Ask a Bible Teacher

Outer Space

Published: September 4, 2023
Q

Recently when having an informal bible study with a friend, we had a discussion about man’s attempts to explore space, and how that fits with what the bible tells us about the current, fallen state of man and space for that matter. Should we be poking around “out there”? It’s hard not to look up at the stars and wonder in awe of God, and His creation. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks very much for your site, it continues to be a valuable tool in my studies!


Conviction Or Condemnation?

Published: September 4, 2023
Q

Your site is fascinating! First of all, I am a Hungarian girl, so, sorry for my bad English!

I have problem with the following verses: Matthew 6:14 says: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Also Luke 6:37-38. I have a serious struggle with forgiving from my heart. Don’t feelings matter at all? I want to forgive from my heart and asked God for help, but I feel condemned because of my wrong feelings toward the respective person. And this judging thing…I see what a grave sin judging is, but for me it’s like a bad thinking habit! I struggle with it too!

Luke 6:38 says: “…for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Does it mean God is less compassionate (or absolutely not compassionate) toward such people who struggle with that sin? I read something where the author said God hates double standards. I understand it but this all is frightening!

Moreover it looks like He insists that somebody with the above mentioned sins risk his salvation. He doesn’t declare it, but it felt like that’s what He’s insisting. I used to believe in OSAS but it’s startling. What do you think of it? Is God less compassionate to such people?

Finally: I read “Why can’t I stop sinning” and your answer shook me. You say guilty feelings are from Satan? I mean, when I feel condemned and that God frowns at me is that always from the Devil? And the Holy Spirit never condemns us? Thank you for your answers!


Rahab To David

Published: September 4, 2023
Q

I have always been puzzled by the genealogical time span between Rahab and her husband Salmon through to the birth of David. Scripture lists Salmon – Boaz – Obed – Jesse – and then David. Calculations by many historians, including Ussher have the time span of these generations approximating 385 years.

The men in this genealogy would all have had to have been quite old or perhaps a couple of generations were omitted in the Scripture. How do you see this?


Demonic Visitation

Published: September 1, 2023
Q

I was raised Catholic and raised my children Catholic. I got saved about six years ago and began going to a Christian church. One of my two grown daughters has been going with me also but I could never get my other grown daughter to. She has not been in a church in about five years. Last weekend she indicated out of the blue that she would attend church with us. Of course, I was very happy and grateful.

This past Friday evening she said she would go again with us on Sunday. Then, at about 1 am on Saturday morning, she was awakened by a presence in her room which she felt was demonic. She felt it trying to push her off of her bed and she had a strong feeling that if it did, she would become possessed. No one in my family has ever had any experience of this kind before. She began to pray the Lord’s Prayer out loud over and over again and the pushing motion she felt slowed down but did not stop and the presence did not leave her. In fact, her lips became numb and soon she could no longer pray out loud. At that instant she began to say in her mind, “I cast you out in Jesus Name” and immediately the presence left her.

Can you explain this? Could it have just been a dream? If not is there anything I can do to help her? She is frightened it may happen again. Thank you and God bless you and your family.


God’s Wheels

Published: September 1, 2023
Q

In your article The End Times According To Daniel Part One, I came across this sentence; ‘His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.’ – from the Dan. 7:9-10 paragraph.

Why are there wheels on God’s throne? Aren’t wheels a thing we men use to help us move things?

This is God’s throne here. Why does it have wheels?


A Horse Or A Donkey?

Published: September 1, 2023
Q

I wanted to tell you that I have been reading your teachings for the last 4 hours straight. The last two weeks I have been teaching our young people about end time prophecy and current events. It raised many questions even for me. I have had many questions about prophecy and end time events, sequence of events, and scriptural proof. Your website has been a true blessing!

My only question is regarding your article about Passover and Palm Sunday. You stated that the only time Jesus announced himself as king was when he came in on Palm Sunday. However, he came in on a donkey, not a horse. A donkey in that time period was ridden and symbolic of priests. A horse would have symbolized a king. That is why Jesus in his 2nd coming will the rider on the white horse. This is where he comes as KING! Rev. 19:11

Please correct me if I am wrong, or give me your thoughts on this. Thank you so much for your time!


Armor Bearers

Published: August 31, 2023
Q

I am an Armor Bearer for my pastor. He told me some things he did while serving as an Armor Bearer to his pastor, like going to wash his car on the weekends, getting up in the middle of the night to go serve him out of town while at other ministries, driving him all around town for different speaking engagements, dropping all of his plans to accommodate him if he has a last minute speaking engagement. Since he is a pastor now, I’m supposed to do all of these things for him. Don’t get me wrong, I try to serve as unto the Lord, but I don’t know if these things are necessarily considered “serving”.


Forgive As You Have Been Forgiven

Published: August 31, 2023
Q

I have two grown married sons with families of their own but I do not have a relationship with either of them. We are all born again Christians. When they were teenagers I sinned and they also sinned. I have sincerely told them I was sorry, and I really am sorry, but they will not forgive me and do not want me in their lives or to have any contact with my grandchildren. Therefore I have never seen my grandchildren. I am concerned about how this will affect them and their families in light of the commandment to honor your parents. Will this have an adverse affect on their lives and the lives of their children?


Did Jesus Know Or Didn’t He?

Published: August 30, 2023
Q

I am puzzled by a difference in the wording of Matthew 24:36. My NIV says “nor the son…” but my KJV says “But of the day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (no mention of the son) What is the correct interpretation – does the son know or not? Jesus is the Godhead and if the Father knows, wouldn’t Jesus also know? Sorry if this is sounds confusing, but I am learning to check different versions.


More On The Doctrine Of Election

Published: August 30, 2023
Q

A buddy of mine and I were having a conversation about man’s free will and election. My buddy says that, because man is inherently evil apart from God, he only has a choice to reject God and not to accept Him like those are already the elect, elected and predestined before time by God can. What do you think?