Could you please explain the significance of 1 Tim 4:16, to OSAS? In this verse, it seems Paul is speaking to those in ministry, and it does appear he is saying that they must make certain they keep their own salvation as well as that of those they are teaching by what they are teaching. It would seem from what is being said in previous verses that these leaders are saved, but could be in danger of losing it (salvation) through wrong teaching, as well as their recipients not receiving it. If anyone can give a clear understanding and clarity to this, I believe you can.

Does God put insanity on people to humble them today? It seems this was God’s judgment on Nebuchadnezzar, but only after warning him and giving him 12 months to repent. Does God put illness and tragedy on people to get their attention, teach them or break them in this present age? That doesn’t seem consistent with what Jesus did when He was on the earth – He healed all who were oppressed of the devil and never made anyone sick. I know these claims have come from other commentators, but I would love to know what you would say to them.

One thing we had wondered was, since the OT is so full of struggling twins and brothers: Cain and Abel, Esau and Jacob, etc., do you think that Lucifer and Yeshua were closer brothers in Heaven? Well, of course, as sons of Yahweh, they were brothers, but it seems there is more to this than meets the eye.

Also, I have trouble believing that we’re all going to be “raptured” and whisked off to heaven. Since there is no mention of the word “rapture” at all, some have interpreted this concept of meeting Him in the air as only for the chosen 144,000 (martyrs slain for Him) who will reign with Him (or serve as judges for mankind). When Yeshua said that the meek will inherit the earth, we take it to mean that His kingdom will be established on earth when it is restored to its former paradise under Yahweh’s Law.

Is the prophecy of the dry bones (Ezekiel 36:35-37) specifically about Israel, or does it also pertain to the church? How is this linked if at all??? I really want to know the truth. At this point, I think this is purely a prophecy concerning Israel, but I know too, that a lot of the Old testament mirror the things to come. One other question, How do we choose Christ and the gift of Salvation? Do we choose or does He do all the choosing for us?

My question is, what does John 21:15-24 mean? I do not understand this passage. What is it Jesus is saying here in the passage?

What does the Bible say about a person’s past sins? What I mean is, I know that I am forgiven through my faith in Jesus and that God does not hold my sins against me any longer, but what about humans- what about the church? I am currently going through a situation where an ex-friend wants to tell the church of my past so that the heat can be taken off of her current sinning lifestyle. She knows that I have had experience in the area that she is sinning, and because she is feeling like people are judging her for her sins she wants to tell them about my past.

My fear is that I will be judged for my past- judged for sins that I have committed without seeing that I am a changed woman. So far she has not mentioned anything, but I am wondering if I need to confess my past sins to our mutual friends now or do I wait and see if she says anything then talk with them about it. Right now she says I’m denying my sin to others because I refuse to be revealing of my past to others. Like I said- this is all stemming from the fact that she confessed her sins and now is feeling the heat from the reactions of those around her. Any help is appreciated. Thanks so much for your time!

Please point me in the direction of a bible commentary that uses the correct rules of interpretation and takes God’s Word literally. Every commentary I can get a hold of picks and chooses what parts of the bible to believe. Thank you very much for your help in this matter.

Do you think that Isaiah 17 will be fulfilled at the same time as the Battle of Ezekiel 38-39?

Isaiah 17:4 says that the glory of Jacob (Israel) will fade and his fat will waste away so it seems like Israel will become weak. But in verse 7, it says that they will turn back to God, matching with Ezekiel 38-39.

What do you make of this prophecy?

I have a question about your response in “The Origin of Rain.” In your response you said “Simple logic tells us that the rainbow God promised to Noah after the flood wouldn’t have been necessary for reassurance if they had often seen rain in the past. (Genesis 9:14-16) No, it was promised because the only time they’d ever seen rain everybody had perished. They were scared to death of it.”

This seemed logical when I first read it, and then a thought came to mind. “Why would God need to send this sign? Why couldn’t He have told Noah that it wouldn’t flood again? If only he and a few others survived the flood, couldn’t they just “pass down” the promise to future generations? I am not afraid of rain because I was taught not to fear it, couldn’t this have been possible of the survivors?”

I mean, Noah had enough faith to build the Ark, wouldn’t this same faith in God’s Word be good that it wouldn’t flood again?

How much time elapsed between the first plague in Exodus and the last (passover)?