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words, sometimes simple
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should always be
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Welcome to "Bible Answers Live,"
providing accurate and practical
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answers to all
your Bible questions.
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This broadcast is a
previously-recorded episode.
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To receive any of the
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in this
broadcast, call 800-835-6747.
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Once again, that's 800-835-6747.
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Now here's your host from
Amazing Facts International,
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Pastor Doug Batchelor.
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Doug Batchelor:
Hi, listening friends.
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Would you like to
hear an amazing fact?
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In July 2018, an Indonesian
teenager, Aldi Adilang,
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was minding his floating fishing
hut when he awoke to find
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himself drifting
alone far out in the ocean.
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During the windy night, the
rope of his rompong snapped.
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A rompong is a little hut about
6 feet by 6 feet on a floating
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raft with no motor,
paddles, or steering.
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During the first few days
drifting at sea he survived on
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his meager food and
water supply, but then
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he turned to eating raw
fish and drank salty seawater
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he filtered
through his clothing.
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In the 49 days he was adrift, up
to ten ships passed by but none
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of their crews noticed him.
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Alone at sea, he sang
Christian songs, read the
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Bible he carried, and
earnestly prayed that he
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would live to see
his parents again.
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He admits that at one point he
felt so depressed he considered
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drowning himself, but he
kept going through prayer.
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His mother told the
news agency AFP how she
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learned of her
son's disappearance.
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"His boss told my husband
that he went missing, so we just
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surrendered to God
and kept praying hard."
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On the 31th of August, he
spotted a Panamanian coal ship
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that recognized his
signals of distress.
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Mr. Adilang was unaware that
he had floated all the way from
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Indonesia 1,200 miles to the
waters of Guam in the Pacific.
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The crew of the rescuing vessel
gave him water, food, and a
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change of clothes, and Mr.
Adilang stayed with the ship for
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a week until he reached
its destination in Japan.
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Two days later, his
prayer was answered and he
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was reunited with
his family in Indonesia.
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You know, Pastor Crews,
that's just an amazing story of
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survival and--18 years old
and he was able to do that.
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And the loneliness.
Can you imagine 59 days?
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And it reminds me of that verse.
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He spent the
time praying and he--
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providentially
he was a Christian.
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A lot of
Indonesians are Muslims,
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but he happened
to be a Christian.
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And that promise in the Bible,
"Call upon me in the day of
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trouble; and I will deliver
you, and you will glorify Me."
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That's, by the
way, Psalm 50, verse 15.
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Reminds us that
God answers prayer.
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Aron Crews: Yes, he does.
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God delivers us when
we call out to Him in
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our prayers, in
our everyday lives.
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But also there's an ultimate
deliverance that's coming, and
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that deliverance is at the
second coming, right, where
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God's coming on something
even bigger than a ship.
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He's coming with the clouds of
heaven, with all of the angels
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to deliver all of those who
call out to Him for deliverance.
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And on that, if you want to
learn more about God's ultimate
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deliverance, we have
a study guide for you.
00:03:38.18\00:03:41.28
So if you want to call in and
get this free offer on "Ultimate
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Deliverance," a study guide,
you can call 1-800-835-6747.
00:03:44.62\00:03:51.63
Or if you want, if you have a
phone you can just dial #250 and
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say the keyword "Bible
Answers Live" and ask for
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the "Ultimate
Deliverance" study guide.
00:04:01.20\00:04:04.11
Doug: Amen.
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Well, as you've noticed,
Pastor Ross is off tonight.
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Pastor Aron Crews, who is one
of our associates at the Granite
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Bay Hilltop Church,
is joining us tonight.
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And Aron's been here
two or three times so far.
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Aron: This will be my
third time to be back.
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Doug: And so we're going to
begin with a word of prayer.
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Aron: All right,
let's pray together.
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Dear heavenly
Father, Lord, we're so
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thankful that You
are our deliverer.
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Lord, You saved us
on the cross of Calvary.
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You offer Your salvation
freely to all, and we're looking
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forward to that
ultimate deliverance when
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You come through
the clouds of glory.
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Now, Lord, as we spend some time
fielding some questions about
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the Bible, about You, Lord,
please give us direction and
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wisdom as we direct people
to Your truth in Your Word.
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We pray in Jesus's name, amen.
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Doug: Amen. Well, let's see.
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Who do we have
lined up, Pastor Crews?
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Aron: All right, our
first caller for today,
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her name is Debbie.
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So Debbie is
calling in from Canada.
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Hello, Debbie.
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Welcome to "Bible
Answers Live." Are you there?
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Debbie: Hi,
pastors. How are you doing?
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Doug: Doing great.
Thanks for calling.
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Debbie: Okay, I called last
week, Pastor Doug, and we were
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talking about organ
donation, and I have--the second
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question to that is,
what's your theory on--
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or the Bible
theory on cremation?
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Doug: Okay, good question.
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We get that question from time
to time, and I'll just mention
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quickly, Debbie--I'm
assuming you can get on YouTube.
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I did a YouTube this last
year 'cause we had that question
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several times on
is cremation biblical.
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And I'll have a lot more
information there than I can
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share briefly here, but I will
tell you just in a nutshell that
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typically in the Bible,
the Bible example for burial is
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burial--I should say the way
that they dealt with the dead.
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That's not to say a person
who's been cremated can't be
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resurrected or that it's
classified as a sin anywhere,
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but the typical example--it
says, you know, Abraham, Isaac,
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Jacob, Joseph, it talks
about them being buried.
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Moses--God buried Moses.
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And then, you know,
in the resurrection talks
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about those
sleeping in their graves.
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But you do have examples in the
Bible of people like Jonathan,
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who we expect to see in the
kingdom, and he was--after he
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was killed by the Philistines,
his body was recovered and
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cremated by the
men of Jabesh-Gilead.
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So you've got at least
a couple of examples in
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the Bible of people
that were burned, but
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they're certainly
going to be saved.
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So that's what the
Bible really teaches about it.
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And the reason that
most of the early Christians
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and the Protestants,
Catholics both, they
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saw that the
pagans were cremating.
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They thought that man is made
in the image of God, and even in
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death because man
reflected the image
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of God that should
be treated sacredly.
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So they chose burial.
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Debbie: Okay,
thank you very much.
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Aron: Thank you so
much for calling, Debbie.
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All right, well, we have
one Debbie that called in and,
00:07:02.95\00:07:06.22
believe it or not, our second
caller is another Debbie, but
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this one is Debbie Smith calling
in from California and says
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here, Debbie, this is
your first time calling in.
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Welcome, Debbie. Are you there?
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Debbie Smith: Yes,
hi, I'm here. Thank you.
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Aron: Hi, Debbie.
What's your Bible question?
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Debbie S: Well, I don't know if
it's necessarily, like, a Bible
00:07:24.84\00:07:27.74
question, but I kind--I
don't want to make it, like, a
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drawn-out question--long
drawn-out question, but I wanted
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to know, like, what do you do
when you feel like you're lost
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and, like, your faith is, like,
not as strong and you don't
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really understand the Bible
like you would want to as well
00:07:40.16\00:07:43.93
as wanting a
relationship with God also?
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Doug: Well, I'd--yeah, I'd say
first thing that's wonderful.
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If you're feeling that hunger,
that's a beautiful thing.
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And there's ways
that a baby grows.
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You know, once a person is
born, they need to breathe,
00:08:01.91\00:08:06.21
they need to eat,
and they need to rest.
00:08:06.25\00:08:09.38
And, you know, that's also true
with us when we come to God.
00:08:09.42\00:08:13.05
If we pray, Debbie, and we say,
"Lord, I want a new beginning.
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I want you to
come into my heart.
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I'm tired of my life of sin.
00:08:17.96\00:08:19.66
I feel bad about my mistakes."
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And we've all sinned.
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And you ask Him to
forgive you, He forgives
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you and gives
you a new beginning.
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You repent of your sins and then
you begin to breathe, that's
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prayer; and you eat,
that's reading the Word
00:08:32.11\00:08:35.51
of God as the bread
of life; and then start
00:08:35.54\00:08:38.68
sharing your
faith, you exercise.
00:08:38.71\00:08:40.58
When a baby does those
things, they're going to grow.
00:08:40.62\00:08:43.59
So do you mind my asking,
Debbie, have you made a decision
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to invite the Lord into your
life and to get a new beginning?
00:08:46.72\00:08:51.09
Debbie S: I feel
like I've tried, but
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maybe I haven't
used the correct terms.
00:08:52.83\00:08:55.40
Like, how you put
it sounds completely
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different from how I said it.
00:08:57.87\00:09:00.17
Doug: Well, you know,
the Bible is pretty simple.
00:09:00.20\00:09:03.17
It says that,
first of all, we have all
00:09:03.20\00:09:05.61
sinned and the
penalty for sin is death.
00:09:05.64\00:09:10.05
Sin is just selfishness,
and it ends in death.
00:09:10.08\00:09:14.42
Jesus died for our sins, and he
rose again and he's alive today.
00:09:14.45\00:09:18.55
And He says if He'll send His
Holy Spirit to be in our hearts,
00:09:18.59\00:09:21.12
He gives us peace
and forgiveness and
00:09:21.16\00:09:23.56
then we feed our
Christian experience.
00:09:23.59\00:09:26.06
And you grow in the
Lord by the reading, praying,
00:09:26.09\00:09:29.86
and living the
life, sharing your faith.
00:09:29.90\00:09:33.97
Would you like to do that
now and get a new beginning?
00:09:34.00\00:09:38.81
Debbie S: Yes, 'cause--I do.
00:09:38.84\00:09:40.98
I just feel like
sometimes I don't understand it
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or maybe I try to
read the Bible like it's a
00:09:44.51\00:09:46.11
book also and then
it's like--I'm sorry.
00:09:46.15\00:09:49.05
No slot.
00:09:49.08\00:09:50.39
Another thing is like when I
ask God to forgive me I know He
00:09:50.42\00:09:52.75
forgives me, but I don't
forgive myself, it seems like.
00:09:52.79\00:09:56.62
Doug: Well, who's the more
important judge, you or God?
00:09:56.66\00:10:00.40
Debbie S: God.
00:10:00.43\00:10:01.70
Doug: Okay, so if God
forgives you, then you cannot
00:10:01.73\00:10:03.60
put yourself at
a higher tribunal.
00:10:03.63\00:10:06.33
His forgiveness is
the most important.
00:10:06.37\00:10:08.80
So you need to forgive yourself.
00:10:08.84\00:10:10.44
Because if you're a
new creature, if you're
00:10:10.47\00:10:12.01
born again, then the
old record is gone, right?
00:10:12.04\00:10:14.24
You're a different person.
00:10:14.28\00:10:15.78
Debbie S: Yes.
00:10:15.81\00:10:17.11
Doug: So with a new birth--hey,
Debbie, could I pray with you?
00:10:17.15\00:10:20.05
And then I'd like to
recommend that you sign up for
00:10:20.08\00:10:22.62
the Amazing Facts
Bible study course.
00:10:22.65\00:10:24.52
It's free.
00:10:24.55\00:10:25.85
Let me pray with
you, and then Pastor Crews
00:10:25.89\00:10:27.46
will tell you how to do that.
00:10:27.49\00:10:28.79
Debbie S: Okay,
thanks. Doug: Is that okay?
00:10:28.82\00:10:30.13
Debbie S: Yeah. Doug: Yeah.
00:10:30.16\00:10:32.13
Father in heaven, I just pray
you'll be with Debbie and any
00:10:32.16\00:10:34.23
out there like her that are
listening that want to get a new
00:10:34.30\00:10:36.73
beginning, that they'll
just come to you, accept your
00:10:36.77\00:10:39.43
forgiveness, that they can
be forgiving themselves and then
00:10:39.47\00:10:43.51
just have that peace that comes
from a new life as they repent
00:10:43.54\00:10:46.57
of their sins and
keep their eyes on Jesus.
00:10:46.61\00:10:49.24
So be with her and bless, and we
00:10:49.28\00:10:51.25
thank You and
pray in Jesus's name.
00:10:51.28\00:10:53.11
Amen.
00:10:53.15\00:10:54.45
Aron: Amen.
00:10:54.48\00:10:55.78
And yeah, Debbie, if you want to
get a--what you were asking is
00:10:55.82\00:10:59.65
you want to understand
God better, you want a new
00:10:59.69\00:11:01.72
beginning, you want
to study the Bible, and a
00:11:01.76\00:11:03.73
great tool for
understanding the Bible
00:11:03.76\00:11:05.23
are the Amazing
Facts Bible study guides.
00:11:05.26\00:11:08.36
And if you want to get those,
you can call in--right after you
00:11:08.40\00:11:11.40
get off the line with us, call
in 1-800-835-6747, and there you
00:11:11.43\00:11:18.64
can ask for, "Hey,
get me some Amazing
00:11:18.67\00:11:21.18
Facts Bible study guides."
00:11:21.21\00:11:22.84
And they will hook you up.
00:11:22.88\00:11:25.21
Doug: All right, thanks so
much. Who's next, Pastor Crews?
00:11:25.25\00:11:27.62
Aron: All right,
our next caller is
00:11:27.65\00:11:29.35
Tom, calling in from California.
00:11:29.38\00:11:32.35
Hello, Tom. Are you there?
00:11:32.39\00:11:35.22
Tom: Yes, I just want to say,
first of all, thank you again,
00:11:35.26\00:11:37.26
pastors, for all
of your hard work.
00:11:37.29\00:11:40.40
You guys have been a true
inspiration to my wife and I.
00:11:40.43\00:11:43.10
Doug: Oh, praise
God. Thanks so much.
00:11:43.13\00:11:46.30
What's your question tonight?
00:11:46.33\00:11:48.34
Tom: So I understand that as
Christians, you know, believing
00:11:48.37\00:11:52.91
in Christ, you know that
it's through Christ that he is
00:11:52.94\00:11:56.51
our mediator to
God for our salvation.
00:11:56.54\00:12:00.05
So my question is, if the Jews
did not believe in Christ then
00:12:00.08\00:12:05.99
or even now, can
they still be saved?
00:12:06.02\00:12:09.72
Doug: Yeah, I think so
because, you know, there are
00:12:09.76\00:12:13.63
some Jews that don't know
about Christ and they're not
00:12:13.66\00:12:16.10
accountable for what they don't
know or it's been presented so
00:12:16.13\00:12:20.30
poorly that they don't
know and they believe in God.
00:12:20.34\00:12:25.64
Now, keep in mind for the Jews
who lived in the Old Testament
00:12:25.67\00:12:28.74
that are saved, Abraham and all
of his posterity--I guess the
00:12:28.78\00:12:32.58
Jews really begin with
Israel and the tribe of Judah.
00:12:32.61\00:12:37.09
But we know that, you know,
millions of them will be saved.
00:12:37.12\00:12:40.22
They believed in God.
They believed in the Savior.
00:12:40.26\00:12:42.79
They believed in the Messiah.
00:12:42.82\00:12:44.43
They just did not
know it was Jesus, and
00:12:44.46\00:12:48.36
some of them
never saw the evidence.
00:12:48.40\00:12:50.40
And God judges to whom
much is given much is required.
00:12:50.43\00:12:53.13
Those who don't know
will be judged accordingly.
00:12:53.17\00:12:55.97
So yeah, I'd say of course
there could be Jews saved.
00:12:56.00\00:12:58.97
Now, there are some who
have had the truth presented
00:12:59.01\00:13:01.98
to them and they
reject it and they've
00:13:02.01\00:13:04.11
turned to
believing a lie deliberately.
00:13:04.15\00:13:07.25
You know, everyone will
be judged for that equally.
00:13:07.28\00:13:09.62
Aron: Yeah, and, Tom,
there's actually a Bible
00:13:09.65\00:13:12.85
verse that directly
answers that question,
00:13:12.89\00:13:14.82
and it's found in
Romans chapter 11.
00:13:14.86\00:13:17.63
Here, Paul is using an
illustration, talking about the
00:13:17.66\00:13:21.23
Jews as an olive tree and the
Gentiles that are a wild olive
00:13:21.26\00:13:26.94
tree and they are grafted
into the original olive tree.
00:13:26.97\00:13:30.27
Now, check this out
in Romans 11, verse 24.
00:13:30.31\00:13:33.71
It reads, "For if you were cut
out of the olive tree which is
00:13:33.74\00:13:37.78
wild by nature, and were grafted
contrary to nature into a
00:13:37.81\00:13:42.42
cultivated olive tree,
how much more will these,"
00:13:42.45\00:13:46.02
speaking of Jews,
"who are natural branches,
00:13:46.05\00:13:49.89
be grafted into
their own olive tree?"
00:13:49.92\00:13:53.23
So they--the Jews gave
us the Old Testament, right?
00:13:53.26\00:13:57.63
Genesis through Malachi, and
they have many of the oracles
00:13:57.67\00:14:00.97
and the prophecies
about the Messiah, right?
00:14:01.00\00:14:03.54
And so here Paul says, "Hey,
if they accept Jesus--" All who
00:14:03.57\00:14:06.41
call on the name of the
Lord--Romans chapter 10, verse
00:14:06.44\00:14:10.25
13, all who call on the
name of the Lord will be saved,
00:14:10.28\00:14:12.85
including Jews who accept
Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
00:14:12.88\00:14:16.75
Tom: Thank you.
00:14:16.79\00:14:18.09
Doug: Good answer.
Hey, I thank you for that.
00:14:18.12\00:14:20.79
And, you know, just reminded me,
as you were talking, Paul ran
00:14:20.82\00:14:24.09
into 12 Ephesian believers
in Acts 19 that--they were
00:14:24.13\00:14:28.30
believers in God and--but they
hadn't heard about Jesus yet.
00:14:28.33\00:14:32.13
So these were Jewish Ephesians,
and he said--he preached Jesus
00:14:32.17\00:14:37.17
and they got re-baptized,
but they had been baptized.
00:14:37.21\00:14:39.27
They were
living up to the light.
00:14:39.31\00:14:40.61
And this is after
Jesus has already died and
00:14:40.64\00:14:42.94
gone to heaven, but
they still just didn't know.
00:14:42.98\00:14:45.21
So after it was presented,
then that's a different story.
00:14:45.25\00:14:49.22
Okay, who's next?
00:14:49.25\00:14:50.69
Aron: Very good.
00:14:50.72\00:14:52.02
All right, our next caller
is Anna calling in from Oregon.
00:14:52.05\00:14:56.12
Hello, Anna.
00:14:56.16\00:14:57.69
Welcome to the show.
00:14:57.73\00:14:59.86
Anna: Hi, good evening, pastors.
00:14:59.89\00:15:01.46
Aron: Good evening.
00:15:01.50\00:15:03.63
Anna: So my question is from
Revelation 10, verse 4, and it
00:15:03.67\00:15:11.77
pertains to when John
heard the seven thunders
00:15:11.81\00:15:19.68
and then a voice from
heaven telling him to seal
00:15:19.71\00:15:23.25
it up and not
write what he heard.
00:15:23.28\00:15:26.42
And I was wondering
what that means and why did
00:15:26.45\00:15:32.99
the voice from heaven
tell him to not write it.
00:15:33.03\00:15:35.56
And is there
anywhere else in the
00:15:35.60\00:15:36.90
Bible that
explains anything about it?
00:15:36.93\00:15:40.04
Doug: Let me read that
for our friends listening,
00:15:40.07\00:15:42.97
and this is in
Revelation 10, verse 4.
00:15:43.00\00:15:45.91
And it says, "Now when the seven
thunders uttered their voice, I
00:15:45.94\00:15:49.71
was about to write; but I heard
a voice from heaven saying to
00:15:49.74\00:15:52.81
me, 'Seal up the things which
the seven thunders uttered, and
00:15:52.85\00:15:56.58
do not write them.'"
00:15:56.62\00:15:58.32
Now, there is an
example in the Gospel of
00:15:58.35\00:16:00.29
John, and you may remember
offhand, where God spoke from
00:16:00.32\00:16:03.56
heaven and some of the people
understood, but some of the
00:16:03.59\00:16:07.46
people--you know, God
said, "This is My beloved son."
00:16:07.50\00:16:10.60
Some say it was thunder.
They didn't know what it was.
00:16:10.63\00:16:13.30
And so it may be that
John is referring back to that
00:16:13.34\00:16:17.14
experience and are using that
analogy to say there's something
00:16:17.17\00:16:22.64
that people are not
going to understand.
00:16:22.68\00:16:26.18
Also, you've got in the book of
Daniel--at the end of the book
00:16:26.21\00:16:29.58
it said seal up the book
until the time at the end.
00:16:29.62\00:16:33.39
At the end, we'll understand.
00:16:33.42\00:16:34.72
So he's--this
message is being sealed up.
00:16:34.76\00:16:38.69
Now, anyone who says, "I know
what it was," they got to be a
00:16:38.73\00:16:41.50
little careful because even John
was told not to say what it was.
00:16:41.53\00:16:46.07
Aron: Yeah, that's right, yeah.
00:16:46.10\00:16:48.24
I think the best
parallel would be in Daniel
00:16:48.27\00:16:51.31
chapter 12 like
you were bringing up.
00:16:51.34\00:16:53.44
In Daniel 12,
right at the end of the
00:16:53.48\00:16:55.14
book it says seal
up the book, right?
00:16:55.18\00:16:57.88
'Cause it's not
going to be understood
00:16:57.91\00:16:59.21
until the time
of the end, right?
00:16:59.25\00:17:00.95
And so there are some things
that--there's a certain timing,
00:17:00.98\00:17:04.05
right, in which God is
going to reveal certain
00:17:04.09\00:17:06.42
things to us
throughout human history.
00:17:06.45\00:17:08.16
And so we're not
quite exactly sure
00:17:08.19\00:17:09.49
what those seven
thunders are, but--
00:17:09.52\00:17:12.16
Doug: Some have wondered
is--was it the day or hour--day
00:17:12.19\00:17:15.00
and hour of the coming or--but
it says no one will know that.
00:17:15.03\00:17:18.00
So it's a mystery.
00:17:18.03\00:17:20.30
Sorry. You get
your money back, Anna.
00:17:20.34\00:17:22.40
We're not sure.
00:17:22.44\00:17:24.11
Aron: Well, Anna,
thanks so much for calling in.
00:17:24.14\00:17:26.68
All right, our next
caller is calling in from
00:17:26.71\00:17:29.94
New York, and
his name is Anthony.
00:17:29.98\00:17:33.25
Anthony, welcome to
"Bible Answers Live."
00:17:33.28\00:17:35.85
What's your
question for us this evening?
00:17:35.88\00:17:39.09
Anthony: Hello.
Good evening, pastors.
00:17:39.12\00:17:41.49
My question is based on
Philippians 2, verse 3 where it
00:17:41.52\00:17:46.73
says, "Let nothing be done
through strife or vainglory;
00:17:46.76\00:17:51.03
but in
lowliness of mind let each
00:17:51.07\00:17:52.50
esteem other
better than themselves."
00:17:52.53\00:17:55.40
Now, I'm sure that, you know,
the context has to do with like
00:17:55.44\00:17:58.94
our relationship with others
as Christians, but I was just
00:17:58.97\00:18:03.38
wondering is there
anything in there that
00:18:03.41\00:18:04.98
can help us with
understand our--the
00:18:05.01\00:18:07.52
biblical principle
behind our career aspirations.
00:18:07.55\00:18:11.09
You know, people like
Joseph and Daniel and Moses,
00:18:11.12\00:18:13.32
they had greatness
thrust upon them where
00:18:13.36\00:18:16.42
they were elevated
in their positions.
00:18:16.46\00:18:19.53
But should we strive for higher
positions in our--at our jobs
00:18:19.56\00:18:23.40
and our careers or is
there anything wrong with that?
00:18:23.43\00:18:26.57
Is there a balance of, you
know--I heard somebody say,
00:18:26.60\00:18:29.84
"Well, when you're in your
performance review with your
00:18:29.87\00:18:32.01
manager, it's not--there's
no time to be modest.
00:18:32.04\00:18:34.74
You should kind of,
you know, for lack of a
00:18:34.78\00:18:37.58
better phrase,
boast about how well you
00:18:37.61\00:18:39.41
performed and why
you deserve a pay raise."
00:18:39.45\00:18:42.45
So I'm just
wondering, what is the balance?
00:18:42.48\00:18:44.42
Doug: Well, first of all,
whatever you do as a Christian,
00:18:44.45\00:18:46.49
you want to do it
for the glory of God.
00:18:46.52\00:18:48.79
Our natural tendency--you know,
we all think about ourselves and
00:18:48.82\00:18:52.53
we all struggle with ego
and pride, but I do think
00:18:52.56\00:18:56.36
there's a balance where--you
know, it says whatever
00:18:56.40\00:18:58.90
your hand finds to do,
do it with all your might.
00:18:58.93\00:19:01.97
God will put maybe
a desire in your heart
00:19:02.00\00:19:04.81
to be successful
in what you attempt.
00:19:04.84\00:19:08.18
You read in
Ecclesiastes whatever your
00:19:08.21\00:19:10.01
hand finds to do, do
it with all your might.
00:19:10.05\00:19:12.41
And then in Psalm
37 it says He'll give
00:19:12.45\00:19:15.48
you the desires of your heart.
00:19:15.52\00:19:17.79
And so God may place a desire
on your heart to, you know,
00:19:17.82\00:19:21.49
attain to a certain
proficiency in something.
00:19:21.52\00:19:24.73
You might say, "All right,
well, I'm glad I'm a pilot,
00:19:24.76\00:19:26.36
but I'd really want to
be a commercial pilot."
00:19:26.39\00:19:28.86
And is that wrong to
want to have that position?
00:19:28.90\00:19:32.23
And once you're a
copilot, you might say,
00:19:32.27\00:19:33.74
"I'd like to
eventually be a captain."
00:19:33.77\00:19:35.44
So that's just progressing and
being successful and efficient.
00:19:35.47\00:19:40.04
I think that's normal and
you can do that in a humble way.
00:19:40.08\00:19:44.08
So there's a balance.
00:19:44.11\00:19:45.68
And I think
there's another verse.
00:19:45.71\00:19:47.02
I'm trying to
remember the reference,
00:19:47.05\00:19:49.75
seek not great
things for yourself.
00:19:49.78\00:19:52.39
May be in
Jeremiah, but--so, you know,
00:19:52.42\00:19:56.42
we shouldn't be
doing it out of pride.
00:19:56.46\00:19:59.93
You're right, David, Joseph,
Daniel, by putting God first,
00:19:59.96\00:20:04.03
He ended up putting them
in positions of leadership.
00:20:04.07\00:20:08.40
Aron: Yeah, that's Jeremiah
45, verse 5 that you were
00:20:08.44\00:20:12.04
referring to
about seek great things.
00:20:12.07\00:20:13.31
But yeah, Anthony, I think the
key is to--as we're doing our
00:20:13.34\00:20:19.41
best, right, whatever your hand
finds to do do with all your
00:20:19.45\00:20:22.25
might is--the key
here, I think, that Paul's
00:20:22.28\00:20:24.92
addressing in Philippians
is that you're not pushing
00:20:24.95\00:20:27.26
other people down
in the process, right?
00:20:27.29\00:20:30.46
As you're pursuing excellence
in all that you're doing, you're
00:20:30.49\00:20:33.80
lifting people up with
you along the way, right?
00:20:33.83\00:20:37.33
And I think that's the key
biblical principle behind that.
00:20:37.37\00:20:40.94
Well, Anthony, hope that was
a satisfactory biblical answer.
00:20:40.97\00:20:45.37
Thanks so much for calling.
00:20:45.41\00:20:47.14
Next caller is
James calling in from
00:20:47.18\00:20:50.61
our very own state, California.
00:20:50.65\00:20:52.51
Hello, James.
Welcome to the program.
00:20:52.55\00:20:55.42
James: Hello, thank you.
00:20:55.45\00:20:56.75
My question
concerns Revelation 22:11
00:20:56.79\00:21:01.99
speaking about the
close of probation.
00:21:02.02\00:21:04.66
Is there a
connecting text that tells
00:21:04.69\00:21:08.33
us when probation will close?
00:21:08.36\00:21:12.13
Doug: Yeah, I think that the
best connecting text is if you
00:21:12.17\00:21:15.40
look in Daniel
chapter 12, verse 1.
00:21:15.44\00:21:18.61
It says, "At that time Michael
will stand up, the great prince
00:21:18.64\00:21:22.74
that stands for the children of
your people; and there will be a
00:21:22.78\00:21:25.85
time of trouble, such
as there never has been
00:21:25.88\00:21:28.12
since there was a nation
even under the same time,
00:21:28.15\00:21:31.12
and at that time thy
people will be delivered."
00:21:31.15\00:21:33.62
When Michael stands up--usually
when a judge stands up, that
00:21:33.66\00:21:36.79
means he's done listening to
evidence and cases are closed.
00:21:36.83\00:21:41.53
And when Christ ceases to
intercede for people just before
00:21:41.56\00:21:46.53
the end of time,
there'll be--life may go on for
00:21:46.57\00:21:50.81
a little while, but
the doomed are doomed.
00:21:50.84\00:21:53.48
A parallel would be in the days
of Noah when Noah and his family
00:21:53.51\00:21:58.15
and all the animals got on
the ark and the door was shut.
00:21:58.18\00:22:01.68
Life went on for
seven more days, but those
00:22:01.72\00:22:03.82
that were on the
outside were outside.
00:22:03.85\00:22:06.29
Those on the inside were inside.
00:22:06.32\00:22:07.76
The unjust were unjust still.
00:22:07.79\00:22:09.86
The righteous
were righteous still.
00:22:09.89\00:22:11.29
So there'll be a period of
time just like before the flood
00:22:11.33\00:22:14.10
comes, before Jesus comes when
probation is going to be closed.
00:22:14.10\00:22:18.53
We don't know exactly when that
is, but I think it's just before
00:22:18.57\00:22:21.40
the seven last plagues, which
means it hasn't happened yet.
00:22:21.44\00:22:24.17
Aron: Yeah, we definitely don't
know from scripture the exact
00:22:24.21\00:22:27.98
point in time, but definitely
the seven last plagues.
00:22:28.01\00:22:30.45
If you look at Revelation
16, verse 9 and verse 11, it
00:22:30.48\00:22:35.28
explicitly says that
the wicked who the plagues
00:22:35.32\00:22:39.62
are being poured out
upon them, it says, they did
00:22:39.65\00:22:41.59
not repent and
give Him glory, right?
00:22:41.62\00:22:44.89
They did not repent
of their deeds, right?
00:22:44.93\00:22:46.80
So here is let the wicked
continue to be wicked, right?
00:22:46.83\00:22:49.90
So it's at the
point just before the
00:22:49.93\00:22:52.03
pouring out of the
seven last plagues.
00:22:52.07\00:22:53.87
Doug: Yeah, good
point. Good verse.
00:22:53.90\00:22:55.54
Aron: All right, James,
thanks so much for calling.
00:22:55.57\00:22:58.54
Our next caller, again, calling
in from California we have
00:22:58.57\00:23:01.88
Deborah, who is a
first-time caller.
00:23:01.91\00:23:04.01
Deborah, welcome to the show.
00:23:04.05\00:23:06.15
How's it going?
00:23:06.18\00:23:08.22
Deborah: I am
doing fine. Thank you.
00:23:08.25\00:23:11.25
My question is I'm
not sure how to repent.
00:23:11.29\00:23:14.79
Am I supposed--in my
prayer supposed to try to name
00:23:14.82\00:23:17.03
everything that I've ever
done bad in my life and ask
00:23:17.06\00:23:20.30
forgiveness or do I
just ask one time, "Can You
00:23:20.33\00:23:23.13
please forgive me
of--for all my sins?"
00:23:23.16\00:23:25.43
Doug: Great, that's a
great, great question.
00:23:25.47\00:23:27.47
Well, first of
all, can you remember
00:23:27.50\00:23:29.47
everything bad you've ever done?
00:23:29.50\00:23:31.94
Deborah: Pretty close.
00:23:31.97\00:23:33.44
Doug: You got a
great memory. I can't.
00:23:33.48\00:23:37.41
Deborah: The really bad stuff.
00:23:37.45\00:23:38.75
Doug: Yeah, well,
I mean, we probably
00:23:38.78\00:23:41.12
remember some
of the high points.
00:23:41.15\00:23:42.92
What I recommend is
that--and you're really
00:23:42.95\00:23:45.29
talking not just
about repentance, you're
00:23:45.32\00:23:47.06
talking about confession,
and both are important.
00:23:47.09\00:23:50.09
The Bible says if we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just to
00:23:50.13\00:23:53.33
forgive us our sins and cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.
00:23:53.36\00:23:56.70
And that's 1 John
chapter 1, verse 9.
00:23:56.73\00:24:00.64
So being
sorry--repentance is being sorry
00:24:00.67\00:24:04.41
for your sins and
willing to turn away.
00:24:04.44\00:24:06.78
What I recommend people do is
you don't have to remember every
00:24:06.81\00:24:09.94
sin, but you can
remember the categories.
00:24:09.98\00:24:12.08
Start with the Ten
Commandments and say,
00:24:12.11\00:24:14.12
"Have I ever been
dishonest or lied?"
00:24:14.15\00:24:16.75
Say, "Lord,
forgive me for lying.
00:24:16.79\00:24:19.39
Have I ever had impure thoughts?
00:24:19.42\00:24:21.66
Forgive me for breaking
the seventh commandment.
00:24:21.69\00:24:24.43
Have I ever taken anything that
didn't belong to me or stolen?
00:24:24.46\00:24:27.76
Forgive me for that."
00:24:27.83\00:24:29.40
And go through
the Ten Commandments.
00:24:29.43\00:24:31.77
Spread--you know, spread a
little notepad on your bed,
00:24:31.80\00:24:35.64
kneel, and say, "Lord, I'm
guilty of breaking Your law.
00:24:35.67\00:24:38.67
I'm sorry. Forgive me.
00:24:38.71\00:24:40.34
Help me to walk
and follow Jesus now."
00:24:40.38\00:24:42.38
And He promises to forgive you.
00:24:42.41\00:24:44.51
Now, if there's something
specific you think, "Well, the
00:24:44.55\00:24:46.51
Holy Spirit may convict
me about a particular sin."
00:24:46.55\00:24:50.09
King David prayed,
"Lord, search me and try me,
00:24:50.12\00:24:52.22
see if there be
any wicked way in me.
00:24:52.25\00:24:54.22
Lead me in the way everlasting."
00:24:54.26\00:24:55.62
The Holy Spirit
will show that to you.
00:24:55.66\00:24:57.29
If you just say, "Lord, if I'm
forgetting something," God's not
00:24:57.33\00:24:59.29
trying to trick you and
say, "Aha, you forgot something.
00:24:59.33\00:25:02.20
I can't let you into heaven."
00:25:02.23\00:25:04.10
No, if you say, "Lord, I'm
willing to repent of whatever
00:25:04.13\00:25:06.10
You reveal to me," he'll show
you and then repent of that.
00:25:06.13\00:25:10.07
And it's not like you're,
you know, revealing to God a big
00:25:10.11\00:25:14.51
surprise that's
going to shock Him.
00:25:14.54\00:25:16.68
He already knows.
00:25:16.71\00:25:18.18
But by repenting and confessing,
we're doing something.
00:25:18.21\00:25:22.08
We're asking God to help
us get victory in those areas.
00:25:22.12\00:25:25.12
We're admitting that those
things are sins, and it makes it
00:25:25.15\00:25:28.12
easier for us to
acknowledge it and turn away.
00:25:28.16\00:25:31.06
So I hope that helps a little
bit, Debbie, and I trust that
00:25:31.09\00:25:35.80
you'll experience
that peace and freedom that
00:25:35.83\00:25:37.47
comes when we do
repent and confess.
00:25:37.50\00:25:39.53
"Humble yourself,"
James says, "in the--under the
00:25:39.57\00:25:42.00
hand of God, and
He will lift you up."
00:25:42.04\00:25:43.81
That's James chapter 4.
00:25:43.84\00:25:45.34
Aron: Amen.
00:25:45.37\00:25:46.68
All right, Deborah,
thanks so much for calling.
00:25:46.71\00:25:48.61
Doug: We got time for one
more maybe before a break.
00:25:48.64\00:25:50.48
Aron: Yeah, one more
caller before our break.
00:25:50.51\00:25:52.95
We have Gary
calling in from Illinois.
00:25:52.98\00:25:57.15
Gary, hi. Are you there with us?
00:25:57.19\00:26:00.26
Gary: Yes.
00:26:00.29\00:26:01.59
In Revelation 8:7 it says that
the world went by fire and hail.
00:26:01.62\00:26:06.36
And so I've seen on YouTube
00:26:06.39\00:26:08.36
hailstorms were
size of baseball.
00:26:08.40\00:26:11.47
Hail comes down
through windshields,
00:26:11.50\00:26:13.67
and it's all over the place.
00:26:13.70\00:26:15.30
Illinois, Germany, France,
Georgia, all over the world.
00:26:15.34\00:26:19.41
But now the last plague
in the Bible is one of hail,
00:26:19.44\00:26:22.94
and it's a size of
a talent, 65 pounds.
00:26:22.98\00:26:26.58
Is there any event--a single
event that causes it go from
00:26:26.61\00:26:31.89
baseball-size hail,
which is, you know, very
00:26:31.92\00:26:33.89
dramatic to me,
to 65-pound hail?
00:26:33.92\00:26:38.53
Doug: Yeah, well, just before
Jesus comes, it tells us that
00:26:38.56\00:26:41.03
there's going to be a
catastrophic hailstorm.
00:26:41.06\00:26:44.90
Of course, nothing
can really survive.
00:26:44.93\00:26:46.33
Concrete buildings can't survive
a hailstorm with blocks of ice
00:26:46.37\00:26:50.74
that weigh, like you
say, between 60 and 75 pounds.
00:26:50.77\00:26:55.34
This is just helping us
recognize in the same way God
00:26:55.38\00:26:58.15
destroyed Egypt during the
plagues when they would not let
00:26:58.18\00:27:01.48
the Israelites go the Lord is
going to destroy the world for
00:27:01.52\00:27:04.89
persecuting His people in
the last days, the wicked.
00:27:04.92\00:27:08.26
It hasn't happened
yet, but stay tuned.
00:27:08.29\00:27:12.09
I think we're
living in the last days.
00:27:12.13\00:27:13.76
Hey, listening friends.
00:27:13.80\00:27:15.06
We're going to take a
break just in a moment here,
00:27:15.10\00:27:17.60
and we have the
best half of the program.
00:27:17.63\00:27:20.20
That's not a prophecy.
00:27:20.24\00:27:21.54
We're just hoping
that we get all warmed up.
00:27:21.57\00:27:22.87
We'll get more
questions in the second half.
00:27:22.90\00:27:25.14
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00:27:25.17\00:27:26.94
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00:27:26.98\00:27:29.01
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00:27:29.04\00:27:30.61
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00:27:30.65\00:27:32.01
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00:27:32.05\00:27:33.52
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00:27:33.55\00:27:35.62
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00:27:39.15\00:27:40.46
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00:27:40.49\00:27:43.02
announcer: In six
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00:27:46.73\00:27:48.86
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00:27:48.90\00:27:50.70
For thousands of
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00:27:50.73\00:27:53.27
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00:27:53.30\00:27:55.70
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00:27:55.74\00:28:00.14
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00:28:00.18\00:28:01.48
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00:28:01.51\00:28:03.68
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00:28:03.71\00:28:06.41
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00:28:06.45\00:28:08.62
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00:28:08.65\00:28:12.19
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00:28:12.22\00:28:14.22
Doug: Hi, friends.
Pastor Doug Batchelor.
00:28:15.82\00:28:17.83
This morning, my wife
Karen sent me on a mission.
00:28:17.86\00:28:20.40
She said, "When you're taping
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00:28:20.43\00:28:22.93
tell people about my
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00:28:22.96\00:28:26.40
It's called the
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00:28:26.43\00:28:29.54
You simply type that
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00:28:29.57\00:28:31.71
You can download the app and
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00:28:31.74\00:28:34.24
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00:28:34.28\00:28:37.51
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00:28:37.55\00:28:40.12
Check it out if you
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00:28:40.15\00:28:41.78
the Amazing Facts radio app.
00:28:41.82\00:28:43.82
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00:28:43.85\00:28:45.42
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00:28:48.96\00:28:51.76
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00:28:51.79\00:28:54.03
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00:28:54.10\00:28:57.13
So what are you waiting for?
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Get practical answers about the
00:28:59.17\00:29:00.70
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00:29:00.74\00:29:05.81
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00:29:05.84\00:29:09.01
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00:29:09.04\00:29:11.65
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00:29:11.68\00:29:14.35
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00:29:14.38\00:29:17.99
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00:29:20.76\00:29:25.49
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00:29:25.53\00:29:31.20
Now let's rejoin our hosts
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00:29:31.23\00:29:36.17
Doug: Welcome
back, listening friends,
00:29:37.31\00:29:38.61
to "Bible Answers Live."
00:29:38.64\00:29:40.21
And this is a live international
interactive Bible study.
00:29:40.24\00:29:43.68
We've been doing this
for about 26 years, and it's
00:29:43.71\00:29:47.32
just a joy to meet so
many people not only now
00:29:47.35\00:29:49.25
on the radio but
we're on television.
00:29:49.28\00:29:51.69
And you can be
watching on the Amazing Facts
00:29:51.72\00:29:54.32
YouTube channel, the
Doug Batchelor YouTube
00:29:54.36\00:29:56.86
channel, and
Amazing Facts TV, and--
00:29:56.89\00:30:02.03
Aron: You can
tune in to the radio if
00:30:02.06\00:30:03.37
you're living in
California at KWOL.
00:30:03.40\00:30:06.70
So greetings to all those who
are tuning in and also those who
00:30:06.74\00:30:10.61
are joining us and
tuning in at pray.com.
00:30:10.64\00:30:14.28
Our show is
hosted there as well.
00:30:14.31\00:30:16.64
So welcome all of you.
00:30:16.68\00:30:17.98
Doug: Thank you.
You hear a new voice.
00:30:18.01\00:30:20.48
This is Pastor Aron Crews.
00:30:20.52\00:30:22.85
He's the grandson of the founder
of Amazing Facts Joe Crews, and
00:30:22.88\00:30:26.32
he's covering for
Pastor Ross tonight.
00:30:26.35\00:30:28.06
So who's lined up
next, Pastor Aron?
00:30:28.09\00:30:30.36
Aron: Yeah, our
next caller here is
00:30:30.39\00:30:32.76
Marvin calling
in from Tennessee.
00:30:32.79\00:30:34.96
That's where I went
to college, in Tennessee.
00:30:35.00\00:30:37.10
So, Marvin, welcome to the show.
00:30:37.13\00:30:39.63
Looks like you're
a first-time caller.
00:30:39.67\00:30:41.00
Welcome.
00:30:41.04\00:30:42.84
Marvin: Well, thank
you for taking my call.
00:30:42.87\00:30:46.44
My question is on Luke,
00:30:46.47\00:30:51.21
in Luke 20,
actually, from 34 through 36
00:30:51.25\00:30:57.15
where Jesus explains
to the Sadducees that
00:30:57.19\00:31:02.62
try to trip him
up because all these
00:31:02.66\00:31:06.86
brothers were marrying
the one brother's wife.
00:31:06.90\00:31:10.90
And he says
that we're as angels.
00:31:10.93\00:31:15.80
Does that mean that we
won't be as families in heaven?
00:31:15.84\00:31:22.68
Doug: Great question.
00:31:22.71\00:31:24.28
Yeah, the Sadducees didn't
believe in a resurrection and so
00:31:24.31\00:31:27.52
they created a scenario that
said, "Well, what if one woman
00:31:27.55\00:31:30.52
is married to seven men
over the course of her life.
00:31:30.55\00:31:33.92
And when they
go to heaven, who's
00:31:33.96\00:31:35.49
she going to be married to?"
00:31:35.52\00:31:36.89
And Jesus
said--and I'll read this
00:31:36.93\00:31:38.83
here from Luke
chapter 20, verse 34.
00:31:38.86\00:31:41.86
He answered and said
to them, "The sons of this
00:31:41.90\00:31:43.90
age marry and are
given in marriage.
00:31:43.93\00:31:46.00
But those who are
continue--counted worthy to
00:31:46.03\00:31:48.27
attain that age, and the
resurrection from the dead,
00:31:48.30\00:31:51.31
neither marry nor are given
in marriage; nor can they die
00:31:51.34\00:31:54.44
anymore, for they are
equal to the angels and are
00:31:54.48\00:31:57.38
sons of God, being
sons of the resurrection."
00:31:57.41\00:32:01.48
And so Jesus is basically
saying--you know, he told Adam
00:32:01.52\00:32:05.32
and Eve to go be
fruitful and multiply.
00:32:05.35\00:32:07.66
They do not marry in the sense
that we do here and procreate.
00:32:07.69\00:32:11.33
Because God told Adam
and Eve, fill the earth.
00:32:11.36\00:32:14.73
The earth is
going to be filled now.
00:32:14.76\00:32:16.40
It'll be
populated with the redeemed.
00:32:16.43\00:32:18.53
But that doesn't mean if a
couple that's had, you know, one
00:32:18.57\00:32:21.80
man, one woman get
to heaven, they're going
00:32:21.84\00:32:23.47
to get divorce
papers when they get there.
00:32:23.51\00:32:25.47
They can still be together and
their children and the ones that
00:32:25.51\00:32:29.38
God has given them natural
love for and be a loving family.
00:32:29.41\00:32:33.78
So it's not saying that families
will no longer have that special
00:32:33.82\00:32:38.59
love, it's saying
there's no more marriage as
00:32:38.62\00:32:41.16
we know it now
where we're procreating.
00:32:41.19\00:32:44.19
So some people
think, "Oh man, you
00:32:44.23\00:32:46.46
mean there's no sex in heaven?"
00:32:46.49\00:32:48.86
And I say, "Well, look.
00:32:48.90\00:32:50.20
If that's worrying
you, I promise, you
00:32:50.23\00:32:52.00
get there, and
you will be happy.
00:32:52.03\00:32:54.54
Don't worry about it."
00:32:54.57\00:32:56.50
Aron: Yeah. It's a
good question, Marvin.
00:32:56.54\00:32:58.44
Thanks so much for calling.
00:32:58.47\00:33:00.08
Looking for
your--looking forward
00:33:00.11\00:33:01.54
to your next time you call in.
00:33:01.58\00:33:03.11
Our next caller is
Abdiel calling in from Florida.
00:33:03.14\00:33:07.72
Hello, Abdiel.
Are you here with us?
00:33:07.75\00:33:10.65
Abdiel: Yes. Good evening.
00:33:10.69\00:33:11.99
That was a wonderful
question from the last caller.
00:33:12.02\00:33:16.66
I was just thinking
about that. Good evening.
00:33:16.69\00:33:21.03
Good evening,
Pastor Doug, Pastor Crews.
00:33:21.06\00:33:23.03
This weekend actually marks one
year since getting baptized, and
00:33:23.06\00:33:27.04
one thing that I've learned is
that following Jesus, albeit the
00:33:27.07\00:33:30.51
most beautiful
thing, is not easy.
00:33:30.54\00:33:32.94
So I commend you both for your
ministry all these years, and
00:33:32.97\00:33:36.61
thank you because
it's helped quite a bit.
00:33:36.64\00:33:39.15
Doug: And your question tonight.
00:33:39.18\00:33:40.48
Abdiel: So my
question is regarding Job 1:6.
00:33:40.52\00:33:44.15
It would probably
sound better if you read it.
00:33:44.19\00:33:46.32
Doug: Okay, Job 1:6, "Now
there was a day when the sons
00:33:46.35\00:33:50.16
of God came to
present themselves before the
00:33:50.19\00:33:52.29
Lord, and Satan
also came among them."
00:33:52.33\00:33:56.13
Okay, you want me to stop there?
00:33:56.16\00:33:58.33
Abdiel: Yeah, so I have
been reading a book by a very
00:33:58.37\00:34:02.50
interesting and insightful lady
author, things called "Early
00:34:02.54\00:34:05.71
Writings," and it
talks about a tree of life,
00:34:05.74\00:34:08.68
sinless beings,
even Enoch is mentioned.
00:34:08.71\00:34:11.28
So I guess my
question would be, are these
00:34:11.31\00:34:13.92
other beings or
sons of God human?
00:34:13.95\00:34:16.65
Are they angels?
00:34:16.69\00:34:18.25
Are they a species
we can't really imagine?
00:34:18.29\00:34:21.72
And I guess I almost feel guilty
for asking, but if they are
00:34:21.76\00:34:24.93
humans, would that
make us a bit less unique?
00:34:24.96\00:34:28.90
I'm just curious to know.
00:34:28.93\00:34:30.83
Doug: Yeah, I think
that the Lord--look at all
00:34:30.87\00:34:33.57
the diversity of life
we have on our planet.
00:34:33.60\00:34:36.81
I'm talking
about the animal life.
00:34:36.84\00:34:38.91
I mean, I like watching
nature programs and it's
00:34:38.94\00:34:41.64
just amazing to me
how many different kinds.
00:34:41.68\00:34:44.95
I just saw an amazing fact
this week that they went the
00:34:44.98\00:34:48.68
deepest they've ever
gone with cameras and--
00:34:48.72\00:34:51.92
you know, like
30,000 feet or something.
00:34:51.95\00:34:53.66
They found fish swimming around.
00:34:53.69\00:34:55.79
They don't know how
they survive down there.
00:34:55.82\00:34:58.13
So, you know, from the eagles
that soar above the Andes to the
00:34:58.16\00:35:03.16
bottom of the ocean, God's got
so many different types of life.
00:35:03.20\00:35:06.80
Why would we doubt that
there are other forms of life?
00:35:06.84\00:35:11.64
Before I came over to the
program tonight, I was watching
00:35:11.67\00:35:13.91
a report on the James Webb
telescope and the information
00:35:13.94\00:35:17.28
that's coming in, and they're
saying it's really destroyed all
00:35:17.31\00:35:20.48
of their theories about the
age of the universe because they
00:35:20.52\00:35:23.75
said it's much bigger
than we had ever dreamed.
00:35:23.79\00:35:27.19
And I believe God
has unfallen sinless
00:35:27.22\00:35:30.66
worlds out there
in other creations.
00:35:30.69\00:35:33.03
You have several
references in the Bible where
00:35:33.06\00:35:34.93
it talks about God in
Hebrews, I think chapter 2
00:35:34.96\00:35:38.43
it says, through whom
Jesus, He made the worlds.
00:35:38.47\00:35:42.44
Yeah, and you've got
all the creatures in heaven
00:35:42.47\00:35:45.81
it talks about in
Revelation, praising him.
00:35:45.84\00:35:47.88
So I think God has got a
universe filled with life just
00:35:47.91\00:35:52.15
because--and I don't think
UFOs are visiting the earth.
00:35:52.18\00:35:55.98
You know, I think the
only people involved in what's
00:35:56.02\00:35:58.15
happening here on
earth are God the Father,
00:35:58.19\00:36:01.02
Son, and Holy
Spirit, and angels.
00:36:01.06\00:36:02.52
It's like the
hospital staff 'cause
00:36:02.56\00:36:03.86
we've got a contagious disease.
00:36:03.89\00:36:05.63
Once that is dealt
with, we'll be able
00:36:05.66\00:36:07.76
to interact with
the unfallen worlds.
00:36:07.76\00:36:10.03
So appreciate that, Abdiel.
00:36:10.07\00:36:11.43
Hopefully that
helps a little bit.
00:36:11.47\00:36:13.07
By the way, I've got a sermon
you can listen to online, and
00:36:13.10\00:36:16.24
it's called "Is There
Life on Other Worlds?"
00:36:16.27\00:36:20.41
And it's a YouTube
sermon you'll just find.
00:36:20.44\00:36:23.58
Aron: Yeah, again,
thanks, Abdiel, for calling in.
00:36:23.61\00:36:26.75
Our next caller is
Junith calling in from
00:36:26.78\00:36:29.72
Nevada, our
neighboring state here.
00:36:29.75\00:36:32.19
Hello, Junith.
Welcome to the program.
00:36:32.22\00:36:34.19
What's your
question for us this evening?
00:36:34.22\00:36:37.09
Junith: Hello.
00:36:37.13\00:36:38.43
Blessed evening,
Pastor Doug and Pastor Aron.
00:36:38.46\00:36:41.76
Can you hear me well?
00:36:41.80\00:36:43.10
Aron: Yes, we can.
00:36:43.13\00:36:45.10
Junith: Yes, okay, in the
context of Revelation 21:8,
00:36:45.13\00:36:49.74
one of those who
will be thrown in the lake
00:36:49.77\00:36:51.91
fire of hell
are the astrologers.
00:36:51.94\00:36:54.34
Now, what is the relation
of astrology to Babylonia?
00:36:54.38\00:36:59.15
Because this has
been bothering me.
00:36:59.18\00:37:01.45
Is it the earthen vessels and
the ones that the angels that
00:37:01.48\00:37:05.92
were deceived by the dragon
tail, deceived and manipulated,
00:37:05.95\00:37:11.96
or is this the embodiment of the
00:37:11.99\00:37:16.06
snake and Satan as the head or--
00:37:16.10\00:37:22.34
Doug: Yeah, sorry, I
think we got cut off.
00:37:22.37\00:37:24.14
Yeah, but I think we got the
gist of your question, Junith.
00:37:24.17\00:37:28.01
When it talks in Revelation
about those that are cast into
00:37:28.04\00:37:30.95
the lake of fire, it mentions
people who are astrologers.
00:37:30.98\00:37:34.98
Now, astrologers are
different than astronomers.
00:37:35.02\00:37:38.69
I was just
talking about astronomy.
00:37:38.72\00:37:40.62
Nothing wrong with the
legitimate study of the heavens
00:37:40.66\00:37:44.46
and the heavenly bodies, and
that's how we get our calendar.
00:37:44.49\00:37:47.56
Astrology in the zodiac
does date back, I think,
00:37:47.60\00:37:51.20
even long
before ancient Babylon.
00:37:51.23\00:37:53.47
And while they kind of divided
up the stars and the heavens
00:37:53.50\00:37:57.31
with these
different constellations--
00:37:57.34\00:38:00.24
you know, we can
look up and we can see
00:38:00.28\00:38:02.11
Cassiopeia and we
can see Orion in the sky.
00:38:02.14\00:38:05.28
They saw those as gods and that
they had an influence on our
00:38:05.31\00:38:09.72
earth and that people born under
different signs, they were given
00:38:09.75\00:38:13.79
to certain traits, and
there's nothing in the Bible.
00:38:13.82\00:38:16.06
That's like
hocus-pocus witchcraft,
00:38:16.09\00:38:18.46
and the Bible
forbids witchcraft.
00:38:18.49\00:38:20.93
So there's nothing wrong with
astronomy, but astrology, when
00:38:20.96\00:38:24.80
people are consulting
the lucky stars to find
00:38:24.83\00:38:27.00
out their future,
is total nonsense.
00:38:27.04\00:38:29.87
And I'll just give
you a personal testimony.
00:38:29.90\00:38:32.57
I grew up--my mother and all of
her friends were into astrology.
00:38:32.61\00:38:35.98
As soon as you met somebody,
they'd say, "What's your sign?"
00:38:36.01\00:38:39.95
And they'd say, "I'm a Pisces.
00:38:39.98\00:38:41.48
I'm an Aquarius," or whatever.
"Oh yeah, we should get along."
00:38:41.52\00:38:44.19
It was--and then my
mother even, she began to write
00:38:44.22\00:38:46.62
horoscopes and she
wrote horoscope songs.
00:38:46.65\00:38:49.32
She was a songwriter.
00:38:49.36\00:38:51.23
And she and her
friends that did it, they said,
00:38:51.26\00:38:53.50
"We're just
making this stuff up."
00:38:53.53\00:38:54.93
And the papers are paying
them to write these things.
00:38:54.96\00:38:58.43
And they said, "Oh, we don't
even believe it ourselves."
00:38:58.47\00:39:00.90
So it's a--the
whole thing is a big hoax.
00:39:00.94\00:39:04.31
Don't have anything
to do with astrology.
00:39:04.34\00:39:07.78
Aron: Yeah, all right,
Junith. Thanks for calling in.
00:39:07.81\00:39:10.25
Our next caller is
Lee calling in from Texas.
00:39:10.28\00:39:14.42
Hello, Lee. How are you doing?
00:39:14.45\00:39:16.75
Lee: Hello,
pastors. Can you hear me?
00:39:16.79\00:39:18.09
both: Yes, we can.
Lee: Okay, wonderful.
00:39:18.12\00:39:20.69
My question is, and I've been
wondering about this for quite
00:39:20.72\00:39:24.06
some time, when the dragon makes
war against the saints in the
00:39:24.09\00:39:28.63
book of Revelation,
should the saints fight back?
00:39:28.66\00:39:33.37
Doug: Okay,
that's a good question.
00:39:33.40\00:39:34.87
If it's a war, I'd say
absolutely we should fight back.
00:39:34.90\00:39:39.84
If it's a war,
if you don't want to
00:39:39.87\00:39:41.78
be defeated, you
got to fight back.
00:39:41.81\00:39:43.41
The question is, how
does the devil make war?
00:39:43.45\00:39:46.92
Is he making war with
bazookas and hand grenades
00:39:46.95\00:39:50.22
or is he making
war with deception?
00:39:50.25\00:39:52.42
And in that same
chapter it talks about the
00:39:52.45\00:39:54.49
serpent that
deceives the whole world.
00:39:54.52\00:39:57.63
And so our battle,
our weapon is--and you can
00:39:57.66\00:40:01.06
read about this in
Ephesians chapter 6.
00:40:01.10\00:40:03.16
It says take up the
sword of the Spirit,
00:40:03.20\00:40:05.33
which is the Word of God.
00:40:05.37\00:40:07.44
And so we fight
error with truth and the
00:40:07.47\00:40:11.27
Word of God
hiding it in our heart.
00:40:11.31\00:40:13.11
How did Jesus fight the
devil when he was tempted?
00:40:13.14\00:40:16.54
He said, "It is written.
00:40:16.58\00:40:17.88
It is written. It is written."
00:40:17.91\00:40:19.28
And he quoted
from the Word of God.
00:40:19.31\00:40:20.75
"So thy Word I
have hidden in my heart
00:40:20.78\00:40:23.22
that I might not
sin against thee."
00:40:23.25\00:40:25.52
Store up the Word of God in your
mind, and that is the best way
00:40:25.55\00:40:28.72
to fight the
devil in the last days.
00:40:28.76\00:40:30.86
Aron: Yeah, and in
fact, right there in
00:40:30.89\00:40:32.33
Revelation 12 it
even tells us, right?
00:40:32.36\00:40:34.73
Revelation 12, verse 11, just
a few verses earlier, it says,
00:40:34.76\00:40:38.20
"And they overcame him," that
is Satan, "by the blood of the
00:40:38.23\00:40:42.27
Lamb," that's Jesus
and his sacrifice for us,
00:40:42.30\00:40:45.67
"and by the word of
their testimony," sharing
00:40:45.71\00:40:48.14
what Jesus has
done through them.
00:40:48.18\00:40:51.05
So that would be the key.
00:40:51.08\00:40:53.21
And then also going back to
what you referenced in Ephesians
00:40:53.25\00:40:56.22
chapter 6, it's important
to note in Ephesians 6,
00:40:56.25\00:40:59.62
verse 12 the
highlight verse here is we
00:40:59.65\00:41:02.32
wrestle not against
flesh and blood, right?
00:41:02.36\00:41:05.49
So this is not a physical
fighting against Satan, right?
00:41:05.53\00:41:08.80
But principalities, powers, it's
a spiritual warfare, as Pastor
00:41:08.83\00:41:11.77
Doug highlighted, and
we need to be equipped with
00:41:11.80\00:41:14.30
scripture to fight
back against the devil.
00:41:14.34\00:41:16.60
Doug: Absolutely, and, you
know, I think what would be a
00:41:16.64\00:41:18.84
perfect study for you,
Lee, is we've got a book.
00:41:18.87\00:41:22.78
And it sounded like
you might be driving.
00:41:22.81\00:41:24.31
So if you can just
remember, "The Armor of God."
00:41:24.35\00:41:27.68
And when you get where you can
make a phone call, then call in
00:41:27.72\00:41:29.95
and ask for that free
offer called "The Armor of God."
00:41:29.98\00:41:33.49
Aron: Yeah, and you can call in.
00:41:33.52\00:41:34.82
An easy shortcut way
is just dial #250, and
00:41:34.86\00:41:40.33
the keyword is
"Bible Answers Live."
00:41:40.36\00:41:42.56
And there you can
ask for this resource.
00:41:42.60\00:41:45.70
All right, thanks
again, Lee, for calling.
00:41:45.73\00:41:48.20
Our next caller is
Eron, which is my name.
00:41:48.24\00:41:52.31
Hello, Eron.
Calling in from New York.
00:41:52.34\00:41:54.68
Are you there?
00:41:54.71\00:41:57.28
Eron: Hello, Pastor Aron.
00:41:57.31\00:41:58.61
Aron: Hello, Eron.
00:41:58.65\00:42:00.08
Doug: That's fun.
00:42:00.12\00:42:01.42
Aron: What's
your question for us?
00:42:01.45\00:42:04.22
Eron: My question is
meant for Pastor Doug.
00:42:04.25\00:42:07.89
Last week someone had asked
whether or not ducks are kosher,
00:42:07.92\00:42:12.99
and I remember
Pastor Doug saying that they
00:42:13.03\00:42:15.16
are not because they
are related to swans and
00:42:15.20\00:42:18.37
the Bible say
that swans are unclean.
00:42:18.40\00:42:22.54
Well, I searched the
internet and saw that several
00:42:22.57\00:42:25.61
websites say
that ducks are kosher.
00:42:25.64\00:42:29.61
Do you think the Jews
say ducks are kosher because
00:42:29.64\00:42:32.48
they are not explicitly
forbidden in the scripture?
00:42:32.51\00:42:36.99
Doug: Yeah, no, I know.
00:42:37.02\00:42:38.32
I was aware that many
Jewish communities say--
00:42:38.35\00:42:43.63
they argue about
ducks, and some say ducks
00:42:43.66\00:42:45.99
are kosher and
some say they're not.
00:42:46.03\00:42:48.13
I--and there's, you know,
some areas where I respectfully
00:42:48.16\00:42:52.30
disagree with the Jews
in interpreting scripture.
00:42:52.33\00:42:56.14
I don't think, for example, in
the scripture when it says that
00:42:56.17\00:42:59.94
you're not to cut the corners
of your beard, it's not talking
00:43:00.04\00:43:04.75
about growing the
long, curly sideburns.
00:43:04.78\00:43:08.22
It says you're not
supposed to cut the
00:43:08.25\00:43:09.55
corners of your
beard for the dead.
00:43:09.58\00:43:11.92
And so my Orthodox Jewish
friends that grow the long
00:43:11.95\00:43:14.72
sideburns because they think
they're obeying that verse, I
00:43:14.76\00:43:17.76
think they're misunderstanding
their own scripture.
00:43:17.79\00:43:20.40
When, you know, the Bible says
to write the Word in your heart
00:43:20.43\00:43:23.23
and in your hand and on your
head, I don't think he meant for
00:43:23.26\00:43:26.07
us to hang phylacteries with
the Word of God on our forehead.
00:43:26.10\00:43:29.10
He meant the Word of
God is to be in your mind.
00:43:29.14\00:43:31.51
And so I'd also
disrespect with my
00:43:31.54\00:43:33.61
Jewish brethren
and, again, I'm Jewish.
00:43:33.64\00:43:35.84
At least my mother was.
00:43:35.88\00:43:37.11
That when I read the Word and
look at the definitions, duck
00:43:37.15\00:43:40.58
does not fit into the category
of the clean foraging birds.
00:43:40.62\00:43:44.42
The birds that are
clean are the quail.
00:43:44.45\00:43:46.76
These are birds that go around
in the woods and they peck and
00:43:46.79\00:43:48.72
they eat bugs and
seeds, and it's a quail.
00:43:48.76\00:43:51.26
And the pheasant and the
turkeys and the chickens.
00:43:51.29\00:43:54.63
People will be
happy to hear chickens
00:43:54.66\00:43:55.96
are clean, but I
would never eat it.
00:43:56.00\00:43:58.13
I went to a chicken
slaughterhouse when I was a kid.
00:43:58.17\00:44:00.24
I gave up eating
chicken long time ago.
00:44:00.27\00:44:04.64
But anyway--so
I hope that helps.
00:44:04.67\00:44:06.31
Yeah, I know that they're
going to say--some are going to
00:44:06.34\00:44:08.38
disagree, but I think that
it fits--King James Version,
00:44:08.41\00:44:12.38
I think, says swan
and they're unclean.
00:44:12.41\00:44:15.98
Goose, same category.
00:44:16.02\00:44:17.59
Goose, duck, swan.
00:44:17.62\00:44:19.12
Aron: Yeah, all right, Eron.
Well, thanks for calling in.
00:44:19.15\00:44:21.92
Our next caller is Paul
calling in from Tennessee.
00:44:21.96\00:44:25.93
Hello, Paul. Are you there?
00:44:25.96\00:44:28.43
Paul: Hey, yes, I'm
here. Evening, pastors.
00:44:28.46\00:44:30.37
Aron: Good evening.
00:44:30.40\00:44:32.73
Paul: So I've got a--really
I've got about a million
00:44:32.77\00:44:35.50
questions, but given this
day I figured I'd go with one
00:44:35.54\00:44:37.74
referring to
Jesus's resurrection.
00:44:37.77\00:44:40.51
This verse is just really
throwing me through a loop.
00:44:40.54\00:44:42.94
Okay, so I'm in 1 Peter
chapter 3, verse 18 and 20, but
00:44:42.98\00:44:47.95
specifically verse 19 is
what I'm struggling with.
00:44:47.98\00:44:51.29
It says, "In which
also he went and made
00:44:51.32\00:44:54.82
proclamation to the
spirits now in prison."
00:44:54.86\00:44:58.93
Who are the spirits in prison?
00:44:58.96\00:45:00.36
What does this verse mean?
00:45:00.40\00:45:01.76
Doug: What version of the Bible
are you reading, might I ask?
00:45:01.80\00:45:05.60
Paul: You know, I've
looked at it in a few different.
00:45:05.63\00:45:07.44
This one is NASB 1995.
00:45:07.47\00:45:10.34
I've also checked in,
like, ASV and ESV and NIV.
00:45:10.37\00:45:14.31
Doug: Okay.
00:45:14.34\00:45:15.64
Yeah, 'cause you added a word
that is not in mine, and let me
00:45:15.68\00:45:18.85
just tell you what it says
and what I believe it means.
00:45:18.88\00:45:22.78
Paul is talking, first
of all, about the Spirit.
00:45:22.82\00:45:25.92
And you read in verse 18, "For
Christ also suffered once for
00:45:25.95\00:45:30.09
sins, the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God,
00:45:30.13\00:45:33.96
being put to death in the flesh
but made alive by the Spirit."
00:45:34.00\00:45:38.33
Now, the subject
now is no longer Christ.
00:45:38.37\00:45:40.47
It's the Spirit.
00:45:40.50\00:45:41.80
By whom Christ went
and preached the Spirit.
00:45:41.84\00:45:46.11
Through the Holy Spirit Jesus
preached to the--spirits in
00:45:46.14\00:45:48.68
prison is not talking
about ghosts in prison.
00:45:48.71\00:45:52.51
It's talking about
people who were spiritually
00:45:52.55\00:45:55.45
imprisoned back
in the days of Noah.
00:45:55.48\00:45:58.35
It says, "Who are formerly
disobedient, when once the
00:45:58.39\00:46:00.86
divine longsuffering waited in
the days of Noah, while the ark
00:46:00.89\00:46:04.09
was being prepared,
in which few, that is,
00:46:04.13\00:46:05.89
eight souls, were
saved through water."
00:46:05.93\00:46:07.66
There's a verse in Genesis
chapter 6 where God says,
00:46:07.66\00:46:11.27
"My Spirit will
not always strive with
00:46:11.30\00:46:14.34
man, yet his days
will be 120 years."
00:46:14.37\00:46:17.37
And so God was saying--back in
the days of Noah, for 120 years
00:46:17.41\00:46:21.44
God, the Spirit of Christ, same
Spirit that rose Jesus from the
00:46:21.48\00:46:24.75
dead, preached to those
wicked people in prison,
00:46:24.78\00:46:28.05
those spirits
imprisoned to save them.
00:46:28.08\00:46:31.59
And then he goes on and he
talks about that, you know,
00:46:31.62\00:46:34.16
they were
destroyed, but Noah and his
00:46:34.19\00:46:35.49
family
believed, they were saved.
00:46:35.52\00:46:37.66
So it has nothing to do with
Jesus not really dying on the
00:46:37.69\00:46:41.00
cross but going into another
state and preaching to one group
00:46:41.03\00:46:44.87
of people that were
getting a second chance.
00:46:44.90\00:46:47.07
That would be
totally out of harmony with
00:46:47.10\00:46:48.44
where the Bible says
it's appointed unto man
00:46:48.47\00:46:50.67
once to die and
then the judgment.
00:46:50.71\00:46:52.47
You don't die and then
get to hear the gospel again.
00:46:52.51\00:46:54.54
Aron: Yeah, great answer.
00:46:54.58\00:46:56.01
I just want to highlight
again in verse 19 when it says,
00:46:56.04\00:46:58.88
"By whom also he--"
the he, the antecedent,
00:46:58.91\00:47:02.08
would be the Spirit, right?
00:47:02.12\00:47:03.42
The Holy Spirit preached to
the spirits in prison, right?
00:47:03.45\00:47:07.36
That would be--take us
right back to Genesis 6
00:47:07.39\00:47:08.89
where the Spirit,
right, was preaching
00:47:08.92\00:47:11.63
through Noah to
the spirits in prison.
00:47:11.66\00:47:13.80
The spirits in prison would just
be the wicked people, right?
00:47:13.83\00:47:17.20
When you look over at Luke
chapter 4 and verse 18, this is
00:47:17.23\00:47:20.90
Jesus quoting Isaiah of
what his mission was, right?
00:47:20.94\00:47:24.91
And here he says, "The Spirit of
the Lord is upon me because He's
00:47:24.94\00:47:28.41
anointed me to preach
the gospel to the poor.
00:47:28.44\00:47:30.51
He's sent me to heal
the broken hearts, to
00:47:30.55\00:47:31.98
proclaim liberty to
the captives," right?
00:47:32.01\00:47:35.82
The spirits in
prison, those who are captive
00:47:35.85\00:47:38.12
by the sin of this world, right?
00:47:38.15\00:47:40.76
So that would be
what that's referring to.
00:47:40.79\00:47:42.92
Doug: So hopefully,
Paul--now, did that make sense?
00:47:42.96\00:47:46.26
Paul: Yeah, absolutely, yes.
00:47:46.29\00:47:47.93
Thank you very much. I
really needed an answer.
00:47:47.96\00:47:50.43
This has been on
my mind all week, so--
00:47:50.47\00:47:52.20
Doug: I know, I first read
that, and I struggled, too.
00:47:52.23\00:47:54.84
Aron: All right, our
next caller is Benjamin,
00:47:54.87\00:47:58.17
calling in from California.
00:47:58.21\00:48:01.88
Benjamin, hello.
00:48:01.91\00:48:04.01
Welcome to our program.
00:48:04.05\00:48:05.35
Benjamin: Hi. How
are you doing, pastors?
00:48:05.38\00:48:06.68
Aron: Doing well. How are you?
00:48:06.72\00:48:08.08
Benjamin: I'm doing well.
00:48:08.12\00:48:09.42
My question is
in Revelation 16:12.
00:48:09.45\00:48:12.15
I've been tripped up a little
bit with this, talking about the
00:48:12.19\00:48:15.02
great river
Euphrates and I'm just curious.
00:48:15.06\00:48:17.59
I know sea represents people
and usually earth represents
00:48:17.63\00:48:20.06
barrenness, but what
does the great river Euphrates
00:48:20.10\00:48:22.33
represent in Revelation 16:12?
00:48:22.36\00:48:25.47
Doug: Well, you know,
it says--in Revelation 17
00:48:25.50\00:48:28.10
it tells us the
waters which you saw are
00:48:28.14\00:48:30.64
peoples and
multitudes, tongues and nations.
00:48:30.67\00:48:33.31
And so it's not just seawater.
00:48:33.34\00:48:35.14
It would include river waters.
00:48:35.18\00:48:37.15
Now, this is--you
know, Revelation is filled
00:48:37.18\00:48:40.15
with symbols from
the Old Testament.
00:48:40.18\00:48:41.82
You need to know a story.
00:48:41.85\00:48:43.45
Revelation talks--I'm sorry.
00:48:43.49\00:48:44.92
I should say the Bible talks
about the fall of Babylon in
00:48:44.95\00:48:47.59
Revelation and in
the book of Daniel.
00:48:47.62\00:48:50.89
The little backstory that isn't
specifically spelled out is that
00:48:50.93\00:48:56.26
when Cyrus--all the
Jews knew this story.
00:48:56.30\00:48:59.33
But when Cyrus wanted to conquer
Babylon, he ultimately diverted
00:48:59.37\00:49:03.51
the Euphrates river
so it no longer began
00:49:03.54\00:49:06.07
to flow under
the walls of Babylon.
00:49:06.11\00:49:10.31
A contingent of soldiers from
Cyrus snuck under the walls.
00:49:10.35\00:49:14.35
They opened the city gates and
let in the rest of the army, and
00:49:14.38\00:49:17.22
the inner gates had
been left open as well.
00:49:17.25\00:49:19.22
And so Babylon fell.
00:49:19.25\00:49:21.22
When the Euphrates was
dried up, Babylon fell.
00:49:21.26\00:49:25.53
Referring to that time in
history you read in chapter 16
00:49:25.56\00:49:29.46
this verse, and chapter
17 and 18 it talks about
00:49:29.50\00:49:32.43
the fall of
Babylon--spiritual Babylon.
00:49:32.47\00:49:35.24
So, you know, this
might be an example where
00:49:35.27\00:49:38.07
most of the early
plagues are literal.
00:49:38.11\00:49:39.81
There's going to be literal
blood and sores and fire.
00:49:39.84\00:49:42.41
This one may
actually have a dual meaning.
00:49:42.44\00:49:45.65
Principally I think it's saying
that when spiritual Babylon is
00:49:45.68\00:49:49.55
falling, its resources, its
people are going to turn on her
00:49:49.58\00:49:53.96
and it says that
they ultimately do turn.
00:49:53.99\00:49:57.16
The ten kings turn on Babylon,
but it's--I just think it's an
00:49:57.19\00:50:00.73
interesting note
right now that the literal
00:50:00.76\00:50:02.96
Euphrates river is drying up.
00:50:03.00\00:50:05.40
It's in the news quite a bit
lately, but I wouldn't look for
00:50:05.43\00:50:08.34
that as much as I'd look
at the spiritual application.
00:50:08.37\00:50:11.27
Aron: Yeah, and
it's--the historical account
00:50:11.31\00:50:15.21
is recorded on the
Cyrus Cylinder, right?
00:50:15.24\00:50:17.51
That's the
archaeological discovery.
00:50:17.55\00:50:19.25
But actually there
is a small little hint--
00:50:19.28\00:50:23.52
Doug: Isaiah? Aron: Yeah.
00:50:23.55\00:50:25.05
Of Cyrus drying up
the river Euphrates,
00:50:25.09\00:50:28.26
and that's in
Isaiah 44 and verse 27.
00:50:28.29\00:50:31.13
It's a prophecy written over
100 years before Isaiah--before
00:50:31.16\00:50:35.56
Cyrus was ever born and
it uses Cyrus's name twice,
00:50:35.60\00:50:39.57
and it says here,
"Who says to the deep,
00:50:39.60\00:50:42.37
'Be dry!' and I
will dry up your rivers."
00:50:42.40\00:50:46.54
God foretold the
way in which Cyrus
00:50:46.57\00:50:48.84
would defeat the
Babylonian city, right?
00:50:48.88\00:50:52.35
So the river
Euphrates drying up is a
00:50:52.38\00:50:54.68
reference to
the fall of Babylon.
00:50:54.72\00:50:56.79
And in the very next
chapter, Revelation 16, you have
00:50:56.82\00:50:59.39
Revelation 17, and
what do you see there?
00:50:59.42\00:51:01.62
It's the fall of Babylon, right?
00:51:01.66\00:51:03.46
Seventeen and
eighteen, the fall of Babylon.
00:51:03.49\00:51:05.46
So it's definitely a
symbolic understanding which
00:51:05.49\00:51:08.06
we have to compare
scripture with scripture
00:51:08.10\00:51:09.46
and understand
the spiritual meaning.
00:51:09.50\00:51:11.17
Doug: I think even in
Isaiah 45, is it, that it says
00:51:11.20\00:51:14.47
that the gates
would be left open.
00:51:14.50\00:51:16.97
So the whole
thing is really there.
00:51:17.01\00:51:19.71
Well, thank you.
00:51:19.74\00:51:21.04
And hopefully that
helps a little, Benjamin.
00:51:21.08\00:51:22.84
Pastor, we got time
maybe for one more question.
00:51:22.88\00:51:25.31
Let's see what it is
before our break here.
00:51:25.35\00:51:27.82
Aron: Yeah, all right, our next
caller here is Lisa calling in
00:51:27.85\00:51:31.92
from Georgia, and
she's a first-time caller.
00:51:31.95\00:51:34.36
So hey, Lisa.
Welcome to the show.
00:51:34.39\00:51:36.76
What is your
question for tonight?
00:51:36.79\00:51:40.03
Lisa: Hi, how are you?
00:51:40.06\00:51:42.10
Doug: Doing great. Thank you.
00:51:42.13\00:51:43.60
Lisa: Awesome.
00:51:43.63\00:51:44.93
My question is I've always
wondered, is it possible that
00:51:44.97\00:51:50.01
we--that humanity
could be the fallen angels?
00:51:50.04\00:51:54.78
You know, we--is it
possible that God has given
00:51:54.81\00:51:56.95
us a second
chance to get it right?
00:51:56.98\00:52:01.18
I don't know.
00:52:01.22\00:52:02.52
You know, 'cause we're born into
sin and we just have a sinful
00:52:02.55\00:52:04.89
nature and, you know, we have to
learn to do right and to do--you
00:52:04.92\00:52:09.72
know, be as God
has called us to be.
00:52:09.76\00:52:13.40
So it's just
something that has been in, you
00:52:13.43\00:52:17.67
know, my mind and
heart to ask this question.
00:52:17.70\00:52:20.90
Doug: Yeah. Well,
it's a valid question.
00:52:20.94\00:52:22.74
I know there are some churches
that teach that prior to our
00:52:22.77\00:52:25.37
earthly human existence that
people existed as angels, and I
00:52:25.41\00:52:30.78
think that there are even
stories of people that die--I
00:52:30.81\00:52:34.58
mean, some churches
that teach that when you die,
00:52:34.62\00:52:36.92
you become an angel
when you go to heaven.
00:52:36.95\00:52:39.55
They had that famous movie
called "A Wonderful Life" where
00:52:39.59\00:52:42.96
this angel named Clarence is
trying to do good deeds so he
00:52:42.99\00:52:45.73
can get his wings
and--you know what?
00:52:45.76\00:52:48.20
The Bible teaches--and by
the way, you said in Genesis.
00:52:48.23\00:52:50.53
I think you meant Revelation.
00:52:50.57\00:52:51.87
When Satan and
his angels are cast
00:52:51.90\00:52:53.20
down, it's in Revelation 12.
00:52:53.23\00:52:55.27
But the Bible's
pretty clear that
00:52:55.30\00:52:58.11
angels and humans are created.
00:52:58.14\00:53:00.38
I think there's
a verse in Hebrews
00:53:00.41\00:53:01.98
that says that He
created the angels.
00:53:02.01\00:53:04.25
They are
ministering spirits of God.
00:53:04.28\00:53:06.25
This is God's army.
00:53:06.28\00:53:08.08
It's His attendants, His staff,
and that man--Psalms tells us
00:53:08.12\00:53:12.52
man was made a little
lower than the angels.
00:53:12.55\00:53:15.89
We are a totally
different order of creation.
00:53:15.92\00:53:19.46
People did not use to be angels
that are now reincarnated.
00:53:19.49\00:53:22.83
It wouldn't want to do any good
because you don't remember it.
00:53:22.86\00:53:24.80
What good is it? So we
are unique individuals.
00:53:24.83\00:53:28.14
God makes every
snowflake different.
00:53:28.17\00:53:31.44
So certainly He knows us.
00:53:31.47\00:53:34.14
We're unique, one in a kind.
00:53:34.18\00:53:36.51
Once in eternity
He makes you you.
00:53:36.54\00:53:39.48
We are not
reincarnated from some
00:53:39.51\00:53:41.32
other animal or even angels.
00:53:41.35\00:53:44.49
Aron: Yeah, I think when we
piece together all of the many
00:53:44.52\00:53:47.66
verses about the angels
and about humans, it becomes
00:53:47.69\00:53:50.46
pretty clear that we
are not the fallen angels.
00:53:50.49\00:53:54.83
We can side with fallen
angels or we can side with the
00:53:54.86\00:53:57.50
righteous angels, but we
are a distinct order of being.
00:53:57.53\00:54:02.10
Doug: You know, and I
think--just as you were talking,
00:54:02.14\00:54:04.07
I remembered you've got
Gabriel who he appears to
00:54:04.11\00:54:08.81
Daniel in the Old
Testament and then, you know,
00:54:08.84\00:54:12.08
what, 600 years
later he appears to Mary.
00:54:12.11\00:54:15.05
He hasn't aged.
00:54:15.08\00:54:16.58
He hasn't come down to
earth to become someone else.
00:54:16.62\00:54:18.79
He's, you know--he
lives an eternal life.
00:54:18.82\00:54:21.79
And so yeah,
these--and fallen angels,
00:54:21.82\00:54:24.69
there are
angels that are fallen.
00:54:24.73\00:54:26.19
They come to the
earth, and they're demons.
00:54:26.23\00:54:27.76
They're devils, and they're
down here tormenting people.
00:54:27.83\00:54:31.33
Now, we do have a study guide.
00:54:31.37\00:54:33.44
We'll be happy, Lisa, to share
a free study guide with you that
00:54:33.47\00:54:36.17
talks about did
God make a devil.
00:54:36.20\00:54:38.51
It talks about the
angels, good and bad.
00:54:38.54\00:54:40.74
And how do we get that, pastor?
00:54:40.78\00:54:42.71
Aron: Yeah, if you want to get
that study guide, you can call
00:54:42.74\00:54:44.95
in to 1-800-835-6747.
00:54:44.98\00:54:50.42
Or if you have a phone, cell
phone particularly, you can just
00:54:50.45\00:54:53.79
dial #250 and say
"Bible Answers Live."
00:54:53.82\00:54:58.16
And there you can ask
for the Bible study guide.
00:54:58.19\00:55:00.26
Doug: All right, for
our listening friends,
00:55:00.30\00:55:01.56
we're not quite done.
00:55:01.60\00:55:02.90
We're signing off for
our satellite stations.
00:55:02.93\00:55:04.63
We'll be back in just a moment
with rapid fire Bible question.
00:55:04.67\00:55:08.37
So don't go away.
00:55:08.40\00:55:09.90
announcer: Thank you for
listening to today's broadcast.
00:55:12.34\00:55:14.78
We hope you understand your
Bible even better than before.
00:55:14.81\00:55:18.25
"Bible Answers Live" is produced
by Amazing Facts International,
00:55:18.28\00:55:22.45
a faith-based ministry located
in Granite Bay, California.
00:55:22.48\00:55:27.72
Aron: Hello, all
right, we are back
00:55:28.62\00:55:30.09
for a two-minute questionnaire.
00:55:30.13\00:55:31.73
All right, Pastor Doug.
00:55:31.76\00:55:33.53
Question number
one is from Wendy
00:55:33.56\00:55:35.70
who emailed in
from New Zealand, right?
00:55:35.73\00:55:38.10
So you can be all over
the globe and email in.
00:55:38.13\00:55:39.90
And her question
is, "Is the phrase
00:55:39.93\00:55:42.04
age of accountability biblical?"
00:55:42.07\00:55:46.34
Doug: No, well, you don't find
the phrase age of accountability
00:55:46.37\00:55:48.54
in the Bible, and you do not
find an exact age that is given.
00:55:48.58\00:55:53.08
There certainly is an
age of accountability.
00:55:53.11\00:55:55.85
In other words, you don't find
the word Bible in the Bible.
00:55:55.88\00:55:58.69
You don't find
the word millennium in
00:55:58.72\00:56:00.09
the Bible, but
it's in the Bible.
00:56:00.12\00:56:01.42
The teaching is there.
00:56:01.46\00:56:02.76
And you don't find
the word Trinity in
00:56:02.79\00:56:04.09
the Bible, but
the teaching is there.
00:56:04.13\00:56:05.89
The idea that a
child gets old enough
00:56:05.93\00:56:08.06
to understand the
difference between right and
00:56:08.10\00:56:10.07
wrong, that
principle is in the Bible.
00:56:10.10\00:56:12.97
I think
it's--you can't find Bible
00:56:13.00\00:56:14.97
support for giving an exact age.
00:56:15.00\00:56:17.84
Typically when they're old
enough to understand the claims
00:56:17.87\00:56:21.61
of the gospel, the difference
between right and wrong, they
00:56:21.64\00:56:24.41
hear the call of
God and they--to respond
00:56:24.45\00:56:27.15
and be responsible
for a decision, they're
00:56:27.18\00:56:29.75
reaching that age
of accountability.
00:56:29.78\00:56:31.42
God's very patient
with children and--
00:56:31.45\00:56:33.66
'cause He knows they're growing.
00:56:33.69\00:56:35.06
He made us that way.
00:56:35.09\00:56:36.59
Aron: Yeah, and
we're always judged
00:56:36.62\00:56:38.19
according to
light which we're given.
00:56:38.23\00:56:39.56
So the older we get
and the more mind power we
00:56:39.59\00:56:41.16
have, the better
we can make decisions.
00:56:41.20\00:56:43.06
Good, before we go to the next
question, I also want to remind
00:56:43.10\00:56:45.03
anyone you can email
in a question, all right?
00:56:45.07\00:56:47.60
You can just
call--you email in to
00:56:47.64\00:56:49.04
BALquestions@amazingfacts.org,
and that's how
00:56:49.07\00:56:53.58
you can get your
questions up here.
00:56:53.61\00:56:55.44
All right, our next question
is from Cammy, and Cammy asks,
00:56:55.48\00:56:58.58
"Are there people who
are alive right now who
00:56:58.61\00:57:01.92
are already sealed
with the seal of God?
00:57:01.95\00:57:05.22
Or will the actual
sealing happen at the
00:57:05.25\00:57:07.72
time right before
the mark of the beast?"
00:57:07.76\00:57:09.52
I think she's
referring to Revelation 7.
00:57:09.56\00:57:11.19
Doug: Right, yeah.
00:57:11.23\00:57:12.53
No, well, to just be accurate,
there are people through
00:57:12.56\00:57:15.40
history that have
received the Holy Spirit.
00:57:15.43\00:57:17.73
And, you know, Ephesians tells
us, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit
00:57:17.77\00:57:21.00
wherewith you are sealed
for the day of redemption."
00:57:21.04\00:57:23.64
So we all need the
Holy Spirit to seal
00:57:23.67\00:57:25.44
us and settle us in our faith.
00:57:25.47\00:57:28.24
But then there's a special seal
of God that is juxtaposed with
00:57:28.28\00:57:32.55
the mark of the beast in the
book of Revelation, and that's a
00:57:32.58\00:57:35.88
seal that's found
in the law of God.
00:57:35.92\00:57:37.99
In Isaiah it says
bind up the testimony,
00:57:38.02\00:57:41.02
seal my law among God's people.
00:57:41.06\00:57:43.93
And in the middle of God's law
you find the word holy only one
00:57:43.96\00:57:47.20
time, and that's in
the fourth commandment.
00:57:47.23\00:57:49.56
So go look that up,
friends, and read it.
00:57:49.60\00:57:51.00
Exodus 20, start with verse 8.
00:57:51.03\00:57:53.27
Aron: Yeah, okay.
00:57:53.30\00:57:54.67
Next question is by Laurel, and
they ask, "If forever only means
00:57:54.70\00:57:59.54
until the end of the
age, how then should we relate
00:57:59.57\00:58:02.54
that to spending
forever with Jesus?"
00:58:02.58\00:58:05.08
Doug: Yeah, well,
there are places where
00:58:05.11\00:58:06.55
forever means until a
person dies, but I just say
00:58:06.58\00:58:09.78
you've got to
read it in its context.
00:58:09.82\00:58:11.79
Exactly.
00:58:11.82\00:58:13.12
Hey, thank you,
listening friends.
00:58:13.15\00:58:14.46
It's been a joy to be studying
the Word of God with you.
00:58:14.49\00:58:16.49
We'll do it again next week.
00:58:16.52\00:58:18.89
announcer: "Bible
Answers Live," honest and
00:58:20.50\00:58:22.83
accurate answers to
your Bible questions.
00:58:22.86\00:58:25.80