Recently I heard a pastor argue that the fig tree in Matt. 24:32 does not represent Israel. He says Israel was described as an olive tree when the Church was grafted in. Is that true?

I have a question regarding Mary, the mother of Jesus. I can not understand why Jesus would tell John to take care of his mother when she had other children to do that job. I heard that Mary went with John to Turkey where he had a church and she died there. Could you please clarify this because we have the book of James the half brother of Jesus who was a believer so why did not he take care of his mother? Do we know the whole story about this?

I am trying to piece together from Scripture what Satan understood of Jesus’ purpose in taking a human body and living among us. I understand that Satan knew who Jesus was. In Matthew 8:29, the demons call Jesus Son of God. I also understand from 1 Corinthians 2:8 that Satan didn’t know what Jesus would accomplish on the cross. I have to believe since Jesus told His disciples many times that He would die and be raised the third day, that Satan also knew this. So what did Satan understand of Jesus’ mission?

In your post “The Wilderness Temptation”, you say “All of Satan’s temptations were an effort to get Jesus to take back His Godhood, and that would have compromised His mission.” How did Satan know that if Jesus took back his Godhood, His mission would be compromised?

Why did Jesus need to be tempted by the devil in Matthew chapter four? What was the purpose?

I have a question about Psalm 83:2-3. “For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.” What does the phrase “hidden ones” mean in verse 3?

Re: 1 Cor. 6:7 “The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” Some take this to mean no matter what a Christian should never go to court against another Christian. What is your interpretation of this?

Re: Fulfilling God’s Will? You said, “Because of this they were completely ignorant of the signs of the times in which they lived, and rejected the King they had been waiting over 2000 years for. Sadly, much of the “church” has made the same mistake and for the most part, is just as ignorant of the signs of our times. The results will be just as devastating.”

It’s true and a bit depressing that comparatively few Christians are interested in studying the prophecies of His return, and I understand how devastating that was for Israel to pay no attention to the evidence. They still suffer the judgmental consequences. Can you please explain your last statement as to how ignorance in the church will be just as devastating?

I thank you for your ministry which I read every day; you have explained so much that I didn’t understand. Part of this week’s lesson was “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Tim. 5:8)” What does God expect from a parent of an adult child who has never worked nor actively looked for a job but chooses to live on assistance? I feel as if I’m enabling her desire not to work if I give her money. Does providing for her child (which I do) fulfill God’s expectation?

3 years ago we were giving nearly 20% of our gross income to our local church and numerous Christian ministries. Then I lost my job of 20 years. Today, I have had 5 jobs in the past 3 years, all changes due to the economy and layoffs. I have been looking for work for nearly a year, but we are still able to tithe about 16% of my weekly unemployment check. During this time God has graciously provided for all of our needs; our home, food, clothing and good health. But I am having a hard time squaring this experience with “the more generous we are to those in need the more God will give us to share” What am I not getting?