor Doug: Well, I’ll be honest with you Mary, that there’s a couple of songs and I’ve sung them myself where it says you know, “Praise The Father, Praise The Son, Praise The Spirit”. I can’t find a scripture that tells us to pray to or to praise The Spirit. It seems like that the principal work of God the Spirit is to direct attention to The Son and The Father. Now, picture if you will, God the Father as the Supreme Authority. You always have Jesus seeking to glorify The Father, and you have The Spirit seeking to glorify Jesus and of course The Fathers always trying to glorify The Son too. But you know, I can think of one place where someone actually prayed to Jesus and that was Stephen when He died. But,
Pastor Jëan Ross: That’s Right. Acts Chapter 7.
Pastor Doug: Yeah most of the prayers are directed to The Father and…
Mary: Well, this is the insight. How can we (inaudible 43:09) The Father through The Son, if we don’t pray to The Son?
Pastor Doug: Oh no, you should pray to The Son. Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with praying to Jesus and we do have a Bible Example of that. But, I’m just telling you that
Mary: Ok, I understand.
Pastor Doug: I don’t believe that it is sinful to pray to The Spirit. I’m just saying that whenever I’ve sung those songs I think about it as a Bible Reader and Teacher. And I don’t know of an example where, the apostles or prophets prayed to The Spirit directly.
Mary: I see. Ok. Thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: So that’s you know, it always made me wonder when you hear that because you really don’t have a pattern for it.
Mary: Right. And I was just, I don’t want to do anything incorrectly and I just thought, Oh, I didn’t know that.
Pastor Doug: Well, Hey trust me, they’re all God so you’re safe.
Mary: Oh, Ok. Thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: Alright, God bless.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Our next caller is Houstons calling on K.N.D.L. from Reedley, California. Houstons, Welcome.
Houstons: Hey, Pastor Ross, Pastor Doug.
Pastor Doug: How are you doing?
Houstons: Fine, Thank you sir. I’m calling in regards to a follow up question that you guys had from Gabriel a little bit earlier in the program.
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Houstons: And I just want a clarification. Because, I know where he got his questions from and I’m a Seventh-day Adventist like he is. We studied the Sabbath in a lesson this past quarter, this past week and in there. There was an illustration of a gentleman who went to a tribe and for this tribe to accept him, he had to drink a potion that they made for him and in this potion it had everything on saliva and blood and all that stuff. And if you drunk it, and then didn’t puke it up, they would accept him. But he puked it up, then it wouldn’t accept him then he wouldn’t be able to minister to them. I know that God does not want us to drink blood. So, do us kind (inaudible 45:11) in the Sabbath lesson. So how do we uphold something like that if we ever come across something that up in our own lives?
Pastor Doug: Well, you know the same illustration let’s just use a more modern illustration not too many people have to drink goat’s blood in order to witness. But I know a lot of people who go to wedding receptions and parties where they’re gonna toast the bride and the groom with alcohol. And I’ve heard people actually argue with me “Oh, Pastor Doug, if you wanna be a witness, just take a little champagne it’s not gonna hurt you.” Well I think that if you are gonna recognize that alcohol is a drug and if you’re gonna be a witness you say “No, I don’t drink I wish the bride and the groom well, I’ll pray for them. But I’m not gonna drink alcohol to prove something.” And I think you’re more of a witness whenever you stand for your convictions. And you know what if a tribe is not going to allow you in, to witness to them unless you drink alcohol or compromise your convictions, then you move on to the next tribe. But, I don’t think God wants us to ever sacrifice truth. That’s why Daniel is such a Hero in the Bible and Shadrach, Meshach could’ve been (inaudible 46:14) they would not eat the King’s food or drink his wine. Not even to be promotive they you know, thought their heads might roll as a result of it. So, truth is truth and we need to stand for it. Hope that helps you Houstons, this a little bit.
Pastor Jëan Ross: Alright, Edith is listening on W.M.U.C. from Warren, Michigan. Edith, you’re on the air with Pastor Doug.
Edith: Yup, Thank you for taking my call.
Pastor Doug: Yes, Mam.
Edith: You mentioned tithing last week and I didn’t get to call you. When we file our income tax do we tithe on that?
Pastor Doug: You mean when you get an income tax return?
Edith: Yes.
Pastor Doug: Well, if you have been paying tithe on your gross income the income tax return, is your money coming back that you’ve already paid tithe on.
Edith: Yes.
Pastor Doug: Is that right?
Edith: Just what I thought.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, you don’t need to pay a second tithe on and they’ve basically they over tax you. You’ve paid tithe on your gross, they’ve taken too much they return your money to you. You’ve already paid out of your paycheck, if you’ve paid on the gross. If you only pay on your net take home, then if you get your Income Tax Cheque, you haven’t paid tithe on that yet. Then you would pay on it. So it does…
Edith: What about Social Security Cheque?
Pastor Doug: Well, if you’ve been…
Edith: And…
Pastor Doug: Social Security is a little more complicated but,
Edith: I’m retired now.
Pastor Doug: Right, if you paid in to the Social Security Program during your working years, and you paid tithe on your gross paycheck, your social security is a percentage that money coming back to you now. And you don’t pay tithe on it. It depends on if you’ve paid on your original earnings when you first received them. I mean you know right now it sounds we’re straining at a nat. But, I just always…
Edith: Well I’ve never asked anyone, about this and I also got the Reverse Mortgage just last year.
Pastor Doug: Oh that’s right.
Edith: and…
Pastor Doug: Well, if you’ve already bought your house and now you’ve got a Reverse Mortgage they’re basically buying house back from you.
Edith: Ok.
Pastor Doug: Little by little, then you already own the house you paid money for that house. You probably would, cause they’re probably buying it back from you at a profit, their probably would be tithe that you would be paying on some of that Reverse Mortgage income.
Edith: I would pay that?
Pastor Doug: Yeah, because you’re probably I’m assuming selling your house at a profit. The Reverse Mortgage is picking a price it’s going to be more than what you bought it for. And usually tithe is paid on your increase. You know, let me just make something clear Edith; For a New Testament Christian, tithe is a very basic beginning point. In the New Testament Christians were giving a lot more than 10 percent because you know they believed Jesus was the main reason for living. They were selling their houses and lands and I’m not encouraging you to liquidate and go on the road. I’m just saying that you know, just you watch you pay a little too much to God and He will bless you, He will compensate.
Edith: I know.
Pastor Doug: He works miracles; He’ll open the windows of Heaven He does it every time.
Edith: Yes I know, I know but I had never had the chance to ask anyone about the reverse mortgage this is new to me.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, well you know reverse mortgages, they are fairly new, they’re becoming more popular now, principle. And we do have a Study Guide that deals with tithe and it’s called, “In God We Trust”. We’ll be happy to send that to you Edith. Ok? Alright, bless your heart.
Pastor Jëan Ross: All you need to do is call 1-800-835-6747 and ask for the Study Guide Edith, “In God We Trust”. So, anyone listening wants more information about tithing. Annie is listening on W.R.O.L. from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Annie, Welcome to the Program.
Annie: Hi. Thank you so much. I have an interesting question I think.
Pastor Doug: Ok.
Annie: I have a question about The Ten Commandments. Which is of course in the Old Testament, and I believe that we’re living in the New Testament time, right?
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Annie: And in order to go to Heaven, we have to believe in Jesus Christ as The Son of God and accept Him in our hearts as a personal Savior. So, my question is I am trying to follow The Ten Commandments, but I know that I fall short because sometimes it’s hard to keep, you know, to do everything correct. And I think to myself that my goal is to go to Heaven. I want to go and meet Jesus you know. But, I’m not able to basically keep The Ten Commandments. So is that going to stop me from getting to Heaven?
Pastor Doug: Well, let’s just think about this for a second Amy, is it Annie?
Annie: Annie, yeah.
Pastor Doug: I’m sorry.
Annie: It’s ok.
Pastor Doug: Let me read. You started out with premise that I think I need to correct, that The Ten Commandments are really just Old Testament. The Ten Commandments are also New Testament. A matter of fact one of the last verses in the New Testament said, “Blessed are those that do His Commandments that they might have a right to tree of life and enter through the Gates of the City”. And in Matthew 19:16 a young man came to Jesus and let me quote this to you, he said, “Good Master, what shall I do, that I might have eternal life?” And Jesus said, “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments”. And he said to Jesus, “Which ones?” and Jesus said, “Thou shalt not murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour your father and mother”. And then He summarizes them by saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. Now, Christ was very clear and He even starts to quote The Ten Commandments and I could give you many, many references in the New Testament where The Ten Commandments are repeated. They’re usually done in portions like here He mentioned 4 or 5 of them. But, I mean, obviously you believe Annie that if we love Jesus we’re not going to use His name in vain.
Annie: Of course.
Pastor Doug: You know and we may make mistakes. And you repent and you move on and you ask to grow to become more like Christ. If you love the Lord, you’re not gonna worship other God’s so The Ten Commandments as we love God and love our fellow men, obviously if we love our fellow men, we’re not gonna wanna kill them or lie to them or steal from them and the others. All the Commandments are summarized in loving the Lord and loving your neighbor. The first four Commandments, deal with our love relationship with God. The last six Commandments, deal with our love relationship with our fellow man. If you fall into sin, don’t throw your hands in the air and think, “Oh God, I can’t keep the Commandments cause I’ve sinned”. So, God doesn’t want me to make any effort. I think that we should strive to do God’s will and His Ten Commandments are summarized or His will is summarized in the law.
Pastor Jëan Ross: You know in Jude, we had the promise. He’s able to keep us from falling and present us faultless that’s the promise that we can claim. We cannot keep the law on our own.
Pastor Doug: Yeah.
Pastor Jëan Ross: On our own we cannot do it. But if we surrender to Christ and trust in His grace, He’s able to change the heart and enable us to do it.
Pastor Doug: Yeah, and even on a very basic level. Annie, I know so many people that before they were Christians, they were liars and they were thieves and worse. And then, when Jesus came into their heart, they stopped stealing, they stopped lying, they stopped using drugs, they stopped cheating on their spouse. You know what I’m saying, so God does help us.
Annie: I know the Holy Spirit is very good. Because, sometimes when I do something wrong the Holy Spirit convicts me. And I feel in my heart, it’s like, “Oh that’s wrong” and I ask God to forgive me. And but then, some time goes by and then I find myself doing the same thing. I know I shouldn’t be doing, but I do it. And I’m like…
Pastor Doug: That’s you’re right the…
Annie: Uh-uh, I did it again guys
Pastor Doug: Well, the Holy…
Annie: You know how many times am I…
Pastor Doug: Don’t get discouraged. Don’t get discouraged, The Holy Spirit is working on you. And you know, as long as we’re keeping in our eyes on Christ, we end up becoming more like Him. When Jesus talked about The Ten Commandments He said it’s even much more than the letter of the law, it’s the Spirit of the law. It’s not only committing adultery. Jesus said you know, we wanna pray God gives us purity of heart so we’re not thinking about it; “Because, the action almost always starts with an attitude” and so I can tell the Holy Spirit’s working on you because you’re thinking about your attitudes and that’s where real obedience comes, it comes from the heart. You know I’d like to send you a Study Guide we’ve got on that Annie. That specifically deals with how does a New Testament Christian, apply The Ten Commandments. What is the difference between the Old and New Covenants and it’s called, “Written in Stone”. Would you like a free copy of that?
Annie: Yes, it would be awesome.
Pastor Doug: Ok. We’ll send that to you.
Pastor Jëan Ross: All you need to do Annie is call the Resource Number 1-800-835-6747 and we’ll be happy to send that out to you. We’re gonna try for one more Pastor Doug. Carmel is listening on W.M.C.A. from Brooklyn New York. Carmel, you will have to give us your question quickly this evening.
Carmel: Yes good afternoon Pastor. I have a question about Deuteronomy 22:5, “A woman must not wear a man’s clothing, nor a man wear a woman’s clothing. For the Lord your God detest anyone who does this.”
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Carmel: I like to know. Like if the (inaudible 56:00) sometimes, some countries some man wear skirt. They make the skirt for the man. You think that’s what they’re talking about?
Pastor Doug: No, I think the main thing Carmel is that in every culture, first of all, all Christian clothing should be modest it should be clean and neat and appropriate. And fashions change but in most cultures of the world, there is clothing that is distinctly the clothing of women and then there is clothing, and the practical needs are there also that is distinctly for men. The clothing of the two should be kept separate. This idea of unisex clothing doesn’t originate with the Lord; I think that many women should behave differently and walk differently. I think that they should dress differently according to the Bible. They should be modest and there should be distinction. Of course different cultures have different clothes. I ran out of time on that one. We also got a little booklet on that one. Listening Friends, we have gobbled up time for this week’s Edition of Bible Answers Live. There is so much more you can listen to. This program doesn’t have to end if you go to the website right now. Just go to amazingfacts.org there are more Bible Questions there, many of the Resources that we’ve talked about are there, you can order them or read them for Free. Our TV programs are illustrated there; you can watch them and so much more. We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at amazingfacts.org and remember that Jesus is the Truth that will set you Free.
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