Can you tell me where the idea came from that the seven churches in Revelation are seven church ages, and does the word of God teach this?

Is it is possible that Jesus was abandoned by the Holy Spirit in his last hours on the cross? My idea is that he was abandoned just like many people are going to find out that the Holy Spirit is no longer among them after the rapture. What is your opinion on this please?

I had a question concerning Revelation chapter 5, I know tradition says that the Church is in heaven in chapter 5 because of the rapture in chapter 4 verse 1. I think this view is held because of reading the Revelation strictly from a chronological perspective as opposed to reading it first from a spiritual perspective. I read chapter 5 backwards and forward and didn’t see the Church when the living creatures the 24 four elders and the angels are praising the Almighty.

I write this question with a broken heart. I am wondering how, in Heaven, God will wipe away tears over lost romantic relationships. We are told that there is no marriage in heaven. God created the beautiful feelings, and deep emotional and physical bond between a man and woman. As humans we have only known them in a sinful world, and yet they are still so strong and can create immense joy, or heartbreak if things do not work out. My heart goes out to people who go through divorce if their spouse chooses it against their will. How is that void, how are those tears wiped away in heaven if there is (apparently) no expression of romantic intimacy?

I realize it points to a relationship with Christ and His bride, yet there must be more to this. I understand that being with Christ will be amazing, and that this is a temporal life. At the very beginning of creation God created a partner for the man, and He gave them pleasurable work to do in taking care of the Garden. The joy of the humans was not to simply be in God’s presence, they were made for each other, and given joyful tasks to do. How can it be that God would take something so amazing, and something we have only known in a fallen state, and discontinue it?

It’s only natural, I suppose, for us to hope and pray that our Savior will soon lift us from this life and take us to be with Him. It still hurts me deeply that so many will be left behind, knowing what they are facing in eternity. I want more to come with us, especially members of my family and friends who I know are not ready, but fear keeps slipping in because of not knowing God’s timetable and it prevents me from being more assertive in my evangelism. My question is, how do you personally stand up to this? Can you give me a little something more to hold on to?

One of the arguments you use that Jesus was willing for us to be healed was when the man asked “Lord, if you are willing…” in Mathew 8:1-3 and the Lord’s answer was “I am willing”.

However, it seems the Lord was not always willing in all cases. For instance concerning the Cananite woman in Mathew 15:22-28. Even though in the end he does heal her daughter, at first He was reluctant. Would this reluctance continue with all gentiles, or was this limited only to his earthly ministry before his death and resurrection?

I pray that God blesses you and your family greatly for all the insight you share with all of us on a daily basis!

I have a question. Do we own our souls or are they God’s property? What I’m really asking is, can a person “sell their soul” to the devil?

If God knows the end before the beginning, he knows who is going to accept salvation through His Son Jesus before they are born. Is it fair to say that Jesus died on the cross, not for everybody, but only for those who He, the Father, and the Holy Spirit knew in advance?

My question is if you are a real born again believer and are in a back slidden state, will you go in the rapture, is your salvation secure, and do you have the spiritual authority to do spiritual warfare against the enemy and demons in particular if you are back slidden? My 20 year old daughter who is on fire for the Lord is constantly questioning my salvation because of the situation I am in and just doesn’t understand why I can’t get out of it “If I love the Lord and have faith in him”.

I hate where I am and I pray with tears all the time. I believe He is working out His plans for me and that He will get me straight and that I wouldn’t feel conviction if I didn’t have the Holy Spirit, but she makes me feel that at some point, His patience will run dry and that will be the end for me.

I know I am wrong for being in this backslidden state to begin with for my choices but I do love the Lord and I want to change and get things back on track with my life in the Lord. What do you have to share with me? I don’t just want someone to agree with me, but someone who will speak biblical truth to me from an objective standpoint.

Thank you for the blessing of Biblical truth you make available to us. I wanted to know if a father’s role of spiritual leading and teaching ends when children become adults (18)?