I have a question regarding tithing. I get regular emails everyday from your website and I really enjoy reading your replies to the questions presented. I have read several questions that people have asked you regarding tithing, and I do agree with you on most occasions. Recently a woman asked you if she should make up tithes that she did not pay. Your response was that it was always intended to be an expression of gratitude. I do believe this too, but if you read further in Malachi it not only tells us to challenge God in tithing, but it also says in Malachi 3:11: “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.” So shouldn’t we tithe out of more than just gratitude? It is to keep Satan from attacking us unnecessarily too is it not?

Regarding the reason Job was afflicted by Satan in Chapters 1 and 2. You’ve made the point many times that is was due to the sin of self-righteousness, he was out of fellowship with God and thus Satan was allowed to afflict him. This is diametrically opposed to what we read in the Word of God. In Job 1:8 God says to Satan “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”, no condemnation here. Satan’s only response was not to point out any sin, but to say (v. 9-11) “Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.”

We know that Job was not without sin but in the eyes of God he was perfect and we are told this twice. So we must conclude that Job was afflicted by Satan only because God allowed it to happen to prove to Satan how a believer can live a life pleasing to God no matter of one’s circumstances in life.

I have heard of a few people in my life who appeared to be devout Christians, who later rejected Christ and become devoted atheists and enemies of the Faith. According to 1 John 2:19, it would appear these people never were saved to begin with. Is that the correct interpretation? In light of this, how can anyone be certain of their own salvation?

Re: Ephesians 3:10-11. I was hoping you could help me to understand who the rulers and authorities (or principalities and powers) are in the Heavenly realms and why wouldn’t they know such heavenly things. That it’s the job of the church to teach them. Is this literally something we are doing without realizing it? If angels rejoice when a person accepts Christ they must know something about the plan of redemption. Did they learn that from the Church?

My question concerns Daniel 7:20,24. The 11th horn, the little one, is smaller and less powerful but grows and overthrows 3 other rulers. Does this mean that if we are in the end times, and if the antichrist is already existing albeit unannounced, that there is a small and obscure leader already ruling somewhere? Someone who will gain momentum and strength and come against 3 other more obvious rulers? Also, are the 3 horns that are overthrown referring to countries or religious systems?

I recently had a friend ask me, “If the Jews rebuild a temple and offer sacrifices again at some point in the last 7 years, what Law is it that they will be observing? Will it be a return to their Mosaic Law, or will there be a ‘new law’ imposed by the anti-Christ that allows them to worship and sacrifice in this way?” I could not answer and told her I would ask you!

Why does God allow different religions and allow people to be deceived by them when there is only the one way to God , and that is through Jesus ? If you are born and indoctrinated into a false religion it would be very hard to know the truth and accordingly they would not get the opportunity to receive salvation, which seems unfair.

From what I have learned and read from the Bible, marriage is very important to God. If so, will there be any relationship between my husband and me in heaven? We have been very happily married for 15 years. It distresses me to think that our relationship will be one where we are just good friends/ brother and sister in heaven. I am sure we will still love each other, but what about our marriage?

What if you believe that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone but something or someone (like Satan) keeps putting the thought in your mind that you need to do more? In other words you know what you believe but you wrestle with grace plus works. How does someone that was raised believing you had to do good works change their heart to believe that its grace alone? I know what I believe now but I still struggle.

Lately, I am hearing more and more about entering the Kingdom vs. inheriting the Kingdom. It’s being said that all Christians will enter the Kingdom, but not all Christians will inherit the Kingdom. The reason given is that many people get saved and do nothing for the Lord, while others give all to the Lord. Based on the enter/inherit idea, how do we know if we’re just entering the Kingdom, or are we also inheriting the Kingdom?