I have noticed that many scholars are divided over Luke 16:19-31 as to whether or not to classify this as a parable. If it is a parable, then it is not to be taken literally. If it is, then it sheds some light into the manner of the afterlife for those waiting for their resurrection. I was wondering what your thoughts on Luke 16:19-31 were as to whether or not it is a parable. Please also give reasons for your answer.

Thank you for your study and for answering our questions. My question is do you think we could be missing a literal reading of Dan 9:27? I know many translations vary, but Luther translated it “And upon the wings shall stand the abomination of desolation” and I was wondering if it could possibly mean that the antichrist might set up an image, whether a statue or a hologram of himself, right atop the rebuilt ark in the rebuilt temple. The mercy seat above the ark has two angels with outspread wings. Isn’t the mercy seat supposed to become the throne of Jesus when He comes to reign in the new Jerusalem. What better place to put an idol of himself?

I’ve noticed many times that when speaking of End Times, many teachers seem to give the Islamic prophecies the same credence as they do to Biblical prophecies. Is there a basis for belief in any Islamic prophecies? Some Christian teachers compare the Mahdi with the AC as if he is really going to show up in the End Times.

Thank you for your website. In Genesis 1:26 in the NKJV it says “Let us make man in Our image” and in Genesis 3:22 it says “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil”. I believe Christians see these verses as references to the Trinity but my question is how have Jews of the past and present typically viewed these verses through Judaism?

I have been a believer since as far back as I can remember. It is only as of recently that I have come up with questions that I have asked many times to no avail. I feel that I believe in Jesus as my savior and acknowledge that I am a sinner and know that Jesus is the only way to heaven and to a awesome life of happiness when he returns. My problem is I an unsure if this is a head knowledge or a heart knowledge or even both.

I know a great deal about what the Bible says and have been brought up to accept it. I just feel that because I have been brought up in it and never had to learn it at an older age as opposed to a younger age when one believes everything their told, that maybe its just habit or something. I want so bad to know that I am saved but fear that I can’t be until my head and heart can agree. Any thoughts?

I recently attended a church that is part of the Restoration Movement. This is the first I’d heard of it, but what puzzled me is that they believe baptism is necessary for salvation. They quote Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:16 in their literature. Could you please give your take on these verses?

Re: Mark 8:22-26. Jesus, as Creator of everything, could have healed this guy all at once without even touching him. So He must have had a reason for doing it in stages like that, and for putting it in the Bible. What is it? Many thanks for your wisdom & patience.

I have a question regarding the Church’s purpose. I was in Church on Sunday, and I heard my pastor speaking on the purposes of different churches. For example, some churches teach prosperity as their main outreach, that is what they do. He said that our church’s main purpose was to seek the presence of God, which to our church is even more important in saving the lost. This somewhat confused me. Shouldn’t the main purpose of every church be to spread the Gospel and save the lost? What is the main purpose of the Church?

Your site is very informative and a blessing. I have a question regarding the account in 2 Samuel 14:27 which states that Absalom had three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar (his sister had the same name, 2 Sam. 13:1). Then we read in 2 Sam. 18:18 that Absalom says “I have no son to carry on my name,” so he named a monument after himself. How can this be understood?

In your latest post I noted this statement: “But the people disobeyed God’s commandment to go forth and replenish the Earth, setting about instead to build a great city and a tower to protect themselves from another flood. They also used the tower to study astrology, a corruption of the Gospel that God had written in the stars using the names of 12 constellations.” I’ve never heard of a Gospel in the stars. What does that mean?