Do 2 Thes. 3:10 and 1 Timothy 5:8 also apply to people who are willing and and have desire to work but can’t find a job?

Some of my believing friends say the Kingdom of God hasn’t come yet, but I say when you repent and accept Jesus Christ you’ve entered the Kingdom. I know we’re not yet in the presence of the Lord, but I believe that because I’m striving to live according to the instructions of His Word from day to day, then I’m living the Kingdom life right now. Please comment on the above.

I read about healing and the other gifts, but I’m wondering about authority. Do we have the authority to use Jesus’ name to do such things, including but not limited to: Healing the sick, casting out demons, blessing things, etc. I’m not talking about the gifts, but rather the authority. Do all Christians today have the authority to do so?

Does God know the intentions of my thoughts, meaning does he know where they originated from? I guess a better question is can I know? I get some very very terrible thoughts that come into my mind often, and sometimes think that I must want them to come in. I love the Lord and I really want these thoughts to stop.

In Genesis 15 – why did Abraham do the following:

15:10 but the birds divided he not. 15:11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years.

Why did all these happen?

I have come to really enjoy your website. Your studies and comments have helped me to understand the Bible much better but also developes more questions for me. Does Satan currently have access to Heaven and the Lord? In Job 1:6 it talks of the sons of God presenting themselves before the Lord and Satan coming amoung them. Is this in Heaven? REV 12 would indicate that Satan was or is in Heaven accusing man before the Father continually until the great war in heaven. When within the end time does this battle in heaven occur and he’s cast down to earth? Is this the time he indwells the anti-christ?

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.

Hi, I love your website. My question is on what works are our Rewards at the Bema Seat based upon? Is it our obedience to the Lord’s commandments on a day to day basis, struggling to be obedient in times of Temptation, etc. Or are they something different, like seeing a starving person on the street, and getting them a sandwich to eat, or giving someone some clothes that are in need? Or is it a combination of both?

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 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?