I was stunned by your answer to “Martyred for Our Faith”, especially now, with the threat from radical Islam, whose Koran calls for beheading any who refuse to bend the knee to Islam. All over the world today believers are being martyred because of their faith. Why in heaven’s name would you think there’s such a slim chance of persecution coming to America? Would that more were taught from an early age to be willing to die for what they believe. The thousands of mosques in America are certainly teaching that to their children.

What do you believe concerning the Church’s participation in the New Covenant, if they do, without fulfilling the covenant, which is for the true Jew. Also, do we participate in the other covenants in a spiritual sense. I feel a little strange using that language because it lends it self to the whole “the Church is Israel or spiritual Israel, which is a complete lie and a very big heresy today in most churches. I know there are several views on the Church and New covenant participation, what is your belief on these issues of the Church and the Jewish promises?

I am embarrassed to admit after reading a commentary today that I am starting to feel fear. I look to the end times prophecies with hope and trembling. The fear comes from his writing that we should have supplies on hand because we can’t trust the government for dependence. I understand that fact. But in my case, I am losing my home and I don’t have means to store supplies.

I am writing for a recommendation concerning my church. It is a great church that teaches the word of God and I am happy with that. Outside the sanctuary there’s a book store that charges for books. There are also classes that charge for the books and study materials they use. I’m concerned that the poor and needy that Jesus told us to take care of are being excluded from these resources. Should I be doing something about this or am I just concerned about nothing?

I have just finished a book which has got me thinking. This book claims that john, the brother of James, both sons of Zebedee, was not the same John as “the beloved disciple”. Although I do not take this premise as fact, it has got me thinking as to who was whom? Was John ben Zebedee the beloved disciple? Which John wrote the 3 letters of John? Which John wrote the Gospel of John, and who was John the Revelator?

A new believer I know attended a service where people were fainting, demonstrating holy laughter, dancing in the Spirit, etc. He was told it was a demonstration of people giving themselves totally over to the control of the Holy Spirit and humbling themselves before the Lord. But I wondered what purpose of God is served by having believers act that way. I can’t find any scripture to support such a manifestation. I am concerned for this person because I don’t want him to think His walk with God is based on feelings or emotions, but on faith. Can you please give your perspective on this?

As far as I can remember, in my youth, the Name of Jesus Christ was symbolic with Love unconditionally. I was also saved invoking His Holy Name but as I started reading and studying Scripture seriously, I discovered that His real Name in Hebrew was Yeshua Ha Maschiach and in Greek it was Iesous Christos. Do you have any insight as to why the Greeks did not respect His Hebrew Name nor kept it for Scriptural accuracy’s sake? Some say that Jesus is not His real name and was given to associate Him with a dog name in those times, is it true? Could you shed some light on this for me please so that I could lay it all to rest and find peace?

Something I have tried to wrap my mind around lately is the doctrine of election. I have read where you stand on this issue that God “foreknew” our choice and then predestined us and this idea makes sense to me. However, I am confused because Ephesians 2:8 tells us that even the faith to believe is a gift from God. If God has to give us the faith to believe before we are able to believe than how is it our choice?

I’ve read your expositions about Matthew 24, 25 and they make a lot of sense. I think, perhaps, I am missing the emphasis in verse 37 (and Luke 17:28) about the times of Noah and Lot. What was the purpose of Jesus’ comparisons to the time of the coming of the Son of man? If He is saying that when He comes, life will be going on as usual with normal daily activity, I have a difficult time understanding how anything will be going on as normal during the Great Tribulation; with God’s wrath so severe how can people possibly be eating, drinking and marrying at the time of His Second coming?

I understand that the Rapture of the church could come at any time, but I have difficulty seeing how everything the Anti-Christ has planned could be accomplished in seven short human years unless that seven year period were in the distant future, say a hundred years from now when technology and knowledge are greatly increased.