S1: Hello friends. It's time for the second hour of Open
S1: Line with Doctor Michael Radonich Moody Radio's Bible Study Across America.
S1: We're talking about your questions about the Bible, God and
S1: the spiritual life. My name is Michael Radonich. I'm the
S1: academic dean and professor of Jewish studies and Bible here
S1: at Moody Bible Institute. We're live today sitting around the
S1: radio kitchen table taking your questions. Time to give me
S1: a call. The phone number (877) 548-3675. That's (877) 548-3675. If you
S1: can't call, just go to our website Openline radio.org. Click
S1: on the link that says Ask Michael a question and
S1: you can put your question right there and it will
S1: show up in the mailbag sooner or later, but hopefully sooner.
S1: I hope you have your Bibles open and you have
S1: a second cup of coffee. We're about to talk about
S1: the scriptures, but before we do, I do want to
S1: talk about our current resource. You know, people sometimes tell
S1: me that they have dry times where they just don't
S1: even want to read the Bible. Uh, we really need
S1: to be in the word, whether we're dry or or not,
S1: whether we're hot or cold. We we we need to
S1: be in the word. That's our only hope for God
S1: to refresh us. But one of the things that I
S1: believe will help us a lot is a book by
S1: my colleague here at Moody. A friend of mine, Jim Coakley,
S1: has written 14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible. It's
S1: a really enlightening book. It reveals how we can use
S1: the same techniques that modern authors use. We can read
S1: for those techniques and see what the biblical writers were
S1: doing long ago. And this gives us a fresh way
S1: of reading the scriptures when we look at their literary
S1: techniques that they were using. This book will give us
S1: practical strategies to engage in the Word of God, and
S1: guidelines that we can keep following to stay on track.
S1: It's a great little book and it's won awards and
S1: it's our current resource. So if you send a gift
S1: of any size, we want to say thanks. We really
S1: appreciate it. And just to say thanks, we want to
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S1: Don't miss it. This is a this is one of
S1: those books that the Open Line audience really loves. So
S1: to give you a gift again (888) 644-7122 or open line radio.org.
S1: Let's go back to the phones. Talk to Cindy. Listen
S1: on Wkdd in Wisconsin. Welcome to Open Line. Cindy, how
S1: can I help you?
S2: Good morning doctor. I love your program.
S1: Thank you.
S2: My question is, uh, are Christians supposed to vote? And
S2: I guess the main reason I'm asking that I don't
S2: want to stand before God and have him ask, why
S2: didn't you give a voice to the unborn? Thank you.
S1: So, uh, here's the question I have Cindy. What about
S1: off off elections? Like, uh, not the presidential election. Do
S1: you feel an obligation to vote then?
S2: Yes.
S1: How about the other the really off off elections, you know,
S1: not when congressional candidates like in 26, they'll be congressional
S1: candidates being elected. But what about in between in 2025? Every.
S2: Excuse me every single time.
S1: So you feel an obligation to vote up till even
S1: like the school board or, you know, city council or
S1: things like that, right?
S2: Absolutely.
S1: Okay, let me just say that I don't think that
S1: the scriptures give us an absolute command that we must vote.
S1: So I don't think it's a matter of sin or
S1: not sin. The way I think of it is that
S1: we're expected to be good citizens. I think that is
S1: something that we're responsible for, and it's a wisdom principle
S1: in Scripture to be a good citizen. And if that's
S1: the case, a good citizen would vote. And I, I
S1: concur with you that it is wisdom to vote every
S1: time we get a chance that that that's a great
S1: privilege that we have here as American citizens. It's a
S1: privilege that we miss out on way too much. And
S1: I think that it's really important for followers of Jesus
S1: to have our influence in our vote. I'm thinking about
S1: the kind of curricula that students have. Voting for the
S1: Board of Education is, you know, the. That's crucial. Uh,
S1: I think it's so important that we speak up, even
S1: in what appears to be minor issues. So wisdom dictates
S1: that we're to be good citizens, and good citizens vote.
S1: And so I hope, I hope, Cindy, that more people
S1: adopt your attitude. I don't think you're asking whether I
S1: think it's a good idea. Uh, I think you were
S1: trying to say you think it's a good idea. And
S1: I agree with you. Okay.
S2: Thank you so much. It just breaks my heart when
S2: I hear, I don't know if this is accurate, that 50%
S2: of Christians do not vote.
S1: Mhm. Yeah. I think that we have a great privilege
S1: here in the United States. I think that the only
S1: way we can have a one of the ways that
S1: we can have our greatest impact is by expressing our
S1: values with our votes. And I think it's important that
S1: we do that. So uh, unfortunately, you know, I have
S1: to say, Cindy, that Sometimes it's very frustrating to try
S1: and vote as a believer, because there are people who
S1: are running that may give lip service, may not. They
S1: don't always agree with us. We have to vote for
S1: the candidate that is closest to our values, rather than
S1: necessarily looking for someone that subscribes perfectly to it, because
S1: that's to them that would be really hard to find.
S1: Don't you think?
S2: I try to be as close as I can to
S2: that person that stands biblically.
S1: Yeah, yeah.
S2: They're not perfect, but yeah, the best. The best I
S2: can do.
S1: Yeah. Uh, sometimes I've heard people say there's no one
S1: running that I think will fit. And so they will
S1: actually write someone in. Uh, and usually writing campaigns don't
S1: help that much. But every now and then I've seen
S1: write in candidates win. So who knows? Don't miss the
S1: opportunity or the privilege to vote. That's what I would
S1: say to people. It's it's biblical wisdom for us to
S1: be good citizens. Thanks for your call, Cindy. Really appreciate it.
S1: Thank you for your thank.
S2: You for your program.
S1: Thanks a lot. We're going to talk to Tony in Ketchikan, Alaska. Uh,
S1: listening on. I don't even know what it is. K220I
S1: don't know what that is, but I'm glad you're listening. Tony.
S1: How can I help you?
S3: Yes. Good morning. Doctor. Do please need help with two
S3: short questions. The first one is revelation 22, verse 1415.
S3: On the 15th verse I have a problem understanding are
S3: they are sinners, unbelief, people, sinners after the millennium.
S1: In revelation chapter 22, verse 14 and 15, where it says,
S1: blessed are those who wash their robes, so they might
S1: have the right to the tree of life, and may
S1: enter the city by the gates outside our dogs, the sorcerers,
S1: the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who
S1: loves and practices lying. Uh, what this is saying is
S1: it's today. Blessed are those who wash their robes, uh,
S1: by faith in Jesus. We all have filthy robes on
S1: because of our sin. But if we trust that Jesus
S1: died for us and rose again and put our trust
S1: solely in him, then we'll be able to enter the
S1: city by the gates outside. At this point, after the
S1: the final judgment, outside those gates are people who have
S1: been cast out. Uh, and not just outside the city gates,
S1: because the whole world will be the New Jerusalem at
S1: this point. But, uh, at that point, there will be, uh,
S1: all those people who rejected Jesus, who stood in their
S1: own sins they will have been cast into the The
S1: Lake of Fire, which was actually not for them. It
S1: was prepared for Satan and those angels that fell and
S1: became demons. That's who it was for. But people followed
S1: him and they that's where they will be. So in
S1: a sense, they will be outside the city in that way. Okay.
S3: This will be after the New Jerusalem. And the next question,
S3: if you please, because I am in trouble for, uh,
S3: if a person do some people do this? Um, uh,
S3: hurt me and I forgive them because I don't want
S3: to be mean back to them. But I was told
S3: that if they don't, if they do not ask for forgiveness,
S3: then I can not forgive them.
S1: Well, uh, I think there's a difference. And it's important
S1: for us to recognize this between forgiveness and reconciliation. Forgiveness
S1: is like canceling a debt a person owes you a
S1: debt of an apology. You know, that's how the Lord
S1: Jesus categorizes sin. Forgive us our debts even as we forgive.
S1: Forgive our debtors. So a person has a has an obligation,
S1: a debt to pay, to apologize for the wrong that
S1: they've done, even to make restitution if possible. However, uh,
S1: what if that person is bankrupt and they can't pay
S1: that debt? That's what it would be. Someone who refuses
S1: to apologize doesn't see their error. Uh, doesn't see what
S1: they've done, refuses to see what they've done. That person
S1: is bankrupt. And you know when when they're bankrupt, the
S1: best thing to do is to forgive that, to let
S1: the debt go, because you're not going to get it
S1: paid back anyway. Uh, that's what I would say. So yes,
S1: you can forgive someone whether they apologize or not. But
S1: what happens is the person who doesn't apologize is never reconciled.
S1: The reconciliation between people doesn't happen unless there's some sort
S1: of apology and forgiveness granted. But you can, in your
S1: own heart. Someone has hurt you. Someone has done something
S1: to you. You can forgive them because otherwise you live
S1: in bitterness. You have to forgive them whether they apologize
S1: or not for your own well-being. So that's that's my
S1: advice to you. Okay, Tony.
S3: Thank you so very much. God bless you for your service.
S3: And yeah.
S1: Thank you so much, Tony, for calling. Really appreciate it.
S1: We're going to go to a break right now. Uh,
S1: of course you can. You can still call. There's a
S1: couple of lines open, so now's the time to call
S1: the phone number (877) 548-3675. We're going to talk about your
S1: questions from coast to coast from Alaska to Florida. We're
S1: talking about your questions about the Bible, God and the
S1: spiritual life. So stick with us. You're listening to Open
S1: Line with Michael Melnick.
UU: Be right back.
S1: And we're back. I am so happy to be here
S1: with you and talking about your questions about the scriptures.
S1: You know, I'm finding it's election season and people want
S1: to talk about elections. They want to talk about should
S1: we vote like one of our callers? Uh, I think
S1: sometimes people want to call up and influence the vote.
S1: You know, they think that their candidate is the right one.
S1: I'm going to tell you this. I'm not going to
S1: talk about candidates. I'll talk about the principle of the wisdom.
S1: Principle of voting. Uh, I'm I'm not going to talk
S1: about who to vote for. That's that's really crucial to
S1: understand because, you know, it's just not not appropriate for.
S1: For what? What it is that that I believe I
S1: should be doing here. I'm not going to tell you
S1: who to vote for, but I will tell you this.
S1: Vote for the candidate that most aligns with your values.
S1: That's your biblical values. That's the the thing that I
S1: would tell you. Uh, anyway, before we talk about, uh, voting,
S1: which is going to come up sooner or later, I
S1: do want to talk about becoming a kitchen table partner. Uh,
S1: kitchen table partners are so vital to this program. There
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S1: for budgeting and planning. And it's such an encouragement to
S1: us to have you stand with us on a monthly basis. Uh,
S1: I hope you'll consider becoming a kitchen table partner. Some
S1: of you actually give occasionally when there's a resource that
S1: we make available for a gift of any size. Uh, so, uh,
S1: if you'd like to give a gift for that, we
S1: send you our current resource, which is now, uh, 14
S1: Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible. But there are other
S1: people who say, uh, you know, I don't I'll give occasionally,
S1: but I don't know if I want to become a
S1: kitchen table partner. Well, you can still get the resource.
S1: You ask for it. We change it every other month. But, boy,
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S1: a kitchen table partner. And one of the things that
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S1: It is. That's a great deal. And you can get
S1: the Moody Bible Commentary, The Handbook of Messianic Prophecy, 50 questions, things, uh,
S1: 50 most important Bible questions. Things I've written. I hope
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S1: become a kitchen table partner. All you have to do
S1: is go to Openline radio.org or call (888) 644-7122. And we
S1: thank you so much, all of you who have become
S1: kitchen table partners already, those of you who are even
S1: just thinking about it, really appreciate it. We're going to
S1: talk to Roy in Zephyrhills, Florida, listening on keys. Welcome
S1: to Open Line, Roy. How can I help you?
S4: Shabbat shalom. Shalom.
S1: Shabbat shalom.
S4: My question is. My question is simple. What does the
S4: word nefesh mean? It's translated as soul in the King
S4: James Version.
S1: Well, it sounds like it means soul. Then, uh.
S4: But isn't it related to the word nafash?
S1: Well, tell me what you're asking because you're obviously looking
S1: for something. So tell me what you're looking for.
S4: Well, doesn't it mean to breathe?
S1: Well, it's a noun, and it just means a creature.
S1: Or a living. A living? A living being. A living
S1: being is what I would say. Uh, actually, it doesn't
S1: even mean a creature because of the way it's used
S1: here is. It means God created the man, and the
S1: man became, uh, a nefesh haya. So that means a
S1: living being or a living creature. That's what it means. Okay. Okay.
S1: It's someone.
S4: I just want to see what your take was on that.
S1: Yeah. Uh, do you think it's anything other than that?
S4: I believe it's the air breathing creature itself. Um, the
S4: one that actually does the breathing. Okay. Because he had
S4: just gotten done putting the air into them.
S1: Okay, so it means a living, breathing creature. Okay. Or being. Okay. Okay, good. Thanks, Roy.
S1: Appreciate it. Uh, we're going to talk to Bill in Florida,
S1: listening on something. Not sure what. Welcome to Open Line. Bill,
S1: how can I help you?
S5: Oh, thanks for having me on Doctor Melnick. Uh, how
S5: does God actually saves his, uh, save his, uh, Orthodox
S5: brothers and sisters? Uh, he gets them out of sacrificing,
S5: and they believe.
S1: How does God. Are you talking about Orthodox Jewish people? Yes. Okay. How?
S1: The way. Listen, here's how everyone is saved. Jewish. Gentile.
S1: You know, any human being is saved the same way
S1: by grace through faith in the revealed will of God.
S5: But in the end, they. So they're going to be
S5: worshiping God in that. In that, in the last tabernacle.
S1: Yeah. There's going to be a temple built sometime so
S1: that during the tribulation there's a tribulation temple and there
S1: will be sacrificing there. But that, that that the blood
S1: of bulls and goats don't shave. You know what, Bill?
S1: You got to let me answer. I can't answer until
S1: if you keep interrupting. So I'm happy to have you
S1: do a follow up, but just let me answer, okay? Uh,
S1: so the there's going to be sacrifice, but that will
S1: not save anyone. Uh, what God does during the the
S1: tribulation period is he brings pressure, particularly in the middle
S1: of the tribulation, on the Jewish people when the future
S1: false Messiah will turn on them and persecute them, and
S1: that persecution will culminate in the campaign of Armageddon, and
S1: it will be so much pressure that Jewish people will
S1: call on Jesus to save them. And it says that
S1: in Matthew 2337 through 39 that the Lord Jesus said
S1: he wouldn't return until Israel welcomes him back, and they
S1: will welcome him by faith. It says in Zechariah 1210,
S1: they will look upon him who was pierced, and mourn
S1: for him. As one mourns for an only son, the
S1: mourning of repentance, they will call upon him. Then, uh,
S1: and then I in Romans 1126, it's at that time
S1: that all Israel alive at that time, who call on Jesus,
S1: that will be saved. So that's how God will bring
S1: them to a faith. Now, is there something else you
S1: want to know about that?
S5: Well, I've got a little bit of a different spin
S5: on it than you have, although the scripture is perfect.
S5: I will say this, though, that, um. when he calls
S5: the two witnesses down. Actually, he calls us, you know.
S1: You know, Bill, we're going to move on. Thanks for
S1: your call. Really, really appreciate it. Uh, let's see, I'm
S1: going to talk with Richard in Elyria, Ohio, listening on Wtxf.
S1: Welcome to Open Line. Richard. How can I help you?
S6: Well, um, this voting thing I've heard this time and
S6: time again about Christians that don't want to vote. And
S6: I always hearken back, maybe I'm wrong. The scripture that
S6: says Jesus asked for a coin and he says, oh,
S6: here's Caesar, uh, render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's,
S6: and unto God the things that are God's. And our
S6: government has given us the opportunity to vote in our government.
S6: So I don't understand why there's a question.
S1: Well, well, first of all, what's the context of that
S1: verse that you're citing?
S6: Well, that's that's probably a little bit beyond me.
S1: No, it's about it's not beyond you. It's about taxation.
S6: Okay.
S1: So all that that verse is saying when it says
S1: render to Caesar that which is Caesar's. It's saying pay
S1: your taxes.
S6: Okay.
S1: That's all it's saying.
S6: Anything else about the government? No.
S1: It's about. Now, as I said earlier, it makes sense
S1: to follow the wisdom principle of voting. It's a very
S1: broad application that you could make to take rendering to
S1: Caesar as voting. But. Okay, I'm not saying you shouldn't vote.
S1: I'm saying that believers should use wisdom, and it is
S1: a great privilege that we have as American citizens the
S1: right to vote. And we should make make use of it.
S1: That's what I'm saying. Yes.
S6: Absolutely. I 100% agree.
S1: Great. Thanks for your call, Richard. Really appreciate it. Okay.
S6: Thank you. Doctor.
S1: Uh, and we're going to speak with, uh, Katie in Ohio,
S1: listening on whfc. Welcome to Open Line, Katie. How can
S1: I help you?
S7: Well, thank you so much for taking my call. And
S7: I just want to let you know that my husband
S7: and I are kitchen table partners. Oh, thank.
S1: You, thank you, thank you. Really, really appreciate that. That's
S1: so kind of you.
S7: Oh, well, we appreciate your program. And you. So thank
S7: you so very much. Okay, here's my question. Um, this
S7: can be this is one of those controversial topics within
S7: Christian circles. So I'm curious about your views and most importantly,
S7: what Scripture has to say about the topic of suicide.
S7: Like when somebody commits suicide, some believe that you go
S7: straight to hell.
S1: Well, you know, I haven't seen that verse actually, that says,
S1: for by grace are you saved through faith? It's not
S1: of works lest any man should boast. It's the gift
S1: of God. Unless you commit suicide and then you lose
S1: it all. Have you seen that verse?
S7: Uh, no. But there is there is some controversy about
S7: the scripture that talks about blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
S1: Yeah, but is that suicide?
S7: I know some people seem to think that's that's the sin.
S7: That's the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Now, I believe
S7: that's a misinterpretation of Scripture. Yeah.
S1: Let me let me just say this about suicide. Okay.
S1: Can I? I think suicide is a terrible travesty. It
S1: is just, God forbid if if anyone is listening here
S1: and contemplating suicide, please don't take what I was saying
S1: there that a person doesn't lose their salvation as somehow
S1: that it's preferable or right, or something that anyone should
S1: even contemplate if anyone is thinking about it. And I know, Katie,
S1: you agree with me about this? If a person is
S1: thinking about suicide, get some help. Go talk to someone
S1: that is not healthy. Talk to your your spouse. Talk
S1: to your your doctor. Talk to your pastor. Uh, just
S1: get some help. Uh, the it's crucial to to remember, uh,
S1: call the suicide hotline. Hotline? Uh, and to here remind
S1: me what the number is of the suicide hotline. Nine. Eight. Nine.
S1: Is it?
S7: Uh, yeah. I can't recall it at the moment.
S1: Nine. Eight eight. Nine. Eight. Eight. Suicide prevention line. That's it.
S1: That's all I'm saying. But the other thing that's really
S1: important is that obviously the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit
S1: in the context there. And I'm going back. Context. Context. Context.
S1: Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not about suicide. What
S1: it's about. It's saying that the, uh, the when the
S1: Messiah is physically present with us to to attribute his
S1: works to Satan. That's what blasphemy the Holy Spirit is.
S1: I don't think it's even possible to do that today,
S1: but that what they were doing is they were rejecting
S1: the Messiah. That is possible. But, uh, as for suicide,
S1: that comes more from another tradition where it's considered a
S1: mortal sin. And if you don't, you don't get a
S1: chance to repent because you've just committed it. Therefore you've
S1: lost your salvation. That is not what the Bible teaches.
S1: The Bible teaches that we are saved forever from the.
S1: We have eternal life, and eternal life begins from the
S1: moment that we believe. It's not something that we can lose. So, Katie,
S1: let me just go back to what you're asking. Will
S1: someone lose their salvation? So if you've lost someone that
S1: had committed suicide that knew the Lord. No, they have
S1: not lost their salvation. If you're contemplating it, don't do it.
S1: Get some help.
S7: Uh, well, see, there have been people. This has bled
S7: into the evangelical church.
S1: Oh, yeah. You know, Katie, I agree with you, but
S1: we can't go that way. But we've got to go
S1: to a break. Thanks for your call. Really appreciate it. Uh,
S1: we're going to be right back with more of your
S1: questions in the mailbag. Welcome back to Open Line. I'm
S1: so grateful for the Far Eastern Broadcasting Company. They partner
S1: with Open Line to bring you the weekly Febc mailbag.
S1: It's a terrific group. What a great organization. They bring
S1: the gospel to people through media, through radio. But there's
S1: also human touch. There's personal touch. And that is so important.
S1: It's not just radio waves, not just electronic vibes. It
S1: is person to person. And they see many people come
S1: to the Lord in places that no one can get to.
S1: Just about it is a remarkable ministry and I want
S1: you to check out their podcast. It's called Until All
S1: Have Heard. The way you find it is just go
S1: to fbc.org, that's FBC. Org and and make sure to
S1: download the podcast until all I've heard. Joining me right
S1: now to hear a Haynes sitting in for Tricia McMillan today.
S1: I'm guessing to hear, were you here during Founders Week
S1: all week.
S8: I was I was here all week.
S1: Wow. So Tricia was I'm sure too. And that's why
S1: she's not here today. Because she's wiped out.
S8: Yes, yes. There was some long days for Founders Week.
S1: Yeah, yeah, but. But you have to be here. I
S1: had some long days too, but we have to be here.
S1: Trish is the the the the weak one. She's home
S1: with her feet up. No, actually, I don't believe that.
S1: She's she's probably chasing some of those kids around. Is
S1: what I'm guessing because she didn't see him all week.
S1: So anyway, I love teasing her. So. Anyway, you do
S1: have the questions. I appreciate you sitting in today. And, uh,
S1: what have we got here?
S8: Thank you so much. We have Ashley from Illinois listening
S8: through Wmbi. When we die, do we immediately receive our
S8: heavenly body or will we receive it during the rapture?
S8: If we receive it during the rapture, what happens to
S8: our soul and spirit when we die?
S1: When we die? First of all, uh, it says in
S1: the book of Philippians chapter one, when Paul is talking
S1: about to live is, uh. Uh. To live is Christ,
S1: and to die is gain. Me living is the Messiah.
S1: Dying is gain. He says, now this is verse 21,
S1: now verse 22, now if I live on in the flesh,
S1: that means fruitful work for me, and I do not
S1: know which I should choose. I am pressured by both.
S1: I have the desire. Now listen to this. To depart
S1: and be with Christ. To be with the Messiah. He
S1: knows that when he dies here in Philippians one, that
S1: he he says it very explicitly in verse 23 when
S1: he dies, that's what depart means. He's going to go
S1: be with Jesus. So we go to be with the Lord,
S1: our immaterial part, our eternal. What I think in eternal
S1: is probably not a great word. Immortal, uh, soul goes
S1: to be with the Lord. Uh, same thing. Second Corinthians five.
S1: Absent from the body. Present with the Lord. So when
S1: when the immaterial part that's immortal leaves us. That's that's
S1: what death means. It means separation. So the body separates
S1: from the the immaterial part. The physical part goes in
S1: the grave, the immaterial part goes to be with the Lord.
S1: So that's what happens when we die. Then in first
S1: Thessalonians chapter four, uh, it says that the rapture will happen.
S1: Those who have died, the physical bodies will be resurrected.
S1: But I there's a little thing in here that I
S1: think is important to note here. In first Thessalonians four
S1: it says, since we believe this is verse 14, that
S1: Jesus died and rose again. Yes, in the same way.
S1: Now look at this. God will bring with him those
S1: who have fallen asleep in Jesus. So the image there
S1: of the Lord Jesus descending at the rapture is he's
S1: bringing the immaterial, the the souls or spirits of the
S1: people who have died, who've gone to be with him.
S1: They descend with him, and then it says, the dead
S1: in Messiah will rise at first and be the resurrected,
S1: and it'll be so. They're in a sense, we're descending.
S1: Our bodies are resurrected and reunited. That's what happens at
S1: the rapture. So that's the resurrection. But I think it's
S1: so important we're alive already. We're with the Lord. That's
S1: why we descend with him. And he brings us with
S1: him and then reunites us to our bodies. That's the plan.
S8: Thank you for that great explanation.
S1: So yeah, it's really this. A lot of people see
S1: that word. They're dead when it talks about the dead,
S1: and it calls them those who have fallen asleep, and
S1: they immediately think soul asleep. This is not talking about
S1: soul sleep. It is just a euphemism for dead. That's it.
S1: And you can see why. When you see someone laid
S1: out on a bier or in a casket, they look
S1: kind of they they're made to look like they're sleeping.
S1: They're not sleeping. Their body has separated the immaterial part.
S1: If we know the Lord, go to be with the Lord.
S8: So thank you for that clarification. Thank you.
S9: Yep, yep. Well, we've.
S1: Got a call coming in. No, let's go ahead with
S1: another question.
S8: Excellent. We have Mary Ann from Ohio listening through Wtxf
S8: in view of Psalm 121. How can we help an
S8: unbeliever to trust God with so many things happening in
S8: the world, so much anti-Semitism and things of that nature?
S1: Yeah. When you think about the history of anti-Semitism, it's
S1: the oldest hatred. And yet it says, uh, that he
S1: will not allow your foot to slip the protector, your
S1: protector will not slumber. Indeed. The guardian of Israel, the
S1: protector of Israel, does not slumber or sleep. Uh, that's
S1: that's really important that we recognize that now. There's no
S1: question that Jewish people have suffered terribly. You know, even
S1: when we my experience growing up as a child of
S1: Holocaust survivors, I know all about that, uh, the terrible
S1: suffering that Jewish people encountered in Europe. The the best
S1: answer I would give is not the answer that people expect.
S1: It's it's something I learned, heard Menachem Begin. And some
S1: people won't even remember that name. He was the prime
S1: minister of Israel. He had been involved in Israeli politics
S1: from before the beginning of the State of Israel. He
S1: had led the opposition party from 1949 till 1977, when
S1: he finally was elected Prime Minister, he stayed Prime Minister
S1: for about 5 or 6 years. Uh, Prime Minister Begin
S1: spoke at the World Gathering of Holocaust Survivors when I
S1: was there in 1981, in Jerusalem, and he gave a
S1: magnificent speech. I wasn't a big supporter of his politics,
S1: but he gave a magnificent speech. And it was at
S1: the Western Wall on the last night of the gathering.
S1: I was there representing second generation. Eve and I were
S1: there and, uh, he looked out at this crowd. He
S1: spoke in about 5 or 6 different languages. And he said,
S1: I know that many of you don't believe in God
S1: because you feel he broke his covenant and that, uh,
S1: all that you suffered has caused you to doubt or
S1: even deny him. And then he talked about how close
S1: the Nazis came to winning that war. He also talked
S1: about how the Nazis had developed rocketry before the West did.
S1: He talked about how the Nazis were working on the
S1: atomic bomb. He said, can you imagine if they had
S1: achieved the atomic bomb? They would have won that war.
S1: They would have bombed London. They would have bombed the
S1: United States. Uh, and with that, uh, they would have
S1: won the war. And it wouldn't have meant just the
S1: murder of, of two thirds of Europe's Jews, but the
S1: end of all Jewish people forever. And Menachem Begin said
S1: God acted to intervene. He preserved our people. And he said,
S1: never forget that. God kept his promise to preserve and
S1: protect his people. And so and then he he looked
S1: at that crowd and he says, I beg of you, believe.
S1: Believe in the God who kept us. And it was
S1: a really moving moment and a plea for protecting God.
S1: And that's what I would say in answer to this question.
S1: I wish it was pre-youtube. I can't find a recording
S1: of that speech anywhere, but I sure would love to
S1: see it again. It was really remarkable. And that's the answer.
S1: God preserved his people when think about with all the
S1: attempts at genocide against the Jewish people, it seems impossible
S1: that the Jewish people still exist. Where the Babylonians, you know,
S1: where the, the, the, the Girgashites and the Amorites and
S1: all the they're all gone. They are but the Jewish people.
S1: God has preserved the Jewish people. And it's I think
S1: that's that's really crucial. So and by the way, I
S1: believe that God uses believers in Jesus to be the ones.
S1: And that's why I really encourage people to come to
S1: the summit opposing anti-Semitism November 9th. Check it out on our, uh,
S1: our web page, open Line radio.org. There's a link there.
S1: Join us November 9th at Torrey Gray Auditorium at Moody
S1: Bible Institute. It's going to be a really amazing conference.
S1: Thank you to her for bringing in these questions. We're
S1: going to come back with more of your calls in
S1: just a moment. That was to hear Heinz, I'm Michael
S1: Ray Dolnick. This is open line and we'll be right back.
S1: Welcome back to Open Line. Thanks for for listening. I
S1: really appreciate you doing that. I know that you listen
S1: because you want to understand the Bible better. And I
S1: really appreciate that. That's something that I'm constantly studying trying
S1: to learn how to understand the scriptures better. Uh, one
S1: of the things that Chosen People Ministries does in partnering
S1: with us is trying to help us understand the scriptures
S1: better from a Jewish perspective. And, you know, there are
S1: people who say we need to unhitch from the Old
S1: Testament or that we shouldn't even read the Law of Moses,
S1: the Torah. The Torah is God's Word to us. And
S1: one of the things I love is that Chosen People
S1: Ministries has produced a, uh, I guess, a devotional book
S1: called The Portion. It's based on the weekly portion read
S1: in the synagogue from the Torah, and it shows how
S1: the principles of the Torah can still be applied today.
S1: It's a really wonderful little book and you can get
S1: a free copy. All you have to do is go
S1: to our website. Uh, go to openlibrary.org. Scroll down to
S1: the beginning. You'll see a link that says A Free
S1: gift from Chosen People Ministries. When you click on that,
S1: it'll give you a place to sign up for your
S1: very own copy of the portion, so go to Openline radio.org.
S1: That's our website. Click on the link that says Free
S1: Gift from Chosen People Ministries, and get your copy of
S1: the portion. We're going to talk with Mike in Tampa,
S1: Florida listening on keys. Welcome to Open Line. Mike. How
S1: can I help you?
S10: Okay. Thank you. Um, every year I give out at Halloween,
S10: I give out, um, candy and Bible tracks. But this year,
S10: I wanted to add a poster that says Read the Bible.
S10: It will. It will scare the hell out of you.
S10: And I wanted to make sure I'm using the term
S10: hell in a proper way. It's just a it's a
S10: strong word. So I wanted your opinion on that.
S11: Uh, I.
S1: See here on the question that you saw it on
S1: a billboard, right.
S10: I think I think I did coming back into Florida. Yes.
S11: Yeah.
S1: I once saw a bumper sticker on a car that said,
S1: get right with Jesus or get left in hell. Okay.
S1: And you know, it was a neighbor of mine who
S1: loves the Lord, had it on his car. But I
S1: talked to my other neighbors who didn't know the Lord,
S1: that he resented that. They. I saw the reaction. And
S1: you know what? They weren't reacting to Jesus. They were
S1: reacting to the bumper sticker. Gotcha. Here's here's what I
S1: would say in Colossians chapter four, verses two through six.
S1: It talks about praying. And then it says, pray also
S1: for us that God may open a door for us
S1: to for the message to speak, the mystery of the
S1: Messiah for which I am in prison. He says, so
S1: pray for an opening.
S11: Happening to.
S1: Preach the gospel so that I may reveal it as
S1: I am required to speak. He's actually praying there not
S1: only for the opportunity to speak, but the clarity when
S1: he speaks. And then he says, act wisely toward outsiders.
S1: Use skillful living, making the most of the time. You know,
S1: we have to be wise in how we present the gospel.
S1: Then he says, your speech should always be gracious, seasoned
S1: with salt, so that you may know how you should
S1: answer each person. What we need to do is have
S1: gracious speech, not smart alecky speech, you know, not condescending
S1: or mocking speech. Uh, what we want to do is
S1: be gracious, to be winsome, to draw people to the
S1: kindness of God. Not this other approach that the Get
S1: Left in Hell bumper sticker or getting the I understand
S1: the play on words getting the hell scared out of
S1: us and all that. The reason I think that there's
S1: a there's a balance. Gracious words, but seasoned with salt
S1: make it flavorful. Something that's desirable. Okay. That's my belief
S1: of how we should share the gospel with people. So yeah,
S1: give out the candy. Get name candy. That's what I think.
S1: We believers don't get the cheap stuff. Get the good stuff.
S11: And chocolate. Yeah.
S1: And give them something good to eat. And also something
S1: that's cheery and loving about the gospel. Okay.
S10: Okay, great. Great. Thanks, Michael.
S1: Thank you. Thanks for your call. Really appreciate it. Okay.
S1: And let's talk to Latasha in Zion, Illinois, listening on WNBA.
S1: Welcome to Open Line, Latasha. How can I help you?
S12: Hi. Good morning. Um. I'm calling. Thank you for taking
S12: my call. I'm calling because I have a family member. Actually,
S12: my brother, who professes to be a Hebrew Israelite. So I'm.
S12: I haven't found a lot of information on how to
S12: engage him. Um, he feels like our family is under delusion,
S12: and the Christians are wrong, but I'm just trying to.
S12: I don't know a lot of, um, information about what
S12: he feels like he believes, or where he's getting his information.
S12: I do read my Bible, so I know how to
S12: combat certain things, but I don't really know where he's
S12: coming from with that perspective. Like what they actually believe
S12: and all this and that. And it's like, it's hard
S12: to talk to him, but I just wanted to, you know,
S12: for the next conversation.
S13: You.
S1: Need to do some research. Uh, I think, uh, there, there. Like,
S1: for example, got questions online. You can look up what
S1: they have to say about Hebrew Israelites. Hebrew Israelites basically
S1: say that the true Israel is Africa, and that the
S1: people of Africa are the true Israelites. And so everything
S1: we know about Israel, everything we know about what the
S1: Bible says about Israel, everything we know about what the
S1: Bible says about the Jewish people. Uh, no, no, we
S1: have to reinterpret it and make it all, uh, black
S1: Africans who are the true Jews? That's the first thing. Uh,
S1: the people that came from Africa, there's there's absolutely no
S1: real evidence for that. They will distort some scriptures, uh,
S1: to make the case for that. But no, that's that's
S1: not the case. Secondly, uh, what they do is they
S1: become very legalistic about aspects of the law of Moses
S1: and don't really experience the forgiveness of God, uh, that, uh, that,
S1: that is available by faith in Jesus that we're not
S1: saved by the law. We're saved by grace through faith
S1: in Jesus. And so they become kind of legalistic. And
S1: then the other thing that they fall into is the trap.
S1: Not all, but many, many of the Black Hebrew Israelites
S1: have fallen into the trap of a deep hatred of
S1: the Jewish people, uh, because they consider them, uh, imposters.
S1: And as a result, in Jersey city a few years ago,
S1: there was a shoot up by some Black Hebrew Israelites
S1: of a, of a, of a kosher market and things
S1: like that. So it could be, uh, serious in terms of, uh,
S1: promoting violence against Jewish people. So if I were you,
S1: I would do some. Particularly because you have a family member,
S1: you need to do some research. I don't know if
S1: there's a whole book written about it, but I would
S1: look it up on Gotquestions.org. You know what I'll do
S1: to Latasha? You listen. Next week, I will make sure.
S1: I'll let you know what some resources are about the
S1: Black Hebrew Israelites. Okay, okay. That's what I'm going to do.
S12: Thank you so much, I appreciate that. Yeah.
S11: Yeah, but.
S1: I think that that's a great website. Gotquestions.org. Uh, and
S1: I'm sure you just type in Hebrew Israelites. It'll tell
S1: you what that is, and it'll give you some answers.
S1: And and you know what? Let me just encourage you.
S1: Love your brother. Encourage your brother. Send him back to
S1: the scriptures. Don't fight with your brother. Don't argue with him. Okay. That's.
S11: Yes, sir.
S1: I don't think you're going to win any arguments. okay?
S12: No, because his heart is hardened toward I mean, he
S12: went from being a believing Christian to. Mhm. Or so
S12: what I thought he was.
S1: Um, you're going to win him.
S9: You're.
S1: You're actually going to win him more with your love
S1: and kindness than you will with anything else. So keep
S1: that up. Anyway, that's the program. Can you believe two
S1: hours gone really fast? Thanks for listening, everyone. Thanks to
S1: the Open Line team. All those of you who worked
S1: hard in the program really appreciate it. Keep in touch
S1: with Open Line by going to our website, Open Line radio.org.
S1: That page has all the links you're looking for, whether
S1: it's how to become a kitchen table partner or get
S1: our current resource, or the Chosen People resource. Keep reading
S1: the Bible. We'll talk about it next week. Open line
S1: with Doctor Michael Ray Dolnick is a production of Moody Radio,
S1: a ministry of Moody Bible Institute. See you next week.