I would like to ask you something concerning the Holy Ones who are mentioned in 1st Thessalonians 3:13. Many support the idea that they are those who have been raptured who now are coming with Jesus at His second coming at the end of the tribulation. If this is right that would mean that the words of the first part of the verse can apply only to those who will believe during the tribulation. Is this right?

I admire your knowledge and absolute faith and often find a great deal of comfort in your writings. But I have to ask….why do you believe….. do you ever have doubt? I think I believe, then I’ll read something, or watch an atheist/Christian debate on TV…and I become full of doubt. I long to be able to read/listen/watch these things and remain strong in my faith, but I always come away shaken and doubting. Thank you, I appreciate your site more than I can say.

I have read the following on a web site and am wondering if the translations are correct. “There are two different Greek words that are translated as “temple” in English. One word “hieron” is used by Paul when referring to an actual building made with wood and stones. The other word “naos” is used when referring to the spiritual temple of God which refers to His people. The word “naos” is the one used in this 2 Thessalonians 2:4 verse, and therefore is NOT talking about a physical temple.”

Re: Matt 2:13 and Luke 2:39. I’ve been trying to work out the timing for these two accounts. Luke has Joseph taking his family back to Nazareth after dedicating Jesus and fulfilling the purification requirements for Mary. Matthew tells us they went to Egypt.

I understand there’s an argument for the Magi coming to Bethlehem as much as two years after the birth. Did they they go to Nazareth for a while after Jesus was born, but then returned to Bethlehem for some reason and stayed there until the Magi showed up. What am I missing?

Is 3 John 1:2 teaching health and wealth? “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

There are some Christians at my Church who still tell coarse jokes more often than not, they lust openly, and talk about things they shouldn’t. They always want me to hang out with them, and have “fun”. Now, I have just recently came back to Christ, and they still expect me to be the old man I was. My question is this: I know we are saved by grace through faith, not based on works but on Jesus’s obedience alone, and once we are saved, we cannot be lost. However, shouldn’t they be showing some remorse here? Shouldn’t they who claim to be Christians, act like Christians?

I was on a site recently that called itself Christian but was basically devoted to bashing Jews and Israel. Their posts were just a lot of what I perceived as anti-Israel propaganda. They claimed that if people were made aware of the evil of Zionism and what it stands for then they would see “the truth.” When I identified myself as a Christian and a supporter of Israel, because of what the Bible says, I was mocked and called a “Zionist”. They told me I needed to have the courage to pray and ask the Lord to show me the truth about Israel and the Jews. Where do you think people like this stand as far as the Lord is concerned?

My question is based on 2 Tim 2.12. Its a popular view in my church that if you suffer in this life, and respond well to it, you will be rewarded by becoming part of a ruling class in heaven. This sound fine except that isn’t it true that all members of the church will enjoy the same privilege regardless of their life experience (Rev. 1:6)? I am not able to find support for such a hierarchy of believers in Heaven. Is there such a thing?

I know you must have answered this question before, but I cannot find the exact answer I am looking for on your website. When I talk to family, they always ask “why did God let this happen?” referring to tragedies and natural disasters. I would like to have an answer ready when people ask this. Could you address this? Thanks a lot.

I am joining the church I have been attending by profession of faith (received Christ as my personal Lord and Savior) but my husband refuses to join saying he does not believe in some of the doctrines of this church, such as the rapture. He believes that upon death, we are present with the Lord and we do not have to wait for the graves to open to be in His presence. It is kind of confusing to me. He also says the church celebrates Easter and not the Passover. On this account, I see his point but also know the Church does not celebrate the pagan rituals but rather celebrates Christ’s victory over death.