Ask a Bible Teacher

Q. Rev. 20:12 says “And the books were opened”.   Books is more than one so I take it as 2, the book of the saved and the one of them not saved.  But then it says ANOTHER book was opened, which is the book of life.  And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  Please explain the different books and why there are more than 2 etc.

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Q. John 1:12 says believers receive “the power to become the children of God.”  The wording of that sentence has always made me wonder whether we become children of God the instant we believe, or whether some additional, future act of Grace is needed for us to become “children of God” sometime later.  Is it a matter of translation or the style of writing, or is there a real difference in meaning, two different stages in the salvation “process”?

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Q. You’re fond of saying that we’re saved because of what we believe, not because of how we behave.  So then, is it my understanding that when we are judged for the things “good or bad” as it says, it’s more of a review of self conduct, obedience, learning to resist temptation, these kinds of things?   Is it more like what “rewards” we will be given so to speak?  Since we are sealed based on our belief only, then what we choose to do with our lives is what merits rewards but isn’t necessarily “required” of us?

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Q. I read your Q&A on tithing but I have yet to find “tithing” in the New Testament.  I’m not saying we shouldn’t give but I believe people should know the truth.  Tithing is an Old Testament law that is not mentioned anywhere in the New Testament.  Pastors refer to the Old Testament to guilt New Testament believers into giving more.  Again, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t give as the Lord leads us, but  where does the New Testament command us to tithe?

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Q. Could you explain what you were referring to when you stated in one of your answers that the 6th seal in Rev. 6 could occur in 2012?  The person who sent in the question to which you replied, also agreed that the 6th seal could happen during that year.  What is prompting you to say that?

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Q. A child when born is body, soul, and spirit. At some point because of the sin nature he becomes spiritually dead. Is the point of spiritual death simultaneous with the age of accountability? Can a child be reborn (saved) before he experiences spiritual death?

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Q. God bless you with your website and your talent as a teacher. I have learned a great deal. A few years ago, I had a strong desire to own my own restaurant. To make a long story short, it did not do well.  Our debts seem insurmountable, but my wife and I did not want to file bankruptcy, although it was very tempting.  Some days, the burden seems so, so heavy. We do tithe monthly, and would like to do more, but there is nothing left.  I have prayed for God to lighten our load many times. We have absolutely nothing left at the end of the month. What more can we do to find favor with our Lord, Jesus Christ?

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Q. RE: Matt. 24:22  “Except those days be shortened”.  Is it possible that the length of the days may be shortened, for instance 16 hours instead of 24 hours?  Thank you for the time and effort you spend on this wonderful site.

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Q. I was doing a study of Exodus and came across Exodus 24: 9-11.  Could you help me understand why was it that the Lord allowed all these men to see Him while stating many times throughout the Bible that no one has ever seen Him and that to see Him is death.  Does the statement that they “went up and saw the God of Israel” imply only that they went up and interacted with him or does this mean they actually looked at Him?

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Q. It is my pleasure, once again, to seek your thoughts about matters pertaining to the end times.  Throughout your commentaries, I believe you stated there will be a lack of Bibles during the end times. Why is this so?

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