WEBVTT - Scriptural Answers 0:00:09.280 --> 0:00:14.480 Last week was Jerusalem Day. Should people still care about 0:00:14.480 --> 0:00:21.079 the city of Jerusalem, especially followers of Jesus? Well, stay 0:00:21.079 --> 0:00:24.400 with me. We'll talk about that in just a moment. Hello, friends. 0:00:24.400 --> 0:00:28.000 Welcome to Open Line. This is Moody Radio's Bible study 0:00:28.000 --> 0:00:31.200 across America. My name is Michael Ray. I'm the academic 0:00:31.200 --> 0:00:34.320 dean and a professor of Jewish studies and Bible at 0:00:34.320 --> 0:00:38.320 Moody Bible Institute. I'm so grateful to be joining you 0:00:38.320 --> 0:00:43.040 around the radio kitchen table. We're talking about your questions 0:00:43.240 --> 0:00:48.440 about the Bible, God and the spiritual life. I'm so 0:00:48.440 --> 0:00:53.240 happy that we can have this Bible study across America. 0:00:53.240 --> 0:00:55.640 That's what really, this is people calling from all over 0:00:55.640 --> 0:00:58.720 the country with their questions about the Bible, God and 0:00:58.720 --> 0:01:02.550 the spiritual life. If you have a question and you'd 0:01:02.550 --> 0:01:13.750 like to call the phone number, here is (877) 548-3675. You know, there's, uh, 0:01:15.069 --> 0:01:17.910 so many times people say I can't get through. Best 0:01:17.910 --> 0:01:19.910 time to call. To get through is the beginning of 0:01:19.910 --> 0:01:22.630 the program. Or at least the beginning of the hour. Again, 0:01:22.670 --> 0:01:32.550 the number (877) 548-3675. Tricia McMillan is our producer. Murals behind 0:01:32.590 --> 0:01:37.110 the board. They're taking care of everything. Merle Saint James, 0:01:37.150 --> 0:01:41.670 all things technical. Uh, Lisa's helping out, and we're glad 0:01:41.670 --> 0:01:44.310 for the whole team here. That's trying to do our 0:01:44.310 --> 0:01:49.830 best to answer your questions about Scripture. Um, the phone 0:01:49.830 --> 0:01:55.550 number again. (877) 548-3675. I want to thank. A couple weeks ago, 0:01:55.710 --> 0:01:58.980 Mike Faber sat in for me while I was handling 0:01:58.980 --> 0:02:02.540 graduation at the Moody Bible Institute. That went great. And 0:02:02.540 --> 0:02:05.980 then last week we had a prerecorded program. Thank you, Tricia, 0:02:05.980 --> 0:02:09.380 for putting that together. And now I'm glad to be back. 0:02:09.419 --> 0:02:11.860 Live with you. So it's time to go get yourself 0:02:11.860 --> 0:02:15.060 a cup of coffee. I've got mine right here. Bring 0:02:15.060 --> 0:02:19.739 your Bible, because we're going to study the scriptures together. 0:02:21.460 --> 0:02:23.940 So I've heard a lot, in fact, just this very 0:02:23.940 --> 0:02:29.299 past week about how believers, now that we follow Jesus, 0:02:29.300 --> 0:02:31.180 who is not just the King of Israel, but the 0:02:31.180 --> 0:02:37.020 King of the whole world, that we shouldn't really care about, 0:02:37.020 --> 0:02:40.980 the city of Jerusalem, the city of Jerusalem, or the 0:02:41.020 --> 0:02:45.060 Jerusalem Day, is a celebration of the reunification of Jerusalem 0:02:45.380 --> 0:02:50.820 into one city. Both the ancient city of Jerusalem and 0:02:50.820 --> 0:02:55.260 the modern city into one city. In 1967, during the 0:02:55.260 --> 0:03:00.359 Six-Day War, when Jordan attacked Israel. The result was that 0:03:00.360 --> 0:03:05.200 the city was united. And so since 1967, almost 60 years, 0:03:05.800 --> 0:03:09.280 that has been celebrated in late May, early June, depending 0:03:09.280 --> 0:03:13.160 on when the Jewish calendar counts the day. This past 0:03:13.200 --> 0:03:16.840 week it was May 25th and 26th. We celebrated Jerusalem Day. 0:03:17.720 --> 0:03:21.919 It's the reunification and people think, well, it shouldn't really matter, 0:03:21.919 --> 0:03:25.600 and that it's sort of a negative that that Jewish 0:03:25.600 --> 0:03:30.200 people celebrate the reunification of Jerusalem. Here's what one Christian 0:03:30.200 --> 0:03:35.520 author wrote about Psalm 48, which is a celebration of Jerusalem. 0:03:36.000 --> 0:03:40.240 It says Psalm 48 records the pride and overconfidence of 0:03:40.240 --> 0:03:45.360 Israel's view of land. It was a national possession guaranteeing 0:03:45.360 --> 0:03:50.560 divine privilege, and it was very negative about Psalm 48. 0:03:50.560 --> 0:03:53.839 But I think Psalm 48 shouldn't be viewed negatively or 0:03:53.880 --> 0:03:58.430 viewed as a negative about what Jewish people think of Jerusalem. Rather, 0:03:58.430 --> 0:04:01.910 it should teach us how we should think about Jerusalem. 0:04:01.950 --> 0:04:05.150 Let me read Psalm 48. The Lord is great and 0:04:05.150 --> 0:04:09.310 highly praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, 0:04:09.310 --> 0:04:13.950 rising splendidly, is the joy of the whole earth. Mount 0:04:13.950 --> 0:04:16.270 Zion on the slopes of the north is the city 0:04:16.270 --> 0:04:20.630 of the Great King. God is known as a stronghold 0:04:20.630 --> 0:04:25.310 in its citadels. Look! The kings assembled. They advanced together. 0:04:25.310 --> 0:04:28.270 They looked and froze with fear. They fled in terror. 0:04:28.589 --> 0:04:31.750 Trembling seized them their agony like that of a woman 0:04:31.750 --> 0:04:34.710 in labor. As you wreck the ships of Tarshish with 0:04:34.710 --> 0:04:39.990 the east wind. Just as we heard. So we have 0:04:39.990 --> 0:04:42.670 seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in 0:04:42.670 --> 0:04:49.110 the city of our God, God will establish it forever. God, 0:04:49.310 --> 0:04:53.950 within your temple we contemplate your faithful love. Your name, 0:04:53.950 --> 0:04:58.060 God like your praise reaches to the end of the earth. 0:04:58.420 --> 0:05:02.580 Your right hand is filled with justice. Mount Zion is glad, 0:05:02.660 --> 0:05:06.140 glad the towns of Judah rejoice because of your judgments. 0:05:06.620 --> 0:05:12.060 Go around Zion. Encircle it. Count its towers. Note its ramparts. 0:05:12.420 --> 0:05:15.980 Tour its citadels so that you can tell a future 0:05:15.980 --> 0:05:22.020 generation this God, our God, forever and ever. He will 0:05:22.020 --> 0:05:26.740 always lead us. So how should we think about Jerusalem today? 0:05:27.220 --> 0:05:32.540 Here's four perspectives on Jerusalem. First of all, it's the 0:05:32.540 --> 0:05:35.860 capital of the city of the Great King. It's called 0:05:35.860 --> 0:05:38.540 the city of our God, his holy mountain. It's called 0:05:38.540 --> 0:05:42.420 the city of the Great King in verse two. This 0:05:42.420 --> 0:05:47.500 is the city of the King Messiah. So we often 0:05:47.540 --> 0:05:50.740 think of it as our city, or a city of Judaism, 0:05:50.740 --> 0:05:53.730 or a city of Islam. People want to say it's 0:05:53.730 --> 0:05:59.609 that because of the Islamic conquest in the eighth century. No, 0:05:59.650 --> 0:06:02.290 we have to remember this is the city of the 0:06:02.290 --> 0:06:05.489 messianic King. When it says the city of our God, 0:06:05.490 --> 0:06:08.010 the city of the great King, the great King is 0:06:08.010 --> 0:06:12.130 the Lord Jesus. It's his city. So we should consider 0:06:12.130 --> 0:06:16.330 it the city of the King Messiah. Secondly, it's the 0:06:16.330 --> 0:06:19.369 city of the great King will defend at the end 0:06:19.370 --> 0:06:22.289 of days. The Psalms need to be read, looking forward 0:06:22.290 --> 0:06:25.570 to the end of days. And this describes the kings 0:06:25.570 --> 0:06:29.850 assembling and advancing toward it in verses four and following. 0:06:30.490 --> 0:06:33.330 And it says that the nations will freeze in terror 0:06:33.330 --> 0:06:37.370 when they come to attack Jerusalem. That's described in Zechariah 14, 0:06:37.370 --> 0:06:40.770 when all nations gather against Jerusalem. And the Lord Jesus 0:06:40.770 --> 0:06:43.010 returns and his feet stand on the Mount of Olives 0:06:43.010 --> 0:06:47.089 to bring deliverance. One day when the nations gather, they 0:06:47.089 --> 0:06:50.210 will be seized in terror. When the Lord Jesus comes 0:06:50.490 --> 0:06:53.280 to defend the city. And then it says in verse 0:06:53.279 --> 0:06:56.960 eight that the Lord of hosts in the city of 0:06:56.960 --> 0:06:59.800 our God, that he will establish it forever. It will 0:06:59.839 --> 0:07:05.760 become the permanent capital of the great King. So it's 0:07:05.760 --> 0:07:08.080 the city of the messianic King. It's the city that 0:07:08.080 --> 0:07:11.400 the Great King will defend at the end of days. Third, 0:07:11.800 --> 0:07:14.640 it's the city from which the great King will rule 0:07:14.640 --> 0:07:19.320 the nations. It says in verse ten that your name, God, 0:07:19.320 --> 0:07:23.680 like your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth, 0:07:24.280 --> 0:07:27.800 and your right hand is filled with justice. What this 0:07:27.800 --> 0:07:31.040 is saying is that, yes, one day in the Messianic kingdom, 0:07:31.040 --> 0:07:34.240 the Lord Jesus will reign from Jerusalem, but his reign 0:07:34.240 --> 0:07:37.520 will extend all the way to the ends of the earth. 0:07:37.520 --> 0:07:40.320 In a sense, Jerusalem will not just be the capital 0:07:40.320 --> 0:07:43.160 of Israel, but it will be the capital of the 0:07:43.160 --> 0:07:47.920 whole world. And so it's the city of the messianic King. 0:07:47.920 --> 0:07:49.960 It's the city of the great King that he will 0:07:49.960 --> 0:07:52.790 defend at the end of days. It's the city from 0:07:52.790 --> 0:07:56.830 which the Great King will defend and rule over the nations. 0:07:57.110 --> 0:08:01.750 And lastly, it's the city we should celebrate today because 0:08:01.750 --> 0:08:05.230 of what the Great King will do in the future. 0:08:05.310 --> 0:08:08.630 Here's what the psalmist says. He says, this is a 0:08:08.630 --> 0:08:11.030 psalm of the sons of Korah. The sons of Korah say, 0:08:11.030 --> 0:08:14.950 go around Zion, encircle it, walk around its towers. One 0:08:14.950 --> 0:08:18.310 of my favorite things to do is when I'm in Jerusalem, 0:08:18.470 --> 0:08:21.310 is to walk on the walls of the old city 0:08:21.430 --> 0:08:24.510 and just walk around the city and enjoy the beauty 0:08:24.510 --> 0:08:27.710 of everything around me so that we can tell a 0:08:27.750 --> 0:08:34.270 future generation. Verse 13. This God, our God, forever and ever, 0:08:34.270 --> 0:08:37.750 he will always lead us. He led the founding of Jerusalem. 0:08:37.870 --> 0:08:41.630 He led the establishment of Jerusalem. He will reign from Jerusalem. 0:08:41.830 --> 0:08:45.709 This is his city. So should we not care about Jerusalem? 0:08:46.510 --> 0:08:51.179 That's a mistake. We have to celebrate. always. The city 0:08:51.700 --> 0:09:03.579 of the Great King. Well, we're going to go right 0:09:03.580 --> 0:09:07.300 to the phones. But before anything else, I would really 0:09:07.300 --> 0:09:10.260 like to talk with you about our current resource. You know, 0:09:10.300 --> 0:09:12.220 one of the things I really want to encourage people 0:09:12.220 --> 0:09:18.940 to do is to build a biblical library. I probably 0:09:18.940 --> 0:09:20.940 shouldn't have you do that because that will put me 0:09:20.940 --> 0:09:23.140 out of business. You know, if you have a great library, 0:09:23.140 --> 0:09:25.420 you won't call Open Line with your questions. But I 0:09:25.420 --> 0:09:28.620 still think it's important that you're able to study for yourself. 0:09:28.980 --> 0:09:32.100 And what I think is so crucial is to have 0:09:32.460 --> 0:09:34.339 one of the books you should have. We should all 0:09:34.340 --> 0:09:40.100 have is a Bible dictionary. And when you wonder who 0:09:40.100 --> 0:09:42.500 is this person here in the Bible? Or why is 0:09:42.500 --> 0:09:47.060 that place mentioned? Where is that? Or what's this event 0:09:47.059 --> 0:09:50.599 that's being described. Here's a holiday that I don't understand. 0:09:51.240 --> 0:09:53.880 When it's all mentioned in the Bible, the best place 0:09:53.880 --> 0:09:57.079 to go is to a Bible dictionary. And when you 0:09:57.080 --> 0:09:59.160 give a gift of any size, we'd like to say 0:09:59.160 --> 0:10:05.480 thanks by sending you the Ultimate Bible Dictionary. It's published 0:10:05.480 --> 0:10:09.160 by BNA, the same publisher that produced the Holman CSB 0:10:09.200 --> 0:10:12.360 that I like so much, my favorite Bible translation. Anyway. 0:10:12.400 --> 0:10:17.000 BNA produced the Ultimate Bible Dictionary. It's easy to carry, 0:10:17.040 --> 0:10:19.600 it's easy to use. It's it's just a small book 0:10:19.840 --> 0:10:23.160 with a lot of great content. It's a great resource. 0:10:23.160 --> 0:10:25.640 And if you'd like a copy, it's yours. When you 0:10:25.640 --> 0:10:29.000 give a gift of any size, just go to our website, 0:10:29.000 --> 0:10:35.800 openlibrary.org or call (888) 644-7122. And by the way, I thank 0:10:35.800 --> 0:10:38.079 all of you who have given gifts and I know 0:10:38.080 --> 0:10:41.720 you appreciate the resources we send as a thank you, 0:10:41.720 --> 0:10:44.280 but thank you for your generosity so much. And if 0:10:44.320 --> 0:10:47.790 you've never given to open line and you appreciate the, uh, 0:10:48.550 --> 0:10:52.109 the learning that we're doing together here on the program. 0:10:52.710 --> 0:10:54.950 I hope you'll decide to give a gift, because this 0:10:54.950 --> 0:10:57.030 is a great resource to get. Don't miss out. It's 0:10:57.030 --> 0:11:00.030 one of my favorite resources we've ever given away. So 0:11:00.030 --> 0:11:05.550 thank you. Uh, once again, call (888) 644-7122 or go to 0:11:05.590 --> 0:11:10.150 open line radio.com. Well we're going to talk to Daniel 0:11:10.150 --> 0:11:13.709 in Grand Rapids, Michigan listening on GNB. Welcome to Open 0:11:13.710 --> 0:11:16.030 Line Daniel. How can I help you today? 0:11:17.070 --> 0:11:20.710 Um, my brother goes to a Pentecostal church, and he 0:11:20.710 --> 0:11:23.390 was saying that they taught him that the souls of 0:11:23.390 --> 0:11:27.230 the dead go to the bosom of Abraham. What is 0:11:27.230 --> 0:11:31.189 all this? The bosom of Abraham. I remember singing a song. 0:11:31.429 --> 0:11:33.830 Rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham when we 0:11:33.830 --> 0:11:34.550 were kids. 0:11:35.110 --> 0:11:42.589 Mhm. Well, I don't think this is a distinctively, uh, um. Uh, 0:11:42.590 --> 0:11:47.459 Pentecostal teaching. It's a pretty common teaching that in the 0:11:47.460 --> 0:11:53.580 Old Testament, when believers die, they go to a place 0:11:53.580 --> 0:11:58.020 called Abraham's bosom. And that's from the story of Lazarus 0:11:58.020 --> 0:12:01.540 and the rich man. You know that story where Lazarus 0:12:01.980 --> 0:12:06.780 is a parable and Lazarus dies and he's being comforted 0:12:06.780 --> 0:12:11.020 by Father Abraham, and the rich man sees in the distance. 0:12:11.020 --> 0:12:12.500 You know that story, don't you? 0:12:13.059 --> 0:12:14.620 Oh, yes, indeed, very much so. 0:12:14.660 --> 0:12:18.460 Yeah. And so what people have said is, before the 0:12:18.500 --> 0:12:23.580 death and resurrection and ascension of Jesus, that believers, instead 0:12:23.620 --> 0:12:26.500 of going to heaven into the presence of the father, 0:12:26.500 --> 0:12:29.020 they went to a place called Abraham's bosom. I think 0:12:29.020 --> 0:12:35.980 that misunderstands that verse, because all it means is Lazarus, 0:12:35.980 --> 0:12:40.300 who suffered immensely in this life as poverty stricken believer. 0:12:40.620 --> 0:12:45.410 He is now finding comfort and peace Through the father Abraham, 0:12:45.410 --> 0:12:48.170 who's bringing him comfort, who's holding him, kind of hugging him. 0:12:48.170 --> 0:12:52.370 That's the idea. It's not a location. It's it's the place. 0:12:52.410 --> 0:12:56.449 He's being comforted by the patriarch. Now, why God chose 0:12:56.490 --> 0:12:59.969 chooses Abraham. Maybe because he was a special prophet or 0:12:59.970 --> 0:13:02.730 something like that. That's why Abraham is doing that. But 0:13:02.730 --> 0:13:05.929 I think that believers go into the presence of God. 0:13:06.290 --> 0:13:09.130 And in the Old Testament or the New Testament, we 0:13:09.130 --> 0:13:11.329 just go right into our spirits, go to the presence 0:13:11.330 --> 0:13:14.210 of God until the great resurrection that will take place 0:13:14.210 --> 0:13:18.530 in the future. So that's what I think that is. Uh, however, 0:13:18.730 --> 0:13:21.930 there are many, many believers who teach that Abraham's bosom 0:13:21.929 --> 0:13:25.770 is a location sort of pre heaven, so to speak, 0:13:25.809 --> 0:13:27.530 a place of comfort. Okay. 0:13:29.090 --> 0:13:32.050 You know, it confuses the where we're going to go 0:13:32.050 --> 0:13:33.809 after we die if they teach that. 0:13:33.850 --> 0:13:34.010 Yeah. 0:13:34.010 --> 0:13:37.010 But they're, they're not talking about believers today. They're talking 0:13:37.010 --> 0:13:41.050 about Old Testament believers. They're not talking about believers today. Uh, 0:13:41.050 --> 0:13:43.600 they would say that absent from the body is present 0:13:43.600 --> 0:13:46.480 with the Lord. That when we die as followers of Jesus, 0:13:46.480 --> 0:13:49.239 we go right into the presence of the Lord. Okay. 0:13:49.960 --> 0:13:52.840 Yes. Thank you for talking with me today. And straighten 0:13:52.840 --> 0:13:55.040 some things out there and God bless Israel. 0:13:55.679 --> 0:13:58.160 Oh thank you. Thanks for calling. We're going to take 0:13:58.160 --> 0:14:01.079 a break here. Uh, and when we come back, we're 0:14:01.080 --> 0:14:05.800 going to take more of your questions. Uh, your calls. Uh, 0:14:05.840 --> 0:14:09.280 try our best to give you a biblical answer. The 0:14:09.280 --> 0:14:15.200 phone number (877) 548-3675. Give me a call. We'll talk about 0:14:15.200 --> 0:14:18.240 your questions on this Bible study across America. My name 0:14:18.240 --> 0:14:20.920 is Michael Rey Dominik. I'll be right back with you 0:14:20.920 --> 0:14:38.840 in just a moment. Welcome back to Open Line. My 0:14:38.840 --> 0:14:42.220 name is Michael Rey. I'm so glad to be with 0:14:42.220 --> 0:14:45.140 you every week. It's had a couple of weeks where 0:14:45.140 --> 0:14:47.700 I wasn't here live last week. Pre-recorded program the week 0:14:47.700 --> 0:14:51.460 before that graduation. Kind of a big deal for me. 0:14:51.460 --> 0:14:53.820 That was my last graduation where I'm going to call 0:14:53.820 --> 0:14:58.460 the names. Uh, I'm grateful that I've had the privilege 0:14:58.460 --> 0:15:02.660 of serving at Moody as a professor for almost 32 years, 0:15:02.660 --> 0:15:06.900 and grateful also that, uh, the last few years I've 0:15:06.900 --> 0:15:09.340 been the academic dean of the undergraduate school, so I 0:15:09.340 --> 0:15:13.700 had to call the names. That's great. But, uh, starting 0:15:13.700 --> 0:15:18.460 July 1st, I'll be, uh, sort of a emeritus faculty 0:15:18.460 --> 0:15:21.620 member dean. And, uh, that which is a really kind 0:15:21.660 --> 0:15:24.980 gift that the board of trustees gave me to. Uh, 0:15:24.980 --> 0:15:28.540 it does. I think it means that I get business cards, 0:15:28.540 --> 0:15:32.780 but it's a nice title, uh, to me. And I 0:15:32.820 --> 0:15:37.380 still have a moody email and all those kinds of things, but, uh, 0:15:37.620 --> 0:15:41.850 it's a very, very kind gesture and, start a new 0:15:41.850 --> 0:15:46.250 focus of radio ministry and things like that beginning July 1st. 0:15:47.330 --> 0:15:51.010 Teaching adjunct different places and especially at Moody. So that'll 0:15:51.050 --> 0:15:54.410 be kind of great. Uh, I'm looking forward to that. Um, 0:15:55.570 --> 0:15:58.650 you know, one of the things I'm really looking forward 0:15:58.650 --> 0:16:03.970 to is continuing radio with Open Line and being with 0:16:03.970 --> 0:16:07.930 you on a regular basis to study the scriptures together 0:16:07.930 --> 0:16:11.770 and see how, uh, God really gives us the answers 0:16:11.770 --> 0:16:15.810 that we're looking for in the Word of God. And 0:16:16.010 --> 0:16:17.850 I know a number of you listen all the time 0:16:17.890 --> 0:16:22.130 and and really are participants in the program, not just 0:16:22.130 --> 0:16:24.450 by calling in with questions, but by looking at the 0:16:24.450 --> 0:16:29.369 answers and engaging with that. If you are a regular, 0:16:29.370 --> 0:16:33.170 we really appreciate it. Uh, those of you who listen, also, 0:16:33.210 --> 0:16:35.810 there are many of you who give regularly, uh, and 0:16:35.810 --> 0:16:37.730 I appreciate that so much. And then there are others 0:16:37.730 --> 0:16:41.200 who have chosen to become kitchen table partners. They become 0:16:41.240 --> 0:16:42.960 part of the team. They want to keep us on 0:16:42.960 --> 0:16:46.080 the air, air every week by giving every month. And 0:16:46.080 --> 0:16:50.560 that is so appreciated. And if you're listening and you 0:16:50.560 --> 0:16:53.080 think I'd like to become a kitchen table partner too, 0:16:53.440 --> 0:16:57.160 I would appreciate that as well. Uh, what you have 0:16:57.160 --> 0:17:03.560 to do is call (888) 644-7122 or go to open line radio.org. 0:17:03.600 --> 0:17:08.439 And you can become a kitchen table partner. If you do, uh, 0:17:08.520 --> 0:17:11.800 we Trish and I produce a Bible study moment every 0:17:11.800 --> 0:17:14.600 other week. In your email, you get a audio Bible 0:17:14.600 --> 0:17:18.280 study designed exclusively for our kitchen table partners. It's a 0:17:18.280 --> 0:17:20.960 way that we can say thank you for being part 0:17:20.960 --> 0:17:24.040 of the team. And again, if you want to become 0:17:24.040 --> 0:17:29.719 a kitchen table partner, the phone number is 886447122 or 0:17:29.720 --> 0:17:35.240 go to open Line radio.org. We're going to talk to 0:17:35.280 --> 0:17:41.790 Wayne in Lexington, North Carolina. Listening online. Welcome to Open Line. Wayne. 0:17:41.790 --> 0:17:42.750 How can I help you? 0:17:43.430 --> 0:17:45.510 Hi. Thank you. Good morning, Michael, and thank you for 0:17:45.510 --> 0:17:48.110 your many faithful years of ministry. And may the Lord 0:17:48.109 --> 0:17:52.270 bless you as you transition. I have a family member 0:17:52.270 --> 0:17:56.070 who's wondering if he can be saved because he thinks 0:17:56.070 --> 0:17:59.310 Jesus might have been created from verses like Hebrews five 0:17:59.350 --> 0:18:02.109 five where God says of Christ, you are my son, 0:18:02.390 --> 0:18:05.150 today I have begotten you. So my question is, how 0:18:05.150 --> 0:18:10.230 are we to understand that you know, God the Son 0:18:10.750 --> 0:18:14.630 I believe, wasn't created. He's always existed in eternity past. 0:18:15.350 --> 0:18:17.190 But how do we explain that somebody and how does 0:18:17.190 --> 0:18:19.710 that view impact one's salvation? 0:18:20.790 --> 0:18:24.790 Well, it starts with understanding, as you say, that that 0:18:25.109 --> 0:18:29.149 God the Son existed eternally in John one one, in 0:18:29.150 --> 0:18:33.389 the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, 0:18:33.390 --> 0:18:36.740 and the word was God. And that and then it says, God, 0:18:37.060 --> 0:18:40.100 that the word became flesh and dwelt among us. So 0:18:40.100 --> 0:18:44.740 that's talking about the Lord Jesus. Uh, that's one thing. 0:18:44.859 --> 0:18:49.860 Also in Colossians it says there was nothing made that 0:18:49.859 --> 0:18:54.899 he didn't make. And so that's crucial to understand. He's 0:18:54.900 --> 0:18:58.340 the eternal one. He's the creator. So and of course, 0:18:58.340 --> 0:19:02.139 it's not just Hebrews five which calls him the begotten one. Uh, 0:19:02.140 --> 0:19:05.420 the begotten Son of God. We know the very famous 0:19:06.260 --> 0:19:09.500 John 316. You know every football game. You see the 0:19:09.500 --> 0:19:12.780 guy there with the sign For God so loved the 0:19:12.780 --> 0:19:19.180 world that he gave his only begotten son. Right. That's 0:19:19.180 --> 0:19:23.060 John 316 that whosoever would believe in him should not 0:19:23.060 --> 0:19:27.180 perish but have everlasting life. Let's not forget that. So 0:19:27.180 --> 0:19:30.340 I think the root of the Hebrews five five quote 0:19:30.380 --> 0:19:32.940 really helps us if we go back to where it's from. 0:19:33.180 --> 0:19:39.330 It's from the book of Psalms. Arms. And in Psalm 0:19:39.330 --> 0:19:42.810 chapter two is where you get that from verse seven, 0:19:42.810 --> 0:19:45.970 I will declare the Lord's decree. He said to me, 0:19:46.290 --> 0:19:52.450 you are my son. Today I have become your father. Right. 0:19:53.170 --> 0:19:57.610 And that's actually today I have begotten you. It's literally 0:19:57.609 --> 0:20:00.850 how it's written in Hebrew. And that's where Hebrews is 0:20:00.850 --> 0:20:06.010 quoting it from Psalm two seven. Now Psalm two needs 0:20:06.010 --> 0:20:11.250 to be understood as an enthronement psalm, and what that 0:20:11.250 --> 0:20:15.129 means is at the king's coronation. This is not just 0:20:15.130 --> 0:20:23.409 true in Israel, but, uh, in throughout the ancient Near East. 0:20:23.609 --> 0:20:27.410 For example, in Egypt, when Pharaoh took the throne, even 0:20:27.410 --> 0:20:31.770 though he had existed, was alive before um, and was 0:20:31.770 --> 0:20:36.840 considered the son of one of the gods before, when 0:20:36.840 --> 0:20:39.680 he took the throne. When he was crowned king. A 0:20:39.680 --> 0:20:45.320 coronation song was sung declaring him to be come, the 0:20:45.320 --> 0:20:51.119 Son of God. And the same thing is true here 0:20:51.119 --> 0:20:56.320 in Psalm two. It is a declaration of his sonship 0:20:56.600 --> 0:20:59.320 at his coronation. This is an enthronement psalm. When he 0:20:59.320 --> 0:21:03.040 takes the throne, he is declared once again to be 0:21:03.040 --> 0:21:06.200 the only begotten of the father. It doesn't mean that's 0:21:06.200 --> 0:21:08.240 when he became the Son of God. It means that's 0:21:08.240 --> 0:21:10.919 when he takes his throne. And Psalm two is talking 0:21:10.920 --> 0:21:16.120 about this in terms of he is declared the Son 0:21:16.119 --> 0:21:19.280 of God, and it's talking about the day he takes 0:21:19.280 --> 0:21:22.160 the throne over Israel, sort of like what I talked 0:21:22.160 --> 0:21:28.000 about in the opening word about reigning from Jerusalem. That's 0:21:28.000 --> 0:21:31.440 when this is focused on Psalm two is talking about 0:21:31.440 --> 0:21:36.500 that day. But in Romans one, here, as I look 0:21:36.540 --> 0:21:40.980 at it, Romans one says, he was declared to be 0:21:40.980 --> 0:21:48.620 the Son of God with power through the resurrection. So, uh, 0:21:48.980 --> 0:21:51.300 verse four, and who has been declared to be the 0:21:51.300 --> 0:21:54.300 powerful Son of God by the resurrection from the dead 0:21:54.540 --> 0:21:58.540 according to the spirit of holiness? So there are there's 0:21:58.540 --> 0:22:03.060 not just one time when he is declared to be 0:22:03.060 --> 0:22:06.899 the only begotten. Uh, he is declared the only begotten 0:22:06.900 --> 0:22:11.020 son at his coronation. He will. That's when he will be. 0:22:11.060 --> 0:22:16.060 He was declared the Son of God at his resurrection. 0:22:16.100 --> 0:22:20.540 He was also declared the Son of God at his birth. Uh, 0:22:20.540 --> 0:22:29.379 when it says the the Annunciation to Mary, it says. That, uh, 0:22:29.380 --> 0:22:33.130 the child that was is in You will be called 0:22:33.130 --> 0:22:35.130 the Son of God because the Holy Spirit will come 0:22:35.130 --> 0:22:37.650 over you and this will be a miraculous birth. And 0:22:37.650 --> 0:22:40.650 he won't have a human father, and as a result, 0:22:40.730 --> 0:22:46.370 he will be declared the Son of God. That's what, um, uh, 0:22:46.369 --> 0:22:51.090 Luke chapter one, verse 35 says, The Holy Spirit will 0:22:51.090 --> 0:22:52.970 come upon you. The power of the Most High will 0:22:52.970 --> 0:22:56.570 overshadow you. Therefore the Holy One to be born will 0:22:56.570 --> 0:23:00.609 be called the Son of God. So there are lots 0:23:00.609 --> 0:23:03.810 of different times in the eternal ministry of the Son 0:23:03.810 --> 0:23:06.490 of God, that he is declared the Son of God, 0:23:06.490 --> 0:23:09.250 and to be the only begotten is, uh, when he 0:23:09.250 --> 0:23:13.650 is declared the Son of God at his enthronement. But 0:23:13.650 --> 0:23:16.410 he is always the son. He is forever the Son 0:23:16.410 --> 0:23:18.850 of God, not just at his birth, not just at 0:23:18.850 --> 0:23:23.210 his resurrection, not just at his enthronement, but eternally, the 0:23:23.210 --> 0:23:25.970 Son of God. Does that help at all, Wayne? 0:23:26.290 --> 0:23:29.010 That that helps a lot. Thank you so very much. 0:23:29.490 --> 0:23:33.040 Yeah I appreciate your call. That's something I think that 0:23:33.040 --> 0:23:43.440 can confuse people. Uh. So. Uh, we're going to talk 0:23:43.440 --> 0:23:47.120 to Wayne. That's it. I'm sorry. We just talked to Wayne. 0:23:47.119 --> 0:23:50.320 We're going to talk to Aaron in Florida, listening to keys. 0:23:50.359 --> 0:23:52.840 Welcome to Open Line. Aaron, how can I help you today? 0:23:53.720 --> 0:23:59.560 Yes. If Jesus was baptized to reveal his identity to Israel, 0:24:00.080 --> 0:24:04.120 to fulfill all righteousness and to enter a royal priesthood, 0:24:05.040 --> 0:24:08.480 what specifically does it mean to fulfill all righteousness? And 0:24:08.480 --> 0:24:13.720 I am referring to Matthew 315. In the middle of 0:24:13.760 --> 0:24:17.480 Matthew 313 through 17, where he gets baptized and he's 0:24:17.480 --> 0:24:21.480 rejected John, saying, I don't baptize you, you baptize me. 0:24:22.160 --> 0:24:23.959 But Jesus goes, no, we need to do this to 0:24:23.960 --> 0:24:26.960 fulfill all righteousness. I just don't understand what that means. 0:24:27.520 --> 0:24:31.909 Yeah, Well, uh, I'll tell you, there are a lot 0:24:31.950 --> 0:24:35.550 of different views as to what that would mean. Uh, 0:24:35.550 --> 0:24:41.350 some people think he has to fulfill all righteousness, uh, 0:24:41.590 --> 0:24:45.350 to be identifiable with sinners. I don't think that's what 0:24:45.350 --> 0:24:49.990 it's talking about. Uh, when the Lord Jesus is baptized, 0:24:49.990 --> 0:24:54.870 it's because he's entering the office as our great high priest. 0:24:55.710 --> 0:24:59.189 That's when he begins his public ministry. And so, because 0:24:59.190 --> 0:25:04.429 he's blending the public ministry in Exodus 40, verses 12 0:25:04.470 --> 0:25:09.870 through 15, it describes the ritual washing, like baptism that 0:25:09.869 --> 0:25:13.150 the high priest goes through before he can enter into 0:25:13.190 --> 0:25:17.950 his role as high priest. And so what it what 0:25:17.950 --> 0:25:19.869 the Lord Jesus says is that he has to fulfill 0:25:19.869 --> 0:25:23.670 all righteousness. He has to fulfill the requirement of the 0:25:23.670 --> 0:25:29.140 law to become our great High priest. And that requires, 0:25:29.140 --> 0:25:31.980 when he enters into his public ministry as our great 0:25:31.980 --> 0:25:36.220 high priest, he has to be baptized. It's according to 0:25:36.260 --> 0:25:38.660 the law. He kept the law perfectly. That's how he 0:25:38.660 --> 0:25:42.140 fulfills all righteousness. And that's why he's our great high 0:25:42.140 --> 0:25:46.220 priest that represents us to the father. Because he did that, 0:25:46.220 --> 0:25:50.260 he fulfilled all righteousness. Thanks for your question, Mailbags coming 0:25:50.260 --> 0:25:52.700 up with Tricia, so don't go away. This is Michael 0:25:52.700 --> 0:26:11.780 Ray Olney on Open Line. Welcome back to Open Line. 0:26:12.340 --> 0:26:17.060 We're so grateful for the Far Eastern Broadcasting Company that 0:26:17.060 --> 0:26:19.500 they partner with Open Line to bring you the weekly 0:26:19.540 --> 0:26:24.780 Febc mailbag. It's a terrific organization. It brings the good 0:26:24.780 --> 0:26:29.520 news to people via media and personal engagement. Check out 0:26:29.520 --> 0:26:34.960 the Febc podcast until all have heard by going to Febc. 0:26:36.040 --> 0:26:41.440 That's Febc. And joining me right now with the Febc 0:26:41.480 --> 0:26:45.600 mailbag that she has put together is Tricia McMillan. Hey, Tricia. 0:26:45.840 --> 0:26:46.760 Hi. How are you? 0:26:47.520 --> 0:26:51.159 I am doing really well. I'm so glad to see you. 0:26:51.200 --> 0:26:53.280 It's been a couple of weeks. We haven't been together. 0:26:53.320 --> 0:26:55.800 I know we are. We got to have Mike Fabares 0:26:55.800 --> 0:26:58.880 in the studio with us a couple weeks ago. And, 0:26:58.920 --> 0:27:01.560 you know, I was on the mailbag last week with you. 0:27:02.000 --> 0:27:05.440 Yeah. Well, here's the thing. You were with Mike Fabares, 0:27:05.480 --> 0:27:07.840 and he was raving on the program. I listened to 0:27:07.880 --> 0:27:11.800 the program afterwards on the podcast, and he was talking 0:27:11.800 --> 0:27:14.080 about how wonderful you are. And I thought, I'm so 0:27:14.080 --> 0:27:15.919 glad that he said that, because I say it all 0:27:15.920 --> 0:27:18.760 the time how much even I love you. And, uh, 0:27:18.840 --> 0:27:21.680 and then I thought, well, people think I'm just biased. 0:27:21.680 --> 0:27:25.510 And so I'm glad that an independent source confirmed that 0:27:25.510 --> 0:27:29.429 you are indeed a wonderful person, so thank you. Hey, uh, 0:27:29.550 --> 0:27:32.590 I do have a. You remember I mentioned that I'm 0:27:32.630 --> 0:27:34.430 taking a group to Israel in September? 0:27:34.790 --> 0:27:35.430 Yes. 0:27:36.230 --> 0:27:40.630 Yeah, well, that we only have a couple more weeks 0:27:40.910 --> 0:27:43.910 to get people registered for that, and we have limited 0:27:43.910 --> 0:27:49.030 space available. We have like 11 or 12 spots left 0:27:49.550 --> 0:27:53.430 entirely for the trip. And, uh, and I thought, I 0:27:53.430 --> 0:27:56.590 better mention it to you now, I probably should have 0:27:56.590 --> 0:27:58.669 mentioned it when I talked in the opening word about 0:27:58.670 --> 0:28:02.030 walking around the walls of Jerusalem, but because we're going 0:28:02.070 --> 0:28:05.830 to walk all over Jerusalem. But, uh, just a I 0:28:05.869 --> 0:28:08.469 was thinking 11 or 12 spots. I don't remember what 0:28:08.470 --> 0:28:12.109 it was. Sarah, a friend of mine told me about that. But, uh, 0:28:13.230 --> 0:28:15.310 I think that people, if they're interested in going to Israel, 0:28:15.310 --> 0:28:17.710 they might be concerned. Is it safe? We're not going 0:28:17.710 --> 0:28:19.590 to go to any places where there's war. It's a 0:28:19.590 --> 0:28:22.190 safe place to go. We wouldn't go anyplace that's not safe. 0:28:22.470 --> 0:28:27.540 And it's a beautiful and really wonderful experience to see 0:28:27.540 --> 0:28:30.100 the Bible come alive. And you did that with me. 0:28:30.100 --> 0:28:31.340 I wanted you to mention that. 0:28:31.380 --> 0:28:34.460 I did, I did, it was wonderful. The teaching is 0:28:34.460 --> 0:28:37.859 just fantastic because at each of the spots you teach 0:28:38.660 --> 0:28:41.260 us something the Bible. Try to teach the Bible of 0:28:41.260 --> 0:28:44.980 something that either happened at that place or or was 0:28:44.980 --> 0:28:48.420 heard at that place, or will happen at that place. Yeah, 0:28:48.460 --> 0:28:50.620 it's really good. What are the dates of that trip? 0:28:50.940 --> 0:28:54.420 September 7th through the 18th. We're pretty excited about it. 0:28:54.420 --> 0:28:56.460 The best way to find out about the trip is 0:28:56.500 --> 0:28:59.500 go to Openline radio.org, and scroll down and click on 0:28:59.500 --> 0:29:02.260 the link. That's my personal web page. It says you 0:29:02.260 --> 0:29:06.020 can check out Michael's personal web page. That's where you 0:29:06.020 --> 0:29:08.540 can find the information about that trip. It's pretty exciting. 0:29:08.580 --> 0:29:10.540 And when I get off the air right now, like 0:29:10.580 --> 0:29:12.459 after this segment, when I get off the air, I 0:29:12.460 --> 0:29:15.140 can add a direct link to right on that main 0:29:15.140 --> 0:29:18.140 page so people can find it a little easier. That's great. 0:29:18.140 --> 0:29:20.180 I will do that. So good. 0:29:20.780 --> 0:29:25.810 Okay. Well, listen, we better answer some of these questions. 0:29:25.850 --> 0:29:29.250 Okay. Um, first question is from Jeffrey in Illinois. Listens 0:29:29.250 --> 0:29:33.810 to WNBA, wants to know in January 1st seven, Daniels 0:29:33.850 --> 0:29:36.410 name and the names of his three friends are changed 0:29:36.410 --> 0:29:40.410 from Hebrew to Chaldean. Um, he did look it up 0:29:40.410 --> 0:29:45.209 in the Moody Bible Commentary, and the meanings were different. 0:29:45.210 --> 0:29:49.250 And so their their Hebrew names meant God is my 0:29:49.290 --> 0:29:52.530 judge and God has been gracious. And who is what 0:29:52.570 --> 0:29:56.170 God is? And the Lord has helped two things that 0:29:56.170 --> 0:30:02.090 were more, um, Babylonian like Bel protect him and the 0:30:02.090 --> 0:30:06.090 command of Aku. Um, so in the remainder of the book, 0:30:06.130 --> 0:30:11.770 Daniel usually continues to get called Daniel, but Hananiah, Mishael, 0:30:11.770 --> 0:30:14.970 and Azariah, which were the Hebrew names, are now called Shadrach, Meshach, 0:30:14.970 --> 0:30:18.290 and Abednego, which we know from lots of songs even 0:30:18.490 --> 0:30:22.280 like we know those names. Why are they called by 0:30:22.280 --> 0:30:24.920 the Chaldean names? But Daniel continues to be called Daniel. 0:30:26.360 --> 0:30:28.640 Well, clearly, first of all, why were their names changed? 0:30:28.720 --> 0:30:31.120 I think it was an attempt to force them to assimilate, 0:30:31.760 --> 0:30:34.520 to abandon their faith of their fathers, the faith that 0:30:34.520 --> 0:30:39.040 they had of believing in l. Daniel. God is my judge. 0:30:39.080 --> 0:30:41.200 L is the name of the title of God. Their 0:30:41.240 --> 0:30:48.120 God is my judge. It means God. And then, for example, uh, 0:30:49.000 --> 0:30:52.920 he is changed to Belshazzar, which has the name Bel, 0:30:54.480 --> 0:30:58.960 which is a Babylonian god, and Aku is a Babylonian god. 0:30:59.000 --> 0:31:02.680 Nebo is a Babylonian god. So what what they were 0:31:02.680 --> 0:31:06.400 doing is trying to force them to assimilate to Babylonian religion. 0:31:07.120 --> 0:31:09.640 Which which even in those first the first chapter, when 0:31:09.640 --> 0:31:11.440 it's like they were trying to force them to eat 0:31:11.440 --> 0:31:14.880 the way that they ate to. And and Daniel did 0:31:14.920 --> 0:31:17.640 put up a fuss on that one. It was like, actually, 0:31:17.680 --> 0:31:21.190 can we. Yeah. Can we try it this way instead? 0:31:21.430 --> 0:31:24.390 They were resistant to assimilation. And then, of course, in 0:31:24.390 --> 0:31:31.310 chapter two they went by the the Jewish friends, three 0:31:31.310 --> 0:31:35.550 Jewish friends of Daniel. They resisted worshiping the false god. 0:31:35.830 --> 0:31:38.470 They wouldn't do it. And even though their names are 0:31:38.470 --> 0:31:40.750 being used, those are names that were given to them. 0:31:40.750 --> 0:31:44.030 It showed that they still wouldn't give in. They wouldn't 0:31:44.030 --> 0:31:47.990 worship Babylonian gods. They would only worship the God of Israel. 0:31:48.190 --> 0:31:51.030 And so that's a good thing. Now, why is it 0:31:51.030 --> 0:31:55.190 that Daniel is called Daniel? And, uh, I think Daniel's 0:31:55.230 --> 0:31:58.350 name is mentioned 75 times, and 65 of them are 0:31:58.350 --> 0:32:03.750 Daniel and ten. It's the Babylonian name, whereas the friends 0:32:03.750 --> 0:32:07.230 of his, they're only mentioned about 15 times, about five 0:32:07.270 --> 0:32:10.790 times with their Hebrew name and ten times with their 0:32:10.790 --> 0:32:14.910 Babylonian names. So I think that the, you know, no 0:32:14.910 --> 0:32:17.430 one knows the reason why Daniel is called by his 0:32:17.430 --> 0:32:20.980 Hebrew name predominantly, and they are not. But I would say, 0:32:21.020 --> 0:32:23.500 first of all, that they are not mentioned all that much. 0:32:23.500 --> 0:32:27.060 They're done in chapter two. Chapter three. They're done. Uh, 0:32:27.100 --> 0:32:29.500 the book goes on for nine more chapters and they're 0:32:29.500 --> 0:32:33.140 never mentioned again. So, uh, maybe if they were mentioned 0:32:33.140 --> 0:32:39.220 later on, they would be mentioned by their Hebrew names. But, uh, secondly, uh, 0:32:39.340 --> 0:32:43.020 they are mentioned. I think that the main reason is 0:32:43.020 --> 0:32:46.220 that Daniel was a very famous character by the time 0:32:46.220 --> 0:32:50.459 his book was accepted. He's mentioned in the book of Ezekiel. Uh, 0:32:50.660 --> 0:32:53.420 and so I think just for the sake of the readers, 0:32:53.420 --> 0:32:56.340 because he was a famous prophet, uh, in Israel, and 0:32:56.340 --> 0:32:59.780 the book was written really to Israel, they they decided 0:32:59.780 --> 0:33:02.820 to use the name just because he's the main character. Uh, 0:33:02.820 --> 0:33:05.460 the author, probably Daniel himself, said, I'm just going to 0:33:05.460 --> 0:33:07.940 use my name that everyone knows me by. Okay. 0:33:08.460 --> 0:33:08.900 And if. 0:33:08.900 --> 0:33:09.180 He. 0:33:09.220 --> 0:33:10.060 But and if he's. 0:33:10.060 --> 0:33:11.140 But we don't know for sure. 0:33:11.300 --> 0:33:16.260 Right. And if he's writing it, would that have have uh, 0:33:16.260 --> 0:33:18.920 would that also have played a part? Because that's what 0:33:18.920 --> 0:33:20.840 he is seeing himself as. 0:33:20.920 --> 0:33:22.800 I bet he called his. I bet he called his 0:33:22.800 --> 0:33:24.400 friends by their Hebrew names, too. 0:33:24.440 --> 0:33:25.720 That's probably so. Yeah. 0:33:25.760 --> 0:33:28.280 Yeah. I don't I don't know why, but I think 0:33:28.280 --> 0:33:31.120 it's because he was such a significant character and he 0:33:31.120 --> 0:33:32.520 was the main character of the book. 0:33:32.560 --> 0:33:36.480 Okay. All right. So thank you. Um, this one does 0:33:36.480 --> 0:33:38.920 not have to do. I don't think with the Bible, 0:33:38.920 --> 0:33:41.600 but Ellie in Illinois wanted to know when the Star 0:33:41.600 --> 0:33:44.120 of David became a symbol of the Jewish people. 0:33:45.400 --> 0:33:48.960 Well, it's it's quite ancient. Uh, as a symbol used 0:33:48.960 --> 0:33:51.560 by other cultures as well. If you go to. When 0:33:51.560 --> 0:33:53.520 we went to Capernaum, I don't know if anyone pointed 0:33:53.520 --> 0:33:55.000 it out to you. I know you went to Capernaum 0:33:55.000 --> 0:33:57.520 with me. But there's a star of David in the 0:33:57.520 --> 0:34:00.880 symbols in that town and the ancient Jewish town, uh, 0:34:00.880 --> 0:34:05.320 from the first century. So it's it's used, uh, quite often, 0:34:05.320 --> 0:34:09.520 but it really became clearly identifiable with the Jewish people 0:34:09.520 --> 0:34:13.880 in the Middle Ages. Um, in Czechoslovakia, for example, they, 0:34:14.080 --> 0:34:17.270 the Jewish people asked for permission to use it as 0:34:17.310 --> 0:34:22.750 their symbol from the government for the Jewish community in Czechoslovakia. Uh, 0:34:22.750 --> 0:34:25.310 so I would say that it was always used as 0:34:25.310 --> 0:34:27.790 somewhat of a symbol. It became known as the Shield 0:34:27.790 --> 0:34:31.230 of David. It was believed by the Jewish community in 0:34:31.230 --> 0:34:35.630 the early years of the after the beginning of the 0:34:36.550 --> 0:34:41.110 after the turn from pre BC to AD, so to speak. 0:34:42.110 --> 0:34:44.830 It became thought of as the shield of David, that 0:34:44.870 --> 0:34:47.070 it was a symbol of the house of David, but 0:34:47.070 --> 0:34:50.830 only in the Middle Ages was it adopted completely as 0:34:50.870 --> 0:34:51.989 a symbol of Israel. 0:34:52.030 --> 0:34:55.830 Okay. All right. Thank you. Uh, next question is from 0:34:55.870 --> 0:34:59.350 Lynn in Ohio. She listens to CRF, wants to know 0:34:59.350 --> 0:35:02.070 if you're a follower of Jesus, and the rapture happens 0:35:02.070 --> 0:35:04.950 at a different time than you believe it will. Uh, 0:35:04.950 --> 0:35:05.950 will you still go? 0:35:07.150 --> 0:35:10.390 That's sort of a partial rapture theory, you know? Uh, 0:35:10.870 --> 0:35:14.310 but the rapture is is going to happen, whatever we 0:35:14.420 --> 0:35:18.620 believe it. The Bible says that the Lord will descend. 0:35:19.460 --> 0:35:23.859 And he'll snatch us. That's the word that's used in 0:35:23.940 --> 0:35:28.300 first Thessalonians four. He'll snatch the body of believers. Uh, first, 0:35:28.340 --> 0:35:31.860 the dead in Christ will rise first. And then, uh, 0:35:31.860 --> 0:35:35.060 we'll be snatched up. And the the idea of a 0:35:35.060 --> 0:35:38.260 snatch means that I don't think that we have any consent. 0:35:38.300 --> 0:35:41.980 It just happens. And so whether a person believes it's 0:35:42.100 --> 0:35:44.379 that's the imagery here is someone I think it's going 0:35:44.380 --> 0:35:47.500 to be post-trib. And then it happens as a pre-tribulational rapture. 0:35:47.540 --> 0:35:47.940 Right? 0:35:48.739 --> 0:35:51.859 Sorry. You're going. You don't have to suffer. You're going 0:35:51.860 --> 0:35:53.540 to be taken out first. So. 0:35:53.580 --> 0:35:55.740 Right. And in that sense, it wouldn't be any different 0:35:55.739 --> 0:35:59.180 than if you don't believe that it will happen. And 0:35:59.219 --> 0:36:01.620 God God will still make it happen when he is 0:36:01.620 --> 0:36:03.100 planning to make it happen. 0:36:03.140 --> 0:36:06.100 Exactly. And you know, here's the thing that people say, well, 0:36:06.100 --> 0:36:12.340 what if, uh, the, uh, let's say because I happen 0:36:12.340 --> 0:36:14.770 to I think you are too. We're both really committed 0:36:15.489 --> 0:36:18.330 to the idea that the rapture will happen before the tribulation. 0:36:18.370 --> 0:36:20.770 It's not something I fight about, but it's something I believe. 0:36:21.570 --> 0:36:23.450 And then people say, well, what happens if you have 0:36:23.450 --> 0:36:27.410 to go through the tribulation? You know, you won't be prepared. 0:36:27.450 --> 0:36:29.970 I think, well, you're not going to be prepared either. Uh, 0:36:30.610 --> 0:36:34.130 who's prepared for such a thing? Uh, the this is 0:36:34.130 --> 0:36:39.650 how I'm prepared. Uh, in John 16, the Lord Jesus said, 0:36:40.130 --> 0:36:45.050 in this world you will have tribulation. But fear not. 0:36:45.450 --> 0:36:48.930 I have overcome the world. And that's it. If I 0:36:48.930 --> 0:36:52.330 trust in Jesus, it doesn't matter. Uh, if I was 0:36:52.370 --> 0:36:54.569 if I'm wrong about the pre-trib rapture, which I don't 0:36:54.570 --> 0:36:56.569 think I am. But if I was wrong, you know, 0:36:56.610 --> 0:36:59.370 I've got Jesus. He. I don't have to fear. He's 0:36:59.370 --> 0:37:02.330 overcome the world. I can depend on him. He'll take 0:37:02.330 --> 0:37:04.370 me through whatever it is I have to go through. 0:37:04.530 --> 0:37:07.570 And we have to be prepared, too. Because, you know, 0:37:07.610 --> 0:37:11.730 even without the tribulation, life is not that easy. So, uh. 0:37:12.200 --> 0:37:14.439 and some people think, oh, you become a believer. You 0:37:14.440 --> 0:37:17.800 never have any difficulties. I don't think that's true. Jesus 0:37:17.800 --> 0:37:20.480 didn't think that was true. Uh, but we have the 0:37:20.480 --> 0:37:22.920 person who goes through it with us, and that's what 0:37:22.960 --> 0:37:23.799 what matters. 0:37:24.040 --> 0:37:27.200 But even more prepared than that. Like, we may not 0:37:27.200 --> 0:37:31.440 be prepared for the full tribulation, but how can we 0:37:31.440 --> 0:37:34.919 even be prepared to go up into the rapture? 0:37:36.320 --> 0:37:41.239 Well, here's the way we're prepared. This is it. It's simple. Uh, 0:37:41.239 --> 0:37:44.680 we have to recognize that we're separated from God because 0:37:44.680 --> 0:37:47.480 of the wrong things we do. But Jesus died to 0:37:47.520 --> 0:37:50.600 take the punishment for those wrong things. Then he was 0:37:50.600 --> 0:37:55.040 raised again, proving it was all true. And then, uh, 0:37:55.719 --> 0:37:58.360 after he was raised, uh, he ascended to the father. 0:37:58.360 --> 0:38:01.560 What we have to do is believe in his, uh, 0:38:02.040 --> 0:38:05.319 substitution for us, uh, believe that he can give us 0:38:05.320 --> 0:38:07.880 new life because he is alive. So all we have 0:38:07.880 --> 0:38:10.279 to do is trust him. It's a simple prayer. I 0:38:10.280 --> 0:38:12.540 would invite you if you've never made that decision to 0:38:12.540 --> 0:38:15.620 be ready, because we can see him tonight. You know, 0:38:15.660 --> 0:38:17.580 it may it may be today that the Lord will 0:38:17.580 --> 0:38:19.940 call us home and not at the rapture. We have 0:38:19.940 --> 0:38:22.140 to be ready to meet him. Just put your trust 0:38:22.140 --> 0:38:24.180 in him. Just tell him I know I've done things wrong. 0:38:25.219 --> 0:38:29.060 And that separates me from you, father. But I know 0:38:29.060 --> 0:38:32.100 the Lord Jesus took the punishment I deserved in his death. 0:38:32.100 --> 0:38:35.580 And now he's alive, and he's going to forgive my 0:38:35.580 --> 0:38:38.419 sin forever. And I can have a forever relationship with you. 0:38:38.420 --> 0:38:42.380 Then we'll be ready for anything. Uh, for. For facing 0:38:42.380 --> 0:38:45.940 God or the rapture or whatever it is. Uh, that 0:38:45.940 --> 0:38:47.420 that's what prepares us. 0:38:47.460 --> 0:38:50.500 Yeah. Yeah. And you can do that wherever you are. 0:38:50.780 --> 0:38:53.980 You'll be driving in your car, sitting at home, gardening out, 0:38:54.340 --> 0:38:55.339 getting groceries. 0:38:55.780 --> 0:38:56.580 Cleaning the house. 0:38:56.620 --> 0:38:56.940 Cleaning. 0:38:56.940 --> 0:38:58.660 The house, which is what everyone seems to do during 0:38:58.660 --> 0:39:02.220 open line. So I hope you'll make that decision. Uh, 0:39:02.219 --> 0:39:05.060 we're going to take a break here, but I appreciate 0:39:05.060 --> 0:39:07.580 so much, uh, putting the mailbag together. You'll be back 0:39:07.580 --> 0:39:11.489 next hour with more questions, Right, Tricia? Yes. Okay. Uh, 0:39:11.610 --> 0:39:14.089 this is open line. That was Tricia McMillan. She's the 0:39:14.090 --> 0:39:16.250 producer of Open Line. I'm Michael Ray Melnick. I am 0:39:16.250 --> 0:39:18.930 the one that tries to answer your questions every week. Uh, 0:39:18.930 --> 0:39:20.410 stay with us. We're going to be back with more 0:39:20.410 --> 0:39:36.410 of your questions in just a moment. Welcome back to 0:39:36.450 --> 0:39:38.730 Open Line, having a great time with you as we 0:39:38.730 --> 0:39:43.210 study the scriptures together. You know, people frequently have questions 0:39:43.210 --> 0:39:45.730 about the Jewish people in Israel. Uh, this is a 0:39:45.730 --> 0:39:49.610 program about Bible. It's about the questions people have about 0:39:50.170 --> 0:39:53.690 the Bible, God and the spiritual life. And yet I 0:39:53.690 --> 0:39:58.170 think maybe because of our partner, Chosen People Ministries, maybe 0:39:58.170 --> 0:40:00.609 because I'm a messianic Jew, uh, I get a lot 0:40:00.650 --> 0:40:04.250 of questions about Israel and the Jewish people and where 0:40:04.250 --> 0:40:06.489 do they fit in the plan of God and and 0:40:06.489 --> 0:40:10.160 Chosen People Ministries, one of our radio partners, recognized that 0:40:10.160 --> 0:40:13.560 those questions are there. So they are offering a booklet 0:40:13.560 --> 0:40:17.040 called Why Israel that explores the topic of Israel through 0:40:17.040 --> 0:40:20.480 the lens of Scripture. Has the church replaced Israel and 0:40:20.480 --> 0:40:24.359 the plan of God? Does Israel have a future? What 0:40:24.360 --> 0:40:28.040 about what should we think about Israel today? This book 0:40:28.080 --> 0:40:31.320 answers those questions, and if you'd like a free copy, 0:40:31.760 --> 0:40:34.759 call what you need to do. The free copy is 0:40:34.760 --> 0:40:38.560 the book of Why Israel. Go to the Open Line 0:40:38.560 --> 0:40:43.960 Radio website. Open Line radio.org. That's our website, open Line radio.org. 0:40:44.239 --> 0:40:46.719 And scroll down you'll see a link that says a 0:40:46.760 --> 0:40:49.960 free gift from Chosen People Ministries. Click on that, and 0:40:49.960 --> 0:40:51.640 that will take you to a page where you can 0:40:51.680 --> 0:40:56.520 sign up for your own copy of Why Israel? Uh, 0:40:56.560 --> 0:41:02.399 we're going to talk related to this, uh, to Marlene 0:41:02.400 --> 0:41:07.230 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, listening on Wmw. Welcome to Open Line, Marlene. 0:41:07.230 --> 0:41:08.149 How can I help you? 0:41:08.830 --> 0:41:13.710 Thank you. My question is, um, can the words God 0:41:13.710 --> 0:41:18.310 spoke to Israel in the Old Testament? Uh. As an example, 0:41:18.350 --> 0:41:23.350 Isaiah 4110. Do not fear, for I'm with you. Can 0:41:23.350 --> 0:41:29.150 we claim those as believers today? All those wonderful promises? 0:41:30.950 --> 0:41:38.750 Well, the answer is no. And yes. How's that? Marlene? Uh, some. 0:41:38.910 --> 0:41:41.590 There is a sense where we can. And a sense 0:41:41.590 --> 0:41:43.669 that we can't. So let me go to the most 0:41:43.670 --> 0:41:50.950 famous one that people ask. Okay. Uh, it's, uh, Jeremiah 2911. 0:41:50.950 --> 0:41:53.270 I know the plans I have for you. This is 0:41:53.270 --> 0:41:56.830 the Lord's declaration. Plans for your welfare, not for disaster, 0:41:56.830 --> 0:41:59.790 to give you a future and a hope. Well, that 0:41:59.790 --> 0:42:03.270 sounds like a wonderful promise for us to claim, right? 0:42:03.710 --> 0:42:07.739 But the the context there says that I'm going to 0:42:07.780 --> 0:42:11.259 send you to Babylon for 70 years as discipline for 0:42:13.180 --> 0:42:18.660 your disobedience. Through the years under the law. Right. So clearly, 0:42:19.020 --> 0:42:21.500 this is something that's for Israel. God sending them to 0:42:21.540 --> 0:42:25.700 Babylon 70 years captivity. And but that's part of God's 0:42:25.700 --> 0:42:28.860 good plan. So the answer is no, that's not for us. 0:42:28.900 --> 0:42:34.500 On the other hand. Uh, let me ask you this, Marlene. 0:42:34.540 --> 0:42:42.259 Do you think if we neglect God, will he discipline us? Marlene? 0:42:43.060 --> 0:42:44.420 Yes. Are you there? He will. 0:42:44.460 --> 0:42:47.219 Yeah. Of course he will. So it. Would it be 0:42:47.219 --> 0:42:53.180 true for us, too, that if, uh. If God disciplines us, 0:42:53.180 --> 0:42:55.660 he still has a good plan in our lives so 0:42:55.660 --> 0:42:58.620 we can quote it and claim it? What do you think? 0:43:00.700 --> 0:43:01.660 Yes. He will. 0:43:02.300 --> 0:43:05.810 Yeah, of course we will. So that's how it's applicable 0:43:05.810 --> 0:43:08.890 to us. Uh, it's not directly written to us, but 0:43:08.890 --> 0:43:12.370 it's applicable. Same thing. If you go to Isaiah 41, 0:43:12.410 --> 0:43:15.930 the verse that you cited. It's really for Israel. But 0:43:15.930 --> 0:43:18.489 the Lord Jesus said, uh, the book of Hebrews tells 0:43:18.489 --> 0:43:20.850 us he will never leave us or forsake us. And 0:43:20.850 --> 0:43:24.290 so when he says in Isaiah 41 to Israel that 0:43:24.290 --> 0:43:26.609 that he's with them, you know, the truth of it is, 0:43:26.610 --> 0:43:29.250 if we've become followers of Jesus, he's with us too. 0:43:29.810 --> 0:43:33.210 And we don't we don't have to fear. So as 0:43:33.210 --> 0:43:36.730 long as we understand that the promises are applied to us, 0:43:37.410 --> 0:43:40.529 but not necessarily written directly to us. I think in 0:43:40.570 --> 0:43:44.610 that sense we can apply them in our lives as well. Uh, 0:43:44.850 --> 0:43:48.010 is that does that help you with this? 0:43:48.610 --> 0:43:52.930 Yeah. Another one is if my people will pray. I've 0:43:52.930 --> 0:43:58.489 always heard that is for Israel. Uh, just Israel. Yeah. 0:43:58.930 --> 0:44:04.200 Well, uh, the second Chronicles, 714. Uh, where it calls 0:44:04.200 --> 0:44:07.920 for a revival. Well, that really is talking about Israel. Uh, 0:44:08.280 --> 0:44:12.600 and the application is not the United States. The application 0:44:12.600 --> 0:44:18.000 would be for followers of Jesus, uh, for our congregations. 0:44:18.200 --> 0:44:23.080 That's where the application lands. Uh, it doesn't say, uh, 0:44:23.080 --> 0:44:25.880 that the United States will be revived if we turn 0:44:25.880 --> 0:44:28.640 to him. What it's saying. Not that God doesn't want 0:44:28.680 --> 0:44:33.879 us to, but it says if my people who are 0:44:33.880 --> 0:44:38.080 called by my name, that's Israel, humble themselves, pray and 0:44:38.080 --> 0:44:40.960 seek my face and turn from their evil ways, then 0:44:40.960 --> 0:44:43.879 I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal 0:44:43.880 --> 0:44:50.080 their land. Well, that's talking about Israel. However, if followers 0:44:50.080 --> 0:44:56.000 of Jesus, uh, turn the local congregations, let's say near 0:44:56.040 --> 0:44:59.640 the churches have, uh, turned cold. If they will repent 0:44:59.640 --> 0:45:03.700 in this way, then God will restore their congregations. Uh, 0:45:03.739 --> 0:45:05.660 it's not a promise that can be applied by the 0:45:05.660 --> 0:45:08.020 United States. Okay. 0:45:08.340 --> 0:45:12.339 Well, thank you so much, Michael. Your program's wonderful. 0:45:12.940 --> 0:45:17.500 Well. Thank you. You're very kind. I appreciate that. Uh, uh, 0:45:17.500 --> 0:45:19.140 thanks for your call, Marlene. We're going to talk to 0:45:19.180 --> 0:45:23.420 Tony in West Chicago, Illinois, listening on wmbi. Welcome to 0:45:23.460 --> 0:45:25.500 Open Line, Tony. How can I help you? 0:45:29.739 --> 0:45:34.100 To understand what it is about the translation you mentioned 0:45:34.100 --> 0:45:39.100 frequently that you use, um, that you feel is, uh, 0:45:39.100 --> 0:45:46.180 more interesting or more, uh, maybe clear or more trustworthy 0:45:46.180 --> 0:45:46.860 in some way? 0:45:47.100 --> 0:45:52.379 Yeah. Well, uh, first of all, I use a lot 0:45:52.380 --> 0:45:55.819 of translations. I look up stuff all the time. Uh, 0:45:55.820 --> 0:45:58.180 and I read from, you know, when I'm studying, I 0:45:58.180 --> 0:46:04.570 use multiple translations, Uh, and often will will look at 0:46:04.610 --> 0:46:08.210 Hebrew and Greek and make my own translation. Uh, sometimes 0:46:08.210 --> 0:46:12.330 my students joke that there should be a translation because 0:46:12.330 --> 0:46:15.530 I keep saying, this is how I would translate this. Uh, 0:46:16.930 --> 0:46:21.689 but there's a technical kind of word for word kind 0:46:21.690 --> 0:46:24.450 of translation, like the new American Standard. That's very helpful 0:46:24.450 --> 0:46:28.450 in study. There's a dynamic equivalence translation, like the New 0:46:28.450 --> 0:46:32.290 Living Translation, which is good for speedy reading. You know, 0:46:32.290 --> 0:46:37.290 if you want to read, uh, things quickly, uh, and 0:46:37.290 --> 0:46:41.330 then there's the other possibility that, uh, you might want 0:46:41.330 --> 0:46:46.169 something that balances easy reading with accuracy. And I think 0:46:46.170 --> 0:46:50.969 that's what the Holman CSB does. It's why I like it. So, uh, 0:46:50.969 --> 0:46:54.130 I hope that helps. We're going to be back in 0:46:54.170 --> 0:46:57.810 just a moment. This is open line with Michael Ray Holman.