While re-reading Matthew , Mark and now part of Luke there seems to be an ongoing theme when Jesus healed some, He told them not to tell anyone. Do you think because the Father was not glorified for the crowds to see that this could be the reason or am I missing a bigger picture. Also why would Jesus tell the demons to be quiet about who He was? I read your site most everyday and have learned so much, thank you!

My mother works with a woman who has recently had many horrible things happen in her life. Her apartment was burned down, her sister was murdered, and now her dad has been diagnosed with cancer. Since all this happened she has been questioning God and now she is saying there is no God. She has literally turned from Him and has lost her faith. How do you talk to someone that you believe to be a Christian who has turned from their faith because of horrible things that have happened to them or their loved ones?

I have never understood John 12:39-40 and other verses that speak of the same thing. Why would God blind people so they wouldn’t understand, or harden their hearts? This verse says “so they would not see…or understand…and be converted..” Why?

I have heard preachers many times speak about how we all started as a thought from God and are all part of his plan but I can’t help think about Abraham and Ishmael. I don’t think Ishmael was a part of God’s plan. Abraham and Sarah were impatient with God and went their own way. So are we all part of God’s plan or are there people here today that were never meant to be here?

The Bible says that God had willed the death of Jesus (John 3:16), that “Jesus (was) delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” in Acts 2:23 and Luke 22:22 which says “For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” On the surface it seems that Judas had no choice here. Would you please explain?

Re: Matt. 7:21-23. This passage has always troubled me.This sounds like these people are Christians who have received Jesus as Savior and Lord or else how could they do these mighty things unless it was the Holy Spirit doing it through them? So if they could not lose their eternal salvation why did Jesus tell them to depart from Him that He never knew them?

In 1 John, John makes the statement “abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” I’m pretty sure that the phrase “when He shall appear” is in reference to the rapture. My question is, are there going to actually be believers who are ashamed at His appearing? And why would they be?

In the Bible talks about the end time money melt – down , saying that ” for in one hour ” such great wealth is come to nothing . It also mentions the ten kings who have not received power yet, but who will share power for ” one hour ” with the AC . Do you think that each ” one hour ” refers to overlapping times on the prophecy time line?

Throughout the history of the church though there are stories of saints being visited by saints, having conversations about spiritual things and in the case of Thomas Aquinas even being taught about difficult spiritual matters. There is also the moment on the the mount of transfiguration when Jesus along with Peter, James, and John were accompanied by Moses and Elijah long since dead before that time. I know that in Matthew 22:32 Jesus mentions that God is the God of the living, and Paul writes that those believers who do die here are alive and well with Jesus. Would it be safe to say that these believers are momentarily given sight into and even caught up in the spirit and are temporarily granted access to the spiritual realm?

I read your questions and answers, and many of my questions have been addressed. In Sunday School, a question came up about why Jesus wasn’t recognized after  He was resurrected? Both on the road to Emmaus, and to Mary at the tomb.

It seems we will be recognizable when we get to heaven (Lazarus and the rich man, transfiguration) yet Jesus was not recognized. Why do you think Jesus was not recognized?