Revelation 20:5 refers to the “First Resurrection.” I myself am a Pre-tribber and see the many strong arguments supporting a Pre-trib rapture. However, I can not satisfactorily resolve for myself the fact that Revelation 20:5-6 calls the Post-trib resurrection the “first resurrection” and the Pre-trib rapture seems to be, apparently, not counted as a resurrection for one reason or another. I am much looking forward to your insight on this. Can you clear it up for me?

My husband is a commuter and listens to the Christian radio station on his way home from work. Tonight he said there was a preacher on saying that God causes bad things to happen for the “greater good”. I told him that is a false teacher because God is light and there is no darkness in Him the bible tells us. We started talking and he brought up things like the flood and Exodus 11, where the first born Egyptian males were killed. I told him the angel of death killed them not God but then I looked it up. God says in verses 4-7 that in essence it was Him. Then I thought that was the old testament and since Jesus came, it’s different. But God is the same and doesn’t change the bible tells us. How exactly do I answer him based on God’s word?

Recently I started reading your book, Understanding Revelation. Coming to chapter 7, you commented that perhaps the multitude of believers that John sees who have come out the great tribulation came to faith from knowing the Rapture had taken place. I have always taken the position that those who heard the Gospel before the Rapture, but rejected it because they did not come to love the truth (2 Thess. 9-12) will then be forced to believe the lie, whom I see as the anti-christ. No doubt there are millions of people who have not heard the Gospel, who will be given the chance to come to faith as a result of the faithful Jewish witnesses of chapter 7.

I was recently studying 2 Peter Ch 2 when verses 20-22 kind of hit me strange. Do I understand that if we were sinners then came to Christ then sinned again, we are worse off than before? I came to Christ 5 years ago but know I sin every day. Does this mean I am worse off than before? Sure, I am trying to walk like Christ but we all, as humans, sin.

I have read and heard people speak about near death experiences and it is usually recounted as a joyful feeling. I am wondering if the bible says anything about when judgement comes? Do non-believers get to experience this joyful time before being cast out? Or is judgement first and people who experience this joyful reunion with family are entering their eternal reward in heaven to stay?

I was raised in the Catholic church and never understood the concept of purgatory and the belief that if you committed suicide you would go there. After the Judgment of the Bema seat took place, then you would be sent to hell because you took your own life. now I attend Bible believing churches and have learned that a believer does not go to hell because they committed suicide. Once saved always saved. Please help me to understand this.

I saw in a post where you told a person who asked about the loss of free will that we wouldn’t be robots, Free will is what makes us Us, take away free will and we are just puppets on a string who will perform as God wills us to perform. Even in Heaven, it means I will live out eternity with out a choice and be happy for it. Not because I’m really happy, but because God tells me I’m happy so I am. I’m sorry. I guess my sin nature is speaking because that sounds horrible.

Could you please refer me to verses that deal with holding a ‘non believer’ business accountable for un-ethical behavior, where people are lied to and taken advantage of? I need to be clear as to how God desires that I proceed. Several years ago, a large sum of money (that was owed to me) was never given to me after I left the company. The business is still in operation and still deceiving people. Do I have a responsibility to act on behalf of those who do not know what is being done?

I understand Jews living in Israel will sacrifice in the temple during the first three and one half years of Daniels 70th Week. It seems there will be two groups again. Those believing in Jesus and those in the Father only. You said and I agree that salvation will be by faith that they have to maintain. Now, will the Jew who doesn’t profess faith in Jesus as Messiah have salvation because they believe in the Father and are sacrificing again?

I was reading a previous post of yours saying those in heaven will lose their free will. Were you speaking just of the sin nature or will those in heaven have absolutely no free will? I get in heaven not wanting/being able to sin but surely once we’re there we will still be individually unique and won’t just be robots, right?