Ask a Bible Teacher

Prophecy, Gift Or Office?

Published: October 3, 2007
Q

I have seen on your site it was, I think, where you say Jesus was the last prophet. I just came across Acts 15:32, that says “Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.” Can you please explain this? I don’t understand. If our Lord was the last prophet, how could these two be prophets? Thank you for doing the wonderful and encouraging work that you do. God bless.


Old Universe, Young Earth?

Published: October 3, 2007
Q

Is it right to assume that God created the universe before He created the world?

Some of the stars visible to the Hubble telescope are 4-8 billion light years away which means the light seen now has been reflected that much of years ago.


What Are The Times Of The Gentiles In Luke 21?

Published: October 1, 2007
Q

I was wondering about Luke 21:24 When Jesus speaks of the times of the Gentiles, what time frame is this? I recently saw that Olmert is ready of give over complete control of the Temple Mount to the Palestinians, would this tie in to the times of the Gentiles?


More On Dividing Jerusalem

Published: September 28, 2007
Q

I recently heard another great Bible teacher discuss an alternate view regarding the concept of the ‘Times of the Gentiles being fulfilled.’ He wrote:

Weren’t the “Times of the Gentiles” fulfilled when Israel recaptured the city and Temple Mount in 1967? For many, that has become a matter of doctrine — 1967 marked the conclusion of the “Times of the Gentiles.”

Unfortunately, it is more a case of wishful thinking than doctrinal truth. Israel may have captured Jerusalem and the Temple in 1967, but neither has been under exclusive Israeli sovereignty. The Gentiles still call most of the shots in East Jerusalem and all the shots on Temple Mount.

Bible prophecy says that any handover over the city and sanctuary in the last days would be the temporary product of a false peace. The Prophet Daniel says that the anti-Christ will work out some kind of temporary accommodation over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount that will allow the Jews access to the Temple Mount, but that agreement will only last three and one half years.

The Prophet Zechariah (12:1-4) predicts the whole world would one day stand against Israeli possession of both Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, going so far as to say that any who ‘burden themselves’ with God’s city will be ‘cut in pieces.’

What are your thoughts on this very important prophetic theme?


Forced To Worship In Secret, Follow-Up

Published: September 28, 2007
Q

My question for you today is in regards to another question that was posted, “forced to worship in secret”. I can not begin to imagine what the person who posted that question has to go through on a regular basis…having to try and to hide your faith because your family will disown you or, for some, face death because of your love for Jesus. But my question is, isn’t it wrong as Christians to hide our faith? Shouldn’t we be like many of the Old and New Testament believers who would have rather given up their lives than to deny the one and true God? Maybe I don’t understand because I live in the United States where I have the freedom to worship Jesus without the fear of being killed but the way I see it is that if Jesus was willing to die for us shouldn’t we be willing to die for him?


Differences Among The Apostles

Published: September 27, 2007
Q

We place so much authority on the apostles’ teachings, because they were personally taught by Christ Himself. I understand that even the apostles are human and can make mistakes, but it seems that because some of them had even written part of the Bible which we hold to be error-free, their theological tenets should also be free of error. Yet in the NT, there are instances where even after the apostles are commissioned by the Holy Spirit, there are differences in the basic theology they held. To the point where the apostle Paul publicly challenged the apostle Peter (Gal. 2:11-21), telling him he stood condemned.

How can there be such a serious difference in basic beliefs among the apostles…those personally taught by Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit?


Are We The Only Exception?

Published: September 26, 2007
Q

I attend a Baptist church although I was raised Nazarene. The one area I disagree with Baptists is on the issue of once saved always saved. I believe once we have accepted Jesus as our savior nothing short of one thing can take that away from us….the one thing is ourselves. Humans have the God given right of free will, if we choose to leave God and reject his gift of eternal life, despite having accepted it prior, then we are doomed to destruction as if we had never chosen to believe in the first place.

I believe this can be accomplished by simply leaving the church and living a world centered life, not following God’s direction or will for our lives, in other words living a sinful life.

What do you think?


Understanding Daniel 7

Published: September 25, 2007
Q

Thanks again for this great site. I am struggling with the 4 beasts in chapter 7 of Daniel.

I cannot find any discussion on verse 12 which follows the 4th beast being destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. “As concerning the rest of the beast, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.” Daniel 7:12 KJV.

This does not make sense to me as when the beast is captured and thrown in the lake of fire, Revelation 19:20, Jesus sets up his Kingdom on earth. Why or how would either the nations existing at the end times or the previous empires long gone from history be allowed to live. Any insight you can shed on Daniel 7:12 would be greatly appreciated.


Ceased To Sin?

Published: September 20, 2007
Q

Would you kindly comment and expand upon the full meaning of 1 Peter 4:1?

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

I’ve suffered much in the flesh and yet I cannot honestly say that I have ceased to sin.


Iran’s Latest Threat

Published: September 20, 2007
Q

There was an interesting article in the Jerusalem Post that Iran has 600 missles pointing at Israel and will be used if either Iran or Syria are attacked, and that this would only be the first response.

I have believed that Isa 17 would be fulfilled before Ez 38, but now I see a possibility that the next major event (from man) could be Ez 38 with Isa 17 following, perhaps even as a response to Ez 38. Does the Bible indicate which comes first on the prophetic calendar?