I grew up in church whose founder believed that he was the Elijah quoted in Malachi 4:5-6. Others have refuted his claims on the basis that Jesus said, “Elijah has already come and you did not recognize him”. But if that were so, why does Malachi 4:5 say ‘before the great and terrible day of the Lord? That sounds like a messenger (Elijah) is meant to show up before the tribulation. I’m no longer a member of this church but I am confused about whether such a messenger is yet to come onto the scene. What do you think?

Is there Biblical evidence that Satan needs permission to start events that have prophetic significance, or are they not his to start anyway? For example, since everything in Bible prophecy depends on exact timing, and everything has to follow a pre-written plan, even if we as humans do not have all the details, can Satan just have his human comrades escalate events (like rocket fire on Tel Aviv that may lead to Psalm 83) if it isn’t yet time for it, prophetically?

How will we recognize our loved ones in heaven? Will they have the same facial looks that they had on earth? I know that they are spirits but I am a bit confused on this topic. We have spoken about this topic at work and no one really knows the answer!

In Paul’s short letter to Titus, he mentions 4 times that the people should be sober (Titus 1:8, 2:2, 2:6, 2:12). But in his letter to Timothy, Paul mentions that it is okay to drink a little wine (1 Timothy 5:23). Did the people of Crete have a problem with drinking alcohol in excess? Are born-again Christians considered backslid if they drink alcohol in excess?

I am very confused. Will the thousand year millennium be on earth or in Heaven. If in Heaven will not the earth be dark and desolate for 1000 years?

What is the purpose of the Millennium? To prove man cannot/will not live without rebelling against God? I thought that everybody, God included, already knows that.

I was curious to know if the Church will become God’s Government in Eternity. It seems to make a lot of sense since we are His Body. Also I wanted to know about the verse which speaks about us seated with Christ in Heaven. Is this verse saying we are actually at this point in time sitting with Jesus in spirit form in Heaven or that it will be at a later time in the future, or is this current or future recognition of our position with Christ in the spirit realm.

Re: the word “might”. This word is used in some versions of the Bible as in,’that through Him we MIGHT be saved.’ There are many other examples, i.e. ‘that we MIGHT become the Sons of God’, etc. What is the exact meaning in these instances of the use of this word? Many believers that I know think that it God is saying that these are not solid promises because might, to them, means ‘MAYBE, or it’s possible, but that it is not a sure thing. How to explain??

Thanks for a wonderful site. Please explain or give your view on the verses in the above mentioned Scripture regarding sins not leading to death, sins leading to death and more specifically verse 18.

How does God decide which prayers to answer? I’m sure lots of them run against one another. For example, let’s say there’s a 50% chance of rain in the forecast for the weekend. A local farmer sees this and prays desperately for rain. It’s been hot all summer long and his crops are wilting. If he doesn’t get this downpour, the harvest will be a failure and he’ll have to sell his farm, which is his only livelihood.

At the same time, a local family sees the forecast and gets worried. They have finally managed to organize a long-overdue reunion, including relatives they probably won’t see again due to age and health issues. This family prays desperately that the rain will hold off so the reunion will take place. I’m sure opposing prayers take place all the time. How does God choose which ones to grant?