My question has to do with Luke 16:19-31, the story (not parable) that Jesus gave to the Pharisees and the crowd about Lazarus and the rich man. I know it’s not a parable, but I also know that it has a much deeper meaning than just a story. Look at the characters in the story and what they represent… in the story the rich man asks father Abraham to send Lazarus to his brethren’s house so he (Lazarus) can testify to them (Luke 16:27-28). But then Abraham says something very key (at least to me) he tells him…”they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them” (verse 29). You have stated before that Moses and the prophets refer to the OT. Then in the next two following verses it gets really good, the rich man says “nay father Abraham but if one went unto them from the dead they will repent” (verse 30). I love Abraham’s response in verse 31…” If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

If Moses and the prophets are a type or name for the OT which points to Christ, who then is Lazarus (one rose from the dead) verse 31 picture here? I believe the Holy Ghost reveals much more in this story. What are your thoughts?

My question is: We know that God the Father is a spirit and we must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24). When we are told in Scripture that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, how can that be since a spirit has no form, or does it?

Also can you explain worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth. I want to know if we are thinking the same.

I can’t express how much I look forward to reading your insights every day except to say “amen” to all the other’s comments.

My question is about tithing. When selling a home to buy another, how should the tithe be determined?

My question is from Genesis 13-14 with Abram and Lot. After he rescued Lot, Melchizedek, priest and king of Salem and the king of Sodom meet Abram. For what purpose are Melchizedek and the king of Sodom together? Sodom was wicked and full of great sinners and Melchizedek was the priest of God and also the king of Salem. Why were a king of such a sinful and wicked city and a king and priest of God together like that when God could easily have made their meetings separate with the same outcome?

Something you said in one of your answers was that God can’t forgive us if we don’t confess. I was taught that all our sins are forgiven already at the cross, but that we should confess them which is to admit our wrong to God so that we can be closer to God. But our sins are forgiven at the cross, everyone of them, so I feel it was wrong to say God can’t forgive us if we don’t confess because he already has.

I have read the following on a web site and am wondering if the translations are correct. “There are two different Greek words that are translated as “temple” in English. One word “hieron” is used by Paul when referring to an actual building made with wood and stones. The other word “naos” is used when referring to the spiritual temple of God which refers to His people. The word “naos” is the one used in this 2 Thessalonians 2:4 verse, and therefore is NOT talking about a physical temple.”

Re the picture of the hooded (“shepherd”?) on your homepage: is that supposed to be Jesus Christ? I’m sure we don’t need to have an IMAGE of our Savior. Perhaps the Ten Commandments even forbids it …? I tend to associate images with the worship in the Roman church. I look forward to your response as I count the issue as important.

I’ve written to you before expressing my frustration at being married to an unbeliever and being unable to be as fully involved in service as I would like to be. Recently, I’ve sensed the Lord telling me I’ve been trying to walk someone else’s walk instead of my own walk with Him. Instead of embracing my situation and what the Lord would have me do, I’ve been envious of other Christians who are free to serve in the church. I really want to walk in the works God has laid out before me.

I am a wife and mother, and am completely surrounded by family members who do not know the Lord. I’m sensing the Lord telling me my service to Him involves praying for and ministering to my family who don’t know Him. I’m not sure of the best way to do that aside from prayer and would love to have your wisdom in this situation. I know time is very short, and I don’t want to spend what’s left of my earthly life envying someone else’s walk, thereby missing out on what God intends for me. What do you think?

I have read your study on Matt: 25:1-13, about the 10 virgins. I have always believed this to be about the rapture of the church, but your explanation has convinced me it is about trib. believers, those who come to faith after the rapture. The only thing I am still confused about is v. 10. How can anyone come into the marriage after the rapture? Who would be left for the millennial kingdom?

In response to your answer to the question about Proverbs 8, how can we explain Proverbs 8:22-31 as referring to Jesus when Jehovah’s Witnesses use this to try to say that Jesus was created (as the Archangel Michael) by Jehovah God?