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Will we do creative things in eternity like art and building things or something we enjoyed from earth or will all of that cease to exist forever with us having no memory or desire of it? I can’t stand the notion of all things being absorbed or losing the ability to be creative. That is a crappy view of eternity and for that reason I don’t have hardly any belief at all. I believe creative endeavors and desires continue.

Recently I heard a good preacher say that God disciplines the Christian. This is certainly true but then he said that God can punish us as well. This is the part I have a problem with. As a Christian our salvation is guaranteed. Nevertheless we are to confess our sins and being a just God he will forgive us. I believe this will keep us in fellowship with Him. But if God forgives our sins and then punishes us for them, we would be justified in forgiving our enemies and then still punishing them for what they did to us.

Regarding the warning against judging others in Matt. 7:1-2. Paul said we are not to socialize with sinners, so isn’t that judging? Not their eternal destination, but their actions? Thanks so much for your help.

I was teaching a Sunday school class for adults recently and two very difficult subjects came up. One person asked me if Satan did not tempt Adam and Eve in the garden, could they have eventually sinned on their own. The second was a statement that all sins are a result of Satan or his demons tempting us. My position was that we are sometimes tempted of our own desires, but this was not well received. Can you shed some light on this for me?

I believe Moses was about 40 when he made the decision to be among his brethren, the Hebrews, instead of being called the son of Pharaoh. He then fled to the land of Midian before God called him to lead the people. We know the people wondered in the wilderness for 40 years, Moses dying at the age of 120. How long was Moses in Egypt after he returned to lead the people? How long did it take God to perform the curses against Pharaoh and Egypt?

Where do our spirits go after we die? Knowing that one of our Lord’s Names is the LORD OF SPIRITS, do we go back to our spiritual origin?

My question concerns the second paragraph in your answer to “The Best of Our Best”. How does your answer deal with the concept of “without blemish” as depicted in Exodus 13, Leviticus 21-22, Deuteronomy 15 and 17, Malachi 1, Hebrews 9 and 1 Peter 1?

My question is how do I know if my motives for giving tithes and offerings are pure? I want them to be, but it seems that whenever I give I can’t help thinking of Malachi and other places where it talks about the blessings of giving. I want God to bless me, but I don’t want that to be my only motive for giving. I usually just try to commend it to God and then forget about it, but the thoughts still creep in. Do you have any suggestions?

I would like to know … can we embarrass God? Several times in Nehemiah’s prayer to God he refers to the fact that the Jews are God’s special people. They’re His “children,” His “servants,” and those for whom God made a dwelling place with His name on it. Yet these children of God acted corruptly and totally disregarded God’s commands and promises. Was God embarrassed about giving them His name? And likewise, can we embarrass God?

Re: Aren’t Trials for Growth and Proving? Yes, God sees us as perfect, whole and healthy. But are we? Are we all as loving as we should be? Are we all in perfect health? No, God’s facts in the Bible (you have been perfected, you have been healed) must become a reality in our experience. This process is known as sanctification, because God’s purpose with our lives is to change us to become like Jesus in every way (Rom 8:29; Eph 1:4-5, 2:10).

For this reason James could write: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete (perfect), not lacking anything” (1:2-4).

I’m a bit confused by Acts 16:31 when the jailer went to Paul and Silas asking what must he do to be saved. They responded by saying “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.” This appears as if Paul and Silas were saying if this Jailer believes then he will be saved with his house. If that is the case then how can I be saved and my house be saved through my believing, what if they do not accept the Lord on their own?

Re: If You Do What Is Right You’ll Be Accepted. I’ve read another interpretation in a Children’s Bible guide that seems to make more sense to me. It says, “Cain’s offering was unacceptable because it wasn’t the best of his crop that he brought forward to God. His heart was in the wrong place. He wasn’t truly offering God anything except lousy crops. Whereas Abel was giving God the best of his best.” What do you think?

Concerning the reference to Job in your study on Union and Fellowship. Doesn’t God allow things to happen to good people to continue their growth? Not that God is arbitrary, but trials are for growth and proving aren’t they? Job was tested, Abraham was tested, things like that go on all the time. What do you say?

Would you please comment on 1 Peter 3:19 because this is new to me. Can you help me understand what Peter was talking about?

Re: Genesis 4:3-5.

In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Why did God not have respect for Cain’s offering ?

I recently read Isaiah 24. However, I cannot find any discourse on this particular passage and would like to have some enlightenment on it. Having followed your teachings on many subjects, especially on end times, I would like your view on the passage if you would be so kind.

In 1948 Israel was again given it’s original name. Do you know at what point or what event happened when the land of Israel as we know it ceased to be called “Israel?” I am curious how many years it went without that name.

I know and agree that we are not to judge others, but what are we to do when they do not believe that their actions are sinful, when they have accepted Satan’s lies? Are we not to properly instruct them about God’s commandments? Jesus told us to love our neighbors. Can we just let them go to hell? I think not. I try to teach them the truth without judging their actions. I think the difference is whether you are motivated by anger or by love. If by anger, you are probably judging.

I have a question regarding tithing. I get regular emails everyday from your website and I really enjoy reading your replies to the questions presented. I have read several questions that people have asked you regarding tithing, and I do agree with you on most occasions. Recently a woman asked you if she should make up tithes that she did not pay. Your response was that it was always intended to be an expression of gratitude. I do believe this too, but if you read further in Malachi it not only tells us to challenge God in tithing, but it also says in Malachi 3:11: “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.” So shouldn’t we tithe out of more than just gratitude? It is to keep Satan from attacking us unnecessarily too is it not?

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

I’ve studied what the Bible says about healing for years and years, and two things remain clear to me.  One is that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).   Another is He said anyone with faith in Him would do the things He did (John 14:12). 

Regarding the reason Job was afflicted by Satan in Chapters 1 and 2. You’ve made the point many times that is was due to the sin of self-righteousness, he was out of fellowship with God and thus Satan was allowed to afflict him. This is diametrically opposed to what we read in the Word of God. In Job 1:8 God says to Satan “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”, no condemnation here. Satan’s only response was not to point out any sin, but to say (v. 9-11) “Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.”

We know that Job was not without sin but in the eyes of God he was perfect and we are told this twice. So we must conclude that Job was afflicted by Satan only because God allowed it to happen to prove to Satan how a believer can live a life pleasing to God no matter of one’s circumstances in life.

I have heard of a few people in my life who appeared to be devout Christians, who later rejected Christ and become devoted atheists and enemies of the Faith. According to 1 John 2:19, it would appear these people never were saved to begin with. Is that the correct interpretation? In light of this, how can anyone be certain of their own salvation?

Re: Ephesians 3:10-11. I was hoping you could help me to understand who the rulers and authorities (or principalities and powers) are in the Heavenly realms and why wouldn’t they know such heavenly things. That it’s the job of the church to teach them. Is this literally something we are doing without realizing it? If angels rejoice when a person accepts Christ they must know something about the plan of redemption. Did they learn that from the Church?

My question concerns Daniel 7:20,24. The 11th horn, the little one, is smaller and less powerful but grows and overthrows 3 other rulers. Does this mean that if we are in the end times, and if the antichrist is already existing albeit unannounced, that there is a small and obscure leader already ruling somewhere? Someone who will gain momentum and strength and come against 3 other more obvious rulers? Also, are the 3 horns that are overthrown referring to countries or religious systems?

I recently had a friend ask me, “If the Jews rebuild a temple and offer sacrifices again at some point in the last 7 years, what Law is it that they will be observing? Will it be a return to their Mosaic Law, or will there be a ‘new law’ imposed by the anti-Christ that allows them to worship and sacrifice in this way?” I could not answer and told her I would ask you!