Ask a Bible Teacher

The Tree Of Life

Published: September 19, 2023
Q

Your excellent study on the book of Revelation makes the point that there is no need for the church to eat from the tree of life. The tree of life is for the nations during the millennium. If this is so, why does Jesus promise that believers will “eat from the tree of life” in Revelation 2:7?


When Was The Lord Born And When Did He Die?

Published: September 18, 2023
Q

Thanks for the work you do on the site. It’s a fantastic tool. I was reading a timeline in my bible today and it stated that Jesus was born in 5BC. If this is correct then Jesus would have been 38 at the time of the crucifixion. It doesn’t really matter how old he was but I’ve always assumed that he was 33. Which do you believe is correct?


Beliefs Shaken By Pastor

Published: September 18, 2023
Q

I’m a fairly new Christian and have always been a believer in the pre-trib rapture. I just found out today that our Associate Pastor is Post Trib. I found this out during a group discussion regarding God’s Wrath after I pointed out that 1 Thes. 5:9 says we’re not appointed to wrath. He said the wrath Paul was referring to is eternal condemnation of non-believers. He said rapture passages could just as easily be describing the 2nd Coming, the rapture doesn’t appear anywhere in New Testament theology, and the dispensational interpretation of Daniel’s 70th Week is a shaky and novel one. Being a baby Christian, the understanding that I had from beginning has now been shaken and that scares me to death! Can you help?


All People Or Just His People?

Published: September 18, 2023
Q

Calvinists use verses like Matt 1:21, Luke 1:68, John 10:11 and John 17:1-2, 9 to say Jesus only died to save His people from their sin. But 1 Timothy 2:3-6 says Christ gave himself as a ransom for ALL men, not just His people. Can you help me reconcile this apparent contradiction?


Interpreting Dreams

Published: September 15, 2023
Q

I am a college student taking Psychology this semester. This week, I have an assignment due on Dream Interpretations. My instructor sent me to a website that interprets dreams and gives their symbolic meaning. Being a Christian, I don’t feel like this is a Christ-pleasing thing to do. I don’t believe it’s up to us to interpret our dreams and try to put symbolic meaning to them. I was wondering what the Biblical perspective is to interpreting dreams. Any help or Scripture references you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless!


A Question About Offense

Published: September 15, 2023
Q

I understand the obligation to forgive and am striving to do so, but how do I deal with being offended by a minster who refuses to repent, will not say sorry, has no intention of correcting the wrong and sees no reason to make any effort to deal with the matter. The minister concerned knows that they have done wrong but is of the view that ministers should never lower themselves to apologize to the laity.


Still Accountable After All?

Published: September 15, 2023
Q

I recently heard the following comment. “Additionally, for believers who have committed and not repented of sin, the judgment seat of Christ will not be the ‘pie in the sky, by and by.’ We are accountable for every sin we commit.” Is this accurate? While I try to avoid sin in my life, I thought that every sin we have committed or ever will commit is covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. Is there an accountability for unconfessed sin I am not aware of?


Is The Church Responsible?

Published: September 14, 2023
Q

I heard someone teach that it is the duty of the Bride of Christ to finance the return of the house of Israel to the homeland. He goes so far as to say that “the blood of Israel is on our hands.” In other words, if we as Christians do not help finance the return of Israel to the homeland, somehow we will be found with blood on our hands.

He is using the story of Ruth and Boaz to support his teaching. He likens Ruth gleaning the four corners of the field and bringing the grain to lay in Naomi’s lap as the Bride of Christ financing the return of the dispersed Israelites from the four corners of the earth to the homeland.

From your studies, what exactly does scripture have to say on this issue? Is the Body of Christ responsible for the return of the Jews to the homeland?


How Can We Sin And Still Go To Heaven?

Published: September 14, 2023
Q

You say we cannot act in any way that will cause us to lose our salvation. The Bible says sin separates us from God. How can we sin and still go to heaven?


Oops. I Forgot.

Published: September 14, 2023
Q

In another Q&A you said, “Freedom means all the sins of our life have been covered, that we don’t ever have to worry about measuring up. If we slip, as we all do, we’re guaranteed forgiveness each time we ask.” What if the person slips up and does not ask for forgiveness or does not desire forgiveness and keeps on sinning?