Somewhere on the web a couple of years ago I read a story about a muslim Turk, Suleiman the Magnificent. I believe the story goes that he walled up the Eastern Gate in 1530 in defiance of a tradition of Christians who preached of a day when Jesus would return to Jerusalem and walk through the gate.

However, it turns out that his blocking the gate only fulfilled scripture that says the gate would be “walled up” and that “no-one” would enter through it again until Jesus Himself does upon his return.

I have read that scripture before (the walling up art), but I don’t remember where I read it (at I think thats what its referring too). Anyway, story goes that a muslim ruler after Suleiman hears of the Christian’s prophecy that no one would enter the Eastern Gate except Jesus when he returns and he decides to prove all those pesky Christians wrong by ordering the removal of the blocks from the wall. However, during the night before the project was to begin he died in his sleep (whoa). The project never took place the to this day the Eastern Gate is still walled up.

Have you ever heard of this? Any truth to it?

I was wondering about the way you answered a question about what God allows in a person’s life. I had always understood that God does have to allow testing and trials like he did for Job, giving His permission. And telling Peter that Satan would sift him. Or Joseph being used to save the nation of Israel, didn’t God allow that situation or maybe even cause it?

If God doesn’t allow these things, then it sounds like He is not in control, or not involved, and that scares me worse than thinking He is allowing it for a purpose I cant understand. Please help me understand!

Your website has added so much to my life.

I have a question, which I hope will make sense. My sister and I have had several conversations on something she said a Sunday School Teacher told her when she was in grade school. She said the SC teacher told her that the end times would not occur until every one was “one color”. I told her I have read most all end times prophecies, and I had never read any such thing. She also told me that “suicide” was the one unforgivable sin, again which I told her I had not read that in scripture. I discount both of these things she has heard from her SC teachers.

Can you help on these two issues?

I am trying to balance tithing vs. paying off debt. My question to you is, do I not tithe at all, and focus all my available funds towards debt? Do I split the debt payments and tithing? Or do I tithe 10% and use what’s left over pay towards debt?

I have read some interpretations of Matt. 27:52 & 53, but I would like to hear also from you.Could these verses be taken literally, or is there some deeper interpretation behind it? Also, who were the holy people who had died and raised to life, as mentioned in Matt. 27:52. Your time in giving a clear explanation is highly appreciated..God bless you.

In Matt. 24:22 Jesus said He would bring the Great Tribulation to a close for the sake of the elect. Then in Matt. 24:31 He spoke of gathering His elect from Heaven at the time of the 2nd Coming. And in Mark 13:27 He said his elect would be both in Heaven and on Earth. I am so confused! How can the Elect be in Heaven and on Earth at the same time?

I have kidney and pancreas failure, and have been on dialysis for 2.5 years now. We have been praying for healing for years, even before it got to the dialysis stage. My prayer is that even if its only a month before the Rapture and that is all the time I have as a ‘well’ person, I still ask for it, partly because its horrible to be sick all the time, and partly because I think it would be a tremendous witness in the power of our Lord to go from having barely any kidney function, and no pancreatic function, to all of a sudden being as healthy as any healthy person is. I have been blessed beyond belief with my faith, my husband, and finances. But this decaying body is always hanging over my head, and its seems like each month we are here on this earth it gets worse and worse. I guess the question is, since my motives aren’t 100% please-heal-me-so-I-can-be-a-witness and honestly more geared towards wanting to be healthy even for a short time, will this negate my prayers?

I firmly believe in confessing our sins to maintain a good fellowship with our Lord. I have heard some Preachers state that you have to name each sin you commit in order to get forgiveness for it. I have had a lot of birthdays and my memory is not very good at all. So I confess for God to forgive any and all sins that I have committed. I think He forgives me. Do you agree?

Re: Lordship. You have said, “We’re saved because of what we believe not because of how we behave, so regardless of our behavior, once we’re His we’re always His.” Will not what we believe by definition affect how we live?

I understand from (a well known prosperity teacher’s) website that there are 7 blessings of Passover. Do you have any detailed article on this subject?