I just got through reading your article about Paul, Timothy And The End Times. As I was reading, the passage of 2 Timothy 3:1-5 absolutely cut me to the quick. I have been greatly struggling and feel as though I would be lucky to be the person who gets in to heaven simply as the man who “slides in though the flames” in Corinthians 3:15. I feel that my faith is proving itself to be nothing more than a form of godliness whose power I am denying. Any words of encouragement and help would be a blessing.

Re: Matthew 24:32. I have heard that the fig tree represents Israel and relates to the 1967 six day war where Israel gained much land – thus the “leaves coming out”. But I think it could just simply mean that when you see leaves on the trees you know summer is near. Likewise, when you see all these things happening you know the end is near. Could it be that Jesus was just trying to make that point and not give a parable?

I was wondering how the disciples and those with them were able to heal and cast out evil spirits much like Jesus did. It seemed like the Holy Spirit was working through them powerfully.The Holy Spirit would also come upon everyone in a very powerful and evident way. Why do we not hear of anything remotely close to this happening today?

Matthew 5: 21-22 says “You have heard that it was said to those of old “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.” But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” Since God never changes, He never changes His rules. So did Jesus add to this law, or was He saying that God always meant that law to mean that?

If I understand correctly, lust is a desire for something, whether it is a person, etc…so, with that, a so-called “crush” on someone would be lust. How do I differentiate between lust and “casually” noticing someone’s attractiveness? I’m not trying to justify any sinful behavior, but I would like to have that point cleared up. What scriptures address this issue?

I have a question about Matthew 8:5-13…verses 11-12 specifically. Before Jesus heals the servant, why does He say “I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”? Why will the sons of the kingdom be thrown out?

Have you heard of people using some letter supposedly written by Corrie Ten Boom to try and prove that the church will go through the tribulation? Why would people use Corrie Ten Boom as evidence that the church is supposed to go through the trib? Why wouldn’t they use just scripture? The letter claims that Christians in China were told they’d be raptured but were then persecuted by Mao; therefore the American church needs to be ready for persecution in the tribulation.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells his followers that if they do not show mercy to one another, God will not show mercy to them. He mentions that the sheep (mercy givers)will be separated from the goats, and that the sheep will go to heaven, and the goats to hell. Can you help me understand how this isn’t saying that our salvation is works related? If this parable is speaking of faith that leads to right actions, then my question would be, can a person truly be saved but not exhibit much mercy or right actions? How many merciful actions are enough to demonstrate true faith? Or does only God know this? I’m a little worried that I’m not demonstrating enough mercy and kindness to others.

I have questions about Luke 24:13-15, the Road to Emmaus. 1. What was happening in Emmaus and why were these men heading there rather than any other place? 2. What was the significance of Jesus breaking the bread and its coincidence with the opening of the eyes of these disciples? 3. The scripture gave us the name of the second disciple to be Cleopas, I never heard about this name in the Bible before, was there a reason for the scripture to give it to us?

Why does the Bible give the example of “It is easy to go to an eye of needle?” And why did Peter ask “Who can be saved?”