Re: Is Church Attendance Mandatory? In regards to mandatory presence in church, it may not be mandatory per say, but how do you view Hebrews 10:25 in the light of that?

Thanks for all of your insight into prophecy. I read all of the questions and it always helps in my growing understanding of the Scriptures and Prophecy. I was asked the other day a questions about the “the falling away” which appears in 2 Thes. 2:3. I have believed for a long time that this falling away will be prior to the Rapture of the Church. If so, who are they who fall away?

I am in my seventies and have been a christian since my late teens and have truly been trying to live a christian life since my late twenties. I have raised 2 sons that are saved, but, about a couple of years ago I was ill and the medicine the doctor put me on gave me a panic attack. They put me to sleep and I dreamed that I went to heaven and was told, “Depart from me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you”.

When I awakened I was terrified so they put me to sleep again and since then I feel void of my relationship with the Lord and half dead. Of course I know it is due a lot to the medication, but, my question is: Could the Devil have deluded me all of these years? I love going to Church and have taught several times during the years and sang duets and solos when needed. I feel like David when he prayed, “Restore unto me the joy of my salvation”.

I have seen people pray for other people and “anoint them with oil” by putting a dab of oil on their forehead. Could you tell me the purpose of anointing someone with oil, and are there rules for this? Can anyone anoint another person, or do they have to be a preacher to do this? Also, does the oil need to be blessed, and if so, who do you get to bless it? I see anointing oil being sold all over the internet. Does it have to be a special oil?

My sister-in-law (who is Jewish) directed me to a Jewish website that explains why Jewish people don’t believe in the Messiah. They claim that Christians have twisted the scriptures to make Jesus the Messiah. I have heard this before, and I guess it just takes a leap of faith but is there any website to direct her to, or is it just not going to happen for her to believe until the Rapture and then I am hoping that people that I know will finally come to believe.

Re: Does God choose Our Leaders. I am confused on this because Daniel 2:21 says “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.” This verse tells me that God does control who is in office. Am I not understanding this correctly?

I often hear friends and family say that they pray for a certain sports team to win a game. I wonder if God bothers with such trivial matters, when I consider the fact that there are others who would inevitably be praying for the opposing team. Does God intervene in the affairs of mankind for matters like sports?

I have a question that I haven’t seen answered and I couldn’t find it when I did a search on your website. I want to know why the Bible is called the Bible. Where does the name come from and who decided to call the Old and New Testaments together the Bible.

I am writing in response to your answer to the question “Does God choose Our Leaders” (at least I believe that was the wording of the question). From your answer I am getting the feeling that you do not believe that God is in total control of everything!! Could you please clear this up for me.

I have a friend who thinks it doesn’t matter who gets elected as President because God has already predetermined it so it won’t make any difference. BTW, this person is a Christian and also a very intelligent and educated person who thinks this is a correct analysis. I personally do not go along with this philosophy but don’t know how to counter it adequately. I know in my heart what I think, but find it hard to put it all into words that make sense. Can you add some reality to this thinking?