Announcer: It is the best-selling book in history. No volume ever written has been more loved and quoted, and its words, sometimes simple and sometimes mysterious, should always be studied carefully. It is the Bible, the Word of God. Welcome to "Bible Answers Live," providing accurate and practical answers to all your Bible questions. This broadcast is a previously recorded episode. To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned in this broadcast, call 800-835-6747. Once again, that's 800-835-6747. Now here's your host from Amazing Facts International, Pastor Doug Batchelor.
Doug Batchelor: Hello, listening friends. Would you like to hear an amazing fact? Researchers in Florida have discovered that some ants perform life-saving surgeries on one another. When ants discover that a coworker has an injured leg, they'll evaluate the wound and either clean or treat it with antibiotics in their saliva or amputate the injured limb. They are the only creatures on Earth besides humans that know how to perform surgeries on their species. The ants are able to diagnose a wound, see if it's infected, and treat it accordingly. In experiments, they observed that ants treated their nest member's femur injuries by cleaning the wound with their mouths before amputating the leg by repeatedly biting it. Ninety percent of the ants treated this way heal and are able to continue working with five legs. I didn't know that ants were so durable.
Jëan Ross: I know, Pastor Doug. It's an amazing fact. You've got the nurses, you've got the doctors in the ant kingdom, it sounds like, and they're able to diagnose and perform surgery. And I think you even mentioned before the program, they're also aware, they can--they can figure out if a limb is--got some sort of infection, and I think they even clean their mouths somehow.
Doug: The ants have, like, an antibiotic in their saliva. They also use it for cleaning the larva, but if they see there's an infection, they'll actually clean it. And if it can heal, they seem to know, and if it can't, they nibble it off and the other ant stands there and submits to it knowing that they're trying to help and then it may scamper off with five legs and keep going. So it's just amazing, though, the whole study of ants. Of course, they're mentioned in the Bible, but what I'm thinking of now is something Jesus said in Mark chapter 9, verse 45: "And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off, for it's better for you to enter life lame, than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that is never quenched--where 'their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.' And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It's better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire--where 'their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'"
Well, right now I'd be tempted to launch into a study talking about what does it mean the fire that's not quenched. Someone might call in and ask about that. But what does Jesus mean when He says, "better to cut off a foot, a hand, pluck out an eye, than-- and go to heaven maimed," of course, no one is going to be in heaven maimed, "than to go to hell with all of your members intact." And when I first read this verse as a baby Christian, I thought, "Well, you know, if I'm shoplifting, I've got to cut off my right hand," but then I realized I'd probably shoplift with my left hand. So, Christ is saying that if there's something as close as your hand, your eye, your foot, that is causing the dissent, it might be a relationship that's not appropriate, something you care about, you're close to, but it's bad, it's hurting you. You're better cutting it off, as painful as it might be. It might be as painful as an amputation. And I know people that have tried to break from drinking or smoking or some drug or bad habit. It can feel like cutting off a limb. Jesus said, "Better to make the break and enter into life than to have your sin or your bad relationship and be lost forever."
Jëan: And you know, Pastor Doug, that's so true. Every person who wants to do the right thing, they have that battle where we have to choose daily to surrender self. The devil's not going to give up just because somebody has made a decision for Jesus, and Christians are tempted. It's not a sin to be tempted, but we want power to overcome those temptations. And we do have a book. It's called, "Tips for Resisting Temptation." We'll be happy to send this to anyone who calls and asks. It's our free offer today. Just call the number, 800-835-6747. You can ask for Offer number 708 or you can text. Dial #250 on your smartphone, say "Bible Answers Live" and then ask for the book by name. It's called, "Tips for Resisting Temptation." We'll send you a digital download and you can just read it and you can share it with somebody else. You will be blessed. If you're outside of North America and you can't text, just go to the website, AmazingFacts.org. You'll be able to read it there at the free library.
Well, Pastor Doug, before we go to the phone lines, we've got a number of calls. Let's start with prayer. Dear Father, we thank You once again that we have this time where we can just open up Your Word and study. There is power in the Word of God. And Lord, we ask Your blessing upon this program. We know there are many who are listening, some who are traveling. We just ask that You would guide us all into a clearer understanding of what the Bible says in Jesus's name, amen.
Doug: Amen.
Jëan: Well, our first caller today, we've got Jerry listening in Texas, and Jerry, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
Jerry: Hey, guys. I appreciate your continuing ministry always, and mine's just a simple question. You know, God has an honorable day of worship which God gave to us on Mount Sinai, although it was given before. Will there be a Sabbath day-- was there a Sabbath day before Creation? That's all, gentlemen.
Doug: All right, thank you, Jerry. A basic question. Did the Sabbath of the Ten Commandments exist before Creation? Well, it's first introduced as part of the Earth's Creation process and our time cycle on this planet. And so, we have no reason to believe that it existed before. But because God made man in His image and God is ultimately going to move the new Jerusalem to our Earth, it tells us in Isaiah 66 that "from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before Him." So, while the Sabbath did not probably predate, I mean there may have been other times of rest in God's infinite Creation, we don't know. But that Sabbath that we celebrate did not predate the creation of the Earth because it's controlled by our sun, but it will be kept in the Earth made new. So great question, Jerry, I appreciate that.
Jëan: Although we do know that the angels prior to the creation of the earth, they did worship God. There was a gathering. It also appears that the angels had tasks that they did. You know, they are the ministering spirits, the Bible says. And so, it would make sense that there was some time where there was, you know, whatever the time frame there is in heaven, where the angels and the other inhabited beings of the other planets would probably set aside their regular activity for worship. So, likely the principle was there.
Doug: Yeah, it says in Job: "There was a day when the sons of God came to assemble before the Lord," and it's not on Earth because God asked the devil, "Where did you come from?" He said, "From the Earth." So yeah, they had some kind of cycle of time in the cosmos. Thanks, Jerry.
Jëan: Next caller that we have is Gary, listening in Illinois. Gary, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
Gary: Thank you. My question comes from Revelation 13, verses 14 and 15, that says: "Telling those who dwell on the Earth to make an image to the beast." So, people are instructed to make a graven image. It's further explained in 15, it says: "He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, and the image of the beast should both speak and cause many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed." So, my question is, is the graven image going to come to life, and will it kill those who do not worship it as a graven image?
Doug: Okay, hey, great question, Gary. You know, the first thing to understand is what is the beast? Because the image is a representation or a likeness or a facsimile of the beast, and when you study what the beast is, the beast is a religious political power because it's compelling worship that persecuted God's people, starting, you know, in the dark ages, and then it receives a deadly wound and this religious political organization comes back into power and the second beast makes an image to the beast. So, in Revelation chapter 13, I think it starts with verse 11, an image there does not mean a statue. It's talking about a likeness. It forms another religious political confederacy that becomes a persecuting power. So, we're not talking about a statue ruling the world or a statue coming to life like some people think it's an AI robot or something that's going to rule the world. But no, this is talking about a religious political power. All through Daniel, the prophecies of these beasts are talking about kingdoms and powers, and in Revelation it's talking about the kingdoms and powers. The image of the beast is a likeness of one of these kingdoms and powers.
Jëan: And the key there is that this image is--what's unique about this beast's power is it's a religious power, but it uses civil authority or governments to enforce its teaching, its religious teaching. So, an image to the beast would do something similar where you have a political power, a nation, that is legislating how people ought to worship. That is an image to the first beast. And, you know, there's a lot more we can say about this passage, Pastor Doug, but just to, you know, get right to it. The second beast that you read about is the United States in Bible prophecy. And we do have a lesson that talks about this. It's called, "The USA in Bible Prophecy." It's a very important prophecy. Revelation chapter 13.
Doug: Especially now.
Jëan: Yeah, when we see everything happening in our world today. We'll be happy to send that to anyone who calls and asks. Just ask for that study guide. It's called, "The US in Bible Prophecy." The number to call for that is 800-835-6747, and again, ask for the study guide, "The United States in Bible Prophecy," or dial #250 on your smartphone, say "Bible Answers Live" and then ask for it by name, "The US in Bible Prophecy." All right, thank you, Gary. Next caller that we have, Titus from Virginia. Titus, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
Titus: Hey, my question is, just because something is tradition to someone, like, how do you explain to them that just because it's tradition doesn't mean it's right?
Doug: Yeah, well, there's nothing wrong with a tradition that does not conflict with scripture. So, you know, every culture has traditions and some are beautiful and innocent, and, you know, you go to Japan, the tradition is you--or Korea more so, when you bow and you greet someone, others shake hands and some take off their shoes when they go into church. There's some--traditions are fine. It's when a tradition conflicts with the Bible you should never put tradition ahead of the Bible, and I don't remember the verse, Pastor Ross, but I can quote where Jesus said, "You put aside the commandments of God that you might observe your tradition." Now that's one verse. In another place, He said that "you make your man-made traditions more important than the commandments of God." And so, Christ made it very clear that no man-made tradition should supersede or eclipse the commandments.
Jëan: The verse you're referring to, Mark chapter 7, verse 8: "For laying aside the commandments of God, you hold to the traditions of men."
Doug: So, hopefully, that helps, Titus and that, yeah, no tradition should supersede the Word of God or a commandment or a principle.
Jëan: Next caller that we have is Glenn, listening in Ohio. Glenn, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
Glenn: Well, good morning or good afternoon or evening, whatever it is, Pastors, and thank you again for taking my call. The question is, after learning the derivation of three words that are commonly used in the assembly today, I wonder if it's appropriate to continue using those words. And the first word is the word "God," which comes from the god Gad, which meant good luck and good fortune. I think that the God of the Bible says is an abomination to Him. The second word is the hymns that we sing out of the hymnal, the title of that comes from the goddess of music, hymnists. Does that make any difference? And the third word is the word "church." Not a group, but the church from an early word, which means a place where idols were worshiped. And are those three words considered in today's church; that's my question.
Doug: All right, well, you've done a little etymology of some of these words. Because a word had an original meaning that may have been dubious, meanings of words change over time. And you know, a lot of words I could mention right now used to have a very different meaning, and you know, through use its context changes. The word "God," which springs from a similar root word to the word "good," there's nothing wrong with that. It's just, it's a descriptive title, and it may mean our God Jehovah, and it could be used if you say someone is making a god out of their car. So, anything could fit that definition. And then you have the words, "hymnal" and "music" or, there, you know, you could find pagan trappings probably in a lot of words. It doesn't make them necessarily wrong. Now, if you are convicted, anything that's not of faith is sin, if you're convicted, you shouldn't use those words. There's probably other words you could use.
Jëan: Now, of course, we do find that the word "hymn" is used in the English Bible in the King James Version. It says, "When they sang a hymn or psalms, they left," and then, of course, the New Testament talks about church. So back, you know, when the Bible was translated into English, people had a clear understanding that a church represented a Christian gathering, and a hymn had to do with a sacred song.
Doug: Kirk is not, yeah, and which is a Scottish, yeah, word, it just meant a gathering place. So yeah, I don't think there's anything inherently evil with those words, but thank you for your question.
Jëan: We've got April listening in Florida. April, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
April: Good evening, Pastor Doug. Good evening, Pastor Ross. Can you hear me okay?
Doug: We can, loud and clear.
April: By the way, Pastor Doug, I look so forward to meeting you in the Florida Keys next year at Bible camp meeting.
Doug: That's right, we'll be there.
April: It was my bucket list. Awesome. It was on my bucket list to meet you, and God answered my prayer. So, my question is, in the book of Genesis, I want to say chapter 12, the Pharaoh gave-- excuse me, Abraham told Sarah to pretend like he was the brother so they wouldn't kill him. So, the Pharaoh was impressed with her beauty and that she was a foreign-born person, she wasn't from that area. So, he took her as a wife, as his wife. I don't know how long they were together for, I don't think it says. I was wondering if they had any children together.
Doug: Okay, I think if you read that text carefully, good question. When Abraham went down during a famine to Egypt because there was always food in Egypt because they had a river to water their crops, he was afraid because Sarah, even though she was older, she was a very beautiful woman, with striking beauty and, you know, maybe the people in Egypt were more swarthy back then and she may have had blonde hair and blue eyes. We have no idea, but anyway, she stood out somehow, so much so that Abraham feared for his life. And so, it says that I think the Pharaoh took her maybe into his house intending to make her a wife, and that's when it was revealed, and that never happened. They--she never became his wife.
Jëan: Yeah, verse 19 actually where Pharaoh's talking to Abraham and he says, "Why did you do this? Why did you say 'She's my sister'? I might have taken her as my wife." So, it seems as though, you know, they had told the Pharaoh and Pharaoh thought it was a good idea, but the wedding hadn't taken place because God plagued the house of Pharaoh. And so, they began to ask questions: Why are all these things happening to us?
Doug: The Lord had great plans for Abraham and Sarah. He wasn't going to let that interfere. So no, she never had any relations with Pharaoh. There's nothing in the scripture that says that.
Jëan: And of course, she only had one child, and that was Isaac. So yeah, there was no--she didn't marry Pharaoh, but Isaac was the only child she ever had, so there could not have been any other children with Sarah and Pharaoh.
Doug: Yeah, and technically just so everyone knows, you could say it was a half lie if there is such a thing because Abraham and Sarah were half brother and sister. They shared the same father but different mothers, so, he thought he, well, it was really dishonest, but he thought, "Well, I could say it's sort of true."
Jëan: Now we know somebody, Pastor Doug, both of us know somebody who he married his stepsister, but from different parents. And they grew up together and fell in love and got married. So, you can't marry your sister in one sense, but I think that's a little different. Yeah, it's totally different there. All right, next caller that we have is Shannon in Georgia. Shannon, welcome to the program.
Shannon: Hi, thank you for taking my call. I have a question. Jacob blessed Ephraim, although Manasseh was first born. And I was just wondering, does it say in the Bible why he did that? And when I look back at Jacob, who stole Esau's birthright, and then Judah was considered the first--given the birthright over Reuben and because of these things that Reuben had done while Judah was first in with Esau, Jacob stealing Esau birthright. And I just wanted to know why was Ephraim considered, you know, he received the blessing over Manasseh because it seems like everybody in the family except Isaac, the ones that should have been first were not first.
Doug: Yeah, that's a very good observation. When Jacob called Joseph and he said, you know, I've not seen your two sons, you were separated from me in Egypt, and I want to bless them. And normally you would place your hands on the firstborn first. Jacob's eyesight was failing, and Joseph thought, "Oh, he's putting his hands on the wrong one. Let me correct him." Jacob said, "No, I know what I'm doing. God is going to bless the younger above the older." Now, you look at the story of the Hebrews, Jacob had the same experience. He was younger than Esau, but he got the blessing of the firstborn, and Moses was younger than Aaron, and it seemed like he was called and blessed. David was the youngest, and you see the pattern where, you know, the least are first and the first are last and the last are first, and God knew it was prophetic that the tribe of Ephraim would end up becoming much bigger than Manasseh. And indeed, when Israel had a civil war, the whole northern kingdom of the ten tribes were called Ephraim because it had grown so large, where Manasseh always stayed a minor tribe, so it was a prophecy among other things.
Jëan: Yeah, absolutely. And if you look at the blessings that were pronounced upon the children of Israel, or, you know, the 12 sons, and in this case, Joseph, he has a double blessing through his two sons. They have prophetic significance. They kind of portray what role that tribe is going to play in the history of Israel. And of course, the prophecy is made that the Messiah would come through Judah, the tribe of Judah.
Doug: Yeah, and even, yeah, when Jacob blessed all the sons, he made that clear. Well, thank you, great question.
Jëan: All right, next caller that we have is Fred, listening in Connecticut. Fred, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
Fred: Oh yes, the 144,000, is that a literal or a symbolic number?
Doug: Good question. Now, for our friends listening, the 144,000 can be found in Revelation chapter 7 and Revelation chapter 14, and it's this unique group that John calls out there in that prophecy, and it's 12 times 12,000, which adds up to, of course, 144,000. Just to give you a little background, everything in Revelation, not everything, but a great deal of Revelation, springs from experiences in the Old Testament. Of course, in the Old Testament you had the 12 sons of Jacob. New Testament 12 apostles. In the Old Testament, David divided his army in sets of 12 and 24, and you can see where he divided the priests' service, and Solomon followed up with this 12 and 24, so in some cases they had 144,000 that were ministering 6 months and another 144,000, they'd rotate in the army. So, when you get to Revelation and it says 144,000, some people wonder, is a literal number. First concern is, does that mean only 144,000 are saved? Let's answer that question first. No, because in Revelation chapter 14, and I forget which verse it is, maybe it's in chapter 7, it says, who are these--who are these that have come out of great tribulation. And it's talking about a great multitude that no man can number.
Jëan: From every nation, kingdom, tongue, and people.
Doug: So, there's a lot more saved than the 144,000. The key to the number in my thinking is you have in the New Testament 12 apostles that were a special group given a special work, filled with the Spirit, and they were a position of leadership just like the Old Testament. You had the 12 judges; you had the 12 tribes. And it's saying in the last days God's going to pour out His Spirit in a special way for this group to do a last global ministry. Will we see people going around with like marathon numbers on their back that say "I am number 133,000"? No, I don't believe so. But most of the numbers you find in Revelation do have real value. So, it may be a literal number, doesn't mean they're the only ones saved. On the day of Pentecost, there's 120 in the Upper Room, 12 of them were apostles. The Holy Spirit is not poured out until they replaced Judas, and they went from 11 back to 12. Then the Holy Spirit's poured out on the whole group. But there's a special work and authority given to the 12 apostles. I think that this is like a last day example. When Jesus came the first time, special group, trained, filled, 12 apostles, not the only ones saved. When He comes a second time, He's going to the whole world, not just 12, but it's 12 times 12,000, and they're not from literal Israel but from spiritual Israel.
Jëan: And of course, 12 in the Bible is often associated with the church: 12 tribes of the Old Testament, 12 apostles of the New, and like you say, 12 times 12 times 1000. So symbolic of God's people in the last days. We have a book, Pastor Doug, called, "Who Will Sing the Song? Understanding the 144,000." And you go into this in more detail. You wrote the book. We'll be happy to give this to anyone who calls and asks. The number is 800-835-6747. And just ask for the book, "Who Will Sing the Song?" Or say, "The book on the 144,000," and we'll be able to send it to you. You can dial #250 on your smartphone, say "Bible Answers Live," and then ask for the book that way as well, and you get a digital copy and you'll be able to read it right away. Next caller that we have is Christi in Canada. Christi, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
Christi: Hello, good evening. So I just had a question. I'm sort of stuck in a rut of not reading my Bible and failing to trust God. I went through a period where this happened and it was a pretty significant period in my life. So I'm just wondering how I can return back to God and learn how to trust Him despite perhaps my laziness and weariness.
Doug: Yeah, well, there's three things that you can do that will help to stimulate a revival. There's actually several things, but three things I'm going to highlight. Faith, if you want more faith, "Faith comes by hearing," Romans chapter 10, I think verse 17. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Spend time in the Word of God. When you pray and pray for specific things, you will get more specific answers and your faith will grow. Mark out times to pray even though you may not feel like it. Talk to the Lord. Expand on it and then don't be afraid to share your faith. If everybody would spend time every day reading the Word, praying, sharing their faith, they would grow. It's like breath is the prayer, and the exercise is sharing your faith and eating the bread of life is studying the Bible. Now, we have a book on "12 Steps to Revival," and I think, Christi, that will encourage you. I just gave you 3 but there's 12 steps you can read in this free book. Anyone out there.
Jëan: The number to call is 800-835-6747. Ask for the book, it's called, "12 Steps to Revival." You can dial #250 on your smartphone, just say "Bible Answers Live," and then ask for the book, "12 Steps to Revival." And you know, Pastor Doug, as you mentioned, we've got to actually put forth some effort. If you're going to grow physically, you're going to have to eat, and if we're going to grow spiritually, sometimes we might not feel like it, but you just need to sit down and read the Word. You'll feel better afterwards. You've got to make that commitment, and you've got to follow through with it. And as you do that, the Lord will be able to work a work within us, but we have to give Him the opportunity.
Doug: Yeah, you know, when I was younger, I didn't have to try to keep muscle, but as you get older, if you want to keep any kind of muscles, you've got to exercise and it's no fun at the time, but it feels better later when you go to lift something up. So I guess that's just a fact of life that, as they say in the gym, no pain, no gain, and it's also true in the Christian experience that you need to invest that time with God in prayer, in study, and, you know, getting the exercise, breathing in prayer, feeding on the bread of life, and you will grow. You've got a spiritual body with real needs and if you neglect those needs, you suffer. I'm sorry, if you've got a physical body with practical needs and if you neglect those needs you suffer. You have a spiritual body, the needs are just as real and if you minister to those needs, you'll see the benefit. Well, we're going to come back after a brief break, be back in just a couple of moments.
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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 some have tuned in along the way. Let me just explain. This is a live interactive international Bible study. You're invited to join in by calling in with your Bible questions. That number again, 800-GOD-SAYS, that's 800-463-7297 with your Bible questions. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Jëan: My name is Jëan Ross, and we've got Lillian who is listening. She's calling from Maryland. Lillian, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
Lillian: Thank you so much. Thank you. So, my question is regarding 2 Kings 5, chapter 5, regarding the story of Naaman, the leper, and I'm just wondering how is it that someone with leprosy before he was healed or cleansed, was able to continue being the commander of an army. He lived in society, in the community, he lived with his wife and the servants, and he was a leper. So why wasn't he forced to be isolated like other lepers?
Doug: Yeah, good question. First part is consider the laws of containment and isolation that you find in Leviticus applied to the Jews. Naaman is a Syrian. They did not recognize the books of Moses and those laws. Secondly, when it says that he was a mighty man, a commander, I'm assuming that that's saying before he was diagnosed with leprosy, he had all of this, and he may have been living in a separate room of the house because even the Syrians knew leprosy was contagious. So, it says that the little girl ministered to Naaman's wife, not to Naaman. So, we don't know what the exact circumstances were. Another reason I think that Naaman, they did understand some separation. When Naaman goes to see Elisha, he's got a contingent of soldiers with him, but it's not until the end of the story it says his soldiers drew near, meaning they had been riding at a distance. They drew near and said, "Please wash in the Jordan River." So, you know, they may have kept some of that, but they wouldn't be keeping it the same way as those reading the laws of Moses. Thanks, Lily, and hope that helps a little bit.
Jëan: Next caller that we have is Connie, listening in Arizona. Connie, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
Connie: Yes, good evening, gentlemen. My question is, I am trying to help some others. They do know some Bible and I have, I don't know as much as I could, but if you can find me the text that says that God knows you before you're in your mother's womb, and this is the question they have, and I felt helpless because I don't have a clue what to tell them. They said, if the God that you worship knows the beginning to the end, why would He create ahead of time, someone who would be as horrible as Hitler or Ted Bundy, or they were just using people they know who have committed hellacious crimes against other human beings, caused so much suffering, if God already knew that before they were even in the womb. How would I answer something like that?
Doug: That's a good--that's one of the most common questions of people who are skeptical about the Bible and God. First of all, the verse I think you're talking about is Jeremiah chapter 1, verse 5, where He says, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." So, let's--I think that's the verse you're talking about. But then the question is, if God does know before a person is formed, why would He form a Stalin and a Hitler and a Pol Pot and these other despots of history? Why would He allow all the evil? You know, I would recommend that they or anybody look at a DVD that we produce. It's filled with scripture. It's called "Cosmic Conflict." It explains that the devil used to be a beautiful angel. He rebelled. He basically kidnapped this planet. That when our first parents, Adam and Eve, when they chose to listen to the words of the serpent instead of the Word of God, Satan basically claimed the planet. Anything good happening is because God is intervening, but this planet Jesus calls the devil the prince of this world. And so, it's not God's will that there be any evil. The whole plan of salvation is to save the world from evil and this archfiend called the devil. So, that's a truncated explanation.
Jëan: You know, we do have a study guide that talks about this. It's called "Did God Create a Devil?" And it talks about the fall of Lucifer and where sin came from. And of course, one of the big themes I think, Pastor Doug, throughout scripture is God recognizes freedom of choice. The Bible calls us to make a choice, like Joshua says, "Choose you this day whom you'll serve." God respects freedom of choice. And because of that, bad things happen to good people and the devil has a hand in bringing suffering and pain. So, yeah, call and ask for that. You'll be blessed. The number to call is 800-835-6747. Ask for the study guide, it's called, "Did God Create a Devil?" You can dial #250 on your smartphone and ask for the study guide that way, and we will send you a digital copy. Thank you, Connie. We've got David, listening in California. David, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
David: Hi, pastors. Thank you for taking my call. My question is, there's a verse in the Bible that goes sort of like, you know, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And so, with that being said, why is there a differentiate between the Old Testament and the New Testament actions of God, as far as like an example of that is like the Old Testament says, you know, God executed the women, children, and men of certain tribes, and then in the New Testament, you know, God tells us how to, you know, love our enemies and so forth.
Doug: Okay, very good. I think the verse you're looking at, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever, is in Hebrews.
Jëan: Hebrews 13:8.
Doug: Hebrews 13:8, and it is true. It's the same God in the Old Testament. Jesus said, "If you've seen Me, you've seen the Father." There's not two different Gods. It's the same God in both. Part of the confusion comes in because in the Old Testament you have God's people working under a theocracy and you've got civil law. Jesus talking about turning the other cheek and forgiving people is talking about interpersonal law, interpersonal relationships. The government cannot operate on, we're going to turn the other cheek when someone steals from you. You have to implement in a law, you'd just have chaos. You can do that in your interpersonal relationships, and so when God tells a nation of Israel or another nation to annihilate their enemies, that was a government acting in a war against people that were vowed to destroy Israel if they didn't destroy them. But God is not willing that any should perish. War, the Lord hates war. He hates evil. He hates death. Jesus came to give us life. It's the same God that is so merciful in the Old Testament, and even those nations that He judged, He says, "I'm going to give them a few hundred years to repent." And so, I mean, He's very, very patient with them. Now, whether God sends an army to destroy a nation, or they're destroyed by a plague or they're destroyed by an earthquake or a flood, the judgment and death comes to everybody, and so will we turn before our day comes.
Jëan: And you even see, Pastor Doug, in the judgments of God, you see mercy. For example, in the days of the flood, before the flood, God waited until there were just really Noah and his family that were left. Everyone else had turned against Him, so He waited as long as He could before judgment came. And that's why the Bible says: "God is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." But there is a day of judgment, as the Bible makes that clear. God can't wait forever.
Doug: And you see plagues and blood in the Old Testament, and you go to Revelation in the New Testament, you see plagues and blood. You see the love of God. The commandment, "Love your neighbor," starts in the Old Testament. Jesus is quoting Moses when He says, "Love your neighbor as yourself." So, it's the same God. Some confusion comes because Old Testament, it's sort of like a civil story. New Testament, it's more of interpersonal.
Jëan: All right, next caller that we have is Virginia, in California. Virginia, welcome to the program.
Virginia: Hi, good evening. I'm calling in regards to, I think I told them, 1 Kings 14, but I think I've found it. It's 1 Kings 13, and it has to do with the prophet that went to the king on behalf of the Lord, and he was not to eat or drink, and an old prophet got a hold of this and got him to eat and drink. Long story, basically, at the very end, he died because the lion, you know, ate him and everything. The old prophet told his sons, my question is, the old prophet told his sons, please bury him. And when you bury me and put my bones next to him. Was he feeling guilty or really mourned for it, because it even says, "I mourned for him," you know, like 1 Kings at 13:29, I think. I'm trying to get it to help you out.
Doug: No, you got--I know the story very well. I know exactly what you're talking about. And just for our friends that are listening, we always remember there's a lot of folks driving down the road and they can't thumb through the Bible. We don't want them to text either. This story is a very interesting, somewhat bizarre story, true. Prophet comes to Jeroboam, sent from Judah, and says, "Because you've turned the nation to idolatry, you know, God is going to destroy this altar and there'll be a curse upon your family." And he's told to not eat in that place because they turn to idols, or drink any water. Well, this prophet, his sons tell him what had happened that day in the king's presence, and this was, he said, "Well, go chase him down, bring him to me." He went after the young man and said, "Come stay at my house." He said, "No, the Lord told me not to eat or drink in this place." He said, "Oh, but I'm a prophet like you are. God told me to come and relieve you." Well, he lied to him. He wanted so much to talk to him, and he didn't listen to the Lord. He listened to a man saying he had the Word of God, very important lesson there. So, it ends up the lion kills him. Lion does not eat him, but a lion kills him, and the prophet said, "I know what he said is going to come to pass," and it did, and during the time of Josiah. And he says, "Bury me on his bones because I know he was a true prophet of God." Yeah, it tells you that someone who once had the gift of prophecy actually lied, but that's not new because you got Balaam, who is a prophet, who also goes bad. So, it's kind of a bizarre story, but I'm sure there's a lot of good lessons in there.
Jëan: You know, you also wonder why did God have to send a prophet all the way from Judah when there was a prophet right there in the northern kingdom. Why didn't he speak up and say, "Wait a minute, this is not the right thing. We shouldn't be building altars here and golden calves." And he almost neglected his responsibility, and then he lied to the younger prophet and--.
Doug: That cost him his life.
Jëan: That's right. Interesting story. All right, well, thank you, Virginia. Next caller that we have is Jerry, in Texas. Jerry, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
Jerry: Last question, Pastors. This is a thing I was searching. I'm reading my Bible on a daily basis now for my church. In Nehemiah 6:65, did the Urim and Thummim survive all those generations or did they make different breastplates for the priests throughout all those ages?
Doug: Yeah, the Urim and Thummim were on the shoulders of the ephod, the breastplate of the high priest. When Nebuchadnezzar sacked the temple, and he took away everything, the only thing that was missing was the ark of the covenant. We believe Jeremiah and some priests hid it in a cave somewhere around Jerusalem. Thousands of caves around that country and it's never been found, but all of the other articles were carried off. Some returned, following the Babylonian captivity, but there's no mention. It seems that the Urim and Thummim, they wanted to be able to consult the--it had these stones that would light up or glow or something, and it seems that that had disappeared or maybe it was melted down. We don't know, but it, yeah, there's no record that it ever came back. They probably had to fabricate another one for the priest. And yeah, because it said that they didn't know what to do until they could consult the Urim and Thummim. I just--I'm reading through the Bible probably same pace as you right now, just got done reading that Nehemiah a few weeks ago.
Jëan: You know, it's interesting, Pastor Doug, after the captivity, you do have this example, but from then onwards, it doesn't seem as though God really communicated a whole lot to Israel through the Urim and the Thummim. I mean, He'd speak through a prophet, but even the prophets, there was a period of time where the prophets were quiet leading up. And then, of course, there's a flurry of prophetic activity just before the Messiah comes, with reference to John the Baptist and others. But, yeah, that is interesting, interesting story with that.
Doug: I heard an old country preacher said, Today's Urim and Thummim is you get Urim Bible and thumb them through it.
Jëan: That's a good one. All right, next caller that we have, let's see, we've got Jonathan, from Michigan. Jonathan, welcome to the program.
Jonathan: Hello, hello.
Doug: Hi, thanks for calling.
Jonathan: Yeah, it's a, it's just a real honor and privilege to be speaking with both of you. So, I had this supernatural experience, but I don't know how to explain, and for the last couple of years I've been trying to understand what it is because I know in the last days, God's going to bring a revival back of the Ten Commandments. The experience that I had, it took place back in midsummer of 2019. And it was in the midsummer day, and I went, you know, I was tired, so I decided to go lay down in bed and I fell asleep and I woke up to the sound of thunder. But the second time. When it struck, it wasn't thunder. It was a voice as clear as you and I that said, "The Ten Commandments." And I was, in that moment, I was in shock and awe. I didn't know how to explain it. A part of me was fearful, but at the same time, the other part of me was in peace. And right after that, the Book of Psalms 29, verse 7 came to mind: "The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning."
Doug: So, you're wondering what does this mean or why did this happen?
Jonathan: Yeah, yeah, it's always puzzled me as to why.
Doug: Well, you know, I won't pretend that I've got the gift of Joseph where I can interpret dreams and visions. I do know the Bible says in the book of Joel chapter 2 that "in the last days I'll pour out My Spirit and your sons and daughters will dream dreams and see visions." You know, God sometimes will give a particular vision for an individual. It's not that, you know, you've been called to the gift of prophecy, but God can speak to you through an experience. Certainly, it would mean keeping the Ten Commandments, and not only Psalm 29, but I'd invite you to read Psalm 119, which is all about the Word and the law of God. And, for any of our friends out there that are wondering, I do believe that there needs to be a revival of proclaiming the Ten Commandments in the last days. The will of God has not changed, and some people think the Ten Commandments were done away with at the cross, which is absurd. And we have a book that's called, "Does God's Grace Blot Out the Law?" We'll be happy to share. We also have that study guide, "Written in Stone."
Jëan: That's right, we'll be happy to send that as well. Just call 800-835-6747. You can ask for a book. It's called, "Does God's Grace Blot out the Law?" And you can get the study guide called, "Written in Stone," and you can learn all about the Ten Commandments and its application for us today. The number is 800-835-6747. You can dial #250 on your smartphone and just say "Bible Answers Live" and then ask for it by name. Again, "Does God's Grace Blot Out the Law?" or "Written in Stone." You can ask for both and we can send you a digital copy of that.
Doug: Price is the same, huh? It's free.
Jëan: Price is right, yeah, it's a good price. Next caller that we have is Phoenix, in Montana. Phoenix, welcome to the program.
Phoenix: Hey, guys, I appreciate both of you. 2 Corinthians 12:2, Paul talks about a gentleman he knew that was taken up to the third heaven. I never knew who he was talking about and a brother in the faith who's walked a lot longer than I, said it was Paul. So, who was it?
Doug: Well, I agree with your friend in the faith. I think Paul is speaking in modest terms when he said, "I knew a man that was caught up to Christ, whether in the Spirit or not in the Spirit." He's basically saying it felt like it was real, but it may have been a vision. "And heard things he's not supposed to utter." I think Paul is saying it's him, and he's using kind of, what's the word for it, he's using sort of ambiguous language. It's not uncommon of, you know, John the apostle said, "The disciple whom Jesus loved," he wouldn't say "me." And so, Paul, he's talking in the beginning of chapter 12, "It's not profitable for me to boast." He--Paul said, you know, "Because of all the visions and stuff I've had, God allowed the devil to test me with a thorn." So, Paul's saying, "I don't want to boast, but I knew a guy that was caught up to heaven." We believe he's talking about himself.
Jëan: All right, great, good question. Thank you. Sabra, he's listening in Hawaii. Sabra, welcome to the program.
Sabra: Oh hi, hey, Pastor Doug, real quick. I know some people you know from Tahquitz Canyon, James William McIntyre, Tahquitz Jim, and Sunny. They have a little boy named Tuy Tahquitz.
Doug: Yeah, I know Jim lived in Hawaii the last few years of his life. Well, that's great. I'm glad to meet you.
Sabra: Yeah, well, yeah, Jim died about 15 years ago, but I have a son of his.
Doug: Oh really? Oh, well that, I'm glad to make your acquaintance. You need to call me after the program, we'll catch up.
Sabra: I would love to. I saw that you talked to Glenna. Her real name's Glenys, Sunny, on Facebook and yep, yep, well, good. That's a small world, huh? Anyways, my son, Jimmy's son, Reggie's going to be 32. He needs--or 33. He's going to need prayer. He's struggling with heavy crystal meth right now, and he needs prayer. He's over here in Maui. But my question is for another son, I have a 27-year-old boy that just started reading the Bible and has given his heart to the Lord. And we've been fellowshipping for the last 6 months. Now he loves history and he's-- yeah, he started reading the Bible from the beginning to the end, that's what he's doing now. And he struggles with gaming. He's very addicted to gaming, video gaming, and I'd like to know, where should I start with him because he's agreed to do this. Where should I start with him with Bible studies?
Doug: Well, you know what, this may sound like an odd answer and I wouldn't give it to everyone, but I would recommend, you know, I have a testimony book and, of course, Jim and Sunny are in the book, and it tells how I was converted through reading the Bible, and I struggled with the Old Testament, and then I went to the New and read about Jesus, so I started in Matthew. That's where I'd tell him to start, but boy, he would really--I think he'd get a kick out of hearing my testimony because of the history we have, and it might encourage him. It's called, "The Richest Caveman," and yeah, talks all about the canyon and stuff. Hey, Sabra, I hope you'll reach out and contact me sometime after the program. I'd like to catch up. Thank you so much. For my friends listening, I became a Christian because I met somebody up in a cave. This is who Sabra was talking about, who passed away a few years ago, Jim McIntyre.
Jëan: All right, that's a great story, Pastor Doug. I think--I think your testimony is also on YouTube.
Doug: That's right, they can watch it for free. Just go to Doug Batchelor testimony on YouTube. There's several versions of it.
Jëan: Okay, great. Stacie, listening in Indiana. Stacie, welcome to the program.
Stacie: Thank you so much for taking my call. My question is that I belong or I'm going to two different churches, okay? And I love them both. They're really not that different. So, my question is, am I sinning for going to two different denominations?
Doug: Of course, you know, you'll find good people in many different churches and many different denominations, but ultimately, you want to pick a church that is founded on principles of truth, that the fundamentals of the church doctrines are biblical doctrines. Some people pick a church because there's a friendly charismatic pastor, and but yet some of the doctrines that they teach are very dangerous. Paul calls them doctrines of devils. Some people pick a church because they love their choir program, but they don't realize that the foundational doctrines of the church are unbiblical. And so that's your first criteria. Everything else is the candy and the dressing. But so, we have a study guide that talks about "Search for the True Church." It's actually--that's a book, "Search for the True Church," and we have a study guide called, "The Bride of Christ."
Jëan: The number to call for that is 800-835-6747. You can ask for that study guide, "The Search for the True Church," and a book called, "The Bride of Christ." You can also dial #250 on your smartphone and just say, "Bible Answers Live," and you can ask for the book as well. And, you know, Pastor Doug, I think there is something if we find the truth and we find a group of believers who are holding to the truth, you know, we want to not only attend, but we want to get involved. We want to make a stand for the truth. And sometimes it's a difficult decision, but you can't, as they say, have your foot in two boots. You've got to make a decision, so.
Doug: We're running short on time. I wonder if we can do number 11.
Jëan: All right, let's see, we've got Marvins in Canada. Marvins, welcome to "Bible Answers Live."
Marvins: Hi, Pastor.
Doug: Hi.
Marvins: My question is, according to John 6, verse 46, no one has saw the Father. However, Enoch, Elijah, and Moses, I think they see him. Can you explain this for me?
Doug: Yeah, well, we'll do our best. I know it can sound confusing because some places like Jesus said, "No one has seen the Father." But, and in the Old Testament when Moses said, "Can I see your glory?" God said, "No man can see My face and live." We're assuming this is speaking about God the Father in His undiminished glory. "And so, God put Moses in the cleft of a rock. He passed by and He moved His hand away, and He said, 'You will see Me from behind, but you can't see My face.'" And those who did say they saw God where, like, the wife of Manoah actually said, "We've seen the Lord, we're going to die," and Jacob said, "I've seen the Lord." They were seeing what you call a Christophany. Jesus, pre-incarnate Christ, is what they saw. So "No man has seen the Father." is still true. Of course, Elijah now and Enoch, they're ascended in heaven. It's talking about "no sinful man." Once you get your glorified body and you're pure, you can--you can see God the Father. And it says in Revelation, we'll see Him face to face in the end.
Jëan: That's right. Revelation 22 talks about the promise you shall see Him face to face. So that is the ultimate reward or the joy. All right, maybe one more, Pastor Doug. Let's see. We got Bob in Washington. Bob, welcome to the program. We got less than a minute.
Bob: Yes, is this me?
Jëan: Yes, it's you.
Bob: Oh, okay. Hi there, Pastor Ross. I'm just wanting to know if God's love is unconditional.
Doug: Yes, God's love is unconditional. You can read in, is it Romans chapter 8 where he says, "Neither height nor depth nor things past or present," I'm paraphrasing, "can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Even if people are lost, it breaks the heart of God. He loves them. God loves us while we're sinners. That's why He sent Jesus. Yet friend, you who are listening right now, wherever you are, He loves you and He wants you to come to Him. I hope you'll do that. For those listening on satellite, we're going to sign off. For the rest of you, stay tuned, we're going to be coming back with rapid fire Bible questions in just about 20 seconds.
announcer: Thank you for listening to today's broadcast. We hope you understand your Bible even better than before. "Bible Answers Live" is produced by Amazing Facts International, a faith-based ministry located in Granite Bay, California.
Jëan: Hello, friends, and welcome back to "Bible Answers Live." Pastor Doug, we've got some email questions that have been sent in. Friends, if you'd like to send us an email question, the email address is BALquestions@amazingfacts.org, just BALquestions@amazingfacts.org. All right, Laura is asking: "How are God's chosen people the Jews, when so many Jews today don't even believe that Christ is the Messiah?"
Doug: Well, God chose the Jewish people, and some, you know, all through history, even in the Old Testament did not believe and follow God. So New Testament, Old Testament, there were believers and there were unbelievers in the Jewish nation. So that's not the criteria. He chose them to be two things. They were to be the ones who would protect the Word, the written Word, and they were to present the living Word, Jesus. The Jews were to announce and proclaim the Messiah to the world, which they did at Pentecost. They introduced Jesus. And so, and now not only are there Jews, literal Jews, I believe, now there's a whole nation of spiritual Jews that have been grafted in, that also believe. And we have a book called "Spiritual Israel" they can order.
Jëan: All right, Alfred is asking, "If one angel could kill 185,000 soldiers in one night, why do the angels stand by and allow things like mass shootings to take place?"
Doug: Well, because we're in a world that's filled with not only good angels, but there are millions of evil angels. Paul said, "We wrestle against spiritual powers of wickedness in heavenly places." And there's a battle. Jesus said we are to pray that God's will is done. The reason we pray that is because God's will is not always done, and it is not God's will when these terrible things happen. But there's a war raging between good and evil. God does not always interfere with His superior power. He lets people make choices and others suffer from those bad choices.
Jëan: All right, another question: "What does it mean when Jesus said, 'The night is coming and no one can work'?"
Doug: Yeah, we want to work for the night is coming. That's a famous hymn. For one thing, Jesus was able to preach with a certain amount of freedom in His day, but He knew after His death, you read about this in Acts chapter 8, a great persecution arose, and it's-- many times the night of persecution has come upon God's people where the church had to go underground, and they were persecuted in the days of the apostles as well. So, friends, today, when--if you're in a country in the world where you've got freedom to proclaim the gospel, that's why Amazing Facts is doing what we're doing. You notice we spend the bulk of our time proclaiming the Word because it changes hearts. Hope it'll change yours and, God willing, we'll be doing this again next week. You want to tune in, we'll also be on Hope Channel as well as our other stations. God bless, friends, and keep praying.
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