Participants:
Series Code: AFBA
Program Code: AFBA202426S
|
00:01 ♪♪♪
00:03 male announcer: It is the best-selling book in history. 00:05 No volume ever written has been more loved and quoted; 00:09 and its words, sometimes simple and sometimes mysterious, 00:13 should always be studied carefully. 00:16 It is the Bible, the Word of God. 00:19 Welcome to "Bible Answers Live," providing accurate 00:23 and practical answer to all your Bible questions. 00:28 This broadcast is a previously-recorded episode. 00:31 To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned in this 00:33 broadcast, call 800-835-6747. 00:38 Once again, that's 800-835-6747. 00:43 Now here's your host from Amazing Facts International, 00:47 Pastor Doug Batchelor. 00:50 Doug Batchelor: Hello, friends. 00:51 Would you like to hear an amazing fact? 00:53 Construction has officially begun on Mukaab, which will be 00:58 the world's largest building, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 01:02 The indoor city will be the focal point of a 7-square mile 01:06 $500 billion development in Riyadh's new downtown district. 01:12 The Mukaab, Arabic word for cube, is just that: a monumental 01:16 monolithic building, like a square, that is 01:18 perfectly symmetrical. 01:20 The structure is slated to be 1300 feet high and 1200 01:25 feet wide. 01:27 The building will feature an impressive 2 million square feet 01:30 of floorspace, giving it enough interior volume to contain 20 01:35 Empire State Buildings. 01:37 The cube will contain over 100,000 residential units and 01:41 9000 hotel rooms, with fine dining, retail, offices, 01:45 and entertainment. 01:47 When you enter the cube and look up, you'll see an artificial sky 01:51 made up of thousands of video monitors that can create a 01:54 virtual reality of beautiful sunsets as though you're 01:57 floating in space or submerged underwater. 02:00 This colossal city-in-a-box is slated to be complete in 2030. 02:06 Now, Pastor Ross, just before the program, we were talking 02:08 a little bit about the Burj Khalifa. 02:12 There's a lot of oil money in the Middle East and they are 02:14 doing some incredible architectural endeavors there, 02:19 and they're making one city that is just going to be several 02:22 miles long. 02:23 And this Mukaab and you say it, I think, with like a Mu-ka-ab 02:28 because it's got two As together there, is --it's just phenomenal 02:34 when you think about what they're doing there. 02:36 And it's just a big square where you've almost got the length, 02:42 the breadth, and the height the same. 02:44 It's going to be like a giant piece of dice sitting out there 02:48 in the desert with a city around it. 02:50 And of course, it's not going to look quite like a cube of dice, 02:53 but it's --makes me think a little bit about that verse in 02:58 Revelation talking about the New Jerusalem and John describing 03:02 it, the angel comes out and measures it and it's 03:05 12,000 furlongs. 03:07 And as he says, the length and breadth and height of it are 03:11 the same. 03:13 And some Bible commentators have wondered, does that mean that 03:18 the city, the New Jerusalem, is a cube? 03:21 Because in another place, it says the walls of the city are 03:23 144 cubits, which would be 218 feet, I think, for us. 03:29 So it is definitely square on the ground. 03:32 But that could probably also mean that the middle of it, the 03:36 buildings go up so that they reach 375 miles, which would 03:41 take the top buildings into the stratosphere, which is hard 03:46 to comprehend. 03:47 But Paul said it's almost impossible for us to comprehend 03:50 the things that God has prepared for those that love Him. 03:53 It's pretty exciting to think about, huh? 03:55 Jean Ross: Yeah, well, it's, like you say, 03:57 it's hard to believe. 03:58 But the Bible does say that God is preparing a place that --it's 04:02 going to be the home of the redeemed. 04:03 It's going to be beautiful. 04:04 Streets of gold. 04:06 A tree that is so big and delivers 12 different types of 04:11 fruit, a different kind of fruit every month, and nations can 04:15 gather under its leaves, under its branches. 04:17 So, yes, heaven, is it for real? 04:20 It is. 04:21 And the Bible has a lot to say about it. 04:23 We have a book and it's called, "Heaven: Is It For Real?" 04:25 That is our free gift to anyone who would call and ask. 04:28 The number is just 800-835-6747. 04:32 You can ask for the book. 04:33 It's called, "Heaven: Is It For Real?" 04:35 And you'll read it, you'll be inspired and encouraged. 04:38 You can share it with somebody else. 04:39 You can receive a digital download of the book by dialing 04:42 #250 with your smartphone. 04:44 Say, "Bible Answers Live," and then ask for the book by name. 04:48 It's just, "Heaven: Is It For Real?" 04:50 Now, I know, Pastor Doug, we've got folks listening, not only in 04:52 North America but outside of the US as well. 04:55 And if you'd like to get --if you'd like to read the book, we 04:58 are unable to mail it outside of the US, but you can go to 05:01 the website. 05:03 Just AmazingFacts.org. 05:05 And we do have a link that says "Our Library," our 05:07 online library. 05:08 You can read the book right there. 05:10 It's called, "Heaven: Is It For Real?" 05:12 Well, Pastor Doug, we've got a number of folks lined up here 05:15 with their Bible questions. 05:16 But before we go to the phone lines, as we always do, let's 05:18 have prayer. 05:19 Dear Father, we are so grateful for another time that You've 05:21 given us where we can open up Your Word and read and study 05:24 together and look at these important questions. 05:27 Father, we desire Your Spirit to guide us, that we might come 05:29 into a clear understanding of Your Word, which is truth. 05:33 So bless our time this evening, be with those listening, in 05:36 Jesus's name, amen. 05:38 Doug: Amen. 05:39 Jean: Well, we're going to go right to the phone lines. 05:40 First caller this evening, we've got Brittany in California. 05:43 Brittany, welcome to "Bible Answers Live." 05:46 Brittany: Yeah, my question is how does Nehemiah 8:10 apply in 05:51 our modern context since we have so much trouble in our world? 05:58 Doug: Now, Nehemiah 8:10, is this the one where it says: "Go 06:02 your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, send portions to those 06:07 for whom nothing is prepared. 06:08 Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." 06:11 Here, when he says, "Eat the fat and drink the sweet," he's 06:14 talking about butter and honey. 06:17 And I think there's a verse, it's just --it's a symbol for 06:20 the rich food when things were going well. 06:23 And the cows had a lot of milk and they would have butter 06:25 and cheese. 06:27 That was called the fat. 06:28 You're not supposed to eat the fat of meat that was forbidden 06:30 in the Bible. 06:32 That was to be burned on the altar. 06:33 And drinking the sweet: they had sweet wine that they 06:35 would drink. 06:36 But when he says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength," 06:38 yeah, that's the secret of being a Christian is even in times of 06:43 war, I think it was Jehoshaphat, they were reminded that the joy 06:46 of the Lord is their strength. 06:48 And so when there's struggles and trials in the world, a 06:52 Christian's joy is not dependent on circumstances. 06:58 It's like you said, we'll have joy like a river. 07:01 It's something that runs in and through our lives no matter what 07:05 might be happening around us. 07:07 And so, yeah, Christians can have that kind of joy. 07:10 And when Nehemiah is telling them to have joy, this is a time 07:14 when they're being harassed by their neighbors. 07:17 And they had to actually do the construction, carrying weapons. 07:20 So they're having a hard time from their neighbors, but they 07:23 didn't let it take away their joy. 07:25 Jean: And of course, the Bible does tell us that "before Jesus 07:27 comes, there will be a time of trouble," says Micah. 07:30 "We'll stand up, there'll be a time of trouble, worst the world 07:32 has ever seen." 07:34 But Jesus said, "When you begin to see these things take place, 07:36 look up, for your redemption is drawing near." 07:39 We know we're going to have to go through some times of trouble 07:42 before Jesus comes. 07:43 But these are reminders that the end is near and that Jesus is 07:46 going to come. 07:48 There's going to be no more pain, no more sorrow. 07:49 He's going to make all things new, and that, of course, is the 07:51 great hope of the Christian. 07:53 It's called that blessed hope, the Coming of Christ. 07:56 All right, well, thank you, Brittany. 07:58 We've got Dylan, listening in Nevada, and he's got a question 08:00 about Matthew 22. 08:03 Dylan, welcome to the program. 08:04 Dylan: Hi, Pastor Ross and Pastor Doug. 08:08 How are you guys doing? 08:09 Doug: Doing great. Thank you for calling. 08:12 And your question tonight? 08:13 Dylan: It was Matthew 8. I just --my thoughts of it is just 08:19 he's saying --I'm thinking he's saying "because you're not 08:23 saved" because he's saying, "Let the dead bury the dead." 08:27 If you're dead, you can't bury no one. 08:29 You know, the dead know nothing. 08:30 So I didn't-- 08:32 Doug: Well, let's read what it says before that. 08:34 It tells us that "one of His disciples said, 'Lord, let me 08:37 first go bury my father.' 08:39 And Jesus said, 'Follow Me, and let the dead bury their 08:42 own dead.'" 08:44 Paul talks about people who are not saved and he refers to them, 08:47 and I forget the reference, but it says that they're dead in 08:49 trespasses and sins. 08:51 And so you're right, a person who's not saved, John tells us, 08:56 "He that has the Son has life. 08:58 He that has not the Son has not life." 09:01 So it's not talking about zombies doing a funeral. 09:04 Jesus is saying to this young man, "Follow Me, let other 09:09 people in your family take care of the funeral arrangements. 09:11 They don't --they don't know Me. 09:13 They're not saved. 09:14 Others can do that, but I'm calling you to do a more 09:16 important work," and not that funerals aren't important, but 09:21 following --when Christ in God says, "Follow Me," that should 09:25 be the priority. 09:27 Jean: And the verses you refer to, there's actually two written 09:28 by Paul. 09:30 Ephesians chapter 2, verse 1: He says, "You were dead in your 09:32 trespasses and sins," speaking of the believer. 09:35 Colossians 2:13, it says: "And you, being dead in your sins and 09:40 uncircumcision of your flesh, He has quickened together." 09:43 So there we have the idea of being dead, meaning dead in sin. 09:47 Doug: Yeah, very good. Jean: All right, thank you. 09:50 We've got Lou in Iowa, a question about Numbers 25. 09:53 Lou, welcome to the program. 09:55 Lou: Yeah, I really enjoy the program. 09:58 Yeah, my question is, it seems like between the King James 10:02 Version and the NIV, the last part of Numbers 11, verse 25, it 10:10 says: "When the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and 10:14 did not cease." 10:16 That's what it says in the King James Version. 10:18 And the NIV, it says: "When the Spirit rested upon them, they 10:22 prophesied --but did not do that again." 10:26 So I was just kinda curious of the --it seems like that's two 10:29 different things. 10:30 I just wondered what that --how you maybe could help me out 10:33 with that. 10:35 Doug: Yeah, well, the scholars are confused because the word 10:37 that's used there in Hebrew can mean either. 10:41 It says they prophesied and when it says they did not cease or 10:46 they ceased not, they don't know whether they're saying that this 10:49 is the only time that it happened, or it would be kind 10:54 of odd for them to say they didn't cease. 10:56 That would mean they prophesied the rest of their lives. 10:59 But I think what you have happening here is, basically, 11:04 they're being given a gift of the Holy Spirit, the same way 11:07 God took the spirit of Elijah and gave a double portion 11:10 to Elisha. 11:12 It's like where Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, 11:15 "Receive the Holy Spirit," He was empowering them for the work 11:18 He had called them to do. 11:20 The 70 elders are now being called to share the 11:23 responsibility of Moses in judging the people. 11:26 So God took of the Spirit that He had given Moses. 11:28 This is symbolic. 11:29 It's all God's Spirit. 11:31 And He gave it to them and it may be Moses went and laid his 11:34 hands on them as well and they began to prophesy. 11:38 The Bible says, "When the Spirit of the Lord came on Saul, the 11:41 king, he prophesied and they said, 'Is Saul among 11:44 the prophets?' 11:46 And so they were filled with this ecstasy and began to 11:49 proclaim the Word of God," and God empowered them for the work 11:53 they did for years to come. 11:55 It's like something special happened to the apostles at 11:57 Pentecost for that occasion, but they didn't necessarily do it 12:02 like that where they were speaking in tongues through the 12:04 rest of their ministries. 12:06 Jean: All right, thank you. 12:08 Thank you, Lou. 12:09 Appreciate that question. We got Robert in Virginia. 12:12 Robert, welcome to "Bible Answers Live." 12:13 Robert: Hi, Pastors. 12:14 Good evening. 12:16 Doug: Evening. 12:17 Robert: My question is I know Satan, he committed the first 12:20 sin, and sin is a transgression of the law. 12:22 So the law must have been in heaven prior to Adam and Eve. 12:27 And the fifth commandment says, "Honor your mother and father." 12:30 Where's the missing link for me, please? 12:32 I'm trying to --I'm trying to think about why is the fifth 12:36 commandment up in heaven when we don't have parents to honor? 12:39 Doug: Well, you know, before the world was created, I don't know 12:44 that God's law was codified the way it was here on Earth. 12:48 God's law has always existed, which is summarized in the 12:51 word "love." 12:52 And Jesus said it's also love for God and love for others: 12:56 Loving the Lord with all your heart, loving your neighbor. 12:58 The ten commandments are expressions of that. 13:01 Now, the fifth commandment, "Honor your father and mother," 13:04 of course, we've got our Father in heaven. 13:07 And so, for those on Earth, you would transfer that to not only 13:10 honor your heavenly Father, but children were to honor their 13:14 parents in the same way that through an act of love, the 13:19 Father and Son and Spirit created man in their own image, 13:23 through an act of love, a man and woman procreate in 13:26 their image. 13:27 And the child is to love and respect and learn from 13:29 their parents. 13:31 And so I think the principle is there, but you're right, it may 13:34 have been different. 13:35 Jean: Now, of course, if you go back through the genealogy of 13:38 Christ in the Gospels, it goes all the way back to Adam and 13:41 says, "Adam, the son of God." 13:44 So, it's described-- Adam is described as-- 13:47 Doug: Son of Seth, who is the son of Adam, who's the son 13:49 of God. 13:50 Jean: That's right. 13:51 So, all right. Thank you, Robert. 13:54 We've got Glenn in Ohio. 13:55 Glenn, welcome to "Bible Answers Live." 13:57 Glenn: Thank you, Pastors, for taking my call. 14:00 My question concerns the 7th chapter of Daniel where some say 14:06 that the eagle coming out of Britain is America and the 14:11 Britain --the lion of Britain, we had the --there are the three 14:15 major wars with war among --and Russia, and then they come down 14:20 to the wings of the French attached to the German leopard, 14:25 perhaps indicative of the coalition between France and 14:29 Germany during the Second World War. 14:32 But then the third point that really is big, I think, is the 14:35 German leopard has four heads and I perhaps lived through most 14:40 of the Third Reich and maybe we still have the Fourth Reich of 14:44 Germany coming. 14:46 But my question goes back to the 2nd chapter of Daniel where we 14:50 have the description of the image and people are saying that 14:54 this same image is described in Daniel 7. 14:58 Why would Daniel do that? 15:01 Doug: All right, well, thank you so much. 15:02 We appreciate your call. 15:05 You know, there are a couple of different views out there 15:07 regarding how to interpret the prophecies in Daniel. 15:12 And I know for instance, was it Herbert W. Armstrong, he applied 15:17 many of those things to the countries in Europe. 15:20 But most of the Protestant scholars, and I think Pastor 15:23 Ross and I would be in that camp, when they look at Daniel 15:27 2, you got a great image and you've got that four or five 15:32 minerals, the head of gold is Babylon and it's explained all 15:35 there in the vision. 15:37 And the silver represents the Medo-Persian kingdom, and 15:40 the belly of bronze represents the Greek kingdom. 15:44 That was then followed by the Roman kingdom. 15:46 And then the fifth would be the combination of Rome, it says 15:51 mixed with miry clay. 15:52 It becomes both a political and a religious government and that 15:56 would be the Papal Rome, and Rome is then divided into the 16:00 ten toes. 16:01 Well, you've got the same history happening in Revelation 16:05 chapter --or Daniel chapter 7, where you get the lion is 16:08 Babylon and the bear raising up on one side is Medo-Persia; and 16:13 the leopard, it's the four-headed leopard is the four 16:16 divisions of the Greek Empire after Alexander died. 16:19 Then you got this non script-- descript beast. 16:22 It's got the brass claws and the iron teeth. 16:25 And that's the Roman Empire. 16:27 It starts out with pagan Rome, ends up with Papal Rome. 16:30 So, what Daniel is doing or God is doing through Daniel is, He's 16:34 showing the same history of the world from the time of Daniel 16:38 all the way to the Second Coming and Christ's Kingdom through-- 16:41 one is through a set of unclean animals, the other is through an 16:45 idol, and they represent the kingdoms of the world. 16:48 Now, when you get to Daniel 8 and 9, and it's talking 16:51 about--or Daniel 8, in particular, it's using 16:53 clean animals. 16:54 It's kind of interesting. 16:56 But anything you want to add to that, Pastor Ross? 16:57 Jean: Yeah, we see the pattern in scripture sort of repeat 17:00 and enlarge. 17:01 So Daniel chapter 2 outlines the four major powers. 17:04 Rome would be the last, but then it would lead into the Papal 17:07 Rome and that would exist all the way to the Second Coming 17:09 of Christ. 17:11 And then you have the repeat with some additional details in 17:14 chapter 7 and a judgment scene is brought to view there. 17:17 And then chapter 8 expands on the vision with even greater 17:22 detail, giving time periods for this judgment before 17:24 Jesus comes. 17:26 So each vision builds on the other, but it covers the same 17:29 time period, from Daniel's time all the way to the Second Coming 17:31 of Christ. 17:33 Doug: We have a study guide. 17:34 Glenn, I think you'd really enjoy this. 17:36 If you get our study guide that is talking about --well, we 17:38 got two. 17:40 One is the Millennial Man or it's the first study in our 17:46 historical series. 17:47 And you could ask for that. 17:49 It talks about Daniel chapter 2. And then I --which one is Daniel 17:52 7, that goes through --is that the study guide that talks about 17:57 the "Who Is the Antichrist?" 17:59 Jean: Yes, that covers the Little Horn Power. 18:02 Yeah, Daniel chapter 7, so you can ask for that. 18:05 We'll be happy to send you that study guide, "Who Is 18:07 the Antichrist?" 18:09 And the other one you can ask for is called, "Millennial Man" 18:11 on Daniel chapter 2. 18:13 The number to call for that is 800-835-6747. 18:17 Of course, anyone can call and ask. 18:19 You can 'dial' #250 on your smartphone, you'll receive 18:22 a digital download of the study guide, "Who Is the Antichrist?" 18:26 Just ask for it and you'll read it, a lot more important 18:29 information there. 18:31 Very important study. 18:32 Thank you. 18:33 Next caller that we have is Kevin in Michigan and he's also 18:35 asking about something in the book of Daniel. 18:38 Welcome, Kevin. 18:39 Kevin: Thank you for taking my call. 18:41 Doug: Yes, sir. 18:42 Kevin: And my question from Daniel chapter 12, verse 7, is 18:46 wanting to know what exactly is the power of the holy people 18:50 that's been shattered? 18:52 Doug: Well, the holy people would be clearly God's people. 18:55 And you know, in the Old Testament, the holy people were 18:58 the Jews that were following the law. 19:02 They were His people, the faithful, the children 19:05 of Abraham. 19:06 And Paul tells us in the New Testament that's been expanded 19:09 beyond just Jews. 19:10 Of course, the apostles were all Jews also. 19:13 But he said if you are Christ, then you are Abraham's seed. 19:15 And so it's talking about the journey of God's people here, 19:18 especially at the end of time, moving towards the time of 19:22 the end, in Daniel 7-- do you want to add to that? 19:24 Jean: Yeah, and then we also have a time period in Daniel 19:26 chapter 12, verse 7, yeah, it says, "He shall rule for a time, 19:29 times, and a half a time; and then the power of the holy 19:32 people completely shattered." 19:34 The "time, times, and a half a time," a time in Bible prophecy 19:37 represents a year. 19:38 There were 360 days in the Hebrew year. 19:41 So you've got 360 plus 360 times 2, because it's times 2, plus 19:47 half of 360. 19:49 You add that all together, you get 1260 and one prophetic day 19:53 is equal to 1 literal year. 19:55 That represents the 1260 years of papal supremacy during the 19:59 Dark Ages from 538 until 1798. 20:03 And during that time, those who refused to acknowledge papal 20:06 authority, the Protestants and others, they were --they 20:09 faced persecution. 20:10 Many were put to death. 20:12 So that's what it's referring to here in Daniel chapter 7. 20:15 It's talking about that 1260 years of papal supremacy 20:18 which ended in 1798 20:20 when Berthier Napoleon General marched in Rome, 20:23 proclaimed the political rule of the Papacy at an end, and the 20:25 Pope was taken prisoner, and then, it sort of opened the 20:28 doors for Protestantism, especially in the United States, 20:31 to really begin to flourish and take the gospel around 20:34 the world. 20:35 Doug: Boy, you did a good job making a quick overview. 20:37 Jean: I summarized it quick there. 20:39 It's a big study, but yeah, that's the time period 20:41 that I think we're talking about. 20:42 Doug: Yeah, and we've got, well, that time period is also found 20:44 in Revelation chapter 12. 20:46 It appears several places in the Bible. 20:47 Jean: Mentioned seven times in the Bible. 20:49 Very important time period. 20:50 Doug: Yeah, and it's half of 7, 3 and a half years. 20:54 Half of 7 years. 20:56 Anyway, I hope that made sense, Kevin. 20:58 Thank you very much. 20:59 And who's next? 21:01 Jean: You know, we have a --just a study guide on that, that I'm 21:03 thinking about, Pastor Doug. 21:04 It's "Right on Time" that talks about the 70 weeks. 21:08 Doug: Oh yes, there you go. 21:09 Jean: Twenty-three hundred, and I'm sure it includes the 21:11 1260 there. 21:12 So, just call and ask for it. 21:14 The study guide's called, "Right on Time," and the number 21:15 is 800-835-6747. 21:19 That is our phone line. 21:21 You can dial #250 on your smartphone and then ask 21:23 for that study guide. 21:25 It's called, "Right on Time." 21:26 We'll be happy to send it to anyone who calls and asks. 21:28 Dial #250, and of course, we'll give you a digital download that 21:32 way, if you use that method. 21:34 Next caller that we have is Mick, listening in Louisiana. 21:37 Mick, welcome to the program. 21:40 Mick: Yes, sir. Thanks for having me on. 21:43 Jean: You're on the air. 21:44 Yes, welcome. 21:46 Mick: Yes, and my question is, what is the first thing that 21:49 we're going to see? 21:53 Is a calamity going to happen, like what happened in the last 21:57 few years? 21:59 And the beast is going to come and deceive us? 22:01 We're all going to have to unite behind him and somehow he's 22:05 going to get us to do this mark? 22:07 What is this first thing going to be? 22:09 Because I'm ready to tell friends and folks that this guy 22:18 is false. 22:20 Doug: Well, you're talking about what would be one of the pivotal 22:23 signs that would help people know that the beast power is 22:28 about to make his move. 22:30 Is that kind of what you're asking? 22:32 Mick: Yes, yes. 22:34 Is it going to be a calamity like an earthquake, Yellowstone, 22:37 another COVID thing? 22:39 And then some guy is going to come like, maybe it's Trump. 22:43 We all believe in Trump now, maybe it's Elon Musk we elect in 22:46 10, 15 years and we're all going to unite behind him, he's got 22:50 all the answers, like it says in Revelation, "this guy that 22:53 fools us." 22:54 Is that the first beast? 22:55 Is that what we're looking for? 22:57 Someone that's going to have the answers and lie-- 22:58 Doug: Yeah, well, for one thing, I'll tell you, Mark, you would 23:01 appreciate the lesson on "Who Is the Antichrist?" 23:04 Because, yeah, I don't think it's a president is 23:09 the Antichrist because the Antichrist is 23:12 a political religious leader. 23:13 And what you are correct that there will be some triggering 23:18 event and it may be one or all of an economic disaster, 23:23 a natural disaster, it could be a war. 23:28 The people, out of fear, turn to religion and during that time, 23:33 you're going to see a confederacy of Protestants are 23:38 going to come together in North America, that they're going to 23:40 drift from the Bible, and be saying, you know, "Let's just 23:44 unite with Catholicism and the orthodox churches in Europe 23:48 being led by the Pope," and then maybe a new Pope at that point 23:51 because this one is, what, 88 now. 23:55 And they're going to form a religious coalition and start 23:58 implementing religious laws that compel you to worship contrary 24:03 to the Bible. 24:04 And that's when they say, "You must worship the image to 24:06 the beast." 24:07 What is that beast? 24:09 Well, it's the first beast that you find in Revelation 13 and 24:11 then there's a second beast in Revelation 13 and hard to cover 24:15 that in 3 minutes, so please ask for the lesson, "Who Is 24:18 the Antichrist?" 24:20 and even "America in Prophecy." 24:21 I've heard a lot of people saying, you know, all the way 24:25 back to Ronald Reagan, is he going to be the Antichrist 24:28 because they said his three names had six letters in 24:31 each name. 24:32 You maybe don't remember that. 24:33 I'm a little older than you. 24:35 They said, Yeah, he's got 666 in his name: Ronald, whatever 24:39 it was, Reagan. 24:40 And then they said, No, it's going to be Bush, it's going to 24:42 be Bush 1, Bush 2, Clinton. 24:45 And I don't think that it says in the prophecy, it's going to 24:48 be a president, but America does play a role and Europe plays 24:52 a role and please ask for that study guide, either "America in 24:55 Prophecy" or "Who Is the Antichrist?" 24:57 Jean: Or you can even ask for a third one called "The Mark 24:59 of the Beast." 25:01 You'll get the whole thing. 25:02 You'll find out who the Antichrist is. 25:03 Doug: We'll send them to you free. 25:05 Jean: "The Mark of the Beast," "The US in Prophecy." 25:06 Also, we do have a magazine, Pastor Doug. 25:08 It's called, "The United States in Bible Prophecy." 25:10 Doug: "American Prophecy," yeah. 25:11 Jean: And it gets into all those details. 25:12 So call and ask. 25:14 The number is 800-835-6747. 25:16 You can ask for the magazine. 25:18 It's called "American Prophecy." 25:20 You can ask for the study guide, which we encourage you to do. 25:22 It's "Who Is the Antichrist?" 25:24 "The Mark of the Beast," "The US in Bible Prophecy," three 25:27 study guides. 25:29 And it just covers a lot of important information. 25:31 All right, thank you, Mick. 25:33 We've got Virginia in California. 25:35 Virginia, welcome to the program. 25:37 Virginia: Hi, good evening. 25:38 I'm going to do my best to make this question a little precise. 25:45 As we know, Job at the very beginning, Jesus, you know, 25:48 tells Satan, "Have you considered, you know, Job, 25:53 My servant?" 25:54 Well, my son and I are reading and we came to Job 22:9. 26:00 And it's Eliphaz talking and saying to Job, "You turned poor 26:06 widows away from your door; heartless, you crushed orphans." 26:11 Now, that's the Message Bible. 26:13 In King James, says: "Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the 26:18 arms of the fatherless have been broken." 26:22 So he basically is, to me, like, he's saying that Job is the 26:27 person that's done this? 26:29 Doug: Yeah, he --his friends are falsely accusing him. 26:32 Hey, we got to take a break, Virginia. 26:34 Well, stay with us and we'll come back to you as soon 26:36 as we're done with our break. 26:38 Thanks. 26:40 ♪♪♪ 26:42 announcer: Stay tuned. 26:43 "Bible Answers Live" will return shortly. 26:53 announcer: "Amazing Facts Changed Lives." 27:01 Darryl: I grew up in a neighborhood in Northwest DC, 27:04 a neighborhood called Petworth. 27:05 I went to a private school and I didn't fit in well at school 27:07 because I was from an inner city neighborhood. 27:09 I didn't fit in well at home because I went to 27:11 a private school. 27:12 I've always been a people pleaser, so I would --I would do 27:15 what they did and they started drinking, I started drinking. 27:18 They started smoking marijuana, I smoked marijuana. 27:21 Once I became aware of girls and what male-female relationships 27:26 were all about, I was off to the races with these guys. 27:29 So we started partying every week and we'd stay out till all 27:32 hours of the evening. 27:33 My homework didn't get done and my grades just suffered because 27:35 of it. 27:37 And as soon as I went to college at --a Catholic University here, 27:40 I started smoking hashish. 27:42 And back in those days you could smoke in class. 27:45 I loved the way it made me feel. 27:47 I didn't have to worry about-- I fit in, I was fun. 27:51 People liked being with me. 27:54 I was --I was kind of the life of the party. 27:55 I came out of my shell and shortly thereafter in my 27:58 mid-twenties, I was working at one of the biggest computer 28:01 companies after graduating college, one of the biggest 28:04 computer companies on the planet at the time. 28:06 And I had money, I had women, I had, you know, a car every 28:11 2 years. 28:12 My job performance started to-- started to suffer. 28:15 Nothing else was the same in my life. 28:17 I started missing work. 28:19 I would get hired, maybe even be promoted. 28:22 I did really well. 28:24 Three or four months in, five months in, you know, say 4 to 6 28:27 months, I would lose the job. 28:29 I've forgotten more jobs than I --than I can remember. 28:31 I needed to smoke on a daily basis, all day, every day, and 28:36 that costs money. 28:37 So then I started getting into stealing. 28:41 I'm stealing from family and friends and when that ran out 28:44 and people were stopped-- were not trusting me anymore, 28:47 I started to --I started to rob people. 28:50 My family didn't want anything to do with me. 28:52 My friends didn't want anything to do with me. 28:54 People, when I called people, they didn't answer the phone. 28:56 When I knocked on the door, they didn't answer the door. 28:58 I was --I purchased a house, and a young lady and I purchased it 29:01 together and we wanted to move in together and that fell by 29:04 the wayside because I started smoking and I started taking 29:07 things from the house and selling them. 29:10 I started taking her personal items and selling them. 29:12 I started stealing from her purse. 29:15 I started stealing from stores. 29:18 I mean, pizza delivery guys were like an ATM. 29:21 Nothing mattered. 29:22 I've been homeless about four or five times in my life and each 29:27 time was drug-related. 29:28 Each time, I chose to do drugs rather than to live with this 29:33 person that --whoever it was I was dating. 29:36 During all this time, my sister and her family, they would 29:39 engage me, they would take me to church. 29:42 I met this woman who happened to be going to my church and 29:44 I didn't even know. 29:46 And she was taking Bible studies from her brother-in-law and her 29:49 sister, who were church leaders. 29:51 They heard about a seminar by Doug Batchelor and Amazing Facts 29:54 called "The Prophecy Code." 29:56 I learned about the true meaning of the Sabbath. 29:59 I learned about my health issues and what --how diet and exercise 30:03 can positively affect my health and, like, my wellbeing. 30:08 I learned about forgiveness from God for me. 30:12 I took to Pastor Doug right away because of the way he spoke, his 30:16 caginess, his --the way he talked was so --it was just like 30:21 he was talking to me. 30:22 He gave out the --his book, "The Richest Caveman." 30:26 And when I read that book, I was astonished at all the things he 30:30 had been through. 30:32 His story was not exactly like mine, but it was a lot 30:35 like mine. 30:36 I just identified with him right from the start. 30:38 I thank God that I went to that Prophecy Code seminar because it 30:42 was my introduction to the truth. 30:45 And I even go to Youtube and catch the --some of the 30:49 seminars, other seminars, that they've had, you know, over 30:52 the years and I do it because I still feel a connection. 30:55 It's like my roots. 30:57 It's like my foundation was built on Amazing Facts and I 31:00 like the free offers they give. 31:01 I can imagine the call-taker on the other end, when I call 31:05 the 800 number. 31:06 "Hi, girl, how are you?" 31:08 "What --which free gift would you like today?" 31:09 I can't imagine life without getting those free offers, 31:12 because those books are so well written and just like they're 31:14 written for me. 31:16 I appreciate Amazing Facts and Pastor Doug Batchelor because 31:19 they brought --they helped bring me to where I am today. 31:21 My name is Darryl. 31:23 You and Amazing Facts have changed my life. 31:28 ♪♪♪ 31:36 ♪♪♪ 31:39 announcer: You're listening to "Bible Answers Live" where every 31:42 question answered provides a clearer picture of God and His 31:46 plan to save you. 31:47 So what are you waiting for? 31:49 Get practical answers about the good book for a better 31:52 life today. 31:56 This broadcast is a previously recorded episode. 31:59 If you'd like answers to your Bible-related questions on 32:02 the air, please call us next Sunday between 7 p.m. 32:06 and 8 p.m. Pacific Time. 32:08 To receive any of the Bible resources mentioned in this 32:11 evening's program, call 800-835-6747. 32:16 Once again, that's 800-835-6747. 32:21 Now, let's rejoin our hosts for more "Bible Answers Live." 32:27 Doug: Welcome back, listening friends, to 32:28 "Bible Answers Live." 32:30 We know there's people that may have joined us en route and this 32:32 is a live, international, interactive Bible study. 32:36 Originates here outside of Sacramento, California, at 32:38 the Amazing Facts headquarters and streams around the world on 32:42 radio, television, and the Internet. 32:44 And we're so thankful that you have joined us. 32:47 My name is Doug Batchelor. 32:48 Jean: My name is Jean Ross. 32:49 And we were talking to Virginia in California and she was --we 32:52 were talking about a verse in Job. 32:54 Virginia, are you still there? 32:56 Virginia: Yes, basically, Job 22:9. 32:59 Trying to understand how Eliphaz, is he lying by saying, 33:04 "Job, you've done," you know, "you're pushing, you know, 33:07 widows and orphans away." 33:09 But then in Job 23, Job says, "Oh no, I would pass the test," 33:14 you know? 33:15 "I've looked for God everywhere but I can pass the test," I 33:19 think it's Job 23, "of my righteousness or my--" anyway. 33:24 Doug: Yeah, the clue is at the very end of the book of Job. 33:27 God says, "Job has spoken that which is right and he needs to 33:32 pray for and offer sacrifice for his friends that were wrong." 33:37 And so while the friends of Job said many things that are true, 33:40 so when you're reading the statements of Eliphaz and his 33:42 friends, they outline a lot of true principles about how 33:48 God works. 33:49 But they were assuming that because God does punish evil, 33:52 that Job and all of his suffering, he must have been 33:54 doing something wrong. 33:56 And Eliphaz is basically saying, "Come on, 'fess up, Job. 33:59 You probably were sending away the widows and ignoring 34:01 the fatherless, and that's why this is all happening to you." 34:04 So he was assuming that. 34:05 He didn't know that, and Job certainly says he's a righteous 34:09 man at the beginning and it says he's righteous at the end. 34:12 Says: "In all this, Job sinned not." 34:15 So, yeah, Eliphaz and his friends just saw his suffering. 34:19 They thought, "If God is just, he must have been doing some 34:22 things wrong," and they're basically trying to pin these 34:25 things on him. 34:27 That's why He said, "Your miserable comforters." 34:28 His friends come to comfort him, they end up accusing him. 34:30 Jean: You know, the same ideas persisted even in the time 34:33 of Christ. 34:34 I remember there was the man born blind and the disciples 34:36 said to Jesus, "Who sinned? 34:38 This man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 34:40 Doug: Someone must have sinned. 34:41 Jean: Yeah, whenever something bad happened. 34:42 Now, it is true that often actions, our own actions, will 34:46 bring consequences upon us. 34:47 And of course, there are times when God judges evil, but we're 34:51 also living in a world of sin and not all suffering is brought 34:55 upon us because of something we did wrong. 34:58 Well, you know, the devil is there, causing pain and sorrow, 35:00 just as he did in the case of Job. 35:02 Doug: Sometimes the innocent suffer. 35:04 Many of Jesus's followers were persecuted for their faith and 35:07 many died as martyrs. 35:09 Jean: All right, thank you. 35:10 Doug: Thanks, Virginia. 35:12 Good question. 35:13 Jean: We've got Von in North Carolina. 35:15 Von, welcome to the program. 35:16 Von: My question is when the Sunday law is put in place, is 35:20 there going to be an awakening of the Sabbath day Sabbath? 35:24 Because if not, most people today will believe that would 35:28 just be wonderful. 35:30 And if there is, is there a Bible reference to that? 35:33 Doug: Yeah, well, I do believe that at the same time that the 35:37 beast power is beginning to make religious laws, God's people are 35:40 going to be empowered with the Spirit and they're going to be 35:43 presenting the truth and that's why it's going to end up being 35:47 an issue in the last days. 35:49 So are you talking about a Bible reference, there's 35:52 probably several. 35:54 Jean: Well, the one I'm thinking of is Revelation chapter 18, 35:56 talks about a mighty angel coming down from heaven. 35:58 We know this angel represents God's people in the last days, 36:01 "and they cried mightily with a strong voice, Babylon the Great 36:03 is fallen, is fallen. 36:05 It's become the habitation of devils," and so on. 36:07 Then in verse 4: "And I heard another voice from heaven 36:09 saying, Come out of her, My people." 36:11 Now that describes a great revival and the great 36:14 proclamation of God's last warning message. 36:17 And it's connected with certain legislation that has been 36:20 passed, forcing people to worship, contrary to what 36:23 the Bible says. 36:25 So yes, there is a last end-time warning message. 36:28 Doug: Jesus said that "you will be brought before kings and 36:31 rulers, and I'll give you in that hour, what you need 36:34 to say." 36:35 I think in the last days that you're going to have God's 36:38 people on international cable that are going to be defending 36:41 their faith before the beast's power and persecution. 36:45 First, they can't buy or sell, and eventually there'll be 36:48 a death decree, if they don't compromise their faith. 36:51 And this is what happened in the book of Daniel. 36:53 There's a religious law that the government makes that you must 36:56 worship the image or be killed. 36:59 And Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are able to witness 37:02 during that time for the truth. 37:03 That's what happens to Daniel in chapter 6 when he says, "You 37:07 have to break the first commandment, only pray to 37:09 the king for 30 days, or go to the lions' den," a death decree. 37:13 Happens in the book of Esther. 37:15 Mordecai wants to kill --I'm sorry, Haman wants to kill 37:17 Mordecai because he won't bow down. 37:20 So the devil hasn't changed. 37:22 Jean: We do have a study guide that talks about this. 37:24 It's called, "The Mark of the Beast." 37:25 We mentioned it before. 37:26 But again, it's an important subject because you read in the 37:29 book of Revelation, there is a warning: Don't receive the mark 37:31 of the beast. 37:33 So we want to know what that is. 37:34 If you call 800-835-6747, that is our resource phone line, and 37:39 you can ask for the study guide. 37:40 It's called, "The Mark of the Beast." 37:41 We'll send it to you and, of course, there's a lot of 37:44 important scripture in that-- in that study guide. 37:47 You can also dial #250 on your smartphone and receive a digital 37:51 download of that study guide and you can read it and check it out 37:55 in scripture. 37:57 Next caller that we have is Michelle in California. 37:59 Michelle, welcome to "Bible Answers Live." 38:01 Michelle: Hi, Pastors. 38:03 Thank you for taking my call. 38:04 Doug: Yes, absolutely. And your question? 38:07 Michelle: Yes, it is with regard to John chapter 6, verse 65, 38:12 where it says, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come 38:17 to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." 38:22 And in another section in relation --relative to that, 38:28 "People can believe in Christ only through divine enablement." 38:33 And that section has always fascinated me and I really would 38:40 like to get your, well, information clarification 38:45 on that. 38:47 Doug: Right, well, the best thing is let the Bible explain 38:49 the Bible. 38:51 And if anybody comes to the Lord, it's because the Spirit 38:54 moves in their heart and leads them to repentance. 38:57 Repentance is a gift from God. 39:00 And I believe it's in Acts chapter 2, Peter said, "For God 39:04 gives repentance to Israel," is the phrase, and it's a gift. 39:09 And the Bible tells us that it's the goodness of God that leads 39:16 us to repentance, okay, Michelle? 39:18 So, meaning when we look at the goodness of God and we see our 39:22 badness, then we're brought to repentance. 39:25 So it's through the Father and His goodness that we are drawn 39:29 to repent and to come to Christ. 39:32 Isaiah saw the Lord, he saw the light of God, the goodness of 39:35 God, and then he saw himself, he repented and said, "Woe is me. 39:39 I am undone." 39:41 You have that verse? 39:42 Jean: Yeah, Acts chapter 5, verse 31. 39:43 Speaking of Christ, "Whom has God exalted at His right hand to 39:47 be a prince and a savior, to give repentance to Israel and 39:50 for the forgiveness of sins." 39:52 Doug: Yeah, so God gives repentance. 39:53 It's the Father that draws through sending the Spirit. 39:58 And we're convicted of our sins. 40:00 Jean: And of course, the Bible says God is not a respecter of 40:02 persons, meaning that He's willing that --He's not willing 40:05 that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 40:07 So the Holy Spirit is speaking to the hearts of all. 40:10 So, what do they do with that? 40:12 Do they reject it? 40:13 Do they harden their heart or do they respond to the 40:15 gospel invitation? 40:17 Thank you, Michelle. 40:18 We've got Lewis in California. 40:20 Lewis, welcome to the program. 40:22 Lewis: Yes, hi. 40:24 I wanted to ask about baptism, a couple of different scriptures. 40:28 Matthew 28:19 talks about, "Be baptized in the name of the 40:34 Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." 40:37 And then in Acts 2:38, and I think there may be a third 40:42 scripture someone told me, "Baptized in the name of 40:48 Jesus Christ for the remission of sins to be saved." 40:52 So please talk about that. 40:54 Doug: Yeah, and there's actually four verses. 40:58 And I think two of them say, "Baptized in the name of Jesus," 41:01 one says, "Jesus Christ," and one says, "Baptized in the name 41:03 of the Lord." 41:05 And so we don't hear the Bible writers in the New Testament 41:10 making a real consistent, specific declaration for what 41:16 are the precise words. 41:18 They're basically saying that you're making this commitment to 41:22 the God of scripture, to Jehovah, to God the Father, 41:25 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 41:27 So when Pastor Ross and I baptize, we say, "I baptize you 41:31 in the name of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the 41:33 Holy Spirit," and you cover all your bases that way. 41:36 But you know, the disciples were often, at the beginning of the 41:41 ministry, they are working with Jews who had already been 41:44 baptized by John the Baptist, maybe in the name of the Father. 41:47 So they emphasized "you need to also include being baptized in 41:51 the name of the Son." 41:53 And then another time they say, "Baptized in the name of 41:55 the Lord." 41:56 So I give you an example: baptism to the Christian is what 42:01 a marriage ceremony is to a marriage. 42:04 So when we do weddings, you can do it more formally where --it's 42:10 a covenant, and you can say all three names of the bride and the 42:13 groom, or you can say just first and last name, or it is legal if 42:17 I should say, "Bob, do you take Sally?" 42:20 If the witnesses know that they are making a covenant and they 42:23 know who they're talking about, the covenant is sealed. 42:26 Sometimes I think there's pastors who say, "If you don't 42:28 say it right, the baptism's invalid." 42:31 That's not what makes a covenant valid. 42:33 Sometimes I sign my signature and I'm sure no one can read it, 42:36 but it is my signature. 42:38 So the important thing is if you understand the agreement, if you 42:42 are saying in front of witnesses, "I'm committing 42:44 my life to God," then that's a valid baptism. 42:48 Jean: We do have a book. 42:49 It's called "Baptism: Is It Really Necessary?" 42:51 It talks about the subject. 42:52 We'll be happy to send this to anyone who calls and asks. 42:54 Doug: You know, I've also got a book where I specifically go 42:57 through this question. 42:58 It's called, "The Name of the Lord." 43:00 I have a sermon. 43:01 It's a free sermon book and I specifically talk about the 43:03 different names that they baptize in and why it doesn't 43:07 make a difference how you utter it. 43:09 Jean: That'd be good. 43:10 That'd kind of answer this question. 43:11 Called, "The Name of the Lord." 43:13 Is that --that's what it's called? 43:14 Doug: It's one of our sermon books, yeah. 43:16 Jean: And we'll be happy to send it to anyone who calls and asks. 43:18 As a matter of fact, you can ask for both: "Baptism: Is It 43:20 Really Necessary?" 43:21 and "The Name of the Lord." 43:23 The number to call is 800-835-6747. 43:26 That is our resource phone line. 43:28 If you'd like to get a digital download, just dial #250 on your 43:32 smartphone, say "Bible Answers Live" and then ask for the book 43:35 by name: "Baptism: Is It Really Necessary?" 43:38 You can also ask for "The Name of the Lord," and we'll send it 43:41 to anyone who calls and asks. 43:43 Gary in Illinois. 43:44 Gary, welcome to "Bible Answers Live." 43:47 Gary: Thank you. 43:49 We're seeing dramatic weather events, atmospheric rivers in 43:51 the sky, Santa Ana winds traveling 100 mile an hour and 43:55 taking fire thousands of miles, and in Illinois, tornadoes are a 44:00 mile in diameter, traveling 100 miles. 44:03 And now we're seeing the beginning of the pillars of 44:06 democracy, you know, collapse. 44:08 You know, are we headed into Luke 21:12 where it says, 44:12 "You'll be brought before kings, authorities, and principalities 44:16 for My name's sake," where it'll be an opportunity to witness? 44:20 Doug: Yeah, well, we are seeing an acceleration of global 44:26 disasters and the potential, you know, people are talking even 44:30 about World War III. 44:32 Now, the --like, there's a terrible fire at the time of 44:36 this broadcast, it's live today, but it may be rebroadcast. 44:40 But I have another massive fire in southern California in 44:43 the Ventura area, 20,000 acres or something. 44:46 A lot of land, a lot of homes are being lost. 44:50 Storms, they had several devastating hurricanes. 44:55 You know, they've had big earthquakes in history. 44:57 There's been big droughts, there's been big famines. 45:01 But what's happening near the end of time, Christ said these 45:03 are the beginning of birth pains and when a woman is pregnant and 45:09 she's getting near delivery, you have what do they call them, 45:13 Braxton hicks contractions. 45:15 She'll have contractions and she'll feel the baby kick along 45:18 the way and there'll be all kinds of pains and adjustments. 45:21 But when those pains start getting very sharp, they get 45:24 more intense, and they get more frequent, and the doctor will 45:28 say, "How far apart are your pains and how hard are they?" 45:33 So you see an increasing in frequency and intensity and what 45:38 we're seeing with natural disasters and problems in the 45:40 world and, you know, there's more people than there's ever 45:43 been, the demand on resources. 45:45 The frequency and the intensity of the problems is increasing. 45:49 And so I do think we're nearing the end. 45:52 I wouldn't pin it on one thing. 45:54 You know, we've had fires bigger than the one right now in 45:57 Ventura and there have been political problems bigger than 45:59 the ones we have now too. 46:00 So --but when they start to increase in intensity, then you 46:05 start to --he says, "Look up. 46:07 Your redemption draws near." 46:08 Jean: Yeah, there's a couple of things that Jesus highlights. 46:10 Of course, natural disaster, as you mentioned. 46:13 The other one is that wickedness. 46:14 It'll be as it was in the days of Noah, in Sodom and Gomorrah. 46:18 So moral decay, violence, fill the land. 46:21 We see an increase in violence. 46:22 But Jesus also said, "This gospel of the kingdom will be 46:25 preached in all the world as a witness unto all nations, 46:28 then the end will come." 46:29 So you've got several things coming together and we're 46:32 beginning to see that happen, I think even now. 46:33 Doug: Yeah, and the --just think about this program, that now 46:37 with artificial intelligence, we're able to translate this 46:40 program into about 50 different languages, if we had the 46:43 resources, and go around the world in minutes. 46:48 I mean, it's just phenomenal. 46:49 So the gospel being preached in all the world is one of the 46:51 most powerful. 46:53 And then of course, Daniel 12: knowledge will increase. 46:56 Look at how --what technology has done in the last days. 46:59 Well, thank you. Appreciate your question. 47:01 Jean: Next caller that we have is calling from Washington. 47:03 We got Kereace on the phone. 47:05 Kereace, welcome to the program. 47:08 Kereace: Hello, good night. Thank you for taking my call. 47:11 My question is on Luke chapter 17, verse 21. 47:14 Could you please expound more on that for me, please? 47:16 And thank you. 47:18 Doug: Yes, Luke 17, Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven doesn't 47:22 come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' 47:25 or 'See there!' 47:26 For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." 47:29 Now, Christ said several things like that. 47:33 Matter of fact, I think it's in Acts chapter 1, and you might 47:36 look that up for me where Philip says, "Will You at this time now 47:39 establish the kingdom?" 47:40 And Christ said, you know, "The times are for the Father." 47:44 There's two kingdoms that we're talking about. 47:47 One kingdom is talking about the physical kingdom of God. 47:52 When Christ comes the second time as a King and as a Lion 47:58 riding on the white horse, so to speak, He is going to basically 48:02 destroy the enemies and eventually create a new heavens 48:07 and the new earth where He will reign supreme. 48:09 When He came the first time, He came like a lamb, but He 48:12 established the spiritual kingdom. 48:14 That kingdom was available right when He came. 48:17 He said, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." 48:19 John the Baptist said, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." 48:22 Those who hear my voice right now, you can be a citizen of 48:25 God's kingdom now by turning to Him in prayer. 48:29 It will someday be not only an interior kingdom, it'll be 48:33 a literal exterior kingdom, a reality. 48:36 Jean: The verse you're referring to, Pastor Doug, Acts chapter 1, 48:38 verse 6, it says after the resurrection, it says: "When 48:42 they came together, they asked Him, saying, 'Lord, will Thou at 48:44 this time restore the kingdom to Israel?'" 48:47 Doug: They were looking for the physical kingdom. 48:50 Jean: Yeah, Jesus had to explain to them a little more. 48:52 Doug: So that's what Jesus is saying here also is that it's 48:56 a spiritual kingdom that's available right now. 48:58 Don't say, "Where is it? Is it here? 49:00 Is it there? Is it in Israel? 49:01 Is it in, you know, France? Where's the kingdom?" 49:03 Well, it's in you. 49:05 If Jesus reigns in your heart, that's where the King is. 49:09 Jean: Okay, next caller that we have is Sabra in Hawaii. 49:13 Sabra, welcome to the program. 49:15 Sabra: Hi. 49:17 I just finished your book, "The Richest Caveman," and really 49:20 visualized Jim there with you. 49:22 Doug: Oh, praise the Lord. 49:23 I hope you enjoyed it. 49:25 Sabra: Oh, it was awesome. 49:27 And I'm definitely going to spread that book around 49:29 over here. 49:30 I have a question I've been confused on for quite a while. 49:35 It comes --so I'm hoping you can elaborate Mark 7, starting in 49:40 18: "Whatsoever thing comes-- thing from without entereth into 49:45 man, it cannot defile them." 49:48 And then 19 says: "Because it entereth not in his heart, but 49:52 in his belly, and goeth out into the drought, purging all meats," 49:56 which is foods, I know. 49:57 So my question is, doesn't eating poorly and drinking 50:02 poorly affect us physically via spiritually, via mentally? 50:06 It affects our actions, our thoughts, what we say. 50:09 So can you elaborate and explain this to me so that I can share 50:14 this with others that keep throwing at me that it's okay to 50:17 eat what I want to eat? 50:19 Doug: Yeah, well, first of all, Jesus wasn't saying you could 50:21 eat anything because if that's true, then why does Peter in 50:26 Acts chapter 10, years after Christ died, he has a vision of 50:29 this sheet coming down from heaven filled with 50:31 unclean foods. 50:33 God says, "Arise and eat." 50:34 Peter says, "Not so, Lord, I've never eaten anything unclean." 50:39 If Jesus had been teaching them they could eat anything, why 50:41 would Peter say that? 50:43 And then later, Peter says that vision has nothing to do 50:45 with food. 50:47 It means do not call the Gentiles unclean. 50:49 The problem in Mark 7 had nothing to do with what they 50:53 were eating. 50:54 It had to do with eating with unwashed hands. 50:57 And so the Jews used to go through a ceremonial handwashing 51:01 before they ate. 51:03 Now, I know we all think it would be great if we all washed 51:06 our hands when we eat, we like to have that happen. 51:09 I think we all know that as you're growing up, little kids 51:11 eat about a half a pound of dirt a week. 51:14 And they somehow survive. 51:15 So Christ is saying they're not defiled by eating with 51:19 unwashed hands. 51:21 Poor people that eat with unwashed hands, that 51:23 doesn't defile them. 51:24 He's saying what defiles you is the evil in your heart. 51:28 So this statement really has nothing to do with food. 51:31 You read what it says before, it's talking about eating with 51:33 unwashed hands. 51:34 He says, you know, you eat with unwashed hands, you get 51:36 a little sand or grit in there, it's going to go through and 51:40 it's, frankly, He says, it's cast out, it's eliminated, 51:43 it goes through you. 51:44 It doesn't stay in you. 51:46 But evil thoughts and adulteries, those things in 51:49 the heart and the mind, that's what defiles you. 51:52 Jean: Now, you got the little phrase that you mentioned in 51:53 verse 19, "Thus purifying all foods." 51:56 Now, it's interesting. 51:58 There's a little mark there. 51:59 If you're reading the King James, the New King James, 52:00 it'll say, "NU." 52:02 NU is the Nestle-Aland. 52:04 There are two principal manuscripts of Greek where the 52:07 Bible translators have gathered from, and that phrase, "Thus 52:12 purifying all foods," is not in the Textus Receptus and it's 52:16 sort of inserted there. 52:17 That's why you've got that little mark that says, 52:19 "This is NU." 52:20 So some have even questioned whether that was actually in the 52:23 original that was written by Mark. 52:25 That might have been added by a scholar later on to try and 52:28 clarify something. 52:30 But it's --some of the older manuscripts don't have that, so. 52:33 Doug: Yeah, the NIV --I'm sorry. 52:36 I was just going to say the NIV actually says: "In saying this, 52:40 He declared all foods clean." 52:42 That is not in the Greek, either manuscript. 52:46 So say --they took great liberties with "purging 52:48 all foods." 52:50 It just means that your stomach acid destroys things, it 52:52 purges things. 52:54 It doesn't mean that, you know, Jesus now said, "You can eat 52:57 cockroaches and skunks and anything, it doesn't matter. 53:00 And you can get a lot of cholesterol, just pray over it 53:02 and you won't get a heart attack." 53:04 No, God says, "Don't be deceived. 53:05 God is not mocked. 53:07 What you sow, you're going to reap." 53:08 And we know that it makes a difference what you eat. 53:11 So yeah, don't abuse this verse. 53:14 I used to use this verse when the pastor told me to 53:16 quit smoking. 53:17 I said, "It's not what goes in your mouth that defiles you." 53:20 He said, "Yeah, but what goes in your mouth affects what 53:22 comes out." 53:23 And when I was smoking and my breath was bad, so, 53:27 anyway, thanks. 53:28 Good question. 53:29 We appreciate it. 53:31 Jean: We do have a study guide. 53:32 It's called, "God's Free Health Plan," and talks about biblical 53:33 principles for living a healthy life. 53:35 We'll be happy to send this to anyone who calls and asks. 53:37 The number is 800-835-6747. 53:41 Ask for the study guide. 53:42 It's called, "God's Free Health Plan." 53:44 You can dial #250 on your smartphone and say, 53:47 "Bible Answers Live." 53:49 Ask for that study guide and you'll receive 53:51 a digital download. 53:52 Maria is listening in California. 53:54 Maria, welcome to "Bible Answers Live." 53:56 Maria: Hi, good evening, Pastor Doug, Pastor Ross. 53:58 Doug: Evening. 54:00 Maria: My kids want to say hi. 54:01 children: Hi, Pastor Doug and Pastor Ross. 54:05 Doug: Hey, kids. How you doing? 54:08 Maria: Hi, good evening. 54:09 My question, I was reading the book of 1 Samuel, the story of 54:15 David where it says here, 1 Samuel 18:10 and 19:9 when it 54:26 says that "a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul." 54:30 And both times was when David was in his --in his kingdom. 54:35 And he was trying to hurt him with the spirit. 54:38 Doug: Right, Saul was trying to hurt David, yeah. 54:40 So you're wondering what does it mean? 54:42 Did God send an evil spirit? 54:43 Maria: Yes, what does the-- that a harmful spirit, like, can 54:48 He send anyone, like, a harmful spirit to do something 54:52 wrong or-- 54:53 Doug: Let me read the verse for our friends that are listening. 54:55 So you've got 1 Samuel chapter 18, if I read in verse 10, and 54:59 it says: "Saul became jealous when the women began to sing 55:04 and say, 'Saul has killed his thousands, but David's killed 55:07 his ten thousands.'" 55:08 And it says in verse 9: "Saul eyed David from that 55:11 day forward. 55:13 And it happened on the next day that a distressing spirit from 55:16 God came upon Saul and he prophesied in the house." 55:19 He's ranting, but it's not the Spirit of God. 55:22 He's kind of doing a demonic prophecy. 55:25 "And David played music with his hand, at the --as other times. 55:28 Saul hurls a spear at him." 55:30 And it says the same thing in chapter 19, that an evil spirit 55:33 from the Lord. 55:34 What does that mean? 55:36 You read in the book of Job: "And the devil had to get 55:39 permission from God before he could afflict Job." 55:43 Sometimes God will withdraw His protection. 55:46 Sometimes it's as a judgment. 55:48 Sometimes it's because we have rejected the Lord. 55:52 When you reject light, the only thing left is darkness. 55:55 So it's not that God would ever send evil. 55:58 God tempts no man, the Bible says. 56:00 Every good and perfect gift is from God. 56:02 God is good, but sometimes God in His wisdom, He'll withdraw 56:06 His protection, as in the story of Job. 56:09 "And then the devil went forth from the presence of the Lord 56:12 and he smote Job." 56:13 Well, when Saul rejected God's Spirit, the Lord allowed an evil 56:18 spirit to come. 56:20 You'll notice, I think in the same chapter, it says David is 56:22 anointed with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit comes 56:24 upon David. 56:26 But the Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul because he was 56:29 so jealous and the spirit of jealousy is from the devil. 56:34 Now, of course, God says he's a jealous God, but let's talk 56:37 about the appropriate jealousy. 56:40 So I don't know if you want to add to that at all, Pastor Ross. 56:42 Jean: No, I think that's clear, Pastor Doug. 56:43 Sort of a vacuum. 56:45 When God's Spirit was withdrawn, the vacuum was filled by 56:47 the evil spirit. 56:49 Doug: Yeah, but when it, you know, I first read that when it 56:52 says God hardens Pharaoh's heart. 56:54 Well, later, it says, Pharaoh hardened his own heart, when it 56:57 says an evil spirit came from the Lord. 56:59 In the Old Testament, they see God as supreme, that He 57:02 ultimately --there's things He must allow, and He allowed this 57:05 to happen because Saul had rejected Him. 57:08 And so it was ultimately Saul's decision to embrace jealousy and 57:14 to harden his heart as with the Pharaoh. 57:16 And that's why these things happen. 57:17 And it's like the story of Judas where it says, you know, Judas, 57:22 he rejected when Christ was washing his feet and Satan 57:25 entered him and he went out from the presence of Jesus into 57:30 the dark. 57:31 So friends, the Holy Spirit is striving with all of you. 57:34 Every one of us has that battle in our hearts and God has cast 57:38 His vote for you. 57:39 The devil has cast his vote against you and you have 57:42 the tiebreaking vote. 57:44 Jean: That's right. 57:45 Doug: Hey, God bless you. We are out of time. 57:46 We'd love to study with you more. 57:48 Go to the Amazing Facts website, AmazingFacts.org, and tune in 57:52 next week for more "Bible Answers Live." 57:57 announcer: Thank you for listening to today's broadcast. 58:00 We hope you understand your Bible even better than before. 58:03 "Bible Answers Live" is produced by Amazing Facts International, 58:07 a faith-based ministry located in Granite Bay, California. |
Revised 2025-01-15