Hour 2: Bible Questions and Answers

the phone number (877) 548-3675. Well, I hope you've got your second cup of coffee in front of you. Your Bible open. We're going to launch right in and go to the questions. We're going to talk to Karen in Florida listening on. I'm guessing one of our stations down in Florida. Glad you're there. Uh, welcome to open line. Karen. How can I help you?

by reading it every year. But I, I do about two thirds of my reading in the Old Testament and one third in the new. And it's interesting because here I am in, you know, in August, and I've already completed the New Testament, and I'm going through my second time on the New Testament. Uh, but I always think if you're going to read through the Bible, mix it up, do old and new at the same time. But, you know, for the future, Karen, you're ready to go with the new now, so. Okay. Yeah.

you know, they wanted to honor the Lord. But then I run across in first Chronicles 21 and second Samuel, where it says that David sacrificed before the Lord. So I was curious if David actually did the sacrifices or if he offered them to the priests and they sacrificed.

thing is true. Uh, it talks about in the book of Hebrews where the Messiah has merged the two offices, and that he has to be from the order of Melchizedek, because the the priesthood comes from the sons of Levi. Right? Levitical priests. And so there has to be a change of priesthood. Uh, because how could the Messiah. Here's the verses. It says, for when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. For the one, these things are spoken about belong to a

different tribe. Now one from it has served no one from it, no one from it has served at the altar. Now it's evident that our Lord came from Judah. And Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests. That's Hebrews chapter seven, verses 13 through 15. So no one from the tribe of Judah served as priest. That would include David.

So the only way I can explain those verses in Second Samuel and First Chronicles is that David offered sacrifice by bringing it to the Levitical priest, who then was the intermediary. But the gift was brought by David and the animal that was David's, and it was sacrificed with the intercession or mediation of a priest. Okay.

it was very touching, really. You know, it built initially I thought, uh, and then by about the third episode, I found myself really touched. I think it, I think it's important that we distinguish between the scriptures and the chosen. And the reason I say that is that that is just a sort of a it's taken from the scriptures, but it is not the scriptures themselves. There's a lot of imagination, uh, a lot of creativity that goes with it.

It doesn't have the same authority. But what it does is takes the story from Scripture and it captures the meaning so well. Uh, I think it really speaks to our hearts. I've only seen the first season. I'm told that the second and third seasons are just as good. Uh, But that's that's what I would say about it. I think it's a valuable, uh, for to help introduce people to the story of Jesus. I love creativity and, uh, you know, as I find the time, I probably will

watch the further seasons of it, but I hope that helps. Thanks, Jason. Appreciate it. Uh, appreciate your call. We're going to talk to, uh, Debbie.

they came into the city and appeared to many. And we were wondering, like, did they have to die again? What was the purpose of it, I guess, and what happened to them afterwards? Did they have to die again or were they translated to heaven like Elijah? Elijah? What happened?

And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection. Now, I don't think they were raised at the point of his death, and then kept in the tombs till Sunday morning. I think they, when the Lord was raised, is when they came alive, and when the. When the tomb opened, they came out of their tombs as well, and entered the holy city, and appeared to many. What happened here? Well, I'm going to give you the theological explanation. There was

a super duper burst of resurrection power. That's the technical explanation. That's the only way I can explain it. There is a super duper burst of of resurrection power at the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. People were raised from the dead. I don't know if they were dead for a short amount of time, like Lazarus, or dead for hundreds of years, or just, you know, a number of years. I don't

know because it doesn't say, but they were saints. That means holy people, not specially holy, more than you and me. But the word saint has to do with anyone that's trusted the Lord and is a holy person. Because God has made us holy by justification. He's declared us righteous. And they were raised. I think it was partially they appeared to people that was sort of, sort of further testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Uh, that

was their purpose to testify of his resurrection. And then I don't know how long they lived, but they must have died again. Uh, they could have been translated. The Bible doesn't say, but nevertheless, uh, if they lived on Earth, then they had to die again. Uh, or they were translated. The Bible doesn't say. And I'll just leave it at that. Uh, I presume that if they continued to live on Earth, they would have, because they are not they were not

raised to immortality the way the Lord Jesus was. That will only happen with the ultimate resurrection of the dead. And so they would have had to die again the way, uh uh, Lazarus had. Or as you say, they might have been translated, I don't know. But their key function was to testify of the risen Lord. Okay.

people usually don't catch it. But earlier caller was talking with me about kings, whether they could be priests, whether David was a priest. And I said, Asa offered incense. And I knew right away I got the name wrong and I was going to say something. I went on to the next call and forgot. But it was Uzziah. However, my friend, my really good friend. He's been on the program, Larry Feldman, immediately just now texting me, calling me. You got to correct it. It was Uzziah. No, not Asa,

I love Larry, uh, because, you know, he's right. You got to get those details right even when you misspeak. So thank you, Larry. Uh, you know, there's no one I know in the whole world that knows the details of every king better than Larry Feldman. It's. He's like one of my heroes in the whole world. And the reason is because he reads the scriptures so faithfully for so many years, every day. Hasn't missed a day in over 50 years. I think that that that's just phenomenal.

And that's why he's my hero. I just think that's the most outstanding quality that a person can have. And I love what he says. His epitaph will be on his, uh, on his gravestone one day. It will say, read the word. And I think that that's a great reminder of what his life has been built on. So anyway, thank you, Larry, for calling, I love it. Uh, I do want to talk about a book that really helps me understand the word. It's our current resource. That book is called the Everyday

Commentary Bible Commentary on the Book of Acts. It was written by Doctor Charles Ryrie, one of my favorite teachers I had in graduate school. He really knows the word. And this book of history and apologetics and theology and biography, It's just such a wonderful book. But it's it's challenging and sometimes you need a little help to get through it. And that's why we're making this our current resource. It's yours with a gift of any size to open line.

We want to say thank you by sending you this book. If you'd like a copy of the Everyday Bible Commentary on Acts. The best way to do that is just go to our website, openline radio.org and you can give there. Or you can call (888) 644-7122. And then you can give your gift and we'll send you. But be sure to ask for the everyday Bible commentary on Acts by Charles Ryrie, and we'll be sure to send it to you to say thanks for your generous gift. We really appreciate you.

We're going to talk to David in Idaho, listening on KNBR Spokane station. Welcome to Open Line. David. How can I help you?

that a legalistic or is it a requirement? Because I don't hear that in very many people actually talking about that in funerals or death or anything like that.

kinds of circumstances. Uh, I think it's it's it's crucial that we recognize that people act in ignorance and, and have a heart of compassion for those that are even, uh, if we're being martyred, martyring us. So, uh, that's what that is. Does that grant them eternal forgiveness? Eternal redemption? No. Of course not. But it's a heart of compassion. It's asking God to intervene in their lives so that they

would see and repent. That's what the point of that is. Uh, you know, I do think it changes our perspective of those of those who who might want to hurt us. Uh. I think that when we moved to New York, There was a guy that lived in the apartment directly under us. That was just the grouchiest, meanest guy. His family had left him because he was so grouchy and mean, and we did everything to try to win him over. Uh, Eva would bake cookies and bring it to his apartment.

He was directly under us, uh, in this big apartment building. But he hated that my two year old son was running around the apartment because he could hear his little feet and would complain all the time if he. If my son fell out of the chair, he was a toddler and bumped, I'd have a phone call instantly complaining about all the noise. Uh, and he was so grouchy. And then one of the most important things that a

friend of ours said to us. Eva was just like she was beyond herself trying to know what to do about this guy. She was getting really angry. And, uh, finally a friend said, you know, Eva, he's walking in darkness And and that just changed Eva's whole perspective. The man was walking in darkness. He. He was angry at the world because he was angry at himself. And he was angry at everything going on in his life and the anger he got, the more he struck out at people.

And so it changed our attitude to pray for this man. Uh, rather than to become embittered at him. And I think that's the model of Steven right there when he's being martyred. So, anyway, uh, we're going to talk to Susan in Florida, listening on Wcqs. Welcome to Open Line. Susan, how can I help you today?

will be the great, uh, A campaign of Armageddon. And of course, you know, Israel will call upon the Lord and the nation as a whole. Not every last one, but 99 and 4000/400 percent will call on the Lord, and he will come and deliver Israel. So there will be people entering the kingdom of Jewish people who have not yet been resurrected or translated. Also at the judgment of the sheep and the goats, judging the Gentile nations for what they have done during the tribulation, those who

are believers will be the sheep. They will enter into the joy of their Lord. They will go into the kingdom without yet having been resurrected. And so we've got we've got people entering the kingdom who are not yet resurrected. Guess what? They will marry. They will have children. Their children during the millennium will have to trust the Lord Jesus to be saved. That's a lot. We don't think

of it. Oh, it's the kingdom. It's going to be perfect. No, there will be people born with sin natures who will need to trust the Lord Jesus to be saved in the kingdom. And that explains a couple of things. One, when people say, why are there going to be sacrifices in Ezekiel 40 through 48, in the kingdom, in the

messianic kingdom on earth, the thousand year millennium? Why? Because it will be sort of like the Lord's Supper is today, looking back at the, uh, the the death and resurrection of the Lord, the Lord will be alive before us, reigning over us. But it will remind people about it, because there won't be as much death. It will remind people about what God paid, the price that God paid to redeem us. And that's the point of those sacrifices.

So there'll be sacrifices. People will have to trust the Lord. And then at the end of the millennium, there's going to be one last rebellion of all of many people who didn't trust the Lord. Now think about it. Satan is bound during the millennium, and still there will be people who don't know the Lord. And when they get the chance, when he is released, they will rebel against him once more. Revelation 20 tells us, what does this tell us? We always want to blame the devil, you know.

We want to say, the devil made me do it. This is saying that it's our flesh that drives us away from God and that. So one of the purposes, I don't know all the purposes of the millennium, but one purpose is to show us our need and not blame others, not blame the enemy, but show our own need, uh, for, uh, for trusting in the Lord and, uh, and not to blame the enemy. So that's the purpose of the millennium. Uh, I hope that helps with some of your questions. Uh,

if I knew everything, I would tell you everything. But I don't know everything. I just know a little bit. So.

who are not yet resurrected. In the kingdom of the not yet resurrected, there will be people who know the Lord and some people who don't. Okay.

people say, well, you know, you need a more personal touch. Well, Febc have people on the ground that do follow up. They have a marvelous ministry. If you'd like to know more, just go to their website, febc.org, and click on the link about their podcast until all I've heard, and you'll learn all about this fabulous ministry, other resources at their website as well that you'll find helpful. So check out febc.org and to hear a Haynes is right here. Let's see.

I don't know what to call you. An associate producer of Open Line. Do you have a job title?

it's important that we. I think it's the model of the Bible. What did Jesus do with his disciples? He trained them. And he.

and stars uh, represent, just like in Joseph's dream. Um, and, uh, and then, uh, her child, the the Jewish child, the woman that's Israel was caught up to God and his throne. That's the ascension of the Lord Jesus. And then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God to be fed there for 1260 days, 1260 days. That's the second half of the tribulation. Those dates have been specified already in the book of Daniel.

Thank you. So the second half of the tribulation, what's going to happen to to get verse six to understand that is what happens, is that the the tribulation begins when Israel signs a covenant with the future false Messiah. Midway through that seven year period, that false Messiah demands worship as the Messiah he demands, and he goes into the temple and tries to receive worship. Israel says, we made a covenant of peace with you, but we're not

going to worship you as the Messiah. You're not the Messiah. And he begins to persecute them, so they will flee to the wilderness. Many people, I included, think I think it's going to be, uh, a place called Bozrah or Petra in across the Jordan River. Uh, and that's the place that's been prepared. And God will use that, that the rest of that passage deals with the attack by the dragon or Satan on the Jewish people at that time. So I think it's future. Second half of the tribulation

in verse six. That's what begins the second half.

There's no other good reason for it. Hatred of the Jewish people is driven by Satan because Satan hates whom God loves. That's one of the key ideas. Also, Satan wants to obstruct God's plan. And if he could somehow put an end to the Jewish people, he could have prevented the sun from coming the first time the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. And if he can somehow, uh, destroy the Jewish people, then he can prevent the Lord Jesus from returning because he said he won't return. Matthew 2337

through 39 until Israel welcomes him. So this explains why is it that Jewish people have been such an object of hatred? It's satanic. And the reason I mentioned that is we have on November 9th, a a summit coming up right here in Chicago at Moody Bible Institute. It's the summit opposing anti-Semitism. I'll be speaking. It's a one day conference. I'll be speaking. Don Sweeting will be speaking. Mark Jobe, our president will be speaking. Mitch Glazer, president

of Chosen People ministries will be speaking. It's going to be a terrific day for understanding this, this hatred of God's people and how we, as followers of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus can stand with his people in opposing it. And so I really want to let people know about it. There's a if you want to know more about it, just go to Open Line radio.org. Click on the link there. About the summit opposing anti-Semitism, I think, and I really

hope people will plan to come for that day. It's going to be a fantastic day, culminating with a concert by Marty and Misha Goetz. So I think your people will really like it. So anyway, I just wanted to kind of show this, this, this significance. It's not just that it's future, but it reveals something that's been always, always been true.

You know, you sometimes hope that it can. But there are times where there is a partner in the marriage that refuses to repent and change ways, and Therefore divorce would be permitted, and if that if a divorce comes with biblical grounds of immorality, then then yes, the person

can remarry biblically. The second area is in first Corinthians seven, where if a person is married to someone who doesn't know the Lord, and that person who doesn't know the Lord doesn't want to stay but abandons the marriage, that would justify a person if they've been abandoned to be remarried. And and not only that, I mean, I think that any time a person abandons, I think that's a principle

that's given there. If a person just refuses to be married, abandons the marriage, the the one partner doesn't, uh, want to have a divorce, but the other determines. I think that abandonment is a is a justification for remarriage. Uh, and then now this is where I get a little more controversial. I think there are a lot of people who agree with me about adultery and abandonment, but, uh, I believe the most grievous way a person can abandon

their vows, even if they're willing to stay, is with violence. Uh, and that is an abandonment of their vows. Even if they're they're still present in the home. In fact, they've become a danger because they stay present in the home. I think that is, uh, now, I'm not the only one. Wayne Grudem has come along now, uh, who changed his view and added, uh, abuse, physical abuse as a justification for divorce and remarriage, and I would I would agree

with him about that. Uh, Wayne Grudem, a great theologian and has written about that in recent years. Uh, in my judgment, again, this is just me speaking, not setting policy for any organization or church, but just as I as I understand it, physical abuse is what I would say.

for bringing those questions. Uh, we're going to come back with more of your calls in just a moment. Uh, this is Michael Radonich, Tara Haynes with the questions you've sent in. Check out check out our website, Open Line radio.org. There's a link there that says Ask Michael a question, and you can certainly post your question there, and we'll get to it in the mailbag. We're coming right back with more of your calls. So stay with us right here on Open Line with Michael. Rachel, Mike. Welcome back

to Open Line. My name is Michael Read Melnick, and you heard me talking with Tara. If you listened to the last segment and we talked about all the different people who are serving here at Moody Radio, the great team that we have, I'm so grateful for them. I'm so grateful for the people that you may know and the people that you may not know, because it's a great team. And also there are people that you wouldn't know,

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That's the most helpful to us. Uh, and if you do, what I'll do is I'll send you a Bible study moment every other week. Uh, just a little 5 or 10 minute Bible study that you click on and your email and you get to listen to. I know that you're going to find it really helpful. And if you'd like to become a kitchen table partner, the way to do that is go to our website, openline radio.org, and there's a link there you can click on or you

can call 88864471228886447122. And thank you so much for considering becoming a kitchen table partner. And we're going to talk right now with Christopher calling from Florida listening to Rmbb. Welcome to Open Line. Christopher. How can I help you today.

And if the work is made of gold or silver. Obviously these are metaphorical usages or precious gems that will survive the fire, whereas wood, hay and straw wouldn't. And it says, uh, if anyone's work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved. It will be like an escape through fire. But basically what will happen is we will receive a reward. Uh, now, some people say it's crowns. There's the 24 elders in the book of revelation, and they have crowns. And what do

they do? They toss their crowns at the feet of the Lord Jesus. I think that whatever reward or treasure that we receive in heaven, we will give back to him, because he's the one that deserves it the most. But I think there'll be some sort of reward that will receive, you know, in, in, uh, first Corinthians nine, it talks about us receiving a reward as well. Uh, everyone who competes,

It says uh uh will exercise self-control in everything. However they do it to receive a crown that will fade away. But we do it to receive a crown that will never fade away. So, uh, obviously we're getting again. It's a metaphor. The victor's crown, uh, for a reward. So I think that's what the Lord Jesus is talking about. I think the biggest reward we'll receive is one day we'll stand before the Lord and he will say, if we have been faithful, well done, good and faithful servant.

That's what my hope for the greatest treasure I could receive in heaven. Okay, Christopher.

something here. Uh, therefore, he says, I'm I'm finding the verse, uh, verse chapter one, verse 22 of acts 122, beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken from us, from among these, as someone who has been with them, from among these, it's necessary that one become a witness with us of his resurrection. In one Corinthians nine one, Paul defends his apostleship. He was not one of the 12, but he defends his apostleship. He says, am I not an apostle? Have I not seen the Lord?

So it seems to me to be an apostle with a capital A, so to speak. Uh, a person needs to have seen physically the resurrected Lord Jesus and testify of that. Now, that tells me that today there aren't apostles like that. And if there aren't apostles like that, that affects a whole lot of other things as well, because there are certain actions that are associated with the apostles. So, uh, but the point is that that shows that there is at least some gifts that were temporary. As for prophets

and prophecies. It depends on how you define it. I believe that they were from the foundation of the church, apostles and prophets and, and and therefore the foundation has been laid, and there are no more people that will be predicting what's going to go on in our lives for today. We'll just stick with the scriptures. I hope that helps. Natalie, next time let's talk about it in the future. Another time. This has been, uh, fastest two

hours of the week. So glad you listened. Thanks, Chris Seeger, Tricia McMillan, Tara Haynes, for all that you did to bring this program to fruition. Uh, thanks for every caller. Really appreciate you. Check out our website, openline. radio.org. It's got all the links you're looking for. Uh, I'll keep reading the Bible. We'll talk about it next week. Open line is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute. Have a great week.