Ask a Bible Teacher

Where Does The Word Amen Come From?

Published: May 22, 2016
Q

In case you have time for this trivial question on the origin and use of the word “amen” or similar words. A friend told me that some scholars have concluded that it origin is Egypt from the pharaoh Amen Ra. I’m curious to see if I can find any useful answers to his questions on the word “amen.”


Is Jordan Palestine?

Published: May 22, 2016
Q

What do you think about prominent Dutch politician that was calling for Jordan to change its name to Palestine as part of a solution to the Middle East conflict?


Lift Up Your Heads

Published: May 22, 2016
Q

Regarding Luke 21:28, I always thought it was talking about the second coming, and if that is true then we will be coming with Him, and won’t have to be looking up. What is the correct understanding of this verse?

 


Communion Wine

Published: May 22, 2016
Q

Since the process of making wine involves the introduction of yeast, should “the fruit of the vine” used for the Lord’s Supper be unfermented seeing yeast represents sin in Scripture? It would seem that this would picture the sinlessness of Jesus even as the unleavened bread does.


Reading Revelation Chronologically

Published: May 22, 2016
Q

John’s gospel is the least chronological of the four gospels. Events are out of order and a very unequal amount of verses are applied to certain events versus other events in Jesus’ life. So it would seem unlikely then that John’s book of Revelation would be completely in time order. Perhaps some parts of the Revelation are chronological, and others are placed thematically. This is a critical issue, since from reading your material it appears the primary basis of your belief in pre-Trib is because Rev 4 & 5 in chapter order precede the rest of the book. Can you please enlighten me as to how you see it and why?


About The Crowns

Published: May 22, 2016
Q

I really can’t get the idea of even rewarding us with Crowns if they change nothing in regards to how we will be treated in the afterlife. Why even give them to us in the first place if we are to turn around and lay them at Christ’s feet? Does He need our crowns when He already wears the finest and most important crown of all? Will we be assigned some sort of rank due to the number of crowns we earn or the number of times we qualify for a certain crown or crowns? What am I missing?


Should I Ask Him For Confirmation?

Published: May 22, 2016
Q

I prayed for the salvation of someone who is very dear to me. I couldn’t stop crying, I begged the Lord with all my heart. In my head, like simple thoughts, the following appeared: “He belongs to me, he is mine.” The Holy Spirit spoke to me in a still voice before just like that, but sometimes I’m not sure if it is truly Him or just my own thoughts. How could I know for sure that it was indeed the Holy Spirit assuring me? Should I ask the Lord for further proof?


The Holy Spirit And Pentecost

Published: May 22, 2016
Q

I am truly grateful for your faithful study of Scripture and your willingness to devote countless hours to share what you learn with us. My Bible is full of penciled in clarifying margin notes with the initials JK by it. We know from Acts 1:3 that Jesus ascended back to his Father 40 days after his resurrection. The disciples were told to go to Jerusalem to wait for the promised Holy Spirit ( Acts 1:4-5) which we know from Acts 2:1 came on Pentecost, 50 days after the resurrection. Since God is so into numbers there must be a reason for the 10 day wait in leaving his disciples without the promised Holy Spirit. Is it connected with Shavuot in some way?


Extra-Biblical Information

Published: May 22, 2016
Q

I have been reading your article From Adam to Abraham and pondering about the idol worship going on in Ur and ancient Mesopotamia at the time of Terah and Abraham. I came across an article giving more information than the Bible gives about Abraham and his father. It’s info from the Torah, Talmud, and the Midrash. I find it very informative; however, I don’t know how to trust this info since it goes into a lot of detail that I can’t find in our scriptures. I certainly would appreciate your take on this and I do appreciate your Q & A’s with your gifted knowledge of scripture.


Questions About The New Jerusalem

Published: May 22, 2016
Q

I have heard that once the 2nd coming and all judgments are completed, the New Jerusalem here on Earth will be the only habitat for the Jewish nation, which will be led by Christ. I was also told the Gentiles will be given supernatural bodies and we will have the ability to travel the universe at will, including making visits to the New Jerusalem, but not actually taking up residence there. What say you to this?