BAL 2024, Ep26 - Is All Food Clean To Eat ?

Doug Batchelor: Hello, friends. Would you like to hear an amazing fact? Construction has officially begun on Mukaab, which will be the world's largest building, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The indoor city will be the focal point of a 7-square mile $500 billion development in Riyadh's new downtown district. The Mukaab, Arabic word for cube, is just that: a monumental monolithic building, like a square, that is perfectly symmetrical. The structure is slated to be 1300 feet high and 1200 feet wide. The building will feature an impressive 2 million square feet of floor space, giving it enough interior volume to contain 20 Empire State Buildings. The cube will contain over 100,000 residential units and 9000 hotel rooms, with fine dining, retail, offices, and entertainment. When you enter the cube and look up, you'll see an artificial sky made up of thousands of video monitors that can create a virtual reality of beautiful sunsets as though you're floating in space or submerged underwater. This colossal city-in-a-box is slated to be complete in 2030.

Now, Pastor Ross, just before the program, we were talking a little bit about the Burj Khalifa. There's a lot of oil money in the Middle East and they are doing some incredible architectural endeavors there, and they're making one city that is just going to be several miles long. And this Mukaab and you say it, I think, with like a Mu-ka-ab because it's got two As together there, is --it's just phenomenal when you think about what they're doing there. And it's just a big square where you've almost got the length, the breadth, and the height the same. It's going to be like a giant piece of dice sitting out there in the desert with a city around it.

And of course, it's not going to look quite like a cube of dice, but it's --makes me think a little bit about that verse in Revelation talking about the New Jerusalem and John describing it, the angel comes out and measures it and it's 12,000 furlongs. And as he says, the length and breadth and height of it are the same. And some Bible commentators have wondered, does that mean that the city, the New Jerusalem, is a cube? Because in another place, it says the walls of the city are 144 cubits, which would be 218 feet, I think, for us. So, it is definitely square on the ground. But that could probably also mean that the middle of it, the buildings go up so that they reach 375 miles, which would take the top buildings into the stratosphere, which is hard to comprehend. But Paul said it's almost impossible for us to comprehend the things that God has prepared for those that love Him. It's pretty exciting to think about, huh?

Jëan Ross: Yeah, well, it's, like you say, it's hard to believe. But the Bible does say that God is preparing a place that --it's going to be the home of the redeemed. It's going to be beautiful. Streets of gold. A tree that is so big and delivers 12 different types of fruit, a different kind of fruit every month, and nations can gather under its leaves, under its branches. So, yes, heaven, is it for real? It is. And the Bible has a lot to say about it. We have a book and it's called, "Heaven: Is It For Real?" That is our free gift to anyone who would call and ask. The number is just 800-835-6747. You can ask for the book. It's called, "Heaven: Is It for Real?" And you'll read it, you'll be inspired and encouraged. You can share it with somebody else. You can receive a digital download of the book by dialing #250 with your smartphone. Say, "Bible Answers Live," and then ask for the book by name. It's just, "Heaven: Is It for Real?" Now, I know, Pastor Doug, we've got folks listening, not only in North America but outside of the US as well. And if you'd like to get --if you'd like to read the book, we are unable to mail it outside of the US, but you can go to the website. Just AmazingFacts.org. And we do have a link that says, "Our Library," our online library. You can read the book right there. It's called, "Heaven: Is It for Real?"

Well, Pastor Doug, we've got a number of folks lined up here with their Bible questions. But before we go to the phone lines, as we always do, let's have prayer. Dear Father, we are so grateful for another time that You've given us where we can open up Your Word and read and study together and look at these important questions. Father, we desire Your Spirit to guide us, that we might come into a clear understanding of Your Word, which is truth. So, bless our time this evening, be with those listening, in Jesus' name, amen.

Doug: Amen.

Jëan: Well, we're going to go right to the phone lines. First caller this evening, we've got Brittany in California. Brittany, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."

Brittany: Yeah, my question is how does Nehemiah 8:10 apply in our modern context since we have so much trouble in our world?

Doug: Now, Nehemiah 8:10, is this the one where it says: "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Here, when he says, "Eat the fat and drink the sweet," he's talking about butter and honey. And I think there's a verse, it's just --it's a symbol for the rich food when things were going well. And the cows had a lot of milk, and they would have butter and cheese. That was called the fat. You're not supposed to eat the fat of meat that was forbidden in the Bible. That was to be burned on the altar. And drinking the sweet: they had sweet wine that they would drink.

But when he says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength," yeah, that's the secret of being a Christian is even in times of war, I think it was Jehoshaphat, they were reminded that the joy of the Lord is their strength. And so when there's struggles and trials in the world, a Christian's joy is not dependent on circumstances. It's like you said, we'll have joy like a river. It's something that runs in and through our lives no matter what might be happening around us. And so, yeah, Christians can have that kind of joy. And when Nehemiah is telling them to have joy, this is a time when they're being harassed by their neighbors. And they had to actually do the construction, carrying weapons. So, they're having a hard time from their neighbors, but they didn't let it take away their joy.

Jëan: And of course, the Bible does tell us that "before Jesus comes, there will be a time of trouble," says Micah. "We'll stand up, there'll be a time of trouble, worst the world has ever seen." But Jesus said, "When you begin to see these things take place, look up, for your redemption is drawing near." We know we're going to have to go through some times of trouble before Jesus comes. But these are reminders that the end is near, and that Jesus is going to come. There's going to be no more pain, no more sorrow. He's going to make all things new, and that, of course, is the great hope of the Christian. It's called that blessed hope, the Coming of Christ. All right, well, thank you, Brittany. We've got Dylan, listening in Nevada, and he's got a question about Matthew 22. Dylan, welcome to the program.

Dylan: Hi, Pastor Ross and Pastor Doug. How are you guys doing?

Doug: Doing great. Thank you for calling. And your question tonight?

Dylan: It was Matthew 8. I just --my thoughts of it is just he's saying --I'm thinking he's saying "because you're not saved" because he's saying, "Let the dead bury the dead." If you're dead, you can't bury no one. You know, the dead know nothing. So I didn't—

Doug: Well, let's read what it says before that. It tells us that "One of His disciples said, 'Lord, let me first go bury my father.' And Jesus said, 'Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.'" Paul talks about people who are not saved and he refers to them, and I forget the reference, but it says that they're dead in trespasses and sins. And so, you're right, a person who's not saved, John tells us, "He that has the Son has life. He that has not the Son has not life." So, it's not talking about zombies doing a funeral. Jesus is saying to this young man, "Follow Me, let other people in your family take care of the funeral arrangements. They don't --they don't know Me. They're not saved. Others can do that, but I'm calling you to do a more important work," and not that funerals aren't important, but following --when Christ in God says, "Follow Me," that should be the priority.

Jëan: And the verses you refer to, there's actually two written by Paul. Ephesians chapter 2, verse 1: He says, "You were dead in your trespasses and sins," speaking of the believer. Colossians 2:13, it says: "And you, being dead in your sins and uncircumcision of your flesh, He has quickened together." So there we have the idea of being dead, meaning dead in sin.

Doug: Yeah, very good.

Jëan: All right, thank you. We've got Lou in Iowa, a question about Numbers 25. Lou, welcome to the program.

Lou: Yeah, I really enjoy the program. Yeah, my question is, it seems like between the King James Version and the NIV, the last part of Numbers 11, verse 25, it says: "When the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease." That's what it says in the King James Version. And the NIV, it says: "When the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied --but did not do that again." So, I was just kind of curious of the --it seems like that's two different things. I just wondered what that --how you maybe could help me out with that.

Doug: Yeah, well, the scholars are confused because the word that's used there in Hebrew can mean either. It says they prophesied and when it says they did not cease or they ceased not, they don't know whether they're saying that this is the only time that it happened, or it would be kind of odd for them to say they didn't cease. That would mean they prophesied the rest of their lives. But I think what you have happening here is, basically, they're being given a gift of the Holy Spirit, the same way God took the spirit of Elijah and gave a double portion to Elisha. It's like where Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit," He was empowering them for the work He had called them to do. The 70 elders are now being called to share the responsibility of Moses in judging the people.

So, God took of the Spirit that He had given Moses. This is symbolic. It's all God's Spirit. And He gave it to them, and it may be Moses went and laid his hands on them as well and they began to prophesy. The Bible says, "When the Spirit of the Lord came on Saul, the king, he prophesied and they said, 'Is Saul among the prophets?' And so, they were filled with this ecstasy and began to proclaim the Word of God," and God empowered them for the work they did for years to come. It's like something special happened to the apostles at Pentecost for that occasion, but they didn't necessarily do it like that where they were speaking in tongues through the rest of their ministries.

Jëan: All right, thank you. Thank you, Lou. Appreciate that question. We got Robert in Virginia. Robert, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."

Robert: Hi, Pastors. Good evening.

Doug: Evening.

Robert: My question is I know Satan, he committed the first sin, and sin is a transgression of the law. So, the law must have been in heaven prior to Adam and Eve. And the fifth commandment says, "Honor your mother and father." Where's the missing link for me, please? I'm trying to --I'm trying to think about why is the fifth commandment up in heaven when we don't have parents to honor?

Doug: Well, you know, before the world was created, I don't know that God's law was codified the way it was here on Earth. God's law has always existed, which is summarized in the word "love." And Jesus said it's also love for God and love for others: Loving the Lord with all your heart, loving your neighbor. The ten commandments are expressions of that. Now, the fifth commandment, "Honor your father and mother," of course, we've got our Father in heaven. And so, for those on Earth, you would transfer that to not only honor your heavenly Father, but children were to honor their parents in the same way that through an act of love, the Father and Son and Spirit created man in their own image, through an act of love, a man and woman procreate in their image. And the child is to love and respect and learn from their parents. And so, I think the principle is there, but you're right, it may have been different.

Jëan: Now, of course, if you go back through the genealogy of Christ in the Gospels, it goes all the way back to Adam and says, "Adam, the son of God." So, it's described-- Adam is described as—

Doug: Son of Seth, who is the son of Adam, who's the son of God.

Jëan: That's right. So, all right. Thank you, Robert. We've got Glenn in Ohio. Glenn, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."

Glenn: Thank you, Pastors, for taking my call. My question concerns the 7th chapter of Daniel where some say that the eagle coming out of Britain is America and the Britain --the lion of Britain, we had the --there are the three major wars with war among --and Russia, and then they come down to the wings of the French attached to the German leopard, perhaps indicative of the coalition between France and Germany during the Second World War. But then the third point that really is big, I think, is the German leopard has four heads, and I perhaps lived through most of the Third Reich and maybe we still have the Fourth Reich of Germany coming. But my question goes back to the 2nd chapter of Daniel where we have the description of the image and people are saying that this same image is described in Daniel 7. Why would Daniel do that?

Doug: All right, well, thank you so much. We appreciate your call. You know, there are a couple of different views out there regarding how to interpret the prophecies in Daniel. And I know for instance, was it Herbert W. Armstrong, he applied many of those things to the countries in Europe. But most of the Protestant scholars, and I think Pastor Ross and I would be in that camp, when they look at Daniel 2, you got a great image and you've got that four or five minerals, the head of gold is Babylon and it's explained all there in the vision. And the silver represents the Medo-Persian kingdom, and the belly of bronze represents the Greek kingdom. That was then followed by the Roman kingdom. And then the fifth would be the combination of Rome, it says mixed with miry clay. It becomes both a political and a religious government and that would be the Papal Rome, and Rome is then divided into the ten toes.

Well, you've got the same history happening in Revelation chapter --or Daniel chapter 7, where you get the lion is Babylon and the bear raising up on one side is Medo-Persia; and the leopard, it's the four-headed leopard is the four divisions of the Greek Empire after Alexander died. Then you got this non script-- descript beast. It's got the brass claws and the iron teeth. And that's the Roman Empire. It starts out with pagan Rome, ends up with Papal Rome. So, what Daniel is doing, or God is doing through Daniel is, He's showing the same history of the world from the time of Daniel all the way to the Second Coming and Christ's Kingdom through-- one is through a set of unclean animals, the other is through an idol, and they represent the kingdoms of the world. Now, when you get to Daniel 8 and 9, and it's talking about--or Daniel 8, in particular, it's using clean animals. It's kind of interesting. But anything you want to add to that, Pastor Ross?

Jëan: Yeah, we see the pattern in scripture sort of repeat and enlarge. So, Daniel chapter 2 outlines the four major powers. Rome would be the last, but then it would lead into the Papal Rome and that would exist all the way to the Second Coming of Christ. And then you have the repeat with some additional details in chapter 7 and a judgment scene is brought to view there. And then chapter 8 expands on the vision with even greater detail, giving time periods for this judgment before Jesus comes. So, each vision builds on the other, but it covers the same time period, from Daniel's time all the way to the Second Coming of Christ.

Doug: We have a study guide. Glenn, I think you'd really enjoy this. If you get our study guide that is talking about --well, we got two. One is the Millennial Man or it's the first study in our historical series. And you could ask for that. It talks about Daniel chapter 2. And then I --which one is Daniel 7, that goes through --is that the study guide that talks about the "Who Is the Antichrist?"

Jëan: Yes, that covers the Little Horn Power. Yeah, Daniel chapter 7, so you can ask for that. We'll be happy to send you that study guide, "Who Is the Antichrist?" And the other one you can ask for is called, "Millennial Man" on Daniel chapter 2. The number to call for that is 800-835-6747. Of course, anyone can call and ask. You can 'dial' #250 on your smartphone, you'll receive a digital download of the study guide, "Who Is the Antichrist?" Just ask for it and you'll read it, a lot more important information there. Very important study. Thank you. Next caller that we have is Kevin in Michigan and he's also asking about something in the book of Daniel. Welcome, Kevin.

Kevin: Thank you for taking my call.

Doug: Yes, sir.

Kevin: And my question from Daniel chapter 12, verse 7, is wanting to know what exactly is the power of the holy people that's been shattered?

Doug: Well, the holy people would be clearly God's people. And you know, in the Old Testament, the holy people were the Jews that were following the law. They were His people, the faithful, the children of Abraham. And Paul tells us in the New Testament that's been expanded beyond just Jews. Of course, the apostles were all Jews also. But he said if you are Christ, then you are Abraham's seed. And so, it's talking about the journey of God's people here, especially at the end of time, moving towards the time of the end, in Daniel 7-- do you want to add to that?

Jëan: Yeah, and then we also have a time period in Daniel chapter 12, verse 7, yeah, it says, "He shall rule for a time, times, and a half a time; and then the power of the holy people completely shattered." The "time, times, and a half a time," a time in Bible prophecy represents a year. There were 360 days in the Hebrew year. So, you've got 360 plus 360 times 2, because it's times 2, plus half of 360. You add that all together, you get 1260 and one prophetic day is equal to 1 literal year. That represents the 1260 years of papal supremacy during the Dark Ages from 538 until 1798. And during that time, those who refused to acknowledge papal authority, the Protestants and others, they were --they faced persecution. Many were put to death. So that's what it's referring to here in Daniel chapter 7. It's talking about that 1260 years of papal supremacy which ended in 1798 when Berthier Napoleon General marched in Rome, proclaimed the political rule of the Papacy at an end, and the Pope was taken prisoner, and then, it sort of opened the doors for Protestantism, especially in the United States, to really begin to flourish and take the gospel around the world.

Doug: Boy, you did a good job making a quick overview.

Jëan: I summarized it quick there. It's a big study, but yeah, that's the time period that I think we're talking about.

Doug: Yeah, and we've got, well, that time period is also found in Revelation chapter 12. It appears several places in the Bible.

Jëan: Mentioned seven times in the Bible. Very important time period.

Doug: Yeah, and it's half of 7, 3 and a half years. Half of 7 years. Anyway, I hope that made sense, Kevin. Thank you very much. And who's next?

Jëan: You know, we have a --just a study guide on that, that I'm thinking about, Pastor Doug. It's "Right on Time" that talks about the 70 weeks.

Doug: Oh yes, there you go.

Jëan: Twenty-three hundred, and I'm sure it includes the 1260 there. So, just call and ask for it. The study guide's called, "Right on Time," and the number is 800-835-6747. That is our phone line. You can dial #250 on your smartphone and then ask for that study guide. It's called, "Right on Time." We'll be happy to send it to anyone who calls and asks. Dial #250, and of course, we'll give you a digital download that way, if you use that method. Next caller that we have is Mick, listening in Louisiana. Mick, welcome to the program.

Mick: Yes, sir. Thanks for having me on.

Jëan: You're on the air. Yes, welcome.

Mick: Yes, and my question is, what is the first thing that we're going to see? Is a calamity going to happen, like what happened in the last few years? And the beast is going to come and deceive us? We're all going to have to unite behind him and somehow, he's going to get us to do this mark? What is this first thing going to be? Because I'm ready to tell friends and folks that this guy is false.

Doug: Well, you're talking about what would be one of the pivotal signs that would help people know that the beast power is about to make his move. Is that kind of what you're asking?

Mick: Yes, yes. Is it going to be a calamity like an earthquake, Yellowstone, another COVID thing? And then some guy is going to come like, maybe it's Trump. We all believe in Trump now, maybe it's Elon Musk we elect in 10, 15 years and we're all going to unite behind him, he's got all the answers, like it says in Revelation, "this guy that fools us." Is that the first beast? Is that what we're looking for? Someone that's going to have the answers and lie—

Doug: Yeah, well, for one thing, I'll tell you, Mark, you would appreciate the lesson on "Who Is the Antichrist?" Because, yeah, I don't think it's a president is the Antichrist because the Antichrist is a political religious leader. And what you are correct that there will be some triggering event and it may be one or all of an economic disaster, a natural disaster, it could be a war. The people, out of fear, turn to religion and during that time, you're going to see a confederacy of Protestants are going to come together in North America, that they're going to drift from the Bible, and be saying, you know, "Let's just unite with Catholicism and the orthodox churches in Europe being led by the Pope," and then maybe a new Pope at that point because this one is, what, 88 now. And they're going to form a religious coalition and start implementing religious laws that compel you to worship contrary to the Bible. And that's when they say, "You must worship the image to the beast."

What is that beast? Well, it's the first beast that you find in Revelation 13 and then there's a second beast in Revelation 13 and hard to cover that in 3 minutes, so please ask for the lesson, "Who Is the Antichrist?" and even "America in Prophecy." I've heard a lot of people saying, you know, all the way back to Ronald Reagan, is he going to be the Antichrist because they said his three names had six letters in each name. You maybe don't remember that. I'm a little older than you. They said, Yeah, he's got 666 in his name: Ronald, whatever it was, Reagan. And then they said, No, it's going to be Bush, it's going to be Bush 1, Bush 2, Clinton. And I don't think that it says in the prophecy, it's going to be a president, but America does play a role, and Europe plays a role and please ask for that study guide, either "America in Prophecy" or "Who Is the Antichrist?"

Jëan: Or you can even ask for a third one called "The Mark of the Beast." You'll get the whole thing. You'll find out who the Antichrist is.

Doug: We'll send them to you free.

Jëan: "The Mark of the Beast," "The US in Prophecy." Also, we do have a magazine, Pastor Doug. It's called, "The United States in Bible Prophecy."

Doug: "American Prophecy," yeah.

Jëan: And it gets into all those details. So, call and ask. The number is 800-835-6747. You can ask for the magazine. It's called "American Prophecy." You can ask for the study guide, which we encourage you to do. It's "Who Is the Antichrist?" "The Mark of the Beast," "The US in Bible Prophecy," three study guides. And it just covers a lot of important information. All right, thank you, Mick. We've got Virginia in California. Virginia, welcome to the program.

Virginia: Hi, good evening. I'm going to do my best to make this question a little precise. As we know, Job at the very beginning, Jesus, you know, tells Satan, "Have you considered, you know, Job, My servant?" Well, my son and I are reading, and we came to Job 22:9. And it's Eliphaz talking and saying to Job, "You turned poor widows away from your door; heartless, you crushed orphans." Now, that's the Message Bible. In King James, says: "Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken." So, he basically is, to me, like, he's saying that Job is the person that's done this?

Doug: Yeah, he --his friends are falsely accusing him. Hey, we got to take a break, Virginia. Well, stay with us and we'll come back to you as soon as we're done with our break. Thanks.

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Announcer: "Amazing Facts Changed Lives."

Darryl: I grew up in a neighborhood in Northwest DC, a neighborhood called Petworth. I went to a private school, and I didn't fit in well at school because I was from an inner city neighborhood. I didn't fit in well at home because I went to a private school. I've always been a people pleaser, so I would --I would do what they did, and they started drinking, I started drinking. They started smoking marijuana, I smoked marijuana. Once I became aware of girls and what male-female relationships were all about, I was off to the races with these guys. So, we started partying every week and we'd stay out till all hours of the evening. My homework didn't get done and my grades just suffered because of it. And as soon as I went to college at --a Catholic University here, I started smoking hashish. And back in those days you could smoke in class. I loved the way it made me feel. I didn't have to worry about-- I fit in; I was fun. People liked being with me. I was --I was kind of the life of the party.

I came out of my shell and shortly thereafter in my mid-twenties, I was working at one of the biggest computer companies after graduating college, one of the biggest computer companies on the planet at the time. And I had money, I had women, I had, you know, a car every 2 years. My job performance started to-- started to suffer. Nothing else was the same in my life. I started missing work. I would get hired, maybe even be promoted. I did really well. Three or four months in, five months in, you know, say 4 to 6 months, I would lose the job. I've forgotten more jobs than I --than I can remember.

I needed to smoke on a daily basis, all day, every day, and that costs money. So, then I started getting into stealing. I'm stealing from family and friends and when that ran out and people were stopped-- were not trusting me anymore, I started to --I started to rob people. My family didn't want anything to do with me. My friends didn't want anything to do with me. People, when I called people, they didn't answer the phone. When I knocked on the door, they didn't answer the door. I was --I purchased a house, and a young lady and I purchased it together and we wanted to move in together and that fell by the wayside because I started smoking and I started taking things from the house and selling them. I started taking her personal items and selling them. I started stealing from her purse. I started stealing from stores. I mean, pizza delivery guys were like an ATM. Nothing mattered. I've been homeless about four or five times in my life and each time was drug related. Each time, I chose to do drugs rather than to live with this person that --whoever it was I was dating.

During all this time, my sister and her family, they would engage me, they would take me to church. I met this woman who happened to be going to my church, and I didn't even know. And she was taking Bible studies from her brother-in-law and her sister, who were church leaders. They heard about a seminar by Doug Batchelor and Amazing Facts called "The Prophecy Code." I learned about the true meaning of the Sabbath. I learned about my health issues and what --how diet and exercise can positively affect my health and, like, my wellbeing. I learned about forgiveness from God for me. I took to Pastor Doug right away because of the way he spoke, his caginess, his --the way he talked was so --it was just like he was talking to me.

He gave out the --his book, "The Richest Caveman." And when I read that book, I was astonished at all the things he had been through. His story was not exactly like mine, but it was a lot like mine. I just identified with him right from the start. I thank God that I went to that Prophecy Code seminar because it was my introduction to the truth. And I even go to YouTube and catch the --some of the seminars, other seminars, that they've had, you know, over the years and I do it because I still feel a connection. It's like my roots. It's like my foundation was built on Amazing Facts and I like the free offers they give. I can imagine the call-taker on the other end, when I call the 800 number. "Hi, girl, how are you?" "What --which free gift would you like today?" I can't imagine life without getting those free offers, because those books are so well written and just like they're written for me. I appreciate Amazing Facts and Pastor Doug Batchelor because they brought --they helped bring me to where I am today. My name is Darryl. You and Amazing Facts have changed my life.

Announcer: You're listening to "Bible Answers Live" where every question answered provides a clearer picture of God and His plan to save you. So what are you waiting for? Get practical answers about the good book for a better life today. This broadcast is a previously recorded episode. If you'd like answers to your Bible-related questions on the air, please call us next Sunday between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Pacific Time. To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned in this evening's program, call 800-835-6747. Once again, that's 800-835-6747. Now, let's rejoin our hosts for more "Bible Answers Live."

Doug: Welcome back, listening friends, to "Bible Answers Live." We know there's people that may have joined us enroute and this is a live, international, interactive Bible study. Originates here outside of Sacramento, California, at the Amazing Facts headquarters and streams around the world on radio, television, and the internet. And we're so thankful that you have joined us. My name is Doug Batchelor.

Jëan: My name is Jëan Ross. And we were talking to Virginia in California and she was --we were talking about a verse in Job. Virginia, are you still there?

Virginia: Yes, basically, Job 22:9. Trying to understand how Eliphaz, is he lying by saying, "Job, you've done," you know, "you're pushing, you know, widows and orphans away." But then in Job 23, Job says, "Oh no, I would pass the test," you know? "I've looked for God everywhere but I can pass the test," I think it's Job 23, "of my righteousness or my--" anyway.

Doug: Yeah, the clue is at the very end of the book of Job. God says, "Job has spoken that which is right, and he needs to pray for and offer sacrifice for his friends that were wrong." And so, while the friends of Job said many things that are true, so when you're reading the statements of Eliphaz and his friends, they outline a lot of true principles about how God works. But they were assuming that because God does punish evil, that Job and all of his suffering, he must have been doing something wrong. And Eliphaz is basically saying, "Come on, 'fess up, Job. You probably were sending away the widows and ignoring the fatherless, and that's why this is all happening to you."

So, he was assuming that. He didn't know that, and Job certainly says he's a righteous man at the beginning and it says he's righteous at the end. Says: "In all this, Job sinned not." So, yeah, Eliphaz and his friends just saw his suffering. They thought, "If God is just, he must have been doing some things wrong," and they're basically trying to pin these things on him. That's why He said, "Your miserable comforters." His friends come to comfort him; they end up accusing him.

Jëan: You know, the same ideas persisted even in the time of Christ. I remember there was the man born blind and the disciples said to Jesus, "Who sinned? This man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Doug: Someone must have sinned.

Jëan: Yeah, whenever something bad happened. Now, it is true that often actions, our own actions, will bring consequences upon us. And of course, there are times when God judges evil, but we're also living in a world of sin and not all suffering is brought upon us because of something we did wrong. Well, you know, the devil is there, causing pain and sorrow, just as he did in the case of Job.

Doug: Sometimes the innocent suffer. Many of Jesus' followers were persecuted for their faith and many died as martyrs.

Jëan: All right, thank you.

Doug: Thanks, Virginia. Good question.

Jëan: We've got Von in North Carolina. Von, welcome to the program.

Von: My question is when the Sunday law is put in place, is there going to be an awakening of the Sabbath day Sabbath? Because if not, most people today will believe that would just be wonderful. And if there is, is there a Bible reference to that?

Doug: Yeah, well, I do believe that at the same time that the beast power is beginning to make religious laws, God's people are going to be empowered with the Spirit and they're going to be presenting the truth and that's why it's going to end up being an issue in the last days. So are you talking about a Bible reference, there's probably several.

Jëan: Well, the one I'm thinking of is Revelation chapter 18, talks about a mighty angel coming down from heaven. We know this angel represents God's people in the last days, "and they cried mightily with a strong voice, Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen. It's become the habitation of devils," and so on. Then in verse 4: "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, My people." Now that describes a great revival and the great proclamation of God's last warning message. And it's connected with certain legislation that has been passed, forcing people to worship, contrary to what the Bible says. So yes, there is a last end-time warning message.

Doug: Jesus said that "you will be brought before kings and rulers, and I'll give you in that hour, what you need to say." I think in the last days that you're going to have God's people on international cable that are going to be defending their faith before the beast's power and persecution. First, they can't buy or sell, and eventually there'll be a death decree, if they don't compromise their faith. And this is what happened in the book of Daniel. There's a religious law that the government makes that you must worship the image or be killed. And Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are able to witness during that time for the truth. That's what happens to Daniel in chapter 6 when he says, "You have to break the first commandment, only pray to the king for 30 days, or go to the lions' den," a death decree. Happens in the book of Esther. Mordecai wants to kill --I'm sorry, Haman wants to kill Mordecai because he won't bow down. So, the devil hasn't changed.

Jëan: We do have a study guide that talks about this. It's called, "The Mark of the Beast." We mentioned it before. But again, it's an important subject because you read in the book of Revelation, there is a warning: Don't receive the mark of the beast. So, we want to know what that is. If you call 800-835-6747, that is our resource phone line, and you can ask for the study guide. It's called, "The Mark of the Beast." We'll send it to you and, of course, there's a lot of important scripture in that-- in that study guide. You can also dial #250 on your smartphone and receive a digital download of that study guide and you can read it and check it out in scripture. Next caller that we have is Michelle in California. Michelle, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."

Michelle: Hi, Pastors. Thank you for taking my call.

Doug: Yes, absolutely. And your question?

Michelle: Yes, it is with regard to John chapter 6, verse 65, where it says, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." And in another section in relation --relative to that, "People can believe in Christ only through divine enablement." And that section has always fascinated me, and I really would like to get your, well, information clarification on that.

Doug: Right, well, the best thing is let the Bible explain the Bible. And if anybody comes to the Lord, it's because the Spirit moves in their heart and leads them to repentance. Repentance is a gift from God. And I believe it's in Acts chapter 2, Peter said, "For God gives repentance to Israel," is the phrase, and it's a gift. And the Bible tells us that it's the goodness of God that leads us to repentance, okay, Michelle? So, meaning when we look at the goodness of God and we see our badness, then we're brought to repentance. So, it's through the Father and His goodness that we are drawn to repent and to come to Christ. Isaiah saw the Lord, he saw the light of God, the goodness of God, and then he saw himself, he repented and said, "Woe is me. I am undone." You have that verse?

Jëan: Yeah, Acts chapter 5, verse 31. Speaking of Christ, "Whom has God exalted at His right hand to be a prince and a savior, to give repentance to Israel and for the forgiveness of sins."

Doug: Yeah, so God gives repentance. It's the Father that draws through sending the Spirit. And we're convicted of our sins.

Jëan: And of course, the Bible says God is not a respecter of persons, meaning that He's willing that --He's not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. So, the Holy Spirit is speaking to the hearts of all. So, what do they do with that? Do they reject it? Do they harden their heart, or do they respond to the gospel invitation? Thank you, Michelle. We've got Lewis in California. Lewis, welcome to the program.

Lewis: Yes, hi. I wanted to ask about baptism, a couple of different scriptures. Matthew 28:19 talks about, "Be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." And then in Acts 2:38, and I think there may be a third scripture someone told me, "Baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins to be saved." So please talk about that.

Doug: Yeah, and there's actually four verses. And I think two of them say, "Baptized in the name of Jesus," one says, "Jesus Christ," and one says, "Baptized in the name of the Lord." And so, we don't hear the Bible writers in the New Testament making a real consistent, specific declaration for what are the precise words. They're basically saying that you're making this commitment to the God of scripture, to Jehovah, to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. So, when Pastor Ross and I baptize, we say, "I baptize you in the name of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit," and you cover all your bases that way. But you know, the disciples were often, at the beginning of the ministry, they are working with Jews who had already been baptized by John the Baptist, maybe in the name of the Father. So, they emphasized "you need to also include being baptized in the name of the Son." And then another time they say, "Baptized in the name of the Lord."

So, I give you an example: baptism to the Christian is what a marriage ceremony is to a marriage. So, when we do weddings, you can do it more formally where --it's a covenant, and you can say all three names of the bride and the groom, or you can say just first and last name, or it is legal if I should say, "Bob, do you take Sally?" If the witnesses know that they are making a covenant and they know who they're talking about, the covenant is sealed. Sometimes I think there's pastors who say, "If you don't say it right, the baptism's invalid." That's not what makes a covenant valid. Sometimes I sign my signature and I'm sure no one can read it, but it is my signature. So, the important thing is if you understand the agreement, if you are saying in front of witnesses, "I'm committing my life to God," then that's a valid baptism.

Jëan: We do have a book. It's called "Baptism: Is It Really Necessary?" It talks about the subject. We'll be happy to send this to anyone who calls and asks.

Doug: You know, I've also got a book where I specifically go through this question. It's called, "The Name of the Lord." I have a sermon. It's a free sermon book and I specifically talk about the different names that they baptize in and why it doesn't make a difference how you utter it.

Jëan: That'd be good. That'd kind of answer this question. Called, "The Name of the Lord." Is that --that's what it's called?

Doug: It's one of our sermon books, yeah.

Jëan: And we'll be happy to send it to anyone who calls and asks. As a matter of fact, you can ask for both: "Baptism: Is It Really Necessary?" and "The Name of the Lord." The number to call is 800-835-6747. That is our resource phone line. If you'd like to get a digital download, just dial #250 on your smartphone, say "Bible Answers Live" and then ask for the book by name: "Baptism: Is It Really Necessary?" You can also ask for "The Name of the Lord," and we'll send it to anyone who calls and asks. Gary in Illinois. Gary, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."

Gary: Thank you. We're seeing dramatic weather events, atmospheric rivers in the sky, Santa Ana winds traveling 100 mile an hour and taking fire thousands of miles, and in Illinois, tornadoes are a mile in diameter, traveling 100 miles. And now we're seeing the beginning of the pillars of democracy, you know, collapse. You know, are we headed into Luke 21:12 where it says, "You'll be brought before kings, authorities, and principalities for My name's sake," where it'll be an opportunity to witness?

Doug: Yeah, well, we are seeing an acceleration of global disasters and the potential, you know, people are talking even about World War III. Now, the --like, there's a terrible fire at the time of this broadcast, it's live today, but it may be rebroadcast. But I have another massive fire in southern California in the Ventura area, 20,000 acres or something. A lot of land, a lot of homes are being lost. Storms, they had several devastating hurricanes. You know, they've had big earthquakes in history. There's been big droughts, there's been big famines.

But what's happening near the end of time, Christ said these are the beginning of birth pains and when a woman is pregnant and she's getting near delivery, you have what do they call them, Braxton Hicks contractions. She'll have contractions and she'll feel the baby kick along the way and there'll be all kinds of pains and adjustments. But when those pains start getting very sharp, they get more intense, and they get more frequent, and the doctor will say, "How far apart are your pains and how hard are they?" So, you see an increasing in frequency and intensity and what we're seeing with natural disasters and problems in the world and, you know, there's more people than there's ever been, the demand on resources. The frequency and the intensity of the problems is increasing.

And so, I do think we're nearing the end. I wouldn't pin it on one thing. You know, we've had fires bigger than the one right now in Ventura and there have been political problems bigger than the ones we have now too. So --but when they start to increase in intensity, then you start to --he says, "Look up. Your redemption draws near."

Jëan: Yeah, there's a couple of things that Jesus highlights. Of course, natural disaster, as you mentioned. The other one is that wickedness. It'll be as it was in the days of Noah, in Sodom and Gomorrah. So moral decay, violence, fill the land. We see an increase in violence. But Jesus also said, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness unto all nations, then the end will come." So you've got several things coming together and we're beginning to see that happen, I think even now.

Doug: Yeah, and the --just think about this program, that now with artificial intelligence, we're able to translate this program into about 50 different languages, if we had the resources, and go around the world in minutes. I mean, it's just phenomenal. So, the gospel being preached in all the world is one of the most powerful. And then of course, Daniel 12: knowledge will increase. Look at how --what technology has done in the last days. Well, thank you. Appreciate your question.

Jëan: Next caller that we have is calling from Washington. We got Kereace on the phone. Kereace, welcome to the program.

Kereace: Hello, good night. Thank you for taking my call. My question is on Luke chapter 17, verse 21. Could you please expound more on that for me, please? And thank you.

Doug: Yes, Luke 17, Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven doesn't come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Now, Christ said several things like that. Matter of fact, I think it's in Acts chapter 1, and you might look that up for me where Philip says, "Will You at this time now establish the kingdom?" And Christ said, you know, "The times are for the Father."

There's two kingdoms that we're talking about. One kingdom is talking about the physical kingdom of God. When Christ comes the second time as a King and as a Lion riding on the white horse, so to speak, He is going to basically destroy the enemies and eventually create a new heavens and the new earth where He will reign supreme. When He came the first time, He came like a lamb, but He established the spiritual kingdom. That kingdom was available right when He came. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." John the Baptist said, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Those who hear my voice right now, you can be a citizen of God's kingdom now by turning to Him in prayer. It will someday be not only an interior kingdom, it'll be a literal exterior kingdom, a reality.

Jëan: The verse you're referring to, Pastor Doug, Acts chapter 1, verse 6, it says after the resurrection, it says: "When they came together, they asked Him, saying, 'Lord, will Thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?'"

Doug: They were looking for the physical kingdom.

Jëan: Yeah, Jesus had to explain to them a little more.

Doug: So that's what Jesus is saying here also is that it's a spiritual kingdom that's available right now. Don't say, "Where is it? Is it here? Is it there? Is it in Israel? Is it in, you know, France? Where's the kingdom?" Well, it's in you. If Jesus reigns in your heart, that's where the King is.

Jëan: Okay, next caller that we have is Sabra in Hawaii. Sabra, welcome to the program.

Sabra: Hi. I just finished your book, "The Richest Caveman," and really visualized Jim there with you.

Doug: Oh, praise the Lord. I hope you enjoyed it.

Sabra: Oh, it was awesome. And I'm definitely going to spread that book around over here. I have a question I've been confused on for quite a while. It comes --so I'm hoping you can elaborate Mark 7, starting in 18: "Whatsoever thing comes-- thing from without entereth into man, it cannot defile them." And then 19 says: "Because it entereth not in his heart, but in his belly, and goeth out into the drought, purging all meats," which is foods, I know. So, my question is, doesn't eating poorly and drinking poorly affect us physically via spiritually, via mentally? It affects our actions, our thoughts, what we say. So, can you elaborate and explain this to me so that I can share this with others that keep throwing at me that it's okay to eat what I want to eat?

Doug: Yeah, well, first of all, Jesus wasn't saying you could eat anything because if that's true, then why does Peter in Acts chapter 10, years after Christ died, he has a vision of this sheet coming down from heaven filled with unclean foods. God says, "Arise and eat." Peter says, "Not so, Lord, I've never eaten anything unclean." If Jesus had been teaching them they could eat anything, why would Peter say that? And then later, Peter says that vision has nothing to do with food. It means do not call the Gentiles unclean. The problem in Mark 7 had nothing to do with what they were eating. It had to do with eating with unwashed hands. And so, the Jews used to go through a ceremonial handwashing before they ate. Now, I know we all think it would be great if we all washed our hands when we eat, we like to have that happen. I think we all know that as you're growing up, little kids eat about a half a pound of dirt a week. And they somehow survive. So, Christ is saying they're not defiled by eating with unwashed hands. Poor people that eat with unwashed hands, that doesn't defile them. He's saying what defiles you is the evil in your heart.

So, this statement really has nothing to do with food. You read what it says before, it's talking about eating with unwashed hands. He says, you know, you eat with unwashed hands, you get a little sand or grit in there, it's going to go through and it's, frankly, He says, it's cast out, it's eliminated, it goes through you. It doesn't stay in you. But evil thoughts and adulteries, those things in the heart and the mind, that's what defiles you.

Jëan: Now, you got the little phrase that you mentioned in verse 19, "Thus purifying all foods." Now, it's interesting. There's a little mark there. If you're reading the King James, the New King James, it'll say, "NU." NU is the Nestle-Aland. There are two principal manuscripts of Greek where the Bible translators have gathered from, and that phrase, "Thus purifying all foods," is not in the Textus Receptus and it's sort of inserted there. That's why you've got that little mark that says, "This is NU." So, some have even questioned whether that was actually in the original that was written by Mark. That might have been added by a scholar later on to try and clarify something. But it's --some of the older manuscripts don't have that, so.

Doug: Yeah, the NIV --I'm sorry. I was just going to say the NIV actually says: "In saying this, He declared all foods clean." That is not in the Greek, either manuscript. So, say --they took great liberties with "purging all foods." It just means that your stomach acid destroys things, it purges things. It doesn't mean that, you know, Jesus now said, "You can eat cockroaches and skunks and anything, it doesn't matter. And you can get a lot of cholesterol, just pray over it and you won't get a heart attack." No, God says, "Don't be deceived. God is not mocked. What you sow, you're going to reap." And we know that it makes a difference what you eat. So yeah, don't abuse this verse. I used to use this verse when the pastor told me to quit smoking. I said, "It's not what goes in your mouth that defiles you." He said, "Yeah, but what goes in your mouth affects what comes out." And when I was smoking and my breath was bad, so, anyway, thanks. Good question. We appreciate it.

Jëan: We do have a study guide. It's called, "God's Free Health Plan," and talks about biblical principles for living a healthy life. We'll be happy to send this to anyone who calls and asks. The number is 800-835-6747. Ask for the study guide. It's called, "God's Free Health Plan." You can dial #250 on your smartphone and say, "Bible Answers Live." Ask for that study guide and you'll receive a digital download. Maria is listening in California. Maria, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."

Maria: Hi, good evening, Pastor Doug, Pastor Ross.

Doug: Evening.

Maria: My kids want to say hi.

Children: Hi, Pastor Doug and Pastor Ross.

Doug: Hey, kids. How you doing?

Maria: Hi, good evening. My question, I was reading the book of 1 Samuel, the story of David where it says here, 1 Samuel 18:10 and 19:9 when it says that "A harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul." And both times was when David was in his --in his kingdom. And he was trying to hurt him with the spirit.

Doug: Right, Saul was trying to hurt David, yeah. So, you're wondering what does it mean? Did God send an evil spirit?

Maria: Yes, what does the-- that a harmful spirit, like, can He send anyone, like, a harmful spirit to do something wrong or—

Doug: Let me read the verse for our friends that are listening. So, you've got 1 Samuel chapter 18, if I read in verse 10, and it says: "Saul became jealous when the women began to sing and say, 'Saul has killed his thousands, but David's killed his ten thousands.'" And it says in verse 9: "Saul eyed David from that day forward. And it happened on the next day that a distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the house." He's ranting, but it's not the Spirit of God. He's kind of doing a demonic prophecy. "And David played music with his hand, at the --as other times. Saul hurls a spear at him." And it says the same thing in chapter 19, that an evil spirit from the Lord. What does that mean? You read in the book of Job: "And the devil had to get permission from God before he could afflict Job."

Sometimes God will withdraw His protection. Sometimes it's as a judgment. Sometimes it's because we have rejected the Lord. When you reject light, the only thing left is darkness. So, it's not that God would ever send evil. God tempts no man, the Bible says. Every good and perfect gift is from God. God is good, but sometimes God in His wisdom, He'll withdraw His protection, as in the story of Job. "And then the devil went forth from the presence of the Lord and he smote Job."

Well, when Saul rejected God's Spirit, the Lord allowed an evil spirit to come. You'll notice, I think in the same chapter, it says David is anointed with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit comes upon David. But the Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul because he was so jealous, and the spirit of jealousy is from the devil. Now, of course, God says he's a jealous God, but let's talk about the appropriate jealousy. So, I don't know if you want to add to that at all, Pastor Ross.

Jëan: No, I think that's clear, Pastor Doug. Sort of a vacuum. When God's Spirit was withdrawn, the vacuum was filled by the evil spirit.

Doug: Yeah, but when it, you know, I first read that when it says God hardens Pharaoh's heart. Well, later, it says, Pharaoh hardened his own heart, when it says an evil spirit came from the Lord. In the Old Testament, they see God as supreme, that He ultimately --there's things He must allow, and He allowed this to happen because Saul had rejected Him. And so, it was ultimately Saul's decision to embrace jealousy and to harden his heart as with the Pharaoh. And that's why these things happen. And it's like the story of Judas where it says, you know, Judas, he rejected when Christ was washing his feet and Satan entered him and he went out from the presence of Jesus into the dark. So, friends, the Holy Spirit is striving with all of you. Every one of us has that battle in our hearts and God has cast His vote for you. The devil has cast his vote against you, and you have the tiebreaking vote.

Jëan: That's right.

Doug: Hey, God bless you. We are out of time. We'd love to study with you more. Go to the Amazing Facts website, AmazingFacts.org, and tune in next week for more "Bible Answers Live."

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