In your study on the Book of Ezekiel you said,

“Although God had known from the beginning of time that Israel would reject the Messiah’s offer of the Kingdom, it was a bona fide offer just the same, and had they accepted it, the prophecies from Ezekiel 36 would have been fulfilled at that time. But they didn’t and the door was opened to the Gentiles, in part to make them envious.”

So, if Israel had accepted Jesus as their Messiah and the Kingdom age (the Millennium) would have begun then, it sounds like Jesus’ death on the cross would not have been necessary. How then would the sins of mankind have been atoned for? “for without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins”

Re: Explaining Hebrews 8:11. I am confused about your answer. It appears to cast this verse as if it is addressed to the church today, yet the preceding verses specifically the New Covenant will be with the House of Israel and the House of Judah (vs.8). Verse 10 stipulates their “New Covenant” will be after “those days”. I understand “those days” to be referring to those days where Israel and Judah have completed the 70th week of Daniel chap. 9. For the entire 70 weeks will be under the Old Covenant. This seems to place Heb. 8: 8-12 in the future.

I have heard it preached that there will come a time when the earth will be restored to its original state (before the fall) and all animals will be at peace with one another. I love to watch wildlife programs but I do wish they wouldn’t kill each other! What is your teaching on this please?

Our pastor resigned Sunday due to what he stated was an “emotional” relationship with a woman other than his wife. Some are wondering, if he repents, couldn’t he come back according to the principle given us in Matthew 18? My thought so far is the standard God gave for a bishop or deacon of being blameless and that our pastor has compromised his ministry with this affair. Also, some believe we are to forgive those involved even if no repentance is evident; that it is our Biblical mandate. Others say that we do not hold anger and bitterness towards them, but we cannot forgive what is not confessed. I would appreciate any thoughts to help as we begin to deal with the fallout of a fallen pastor.

At Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles they spoke in Tongues and everyone understood them in their own language. It seems later the gift of Tongues changed to something secret and required an interpreter. What happened?

Since I started tithing I can no longer help my family who are in a desperate situation. My mother is completely stressed out and in debt and can quite literally barely put food on the table. Though I know it’s right to tithe, it breaks my heart to see them go without. They relied heavily on me and now I feel terrible I can’t do both, I can’t tithe and help them. How can I be obedient to God and see my family suffer. What should I do?

In this economy any job is a good job, right? I worked for 8 years at a job where I prayed every day for God to get me out of there. Finally I gave up my job and was replaced. But did I really give up my job? I have been in and out of that job countless times over the last year and helped out the replacement many times for free. Now my old employer would like to hire me back as my replacement quit. Should I go back to this job? We have now moved and the drive would be longer. The stress and daily deadlines were enormous to the point it caused health issues. My husband does not want me to go back.

My wife and I have been seriously considering a move away from United States. We feel for some reason that this is what God is calling us to do although we do not know yet where he will be sending us. Is there anything in the Bible that would lead us to better understand this direction we feel from God?

According to Matthew 13:41 as I understand it Jesus says he will send his Angels, and they shall gather out of “His” Kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. First of all Jesus mentions “things”,then he mentions “them”which I believe refers to “humans”, which do iniquity. What I don’t understand is what type of people is he referring to, and are they Christians? Don’t you have to be a true Christian to be in “His Kingdom”? Can you please explain this?

As I read the passages in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, it sounds like the second coming, and that the church will be here watching. Verses 9-10 sound like passages about salvation only, not necessarily about the wrath of the tribulation. Please help me understand these passages. Do they speak of the rapture?