Falling Spiritually

Scripture: Judges 11:30, John 14:8, John 20:6-7
Date: 06/30/2013 
Experts say the survival rate for a personal falling from a three story building is only about 50%. Surviving a fall from a ten story building, well almost never.
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Doug Batchelor: Hello friends! This is Doug Batchelor. How about an amazing fact? Experts say the survival rate for a personal falling from a three story building is only about 50%. Surviving a fall from a ten story building, well almost never. Yet on December 7, 2007 Alcides Moreno fell 47 stories from a New York skyscraper after a snapped cable sent his window washing platform plunging to the concrete pavement. The accident killed his brother who was working on the same scaffold, and left 37 year old Moreno in critical condition with ten broken bones and a brain hemorrhage.

In spite of several cracked vertebrae, he escaped severing his spinal cord which would have left him paralyzed. Doctors couldn’t risk moving him to an operating room so they performed surgery right there in the emergency room. Then after three weeks in a coma, on Christmas day he awoke and spoke. Less than a month later he was discharged, and six months later he was walking with a limp. Doctors say Moreno’s survival is astounding yet even miraculous. Did you know the Bible tells us about people who have survived falling from dizzying heights? Stay with us friends we are going to learn more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of Bible Answers Live.

[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]

Doug Batchelor: Welcome, listening friends to Bible Answers Live. We are so thank full that you’ve turned in for another fresh installment of a Bible study where you get to be involved. If you would like to call in with a Bible question and it’s a toll free number it’s 800-GOD-SAYS. Do you have your pencil ready? 800-463-7297 and this is an international interactive Bible study we are going to search the word together. We do our best to answer your Bible questions one more time lines are open right now, and it’s a good time to pick up the phone if your somewhere out on the road traveling for the independence weekend vocation. You can give us a call; 800-463-7297 will bring you into the studio, and my name is Doug Batchelor.

Jëan Ross: My name is John Ross good evening listening friends and Pastor Doug let’s begin the program with pray. Dear father once again we thank you that we can spend a few moments together studying your word. We want to invite your presence to be with us, guide our hearts and our minds. Be with those who are listening wherever they might be, and thank you father for giving us your word which is a lamp into our feet and a light to our path. Bless our time together for we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

Doug Batchelor: Amen.

Jëan Ross: Pastor you opened the program by talking about an incredible survival of a man who feel 10 stories. Of course that’s high when you stand at the base of a building and you look up ten floors it’s quite a ways up there.

Doug Batchelor: Well, actually this man – I said 10 stories is, almost no one survives that, this man feel 47.

Jëan Ross: Forty seven…

Doug Batchelor: Forty seven stories and it is just absolutely incredible that – of course it was a tragedy horrific can you imagine. I’ve done skydiving have you ever done that yet?

Jëan Ross: No, I haven’t.

Doug Batchelor: Would you be willing? You’re not going to make a commitment on the radio.

Jëan Ross: I’ve jumped with a parachute of a mountain one time, but not out of a plane.

Doug Batchelor: That’s still impressive, but to free fall…

Jëan Ross: That’s right…

Doug Batchelor: The distance of 47 stories would be terrifying of course he lost his brother, but to survive well it’s on the same level as somebody surviving from falling out of an airplane, because you just about terminal velocity at that speed. And, then of course I tied that into people in the Bible who have fallen from great heights, but I wasn’t talking about falling from a Biblical skyscraper – where you know the devil asked Jesus to jump off a pinnacle. The Bible tells us Satan feel from heaven, but we are talking about people who fall spiritually and that might apply to some of our friends listening right now.

Ecclesiastes 4, 9, and 10, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor for if they fall the other will lift up his fellow, but woe to him that is alone when he falleth for he has not another to help him up.” You know some people fall and they think, “How do I ever survive this” in the Bible they talk about falling a great height, and David the king was at the zenith of his kingdom. He was winning battles on every front and he had a great reputation “The Giant Killer” he was good looking he was bright and poetic, and had everything going for him, and then he had that terrible spiritual fall with Bathsheba and it actually gravitated into a least been an accomplice in the murder of a friend.

So, how do you recover something like that you know the Bible tells us that David thoroughly repented of his sin it was confessed it was repented. Then you read Psalm 51, or you can even read Psalm 32, and he talks about, “Blessed is a man who’s transgression is forgiven” or Psalm 51, he said, “Take not from me your Holy Spirit restore onto me the joy of your salvation” and David did come back again, God used him again to win further victories to inspire him with other songs, and he was able to come back from that. Of course the consequences don’t always go away, but the Bible is full of examples of people like Peter and Moses and others…Abraham, that have made spiritual mistakes they have tripped, they have fallen. The key is not to staying down, but getting back up again.

This man was visiting a dock where a fisherman was sitting one day and looking of the dock he said, “If I were to fall in there would I drown?” the fisherman thought that was a strange way of asking how deep the water was, but he said, “Falling in doesn’t kill anybody it’s staying under that kills you” and so friends if you have fallen don’t stay under that’s what is dangerous, get up again. There is a promise in the Bible in Jude 24, well there is a Jude verse 24, and there is only one chapter in Jude. Jude verse 24, “Now under him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” friends if you’ve fallen and you’ve thought I’ve prayed, and repented over this sin so many times God’s probably tired of hearing from me.

No, he’s not the thing that is a danger is if we cease to repent. So, don’t be fearful of coming to the lord when you fall ask him for forgiveness and ask him for power and a change of heart…he is able to keep you from falling. Maybe you would like to know how to get a new beginning or maybe you have never accepted Jesus. We have a special offer tonight to talk about, “How to accept and embrace that salvation.”

Jëan Ross: We have a study guide that is entitled, Rescued from Above and it tells you the good news of salvation and what it is in order for us to receive that wonderful gift that Jesus wants to give us. Again, the name of the study guide is, Rescue from Above and if you call our resource line that number is 800-835-6747 again, that number is 800-835-6747, and you can ask for the study guide Rescue from Above and we will be happy to send that out to anyone who calls and asks for it. Also, if you’re close to your computers you can join us here in the studio via our live web feed that’s Live.Amazingfacts…wait a minute what is it…Live.Amazingfacts.org that’s Live.Amazingfact.org and you can join us here I the studio. Well we are ready to go to the phone lines our first caller this evening is Fred and he is listening from Stanford Connecticut. Fred welcome to the program.

Fred: Yes, what can you tell me about the high Sabbath?

Doug Batchelor: Well in the Bible I believe it’s the gospel of John where it talks about that Sabbath was the “high Sabbath,” and it’s speaking of when an annual Jewish feast – a number of the Jewish feasts were called Sabbaths they were days of rest, holy days. They came once a year such as Passover, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles. When an annual Sabbath overlapped the weekly Sabbath they claimed a double blessing and they called it a “High Sabbath,” and it so happens that the week of the Passover when Jesus died was an example of the Sabbath from the annual Passover happened to overlap with the regular weekly Sabbath, and they called that a “High Sabbath” and they claimed they claimed they got a double blessing on that day.

Jëan Ross: The verse you’re referring to is John chapter 19, and verse 31, where it speaks about that Sabbath been a “High Sabbath” that of course is the Sabbath that immediately followed the Crucifixion of Jesus on Friday.

Doug Batchelor: Does that help a little Fred?

Fred: Yes, it does appreciate it.

Doug Batchelor: Absolutely, if you’d like we also have a website dedicated – we get a lot of question on the Sabbath and they are very important and valid questions. A lot of Christian churches are sort of re-discovering how important it is to have that day of rest. There is a website called, Sabbathtruth.com, Sabbathtruth.com it just has gobs of information presented in a very attractive easy to understand way, and we know that you’ll all appreciate that.

Jëan Ross: Our next caller is Jackie and he’s calling from Louisiana. Jackie welcome to the program.

Jackie: Thank you.

Doug Batchelor: Hi! And, your question?

Jackie: My question is John chapter 14, starting at verse 8, where Phillip says, “Unto him lord show us the father and it’s suffices us Jesus” you know can you explain that to me when Jesus said, “If you see me you’ve seen the father?”

Doug Batchelor: Yeah, the Bible tells us that Christ one of them principle reasons that Jesus came was of course just to die for our sins, and to show us how to love and treat one another, but beyond that he came to help us understand God, to show us the father, and so, Jesus is called the image of the father…he came in the person of the father. That shouldn’t surprise us the Bible says, “God is one, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all perfectly united” it’s interesting to me now when I call home how when my boys answer the phone I can’t tell them apart, because they have that distinct Bachelor voice.

And, the oldest boy – people call in and they think that he is me, because we sound a little alike especially if all you get is hello. So, Jesus of course he came to reflect the personality of the father there is no difference where their characters are different they are united in one in their character and personality. So, if we want to know what God is like, some people think that God of the Old Testament is a harsh vindictive judgmental God and Jesus is loving and merciful and gracious. They are really the same they are identical you can see judgment in the New Testament you can see mercy and grace in the Old Testament. So, Jesus came to reveal what the father is like.

Jëan Ross: You know Jesus asks said of him self – we read about this in John, “He is the alpha and the omega and he’s referred to as the word” our words or our thoughts expressed and so, Jesus is the thoughts of God revealed. If you want to know what God is like, the father then looks to Jesus. That’s why he said to the disciples, “He who has seen me has seen the father.”

Doug Batchelor: Yeah, the Bible tells us that Christ is all the fullness of the God head bodily so all of God was sort of poured into him. Appreciate your question Jackie. By the way we do have a book that talks about God and some of these components and it’s dealing with the subject of trinity it talks about the relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If you ask for our free book and study guide on the Trinity we will be happy to send that to you.

Jëan Ross: The number to call is 800-835-6747 that is our resource line and you can as for the book on the Trinity I believe it’s entitled, The Trinity isn’t Biblical and we’d be happy to send that to anyone who calls and asks the number again is 800-835-6747. Our next caller is Ed and he’s listening from Chicago Illinois. Ed welcome to Bible Answers Live.

Ed: Hello gentlemen! Thank you for taking my call love your show I always hear it.

Doug Batchelor: Well, thank you.

Ed: I had a question about the end of time and it’s regarding – I’m translating from the Spanish version. It Bible says that men will say, “He’s in safety and then the end will suddenly come” and I’m wondering how that is going to play in the end of time. I wondering if say there is a financial promise we are having and all the prices are going on in this world. Will it get better and then boom the end will come or how will it play out?

Doug Batchelor: Well, first of all the verse you’re talking about I believe is first Thessalonians 5:3, “For when they say peace and safety then sudden destruction comes upon them as labor pains upon a pregnant woman” I do believe this is in connection with the second coming, because Jesus refers to his coming as birth pains, and here Paul if referring to it as labor pains. It’s like the world goes through a convulsion before it is delivered from all of the suffering and persecution and it has a new birth you might say, because will ultimately create a new heaven and new earth.

How that’s going to play out there will be a great time of trouble you know the political leaders will be saying, “peace and safety” I don’t know if that means everything is going to be easy in the world, but they are going to be forecasting years of peace. Jesus, you know this is something I’ve heard people argue both ways, Jesus said, “As it was in the Day of Lot and as it was in the Days of Noah” well just before the flood you know it was probably a beautiful day there in the antediluvian world, and just before the fire came down “Lots” time it may have been another beautiful day the economy could have been booming. So, while I do think there is going to be an increase of natural disasters, there is probably going to be serious economic problems connected with the beast power, because I think it’s going to require the consolidation of an international economy to control buying and selling. Did that make sense?

Ed: Right, absolutely yeah.

Doug Batchelor: So, I think there is going to be some kind of financial meltdown that’s going to lend us towards an international economy, and we are getting there now, but there will be an increase in Jesus said, plagues, or earthquakes you know we have seen terrible Tsunamis and I think you’re just going to see like, when a lady is about to have a baby she might have a birth pain every now and then up until the time of the baby – they call the Braxton Hicks contractions.

It does not mean anything it’s just the body getting ready for the main event, but finally when those contractions start coming and there 20 minutes, apart and then 10 minutes apart, and then 5 minutes apart you notice there is intensity, an increase in frequency, and intensity just before the baby comes. We will see an increase in frequency, intensity of these disasters everything from the plagues, to the wars, to the natural disasters, just before Jesus comes. Now, I don’t know did I ever get anywhere near your question.

Ed: No, you did yeah, I’m just wondering you know do you see things getting worse and it makes me wonder what to do.

Doug Batchelor: Right, how do you prepare. Well, I don’t recommend you take your money and put it in a mattress. I know people back in 2000 that thought for sure the world was going to end with Y2K which turned out to be the mother of all false alarms, and they ran for the hills and cut up all their identification cards and they ate out of 5 gallon buckets of beans. They got tired of that after a year and a half and kind of came back to civilization so, I think they took their money out of the mattress and put it back in the bank. You lose that interest so I think the best thing is just to pray that God gives you wisdom of where he wants you and when the time comes – I think the lord is going to impress his people what to do, and where to go and how to respond.

Ed: Amen, thank you for that.

Doug Batchelor: In the meantime people been lost they need to be warned.

Jëan Ross: You know we have a book talking about the second coming Pastor you wrote it, Anything but Secret and it gives some signs as it relates to the newness of the coming of Jesus also the manner of his coming and we will send that to anyone who calls and asks for it. The number for our resource line is 800-835-6747 and you can ask for the book, Anything but Secret that’s Anything but Secret, and we’d be happy to send it to anyone that calls and asks. We have Glen who is listening from New York. Glen welcome to the program.

Glen: Hi! Good evening Pastors.

Doug Batchelor: Evening.

Glen: My question has to do with the word [unintelligible] Ceila appears in a number of Psalms and the, Book of Habakkuk considering the fact that the Bible has been translated so many times form Hebrew to Greek to Latin to German to English and all the words for the most part are understandable and have been translated clearly, and have been identified yet the word [unintelligible] there remains this controversy. My question is why hasn’t it just been dropped since all the Biblical historians have not been able to agree on what that word mean?

Doug Batchelor: Well I will tell you what I have heard of course you know I’m just waning in on one of the camps so, it may sound bias. The Psalm in many time and not only in “Habakkuk” but in the Psalm for instance, Psalm 3 it says, “Ceila” and [unintelligible] means, usually God like, in Jehovah, but it really means, “Think on this” now [unintelligible], because the Psalm were music there was an interlude where you were supposed to meditate on something and so, in the New King James version I’m looking at right now, they have [unintelligible] of to the side in these Psalm, because they are saying, “This was a point in the poem or music when you’re supposed to have a interlude to mediate on what was said, and then you’d take up the next refrain” and you know we have that in music all over the world.

So, many have chose to leave it in because they thought for nothing else if this is ever put back to music they will know where David under inspiration said, “This is a place to pause and think about this.”

Glen: Oh, okay that makes sense. So, if there comes a time where we understand the meaning whatever it means can be inserted into the Psalm if I understand it correctly?

Doug Batchelor: Yeah.

Glen: Okay, well…

Doug Batchelor: Because it’s in some of the very ancient manuscripts and we think you know this may have been actually penned by David if it was inspirational leave it there. Was it part of the music well they didn’t write music like, the classical artists did, so you don’t want to delete the one thing he did write that was part of the music about where the pauses were.

Glen: I see because I was reading the Psalms and I actually facilitate a small Bible class, and to read a Psalm and to include the actual word which sounds meaningless to everybody it just doesn’t – it’s like playing an instrument and you hit a note out of…that’s out of key.

Doug Batchelor: Out of key. Well just tell them whenever they come to the word [unintelligible] that they’re supposed to it means, Think on this” take a breath and mediate on what was just said. You will find that the word always appears at the conclusion of a thought so…

Glen: Okay, then why hasn’t NIV or King James why don’t they translate that word then to say just that?

Doug Batchelor: Well because there is a discrepancy on whether it means, “Think on this or, Amen, or pause” so they left it in the original.

Jëan Ross: Yeah, some of the ideas in reference to what it actually means…it could mean, silence, or pause, or end, or even a loud restrain. There has been some question to what exactly…

Doug Batchelor: Go up a note.

Jëan Ross: Yeah, or what exactly the word means, but it carries with it the idea of pause or a break in the music in the song for complementation perhaps on the point.

Doug Batchelor: Yeah, appreciate your question Glen that’s a very important question I don’t think we have had that in years people need to know about that.

Jëan Ross: We have Keith who is listening from California. Keith welcome to the program.

Keith: Yes, thank you.

Doug Batchelor: Hi Keith! And your question?

Keith: I have a question on Zachariah chapter 3, and verses 1, and 2. I want to know if that messenger there is referring to Jesus I believe it is, but I just want to get your opinion on it before I run with it?

Doug Batchelor: In Zachariah 3, 1, and 2, it says, “He showed me again Josh where the high Priest standing before the angel of the lord, and Satan is standing at his right hand to oppose him and the lord said to Satan. The lord rebuke you Satan the lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you is not this brand plucked from the fire.” So, are you wondering if they angel of the lord standing there in the vision is Jesus?

Keith: Okay, I think I might’ve gotten the wrong verse I think its Malachi chapter 3.

Doug Batchelor: Okay, I was wondering because, “Behold I send my messenger he will prepare the way before me” that one?

Keith: Yes.

Doug Batchelor: That’s talking about John the Baptist.

Keith: Oh, okay so definitely talking about John the Baptist, okay.

Doug Batchelor: Yeah, it says, “He’ll prepare the way and the lord” so after the messenger prepares the way, “Then the lord who you seek will suddenly come to his temple” and Jesus said that, “John the Baptist was the one who was to go before him and prepare the way of the lord.” You know in Bible times when a king traveled they often had a contingent of people that went out before the chariot and they would fill in the low places, and they would cut down the high places and prepare the road. The work of Aliaga and John the Baptist was something like that, and there is going to be any army of John the Baptist in the last days to. Appreciate you question Keith.

Jëan Ross: We have Steve listening form S. Dakota. Steve welcome to the program.

Steve: Well hello!

Doug Batchelor: Good evening.

Steve: Yeah, my question is referring to the second beast I believe that come up out of the land.

Doug Batchelor: Okay, in revelation 13?

Steve: Yeah, and if I’m not mistaken I’ve heard you refer to it as the United States.

Doug Batchelor: Yeah.

Steve: Okay, doesn’t it receive a deadly wound to the head?

Doug Batchelor: Well let’s read it this is revelation 13, verse 11, “Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon” the land of the Bible is typically a symbol of something good, Jesus, dragon is the opposite, so he speaks like, a Christian, but then he’s legislating like a dragon.

Steve: Right.

Doug Batchelor: Or he actually looks like a Christian and legislates like a dragon and he exercises all his power all the power of the first beast, and he’s telling everyone to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed. So, the deadly wound actually happens to the first beast that you find in the first 10 verses.

Steve: I thought it was the second beast I’m sorry. I was wondering I if the wound could have been like a Civil War you know and you know the government takes a pretty good hit, but recovers from it. Okay, that’s what happens to the first beast not the second?

Doug Batchelor: Yeah, and it says I saw in verse 3 revelation 13, “I saw one of his heads as it has been wounded mortally, and as a deadly wound it was healed” so the wound of the first beast – and for anyone listening Amazing Facts has some lessons that deal with both American prophecy and we also have one that talks about the first beast who is the Anti-Christ. So, Keith you or anyone can take a look at this in addition if you go to YouTube Doug Batchelor has a YouTube that’s called America in Prophecy where I talk about these very verses that you’re asking about.

Jëan Ross: And, you’re on the right track Steve as far as that involved war this wounding to the first beast and yes, if your reading revelation chapter 13, it says, “He shall be killed with the sword he who kills with the sword shall be killed with the sword” that is in verse 10, and it’s referring to a judgment that comes upon the first beast.

Doug Batchelor: And, the sword especially the damage to the first beast comes from the word which is sharper than a two-edged sword so, it’s through the proclamation of the word he especially gets his deadly wound. I hope that helps a little bit Steve and by the way if you’d like to call and ask for a lesson that talks about the Anti-Christ. Who is the Anti-Christ we will send you that it talks about revelation 13 right there.

Jëan Ross: The number to call is 800-835-6747 and the study guide is again, Who is the Anti-Christ, and we’d be happy to send that to anyone who calls, and asks for it also right along with that The U.S. Prophecy is part of that same chapter and we will send you that as well.

Doug Batchelor: Well listening friends in just a moment we are going to be taking a break and we want to remind people that not only are we streaming today and you can be looking at the webcast of a radio program on Live.Amazingfacts.org, but of course you can listen to this program around the world on the internet and if you go to the Amazing Facts website which is simply Amazingfacts.org you will see a link for that, and you can tune in and call us from anywhere. We will be back right after these important announcements. You’re listening to Bible Answers Live.

Jëan Ross: You know Pastor Doug we like to also mention just before we take a break that we have a great website a resource for people who want to study the Bible and its called Bibleuniverse.com I believe .com. or .org will get you to that site. Bibleuniversity.org and I’m looking at it right here it’s possible for a person to take a correspondence online Bible school and enroll in the school it’s for free and you can study in different language. We have these study guides in English, Chinese, German, Hungarian, and many more.

Doug Batchelor: Yeah, just about every major language of the world people can do Bible studies and it’s fun when we get reports of people in China, and other parts of the world that our studying, so after you go through the Bible studies you might have a friend in some other part of the planet send them the link, and invite them to participate also in those Bible studies. So, as I mentioned we are going to come back with more Bible questions we have lines open call 800-GOD-SAYS, 800-463-7297. We will be back and take your questions in a moment.

[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

Doug Batchelor: We are back in Bible Answers Live the live part where you want to call in with your Bible question we invite you to do that. Are you ready 800-463-7297 brings you into the studio with your Bible question if you’ve have a little pause, or it rings just be patient and someone will pick up and take your question and pass it on to us. We also give out a number with our free resources and or if you need counseling its 800-835-6747 we can not only get your information to send you your study material, but people are there willing to pray with you and give you Christian counseling and with that I’m still Doug Batchelor.

Jëan Ross: And, I’m still John Ross and friends if you want to call in the number again is one more time we will remind you is 800-463-7297, 800-463-7297. We are going to go to Gary who is listening from Florida. Gary welcome to the program.

Gary: Hey, how are you guys doing this evening?

Doug Batchelor: Doing well, and your question?

Gary: Yes sir, Doug I was wondering who was the one who sat above the “Mercy seat” on the Ark of the Covenant? You know was it God the Father, God the Son, Jesus or was it the Holy Spirit?

Doug Batchelor: Well it’s an interesting work and maybe Pastor Ross will look it up and tell us where that phrase “Mercy seat” is found? It’s found in a number of places, but I understand that I heard that it was Martin Luther who chose that wording of the translation. It’s a unique Hebrew word and they were looking for a word that would talk about the place where God meet with them there between the angels. That “Mercy seat” of course nobody Moses, and God the Father didn’t sit down and position himself between those two golden angels as a throne.

It represents the throne of God in heaven you know in Isa chapter 6, when you…he has this vision of God on his throne he’s flanked by two cherubim each one with six wings, and so those golden angels on the Ark represents the presence of God and throne of God on earth. It was a place where Moses talked to God and the lord his presence was symbolized so, they called I the “Seat” but no one actually sat on it.

Jëan Ross: The verse you’re referring to actually there are many references to “Mercy seat” but the first reference is in Exodus chapter 25 verse 17 where it talks about the ark of the covenant. The lid of the Ark of the Covenant which was made of pure gold is called the “Mercy seat” and on either side were the two covering cherubs, and the “Shekinah Glory” that’s the visible presence of God was revealed above the “Mercy seat” in the most holy place in the tabernacle.

Doug Batchelor: So, I don’t know if that helps a little we actually have a lesson we can send you that has a picture of the Ark on the cover and that space in between the angels.

Jëan Ross: The study guide is entitled, God Drew the Plans and it talks about the sanctuary on earth, and also the sanctuary in heaven where Jesus is ministering as our high Priest. Call our resource line that’s 800-835-6747 and you can ask for the study guide God Drew the Plans and we will be happy to send that out to you. Our next caller is Jerry and he’s listening form Oregon. Jerry welcome to the program.

Jerry: Yes, good evening Pastor Ross and Bachelor.

Doug Batchelor: Good evening.

Jerry: Good evening, and I’m reading in a very perplexed by what I read in Judges 11:30 through 39. Basically this warrior by the name of Jeptha if, I’m pronouncing it right.

Doug Batchelor: Yes.

Jerry: He’s doing battle with the Ammonites and he makes a vow with the lord that if the lord gives him victory he will sacrifice the first thing that walks through the door of his home when he returns home, and the lord gives him victory. Then he goes home and long and behold his daughter walks through the door. He explains what he has to do and his daughter tells him he must keep his vow and he does. Now, human sacrifice is something that is detestable to the lord something he found very objection-able about the Pagan people and yet in this case he then stayed a hand as was done with Abraham and Isaac, so you see my point.

Doug Batchelor: I do, yeah you know I think there is a common misunderstand Jerry with this verse. The Hebrew law actually said, “That all first born children were to be offered to the lord” but they didn’t offer their actual children they offered an animal in its place. You could dedicate or offer your children to the lord and you never sacrifice them. What they did was like; Hanna promised God if you give me a son I will offer him to you. She brought him to the temple and he remained there the rest of his life he was a prophet he was dedicated to God something like a Nazarite vow.

Well you can also do that with your child and you notice that Jepthah he made a vow thinking whatever came through his gates – you know when you have a small farm, and I used to come home and our goats would run out to meet us and he was saying, “He thought the cow or the goat or something would come out” if his donkey had come out he would not have sacrificed his donkey, because you never sacrifice an unclean animal. He would have substituted something or done a sacrifice with money, but with your child what he did was he basically said was, “I’m going to give her to Gods service and she will be among the women that serve at the sanctuary. You read I the New Testament about Anna who served God in the sanctuary for 80 years from her widowhood and then you read how every year Hanna brought her son Samuel a little garment once a year after she dedicated him to the temple. You read that when Jepthah daughter says to her father, “Look you made a vow to God do what you promised” but give me some time to go bewail my virginity with my friends she doesn’t say, “Bewail my death.” She would never marry and like Anna in the New Testament she was going to dedicate the rest of her life to serving God. This is where some of our Catholic friends get the idea for the nuns remaining celibate from these two stories.

But, he didn’t offer her as a sacrifice, but it says, “He had no son he had no other child” that meant he would have no offspring, because she would never marry. She went to the temple it says, “The daughters of Israel went 4 days each year to lament the daughter of Jepthah the Gileadite” they would go see her once a year and spend 4 days with her so, no he didn’t offer her as a sacrifice. The best answer I’ve seen where the points that I just gave you are itemized and if you look online you can see for free the Mathew Henry commentary. Mathew Henry has a really good point-by-point scripture role, references for what I just shared with you.

Jerry: Okay, I’ll certainly do that.

Doug Batchelor: Yeah, so he didn’t…God never accepted human sacrifice Jepthah was mourning that he was now have to sacrifice having his daughter marry be part of his family she was been brought to the temple, but there was no example of any Jew sacrificing his child the only time they did that was for Pagan Gods. So, take a look at Mathew Henry’s commentary and see what you think, but I think there is a lot of scriptural support when you take a close look at that.

Doug Batchelor: We have Jesse who is listening form Florida. Jesse welcome to the program.

Jesse: Good evening.

Doug Batchelor: Good evening.

Jesse: Yeah, I just wondered if you have something to say about the prophetic meaning that John 20 verse 6, and 7, and I just let you read it, and about that, when [inaudible 0:38:42.6] saw that [inaudible 0:38:45.9] cloth, and the handkerchief that had been prepared.

Doug Batchelor: Yes.

Jesse: How come it says, “It’s folded together in a place by itself” is there a meaning you know or something?

Doug Batchelor: I think there is let me read it for our friends that are listening Jesse, and this is John 20 verse 6 and 7 the gospel of John, “Then Simon and Peter came, and he came to the tomb” following him he comes following John young John outran Peter, but Peter went in first, and it said, “He went into the tomb and when he saw the linen cloths lying there and the handkerchief that had been around his head not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself then the other disciple came in and he also believed.” What that really meant to them is they were afraid that someone had come and evicted the body of Jesus they tossed it out they reburied it, they weren’t sure what had happened, but they knew Jesus and Jesus was very neat, and he gave attention to detail and they thought only Jesus would pause after rising, and the angel maybe removed the handkerchief from his head and take the time to fold it, and they thought he is alive. So, it was that little attention to detail that I think was further evidence for them that this was not you know stealing the body or tomb raiders or you know his body been evicted, but Jesus himself rose and quietly folded the handkerchief. He was only interested in little things like when he multiplied the bread he said, “Don’t forget the scraps” I mean Jesus was thrifty, and neat. He would make a good house guest, so I think that’s the meaning of that.

Jëan Ross: Maybe a little more you can also look at – the only thing that Jesus left after his resurrection when he ascended to heaven was the clothes he was buried in his robe.

Doug Batchelor: Yeah.

Jëan Ross: And of course robes in scriptural clothes is connected with righteousness. Christ through his sacrifice leaves his righteousness for us…

Doug Batchelor: That’s right…

Jëan Ross: We can receive it by faith so I think maybe you can look at more of a symbolic application, but it’s comforting to know that Jesus pays attention to little things…little things in our life he is very much aware of and he’s concerned about.

Doug Batchelor: That’s right I appreciate your question Jesse I hope that helps a little.

Jesse: Oh, okay I thought that it was…

Doug Batchelor: You there?

Jesse: Yeah, I’m still here, well I thought about this is a symbolic of Jesus second coming, because you know I think it’s the custom before if you fold your napkin when you’re at your dining table something like that if you fold you napkin you’re not done yet you have to come back.

Doug Batchelor: You know I’ve heard that before and I’ve heard an eloquent presentation on that before and it’s touching and it’s fun to think about, but I don’t see an example of that in the Bible it’s just kind of a modern custom, so I don’t know that we could use that to support while that was happened. The napkin around his head was not like a dinner napkin from eating and dabbing your mouth it was the wrapping for – they were grave clothes that they would put around the head.

They used a different cloth for the head just out of respect. We have sometimes seen heaven-full-bid but, sometimes a person dies in public they cover them up, and so when a person died some cultures put pennies on their eyes and some people cover the face, so I think that’s what that is talking about, but I know what you’re talking about Jesus is coming back there is no doubt about that, thank you Jesse.

Jëan Ross: We have Leanne who is listening from Virginia. Leanne welcome to the program.

Leanne: Yes, hello…

Doug Batchelor: Hi!

Leanne: Thank you so much for your ministries Pastor Doug and Pastor Ross I listen to you every week.

Doug Batchelor: Well thank you.

Leanne: I have a question and I’m a little confused on how to express it, but when Paul sent ashes from the body present with the lord it’s almost like he’s debating with himself whether it would be better for him to live or die, and he says, “If he lives it will benefit the people he is writing to and if he dies he will be with Jesus” but if he thought he would be just be asleep until the last day, and then be resurrected why would he even have that in his faith then if he thought like, “What value would that be if he’s asleep all that time.”

Doug Batchelor: Right, well let me read to our friends listening.

Leanne: Thank you.

Doug Batchelor: If you read in second Corinthians 5, verse 6, “For we are always confident knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the lord for we walk by faith not by sight. We are confident yes, we are well pleased to be absent from the body and be present with the lord” you know it is a difficult verse the way it’s worded, but one thing we know that when a believer dies and they die in a saved condition as far as they are concerned immediately there next conscious thought is the resurrection and they are been caught up to meet the lord in the air; there is no passing of time.

For us that are on the earth that live in this dimension of time according to our calendars and clocks it hasn’t happened yet, because we know that in the future before people go to the reward there is a resurrection and there is a judgment. So, people don’t go to heaven before the resurrection and they don’t go to heaven before the judgment people get the rewards at the coming of the lord. That’s why the Bible says in first Thessalonians chapter 4, “And, the lord will descend from heaven with a shout the voice of the ark angel, the trumpet of God then the dead in Christ will rise, when he comes they rise” well so, if a believer like Paul dies the next thing he knows is the coming of the lord and he’s caught up to meet the lord in the air.

It’s like you’ve worked a long day and you go to sleep and the next thing you know it’s morning you have no consciousness that – some people drift off you know at their desk, and they wake up an hour later and have no idea it was so long. That’s what Paul was saying, “You know I need to stay here in this life in this body and serve you, but I’m torn I’d like to be present with the lord” and so I think that’s the perspective they had.

Leanne: Did Paul use that when you die then you stay asleep till the last day.

Doug Batchelor: Yes.

Leanne: If he believed that then why would he bother even debating it in his mind which would be better, because then it would be either, “I live and help out the people here or die in my sleep” so, why would he even debate that?

Doug Batchelor: Well I can debate that right now see in other words I can say, “Wow you know I’d love to go to sleep and be with Jesus. I would love that” but you know I’ve got a family and it’s probably too soon for me to exit their lives, and I’ve got work and church and so, I’m torn. So, I can see myself thinking exactly what Paul was thinking I think all of us get sick and tired of been sick, and tired in this world and all its sin and we would love to get out of here and have our next thought be the presence of the lord. But, you know while the lord has something for us to do here we need to stick around. So, I think that is what Paul is saying you read all about the sufferings of Paul he went through an awful lot, and you know I don’t think he wanted to stick around and just be persecuted every day.

Jëan Ross: You know we have a book called Absent from the Body and Leanne we would be happy to send that to you or anyone who calls and asks for it. Again, the book is called, Absent from the Body and it deals with those very passages of scripture. The number to call is 800-835-6747 that is our resource line and you can as for the book Absent from the Body.

We have Daniel who is listening from Michigan. Daniel welcome to the program.

Daniel: Thank you very much. My question is in regards to when Jesus directed his disciples to go out into the world and make Christians and baptize them in the name of the “Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” why his disciples and his apostles went out after that and said, “Go and be baptized in the name of Jesus?” I had a Pastor tell me that the difference was why we need to be baptized in the name of Jesus and not the “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” is, because those three are titles whereas; there is power in the name of Jesus. I just wanted to get your thoughts and opinions on that?

Doug Batchelor: Yeah, I’ve heard that and I would respectfully disagree I think first of all you can’t improve on the word of Jesus when he says, “Baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” he doesn’t say that they are titles. It is not wrong if you go to the New Testament it uses three different phraseologies in the New Testament. One it says, “baptized in the name of the lord” another time it says, “baptized in the name of the lord Jesus” and there is third variation that is slightly different. Obviously the apostles in the Bible did not make a big issue about the exact wording of that declaration the idea was they were baptized in the name of, Christ and the God of the Bible. So, the thing they wanted to make sure and add the apostles – keep in mind John the Baptist was baptizing right?

Daniel: Right…

Doug Batchelor: What name did he baptize in?

Daniel: I can’t recall of the top of my head.

Doug Batchelor: Yeah, well it doesn’t say, but I’m sure he baptized them in the name of Jehovah the God of the Bible or some derivative of that. For the apostles they wanted to make sure they did just do it as John the Baptist did it, but also included Jesus that he was the one to come that is why Christ said, “Baptized in the name of the Father” don’t forget what John the Baptist used, “and the name of the Son, and the Holy Spirit” so the three persons of the God head.

And, you know what I like to illustrate this question with a marriage if – Pastor Ross has done weddings I’ve done weddings and we go over the vowels with the people that before they get married and we will say, “Now, how would you like us to introduce you to the witnesses or the people coming witnessing a covenant” and some say, “Well do you Bill take Jane” and others might say, “Do you William Smith take Jane Butler” couldn’t think of a last name. So, they might want the whole thing they might want all three names and it’s very formal, but you know really how you say the names is not the big issue in a wedding. If everyone knows the two parties involved are making a covenant and they understand who they are making the covenant with that’s binding in any country. So, Christ is saying, “You’re making covenant with baptism to be cleansed and to live, and serve in the name of God of the Bible, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

Now, when I do a baptism I cover all my basis and I say, “In the name of the Father his Son, and Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit” so you know if a person is afraid the utterance is going to make the difference God doesn’t cleanse us from our sin, because some magic “Abracadabra” or incantation that we utter, and some churches treat it that way and that’s not where the power is the power is in the commitment that is made.

Jëan Ross: You know in the book you actually read about a group of people who are baptized by the Baptism of John, and later on the apostles where talking to them and they hadn’t yet been baptized in the name of Jesus, they hadn’t received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and so they were re-baptized in the name of Christ.

Doug Batchelor: Yep, Acts 19, so hope that helps a little bit Daniel. We do have a book on baptism and I address that subject, and one is a historical lesson we have a video online about it, and we have the study guide that talks about “power and purity.”

Jëan Ross: That’s right we will send it to anyone who calls and asks for it the number is 800-835-6747 and the study guide is called, Purity and Power. Where talking about baptism that’s 800-835-6747, we also have book which we will send you and that is Baptism is it Really Necessary if you want to learn more about this important subject ask for the book, Baptism is it Really Necessary.

We are going to go to Eric who is Des Moines Iowa. Eric welcome to the program.

Eric: Hey, I was wondering when God views man and a woman married in his eyes?

Doug Batchelor: Well we just kind of touched on that in our previous question you know if they have made – marriage is something that is a social covenant in other words it’s not just between you and the individual. People recognize two people are married you know one way you prevent adultery is that someone says, “Yeah, I’m married” and it’s publically understood that they are married. So, it’s a covenant that should be made and should be legally recognized by the culture you’re living in. Some states have common law marriage that means it is considered legal after a period of time, and other states do not recognize it. So, I don’t know if I’m answering specifically what you’re asking.

Eric: I just didn’t know if it was an actual ceremony when you made the covenant there in front of God and everybody or you know…

Doug Batchelor: Well why wouldn’t a person want to do that?

Eric: Yeah.

Doug Batchelor: You know in the Bible Jesus just told several parables about marriage and also his first miracle was performed at a wedding, so marriages were very important to the lord and he gave it that kind of priority so, I’d say, “Make it public do it right and don’t let there be any ambiguity about your love for that other person and your commitment” so it should be a happy and public event. Appreciate your question Eric and I hope that helps.

Jëan Ross: Well see if we have time for one more. We have Valerie who is listening from New York. Valerie we have about two minutes.

Valerie: Hi! Good evening I needed to give him a call. My question is Genesis.

Doug Batchelor: Okay.

Valerie: When God said, “Let us create man in our image” who was he speaking to?

Doug Batchelor: Well your find several places in genesis you will find it also in genesis 11, where it says, “The man has become like us” or…that’s in Genesis 3 rather, “Man has become like us to know good and evil” Genesis 11, it uses the plural also. We believe this is one of the examples where Elohim it’s a plural, and it represents God, the Father, Son and Spirit and so, God is talking among himself and saying, “Let us make man in our image in our likeness” and the Bible tells us New and Old Testament, “Man is made in the image of God” and you know many things like, “We are divine” in that humans are given the ability to procreate in their own image.

Man was made something of the God of this world he was given dominion of the planet of course that was kidnapped by the devil. But, man has many emotions and attributes of God that’s what we can relate to what God says in his word is, because he’s given us a mind and the ability to process and think in abstract ways and to reason with him.

Valerie: Okay.

Doug Batchelor: Hope that helps a little Valerie.

Valerie: Yes.

Jëan Ross: I think the book talking about the Trinity I think you would enjoy that I’m not sure whether it address this passage in particular, but it does talk about the Biblical principles with reference to the God in the Trinity.

Doug Batchelor: It talk about of course that verse in Genesis and how God, what the Hebrew word means and how God is referred to in the plural there, and it’s confused people because it says in the Bible, “Hero Israel the lord our God is one” people always thought that meant the one in numerical, but it’s really saying that God is united as a man and woman, become one flesh or as Jesus prayed the 12 apostles would be one. Pagans had hundreds of Gods that were all different there is one God in the Bible. Friends I think you can tell from the music that we are going to be chased of the precipice of this program momentarily, but we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at Amazingfacts.org and help us stay on the air you can donate online we’d be grateful. God bless you.

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