S1: Hello, friends. Welcome to the second hour of Open Line
S1: with Doctor Michael Moody Radio's Bible Study Across America. My
S1: name is Michael Melnick. I'm the academic dean and also
S1: professor of Jewish studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute.
S1: Our Bible study across America is continuing. We're sitting around
S1: the radio kitchen table with our Bibles open, and you
S1: can call right now with your questions about the Bible, God,
S1: or the spiritual life. If you have a question. Here's
S1: the phone number (877) 548-3675. Well, I hope you've got your
S1: second cup of coffee in front of you. Your Bible open.
S1: We're going to launch right in and go to the questions.
S1: We're going to talk to Karen in Florida listening on.
S1: I'm guessing one of our stations down in Florida. Glad
S1: you're there. Uh, welcome to open line. Karen. How can
S1: I help you?
S2: Oh, thank you for taking my call. Uh, I just
S2: finished reading the Old Testament. And.
S1: Wait, is this your first time through?
S2: Yes.
S1: And. And what motivated you to read through the Old Testament?
S2: Uh, I was I'm doing an online, uh, Bible study
S2: of reading through the Bible. Mhm. So I just finished
S2: the Old Testament.
S1: Now, are you reading the New Testament at the same time?
S2: No, I'm starting Matthew now.
S1: Okay. Well, I think it's great that you read the
S1: Old Testament. A lot of people, in fact, uh, a
S1: friend of mine that Eve and I made this friend
S1: through Open Line. She's, uh, one of my favorite people
S1: that I've met. And she told us recently, uh, that
S1: she has is reading through the Old Testament and really
S1: can't wait to get to the new. And I said,
S1: I read through the Bible every year, God willing, you know,
S1: God's help. I'm able to get through the scriptures just
S1: by reading it every year. But I, I do about
S1: two thirds of my reading in the Old Testament and
S1: one third in the new. And it's interesting because here
S1: I am in, you know, in August, and I've already
S1: completed the New Testament, and I'm going through my second
S1: time on the New Testament. Uh, but I always think
S1: if you're going to read through the Bible, mix it up,
S1: do old and new at the same time. But, you know,
S1: for the future, Karen, you're ready to go with the
S1: new now, so. Okay. Yeah.
S2: Yeah. Okay.
S1: Hey, I'm so glad to see that you're reading the Bible.
S1: That's why I wanted to talk with you, because a
S1: lot of our listeners are saying it's it's too big
S1: a task. I don't think I'm too challenged to read
S1: the whole Bible. You can do it. And you have
S1: done it. You're doing a great job. Thank you. Karen. Uh, anyway, so.
S2: I started January 1st. Oh, wonderful. I just got through
S2: the Old Testament. Yeah. And by the time December 31st comes,
S2: I'll be done with the New Testament. That's great. So
S2: it's great. It's piecemeal. It's really good. But I'm curious. Um,
S2: you know, I listened or, I mean, I, I read
S2: about Moses and how he set up the, the priesthood
S2: with the Levites and, uh, you know, how the priests
S2: were purified and and all that. And I see that
S2: with some of the kings who were good kings and,
S2: you know, they wanted to honor the Lord. But then
S2: I run across in first Chronicles 21 and second Samuel,
S2: where it says that David sacrificed before the Lord. So
S2: I was curious if David actually did the sacrifices or
S2: if he offered them to the priests and they sacrificed.
S1: Yeah.
S2: Um, because he's from the tribe of Judah. So.
S1: Exactly. So, uh, I think it's important to, uh, to
S1: recognize that what happened to Asa. Do you remember Asa?
S1: The King? Uh, he's from the line of David. He
S1: offered incense, and when he offered incense, uh, the result
S1: was that he got struck by God with leprosy. Because
S1: he was he was breaching the requirement of, uh, of having, uh,
S1: not to not go through the priest. He was trying
S1: to act as priest. Um, and I think the same
S1: thing is true. Uh, it talks about in the book
S1: of Hebrews where the Messiah has merged the two offices,
S1: and that he has to be from the order of Melchizedek,
S1: because the the priesthood comes from the sons of Levi. Right?
S1: Levitical priests. And so there has to be a change
S1: of priesthood. Uh, because how could the Messiah. Here's the verses.
S1: It says, for when there is a change of the priesthood,
S1: there must be a change of law as well. For
S1: the one, these things are spoken about belong to a
S1: different tribe. Now one from it has served no one
S1: from it, no one from it has served at the altar.
S1: Now it's evident that our Lord came from Judah. And
S1: Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests. That's Hebrews
S1: chapter seven, verses 13 through 15. So no one from
S1: the tribe of Judah served as priest. That would include David.
S1: So the only way I can explain those verses in
S1: Second Samuel and First Chronicles is that David offered sacrifice
S1: by bringing it to the Levitical priest, who then was
S1: the intermediary. But the gift was brought by David and
S1: the animal that was David's, and it was sacrificed with
S1: the intercession or mediation of a priest. Okay.
S2: Yes. Okay. That helps, because the way it reads is
S2: it looks like David offered the sacrifice. Yeah.
S1: But, you know, when you read Leviticus, it talks about how, uh,
S1: it gives the process that people have to bring a
S1: certain sacrifice, and then they give it to the priest
S1: and he offers it, but the person is actually making
S1: the sacrifice. It's just it's mediated by a priest. And
S1: so it leaves out the mediation of it in those
S1: passages about David. Okay.
S2: So okay. That's great. Great.
S1: Thanks for your call, Karen. Keep reading.
S2: Okay I will.
S1: Good.
S3: Uh.
S1: Bye bye. We're going to talk to Jason now in Nashville, Tennessee,
S1: listening on Wcmh. Welcome to Open Line. Jason. How can
S1: I help you?
S4: Hi, doctor Rydell, thank you so much. It's a blessing.
S4: Moody radio, just such a good program. Uh. Real quick. Um.
S4: Just curious. And I know you've probably answered it before about, uh,
S4: your take on the chosen series, but also, if you
S4: knew any of the three, um, teachers or theologians that
S4: Dallas meets with to.
S1: You know.
S4: Like there's the Jewish gentleman rabbi.
S1: You know, I don't know who he meets with. I've
S1: never seen Dallas interviewed about this or read any interviews
S1: about it. So I have no idea, uh, where he's
S1: getting his rabbinic sources from. So I might know the person.
S1: I just don't know who it is. So, uh, you know, uh, but, uh, I'm.
S1: I've watched. Well, I've watched the first season of, uh,
S1: of The Chosen. I have only watched the first season. Uh,
S1: it was very touching, really. You know, it built initially
S1: I thought, uh, and then by about the third episode,
S1: I found myself really touched. I think it, I think
S1: it's important that we distinguish between the scriptures and the chosen.
S1: And the reason I say that is that that is
S1: just a sort of a it's taken from the scriptures,
S1: but it is not the scriptures themselves. There's a lot
S1: of imagination, uh, a lot of creativity that goes with it.
S1: It doesn't have the same authority. But what it does
S1: is takes the story from Scripture and it captures the
S1: meaning so well. Uh, I think it really speaks to
S1: our hearts. I've only seen the first season. I'm told
S1: that the second and third seasons are just as good. Uh,
S1: But that's that's what I would say about it. I
S1: think it's a valuable, uh, for to help introduce people
S1: to the story of Jesus. I love creativity and, uh,
S1: you know, as I find the time, I probably will
S1: watch the further seasons of it, but I hope that helps. Thanks, Jason.
S1: Appreciate it. Uh, appreciate your call. We're going to talk to, uh, Debbie.
S5: Hi.
S1: In Chicago, listening on WNBA. Welcome to Open Line. Debbie.
S1: How can I help you?
S6: Thank you. Michael, thank you. I really enjoy your program. And, um,
S6: I am curious, in Matthew 27, it talks about the
S6: earthquake after Jesus's death. And of course, I know the
S6: reason that the temple curtain was torn in two. We
S6: were discussing, um, what happened. Like they it mentioned that
S6: the tombs were opened and there were many holy men
S6: that came out of the tomb. And then after Jesus's resurrection,
S6: they came into the city and appeared to many. And
S6: we were wondering, like, did they have to die again?
S6: What was the purpose of it, I guess, and what
S6: happened to them afterwards? Did they have to die again
S6: or were they translated to heaven like Elijah? Elijah? What happened?
S1: Well, it's kind of enigmatic. It's. I don't think anyone
S1: can tell you exactly what happened, but I'll give you
S1: my best shot at it. Okay. Uh, and I'm going
S1: to give you the technical theological explanation. It says suddenly
S1: the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from
S1: top to bottom. The earthquake, the rocks were split, the
S1: tombs were also opened. And many bodies of the saints
S1: who had fallen asleep, that's a euphemism for died, were raised.
S1: And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection. Now,
S1: I don't think they were raised at the point of
S1: his death, and then kept in the tombs till Sunday morning.
S1: I think they, when the Lord was raised, is when
S1: they came alive, and when the. When the tomb opened,
S1: they came out of their tombs as well, and entered
S1: the holy city, and appeared to many. What happened here? Well,
S1: I'm going to give you the theological explanation. There was
S1: a super duper burst of resurrection power. That's the technical explanation.
S1: That's the only way I can explain it. There is
S1: a super duper burst of of resurrection power at the
S1: resurrection of the Lord Jesus. People were raised from the dead.
S1: I don't know if they were dead for a short
S1: amount of time, like Lazarus, or dead for hundreds of years,
S1: or just, you know, a number of years. I don't
S1: know because it doesn't say, but they were saints. That
S1: means holy people, not specially holy, more than you and me.
S1: But the word saint has to do with anyone that's
S1: trusted the Lord and is a holy person. Because God
S1: has made us holy by justification. He's declared us righteous.
S1: And they were raised. I think it was partially they
S1: appeared to people that was sort of, sort of further
S1: testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Uh, that
S1: was their purpose to testify of his resurrection. And then
S1: I don't know how long they lived, but they must
S1: have died again. Uh, they could have been translated. The
S1: Bible doesn't say, but nevertheless, uh, if they lived on Earth,
S1: then they had to die again. Uh, or they were translated.
S1: The Bible doesn't say. And I'll just leave it at that. Uh,
S1: I presume that if they continued to live on Earth,
S1: they would have, because they are not they were not
S1: raised to immortality the way the Lord Jesus was. That
S1: will only happen with the ultimate resurrection of the dead.
S1: And so they would have had to die again the way,
S1: uh uh, Lazarus had. Or as you say, they might
S1: have been translated, I don't know. But their key function
S1: was to testify of the risen Lord. Okay.
S6: Okay. Thank you very much. You answered a number of
S6: questions for me today. Just listening.
S7: So great.
S1: So glad, so grateful. Uh, I'm so most grateful that
S1: the Lord Jesus is alive. Uh, we often talk about
S1: Jesus died for our sins, but he was raised for
S1: our justification. Just don't forget that he's alive and he's
S1: coming back. We're going to talk about more of your
S1: questions in just a moment. This is Michael Wright Zelnick.
S1: You're listening to Open Line. Stay with us. Welcome back
S1: to Open Line. Uh, I just have to say, you
S1: can't even make a little name mistake on an open line,
S1: people usually don't catch it. But earlier caller was talking
S1: with me about kings, whether they could be priests, whether
S1: David was a priest. And I said, Asa offered incense.
S1: And I knew right away I got the name wrong
S1: and I was going to say something. I went on
S1: to the next call and forgot. But it was Uzziah. However,
S1: my friend, my really good friend. He's been on the program,
S1: Larry Feldman, immediately just now texting me, calling me. You
S1: got to correct it. It was Uzziah. No, not Asa,
S1: I love Larry, uh, because, you know, he's right. You
S1: got to get those details right even when you misspeak.
S1: So thank you, Larry. Uh, you know, there's no one
S1: I know in the whole world that knows the details
S1: of every king better than Larry Feldman. It's. He's like
S1: one of my heroes in the whole world. And the
S1: reason is because he reads the scriptures so faithfully for
S1: so many years, every day. Hasn't missed a day in
S1: over 50 years. I think that that that's just phenomenal.
S1: And that's why he's my hero. I just think that's
S1: the most outstanding quality that a person can have. And
S1: I love what he says. His epitaph will be on his, uh,
S1: on his gravestone one day. It will say, read the word.
S1: And I think that that's a great reminder of what
S1: his life has been built on. So anyway, thank you, Larry,
S1: for calling, I love it. Uh, I do want to
S1: talk about a book that really helps me understand the word.
S1: It's our current resource. That book is called the Everyday
S1: Commentary Bible Commentary on the Book of Acts. It was
S1: written by Doctor Charles Ryrie, one of my favorite teachers
S1: I had in graduate school. He really knows the word.
S1: And this book of history and apologetics and theology and biography,
S1: It's just such a wonderful book. But it's it's challenging
S1: and sometimes you need a little help to get through it.
S1: And that's why we're making this our current resource. It's
S1: yours with a gift of any size to open line.
S1: We want to say thank you by sending you this book.
S1: If you'd like a copy of the Everyday Bible Commentary
S1: on Acts. The best way to do that is just
S1: go to our website, openline radio.org and you can give there.
S1: Or you can call (888) 644-7122. And then you can give
S1: your gift and we'll send you. But be sure to
S1: ask for the everyday Bible commentary on Acts by Charles Ryrie,
S1: and we'll be sure to send it to you to
S1: say thanks for your generous gift. We really appreciate you.
S1: We're going to talk to David in Idaho, listening on
S1: KNBR Spokane station. Welcome to Open Line. David. How can
S1: I help you?
S8: Well, it's.
S4: A simple but important question in the book of acts,
S4: verse 60, Stevens said, Lord, do not hold this sin
S4: against them. Then also in Matthew chapter five, verse 44,
S4: Jesus said, love your enemies and pray for those who
S4: persecute against you. Can you dialogue about that a little
S4: bit in detail for me, please? Are we supposed to
S4: say this every time we when we die, or is
S4: that a legalistic or is it a requirement? Because I
S4: don't hear that in very many people actually talking about
S4: that in funerals or death or anything like that.
S1: Well, you know, when you're being martyred, it's a different
S1: story than if you die peacefully. You know, in your
S1: in your bed. The the point of acts 759 is
S1: Peter is being stoned. And he prayed for those people
S1: who were throwing the stones. Uh, just as when the
S1: Lord was being crucified, he said, father, forgive them. They
S1: don't know what they're doing. Uh, I think in those
S1: kinds of circumstances. Uh, I think it's it's it's crucial
S1: that we recognize that people act in ignorance and, and
S1: have a heart of compassion for those that are even, uh,
S1: if we're being martyred, martyring us. So, uh, that's what
S1: that is. Does that grant them eternal forgiveness? Eternal redemption? No.
S1: Of course not. But it's a heart of compassion. It's
S1: asking God to intervene in their lives so that they
S1: would see and repent. That's what the point of that is. Uh,
S1: you know, I do think it changes our perspective of
S1: those of those who who might want to hurt us. Uh.
S1: I think that when we moved to New York, There
S1: was a guy that lived in the apartment directly under us.
S1: That was just the grouchiest, meanest guy. His family had
S1: left him because he was so grouchy and mean, and
S1: we did everything to try to win him over. Uh,
S1: Eva would bake cookies and bring it to his apartment.
S1: He was directly under us, uh, in this big apartment building.
S1: But he hated that my two year old son was
S1: running around the apartment because he could hear his little
S1: feet and would complain all the time if he. If
S1: my son fell out of the chair, he was a
S1: toddler and bumped, I'd have a phone call instantly complaining
S1: about all the noise. Uh, and he was so grouchy.
S1: And then one of the most important things that a
S1: friend of ours said to us. Eva was just like
S1: she was beyond herself trying to know what to do
S1: about this guy. She was getting really angry. And, uh,
S1: finally a friend said, you know, Eva, he's walking in
S1: darkness And and that just changed Eva's whole perspective. The
S1: man was walking in darkness. He. He was angry at
S1: the world because he was angry at himself. And he
S1: was angry at everything going on in his life and
S1: the anger he got, the more he struck out at people.
S1: And so it changed our attitude to pray for this man. Uh,
S1: rather than to become embittered at him. And I think
S1: that's the model of Steven right there when he's being martyred. So, anyway, uh,
S1: we're going to talk to Susan in Florida, listening on Wcqs.
S1: Welcome to Open Line. Susan, how can I help you today?
S9: Oh, hi. How are you? Thank you for taking my call. Sure. Um,
S9: I just had a question about, uh. And I know. No,
S9: everybody doesn't know all the answers to this, but I
S9: kind of wanted your insight on what.
S1: Would you call the right place? I know all the
S1: answers to everything. Don't you know?
S9: Yeah.
S1: No, I don't know everything. Okay.
S9: That's all right. Well, I was just wondering, like, what
S9: is the purpose of the millennium? It sounds like a
S9: dumb question, but why wouldn't we all just go to heaven? And,
S9: I mean, is it to show what the world would
S9: have been like if Adam and Eve had never sinned?
S9: And will people have marry and have children in the
S9: millennium and will?
S1: Well, you've got you've got a lot of questions. Let
S1: me just explain this, okay. First of all, uh, at
S1: the rapture, I think the rapture will happen before the tribulation. We,
S1: the the dead in Christ, will rise, be raised to immortality. Right?
S1: And those of us who are alive and remain will
S1: be translated, transformed in an instant to be with the
S1: Lord to immortality. But the tribulation continues. Uh, will start afterwards.
S1: After that resurrection. Translation. Rapture. Uh, the the end result
S1: will be the great, uh, A campaign of Armageddon. And
S1: of course, you know, Israel will call upon the Lord
S1: and the nation as a whole. Not every last one,
S1: but 99 and 4000/400 percent will call on the Lord,
S1: and he will come and deliver Israel. So there will
S1: be people entering the kingdom of Jewish people who have
S1: not yet been resurrected or translated. Also at the judgment
S1: of the sheep and the goats, judging the Gentile nations
S1: for what they have done during the tribulation, those who
S1: are believers will be the sheep. They will enter into
S1: the joy of their Lord. They will go into the
S1: kingdom without yet having been resurrected. And so we've got
S1: we've got people entering the kingdom who are not yet resurrected.
S1: Guess what? They will marry. They will have children. Their
S1: children during the millennium will have to trust the Lord
S1: Jesus to be saved. That's a lot. We don't think
S1: of it. Oh, it's the kingdom. It's going to be perfect. No,
S1: there will be people born with sin natures who will
S1: need to trust the Lord Jesus to be saved in
S1: the kingdom. And that explains a couple of things. One,
S1: when people say, why are there going to be sacrifices
S1: in Ezekiel 40 through 48, in the kingdom, in the
S1: messianic kingdom on earth, the thousand year millennium? Why? Because
S1: it will be sort of like the Lord's Supper is today,
S1: looking back at the, uh, the the death and resurrection
S1: of the Lord, the Lord will be alive before us,
S1: reigning over us. But it will remind people about it,
S1: because there won't be as much death. It will remind
S1: people about what God paid, the price that God paid
S1: to redeem us. And that's the point of those sacrifices.
S1: So there'll be sacrifices. People will have to trust the Lord.
S1: And then at the end of the millennium, there's going
S1: to be one last rebellion of all of many people
S1: who didn't trust the Lord. Now think about it. Satan
S1: is bound during the millennium, and still there will be
S1: people who don't know the Lord. And when they get
S1: the chance, when he is released, they will rebel against
S1: him once more. Revelation 20 tells us, what does this
S1: tell us? We always want to blame the devil, you know.
S1: We want to say, the devil made me do it.
S1: This is saying that it's our flesh that drives us
S1: away from God and that. So one of the purposes,
S1: I don't know all the purposes of the millennium, but
S1: one purpose is to show us our need and not
S1: blame others, not blame the enemy, but show our own need, uh, for, uh,
S1: for trusting in the Lord and, uh, and not to
S1: blame the enemy. So that's the purpose of the millennium. Uh,
S1: I hope that helps with some of your questions. Uh,
S1: if I knew everything, I would tell you everything. But
S1: I don't know everything. I just know a little bit. So.
S9: No, that sounds good. I mean, so everyone that's ever
S9: lived or died won't be in the millennium.
S1: Say that again. Say that again.
S9: Everyone that's ever lived in the history of time. Will
S9: they be in the millennium or. Or not? Well, everybody
S9: be in the millennium.
S1: Well, redeemed people will be in the millennium. Those who
S1: enter the the millennium will be redeemed people. But then
S1: they will. But the people who are not redeemed won't
S1: enter the kingdom. They will be resurrected. It says in revelation,
S1: after the messianic kingdom, after the millennium. Okay, but believers
S1: will enter it and the resurrected believers will have participation
S1: in the kingdom, so they'll be both resurrected and people
S1: who are not yet resurrected. In the kingdom of the
S1: not yet resurrected, there will be people who know the
S1: Lord and some people who don't. Okay.
S9: Okay. Yeah. Okay. All right. Thank you so much for that. Yeah.
S1: You know, I think sometimes we just like, it's. It
S1: seems a little confusing when we look at all the
S1: stuff about the End of days, but, you know, you
S1: kind of parcel it out. You can understand it. Um,
S1: but the main thing is Jesus is coming back. He's
S1: going to reign. Let's not forget that. That's the most
S1: important part of it. Uh, we're going to come back
S1: with more of your questions in just a moment. This
S1: is open line with Michael Radonich. Stay right.
UU: There. We're coming back.
S1: Welcome back to Open Line. So glad that your listening today.
S1: And to hear Haynes is joining me right now for
S1: the Febc mailbag. That's the Far Eastern Broadcasting Company mailbag.
S1: I'm so grateful for Far Eastern Broadcasting Company for partnering
S1: with with us to with Moody Radio to bring you
S1: Open Line. And it's just a really terrific ministry that
S1: uses media to reach the world. And, you know, some
S1: people say, well, you know, you need a more personal touch. Well,
S1: Febc have people on the ground that do follow up.
S1: They have a marvelous ministry. If you'd like to know more,
S1: just go to their website, febc.org, and click on the
S1: link about their podcast until all I've heard, and you'll
S1: learn all about this fabulous ministry, other resources at their
S1: website as well that you'll find helpful. So check out
S1: febc.org and to hear a Haynes is right here. Let's see.
S1: I don't know what to call you. An associate producer
S1: of Open Line. Do you have a job title?
S10: Producer.
S1: Producer. Producer.
S10: Okay. Thank you.
S1: Uh, I know that you're kind of one of our
S1: people here in Moody Radio. That's that's going to be
S1: producing a bunch of different shows, backing up people like
S1: Tricia and others. That's correct. At different times. And you've
S1: been here. That's why there's such a crowd out there
S1: in the booth. You know you're there. Trish is there.
S1: Others are learning. Chris is there. I mean, we got
S1: so many people. It's quite the team, isn't it?
S10: I agree. Yeah. And I love the way Moody radio trains.
S10: We learn step by step how to do this job,
S10: how to do it well, how to support our hosts
S10: as such as you, Michael. And then also how to
S10: support our listeners. Yeah. So it's a great team. I really.
S1: Appreciate it. You know, I it was so funny. A
S1: few weeks ago, I'd been having my friend Steve Sanchez,
S1: who teaches Bible in here, and people thought I was
S1: getting ready to quit Open Line. No, I'm trying to
S1: train someone so that if I have to go away
S1: and he will be hosting, I think in September 23rd,
S1: I think is the date. Uh, I just wanted to
S1: give someone a chance to to practice a little bit
S1: and learn with with me. It's not that I'm quitting.
S1: Far be it. I love this, but I just think
S1: it's important that we. I think it's the model of
S1: the Bible. What did Jesus do with his disciples? He
S1: trained them. And he.
S10: Did. He did.
S1: And Paul trained others. It's whatever it is that you're doing.
S1: If you're good at it, then what you do is
S1: you train the next person and then they can, you know,
S1: the things you. That's discipleship. Things you've seen and heard
S1: in me. These things, Timothy, commit to faithful men that
S1: they might, uh, equip others also. So. Amen. That's it.
S1: So anyway, uh, let's let's talk about some of these questions.
S10: Great, great. We'll start with Mitzi in Florida, who listens
S10: through WCS and revelation 12 with the woman and the Dragon.
S10: Is this an event that is yet to come, or
S10: is it something that we are living now?
S1: Uh, in my opinion, what we see revelation is really
S1: a futuristic book. It's a book of prophecy about predictive prophecy,
S1: and it's dealing with the tribulation period. And it deals
S1: with the first, uh, I'd say first six verses. Five verses, uh,
S1: is the coming of the Messiah. Uh, but the woman
S1: in revelation 12 represents Israel. That's what the sun, moon
S1: and stars uh, represent, just like in Joseph's dream. Um, and, uh,
S1: and then, uh, her child, the the Jewish child, the
S1: woman that's Israel was caught up to God and his throne.
S1: That's the ascension of the Lord Jesus. And then the
S1: woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place
S1: prepared by God to be fed there for 1260 days,
S1: 1260 days. That's the second half of the tribulation. Those
S1: dates have been specified already in the book of Daniel.
S1: Thank you. So the second half of the tribulation, what's
S1: going to happen to to get verse six to understand
S1: that is what happens, is that the the tribulation begins
S1: when Israel signs a covenant with the future false Messiah.
S1: Midway through that seven year period, that false Messiah demands
S1: worship as the Messiah he demands, and he goes into
S1: the temple and tries to receive worship. Israel says, we
S1: made a covenant of peace with you, but we're not
S1: going to worship you as the Messiah. You're not the Messiah.
S1: And he begins to persecute them, so they will flee
S1: to the wilderness. Many people, I included, think I think
S1: it's going to be, uh, a place called Bozrah or
S1: Petra in across the Jordan River. Uh, and that's the
S1: place that's been prepared. And God will use that, that
S1: the rest of that passage deals with the attack by
S1: the dragon or Satan on the Jewish people at that time.
S1: So I think it's future. Second half of the tribulation
S1: in verse six. That's what begins the second half.
S10: Thank you for that. Excellent, excellent explanation. And Mitzi, thank
S10: you so much for that question. Yep. Um, we also
S10: have a big question.
S1: Can I just say something? This is really important. Uh,
S1: when I teach this passage, I often call it the
S1: mystery of anti-Semitism explained. Wow. Because why is it that
S1: Jewish people have suffered the longest hatred, the oldest hatred
S1: in the world is anti-Semitism, hatred of the Jewish people.
S1: And this tells me that it's driven by the dragon.
S1: The what is behind all the hatred of the Jewish people?
S1: It's the enemy, it's satanic, and it's a theological explanation.
S1: There's no other good reason for it. Hatred of the
S1: Jewish people is driven by Satan because Satan hates whom
S1: God loves. That's one of the key ideas. Also, Satan
S1: wants to obstruct God's plan. And if he could somehow
S1: put an end to the Jewish people, he could have
S1: prevented the sun from coming the first time the Messiah,
S1: the Lord Jesus. And if he can somehow, uh, destroy
S1: the Jewish people, then he can prevent the Lord Jesus
S1: from returning because he said he won't return. Matthew 2337
S1: through 39 until Israel welcomes him. So this explains why
S1: is it that Jewish people have been such an object
S1: of hatred? It's satanic. And the reason I mentioned that
S1: is we have on November 9th, a a summit coming
S1: up right here in Chicago at Moody Bible Institute. It's
S1: the summit opposing anti-Semitism. I'll be speaking. It's a one
S1: day conference. I'll be speaking. Don Sweeting will be speaking.
S1: Mark Jobe, our president will be speaking. Mitch Glazer, president
S1: of Chosen People ministries will be speaking. It's going to
S1: be a terrific day for understanding this, this hatred of
S1: God's people and how we, as followers of the Jewish Messiah,
S1: Jesus can stand with his people in opposing it. And
S1: so I really want to let people know about it.
S1: There's a if you want to know more about it,
S1: just go to Open Line radio.org. Click on the link there.
S1: About the summit opposing anti-Semitism, I think, and I really
S1: hope people will plan to come for that day. It's
S1: going to be a fantastic day, culminating with a concert
S1: by Marty and Misha Goetz. So I think your people
S1: will really like it. So anyway, I just wanted to
S1: kind of show this, this, this significance. It's not just
S1: that it's future, but it reveals something that's been always,
S1: always been true.
S10: Thank you so much for that additional information. And that's
S10: a wonderful lineup for that, for that seminar, for that conference.
S10: So thank you so much. Thank you. We also have
S10: a question. It's a pretty big question. And it's from
S10: Kirstie in Minnesota who listens with Faith radio. Um, she
S10: says her question is, where do you stand on the
S10: issue of remarriage after the divorce? And we know there
S10: are a lot of differing opinions, even from biblical scholars
S10: on this topic.
S1: Yeah, there are a lot of different views and people
S1: will differ. But here's how I understand it. Uh, based
S1: on Matthew 19, where the Lord Jesus gives the exception
S1: clause except for cause of immorality. Uh, I believe if
S1: someone breaks their vows of fidelity, uh, that divorce is permitted,
S1: but not required, but permitted. If can this marriage be saved?
S1: You know, you sometimes hope that it can. But there
S1: are times where there is a partner in the marriage
S1: that refuses to repent and change ways, and Therefore divorce
S1: would be permitted, and if that if a divorce comes
S1: with biblical grounds of immorality, then then yes, the person
S1: can remarry biblically. The second area is in first Corinthians seven,
S1: where if a person is married to someone who doesn't
S1: know the Lord, and that person who doesn't know the
S1: Lord doesn't want to stay but abandons the marriage, that
S1: would justify a person if they've been abandoned to be remarried.
S1: And and not only that, I mean, I think that
S1: any time a person abandons, I think that's a principle
S1: that's given there. If a person just refuses to be married,
S1: abandons the marriage, the the one partner doesn't, uh, want
S1: to have a divorce, but the other determines. I think
S1: that abandonment is a is a justification for remarriage. Uh,
S1: and then now this is where I get a little
S1: more controversial. I think there are a lot of people
S1: who agree with me about adultery and abandonment, but, uh,
S1: I believe the most grievous way a person can abandon
S1: their vows, even if they're willing to stay, is with violence. Uh,
S1: and that is an abandonment of their vows. Even if
S1: they're they're still present in the home. In fact, they've
S1: become a danger because they stay present in the home.
S1: I think that is, uh, now, I'm not the only one.
S1: Wayne Grudem has come along now, uh, who changed his
S1: view and added, uh, abuse, physical abuse as a justification
S1: for divorce and remarriage, and I would I would agree
S1: with him about that. Uh, Wayne Grudem, a great theologian
S1: and has written about that in recent years. Uh, in
S1: my judgment, again, this is just me speaking, not setting
S1: policy for any organization or church, but just as I
S1: as I understand it, physical abuse is what I would say.
S10: So thank you, Michael, for diving into those deep waters.
S10: Thank you.
S1: And you know everyone, there are people who will call
S1: me and they'll say, I've got I've got this problem
S1: with my marriage and I don't know about divorce. I say,
S1: that's where you need to talk to a pastor, because
S1: I would need to hear the whole story and all
S1: the details. And I talk to your pastor, is what
S1: I would say. And if a person is struggling with
S1: the issue of divorce and remarriage, talk to your pastor.
S1: Good advice. That's what I would say. Yeah. Anyway, thanks
S1: for bringing those questions. Uh, we're going to come back
S1: with more of your calls in just a moment. Uh,
S1: this is Michael Radonich, Tara Haynes with the questions you've
S1: sent in. Check out check out our website, Open Line radio.org.
S1: There's a link there that says Ask Michael a question,
S1: and you can certainly post your question there, and we'll
S1: get to it in the mailbag. We're coming right back
S1: with more of your calls. So stay with us right
S1: here on Open Line with Michael. Rachel, Mike. Welcome back
S1: to Open Line. My name is Michael Read Melnick, and
S1: you heard me talking with Tara. If you listened to
S1: the last segment and we talked about all the different
S1: people who are serving here at Moody Radio, the great
S1: team that we have, I'm so grateful for them. I'm
S1: so grateful for the people that you may know and
S1: the people that you may not know, because it's a
S1: great team. And also there are people that you wouldn't know,
S1: but they're out there. They're our kitchen table partners. They
S1: are the folks that really keep open line on the air.
S1: They not just regular listeners, but they help support Open
S1: Line by giving monthly so we can be on the
S1: air weekly. Appreciate those kitchen table partners so much. And
S1: some people give occasionally. Maybe you'd even consider becoming a
S1: monthly partner, kitchen table partner and give every month so
S1: that we can be sure to stay on the air.
S1: That's the most helpful to us. Uh, and if you do,
S1: what I'll do is I'll send you a Bible study
S1: moment every other week. Uh, just a little 5 or
S1: 10 minute Bible study that you click on and your
S1: email and you get to listen to. I know that
S1: you're going to find it really helpful. And if you'd
S1: like to become a kitchen table partner, the way to
S1: do that is go to our website, openline radio.org, and
S1: there's a link there you can click on or you
S1: can call 88864471228886447122. And thank you so much for considering
S1: becoming a kitchen table partner. And we're going to talk
S1: right now with Christopher calling from Florida listening to Rmbb.
S1: Welcome to Open Line. Christopher. How can I help you today.
S11: Hi mister, I, I just wanted to ask, um, what
S11: are the trends? Wait, wait.
S1: Chris. Chris, how old are you?
S11: I'm 13.
S1: You're 13. Wow. And you? Listen, your parents make you
S1: listen to open line with them. Is that what you're
S1: doing here?
S11: Yeah. I'm listening with my aunt and my mom.
S1: With your mom? That's great, I love that. It's kind
S1: of a fun way to do Bible study together, don't
S1: you think? With your mom. That's fun. So.
S11: Oh, yeah. Definitely.
S1: Hey, what grade are you going into right now?
S11: I'm going into eighth grade.
S1: Wow. So now you're 13. But I guess you haven't
S1: had a bar mitzvah yet, have you? Huh?
S11: Uh, no, I haven't.
S1: Usually it's just Jewish kids that have a bar mitzvah, but, uh,
S1: I think it's your bar mitzvah age. Let's say. So.
S1: It's good that you're asking questions. You know, Jesus asks.
S1: Answered questions of the the leaders of Israel, uh, back
S1: when he was 12. So it's a good age to
S1: be talking about the Bible. Go ahead with your question.
S1: I'm sorry to be diverting you.
S12: Go ahead.
S11: Oh no problem. So in Matthew six, uh, verse 19
S11: to 22, uh, like Jesus mentions, like to gather your
S11: treasures in heaven, but what what are those treasures?
S1: Uh, I think it's gold doubloons. Doubloons? That's what it is.
S1: I don't know what they are going to be. Here's
S1: what I know in first Corinthians three. It talks about
S1: when we serve God. Uh, we're we're we're working. We're
S1: building on a foundation. And that foundation is either built
S1: with wood, hay and straw, or we can build with gold,
S1: silver or costly stones. And the work that we do,
S1: it says, will be revealed by the fire of God,
S1: and it will test the quality of each one's work.
S1: And if the work is made of gold or silver.
S1: Obviously these are metaphorical usages or precious gems that will
S1: survive the fire, whereas wood, hay and straw wouldn't. And
S1: it says, uh, if anyone's work is burned up, it
S1: will be lost, but he will be saved. It will
S1: be like an escape through fire. But basically what will
S1: happen is we will receive a reward. Uh, now, some
S1: people say it's crowns. There's the 24 elders in the
S1: book of revelation, and they have crowns. And what do
S1: they do? They toss their crowns at the feet of
S1: the Lord Jesus. I think that whatever reward or treasure
S1: that we receive in heaven, we will give back to him,
S1: because he's the one that deserves it the most. But
S1: I think there'll be some sort of reward that will receive,
S1: you know, in, in, uh, first Corinthians nine, it talks
S1: about us receiving a reward as well. Uh, everyone who competes,
S1: It says uh uh will exercise self-control in everything. However
S1: they do it to receive a crown that will fade away.
S1: But we do it to receive a crown that will
S1: never fade away. So, uh, obviously we're getting again. It's
S1: a metaphor. The victor's crown, uh, for a reward. So
S1: I think that's what the Lord Jesus is talking about.
S1: I think the biggest reward we'll receive is one day
S1: we'll stand before the Lord and he will say, if
S1: we have been faithful, well done, good and faithful servant.
S1: That's what my hope for the greatest treasure I could
S1: receive in heaven. Okay, Christopher.
S11: All right. Thank you. Yeah.
S1: Thanks for your call. Really appreciate it. Uh, Natalie in Ohio, uh,
S1: listening on Wtxf. Welcome to Open Line. How can I
S1: help you?
S13: Thank you. My question is, are there modern day apostles
S13: and prophets? And should Christians allow these individuals to predict
S13: what is going to happen in the future in their
S13: personal lives?
S14: Okay, can you give me.
S13: Bible scripture to back this.
S14: Up?
S1: Yeah, well, if you look at acts one, when they
S1: were choosing the apostles to to replace Judas, they said
S1: they wanted someone who had been with them from the
S1: beginning that had seen the resurrected Lord and that could, uh,
S1: testify with them of the resurrection. Right. So we've got
S1: something here. Uh, therefore, he says, I'm I'm finding the verse, uh,
S1: verse chapter one, verse 22 of acts 122, beginning from
S1: the baptism of John until the day he was taken
S1: from us, from among these, as someone who has been
S1: with them, from among these, it's necessary that one become
S1: a witness with us of his resurrection. In one Corinthians
S1: nine one, Paul defends his apostleship. He was not one
S1: of the 12, but he defends his apostleship. He says,
S1: am I not an apostle? Have I not seen the Lord?
S1: So it seems to me to be an apostle with
S1: a capital A, so to speak. Uh, a person needs
S1: to have seen physically the resurrected Lord Jesus and testify
S1: of that. Now, that tells me that today there aren't
S1: apostles like that. And if there aren't apostles like that,
S1: that affects a whole lot of other things as well,
S1: because there are certain actions that are associated with the apostles. So, uh,
S1: but the point is that that shows that there is
S1: at least some gifts that were temporary. As for prophets
S1: and prophecies. It depends on how you define it. I
S1: believe that they were from the foundation of the church,
S1: apostles and prophets and, and and therefore the foundation has
S1: been laid, and there are no more people that will
S1: be predicting what's going to go on in our lives
S1: for today. We'll just stick with the scriptures. I hope
S1: that helps. Natalie, next time let's talk about it in
S1: the future. Another time. This has been, uh, fastest two
S1: hours of the week. So glad you listened. Thanks, Chris Seeger,
S1: Tricia McMillan, Tara Haynes, for all that you did to
S1: bring this program to fruition. Uh, thanks for every caller.
S1: Really appreciate you. Check out our website, openline. radio.org. It's
S1: got all the links you're looking for. Uh, I'll keep
S1: reading the Bible. We'll talk about it next week. Open
S1: line is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of
S1: Moody Bible Institute. Have a great week.