As always thank you for you willingness to share your thoughts on these matters. My question for you is how do we weigh out the contrast between Matthew 5:17-20 and Acts 15:19-20 (Also the majority of the message of Hebrews). I have a Messianic Jewish friend that dwells very heavily on the Matthew verses, but most denominational churches teach a theology of Grace (and rightfully so) but begin to neglect the law. Is it something deeper than just, “the rules never changed, but the penalty is gone”? I have a hard time meshing that with the lifting of the kosher dietary requirements that Peter had given to him from Heaven, to me that shows that the rule (at least in that case) was changed. I know this is one of those subjects that is easy to run too far to either extreme so I was hoping you could provide a scriptural balance for it. Thank you for your help.

My question is about Matthew 7:22. How can some people use the name of Jesus to do miracles and still not know Jesus as their Savior? What kind of people will say to Jesus, Lord, didn’t I do this for you and that for you at the Judgement and still not be saved?

I am saved and love the Lord and want so badly to honor him but I am in a relationship that does not honor the Lord. Many times, way too many to count I have tried to end the relationship. And I confess the sin desiring to make my relationship right with God. I hate that I am caught up in this relationship and my life is truly miserable because of it. I haven’t been able to free myself from it and I feel like a total failure before the Lord. I hate what my life has become; the sin entanglement is sucking the life out of me. Why can’t I muster the courage to end it once and for all? What hope do I have? I don’t want to pretend I will go to Heaven when from scripture it appears I am bound for Hell and I am sure many would agree that is where I will end up. I want the truth even if the truth is this ungodly relationship is sending me to Hell. What a failure and disappointment I must be to the Lord. I am not asking for a stamp of approval for my behavior( I know it is sin) but please help me sort through the misery I find myself in.

It is written in Philippians 2:9-11 that every knee shall bow at the name of Jesus, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In reference to those in heaven, does this mean that the archangels Michael and Gabriel will also bow at the name of Jesus and confess Him as Lord, or is this just referring to the saints in heaven?

Re: Kings Of The East. I have a problem. You state several times in the article, “the Far East”. The Bible only states “from the East”. Why do you say the events of your study involve the far east?

My brother and his wife are not very well off and have begun remodeling their house on a pay as you go basis. Recently they discovered they are pregnant and at the rate they’re going the baby will come long before the remodeling is complete. Currently the house has only been gutted and would not be safe for a new born. I have some money I could give them so they could complete the house in time, but I don’t know what to do because they are confirmed unbelievers. Would God be pleased with me if I help them, or would it not be His will for me to do this?

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?