I am a regular visitor of your site from Saudi Arabia. Every morning I always feel excited to come to your site to be filled with the Word of God.

I have two questions: Who are we to deserve such a sacrifice as Jesus made for us? And, why will Jesus have those scars for all eternity? How sad it will be to those who are redeemed beholding the King of Glory with scars on His hands and feet because of our sins.

In regards to the Ask a Bible Teacher post on The Keys to Hell, I found a verse in Col 2:15. It states: “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” I understand some bible experts say this means that after Jesus died, He went into Hell and exerted his authority and dominance.

Did Jesus descend into hell after he was crucified? Where in the Bible does it refer to Jesus taking the keys to hell from Satan?

Could you explain the story of the shrewd servant in Luke 16:1-8? I have never been able to understand this.

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, also 1Corinthians 15:50-54, really mean when it says “Believers who have died will have their bodies resurrected, and along with believers who are still living will meet with the Lord.” Could you explain to me what that scripture really is trying to tell us? It makes me believe that believers body’s/spirit are kept somewhere other than heaven until the rapture.

In Matthew 27:52-53 it says that at the time of Jesus’ death, there was an earthquake and the “bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life”. It says that they “came out of their tombs and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people” Who were these holy people and where did they go? Did they ‘hang around’ town until Jesus came back to life and then go into heaven with him or did they die again and go back to their tombs?

I have heard that Jesus cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene. If so what were they? Also, my sister read that when Jesus was being whipped before his crucifixion that he was given 40 lashes less one. Do you know why it was worded that way? Why not just say 39 lashes?

I was wondering if there is a mistranslation in the bible regarding the lineage of Mary/Joseph.

God states that Jesus will be a direct descendant of David, but since Jesus’ Father is God, Jesus has to be a direct descendant of David through Mary’s lineage (otherwise there is no blood relation to David). In Matthew 1:2-16 it provides a ‘family tree’ that claims to end with “Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.” This indicates Jesus is connected to David only through the marriage of Mary to Joseph, who is then a descendant of David. This doesn’t make Jesus a DIRECT descendant…

Furthermore, Matthew 1:17 states “Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations.” By my count there are only 13 in the 3rd group.

Thank you and God bless you for this message you wrote on Psalm 62. I struggle with exactly the lack of faith you are describing in your commentary. I have experienced complete financial ruin, homelessness, loss of family and have periodically succumbed to depression.

I have made some effort and have memorized some scriptural passages: John 15:1-8, Psalms 1, 8 & 23, Romans 12:1-2, John 3:16 and Proverbs 3:5-6. These are all helpful, but I find I have gaps in my knowledge, so I often crumble in the face of adversity because I lack the confidence that comes with knowing God’s Word thoroughly.

You mentioned the need to know God’s promises. Which one’s do I need to know first? Could you recommend a foundation curriculum of essential passages around which I can train my heart under the LORD’s help?

First, please accept my heart-felt thanks for your site and your articles. You will never know how greatly you are appreciated. Now, as to my question.

I was told last week that the New King James Version of the bible is Satanic – that it is the same bible that a well know denomination uses and even has the symbol attesting to this. I could hardly believe it – I have a copy of the New King James Version and know that many well known Biblical scholars use it from time to time. This person said that he only used the Old King James Version. I did not choose to argue with him and I am certainly no scholar but I know that you are and I would so appreciate your comment on this matter.